JP7664768B2 - Image forming system, image forming apparatus, and method for controlling image forming system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming device such as a copying machine, a multifunction device, or a printer device, and a method for controlling the image forming system.

Image forming systems that have multiple image forming devices connected to each other via a network and form images on the image forming devices based on print data sent from a terminal device have been known for some time (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In such conventional image forming systems, when setting specific configuration information for multiple image forming devices, the user must manually set the information for all of the multiple image forming devices (e.g., about 100 devices), which is extremely time-consuming.

JP 2014-178738 A

However, conventional image forming systems are not configured to eliminate the inconvenience of a user having to perform setting operations to set specific setting information for all of multiple image forming devices.

The present invention aims to provide an image forming system, an image forming device, and a control method for an image forming system that can eliminate the inconvenience of a user having to set specific setting information for all of a plurality of image forming devices through a setting operation by the user.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the image forming system and the control method of the image forming system according to the present invention are an image forming system and a control method of the image forming system, which include a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to each other via a network, and which form an image at the image forming apparatuses based on print data transmitted from a terminal device, and in a state in which predetermined setting information is registered in advance in any one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses as a registered image forming apparatus, the other image forming apparatuses acquire the setting information from the registered image forming apparatus in which the setting information has been registered in advance, set the acquired setting information, and control the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The apparatus is composed of a parent image forming apparatus and a child image forming apparatus other than the parent image forming apparatus, the parent image forming apparatus has a storage control means for storing the print data transmitted from the terminal device, at least one image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses has a reception control means for receiving identification information for identifying the parent image forming apparatus within the network as the setting information, and a registration control means for registering in advance the identification information received by the reception control means, and the plurality of image forming apparatuses, in a state in which the identification information is registered in advance in the registered image forming apparatus, a setting control means for setting the identification information acquired by the acquisition control means, a specification control means for specifying the image forming apparatus of the parent machine by the set identification information, and a reception control means for receiving the print data from the image forming apparatus of the parent machine specified by the specification control means, wherein an image is formed based on the print data received by the reception control means, and the plurality of image forming apparatuses are configured to be classifiable into a plurality of groups each including the image forming apparatus of the parent machine and the image forming apparatus of the child machine, a specific group among the multiple groups is preset as a normally used group, and in a state in which the identification information is pre-registered in the registered image forming device for one of the multiple groups, when the other image forming device acquires the identification information from the registered image forming device in which the identification information has been pre-registered, the other image forming device acquires information on both the normally used group and a group different from the normally used group, and the acquired normally used group is set as a default value, and the multiple image forming devices are capable of changing the default value of the normally used group among the multiple groups.

The image forming device according to the present invention is also characterized in that it is provided in the image forming system according to the present invention.

This invention makes it possible to eliminate the inconvenience of a user having to set specific configuration information for multiple image forming devices through user setting operations.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a conceptual configuration of an example of an image forming system for implementing a control method for an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 11 is a schematic diagram showing a conceptual configuration of another example of an image forming system for implementing the control method for an image forming system according to the present embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a control configuration for controlling the operation of the parent image forming apparatus; FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a control configuration for controlling the operation of an image forming apparatus as a slave unit. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a print operation screen of a display unit in an image forming apparatus to be printed. 11 is a plan view showing an example of a setting operation screen of a display unit of a plurality of image forming apparatuses classified into groups. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an example of a setting operation screen of a display unit of a plurality of image forming apparatuses classified into groups. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an example of a setting operation screen of a display unit of a plurality of image forming apparatuses classified into groups. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a control operation of the image forming system. 13 is a plan view showing a copy operation image for acquiring and setting an IP address as identification information from a registered image forming apparatus in another image forming apparatus. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which another image forming apparatus acquires an IP address as identification information from a registered image forming apparatus and sets the IP address; FIG.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. In the following description, identical parts are given the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

Figure 1A is a schematic diagram showing the conceptual configuration of an example of an image forming system 100 that implements the control method for the image forming system 100 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the image forming system 100 includes multiple image forming devices 10(1)-10(n) (n is an integer equal to or greater than 2) that are connected to one another via a network NT. One or more (one in this example) terminal devices 200 are also connected to the network NT. The image forming system 100 forms images using the image forming devices 10(1)-10(n) based on print data PD (print data) sent from the terminal device 200.

Here, examples of the network NT include a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), an intranet, the Internet, and a public line, or a combination of at least two of these. Examples of the image forming device 10 include a copying machine, a multifunction device, and a printer device. Examples of the terminal device 200 include information processing devices such as a personal computer, a multifunction mobile terminal device (a so-called smartphone), and a tablet terminal device.

The image forming devices 10(1) to 10(n) and the terminal device 200 are capable of communicating with each other via the network NT.

In more detail, the multiple image forming devices 10(1) to 10(n) are composed of parent image forming devices 10(1) to 10(m) [m is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than n (e.g., less than n/3)] and one or more child image forming devices 10(m+1) to 10(n) other than the one or more parent image forming devices 10(1) to 10(m).

The image forming system 100 includes multiple parent image forming devices 10(1) to 10(m). Here, m may be 1, but it is preferable that m be an integer greater than or equal to 2 and less than n (e.g., less than n/3).

In this example, n is 10 and m is 3. Specifically, the ten image forming devices 10(1) to 10(10) are made up of three parent image forming devices 10(1) to 10(3) (10A) and seven child image forming devices 10 (4) to 10(10) (10B).

Figure 1B is a schematic diagram showing the conceptual configuration of another example of an image forming system 100 that implements the control method for the image forming system 100 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1B, multiple image forming devices 10(1)-10(n) can be classified into multiple groups G(1)-G(g) (g is an integer of 2 or more).

Groups G(1) to G(g) each include parent image forming devices G(1){10(1) to 10[m(1)]} to G(g){10(1) to 10[m(g)]} (10A) [m(1) to m(g) are integers greater than or equal to 1 and less than n (e.g., less than n/3)].

Furthermore, groups G(1) to G(g) each include child image forming devices G(1) {10[m(1)+1] to 10[n(1)]} to G(g) {10[m(g)+1] to 10[n(g)]} (10B), where the sum of n(1) to n(g) is n.

The image forming system 100 includes multiple parent image forming devices 10(1)-10[m(1)]-10(1)-10[m(k)] (10A) in at least one group G(1)-G(k) (k is an integer between 1 and g) among multiple groups G(1)-G(g). Here, m(1)-m(k) may be 1, but it is preferable that m(1)-m(k) be an integer between 2 and n (e.g., less than n/3).

Note that m(1) to m(g) and n(1) to n(g) may be the same value for each group, or may be different values. Here, m(1) to m(g) may be 1, but it is preferable that m(1) to m(g) are integers equal to or greater than 2 and less than n (e.g., less than n/3).

In this example, g = 10, k = g, and n(1) to n(g) are all set to the same number of 10 in each group. Also, m(1) to m(g) are all set to the same number of 3 in each group.

Specifically, n is 10 groups x 10 units = 100 units, and in each of the first group G(1) to the tenth group G(10), the 10 image forming devices 10(1) to 10(10) are each composed of three parent image forming devices 10(1) to 10(3) (10A) and seven child image forming devices 10 (4) to 10(10) (10B). The image forming devices 10(1) to 10[n(1)] of group G(1) are installed on the 6th floor of the 8th factory, the image forming devices 10(1) to 10[n(2)] of group G(2) are installed on the 5th floor of the 8th factory, and the image forming devices 10(1) to 10[n(g)] of group G(g) are installed on the qth floor of the pth factory (p is an integer of 2 or more, q is an integer of 1 or more).

Hereinafter, the reference numbers for the "parent image forming device" and the "child image forming device" will simply be referred to as 10A and 10B.

<Control Unit of Image Forming Apparatus>
Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a control configuration for controlling the operation of the image forming device 10A as a parent unit, and Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing a control configuration for controlling the operation of the image forming device 10B as a child unit.

As shown in FIG. 2, the parent image forming device 10A includes a control unit 11a, a storage unit 12, an image forming unit 13, and an operation display unit 14. The child image forming device 10B includes a control unit 11b, an image forming unit 13, and an operation display unit 14.

The control units 11a and 11b each have a processing unit 11a1 and 11b1 that is made up of a computer such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and a storage unit 11a2 and 11b2 that includes a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory).

In the control units 11a and 11b, the processing units 11a1 and 11b1 call up a control program that has been previously stored in the ROM of the memory units 11a2 and 11b2, and when the control program is loaded into the RAM of the memory units 11a2 and 11b2, control of the operation of the various components is executed.

The image forming unit 13 forms an image on a recording material such as recording paper based on the print data PD. The image forming devices (10A, 10B) may be of an electrophotographic type, a dye-sublimation type, or an inkjet type. The image forming unit 13 is electrically connected to the control units 11a, 11b.

The operation display unit 14 includes a reception unit 141 (a touch panel in this example) and a display unit 142 (a display panel in this example). The reception unit 141 is electrically connected to the input systems of the control units 11a and 11b. The reception unit 141 receives input operation information by the user. The display unit 142 is electrically connected to the output systems of the control units 11a and 11b. The display unit 142 displays various information on the display screen based on the display data. The reception unit 141 is provided on the display unit 142. The operation display unit 14 receives touch operation information by the user on various software keys displayed on the display unit 142 at the reception unit 141.

<Master image forming device>
In the parent image forming device 10A, the storage unit 12 is a large-capacity storage device such as a solid state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD) that stores the print data PD sent from the terminal device 200. The storage unit 12 is electrically connected to the control unit 11a of the parent image forming device 10A. The control unit 11a includes a storage control unit P1.

The storage control means P1 stores print data PD sent from the terminal device 200 (in this example, a personal computer) in the storage unit 12.

<Image forming apparatus capable of accepting and pre-registering setting information>
In at least one (in this example, all) image forming apparatuses among a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10(1)-10(n), G(1) {10(1)-10[n(1)]}-G(g) {10(1)-10[n(g)]}, control units 11a, 11b include a reception control means P2 and a registration control means P3.

The reception control means P2 receives, as setting information, an identification information ID for identifying the parent image forming device 10A within the network NT at the reception unit 141 of the operation display unit 14. Examples of the identification information ID include an IP (Internet Protocol) address, a printer name, and a MAC (Media Access Control) address. In this example, the identification information ID is an IP address.

The registration control means P3 pre-registers the identification information ID (in this example, the IP address) received by the reception control means P2. The identification information ID (in this example, the IP address) is pre-registered in the memory units 11a2 and 11b2.

In this example, all image forming devices are configured to accept setting information and be preregistered, but the image forming device that accepts setting information and is preregistered is only one registered image forming device 10(i) (i is an integer between 1 and n).

<Configuration common to all image forming apparatuses>
In a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10(1) to 10(n), G(1) {10(1) to 10[n(1)]} to G(g) {10(1) to 10[n(g)]} (hereinafter simply referred to as a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10), control units 11a, 11b include an acquisition control means P4, a setting control means P5, a specification control means P6, and a reception control means P7.

When an identification information ID has been preregistered in the registered image forming device 10(i), the acquisition control means P4 acquires the identification information ID preregistered in the registered image forming device 10(i) from the registered image forming device 10(i) via the network NT.

The setting control means P5 sets the identification information ID (in this example, the IP address) acquired by the acquisition control means P4. The identification information ID (in this example, the IP address) is stored in the memory units 11b2 and 11a2.

The identification control means P6 identifies the parent image forming device 10A by the identification information ID registered by the registration control means P3 or the identification information ID set by the setting control means P5 in order to form an image based on the print data PD. In this example, the identification control means P6 identifies the parent image forming device 10A on the network NT by the IP address, which is the identification information ID.

The receiving control means P7 receives the print data PD via the network NT from the storage unit 12 of the parent image forming device 10A identified by the identification control means P6.

The multiple image forming devices 10 form images based on the print data PD received by the reception control means P7.

(About this embodiment)
Incidentally, in conventional image forming systems, when setting predetermined configuration information (e.g., identification information) for multiple image forming devices, the user must perform setting operations to set the information for all of the multiple image forming devices (e.g., approximately 100 devices), which is extremely time-consuming.

In this regard, in the image forming system 100 according to the present embodiment, when predetermined setting information [in this example, identification information ID (IP address)] is preregistered in one of the multiple image forming devices 10 as a registered image forming device, the other image forming devices 10(j) (j is an integer from 1 to n excluding i) acquire setting information (ID) from the registered image forming device 10(i) that has previously registered the setting information (ID), and set the acquired setting information (ID).

In this way, when setting setting information (ID) for multiple image forming devices 10, the user sets the setting information (ID) for only one of the registered image forming devices 10(i), and the other image forming devices 10(j) can obtain the setting information (ID) from only one of the registered image forming devices 10(i) that has registered the setting information (ID), and set the obtained setting information (ID). This eliminates the inconvenience of the user having to set the setting information (ID) for all of the multiple image forming devices 10 through the user's setting operation when setting the setting information (ID).

More specifically, at least one of the image forming devices 10 includes an acceptance control means P2 and a registration control means P3. This allows the identification information ID to be accepted as setting information and pre-registered in the storage units 11a2 and 11b2. The image forming device 10 further includes an identification control means P6 and a reception control means P7. This allows the image forming device 10A, which is the parent device and has print data PD stored in the storage unit 12, to be identified from the pre-registered identification information ID, and the image forming device 10A can receive the print data PD from the identified parent device, and form an image based on the received print data PD.

The image forming device 10 also includes an acquisition control means P4, a setting control means P5, a specification control means P6, and a reception control means P7. In this way, the image forming device 10 can acquire an identification information ID from a registered image forming device 10(i) in which an identification information ID has been registered in advance as setting information, set (store) the acquired identification information ID in the memory units 11a2 and 11b2, identify the parent image forming device 10A in which print data PD has been accumulated in the accumulation unit 12 from the set identification information ID, receive print data PD from the identified parent image forming device 10A, and form an image based on the received print data PD.

First Embodiment
In this embodiment, the other image forming devices 10(j) each request the registered image forming device 10(i) to obtain setting information (ID) from the registered image forming device 10(i), and each obtains the setting information (ID) from the registered image forming device 10(i).

In this way, the other image forming devices 10(j) can make a request to one of the registered image forming devices 10(i) whose setting information (ID) has been registered in advance, and can individually acquire the setting information (ID) from the registered image forming device 10(i). This allows the setting information (ID) to be reliably set one by one in the other image forming devices 10(j).

Second Embodiment
In this embodiment, the multiple image forming devices 10 are composed of a parent image forming device 10A and a child image forming device 10B other than the parent image forming device 10A, and the parent image forming device 10A is provided with a storage control means P1, so that the parent image forming device 10A can store print data PD transmitted from the terminal device 200. Therefore, the parent image forming device 10A can be used as a print server. This makes it possible to realize an image forming system that does not use a print server.

For example, when the terminal device 200 stores print data PD in the parent image forming device 10A, the terminal device 200 selects the parent image forming device 10A [the name of the parent device (specifically, the printer name of parent device 1 in group 1 or the printer name of parent device 3 in group 2)] in the printer driver of the terminal device 200 and stores the print data PD in the selected parent image forming device 10A. The user performs a print (image formation) operation on the image forming device 10C (parent image forming device 10A [10(2)] in the example of FIG. 1A, child image forming device 10B [10[n(2)]] in group G(2)) among the multiple image forming devices 10, regardless of whether the image forming device is a parent device or a child image forming device 10A or 10B.

Figure 4 is a plan view showing an example of the print operation screen D1 of the display unit 142 in the image forming device 10C to be printed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming device 10C on which printing is to be performed displays a list of print data PD (jobs) (file names in the illustrated example) stored in the parent image forming device 10A (all of the multiple parent devices) in one group G(h) (h is any one integer from 1 to g) on the print operation screen D1 so that the print data can be selected (touched). Note that if the image forming device 10C on which printing is to be performed has a function for authenticating users, only the print data PD of authenticated users is displayed in a list.

The user selects the print data PD to be printed from the various print data PD (file names) on the print operation screen D1 (in this example, the file name is "BBBBBB") and turns on (touches) the print key K1. The image forming device 10C to be printed acquires the print data PD selected by the user from the parent image forming device 10A corresponding to the selected print data PD via the network NT, and prints the acquired print data PD. Note that on the print operation screen D1 shown in FIG. 4, the number of copies can be changed, and it is possible to select whether or not to print in black and white, and whether or not to delete the print data PD after printing.

In this embodiment, in the entirety of the multiple image forming devices 10 (in the example shown in FIG. 1B, the entirety including the multiple groups G(1) to G(g)), one of the image forming devices 10 that can accept and register an identification information ID in advance accepts the identification information ID as setting information through a user's setting operation, and the accepted identification information ID is registered in advance. In a state in which the identification information ID has been registered in advance in the registered image forming device 10(i), another image forming device 10(j) among the multiple image forming devices 10 acquires the identification information ID registered in advance in the registered image forming device 10(i) from the registered image forming device 10(i) and sets the acquired identification information ID. The image forming device 10C that should print the print data PD (in the example shown in FIG. 1B, the image forming device 10C of one group G(h)) identifies the parent image forming device 10A that has stored the print data PD by the set identification information ID. The image forming device 10C that is to print the print data PD receives the print data PD from the specified parent image forming device 10A, and forms an image based on the received print data PD. This allows the user to set the identification information ID for multiple image forming devices 10 in advance by registering the identification information ID in only one of the registered image forming devices 10(i), and the other image forming devices 10(j) can obtain the identification information ID from the registered image forming device 10(i) in which the identification information ID has been registered in advance, and set the obtained identification information ID.

Third Embodiment
However, when there is only one parent image forming device 10A, the load is concentrated on the parent image forming device 10A. When maintenance is performed on the parent image forming device 10A, the operation of the parent image forming device 10A must be stopped, and in this case, the print data PD cannot be printed.

In this regard, in the present embodiment, the image forming system 100 includes multiple parent image forming devices 10A, and thus the load can be distributed among the multiple parent image forming devices 10A. Furthermore, when performing maintenance on the parent image forming devices 10A, even if it is necessary to stop the operation of one of the parent image forming devices 10A, the print data PD can be printed (image formed) in the other parent image forming devices 10A.

However, when multiple image forming devices 10 are installed in a facility of a company, organization, etc., it may be necessary to classify the multiple image forming devices 10 into multiple groups.

In this regard, in this embodiment, the multiple image forming devices 10 are classified into multiple groups G(1) to G(g) (in this example, g=10), each of which includes a parent image forming device 10A and a child image forming device 10B.

In this way, multiple image forming devices 10 can be classified into multiple groups G(1) to G(g) and installed in the facilities of a company, organization, etc.

As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming device 10C to be printed displays a selectable pull-down menu key K2 for switching between groups G(1) to G(g) on the print operation screen D1. The user uses the pull-down menu key K2 to select a group [e.g. G(1)] (6th floor of the 8th factory) that includes the parent image forming device 10A that has stored the print data PD to be printed from among groups G(1) to G(g). The image forming device 10C to be printed then displays a list of the print data PD (jobs) stored in the parent image forming device 10A (all of the multiple parent devices) in the group [e.g. G(1)] selected by the user on the print operation screen D1, allowing selection (touch operation).

In addition, in this embodiment, the image forming system 100 includes multiple parent image forming devices 10A {10(1)-10[m(1)]-10(1)-10[m(k)]} in at least one of the multiple groups G(1)-G(g).

By doing this, the load can be distributed among multiple parent image forming devices 10A in each group G(1) to G(k). Also, when performing maintenance on the parent image forming devices 10A, even if it is necessary to stop the operation of one of the parent image forming devices 10A, the print data can be printed (images can be formed) in the other parent image forming devices 10A.

Among the multiple image forming devices 10, the parent image forming device 10A of one group (e.g., G(1)) among the multiple groups G(1) to G(g) is preset.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the image forming device 10C to be printed displays the print data PD (jobs) stored in the image forming device 10A (all of the multiple parent devices) of one group G(h) [for example, G(1)] in a list that can be selected (touched), but at this time, a specific group out of the multiple groups is preset as the group that is normally used. Specifically, if the user belongs to one group [G(1)] out of the multiple groups G(1) to G(g), the print data PD is stored in the image forming device 10A of the parent device of the one group [G(1)], but usually, one group [G(1)] out of the multiple groups is preset as the group that is normally used, and the print data PD stored in the image forming device 10A of the parent device of the one group [G(1)] is displayed in a list that can be selected. In the example shown in FIG. 4, print data PD (jobs) stored in all parent image forming devices 10A on the 6th floor of the 8th factory in group G(1) are displayed in a list format that allows selection (touch operation).

FIGS. 5A to 5C are plan views showing an example of the setting operation screen D2 of the display unit 142 of multiple image forming devices 10 classified into groups. For example, the same number (three) of parent image forming devices 10(1) to 10[m(1)] to 10(1) to 10[m(g)] (10A) are installed in each of groups G(1) to G(g) of group g (10 groups). In this example, the registered image forming device 10(i) is the parent image forming device 10(1) of group G(1).

Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C respectively show the states where groups G(1), G(2), and G(g) are set as groups that are normally used.

The image forming device 10(1) that is the parent device of group G(1) and can be registered in advance by accepting the identification information ID is registered in advance in the memory unit 11a2 by inputting the identification information IDs of the image forming devices 10A that are parent devices of all groups G(1) to G(g) by the user. The user sets group G(1) as the group that is normally used, as shown in FIG. 5A.

In this case, when an identification information ID has been preregistered in a registered image forming device 10(i) in one group [G(1)], another image forming device 10(j) acquires an identification information ID from the registered image forming device 10 (i) in which the identification information ID has been preregistered. In this case, the identification information ID is also acquired from the group [G(1) in this example] that is set as the group that is normally used.

In detail, each image forming device {10(2) to 10[n(1)]} of group G(1) other than registered image forming device 10(1) of group G(1) in which an identification information ID has been registered in advance, and each image forming device {10(1) to 10[n(1)]} to {10(1) to 10[n(g)]} of groups G (2) to G (g) obtains an identification information ID from registered image forming device 10 (1) of group G(1) in which an identification information ID has been registered in advance, and in this case, also obtains the identification information ID from group G(1) which is set as the group that is normally used.

As a result, in groups (G(2) to G(g) in this example) other than the group (G(1) in this example) for which the identification information ID has been pre-registered, a group (G(1) in this example) different from the group to which the user belongs (G(2) to G(g) in this example) will be acquired as the group that is normally used, and therefore a group different from the group to which the user belongs will be set as the group that is normally used.

In this regard, in the present embodiment, the multiple image forming devices 10 are capable of changing the default value of the group that is normally used among the multiple groups G(1) to G(g).

In each of the image forming apparatuses {10(1)-10[n(2)]}-{10(1)-10[n(g)]} in groups G (2)-G( g ), the user can set each of the groups G(2)-G( g ) as a group that is normally used, as shown in Figures 5B and 5C.

By doing this, another image forming device 10(j) can set an identification information ID as setting information and obtain the identification information ID together with the normally used group from a registered image forming device 10(i) that has set a normally used group, and after setting the obtained identification information ID and normally used group, even if a group different from the group to which the image forming device belongs is set as the normally used group, the image forming device can reset it to the group to which the image forming device belongs.

<Example of control of image forming system>
Fig. 6A is a flow chart showing an example of a control operation of the image forming system 100. Fig. 6B is a plan view showing a copy operation image D3 for acquiring and setting (copying) an IP address as identification information ID from a registered image forming apparatus 10(i) in another image forming apparatus 10(j). Fig. 6C is a schematic diagram showing a state in which another image forming apparatus G(j) acquires and sets (copies) an IP address as identification information ID from a registered image forming apparatus 10(i).

In this example, a specific image forming device, the registered image forming device 10(i), is set as the parent image forming device 10(1) of group G(1).

In the image forming system 100, first, in step S1, the user pre-registers the IP addresses (identification information ID) of all parent image forming devices G(1) {10(1)-10[m(1)]}-G(g) {10(1)-10[m(g)]} in the registered image forming device 10(i) {one specific image forming device G(1) [10(1)]} by inputting the IP addresses.

Next, in step S2, as shown in FIG. 6B, the user inputs the IP address of the registered image forming device 10(i) into the IP address input field M in the copy operation image D3 on the display unit 142 of the other image forming devices G(1) [10(2)] to G(g) [10(n)] [G(j)], and turns on (touches) the copy key K3.

Next, in step S3, as shown in FIG. 6C, in the other image forming devices G(1) [10(2)] to G(g) [10(n)] [G(j)], the IP addresses of all parent image forming devices G(1) {10(1) to 10[m(1)]} to G(g) {10(1) to 10[m(g)]} preregistered in the registered image forming device 10(i) are obtained from the registered image forming device 10(i) and set (copied).

Next, in step S4, as shown in Figures 5B and 5C, the setting of the "normally used group" is changed for image forming devices G(2) {10(1) to 10[n(1)]} to G(g) {10(1) to 10[n(g)]} in groups G(2) to G(g) other than the registered image forming device 10(i).

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and can be embodied in various other forms. Therefore, the embodiment is merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted in a restrictive manner. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and is not bound by the text of the specification. Furthermore, all modifications and changes within the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

10 Image forming apparatus 10(i) Registered image forming apparatus 10(j) Other image forming apparatus 100 Image forming system 10A Parent image forming apparatus 10B Child image forming apparatus 10C Image forming apparatus to print on 11a Control unit 11a1 Processing unit 11a2 Memory unit 11b Control unit 11b2 Memory unit 12 Storage unit 13 Image forming unit 14 Operation display unit 141 Reception unit 142 Display unit 200 Terminal device D1 Print operation screen D2 Setting operation screen D3 Copy operation image G Group ID Identification information (an example of setting information)
K1 Print key K2 Pull-down menu key K3 Copy key M IP address input field NT Network P1 Storage control means P2 Acceptance control means P3 Registration control means P4 Acquisition control means P5 Setting control means P6 Identification control means P7 Reception control means PD Print data

Claims (6)

An image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to each other via a network, the image forming apparatuses forming an image based on print data transmitted from a terminal device,
In a state in which predetermined setting information is registered in advance in any one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses as a registered image forming apparatus, the other image forming apparatuses acquire the setting information from the registered image forming apparatus in which the setting information has been registered in advance, and set the acquired setting information;
the plurality of image forming apparatuses are composed of a parent image forming apparatus and a child image forming apparatus other than the parent image forming apparatus,
the parent image forming apparatus includes a storage control means for storing the print data transmitted from the terminal apparatus;
At least one image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses,
a reception control means for receiving, as the setting information, identification information for identifying the parent image forming apparatus within the network;
a registration control means for registering in advance the identification information received by the reception control means;
Equipped with
The plurality of image forming apparatuses,
an acquisition control means for acquiring the identification information preregistered in the registered image forming apparatus from the registered image forming apparatus in a state in which the identification information is preregistered in the registered image forming apparatus;
a setting control means for setting the identification information acquired by the acquisition control means;
a control unit for controlling the image forming apparatus to identify the master image forming apparatus by the identification information;
a reception control means for receiving the print data from the parent image forming apparatus identified by the identification control means;
Equipped with
forming an image based on the print data received by the reception control means;
the plurality of image forming apparatuses are configured to be classifiable into a plurality of groups each including the parent image forming apparatus and the child image forming apparatus,
A specific group among the plurality of groups is preset in the parent image forming apparatus as a group to be normally used,
in a state in which the identification information is registered in advance in the registered image forming apparatus in one of the plurality of groups, when the other image forming apparatus acquires the identification information from the registered image forming apparatus in which the identification information has been registered in advance, the other image forming apparatus acquires information on both the group different from the normally used group and the normally used group, and sets the acquired normally used group as a default value;
In the image forming system, a default value of a group that is normally used among the plurality of groups can be changed in the plurality of image forming apparatuses. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1,
an image forming system characterized in that each of the other image forming apparatuses requests the registered image forming apparatus to obtain the setting information from the registered image forming apparatus, and obtains the setting information from the registered image forming apparatus; 3. The image forming system according to claim 1 ,
An image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses as the parent machines. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
an image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses serving as parent machines in at least one of the plurality of groups; 5. An image forming apparatus, comprising the image forming system according to claim 1 . 1. A method for controlling an image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to each other via a network, the image forming apparatuses forming an image based on print data transmitted from a terminal device, the method comprising the steps of:
In a state in which predetermined setting information is registered in advance in any one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses as a registered image forming apparatus, the other image forming apparatuses acquire the setting information from the registered image forming apparatus in which the setting information has been registered in advance, and set the acquired setting information;
the plurality of image forming apparatuses are composed of a parent image forming apparatus and a child image forming apparatus other than the parent image forming apparatus,
the parent image forming apparatus includes a storage control means for storing the print data transmitted from the terminal apparatus;
At least one image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses,
a reception control means for receiving, as the setting information, identification information for identifying the parent image forming apparatus within the network;
a registration control means for registering in advance the identification information received by the reception control means;
Equipped with
The plurality of image forming apparatuses,
an acquisition control means for acquiring the identification information preregistered in the registered image forming apparatus from the registered image forming apparatus in a state in which the identification information is preregistered in the registered image forming apparatus;
a setting control means for setting the identification information acquired by the acquisition control means;
a control unit for controlling the image forming apparatus to identify the master image forming apparatus by the identification information;
a reception control means for receiving the print data from the parent image forming apparatus identified by the identification control means;
Equipped with
forming an image based on the print data received by the reception control means;
the plurality of image forming apparatuses are configured to be classifiable into a plurality of groups each including the parent image forming apparatus and the child image forming apparatus,
A specific group among the plurality of groups is preset in the parent image forming apparatus as a group to be normally used,
in a state in which the identification information is registered in advance in the registered image forming apparatus in one of the plurality of groups, when the other image forming apparatus acquires the identification information from the registered image forming apparatus in which the identification information has been registered in advance, the other image forming apparatus acquires information on both the group different from the normally used group and the normally used group, and sets the acquired normally used group as a default value;
A method for controlling an image forming system, wherein the plurality of image forming apparatuses are capable of changing a default value of the group that is normally used among the plurality of groups.

Images