IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM, AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THESE

Abstract

In a system in which a print controller and an image forming apparatus are communicably connected, a first paper information to be used by the print controller and a second paper information to be used by the image forming apparatus are both held in the print controller and the image forming apparatus. The first paper information and the second paper information include a common ID for paper data that corresponds between the first and second paper information. In response to a restore instruction, both sets of the first paper information or both sets of the second paper information are merged. ID duplication is eliminated by changing the IDs in regard to paper data in which IDs are duplicated as a result of merging. The first and second paper information to be used by the print controller and the image forming apparatus are updated based on the result of merging.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an image forming system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a print controller.

FIG. 4 shows one example of original data in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 5 shows one example of user-defined data in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 6 shows one example of paper data in the print controller.

FIG. 7A is a flowchart showing a process of updating (registering/changing) paper information in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 7B is a flowchart for describing a process in which the print controller reflects an update of paper information in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for describing a process when paper information from the print controller is registered.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for describing a process when paper information in the print controller is changed.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing a process when a job is inputted.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for describing a backup process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a restore process when the print controller is replaced.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a restore process when the image forming apparatus is replaced.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for describing a backup process according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 15 shows an example of information targeted for backup processing in a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for describing a backup process according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for describing a backup process according to a fifth embodiment.

FIGS. 18A to 18C are diagrams for describing elimination of duplicated IDs in the image forming apparatus during a restore process at a time of replacing a print controller.

FIGS. 19A to 19C are diagrams for describing elimination of duplicated IDs in the image forming apparatus during a restore process at a time of replacing an image forming apparatus.

Claims

1. An image forming system, in which an image forming apparatus and an image processing apparatus that sends image data to the image forming apparatus are communicably connected, comprising: a first holding unit configured to hold in the image processing apparatus both a first paper information to be used in the image processing apparatus and a second paper information to be used in the image forming apparatus;a second holding unit configured to hold in the image forming apparatus both the first paper information and the second paper information, wherein the first paper information and the second paper information include data for each paper respectively, and a common identifier is conferred to paper data that corresponds between the first and second paper information;a merging unit configured to, when the image processing apparatus has been replaced by a new image processing apparatus, merge the first paper information held in the second holding unit and the first paper information held in the new image processing apparatus and, when the image forming apparatus has been replaced by a new image forming apparatus, merge the second paper information held in the first holding unit and the second paper information held in the new image forming apparatus;a change unit configured to change an identifier in regard to paper data in which identifiers are duplicated as a result of merging by the merging unit so as to eliminate duplication of identifiers;an update unit configured to update the first paper information to be used by the new image processing apparatus and the second paper information to be used by the new image forming apparatus based on a merging result obtained by the merging unit and the change unit, anda selecting unit configured to select, based on the identifier that is sent with image data by the image processing apparatus and the updated second paper information, paper to be used in carrying out image forming according to image data using the image forming apparatus.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first holding unit obtains and holds the second paper information from the image forming apparatus with a predetermined timing and the second holding unit obtains and holds the first paper information from the image processing apparatus with the predetermined timing.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined timing is a timing of at least one of a timing by which the image forming apparatus transitions to a sleep state, a timing by which the image forming apparatus executes an adjusting operation, a timing by which a power supply is stopped to the image processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus, and a timing by which a predetermined time interval has elapsed.

4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a first update unit configured to update the second paper information of the image forming apparatus in response to an update of the first paper information by the image processing apparatus.

5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a second update unit configured to update the first paper information of the image processing apparatus in response to an update of the second paper information by the image forming apparatus.

6. An image processing apparatus connectable to an image forming apparatus in which both a first paper information to be used in the image processing apparatus and a second paper information to be used in the image forming apparatus are held, wherein the first paper information and the second paper information include data for each paper respectively, and a common identifier is conferred to paper data that corresponds between the first and second paper information, comprising: an obtaining unit configured to obtain the first paper information from the image forming apparatus;a merging unit configured to merge the first paper information obtained by the obtaining unit and the first paper information being held by itself;a change unit configured to change an identifier when duplication of identifiers has occurred in the first paper information obtained by the merging unit so as to eliminate duplication of identifiers;an update unit configured to update the first paper information based on a merging result obtained by the merging unit and the change unit, anda sending unit configured to send image data to the image forming apparatus along with the identifier conferred to the updated first paper information by the update unit, the image data being used in image forming by the image forming apparatus.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify the image forming apparatus of paper data in which identifiers are duplicated as a result of merging by the merging unit, wherein the change unit eliminates duplication of the identifiers based on new identifiers sent by the image forming apparatus in response to notification by the notification unit.

8. An image forming apparatus connectable to an image processing apparatus in which both a first paper information to be used in the image processing apparatus and a second paper information to be used in the image forming apparatus are held, wherein the first paper information and the second paper information include data for each paper respectively, and a common identifier is conferred to paper data that corresponds between the first and second paper information, comprising: an obtaining unit configured to obtain the second paper information from the image processing apparatus;a merging unit configured to merge the second paper information obtained by the obtaining unit and the second paper information being held by itself;a change unit configured to change an identifier when duplication of identifiers has occurred in the second paper information obtained by the merging unit so as to eliminate duplication of identifiers;an update unit configured to update the second paper information based on a merging result obtained by the merging unit and the change unit, anda selecting unit configured to select, based on the identifier that is sent with image data by the image processing apparatus and the updated second paper information, paper to be used in carrying out image forming according to image data using the image forming apparatus.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify the image processing apparatus of an update of an identifier when a change in the second paper information obtained by the image processing apparatus has occurred as a result of a change to the identifier by the change unit.

10. A control method for an image forming system, in which an image forming apparatus and an image processing apparatus that sends image data to the image forming apparatus are communicably connected, the method comprising: a first holding step of holding in a first holding means of the image processing apparatus both a first paper information to be used in the image processing apparatus and a second paper information to be used in the image forming apparatus;a second holding step of holding in a second holding means of the image forming apparatus both a first paper information to be used in the image processing apparatus and a second paper information to be used in the image forming apparatus, wherein the first paper information and the second paper information include data for each paper respectively, and a common identifier is conferred to paper data that corresponds between the first and second paper information;a merging step of, when the image processing apparatus has been replaced by a new image processing apparatus, merging the first paper information being held in the second holding means and the first paper information held in the new image processing apparatus and, when the image forming apparatus has been replaced by a new image forming apparatus, merging the second paper information being held in the first holding means and the second paper information held in the new image forming apparatus;a change step of changing an identifier in regard to paper data in which identifiers are duplicated as a result of merging in the merging step so as to eliminate duplication of identifiers;an update step of updating the first paper information to be used by the new image processing apparatus and the second paper information to be used by the new image forming apparatus based on a merging result obtained by the merging step and the change step; anda selecting step of selecting, based on the identifier that is sent with image data by the image processing apparatus and the updated second paper information, paper to be used in carrying out image forming according to image data using the image forming apparatus.

11. A control method for an image processing apparatus connectable to an image forming apparatus in which both a first paper information to be used in the image processing apparatus and a second paper information to be used in the image forming apparatus are held, wherein the first paper information and the second paper information include data for each paper respectively, and a common identifier is conferred to paper data that corresponds between the first and second paper information, the method comprising: an obtaining step of obtaining the first paper information from the image forming apparatus;a merging step of merging the first paper information obtained by the obtaining step and the first paper information being held by itself;a change step of changing an identifier when duplication of identifiers has occurred in the first paper information obtained by the merging step so as to eliminate duplication of identifiers;an update step of updating the first paper information based on a merging result obtained by the merging step and the change step; anda sending step of sending image data to the image forming apparatus along with the identifier conferred to the updated first paper information by the update step, the image data being used in image forming by the image forming apparatus.

12. A control method for an image forming apparatus connectable to an image processing apparatus in which both a first paper information to be used in the image processing apparatus and a second paper information to be used in the image forming apparatus are held, wherein the first paper information and the second paper information include data for each paper respectively, and a common identifier is conferred to paper data that corresponds between the first and second paper information, the method comprising: an obtaining step of obtaining the second paper information from the image processing apparatus;a merging step of merging the second paper information obtained by the obtaining step and the second paper information being held by itself;a change step of changing an identifier when duplication of identifiers has occurred in the second paper information obtained by the merging step so as to eliminate duplication of identifiers;an update step of updating the second paper information based on a merging result obtained by the merging step and the change step; anda selecting step of selecting, based on the identifier that is sent with image data by the image processing apparatus and the updated second paper information, paper to be used in carrying out image forming according to image data using the image forming apparatus.

13. An image forming system having an image processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus that performs image forming processing based on image data sent from the image processing apparatus, wherein the image processing apparatus comprises:a first holding unit configured to store a first paper information including at least identification information identifying paper to be used in the image forming processing and processing condition information indicating a processing condition of when image forming processing is executed using the paper; anda sending unit configured to send the first paper information held in the first holding unit to the image forming apparatus,wherein the image forming apparatus comprises:a second holding unit configured to hold a second paper information including at least identification information identifying paper to be used in the image forming processing and processing condition information indicating a processing condition of when image forming processing is executed using the paper;a receiving unit configured to receive the first paper information sent by the sending unit;a control unit configured to control such that, when identification information contained in the first paper information and identification information contained in the second paper information are duplicated, duplicated identification information is changed and a third paper information in which the first paper information and the second paper information are merged is held in the second holding unit;a selection unit configured to select paper to be used in the image forming apparatus based on identification information sent with image data by the image processing apparatus and the third paper information; anda printing unit configured to carry out image forming processing based on the image data according to the processing condition information corresponding to the paper selected by the selection unit.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the first holding unit obtains and holds the second paper information from the image forming apparatus with a predetermined timing, and the second holding unit obtains and holds the first paper information from the image processing apparatus with the predetermined timing.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the predetermined timing is a timing of at least one of a timing by which the image forming apparatus transitions to a sleep state, a timing by which the image forming apparatus executes an adjusting operation, a timing by which a power supply is stopped to the image processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus, and a timing by which a predetermined time interval has elapsed.

16. The system according to claim 13, further comprising a first update unit configured to update the second paper information of the image forming apparatus in response to an update of the first paper information by the image processing apparatus.

17. The system according to claim 13, further comprising a second update unit configured to update the first paper information of the image processing apparatus in response to an update of the second paper information by the image forming apparatus.