Information processing system, recording medium, and information processing method

Abstract

The invention provides an information processing system, a recording medium, and an information processing method. The information processing system includes a processor. The processor performs a process in which, when a regular synchronization process in which synchronization is periodically performed between data stored in an external device and data of a self-system overlaps with a real-time synchronization process in which synchronization is immediately performed between data stored in the external device and data of the self-system according to an instruction from a user, the data stored in the external device is synchronized with the data of the self-system. Prioritized synchronization processing is performed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, a recording medium and an information processing method. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a management device that periodically communicates with an information processing device using a polling signal and immediately receives failure information from the information processing device when a failure occurs in the information processing device.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5003168

[0004] An information processing system is known that performs synchronization processing between data stored in an external device and data of the system itself, thereby sending information such as the settings of the system itself and the usage status of the system itself from the system itself to an external device and causing the information to be reflected in the data stored in the external device, or reflecting the settings of the data stored in the external device in the system itself.

[0005] There are two types of synchronization processing: periodic synchronization processing that is performed periodically and immediate synchronization processing that is executed immediately in response to an instruction from a user. If the periodic synchronization processing and the immediate synchronization processing overlap, problems may occur if both processing are executed simultaneously. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system, a recording medium and an information processing method that can normally execute and complete the synchronization process that occurred first when the periodic synchronization process overlaps with the real-time synchronization process.

[0007] The information processing system of the first method includes a processor, which performs the following processing: when a periodic synchronization process in which periodic synchronization is performed between data stored in an external device and data of the own system and an instant synchronization process in which instant synchronization is performed between data stored in the external device and data of the own system according to instructions from a user overlap, the synchronization process that occurs first is executed first.

[0008] The information processing system according to a second aspect is the information processing system according to the first aspect, wherein the processor executes the synchronization process that occurs later after completing the synchronization process that occurs earlier.

[0009] In the information processing system of the third mode, in the information processing system of the second mode, when the synchronization processing that occurs first is the real-time synchronization processing and the synchronization processing that occurs later is the simultaneous periodic synchronization processing for synchronizing all the setting information of the own system, the processor continuously executes the simultaneous periodic synchronization processing after completing the real-time synchronization processing that occurs first.

[0010] The information processing system of the fourth aspect is the information processing system of the first aspect, wherein when the immediate synchronization process occurs during the execution of the periodic synchronization process and the synchronization items of the periodic synchronization process are different from the synchronization items of the immediate synchronization process, the processor stops the periodic synchronization process and executes the immediate synchronization process.

[0011] In the information processing system of the fifth mode, in the information processing system of the first mode, when the synchronization processing that occurs first is the periodic synchronization processing and the synchronization processing that occurs later is the immediate synchronization processing and there are synchronization items that are only included in the immediate synchronization processing, the processor causes the synchronization items that are only included in the immediate synchronization processing to be included in the periodic synchronization processing and executed.

[0012] In the information processing system of the sixth mode, in the information processing system of the first mode, when the synchronization processing that occurs first is the periodic synchronization processing and the synchronization processing that occurs later is the immediate synchronization processing and the setting information included in the synchronization item of the immediate synchronization processing is updated on the own system side, and the immediate synchronization processing occurs before receiving the completion notification of the periodic synchronization processing from the external device, the processor requests the external device to perform the immediate synchronization processing.

[0013] In the information processing system of the seventh mode, in the information processing system of the sixth mode, when the synchronization processing that occurs first is the periodic synchronization processing and the synchronization processing that occurs later is the instant synchronization processing and the setting information included in the synchronization item of the instant synchronization processing is updated on the own system side, and the instant synchronization processing occurs after receiving the completion notification of the periodic synchronization processing from the external device, the processor changes the synchronization timing of the synchronization item according to the synchronization item of the instant synchronization processing.

[0014] In the information processing system of the eighth mode, in the information processing system of the first mode, when the synchronization processing that occurs first is the periodic synchronization processing and the synchronization processing that occurs later is the instant synchronization processing and the setting information included in the synchronization item of the instant synchronization processing has not been updated on the own system side, the processor continuously executes the instant synchronization processing after completing the periodic synchronization processing.

[0015] The recording medium of the 9th mode records a program for causing a computer to execute the following steps: when a periodic synchronization process in which periodic synchronization is performed between data stored in an external device and data of its own system and an instant synchronization process in which instant synchronization is performed between data stored in the external device and data of its own system according to instructions from a user overlap, the synchronization process that occurs first is executed first.

[0016] The information processing method of the 10th mode includes the following steps: when a periodic synchronization process in which periodic synchronization is performed between data stored in an external device and data of the own system and an instant synchronization process in which instant synchronization is performed between data stored in the external device and data of the own system according to instructions from a user overlap, the synchronization process that occurs first is executed first.

[0017] Effects of the Invention

[0018] According to the information processing system of the first aspect, when the periodic synchronization process and the immediate synchronization process overlap, the synchronization process that occurred first can be normally executed and completed.

[0019] According to the information processing system of the second aspect, when the periodic synchronization process and the real-time synchronization process overlap, both the synchronization process occurring first and the synchronization process occurring later can be normally executed and completed.

[0020] According to the information processing system of the third aspect, it is possible to execute the simultaneous periodic synchronization process without suspending an interval after the immediate synchronization process is completed.

[0021] According to the information processing system of the fourth aspect, when there are synchronization items included only in the real-time synchronization process, the real-time synchronization process can be preferentially executed.

[0022] According to the information processing system of the fifth aspect, when the periodic synchronization process and the real-time synchronization process overlap, both the synchronization process occurring first and the synchronization process occurring later can be normally executed and completed.

[0023] According to the information processing system of the sixth aspect, when the immediate synchronization process occurs during the periodic synchronization process and before the completion notification of the periodic synchronization process is received from the external device, the immediate synchronization process can be immediately executed.

[0024] According to the information processing system of the seventh aspect, when the immediate synchronization process occurs after receiving the completion notification of the periodic synchronization process from the external device during the periodic synchronization process, the timing of synchronization of the synchronization items that are not urgent can be delayed.

[0025] According to the information processing system of the eighth aspect, it is possible to execute the immediate synchronization process without suspending an interval after the completion of the periodic synchronization process.

[0026] According to the recording medium of the ninth aspect, when the periodic synchronization process and the immediate synchronization process overlap, the synchronization process that occurred first can be normally executed and completed.

[0027] According to the information processing method of the tenth aspect, when the periodic synchronization process and the immediate synchronization process overlap, the synchronization process that occurred first can be normally executed and completed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a digital shadow according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining synchronization processing performed between a cloud server and an image forming apparatus;

[0031] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus in the above-mentioned embodiment;

[0032] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the functional structure of the image forming apparatus in the above-mentioned embodiment;

[0033] Figure 5 is a timing diagram showing the flow of processing when periodic synchronization processing and real-time synchronization processing overlap between an image forming apparatus and a cloud server;

[0034] Figure 6 is a timing diagram showing the flow of processing when periodic synchronization processing and real-time synchronization processing overlap between an image forming apparatus and a cloud server;

[0035] Figure 7 This is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing when periodic synchronization processing and real-time synchronization processing overlap between the image forming apparatus and the cloud server. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 This is a diagram showing a system configuration of a digital shadow system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a diagram for explaining synchronization processing performed between the cloud server 20 and the image forming apparatuses 10A and 10B.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, a digital shadow system of one embodiment of the present invention is configured as two image forming devices 10A and 10B installed in a base station A and a cloud server 20 connected via the Internet 30. Moreover, the image forming devices 10A and 10B are connected to each other via a network 40 in the base station A. In addition, the image forming devices 10A and 10B are devices called so-called multifunction machines having multiple functions such as a printing function, a scanning function, a copying function, and a fax function. The image forming devices 10A and 10B are an example of an information processing system in the technology of the present invention. In addition, the cloud server 20 is an example of an external device in the technology of the present invention.

[0038] like Figure 2As shown, the cloud server 20 provides a service called digital shadow that synchronizes with physical devices and maintains various data such as setting information, history information, status information, device information, and recipient lists stored in physical devices connected to the Internet 30.

[0039] Specifically, the cloud server 20 stores various data such as setting information, history information, status information, device information, and a destination list of the image forming apparatuses 10A and 10B as physical devices while performing synchronization processing with the image forming apparatuses 10A and 10B.

[0040] Here, the setting information refers to information on settings required for the operation of the image forming apparatuses 10A and 10B.

[0041] The history information refers to information on the history of jobs such as printing, scanning, copying, and faxing performed in the image forming apparatuses 10A and 10B, such as information on the execution time and number of executions of the jobs and the amount charged when the jobs were executed.

[0042] Furthermore, status information refers to information related to the status that changes over time in the image forming devices 10A and 10B, for example, information related to the remaining amount of consumables such as toner and paper in the image forming devices 10A and 10B and the operating status of the image forming devices 10A and 10B (operating normally or stopped due to an abnormality).

[0043] The device information refers to information on the device configuration of the image forming devices 10A and 10B, that is, the functions installed in the image forming devices 10A and 10B.

[0044] The recipient list refers to information such as name, fax number, and email address managed for each recipient.

[0045] According to this service, even when a terminal device managing a certain device cannot directly connect to the device to be managed, it is possible to perform management such as confirmation of the status of the device or setting changes. For example, a case where an external terminal device 60 wants to change the setting information of the image forming device 10A is described. First, the external terminal device 60 changes the setting information of the image forming device 10A in the cloud server 20. In this way, the image forming device 10A obtains the updated setting information when performing synchronization processing with the cloud server 20 and changes the setting information of its own device.

[0046] That is, by using such a service, even when the external terminal device 60 cannot connect to the image forming devices 10A and 10B set in the base station A, it can check the status of the image forming devices 10A and 10B, update the setting information, and the like.

[0047] Next, the image forming apparatus 10A in the digital shadow system of the present embodiment will be described in detail. In the following description, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10A will be mainly described, but the image forming apparatus 10B and the like also have the same configuration.

[0048] Figure 3 FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10A in the present embodiment. Figure 3 As shown, the image forming apparatus 10A includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a memory 12, a storage device 13 such as a hard disk drive, a communication interface (abbreviated as IF) 14 for transmitting and receiving data with an external device via a network, a user interface (abbreviated as UI) device 15 including a touch panel or a liquid crystal display and a keyboard, a scanning unit 16, and an image forming unit 17. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 18.

[0049] CPU 11 is a processor that controls the actions of the image forming device 10A by executing prescribed processing according to a control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13. In addition, in the present embodiment, it is described that CPU 11 reads and executes the control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13, but it is not limited to this. The control program can also be provided in a form recorded in a computer-readable recording medium. For example, the program can be provided in a form recorded in an optical disk such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM, or in a semiconductor memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory and a memory card. In addition, the control program can also be obtained from an external device via a communication line connected to the communication IF 14.

[0050] Figure 4 1 is a block diagram showing the functional structure of the image forming apparatus 10A realized by executing the above-mentioned control program. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the image forming apparatus 10A of the present embodiment includes an operation input unit 31, a display unit 32, a control unit 33, a data transceiver unit 34, and a data storage unit 35. Figure 4 In the block diagram shown, functional blocks related to image forming processing and the like are omitted.

[0051] The operation input unit 31 inputs various operation information performed by the user. The display unit 32 is controlled by the control unit 33 and displays various information to the user.

[0052] The control unit 33 performs control processing of the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 10A. In addition, the control unit 33 performs synchronization processing in which the shared data acquired from the cloud server 20 via the data transceiver unit 34 is stored in the data storage unit 35, and the shared data in the data storage unit 35 is synchronized with the shared data stored in the cloud server 20 by, for example, periodically communicating with the cloud server 20.

[0053] The data transmission and reception unit 34 transmits and receives data to and from an external device such as the cloud server 20. The data storage unit 35 stores various data such as a destination list synchronized with the cloud server 20.

[0054] The synchronization processing performed in the above-mentioned digital shadow system includes periodic synchronization processing in which synchronization is performed regularly between the data stored in the cloud server 20 and the data of the image forming device 10A, and instant synchronization processing in which synchronization is performed instantly between the data stored in the cloud server 20 and the data of the image forming device 10A according to instructions from the user. When the periodic synchronization processing and the instant synchronization processing overlap, problems may occur if both processing are performed at the same time.

[0055] In order to solve such a problem, when the periodic synchronization process and the immediate synchronization process overlap, the control unit 33 in this embodiment preferentially executes the synchronization process that occurred first.

[0056] In addition, the control unit 33 may also execute the subsequent synchronization process after completing the previous synchronization process. In this case, the subsequent synchronization process may be executed continuously after completing the previous synchronization process, or the subsequent synchronization process may be executed after a certain period of time after completing the previous synchronization process.

[0057] Furthermore, when the first synchronization process is the immediate synchronization process and the second synchronization process is the simultaneous periodic synchronization process for synchronizing all setting information of the image forming apparatus 10A, the control unit 33 may continuously execute the simultaneous periodic synchronization process after completing the first immediate synchronization process.

[0058] Furthermore, when the immediate synchronization process occurs during the execution of the periodic synchronization process and the synchronization items of the periodic synchronization process are different from those of the immediate synchronization process, the control unit 33 may stop the periodic synchronization process and execute the immediate synchronization process.

[0059] Here, "synchronization items" refer to items of each category of various data such as setting information, history information, status information, device information, and destination list. That is, when the categories are the same but the items are different, the synchronization items are considered to be different.

[0060] Furthermore, when the first synchronization process is the periodic synchronization process and the second synchronization process is the immediate synchronization process and there are synchronization items included only in the immediate synchronization process, the control unit 33 may include the synchronization items included only in the immediate synchronization process in the periodic synchronization process and execute the synchronization.

[0061] Furthermore, when the synchronization processing that occurs first is the periodic synchronization processing and the synchronization processing that occurs later is the instant synchronization processing and the setting information included in the synchronization item of the instant synchronization processing is updated on the image forming device 10A side, and the instant synchronization processing occurs before receiving the completion notification of the periodic synchronization processing from the cloud server 20, the control unit 33 can request the cloud server 20 to perform the instant synchronization processing.

[0062] refer to Figure 5 The processing here is described in detail. Figure 5 This is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing when the periodic synchronization processing and the real-time synchronization processing overlap between the image forming apparatus 10A and the cloud server 20 .

[0063] like Figure 5 As shown, when only the periodic synchronization 1 process is performed between the image forming device 10A and the cloud server 20, first, the control unit 33 of the image forming device 10A sends a request notification for the periodic synchronization 1 to the cloud server 20 (step SM01), and the periodic synchronization 1 process is performed between the image forming device 10A and the cloud server 20.

[0064] When data synchronization is completed, the cloud server 20 transmits a completion notification of the periodic synchronization 1 to the image forming apparatus 10A (step SS01 ).

[0065] When the control unit 33 of the image forming apparatus 10A receives the completion notification of the periodic synchronization 1 from the cloud server 20 , the control unit 33 of the image forming apparatus 10A transmits the completion notification of the periodic synchronization 1 to the cloud server 20 as a response thereto (step SM04 ).

[0066] Here, it is assumed that the process of immediate synchronization 1 occurs during the execution of the process of periodic synchronization 1 (step SM02 ), and setting information included in the synchronization items of the process of immediate synchronization 1 is updated on the image forming apparatus 10A side.

[0067] When the processing of immediate synchronization 1 occurs before receiving the completion notification of periodic synchronization 1 from the cloud server 20 , that is, when the occurrence timing of step SM02 is before step SS01 , the control unit 33 of the image forming apparatus 10A requests the cloud server 20 to execute the processing of immediate synchronization 1 .

[0068] At this time, the control unit 33 sends an additional request notification for periodic synchronization 1 to the cloud server 20 (step SM03) using the synchronization content in the processing of instant synchronization 1 as an additional request for the currently executed periodic synchronization 1, and performs additional processing of periodic synchronization 1 between the image forming device 10A and the cloud server 20.

[0069] Furthermore, when the synchronization processing that occurs first is the periodic synchronization processing and the synchronization processing that occurs later is the instant synchronization processing and the setting information included in the synchronization item of the instant synchronization processing is updated on the image forming device 10A side, and the instant synchronization processing occurs after receiving the completion notification of the periodic synchronization processing from the cloud server 20, the control unit 33 can change the synchronization timing of the synchronization item according to the synchronization item of the instant synchronization processing.

[0070] refer to Figure 6 The processing here is described in detail. Figure 6 This is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing when the periodic synchronization processing and the real-time synchronization processing overlap between the image forming apparatus 10A and the cloud server 20 .

[0071] like Figure 6 As shown, when only the periodic synchronization 1 process is performed between the image forming device 10A and the cloud server 20, first, the control unit 33 of the image forming device 10A sends a request notification for the periodic synchronization 1 to the cloud server 20 (step SM11), and the periodic synchronization 1 process is performed between the image forming device 10A and the cloud server 20.

[0072] When data synchronization is completed, the cloud server 20 transmits a completion notification of the periodic synchronization 1 to the image forming apparatus 10A (step SS11 ).

[0073] When the control unit 33 of the image forming apparatus 10A receives the completion notification of the periodic synchronization 1 from the cloud server 20 , the control unit 33 of the image forming apparatus 10A transmits the completion notification of the periodic synchronization 1 to the cloud server 20 as a response thereto (step SM13 ).

[0074] Here, it is assumed that the process of immediate synchronization 1 occurs during the execution of the process of periodic synchronization 1 (step SM12 ), and setting information included in the synchronization items of the process of immediate synchronization 1 is updated on the image forming apparatus 10A side.

[0075] Furthermore, it is assumed that an urgent flag indicating the importance and urgency of a synchronization item is set in the process of the real-time synchronization 1.

[0076] When the processing of instant synchronization 1 occurs after receiving the completion notification of periodic synchronization 1 from the cloud server 20 and before sending the completion notification of periodic synchronization 1 to the cloud server 20, that is, when the occurrence timing of step SM12 is between step SS11 and step SM13, the control unit 33 of the image forming device 10A changes the synchronization timing of the synchronization item according to the synchronization item of the processing of instant synchronization 1.

[0077] For example, as described above, when the urgent flag is set for the real-time synchronization 1 process, the control unit 33 sends the completion notification of the periodic synchronization 1 to the cloud server 20 in step SM13 and then immediately continuously requests the cloud server 20 to execute the real-time synchronization 1 process.

[0078] At this time, the control unit 33 sends an additional request notification for periodic synchronization 1 to the cloud server 20 (step SM14 ), using the synchronization content in the processing of instant synchronization 1 as an additional request for the currently executed periodic synchronization 1 , and executes additional processing of periodic synchronization 1 between the image forming device 10A and the cloud server 20 .

[0079] When the synchronization of the data being added is completed, the cloud server 20 transmits an addition completion notification of the periodic synchronization 1 to the image forming apparatus 10A (step SS12 ).

[0080] When the control unit 33 of the image forming apparatus 10A receives the notification of completion of addition of the periodic synchronization 1 from the cloud server 20 , the control unit 33 of the image forming apparatus 10A transmits the notification of completion of addition of the periodic synchronization 1 to the cloud server 20 as a response thereto (step SM15 ).

[0081] Furthermore, when the synchronization items in the real-time synchronization 1 process are synchronization items that are not important or urgent, the real-time synchronization 1 process may be executed after a period of time has passed since the completion of the regular synchronization 1 process, or may be included in the next regular synchronization process.

[0082] Furthermore, when the first synchronization process is the periodic synchronization process and the second synchronization process is the immediate synchronization process and the setting information included in the synchronization items of the immediate synchronization process is not updated on the image forming apparatus 10A side, the control unit 33 may continuously execute the immediate synchronization process after completing the periodic synchronization process.

[0083] refer to Figure 7 The processing here is described in detail. Figure 7 This is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing when the periodic synchronization processing and the real-time synchronization processing overlap between the image forming apparatus 10A and the cloud server 20 .

[0084] like Figure 7As shown, when only the periodic synchronization 1 process is performed between the image forming device 10A and the cloud server 20, first, the control unit 33 of the image forming device 10A sends a request notification for the periodic synchronization 1 to the cloud server 20 (step SM21), and the periodic synchronization 1 process is performed between the image forming device 10A and the cloud server 20.

[0085] When data synchronization is completed, the cloud server 20 transmits a completion notification of the periodic synchronization 1 to the image forming apparatus 10A (step SS21 ).

[0086] When the control unit 33 of the image forming apparatus 10A receives the completion notification of the periodic synchronization 1 from the cloud server 20 , the control unit 33 of the image forming apparatus 10A transmits the completion notification of the periodic synchronization 1 to the cloud server 20 as a response thereto (step SM23 ).

[0087] Here, it is assumed that the process of immediate synchronization 1 occurs during the execution of the process of periodic synchronization 1 (step SM22 ), and the setting information included in the synchronization items of the process of immediate synchronization 1 is not updated on the image forming apparatus 10A side.

[0088] When the processing of instant synchronization 1 occurs after receiving the completion notification of periodic synchronization 1 from the cloud server 20 and before sending the completion notification of periodic synchronization 1 to the cloud server 20, that is, when the occurrence timing of step SM22 is between step SS21 and step SM23, the control unit 33 of the image forming device 10A immediately and continuously requests the cloud server 20 to perform the processing of instant synchronization 1 after sending the completion notification of periodic synchronization 1 to the cloud server 20 in step SM23.

[0089] At this time, the control unit 33 sends an additional request notification for periodic synchronization 1 to the cloud server 20 (step SM24 ), using the synchronization content in the processing of instant synchronization 1 as an additional request for the currently executed periodic synchronization 1 , and performs additional processing of periodic synchronization 1 between the image forming device 10A and the cloud server 20 .

[0090] When the synchronization of the data being added is completed, the cloud server 20 transmits an addition completion notification of the periodic synchronization 1 to the image forming apparatus 10A (step SS22 ).

[0091] When the control unit 33 of the image forming apparatus 10A receives the notification of completion of addition of the periodic synchronization 1 from the cloud server 20 , the control unit 33 of the image forming apparatus 10A transmits the notification of completion of addition of the periodic synchronization 1 to the cloud server 20 as a response thereto (step SM25 ).

[0092] Although the setting information included in the synchronization items of the immediate synchronization 1 process is not updated on the image forming apparatus 10A side, when the user instructs the immediate synchronization process, it is considered that the data updated on the cloud server 20 side is intended to be reflected on the image forming apparatus 10A side.

[0093] Therefore, by setting it as described above, even in a case where the timing of updating the data on the cloud server 20 side is after receiving the completion notification of the periodic synchronization 1 from the cloud server 20 and before sending the completion notification of the periodic synchronization 1 to the cloud server 20, that is, in a case where the timing of updating the data on the cloud server 20 side is between step SS21 and step SM23, the data updated on the cloud server 20 side will be reliably reflected on the image forming device 10A side.

[0094] [Modifications]

[0095] As mentioned above, the information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention has been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be modified appropriately.

[0096] For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the processor refers to a broad processor, including a general-purpose processor (for example, CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) or a dedicated processor (for example, GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0097] Furthermore, the actions of the processors in the above embodiments may be performed not only by one processor but also by a plurality of processors in physically separate locations in cooperation. Furthermore, the order of the actions of the processors is not limited to the order described in the above embodiments and may be changed as appropriate.

[0098] Furthermore, the “system” in the present embodiment includes both a system composed of a plurality of devices and a system composed of a single device.

[0099] [Note]

[0100] Hereinafter, aspects of the present invention will be supplementally described. (((1)))

[0102] An information processing system comprises a processor,

[0103] The processor performs the following processing:

[0104] When a periodic synchronization process in which data stored in an external device and data in the own system are periodically synchronized overlaps with an instantaneous synchronization process in which data stored in the external device and data in the own system are instantly synchronized according to instructions from the user, the synchronization process that occurs first is executed first. (((2)))

[0106] The information processing system according to (((1))), wherein:

[0107] The processor executes the synchronization process that occurs later after completing the synchronization process that occurs earlier. (((3)))

[0109] The information processing system according to (((2))), wherein:

[0110] When the synchronization process that occurs first is an immediate synchronization process and the synchronization process that occurs later is a simultaneous periodic synchronization process that synchronizes all setting information of the own system, the processor continuously executes the simultaneous periodic synchronization process after completing the immediate synchronization process that occurs first. (((4)))

[0112] The information processing system according to (((1))), wherein:

[0113] When the immediate synchronization process occurs during the execution of the periodic synchronization process and the synchronization items of the periodic synchronization process are different from the synchronization items of the immediate synchronization process, the processor stops the periodic synchronization process and executes the immediate synchronization process. (((5)))

[0115] The information processing system according to (((1))), wherein:

[0116] When the synchronization process that occurs first is the periodic synchronization process and the synchronization process that occurs later is the immediate synchronization process and there are synchronization items included only in the immediate synchronization process, the processor includes the synchronization items included only in the immediate synchronization process in the periodic synchronization process and executes the synchronization. (((6)))

[0118] The information processing system according to (((1))), wherein:

[0119] When the synchronization processing that occurs first is the periodic synchronization processing and the synchronization processing that occurs later is the instant synchronization processing and the setting information included in the synchronization item of the instant synchronization processing is updated on the own system side, and the instant synchronization processing occurs before receiving the completion notification of the periodic synchronization processing from the external device, the processor requests the external device to perform the instant synchronization processing. (((7)))

[0121] The information processing system according to (((6))), wherein:

[0122] When the synchronization processing that occurs first is the periodic synchronization processing and the synchronization processing that occurs later is the instant synchronization processing and the setting information included in the synchronization item of the instant synchronization processing is updated on the own system side, and the instant synchronization processing occurs after receiving the completion notification of the periodic synchronization processing from the external device, the processor changes the synchronization timing of the synchronization item according to the synchronization item of the instant synchronization processing. (((8)))

[0124] The information processing system according to (((1))), wherein:

[0125] When the synchronization process that occurs first is the periodic synchronization process and the synchronization process that occurs later is the immediate synchronization process and the setting information included in the synchronization items of the immediate synchronization process is not updated on the own system side, the processor continuously executes the immediate synchronization process after completing the periodic synchronization process. (((9)))

[0127] A program for causing a computer to execute the following steps:

[0128] When a periodic synchronization process in which data stored in an external device and data in the own system are periodically synchronized overlaps with an instantaneous synchronization process in which data stored in the external device and data in the own system are instantly synchronized according to instructions from the user, the synchronization process that occurs first is executed first.

[0129] The effects of the configuration according to the additional notes will be described below.

[0130] According to the information processing system of (((1))), when a periodic synchronization process overlaps with an immediate synchronization process, the synchronization process that occurred first can be normally executed and completed.

[0131] According to the information processing system of (((2))), when the periodic synchronization process and the real-time synchronization process overlap, both the synchronization process occurring first and the synchronization process occurring later can be normally executed and completed.

[0132] According to the information processing system of (((3))), it is possible to perform simultaneous periodic synchronization processing without leaving an interval after the immediate synchronization processing is completed.

[0133] According to the information processing system of (((4))), when there is a synchronization item included only in the immediate synchronization process, the immediate synchronization process can be preferentially executed.

[0134] According to the information processing system of (((5))), when the periodic synchronization process and the real-time synchronization process overlap, both the synchronization process occurring first and the synchronization process occurring later can be normally executed and completed.

[0135] According to the information processing system of (((6))), when the immediate synchronization process occurs during the periodic synchronization process and before the completion notification of the periodic synchronization process is received from the external device, the immediate synchronization process can be immediately executed.

[0136] According to the information processing system of (((7))), when the immediate synchronization process occurs after receiving the completion notification of the regular synchronization process from the external device during the regular synchronization process, the timing of synchronization of the synchronization items that are not urgent can be delayed.

[0137] According to the information processing system of (((8))), it is possible to execute the immediate synchronization process without leaving an interval after the completion of the periodic synchronization process.

[0138] According to the procedure of (((9))), when the periodic synchronization process and the immediate synchronization process overlap, the synchronization process that occurred first can be normally executed and completed.

[0139] The above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention are provided for the purpose of illustration and description. In addition, the embodiments of the present invention do not fully and exhaustively include the present invention, and do not limit the present invention to the disclosed methods. Obviously, various modifications and changes are self-evident to those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. The present embodiment is selected and described in order to most easily understand the principles of the present invention and its application. Thus, other technicians in the art can understand the present invention through various variations optimized for specific uses assumed to be various embodiments. The scope of the present invention is defined by the above claims and their equivalents.

[0140] Explanation of symbols

[0141] 10A, 10B-image forming device, 11-CPU, 12-memory, 13-storage device, 14-communication interface, 15-user interface device, 16-scanning unit, 17-image forming unit, 18-control bus, 20-cloud server, 30-Internet, 31-operation input unit, 32-display unit, 33-control unit, 34-data transceiver unit, 35-data storage unit, 40-network, 60-terminal device.

Claims

1. An information processing system comprising a processor, The processor performs the following processing: When a periodic synchronization process in which data stored in an external device and data in the own system are periodically synchronized overlaps with an instantaneous synchronization process in which data stored in the external device and data in the own system are instantly synchronized according to instructions from the user, the synchronization process that occurs first is executed first.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein: The processor executes the synchronization process that occurs later after completing the synchronization process that occurs earlier.

3. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein: When the synchronization process that occurs first is an immediate synchronization process and the synchronization process that occurs later is a simultaneous periodic synchronization process that synchronizes all setting information of the own system, the processor continuously executes the simultaneous periodic synchronization process after completing the immediate synchronization process that occurs first.

4. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein: When the immediate synchronization process occurs during the execution of the periodic synchronization process and the synchronization items of the periodic synchronization process are different from the synchronization items of the immediate synchronization process, the processor stops the periodic synchronization process and executes the immediate synchronization process.

5. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein: When the synchronization process that occurs first is the periodic synchronization process and the synchronization process that occurs later is the immediate synchronization process and there are synchronization items included only in the immediate synchronization process, the processor includes the synchronization items included only in the immediate synchronization process in the periodic synchronization process and executes the synchronization.

6. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein: When the synchronization processing that occurs first is the periodic synchronization processing and the synchronization processing that occurs later is the instant synchronization processing and the setting information included in the synchronization item of the instant synchronization processing is updated on the own system side, and the instant synchronization processing occurs before receiving the completion notification of the periodic synchronization processing from the external device, the processor requests the external device to perform the instant synchronization processing.

7. The information processing system according to claim 6, wherein: When the synchronization processing that occurs first is the periodic synchronization processing and the synchronization processing that occurs later is the instant synchronization processing and the setting information included in the synchronization item of the instant synchronization processing is updated on the own system side, and the instant synchronization processing occurs after receiving the completion notification of the periodic synchronization processing from the external device, the processor changes the synchronization timing of the synchronization item according to the synchronization item of the instant synchronization processing.

8. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein: When the synchronization process that occurs first is the periodic synchronization process and the synchronization process that occurs later is the immediate synchronization process and the setting information included in the synchronization items of the immediate synchronization process is not updated on the own system side, the processor continuously executes the immediate synchronization process after completing the periodic synchronization process.

9. A recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute the following steps: When a periodic synchronization process in which data stored in an external device and data in the own system are periodically synchronized overlaps with an instantaneous synchronization process in which data stored in the external device and data in the own system are instantly synchronized according to instructions from the user, the synchronization process that occurs first is executed first.

10. An information processing method comprising the following steps: When a periodic synchronization process in which data stored in an external device and data in the own system are periodically synchronized overlaps with an instantaneous synchronization process in which data stored in the external device and data in the own system are instantly synchronized according to instructions from the user, the synchronization process that occurs first is executed first.

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