Image forming apparatus

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes a control device, and a relay device that relays communication, the relay device including: a receiving unit that receives a request for confirming a state of the control device from the external device; a confirmation unit that confirms the state of the control device; and a holding unit that holds the state of the control device directly confirmed by the confirmation unit, and the confirmation unit directly confirms the state of the control device at one of a timing based on a state of the relay device and reception of the request by the receiving unit, and confirms the state of the control device with reference to the state of the control device held by the holding unit at another one of the timing based on the state of the relay device and the reception of the request.

Description

[DESCRIPTION] [Title of Invention] IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS [Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background Art]

[0002] An image forming apparatus of related art controls a scanner control device that performs a reading operation and a plotter control device that performs a printing operation, via respective dedicated interfaces (I / Fs).

[0003] An image forming apparatus disclosed in PTL 1 includes an acquisition unit that intermittently acquires the state of an external module from the external module; and a complement unit that complements a lost state in which the state of the external module has transitioned during a polling period in which the acquisition unit does not acquire the state, based on a pre-change state acquired by the acquisition unit, a post-change state acquired next to the pre-change state, and a state transition diagram of the external module. The image forming apparatus can accurately recognize a transition of the state of the external module. [Citation List] [Patent Literature]

[0004] [PTL 1] lapanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-155898 [Summary of Invention] [Technical Problem]

[0005] With the image forming apparatus of the related art, however, while the scanner control, the plotter control, or the like is performed via the dedicated I / F, communication with an external device is not expected. Thus, when a request for acquiring the state of a state acquisition target, such as the scanner control device or the plotter control device, is received from the external device or a request for acquiring the state of the state acquisition target is made in the image forming apparatus, the processing load on the state acquisition target increases. [Solution to Problem]

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an image forming apparatus includes a control device; and a relay device that relays communication between the control device and an external device. The relay device includes a receiving unit that receives a request for confirming a state of the control device from the external device; a confirmation unit thatconfirms the state of the control device; and a holding unit that holds the state of the control device directly confirmed by the confirmation unit. The confirmation unit directly confirms the state of the control device at one of a timing based on a state of the relay device and reception of the request by the receiving unit, and confirms the state of the control device with reference to the state of the control device held by the holding unit at another one of the timing based on the state of the relay device and the reception of the request by the receiving unit.[Advantageous Effects of Invention]

[0007] With the present disclosure, the processing load on the state acquisition target in the case where the acquisition of the state is requested to the state acquisition target can be reduced. [Brief Description of Drawings]

[0008] A more complete appreciation of embodiments of the present disclosure and many of the attendant advantages and features thereof can be readily obtained and understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.[FIG. 1]FIG. l is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of operations when both an external device and a relay device make state confirmation requests in an image forming apparatus of related art.[FIG. 2]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a general arrangement of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.[FIG. 3]FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus.[FIG. 4]FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of operations when a state confirmation request is received from an external device in the image forming apparatus. [FIG. 5]FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of operations when a relay device makes a state confirmation request in the image forming apparatus.[FIG. 6]FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of configurations of functional blocks of the image forming apparatus.[FIG. 7]FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an example of a state setting screen of the image forming apparatus.[FIG. 8]FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of operations when the relay device makes a state confirmation request and holds a state in the image forming apparatus. [FIG. 9]FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of operations when the external device makes a state confirmation request and a state is held in the image forming apparatus.The accompanying drawings are intended to depict embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be interpreted to limit the scope thereof. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. Also, identical or similar reference numerals designate identical or similar components throughout the several views. [Description of Embodiments]

[0009] In describing embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure of this specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that have a similar function, operate in a similar manner, and achieve a similar result.

[0010] Referring now to the drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.(Flow of Operations When Both External Device and Relay Device Make State Confirmation Requests in Image Forming Apparatus of Related Art)

[0011] FIG. l is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of operations when both an external device and a relay device make state confirmation requests in an image forming apparatus of related art. Referring to FIG. 1, a flow of operations when both an external device 2000 and a relay device 1630 make state confirmation requests in an image forming apparatus 1000 of related art will be described. It is assumed that the image forming apparatus 1000 of the related art performs data communication with the external device 2000 via a network and includes the relay device 1630, a plotter control device 1631, and a scanner control device 1632.

[0012] In step S 101, the external device 2000 transmits a state confirmation request for confirming the state of the scanner control device 1632 to the image forming apparatus 1000. The relay device 1630 of the image forming apparatus 1000 receives the state confirmation request via a network I / F.

[0013] In step SI 02, when receiving the state confirmation request from the external device 2000, the relay device 1630 transmits the state confirmation request to the scanner control device 1632by polling the scanner control device 1632. The scanner control device 1632 receives the state confirmation request via a dedicated I / F.

[0014] In step SI 03, when receiving the state confirmation request from the relay device 1630, the scanner control device 1632 confirms its own state (in this case, a state of whether a start button of an operation display of the image forming apparatus 1000 has been pressed), and transmits a response indicating a state in which the start button has not been pressed to the relay device 1630 via the dedicated I / F. The relay device 1630 receives the response.

[0015] In step SI 04, when receiving the response indicating the state in which the start button has not been pressed from the scanner control device 1632, the relay device 1630 transmits the response to the external device 2000 via the network I / F. Thus, the external device 2000 detects the state in which the start button of the operation display has not been pressed in the scanner control device 1632 of the image forming apparatus 1000.

[0016] In step S105, the relay device 1630 transmits a state confirmation request for confirming the state of the scanner control device 1632 to the scanner control device 1632 by polling the scanner control device 1632. The scanner control device 1632 receives the state confirmation request via the dedicated I / F.

[0017] In step SI 06, when receiving the state confirmation request from the relay device 1630, the scanner control device 1632 confirms its own state (in this case, the state of whether the start button of the operation display of the image forming apparatus 1000 has been pressed), and transmits a response indicating the state in which the start button has not been pressed to the relay device 1630 via the dedicated I / F. The relay device 1630 receives the response.

[0018] The above-described steps S 101 to S 106 are repeatedly executed at a certain timing unless the start button of the operation display is pressed. While FIG. 1 illustrates that the transmission of the state confirmation request from the external device 2000 (steps S101 to SI 04) and the transmission of the state confirmation request from the relay device 1630 itself (steps S105 and SI 06) are alternately executed to simplify the description, this does not imply any limitation, and the transmission of the state confirmation request from the external device 2000 and the transmission of the state confirmation request from the relay device 1630 itself may be executed at any timing.

[0019] It is assumed that the start button of the operation display of the image forming apparatus 1000 has been pressed by a user in step SI 07.

[0020] After the user presses the start button of the operation display, in step SI 08, the external device 2000 transmits a state confirmation request for confirming the state of the scanner control device 1632 to the image forming apparatus 1000. The relay device 1630 of the image forming apparatus 1000 receives the state confirmation request via the network I / F.

[0021] In step SI 09, when receiving the state confirmation request from the external device 2000, the relay device 1630 transmits the state confirmation request to the scanner control device 1632 by polling the scanner control device 1632. The scanner control device 1632 receives the state confirmation request via the dedicated I / F.

[0022] In step SI 10, when receiving the state confirmation request from the relay device 1630, the scanner control device 1632 confirms its own state (in this case, the state of whether the start button of the operation display of the image forming apparatus 1000 has been pressed), and transmits a response indicating a state in which the start button has been pressed to the relay device 1630 via the dedicated I / F. The relay device 1630 receives the response.

[0023] In step Sill, when receiving the response indicating the state in which the start button has been pressed from the scanner control device 1632, the relay device 1630 transmits the response to the external device 2000 via the network I / F. Thus, the external device 2000 detects the state in which the start button of the operation display of the image forming apparatus 1000 has been pressed in the scanner control device 1632 of the image forming apparatus 1000.

[0024] After the user presses the start button of the operation display, in step SI 12, the relay device 1630 transmits a state confirmation request for confirming the state of the scanner control device 1632 to the scanner control device 1632 by polling the scanner control device 1632. The scanner control device 1632 receives the state confirmation request via the dedicated I / F.

[0025] When receiving the state confirmation request from the relay device 1630, in step SI 13, the scanner control device 1632 confirms its own state (in this case, the state of whether the start button of the operation display of the image forming apparatus 1000 has been pressed), and transmits a response indicating the state in which the start button has been pressed to the relay device 1630 via the dedicated I / F. Thus, the relay device 1630 detects the state in which the start button of the operation display of the image forming apparatus 1000 has been pressed in the scanner control device 1632 of the image forming apparatus 1000.

[0026] As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1000 of the related art, the relay device 1630 performs the processing of requesting the scanner control device 1632 to acquire the state by polling using the state confirmation request from the external device 2000 as a triggerand using the state confirmation request from the relay device 1630 itself as a trigger. Thus, the scanner control device 1632 has to perform the processing for both the state confirmation requests, and hence the processing load increases.An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment can reduce the processing load on a state acquisition target when the image forming apparatus requests the state acquisition target to acquire the state.(General Arrangement of Image Forming Apparatus)

[0027] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a general arrangement of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, a general arrangement of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0028] The image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 is an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral (MFP) having a scanner function and a plotter function (printer). As illustrated in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a plotter control device 631, a scanner control device 632, a relay device 630, an operation display 610, and a network I / F 604b.

[0029] The plotter control device 631 is a system for performing a printing operation based on read data or the like read by the scanner control device 632. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the plotter control device 631 includes a dedicated I / F 63 la that is a dedicated interface for performing data communication with the relay device 630. The plotter control device 631 includes an application programming interface (API) for receiving a print request and acquiring the state of the plotter control device 631.

[0030] The scanner control device 632 is a system for performing a reading operation on a document placed on a table such as a platen. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the scanner control device 632 includes a dedicated I / F 632a that is a dedicated interface for performing data communication with the relay device 630. The scanner control device 632 includes an API for receiving a scan request and acquiring the state of the scanner control device 632.

[0031] The states of the plotter control device 631 and the scanner control device 632 include, for example, states indicating the operating states of the devices functioning as the systems, the presence or absence of an abnormality, and the content of an operation on the operation display 610.

[0032] The relay device 630 is a system that controls the plotter control device 631 and the scanner control device 632, and relays a request from an external device 2. The relay device 630performs data communication with each of the plotter control device 631 and the scanner control device 632 by polling.

[0033] The operation display 610 is a touch panel or the like, and is a device that receives input to the image forming apparatus 1 (input function) and displays, for example, the state of the image forming apparatus 1 (display function). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the operation display 610 is connected to the scanner control device 632 and is controlled by the scanner control device 632. The operation display 610 is not limited to being connected to the scanner control device 632 and controlled by the scanner control device 632.

[0034] The network I / F 604b is an interface for performing data communication with the external device 2 via a network N. The network I / F 604b is, for example, a network interface card (NIC) that supports Ethernet® and can perform wired communication or wireless communication conforming to the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) / Intemet Protocol (IP) or the like. The network I / F 604b may be included in, for example, the relay device 630.

[0035] While the plotter control device 631 and the scanner control device 632 are described as the control devices included in the image forming apparatus 1, the control devices are not limited thereto, and one of the plotter control device 631 and the scanner control device 632 may be provided, or another control device may be provided. The control device is a system for controlling target processing, and may be referred to as a control system. Similarly, the relay device may be referred to as a relay system.(Hardware Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus)

[0036] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. A hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a controller 600, an operation display 610, a facsimile control unit (FCU) 620, a plotter control device 631, and a scanner control device 632. The controller 600, the operation display 610, the FCU 620, the plotter control device 631, and the scanner control device 632 are interconnected by a peripheral component interface (PCI) bus. The operation display 610, the plotter control device 631, and the scanner control device 632 are as described above with reference to FIG. 2.

[0038] The controller 600 is a device for overall control of the image forming apparatus 1, and the device also controls drawing and communication of the image forming apparatus 1, and input from the operation display 610. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the controller 600 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 601, a system memory (MEM-P) 602, a northbridge (NB) 603, asouthbridge (SB) 604a, a network I / F 604b, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) I / F 604c, a Centronics I / F 604d, a sensor I / F 604e, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 606, a local memory (MEM-C) 607, and an auxiliary storage device 608. The network I / F 604b is as described above with reference to FIG. 2. The relay device 630 illustrated in FIG. 2 corresponds to, for example, the controller 600.

[0039] The CPU 601 is a computing device for overall control of the image forming apparatus 1. The CPU 601 is connected to a chipset including the system memory 602, the northbridge 603, and the southbridge 604a and is connected to another device via the chipset.

[0040] The system memory 602 is used as a memory for storing programs and data, a memory for loading programs and data, and a memory for storing drawing data of a printer, for example. The system memory 602 includes a ROM and a RAM. The ROM is a read-only memory for storing programs and data. The RAM is a random-access memory, or in other words, a writable and readable memory used as a memory for loading programs and data, and a memory for storing drawing data of the printer.

[0041] The northbridge 603 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 601 to the system memory 602, the southbridge 604a, and an accelerated graphics port (AGP) bus 605. The northbridge 603 includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing of data from and to the system memory 602. The northbridge 603 further includes a PCI master and an AGP target.

[0042] The southbridge 604a is a bridge for connecting the northbridge 603 to PCI devices and peripheral devices. The southbridge 604a is connected to the northbridge 603 via a PCI bus, and the PCI bus is connected to the network I / F 604b, the USB I / F 604c, the Centronics I / F 604d, and the sensor I / F 604e, for example.

[0043] The AGP bus 605 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card to accelerate graphics processing. The AGP bus 605 can speed up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the system memory 602 with high throughput.

[0044] The ASIC 606 is an integrated circuit (IC) for use in image processing and includes hardware elements for image processing. The ASIC 606 serves as a bridge for connecting the AGP bus605, the PCI bus, the auxiliary storage device 608, and the local memory 607 to each other. The ASIC 606 includes a PCI target, an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) as a core of the ASIC606, a memory controller, a plurality of direct memory access controllers (DMACs), and a PCI unit. The memory controller controls the local memory 607. The DMACs are configured to, for example, rotate image data with a hardware logic. The PCI unit transfers data to the plotter control device 631 and the scanner control device 632 via the PCI bus. The ASIC 606is connected to, for example, the FCU 620, the plotter control device 631, and the scanner control device 632 via the PCI bus.

[0045] The local memory 607 is used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer.

[0046] The auxiliary storage device 608 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a Secure Digital (SD) card, or a flash memory. The auxiliary storage device 608 stores image data, programs, font data, and forms.

[0047] The FCU 620 is a device that implements a facsimile function, and is connected to the ASIC 606 via, for example, the PCI bus.

[0048] The hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 3 is an example. Not all of the components described above may be included in the image forming apparatus 1, and the image forming apparatus 1 may include any other component.(Flow of Operations When State Confirmation Request Is Received from External Device of Image Forming Apparatus)

[0049] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of operations when a state confirmation request is received from an external device in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. Referring to FIG. 4, a flow of operations when a state confirmation request is received from the external device 2 in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. To describe basic operations with reference to FIG. 4, operations that are performed when setting is made in a state setting screen 3000 in FIG. 7 (described later) such that the states of the plotter control device 631 and the scanner control device 632 are not held and the relay device 630 receives a state confirmation request from the external device 2 will be described. In FIG. 4, a state of whether a start button has been pressed on the operation display 610 in the scanner control device 632 will be described as an acquisition target. It is assumed that an application operating on the external device 2 detects pressing of the start button in the image forming apparatus 1 (the operation display 610) and starts an operation such as start of scanning.

[0050] In step S 11, the external device 2 transmits a state confirmation request for confirming the state of the scanner control device 632 to the image forming apparatus 1. The relay device 630 of the image forming apparatus 1 receives the state confirmation request via the network I / F 604b.

[0051] In step SI 2, when receiving the state confirmation request from the external device 2, the relay device 630 transmits the state confirmation request to the scanner control device 632 bypolling the scanner control device 632. The scanner control device 632 receives the state confirmation request via the dedicated I / F 632a.

[0052] In step SI 3, when receiving the state confirmation request from the relay device 630, the scanner control device 632 confirms its own state (in this case, a state of whether the start button of the operation display 610 has been pressed), and transmits a response indicating a state in which the start button has not been pressed to the relay device 630 via the dedicated I / F 632a. The relay device 630 receives the response.

[0053] In step SI 4, when receiving the response indicating the state in which the start button has not been pressed from the scanner control device 632, the relay device 630 transmits the response to the external device 2 via the network I / F 604b. Thus, the external device 2 detects the state in which the start button of the operation display 610 has not been pressed in the scanner control device 632 of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0054] The above-described steps Sil to S14 are repeatedly executed at a certain timing in the external device 2 unless the start button of the operation display 610 is pressed.

[0055] It is assumed that the start button of the operation display 610 has been pressed by a user in step S15.

[0056] After the user presses the start button of the operation display 610, in step SI 6, the external device 2 transmits a state confirmation request for confirming the state of the scanner control device 632 to the image forming apparatus 1. The relay device 630 of the image forming apparatus 1 receives the state confirmation request via the network I / F 604b.

[0057] In step SI 7, when receiving the state confirmation request from the external device 2, the relay device 630 transmits the state confirmation request to the scanner control device 632 by polling the scanner control device 632. The scanner control device 632 receives the state confirmation request via the dedicated I / F 632a.

[0058] In step SI 8, when receiving the state confirmation request from the relay device 630, the scanner control device 632 confirms its own state (in this case, the state of whether the start button of the operation display 610 has been pressed), and transmits a response indicating a state in which the start button has been pressed to the relay device 630 via the dedicated I / F 632a. The relay device 630 receives the response.

[0059] In step SI 9, when receiving the response indicating the state in which the start button has been pressed from the scanner control device 632, the relay device 630 transmits the responseto the external device 2 via the network I / F 604b. Thus, the external device 2 detects the state in which the start button of the operation display 610 has been pressed in the scanner control device 632 of the image forming apparatus 1. The external device 2 starts processing on the application in accordance with the pressing of the start button.(Flow of Operations When Relay Device of Image Forming Apparatus Makes State Confirmation Request)

[0060] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of operations when the relay device makes a state confirmation request in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. Referring to FIG. 5, a flow of operations when the relay device 630 makes a state confirmation request in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. To describe basic operations with reference to FIG. 5, operations that are performed when setting is made in the state setting screen 3000 in FIG. 7 (described later) such that the states of the plotter control device 631 and the scanner control device 632 are not held and the relay device 630 itself transmits a state confirmation request to the scanner control device 632 will be described. In FIG. 5, the state of whether the start button has been pressed on the operation display 610 in the scanner control device 632 will be described as an acquisition target. It is assumed that, without processing in the external device 2, pressing of the start button in the image forming apparatus 1 (the operation display 610) is detected and an operation, such as start of scanning, is started.

[0061] In step S21, the relay device 630 of the image forming apparatus 1 transmits a state confirmation request for confirming the state of the scanner control device 632 at a certain timing to the scanner control device 632 by polling the scanner control device 632. The scanner control device 632 receives the state confirmation request via the dedicated I / F 632a.

[0062] In step S22, when receiving the state confirmation request from the relay device 630, the scanner control device 632 confirms its own state (in this case, the state of whether the start button of the operation display 610 has been pressed), and transmits a response indicating the state in which the start button has not been pressed to the relay device 630 via the dedicated I / F 632a. The relay device 630 receives the response.

[0063] The above-described steps S21 and S22 are repeatedly executed at a certain timing in the relay device 630 unless the start button of the operation display 610 is pressed.

[0064] It is assumed that the start button of the operation display 610 has been pressed by the user in step S23.

[0065] After the user presses the start button of the operation display 610, in step S24, the relay device 630 transmits a state confirmation request for confirming the state of the scanner control device 632 to the scanner control device 632 by polling the scanner control device 632. The scanner control device 632 receives the state confirmation request via the dedicated I / F 632a.

[0066] In step S25, when receiving the state confirmation request from the relay device 630, the scanner control device 632 confirms its own state (in this case, the state of whether the start button of the operation display 610 has been pressed), and transmits a response indicating the state in which the start button has been pressed to the relay device 630 via the dedicated I / F 632a. Thus, the relay device 630 detects the state in which the start button of the operation display 610 has been pressed in the scanner control device 632 of the image forming apparatus 1. The relay device 630 starts processing on the application in the image forming apparatus 1 in accordance with the pressing of the start button.

[0067] With the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, configurations and operations that can reduce the processing load on a state acquisition target (the plotter control device 631, the scanner control device 632, or the like) will be described below. (Configurations and Operations of Functional Blocks of Image Forming Apparatus)

[0068] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of configurations of functional blocks of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an example of a state setting screen of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. Configurations and operations of the functional blocks of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGs. 6 and 7.

[0069] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the relay device 630 includes a receiving unit 101, a state confirmation unit 102 (confirmation unit), a state management unit 103 (holding unit), a notification unit 104, a setting unit 105, an operation unit 106, a display control unit 107, and a storage unit 108.

[0070] The receiving unit 101 is a functional unit that receives, via the network I / F 604b, a state confirmation request for confirming the state of a predetermined target (for example, the plotter control device 631 or the scanner control device 632) transmitted from the external device 2 at a certain timing.

[0071] The state confirmation unit 102 is a functional unit that confirms the state of the plotter control device 631 or the scanner control device 632. Specifically, the state confirmation unit 102 transmits a state confirmation request for confirming the state of the plotter control device631 or the scanner control device 632 to that plotter control device 631 or that scanner control device 632 by polling to directly confirm the state. When the setting unit 105 (described later) has set to hold the state confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102, the state confirmation unit 102 performs the following operations.

[0072] When the setting unit 105 has set to hold the confirmed state using an internal trigger, in other words, a state confirmation request from the relay device 630 as a trigger, the state confirmation unit 102 transmits a state confirmation request to the plotter control device 631 or the scanner control device 632 at a certain timing to directly confirm the state. When the receiving unit 101 has received a state confirmation request from the external device 2, the state confirmation unit 102 confirms the state with reference to the state of the target (the plotter control device 631 or the scanner control device 632) of the state confirmation request held in the storage unit 108 by the state management unit 103. On the other hand, when the setting unit 105 has set to hold the confirmed state using an external trigger, in other words, a state confirmation request from the external device 2 as a trigger, and when the receiving unit 101 has received a state confirmation request from the external device 2, the state confirmation unit 102 transmits the state confirmation request to the plotter control device 631 or the scanner control device 632 to directly confirm the state. When the state confirmation unit 102 confirms the state of the target (the plotter control device 631 or the scanner control device 632) at a certain timing, the state confirmation unit 102 confirms the state with reference to the state of the target held in the storage unit 108 by the state management unit 103.

[0073] The state management unit 103 is a functional unit that holds the state of the plotter control device 631 or the scanner control device 632 confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102 in the storage unit 108 and manages the state. Specifically, when the setting unit 105 (described later) has set to hold the state confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102, the state management unit 103 holds the state in the storage unit 108 and manages the state. In this case, when the setting unit 105 has set to hold the confirmed state using an internal trigger, in other words, a state confirmation request from the relay device 630 as a trigger, the state management unit 103 holds the state confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102 in response to a state confirmation request at a certain timing in the storage unit 108. On the other hand, when the setting unit 105 has set to hold the confirmed state using an external trigger, in other words, a state confirmation request from the external device 2 as a trigger, the state management unit 103 holds the state confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102 in response to a state confirmation request of the external device 2 in the storage unit 108.

[0074] The notification unit 104 is a functional unit that, when the receiving unit 101 has received a state confirmation request from the external device 2, notifies the external device 2 of thestate of the target (the plotter control device 631 or the scanner control device 632) of the state confirmation request confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102 via the network I / F 604b.

[0075] The setting unit 105 is a functional unit that performs various settings. For example, on the state setting screen 3000 displayed on the operation display 610 illustrated in FIG. 7, the setting unit 105 sets whether to hold the state confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102, and when holding the state, sets which one of the state confirmation request from the external device 2 and the state confirmation request from the relay device 630 is used as a trigger to hold the acquired state. The setting unit 105 causes the storage unit 108 to store the set content.

[0076] The state setting screen 3000 illustrated in FIG. 7 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the state setting screen 3000 includes a state holding setting radio button 3001, a state holding trigger setting radio button 3002, a save button 3011, and a cancel button 3012.

[0077] The state holding setting radio button 3001 is a radio button for setting whether to hold the state confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102. When the state holding setting radio button 3001 is set not to hold the state, in either of a case where the receiving unit 101 has received a state confirmation request from the external device 2, or a case where the state of the target is confirmed at a certain timing, the state confirmation unit 102 transmits a state confirmation request to the state confirmation target (the plotter control device 631 or the scanner control device 632) to confirm the state of the target.

[0078] The state holding trigger setting radio button 3002 is a radio button for setting, when the state holding setting radio button 3001 is set to hold the state, which one of the state confirmation request from the external device 2 and the state confirmation request from the relay device 630 is used as a trigger to hold the acquired state.

[0079] The save button 3011 is a button for storing the content set with the state holding setting radio button 3001 and the state holding trigger setting radio button 3002 in the storage unit 108. When the save button 3011 is pressed, the setting unit 105 causes the storage unit 108 to store the content set with the state holding setting radio button 3001 and the state holding trigger setting radio button 3002.

[0080] The cancel button 3012 is a button for canceling the content set with the state holding setting radio button 3001 and the state holding trigger setting radio button 3002 without storing the content.

[0081] The operation unit 106 is a functional unit that receives input through an operation by a user. The operation unit 106 is implemented by an input function of the operation display 610 illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0082] The display control unit 107 is a functional unit that controls a display operation of the operation display 610. The display control unit 107 causes the operation display 610 to display, for example, the state setting screen 3000 illustrated in FIG. 7 in response to input through an operation on the operation unit 106.

[0083] The storage unit 108 is a functional unit that stores, for example, the setting content set by the setting unit 105, and the state of the plotter control device 631 or the scanner control device 632 confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102. The storage unit 108 is implemented by the auxiliary storage device 608 illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0084] While the setting unit 105 can set whether to hold the state confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102 as described above, this does not imply any limitation, and an operation of fixedly holding the state may be employed. While the setting unit 105 can set which one of the state confirmation request from the external device 2 and the state confirmation request from the relay device 630 is used as a trigger to hold the acquired state, this does not imply any limitation. The state management unit 103 may hold the state confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102 in the storage unit 108 using the state confirmation request from the external device 2 fixedly as a trigger, or may hold the state confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102 in the storage unit 108 using the state confirmation request from the relay device 630 fixedly as a trigger.

[0085] When the relay device 630 detects that communication with the external device 2 is not available, and when the state confirmation unit 102 confirms the state at the timing of the relay device 630 itself, the state confirmation unit 102 may switch to an operation of directly confirming the state with the plotter control device 631 or the scanner control device 632.

[0086] The above-described receiving unit 101, state confirmation unit 102, state management unit 103, notification unit 104, and setting unit 105 are implemented, for example, by the CPU 601 illustrated in FIG. 3 executing programs. At least one of the receiving unit 101, the state confirmation unit 102, the state management unit 103, the notification unit 104, and the setting unit 105 may be implemented by a hardware circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0087] Each functional unit of the relay device 630 illustrated in FIG. 6 conceptually indicates a function, and is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a plurality of functionalunits illustrated as independent functional units in the relay device 630 illustrated in FIG. 6 may be configured as one functional unit.A function of one functional unit in the relay device 630 illustrated in FIG. 6 may be divided into a plurality of functions and configured as a plurality of functional units. The functional units of the relay device 630 do not have to be configured as software modules distinct as the blocks illustrated in FIG. 6 as long as the functions of the functional units are implemented as a whole by the CPU 601 executing programs.(Flow of Operations When Relay Device in Image Forming Apparatus Makes State Confirmation Request and Holds State)

[0088] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of operations when the relay device makes a state confirmation request and holds a state in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. Referring to FIG. 8, operations that are performed when the relay device 630 itself makes a state confirmation request to the scanner control device 632 and holds a state in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.In other words, it is assumed that the setting unit 105 has set to hold the state and to hold the confirmed state using the state confirmation request from the relay device 630 as a trigger.

[0089] In step S31, the state confirmation unit 102 of the relay device 630 transmits a state confirmation request for confirming the state of the scanner control device 632 at a certain timing to the scanner control device 632 by polling the scanner control device 632. The scanner control device 632 receives the state confirmation request via the dedicated I / F 632a.

[0090] In step S32, when receiving the state confirmation request from the relay device 630, the scanner control device 632 confirms its own state (in this case, the state of whether the start button of the operation display 610 has been pressed), and transmits a response indicating the state in which the start button has not been pressed to the relay device 630 via the dedicated I / F 632a. When receiving the response, the state confirmation unit 102 directly confirms the state in which the start button has not been pressed.

[0091] In step S33, the state management unit 103 of the relay device 630 holds the state (the state in which the start button has not been pressed) of the scanner control device 632 confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102 in the storage unit 108. When the state of the scanner control device 632 has already been held in the storage unit 108, the state management unit 103 updates the state with the state newly confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102.

[0092] In step S34, the external device 2 transmits a state confirmation request for confirming the state of the scanner control device 632 to the image forming apparatus 1. The receiving unit101 of the relay device 630 of the image forming apparatus 1 receives the state confirmation request via the network I / F 604b.

[0093] In step S35, when the receiving unit 101 has received the state confirmation request from the external device 2, the state confirmation unit 102 of the relay device 630 confirms the state (the state in which the start button has not been pressed) with reference to the state of the scanner control device 632 held in the storage unit 108 by the state management unit 103. In other words, in this case, the state confirmation request is not transmitted to the scanner control device 632 and the state of the scanner control device 632 is confirmed with reference to the state of the scanner control device 632 held in the storage unit 108. Hence the processing load is not exerted on the scanner control device 632.

[0094] In step S36, the notification unit 104 of the relay device 630 notifies the external device 2 of the state (the state in which the start button has not been pressed) of the scanner control device 632 confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102 as a response to the state confirmation request in step S34 via the network I / F 604b. Thus, the external device 2 detects the state in which the start button of the operation display 610 has not been pressed in the scanner control device 632 of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0095] The above-described steps S31 to S36 are repeatedly executed at a certain timing unless the start button of the operation display 610 is pressed. While FIG. 8 illustrates that the transmission of the state confirmation request from the relay device 630 itself (steps S31 to S33) and the transmission of the state confirmation request from the external device 2 (steps S34 to S36) are alternately executed to simplify the description, this does not imply any limitation, and the transmission of the state confirmation request from the relay device 630 itself and the transmission of the state confirmation request from the external device 2 may be executed at any timing.

[0096] It is assumed that the start button of the operation display 610 of the image forming apparatus 1 has been pressed by the user in step S37.

[0097] In step S38, the external device 2 transmits a state confirmation request for confirming the state of the scanner control device 632 to the image forming apparatus 1. The receiving unit 101 of the relay device 630 of the image forming apparatus 1 receives the state confirmation request via the network I / F 604b.

[0098] In step S39, when the receiving unit 101 has received the state confirmation request from the external device 2, the state confirmation unit 102 confirms the state with reference to the state of the scanner control device 632 held in the storage unit 108 by the state management unit103. At this time, the pressing of the start button of the operation display 610 in step S37 is not reflected in the state of the scanner control device 632 held in the storage unit 108. Hence the state of the scanner control device 632 confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102 is the state in which the start button has not been pressed.

[0099] In step S40, the notification unit 104 notifies the external device 2 of the state (the state in which the start button has not been pressed) of the scanner control device 632 confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102 as a response to the state confirmation request in step S38 via the network I / F 604b. Thus, the external device 2 detects the state in which the start button of the operation display 610 has not been pressed in the scanner control device 632 of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0100] In step S41, the state confirmation unit 102 transmits a state confirmation request for confirming the state of the scanner control device 632 at a certain timing to the scanner control device 632 by polling the scanner control device 632. The scanner control device 632 receives the state confirmation request via the dedicated I / F 632a.

[0101] In step S42, when receiving the state confirmation request from the relay device 630, the scanner control device 632 confirms its own state (in this case, the state of whether the start button of the operation display 610 has been pressed), and transmits a response indicating the state in which the start button has been pressed to the relay device 630 via the dedicated I / F 632a. When receiving the response, the state confirmation unit 102 directly confirms the state in which the start button has been pressed.

[0102] In step S43, the state management unit 103 holds the state (the state in which the start button has been pressed) of the scanner control device 632 confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102 in the storage unit 108. When the state of the scanner control device 632 has already been held in the storage unit 108, the state management unit 103 updates the state with the state newly confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102.

[0103] In step S44, the external device 2 transmits a state confirmation request for confirming the state of the scanner control device 632 to the image forming apparatus 1. The receiving unit 101 of the relay device 630 of the image forming apparatus 1 receives the state confirmation request via the network I / F 604b.

[0104] In step S45, when the receiving unit 101 has received the state confirmation request from the external device 2, the state confirmation unit 102 confirms the state (the state in which the start button has been pressed) with reference to the state of the scanner control device 632 held in the storage unit 108 by the state management unit 103.In other words, in this case, the state confirmation request is not transmitted to the scanner control device 632 and the state of the scanner control device 632 is confirmed with reference to the state of the scanner control device 632 held in the storage unit 108. Hence the processing load is not exerted on the scanner control device 632.

[0105] In step S46, the notification unit 104 notifies the external device 2 of the state (the state in which the start button has been pressed) of the scanner control device 632 confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102 as a response to the state confirmation request in step S44 via the network I / F 604b. Thus, the external device 2 detects the state in which the start button of the operation display 610 has been pressed in the scanner control device 632 of the image forming apparatus 1.(Flow of Operations When External Device Makes State Confirmation Request and State Is Held in Image Forming Apparatus)

[0106] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of operations when the external device makes a state confirmation request and a state is held in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. Referring to FIG. 9, operations that are performed when the external device 2 makes a state confirmation request to the scanner control device 632 and a state is held in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. In other words, it is assumed that the setting unit 105 has set to hold the state and to hold the confirmed state using the state confirmation request from the external device 2 as a trigger.

[0107] In step S51, the external device 2 transmits a state confirmation request for confirming the state of the scanner control device 632 to the image forming apparatus 1. The receiving unit 101 of the relay device 630 of the image forming apparatus 1 receives the state confirmation request via the network I / F 604b.

[0108] In step S52, when the receiving unit 101 receives the state confirmation request from the external device 2, the state confirmation unit 102 of the relay device 630 transmits the state confirmation request to the scanner control device 632 by polling the scanner control device 632. The scanner control device 632 receives the state confirmation request via the dedicated I / F 632a.

[0109] When receiving the state confirmation request from the relay device 630, in step S53, the scanner control device 632 confirms its own state (in this case, the state of whether the start button of the operation display 610 has been pressed), and transmits a response indicating the state in which the start button has not been pressed to the relay device 630 via the dedicatedI / F 632a. When receiving the response, the state confirmation unit 102 directly confirms the state in which the start button has not been pressed.

[0110] In step S54, the state management unit 103 of the relay device 630 holds the state (the state in which the start button has not been pressed) of the scanner control device 632 confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102 in the storage unit 108. When the state of the scanner control device 632 has already been held in the storage unit 108, the state management unit 103 updates the state with the state newly confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102.

[0111] In step S55, the notification unit 104 of the relay device 630 notifies the external device 2 of the state (the state in which the start button has not been pressed) of the scanner control device 632 confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102 as a response to the state confirmation request in step S51 via the network I / F 604b. Thus, the external device 2 detects the state in which the start button of the operation display 610 has not been pressed in the scanner control device 632 of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0112] In step S56, to confirm the state of the scanner control device 632 at a certain timing, the state confirmation unit 102 of the relay device 630 confirms the state (the state in which the start button has not been pressed) with reference to the state of the scanner control device 632 held in the storage unit 108 by the state management unit 103. In other words, in this case, the state confirmation request is not transmitted to the scanner control device 632 and the state of the scanner control device 632 is confirmed with reference to the state of the scanner control device 632 held in the storage unit 108. Hence the processing load is not exerted on the scanner control device 632.

[0113] The above-described steps S51 to S56 are repeatedly executed at a certain timing unless the start button of the operation display 610 is pressed. While FIG. 9 illustrates that the transmission of the state confirmation request from the external device 2 (steps S51 to S55) and the confirmation of the state by the relay device 630 itself (step S56) are alternately executed to simplify the description, this does not imply any limitation, and the transmission of the state confirmation request from the external device 2 and the confirmation of the state by the relay device 630 itself may be executed at any timing.

[0114] It is assumed that the start button of the operation display 610 of the image forming apparatus 1 has been pressed by the user in step S57.

[0115] In step S58, the external device 2 transmits a state confirmation request for confirming the state of the scanner control device 632 to the image forming apparatus 1. The receiving unit101 of the relay device 630 of the image forming apparatus 1 receives the state confirmation request via the network I / F 604b.

[0116] When the receiving unit 101 receives the state confirmation request from the external device 2, in step S59, the state confirmation unit 102 of the relay device 630 transmits the state confirmation request to the scanner control device 632 by polling the scanner control device 632. The scanner control device 632 receives the state confirmation request via the dedicated I / F 632a.

[0117] When receiving the state confirmation request from the relay device 630, in step S60, the scanner control device 632 confirms its own state (in this case, the state of whether the start button of the operation display 610 has been pressed), and transmits a response indicating the state in which the start button has been pressed to the relay device 630 via the dedicated I / F 632a. When receiving the response, the state confirmation unit 102 directly confirms the state in which the start button has been pressed.

[0118] In step S61, the state management unit 103 holds the state (the state in which the start button has been pressed) of the scanner control device 632 confirmed by the state confirmation unit102 in the storage unit 108. When the state of the scanner control device 632 has already been held in the storage unit 108, the state management unit 103 updates the state with the state newly confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102.

[0119] In step S62, the notification unit 104 notifies the external device 2 of the state (the state in which the start button has been pressed) of the scanner control device 632 confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102 as a response to the state confirmation request in step S58 via the network I / F 604b. Thus, the external device 2 detects the state in which the start button of the operation display 610 has been pressed in the scanner control device 632 of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0120] In step S63, to confirm the state of the scanner control device 632 at a certain timing, the state confirmation unit 102 of the relay device 630 confirms the state (the state in which the start button has been pressed) with reference to the state of the scanner control device 632 held in the storage unit 108 by the state management unit 103. In other words, in this case, the state confirmation request is not transmitted to the scanner control device 632 and the state of the scanner control device 632 is confirmed with reference to the state of the scanner control device 632 held in the storage unit 108. Hence the processing load is not exerted on the scanner control device 632.As described above, an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a control device such as a plotter control device 631 or a scanner control device 632; and a relay device 630 that relays communication between the control device and an external device 2. The relay device 630 includes a receiving unit 101 that receives a state confirmation request for confirming a state of the control device from the external device 2; a state confirmation unit 102 that confirms the state of the control device; and a state management unit 103 that holds the state of the control device directly confirmed by the state confirmation unit 102. The state confirmation unit 102 directly confirms the state of the control device in one of a case where the state of the control device is confirmed at a timing of the relay device630 itself and a case where the receiving unit 101 has received the state confirmation request, and confirms the state of the control device with reference to the state of the control device held by the state management unit 103 in another one of the case where the state of the control device is confirmed at the timing of the relay device 630 itself and the case where the receiving unit 101 has received the state confirmation request. With this configuration, when the acquisition of the state is requested to the control device such as the plotter control device631 or the scanner control device 632 serving as a state acquisition target, the processing load on the control device can be reduced.

[0122] The functionality of the elements disclosed herein may be implemented using circuitry or processing circuitry which includes general purpose processors, special purpose processors, integrated circuits, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and / or combinations thereof which are configured or programmed, using one or more programs stored in one or more memories, to perform the disclosed functionality. Processors are considered processing circuitry or circuitry as they include transistors and other circuitry therein. In the disclosure, the circuitry, units, or means are hardware that carry out or are programmed to perform the recited functionality. The hardware may be any hardware disclosed herein which is programmed or configured to carry out the recited functionality.

[0123] There is a memory that stores a computer program which includes computer instructions. These computer instructions provide the logic and routines that enable the hardware (e.g., processing circuitry or circuitry) to perform the method disclosed herein.For example, the programs to be executed by the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment described above may be configured to be pre-installed in a ROM or the like and provided. The programs to be executed by the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment described above may be configured to be recorded in any computer-readable recording medium, such as a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a flexible disk (FD), a compact disk-recordable (CD-R), or a digital versatile disk (DVD), in an installable or executable file format and provided as a computer program product. In addition, the programsto be executed by the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment described above may be configured to be stored in a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. The programs to be executed by the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment described above may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0124] The programs to be executed by the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment described above have module configurations including the functional units described above. In actual hardware, a CPU (or processor) reads the programs from the ROM and executes the read programs to load the functional units described above onto a main storage device and generate the functional units on the main storage device.

[0125] The present invention can be implemented in any convenient form, for example using dedicated hardware, or a mixture of dedicated hardware and software. The present invention may be implemented as computer software implemented by one or more networked processing apparatuses. The processing apparatuses include any suitably programmed apparatuses such as a general purpose computer, a personal digital assistant, a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) or third-generation (3G)-compliant mobile telephone, and so on. Since the present invention can be implemented as software, each and every aspect of the present invention thus encompasses computer software implementable on a programmable device. The computer software can be provided to the programmable device using any conventional carrier medium (carrier means). The carrier medium includes a transient carrier medium such as an electrical, optical, microwave, acoustic or radio frequency signal carrying the computer code. An example of such a transient medium is a Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP) signal carrying computer code over an IP network, such as the Internet. The carrier medium may also include a storage medium for storing processor readable code such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, a compact disc read-only memory (CD- ROM), a magnetic tape device, or a solid state memory device.

[0126] The above-described embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the present invention. Thus, numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, elements and / or features of different illustrative embodiments may be combined with each other and / or substituted for each other within the scope of the present invention. Any one of the above-described operations may be performed in various other ways, for example, in an order different from the one described above.

[0127] Aspects of the present invention are as follows.According to Aspect 1, an image forming apparatus includes a control system; and a relay system that relays communication between the control system and an external device. Therelay system includes a receiving unit that receives a request for confirming a state of the control system from the external device; a confirmation unit that confirms the state of the control system; and a holding unit that holds the state of the control system directly confirmed by the confirmation unit. The confirmation unit directly confirms the state of the control system in one of a case where the state of the control system is confirmed at a timing of the relay system itself and a case where the receiving unit has received the request, and confirms the state of the control system with reference to the state of the control system held by the holding unit in another one of the case where the state of the control system is confirmed at the timing of the relay system itself and the case where the receiving unit has received the request.According to Aspect 2, in the image forming apparatus of Aspect 1, the relay system further includes a notification unit that notifies the external device of the state of the control system confirmed by the confirmation unit in the case where the receiving unit has received the request.According to Aspect 3, in the image forming apparatus of Aspect 1 or 2, in the case where the receiving unit has received the request, the confirmation unit directly confirms the state of the control system, and the holding unit holds the state of the control system directly confirmed by the confirmation unit. In the case where the state of the control system is confirmed at the timing of the state of the relay system itself, the confirmation unit confirms the state of the control system with reference to the state of the control system held by the holding unit. According to Aspect 4, in the image forming apparatus of Aspect 1 or 2, in the case where the state of the control system is confirmed at the timing of the state of the relay system itself, the confirmation unit directly confirms the state of the control system, and the holding unit holds the state of the control system directly confirmed by the confirmation unit. In the case where the receiving unit has received the request, the confirmation unit confirms the state of the control system with reference to the state of the control system held by the holding unit.According to Aspect 5, in the image forming apparatus of any one of Aspects 1 to 4, the relay system further includes a setting unit that sets whether to hold the state of the control system directly confirmed in the case where the receiving unit has received the request or to hold the state of the control system directly confirmed at the timing of the state of the relay system itself.According to Aspect 6, in the image forming apparatus of any one of Aspects 1 to 4, the relay system further includes a setting unit that sets whether to hold the state of the control system directly confirmed by the confirmation unit. When the setting unit has set not to hold the state of the control system directly confirmed by the confirmation unit, the confirmation unit directly confirms the state of the control system in any one of the case where the state of the control system is confirmed at the timing of the relay system itself and the case where the receiving unit has received the request.According to Aspect 7, in the image forming apparatus of any one of Aspects 1 to 6, when the relay system has detected that no communication is available with the external device, the confirmation unit switches to an operation of directly confirming the state of the control system in the case where the state of the control system is confirmed at the timing of the state of the relay system itself.According to Aspect 8, in the image forming apparatus of any one of Aspects 1 to 7, the control system includes a scanner control device that performs an operation of reading a document.According to Aspect 9, in the image forming apparatus of any one of Aspects 1 to 8, the control system includes a plotter control device that performs a printing operation.According to Aspect 10, in the image forming apparatus of any one of Aspects 1 to 9, the confirmation unit performs data communication with the control system by polling when the confirmation unit directly confirms the state of the control system.

[0128] This patent application is based on and claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-024324, filed on February 21, 2024, in the Japan Patent Office, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.[Reference Signs List]

[0129] 1 Image forming apparatus2 External device101 Receiving unit102 State confirmation unit103 State management unit104 Notification unit105 Setting unit106 Operation unit107 Display control unit108 Storage unit600 Controller601 CPU602 System memory (MEM-P)603 Northbridge (NB)604a Southbridge (SB)604b Network I / F604c USB I / F604d Centronics I / F604e Sensor I / F 605 AGP606 ASIC607 Local memory (MEM-C)608 Auxiliary storage device610 Operation display620 FCU630 Relay device631 Plotter control device631a Dedicated I / F632 Scanner control device632a Dedicated I / F1000 Image forming apparatus1630 Relay device1631 Plotter control device1632 Scanner control device2000 External device3000 State setting screen3001 State holding setting radio button3002 State holding trigger setting radio button3011 Save button3012 Cancel buttonN Network

Claims

[CLAIMS]1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control device; and a relay device configured to relay communication between the control device and an external device, wherein the relay device includes: a receiving unit configured to receive a request for confirming a state of the control device from the external device; a confirmation unit configured to confirm the state of the control device; and a holding unit configured to hold the state of the control device directly confirmed by the confirmation unit, and wherein the confirmation unit is configured to directly confirm the state of the control device at one of a timing based on a state of the relay device and reception of the request by the receiving unit, and confirm the state of the control device with reference to the state of the control device held by the holding unit at another one of the timing based on the state of the relay device and the reception of the request by the receiving unit.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the relay device further includes a notification unit configured to notify the external device of the state of the control device confirmed by the confirmation unit when the receiving unit has received the request.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when the receiving unit has received the request, the confirmation unit is configured to directly confirm the state of the control device, and the holding unit is configured to hold the state of the control device directly confirmed by the confirmation unit, and wherein, when the state of the control device is confirmed at the timing based on the state of the relay device, the confirmation unit is configured to confirm the state of the control device with reference to the state of the control device held by the holding unit.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when the state of the control device is confirmed at the timing based on the state of the relay device, the confirmation unit is configured to directly confirm the state of the control device,the holding unit is configured to hold the state of the control device directly confirmed by the confirmation unit, and wherein, when the receiving unit has received the request, the confirmation unit is configured to confirm the state of the control device with reference to the state of the control device held by the holding unit.

5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the relay device further includes a setting unit configured to set whether to hold the state of the control device directly confirmed when the receiving unit has received the request or to hold the state of the control device directly confirmed at the timing based on the state of the relay device.

6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the relay device further includes a setting unit configured to set whether to hold the state of the control device directly confirmed by the confirmation unit, and wherein, when the setting unit has set not to hold the state of the control device directly confirmed by the confirmation unit, the confirmation unit is configured to directly confirm the state of the control device at any one of the timing based on the state of the relay device and the reception of the request by the receiving unit.

7. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, when the relay device has detected that no communication is available with the external device, the confirmation unit is configured to switch to an operation of directly confirming the state of the control device when the state of the control device is confirmed at the timing based on the state of the relay device.

8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control device includes a scanner control device that performs an operation of reading a document.

9. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control device includes a plotter control device that performs a printing operation.

10. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the confirmation unit performs data communication with the control device by polling when the confirmation unit directly confirms the state of the control device.

Images