IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM, NETWORK MANAGEMENT DEVICE, AND NETWORK MANAGEMENT METHOD

摘要

An image forming system which can recognize the network configuration in real time is provided. The image forming system comprises an image forming apparatus for performing image formation and one or more accessory devices capable of establishing communication with the image forming apparatus via network bus. The image forming apparatus stores identification information which identifies each of the one or more accessory devices. The accessory device detects a communication state of the network bus to notify the image forming apparatus or accessory device which is adjacent of occurrence of communication error not via the network bus. When the occurrence of the communication error of the network bus is notified from the accessory device which is adjacent, the image forming apparatus realizes the network configuration in real time and erases the identification information stored.

主权项

1. An image forming system having an image forming apparatus configured to perform image formation and one or more accessory devices configured to be capable of establishing communication with the image forming apparatus via a network bus,
wherein the accessory device comprises: a first detection unit configured to detect a communication state of the network bus; a first notification unit configured to notify the adjacent image forming apparatus or other adjacent accessory device of communication state of the network bus not via the network bus; and a first control unit configured to cause the first notification unit to notify the adjacent image forming apparatus or other adjacent accessory device of an occurrence of the communication error of the network bus when the first detection unit detects a communication error of the network bus, wherein the image forming apparatus comprises: a storing unit configured to store identification information which identifies the accessory device; and a second control unit configured to erase the identification information stored in the storing unit when the occurrence of the communication error of the network bus is notified from the first communication unit of an adjacent accessory device.