JP2011194749A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device shifting to a power source state in which power consumption is less than in a sleeping state, if a terminal device which uses the image forming device itself does not exist on the net work.SOLUTION: A sub CPU 21 of the image forming device periodically inquires to each terminal device connected to the net work about its power source state and whether a driver program for the image forming device is installed or not. If the sub CPU can confirm that power sources of all the terminal devices to which the driver program for the image forming device is installed are turned OFF from the response, it controls an image reading part 12, an image forming part 13, and a main CPU 11 of the image forming device to be in a sleeping mode or to turn the power source OFF.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having a power saving function.

  In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for power saving for office equipment installed in offices and the like, and in image forming apparatuses such as printers and multifunction peripherals, a standby state without a job to be executed or user operation continues for a certain time or more. A function is provided for automatically switching the power mode to a power saving mode that consumes less power than usual.

  In addition, an image forming apparatus connected to a terminal device such as a PC (personal computer) via a network or the like operates in response to a print request from the terminal device, so the power mode of the image forming apparatus is set to the state of the terminal device. There are technologies that change according to the situation.

  For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a print data supply apparatus that cancels a sleep mode of a laser printer if a specific printer driver exists in the RAM of the host computer when the laser printer is in a sleep mode. Is disclosed. The possibility that the print data is transmitted is confirmed by the presence of the printer driver in the RAM, and the laser printer is warmed up before actually transmitting the print data to reduce the waiting time.

  Further, in Patent Document 2 below, the image forming apparatus investigates the process state of the terminal device connected to the self apparatus via the network, and if the specific process is running, sets the self apparatus to the operating state. It is disclosed to enter a sleep state if a particular process is not running. Also, obtain the load average of the process, and if the operating time does not exceed the threshold even if the process exists, it recognizes that the process is in a dormant state due to forgetting to end it and shift to the sleep state. It has become.

JP-A-10-171613 JP 2004-98399 A

  In a network environment such as an office, when all the terminal devices that use the image forming apparatus are shut down, the possibility that the image forming apparatus is used is extremely low. However, in the conventional power saving control in which the standby state continues for a certain time or longer and the power saving mode or the sleep mode is entered, even if all the terminal devices on the network that use the image forming apparatus are shut down, immediately Does not react and remains in the normal mode until the standby state has elapsed for a certain time or longer.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, the mode shifts to the sleep mode according to the state of the specific process of the terminal device. However, the main CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like consume some power even in the sleep mode. When the power is forgotten to be turned off, useless power is consumed by continuing the sleep state.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problem, and when a terminal device that uses the device itself does not exist on the network, the power supply mode can be shifted to the power saving mode and consumes less power than the sleep state. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of shifting to the above.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] An image forming unit that forms an image on recording paper;
A network communication unit that communicates with a terminal device via a network;
A main CPU that causes the image forming unit to perform an image forming operation in response to a request received from the terminal device by the network communication unit;
The terminal device connected to the network is inquired about the power state and whether or not the driver program of the image forming apparatus is installed using the network communication unit, and based on the result, the main device is inquired. A sub CPU for controlling the power state of the CPU;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

  In the above invention, the sub CPU of the image forming apparatus inquires of the terminal device connected to the network about the power state and whether or not the driver program for the own device is installed, and based on the response Controls the power state of the main CPU of its own device. Since the control is performed by the sub CPU, it is possible to control the main CPU to be turned off.

[2] If the result of the inquiry indicates that the power state is not off and there is no terminal device in which the driver program for the image forming apparatus is installed, the sub CPU determines the power state of the main CPU. The image forming apparatus according to [1], wherein the image forming apparatus is in a sleep mode or turned off.

  In the above invention, when there is no terminal device on the network in which the driver program for the device is installed and the power is not turned off, it is determined that there is no possibility that the image forming device 10 is used from the terminal device 30. Then, the main CPU is set in the sleep mode or turned off.

[3] The sub CPU turns off the power state of the main CPU when a predetermined return condition is not satisfied before a predetermined time has elapsed after entering the sleep mode. [2] The image forming apparatus described in 1.

  In the above invention, after the main CPU is set to the sleep mode, if the predetermined return condition is not satisfied even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the main CPU is turned off. For example, the main CPU is turned off when a terminal device in which the driver program for the own device is installed and the power supply is not turned off does not exist on the network for a predetermined time.

[4] A terminal device that has not received a request from the driver program even if the driver program of the image forming apparatus has been installed, or has not received a request in the past predetermined period, The image forming apparatus according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the image forming apparatus is excluded from a determination target of an inquiry result.

  In the above invention, the driver program for the image forming apparatus is installed, but the terminal apparatus that has not used the image forming apparatus in the past or has not used the image forming apparatus for a certain period in the past uses the image forming apparatus. It is recognized that it is unlikely to do so and is excluded from the judgment.

[5] The sub CPU determines whether to restore the power state of the main CPU by analyzing data received by the network communication unit when the power state of the main CPU is off, The image forming apparatus according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein when the return is necessary, the power state of the main CPU is returned to ON.

  In the above invention, even when the main CPU is off, the sub CPU monitors the return condition, and the sub CPU restores the main CPU when necessary.

[6] The response to the inquiry is a terminal device having a main CPU, a sub CPU, and a nonvolatile memory, and the installation status of the driver program is stored in the nonvolatile memory, and the response is made even if the main CPU is turned off. The image forming apparatus according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the sub CPU receives the inquiry from a terminal device configured to read and respond to the nonvolatile memory.

  In the above invention, the terminal device side is also provided with a sub CPU, and even when the main CPU of the terminal device is off, a response to an inquiry can be received by the operation of the sub CPU.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to shift to the power saving mode when the terminal device that uses the apparatus does not exist on the network, and to shift to the power state that consumes less power than the sleep state. The power saving effect can be enhanced.

1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a network system to which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the block diagram which illustrated schematic structure of the terminal unit. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the terminal device at the time of installing a driver program. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the driver information memorize | stored in the non-volatile memory (non-volatile storage area) of the terminal device. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the terminal device which received the information acquisition request of the non-volatile storage area. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the terminal device which received the power supply status acquisition request. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus according to a power mode automatic change function. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structural example of the packet transmitted as an information acquisition request of a non-volatile storage area. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a response packet (driver information response) to a “GetStorageData” command. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a determination target list held and updated by the image forming apparatus 10. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which all terminal devices registered in a determination target list are powered off and the image forming apparatus is shifted to an off mode. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a network system 5 to which an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected. The image forming apparatus 10 is connected to a plurality of terminal devices 30 (hereinafter also referred to as PCs) via a network 2 such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The image forming apparatus 10 is a printer or a multifunction machine having a function of forming and outputting an image on recording paper. In this example, the image forming apparatus 10 optically reads a document and prints a duplicate image on a recording sheet. The image forming apparatus 10 stores image data of the read document as a file or transmits it to an external terminal via a network. This is a multifunction device having a function of executing a job such as a scan job, a print job for forming an image related to print data received from the terminal device 30 via the network 2 on a recording sheet, and printing it out.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes, as power modes, a normal mode in which all parts are energized and a job can be executed, a sleep mode that consumes less power than the normal mode, and an off mode that consumes less power than the sleep mode. Yes. Details of these power supply modes will be described later.

  Further, in the normal mode, the image forming apparatus 10 automatically executes a state in which a job is not executed and no operation from the user (standby state) continues for a predetermined time (first set time, for example, 30 minutes). It has a function to shift to the sleep mode. Further, when the standby state continues for a predetermined time (second set time, for example, 15 minutes) after shifting to the sleep mode, the mode is shifted to the off mode. The first and second set times can be arbitrarily changed.

  The terminal apparatus 30 is an information processing apparatus having a function of submitting a job such as a scan job or a print job to the image forming apparatus 10 and requesting the execution thereof. The terminal device 30 is a personal computer in which an OS program, a driver program for the image forming apparatus 10, an application program for creating and editing documents and images, and the like are installed. Various requests to the image forming apparatus 10 such as input of a scan job and a print job are made by a driver program for the image forming apparatus 10.

  The terminal device 30 also has a plurality of power supply modes. Here, there are provided a normal mode in which each unit can be energized to execute various processes, a sleep mode with less power consumption than the normal mode, an off mode with less power consumption than the sleep mode, and the like.

  The image forming apparatus 10 inquires of the terminal device 30 connected to the network 2 about the power state and whether or not the driver program for the image forming apparatus 10 is installed, and according to the response result. The device has a function of switching the power mode of its own device. For example, when the power state of the terminal device 30 in which the driver program for the own device is installed is all in the off mode, a function for changing the power mode of the own device to the sleep mode or the off mode (power mode automatic change function) I have. The inquiry is repeated. For example, it is performed at a constant cycle.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a main CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 as a control unit that performs overall control of the operation of the image forming apparatus 10, an image reading unit 12 connected to the main CPU 11 via a bus, and the like. A forming unit 13, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 14, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 15, a display unit 16, an operation unit 17, and an image processing unit 18 are provided. The image forming apparatus 10 further includes a sub CPU 21, a nonvolatile memory 22, a network I / F unit 23, a hard disk device 24, a memory 25, and a power supply unit 26.

  The sub CPU 21 is a CPU that has a smaller processing capacity and lower power consumption than the main CPU 11. The main CPU 11 is based on an OS program, on which middleware and application programs are executed. The sub CPU 21 operates without an OS program, and executes processing with less load than the main CPU 11.

The main CPU 11 and the sub CPU 21 are connected so as to be able to exchange signals and information with each other. The operations of the image reading unit 12, the image forming unit 13, the display unit 16, the operation unit 17, and the image processing unit 18 are controlled by the main CPU 11. For example, in response to a print request received from the terminal device 30 via the network 2, the main CPU 11 controls the image forming unit 13 to perform an image forming operation related to the print request. The nonvolatile memory 22, the network I / F unit 23, the hard disk device 24, and the memory 25 are accessible from both the main CPU 11 and the sub CPU 21. The memory 25 and the nonvolatile memory 22 are also used as a medium for exchanging information between the main CPU 11 and the sub CPU 21.

  The power supply unit 26 converts commercial power into an appropriate voltage and supplies power to each unit of the image forming apparatus 10. In addition, according to an instruction from the sub CPU 21, a function is provided for controlling whether to supply power or stop supplying power for each power supply destination. Here, power is supplied to all parts in the normal mode, and power supply to the image reading unit 12, the image forming unit 13, the display unit 16, the image processing unit 18, and the hard disk device 24 is stopped in the sleep mode, and the off mode is set. Then, the power supply to the main CPU 11, ROM 14, and RAM 15 is also stopped. The sub CPU 21, the nonvolatile memory 22, the network I / F unit 23, and the memory 25 are always energized (even in the off mode) unless a main power switch (not shown) is turned off or supply of commercial power is stopped. . In the sleep mode, the main CPU 11 is in a state where only network transmission / reception is possible. The operation is stopped in the off mode.

  Various programs are stored in the ROM 14, and each function of the image forming apparatus 10 such as job execution is realized by the main CPU 11 executing processes according to these programs. The RAM 15 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the main CPU 11 executes a program, an image memory for storing image data, and the like.

  The image reading unit 12 performs a function of optically reading a document and acquiring image data. The image reading unit 12 sequentially, for example, a light source that irradiates light on a document, a line image sensor that receives the reflected light and reads the document for one line in the width direction, and sequentially reads the reading position in line units in the length direction of the document. An optical path composed of a moving means for moving, a lens, a mirror, and the like for forming an image by guiding reflected light from a document to a line image sensor, a conversion unit for converting an analog image signal output from the line image sensor into digital image data, etc. It is configured with.

  The image forming unit 13 functions to form an image corresponding to image data on a recording sheet. Here, it has a recording paper transport device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device, and forms an image by an electrophotographic process. It is configured as a so-called laser printer. Other methods may be used for image formation.

  The operation panel of the image forming apparatus 10 includes a display unit 16 and an operation unit 17. The display unit 16 is composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD) and the like, and has a function of displaying various operation screens, setting screens, and the like. The operation unit 17 has a function of accepting various operations such as job input and setting from the user. The operation unit 17 includes a touch panel that is provided on the screen of the display unit 16 and detects a pressed coordinate position, and includes a numeric keypad, a character input key, a start key, and the like.

  The image processing unit 18 performs rasterization processing for converting print data into image data, image data compression and expansion processing, in addition to processing such as image enlargement / reduction and rotation.

The memory 25 is used as a work memory for the sub CPU 21. The nonvolatile memory 22 is a memory (flash memory) whose stored contents are not destroyed even when the power is turned off. The non-volatile memory 22 stores the result of inquiring about the power supply state to each terminal device 30 and the installation status of the driver program (determination target list 70 described later) and the like, and also stores the program executed by the sub CPU 21. Yes. The network I / F unit 23 performs a function of transmitting / receiving various data to / from the terminal device 30 and other external devices via the network 2. The hard disk device 24 is a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device, and is used, for example, for storing print data and image data.

  In the image forming apparatus 10, even in the off mode in which the power supply to the main CPU 11 and the like is completely turned off, the sub CPU 21 is operating. If the sub CPU 21 is operating, the memory 25 and the non-volatile memory 22 are used. And communication by the network I / F unit 23 can be performed. In other words, the network I / F unit 23 is routed by the sub CPU 21 and can communicate with an external device such as the terminal device 30 through the network 2 by using a specific protocol without depending on software on the OS.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a schematic configuration of the terminal device 30. The terminal device 30 includes a main CPU 31, a sub CPU 32, a ROM 33, a RAM 34, an input / output I / F unit 35, a nonvolatile memory 36, a network I / F unit 37, a hard disk device 38, a memory 39, And a power supply unit 41. Further, a display device 42 such as a liquid crystal display and an input device 43 such as a keyboard and a mouse are connected via the input / output I / F unit 35.

  The ROM 33 stores a startup program and fixed data. The RAM 34 stores a program loaded from the hard disk device 38. The RAM 34 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the main CPU 31 executes a program.

  The nonvolatile memory 36 is a memory (flash memory) whose stored contents are not destroyed even when the power is turned off, and stores driver information indicating the installation status of the driver program. The network I / F unit 37 functions to transmit and receive various data to and from the image forming apparatus 10 and other external devices via the network 2. The hard disk device 38 is a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device, and stores an OS program, a driver program for the image forming apparatus 10, middleware, various application programs, files, data, and the like.

  Also in the terminal device 30, the sub CPU 32 is a CPU that has a smaller processing capacity and lower power consumption than the main CPU 31. The main CPU 31 is based on an OS program, on which middleware and application programs are executed. The sub CPU 32 operates without an OS program, and executes processing with a smaller load than the main CPU 31.

  The main CPU 31 and the sub CPU 32 are connected so as to be able to exchange signals and information with each other. The nonvolatile memory 36, the network I / F unit 37, the hard disk device 38, and the memory 39 are accessible from both the main CPU 31 and the sub CPU 32. The memory 39 and the nonvolatile memory 36 are also used as a medium for exchanging information between the main CPU 31 and the sub CPU 32.

  The power supply unit 41 converts commercial power into an appropriate voltage and supplies power to each unit of the terminal device 30. Further, according to an instruction from the sub CPU 32, a function of controlling whether to supply power or to stop supplying power is provided for each power supply destination. Here, power is supplied to all parts in the normal mode, power supply to the input / output I / F unit 35 and the hard disk device 38 is stopped in the sleep mode, and power is supplied to the main CPU 31, ROM 33, and RAM 34 in the off mode. Supply is also stopped. The sub CPU 32, the nonvolatile memory 36, the network I / F unit 37, and the memory 39 are always energized (even in the off mode) unless a main power switch (not shown) is turned off or supply of commercial power is stopped. In the sleep mode, the main CPU 31 shifts to a sleep state in which, for example, the processing capacity is reduced to about 10% of the normal mode to suppress power consumption.

  Similarly to the image forming apparatus 10, in the terminal device 30, even in the off mode in which the power supply to the main CPU 31 and the like is completely turned off, the sub CPU 32 is in operation and the sub CPU 32 is in operation. For example, access to the memory 39 and the nonvolatile memory 36 and communication by the network I / F unit 37 can be performed. In other words, the network I / F unit 37 is routed by the sub CPU 32 and can communicate with an external device such as the image forming apparatus 10 via the network 2 by a specific protocol without depending on software on the OS.

  Next, the operation of the terminal device 30 when installing the driver program will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the terminal device 30 when installing the driver program. When the terminal device 30 uses the image forming apparatus 10 for the first time, a driver program (a program for using the image forming apparatus 10 such as a printer driver, a scanner driver, and a facsimile driver) corresponding to the image forming apparatus 10 is an OS program. Need to install on. When the driver program is installed (step S101; Yes), the driver program information (driver information such as driver name, manufacturer name, version, language, port, installation date and time) in the installation program or driver program initialization process ) Is written in the nonvolatile memory 36 (nonvolatile storage area) of the terminal device 30 (step S102). FIG. 5 shows an example of the driver information 51 stored in the nonvolatile memory 36 (nonvolatile storage area).

  The driver information is deleted from the nonvolatile memory 36 when the corresponding driver program is uninstalled. In addition, when the terminal device 30 transmits a print job or scan job to the image forming apparatus 10 after installing the driver program, the last job transmission time (time stamp, the last job in the driver information 51 of FIG. (Date and time) is written in the nonvolatile memory 36 and updated. The update may be performed by the main CPU 31 or the sub CPU 32. Here, the driver program that sent the job updates the time stamp.

  Next, operations related to the power mode automatic change function will be described.

  6 and 7 show the operation on the terminal device 30 side related to the power mode automatic change function, and FIG. 8 shows the operation of the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the sub CPU 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 has the power status and whether or not the driver program for the image forming apparatus 10 is installed in each terminal device 30 connected to the network 2. The heel is repeatedly inquired using the network I / F unit 23.

  Specifically, the sub CPU 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 requests information acquisition of the nonvolatile storage area (request for acquisition of driver information stored in the nonvolatile memory 36) to each terminal device 30 in the network 2 at regular intervals. Is broadcast by the network I / F unit 23 (FIG. 8: Step S201, Step S202, FIG. 1: P1).

  FIG. 9 illustrates a data configuration example of a packet that the image forming apparatus 10 transmits as the information acquisition request 61 of the nonvolatile storage area. In the packet transmitted as the information acquisition request of the nonvolatile storage area, the IP address of the image forming apparatus 10 is broadcast as the transmission source IP address, the broadcast is transmitted as the transmission destination IP address, and the “information acquisition request of the nonvolatile storage area” is displayed in the data portion. Is written (in this example, GetStorageData).

  The network I / F unit 37 of each terminal device 30 receives the packet, and the sub CPU 32 of the terminal device 30 analyzes the packet received by the network I / F unit 37. If it is determined that the packet is based on a specific protocol, the command written in the data portion is executed. In this case, when the information acquisition request 61 for the non-volatile storage area broadcast by the image forming apparatus 10 is received, the “GetStorageData” command is written in the data portion thereof, so the sub CPU 32 of the terminal device 30 receives this command. Perform the corresponding process.

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 6, when the sub CPU 32 of the terminal device 30 receives the information acquisition request for the nonvolatile storage area (step S121; Yes), the information stored in the nonvolatile memory 36 (nonvolatile storage area). (Driver information) is read (step S122), a response packet is created and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 (step S123, FIG. 1: P2).

  FIG. 10 shows a data configuration example of a response packet (driver information response) 64 for a command “GetStorageData”. In the response packet (driver information response) 64, the IP address of the terminal device 30 is read as the transmission source IP address, and the IP address of the image forming apparatus 10 is read as the transmission destination IP address from the nonvolatile memory 36 (nonvolatile storage area). Information (driver information) is written.

  When the sub CPU 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives the response packet 64 for the “GetStorageData” command (FIG. 8: Step S203; Yes), the determination target list 70 is displayed based on the driver information included in the received response packet 64. Update (step S204).

  Specifically, information on the driver program installed in the terminal device 30 that is the transmission source is extracted from the received response packet, and the driver name, manufacturer name, and the like are stored in advance for the own device and the response packet. A check is made with the one extracted from 64 to check whether the driver program is for the device itself.

  If the driver program is for the own device (if the driver program for the own device is installed), the time stamp of the final job transmission is further confirmed. If the time stamp has not been written yet or the date and time indicated by the time stamp exceeds a certain period before the current time, the terminal device 30 uses the own device even though the driver program has been installed. It is determined that the possibility of sending a job to the device is “low”. On the other hand, if the date and time indicated by the time stamp is within a certain period before the present time, it is determined that the possibility of using the own device (sending a job to the own device) is “high”.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 10 determines the information such as the IP address and the type of the driver for the terminal apparatus 30 that has been determined to have a high possibility of using its own apparatus, as shown in FIG. And stored in the hard disk device 24 (or non-volatile memory 22).

  In the determination target list 70, the PC name, IP address, and driver type only for the terminal device 30 in which the driver program for the own device is installed and the date and time of the final transmission job does not exceed a certain period before the current time. Each information of the power status, the last job transmission date / time, and the usage frequency is registered. The PC name is the name of the terminal device 30. The driver type indicates the type of installed driver program. The power supply state is represented by six states S0 to S5. For example, S0 is a normal mode, S1 to S4 are sleep modes (power saving modes) having different levels, and S5 is an off mode. In S1 to S4, the closer to S4, the lower the power consumption.

  Further, the sub CPU 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 transmits a power state acquisition request (GetPowerState) from the network I / F unit 37 to each terminal device 30 in the network 2 at regular intervals (FIG. 8: step S205, FIG. 1: P1). At this time, “GetPowerState” is written as a command in the data portion of the packet. The power status acquisition request may be transmitted only to the terminal devices 30 registered in the determination target list 70, or may be transmitted to all the terminal devices 30 by broadcast.

  When the sub CPU 32 of the terminal device 30 receives the power status acquisition request (FIG. 7: Step S141; Yes), the sub CPU 32 acquires information on the current power status (Step S142), and stores the information indicating the power status in the data section. The response packet is created and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 (step S143, FIG. 1: P2).

  When the sub CPU 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives the response packet for the power supply status acquisition request from the terminal device 30 registered in the determination target list 70 (step S206; Yes), the sub CPU 21 of the determination target list 70 The power supply state related to the transmission source terminal device 30 is updated to the power supply state notified by the response packet (step S207).

  Note that the image forming apparatus 10 may transmit the information acquisition request for the non-volatile storage area and the power supply status acquisition request at the same time, or may separately transmit the information by separately setting an interval. In this embodiment, since each terminal device 30 has a sub CPU 32, response packets are sent from all the terminal devices 30 that are the transmission destinations of the power state acquisition request except for the main power switch and the commercial power supply that are turned off. Received.

  By repeating the above operation, the sub CPU 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 updates and confirms the determination target list 70 list at regular intervals. At this time, if all the power states of the terminal device 30 in which the driver program for the own device is installed are S5 (off mode) (step S208; Yes), there is a terminal device 30 that uses the own device. It is determined that the terminal device 30 is not in use (non-operating state of use terminal), and the power supply state of its own device is set to sleep regardless of the power supply state of the terminal device 30 that exists in the network 2 but is not registered in the determination target list 70 list. The mode is changed to a mode (for example, the state in which the main CPU 11 can only perform network transmission / reception) (Step S208; Yes, Step S210; No, Step S212; Yes), Step S213).

  Even after shifting to the sleep mode, the sub CPU 21 transmits an information acquisition request and a power supply status acquisition request for the nonvolatile storage area every time a fixed time elapses, and updates the determination target list 70 based on those responses (step S201). To S207).

  At the same time as confirming that the use terminal is inactive, the image forming apparatus 10 starts time measurement (measurement time is T) (step S214). If the use terminal non-operating state continues even after a lapse of a certain time (third set time) from the start of time measurement (return condition is not satisfied) (step S210; Yes), the terminal device using the own device 30 determines that it is not already present, and shifts the power state to the off mode (the power of the main CPU 11 is off and the sub CPU 21 operates as it is) (step S211).

  FIG. 12 shows a case where the power state of the image forming apparatus 10 is changed to the off mode as the third set time elapses after all the terminal devices 30 registered in the determination target list 70 are in S5 (off mode). Is illustrated. Here, the PC 4 is powered on, but since the driver program for the image forming apparatus 10 is not installed, it is not registered in the determination target list 70 and is excluded from the determination target of the power state.

  If the user terminal is not in the inactive state before the third set time has elapsed (FIG. 8: Step S208; No), that is, the driver program for the own device is installed and the power state is S5 ( When a transition is made to a state where there is at least one terminal device 30 that is not powered off (that is, the return condition is satisfied), the measurement time T is reset (step S209). Then, the image forming apparatus 10 maintains the sleep mode state or returns to the normal mode under the control of the sub CPU 21. Whether to maintain the sleep mode state or return to the normal mode can be selected and selected in advance. The third setting time can be arbitrarily changed. Each set value is held in the nonvolatile memory 22.

  Further, the terminal device 30 to be determined as having no use terminal non-operating state may be limited to those having a high use frequency. That is, the use terminal non-operating state is applied only to the terminal device 30 in which the driver program of the own device is installed and the use frequency is “high”, and all of the power states are S5 (power off). You may make it judge that it is. In this case, only the terminal device 30 registered in the determination target list 70 with the usage frequency “high” may be the transmission destination of the power supply status acquisition request.

  In addition, although the use frequency is “low” when the time stamp is more than a certain period from the current time, the terminal device without the time stamp, that is, the terminal device with no history of sending a job to the image forming apparatus 10 in the past 30 may be treated as “low” usage frequency, and excluded from the determination target that there is no use terminal non-operating state.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the sub CPU 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 monitors the power state of the terminal device 30 in which the driver program for the self apparatus is installed, and displays the monitoring result. Accordingly, the power supply state of the own apparatus is changed, so that power consumption can be reduced. That is, the image forming apparatus 10 enters the sleep mode when the first set time elapses in the standby state, and further shifts to the off mode if the standby state continues for the second set time. However, the above transition is performed. Even if it is before, since it is confirmed that all the terminal devices 30 that may use the own device are powered off (the use terminal is not operating), the own device is immediately shifted to the sleep mode. In the standby state, a long time does not elapse and wasteful power consumption is suppressed.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  In the embodiment, the case where the image forming apparatus 10 is a multifunction peripheral has been described as an example. However, other types of image forming apparatuses such as a network connectable printer may be used.

  In the embodiment, the mode is shifted to the off mode after the third set time has elapsed since the transition to the sleep mode. However, when it is confirmed that the user terminal is inactive, the normal mode is switched to the off mode. May be configured to transition directly to.

  Moreover, although the terminal device 30 illustrated the structure which has sub CPU32 in embodiment, the terminal device 30 may be a structure without the sub CPU32. In such a configuration, when the main CPU 31 of the terminal device 30 is powered off, no response packet is returned from the terminal device 30. That is, the response packet is returned only from the terminal device 30 whose power is not in the off mode. In view of this, the image forming apparatus 10 determines that when the response packet indicating that the power supply state is not in the off mode and the driver program for the apparatus is installed is not returned from any of the terminal apparatuses 30, the use terminal is not used. Judged to be operating. Further, when a response packet indicating that the power supply state is not in the off mode and the driver program for the own device is installed from at least one terminal device 30, it is determined that the use terminal is not in an inoperative state. It should work like this.

  Also, the sub CPU 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 analyzes data received by the network I / F unit 23 when the main CPU 11 is powered off, and returns the power state of the main CPU 11 to on (sleep mode or normal mode). It may be determined whether or not the power source of the main CPU 11 is turned back on when the return is necessary. For example, even after the power of the main CPU 11 is turned off, the sub CPU 21 updates the determination target list 70 by repeatedly transmitting an information acquisition request for a nonvolatile storage area, a power state acquisition request, and receiving a response in a certain cycle. The network I / F unit 23 analyzes the received data and operates to restore the main CPU 11 when it is determined that the terminal is not in use, or when a print request or the like is received from the terminal device 30. To do. Thus, since the sub CPU 21 is always operated, the main CPU 11 can be returned from the sub CPU 21 even if the main CPU 11 is powered off.

  The driver program for the image forming apparatus 10 is not limited to a printer driver, a scanner driver, and a facsimile driver, and may be any program for transmitting a certain processing request from the terminal device 30 to the image forming apparatus 10. .

2 ... Network 5 ... Network system 10 ... Image forming apparatus 11 ... Main CPU
12 ... Image reading unit 13 ... Image forming unit 14 ... ROM
15 ... RAM
16 ... Display unit 17 ... Operation unit 18 ... Image processing unit 21 ... Sub CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 22 ... Nonvolatile memory 23 ... Network I / F part 24 ... Hard disk device 25 ... Memory 26 ... Power supply part 30 ... Terminal device 31 ... Main CPU
32 ... Sub CPU
33 ... ROM
34 ... RAM
35 ... Input / output I / F unit 36 ... Nonvolatile memory 37 ... Network I / F unit 38 ... Hard disk device 39 ... Memory 41 ... Power supply unit 42 ... Display device 43 ... Input device 51 ... Driver information 61 ... Acquisition of nonvolatile storage area information Request 64 ... Response packet (Driver information response)
70: List of judgment targets

Claims (6)

An image forming unit for forming an image on recording paper;
A network communication unit that communicates with a terminal device via a network;
A main CPU that causes the image forming unit to perform an image forming operation in response to a request received from the terminal device by the network communication unit;
The terminal device connected to the network is inquired about the power state and whether or not the driver program of the image forming apparatus is installed using the network communication unit, and based on the result, the main device is inquired. A sub CPU for controlling the power state of the CPU;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The sub CPU sets the power state of the main CPU to the sleep mode when the result of the inquiry indicates that the power state is not off and there is no terminal device in which the driver program of the image forming apparatus is installed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is turned off. The said sub CPU turns off the power supply state of the said main CPU, when predetermined return conditions are not satisfied before the predetermined time passes, after setting to the said sleep mode. Image forming apparatus. The terminal device that has not received a request from the driver program even if the driver program of the image forming apparatus has been installed or has not received a request in the past predetermined period is the result of the inquiry. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is excluded from the determination target. When the power state of the main CPU is off, the sub CPU analyzes the data received by the network communication unit to determine whether to return the power state of the main CPU to on. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power state of the main CPU is returned to ON. The response to the inquiry is a terminal device having a main CPU, a sub CPU, and a nonvolatile memory, and the installation status of the driver program is stored in the nonvolatile memory, and the inquiry is answered even if the power of the main CPU is off. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sub CPU receives data from a terminal device configured to read out and respond to the nonvolatile memory.

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