JP2014035624A - Power supply management device, power supply management method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power supply management device which reduces power consumption without deteriorating convenience of a processor with respect to power supply management of the processor connected to a network.SOLUTION: In a power supply management device which manages a power supply of a processor having power supply states of at least an operable state, a pause state, and a power off state on the basis of a communication response of a plurality of pieces of network equipment connected to a network, in the case that situations of all the network equipment designated in advance are in a prescribed state, it is determined if a period when they are in the prescribed state is within a prescribed time range. When it is determined to be within the prescribed time range, the power supply state of the processor is controlled to be in a pause state; when it is determined to be outside the prescribed time range, the power supply state of the processor is controlled to be in a power supply off state.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power management apparatus, a power management method, and a program incorporated in a processing apparatus connected to a network.

  Conventionally, when a printer is finished using the printer, the operator manually turns off the power. Forgetting to turn off the power, there is a problem that wasteful power is consumed or parts are aged earlier.

  In recent years, it has become widespread that a plurality of computers and operators share a printer via a network, and whether or not an operator can turn off the printer just after using the printer. It became difficult to judge. For this reason, there are more and more cases where the printer power is left unattended all day and wastes power.

  For this reason, Patent Document 1 is disclosed as a technique for monitoring the usage status of a printer connected to a network and turning off the printer when there is no network device in use.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, when there is no response from the network device temporarily, for example, when the network device is restarted, it is erroneously determined that the network device is turned off, and the printer is turned off. It is described to prevent this.

JP2002-630006 JP2006-312323

  However, in a situation where the connection to the network is frequently connected or disconnected, such as a notebook PC, it is not known whether the printer is really no longer used or only temporarily not used. For example, there are cases where everyone on a certain floor has a notebook PC, and all of the floors have a notebook PC at a meeting or the like and all leave the floor at the same time. The user who has returned from the meeting needs to turn the printer on again. Also in Patent Document 2, if there is no response from the PC a certain number of times, the printer is similarly turned off.

  An object of the present invention is to appropriately manage the power supply of a printer according to the connection status and disconnection time of a notebook PC to a network, and to improve user convenience.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention manages the power supply of a processing apparatus having at least an operable state, a sleep state, and a power supply OFF state based on communication responses of a plurality of network devices connected to the network. In the power management apparatus, the status acquisition unit that acquires the status of the network device specified in advance at a certain time, and the status acquisition unit acquires the status of all the network devices specified in advance in a predetermined status Determining means for determining whether the time when each of the network devices is in the predetermined state is within a predetermined time range; and by the determining means, all the network devices are brought into the predetermined state within the predetermined time. If it is determined that the power supply state of the processing apparatus has been set to the hibernation state, the determination means controls the second constant time. If it is determined that the network device becomes the predetermined state of the above period, characterized by having a a power management controller for controlling the power OFF state the power state of the processor.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately manage the power source of the printer according to the connection status and disconnection time of the notebook PC to the network, and to improve the convenience for the user.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a print control system in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a hardware block diagram of the information processing apparatus applicable to the client terminal 100 and the power management apparatus 200 in this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a printing apparatus 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing for registering client PC 100 information by the printing apparatus 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the sequence chart which shows the process in which the processing apparatus 300 in this embodiment registers the information of the client PC100. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the memory | storage part which memorize | stores the computer connection state of client PC100a-c which the printing apparatus 300 in this embodiment has. 5 is a sequence chart showing a process of managing the power supply of the processing apparatus 300 by the power management apparatus 200 in the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a sequence chart showing processing for acquiring connection information between the processing device 300 and the client PC 100 by the power management device 200 in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the software block of embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a print control system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to components having substantially the same functional configuration, and redundant description will be omitted.
<First Embodiment>

  First, the configuration of a print control system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a print control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Note that the system configuration of the print control system in FIG. 1 is merely an example, and various configurations can be employed depending on applications and purposes.

  The print control system is configured such that a plurality of client terminals 100, a power management apparatus 200, and a printer 300 as a printer are communicably connected via a network such as a LAN (local area network).

  The power management apparatus 200 connects to the client terminal 100 to receive various requests, performs processing, and transmits a result to the client terminal or updates data. The power management apparatus 200 may always be turned on.

  The client terminals 100a, 100b, and 100c are terminal devices used by the user. A document printing program is installed in the client terminals 100a and 100b. The document printing program is, for example, a word processor, spreadsheet software, or form printing software. The document printing program converts a document into a PDL (Page Description Language) via a printer driver installed in the client terminals 100a, 100b, and 100c. The client terminals 100a, 100b, and 100c transmit the PDL data to the printing apparatus 300.

  The printing apparatus 300 is an apparatus that prints print data. The printing apparatus 300 has a screen such as a liquid crystal screen in the operation unit. The printing apparatus 300 has an input interface capable of performing operations such as printing instructions on the screen of the operation unit. The screen may be provided on the operation unit of the printing apparatus 300, or the screen may be externally connected to the printing apparatus 300.

  The printing apparatus 300 stores and manages print data and print setting information transmitted from the client terminals 100a, 100b, and 100c. “Print” indicates output processing in the printing apparatus 300, and includes output processing such as preview display as well as printing on a paper medium.

  The printing apparatus 300 stores a print program, an authentication program, a mail reception program, print setting information, print data, an IC card authentication table, an execution program, an OS (operating system) program, and the like in a RAM or an external memory.

  In FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 300 and the power management apparatus 200 are described as different configurations, but both may be configured as one casing, or one of the client PCs 100 and the power management apparatus 200 may be configured as one casing. It may be configured.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the client terminal 100, the power management apparatus 200, and the printing apparatus 300 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an information processing apparatus applicable to the client terminal 100 and the power management apparatus 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The CPU 201 comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204. The ROM 202 and the external memory 211 store a basic input / output system (BIOS) that is a control program of the CPU 201, an OS, and various programs necessary for realizing the functions executed by each server or each client terminal. . The RAM 203 functions as a main memory and work area for the CPU 201. The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading a program necessary for execution of processing into the RAM 203 and executing the program.

  The input controller 205 controls input from a pointing device such as a keyboard 209 or a mouse (not shown). The video controller 206 controls display on a display device such as the CRT 210. The display device may be a liquid crystal display as well as a CRT display. These are used by the administrator as needed. The present invention is not directly related.

  The memory controller 207 is stored in a hard disk (HD), floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD), or PCMCIA card slot that stores a boot program, browser software, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. Controls access to an external memory 211 such as a compact flash (registered trademark) memory connected via an adapter. The communication I / F controller 208 is connected to and communicates with an external device via a network, and executes communication control processing on the network. For example, Internet communication using TCP / IP is possible.

  For example, the CPU 201 can perform display on the CRT 210 by executing outline font rasterization processing on a display information area in the RAM 203. In addition, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 210.

A program for realizing the present invention is recorded in the external memory 211 and is executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 203 as necessary. In addition, definition files and various information tables used when executing the program are also stored in the external memory 211.

  FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the printing apparatus 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The printing apparatus 300 includes a controller unit 316, an operation unit 308, a card reader 319, a printer unit 312, a scanner unit 314, and a power management unit 3. The controller unit 316 controls the operation of the operation unit 308, the card reader 319, the printer unit 312 and the scanner unit 314.
A device arranged on the system bus 309 will be described.

  The CPU 301 is a processor that controls the entire system. A system work memory for the RAM 302 and the CPU 301 to operate. The RAM 302 is also a program memory for recording a program and an image memory for temporarily recording image data. The ROM 303 is a memory that permanently stores data. The ROM 303 stores a system boot program and various control programs.

  The HDD 304 is an external storage device (hard disk drive). The HDD 304 stores various programs for controlling the system, image data, and the like. The HDD 304 stores an authentication program and a printing program.

  An operation unit I / F 307 is an interface unit with the operation unit 308. The operation unit I / F 307 outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 308 to the operation unit 308. The operation unit I / F 307 notifies the CPU 301 of information (for example, a user name, a card number, and a password) input by the user from the operation unit 308. The operation unit 308 is provided with a screen which is a display unit having a touch panel. Various instructions are performed when a user presses down (touches with a finger etc.) the button displayed on this screen (not shown).

  A network I / F 305 is a network interface. A network I / F 305 is connected to a network such as a LAN to input / output data. The MODEM 306 is a modem. The MODEM 306 is connected to a public line to input / output data such as FAX transmission / reception. The external I / F 318 is an external interface. The external I / F 318 is an interface unit that accepts external inputs such as USB, IEEE 1394, printer port, and RS-232C. A card reader 319 for reading information of an IC card is connected to the external I / F 318. The CPU 301 can control reading of information from the IC card by the card reader 319 via the external I / F 318, and can acquire information read from the IC card.

The IMAGE BUS I / F 320 is an image bus interface. The IMAGE BUS I / F 320 is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 309 and an image bus 315 that transfers image data at high speed, and converts the data structure. The image bus 315 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394.
A device arranged on the image bus 315 will be described.

  The RIP 310 is a raster image processor. For example, the RIP 310 expands vector data such as a PDL code into a bitmap image. A printer I / F 311 is a printer interface. A printer I / F 311 connects the printer unit 312 and the controller unit 316, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner I / F 313 is a scanner interface. A scanner I / F 313 connects the scanner unit 314 and the controller unit 316, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  An image processing unit 317 is a device that performs image processing. The image processing unit 317 corrects, processes, and edits input image data, and performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. Further, the image processing unit 317 performs rotation of image data, and performs compression / decompression processing such as JPEG and binary image data for multi-valued image data such as JBIG, MMR, and MH.

  The scanner unit 314 is a scanner mechanism. The scanner unit 314 illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans it with a CCD line sensor, thereby converting it into an electrical signal as raster image data. The original paper is set on the tray of the original feeder. When the user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 308, the CPU 301 gives an instruction to the scanner unit 314, and the original feeder feeds original sheets one by one, and an original image reading operation is performed.

  The printer unit 312 is a printing mechanism. The printer unit 312 converts raster image data into an image on paper. The conversion method includes an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, an ink jet method in which an ink is ejected from a minute nozzle array and an image is printed directly on a sheet, and any conversion method is used. Also good. Activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the CPU 301. The printer unit 312 is provided with a plurality of paper feed stages and paper cassettes corresponding to these paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected.

  The operation unit 308 is used to input an operation instruction from the user or display an operation status. The operation unit 308 has a screen such as a liquid crystal display unit, and a touch panel sheet is pasted on the liquid crystal display unit. The operation unit 308 displays the operation screen of the system, and when a displayed button or key is touched, notifies the CPU 301 of the position information via the operation unit I / F 307.

The operation unit 308 includes, for example, a start key, a stop key, an ID key, and a reset key as various operation keys. The start key is a key used when starting a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key, there is a two-color LED of green and red, and the color indicates whether or not the start key can be used. The stop key is a key having a function of stopping an operation in operation. The ID key is a key used when inputting the user ID of the user. The reset key is a key used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

  The card reader 319 reads information stored in the IC card under the control of the CPU 301 and notifies the CPU 301 of the read information via the external I / F 318. As the IC card, for example, FeliCa (registered trademark) manufactured by Sony Corporation (FeliCa (registered trademark)) may be used.

  With the above configuration, the printing apparatus 300 can transmit the image data read from the scanner 314 to the network (LAN), and can print the print data received from the network by the printer unit 312.

  A power management unit 330 that manages the power of the printing apparatus 300 is connected to the CPU 301 via a system bus 309. The power management unit 330 can change the power supply state of the controller unit 316, the printer unit 312, the scanner unit 314, the operation unit 308, and the like of the printing apparatus 300 to an operable state, a paused state, and a power-off state.

  The operable state in the power supply state is a state that indicates that the controller unit 316, the printer unit 312, the scanner unit 314, the operation unit 308 and the like are always in a power supply state and can be operated at any time. In addition, the hibernation state is, for example, a state in which only the operation unit 308 from the CPU 301 in the controller unit 316 is in a power supply state and power is not supplied to other hardware configurations. The transition from the hibernation state to the electron microscope supply state includes, for example, a user operation on the operation unit 308, access to the Network I / F 305 and MODEM 306 through a network (LAN or public line), and timer activation by the CPU. In addition, the hibernation state of the printing apparatus 300 may take other forms such as stopping the HDD 304.

  Next, the operation of the power management apparatus 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing for registering the client PC 100 information by the printing apparatus 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and steps S401 to S403 indicate processing steps. 4 is realized when the CPU 301 of the printing apparatus 300 executes an execution program stored in the program ROM 303 on the RAM 302.

  Thereafter, the power management apparatus 200 may be included in the processing apparatus (printing apparatus) 300.

  The flowchart of FIG. 4 is started by transmitting connection information confirmation data to the client PC 100 via the network in order to receive connection information of the client PC 100 to which the printing apparatus 300 is connected (step S401).

  In step S401, the CPU 301 of the printing apparatus 300 transmits data via the network in order to acquire connection information with the client PC 100.

  Based on the transmitted data, the client PC 100 and the printing apparatus 300 start transmitting and receiving information, and in step S402, the CPU 301 of the printing apparatus 300 acquires the information of the client PC 100. Thereafter, the acquired information of the client PC 100 is held in a storage unit (a connection status storage unit 902 in FIG. 9 described later) of the printing apparatus 300. Data transmission / reception between the client PC 100 and the printing apparatus 300 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 assuming an example of information transmission / reception in steps S401 to S403, assuming WSD (Web Services on Device).

  FIG. 5 is an example of a sequence chart showing processing for registering information of the client PC 100 by the processing device 300 in the embodiment of the present invention, and S501 to S509 indicate processing steps. 5 are executed by the CPU 301 of the processing apparatus (printing apparatus) 300 or the CPU 201 of the client PC 100 executing the execution programs stored in the program ROMs 303 and 203 on the RAMs 302 and 202, respectively. Realized.

  The sequence chart in FIG. 5 is started by transmitting connection information confirmation data to the client PC 100 via the network in order to receive connection information of the client PC 100 to which the printing apparatus 300 is connected (step S501).

  First, in step S501, the CPU 301 of the printing apparatus 300 sends a Hello command to the client PCs 100a to 100c activated when the service is started to notify the presence of itself. Upon receiving the Hello command, the CPU 201 such as the client PCs 100a to 100c recognizes that a new printing device has joined the network, and issues a Probe command to the printing device in step S502. By receiving this Probe command, the client PCs 100a to 100c activated at the time of service activation are recognized by the printing apparatus 300.

  Next, in step S503, if the received Probe command is for itself, the CPU 301 of the printing apparatus 300 returns a ProbeMatch command to the client PCs 100a to 100c.

  The client PC 100 activated after the printing apparatus 300 is activated causes the printing apparatus 300 to recognize the presence of the client PC by starting the activation process from step S502, and receives the ProbeMatch command from the printing apparatus 300, thereby causing the printing apparatus 300 to start. Recognize the existence of

  Next, in step S504, the CPU 201 of the client PCs 100a to 100c issues a Resolve command by multicast in order to resolve the address information of the printing apparatus 300 to be used.

  Next, in step S505, if the received Resolve command is intended for itself, the CPU 301 of the printing apparatus 300 returns a ResolveMatch command to any of the client PCs 100a to 100c.

  Next, in step S506, the CPU 201 of the client PCs 100a to 100c issues a WS-Transfer Get command in order to acquire MetaData information (manufacturer information and model information) of the printing apparatus 300 to be used.

  Next, in step S507, the CPU 301 of the printing apparatus 300 returns the MetaData information by the GetResponse command of the client PCs 100a to 100c.

  Next, in step S508, the CPU 201 of the client PCs 100a to 100c issues a Subscribe command that is a reservation message for reserving an event to be notified from the printing apparatus 300.

  Next, in step S509, the CPU 301 of the printing apparatus 300 registers the subscribe information from any of the client PCs 100a to 100c, and returns a response command. The Subscribe information includes the IP address, the client name, and the event name of the client PC 100 that issued the Subscribe command.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the printing apparatus 300 acquires information about the client PC 100. An example of the acquired data will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a storage unit that stores the computer connection states of the client PCs 100a to 100c held by the printing apparatus 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to a connection status storage unit 902 illustrated in FIG. .

  FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a computer connection state of a normal printing apparatus 300 (including the power management apparatus 200) when the client PC is activated.

  The IP column 601 and the COMPUTER column 602 are the IP address and client name of each client, and are acquired from the client PC with the Subscribe command in step S508. The timing for acquiring the IP address and the client name may be the Subscribe command in step S508, the WS-Transfer Get command in step S506, or the Resolve command in S504.

  The STATUS column 603 and subsequent steps will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  As described above, the printing apparatus 300 holds the data as shown in FIG. 6 in the RAM 302 or the HDD 304 as the connection status information of the client PC 100 by the processing as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Thereafter, the power supply of the printing apparatus 300 is controlled based on the change in the value of the held connection status information. A flow in which the power management apparatus 200 controls the power supply of the printing apparatus 300 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a sequence chart showing a process in which the power management apparatus 200 manages the power supply of the processing apparatus 300 in the embodiment of the present invention, and S701 to S731 show processing steps. 7 is realized by the CPU 201 of the power management apparatus 200, the CPU 301 of the printing apparatus 300, and the CPU 201 of the client PC 100 executing the execution programs stored in the program ROMs 203 and 303 on the RAMs 202 and 302. Is done.

  The flowchart of FIG. 7 is started when connection information with the client PC 100 is acquired from the processing apparatus (printing apparatus) 300 to which the power management apparatus 200 is connected. Note that the flowchart of FIG. 7 is periodically started at regular intervals.

  First, in step S <b> 701, the CPU 201 of the power management apparatus 200 transmits a connection status acquisition command to the printing apparatus 300 in order to grasp the connection status between the client PC 100 and the printing apparatus 300.

  Next, in step S <b> 721, the CPU 301 of the printing apparatus 300 executes processing for acquiring a connection status with the client PC 100. Hereinafter, details of the processing in steps S721 and S731 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a sequence chart showing processing in which the power management apparatus 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention acquires connection information between the processing apparatus 300 and the client PC 100, and S801 to S832 indicate processing steps. 8 is realized by the CPU 201 of the power management apparatus 200, the CPU 301 of the printing apparatus 300, and the CPU 201 of the client PC 100 executing the execution programs stored in the program ROMs 203 and 303 on the RAMs 202 and 302. Is done.

  First, in step S801, the CPU 201 of the power management apparatus 200 transmits a connection status acquisition command to the printing apparatus 300 in order to confirm the connection status between the client PC 100 and the printing apparatus 300 (same as step S701).

  In step S <b> 821, the CPU 301 of the printing apparatus performs connection confirmation communication with the client PC 100 in order to confirm the connection with the client PC 100. This process can be confirmed by, for example, a Ping command.

  Next, in step S831, the CPU 201 of the client PC 100 transmits reply information when the connection is confirmed.

  Next, in step S822, the CPU 301 of the printing apparatus stores the information acquired in step S821 in the connection status storage unit 902, which will be described later. If the client PC 100 is not connected, for example, “disconnect or power off” such as 608 is stored in the STATUS column 603 or 605 of FIG. Here, the STATUS column 603 and the TIME column 604 in FIG. 6 will be described.

  The STATUS column 603 is a value indicating the connection state of the client PC having the client name 602, and the STATUS column 603 includes states of “logon”, “logoff”, and “(connection) disconnection or power OFF”. There may be other “sleep” states and the like.

  The TIME column 604 is a value storing the time when the state is changed. In FIG. 6A, the client PC whose client name is PC-a is logged on at 15:00. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S823, the CPU 301 of the printing apparatus changes processing depending on whether or not the connection with the client PC 100 has been established. If it can be connected to the client PC 100, the process proceeds to step S824. On the other hand, if it cannot be connected to the client PC 100, the process proceeds to step S802.

  When the process proceeds to step S802, the CPU 201 of the power management apparatus 200 acquires the “disconnect or power OFF” information and ends the process of FIG.

  On the other hand, when the process proceeds to step S824, the CPU 301 of the printing apparatus 300 transmits an activation status confirmation command to the client PC 100 in order to confirm the activation status of the client PC 100. Upon receiving the command, the CPU 201 of the client PC 100 transmits the activation status of the client PC 100 to the printing apparatus 300 in step S832. The activated state is a process for confirming whether the user is logged on, logged off, or in a sleep state.

  In step S825, the CPU 301 of the printing apparatus stores the information acquired in step S824 in the connection status storage unit 902, which will be described later. For example, in the STATUS column 603 or 605 of FIG. 6, “log off” is stored as 606 if the log off state, and “log on” is stored as 609 if the log on state.

  In step S <b> 803, the CPU 201 of the power management apparatus 200 acquires the status of the connection status storage unit 902 of the printing apparatus 300 and ends the process of FIG. 8. Through the above processing, connection information between the printing apparatus 300 and the client PC 100 is acquired. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  When Steps S721 and S731 in FIG. 7 are completed, the process proceeds to Step S702. In Step S702, the CPU 201 of the power management apparatus 200 applies to all the client PCs 100 registered as shown in FIG. 6, it is determined whether the STATUS columns 603 and 605 in FIG. 6 are “log off”, “disconnect or power off”, and “sleep”, that is, whether the printer is not used. Here, the registered client PC 100 is a client PC designated in advance, such as a client PC that is turned on on that day.

  In step S702, if the printing apparatus is not used, the process proceeds to step S703. If there is a possibility that even one client PC can use the printing apparatus, the process proceeds to step S701. For example, in the case of FIG. 6A, since there is a client PC in the “logon” state, the process returns to step S701. In the case of FIG. 6B, all the client PCs are “logged off”. ”Or“ disconnect or power off ”, and the printer is not used, the process proceeds to step S703.

  Next, in step S703, the CPU 201 of the power management apparatus 200 determines whether the time period when the plurality of client PCs 100 do not use the printing apparatus 300 among the connection status acquired in step S701 is within a certain time. To figure out. Here, the fixed time is about 5 to 10 minutes, but is not necessarily limited to that time.

  If the time period when the plurality of client PCs 100 do not use the printing apparatus 300 is not within a certain period of time, the process proceeds to step S708. In step S708, the CPU 201 of the power management apparatus 200 determines that the printing apparatus 300 does not use the printing apparatus 300. Turn off the power. On the other hand, if the time period when the plurality of client PCs 100 do not use the printing apparatus 300 is within a certain time, the process proceeds to step S704, and in step S704, the CPU 201 of the power management apparatus 200 determines that the printing apparatus 300 is not in use. It is made to dormant so that 300 power supply may not be used temporarily.

  The time when the client PC 100 becomes in a state where the printing apparatus 300 is not used is grasped by, for example, checking the TIME column 604 in FIG. The TIME column 604 in FIG. 6 is determined by setting the time when the STATUS column 603 in FIG. 6 is changed.

  In the example of FIG. 6B, since all the STATUS columns 605 are “log off” or “disconnect or power off” and the value in the TIME column 607 is within 5 minutes, Control is performed so that the power is not turned off and the computer is in a sleep state.

  By this determination, for example, even in a meeting such as a section, even if all the members take off the notebook PC to disconnect the LAN or enter the screen saver (sleep state), the printer can be put into a sleep state without turning off the power. By doing this, there is an effect that the printer can be used immediately when it returns to the room again.

  On the other hand, when each employee who returns to the client PC shuts down to return to work as when returning home, there is a possibility that the user who will return to work last forgets to turn off the printer. Therefore, when the timing of shutting down the client PC is not within a certain time, that is, when it is not in a state where all the staff members no longer use the printing apparatus at a meeting or the like, the power supply of the last client PC that no longer uses the printing apparatus. When is turned off, the printer is turned off as in step S708. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the flowcharts after step S705, the power supply of the printing apparatus 300 remains in a suspended state. For example, when all employees of the company have returned home, the printing apparatus 300 is in a suspended state for a certain period of time. The flow of turning off the power.

  In step S <b> 705, as in step S <b> 701, the CPU 201 of the power management apparatus 200 transmits a connection status acquisition command to the printing apparatus 300 in order to grasp the connection status between the client PC 100 and the printing apparatus 300.

  Next, in step S706, the CPU 201 of the power management apparatus 200 uses the printing apparatus 300 when the client PC 100 no longer uses the printing apparatus 300 according to the result of the connection status acquisition command in step S705. If there is a possibility, the process proceeds to step S701, and the printing apparatus 300 is in a state where it can be used at any time while in a dormant state.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S706 that the client PC 100 does not use the printing apparatus 300, it is determined in step S707 whether a fixed time has elapsed since the pause command. If the fixed time has not elapsed since the pause command, the process returns to step S705. If the fixed time has elapsed since the pause command, a command to finally turn off the printing apparatus 300 is transmitted.

As described above, according to the present invention, the printer power supply is appropriately managed according to the connection status of the notebook PC to the network and the interval of the disconnection time. For example, client PCs designated at a conference cannot be connected simultaneously. Even if the printer is turned on, the user can return to the conference mode without turning off the printer and use the printer with less waiting time. Have
The software block configuration of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a software block according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The power management apparatus 200 of FIG. 9 includes a connection information acquisition command unit 901, and transmits a command for acquiring the connection status between the client PC 100 and the processing device 300 and the startup status of the client PC 100 to the processing device 300.

  In addition, the power management apparatus 200 includes a determination unit 903, and determines whether information acquired as a result of the command transmitted by the connection information acquisition command unit 901 satisfies a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is a condition as to whether or not a condition in which all of the plurality of client PCs 100 specified in advance are not in use of the processing device 300 is within a predetermined time. When the above conditions are satisfied, the power control management unit 904 of the power management apparatus 200 transmits a command to put the power of the processing apparatus 300 into a dormant state to the power management unit 330 of the processing apparatus 300.

  The connection status storage unit 902 of the processing device 300 is a storage unit that stores connection status information between the processing device 300 and the client PC 100, and specifically includes data as shown in FIG.

  The processing apparatus 300 also has a connection status acquisition unit 907, acquires information such as the connection status with the client PC 100 and the startup status of the client PC 100, and stores the information in the connection status storage unit 902. The processing device 300 also includes a processing unit 908 that executes processing received from the client PC 100 (eg, printing in the case of a printing device).

  The client PC 100 has a connection status transmission unit 905, and transmits a status to the processing device 300 if a connection status confirmation command or an activation status confirmation command is transmitted from the processing device 300. In addition, the client PC 100 includes a processing control unit 906, and controls to transmit a processing command to the processing device 300 (a printing processing command when the processing device 300 is a printing device).

  In the present invention, the processing device 300 and the power management device 200 are described as separate housings, but the processing device 300 and the power management device 200 may be the same housing. In the case of the same housing, the processing apparatus 300 includes a connection status acquisition unit 901, a determination unit 903, and a power supply control management unit 904.

  In the above description, the case of a printing apparatus is described as an example of the processing apparatus 300. However, an image reading apparatus such as a scanner or a facsimile apparatus may be used. Normally, the power is turned off when not in use, and the power is turned on. Any processing device can be similarly implemented as long as it takes a startup time and startup power when starting up.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium, etc., and from a plurality of devices. You may apply to the system comprised.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (basic system or operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is determined based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

100 client PC
200 power management device 300 processing device 330 power management unit 901 connection information acquisition command unit 902 connection status storage unit 903 determination unit 904 power control unit 905 connection status transmission unit 906 processing control unit 907 connection status acquisition unit 908 processing unit

Claims (7)

In a power management apparatus that manages the power supply of a processing apparatus having at least an operable state, a sleep state, and a power supply OFF state based on communication responses of a plurality of network devices connected to the network.
Status acquisition means for acquiring the status between the network device specified in advance and the processing device every time in the processing device, and acquisition by the status acquisition means when the status of all the network devices specified in advance is in a predetermined status Determining means for determining whether the time when each network device is in the predetermined state is within a predetermined time range;
If it is determined by the determination means that all the network devices are in the predetermined state within the predetermined time, the power state of the processing device is controlled to be in a dormant state. A power management control means for controlling the power state of the processing device to a power off state when it is determined that each network device has entered the predetermined state during a period of time greater than or equal to a range;
A power management apparatus comprising:   The power management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined state includes a state in which connection with a network device is disconnected.   The power management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined state includes that the network device is in a logoff state, a sleep state, or a screen lock state. A processing device having at least an operable state, a resting state, and a power-off state;
A plurality of network devices connected to the processing device via a network;
A power management system having a power management device that manages power of the processing device based on communication responses of the plurality of network devices,
The processor is
It has status acquisition means for acquiring the status of a network device designated in advance every certain time,
The power management device is
When the status of all the network devices specified in advance is in a predetermined state, it is determined whether or not the time when each network device acquired by the status acquisition unit is in the predetermined state is within a predetermined time range. Judgment means,
When it is determined by the determination means that all the network devices are in the predetermined state within the predetermined time, the power state of the processing device is controlled to be in a dormant state. A power management control means for controlling the state of the processing device to a power OFF state when it is determined that each network device is in the predetermined state during a period of time range or more;
A power management system comprising:   The power management system according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined state includes a state in which the connection with the network device is disconnected. The network device designated in advance has status transmission means for transmitting the status of the network device in response to a request from the status acquisition means that it is in a logoff state, a sleep state, or a screen lock state,
6. The power management system according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined state includes that the network device is in a logoff state, a sleep state, or a screen lock state.   The operable state of the processing device is a state in which the processing device operates and can process at least the data received by the network. The power-off state of the processing device means that power supply to the processing means is interrupted. The power management according to claim 4, wherein the sleep state of the processing device is a state in which the processing device stops a clock or a sleep state. system.

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