JP2019193026A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming system that, even when an image forming apparatus is in a power-saving mode, can perform various setting operations related to the image forming apparatus with a network-connected terminal device, and can reduce power consumption of the image forming apparatus at a maximum.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: an extraction unit that, during transition from a standby state to a power-saving state, for a terminal device accessing the image forming apparatus at that time, extracts a screen content predicted to be operated in the terminal device; and a transmission unit that transmits a screen content extracted by the extraction unit before transition to the power-saving state. The terminal device includes an acquisition unit that acquires the screen content transmitted from the transmission unit, and a display control unit that displays the screen content acquired by the acquisition unit on a display unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system.

Conventionally, a configuration in which a Web UI server is provided in an MFP (Multi-Function Printer) having a plurality of functions such as a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, and a facsimile function is known.
In the MFP provided with the Web UI server, there is a problem that when the terminal device accesses the Web UI server, the Web UI server cannot be stopped, and therefore the MFP cannot be shifted to the power saving mode.

Therefore, as a method for maintaining the power saving mode, a configuration is disclosed in which when the communication with the terminal is started, if the image forming apparatus is in the power saving mode, it is determined that the remote operation screen is drawn on the terminal. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
Further, when a pause signal is input, a sleep remote operation screen for notifying that the communication with the MFP has been disconnected is generated and transmitted to the portable information device, and the sleep remote operation screen is transmitted to the portable information device. A configuration for displaying an operation screen is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP 2014-138256 A JP 2013-219510 A

However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 is configured so that information (layout information) necessary for drawing on the terminal is transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the terminal even when the image forming apparatus is in the power saving mode. However, there is a problem that a complete transition to the power saving mode is not possible.
Further, since the technique described in Patent Document 2 is configured to display a screen for interrupting communication on the portable information device when the MFP goes to sleep, it cannot be remotely operated by the portable information device. There are challenges.

  The present invention enables various setting operations relating to an image forming apparatus to be performed by a network-connected terminal device even when the image forming apparatus is in a power saving mode, and reduces the power consumption of the image forming apparatus to the maximum It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming system that can be used.

The invention described in claim 1 has been made to achieve the above object,
In an image forming system in which an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image on paper and a terminal device capable of remotely operating the image forming apparatus are connected so as to be capable of data communication.
The image forming apparatus includes:
An extraction unit that extracts screen content that is predicted to be operated in the terminal device for the terminal device that is accessing the image forming device at that time when shifting from the standby state to the power saving state;
A transmission unit configured to transmit the screen content extracted by the extraction unit to the terminal device before shifting to the power saving state;
With
The terminal device
An acquisition unit for acquiring the screen content transmitted from the transmission unit;
A display control unit that causes the display unit to display the screen content acquired by the acquisition unit;
It is characterized by providing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the first aspect,
When the transmission unit cannot transmit all the screen contents extracted by the extraction unit before shifting to the power saving state, the terminal device transmits screen contents that can be transmitted before shifting to the power saving state. It is characterized by transmitting to.

The invention described in claim 3 is the image forming system according to claim 2,
The transmission unit transmits screen content that could not be transmitted before shifting to the power saving state to the terminal device when returning from the power saving state.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to any one of the first to third aspects,
When the transmission unit cannot transmit all the screen contents extracted by the extraction unit before shifting to the power saving state, the transmission unit compresses the screen content and transmits the compressed data to the terminal device. To do.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects,
The extracting unit extracts screen content that is frequently used by a user when extracting screen content for which the operation is predicted.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects,
When the transmission unit cannot transmit all the screen contents extracted by the extraction unit before shifting to the power saving state, the transmission unit is directed to other terminal devices that have transmitted the screen content in the past. , And transmitting an instruction requesting that the screen content be transmitted to the terminal device instead.

The invention according to claim 7 is the image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
When the transmission unit is not able to transmit the screen content extracted by the extraction unit to all the terminal devices that are accessing the image forming apparatus at that time before shifting to the power saving state, The screen content is transmitted with priority given to the terminal device for which the administrator setting is performed.

The invention according to claim 8 is the image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
When the screen content that performs the process of driving the engine is used in at least one of the terminal devices that are accessing the image forming apparatus at that time, the transmission unit uses the extraction unit to A process of transmitting the extracted screen content to the terminal device before shifting to the power saving state is not performed.

The invention according to claim 9 is the image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The transmission unit transmits the screen content extracted by the extraction unit to the terminal device, and before the transition to the power saving state, there is a difference in the screen content expected to be operated in the terminal device. If it occurs, the difference is transmitted to the terminal device.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to any one of the first to ninth aspects,
The terminal device
A storage unit that stores setting information set by a user regarding settings completed in the screen content acquired by the acquisition unit;
A setting information transmission unit that transmits the setting information stored in the storage unit to the image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus returns from the power saving state;
It is characterized by providing.

The invention according to claim 11 is the image forming system according to claim 10,
When the terminal device is about to move out of a network connected to the image forming apparatus, the setting information transmission unit transmits the setting information stored in the storage unit before the image is disconnected from the network. It transmits to a forming apparatus, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system of the tenth aspect,
When the terminal device is about to move out of a network connected to the image forming apparatus, the setting information transmission unit transmits the setting information stored in the storage unit to the network before being disconnected from the network. To other terminal devices in
The setting information transmission unit of the other terminal device transmits the transmitted setting information to the image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus returns from the power saving state.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to any one of the tenth to twelfth aspects,
When the setting information is setting information related to a job that performs processing for driving the engine, the setting information transmission unit displays the setting information simultaneously with information that instructs execution of a job that performs processing for driving the engine. It transmits to an image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, even when the image forming apparatus is in the power saving mode, various setting operations related to the image forming apparatus can be performed by the terminal device connected to the network, and the power consumption of the image forming apparatus is reduced to the maximum. Can be made.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main control configuration of each apparatus that configures the image forming apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the main control structure of each apparatus which comprises a terminal device. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming system according to the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a mode that the screen content by which operation is estimated based on the transmission request transmitted from the terminal device is extracted. It is a figure which shows an example of a mode that the screen content by which operation is estimated based on the transmission request transmitted from the terminal device is extracted.

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

[1. Description of configuration]
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 and a plurality of terminal apparatuses 20. Each device constituting the image forming system 1 is connected to the communication network N so that data communication is possible. Specifically, the communication network N is a local area network (LAN) to which various communication lines such as a telephone line, a dedicated line, a mobile communication network, a communication satellite network, and a CATV line can be applied. Various network forms such as WAN (Wide Area Network) and the Internet may be applied.

  The image forming apparatus 10 is, for example, an MFP having a plurality of functions such as a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, and a facsimile function. The image forming apparatus 10 forms an image on a sheet based on image data obtained by reading an image from a document or image data received from an external device.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, an operation display unit 14, an image reading unit 15, an image processing unit 16, and an image forming unit 17. And is configured.

  The control unit 11 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. The CPU expands various programs stored in the ROM to the RAM, and controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 in cooperation with the various programs expanded in the RAM.

  The storage unit 12 includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a semiconductor memory, and the like, and stores various programs and various setting data in a readable / writable manner from the control unit 11. The storage unit 12 stores a read image, a fax image, font data, and the like. Further, the storage unit 12 stores screen content for executing a remote operation of the image forming apparatus 10.

  The communication unit 13 is a communication interface having a communication IC, a communication connector, and the like. Under the control of the control unit 11, another image forming apparatus 10 or terminal connected to the communication network N using a predetermined communication protocol. Various information is transmitted to and received from the device 20. The communication unit 13 can also input / output various information via the USB.

The operation display unit 14 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL display, and includes a pressure-sensitive (resistive film pressure) touch panel in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a lattice shape.
The operation display unit 14 displays various setting screens, various buttons, operation states of functions, and the like according to a display control signal input from the control unit 11. When the button displayed on the screen is pressed with a finger or a touch pen, the operation display unit 14 detects the XY coordinates of the pressed power point with a voltage value and outputs an operation signal associated with the detected position. Output to the control unit 11. The touch panel is not limited to a pressure-sensitive type, and may be, for example, an electrostatic type or an optical type. The operation display unit 14 includes various hard keys outside the display screen, and outputs an operation signal associated with the pressed key to the control unit 11 when the hard key is pressed. The user can operate the operation display unit 14 to perform settings relating to image formation such as image quality setting, magnification setting, application setting, output setting, and paper setting, a paper conveyance instruction, and a device stop operation.

  The image reading unit 15 scans and exposes an image of a document placed on a document table (not shown) or an automatic document feeder (ADF: Auto Document Feeder) using an optical system of a scanning exposure apparatus, and reflects the reflected light using a line image sensor. By reading, an image signal is obtained. The image signal is subjected to processing such as A / D conversion, shading correction, and compression, and then input to the control unit 11 as image data (read image data). Note that the image data input to the control unit 11 is not limited to the data read by the image reading unit 15, for example, another image forming apparatus 10 or a terminal device 20 connected to the image forming apparatus 10 by the communication unit 13. It may be received from.

  The image processing unit 16 performs image processing on the image data generated by the image reading unit 15 based on various setting information stored in advance in the ROM or the storage unit 12. Image processing includes, for example, level correction processing, enlargement / reduction processing, brightness / contrast adjustment processing, sharpness processing, smoothing processing, color conversion processing, tone curve adjustment processing, filter processing, and the like.

  The image forming unit 17 forms an image on a sheet and creates a printed matter. The image forming unit 17 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the charged image carrier (photoconductor) to become a toner image, and superimposes the toner images of the respective colors on the intermediate transfer member (intermediate transfer belt). 2 is a so-called electrophotographic image forming unit that is transferred from a sheet to a sheet.

  The terminal device 20 is a portable terminal device that is owned and used by each user, such as a smart device such as a smartphone or a tablet, or a mobile phone. However, the terminal device 20 may be a stationary terminal device such as a desktop PC. The terminal device 20 communicates with the image forming apparatus 10 and other terminal devices 20 using a communication network N (specifically, a communication line or a wireless LAN of the terminal device 20).

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the terminal device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, an operation unit 24, and a display unit 25.

  The control unit 21 performs central control of the operation of the terminal device 20. Specifically, the control unit 21 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The program data stored in the ROM or the storage unit 22 developed in the RAM work area and the CPU are used in cooperation with the CPU. Each part of the apparatus 20 is controlled in an integrated manner.

  The storage unit 22 is configured by an HDD, a semiconductor memory, and the like, and stores data such as program data and various setting data so that the control unit 21 can read and write data. The storage unit 22 stores screen content transmitted from the image forming apparatus 10.

  The communication unit 23 is a communication interface having a communication IC, a communication connector, and the like, and performs data communication via the communication network N using a predetermined communication protocol under the control of the control unit 21.

The operation unit 24 includes a key input unit including a home button and the like, and a touch panel formed integrally with the display unit 25. The operation unit 24 receives an operation input from a user and transmits an operation signal corresponding to the operation input to the control unit. To 21.
The display unit 25 includes a display such as an LCD or an FPD using an organic EL element, and displays an image based on a display control signal output from the control unit 21 on a display screen. For example, the display unit 25 displays screen content (various setting screens) transmitted from the image forming apparatus 10.

[2. Explanation of operation]
Next, the operation of the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, when the operation is not performed, the image forming apparatus 10 activates a sleep timer that counts the time until shifting to the power saving mode. Then, when the predetermined time is counted by the sleep timer, the image forming apparatus 10 shifts to the power saving mode. The operation illustrated in FIG. 4 is started when the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 activates the sleep timer.
In FIG. 4, an operation performed between one image forming apparatus 10 and two terminal apparatuses 20 (hereinafter, terminal apparatus A and terminal apparatus B) will be described as an example.

  First, the control unit 21 of the terminal device A sends a screen content (various setting screen) transmission request for executing a remote operation of the image forming apparatus 10 via the communication unit 23 based on a user operation. 10 (step S1).

  Next, the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives the transmission request transmitted from the terminal device A and transmits a response indicating that the transmission request has been received to the terminal device A that is the transmission source via the communication unit 13. (Step S2).

  Next, based on the transmission request transmitted from the terminal device A, the control unit 11 extracts screen content whose operation is predicted in the terminal device A (step S3). That is, the control unit 11 functions as an extraction unit of the present invention.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show an example of how screen content whose operation is predicted based on the transmission request transmitted from the terminal device A is extracted.
5 and 6 show the screen contents stored in the storage unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 10 in a hierarchical manner. In the first hierarchy, three screen contents are prepared: “copy setting screen G1”, “scan setting screen G2”, and “fax setting screen G3”. In the second layer, three screens (G11 to G13, G21 to G23, G31 to G33) are prepared for each screen (G1, G2, G3) of the first layer. The third layer has three screens (G111 to G113, G121 to G123, G131 to G133, G211 to G213) for the screens (G11 to G13, G21 to G23, G31 to G33) of the second layer, respectively. G221 to G223, G231 to G233, G311 to G313, G321 to G323, G331 to G333) are prepared.
In the present embodiment, any screen content in the lower hierarchy is displayed according to the user's selection in the screen content in the upper hierarchy.

When the control unit 11 receives a request to send a “paper setting screen G11” from the terminal device A, as shown in FIG. 5, the operation is performed after the operation on the paper setting screen G11 in addition to the paper setting screen G11. Predicted screen contents (G111, G112, G113, G12, G13) are extracted together (see reference numeral X1 in the figure).
When the control unit 11 receives a request to send a “color setting screen G12” from the terminal device A, as shown in FIG. 6, after the operation on the color setting screen G12 in addition to the color setting screen G12, The screen contents (G121, G122, G123, G13) for which the operation is predicted are extracted together (see reference numeral X2 in the figure).
As described above, the control unit 11 extracts the screen content whose operation is predicted in response to the transmission request transmitted from the terminal device A.

  Next, the control unit 11 transmits the screen content extracted in step S3 to the terminal device A via the communication unit 13 (step S4). That is, the control unit 11 functions as a transmission unit of the present invention.

  Then, the control part 11 transfers to a power saving mode (power saving state) at the timing when predetermined time was counted by the sleep timer (step S5). Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 10 continues the power saving mode until receiving information such as a job execution instruction that needs to be returned to the normal mode. Thereby, the power consumption of the image forming apparatus 10 can be reduced.

  On the other hand, the control unit 21 of the terminal device A acquires the screen content transmitted from the image forming apparatus 10 and stores the acquired screen content in the storage unit 22 (step S6). That is, the control unit 21 of the terminal device A functions as an acquisition unit of the present invention.

  Next, the control unit 21 of the terminal device A displays the screen content stored in step S6 on the display unit 25 based on the user operation (step S7). In this case, the control unit 21 of the terminal device A reads out necessary screen content from the storage unit 22 and displays it on the display unit 25 in accordance with a user operation. That is, the control unit 21 of the terminal device A functions as a display control unit of the present invention.

Next, the control unit 21 of the terminal device A sets the setting contents based on the setting contents (for example, print settings) input by the user in the screen contents (various setting screens) displayed on the display unit 25 in step S7. Data is created (step S8).
At this stage, since the image forming apparatus 10 continues in the power saving mode, the terminal apparatus A stands by while holding the created setting content data.

Here, it is assumed that a job execution instruction is sent to the image forming apparatus 10 from the terminal apparatus B, which is another terminal apparatus 20.
That is, the control unit 21 of the terminal device B transmits a job (for example, print job) execution instruction to the image forming apparatus 10 via the communication unit 23 (step S9).

  Next, the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives the job execution instruction transmitted from the terminal apparatus B and returns from the power saving mode to the normal mode (step S10).

  Next, the control part 11 transmits the notification to the effect that it returned to the normal mode from power saving mode to each terminal device 20 (here terminal device A) via the communication part 13 (step S11).

  Next, the control unit 11 executes the job based on the job execution instruction transmitted from the terminal device B (step S12).

  On the other hand, the control unit 21 of the terminal device A acquires the notification transmitted from the image forming apparatus 10 and transmits the setting content data created in step S8 to the image forming apparatus 10 via the communication unit 23 (step S8). S13).

  Next, the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 acquires the setting content data transmitted from the terminal device A and reflects the setting content based on the acquired setting content data (step S14).

  Note that the processes in step S12 and step S14 are not necessarily performed in this order. For example, the processes may be performed in the order of step S14 and step S12, or the processes in steps S12 and S14 may be performed simultaneously. You may make it perform.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 transmits screen content predicted to be operated by the terminal device 20 to the terminal device 20 before shifting to the power saving mode, and then shifts to the power saving mode.
On the other hand, the terminal device 20 holds the screen content group transmitted from the image forming apparatus 10 in the storage unit 22, and uses the screen content group to make various settings (for example, print settings) related to the image forming apparatus 10. carry out. During this time, since the terminal device 20 does not access the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 10 does not return from the power saving mode, and power consumption is reduced.
After that, when execution of a job (for example, a print job) is instructed from the terminal device 20, the image forming apparatus 10 has to return from the power saving mode, and thus executes the job after returning from the power saving mode.

[3. effect]
As described above, when the image forming apparatus 10 of the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment shifts from the standby state to the power saving state, the terminal device 20 that is accessing the image forming apparatus 10 at that time is An extraction unit (control unit 11) that extracts screen content that is predicted to be operated in the terminal device 20 and a transmission that transmits the screen content extracted by the extraction unit to the terminal device 20 before shifting to the power saving state. Part (control part 11). The terminal device 20 also has an acquisition unit (control unit 21) that acquires the screen content transmitted from the transmission unit, and a display control unit (control unit 21) that causes the display unit 25 to display the screen content acquired by the acquisition unit. And comprising.
Therefore, according to the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, the screen content can be transmitted to the terminal device 20 before the image forming apparatus 10 shifts to the power saving mode. Even so, various setting operations related to the image forming apparatus 10 can be performed by the terminal device 20 connected to the network. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 can be completely shifted to the power saving mode, and the power consumption of the image forming apparatus can be reduced to the maximum.

  As mentioned above, although concretely demonstrated based on embodiment which concerns on this invention, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

[4. Modified example]
For example, in the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which all screen content predicted to be operated is transmitted to the terminal device 20 has been described as an example. In some cases, all screen contents cannot be transmitted before shifting to the power saving mode. Therefore, if all the screen contents cannot be transmitted before shifting to the power saving mode, only screen contents that can be transmitted before shifting to the power saving mode may be transmitted.
As described above, when the transmission unit cannot transmit all the screen contents extracted by the extraction unit before shifting to the power saving state, the terminal device 20 displays screen contents that can be transmitted before shifting to the power saving state. Thus, various setting operations can be performed using the transmitted screen content even when the image forming apparatus 10 is in the power saving mode. Further, since the image forming apparatus 10 can be completely shifted to the power saving mode, the power consumption of the image forming apparatus can be reduced to the maximum.

Also, if all screen contents cannot be transmitted before shifting to the power saving mode, image data is allowed to deteriorate and the screen contents are compressed (reduced data capacity). It may be.
As described above, when the transmission unit cannot transmit all the screen contents extracted by the extraction unit before shifting to the power saving state, the screen content is compressed and transmitted to the terminal device 20 to obtain an image. Even when the forming apparatus 10 is in the power saving mode, various setting operations can be performed using the transmitted screen content. Further, since the image forming apparatus 10 can be completely shifted to the power saving mode, the power consumption of the image forming apparatus can be reduced to the maximum.

Moreover, although the said embodiment illustrated and demonstrated the structure which extracts the screen content by which operation is estimated according to the transmission request transmitted from the terminal device 20, in this case, the frequency of use of a user is demonstrated. You may make it extract including a high screen content. That is, if the screen content is frequently used by the user, screen content in a lower hierarchy or screen content of another series (for example, when a copy series screen is requested, a scan series screen is extracted. For example, screen content that is not normally extracted may be extracted.
In this way, when the extraction unit extracts screen content that is predicted to be operated, the screen content that is likely to be used by the user is given priority by extracting the screen content that is frequently used by the user. Since it can transmit to the terminal device 20, various setting operation can be performed more reliably for a user.

If all the screen contents cannot be transmitted before shifting to the power saving mode, the screen contents are transmitted to other terminal devices 20 that have transmitted the screen contents in the past instead. An instruction requesting to do so may be transmitted.
As described above, when the transmission unit cannot transmit all the screen contents extracted by the extraction unit before shifting to the power saving state, the other terminal devices 20 that have transmitted the screen contents in the past. On the other hand, since all screen contents can be transmitted to the terminal device 20 by transmitting an instruction for requesting that the screen contents be transmitted to the terminal device 20 instead, the image forming apparatus 10 can operate in the power saving mode. Even so, various setting operations can be performed using the screen content transmitted from the other terminal device 20. Further, since the image forming apparatus 10 can be completely shifted to the power saving mode, the power consumption of the image forming apparatus can be reduced to the maximum.

In the above-described embodiment, when a plurality of users (terminal devices 20) are accessing the image forming apparatus 10 at the same time, screen contents that are predicted to be operated are transmitted to all users. However, when there is not much time until the transition to the power saving mode or when there is a large amount of data, there are cases where the screen content cannot be transmitted to all users. Therefore, if the screen content cannot be transmitted to all users before shifting to the power saving mode, the screen content should be transmitted with priority given to the user who has set the administrator settings on the administrator screen. Also good.
As described above, when the transmission unit cannot transmit the screen content extracted by the extraction unit to all the terminal devices 20 that are accessing the image forming apparatus 10 at that time before the transmission unit shifts to the power saving state. Since the screen content is transmitted with priority given to the terminal device for which the administrator setting is performed, the administrator setting with higher priority can be transmitted to the terminal device 20 with priority, which is important for system operation. Therefore, it is possible to reliably set the system, and the system can be operated more stably.

In addition, when only screen content that can be transmitted is transmitted before shifting to the power saving mode, the remaining (difference) screen content may be transmitted when returning from the power saving mode.
As described above, when the transmission unit returns from the power saving state, the screen content that could not be transmitted before shifting to the power saving state is transmitted to the terminal device 20, so that all the screen contents are set to the power saving mode. Even if the transmission cannot be completed before the transition, all the screen contents can be finally transmitted, so that various setting operations can be completed.

In addition, at least one of the plurality of users (terminal device 20) accessing the image forming apparatus 10 uses screen content for performing processing (for example, copying or printing) for driving the engine. In this case, even if the mode is shifted to the power saving mode, the power saving mode is not maintained because it is expected that the processing returns to the normal mode immediately by the process of driving the engine. Therefore, in such a case, since it is not necessary to transmit screen content in advance, screen content may not be transmitted even immediately before shifting to the power saving mode.
As described above, when the screen content that performs the process of driving the engine is used in at least one of the terminal devices 20 that are accessing the image forming device 10 at that time, By not performing the process of transmitting the screen content extracted by the extraction unit to the terminal device 20 before shifting to the power saving state, it is possible to suppress unnecessary transmission of the screen content. And the amount of processing can be reduced and the load on system operation can be reduced.

In addition, after the screen content whose operation is predicted is extracted and transmitted to the terminal device 20, before the transition to the power saving mode, the screen transition is performed on the terminal device 20 side and the operation is predicted. Differences may occur in screen content. In such a case, the difference may be transmitted to the terminal device 20.
As described above, after the transmission unit transmits the screen content extracted by the extraction unit to the terminal device 20 and before the transition to the power saving state, the screen content is predicted to be operated in the terminal device 20. When a difference occurs, by transmitting the difference to the terminal device 20, screen content that is highly likely to be used by the user can be transmitted to the terminal device 20 more reliably. The operation can be performed.

Further, as in the embodiment, in the terminal device 20, setting information set by the user regarding settings (for example, administrator settings) completed in the screen content transmitted from the image forming apparatus 10 is stored in the storage unit 22. Thus, the setting information stored in the storage unit 22 may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 when the image forming apparatus 10 returns from the power saving mode. In this case, the control unit 21 of the terminal device 20 functions as a setting information transmission unit of the present invention. Whether or not the image forming apparatus 10 has returned from the power saving mode can be determined by receiving, for example, a “notification of returning to the normal mode” sent from the image forming apparatus 10.
As described above, the terminal device 20 stores the setting information set by the user regarding the setting completed in the screen content acquired by the acquiring unit, and the setting information stored in the storage unit 22 is used for image formation. And a setting information transmission unit (control unit 21) that transmits to the image forming apparatus 10 when the apparatus 10 returns from the power saving state, and does not interfere with the power saving mode and is in the power saving mode. Since various setting operations related to the image forming apparatus 10 can be performed by effectively using time, the time required for various settings of the image forming apparatus 10 is reduced while maximizing the power consumption of the image forming apparatus 10. be able to.

When the terminal device 20 moves out of the communication network N (network) connected to the image forming apparatus 10, the terminal apparatus 20 is disconnected from the network and cannot transmit setting information to the image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, when the terminal device 20 is about to move out of the communication network N connected to the image forming apparatus 10, the setting information stored in the storage unit 22 is stored before being disconnected from the communication network N (that is, It may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 (before moving outside the communication network N).
As described above, when the setting information transmission unit is about to move out of the network (communication network N) in which the terminal device 20 is connected to the image forming apparatus 10, the setting information stored in the storage unit 22 is transferred from the network. By transmitting to the image forming apparatus 10 before being disconnected, the setting information can be reliably transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 even when the terminal apparatus 20 moves outside the communication network N. The system (image forming apparatus 10) can be operated stably.

When the terminal device 20 is about to move out of the communication network N connected to the image forming apparatus 10, the setting information stored in the storage unit 22 is transferred to the communication network N before being disconnected from the communication network N. N may be transmitted to other terminal devices 20 in N, and the setting information may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 when the image forming apparatus 10 returns from the power saving mode by the other terminal apparatus 20. .
As described above, when the terminal device 20 is about to move out of the network connected to the image forming apparatus 10, the setting information transmission unit changes the setting information stored in the storage unit 22 before being disconnected from the network. The setting information transmitting unit of the other terminal device 20 transmits the transmitted setting information to the image forming apparatus 10 when the image forming apparatus 10 returns from the power saving state. By transmitting, even when the terminal device 20 moves outside the communication network N, the setting information can be reliably transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10, so the system (image forming apparatus 10) can be more stable. Can be operated.

Further, when the setting information is setting information related to a job for performing processing for driving the engine (operation requiring mechanical driving) such as print processing, the image forming apparatus 10 is instructed to execute the job. Therefore, the setting information may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 simultaneously with the information for instructing execution of the job.
As described above, when the setting information is setting information related to a job for performing the process for driving the engine, the setting information transmitting unit is simultaneously set with the information for instructing execution of the job for performing the process for driving the engine. By transmitting to the image forming apparatus 10, setting information can be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 at a timing when the image forming apparatus 10 returns from the power saving state, so that the power saving mode is not hindered and unnecessary. The setting information can be reflected in the image forming apparatus 10 without delaying the timing, and the time required for various settings of the image forming apparatus 10 can be reduced while maximizing the power consumption of the image forming apparatus 10. Can do.

  In addition, the detailed configuration of each apparatus constituting the image forming system and the detailed operation of each apparatus can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Control part (extraction part, transmission part)
12 storage unit 13 communication unit 14 operation display unit 15 image reading unit 16 image processing unit 17 image forming unit 20 terminal device 21 control unit (acquisition unit, display control unit, setting information transmission unit)
22 storage unit 23 communication unit 24 operation unit 25 display unit N communication network (network)

Claims (13)

In an image forming system in which an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image on paper and a terminal device capable of remotely operating the image forming apparatus are connected so as to be capable of data communication.
The image forming apparatus includes:
An extraction unit that extracts screen content that is predicted to be operated in the terminal device for the terminal device that is accessing the image forming device at that time when shifting from the standby state to the power saving state;
A transmission unit configured to transmit the screen content extracted by the extraction unit to the terminal device before shifting to the power saving state;
With
The terminal device
An acquisition unit for acquiring the screen content transmitted from the transmission unit;
A display control unit that causes the display unit to display the screen content acquired by the acquisition unit;
An image forming system comprising:   When the transmission unit cannot transmit all the screen contents extracted by the extraction unit before shifting to the power saving state, the terminal device transmits screen contents that can be transmitted before shifting to the power saving state. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising:   3. The image formation according to claim 2, wherein when the transmission unit returns from the power saving state, the transmission unit transmits screen content that could not be transmitted before the transition to the power saving state to the terminal device. system.   When the transmission unit cannot transmit all the screen contents extracted by the extraction unit before shifting to the power saving state, the transmission unit compresses the screen content and transmits the compressed data to the terminal device. The image forming system according to claim 1.   5. The image according to claim 1, wherein when extracting the screen content on which the operation is predicted, the extraction unit extracts the screen content that is frequently used by a user. Forming system.   When the transmission unit cannot transmit all the screen contents extracted by the extraction unit before shifting to the power saving state, the transmission unit is directed to other terminal devices that have transmitted the screen content in the past. 6. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein an instruction requesting that the screen contents be transmitted to the terminal device instead is transmitted.   When the transmission unit is not able to transmit the screen content extracted by the extraction unit to all the terminal devices that are accessing the image forming apparatus at that time before shifting to the power saving state, The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the screen content is transmitted with priority given to a terminal device for which an administrator setting is performed.   When the screen content that performs the process of driving the engine is used in at least one of the terminal devices that are accessing the image forming apparatus at that time, the transmission unit uses the extraction unit to The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein a process of transmitting the extracted screen content to the terminal device is not performed before shifting to the power saving state.   The transmission unit transmits the screen content extracted by the extraction unit to the terminal device, and before the transition to the power saving state, there is a difference in the screen content expected to be operated in the terminal device. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein when the error occurs, the difference is transmitted to the terminal device. The terminal device
A storage unit that stores setting information set by a user regarding settings completed in the screen content acquired by the acquisition unit;
A setting information transmission unit that transmits the setting information stored in the storage unit to the image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus returns from the power saving state;
The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising:   When the terminal device is about to move out of a network connected to the image forming apparatus, the setting information transmission unit transmits the setting information stored in the storage unit before the image is disconnected from the network. The image forming system according to claim 10, wherein the image forming system transmits the image to a forming apparatus. When the terminal device is about to move out of a network connected to the image forming apparatus, the setting information transmission unit transmits the setting information stored in the storage unit to the network before being disconnected from the network. To other terminal devices in
The setting information transmission unit of the other terminal device transmits the transmitted setting information to the image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus returns from the power saving state. The image forming system according to 10.   When the setting information is setting information related to a job that performs processing for driving the engine, the setting information transmission unit displays the setting information simultaneously with information that instructs execution of a job that performs processing for driving the engine. The image forming system according to claim 10, wherein the image forming system transmits the image to the image forming apparatus.

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