JP2002292973A - Image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing system in which power saving mode can be controlled by a designating method comprehensible to an operator and convenience can be enhanced. SOLUTION: Upon receiving a power saving request set by a user, an MPU 3 controls a power supply control section 2 such that a transition is made to a most power saving mode in relevant power saving control information. When a user inputs a time schedule, e.g. weekday or time band, concerning to reset or transition of power saving mode, measurement of time is executed by means of a timer 7 in an external unit or a printer 30 and a request of transition to a power saving mode satisfying a set input value N in power saving control information being stored when an objective time is reached is transmitted. Upon receiving the request of transition to a power saving mode satisfying the set input value N, the MPU 3 controls the power supply control section 2 such that a transition is made to a relevant power saving mode.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is connected via another terminal device and the network, a printing apparatus capable of performing the power saving mode control, a printer apparatus, image processing of the image processing apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus about the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in many offices, a host device and a plurality of image processing devices such as a printer device, a facsimile device, and a copying machine have been connected to a network so that office work can be performed efficiently. . As described above, in an environment where the host device and the image processing device are connected to a network, many devices are connected, and the power consumption is inevitably increased. Under these circumstances, from the point of energy saving, for example, considering the optimal state for several points of interest, such as standby, focusing on the return time to the normal operation mode, and the life of parts, individually type image processing apparatus having a power mode when corresponding are commercialized.

[0003]

However, understanding the contents of a plurality of types of power consumption modes possessed by a plurality of image processing apparatuses connected to a network requires the power saving mode for each image processing apparatus. In some cases, the settings are different, which takes time and effort and is difficult. Moreover, in the case of an image forming system in which a plurality of image processing apparatuses via a network is connected, to understand the settings related to power saving of all of the image processing apparatus operator is networked to each image processing apparatus It takes time and effort to make settings for
In many cases, the power saving of each image processing apparatus has not been effectively utilized. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system capable of controlling a power saving mode by a designation method that is easy for an operator to understand, and improving convenience.

[0004]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an external device connected via a network,
It is possible to transmit and receive data to and from the external device, an image processing apparatus that performs image processing and print out the received data, in an image processing system, the image processing apparatus has a plurality of types of power saving mode, wherein a notifying means for notifying a plurality of types power saving mode to the external device that is provided by the image processing apparatus, based on the power saving mode of the plurality of types that have been notified by the notification unit,
A power saving mode designating unit for prompting a designation input of a desired power saving mode; and a power saving mode shifting unit for shifting the image processing apparatus to the power saving mode notified by the notifying unit. Achieve the goal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of the image processing apparatuses are connected to the external apparatus via a network, the notifying means includes the plurality of the image processing apparatuses. Notifying each power saving mode, the power saving mode transition means, by simultaneously performing a transition to the power saving mode designated and input by the power saving mode designation means to the plurality of image processing apparatuses, to achieve the above object. In the invention according to claim 3,
3. The power saving mode designating means according to claim 1, wherein the power saving mode designating means is capable of inputting designation of transition conditions such as time and day of the week when shifting to the power saving mode. time when shifting power saving mode, if the specified input transition conditions such day is performed, the time of the specified input archive condition, and determines the condition judging means whether reached day, the condition determination Condition storage means for storing the transition condition set by the means, wherein when the condition determination means determines that the time, day of the week, etc. have reached the transition condition, the power saving mode transition means, by moving to the specified power-saving mode by automatically the power saving mode designating means processing apparatus, to achieve the above object.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network environment of the image processing system according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, but illustrated and described a printer device 30 as an example of the image processing apparatus is not limited thereto, the facsimile apparatus is similar to the configuration, the printing apparatus, and may be a copying machine or the like. The printer device 30
A network interface 1, a power control unit 2,
MPU (main processing unit) 3, a storage unit (a control program storing memory) 4, an operation panel interface 6 for receiving designation from the operation panel 6 is operated by a user, a timer 7, the storage unit (for work A memory 8 and a print engine 10 for printing out print data from the print engine interface 9 are connected by an internal bus 11.

The network interface 1 includes other external devices, such as PC (personal computer) terminals 20a, 20b, 20c, a server 21, printer devices 31, 32, etc., as shown in FIG. The printer device 30 (see FIG. 2) is connected to a network. As described above, the printer device 30 is a network printer connected to the network via the network interface 1, and various types of data such as print data and program data are exchanged with other external devices via the network interface 1. ing. If the received data is print data, the control program stored is in the storage unit 4 in advance in the control program storage memory, and expansion processing of print data the received print image frame memory. The print image data expanded in the print image frame memory is transferred to the print engine 10 through the print engine interface 9 and printed out.

The power control unit 2 has a plurality of power consumption modes,
For example, the range of a power supply portion in an optimal state for each function of the printer device 30 is changed, such as a standby mode having a standby property in consideration of a return time to the normal operation mode, a power saving mode corresponding to the life of components, and the like. A power consumption mode is provided, and transition between these power consumption modes is also performed. MPU3 includes a CPU (central processing unit), a network interface 1
Based on information from another external device received via the PC or information input on the operation panel 6, the transition control of each power consumption mode included in the power control unit 2 of the printer device 30, and the program from the storage unit 4. , Reading of data, storage of data in the storage unit 8, time measurement by the timer 7, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a response in the power saving mode prepared by the power supply control unit. When an external device inquires about the type of the power saving mode already prepared in the printer device 30 of the present embodiment via a network, the MPU 3 sends the inquiry to the external device that is the inquiry destination via the network interface 1. 3
The information of each mode as shown in (a) and (b) is transmitted as a response and displayed on a display screen of the external device, such as a display. FIG. 3 displayed on the display screen
By referring to response examples such as (a) and (b),
The user can specify, for example, by selecting a mode ID to the desired mode. For example, when there is a transition request to each power-saving mode are provided in the power supply control unit 2 via a network from an external device by a user,
Alternatively, when there is a request from the operation panel 6 for shifting to each power saving mode prepared in the power control unit 2 by the user, the MPU 3 receiving the request for shifting to the power saving mode sends the power saving mode to the power control unit 2 in response to the request. Control is performed so as to shift to the power consumption mode prepared for this.

Next, a power saving control process according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the control of the printer device 30 is executed by the operation program stored in the external device. For example, the user selects and inputs necessary items in accordance with the display (instruction) on the display screen in an interactive manner. The request is transmitted to the printer device 30, and the printer device 30 is controlled by the MPU 3 which receives each request. That is, the MPU 3 to each of the printer devices 30 to 32 is transmitted from an external device or the operation panel 6 of each of the printer devices 30 to 32.
To control each unit in the apparatus based on the user's specification. First, when the user inputs a power saving mode information acquisition request of the power control unit 2 of the printer device 30 from the external device or the operation panel 6, the MPU 3 relates to the power saving mode of the power control unit 2. displaying power saving control information to the display unit or the operation panel 6 of the external device. If the user has acquired the power saving control information in the external device, the contents of the inquiry and the acquired power saving control information are stored in the storage unit of the external device (step 300).

On display screen or operation panel 6
With reference to the response examples shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B shown above, the user selects the normal operation state or the power saving state of the printer device 30 (step 310). If the normal operation state is selected (step 310; normal operation state), the MP that has received the selected normal operation state request
U3 controls the power control unit 2 to shift to the normal operation mode (step 360). When the power saving state is selected (step 310; power saving state), FIG.
An instruction is issued to select a setting to be emphasized from the power saving mode IDs shown in (a) and (b) (step 320). Here, if the user sets the emphasis on power saving (step 320; power saving), the MPU 3 that has received this power saving setting request sends the power control unit 2 the most out of the corresponding power saving control information. Control is performed to shift to a power saving mode (step 350).

If the user sets the return time to be important (step 320; return time), an instruction for inputting an allowable return time is displayed on the display screen or the operation panel 6 (step 330). If it is determined in advance how the control is to be performed depending on the day of the week and the time zone, the user can return the power saving mode of the printer device 30 in advance on the display screen of the external device or on the operation panel 6 in the interactive manner as described above. , A time schedule related to the transition, etc., is input and stored in the printer device 30 or an external device. In such a case, the external device refers to the stored contents and the timer and calendar in the external device, and sends a request to the printer device 30 to shift to the power saving mode set at the time of the target time. It is designed to be sent. With respect to the stored time schedule, the timer 7 of the printer device 30 performs time measurement, and when the target time comes, the MPU 3 sends a request to the power control unit 2 to shift to the set power saving mode. It may be transmitted and controlled.

When an input value N of the return time is input (step 330), time measurement is executed by a timer of an external device or a calendar or the timer 7 of the printer device 30, and
A request to shift to the power saving mode that satisfies the set input value N is transmitted from the power saving control information stored when the target time has been reached. The set input value N
3 that has received a request to shift to a power saving mode that satisfies
Controls the power control unit 2 to shift to the corresponding power saving mode (step 340). In the present embodiment, as an example, a description has been given of an interactive power saving process with an external device for one printer device 30. However, as shown in FIG. 2, the same applies to a plurality of printer devices 31 and 32 on a network. The setting and control of the power saving process may be performed in an external device.

[0014]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image processing apparatus has a plurality of types of power saving modes, and a notifying means for notifying the external apparatus of the plurality of types of power saving modes provided by the image processing apparatus; Based on the plurality of types of power saving modes notified by the notifying unit, a power saving mode designating unit for prompting the user to input a desired power saving mode, and the image processing apparatus is shifted to the power saving mode selected by the selecting unit. Since the power saving mode shifting means is provided, it is possible to control the power saving mode in a designation method that is easy for the user (operator) to understand, thereby improving the convenience.

[0015] In the present invention of claim 2, wherein, when the image processing apparatus has a plurality of connected to the external apparatus via the network, the notification means notifies the power saving mode of a plurality of image processing apparatuses each power saving mode The shifting means simultaneously shifts the plurality of image processing apparatuses to the power saving mode designated and input by the power saving mode designating means. control can be performed, it is possible to improve convenience. In the invention of claim 3, wherein, when it is determined the time, the day of the week has reached the shift condition by the condition judging means,
The power saving mode shifting unit automatically shifts the image processing apparatus to the power saving mode designated by the power saving mode designating unit, thereby reducing the user's labor when controlling the power saving mode by automation, and improving the convenience. Can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network environment of the image processing system according to the embodiment;

3 is a diagram showing an example response of the power-saving mode in which the power control unit is available.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of power saving control processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 network interface 2 power supply control unit 3 MPU (main processing unit) 4 storage unit (control program storage memory) 5 operation panel interface 6 operation panel 7 timer 8 storage unit (working memory) 9 print engine interface 10 print engine 11 Internal bus 30 Printer

Claims (3)

[Claims] And 1. A external device connected via a network, it can transmit and receive the external device and the data, and an image processing device for printing out the received data image processing, the image processing consisting of in the system, the image processing apparatus comprises a plurality of types power saving mode, a notification unit that notifies the power saving mode of a plurality of types that are provided by the image processing apparatus to the external apparatus, which is notified by the notification unit A power saving mode designating unit that prompts the user to input a desired power saving mode based on the plurality of types of power saving modes; and a power saving mode transition for shifting the image processing apparatus to the power saving mode notified by the notifying unit. And an image processing system. 2. When a plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected to the external apparatus via a network, the notifying unit notifies each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses of a power saving mode, and shifts to the power saving mode. 2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the means simultaneously shifts to the power saving mode designated and input by the power saving mode designating means for the plurality of image processing apparatuses. 3. The power-saving mode designating means can prompt the user to input a transition condition such as a time and a day of the week when shifting to the power-saving mode. When a transition condition such as a time and a day of the week is designated, a condition determining means for determining whether or not the time and day of the designated transition condition have been reached, and a transition condition set by the condition determining means further comprising a condition storage means for storing, the a time by the condition judging means, if the day of the week is determined to have reached the transition condition, the power-saving mode shift unit, automatically the said image processing apparatus claim 1 or claim 2 image processing system wherein moving to the specified power-saving mode by the power saving mode designating means.