JP2005033462A - Image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing system capable of reducing power consumption while suppressing the deterioration of a storage device belonging to each image processor in the image processing system comprising a plurality of image processors provided with document distribution functions. <P>SOLUTION: This controller 400 is provided with a CPU 410 for controlling the controller and an image forming device as a whole, a memory 420 being a work area for temporarily storing images of a printer or the like, an HDD 430 being a mass storage device used to store documents that are image data temporarily and for a long time, a ROM 440 being a storage device for a control program executed by the CPU 410, an NVRAM 450 being a nonvolatile memory for storing parameters, etc., inherent to the device, an ASIC (application specific IC) 460 provided with an interface to each device of the controller and the outside, a clock unit 470 which is provided with a timer function, and a flash memory 480 being a nonvolatile memory for being used to distribute the documents when the HDD stops. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing system, and more specifically, image processing in which document image data is stored in the apparatus and an image processing apparatus having a function of distributing a document in response to a request from a host computer is connected via a network. It is about the system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a multi-function machine) having a plurality of functions such as copying, printer, and facsimile is known. By using a multi-function machine having such functions, it is not necessary to install each device separately, so that cost reduction and space saving can be achieved. In addition, it has a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk (hereinafter referred to as HDD), saves the documents output by each function, prints out the stored documents directly when necessary, There is already known a document delivery function that transmits a stored document to a host computer in response to a request from the user. This eliminates the need for a special file server. In order to reduce access to the HDD, a method of using a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory as a cache has also been proposed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-311423 discloses a conventional technique related to power saving of HDDs. When processing that requires real-time performance such as an electronic sort function is performed using an HDD, the power consumption increases more than necessary or the HDD There is disclosed a technique for improving the productivity of the above processing without shortening the service life and preventing problems caused by shock and vibration on the HDD. According to this, the copying machine is equipped with an HDD, and when the CPU circuit section of this apparatus detects that any key is pressed on the operation section, or when the document feeder is opened or closed. If it is detected that a host access request signal is input from the host computer, the spindle motor of the HDD is rotated, and when a predetermined time elapses from the time when the access to the HDD is completed, or the paper is fed by the user It is disclosed that when it is detected that a member such as a cassette has been attached or detached, the HDD spindle motor is controlled to stop rotating.
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-149484, the AC attachment detection circuit detects whether the power source is AC drive or battery drive, and the battery remaining amount detection circuit detects the remaining capacity of the battery. And the remaining battery amount information is transmitted to the nonvolatile memory state control circuit. The non-volatile memory state control circuit is a circuit for automatically switching whether to use the non-volatile memory as a disk memory or a disk cache according to the AC mounting information from the AC mounting detection circuit.
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-31423
[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-149483
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Conventional MFPs have a problem that power consumption is large when the HDD is always operated. Therefore, the device is turned on only when necessary, and the HDD is stopped when unnecessary. Yes. However, if the motor is repeatedly rotated and stopped frequently, the power consumption may be increased, and the life of the HDD device may be shortened.
In order to reduce access to the HDD, a method of using a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory as a cache has been proposed, but the flash memory has a limit on the number of times it can be rewritten. There is a possibility that it will not be possible.
In the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1, the rotation condition of the HDD is performed by a key operation at the operation unit, opening / closing of the document feeder, and an access request signal from the host computer to the HDD. This is the case where a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the event was made. In other words, since there is a possibility that the motor is repeatedly rotated and stopped, there is a concern that power consumption may increase, and the life of the HDD device may be shortened.
The prior art disclosed in Patent Document 2 automatically switches whether to use a non-volatile memory as a disk memory or a disk cache based on the AC drive and the remaining battery level. Since there is a limit to the number of times that rewriting can be performed, there is a problem that it becomes impossible to use if the frequency of rewriting is high.
In view of such problems, the present invention reduces power consumption while suppressing deterioration of a storage device included in each image processing apparatus in an image processing system including a plurality of image processing apparatuses having a document distribution function. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system capable of performing the above.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides an image processing system in which a plurality of image processing apparatuses and a host computer are connected via a network, and the image processing apparatus stores document image data. First nonvolatile storage means having a large storage capacity and second nonvolatile storage having a storage capacity smaller than the storage capacity of the first nonvolatile storage means for storing the document image data. A storage unit; a document distribution unit that stores the image data in the first nonvolatile storage unit or the second nonvolatile storage unit and distributes the image data in response to a request from the host computer; and the network State acquisition means for acquiring the operation state of the other image processing apparatus connected by, and the state of each nonvolatile storage means included in the image processing apparatus; Control means for controlling the operation of the stage, the control means when the first non-volatile storage means of the image processing apparatus is operating and when the image processing apparatus is not used for a certain period of time It is determined which operation mode is the low power consumption mode in which the first nonvolatile storage unit is stopped to reduce power consumption, and the result of the determination and another image processing apparatus acquired by the state acquisition unit Based on the information related to the operation state, the first nonvolatile storage unit, the second nonvolatile storage unit, and the document distribution unit are controlled.
The operation state of other image processing apparatuses connected to the network and the state of the storage device can be acquired via the network interface of each image processing apparatus. And a control means for controlling the operation of the first nonvolatile memory means and the second nonvolatile memory means based on information acquired from each image processing apparatus when shifting from the normal operation mode to the low power consumption mode. The image processing apparatus suitable for each apparatus can be controlled according to the state of the entire image processing system, and the power consumption of the entire image processing system can be reduced.
According to this invention, the control unit determines the normal mode and the low power consumption mode, and controls the system based on the information on the operation state of the other image processing apparatus acquired by the state acquisition unit. By controlling the image processing apparatus suitable for each apparatus according to the state of the entire system, the power consumption of the entire image processing system can be reduced.
[0005]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the control unit acquires the operation state of another image processing apparatus and the state of each nonvolatile storage unit included in the image processing apparatus by the state acquisition unit without using the image processing apparatus for a certain period of time. As a result, when there is another image processing apparatus operating in the normal mode, the document stored in the first nonvolatile storage means of the image processing apparatus is changed to the corresponding other image processing apparatus. Then, control is performed so as to shift to the low power consumption mode.
When the image processing apparatus of the own apparatus is not used for a certain period of time and there is an image processing apparatus operating in the normal mode among the other image processing apparatuses, the control means is a first nonvolatile storage means. Are transmitted to another image processing apparatus operating in the normal mode, and control is performed so that the occasional image processing apparatus is shifted to the low power consumption mode. This eliminates the need to rewrite the second non-volatile storage means, thereby reducing the number of rewrites of the second non-volatile storage means to suppress deterioration and reducing the power consumption of the image processing apparatus.
According to this invention, when there is a device operating in the normal mode among the other image processing devices immediately before shifting to the low power consumption mode, the first non-volatile storage means of the own device is connected via the network. Since the stored document is transmitted to another image processing apparatus in the normal operation mode, it is possible to reduce the number of rewrites of the second non-volatile storage means to suppress deterioration and to reduce power consumption of the image processing apparatus. .
[0006]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control means acquires the operation state of another image processing apparatus and the state of each nonvolatile storage means included in the image processing apparatus by the state acquisition means without using the image processing apparatus for a certain period of time. As a result, if there is no other image processing apparatus operating in the normal mode, a part of the document stored in the first nonvolatile storage means of the image processing apparatus is stored in the second After copying to the non-volatile storage means, control is performed so as to shift to the low power consumption mode.
When the image processing apparatus of the own apparatus is not used for a certain period of time and there is no image processing apparatus operating in the normal mode among the other image processing apparatuses, the control means is a first nonvolatile storage means. The document stored in is copied to the second nonvolatile storage means, and control is performed so as to shift to the low power consumption mode. This eliminates the need to start the first non-volatile storage means of the other image processing apparatus, reduces the number of rotations / stops of the first non-volatile storage means of the other image processing apparatus, and suppresses the deterioration. The power consumption of the processing apparatus can be reduced.
According to this invention, if no other image processing apparatus is operating in the normal mode immediately before shifting to the low power consumption mode, it is stored in the first non-volatile storage means of the own apparatus. Since the document is copied to the second non-volatile storage unit, it is not necessary to start the first non-volatile storage unit of the other image processing apparatus, and the rotation / revolution of the first non-volatile storage unit of the other image processing apparatus is eliminated. It is possible to reduce the number of stops to suppress deterioration and reduce the power consumption of the image processing apparatus.
[0007]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the control unit corresponds to the second non-volatile storage unit when the host computer receives a document distribution request and the image processing apparatus is in the low power consumption mode. If a document to be stored is stored, the document stored in the second non-volatile storage means is read out and distributed to the host computer.
When a document distribution request is received from the host computer and the mode is shifted to the low power consumption mode, if the document is stored in the second nonvolatile storage unit, the document is stored in the second nonvolatile storage unit. The existing document to the host computer.
According to this invention, since the document stored in the second non-volatile storage means is distributed to the host computer, it is not necessary to start the first non-volatile storage means of the own device, and the first non-volatile storage is performed. The number of rotations / stops of the means can be reduced to suppress the deterioration of the first nonvolatile storage means, and the power consumption of the image processing apparatus can be reduced.
[0008]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the control unit corresponds to the second non-volatile storage unit when a document distribution request is received from the host computer and the image processing apparatus is in the low power consumption mode. If the document to be transmitted is not stored, and the document is transmitted to another image processing apparatus at the time of shifting to the low power consumption mode, the document is transmitted to the image processing apparatus that has transmitted at the time of shifting to the low power consumption mode. Control is performed to transmit a distribution request.
When the document distribution request from the host computer is received and the mode is shifted to the low power consumption mode, no document is stored in the second nonvolatile storage means, and another image is displayed when the mode is shifted to the low power consumption mode. If the document has been transmitted to the processing device, the document distribution request is transmitted to the image processing device that has transmitted at the time of shifting to the low power consumption mode. According to this invention, since the document distribution request is transmitted to the image processing apparatus that has transmitted at the time of shifting to the low power consumption mode, it is not necessary to activate the first non-volatile storage means of the own device. The number of rotations / stops of the non-volatile storage means can be reduced to suppress the deterioration of the first non-volatile storage means, and the power consumption of the image processing apparatus can be reduced.
[0009]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the control unit corresponds to the second nonvolatile storage unit when a document distribution request is received from the host computer and the image processing apparatus is in the low power consumption mode. If the document to be stored is not stored, and the document is not transmitted to another image processing apparatus at the time of transition to the low power consumption mode, the first nonvolatile storage unit is activated to output the corresponding document data. Control is performed so as to be distributed to a host computer.
When the document distribution request from the host computer is received and the mode is shifted to the low power consumption mode, no document is stored in the second nonvolatile storage means, and another image is displayed when the mode is shifted to the low power consumption mode. When the document is not transmitted to the processing apparatus, the first nonvolatile storage unit is activated to distribute the corresponding document data to the host computer.
According to this invention, when there is no document in the second nonvolatile storage means in the low power consumption mode and the document is not transmitted to another image processing apparatus, the first nonvolatile storage of the own device. Since the means is activated and transmitted, the document delivery request from the host computer can be always handled.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the components, types, combinations, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like described in this embodiment are merely illustrative examples and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only unless otherwise specified. .
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image processing system 900 includes a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD, accumulates documents output by copy, fax, and printer applications, and distributes the accumulated documents in response to requests from the host computer. A plurality of host computers 20 for issuing a request for printing to the multifunction device 10 and a request for distribution of stored documents, and the multifunction devices 10 and the host computer 20 by a terminal device such as a workstation or a personal computer. The network 30 is a communication line for transmitting and receiving image data and other various data. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a digital full-color multifunction peripheral showing an embodiment of the multifunction peripheral 10 of FIG. This multifunction device 10 (digital full-color multifunction device) scans a document, converts it into a digital image signal, outputs RGB data, and filters the RGB data input from the scanner 100 in a unit that realizes a copy function. An image processing unit 200 that performs processing such as color correction and outputs C, M, Y, and K signals to the printer, and a printer 300 that performs image formation according to output data from the image processing unit 200, the controller 400, and the FAX control unit 600. A unit that mainly implements printer functions and overall control. CPU, ROM (or flash memory) storing programs, memory used as a work area, HDD and flash memory for storing image data, and interfaces thereof It is composed of ASIC that performs In accordance with a program stored in advance, a controller 400 that controls the operation of the entire apparatus, an input device for the operator to select a copy mode, set the number of copies, and the like, display a setting state, and give a setting instruction to the user An operation unit 500 including various keys, a touch panel on the display unit, a liquid crystal display for display, and a unit that realizes a FAX function, and a transmission process of an image read by the scanner 100 and a received image. And a FAX control unit 600 that performs output to the printer 300.
[0011]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the controller 400 of FIG. The controller 400 includes a CPU 410 that controls the controller 400 and the entire image forming apparatus based on a program written in the ROM 440, a memory 420 that is a work area for temporarily storing printer images, and a document that stores image data. HDD 430, which is a large-capacity storage device used for temporary storage and long-term storage, ROM 440, which is a storage device for control programs executed by CPU 410, and NVRAM 450, which is a nonvolatile memory for storing device-specific parameters and the like ASIC 460 having an interface with each device of the controller and the outside, Clock Unit 470 having a timer function in a clock unit, and flash memo which is a non-volatile memory for use when delivering a document when the HDD is stopped And 480.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the ASIC 460 of FIG. The ASIC 460 is connected to the CPU 410, generates a variety of control signals to be supplied to the CPU 410, and outputs signals output from the CPU 410 to each module. The ASIC 460 is connected to the network 30, and is connected to the host computer 20 and others. A network I / F 462 for exchanging data with the MFP 10, an operation unit I / F 463 connected to the operation unit 500 for exchanging data with the operation unit CPU, and a ROM 440 connected to the local bus. A local bus I / F 464 which is an interface for exchanging data with the NVRAM 450 and the like, a memory I / F 465 which is an interface for controlling writing of data to the memory 420 and reading of data from the memory 420, Send and receive image data The image bus I / F 466 that is an interface for performing the above operation, the writing of data to the HDD 430, the HDD I / F 467 that is the interface for controlling the reading of data from the HDD 430, and the time reading and setting from the Clock Unit 470 are performed. A clock unit I / F 468 that is an interface for the above, and a flash memory I / F 469 that is an interface for controlling the writing of data to the flash memory and the reading of data from the flash memory 480.
[0012]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the multifunction machine 10 shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the multifunction machine 10 includes a scanner 100, a printer 300, other hardware resources 800, and the like, and a software group 700 includes a platform 720 and an application 710. The platform 720 includes a general-purpose OS 721, a system resource manager (SRM) 723 having a system control service (SCS) 722, an engine control service (ECS) 724, and an MCS (memory control system). ) 726, FCS (FAX Control Service) 727, and NCS (Network Control Service) 728.
The general-purpose OS 721 is a general-purpose operating system such as UNIX (registered trademark), and executes each software of the platform 720 and the application 710 in parallel as processes. The SCS 722 performs application management, operation unit control, system screen display (job list screen, counter display screen, etc.), LED display, resource management, and interrupt application control. The SRM 723, together with the SCS 722, controls the system and manages resources, and performs arbitration according to requests from higher layers that use hardware resources such as engines such as the scanner unit and printer unit, memory, and HDD files. Control execution.
[0013]
The ECS 724 controls engines such as the scanner 100, the printer 300, and other hardware resources 600, and performs image reading and printing operations, status notification, jam recovery, and the like. The MCS 725 performs memory control. Specifically, the MCS 725 acquires and releases an image memory, uses an HDD, and the like. The OCS 726 is a module that controls an operation panel serving as a means for transmitting information between the operator and the main body control, and provides a process for notifying the main body control of an operator's key operation event and a library function for each application to construct a GUI. Processing, processing for managing the constructed GUI information for each application, display reflection processing on the operation panel, and the like are performed. FCS 727 performs facsimile transmission / reception using the PSTN / ISDN network from each application layer of the system controller, registration / quotation of various facsimile data managed by BKM (backup SRAM), facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, and fusion transmission / reception. API is provided. The NCS 728 is a module group for providing a service that can be commonly used for applications requiring network I / O. Data received from the network side by each protocol is distributed to each application, and data from the application is distributed. Mediates when sending to the network side. The application 710 includes a printer application 711 that is a printer application having a page description language (PDL), PCL, and postscript (PS), a copy application 712 that is a copy application, and a fax application 713 that is a facsimile application. A scanner application 714 that is a scanner application, a net file application 715 that is a net file application, and a process inspection application 716 that is a process inspection application. Since the applications 711 to 716 can execute operations using the processes on the platform 720, the screen display control program is the main component.
[0014]
FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart when the image processing system 900 of the present invention shifts to the low power consumption mode. First, when a certain period of unused time has elapsed (S1), the operation status of another image processing apparatus 10 connected to the network 30 is acquired (S2). This can be realized, for example, by transmitting a command for requesting transmission of the operation status to each device on the network, and the corresponding device receiving the command responds with the status. If a response indicating that the normal operation is being performed is received on the network 30 (YES route in S3), the document stored in the HDD 430 is transmitted to the corresponding normal operation device (S4), and then the HDD 430 is transmitted. Is stopped to shift to the low power consumption mode (S5). In this case, since the flash memory 480 is not rewritten, the life of the flash memory 480 can be extended and power consumption can be reduced by stopping the HDD 430.
If there is no response indicating normal operation on the network 30 in step S3 (NO route in S3), after copying a part of the document stored in the HDD 430 to the flash memory 480 (S6), The HDD 430 is stopped and the mode is shifted to the low power consumption mode (S5). For the document to be copied, for example, an access history for each document is stored, and a higher-order file having a high access frequency is copied. In this case, since the other image processing apparatuses may remain in the low power consumption mode, the number of rotations / stops of the HDDs of the other image processing apparatuses can be reduced, and the life of the HDDs of the other image processing apparatuses can be extended. In addition, power consumption can be reduced by stopping the HDD of the own device.
[0015]
FIG. 7 is an operation flowchart when the image processing system 900 according to the present invention distributes a document stored in response to a request from the host computer 20. First, when a document distribution request is received from the host computer 20 (S11), if the image processing apparatus is operating in the normal mode (YES route in S12), the requested document is received from the HDD 430 of its own device. Data is read and transferred to the host computer 20 (S13). If the low power consumption mode is set in step S12 (NO route in S12), it is checked whether or not a document is copied to the flash memory 480. If there is a corresponding document in the flash memory 480, it is read and transferred to the host computer 20 (S15). If there is no corresponding document in the flash memory 480 in step S14 (NO route in S14), and the contents of the HDD 430 have been transferred to another image processing apparatus when shifting to the low power consumption mode (in S16) YES route), a document distribution request is issued to the data transfer destination image processing apparatus (S17), and the data transfer destination image processing apparatus reads the document data in the HDD 430 and transfers it to the host computer 20 (S18). If there is no document corresponding to the flash memory 480 in step S14, and the content of the HDD 430 has not been transferred to another image processing apparatus at the time of shifting to the low power consumption mode in step S16 (NO route in S16). The own HDD 430 is activated (S19), the corresponding document is read from the HDD 430 and transferred to the hosted computer 20 (S20).
[0016]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the control unit determines the normal mode and the low power consumption mode, and based on the information on the operation state of the other image processing apparatus acquired by the state acquisition unit. Since the control is performed, the power consumption of the entire image processing system can be reduced by controlling the image processing apparatus suitable for each apparatus according to the state of the entire image processing system.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when there is an apparatus operating in the normal mode among other image processing apparatuses immediately before shifting to the low power consumption mode, the first non-volatile storage means of the own apparatus is connected via the network. Since the stored document is transmitted to another image processing apparatus in the normal operation mode, it is possible to reduce the number of rewrites of the second non-volatile storage means to suppress deterioration and to reduce power consumption of the image processing apparatus. .
According to a third aspect of the present invention, if there is no other image processing apparatus operating in the normal mode immediately before shifting to the low power consumption mode, it is stored in the first non-volatile storage means of the own apparatus. Since the document is copied to the second non-volatile storage unit, it is not necessary to start the first non-volatile storage unit of the other image processing apparatus, and the rotation / revolution of the first non-volatile storage unit of the other image processing apparatus is eliminated. It is possible to reduce the number of stops to suppress deterioration and reduce the power consumption of the image processing apparatus.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the document stored in the second non-volatile storage means is distributed to the host computer, it is not necessary to start the first non-volatile storage means of the own device. The number of rotations / stops of the means can be reduced to suppress the deterioration of the first nonvolatile storage means, and the power consumption of the image processing apparatus can be reduced.
Further, since the document distribution request is transmitted to the image processing apparatus that has transmitted the data when the mode is shifted to the low power consumption mode, it is not necessary to activate the first non-volatile storage means of the own device. The number of rotations / stops of the non-volatile storage means can be reduced to suppress the deterioration of the first non-volatile storage means, and the power consumption of the image processing apparatus can be reduced.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the document does not exist in the second nonvolatile storage means in the low power consumption mode and the document is not transmitted to another image processing apparatus, the first nonvolatile storage of its own device Since the means is activated and transmitted, the document delivery request from the host computer can be always handled.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a digital full-color multifunction peripheral showing an embodiment of the multifunction peripheral 10 of FIG. 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a controller 400 of FIG. 2 of the present invention.
4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an ASIC 460 of FIG. 3 according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a software configuration of the multifunction machine 10 shown in FIG. 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart when the image processing system 900 of the present invention shifts to a low power consumption mode.
FIG. 7 is an operation flowchart when the image processing system 900 of the present invention distributes a stored document in response to a request from the host computer 20;
[Explanation of symbols]
400 controller, 410 CPU, 420 memory, 430 HDD, 440 ROM, 450 NVRAM, 460 ASIC, 470 ClockUnit

Claims (6)

An image processing system in which a plurality of image processing apparatuses and a host computer are connected via a network,
The image processing apparatus includes a first nonvolatile storage unit that accumulates document image data and has a large storage capacity;
Second non-volatile storage means for storing the document image data and having a storage capacity smaller than the storage capacity of the first non-volatile storage means;
Document distribution means for storing the image data in the first nonvolatile storage means or the second nonvolatile storage means and distributing the image data in response to a request from the host computer;
Status acquisition means for acquiring the operation status of other image processing apparatuses connected by the network and the status of each nonvolatile storage means included in the image processing apparatus;
Control means for controlling the operation of each means,
The control means stops the first non-volatile storage means when the first non-volatile storage means of the image processing apparatus is operating and when the image processing apparatus is not used for a certain period of time. It is determined in which operation mode of the low power consumption mode to suppress power, and based on the determination result and information on the operation state of the other image processing apparatus acquired by the state acquisition unit, the first An image processing system for controlling operations of the non-volatile storage unit, the second non-volatile storage unit, and the document distribution unit. The control means does not use the image processing apparatus for a certain period of time, and as a result of obtaining the operation state of another image processing apparatus and the state of each nonvolatile storage means included in the image processing apparatus by the state obtaining means, If there is another image processing apparatus operating in the mode, after transmitting the document stored in the first non-volatile storage means of the image processing apparatus to the corresponding other image processing apparatus, The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein control is performed so as to shift to the low power consumption mode. The control means does not use the image processing apparatus for a certain period of time, and as a result of obtaining the operation state of another image processing apparatus and the state of each nonvolatile storage means included in the image processing apparatus by the state obtaining means, If there is no other image processing apparatus operating in the mode, a part of the document stored in the first nonvolatile storage means of the image processing apparatus is stored in the second nonvolatile storage means. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image processing system is controlled so as to shift to the low power consumption mode after copying. The control unit stores a document corresponding to the second non-volatile storage unit when the host computer receives a document distribution request and the image processing apparatus is in the low power consumption mode. 4. The image processing according to claim 1, wherein the image processing is controlled so that the document stored in the second nonvolatile storage unit is read and distributed to the host computer. system. The control unit stores a document corresponding to the second non-volatile storage unit when the host computer receives a document distribution request and the image processing apparatus is in the low power consumption mode. If a document has been transmitted to another image processing apparatus at the time of shifting to the low power consumption mode, a document distribution request is transmitted to the image processing apparatus that has transmitted at the time of shifting to the low power consumption mode. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image processing system is controlled as follows. The control unit stores a document corresponding to the second non-volatile storage unit when the host computer receives a document distribution request and the image processing apparatus is in the low power consumption mode. If the document is not transmitted to another image processing apparatus when the mode is shifted to the low power consumption mode, the first nonvolatile storage unit is activated to distribute the corresponding document data to the host computer. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image processing system is controlled as follows.

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