JP2005169623A - Printing device, printing device system and power saving control method/program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a power saving mode operation to be performed in wire LAN interface parts of all printing devices connected with a wire LAN. <P>SOLUTION: In the power saving control method, when the printing devices 4 to 6 are preset to a power saving mode, a radio starter 7 monitors a printing request signal to be sent from host computers 1 to 3 through the wire LAN 8, and sends a signal for prompting the resetting to a normal state, to a radio interface part of either of the printing devices 4 to 6 supposed to print data, when the signal for prompting the resetting is sent. Since only the radio interface part is energized even in the printing devices 4 to 6 preset to the power saving mode, the printing devices 4 to 6 can be reset to the normal state. Also, the printing device, the printing device system and the power saving control program are provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a mechanism for saving power consumption of a communication interface unit in a printing apparatus.

Conventionally, in a printing apparatus system including a plurality of host computers and a plurality of printing apparatuses respectively connected to a wired LAN, when a print request is not transmitted from any of the host computers to each printing apparatus over a predetermined period, In order to save power, the operation state of the printing apparatus is shifted to an operation state (hereinafter referred to as “power saving mode”) that suppresses power consumption in the printing apparatus (see Patent Document 1). . Further, as soon as print data is received following a print request, the printing apparatus shifts to a print executable state (hereinafter referred to as “normal state”).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-075687

  However, in the above-described conventional printing apparatus system, each printing apparatus needs to interpret a print request from the outside. Further, when receiving a print request, it constantly monitors reception of print data so that it can immediately shift to a normal state. There was a need to do. Therefore, the communication interface unit with the wired LAN, which is the part that performs the monitoring in each printing apparatus, is always energized, and as a result, the communication interface unit in each printing apparatus always consumes power, There has been a problem that the effect of power saving control in the apparatus is diminished.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for further saving power consumption of a communication interface unit in a printing apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, the power of a printing component excluding wireless communication means is set to a low power consumption state according to a predetermined condition, and is notified from an external device via the wireless communication means. It detects the return instruction signal of its own device destination. The power supply is controlled to operate the communication means for receiving the print data from the external device in response to detection of the return instruction signal of the own device destination.

  Further, in a printing apparatus system including a printing request apparatus, a printing apparatus, and a printing control apparatus that are connected to each other via a wired communication network, the printing control is performed when the printing apparatus does not execute printing for a predetermined period. The components of the printing apparatus except for the first wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with the apparatus are set in a power saving state. On the other hand, when the print control device receives a print request signal from the print request device via the wired communication network, the print control device via the second wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with the print device. A return instruction signal is transmitted to the first wireless communication means of the apparatus. The printing apparatus, when receiving the return instruction signal, returns the printing apparatus in the set power saving state to a normal state in which printing is possible.

  According to the present invention, the power consumption of the communication interface unit in the printing apparatus can be further saved.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the printing apparatus system according to the present embodiment, the host computers 1 to 3, the printing apparatuses 4 to 6, and the wireless activation apparatus 7 are connected via the wired LAN 8, and the printing apparatuses 4 to 6 and the wireless activation apparatus 7 are connected. Is communicating by wireless communication. This wireless communication uses infrared communication or wireless communication of Bluetooth specification.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the printing apparatuses 4 to 6 illustrated in FIG. 1. The printing apparatuses 4 to 6 have the same configuration, and only one of them is shown in FIG.

  Each of the printing apparatuses 4 to 6 includes a print control unit 210, an operation panel unit 211, and a printing unit 212. The printing unit 212 includes an image forming unit such as a fixing device, a paper transport mechanism, and a sensor unit that detects various states of the printing unit 212.

  The print control unit 210 includes a CPU 206, a ROM 203, and a RAM 202, and controls the entire printing apparatus. An operation panel interface unit (I / F) 207 is connected to the operation panel unit 211, and the operation panel unit 211 displays operation states of the print control unit 210 and the printing unit 212. A wired LAN interface unit (I / F) 201 is connected to the wired LAN 8 and transmits / receives data to / from the host computers 1 to 3 via the wired LAN 8.

  Print data transmitted from the host computers 1 to 3 and received via the wired LAN 8 is stored in the RAM 202. The drawing processing unit 205 reads the received print data from the RAM 202, develops it into bitmap data, and stores it again in the RAM 202 as print data. A printing unit interface unit (I / F) 208 is connected to the printing unit 212, and transmits printing data (bitmap data) stored in the RAM 202 to the printing unit 212. Data reception from the printing unit 212 is also performed.

  The wireless interface unit (I / F) 209 receives a return instruction signal including information for specifying a printing device to be activated, transmitted from the wireless activation device 7 shown in FIG. The status signal shown is transmitted to the wireless activation device 7. Note that the power consumption of the wireless interface unit (I / F) 209 is smaller than the power consumption of the wired LAN interface unit (I / F) 201. The power consumption control unit 204 manages and controls the power consumption of each part of the entire printing apparatus individually and collectively. Although the wireless I / F 209 is shown as a separate part from the wired LAN I / F 201 connected to the wired LAN 8, the wireless I / F 209 is not limited to this, and is, for example, a part of the wired LAN I / F 201. You may make it comprise. That is, the wireless I / F 209 is configured so that a part of communication content in wired communication with high power consumption can be replaced with wireless communication with low power consumption and the network environment can be flexibly handled.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the wireless activation device 7 shown in FIG.

  The wireless activation device 7 includes a CPU 304, a ROM 303, and a RAM 302, and controls the entire wireless activation device 7. A wired LAN interface unit (I / F) 301 is connected to the wired LAN 8 and transmits / receives data to / from the host computers 1 to 3 via the wired LAN 8. The wireless interface unit (I / F) 305 transmits a return instruction signal (status) indicating that at least the function of the communication unit is operable to the printing apparatuses 4 to 6, and from the printing apparatuses 4 to 6. Receives the transmitted status signal.

  Next, the transition operation to the power saving mode performed in the printing apparatuses 4 to 6 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of the transition process to the power saving mode executed by the print control unit 210 of the printing apparatuses 4 to 6.

  In step S101, the print control unit 210 determines whether an OFF command transmitted from an external device (such as the wireless activation device 7 or the host computers 1 to 3) has been received. The OFF command is a command for forcibly setting the printing apparatuses 4 to 6 to the power saving mode. If an OFF command is received from the external apparatus, the process proceeds to step S105. If not received, the process proceeds to step S102, and it is determined whether a print request signal has been received from the host computers 1 to 3. The print request signal is transmitted in packet form in the wired LAN 8.

  If the print request signal is received, the process proceeds to step S104, the elapsed time TC counted by the timer is cleared, and the process returns to step S101. On the other hand, if the print request signal has not been received, the process proceeds to step S103, where it is determined whether or not the elapsed time TC measured by the timer since the print request signal is not received is longer than the predetermined time TCs. . If the elapsed time TC is greater than the predetermined time TCs, the process proceeds to step S105, and if the elapsed time TC is equal to or less than the predetermined time TCs, the process proceeds to step S101. The elapsed time TC counted by the timer is the elapsed time after the print request signal is not received, but is not limited to this. For example, after the completion of paper discharge in the print output is confirmed. The elapsed time when the print data is not received can be set, and various predetermined conditions can be adopted as the condition for shifting to the power saving mode.

  When an OFF command is received from the external device and when the elapsed time TC is longer than the predetermined time TCs, the “power saving mode” is displayed on the operation panel unit 211 in step S105, and printing is performed in step S106. The operation of the unit 212 is shifted to the power saving mode. In step S107, the entire print control unit 210 except the wireless interface unit 209 is shifted to the power saving mode.

  Thereafter, in step S108, the wireless interface unit 209 notifies the wireless activation device 7 that the corresponding printing apparatus has shifted to the power saving mode.

  Next, the return operation to the normal state performed by the printing apparatuses 4 to 6 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the return processing to the normal state executed by the print control unit 210 of the printing apparatuses 4 to 6.

  In step S201, the wireless interface unit 209 of the print control unit 210 receives an external wireless address to its own device as an instruction signal for returning to the normal state in which the print data can be received from the state where the interface function for receiving the print data is stopped. It is determined whether or not it is transmitted from the activation device 7. If the return instruction signal addressed to its own device has been transmitted, the process proceeds to step S202. In step S202, the wireless interface unit 209 returns at least a predetermined part including the wired LAN interface unit (I / F) 201 to a normal state so that data other than the return instruction signal can be received from the outside.

  Here, the processing in step S201 and step S202 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the activation operation in the wireless I / F 209 performed in step S201 and step S202 shown in FIG.

  In step S201, the blinking time of the radio signal (infrared) (A) is sampled by the reception clock (B) (C), and it is determined whether or not the same setting data (D) set in advance has been input. Here, the reception clock (B) can be realized by a transmission circuit capable of generating a clock. The setting data (D) is stored in a rewritable non-volatile storage means (EEPROM) (not shown), and is appropriately set by a command from the operation panel unit 211 or the host computer via the wired LAN I / F 201. It can be changed. The data content of the setting data (D) is an identifier for specifying the printing device, and its form is, for example, an IP address, a MAC address of the printing device, a serial number, or a printing device name. This is used to determine whether or not a destination return instruction has been issued (step S201 in FIG. 7). In addition, it is assumed that the apparatus that performs the return instruction (corresponding to the wireless activation apparatus 7 in the first embodiment) also holds setting data for the return instruction corresponding to each printing apparatus. With such a configuration, the wireless I / F 209 has lower power than the determination in the wired LAN I / F 201 for determining whether or not the data input from the outside is equal to the setting data performed in step S201. Can be realized.

  If it is determined that the latch data (C) and the setting data (D) are the same, in step S202, the wireless I / F 209 uses the power activation signal (E) as an activation instruction. To the CPU 206. As a result, the power (F) is turned on to each part (RAM 202, drawing processing unit 205, printing unit 212, etc.) including at least the wired LAN I / F 201 so that processing based on data input from the wired LAN I / F 201 can be performed. become.

  On the other hand, when data having contents different from the setting data are input via the wireless I / F 209, the activation signal (power activation signal (E)) is not output. For example, such a situation occurs when the wireless activation device 7 gives an activation instruction to another printing device.

  In addition, although infrared rays have been described as an example of the wireless transmission method, for example, radio waves conforming to the IEEE 802.11b standard may be used, or other wireless transmission methods using the Bluetooth 2.4 GHz band may be used. May be.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 5, in step S203, the printing unit 212 is returned to the normal state. In step S204, the operation panel unit 211 displays “normal state”. In step S205, the wireless activation apparatus 7 is notified via the wireless interface unit 209 that the printing apparatus has returned to the normal state.

  It should be noted that steps S203 and S204 may be omitted, and the process of notifying the return in step S205 may be performed after step S202. The processes in steps S203 and S204 are executed when print data is received from the outside or when a print request is received from the outside. In this way, for example, when a request for transmitting status information such as the remaining amount of toner of the printing apparatus is sent from the outside, wasteful power is supplied to the printing unit 212 and the like even if the request from the outside is responded. Can be avoided.

  Next, the printing start operation performed by the wireless activation device 7 (step S108 in FIG. 4) notified that the printing device has shifted to the power saving mode will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the print start process executed in the wireless activation device 7.

  In step S301, the wireless activation device 7 monitors the print request signal transmitted from the host computers 1 to 3 via the wired LAN 8. If the print request signal is transmitted, the process proceeds to step S302. In step S302, the print request signal is analyzed, a printing apparatus to be printed is specified, and a return instruction signal to a normal state is transmitted to the wireless interface unit 209 of the printing apparatus via the wireless interface unit 305. (Corresponding to step S201 in FIG. 5). In step S303, it is determined whether or not a notification (corresponding to step S205 in FIG. 5) has been received from the printing apparatus that has received the return instruction signal. If the return notification has arrived via the wireless interface unit 305, the process proceeds to step S304, and the wireless activation device 7 transmits a print permission signal via the wired LAN 8 to the host computer that has transmitted the print request signal. To do. The host computer that has received the print permission signal transmits print data to the printing apparatus, whereby printing based on the print data is performed by the printing apparatus.

  As described above, when the printing apparatus is set to the power saving mode, the wireless activation apparatus 7 monitors the print request signal transmitted from the host computers 1 to 3 via the wired LAN 8, and the print request signal is displayed. When transmitted, a return instruction signal is returned to the normal state to the wireless interface unit 209 of the printing apparatus that is to perform printing. Even in a printing apparatus set in the power saving mode, only the wireless interface unit 209 is energized to an extent sufficient to execute the operation illustrated in FIG. 9, so that the printing apparatus receives print data. It is possible to return to the normal state where the print data can be received from the state where the interface function is stopped.

  In addition, as described in FIG. 9, the power consumption in the wireless interface unit 209 is smaller than the power consumption in the wired LAN interface unit 201. Therefore, the wired LAN interface unit 201 is set to the power saving mode and the wireless Only the interface unit 209 is energized. Then, the wireless activation device 7 transmits a return instruction signal for returning to the normal state to the wireless interface unit 209 so that the printing apparatus returns to a normal state in which data other than the return instruction signal can be received and interpreted. . Thereby, the power consumption of the whole printing apparatus and the whole printing apparatus system in the power saving mode can be suppressed as compared with the conventional printing apparatus.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  Since the configuration of the second embodiment is basically the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, the configuration of the first embodiment is used in the description of the second embodiment.

  In the first embodiment, the configuration in which the wireless activation device 7 is provided separately from the host computers 1 to 3 has been described. However, in the second embodiment, the function of the wireless activation device 7 is provided in each host computer. To.

  That is, according to the predetermined conditions described in the first embodiment, in the printing apparatus, the printing components other than the wireless I / F 209 (the operation panel I / F 207, the operation panel unit 211, the printing unit I / F 208, the printing unit 212). , The drawing processing unit 205, the wired LAN I / F 201, and the like) are set to a state of low power consumption. The self-address destination return instruction signal (status) notified from any of the host computers 1 to 3 is monitored by the wireless I / F 209, and when the self-device destination return signal is detected, print data is received from the host computer. The power supply is controlled so as to operate the communication means (wired LAN I / F 201) for receiving. In addition, the host computer holds the setting data of the return signals of each of the plurality of printers. The return signal set corresponding to the printing apparatus that performs printing is sent to the printer before making a print request. Shall be sent.

  The second embodiment will be described more specifically. The print start process executed in the wireless activation device 7 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 of the first embodiment is executed by the host computer. In step S301, the process for determining whether or not a print request signal has been transmitted via the wired LAN 8 is replaced with the process for determining whether or not a print request from a predetermined application has been made via the OS in the host computer. In addition, the processing of step S302 is performed by a host computer having the function of the wireless activation device 7. Further, the host computer receives the return notification from the printing apparatus in step S303, and in response to the reception, the host computer sends the print data created based on the application data to the printing apparatus by wireless or wired communication. To do.

  In the first embodiment, in the printing apparatus including the wired LAN I / F 201, the function of the wireless I / F 209 is included separately from the wired LAN I / F 201 or as a part of the wired LAN I / F 201. A mode of receiving a return instruction signal for designating a printing device from the wireless activation device 7 has been described.

  However, the present invention is characterized in that the wireless I / F 209 is provided with a function for detecting a return signal via wireless communication with low power consumption. The present invention is not limited to a form in which print data transmitted from any one is received via the wired LAN I / F 201. That is, the wired LAN I / F 201 for receiving the print data may be replaced with a wireless I / F that can receive the print data.

  In this case, the wired LAN I / F 201 is provided with a well-known wireless I / F function having a communication speed sufficient to receive print data of several kilobytes to several tens of megabytes in a few seconds. The printing apparatus further includes a wireless I / F 209 that can receive and interpret the return instruction signal designating the printing apparatus.

  Further, the wired LAN 8 may be replaced with a wireless communication network. Of course, the printing apparatus may be compatible with both the wired LAN 8 and the wireless communication network.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, each host computer has the function of the wireless activation device 7, and therefore, from each host computer to the wireless I / F 209 of any of the printing devices 4 to 6. In response to the return notification signal (reset signal setting data) designating the printing apparatus and each host computer receiving the return notification from the printing apparatus, the wired LAN I / F 201 or It is possible to send print data to the printing apparatus via the wireless I / F replaced with this, and cause the printing apparatus to perform print output. Accordingly, it is possible to construct a printing apparatus and a printing system corresponding to the printing apparatus that can greatly reduce power consumption without bothering to provide the wireless activation device 7.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The configuration of the third embodiment is basically the same as the configuration of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the description of the third embodiment, the configuration of the first embodiment is used.

  In the third embodiment, the process of shifting to the power saving mode performed in the printing apparatuses 4 to 6 is the same as the process of shifting to the power saving mode in the first embodiment shown in FIG. The return processing to the normal state performed by the devices 4 to 6 is partially different from the return processing to the normal state in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5, and the print start processing executed by the wireless activation device 7 is different. FIG. 6 is partially different from the print start process in the first embodiment shown in FIG. In the third embodiment, a printing apparatus that has returned to a normal state obtains print data from a host computer and performs printing.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of return processing to a normal state executed by the print control unit 210 of the printing apparatuses 4 to 6 according to the third embodiment. In the figure, the same step numbers are assigned to the same steps as the return processing to the normal state in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the third embodiment, in step S401, the print control unit 210 extracts storage position information indicating the storage location of the print data from the print job information received from the wireless activation device 7, and based on the storage position information. Then, the HDD of the host computers 1 to 3 is accessed via the wired LAN interface unit 201 to acquire print data. The wired LAN interface unit 201 can be replaced with a wireless communication unit as described in the description of the second embodiment.

  In step S402, the drawing processing unit 205 develops the acquired print data into bitmap data (print data), and the print unit 212 performs print processing on the print data.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the print start process executed in the wireless activation device 7 according to the third embodiment. In the figure, the same steps as those in the print start process in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the third embodiment, in step S501, the wireless activation device 7 includes, in the print job information, storage position information indicating the storage location of the print data acquired based on the print request signal received via the wired LAN 8. To the corresponding printing device.

  As another form, the host computer may perform the process of step S501. That is, in response to receiving the return notification in step S502, the host computer may be caused to notify the printing apparatus of print job information, and based on this notification, the processing in step S401 in FIG. 7 may be performed.

  In step S502, it is determined whether or not a notification (corresponding to step S205 in FIG. 7) has arrived from the printing apparatus that has received the return instruction signal. If the return notification has arrived, the print start process is terminated.

  In the third embodiment as well, as in the second embodiment, the function of the wireless activation device 7 may be provided in each host computer, and the wired LAN I / F 201 is installed in the wireless I / F. F may be used.

  As described above, as described in the first to third embodiments, each printing apparatus can receive a print request signal without maintaining a power supply state for interpreting an external print request. Even without maintaining the power supply state for constantly monitoring the reception of print data following the above, it is possible to respond to an external print request, thereby reducing the power consumption of the communication interface unit in the printing apparatus than before. Can be saved.

[Other Embodiments]
The object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus. Is also achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium and program storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  The storage medium for supplying the program code is, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW. DVD + RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, etc. can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. Includes a case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. This includes the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the printing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the radio | wireless starting apparatus shown in FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a transition process to a power saving mode that is executed by a print control unit of the printing apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of return processing to a normal state that is executed by a print control unit of the printing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the printing start process performed in a radio | wireless starting apparatus. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of return processing to a normal state executed by a print control unit of a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the printing start process performed in the radio | wireless starting apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. 6 is a timing chart showing a start-up operation in the wireless I / F performed in step S201 and step S202 shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1-3 Host computer (printing request device)
4-6 Printing device 7 Wireless activation device (printing control device)
8 Wired LAN (wired communication network)
201 Wired LAN interface unit (I / F, communication means)
202 RAM
203 ROM
204 Power consumption control unit (control means)
205 Drawing processing unit 206 CPU (control means, detection means)
207 Operation panel interface (I / F)
208 Printing section interface section (I / F)
209 Wireless interface unit (I / F, wireless communication means)
210 Print control unit 211 Operation panel unit 212 Print unit

Claims (17)

Control means for setting the power of the printing components excluding the wireless communication means to a low power consumption state under a predetermined condition;
Detecting means for detecting a return instruction signal of its own device address notified from an external device via the wireless communication means;
Communication means for receiving print data from the external device,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls a power source to operate the communication unit in response to the detection unit detecting a return instruction signal of its own device destination.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a power source is controlled so as to operate at least the communication unit without energizing the printing mechanism portion based on detection by the detection unit. A notification means for notifying the issuer of the return instruction signal of a notification indicating that the communication means is ready to operate according to the power control of the control means;
The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the print data is transmitted from the issuer in response to a notification from the notification unit.   The control unit controls the power source to operate the power source of the printing mechanism part in response to receiving print data from the external device via the communication unit or in response to receiving a print request. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.   5. The detection unit according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects whether or not the return instruction signal is addressed to the own apparatus based on a MAC address included in the return instruction signal. 6. Printing device.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit includes a communication function for receiving print data or a print request, and the wireless communication unit.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit includes a second wireless communication unit.   A printing data creation device and an information processing device are connected to the printing device via a communication network, the external device is the information processing device different from the printing data creation device, and the information processing device is 8. The printing according to claim 1, wherein a return instruction signal addressed to the predetermined printing apparatus is issued in response to a print request from the printing data creation apparatus to the predetermined printing apparatus. apparatus.   8. The print data creation device according to claim 1, wherein the external device is a print data creation device having a function of creating print data and transmitting the created print data to a predetermined printing device. Printing device. In a printing apparatus system comprising a printing request apparatus, a printing apparatus, and a printing control apparatus connected to each other via a wired communication network,
A first wireless communication unit provided in the printing apparatus for performing wireless communication with the print control apparatus;
A setting unit that is provided in the printing apparatus and sets a component part of the printing apparatus excluding the first wireless communication unit to a power saving state when printing is not performed for a predetermined period;
A second wireless communication means provided in the print control device for performing wireless communication with the printing device;
The first wireless communication unit provided in the print control device and when receiving a print request signal from the print requesting device via the wired communication network via the second wireless communication unit Transmitting means for transmitting a return instruction signal to,
A printing apparatus, comprising: a return unit that is provided in the printing apparatus and returns the printing apparatus in a power saving state set by the setting unit to a normal state in which printing is possible when the return instruction signal is received. system. The printing device comprises a plurality of printing devices,
The transmission unit of the print control apparatus transmits the return signal to the first wireless communication unit of the printing apparatus indicated by the received print request signal among the plurality of printing apparatuses. The printing apparatus system according to claim 10. A notification unit that is provided in the printing apparatus and that transmits a notification signal indicating that the printer has returned to the normal state to the print control device when the return unit returns to the normal state;
A print permission signal transmitting unit that is provided in the print control device and transmits a print permission signal to the print requesting device that has transmitted the print request signal when the notification signal transmitted by the notification unit is received;
The print data transmitting unit, which is provided in the print requesting device and further transmits print data to the printing device via the wired communication network when the print permission signal is received. The printing apparatus system according to claim 11. The first wireless communication unit provided in the print control device and when receiving a print request signal from the print requesting device via the wired communication network via the second wireless communication unit A print job information transmitting unit that transmits print job information including storage location information of the print data extracted from the print request signal;
Execution that is provided in the printing apparatus, receives the print job information, acquires print data from the print requesting apparatus based on storage location information included in the print job information, and executes printing based on the print data The printing apparatus system according to claim 10, further comprising: means. A control step for setting the power of the printing components excluding the wireless communication means to a state of low power consumption under a predetermined condition;
A detection step of detecting a return instruction signal of its own device notified from an external device via the wireless communication means;
And a second control step of controlling a power source to operate a communication means for receiving print data from the external device in response to detection of a return instruction signal of the own device destination in the detection step. A characteristic power saving control method. In a power saving control method applied to a printing apparatus system comprising a printing request apparatus, a printing apparatus, and a printing control apparatus connected to each other via a wired communication network,
Setting that sets the components of the printing apparatus except the first wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with the printing control apparatus in a power saving state when the printing apparatus does not execute printing for a predetermined period. Steps,
When the print control device receives a print request signal from the print request device via the wired communication network, the print control device receives a print request signal via a second wireless communication unit for performing wireless communication with the print device. A transmission step of transmitting a return instruction signal to the first wireless communication means;
A power saving control method comprising: a returning step of returning the printing device in the power saving state set by the setting step to a normal state capable of printing when the printing apparatus receives the return instruction signal. . A control step for setting the power of the printing components excluding the wireless communication means to a state of low power consumption under a predetermined condition;
A detection step of detecting a return instruction signal of its own device notified from an external device via the wireless communication means;
And a second control step of controlling a power source to operate a communication means for receiving print data from the external device in response to detection of a return instruction signal of the own device destination in the detection step. A program for causing a computer to execute. In a program for causing a computer to execute a power saving control method applied to a printing apparatus system including a printing request apparatus, a printing apparatus, and a printing control apparatus connected to each other via a wired communication network.
Setting that sets the components of the printing apparatus except the first wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with the printing control apparatus in a power saving state when the printing apparatus does not execute printing for a predetermined period. Steps,
When the print control device receives a print request signal from the print request device via the wired communication network, the print control device receives a print request signal via a second wireless communication unit for performing wireless communication with the print device. A transmission step of transmitting a return instruction signal to the first wireless communication means;
And a return step for returning the power-saving printing device set in the setting step to a normal state in which printing is possible when the printing device receives the return instruction signal.

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