JP2006330843A - Information equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mechanism for responding to a request from a user desiring to perform an operation in a fine energy saving mode as like changes devices to which electric power supplying should be stopped in response to a use situation of a user, and desiring to save power consumption in saving energy as much as possible while quickly starting up a function to be frequently used in receovering. <P>SOLUTION: The equipment sets devices to which the power supplying should be stopped in order of ascending use frequencies (S502), on the basis of the use frequencies for each device to be managed on equipment sides (S501) until the power consumption falls within the scope (S508) of a target power consumption value set by the user (S503) then the equipment shifts to a power saving mode in accordance with the setting. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention includes, for example, an MFP (an image input / output device having a combined function of a printer, a scanner, a facsimile, etc. based on a copy function), a mobile, a multi-function mobile phone, etc.
Depending on the selected information processing function, a plurality of devices incorporated in different combinations are interlocked, information is processed, and the information device that waits in the power saving operation mode when the processing is paused. The present invention relates to an information device that operates in a power saving (energy saving) mode by a method of controlling power supply / stop for a device set in accordance with a user's usage status or the like.

Conventionally, MFPs known as information devices equipped with multiple functions have made it possible to always stand by in a state where the copy function can be used for frequently used users. When the usage state continues for a predetermined time, an operation of shifting to the power saving (energy saving) mode is performed autonomously on the device side or by a user operation.
In the energy-saving mode, to request processing using the facsimile (FAX) function or printer function, to operate the communication unit or system control unit to receive FAX data, print data, etc. sent from external devices However, the other power supply is stopped. The operation of such an energy saving mode is as previously programmed on the device side, as shown in the above-described example of stopping power supply and clock supply to parts other than the communication unit and system control unit, A method of stopping power supply and clock supply to a prescribed device is generally adopted.
For example, in the conventional example shown in Patent Document 1 below, there are two stages: a power saving mode (an image with reduced image quality can be formed) that reduces the temperature of the fixing roller from the normal mode, and a sleep mode (image cannot be formed). 1 shows an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, etc., which makes a shift to the power saving mode. Therefore, the operation in the power saving mode of this conventional example does not go out of the above-described method generally used in that power is supplied in advance on the device side. However, in Patent Document 1, a function is added that makes it possible to improve the usability by setting the standby time for switching between modes to a time suitable for the use situation.
Further, in the conventional example shown in Patent Document 2 below, a standard power saving mode and a power saving mode in which power saving efficiency is prioritized over operability (the power of the system control unit may be turned off) according to user settings. An image processing apparatus (digital multifunction peripheral) that can select any one of modes having different power saving efficiency levels (illustrated) is shown. Therefore, in this conventional example, by this function, it is possible to optimize the operation by making the balance between the energy saving efficiency, the operability at the time of energy saving, and the quickness at the time of return corresponding to the use situation.
JP 2003-255778 A JP 2002-94713 A

However, as shown in the examples of Patent Documents 1 and 2 above, this type of energy-saving function that has been proposed in the past in information equipment equipped with multiple functions is eventually applied to a target device predetermined on the equipment side. This is done by stopping (reducing) the power supply.
Therefore, it cannot be said to be sufficient to meet the various demands of users. In other words, in the conventional energy-saving mode, priority is given to the requirement for energy-saving efficiency that "I want to reduce power consumption anyway", and consideration for the user is to set the standby time to a time that is suitable for the usage situation and improve usability. (The above cited reference 1) and the user select either one of the modes having different power saving efficiency levels (the above cited reference 2). In other words, we do not give consideration to users who use in situations that are different from the general usage conditions that are predetermined on the device side. Can't deny the sacrificed face.
Also, not all users want a uniform energy saving mode. For example, one user may want to reduce the power consumption value as much as possible even at the expense of usability to some extent, and another user may improve himself / herself even if the power consumption at the time of shifting to the energy saving mode increases slightly. You will want to use the functions you use as soon as possible. The above-described prior art cannot respond to such user requests.
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems that occur in the conventional energy-saving function, and the problem is that the power supply is stopped according to the usage situation of each user who uses the device. Make it possible to perform detailed energy-saving mode operations, such as considering devices, to enable quick use of frequently used functions when returning from energy-saving mode, and at the expense of usability to some extent. However, in response to a user's request to reduce the power consumption value as much as possible, there is provided a mechanism capable of achieving both unnecessary power reduction through energy saving.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information device that interlocks a plurality of devices built in different combinations according to a selected information processing function, processes information, and stands by in a power saving operation mode when the processing is suspended. Power supply means capable of controlling supply / stop of power for each of the plurality of devices, power saving operation mode setting means for setting a device for stopping power supply during power saving operation, and the power saving operation mode setting means An information device comprising power saving control means for controlling supply / stop of power by the power supply means for the device set by (1).
The invention according to claim 2 is the information device according to claim 1, further comprising usage frequency acquisition means for acquiring a usage frequency for each of the plurality of devices, wherein the power saving operation mode setting means is in the power saving operation mode. Until the target power consumption value is within the range, the devices whose power supply is to be stopped are determined and set in order from the device with the lowest usage frequency based on the usage frequency for each device acquired by the usage frequency acquisition means. It is characterized by that.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information device according to the second aspect, the information device includes an operation unit for inputting an operation condition, and the target power consumption value is variably set from the operation unit. It is.

According to the present invention, the power (power supply and clock) supply / stop control is performed for a predetermined device according to the setting during the power saving operation. Therefore, even when the function to be used varies from user to user, By stopping the power supply for devices set according to the usage status, it is possible to perform detailed energy saving mode operations.
In addition, by acquiring the usage frequency for each device and setting the devices that stop supplying power sequentially from the least frequently used device until it falls within the target power consumption value range in the power saving operation mode. Thus, when returning from the power saving operation mode to the use mode, it is possible to quickly use a frequently used function (claim 2).
In addition, since the target power consumption value can be variably set by a user operation, even if the power consumption value in the power saving operation mode increases, the user who wants to quickly return to the use mode and improve usability It is possible to satisfy both the above requirement and the user's requirement to reduce the power consumption value in the power saving operation mode as much as possible even at the expense of usability to some extent.
In a device using a battery as a power supply means, the problem regarding power consumption is serious, and when the demand for usability is large, it is meaningful to achieve both the above usability and power saving. In addition, since the power supply stop control according to the device usage frequency is autonomously performed on the device side, the user does not need to be aware of the frequently used functions and can improve accessibility. For example, there is a great merit when it is applied to a mobile or mobile phone having multiple functions (multiple devices).

The present invention is an information device that links a plurality of devices incorporated in different combinations according to a selected information processing function, processes information, and stands by in a power saving operation mode when the processing is suspended. This is an information device that operates in a power-saving (energy-saving) mode by a method of controlling power supply / stop for a device set according to the usage status of a user.
An example in which the information device according to the present invention having the above-described configuration is implemented in an MFP (an image input / output device having a combination of functions such as FAX based on a copy function) will be described below.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a configuration example capable of performing a power saving mode control operation. As shown in FIG. 1, the system control unit 4 has a function of controlling the entire MFP, and connects the operation unit 1, the scanner unit 2, the plotter unit 3, the fax control unit 5 and the relay unit 8 under the control. Yes. A line control unit 6 is connected under the control of the FAX control unit 5.
A PSU (Power Supply Unit) 9 is a power supply unit that supplies power used in the MFP from a commercial AC power supply. The power supply Va supplied by the PSU 9 is connected to the operation unit 1 and the scanner unit via the relay unit 8. 2, supplied to devices constituting the plotter unit 3, the FAX control unit 5, and the like.
In this embodiment, the relay control unit 8 is turned ON / OFF by the system control unit 4 to control power supply / stop for each of the operation unit 1, the scanner unit 2, the plotter unit 3, and the fax control unit 5 (same as above). (Indicated as power supplies Vb to Vf in the figure). Therefore, the power source Va is always supplied from the PSU 9 to the main SW 7 and the system control unit 4. Further, the power supply Va is also supplied to the line control unit 6 so that the FAX reception operation can always be performed.

1 will be described. The operation unit 1 has an operation panel composed of operation keys and a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) touch panel, from which an operator (user) operates. You can select data such as copy, fax, etc., and input data to set operation / processing conditions in a dialog mode (guidance on the LCD display screen and notification of device status) And Note that the user setting of energy saving power, which will be described later, is performed using the operation unit 1.
The scanner unit 2 is composed of a light source, a photoelectric image reading element composed of a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD line sensor, and an element such as an image scanning mechanism for moving the CCD line sensor and a document relatively, and converts the read optical signal into an electrical signal. The image signal is output to the system control unit 4 side. The plotter unit 3 forms an image on a transfer sheet by an electrophotographic method based on the image signal output from the scanner unit 2 or the image signal transferred from the fax control unit 5 and outputs the image.

The system control unit 4 includes a hardware configuration including a memory group such as a CPU 41, a RAM 42, and a nonvolatile memory 43, and has a function of controlling the entire MFP. The CPU 41 executes the control operation by using various control programs and control data stored in the memory group for controlling the entire MFP as required. Among them, data to be described later, which is necessary for a power saving (energy saving) mode control operation to be described later, that is, an operation for controlling power supply / stop for a device set in accordance with the use status of the user during standby. Execution of operations and processes.
When the copy function is used, the system control unit 4 includes a scanner unit 2 that reads a document, an image processing unit (not shown) that processes the read document image data as print output data, and a plotter unit that performs print output. The device such as 3 is operated to perform copy processing. When the FAX transmission function is used, the system control unit 4 includes a scanner unit 2 that reads a document, a fax control unit 5 that processes the read document image data as FAX data, and a line control that includes a communication I / F that performs FAX transmission. When the device such as the unit 6 is operated and the FAX reception function is used in response to an operation request from the outside, the line control unit 6 having a communication I / F that performs FAX reception, the FAX data is printed data. FAX processing is performed using a device such as a fax control unit 5 that performs processing and a plotter unit 3 that performs print output.

The MFP (FIG. 1) of the present embodiment causes the system control unit 4 to turn on / off the relay unit 8, thereby powering each device such as the operation unit 1, the scanner unit 2, the plotter unit 3, and the FAX control unit 5. Therefore, when any of the copy, fax transmission, and fax reception functions that the MFP has as a composite function is activated, power (to the devices necessary for the operation of the above functions ( Clock) is supplied and the operation is executed. At this time, the power is turned off by controlling the relay unit 8 so as to stop the power supply to a device that is not necessary for the operation of the activated function (for example, the plotter unit 3 that is not necessary for the FAX transmission operation).
Further, the system control unit 4 shifts to the power saving operation mode when a command to pause the MFP is generated (when the device itself determines whether to pause or when a pause is instructed by an operator's operation), It is made to stand by in the power saving operation mode until a return command to the use mode is generated (when the device senses the occurrence of an event or when the return is instructed by the operator's operation). At this time, in the present invention, since a system for controlling the supply / stop of power for a device set according to the usage status of the user or the like is adopted, a mechanism necessary for this is newly added to the system control unit 4. While being provided (detailed later), the relay unit 8 is controlled to supply / stop electric power to the target device.

In the following, an embodiment relating to the operation in the power saving mode during standby in the MFP (FIG. 1) will be described.
In order to solve the problems of the prior art that are difficult to perform the operation in the energy saving mode in a form reflecting the user's request (see the above section [Problems to be solved by the invention]), the present invention Quickly use frequently used functions when returning from energy-saving mode by performing detailed energy-saving mode operations such as considering the target device to stop power supply according to the usage status of each user who uses In response to the demands of users who want to reduce the power consumption value as much as possible even at the expense of usability to some extent, a mechanism that can both reduce wasteful power by saving energy is provided. It is an issue.
In order to solve this problem, in the embodiment described below, a control system for performing an operation in the power saving mode during standby is configured with the following (I) to (IV) as requirements.
(I) To be able to stop the power supply for the set device during power saving operation
(II) Make it possible to set the target power consumption value in the power saving mode from the operation panel.
(III) Provide a device on the device side to obtain the usage frequency for each device in the device
(IV) As a means of embodying (I), from a device with low usage frequency based on the usage frequency for each device acquired in (III) until it falls within the target power consumption value range of (II) Sequentially, a means for setting a device to stop power supply is provided. By making the above (I) a requirement, it is possible to perform a detailed energy saving mode operation.
By making the above (II) a requirement, the target power consumption value desired by the user can be set, so that it is possible to meet various user demands for power saving.
By making the above (III) a requirement, the device will determine “frequently used functions” and “frequently used functions” without the user being aware of it. By improving it, it becomes easier to handle and it becomes possible to improve accessibility.
By satisfying the above (IV), even if the power consumption value in the power saving operation mode is increased, it is possible to respond to the user's request to quickly return to the use mode and improve the usability. Even at the expense of a certain amount, it is possible to simultaneously satisfy the user's request to reduce the power consumption value in the power saving operation mode as much as possible.

“Setting the target power consumption from the control panel”
In order to set the target power consumption value in the power saving mode as desired by the user, this target value can be set by the user's input operation to the operation panel of the operation unit 1 of the MFP (FIG. 1). Like that.
2 and 3 show a flow of processing for accepting an input operation performed by the user through the input I / F (operation panel) and setting a target power consumption value in the power saving mode. FIG. 3 is a subroutine of FIG.
According to the processing flow of FIG. 2, the system control unit 4 first requires a user operation for setting a target power consumption value in the power saving mode on the screen of the LCD touch panel of the operation panel as the input I / F. A setting input screen is displayed (step S101).
FIG. 4 shows an example of a target power consumption value setting input screen displayed on the operation panel.
This setting input screen allows the target power consumption value to be input with the numeric keypad according to the guidance on the screen. However, since the set input value is limited, a limit value is indicated to prevent setting exceeding the limit. So, for example,
“The power consumption when all functions are activated is XXX.
Please set the power when saving energy. The range that can be set is from YYY to XXX. "
A target power consumption value input box is displayed together with the guidance message.

The processing flow for displaying this setting input screen follows the flow of FIG.
That is, first, the screen displayed so far is cleared (step S201). Thereafter, the power consumption value at the time of full operation and the minimum power consumption value at the time of energy saving stored in and stored in the nonvolatile memory 43 as control data are accessed, and the respective data are acquired (steps S202 and 203). In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the data configuration of the power consumption value related information stored in the non-volatile memory 43 includes the power consumption value during full operation, the target power value during energy saving (this setting process). As a result, the data indicating the minimum power consumption value at the time of energy saving is stored.
The power consumption value during full operation and the minimum power consumption value during energy saving indicate to the user that it is meaningless to make an input that deviates from these limit values, and between these limit values, the user Is a value necessary for indicating a standard for enabling a desirable setting. Also, the control system operation does not accept an input outside these limit values.
Therefore, when the target power consumption value setting input screen is displayed on the operation panel, the acquired power consumption value during full operation is displayed in the XXX part of the guidance message on the setting input screen (step S204). The minimum power consumption value at the time of energy saving is displayed in the YYY portion of the guidance message on the setting input screen (step S205), and this flow (FIG. 3) is exited.
After the target power consumption value setting input screen is displayed on the operation panel, the target power consumption value input by the user operating the numeric keypad is acquired according to the guidance message (step S102), and the input target power consumption value is It is determined whether or not the power consumption value during full operation, which is a limit value, is within the range of the minimum power consumption value during energy saving (step S103).

As a result of this determination, when the target power consumption value input by the user is within the range of the power consumption value during full operation and the minimum power consumption value during energy saving, the target power consumption value is saved as described later. In the process of shifting to the power mode (FIG. 11), since it is used to determine a device to stop power supply, it is stored and managed in the nonvolatile memory 43 (step S105), and this process flow is ended.
On the other hand, when the target power consumption value input by the user deviates from the limit value (step S103-NO), it is indicated by some display that the input made previously is not accepted, and again the saving is performed. A setting input screen necessary for the user operation for setting the target power consumption value in the power mode is displayed (step S104).
Thereafter, the acquisition of the target power consumption value input by the user and the check of the acquired target power consumption value are performed in the same manner as described above. That is, steps S102 to S104 are repeated until the target power consumption value input by the user falls within the range of the power consumption value during full operation and the minimum power consumption value during energy saving.
As a result of repeated user input, when the target power consumption value input by the user falls within the range of the power consumption value during full operation and the minimum power consumption value during energy saving (step S103-YES), The target power consumption value is stored and managed in the nonvolatile memory 43 (step S105), and this processing flow ends.

"Investigation and management of device usage frequency"
In the operation in the power saving mode during standby in the present embodiment, the setting of the device for stopping the supply of power is performed based on the frequency of use of the device. For this purpose, the usage frequency of each device is autonomously investigated on the device side, and the usage frequency data of each device obtained as a result of the management is managed.
The system control unit 4 (CPU 41) manages the operation of the device, and can be obtained by counting the number of times the device is used by an interrupt handler registered in the CPU 41 in order to manage each device during the operation of the device. A process of saving the usage frequency in a predetermined memory area is performed.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the concept of the hierarchical structure of interrupt handlers.
As shown in FIG. 6, the interrupt handler has a CPU interrupt handler 45 registered in the CPU 41 in a lower hierarchy and a interrupt handler 46 in each device in a lower hierarchy of the CPU interrupt handler 45. A hierarchical structure is provided.
With such a configuration, when the interrupt handler 46 of the interrupted device is activated when an interrupt from the device occurs, the following link operations (1) and (2) are performed between the layers. (1) The CPU 41 detects the occurrence of an interrupt from the device, and activates the interrupt handler 45 of the CPU registered in the CPU 41. (2) The activated interrupt handler 45 of the CPU determines the interrupt factor for the interrupt generated in the handler, specifies the device based on the interrupt factor obtained as a determination result, and then the interrupt handler 45 of the CPU The interrupt handler of the specified device is called from the interrupt handler 46 of each device.

The called interrupt handler of the corresponding device executes the control process of each device, and as part of the process, counts up the number of use of itself and stores the obtained use frequency in the RAM 42. Save to area.
FIG. 7 shows a flow of control processing in the interrupt handler 46 of each device.
According to the flow of FIG. 7, the interrupt handler 46 of each device activated by the interrupt handler 45 of the CPU first performs a process of reflecting the current process on the usage frequency (step S301). That is, data indicating the number of times of use of the own device (the past use frequency) is extracted from the use frequency storage area on the RAM 42. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the usage frequency storage area on the RAM 42 is, as shown in FIG. 8, the usage frequency for each device that is the target of energy saving, such as device A, device B,. In order to save data indicating the number of times, a usage frequency storage area for the number of devices is secured and stored in association with the device. After the data indicating the frequency of use of the device itself is extracted from the usage frequency storage area on the RAM 42 having such a configuration, the current usage frequency is added to this usage frequency count ("+1"), and the obtained usage frequency is stored in the original. By writing back to the usage frequency storage area on the RAM 42, the current time is reflected in the usage frequency.
Thereafter, in order to operate each device, a control process for each device is executed (step S302). When the process is completed, the process in the interrupt handler 46 of each device ends. Note that the control processing for each device is different for each device.

The usage frequency of the device obtained in the above processing flow (FIG. 7) is stored in the usage frequency storage area on the RAM 42. However, the data stored on the RAM 42 is lost when the power is turned off. Therefore, if it is stored in the RAM 42, it cannot always be used as usage frequency data for determining a device to stop power supply in the transition process to the power saving mode (FIG. 11) described later.
Therefore, in order to prevent the disappearance of this data, the usage frequency of the device stored on the RAM 42 is copied to the nonvolatile memory 43 at a predetermined timing, and saved and managed here, so that even if the data on the RAM 42 disappears. , So as not to cause trouble.
As shown in this embodiment, since the usage frequency of the device is finally stored in the nonvolatile memory 43, the storage on the RAM 42 is temporary. As described above, the reason for temporarily using the RAM 42 without storing the usage frequency in the nonvolatile memory 43 every time the device is operated in the interrupt handler processing is that the nonvolatile memory 43 is generally This is because the access speed is slower than that of the RAM 42. That is, every time the device is operated, if the usage frequency is stored in the nonvolatile memory 43, the processing time by the interrupt handler takes extra time, resulting in performance degradation.

FIG. 9 shows a control flow of processing for copying and saving the usage frequency of the device stored in the RAM 42 in the nonvolatile memory 43.
This process of copying the usage frequency on the RAM 42 to the non-volatile memory 43 is called by the system control unit 4 at a predetermined cycle, and is repeatedly performed on the data of all devices to be energy-saving.
According to the flow of FIG. 9, one usage frequency (see FIG. 8) of the device to be saved that is stored in the usage frequency storage area on the RAM 42 is copied and written to the nonvolatile memory 43 (step S <b> 401). . At this time, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the data structure of the usage frequency stored in the non-volatile memory 43 includes data indicating the frequency of usage for each device that is the target of energy saving as a device ID. Assume that the information is stored in association.
After performing the usage frequency storage process for one of the devices, it is checked that the usage frequency storage process for all target devices has been completed (step S402). If it can be confirmed here that the processing of all target devices has been completed, the processing flow ends.
On the other hand, if the completion of processing for all target devices cannot be confirmed, the usage frequency for the next device is extracted (step S403), and the writing process is continued (step S401). Steps S401 to S403 are repeated until it is confirmed that the writing process for all target devices has been completed (step S402-YES).

"Transition to power saving mode"
In the operation of the power saving mode during standby in the present embodiment, a device with low usage frequency is used based on the usage frequency for each device managed on the device side until it falls within the range of the target power consumption value set by the user. The devices that stop the power supply are set sequentially, and the mode is shifted to the power saving mode according to this setting. Here, the target power consumption value is set to the setting value stored in the nonvolatile memory 43 (FIG. 5, FIG. 5) by performing the processing flow of FIG. 2 shown in the above-mentioned “setting of the target power consumption value from the operation panel”. Reference) is used. In addition, the usage frequency data stored in the non-volatile memory 43 (FIG. 10, FIG. 10) is obtained by performing the processing flow of FIG. 7 and FIG. 9 shown in “Investigation and management of device usage frequency”. Reference) is used.
FIG. 11 shows a control flow of the transition processing to the power saving mode during standby.
The system control unit 4 executes a control program for executing the transition process to the power saving mode illustrated in FIG. 11 in response to detection of the elapse of a predetermined time when no processing request is input or an instruction to shift to the power saving mode by the user. to start.
Since the control according to the present embodiment performs control to stop the supply of power sequentially from devices with low usage frequencies, first, usage frequency information of all target devices (as shown in FIG. 10, usages associated with device IDs). Frequency information) is taken out from the non-volatile memory 43 in which it is stored (step S501). Next, the devices are sorted in descending order of usage frequency based on the extracted usage frequency information (step S502).
In addition, since devices that stop supplying power are limited to within the range of the target power consumption value set by the user, the target value is taken out from the nonvolatile memory 43 (see FIG. 5) (step S503). .

Here, the current power value (that is, the process of reducing the power consumption by the device stop process), which is information necessary for the operation of the subsequent device stop process performed on each device in descending order of the frequency of use. Thus, the power consumption during the full operation extracted from the nonvolatile memory 43 (see FIG. 5) is set as the initial value of the current power consumption value (step S504).
Thereafter, the device stop process is called (step S505), and the stop process for each device is performed in descending order of the frequency of use.
The operation of stop processing for each device in the power saving mode is managed by an energy saving stop target device information table (hereinafter simply referred to as “energy saving information table”) held by a general-purpose OS (Operating System). The
FIG. 12 exemplifies the energy saving stop target device information table of the present embodiment.
The energy saving information table shown in FIG. 12 is used at the time of shifting to the energy saving mode and at the time of return, and “device ID”, “power consumption”, “stopped flag”, “address to device stop processing”, and “device return processing” Each parameter of “address” is included.
The meaning of each parameter is as follows.
“Device ID”: ID for uniquely identifying a device
“Power consumption”: Power value consumed by the device “Stopped flag”: A flag for identifying a device that has been stopped when entering the energy saving mode. Is set to “stopped”.
“Address to device stop process”: Information for calling the process to stop the device when shifting to the energy saving mode. This stores a “function pointer” in the C language.
“Address to device recovery process”: Information for calling the process to recover the device when returning from the energy saving mode to the normal state. This stores a “function pointer” in the C language.

The device is shifted to the energy saving mode of the target power consumption value by performing stop processing according to the parameters indicated for the corresponding device from the energy saving information table (FIG. 12) in order from the least frequently used device.
The device stop process is started from the device with the lowest usage frequency. First, the stop flag of the energy saving information table of the corresponding device is set to “stopped” (step S506).
Next, subtract the power consumption of the device that is the target of the current stop process (see the energy saving information table) from the power consumption during full operation that has been set with the current power value as the initial value. A current power value is obtained (step S507).
Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the updated current power value is within the range of the target power consumption value acquired in step S503 (step S508).
Here, when the current power value falls within the range of the target power consumption value (step S508-YES), the conditions for shifting to the energy saving mode are established, and thus this processing flow ends.

On the other hand, if the current power value does not fall within the range of the target power consumption value (step S508-NO), it is possible to add more devices to be stopped. Therefore, according to the descending order indicated in the sort result obtained in step S502, the next Are taken out (step S510). However, at this time, it is checked that all the target devices have been stopped and there is no device to be processed (step S509). If there is no device to be processed, this processing flow ends.
As a result of the check, there is a device to be processed, and for the device taken out as the next descending device, the device stop process is called again (step S505), and the stop process is performed.
In the device stop process in steps S505 to S510, it can be confirmed whether the current power value falls within the range of the target power consumption value (step S508-YES) or the stop process of all target devices has been completed (step S509-YES). Repeat until.

"Return from power saving mode"
As described above, after shifting to the power saving mode, processing for returning to the use mode is performed. In the return processing of the present embodiment, when the devices sorted in ascending order of usage frequency in the transition processing to the power saving mode described above are stopped in descending order, the sort results are returned in ascending order.
FIG. 13 shows a control flow of return processing from the power saving mode.
The system control unit 4 activates a control program for executing the transition process to the power saving mode illustrated in FIG. 13 in response to detection of a processing request input or an instruction to cancel the power saving mode by the user.
The control according to the present embodiment performs control for returning power supply sequentially from devices with high usage frequency among the stopped devices. Therefore, the devices that are sorted and stopped in the order of low usage frequency in the transition processing to the power saving mode. Are extracted in ascending order (step S601). That is, the device stopped according to the sorting result (see step S502 in FIG. 11) in the process of shifting to the power saving mode is taken out from the end.
Thereafter, the device restoration process is called (step S602), and the restoration process for each stop device is performed in the order of high use frequency (ascending order of the sort result).

In the return processing, the mode is returned to the mode in use by performing the return processing according to the parameters indicated for the corresponding device from the energy saving information table (FIG. 12) used also when shifting to the power saving mode.
The return processing is started from the device with the highest usage frequency among the stopped devices, and first, the stopped flag in the energy saving information table of the corresponding device is cleared (step S603).
Thereafter, whether or not the device to be processed is the first device (that is, the least frequently used) of the devices stopped according to the previous sorting result (see step S502 in FIG. 11). Is checked (step S604).
As a result of this check, if it is the first stop device (step S604-YES), there is no target to be processed, and thus this processing flow is ended.
On the other hand, if it is not the first stop device (step S604-NO), there is an object to be processed, so the next stop device is taken out in ascending order of the sort result (step S605), and the device return process is called again. (Step S602), return processing is performed.
The device restoration process in steps S602 to S605 is repeated until it is confirmed that the restoration process for all the stopped devices is completed (step S604—YES).

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flow of the process which accepts a user's input operation and sets the target power consumption value of a power saving mode is shown. 3 shows a display processing subroutine of an input I / F (operation panel) in the processing flow of FIG. An example of the target power consumption value setting input screen displayed on the operation panel is shown. The data structure of the power consumption value related information preserve | saved in a non-volatile memory is shown. It is a block diagram which shows the concept of the hierarchical structure of an interrupt handler. The flow of control processing in the interrupt handler of each device is shown. The structure of the usage frequency storage area on RAM is shown. The control flow of the process which replicates and preserve | saves the usage frequency of the device stored on RAM to a non-volatile memory is shown. The data structure of the usage frequency preserve | saved in a non-volatile memory is shown. The control flow of the transfer process to the power saving mode at the time of standby is shown. An example of an energy saving stop target device information table is shown. The control flow of the return process from a power saving mode is shown.

Explanation of symbols

1 ・ ・ Operation part, 2 ・ Scanner part,
3. ・ Plotter unit, 4. ・ System control unit,
41..CPU, 42..RAM,
43..Non-volatile memory 5..FAX control unit,
6. Line control section, 7. Main SW section,
8. Relay unit, 9. PSU (Power Supply Unit).

Claims (3)

According to the selected information processing function, it is an information device that interlocks a plurality of devices incorporated in different combinations, processes information, and waits in a power saving operation mode when the processing is suspended,
Power supply means capable of controlling power supply / stop for each of the plurality of devices;
A power saving operation mode setting means for setting a device for stopping power supply during a power saving operation;
An information device comprising power saving control means for controlling power supply / stop by the power supply means for a device set by the power saving operation mode setting means. The information device according to claim 1, further comprising a usage frequency acquisition unit that acquires a usage frequency for each of the plurality of devices.
The power saving operation mode setting means sequentially starts with the devices with the lowest usage frequency based on the usage frequency for each device acquired by the usage frequency acquisition means until it falls within the range of the target power consumption value in the power saving operation mode. An information device characterized by determining and setting a device to stop power supply. The information device according to claim 2, further comprising an operation unit for inputting operation conditions,
The information device, wherein the target power consumption value is variably set from the operation unit.

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