JP2007060374A - Control method for image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control method for an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus capable of preventing useless power consumption in the apparatus, even if they are used in combination with any image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: When a power saving transition condition for transiting to a power saving status is satisfied at an image forming apparatus 30; a device status acquisition 25 acquires a status information from the image forming apparatus 30, and a power saving control unit 26 determines propriety of transition to the power saving status for the image forming apparatus 30 based on the status information. When transition to the power saving status is possible, supply of electric power is stopped to the image forming apparatus 30 by the power supply 28. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus control method, and more particularly to an image reading apparatus for controlling a power source of an image forming apparatus when the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus are connected to realize a copying process, and image formation. The present invention relates to an apparatus control method.

  In recent years, image reading apparatuses such as scanners and image forming apparatuses such as printers have become widespread with higher functions and lower prices.

  Recently, not only the image reading apparatus or the image forming apparatus is used as a peripheral device of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, but also a combination of the two is used as a virtual copying apparatus. Yes.

  When using a combination of an image reading device and an image forming device, depending on these functions, most of the jobs that can be executed by the copying device, such as copying processing including scaling processing as well as simple copying processing. Can often be processed.

  On the other hand, even if an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus are combined, these apparatuses are often designed individually, and therefore, functions other than jobs such as a power saving function are equivalent to functions of a single copying apparatus. It was hard to say that it could be realized.

In the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus connected via the network, the image reading apparatus issues a command to the image forming apparatus, so that the image reading apparatus is turned on or turned on. A technique capable of controlling the blocking has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-33865 A

  By the way, using an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus in combination has an advantage that functions and prices can be adjusted by combining arbitrary apparatuses.

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 requires a configuration for interpreting a command issued from the image reading apparatus on the image forming apparatus side. It may be difficult to combine the devices.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus control method capable of preventing wasteful power consumption in the image forming apparatus even when used in combination with an arbitrary image forming apparatus. For the purpose.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention of claim 1 supplies power to an image forming apparatus in an image reading apparatus capable of executing a copying process in combination with an image forming apparatus that executes a printing process based on a print request. A power supply unit that performs a condition detection unit that detects the establishment of a power saving transition condition that shifts the image forming apparatus to a power saving state, and a state information acquisition unit that acquires state information indicating the state of the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus When the condition detecting unit detects that the power saving transition condition is satisfied, the state information acquiring unit acquires the status information, and whether or not the image forming apparatus can shift to the power saving state is determined based on the status information. A power saving control unit configured to stop the supply of power to the image forming apparatus by the power feeding unit when the image forming apparatus can be shifted to a power saving state. And butterflies.

  The invention of claim 2 further comprises request detection means for detecting a request to the image forming apparatus in the invention of claim 1, wherein the power saving control means stops supply of power to the image forming apparatus. In this state, when the request detection detects a request for the image forming apparatus, supply of power to the image forming apparatus by the power supply unit is resumed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus further comprises request detecting means for detecting a request to the image forming apparatus, and the power saving control means stops supplying power to the image forming apparatus. In this state, when the request detection detects a print request to the image forming apparatus, supply of power to the image forming apparatus by the power supply unit is resumed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the state information holding means for holding the state information acquired by the state information acquisition means, and the state information for presenting the state information held by the state information holding means And when the request detection detects a status information notification request to the image forming apparatus, the supply of power to the image forming apparatus is stopped. Instead of the image forming apparatus, the status information held by the status information holding unit is presented.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus control method for controlling power supply to an image forming apparatus that executes a printing process based on a print request, wherein the condition detecting unit shifts the image forming apparatus to a power saving state. When the establishment of the power saving transition condition is detected, the state information acquisition unit acquires the state information of the image forming apparatus, and the power saving control unit determines whether the image forming apparatus has shifted to the power saving state based on the state information. When it is determined that the power supply is possible, the power supply to the image forming apparatus is stopped.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the request detection detects a request for the image forming apparatus in a state where the supply of power to the image forming apparatus is stopped, the power supply is performed. The power supply to the image forming apparatus by means is resumed.

  According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the fifth aspect of the invention, when the request detection detects a print request to the image forming apparatus in a state where power supply to the image forming apparatus is stopped, The supply of power to the image forming apparatus by the power supply unit is resumed.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh aspect of the present invention, the state information holding unit holds the state information acquired by the state information acquisition unit, and the supply of power to the image forming apparatus is stopped. When the request detection detects a status notification request to the image forming apparatus, the information presenting means presents status information held by the status information holding means instead of the image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, when the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus are used in combination, the image forming apparatus is shifted to the power saving state by the setting on the image reading apparatus side regardless of the presence or absence of the power saving function on the image forming apparatus side. It becomes possible to make it.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus control method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a connection configuration between an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the configuration described in the first embodiment, the information processing apparatus 10 and the image reading apparatus 20 are locally connected via a cable 51, and the image reading apparatus 20 and the image forming apparatus 30 are connected via a cable 52. Connected locally. The connection between the information processing apparatus 10 and the image reading apparatus 20 and the connection between the image reading apparatus 20 and the image forming apparatus 30 are various connections that are generally used, such as a method according to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard. A method is available.

  The information processing apparatus 10 acquires and uses image data obtained by reading a document with the image reading apparatus 20 or sends a print job created by application software or the like to the image forming apparatus 30 via the image reading apparatus 20. Or

  The image reading apparatus 20 is an application of the present invention. The image reading apparatus 20 reads an original to generate image data, and transmits the generated image data to the information processing apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 30 as well as the information processing apparatus 10. The print job is sent to the image forming apparatus 30. Further, the image reading device 20 controls power supply to the image forming device 30. For this reason, the image reading apparatus 20 is connected to the power supply 40 by the power cable 61 and is also connected to the image forming apparatus 30 via the power cable 62.

  Next, the image reading device 20 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image reading apparatus 20.

  As shown in the figure, the image reading device 20 includes an image reading unit 21, a communication unit 22, a communication control unit 23, a communication unit 24, a device state acquisition unit 25, a power saving control unit 26, a power reception unit 27, and a power supply unit 28. It is comprised and comprises.

  The image reading unit 21 converts an optical signal obtained by optically reading a document into an electrical signal and generates image data. The communication unit 22 is an interface for performing communication with the information processing apparatus 10. The communication control unit 23 controls communication between the information processing apparatus 10 and the image reading apparatus 20, communication between the information processing apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 30, and communication between the image reading apparatus 20 and the image forming apparatus 30. To do. The communication unit 24 is an interface for performing communication with the image forming apparatus 30.

  The apparatus state acquisition unit 25 requests the image forming apparatus 30 to transmit state information, and acquires state information indicating the state of the image forming apparatus 30 from the image forming apparatus 30. The power saving control unit 26 controls power saving for the image forming apparatus 30 based on the communication state between the information processing apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 30 controlled by the communication control unit 23 and the state information acquired by the apparatus state acquiring unit 25. Execute. The power receiving unit 27 divides the power received from the power supply 40 into power used by the image reading apparatus 20 and power supplied to the image forming apparatus 30. The power feeding unit 28 operates as a switch that feeds the power divided by the power receiving unit 27 to the image forming apparatus 30 in accordance with an instruction from the power saving control unit 26.

  Next, the operation of the image reading apparatus 20 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the image reading apparatus 20, and FIG. 4 is a view showing a communication flow among the information processing apparatus 10, the image reading apparatus 20, and the image forming apparatus 30.

  In the image reading device 20, when the power saving control unit 26 determines that the power saving transition condition is satisfied (YES in step 101 in FIG. 3), the device status acquisition unit 25 sends a status notification request to the image forming device 30. (Step 102 in FIG. 3 and Step 121 in FIG. 4). The power saving transition condition is a condition for determining whether or not to shift the image forming apparatus 30 to the power saving state. For example, when the image forming apparatus 30 is in an idle state for a certain period of time, this is transferred from the information processing apparatus 10 to the image. The communication control unit 23 detects the state as consent that there is no communication to the forming apparatus 30 for a certain period of time.

  Next, when the image forming apparatus 30 returns a status notification in response to the status notification request sent from the apparatus status acquisition unit 25 to the image forming apparatus 30 (step 122 in FIG. 4), the apparatus status acquisition unit 25 receives the status notification. (YES in step 103 in FIG. 3). If the status notification returned by the image forming apparatus 30 indicates that the image forming apparatus 30 is executing a job, it is impossible to turn off the power of the image forming apparatus 30 (FIG. 3). NO in step 104), the image reading apparatus 20 waits again until the power saving transition condition is satisfied.

  When the power saving control unit 26 determines that the power saving transition condition is satisfied (YES in step 101 of FIG. 3), the apparatus state acquisition unit 25 sends a status notification request to the image forming apparatus 30 (FIG. 3). Step 102 of FIG. 4, step 123 of FIG. When the image forming apparatus 30 returns a status notification in response to the status notification request (step 124 in FIG. 4), the device status acquisition unit 25 receives this (YES in step 103 in FIG. 3). If the status notification returned by the image forming apparatus 30 indicates that the image forming apparatus 30 is not executing a job, the power of the image forming apparatus 30 can be shut off (FIG. 3). The power saving control unit 26 instructs the power supply unit 28 to stop power supply to the image forming apparatus 30 and the power supply unit 28 stops power supply to the image forming apparatus 30 (step 105 in FIG. 3). ).

  Thereafter, when there is communication from the information processing apparatus 10 to the image forming apparatus 30, for example, when the information processing apparatus 10 transmits a print request to the image forming apparatus 30 (step 125 in FIG. 4), the communication control unit 23 This is detected and notified to the power saving control unit 26 (YES in step 106 in FIG. 3). Upon receiving this notification, the power saving control unit 26 instructs the power supply unit 28 to resume power supply to the image forming apparatus 30 and the power supply unit 28 resumes power supply to the image forming apparatus 30 (step 107 in FIG. 3). . When the power supply to the image forming apparatus 30 is resumed, a print request from the information processing apparatus 10 to the image forming apparatus 30 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30 (step 126 in FIG. 4).

  In addition, when the power supply unit 28 has stopped supplying power to the image forming apparatus 30, a copy process for sending the image data generated by the image reading unit 21 to the image forming apparatus 30 and printing it out is instructed. The communication control unit 23 detects this and notifies the power saving control unit 26 (NO in step 106 of FIG. 3 and YES in step 108). Upon receiving this notification, the power saving control unit 26 instructs the power supply unit 28 to resume power supply to the image forming apparatus 30 and the power supply unit 28 resumes power supply to the image forming apparatus 30 (step 107 in FIG. 3). .

  In the configuration of the first embodiment described above, when there is communication from the information processing apparatus 10 to the image forming apparatus 30 while power supply to the image forming apparatus 30 is stopped, power supply to the image forming apparatus 30 is resumed. Yes. For this reason, even when the information processing apparatus 10 issues another request such as a status notification request instead of a print request to the image forming apparatus 30, power supply to the image forming apparatus 30 is resumed. In the second embodiment, a configuration in the case where power supply to an image forming apparatus is stopped until a print request is issued to the image forming apparatus will be described. The connection configuration between the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. However, the information processing apparatus 10 and the image reading apparatus illustrated in FIG. 20, the image forming apparatus 30 and the power supply 40 correspond to an information processing apparatus 210, an image reading apparatus 220, an image forming apparatus 230, and a power supply 240, which will be described later.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image reading apparatus 220. As shown in the figure, the image reading device 220 includes an image reading unit 221, a communication unit 222, a communication control unit 223, a communication unit 224, a device state acquisition unit 225, a power saving control unit 226, a device state notification unit 227, and a power reception. A portion 228 and a power feeding portion 229 are provided.

  The image reading unit 221 generates image data by converting an optical signal obtained by optically reading a document into an electrical signal. The communication unit 222 is an interface for performing communication with the information processing apparatus 210. The communication control unit 223 controls communication between the information processing apparatus 210 and the image reading apparatus 220, communication between the information processing apparatus 210 and the image forming apparatus 230, and communication between the image reading apparatus 220 and the image forming apparatus 230. To do. The communication unit 224 is an interface for performing communication with the image forming apparatus 230.

  The apparatus state acquisition unit 225 requests the image forming apparatus 230 to transmit state information, and acquires state information indicating the state of the image forming apparatus 230 from the image forming apparatus 230. The power saving control unit 226 controls power saving for the image forming apparatus 230 based on the communication state between the information processing apparatus 210 and the image forming apparatus 230 controlled by the communication control unit 223 and the state information acquired by the apparatus state acquiring unit 225. Execute. The apparatus state notification unit 227 holds the apparatus state acquired by the apparatus state acquisition unit 225 when the power saving control unit 226 performs power saving control on the image forming apparatus 230, and the information processing apparatus 210 sends the image forming apparatus 230 to the image forming apparatus 230. When a status notification acquisition request is transmitted, an information notification is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 210 on behalf of the image forming apparatus 230. The power receiving unit 228 divides the power received from the power source 240 into power used by the image reading apparatus 220 and power supplied to the image forming apparatus 230. The power feeding unit 229 operates as a switch that feeds the power divided by the power receiving unit 228 to the image forming apparatus 230 in accordance with an instruction from the power saving control unit 226.

  Next, the operation of the image reading apparatus 220 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the image reading apparatus 220, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams showing a communication flow between the information processing apparatus 210, the image reading apparatus 220, and the image forming apparatus 230. It is.

  When the image reading apparatus 220 supplies power to the image forming apparatus 230 and transmits a status notification request from the information processing apparatus 210 to the image forming apparatus 230 (step 321 in FIG. 7), the communication control unit 223. When the image forming apparatus 230 returns a status notification in response to the status notification request (step 323 in FIG. 7), the communication control unit 223 mediates this (step 322 in FIG. 7). Step 324).

  When the power saving control unit 226 determines that the power saving transition condition is satisfied (YES in step 301 in FIG. 6), the image reading device 220 causes the device status acquisition unit 225 to request a status notification to the image forming device 230. (Step 302 in FIG. 6 and step 325 in FIG. 7). The power saving transition condition is a condition for determining whether or not to shift the image forming apparatus 230 to the power saving state. For example, when the image forming apparatus 230 is in an idle state for a certain period of time, this is transferred from the information processing apparatus 210 to the image. The communication control unit 223 detects the state as consent that there is no communication with the forming apparatus 230 for a certain period of time.

  When the image forming apparatus 230 returns a status notification in response to the status notification request sent from the apparatus status acquisition unit 225 to the image forming apparatus 230 (step 326 in FIG. 7), the apparatus status acquisition unit 25 receives this (FIG. 7). 6 in step 303). If the status notification returned by the image forming apparatus 230 indicates that the image forming apparatus 230 is not executing a job, the power of the image forming apparatus 230 can be shut off (FIG. 6). The power saving control unit 226 causes the device status notification unit 228 to hold the contents of the status notification returned by the image forming apparatus 230 (step 305 in FIG. 6), and then the power saving control unit 226 supplies power. The unit 229 is instructed to stop the power supply to the image forming apparatus 230, and the power supply unit 229 stops the power supply to the image forming apparatus 230 (step 306 in FIG. 6).

  Thereafter, when an instruction is given for copying processing in which the image data generated by the image reading unit 221 is sent to the image forming apparatus 230 and printed out, the communication control unit 223 detects this and notifies the power saving control unit 226. (YES in step 307 of FIG. 6). Upon receiving this notification, the power saving control unit 226 instructs the power supply unit 229 to resume power supply to the image forming apparatus 230, and the power supply unit 229 resumes power supply to the image forming apparatus 230 (step 308 in FIG. 6). .

  Further, when there is communication from the information processing apparatus 210 to the image forming apparatus 230 while the power supply unit 229 stops supplying power to the image forming apparatus 230, for example, the information processing apparatus 210 is in a state to the image forming apparatus 230. When the notification request is transmitted (step 327 in FIG. 8), the communication control unit 223 detects this and notifies the power saving control unit 226 (YES in step 309 in FIG. 6). Upon receiving this notification, the power saving control unit 226 checks the communication content, and if the content is not a print request (NO in step 310 in FIG. 6), the image forming device 230 held by the device state notification unit 228. Is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 210 instead of the image forming apparatus 230 (step 311 in FIG. 6 and step 328 in FIG. 8).

  On the other hand, when there is a communication from the information processing apparatus 210 to the image forming apparatus 230 and this is a print request from the information processing apparatus 210 to the image forming apparatus 230 (step 329 in FIG. 8), the communication control unit 223 transmits this request. This is detected and notified to the power saving control unit 226 (YES in step 309 in FIG. 6). Upon receiving this notification, the power saving control unit 226 checks the communication content, and if the content is a print request (YES in step 310 in FIG. 6), the power supply unit 229 resumes power supply to the image forming apparatus 230. The power supply unit 229 resumes power supply to the image forming apparatus 230 (step 308 in FIG. 6). When the power supply to the image forming apparatus 230 is resumed, the communication control unit 223 transmits a print request from the information processing apparatus 210 to the image forming apparatus 230 to the image forming apparatus 230 (step 330 in FIG. 8).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a connection configuration between the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus according to the third exemplary embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the configuration described in the third embodiment, the information processing device 410 (410-1 to 410-3) and the image reading device 420 are connected via a network 471, and the image reading device 420 and the image forming device are formed. A device 430 is locally connected via a cable 451. The network 471 is a network using a commonly used protocol such as TCP / IP, and the connection between the image reading apparatus 420 and the image forming apparatus 430 is, for example, a method according to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard. Various commonly used connection methods can be used.

  The information processing apparatus 410 acquires and uses image data obtained by reading an original with the image reading apparatus 420 or sends a print job created by application software or the like to the image forming apparatus 430 via the image reading apparatus 420. Or

  The image reading apparatus 420 is an application of the present invention. The image reading apparatus 420 reads a document to generate image data, and sends the generated image data to the information processing apparatus 410 and the image forming apparatus 430. It operates as a print server and accepts a print job issued by the information processing apparatus 410 and prints it out from the image forming apparatus 430. Further, the image reading device 420 controls power supply to the image forming device 430. For this reason, the image reading apparatus 420 is connected to the power source 440 via the power cable 461 and also connected to the image forming apparatus 430 via the power cable 462.

  Next, the image reading device 420 will be described. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image reading apparatus 420. As shown in the figure, the image reading device 420 includes an image reading unit 421, a network processing unit 422, a server processing unit 423, a communication unit 424, a device state management unit 425, a power saving control unit 426, a power receiving unit 427, and a power feeding unit. 428 is configured.

  The image reading unit 421 generates image data by converting an optical signal obtained by optically reading a document into an electrical signal. The network processing unit 422 operates as an interface with the network 471, and switches the data transmission / reception destination between the image reading unit 421 and the server processing unit 422 according to the communication content. This switching is performed, for example, by assigning different ports to the image reading unit 421 and the server processing unit 422.

  The server processing unit 423 operates as a print server. The server processing unit 423 performs an operation of proxying the image forming apparatus 430 to the information processing apparatus 410 and also acquires various types of information regarding the apparatus from the image forming apparatus 430. The communication unit 424 is an interface for performing communication with the image forming apparatus 430.

  The apparatus state management unit 425 holds and manages various types of information such as the apparatus state acquired by the server processing unit 423 from the image forming apparatus 430. The power saving control unit 426 acquires information such as the usage status information of the image forming apparatus 430 and the apparatus state of the image forming apparatus 430 from the server processing unit 423, and executes power saving control on the image forming apparatus 430 based on the acquired information. To do.

  The power receiving unit 427 divides the power received from the power source 440 into power used by the image reading apparatus 420 and power supplied to the image forming apparatus 430. The power feeding unit 428 operates as a switch that feeds the power divided by the power receiving unit 427 to the image forming apparatus 430 in accordance with an instruction from the power saving control unit 426.

  Next, the operation of the image reading apparatus 420 will be described. Since the operation of the image reading apparatus 420 has much in common with the operation of the image reading apparatus 220 described in the second embodiment, the description will be given with reference to FIGS. I do. However, the information processing apparatus 210, the image reading apparatus 220, and the image forming apparatus 230 in the figure are read as the information processing apparatus 410, the image reading apparatus 420, and the image forming apparatus 430, respectively.

  When the image reading apparatus 420 supplies power to the image forming apparatus 430 and a status notification request is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 410 to the image forming apparatus 430 (step 321 in FIG. 7), the server processing unit 423. Mediate this (step 322 in FIG. 7), and when the image forming apparatus 430 returns a status notification in response to the status notification request (step 323 in FIG. 7), the server processing unit 423 obtains this and performs information processing. Notify the device 410.

  When the image reading apparatus 420 determines that the power saving control unit 426 satisfies the power saving transition condition (YES in step 301 in FIG. 6), the server processing unit 423 issues a status notification request to the image forming apparatus 430. (Step 302 in FIG. 6 and step 325 in FIG. 7). The power saving transition condition is a condition for determining whether or not to shift the image forming apparatus 430 to the power saving state. For example, when the image forming apparatus 430 is in an idle state for a certain period of time, this is transferred from the information processing apparatus 410 to the image. The server processing unit 423 detects the state as consent that there is no communication to the forming apparatus 430 for a certain period of time.

  When the image forming apparatus 430 returns a status notification in response to the status notification request sent from the server processing unit 423 to the image forming apparatus 430 (step 326 in FIG. 7), the server processing unit 423 receives the status notification (in FIG. 6). YES at step 303). If the status notification returned by the image forming apparatus 430 indicates that the image forming apparatus 430 is not executing a job, the power of the image forming apparatus 430 can be shut off (FIG. 6). In step 304, YES), the power saving control unit 426 causes the device state management unit 425 to retain the contents of the status notification returned by the image forming apparatus 430 (step 305 in FIG. 6), and then the power saving control unit 426 supplies power. The unit 428 is instructed to stop the power supply to the image forming apparatus 430, and the power supply unit 428 stops the power supply to the image forming apparatus 430 (step 306 in FIG. 6).

  Thereafter, when a copy process for sending the image data generated by the image reading unit 421 to the image forming apparatus 430 and printing it out is instructed, the server processing unit 423 detects this and notifies the power saving control unit 426. (YES in step 307 of FIG. 6). Upon receiving this notification, the power saving control unit 426 instructs the power supply unit 428 to resume power supply to the image forming apparatus 430, and the power supply unit 428 resumes power supply to the image forming apparatus 430 (step 308 in FIG. 6). .

  Further, when there is communication from the information processing apparatus 410 to the image forming apparatus 430 while the power supply unit 428 stops supplying power to the image forming apparatus 430, for example, the information processing apparatus 410 is in a state to the image forming apparatus 430. When the notification request is transmitted (step 327 in FIG. 8), the server processing unit 423 checks the communication content, and if the content is not a print request (YES in step 309 and NO in step 310), the server processing unit 423 transmits the status information of the image forming apparatus 430 held by the apparatus status management unit 425 to the information processing apparatus 410 instead of the image forming apparatus 430 (step 311 in FIG. 6 and step 328 in FIG. 8).

  On the other hand, when there is communication from the information processing apparatus 410 to the image forming apparatus 430 and this is a print request from the information processing apparatus 410 to the image forming apparatus 430 (step 329 in FIG. 8), the server processing unit 423 performs the communication. The contents are checked, and if the contents are a print request (YES in step 309 in FIG. 6 and YES in step 310), the server processing unit 423 notifies the power saving control unit 426 that there is a print request. Upon receiving this notification, the power saving control unit 426 instructs the power supply unit 428 to resume power supply to the image forming apparatus 430, and the power supply unit 428 resumes power supply to the image forming apparatus 430 (step 308 in FIG. 6). . When the power supply to the image forming apparatus 430 is resumed, the server processing unit 423 transmits the print request received from the information processing apparatus 410 to the image forming apparatus 230 (step 330 in FIG. 8).

  Here, when power supply to the image forming apparatus 430 is stopped, when a state notification request is received from the information processing apparatus 410, the state information managed by the apparatus state management unit 425 is processed. The apparatus 410 is configured to notify the image forming apparatus 410. However, when the status notification request is received, the power supply to the image forming apparatus 430 is resumed, and the status notification request may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 430. .

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a connection configuration between the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the configuration described in the fourth embodiment, the information processing device 510 (510-1 to 510-3) and the image reading device 520 are connected via a network 571, and the image reading device 520 and the image forming device are formed. A device 530 is connected via a network 572. The network 571 and the network 572 are networks using protocols such as TCP / IP that are generally used. However, the network 571 and the network 572 are not necessarily required to use the same protocol.

  The information processing apparatus 510 acquires and uses image data obtained by reading an original with the image reading apparatus 520, or sends a print job created by application software or the like to the image forming apparatus 530 via the image reading apparatus 520. Or

  The image reading apparatus 520 is an application of the present invention. The image reading apparatus 520 reads an original to generate image data, and sends the generated image data to the information processing apparatus 510 and the image forming apparatus 530. It operates as a print server and accepts a print job issued by the information processing apparatus 510 and causes the image forming apparatus 530 to print it out. Further, the image reading device 520 controls power supply to the image forming device 530. Therefore, the image reading device 520 is connected to the power source 540 via the power cable 561 and also connected to the image forming device 530 via the power cable 562.

  Next, the image reading device 520 will be described. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image reading apparatus 520. As shown in the figure, the image reading device 520 includes an image reading unit 521, a network processing unit 522, a server processing unit 523, a network processing unit 524, a device state management unit 525, a power saving control unit 526, a power receiving unit 527, and a power supply. A portion 528 is provided.

  The image reading unit 521 converts an optical signal obtained by optically reading a document into an electrical signal and generates image data. The network processing unit 522 operates as an interface with the network 571 and switches the data transmission / reception destination between the image reading unit 521 and the server processing unit 523 according to the communication content. This switching is performed, for example, by assigning different ports to the image reading unit 521 and the server processing unit 523.

  The server processing unit 523 operates as a print server. The server processing unit 523 performs an operation of proxying the image forming apparatus 530 to the information processing apparatus 510, and also acquires various types of information regarding the apparatus from the image forming apparatus 530. The network processing unit 524 operates as an interface with the network 572.

  The apparatus state management unit 525 holds and manages various information such as the apparatus state acquired from the image forming apparatus 530 by the server processing unit 523. The power saving control unit 526 acquires information such as the usage status information of the image forming apparatus 530 and the apparatus state of the image forming apparatus 530 from the server processing unit 523, and executes power saving control on the image forming apparatus 530 based on the acquired information. To do.

  The power receiving unit 527 divides the power received from the power source 540 into power used by the image reading apparatus 520 and power supplied to the image forming apparatus 530. The power feeding unit 528 operates as a switch that feeds the power divided by the power receiving unit 527 to the image forming apparatus 530 in accordance with an instruction from the power saving control unit 526.

  Next, the operation of the image reading apparatus 520 will be described. Since the operation of the image reading apparatus 520 has much in common with the operation of the image reading apparatus 220 described in the second embodiment, the description will be given with reference to FIGS. I do. However, the information processing apparatus 210, the image reading apparatus 220, and the image forming apparatus 230 in the figure are read as the information processing apparatus 510, the image reading apparatus 520, and the image forming apparatus 530, respectively.

  When a state notification request is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 510 to the image forming apparatus 530 while the image reading apparatus 520 is supplying power to the image forming apparatus 530 (step 321 in FIG. 7), the server processing unit 523. Mediates this (step 322 in FIG. 7), and when the image forming apparatus 530 returns a status notification in response to the status notification request (step 323 in FIG. 7), the server processing unit 523 acquires this information processing. Notify the device 510.

  When the image reading apparatus 520 determines that the power saving control unit 526 satisfies the power saving transition condition (YES in step 301 in FIG. 6), the server processing unit 523 issues a status notification request to the image forming apparatus 530. (Step 302 in FIG. 6 and step 325 in FIG. 7). The power saving transition condition is a condition for determining whether or not to shift the image forming apparatus 530 to the power saving state. For example, when the image forming apparatus 530 is in the idle state for a certain period of time, this is transferred from the information processing apparatus 510 to the image. The server processing unit 523 detects the state as consent that there is no communication with the forming apparatus 530 for a certain period of time.

  When the image forming apparatus 530 returns a status notification in response to the status notification request sent from the server processing unit 523 to the image forming apparatus 530 (step 326 in FIG. 7), the server processing unit 523 receives the status notification (in FIG. 6). YES at step 303). If the status notification returned by the image forming apparatus 530 indicates that the image forming apparatus 530 is not executing a job, the power of the image forming apparatus 530 can be shut off (FIG. 6). In step 304, YES), the power saving control unit 526 causes the device state management unit 525 to retain the contents of the status notification returned by the image forming apparatus 530 (step 305 in FIG. 6). Subsequently, the power saving control unit 526 The unit 528 is instructed to stop the power supply to the image forming apparatus 530, and the power supply unit 528 stops the power supply to the image forming apparatus 530 (step 306 in FIG. 6).

  Thereafter, when a copy process for sending the image data generated by the image reading unit 521 to the image forming apparatus 530 and printing it out is instructed, the server processing unit 523 detects this and notifies the power saving control unit 526. (YES in step 307 of FIG. 6). Upon receiving this notification, the power saving control unit 526 instructs the power supply unit 528 to resume power supply to the image forming apparatus 530, and the power supply unit 528 resumes power supply to the image forming apparatus 530 (step 308 in FIG. 6). .

  Further, when there is communication from the information processing apparatus 510 to the image forming apparatus 530 while the power supply unit 528 stops supplying power to the image forming apparatus 530, for example, the information processing apparatus 510 is in a state to the image forming apparatus 530. When the notification request is transmitted (step 327 in FIG. 8), the server processing unit 523 checks the communication content, and if the content is not a print request (YES in step 309 and NO in step 310), the server processing unit 523 transmits the status information of the image forming apparatus 530 held by the apparatus status management unit 525 to the information processing apparatus 510 instead of the image forming apparatus 530 (step 311 in FIG. 6 and step 328 in FIG. 8).

  On the other hand, when there is communication from the information processing apparatus 510 to the image forming apparatus 530 and this is a print request from the information processing apparatus 510 to the image forming apparatus 530 (step 329 in FIG. 8), the server processing unit 523 performs the communication. If the content is checked and the content is a print request (YES in step 309 in FIG. 6 and YES in step 310), the server processing unit 523 notifies the power saving control unit 526 that the print request has been made. Upon receiving this notification, the power saving control unit 526 instructs the power supply unit 528 to resume power supply to the image forming apparatus 530, and the power supply unit 528 resumes power supply to the image forming apparatus 530 (step 308 in FIG. 6). . When the power supply to the image forming apparatus 530 is resumed, the server processing unit 523 transmits the print request received from the information processing apparatus 510 to the image forming apparatus 530 (step 330 in FIG. 8).

  Here, when power supply to the image forming apparatus 530 is stopped, if a state notification request is received from the information processing apparatus 510, the state information managed by the apparatus state management unit 525 is processed. The apparatus 510 is configured to notify the image forming apparatus 510. However, when the status notification request is received, the power supply to the image forming apparatus 530 is resumed, and the status notification request may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 530. .

  Next, the fifth embodiment will be described. Since the connection configuration between the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus in the fifth embodiment is the same as that in the fourth embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted, but it is shown in FIG. The information processing device 510, the image reading device 520, the image forming device 530, and the power source 540 correspond to the information processing device 610, the image reading device 620, the image forming device 630, and the power source 640 described later. However, in the case of the fifth embodiment, a network corresponding to the network 571 (a network to which the information processing device 610 and the image reading device 620 are connected) and a network corresponding to the network 572 (the image reading device 620 and the image forming device 630 are connected). Network to be connected) is the same network. Further, the image reading device 620 does not operate as a print server.

  Next, the image reading device 620 will be described. FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image reading device 620. As shown in the figure, the image reading device 620 includes an image reading unit 621, a network processing unit 622, a repeater processing unit 623, a communication monitoring unit 624, a power saving control unit 625, a power receiving unit 626, and a power feeding unit 627. Composed.

  The image reading unit 621 generates image data by converting an optical signal obtained by optically reading a document into an electrical signal. The network processing unit 622 operates as an interface with a network (corresponding to the network 571) to which the image reading device 620 is connected, and exchanges data between the image reading unit 621 and the power saving control unit 625 according to communication contents. Switch the destination. This switching is performed by assigning different ports to the image reading unit 621 and the power saving control unit 625, for example.

  The repeater processing unit 623 provides a repeater function generally called a hub. Note that the repeater processing unit 623 is not limited to the repeater function and may be provided with a switch function generally called a switching hub.

  The communication monitoring unit 624 monitors the content of communication passing through the repeater processing unit 623, and provides a function similar to what is generally called a packet monitor. The power saving control unit 625 executes power saving control for the image forming apparatus 630 based on the communication content monitored by the communication monitoring unit 624 and information acquired from the image forming apparatus 630.

  The power receiving unit 626 divides the power received from the power source 640 into power used by the image reading device 620 and power supplied to the image forming device 630. The power feeding unit 627 operates as a switch that feeds the power divided by the power receiving unit 626 to the image forming apparatus 630 in accordance with an instruction from the power saving control unit 625.

  Next, the operation of the image reading device 620 will be described. Since the operation of the image reading device 620 has much in common with the operation of the image reading device 20 described in the first embodiment, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are used. Give an explanation. However, the information processing apparatus 10, the image reading apparatus 20, and the image forming apparatus 30 in the figure are read as the information processing apparatus 610, the image reading apparatus 620, and the image forming apparatus 630, respectively.

  In the image reading device 620, when the power saving control unit 625 determines that the power saving transition condition is satisfied (YES in step 101 of FIG. 3), the power saving control unit 625 sends a status notification request to the image forming device 630. (Step 102 in FIG. 3 and Step 121 in FIG. 4). The power saving transition condition is a condition for determining whether or not to shift the image forming apparatus 630 to the power saving state. For example, when the image forming apparatus 630 is in an idle state for a certain period of time, this is transferred from the information processing apparatus 610 to the image. The state is detected from the monitoring result of the communication monitoring unit 624 as consent that there is no communication to the forming apparatus 630 for a certain period of time.

  Next, when the image forming apparatus 630 returns a status notification in response to the status notification request sent to the image forming apparatus 630 by the power saving control section 625 (step 122 in FIG. 4), the power saving control section 625 receives this ( YES in step 103 of FIG. If the status notification returned by the image forming apparatus 630 indicates that the image forming apparatus 630 is executing a job, it is impossible to turn off the power of the image forming apparatus 630 (FIG. 3). NO in step 104), the image reading device 620 again waits until the power saving transition condition is satisfied.

  When the power saving control unit 625 determines that the power saving transition condition is satisfied (YES in step 101 of FIG. 3), the power saving control unit 625 sends a status notification request to the image forming apparatus 630 (FIG. 3). Step 102, Step 123 of FIG. When the image forming apparatus 630 returns a status notification in response to the status notification request (step 124 in FIG. 4), the power saving control unit 625 receives this (YES in step 103 in FIG. 3). If the status notification returned by the image forming apparatus 630 indicates that the image forming apparatus 630 is not executing a job, the power of the image forming apparatus 630 can be shut off (FIG. 3). In step 104, the power saving control unit 625 instructs the power supply unit 627 to stop power supply to the image forming apparatus 630, and the power supply unit 627 stops power supply to the image forming apparatus 630 (step 105 in FIG. 3). ).

  Thereafter, when the power saving control unit 625 detects from the monitoring result of the communication monitoring unit 624 that there is communication from the information processing apparatus 610 to the image forming apparatus 630, for example, the information processing apparatus 610 prints to the image forming apparatus 630. When the request is transmitted (step 125 in FIG. 4), the power saving control unit 625 detects this from the monitoring result of the communication monitoring unit 624 (YES in step 106 in FIG. 3). Then, the power saving control unit 625 instructs the power supply unit 627 to resume power supply to the image forming apparatus 630, and the power supply unit 627 resumes power supply to the image forming apparatus 630 (step 107 in FIG. 3). When power supply to the image forming apparatus 630 is resumed, a print request from the information processing apparatus 610 to the image forming apparatus 630 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 630 (step 126 in FIG. 4).

  In addition, when a power supply unit 627 has stopped supplying power to the image forming apparatus 630 and instructed to perform a copying process in which the image data generated by the image reading unit 621 is sent to the image forming apparatus 630 and printed out. The power saving control unit 625 detects this from the monitoring result of the communication monitoring unit 624 (NO in step 106 in FIG. 3 and YES in step 108), and instructs the power supply unit 627 to resume power supply to the image forming apparatus 630. Then, the power supply unit 627 resumes power supply to the image forming apparatus 630 (step 107 in FIG. 3).

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a connection configuration between the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus according to the sixth embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the configuration described in the sixth embodiment, an information processing device 710 (710-1 to 710-3), an image reading device 720, and an image forming device 730 are connected via a network 771. The network 571 is a network using a commonly used protocol such as TCP / IP.

  The information processing apparatus 710 acquires and uses image data obtained by reading an original with the image reading apparatus 720 or sends a print job created by application software or the like to the image forming apparatus 730 via the image reading apparatus 720. Or

  The image reading apparatus 720 is an application of the present invention. The image reading apparatus 720 reads an original to generate image data, sends the generated image data to the information processing apparatus 710 and the image forming apparatus 730, and sends the generated image data to the information processing apparatus 710. It operates as a print server, accepts a print job issued by the information processing apparatus 710, and prints it out from the image forming apparatus 730. Further, the image reading device 720 controls power supply to the image forming device 730. Therefore, the image reading device 720 is connected to the power source 740 via the power cable 761 and also connected to the image forming device 730 via the power cable 762.

  Next, the image reading device 720 will be described. FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image reading device 720. As shown in the figure, the image reading device 720 includes an image reading unit 721, a network processing unit 722, a server processing unit 723, a device state management unit 724, a power saving control unit 725, a power receiving unit 726, and a power feeding unit 727. Configured.

  The image reading unit 721 generates image data by converting an optical signal obtained by optically reading a document into an electrical signal. The network processing unit 722 operates as an interface with the network 771 and switches the data transmission / reception destination between the image reading unit 721 and the server processing unit 723 according to the communication content. This switching is performed by assigning different ports to the image reading unit 721 and the server processing unit 723, for example.

  The server processing unit 723 operates as a print server. The server processing unit 723 performs an operation of proxying the image forming apparatus 730 to the information processing apparatus 710, and also acquires various information related to the apparatus from the image forming apparatus 730.

  The apparatus state management unit 724 holds and manages various types of information such as the apparatus state acquired by the server processing unit 723 from the image forming apparatus 730. The power saving control unit 725 acquires information such as the usage status information of the image forming apparatus 730 and the apparatus state of the image forming apparatus 730 from the server processing unit 723, and executes power saving control on the image forming apparatus 730 based on the acquired information. To do.

  The power receiving unit 726 divides the power received from the power source 740 into power used by the image reading device 720 and power supplied to the image forming device 730. The power feeding unit 727 operates as a switch that feeds the power divided by the power receiving unit 726 to the image forming apparatus 730 in accordance with an instruction from the power saving control unit 725.

  Next, the operation of the image reading apparatus 720 will be described. Since the operation of the image reading apparatus 720 has much in common with the operation of the image reading apparatus 220 described in the second embodiment, the description will be given with reference to FIGS. I do. However, the information processing apparatus 210, the image reading apparatus 220, and the image forming apparatus 230 in the figure are read as an information processing apparatus 710, an image reading apparatus 720, and an image forming apparatus 730, respectively.

  When a status notification request is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 710 to the image forming apparatus 730 while the image reading apparatus 720 is supplying power to the image forming apparatus 730 (step 321 in FIG. 7), the server processing unit 723. Mediates this (step 322 in FIG. 7), and when the image forming apparatus 730 returns a status notification in response to the status notification request (step 323 in FIG. 7), the server processing unit 723 acquires this information processing. Notify the device 710.

  When the image reading apparatus 720 determines that the power saving control unit 725 has satisfied the power saving transition condition (YES in step 301 in FIG. 6), the server processing unit 723 issues a status notification request to the image forming apparatus 730. (Step 302 in FIG. 6 and step 325 in FIG. 7). The power saving transition condition is a condition for determining whether or not to shift the image forming apparatus 730 to the power saving state. For example, when the image forming apparatus 730 is in an idle state for a certain period of time, this is transferred from the information processing apparatus 710 to the image. The server processing unit 723 detects the state as an agreement that there is no communication with the forming apparatus 730 for a certain period of time.

  In response to the status notification request sent from the server processing unit 723 to the image forming apparatus 730, when the image forming apparatus 730 returns a status notification (step 326 in FIG. 7), the server processing unit 723 receives the status notification (in FIG. 6). YES at step 303). If the status notification returned by the image forming apparatus 730 indicates that the image forming apparatus 730 is not executing a job, the power of the image forming apparatus 730 can be shut off (FIG. 6). In step 304, YES), the power saving control unit 725 causes the device state management unit 724 to retain the content of the status notification returned by the image forming apparatus 730 (step 305 in FIG. 6), and then the power saving control unit 725 supplies power. The unit 727 is instructed to stop the power supply to the image forming apparatus 730, and the power supply unit 727 stops the power supply to the image forming apparatus 730 (step 306 in FIG. 6).

  Thereafter, when a copy process for sending the image data generated by the image reading unit 721 to the image forming apparatus 730 and printing it out is instructed, the server processing unit 723 detects this and notifies the power saving control unit 725. (YES in step 307 of FIG. 6). Upon receiving this notification, the power saving control unit 725 instructs the power supply unit 727 to resume power supply to the image forming apparatus 730, and the power supply unit 727 resumes power supply to the image forming apparatus 730 (step 308 in FIG. 6). .

  Further, when there is communication from the information processing apparatus 710 to the image forming apparatus 730 in a state where the power supply unit 727 stops supplying power to the image forming apparatus 730, for example, the information processing apparatus 710 is in a state to the image forming apparatus 730. When the notification request is transmitted (step 327 in FIG. 8), the server processing unit 723 checks the communication content, and if the content is not a print request (YES in step 309 and NO in step 310), the server processing unit 723 transmits the status information of the image forming apparatus 730 held by the apparatus status management unit 724 to the information processing apparatus 710 instead of the image forming apparatus 730 (step 311 in FIG. 6 and step 328 in FIG. 8).

  On the other hand, when there is communication from the information processing apparatus 710 to the image forming apparatus 730 and this is a print request from the information processing apparatus 710 to the image forming apparatus 730 (step 329 in FIG. 8), the server processing unit 723 performs the communication. The contents are checked, and if the contents are a print request (YES in step 309 in FIG. 6 and YES in step 310), the server processing unit 723 notifies the power saving control unit 725 that there is a print request. Upon receiving this notification, the power saving control unit 725 instructs the power supply unit 727 to resume power supply to the image forming apparatus 730, and the power supply unit 727 resumes power supply to the image forming apparatus 730 (step 308 in FIG. 6). . When the power supply to the image forming apparatus 730 is resumed, the server processing unit 723 transmits the print request received from the information processing apparatus 710 to the image forming apparatus 730 (step 330 in FIG. 8).

  Here, when power supply to the image forming apparatus 730 is stopped, if a state notification request is received from the information processing apparatus 710, the state information managed by the apparatus state management unit 724 is processed. The apparatus 710 is configured to notify the apparatus 710. However, when the status notification request is received, the power supply to the image forming apparatus 730 may be resumed, and the status notification request may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 730. .

  Next, the seventh embodiment will be described. Since the connection configuration between the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus in the seventh embodiment is the same as that in the sixth embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The information processing device 710, the image reading device 720, the image forming device 730, and the power source 740 correspond to the information processing device 810, the image reading device 820, the image forming device 830, and the power source 840 described later. However, in the case of the sixth embodiment, the image reading device 820 does not operate as a print server.

  Next, the image reading device 820 will be described. FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image reading apparatus 820. As shown in the figure, the image reading apparatus 820 includes an image reading unit 821, a network processing unit 822, a communication monitoring unit 823, a power saving control unit 824, a power receiving unit 825, and a power feeding unit 826.

  The image reading unit 821 converts an optical signal obtained by optically reading a document into an electric signal, and generates image data. The network processing unit 822 operates as an interface with a network (corresponding to the network 771) to which the image reading device 820 is connected, and exchanges data between the image reading unit 821 and the power saving control unit 824 according to communication contents. Switch the destination. This switching is performed, for example, by assigning different ports to the image reading unit 821 and the power saving control unit 824.

  The communication monitoring unit 823 monitors communication contents transmitted and received from the network processing unit 822, and provides a function similar to what is generally called a packet monitor. The power saving control unit 824 executes power saving control for the image forming apparatus 830 based on the communication content monitored by the communication monitoring unit 823 and information acquired from the image forming apparatus 830.

  The power receiving unit 825 divides the power received from the power source 840 into power used by the image reading apparatus 820 and power supplied to the image forming apparatus 830. The power feeding unit 826 operates as a switch that feeds the power divided by the power receiving unit 825 to the image forming apparatus 830 in accordance with an instruction from the power saving control unit 824.

  Next, the operation of the image reading apparatus 820 will be described. Since the operation of the image reading apparatus 820 has much in common with the operation of the image reading apparatus 20 described in the first embodiment, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are used. Give an explanation. However, the information processing apparatus 10, the image reading apparatus 20, and the image forming apparatus 30 in the figure are read as the information processing apparatus 810, the image reading apparatus 820, and the image forming apparatus 830, respectively.

  In the image reading device 820, when the power saving control unit 824 determines that the power saving transition condition is satisfied (YES in step 101 in FIG. 3), the power saving control unit 824 sends a status notification request to the image forming device 830. (Step 102 in FIG. 3 and Step 121 in FIG. 4). The power saving transition condition is a condition for determining whether or not to shift the image forming apparatus 830 to the power saving state. The state is detected from the monitoring result of the communication monitoring unit 823 as an agreement that there is no communication to the forming apparatus 830 for a certain period of time.

  Next, when the image forming apparatus 830 returns a status notification in response to the status notification request sent from the power saving control unit 824 to the image forming apparatus 830 (step 122 in FIG. 4), the power saving control unit 824 receives this ( YES in step 103 of FIG. If the status notification returned by the image forming apparatus 830 indicates that the image forming apparatus 830 is executing a job, it is impossible to turn off the power of the image forming apparatus 830 (FIG. 3). NO in step 104), the image reading device 820 again waits until the power saving transition condition is satisfied.

  When the power saving control unit 824 determines that the power saving transition condition is satisfied (YES in step 101 of FIG. 3), the power saving control unit 824 sends a status notification request to the image forming apparatus 830 (FIG. 3). Step 102, Step 123 of FIG. When the image forming apparatus 830 returns a status notification in response to the status notification request (step 124 in FIG. 4), the power saving control unit 824 receives this (YES in step 103 in FIG. 3). If the status notification returned by the image forming apparatus 830 indicates that the image forming apparatus 830 is not executing a job, the power of the image forming apparatus 830 can be shut off (FIG. 3). In step 104, the power saving control unit 824 instructs the power supply unit 826 to stop power supply to the image forming apparatus 830, and the power supply unit 826 stops power supply to the image forming apparatus 830 (step 105 in FIG. 3). ).

  Thereafter, when the power saving control unit 824 detects from the monitoring result of the communication monitoring unit 823 that there is communication from the information processing apparatus 810 to the image forming apparatus 830, for example, the information processing apparatus 810 prints to the image forming apparatus 830. When the request is transmitted (step 125 in FIG. 4), the power saving control unit 824 detects this from the monitoring result of the communication monitoring unit 823 (YES in step 106 in FIG. 3). Then, the power saving control unit 824 instructs the power supply unit 826 to resume power supply to the image forming apparatus 830, and the power supply unit 826 resumes power supply to the image forming apparatus 830 (step 107 in FIG. 3). When the power supply to the image forming apparatus 830 is resumed, a print request from the information processing apparatus 810 to the image forming apparatus 830 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 830 (step 126 in FIG. 4).

  In addition, when a power supply unit 826 has stopped supplying power to the image forming apparatus 830 and instructed to perform a copying process in which the image data generated by the image reading unit 821 is sent to the image forming apparatus 830 and printed out. The power saving control unit 824 detects this from the monitoring result of the communication monitoring unit 823 (NO in step 106 in FIG. 3 and YES in step 108), and instructs the power supply unit 826 to resume power supply to the image forming apparatus 830. Then, the power supply unit 826 resumes power supply to the image forming apparatus 830 (step 107 in FIG. 3).

1 is a diagram illustrating a connection configuration between an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus in Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image reading apparatus 20. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the image reading apparatus 20. 3 is a diagram illustrating a communication flow among the information processing apparatus 10, the image reading apparatus 20, and the image forming apparatus 30. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image reading device 220. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations of the image reading apparatus 220. 3 is a diagram illustrating a communication flow among an information processing apparatus 210, an image reading apparatus 220, and an image forming apparatus 230. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a communication flow among an information processing apparatus 210, an image reading apparatus 220, and an image forming apparatus 230. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a connection configuration between an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus in Embodiment 3. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image reading device 420. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a connection configuration between an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus in Embodiment 4. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image reading device 520. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image reading device 620. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a connection configuration between an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus in Embodiment 6. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image reading device 720. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image reading device 820. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Information processing apparatus 20 Image reading apparatus 21 Image reading part 22 Communication part 23 Communication control part 24 Communication part 25 Apparatus state acquisition part 26 Power saving control part 27 Power receiving part 28 Power supply part 30 Image forming apparatus 40 Power supply 51 Cable 52 Cable 61 Power cable 62 power cable 210 information processing device 220 image reading device 221 image reading unit 222 communication unit 223 communication control unit 224 communication unit 225 device state acquisition unit 226 power saving control unit 227 device state notification unit 228 power receiving unit 229 power supply unit 230 image forming device 240 Power source 410, 410-1 to 410-3 Information processing device 420 Image reading device 421 Image reading unit 422 Network processing unit 423 Server processing unit 424 Communication unit 425 Device state management unit 426 Power saving control unit 427 Power receiving unit 428 Power feeding unit 430 Image type Configuration device 440 Power supply 451 Cable 461 Power cable 462 Power cable 471 Network 510, 510-1 to 510-3 Information processing device 520 Image reading device 521 Image reading unit 522 Network processing unit 523 Server processing unit 524 Network processing unit 525 Device state management Unit 526 Power saving control unit 527 Power receiving unit 528 Power feeding unit 530 Image forming device 540 Power source 561 Power cable 562 Power cable 571 Network 572 Network 610 Information processing device 620 Image reading device 621 Image reading unit 622 Network processing unit 623 Repeater processing unit 624 Communication monitoring Unit 625 Power saving control unit 626 Power receiving unit 627 Power feeding unit 630 Image forming device 640 Power source 710, 710-1 to 710-3 Information processing device 720 Image reading Device 721 Image reading unit 722 Network processing unit 723 Server processing unit 724 Device state management unit 725 Power saving control unit 726 Power receiving unit 727 Power feeding unit 730 Image forming device 740 Power source 761 Power cable 762 Power cable 771 Network 810 Information processing device 820 Image reading device 821 Image reading unit 822 Network processing unit 823 Communication monitoring unit 824 Power saving control unit 825 Power receiving unit 826 Power feeding unit 830 Image forming apparatus 840 Power supply

Claims (8)

In an image reading apparatus capable of executing a copying process in combination with an image forming apparatus that executes a printing process based on a print request,
Power supply means for supplying power to the image forming apparatus;
Condition detecting means for detecting the establishment of a power saving transition condition for shifting the image forming apparatus to a power saving state;
Status information acquisition means for acquiring status information indicating the status of the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus;
When the condition detection unit detects that the power saving transition condition is satisfied, the state information acquisition unit acquires the status information, and determines whether or not the image forming apparatus can enter the power saving state based on the status information. An image reading apparatus comprising: a power saving control unit that stops supply of power to the image forming apparatus by the power feeding unit when the image forming apparatus can be shifted to a power saving state. Further comprising request detection means for detecting a request to the image forming apparatus,
The power saving control unit is configured to stop power supply to the image forming apparatus when the request detection detects a request to the image forming apparatus in a state where supply of power to the image forming apparatus is stopped. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supply of the image data is resumed. Further comprising request detection means for detecting a request to the image forming apparatus,
The power saving control unit is configured to supply power to the image forming apparatus when the request detection detects a print request to the image forming apparatus in a state where power supply to the image forming apparatus is stopped. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein power supply is resumed. State information holding means for holding the state information acquired by the state information acquisition means;
State information presenting means for presenting the state information retained by the state information retaining means, and
The information presenting means replaces the image forming apparatus when the request detection detects a status information notification request to the image forming apparatus in a state where power supply to the image forming apparatus is stopped. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the state information held by the state information holding unit is presented. An image forming apparatus control method for controlling power supply to an image forming apparatus that executes a printing process based on a print request,
When the condition detecting unit detects that the power saving transition condition for shifting the image forming apparatus to the power saving state is detected, the state information acquiring unit acquires the state information of the image forming apparatus, and the power saving control unit is based on the state information. When the image forming apparatus is determined to be able to shift to the power saving state, the power supply unit stops supplying power to the image forming apparatus.   In a state where the supply of power to the image forming apparatus is stopped, when the request detection detects a request for the image forming apparatus, the supply of power to the image forming apparatus by the power supply unit is resumed. 6. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:   When the supply of power to the image forming apparatus is stopped and the request detection detects a print request to the image forming apparatus, the power supply unit restarts the supply of power to the image forming apparatus. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 5.   The request detection has detected a status notification request to the image forming apparatus in a state where the status information holding means holds the status information acquired by the status information acquisition means and the supply of power to the image forming apparatus is stopped. 8. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the information presenting means presents status information held by the status information holding means instead of the image forming apparatus.

Images