JP2008062617A - Printing apparatus and electric power control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing apparatus and an electric power control program capable of suppressing the amount of electric power consumed during an unused period and immediately performing processing when the processing is required. <P>SOLUTION: When a file open notification is received from a host PC 110, a CPU 11 calculates print estimated time based on elapsed time taken from reception of the file open notification saved as history information until print processing. A power-save canceling process is performed for feeding electric power from a power source unit 18 to a print engine 16 and an operation panel 17 so as to become in a normal mode at the start time of the calculated print estimated time, and the normal mode is continued until the end time of the print estimated time. At the end time of the print estimated time, a power-saving process is performed for stopping the electric power feed from the power source unit 18, thereby changing it from the normal mode to a power-saving mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a power control program.

  Generally, a printing device is equipped with a power saving function that shifts to a power saving state in which standby power is reduced when the unused state continues for a certain period of time. This is a state in which power is not supplied to the device, the operation panel, or the like.

  The printing apparatus in the power saving state shifts to a normal power state (“normal state”) triggered by a user operation or reception of print data.

  Since the transition process to the normal state requires a preheating time of each device, a certain period of time is required until the normal state is reached.

  The prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1 shows a configuration in which power is supplied to a fixing device of an image forming apparatus when software serving as a print data creation source is in an operating state on a host device. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228561 describes that power is not supplied when software for creating print data is not running on the host device.

Similarly, in this Patent Document 1, when performing print output, the image forming apparatus needs to be in a normal state, and immediate printing is possible.
JP 06-340147

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a power control program that can suppress power consumption when not in use and enable immediate processing when processing is requested.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is directed to detecting means for detecting that a document has been opened by a print instruction apparatus that issues a print instruction, and printing the document after the document has been opened by the print instruction apparatus. An estimation unit for estimating a time until an instruction is performed, and a control for canceling the power saving state before reaching the time estimated by the estimation unit after the detection unit detects that the document is opened And a control means.

  The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the detection means detects that the document has been opened based on a notification from the print instruction device that the document has been opened. To do.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the estimating means detects from the detection means that the document is opened by the print instruction apparatus until a print instruction for the document is issued. Storage means for storing the time as history information, and estimating the time from when the document is opened to when a print instruction is issued for the document based on the history information stored in the storage means. And

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the third aspect, the storage means stores the history information corresponding to the application that opened the document, and the estimation means stores the history information in the application that opened the document. Correspondingly, the time from when the document is opened to when the print instruction for the document is given is estimated.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the third aspect, the storage means stores the history information corresponding to a user who has opened the document, and the estimation means is provided for a user who has opened the document. Correspondingly, the time from when the document is opened to when the print instruction for the document is given is estimated.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the power saving state includes a plurality of power saving states corresponding to power saving levels, and the control means detects the document opened by the detecting means after the detection. Control is made so that the power saving state is sequentially released step by step as the time estimated by the estimation means approaches.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detection means for detecting that a computer has been opened by a print instruction apparatus that issues a print instruction, and a print instruction for the document after the document has been opened by the print instruction apparatus. An estimation means for estimating a time until it is performed, and a control means for controlling to release the power saving state before reaching the time estimated by the estimation means after the detection means detects that the document is opened It is made to function as.

  According to the first, second, and seventh aspects of the present invention, a high power saving effect can be obtained without sacrificing convenience.

Moreover, according to claim 3, it becomes a power saving state according to the use state, and it becomes possible to obtain a high power saving effect.
Moreover, according to Claims 4 and 5, it becomes a power saving state according to a finer usage state, and it becomes possible to obtain a higher power saving effect.
According to the sixth aspect, the state of power saving can be adjusted according to the power saving level, and it is possible to obtain a high power saving effect as well as convenience.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a printing apparatus and a power control program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In this embodiment, an example is shown in which a printing apparatus requested to process from a print instruction apparatus such as a host PC saves power by performing power control. However, the gist of the present invention is not limited to a host PC as a print instruction apparatus. The present invention can be applied to various devices within a range that does not change.

  FIG. 1 is an apparatus configuration diagram configured by applying a printing apparatus and a power control program according to the present invention.

  1 includes an interface control unit 10, a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, an image processing unit 14, a timer 15, a non-print engine 16, an operation panel 17, and a power supply unit 18. The printing apparatus 100 required from receiving a file reference notification (hereinafter, “file open notification”) from a print request source such as the host PC 110 connected via the interface control unit 10 to receiving a print request. Power control is performed based on the elapsed time.

  This file open notification includes the file name of the opened file, the application name, the user name that performed the open operation of the file, an identification number such as an IP address that identifies the device that performed the open operation, and open time information This suggests the possibility of a print request being issued from the notification source host PC 110.

  When the file for which the file open notification has been made is closed on the host PC 110, the printing apparatus 100 receives a “file close notification” from the host PC 110. This file close notification includes the file name of the closed file, the application name, the user name that performed the close operation, an identification number such as an IP address that identifies the device that performed the open operation, and close time information.

  Further, the printing apparatus 100 is equipped with a power saving function that shifts to a power saving state that is a lower power state than a normal power state and enters a standby state when a user operation and a printing process are not performed for a certain period of time. In the following description, a normal power state in which print processing is possible is referred to as “normal mode”, and a power saving state by the power saving function is referred to as “power saving mode”.

  The power saving mode is a standby state in which power consumption is reduced by a power saving process that limits the amount of preheating power supplied to a fixing device, a heat roller, a photosensitive drum, and the like constituting a print engine that performs print output. The mode is shifted to a mode by receiving power supply from the power supply device and performing a power saving canceling process for preheating the fixing device, the heat roller, the photosensitive drum, and the like. The time required for the power saving cancellation process at this time is defined in advance.

  This printing apparatus 100 performs power control at the start time and end time of power supply based on the elapsed time from the received file open notification until the print request is received. That is, power control is performed in stopping power supply to the printing apparatus 100 in the power saving mode and power supply to the printing apparatus 100 in the normal mode.

  The interface control unit 10 is a communication interface that realizes mutual communication with the host PC 110 connected via a communication line indicating a LAN (Local Area Network) cable, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, and the like. The print data received via the interface is temporarily stored in the RAM 13.

  The RAM 13 is a work area for image processing in the image forming apparatus 100 and stores print data and various types of information.

  The CPU 11 is a main control unit that executes various programs stored in the ROM 12. The CPU 11 instructs the image processing unit 14 to print the print data stored in the RAM 13 by executing the print program stored in the ROM 12. Furthermore, by executing the power control program stored in the ROM 12, power control is performed based on the elapsed time since the file open notification was received.

  When the CPU 11 receives the file open notification, it starts counting by the timer 15, and the timer 15 measures the elapsed time from the file open notification to the reception of the print request and the elapsed time after shifting to the normal mode.

  In this power control, estimated print time information for performing print processing is calculated based on history information of elapsed time from a past file open notification until a print request is accepted, and the printing apparatus 100 normally uses this estimated print time information. The power supply is controlled to be in the mode.

  The detailed flow of power control performed by the power control program at this time is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  The image processing unit 14 performs print processing based on a print processing instruction from the CPU 11 and generates image data to be printed out. The generated image data is printed out by the print engine 16.

  The print engine 16 includes a fixing device, a heat roller, a photosensitive drum, and the like, and prints image data instructed for output processing by the image processing unit 14 on a print medium.

  The operation panel 17 is a user interface configured by a display display and a keyboard, and includes a main switch (17-1) for instructing to turn on the power to the printing apparatus 100. When the user turns on the main switch, the CPU 11 detects this and executes the power control program stored in the ROM 12.

  The power supply unit 18 supplies power to the print engine 16 on the basis of an instruction from the CPU 11 so that printing output is possible.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing apparatus which is an example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

  2 includes an interface control unit 20, a control unit 21, a power control unit 22, a storage unit 23, a timing unit 24, a calculation unit 25, a history information generation unit 26, a power supply unit 27, a print processing unit 28, A printing process is performed based on information from the host PC 110 that includes the operation panel 29 and is connected via the interface control unit 20.

  Furthermore, in this printing apparatus 100, power control is performed in each of the power saving cancellation process from the state in the power saving mode to the normal mode and the power saving process from the normal mode to the power saving mode by the power saving function.

  When a file open notification is received from the host PC 110 via the interface control unit 20 in the power saving mode, the file open notification is transferred to the control unit 21. Also, a file close notification is received from the host PC 110 and transferred to the control unit 21 as with the file open notification.

  When the control unit 21 receives the file open notification and the file close notification from the host PC 110 through the interface control unit 20 as the main control in the printing apparatus 100, the control unit 21 transfers the notification to the power control unit 22. The power control unit 22 that has received the file open notification and the file close notification from the control unit 21 performs power control by executing a power control program stored in the storage unit 23 configured by a ROM or a RAM.

  First, when a file open notification is received, a request for calculating the estimated print time that elapses from when the file open notification is received until a print request is made from the host PC 110 and the printing process starts is sent to the calculation unit 25. Do. At the same time, the timer unit 24 requests the timer unit 24 to measure the elapsed time since the reception of the file open notification. The timer unit 24 is constituted by a timer, and clocks time based on a timer instruction from the power controller 22.

  Upon receiving the request for calculating the estimated print time, the calculation unit 25 calculates, based on the history information stored in the history information storage unit 26, the estimated print time when the print process is performed after receiving the file open notification. .

  This estimated print time is a time interval indicated by the start time of the print process and the end time when the print process is not performed, and the start time supplies power from the power supply unit 27 to the print processing unit 28 and the operation panel 29. Thus, the end time of the power saving cancellation process for setting the normal mode is indicated, and the end time indicates the time for starting the power saving process for shifting from the normal mode to the power saving mode.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of history information from which the estimated print time is calculated. FIG. 5 shows the history information shown in FIG. 6 represented by a normal distribution curve.

  Hereinafter, an example of calculating the start time and the end time of the estimated print time will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

  The history information shown in FIG. 6 is an elapsed time that has elapsed from the reception of the file open notification from the host PC 110 until the printing process is performed, and includes [history number] 601 and [elapsed time] 602. [History number] 601 indicates the order of recording as history, and [Elapsed time] 602 indicates the elapsed time until the printing process is performed.

  For example, “4” shown in [Elapsed time] 602 with “1” in [History number] 601 indicates that “4” minutes have elapsed since the file open notification was received until the printing process was performed. ing.

  Using the data shown in FIG. 6, the average value (x) and the standard deviation (k) representing the degree of dispersion are calculated.

  The average value (x) is an average time from when the file open notification is received to when the printing process is performed, and can be calculated by the following formula (1). The standard deviation (k) is a deviation amount from the average value (x) and can be calculated by the following mathematical formula (2).

Next, a certain range to which the data belongs is calculated using the calculated average value (x) and standard deviation (k). The time range (m) to which data of “95.44%” belongs statistically can be expressed by the following mathematical formula (3).

  The lower limit of the range (m) represented by the mathematical formula (3) is the start time (T1) of the estimated print time, and the upper limit is the end time (T2) of the estimated print time.

  That is, T1 and T2 shown in FIG. 5 are the start time (T1) and the end time (T2).

  When the history information of the number of data (n) shown in FIG. 6 is applied to Equations (1) and (2), the average value (x) can be calculated as “14.25”, and the standard deviation (k) is “9. 68 ".

  Furthermore, when the calculated average value (x), standard deviation (k), and number of data (n) are applied to Equation (3), the range (m) can be calculated as “10.44 ≦ m ≦ 18.04”. .

  Therefore, the start time (T1) obtained by rounding down the decimal part is “10”, and the end time (T2) is “18”.

  That is, the start time indicated by the estimated print time is 10 minutes after the file open notification is received, and the end time is 18 minutes after the file open notification is received. The normal mode is set for 8 minutes from 10 minutes to 18 minutes, and the power saving mode is set for other times.

  Statistically, the range to which the data of “68.26%” belongs is T3 to T4 shown in FIG. 5, and the data is within the range compared to T1 to T2 of the range of “95.44%”. However, the normal mode time is shortened, and a power saving effect can be obtained.

  The range of the estimated printing time can be set according to the usage state of the printing apparatus 100.

  The history information shown in FIG. 6 may be stored for each application that refers to the file, or may be stored for each user. In this case, the application or user of the referenced file is determined, and the estimated print time is calculated using the history information according to each.

  As described above, when the calculation unit 25 calculates the start time (T1) and the end time (T2) of the estimated print time, the power control unit 22 reads the time required for the power saving release process specified in advance from the storage unit 23, and this A time obtained by subtracting the time required for the power saving cancellation process from the calculated start time is calculated, and the time saving unit 24 starts the power saving cancellation process by measuring this time. Thereby, it shifts to the normal mode at the calculated start time (T1).

  When the timer 24 measures the calculated end time (T2) of the estimated print time, the power controller 22 performs power saving processing for shifting from the normal mode to the power saving mode.

  In the power saving cancellation process at this time, the power control unit 22 instructs the power supply unit 27 to start power supply, and the power supply unit 27 that receives the instruction performs a process of supplying power to the print processing unit 28 and the operation panel 29. . In the power saving process, the power control unit 22 instructs the power supply unit 27 to stop the power supply, and the power supply unit 27 that receives the instruction performs a process of stopping the power supply to the print processing unit 28 and the operation panel 29. .

  Such power control is performed by the power control unit 22 that has received the file open notification.

  On the other hand, when the power control unit 22 receives the file close notification before the start time (T1) of the estimated print time, the power control in the power saving cancellation process from the power saving mode to the normal mode is stopped.

  In this way, the printing apparatus 100 performs power control in the power saving process and the power saving cancellation process based on the calculated estimated print time.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, a file reference process is performed at the print request source host PC, and the process starts when the software is started and the file is opened, and reception of a file open notification is confirmed from the host PC (301). .

  When the printing apparatus in the power saving mode receives a file open notification from the host PC (YES in 301), an estimated printing time for performing the printing process is calculated from the history information (302). As described above, the estimated print time is a time calculated based on past history information, and is configured by a start time (T1) and an end time (T2).

  Then, the elapsed time (t1) elapsed after receiving the file open notification is counted (303), and the time (t2) required for the power saving cancellation process performed in the printing apparatus is read (304).

  It is confirmed that the measured elapsed time (t1) is equal to or longer than the power saving release time (T1-t2) obtained by subtracting the time (t2) required for the power saving release processing from the start time (T1) of the estimated print time (305). . If the measured elapsed time (t1) is less than the power saving release time (T1-t2) (NO in 305), the power saving mode is continued and the system waits until the power saving release time is reached.

  On the other hand, when the measured elapsed time (t1) is equal to or longer than the power saving release time (T1-t2) (YES in 305), a power saving release process is performed (306).

  When the power saving mode is shifted from the power saving mode to the normal mode by the power saving canceling process, the reception of print data from the host PC is waited (307).

  If the reception of the print data is confirmed (YES in 307), the received print data is printed (308), and the elapsed time (t1) when the print data is received is stored in the printing apparatus as history information (309).

  Then, an invalidation process for invalidating the power saving process to the power saving mode based on the end time of the estimated print time is performed (315), thereby enabling print output by receiving print data.

  If print data has not been received and is waiting to be received (NO in 307), it is awaiting reception of a file close notification from the host PC (310). That is, the standby state is maintained until either the print data or the file close notification is received, and the standby state is continued within the end time of the estimated print time.

  If a file close notification is received (YES in 310), it is determined by checking whether all files have been closed by the file close notification (311). When all the files are closed (YES in 311), the elapsed time (t1) after receiving the file open notification is initialized (312), and the power saving process (313) is performed.

  On the other hand, when the end time of the estimated print time is reached (NO in 314) without receiving the file close notification (NO in 310), or when the file close notification is received (YES in 310). If all the files are not closed (NO in 311) and the end time of the estimated print time is reached (NO in 314), a power saving process is performed to shift from the normal mode to the power saving mode (313). .

  According to this flowchart, the normal mode can be set within the time of the calculated estimated print time information, and the mode can be shifted to the power saving mode outside the time.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a change in the power state over time.

  FIG. 4 shows power state changes in five cases.

  “CASE 1” represents a change in the power state until the conventional printing apparatus in the power saving mode receives the print request and prints out, and “CASE 2” to “CASE 5” indicate the power state in the present invention. Represents changes.

  First, in “CASE 1”, the timing at which a file is opened on the host PC is [Timing A], and a print request is made from the host PC at [Timing C] after a certain time has elapsed from this [Timing A]. This indicates that the printing apparatus starts the power saving cancellation process at [timing D].

  Further, the printing process is started at [timing E] when the power saving cancellation process is completed, and the printing completion notification is transferred from the printing apparatus to the host PC at [timing F] when the printing process is completed. As a result, printing is completed at [timing G] when the host PC receives the print completion notification.

  In contrast to “CASE 1”, in “CASE 2” indicating the power state of the present invention, the host PC opens a file at [Timing A], and the printing apparatus receives a file open notification from the host PC at [Timing B]. Then, the start time of the power saving cancellation process based on the estimated print time calculated from the history information is counted.

  The power saving cancellation process is started at [timing H] so that the power saving cancellation process is completed at the start time indicated by the calculated estimated printing time, and the mode is shifted to the normal mode at [timing I] when the power saving cancellation process is completed. This [timing I] indicates the start time of the estimated print time calculated.

  Note that the time required for the power saving cancellation process is specified in advance in the printing apparatus, and [timing H] can be obtained by calculating backward from the calculated start time of the estimated print time.

  Then, when the printing apparatus that has shifted to the normal mode at [Timing I] receives a print request at [Timing E], the printing process starts. At [Timing K] when the printing process is completed, the printing apparatus returns to the host PC that is the print request source. Send print completion notification. The host PC recognizes the completion of printing at [Timing J] when the printing completion notification is received. At this [timing K], the printing apparatus performs an invalidation process that invalidates the power saving process performed at the end time of the estimated print time. By this invalidation processing, the normal mode is continued without entering the power saving mode even when the estimated print time ends.

  Next, in “CASE3”, as in “CASE2”, when the host PC opens a file at [Timing A] and the printing apparatus receives a file open notification from the host PC at [Timing B], the history information is used. The start time of the power saving cancellation process based on the estimated print time calculated in advance is counted.

  The power saving cancellation process is started at [timing H] so that the power saving cancellation process is completed at the start time indicated by the calculated estimated printing time, and the mode is shifted to the normal mode at [timing I] when the power saving cancellation process is completed.

  Then, the printing apparatus in the normal mode at [Timing I] closes the file of the host PC at [Timing L], and indicates the time to shift to the power saving mode indicated by the estimated printing time [Timing N] When the file close notification is received from the host PC at [timing M], the mode immediately shifts to the power saving mode without waiting for the transition time from the normal mode to the power saving mode indicated by the calculated estimated print time.

  This “CASE 3” indicates a change in the power state when the file is closed without performing print output.

  Next, in “CASE4”, as in “CASE2” and “CASE3”, the host PC opens a file at [Timing A], and the printing apparatus receives a file open notification from the host PC at [Timing B]. The start time of the power saving cancellation process based on the estimated print time calculated in advance from the history information is counted.

  The power saving cancellation process is started at [timing H] so that the power saving cancellation process is completed at the start time indicated by the calculated estimated printing time, and the mode is shifted to the normal mode at [timing I] when the power saving cancellation process is completed.

  When a printing request is not received before the timing of transition from the normal mode to the power saving mode of the estimated printing time calculated by the printing apparatus in the normal mode reaches [timing N], the printer enters the power saving mode at this [timing N]. Transition.

  This “CASE 4” indicates a change in the power state when a print request is not received from the host PC by the transition time to the power saving mode indicated by the estimated print time calculated from the history information.

  “CASE 5” indicates a change in power state when two files (file 1 and file 2) of the host PC are opened at different timings.

  This “CASE 5” shows the case where the host PC opens the file 1 at [timing A] and the file 2 opens at [timing O], and the printing device notifies the file open of the file 1 at [timing B]. Is received at [timing P].

  When the printing apparatus receives a file open notification from the host PC, it measures the start time of the power saving cancellation process based on the estimated print time calculated from the history information. The estimated print time is calculated from the history information based on the file open notification of file 1 previously received at [timing B], and the power saving cancellation process is completed at [timing I] of the start time indicated by the estimated print time. The power saving cancellation process is started at [timing H].

  Further, when the file open notification is received from the host PC at [timing P] before the [timing H] of the start time of the power saving cancellation process, the estimated print time is calculated from the history information in the same manner as the file 1, At [Timing Q], the mode is shifted to the normal mode. At this time, if the printing apparatus is in the state of shifting to the normal mode at [Timing Q], it is determined that it is not necessary to perform a new power saving cancellation process.

  If the file 1 is closed at [timing R] before [timing H], which is the transition time from the normal mode to the power saving mode indicated by the estimated printing time by the file 1 that has been activated first, the printing apparatus Although the transition process from the normal mode to the power saving mode is performed at [Timing S], since the file 2 is in the normal mode, the normal mode is maintained without shifting to the power saving mode.

  When [Time T], which is the transition time of the file 2 to the power saving mode, is reached, the printing apparatus is shifted to the power saving mode.

  In the first embodiment, the print estimation time is calculated using FIGS. 5 and 6. In the second embodiment, the print estimation calculated using the normal distribution curve shown in FIG. 5 is used. The example which adjusts the level of a power saving state within time is shown.

  In FIG. 5, a range in which the probability that a print request is made is statistically “95.44%” is indicated by T1 to T2, and the range from T1 to T2 is calculated as the estimated print time. Further, a range in which the probability that a print request is made is statistically “68.26%” is indicated by T3 to T4, and the center of these ranges is indicated by T5. This T5 is a position where the normal distribution curve is divided symmetrically.

  This indicates that T1 to T2 indicate a wider range than T3 to T4, and that T3 requires more time to request printing than T1, and that T4 requires more time than T4. T2 indicates that it takes more time to request printing.

  Further, since T5 is the center of T3 and T4 and T1 and T2, the relationship of the estimated time until printing is requested is “T1 <T3 <T5 <T4 <T2”. Further, the time intervals are all equal from the characteristics of the normal distribution curve, and the interval is shown as “k” in FIG. That is, the expressions “T3 = T1 + k”, “T5 = T3 + k”, “T4 = T5 + k”, and “T2 = T4 + k” are established.

  In this state, a process of adjusting the power saving level is performed for each time (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5).

  The power saving level is an index indicating the degree of power saving. For example, the power saving level 1 in a state where no power is saved, the power saving level 2 in which only the print engine of the printing apparatus is in a power saving state, and the image forming CPU in addition to the print engine. There is a power saving level 3, etc. in which the power is also saved.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, the estimated print time required for printing is shown in the range from T1 to T2, so that the time until T1 and the time exceeding T2 are in the power saving state at level 3. In addition, in the range from T1 to T3 and from T4 to T2, the power saving state is indicated at level 2.

  Further, it is indicated that the power saving state is not level 1 in the normal mode level 1 in the range from T3 to T5 and from T5 to T4, that is, from T3 to T4.

  Such power control is performed by a signal from the CPU 11 of the printing apparatus.

  The processing shown in the flowchart can also be realized by a power control program that can be executed by a computer.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within the scope not changing the gist thereof.

  The present invention also installs the program from a recording medium (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc.) storing a program for causing the power control system to execute the above-described operation or to configure the above-described means. By executing this, it is possible to configure a power control system that executes the above-described processing.

  Further, the medium for supplying the program may be a communication medium (a medium for temporarily or fluidly holding the program, such as a communication line or a communication system). For example, the program may be posted on an electronic bulletin board (BBS: Bulletin Board Service) of a communication network and distributed via a communication line.

  The present invention is applicable to a printing apparatus and a power control program that perform power control based on estimated time information until the start of processing.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an apparatus configured by applying a printing apparatus and a power control program according to the present invention. The block diagram which shows the printing apparatus which comprises the power control system of this invention. The flowchart which showed the flow of the process in the printing apparatus and power control program of this invention. The figure which showed the change of the electric power state with respect to time passage. The figure which shows the normal distribution curve of log | history information. The figure which shows an example of log | history information.

Explanation of symbols

10 Interface control unit 11 CPU
12 ROM
13 RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Image processing part 15 Timer 16 Print engine 17 Operation panel 17-1 Main switch 18 Power supply part 20 Interface control part 21 Control part 22 Power control part 23 Memory | storage part 24 Timing part 25 Calculation part 26 History information storage part 27 Power supply part 28 Print Processing unit 29 Operation panel 100 Image forming apparatus (printing apparatus)
110 Host PC

Claims (7)

Detecting means for detecting that a document has been opened by a print instruction apparatus that issues a print instruction;
Estimating means for estimating a time from when a document is opened by the print instruction device to when a print instruction for the document is given;
And a control unit that controls to cancel the power saving state before reaching the time estimated by the estimation unit after the detection unit detects that the document is opened. The detection means includes
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus detects that the document has been opened based on a notification from the printing instruction apparatus that the document has been opened. The estimation means includes
Storage means for storing, as history information, a time from when it is detected by the detection means that the document is opened by the print instruction apparatus until a print instruction is issued for the document;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a time from when the document is opened to when a print instruction for the document is issued is estimated based on the history information stored in the storage unit. The storage means
Storing the history information corresponding to the application that opened the document;
The estimation means includes
The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a time from when the document is opened to when a print instruction for the document is given is estimated in correspondence with an application that opened the document. The storage means
Storing the history information corresponding to the user who opened the document;
The estimation means includes
The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a time from when the document is opened to when a print instruction for the document is given is estimated in response to a user who opened the document. The power saving state is
It has multiple levels of power saving states corresponding to the power saving level,
The control means includes
2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power saving state is controlled to be sequentially released step by step as the time estimated by the estimation unit approaches after the detection unit detects that the document is opened. Computer
Detecting means for detecting that a document has been opened by a print instruction apparatus that issues a print instruction;
Estimating means for estimating a time from when a document is opened by the print instruction device to when a print instruction for the document is given;
A power control program that functions as a control unit that controls to release the power saving state before reaching the time estimated by the estimation unit after the detection unit detects that the document is opened.

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