JP2008226032A - Server and printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a server for suppressing the power consumption of the entire apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The server is provided with a means for periodically acquiring power consumption value from a plurality of apparatuses that are available by log-in (S502 to 504), a means for calculating the total value of respective acquired power consumption values (S506), a means for determining whether the calculated total value exceeds a prescribed value (S508), and a means for transmitting an instruction to reject the log-in to the plurality of apparatuses (S509) when it is determined that the calculated total value exceeds the prescribed value (S508, YES). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention monitors a power consumption of a plurality of devices such as a multi-function printer (MFP) and a server having a function of suppressing power consumption of the plurality of devices, and a server including the server. The present invention relates to a printing system including the image forming apparatus.

Recently, a printing system in which a plurality of printers and a server are connected via a network, a print request from a client via the network is distributed to the printer, and the distributed printer performs printing is often used. In addition, for a printer to which a print request is assigned, a printing system that does not execute printing unless the user who issued the print request comes to the installation location of the printer and logs in has been put into practical use.
In such a printing system, there is a server application that manages the number of usable sheets of a multifunction printer for each user and suppresses the use of the multifunction printer for users who exceed the usable number of sheets.

Patent Document 1 discloses a printer system in which a server device turns off the power of an excess printer when the number of operating printers exceeds an appropriate number.
JP 11-219275 A

If a large number of multifunction printers are installed in an environment where power situation is not expected, if a large number of multifunction printers are used at the same time, more than a predetermined amount of power will be consumed, causing a voltage drop in the office power supply and a power outage. There is a problem that there is a risk of doing.
Conventionally, as a method of suppressing power consumption of a plurality of multifunction printers, a printing system that turns on the power only when printing, and a server monitors a print job, the operation status of the multifunction printer, and the like, and based on the information A technique has been proposed in which the power on / off of each multifunction printer in the system is controlled.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and when the total power consumption value of a plurality of devices that can be used by login exceeds a predetermined power value, login to all devices is rejected. It aims at providing the server which suppresses the power consumption of the whole apparatus by doing.
In addition, the present invention allows all devices to reject login when the total amount of power consumption in units of days and months exceeds the predetermined power amount of a plurality of devices that can be used by login. It aims at providing the server which suppresses the whole power consumption.
In addition, the present invention provides a server that suppresses power consumption of the entire device by prohibiting activation of all devices when the total power consumption value of a plurality of devices exceeds a predetermined power value. Objective.

In addition, the present invention reduces the power consumption of the entire device by prohibiting activation of all devices when the total power consumption of a plurality of devices on a daily and monthly basis exceeds a predetermined power amount. It aims at providing the server which suppresses.
The present invention also provides a server that suppresses the power consumption of the entire device by shifting one or more devices to a standby state when the total power consumption value of the plurality of devices exceeds a predetermined power value. The purpose is to do.
In addition, the present invention allows the consumption of the entire device by shifting one or more devices to a standby state when the total amount of power consumption of a plurality of devices on a daily or monthly basis exceeds a predetermined power amount. It aims at providing the server which suppresses electric energy.

The present invention also provides a server that suppresses the power consumption of the entire device by shifting the device to a standby state according to a preset priority when the total power consumption of a plurality of devices exceeds a predetermined power. The purpose is to provide.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing system including a server according to the present invention and a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

  The server according to the present invention includes means for periodically acquiring power consumption values from a plurality of devices that can be used by login, means for calculating a total value of each power consumption value acquired by the means, and the means Means for determining whether or not the calculated total value exceeds a predetermined value; and when the means determines that the total value exceeds the predetermined value, the plurality of devices are denied login. Means for transmitting an instruction.

  This server periodically acquires power consumption values from multiple devices that can be used by logging in, calculates the total value of each acquired power consumption value, and whether the calculated total value exceeds a predetermined value. When it is determined that the total value exceeds the predetermined value, an instruction for rejecting login is transmitted to a plurality of devices.

  The server according to the present invention includes a unit that periodically acquires power consumption values from a plurality of devices that can be used by logging in, and a power consumption for each predetermined period of each device based on each power consumption value acquired by the unit. Means for calculating the total amount of electric energy, means for calculating a total sum of the total values calculated by the means, means for determining whether the total total value calculated by the means exceeds a predetermined value, And a means for transmitting an instruction to reject login to the plurality of devices when the means determines that the total value exceeds a predetermined value.

  In this server, the power consumption value is periodically acquired from a plurality of devices that can be used by login, and based on each acquired power consumption value, the total value of the power consumption amount for each predetermined period of each device is calculated. The grand total of the calculated total values is calculated. It is determined whether or not the calculated total total value exceeds a predetermined value. When it is determined that the total total value exceeds the predetermined value, an instruction to reject login is transmitted to a plurality of devices.

  The server according to the present invention includes means for periodically acquiring power consumption values from a plurality of devices, means for calculating a total value of each power consumption value acquired by the means, and a total value calculated by the means is predetermined. A determination means for determining whether or not the value exceeds the value, and a storage means for storing information on whether or not activation of the plurality of devices is prohibited, and the storage contents of the storage means can be read from the outside. And when the determination means determines that the total value exceeds a predetermined value, the storage means is configured to set information indicating prohibition of activation.

  In this server, power consumption values are periodically acquired from a plurality of devices, a total value of the acquired power consumption values is calculated, and a determination unit determines whether the calculated total value exceeds a predetermined value. To do. The storage means stores information on whether or not activation of a plurality of devices is prohibited, and the storage contents of the storage means can be read from the outside. When the determination unit determines that the total value exceeds the predetermined value, information indicating activation prohibition is set in the storage unit.

  The server according to the present invention calculates means for periodically acquiring power consumption values from a plurality of devices, and a total value of power consumption for each predetermined period of the devices based on the power consumption values acquired by the devices. Means for calculating the total sum of the total values calculated by the means, determination means for determining whether the total total value calculated by the means exceeds a predetermined value, and activation of the plurality of devices. Storage means for storing information on whether or not it is prohibited, and the storage contents of the storage means can be read from the outside, and when the determination means determines that the total value exceeds a predetermined value Is configured to set information indicating prohibition of activation in the storage means.

  This server periodically acquires power consumption values from a plurality of devices, calculates the total power consumption amount for each predetermined period of the devices based on the acquired power consumption values, and totals the calculated total values. Is calculated. The determination unit determines whether or not the calculated total value exceeds a predetermined value, and the storage unit stores information on whether or not activation of a plurality of devices is prohibited. The storage contents of the storage means can be read from the outside, and when the determination means determines that the total value exceeds the predetermined value, information indicating prohibition of activation is set in the storage means.

  The server according to the present invention includes means for periodically acquiring power consumption values from a plurality of devices, means for calculating a total value of each power consumption value acquired by the means, and a total value calculated by the means is predetermined. Means for determining whether or not the value exceeds a value, and when the means determines that the total value exceeds a predetermined value, for one or more of the devices, the power consumption from the power consumption value Means for transmitting an instruction to shift to a standby state having a low value.

  This server periodically acquires power consumption values from a plurality of devices, calculates a total value of the acquired power consumption values, and determines whether the calculated total value exceeds a predetermined value. When it is determined that the total value exceeds the predetermined value, an instruction to shift to a standby state in which the power consumption value is lower than the acquired power consumption value is transmitted to one or a plurality of devices.

  The server according to the present invention calculates means for periodically acquiring power consumption values from a plurality of devices, and a total value of power consumption for each predetermined period of the devices based on the power consumption values acquired by the devices. Means for calculating a total sum of the total values calculated by the means, means for determining whether or not the total total value calculated by the means exceeds a predetermined value, and the means includes the total value Means for transmitting an instruction to shift to a standby state in which the power consumption value is lower than the power consumption value, to one or more of the devices when it is determined that the value exceeds a predetermined value. And

  This server periodically acquires power consumption values from a plurality of devices, calculates the total power consumption amount for each predetermined period of the devices based on the acquired power consumption values, and totals the calculated total values. It is determined whether or not the calculated total value exceeds a predetermined value. When it is determined that the grand total value exceeds the predetermined value, an instruction to shift to a standby state in which the power consumption value is lower than the acquired power consumption value is transmitted to one or a plurality of devices.

  The server according to the present invention further includes means for accepting a setting change of the predetermined value.

  The server according to the present invention is further characterized by further comprising means for accepting the setting change for the predetermined period.

  The server according to the present invention receives the setting change of a plurality of values in the predetermined period in duplicate, receives the predetermined values corresponding to the received predetermined periods in duplicate, and accepts each device for each predetermined period received To calculate each total value of power consumption, calculate each total for each predetermined period of each calculated total value, and determine whether each calculated total value exceeds each predetermined value It is comprised by these.

  In this server, setting changes of a plurality of values for a predetermined period are received in duplicate, each predetermined value corresponding to each received predetermined period is received in duplicate, and the power consumption of each device for each received predetermined period Each sum is calculated. Each grand total for each predetermined period of each calculated total value is calculated, and it is determined whether or not each calculated total total value exceeds each predetermined value.

  The server according to the present invention further comprises priority order setting means for accepting the setting of the priority order of the device to be shifted to the standby state, and when the total value or the total value exceeds the predetermined value, According to the priority order received by the priority order setting means, an instruction to shift to the standby state is transmitted to one or a plurality of devices.

  This server accepts the setting of the priority order of the devices to be shifted to the standby state. When the total value or the grand total value exceeds the respective predetermined value, one or a plurality of devices are accepted according to the accepted priority order. The instruction to shift to the standby state is transmitted.

  A printing system according to the present invention includes a server according to the present invention, and includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses as devices.

  According to the server according to the present invention, when the total power consumption value of a plurality of devices that can be used by login exceeds a predetermined power amount value, the power consumption of the entire device is rejected by causing all devices to reject the login. Can be realized.

  According to the server of the present invention, when the total amount of power consumption in units of days and months of a plurality of devices that can be used by login exceeds a predetermined amount of power, all devices are allowed to reject login. A server that suppresses power consumption of the entire device can be realized.

  The server according to the present invention realizes a server that suppresses the power consumption of the entire device by prohibiting the activation of all devices when the total power consumption value of a plurality of devices exceeds a predetermined power value. can do.

  According to the server of the present invention, when the total amount of power consumption of a plurality of devices on a daily and monthly basis exceeds a predetermined power consumption, the activation of all devices is prohibited, thereby prohibiting the consumption of the entire device. A server that suppresses power can be realized.

  According to the server of the present invention, when the total power consumption value of a plurality of devices exceeds a predetermined power value, the power consumption of the entire device is suppressed by shifting one or more devices to a standby state. A server can be realized.

  According to the server of the present invention, when the total amount of power consumption of a plurality of devices on a daily and monthly basis exceeds a predetermined power amount, the device is shifted to a standby state by moving one or more devices to a standby state. A server that reduces the overall power consumption can be realized.

  According to the server of the present invention, when the total power consumption of a plurality of devices exceeds a predetermined power, the device is shifted to a standby state according to a preset priority order, thereby reducing the power consumption of the entire device. A server to be suppressed can be realized.

  According to the printing system according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a printing system including the server according to the present invention and a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a server and a printing system according to the present invention. In this printing system, a server 1, a plurality of information processing devices 3, 4, 5, 9 and a plurality of image forming devices 6, 7, 8 are connected via a network 2.
The server 1 monitors the power consumption of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 6, 7, and 8, and instructs a plurality of image forming apparatuses 6 via the network 2 to set instructions for suppressing power consumption based on the monitoring result. , 7 and 8 are transmitted.

The image forming apparatuses 6, 7, and 8 receive an instruction from the server 1 and execute settings for suppressing power consumption.
The information processing apparatuses 3, 4, 5, 9 access the image forming apparatuses 6, 7, 8 via the network 2 and execute print processing. In addition, the information processing apparatuses 3, 4, 5, and 9 perform settings for executing processing for connecting to the server 1 and suppressing power consumption of the entire printing system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of the image forming apparatus used in the printing system according to the present invention shown in FIG. The image forming apparatuses 6, 7, and 8 scan a document sheet placed on a document table and optically read the document sheet, and read and convert the optical signal read by the document scanning unit 15 into image data. An image data generation control unit 16 and a print control unit 17 that controls printing processing of image data converted and generated by the read image data generation control unit 16 are provided.
The image forming apparatuses 6, 7, and 8 also display information relating to the image forming unit 18 that executes printing on the paper medium of the image data given from the print control unit 17, document reading processing, printing processing, and the like. A display unit 11, an operation unit 12 that receives and inputs an instruction operation from a user, and a communication interface 13 that controls communication with an external device are provided.

The image forming apparatuses 6, 7, and 8 also have a communication connector 9 for connecting a communication cable with an external apparatus, and power for controlling execution of detection of power consumption, setting to a standby state, power-off, and the like. A control unit 14 and a power connector 20 for connecting to a power outlet through a power cable for power supply are provided.
The document scanning unit 15, the read image data generation control unit 16, the print control unit 17, the image forming unit 18, the display unit 11, the operation unit 12, the communication interface 13, and the power control unit 14 are connected to each other via the bus 10. ing.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the embodiment of the server according to the present invention shown in FIG. In this server 1, the central processing unit 25 calls and executes an electric energy management program stored in the storage unit 26.
The central processing unit 25 communicates with the plurality of connected image forming apparatuses 6, 7, 8 through the communication interface 24 and the communication connector 29 by the power amount management program, and the image forming apparatuses 6, 7, The instruction unit 27 is instructed to suppress the power consumption of 8. A setting screen for managing the power consumption of the image forming apparatuses 6, 7, and 8 is displayed on a display device (not shown) through the display interface 22 and the display device connector 28, and is set by the user through the operation unit 23. Accept the operation.

The instruction unit 27 executes a setting instruction for setting the image forming apparatuses 6, 7, and 8 to the activation prohibited state, a setting instruction for the standby state, or a setting instruction for the login prohibited state according to the power amount management program.
The central processing unit 25, the storage unit 26, the communication interface 24, the instruction unit 27, the display interface 22, and the operation unit 23 described above are connected to each other via a bus 21.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an electric energy management table provided in the server according to the present invention. The power amount management table stored in the storage unit 26 of the server 1 has the following management items for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses.
That is, the priority order used when specifying any one of the identification names A, B, C, and D of the plurality of image forming apparatuses and the plurality of image forming apparatuses A, B, C, and D to shift to the standby state , (Instantaneous) power consumption values of the image forming apparatuses A, B, C, and D, and total power consumption amounts of the image forming apparatuses. Note that the total power consumption may include management items of a plurality of units having different recording periods, such as daily units or monthly units. For example, if it is a day unit, the total power consumption for 24 hours is accumulated and stored, and once 24 hours have passed, it is cleared once and starts counting again.

In addition, the instantaneous power consumption value and the total power consumption amount are stored in this table by calculating the sum of the values related to the plurality of image forming apparatuses A, B, C, and D. Furthermore, the instantaneous power consumption value and the total power consumption each have an upper limit set value, and each upper limit set value is compared with the instantaneous power consumption total value or the total power consumption total value, and according to the comparison result. The power consumption suppression process is executed.
Among the above management items, items that can be set by the user are priority for each image forming apparatus, instantaneous power consumption values, upper limit values for total power consumption, and accounting for calculating the total power consumption. A period (for example, whether to calculate by day, by month, or both) is set.

Hereinafter, the operation of the printing system having such a configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
First, the server 1 instructs the user “the upper limit value of the instantaneous power consumption value and the total power amount”, “the monitoring cycle for monitoring the instantaneous power consumption value of the image forming apparatus”, and “the address of the image forming apparatus to be monitored”. ”, A screen for initial setting of“ priority order of image forming apparatuses to be monitored ”is displayed on any one of the information processing apparatuses 3, 4, 5 and 9 and a display apparatus (not shown). Is accepted (S501).
On the other hand, the image forming apparatuses 6, 7, and 8 first call an apparatus activation processing subroutine (S514).

Next, the server 1 measures the monitoring cycle (S502), and if the monitoring cycle time, for example, a time of 30 seconds or 1 minute elapses (S502, YES), the registered image forming apparatus 6, 6 is registered. An instruction for inquiring about the current instantaneous power consumption value is transmitted to 7, 8 (S503).
When receiving an inquiry about the current instantaneous power consumption value from the server 1 (S515), the image forming apparatuses 6, 7, and 8 transmit the current instantaneous power consumption value to the server 1 (S516).

When the server 1 receives the current instantaneous power consumption value from the image forming apparatuses 6, 7, and 8 (S 504), whether the server 1 has acquired the instantaneous power consumption values from all the registered image forming apparatuses 6, 7, and 8. Is determined (S505). When acquisition from all the image forming apparatuses 6, 7, and 8 is not completed (S505, NO), an instruction for inquiring about the current instantaneous power consumption value is transmitted again (S503).
When the acquisition from all the image forming apparatuses 6, 7, and 8 is completed (S505, YES), the server 1 determines the instantaneous power consumption value and the total power consumption based on the acquired instantaneous power consumption value of each apparatus. (For example, day, month) is calculated, and the power amount management table is updated (S506). Next, the instantaneous power consumption value and the total power consumption are compared with the respective upper limit values (S507).

As a result of the comparison with the respective upper limit values, if there is a server 1 that exceeds the upper limit value (S508, YES), the server 1 gives a signal for rejecting the login or the image forming apparatuses 6, 7, and 8 with lower priority. Then, a signal for setting the standby state is transmitted to the image forming apparatuses 6, 7, and 8 (S509). Further, a flag prohibiting activation of the image forming apparatuses 6, 7, and 8 is set to TRUE (S510).
If the server 1 does not exceed the upper limit value as a result of comparison with the respective upper limit values (S508, NO), the server 1 sends a signal for accepting the login or the image forming apparatuses 6, 7, 8 having a lower priority order. On the other hand, a signal for canceling the standby state is transmitted to the image forming apparatuses 6, 7, and 8 (S511). Further, a flag for prohibiting activation of the image forming apparatuses 6, 7, 8 is set to FALSE (S512).

Next, the server 1 executes the power amount clear process in the power amount management table (S513), and then measures the monitoring cycle (S502).
When receiving from the server 1 a signal for accepting or rejecting login or a signal for setting or canceling the standby state (S517), the image forming apparatuses 6, 7, and 8 execute the power suppression setting process (S518).

  When executing the power amount clear process (S513), the server 1 first reads the previous clear date and time stored from the storage unit 26 (S601), and starts from the previous clear date and time for one day (24 hours). It is determined whether or not it has elapsed (S602). If one day (24 hours) has passed (S602, YES), the total power consumption (in days) in the power amount management table in the storage unit 26 is cleared (S603), and the current date and time are stored in the storage unit. (S604).

Next, the server 1 determines whether one month has elapsed from the previous clear date and time, and if one month has elapsed (S605, YES), the total power consumption ( (Month unit) is cleared (S606), the current date and time is stored in the storage unit (S607), and the process returns.
If one day (24 hours) has not elapsed (S602, NO), the server 1 determines whether one month has elapsed from the previous clear date and time (S605).
If one month has not passed (S605, NO), the server 1 returns as it is.

When the image forming apparatuses 6, 7, and 8 execute the power suppression setting process (S 518), first, a signal from the server 1 that permits or prohibits login, or a signal that sets or cancels the standby state (S 517). Identify (S701, 703, 705, 707).
If the received signal is a signal for rejecting login (S701, YES), the image forming apparatuses 6, 7, and 8 return to the state after setting the login rejection state (S702). If the received signal is not a signal for rejecting login (S701, NO) but is a signal for accepting login (S703, YES), the process returns after setting the login acceptance state (S704).

  If the received signal is not a signal for accepting login (S703, NO), but is a standby state setting signal (S705, YES), the image forming apparatuses 6, 7, and 8 set the standby state (S706) and then return. To do. If the received signal is not a standby state setting signal (S705, NO) and is a standby state cancel signal (S707, YES), the process returns after the standby state is canceled (S708). If the received signal is not a standby state release signal (S707, NO), the process returns as it is.

  When the image forming apparatuses 6, 7 and 8 execute the activation process (S 514) and the power is turned on (S 801), the image forming apparatuses 6, 7 and 8 inquire the server 1 about the value of the activation prohibition flag (S 802). When the value of the start prohibition flag is received from the server 1 (S803), the value of the start prohibition flag is identified. When the start prohibition flag is TRUE (S804, TRUE), its own image forming apparatuses 6, 7, 8 Is forcibly turned off (S805) and the process ends. If the activation prohibition flag is FALSE (S804, FALSE), the process returns.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a server and a printing system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of an image forming apparatus used in the printing system according to the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of embodiment of the server which concerns on this invention shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the electric energy management table with which the server which concerns on this invention is provided. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing system according to the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing system according to the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing system according to the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing system according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Server 2 Network 3, 4, 5, 9 Information processing apparatus 6, 7, 8 Image formation apparatus 12, 23 Operation part 13 Communication interface 14 Power control part 18 Image formation part 22 Display interface 24 Communication interface 25 Central processing part 26 Storage unit 27 Instruction unit

Claims (11)

  Means for periodically acquiring power consumption values from a plurality of devices that can be used upon login, means for calculating the total value of each power consumption value acquired by the means, and the total value calculated by the means is a predetermined value And means for transmitting an instruction to refuse login to the plurality of devices when the means determines that the total value exceeds a predetermined value. A server characterized by comprising.   A means for periodically acquiring power consumption values from a plurality of devices that can be used upon login, and a total value of power consumption for each predetermined period of each device based on each power consumption value acquired by the means Means for calculating a total sum of the total values calculated by the means, means for determining whether or not the total total value calculated by the means exceeds a predetermined value, and the means includes the total value A server comprising: means for transmitting an instruction to reject login to the plurality of devices when it is determined that exceeds a predetermined value.   Means for periodically acquiring power consumption values from a plurality of devices, means for calculating the total value of each power consumption value acquired by the means, and whether the total value calculated by the means exceeds a predetermined value And storage means for storing information as to whether or not activation of the plurality of devices is prohibited, and the storage contents of the storage means can be read from the outside, and the determination means A server configured to set information indicating prohibition of activation in the storage unit when it is determined that the total value exceeds a predetermined value.   Means for periodically acquiring power consumption values from a plurality of devices, means for calculating a total value of power consumption for each predetermined period of the devices based on the respective power consumption values acquired by the means, and the means Means for calculating a total sum of the calculated total values, determination means for determining whether the total total value calculated by the means exceeds a predetermined value, and whether or not activation of the plurality of devices is prohibited Storage means for storing information, and the storage contents of the storage means can be read from the outside, and when the determination means determines that the total value exceeds a predetermined value, the storage means is activated. A server configured to set information indicating prohibition.   Means for periodically acquiring power consumption values from a plurality of devices, means for calculating the total value of each power consumption value acquired by the means, and whether the total value calculated by the means exceeds a predetermined value And when the means determines that the total value exceeds a predetermined value, shifts to one or a plurality of the devices to a standby state in which the power consumption value is lower than the power consumption value. And a means for transmitting an instruction to be sent.   Means for periodically acquiring power consumption values from a plurality of devices, means for calculating a total value of power consumption for each predetermined period of the devices based on the respective power consumption values acquired by the means, and the means Means for calculating a grand total of the calculated total values; means for determining whether or not the grand total value calculated by the means exceeds a predetermined value; and the means exceeds the predetermined value. And a means for transmitting, to one or more of the devices, an instruction to shift to a standby state in which the power consumption value is lower than the power consumption value.   The server according to claim 1, further comprising means for accepting a setting change of the predetermined value.   The server according to claim 2, further comprising means for accepting a setting change for the predetermined period.   Receiving duplicate setting changes of a plurality of values for the predetermined period, receiving each predetermined value corresponding to each accepted predetermined period, and accepting each sum of power consumption of each device for each accepted predetermined period A value is calculated, each total is calculated for each predetermined period of each calculated total value, and it is configured to determine whether or not each calculated total total value exceeds each predetermined value. 8. The server according to 8.   Priority order setting means for accepting setting of the priority order of the devices to be shifted to the standby state, and when the total value or the total value exceeds the predetermined value, the priority order setting means accepts the priority order setting means. The server according to claim 5 or 6, wherein an instruction to shift to the standby state is transmitted to one or a plurality of devices according to priority.   A printing system comprising the server according to claim 1 and comprising a plurality of image forming apparatuses as devices.

Images