JP2008305057A - Input/output management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently perform an image processing operation for preventing the total power consumption of a network from exceeding a threshold. <P>SOLUTION: A power detection part 81 detects the power consumption of a compound machine 1A and the other compound machine. A power consumption calculation part 82 calculates the total consumption electric energy of a network from the power consumption detected by the power detection part 81. An operation control part 83 controls the operations of the plurality of compound machines so that the total consumption electric energy calculated by the power consumption calculation part 82 can be prevented from exceeding a threshold. A mode conversion part 84 converts one of those plurality of compound machines which is not currently performing the image processing operation into a power saving mode so that the total power consumption electric energy can be prevented from exceeding the threshold after the operation is controlled by the operation control part 83. In converting the first compound machine 1A into the power saving mode, a management part 86 makes the compound machines among the plurality of compound machines manage the plurality of compound machines and the compound machine 1A. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input / output management system, and in particular, an image processing operation enabling mode and an image processing operation that can be set so that the total power consumption is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold and can perform image processing in accordance with an image processing command. The present invention relates to an input / output management system for a network in which a plurality of image processing apparatuses having a power saving mode lower in power consumption than a possible mode and a first image processing apparatus that manages the plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected.

  The image processing apparatus consumes more than the image processing operation enabled mode by omitting the power supply to the image processing operation enabled mode that can execute the image processing operation according to the image processing command and the function unit that performs the image processing operation. Some have a power saving mode for reducing power. There is also a network in which a plurality of image processing apparatuses and a management image processing apparatus that manages the plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected. In such a network, a plurality of image processing apparatuses are managed by the management image processing apparatus.

  Here, there is a system that manages such that the power consumed by the entire network is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (see Patent Document 1).

In this system, the power consumption of a plurality of image processing devices is calculated by the management image processing device, and when the power consumption exceeds a threshold, the unused image processing device is converted from the image processing operable mode to the power saving mode. Etc. to control the total power consumption.
JP 2006-227691 A

  In the input / output system described in Patent Document 1, even if the management image processing apparatus is not performing an image processing operation, the management image processing apparatus must manage other image processing apparatuses, and the power saving mode Can not be. For this reason, when the power consumption exceeds the threshold value, it is necessary to stop the operation of one of the image processing apparatuses or set the power saving mode, and the image processing operation may not be performed efficiently.

  An object of the present invention is to enable an efficient image processing operation so that the total power consumption of a network does not exceed a threshold value.

  The management system according to claim 1 can be set so that the total power consumption is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and is based on an image processing operable mode and an image processing operable mode that can perform image processing in accordance with an image processing command. A network in which a plurality of image processing devices having a low power consumption mode and a first image processing device that is one of the plurality of image processing devices and manages other image processing devices are connected to each other And a power detection means, a power consumption calculation means, an operation control means, a mode conversion means, and a management means. The power detection means is means for detecting power consumption of the first image processing apparatus and other image processing apparatuses. The power consumption calculation means is means for calculating the total power consumption of the network from the power consumption detected by the power detection means. The operation control means is means for controlling the operations of the plurality of image processing apparatuses so that the total power consumption calculated by the power consumption calculation means does not exceed the threshold value. The mode conversion means saves power to an image processing apparatus that is one of a plurality of image processing apparatuses that are not currently performing an image processing operation so that the total power consumption does not exceed a threshold value after the operation control by the operation control means. It is a means for converting to a mode. The management means manages the plurality of image processing apparatuses and the first image processing apparatus in the second image processing apparatus of the plurality of image processing apparatuses when the mode conversion means converts the first image processing apparatus to the power saving mode. It is a means to perform.

  In this management system, the power consumption of each image processing apparatus connected to the network is detected, and the total power consumption of the entire network is calculated from the power consumption of each image processing apparatus. The operation of the image processing apparatus is controlled so that the total power consumption does not exceed a preset threshold, and an image processing apparatus that is not currently performing an image processing operation is converted from the image forming operation mode to the power saving mode. At this time, when the first image processing apparatus that is managing is set to the power saving mode, the second image processing apparatus is allowed to manage the plurality of image processing apparatuses and the first image processing apparatus.

  Here, since the first image processing apparatus that manages a plurality of image processing apparatuses can be switched to the power saving mode, an image processing operation can be performed efficiently.

  A management system according to a second aspect is the management system according to the first aspect, wherein the operation control means delays the image processing speed of the image processing apparatus.

  Here, power consumption can be reduced without switching the image processing apparatus to the power saving mode.

  A management system according to claim 3 is the management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the image processing apparatus includes an operation unit for setting an image processing command and an image processing condition, and an operation control unit Controls the parts other than the operation unit to enter the power saving mode.

  Here, since the operation unit does not switch to the power saving mode, it can accept the image processing condition setting and the image processing command.

  A management system according to a fourth aspect is the management system according to the first or second aspect, wherein the image processing apparatus has an operation unit for performing an image processing instruction and condition setting. The power consumption calculation means calculates, as the total power consumption of the network, the sum of the power consumption when only the operation unit of each image processing apparatus in the power saving mode is activated and the power consumption detected by the power detection means. is doing. The mode conversion unit cancels the power saving mode of only the operation unit of the image processing apparatus in the power saving mode when the total power consumption exceeds the threshold when the power saving mode of the image processing apparatus in the power saving mode is canceled.

  Here, even when only the operation unit is activated when the total power consumption exceeds the threshold when the power saving mode of the image processing apparatus in the power saving mode is canceled, the power saving mode is set as the total power consumption of the network. Since the calculation includes the power consumption amount in a state where only the operation unit of each image processing apparatus is activated, the threshold value is not exceeded. For this reason, only the operation unit can be activated and a print command or the like can be received.

  The management system according to claim 5 is the management system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the time for detecting the time until the image processing apparatus in the power saving mode changes from the power saving mode to the image processing operable mode is detected. Detection means is further provided. The operation unit has a display unit capable of displaying the time detected by the time detection means.

  Here, it is possible to know the time until the image processing apparatus in the power saving mode is switched to the image processing operable mode.

  A management system according to a sixth aspect is the management system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the image processing operation that can be performed by the image processing apparatus is prioritized, and the power consumption calculating unit When the calculated total power consumption reaches the vicinity of the threshold and an image processing command with a high priority is given, the operation of the image processing apparatus in which the operation command with a low priority is executed is suspended. Thus, an image processing operation with a high priority is executed.

  Here, it becomes easy to perform important work.

  A management system according to a seventh aspect is the management system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, further comprising power saving mode canceling means for canceling the power saving mode.

  Here, since the power saving mode can be canceled in an emergency or the like, the operator can easily use it.

  In the present invention, the image processing operation can be efficiently performed so that the total power consumption of the network does not exceed the threshold value.

1. Overall Configuration FIG. 1 shows a network 9 that is managed by a management system 8 (see FIG. 4) in which an embodiment of the present invention is adopted. As shown in FIG. 1, the network 9 is configured by connecting a plurality of (5 in the present embodiment) multifunction peripherals 1 as image processing apparatuses via communication cables such as LAN cables. As shown in FIG. 2, an input / output management system 8 is formed by connecting a plurality of multifunction peripherals 1 (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E). Since the five multifunction devices 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E have the same configuration, only one unit will be described below. Further, an upper limit (threshold value) of the total power consumption consumed by the entire network 9 is determined in advance.

2. Multi-function machine This multi-function machine 1A has various functions (such as a FAX function and a scanner function) and can copy a document. In addition, the image forming apparatus can print a color image on paper based on image information sent from a computer. Further, the multifunction device 1A has a power saving mode, and automatically saves power when no image data is transmitted from the computer for a certain period of time and when the operation unit 10 (see FIG. 1) of the multifunction device 1 is not operated. Switch to mode. Here, the power saving mode refers to a mode in which the power supply to the heater of the engine unit that consumes a large amount of power is reduced or cut off to suppress the power consumption. The operations that can be performed by the multifunction peripheral are given priority, for example, the document reading operation, the printing operation, and the facsimile transmission operation.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the multi-function machine 1A includes a document reading unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a paper transport unit 4, a fixing unit 5, a paper storage unit 6, a discharge unit 7, and a control unit. Part 80. In FIG. 2, an arrow A indicates a sheet conveyance path. In addition, the multifunction machine 1A has an operation unit 10 capable of issuing an image processing operation command or the like on an outer frame. Here, the operation unit 10 includes a display panel having operation keys for displaying print conditions and the like for setting the print conditions, and a fixed key for executing a print command.

  The document reading unit 2 is a part for reading image data of a document to be copied, and includes a document table glass 21 and a cover 22. In the original reading unit 2, for example, the cover 22 is closed after placing the surface to be copied on the original platen glass 21, and a print start command is issued (a start key which is a kind of fixed key of the operation unit 10 is pressed). Thus, the image data of the original surface facing the original platen glass 21 is read.

  The image forming unit 3 forms an image based on image data, and includes a photosensitive drum 31, a developing device 32, and a laser unit 33.

  The photosensitive drum 31 is a member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and is disposed on the upper part of the multifunction machine 1.

  The developing device 32 is a device for supplying toner stored therein to the photosensitive drum 31 and includes a developing roller 321. The developing roller 321 is a member for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum 31 and is disposed adjacent to the photosensitive drum 31.

  The laser unit 33 is a part for irradiating the photosensitive drum 31 with laser light so as to form an electrostatic latent image based on image data.

  The paper transport unit 4 is a part that transports paper, and has a transport path that continues from the paper storage unit 6 through the image forming unit 3 and the fixing unit 5 to the discharge unit 7.

  The fixing unit 5 is a part that fixes the image formed by the image forming unit 3 on a sheet, and includes a heating roller 51 and a pressure roller 52.

  The paper storage unit 6 is a portion disposed at the lower part of the multifunction machine 1 </ b> A and includes a plurality of paper supply cassettes 61.

  The discharge unit 7 is a portion from which the sheet on which the image is fixed is discharged, and is disposed on the upper part of the multi function device 1 </ b> A, and has a discharge tray 71.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 80 is configured such that the CPU executes a program, thereby causing the power detection unit 81, the power consumption calculation unit 82, the operation control unit 83, the mode conversion unit 84, and the time detection unit 85 to , Functioning as a management unit 86 and a power saving mode canceling unit 87.

  The power detection unit 81 is a part for detecting the power used in each multifunction device 1. Here, the power consumption corresponding to the state of the multifunction device 1 (image processing operation standby state, image processing operation state, document reading state, etc.) is measured in advance, and the power consumption is detected from the state of each multifunction device 1.

  The power consumption calculation unit 82 is a part that calculates the total power consumption used in the entire network 9 from the power consumption used in each MFP 1. In this power consumption calculation unit 82, the total power consumption of the entire network 9 is calculated by adding the power consumption in a state where only the operation unit 10 of the MFP 1 in the power saving mode is activated and the power consumption detected by the power detection unit 81. Calculate as a quantity.

  The operation control unit 83 is a part that controls the operations of the plurality of multifunction devices 1 so that the total power consumption calculated by the power consumption calculation unit 82 does not exceed the threshold value. Specifically, the power consumption is reduced by delaying the speed of the image processing operation or making only the operation unit 10 operable. Here, delaying the image processing operation means, for example, that 30 sheets are printed per minute in an apparatus capable of printing 40 sheets per minute by lowering the sheet conveyance speed or lowering the temperature of the fixing unit 5. Say to do.

  The mode conversion unit 84 converts all functional units of the MFP 1 that are not performing the image forming processing operation to the power saving mode so that the total power consumption does not exceed the threshold value after the operation control by the operation control unit 83. It is. Further, when the power saving mode of the multifunction device 1 in the power saving mode is canceled, the power saving mode of only the operation unit 10 of the multifunction device 1 in the power saving mode is canceled when the total power consumption exceeds the threshold. Here, even when only the operation unit 10 of the MFP 1 in the power saving mode is activated, the power consumption in the state where only the operation unit 10 is activated in advance is calculated in calculating the total power consumption. Therefore, the total power consumption does not exceed the threshold value.

  The time detection unit 85 is a part that detects a time required for the MFP 1 in the power saving mode to change from the power saving mode to the image processing operable mode. The detected time is displayed on the display panel of the operation unit 10. Here, the time until the multifunction device 1 in the power saving mode changes from the power saving mode to the image processing operable mode is the time when the operation of the multifunction device 1 performing the image processing operation ends and the power saving from the image processing possible mode is completed. This is an estimate of the time until conversion to the mode is possible (estimation based on the number of printed sheets).

  The management unit 86 manages one multifunction device 1 among the plurality of multifunction devices 1 when managing another multifunction device 1 when the multifunction device 1 performing the management operation is switched to the power saving mode by the mode conversion unit 84. This is the part to be performed.

  The power saving mode canceling unit 87 is a part for canceling the power saving mode, and cancels the power saving mode by inputting a password to a predetermined operation, for example, the operation unit 10. Here, the password is shown as an example, but a special release key or other means may be used.

3. Operation An image forming operation of the multifunction machine 1 will be described.

  When image data of an original is read by the original reading unit 2 or image data is transmitted from a computer connected to the outside, the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is charged and the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is applied by the laser unit 33. Laser light is irradiated based on the image data. Then, the toner in the developing device 32 is supplied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 31, and a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 is transferred to a sheet and conveyed to the fixing unit 5 by the sheet conveying unit 4. Then, the image is fixed by the fixing unit 5. The sheet on which the toner image is fixed is discharged from the discharge unit 7.

  The operation will be described with reference to FIG. 4 showing a flowchart of the operation of the input / output management system.

  When a print command is issued to any one of the multifunction devices 1, the power consumption of each of the multifunction devices 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E is first determined by the managing multifunction device 1A (first image processing apparatus). More specifically, the operation state of each multifunction device 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E is detected, and the power consumption for each state calculated in advance is detected based on the operation state. The total power consumption of the entire network 9 is calculated from the power consumption of each MFP 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E (S1). When there is the multifunction device 1 in the power saving mode, the total power consumption is calculated using the power consumption in the state where only the operation unit 10 of the multifunction device 1 is activated as the power consumption of the multifunction device 1. In this calculation, it is determined whether the total power consumption is equal to or less than a preset threshold value (S2). When the total power consumption is equal to or less than the threshold (YES in S2), the operations of the multifunction devices 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E are executed (S3). If the calculated total power consumption exceeds the threshold (NO in S2), it is determined whether or not there is a multifunction device 1 that is not currently performing an image processing operation but is in an image forming operable mode (S4). ).

  When the image processing operation is not currently performed but there is no multifunction device 1 in the image forming operation enable mode (NO in S4), the operations of the multifunction devices 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E are controlled to reduce power consumption. To do. For example, power consumption is suppressed by reducing the image processing speed of the multifunction machine 1B or by lowering the temperature of the fixing unit 5. Further, by switching the operation of a multi-function device performing low-priority image processing operations (for example, facsimile transmission operation), for example, multi-function devices 1C and 1D, to the temporary stop and power saving mode, the total power consumption becomes less than the threshold value. (S5). At this time, the display unit of the multifunction device 1 to which the print command has been issued displays the time required until the multifunction device 1C or 1D can be converted to the image processing operable mode by converting to the power saving mode. This time is a time until the multifunction devices 1C and 1D can be converted into the image forming operation enable mode by setting the other multifunction devices 1B and 1E to the power saving mode. Is estimated from the operation status (the number of remaining prints, etc.).

  On the other hand, when there is a multifunction device 1 that is not currently performing an image processing operation but in an image forming operation enable mode (YES in S4), no image processing operation is currently performed other than the multifunction device 1A that is performing a management operation. It is determined whether or not there is an MFP 1 in the image forming operation enable mode (S6). If it exists other than the multifunction device 1A performing the management operation (YES in S6), the multifunction device 1 other than the multifunction device 1A performing the management operation, for example, the multifunction device 1C is changed to the power saving mode (S8). ). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the total power consumption is less than or equal to a threshold value (S9). If the total power consumption is equal to or less than the threshold (YES in S9), an image processing operation is executed. If the calculated total power consumption exceeds the threshold (NO in S9), or if there is no other MFP 1A performing the management operation (NO in S6), the operation of each MFP 1A is performed. Control and reduce power consumption. For example, power consumption is suppressed by reducing the image processing speed of the multifunction peripheral 1A or by lowering the temperature of the fixing unit 5. Further, the total power consumption is controlled to be equal to or less than the threshold value by switching the operation of the image processing apparatus performing the image processing operation with a low priority to the temporary stop and the power saving mode (S7). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the total power consumption is equal to or less than a threshold value (S10). If the total power consumption is less than or equal to the threshold (YES in S10), the image processing operation is executed. When the calculated total power consumption exceeds the threshold (NO in S10), the multifunction device 1 that performs the management operation is switched from, for example, the multifunction device 1A to the multifunction device 1B, and the multifunction device 1A that has performed the management operation. Switch to power saving mode. After switching to the multifunction device 1B, an image processing operation is executed. In an emergency or the like, the power saving mode can be canceled by inputting a password to the operation unit 10 of the multifunction machine, for example, 1E, on which an image processing operation is to be performed.

  Here, since the multi-function device 1A that manages a plurality of multi-function devices 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E can be switched to the power saving mode, it is efficient so that the total power consumption of the network 9 does not exceed the threshold value. The image processing operation can be performed well.

4). Other Embodiments (a) In the above embodiment, the multifunction device 1 has been described as an image processing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may be a copying machine, a facsimile, or the like. A plurality of types of devices may be connected to the network 9.

  (B) In the above embodiment, the case of five multifunction devices 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of multifunction devices 1 may be different, and an image having other functions. A processing device may be connected.

  (C) Further, in the above embodiment, the operation control unit 83 sets all the function units including the operation unit 10 to the power saving mode. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and all the function units other than the operation unit 10 are omitted. The power mode may be set. In this case, since the operation unit 10 and the display unit included in the operation unit are activated, an operation command can be received.

The figure which shows the system of one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. The block diagram of an input / output management system. Flow chart showing operation of input / output management system

Explanation of symbols

1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E MFP (image forming device)
8 Management System 9 Network 10 Operation Unit 81 Power Detection Unit (Power Detection Unit)
82 Power consumption calculator (power consumption calculation means)
83 Operation control unit (operation control means)
84 Mode converter (mode converter)
85 time detector (time detector)
86 Management Department (Management means)
87 Power saving mode canceling part (Power saving mode canceling means)

Claims (7)

An image processing operable mode that can be set so that the total power consumption is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold and that can perform an image processing operation according to an image processing command, and a power saving mode that consumes less power than the image processing operable mode A network management system in which a plurality of image processing devices having a plurality of image processing devices are connected to a first image processing device that is one of the plurality of image processing devices and manages other image processing devices,
Power detection means for detecting power consumption of the first image processing apparatus and the other image processing apparatus;
Power consumption calculation means for calculating the total power consumption of the network from the power consumption detected by the power detection means;
Operation control means for controlling the operations of the plurality of image processing devices so that the total power consumption calculated by the power consumption calculation means does not exceed the threshold;
The image processing device that is one of the plurality of image processing devices that is not currently performing an image processing operation is omitted so that the total power consumption does not exceed the threshold value after the operation control by the operation control means. Mode conversion means for converting to power mode;
When the first image processing device is converted to the power saving mode by the mode conversion means, the second image processing device of the plurality of image processing devices manages the plurality of image processing devices and the first image processing device. Management means to perform,
Management system with.   The management system according to claim 1, wherein the operation control unit delays an image processing speed of the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus has an operation unit for setting image processing instructions and conditions,
The mode conversion means controls a part other than the operation unit to be in a power saving mode.
The management system according to claim 1 or 2. The image processing apparatus has an operation unit for setting image processing instructions and conditions,
The power consumption calculation means calculates the sum of the power consumption amount in a state where only the operation unit of the image processing apparatus in the power saving mode is activated and the power consumption detected by the power detection means, as a total power consumption of the network. As a quantity,
The mode conversion means sets the power saving mode of only the operation unit of the image processing apparatus in the power saving mode when the total power consumption exceeds a threshold when the power saving mode of the image processing apparatus in the power saving mode is canceled. To release,
The management system according to claim 1 or 2. Further comprising time detection means for detecting a time until the image processing apparatus in the power saving mode changes from the power saving mode to the image processing operable mode,
The operation unit has a display unit capable of displaying the time detected by the time detection unit.
The management system according to claim 3 or 4. Priorities are provided for image processing operations that can be performed by the image processing apparatus,
When the total power consumption calculated by the power consumption calculation means has reached the vicinity of the threshold and an image processing operation is performed by an image processing command having a high priority, image processing based on the image processing command is performed. When an image processing operation having a lower priority than the operation is being executed, the operation of the image processing apparatus executing the image processing operation having the lower priority is temporarily stopped, and an image processing operation having a higher priority is performed. To execute,
The management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The management system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising power saving mode canceling means for canceling the power saving mode.

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