JP2009059090A - Print controller and program for print controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print controller and a program of a print controller, for managing transition to a sleep mode at a print request side, and improving the convenience of a user sharing an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A management PC1a sets conditions of entering a sleep mode of an MFP 2a by a sleep setting part 61, and transmits the set content to the MFP 2a, and notifies a client PC1b of transition to the sleep mode a prescribed time before the MFP2a enters the sleep mode by a sleep notification part 63. The management PC1a stores information on a recipient PC in an information table 62, and recognizes the sleep transition time of the MFP, and notifies the registered client PC of transition to the sleep mode under the control of the management PC1a at a prescribed time before the sleep transition time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus and a program for the print control apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a print control apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus capable of switching to a power saving mode and a program for the print control apparatus.

  Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 1, a printer and a plurality of personal computers (PCs) are connected, and a plurality of users share the printer for use. In addition to the normal mode in which image formation is possible, the printer is provided with a power saving mode that minimizes the power consumption state of the printer body.

  In such a print system, the timing at which the printer enters the power saving mode is usually not detected on the PC side. Therefore, sending the print data immediately after entering the power saving mode may cancel the power saving mode, which may hinder power saving. In addition, since it takes time to return from the power saving mode to the normal mode, it takes time for urgent printing, which is stressful for the user.

  Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a projector for notifying the transition to the sleep mode prior to the transition to the sleep mode (power saving mode). That is, the user is recognized by notifying the sleep mode. In this projector, after a predetermined time elapses when there is no signal output from the PC and the projector main body is not operated, a transition notice signal is output to the PC. Then, after this notice, the projector is switched to the sleep mode after a predetermined time.

For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a network printer system that outputs a power saving mode shift instruction from a host computer to a specific group and shifts a printer belonging to the group to a power saving mode. As a result, a plurality of printers can be managed collectively.
JP 2004-21218 A JP 2000-339116 A

  However, the conventional technique described above has the following problems. In other words, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires time measuring means for measuring time and sleep mode transition notifying means for notifying the transition to the sleep mode on the projector side. This complicates the projector configuration. In other words, management based on PC is not possible.

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, the administrator recognizes the timing of entering the power saving mode, but the user of another PC connected to the same network cannot recognize the timing. For this reason, PC users other than the administrator cannot solve the problem of canceling the power saving mode and the problem of requiring time for urgent printing when entering the power saving mode.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art. That is, the problem is to provide a print control apparatus and a print control apparatus program that can manage the transition to the sleep mode on the print request side and improve the usability of the users who share the image forming apparatus. .

  A print control apparatus designed to solve this problem is a print control apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus having a function of switching to a power saving mode, and sets conditions for shifting the image forming apparatus to the power saving mode. Setting means for transmitting the setting contents of the setting means to the image forming apparatus and instructing the shift to the power saving mode, and the printing before a predetermined time before the image forming apparatus shifts to the power saving mode. And a notification unit that notifies the information processing apparatus connected to the control apparatus of the transition to the power saving mode of the image forming apparatus.

  The print control apparatus of the present invention is connected to an image forming apparatus having a function of switching to the power saving mode, and sets a transition condition for the image forming apparatus to the power saving mode by a setting unit. As the transition condition, a specific time for switching to the power saving mode, an elapsed time until switching to the power saving mode, or the like can be applied. Further, the setting means transmits the setting contents of the setting means to the image forming apparatus. As a result, the image forming apparatus is switched to the power saving mode at a desired time under the control of the printing control apparatus.

  Furthermore, the print control apparatus according to the present invention is configured such that the notification unit causes the power saving mode of the image forming apparatus to be connected to the information processing apparatus connected to the print control apparatus before the image forming apparatus shifts to the power saving mode. Notify the transition to For example, the notification means includes time measuring means for measuring the time until shifting to the power saving mode, acquires the time for shifting to the power saving mode from the setting means, and notifies based on the time measured by the time measuring means.

  That is, the print control apparatus acquires information related to the connected information processing apparatus, and further recognizes the timing of shifting the image forming apparatus to the power saving mode. Therefore, the information processing apparatus is notified of the transition to the power saving mode under the control of the printing control apparatus a predetermined time before the transition timing. As a result, the user of the information processing apparatus can recognize the transition timing to the power saving mode, and can send a print instruction in consideration of the transition timing. Therefore, usability is improved. Furthermore, the problem of canceling the power saving mode can be avoided by recognizing the timing of transition to the power saving mode by the user.

  In addition, the print control apparatus of the present invention is preferably provided with notification means for notifying the information processing apparatus that the shift to the power saving mode is instructed when the instruction means instructs the image forming apparatus. . That is, the user of the information processing apparatus can recognize that the power saving mode is set by the notification by the notification means. Therefore, usability is further improved.

  In addition, the print control apparatus of the present invention is preferably provided with notification means for notifying the transition of the image forming apparatus to the power saving mode before the predetermined time before the image forming apparatus transitions to the power saving mode. In other words, the user of the printing control apparatus itself can recognize the transition time to the power saving mode by the notification of the notification means. As a notification means, a method such as a warning sound can be applied in addition to a message display. In addition, a message different from the notification means can be selected, and the degree of freedom of notification contents is great.

  Further, it is better that the instruction means of the print control apparatus of the present invention adds the management time of the print control apparatus to the setting contents of the power saving mode. That is, there may be a difference in management time between the print control apparatus and the image forming apparatus. Therefore, by adding the management time of the printing control apparatus to the setting contents of the power saving mode, the timing for shifting to the power saving mode can be adjusted on the image forming apparatus side. Therefore, it is possible to shift to the power saving mode at an accurate timing desired by the management user.

  Further, the notification means of the print control apparatus of the present invention is better if the management time of the print control apparatus is added to the notification contents. That is, there may be a difference in management time between the print control apparatus and the information processing apparatus. Therefore, by adding the management time of the printing control apparatus to the notification content, the timing of shifting to the power saving mode can be adjusted on the information processing apparatus side. Therefore, the user of the information processing apparatus can recognize the accurate timing for shifting to the power saving mode.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus having a function of switching to a power saving mode, a setting means for setting a condition for shifting the image forming apparatus to the power saving mode, and an image forming apparatus. Transmitting the setting contents of the setting means and instructing the information processing apparatus connected to the print control apparatus a predetermined time before the image forming apparatus shifts to the power saving mode. On the other hand, the program includes a program for a printing control apparatus that functions as notification means for notifying the transition of the image forming apparatus to the power saving mode.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to manage the transition to the sleep mode on the print request side, and to realize a print control apparatus and a print control apparatus program that improve the usability of users who share the image forming apparatus.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a printing control apparatus according to the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a print system in which an MFP having a print function and a print request source PC are connected via a network.

[Print system configuration]
As shown in FIG. 1, the print system 100 according to the present embodiment includes PCs 1a, 1b, and 1c as information terminal devices, and MFPs 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d having print functions. In the print system 100, the PCs 1a, 1b, 1c and the MFPs 2a, 2b, 2c are connected by a LAN 40 LAN cable. Further, the PC 1a and the MFP 2d are connected by a USB cable 41. The PCs 1b and 1c are connected to the MFP 2d via the PC 1a and can use the print function of the MFP 2d.

  Note that the number of MFPs constituting the print stem 100 is not limited to three, and any number of MFPs may be connected. Further, the number of PCs constituting the print system 100 is not limited to four, and any number of PCs may be connected. Further, the connection between each PC and each MFP is not limited to a wired LAN cable or USB cable, but may be another serial communication cable, a parallel communication cable, or a wireless communication path such as a wireless LAN.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the PC 1 a includes a CPU 11 that executes various arithmetic processes, a ROM 12 that stores a startup process program (BIOS) executed by the CPU 11 when the PC 1 is started, and a temporary process when the CPU 11 performs various processes. A RAM 13 used as a general storage area, and a hard disk drive (HDD) 14 storing various programs and data. The PC 1b and PC 1c have the same configuration.

  Further, the PC 1a includes an operation unit 15 including a keyboard and a mouse, a display unit 16 including a liquid crystal display, and a printer port interface 17 (parallel interface, USB interface, etc.) for exchanging signals with each MFP. , A network interface 18 for exchanging signals through a network such as a LAN or the Internet.

  Further, the HDD 14 of the PC 1a stores an operating system (OS), an application that can edit image data (for example, document creation software, drawing software, spreadsheet software, photo data editing software, etc.), and print data for each MFP. The printer driver to be transmitted is stored. In addition, a program for processing image data sent from each MFP at the time of execution of push scan or pull scan is stored.

  The PC 1a is a management PC that manages the MFPs 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and the other PCs 1b, 1c. The PC 1a has a timing setting function for setting the transition timing of the MFPs 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d to the sleep mode, and a notification of transition of each MFP to the sleep mode (hereinafter referred to as “sleep transition notification”) to the other PCs 1b and 1c. And a notification function for performing Hereinafter, the PC 1a is referred to as “management PC 1a”. The PCs 1b and 1c managed by the management PC 1a are referred to as “client PCs”. Details of the time setting function and the notification function will be described later.

  The MFP 2a includes a CPU 21 that executes various arithmetic processes, a ROM 22 that stores a program of a startup process performed by the CPU 21 when the MFP 2a is started, and a RAM 23 that is used as a temporary storage area when the CPU 21 performs various processes. And a hard disk drive (HDD) 24 storing various programs and data. The MFP 2b, MFP 2c, and MFP 2d have the same configuration.

  In addition, the MFP 2a includes an operation unit 25 including a plurality of buttons disposed outside the casing of the MFP 2a, a display unit 26 including a liquid crystal display panel disposed outside the casing, an external information terminal, and the like. A printer port interface 27 (parallel interface, USB interface, etc.) for exchanging signals between them, and a network interface 28 for exchanging signals via a network such as a LAN or the Internet.

  Further, the MFP 2a includes a printing unit 30 that forms an image on a sheet as a recording medium or an OHP sheet. The printing unit 30 may adopt an electrophotographic method, an ink jet method, or another general image forming method. Further, even if a color image can be formed, it may be dedicated to a monochrome image.

  Further, the MFP 2a has a scanner unit 31 that reads a document and creates image data of the read document. As a document reading method, there are a flat bed (document fixed scanning) method and an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) (document moving scanning) method, and each has a mechanism for realizing each reading method. Note that when executing push scan or pull scan, the original is read by the ADF method.

  Further, the MFP 2a is provided with a normal mode for performing normal print processing and a sleep mode for minimizing the power consumption state of the printer main body. The MFP 2a is automatically switched to the sleep mode at a predetermined time in accordance with an instruction from the management PC PC 1a.

[Functional configuration of printing system]
Next, the functional configuration of the function of setting the time for shifting to the sleep mode (hereinafter referred to as “sleep shift time”) and the function of performing the sleep shift notification of the print system 100 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the management PC 1a of the print system 100 sets a transition timing for transitioning to the sleep mode, a notification timing for notification of transition to sleep, and the like, and information set by the sleep setting section 61. An information table 62 to be stored and a sleep notification unit 63 for executing a sleep transition notification are provided.

  The sleep setting unit 61 has a function of setting the timing for shifting to the sleep mode for each MFP. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, there are two types of setting methods as the timing for shifting to the sleep mode. One is a setting method based on elapsed time (elapsed time method), in which the sleep transition time is set by the elapsed time from the command transmission to the target MFP. The other is a setting method (absolute time method) in which a specific time is specified, and the sleep transition time is set by directly specifying the time.

The sleep transition time is sent to each MFP as a sleep command. For example, the following PJL command (1) is created as the sleep command.
@PJL SET SLEEPTIME = 30 (1)
At the time of transmission, the transmission time is stored in the information table 62 as a command transmission time.

  The sleep setting unit 61 has a function of setting the notification content of the sleep transition notification. As contents to be set, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, there are notification timing, notification destination, message, and time adjustment. The setting items are set for each image forming apparatus (printer or MFP) having a sleep mode.

  The notification timing is set how many minutes before entering the sleep mode. The notification destination includes the management PC itself, broadcast transmission, and individual PC transmission. Furthermore, as detailed settings, when notifying the management PC itself, as shown in FIG. 6, whether the message is the same as the content of the notification destination, or what message is different when making the message different. Set what to do. In the case of broadcast transmission, a subnet for executing broadcast is set as shown in FIG. When selecting an individual PC, as shown in FIG. 8, the PC name or IP address is input, and the PC to be notified is selected or deleted. The message is a message sent in common to the selected PC.

  The time adjustment is to select whether or not to adjust the time difference between the system time of the management PC 1a and the system time of the MFP. When the time adjustment is selected, the system time of the management PC 1a is added to a command for setting the sleep transition time sent to each MFP (hereinafter referred to as “sleep command”).

  In the information table 62, the contents set by the sleep setting unit 61 are stored as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, settings for sleep transition time, command transmission time, notification timing, notification destination, message content, presence / absence of message to management PC, and message content to management PC are stored for each MFP as a transmission destination.

  Based on the contents of the information table 62, the sleep notification unit 63 notifies the client PCs 1b and 1c or the management PC 1a itself of sleep transition at a predetermined timing. That is, the sleep notification unit 63 repeats timing until the notification timing, and transmits a message to the designated PC at the notification timing.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the MFP 2a of the print system 100 includes a sleep control unit 51 that controls switching between the sleep mode and the normal mode. That is, the sleep control unit 51 has a function of acquiring the sleep transition time from the sleep command sent from the management PC 1a and switching to the sleep mode at the sleep transition time. The MFPs 2b, 2c, and 2d also have a similar sleep control unit.

  In addition, the sleep control unit 51 has a determination function for determining whether or not the acquired information is sent from the management PC 1a. Further, when the system time of the management PC 1a is added to the sleep command, it is compared with the system time of the MFP 2a, and the deviation amount is set as the offset time. Then, the sleep mode is switched to a time reflecting the offset time in the sleep transition time.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the client PC 1b (that is, the PC other than the management PC 1a) of the print system 100 includes a message display unit 71 that displays a warning message. That is, the message display unit 71 has a function of receiving a sleep transition notification from the management PC 1a and displaying a message set in the notification signal. The PC 1c has a similar message display section.

[Operation of management PC]
[Sleep command transmission processing]
Next, the operation of the management PC 1a that realizes the sleep transition notification operation of the print system 100 described above will be described in detail. First, processing for transmitting a sleep command to the MFP 2a will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, it is determined whether or not to perform the printing process at the same time as setting the sleep transition time (S101). When printing processing is performed (S101: YES), print data is created (S111). When the print process is not performed (S101: NO), the process proceeds to S102 without performing the process of S111.

  Next, the setting information of the timing for shifting to the sleep mode is acquired (S102). That is, if the setting method of the sleep transition time is the elapsed time method, the time to the sleep mode is acquired, and if the absolute time method is used, the time to switch to the sleep mode is acquired. Then, a sleep command is created based on the acquired setting information (S103).

  Next, transmission data from the sleep command to the MFP 2a is created (S104). At this time, when print data is created in the process of S111, transmission data including the print data is created.

  Next, the current system time managed by the management PC 1a is acquired from the OS (S105). If the sleep transition time setting method is the elapsed time system, the sleep transition time is calculated from the time until the sleep mode (S106).

  Thereafter, the transmission data created in the process of S104 is transmitted to the MFP 2a (S107). At this time, if the time adjustment of the destination printer is selected, the system time acquired in the process of S105 is added to the transmission data.

  Next, the sleep transition time and the command transmission time are stored in the information table 62 (S108). Thereafter, the information about the sleep transition time is transmitted to the client PC registered as the notification destination of the sleep transition notification (S109). After the process of S109, this process ends.

  The client PC that has received the sleep transition time information displays a message that allows the sleep transition time to be recognized. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, it is notified that the sleep transition time has been set, and the sleep transition time is described in the message. Thereby, it can be recognized that the sleep mode is set on the client PC side, and a print instruction can be sent in consideration of the sleep transition time.

  Further, it is preferable to add the system time of the management PC 1a (for example, data transmission time) to the information from the management PC 1a. By adding the system time, for example, in the client PC, the transmission time (system time of the management PC 1a) and the reception time (system time of the client PC) can be displayed together with the message (see FIG. 11). As a result, the user of the client PC can recognize the difference in system time between the user's own PC and the management PC 1a, and can recognize a more accurate sleep transition time.

[Operation of management PC]
[Sleep transition notification processing]
Next, processing for transmitting a sleep transition notification to the client PC or the management PC 1a will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is executed after the sleep command is transmitted to the MFP.

  First, the sleep transition time and the notification timing are acquired from the information table 62, and the time for performing the sleep transition notification (hereinafter referred to as “sleep notification time”) is calculated (S201). Next, the current system time managed by the management PC 1a is acquired from the OS (S202). Then, it is determined whether or not the current time has reached the sleep notification time (S203). If it has not reached (S203: NO), it waits until it reaches. If it has arrived (S203: YES), the PC registered as the notification destination and the message content are acquired from the information table 62 (S204).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the client PC is registered as a notification destination (S205). If the client PC is registered as a notification destination (S205: YES), message information is transmitted to the registered client PC (S206).

  The client PC that has received the message information displays the message. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, it is notified that the printer is going to sleep mode, and the received message is described together with the reception time of the message.

  Thereafter, a message for displaying on which PC the message information is transmitted to the management PC 1a itself is displayed (S207). For example, as shown in FIG. 14, it is notified to which client PC the message has been transmitted, and further the message content is described. If the client PC is not registered as a notification destination (S205: NO), the process of S206 and S207 is bypassed and the process proceeds to S208.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the management PC 1a itself is registered as a notification destination (S208). If the management PC 1a is registered as a notification destination (S208: YES), a message to be displayed on the management PC 1a itself is displayed based on the processing of S207 and the message information stored in the information table 62 (S209). . By notifying the management PC 1a itself, the user of the management PC 1a can recognize the transition time to the sleep mode. This message can set different contents from the message displayed on the client PC, and the degree of freedom of the message is high. After the process of S209, this process is terminated. If the management PC 1a is not registered as a notification destination (S208: NO), the process of S209 is bypassed and this process is terminated.

[MFP operation]
[Sleep transition time setting process]
Next, processing for setting the sleep transition time in the MFP 2a will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, transmission data from each PC is acquired (S301). In other words, it waits until transmission data is acquired. Next, it is determined whether or not the transmission data (reception data for the MFP 2a) is transmitted from the management PC 1a (S302). If it is not data from the management PC 1a (S302: NO), this process is terminated. On the other hand, if the data is from the management PC 1a (S302: YES), the process proceeds to S303.

  Next, the current system time managed by the MFP 2a is acquired (S303). Then, the received data is analyzed to determine whether or not the sleep transition time setting method is the elapsed time method (S304).

  If it is the elapsed time method (S304: YES), the sleep transition time is calculated based on the current system time and the set elapsed time information (S311). For example, if the current system time is 10:00 and the set time of elapsed time information is 10 minutes later, the mode shifts to the sleep mode at 10:10. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S309.

  If it is not the elapsed time method (S304: NO), that is, if it is the absolute time method, the sleep transition time is acquired from the received data (S305). That is, in the absolute time method, since the time is directly specified, the sleep transition time can be acquired from the sleep command of the transmitted data.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the system time of the management PC 1a is added to the received data (S306). If the time of the management PC 1a is not added (S306: NO), the process proceeds to S309.

  On the other hand, if the time of the management PC 1a is added (S306: YES), the difference between the system time of the management PC 1a and the system time of the MFP 2a is calculated, and it is determined whether or not the difference is greater than or equal to the threshold (S307). ). If the difference is greater than or equal to the threshold (S307: YES), the sleep transition time is corrected from the difference (S308). If the difference is less than or equal to the threshold, the process of S308 is bypassed and the process proceeds to S309.

  Thereafter, a sleep transition time is set (S309). After the process of S309, this process ends. That is, when the time data of the system time is sent from the management PC 1a, the system time shift can be corrected on the MFP side, and the sleep mode can be shifted to a more appropriate time.

  As described above in detail, the management PC 1a of the present embodiment sets conditions for shifting the MFPs 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d to the sleep mode. In addition, the management PC 1a transmits setting contents to the MFPs 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. That is, each MFP 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d is switched to the sleep mode at a desired time under the management of the management PC 1a.

  Further, the management PC 1a notifies the client PCs 1b and 1c of shifting to the sleep mode before the MFPs 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d shift to the sleep mode. That is, the management PC 1a acquires information about the destination PC, and further recognizes the sleep transition time of the MFP. Therefore, the registered client PC is notified of the transition to the sleep mode under the management of the management PC 1a a predetermined time before the sleep transition time. As a result, the user of the client PC can recognize the sleep transition time, and can send a print instruction in consideration of the sleep transition time. Therefore, usability is improved. Furthermore, it is possible to avoid the problem that the user cancels the sleep mode by recognizing the sleep transition time. Therefore, the print request side can manage the transition to the sleep mode, and the print control apparatus and the print control apparatus program that improve the usability of the users who share the image forming apparatus are realized.

  Note that this embodiment is merely an example, and does not limit the present invention. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the image forming apparatus is not limited to the MFP, and may be a copier, a FAX, a printer, or the like. The print control device is not limited to a PC, and may be a workstation, a portable information terminal device, or the like.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print system according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a PC and an MFP constituting a print system according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a sleep mode transition process of the print system according to the embodiment. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the dialog which sets sleep transition time. It is a figure which shows an example of the dialog which sets a sleep transfer notification. It is a figure which shows an example of the dialog which sets the message at the time of making management PC a transmission destination. It is a figure which shows an example of the dialog which sets the address in the case of broadcast transmission. It is a figure which shows an example of the dialog which designates PC at the time of selecting individual PC. It is a figure which shows the example of registration of an information table. It is a flowchart which shows the sleep command transmission process of management PC. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the message by the side of client PC at the time of sleep command transmission. It is a flowchart which shows the sleep mode transition notification process of management PC. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the message by the side of client PC before sleep mode transfer. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the message by the side of management PC before sleep mode transfer. 5 is a flowchart showing time adjustment processing of the MFP.

Explanation of symbols

1a Management PC
1b Client PC
2a MFP
51 Sleep Control Unit 61 Sleep Setting Unit 62 Information Table 63 Sleep Notification Unit 71 Message Display Unit 100 Print System

Claims (7)

In a printing control apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus having a function of switching to a power saving mode,
Setting means for setting conditions for shifting to the power saving mode of the image forming apparatus;
Instruction means for transmitting the setting content of the setting means to the image forming apparatus and instructing the shift to the power saving mode;
Notification means for notifying the information processing apparatus connected to the print control apparatus of the transition to the power saving mode of the image forming apparatus before a predetermined time before the image forming apparatus shifts to the power saving mode. A printing control apparatus characterized by the above. The printing control apparatus according to claim 1,
Equipped with a timekeeping means to time the time before shifting to the power saving mode,
The printing control apparatus, wherein the notification means acquires a transition time from the setting means to a power saving mode, and notifies based on the time measured by the time measuring means. In the printing control apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A printing control apparatus comprising: a notifying means for notifying that the information processing apparatus is instructed to shift to a power saving mode when the instruction means instructs the image forming apparatus. In the printing control apparatus according to claim 3,
The notice control means adds the management time of the present print control apparatus to the notice contents. In the printing control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A printing control apparatus comprising: a notification unit that notifies the transition of the image forming apparatus to the power saving mode before a predetermined time before the image forming apparatus transitions to the power saving mode. In the printing control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The print control apparatus, wherein the instruction unit adds a management time of the print control apparatus to the setting contents of the power saving mode. A print control device connected to an image forming apparatus having a function of switching to a power saving mode,
Setting means for setting conditions for shifting to the power saving mode of the image forming apparatus;
Instruction means for transmitting the setting content of the setting means to the image forming apparatus and instructing the shift to the power saving mode;
Causing the information processing apparatus connected to the printing control apparatus to function as notification means for notifying the shift of the image forming apparatus to the power saving mode before a predetermined time before the image forming apparatus shifts to the power saving mode. A program for a printing control apparatus.

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