JP2011113501A - Electronic device, control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic device that achieves more efficient sleep control alone. <P>SOLUTION: When a sleep timer value reaches zero, a CPU 111 determines whether an MFP 100 is scheduled to receive a packet within a sleep transition variable time (S3). When the determination is affirmative, the CPU 111 delays the transition to sleep mode by setting an extension timer value so that the transition may be performed by an estimated packet receiving time closest to the preset longest sleep transition variable time (S4). The CPU 111 counts down the extension timer (S5). When the extension timer value reaches zero, the CPU 111 returns to S3. When the MFP 100 is not scheduled to receive a packet within the sleep transition variable time in S3, the CPU 111 enters sleep mode (S7). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device that shifts to a sleep mode after elapse of a sleep transition time after the operation is finished, a control method thereof, and a program.

  Conventionally, many electronic devices are provided with a sleep mode in order to suppress power consumption during a time period not in use, and enter a sleep mode when no processing is performed for a predetermined time from the last processing.

  On the other hand, the network device management application periodically transmits inquiry packets to devices under network management to manage the state of the devices.

  Similarly, the status monitor installed in the PC also periodically polls the target printer and collects printer status information.

  The information to be inquired is information such as in-device information and cannot be obtained unless the device returns from the sleep mode. Therefore, the electronic device that has received the inquiry needs to return from the sleep mode each time. It was.

  For example, the following techniques are known regarding such transition to the sleep mode and return from the sleep mode. Patent Document 1 discloses a method for controlling the transition timing to the sleep mode by an external command.

  Patent Document 2 discloses the following method. When the network printer shifts to the sleep mode, the network printer transmits a sleep mode shift notification and a printer status immediately before the sleep mode shift to the host computer. Also, the network printer transmits a normal mode transition notification to the host computer when transitioning to the normal mode. Then, the host computer that has received the sleep mode transition notification does not inquire status information to the corresponding network printer until it receives the normal mode transition notification.

JP 2007-108855 A JP 2006-215686 A

  However, in the above conventional technique, when an electronic device performs sleep control, an inquiry packet may be received immediately after entering the sleep mode to return from the sleep mode, which is inefficient from the viewpoint of power consumption. It was.

  In order to prevent this, as shown in Patent Document 2, the electronic apparatus has to be linked with other devices on the network. When cooperating with other devices on the network, it is required that all devices be in a cooperable state at the timing when the electronic apparatus enters the sleep mode. Furthermore, the network itself needs to be ready for use. If any of the conditions is not satisfied, the sleep control is affected. Therefore, it is desirable that the electronic device perform the sleep control alone.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device capable of performing efficient sleep control by a single device, a control method thereof, and a program.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device according to the present invention is an electronic device that shifts to a sleep mode after a lapse of a sleep transition time after the operation ends, and is suspended until the sleep mode is entered after the lapse of the sleep transition time. Whether or not the setting means for setting the fluctuation time, which is the time to perform, and the factor for returning the electronic device from the sleep mode occur between the passage of the sleep transition time and the passage of the fluctuation time And when the determination means determines that the factor occurs within the variation time, the sleep mode is delayed without entering the sleep mode even after the sleep transition time has elapsed. And a shift means for shifting to (1).

  According to the electronic device of the present invention, when it is determined that the factor for returning from the sleep mode occurs within the fluctuation time, the sleep mode is not shifted to the sleep mode even after the sleep transition time has elapsed, and then the sleep mode is entered. Transition. As a result, the timing of entering the sleep mode can be flexibly controlled by the device alone, and efficient sleep control can be performed. Therefore, more efficient power control is realized.

2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of MFP 100 in the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when MFP 100 enters a sleep mode. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when MFP 100 receives a packet. It is a flowchart which shows the received packet analysis procedure in step S12. It is a figure which shows the screen of the operation part 120 which changes at the time of sleep transfer setting. It is a figure which shows an example of a packet reception log | history and a received packet analysis result. It is a figure which shows the transfer operation | movement to sleep mode.

  Embodiments of an electronic device, a control method thereof, and a program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The electronic apparatus according to the present embodiment is applied to a multifunction peripheral, that is, an MFP (multifunction peripheral) as an example of a network peripheral apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of MFP 100 in the embodiment. MFP 100 is connected to LAN 140 together with a host computer (PC) 130. The MFP 100 includes a control unit 110, an operation unit 120, a scanner 150, a printer 160, and a power supply unit 170.

  The control unit 110 can be connected to the LAN 140 and controls input / output of device information and the like. The control unit 110 has a configuration in which a CPU 111, RAM 112, ROM 113, HDD 114, operation unit I / F 115, LAN I / F 116, memory 117, device I / F 118, power control unit 119, and timer 191 are connected to a bus 192.

  CPU 111 controls the operation of MFP 100 and operates based on a program stored in RAM 112. The ROM 113 is a boot ROM. The ROM 113 stores a system boot program. The timer 191 is provided with a sleep timer and an extension timer, which will be described later.

  An HDD (hard disk drive) 114 stores system software, a control program for controlling the operation of the MFP 100, a set value of a sleep transition variation time, which will be described later, and the like. The control program stored in the HDD 114 is loaded into the RAM 112. CPU 111 controls the operation of MFP 100 in accordance with a control program loaded in RAM 112. A flash memory may be used instead of the HDD.

  The operation unit I / F 115 is an interface that connects the operation unit 120 and the control unit 110, and outputs image data displayed on the operation unit 120 to the operation unit 120. The operation unit I / F 115 transmits information input by the user from the operation unit 120 to the CPU 111.

  A LAN interface (I / F) 116 is connected to the LAN 140 and controls input / output of various information from the host PC 130 and other network devices (not shown). The memory 117 stores various data as with the HDD 114.

  Host PC 130 is connected to MFP 100 via LAN 140 and periodically transmits packets to MFP 100.

  The device I / F 118 connects the scanner 150 and the printer 160, which are image input / output devices, and the control unit 110, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  The power control unit 119 receives power supplied from the power supply unit 170 and controls the power supplied to each device in the control unit 110. The power supply unit 170 supplies power to the operation unit 120, the scanner 150, the printer 160, and the power control unit 119 in the MFP 100. Power from the power supply unit 170 is supplied to all devices of the MFP 100 in the normal mode, but is supplied to the RAM 112, the LAN I / F 116, and a part of the operation unit 120 in the sleep mode.

  Examples of returning from the sleep mode include a case where a user inputs to the operation unit 120 and a case where an inquiry packet for the MFP 100 is received via the LAN 140 and the LAN I / F 116.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when MFP 100 enters the sleep mode. This processing program is stored in the HDD 114 in the control unit 110 and is executed by the CPU 111 in the control unit 110. This processing program is started after MFP 100 finishes the immediately preceding process. At the start of this process, a setting value (sleep transition time in FIG. 5B) described later is set in the timer 191 as an initial value of the sleep timer for entering the sleep mode. Further, the CPU 111 forcibly ends the processing program when another processing or operation for the MFP 100 is started during execution of the processing program.

  First, the CPU 111 counts down the sleep timer set in the timer 191 (step S1). Then, the CPU 111 determines whether or not the sleep timer has reached the value 0 (step S2). If the value is not 0, the CPU 111 returns to the process of step S1.

  On the other hand, when the sleep timer reaches 0, the CPU 111 determines whether the MFP 100 is scheduled to receive a packet within the sleep transition fluctuation time (step S3). Here, the sleep transition fluctuation time is a setting value held by the MFP 100 in the present embodiment (see FIG. 5B), and is a time for delaying the timing of entering the sleep mode by the time of the set value. . Note that the sleep transition fluctuation time is stored in the HDD 114 or the memory 117.

  If it is determined that there is no plan to receive a packet, the CPU 111 proceeds to the process of step S7. On the other hand, when it is determined that the packet reception is scheduled, the CPU 111 sets the extension timer to the time until the packet reception expected time closest to the sleep transition variation time set in advance as the longest time, and sets the sleep mode. The transition to is postponed (step S4). Note that the estimated packet reception time is an example of the expected occurrence time of the factor. The time set in the extension timer is the extended time from the elapse of the sleep transition time to the transition to the sleep mode.

  The CPU 111 counts down the extension timer (step S5). The CPU 111 determines whether or not the extension timer has reached the value 0 (step S6). If the value is not 0, the CPU 111 returns to the process of step S5.

  On the other hand, when the extension timer reaches 0, the CPU 111 returns to the process of step S3. If the MFP 100 does not plan to receive a packet within the sleep transition fluctuation time in step 3, the CPU 111 shifts to the sleep mode (step S7). Thereafter, the CPU 111 ends this process.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when MFP 100 receives a packet. This processing program is stored in the HDD 114 in the control unit 110 and is executed by the CPU 111 in the control unit 110.

  The CPU 111 waits until a packet is received (step S11). When receiving the packet, the CPU 111 analyzes the received packet (step S12). Thereafter, the CPU 111 ends this process.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the received packet analysis procedure in step S12. CPU111 acquires the transmission origin of the received packet (step S21). The CPU 111 searches for a packet reception history (also simply referred to as reception history) from the acquired transmission source (step S22).

  The CPU 111 determines whether there is a reception history from the transmission source (step S23). If there is no reception history, the CPU 111 proceeds to the process of step S27. On the other hand, if there is a reception history in step S23, the CPU 111 calculates a reception interval from the previously stored reception history (step S24).

  Further, the CPU 111 calculates the average value of the calculated reception intervals (step S25) and stores the average value (step S26). The storage destination of this average value may be the HDD 114 or the memory 117.

  The CPU 111 stores the current packet reception history (step S27). Note that the storage destination of this packet reception history may be the HDD 114 or the memory 117. Thereafter, the CPU 111 returns to the original process.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a screen of the operation unit 120 that is shifted when the sleep transition is set. FIG. 6A shows an administrator mode screen. A plurality of buttons including a sleep mode setting button 501 are displayed on the administrator mode screen. When receiving the selection of the sleep mode setting button 501 from the operator, the operation unit 120 transitions to a sleep mode setting screen shown in FIG. On the sleep mode setting screen, a sleep transition time setting unit 502, a sleep transition variation time setting unit 503, a Cancel button 504, and an OK button 505 are displayed.

  The set value set in the sleep transition time setting unit 502 is the initial value of the sleep timer that is counted down in step S1 described above. Here, the sleep transition time is set to 10 minutes. Further, the set value set in the sleep transition variation time setting unit 503 is a reference value when determining the extension timer in step S4 described above. Here, the sleep transition fluctuation time which is the set value is 5 minutes.

  Further, when the operation unit 120 receives an input of the Cancel button 504 from the operator, the operation unit 120 transitions to an administrator mode screen shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the operation unit 120 receives an input from the OK button 505, the set value is stored in the memory 117 in the control unit 110. The operation of receiving the sleep transition time and the sleep transition fluctuation time from the operation unit 120 is an example of a reception unit.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a packet reception history and a received packet analysis result. FIG. 4A shows a packet reception history. In this packet reception history, the time when the packet is received (reception time) and its transmission source are recorded. FIG. 5B shows the received packet analysis result stored in step S26 described above. The received packet analysis result is an example of a result of analyzing a history of occurrence of a factor for returning from the sleep mode. In the received packet analysis result (analysis result), the packet transmission source and the estimated interval (expected reception time) for receiving the packet are recorded.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an operation for shifting to the sleep mode. FIG. 5A shows an example of setting values, as in FIG. FIG. 6B shows the received packet analysis result saved in step S26 as in FIG. 6B. In this case, the MFP 100 receives packets from the transmission source device A every 60 minutes. An example of the device A is the host PC 130 described above.

  FIG. 6C shows the transition operation to the sleep mode along the time axis based on the setting values of FIG. Here, one scale on the time axis represents 30 minutes. The symbol A on the time axis indicates that a packet has been received from the device A at that time. It is assumed that the time has passed to the right of the time axis. Also, the hatched portion below the time axis indicates that the MFP 100 is in the sleep mode during that time zone.

  The MFP 100 receives the packet from the device A at time 13:15. Then, the MFP 100 performs processing at time 13:44, and does not perform any processing until time 14:14, which is 30 minutes later. During this time, the countdown of the sleep timer proceeds in step S1 described above. At time 14:14, the sleep timer becomes 0 (see YES in step S2).

  At this time, the MFP 100, based on the setting values and the analysis result of the received packet shown in FIGS. Is determined to receive a packet from the device A. Therefore, in step S4, the MFP 100 sets the extension timer to 1 minute and postpones the timing to enter the sleep mode. At time 14:15, packet reception from device A ends.

  When the extension timer reaches 0 at time 14:15 one minute later (see YES in step S6), the MFP 100 newly receives a packet within the sleep transition fluctuation time set in FIG. It is determined that there is no plan (see NO in step S3), and the sleep mode is entered.

  The MFP 100 shifts to the sleep mode for 60 minutes until time 15:15 when the next packet is received from the device A.

  FIG. 4D shows a sleep transition operation in the prior art for comparison with the sleep transition operation of the present embodiment. The description of the same part as FIG. The MFP 100 enters the sleep mode at time 14:14 because no processing is performed for 30 minutes. At time 14:15, one minute after that, the MFP 100 receives the packet from the device A and returns from the sleep mode for the processing. Thereafter, the MFP 100 waits for 30 minutes, shifts to the sleep mode again from 14:15 to 14:45 after 30 minutes, and then receives the packet from the device A 30 until 15:15. Transition to sleep mode for a minute.

  As a result, compared with the sleep transition operation of the present embodiment, in the conventional technique, the time for shifting to the sleep mode is shortened by 29 minutes.

  In the electronic device according to the present embodiment, when reception of an inquiry packet, which is a factor for returning from the sleep mode, occurs within the sleep transition fluctuation time, after delaying without entering the sleep mode even after the sleep transition time has elapsed, Enter sleep mode.

  In this way, by changing the timing of entering the sleep mode based on the analysis result of the received inquiry packet, the timing of entering the sleep mode can be flexibly controlled by the device alone, and efficient sleep control is performed. Can do. Therefore, more efficient power control is realized.

  In addition, it is possible to promptly shift to the sleep mode after the extension timer has elapsed. In addition, the user can arbitrarily change the sleep transition fluctuation time, and the operability is improved. Also, the sleep transition time can be arbitrarily changed by the user, improving operability.

  In addition, since the packet reception history stored in time series in the HDD 114 or the memory 117 is analyzed and determined, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not a packet is received within the sleep transition fluctuation time.

  Further, when receiving a packet, it is possible to efficiently suppress power consumption without cooperating with other devices connected to the network. In addition, the reception interval can be grasped for each transmission destination, and it is possible to accurately determine whether or not to receive a packet within the sleep transition fluctuation time.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and any configuration can be used as long as the functions shown in the claims or the functions of the configuration of the present embodiment can be achieved. Is also applicable.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the MFP shifts to the sleep mode after the elapse of the extension timer, but the timing for shifting to the sleep mode is not limited to this. For example, the MFP may immediately shift to the sleep mode after receiving the packet within the sleep shift fluctuation time. Thereby, after receiving the packet, it is possible to promptly shift to the sleep mode. Further, after the sleep transition fluctuation time has elapsed, the MFP may transition to the sleep mode. Thereby, even when a packet is not received within the sleep transition fluctuation time, it is possible to shift to the sleep mode at a fixed time.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case of receiving a packet is shown as the case where a factor for returning from the sleep mode occurs. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a user operation performed via the operation unit, a request process from another device performed via the LAN, or an event process that occurs when the internal timer elapses may be factors.

  In the above-described embodiment, the sleep transition time and the sleep transition variation time are arbitrarily set by the operator. However, the MFP itself may automatically set the sleep transition time and the sleep transition variation time. For example, the MFP calculates an average value of the standby time during which no processing is performed from a packet reception history or an operation history, and sets a sleep transition time from the calculated average value, and also from variation with respect to the average value. A sleep transition fluctuation time may be set.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where a factor for periodically returning to the sleep mode, such as reception of an inquiry packet, has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a case where a factor occurs irregularly. . When a factor occurs irregularly, it is preferable to set a long sleep transition fluctuation time.

  Moreover, although the case where it applied to the electronic device connected to the network was shown in the said embodiment, this invention may be applied to a single electronic device. For example, in the case of an electronic device that is regularly operated, the electronic device stores the frequency of operation as history information, analyzes the history information, and performs the operation within a preset sleep transition fluctuation time. It may be determined whether or not to enter the sleep mode.

  In the above-described embodiment, the electronic apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a multifunction peripheral (MFP) having a printing function, a copying function, a scanner function, and the like. Of course, it may be. Furthermore, the electronic apparatus of the present invention is not limited to such an image forming apparatus, but can be applied to various devices such as a personal computer, a PDA, a mobile phone, and a digital photo frame.

  The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

100 MFP
110 Control unit 130 Host computer 140 LAN
502 Sleep transition time setting unit 503 Sleep transition time setting unit

Claims (11)

In the electronic device that shifts to the sleep mode after the lapse of the sleep transition time after the operation is finished,
Setting means for setting a variation time that is a time postponed until the sleep mode is entered after the sleep transition time has elapsed;
Determining means for determining whether a factor for returning the electronic device from the sleep mode occurs between the time when the sleep transition time elapses and the time when the fluctuation time elapses;
A transition means for shifting to the sleep mode after deferring without shifting to the sleep mode even if the sleep transition time elapses when the determination means determines that the factor occurs within the fluctuation time; An electronic device comprising:   The transition unit sets an extension time to the expected occurrence time of the factor when the determination unit determines that the factor occurs, and shifts to the sleep mode after the extension time has elapsed. The electronic device according to claim 1.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, when the determination unit determines that the factor is generated, the shift unit shifts to the sleep mode after the generation of the factor.   2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that the factor is generated, the shift unit shifts to the sleep mode after the fluctuation time has elapsed. Receiving means for receiving the setting of the variable time,
The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets the variation time received by the receiving unit.   6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the accepting unit accepts setting of the sleep transition time in addition to the variation time. Storage means for storing the occurrence of the factor in time series,
2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit analyzes a history of occurrence of the factor stored in the storage unit and makes a determination based on the analysis result. Connected to the network,
When the factor for returning the electronic device is reception of a packet from another device connected to the network, the determination unit receives the packet as a history of occurrence of the factor stored in the storage unit. 8. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the history is analyzed. The storage means stores a reception time and a transmission destination of a packet received from another device connected to the network;
The determination unit includes a calculation unit that calculates the reception interval of the packet for each transmission destination based on the reception time and transmission destination of the packet stored in the storage unit, and the reception interval calculated by the calculation unit 9. The electronic apparatus according to claim 8, wherein it is determined whether or not the packet is received within the variation time based on the information. In the control method of the electronic device that shifts to the sleep mode after elapse of the sleep transition time after the operation is finished
A setting step for setting a fluctuation time that is a time postponed until the sleep mode is entered after the sleep transition time;
A determination step of determining whether or not a factor for returning the electronic device from the sleep mode occurs between the time when the sleep transition time elapses and the time when the fluctuation time elapses;
If it is determined in the determination step that the factor is generated within the fluctuation time, the transition step to shift to the sleep mode after delaying without transition to the sleep mode even after the sleep transition time has elapsed A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising: In a program for causing a computer to execute a control method of an electronic device that shifts to a sleep mode after elapse of a sleep transition time after finishing an operation,
The control method is:
A setting step for setting a fluctuation time that is a time postponed until the sleep mode is entered after the sleep transition time;
A determination step of determining whether or not a factor for returning the electronic device from the sleep mode occurs between the time when the sleep transition time elapses and the time when the fluctuation time elapses;
If it is determined in the determination step that the factor is generated within the fluctuation time, the transition step to shift to the sleep mode after delaying without transition to the sleep mode even after the sleep transition time has elapsed A program characterized by having.

Images