JP2011142577A - Power saving control method, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for appropriately performing transition to a power-saving mode. <P>SOLUTION: The power saving control method in an image forming apparatus is provided, having: a normal state where power is supplied to the entire apparatus; and a power-saving state where power supply to a part of the apparatus is stopped. The method also has: a power-saving transition determining step of determining whether to perform a transition from the normal state to the power-saving state; and a request rejecting step in which, after a power-saving transition determination in which it is determined by the power-saving transition determining step to perform transition to the power-saving state, even when there is a job execution request to the image forming apparatus, the apparatus does not respond to the request. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power saving control method and an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are image forming apparatuses such as scanners, printers, and multifunction peripherals that provide services to a network or receive services from a network. In such an image forming apparatus, power consumption is reduced by shifting to a power saving mode when a non-operation state continues for a certain period of time. In addition, when the image forming apparatus shifts to the power saving mode, for example, a function for maintaining communication with the network by automatically transmitting a plurality of types of packets to the network periodically according to preset transmission conditions is proposed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  However, in the above-described conventional method, after determining that it is possible to shift to the power saving mode in the power saving transition determination in the image forming apparatus, the function of performing network communication frequently when the above-described network communication is in progress is effective. Or when a module (daemon) is activated, there is a case where it is not possible to shift to the power saving mode although it is possible to shift to the power saving mode.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a power saving control method and an image forming apparatus for appropriately executing a shift to a power saving mode.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a power saving control in an image forming apparatus having a normal state in which power is supplied to the entire apparatus and a power saving state in which the supply of power to a part of the apparatus is stopped. A power saving transition determination procedure for determining whether to shift from the normal state to the power saving state, and a power saving transition determination that is determined to shift to the power saving state by the power saving transition determination procedure. And a request rejection procedure that does not respond even when there is a job execution request to the image forming apparatus.

  The present invention also provides an image forming apparatus having a normal state in which power is supplied to the entire apparatus and a power saving state in which the supply of power to a part of the apparatus is stopped. There is a job execution request to the image forming apparatus after the power saving transition determining means for determining whether to shift to the power state and the power saving transition determining that the power saving transition determining means determines to shift to the power saving state. And a request rejection control means for controlling so as not to respond.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately execute the shift to the power saving mode.

It is a system configuration figure concerning this embodiment. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a software configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the function peculiar to this embodiment implement | achieved in an image forming apparatus. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an image forming apparatus having a subsystem. FIG. It is a sequence diagram at the time of applying a packet filter. It is a sequence diagram at the time of packet filter cancellation | release. It is a sequence diagram which invalidates a module. It is a sequence diagram which validates a module. It is a sequence diagram for power saving shift frequency setting. It is an operation screen figure for power saving shift frequency setting. It is a transition diagram for transferring the occurrence log to the outside of the device. It is a figure for demonstrating the log system determination method. It is a sequence diagram at the time of starting.

<About the present invention>
Normally, the image forming apparatus shifts to the power saving mode on the condition that a return requirement from the power saving does not occur within a predetermined time after determining that the shift is possible by the power saving shift determination. In the present invention, even when there is a request from, for example, “a function set not to respond during power saving” between the judgment of power saving transition and the actual transition to power saving mode. By controlling so as not to respond, it appropriately shifts to the power saving mode.

  The above-mentioned “functions set not to respond during power saving” include “functions that do not respond even if a request is received during power saving”, “functions that do not request during power saving”, “ Although there is a function of operating by the sub-board even during power saving ”, the present invention is not limited to this. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention for realizing the above-described contents will be described in detail.

<System configuration example according to this embodiment>
FIG. 1 shows a system configuration according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 101, an image forming apparatus 102, a PC (personal computer) 103, and the like are connected to the network 100.

  Here, the image forming apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 perform image formation on various information (character data, image data, etc.) received from the PC 103 based on, for example, a print execution request obtained from the PC 103 via the network 100. . In addition, the image forming apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 transmit the execution result in the above-described printing execution and control information at the time of abnormal termination to the PC 103.

  Further, the PC 103 transmits a print execution request and print target data to the image forming apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102, and receives control information (normal end / abnormal end, etc.) of the execution result.

  In the example of FIG. 1, two image forming apparatuses and one PC are connected to the network 100 in order to facilitate the description of the present invention. However, the number of connected devices is not particularly limited. A plurality of PCs may be connected.

  Next, specific examples (hardware configuration, software configuration, etc.) of the image forming apparatus in the present embodiment will be described. In the following description, specific examples of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. However, the above-described image forming apparatus 102 also has the same configuration.

<Example of Hardware Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 101 includes a controller 201, an operation unit (operation panel) 202, a facsimile control unit 203, a plotter 204, a scanner 205, other hardware resources 206, and the like. They are connected by a Peripheral Component Interconnect (Bus).

  The controller 201 controls the entire image forming apparatus 101 and controls drawing, communication, and input from the operation unit 202. The controller 201 includes a CPU 211, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 212, an NB 213, a serial bus 214, a MEM-P 215, a MEM-C 216, an HDD (hard disk drive) 217, a memory card I / F 218, a USB host 219, and an IEEE 1394 device. 220, IEEE802.11a / b / g device 221, USB device 222, NIC (network interface controller) 223, and the like.

  The CPU 211 controls the entire image forming apparatus 101 and is an IC for various information processing. The ASIC 212 is an IC for various image processing. The NB 213 is a north bridge of the controller 201. The serial bus 214 is a south bridge of the controller 201. The MEM-P 215 is a system memory of the image forming apparatus 101. The MEM-C 216 is a local memory of the image forming apparatus 101.

  The HDD 217 is a storage of the image forming apparatus 101. The memory card I / F 218 is an interface for setting a memory card. The USB host 219 detects the connection with the USB device and transmits / receives data to / from the USB memory.

  The IEEE 1394 device 220 is a device for providing a connection terminal of the IEEE 1394 standard. The IEEE 802.11a / b / g device 221 is connected to the network 100B. The USB device 222 is a device for providing a USB standard connection terminal. The NIC 223 is a controller for network communication using a MAC address, and is connected to the network 100A.

  The operation unit 202 is hardware (operation unit) for an operator to input to the image forming apparatus 101 and hardware (display unit) for an operator to obtain an output from the image forming apparatus 101.

  The plotter 204 records and outputs an image on a sheet based on the image data by an electrophotographic method or the like, and the scanner 205 scans the image of the document to read the image with a predetermined resolution and acquire the image data. The other hardware resources 206 are external hardware and the like.

<Example of Software Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus>
Next, a software configuration example of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. FIG. 3 shows a software configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 101 includes a copy application 10, a fax application 11, a printer application 12, and a Web application 13 as applications.

  The image forming apparatus 101 also includes a system control service 20, a fax control service 21, an engine control service 22, a memory control service 23, an operation unit control service 24, a network control service 25, a log as control services. And a control service 26.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 101 includes an OS 28 and an engine I / F 29 as control modules. These are various software stored in the MEM-P 215, the MEM-C 216, and the HDD 217. The CPU 211 reads out and executes these various software, thereby realizing the various functions described below.

  The copy application 10 is copy software. The fax application 11 is facsimile software. The printer application 12 is software for a printer having a page description language (PDL, PCL) and a postscript (PS). The Web application 13 is network software.

  The OS 28 is LPUX (registered trademark) or the like, and executes each application in parallel as a process. The engine I / F 29 controls the plotter 204, the scanner 205, and the like as the engine unit via the engine control board 30.

  The process of the system control service 20 performs processing such as software management, operation unit 202 control and screen display, LED display, hardware resource management, and interrupt software control. The process of the fax control service 21 includes, for example, facsimile transmission / reception using the PSTN or ISDN network from each software layer of the system controller, registration / quotation of various facsimile data managed in the backup memory, facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, etc. API is provided.

  The process of the engine control service 22 controls the engine units such as the plotter 204 and the scanner 205 under the control of the engine control board 30. The process of the memory control service 23 performs memory control such as acquisition and release of image memory, use of the HDD 217, and compression and expansion of image data.

  The operation unit control service 24 controls the operation unit 202. The process of the network control service 25 provides a service that can be commonly used for software that requires network I / O. Data received from the network side according to each protocol is distributed to each software, Data communication with network devices connected via the network is controlled by HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) using HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol Daemon).

  The process of the log control service 26 performs management such as receiving log information generated by performing communication and log information generated by executing the printing process and storing them in the HDD 217 or the like.

  The CPU 211 of the image forming apparatus 101 has a system control service 20, a fax control service 21, an engine control service 22, a memory control service 23, an operation unit control service 24, a network control service 25, and a log control service 26 on the OS 28. Are started and executed as processes, and various functions are realized by appropriately starting and executing the copy application 10, the fax application 11, the printer application 12, and the Web application 13.

<About functions specific to this embodiment>
Next, functions specific to the present embodiment realized by the system control service 20, the operation unit control service 24, the network control service 25, and the OS 28 described above will be described. FIG. 4 shows an example of functions unique to the present embodiment realized in the image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus 101 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes a system control service 20, an operation unit control service 24, and a network control service 25.

  The system control service 20 includes a power management unit 20A. The power management unit 20 </ b> A manages each power supplied to each component of the image forming apparatus 101. The power management unit 20A performs mode management such as a power saving mode and a normal mode.

  The operation unit control service 24 includes an operation unit 24A. The operation unit 24A is a part that manages input by operations from the user, such as generation of a screen for instructing the user and presentation of the generated screen. The operation unit 24A has an interface for displaying operation contents and the like on the screen, and has a function such as a touch panel, for example.

  The network control service 25 includes a network control management unit 25A, a packet processing unit 25B, and a network setting unit 25C.

  The network control management unit 25A controls data and the like transmitted and received by the image forming apparatus 101 with an external apparatus (for example, the image forming apparatus 102 or the PC 103) via the network 100. When the image forming apparatus 101 shifts to the power saving mode, the packet processing unit 25B automatically transmits, for example, a plurality of types of packet data to the network periodically according to preset transmission conditions.

  The network setting unit 25C performs network setting based on the content of the operation performed through the operation unit 24A obtained from the operation unit control service 24. The network setting unit 25C outputs the set contents to the network control management unit 25A. Accordingly, the network control management unit 25A performs network control in the image forming apparatus 101 based on the set contents.

<About functions set to not respond during power saving>
Here, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided with a “function that is set not to respond during power saving” in advance by the various functions described above. In the present invention, this function is shifted to power saving. After the judgment, it is applied even during the power saving transition. Note that “a function that is set not to respond during power saving” means, for example, “a function that does not respond even if a request is received during power saving” or “a request that is not received during power saving” as described above. Functions "," functions that operate by sub-board even during power saving ", and the like.

  The “function that does not respond even if a request is received during power saving” is a function that does not respond even if a request is received from the outside when the packet filter is valid during power saving using, for example, a packet filter.

  In the present embodiment, after the power saving transition determination, by enabling the packet filter, control is performed so as not to respond even when a request is received from the outside. For example, when there is identification information in a request request signal of a packet received from the outside in advance, it can be controlled not to receive packet data having the identification information. Specifically, for example, a request advertised from another device by a function such as WS-MFP or Bonjour (registered trademark).

  The “function that does not make a request during power saving” is, for example, a function such as a WS-MFP or Bonjour that the image forming apparatus 101 periodically makes some advertisement to the outside. In the present embodiment, after the power saving transition determination, these functions are disabled to control not to make a request to the outside.

  In addition, “a function that operates by a subsystem even during power saving” means, for example, a function that does not respond even when a request is received during power saving, but operates instead by a preset subsystem. Note that the above-described subsystem refers to, for example, a sub-board that performs network response instead of the main board during power saving. In the present embodiment, in the case of an image forming apparatus having a subsystem, after the determination of transition to power saving, the subsystem is activated and a network response is made instead of the main system, so that a response can be received even if a request is received. Control not to.

In the present embodiment, the function that is set so as not to respond during the power saving after the power saving transition determination is performed by applying the control realized during the power saving described above even after the power saving transition determination. Even if there is any request from, the system appropriately shifts to the power saving state. If the above-mentioned subsystem is included, the configuration of the image forming apparatus has a main system and a subsystem. 2 and 3 are different. The outline of the contents will be described below.

<Configuration Example of Image Forming Apparatus Having Subsystem>
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an image forming apparatus having a subsystem. In the figure, an image forming apparatus 301 includes a controller board 302, an engine 303, and the like. The controller board 302 and the engine 303 are connected via an engine interface 304.

  On the controller board 302, a main CPU 311 and a sub CPU 321 are arranged. The main CPU 311 is a CPU of the main system M. The sub CPU 321 is a CPU of the subsystem S. The main CPU 311 and the sub CPU 321 are connected via a bus. In the figure, arrows indicate buses.

  The main system M is a hardware group that controls the image forming apparatus 301 in a normal power state. The subsystem S is a hardware group that controls the image forming apparatus 301 in the power saving state. The power saving state is a state in which power is supplied only to the subsystem S in order to reduce power consumption, for example, by continuing a no-operation state, or power supply to the main system M and the engine 303 is reduced. State. The power saving state is generally called a power saving mode, an energy saving mode, a minimum power state, or the like. The normal power state is a state other than the power saving state. That is, the normal power state is a state in which power supply to the main system M, the subsystem S, and the engine 303 is not limited.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 301 is controlled by activating the subsystem S after the power saving transition determination.

  In the main system M, the main CPU 311 is connected to the ROM 312, RAM 313, ASIC 314, PHY chip 315, and PHY chip 316 via a bus. The main CPU 311 controls functions of the entire image forming apparatus 301 based on a program recorded in the ROM 312 and loaded into the RAM 313. The ASIC 314 mainly performs image processing.

  The ASIC 314 is connected to an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 317 and the engine interface 304 via a bus. The PHY chip 315 converts the logic signal from the CPU 311 into an electric signal and inputs the electric signal to the engine interface 304. The PHY chip 316 converts a logic signal from the main CPU 311 into an electric signal and inputs the electric signal to the hub 318. The hub 318 is connected to the USB interface 319 and the engine interface 304 via a bus. The USB interface 319 is a hardware interface for USB connection.

  In the subsystem S, the sub CPU 321 is connected to the ROM 322, the RAM 323, the PHY 324, and the USB interface 325 via a bus. The sub CPU 321 controls the operation (mainly communication processing) of the image forming apparatus 301 after the power saving transition determination based on a program recorded in the ROM 322 and loaded into the RAM 323. The PHY chip 324 converts the logic signal from the sub CPU 321 into an electrical signal and inputs the electrical signal to the network interface 326. The network interface 326 is hardware for connecting to a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), for example, and realizes a physical layer function in network communication.

  The engine 303 includes an operation panel 331, a scanner 332, a printer 333, an FCU (facsimile control unit) 334, and the like. The operation panel 331 includes display means such as a liquid crystal panel and input means such as hardware keys. The scanner 332 scans a document and inputs scanned image data to the ASIC 314 via the engine interface 304. The printer 333 prints image data input from the ASIC 314 via the engine interface 304 on printing paper. The FCU 334 performs FAX transmission / reception.

  In this embodiment, by having the various functions as described above, the power saving function is appropriately executed after the power saving transition determination.

  The hardware configuration in FIGS. 2 and 5 described above is a schematic configuration corresponding to the implementation pattern in the above-described embodiment, but is not limited to this in the present invention. For example, The hardware configurations in FIGS. 2 and 5 may be combined. For example, a subsystem may be provided in the configuration in FIG.

  Next, specific contents for realizing the above-described “function set so as not to respond during power saving” from the power saving transition determination to the actual transition will be described. 6 to 11 shown below show examples using the power management unit 20A, the operation unit 24A, and the network control service 25 (the network control management unit 25A, the packet processing unit 25B, and the network setting unit 25C). ing.

  In addition, STR (Suspend to RAM) described below is a method for reducing power consumption by storing a context being executed in a main storage device (RAM or the like) and stopping power supply to the device. It is.

  When processing is required during power saving, the normal state is restored from the STR state. In the STR state, another system (for example, a subsystem) with low power consumption is operated, and if the system returns from the STR state or is a simple packet response, the subsystem executes the packet response.

  First, an example for realizing the above-described “function that does not respond even if a request is received during power saving” after determining power saving transition will be described below. In the following description, a case where a packet filter is applied will be described as an example.

<Sequence example when applying packet filter>
FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram when a packet filter is applied. As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the power management unit 20A prepares for the transition to the STR (S10), the power management unit 20A performs an STR transition confirmation with respect to the network control management unit 25A (S11).

  The network control management unit 25A performs network setting confirmation with respect to the network setting unit 25C (S12), and the network control management unit 25A determines whether or not the transition to STR is possible by the network setting confirmation in the processing of S12. (S13). If it is determined by the processing in S13 that the transition to the STR is possible, the network control management unit 25A issues a packet filter application request to the packet processing unit 25B (S14). The packet processing unit 25B applies a packet filter (S15) and performs packet blocking.

  Further, the network control management unit 25A outputs a signal indicating that the transition to the STR is possible to the power management unit 20A (S16), and the power management unit 20A performs the transition to the STR (S17). After the process of S17, the STR state is entered.

  By the above-described processing, it is possible to solve the problem of not shifting to the STR state due to the occurrence of network communication after the STR transition determination.

<Example sequence when releasing packet filter>
Next, the contents when the packet filter is released in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram when releasing the packet filter in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, when the power management unit 20A, the operation unit 24A, and the network control service 25 are in the above-described STR state and a STR return trigger occurs thereafter, the power management unit 20A returns the STR ( S20), STR return notification is sent to the network control management unit 25A (S21).

  The network control management unit 25A makes a packet filter release request to the packet processing unit 25B (S22). The packet processing unit 25B cancels the packet filter (S23), and the network control management unit 25A confirms the STR return to the power management unit 20A (S24). After the process of S24, it will be in a normal state.

  The packet filter is canceled when returning from the STR state by the processing described above.

  Next, an example for realizing the above-described “function that does not make a request during power saving” after determining power saving transition will be described below. In the following description, a case where the present invention is applied by invalidating a module will be described as an example.

<Example of disabling a module>
FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram for disabling a module. As shown in FIG. 8, when the power management unit 20A prepares for the STR transition (S30), the power management unit 20A performs STR transition confirmation with respect to the network control management unit 25A (S31). The network control management unit 25A performs network setting confirmation with respect to the network setting unit 25C (S32), and the network control management unit 25A performs STR transition determination based on the setting confirmation in S32 (S33).

  If it is determined in S33 that the above-described network communication function is enabled and the migration is determined to be impossible, the network control management unit 25A sets the setting before the STR migration to the network setting unit 25C. A request is made to record (S34). In addition, a request is made to change settings such as invalidity of enabled functions and module stop (S35).

  Further, the network setting unit 25C confirms the STR transition frequency described later (S36). Thereafter, the network control management unit 25A performs network setting confirmation (S37), performs STR transition determination (S38), and when it is determined that transition is possible, notifies the power management unit 20A that STR transition is possible (S39). The power management unit 20A shifts to STR (S40). Thereafter, the STR state is entered.

  By the above-described processing, the function that inhibits the transition to the STR state is invalidated.

<Example of enabling the module>
Next, an example of enabling the module in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram for enabling a module. As shown in FIG. 9, as shown in FIG. 9, when the power management unit 20 </ b> A, the operation unit 24 </ b> A, and the network control service 25 are each in the STR state, and then a STR return trigger occurs, the power management unit 20 </ b> A The STR is restored (S50), and the STR return notification is sent to the network control management unit 25A (S51).

  The network control management unit 25A requests the network setting unit 25C to read the setting before the STR transition (S52), and the network control management unit 25A enables the disabled function to the network setting unit 25C. Then, a setting change such as activating the module is requested (S53). After the process of S53, the power management unit 20A is notified of the STR return confirmation (S54), and the process shifts to the normal state. After that, the normal state is entered.

  By the above-described processing, the function disabled before shifting to STR is enabled.

<Example for setting power saving frequency>
Next, an example of setting the above-described STR transition frequency will be described. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for setting the power saving transition frequency.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the operation unit 24A starts the STR setting by the user's operation (S60), the operation unit 24A requests the network setting unit 25C to read the network setting (S61).

  Next, the operation unit 24A displays the current STR frequency (S62), and selects the STR frequency by an input by a user operation (S63). Next, the operation unit 24A requests the network setting unit 25C to write the STR frequency selected in the process of S63 into the network setting (S64), and ends the process.

  With the processing described above, it is possible to set the STR transition frequency by the user operation.

<Example of operation screen for setting power saving frequency>
Next, an example of an operation screen for setting the STR transition frequency will be described. FIG. 11 is an operation screen diagram for setting the power saving transition frequency. As shown in FIG. 11, the user can perform STR setting on the setting screen.

  In the STR setting screen shown in FIG. 11, “high STR transition frequency” or “low STR transition frequency” can be selected. For example, if there are functions such as A, B, C, D, E, etc., A, B, C are functions that cannot be transferred to STR if they are enabled in advance, and D, E are not essential but disabled The function is more easily shifted to STR. At this time, when “STR transition frequency high” is selected by the user on the STR setting screen, all of A, B, C, D, and E are invalidated in the above-described STR transition frequency confirmation processing, and “STR When “low transition frequency” is selected, only A, B, and C are invalid.

  As described above, it is possible to collectively set the validity / invalidity of the function for easily shifting to the STR by the user's operation.

  Next, an example for realizing the above-described “function that operates by the sub-board even during power saving” after determining power saving transition will be described below. In the following description, as an example, a case will be described in which a subsystem is activated and a network response is substituted instead of the main system after the power saving transition determination.

  Even if the network response is represented by the subsystem, the HDD (hard disk drive) of the main system has been started to record a communication log generated at the time of polling from the device management utility via the network, for example. Therefore, it is not possible to shift to power saving. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the recording of the log generated after the power saving transition determination is left to another image forming apparatus.

<Example for transferring the occurrence log to outside the device>
First, an example for transferring the occurrence log in the present embodiment outside the device will be described. As described above with reference to FIG. 5 and the like, the processing will be described when the image forming apparatus 301 is provided with a subsystem.

  FIG. 12 is a transition diagram for transferring the occurrence log to the outside of the device. As shown in FIG. 12, when the normal mode / HDD on is switched to the power saving mode / HDD off, it is determined whether to transfer the generated log to the outside of the device or to record the generated log in the device. In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 301 can control log transfer from the current mode and the state where the HDD is turned on / off based on preset conditions.

<Example of how to determine whether to record log on own machine or transfer to other machine>
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a log method determination method. In FIG. 13, “(A) normal mode power amount”, “(B) power saving mode power amount”, “(C) power saving transition time setting” for the identification information (device number) of each device, “(D) polling interval”, “(E) power saving mode time per day”, “(F) normal mode time per day”, “(G) use when logging to the device” “Power consumption”, “(H) Power usage when operating in normal mode all day”, “(I) Power usage when operating in power saving mode for all day”, “(J) 5 "Electric power consumption" is managed.

  The normal mode power amount (A) shown in FIG. 13 indicates the power consumption per hour in the normal mode, and the power saving mode power amount (B) indicates the power consumption per hour in the power saving mode. Show. The power saving transition time setting in (C) indicates the time that can be set for each device, that is, the time for shifting to the power saving mode when this time has elapsed in the normal mode. The polling interval in (D) Indicates the interval when the management utility polls the device. This is a time that polling time varies depending on the utility and can be set for each device.

  Also, (E) power saving mode time per day = 24-F, (F) normal mode time per day = (24 / D) * C, and log to that device in (G) Power consumption when recording = (A * F) + (B * E). Also, (H) power consumption when operating in the normal mode all day = A * 24, and (I) power consumption when operating in the power saving mode all day = B * 24. (J) As the amount of power used for five units, J (N) indicates the amount of power used for five units when operating in the normal mode throughout the day using the device number N as a server. The numbers in parentheses indicate device numbers.

For example, J (1) = H (1) + I (2) + I (3) + I (4) + I (5)
J (2) = I (1) + H (2) + I (3) + I (4) + I (5)
J (3) = I (1) + I (2) + H (3) + I (4) + I (5)
J (4) = I (1) + I (2) + I (3) + H (4) + I (5)
J (5) = I (1) + I (2) + I (3) + I (4) + H (5).

  Here, the log method determining method is G (1) + G (2) + G (3) + G (4) + G (5) <MIN (J (1), J (2) as to whether or not server operation is performed. ), J (3), J (4), J (5)), log transfer is performed to the image forming apparatus of the other machine.

  Further, G (1) + G (2) + G (3) + G (4) + G (5)> MIN (J (1), J (2), J (3), J (4), J (5)) In this case, it is determined that the log generated by the own device is recorded by the own device.

  When log transfer is performed, the server is determined so that the power consumption is the smallest among J (1), J (2), J (3), J (4), and J (5). . In the above example, since J (3) is the smallest, logs generated at the device numbers 1, 2, 4, and 5 are transferred to the device number 3. In the case where the power of the device is not turned on or the like, the time-out is performed, and J, I, H, and G are excluded from the device that has not been notified.

  For example, when there is no notification from the device number 3, the determination is made under the following conditions.

J (1) = H (1) + I (2) + I (4) + I (5)
J (2) = I (1) + H (2) + I (4) + I (5)
J (4) = I (1) + I (2) + H (4) + I (5)
J (5) = I (1) + I (2) + I (4) + H (5)
Here, when G (1) + G (2) + G (4) + G (5) <MIN (J (1), J (2), J (4), J (5)), log transfer is performed. to decide. If G (1) + G (2) + G (4) + G (5)> MIN (J (1), J (2), J (4), J (5)), a single log is recorded. .

<Example sequence at startup>
Next, a sequence example at the time of activation in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram at the time of activation. FIG. 14 shows, as an example, a startup sequence for three types of devices 1, 2, and 3.

  As shown in FIG. 14, upon receiving a power ON signal, the device 1 inquires the counterpart device 2 and device 3 about the amount of power. Here, since the device 1 and the device 3 are not yet turned on, the device 1 cannot obtain an answer for the amount of power.

  When the device 2 is turned on, the device 1 and the device 3 are inquired about the amount of power. In addition, when the device 2 receives an answer of the amount of power from the device 1, the device 2 notifies the device 1 of the corresponding log method. In addition, since the power supply of the apparatus 2 has not yet been turned on, the apparatus 2 cannot obtain an answer for the amount of power.

  When the device 3 is turned on, the device 2 and the device 1 are inquired about the amount of power. In addition, when an answer for the amount of power is received from each of the devices 1 and 2, the corresponding log method is notified to the devices 2 and 1.

  In FIG. 14, as an answer to the electric energy, (G) the electric energy used per day when the log is recorded in the device, (H) per day when operated in the normal mode all day. Notify the amount of power used and (I) the amount of power used per day when operating in the power saving mode all day long.

  By performing processing in this way, it is possible to inquire about the amount of power of a device whose power is ON, and to notify an appropriate log method according to the amount of power. Further, it is possible to determine whether or not the subsystem transfers the log based on the notified information.

  The above-described processing has been described as processing when a subsystem is provided in the image forming apparatus 301 illustrated in FIG. 5 and the like. However, even if there is no subsystem, the HDD is first stopped as the first stage. It is possible to appropriately shift to the power saving mode by performing the transition process to the two-stage power saving mode including the process to leave the recording to another image forming apparatus as the second stage. Further, even when the log recording is left to another image forming apparatus using the subsystem in the power saving mode, power saving can be achieved.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately execute the shift to the power saving mode.

The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to that described in the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Is possible.

10 Copy Application 11 Fax Application 12 Printer Application 13 Web Application 20 System Control Service 20A Power Management Unit 21 Fax Control Service 22 Engine Control Service 23 Memory Control Service 24 Operation Unit Control Service 24A Operation Unit 25 Network Control Service 25A Network Control Management Unit 25B Packet processing unit 25C Network setting unit 26 Log control service 28 OS
29 Engine I / F
100 Network 101, 102, 301 Image forming apparatus 103 PC (personal computer)
201 controller 202 operation unit (operation panel)
203 Facsimile Control Unit 204 Plotter 205 Scanner 206 Other Hardware Resources 211 CPU
212 ASIC
213 NB
214 Serial bus 215 MEM-P
216 MEM-C
217 HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
218 Memory card I / F
219 USB host 220 IEEE 1394 device 221 IEEE 802.11a / b / g device 222 USB device 223 NIC (network interface controller)
302 Controller board 303 Engine 304 Engine interface 311 Main CPU
312 ROM
313 RAM
314 ASIC
315 PHY chip 316 PHY chip 317 HDD
318 Hub 319 USB interface 321 Sub CPU
322 ROM
323 RAM
324 PHY
325 USB interface 326 Network interface 331 Operation panel 332 Scanner 333 Printer 334 FCU

JP 2009-119849 A

Claims (10)

A power saving control method in an image forming apparatus having a normal state in which power is supplied to the entire apparatus and a power saving state in which supply of power to a part of the apparatus is stopped,
A power saving transition determination procedure for determining whether to shift from the normal state to the power saving state;
A request rejection procedure that does not respond even if there is a job execution request to the image forming apparatus after the power saving transition determination that is determined to shift to the power saving state by the power saving transition determination procedure. Method. The request rejection procedure is:
2. The power saving control method according to claim 1, wherein a packet filter that controls transmission / reception of a packet so as not to respond to the job execution request after the power saving shift determination is used. The request rejection procedure is:
3. The power saving control method according to claim 1, further comprising an input function invalidation procedure for invalidating an input function so as not to respond to the job execution request after the power saving transition determination. The request rejection procedure is:
2. A proxy response procedure in which, when the job execution request is received during the transition to the power saving state, a proxy response procedure is performed by a sub-board provided in advance in the image forming apparatus. The power saving control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The request rejection procedure is:
The power saving control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the power saving control method is applied from the determination of the power saving transition to the end of the power saving transition. An image forming apparatus having a normal state in which power is supplied to the entire apparatus and a power saving state in which supply of power to a part of the apparatus is stopped,
A power saving transition judging means for judging whether or not to transition from the normal state to the power saving state;
Request rejection control means for controlling so as not to respond even if there is a job execution request to the image forming apparatus after the power saving transition judgment that the power saving transition judgment means judges to shift to the power saving state. Image forming apparatus. The request rejection control means includes
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a packet filter that controls transmission / reception of packets so as not to respond to the job execution request after the power saving shift determination is used. The request rejection control means includes
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an input function invalidating unit that invalidates an input function so as not to respond to the job execution request after the power saving state transition determination. The request rejection control means includes
9. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a proxy response unit that, when receiving the job execution request after the power saving transition determination, performs a proxy response using a sub-board provided in advance in the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The request rejection control means includes
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the image forming apparatus is applied from the time when the power saving transition is determined until the power saving transition ends.

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