JP2011148230A - Information processor and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor and information processing method capable of saving a power by suitably controlling an automatic answer to the request received. <P>SOLUTION: The information processor includes: a first information processing means for performing the processing at the time of the power mode of the information processor being a normal mode and at the time of the power mode being a power-saving mode whose power consumption is lower than the normal mode; a second information processing means for performing the processing at the time of the normal mode; a reception means for receiving the request from other devices connected through a network; an information acquisition means for acquiring a selection information concerning the way by which one of the first information processing means and the second processing means the processing included in the received request is performed, and a processing control means for outputting the received request to the first information processing means or the second information processing means based on the selection information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method.

  Conventionally, in an information processing apparatus having a power saving mode, power saving is realized by switching between a normal mode operating with a main CPU and a power saving mode operating with a sub CPU. For example, the transition to the power saving mode is performed when a state where no operation is performed continues for a certain time in the normal mode.

  In the power saving mode, functions realized by the main CPU are limited. Therefore, when receiving a packet from the network, in the case of a function realized by the main CPU, processing such as returning the power mode to the normal mode is required.

  For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-29102 (Patent Document 1), when a return of predetermined information is requested based on the contents of a received packet, a response packet is generated while maintaining the power saving mode. An invention of an information processing apparatus or the like is disclosed.

  However, in the invention of the information processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, when an information processing apparatus having an SNMP agent function receives a request that is not registered as an MIB automatic response, the information processing apparatus always returns to the normal mode. . For this reason, power saving may be hindered.

  The present invention has been invented in order to solve these problems in view of the above points, an information processing apparatus that achieves power saving by suitably controlling an automatic response to a received request, and The object is to provide an information processing method.

  In order to achieve the above object, the information processing apparatus of the present invention employs the following configuration. The information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes first information processing means for executing processing when the power mode of the information processing apparatus is in the normal mode and in the power saving mode in which the power consumption is lower than that in the normal mode. A second information processing means for executing processing in the normal mode; a receiving means for receiving a request from another device connected via a network; and a process included in the received request. Information acquisition means for acquiring execution information relating to which of the information processing means and the second information processing means is executed, and the request received based on the execution information as the first information And a processing control means for outputting to the processing means or the second information processing means.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus that realizes power saving by suitably controlling an automatic response to a received request.

  In addition, in order to solve the said subject, this invention is good also as an information processing method in the said information processing apparatus.

  According to the information processing apparatus and the information processing method of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing method that realize power saving by suitably controlling an automatic response to a received request.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process of registering an MIB that automatically responds. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram for explaining the process of automatically responding to the MIB. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram for explaining processing when the received SNMP request is not a MIB automatic response. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a computer that implements the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, an image forming apparatus will be described as an example of an information processing apparatus having a power saving mode. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this example. Any information processing apparatus that has a power saving mode and receives a request from another apparatus connected via a network even in the power saving mode may be used. In the following embodiments, the request and response from another device are an SNMP request and its response, respectively, but other protocols may be used.

[Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 is connected to a remote host A and a remote host B via a network. The image forming apparatus 1 has a main CPU 10. The main CPU 10 includes a sub CPU 20, a print processing unit 11, an SNMP processing unit 12, and a main engine 18.

  The main CPU 10 realizes a function used when the power mode of the image forming apparatus 1 is in the normal mode. The normal mode is a mode in which each function of the image forming apparatus 1 can be realized, and the power saving mode is a mode in which each part to which power is supplied is less than the normal mode and consumes less power than the normal mode. It is. Thereby, power saving in the image forming apparatus 1 can be realized.

  The print processing unit 11, the SNMP processing unit 12, and the main engine 18 are not supplied with power in the power saving mode. Further, the sub CPU 20 is supplied with power in the normal mode and in the power saving mode.

  The print processing unit 11 performs print processing based on a print request from a remote host A or the like connected via a network. The print processing unit 11 may also perform print processing based on a request input from an operation unit (not shown) or the like. The main engine 18 forms an image on the medium and outputs it by the print processing of the print processing unit 11.

  The SNMP processing unit 12 generates a response to the SNMP request transmitted from the remote host A or the like. Further, when generating the response, the SNMP processing unit 12 registers the MIB subject to automatic response in the MIB holding unit of the sub CPU 20.

  The sub CPU 20 continues to supply power even in the power saving mode. The sub CPU 20 includes a network packet processing unit 21, an SNMP automatic response unit 22, a power state control unit 24, an MIB holding unit 26, and a network interface (hereinafter referred to as “network I / F”) 29.

  The network packet processing unit 21 distributes the network packet received by the network I / F 29 to the SNMP processing unit 12 and the SNMP automatic response unit 22. The network packet processing unit 21 refers to the MIB held in the MIB holding unit 26 when distributing the network packet.

  The network packet processing unit 21 also causes the network I / F 29 to output a packet including a response generated by the SNMP processing unit 12 and the SNMP automatic response unit 22.

  In the MIB holding unit 26, the MIB to be automatically responded is registered. The MIB holding unit 26 also holds history information of network packets received in the past. The history information includes information on the number of times received for each type of network packet.

  The SNMP automatic response unit 22 generates a response to the received network packet in the power saving mode. The generated response is output to the network packet processing unit 21.

  The power state control unit 24 switches the power mode of the image forming apparatus 1 between the normal mode and the power saving mode.

  The remote host A and the remote host B are connected to the image forming apparatus 1 via a network. Packets output from the remote host A and the remote host B to the image forming apparatus 1 are received by the network I / F 29. Packets output from the image forming apparatus 1 to the remote host A and the remote host B are output from the network I / F 29.

  FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram for explaining a process of registering an MIB that automatically responds to the MIB holding unit 26. In step S <b> 11 of FIG. 2, an SNMP request is output from the remote host A or remote host B (hereinafter referred to as “remote host”) to the image forming apparatus 1. The output SNMP request is received by the network I / F 29 and output to the network packet processing unit 21.

  Progressing to step S12 following step S11, the network packet processing unit 21 outputs a request for confirming the current power mode to the power state control unit 24. Progressing to step S13 following step S12, the power state control unit 24 checks the current power mode. The process in FIG. 2 is a process in the normal mode. Therefore, in step S13, it is confirmed that the normal mode is set.

  Progressing to step S14 following step S13, the network packet processing unit 21 proceeds to the SNMP processing unit 12, and a request for processing the received SNMP request is output. This request includes the received SNMP request.

  Progressing to step S15 following step S14, the SNMP processing unit 12 generates an SNMP response to the SNMP request requested in step S14. Progressing to step S16 following step S15, the SNMP processing unit 12 confirms the history information of the SNMP processed in the past held in the MIB holding unit 26. More specifically, the processing count of the same packet processed in the past is referred to. In the example of FIG. 2, the number of times the process in step S15 is added to the number of times processed in the past exceeds the predetermined number. Thus, it is determined that this packet is registered as an automatic response MIB. Note that the information indicating whether the response is an automatic response MIB corresponds to “selection information”.

  Progressing to step S17 following step S16, the SNMP processing unit 12 outputs a request to register the SNMP packet processed in step S15 as an automatic response MIB to the MIB held in the MIB holding unit 26. As a result, the MIB held by the MIB holding unit 26 is updated.

  Progressing to step S18 following step S17, the SNMP response generated in step S15 is output from the SNMP processing unit 12 to the network packet processing unit 21.

  Progressing to step S19 following step S18, an SNMP response is output from the network packet processing unit 21 to the remote host via the network I / F 29.

  FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram for explaining the process of automatically responding to the MIB. The process of automatically responding to the MIB is executed in the power saving mode. In step S21, the power state control unit 24 shifts the power mode from the normal mode to the power saving mode. In step S22 following step S21, an SNMP request is output from the remote host to the image forming apparatus 1. This SNMP request is received by the network I / F 29 of the image forming apparatus 1 and output to the network packet processing unit 21.

  Progressing to step S23 following step S22, a request for confirming the current power mode is output from the network packet processing unit 21 to the power state control unit 24. Progressing to step S24 following step S23, the power state control unit 24 confirms the current power mode. Here, it is confirmed that the mode is the power saving mode shifted in step S21.

  Progressing to step S25 following step S24, the network packet processing unit 21 outputs a request for processing the SNMP request acquired in step S22 to the SNMP automatic response unit 22. Progressing to step S26 following step S25, the SNMP automatic response unit 22 outputs a request for acquiring the automatic response MIB from the MIB held in the MIB holding unit 26 to the MIB holding unit 26.

  Proceeding to step S27 following step S26, the SNMP automatic response unit 22 generates an SNMP response. This SNMP response is based on the automatic response MIB acquired in step S26. Progressing to step S28 following step S27, a request for returning an SNMP response is output from the SNMP automatic response unit 22 to the network packet processing unit 21. This request includes the SNMP response generated in step S27.

  Progressing to step S29 following step S28, an SNMP response is returned from the network packet processing unit 21 to the remote host. The remote host that is the reply destination is the remote host that transmitted the SNMP request in step S22.

  FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating processing when the SNMP request received in the power saving mode is not a MIB automatic response. In step S31 of FIG. 4, the power state control unit 24 shifts the power mode from the normal mode to the power saving mode.

  In step S32 following step S31, an SNMP request is transmitted from the remote host to the image forming apparatus 1. This SNMP request is received by the network I / F 29 and output to the network packet processing unit 21. Progressing to step S33 following step S32, the network packet processing unit 21 outputs a request for confirming the current power mode to the power state control unit 24. Progressing to step S34 following step S33, the power state control unit 24 confirms the current power mode based on the request of step S33. Here, it is confirmed that it is the power saving mode shifted in step S31.

  Progressing to step S35 following step S34, the network packet processing unit 21 outputs a request for processing the SNMP request received in step S32 to the SNMP automatic response unit 22.

  Progressing to step S36 following step S35, the SNMP automatic response unit 22 outputs a request for acquiring the automatic response MIB to the MIB holding unit 26. Progressing to step S37 following step S36, the past history information included in the automatic response MIB acquired in step S36 is acquired. More specifically, the number of times the same SNMP request has been processed in the past is acquired. The process of FIG. 4 is an explanation of a case where the number of times the same SNMP request has been processed in the past is equal to or greater than a predetermined number.

  Progressing to step S38 following step S37, the SNMP automatic response unit 22 outputs a request to the power state control unit 24 to shift to the normal mode. Progressing to step S39 following step S38, the power state control unit 24 shifts the power mode from the power saving mode to the normal mode.

  Progressing to step S40 following step S39, the network packet processing unit 21 outputs a notification for processing the SNMP request received in step S32 to the SNMP processing unit 12. In step S41 following step S40, the SNMP processing unit 12 generates an SNMP response to the SNMP request received in step S40.

  Progressing to step S42 following step S41, the SNMP request processed from step S41 among the selection information included in the MIB held by the MIB holding unit 26 is sent from the SNMP processing unit 12 to the MIB holding unit 26 as the automatic response MIB. Update as.

  Progressing to step S43 following step S42, a request for returning an SNMP response is output from the SNMP processing unit 12 to the network packet processing unit 21. This request includes the SNMP response generated in step S41.

  Progressing to step S44 following step S43, the network packet processing unit 21 returns an SNMP response to the remote host. This reply is output from the network I / F 29.

(MFP realized by computer etc.)
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a computer that implements the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5 includes a main processing unit 400, an input device 410, a display device 420, a scanner 430, a plotter 440, a NIC 460, a drive device 480, a hard disk device (hereinafter referred to as “HDD”) 490, an input I / F 419, and a display. It has an I / F 429, a scanner I / F 439, a plotter I / F 449, a drive I / F 489, and an HDD I / F 499.

  The main processing unit 400 implements each function by executing a computer program. The main processing unit 400 includes, for example, a CPU 401, a ROM 408, and a RAM 409. The CPU 401 controls each device included in the computer by executing a computer program. The ROM 408 stores, for example, computer programs and parameters, and these are provided to the CPU 401. The RAM 409 is provided as a work memory when the CPU 401 executes a computer program, for example.

  The input device 410 is configured as an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse, for example, and inputs instructions to the computer. The display device 420 displays the status of the computer. The scanner 430 optically reads an image and generates image data. The plotter 440 forms an image on a medium and outputs it.

  The NIC 460 realizes an interface function when connecting a computer and the outside via a network and controls the interface. The drive device 480 inserts a recording medium, reads information recorded on the recording medium, and records information on the recording medium. The HDD 490 is a storage unit that stores a large amount of data.

  The input I / F 419 includes a display I / F 429, a scanner I / F 439, a plotter I / F 449, a drive I / F 489, and an HDD I / F 499, respectively, an input device 410, a display device 420, a scanner 430, a plotter 440, This is an interface when the drive device 480 and the HDD 490 are connected to the main processing unit 400 via a bus.

  Although the best mode for carrying out the invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in the best mode. Modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is useful for power saving, and is particularly suitable for a multifunction machine.

1 Image forming apparatus 10 Main CPU
11 Print Processing Unit 12 SNMP Processing Unit 18 Main Engine 20 Sub CPU
21 Network Packet Processing Unit 22 SNMP Automatic Response Unit 24 Power State Control Unit 26 MIB Holding Unit 400 Main Processing Unit 410 Input Device 420 Display Device 430 Scanner 440 Plotter 480 Drive Device A, B Remote Host

JP 2009-29102 A

Claims (7)

First information processing means for executing processing when the power mode of the information processing apparatus is in a normal mode and in a power saving mode in which power consumption is lower than that in the normal mode;
Second information processing means for executing processing in the normal mode;
Accepting means for accepting a request from another device connected via a network;
Information acquisition means for acquiring selection information according to which of the first information processing means and the second information processing means the processing included in the accepted request is executed;
Processing control means for outputting the received request to the first information processing means or the second information processing means based on the selection information;
An information processing apparatus comprising: Power control means for switching the power mode between the normal mode and the power saving mode;
In the power saving mode, the process control means requests the power control means to return to a normal mode when outputting the request to the second information processing means. Item 6. The information processing apparatus according to Item 1.   In the selection information, based on the number of times the same request as the request has been received in the past, the process included in the request is executed by either the first information processing unit or the second information processing unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein whether or not to perform is determined. For each of the same requests, there is information holding means for holding history information relating to the number of times received in the past,
The process control means acquires the history information from the information holding means, and executes the process included in the accepted request by either the first information processing means or the second information processing means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein it is determined whether or not to perform.   When the received number of times exceeds a predetermined number for each request, the processing control unit sets the selection information of the request as a value when executed by the first information processing unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.   The power control means supplies power to the first information processing means and the information holding means in the normal mode and in the power saving mode. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims. First information processing means for executing processing when the power mode of the information processing apparatus is in the normal mode and in the power saving mode in which the power consumption is lower than that in the normal mode; An information processing method in an information processing apparatus comprising:
An accepting step for accepting a request from another device connected via a network;
An information acquisition step of acquiring selection information according to which of the first information processing means and the second information processing means the process included in the accepted request is executed;
A process control step for outputting the received request to the first information processing means or the second information processing means based on the selection information;
An information processing method characterized by comprising:

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