JP2011199627A - Power management apparatus and power management program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power management apparatus and power management program which enable power consumption of electronic equipment to be suppressed in comparison with the case where the electronic equipment does not have a function for outputting substitutive series processing information about substitutive series processing in which predictive power is less than that in received series processing.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 12 calculates predictive power of a job flow instructed to execute from a user, searches for a substitutive job flow substituting the job flow instructed to execute and calculates predictive power of the substitutive job flow. In the case where a substitutive job flow is present of which the predictive power is less than that of the job flow instructed to execute, that substitutive job flow is executed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power management apparatus and a power management program.

  Patent Document 1 is an energy-saving multifunction device having an energy-saving mode, which manages each function in association with parts / components necessary for executing each function, and is set in advance when returning from the energy-saving mode. An energy-saving multifunction device is disclosed that reads parts / components corresponding to functions and turns on the power of the read parts / components.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an image forming apparatus that operates in a plurality of different operation states that are switched based on preset operation state switching conditions, and that measures power consumption for each operation state. Based on the measurement results by the amount measuring means and the power consumption measuring means for each operation state, the measured power consumption for each operation state and / or related information related to the power consumption for each operation state is described above. Disclosed is an image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a separate display output means for performing display output for each operation state.

  In Patent Document 3, in a power consumption system for managing the power consumption of an electric device having a plurality of operation modes with different power consumptions, the operation in the operation mode is performed for each operation mode of the electric device to be managed for power consumption. A power consumption table indicating power consumption per unit time in a state, an operation mode detection means for detecting a current operation mode of the electrical device, and the operation mode detection means by referring to the power consumption table The power consumption corresponding to the current operation mode detected by the current operation mode is acquired as the current power consumption, and the power consumption acquisition means for acquiring the power consumption corresponding to the operation mode as a comparison target as the comparison power consumption, and the consumption The difference obtained by subtracting the current power consumption from the comparative power consumption acquired by the power acquisition means is taken as an energy saving effect. To, power systems characterized by having a energy saving effect notification means notifies the user of the electric device is disclosed.

  Patent Document 4 is a printer, and includes a cost calculation unit that calculates and outputs a cost corresponding to a predetermined operation, and a cost display unit that displays the output cost. A printer is disclosed.

JP 2008-160413 A JP 2006-39443 A JP 2007-48219 A JP 2009-172819 A

  The present invention can suppress the power consumption of the electronic device as compared with the case where the function of outputting the alternative series processing information relating to the alternative series process having a predicted power amount smaller than the predicted power amount of the reception series process is not provided. An object is to provide a power management apparatus and a power management program.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a receiving unit that receives a series of processes including a plurality of processes executed by at least two or more function units among a plurality of function units constituting the electronic device; A series of a plurality of combinations in which at least a part of the plurality of processes included in the predetermined series of processes is different from the first calculation unit that calculates the first predicted power amount of the series of processes accepted by the reception unit. Based on a series of process information relating to the process, a second calculation unit that calculates a second predicted power amount of an alternative series process substituted for the reception series process, and the reception series calculated by the first calculation unit. Substitute series process information output for outputting substitute series process information regarding a plurality of processes included in the substitute series process when the predicted power amount of the substitute series process is less than the predicted power amount of the process And means, the.

  The invention according to claim 2 is provided with a detecting unit that detects an operation state of the plurality of functional units of the electronic device, and the first calculating unit is an operation of the plurality of functional units detected by the detecting unit. Based on the state, the first predicted power amount is calculated by calculating and adding the predicted power amounts of the plurality of functional units included in the reception series process, and the second calculation unit includes the detection unit Based on the operation states of the plurality of functional units detected by the means, the second predicted power amount is calculated by calculating and adding the predicted power amounts of the plurality of functional units included in the alternative series of processes. To do.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a predicted power amount display means for displaying the first predicted power amount and the second predicted power amount of the plurality of alternative series processes when there are a plurality of the alternative series processes. Selecting means for selecting any of the plurality of alternative series processes.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided storage means for storing the alternative series of processes selected by the selection means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided changing means for changing the processing order so that the same type of processing is collectively processed when the plurality of the series of processing is received by the receiving means.

  The invention according to claim 6 is a step of receiving a series of processes including a plurality of processes executed by at least two or more of the plurality of functional units constituting the electronic device, and a series of received processes received by the receiving unit Calculating the first predicted power amount and a series of processing information relating to a series of processing of a plurality of combinations in which at least some of the plurality of processes included in the series of predetermined processes are different from each other. And calculating a second predicted power amount of the alternative series process to be replaced with, and a predicted power amount of the alternative series process is smaller than a predicted power amount of the received series process calculated by the first calculation unit In this case, a step of outputting alternative series process information regarding a plurality of processes included in the alternative series process, and causing the computer to execute a process including: Is a management program.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the power consumption of the electronic device is compared with a case where the function of outputting the alternative series processing information regarding the alternative series process having a predicted power amount smaller than the predicted power amount of the received series process is not provided. The amount can be suppressed.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to calculate the predicted power amount with higher accuracy than when the predicted power amount is not calculated based on the operation states of the plurality of functional units.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the degree of freedom of selection of the alternative series process by the user can be improved as compared with the case where there is no selection means for selecting any one of the plurality of alternative series processes. It has the effect.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to promptly instruct execution of the alternative series process as compared with the case where the storage means for storing the alternative series process is not provided.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that, when a plurality of series of processes are received, the power consumption can be suppressed as compared with a case where a series of processes is executed in the order of reception.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the power consumption of the electronic device is less than that in the case where it does not have the function of outputting the alternative series processing information related to the alternative series process whose predicted power amount is smaller than the predicted power amount of the received series process. The amount can be suppressed.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming system according to an exemplary embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a server apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of a menu screen. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job flow registration screen. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of the new registration screen of a job flow. It is a figure which shows an example of a job template. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between a job ID and a job type. It is a figure which shows an example of a replacement job tree. It is a figure which shows an example of replacement job information. It is a figure which shows the electric power characteristic of an image formation part. It is a figure which shows the power characteristic of an image reading part. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of the authentication screen of a job flow. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of a job flow list screen. It is a figure which shows the flowchart performed with an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of the confirmation screen of a job flow. It is a figure which shows the example of a display screen of the comparison result of prediction electric energy. It is a figure which shows an example of the kind of parameter. It is a figure which shows the electric power characteristic of a finisher. It is a figure which shows an example of the application rule for power saving. It is a figure for demonstrating the change of the execution order of a job. It is a figure for demonstrating the optimization of a job queue. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen for displaying the job flow in standby.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic configuration of an image forming system 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 10 has a configuration in which an image forming device 12 as an electronic device, a user terminal device 14, and a server device 16 are connected to each other via a network 17.

  In the image forming system 10, for example, the user A registers the job flow A in the image forming apparatus 12 and executes the job flow A to obtain an output result of the document A or the like. Further, for example, the user B registers the job flow B from the user terminal device 14 to the server device 16 via the network 17 and executes the job flow B, whereby an output result is obtained from the image forming device 12. Note that these job flows may be registered together in the server device 16.

  Here, the job flow refers to a process executed by each functional unit of the image forming apparatus 12 described later, that is, a series of processes including at least two jobs.

  FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 12. As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus 12 includes a main controller 18.

  The main controller 18 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 18A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 18B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 18C, a non-volatile memory 18D, and an input / output interface (I / O) 18E via a bus 18F. Each is connected.

  The I / O 18E includes an operation display unit 20, an image reading unit 22, an image forming unit 24, a paper supply unit 26, a paper discharge unit 28, a telephone line interface (I / F) 30, a network interface (I / F) 31, The functional units of the hard disk 32 and the power saving control device 34 are connected. A power supply unit 36 is connected to the power saving control device 34. The main controller 18 performs overall control of these functional units.

  For example, the operation display unit 20 displays various buttons such as a start button for instructing the start of copying, various buttons such as a numeric keypad, a setting screen for setting various image forming conditions such as copy density, and a state of the apparatus. It is configured to include a touch panel and the like.

  The image reading unit 22 includes an image reading sensor such as a line CCD and a scanning mechanism for scanning the image reading sensor, and reads an image of a document set on the apparatus (scanning).

  The image forming unit 24 forms an image on a recording medium by, for example, a so-called electrophotographic method. Specifically, the image forming unit 24 is a charging device for charging the photosensitive drum, and the charged photosensitive drum is exposed to light corresponding to the image to expose the static on the photosensitive drum according to the image. An exposure device that forms an electrostatic latent image, a developing device that develops toner with an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive drum, and a transfer device that transfers a toner image corresponding to the image formed on the photosensitive drum to a recording medium The image forming apparatus includes a fixing device that fixes a toner image corresponding to the image transferred to the recording medium.

  Examples of the exposure apparatus include an optical scanning apparatus configured to include an optical system such as a semiconductor laser, a rotating polygon mirror, a collimator lens, a cylindrical lens, and an fθ lens, and an LED head composed of a plurality of LEDs.

  The image forming unit 24 is not limited to the electrophotographic method, and may form an image on a recording medium by an ink jet recording method.

  The paper supply unit 26 includes a paper storage unit that stores recording paper, a supply mechanism that supplies recording paper from the paper storage unit to the image forming unit 24, and the like.

  The paper discharge unit 28 is a finisher that performs post-processing such as stapling and punching processing on the recording paper, a discharge unit that discharges the recording paper, and a recording paper on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 24 on the discharge unit. It includes a discharge mechanism for discharging.

  The telephone line communication I / F 30 is an interface for performing facsimile communication with another apparatus connected via a telephone line (not shown).

  The network I / F 31 is an interface for data communication with other devices such as the user terminal device 14 via the network 17.

  The hard disk 32 stores, for example, log data such as the status and operating status of each part of the apparatus, log data of processing results such as copying, facsimile communication, and printing, various setting data, control programs, and the like.

  The power saving control device 34 controls the power supply unit 36 that supplies power to each functional unit described above in accordance with an instruction from the main controller 18.

  The power supply unit 36 turns on / off the power supply to each functional unit such as the main controller 18, the operation display unit 20, and the image reading unit 22 in accordance with an instruction from the power saving control device 34.

  The image forming apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of operation modes, and operates in any one of these operation modes. As an operation mode, for example, a normal mode in which power is supplied to all the functional units of the apparatus and an operation mode, power is supplied only to necessary functional units according to the type of image forming processing, and power is supplied to other functional units. Including, but not limited to, a partial power saving mode for turning off the supply.

  For example, in the case of print processing, it is not necessary to supply power to the image reading unit 22, and power is saved accordingly. Also, in the case of copy processing, for example, if the power supply to the operation display unit 20 is stopped after an instruction to start copying is given by an operation by the operation display unit 20, the corresponding power is saved.

  As described above, depending on the type of image forming process, it is not necessary to supply power to all functional units, and partial power saving is achieved by stopping the power supply to unnecessary functional units.

  Therefore, in the partial power saving mode, the power saving control device 34 supplies power to the functional units necessary for processing according to the type of image forming processing, and stops the power supply to the other functional units. 36 is controlled.

  In the partial power saving mode, the main controller 18 performs overall control of each function unit, and to which function unit the power supply is turned on and to which function unit the power supply is turned off according to the type of image forming processing. The power control information to be indicated is notified to the power saving control device 34 when the operation state of each functional unit is changed at the start of the image forming process or after the start of the image forming process. In the power saving control device 34, based on the notified power control information, the power supply is turned on for the functional unit that starts the operation, and the power supply is turned off for the functional unit that has finished the operation. The power supply unit 36 is controlled. As a result, power is supplied to each functional unit for a period required for processing.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 12 is set to the normal mode as the default operation mode, and the partial power saving mode is set by, for example, the user operating the operation display unit 20, but is not limited thereto. The partial power saving mode may be set by default.

  FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the server device 16. The server device 16 has a general computer configuration and includes a controller 40.

  The controller 18 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 40A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 40B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 40C, a non-volatile memory 40D, and an input / output interface (I / O) 40E via a bus 40F. It is a connected configuration.

  The I / O 40E is connected with an operation unit 42, a display unit 44, a hard disk 46, and a communication interface (I / F) 48 for communicating with other devices via the network 17.

  Although the user terminal device 14 may have different capabilities, the configuration of the user terminal device 14 is the same as that of the server device 16, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, a case where the user registers a job flow in the image forming apparatus 12 will be described.

  The image forming apparatus 12 has a function of coordinating a process that combines a facsimile communication function, a scan function, a print function, and the like and a process of an electronic document on the user terminal device 14.

  Specifically, for example, a paper document is scanned by the image forming apparatus 12 and transferred to the user terminal apparatus 14, or a facsimile received document is transmitted to the user terminal apparatus 14 as image data without printing. is there.

  When registering a job flow for cooperating a plurality of processes in this way, the user presses the job flow registration button B1 from the menu screen G1 displayed on the operation display unit 20 as shown in FIG. As a result, a job flow registration screen G2 as shown in FIG.

  When the user presses the “New” button B 21 on this screen, a new registration screen G 3 as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the operation display unit 20.

  In the new registration screen G3, in addition to the input fields N31 to N36 for inputting the name and description of the job flow, the keyword, the transfer destination, the print condition, etc., the processing contents to be linked are input although illustration is omitted. An input field for displaying is displayed. When the user inputs contents related to processing to be linked and presses the registration button B31, the contents are stored in the hard disk 32 or the server device 16 as a job template.

  The registered job template is displayed in the name display field M on the job flow registration screen G2 in FIG. 5. When the displayed name is selected and the confirmation button B22 is pressed, the content is displayed. On the job flow registration screen G2, when at least a part of the name is input in the search field K and the search button B23 is pressed, a job template having a name that matches the input name is searched.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the job template is described in an XML format. The job template shown in FIG. 7 is generated according to the content input on the job flow registration screen G3 shown in FIG. In the job template shown in FIG. 7, (1) a document is scanned, (2) image data obtained by scanning is stored in a confidential box, and (3) image data obtained by scanning is designated. It is an example of a job template describing a job flow for transferring a file to a destination and (4) displaying an image obtained by scanning on the operation display unit 20.

  When the user designates and executes such a job template, the processes (1) to (4) are processed in cooperation.

  As shown in FIG. 8, each job is given a unique job ID in advance. As shown in FIG. 7, the job execution is defined by describing the job ID in the job template.

  Depending on the type of job, there are a plurality of execution modes, and there are jobs that may be executed by substituting (replacement) any of these.

  FIG. 9 conceptually shows a part of such a job replacement structure in a tree structure. As shown in the figure, when the job flow is copying, for example, there are two types of scanning: automatic scanning automatically scanned by an automatic document feeder, and platen scanning where a document is set on a platen glass and scanned. The image data of the original document is stored in the HDD storage in the hard disk 32 and the RAM storage in the RAM 18C. The read processing of the image data of the original document includes an immediate print to be printed immediately and a designated time. There are time-designated printing for printing and batch printing for batch printing with other copy jobs. And as shown in FIG. 9, each prediction electric energy differs. This is because power is consumed until the fixing unit of the image forming unit 24 rises from a stopped state to a stable temperature, and in the case of immediate printing, power for starting up the fixing unit is consumed each time. On the other hand, in the case of batch printing, power at startup is consumed only at the beginning. For this reason, the predicted electric energy is smaller than that in the case of immediate printing.

  Note that the tree structure shown in FIG. 9 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, depending on the type of job, there may be no alternative job, and the number of alternative candidate jobs may be four or more. FIG. 9 discloses only a part of the tree as an alternative to the copy job, but other jobs such as FAX reception print and mail transfer have the same structure.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of replacement job information in which the replacement structure shown in FIG. 9 is databased with the job ID shown in FIG. FIG. 10 shows the replacement job information of the copy job patterns 001 to 007 shown in FIG. This replacement job information is stored in advance in the hard disk 32 or the server device 16.

  Although details will be described later in the image forming apparatus 12, when a job flow is selected and execution is instructed, if the job flow configured in the job template is, for example, a copy, all jobs in the copy replacement tree Are calculated, and the predicted power consumption of each job flow is calculated by adding the predicted power consumption of each job in consideration of the current state of the image forming apparatus 12. Therefore, the predicted power amount calculated according to the state of the image forming apparatus 12 may change every time. This is because the state of the functional unit may be different between the energy saving mode such as the partial power saving mode and the normal mode.

  For example, as described above, the image forming unit 24 needs the warm-up time Wt for raising the temperature of the fixing unit and shifting to a stable operation, as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the image reading unit 22 needs a rising time Wt for correcting the image reading lamp.

  Here, the timing at which the print job is activated from the state where the image forming unit 24 is stopped in the energy saving mode or the like is T1, and the timing at which the image forming unit 24 is activated from the already operating state is T2. Further, assuming that the timing at which the job is finally ended is T3, if the job is started from the state where the image forming unit 24 and the image reading unit 22 are already in stable operation, the stable operation period Tx from T2 to T3. Only a certain amount of power PTx should be consumed, but when the job is started from the stop state T1, the rising power amount PWt that is preheated in the rising period Wt of T1 → T2 is actually consumed. Accordingly, the predicted power amount may vary depending on the state of the functional unit.

  Therefore, the image forming apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment detects the current state of each functional unit of the apparatus, and calculates the predicted power amount of each job included in the job flow based on the detection result. That is, if the functional unit in charge of job execution is executed from a stopped state, the power amount obtained by adding the preheating power amount PWt and the stable operation power amount PTx becomes the predicted power amount, and the job execution is in charge. When the functional unit to be operated is already in an operating state, the power amount PTx for stable operation is the predicted power amount.

  Next, an operation procedure when the user selects a job flow to be executed will be described.

  First, when a job flow execution is instructed from a menu screen (not shown) displayed on the operation display unit 20, a job flow authentication screen G 4 as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the operation display unit 20.

  On the job flow authentication screen G4, a button B41 to be pressed when executing a job flow registered in the main body of the image forming apparatus 12, a button B42 to be pressed when executing a job flow registered in the server apparatus 16, and a user login An input field N41 for entering a name and an input field N42 for entering a password are displayed. In FIG. 13, the button B41 is displayed in gray, and the image forming apparatus 12 main body is selected. Hereinafter, similarly, it is assumed that the grayed-out portion represents a selected state.

  When the user inputs his / her login name and password on the job flow authentication screen G4 and presses an authentication button (not shown) provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus 12, authentication processing is executed. In the authentication process, the user information including the login ID and password stored in advance on the hard disk 32 of the image forming apparatus 12 is checked against the user information input on the job flow authentication screen G4. Is done. This authentication process may be executed by the server device 16. When the authentication is successful, a job flow list screen G5 as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed on the operation display unit 20.

  On the job flow list screen G5, the names of job flows registered by the user so far are displayed in the display column M5. In addition, an update button B51, a confirmation button B52, and a change button B53 are displayed on the job flow list screen G5. When the user selects a desired job flow and presses the confirmation button B52, the process shown in FIG. 15 is executed by the CPU 18A of the image forming apparatus 12.

  First, in step 100, a job template corresponding to the selected job flow is read from the hard disk 32, and a functional unit that executes each job defined in the job template, for example, an image reading unit 22 or an image forming unit for a copy job. The state of each functional unit such as the unit 24 and the paper discharge unit 28 is detected, for example, whether it is in a stopped state or in an operating state. Note that the state is not limited to the stop state and the operation state, and a standby state (standby state) in preparation for the occurrence of the image forming process, for example, in the case of the image forming unit 24, a standby state is determined in advance. For example, there are a sleep state that transitions to reduce power consumption when continued for a predetermined time, a warm-up state that transitions when an image forming process occurs in the sleep state, and the like.

  In step 102, the predicted power amount of the functional unit that executes the job defined in the selected job template is calculated based on the state obtained in step 100. Calculation of the predicted electric energy of each functional unit is performed as follows, for example. For example, the power consumption in each state described above is stored in advance in the hard disk for each functional unit. The power consumption in each state is, for example, an average power consumption in that state. Then, the predicted power amount is calculated according to the current state of each functional unit. For example, as described above, if the functional unit in charge of job execution is executed from a stopped state, the power amount obtained by adding the preheat power amount PWt and the stable operation power amount PTx is the predicted power amount. When the functional unit in charge of job execution is already in an operating state, the power amount PTx for stable operation is the predicted power amount.

  In the case of a job whose power consumption varies depending on the number of originals, such as a copy job, for example, the original is read once by an automatic document feeder (not shown) or the user inputs the number of originals. The predicted power amount may be calculated by acquiring the number of sheets and multiplying the acquired number of sheets by the power consumption amount per sheet.

  In step 104, the predicted power amounts of the functional units calculated in step 102 are added together. As a result, the predicted power amount of the job flow executed with the selected job template is calculated.

  In step 106, a confirmation screen G6 for displaying detailed information of the selected job flow as shown in FIG.

  On the confirmation screen G6, detailed information J6 of the selected job flow is displayed, and a close button B61 and an execution button B62 are displayed. As shown in FIG. 16, the detailed information J6 includes the predicted power amount calculated in step 104 in addition to the job flow name, creation date and time, and the like.

  In step 108, the replacement job information stored in advance in the hard disk 32 as shown in FIG. 10 is referred to, and at least one of the plurality of jobs defined in the selected job flow is set as another job. It is determined whether there is an alternative job flow that can be replaced. For example, when the job of the pattern 001 shown in FIG. 10 is defined in the selected job template, that is, the job serving as the primary key is a copy (job ID = 1), automatic scanning (job ID = 2), When it is defined that the jobs are executed in the order of HDD accumulation (job ID = 10) and immediate printing (job ID = 4), the job defined by the pattern 001 is defined by the patterns 002 to 007 shown in FIG. Can be replaced with the selected job. In other words, if there are a plurality of patterns corresponding to the primary key job, an alternative job flow exists.

  If an alternative job flow exists, the process proceeds to step 110, and the optimum button B62 is displayed as shown in FIG. On the other hand, if there is no alternative job flow, the process proceeds to step 126 to determine whether or not the execution button B62 has been pressed. If the execution button B62 is pressed here, the process proceeds to step 128, and the selected job flow is executed. When the execution button B62 is not pressed and the close button B61 is pressed, this routine is finished.

  In step 112, it is determined whether or not the optimum button B62 has been pressed. If it has been pressed, the process proceeds to step 114. If the optimum button B62 has not been pressed and any other button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step 128. To do.

  In step 114, the predicted power amounts of all alternative processes are calculated based on the state of each functional unit obtained in step 100. This is calculated in the same manner as steps 102 and 104. For example, if the job of the pattern 001 shown in FIG. 10 is defined in the selected job template, the job flow defined by the patterns 002 to 007 becomes an alternative job flow, and therefore the predicted power of the patterns 002 to 007 Each amount is calculated.

  In step 116, the predicted power amount of the alternative job flow calculated in step 114 is compared with the predicted power amount of the selected job flow, and an alternative job flow having a predicted power amount smaller than the predicted power amount of the selected job flow is determined. Determine if it exists. If such an alternative job flow exists, the process proceeds to step 118. On the other hand, when such an alternative job flow does not exist, the process proceeds to step 126 and displays that no alternative job flow exists.

  In step 118, a comparison result screen G7 as shown in FIG. In this comparison result screen G7, display fields D71 and D72 of alternative job flow names with predicted power amounts smaller than the predicted power amount of the selected job flow, messages M71, M72, indicating the predicted power amounts of those alternative job flows, A close button B71 and a change button B72 are displayed. In the example of FIG. 17, there are two alternative job flows with the predicted power amount smaller than the predicted power amount of the selected job flow, and all of the information is displayed. Only information related to the alternative job flow with the minimum predicted power amount may be displayed.

  On the comparison result screen G7, the user presses and selects the name of the alternative job flow to be executed, and presses the change button B72 to instruct execution of the alternative job flow.

  Accordingly, in step 120, it is determined whether or not the change button B72 has been pressed. If pressed, the process proceeds to step 122. If the change button B72 is not pressed and the close button B71 is pressed, step 128 is performed. To return to the display of FIG.

  In step 122, the selected alternative job flow is executed. In step 123, the job template of the job flow selected by the user on the job flow list screen G5 shown in FIG. 14 is first rewritten with the contents of the executed alternative job flow.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when there is an alternative job flow having a predicted power amount smaller than the predicted power amount of the job flow instructed to be executed by the user, the alternative job flow is executed according to the user's instruction. If there is an alternative job flow with a predicted power amount that is smaller than the predicted power amount of the job flow that the user has instructed to execute, the alternative job flow should be executed immediately without being directed by the user. Also good. Further, the user may be allowed to set whether or not to execute the alternative job flow immediately without depending on the user's instruction.

  As shown in FIG. 18, various parameters are set for execution of each job, and the power consumption may vary depending on the set parameters. Therefore, when calculating the predicted power amount of each functional unit in step 102 of FIG. 15, the predicted power amount may be corrected according to the parameters set in each job. For example, a correction coefficient may be defined for each parameter in advance, and the predicted power amount may be corrected by multiplying the predicted power amount calculated in step 102 by the correction coefficient. Also, the job replacement tree structure shown in FIG. 9 may be further subdivided into a tree structure including parameters, and an alternative job flow may be searched based on replacement job information corresponding to such a tree structure.

  Further, the parameter may be changed to a parameter having a small predicted power amount, and the optimized predicted power amount may be calculated. For example, a case will be described in which a finisher is selected as a paper discharge parameter in a print job template.

  The finisher has a power characteristic as shown in FIG. 19, for example, and is started from the state of T1 where the power of the finisher is not supplied as in the case of the image forming unit 24 and the image reading unit 22 described above. In this case, the amount of electric power for the entire process increases as compared with the case of using a normal paper discharge unit. Therefore, when the finisher is selected, the predicted power amount when the finisher is not used may be calculated and presented to the user.

  In the present exemplary embodiment, the case where the process illustrated in FIG. 15 is executed on the image forming apparatus 12 side has been described. However, the process may be executed by the server apparatus 16. In this case, the server device 16 stores information necessary for calculating the predicted power amount of the alternative job flow such as the replacement job information shown in FIG. 10 in advance in the hard disk 46 and relates to the job flow selected by the user. Information and information indicating the state of the image forming apparatus 12 may be received from the image forming apparatus 12, a predicted power amount of the alternative job flow may be calculated based on the received information, and information regarding the alternative job flow may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 12. .

  The server device 16 may collectively manage job templates transmitted from the user terminal device 14 or the image forming device 12 connected to the network 17.

  In this case, the server device 16 not only searches for alternative job flows, but also stores application rules such as shown in FIG. 20 in the server device 16 and combines them with processing according to the application rules. Power saving may be achieved.

  For example, when a request for a job flow to be executed by the same image forming apparatus 12 is made from a plurality of user terminal apparatuses 14, if the temperature of the fuser (fixing device) is stable, the printing operation is executed in a batch. In some cases, less power is consumed.

  In this case, the rule number shown in FIG. When the rule No. 1 is registered, when searching for an alternative job flow, jobs in other waiting job flows are also searched, and a print job similar to the job template instructed to execute is found in the job queue. If present, the job flow to be executed simultaneously is presented to the user.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the server device 16 receives execution instructions for job flows # 1, # 14, # 45, # 68, and # 99, and these are job flows to be executed by the same image forming apparatus 12. A case will be described. Here, as shown in FIG. 21, each job includes a print job.

  Assume that the job queue, which is a job queue, is in the state shown in the upper part of FIG. In this case, the print jobs (shaded portions in the figure) of each job flow are not executed at a time, so that power accompanying the start-up of the fixing device is consumed each time.

  As shown in the lower part of FIG. 22, the server device 16 changes the job execution order so that the print jobs are executed in a batch, thereby reducing the power consumption compared to the case where the execution order is not changed. It can be suppressed.

  In this case, the server device 16 causes the user terminal device 14 to display a screen G8 as shown in FIG. In this screen G8, information on the job flow in standby is displayed. At this time, the power consumption when the batch execution is performed is also calculated and displayed. Here, when the user presses the button B81 for instructing execution, the execution order of the jobs is changed and the execution is instructed to the image forming apparatus 12 as shown in the lower part of FIG. Note that the job execution order may be managed on the image forming apparatus 12 side.

  Further, the server device 16 obtains an operation history of the image forming apparatus 12 and obtains, for example, a time zone during which printing is concentrated. For example, the image forming apparatus 12 is used more frequently in the evening than in the daytime. The time zone in which the job template is frequently used and the time zone in which the job template is not used are specified, and the time zone in which the job template received in the time zone in which the usage is not frequently used is changed to the time zone in which the image forming apparatus 12 is frequently used. It is also possible to suppress the generation of surplus power due to the start-up of the image forming apparatus 12. In this case, if the job execution order is changed so that the jobs are executed in a batch, the jobs can be executed in a batch during frequent use so that the power consumption can be further reduced. Good.

  In this embodiment, the case of an image forming apparatus is described as an electronic device that performs partial power saving. However, the present invention may be applied to other electronic devices.

  Further, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 12 described in the present embodiment (see FIG. 2) is an example, and unnecessary portions are deleted or new portions are added within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say.

  Further, the flow of processing of the control program described in the present embodiment (see FIG. 15) is also an example, and unnecessary steps are deleted or new steps are added within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say, the processing order may be changed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming system 12 Image forming apparatus 14 User terminal device 16 Server apparatus 17 Network 18 Controller 18A CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Operation display part 22 Image reading part 24 Image formation part 26 Paper supply part 28 Paper discharge part 32 Hard disk 34 Power saving control apparatus 36 Power supply part 40 Controller 42 Operation part 44 Display part 46 Hard disk

Claims (6)

Accepting means for receiving a series of processes including a plurality of processes executed by at least two or more functional units among a plurality of functional units constituting the electronic device;
First calculation means for calculating a first predicted power amount of the reception series process received by the reception means;
Second predicted power of an alternative series of processes to be substituted for the received series of processes based on a series of process information relating to a series of processes of a plurality of combinations in which at least some of the plurality of processes included in the predetermined series of processes are different A second calculating means for calculating an amount;
When the predicted power amount of the alternative series process is smaller than the predicted power amount of the accepted series process calculated by the first calculation unit, the alternative series process information regarding a plurality of processes included in the alternative series process is output. Alternative series processing information output means,
Power management device with A detecting means for detecting operating states of the plurality of functional units of the electronic device;
The first calculation unit calculates and adds the predicted power amounts of the plurality of function units included in the reception series process based on the operation states of the plurality of function units detected by the detection unit. To calculate the first predicted power amount,
The second calculating unit calculates and adds the predicted power amounts of the plurality of functional units included in the alternative series process based on the operation states of the plurality of functional units detected by the detecting unit. The power management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second predicted power amount is calculated by: Predicted power amount display means for displaying the first predicted power amount and the second predicted power amount of the plurality of alternative series processes when there are a plurality of the alternative series processes;
Selecting means for selecting one of the plurality of alternative series processes;
The power management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: The power management apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a storage unit that stores the alternative series of processes selected by the selection unit. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a changing unit that changes a processing order so that the same type of processing is collectively processed when the receiving unit receives a plurality of the series of processes. The power management apparatus described. A step of receiving a series of processes including a plurality of processes executed by at least two or more functional units among a plurality of functional units constituting the electronic device;
Calculating a first predicted power amount of a reception series process received by the reception unit;
Second predicted power of an alternative series of processes to be substituted for the received series of processes based on a series of process information relating to a series of processes of a plurality of combinations in which at least some of the plurality of processes included in the predetermined series of processes are different Calculating a quantity;
When the predicted power amount of the alternative series process is smaller than the predicted power amount of the accepted series process calculated by the first calculation unit, the alternative series process information regarding a plurality of processes included in the alternative series process is output. And steps to
A power management program for causing a computer to execute a process including:

Images