JP2012135969A - Printing device and control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce power consumption by collecting a printing situation for each time zone of fixed time intervals for each of a plurality of users using a host device and creating an operation schedule only referring to a printing result for each of the users corresponding to the user who uses the host device at present based on the result.SOLUTION: The printing device includes: a first storage means for dividing a day by the fixed time intervals and storing an average value of printing frequency executed by the plurality of users within the fixed time intervals; a second storage means for calculating the printing frequency for each of the plurality of users executed within the fixed time intervals and storing information of the printing frequency for each of the users at each of the fixed time intervals; and a control means for setting the device in a sleep mode when the information of the printing frequency at each of the fixed time intervals, stored in the second storage means exceeds the average value stored in the first storage means, and setting the device in a ready mode when the information of the printing frequency at each of the fixed time intervals, stored in the second storage means, does not exceed the average value stored in the first storage means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that reduces power consumption and a power control method for the printing apparatus.

  Today, the preservation of the global environment is screamed globally, and greenhouse gas emission regulations are being realized, centering on the Global Warming Prevention Conference. Under such circumstances, a reduction in power consumption is also demanded in printing apparatuses such as printers and copiers.

  Under such circumstances, the printing apparatus is provided with a sleep mode in which, for example, the temperature of the heat fixing device is lowered to reduce power consumption, and various automatic control methods for the sleep mode are proposed based on past printing history. Has been.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a printing instruction time and an operation time zone during a certain period are stored, a schedule corresponding to the operation status is created based on this data, and the printing apparatus is operated. Further, Patent Document 2 configures time zones in accordance with the passage of time from power-on, and performs control of shifting to the power saving mode from the history of the number of printings in each time zone.

  We also collect printing results for each time period at regular time intervals, reduce power consumption based on the results data, and propose printing devices that do not make the user feel the warm-up waiting time. It has been broken.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-155859 JP 2007-30325 A

  However, in a general office-use printing apparatus, printing is not always performed at the same time zone every day. For example, even if a printing history is checked, there is a tendency that printing is often performed at this time zone. It can only be seen.

  Although it is meaningful to read such a tendency from the print history and generate a power saving schedule, in the method of Patent Document 1, the printing time zone is rarely a power saving target, and warm-up is performed every time printing is performed. In order to avoid waiting for time or waiting, there is a problem that the sleep mode is prohibited and wasteful power is consumed. The above problem is particularly serious in a printing apparatus that requires a long warm-up time.

  Further, in the apparatus that collects the results of the printing status for each time zone at a fixed time interval and Patent Document 2, and manages the usage state of the printing apparatus for each user in the apparatus that reduces the power consumption based on the result data. Do not mean. For example, the generated schedule includes the results of printing by a user who was not present in the corresponding time zone in the same time zone in the past, and if the user's printing performance is excluded, the corresponding time zone is in the sleep state. Even if it is acceptable, it may be set during printing standby. On the other hand, in a usage method in which a user who is present in the corresponding time zone is present only when there is a record of printing in the same time zone in many past cases, the printing apparatus as a whole is printed. Even when it is okay to be on standby, it may be set to sleep.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in a printing apparatus targeted by a host device used by a plurality of users, the printing status for each time zone of a certain time interval is set for each user using the host device. Based on this record, the operation schedule is created by referring only to the print results for each user corresponding to the user who is currently using the host device, thereby reducing power consumption and warm-up waiting time. The purpose is to do.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, according to the first invention, in a printing apparatus connected to a host device and used by a plurality of users, one day is divided at a predetermined time interval, and the plurality of the operations performed within the predetermined time interval are performed. First storage means for storing an average value of the number of times of printing by a user, and the number of times of printing for each of the plurality of users performed within the certain time interval are counted, and printing of each individual user is performed at each of the certain time intervals. Second storage means for storing the number of times information, and information on the number of times of printing stored in the second storage means for each predetermined time interval exceeds the average value stored in the first storage means. If the apparatus is set to sleep mode, the information on the number of printings for each predetermined time interval stored in the second storage means does not exceed the average value stored in the first storage means Ready equipment Can be achieved by providing a printing apparatus and a control means for setting the over-de.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the information on the number of printings for each predetermined time interval stored in the second storage unit exceeds the average value stored in the first storage unit. Even if not, this can be achieved by providing a printing device that sets the device to sleep mode based on a threshold set based on the power consumption characteristics of the device.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the threshold value set based on the power consumption characteristic of the device calculates a ratio of the warm-up time of the device to the limit value of the warm-up time of the device, and the ratio Can be achieved by providing a printing device set according to the above.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the power control method for a printing apparatus connected to a host device and used by a plurality of users, one day is divided at regular time intervals, and the day is divided into the regular time intervals. A process of storing an average value of the number of times of printing performed by the plurality of users in a first storage means, and counting the number of times of printing of each of the plurality of users performed within the certain time interval, and the certain time interval A process for storing the information on the number of times of printing of each individual user in the second storage means, and information on the number of times of printing for each fixed time interval stored in the second storage means is the first storage means. If the average value stored in the second storage means is exceeded, the apparatus is set to a sleep mode, and the information on the number of times of printing for each predetermined time interval stored in the second storage means is stored in the first storage means. The average value If e not, it is achieved by providing a power control method of a printing apparatus and a process for setting the device to the ready mode.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the information on the number of printings for each predetermined time interval stored in the second storage unit exceeds the average value stored in the first storage unit. Even if not, this can be achieved by providing a power control method for a printing apparatus that sets the apparatus to sleep mode based on a threshold value set based on the power consumption characteristics of the apparatus.

  According to the present invention, a printing schedule is created for each fixed time interval, the information on the number of times of printing for each user for each time slot of the fixed time interval, and the average value of the printing times for all users for each time slot Thus, the printing apparatus is set to the sleep mode or the ready mode by comparing with the above information, and a printing apparatus that reduces power consumption is provided.

It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a printing apparatus. It is a figure explaining the content memorize | stored in a non-volatile memory, and is a figure which shows the structure of printing performance data. It is a figure explaining the content memorize | stored in a non-volatile memory, and is a figure explaining the specific data structure of printing performance data. It is a figure explaining the start date of a performance, and a schedule. It is a figure explaining the structure of the data for 1 day. It is a figure explaining the structure of a schedule table. It is a figure explaining the table structure which memorize | stores the information of the user name who uses a printer apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the basic processing of this embodiment. It is a table which memorize | stores the information of the user name who uses a printer apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the creation process of a schedule table. It is a figure explaining the power consumption regarding a printer engine. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a printing performance collection process. It is a flowchart explaining a schedule process.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
A printing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a printer apparatus) 1 in this example includes a CPU 2, a ROM 3, a RAM 4, a nonvolatile memory 5, a clock circuit 6, a print control LSI 7, a printer engine interface (hereinafter referred to as a printer engine I / F) 8, A USB / LAN interface (hereinafter referred to as USB / LAN I / F) 9 is configured. The printer apparatus 1 is supplied with print data from a host device (not shown), and print processing is performed based on the print data.

  The CPU 2 performs system control of the printer 1 according to programs and data stored in the ROM 3 and the non-volatile memory 5, schedule table creation processing, print result data acquisition processing, schedule execution control, and the like, which will be described later. The RAM 4 functions as a work area.

  The print data supplied from the host device is supplied to the printer apparatus 1 via, for example, the USB / LAN I / F 9, is subjected to drawing processing in the RAM 4 under the control of the CPU 2, and the printer engine I / F 8 using the print control LSI 7. Then, drawing data is transferred to an engine unit (not shown), and printing is performed.

  Information described below is stored in the non-volatile memory 5 provided in the printer apparatus 1, and the clock circuit 6 performs time measurement processing.

  2 and 3 are diagrams for explaining the contents stored in the non-volatile memory 5, FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the print record data, and FIG. 3 explains the specific data structure of the print record data. Is. Here, the print record data is a print history of the printer apparatus 1 for each fixed time period described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printing result data includes printing result user name data, printing result data for the previous month (for reference), and printing result data for the current month in which the results for the current month are written in the printing result data for the previous month. (For writing). The printing result user name data includes user number (user No.) and user name information as shown in the figure. For example, 512 user numbers and user name information are stored. Further, the previous month printing result data and the current month printing result data have basically the same configuration, and as shown in FIG. 3, are composed of “header”, “day-of-day data”, and “date-by-date data”.

  In the “header”, areas of a header code, an area ID, a record start date, a data date, and a waiting time limit value are provided, and corresponding data is stored. Here, for example, referring to the example shown in FIG. 4, the result collecting start date is March 10, 2009 as the result collecting start date. In the example shown in the figure, the schedule to be described later can be executed from April 10, 2009, one month after the start date of the record.

On the other hand, in “Data by day of the week”, there is an area of data for each day of the week from the first week to the sixth week, and each week area has one week of each week (Sunday to Saturday). Data is stored. The month that does not exist until the sixth week is data up to the fifth week.
In addition, in “data by date”, a storage area for data by date for one month from 1st to 31st is provided, and data is stored in the recording area for each date.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of “data for one day” of each day stored as “data by day of the week” and “data by date”. In this example, “1 day data” has 144 areas, and acquires and stores information from the printer engine every 10 minutes. In each of the 144 areas, information on the number of times of printing for each user and information on the state in use is stored. It is composed of a storage area for the number of times of printing and the in-use state, and stores the number of times of printing and the in-use state of the printer apparatus 1 performed for 10 minutes.

  On the other hand, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the schedule table. This schedule table is a table generated by processing to be described later. In the schedule table, the flag area of the schedule execution permission, the ready state maintenance time, the threshold value, and the average printing every 10 minutes from 00:00:00 to 24:00. Number of times data is written.

  FIG. 7 is a table for storing user name information for using the printer apparatus 1 and stores a user name, a host address, and an expiration date. For example, in the example shown in the figure, 512 user settings are possible, and the host data (1) to (512) of the host computer (host device) corresponding to the user is stored in the host address. The deadline is remembered.

In the above configuration, the processing operation of this example will be described below.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining basic processing of this embodiment.
First, when the printer apparatus 1 is turned on, print result data confirmation (step (hereinafter, indicated by S) 1), print data reception / timer interruption wait (S2), status monitoring data reception / timer interruption wait ( Each process of S3) is driven.

  First, the print data reception / timer interrupt wait (S2) process determines whether the printer apparatus 1 has received print data from the host device in an interrupt process at regular intervals. Then (S4 is YES), the print data is expanded (S5), and the number of prints of the print result data for each user is incremented by 1 (S6). For example, the print count of the corresponding user name in the corresponding time zone area in FIG. 5 is incremented by one.

  Thereafter, for example, the print data expanded in the frame memory constructed in the RAM 4 is transmitted to a print head (not shown) via the printer engine I / F 8 and print processing is performed on a recording medium such as paper (S7). Thereafter, a schedule execution permission to be described later is determined (S8), and a schedule execution process is performed (S9). The schedule execution process will be described later.

  The status monitoring data reception / timer interrupt waiting (S3) process is performed when the login user information is included in the received data transmitted from the host device in the interrupt process at regular intervals (YES in S10). The process updates the user name information used by the printer 1 (S11).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for specifically explaining the updating process of the user name information to be used. First, the current time is acquired (S11-1), and the user name information update flag is cleared (S11-2). That is, the CPU 2 reads the time data from the clock circuit 6 and sets the user name information update flag to “0”.

  Next, in order to perform processing for the user name information, it is first determined whether the processing for the user name information has been completed (S11-3). This initial determination is NO, and thereafter it is determined whether the input user name matches the user name on the printer user name information table (S11-4). If they match (YES in S11-4), the user information The expiration date is checked (S11-5). On the other hand, if they do not match, the process for the next user name is performed (NO in S11-4, S11-3).

  Next, if the user names match (YES in S11-4), it is further determined whether the expiration date of the user name information is a past time (<current time) (S11-5). If the expiration date of the user name information is not a past time (NO in S11-5), the current time is added to the expiration date of the corresponding user name information (S11-7), and the user name information update flag is set. Set to ON (S11-8). On the other hand, if the expiration date of the user name information is a past time (S11-5 is YES), the user name information change flag is set (S11-6).

  By setting the user name information update flag and the user name information change flag as described above, after the processing for the user name information is completed (S11-3 is YES), it is determined that the user name information update flag is on. Then, it can be determined whether or not the corresponding user name information is registered (S11-9). For example, if the corresponding user name information is not registered (S11-9 is NO), the user name information is added to the printer user name information table shown in FIG. 7 (S11-10). In this case, information obtained by adding the valid time to the current time is set in the new user name information area (S11-11), and a user name information change flag is set (S11-12).

  Next, returning to the description of the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, the print result data confirmation process is executed (S1). In this process, print result data stored in the nonvolatile memory 5 is read into the RAM 4 and a confirmation process is performed. Specifically, it is confirmed that printing result data is stored in the nonvolatile memory 5 and that there is no problem in the read printing result data.

  Next, user name information using the printer 1 is acquired (S12). FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the user name information acquisition process.

  First, all user name information is read out to another area in order to avoid inconsistency in information due to competition in the work area of the RAM 4 (S12-1). Next, the above-described user name information change flag is read (S12-2), and the user name information change flag is cleared (S12-3).

  Next, information on the current time is acquired (S12-4), and in order to determine the validity of the user name information, it is determined whether the processing for the user name information has been completed (S12-5). This initial determination is NO, and first, the expiration date for each user name in the read user name information is compared with the current time (S12-6), and the expiration date is a time past the current time (S12). -6 is YES), and further comparison with the previous processing time is performed (S12-7). If it is a time past the previous processing time, it is determined that the user name is invalid and the user name information has changed (NO in S12-7), and the read user name information change flag is set. Set (S12-8).

Thereafter, when the processing for the user name information is completed (S12-5 is YES), the acquired current time is stored as the previous processing time (S12-9).
After acquiring the printer user name information as described above, the process returns to the description of the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, and a schedule table creation process is performed (S13). This process is a process for creating the schedule table shown in FIG. 6 using the printing result data on the work area and the printer user name information acquired in the above-described process.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for specifically explaining the process of creating the schedule table. First, the CPU 2 reads printer engine information (S13-1) and identifies the printer engine (S13-2). That is, based on “power consumption during printing”, “power consumption in ready state”, and “power consumption in sleep state”, a predetermined calculation is performed to determine a threshold value. The meaning of this threshold will be described later.

Next, printing result data reading processing is performed (S13-3). In the printing result data reading process, both the above-mentioned “day-by-day data” and “date-by-date data” are read.
Next, it is determined whether it is one month or less from the start of collecting results (S13-4). That is, the information on the record date and the start date of the record stored in the above-mentioned “header” is checked, and it is determined whether one month has passed since the start of the collection of record data. The reason is that if the schedule is performed by day of the week, a lead time of one week is required, and if it is performed by date, the lead time of one month is required. In this example, both “data by day of the week” and “data by date” are required. In order to use the data, it is necessary to collect performance information for at least one month. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 4 described above, it is possible to read the printing result data from April 10, 2009.

Here, if one month has not passed since the start date of the results (S13-4 is YES), the schedule execution permission flag in the schedule table shown in FIG. 6 is reset and execution is prohibited (S13-). 5). On the other hand, when one month has passed since the start date of the record (NO in S13-4), the schedule execution permission flag is set to execution permission (S13-6).
Next, the time zone of the schedule table is set to 0 (S13-7), and the following processing is performed until the time zone exceeds 144 (S13-8). That is, first, user No. 1 is set (S13-9), and the number of times of printing for each time zone and the total number of in-use states of “data by day of the week” and “data by date” are tabulated. Clear processing of another printing times / in-use state counter and clearing processing by number of times by date / time zone / in-use state counter are performed (S13-10, S13-11), and totals for currently in-use users are performed.

  First, if the expiration date of the read printer use user name information acquired by the above-described processing is past the current time (S13-12 is NO, S13-13 is YES), the user name information is invalid, and the schedule table Not subject to creation. On the other hand, when the expiration date is after the current time (S13-13 is NO), the number of times of printing in the designated time zone of the day-by-day data corresponding to the user number in use is added to the day-by-day printing number counter, and the in-use state The counter is incremented by 1 (S13-14). Further, the number of times of printing in the designated time zone of the date-specific data corresponding to the user No. in use is added to the date-specific print number counter, and the in-use state counter is incremented by 1 (S13-15). Thereafter, the user No. is incremented by 1 to perform processing for the next user in use (S13-16).

  Then, the process of the said process (S13-12-S13-16) is repeated, and total for a user in use is performed.

  Next, when the above process is completed (YES in S13-12), the specified number of times of average printing for the day-specific data for only the user in use is calculated (S13-17). This calculation is obtained by, for example, calculating “printing number counter by day of the week by time zone ÷ used state counter by day of week by time of day”. Similarly, the specified number of times of average printing of the date-specific data for only the user in use is calculated (S13-15). This calculation is obtained by, for example, calculating “printing number counter by date and time zone / used state counter by date and time zone”.

  Then, the larger average number of times of printing, that is, the higher printing result is written in the corresponding time zone of the schedule table (S13-19 to S13-21). Depending on the type of business that uses the printer device 1 and the business content of the user, this processing may be performed based on the day of the week or may be performed based on the date. This is because it is considered that it is possible to improve the convenience of the user by selecting the one with the larger average number of times of printing. Therefore, according to the time zone every 10 minutes, “data by day of the week” is used in a certain time zone, and “data by date” is used in another certain time zone.

  Thereafter, in order to process the next time zone, the time zone is incremented by 1 (S13-22), and the above processing is repeated (S13-8 to S13-22), and processing is performed for all the time zones 144 (S13-8). YES), the schedule table creation process is terminated.

  When the schedule table creation process is completed as described above, the description returns to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, and the current time information is read (S14). Thereafter, printer use user name acquisition processing is performed at one-minute intervals (S15, S16). If there is a change in the user information being used (YES in S17), the schedule table creation processing is performed again (S18). The schedule table creation process is the same as the process described with reference to FIG. 11 described above. By repeating this process at 1-minute intervals, the schedule table can be created in accordance with the operation state even when the number of users using the printer increases or decreases. Processing can be performed.

  Next, it is determined that 10 minutes have passed (S19), and a process of collecting print results is performed (S20). FIG. 12 is a flowchart for specifically explaining the printing result collection process. First, in order to acquire print result data for each user in this time zone, the data for the time zone of the print result data for each user is read (S20-1).

  Next, in order to perform data processing for all users managed by the printing result data (RAM), first, user No. 1 is set (S20-2), and the expiration date of the user name information of user No. 1 It is determined whether it is before the time zone (before the current time minus 10 minutes) (S20-3 is NO, S20-4). If the expiration date of the user name information is earlier than this time zone (S20-4 is YES), the printing result data of the user is invalid and no processing is performed.

  On the other hand, when the expiration date is after this time zone (NO in S20-4), update processing of the printing result data is performed. First, the number of times of printing of the printing result data for each user in this time zone is added to the number of times of printing of the date data corresponding to the user No. (S20-5). Next, the number of times the user's date-specific data corresponding to the user number is in use is incremented by 1 (S20-6).

  Here, “Data by date” is a record of the printing results by date of each month and corresponds to the actual work, but “Data by day of the week” records the printing results by day of the week. There is a problem with simple recording. For example, a large amount of printing on a specific date every month is an item to be recorded by date data, and if this is recorded by day of the week, a result different from the original purpose by day of the week is derived.

  Therefore, it is determined whether a large amount of printing is often performed, for example, whether it is one week after the first day of the term (S20-7). (S20-7 is NO).

  On the other hand, if it is not within the above period (YES in S20-7), the number of times of printing of the printing result data for each user in this time zone is added to the number of times of printing of the data for each day of the week corresponding to the user No. ( S20-8), the number of times the user's day-by-day data corresponding to the user No. is used is incremented by 1 (S20-9). Also, the user number is incremented by 1 to perform processing for the next user in use (S20-10).

  When the above processing is repeated and the processing for all users is completed (YES in S20-3), the printing results data by date is written to the nonvolatile memory 5 (S20-11), and the printing results data by day of the week is subsequently stored in a nonvolatile manner. Write to the memory 5 (S20-12), and further write the difference of the printing result user name data to the nonvolatile memory 5 (S20-13).

Next, returning to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, the schedule is determined to execute the schedule based on the updated schedule table. For this determination, the schedule execution permission flag in the schedule table shown in FIG. 6 is confirmed (S21), and if the schedule execution permission flag is set (S21 is YES), the schedule is executed (S22).
FIG. 13 is a flowchart for specifically explaining the schedule execution process.
First, current status information (EngSts) is read from the printer engine (S20-1). Next, information on the average number of times of printing (PrintAve) in the time period is read from the schedule table (S20-2), and information on the number of times of printing (PrintCnt) in the time period is further read from the printing result data for each user (S20). -3).

  Next, threshold information is read from the schedule table (S20-4). Here, using threshold information has the following meaning. In other words, in order to save power, the printer device 1 sets the power saving state (Sleep state) by, for example, stopping the power supply to the fixing device. For this reason, when performing printing again, electric power for warming up is required. In consideration of this, the power consumption when the next printing is started after maintaining the printable state (Ready state) after the printing is completed is the same as that when the next printing is started by warming up after waiting in the power saving state. There may be a limit time (maintenance time for a printable state) that may be smaller than the power consumption.

  Therefore, the limit time (maintenance time of the printable state) t1 is obtained, and if printing is performed within this t1 hour, the state where the printable state (Ready state) is maintained shifts to the power saving state (Sleep state). Less power consumption is required. For this reason, when the time interval (10 minutes) for collecting printing results and t1 are approximate, counting the number of printings within the time interval is a setting that consumes less power than the printing time or the number of printed sheets. It is an easy way to derive. As a result of calculation based on the measured value of power consumption for each state of the printer engine device and the time required for state transition, in this example, the limit time t1 is 0.152 hours (9.12 minutes), and this t1 The number of times that the value can be executed at the aforementioned time interval is set as a threshold value.

  In other words, in the case of the printer apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the time interval is set to 10 minutes, and the number of times of printing is 1.10 times (10 minutes ÷ 9.12 minutes) by obtaining “time interval ÷ t1”, which is more than this number of times. If so, the interval between the printing process and the printing process is t1 hours or more. Therefore, for example, 1.10 is set as the threshold value.

  Next, the threshold value is read (S22-4), and it is determined whether the number of times of printing (PrintCnt) in this time period is larger than the average number of times of printing (PrintAve) in this time period (S22-5). That is, (PrintCnt-PrintAve ≧ 0) is calculated, and if PrintCnt-PrintAve ≧ 0 (YES in S22-5), if the printer engine state (EngSts) is in the Ready state (YES in S22-6), The printer apparatus 1 is set to the sleep state (S22-7). Even when PrintCnt-PrintAve ≧ 0 is not satisfied (S22-5 is NO), if the average number of times of printing (PrintAve) is smaller than the threshold value (S22-8 is NO), the printer apparatus 1 is set to the Sleep state. (S22-6, S22-7).

  On the other hand, if PrintCnt−PrintAve ≧ 0 is not satisfied (S22-5 is NO) and the average number of times of printing (PrintAve) is larger than the threshold value (S22-8 is YES), the printer apparatus 1 is set to the Sleep state. If the printer engine state (EngSts) is not the Ready state (S22-9 is NO), the printer apparatus 1 is set to the Ready state (S22-10).

  After that, returning to the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 8, waiting for time in preparation for the next time lapse processing (S23), reading the current time information again after the end of time waiting (S14), and repeating the above processing (S14-S23). ).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the usage status of the printer device 1 is managed for each user based on the printing result data of the printer device 1 and the host device is logged in for the purpose of using the printer device 1 at present. It is possible to further reduce power consumption by grasping the printing tendency of the printing results of a user who is planning to use the printer apparatus 1 and controlling the power saving state of the printer apparatus 1 according to the generated power saving schedule. be able to. In addition, it is not affected by the printing results of users who are not present in the time zone, and for users who are present in the time zone, the warm-up waiting time during printing is reduced and further rapid printing processing is performed. Can be executed.

  In the description of the present embodiment, the threshold value has been described using specific numerical values, but the present invention is not limited to the above numerical values.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer apparatus 2 ... CPU
3 ... ROM
4 ... RAM
5 ... Nonvolatile memory 6 ... Clock circuit 7 ... Print control LSI
8 ... Printer engine I / F
9 ... USB / LAN I / F

Claims (5)

In a printing apparatus connected to a host device and used by a plurality of users,
A first storage unit that divides one day at a fixed time interval and stores an average value of the number of times of printing by the plurality of users performed within the fixed time interval;
A second storage means for counting the number of times of printing for each of the plurality of users performed within the predetermined time interval, and storing information on the number of times of printing for each individual user for each predetermined time interval;
When the information on the number of times of printing for each certain time interval stored in the second storage unit exceeds the average value stored in the first storage unit, the apparatus is set to a sleep mode, and the first Control means for setting the apparatus to a ready mode when the information on the number of times of printing for each predetermined time interval stored in the storage means does not exceed the average value stored in the first storage means;
A printing apparatus comprising:   Even if the information on the number of times of printing for each certain time interval stored in the second storage means does not exceed the average value stored in the first storage means, the power consumption characteristics of the apparatus The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is set to a sleep mode based on a threshold value set based on the printer.   The threshold value set based on the power consumption characteristic of the device is calculated according to a ratio of the device warm-up time to a limit value of the device warm-up time, and is set according to the ratio. Or the printing apparatus of 2. In a power control method for a printing apparatus connected to a host device and used by a plurality of users,
A process of dividing one day at a fixed time interval and storing an average value of the number of printings by the plurality of users performed within the fixed time interval in a first storage unit;
A process of counting the number of times of printing of each of the plurality of users performed within the predetermined time interval, and storing information on the number of times of printing of the individual users in the second storage unit at each predetermined time interval;
When the information on the number of times of printing for each certain time interval stored in the second storage unit exceeds the average value stored in the first storage unit, the apparatus is set to a sleep mode, and the first A process for setting the apparatus in a ready mode when the information on the number of times of printing for each predetermined time interval stored in the storage means of 2 does not exceed the average value stored in the first storage means;
A method for controlling the power supply of a printing apparatus.   Even if the information on the number of times of printing for each certain time interval stored in the second storage means does not exceed the average value stored in the first storage means, the power consumption characteristics of the apparatus The method according to claim 4, wherein the apparatus is set to a sleep mode based on a threshold value set based on the printing apparatus.