JP2013008293A - Image formation device, information processing terminal, image formation system, and information processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation system that does not hinder an energy-saving state of an image formation device when a device state of the image formation device is not changed, and can quickly acquire the device state when the device state is changed.SOLUTION: An image formation system 1 includes a network multifunction machine 3 capable of being in the energy-saving state, and an information processing terminal 5 which is connected to the network multifunction machine 3 through a LAN 41. Once receiving an electric power state request from the information processing terminal 5, the network multifunction machine 3 sends back electric power state information representing an electric power state of itself and low-power-consumption state transition time. The information processing terminal 5 sends out the device state request to the network multifunction machine 3 when the network multifunction machine 3 is in a normal electric power state or when the network multifunction machine 3 is in an extremely low power consumption state and the low power consumption state transition time is changed. The information processing terminal 5 stops sending out the device state request when the low power consumption state transition time is not updated.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an information processing terminal, an image forming system, and an information processing program, and in particular, an image forming apparatus capable of taking an energy saving state, an information processing terminal connected to the image forming apparatus via a network, The present invention relates to an image forming system including the image forming apparatus and an information processing terminal, and an information processing program for causing a computer to function as an information processing terminal.

In recent years, from the viewpoint of reducing CO ₂ emissions, etc., there is a social demand for lower power consumption of electrical devices. For example, in a network multifunction peripheral (image forming apparatus) used by connecting to a network such as a LAN, power supply to, for example, a printer controller or a printer engine is stopped during standby, and a network interface controller ( A device that realizes power saving by operating only NIC) is known.

  On the other hand, among PCs (personal computers) connected to such an image forming apparatus via a network, for example, a service request for acquiring a device status of the image forming apparatus is periodically transmitted. Here, when the service request is received from the PC while the image forming apparatus is in the sleep state (energy saving state), the image forming apparatus is activated from the sleep state in order to respond to the service request. For this reason, the image forming apparatus is periodically activated, and there is a risk that the low power consumption of the device may be hindered. In particular, when a plurality of PCs are connected to the image forming apparatus via a network, when each of the plurality of PCs sends a service request to the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus is started more frequently. There is a possibility that the energy saving effect of the image forming apparatus is reduced.

  In order to solve such a problem, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming system including a management device (a host device composed of a PC or the like) that suppresses transmission of a service request when the image forming device is in a sleep state. ing. In this image forming system, the management apparatus determines whether or not the image forming apparatus is in a sleep state. If the management apparatus determines that the image forming apparatus is in a sleep state, the management apparatus periodically executes the image forming apparatus. Transmission of device information request packets (service requests) to be performed.

JP 2010-191523 A

  As described above, according to the management device described in Patent Literature 1, when the image forming apparatus is in the sleep state (energy saving state), periodic acquisition of device information (that is, periodic transmission of service requests) is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the image forming apparatus from being periodically activated. However, for example, when the image forming apparatus is once activated from the sleep state and then moved to the sleep state again, a service request cannot be sent during operation of the image forming apparatus (that is, device information is acquired). Even if the device state of the image forming apparatus has changed, the device state cannot be known until the image forming device is activated next time, for example. That is, even if the device information of the image forming apparatus is updated, there may occur a situation in which the updated device information cannot be grasped on the management device side.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. When there is no change in the apparatus state of the image forming apparatus, the energy saving state of the image forming apparatus is not disturbed, and the apparatus state of the image forming apparatus has changed. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, an information processing terminal, an image forming system, and an information processing program that can acquire the device state quickly.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention has a normal power state in which an image forming process can be performed, a low power consumption capable of returning device state information indicating a state of the own device, which consumes less power than the normal power state. In an image forming apparatus capable of taking a power state including an ultra-low power consumption state capable of returning a power state information indicating a power state information indicating the power state of the state, and less power consumption than the low power consumption state. Communication means connected to the information processing terminal via the information processing terminal, and a low power consumption state transition time indicating a time when the power state has shifted from the normal power state to the low power consumption state Storage means for storing the power status information and when the power status request is received from the information processing terminal when the power status is in the ultra-low power consumption status. When the low power consumption state transition time stored in the storage means is returned and a device state request is received from the information processing terminal, the power state is shifted from the ultra low power consumption state to the low power consumption state. It returns the status information.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when a power state request is received from the information processing terminal in the ultra low power consumption state, the power state information and the low power consumption state transition time are returned. In addition, when a device status request is received from the information processing terminal while in the ultra low power consumption state, the power state is shifted from the ultra low power consumption state to the low power consumption state, and Is returned. Here, according to the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, after the transition from the low power consumption state (or the ultra low power consumption state) to the normal power state once (or a plurality of times), the transition to the low power consumption state again. The stored low power consumption state transition time is updated. Therefore, on the information processing terminal side, even when the acquired power state of the image forming apparatus has not changed in the low power consumption state or the ultra low power consumption state in the previous time and this time, the low power consumption state transition time is set. When updated, the image forming apparatus is activated (shifted to the normal power state) between the last acquisition of the low power consumption state transition time and the current acquisition time, and there is a high possibility that the device state has changed. Can be guessed. Therefore, in such a case, the information processing terminal that has acquired the low power consumption state transition time sends a device state request to the image forming apparatus to acquire the device state information, thereby obtaining the latest device of the image forming apparatus. The state can be acquired quickly.

  On the other hand, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the low power consumption state transition time is not updated (that is, does not change) when continuously in the low power consumption state or the ultra low power consumption state. Therefore, the information processing terminal side can determine that the device state has not changed when the low power consumption state transition time has not been updated. Therefore, in such a case, the information processing terminal can determine that it is not necessary to acquire the device status information of the image forming apparatus, and can stop sending the device status request to the image forming device. Therefore, when there is no change in the device state of the image forming apparatus, the ultra low power consumption state (that is, the energy saving state) of the image forming apparatus is maintained. As a result, when the device state of the image forming apparatus does not change, the energy saving state of the image forming apparatus is not hindered, and when the device state of the image forming apparatus changes, the device state can be acquired quickly. .

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the communication unit includes a first communication unit connected to the information processing terminal via a network and a second communication unit connected to be communicable with the first communication unit. The first communication means receives power state information from the information processing terminal when power is supplied in the ultra low power consumption state and the power state is in the ultra low power consumption state. When a low power consumption state transition time is returned and a device state request is received from the information processing terminal, an activation signal for shifting the power state from the ultra low power consumption state to the low power consumption state is output, and the second communication means The power supply is stopped in the ultra low power consumption state, and the power is supplied by the activation signal, so that the transition from the ultra low power consumption state to the low power consumption state occurs in response to the device status request from the information processing terminal. It is preferable to return the vessel status information.

  In this case, the communication unit includes the first communication unit and the second communication unit, and power supply to the second communication unit is stopped in the ultra-low power consumption state. In the ultra-low power consumption state, a response to the power state request from the information processing terminal is performed only by the first communication unit. That is, the power state information and the low power consumption state transition time are returned without activating the second communication unit or the like. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the power consumption of the device.

  An information processing terminal according to the present invention, in an information processing terminal connected to any one of the image forming apparatuses described above via a network, a transmission unit that sends a power state request and a device state request to the image forming apparatus; A receiving unit that receives power state information returned from the image forming apparatus, a low power consumption state transition time, and device state information; and a storage unit that stores the received low power consumption state transition time. However, when it is determined that the power state of the image forming apparatus is the ultra low power consumption state based on the power state information received by the receiving unit, the low power consumption state transition time received this time by the receiving unit is stored in the storage unit The device status request is sent to the image forming apparatus when it is newer than the previously received low power consumption state transition time stored in the At the same time the state transition time is the low power consumption state transition time previously received stored in the storage means, characterized in that stops sending the device status requests to the image forming apparatus.

  As described above, even when the power state of the image forming apparatus remains in the low power consumption state or the ultra low power consumption state, the low power consumption state transition time is set based on the acquired change in the low power consumption state transition time. It can be estimated whether or not the image forming apparatus has been activated between the previous acquisition and the current acquisition. That is, even when the acquired power state of the image forming apparatus has not changed in the low power consumption state or the ultra low power consumption state both in the previous time and this time, when the low power consumption state transition time is updated, It can be estimated that there is a high possibility that the device state has changed since the image forming apparatus was activated (shifted to the normal power state) between the previous acquisition of the low power consumption state transition time and the current acquisition. . Here, according to the information processing terminal according to the present invention, when the low power consumption state transition time received this time is newer than the previously received low power consumption state transition time, the device state with respect to the image forming apparatus A request is sent and device status information is acquired. Therefore, when there is a change in the device state of the image forming apparatus, the device state can be acquired quickly.

  On the other hand, when the low power consumption state transition time has not been updated, the image forming apparatus has not been activated (shifted to the normal power state) between the last transmission of the power state request and the current transmission (ie, the low power consumption state transition time). It can be determined that the power consumption state or the ultra-low power consumption state continues and the device state has not changed. Here, according to the information processing terminal according to the present invention, when the currently received low power consumption state transition time is the same as the previously received low power consumption state transition time, the device status request is transmitted to the image forming apparatus. Is stopped. Therefore, when there is no change in the device state of the image forming apparatus, the ultra low power consumption state (that is, the energy saving state) of the image forming apparatus is maintained. As a result, when the device state of the image forming apparatus does not change, the energy saving state of the image forming apparatus is not hindered, and when the device state of the image forming apparatus changes, the device state can be acquired quickly. .

  In the information processing terminal according to the present invention, when the transmission unit determines that the power state of the image forming apparatus is an ultra-low power consumption state based on the power state information received by the reception unit, the reception unit When the received low power consumption state transition time is newer than the previously received low power consumption state transition time stored in the storage means, a device state request is sent to the image forming apparatus and received this time. When the low power consumption state transition time is the same as the previously received low power consumption state transition time stored in the storage means and older than the low power consumption state transition time, the device state for the image forming apparatus It is preferable to stop sending requests. In this way, when the low power consumption state transition time received this time is older than the previously received low power consumption state transition time, for example, when the time of the clock included in the image forming apparatus is corrected or reset. In this case, the transmission of the device status request can be stopped.

  On the contrary, in the information processing terminal according to the present invention, when the transmission unit determines that the power state of the image forming apparatus is the ultra-low power consumption state based on the power state information received by the reception unit, When the low power consumption state transition time received this time by the means is newer and older than the previously received low power consumption state transition time stored in the storage means, a device state request is sent to the image forming apparatus. When the low power consumption state transition time received and sent this time is the same as the previously received low power consumption state transition time stored in the storage means, the transmission of the device state request to the image forming apparatus is stopped. It is also preferable. In this way, when the low power consumption state transition time received this time is older than the previously received low power consumption state transition time, for example, when the time of the clock included in the image forming apparatus is corrected or reset. In this case, the device status request can be sent out (that is, the device status of the image forming apparatus can be acquired).

  In the information processing terminal according to the present invention, when the transmission unit determines that the power state of the image forming apparatus is the normal power state based on the power state information received by the receiving unit, the transmission unit It is preferable to send a device status request.

  In this way, when the power state of the image forming apparatus is the normal power state, a device state request is sent to the image forming apparatus regardless of the change in the low power consumption state transition time. Therefore, in this case, the image forming apparatus is not activated only for acquiring the device state. Further, when the device state changes, the device state can be acquired quickly.

  An image forming system according to the present invention includes any one of the above image forming apparatuses and any one of the above information processing terminals.

  The image forming system according to the present invention includes any one of the image forming apparatuses and any one of the information processing terminals. Therefore, as described above, when the device state of the image forming apparatus does not change, the energy saving state of the image forming apparatus is not hindered, and when the device state of the image forming apparatus changes, the device state can be acquired quickly. It becomes possible.

  An information processing program according to the present invention causes a computer to function as any one of the above information processing terminals.

  By executing the information processing program according to the present invention, the computer functions as the above-described information processing terminal (that is, the transmission unit, the reception unit, and the storage unit). As a result, as described above, when the device state of the image forming apparatus does not change, the energy saving state of the image forming device is not hindered, and when the device state of the image forming device changes, the device state is quickly acquired. Is possible.

  According to the present invention, when there is no change in the apparatus state of the image forming apparatus, the energy saving state of the image forming apparatus is not disturbed, and when the apparatus state of the image forming apparatus changes, the apparatus state can be acquired quickly. It becomes.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network multifunction peripheral, an information processing terminal, and an image forming system including the network multifunction peripheral and an information processing terminal according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a NIC configuration of a network multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the computer (information processing terminal) which runs an information processing program. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of low power consumption state transition processing by the network multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of communication processing in an ultra-low power consumption state by the network multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the apparatus state request | requirement process by the information processing terminal which concerns on embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same element and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. Here, a network multifunction peripheral (network MFP) will be described as an example of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. The image forming apparatus may be a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine (MFP) that has these functions. Here, a network system (hereinafter referred to as “image forming system”) in which the network multifunction peripheral is connected to an information processing terminal such as a personal computer via a LAN will be described as an example. The illustrated image forming system has a simplified configuration for easy understanding.

  First, the overall configuration of the image forming system 1 and the configurations of the network multifunction peripheral 3 and the information processing terminal 5 that configure the image forming system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network multifunction peripheral 3, an information processing terminal 5, and an image forming system 1 including the network multifunction peripheral 3 and the information processing terminal 5. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the NIC 10 that constitutes the network multifunction device 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer 50 (information processing terminal 5) that executes the information processing program 60.

  The image forming system 1 includes a network multifunction device 3 and an information processing terminal 5 that are communicably connected to each other via a LAN 41. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which one network multifunction device 3 and one information processing terminal 5 are connected to the LAN 41, there are a plurality of network multifunction devices 3 and information processing terminals 5 connected to the LAN 41. It may be.

  The network multifunction device 3 has three power states, that is, power is supplied to all components, a normal power state in which all functions can be executed, and low power consumption in which power supply to the reading unit 15 and the recording unit 12 is stopped. This is a multifunction device capable of taking a power state and an ultra low power consumption state in which power supply is stopped except for a part of the NIC 10 and the NCU 19 that waits for a processing request from the outside, for example. The network multifunction device 3 also has a PC print function for recording print data received from the information processing terminal 5 connected via the LAN 41 on paper, a network compatible scanner function, a copy function, a FAX function, an Internet FAX ( IFAX) function, Web server function, and the like.

  Further, the network multifunction device 3 returns device status information indicating its own status in response to the device status request from the information processing terminal 5, and responds to the power status request with respect to its own power status information (the power status is normally normal). Information indicating whether the power state is the low power consumption state or the ultra low power consumption state) and the low power consumption state transition time (the time when the normal power state is shifted to the low power consumption state (or the ultra low power consumption state)) Information). Details will be described later.

  In order to realize each function described above, the network multifunction device 3 includes an MFP main body 4 and a network interface controller (hereinafter referred to as “NIC”) 10 for connecting the MFP main body 4 to the LAN 41. The MFP body 4 includes a control unit 11, a recording unit 12, an operation unit 13, a display unit 14, a reading unit 15, a codec 16, an image storage unit 17, a modem 18, an NCU 19, an IFAX control unit 20, and a Web server 21. Etc. The above units are connected to each other via a bus 23 so that they can communicate with each other.

  The NIC 10 is a network interface that performs transmission / reception control processing of various communication protocols, data analysis processing and data creation processing on various communication protocols. That is, the NIC 10 functions as communication means described in the claims. Data communication with the information processing terminal 5 connected via the LAN 41 is performed through the NIC 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the NIC 10 includes a front-end unit (corresponding to the first communication means described in the claims, hereinafter referred to as “first NIC”) 100 that receives a network packet (network data), and received data. And a back-end unit (corresponding to the second communication means described in the claims, hereinafter referred to as “second NIC”) 120 that performs processing corresponding to the analysis and various applications.

  The first NIC 100 is connected to the information processing terminal 5 via the LAN 41 and communicates with the information processing terminal 5. The second NIC 120 is connected to the first NIC 100 so as to be able to transfer data to each other via a bus 130 such as PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) or PCI Express. Note that power is supplied to the first NIC 100 even when the power state is in the low power consumption state or the ultra-low power consumption state. Further, the first NIC 100 and the second NIC 120 may be communicably connected by, for example, serial communication or USB instead of the bus 130 such as PCI.

  The first NIC 100 includes a microprocessor that performs calculations, a ROM that stores a program for causing the microprocessor to execute each process, a communication chip (IC) that performs communication processing under the control of the microprocessor, and received data and calculation results. These are constituted by a RAM or the like that temporarily stores various data such as. The first NIC 100 may be configured using a microcomputer in which the above-described microprocessor, communication chip, ROM, RAM, and the like are housed in one chip. The microprocessor used in the first NIC 100 preferably has a lower clock frequency and lower power consumption than that used in the second NIC 120, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the first NIC 100, the reception unit 101, the transmission unit 102, the storage unit 103, the activation signal output unit 104, the bus transfer unit 105, and the proxy response unit 106 are combined by the combination of the hardware and software described above. Has been built.

  The receiving unit 101 receives network packets (network data) such as a power status request and a device status request sent from the information processing terminal 5 via the LAN 41, for example. The storage unit 103 is configured by the above-described RAM, and power state information indicating the power state of the own device (normal power state, low power consumption state, or ultra low power consumption state), and the power state is low from the normal power state. The low power consumption state transition time indicating the time when the power state (or the ultra low power consumption state) is transitioned is stored. The storage unit 103 functions as a storage unit described in the claims.

  The activation signal output unit 104 determines that the received data is a device status request or a request that cannot be responded only by the first NIC 100, and if the power status is determined to be an ultra-low power consumption status, A control signal (hereinafter referred to as “activation signal”) for shifting from the low power consumption state to the low power consumption state (the normal power state when necessary) is output to the power control unit 11a (details will be described later). . Here, the power state of the own device can be determined based on the power state information stored in the storage unit 103. Further, for example, the power state of the second NIC 120 and the MFP main body 4 may be determined based on the level of the port connected to the second NIC 120.

  When the activation signal output from the activation signal output unit 104 is input to the power control unit 11a, power supply from the power source to the second NIC 120 (if necessary, the MFP body 4) is started. Then, the second NIC 120 and / or the MFP main body 4 executes a start-up process such as program loading, and the second NIC 120 and / or the MFP main body 4 is started to be in an operating state.

  When it is determined that the second NIC 120 has transitioned from the ultra-low power consumption state to the low power consumption state (or the normal power state), the bus transfer unit 105 uses the received data received until the second NIC 120 is activated as a bus The data is transferred to the second NIC 120 via 130. Further, the bus transfer unit 105 transfers the data received by the receiving unit 101 to the second NIC 120 via the bus 130 when the second NIC 120 is in the normal power state.

  The proxy response unit 106 generates response data for the data received by the reception unit 101 when it is not necessary to activate the second NIC 120 in the ultra-low power consumption state (that is, when the response can be performed only by the first NIC 100). . When the proxy response unit 106 receives a power status request from the information processing terminal 5, the proxy response unit 106 generates response data including the power status information stored in the storage unit 103 and the low power consumption status transition time. Note that, for example, SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is used for delivery of power state information and the like. Note that the response data (power state information and low power consumption state transition time) generated by the proxy response unit 106 is output to the transmission unit 102.

  The transmission unit 102 transmits the response data generated by the proxy response unit 106 to the LAN 41 when the second NIC 120 is in the ultra-low power consumption state. Further, the transmission unit 102 transmits the response data received from the second NIC 120 via the bus 130 to the LAN 41 when the second NIC 120 is in the normal power state or the low power consumption state.

  The second NIC 120 is a microprocessor that performs calculations, a ROM that stores programs for causing the microprocessor to execute each process, a RAM that temporarily stores various data such as received data and calculation results transferred from the first NIC 100, And a backup RAM for storing backup data. The second NIC 120 may be configured using a microcomputer in which these microprocessor, ROM, RAM, and the like are housed in one chip. The microprocessor used in the second NIC 120 has a higher clock frequency than that used in the first NIC 100 and operates at a higher speed.

  In the second NIC 120, a receiving unit 121, a generating unit 122, an output unit 123, and the like are constructed by a combination of the hardware and software described above.

  The receiving unit 121 receives the received data received from the information processing terminal 5 by the first NIC 100 and transferred from the bus transfer unit 105 via the bus 130 when the second NIC 120 is in the normal power state or the low power consumption state. . The reception data received by the receiving unit 121 is output to the generating unit 122.

  The generation unit 122 generates response data for the reception data received by the reception unit 121. When the device status request from the information processing terminal 5 is received, the generation unit 122 generates device status information indicating the status of the own device. Here, as the device status information generated by the network multifunction peripheral 3 (generation unit 122), information indicating whether or not the scanned original is accumulated and information indicating whether or not the FAX original is received and accumulated (original) Storage information) and information (PC print information) indicating whether or not PC printing has been executed. Further, the network multifunction device 3 (generating unit 122) includes information indicating the language (Japanese, English, etc.) supported by the own device and the corresponding paper size (A3, A4, etc.) as device status information. Information and counter information indicating the number of printouts are generated. Note that the response data generated by the generation unit 122 is output to the output unit 123. The output unit 123 outputs the response data generated by the generation unit 122 to the first NIC 100 via the bus 130. The response data sent to the first NIC 100 is sent out on the LAN 41 by the transmission unit 102 of the first NIC 100.

  For example, when communication is not continuously performed for a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) or longer, the second NIC 120 stops power supply from the power source and changes from the normal power state to the low power consumption state. On the other hand, as described above, in the second NIC 120, power supply from the power source is started by the activation signal output from the activation signal output unit 104, and the ultra low power consumption state is changed to the low power consumption state (or the normal power state). .

  Returning to FIG. The control unit 11 constituting the MFP body 4 includes a microprocessor that performs calculations, a ROM that stores programs for causing the microprocessor to execute each process, a RAM that temporarily stores various data such as calculation results, and a backup. A backup RAM or the like for storing data is used. The control unit 11 comprehensively controls hardware constituting the MFP body 4 by executing a program stored in the ROM.

  The control unit 11 includes a power control unit 11 a that controls the power state of the network multifunction device 3. Here, the three power states switched by the power control unit 11a, that is, the normal power state, the low power consumption state, and the ultra-low power consumption state will be described in more detail.

  The normal power state is a state in which power is supplied from the main power source to all the components of the network multifunction peripheral 3, and all functions including printing, copying, and FAX are available. When the main power source is turned on, the network multifunction device 3 enters the normal power state after the initialization process. On the other hand, the network multifunction device 3 shifts from the normal power state to the low power consumption state when a FAX reception, a PC print job request, or the like has not continued for a certain time (for example, 5 minutes). At that time, the power control unit 11a writes the power state information indicating the low power consumption state, the low power consumption state transition time indicating the time of transition to the low power consumption state, and the like in the storage unit 103 described above. . For example, RTC (Real Time Clock) data is used as the stored low power consumption state transition time.

  The low power consumption state is a state where power supply to the recording unit 12 and the reading unit 15 is stopped. In the low power consumption state, a function that does not use the recording unit 12 and the reading unit 15, for example, a time designation FAX transmission function, a Web function including network packet analysis, and the like can be used. The network multifunction device 3 shifts from the low power consumption state to the normal power state, for example, when receiving FAX data and a PC print job request. At that time, the power control unit 11 a sets the power state information to the normal power state and writes it in the storage unit 103. On the other hand, the network multifunction device 3 shifts from the low power consumption state to the ultra low power consumption state when, for example, the job request and the reception of the network packet do not continue for a certain time (for example, 5 minutes).

  In the ultra low power consumption state, in addition to the reading unit 15 and the recording unit 12, the operation from the main power supply to the operation unit 13, the display unit 14, the modem 18, and the like is stopped. Further, in the ultra-low power consumption state, energization of the second NIC 120 among the circuits constituting the NIC 10 is stopped, and energization of the circuits other than the call signal detection circuit among the circuits constituting the NCU 17 is stopped. The network multifunction device 3 transitions from the ultra-low power consumption state to the normal power state when an operation for returning to the normal power state is performed by the user (for example, when the energy saving mode key is pressed). At that time, the power control unit 11 a sets the power state information to the normal power state and writes it in the storage unit 103. On the other hand, when a specific packet such as a device state request is received by the first NIC 100, the network multifunction device 3 shifts from the ultra-low power consumption state to the low power consumption state (the normal power state if necessary).

  The recording unit 12 is an electrophotographic printer, and prints out PC print data received from the external information processing terminal 5 on paper. The recording unit 12 prints out the image data read and generated by the reading unit 15 and the image data received by FAX, IFAX, or the like on a sheet.

  The operation unit 13 includes a plurality of keys used for using each function of the network multifunction device 3, such as a numeric keypad, an abbreviated key, a start key, a stop key, and various function keys. The display unit 14 is a display device using an LCD or the like, and displays the operation state of the network multifunction peripheral 3 and / or various setting contents. The reading unit 15 includes a light source, a CCD, and the like, and reads a document such as a paper document for each line according to a set sub-scanning line density, and generates image data.

  The codec 16 encodes and compresses the image data read by the reading unit 15 and decodes the encoded and compressed image data. The image storage unit 17 is configured by a DRAM or the like, and includes image data encoded and compressed by the codec 16, image data received by FAX, and an image received from the external information processing terminal 5 and encoded and compressed. Store data etc.

  A modem (modem / demodulator) 18 performs modulation / demodulation between a digital signal and an analog signal. The modem 18 generates and detects various function information such as a digital command signal (DCS). An NCU (Network Control Unit) 19 is connected to the modem 18 and controls the connection between the modem 18 and the public switched telephone network (PSTN) 40. The NCU 19 has a function of transmitting a call signal corresponding to the destination facsimile number and detecting the incoming call.

  The IFAX control unit 20 uses the Internet environment and transmits the transmission original as an image data in TIFF or PDF format attached to an e-mail. The IFAX control unit 20 receives a mail from the POP server every set time and automatically prints out. The Web server 21 makes it possible to access a data such as a home page, a login page, and a facsimile operation page described in HTML from the information processing terminal 5 and execute a predetermined HTTP task.

  Next, the information processing terminal 5 connected to the network multifunction device 3 via the LAN 41 will be described. The information processing terminal 5 sends a processing request such as PC printing to the network multifunction device 3 via the LAN 41. Further, the information processing terminal 5 can make an acquisition request for the power state information and the device state information of the network multifunction device 3 to the network multifunction device 3. For this reason, the information processing terminal 5 transmits a power state request and a device state request to the network multifunction device 3 at a predetermined timing, and response data (power state information) returned from the network multifunction device 3. A low power consumption state transition time, device state information, and the like) and a storage unit 502 that stores the received low power consumption state transition time. The transmission unit 500 corresponds to the transmission unit described in the claims, and the reception unit 501 corresponds to the reception unit described in the claims. The storage unit 502 functions as a storage unit described in the claims.

  As described above, the transmission unit 500 sends a power status request to the network multifunction device 3 using SNMP at a predetermined timing (for example, at an interval of 10 minutes). Acquire the low power consumption state transition time.

  In addition, when the transmission unit 500 determines that the power state of the network MFP 3 is the low power consumption state or the ultra low power consumption state based on the acquired power state information, the transmission unit 500 receives the current time by the reception unit 501. When the low power consumption state transition time is newer than the low power consumption state transition time received before (previous) before being stored in the storage unit 502, a device state request is sent to the network multifunction device 3. On the other hand, when the low power consumption state transition time received this time is the same as the low power consumption state transition time received (previous) before being stored in the storage unit 502, the transmission unit 500 and the low power consumption state When the time is older than the transition time, transmission of the device status request to the network multifunction device 3 is stopped. Note that the low power consumption state transition time sent when the network MFP 3 is in the normal power state is discarded.

  In addition, when the transmission unit 500 determines that the power state of the network multifunction device 3 is the normal power state based on the power state information received by the reception unit 501, the transmission unit 500 requests the device state request from the network multifunction device 3. Is sent out.

  Here, the device status information requested / acquired by the information processing terminal 5 includes information indicating whether or not the scanned original has been stored, information indicating whether or not the FAX original has been received and stored (original storage information), And information (PC print information) indicating whether or not PC printing has been executed. Further, the information processing terminal 5 includes, as device status information, information indicating a language (Japanese, English, etc.) supported by the network multifunction device 3, information indicating a corresponding paper size (A3, A4, etc.), In addition, counter information indicating the number of printouts can be requested / acquired. The above-described document accumulation information and PC print information are requested / obtained using HTTP. The supported language, supported paper size, and counter information are requested / obtained using SNMP.

  The information processing terminal 5 can be realized by executing an information processing program on a computer. Here, the computer 50 that functions as the information processing terminal 5 and the information processing program 60 that causes the computer 50 to function as the information processing terminal 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The computer 50 includes a control unit (CPU) 51 that controls execution of the program 60, a hard disk 52 that stores the program 60, a memory (RAM) 53, a display 54, an input unit 55 including a keyboard, and the like. A reading device 56 capable of reading a program or the like recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, and a LAN interface 57 formed of a LAN board. Here, for example, by executing the program 60 read by the reading device 56 (or downloaded via the network) and stored (installed) in the hard disk 52, the computer 50 configures the information processing terminal 5 described above. Functions as a transmission unit 500, a reception unit 501, and a storage unit 502.

  Next, the operation of the image processing system 1 (the network multifunction device 3 and the information processing terminal 5) will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the low power consumption state transition processing by the network MFP 3. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of communication processing in the ultra-low power consumption state by the network MFP 3. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of device status request processing by the information processing terminal 5.

  First, the low power consumption state transition processing by the network multifunction peripheral 3 will be described with reference to FIG. This process is executed at a predetermined timing in the network MFP 3.

  In step S100, a determination is made as to whether or not a condition for shifting to the low power consumption state (for example, when a processing request is not accepted continuously for 5 minutes) is established. Here, if the condition for shifting to the low power consumption state is not satisfied, the process is temporarily exited. On the other hand, when the condition for shifting to the low power consumption state is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S102.

  In step S102, the power state information is set to the low power consumption state and stored (written) in the storage unit 103. Subsequently, in step S104, the time is read from the RTC and stored (written) in the storage unit 103 as the low power consumption state transition time. Thereafter, the power state shifts to a low power consumption state.

  Next, communication processing in the ultra-low power consumption state by the network multifunction peripheral 3 will be described with reference to FIG. This process is executed in the network multifunction device 3 at the timing when the network packet is received.

  In step S200, a determination is made as to whether the received data is a power state request using SNMP, for example, by pattern matching. Here, when the received data is a power state request, the process proceeds to step S202. In step S202, the power state information and the low power consumption state transition time stored in the storage unit 103 are read and returned to the information processing terminal 5. Thereafter, the process is exited. On the other hand, if the received data is not a power status request, the process proceeds to step S204.

  In step S204, a determination is made as to whether the received data is a device status request. If the received data is a device status request, the process proceeds to step S206. On the other hand, when the received data is not a device status request, the process proceeds to step S210.

  In step S206, an activation signal for starting power supply to the second NIC 120 is output to the power control unit 11a, and power supply to the second NIC 120 is started. Then, the second NIC 120 shifts to a low power consumption state (a normal power state if necessary).

  Subsequently, in step S208, device status information corresponding to the request from the information processing terminal 5 is generated and returned. Thereafter, the process is exited.

  On the other hand, when the received data is not a device status request, in step 210, it is determined whether or not it is possible to respond without activating the second NIC 120 or the like (that is, whether or not proxy response is possible). Is called. If proxy response is possible, proxy response data is generated and returned in step S216. On the other hand, when it is determined that the proxy response is impossible, the process proceeds to step S212.

  In step S212, an activation signal for starting power supply to the second NIC 120 (if necessary, the MFP body 4) is output to the power control unit 11a, and the second NIC 120 (if necessary, the MFP body 4). ) Is started. Thereafter, in step S214, response data is generated and returned. Thereafter, the process is exited.

  Next, the device status request process by the information processing terminal 5 will be described with reference to FIG. This process is executed in the information processing terminal 5 at a predetermined timing (for example, every 10 minutes).

  In step S300, a response to the power status request is received from the network multifunction device 3, and the power status information and the low power consumption status transition time are acquired.

  Subsequently, in step S302, based on the acquired power state information, a determination is made as to whether or not the network multifunction device 3 is in a low power consumption state or an ultra low power consumption state. Here, when the network multifunction peripheral 3 is in the low power consumption state or the ultra low power consumption state, the process proceeds to step S304. On the other hand, when the network MFP 3 is not in the low power consumption state or the ultra low power consumption state (that is, in the normal power state), the process proceeds to step S306.

  In step S304, the low power consumption state transition time acquired this time in step S300 is compared with the previously acquired low power consumption state transition time stored in the storage unit 502. If the currently acquired low power consumption state transition time is newer than the previously acquired low power consumption state transition time, the process proceeds to step S306. On the other hand, when the low power consumption state transition time acquired this time is the same as the previously acquired low power consumption state transition time and older than the low power consumption state transition time, the device state request is not sent, Exit from this process.

  If the network multifunction device 3 is in the normal power state, or if the network multifunction device 3 is in the low power consumption state or the ultra low power consumption state and the low power consumption state transition time is updated, in step S306, the device A status request is sent to the network multifunction device 3.

  Thereafter, in step S308, the low power consumption state transition time acquired in step S300 is stored in the storage unit 502. That is, the low power consumption state transition time stored in the storage unit 502 is updated to the low power consumption state transition time acquired this time. Thereafter, the process is exited.

  As described above in detail, according to the network multifunction peripheral 3 configuring the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the power state is in the ultra-low power consumption state, the information processing terminal 5 issues a power state request. If received, the first NIC 100 returns the power state information and the low power consumption state transition time. Further, when a device state request is received from the information processing terminal 5 when the power state is in the ultra-low power consumption state, the power state is changed from the ultra-low power consumption state to the low power consumption state (normal power if necessary). After the transition to (status), device status information indicating the status of the own device is returned by the second NIC 120.

  By the way, according to the network multifunction device 3, after shifting from the low power consumption state or the ultra low power consumption state to the normal power state once (or a plurality of times), the network multifunction machine 3 is again changed to the low power consumption state (or the ultra low power consumption state). When it is moved, the stored low power consumption state transition time is updated. Therefore, in the information processing terminal 5, even if the power state of the network multifunction peripheral 3 remains in the low power consumption state or the ultra low power consumption state, the low power consumption is based on the acquired change in the low power consumption state transition time. It can be estimated whether or not the network multifunction device 3 has been activated between the last acquisition of the state transition time and the current acquisition. That is, in the information processing terminal 5, even when the acquired power state of the network MFP 3 has not changed in the low power consumption state or the ultra low power consumption state both in the previous time and this time, the low power consumption state transition time Is updated, the network multifunction device 3 is activated (shifted to the normal power state) between the last acquisition of the low power consumption state transition time and the current acquisition time, and the device state may have changed. It can be estimated that it is expensive.

  Here, according to the information processing terminal 5 according to the present embodiment, when the low power consumption state transition time received this time is newer than the previous (previous) low power consumption state transition time, 3 sends a device status request to obtain device status information. Therefore, when there is a change in the device state of the network complex 3, the device state can be acquired quickly.

  On the other hand, according to the network MFP 3 according to the present embodiment, the low power consumption state transition time is not updated (that is, does not change) when continuously in the low power consumption state or the ultra low power consumption state. Therefore, the information processing terminal 5 side can determine that the device state has not changed when the low power consumption state transition time has not been updated. Here, according to the information processing terminal 5 according to the present embodiment, when the low power consumption state transition time received this time is the same as the low power consumption state transition time previously received (previous), the network multifunction device 3 The transmission of the device status request for is stopped. Therefore, when there is no change in the device state of the network multifunction device 3, the low power consumption state of the network multifunction device 3 is maintained. As a result, when the device state of the network multifunction device 3 is not changed, the energy-saving state of the network multifunction device 3 is not disturbed, and when the device state of the network multifunction device 3 is changed, the device state can be acquired quickly. It becomes possible.

  Further, according to the information processing terminal 5 according to the present embodiment, when the power state of the network multifunction device 3 is the normal power state, the device state with respect to the network multifunction device 3 regardless of the change in the low power consumption state transition time. A request is sent out. Therefore, in this case, the network multifunction device 3 is not activated only for acquiring the device status. Further, when the device state changes, the device state can be acquired quickly.

  According to the network MFP 3 according to the present embodiment, the NIC 10 includes the first NIC 100 and the second NIC 120, and the power supply to the second NIC 120 is stopped in the ultra-low power consumption state. In the ultra-low power consumption state, a response to the power state request from the information processing terminal 5 is performed only by the first NIC 100. That is, the power state information and the low power consumption state transition time are returned without activating the second NIC 120 or the like. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the power consumption of the device.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above embodiment, the NIC 10 is divided into the first NIC 100 and the second NIC 120, but the NIC 10 does not necessarily have to be divided into the first NIC 100 and the second NIC 120. Further, even when the NIC 10 is divided into the first NIC 100 and the second NIC 120, each of the first NIC 100 and the second NIC 120 does not necessarily need to be configured by independent substrates. For example, the first NIC 100 and the second NIC 120 may be constructed on one substrate, or the first NIC 100 and the second NIC 120 may be formed in one IC chip.

  In the above embodiment, when the low power consumption state transition time acquired this time is newer than the previously acquired (previous) low power consumption state transition time, a device state request is sent to the network multifunction peripheral 3, At the same time and old time, the sending of the device status request was stopped. However, when the low power consumption state transition time acquired this time is newer and older than the previously acquired (previous) low power consumption state transition time, a device state request is sent to the network multifunction peripheral 3, At the same time, the transmission of the device status request may be stopped.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 3 Network multifunction device 4 MFP main body 5 Information processing terminal 10 NIC
100 1st NIC
101 Receiving Unit 102 Transmitting Unit 103 Storage Unit 104 Activation Signal Output Unit 105 Bus Transfer Unit 106 Proxy Response Unit 120 Second NIC
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 121 Reception unit 122 Generation unit 123 Output unit 130 Bus 11 Control unit 11a Power control unit 12 Recording unit 13 Operation unit 14 Display unit 15 Reading unit 16 Codec 17 Image storage unit 18 Modem 19 NCU
20 IFAX control unit 21 Web server 23 Bus 41 LAN
50 Computer 60 Information Processing Program 500 Transmission Unit 501 Reception Unit 502 Storage Unit

Claims (8)

Normal power state in which image forming processing can be performed, low power consumption state in which power consumption is less than the normal power state, and device state information indicating the state of the own device can be returned, and the low power consumption state In an image forming apparatus capable of taking a power state including an ultra-low power consumption state, which can return power state information indicating the power state of the own device with less power consumption than
A communication means connected to the information processing terminal via the network and transmitting / receiving data to / from the information processing terminal;
Storage means for storing a low power consumption state transition time indicating a time when the power state has transitioned from the normal power state to the low power consumption state, and
When the communication unit receives a power state request from the information processing terminal when the power state is in an ultra low power consumption state, the communication unit stores the power state information and the low power consumption state stored in the storage unit When a transition time is returned and a device status request is received from the information processing terminal, the power status is shifted from an ultra-low power consumption state to a low power consumption state, and the device status information is returned. Image forming apparatus. The communication means includes first communication means connected to the information processing terminal via the network, and second communication means connected to be communicable with the first communication means,
When the first communication means receives power state request from the information processing terminal when power is supplied in the ultra-low power consumption state and the power state is in the ultra-low power consumption state, the power state information And when the device state request is received from the information processing terminal, a start signal for shifting the power state from the ultra-low power consumption state to the low power consumption state is output.
The second communication means stops power supply in the ultra-low power consumption state, and transitions from the ultra-low power consumption state to the low power consumption state when power is supplied by the activation signal. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device status information is returned in response to a device status request. In an information processing terminal connected to the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 via a network,
Transmitting means for sending a power status request and a device status request to the image forming apparatus;
Receiving means for receiving power status information, low power consumption status transition time, and device status information returned from the image forming apparatus;
Storage means for storing the received low power consumption state transition time,
When the transmission unit determines that the power state of the image forming apparatus is an extremely low power consumption state based on the power state information received by the reception unit, the low power consumption received this time by the reception unit When the state transition time is newer than the previously received low power consumption state transition time stored in the storage means, the device state request is sent to the image forming apparatus, and the low power consumption received this time An information processing terminal that stops sending an apparatus status request to the image forming apparatus when a status transition time is the same as a low power consumption status transition time received before being stored in the storage means.   When the transmission unit determines that the power state of the image forming apparatus is an extremely low power consumption state based on the power state information received by the reception unit, the low power consumption received this time by the reception unit When the state transition time is newer than the previously received low power consumption state transition time stored in the storage means, the device state request is sent to the image forming apparatus, and the low power consumption received this time When the state transition time is the same as the previously received low power consumption state transition time stored in the storage means and older than the low power consumption state transition time, the device state request for the image forming apparatus is 4. The information processing terminal according to claim 3, wherein transmission is stopped.   When the transmission unit determines that the power state of the image forming apparatus is an extremely low power consumption state based on the power state information received by the reception unit, the low power consumption received this time by the reception unit When the state transition time is newer and older than the previously received low power consumption state transition time stored in the storage means, an apparatus state request is sent to the image forming apparatus and received this time. When the low power consumption state transition time is the same as the previously received low power consumption state transition time stored in the storage unit, the transmission of the device state request to the image forming apparatus is stopped. The information processing terminal according to claim 3.   The transmission unit transmits a device status request to the image forming apparatus when it is determined that the power state of the image forming apparatus is a normal power state based on the power state information received by the receiving unit. The information processing terminal according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
An image forming system comprising: the information processing terminal according to any one of claims 3 to 6. An information processing program for causing a computer to function as the information processing terminal according to any one of claims 3 to 6.

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