JP2013156669A - Power source management device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power source management device capable of shortening a user's warm-up waiting time for power saving mode cancellation in front of a job execution device without setting a job as an urgent job when the job is determined as the urgent job.SOLUTION: The power source management device determines whether a job execution related to reservation information is urgent when a user transmits the reservation information of the job and takes specific actions such as starting moving in an MFP direction and stoping near the MFP within a predetermined time before or after the transmission, predicts a job execution device to be used by the user from a content of the specific actions, and transmits a power-saving mode cancellation instruction to the predicted job execution device.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power management apparatus that issues a power supply state change instruction to a job execution apparatus.

  In recent years, due to eco-consciousness and demands for power saving, in multifunction devices (MFPs) equipped with fax machines, printing machines, copiers, scanners, etc., the supply of power to some of the devices has been stopped when not in use by users. Thus, it has become widespread to wait in a power saving state (power saving mode) in which power consumption is suppressed compared to a normal state in which power is supplied to the entire apparatus (normal power mode).

  When the user uses the MFP, the job is executed after the MFP is switched from the power saving mode to the normal power mode. When the MFP cancels the power saving mode and switches to the normal power mode, a waiting time such as warm-up occurs. Therefore, by canceling the power saving mode of the MFP and switching to the normal power mode after the user submits a job to the MFP from a terminal device at his / her desk and arrives at the MFP, the user can switch to the normal power mode. A technique for reducing the waiting time until warm-up or the like is completed is proposed.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, when print data is transmitted from the user terminal to the image forming apparatus, it is selected whether or not an immediate print symbol is added to the print data, and the print data to which the immediate print symbol is not added is selected. Is received, the print job is placed in a standby state, and when print data to which the immediate print symbol is added is received, immediate print is performed continuously including the print job that has been in the standby state until then. Thus, there is described a method for realizing power saving by reducing the number of transitions between the sleep state (corresponding to the power saving mode) and the operating state (corresponding to the normal power mode).

JP 2009-271411 A

  In the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the MFP receives print data to which an immediate print symbol is added, the MFP cancels the immediate sleep state and starts printing. As a result, the sleep state is canceled at an earlier timing than when the user transmits print data to which the immediate print symbol is added from the terminal device to the MFP, moves to a location where the MFP is located, and then cancels the MFP sleep state. Then, printing can be started.

  However, in the method in which the MFP cancels the sleep state when the print data to which the immediate print symbol is added is received, it takes time and effort to manually add the immediate print symbol to the print data every time the immediate printing is performed. In addition, if the user assigns an immediate print symbol every time print data is transmitted, the power saving effect is reduced.

  In addition, there is a conventional technique for canceling the power saving mode when a user holding a job approaches the MFP, but with this method, even when the job execution on the MFP is not the purpose, power saving can be achieved. The mode is canceled and the power saving effect is reduced.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problem. In the case of a hurry, the user does not need to perform the “hurry” setting. An object of the present invention is to provide a power management apparatus that can shorten the waiting time for up.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] A movement information acquisition unit that acquires movement information indicating the movement status of the user;
A receiving unit that receives the reservation information of a job executed by the job execution device transmitted from the user terminal;
A transmission unit;
Based on the movement information acquired by the movement information acquisition unit, whether or not a user who has transmitted the reservation information within a predetermined period before and after the reservation information is received by the reception unit has taken a specific action. A control unit that, when true, transmits a power saving mode release command to a predetermined job execution device using the transmission unit;
A power management device comprising:

  In the above invention, when the user who has transmitted the reservation information within a predetermined period before and after the transmission of the job reservation information takes a specific action, it is estimated that the reservation is an urgent job, and the power saving mode cancel command is issued. Is automatically transmitted from the power management apparatus to a predetermined job execution apparatus. The job execution device can switch between the normal power mode, which consumes normal power, and the power saving mode, which consumes less power than the normal power mode. Yes. The specific action is, for example, that the user has started moving in the direction of the job execution device within a predetermined time before or after transmission of the job reservation information, or has ended moving near the job execution device. This is an action that can be presumed that the user has headed to the job execution apparatus for execution. Here, the reservation information transmitted to the power management apparatus only needs to include information indicating that a job is scheduled to be submitted. The reservation information preferably includes job setting information (job execution conditions). In the case of a job that transmits data to be processed from the terminal to the job execution device such as a print job or a data transmission job, the data to be processed may be further included in the reservation information.

[2] The power management apparatus according to [1], wherein the specific action is at least one of movement start and movement end.

[3] The power management apparatus according to [2], wherein the movement end is a movement end at a movement end position within a predetermined distance from the job execution apparatus.

  In the above invention, if the movement end position is a movement end within a predetermined distance from the job execution apparatus, it is specified that the user has moved toward the job execution apparatus and stopped in front of the job execution apparatus.

[4] The power management apparatus according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein there are a plurality of the predetermined job execution apparatuses.

  In the above invention, when there is one transmission destination, if the job execution device is being used by another user, there is a waiting time until the job execution starts. Automatically send a release command.

[5] When the specific action is that the movement end position is a movement end within a predetermined distance from the job execution apparatus, the control unit changes the job execution apparatus close to the movement end position to the predetermined job execution apparatus. The power management device according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the power management device is preferentially selected.

  In the above invention, when the user moves toward the job execution device and stops in front of the job execution device, the job execution device close to the stopped user is preferentially used as the automatic transmission destination of the power saving mode release command. select.

[6] When the specific action is a start of movement having a movement start position within a predetermined distance from the seat of the user who transmitted the reservation information, the control unit selects a job execution device close to the user's seat. The power management apparatus according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the predetermined job execution apparatus is preferentially selected.

  In the above invention, when the user transmits job reservation information near his / her seat and starts moving, it is estimated that the user is likely to execute the job on the job execution device near his / her seat, and the A job execution device close to the user's seat is preferentially selected as the automatic transmission destination of the power mode release command.

[7] The control unit selects, as the predetermined job execution device, a job execution device positioned in the movement direction when the specific action is movement start [1] to [5] The power management apparatus according to any one of the above.

  In the above invention, the job execution device in the user's moving direction is selected as the automatic transmission destination of the power saving mode release command.

[8] When the actual number of transmissions of the power saving mode release command related to the user who has taken the specific action is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the control unit is more than the predetermined number than when the actual number is less than the predetermined number The power management apparatus according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the number of job execution apparatuses is increased.

  In the above invention, a user who has a large number of results of automatic transmission of the power saving mode release command is considered a busy person, so such a person can use the job execution device as a transmission destination of the power saving mode release command. The number of transmission destinations of the power saving mode cancellation command is increased so that there is no waiting time until the start of job execution when it is in use.

[9] When the user takes the specific action during the predetermined period, the control unit transmits the power saving mode cancellation command to n job execution devices, and the user performs the operation during the predetermined period. If no specific action is taken, the power saving mode cancellation command is transmitted to m job execution devices (n and m are positive integers, n> m) [1] Thru | or [8] The power management device given in any 1 paragraph.

  In the above invention, if the user takes a specific action within a predetermined period before and after the transmission of the job reservation information, it is determined that the user is in a hurry, and the power saving mode cancel command is automatically issued to the n job execution devices. If it does not take a specific action, it is determined that it is not in a hurry, and a power saving mode release command is automatically transmitted to less than n job execution devices. That is, when not in a hurry, a power saving mode release command is transmitted to n job execution devices, but in a hurry, another person has used the job execution device to which the power saving mode release command is sent first. Considering the case, the number of transmission destinations of the power saving mode release command is increased.

[10] The control unit transmits a power-saving mode cancel command with different parts to be canceled according to the type of job indicated by the reservation information received by the receiving unit. [9] The power management apparatus according to any one of [9].

  In the above invention, the job execution apparatus cancels the power saving mode only for the part necessary for the execution of the job according to the job type (for example, print job, scan job, etc.) in the reservation information transmitted by the user. A mode release command is automatically transmitted. As a result, it is possible to avoid unnecessary power supply to a portion unnecessary for the execution of the job.

[11] The reservation information includes job setting information,
A storage unit that stores the reservation information received by the reception unit;
The control unit transmits the reservation information after transmitting the power saving mode cancel command to the predetermined job execution device. [1] to [10] Power management device.

  In the above invention, the reservation information including the job setting information (job data) is stored in the power management apparatus, and after the power management apparatus transmits the power saving mode cancellation command, the power saving mode cancellation command is transmitted. The stored reservation information is transmitted to the job execution apparatus that has become the transmission destination. By including job setting information in the reservation information in advance, it is possible to save the user from setting the job setting information separately from the reservation information.

  In addition, when the reservation information is transmitted immediately after the transmission of the power saving mode cancel command, the waiting time for the user to download the job setting information (job data) from the power management apparatus in front of the job execution apparatus is shortened. Can do. When job setting information is sent in response to a request from the user who has operated the job execution device after canceling the power saving mode, when the job execution device used by the user is predicted and job setting information is sent Compared to the setting information, the setting information can be reliably transmitted to the job execution apparatus used by the user.

[12] When the user takes the specific action during the predetermined period, the control unit transmits the power saving mode release command instructing the predetermined job execution device to shift to a normal state, If the user does not take the specific action during the predetermined period, the predetermined job execution device is shifted to the second power saving mode that consumes less power than the normal state and consumes more power than the power saving mode. The power management apparatus according to any one of [1] to [11], wherein an instruction to shift to a second power saving mode is transmitted.

  In the above invention, if the user who has transmitted the job reservation information within a predetermined period before and after the transmission of the job reservation information does not take a specific action, it is determined that the user is not in a hurry, compared with the power saving mode. A second power saving mode (power save mode in the present embodiment) that is a mode that consumes high power but consumes less power than the normal power mode and can return to the normal power mode in a shorter time than the power saving mode. ) Is automatically transmitted from the power management apparatus to a predetermined job execution apparatus.

  According to the power management device of the present invention, when the user transmits job reservation information from the terminal device, it is determined whether or not the job is hurry based on the user's actions before and after transmission, and in the case of hurry, the job is saved. Since the power mode release command is automatically transmitted to the job execution apparatus, the time for a rushed user to wait in front of the job execution apparatus from the power saving mode to the normal power mode is shortened, and convenience is improved. In addition, since it is automatically determined whether or not it is a hurry, the user does not need to perform a special operation or instruction indicating the hurry. Further, since it is determined whether or not it is a hurry, it is possible to avoid unnecessarily frequently releasing the power saving mode.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the system configuration example of the job management system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of client PC. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a portable terminal. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an MFP. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a job management server. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the layout map of the office using a job management system. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a user information table. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of an MFP information table. It is a front view which shows an example of a power saving mode cancellation | release judgment condition input screen. It is a front view which shows an example of a power saving mode cancellation | release method setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the data content of reservation information. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed with a portable terminal in the case of a 1st specific action. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed with a portable terminal in the case of a 2nd specific action. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed with a portable terminal in the case of a 3rd specific action. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed with a portable terminal in the case of a 4th specific action. It is a flowchart which shows a process when a portable terminal detects a user's movement. It is a flowchart which shows the process in a job management server. It is a flowchart which shows a power saving mode cancellation | release determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the continuation of the flow of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which enumerates and shows the various setting values used by a power saving mode cancellation | release determination process. 10 is a flowchart showing a destination MFP extraction process. 5 is a flowchart showing processing performed in the MFP.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a system configuration example of a job management system 10 including a power management apparatus according to the present invention. The job management system 10 includes a plurality of MFPs 20 serving as job execution devices, a client PC 40 such as a personal computer, a job management server 50, an indoor network 2 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) provided in an office or the like. A navigation system 80 is connected to an access point 83 for indoor wireless communication. A plurality of access points 83 are installed. Further, the mobile terminal 90 used by the user is connected to the network 2 through the access point 83 by wireless communication. The job management server 50 executes the function of the power management apparatus according to the present invention.

  The MFP 20 sends a copy job for optically reading a document and printing a duplicate image on a recording sheet, a scan job for saving the image data of the read document as a file or sending it to an external device, and a client PC. This is a so-called multi-function machine having a function of executing a job such as a print job for printing an image related to the data on a recording sheet and outputting it. When the job execution is not performed, the MFP 20 stops the power supply to a part of the apparatus, thereby reducing the power consumption in the power saving mode compared to the normal power mode in which power is supplied to the entire apparatus. When the user operates the MFP 20 while waiting, the power saving mode is canceled (switched to the normal power mode), and the job is executed.

  In the job management system 10, the job is executed in the following flow. First, job reservation information is transmitted from the client PC 40 to the job management server 50. The reservation information includes setting information related to the job. The job management server 50 receives this and temporarily stores it. When the user goes to the desired MFP 20 and performs an operation such as user authentication (input of user identification information) or designation of reservation information of a job to be executed, the MFP 20 that has received the operation sends the reservation information to the job management server 50. Send a request. The job management server 50 that has received the request transmits the specified reservation information to the MFP 20 that is the transmission source, and the MFP 20 that has received the reservation information executes a job based on the reservation information. Since the setting information related to the job is included in the reservation information, the user can start executing the job without performing detailed settings in the MFP 20.

  The user can transmit job reservation information from the client PC 40 to the job management server 50, and can also transmit the job reservation information from the portable terminal 90 to the job management server 50.

  In the job management system 10 including the job management server 50 according to the present invention, the behavior of the user who is the sender of the reservation information is examined within a predetermined period before and after the job management server 50 receives the job reservation information. If the user takes a specific action within the predetermined period, it is determined that the user is about to execute a job based on the reservation information, and a power saving mode release command is automatically transmitted to the predetermined MFP 20. Receiving this cancel command, the MFP 20 cancels the power saving mode (shifts to the normal power mode) and starts preparations for executing the job. If it is determined from the user's behavior within a predetermined period before and after the job reservation information is input whether the user is about to execute a rush job, By canceling the power saving mode, it is possible to reduce the time that the user waits in front of the MFP 20 until the warm-up performed when shifting from the power saving mode to the normal power mode is completed.

The specific behavior is movement start, movement end, or the like. Specifically, the following four actions are designated as specific actions.
(1) After starting the movement, the job reservation information is transmitted within a predetermined time, and the MFP 20 is in the movement direction.
(2) Job reservation information is transmitted within a predetermined time after the movement is completed, and the movement end position is close to any MFP 20 (within a predetermined distance).
(3) The movement starts within a predetermined time after transmitting the job reservation information, and the MFP 20 is in the movement direction.
(4) The movement is completed within a predetermined time after the job reservation information is transmitted, and the movement end position is near any MFP 20 (within a predetermined distance).

  The specific action (1) is when the user starts moving from the user's own seat or the like toward the MFP 20 and transmits job reservation information from the portable terminal 90 or the like within the predetermined time (for example, within 10 seconds). Corresponding to Since the job reservation information is transmitted immediately after the start of the movement toward the MFP 20, this movement is estimated to be a movement for executing the job.

  The specific action (2) corresponds to a case where the user moves from his / her seat or the like to the MFP 20 and transmits job reservation information from the portable terminal 90 or the like in front of the MFP 20. Since the job reservation information is transmitted immediately after moving to the front of the MFP 20 and stopping, it is estimated that the user is in a hurry to execute the job related to the reservation information.

  The specific action (3) corresponds to a case where the user starts moving toward the MFP 20 within a predetermined period after transmitting job reservation information from the client PC 40 installed at his / her seat. Immediately after the job reservation information is transmitted, the movement toward the MFP 20 is started, so this movement is estimated to be a movement for executing the job.

  In the specific action (4), job reservation information is transmitted from the portable terminal 90 or the like when the user comes from the user's own seat or the like to the vicinity of the MFP 20, and immediately before that, the user arrives in front of the MFP 20 and finishes moving. It corresponds to the case. Since the job reservation information is transmitted when it comes close to the MFP 20 and then stops in front of the MFP 20, it is estimated that the user is in a hurry to execute the job related to the reservation information.

  The transmission destination of the power saving mode release command selects the MFP 20 predicted to be used by the user based on the specific action taken by the user. Specifically, if the specific action is the specific action of (1) or (3) above related to the start of movement and the position of the user at the time of job reservation information transmission is near the user's seat, the user normally uses it. The MFP 20 is preferentially selected. If it is the specific action of (1) or (3) and the position of the user at the time of transmitting the job reservation information is not near the user's seat, the MFP 20 in the user's moving direction is preferentially selected. When the specific action is (2) or (4) related to the end of movement, the MFP 20 near the movement end position is preferentially selected.

  As described above, the job management system 10 determines whether or not the execution of the job related to the reservation information is “hurry” based on the user behavior before and after transmission of the job reservation information, and determines “hurry”. In this case, a command to cancel the power saving mode is transmitted to the MFP 20 that is predicted to be used by the user for job execution based on the user's action.

  Note that the reservation information includes setting information related to the job. However, depending on the type of job, in addition to the setting information, data (for example, drawing data or a file) to be processed by the job may be included. is there. For example, in the case of reservation information related to a scan job, only setting information such as the resolution at the time of scanning and the transmission destination of data obtained by scanning is included. In the case of reservation information related to a print job, printing is performed. In addition to the setting information, drawing data to be printed is also included.

  When the reservation information including the data to be processed by the job as described above is transmitted from the portable terminal 90, the reservation information creation instruction (setting information related to the job and designation of the processing target data is transmitted from the portable terminal 90. Information) and its transmission instruction are transmitted to the client PC 40. The client PC 40 creates reservation information based on the received creation instruction, and transmits the created reservation information to the job management server 50 in accordance with the transmission instruction. This is a method that can be used when the data to be processed by the job is not stored in the mobile terminal 90. When the data to be processed by the job is stored in the mobile terminal 90, the mobile terminal 90 It is also possible to transmit reservation information including the data directly from the job management server 50 to the job management server 50.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the client PC 40. The client PC 40 communicates with the control unit 41, the operation unit 42 that receives operations from the user, the display unit 43 that displays various screens such as an operation screen, and various external devices such as the job management server 50 through the network 2. Network I / F 44 and the like. The control unit 41 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs various calculations, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and fixed data, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that is used as a work memory, and the like as main parts. The The display unit 43 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The operation unit 42 includes operation input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse.

  The client PC 40 includes an OS (Operating System) program, an application program (application program for creating reservation information) for creating / editing document / image, job reservation information, a browser program, and job reservation information (hereinafter referred to as job reservation information). Are also installed, and the control unit 41 executes them.

  The control unit 41 executes a program to create job reservation information such as a print job and a scan job, and functions as a job data transmission unit that transmits the reservation information to the job management server 50 via the network I / F 44. . For example, in the case of a print job, the print data is created from a document created by an application program or the like, and reservation information including setting information such as the print data and the number of copies is created and transmitted. In addition, the reservation information of the job to be transmitted functions to add identification information of the user who has instructed transmission of the reservation information and information indicating the transmission date and time.

  FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the mobile terminal 90. The portable terminal 90 includes a control unit 91 having CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like as main parts, an operation unit 92 that receives operations from a user, a display unit 93 that displays various screens such as operation screens, and an access point 83. And a wireless network I / F 94 for performing wireless communication with each other. The portable terminal 90 includes an OS program, an application program for creating and editing documents and images, a browser program, a program for creating job reservation information and sending it to the job management server 50 (reservation information creation application program), and the like. They are installed, and the control unit 91 executes them.

  The control unit 91 indicates the position of the mobile terminal 90 (that is, the user who uses the mobile terminal 90), the start of movement, the end of movement, the detection direction of the movement direction, the user identification information, and the position detected by the detection unit 91a. It functions as a transmission unit 91b that transmits information such as position information, movement start, movement end, and movement direction detected by the detection unit 91a to the job management server 50. Here, the position of the own device is detected by receiving signals for position detection from the indoor navigation system 80 from a plurality of access points 83.

  The portable terminal 90 recognizes the position of the terminal itself, sequentially transmits this position information to the job management server 50, and the job management server 50 that has received the position information obtains the position information obtained from the portable terminal 90. The time management information is added and accumulated, and the job management server 50 is configured to recognize each user's action (movement start, movement end, movement direction, etc.) from the accumulated position information. May be.

  FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of the MFP 20. The MFP 20 includes a control unit 21, an operation display unit 22, an image forming unit 23, a storage unit 24, a network I / F 25, a scanner unit 26, a facsimile communication unit 27, and the like.

  The control unit 21 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The CPU of the control unit 21 is based on an OS program, on which middleware and application programs are executed. Various programs are stored in the ROM, and each function of the MFP 20 such as execution of a print job and a scan job is realized by the CPU executing processes according to these programs. The RAM is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU executes a program, an image memory for storing image data, and the like.

  The operation display unit 22 includes a display unit and an operation unit. The display unit is configured with a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays various screens such as an initial screen, an operation screen, and a setting screen. The operation unit accepts operations related to job input and transfer requests, setting operations, and the like from the user. The operation unit is provided with a numeric keypad, a character input key, a start key, and the like in addition to a touch panel that is provided on the screen of the display unit and detects a pressed coordinate position.

  The image forming unit 23 functions to form an image based on the image data on a recording sheet and print it out. For example, a recording paper conveyance device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an LD (Laser Diode) that is controlled to be turned on according to input image data, and laser light emitted from the LD on the photosensitive drum. It is configured as a so-called laser printer having a scanning unit for scanning, a developing device, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device. Other methods may be used for image formation.

  The network I / F 25 communicates with various external devices via the network 2. Also, it fulfills the functions of transmitting a job reservation information transmission request to the job management server 50 and receiving job reservation information from the job management server 50.

  The storage unit 24 is a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk device, and is used, for example, for storing reservation information of received jobs, data related to jobs such as print data and image data, and the like.

  The scanner unit 26 performs a function of optically reading a document and acquiring image data. The scanner unit 26 sequentially moves, for example, a light source that irradiates light on a document, a line image sensor that receives the reflected light for one line in the width direction, and a line-by-line reading position in the length direction of the document. An optical path composed of a lens, a mirror, and the like for guiding the reflected light from the document to the line image sensor to form an image, a conversion unit for converting the analog image signal output from the line image sensor into digital image data, etc. It is prepared for.

  The facsimile communication unit 27 controls operations related to facsimile transmission and reception.

  The control unit 21 includes a user identification unit 31 that identifies a user who uses the MFP 20 by user authentication or the like, a job data request unit 32 that requests the job management server 50 to transfer job reservation information (job data), A job data receiving unit 33 that receives job reservation information from the client PC 40, a job related to the received reservation information and a job processing unit 34 that executes a job set and input by the operation display unit 22, and the MFP 20 include: Functions as a power saving mode state notifying unit 35 for notifying the job management server 50 of the normal power mode state or the power saving mode state, and a power saving mode release command receiving unit 36 for receiving a power saving mode release command Fulfill.

  FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of the job management server 50. The job management server 50 includes a control unit 51 mainly composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., a storage unit 52 composed of a hard disk device and the like, a client PC 40, an indoor navigation system 80, a portable terminal 90, etc. through the network 2. A network I / F 53 for communicating with an external device is provided. In addition, a display unit and an operation unit may be provided. Note that the job management server 50 may be configured by installing a predetermined program on a general-purpose server including the network I / F 53.

  The control unit 51 of the job management server 50 includes a job data reception unit 61, a job data reception time management unit 62, a user information management unit 63, an acquisition unit 64, a management unit 65, and a power saving mode release determination unit 66. A job data management unit 67, an MFP information management unit 68, an MFP power saving mode information acquisition unit 69, a cancellation command transmission destination MFP extraction unit 70, a job data transmission unit 71, and a power saving mode cancellation history management unit. Functions as 72.

  The job data receiving unit 61 functions to receive job reservation information from the client PC 40 or the like, and store the received reservation information in the storage unit 52. Further, the job data receiving unit 61 assigns and stores a unique job ID (Identification) to the reservation information of the received job.

  The job data reception time management unit 62 functions to manage the reception time of the received reservation information. Here, the reception time of the job reservation information is stored in association with the job ID assigned by the job data receiving unit 61. As this reception time, the transmission date and time described in the received reservation information may be used, or when the job management server 50 receives the reservation information, the time is obtained by inquiring a predetermined clock unit or date and time management server. The acquired time may be used as the reception time.

  The user information management unit 63 has a function of accepting various user information settings from an administrator or the like, a function of storing the set user information in the storage unit 52 as in the user information table 120 of FIG. Fulfill.

  The acquisition unit 64 acquires information such as user position information, movement start, movement end, and movement direction from the portable terminal 90 or the indoor navigation system 80. The management unit 65 manages the movement start time and movement end time of the user.

  The power saving mode cancellation determination unit 66 determines whether or not to transmit a power saving mode cancellation command. This determination is made based on whether or not the behavior of the user who transmitted the job reservation information before and after transmission of the reservation information corresponds to any one of the specific behaviors (1) to (4) described above.

  The job data management unit 67 transmits a list of job reservation information in response to a request from the MFP 20 and manages whether or not a job related to each reservation information stored in the storage unit 52 has been executed. It performs the function to do.

  The MFP information management unit 68 has a function of accepting setting of information regarding the MFP 20 that can be a transmission destination of job reservation information, and storing the setting in the storage unit 52 as in the MFP information table 130 of FIG.

  The MFP power saving mode information acquisition unit 69 has a function of inquiring of the MFP 20 whether the MFP 20 is in the normal power mode or the power saving mode, and receiving an answer from the MFP 20.

  The cancellation command transmission destination MFP extracting unit 70 has a function of extracting, from the registered MFPs 20, the MFP 20 that should be the transmission destination of the power saving mode cancellation command.

  The job data transmission unit 71 transmits job reservation information to the MFP 20 based on the transmission request for job reservation information received from the MFP 20.

  The power saving mode cancellation history management unit 72 functions to create transmission history data of a power saving mode cancellation command and store it in the storage unit 52. Here, as the history information, for example, the user name, job ID, transmission date / time of the power saving mode cancellation command, transmission destination of the power saving mode cancellation command, etc. related to the reservation information of the job that caused the transmission of the power saving mode cancellation command Is registered.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of an office layout map 110 that uses the job management system 10. The layout map 110 shows the seat position of the user in the office, the position of each MFP 20, and the like. A to D in the figure indicate seat positions of the respective users whose user names are UserA, UserB, UserC, and UserD. Also, “MFP1 to MFP5” in the figure indicate the arrangement positions of the MFPs 20 whose MFP names are “MFP1”, “MFP2”, “MFP3”, “MFP4”, and “MFP5”, respectively.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the user information table 120 registered in the storage unit 52 of the job management server 50 under the arrangement shown by the layout map 110 in FIG. In the user information table 120, a user name, a seat position of the user, an MFP name of the MFP 20 that the user normally uses are registered in association with each other. Here, a plurality of MFPs 20 that are normally used can be registered for each user, and a priority indicating which MFP 20 is to be used preferentially can be added and registered. Priority 1 is given the highest priority. Here, MFPs 20 with priorities 1 to 3 can be registered. The seat position of the user is represented by position coordinates (X, Y) on the coordinates of the layout map 110 in FIG.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of the MFP information table 130 registered in the storage unit 52 of the job management server 50 under the arrangement shown by the layout map 110 in FIG. In the MFP information table 130, the MFP name, the IP address of the MFP 20 having this MFP name, and the position information are registered in association with each other. The position information of the MFP 20 is represented by position coordinates (X, Y) on the coordinates of the layout map 110 in FIG.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of a power saving mode cancellation determination condition input screen 140 for receiving settings of various setting values that are criteria for determining whether or not a power saving mode cancellation command should be transmitted. The power saving mode cancellation determination condition input screen 140 is displayed on the display unit of the job management server 50 when the job management server 50 performs setting, and is remotely set to the job management server 50 from the administrator's terminal device. In some cases, it is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device.

  (1) to (4) in the power saving mode cancellation determination condition input screen 140 respectively correspond to the specific actions (1) to (4) described above. In the “judgment time” column, the time set in the item 141 of “(1) time from start of movement to transmission of reservation information” is used to determine whether or not the user's action is the above-mentioned specific action (1). Used for. Similarly, the time set in the item 142 of “(2) Time from the end of movement to transmission of reservation information” is used when determining whether or not the user's action is the specific action of (2) described above. The same applies to items 143 and 144 in (3) and (4).

  In the “distance to MFP” column, the distance set in the item 145 of “(2) Distance from the current position and the MFP under the condition” indicates whether or not the user's action is the specific action of (2) described above. Used when making decisions. The distance set in the item 146 of “(4) Condition, distance from current position to MFP” is used when determining whether or not the user's action is the specific action described in (4) above.

  The item 147 in the column of “MFP with high frequency of canceling command transmission” includes a criterion for setting the history of counting target for the transmission of the power saving mode canceling command from the date and time when the latest reservation information is transmitted. The number of days to be set. In addition, item 148 is a criterion for determining whether the power saving mode cancellation command is frequently transmitted when the power saving mode cancellation command is transmitted more than once within the period. The number of times is set.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of a power saving mode canceling method setting screen 150 for receiving settings related to the canceling method of the power saving mode. The power saving mode canceling method setting screen 150 is displayed on the display unit of the job management server 50 when the job management server 50 performs the setting, and when the administrator terminal device sets the job management server 50 remotely. Is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device.

To cancel the power saving mode,
1. Cancel the power saving mode only for the units necessary for job execution.
2. Cancel the power saving mode of all units.
3. Shift to power save mode,
Any one of can be selected. In the method 1, the unit necessary for executing the job is specified from the job reservation information, and the power saving mode is canceled only for that unit. For example, when the job is a print job, the image forming unit 23 is a unit to be canceled in the power saving mode, but the scanner unit 26 and the facsimile communication unit 27 are not the units to be canceled in the power saving mode. When the job is a scan job, the scanner unit 26 is a unit to be canceled in the power saving mode, and the image forming unit 23 and the facsimile communication unit 27 are not a unit to be canceled in the power saving mode.

  In the method of 2., the power saving mode of all units is canceled regardless of the type of job related to the reservation information that caused the cancellation of the power saving mode. The power saving mode of method 3 is a power supply mode that consumes higher power than the power saving mode but consumes less power than the normal power mode, and enters the normal power mode in a shorter time than the power saving mode. This is a power supply mode that can be restored.

  FIG. 11 shows reservation information data 160 that is an example of data content of job reservation information. The job reservation information includes a user name, transmission date and time, job setting information, and the like. In the case of reservation information including data to be processed such as a print job, data to be processed such as print data is further included. The job management server 50 determines whether or not a user matching the user name included in the received reservation information transmits a power saving mode release command based on actions performed before and after transmitting the reservation information. .

  Next, the operation of the job management system 10 will be described. First, the flow of processing performed by the mobile terminal 90 for each of the four specific actions will be described.

<Processing of the mobile terminal 90 during the specific action (1)>
FIG. 12 shows the flow of processing in the case of the specific action (1). First, when the user starts moving, the portable terminal 90 detects the movement start, and the portable terminal 90 notifies the job management server 50 of the user identification information, the movement start information, the current position, and the moving direction (step S101). ).

  Next, the portable terminal 90 receives an operation for starting a reservation information creation application from the user (step S102). Then, the portable terminal 90 receives an operation for creating job reservation information on the application from the user (step S103). Thereby, the created reservation information is transmitted from the portable terminal 90 to the job management server 50, and the job management server 50 receives and registers this reservation information. In creating reservation information related to a print job, when document data stored in the client PC 40 is designated as a print target, the reservation information is transmitted from the portable terminal 90 to the client PC 40, and the client PC 40 The print data of the document designated as the processing target is added to the reservation information and transferred to the job management server 50, and the job management server 50 operates to receive and register the reservation information.

  When the mobile terminal 90 detects that the user has finished moving in front of the MFP 20 (step S104), the mobile terminal 90 notifies the job management server 50 of user identification information, movement end information, and the current position (step S105). End the process.

<Processing of the mobile terminal 90 during the specific action (2)>
FIG. 13 shows a detailed flow in the case of the specific action (2). First, processing similar to that from step S101 to step S103 in FIG. 12 is performed. As a result, job reservation information (including user identification information) is registered in the job management server 50.

  Next, when the mobile terminal 90 detects that the user has finished moving within a predetermined range from the MFP 20 (step S204), the mobile terminal 90 notifies the job management server 50 of user identification information, movement end information, and current position. (Step S205), and the process ends.

<Processing of the mobile terminal 90 during the specific action (3)>
FIG. 14 shows a detailed flow in the case of the specific action (3). First, the mobile terminal 90 receives an operation for starting a reservation information creation application from the user (step S301).

  Then, the portable terminal 90 receives a job reservation information creation operation on the application from the user (step S302). Thereby, the created reservation information is transmitted from the portable terminal 90 to the job management server 50, and the job management server 50 receives and registers this reservation information. In creating reservation information related to a print job, when document data stored in the client PC 40 is designated as a print target, the reservation information is transmitted from the portable terminal 90 to the client PC 40, and the client PC 40 The print data of the document designated as the processing target is added to the reservation information and transferred to the job management server 50, and the job management server 50 operates to receive and register the reservation information.

  In the above example, job reservation information is created on the portable terminal 90, but the user may operate the client PC 40 to create job reservation information. In this case, job reservation information is transmitted from the client PC 40 to the job management server 50, and the job management server 50 receives and registers this reservation information.

  Next, when the user starts moving, the portable terminal 90 detects the movement start, and the portable terminal 90 notifies the job management server 50 of the user identification information, the movement start information, the current position, and the moving direction (step). S303).

  When the mobile terminal detects that the user has finished moving in front of the MFP 20 (step S304), the mobile terminal 90 notifies the job management server 50 of user identification information, movement end information, and the current position (step S306), and processing Exit.

<Processing of the mobile terminal 90 during the specific action (4)>
FIG. 15 shows a detailed flow in the case of the specific action (4). First, when the user starts moving, the portable terminal 90 detects the movement start, and the portable terminal 90 notifies the job management server 50 of the user identification information, the movement start information, the current position, and the moving direction (step S401). ).

  Next, when the mobile terminal detects that the user has finished moving within the predetermined range from the MFP 20 (step S402), the mobile terminal 90 notifies the job management server 50 of the user identification information, the movement end information, and the current position. (Step S403).

  The portable terminal 90 receives an operation for starting a reservation information creation application from the user (step S404). Then, the portable terminal 90 receives an operation for creating job reservation information on the application from the user (step S405). Thereby, the created reservation information is transmitted from the portable terminal 90 to the job management server 50, and the job management server 50 receives and registers this reservation information. In creating reservation information related to a print job, when document data stored in the client PC 40 is designated as a print target, the reservation information is transmitted from the portable terminal 90 to the client PC 40, and the client PC 40 The print data of the document designated as the processing target is added to the reservation information and transferred to the job management server 50, and the job management server 50 operates to receive and register the reservation information.

  FIG. 16 shows a flow of processing performed in the mobile terminal 90 as the user starts moving and ends.

<Processing when user movement start and movement end are detected>
When the mobile terminal 90 detects the start of movement (step S501; Yes), the user management server 50 is notified of the user identification information, movement start information, current position, and movement direction (step S503), and the process is terminated.

  If the start of movement is not detected (step S501; No), and the end of movement is detected (step S502; Yes), user identification information, movement end information, and the current position are notified to the job management server 50 (step S504). Exit.

  If the end of movement is not detected (step S502; No), the process returns to step S501 and continues.

  FIG. 17 shows the flow of processing performed by the job management server 50 that has received job reservation information.

<Processing performed by job management server 50>
When the job management server 50 receives job reservation information from the client PC 40 or the like (step S601), it is determined whether or not to cancel the power saving mode based on the action of the user who transmitted the reservation information. The reservation information is stored in the storage unit 52 of the job management server 50 (step S603). Although details of the power saving mode cancellation determination process will be described later, in the power saving mode cancellation determination process, it is determined whether or not the user has taken the specific actions (1) to (4) described above.

  When it is determined not to cancel the power saving mode (step S604; No), the process proceeds to step S607.

  On the other hand, if it is determined to cancel the power saving mode (step S604; Yes), a destination MFP extraction process is performed (step S605), and the MFP 20 that is the transmission destination of the power saving mode cancellation command is extracted. Then, a power saving mode cancel command is transmitted to the extracted destination MFP 20 (step S606). Details of the destination MFP extraction processing will be described later.

  When a request for job reservation information is received from any of the MFPs 20 (step S607), the designated reservation information is transmitted to the requesting MFP 20 (step S608), and this process ends.

  18 and 19 show details of the power saving mode cancellation determination process (step S602 in FIG. 17). FIG. 20 lists various setting values used in the power saving mode cancellation determination process.

<Power saving mode release determination process>
The job management server 50 reads, from the received job reservation information, the user name (user ID) of the user who transmitted the reservation information (hereinafter referred to as a corresponding user) and the time Tj when the reservation information was transmitted (step S701). ). The reservation information data 160 in FIG. 11 shows an example of the data content of reservation information transmitted by the client PC 40 or the mobile terminal 90. Instead of the transmission date / time of the reservation information, the reception date / time at which the job management server 50 received the reservation information may be used.

  Next, the latest movement start time Ts and the latest movement end time Te for the user are confirmed (step S702). For example, the job management server 50 stores the position information, movement start, movement end, and movement direction information received from the portable terminal 90 in association with the received date and time, and analyzes this. The latest movement start time Ts and the latest movement end time Te are recognized.

  Next, the corresponding user transmits reservation information within the time T1 after the start of movement (T1> Tj−Ts), and determines whether any MFP 20 exists in the movement direction (step). S703). This determination is a determination of whether or not the user has taken the specific action (1). T1 is the time set in the item 141 of the power saving mode cancellation determination condition input screen 140.

  If the determination result is true (step S703; Yes), the S flag is set (step S710), and “cancel power saving mode” is returned as a return value (step S714), and this process is terminated. The S flag is a flag indicating that the determination of “releasing the power saving mode” is derived from the user's movement start act.

  If the determination result is false (step S703; No), it is determined whether or not the user has taken the specific action (2) (step S704). That is, after the movement is completed, the reservation information is transmitted within the time T2 (T2> Tj−Te), and it is determined whether the movement end position is near the MFP 20 (Dn <D2). T2 is the time set in the item 142 of the power saving mode cancellation determination condition input screen 140. Dn is the distance from the user's current position to the nearest MFP 20, and D2 is the distance set in the item 145 of the power saving mode cancellation determination condition input screen 140. The user's current position Dn is recognized based on position information transmitted from the mobile terminal 90.

  If the determination result is true (step S704; Yes), the E flag is set (step S711), and “cancel power saving mode” is returned as a return value (step S714), and this process is terminated. The E flag is a flag indicating that the determination of “releasing the power saving mode” is derived from the user's movement end act.

  If the determination result is false (step S704; No), monitoring as to whether or not the user performs a new movement start action is started. When the job management server 50 waits for the start of movement of the user and information on the start of movement is sent from the portable terminal 90, the time from the time (Tj) when the reservation information is sent to the time when the information is sent Is within the time T3 (step S705). If not within the time (step S705; No), the process proceeds to step S707.

  If it is within the time (step S705; Yes), the corresponding user starts moving within the time T3 after transmitting the reservation information (T3> Ts−Tj), and any MFP 20 is in the moving direction. It is determined whether or not it exists (step S706). This determination is a determination as to whether or not the user has taken the specific action (3). T3 is the time set in the item 143 of the power saving mode cancellation determination condition input screen 140.

  If the determination result is true (step S706; Yes), an S flag is set (step S712), and “cancel power saving mode” is returned as a return value (step S714), and this process is terminated.

  If the determination result is false (step S706; No), the process proceeds to step S707.

  In step S707, monitoring as to whether or not the corresponding user performs a new movement ending action is started. The job management server 50 waits for the end of the movement of the corresponding user, and when the movement end information is sent from the portable terminal 90, the time from the time (Tj) when the reservation information is sent to the time when the information is sent Is within the time T4 (step S707), and if not within the time (step S707; No), the process proceeds to step S709.

  If it is within the time (step S707; Yes), it is determined whether or not the user has taken the specific action (4) (step S708). That is, after the reservation information is transmitted, it is determined whether or not the movement ends within the time T4 (T4> Te−Tj) and the movement end position is near the MFP 20 (Dn <D4). T4 is the time set in the item 144 of the power saving mode cancellation determination condition input screen 140. Dn is the distance from the user's current position to the nearest MFP 20, and D4 is the distance set in the item 146 of the power saving mode cancellation determination condition input screen 140. The user's current position Dn is recognized based on position information transmitted from the mobile terminal 90.

  If the determination result is true (step S708; Yes), the E flag is set (step S713), "Release the power saving mode" is returned (step S714), and this process ends.

  If the determination result is false (step S708; No), the process proceeds to step S709.

  In step S709, “do not cancel the power saving mode” is returned as a return value, and the process is terminated.

  Next, the destination MFP extraction process (S605 in FIG. 17) will be described.

<Destination MFP extraction process>
FIG. 21 shows details of the destination MFP extraction processing. First, it is checked whether or not the S flag is set in the power saving mode cancellation determination process (step S801). If the S flag indicating that the transmission of the current power saving mode release command originates from the movement start event is set (step S801; Yes), whether or not the current position of the user is near the seat position of the user (Step S802). Here, since the job management server 50 executes this processing immediately after receiving the reservation information, the current position of the user is considered to be close to the position where the user was at the time of transmitting the reservation information. The user's current position is recognized based on position information transmitted from the user's mobile terminal 90.

  If the current position of the user is near the seat position of the user (step S802; Yes), the MFP 20 normally used by the user is extracted as the power saving “mode cancel command transmission destination MFP 20 (step S803). In this case, since the user has started to move immediately after issuing the reservation information transmission instruction at his / her seat, there is a high possibility that the MFP 20 near his / her seat will be the output destination. It is extracted as the transmission destination MFP 20 of the power saving mode cancel command, and whether or not it is near the seat position may be determined by a fixed distance, for example, whether or not it is within a radius of 1 m from the seat position. The item may be added to the cancellation determination condition input screen 140 so that an arbitrary distance can be set.

  The normally used MFP 20 to be extracted is registered in the user information table 120 (see FIG. 7). Here, for example, the MFP 20 with the priority level 1 is extracted as the transmission destination MFP 20 of the power saving mode cancel command. If there is only one destination MFP 20 and another user is using the MFP 20, the user related to the reservation information cannot immediately start the reserved job, and thus the plurality of MFPs 20 are released from the power saving mode. You may extract as a transmission destination of a command. When extracting a plurality of MFPs 20 registered in the user information table 120, the MFPs 20 are preferentially extracted from those having a higher priority.

  If the current position of the user is not near the seat position of the user (step S802; No), the MFP 20 installed in the moving direction of the user is extracted as the transmission destination MFP 20 of the power saving mode release command (step S805). . That is, because the user has started moving at a place other than his / her seat, the MFP 20 installed in the moving direction is extracted. Again, a plurality of MFPs 20 may be extracted. In that case, for example, it may be preferentially extracted from the MFP 20 in the moving direction and close to the current position of the user.

  If the S flag is not set (step S801; No), the MFP 20 close to the current position of the user is extracted as the destination MFP 20 of the power saving mode cancel command (step S804). If the S flag is not set, the E flag indicating that the transmission of the current power saving mode release command is derived from the movement end event is set. Therefore, this user is highly likely to use the MFP 20 near the movement end position (current position) as the output destination. Therefore, the MFP 20 close to the current position of the user is extracted as the transmission destination of the power saving mode release command. Again, a plurality of MFPs 20 may be extracted. In that case, a plurality of vehicles are preferentially extracted from those close to the current position of the user.

Further, in the case of extracting a plurality of MFPs 20 in the destination MFP extraction process, the following variations can be considered.
(1) One MFP 20 normally used by the user is extracted, and another MFP 20 near the MFP 20 in use is extracted only when the MFP 20 is being used by another user.
(2) If the E flag is set in the power saving mode release determination processing, the user has already moved, so that it is determined to be “hurry” and a power saving mode release command is transmitted to a plurality of MFPs 20. . If the S flag is set, one MFP 20 is extracted.
(3) If the history of the E flag set (determined as “hurry”) in the power saving mode release determination process exceeds a predetermined number of times within a certain period, a plurality of MFPs 20 are extracted. In other cases, one MFP 20 is extracted.

  FIG. 22 shows the flow of processing from when the MFP 20 is released from the power saving mode to when the job based on the reservation information is executed.

<Processing performed by MFP 20>
First, when a power saving mode release command is received (step S801; Yes), the process proceeds to step S803. If a power saving mode canceling operation is manually received from the user without receiving a power saving mode canceling command (step S801; No), the process proceeds to step S803.

  In step S803, the power saving mode is canceled. Specifically, the MFP 20 starts returning to the normal power mode and performs warm-up and the like.

  Warm-up and the like are completed, and the return to the normal power mode is completed (step S804).

  User authentication information such as a user ID is received from the user and user authentication is performed (step S805), and a job reservation information transfer request is transmitted to the job management server 50 by a user operation (step S806). Here, for example, the job management server 50 is requested for reservation information that matches the identification information of the user who has performed user authentication, or a list of reservation information registered in the job management server 50 is acquired from the job management server 50. The user designates reservation information to be transmitted from among them, and requests the job management server 50 to transfer the designated reservation information.

  The job management server 50 transmits the job reservation information requested in step S806, and the MFP 20 receives it (step S807).

  Then, the received reservation information is read, the job is executed according to the reservation information (step S808), and the process is terminated. For example, when the job related to the reservation information is a scan job, the document reading conditions are set according to the reservation information received from the job management server 50. When the user sets a document and presses the start button, the MFP 20 reads the set document with the previously set scanning conditions. When the job related to the reservation information is a print job, the MFP 20 prints the print data included in the reservation information received from the job management server 50 according to the print conditions included in the reservation information.

  When the job management server 50 transmits a power saving cancellation command (preferably after the power saving mode is canceled and the normal power mode is restored), the reservation information is transmitted to the MFP 20 that is the transmission destination, and the MFP 20 A unit necessary for job execution may be recognized from the contents of the reservation information, and the power saving mode for only that unit may be canceled.

  As described above, in the job management system 10 according to the present embodiment, the user who is the sender of the reservation information is specified within a predetermined period before and after the job management server 50 receives the job reservation information from the mobile terminal 90 or the like. If an action (taken to get a printed matter) is taken, it is determined that the job related to the reservation information is a hurry job, and the MFP 20 that the user uses to execute the job related to the reservation information is determined based on the action content. Predict and transmit a power saving mode cancel command to the predicted MFP 20. As a result, since the return from the power saving mode to the normal power mode has already started when the user reaches the MFP 20, the power saving mode is canceled after the user reaches the MFP 20, and the normal mode is restored from the power saving mode. Compared with the case where the return to the power mode is started, the waiting time of the user for returning to the normal power mode can be reduced.

  Further, in the job management system 10, the “rush job” is set only when the user who has sent the reservation information takes a specific action within a predetermined period before and after the job management server 50 receives the job reservation information. Since it judges and transmits a power saving mode cancellation command, it is not necessary to set a flag for requesting cancellation of the power saving mode in the job reservation information. Further, since the power saving mode is canceled only in a hurry, the power saving mode is not canceled unnecessarily.

  Further, since the destination MFP 20 of the power saving mode cancellation command is limited to only the MFP 20 extracted based on the user's action, the probability that the MFP 20 that has canceled the power saving mode is used by the user increases, and the power saving mode It is possible to suppress the waste of the release from being wasted.

  Note that the user does not necessarily execute a job in the MFP 20 extracted in the destination MFP extraction process, but if more MFPs 20 are extracted in the destination MFP extraction process, the MFP 20 that the user wants to execute the job is increased. The probability that the power saving mode can be canceled in advance can be increased. On the other hand, if the number of MFPs 20 to be extracted in the destination MFP extraction process is reduced, the number of MFPs 20 in which the cancellation of the power saving mode is wasted can be reduced.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and the present invention can be changed or added without departing from the scope of the present invention. Included in the invention.

  In the embodiment, the job management server 50 is configured to have the main function as the job management system 10. However, in which device each function of the job management system 10 is performed or how the functions are shared among a plurality of devices. It is arbitrary, and it is not limited to the system configuration exemplified in the embodiment.

  Moreover, the method of tracking a user's action is not limited to the portable terminal 90 or the indoor navigation system 80, and any method may be used. If GPS (Global Positioning System) can be used, this may be used. Further, instead of the portable terminal 90, a user may carry a dedicated terminal or IC card that tracks the position and movement of the user.

  In the embodiment, four specific actions (1) to (4) are determined in the power saving mode cancellation determination process, but a configuration in which at least one of them is determined may be used. Further, only a specific action related to the start of movement or only a specific action related to the end of movement may be determined as an action to be determined in the power saving mode release determination process. Further, the specific action may be an action other than (1) to (4). Any action can be used as long as it can be estimated that printing is in a hurry.

  In the embodiment, a print job or a scan job has been described as an example. However, a reservation information target job may be a facsimile job, a copy job, or the like.

  In the embodiment, job setting information is included in the reservation information. However, the reservation information may be only information indicating that a job is scheduled to be submitted. In this case, it is possible to employ a configuration in which job setting information and data to be processed are transmitted to another server and transmitted from the server to the MFP 20 in response to a request from the MFP 20. The job corresponding to the reservation information may be submitted by operating the operation display unit of the MFP 20 to which the user has gone. For example, when reservation information indicating only that a job is scheduled to be submitted is transmitted to the job management server 50, execution of the job is started by submitting the job in the MFP 20 to which the user has visited. The

  When the job management server 50 is configured to transmit the reservation information that caused the cancellation of the power saving mode immediately after transmission of the power saving mode cancellation command to the transmission destination of the cancellation command, the user arrives in front of the MFP 20. The waiting time for downloading job reservation information (setting information and processing target data) can be reduced. On the other hand, when the job reservation information (setting information or data to be processed) is transmitted to the MFP 20 after receiving a request from the user operating the MFP 20 whose power saving mode has been canceled by the power saving mode cancel command, The setting information can be reliably transmitted to the MFP 20 used by the user as compared with the case where the setting information of the job is transmitted by predicting the MFP 20 used by the user.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the power saving mode canceling method can be selected on the power saving mode canceling method setting screen 150. For example, within a predetermined period before and after the job management server 50 receives the reservation information. In this case, the action of the user who is the sender of the reservation information is checked, and when the user takes a specific action within the predetermined period, a power saving mode release command for instructing the predetermined MFP 20 to shift to the normal power mode is issued. If a specific action is not taken within the predetermined period, a power saving mode cancel command for instructing the predetermined MFP 20 to shift to the power save mode may be transmitted.

  The job management server 50 checks the behavior of the user who is the sender of the reservation information within a predetermined period before and after receiving the reservation information. If the user takes a specific action within the predetermined period, the predetermined N When the power saving mode cancellation command is transmitted to the number of MFPs 20 and a specific action is not taken within the predetermined period, the power saving mode cancellation command may be transmitted to M MFPs 20 fewer than N. .

2 ... Network 10 ... Job management system 20 ... MFP
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Control part 22 ... Operation display part 23 ... Image formation part 24 ... Memory | storage part 25 ... Network I / F
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 26 ... Scanner part 27 ... Facsimile communication part 31 ... User identification part 32 ... Job data request part 33 ... Job data receiving part 34 ... Job processing part 35 ... Power saving mode state notification part 36 ... Power saving mode cancellation command receiving part 40 ... Client PC
41 ... Control unit 42 ... Operation unit 43 ... Display unit 44 ... Network I / F
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 ... Job management server 51 ... Control part 52 ... Memory | storage part 53 ... Network I / F
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 61 ... Job data reception part 62 ... Job data reception time management part 63 ... User information management part 64 ... Acquisition part 65 ... Management part 66 ... Power saving mode cancellation | release judgment part 67 ... Job data management part 68 ... MFP information management part 69 ... MFP power saving mode information acquisition unit 70 ... cancellation command transmission destination MFP extraction unit 71 ... job data transmission unit 72 ... power saving mode cancellation history management unit 80 ... indoor navigation system 83 ... access point 90 ... mobile terminal 91 ... control unit 91a ... Detection unit 91b ... Transmission unit 92 ... Operation unit 93 ... Display unit 94 ... Wireless network I / F
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 ... Layout map 120 ... User information table 130 ... MFP information table 140 ... Power saving mode cancellation judgment condition input screen 141-148 ... Item 150 ... Power saving mode cancellation method setting screen 160 ... Reservation information data

Claims (12)

A movement information acquisition unit for acquiring movement information indicating the movement status of the user;
A receiving unit that receives the reservation information of a job executed by the job execution device transmitted from the user terminal;
A transmission unit;
Based on the movement information acquired by the movement information acquisition unit, whether or not a user who has transmitted the reservation information within a predetermined period before and after the reservation information is received by the reception unit has taken a specific action. A control unit that, when true, transmits a power saving mode release command to a predetermined job execution device using the transmission unit;
A power management device comprising: The power management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific action is at least one of movement start and movement end. The power management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the movement end is a movement end within a predetermined distance from the job execution apparatus. The power management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of the predetermined job execution apparatuses. When the specific action is that the movement end position is a movement end within a predetermined distance from the job execution apparatus, the control unit gives priority to a job execution apparatus close to the movement end position to the predetermined job execution apparatus. The power management device according to claim 1, wherein the power management device is selected. When the specific action is a movement start having a movement start position within a predetermined distance from the seat of the user who transmitted the reservation information, the control unit selects a job execution device close to the user's seat as the predetermined action. The power management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power management apparatus preferentially selects a job execution apparatus. The said control part selects the job execution apparatus located in the moving direction as the said predetermined job execution apparatus, when the said specific action is a movement start. Any one of Claim 1 thru | or 5 characterized by the above-mentioned. The power management device described in 1. When the actual number of transmissions of the power saving mode release command relating to the user who has taken the specific action is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the control unit executes the predetermined job more than when the actual number is less than the predetermined number The power management device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the number of devices is increased. When the user takes the specific action during the predetermined period, the control unit transmits the power saving mode release command to n job execution devices, and the user performs the specific action during the predetermined period. 9. The power saving mode cancel command is transmitted to m job execution apparatuses (n and m are positive integers, and n> m) when the command is not taken. The power management device according to any one of the above. The control unit transmits a power saving mode cancel command in which a part to be canceled differs according to the type of job indicated by the reservation information received by the reception unit. The power management device according to claim 1. The reservation information includes job setting information,
A storage unit that stores the reservation information received by the reception unit;
The power supply according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the control unit transmits the reservation information to the predetermined job execution apparatus after transmitting the power saving mode release command. Management device. When the user takes the specific action in the predetermined period, the control unit transmits the power saving mode release command instructing the predetermined job execution device to shift to a normal state, and the predetermined period When the user does not take the specific action, the first job execution device is instructed to shift to the second power saving mode that consumes less power than the normal state and consumes more power than the power saving mode. The power management device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a command to shift to a power saving mode is transmitted.

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