JP2015104826A - Image forming device, control method of image forming device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mechanism for suppressing power consumption of an image forming device efficiently by switching a power saving state corresponding to a past job history in the same time zone as that after transition to the power saving state.SOLUTION: Operation by a user is accepted, and a power saving state to which transition is to be carried out is determined from among a plurality of power saving states, according to operation history information in the past same time zone after accepting the operation.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus control method, and a program, and more particularly, an image can be efficiently displayed by switching a power saving state according to a past job history in the same time zone as after the transition to the power saving state. The present invention relates to a mechanism for suppressing power consumption of a forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, in a printing device (a multifunction device, a printer, etc., also referred to as an image forming apparatus), power supply to a specific part of the printing device is stopped (sleep) when the printing device has not been used for a predetermined time, etc. Power saving is being attempted.

  Also, the sleep in the printing device transitions to a deeper sleep in stages when the time during which the printing device is not operated continues (for example, FIG. 7).

  For this reason, even when returning from sleep immediately or when the sleep state continues for a long time, it starts from the same stage of sleep.

  Therefore, when the sleep state continues for a long time, a method of entering deep sleep from the beginning can be considered.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for changing the type of sleep based on a job history for a certain period before the printing device enters a sleep state.

JP 2008-300922 A

  However, in the case of Patent Document 1, since the sleep stage is changed based on the job history before the transition to the sleep mode, it is not considered how much printing is not performed after entering the sleep mode.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1, the job history before sleep is small, but when printing or the like is often executed immediately after transition to sleep, for example, the printing device (multifunction machine or the like) is always set before working hours. Even if only the power is turned on and an operation (printing, etc.) using the printing device is performed during working hours, there is a possibility of going into a deep sleep.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for efficiently suppressing power consumption of an image forming apparatus by switching a power saving state according to a past job history in the same time zone as after the transition to the power saving state. .

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of transitioning to a plurality of power saving states having different power saving effects, and storage means for storing operation history information indicating a history of operation of the image forming apparatus according to a user operation, and a user Transition of the plurality of power saving states according to the operation history information stored in the storage unit in the same past time period after the operation by the user is received by the receiving unit. Determining means for determining a power saving state to be devised.

  The present invention is also a method for controlling an image forming apparatus capable of transitioning to a plurality of power saving states having different power saving effects, and stores operation history information indicating a history of operation of the image forming apparatus according to a user operation. A plurality of power saving states according to operation history information stored in the storage step in the same time zone in the past after receiving a user operation in the receiving step; And a determining step for determining a power saving state to be transitioned.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program executed by an image forming apparatus capable of transitioning to a plurality of power saving states having different power saving effects, wherein the image forming apparatus is operated according to a user operation. The operation history information stored in the storage means in the same time period in the past after accepting the operation by the user by the storage means, the storage means for storing the operation history information indicating According to the above, it is made to function as a determining means for determining a power saving state to be transitioned among the plurality of power saving states.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mechanism for efficiently suppressing the power consumption of the image forming apparatus by switching the power saving state according to the past job history in the same time zone after the transition to the power saving state. It becomes.

It is a system configuration figure showing an example of a system configuration concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the hardware applicable to the client terminal 101 and the server 102 which concern on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of hardware of a controller unit included in a printing device 103 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart which shows the process before and behind the sleep process in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart which shows the sleep process in embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the job history in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the kind of sleep, its characteristic, and the magnitude | size of power consumption in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the threshold value with respect to the value calculated | required by step S501, step S502, and step S503 in embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
<Description of FIG. 1>

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a system configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the information processing system in FIG. 1, the client terminal 101, the server 102, and the printing device 103 are in a state where they can be connected via the LAN 1. Any network other than the LAN may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the client terminal 101 and the printing device 103 (for example, a multifunction machine) are provided with an Internet browser for accessing the LAN 1. In addition, the client terminal 101 can transmit, to the server 102, setting information for regular work set by a user's operation, a threshold value (FIG. 8 described later) serving as a determination criterion for switching the power saving state, and the like. is there. Further, the printing device 103 receives the setting information of the regular work set by the user's operation, the threshold value serving as a determination criterion for switching the power saving state from the server 102, and the determination criterion for switching the power saving state. And

  A printer driver is installed in the client terminal 101 and the server 102.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the server 102 can store setting information for regular work set by a user's operation and a threshold value serving as a determination criterion for switching the power saving state.

Further, in the present embodiment, the printing device 103 can transition to a plurality of sleeps (for example, FIG. 7) when a user does not perform an operation for a predetermined time. That is, it is possible to transition to a plurality of power saving states having different power saving effects.
<Description of FIG. 2>

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the client terminal 101 and the server 102.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the client terminal 101 server 102 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, an input controller 205, and a video controller via a system bus 204. 206, a memory controller 207, a communication I / F controller 208, and the like are connected.

  The CPU 201 comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204.

  Further, the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 will be described later, which is necessary for realizing the functions executed by each server or each PC, such as BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) and OS (Operating System) which are control programs of the CPU 201. Various programs are stored. Further, information necessary for carrying out the present invention is stored. The external memory may be a database.

  The RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201. The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading a program or the like necessary for executing the processing from the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 to the RAM 203 and executing the loaded program.

  The input controller 205 controls input from a keyboard (KB) 209 or a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown).

  The video controller 206 controls display on a display device such as the display 210. The display device may be a display device such as a liquid crystal display. These are used by the administrator as needed.

  The memory controller 207 is an external storage device (hard disk (HD)), flexible disk (FD), or PCMCIA (Personal Computer) that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. Controls access to an external memory 211 such as a Compact Flash (registered trademark) memory connected to a Memory Card International Association (Card Memory) card slot via an adapter.

  The communication I / F controller 208 is connected to and communicates with an external device via the network 104, and executes communication control processing in the network. For example, communication using TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) is possible.

  The CPU 201 can display on the display 210 by executing an outline font rasterization process on a display information area in the RAM 203, for example. Further, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction using a mouse cursor (not shown) on the display 210.

Various programs to be described later for realizing the present invention are recorded in the external memory 211 and executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 203 as necessary. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used when executing the program are also stored in the external memory 211, and a detailed description thereof will be described later.
<Description of FIG. 3>

  Next, a hardware configuration of the printing device 103 illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the printing device 103 illustrated in FIG. 1.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 316 denotes a controller unit that is connected to a scanner 314 that functions as an image input device and a printer 312 that functions as an image output device, and is connected to a LAN or a public line (WAN) (for example, PSTN or ISDN). By doing so, image data and device information are input and output.

  In the controller unit 316, reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU, which is a processor that controls the entire system. Reference numeral 302 denotes a RAM, which is a system network memory for operating the CPU 301, and is also a program memory for recording a program and an image memory for temporarily recording image data.

  A ROM 303 stores a system boot program and various control programs. A hard disk drive (HDD) 304 stores various programs for controlling the system, image data, and the like.

  An operation unit interface (operation unit I / F) 307 is an interface unit with the operation unit (UI) 308 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 308 to the operation unit 308.

  The operation unit I / F 307 serves to transmit information (for example, user information) input by the system user from the operation unit 308 to the CPU 301. Note that the operation unit 308 includes a display unit having a touch panel, and various instructions can be given by a user pressing (touching with a finger or the like) a button displayed on the display unit.

  A network interface (Network I / F) 305 is connected to a network (LAN) and inputs / outputs data. A modem (MODEM) 306 is connected to a public line and inputs / outputs data such as FAX transmission / reception.

  Reference numeral 318 denotes an external interface (external I / F), which is an I / F unit that accepts external inputs such as USB, IEEE 1394, printer port, and RS-232C. In this embodiment, for reading an IC card required for authentication The card reader 319 is connected to the external I / F unit 318. The CPU 301 can control reading of information from the IC card by the card reader 319 via the external I / F 318, and can acquire information read from the IC card. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 309.

  Reference numeral 320 denotes an image bus interface (IMAGE BUS I / F), which is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 309 and an image bus 315 that transfers image data at high speed and converts the data structure.

  The image bus 315 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 315.

  A raster image processor (RIP) 310 develops vector data such as a PDL code into a bitmap image. A printer interface (printer I / F) 311 connects the printer 312 and the controller unit 316, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner interface (scanner I / F) 313 connects the scanner 314 and the controller unit 316 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  An image processing unit 317 performs correction, processing, and editing on input image data, and performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. In addition to this, the image processing unit 317 performs image data rotation and compression / decompression processing such as JPEG for multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, MH for binary image data.

  The scanner 314 illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans it with a CCD line sensor, thereby converting it into an electrical signal as raster image data. The original paper is set on the tray of the original feeder, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 308, the CPU 301 gives an instruction to the scanner 314, and the feeder feeds the original paper one by one to read the original image. I do.

  The printer 312 is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and an image is directly printed on paper by ejecting ink from a minute nozzle array. There are inkjet methods for printing, but any method may be used. The activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the CPU 301. The printer 312 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and has a paper cassette corresponding thereto.

  The operation unit 308 has an LCD display unit, and a touch panel sheet is pasted on the LCD. The operation unit 308 displays an operation screen of the system. When a displayed key is pressed, the position information is displayed on the operation unit I / F 307. To the CPU 301 via The operation unit 308 includes, for example, a start key, a stop key, an ID key, a reset key, and the like as various operation keys.

  Here, the start key of the operation unit 308 is used when starting a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key, there are two color LEDs, green and red, which indicate whether or not the start key can be used. Further, the stop key of the operation unit 308 functions to stop the operation in operation. The ID key of the operation unit 308 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. The reset key is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

  The card reader 319 reads information stored in an IC card (for example, Sony FeliCa (registered trademark)) under the control of the CPU 301, and reads the read information via the external I / F 318. The CPU 301 is notified.

  With the configuration described above, the printing device 103 can transmit the image data read from the scanner 314 to the LAN 1 and print out the print data received from the LAN 1 using the printer driver 312.

Further, the image data read from the scanner 314 can be faxed to the public line by the modem 306, and the image data received by fax from the public line can be output by the printer 312.
<Description of FIG. 4>

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow of processing executed by the printing device 103 before and after the sleep processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  To enter the sleep process, in S401, the setting of how long the operation is not performed is accepted from the user via the display unit of the print device 103.

  In this embodiment, the setting of the time to enter sleep is accepted from the user in step S401. However, as another embodiment, it may be set to the printing device 103 by default.

  In step S402, the CPU 301 of the printing device 103 determines whether or not the printing device 103 has been operated for the time set in step S401. If the set time printing device 103 is not operated, the process proceeds to step S403. If the printing device 103 is operated before the set time elapses, the set time printing device 103 is not operated. stand by. In this embodiment, when the printing device 103 is not operated for one hour, the process proceeds to the sleep process (step S403).

  In step S403, the CPU 301 of the printing device 103 executes sleep processing. Details of the sleep process will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S404, the CPU 301 of the printing device 103 determines whether or not the user has operated the printing device 103 after transitioning to the sleep state in step S403. If the operation of the printing device 103 is performed by the user, the process proceeds to step S405. If the operation of the printing device 103 is not performed by the user, the sleep state is maintained until the operation of the printing device 103 is performed by the user.

In step S404, the CPU 301 of the printing device 103 ends sleep and ends the processing in FIG.
<Description of FIG. 5>

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a flow of sleep processing executed by the printing device 103 according to the embodiment of this invention. In the present embodiment, the job history shown in FIG. 6 is assumed. That is, the printing device 103 stores operation history information indicating a history of operation of the image forming apparatus in accordance with a user operation (storage unit).

  Note that (b), (c), and (d) in FIG. 6 are not job histories of different printing devices, but “2013/4/2” to “2013/6/1” with the same printing device 103. ”Is the job history of (a), there is a job history of (b) pattern for“ 2013/6/2 ”, and a job history of (d) pattern for“ 2013/6/3 ”. It means that there is a history.

  In step S501, the CPU 301 of the printing device 103 calculates how many jobs such as printing are not executed from the job history.

  Here, regarding the specific processing of step S501, the date of executing the processing of FIG. 5 is “2013/6/2” and printing is performed at “9:01” (by the user in the present invention). An explanation will be given on the assumption that the printing device 103 has not been operated by the user for one hour from an example of an accepting means for accepting an operation (pattern (b) in FIG. 6). In this case, the “current time” in step S501 in FIG. 5 is “10:01”.

  First, for each date before “2013/6/1”, the time when the printing device 103 was operated earliest after “10:01” is extracted (the operation means receives the user's operation from the reception means in the operation history information). The time when the operation by the user is not performed is specified based on the operation history information of the time closest to the time and the time when the operation by the user is received by the receiving unit). The period extracted here may be one week or one month. In this embodiment, reference is made to “2013/5/31” (602 in FIG. 6) and “2013/6/1” (603 in FIG. 6).

  Then, “2013/5/31” is printed at “10:20:00”, and “2013/6/1” is printed at “10:30”.

  Next, the average of the extracted time is calculated. Then, “10:25” is the time when the next print job is executed. Therefore, the time when the job such as printing is not executed is 24 minutes.

  Similarly, a result of 13 minutes is obtained for the (c) pattern, and 8 minutes is obtained for the (d) pattern.

  In this embodiment, the time during which a job such as printing is not executed is calculated from the average of the extracted times. However, as another embodiment, the date closest to the date on which the processing of FIG. 5 is executed, for example, FIG. If the date of execution of processing is “2013/6/2”, only the job history of “2013/6/1” may be referred to. In this case, since “2013/6/1” is printed at “10:30”, a time when a job such as printing is not executed is 29 minutes.

  Similarly, a result of 18 minutes is obtained for the pattern (c), and 13 minutes is obtained for the pattern (d).

  In step S <b> 502, the CPU 301 of the printing device 103 determines the execution frequency of a job such as printing for a predetermined period on the day of executing the processing of FIG. (Operation history information of the image forming apparatus for a predetermined time before accepting the operation of (1)) is calculated.

  Here, regarding the specific processing of step S502, the date when the processing of FIG. 5 is executed is “2013/6/2” and the printing device 103 is one hour after printing is executed at “9:01”. When no operation is performed by the user (pattern (b) in FIG. 6), and the date on which the processing in FIG. 5 is executed is “2013/6/2” and printing is performed at “9:12”. When the one-hour printing device 103 has not been operated by the user (pattern (c) in FIG. 6), the date for executing the processing in FIG. 5 is “2013/6/3” and “9:17”. Description will be made assuming that the printing device 103 has not been operated by the user for one hour after printing is performed (pattern (d) in FIG. 6). The period for calculating the frequency is between 2 hours and 1 hour before the current time. That is, in the case of (b) pattern, it is between “8:01” to “9:01”, in the case of (c) pattern, it is “8:12” to “9:12”, and (d) In this case, “8:17” to “9:17”.

  When the execution frequency of a job such as printing is calculated during these periods, a result of 2 times is obtained in the case of (b) pattern, a result of 5 times is obtained in the case of (c) pattern, and a case of (d) pattern Results in 7 times.

  In step S <b> 503, the CPU 301 of the printing device 103 checks the regular work from the job history of FIG. 6.

  As a method for determining whether or not the job is a regular job from the job history, it is possible to use whether the same user has printed the same document name at the same time in the past (for example, 601 in FIG. 6), or a printing device. The setting of the regular business may be received from the user via the display unit 103 or the client terminal 101.

  In this case, the setting of the regular business set by the user may be stored in any of the client terminal 101, the server 102, and the printing device 103.

  In the case of FIG. 6, since the same user (AAA) is printing the same document name (monthly report.doc) at the same time (10:19) on the third day of every month, at 10:19 on the third day of every month. Judge that there is regular work. That is, in the case of the pattern (d), there is a steady work after 2 minutes.

  In step S504, a sleep transition threshold value (threshold value for determining which power saving state among the plurality of power saving states) to be used when determining the sleep to be changed in step S505 is acquired from the device.

  An example of the threshold value acquired in step S504 is shown in FIG. Note that these threshold settings may be received from the user via the display unit of the printing device 103 or the client terminal 101, or may be set in the printing device 103 by default. As another example, these threshold values may be stored in the client terminal 101 and the server 102.

  In step S <b> 505, the CPU 301 of the printing device 103 determines sleep to be changed from now on.

  Here, the specific processing in step S505 will be described by taking the pattern (b), (c), and (d) as an example.

  (B) In the case of a pattern, the value calculated in step S601 is 24 minutes, the value calculated in step S602 is 2 [jobs / hour], and the value calculated in step S603 is that there is no regular work (assumed to be).

  In step S505, first, reference is made to 801 in FIG. 8 to see to which of sleeps 1 to 3 the value calculated in step S601 applies. (B) In the case of a pattern, this applies to sleep 2. For this reason, at this point, it is determined to transition to sleep 2 (second power saving state).

  Next, with reference to 802 in FIG. 8, it is determined which of sleeps 1 to 3 the value calculated in step S602 applies. (B) In the case of the pattern, this applies to sleep 3 (third power saving state). Therefore, at this point, the judgment is changed to transition to sleep 3 instead of sleep 2.

  Finally, with reference to 803 in FIG. 8, it is checked which of the sleeps 1 to 3 the value calculated in step S603 applies. However, in the case of the pattern (b), there is no regular work, so 803 in FIG. 8 is not referred to. Therefore, in the case of (b) pattern, the CPU 301 of the printing device 103 determines the sleep to be changed to sleep 3.

  (C) In the case of a pattern, the value calculated in step S601 is 13 minutes, the value calculated in step S602 is 5 [jobs / hour], and the value calculated in step S603 is that there is no regular work (assumed). However, for convenience of the following description, here, the value calculated in step S602 will be described as 19 [job / hour] (note that the printing device 103 is one hour after printing is performed at “9:12”. It does not change that it is not being manipulated by the user).

  (C) Similarly, in step S505, first, reference is made to 801 in FIG. 8 to see which of the sleeps 1 to 3 the value calculated in step S601 is applicable. (C) In the case of a pattern, this applies to sleep 2. For this reason, at this point in time, it is determined to transition to sleep 2.

  Next, with reference to 802 in FIG. 8, it is determined which of sleeps 1 to 3 the value calculated in step S602 applies. (C) In the case of the pattern, this applies to sleep 1 (first power saving state). For this reason, it is determined that the state transits to sleep 1 at this time.

  Finally, with reference to 803 in FIG. 8, it is checked which of the sleeps 1 to 3 the value calculated in step S603 applies. However, in the case of the pattern (c), since there is no regular work, 803 in FIG. 8 is not referred to. Therefore, in the case of the pattern (c), the CPU 301 of the printing device 103 determines the sleep to transition to sleep 1.

  In this way, by determining the sleep to be transitioned based on the past same-time job history after the transition to the sleep and the job history on the current day before the transition to the sleep, For example, when there is a possibility of using a larger number of printing devices than the same time period in the past, it becomes possible to shift to an appropriate sleep.

  More specifically, if there is a lot of job history before going to sleep, it can be predicted that the printing device 103 will be used more than usual on that day. It is possible to determine that a shallow sleep is better than a sleep determined based on the past simultaneous job history.

  Conversely, if the job history before transitioning to sleep is small, it can be predicted that the printing device 103 will not be used much more than usual on the day, so the same time in the past after transition to sleep. It is possible to determine that it is better to go deeper than sleep determined based on the job history.

  (D) In the case of a pattern, the value calculated in step S601 is 8 minutes, the value calculated in step S602 is 7 [jobs / hour], and the value calculated in step S603 is 2 [normal work after minutes]. For this reason, the CPU 301 of the printing device 103 determines the sleep to be changed to sleep 1.

  (D) Similarly, in step S505, reference is first made to 801 in FIG. 8 to see which of the sleeps 1 to 3 the value calculated in step S601 is applicable. (D) In the case of a pattern, this applies to sleep 2. For this reason, at this point, it is determined to transition to sleep 1.

  Next, with reference to 802 in FIG. 8, it is determined which of sleeps 1 to 3 the value calculated in step S602 applies. (D) In the case of a pattern, this applies to sleep 2. For this reason, at this point in time, it is determined to transition to sleep 2.

  Finally, with reference to 803 in FIG. 8, it is checked which of the sleeps 1 to 3 the value calculated in step S603 applies. In the case of (d) pattern, it is assumed that the regular business is 2 minutes later. Therefore, in the case of (d) pattern, the CPU 301 of the printing device 103 determines the sleep to be changed to sleep 1.

In the pattern (d), since the transition sleep determined based on the value calculated in step S603 is shallower than the transition sleep determined based on the value calculated in step S602, the calculation is performed in step S603. The transition to the transition sleep determined based on the calculated value is performed, but the transition sleep determined based on the value calculated in step S603 is deeper than the transition sleep determined based on the value calculated in step S602 If it is, the process transits to the transiting sleep determined based on the value calculated in step S602.
This is because there is a possibility that the printing device 103 is used at a time before the printing device 103 is used in a routine operation.

  In this way, when determining the transition to sleep, it is also considered whether there is a regular job, for example, the past same-time job history after transitioning to sleep and the job of the day before transitioning to sleep Although it has been decided to enter deep sleep based on the history, it is possible to make a decision to shift to shallow sleep when a large number of printing devices 103 are used for regular routine work.

  In step S505, in the present invention, among the plurality of power saving states, according to the operation history information stored in the storage unit in the same past time period after the operation by the user is received by the receiving unit. It is an example of the determination means which determines the power saving state which should be changed.

  In step S506, the CPU 301 of the printing device 103 determines whether the sleep determined in step S505 is sleep 1. If the sleep determined in step S505 is sleep 1, the process proceeds to step S507, transitions to sleep 1, and the process of FIG. If the sleep determined in step S505 is not sleep 1, the process proceeds to step S508.

  In step S508, the CPU 301 of the printing device 103 determines whether the sleep determined in step S505 is sleep 2. If the sleep determined in step S505 is sleep 2, the process proceeds to step S509, transitions to sleep 2, and ends the process of FIG. If the sleep determined in step S505 is not sleep 2, the process proceeds to step S510, transitions to sleep 3, and the process of FIG.

  Above, description of a present Example is complete | finished.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the power consumption of the printing device can be suppressed by entering deep sleep from the beginning depending on the job history, instead of transitioning to deep sleep step by step as in the existing sleep. That is, the present invention can provide a mechanism for efficiently suppressing the power consumption of the image forming apparatus by switching the power saving state according to the past job history in the same time zone after the transition to the power saving state. It becomes.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (basic system or operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included. An information processing apparatus (computer) that can read and execute the program code realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is determined based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 LAN
101 Client terminal 102 Server 103 Printing device 201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
204 System bus 205 Input controller 206 Video controller 207 Memory controller 208 Communication I / F controller 209 Keyboard 210 CRT
211 External memory 300 Network 301 CPU
302 RAM
303 ROM
304 Hard Disk 305 Network Interface 306 Modem 307 Operation Unit I / F
308 Operation unit 309 System bus 310 Raster image processor 311 Printer interface 312 Printer unit 313 Scanner interface 314 Scanner 315 Image bus 316 Controller unit 317 Image processing unit 318 External interface

Claims (7)

An image forming apparatus capable of transitioning to a plurality of power saving states having different power saving effects,
Storage means for storing operation history information indicating a history of operation of the image forming apparatus according to a user operation;
Accepting means for accepting an operation by a user;
Determination of determining a power saving state to be transitioned among the plurality of power saving states in accordance with the operation history information stored in the storage unit in the same past time period after the operation by the user is received by the receiving unit. Means,
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The determination means includes information on the operation history of the image forming apparatus for a predetermined time before accepting an operation by the user by the accepting means, and the same past time period after accepting the operation by the user by the accepting means, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a power saving state to be transitioned is determined according to operation history information stored in the storage unit. The operation by the user is performed based on the operation history information of the time closest to the time when the operation by the user is received by the reception unit and the time when the operation by the user is received by the reception unit. A specific means of identifying no time,
The storage means stores a threshold value for determining which power saving state to transition to among the plurality of power saving states according to the time when the operation specified by the specifying means is not performed by the user. And
The determining unit determines a power saving state to be transitioned based on a time when the operation specified by the specifying unit is not performed and a threshold stored in the storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   The power saving state includes a first power saving state, a second power saving state that consumes less power than the first power saving state, the first power saving state, and the second power saving state. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third power saving state that consumes less power than the state.   The operation history information of the image forming apparatus for a predetermined time before accepting an operation by the user by the accepting unit is a predetermined time on the same day as the date when the operation by the user is accepted by the accepting unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 2 to 4. An image forming apparatus control method capable of transitioning to a plurality of power saving states having different power saving effects,
A storage step of storing operation history information indicating a history of operation of the image forming apparatus according to a user operation;
An acceptance process for accepting user operations;
Determination of determining a power saving state to be transitioned among the plurality of power saving states in accordance with the operation history information stored in the storage step in the same past time zone after receiving an operation by the user in the receiving step. Process,
An image forming apparatus control method comprising: A program executed in an image forming apparatus capable of transitioning to a plurality of power saving states having different power saving effects,
The image forming apparatus;
Storage means for storing operation history information indicating a history of operation of the image forming apparatus according to a user operation;
Accepting means for accepting an operation by a user;
Determination of determining a power saving state to be transitioned among the plurality of power saving states in accordance with the operation history information stored in the storage unit in the same past time period after the operation by the user is received by the receiving unit. A program characterized by functioning as a means.

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