JP2015141554A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor which enables a user to previously grasp that a device reaches auto power off and can reset an auto power off transition scheduled time that is set in advance.SOLUTION: The image processor provided with an auto power off function for restricting activities of an own device in the case of performing no processing of prescribed time specification includes a setting part for setting an auto power off transition scheduled time from a predetermined time that reaches previously inputted auto power off, an access recording part for recording information about inquiry of a device state from an external terminal, a user existence determination part for determining whether there is a user using the own device on the basis of the information about the inquiry of the device state, and a notification part for notifying an existing user of advance notice of auto power off before a fixed time that reaches the auto power off. The setting part resets an auto power off transition scheduled time on the basis of a setting change request by the user.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having an auto power-off function that limits the activity of its own apparatus when a specific process is not performed for a predetermined time.

  In recent years, image processing apparatuses equipped with a so-called auto power-off function that restricts activities by turning off at least a part of the power supply of the own apparatus when a specific process is not performed for a predetermined time have begun to spread. With such an auto power-off function, even if the user forgets to turn off the power of the device, the device itself is automatically turned off when the preset auto power-off transition scheduled time is reached. Therefore, it can be said that it is a competent function from the viewpoint of energy saving (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP2013-134545A

  However, in the conventional image processing apparatus, if there is a user who wants to use the apparatus immediately before the scheduled time for the automatic power-off transition, the user knows that the apparatus is turned off by the automatic power-off function. I can't. Therefore, even if this user operates the apparatus to perform image processing, the apparatus itself is in a state where activities are restricted, and the user needs to turn on the apparatus again.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to enable the user to know in advance that the apparatus will be in auto power off, and to set auto power off in advance. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of resetting the scheduled transition time.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus having an auto power-off function that limits the activity of its own apparatus when a specific process is not performed for a predetermined time, A setting unit that sets an auto power-off transition scheduled time from a predetermined time until auto power-off input in advance, an access recording unit that records information related to a device status query from an external terminal, and the device status query A user presence determination unit that determines whether or not there is a user using the device based on the information on the device, and for a user who has a prior notice of the auto power off a certain time before the auto power off And a notification unit that notifies the automatic power-off transition scheduled time based on a setting change request by a user who has received the advance notice. It is characterized by a constant.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus that allows a user to grasp in advance that the apparatus will be automatically powered off and reset a preset scheduled time for automatic power off. be able to.

It is a system configuration figure explaining the composition of a 1st embodiment. It is a functional block diagram explaining the internal structure of the image processing apparatus in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an operation panel provided in the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a figure explaining an example of the display screen which the LCD part with which an operation panel is provided displays. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of 1st Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram explaining the internal structure of the image processing apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of 2nd Embodiment. It is an example of the message showing that the image processing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment is an auto power-off advance notice state. It is an example of a configuration example of a GUI screen provided by the setting change utility.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the following description, In the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, it can change suitably.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating the configuration of the first embodiment. In the description of the present embodiment, the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present invention having an auto power off function is connected to a plurality of host computers (PC 110, PC 111, PC 112, PC 113) via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). A system configured by connection will be described.

  As the image processing apparatus 100, for example, a printer or an MFP, a copier, which includes a print engine such as an electrophotographic system or an inkjet system, and prints print data received from the PC 110, PC 111, PC 112, PC 113 via a network, An apparatus such as a scanner and a FAX can be used. The image processing apparatus 100 according to the present invention includes an auto power function for turning off the power of the apparatus itself and stopping the activity when the processing is not performed for a predetermined time, that is, when the image processing apparatus 100 is not used for a predetermined time. For example, a typical A3 size color printer is taken as an example, and is classified from the viewpoint of power consumption. During operation (printing): average 700 W, standby: average 100 W, power save mode: less than 12 W, sleep mode: Less than 0.7 W, Auto power off: Less than 0.1 W, and the auto power off function is a powerful function from the viewpoint of power consumption. The configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present invention having such an auto power off function will be described later.

  The PC 110, PC 111, PC 112, and PC 113, which are host computers, have an unillustrated document and chart creation application program driven on an OS (Operating System), and further generate print data from the document data generated by the application program. The apparatus includes a printer driver that transmits to the image processing apparatus 100 as a print job. The PC 110, PC 111, PC 112, and PC 113 include, for example, a status monitoring utility 114 that is driven on the OS and a setting change utility 116 when the PC 112 is taken as an example.

  The status monitoring utility 114 provides functions for searching the image processing apparatus 100 and monitoring the status on the OS without using a browser. The status monitoring utility 114 performs polling (status inquiry) periodically (for example, at an interval of 1 minute) to acquire the device status of the image processing device 100, a status tag 115a, a message tag 115b, and a status / message display field 115c. The user is notified through a display box 115 having

  The setting change utility 116 provides a function of accepting display of the apparatus status of the image processing apparatus 100, change of a paper feed tray, change of network settings, cancellation of a print job, and the like using a browser on the OS.

  Next, the configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the image processing apparatus 100. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of the operation panel 25 provided in the image processing apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 100 includes a network information management unit 21, an access log 211 as an access recording unit, an auto power off management unit 22 as a setting unit and a user presence determination unit, and a status management unit. 23, a panel control unit 24, and an operation panel 25 as a notification unit.

  The network information management unit 21 manages communication with the PC 110, PC 111, PC 112, and PC 113 via the network. The network information management unit 21 receives a response to the inquiry about the device status from the status monitoring utility 114 or the setting change utility 116 and a setting change request from the setting change utility 116. Note that the device status inquiry and response from the status monitoring utility 114 or the setting change utility 116 are recorded in the access log 211.

  As described above, the access log 211 holds a communication record between the image processing apparatus 100 and the PC 110, PC 111, PC 112, and PC 113. Since there are a plurality of host computers such as PC 110, PC 111, PC 112, and PC 113 on the network, the access log 211 includes information for identifying these host computers, communication time, communication type (device status inquiry / setting). Record changes).

  The auto power-off management unit 22 turns off the power of its own device when a preset auto power-off transition scheduled time is reached, that is, when the device has not performed processing for a predetermined time (no printing has been performed). Perform auto power-off processing. In addition, the auto power off management unit 22 includes a timer (not shown), refers to the access log 211 a predetermined time before the scheduled time for automatic power off transition (in this embodiment, 5 minutes), and uses the device. When it is determined that there is a certain user, an automatic power-off notice is given. Specifically, the auto power off management unit 22 requests the status management unit 23 to notify the auto power off notice.

  The status management unit 23 manages the apparatus state of the image processing apparatus 100. The status management unit 23 recognizes an error or the like that has occurred in the image processing apparatus 100 and gives an instruction to the panel control unit 24 to display a message on an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) unit 26 provided in the operation panel 25 described later.

  The panel control unit 24 receives input from the user via the operation buttons 27 provided on the operation panel 25 or displays a message on the LCD unit 26 provided on the operation panel 25. Moreover, the panel control part 24 sounds the buzzer 29 with which the operation panel 25 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel 25 includes an LCD unit 26 that displays messages and user input contents, an operation button 27 that accepts user input, a warning lamp 28 that includes an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and the like. And a buzzer 29 that rings at the time of an automatic power-off notice. Note that the display example of the LCD unit 26 illustrated in FIG. 3 is an example of a message example related to the automatic power-off notice.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a display screen displayed on the LCD unit 26 provided in the operation panel 25. FIG. 4A shows a setting screen for enabling (enabling / automatic setting / inactivating) the auto power-off function and a predetermined time until auto power-off when the auto power-off function is enabled ( It is an example of a selection screen that accepts selection of (auto power-off transition time). FIG. 4B is a display example of apparatus status, and FIG. 4C is a display example of information relating to errors occurring in the apparatus. The user can make device settings of the image processing apparatus 100 in an interactive manner based on information displayed on the LCD unit 26 as illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C. .

  Next, the operation according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the description here, a predetermined time until auto power off is set by the user in the image processing apparatus 100 via the operation panel 25 shown in FIG. 2 or 3 is set to 4 hours, for example. The auto power off notice will be given 5 minutes before the scheduled transition time. Further, any of the host computers PC110, PC111, PC112, and PC113 connected to the network is in operation (there is a user of the image processing apparatus 100), and images are periodically sent from the host computer at 1-minute intervals. Assume that a status inquiry is made to the processing apparatus 100 by the status monitoring utility 116.

  In step S501 in FIG. 5, when the image processing apparatus 100 is powered on by the user, the network information management unit 21 stores the communication record with the host computer in the access log 211 as a network access log, thereby storing the network information. Monitoring is started (step S502).

  Then, the auto power off management unit 22 confirms whether or not the user has set the auto power off function via the operation panel 25. Here, since the auto power-off function has been set (step S503 Y), the auto power-off management unit 22 confirms whether or not the current time is 5 minutes before the scheduled time for the auto power-off transition. That is, the auto power-off management unit 22 confirms whether or not 3 hours and 55 minutes have elapsed since the last print processing was completed for the current time.

  Here, when the current time is 5 minutes before the scheduled time for transition to auto power off (step S504 Y), the auto power off management unit 22 checks the network access log held in the access log 211 (step S505). ). Specifically, the auto power-off management unit 22 refers to the data in the access log 211 and determines whether the host computer periodically makes a status inquiry to the image processing apparatus 100 (at intervals of 1 minute). Check. On the other hand, if the current time is not 5 minutes before the scheduled time for the automatic power off transition (N in step S504), the auto power off management unit 22 waits until the current time is 5 minutes before the scheduled time for the automatic power off transition.

  Then, the auto power-off management unit 22 determines whether there is a user using the image processing apparatus. Here, as described above, the status inquiry is periodically made to the image processing apparatus 100 at one minute intervals by any of the host computers PC110, PC111, PC112, and PC113. 22 determines that there is a user using the image processing apparatus 100, and the process proceeds to step S507 (Y in step S506). On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no user using the image processing apparatus 100 (N in step S506), the auto power-off management unit 22 waits for the scheduled time for transition to auto power off, and then performs auto power off processing. To end the series of processes (step S510).

  In step S507, the auto power-off management unit 22 requests the status management unit 23 for an auto power-off notice. Upon receiving the request, the status management unit 23 causes the panel control unit 24 to display an automatic power-off notice notification such as the message example shown in FIG. 3 on the LCD unit 26 of the operation panel 25 and to sound the buzzer 29 for several seconds. Give instructions to do. Receiving the instruction, the panel control unit 24 displays an automatic power-off advance notice on the LCD unit 26 of the operation panel 25 and causes the buzzer 29 to sound for several seconds.

  When the user who has heard the buzzer 29 moves to the image processing apparatus 100 and looks at the message displayed on the LCD unit 26 of the operation panel 25, the operation of the operation panel 25 is delayed in order to postpone the scheduled time for the automatic power-off transition. When an Online button that is one of the buttons 27 is pressed, the panel control unit 24 notifies the status management unit 23 that the Online button has been pressed. Receiving the notification, the status management unit 23 determines that auto power-off postponement is specified (Y in step S508), and gives an instruction to the auto power-off management unit 22 to reset a timer (not shown). Receiving the instruction, the auto power-off management unit 22 resets a timer (not shown) to reset the scheduled time for auto power-off transition (after 4 hours) (step S509), and returns the process to step S504. On the other hand, when the user does not press the “Online” button and determines that auto power-off postponement is not specified (step S508 N), the status management unit 23 notifies the auto power-off management unit 22 to that effect. Receiving the notification, the auto power off management unit 22 waits until the scheduled time for shifting to the auto power off, executes the auto power off process, and ends the series of processes (step S510).

  As described above, the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment determines whether or not there is a user who uses the image processing apparatus by confirming a situation inquiry from the host computer. An automatic power-off advance notice can be given to the user. The user who has received the notice of advance notice can know in advance that the device will be turned off by the auto power-off function, and if the image processing device is still planned to be used, the auto power-off postponement can be specified. By doing so, a timer (not shown) provided in the auto power-off management unit can be reset. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent the apparatus from being turned off by the auto power off function even when there is a user using the image processing apparatus. It is also possible to eliminate the need to turn on the image processing apparatus that has been turned off.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 ′ according to the second embodiment. The image processing apparatus 100 ′ includes a host transmission command processing unit 212 in addition to the configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. In the description of the present embodiment, the same configurations and operations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The host transmission command processing unit 212 receives and processes a setting change command from a plurality of host computers such as the PC 110, PC 111, PC 112, and PC 113 via the setting change utility 116. The host transmission command processing unit 212 resets a timer (not shown) included in the auto power-off management unit 22 when command transmission processing is performed on a GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen provided by the setting change utility 116, for example. Process.

  Next, the operation according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the description here, as in the first embodiment, a predetermined time until the user automatically turns off the power through the operation panel 25 shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. For example, it is set to 4 hours, and the automatic power-off notice is notified 5 minutes before the scheduled time for the automatic power-off transition. Further, any of the host computers PC110, PC111, PC112, and PC113 connected to the network is in operation (there is a user of the image processing apparatus 100 ′), and is regularly spaced from the host computer at 1 minute intervals. It is assumed that a status inquiry is made to the image processing apparatus 100 ′ by the status monitoring utility 116.

  Since a part of steps S501 to S507, step S509 and step S510 in FIG. 7 can be the same as the process described in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the corresponding processes. The description is omitted.

  In step S507, the auto power-off management unit 22 requests the status management unit 23 for an auto power-off notice. Upon receiving the request, the status management unit 23 causes the panel control unit 24 to display an automatic power-off notice notification such as the message example shown in FIG. 3 on the LCD unit 26 of the operation panel 25 and to sound the buzzer 29 for several seconds. Give instructions to do. Receiving the instruction, the panel control unit 24 displays an automatic power-off advance notice on the LCD unit 26 of the operation panel 25 and causes the buzzer 29 to sound for several seconds. Further, the status management unit 23 responds to the next status inquiry from the host computer that the image processing apparatus 100 ′ is in the auto power-off advance notice state.

  The fact that the image processing apparatus 100 ′ is in the auto power off notice state is displayed in the status message display field 115 c of the display box 115 displayed by the status monitoring utility 114. FIG. 8 is an example of a message indicating that the image processing apparatus 100 ′ displayed in the status message display field 115 c is in the auto power off notice state. The message text shown in FIG. 8 is linked with address information 115d of the GUI screen provided by the setting change utility 116. When the user selects this, the GUI screen 1161 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed.

  On the GUI screen 1161, the user designates postponement of auto power off. If necessary, the user selects a desired postponement time from the auto power-off transition time selection pull-down menu 1162 and presses the send button 1163. When the send button 1163 is pressed, the setting change utility 116 transmits a setting change command to the image processing apparatus 100 ′.

  The host transmission command processing unit 212 of the image processing apparatus 100 ′ that has received the setting change command processes the received setting change command and notifies the status management unit 23 of the processing content. The status management unit 23 determines that auto power-off postponement is specified from the processing content of the setting change command (Y in step S708), and instructs the auto power-off management unit 22 to reset a timer (not shown). On the other hand, when it is determined from the processing content of the setting change command that auto power off postponement is not specified (N in step S708), the status management unit 23 notifies the auto power off management unit 22 accordingly.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the auto power-off management unit includes the user who uses the image processing apparatus without moving to the side of the apparatus. A timer not shown can be reset.

  The auto power off transition time, the confirmation time before auto power off, and the polling time in the status monitoring utility described in the description of the present embodiment are not limited to the values described in the present embodiment. In addition, the message displayed on the status monitor utility on the LCD unit of the operation panel or the host computer in the auto power off notice is not limited to that described in the present embodiment. Furthermore, the screen configuration of the GUI screen provided by the setting change utility in the host computer is not limited to that described in this embodiment. These can be changed as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention.

21 Network Information Management Unit 22 Auto Power Off Management Unit 23 Status Management Unit 24 Panel Control Unit 25 Operation Panel 26 LCD Unit 27 Operation Button 28 Warning Lamp 29 Buzzer 100 Image Processing Devices 110, 111, 112, 113 PC
114 Status monitoring utility 115 Display box 115a Status tag 115b Message tag 115c Status message display field 211 Access log 212 Host transmission command processing section

Claims (4)

An image processing apparatus having an auto power-off function that restricts the activity of its own device when specific processing is not performed for a predetermined time,
A setting unit for setting a scheduled time for shifting to auto power off from a predetermined time until auto power off is input in advance;
An access recording unit that records information about an inquiry about the device status from an external terminal;
A user presence determination unit that determines whether or not there is a user using the device based on information on the inquiry about the device status;
A notification unit for notifying a user who has a prior notice of the auto power off a certain time before the auto power off,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit resets a scheduled time for transition to auto power-off based on a setting change request by a user who has received the advance notice. It has an operation unit that accepts user setting change requests.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit resets a scheduled time for automatic power-off transition based on a setting change request received by the user via the operation unit. The external terminal includes a utility that accepts a setting change request by a user,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit resets a scheduled time for transition to auto power off based on a setting change request received by the user through the utility. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the notification unit causes a buzzer to sound for a predetermined period of time in advance notice of auto power off.