JP2015166948A - Image forming apparatus, system for managing the same, management method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device information system for monitoring/managing an operating state of an image forming apparatus, configured to submit a job in consideration of device-side electricity charges, in a variable price system where the electricity charges vary depending on demand and supply.SOLUTION: When detecting that electricity charges increase, a device which is low in frequency of use (having a small change in device operation information) transmits information "no change", and turns off a power source or enters Deep sleep state. A management server having received the information "no change", is configured not to acquire device information from the image forming device until the electricity charges decrease. A device which is high in frequency of use (having a large change in device operation information) is configured to enter normal sleep mode, to process a job or acquire device information quickly.

Description

  The present invention relates to a process for appropriately managing the operation status of an image forming apparatus in consideration of the level (fluctuation) of an electric charge under a variable price system in which the electric charge fluctuates according to supply and demand.

  In recent years, dynamic pricing (dynamic pricing variable price system) and the like have been proposed to promote energy saving and peak shift for electric users. In addition, international standardization of procedures and the like is being promoted so that information such as electricity charges can be exchanged between the electric power company and the electric power market (electrical users) as an implementation means (see Non-Patent Document 1).

  In addition, as a system for managing the state of the image forming apparatus, there is a system that acquires the power consumption state of the apparatus in consideration of the power consumption of the image forming apparatus (see Patent Document 1).

  Furthermore, a method of reducing the energy consumed by the image forming apparatus and returning the state of the apparatus to the management server has been proposed and implemented (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2011-204027 A JP 2009-153192 A

TC57 (Power systems management and associated information exchange) of IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission)

  However, in the method of Patent Document 1, it is not possible to notify in advance that the mode of the apparatus is changed in accordance with changes in the operation status of the apparatus and the electricity charge, simply by monitoring the power consumption of the image forming apparatus. was there.

  Furthermore, in the method of Patent Document 2, since the response is made by the sub CPU that consumes less power than the main CPU that consumes much power, there is a limit to the amount of device information that can be processed by the sub CPU. There was a problem that all the information I wanted could not be returned.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the conventional example, and it is possible to reduce the electricity bill between the image forming apparatus and the management apparatus that manages the image forming apparatus without regularly communicating. An image forming apparatus with a low operation rate can be shifted to sleep or power off depending on the change and the operating status of the image forming apparatus.

  Conversely, an image forming apparatus with a high operating rate prevents the delay in monitoring the status of the apparatus, and shortens the time taken to cancel sleep for job execution, thereby reducing the cost of electricity and job processing. The present invention provides an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus management system, and a management apparatus that can be processed well.

In order to solve the above problem, in an image forming apparatus having a function of receiving electricity rate information from a power supply company and having a function of responding to a device information acquisition request from a device management server,
The first device operation information data returned in response from the device management server,
Means for detecting that the electricity price is in a high price range from the electricity price information obtained from the power company;
Means for comparing the first data with the state of the device at that time when it is determined by the detection means that the electricity price is in a high price range;
In the comparison means, if it is determined that the difference from the first data is small, means for notifying the device management server of “no change”;
A first sleep transition means for transitioning to power off or deep sleep after notification by the notification means;
In the comparison means, if it is determined that the difference from the first data is large, a second sleep transition means for transitioning to a sleep state that can immediately respond to job processing and device information inquiries,
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Further, in the device management server, when “no change” is notified from the image forming apparatus, the device information acquisition timing for the apparatus is determined based on the electric charge information notified from the image forming apparatus. A means of rescheduling when the electricity price is low,
An image forming apparatus management system and a management apparatus comprising:

  According to the present invention, the image forming apparatus and the management apparatus that manages the image forming apparatus can appropriately select the sleep mode according to the operation status of the image forming apparatus without regularly communicating. It becomes possible to realize the consumption of a large electricity bill.

  Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the state monitoring of the appropriate device from being significantly delayed, and to efficiently process the electricity bill and job processing.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and a system for managing an operation status of the image forming apparatus. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the apparatus management server 400 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the electricity bill according to time zone which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and shows the detail of the information which the electricity bill company 100 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the emergency peak charge which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and shows the detail of the information which the electricity bill company 100 of FIG. 1 notifies to an electric power user via the smart meter 102. It is a figure which shows the real-time electricity bill which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and shows the detail of the information which the electricity bill company 100 of FIG. 1 notifies to an electric power user via the smart meter 102. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating transition of three power modes (normal power mode, normal sleep mode, and deep sleep mode) of the image forming apparatus 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention and the power state of the power supply OFF. 3 shows details of information exchanged between the image forming apparatus 300 and the device management server 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the operation information database of the image forming apparatus which the apparatus management server 400 which concerns on embodiment of this invention manages. It is a figure which shows the electricity bill setting screen in the image forming apparatus 300 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the processing flow of the electricity bill monitoring process in the image forming apparatus 300 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the processing flow of the acquisition process of the apparatus information in the apparatus management server 400 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the processing flow when "no change" is notified by the acquisition process of the apparatus information in the apparatus management server 400 concerning embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a device management system according to the present invention.

  The electric energy supplied by the power supply company 100 is supplied to each consumer via the power line 101.

  In addition, information on the electricity billing system (hereinafter referred to as electricity bill information) contracted between the power supply company 100 and each consumer is referred to as an image forming apparatus 300 from the power line 101 via a smart meter 102 (AMI: advanced metering infrastructure). Was configured to receive.

  In the present invention, the image forming apparatus 300 is configured to receive power supply from the smart meter 102 and obtain the electricity rate information from the smart meter 102 via the Internet 200. The supply company may construct the electricity bill server on the Internet, and may be realized by other methods such as a method of sending the electricity bill information to the image forming apparatus via the Internet.

  Moreover, as an example of the electricity bill system, FIG. 4 (charge by time zone; TOU: Time-of-Use Rate), FIG. 5 (Emergency peak charge; CPP: Critical Peak price), FIG. 6 (Real-time charge; The embodiment of the present invention will be described by RTP (Real-Time price).

  Further, the image forming apparatus 300 is connected to a device management server 400 (host computer) that manages device management via the Internet 200. In this embodiment, in order to simplify the explanation, the device management server is operated under a metered electricity bill.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the image forming apparatus 300 of FIG.

  In the figure, an image forming apparatus 1000 indicates the image forming apparatus 300 of FIG.

  The controller 1200 is connected to a scanner unit 1400 that is an image input device, a printer 1300 that is an image output device, a LAN 1100, a USB 1102, and a public line 1103, and controls the operation of the image forming apparatus as well as image information and devices. Performs input / output control of information.

  A CPU 1201 is a processor that controls the entire image forming apparatus, and comprehensively controls access to various connected devices based on a control program stored in the ROM 1207. Further, the CPU 1201 comprehensively controls various processes performed in the controller 1200.

  A RAM 1202 is a system work memory, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data.

  A ROM 1207 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. The HDD 1208 is a hard disk drive, and mainly stores information (system software) and image data necessary for starting and operating the computer. These data may be stored not only in the HDD 1208 but also in a recording medium that can be stored and retained even when the power is turned off.

  A network IF (LAN controller) 1203 is connected to the LAN 1100 via the LAN cable 1101, and outputs / outputs image data for output between the device management server 1001 (showing the device management server 400 in FIG. 1) and the user PC 1002. Input / output information related to device operation status monitoring.

  A USB IF (local interface) 1204 is an interface such as USB or Centronics, and is connected to the user PC 1003 via the USB cable 1102 to input / output image data.

  A MODEM 1205 is connected to the public line 1103 and inputs / outputs data necessary for FAX transmission / reception.

  The Timer 1206 is composed of an element such as an RTC (Real Time Clock), and is used to measure the current time (date and time) and elapsed time. In this embodiment, the Timer 2130 handles GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). Further, it is also used as a clock related to control of electricity rate information (time zone rate in FIG. 4 described later: TOU, emergency peak rate charge in FIG. 5: CPP, real time rate in FIG. 6: RTP).

  A printer IF image processing unit 1209 is connected to the printer 1300, communicates with a CPU mounted in the printer 1300 (not shown), and performs image processing for synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data and print output. Do.

  A scanner IF image processing unit 1210 is connected to the scanner unit 1400, communicates with a CPU mounted in the scanner unit 1400 (not shown), and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data and image processing.

  The operation unit IF 1211 is a part that inputs and outputs information necessary for various operations and control with the operation unit 1500, and displays and outputs a bitmap drawn on the RAM 1202 under the control of the CPU 1021 to the operation unit 160. In addition, the CPU 1201 is informed of information input by the user of the image forming apparatus 1000 by operating the operation unit 140.

  The power supply control unit 1212 controls the power supply unit 1600 to control a power saving state and the like which will be described later. The power supply unit 1600 also converts an alternating current (AC) supplied from the power line 1006 into a direct current (DC).

  Power energy flowing through the power line 1006 is supplied to the power supply unit 1600 via the power connector 1602 and the power switch 1601.

  The power switch 1601 is a power switch, and power energy from the power line 1006 is supplied to the power supply unit 1600 in the ON state. Moreover, when this switch is in an OFF state, the power energy from the power line 1006 is not supplied, and a non-supply state is entered. Note that the power switch 1601 of this embodiment uses a switch having a remote reset function that can be turned off based on a signal from the power control unit 1212.

  The power connector 1602 is connected to an in-house power outlet wired from a smart meter 1005 (not shown), and supplies power supplied from the power line 1006 to the power switch 1601.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the device management server 400 (host computer) of FIG.

  In the figure, reference numeral 2000 denotes the device management server 400 of FIG. 1, and is constituted by a host computer which is an information processing apparatus.

  The CPU 2100 is a processor that controls the entire host computer, and comprehensively controls access to various connected devices based on a control program stored in the ROM 2140 and the HDD 2151.

  The RAM 2110 is a system work memory, and is also a memory for temporarily storing data associated with execution of various control programs.

  The ROM 2140 is a boot ROM and stores a system boot program.

  The HDD control unit 2150 controls reading and writing of control programs and various data stored in the HDD 2151 that is a hard disk drive.

  A network IF (LAN controller) 2120 is connected to a LAN 2011 (Internet 200 in FIG. 1) via a LAN cable 2121 and inputs information related to device operation status monitoring with the MFP 2010 (image forming apparatus 300 in FIG. 1). Output.

  The Timer 2130 is composed of an element such as an RTC (Real Time Clock), and is used to measure the current time (date and time) and elapsed time. In this embodiment, the Timer 2130 handles GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). Further, it is also used as a clock related to control of electricity rate information notified from the MFP 2010 (time zone fee: TOU in FIG. 4 to be described later: emergency peak charge in FIG. 5: CPP, real-time fee: RTP in FIG. 6).

  The MMI input processing unit 2160 controls the operation unit IF 1211 to transmit the operation performed by the operator of the device management server 2000 to the CPU 2100 via the input device 2161 such as a keyboard and a mouse.

  The MMI display processing unit 2170 performs control for displaying various information on the display 2171.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the electricity rate information of time-based rates (TOU: Time-of-Use Rate).

In the figure, 3100 shows an example of the charge by time zone. An example of a flat fee is shown at 3000.
The details of the charge by time zone 3100 are omitted because they are known in TC57 (Power systems management and associated information exchange) of IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission).

  In addition, the electric power rate unit on the vertical axis and the time unit on the horizontal axis used in the figure are for simplifying the description of the present embodiment, and are not particularly particular.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the electricity price information for emergency peak billing (CPP). In the figure, 3200 shows an example of the emergency peak billing. An example of a flat fee is shown at 3000.

  Details of the emergency peak charge 3200 are also omitted in TC57 (Power systems management and associated information exchange) of IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission).

  In addition, the electric power rate unit on the vertical axis and the time unit on the horizontal axis used in the figure are for simplifying the description of the present embodiment, and are not particularly particular.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the electricity rate information of the real-time rate (information indicated by RTP: Real-Time price). In the figure, an example of real-time charges is shown at 3300. An example of a flat fee is shown at 3000.

  Details of the real-time charge 3300 are also omitted because they are known in TC57 (Power systems management and associated information exchange) of IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission).

  In addition, the electric power rate unit on the vertical axis and the time unit on the horizontal axis used in the figure are for simplifying the description of the present embodiment, and are not particularly particular.

  FIG. 7 is a transition diagram illustrating the transition to the three power modes (normal power mode 3501, normal sleep mode 3502, deep sleep mode 3503) of the image forming apparatus 300 and the power off 3504 state.

  In the figure, the vertical axis indicates the amount of power consumed by the image forming apparatus 300, and the relationship is normal power mode 3501> normal sleep mode 3502> Deep sleep mode 3503> power off 3504.

  A normal power mode 3501 indicates a state where power is supplied to all of the image forming apparatus 300. In this embodiment, it is assumed that about 700 W of power is consumed for toner fixing.

  The normal sleep mode 3502 is a mode that consumes less power than the normal power mode 3501 and indicates a state in which the CPU 1201 operates and the printer 1300 is energized. The power consumption in this embodiment is 20 W.

  The deep sleep mode 3503 is a mode that consumes less power than the normal sleep mode 3502, and indicates that the power supply to the printer 1300 is cut off and the CPU 1201 is also sleeping. In this embodiment, the power consumption during the Deep sleep is 1 W.

  A power-off 3504 indicates a state where the power switch 1601 is turned off, and is a state where power supply from the power line 1006 is cut off.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing details of device information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 300 to the device management server 400, and is exchanged via the Internet 200.

  In the figure, reference numeral 4001 denotes device information that is passed during normal times. Reference numeral 4002 denotes information that is finally passed to the device management server 400. The information 4001 and 4002 have the same information. 4003 indicates that the operation rate is low (less change from the device information transmitted to the device management server 400 last time) to the device management server 400 before the electricity rate enters the high price range. Shows details of device information.

  The device ID 4100 is a unique ID assigned to each image forming apparatus, and stores an identifier that can uniquely identify a device.

  The device information delivery time 4200 stores the time indicated by the timer 1206 in the image forming apparatus 300 when the image forming apparatus 300 transmits to the device management server 400.

  The device status 4300 indicates the state of the image forming apparatus 300 when the image forming apparatus 300 transmits to the device management server 400. In addition to the normal power state 3501 and the normal sleep state 3502 in FIG. 7, states such as an error state and the like during job execution are stored.

  The counter 4400 stores a counter for each part (consumable part) of the image forming apparatus 300, the total number of printed pages, and the like.

  A job history 4500 indicates a history of jobs executed by the image forming apparatus 300, and stores a start time, a job execution status, a print page count for each job, and the like.

  The electric power information 4600 is transmitted from the electric power supply company 100 to the electric power line 101 and delivered to the image forming apparatus 300 via the smart meter 1005 (fee by time zone in FIG. 4: TOU, billing at emergency peak in FIG. 5) : CPP, real-time charge in FIG. 6: any one of RTP) and the effective date of the power information.

  Reference numeral 4700 denotes a device status status = “no change”. When the device information 4001 and the device information 4002 are compared with each other as a result of comparing the time indicated by the timer 1206 of the image forming apparatus 300 and the information stored in the power information 4600 and entering the high price range, the difference is small. This information is stored when it is determined. In this embodiment, the counter 4400 determines that the difference is small when the number is 100 or less, but may be determined by another means.

  FIG. 9 shows the information managed by the device management server 400 and shows details of a database that stores device information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 300, and is exchanged via the Internet 200.

  In the figure, reference numeral 5100 denotes device identification information, which stores a device ID 4100 and the IP address of the corresponding device.

  Reference numeral 5200 denotes the next acquisition date and time, which indicates the date and time when the device management server 400 takes an action to acquire device information (device information 4001 in FIG. 4) for the image forming apparatus 300.

  Reference numeral 5300 denotes a device information acquisition date and time, which indicates the date and time when the device management server 400 last acquired device information (device information 4001 in FIG. 4) from the image forming apparatus 300.

  Reference numeral 5400 denotes device information, which stores the device information 4001 of FIG. 4 as it is.

  FIG. 10 is a power charge setting screen displayed on the operation unit 1500 of the image forming apparatus 300.

  In the figure, at 5101, a condition for determining the electricity rate as the high price range is input. In the present embodiment, the numerical value is directly input to 5200.

  The user of the image forming apparatus 300 sets a value at 5200 and then presses a setting button 5400 to validate this setting.

  The return button 5300 is a key for instructing to close the electricity bill setting 5000 without any particular processing after the screen display.

  11, the flow of processing performed by the CPU 1201 of the controller 1200 of the image forming apparatus 300 in the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 11 shows power rate information 4600 sent from the electric power company 100 (time zone charge: TOU in FIG. 4, emergency peak charge in FIG. 5: CPP, real-time charge in FIG. 6: RTP in the embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which investigated that it became a high price range from any one), and showed the control processing flow at the time of a high price range.

  First, in step 6100, the current time (GMT) of the image forming apparatus 300 is acquired from the Timer 1206, and the electricity rate near the obtained time is obtained from the electricity rate information 4600.

  Next, in step 6002, it is determined whether or not to enter the high price range within 30 minutes based on the electricity rate narrowed down in step 6001. Whether or not it is a high price range is determined based on the value set in 5200 of FIG. Here, if it is determined that the electricity rate falls within the high price range within 30 minutes, the process proceeds to step 6003.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the electricity rate does not fall within the high price range within 30 minutes, the process ends without doing anything in this process. In the present embodiment, the method of confirming the electricity bill within 30 minutes is used, but the time is not limited.

  Next, in step 6003, the difference information between the device information 4002 and the device information 4001 (in this embodiment, the difference between the device information 4002 and the counter 4400 of the device information 4001) is acquired, and the process proceeds to step 6004.

  In step 6004, determination is made based on whether or not the difference information acquired in step 6003 exceeds a certain threshold value. In this embodiment, the determination is made based on whether or not the difference between the counter 4400 between the device information 4002 and the device information 4001 exceeds 100. However, the determination condition is not particularly limited. As an example of the difference information, a method of determining based on the presence / absence of an error, toner consumption, power consumption, or the like may be used.

  If it is determined in step 6004 that a certain threshold is exceeded and the change is large, the process proceeds to step 6005.

  In Step 6500, in preparation for entering into the high price range of the electricity bill, the power consumption state of the device is changed to the normal sleep mode 3502, and then this processing is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 6004 that there is little change in device information, the process proceeds to step 6007.

  In step 6007, the image forming apparatus 300 transmits the device information 4003 to the device management server 400 via the Internet 200 in order to notify that there is little change in the device information (4001, 4002).

  In step 6008, it is checked whether the power switch 1601 has a Shutdown function. In this embodiment, the determination is made based on the presence or absence of the remote reset function. If it is determined in step 6008 that the Shutdown function exists, the process proceeds to step 6009. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 6008 that there is no Shutdown function, the process proceeds to step 6010.

  In step 6009, the power switch 1601 is instructed to shut down and the power supply is switched off to 3504, whereby the power supply from the power line 101 is cut off.

  In step 6010, after the image forming apparatus 300 is shifted to the deep sleep mode 3503, the present process is terminated.

  In this embodiment, the timer 1206 instructs the CPU 1201 to execute the electricity rate monitoring process every 10 minutes. However, the time interval is not particularly limited.

  A flow of processing performed by the CPU 2100 of the device management server 400 according to the embodiment of this invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a control processing flow for the device management server 400 to acquire device information 4001 for the image forming apparatus 300 in the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, in step 7001, the current time (GMT) of the device management server 400 is acquired from the Timer 2130, and the acquired time is compared with the time of the next acquisition date 4920 of the database 4800 of the device management server 400. It is checked whether there is an image forming apparatus 300 that needs to acquire the device information 4001.

  If it is determined in step 7001 that there is a device at the scheduled acquisition time and it is necessary to acquire the device information 4001, the process proceeds to step 7003.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no device at the scheduled acquisition time and it is not necessary to acquire the device information 4001, this processing ends.

  In step 7003, the image forming apparatus 300 that needs to be acquired is specified from the device identification information 5100 in the database 5000. The Internet 200 is accessed from the IP address of the identified image forming apparatus 300, connected to the image forming apparatus 300 having the IP address, and device information 4001 is requested.

  Next, in Step 7004, it is confirmed whether or not there is a response to the request for the device information 4001 and whether or not the data of the device information 4001 has been acquired. If no response or acquisition has been completed, step 7003 is performed again.

  On the other hand, if acquisition of the device information 4001 is completed in step 7004, the process proceeds to step 7005.

  In step 7005, the database 4800 of the device management server 400 is updated. The device identification information 5100 in the database 5000 is confirmed, and the corresponding device information 5400 is updated with the acquired device information 4001. Thereafter, the device information acquisition date / time 5300 is updated with the value of the Timer 2130. Next, the acquisition date and time are updated next time, and this processing is terminated. In the present embodiment, the next acquisition date and time is set 3 hours later, but this time interval is not particularly limited.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a control processing flow when the device management server 400 receives unchanged device information 4003 from the image forming apparatus 300 in the embodiment of the present invention. The processing corresponding to is shown.

  In the figure, it is checked in step 8001 whether or not device information 4003 having no change is received from the image forming apparatus 300. As a confirmation method, a determination is made based on whether or not “no change” is stored in the device status status 4700. If “no change” is stored in the device status status 4700 in step 8001, the process proceeds to step 8002.

  On the other hand, if a value other than “no change” is stored in the device status status 4700 in step 8001, a corresponding process (for example, acquisition processing of the device information 4001 in FIG. 11) is performed in step 8006, and this processing is performed. finish.

  Next, in step 8002, it is determined from the current time of the Timer 2130 and the power information 4600 of the device information 4003 whether to enter the high price range within 30 minutes. If it is determined that the electricity rate falls within the high price range within 30 minutes, the process proceeds to step 8003.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the electricity rate does not fall within the high price range within 30 minutes, the process proceeds to step 8005. In this embodiment, the method for confirming the electricity bill within 30 minutes is used, but the time is not limited to this.

  Next, in step 8003, the time when the electricity rate is in the low price range is checked from the power information 4600 of the device information 4003. Whether the price is low or not is determined based on the current time price of the Timer 2130 of the power information 4600 of the device information 4003, but is not particularly limited to this condition.

  Next, in Step 8004, the time obtained in Step 8003 is written in the next acquisition date 4920 of the database 4800.

  Next, in step 4930, the current time of the Timer 2130 is written in the device information acquisition date 4930 of the database 4800, and this process is terminated.

  With the above flow, it becomes possible to efficiently operate the power control of the image forming apparatus and the system for managing the image forming apparatus in accordance with the changing electricity charges.

100 Power supply company 101 Power line

Claims (3)

An image forming apparatus (300) having a function of receiving electricity rate information (3000, 3100, 3200, 3300) from the power supply company (100) and a function of responding to a device information acquisition request from the device management server (400) )
Means for storing first device operation information data (4001) for sequentially storing operation states of the image forming apparatus;
Means (4002) for storing second device operation information data (4002) for storing data in response to the device information acquisition request of the device management server;
Means (S6002) for detecting that the electricity price is in a high price range from the electricity price information acquired from the power company;
Means (S6004) for comparing the first device operation information data (4001) and the second device operation information data (4002) when it is determined by the detection means that the electricity price is in a high price range;
When the comparison means determines that the difference between the first device operation information data (4001) and the second device operation information data (4002) is small, “no change” (4700) is set to the device management server (400). Means for notifying (S6007),
A first sleep unit (S6009 and S6010) for setting the power state to power off or deep sleep after notifying by the notification unit;
When the comparison unit determines that the difference from the first data is large, the comparison unit includes a second sleep unit (S6005) that enters a sleep mode that can immediately respond to job input and device information acquisition. Image forming apparatus.
Further, in the device management server (400), means (S7001) for scheduling the date and time when device information acquisition (4001) is performed for the image forming apparatus (300),
When “no change” is notified by the “no change” notification means (S6007) of the image forming apparatus, the time when the electric charge becomes low based on the electric charge information notified from the image forming apparatus And a device management apparatus and a device management system, characterized by comprising: a rescheduling unit (S8004). After responding to the device information acquisition request of the device management server, the value of the first device operation information data (4001) is reset, so that the image forming apparatus is compared with the second device operation information data (4002). The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a unit that can calculate a change amount of the image. Means for scheduling of the device management server (400) (In S7001, the image forming apparatus (300) can further calculate and notify the rescheduling date and time to the device management server (400)). An image forming apparatus, an apparatus management apparatus, and an apparatus management system.