JP2016081280A - Communication system, power-saving mode transition method, device with gateway function, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system or the like, configured to flexibly cause a device with gateway function to enter power-saving mode, in accordance with a state of use of a user.SOLUTION: A device with gateway function 2 confirms whether an external device 4 using the device has logged in to a cloud server 1 when mode transition means 204 causes the device to enter power-saving mode, and confirms whether printers 31-33 are in the power-saving mode, to determine whether the device is being frequently accessed from the cloud server and the printers, on the basis of access history stored in storage means 202. In the case where the external device using the device with gateway function is not logged in to the cloud server, and the printer is in the power-saving mode, and when the determination means determines that the device is not being accessed frequently from the cloud server and the printers, the device enters the power-saving mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system including a cloud server that accepts a print job from an external device such as a personal computer or a tablet terminal, and a device with a gateway function that receives the print job from the cloud server and transfers the print job to the printing device. The present invention relates to a power mode transition method, a device with a gateway function, and a program.

  As a communication system as described above, when a user instructs a cloud server to specify a print job that specifies a printing device that executes printing from an external device such as a personal computer or a smartphone, the cloud server accepts the print job and the Internet Via the network, a communication session is established with a device with a gateway function (Saas), and a print job is transmitted to the device with a gateway function. The devices with a gateway function are connected via a common communication network (local network). A system is known in which a print job is transferred to a designated printing device, and the printing device executes the transferred print job.

  In such a system, in order for a device with a gateway function to respond to a print job reception request from a cloud server in real time, it is necessary to maintain a session with the server during the operation of the Saas function. There is a problem that the device cannot enter the power saving mode.

  As a workaround for this problem, after disconnecting the session with the server and entering the power saving mode, the device with the gateway function is returned from the power saving mode, and the session with the server is regenerated each time the device is restored. Proposed. In this case, as a method of returning from the power saving mode, it is necessary to wait for the timing of regular wake-up or operate the device with the gateway function to return.

  Also, during the power saving mode of the device with the gateway function, the print job is pooled in the cloud server, and the pooled print job is transmitted to the device with the gateway function at the timing of session regeneration after the return.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228867 discloses a technique for appropriately shifting the image processing apparatus to the power saving mode in consideration of the positional relationship between the client device and the image processing apparatus.

  Further, Patent Document 2 proposes a technique that can quickly set the execution timing for reducing the power consumption of the image forming apparatus main body in accordance with the operating status of the external terminal device connected to the image forming apparatus main body. ing.

  Further, Patent Document 3 has setting means for setting the power saving mode for the purpose of setting the transition to the energy saving mode by determining the possibility that the device is used and improving the convenience for the user. An image forming apparatus connected to a network to which a plurality of client devices are connected includes a recording unit that records printing history information of each client device, and the setting unit refers to the printing history information recorded in the recording unit. Image formation for checking whether the client device recorded in the print history information is online and determining whether to shift to the power saving mode based on the attribute of each client device recorded in the print history information An apparatus is disclosed.

JP 2012-019453 A JP 2010-191743 A JP 2010-003083 A

  However, in a method of disconnecting the session with the server and entering the power saving mode and then returning the device with the gateway function from the power saving mode and regenerating the session with the server each time the device is restored, the user can There is a problem in that it is not possible to respond to a user request in real time when the mode is shifted to the power saving mode in a situation where the user may be frequently used. For this reason, there is a demand for a mechanism for flexibly shifting a device with a gateway function to a power saving mode in accordance with the use state of the user.

  Note that the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 do not relate to the power saving mode of a device with a gateway function that receives a print job from a cloud server and transfers the print job to a designated printing apparatus. could not.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a technical background, and is a cloud server, a device with a gateway function connected to the cloud server via the Internet, and a communication common to the device with the gateway function In a communication system including a printing apparatus connected via a network, a communication system and a power saving mode shifting method capable of shifting a device with a gateway function to a power saving mode flexibly in accordance with a use situation of a user, It is another object of the present invention to provide a device with a gateway function and a program used in the communication system.

The above problem is solved by the following means.
(1) A communication system comprising a cloud server, a device with a gateway function connected to the cloud server via the Internet, and a printing apparatus connected to the device with a gateway function through a common communication network, The cloud server transmits, from the external device logged in to the cloud server, a print job reception unit that receives a print job including the designation of the printing device, and the print job received by the print job reception unit to the device with the gateway function A device having a gateway function, a receiving unit that receives the print job transmitted from the cloud server, a transfer unit that transfers the received print job to the designated printing apparatus, Save power from normal mode Mode transition means for switching to the mode and returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode, and when the own apparatus shifts to the power saving mode by the mode transition means, the external apparatus using the own apparatus is transferred to the cloud server. Confirming means for confirming whether or not the printing apparatus is in a power saving mode, confirmation means for confirming whether or not the printing apparatus is in a power saving mode, storage means for storing an access history from the cloud server and the printing apparatus, and mode switching means Determining means for determining whether the access frequency from the cloud server and the printing apparatus is low based on the access history stored in the storage means when the own apparatus shifts to the power saving mode by The mode transition means of the device with the gateway function is self-installed by the confirmation means. The external device that uses the server is not logged in to the cloud server, the printing device is in a power saving mode, and the judgment means is a time zone when the access frequency from the cloud server and the printing device is low A communication system characterized in that when it is determined that the device itself is shifted to a power saving mode.
(2) When the mode shift unit of the device with the gateway function shifts the own device to the power saving mode, the mode shift unit moves from the cloud server and the printing device to the own device based on the access history stored in the storage unit. The communication according to item 1, wherein the time of the power saving mode is set so as to return from the power saving mode before the access frequency increases, and the mode is returned to the normal mode after the set time has elapsed after shifting to the power saving mode. system.
(3) The device having the gateway function confirms the device by confirming whether the external device logged in to the cloud server is using an application that needs to start the device with the gateway function. The communication system according to item 1 or 2, wherein the external device to be used confirms whether or not the external device is logged in to the cloud server.
(4) The confirmation of the device with gateway function by the means for confirming whether the external device logged in to the cloud server is using an application that needs to be activated is based on the execution state of the activated application. The analysis result is received from the cloud server and analyzed by analyzing the received data indicating the execution state of the application or the analysis result notified from the cloud server analyzing the execution state of the running application 4. The communication system according to item 3 performed based on the above.
(5) When the printing apparatus is not in the power saving mode, the confirmation unit for the device with the gateway function confirms whether the printing apparatus has started an application that uses the device with the gateway function, and starts the device. 4. The communication system according to any one of Items 1 to 3, wherein the device having the gateway function shifts the device having the gateway function to the power saving mode even when the printing apparatus is not in the power saving mode.
(6) Savings executed in a communication system including a cloud server, a device with a gateway function connected to the cloud server via the Internet, and a printing apparatus connected to the device with the gateway function through a common communication network In the power mode transition method, the cloud server receives a print job including designation of the printing device from an external device logged in to the cloud server, and the print job received by the print job reception step Transmitting to the device with gateway function, the device with gateway function receiving the print job transmitted from the cloud server, and the specified print job to the specified Printing device A transfer step for transferring, a mode transition step for shifting the own device from the normal mode to the power saving mode, and a return from the power saving mode to the normal mode, and when the own device shifts to the power saving mode by the mode shifting step. Confirming whether or not the external device using the device is logged in to the cloud server and confirming whether or not the printing device is in a power saving mode, and from the cloud server and the printing device A storage step of storing the access history, and access to the cloud server and the printing device based on the access history stored in the storage step when the device shifts to the power saving mode in the mode transition step. A determination step for determining whether the time period is low, and In the mode transition step of the device with the gateway function, in the confirmation step, the external device using the device is not logged in to the cloud server, the printing device is in a power saving mode, and A power saving mode transition method, wherein, when it is determined by the determining step that the access frequency between the cloud server and the printing apparatus is low, the apparatus is shifted to a power saving mode.
(7) With the gateway function in a communication system including a cloud server, a device with a gateway function connected to the cloud server via the Internet, and a printing apparatus connected to the device with the gateway function through a common communication network A receiving unit that receives the print job from the cloud server that has received the print job including the designation of the printing apparatus from the logged-in external device; and the designated printing apparatus that receives the received print job. A transfer means for transferring to the apparatus, a mode shift means for shifting the own apparatus from the normal mode to the power saving mode, and a return from the power saving mode to the normal mode, and when the own apparatus shifts to the power saving mode by the mode shift means. In addition, the external device using its own device is A confirmation means for confirming whether the printing apparatus is in a power saving mode, a storage means for storing an access history from the cloud server and the printing apparatus, Judgment to determine whether the access frequency with the cloud server and the printing device is low based on the access history stored in the storage unit when the device shifts to the power saving mode by the mode shift unit And the mode transition means uses the confirmation means to check that the external device using the device is not logged in to the cloud server, the printing device is in a power saving mode, and the determination means. When it is determined that the access frequency with the cloud server and the printing device is low Gateway function device, characterized in that shifting the self apparatus to the power saving mode.
(8) With the gateway function in a communication system including a cloud server, a device with a gateway function connected to the cloud server via the Internet, and a printing apparatus connected to the device with the gateway function through a common communication network A receiving step of receiving the print job from the cloud server that has received the print job including the designation of the printing device from the logged-in external device to the computer of the device; and the designated printing device of the received print job. A transfer step for transferring to the power saving mode, a mode transition step for shifting the own device from the normal mode to the power saving mode, and a return from the power saving mode to the normal mode, and when the device shifts to the power saving mode by the mode shifting step And use your own device Confirming whether or not the external device is logged in to the cloud server, confirming whether or not the printing device is in a power saving mode, and storing an access history from the cloud server and the printing device Whether the access frequency with the cloud server and the printing device is low based on the access history stored in the storage step when the device shifts to the power saving mode in the storage step and the mode transition step. In the mode transition step, the confirmation step determines that the external device using the device is not logged in to the cloud server and the printing device is in the power saving mode. And the determination step determines the cloud server and If the access frequency of the printing device is determined to be low time zone, program for executing processing to shift the own device to the power saving mode.

  According to the invention described in (1) above, whether the device with the gateway function is logged in to the cloud server by the external device using the device when the device is shifted to the power saving mode by the mode transition unit. Confirming whether the printing device is in the power saving mode, and determining whether the access frequency from the cloud server and the printing device is low based on the access history stored in the storage unit, The external device that uses the device is not logged in to the cloud server, the printing device is in the power saving mode, and the determination means determines that the access time from the cloud server and the printing device is low. If the device with the gateway function shifts to the power saving mode, the frequency of use depends on the usage status of the user. The gateway function device can be shifted to the power saving mode when less without significantly disturb the user experience, it is possible to realize a flexible transition to the power saving mode.

  According to the invention described in (2) above, the device with the gateway function accesses the own device from the cloud server and the printing device based on the access history stored in the storage unit when shifting to the power saving mode. The power saving mode time is set so that it returns from the power saving mode before the frequency increases, and after shifting to the power saving mode, the normal mode is restored after the set time has elapsed. In addition, the return time can be flexibly handled.

  According to the invention described in the preceding section (3), the device with the gateway function confirms whether or not the external device logged in to the cloud server uses an application that needs to start the device with the gateway function. Check if the external device that uses the device is logged in to the cloud server.

  According to the invention described in (4) above, whether or not the external device logged in to the cloud server using the device with the gateway function is using an application that needs to be activated is determined by the application being activated. The data indicating the execution status of the application is received from the cloud server, and the data indicating the execution status of the received application is analyzed, or based on the analysis result notified from the cloud server that analyzed the execution status of the application Done.

  According to the invention described in (5) above, the device with the gateway function checks whether the printing apparatus is running an application that uses the device with the gateway function when the printing apparatus is not in the power saving mode. If it is not activated, it shifts to the power saving mode even if the printing apparatus is not in the power saving mode.

  According to the invention described in the preceding item (6), the device with the gateway function can be shifted to the power saving mode when the usage frequency is low in accordance with the usage status of the user, without greatly hindering the convenience of the user, The transition to the power saving mode can be realized flexibly.

  According to the invention described in the preceding item (7), a device with a gateway function that can flexibly realize the transition to the power saving mode without greatly hindering the convenience of the user.

  According to the invention described in item (8) above, the computer of the device with the gateway function is caused to execute a process capable of flexibly realizing the transition to the power saving mode without greatly impeding the convenience for the user. Can do.

It is a block diagram of a communication system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a device with a gateway function. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement in case a device with a gateway function transfers to power saving mode. It is a graph which shows an access history.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cloud server 1, a device 2 having a gateway function, and one or a plurality (three in this example) of printing apparatuses 31 to 33. The terminal device 4 is provided.

  The cloud server 1, the device 2 with gateway function, and the terminal device 4 are connected via the Internet. Further, the device 2 with gateway function and the printing apparatuses 31 to 33 are connected by a LAN which is a common communication network.

  The cloud server 1 includes a personal computer or the like, and includes a system control unit 101 and a memory 102 as shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. The system control unit 101 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown), and controls the entire cloud server 1 in an integrated manner.

  In the memory 102, the terminal device 4 is logged in, receives a print job designating the printing devices 31 to 33 from the terminal device 4, and the printing device 31 to which the print job is designated via the device 2 with the gateway function. The contents (work flow) of an application (an application is also simply referred to as an application) necessary for executing the job to be transmitted to the computer 33 are recorded, and authentication information of the terminal device 4 is stored.

  The cloud server 1 further includes a communication unit 103 for communicating with the device 2 with gateway function, the terminal device 4 and the like, a device determination unit 104 for determining a device outside the LAN such as the currently connected terminal device 4, and the terminal device 4. There was an access from the request receiving unit 105 that receives and accepts a request for a print job to the device 2 with gateway function, the application activation status receiving unit 106 that receives the application activation status of the currently connected terminal device 4, and the terminal device 4. Sometimes, an access permission authenticating unit 107 that permits access based on authentication information, an operating status / analysis result transmitting unit 108 that transmits an operating status of the terminal device 4 and an analysis result thereof to the device 2 with gateway function, and the like Power saving mode transition detection unit 109 that detects that the function-equipped device 2 has transitioned to the power saving mode. The receiving unit 110 that receives the operation mode of the device with gateway function 2, the work performed on the cloud server 1 by the terminal device 4, that is, the application execution status by the terminal device 4, and the work flow of each application stored in the memory 102. A comparison analysis unit 111 for comparison analysis is provided.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, the device 2 with a gateway function has a multi-function peripheral (MFP) which is a digital multi-function peripheral that has a multi-function such as a copy function, a printer function, and a scan function and can be shifted to a sleep mode. Although used, it is not limited to this. In the following description, a device with a gateway function is also referred to as an MFP with a gateway function or simply an MFP.

  As shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 3, the MFP 2 includes a system control unit 201 and a memory 202. A system control unit 201 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown), and controls the entire MFP 2 in an integrated manner.

  In the memory 202, the contents (work flow) of the application for executing the above-described print job of the cloud server 1 and the print job issuing application installed in the printing apparatuses 31 to 33 connected to the own apparatus are stored. Contents (work flow) and the like are stored. Furthermore, access histories from the MFP 2, the cloud server 1, and the printing apparatuses 31 to 33 are stored. In this embodiment, the MFP 2 itself and the printing apparatuses 31 to 33 can issue print jobs specifying the printing apparatuses 31 to 33 to the cloud server 1.

  The MFP 2 further includes a communication unit 203 for communicating with the cloud server 1 and the printing apparatuses 31 to 33, a power saving mode transition permission control unit 204 that permits transition to a power saving mode, and devices connected to the self apparatus. Connected device operation confirmation unit 205 for confirming the operation of the access device, access history confirmation unit 206 for confirming the access history recorded in the memory 202, and application activation status (execution state) in the cloud server 1 and the printing apparatuses 31 to 33 ) Is compared with the work flow of the application recorded in the memory 202, and the return time setting control unit 208 that sets the time for returning to the normal mode when shifting to the power saving mode. , An application control unit 209 for using an application for executing a print job using the cloud server 1, a power saving mode Set time count control unit 210 for counting the set time until the return set by the return time setting control unit 208 after the transition, and the set time for shifting the device from the power saving mode to the normal mode after the set time elapses Post-return control unit 211, session generation / regeneration control unit 212 for generating / regenerating a session, image processing unit 213 for performing image processing, image forming unit 214 for performing image formation, a display unit including a liquid crystal touch panel 215, an operation unit 216 including a liquid crystal touch panel, operation keys, and the like.

  The printing apparatuses 31 to 33 include a system control unit 311 and a memory 312 for storing various data, as representatively showing functional blocks of the image forming apparatus 31 in FIG. The system control unit 311 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like (not shown), and controls the entire printing apparatus 31 in an integrated manner.

  The printing apparatus 31 further includes a communication unit 313 for communicating with the cloud server 1, the MFP 2, and the like, a power saving mode transition notifying unit 314 for notifying the MFP 2 that the own apparatus transitions to the power saving mode, and the cloud server 1. An application control unit 315 for using an application for executing a print job using a terminal, a terminal information request receiving unit 316 for receiving a request for information on the own apparatus from the outside, and a terminal information output unit 317 for outputting the information A display unit 318 including a liquid crystal touch panel, an operation unit 319 including a liquid crystal touch panel and operation keys, an image processing unit 320 for performing image processing, and an image forming unit 321 for performing image formation.

  The terminal device 4 may be a personal computer or a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal.

  Next, the operation of the communication system shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

  It is assumed that the user of the terminal device 4 logs in to the cloud server 1 and instructs the cloud server 1 to designate a print job, for example, by causing the printing device 31 to execute printing.

  The cloud server 1 accepts this, but since the printing apparatus 31 is in the local network, the cloud server 1 cannot directly access the printing apparatus through the firewall.

  Therefore, after accessing the MFP 2 from the cloud server 1 through the HTTP tunnel connection, a session is generated between the two, and the cloud server 1 transmits the accepted print job 1 to the MFP 2.

  The MFP 2 transfers the print job to the designated printing device 31. When receiving the print job from the MFP 2, the printing apparatus 31 prints the job data according to the print settings and outputs a printed matter. If the printing is successful, the printing apparatus 31 notifies the MFP 2 of the completion of printing.

  The MFP 2 that has acquired the print completion notifies the cloud server 1 of the print completion.

  Next, the operation when the MFP 2 shifts to the power saving mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This operation is executed by a CPU (not shown) of the system control unit 201 of the MFP 2 operating according to an operation program stored in the memory 202 or the like.

  In step S 01, access histories of the MFP 2, the cloud server 1, and the image forming apparatuses 31 to 33 are stored in the memory 202.

  In step S <b> 02, it is determined whether there is an operation request from the operation unit 216 by the user and an operation request from the printing apparatuses 31 to 33 and the cloud server 1 for a certain period. If there is a request from either within a certain period (NO in step S02), the process returns to step S01.

  If there is no request from any of them (YES in step S02), in step S03, it is confirmed whether the printing apparatuses 31 to 33 are in the normal mode instead of the power saving mode, and the terminal apparatus 4 that uses the MFP 2 is the cloud server 1. Whether or not the terminal device 4 logged in to the cloud server 1 is using an application that requires the MFP 2 to be activated.

  Here, whether or not the terminal device 4 logged in to the cloud server 1 is using an application that requires the MFP 2 to start is checked by the MFP 2 inquiring about whether there is an application being executed in the cloud server 1. When there is an app, data indicating the execution state (startup flow) of the app is received from the cloud server 1 and the received data is compared and analyzed with the app work flow stored in the memory 202 of the MFP 2. Or based on the analysis result from the cloud server 1 that has analyzed the running application.

  When the printing devices 31 to 33 are in the normal mode, or when the terminal device 4 using the MFP 2 is logged in to the cloud server 1, the processing using the MFP 2 is not completed or the cloud server 1 is in the near future. Therefore, in step S11, the MFP 2 does not shift to the power saving mode, maintains the normal mode, and returns to step S01.

  Conversely, when the printing apparatuses 31 to 33 are not in the normal mode but in the power saving mode and the terminal apparatus 4 that uses the MFP 2 is not logged in to the cloud server 1, the MFP 2 is not used by the cloud server 1. Since it is unlikely that the cloud server 1 will be used in the near future, the process proceeds to step S04.

  When the printing apparatuses 31 to 33 are not in the power saving mode, the MFP 2 checks whether the printing apparatuses 31 to 33 have activated an application that uses the MFP 2, and if not, the printing apparatuses 31 to 33 are activated. Even if is a normal mode, it is good also as a structure which progresses to step S04. Whether or not the printing apparatus 31 to 33 is running an application that uses the MFP 2 is checked by the MFP 2 inquiring whether the printing apparatus 31 to 33 has an application that is being executed. The data indicating the execution state (starting flow) is received from the printing apparatuses 31 to 33, and the received data is compared with the work flow of the application stored in the memory 202 of the MFP 2 or executed. This is performed based on the analysis results from the printing apparatuses 31 to 33 that have analyzed the inside application.

  In step S04, based on the access history, it is determined whether or not it is a time period when the access frequency from the cloud server 1 and the printing apparatuses 31 to 33 is low. If the access frequency is not low (NO in step S04), in step S11, the MFP 2 does not shift to the power saving mode, maintains the normal mode, and then returns to step S01. If the access frequency is low (YES in step S04), the process proceeds to step S05.

  In step S05, a time for maintaining the MFP 2 in the power saving mode is set from the current time until the next access frequency is increased based on the access history.

  In step S06, the MFP 2 shifts to the power saving mode. At the same time, the set time is started.

  In step S07, before the set return time elapses, it is determined whether or not there is an operation request from the operation unit 216 by the user and an operation request from the outside such as the printing apparatuses 31 to 36. If not (YES in step S07), when the count of the return time set in step S08 ends (the return time has come), MFP 2 returns from the power saving mode to the normal mode in step S09. If there is an operation request in step S07 (NO in step S07), the process proceeds to step S09 to return to the normal mode.

  Next, in step S10, the session with the cloud server 1 is regenerated as necessary, and then the process returns to step S01.

  A setting method of the time for maintaining the power saving mode in step S05 in the fuller chart of FIG. 5 will be described using the graph showing the access history of FIG.

  As shown in the graph of FIG. 6, the access history is acquired in units of 10 minutes. The access frequency threshold value is n. If there are access counts exceeding n, it is determined that the access frequency is high, and if the access count is n or less, it is determined that the access frequency is low.

  In the case of the graph of FIG. 6, the low access frequency time period is from 12:00 to 12:30, and during this time, as a result of the determination in step 02 of FIG. It is possible to shift to the power saving mode on condition that NO in step S02) and NO in step S03.

  If the transition timing to the power saving mode (shown as sleep timing in FIG. 6) is, for example, 12:00, it is sufficient to return to the normal mode at 12:30. Therefore, if the time required for returning to the normal mode is estimated at 5 minutes, 25 minutes is set as the period of the power saving mode.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the MFP 2 shifts to the power saving mode, the MFP 2 checks whether or not the terminal device 4 that uses the MFP 2 has logged in to the cloud server, and the printing apparatuses 31 to 33 check that the power saving mode is set. Whether the access frequency from the cloud server 1 and the printing devices 31 to 33 is low or not, and the terminal device 4 using the device itself is connected to the cloud server 1 based on the access history. When it is determined that the printing device 31 to 33 is in the power saving mode and the access frequency from the cloud server 1 and the printing devices 31 to 33 is low, it is shifted to the power saving mode. Therefore, according to the usage status of the user, the MFP 2 can be shifted to the power saving mode when the usage frequency is low. Without interfering with the fecal large, it is possible to realize a flexible transition to the power saving mode.

  Further, when the MFP 2 shifts to the power saving mode, based on the access history, the MFP 2 returns from the power saving mode before the access frequency from the cloud server 1 and the printing apparatuses 31 to 33 increases. Since the time of the power saving mode is set and the mode is returned to the normal mode after the transition to the power saving mode, the return time can be flexibly adapted according to the use state of the user.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cloud server 101 System control part 102 Memory 2 Device with a gateway function 201 System control part 202 Memory 204 Power saving mode transfer permission control part 31-33 Printing apparatus 4 Terminal apparatus

Claims (8)

A communication system comprising a cloud server, a device with a gateway function connected to the cloud server via the Internet, and a printing apparatus connected to the gateway function device through a common communication network,
The cloud server includes a print job receiving unit that receives a print job including designation of the printing device from an external device logged into the cloud server;
A transmission unit that transmits the print job received by the print job reception unit to the device with the gateway function;
With
The gateway function device is:
Receiving means for receiving the print job transmitted from the cloud server;
Transfer means for transferring the received print job to the designated printing device;
Mode shifting means for shifting the own device from the normal mode to the power saving mode and returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode;
When the device shifts to the power saving mode by the mode shifting means, it is checked whether the external device using the device is logged in to the cloud server and whether the printing device is in the power saving mode. Confirmation means to confirm whether or not
Storage means for storing an access history from the cloud server and the printing device;
When the self-device shifts to the power saving mode by the mode shift means, it is determined whether or not the access frequency from the cloud server and the printing device is low based on the access history stored in the storage device. Judgment means,
With
The mode transition means of the device with the gateway function is configured so that the confirmation means causes the external device using the own device to not log in to the cloud server, the printing device is in a power saving mode, and the determination means. A communication system characterized in that, when it is determined that the access frequency from the cloud server and the printing apparatus is low, the apparatus shifts itself to a power saving mode.   The mode transition means of the device with the gateway function, when shifting the own apparatus to the power saving mode, the access frequency from the cloud server and the printing apparatus to the own apparatus based on the access history stored in the storage means The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the time of the power saving mode is set so as to return from the power saving mode before the time becomes higher, and the mode is returned to the normal mode after the set time has elapsed after the transition to the power saving mode.   The confirmation unit for the device with the gateway function uses the own device by confirming whether the external device logged in to the cloud server uses an application that needs to start the device with the gateway function. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein an external device confirms whether or not the user has logged in to the cloud server.   The confirmation of the device with gateway function by the means for confirming whether or not the external device logged in to the cloud server is using an application that needs to be activated by the self-device is based on data indicating the execution state of the running application. Based on the analysis result received from the cloud server and analyzed by analyzing the received data indicating the execution state of the application or the analysis of the execution state of the running application The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the communication system is performed.   When the printing apparatus is not in a power saving mode, the confirmation unit for the device with the gateway function checks whether the printing apparatus has started an application that uses the device with the gateway function. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the device having a gateway function shifts the device having the gateway function to a power saving mode even if the printing apparatus is not in a power saving mode. Power saving mode transition executed in a communication system including a cloud server, a device with a gateway function connected to the cloud server via the Internet, and a printing apparatus connected to the device with the gateway function through a common communication network A method,
The cloud server
A print job receiving step for receiving a print job including designation of the printing device from an external device logged into the cloud server;
A transmission step of transmitting the print job received in the print job reception step to the device with the gateway function;
With
The gateway function device is:
A reception step of receiving the print job transmitted from the cloud server;
A transfer step of transferring the received print job to the designated printing device;
A mode transition step for shifting the own device from the normal mode to the power saving mode and returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode;
When the device shifts to the power saving mode by the mode shifting step, it is confirmed whether the external device using the device is logged in to the cloud server and whether the printing device is in the power saving mode. A confirmation step to check if
A storage step of storing an access history from the cloud server and the printing device;
When the device shifts to the power saving mode by the mode shift step, it is determined whether the access frequency between the cloud server and the printing device is low based on the access history stored by the storage step. A decision step;
Run
In the mode transition step of the device with the gateway function, in the confirmation step, the external device using its own device is not logged in to the cloud server, the printing device is in the power saving mode, and the determination step A method of shifting to a power saving mode, wherein the apparatus is shifted to a power saving mode when it is determined that the access frequency to the cloud server and the printing apparatus is low. A device with a gateway function in a communication system comprising a cloud server, a device with a gateway function connected to the cloud server via the Internet, and a printing apparatus connected with the gateway function device through a common communication network. And
Receiving means for receiving the print job from the cloud server that has received the print job including the designation of the printing device from the logged-in external device;
Transfer means for transferring the received print job to the designated printing device;
Mode shifting means for shifting the own device from the normal mode to the power saving mode and returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode;
When the device shifts to the power saving mode by the mode shifting means, it is checked whether the external device using the device is logged in to the cloud server and whether the printing device is in the power saving mode. Confirmation means to confirm whether or not
Storage means for storing an access history from the cloud server and the printing device;
When the device shifts to the power saving mode by the mode shift unit, it is determined whether the access frequency between the cloud server and the printing device is low based on the access history stored in the storage unit. Judgment means,
With
The mode transition means is configured such that the confirmation means causes the external device using the device to not log in to the cloud server, the printing device is in a power saving mode, and the judgment means determines the cloud server and A device with a gateway function, wherein the device is shifted to a power saving mode when it is determined that the access frequency with the printing apparatus is low. Computer of the device with gateway function in a communication system comprising a cloud server, a device with gateway function connected to the cloud server via the Internet, and a printing apparatus connected to the device with gateway function through a common communication network In addition,
A receiving step of receiving the print job from the cloud server that has received the print job including the designation of the printing device from the logged-in external device;
A transfer step of transferring the received print job to the designated printing device;
A mode transition step for shifting the own device from the normal mode to the power saving mode and returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode;
When the device shifts to the power saving mode by the mode shifting step, it is confirmed whether the external device using the device is logged in to the cloud server and whether the printing device is in the power saving mode. A confirmation step to check if
A storage step of storing an access history from the cloud server and the printing device;
When the device shifts to the power saving mode by the mode shift step, it is determined whether the access frequency between the cloud server and the printing device is low based on the access history stored by the storage step. A decision step;
And execute
In the mode transition step, in the confirmation step, the external device using the device is not logged in to the cloud server, the printing device is in a power saving mode, and in the determination step, the cloud server and A program for executing processing for shifting the self apparatus to a power saving mode when it is determined that the access frequency with the printing apparatus is low.

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