JP2016107480A - Information processing device, control program of information processing device and method for controlling information processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inspect each device at appropriate timing in an information processing device provided with a function for shifting to a power-saving mode.SOLUTION: The information processing device provided with a function for making a shift to a power-saving state in which only a sub controller for controlling prescribed processing operates in the case that power supply to a main controller for performing the entire control stops includes a state inspection part for inspecting an operating state of devices constituting the information processing device, a return timing setting part for setting return timing from the power-saving state according to timing when the device is inspected the last time when making a shift to the power-saving state, and a return processing part for returning from the power-saving state at the set return timing. The state inspection part inspects an operating state of the device in the case that a return is made from the power-saving state by the return timing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a control program for the information processing apparatus, and a control method for the information processing apparatus.

  In recent years, there has been a tendency to digitize information, and image processing apparatuses such as printers and facsimiles used for outputting digitized information and scanners used for digitizing documents have become indispensable devices. Such an image processing apparatus is configured as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that can be used as a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, and a copier by providing an imaging function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like. Many.

  Such an image processing apparatus, when the main power is turned on, inspects whether a failure has occurred in various hardware devices constituting the image processing apparatus before the OS (Operating System) is started. There are many. By such inspection, it is possible to prevent a user from not being able to obtain a desired image processing result by not knowing that a device has failed due to transfer of the image processing apparatus or aging deterioration.

  When the inspection of each device in such an image processing apparatus is performed before the OS is started, the more devices to be inspected, the longer it takes to complete the inspection of all devices. It takes. For the purpose of performing self-inspection when necessary while shortening the OS startup time, it is possible to determine whether or not to perform self-inspection at the time of power-on of the device according to the number of times and time when self-inspection is omitted It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  On the other hand, there is a high demand for power saving of image processing apparatuses, and image processing having a function of shifting to a power saving mode for stopping power supply to each part of the apparatus that is not used while the apparatus is not performing various processes. More devices. In the case of such an image processing apparatus, since it is operated without turning off the main power as much as possible, there is almost no timing when the main power is turned on, and the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 checks each device at an appropriate timing. Can not do.

  Such a problem can occur not only in an image processing apparatus but also in an information processing apparatus such as a PC (Personal Computer) that has a function of shifting to a power saving mode and inspects various devices.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that an information processing apparatus having a function of shifting to a power saving mode inspects each device at an appropriate timing.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, one aspect of the present invention is a function of shifting to a power saving state in which only a sub-controller that controls a predetermined process operates when power supply to a main controller that controls the whole is stopped. An information processing apparatus comprising: a state inspection unit that inspects an operation state of a device that constitutes the information processing apparatus; and a timing when the device is last inspected when shifting to the power saving state A return timing setting unit for setting a return timing from the power saving state; and a return processing unit for returning from the power saving state at the set return timing. When returning from the power state, the operation state of the device is inspected.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and in an information processing apparatus having a function of shifting to a power saving mode, each device can be inspected at an appropriate timing.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which illustrates the relationship of the power operation mode of the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which illustrates inspection execution information concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which illustrates the operation | movement by the return date setting part and power saving transition process part which concern on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which illustrates the return process operation | movement by the return process part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which illustrates the test | inspection operation | movement of each device by the test | inspection execution control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates inspection execution information concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which illustrates the return date setting operation | movement by the return date setting part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which illustrates test | inspection execution operation | movement by the test | inspection execution control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an image processing apparatus configured as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) will be described as an example of an information processing apparatus. Further, the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment has a function of shifting to a power saving state by stopping power supply to a part of the apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a controller 100, a power supply unit 101, an FCU (Facsimile Control Unit) 102, a dedicated engine 103, and an operation panel 160.

  The controller 100 includes a main system 120, and the main system 120 includes a subsystem 140. The main system 120 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 121, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 122, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 123, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 126, a HDD (D) 126, a HDD (D H Including.

  The subsystem 140 includes a sub CPU 141, a sub RAM 142, a sub ROM 143, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 144, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) controller 145, and a shared RAM 146. The ASIC 122 is connected to the CPU 121, RAM 123, ROM 124, HDD 125, NAND flash 126, and subsystem 140 via a bus.

  The operation panel 160 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 161 and an operation unit 162. The LCD 161, the operation unit 162, the FCU 102, and the dedicated engine 103 are connected to the ASIC 122 via a bus.

  The CPU 121 is a calculation means and controls the operation of the main system 120 as a whole. The ASIC 122 is an arithmetic unit configured as a dedicated engine for editing image data, for example. The RAM 123 is a volatile storage medium that can read and write information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 121 processes information. The ROM 124 is a read-only nonvolatile storage medium and stores a program such as firmware.

  The HDD 125 is a non-volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information, and stores various data such as image data and document data, programs, and the like. The NAND flash 126 is a nonvolatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at a higher speed than the HDD 125, and stores an OS (Operating System), a program such as firmware, various control programs, application programs, and the like.

  The sub CPU 141 is a calculation unit and controls the operation of the entire subsystem 140. The sub RAM 142 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the sub CPU 141 processes information. The sub ROM 143 is a read-only nonvolatile storage medium and stores a program such as firmware.

  The NIC 144 is a controller that performs communication control with other devices such as a client terminal connected via a network such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or LAN (Local Area Network). The USB controller 145 is a controller that controls data transmission / reception with other devices such as a client terminal connected by USB.

  The shared RAM 146 is a volatile storage medium that can read and write information at high speed, and can be referred to by both the CPU 121 and the sub CPU 141, and is used as a work area when both process information. That is, the shared RAM 146 is used for data transmission / reception between the main system 120 and the subsystem 140.

  The LCD 161 is a visual user interface for the user to check the state of the image processing apparatus 1. The operation unit 162 is a user interface for a user to input information to the image processing apparatus 1 such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel.

  The FCU 102 has a memory and temporarily stores facsimile data received when the image processing apparatus 1 is powered off, for example. The dedicated engine 103 is a configuration for realizing functions installed in the image processing apparatus 1 such as a scanner and a printer.

  The power supply unit 101 supplies power to each unit of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the power operation mode of the image processing apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the power operation modes of the image processing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the power operation mode of the image processing apparatus 1 includes, for example, a normal operation mode, an engine off mode, and a power saving mode.

  In the normal operation mode, power is supplied to all components of the image processing apparatus 1 by the power supply unit 101. When an image processing request such as print processing or scan processing is not made for a certain period to the image processing apparatus 1 operating in the normal operation mode, the operation mode is switched from the normal operation mode to the engine off as shown in FIG. Transition to mode.

  In the engine off mode, power supply to the dedicated engine 103 by the power supply unit 101 is stopped. In addition, when any processing request such as printing processing, scanning processing, image data editing processing, or the like is not made for a certain period to the image processing apparatus 1 operating in the engine off mode, as shown in FIG. The mode shifts from the engine off mode to the power saving mode.

  In the power saving mode, power supply to the components other than the components included in the subsystem 140 by the power supply unit 101 is stopped. That is, the power saving mode is a power saving state in which only the sub controller that is the subsystem 140 that controls a predetermined process operates when the power supply to the main controller that is the main system 120 that controls the whole is stopped. .

  On the other hand, when an image processing request such as print processing or scan processing is received from another device via the network in the power saving mode, the power supply unit 101 resumes power supply to other than the dedicated engine 103 and enters the engine off mode. Transition. Further, the power supply unit 101 resumes the power supply to the dedicated engine 103 and returns to the normal operation mode.

  Further, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment returns from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode at the return timing set before shifting to the power saving mode, and the operation of each device constituting the image processing apparatus 1 Check the condition. Such processing is one of the gist of the present embodiment, and details will be described later.

  In such a hardware configuration, in the normal operation mode and the engine off mode, a program stored in a recording medium such as the ROM 124, the HDD 125, the NAND flash 126, or an optical disk (not shown) is read out to the RAM 123. Then, the CPU 121 performs a calculation according to the program loaded in the RAM 123, so that a software control unit is configured.

  In the power saving mode, a program stored in the sub ROM 143 or the like is read out to the sub RAM 142, and the sub CPU 141 performs an operation according to the program loaded in the sub RAM 142, thereby configuring a software control unit. A functional block that realizes the functions of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured by a combination of the software control unit configured as described above and hardware.

  Next, among the functions of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, functions related to a return timing setting process and an operation state inspection process of each device will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration related to the return timing setting process and the operation state inspection process of each device among the functions of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an application 200, an OS 210, and a power saving time control unit 230. The application 200 is a software module that performs processing unique to each user service related to image processing, such as a printer, copy, facsimile, and scanner, and is configured for each service.

  The OS 210 is an overall control program for controlling the entire image processing apparatus 1 such as UNIX (registered trademark), and operates in the normal operation mode and the engine off mode. The OS 210 also includes a hardware reinitialization unit 211, an inspection execution control unit 212, a return date and time setting unit 214, an inspection execution information storage unit 215, and a power saving transition processing unit 216.

  The hardware reinitialization unit 211 initializes various hardware such as the CPU 121 and the ASIC 122 to which power is supplied again when returning from the power saving mode to the engine off mode. The inspection execution control unit 212 functions as a state inspection unit that executes an inspection module 213, which will be described later, at the timing of returning from the engine off mode to the power saving mode, and inspects the operating state of each device constituting the image processing apparatus 1. To do. Details of the operation of the inspection execution control unit 212 will be described later.

  The inspection module 213 is a device inspection program configured for each device such as the ROM 124, the HDD 125, and the NAND flash 126 constituting the image processing apparatus 1. For example, a RAM inspection module that is an inspection module 213 that inspects the ROM 124 temporarily saves data in the ROM 124 in the RAM 123 and writes data such as “01010101” and “10101010” into the ROM 124. Then, the RAM inspection module checks whether the data written in the ROM 124 can be read correctly or not. For example, when there is data that cannot be read correctly, the inspection result in the ROM 124 is “abnormal”.

  Further, for example, the inspection module 213 is an HDD inspection module and a NAND flash inspection module, which are inspection modules 213 that inspect the HDD 125 and the NAND flash 126, respectively. These inspection modules check the number of defective blocks in the HDD 125 and the NAND flash 126 using an ATA (AT Attachment) standard SMART command. For example, when the number of defective blocks is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the inspection result of the HDD 125 (or NAND flash 126) is “abnormal”.

  Further, for example, the NIC inspection module which is the inspection module 213 that inspects the NIC 144 performs a loopback test of the network packet and checks whether the transmitted packet can be received by itself. For example, when the transmitted packet cannot be received, the inspection result of the NIC 144 is “abnormal”.

  In addition, for example, the LCD inspection module which is the inspection module 213 for inspecting the LCD 161 makes a display request in a state in which the LCD 161 is darkened in order to confirm the connection of the LCD 161, and whether a display response is returned within a predetermined time. To check. For example, if the display response does not return within a predetermined time, the inspection result of the LCD 161 becomes “abnormal”.

  Further, for example, the ASIC inspection module which is the inspection module 213 for inspecting the ASIC 122 checks whether the initial value of the register is set as specified. For example, when the initial value of the register is not set as specified, the inspection result of the ASIC 122 is “abnormal”.

  When returning from the engine off mode to the power saving mode, the return date and time setting unit 214 is a return indicating the return timing to the normal operation mode based on inspection execution information stored in an inspection execution information storage unit 215 described later. Functions as a return timing setting unit for setting the date and time. Further, the return date and time setting unit 214 stores the set return date and time in a return date and time storage unit 231 described later. Details of the examination execution information and the return date and time setting process will be described later.

  The inspection execution information storage unit 215 is a storage medium that stores inspection execution information. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating inspection execution information. As shown in FIG. 4, the inspection execution information indicates the date and time when each device was last inspected by the inspection execution control unit 212 (hereinafter referred to as “previous inspection date and time”). The power saving transition processing unit 216 performs a transition process from the engine off mode to the power saving mode when any processing request is not requested for a certain period.

  The power saving control unit 230 is a control program for controlling the image processing apparatus 1 operating on the subsystem 140 in the power saving mode, and includes a return date storage unit 231 and a return processing unit 232. The return date storage unit 231 is a storage area on the shared RAM 146 and stores the return date and time set by the return date and time setting unit 214.

  The return processing unit 232 monitors the current date and time, and performs a return process from the power saving mode to the engine off mode when the return date and time stored in the return date and time storage unit 231 is reached. In addition, upon receiving an image processing request such as a printing process or a scan process from another device connected via the network, the return processing unit 232 performs a return process from the power saving mode to the engine off mode.

  Next, details of operations performed by the return date and time setting unit 214 and the power saving transition processing unit 216 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation performed by the return date and time setting unit 214 and the power saving transition processing unit 216. As shown in FIG. 5, the power saving transition processing unit 216 waits as it is when the image processing apparatus 1 is requested to perform any processing in a predetermined period (S501 / NO).

  On the other hand, the power saving transition processing unit 216 sets the return date / time to the return date / time setting unit 214 when any processing request is not made to the image processing apparatus 1 during a predetermined period (S501 / YES). Notice. The return date and time setting unit 214 that has received the notification from the power saving transition processing unit 216 acquires the previous test date and time with reference to the test execution information stored in the test execution information storage unit 215 (S502).

  The return date and time setting unit 214 that acquired the previous inspection date and time determines whether or not a predetermined period or more has elapsed from the acquired previous inspection date and time (S503). When a predetermined period or more has elapsed since the previous inspection date (S503 / YES), the return date setting unit 214 sets a return date and time indicating the date and time to return from the power saving mode to the engine off mode (S504). The return date and time is, for example, the date and time after a predetermined time has elapsed from the current date and time.

  On the other hand, when the predetermined period or more has not elapsed since the previous inspection date (S503 / NO), the return date setting unit 214 ends the process without setting the return date and time, and proceeds to the process of S505. When the return date and time setting process by the return date and time setting unit 214 is completed, the power saving transition processing unit 216 performs a transition process from the engine off mode to the power saving mode (S505).

  Next, the return processing operation by the return processing unit 232 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the return processing operation by the return processing unit 232. As shown in FIG. 6, the return processing unit 232 determines whether there is a request for image processing such as print processing or scanner processing from another device connected via the network (S601). That is, the image processing request is a return request from the power saving mode.

  When there is a return request (S601 / YES), the return processing unit 232 performs a return process to the engine mode (S603) and ends the process. On the other hand, when there is no return request (S601 / NO), the return processing unit 232 determines whether or not the current date and time is the return date and time stored in the return date and time storage unit 231 (S602).

  When the current date and time is the return date and time (S602 / YES), the return processing unit 232 performs return processing to the engine mode (S603) and ends the processing. On the other hand, when the current date and time is not the return date and time (S602 / NO), the return processing unit 232 waits as it is and repeats the processing from S601.

  Next, details of the inspection operation of each device by the inspection execution control unit 212 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the inspection operation of each device by the inspection execution control unit 212. The inspection execution control unit 212 starts to operate when the power saving mode is returned to the engine off mode by the return processing of the return processing unit 232.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when returning from the power saving mode to the engine off mode, the inspection execution control unit 212 acquires the return date and time stored in the return date and time storage unit 231 (S701). The examination execution control unit 212 that has acquired the return date and time determines whether or not the current time is after the acquired return date and time (S702). When the current time is later than the return date and time, it indicates that the return from the power saving mode to the engine off mode is not due to a return request from another device but according to the set return date and time.

  When the current time is after the return date (S702 / YES), the inspection execution control unit 212 executes the inspection module 213 of each device (S703). The inspection execution control unit 212 that has executed the inspection module 213 updates the inspection execution information stored in the inspection execution information storage unit 215 using the inspection date and time when the inspection module 213 was executed as the previous inspection date and time (S704).

  The inspection execution control unit 212 that has updated the inspection execution information determines whether there is any device whose inspection result is “abnormal” (S705). If there is no abnormality in each device (S705 / YES), the inspection execution control unit 212 ends the process. On the other hand, if any of the devices is abnormal (S705 / NO), the inspection execution control unit 212 performs a restart process of the image processing apparatus 1 (S706). This is because the device abnormality may be resolved by the restart process. Note that the inspection execution control unit 212 may execute the inspection of each device again after performing the restart process.

  As described above, when the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment shifts to the power saving mode, if the predetermined period or more has elapsed from the timing when each device was last inspected, the image processing apparatus 1 starts from the power saving mode. Set the return timing. Then, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment returns from the power saving mode at the set return timing, and executes inspection of each device.

  As a result, the image processing apparatus 1 having a function of shifting to the power saving mode and operated without turning off the main power as much as possible can inspect each device at an appropriate timing. Further, in the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, since the inspection of each device is executed when returning from the power saving mode, the inspection of each device is not executed at the timing when the main power is turned on. It becomes possible to shorten the startup time of the apparatus.

  In the above embodiment, the return date and time setting unit 214 is described as an example in which, when a predetermined period or more has elapsed from the previous inspection date and time, the date and time after the predetermined time has elapsed from the current date and time is set as the return date and time. did. That is, in the above embodiment, the same return date and time is set regardless of the length of the elapsed time up to the present if a predetermined period or more has elapsed since the previous inspection date and time. In addition, the return date and time setting unit 214 may set a return date and time that varies depending on the elapsed time from the previous inspection date and time to the present, that is, the length of the period during which the device is not inspected.

  In this case, the return date and time setting unit 214 sets the return date and time so that the return date and time that is inversely proportional to the elapsed time from the previous inspection time, that is, the longer the elapsed time from the previous inspection date and time, the shorter the time until return. . Specifically, for example, when the elapsed time from the previous examination time is X hours and the predetermined fixed time is Y hours, the return date and time setting unit 214 sets the return time to return after Y / X hours. Set.

  With such a configuration, the longer the period during which no device is inspected, the earlier the device is inspected, so that the image processing apparatus 1 can inspect each device at a more appropriate timing.

  In addition, the return date and time setting unit 214 may adjust and set the return date and time so as to avoid a predetermined time period during which each device is not inspected (hereinafter referred to as “inspection prohibited period”). The inspection prohibition period is, for example, from 8:00 to 22:00 when the use frequency of the image processing apparatus 1 is high. In this case, when the return date / time setting unit 214 sets the date / time after the predetermined time has elapsed from the current date / time or the date / time according to the elapsed time from the previous inspection date / time as the return date / time, the return date / time is the inspection prohibited period. Adjusts the return date and time so that it is outside the inspection prohibition period.

  Specifically, for example, if the time of the return date and time to be set is 21:00, the return date and time setting unit 214 sets the return date and time by adjusting at 22:00 when the examination prohibition period ends. With such a configuration, the image processing apparatus 1 can perform the inspection of each device while avoiding the time period when the usage frequency is high, and thus the processing efficiency such as the image processing speed is reduced by the inspection processing of each device. Can be prevented.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when a history of inspection results is stored in the inspection execution information storage unit 215 and “abnormality” frequently occurs in the history of inspection results, the return date and time is set according to the frequency of occurrence of “abnormality”. A predetermined time for setting may be changed. Specifically, the return date and time setting unit 214 sets the return date and time so that the time until return is shortened as the frequency of detecting an abnormality in the device increases. With such a configuration, the return date and time is set so that the higher the frequency at which an abnormality is detected in the device, the more frequently the device is inspected. Therefore, the image processing apparatus 1 should inspect each device at a more appropriate timing. Is possible. In the case of setting the return date and time that varies according to the length of the elapsed time described above, the fixed time (Y time) may also vary according to the frequency of occurrence of abnormality.

  In the above-described embodiment, the inspection execution control unit 212 has been described as an example in which the inspection module 213 is executed when the current date and time is later than the return date and time in the processing of S702 illustrated in FIG. In addition, even when the current date / time is returned from the power saving state before the return date / time, that is, at a timing other than the return timing, the inspection execution control unit 212 determines that the time from the current date / time to the return date / time is within a predetermined period. If so, the inspection module 213 may be executed.

With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent frequent return processing such as returning from the power saving mode after a return from the power saving mode in response to an image processing request from another device, and then returning from the power saving mode again at a return date and time set shortly. . In this case, when executing the inspection module 213, the inspection execution control unit 212 resets the return date and time set in the return date and time storage unit 231.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the return date and time setting unit 214 sets the return date and time when a predetermined period or more has passed since the previous inspection date and time in the processing of S503 shown in FIG. In the above description, the case of performing the transition process to the power saving mode is described as an example. In addition, when the predetermined time period has passed since the previous inspection date and time, the return date and time setting unit 214 notifies the inspection execution control unit 212 before the power saving transition processing unit 216 performs the transition processing to the power saving mode. Notification may be made to execute the inspection module 213.

  In this case, the power saving transition processing unit 216 performs the transition processing to the power saving mode without setting the return date and time. When a predetermined period or more has elapsed since the previous inspection date and time, it is highly likely that the time until each device is inspected is relatively close. Therefore, with this configuration, the image processing apparatus 1 can complete the inspection of each device before shifting to the power saving mode, and thus returns to inspect each device after shifting to the power saving mode. It is not necessary and can operate efficiently.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the inspection execution control unit 212 executes the inspection modules 213 of all devices when returning from the power saving mode at the set return time has been described as an example. However, since the frequency of failure differs depending on the device, the recommended frequency of inspection may differ. Therefore, an embodiment in which whether or not to perform an inspection when returning from the power saving mode is set for each device will be described below.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the inspection execution information stored in the inspection execution information storage unit 215 according to the embodiment that sets whether or not the next inspection is performed for each device. As shown in FIG. 8, the inspection execution information is a table in which “device” indicating each device name, “previous inspection date / time”, “elapsed time threshold”, and “next inspection presence / absence” are associated. “Last inspection date and time” indicates the previous inspection date and time of each device, and “Elapsed time threshold” indicates a threshold of elapsed time from the previous inspection date and time of each device. “Next inspection presence / absence” is a flag indicating whether or not each device is inspected when returning from the power saving mode. If “Yes”, the inspection is executed, and if “No”, Do not perform inspection.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the return date / time setting operation of the return date / time setting unit 214 according to the embodiment for setting the next inspection presence / absence for each device. As shown in FIG. 9, the return date and time setting unit 214 selects “previous test associated with one device (for example, HDD 125) from the test execution information shown in FIG. 8 stored in the test execution information storage unit 215. "Date and time" is acquired (S901).

  The return date and time setting unit 214 that acquired the previous inspection date and time calculates the elapsed time from the acquired previous inspection date and time to the current date and time (S902). The return date and time setting unit 214 that has calculated the elapsed time determines whether or not the calculated elapsed time is equal to or greater than a threshold T1 indicated by an “elapsed time threshold” of a device (here, the HDD 125) to be set for the next inspection. (S903). When the elapsed time is equal to or greater than the threshold (S903 / YES), the return date / time setting unit 214 sets “next inspection presence / absence” of the target device for setting the return date / time to “present” (S904). On the other hand, when the elapsed time is less than the threshold (S903 / NO), the return date / time setting unit 214 sets the “next inspection presence / absence” of the target device for setting the return date / time to “none” (S905).

  The return date setting unit 214 that has set “next inspection presence / absence” determines whether or not the next inspection presence / absence setting processing for all devices has been completed (S906). When the next inspection presence / absence setting processing for all devices has not been completed (S906 / NO), the return date and time setting unit 214 repeats the processing from S901 on unprocessed devices. On the other hand, when the next inspection presence / absence setting process has been completed (S906 / YES), the return date and time setting unit 214 sets the return date and time (S907).

  In the embodiment in which the return date and time according to the above-described elapsed time is set, the return date and time setting unit 214, for example, the elapsed time acquired in the process of S902 for a device whose “next inspection presence / absence” is “present”. The return date and time is set according to the maximum elapsed time.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the inspection execution operation of the inspection execution control unit 212 according to the embodiment that sets the next inspection presence / absence for each device. The inspection execution control unit 212 returns from the power saving mode as a result of the processing of S702 shown in FIG. 7 and starts the operation of the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 when the current time is after the return date and time. To do.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, the inspection execution control unit 212 acquires “next execution presence / absence” information of one device (for example, the HDD 125) from the inspection execution information stored in the inspection execution information storage unit 215. (S1001). The examination execution control unit 212 that acquired the “next execution presence / absence” information determines whether or not the acquired “next execution presence / absence” indicates “present” (S1002).

  When “next execution presence / absence” indicates “present”, the inspection execution control unit 212 executes the inspection module 213 of the target device (here, the HDD 125) (S1003). The inspection execution control unit 212 that executed the inspection module 213 uses the inspection date and time when the inspection module 213 was executed as the “previous inspection date and time” of the device that executed the inspection, and the inspection execution information stored in the inspection execution information storage unit 215 Is updated (S1004).

  The inspection execution control unit 212 that has updated the inspection execution information determines whether or not the processing for all devices has been completed (S1005). When the processes for all devices have not been completed (S1005 / NO), the inspection execution control unit 212 repeats the processes from S1001 for unprocessed devices. On the other hand, when the processing has been completed for all the devices (S1005 / YES), the inspection execution control unit 212 determines whether there is any device whose inspection result is “abnormal” (S1006).

  In other words, in the case shown in FIG. 8, the HDD 125, the NAND flash 126, and the NIC 144 are inspected, and the inspection execution control unit 212 determines whether any of these devices has an “abnormal” inspection result. Determine whether or not. If there is no abnormality in each device (S1006 / YES), the inspection execution control unit 212 ends the process. On the other hand, if any of the devices is abnormal (S1006 / NO), the inspection execution control unit 212 performs a restart process of the image processing apparatus 1 (S1007).

  With such a configuration, the image processing apparatus 1 can perform an inspection at a more appropriate timing for each device. Further, when the image processing apparatus 1 returns from the power saving mode at the set return date and time, only the devices that need to be inspected are inspected. Therefore, the processing load of the inspection is reduced and the time until the end of the inspection is reduced. It can be shortened.

  In the above embodiment, the image processing apparatus 1 has been described as an example. However, the present embodiment is similarly applied to an information processing apparatus that has a function of shifting to a power saving mode and inspects various devices. Is possible. According to this embodiment, even in such an information processing apparatus, each device can be inspected at an appropriate timing.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing apparatus 100 Controller 101 Power supply unit 102 FCU
103 Dedicated engine 120 Main system 121 CPU
122 ASIC
123 RAM
124 ROM
125 HDD
126 NAND flash 140 Subsystem 141 Sub CPU
142 Sub RAM
143 Sub ROM
144 NIC
145 USB controller 160 Operation panel 161 LCD
162 Operation unit 200 Application 210 OS
211 Hardware Reinitialization Unit 212 Inspection Execution Control Unit 213 Inspection Module 214 Return Date / Time Setting Unit 215 Inspection Execution Information Storage Unit 216 Power Saving Transition Processing Unit 230 Power Saving Time Control Unit 231 Return Date / Time Storage Unit 232 Return Processing Unit

JP 2010-165007 A

Claims (8)

An information processing apparatus having a function of shifting to a power saving state in which only a sub-controller that controls predetermined processing operates when power supply to a main controller that controls the whole is stopped,
A state inspection unit for inspecting an operation state of a device constituting the information processing apparatus;
A return timing setting unit that sets a return timing from the power saving state according to a timing at which the device was last inspected when shifting to the power saving state;
A return processing unit that returns from the power saving state at the set return timing,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the state inspection unit inspects an operation state of the device when the power saving state is recovered from the return timing. When the time elapsed from the timing when the device was last inspected is longer than a predetermined period, the return timing setting unit is longer until the device is recovered as the time elapsed since the last time the device was inspected The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the return timing is set so as to shorten the timing. The return timing setting unit sets a timing after the elapse of a predetermined time as the return timing when a time elapsed from a timing when the device was last inspected is longer than a predetermined time. The information processing apparatus according to 1. The return timing setting unit determines, for each device, whether the time elapsed from the timing when the device was last inspected is longer than a predetermined period set for each device,
The state inspection unit, when returning from the power saving state at the return timing, inspects the operating state of the device that has been determined that the elapsed time is longer than the predetermined period. Item 4. The information processing device according to any one of Items 1 to 3. The return timing setting unit adjusts the return timing to be a timing other than the inspection prohibition period when the return timing is an inspection prohibition period that is a predetermined period for prohibiting the inspection of the device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is characterized. The state inspection unit is a case where the device returns from the power saving state at a timing other than the return timing, and when the time from the return timing to the return timing is within a predetermined period, the operation state of the device The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the information processing apparatus is inspected. A control program for an information processing apparatus having a function of shifting to a power saving state in which only a sub-controller that controls predetermined processing operates when power supply to a main controller that controls the whole is stopped,
When transitioning to the power saving state, setting a return timing from the power saving state according to the timing at which the device constituting the information processing apparatus was last inspected;
Returning from the power saving state at the set return timing;
A control program for an information processing apparatus, which causes the information processing apparatus to execute a step of inspecting an operation state of the device when the power saving state is recovered from the recovery timing. A control method of an information processing apparatus having a function of shifting to a power saving state in which only a sub-controller that controls a predetermined process operates when power supply to a main controller that controls the whole is stopped,
When shifting to the power saving state, set the return timing from the power saving state according to the timing at which the device constituting the information processing apparatus was last inspected,
Return from the power saving state at the set recovery timing,
The control method of the information processing apparatus, wherein the operation state of the device is inspected when the power saving state is recovered by the return timing.