JP2017215904A - Information processing device, control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing device capable of reducing situations where a power saving mode cannot be maintained due to connection to a network on which a communication state is unstable.SOLUTION: An MFP 101 determines whether it returns from a power saving mode in response to detection of link-up on the basis of setting of a setting menu 300.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

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

  There is known an MFP as an information processing apparatus that shifts to a power saving mode in which power consumption can be reduced from the normal mode when an instruction to execute each process for a predetermined period is not received in the normal mode. The MFP supplies power to only the minimum necessary components among the components provided in the MFP and shifts to the power saving mode. In addition, when the MFP shifts to the power saving mode, the MFP may change the communication speed setting in the network to which the MFP is connected. In this case, the MFP executes reconnection processing for disconnecting from the network, changing the communication speed setting to a low communication speed, and then reconnecting to the network. When the reconnection process is completed, the MFP shifts to the power saving mode.

  By the way, in the power saving mode, the MFP returns to the normal mode when a preset return condition is satisfied (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The return condition is that when a return instruction is received from the user or when a new network communication setting is required, for example, the MFP is connected to the new network and can communicate via the new network. This includes the case where a link up is detected.

JP 2009-239870 A

  However, the above-described MFP may unnecessarily shift to the normal mode due to unintended link-up detection during the power saving mode. Here, the MFP can execute the reconnection process even in the power saving mode. For example, when the communication state of the network to which the MFP is connected is unstable during the power saving mode, the reconnection process is started. In this case, when the MFP detects link-up due to execution of reconnection processing of the network to which the MFP is connected, the MFP determines that the return condition is satisfied even though communication setting of a new network is not necessary, Transition to normal mode. That is, the conventional MFP has a problem that the power saving mode is not maintained when it is connected to a network whose communication state is unstable.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, a control method therefor, and a program that can reduce a situation where a power saving mode is not maintained due to connection with a network whose communication state is unstable.

  In order to achieve the above object, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, when a link up is detected in a power saving mode in which power consumption is reduced, returns information from the power saving mode in response to the detection of the link up. A processing device, a return control unit that performs control to return the information processing device from the power saving mode in response to detection of the link-up, and whether to permit return from the power saving mode by the link-up Setting means for setting whether or not the return control means determines whether to return the information processing apparatus from the power saving mode based on the setting by the setting means in response to detection of the link-up. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce a situation in which the power saving mode is not maintained due to connection to a network whose communication state is unstable.

1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a configuration of a communication system including an MFP as an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of the MFP in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting menu displayed on the operation part of FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a software module of the MFP of FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of setting processing executed by the MFP of FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of power saving mode transition processing executed by the MFP of FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the transmission process performed in the network part of FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of return control processing executed by the MFP of FIG. 1.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In this embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to an MFP as an information processing apparatus will be described. However, the application destination of the present invention is not limited to the MFP, and the present invention is applied to any apparatus that can be restored from the power saving mode. can do.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a configuration of a communication system 100 including an MFP 101 as an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the communication system 100 includes an MFP 101, a switching hub 102, and a PC 103, and the switching hub 102 is connected to each of the MFP 101 and the PC 103.

  The MFP 101 can execute each process such as an image forming process. For example, the MFP 101 receives print data from the PC 103 connected via the switching hub 102 and performs printing based on the print data. The MFP 101 can shift to a normal mode and a power saving mode in which power consumption can be reduced compared to the normal mode. For example, when the MFP 101 does not accept execution instructions for each process for a predetermined period in the normal mode, the MFP 101 disconnects the connection with the switching hub 102 and executes a reconnection process for changing the communication speed with the switching hub 102. Transition to power saving mode. When the MFP 101 satisfies a return condition set in advance in the power saving mode, the MFP 101 returns from the power saving mode and shifts to the normal mode. The return condition includes a case where a return instruction is received by an operation of a power saving operation button (not shown) by a user, a case where a link up is detected, a case where specific data (for example, a print job) is received, and the like. The switching hub 102 controls data communication between the MFP 101 and the PC 103. The PC 103 transmits print data and the like to the MFP 101 via the switching hub 102.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the MFP 101 in FIG.

  2, the MFP 101 includes a control unit 200, a printer unit 208, an operation unit 209, a power supply unit 210, a power supply control unit 211, and a network unit 212. The control unit 200 is connected to each of the printer unit 208, the operation unit 209, the power supply control unit 211, and the network unit 212, and the power supply unit 210 is connected to the power supply control unit 211. The control unit 200 includes a CPU 201, RAM 202, ROM 203, HDD 204, printer I / F 205, operation unit I / F 206, and LAN I / F 207. The CPU 201, RAM 202, ROM 203, HDD 204, printer I / F 205, operation unit I / F 206, and LAN I / F 207 are connected to each other via a system bus 213. The network unit 212 includes a CPU 214, a RAM 215, a ROM 216, a LAN I / F 217, a MAC (Media Access Control) 218, and a PHY 219. The CPU 214, RAM 215, ROM 216, LAN I / F 217, and MAC 218 are connected to each other via the system bus 220, and the PHY 219 is connected to the MAC 218.

  The control unit 200 controls the entire MFP 101 in an integrated manner. The CPU 201 executes programs stored in the ROM 203 and the HDD 204 to perform each process of the software module 400 in FIG. The RAM 202 is used as a work area for the CPU 201, and the RAM 202 is used as a temporary storage area for each data. The ROM 203 stores each program executed by the CPU 201 and each data. The HDD 204 stores each program, setting data, and the like. The printer I / F 205 performs data communication with the printer unit 208, the operation unit I / F 206 performs data communication with the operation unit 209, and the LAN I / F 207 performs data communication with the network unit 212. The printer unit 208 performs printing based on print data transmitted from the PC 103 or the like.

  The operation unit 209 includes a touch panel display unit (not shown) and operation keys. The operation unit 209 receives input information input by the user. For example, the operation unit 209 receives an instruction to shift to the power saving mode by operating a user operation button. Further, the operation unit 209 displays a setting menu for performing each setting of the MFP 101, for example, a setting menu 300 in FIG. 3 for performing settings related to returning from the power saving mode.

  The setting menu 300 includes options 301 and 302 that indicate whether or not to permit the return from the power saving mode when link up is detected during the power saving mode. Here, when link-up with a new network is detected during the power saving mode, it is necessary to perform communication settings for the new network, and thus it is necessary to return the MFP 101 from the power saving mode. In an environment where such a case is assumed, it is preferable to permit the return from the power saving mode when link up is detected during the power saving mode. On the other hand, in an environment where a new network is not connected during the power saving mode, it is not necessary to return the MFP 101 from the power saving mode when a link up is detected during the power saving mode. Rather, there is a possibility that a reconnection process is executed due to an unstable communication state with the switching hub 102 connected to the MFP 101, and an unintended link up is detected. For this reason, it is preferable not to allow the return from the power saving mode when link up is detected during the power saving mode. In the present embodiment, when the link up is detected during the power saving mode, the user can set whether to allow the return from the power saving mode using the setting menu 300. When the option 301 is selected by the user, the MFP 101 returns from the power saving mode in response to detection of link-up during the power saving mode. On the other hand, when the option 302 is selected by the user, the MFP 101 does not return from the power saving mode in response to detection of link up during the power saving mode.

  The power supply unit 210 converts AC power supplied from an outlet or the like into DC power, and supplies the DC power to the power supply control unit 211. The power supply control unit 211 supplies power to each component provided in the MFP 101 based on the DC power supplied from the power supply unit 210.

  The network unit 212 controls data communication with the PC 103 performed via the switching hub 102. The network unit 212 performs power transmission from the power supply control unit 211 even when the MFP 101 is in the power saving mode, and performs transmission processing in FIG. 7 to be described later for returning from the power saving mode. In the network unit 212, the CPU 214 executes a program stored in the ROM 216 to perform each control, and the RAM 215 is used as a work area and a temporary storage area of the CPU 214. The ROM 216 stores programs executed by the CPU 214, and the LAN I / F 217 performs data communication with the control unit 200. The MAC 218 converts a data signal received from the PC 103 or the like via the PHY 219 into a data format that can be processed by the MFP 101. The PHY 219 transmits / receives each data such as print data to / from the PC 103 via the switching hub 102.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the software module 400 of the MFP 101 in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, the software module 400 includes a power state control module 401, an operation unit control module 402, a communication control module 403, and a storage module 404. Each process of the software module 400 is performed by the CPU 201 executing a program stored in the ROM 203 or the HDD 204.

  The power state control module 401 controls the power supply control unit 211 to supply power to each component provided in the MFP 101. Each component of the MFP 101 is classified into either a power supply system A that is fed in both the normal mode and the power saving mode, and a power supply system B that is fed only in the normal mode. The power supply system A includes, for example, a RAM 202, a power supply control unit 211, a power saving operation button (not shown), and a network unit 212 among the components of the MFP 101. The power supply system B includes other components except for the RAM 202, the power supply control unit 211, a power saving operation button (not shown), and the network unit 212 among the components of the MFP 101.

  The operation unit control module 402 performs display control of the operation unit 209 and management of input information received by the operation unit 209. The communication control module 403 controls data communication with an external device such as the PC 103 by the network unit 212. In addition, the communication control module 403 sets a return condition via the network unit 212 in the network unit 212. The return condition via the network unit 212 includes reception of a specific network packet such as a unicast packet addressed to the MFP 101, detection of link-up, and the like. The storage module 404 performs control to store each data in a storage medium such as the RAM 202, the ROM 203, and the HDD 204. Further, the storage module 404 performs control for reading each stored data from the storage medium.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the setting process executed by the MFP 101 in FIG.

  The processing in FIG. 5 is performed by the CPU 201 executing a program stored in the ROM 203 or the HDD 204, and the setting menu 300 is set in advance by the user.

  In FIG. 5, first, the CPU 201 acquires setting information on the setting menu 300 indicating which of the options 301 and 302 the user has selected in the setting menu 300 (step S501). Next, the CPU 201 determines which of the options 301 and 302 has been selected in the setting menu 300 (step S502).

  As a result of the determination in step S502, when the option 301 is selected in the setting menu 300, the CPU 201 effectively sets the function of returning from the power saving mode in response to detection of link up in the power saving mode (step S503). In the present embodiment, a function for returning from the power saving mode in response to detection of link up during the power saving mode is defined as a “return function by link up”. Thereafter, the CPU 201 ends this process.

  As a result of the determination in step S502, when the option 302 is selected in the setting menu 300, the CPU 201 disables the return function by link-up (step S504) and ends this process.

  The above-described processing of FIG. 5 is executed when the MFP 101 is in the normal mode, and is executed when the MFP 101 is activated or when each setting of the MFP 101 is changed.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the power saving mode transition process executed by the MFP 101 of FIG.

  The processing in FIG. 6 is performed by the CPU 201 executing a program stored in the ROM 203 or the HDD 204.

  In FIG. 6, first, the CPU 201 determines whether or not a condition for shifting to a preset power saving mode is satisfied (step S601). The CPU 201 waits until the condition for shifting to the power saving mode is satisfied. If the condition for shifting to the power saving mode is satisfied (YES in step S601), the CPU 201 starts a preparation process for shifting the MFP 101 to the power saving mode (step S602). Specifically, the CPU 201 notifies each component of the power supply system B, which is powered off when the power saving mode is entered, to stop power feeding. Next, the CPU 201 changes the communication speed setting via the switching hub 102 to a low communication speed (step S603). Specifically, the CPU 201 changes the communication speed setting to the slowest communication speed that can be handled by the switching hub 102, for example, 10 Mbps. Next, when the execution of the preparation process is completed (YES in step S604), the CPU 201 stops power supply to the components of the power supply system B of the MFP 101 and shifts the MFP 101 to the power saving mode (step S605), and ends this process. To do.

  When the MFP 101 shifts to the power saving mode, power is supplied only to the components of the power supply system A, specifically, the RAM 202, the power supply control unit 211, the power saving operation button, and the network unit 212. Therefore, the network unit 212 performs processing related to returning from the power saving mode.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of transmission processing executed by the network unit 212 of FIG.

  The processing in FIG. 7 is performed on the assumption that the CPU 214 of the network unit 212 executes the program stored in the ROM 216 and the setting menu 300 is set in advance by the user.

  In FIG. 7, first, the CPU 214 waits until a preset return condition is satisfied. If the return condition is satisfied (YES in step S701), the CPU 214 determines whether or not the return condition is a link-up detection (step S701). S702).

  As a result of the determination in step S702, when the return condition is detection of link up, the CPU 214 determines whether or not the return function by link up is set to be valid (step S703).

  As a result of the determination in step S703, when the return function by link up is set to be invalid, the CPU 214 returns to the process in step S701. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S703 is that the return function by linkup is enabled, the CPU 214 transmits a return interrupt notification that instructs the power supply control unit 211 to return from the power saving mode (step S704). This process is terminated.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the return control process executed by the MFP 101 of FIG.

  The process of FIG. 8 is performed by the CPU 201 executing a program stored in the ROM 203 or the HDD 204.

  In FIG. 8, first, when the power supply control unit 211 receives a return interrupt notification, the power supply control unit 211 starts power supply to each component of the power supply system B including the control unit 200. As a result, the CPU 201 can be driven, and the MFP 101 shifts to the normal mode (step S801). Next, the CPU 201 changes the communication speed setting for data communication via the switching hub 102 from low speed to high speed (step S802), and ends this processing.

  According to the processing of FIGS. 7 and 8 described above, whether or not the MFP 101 is returned from the power saving mode is determined based on the setting of the setting menu 300 in response to detection of link-up. As a result, it is possible to control the return from the power saving mode according to the detection of the link-up, and accordingly, the situation where the power saving mode is not maintained due to the connection with the switching hub 102 having an unstable communication state. Can be reduced.

  Further, in the processing of FIGS. 7 and 8 described above, the user selects from the setting menu 300 whether to allow the return from the power saving mode. As a result, it is possible to reflect the user's intention as to whether or not to permit the return from the power saving mode.

  Although the present invention has been described above by using the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

  For example, the MFP 101 does not have to be returned from the power saving mode in response to detection of link up until a preset setting period elapses after shifting to the power saving mode. Thereby, the situation where the power saving mode is not maintained can be reduced without the user setting the setting menu 300.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the set period elapses after the shift to the power saving mode, the MFP 101 may be returned from the power saving mode in response to detection of link up. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce both the situation in which the power saving mode is not maintained and the suppression of the decrease in convenience caused by not returning the MFP 101 from the power saving mode in response to detection of link-up.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the link-up connection destination detected in the power saving mode is not the new network but the connected switching hub 102, the MFP 101 is omitted according to the detection of the link-up. It is not necessary to return from the power mode. As a result, it is possible to reliably reduce the situation where the power saving mode is unnecessarily restored.

  The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read the program. It can also be realized by processing to be executed. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

101 MFP
102 switching hub 201, 214 CPU
209 Operation unit 212 Network unit 300 Setting menu

Claims (7)

When link-up is detected during the power-saving mode in which power consumption is reduced, the information processing apparatus returns from the power-saving mode in response to detection of the link-up,
Return control means for performing control to return the information processing apparatus from the power saving mode in response to detection of the link up;
Setting means for setting whether to permit the return from the power saving mode by the link-up,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the return control means determines whether to return the information processing apparatus from the power saving mode in response to detection of the link up based on a setting by the setting means.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising selection means for causing a user to select whether or not to permit return from the power saving mode.   The said return control means does not return the said information processing apparatus from the said power saving mode according to the detection of the said link-up until the preset period passes after shifting to the said power saving mode. Item 3. The information processing apparatus according to item 1 or 2.   The said return control means returns the said information processing apparatus from the said power saving mode according to the detection of the said link up, if the preset period passes after shifting to the said power saving mode. Item 4. The information processing device according to Item 3.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is an image forming apparatus that performs an image forming process. When a link up is detected during a power saving mode in which power consumption is reduced, the information processing apparatus control method returns from the power saving mode in response to the detection of the link up,
A return control step for performing control to return the information processing apparatus from the power saving mode in response to detection of the link up;
A setting step for setting whether to permit return from the power saving mode by the link-up,
The return control step determines whether or not to return the information processing apparatus from the power saving mode based on the detection of the link up based on the setting of the setting step. Method. A program that causes a computer to execute a control method of an information processing apparatus that returns from the power saving mode in response to detection of link-up when link-up is detected during a power saving mode in which power consumption is reduced,
The control method of the information processing apparatus includes:
A return control step for performing control to return the information processing apparatus from the power saving mode in response to detection of the link up;
A setting step for setting whether to permit return from the power saving mode by the link-up,
The return control step determines whether to return the information processing apparatus from the power saving mode based on the setting of the setting step in response to detection of the link up.

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