JP4883059B2 - Compound machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a multifunction peripheral.

  Conventionally, in a multi-function machine having a plurality of functions such as a printer, a scanner, a FAX, and a copy, an operation history is recorded for each function, and when returning from the sleep state, a printer unit, a scanner unit, etc. according to the frequency of use There has been proposed a technique for starting only the necessary parts (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

By using such a technique, it is possible to reduce power consumption as compared with a multi-function device in which all functions are always activated when returning from the sleep state.
JP 2006-171297 A

  However, in the above prior art, when a plurality of users jointly use a multifunction device, the activation for each function is controlled based on the average usage frequency of the plurality of users. Depending on the person, the intended function may not be activated.

  To give a more specific example, for example, a specific user frequently uses the FAX function, but most other users rarely use the FAX function, and mainly uses the printer function. In such an environment, it is determined that the use frequency of the FAX function is relatively low.

  In this case, the printer function is activated when returning from the sleep state, but the FAX function is not activated. For this reason, there is a problem that a certain user often uses the FAX function frequently, but the FAX function is not activated in many cases and is not always easy to use.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem, and its purpose is to save on the multifunction device without impairing the usability of each user in an environment where a plurality of users jointly use the multifunction device. The purpose is to enable power control.

Hereinafter, the configuration employed in the present invention will be described.
MFP of the present invention is a composite machine having the functions of multiple, from an information processing apparatus capable of communicating via a data communication path, receives the instruction to activate any of the plurality of functional A function control unit that activates a function corresponding to the command, and device information associated with the information processing device and a user of the information processing device when the command is received from the information processing device It is possible to identify one or both of the attached user information as information acquisition means for acquiring identification information for identifying the issuer of the command, and identification information acquired by the information acquisition means Information storage means for storing, as usage history information, information for enabling identification of the relationship between the issuer and the frequency of use of each of the plurality of functions by each issuer; It is possible to individually set for each of the plurality of functions a setting for “switching the power consumption mode when each function is in a standby state to one of a plurality of modes with different power consumption”, and for each publisher When the setting is performed, the usage history information stored in the information storage unit is referred to, the usage frequency of each of the plurality of functions is specified for each issuer, and the usage frequency is high. A power consumption mode setting means that sets a mode that can shift from a standby state to an operating state more quickly for a function, while setting a mode that can further reduce power consumption for a function that is less frequently used. When the operation of any of the plurality of functions is completed, the information acquisition unit takes the setting for each issuer set by the power consumption mode setting unit. And singled out settings corresponding to the issuer identified by the identification information, according to the settings were selected such, the power saving control means for each of the plurality of functions to switch the power consumption mode, optionally the user Based on a feasible input operation, it is confirmed whether there exists an information processing apparatus that can communicate with the input means for issuing a command to activate any of the plurality of functions and the data communication path. Confirmation means, and the information acquisition means, when receiving the command issued from the input means, if the existence of a plurality of information processing devices has been confirmed by the confirmation means, The identification information is acquired from the information processing apparatus that lastly transmitted a command to the multifunction peripheral among the information processing apparatuses .

  In this multifunction device, when receiving a command from the information processing apparatus, the function control unit operates a function corresponding to the command. In addition, the information acquisition unit identifies one or both of the device information associated with the information processing device and the user information associated with the user of the information processing device to identify the issuer of the command. Obtained as identification information.

  Here, the device information to be acquired may be anything as long as it has a one-to-one correspondence with the information processing device as viewed from the multifunction peripheral. Name (computer name) arbitrarily assigned to the information processing apparatus, or a logical address (IP address) assigned to the information processing apparatus. User information may include a login user name in the information processing apparatus.

  In addition to using general-purpose information such as these, information provided exclusively for each information processing apparatus or for each user of the information processing apparatus may be used for provision to this multifunction peripheral. . Furthermore, either device information or user information may be adopted as identification information. However, if necessary, both device information and user information may be adopted as identification information.

  When such identification information is acquired, the information storage means uses information for enabling identification of the relationship between the issuer that can be identified by the identification information and the frequency of use of each of the plurality of functions by each issuer. Accumulated as history information. Here, as the accumulated usage history information, the latest usage frequency may always be calculated, and the calculated usage frequency may be accumulated as usage history information, or information that allows the usage frequency to be calculated later. It may be accumulated as usage history information.

  On the premise that such usage history information is accumulated, the power consumption mode setting means reads: “The power consumption mode when each of the plurality of functions is in a standby state is set to a plurality of modes with different power consumption. Set to “Which to switch to”.

  More specifically, the power consumption mode setting unit specifies the usage frequency of each of the plurality of functions for each issuer with reference to the usage history information stored in the information storage unit. And for functions with high usage frequency, a mode that allows quick transition from the standby state to the operating state is set, while for functions with low usage frequency, a mode that can further reduce power consumption is set. To do.

  In other words, the power consumption mode can be switched to at least two modes from a mode that emphasizes high-speed responsiveness to a mode that emphasizes the suppression of power consumption. If necessary, it can be switched to three or more modes. Configured. Then, the mode to be switched to is determined by the power consumption mode setting means based on the usage history information, and the determined content is held as a setting related to the power consumption mode (for example, saved in a file).

  Assuming that such a setting has been made, the power saving control means, when the operation of any of a plurality of functions is completed, from the settings for each issuer set by the power consumption mode setting means, One setting corresponding to the issuer identified by the identification information acquired by the acquisition means is selected. Then, according to the selected setting, the power consumption mode is switched for each of the plurality of functions.

  As a result of the control described above, when a command is received from a certain information processing device, the information processing device or the user of the information processing device is identified as the command issuer. Then, after any one of the functions is activated based on the command, one setting corresponding to the identified issuer is selected, and the power consumption mode is switched according to the setting. become.

  Therefore, when receiving a command from the same issuer again, for functions that are frequently used by the issuer, it is possible to shift more quickly from the standby state to the active state, and for functions that are less frequently used by the issuer, Power consumption can be suppressed. Therefore, when the same information processing apparatus or the same user issues a command several times in succession, power saving control most suitable for the information processing apparatus can be performed.

In the multifunction device of the present invention, even when a command is issued from the input unit included in the multifunction device, if there is an information processing device that can communicate with the multifunction device, the command from the input unit is transmitted to the information processing device. Therefore, the power saving control is implemented as a command from That is, even when a command is issued from the input means included in the multifunction device, power saving control is performed according to what information processing apparatus exists .

In addition, in the MFP of the present invention, when a command is issued from the input means provided in the MFP, if there are a plurality of information processing apparatuses capable of communication, the command from the input means is finally sent to the MFP. Thus, the power saving control is performed by regarding the command as an instruction from the information processing apparatus that has transmitted the command. Therefore, if such power saving control is implemented, even if there are multiple information processing devices that can communicate, it is possible to wait more quickly in accordance with the information processing device that is most likely to issue the next command. It is possible to increase the possibility of shifting from the operating state to the operating state.

By the way , in the multifunction peripheral of the present invention , when the information acquisition unit receives the command issued from the input unit, if the presence of the information processing apparatus is not confirmed by the confirmation unit, the input unit Information for identifying as a command issuer may be configured to be acquired as the identification information.

  According to the MFP configured as described above, when there is no information processing apparatus capable of communication when a command is given from the input unit included in the MFP, there is a case where there is an information processing apparatus capable of communication. Implements power saving control independently. Therefore, it is possible to perform power saving control that is considered to be most suitable in a situation where the multifunction peripheral is used alone.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with specific examples.
(1) First Embodiment [Configuration of MFP and PC]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an entire network system including a multifunction machine exemplified as an embodiment of the present invention.

  This network system includes a multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as MFP) 1 and personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs) 2A and 2B, and these devices are LAN (Local Area Network). ) 3 is connected.

  The MFP 1 includes a control unit 11, an input unit 12, a display unit 13, a storage unit 14, a memory card unit 15, a scanner unit 16, a printer unit 17, a fax communication unit 18, a network communication unit 19, and the like.

  The MFP 1 is a device having a printer function, a copy function, a facsimile function, a media print function, a mail transmission / reception function, and the like, and these functions can be controlled from the PCs 2A and 2B. Each of these functions can also be controlled by the user performing a predetermined input operation with the input unit 12.

  The MFP 1 is configured to be able to switch the power consumption mode when each function is in a standby state to any one of a plurality of modes with different power consumption. Specifically, in the case of this embodiment, there are two modes, ie, a normal mode and a power saving mode, as a plurality of modes with different power consumption.

  The normal mode is a mode in which the power consumption when in the standby state is greater than that in the power saving mode, but can be shifted from the standby state to the operating state more quickly than the power saving mode when a command is received. On the contrary, the power saving mode is a mode in which power consumption in the standby state is suppressed from that in the normal mode, although it takes more time than the normal mode when shifting from the standby state to the operating state. Note that the MFP 1 determines which of these two modes is to be switched based on the access history from the PCs 2A and 2B, details of which will be described later.

  The PCs 2A and 2B include a control unit 21, an input unit 22, a display unit 23, a storage unit 24, a network communication unit 25, and the like. A PC name that can be arbitrarily set is assigned to each of the PCs 2A and 2B. In this embodiment, the PC name of the PC 2A is “AAA”, and the PC name of the PC 2B is “BBB”.

  The PCs 2A and 2B are provided with a device driver, an application for the MFP 1, and the like as software for controlling each function provided in the MFP 1. Then, when these software functions on the PCs 2A and 2B, commands for controlling the respective functions are transmitted from the PCs 2A and 2B to the MFP 1.

[Processes executed by MFP]
Next, processing executed by the MFP 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. This process is started when the MFP 1 is turned on.

  When this process is started, the MFP 1 first resets the command number counter (S105). The command number counter is reset to “0” in S105. After that, when a command is transmitted from an external device (in the case of the present embodiment, PC 2A, PC 2B) outside MFP 1, or when a command is input by an input operation at input unit 12 Count up.

  Subsequently, the MFP 1 determines whether or not it has received a command to activate any of the functions of the MFP 1 (S110). In S110, it is determined whether or not the command has been received for both the command transmitted from the PC 2A, 2B to the MFP 1 and the command input from the input unit 12.

  If the command is not received in S110 (S110: NO), the process returns to S110 again to wait until the MFP 1 receives the command. In this state, when a command is transmitted from the PC 2A, 2B to the MFP 1 or a command is input from the input unit 12, the MFP 1 determines that the command has been received (S110: YES).

  In this case, the MFP 1 executes control for operating the function corresponding to the command (S115). Specifically, in S115, based on a command received by the MFP 1, control for operating any one of the printer function, copy function, facsimile function, media print function, and mail transmission / reception function is executed. Become.

  Then, when the predetermined function starts to be activated by the control in S115, a history storage process is executed (S120). This history storage process is a process for accumulating information necessary for setting a power consumption mode, which will be described later, and is a process shown in detail in FIG.

  When this history storage process is started, the MFP 1 first determines whether or not the command that is the processing target at this time is a command from the PC (in this embodiment, either PC 2A or 2B) ( S205). If the instruction is from the PC (S205: YES), the MFP 1 acquires the PC name included in the transmission data as identification information (S210).

  More specifically, in the communication procedure used between the MFP 1 and the PCs 2A and 2B, when the PCs 2A and 2B transmit commands to the MFP 1, the PCs 2A and 2B also include the PC names assigned to them. To send. Therefore, in S210, the MFP 1 can acquire the PC name included in the transmission data, and can use the acquired PC name as identification information in the subsequent processing.

  After acquiring such identification information, the MFP 1 subsequently creates update data for the functions of the used MFP (S215), accumulates the created update data in the database (S220), and is shown in FIG. End the history saving process.

  In S215, for example, it is specified which function is to be activated with respect to the command to be processed at this time. For the specified function, the past usage frequency is acquired from the database, and the usage frequency is counted up as update data. In this case, in S220, the database is updated at the counted-up usage frequency.

  However, in S215 and S220, in addition to the method of counting up the usage frequency as described above, only the instruction to activate which function has been stored may be stored as the log information together with the date and time. Good. In this case, processing such as creating the latest log information for additional writing is performed in S215, and the created log information is additionally written in the database in S220.

  Now, the above explanation is the processing when an affirmative determination is made in S205, but in S205, if it is not a command from the PC (S205: NO), the command to be processed at this time is the input It is considered that it was input in the part 12.

  In this case, the MFP 1 first determines whether or not a PC is connected (S225). In S225, for example, by performing broadcast communication (broadcast or multicast) to a device on the network and receiving a response, the MFP 1 recognizes the presence of the device. Then, based on the response content, it is determined whether or not the device is a device to be handled (PC in this case).

  If a PC is connected in S225 (S225: YES), the MFP 1 determines whether there is one connected PC (S230). If the number of connected PCs is not one (S230: NO), the PC that has last issued a command to the MFP 1 is determined as the information request destination (S235).

  This S235 will be described in more detail. Every time the MFP 1 receives a command from the PC, the MFP 1 stores the date and time when the PC last issued the command in the information management table of the MFP 1. Then, in S235, the date and time when each PC issued the last command is acquired from the information management table for a plurality of PCs to be processed at this time, and the latest date and time among them is obtained. The PC is determined as the information request destination.

  As a result, only one of the plurality of PCs is selected as the information request destination. If the number of connected PCs is one (S230: YES), one PC as an information request destination has already been identified without proceeding to S235. In this case, S235 It progresses to S240, without progressing to.

  After proceeding to S240 in this way, the MFP 1 transmits an information acquisition request to the PC selected as the information request destination (S240), and if a response is returned from the PC in response to this request, it is included in the response data. The PC name is acquired as identification information (S245). Then, when S245 is completed, the process proceeds to S215 and S220 already described, thereby accumulating information on the use frequency in the database, and the history saving process shown in FIG. 3 is ended.

  In other words, the MFP 1 is in a state in which one or more PCs are connected to the MFP 1 even if the command to be processed at this time is not a command from the PC but a command input at the input unit 12. If so, the command that is the object of processing at this point is regarded as a command from the PC selected as the information request destination, and the frequency of use is stored in the database.

  However, depending on the situation, there is a possibility that no PC is connected to the MFP 1, and in this case, it is determined that the PC is not connected in S225 (S225: NO). Acquires identification information corresponding to the case where the connected PC does not exist (S250).

  That is, in S210 and S245, in any case, the PC name of the actual PC at that time is acquired and used as identification information. However, in S250, since the PC does not exist at that time, such a case is preliminarily determined. Default identification information prepared by assumption is acquired. Then, when S250 is completed, the process proceeds to S215 and S220 already described, thereby accumulating information on the usage frequency in the database, and the history saving process shown in FIG. 3 is terminated.

  That is, if the command to be processed at this time is a command input at the input unit 12, the MFP 1 regards the command as a command from the PC if the PC is connected to the MFP 1. The usage frequency is basically stored in the database, but if the PC is not connected to the MFP 1, in this case, the command input in the input unit 12 is input as it is in the input unit 12. It is regarded as a directive and its usage frequency is stored in a database.

  Now, when the history storage process (see FIG. 3) is completed according to the procedure as described above, S120 shown in FIG. 2 is completed. 100 times) or not is determined (S125). In S125, when the number of commands is less than the predetermined number (S125: NO), it is determined whether the MFP activation time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours) (S130).

  In S125 and S130, when the command count is less than the predetermined count and the MFP activation time is less than the predetermined time (S125: NO and S130: NO), there is sufficient information for determining the usage frequency. It may not be accumulated. Therefore, in this case, the MFP 1 waits for the next command by returning to S110 as it is.

  On the other hand, in S125 and S130, when the number of instructions is a predetermined number or more, or when the MFP activation time is less than a predetermined time (S125: YES or S130: YES), the information for determining the usage frequency is Therefore, it can be expected that it is accumulated accordingly.

  Therefore, in this case, the process proceeds to S135, and the power consumption mode setting process is executed (S135). This power consumption mode setting process is a process for preparing setting information indicating what kind of power saving control should be executed before executing power saving control to be described later. Processing.

  When the power consumption mode setting process is started, the MFP 1 first searches the database based on the acquired identification information (S305), and acquires the usage frequency of each function of the MFP corresponding to the acquired identification information from the database. (S310). In S310, the latest usage frequency information updated in S220 is acquired. If the log information is registered in the database in S220, processing for obtaining the usage frequency of each function of the MFP based on the log information may be performed at the time of S310.

  When the usage frequency of each function is acquired in S310, the MFP 1 sets the normal mode for the function with high usage frequency, sets the power saving mode for the function with low usage frequency, and stores these settings in the nonvolatile memory. (S315). In S315, power consumption mode setting information as shown in FIG. 6 is created.

  More specifically, as for the power consumption mode setting information as shown in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, separate power consumption mode setting information is created for each different identification information. More specifically, in the present embodiment, if the identification information acquired in S210 or S245 is the PC name “AAA” of the PC 2A, the power consumption mode setting information corresponding to the PC name “AAA” is displayed in S315. Created.

  If the identification information acquired in S210 or S245 is the PC name “BBB” of the PC 2B, power consumption mode setting information corresponding to the PC name “BBB” is created in S315. The power consumption mode setting information corresponding to each of the PC names “AAA” and “BBB” is created as separate information, and each is stored in a nonvolatile memory included in the MFP 1.

  In each power consumption mode setting information, as shown in FIG. 6, the power consumption mode when the printer function, copy function, facsimile function, media print function, and mail transmission / reception function are in the standby state is set. Is recorded as either “on” or “off”. Here, “on” means setting for switching to the above-described normal mode, and “off” means setting for switching to the power saving mode.

  For example, in the case of the power consumption mode setting information corresponding to the PC name “AAA” in FIG. 6, only the printer function is “on”, and the copy function, facsimile function, media print function, and mail transmission / reception function are “off”. It has become.

  This is because when each function shifts from the operating state to the standby state, the printer function is set to wait in the normal mode, and the copy function, facsimile function, media print function, and mail transmission / reception function are in power saving mode. This means that it is a setting to enter a standby state.

  For each function, which setting “on” / “off” is recorded in the power consumption mode setting information depends on the usage frequency of each function acquired in S310. Specifically, “on” is set in S315 for a function having a higher usage frequency than a predetermined threshold value, while “off” is set in S315 for a function having a lower usage frequency than the threshold value. "Is set.

  For example, in the case of the power consumption mode setting information corresponding to the PC name “AAA” in FIG. 6, the frequency with which the printer function is used in response to a command from the PC 2A is higher than a predetermined threshold value. “On” is set. On the other hand, since the frequency at which functions other than the printer function are used in response to a command from the PC 2A is lower than a predetermined threshold, “off” is set for the copy function, facsimile function, media print function, and mail transmission / reception function. Is set.

  When either “on” or “off” is set in association with each function as described above, the information is stored in the nonvolatile memory as the power consumption mode setting information. The power mode setting information can be referred to.

  Now, when the process of S315 as described above is finished, the power consumption mode setting process shown in FIG. 4 is finished. As a result, S135 shown in FIG. 2 is completed, and the MFP 1 then executes power saving control (S140). This power saving control is performed in detail as shown in FIG.

  When the power saving control is started, the MFP 1 first acquires the power consumption mode setting corresponding to the acquired identification information from the nonvolatile memory (S405). For example, when the acquired identification information is the PC name “AAA”, the power consumption mode setting information corresponding to the identification information is acquired from the nonvolatile memory.

  Then, the MFP 1 executes control for switching the power consumption mode for each function of the MFP to the normal mode or the power saving mode according to the acquired setting (S410), and ends the processing shown in FIG.

  Thus, for example, when the acquired identification information is the PC name “AAA”, the power consumption mode is set to the normal for the printer function according to the power consumption mode setting information corresponding to the PC name “AAA” in FIG. Control to switch to the mode is performed. For functions other than the printer function, control for switching the power consumption mode to the power saving mode is performed.

  When these controls are performed, the printer function is maintained in a state where it can immediately shift from the standby state to the operating state. On the other hand, for the copy function, facsimile function, media print function, and mail transmission / reception function, only the minimum power required to restart each function is supplied, but no more power is supplied. The power consumption is suppressed.

  When S410 is finished, the power saving control shown in FIG. 5 is finished. As a result, S140 shown in FIG. 2 is completed, so that the process returns to S110 again and the MFP 1 waits for the next command. Thereafter, the processing after S110 described above is repeated.

[Effect of this embodiment]
According to the MFP 1 described above, for example, when a command from the PC 2A arrives, the power consumption mode setting (see FIG. 6) is switched according to the frequency of use of each function by the PC 2A. Therefore, after that, functions that are frequently used from the PC 2A can stand by in the normal mode, and functions that are frequently used from the PC 2A are put on standby in the power saving mode.

  Therefore, if a command from the PC 2A is subsequently received, it is highly possible that the command from the PC 2A can be processed quickly, and power consumption is suppressed for a function that is highly likely not to receive a command from the PC 2A. be able to.

  After that, for example, when a command from the PC 2B arrives, only the first command is set according to the frequency of use of the PC 2A, but after that, according to the frequency of use of each function by the PC 2B. Switch to power consumption mode setting.

  Therefore, if a command from the PC 2B is subsequently received, it is highly possible that the command from the PC 2B can be processed quickly, and power consumption is suppressed for a function that is highly likely not to receive a command from the PC 2B. be able to.

  In other words, when a command arrives from the same PC more than once, the command for the second and subsequent commands is switched to the optimal power consumption mode setting considering the frequency of use of each function by the command issuer. I can wait.

  Therefore, in an environment where commands are often received from the same PC more than once, compared to the case where the configuration in which the power consumption mode setting is switched in consideration of only the frequency of use by all of the plurality of PCs is used for the second and subsequent times. The possibility of being able to deal with the directive promptly can be increased. Further, power consumption can be suppressed for functions that are unlikely to be used in the second and subsequent commands.

  Further, even when a command is issued from the input unit 12, the MFP 1 proceeds to S230 to S245 when there is a PC communicable with the MFP 1, so that the command from the input unit 12 is sent from the PC. Considering it as a command, information accumulation (S220), power consumption mode setting (FIG. 4), power saving control (FIG. 5), and the like are performed.

  Therefore, for example, even if the user of the PC 2A uses the operation of the input unit 12 while using the PC 2A, the power consumption mode setting suitable for the PC 2A is not canceled unnecessarily. Therefore, even if a command arrives from the PC 2A next time, it is possible to maintain a state where the command can be processed quickly and to maintain a state where the power consumption of functions that are unlikely to arrive is suppressed.

  Further, even when a command is issued from the input unit 12, the MFP 1 issues a command from the input unit 12 to the MFP 1 last in S235 if there are a plurality of PCs that can communicate with the MFP 1. Considering the transmitted command from the PC, information accumulation (S220), power consumption mode setting (FIG. 4), power saving control (FIG. 5), and the like are performed.

  Therefore, for example, even when both PC2A and PC2B exist, a more appropriate countermeasure can be realized when there is a high possibility that a command will be issued from PC2A.

In addition, when there is a PC that can communicate with the MFP 1, the above-described measures are taken. However, if there is no PC that can communicate with the MFP 1, the MFP 1 has a PC that can communicate with it through S 250. Independent of the presence, information accumulation (S220), power consumption mode setting (FIG. 4), power saving control (FIG. 5), and the like are performed. Therefore, even in an environment where the MFP 1 is often used separately from the PC, in this case, power saving control that is considered to be most suitable can be performed.
(2) Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. However, the second and subsequent embodiments have the same basic configuration as the first embodiment, and only a part of the configuration is different from the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, The difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described. Further, regarding the same configuration as that of the first embodiment in terms of function, the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment are used, and the description that overlaps with the first embodiment is omitted. To do.

  In the first embodiment described above, the PC name is used as identification information, and the usage frequency of each function of the MFP 1 by each device is statistically processed for each device such as PC2A and PC2B. In the second embodiment, Performs statistical processing of the usage frequency in units of users.

  Specifically, in both PC 2A and PC 2B, the user logs in using the user name assigned to the user and then uses each of PC 2A and PC 2B. For example, in the system illustrated in FIG. 7, the user with the user name “PPP” may use both PC2A and PC2B. The user with the user name “QQQ” uses the PC 2A, and the user with the user name “RRR” uses the PC 2B.

  In such an environment, it may be better to grasp the usage trend of the MFP 1 in units of users than to grasp the usage trend of the MFP 1 in units of devices such as the PC 2A and PC 2B. For example, if the user with the user name “PPP” logs in to either the PC 2A or PC 2B and the usage trend of the MFP 1 does not change, when the usage trend of the MFP 1 is grasped for each device such as the PC 2A and PC 2B, whichever The user-friendliness of the MFP 1 may change depending on whether or not the user has logged in.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, the PC name is used as the identification information. In the second embodiment, the use frequency of each function of the MFP 1 by each user is checked for each user using the user name as the identification information. .

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, instead of S210 of the first embodiment, S211 is adopted, and in S211, the user name included in the transmission data is acquired as identification information (S211). Further, instead of S245 of the first embodiment, S246 is adopted, and in S246, the user name included in the response data is acquired as identification information (S246).

  Except for these processes, it is exactly the same as in the first embodiment except that the identification information is a user name. If such a process is performed, as power consumption mode setting information, as shown in FIG. 9, a setting for each user can be created. Further, according to such setting for each user, the power consumption mode when each function of the MFP 1 is in the standby state can be switched to either the normal mode or the power saving mode.

Therefore, when the usage trend of each function of the MFP 1 is determined on a device basis, the configuration of the first embodiment may be adopted. However, when the usage trend of each function of the MFP 1 is determined on a user basis, the second embodiment is used. It is preferable to adopt the configuration of the form.
(3) Modifications The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment described above, and can be implemented in various other forms.

  For example, in performing statistical processing on the usage frequency of each function of the MFP 1, the first embodiment shows an example of performing statistical processing in units of devices, and the second embodiment shows an example of performing statistical processing in units of users. However, statistical processing may be performed in units of devices and in units of users.

  Specifically, both the PC name shown in the first embodiment and the user name shown in the second embodiment may be acquired, and a combination of them may be handled as one piece of identification information. In this way, for example, if the user name is different even if the PC name is the same, it is treated as a separate statistical processing target, and if the PC name is different even if the same user name, separate statistical processing Treated as a target.

  As a result, for example, as power consumption mode setting information, as shown in FIG. 10, not only the setting is created for each device, but also the setting is created individually for each user. Thus, in the example shown in FIG. 10, for the user with the user name “PPP”, the power consumption mode setting information is individually created in the case of using the PC 2A and PC 2B.

  Therefore, the usage tendency of each function of the MFP 1 is determined in units of users, and even when the same user is used, if the usage tendency changes when the PC changes, such a configuration may be adopted. .

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a PC name is used as identification information for identifying an information processing apparatus has been described. However, any identification information can be used as long as it can identify a plurality of information processing apparatuses individually. Well, it is not limited to PC names. As a specific example other than the PC name, for example, a logical address assigned to the information processing apparatus on the network can be used as identification information. The PC name, logical address, user name, and the like are general-purpose information used for other purposes. However, dedicated identification information used only in the system of the above-described embodiment may be prepared.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the statistical processing regarding the frequency of use of each function provided in the MFP 1 is performed on the assumption that the MFP 1 is always used with the power on. However, the power on / off is often switched. Statistical processing corresponding to the case may be performed.

  Specifically, in the case of the above embodiment, when the main process shown in FIG. 2 is started when the power is turned on, the command number counter is reset in S105, and thereafter, a process flow in which S110 to S140 are repeated is illustrated. . However, in such a process, whenever ON / OFF is frequently switched, the command number counter is reset in S105.

  Therefore, in order to be able to continue statistical processing similar to that in the above embodiment even when ON / OFF is frequently switched, first, a command count counter, information stored by history storage processing, and power consumption mode setting processing The contents set by the above are always stored in a nonvolatile memory or a hard disk device. Then, instead of performing the “reset process as in S105”, a “process for reading the value of the command number counter stored before the power is turned off when the power is turned on” is executed.

  In this way, when the power of the MFP 1 is turned on, the state before the power of the MFP 1 is turned off is restored. Therefore, even if the power is frequently switched on / off, each function of the MFP 1 is provided. Statistical processing regarding the frequency of use can be continued. When such a configuration is employed, if it is desired to reset the command count counter, a configuration in which the command count counter is reset when the user performs a predetermined operation may be employed.

1 is a block diagram of an entire system configured by an MFP and a PC in a first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart of main processing executed by the MFP. The flowchart of the log | history preservation | save process in 1st Embodiment. The flowchart of a power consumption mode setting process. Flow chart of power saving control Explanatory drawing which illustrated an example of the power consumption mode setting information in 1st Embodiment. The block diagram of the whole system comprised by MFP and PC in 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart of the log | history preservation | save process in 2nd Embodiment. Explanatory drawing which illustrated an example of the power consumption mode setting information in 2nd Embodiment. Explanatory drawing which illustrated an example of the power consumption mode setting information in a modification.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... MFP, 2A, 2B ... PC, 11, 21 ... Control part, 12, 22 ... Input part, 13, 23 ... Display part, 14, 24 ... Storage part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Memory card part, 16 ... Scanner part, 17 ... Printer part, 18 ... FAX communication part, 19, 25 ... Network communication part.

Claims (2)

A multi-function machine with multiple functions,
A function control means for activating a function corresponding to the command when receiving a command to activate any of the plurality of functions from an information processing apparatus capable of communicating via a data communication path;
When receiving the command from the information processing apparatus, either or both of the apparatus information associated with the information processing apparatus and the user information associated with the user of the information processing apparatus Information acquisition means for acquiring as identification information for identifying the issuer of the command;
Information for enabling identification of the relationship between the issuer identifiable by the identification information acquired by the information acquisition means and the usage frequency of each of the plurality of functions by each issuer is stored as usage history information. Information storage means;
It is possible to individually set for each of the plurality of functions, the setting about “whether to switch the power consumption mode when each of the plurality of functions is in a standby state to which of the plurality of modes with different power consumption”, and It can be set for each issuer, and when performing the setting, the usage frequency information stored in the information storage unit is referred to, the frequency of use of each of the plurality of functions is specified for each issuer, For functions that are frequently used, a mode that allows a quicker transition from the standby state to the operating state is set. On the other hand, for functions that are less frequently used, a mode that can further reduce power consumption is set. Power mode setting means;
When the operation of any of the plurality of functions is completed, the issuer identified by the identification information acquired by the information acquisition unit from among the settings for each issuer set by the power consumption mode setting unit And a power saving control means for switching the power consumption mode for each of the plurality of functions according to the selected setting .
An input means for issuing a command to activate any one of the plurality of functions based on an input operation that can be arbitrarily performed by a user;
A confirmation means for confirming whether there is an information processing apparatus capable of communicating via the data communication path ,
When the information acquisition means receives the command issued from the input means, and the existence of a plurality of the information processing apparatuses is confirmed by the confirmation means, the last of the plurality of information processing apparatuses The identification information is acquired from the information processing apparatus that has transmitted a command to the multifunction peripheral.
A multi-function machine characterized by this. When the information acquisition unit receives the command issued from the input unit, and the presence of the information processing apparatus is not confirmed by the confirmation unit, the information acquisition unit identifies the input unit as a source of the command. multifunction machine according to claim 1 information, and acquires as the identification information.

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