JP5088399B2 - Printing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system in which a printing apparatus capable of setting a plurality of power saving states and a host device are connected via a network.

  Today, the preservation of the global environment is screamed worldwide, and printing devices such as printers and copiers are required to reduce power consumption. A method performed to reduce power consumption in the printing apparatus is, for example, a method of turning off the power after providing a waiting period of a certain time after the printing process is finished. However, in this method, when printing processing becomes necessary after the printing apparatus is turned off, it is necessary to turn on the power again and wait until the printing apparatus becomes usable.

There is also a method in which the time is set in advance, the standby state is continued for a certain time after the set time, and then the power is turned off. However, in this method, when the printing apparatus is used after the set time, it is necessary to turn on the power again and wait until the printing apparatus can be used, as described above.
As a method for solving the above problem, for example, the invention of Patent Document 1 is disclosed. The present invention is an invention in which when a host computer connected to a printing apparatus via a network exchanges information between the computers and determines that there is no plan to use the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus is instructed to turn off the power.

JP 2009-30138 A

  However, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, information must be collected from all the host computers that may use the printing apparatus, information is managed on the host computer side, and a power-off instruction must be given to the printing apparatus. A very complicated process was required.

  Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present invention only requires the host device to instruct the power saving state to the printing apparatus, and manages information related to power saving on the printing apparatus side, without performing complicated processing. It controls the power saving state.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system in which a printing apparatus that performs print output to a recording medium based on print data, and a plurality of host devices that output the print data to the printing apparatus, The host device has output means for outputting a transition instruction to the power saving state according to the state of the host device, and the printing apparatus includes the operation start time information of the transition instruction transmitted from the plurality of host devices. Storage unit that stores information on a transition instruction to a power state corresponding to each of the host devices , a time management unit, and a transition instruction information including operation start time information of the transition instruction is read and set by the time management unit at a time that is, to provide a printing system and a setting means for setting the printing apparatus to specify the lowest power saving level power saving transition instruction specified It can be achieved I.

Further, the problem according to the second invention, is connected via a plurality of host devices and networks for outputting print data, in a printing apparatus for printing output on a recording medium in accordance with the print data, said plurality of host devices Storage means that stores information on the transition instruction to the power saving state including the operation start time information on the transition instruction transmitted from the storage device, the time management means, and the operation start time information on the transition instruction. And a setting unit that sets the printing device to a specification with the lowest power saving level of the designated power saving shift instruction at a time set by the time management unit. Can be achieved by providing.

Furthermore, the problems in the third aspect, is connected via a plurality of host devices and networks generating print data, the control method of the printing apparatus for performing printing output on a recording medium in accordance with the print data, said plurality Storage processing for storing information on a transition instruction to a power saving state including information on operation start time of a transition instruction transmitted from the host device in a storage unit corresponding to each host device, and operation start time of the transition instruction Of the printing apparatus that reads the transition instruction information including the information and performs the setting process for setting the printing apparatus to the designation with the lowest power saving level of the designated power saving transition instruction at the time set by the time management unit . This can be achieved by providing a control method.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of host devices simply issue an instruction to shift to one of the plurality of power saving states based on the state of the device, and thereafter the printing apparatus issues an instruction from each host device. Analysis can be performed to set the printing apparatus to an optimum power saving state.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a connection relationship between a printer device and a host computer. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the transfer instruction | indication message to a power saving state. It is a conceptual diagram of state monitoring information. It is a block diagram of the management table of the host computer set to a printing apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of the printing system of the present embodiment.
The printing system of this example includes a printer device 1 connected to a network such as a LAN (local area network), a plurality of host computers 2 to 5, a print server 6, a web (Web) server 7, and a data server 8. Yes. The host computer 2 can display a process display 2a based on an application for detecting the usage status of the user on the computer. Other computers having such functions are the host computers 4 and 5, and the remaining host computer 3 does not have the above functions. For this reason, the host computers 2, 4, and 5 are particularly general-use computers (clients), and the host computer 3 is a temporary-use computer (client).

  The printer apparatus 1 is a printing apparatus capable of setting power saving states at a plurality of different power consumption levels, and performs print output on a recording medium in accordance with print data output from the host computers 2 to 5 and the print server 6. A web (Web) server 7 provides display of documents and objects on the web, and a data server 8 manages data in the system.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the connection relationship between the printer device 1 and the host computer 2 in the above system. Note that the host computer 2 shown in the figure is representative of the host computers 2 to 5.

  The host computer 2 includes a processor 10, an operation system (OS) 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, an application 14, a printer driver 15, a keyboard control unit 16, a mouse control unit 17, and a display device 18. The ROM 12 stores a control program of the host computer 2 of the present example, and the processor 10 reads the control program of the present example from the ROM 12 based on an operation system (OS) 11 and performs processing using, for example, the RAM 13 as a work area. . The keyboard control unit 16 controls an operation signal from a keyboard (not shown), the mouse control unit 17 controls an operation signal from a mouse (not shown), and the display device 18 performs display based on the application.

  The application 14 creates print data such as a document, converts the print data into an intermediate code corresponding to the printer apparatus 1 by the printer driver 15, and outputs the print data to the printer apparatus 1 via the LAN interface 19. Further, the host computer 2 creates a power saving state transition instruction message, which will be described later, based on the application 14 and outputs it to the printer apparatus 1. Although the host computer 2 has been described in the above description, the other host computers 3 to 5 have the same configuration as described above.

  The printer apparatus 1 includes an EEPROM 9, a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a panel control unit 24, a buffer 25, an analysis unit 26, a drawing data processing unit 27, an image memory 28, a video control unit 29, and an engine unit 30. Print data is supplied via the LAN board interface 20. The print data input to the printer apparatus 1 is temporarily stored in the buffer 25, the command analysis is performed by the analysis unit 26 under the control of the CPU 21, and the rendering data processing unit 27 performs the rendering data development process on the image memory 28. .

  The drawing data developed in the image memory 28 is transmitted to the engine controller 31 of the engine unit 30 under the control of the video control unit 29, and the print head 32 prints out the recording medium.

  A power saving state transition instruction message transmitted from the host computer 2 to the printer apparatus 1 in the printing system having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the power saving state transition instruction message. The power saving state transition instruction message shown in the figure is also used as a communication message for state monitoring information at the same time.

  As shown in the figure, the power saving state transition instruction message includes a new power saving state instruction description part 35, an elapsed time description part 36 until it becomes valid, a state monitoring information access key description part 37, and a state monitoring information content description. The unit 38 is configured. When this power saving state transition instruction message is used as a communication message for state monitoring information, nothing is described in the power saving state instruction description part 35 and the elapsed time description part 36.

  In the power saving state instruction description portion 35, an instruction of “scheduled to start printing”, “normal power saving state”, “power saving state with less power consumption”, or “power off” is described. The The elapsed time description part 36 describes the time from the current time until the power saving instruction becomes valid. Here, in the states “scheduled to start printing”, “normal power saving state”, “power saving state with less power consumption”, and “power off”, the state with the highest power saving level is “power off”. The next largest power saving level is the “power saving state with less power consumption”, followed by “normal power saving state” and “print start schedule”.

  In the case of the host computers 2 to 5, the following description is performed in the power saving state instruction description unit 35 and the elapsed time description unit 36. For example, when the user operates the keyboard or the like to perform printing processing and opens the properties of the printer apparatus 1, the user describes the “scheduled printing start (normal power state)” in the power saving state instruction description unit 35. The elapsed time description unit 36 describes 0 seconds (immediately valid) as the elapsed time. Further, for example, when there is no spool of new print data after print data transmission, “normal power saving state” is described in the power saving state instruction description unit 35 and the elapsed time description unit 36 describes the elapsed time 30 seconds. Do.

  For example, when there is no input from a device such as a mouse or a keyboard for a certain period of time, “power saving state with less power consumption” is described in the power saving state instruction description unit 35, and the elapsed time 60 is stored in the elapsed time description unit 36. Write the second. Further, for example, when the use of the host computer 2 is terminated, a description of “power off” is described in the power saving state instruction description portion 35 and a description of the elapsed time 15 seconds is described in the elapsed time description portion 36.

In the case of the printer server 6, the user usually does not directly operate, and the print instruction is only occasionally performed. For example, a description of “power saving state with less power consumption” is written in the power saving state instruction description unit 35. At the same time, the elapsed time description unit 36 describes the elapsed time of 30 seconds.
In the case of the web server 7 and the data server 8, the management log or the like is rarely printed, and the elapsed time until the instruction becomes valid is not described in the message. Only state monitoring information is described.

  On the other hand, the state monitoring information access key description part 37 is set with the state monitoring information number shown in FIG. This status monitoring information number corresponds to the status monitoring information access key, and is an access key for acquiring information shown in the status information content example of FIG.

  For example, the status monitoring information number (status monitoring information access key) “1.1.1.1” is an access key for acquiring the status information of the printing apparatus 1, and in this case, the printing apparatus 1 is shown in FIG. Normally, any response during power saving or error occurrence is notified by the number shown in FIG. The status monitoring information number (status monitoring information access key) “1.1.1.2” is an access key for acquiring details of the power saving status of the printing apparatus 1, and the printing apparatus 1 is in the normal power status (scheduled to start printing). Any one of the normal power-saving state, the power-saving state with less power consumption, and the power-off state is notified by the number shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, the relationship between the status monitoring information access key (status monitoring information number) and the status information content is as shown in the figure, and by setting the status monitoring information access key, the printer apparatus 1 corresponds to the corresponding printer apparatus 1. Responds to the status information. Note that the response information of the printer apparatus 1 is described in, for example, the state monitoring information content description unit 38. Further, based on the use monitoring status monitoring information of the host computer shown in FIG. 4, each host device can acquire status monitoring information to which a circle or a circle is added.

  The power saving state transition instruction message (state monitoring information communication message) is transmitted from the host computer 2 to the printer apparatus 1, for example. When the printer apparatus 1 receives the power saving state transition instruction message, it temporarily stores it in the buffer 25, and the contents described in the power saving state instruction description part 35 and the state monitoring information access key description part 37 are read out under the control of the CPU 21. . Here, the access key described in the status monitoring information access key description section 37 is an access key for acquiring the status information of the printing apparatus 1 as described above, and the printer apparatus 1 makes a corresponding response.

On the other hand, the content described in the power saving state instruction description part 35 is information for setting the printer apparatus 1 to the power saving state, and is processed as follows. FIG. 5 is a management table of the host computer generated in the EEPROM 9 of the printer apparatus 1.
First, the CPU 21 extracts address information based on information transmitted from a host computer or the like, and searches for an address corresponding to the management table. This address is an address uniquely given to the above-described host computers 2 to 5, the printer server 6 and the like. When the same address is detected, the information in the management table is updated. If not detected, information is newly added to the management table.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, the power saving information set in the management table according to the power saving state transition instruction message from each host device at a certain time on March 31, 2010 (for example, a certain time in the 17:00 range). It is an example.

  For example, the device having the address (192.1.10.1) shown in No. 1 is the data server 8. In the case of the data server 8, the power saving state instruction description unit 35 and the elapsed time description portion are included in the power saving state transition instruction message. Since there is no description in 36, no power saving instruction is given. The instruction operation start time remains the initial value “0”. The management time limit is set to 2010.03.31 17:42:15 in the example shown in FIG.

  Next, the host device with the address (192.1.10.10) shown in No. 2 in the figure is the print server 6, and in the case of the print server 6, the “power saving state with low power consumption” is set as described above. The instruction operation start time is set to a time obtained by adding 30 seconds to the current time. The management time limit is set to 2010.03.31 17:45:02 in the example shown in FIG.

  Next, the device with the address (192.1.10.51) shown in No. 3 in the figure is the host computer 2, which is currently set to “power saving state with low power consumption”, and the instruction operation start time is 2010.03.31 17: It is set to 40:24. In this case, for example, when the user of the host computer 2 does not input from a device such as a mouse or a keyboard for a certain period of time due to leaving the seat, the above setting is performed as described above, and the instruction operation start time is This is the time obtained by adding 60 seconds to the current time. The management deadline of the host computer 2 has been updated to 2010.03.31 17:40:24 which is the instruction operation start time.

  Next, the device with the address (192.1.10.55) shown in No. 4 in the figure is the host computer 3, which is set to “scheduled to start printing”, and the instruction operation start time is set to 2010.03.31 17:40:55 Has been. In this case, for example, when the user of the host computer 3 opens a print dialog for print processing, the instruction operation start time is the time obtained by adding 0 seconds to the current time. is there.

  Next, the device of the address (192.1.10.56) shown in No. 5 in the figure is the host computer 4 and is set to “normal power saving state”, and the instruction operation start time is 2010.03.31 17:41:33 Is set to In this case, for example, it is set when the user of the host computer 4 is operating a keyboard or the like, and the instruction operation start time is a time obtained by adding 30 seconds to the current time.

  Finally, the device with the address (192.1.10.57) shown in No. 6 in the figure is the host computer 5 and is set to “power off”, and the instruction operation start time is set to 2010.03.31 17:45:43 ing. In this case, for example, it is set when the user of the host computer 5 performs an operation of shutting down the computer, and the instruction operation start time is a time obtained by adding 15 seconds to the current time.

  In the above management table setting state, the processing operation of this example will be described below. The printer apparatus 1 refers to the management table, updates the power saving instruction content and the instruction operation start time, and updates the management time limit as necessary. And based on the memory | storage state of a management table, it transfers to the optimal power saving state.

  First, in the above state, for example, when the current time is 17:42:20, and the current power saving state is “normal power saving state”, the following determination is performed, and the power saving state of the printer apparatus 1 is determined. Set up. That is, first, the management deadline in the management table is referred to, and devices whose management deadline has passed at the current time are excluded. For example, the No. 1 data server 8 shown in FIG. In addition, the No. 3 host computer 2 shown in FIG.

  Next, referring to the contents of power saving, devices having a higher power saving level than the “normal power saving state” are excluded. For example, the print server 6 of No. 2 shown in the figure is in a “power saving state with less power consumption” having a higher power saving level than the “normal power saving state” and is excluded. Further, the host computer 5 of No. 6 shown in the figure is “power-off” having a higher power saving level than the “normal power saving state” and is excluded.

  Therefore, the devices remaining by the above processing are the No. 4 host computer 3 and No. 5 host computer 4 shown in FIG. Here, when the print start schedule from the “temporary use client” is included in the requirement for canceling the power saving state based on the function of the computer described above, the host computer 3 becomes the management target and the operation start time is earlier than the current time. Therefore, the current “normal power saving state” is canceled, and the printer apparatus 1 is set to the normal printing state. On the other hand, when the printing start schedule from the “temporary use client” is not included in the requirement for canceling the power saving state, the host computer 3 is not managed. In this case, since it is the “normal power saving state” that is the same as the power saving level of the host computer 4 and the operation start time is before the current time, the printer apparatus 1 remains in the “normal power saving state”.

  For example, when the current time is 17:44:10, the following determination is performed, and the power saving state of the printer apparatus 1 is set. As described above, the management time limit in the management table is first referred to, and devices whose management time limit has passed at the current time are excluded. In this case, for example, the devices of No. 1 data server 8, No. 3 host computer 2, No. 4 host computer 3, No. 5 host computer 4 shown in FIG. Eliminated. Accordingly, in this case, the devices remaining by the above processing are No. 2 print server 6 and No. 6 host computer 5 shown in FIG.

Next, referring to the contents of power saving, it is determined which device has a low power saving level. In this case, the “power-saving state with low power consumption” based on the instruction from the print server 6 and the “power-off state” based on the instruction from the host computer 5 are compared, and the “power-saving state with low power consumption” is smaller. Is selected. Therefore, in this case, the printer apparatus 1 shifts to the power saving state “power saving state with low power consumption”.
Further, for example, when the current time is 17:46:32, the following determination is performed. In this case, only the host computer 5 of No. 6 shown in FIG. 5 has a management time limit remaining compared to the current time, and therefore “power off” based on an instruction from the host computer 6 is selected. The printer 1 is shifted to the “power off” state.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, host devices such as the host computers 2 to 5 and the print server 6 connected to the network only transmit a power saving state transition instruction based on their own device state to the printing apparatus. Thus, since the printer apparatus 1 sets the optimum power saving state by the above processing, it is not necessary to perform complicated processing such as information collection and information management related to the setting of the power saving state of the printer apparatus 1 on the host computer side.

Also, with this configuration, when a host device such as a host computer uses the printer apparatus 1, power-on operations can be greatly reduced.
In the description of the above embodiment, the example of the device shown in FIG. 2 has been described as the host device, but the device is not limited to the device shown in FIG. Further, although the example of the management table shown in FIG. 5 has been described for the state of the power saving transition instruction of the host device, the state is not limited to the state of the management table shown in FIG.
Although the management deadline and the instruction operation start time are in the absolute format of “year / month / day / hour / minute / second”, the same effect can be obtained by using the elapsed time from the startup of the printing apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer apparatus 2-5 ... Host computer 6 ... Print server 7 ... Web server 8 ... Data server 9 ... EEPROM
10.Processor 11.Operation system 12.ROM
13. RAM
14, application 15, printer driver 16, keyboard control unit 17, mouse control unit 18, display device 19, LAN interface 20, LAN board interface 21, CPU
22. ROM
23. RAM
24. Panel control unit 25. Buffer 26. Analysis unit 27. Drawing data processing unit 28. Image memory 29. Video control unit 30. Engine unit 31. Engine controller 32. Print head

Claims (3)

In a printing system in which a printing apparatus that performs printing output on a recording medium based on printing data and a plurality of host devices that output the printing data are connected to the printing apparatus,
The host device is
Output means for outputting a transition instruction to the power saving state according to the state of the host device;
The printing apparatus includes:
Storage means for storing information on a transition instruction to a power saving state including the operation start time of a transition instruction transmitted from the plurality of host devices , corresponding to each of the host devices ;
Time management means;
The shift instruction information including the operation start time information of the shift instruction is read, and the printing apparatus is set to the specification with the lowest power saving level of the specified power saving shift instruction at the time set by the time management means. Setting means;
A printing system comprising: In a printing apparatus that is connected to a plurality of host devices that output print data via a network and performs print output on a recording medium according to the print data,
Storage means for storing information on a transition instruction to a power saving state including operation start time information of a transition instruction transmitted from the plurality of host devices , corresponding to each of the host devices ;
Time management means;
The shift instruction information including the operation start time information of the shift instruction is read, and the printing apparatus is set to the specification with the lowest power saving level of the specified power saving shift instruction at the time set by the time management means. Setting means;
A printing apparatus comprising: In a control method of a printing apparatus that is connected to a plurality of host devices that output print data via a network and performs print output on a recording medium according to the print data,
A storage process for storing information on a transition instruction to a power saving state including operation start time information of a transition instruction transmitted from the plurality of host devices in a storage unit corresponding to each of the host devices ;
Setting for setting the printing apparatus to the designation with the lowest power saving level of the designated power saving transition instruction at the time set by the time management means by reading the migration instruction information including the operation start time information of the migration instruction. Processing,
A control method for a printing apparatus.