JP5094356B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program for executing the method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method that can be employed in a system including a printing apparatus having a power saving function and the like, a program for executing the method, a medium, and the like.

  In recent years, printing apparatuses having a power saving function have been proposed.

  Among the power saving functions, in the power saving state called hibernation, the contents of the volatile storage device are copied to the nonvolatile storage device, and the storage device and the computing device are stopped. Furthermore, in the hibernation state, it is possible to return from the power saving state by external access through network connection. In this case, it is possible to keep power to a minimum without supplying the device with power other than that required for external access waiting.

  In order to reduce access to the device, the user can select whether or not to perform two-way communication. Even when two-way communication is not performed, two-way communication is performed during printing, and an error occurs if an error occurs. Until it is avoided, proposals have been made to perform bidirectional communication.

  There has also been a proposal for controlling the set time of the interval for canceling (deleting) event notification registration in the printer in the power saving mode (sleep) state to be longer than the set time in the normal state.

  It was difficult to distinguish between a device having a power saving function and a device having no power saving function.

  Further, in the printing apparatus in the hibernation state, if there is an external access via the network for acquiring the state, the printing apparatus returns from the hibernation state. For this reason, when an access such as acquisition of a state from the outside occurs, it becomes impossible to maintain a dormant state.

In addition, some systems had to be manually changed after installation.
http: // www. canon-sales. co. jp / open-mie / sdk / technical / cpcam / index. html http: // www. Microsoft. com / whdc / ally / Rallywsd. mspx RFC 1157 http: // www. ietf. org / rfc / rfc1157. txt RFC 2608, RFC 2609 http: // www. ietf. org / rfc / rfc2608. tx Japanese Patent No. 3715772 JP 2006-171946 A

  It was difficult to distinguish between a device having a power saving function and a device having no power saving function.

  Further, in the printing apparatus in the hibernation state, if there is an external access via the network for acquiring the state, the printing apparatus returns from the hibernation state. For this reason, when an access such as acquisition of a state from the outside occurs, it becomes impossible to maintain a dormant state.

  In addition, some systems require manual changes after installation.

  The present invention has been made to solve at least one of the above-described problems.

  The first object of the present invention is to detect a device having a power saving function by a computer.

  Another object of the present invention is to eliminate manual setting changes after installation in a system in which polling is set.

  The information processing apparatus of the present invention is an information processing apparatus that transmits data to an image forming apparatus to form an image, and information indicating whether the image forming apparatus transmitted from the image forming apparatus has a power saving function or not. Receiving means for receiving the information, determining means for determining whether the image forming apparatus has a power saving function using information received by the receiving means, and determining that the image forming apparatus has a power saving function A port of a communication program for communicating with the image forming apparatus is set to a specific port different from a port set in the communication program when it is determined that the image forming apparatus does not have a power saving function. Setting means for setting, and the specific port acquires information on the image forming apparatus from a management apparatus.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a computer can detect a device having a power saving function.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in a system in which settings for polling are performed, manual setting changes after installation can be made unnecessary.

  Printing apparatus information is held in a repository such as a database (DB 101 in FIG. 11) by a management utility on the printing apparatus management apparatus (PC 1000 in FIGS. 10 and 11).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the management apparatus according to the present embodiment. The MPU 10001 is an arithmetic device of the management device.

  Each hardware and signal to be described later is exchanged via the system bus 1011. Thereby, each hardware of FIG. 10 is controlled. Each hardware is explained.

  The ROM 1002 is a non-volatile memory of the management device. A RAM 1003 is a volatile memory of the management device. KB1005 is a keyboard (input device). The NIC 1010 is a network unit. A network 1001 is a network connected to the printer. The DB 101 is a database and is stored in the HD 1009. A network 1001 is a network connected to the printer. Data and programs stored in the HD 1009 are read into the RAM 1003 and executed by the MPU 10001. A CRTC 1006 is a controller that controls a CRT 1007 that is an example of a display unit. The KBC 1004 is a controller that controls the KB 1005. The NIC 1010 is an example of a communication unit and a reception unit.

  Note that the client PC 2001 that transmits print data corresponds to FIG. The client PC 2001 has the same hardware configuration as in FIG.

  The contents held include information necessary for connection of the IP address of the printing apparatus on the network, information on whether or not the apparatus is a power saving machine, whether or not an event can be acquired by WSD or CPCA, and an SNMP community name. It is. These pieces of information are held as table information as shown in FIG. However, the holding method only needs to hold necessary information, and does not depend on the storage format, storage method, or storage medium.

  The table information 3000 in FIG. 3 is stored in the HD of the server 2003. Managed by the management utility 2004. Each row from 3001 to 3006 corresponds to one device. For example, referring to the row 3001, the device has a device ID 010101111111. The IP address of this device is 192.168.1.1 and is not a power-saving device, so the flag 3009 is 0. Since the WSD is valid, the flag 3012 is 1. Since it corresponds to CPCA, 3010 is 1. The community name defined by SNMP is defined as test in the field 3011. Those skilled in the art will understand the meaning of the other rows 3002 of FIG.

  The terms WSD, CPCA, and SNMP, which are examples of specific management protocols, will be described below.

  Explains the premise terms. CPCA (Common Peripheral Controlling Architecture) is a function of various office devices managed by Canon Inc. and a command architecture unique to Canon for using the office devices. The CPCA protocol in this paper refers to a communication protocol with a printing apparatus based on CPCA.

  WSD is synonymous with Device Profile for Web Service published by an organization called W3C. It is a communication protocol with a printing device that provides various services by exchanging messages described in XML format between printing devices. is there.

  SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is a standard protocol for monitoring and controlling communication devices connected to the network such as routers, computers, and terminals in a TCP / IP network. The device to be controlled has a management information database called MIB, and the device to be managed can make an appropriate setting based on the MIB of the target device.

  The procedure for acquiring information from the printing apparatus may be that the software of the printing apparatus management apparatus (inside 1000 in FIG. 11) actively polls, or the printing apparatus management apparatus (1000 in FIG. 10) is the printing apparatus (FIG. 9). ) Event may be received.

  However, it is preferable to set the polling timing so that the acquisition is performed at a cycle that does not prevent the printer from shifting to the power saving state. First, a method of applying polling in which software (inside 1000 in FIG. 11) actively acquires printing apparatus information will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the present embodiment. A management utility 2004 is installed in the server 2003 in advance. In the client PC 2001, a printer driver for transmitting print data is installed. Then, the printer driver and port of the client PC are set using the management utility. A port is a communication program that organizes data traffic. The device in FIG. 2 is a printer 2002 that is an example of an image forming apparatus. 2002 has various functions such as a facsimile and a scanner.

  By instructing printing from the client PC 2001, print data is transmitted to the printer 2002 via the server 2003 or directly. Similarly, the servers 2003 and 2001 of FIG. 2 have the configuration of FIG. The client PC 2001 retains and stores the software block shown in FIG. It is assumed that the printer 2002 exists on a plurality of other networks such as 2005.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software block diagram of the client PC. Reference numeral 1104 denotes an installer, and reference numeral 1103 denotes a printer driver. In 1104, the printer driver is installed in a predetermined storage area managed by the OS. Subsequently, a port 1102 as an example of a communication program is set for the printer driver by the installer. Reference numeral 1101 denotes an information acquisition / storage program. This program complies with WSD, SNMP, and CPCA protocols. The information acquisition / storage program acquires information from the printer 2002 by event or polling according to these protocols. Here, the event refers to receiving information spontaneously transmitted by the printer without making a request to the printer 2002. Polling means that the client PC 2001 requests the printer 2002 and information is transmitted from the printer 2002 to the client 2001 in response to the request.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the server PC 2003. A management utility 2004 exists. The management utility is a program having a network management function and a program distribution function. It is stored in the HD 1009 and executed by the MPU.

  The user in FIG. 2 operates the client PC 2001 and transmits an operation command for acquiring printing apparatus information to the management utility 2004 in the server PC 2003, whereby information acquisition is started.

  The management utility for which the printing device information acquisition operation has been performed finds the printing device in step S102 of FIG. If a printing device is found, information is acquired (step S103), and the acquired information is stored in the management utility database (Sstep S104).

  Next, an acquisition method using an event will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the management utility of FIG. 2 is activated (step S201 of FIG. 5), it enters an event waiting state (step S202) input to the management utility of FIG. When the end instruction event is input, the management utility ends (S204). Otherwise, it is determined whether any reception event has occurred (S205). If it is determined in S205 that some information has been received from the printer, the process proceeds to S206.

  That is, when an event is issued from the printer 2002 of FIG. 2, the management utility 2004 receives information from the printer 2002 (step S206). Then, the management utility 2004 writes the acquired information in the database (DB1209) (step S207). If no reception event is detected in S205, the management utility 2004 proceeds to S202.

  The DB 1209 is stored in the HD in the table information format shown in FIG.

  In polling, communication occurs even though the status is not changed. On the other hand, in event acquisition, communication with the printer 2002 occurs only when the state changes. Therefore, the chance of returning the printing apparatus from the power saving state can be reduced. Therefore, if the printer has a power saving function, events should be used as much as possible. This is because the power saving state can be maintained for a long time.

  Next, processing when installing the driver will be described.

  When driver installation begins (step S301 in FIG. 6), the driver installer (inside 1000 in FIG. 11) makes an inquiry to the management utility (inside 2003 in FIG. 12) (step S302). Based on the inquired information, it is determined whether or not it is a power saving machine (step S303). If it is determined that it is a power saving machine, a unique port is set (S304). For example, a change is made so that polling by SNMP is not performed (step S304).

  For example, in the case of SNMP, the determination as to whether or not it is a power saving machine is as follows. A part of a set of device information called MIB conforming to SNMP is acquired from the server PC to the client PC. Whether or not it is a power saving machine is defined as a value of whether or not it is power saving as a MIB value. Then, it is set in the printing apparatus according to the MIB value and transmitted to the server PC. Note that, regardless of whether it is WSD or CPCA, the server PC can acquire all information that can be acquired by the MIB in a format according to each protocol.

  Here, for example, it is assumed that the MIB value has an attribute called SleepSupported. If the BIT value of this MIB attribute is 1, it becomes a power saving machine. If it is not a power saving machine, the BIT value is zero. The MIB information is notified to the server from the printer 2002 or the like.

  If it is determined in S303 that it is not a power saving machine, the process proceeds to S307. In S307, it is determined whether or not the community name needs to be changed.

  If it is determined that the SNMP community name needs to be changed from the management utility (step S307), the community name is changed (step S308). Then, the process proceeds to S306.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S307 that it is not necessary to change the community name, the process proceeds to S305. This is determined using a preset flag or the like. The administrator makes a decision according to his / her management policy.

  If the community name is known, the SNMP community name cannot be acquired by SNMP unless the printer is set to communicate with the community name when communicating by SNMP. However, the user does not have to set it himself. The community name functions like password information and authentication information. This is a secret word required when the SNMP manager communicates with the agent (managed device). The managed device is a printer. The server PC and client PC are examples of information processing apparatuses.

  Here, the case where SNMP is used has been described, but when another protocol is used instead of SNMP, information specific to the protocol may be required instead. For example, when SLP is used instead of SNMP, the scope name plays an equivalent role instead of the community name.

  Following the processing of S304, processing necessary for driver installation is performed (step S305). For example, a driver UI module and a module for generating print data are written in a predetermined area managed by the OS. This process is executed by the installer operating the OS. Then, the installation ends (step S306).

  In the above description, step S304 is changed to use an event without polling.

  Specifically, replacement with software prepared separately from software prepared in advance in the system is performed.

  The software here is a print port used by the driver of FIG. 11, and the print port is a module for transmitting print data from the PC to the printer. This module also acquires printer information.

  The print port provided by the system may have a restriction that polling cannot be stopped in the default state at the time of installation. Here, by replacing with a specially prepared unique print port, operations such as no polling can be performed. The standard default port provided by the system cannot be set in detail. Therefore, the function-extended unique port is set up in place of the standard default port prepared by the system (S304).

  Here, the processing in the software replaced in step S304 will be described in detail. A description will be given regarding the setting of a so-called unique port.

  When the driver is installed and the setup of the unique port is completed in S306, the process starts from S401.

  In the replaced software (unique port), first, in the client PC, processing is initialized so as to register with the management utility that the software communicates with the printer whose port is to be set this time (step S402 in FIG. 7). ).

  However, there are cases where the printer has already started acquiring information from another client PC.

  Therefore, in step S403, the installer of the client PC determines whether or not another client has already acquired information from the printer so as not to acquire unnecessary information, and the client PC installer determines (step S403).

  If the client PC installer determines that there is another client that is already set to obtain information from the printer, the process proceeds to S404.

  In S404, the client PC installer sets the client PC so that the unique port acquires information from the management utility (step S404). Specifically, the information acquisition destination of the unique port is set to be the address of the management utility.

  If it is determined in step S403 that no other client has acquired, the client PC is set so that the client PC performs direct acquisition from the printer. Specifically, the information acquisition destination of the unique port of the client PC is set to be the printer address.

  Alternatively, the installer may be set so that the management utility periodically acquires information from the printer and the client PC acquires the information.

  However, when the driver in another client PC (not shown) acquires information from the same printer (printing device) at the next opportunity, the acquisition from the printer directly through the management utility Switch to.

  As a result, it is possible to keep the minimum necessary communication with the printing apparatus, and it is easy to maintain power saving.

  In step S405, it is confirmed whether the power saving protocol is valid. The power saving protocol will be described later. If the client PC installer determines in step S405 that the power saving protocol is valid, the process advances to step S406. If the installer determines in S405 that the power saving protocol is not valid, the process proceeds to S407. Here, “the power saving protocol is valid” means that “enable the power saving protocol” is set via the operation panel of the printing apparatus or the network.

  In step S406, event reception standby in the power saving protocol is performed.

  In S407, the client PC installer determines whether the WSD is valid. If it is determined in S407 that the WSD is valid (S407), event acquisition in the WSD is validated (S408). If it is determined in S407 that it is not valid, the process proceeds to S409.

  In step S409, it is determined whether CPCA event reception is valid. It is checked whether a CPCA event can be received (step S409).

  If it is determined in S409 that the CPCA event can be received, it is validated (S410). If it is determined in S409 that it is not possible, the process proceeds to S411.

  That is, if none of the event communication settings are successful, polling is enabled in S411.

  However, when enabling the polling so as not to return from power saving as much as possible, it is performed at a sufficiently long time interval (for example, 5 minutes or more). If polling is automatically set during installation, the polling interval is also set in advance. Here, the polling time interval may be set in consideration of the performance of the printing apparatus.

  Here, the power saving protocol is a protocol that issues an event (sleep notification) when the printing apparatus shifts to the power saving mode and issues a return event when the printing apparatus returns from the power saving mode.

  Detailed processing in the power saving protocol will be described below. First, in this embodiment, three power states are defined. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating hardware installed in the printer 2002.

  In FIG. 9, a network interface unit 202 is an interface for connecting to the network 102. A controller 203 controls the entire printer. The controller 203 is connected to the internal bus 204. A controller 203 is connected to a shared memory 20005 that temporarily stores a print job and information as a work area for storing a program that operates on the controller 203. The controller 203 is connected to the engine interface bus 207. The engine interface bus 207 is a bus that transmits and receives image information between the printer engine 104 and the controller.

  A power supply unit 208 that supplies power to each unit supplies power to the controller 203, shared memory 20005, engine interface unit 206, and printer engine 104. The first power supply line 210 always supplies power to the network interface unit 202 and the power control unit 211. The second power supply line 209 stops supplying power in a second power state and a third power state described later. The third power supply line 214 supplies power to the printer engine unit when a print job is input. These are controlled by an activation signal 212 from the network interface unit 202 and a power control signal 213 for controlling the power supply unit 208.

  In the first power state, the first power is supplied, but the second power is not supplied and the power saving operation is performed. Transition to the first power state is made by not receiving a data packet for a specific period.

  In the power saving operation, power is supplied only to the network interface unit 202 and the power control unit 211, and an activation packet for returning to the second power state is kept waiting. When the activation packet is received, the activation signal 212 is input to the power control unit 211. The activation packet is a binary string pattern predetermined in the network interface unit 202. Upon receiving the activation signal 212, the power control unit 211 issues an instruction by the power control signal 213 to supply the second power supply line 209 to the power supply 208, and also transmits to each unit other than the network interface unit 202 and the power control unit 211. Power is supplied to return to the second power state. In the present embodiment, when the so-called client PC 2001 polls the printer using the activation packet, the first power state shifts to the second power state. Therefore, if the port is set so that the client PC 2001 polls indefinitely, the first power state cannot be maintained. Further, depending on the type of polling, there is also an instruction that shifts to the third power state described later. Then, even the second power state cannot be maintained, and a considerable amount of power is consumed. Also in S411 of FIG. 7, it is desirable that the polling interval or event registration can be set appropriately.

  For example, if a port is set using a conventional UI in the OS as shown in FIG. 1, 1003 is checked by default, and even if it is a power saving machine, the power saving state is maintained by polling. It becomes impossible.

  In the present embodiment, power is supplied to each part shown in the figure to start it up. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to activate only the portion necessary for the purpose of the present invention and further enhance the power saving effect. If it is determined that print job data has been received from the outside in the second power state, power control is performed to shift to the third power state. On the other hand, when only the status such as the remaining amount of toner is received from the outside without receiving print job data in the second power state, it is not always necessary to shift to the third power state. In this case, the status response may be performed while the second power state is maintained. Here, the activation packet refers to a packet in which a special data pattern is included in an Ethernet (registered trademark) frame. In addition, if it is determined that the specific MIB information has been received after receiving the activation packet, the printer enters the second power state. If it is determined after receiving the activation packet that other specific MIB information has been received, the printer enters the third power state.

  In the third power state, at least the second power and the third power are supplied, and the next normal operation is performed. That is, when receiving a packetized print job from the network 102, the network interface unit 202 writes data to the work area of the shared memory 20005. The controller 203 restores the packetized print job to a print job based on the network protocol. Thereafter, the image data is developed and transmitted to the printer engine 104 via 207 for printing.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes a printer engine. The MPU 701 is a microprocessor of the image forming apparatus, and performs overall control of each unit in FIG. Reference numeral 2002 denotes a printer (image forming apparatus main body). Reference numeral 102 denotes a network. The MPU 104 is a microprocessor in the network unit. A RAM 205 is a volatile memory in the network unit. The ROM 250 is a nonvolatile memory in the network unit.

  The process is started when the state is changed to the event waiting state by the power saving protocol of S406 of FIG. 7 (S501 of FIG. 8). The subject of each step in FIG. 4 is a client unique port (program) unless otherwise specified.

  It is determined whether an end event has occurred (S502). If it is determined that an end event has occurred, the process advances to step S503 to end the process. This is an event when an instruction to terminate the program of the unique port is instructed by another program or when an exception acquisition error occurs.

  If it is determined in S502 that an end event has not occurred, it is checked whether an event that has occurred in the printer has been received (S504). If it is determined in S504 that there is no event received, the process proceeds to S502.

  If it is determined in S504 that an event from the printer has been received, the type of event received from the printer is determined in S505.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the determined event type is an event indicating that the printer shifts to a power saving state (S506). That is, it is determined whether the event is a so-called sleep notification. The processing of S507, S509, S511, and S513 is set for the printer by the client PC using the SNMP protocol.

  If it is determined in S506 that the event that has occurred is an event indicating a shift to power saving, the process proceeds to S507. In step S507, polling of the printer status check from the server PC 2003 is stopped. Alternatively, event reception from the printer is stopped.

  Here, event registration for the printer will be described. In order for the client PC to receive an event that has occurred in the printer, a request to “notify the client PC of the fact that a specific event has occurred in the printer” is sent to the printer as an event. It is necessary to register. This is called event registration here. In the present embodiment, the client PC, which is designed to periodically delete events registered from the client PC in order from the oldest, periodically updates the contents of the printer event registration. Thereby, the client PC can receive an event in the printer corresponding to the registered contents.

  Stopping event reception in S507 means stopping event update registration from the client PC to the printer.

  If it is determined in S506 that the event indicating that the received event shifts to the power saving state is not a printer, the process proceeds to S508. In step S508, it is checked whether the event indicates that the power saving state has been canceled by the printer. If it is determined in S508 that the event indicates that the power saving state has been canceled, polling and event reception for the printer from the client PC are started (S509). As described above, the start of event reception refers to the start or restart of event update registration for a printer.

  If it is determined in S508 that the event is not a sleep release event, the process proceeds to S510. In S510, it is determined that the received event is a power-off event. The process proceeds to S511. In S511, the same process as S507 is performed, and the process proceeds to S502.

  If it is determined in S510 that the event is not a power OFF, the process proceeds to S512. In step S512, it is determined whether a power ON event has been received from the printer. If it is determined in S512 that a power-on event has been received from the printer, the process proceeds to S513. In S513, the same process as S509 is performed and the process proceeds to S502. If it is determined in S512 that the power ON event is from the printer, the process proceeds to S502.

  FIG. 13 displays whether or not an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a multifunction peripheral is a power saving machine based on the MIB 3009 in FIG. If the flag is 0, it is not a power saving machine. If it is 1, it indicates that it is a power saving machine (1301). 3 is omitted in FIG.

  The client PC acquires the information of FIG. 3 held by the management utility, and the information acquisition / storage program 1101 in the client PC displays the information on the CRT 1007 as the display means.

  According to the present exemplary embodiment, the printing apparatus can more efficiently hold the hibernation state without manually changing the setting by the user. Also, by enabling status acquisition via the management server, hibernation state notification protocol, and event reception, it is possible to minimize communication with the printing apparatus and easily guide the user to the hibernation state.

  A system comprising a client PC and a printer for printing on a server PC and a printer has been disclosed. Here, when installing a print driver in an apparatus that performs printing on a printer, the program inquires the server PC that has a list of printer functions by communicating with the printer in advance about the power saving support status of the printer. If the printer supports the power saving function, the print driver setting is changed, and the program is changed to acquire the printer status from the server PC so that access to the printer is not duplicated. To do. Then, if the power saving protocol is valid, the program changes the setting to receive the power saving protocol. It is determined whether event reception is possible. If events can be received, enable them. If event reception is not possible, set polling instead.

  Also disclosed is a technique for installing a print driver in a client PC that performs printing on a printer. A server PC having a printer function list by communicating with the printer in advance is inquired about the power saving support status of the printer using a program. The program does the following: If the printer supports the power saving function, the setting of the print driver is changed so that the status of the printer is acquired from the server PC so that access to the printer does not overlap. If the power saving protocol is valid, the setting is changed to receive the power saving protocol. It is determined whether or not event reception using a specific printer management protocol is possible. Enable those that can receive events using a specific printer management protocol. If the WSD event reception is impossible, the polling is set instead.

  In a system constituted by a server PC and an apparatus that prints on a printer and a printer, a program is executed to perform the following processing. When installing a print driver in an apparatus that performs printing on a printer, the server PC having a list of printer functions is inquired in advance about the power saving support status of the printer by communicating with the printer. If the printer supports the power saving function, the setting of the print driver is changed so that the printer status is acquired from the server PC so that access to the printer does not overlap. If the power saving protocol is valid, the setting is changed to receive the power saving protocol. It is determined whether event reception is possible. If events can be received, enable them. If event reception is not possible, set polling instead.

  The following processing is executed in a system constituted by a server PC and an apparatus that prints on the printer and the printer. When installing a print driver in an apparatus that performs printing on a printer, the server PC having a list of printer functions is inquired in advance about the power saving support status of the printer by communicating with the printer. If the printer supports the power saving function, the driver setting is changed so that the printer status is acquired from the server PC so that access to the printer does not overlap. If the power saving protocol is valid, the setting is changed to receive the power saving protocol. It is determined whether or not CPCA or WSD event reception is possible. Enable CPCA and WSD event reception if possible. If CPCA or WSD event reception is not possible, polling is set instead.

  The following is provided in the client PC 2001 that transmits data to the printer 2002 to form an image. A NIC 1010 that receives MIB information, which is an example of information indicating whether the printer 2002 has a power saving function, transmitted from the printer 2002. Further, using the MIB information received using the NIC 1010, the MPU 209 determines whether the image forming apparatus has a power saving function.

  The MPU 1002 sets a communication program for the client PC. This reduces the number of times that the power saving state of the printer having the power saving function is canceled due to communication between the client PC and the printer.

  The MPU 1002 may set the information acquisition time interval for the printer determined to have the power saving function to be longer than the information acquisition time interval for the printer determined to have no power saving function.

  The MPU 1002 sets different settings for the port of the communication program for communicating with the printer determined to have the power saving function and the port setting of the communication program for the printer determined not to have the power saving function. . Thereby, the power saving state of the image forming apparatus determined to have the power saving function is maintained.

  Using the determination result, the image forming apparatus having the power saving function and the image forming apparatus not having the power saving function are displayed on the CRT 1007 so as to be distinguishable (FIG. 13).

  The MPU 1002 performs determination processing using the MIB information (FIG. 3) received by the NIC 1010.

  The MPU 1002 may be set not to periodically acquire information about a port of a communication program (unique port) for communicating with an image forming apparatus determined to have a power saving function. Thereby, the MPU 1002 maintains the power saving state of the printer determined to have the power saving function.

It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface regarding the print driver at the time of driver installation. It is a figure which shows the system configuration | structure figure of an example of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the MIB information stored in the server PC of FIG. It is a flowchart for a server PC to hold | maintain the information from a printer in a database. It is a figure which shows the flowchart for a server PC to hold | maintain the information from a printer in a database by event acquisition. It is a figure which shows the flowchart for changing the information acquisition method from a printer based on the content hold | maintained at the database of server PC. It is a figure which shows the process in the original port replaced in the client PC. It is a figure which shows the process about the protocol for power saving in S406 of FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing hardware blocks inside a printer 2002. FIG. It is a figure which shows the block of the hardware inside a server PC. It is a figure which shows the block of the software inside a client PC. It is a figure which shows the block of the software inside a server PC. It is a figure which shows the example of a display in CRT of client PC.

Claims (5)

In an information processing apparatus that transmits data to an image forming apparatus to form an image,
Receiving means for receiving information indicating whether the image forming apparatus transmitted from the image forming apparatus has a power saving function;
A determination unit that determines whether the image forming apparatus has a power saving function using information received by the reception unit;
When it is determined that the image forming apparatus has a power saving function, a port of a communication program for communicating with the image forming apparatus is determined. When the image forming apparatus is determined not to have a power saving function, Setting means for setting a specific port different from the port set in the communication program ,
The information processing apparatus , wherein the specific port acquires information about the image forming apparatus from a management apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit performs a determination process using MIB information received by the reception unit. In a method in an information processing apparatus for transmitting data to an image forming apparatus to form an image,
A receiving step of receiving information indicating whether the image forming apparatus transmitted from the image forming apparatus has a power saving function;
A determination step of determining whether the image forming apparatus has a power saving function using the information received in the reception step;
When it is determined that the image forming apparatus has a power saving function, a port of a communication program for communicating with the image forming apparatus is determined. When the image forming apparatus is determined not to have a power saving function, A setting process for setting a specific port different from the port set in the communication program ;
And the specific port acquires information about the image forming apparatus from a management apparatus . The information processing method according to claim 3 , wherein the determination step performs a determination process using the MIB information received by the reception step. A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 3 .

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