JP5600999B2 - Image processing system, image forming apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system, an image forming apparatus, and a program.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a technology in which a copy button, a document box button, a fax button, a printer button, and a scanner button are provided for each function, and only a necessary part is restored with a selected function.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151867 discloses that a PC requests each printer for power consumption calculation information that is currently required for shifting to the normal mode, and each printer requests power consumption calculation information. The number of printed sheets and the amount of power that will be consumed when printing of the number of printed sheets is started at that time based on the power consumption amount calculation information collected from each printer by the PC A technology for specifying a correspondence relationship with a printer and notifying a user is disclosed.

JP 2004-222234 A JP 2009-76003 A

  The present invention suppresses power consumption by performing processing of the processing unit in the power saving state in another image forming apparatus when any processing unit of each process used in the function receiving the execution instruction is in the power saving state. An object is to provide an image processing system, an image forming apparatus, and a program.

The image processing system is a first aspect of the present invention is to realize a plurality of functions by combining each of the processing, first processing means for performing a process determined respectively in advance at least including a process for forming an image on a recording medium Group , first switching means for switching each state of the first processing means included in the first processing means group to an operation state in which processing can be executed or a power saving state in which power consumption is suppressed, transmitting means for transmitting each state information indicating a state after the switching of said first processing means when the state is switched by the switching means, receiving means for receiving a request for execution of any process, and the reception achieved a first image forming apparatus having a first control means for controlling each of said first processing means to execute a process request execution is received by the means, a plurality of functions, each said Second processing means group for performing the process defined because, the second process a second switching means for each of the states of the second processing unit switches to the operating state or the power saving state contained in the unit group, wherein A communication unit that communicates with the first image forming apparatus; a storage unit that acquires and stores the state information transmitted from the first image forming apparatus via the communication unit ; An accepting unit that accepts any execution instruction, and the second processing unit that performs each process of the function instructed to execute when an instruction to execute any function is accepted by the accepting unit. When all of them are in the operating state, the second processing means is controlled to perform each process of the function instructed to perform the execution, and the second processing means to perform each process of the function instructed to perform the execution. at least one, but like the power saving of If it is, and the case where the first processing means corresponding to said second processing means power saving state is a power saving state in the state information stored in said storage means, indicated function the execution The second processing means is controlled to perform each of the processes, and when at least one of the second processing means that performs each process of the function instructed to execute is in the power saving state, and the power saving state If the first processing means corresponding to the second processing means is in an operating state in the state information stored in the storage means, the first processing means has the first processing means in the operating state. A second image forming apparatus having second control means for performing control to transmit at least a request to execute processing of the second processing means in the power saving state from the communication means to the image forming apparatus. Yes.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the first image forming apparatuses are provided, and the storage unit includes the first image forming apparatus via the communication unit. The status information transmitted from each is acquired and stored.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or claim 2 , wherein the second control means receives the instruction to execute any of the functions by the accepting means. When all of the second processing means for performing the processing for each of a plurality of processes included in the function instructed to execute is in an operating state, the processing is performed so that each processing of the function instructed to perform the execution is performed. The first processing means corresponding to the second processing means in the power saving state when at least one of the second processing means for controlling and processing the second processing means is in the power saving state. If the state information stored in the storage means is in a power saving state, the second processing means controls the second processing means to perform each process of the function instructed to execute the second processing means. At least one of the If the first processing means corresponding to the second processing means in the power saving state is in the operating state in the state information stored in the storage means, the first processing in the operating state Control is performed to transmit a request for execution of processing of at least the second processing unit in the power saving state from the communication unit to the first image forming apparatus having the unit .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects of the invention, the receiving means is a second processing means for performing each process of the function instructed to be executed. When at least one is in the power saving state and the first processing means corresponding to the second processing means in the power saving state is in the operation state in the state information stored in the storage means, Further accepting designation of permission / non-permission of a request for execution of processing of the second processing means to the first image forming apparatus having the second processing means, and the second control means is the accepting means, When a request to the first image forming apparatus is permitted, control is performed to transmit a request to execute at least the processing of the second processing unit in the power saving state from the communication unit to the first image forming apparatus. And said acceptance means When the request to the first image forming apparatus is not permitted, the second processing means is controlled to perform each process of the function instructed to execute .
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the receiving means is configured such that at least one of the second processing means for performing each process of the function instructed to execute is in a power saving state. In the case where the first processing means corresponding to the second processing means in the power saving state is in the operation state in the state information stored in the storage means, the first processing means in the operation state A list of the first image forming apparatuses having the first image forming apparatus is presented to further accept designation of the first image forming apparatus to be requested, and the second control means receives the designation received by the accepting means. Control is performed to transmit a request for execution of processing of at least the second processing unit in the power saving state from the communication unit to one image forming apparatus.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the accepting means is configured such that at least one of the second processing means for performing each process of the function instructed to execute is in a power saving state. that in cases, and when a plurality of said first processing means corresponding to the second processing means saving state is operational in the state information stored in said storage means, in this said operating state The first image forming apparatus having a larger number of the first processing means has a higher priority, and a list of the first image forming apparatuses having the first processing means in the operation state is presented. The designation of the first image forming apparatus to be requested is accepted .

On the other hand, the image forming apparatus is an invention of claim 7 is to realize a plurality of functions by combining each processing, intends rows each predetermined processing including at least a process for forming an image on a recording medium processing means group, and switching means for switching the power-saving state execution of processing each state with reduced operating state or power consumption as possible of the plurality of processing means included in said processing means group, the communication with another image forming apparatus Status information indicating whether the operating state or the power saving state is acquired from the other image forming apparatus via the communication means and the processing means included in the other image forming apparatus. when storage means for storing a reception means from the user receives an instruction of any of execution of the plurality of functions, the instruction execution of any functions by the accepting means accepted Te, the If the processing means for performing the processes of indicated function lines are all operating conditions, and controls the plurality of processing means to perform the processing indicated function the execution, instruct the execution When any one of the processing means for performing each processing of the function is in a power saving state, the processing means included in the other image forming apparatus corresponding to the processing means in the power saving state is stored in the storage means. If the state information indicates a power saving state, the plurality of processing means are controlled to perform each process of the function instructed to execute, and the processing means to perform each process of the function instructed to execute If any one in case of the power saving state, and an operation state in the state information processing means for the other image forming apparatus has corresponding to the processing means of the power-saving state is stored in the storage means, the Request of the image forming apparatus performs control to transmit a request for execution of processing of the processing means of at least power-saving state from the communication means, execution of any of processing in the communication means from the other image forming apparatus And control means for controlling the plurality of processing means so as to execute the received processing.

On the other hand, the program of the invention of claim 8, causes the computer to function as a second control means according to any one of the preceding claims 1-6.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, a program causes a computer to function as the first control means according to the first aspect.

A program according to a tenth aspect of the invention causes a computer to function as the control means according to the seventh aspect .

According to the invention of claim 1, claim 2, claim 7 , claim 8 , claim 9 and claim 10 , any one of the processing means for performing each processing of the function instructed to execute is in a power saving state. In some cases, power consumption can be reduced by performing processing of the processing unit in the power saving state by using another image forming apparatus as compared with the case where processing is performed by returning the processing unit in the power saving state to the operating state.
In addition, the processing unit that requests the execution of the process is in the power saving state compared with the case where the processing is requested to the other image forming apparatus regardless of the state of the processing unit of the other image forming apparatus. It is possible to prevent processing requests from being made.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, as compared with the case where the processing of the power saving state processing means is unconditionally requested to another image forming apparatus, the processing means of the own apparatus can perform the processing as necessary. Therefore, user convenience can be improved.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to select an image forming apparatus with higher processing efficiency as compared with the case of selecting without setting the priority order.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a top view which shows an example of the operation panel which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the other apparatus state information which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the selection screen which concerns on embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the return control processing program which concerns on embodiment It is a figure which shows an example of the original reading candidate selection screen which concerns on embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of a print control processing program according to the embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the printing implementation candidate selection screen which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the FAX control processing program which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the request function control processing program which concerns on embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state of each image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an image processing system 5 according to the present embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

  As shown in the figure, the image processing system 5 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality (here, four) of image forming apparatuses 10A to 10D and a plurality of PCs (personal computers) 70. . Hereinafter, the image forming apparatuses 10A to 10D will be simply referred to as the image forming apparatuses 10 unless otherwise distinguished.

  Each image forming apparatus 10 and each PC 70 are connected via a network NET such as a LAN (Local Area Network), and each image forming apparatus 10 and each PC 70 mutually transmit and receive various data via the network NET. .

  Each image forming apparatus 10 scans an image from a document and generates a scan function that generates image data indicating an image of the scanned document, a copy function that prints an image read from the document, and another FAX terminal device via a general communication line. And a facsimile (FAX) function for performing FAX communication, and a confidential print function for printing image data received in advance from the PC 70 and image data generated by reading a document.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is connected to a commercial power source (for example, AC 100 V), and is switched on or off to switch power supplied from the commercial power source to an energized state or a non-energized state. 12, a first low-voltage power supply device 14 connected to the power switch 12, for converting power supplied from the commercial power supply via the power switch 12 into DC power of a first voltage level (for example, 5 V), and a power switch 12 and a second low-voltage power supply device 16 that converts electric power supplied from a commercial power supply via the power switch 12 into DC power of a second voltage level (for example, 24V).

  Further, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment combines various processing buttons 40 (FIG. 3) as processing means for realizing a scan function, a copy function, a facsimile function, and a confidential print function. And an operation panel 17 provided with a touch panel 42, a controller 18 for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus, and an automatic document feeder, and a document set on the automatic document feeder or placed at a predetermined reading position. A scanner 20 that reads an image from the original and generates image data representing the image, and forms a latent image on the photosensitive drum by electrophotography based on the image data, and applies toner to the formed latent image. An image forming engine 22 for transferring the developed toner image onto the recording paper, connected to a general communication line, and others via the general communication line And a FAX communication unit 26 for performing FAX terminal and FAX communications.

  The controller 18 is connected to the first low-voltage power supply device 14 and is supplied with power from the first low-voltage power supply device 14. The operation panel 17, the scanner 20, the image forming engine 22, and the FAX communication unit 26 are connected to the second low-voltage power supply device 16, and power is supplied from the second low-voltage power supply device 16.

  The controller 18 stores and holds a CPU (central processing unit) 30 that controls the operation of the entire apparatus, a ROM 32 that stores various programs including a control program in advance, a RAM 34 that temporarily stores various data, and various data. HDD (hard disk drive) 36, a network I / F (interface) unit 38 that is connected to a network NET and transmits / receives various data to / from other image forming apparatuses 10 and PCs 70 via the network NET. It has.

  Further, the image forming engine 22 includes a fixing unit 24 that fixes the toner image transferred to the recording sheet by heating and pressurizing the recording sheet.

  The operation panel 17, the controller 18, the scanner 20, the image forming engine 22, and the FAX communication unit 26 are connected to each other via a bus BUS. Accordingly, the controller 18 can control the operation of the scanner 20, control the operation of the image forming engine 22, and control FAX communication with other FAX terminal devices via the FAX communication unit 26. Further, the controller 18 can grasp the operation state of the user with respect to the operation buttons 40 and the touch panel 42 (see FIG. 3) provided on the operation panel 17. Further, the controller 18 can control display of a message on the touch panel 42 provided on the operation panel 17.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes switches 90A to 90D connected to the respective power wirings that connect the second low-voltage power supply device 16, the operation panel 17, the scanner 20, the image forming engine 22, and the FAX communication unit 26. Is provided. The controller 18 is connected to the switches 90 </ b> A to 90 </ b> D and controls on / off of the switches 90 </ b> A to 90 </ b> D, and can stop the supply of power to the unused device.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the operation panel 17 according to the present embodiment.

  The operation panel 17 is provided with various operation buttons 40 such as a numeric keypad 40A, a start button 40B, a clear button 40C, and a power saving release button 40D, and a touch panel 42 that can perform a touch operation.

  The power saving release button 40D is directly connected to the controller 18. In the power saving state, the controller 18 is energized in a portion necessary for detecting the power saving release button 40D, and the operation is detected by the controller 18 when the user operates the power saving return switch.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, when a predetermined standby period elapses without processing of each function, the operation state shifts to the power saving state. In this power saving state, in order to reduce power consumption and realize energy saving, the switches 90A to 90D are turned off to stop the supply of power to devices that are not used, stop the display and lighting of the touch panel 42, The power to energize the fixing device 24 of the image forming engine 22 is stopped.

  When the power saving cancel button 40D of the operation panel 17 is pressed in the power saving state, the image forming apparatus 10 restarts the supply of power to the operation panel 17, and the operation panel 17 instructs the execution of any function from the user. Is received, the switches 90 </ b> A to 90 </ b> D are controlled so that the device used for the function is in an operating state.

  Further, in the image processing system 5 according to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatuses 10 know the states of the other image forming apparatuses 10 by notifying each other via the network NET. Specifically, each image forming apparatus 10 changes the state of each device such as the operation panel 17, the scanner 20, the image forming engine 22, and the FAX communication unit 26 to a power saving state or an operating state at the start and end of each function. When switching, status information including information on the machine name of the image forming apparatus 10, the start or end of the function, and the status of each device is broadcast to the network NET, and other information received via the network NET. Based on the status information of the image forming apparatus 10, the machine name, IP address, function being executed, and status of each device of the other image forming apparatus 10 are stored in the HDD 36 as other apparatus status information.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the data structure of the other device status information.

  The other apparatus status information stores the machine name, IP address, function being executed, status of the operation panel 17, scanner 20, image forming engine 22, and FAX communication unit 26 for each image forming apparatus 10.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the operation state shifts to the power saving state when a predetermined standby period elapses without processing of each function.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment transmits another state information to each other by transmitting state information to each other at the start and end of each function or when the state of each device is switched to a power saving state or an operation state. The machine name, IP address, function being executed, and status of each device of the forming apparatus 10 are stored as other apparatus status information.

  When using the device in the power saving state, the user presses the power saving cancel button 40D on the operation panel 17.

  When the power saving cancel button 40D of the controller 18 and the operation panel 17 is pressed, the switch 90D is turned on to restart the supply of power to the operation panel 17, and the touch panel 42 is copied, scanned, and faxed as shown in FIG. Then, a selection screen 60 for accepting selection of confidential print is displayed. The selection screen 60 is provided with a function selection button 62 corresponding to each function of copy, scan, fax, and confidential print.

  When an instruction to execute any one of the functions of copy, scan, FAX, and confidential print is received from the user on the selection screen 60 displayed on the touch panel 42, the image forming apparatus 10 executes the process of the function.

  By the way, when the image forming apparatus 10 has a device in a power saving state when a device used for the function is received when an instruction to execute any of the functions is received, the image forming apparatus 10 executes the function by the own apparatus. It is necessary to restore the power-saving device to the operating state. However, when the image forming apparatus 10 returns the device in the power saving state to the operating state, the power consumption increases. Further, when it takes time until the device in the power saving state returns to the operation state, a waiting time is generated until the function can be executed.

  In particular, since the image forming engine 22 fixes the toner image transferred onto the recording paper by heating and pressurizing with the fixing device 24, it needs to be in a specific temperature range when performing fixing, but the power saving state is When it becomes a long time, the temperature of the fixing device 24 decreases. For this reason, when the temperature of the fixing unit 24 decreases, an image cannot be formed until the temperature of the fixing unit 24 rises to a specific temperature range, and the waiting time for warming up the fixing unit 24 becomes long.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, when any device that performs each process used in the function is in the power saving state, another image in which the device in the power saving state is in the operating state based on the state information. The processing device is requested to execute the processing.

Further, the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment, convenience to carry out a power saving mode for performing in other image processing apparatus read-in original order to reduce power consumption, the read-in original is only the own device There are two operation modes, the priority mode. The operation mode may be set from the operation panel 17 or may be set from an external device such as the PC 70 via the network NET.

  FIG. 6 shows a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the return control processing program executed by the CPU 30 of the controller 18 when an instruction to execute any function is received on the selection screen 60 of the touch panel 42. The program is stored in advance in the ROM 32.

  In step S10, it is determined whether or not the function instructed to be executed on the selection screen 60 is scan, copy, or FAX. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S14, and if the determination is negative. The process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, since the function for which execution has been instructed is confidential printing, an operation screen for confidential printing is displayed. Image data received in advance from the PC 70 and image data generated by reading a document are stored in a predetermined confidential print storage area of the HDD 36. On the confidential print operation screen, the file name of the image data stored in the confidential print storage area of the HDD 36 is displayed, and printing conditions such as the number of prints can be designated. If it is determined in step S12 that printing conditions such as image data to be printed on the operation screen for confidential printing and the number of copies are specified and an instruction to start processing is given, the process proceeds to step S36.

  On the other hand, in step S14, it is determined whether or not the scanner 20 of the own apparatus is in an operating state. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S30, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S16, it is determined whether or not the set operation mode is a convenience-oriented mode. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S30. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S18.

  In step S18, based on the other apparatus state information, the scanner 20 determines whether or not there is another image forming apparatus 10 in the operating state. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S20 and the determination is negative. If yes, the process proceeds to step S30.

  In step S20, based on the other apparatus status information, it is determined whether any of the scan, copy, and FAX functions for reading an image is being executed in all the other image forming apparatuses 10 in the operating state. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S30. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S22.

  In step S22, based on the other apparatus status information, the image forming apparatus 10 that has many devices in the operating state among the devices that perform processing of the function instructed to be executed is regarded as having a high priority, and the document is requested to be read. The priority order of the other image forming apparatus 10 is determined. That is, when the function for which the execution instruction is accepted is copying, the scanner 20 and the image forming engine 22 increase the priority of the other image forming apparatuses 10 in the operating state, and the function for which the execution instruction is accepted is FAX. In this case, the scanner 20 and the FAX communication unit 26 increase the priority order of the other image forming apparatuses 10 in the operating state.

  In step S24, a plurality (two in this case) of image forming apparatuses with high priority are excluded from the other image forming apparatuses 10 that are currently executing scanning, copying, and FAX based on the other apparatus state information. A document reading candidate selection screen 80 is displayed on the touch panel 42 with 10 as a document reading candidate.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a document reading candidate selection screen 80.

  The original reading candidate selection screen 80 is provided with a button 82 that displays the machine name of the image forming apparatus 10 that is an original reading candidate, and a button 84 that specifies reading of the original with the apparatus itself. In FIG. 7, since the priority of the image forming apparatus 10A is higher than that of the image forming apparatus 10B, the machine name “B” of the image forming apparatus 10B is displayed on the button 82 in which the machine name “A” of the image forming apparatus 10A is displayed. The displayed button 82 is larger than the button 82. When there are a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 having the highest priority, any one of them may be displayed, or all of them may be displayed.

  In step S24, when the button 82 or the button 84 is designated, the process proceeds to step S26.

  In step S26, it is determined whether or not the button 84 for designating reading of the document on the own apparatus is specified. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S30. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S28. To do.

  In step S28, request information including each of the functions instructed to be executed on the selection screen 60 and the requested process is read to the image forming apparatus 10 having the machine name displayed on the button 82. The image reading is requested, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, in step S30, the switch 90C is turned on to return the scanner 20 to the operating state.

  In step S32, a copy, FAX, or scan operation screen is displayed according to the function instructed to be executed on the selection screen 60. On the operation screen, conditions can be specified according to functions. In step S30, when a condition corresponding to the function is specified on the operation screen and an instruction to start processing is given, the process proceeds to step S34.

  In step S34, the document is read by controlling the scanner 20 according to the conditions specified in step S32. The image information indicating the image of the read document is stored in the HDD 36, and the process proceeds to step S36.

  In step S36, it is determined whether or not the function instructed to be executed on the selection screen 60 is a scan. If the determination is affirmative, the process ends. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S38.

  In step S38, it is determined whether or not the function instructed to be executed on the selection screen 60 is FAX. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S42. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S40. .

  In step S40, since the function instructed to be executed on the selection screen 60 is copy or confidential print, a print control process (FIG. 8) described later is executed, and the process is terminated after the print control process is completed.

  On the other hand, in step S42, since the instructed function is FAX, a FAX control process (FIG. 10) described later is executed, and after the FAX control process is completed, the process ends.

  Next, the print control process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of a print control processing program executed by the CPU 30 of the controller 18, and the program is stored in advance in a predetermined area of the ROM 32.

  In step S50, it is determined whether or not the image forming engine 22 of the own apparatus is in an operating state. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S64, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S52.

  In step S52, based on the other apparatus state information, the image forming engine 22 determines whether there is another image forming apparatus 10 in the operating state. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S54, and a negative determination is made. When it becomes, it transfers to step S62.

In step S54, based on the other apparatus status information, it is determined whether the image forming engine 22 is executing a copy or confidential print function for performing printing in all other image forming apparatuses 10 in the operating state. When it becomes determination, it transfers to step S62, and when it becomes negative determination, it transfers to step S56.

  In step S56, based on the other apparatus status information, the other image forming apparatus 10 that is currently executing copy or confidential printing is excluded, and the image forming engine 22 prints any image forming apparatus 10 in the operating state. As a candidate, a printing execution candidate selection screen 90 is displayed on the touch panel 42.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of the print execution candidate selection screen 90.

  The printing execution candidate selection screen 90 is provided with a button 92 that displays the machine name of the image forming apparatus 10 that is a printing execution candidate, and a button 94 that designates printing by the apparatus itself. Note that when there are a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 in which the image forming engine 22 is operating, any one of them may be displayed, or all of them may be displayed.

  The printing execution candidate selection screen 90 is provided with a button 92 that displays the machine name of the image forming apparatus 10 that is a printing execution candidate, and a button 94 that designates execution of printing on the own apparatus. In step S54, when the button 92 or the button 94 is designated, the process proceeds to step S56.

  In step S58, it is determined whether or not the button 94 for specifying execution of printing on the own apparatus is specified. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S62. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S60. To do.

  In step S60, the image forming apparatus 10 having the machine name displayed on the button 92 is printed with the function instructed to be executed, the conditions specified on the operation screen or the request information, the image data to be printed, and the requested process. The request information including the information to be transmitted is transmitted to request printing, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, in step S62, the switch 90A is turned on to return the image forming engine 22 to the operating state.

  In step S64, printing is performed by controlling the image forming engine 22 in accordance with the conditions specified on the operation screen or the request information. After the printing is completed, the process is terminated.

  Next, the FAX control process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of a FAX control processing program executed by the CPU 30 of the controller 18, and the program is stored in advance in a predetermined area of the ROM 32.

  In step S70, it is determined whether or not the FAX communication unit 26 of the own apparatus is in an operating state. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S84, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S72.

  In step S72, based on the other apparatus state information, the FAX communication unit 26 determines whether there is another image forming apparatus 10 in the operating state. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S74, and a negative determination is made. When it becomes, it transfers to step S82.

  In step S74, based on the other apparatus state information, the FAX communication unit 26 determines whether or not the FAX function for performing FAX communication is being executed in all the other image forming apparatuses 10 in the operating state. When it becomes, it transfers to step S82, and when it becomes negative determination, it transfers to step S80.

  In step S80, based on the other apparatus state information, the other image forming apparatus 10 currently executing the FAX is excluded, and the FAX communication unit 26 is instructed to execute any of the image forming apparatuses 10 in the operating state. The function information, the specified conditions, the image data to be transmitted by FAX, and the request information including each information for which the requested process is set as FAX transmission are transmitted to request FAX transmission, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, in step S82, the switch 90B is turned on to return the FAX communication unit 26 to the operating state.

  In step S84, in accordance with the conditions specified on the operation screen or request information, the FAX communication unit 26 is controlled to perform FAX transmission. After the FAX transmission is completed, the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when request information is received from another image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 10 executes the requested processing.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of a request function control processing program executed by the CPU 30 of the controller 18 when any request information is received from another image forming apparatus 10. The program is stored in advance in the ROM 32.

  In step S100, it is determined whether or not the process requested by the received request information is image reading. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S104. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S102. To do.

  In step S102, it is determined whether or not the process requested by the received request information is printing. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S112. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 114. .

  On the other hand, in step S104, a copy, FAX, or scan operation screen is displayed according to the function instructed by the received request information, and a condition according to the function is specified on the operation screen to instruct to start processing. If it is determined, the process proceeds to step S106.

  In step S106, the scanner 20 is controlled to read the document according to the conditions specified in step S104, and image information indicating the image of the read document is stored in the HDD 36, and the process proceeds to step S108.

  In step S108, it is determined whether or not the function instructed by the received request information is scanning. If the determination is affirmative, the process ends. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S110.

  In step S110, it is determined whether or not the function indicated by the received request information is FAX. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S114. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S112. .

  In step S112, since the function instructed by the received request information is copy or confidential print, the above-described print control process (FIG. 8) is executed, and after the print control process is completed, the process ends.

  On the other hand, in step S114, since the function instructed by the received request information is FAX, the above-described FAX control process (FIG. 10) is executed, and the process ends after the FAX control process is completed.

  Here, for example, when the state of the image forming apparatuses 10A to 10D is as shown in FIG. 12, when the copy is executed in the image forming apparatus 10A, the scanner 20 of the image forming apparatus 10A is in the operating state, so that the image The original is read in the forming apparatus 10A. In addition, after the document is read, the image forming engine 22 of the image forming apparatus 10A is in the power saving state and the image forming engine 22 of the image forming apparatus 10B is in the operating state. A print execution candidate selection screen 90 capable of selecting the image forming apparatus 10A) is displayed. When execution in the image forming apparatus 10B is specified on the print execution candidate selection screen 90, printing is executed in the image forming apparatus 10B. As a result, the image forming engine 22 of the image forming apparatus 10 </ b> A is maintained in the power saving state, so that power consumption in the entire image processing system 5 can be suppressed. Further, when execution on the own apparatus (image forming apparatus 10A) is designated on the printing execution candidate selection screen 90, printing is performed on the image forming apparatus 10A after the image forming engine 22 of the image forming apparatus 10A is returned to the operating state. Executed. Accordingly, since printing is performed by the image forming apparatus 10A, it is possible to suppress a decrease in user convenience.

  Further, for example, when the state of the image forming apparatuses 10A to 10D is as shown in FIG. 12, when copying is executed in the image forming apparatus 10D, the scanner 20 of the image forming apparatus 10D is in the power saving state, and the image forming apparatus Since the image forming engine 22 of 10B is in an operating state, when the power saving mode is set in the image forming apparatus 10D, the original that can select the image forming apparatus 10A or the own apparatus (image forming apparatus 10D) as the original reading candidate A reading candidate selection screen 80 is displayed. When execution in the image forming apparatus 10A is designated on the document reading candidate selection screen 80, image reading is executed in the image forming apparatus 10A. Thereby, since the scanner 20 of the image forming apparatus 10D is maintained in the power saving state, power consumption in the entire image processing system 5 can be suppressed. Further, when execution on the apparatus (image forming apparatus 10D) is designated on the document reading candidate selection screen 80, the image forming engine 22 of the image forming apparatus 10D is returned to the operating state and then the document is read on the image forming apparatus 10D. A read is performed. Similarly, when the convenience-oriented mode is set in the image forming apparatus 10D, the scanner 20 of the image forming apparatus 10D is returned to the operating state, and then the original is read in the image forming apparatus 10D. Thereby, since the original is read by the image forming apparatus 10D, it is possible to suppress a decrease in convenience for the user.

  As described above, when any of the devices performing each process of the function instructed to execute is in the power saving state, the image forming apparatus 10 requests the other image forming apparatus 10 in which the function is in the operation state to execute the process. Is transmitted to the other image forming apparatus 10 to execute the process, so that it is not necessary to restore the power-saving device, so that the power consumption of the entire image processing system 5 can be suppressed.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Of course, it can apply also to what changed the design within the range described in the claim.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, each image forming apparatus 10 is in a power saving state or operation at the start or end of each function, or the state of each device of the operation panel 17, the scanner 20, the image forming engine 22, and the FAX communication unit 26. The case where each image forming apparatus 10 grasps the state of another image forming apparatus 10 by broadcasting the state information to the network NET when switching to the state has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when each image forming apparatus 10 needs to grasp the state of the other image forming apparatus 10, the transmission of state information may be requested to the other image forming apparatus 10.

  In the above-described embodiment, the confidential print function of each image forming apparatus 10 has been described as a function of individually printing image data stored in the own apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when each image forming apparatus 10 selects the confidential print function, the image forming apparatus 10 requests the other image forming apparatus 10 to transmit image data of the confidential print, and the confidential print stored in the other image forming apparatus 10. The image data may be printed.

  In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 that has many devices in the operating state among the devices that perform the processing of the function that is instructed to execute is regarded as having a high priority, and other documents are requested to be read. Although the case of determining the priority order of the image forming apparatus 10 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the power consumption per unit time in the operating state of the scanner 20 is stored for each image forming apparatus 10, and the image forming apparatus 10 that consumes less power when returning to the operating state has a higher priority. Alternatively, the priority order of the other image forming apparatus 10 that requests to read the document may be determined. Similarly, the printing execution candidate and the apparatus that performs FAX transmission store the power consumption per unit time in the operation state of the image forming engine 22 and the FAX communication unit 26 for each image forming apparatus 10 and return to the operation state. The image forming engine 22 and the FAX communication unit 26 that consume less power may be candidates.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the button 82 of the image forming apparatus 10 having a high priority is displayed large on the document reading candidate selection screen 80 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any display form may be used as long as the forming apparatus 10 can be easily displayed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where each image forming apparatus 10 in the image processing system 5 can individually switch the energization to the operation panel 17, the scanner 20, the image forming engine 22, and the FAX communication unit 26 will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image processing system 5 may include an image forming apparatus that collectively switches energization to the scanner 20, the image forming engine 22, and the FAX communication unit 26 as a power saving state.

5 Image processing system 10 Image forming apparatus 17 Operation panel (processing means, receiving means)
18 Controller 20 Scanner (Processing means)
22 Image formation engine (processing means)
26 FAX communication unit (processing means)
30 CPU (control means)
38 Network I / F part (Acquisition means)
90A-90D switch (switching means)

Claims (10)

A first processing means group that realizes a plurality of functions by combining the respective processes and performs each predetermined process including at least a process of forming an image on a recording medium, and included in the first processing means group A first switching unit that switches each state of the first processing unit to an operation state in which processing can be executed or a power-saving state that suppresses power consumption; and when the state is switched by the first switching unit, the first switching unit transmission means for transmitting status information indicating the respective state after switching of one processing means, receiving means for receiving a request for execution of any process, and executes a process of requesting execution is received by the receiving means A first image forming apparatus having first control means for controlling each of the first processing means,
Realizing the plurality of functions, each said pre-second processing means group for performing a defined processing, the operating state or the power saving state of each of the second processing means included in said second processing means group Second switching means for switching to a state, communication means for communicating with the first image forming apparatus, and storage for acquiring and storing the state information transmitted from the first image forming apparatus via the communication means It means, receiving means for receiving an indication of any execution of the plurality of functions from the user, and the when the instruction for execution of any functions is accepted by the accepting means, each of the functions indicated the execution When all of the second processing means for performing the processing are in an operating state, the second processing means is controlled to perform each process of the function instructed to execute the function, and the function of the function instructed to execute the execution is controlled. the second performing each process If at least one of the power saving state of the physical means, and when said first processing means corresponding to said second processing means of the power-saving state is a power saving state in the state information stored in said storage means Controls the second processing means to perform each process of the function instructed to execute, and at least one of the second processing means to perform each process of the function instructed to execute is in a power saving state And when the first processing means corresponding to the second processing means in the power saving state is an operating state in the state information stored in the storage means, the first operating means is in the operating state. A second control unit configured to control the first image forming apparatus including the first processing unit to transmit a request to execute the processing of the second processing unit in the power saving state from the communication unit; Painting And forming apparatus,
An image processing system.   A plurality of the first image forming apparatuses are provided,
  The storage means acquires and stores the status information transmitted from each of the first image forming apparatuses via the communication means.
  The image processing system according to claim 1.   The second control unit performs the process for each of a plurality of processes included in the function instructed to execute the function when an instruction to execute any of the functions is received by the receiving unit. When all the processing means are in an operating state, the second processing means is controlled to perform each process of the function instructed to execute the execution, and at least one of the second processing means for performing the processing is power saving. If the first processing means corresponding to the second processing means in the power saving state is in the power saving state in the state information stored in the storage means, the execution is instructed. The second processing means is controlled to perform each process of the function, and when at least one of the second processing means for performing the processing is in a power saving state, the second processing means in the power saving state Corresponding first processing hand Is in the operation state in the state information stored in the storage unit, the communication unit to the first image forming apparatus having the first processing unit in the operation state at least in the power saving state. Control to send a request for execution of processing of the second processing means
  The image processing system according to claim 1 or 2. The accepting unit includes the first processing unit corresponding to the second processing unit in the power saving state when at least one of the second processing units performing each process of the function instructed to execute is in the power saving state. When the processing means is in the operating state in the status information stored in the storage means, the second processing means executes the processing of the first image forming apparatus having the second processing means in the operating state. Accept further designation of permission / denial of request,
When the request to the first image forming apparatus is permitted by the accepting unit, the second control unit performs at least the second process of the power saving state from the communication unit to the first image forming apparatus. When the request to the first image forming apparatus is not permitted by the accepting unit, the process of the function instructed to perform the execution is performed. claim 1-3 any one image processing system according of controlling the second processing means.   The accepting unit includes the first processing unit corresponding to the second processing unit in the power saving state when at least one of the second processing units performing each process of the function instructed to execute is in the power saving state. If the processing unit is in the operation state in the state information stored in the storage unit, a list of the first image forming apparatuses having the first processing unit in the operation state is presented as a request target. Further accepting designation of the first image forming apparatus;
  The second control unit transmits a request for execution of processing of at least the second processing unit in the power saving state from the communication unit to the first image forming apparatus whose designation is received by the receiving unit. Do control
  The image processing system according to claim 2. A plurality said accepting means, corresponding to at least one in but Ru saving state der case, and said second processing means of the power saving state of said second processing means for performing the processing of the instructed execution function wherein when the first processing means is operational in the state information stored in said storage means, as the number is larger the first image forming apparatus of the first processing means is a person said operating state of the claim accepting designation of said first image forming apparatus priorities high as to present a list of the first image forming apparatus having the first processing means is the operating state to request the target 5 The image processing system described. Realizing a plurality of functions by combining each processing, a processing unit group intends rows each predetermined processing including at least processing for forming an image on a recording medium,
Switching means for switching the state of each of the plurality of processing means included in the processing means group to an operation state capable of executing the process or a power saving state with reduced power consumption;
Communication means for communicating with other image forming apparatuses;
Storage means for acquiring and storing state information indicating whether the operation state or the power-saving state of each processing means of the other image forming apparatus from the other image forming apparatus via the communication means When,
Receiving means for receiving an instruction to execute any one of the plurality of functions from a user;
When an instruction of execution of any functions is accepted by said accepting means, function said processing means for performing the processes of indicated function the execution if an all operating conditions, instructed the execution The processing means that controls the plurality of processing means so as to perform each of the processes and performs any processing of the function instructed to execute the processing is in the power saving state , and the processing means in the power saving state. When the processing unit included in the other image forming apparatus corresponding to is in a power saving state in the state information stored in the storage unit, the plurality of processing units are configured to perform each process of the function instructed to execute the processing. And the other image forming apparatus corresponding to the processing unit in the power-saving state when any of the processing units that perform each process of the function instructed to execute is in a power-saving state. means If an operation state in the state information stored in said storage means performs control to transmit a request for execution of processing of the processing means of at least power-saving state from the communication unit with respect to the other image forming apparatus, A control unit that controls the plurality of processing units to execute the received processing when the communication unit receives a request for execution of any of the processes from the other image forming apparatus;
An image forming apparatus. The program for functioning a computer as a 2nd control means in any one of the said Claims 1-6 .   The program for functioning a computer as a 1st control means of the said Claim 1. A program for causing a computer to function as the control means according to claim 7 .

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