JP5601628B2 - Information processing system and processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system and a processing program.

  In general offices, information processing systems such as personal computers and image forming apparatuses such as printers are connected via a network such as a LAN, and an information processing system that can share and use image forming apparatuses is constructed. Has been.

  In such a system, various techniques have been proposed for reducing power consumption by shifting to a multi-stage power-saving mode that gradually reduces power consumption for unused devices under conditions such as the passage of a predetermined time.

  For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-172474 discloses a technique for centrally managing the power supply of devices on a network with a server or the like.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-244833 discloses a proxy processing system in which a device in an activated state performs service processing on behalf of a device in a power saving state.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-89254 discloses a technique for reducing power consumption by automatically responding to processing such as a status request by using dedicated hardware without starting up the CPU of the apparatus.

JP 2000-172474 A JP 2002-244833 A JP 2003-89254 A

  An object of this invention is to provide the information processing system and processing program which can perform power saving management efficiently.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an information processing system according to claim 1 is connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses and information processing apparatuses connected via a communication line and having a plurality of power saving transition states, and information output. A detection unit that detects the power saving transition state of the image forming apparatus as a destination, and determines whether to use the image forming apparatus as the output destination or another image forming apparatus according to the detection result of the detection unit A determination unit that acquires information on the determined other image forming apparatus when the determination unit determines to use another image forming apparatus, and the image formation over time. with switching to the power saving transition state of a plurality of stages which power consumption is sequentially lowered from the state capable of outputting the device, according to the information acquired by said acquisition means, said power Saving said another image forming apparatus And control means for controlling the transition state so as to shift to the state capable of outputting, receiving means for said other image forming apparatus receives a transition state notification signal transmitted in the transition to the power saving transition state, the acquisition In response to a request for information relating to the other image forming apparatus by the means, the other image forming apparatus is acted on behalf of the other image forming apparatus in response to the transition state notification signal received by the receiving means. Proxy response means for responding information about the device, and the proxy response means has the ARP table in which the correspondence relationship between the IP address and the MAC address is recorded and the other image in the power saving transition state. A request to the forming apparatus is transmitted .

An information processing system according to a second aspect of the present invention is the information processing system according to the first aspect , wherein the acquisition unit acquires information about all devices connected to the communication line and is acquired by the acquisition unit. A storage unit configured to store the information as a database; and the control unit shifts the other image forming apparatus from the power saving transition state to a state where the information can be output based on the database stored in the storage unit. It is characterized by controlling to make it happen.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing system according to the first or second aspect , wherein when there are a plurality of the other image forming apparatuses determined by the determining means, The image processing apparatus further includes a selection unit that selects an image forming apparatus to be used in accordance with the assigned priority.

A processing program according to a fourth aspect of the invention uses a detection process for detecting a power saving transition state of an image forming apparatus as an output destination of information, and an image forming apparatus as an output destination according to the detection result, A determination process for determining whether to use an image forming apparatus, an acquisition process for acquiring information on the determined other image forming apparatus when it is determined to use another image forming apparatus in the determination process, and a time As the process progresses, the image forming apparatus is switched from a state in which the image forming apparatus can be output to a plurality of stages of the power saving transition state in which power consumption is sequentially reduced. and a control step of controlling the device so as to shift to the state capable of outputting from the power-saving transition state, transition state notification signal said other image forming apparatus transmits when moving to the power saving transition state When there is a request for information related to the other image forming apparatus by the receiving process and the obtaining process, the other image forming apparatus is set in response to the transition state notification signal received in the receiving process. A proxy response process for responding information related to the other image forming apparatus on behalf of the operator is executed, and in the proxy response process, the ARP table in which the correspondence between the IP address and the MAC address is recorded is rewritten. A request to the other image forming apparatus in the power saving transition state is transmitted .

  According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an information processing system that efficiently performs power saving management can be provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the information of the other image forming apparatus is shifted from the power saving shift state to the output enabled state based on the database stored in the storing means, thereby more efficiently saving power. An information processing system that performs management can be provided.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing system that selects an image forming apparatus to be used according to a priority given to each image forming apparatus in advance and performs power saving management more efficiently. Can do.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a processing program for efficiently performing power saving management.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of information processing system S1 which concerns on embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the level of a power saving mode. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation example of information processing system S1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation example of information processing system S1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation example of information processing system S1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation example of information processing system S1. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a processing program.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment as an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same members, and duplicate descriptions are omitted. In addition, since description here is the best form by which this invention is implemented, this invention is not limited to the said form.

  With reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, an information processing system S1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system S1 according to the present embodiment is composed of three information processing apparatuses PC1 to PC3 composed of personal computers connected via a network N such as a LAN, and a printer. And three image forming apparatuses PR1 to PR3.

  The number of information processing apparatuses and image forming apparatuses that can be connected is arbitrary.

  Further, the detailed configuration of the information processing device PC3 is omitted due to space limitations, but it is assumed that the information processing device PC3 has the same configuration as the information processing devices PC1 and PC2.

  Each of the information processing apparatuses PC1 to PC3 detects the power saving transition state (the transition state of the power saving mode) of the image forming apparatuses PR1 to PR3 as output destinations (print output destinations) of information composed of print data and the like. Depending on the detection result of the power mode detection unit 200 (an example of the detection unit) and the power saving mode detection unit 200, the image forming apparatus (any one of the printers PR1 to PR3) as the output destination is used, or other image formation A printer determining unit 201 (an example of a determining unit) that determines whether to use a device (any one of the printers PR1 to PR3 other than the output destination), and the printer determining unit 201 determines to use another image forming apparatus In addition, an information acquisition unit 202 (an example of an acquisition unit) that acquires information on the determined other image forming apparatus, and other image formation according to the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 202 The location and a control unit 204 composed of a microcomputer for controlling so as to shift the printable state from the power saving mode transition state (an example of a control unit).

  The information acquisition unit 202 includes a database unit 203 (an example of a storage unit) that acquires information about all devices connected to the network N and stores the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 202 as a database. You may do it.

  In this case, the control unit 204 controls the other image forming apparatus to shift from the power saving mode shift state to a printable state based on the database stored in the database unit 203.

  Further, when there are a plurality of other image forming apparatuses determined by the printer determining unit 201, the image forming apparatus to be used is selected according to the priority given to each image forming apparatus (printers PR1 to PR3) in advance. A printer selection unit 207 (an example of a selection unit) may be provided.

  Further, when another image forming apparatus shifts to the power saving mode, a transition state notification signal receiving unit 205 (an example of a receiving unit) that receives a transition state notification signal transmitted from a transition state notification signal transmission unit 101 described later. When the information acquisition unit 202 requests information related to another image forming apparatus, the information acquisition unit 202 represents the other image forming apparatus in response to the transition state notification signal received by the transition state notification signal reception unit 205. And a proxy response processing unit 206 (an example of proxy response means) that responds to information related to other image forming apparatuses.

  On the other hand, the printers PR1 to PR3 transmit a transition state notification signal to the information processing devices PC1 to PC3 via the network N when shifting to the control unit 100 configured by a microcomputer or the like and the power saving mode. A state notification signal transmitter 101 is provided.

  The printers PR1 to PR3 have a configuration for performing print processing based on print data transmitted from the information processing apparatuses PC1 to PC3, but those configurations are omitted in FIG.

  Further, as exemplified by the printer PR1 in FIG. 1, at least one of the image forming apparatuses may be provided with a transition state notification signal receiving unit 205 and a proxy response processing unit 206.

  Thus, a proxy response is made by any printer (printer PR1 in the example of FIG. 1) regardless of the information processing apparatuses PC1 to PC3, and power saving efficiency is improved.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing power saving modes (normal state M1, power saving level 2, power saving level 1) of a plurality of stages (three stages in the present embodiment) of the printers PR1 to PR3.

  Here, the power saving level 1 is a response to only a power saving return signal (such as a WOL (Wake On LAN) packet) from a client PC constituted by any of the personal computers PC1 to PC3, and returns the apparatus from the power saving state. It is a power saving mode.

  Consists mainly of hardware (not including the CPU), mechanically responds to the packet pattern, and consumes minimal power.

  Power saving level 2 is a power saving mode that can respond to device status confirmation and status parameter acquisition from the client PC and the like, and when a print processing request is made, returns the print processing unit from the power saving state. is there.

  It is mainly composed only of hardware (which may include a CPU and capable of somewhat advanced processing), responds to a certain amount of network packets, and consumes relatively little power.

  The mechanism of Wake On LAN (WOL) will be briefly described.

  When a special packet is transmitted to a computer (network adapter) that is a WOL target, the network adapter of the WOL target computer receives the packet and turns on the power.

  There are several methods for WOL packets, but in the general Magic Packet method, the IP header is followed by 0xffffffffffff (6 bytes) and the MAC address (6 bytes) of the network adapter of the WOL target computer. ) Is a UDP datagram having data of 102 bytes continuously 16 times, and the destination UDP port is arbitrary.

  “FF: FF: FF: FF: FF: FF” used as a destination is a broadcast address used in a layer 2 network medium, that is, Ethernet (registered trademark of Xerox Corporation in the United States). Therefore, the magic packet is transmitted to all nodes in the same segment.

  On the receiving side, if the MAC address repeated 16 times in the magic packet is not that of the own device, it is ignored and the power is not turned on. However, if the MAC address is that of the own device, it is determined that a power-on instruction has been received and the power is turned on.

  The magic packet used to send a power-on command in the WOL is transmitted as a layer 2 Ethernet broadcast frame. Therefore, the information processing apparatus that is the transmission source of the magic packet and the information processing apparatus that is the destination must be located within the same broadcast domain.

  For example, when the network is divided through a router, or in a remote network connected through WAN or VPN, there is a high possibility that WOL cannot be used.

  However, some software used for magic packet transmission can specify a destination by IP address as well as broadcast. In this case, the WOL can be activated by designating a specific information processing apparatus as a target, and it is possible to straddle a router or a layer 3 switch. Instead, it is necessary to assign a fixed IP address to the target information processing apparatus. Then, filtering is performed based on the source IP address included in the IP header. Thereby, it responds only to the WOL packet from a specific device (master device).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, an embodiment of a proxy response method will be described.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, filtering is performed so as to respond only to a power saving return request from a proxy response master device (any one of the image forming apparatuses PR1 to PR3), and the master device swaps packets to group devices. Respond on behalf.

  Further, the ARP table may be rewritten so that a request to the sleeping device is sent to the master device. In this case, the sleeping device is in a state of returning to power saving by normal WOL.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, when the printers PR1 and PR2 are in the normal startup state and the printer PR2 is at the power saving level 1 shown in FIG. 2, when the printers PR1 and PR2 enter the sleep state at the power saving level 2, After making a proxy response request to the master device (any one of the image forming apparatuses PR1 to PR3), the process proceeds.

  Next, another embodiment of the proxy response method will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, since the master device (any one of the image forming apparatuses PR1 to PR3) makes a proxy response, the WOL packet should not come.

  Specifically, for example, when the printers PR1 and PR2 are linked, a processing request from the client (any one of the information processing apparatuses PC1 to PC3) to the linked printer PR1 is swept and a proxy response is made.

  If the proxy response cannot be made due to the contents of the service, the corresponding printer PR1 is activated.

  In FIG. 4, the printer PR2 has shifted to the power saving level 1, and does not respond to a request from the client (any one of the information processing apparatuses PC1 to PC3) in this state.

  Then, it responds only to the power saving return request from the printer in the activated group.

  Further, power saving may be restored only by the WOL packet from the master device.

  That is, for the printer PR3, filtering by WOL + α (where α is a dedicated code) or a source IP address is performed.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent a plurality of printers from being unnecessarily restored to save power, and the power saving efficiency of the entire system is improved.

  Next, another embodiment of the proxy response method will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 5, the printer PR1 makes a proxy response for a while, but also shifts to sleep (power saving level 1).

  In this case, the service attribute information, status information, print history information, and the like of each printer may be set to return to power saving even with a WOL packet to a device in the holding proxy response group, and then may be shifted to sleep.

  Further, when a normal activation state is obtained by an operation from the panel such as FAX reception or copying, a status change is notified to the master device (in this case, for example, the information processing device PC2). It also notifies when transitioning from the normal startup state to power saving.

  When the master device (information processing device PC2) returns from power saving from sleep, status confirmation is performed on the group device. When the confirmation target device is in the sleep state, there is no response, and if the power saving recovery is performed by panel operation or the like, there is a response, so the database of the database unit 203 is updated.

  Next, itself (printer PR1) also shifts to the sleep state.

  Since the information processing device PC2 makes an inquiry but does not receive a response, it transmits a WOL packet (magic packet) (see FIG. 6).

  Normally, the Mac addressing device designated by WOL returns to the power saving mode. However, as described above, the power saving mode is not restored in this embodiment.

  The printer PR1 returns to power saving in the proxy response mode if the Mac address designated by the WOL is addressed to the group device.

  That is, even when a WOL magic packet is sent to a device in the proxy response group, power saving is restored in the proxy response mode.

As described above, if information is stored in an internal HDD or the like, an external server is not required, and power saving efficiency is improved at low cost.
The

  Next, an example of the processing procedure of the processing program executed by the information processing system S1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Here, for simplicity of explanation, the master device will be described as A, and the other devices will be described as B and C.

  First, in step S100, network addresses, status parameter information, and the like of devices connected to the network N (information processing devices PC1 to 3 and printers PR1 to PR3) are acquired in advance and stored as a database. Transition.

  In step S101, the other device B shifts to the power saving mode and receives a power saving shift notification. At this time, the status information of the device B is also acquired.

  In the other apparatus B, in step S200, the mode is shifted to the power saving mode, the status information is transmitted, and the process shifts to step S201.

  In step S201, a special packet reception waiting state from the master device is entered.

  On the other hand, in step S102, any one of the information processing apparatuses PC1 to PC3 on the network N issues a status request to the apparatus B, and the master apparatus returns the status of the apparatus B as the apparatus B to the information processing apparatuses PC1 to PC3.

  In step S <b> 103, a print request is sent from any of the information processing apparatuses PC <b> 1 to 3 on the network N to the apparatus B. The master device collates the content of the print request with its own database, and if there is a device C that can satisfy the service content among the devices in the normal state, it makes a proxy service request to the device C so that it is executed on behalf. If only device B can cope, a special packet is transmitted to device B to return from the power saving state.

  In step S104, when all the devices on the network N shift to the power saving state and a service request from any of the information processing devices PC1 to PC3 is not made for a certain period, the master device also shifts to the power saving state. During power saving, the database information is stored in a nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk device.

  In step S105, a power saving return request signal using a special packet is transmitted from any of the information processing apparatuses PC1 to PC3 on the network N to the apparatus B. The master device also responds to the special packet to device B, and returns to power saving in the proxy response mode.

  In this way, efficient power saving management is performed by providing a plurality of power saving levels for performing fine power control and switching the power saving levels according to the situation.

  In addition, even if there is no hardware proxy response function and the processing level is not too fine, efficient power saving management for the entire network is possible without restoring power saving due to status requests and ensuring response by proxy response. Is done.

  In addition, it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated server for a proxy response system that performs efficient power saving, and it is possible to shift all devices to the power saving state, and to continue information on power saving in the network. Therefore, more efficient processing is performed.

  Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not limited to the disclosed technology. Should not be considered. That is, the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed restrictively based on the description in the above embodiment, but should be construed according to the description of the scope of claims. All modifications that fall within the scope of the claims and the equivalent technology are included.

  When using a program, it can be provided via a network or stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  That is, the predetermined program including the image processing program is not limited to being recorded in a storage device such as a hard disk as a recording medium, and the predetermined program can be provided as follows.

  For example, a predetermined program may be stored in the ROM, and the CPU may load the predetermined program from the ROM to the main storage device and execute it.

  The predetermined program may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a DVD-ROM, a CD-ROM, an MO (magneto-optical disk), a flexible disk, and distributed.

  Further, the image forming apparatus or the like is connected to a server apparatus or a host computer via a communication line (for example, the Internet), and after the predetermined program is downloaded from the server apparatus or the host computer, the predetermined program is executed. You may do it. In this case, examples of the download destination of the predetermined program include a memory such as a RAM and a storage device (recording medium) such as a hard disk.

  The information processing system and processing program according to the present invention can be applied to an information processing system to which a personal computer, a printer, a multifunction peripheral, or the like is connected.

S1 Information processing systems PC1 to 3 Information processing apparatuses PR1 to 3 Image forming apparatus 100 Control unit 101 Transition state notification signal transmission unit 200 Power saving mode detection unit 201 Printer determination unit 202 Information acquisition unit 203 Database unit 204 Control unit 205 Transition state notification Signal receiving unit 206 Proxy response processing unit 207 Printer selection unit N Network

Claims (4)

A plurality of image forming apparatuses and information processing apparatuses connected via a communication line and having a multi-stage power saving transition state;
Detecting means for detecting the power saving transition state of the image forming apparatus as an output destination of information;
Determining means for determining whether to use the image forming apparatus as the output destination or another image forming apparatus according to the detection result of the detecting means;
An acquisition means for acquiring information relating to the determined other image forming apparatus when the determining means determines to use another image forming apparatus;
As the time elapses, the image forming apparatus is switched from a state in which the image forming apparatus can be output to a plurality of stages of the power saving transition state in which the power consumption sequentially decreases. Control means for controlling the forming apparatus to shift from the power saving transition state to a state capable of output;
Receiving means for receiving a transition state notification signal transmitted when the other image forming apparatus transitions to the power saving transition state;
When there is a request for information related to the other image forming apparatus by the acquiring unit, the other image forming apparatus is represented on behalf of the other image forming apparatus in response to the transition state notification signal received by the receiving unit. Proxy response means for responding information relating to the image forming apparatus,
A request to the other image forming apparatus in the power saving transition state is transmitted to the proxy response unit by rewriting the ARP table in which the correspondence relationship between the IP address and the MAC address is recorded.
An information processing system characterized by this. The acquisition unit further includes a storage unit that acquires information about all devices connected to the communication line, and stores the information acquired by the acquisition unit as a database,
The control means includes
2. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the other image forming apparatus is controlled to shift from the power saving transition state to an outputable state based on a database stored in the storage unit. . When there are a plurality of other image forming apparatuses determined by the determining unit, the image forming apparatus further includes a selecting unit that selects an image forming apparatus to be used according to a priority given to each image forming apparatus in advance. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2 . A detection process for detecting a power saving transition state of the image forming apparatus as an output destination of information;
A determination process for determining whether to use an image forming apparatus as an output destination or another image forming apparatus according to a detection result;
An acquisition process for acquiring information relating to the determined other image forming apparatus when it is determined to use another image forming apparatus in the determination process;
As the time elapses, the image forming apparatus is switched from a state in which the image forming apparatus can be output to a plurality of stages of the power saving transition state in which power consumption sequentially decreases, and the other image is selected in accordance with the information acquired in the acquisition process. A control process for controlling the forming apparatus to shift from the power saving transition state to a state capable of outputting;
A reception process of receiving a transition state notification signal transmitted when the other image forming apparatus transitions to the power saving transition state;
When there is a request for information related to the other image forming apparatus in the acquisition process, the other image forming apparatus is represented on behalf of the other image forming apparatus in response to the transition state notification signal received in the reception process. And having the computing means execute a proxy response process for responding information about the image forming apparatus,
In the proxy response process, the ARP table in which the correspondence relationship between the IP address and the MAC address is recorded is rewritten, and a request to the other image forming apparatus in the power saving transition state is transmitted.
A processing program characterized by that.

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