JP5636973B2 - Network device and content display system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a network device that can operate in a power saving mode with low power consumption.

  In order to reduce power consumption, there are multifunction devices that can operate in a plurality of power modes. The multifunction device shifts from a normal mode in which power is supplied to the entire multifunction device to a power saving mode in which power is supplied to a part of the multifunction device when the user does not perform an operation for a certain period of time. .

  In the power saving mode, power is not supplied to the main control unit of the multifunction peripheral, and power consumption is reduced. For this reason, there is an advantage that the operation cost can be reduced for the user. Moreover, there is an advantage that it can contribute to energy saving measures and environmental measures by reducing power consumption.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a network system including a digital multi-function peripheral that supports a power saving mode. In Patent Document 1, when the digital multifunction peripheral shifts to the power saving mode, it notifies the server of the status information of its own device. When a client terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer) transmits a command for inquiring the status of the digital multi-function peripheral, the server performs a response to the command. As a result, the number of times the digital multifunction peripheral returns from the power saving mode is reduced.

JP 2004-133512 A

  When the digital multi-function peripheral has a web server function, it can transmit a web page or the like displaying an operation history of its own device in response to a request from the client terminal. For example, the user can check a facsimile transmission history using a web page. When the digital multi-function peripheral is compatible with the bulletin board function, the user can check the bulletin board of the group to which the user belongs using the web page.

  However, when acting as a proxy for a digital multifunction peripheral having the operation history display function and bulletin board function as described above, the server of Patent Document 1 supports the operation history display function and bulletin board function in the same manner as the digital multifunction peripheral. Must.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of simplifying the configuration of a device that responds instead of a network device that operates in a power saving mode.

  In order to solve the above problem, the invention described in claim 1 is a network device capable of communicating with a first client terminal, a second client terminal, and an alternative server via a network and having a web server function. In the first power mode, the power is supplied in the first power mode and the second power mode in which the power consumption is lower than that in the first power mode, and the communication control unit controls communication through the network. When the first page designation data requesting the display of the web page is received from the first client terminal, content data corresponding to the first page designation data is created and power is supplied in the second power mode. The communication control unit includes the content data and the first page designation data. A transfer history management unit that transfers response data to the alternative server and registers the first page designation data in the transfer history data; and second page designation data received from the second client terminal in the second power mode. Is registered in the transfer history data, a response unit that transmits instruction data for instructing access to the alternative server to the second client terminal.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the network device according to claim 1, further comprising a power management unit that manages power supply to the content creation unit, wherein the response unit specifies the second page designation If the data is not registered in the transfer history data, the power management unit is instructed to supply power to the content creation unit, and the content creation unit creates content data corresponding to the second page designation data .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the network device according to the first or second aspect , the communication control unit uses HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), and the first client terminal, the second client terminal, and Communicate with the alternative server.

The invention according to claim 4 is a content display system, wherein a first client terminal, a second client terminal, an alternative server, a first client terminal, a second client terminal, and an alternative server are connected via a network. A network device having a web server function, wherein the network device is supplied with power in a first power mode and a second power mode in which the power consumption is lower than the first power mode, When receiving a first page designation data requesting display of a web page from the first client terminal in the first power mode and a communication control unit for controlling communication via the network, the first page designation Content data corresponding to the data is created, and content is not supplied with power in the second power mode. The communication control unit transfers proxy response data including the content data and the first page designation data to the alternative server, and registers the first page designation data in the transfer history data. If the transfer history data includes second page designation data received from the second client terminal in the second power mode, the transfer history management unit includes instruction data for instructing access to the alternative server. A response unit that transmits to the second client terminal, wherein the substitute server stores the proxy response data transmitted from the network device, and the second page designation data from the second client terminal. If received, the content data corresponding to the second page designation data is extracted from the storage unit, and the extracted content data The data containing a substitute response unit which transmits to the second client terminal.

  When the network device of the present invention creates content data corresponding to the first page designation data, the proxy device transmits proxy response data including the first page designation data and the content data to the alternative server, and transfers the first page designation data. Register in history data. When the second page designation data received in the second power mode is registered in the transfer history data, the network device of the present invention transmits instruction data for instructing access to the alternative server. The alternative server may store the content data created by the network device of the present invention and transmit the content data in response to a request from the second client terminal. For this reason, the structure of an alternative server can be simplified.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the content display system by embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a network controller. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating proxy response data transmitted by the multifunction machine. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the multifunction machine. It is a figure which shows transfer log | history data. 10 is a flowchart of web page creation processing executed by the multifunction machine. 10 is a flowchart of power saving support processing executed by the multifunction peripheral. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an alternative server.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

{1. overall structure}
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content display system including a multifunction device 1 according to an embodiment. The content display system has a configuration in which a multifunction machine 1, an alternative server 2, and PCs 3 and 4 are connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 5.

  The multifunction device 1 is a multi-function device having a printer function, a FAX function, a copy function, a web server function, and the like. The multifunction device 1 operates in one of an operation mode of a normal mode in which power is supplied to the entire multifunction device 1 and a power saving mode in which power consumption is lower than that in the normal mode. The multifunction device 1 transmits content data 51 including a web page on which information related to the multifunction device 1 is displayed to the PCs 3 and 4.

  The alternative server 2 has a web server function. The alternative server 2 transmits the content data 51 to the PCs 3 and 4 in response to a request from the PCs 3 and 4 when the multifunction device 1 is operating in the power saving mode.

  The PCs 3 and 4 are client terminals used by the user. The PCs 3 and 4 receive the content data 51 from the multifunction device 1 or the alternative server 2 and display the web page.

{2. Configuration of each device}
{2.1. Configuration of MFP 1}
The multi-function device 1 includes a control unit 11, a printer unit 12, a FAX unit 13, a power management unit 14, and a network controller 6. The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a RAM (Random Access Memory) (not shown), and controls the entire MFP 1.

  The printer unit 12 prints print data transmitted from the PCs 3 and 4 and image data created by a scanner (not shown). The FAX unit 13 transmits / receives image data via a public line network. In FIG. 1, the display of the configuration related to other functions of the multifunction device 1 is omitted.

  The network controller 6 controls communication via the LAN 5. The network controller 6 includes a back end unit 61 and a front end unit 62.

  The power management unit 14 controls the power supplied to each block of the multifunction device 1 according to the operation mode of the multifunction device 1. In the normal mode, the power management unit 14 supplies power to the control unit 11, the printer unit 12, the FAX unit 13, and the network controller 6. In the power saving mode, the power management unit 14 supplies power to the front end unit 62. At this time, power is not supplied to the control unit 11, the printer unit 12, the FAX unit 13, and the back end unit 61.

{2.2. Configuration of network controller 6}
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the network controller 6.

  The back end unit 61 has a web server function, and creates content data 51 in response to requests from the PCs 3 and 4. The front end unit 62 transmits / receives data to / from devices connected to the LAN 5 using various protocols. Protocols supported by the front-end unit 62 are TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP (Internet Protocol), HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), and the like.

  The back end unit 61 includes a database 611 and a content creation unit 612.

  The database 611 manages operation history information of the multifunction machine 1 such as communication history information of the FAX unit 13 and history information of print data printed by the printer unit 12. When the multifunction device 1 has a bulletin board function, the database 611 also stores post data posted by the user. The content creation unit 612 creates the content data 51 in response to an instruction from the front end unit 62.

  The front end unit 62 includes a response unit 621, a transfer history management unit 622, and a storage unit 623.

  The transfer history management unit 622 registers a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) corresponding to the content data 51 created by the back end unit 61 in the transfer history data 63. The storage unit 623 is a memory such as a RAM, and stores transfer history data 63.

  When the response unit 621 receives a URL from the PC 3 while the multifunction device 1 is operating in the normal mode, the response unit 621 transmits the content data 51 corresponding to the received URL to the PC 3. The response unit 621 transmits the proxy response data 50 in which the URL and the content data 51 are associated with each other to the alternative server 2. If the response unit 621 receives a URL from the PC 3 when the multifunction device 1 is operating in the power saving mode, the response unit 621 checks whether the received URL is registered in the transfer history data 63. If registered, the response unit 621 transmits data instructing access to the alternative server 2 to the PC 3.

  Since the back-end unit 61 and the front-end unit 62 each include a CPU and a RAM, they operate independently of each other. In order to dynamically create a web page using the database 611, the CPU of the back end unit 61 has a relatively high processing capability. Since the CPU of the front end unit 62 does not require complicated processing, the CPU has a lower processing capacity than the CPU of the back end unit 61. For this reason, the power consumption of the multifunction device 1 in the power saving mode can be reduced.

{2.3. Configuration of alternative server 2}
As shown in FIG. 1, the alternative server 2 includes a web server unit 21 and a storage unit 22.

  When receiving the proxy response data 50, the web server unit 21 registers the URL included in the proxy response data in the proxy response determination data 53 and stores the content data 51 in the storage unit 22. When receiving a web page display request from the PCs 3 and 4, the web server unit 21 transmits content data 51 corresponding to the display request to the PCs 3 and 4.

{3. Operation of content display system}
Hereinafter, the operation of the content display system will be described by taking as an example a case where the multifunction device 1 accepts a display request for a web page (FAX history page) indicating a FAX operation history.

{3.1. Outline of operation}
The PC 3 transmits an HTTP request (page request 31) including a URL specifying the FAX history page. Hereinafter, the URL designating the FAX history page is referred to as page designation data 32 (see FIG. 3).

  The network controller 6 receives the page request 31 when the multifunction device 1 is operating in the normal mode. The content creation unit 612 creates content data 51 corresponding to the FAX history page based on the page designation data 32. The network controller 6 transmits the created content data 51 to the PC 1.

  Further, the network controller 6 creates proxy response data 50. As shown in FIG. 3, the proxy response data 50 includes content data 51 and page designation data 32. The network controller 6 transmits the created proxy response data 50 to the alternative server 2 and registers the page designation data 32 in the transfer history data 63.

  When the network controller 6 receives the page request 41 from the PC 4 while the multifunction device 1 is operating in the power saving mode, the network controller 6 determines whether the URL included in the page request 41 is registered in the transfer history data 63. Check. If registered, the network controller 6 transmits to the PC 4 a message indicating that the content data 51 corresponding to the page request 41 is stored in the alternative server 2. The PC 4 acquires the content data 51 from the alternative server 2 based on the message. Accordingly, the PC 4 can acquire the content data 51 corresponding to the page request 41 even if the multifunction device 1 does not return from the power saving mode to the normal mode.

  Hereinafter, the operation of each device constituting the content display system will be described in detail.

{3.2. Operation of MFP 1}
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the multifunction device 1 when an HTTP request is received. Hereinafter, the operation of the multifunction machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the front end unit 62 receives the HTTP request, the response unit 621 confirms the operation mode of the multifunction device 1 (step S1). When the multifunction device 1 is operating in the power saving mode (Yes in step S1), the front end unit 62 executes a power saving support process (step S7). Details of the power saving processing will be described later.

  When the multifunction device 1 is operating in the normal mode (No in step S1), the response unit 621 confirms the command included in the HTTP request (step S2). If the HTTP request includes a Get command (Yes in step S2), the response unit 621 determines that the HTTP request is a page request.

  Hereinafter, it is assumed that the PC 3 has transmitted a page request 31 including the page designation data 32. When the page designation data 32 is registered in the transfer history data 63 (Yes in step S3), the transfer history management unit 622 deletes the page designation data 32 from the transfer history data 63 (step S4).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the transfer history data 63. The transfer history data 63 is data in which the transfer history of the proxy response data 50 is recorded using a URL. As shown in FIG. 5, since the page designation data 32 is already registered in the transfer history data 63, the transfer history management unit 622 deletes the page designation data 32 from the transfer history data 63.

  The reason for this will be described. As will be described later, since the multi-function device 1 has received the page request 31 in the normal mode, it creates content data 51 (hereinafter referred to as “FAX page data”) corresponding to the FAX history page. When the page designation data 32 is already registered in the transfer history data 63, the proxy server 2 stores FAX page data. However, the FAX page data stored by the alternative server 2 does not reflect the current operation history of the FAX unit 13. The front end unit 62 deletes the page designation data 32 from the transfer history data 63 in order to save the FAX page data reflecting the latest operation history of the FAX unit 13 in the alternative server 2.

  The network controller 6 executes web page creation processing (step S5). FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the web page creation process (step S5).

  The response unit 621 instructs the back-end unit 61 to create FAX page data. The content creation unit 612 creates FAX page data in response to an instruction from the response unit 621 (step S51). The content creation unit 612 creates FAX page data using the operation history information of the FAX unit 13 registered in the database 611. The response unit 621 transmits the created FAX page data to the PC 3 (Step S52).

  The front end unit 62 creates proxy response data 50. As shown in FIG. 3, the proxy response data 50 includes content data 51 (FAX page data) and page designation data 32. The response unit 621 transmits the created proxy response data 50 to the alternative server 2 (step S53).

  When the response message indicating that the proxy response data 50 has been received from the alternative server 2 is received (Yes in step S54), the transfer history management unit 622 registers the page designation data 32 in the transfer history data 63 (step S55). .

  Returning to step S2 shown in FIG. If the HTTP request has a Post command (No in step S2), the network controller 6 executes a Post command response process (step S6). For example, when a user of the PC 3 posts on a bulletin board, the HTTP request transmitted by the PC 3 includes a Post command and post data. The back end unit 61 registers the posted data in the database 611 based on the Post command. The response unit 621 transmits a message indicating that the processing of the Post command has been completed to the PC 3.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the power saving support process (step S7). As described above, when the front-end unit 62 receives an HTTP request when the multifunction device 1 is in the power saving mode, the front end unit 62 executes the power saving processing.

  If the received HTTP request includes a Get command (Yes in step S701), the response unit 621 determines that the received HTTP request is a page request. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the PC 4 has transmitted a page request 41 including the page designation data 32.

  The transfer history management unit 622 checks whether the page designation data 32 is registered in the transfer history data 63 (step S702). When the page designation data 32 is not registered (No in step S702), the transfer history management unit 622 determines that the alternative server 2 does not store the FAX page data. The transfer history management unit 622 instructs the power management unit 14 to return to the normal mode (step S703). After the multifunction device 1 returns to the normal mode, the network controller 6 executes web page creation processing (step S704) and transmits FAX page data to the PC 4. The process in step S704 is the same as the process shown in FIG.

  When the page designation data 32 is registered in the transfer history data 63 (Yes in step S702), the transfer history management unit 622 can acquire the FAX page data without returning the multifunction device 1 to the normal mode. Judge. The front end unit 62 confirms whether or not the alternative server 2 is operating by using ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) (step S705).

  When the front-end unit 62 receives an ICMP response from the alternative server 2, the front-end unit 62 determines that the alternative server 2 is operating (Yes in step S705), and creates location information (step S706). The location information is information in which the page designation data 32 and the IP address of the alternative server 2 are associated with each other. As a response to the page request 41, the response unit 621 transmits location information to the PC 4 together with the HTTP message 302 (step S707).

  If the front-end unit 62 cannot receive an ICMP response from the alternative server 2, the front-end unit 62 determines that the alternative server 2 is not operating (No in step S705). Then, the transfer history management unit 622 deletes the page designation data 32 from the transfer history data 63 (step S708). This is because FAX page data is newly created as will be described later. The transfer history management unit 622 instructs the power management unit 14 to return to the normal mode (step S709). After the multifunction device 1 returns to the normal mode, the network controller 6 executes web page creation processing (see FIG. 6) in order to transmit FAX page data to the PC 4 (step S710).

  As described above, the front end unit 62 determines whether or not the page designation data 32 is registered in the transfer history data 63 when the page request 41 is received from the PC 4 when the multifunction device 1 is operating in the power saving mode. Confirm. When the page designation data 32 is registered, the front end unit 62 transmits the location information to the PC 4. The PC 4 can acquire the FAX page data by accessing the alternative server 2 using the location information. Even if the MFP 1 does not need to return to the normal mode even if it receives the page request 41 in the power saving mode, the power consumption of the MFP 1 can be reduced.

  Returning to the description of step S701. When the HTTP request includes the Post command (No in step S701), the front end unit 62 instructs the power management unit 14 to return to the normal mode (step S711). This is because the processing related to the Post command is executed by the back end unit 61. After the multifunction device 1 returns to the normal mode, a Post command response process is executed (step S712). The process of step S712 is the same as the process of step S6 shown in FIG.

{3.3. Operation of alternative server 2}
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the alternative server 2. When the alternative server 2 receives the HTTP request, it starts the process shown in FIG. When the received HTTP request includes the Post command (Yes in Step S201), the web server unit 21 checks whether or not the proxy response data 50 has been transferred from the multifunction device 1 (Step S202).

  If the proxy response data 50 has been transferred (Yes in step S202), the web server unit 21 performs a storage process of the proxy response data 50 (step S203). Specifically, the web server unit 21 stores the content data 51 in a preset folder. The web server unit 21 creates proxy response determination data 53 in which the page designation data 32 and the file name of the content data 51 are associated with each other. Thereafter, as a response, the web server unit 21 transmits a message notifying the completion of storage of the proxy response data 50 to the multi function device 1 (step S204).

  When other data is transferred by the HTTP request (No in step S202), the web server unit 21 executes a Post command response process (step S205). The web server unit 21 stores other data in a database (not shown), and transmits a response message to the transmission source of the HTTP request.

  Returning to the description of step S201. Assume that the PC 4 has transmitted the page request 41 to the alternative server 2. The PC 4 acquires the location information from the multifunction device 1 before transmitting the page request 41 to the alternative server 2. The PC 3 may transmit the page request 31 to the alternative server 2.

  When the HTTP request is the page request 41 (No in step S201), the web server unit 21 checks whether or not the page designation data 32 included in the page request 41 is registered in the proxy response determination data 53 (step S206). ).

  When the page designation data 32 is registered (Yes in Step S206), the web server unit 21 executes proxy response processing (Step S207). Specifically, the web server unit 21 extracts content data 51 (FAX page data) corresponding to the page designation data 32 from the storage unit 22. The web server unit 21 transmits the extracted FAX page data to the PC 4.

  When the page designation data 32 is not registered (No in step S206), the web server unit 21 transmits to the PC 4 an error message notifying that the PC 4 cannot transmit the FAX page data requesting display (step S208). .

  As described above, when receiving the page request 41 from the PC 4, the alternative server 2 determines whether or not the page designation data 32 is registered in the proxy response determination data 53. When the page designation data 32 is stored, the alternative server 2 transmits FAX page data to the PC 4. Thereby, since the alternative server 2 does not need to create the content data 51 dynamically, the structure of the alternative server 2 can be simplified.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the page designation data 32 is associated with the file name of the content data 51 when the proxy response data 50 is received has been described. However, the alternative server 2 may store the received proxy response data 50 as it is. When the alternative server 2 receives the page request 41, the alternative server 2 may search for the response data 50 having the page designation data 32.

  In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which power is supplied to the entire MFP 1 in the normal mode and power is supplied only to the front end unit 62 in the power saving mode. However, the multifunction device 1 may support three or more types of operation modes.

  For example, the multifunction device 1 is an operation mode in which power is not supplied to the control unit 11, the printer unit 12, and the FAX unit 13 and power is supplied only to the network controller 6 (hereinafter referred to as “simple power saving mode”). It may work with. Since the back end unit 61 is supplied with power in the simple power saving mode, the back end unit 61 can create a web page based on the URL received from the PC 3. That is, the back end unit 61 may create a web page in response to a page request when power is supplied. Further, when the front end unit 62 determines that the back end unit 61 needs to be operated during operation in the power saving mode, the front end unit 62 operates in an operation mode in which power is supplied to the back end unit 61 (normal mode and simple power saving mode). The power management unit 14 may be instructed to shift to any one of the above. Since the power consumption in the simple power saving mode is lower than the power consumption in the normal mode, it is desirable for the back end unit 61 to instruct the transition to the simple power saving mode.

  In the above-described embodiment, the multifunction device 1 has been described as an example of a network device. However, the network device may be a device that is connected to a network and operates in either a normal mode or a power saving mode, such as a network printer. Moreover, the alternative server 2 should just be an apparatus which has a web server function and is always turned on as mentioned above. For example, as the alternative server 2, it is possible to use a multifunction device that has a web server function and is set not to shift to the power saving mode.

1 MFP 2 Alternative server 2
3, 4 PC
6 Network controller 14 Power management unit 61 Back end unit 62 Front end unit 63 Transfer history data 611 Content creation unit 612 Database 621 Response unit 622 Transfer history management unit 623 Storage unit

Claims (4)

A network device capable of communicating with a first client terminal, a second client terminal, and an alternative server via a network and having a web server function,
Power is supplied in the first power mode and the second power mode, which consumes less power than the first power mode, and a communication control unit controls communication via the network;
When receiving first page designation data for requesting display of a web page from the first client terminal in the first power mode, content data corresponding to the first page designation data is created, and the second power A content creation unit to which power is not supplied in the mode,
With
The communication control unit
A transfer history management unit that transfers proxy response data including the content data and the first page designation data to the alternative server, and registers the first page designation data in transfer history data;
When the second page designation data received from the second client terminal in the second power mode is registered in the transfer history data, instruction data for instructing access to the alternative server is sent to the second client terminal A response to send to
Including network equipment. The network device according to claim 1, further comprising:
A power management unit for managing power supply to the content creation unit;
With
The response unit instructs the power management unit to supply power to the content creation unit when the second page designation data is not registered in the transfer history data,
The content creation unit is a network device that creates content data corresponding to the second page designation data. The network device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The communication control unit is a network device that communicates with the first client terminal, the second client terminal, and the alternative server using HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). A first client terminal;
A second client terminal;
An alternate server,
A network device capable of communicating with a first client terminal, a second client terminal, and an alternative server via a network and having a web server function;
The network device is:
Power is supplied in the first power mode and the second power mode, which consumes less power than the first power mode, and a communication control unit controls communication via the network;
When receiving first page designation data for requesting display of a web page from the first client terminal in the first power mode, content data corresponding to the first page designation data is created, and the second power A content creation unit to which power is not supplied in the mode,
With
The communication control unit
A transfer history management unit that transfers proxy response data including the content data and the first page designation data to the alternative server, and registers the first page designation data in transfer history data;
When the second page designation data received from the second client terminal in the second power mode is included in the transfer history data, instruction data for instructing access to the alternative server is transmitted to the second client terminal A response unit to
Including
The alternative server is
A storage unit for storing the proxy response data transmitted from the network device;
When the second page designation data is received from the second client terminal, the content data corresponding to the second page designation data is extracted from the storage unit, and the extracted content data is transmitted to the second client terminal A response unit;
Content display system including

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