JP5842549B2 - Image processing apparatus, image processing apparatus control method, and image processing apparatus control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a control method for the image processing apparatus, and a control program for the image processing apparatus, and more particularly to control of a processing order when a plurality of processes are executed together.

  In recent years, there has been a tendency to digitize information, and image processing apparatuses such as printers and facsimiles used for outputting digitized information and scanners used for digitizing documents have become indispensable devices. Such an image processing apparatus is often configured as a multifunction machine that can be used as a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, or a copier by providing an imaging function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like.

  Such an image processing apparatus includes, for example, a direct transmission function for transmitting a document image while reading it as in a facsimile machine, a memory transmission function for storing the read document image in a memory, and then transmitting the image information while reading it, A variety of functions such as a time designation transmission function for transmitting accumulated image information after a designated time has been installed, and the number of functions is increasing.

  In addition, when various functions are used in combination, a method for managing the setting of the combined function by determining the order of executing each function based on a table in which the priority order of each function is set has already been proposed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  It is conceivable that the priority of each function and the necessity of execution vary depending on the operation status and timing of the apparatus. However, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the determination is made uniformly according to the set priority table, the function to be prioritized is delayed or the function to be performed is canceled depending on the operation status of the apparatus. There is a possibility.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to enable setting management of combination functions in accordance with the operation status of the apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problem, one embodiment of the present invention is an image processing device capable of transitioning to a power saving state in which power supply to a part of the device is stopped, and in the power saving state, the image A processing command storage unit that stores information on processing commands generated as to be executed by the processing device in a storage medium; and a power saving control unit that controls transition to the power saving state and return from the power saving state. An operation state identification unit for identifying an operation state of the image processing device, a process execution control unit for controlling execution of processing based on information of a process command stored in the storage medium, and the image processing device A processing priority information storage unit that stores information indicating priority levels of a plurality of types of processing to be performed in accordance with an operation state of the image processing device, and the power saving control unit includes the image processing device. Whether the power saving state When the control is performed to return, the process execution control unit is caused to execute the process in which the instruction information of the process is stored in the order according to the priority information according to the identified operation state. Features.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for an image processing apparatus capable of transitioning to a power saving state in which power supply to a part of the apparatus is stopped, and in the power saving state, the image processing apparatus Is stored in a storage medium, information on processing instructions generated as to be executed, and when the image processing apparatus is controlled to return from the power saving state, the operation state of the image processing apparatus is identified, Information indicating the priority of a plurality of types of processing to be executed by the image processing apparatus is based on the processing priority information stored according to the operation state of the image processing apparatus, according to the identified operation state. wherein in order according to the priority of the information, the processing information of the instruction of the processing are stored, characterized in execution to Rukoto.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control program for an image processing apparatus capable of transitioning to a power saving state in which power supply to a part of the apparatus is stopped, wherein the image processing is performed in the power saving state. A step of storing, in a storage medium, information on a processing instruction generated as to be executed by the apparatus; and an operation state of the image processing apparatus when the image processing apparatus is controlled to return from the power saving state. Information indicating the priority of a plurality of types of processing to be executed by the image processing apparatus is identified based on the processing priority information stored according to the operation state of the image processing apparatus. in order according to the priority information corresponding to the operation state, to characterized in that to execute a step information of the instruction of the processing you perform the process stored in the image processing apparatus .

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the setting management of the combination function according to the operation | movement condition of an apparatus can be enabled.

It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the main control part of the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the content of the timer list table which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the content of the priority table which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the content of the timer process history table which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the rearrangement aspect of the process according to the priority which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the rearrangement aspect of the process according to the priority which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating details of a job execution operation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, in an image processing apparatus as a multifunction peripheral (MFP) including functions such as a printer, a scanner, and a copier, control when sequentially executing a plurality of pooled processes at a certain timing explain. The image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is capable of transitioning to an energy saving mode, which is a state in which power consumption is reduced by stopping power supply to each part of the apparatus, and an apparatus according to such a change in the state Control is one of the gist according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an engine related to image formation output in addition to the same configuration as an information processing terminal such as a general server or a PC (Personal Computer). That is, the image processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 30, an engine 40, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 50, and an I / O. F60 is connected via the bus 90. Further, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 70 and an operation unit 80 are connected to the I / F 60.

  The CPU 10 is an arithmetic device and controls the operation of the entire image processing apparatus 1. The RAM 20 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 10 processes information. The ROM 30 is a read-only nonvolatile storage medium and stores a program such as firmware.

  The engine 40 is a print engine for executing image formation output or a scanner unit for reading a document. In addition, the engine 40 includes a hardware accelerator that generates image information for the print engine to execute image formation output.

  The HDD 50 is a non-volatile storage medium that can read and write information, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, and the like. The I / F 60 connects and controls the bus 90 and various hardware and networks. The LCD 70 is a visual user interface for the user to check the state of the image processing apparatus 1. The operation unit 80 is a user interface for a user to input information to the image processing apparatus 1 such as a keyboard and a mouse.

  In such a hardware configuration, a program stored in a recording medium such as the ROM 30, the HDD 50, or an optical disk (not shown) is read into the RAM 20, and the software control unit is configured by the CPU 10 performing calculations according to those programs. . A functional block that realizes the functions of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured by a combination of the software control unit configured as described above and hardware.

  Next, a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a controller 100, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 110, a scanner unit 120, a paper discharge tray 130, a display panel 140, and a paper feed table. 150, a print engine 160, a paper discharge tray 170, and a network I / F 180.

  The controller 100 includes a main control unit 101, an engine control unit 102, an input / output control unit 103, an image processing unit 104, and an operation display control unit 105. As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured as a multifunction machine having a scanner unit 120 and a print engine 160. In FIG. 2, the electrical connection is indicated by solid arrows, and the flow of paper is indicated by broken arrows.

  The display panel 140 is an output interface that visually displays the state of the image processing apparatus 1 and is an input when the user directly operates the image processing apparatus 1 or inputs information to the image processing apparatus 1 as a touch panel. It is also an interface (operation unit). The network I / F 180 is an interface for the image processing apparatus 1 to communicate with other devices via the network, and uses an Ethernet (registered trademark) or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface.

  The scanner unit 120 is an imaging device for reading a document, and the print engine 160 is a plotter engine for executing image formation output on paper, both of which are realized by the engine 40.

  The controller 100 is configured by a combination of software and hardware. Specifically, a control program such as firmware stored in a ROM 30, a nonvolatile memory, and a nonvolatile recording medium such as an HDD 50 or an optical disk is loaded into a volatile memory (hereinafter referred to as a memory) such as a RAM 20, and the CPU 10 The controller 100 is configured by a software control unit configured by performing an operation according to the program and a hardware accelerator realized as the engine 40. The controller 100 functions as a control unit that controls the entire image processing apparatus 1.

  The main control unit 101 plays a role of controlling each unit included in the controller 100, and gives a command to each unit of the controller 100. Among the roles played by the main control unit 101, processing for transition to the energy saving mode and return from the energy saving mode is processing according to the gist of the present embodiment. This will be described in detail later.

  The engine control unit 102 serves as a drive unit that controls or drives the print engine 160, the scanner unit 120, and the like. The input / output control unit 103 inputs a signal or a command input via the network I / F 180 to the main control unit 101. The main control unit 101 also controls the input / output control unit 103 to access other devices via the network I / F 180.

  The image processing unit 104 generates drawing information based on the print information included in the input print job, under the control of the main control unit 101. The drawing information is information for drawing an image to be formed in the image forming operation by the print engine 160 as an image forming unit. The print information included in the print job is information converted into a format that can be recognized by the image processing apparatus 1 by a printer driver installed in an information processing apparatus such as a PC. In the present embodiment, PDL ( This is information described by Page Description Language.

  The image processing unit 104 is realized not only by software configured by the CPU 10 performing an operation according to a program, but also by a hardware accelerator as described above. The operation display control unit 105 displays information on the display panel 140 or notifies the main control unit 101 of information input via the display panel 140.

  When the image processing apparatus 1 operates as a printer, first, the input / output control unit 103 receives a print job via the network I / F 180. The input / output control unit 103 transfers the received print job to the main control unit 101. When receiving the print job, the main control unit 101 controls the image processing unit 104 to generate drawing information based on the print information included in the print job.

  When drawing information is generated by the image processing unit 104, the engine control unit 102 executes image formation on a sheet conveyed from the paper feed table 150 based on the generated drawing information. That is, the print engine 160 functions as an image forming unit. As a specific mode of the print engine 160, an image forming mechanism using an ink jet method, an image forming mechanism using an electrophotographic method, or the like can be used. The document on which the image has been formed by the print engine 160 is discharged to the discharge tray 170.

  When the image processing apparatus 1 operates as a scanner, an operation display control is performed in accordance with a user operation on the display panel 140 or a scan execution instruction input from an information processing terminal for an external client via the network I / F 180. The unit 105 or the input / output control unit 103 transfers a scan execution signal to the main control unit 101. The main control unit 101 controls the engine control unit 102 based on the received scan execution signal.

  The engine control unit 102 drives the ADF 110 and conveys the document to be imaged set on the ADF 110 to the scanner unit 120. Further, the engine control unit 102 drives the scanner unit 120 and images a document conveyed from the ADF 110. If no original is set on the ADF 110 and the original is set directly on the scanner unit 120, the scanner unit 120 images the set original according to the control of the engine control unit 102. That is, the scanner unit 120 operates as an imaging unit.

  In the imaging operation, an imaging element such as a CCD included in the scanner unit 120 optically scans the document, and imaging information generated based on the optical information is generated. The engine control unit 102 transfers the imaging information generated by the scanner unit 120 to the image processing unit 104. The image processing unit 104 generates image information based on the imaging information received from the engine control unit 102 according to the control of the main control unit 101. Image information generated by the image processing unit 104 is stored in a storage medium attached to the image processing apparatus 1 such as the HDD 40.

  The image information generated by the image processing unit 104 is stored in the HDD 40 or the like as it is according to a user instruction or transmitted to an external device via the input / output control unit 103 and the network I / F 180. That is, the scanner unit 120 and the engine control unit 102 function as an image input unit.

  When the image processing apparatus 1 operates as a copying machine, the image processing unit 104 generates drawing information based on the imaging information received by the engine control unit 102 from the scanner unit 120 or the image information generated by the image processing unit 104. To do. Based on the drawing information, the engine control unit 102 drives the print engine 160 as in the case of the printer operation.

  Next, a configuration of functions included in the main control unit 101 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the main control unit 101 according to the present embodiment includes a data processing unit 201, a timer processing unit 202, an energy saving processing unit 203, a state monitoring unit 204, a timer list table 205, a priority table 206, and timer processing. A history table 207 is included.

  The data processing unit 201 controls data processing in the main control unit 101. The timer processing unit 202 controls processing based on a timer count and a count value. The energy saving processing unit 203 is a power saving control unit that controls an operation at the time of transition to the energy saving mode, return from the energy saving mode, and return from the energy saving mode. The state monitoring unit 204 is an operation state identification unit that monitors the state of the image processing apparatus 1 such as the energy saving mode, the normal mode, the error standby mode, and the like, and monitors the cause of the transition to the energy saving mode and the return from the energy saving mode. .

  As described above, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can transition to the energy saving mode. Here, as a control mode for the transition to the energy saving mode and the return from the energy saving mode, when the set period of processing does not occur, the mode is changed to the energy saving mode, and the process is performed by receiving a print job or the like in the energy saving mode. The mode of returning from the energy saving mode when it occurs is mainly used.

  However, in such a case, depending on the frequency of the print job transmitted to the apparatus, the transition to the energy saving mode and the return from the energy saving mode are repeated in a short period of time, and the power saving effect may not be obtained. is there. In particular, such a control mode is inefficient when it is not necessary to immediately execute an input print job.

  On the other hand, in the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, processing request commands received during the energy saving mode are stored in a storage medium, and are collectively executed at a predetermined timing. Avoid repeated transition to energy saving mode and return from energy saving mode in a short period of time. The timer list table 205 is a table in which information for determining the predetermined timing is associated with each processing content executed by the image processing apparatus 1 in order to realize such control.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the contents of the timer list table 205 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the timer list table 205 according to the present embodiment includes an “ID” and “process name” that identify each process, a “registered module” that indicates a module that has registered each process, and an energy saving return It is a table in which “set time” indicating an interval is associated. In other words, the timer list table 205 is power saving return timing information for each process for setting a timing for returning from the energy saving mode in order to execute the processing for each type of processing executed by the image processing apparatus 1.

  In FIG. 4, for example, “remote printing” is processing registered via the network, and print processing is performed based on a command pooled in a storage medium, that is, a print job, which returns energy every 30000 [ms]. Indicates that Further, “main scanning maintenance” is a process registered by the engine 40, and indicates that maintenance such as alignment in the main scanning direction is performed after energy saving is restored every 60000 [ms].

  The priority table 206 is a table in which the execution priority of each process when the processes are collectively executed at the timing set as described above, a combination of processes that cannot be executed simultaneously, and the like are described. is there. As shown in FIG. 5, in the priority table according to the present embodiment, “ID” and “process name” for identifying each process, and “priority” for each process are associated. That is, the priority table 206 functions as a processing priority information storage unit.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, in the priority table according to the present embodiment, information of “minimum elapsed time” and “simultaneous execution disabled function” is associated with each process. “Minimum elapsed time” indicates a period of time that should elapse at least from the last execution to the next execution for each process. In other words, the “minimum elapsed time” is information indicating a minimum time period to be used when executing the same process.

  For example, maintenance functions such as “main scanning maintenance” need not be executed frequently. On the other hand, if a process scheduled in advance and a process executed by an external command occur in a short span, the process becomes useless. When executing the process, it is possible to avoid such a useless process by determining whether the process is executed based on the “minimum elapsed time”.

  The “simultaneous execution disabled function” is information specifying a function that cannot be executed simultaneously for each process. That is, the priority table 206 includes information on combinations of processes that cannot be executed collectively among the processes executed by the image processing apparatus 1.

  Note that the “priority”, “minimum elapsed time”, and “simultaneous execution disabled function” as shown in FIG. 5 are not determined uniformly, but are set according to the operation status of the image processing apparatus 1. . For example, when returning from the energy saving mode based on the “set time” registered in the timer list table, when returning from the energy saving mode based on the user's operation, or when the error is recovered from an inoperable state due to an error It is conceivable that different settings are required in each case.

  Therefore, the priority table 206 of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment holds a plurality of types of tables as shown in FIG. The plurality of types of tables are provided corresponding to the various cases as described above, and when determining the priority of each process, the table corresponding to the state of the image processing apparatus 1 at that time is referred to. The This is one of the gist according to the present embodiment.

  The timer process history table 207 is information for determining the elapsed time since the last execution of each process in the above-described determination of the “minimum elapsed time”, and the process of the process executed in the image processing apparatus 1. It is a table in which operation history is accumulated. As shown in FIG. 6, the timer processing history table 207 according to the present embodiment includes an “ID” and a “processing name” that identify an executed process, a “registration module” that indicates a registration source of each process, It is a table in which “execution time” information indicating the timing at which processing is executed is associated. With such a configuration, the function according to the gist of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is realized.

  Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a normal operation of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment and a process execution mode based on the information set in the timer list table described above. As shown in FIG. 7, in the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, first, the timer processing unit 202 performs a return time for periodically executing each process, that is, the “set time” shown in FIG. Is obtained from the timer list table 205 (S701).

  Thereafter, the image processing apparatus 1 shifts to the energy saving mode under the control of the energy saving processing unit 203 (S702). As a result, the timer processing unit 202 starts counting “set time” acquired from the timer list table 205. When the count value of the timer processing unit 202 reaches the “set time” (S703 / YES), the energy saving processing unit 203 performs return control from the energy saving mode based on the signal from the timer processing unit 202 (S704).

  When the image processing apparatus 1 returns from the energy saving mode, the timer processing unit 202 notifies the data processing unit 201 of the processing in which the count value has reached the “set time”. Thereby, the data processing unit 201 controls each unit of the controller 100 and a dedicated application, and executes the notified processing (S705). When the execution of the processing to be executed is completed, the energy saving processing unit 203 immediately controls the image processing apparatus 1 to transition to the energy saving mode (S706), and thereafter repeats the processing from S703.

  Thus, in the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the power saving effect can be enhanced because the processing is executed by releasing the energy saving mode only when the processing is executed at a predetermined timing.

  Next, of the operations of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the operation when the error is improved and the operation is restored after the error is improved will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. . As shown in FIG. 8, when some trouble occurs in the image processing apparatus 1, the image processing apparatus 1 shifts to an error waiting state under the control of the main control unit 101 (S 801).

  The error standby state is a state in which the energy saving processing unit 203 transitions the image processing device 1 in accordance with an error notification from the state monitoring unit 204 when a problem occurs in the image processing device 1 by the state monitoring unit 204. Specifically, as in the energy saving mode, the power supply to each part of the image processing apparatus 1 is stopped. In other words, if the image processing apparatus 1 is in an error state, the operation according to the error content becomes impossible. Therefore, power supply to each part of the apparatus is stopped to reduce power consumption.

  For example, the above-mentioned malfunctions include a state in which the paper in the paper feed tray has run out, a jam in a paper jam in the paper conveyance path in the apparatus, and the like. In this error waiting state, when a job occurs due to external input such as reception of a print job, or when the count value of the timer processing unit 202 reaches the “set time” registered in the timer list table 205 ( (S802 / YES), the data processing unit 201 stores the command information of the generated job in the storage medium and holds it (S803). Here, the data processing unit 201 functions as a processing instruction storage unit.

  The main control unit 101 repeats the processes of S802 and S803 until the error occurring in the image processing apparatus 1 is improved (S804 / NO). When the error is improved and the state is changed to the normal operation state (S804), the energy saving processing unit 203 refers to the table after the error recovery among the tables included in the priority table 206, and the order of the jobs held by the processing of S803. Are rearranged and executed (S805).

  The state monitoring unit 204 recognizes that the image processing apparatus 1 has returned from the error. Based on the information acquired from the state monitoring unit 204, the energy saving processing unit 203 recognizes that the image processing apparatus 1 is in the state after error recovery, and acquires the priority table after error recovery from the priority table 206. . With this process, the error recovery process according to this embodiment is completed.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing rearrangement in S805. In the table after error recovery, “feed maintenance” or “main scan” is used to prevent the occurrence of another error in response to the deterioration of each part of the device during error waiting and the change in the state of each part due to the user's error handling. The priority of maintenance processing such as “maintenance” is set high.

  Next, of the operations of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the operations when returning from the energy saving mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the image processing apparatus 1 transitions to the energy saving mode in accordance with the control of the energy saving processing unit 203 (S1001). When the job is received in the energy saving mode (S1002 / YES), the data processing unit 201 stores the command information of the received job in the storage medium (S1003).

  The main control unit 101 repeats the processes of S1002 and S1003 until the process returns to the energy saving mode according to the process of S704 of FIG. 7 or the operation by the user (S1004 / NO). After that, when the image processing apparatus 1 returns from the energy saving mode (S1004 / YES), the energy saving processing unit 203 refers to the table after the energy saving return among the tables included in the priority table 206, and is held by the processing of S1003. The job order is rearranged and executed (S1005).

  The state monitoring unit 204 recognizes that the image processing apparatus 1 has returned from the energy saving mode. Based on the information acquired from the state monitoring unit 204, the energy saving processing unit 203 recognizes that the image processing apparatus 1 is in the state after returning from the energy saving mode, and from the priority table 206, the priority table after returning from energy saving. To get. By such processing, the processing at the time of energy saving return according to the present embodiment is completed.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing rearrangement in S1005. In the table after returning to energy saving, priority is set high for “remote printing request”, “maintenance request”, etc., in order to enhance the convenience of the user by giving priority to the processing requested by the user. .

  Next, operations such as determination of processing priority and determination of processing that cannot coexist in S805 of FIG. 8 and S1005 of FIG. 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the energy saving processing unit 203 acquires a table corresponding to the state of the image processing apparatus 1 such as at the time of energy saving return or error return from the priority table 206, and based on the acquired priority table, The processes held in the storage medium and waiting to be executed are selected in descending order of priority (S1201). The process selected in S1201 is hereinafter referred to as a determination target process.

  When one process is selected, the energy saving processing unit 203 checks whether or not the same process as the determination target process has already been executed after starting the operation illustrated in FIG. 12 (S1202). If the same process has been executed (S1202 / NO), the energy saving processing unit 203 cancels the determination target process (S1205). With this process, for example, when the maintenance process is reserved in advance according to a schedule, and the same maintenance process is requested by the user, it is possible to cancel the duplicate process and perform an efficient apparatus operation. it can.

  If the same processing is not executed (S1202 / YES), the energy saving processing unit 203 has higher priority than the processing already executed after starting the operation shown in FIG. 12, that is, the determination target processing. It is checked whether there is a process that cannot coexist with the determination target process (S1203). In step S1203, the energy saving processing unit 203 confirms the “simultaneous execution impossible function” in the row whose “processing name” is the determination target process in the priority table illustrated in FIG. 5, and the already executed process is not registered. Check whether or not.

  If there is a process that cannot coexist as a result of the confirmation in S1203 (S1203 / NO), the energy saving processing unit 203 cancels the determination target process (S1205). By this process, it is possible to avoid a process that cannot coexist and a malfunction in the apparatus. If there is no process that cannot coexist (S1203 / YES), the energy saving processing unit 203 notifies the data processing unit 201 of the permission of the process, and the data processing unit 201 thereby controls the execution of the determination target process (S1204). . Here, the data processing unit 201 functions as a process execution control unit.

  The energy saving processing unit 203 repeats the processing from S1201 until all the processes held in the storage medium are selected in S1201 (S1206 / NO), and all the processes held in the storage medium are determined as the determination target processes. If selected (S1206 / YES), the process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when a plurality of processes are executed together, a priority table for determining the processing order is set according to the operation state of the image processing apparatus 1. Select and use properly. Therefore, the process can be executed with a priority according to the operation state of the image processing apparatus 1. As a result, it is possible to prevent the function to be prioritized from being postponed or the function to be executed from being canceled.

  In the above-described embodiment, as an example of the operation state of the image processing apparatus 1, the energy saving return time and the error return time have been described as examples. However, this is an example, and it is preferable to generate a priority table for various operation states of the image processing apparatus 1.

1 Image processing apparatus 10 CPU
11 Driver 12 Application 20 RAM
30 ROM
40 engine 50 HDD
60 I / F
70 LCD
80 Operation Unit 90 Bus 100 Controller 101 Main Control Unit 102 Engine Control Unit 103 Input / Output Control Unit 104 Image Processing Unit 105 Operation Display Control Unit 110 ADF
120 Scanner unit 130 Paper discharge tray 140 Display panel 150 Paper feed table 160 Print engine 170 Paper discharge tray 180 Network I / F
201 Data Processing Unit 202 Timer Processing Unit 203 Energy Saving Processing Unit 204 Status Monitoring Unit 205 Timer List Table 206 Priority Table 207 Timer Processing History Table

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-8996

Claims (7)

An image processing apparatus capable of transitioning to a power saving state in which power supply to a part of the apparatus is stopped,
A processing command storage unit that stores information on processing commands generated as to be executed by the image processing apparatus in the power saving state in a storage medium;
A power saving control unit for controlling transition to the power saving state and return from the power saving state;
An operation state identification unit for identifying an operation state of the image processing apparatus;
A process execution control unit that controls execution of a process based on information of a process instruction stored in the storage medium;
A processing priority information storage unit that stores information indicating the priorities of a plurality of types of processing to be executed by the image processing device according to the operation state of the image processing device;
When the power-saving control unit controls the image processing apparatus to return from the power-saving state, the processing command information in an order according to the priority information according to the identified operation state An image processing apparatus that causes the process execution control unit to execute a process in which is stored. The processing priority information storage unit stores information on a combination of processes that cannot be collectively executed among the plurality of types of processes according to an operation state of the image processing apparatus,
2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the power saving control unit causes the processing execution control unit to execute one having a higher priority among the combination of processes that cannot be executed together. 3. Processing equipment. Power saving return timing storage storing power saving return timing information for each process for setting a timing for returning from the power saving state in order to execute processing for each of a plurality of types of processing to be executed by the image processing apparatus Part
When the power saving control unit controls the image processing apparatus to return from the power saving state based on the power saving return timing information classified by processing, the power saving control unit is of a type defined in the power saving return timing information classified by processing. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process execution control unit is configured to execute a process. The processing priority information storage unit stores information indicating a period that should be at least free when executing the same processing according to the operating state of the image processing apparatus,
The power saving control unit cancels a process in which the minimum time period has not passed among the processes in which the process command information is stored based on the operation history information of the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus.   The said power saving control part cancels the process in which the same process is performed after controlling the said image processing apparatus to return from the said power saving state, The any one of Claim 1 thru | or 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. An image processing apparatus according to 1. A control method for an image processing apparatus capable of transitioning to a power saving state in which power supply to a part of the apparatus is stopped,
In the power saving state, information on processing instructions generated as the image processing apparatus should be executed is stored in a storage medium;
When controlling the image processing apparatus to return from the power saving state, identify the operating state of the image processing apparatus,
Information indicating the priority of a plurality of types of processing to be executed by the image processing apparatus is based on the processing priority information stored according to the operation state of the image processing apparatus, according to the identified operation state. wherein in order according to the priority information, the control method for an image processing apparatus in which information of an instruction of the processing is characterized in execution to Rukoto processing stored. A control program for an image processing apparatus capable of transitioning to a power saving state in which power supply to a part of the apparatus is stopped,
Storing, in a storage medium, information on processing instructions generated as to be executed by the image processing apparatus in the power saving state;
Identifying the operation state of the image processing device when controlling the image processing device to return from the power saving state;
Information indicating the priority of a plurality of types of processing to be executed by the image processing apparatus is based on the processing priority information stored according to the operation state of the image processing apparatus, according to the identified operation state. wherein in order according to the priority information, the control program of the image processing apparatus, characterized in that to execute a step information of the instruction of the processing it performs the process stored in the image processing apparatus.