JP5974793B2 - Management control device, image processing device, management control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a management control device, an image processing device, and a management control program.

  In the image processing apparatus, system control for suppressing power with respect to a power target to be consumed has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). Note that the image processing apparatuses in the following patent documents may be referred to as “multifunction machines”, “MF (multifunction) machines”, etc., or “image forming apparatuses”, “image reading apparatuses”, “facsimile apparatuses”. However, unless otherwise defined, a processing apparatus having an image forming function (copying, printing, etc.) that consumes at least as much power as other functions is shown.

  In Patent Document 1, a power consumption request is made from an image forming apparatus in a group, and the peak power total of the image forming apparatus is managed based on the maximum power consumption amount set by the power mode management means (server). Therefore, it is possible to suppress peak power by determining whether or not each image forming apparatus can be operated according to this management form.

  Further, Patent Document 2 describes the simultaneous operation of a plurality of units that increase power consumption, monitors the power consumption of the entire network, and if it exceeds the allowance, waits for the operation until a predetermined condition is satisfied. Yes.

  As a technology related to operation standby, Patent Document 3 describes that when a print job is spooled, there is a state of waiting in front of the printer for the purpose of copying, so that copying can be reserved.

  As a technique related to the operation mode of the image processing apparatus, Patent Document 4 describes saving power in the power saving mode and changing the mode in cooperation with other printers for convenience.

JP 2006-227061 A JP 2002-142385 A JP 2001-77911 A JP 2006-345068 A

  An object of the present invention is to obtain a management control device, an image processing device, and a management control program that can adjust the execution time of a job so as not to concentrate the processing time without impairing the convenience of the user.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a determination unit that determines whether or not the current time is a preset power consumption peak time zone, and instruction information that instructs execution of processing in the power consumption peak time zone is received. Setting means for setting a specific processing execution time that can avoid the power consumption peak time period, and output means for outputting a setting result in the setting means to the transmission source of the instruction information, the response from the sender of the instruction information for said output means, a determining means for determining a processing execution timing, based on the process execution timings determined by the determining means, whether the time has reached the processing execution timing Management means for displaying and managing the information on the display means .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the output unit receives instruction information instructing execution of processing during the power consumption peak time period, the instruction information The information which is the said power consumption peak time zone is output with respect to a transmission source.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the setting means formulates a plurality of processing execution timings and based on a response to the formulation result output by the output means. Then, the specific process execution time is selected from among the plurality of formulated process execution times.

The invention according to claim 4, wherein in the invention described in claim 3, to the particular process execution timings in different time zones, including treatment with alternate processor.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention, the instruction information transmission source is information for remotely operating the processing section when the processing type is a print instruction. If the processing type is a copy process or an image reading process, it is the processing unit itself.

  An invention according to claim 6 is an image including the management control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and an image formation processing unit that forms an image on a recording sheet based on image information. It is a processing device.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the computer determines whether or not the current time is in a preset power consumption peak time zone , and receives instruction information for instructing execution of processing in the power consumption peak time zone. In this case, a specific processing execution time that can avoid the power consumption peak time period is set, the set result is output to the instruction information transmission source, and the instruction information transmission source is output. Is a management control program that determines the process execution time based on the response to the display, and displays and manages whether or not the time has reached the process execution time based on the determined process execution time. .

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to adjust the job execution time so as not to concentrate the processing time without impairing the convenience for the user.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, it can be well known that it is a power consumption peak time zone.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to give an option to the process execution time.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, an alternative processing apparatus can be applied.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the setting result can be output according to the transmission source of the instruction information.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, for example, in the case of copy processing, the own power consumption peak time zone can be managed, and the job execution time is set so as not to concentrate the processing time without impairing the convenience for the user. Can be adjusted.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to adjust the job execution time so as not to concentrate the processing time without impairing the convenience for the user.

(A) is a communication network connection diagram including an image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, (B) is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a PC, and (C) is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a power management server. . 1 is a schematic diagram of an image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of the image processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. According to the present embodiment, (A) is a front view of a print setting image that is a main screen of a user interface screen of a printer driver displayed on a PC monitor, and (B) indicates that it is a power consumption peak time zone. It is a front view of the peak alerting | reporting image to alert | report. According to the present embodiment, (A) is a front view of a PC, (B) is a front view of a first message image displayed on the monitor, and (C) is a front view of a second message image displayed on the monitor. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of the power management server which concerns on this Embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing a routine relating to image processing timing shift control in response to a print instruction from a PC in the power management server according to the present embodiment. (A) is an enlarged view of a UI touch panel installation portion of the image processing apparatus 10, and (B) and (C) are front views of the UI touch panel.

  FIG. 1 shows a network system centered on a communication network 20 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, a communication network 20 includes three image processing apparatuses 10A, 10B, and 10C according to the present embodiment (hereinafter collectively referred to as “image processing apparatus 10”, “image”). The processing devices 10A to 10C ”are connected to each other. Although ten image processing apparatuses 10A to 10C are connected as the image processing apparatus 10, this number is not limited.

  A plurality of PCs (personal computers) 21 as information terminal devices are connected to the communication line network 20. In FIG. 1, three PCs 21 are connected, but this number is not limited, and may be one or two, or four or more. Further, the information terminal device is not limited to the PC 21 and does not need to be wired. That is, it may be a communication network that transmits and receives information wirelessly.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, in the image processing apparatus 10, for example, data is transferred from the PC 21 to the image processing apparatus 10 remotely to perform an image formation (print) instruction operation, or a user ( There are cases where a user) stands in front of the image processing apparatus 10 and instructs processing such as copying (copying), scanning (image reading), and facsimile transmission / reception by various operations.

  Further, a power management server 30 is connected to the communication line network 20. The power management server 30 mainly has a role of managing power consumption of the image processing apparatuses 10 in the same group. That is, in FIG. 1, a group of image processing apparatuses 10A to 10C connected to the communication network 20 is the same group, and the power management server 30 manages the power consumption of the image processing apparatuses 10A to 10C. The management form in the power management server 30 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the PC 21 includes a CPU 21A, a RAM 21B, a ROM 21C, an I / O 21D, and a bus 21E such as a data bus or a control bus that interconnects them.

  An input device 21F such as a keyboard and a mouse and a monitor 21G are connected to the I / O 21D. The I / O 21D is connected to the communication line network 20 via the I / F 21H.

  As shown in FIG. 1C, the power management server 30 includes a CPU 30A, a RAM 30B, a ROM 30C, an I / O 30D, and a bus 30E such as a data bus and a control bus that interconnect these components.

  An input device 30F such as a keyboard and a mouse and a monitor 30G are connected to the I / O 30D. The I / O 30D is connected to the communication line network 20 via the I / F 30H.

  FIG. 2 shows an image processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

  The image processing apparatus 10 includes an image forming unit 12 that forms an image on a recording sheet, an image reading unit 14 that reads an original image, and a facsimile communication control circuit 16. In addition, the image processing apparatus 10 includes a main control unit 18 (hereinafter, also referred to as “main controller 18”) that collectively controls the entire apparatus, and includes an image forming unit 12, an image reading unit 14, and the like. The facsimile communication control circuit 16 is controlled to temporarily store the image data of the original image read by the image reading unit 14 or send the read image data to the image forming unit 12 or the facsimile communication control circuit 16. .

  A communication line network 20 such as the Internet is connected to the main controller 18, and a telephone line network 22 is connected to the facsimile communication control circuit 16. The main controller 18 is connected to, for example, a host computer via a communication network 20 and receives image data or executes facsimile reception and facsimile transmission using the telephone network 22 via the facsimile communication control circuit 16. Have a role.

  The image reading unit 14 receives a document table for positioning the document, a scanning drive system that scans an image of the document placed on the document table and emits light, and light reflected or transmitted by scanning of the scan drive system. And a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD for converting into an electrical signal.

  The image forming unit 12 includes a photoconductor. Around the photoconductor, a charging device that uniformly charges the photoconductor, a scanning exposure unit that scans a light beam based on image data, and the scanning exposure unit. An image developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image formed by scanning exposure, a transfer unit that transfers the developed image on the photoreceptor to a recording sheet, and a surface of the photoreceptor after the transfer are cleaned. And a cleaning unit. A fixing unit for fixing the image on the recording paper after transfer is provided on the recording paper conveyance path.

(Control system hardware configuration of image processing apparatus)
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the hardware configuration of the control system of the image processing apparatus 10.

  The communication network 20 is connected to the main controller 18. The main controller 18 is connected to the facsimile communication control circuit 16, the image reading unit 14, the image forming unit 12, and the UI touch panel 24 via buses 33A to 33D such as a data bus and a control bus. That is, each processing unit of the image processing apparatus 10 is controlled mainly by the main controller 18. Note that a UI touch panel backlight unit (not shown) may be attached to the UI touch panel 24.

  In addition, the image processing apparatus 10 includes a power supply device 26 and is connected to the main controller 18 by a signal harness 28.

  The power supply device 26 is supplied with electric power from the commercial power supply 32 via the power supply line 34.

(Image processing reservation control in PC 21 “print reservation”)
Here, in the power management server 30 of the present embodiment, the power management server 30 is divided and managed into groups (image processing apparatuses 10A to 10C connected to the communication network 20) for each predetermined area, and the power consumption of the image processing apparatuses at all offices. Management. In the power management server 30, even if the three image processing apparatuses 10 </ b> A to 10 </ b> C are operated simultaneously, each of the image processing apparatuses 10 </ b> A to 10 </ b> C receives the operation unit (device) so that the predetermined target peak power is not reached. Management is performed by receiving notification of operation information including operation information.

  That is, the power management server 30 sets a power consumption peak time zone in which processing of a processing device is predicted to be statistically concentrated within one day (in operation), or from the power management system of the office. It is also possible to set from the instruction. In addition, the number of operating image processing apparatuses for not achieving the target peak power can be set.

  This power consumption peak time zone varies depending on the environment and business type. For example, a time zone from 1 pm (13:00) to 3 pm (15:00) every day is set. Note that the power consumption peak time zone to be set need not be a continuous time zone, and a plurality of time zones may be set. Also, the width of each time zone can be set freely.

  Furthermore, the power consumption peak time zone may vary depending on the season. Therefore, for example, a valid time may be set on a monthly basis together with the setting of the time zone for each day. For example, in Japan, when the operation rate is higher in summer than in winter, it may be limited to June to September.

  A printer driver is installed in the PC 21 as software for instructing the image processing apparatus 10 to perform image processing (for example, printing).

  When a print instruction is issued on the PC 21, as shown in FIG. 4A, a print setting image 50 (see FIG. 4A) for allowing the monitor 21G of the PC 21 to input print conditions interactively with the user. ) Is displayed. When the print setting image 50 is displayed, information for notifying the power management server 30 that the printer driver has been activated (hereinafter referred to as “printer driver activation information”) is output.

  The power management server 30 overlaps the print setting image 50 that is the main screen of the user interface screen with respect to the PC 21 when the time when the printer driver activation information is received is in the peak power consumption period (additional note). Thus, the display of an image (peak notification image 52) for notifying that it is a power consumption peak time zone is instructed. For example, as the peak notification image 52, as shown in FIG. 4A, a character message image such as “Now peak shift mode” is displayed. In addition, this character message and the character message illustrated below are not limited to the illustrated character, The application of the enumeration of other characters, a character, etc. may be sufficient.

  In addition, the display instruction of the peak notification image 52 is, for example, a pop-up menu image 56 (see FIG. 4B) that prompts the printer driver software program to shift the print execution time is displayed together with the print setting image 50. This suggests execution of interrupt processing. Note that the pop-up menu image 56 may be triggered by an operation of the “OK” button image 54.

  For example, in the PC 21, when the printer driver is activated when it is not in the peak power consumption time zone, by clicking the “OK” button image 54, which is the final print instruction, in the print setting image 50, the designated image is displayed. Printing instructions are output to the processing apparatus 10 in real time.

  On the other hand, when the printer driver is activated in the PC 21, it is a power consumption peak time zone, and the image processing apparatuses 10A to 10C are in a group (management target) whose processing is restricted to the power consumption peak time zone. The print setting image 50 (see FIG. 4A) and the pop-up menu image 56 (see FIG. 4B) each occupy a part of the monitor screen of the PC 21 or overlap each other. Window display (layer display).

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the pop-up menu image 56 is displayed as a “reservation setting screen” as a title, and a selection item screen area 58 is provided below it. Further, the pop-up menu image 56 is provided with an “OK” button image 56A that is clicked after the setting is completed to delete the pop-up menu image 56 and display the print setting image 50 in FIG. ing.

  In the selection item screen area 58, a plurality of check box images 60 are displayed together with a character message representing the selection contents.

  For example, as the text message, “automatic output when the reservation time is reached”, “output with card authentication after the reservation time”, “emergency response (immediate output)”, and “reservation time change request” are listed.

  When the user selects one of the selection information images displayed in the list, the user only has to click on the corresponding check box image 60.

  FIG. 4B shows a state where the uppermost check box image 60 is selected.

  In addition, the pop-up menu image 56 displays a list image 62 in which the start time of print processing (data output) for each image processing apparatus 10 is displayed.

  In the list image 62, different scheduled print processing execution times are displayed for the image processing apparatuses 10A to 10C in the same group.

  The scheduled print processing execution time is set so that the processing of the plurality of image processing apparatuses 10 within the range of the power consumption peak time period (for example, 14:00 to 16:00) is avoided. Is displayed as “14:35”, the image processing apparatus 10B is displayed as “14:55”, and the image processing apparatus 10C is displayed as “15:25”.

  Basically, the image processing apparatuses 10 </ b> A to 10 </ b> C are set such that the scheduled print processing execution time is earlier in the order closer to the user's PC 21.

  Therefore, in the selection item screen area 58, “automatic output when the reservation time comes” or “use security card after the reservation time” is selected (check operation of the check box 60 in the first or second row from the top). ), The image processing apparatus 10A (MF1) selected from the list image 62 executes the process at the displayed print process execution scheduled time (or later).

  Further, when “emergency response” is selected in the selection item screen area 58 (the check operation of the check box 60 in the third row from the top), the image processing apparatus 10A immediately executes the print processing. It has become.

  Further, in the selection item screen area 58, when the reservation time of the list image 62 is not convenient, “time change request” is selected (check operation of the check box 60 in the fourth row from the top), the list image 62. The information of another group is displayed in.

  A history in which “emergency response” is selected may be stored, and a penalty may be provided such that, after reaching a predetermined upper limit number of times, selection is not possible thereafter. It is also possible to add some restrictions, such as frequency limits, department limits, class limits, etc.

  When the print execution time is determined, as shown in FIG. 5A, the monitor 21G of the PC 21 is provided with a message frame image 21GM, and the location information of the image processing apparatus 10A (or 10B or 10C) on which printing is executed. The first message image 66 (see FIG. 5B) regarding the product number (model number) and the reservation time is displayed.

  When the reservation time comes, a second message image 68 (see FIG. 5C) such as “The reservation time has come. Printed” is displayed on the monitor 21G of the PC 21. Yes. For example, the message frame 21GM may be enlarged, highlighted, or blinked to call attention.

  In FIG. 5A, the display positions of the first message image 66 and the second message image 68 are set at the lower right corner of the monitor 21G. However, the display position is not limited to this position.

(Power consumption control in the power management server 30)
The power management server 30 reserves the processing execution time, performs the first control for generating an image related to the reservation to be displayed on the monitor 21G of the PC 21, and the image processing apparatuses 10A to 10C at the reservation time. The second control for instructing execution is executed. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing functions for executing the first and second controls by function. Each block does not limit the hardware configuration. For example, based on a control program stored in advance in the ROM 30C of the power management server 30, the CPU 30A may execute all the processes related to the control.

  The power management server 30 is provided with an MF operation state monitoring unit 70 and connected with a power consumption peak time zone information storage unit 72.

  The MF operation status monitoring unit 70 constantly monitors whether or not the current time is in the power consumption peak time zone based on the information from the power consumption peak time zone information storage unit 72.

  In addition, the MF operation status monitoring unit 70 constantly monitors the operations of the image processing apparatuses of all the groups and collects information on the current operation status in order to shift to the peak shift time and enable immediate scheduling. Has been.

  A processing management information receiving unit 74 is connected to the MF operation status monitoring unit 70. The process management information receiving unit 74 receives process management information sent from the PC 21.

  The process management information includes printer driver activation information, final print instruction information, and process time selection result information.

  The peak time period is transmitted to the printer driver of each PC 21 in advance, and when the printer driver is activated during the peak time period, the activation information is transmitted from the PC 21 and received by the processing management information receiving unit 74, and the MF operation status monitoring unit 70 is notified. The MF operation status monitoring unit 70 lists MF operation data that is constantly monitored and the image processing apparatus 10 close to the PC 21, and print specifications are set from the PC 21. When the processing management information receiving unit 74 receives the final print instruction information, the MF operation status monitoring unit 70 sends the information to the processing time selection image information generating unit 80. The processing time selection image information generation unit 80 acquires the operation status of each of the image processing apparatuses 10A to 10C from the MF operation status monitoring unit 70 when the final print instruction information is received, and the processing time selection image information ( A pop-up menu image 56) shown in FIG. 4B is generated and sent to the corresponding PC 21 via the information output unit 78. As a result, during the peak shift mode, the pop-up menu image 56 shown in FIG. 4B is displayed side by side with the print setting image 50 shown in FIG.

  Further, when the processing management information receiving unit 74 receives the processing time selection result information, the information is sent to the image processing reservation processing unit 82. The image processing reservation processing unit 82 is connected to the reservation confirmation image information generation unit 84 to generate reservation confirmation information (first message image 66 shown in FIG. 5A), and via the information output unit 78, The data is sent to the corresponding PC 21.

  The image processing reservation processing unit 82 is connected to the processing execution image information generation unit 86, and generates a processing execution image (second message image 68 shown in FIG. 5C) at the reservation time, and outputs information. The data is sent to the corresponding PC 21 via the unit 78.

  Further, the image processing reservation processing unit 82 is connected to the MF operation status monitoring unit 70. When the reservation time comes, the image processing reservation processing unit 82 is connected to the corresponding image processing apparatus 10A (or 10B or 10C). Instruct to output print information.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, image processing apparatuses belonging to a group of communication line networks (in FIG. 1, three image processing apparatuses 10A to 10C connected to the communication line network 20) are collectively managed by the power management server 30. The power suppression control is performed by shifting (shifting) the image processing time so that all the image processing apparatuses 10 do not operate simultaneously.

  That is, the power management server 30 receives the operation information notification from each image processing apparatus 10, determines whether or not processing is possible for this operation information, and shifts (shifts) the image processing time, thereby each image. The processing time of the processing apparatus 10 is limited.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a routine relating to image processing time shift control (print reservation) in response to a print instruction from the PC 21 in the power management server 30.

  In step 100, it is determined whether a printer driver activation signal has been received from the PC 21, and if a negative determination is made, this routine ends. Further, when an affirmative determination is made at step 100, the routine proceeds to step 102 where it is determined whether or not it is a power consumption peak time zone. If a negative determination is made in step 102, this routine ends. Further, when an affirmative determination is made at step 102, the routine proceeds to step 108.

  In the next step 108, it is determined whether or not the activation of the printer driver is received from the PC 21. If an affirmative determination is made in step 108, the process proceeds to step 110. In FIG. 7, step 108 is repeated until an affirmative determination is made in step 108, but the flowchart of FIG. 7 can be ended by an interrupt such as a cancel instruction from the PC 21, for example.

  In step 110, processing time selection image information (pop-up menu image 56 shown in FIG. 4B) is generated based on the operation status of the image processing apparatuses 10A to 10C (MF1 to MF3), and then the process proceeds to step 112. Then, the processing time selection image information is sent to the PC 21. As a result, the print setting image 50 (see FIG. 4A) and the pop-up menu image 56 (see FIG. 4B) are displayed on the monitor 21G of the PC 21 to prompt the user to make a reservation.

  In the PC 21, the user performs a check operation on a desired check box image 60 or 64 while looking at the pop-up menu image 56 to make a reservation setting. As the operation procedure, after the reservation setting is completed, the “OK” button image 56A of the pop-up menu image 56 is operated, and the “OK” button image 54 is operated on the print setting image 50. This operation procedure is an example. For example, when the pop-up menu image 56 is displayed in order to save the trouble of operation, the operation of the “OK” button image 56A may be combined with the operation of the “OK” button image 54 of the print setting image 50. Good.

  In the next step 114, it is determined whether or not the information regarding the reservation setting (processing time selection result) has been received. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 116. In FIG. 7, step 114 is repeated until an affirmative determination is made in step 114, but the flowchart of FIG. 7 can be ended by an interrupt such as a cancel instruction from the PC 21, for example.

  In step 116, a reservation process is performed, and then the process proceeds to step 118 to generate reservation confirmation image information (first message image 66 shown in FIG. 5B), and then the process proceeds to step 120 to the PC 21. Send reservation confirmation image information. As a result, the first message image 66 (“** F No. ** MF1 reservation time 13:35” or the like) is displayed on the monitor 21G of the PC 21 to prompt the user to know the reservation time.

  In the next step 122, it is determined whether or not the reserved processing time has come. If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 124. In FIG. 7, step 122 is repeated until an affirmative determination is made in step 122. However, for example, the flowchart of FIG. 7 can be ended by an interruption such as a cancel instruction from the PC 21.

  In step 124, process execution image information (second message image 68 shown in FIG. 5C) is generated, and then the process proceeds to step 126 to send the process execution image information to the PC 21. As a result, the second message image 66 (“Reserved time has been reached. Printed”, etc.) is displayed on the monitor 21G of the PC 21 to notify the user of the start of printing.

  In the next step 128, the PC 21 is instructed to start printing in the reserved image processing apparatus 10A (or 10B or 10C), and this routine ends.

  Note that the flowchart in FIG. 7 is a control executed by a predetermined series of jobs (one image processing). For example, when a plurality of jobs overlap, the control by the flowchart in FIG. It will be executed in time division.

(Image processing reservation control in image processing apparatus 10 “copy reservation”)
In the flowchart of FIG. 7, the image processing reservation control has been described on the assumption that a print instruction has been received from the PC 21, but copying processing (copying) is performed using the UI touch panel 24 of the image processing apparatuses 10A to 10C. Even when making a reservation, the power peak management control according to the present embodiment can be applied.

  In this case, in FIG. 6, the processing management information accepting unit 74 accepts information regarding copying input using the UI touch panel 24 of the image processing apparatuses 10A to 10C.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, the UI touch panel 24 of the image processing apparatus 10 functions as the monitor 21G of the PC 21 described above.

  The flow of image processing reservation control related to copy reservation will be described below.

  First, when the user receives use permission by holding the IC card or the like over the reading unit of the IC card reader attached to the image processing apparatus 10 and selects copying, the information is stored in the power management control server 30. In the case of the power consumption peak time zone, an image that informs the UI touch panel 24 that it is the power consumption peak time zone (peak notification image 52) is sent to the processing management information receiving unit 74 (see FIG. 6). The display of is indicated. For example, as the peak notification image 52, as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, a character message image such as “Now peak shift mode” is displayed. In addition, this character message and the character message illustrated below are not limited to the illustrated character, The application of the enumeration of other characters, a character, etc. may be sufficient.

(A) When the copy process is possible When the copy process is possible, the UI touch panel 24 displays “Please set the following” as the title as shown in FIG. Three items of messages are displayed.
(Item 1) Color: Up to ** sheets and monochrome ** sheets can be copied.
(Item 2) Only image reading processing is performed (output time is displayed on the next screen)
(Item 3) MF ** (** Floor ** Unit) is not reserved until ** hour ** minutes.

  Check box images 88 are provided at the left ends of the display positions of the above items 1 to 3 to prompt the user to select one of them.

  In the above, item 1 is selected, and the number of processed sheets exceeding the limit cannot be set. In this case, the limit number may be displayed.

  In the above, when item 2 is selected, although not shown, a reservation screen is displayed on the next screen to prompt the user to set. Also, as the time of image formation processing of the scanned image, select whether to use “IC card authentication” when the user goes out or “automatically start when processing time comes” and confirm Let

(B) When copy processing is not possible When copy processing is not possible, the UI touch panel 24 displays “Please set the following” as the title as shown in FIG. Three items of messages are displayed.
(Item 4) Currently, copying is not possible. Processable from ** hour ** minutes (color: ** sheets, monochrome ** sheets)
(Item 5) Only image reading processing is performed (output time is displayed on the next screen)
(Item 6) MF ** (** Floor ** Unit **) is not reserved until ** hour ** minutes.
(Item 7) Emergency response Items 5 and 6 are the same as items 2 and 3.

  Check box images 90 are provided at the left ends of the display positions of the items 4 to 7 to prompt the user to select one of them.

  In the above, when item 7 is selected, it is a power consumption peak time zone, but processing can be performed as usual. However, when selecting the item 7 (emergency response), a history is stored as in the case of the print instruction from the PC 21, and if the predetermined upper limit number is reached, the user who has been authenticated by the IC card is notified. On the other hand, a penalty may be provided such that the selection cannot be made thereafter. It is also possible to add some restrictions, such as frequency limits, departments, class limits, etc.

  The management function of the power management server 30 may be installed in the image processing apparatus 10 or a print management server (not shown).

  In the specification of the present application, the program is described as an embodiment in which the program is provided by communication means. However, the program can be provided by being stored in a storage medium such as a CDROM.

10 (10A, 10B, 10C) Image processing device 21 PC
20 Communication network 30 Power management server 21A CPU
21B RAM
21C ROM
21D I / O
21E bus 21F input device 21G monitor 21H I / F
30A CPU
30B RAM
30C ROM
30D I / O
30E bus 30F input device 30G monitor 30H I / F
12 Image Forming Unit 14 Image Reading Unit 16 Facsimile Communication Control Circuit 18 Main Control Unit “Main Controller”
33A to 33D Bus 24 UI touch panel 26 Power supply device 28 Signal harness 32 Commercial power supply 34 Power supply line 35A to 35D Power supply line 50 Print setting image 52 Peak notification image 54 “OK” button image 56 Pop-up menu image 58 Selection item screen area 60 Check Box image 62 List table image 64 Check box image 66 First message image 68 Second message image 70 MF operation status monitoring unit 72 Power consumption peak time zone information storage unit 74 Process management information receiving unit 78 Information output unit 80 Processing time Image information generation unit for selection 82 Image processing reservation processing unit 84 Reservation confirmed image information generation unit 86 Processing execution image information generation unit 88 Check box image 90 Check box image

Claims (7)

Determining means for determining whether or not the current time is a preset power consumption peak time zone;
Setting means for setting a specific process execution time that can avoid the power consumption peak time period when instruction information for instructing execution of the process is received in the power consumption peak time period;
Output means for outputting a setting result in the setting means to a transmission source of the instruction information;
A determination unit that determines a process execution time based on a response from a transmission source of the instruction information to the output unit;
Based on the process execution timings determined by the determination unit, a management unit time is managed by displaying on the display means whether the host vehicle has reached the processing execution time,
A management control device.   When the output unit receives instruction information instructing execution of processing during the power consumption peak time period, the output unit outputs information indicating the power consumption peak time period to a transmission source of the instruction information. Item 2. The management control device according to Item 1. The setting means is
In addition to formulating multiple processing execution times,
The management control device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the specific processing execution time is selected from a plurality of formulated processing execution times based on a response to the formulation result output by the output unit.   The management control device according to claim 3, wherein the specific processing execution time in a different time zone includes processing in an alternative processing device.   The transmission source of the instruction information is an information terminal device that remotely operates the processing unit when the processing type is a print instruction, and the processing unit itself when the processing type is a copy process or an image reading process. The management control apparatus of any one of Claim 4.   An image processing apparatus comprising: the management control apparatus according to claim 1; and an image formation processing unit that forms an image on a recording sheet based on image information. On the computer,
Determine whether the current time is a preset power consumption peak time zone,
When instruction information instructing execution of processing is received in the power consumption peak time zone, a specific process execution time that can avoid the power consumption peak time zone is set,
Output the set result to the transmission source of the instruction information,
The processing execution time is determined by a response from the transmission source of the instruction information to the output,
Management control program based on the determined processing execution timing, time to perform the managing displayed on the display unit whether the host vehicle has reached the processing execution timing.