JP6127503B2 - Image forming apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multi-Functional Peripheral) and a related technology.

  There is a technique for saving power in an image forming apparatus such as an MFP. Specifically, when a specific operation is not performed for a predetermined period, there is a technique for reducing power consumption by shifting the image forming apparatus from a startup state (normal state) to a sleep state (Patent Document 1, etc.). ).

JP 2012-132961 A

  However, the above conventional technique sets a uniform sleep condition for the entire apparatus and makes a transition to a uniform sleep state. There is room for improvement in such control. Particularly in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of hardware modules, there is a great room for improvement.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing sleep control more appropriately and a technique related to the image forming apparatus.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention of claim 1 is an image forming apparatus comprising a plurality of hardware modules capable of controlling power independently of each other and a plurality of application software executed in the image forming apparatus. Among them, a detection unit that detects at least one application software customized by a user of the image forming apparatus, and a sleep setting for each of the plurality of hardware modules is determined according to the type of the at least one application software. Determining means for controlling, a power control means for individually controlling the sleep operation of the plurality of hardware modules based on the contents determined by the determining means, each of the plurality of application software, and that of the plurality of hardware modules. The Storage means for storing a data table indicating the degree of relevance to the at least one application software, and the determination means stores each relevance of the plurality of hardware modules to the at least one application software in the storage means. An estimation means for estimating the usage frequency of each of the plurality of hardware modules based on the information relating to the acquired relationship obtained from the stored data table; and the usage frequency of each of the plurality of hardware modules And determining means for determining the sleep setting of each of the plurality of hardware modules based on the estimation result.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, the power control unit is a hardware module that is estimated by the estimation unit to be a low-frequency module having a use frequency smaller than the first reference level. For the wear module, the sleep control having a power saving effect larger than the sleep control for the hardware module having the use frequency larger than the first reference level is executed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the power control means is a high-frequency module having a use frequency greater than a second reference level greater than the first reference level. The sleep transition waiting period for the hardware module estimated by the estimating means is set to a value larger than the sleep transition waiting period for the hardware module having a use frequency smaller than the second reference level. To do.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention, the power control means is a high frequency module having a use frequency greater than a second reference level that is greater than the first reference level. For the hardware module estimated by the estimating means, a sleep process capable of returning from the sleep state in a shorter time than a hardware module having a use frequency smaller than the second reference level is executed. It is characterized by doing.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect of the present invention, the data table is a low value indicating that the degree of relevance is smaller than the first degree. A relevance level, a medium relevance level indicating that the relevance level is greater than the first degree and less than a second degree greater than the first degree, and more than the second degree. And a high relevance level indicating that the relevance of the target hardware module and the at least one application software are both low relevance levels. The target hardware module is estimated as the low-frequency module on the condition that: On the condition that association with any application software is the high relevance level, and estimates the target hardware module as the high-frequency module.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the estimation unit estimates that the power control unit is a high-frequency module having a use frequency greater than the first reference level. The sleep transition waiting period for the hardware module is set to a value larger than the sleep transition waiting period for the hardware module having a frequency of use smaller than the first reference level.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the power control unit is estimated by the estimation unit to be a high-frequency module having a use frequency greater than the first reference level. The hardware module is configured to perform sleep setting capable of returning from sleep in a shorter time than a hardware module having a frequency of use smaller than the first reference level.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth or seventh aspect , the data table has a relevance lower than a first degree as the degree of relevance. 1 level and a second level indicating that the relevance is higher than the first degree are recorded separately, and the estimating means has the relevance with the at least one application software as the first level. A hardware module that is less than or equal to a level is estimated as the low-frequency module, and a module having a relevance greater than or equal to the second level to any one of the at least one application software is estimated as the high-frequency module. Features.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the plurality of hardware modules include a touch panel module, a scanner module, a printer module, a facsimile communication module, and a network communication module. And having at least one of the storage modules.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects of the present invention, the firmware installed in the image forming apparatus is configured in a hierarchical manner. Includes an upper layer portion that can be commonly used for a plurality of different types of image forming apparatuses, and a lower layer portion provided in accordance with each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and the power control unit Is provided in the lower layer portion of the firmware, and the detection unit and the determination unit are provided in the upper layer portion of the firmware.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer incorporated in an image forming apparatus, wherein a) at least one application software customized by a user of the image forming apparatus among a plurality of application software executed in the image forming apparatus B) determining a sleep setting for each of a plurality of hardware modules that can be power controlled independently of each other according to the type of the at least one application software; c) the step and controlling the sleep mode of the plurality of hardware modules based on the determined contents of b), a program for execution, the step b) is, b-1) of said plurality of application software With each Acquiring each association of the plurality of hardware modules with respect to the at least one application software based on a data table indicating a degree of association with each of the plurality of hardware modules; b-2 ) A step of estimating the usage frequency of each of the plurality of hardware modules based on the information relating to the association acquired in step b-1), and b-3) the usage frequency of each of the plurality of hardware modules. Determining a sleep setting for each of the plurality of hardware modules based on the estimation result.
The invention according to claim 12 is the program according to claim 11, wherein in the sleep operation, it is estimated in the step b-2) that the module is a low-frequency module having a use frequency smaller than the first reference level. For the hardware module, sleep control having a power saving effect larger than sleep control for the hardware module having a frequency of use higher than the first reference level is executed.
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to the twelfth aspect of the invention, in the sleep operation, the high frequency module has a use frequency greater than a second reference level that is greater than the first reference level. The sleep transition waiting period for the hardware module estimated in the step b-2) is set to a value larger than the sleep transition waiting period for the hardware module having a use frequency smaller than the second reference level. Features.
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to the twelfth aspect of the invention, the sleep operation is a high-frequency module having a use frequency greater than a second reference level that is greater than the first reference level. For the hardware module estimated in step b-2), a sleep process capable of returning from the sleep state in a shorter time than a hardware module having a frequency of use smaller than the second reference level It is characterized by performing.
According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect, the data table has a low relevance indicating that the degree of relevance is smaller than the first degree. A medium level of relevance indicating that the level has a relevance greater than the first degree and less than a second degree greater than the first degree, and greater than the second degree A high relevance level indicating relevance is recorded separately, and in step b-2), any relevance between the target hardware module and the at least one application software is the low relevance level. The target hardware module is estimated as the low-frequency module on the condition that the target hardware module Association with any of the at least one application software subject to the limitation that said high relevance level, said target hardware module, characterized in that it is estimated as the high frequency module and.
According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to the twelfth aspect of the invention, in the sleep operation, in the step b-2), if the high-frequency module has a use frequency greater than the first reference level. The estimated sleep transition waiting period for the hardware module is set to a value larger than the sleep transition waiting period for a hardware module having a use frequency smaller than the first reference level.
According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to the twelfth aspect of the invention, in the sleep operation, if the high frequency module has a use frequency greater than the first reference level, the step b-2) The estimated hardware module is configured to perform sleep setting capable of returning from sleep in a shorter time than a hardware module having a frequency of use smaller than the first reference level.
According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to the sixteenth or seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the data table has a relevance lower than a first degree as the degree of relevance. And a second level indicating that the relevance is higher than the first degree, and in step b-2), the relevance with the at least one application software is A hardware module that is lower than or equal to the first level is estimated as the low-frequency module, and a module that has an association of the second level or higher with any one of the at least one application software is estimated as the high-frequency module. It is characterized by that.

According to the first to eighteenth aspects of the present invention, the sleep control for the plurality of hardware modules is individually performed according to the type of the customized application among the plurality of applications. Therefore, more appropriate sleep control can be performed.

In particular, according to the invention described in claim 10, by layering the firmware, regardless the difference in the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus, capable of fine power saving control accompanying the customized application software is there.

1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus and the like according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of an image forming apparatus (MFP). 2 is a diagram showing a software configuration in an MFP. FIG. It is a figure which shows the flow of data. It is a figure which shows the data table which shows the relationship between a some application and a some hardware module. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the MFP. It is a figure which shows the sleep setting with respect to each module according to use frequency.

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

<1. Outline of configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus 10 (also referred to as 10A) according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of the image forming apparatus 10. Here, an MFP (Multi-Functional Peripheral) is exemplified as the image forming apparatus 10.

  The MFP 10 is a device (also referred to as a multi-function device) having a scan function, a copy function, a facsimile function, a box storage function, and the like. Specifically, as shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 2, the MFP 10 includes an image reading unit 2, a print output unit 3, a communication unit 4, a storage unit 5, an operation unit 6, a controller 9, and the like. Various functions are realized by operating each part of the above in a complex manner.

  The image reading unit 2 optically reads (that is, scans) a document placed at a predetermined position of the MFP 10 and generates image data of the document (also referred to as a scanned image). It is. The image reading unit 2 is also referred to as a scanning unit.

  The print output unit 3 is an output unit that prints out an image on various media such as paper based on data related to a print target.

  The communication unit 4 includes a facsimile communication unit 4a and a network communication unit 4b. The facsimile communication unit 4a is a processing unit capable of performing facsimile communication via a public line or the like. The network communication unit 4b is a processing unit capable of performing network communication via the network NW. In this network communication, for example, various protocols such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) are used. By using the network communication, the MFP 10 can exchange various data with a desired destination.

  The storage unit 5 includes a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD). The storage unit 5 stores data related to the print job. In addition, the storage unit 5 includes a device configuration information storage unit 11 that stores data CN relating to the device configuration information MA, and a data table storage unit 13 that stores a data table TB (see FIG. 5) described later.

  The operation unit 6 includes an operation input unit 6a that receives input to the MFP 10 and a display unit 6b that displays and outputs various types of information. The MFP 10 is provided with a substantially plate-like operation panel unit 6c (see FIG. 1). Further, the operation panel unit 6c has a touch panel 25 (see FIG. 1) on the front side thereof. The touch panel 25 is configured by embedding a piezoelectric sensor or the like in a liquid crystal display panel, and can display various kinds of information and accept an operation input from an operator. For example, on the touch panel 25, menu images (including button images and the like) are displayed. The operator can set various operation contents of the image forming apparatus 10 by pressing a button (button represented by a button image) virtually arranged in the touch panel 25. The touch panel 25 functions as a part of the operation input unit 6a and also functions as a part of the display unit 6b.

  Further, the operation unit 6, the image reading unit 2, the print output unit 3, the facsimile communication unit 4a, the network communication unit 4b, and the storage unit 5 respectively have corresponding hardware modules 50a to 50f (see FIG. 4). ing. Specifically, the operation unit 6 includes a touch panel module 50 a including the touch panel 25. The image reading unit 2 includes a scanner module (image reading module) 50b, and the print output unit 3 includes a printer module (print output module) 50c. The facsimile communication unit 4a has a facsimile communication module 50d, and the network communication unit 4b has a network communication module 50e. Further, the storage unit 5 includes a hard disk module (also referred to as a storage module) 50f.

  In addition, the plurality of hardware modules can be power-controlled independently (individually) by the power-saving control unit 19 or the like.

  The controller 9 is a control device that is built in the MFP 10 and controls the MFP 10 in an integrated manner. The controller 9 is configured as a computer system including a CPU and various semiconductor memories (RAM and ROM). The controller 9 implements various processing units by executing predetermined software programs (hereinafter also simply referred to as programs) stored in a ROM (for example, EEPROM) in the CPU. Note that the program (specifically, a program module group) may be installed in the MFP 10 via a portable recording medium such as a USB memory or a network NW.

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the controller 9 performs device configuration information acquisition unit 12, detection unit 14, and determination unit 16 by executing a program (particularly by executing firmware on the OS). Various processing units including the power saving control unit 19 are realized.

  The device configuration information acquisition unit 12 is a processing unit that acquires device configuration information MA (specifically, device configuration information regarding the present device (MFP) 10) based on the data CN stored in the device configuration information storage unit 11. is there. The apparatus configuration information MA includes information regarding the types of hardware modules that constitute the apparatus 10. For example, the fact that all of the six hardware modules 50a to 50f described above are provided in the MFP 10 is stored in the data CN. Alternatively, if the MFP 10 is a device that does not have a facsimile communication function, the data CN stores information indicating that a hardware module other than the facsimile communication module 50d is provided among the six hardware modules. Yes. The device configuration information acquisition unit 12 acquires the device configuration information MA based on such data CN.

  The detection unit 14 detects at least one application customized by a user (specifically, a management user or the like) among a plurality of application software APs (hereinafter also simply referred to as applications) executed in the image forming apparatus. Is a processing unit. Here, in the image forming apparatus 10, a plurality of application APs are prepared in advance (initially introduced). For example, reading application AP1, printing application AP2, network reception application AP3, network transmission application AP4, network transfer application AP5, facsimile reception application AP6, facsimile transmission application AP7, facsimile transmission application AP8, HDD storage application AP9, HDD read application AP10, An e-mail receiving application AP11, an e-mail sending application AP12, an e-mail transfer application AP13, a panel application AP14, and the like are prepared in advance as default applications (see FIGS. 3 and 5).

  The user can replace (replace) one or more of these applications from an existing one (default application) to a customized one (customized application). More specifically, the user can introduce an application in which frequently used functions are customized for the user.

  The detection unit 14 detects an application customized by the user from among a plurality of applications. In other words, the detection unit 14 detects the type of application replaced with an existing one by the user. More specifically, for example, the detection unit 14 accesses the change history information table TC (stored in the storage unit 5) that records the application change history, so that each application is customized by the user. Judge whether there is a customized application. Alternatively, the detection unit 14 acquires the version number of the application currently installed in the MFP 10 and incorporates a version that is different from the version number of the default application (application installed at the beginning of installation). In this case, it may be detected that the application is customized.

  The determination unit 16 is a processing unit that performs determination processing of the contents of power saving settings (specifically, sleep settings) related to the hardware modules 50a to 50f. The determination unit 16 determines the power saving setting (sleep setting) for each of the plurality of hardware modules according to the type of application customized by the user. Specifically, the determination unit 16 acquires the relationship between each application software and each hardware module based on a data table TB (FIG. 5) described later, and determines the sleep setting of each hardware module.

  The determination unit 16 includes an estimation unit 17 and a determination unit 18. The estimation unit 17 is a processing unit that estimates the usage frequency of each of the plurality of hardware modules 50a to 50f in accordance with the type of at least one application customized by the user. The estimation unit 17 estimates the usage frequency of each hardware module 50a to 50f based on the data table TB (FIG. 5). Further, the determination unit 18 changes (determines) the power saving setting (sleep setting) of each hardware module 50a to 50f based on the estimation result (estimated value of the usage frequency of each hardware module) by the estimation unit 17. It is a processing unit. The changed sleep setting is notified to the power saving control unit 19.

  The power saving control unit 19 is a processing unit that individually performs power saving control (control of sleep operation) of the plurality of hardware modules 50 a to 50 f based on the content determined by the determining unit 18.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration in the MFP 10. As shown in FIG. 3, in the MFP 10, firmware executed on an OS (operating system) is mounted, and various applications operate on the firmware. In other words, the program group in the MFP 10 is roughly divided into three types of layers. Specifically, the program group is roughly divided into three layers of “operating system” (OS), “firmware” (FW), and “application” (APP) in order from a relatively lower layer.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, “firmware” (FW) is provided separately in the lower layer portion LY1 and the upper layer portion LY2 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). That is, the firmware FW is structured in a hierarchical manner.

  The lower layer portion LY1 is a processing unit that controls a relatively lower operation in the apparatus (MFP) 10 in cooperation with the OS, and is individually provided for each of a plurality of different types of MFPs (image forming apparatuses). Generated and provided. The lower layer portion LY1 has a role of absorbing a difference in apparatus configuration between different models. The lower layer portion LY1 is also referred to as an MFP platform (MFP_PF).

  On the other hand, the upper layer portion LY2 is a processing unit that operates between the application (APP) layer and the lower layer portion LY1 of the firmware FW. The upper layer portion LY2 can be commonly used for a plurality of different types of image forming apparatuses (a plurality of models). The upper layer portion LY2 is a processing unit that manages each application, and appropriately modifies a job request or the like in each application to a content that matches the device configuration of the MFP 10 and sends the job request to the lower layer portion LY1. The upper layer portion LY2 is also referred to as an application platform because it manages operations related to applications.

  Among the above processing units, the device configuration information acquisition unit 12, the detection unit 14, and the determination unit 16 belong to the upper layer portion LY2, and the power saving control unit 19 belongs to the lower layer portion LY1.

<2. Data table TB>
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data table TB indicating the degree of association between each of the plurality of application APs (AP1 to AP14) and each of the plurality of hardware modules 50a to 50f. The data table TB is also referred to as an association storage table.

  In the data table TB, the degree of relevance is recorded in three stages (specifically, relevance “high”, relevance “medium”, relevance “low”). The relevance “low” indicates that the relevance is smaller (lower) than the first degree RL1, and is also expressed as a low relevance level. The relevance “high” indicates that the relevance is higher (higher) than the second degree RL2, and is also expressed as a high relevance level. Here, the second degree RL2 is larger than the first degree RL1. The relation “medium” indicates that the relation is greater than the first degree RL1 and smaller than the second degree RL, and is also expressed as a medium relevance level.

  In FIG. 5, “◎ (double circle)” is added to the column of modules having high relevance to each application. “◎ (double circle)” is a symbol indicating the degree of association “high”. In the actual data table TB, an identification value (for example, “3”) corresponding to “◎ (double circle)” is recorded, thereby indicating the degree of association “high”.

  For example, for the network transmission application AP4, a double circle is added in the column of the network communication module 50e. This double circle means that there is a high relationship between the network transmission application AP4 and the network communication module 50e. Since the network transmission application AP4 alone is very likely to use the network communication module 50e, the relevance of the network communication module 50e to the network transmission application AP4 is set to “high”.

  On the other hand, for each application, “-(hyphen)” is added to the column of the module that does not have high relevance. “-(Hyphen)” is a symbol indicating the degree of association “low”. In the actual data table TB, an identification value (for example, “1”) corresponding to “-(hyphen)” is recorded, thereby indicating the degree of association “low”.

  For example, “− (hyphen)” is added to the column of the scanner module 50b for the network transmission application AP4. This “-(hyphen)” means that there is no high relationship between the network transmission application AP4 and the printer module 50c (in other words, the relationship between the two is low). Since the network transmission application AP4 alone is unlikely to use the scanner module 50b, the relevance of the network communication module 50e to the network transmission application AP4 is set to “low”.

  In addition, for each application, a degree of association “medium” (triangle mark) is added to a column of modules having a medium degree of relevance. The triangle mark is a symbol indicating the degree of association “medium”. In the actual data table TB, the identification value (for example, “2”) corresponding to the triangle mark is recorded, thereby indicating the degree of association “medium”.

  For example, for the network transmission application AP4, a triangle mark is added to the column of the touch panel module 50a. This triangle sign means that there is a medium relationship between the network transmission application AP4 and the touch panel module 50a. As for the network transmission application AP4, there are an application with a panel operation and an application without a panel operation. Therefore, the network transmission application AP4 is considered to have a medium possibility of using the touch panel 25 alone, and the degree of relevance of the touch panel module 50a with respect to the network transmission application AP4 is set to “medium”.

  Further, for each application, a “x” mark is added to the column of the module that does not operate when each application is executed. This “x” mark means that the link operation between the network transmission application AP4 and the scanner module 50b is not performed.

  For example, for the network transmission application AP4, a “x” mark is added in the column of the printer module 50c. This “x” mark means that the reading application AP1 and the printer module 50c do not perform a cooperative operation with each other. In other words, it is also expressed that the network transmission application AP4 is prohibited from using the printer module 50c in combination when it is executed (at the time of network transmission). For this reason, “x” is given as the degree of relevance of the printer module 50c to the network transmission application AP4. This “x” mark corresponds to a level equivalent to the degree of association “low”. However, the degree of association is different from “low” in that the combination determination (described later) is not performed.

  For the reading application AP1, a double circle is added in the column of the scanner module 50b. This double circle means that there is a high relationship between the reading application AP1 and the scanner module 50b.

  Further, for the reading application AP1, a triangle mark is added to the column of the touch panel module 50a. This triangle sign means that there is a medium relationship between the reading application AP1 and the touch panel module 50a.

  Further, “-(hyphen)” is added to the column of the printer module 50c for the reading application AP1. This “-(hyphen)” means that there is no high relationship between the reading application AP1 and the printer module 50c (in other words, the relationship between the two is low).

  Similarly, for the reading application AP1, “-(hyphen)” (indicating “low” relevance) is added to the columns of the facsimile communication module 50d, the network communication module 50e, and the hard disk module 50f, respectively. .

<3. Operation>
Next, the operation of the MFP 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Here, a case where the user (for example, an administrative user) customizes two of the plurality of applications, that is, the reading application AP1 and the network transmission application AP4 will be mainly described.

  In this case, first, at a predetermined timing (for example, when the power is turned on or when logging in), the detection unit 14 customizes two of the plurality of application APs (AP1 to AP14), the reading application AP1 and the network transmission application AP4. It is detected (step S1). More specifically, the detection unit 14 accesses the change history information table TC (stored in the storage unit 5) that records the application change history to determine whether each application is customized by the user. Determine. As a result, it is detected that two of the reading application AP1 and the network transmission application AP4 have been customized (both the reading application AP1 and the network transmission application AP4 have been updated). That is, two customized applications (customized applications) AP1 and AP4 are detected.

  Further, along with such a detection operation (or prior to the detection operation), an operation for acquiring the device configuration information MA is also executed (step S2). Specifically, the device configuration information acquisition unit 12 acquires information (device configuration information MA) related to the device configuration of the MFP 10 based on the data CN stored in the device configuration information storage unit 11. More specifically, the fact that the MFP 10 includes six hardware modules 50a to 50f is acquired as the device configuration information MA.

  Next, a determination operation by the determination unit 16 is executed. Specifically, the estimation operation by the estimation unit 17 is executed (step S3), and the determination operation by the determination unit 18 is executed (step S4).

  Specifically, as described below, the usage frequency of each hardware module 50 is estimated based on the data table TB, and the sleep setting of each hardware module 50 is determined.

  Based on the data table TB, the estimation unit 17 acquires the relevance of each of the plurality of hardware modules with respect to the type of application detected by the detection unit 14, and based on the acquired information about the relevance, The usage frequency of each of the wear modules 50a to 50f is estimated.

  Further, the determination unit 18 determines the sleep setting of each of the plurality of hardware modules 50a to 50f based on the estimation result of the usage frequency of each of the plurality of hardware modules 50a to 50f (estimation result by the estimation unit 17). . Note that the processing in steps S3 to S5 is executed for hardware modules (here, six 50a to 50f) provided in the image forming apparatus 10 based on the apparatus configuration information MA acquired in step S2.

  Specifically, in the data table TB, any one of the degree of association “high”, the degree of association “medium”, the degree of association “low”, and “combination prohibited” is assigned to the customized application (customized application). The usage frequency of each hardware module 50 is estimated. When there are two or more customized applications, the frequency of use of each hardware module 50 is estimated by combining the degrees of association with a plurality of customized applications, except when “combination prohibition” is assigned. Is done. Below, the some classification | category (1)-(5) according to the combination of a relevance degree is demonstrated sequentially.

  (1) First, a module having a degree of association “high” with respect to at least one application to be customized (customized application) is estimated to have a usage frequency greater (higher) than the reference level BLb. Presumed to be a frequency module (see also FIG. 7). That is, a module that includes at least one degree of association “high” as the degree of association with the customized application is estimated to be a high-frequency module. In other words, the target hardware module is a high-frequency module on the condition that the relevance between the one or a plurality of customized applications and the target hardware module of the estimation process is the “high” relevance level. It is estimated to be.

  For example, the degree of association of the scanner module 50b with respect to at least the reading application AP1 of the two customization applications AP1 and AP4 is set to “high” (see FIG. 5). Such a scanner module 50b is estimated to be a high-frequency module. Similarly, since the degree of relevance of the network communication module 50e with respect to the network transmission application AP4 is set to “high”, the network communication module 50e is estimated to have a high usage frequency and is estimated to be a high frequency module. Is done.

  For the module estimated to be a high frequency module, the sleep setting SL1 of the lowest power saving level LV1 is determined (see FIG. 7).

  (2) Further, a module having a degree of relevance “medium” with respect to a single customization target application has a medium usage frequency (specifically, a usage frequency of the first reference level BLa or higher and the second reference level BLb or lower). ) Is estimated to be a module (medium frequency module). For a module estimated to be a medium frequency module, a sleep setting SL2 of medium power saving level (standard level) LV2 is determined (see FIG. 7). In other words, a module including only a single relevance level “medium” as the relevance level for the customized application is estimated to be a medium frequency module.

  For a module estimated to be a medium frequency module, a sleep setting SL2 having a medium power saving level LV2 is determined (see FIG. 7).

  (3) A module having a relevance “low” with respect to a single customization target application is estimated to have a use frequency smaller (lower) than the first reference level BLa (<BLb). Presumed. That is, a module that includes only a single relevance level “low” as the relevance level for the customized application is estimated to be a low-frequency module. In other words, the target hardware module is a low-frequency module, provided that the relevance between the one or more customized applications and the target hardware module of the estimation process is all below the relevance “low” level. Presumed to be.

  For example, the printer module is a module having a degree of relevance “low” with respect to the reading application AP1, and “x mark” indicating “combination prohibition” is registered for the network transmission application AP4. Therefore, for the printer module, only the setting of the degree of association “low” regarding the single application AP1 out of the two customized applications is effective, and the printer module is estimated to have a low usage frequency. Presumed to be. The facsimile communication module is the same, and is assumed to be a low-frequency module.

  For the module estimated to be a low-frequency module, the sleep setting SL3 having the highest power saving level LV3 is determined (see FIG. 7). The power saving level LV3 is a power saving level that realizes the least power consumption (in other words, the largest power saving effect) among the three power saving levels LV1, LV2, and LV3.

  (4) Furthermore, a hardware module to which the degree of association “medium” is assigned to two or more customized applications is estimated to have a high usage frequency, and is estimated to be a high frequency module. In other words, a module that includes two or more relevance levels “medium” as relevance levels for the customized application is estimated to be a high-frequency module.

  Specifically, the touch panel module 50a is a module having a degree of relevance “medium” with respect to the reading application AP1, and a module having a degree of relevance “medium” with respect to the network transmission application AP4. Thus, since the touch panel module 50a has the degree of association “medium” with respect to the two applications AP1 and AP4, the touch panel module 50a is estimated to be a high-frequency module.

  As described above, the sleep setting SL1 having the lowest power saving level LV1 is determined for the module estimated to be the high frequency module.

  (5) In addition, a module having a degree of relevance “low” for two or more applications to be customized is also estimated to have a high use frequency, and is estimated to be a high frequency module. In other words, a module that includes two or more relevance levels “low” as relevance levels for the customized application is estimated to be a high-frequency module.

  For example, the hard disk module 50f is a module having a “low” degree of association with “two” customized applications AP1 and AP4, and is estimated to have a high use frequency and to be a high frequency module.

  As described above, the sleep setting SL1 having the lowest power saving level LV1 is determined for the module estimated to be the high frequency module.

  Note that, here, a module including two or more relevance levels “low” as the relevance level for the customized application is estimated to be a high-frequency module, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a module including two relevance levels “low” as the relevance level for the customized application is estimated to be a medium frequency module, and a module including 3 or more relevance levels “low” as the relevance level for the customized application is high. You may make it estimate that it is a frequency module.

  As described above, the usage frequency of each hardware module 50 is determined by the determination unit 18.

  Thereafter, the determination unit 18 notifies the power saving control unit 19 of each sleep setting determined by the determination unit 18 for each of the hardware modules 50a to 50f.

  The power saving control unit 19 determines the hardware modules 50a to 50f based on the details determined by the determination unit 18 (specifically, the sleep settings determined by the determination unit 18 for the hardware modules 50a to 50f). The sleep operation is controlled (step S5).

  Specifically, the sleep control by the sleep setting SL2 of the medium power saving level LV2 is executed for the hardware module estimated to be the medium frequency module. For example, the waiting period until the transition to the sleep state (also referred to as a no-operation waiting period or a sleep transition waiting period) is set to the medium level value V2 (reference value), and the depth of the sleep state is set to the value D2 (reference Value).

  For hardware modules estimated to be infrequent modules, sleep control is executed by the sleep setting SL3 at a relatively high power saving level LV3 (> LV2). Sleep control by the sleep setting SL3 is sleep control in which the degree of power saving is increased from a reference value.

  For example, the waiting period until the transition to the sleep state (sleep transition waiting period) is set to the value V3, and the depth of the sleep state is set to the value D3. The value V3 is a value smaller than the value V2 (reference value), for example, half the value V2. Therefore, it is relatively easy to make a transition to the sleep state, and a relatively large power saving effect can be obtained. The sleep setting SL3 is a sleep setting that is one step deeper than the sleep setting SL2. In the sleep state of the value D3, the power consumption is smaller than in the sleep state of the value D2, and it is possible to obtain a relatively large power saving effect.

  As described above, in the sleep state of the value D3, sleep control that realizes a power saving effect (power suppression effect) larger than that in the sleep state of the value D2 is executed.

  In addition, for hardware modules that are presumed to be high-frequency modules, sleep control is performed using the sleep setting SL1 with a relatively low power saving level LV1 (<LV2). Sleep control by the sleep setting SL1 is sleep control in which the degree of power saving is suppressed from a reference value.

  For example, the waiting period until the transition to the sleep state (sleep transition waiting period) is set to the value V1, and the depth of the sleep state is set to the value D1. Here, the value V1 is a value larger than the value V2 (reference value). For example, the value V1 is twice the value V2. Thus, the sleep transition waiting period for the hardware module estimated to be a high-frequency module is set to a value V1 that is larger than the sleep transition waiting period (values V3 and V2) for the low-frequency module (and medium-frequency module). Is done. As a result, it becomes difficult to transition to the sleep state. Note that “infinity” may be set as the value V1 (that is, auto sleep is not performed).

  Further, in the sleep state of the value D1, the power consumption is larger than in the sleep state of the value D2, and the power saving effect is lower than that in the sleep state of the value D2. However, the time required for the return from “sleep state of value D1” (return from the sleep state to the normal state) is shorter than the time required for return from “sleep state of value D2”. That is, the sleep setting SL1 is a sleep setting that is one step shallower than the sleep setting SL2. As described above, a sleep process capable of returning from the sleep state in a shorter time than the low frequency module (and the medium frequency module) is executed for the hardware module estimated to be the high frequency module. .

  According to the operation as described above, the sleep control for each of the plurality of hardware modules provided in the image forming apparatus is individually performed according to the type of the customized application. More specifically, the availability of each hardware module is estimated according to the type of customized application, sleep settings for each hardware module are determined, and sleep control is performed for each hardware module. Accordingly, more appropriate sleep control (fine sleep control) can be performed.

  More specifically, for hardware modules (e.g., printer modules) that are estimated to be low-frequency modules, the sleep control for hardware modules that are estimated to be medium-frequency modules or high-frequency modules is performed. Further, sleep control having a large power saving effect is performed. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately perform sleep control with high power consumption effect.

  Conversely, for hardware modules that are presumed to be high-frequency modules (for example, scanner modules), the sleep state is more effective than sleep control for hardware modules that are presumed to be medium-frequency modules or low-frequency modules. Sleep control that is easy to return (and / or difficult to transition to the sleep state) is performed. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately perform sleep control that does not hinder the operability of the apparatus user.

  In particular, according to the type of customized application, the sleep control is automatically executed based on the sleep setting that is automatically determined (changed), so that it is possible to reduce the labor of the operator. .

  In the above embodiment, the power saving control unit 19 belongs to the lower layer portion LY1, and the device configuration information acquisition unit 12, the detection unit 14, and the determination unit 16 belong to the upper layer portion LY2. By hierarchizing the firmware FW in this way, it is possible to perform fine power-saving control that accompanies customization of application software regardless of differences in the hardware configuration of different types of image forming apparatuses. It is.

<4. Modified example>
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the contents described above.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the scanner module and the hard disk module are exemplified as the plurality of hardware modules. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other hardware modules (storage modules other than the hard disk (SSD (solid state drive)) The above idea may be applied to modules and the like)).

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the sleep control content is changed by changing both the waiting period (non-operation waiting period) until it transfers to a sleep state, and the depth of a sleep state, it is limited to this. Not. For example, the sleep control content may be changed by changing one of the waiting period (no-operation waiting period) until the transition to the sleep state and the depth of the sleep state.

  In the above embodiment, the customized application is detected by the detection unit 14 at the time of power-on or the like and each subsequent operation is performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the presence / absence of the customized application may be confirmed at predetermined time intervals (for example, 10 seconds), and the same operation as described above may be further performed when the customized application is detected. In other words, a sleep setting changing operation similar to the above may be performed immediately after application replacement (immediately after application customization). Note that the sleep setting changing operation or the like may be performed at the next device startup, not immediately after application replacement (immediately after application customization).

  In the above embodiment, in the data table TB, three levels of relevance (“high”, “medium”, “low”) are recorded, and the usage frequency of each hardware module is estimated in three levels. A mode in which sleep control for a hardware module is executed in three stages is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the data table TB, two levels of relevance (“high” and “low”) are recorded, the frequency of use of each hardware module is estimated in two stages, and sleep control for each hardware module is performed in two stages. It may be executed.

10 MFP (image forming apparatus)
25 Touch panel 50, 50a to 50f Hardware module AP, AP1 to AP14 Application software FW Firmware LY1 (firmware) lower layer portion LY2 (firmware) upper layer portion TB Data table

Claims (18)

An image forming apparatus,
A plurality of hardware modules that can be power controlled independently of each other;
Detecting means for detecting at least one application software customized by a user of the image forming apparatus among a plurality of application software executed in the image forming apparatus;
Determining means for determining a sleep setting for each of the plurality of hardware modules according to a type of the at least one application software;
Power control means for individually controlling sleep operations of the plurality of hardware modules based on the determination by the determination means;
Storage means for storing a data table indicating a degree of association between each of the plurality of application software and each of the plurality of hardware modules;
With
The determination means includes
Relevance of each of the plurality of hardware modules with respect to the at least one application software is acquired based on the data table stored in the storage means, and the plurality of hardware is based on information about the acquired relevance An estimation means for estimating the usage frequency of each wear module;
A determination unit for determining a sleep setting of each of the plurality of hardware modules based on an estimation result of the use frequency of each of the plurality of hardware modules;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .
The power control means has a use frequency larger than the first reference level for the hardware module estimated by the estimation means as a low-frequency module having a use frequency smaller than the first reference level. an image forming apparatus comprising that you perform the sleep control having a large power saving effect than the sleep control over hardware modules. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 .
The power control means sets a sleep transition waiting period for the hardware module estimated by the estimation means to be a high-frequency module having a use frequency greater than a second reference level that is greater than the first reference level, an image forming apparatus comprising that you set to a value larger than the sleep transition waiting period for hardware modules having the small frequency of use than the second reference level. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 .
The power control means is configured to detect the hardware module estimated by the estimation means as a high-frequency module having a use frequency greater than a second reference level that is greater than the first reference level. an image forming apparatus comprising that you perform a possible sleep processing to return from the sleep state in a shorter time than the hardware module having a small frequency of use than the second reference level. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein:
The data table includes the degree of relevance as follows:
A low relevance level indicating a relevance less than a first degree;
A medium relevance level indicating that the relevance is greater than the first degree and less than a second degree greater than the first degree;
A high relevance level indicating a relevance greater than said second degree;
Are recorded separately,
The estimation means includes
Estimating the target hardware module as the low-frequency module, provided that the relevance between the target hardware module and the at least one application software is less than or equal to the low relevance level,
An image characterized in that the target hardware module is estimated as the high-frequency module on the condition that the relationship between the target hardware module and any one of the at least one application software is the high relevance level. Forming equipment. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 .
The power control means sets a sleep transition waiting period for the hardware module estimated by the estimation means to be a high-frequency module having a larger usage frequency than the first reference level, and is smaller than the first reference level. an image forming apparatus comprising that you set to a value larger than the sleep transition waiting period for hardware module having a frequency of use. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 .
For the hardware module estimated by the estimating means to be a high-frequency module having a larger usage frequency than the first reference level, the power control means has a usage frequency smaller than the first reference level. an image forming apparatus comprising that you perform capable sleep setting to wake from sleep in a shorter time than the hardware module having. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 or 7 , wherein:
The data table includes the degree of relevance as follows:
A first level indicating a relevance lower than a first degree;
A second level indicating higher relevance than the first degree;
Are recorded separately,
The estimation means includes
Estimating a hardware module whose relevance with the at least one application software is not more than the first level as the low-frequency module;
An image forming apparatus, wherein a module having a relevance of the second level or higher with respect to any one of the at least one application software is estimated as the high-frequency module. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 ,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the plurality of hardware modules include at least one of a touch panel module, a scanner module, a printer module, a facsimile communication module, a network communication module, and a storage module. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 ,
The firmware installed in the image forming apparatus is structured in a hierarchical manner,
The firmware is
An upper layer portion that can be commonly used for a plurality of different types of image forming apparatuses;
A lower layer portion provided according to each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses;
Have
The power control means is provided in the lower layer portion of the firmware,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the detection unit and the determination unit are provided in the upper layer portion of the firmware. In the computer built in the image forming device,
a) detecting at least one application software customized by a user of the image forming apparatus among a plurality of application software executed in the image forming apparatus;
b) determining a sleep setting for each of a plurality of hardware modules that may be power controlled independently of each other according to the type of the at least one application software;
c) controlling the sleep operation of the plurality of hardware modules based on the determination in step b) ;
A program for executing,
Said step b)
b-1) Based on a data table indicating a degree of association between each of the plurality of application software and each of the plurality of hardware modules, the plurality of hardware modules for the at least one application software Obtaining each relevance, and
b-2) estimating the frequency of use of each of the plurality of hardware modules based on the information relating to the association acquired in step b-1);
b-3) determining a sleep setting of each of the plurality of hardware modules based on an estimation result of the usage frequency of each of the plurality of hardware modules;
The program characterized by having. The program according to claim 11,
In the sleep operation, the hardware module estimated in the step b-2) to be a low-frequency module having a use frequency smaller than the first reference level is larger than the first reference level. program characterized that you sleep control is performed with a large power saving effect than the sleep control for hardware module having a frequency of use. The program according to claim 12 ,
In the sleep operation, sleep transition for the hardware module estimated in step b-2) is a high-frequency module having a use frequency greater than the second reference level that is greater than the first reference level. the waiting period, the program characterized that you set to a value larger than the sleep transition waiting period for hardware modules having the small frequency of use than the second reference level. The program according to claim 12 ,
In the sleep operation, with respect to the hardware module estimated in step b-2) as a high-frequency module having a use frequency greater than the second reference level that is greater than the first reference level. the program characterized that you perform a possible sleep processing to return from the sleep state in a shorter time than the hardware module having a small frequency of use than the second reference level. In the program according to claim 13 or 14 ,
The data table includes the degree of relevance as follows:
A low relevance level indicating a relevance less than a first degree;
A medium relevance level indicating that the relevance is greater than the first degree and less than a second degree greater than the first degree;
A high relevance level indicating a relevance greater than said second degree;
Are recorded separately,
In step b-2),
On the condition that the relevance of the target hardware module and said at least one application software are both less than or equal to the low relevance level, said target hardware module is estimated as the low frequency module,
On the condition that association with any of the targeted hardware module at least one application software is the high relevance level, said target hardware module, characterized in that it is estimated as the high frequency module Program . The program according to claim 12 ,
Wherein the sleep operation, the sleep transfer waiting period for hardware modules was estimated to be high frequency module in the step b-2) having a large usage frequency than the first reference level, the first program characterized and this is set to a value larger than the sleep transition waiting period for hardware modules having the small frequency of use than the reference level. The program according to claim 12 ,
In the sleep operation, for the hardware module estimated in step b-2) to be a high-frequency module having a higher usage frequency than the first reference level, the first reference level program characterized that you short time can return from sleep in a sleep setting than hardware module having a smaller frequency of use is performed. The program according to claim 16 or 17 ,
The data table includes the degree of relevance as follows:
A first level indicating a relevance lower than a first degree;
A second level indicating higher relevance than the first degree;
Are recorded separately,
In step b-2),
A hardware module whose relevance to the at least one application software is less than or equal to the first level is estimated as the low-frequency module ;
A program characterized by module having relevance than the second level for one of the at least one application software is estimated as the high frequency module.