JP6675220B2 - Image forming apparatus, control method therefor, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program.

  As a technique for reducing the power consumption of an information processing apparatus such as an image forming apparatus, when a state in which the apparatus is not used continues for a certain period of time, the apparatus switches to a low power consumption state (power saving state) such as a sleep state. There are known techniques for migrating data. For example, when the user performs a predetermined operation, the information processing apparatus in the sleep state returns from the sleep state and becomes usable. Generally, such an information processing apparatus is configured so that a user can specify a condition for transition to a sleep state to some extent.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for information processing apparatuses to more frequently switch to a power saving state due to an increase in user awareness of energy saving (power saving) and the formulation of various energy saving standards. On the other hand, if the information processing apparatus is frequently shifted to the power saving state, a user operation for shifting from the power saving state to the usable state is required frequently, and the user's convenience may be reduced. Particularly, in an apparatus such as an image forming apparatus that is shared by a plurality of users, a user who seeks power saving and a user who seeks convenience can coexist, so that a power saving state suitable for more users is established. It is necessary to provide a transition condition.

  In the information processing apparatus, when an external device such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) device is connected, the type of the external device may be considered as a condition for transition to the sleep state. The information processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 1 acquires a class set for a connected USB device, and determines whether to shift the image forming apparatus to a power saving state based on the acquired class. Control automatically.

  In recent years, an image forming apparatus has a USB over Network (hereinafter abbreviated as “USBNW” as appropriate) that performs communication between an external information processing apparatus communicable via a network and a USB device connected to the image forming apparatus. A) corresponding to the technology is known. When the USB NW technology is used, a USB application can be controlled via the image forming apparatus by a control application installed in an external information processing apparatus.

JP 2009-302831A

  However, in the related art disclosed in Patent Literature 1, when a USB device is connected to the image forming apparatus, the power state to which the image forming apparatus shifts is determined uniformly according to the class of the USB device. Therefore, depending on the class of the USB device, the image forming apparatus does not shift to the power saving state as long as the USB device is connected to the image forming apparatus. As a result, a situation may occur in which power saving of the image forming apparatus to which the USB device is connected cannot be achieved. Conversely, depending on the class of the USB device, a situation may occur in which the image forming apparatus shifts to the power saving state when the USB device is connected, and the USB device cannot be used frequently, even though the USB device is connected. . In this case, the USB device cannot be sufficiently used using the USB NW communication. For users who frequently use the USB NW communication, convenience is reduced.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a technique for appropriately shifting an image forming apparatus to a power saving state in consideration of a usage state of an external device such as a connected USB device. The purpose is to provide.

The present invention can be realized, for example, as an image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention controls a connection unit to which a USB device is connected, and communication between the USB device connected to the connection unit and an external device that controls an operation of the USB device. and control means for, the image forming apparatus, and a transition control means for power supply from the first power state in which power is supplied to the connecting means to the connecting means to shift to the second power state to be stopped, the USB Receiving means for receiving a user setting of whether or not to shift the image forming apparatus to the second power state during use of the device, wherein the shift control means includes: the USB device connected to the connection means; wherein based on whether a communication session with the external device is established, the connected the USB device to the connection means determines whether or not the use, the user If the setting is set to shift the image forming apparatus during the use of the USB device to the second power state, during use of the USB device, the said image forming apparatus from the first power state the it is shifted to the second power state, wherein when the user setting is not migrate setting the image forming apparatus during the use of the USB device to the second power state, during use of the USB device, the image forming apparatus Is not shifted from the first power state to the second power state.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a connection unit to which a USB device is connected; and control means for controlling, said image forming apparatus, and a transition control means for power supply from the first power state in which power is supplied to the connecting means to the connecting means to shift to the second power state is stopped, The transfer control means, the USB device connected to the connection means based on whether a communication session has been established between the USB device connected to the connection means and the external device There it is determined whether in use, when the USB device is not in use, to shift the image forming apparatus from the first power state to the second power state, the USB de Chairs when in use, the not migrated image forming apparatus from the first power state to the second power state, it is characterized.

According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately shift the image forming apparatus to the power saving state in consideration of the usage state of an external device such as a connected USB device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus. A screen for setting a sleep mode of the image forming apparatus. Screen for setting sleep transition when using a USB device. 13 is a modified example of a screen for setting a sleep transition when using a USB device. A screen for setting the time before shifting to the sleep state. 7 is a flowchart illustrating control of the power state of the image forming apparatus when a USB device is used (first embodiment). 9 is a flowchart illustrating control of the power state of the image forming apparatus when a USB device is used (second embodiment).

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of the features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the means for solving the invention.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, a printer unit 104, an operation panel 105, a USB interface (I / F) 106, and a network I / F 107 connected to the CPU 101 via a system bus 110. The USB I / F 106 is a communication interface for communicating with a USB device connected to the image forming apparatus 100. The network I / F 107 is a communication interface for communicating with an external communication device via a network (LAN 160).

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100, the USB device 150, and the terminal 170 illustrated in FIG. 1A correspond to a USB NW (USB over Network). A USB device 150 corresponding to the USB NW can be connected to the USB I / F 106. The USB device 150 is, for example, a touch panel, a card reader, a USB memory, a tablet terminal, or the like. Further, the network I / F 107 can communicate with an external terminal 170 corresponding to the USB NW via the LAN 160. When the USBNW technology is used, the USB device 150 can be controlled from the terminal 170 using communication according to the USBNW (USBNW communication). An application for controlling the USB device 150 is installed in the terminal 170, and the application controls the USB device 150 via the image forming apparatus 100. Thus, the user can use the USB device 150 from the terminal 170 using the USB communication. In the present embodiment, the terminal 170 is an example of an external device that controls the operation of the USB device 150.

  The CPU 101 is a system control unit, and controls the entire image forming apparatus 100. The ROM 102 stores a control program executed by the CPU 101. The ROM 102 according to the present embodiment is a rewritable flash ROM, and stores various data that can be changed as necessary, such as data indicating setting values registered by the user of the image forming apparatus 100 and management data. . The RAM 103 is used as a work area for the CPU 101 to execute a program, and is also used as a temporary storage area for temporarily storing various data.

  The printer unit 104 forms an image on a recording medium (recording paper) based on print data (image data) received from an external device via the LAN 160. Further, for example, when the tablet terminal is connected to the USB I / F 106 as the USB device 150, an image can be formed on a recording medium (recording paper) based on print data received from the tablet terminal. The operation panel 105 includes a keyboard, a touch panel, an LCD, an LED, and the like, and receives various operations by a user, displays an operation screen, and notifies the user.

  As described above, when the USB device 150 is connected, the USB I / F 106 functions as an interface to the USB device 150, and controls communication with the USB device 150. Further, the USB I / F 106 supplies power to the USB device 150. As described above, the network I / F 107 functions as an interface to an external device that can communicate via the LAN 160, and transmits and receives data to and from the external device via the LAN 160. The network I / F 107 receives, for example, print data and control information of the image forming apparatus 100 from the terminal 170. The LAN 160 may be a wired LAN for wired communication or a wireless LAN for wireless communication.

  FIG. 1B illustrates a configuration example related to power supply from a power supply 120 in the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in the figure, a power supply 120 supplies power to the printer unit 104, the operation panel 105, and the USB I / F 106 via switches 121, 122, and 123, respectively. The ON / OFF switching of the switches 121 to 123 is controlled by the CPU 101. When the switches 121 to 123 are ON, power is supplied from the power supply 120 to each unit. When each of the switches 121 to 123 is in the OFF state, the power supply from the power supply 120 to each unit is stopped.

  The CPU 101 controls ON / OFF switching of the switches 121 to 123 according to the state of the image forming apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 has a normal power state (usable state) and a power saving state (sleep state) that consumes less power than the normal power state. When shifting the image forming apparatus 100 from the normal power state to the sleep state, the CPU 101 switches the switches 121 to 123 from the ON state to the OFF state, thereby connecting the printer unit 104, the operation panel 105, and the USB I / F 106. Stop power supply. Thereby, power saving of the image forming apparatus 100 in the sleep state is realized.

  In the normal power state, the image forming apparatus 100 shifts to the sleep state based on a condition for shifting to the sleep state being satisfied (for example, a predetermined sleep shift time has elapsed). In the present embodiment, the user can set whether to shift the image forming apparatus 100 to the sleep state. When the user selects “high level (deep sleep)” as the sleep mode on the screen illustrated in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 is set to shift to the sleep state. When the user selects “OFF” as the sleep mode on the screen illustrated in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 is set not to shift to the sleep state. The setting of the sleep mode is stored in the ROM 102.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the user can set whether to shift the image forming apparatus 100 to the sleep state while using the USB device 150. On the screen shown in FIG. 3, when the user selects “permit” as the transition to sleep when using USB, the image forming apparatus 100 transitions to sleep even when using USB. On the screen shown in FIG. 3, if the user selects “not permitted” as the transition to sleep when using USB, the image forming apparatus 100 does not transition to sleep when using USB. If the user has selected “not allowed” as the sleep transition when using the USB, and the USB device 150 is connected, the transition is made to the sleep state even if the USB device 150 is not used. The setting of the sleep transition when using the USB is stored in the ROM 102. In this manner, the CPU 101 performs a reception process of receiving a user setting as to whether to shift the image forming apparatus 100 to the sleep state when the USB device 150 is used, using the screen illustrated in FIG.

The CPU 101 determines whether or not to shift the image forming apparatus 100 to the sleep state based on the setting of the sleep mode, the setting of the sleep transition when using the USB, and the usage state of the USB device 150.
Specifically, when the setting of the sleep mode is “OFF”, the image forming apparatus 100 does not shift to the sleep state. When the sleep mode setting is “level high (deep sleep)”, the CPU 101 determines whether or not to shift the image forming apparatus 100 to the sleep state based on the setting for sleep transition when using USB. That is, if the sleep mode setting is “level high (deep sleep)” and the sleep transition setting during USB use is “permitted,” the CPU 101 determines whether the USB device 150 is in use or not. When the condition is satisfied, the image forming apparatus 100 is shifted to the sleep state. On the other hand, if the setting of the sleep mode is “level high (deep sleep)” and the setting of the sleep transition during USB use is “not permitted”, if the USB device 150 is in use, the CPU 101 Not put into sleep mode. Further, if the sleep mode setting is “level high (deep sleep)” and the sleep transition setting during USB use is “not permitted”, the image forming apparatus 100 is not in use if the USB device 150 is not in use. To the sleep state.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment can shift the image forming apparatus 100 to the sleep state when the USB device 150 is used, according to the setting by the user (setting of sleep transition when using the USB: permitted). it can. That is, when the USB device 150 is used, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the image forming apparatus 100 does not shift to the sleep state against the intention of the user who wants to save power.
In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has a user's desire to prioritize the use of the USB device 150 when using the USB device 150 in accordance with the setting by the user (setting of sleep transition when using the USB: not permitted). On the contrary, it is possible to prevent the image forming apparatus 100 from shifting to the sleep state.

  Next, a setting for shifting the image forming apparatus 100 to the sleep state will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5 are displayed on the LCD of the operation panel 105 by a user operation using the operation panel 105.

  The sleep mode setting screen 230 in FIG. 2 is a screen for setting a state where the image forming apparatus 100 shifts when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The user can select any one of “high level (deep sleep)”, “medium level (printer sleep)”, “low level (panel sleep)”, and “OFF” on the setting screen 230. When “level high (deep sleep)” is selected on the setting screen 230, the image forming apparatus 100 shifts to a sleep state in which power supply to the printer unit 104, the operation unit 105, and the USB I / F 106 is stopped. .

  The setting screen 220 for setting the transition to the sleep mode when the USB device 150 is used in FIG. 3 is a screen for selecting whether or not to permit the transition to the sleep mode when the USB device 150 is used. When the user selects “not permitted” on the setting screen 220, the image forming apparatus 100 does not shift to the sleep state while the USB device 150 connected to the image forming apparatus 100 is in use. When the user selects “permit” on the setting screen 220, the image forming apparatus 100 shifts to the sleep state even when the USB device 150 connected to the image forming apparatus 100 is in use.

  The setting screen 200 shown in FIG. 4 is a modified example of the setting screen 220 of FIG. 3 described above. “Do not allow” on the setting screen 220 corresponds to “Do not shift to the sleep state when in use” on the setting screen 200 in FIG. Further, “permit” on the setting screen 220 corresponds to “transition to the sleep state even when in use” on the setting screen 200 in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a screen for setting the time until the state shifts to the sleep state. The user can set the time until the image forming apparatus 100 shifts to the sleep state on the setting screen 210 in FIG. On the setting screen 210, such time setting can be selected from, for example, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 30 minutes, or 60 minutes. In the example of FIG. 5, 1 minute is selected. The CPU 101 stores, in the ROM 102, information indicating the time selected on the setting screen 210. Note that such a time (for example, 5 minutes) may be fixedly set in advance without requiring setting using the setting screen 210.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating control of the power state of the image forming apparatus 100. 6 are realized in the image forming apparatus 100 by the CPU 101 reading and executing a control program stored in the ROM 102. For example, when the USB device 150 is a card reader, when the user performs card authentication using the card reader, USB NW communication is performed between the card reader and the terminal 170.

  In S101, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the setting of the sleep mode is “level high (deep sleep)”. If the setting of the sleep mode is not “level high (deep sleep)”, the image forming apparatus 100 does not shift to the sleep state, and thus the process of this flowchart ends. When the CPU 101 determines that the sleep mode setting is “level high (deep sleep)” (S101: Yes), the process proceeds to S102.

  In S102, CPU 101 determines whether or not a transition condition for transitioning image forming apparatus 100 to the sleep state is satisfied. For example, when the time measured by the timer for determining the transition timing has passed the sleep transition time set by the user in advance, the CPU 101 determines that the transition condition has been satisfied. For example, the timer is reset to 0 when the operation panel 105 is operated by the user. If the CPU 101 determines in S102 that the transition condition has been satisfied, the process proceeds to S103.

  In step S103, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the setting for sleep transition when using a USB device is “permitted”. If the CPU 101 determines that the setting for transition to sleep when using a USB device is “permitted”, the process proceeds to S104. Then, in S104, the CPU 101 shifts the image forming apparatus 100 to the sleep state. If the CPU 101 determines that the setting for shifting to the sleep mode when using the USB device is “not permitted”, the process proceeds to S105.

  In S105, the CPU 101 determines whether the USB device 150 is in use. When the USB NW communication is started, a connection request is transmitted from the terminal 170 as a host to the USB device 150. The USB device 150 transmits a response to the connection request transmitted from the terminal 170. Thus, a communication session is established between the terminal 170 and the USB device 150. Then, when ending the USB NW communication, a disconnection request is transmitted from the terminal 170 to the USB device 150. The USB device 150 transmits a response to the disconnection request transmitted from the terminal 170. Thereby, the communication session between the terminal 170 and the USB device 150 is disconnected. The CPU 101 determines that the USB device 150 is being used during a period from when the connection request transmitted from the terminal 170 is received to when the disconnection request is received. When determining that the USB device 150 is being used, the CPU 101 clears (resets) the timer in S106, and when determining that the USB device 150 is not being used, shifts the image forming apparatus 100 to the sleep state in S107.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the transition to the sleep state is satisfied, if the setting for transition to the sleep mode when the USB device is used is “permitted”, the CPU 101 uses Even in the middle, the image forming apparatus 100 is shifted to the sleep state. On the other hand, if the setting of the sleep transition at the time of using the USB device is “not permitted”, it is determined whether the connected USB device is in use. If the USB device 150 is in use, the CPU 101 causes the image forming apparatus 100 to transition to the sleep state even when the USB device 150 is connected. Accordingly, it is possible to shift the image forming apparatus 100 to which the USB device 150 is connected to the sleep state in accordance with the usage state of the USB device 150 while maintaining the convenience of the user.

[Second embodiment]
In the second embodiment, an example in which the image forming apparatus 100 is shifted to the sleep state when using a USB device without using the setting screen 220 illustrated in FIG. 3 or the setting screen 200 illustrated in FIG. Will be described. Note that, in the following, description of parts common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and parts different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the control of the power state of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment. The processing of each step illustrated in FIG. 7 is realized in the image forming apparatus 100 by the CPU 101 reading and executing a control program stored in the ROM 102.

  In S201, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the setting of the sleep mode is “level high (deep sleep)” as in S101. When the setting of the sleep mode is not “level high (deep sleep)”, the CPU 101 ends the processing of this flowchart, and determines that the setting of the sleep mode is “level high (deep sleep)” (S101: Yes) ), And the process proceeds to S202.

  In S202, similarly to S102, the CPU 101 determines whether or not a transition condition for transitioning the image forming apparatus 100 to the sleep state is satisfied. If the CPU 101 determines that the transition timing has been reached, the process proceeds to S203.

  In S203, the CPU 101 determines whether the USB device 150 is in use, as in S105. If the CPU 101 determines in step S203 that the USB device 150 is in use, the process proceeds to step S204. If the CPU 101 determines that the USB device 150 is not in use, the process proceeds to step S205. In S204, the CPU 101 clears (resets) the timer, and in S205, shifts the image forming apparatus 100 to the sleep state.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the CPU 101 determines whether the connected USB device 150 is in use when the condition for shifting to the sleep state is satisfied. If the USB device 150 is in use, the CPU 101 does not shift the image forming apparatus 100 to the sleep state. If the USB device 150 is not in use, the CPU 101 shifts the image forming apparatus 100 to the sleep state. In this manner, the image forming apparatus 100 to which the USB device 150 is connected can be shifted to the sleep state in accordance with the usage state of the USB device 150. Further, even when the USB device is used, the user does not need to set whether or not to shift the image forming apparatus 100 to the sleep state.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention supplies a program for realizing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or the apparatus read and execute the program. This processing can be realized. Further, it can also be realized by a circuit (for example, an ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

100: image forming apparatus, 101: CPU, 102: ROM, 103: RAM, 104: printer unit, 105: operation panel, 106: USB I / F, 107: network I / F, 150: USB device, 170: terminal

Claims (11)

An image forming apparatus,
Connection means to which a USB device is connected;
Control means for controlling communication between the USB device connected to the connection means and an external device for controlling the operation of the USB device;
Transition control means for causing the image forming apparatus to transition from a first power state in which power is supplied to the connection means to a second power state in which power supply to the connection means is stopped;
Receiving means for receiving a user setting of whether to shift the image forming apparatus to the second power state during use of the USB device,
The transition control means,
Based on whether a communication session has been established between the USB device connected to the connection means and the external device, determine whether the USB device connected to the connection means is in use. ,
Wherein when the user setting is set to shift the image forming apparatus during the use of the USB device to the second power state, during use of the USB device, the image forming apparatus from the first power state Transition to the second power state,
Wherein when the user setting is not migrate setting the image forming apparatus during the use of the USB device to the second power state, during use of the USB device, the image forming apparatus from the first power state Not transition to the second power state;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The transition control unit determines that the USB device is in use during a period from when a connection request to the USB device is received from the external device to when a disconnection request is received from the external device. ,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein: The transition control means,
When a transition condition for causing the image forming apparatus to transition to the second power state is satisfied, the user setting is such that the image forming apparatus is not transitioned to the second power state during use of the USB device. If so, determine whether the USB device is in use or not,
If it is determined that the USB device is in use, the image forming apparatus is not shifted to the second power state. If it is determined that the USB device is not in use, the image forming apparatus is switched to the second power state. Transition to power state,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that. The transition control unit is configured to, when a transition condition for causing the image forming apparatus to transition to the second power state is satisfied, set the image forming apparatus to the second power while the user setting is using the USB device. If the setting is to shift to the state, the image forming apparatus is shifted to the second power state without determining whether the USB device is in use or not.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 3, characterized in that. The transition condition is that a time measured by a timer in the first power state elapses a sleep transition time set in advance by a user,
The transfer control unit is configured, when the transfer condition is satisfied, to set the user setting so that the image forming apparatus does not transfer to the second power state while using the USB device, and When it is determined that the timer is being used, the timer is reset,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that. An image forming apparatus,
Connection means to which a USB device is connected;
Control means for controlling communication between the USB device connected to the connection means and an external device for controlling the operation of the USB device;
Transition control means for causing the image forming apparatus to transition from a first power state in which power is supplied to the connection means to a second power state in which power supply to the connection means is stopped,
The transition control means,
Based on whether a communication session has been established between the USB device connected to the connection means and the external device, it is determined whether the USB device connected to the connection means is in use. ,
When the USB device is not in use, causing the image forming apparatus to transition from the first power state to the second power state;
When the USB device is in use, the image forming apparatus does not shift from the first power state to the second power state.
An image forming apparatus comprising: The transition control unit determines that the USB device is in use during a period from when a connection request to the USB device is received from the external device to when a disconnection request is received from the external device. ,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein: The USB device and the external device are compatible with USB NW (USB over Network),
The control means controls USBNW communication between the USB device connected to the connection means and the external device,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 7, characterized in that. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus including a connection unit to which a USB device is connected,
A control step of controlling communication between the USB device connected to the connection unit and an external device that controls the operation of the USB device,
A transition control step of causing the image forming apparatus to transition from a first power state in which power is supplied to the connection unit to a second power state in which power supply to the connection unit is stopped;
Receiving a user setting of whether to shift the image forming apparatus to the second power state during use of the USB device,
In the transition control step,
Based on whether a communication session has been established between the USB device connected to the connection means and the external device, it is determined whether the USB device connected to the connection means is in use. ,
Wherein when the user setting is set to shift the image forming apparatus during the use of the USB device to the second power state, during use of the USB device, the image forming apparatus from the first power state Transition to the second power state,
Wherein when the user setting is not migrate setting the image forming apparatus during use of the USB device to the second power state, during use of the USB device, the said image forming apparatus from the first power state Do not transition to the second power state,
A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: A method for controlling an image forming apparatus including a connection unit to which a USB device is connected,
A control step of controlling communication between the USB device connected to the connection unit and an external device that controls the operation of the USB device,
A transition control step of causing the image forming apparatus to transition from a first power state in which power is supplied to the connection unit to a second power state in which power supply to the connection unit is stopped,
In the transition control step,
Based on whether a communication session has been established between the USB device connected to the connection means and the external device, it is determined whether the USB device connected to the connection means is in use. ,
When the USB device is not in use, causing the image forming apparatus to transition from the first power state to the second power state;
When the USB device is being used, the image forming apparatus does not shift from the first power state to the second power state.
A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: Program for executing the steps of the method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to a computer to claim 9 or 10.

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