JP2560642B2 - Network system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network system, and more particularly to a method for reducing power consumption of workstations connected to a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a network system, power is supplied to a driver of a slave station only when a signal is input to the receiver, and power is cut off to the driver when a signal is not input to the receiver. There is a method of reducing the power consumption of the slave station. This method is described in detail in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-353645.

Further, in the above network system,
The master station constantly monitors the connection status of slave stations at specified intervals,
The slave station responds to the inquiry from this master station.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned conventional network system, if the slave station does not return a response to the inquiry from the master station, the slave station will be disconnected from the master station. It is difficult to reduce power consumption by a power reduction method or the like.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to provide a network system capable of reducing the power consumption of a slave station even when an inquiry is constantly made from the master station. .

[0006]

A first network system according to the present invention is a network system including a workstation connected to a network and capable of shifting to a low power consumption state, wherein Means for notifying the network of the transition to the power consumption state, holding means for holding the identification information of the workstation that has transitioned to the low power consumption state, and a workstation for holding the identification information in the holding means Storage means for storing the communication contents of

The second network system according to the present invention has, in addition to the above configuration, means for notifying the network of the return of the workstation from the low power consumption state to the normal state, and the return to the normal state. And a means for deleting the identification information of the workstation from the holding means.

In addition to the above configuration, the third network system according to the present invention transfers the communication contents accumulated in the accumulating means to the workstation of the identifying information when the identification information is deleted from the holding means. It is equipped with a means to do.

A fourth network system according to the present invention is a network system in which a server and a workstation capable of returning a response to an inquiry from the server and shifting to a low power consumption state are connected by a network. And a means for notifying the network of the shift of the workstation to the low power consumption state, a holding means for holding the identification information of the workstation that has shifted to the low power consumption state, and the holding means. Means for returning a response corresponding to the inquiry from the server to the workstation holding the identification information.

The fifth network system according to the present invention comprises, in addition to the above configuration, a storage means for storing the contents of communication to the work station in which the identification information is held in the holding means.

In a sixth network system according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, means for notifying the network of the restoration of the workstation from the low power consumption state to the normal state, and the restoration to the normal state. And a means for deleting the identification information of the workstation from the holding means.

In addition to the above configuration, the seventh network system according to the present invention transfers the communication contents accumulated in the accumulating means to the workstation of the identifying information when the identification information is deleted from the holding means. It is equipped with a means to do.

[0013]

When the input device of the workstation is detected not to be operated for a certain period of time, the workstation is shifted to the low power consumption state, and the workstation is notified to the network that the power consumption state has been shifted to the low power consumption state. .

When it is notified on the network that the workstation has shifted to the low power consumption state, the identification information of the workstation is held, and if the destination of the signal on the network matches the held identification information. , The identification information of the workstation is added to the response to the server and transmitted to the network, or the data on the network is stored in the memory device in association with the identification information of the workstation.

As a result, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the workstation even when the server is constantly inquiring.

[0016]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the workstation 1 and the communication proxy device 2 are connected to the network 100, respectively.

The workstation 1 comprises a network control device 11, an input device 12, a display device 13 and a monitoring device 14.

The network control device 11 controls transmission / reception of data to / from the network 100, and the input device 12
Is composed of a keyboard, pointing, etc., and the display device 13 is composed of a CRT display or a liquid crystal display.

The monitoring device 14 monitors whether or not the input device 12 is operated, and when detecting that the input device 12 has not been operated for a certain period of time, notifies the control unit (not shown) of that fact, The workstation 1 is shifted to the low power consumption state. At the same time, the monitoring device 14 notifies the network 100 that the workstation 1 has transitioned to the low power consumption state.

Further, the monitoring device 14 is provided for the input device 12 when the workstation 1 is in the low power consumption state.
When it is detected that is operated, the control unit is notified of that fact and the workstation 1 is returned from the low power consumption state to the normal state. At the same time, the monitoring device 14 notifies the network 100 that the workstation 1 has returned from the low power consumption state to the normal state.

The communication proxy device 2 is the network control device 2.
1, memory device 22, destination memory device 23, CP
U24 and are included.

The network control device 21 controls transmission / reception of data to / from the network 100, and the memory device 2
2 stores the communication content to the workstation 1 in which the identification information is held in the destination memory device 23, and the destination memory device 23 is the workstation 1 that has transitioned to the low power consumption state.
Holds identification information of.

The CPU 24 monitors the signal sent from the workstation 1 to the network 100. When the network 1 is notified that the workstation 1 is in the low power consumption state, the identification information of the workstation 1 is received. Are stored in the destination memory device 23.

The CPU 24 is the workstation 1
Is notified on the network 100 that it has returned to the normal state, the identification information of the workstation 1 is deleted from the destination memory device 23, and the communication contents stored in the memory device 22 are transferred to the workstation 1. To do.

Further, the CPU 24 is the network 100.
If the destination of the above signal matches the identification information of the destination memory device 23, and if the inquiry is from the server (master station) (not shown) to confirm whether or not there is a connection, the identification information of the workstation 1 is Send the added response to the server.

Furthermore, the CPU 24 is the network 1
If the destination of the signal on 00 coincides with the identification information of the destination memory device 23 and is not an inquiry from the server, the communication content is stored in the memory device 22 in association with the identification information of the workstation 1.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the processing operation of an embodiment of the present invention. The operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the input device 12 of the workstation 1 is not operated for a certain period of time, the monitoring device 14 detects it and notifies the control unit of that fact, and shifts the workstation 1 to the low power consumption state and Network 1 that 1 has transitioned to a low power consumption state
00 Notify on.

In the communication proxy device 2, the CPU 24 monitors a signal notified from the workstation 1 on the network 100, and when the network 1 is notified on the network 100 that the workstation 1 is in the low power consumption state, The identification information of the workstation 1 is held in the destination memory device 23.

In the communication proxy device 2, when the destination memory device 23 holds the identification information of the workstation 1, the CPU 24 monitors the data on the network 100, and the destination of the data is held in the destination memory device 23. If it is identification information, it is determined whether the data is an inquiry from the server.

When the CPU 24 determines that the data is an inquiry from the server, the identification information of the workstation 1 is added to the response to the server and the network 10 is added.
Send on 0.

If the CPU 24 determines that the data is not an inquiry from the server, the network 100
The above data is stored in the memory device 22 in association with the identification information of the workstation 1.

On the other hand, the monitoring device 14 operates the input device 12 when the workstation 1 is in the low power consumption state.
When it is detected that is operated, the control unit is notified of that fact and the workstation 1 is returned from the low power consumption state to the normal state. At the same time, the monitoring device 14 notifies the network 100 that the workstation 1 has returned from the low power consumption state to the normal state.

The CPU 24 of the communication proxy device 2 informs the network 10 that the workstation 1 has returned to the normal state.
0, the identification information of the workstation 1 is deleted from the destination memory device 23 and the memory device 22
Communication contents stored in the workstation 1
Transfer to.

In this way, when the monitoring device 14 detects that the input device 12 of the workstation 1 has not been operated for a certain period of time, the workstation 1 is shifted to the low power consumption state and the shift to the low power consumption state. Is notified to the network 100, and the identification information of the workstation 1 is held in the destination memory device 23 when it is detected that the workstation 1 is in the low power consumption state on the network 100. , If the destination of the data on the network 1 is for the workstation 1 of the identification information held in the destination memory device 23 and the inquiry is from the server, the identification information of the workstation 1 is added to the response to the server. Inquiries from the server are always sent by sending it out on the network 100. It is possible to reduce the power consumption of the workstation 1 even in a state that is.

If the destination of the data on the network 1 is to the workstation 1 of the identification information held in the destination memory device 23 and is not an inquiry from the server, the data on the network 100 is stored in the workstation 1 by the inquiry. By storing the data in the memory device 22 in association with the identification information, the power consumption of the workstation 1 can be reduced even when the data to the workstation 1 is transmitted to the network 100.

The present invention can further have the following aspects in connection with the description of the claims.

(1) A network system including a workstation connected to a network and capable of shifting to a low power consumption state, wherein the usage state of an input / output device of the workstation shifts to the low power consumption state. Detecting means for detecting the presence / absence of the above-mentioned situation, means for notifying the network when the detecting means detects the shift to the low power consumption state, and identification of the workstation shifting to the low power consumption state. A network system comprising: holding means for holding information; and storage means for storing communication contents to the workstation in which the identification information is held in the holding means.

(2) A network system including a workstation which is connected to a network and is capable of shifting to a low power consumption state, wherein the usage state of the input / output device of the workstation shifts to the low power consumption state. Detecting means for detecting the presence / absence of the above-mentioned situation, means for notifying the network when the detecting means detects the shift to the low power consumption state, and identification of the workstation shifting to the low power consumption state. Holding means for holding information, accumulating means for accumulating communication contents to the workstation in which the identification information is held in the holding means, and return of the workstation from the low power consumption state to the normal state by the network From the holding means, the above notification means and the identification information of the workstation that has returned to the normal state Network system, characterized in that it comprises a means for dividing.

(3) A network system including a workstation connected to a network and capable of shifting to a low power consumption state, wherein the usage state of the input / output device of the workstation shifts to the low power consumption state. Detecting means for detecting the presence / absence of the above-mentioned situation, means for notifying the network when the detecting means detects the shift to the low power consumption state, and identification of the workstation shifting to the low power consumption state. Holding means for holding information, accumulating means for accumulating communication contents to the workstation in which the identification information is held in the holding means, and return of the workstation from the low power consumption state to the normal state by the network From the holding means, the above notification means and the identification information of the workstation that has returned to the normal state Network system comprising: means for dividing, further comprising a means for transferring the identification information in the storage means workstation identification information stored communication contents when removed from said holding means.

(4) A network system in which a server and a workstation capable of returning a response to an inquiry from the server and shifting to a low power consumption state are connected by a network, and the workstation is the workstation. Detecting means for detecting the presence / absence of transition to the low power consumption state from the usage status of the I / O device, and notifying the network when the detection means detects the transition to the low power consumption state Means, holding means for holding the identification information of the workstation that has transitioned to the low power consumption state, and a response corresponding to the inquiry from the server to the workstation in which the identification information is held in the holding means. A network system comprising:

(5) A network system in which a server and a workstation which returns a response to an inquiry from the server and can shift to a low power consumption state are network-connected, and the workstation is the workstation. Detecting means for detecting the presence / absence of transition to the low power consumption state from the usage status of the I / O device, and notifying the network when the detection means detects the transition to the low power consumption state Means, holding means for holding the identification information of the workstation that has transitioned to the low power consumption state, and a response corresponding to the inquiry from the server to the workstation in which the identification information is held in the holding means. Means for storing the contents of communication to the workstation in which the identification information is held in the holding means. Network system, characterized in that it comprises and.

(6) A network system in which a server and a workstation capable of returning a response to an inquiry from the server and shifting to a low power consumption state are connected by a network, wherein the workstation Detecting means for detecting the presence / absence of transition to the low power consumption state from the usage status of the I / O device, and notifying the network when the detection means detects the transition to the low power consumption state Means, holding means for holding the identification information of the workstation that has transitioned to the low power consumption state, and a response corresponding to the inquiry from the server to the workstation in which the identification information is held in the holding means. Means for returning from the low power consumption state of the workstation to the normal state on the network. Network system, characterized in that it comprises means for knowledge, and means for deleting the identification information of the work stations has returned to the normal state from the holding means.

(7) A network system in which a server and a workstation capable of returning a response to an inquiry from the server and shifting to a low power consumption state are connected by a network, wherein the workstation Detecting means for detecting the presence / absence of transition to the low power consumption state from the usage status of the I / O device, and notifying the network when the detection means detects the transition to the low power consumption state Means, holding means for holding the identification information of the workstation that has transitioned to the low power consumption state, and a response corresponding to the inquiry from the server to the workstation in which the identification information is held in the holding means. Means for storing the contents of communication to the workstation in which the identification information is held in the holding means. And means for notifying the network of the return of the workstation from the low power consumption state to the normal state, and means for deleting the identification information of the workstation that has returned to the normal state from the holding means. A network system characterized by.

(8) A network system in which a server and a workstation that returns a response to an inquiry from the server and can shift to a low power consumption state are network-connected, wherein the workstation Detecting means for detecting the presence / absence of transition to the low power consumption state from the usage status of the I / O device, and notifying the network when the detection means detects the transition to the low power consumption state Means, holding means for holding the identification information of the workstation that has transitioned to the low power consumption state, and a response corresponding to the inquiry from the server to the workstation in which the identification information is held in the holding means. Means for storing the contents of communication to the workstation in which the identification information is held in the holding means. A means for notifying the network of the return of the workstation from the low power consumption state to the normal state, a means for deleting the identification information of the workstation that has returned to the normal state from the holding means, and the identification And a means for transferring the communication contents accumulated in the accumulating means to the workstation of the identification information when the information is deleted from the holding means.

[0047]

As described above, according to the network system of the present invention, when the workstation is notified of the shift to the low power consumption state on the network, the identification information of the workstation is held. By storing the communication contents when the data on the network is to the workstation that holds the identification information, the power consumption of the workstation can be reduced even when inquiries are constantly made from the server. There is an effect that it can be reduced.

Further, according to another network system of the present invention, when the workstation is notified of the shift to the low power consumption state on the network, the identification information of the workstation is held so that it can be transmitted from the server. Even if the inquiry from the server is always made, the inquiry information from the server is sent by adding the identification information of the workstation to the response to the server when the inquiry is to the workstation holding the identification information. There is an effect that the power consumption of the workstation can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing operation of an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Work station 2 Communication proxy device 11,21 Network control device 12 Input device 14 Monitoring device 22 Memory device 23 Destination memory device 24 CPU

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A network system that includes a workstation connected to a network and capable of transitioning to a low power consumption state, and means for notifying the network of the transition of the workstation to the low power consumption state. And holding means for holding the identification information of the workstation that has transitioned to the low power consumption state, and storage means for storing the contents of communication to the workstation whose identification information is held in the holding means. And network system. 2. Means for notifying the network of the return of the workstation from the low power consumption state to the normal state, and means for deleting the identification information of the workstation that has returned to the normal state from the holding means. The network system according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. The network according to claim 2, further comprising means for transferring the communication contents stored in said storage means to a workstation of the identification information when deleting said identification information from said holding means. system. 4. A network system in which a server and a workstation that returns a response to an inquiry from the server and is capable of shifting to a low power consumption state are network systems connected by a network, the workstation system comprising: A means for notifying the network of the shift to the low power consumption state, a holding means for holding the identification information of the workstation that has shifted to the low power consumption state, and a work in which the identification information is held in the holding means. And a means for returning a response corresponding to the inquiry from the server to the station. 5. The network system according to claim 4, wherein said storage means includes storage means for storing the contents of communication to the workstation holding said identification information. 6. A means for notifying the network of the return of the workstation from the low power consumption state to the normal state, and a means for deleting the identification information of the workstation that has returned to the normal state from the holding means. 6. The network system according to claim 4 or 5, comprising: 7. The network according to claim 6, further comprising means for transferring the communication contents stored in said storage means to a workstation of the identification information when deleting said identification information from said holding means. system.