JP4034471B2 - Network printer system, network printer and host computer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a network printer considering energy saving.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, it has been widely performed in offices to connect a plurality of printers to a host computer via a network to improve the efficiency of office processing. In this environment, a plurality of users share the printer connected to the network.
In this network printer, the setting for each printer is set by the user by going to the individual printer. From the standpoint of managing the printer, it is required to manage the printer in a batch.
[0003]
Incidentally, OA devices such as printers are also required to suppress energy consumption. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-263130 discloses an energy saving technique. Normally, some printers have a normal mode and an energy saving mode to control power consumption. If you do not use the printer for a certain period of time, energy saving is automatically suppressed. Transition to mode.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
This setting must be made for each printer, but it is necessary to wait for a certain time even when it is not used very clearly, such as during meals, breaks, and nights. End up. If each printer can be put into the energy saving mode collectively from a host computer of an administrator who manages a plurality of printers, it can be managed efficiently.
It is more convenient to set a predetermined time such as a time zone that is rarely used or a time zone in which usage is desired to be suppressed.
In addition, the energy saving mode is advantageous in that it saves power and is quick to start the next time printing is performed. However, it is better to turn off the power than the energy saving mode if you forget to turn off the power at night. There may be. In order to implement more thorough energy saving, it is important to prevent the user from forgetting to turn off the power by switching to the energy saving mode and turning off the power when there is no printing for a certain period of time.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a network printer system, a network printer, and a host computer that can surely prevent forgetting to turn off the power and can save energy more thoroughly.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a network printer system in which a plurality of network printers and a host computer are network-connected, the host computer groups and registers a plurality of network printers to be managed, and registration by the registration unit An energy saving mode shift instructing unit that collectively instructs the plurality of network printers to shift to an energy saving mode; and an instruction to turn off the power after a lapse of a predetermined time in which the energy saving mode is specified by the energy saving mode shift instructing unit. A plurality of network printers having an energy-saving mode with low power consumption, shifting to the energy-saving mode in accordance with an instruction from the energy-saving mode transition instructing unit, and turning off the power after a predetermined time has elapsed. In response to instructions from instruction means With power-off, to achieve the above object.
[0007]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a network printer used in a network printer system in which a plurality of network printers and a host computer are connected via a network has an energy saving mode with low power consumption, and the plurality of network printers are grouped. Registering means for registering, energy saving mode shift instructing means for collectively instructing to shift to the energy saving mode for the plurality of network printers registered by the registering means, and specifying the energy saving mode with the energy saving mode shifting instructing means In accordance with the instruction of the energy-saving mode transition instruction means from the host computer, which is provided with a power-off instruction means that collectively issues an instruction to turn off the power after a certain time has elapsed, the power-off instruction means Follow the instructions By turning off the power , the above object is achieved.
[0008]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in a host computer used in a network printer system in which a plurality of network printers and a host computer are connected via a network, registration means for grouping and registering the plurality of network printers to be managed, and the registration An energy saving mode shift instructing unit that collectively instructs the plurality of network printers registered by the unit to shift to the energy saving mode; and after a predetermined time has elapsed when the energy saving mode is designated by the energy saving mode shift instructing unit, The above-mentioned object is achieved by providing a power-off instruction means that collectively issues instructions .
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network printer system according to the present embodiment.
The host computer 10 groups and registers at least a plurality of network printers, a storage unit 14 that stores registration information, an instruction unit 16 that outputs a command for shifting to an energy saving mode, and the network printer is at least connected to the outside. A communication unit 18 for performing communication is provided. The network printer 30 includes a communication unit 32, a printing unit 34 that performs a printing process, a control unit 36 that shifts to an energy saving mode, a storage unit 38, and a power source unit 40 that controls a power source. The host computer 10 and the printer 30 are connected to a network such as a LAN (local area network) 20.
FIG. 2 shows an example in which the host computer 10 and a plurality of printers 30 are connected via a network.
[0010]
First, the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 3 shows processing on the host computer side, and FIG. 4 shows processing on the network printer side.
The printer 30 is connected to a network such as a LAN (local area network) 20 and a host computer (such as a personal computer) 10 is connected to the network. A printer managed from a display or the like is registered on the host computer 10.
[0011]
A plurality of registered printers can be specified. For example, existing network printers are registered by assigning a group name to each section or floor. For this registration, incidental items such as a network address (IP address, etc.) and a printer name are input, and information and identification information for communication are registered in the registration unit. FIG. 5 shows a table example of registration information stored in the storage unit 14 such as information for communication and identification information.
[0012]
The registration information is stored in the storage unit 14 such as a hard disk or a memory. The manager also gives an instruction to shift to the energy saving mode from a display or the like to a specific group (step 10; Y).
From this host computer, an instruction command to shift to the energy saving mode is issued to the registered printers belonging to the specified group (step 11), and the address information of the registration information stored in the storage unit 14 by the instruction unit 16 Based on the address, the communication is performed for the address.
When each network printer 30 receives an instruction command from the host computer 10 through the communication unit 32 (step 20; Y), the control unit 36 controls the power supply to the power supply unit 40 and shifts to the energy saving mode (step). 21).
[0013]
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
When issuing an instruction to shift to the energy saving mode, the instruction start time is input from a display or the like, and the host computer 10 stores the instruction start time information in the storage unit 16 such as a hard disk or a memory.
The host computer 10 compares the current time with the instruction start time stored in the storage unit 16 (step 30), and if it is at or past the instruction start time (step 30; Y), each registered printer is checked. An instruction command for shifting to the energy saving mode is issued from the instruction unit 16 via the communication unit 18 (step 32). Otherwise (step 30; N), after a predetermined time has elapsed (step 31), this process is performed again.
In this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the burden on the administrator by setting the instruction time in advance, and it is possible to perform an appropriate operation by properly using according to the group.
[0014]
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The network printer 30 is instructed to shift to the energy saving mode from the host computer 10 (step 40; Y), shifts to the energy saving mode (step 41), and if there is no printing for a certain time (step 42; Y). ), The control unit turns off the power supply to the power supply unit (step 43).
In this embodiment, it is possible to place a cushion by turning off the power after switching to the energy saving mode as compared to suddenly turning off the power, improve the safety of the case where the power is not forgotten to be turned off, and thoroughly save energy.
[0015]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first , second, and third aspects of the invention, the printer can be reliably turned off during the energy saving mode, and more thorough energy saving can be achieved by turning off the power.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a network printer system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example in which a host computer and a plurality of printers are connected to a network.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure on the host computer side in the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure on the network printer side in the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a table example of registration information stored in a storage unit.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according to the third embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Host computer 12 Registration part 14 Storage part 16 Instruction part 18 Communication part 30 Network printer 32 Communication part 34 Printing part 36 Control part 38 Storage part 40 Power supply part

Claims (3)

In a network printer system in which a plurality of network printers and a host computer are connected via a network,
The host computer groups and registers a plurality of network printers to be managed, and registration means;
Energy saving mode transition instruction means for collectively instructing the plurality of network printers registered by the registration means to shift to the energy saving mode ;
A power-off instruction means that collectively performs an instruction to turn off the power after a lapse of a predetermined time when the energy-saving mode transition instruction means is designated;
The plurality of network printers have an energy saving mode with low power consumption, shift to the energy saving mode in accordance with an instruction from the energy saving mode shift instructing unit, and turn off the power in accordance with an instruction from the power off instructing unit after a predetermined time has elapsed. A network printer system. In a network printer used in a network printer system in which a plurality of network printers and a host computer are network-connected,
It has an energy saving mode with low power consumption,
Registration means for grouping and registering the plurality of network printers;
An energy saving mode shift instructing unit that collectively instructs the plurality of network printers registered by the registering unit to shift to an energy saving mode , and a power source after a lapse of a predetermined time in which the energy saving mode is specified by the energy saving mode shift instructing unit In accordance with an instruction of the energy saving mode transition instruction means from a host computer having a power interruption instruction means for collectively performing an instruction to turn off, the power is turned off according to an instruction from the power interruption instruction means after a predetermined time has elapsed. A network printer. In a host computer used in a network printer system in which a plurality of network printers and a host computer are network-connected,
Registration means for grouping and registering the plurality of network printers to be managed;
Energy saving mode shift instruction means for collectively instructing to shift to the energy saving mode for the plurality of network printers registered by the registration means, and after a lapse of a certain time when the energy saving mode is specified by the energy saving mode shift instruction means, A host computer, comprising: a power-off instruction means for collectively instructing power-off .

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