JP5288263B2 - Power saving system, image forming apparatus, and power saving program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a power saving system, an image forming apparatus, and a power saving program.

  Conventionally, a plurality of image forming apparatuses such as printers connected via a network such as a LAN can be switched to a so-called power saving mode in which power consumption is reduced or restored from the power saving mode depending on usage conditions. System exists.

  Various techniques relating to such a power saving system have been proposed.

For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-89195, the printer in the power saving state does not check the access from the host computer to determine the power saving return condition, but switches the communication method so that the printer saves power to the host computer. A technique for confirming the presence or absence of a return request is disclosed.
JP 7-89195 A

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a power saving system, an image forming apparatus, and a power saving program that can efficiently save power and suppress power consumption.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a power saving system according to the invention of claim 1 is connected to at least one image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium and the image forming apparatus via a communication unit, and information relating to image formation. At least one information processing apparatus that performs transmission / reception, detection means for detecting entry / exit of a user to / from a room in which the image forming apparatus is installed, and a user that associates each image forming apparatus with the user From a storage unit for storing information, a detection result by the detection unit, and a transition to a power saving state or a power saving state for reducing power consumption of each image forming apparatus based on user information stored in the storage unit comprising at least a control means for controlling the return, the user information, on about any of the user is turned on or off the power of each of the image forming apparatus Includes full information, the control means, based on the on-off information, it switches the condition for returning from the condition or the power saving state to transition to the power saving state, characterized in that.

A power saving system according to a second aspect of the present invention is the power saving system according to the first aspect , wherein the user information is information related to a user, a condition for transition to a power saving state corresponding to the user, or a return from the power saving state. It includes a condition.

A power saving system according to a third aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the invention according to any one of the first and second aspects, a plurality of stages with different power consumption are set in the power saving state.

A power saving system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the power management system according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the detection means is connected to the image forming apparatus via a communication means. It is characterized by comprising.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus connected to an entrance / exit management system for detecting an entrance / exit of a user to / from a room in which the apparatus is installed through a communication means to acquire information relating to entrance / exit. An acquisition unit, a storage unit that stores user information in which the device itself is associated with a user, information related to entrance / exit acquired by the acquisition unit, and user information stored in the storage unit Control means for controlling the transition to the power saving state or the return from the power saving state to reduce its own power consumption, and the user information includes: On / off information regarding whether the power has been turned off, and the control means switches off a condition for transitioning to the power saving state or a condition for returning from the power saving state based on the on / off information. Obtain, characterized in that.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power saving program comprising: a detection process for detecting a user entering or leaving a room in which an image forming apparatus is installed; and user information that associates each image forming apparatus with the user. A storage process for storing the image, a detection result of the detection process, and a transition to a power saving state or a return from the power saving state for reducing power consumption of each image forming apparatus based on stored user information. The user information includes on / off information relating to which of the users has turned on or off the power of each of the image forming apparatuses, and the control process is performed. The means switches a condition for transitioning to the power saving state or a condition for returning from the power saving state based on the on / off information.

  According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

In other words, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the detection result of the user entering and leaving the room where the image forming apparatus is installed and the user information are compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. Based on this, the transition to the power saving state for reducing the power consumption of each image forming apparatus or the return from the power saving state is controlled, so that there is an effect that the power consumption can be suppressed by performing efficient power saving.
Further, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is based on on / off information regarding which of the users has turned on or off the power of each image forming apparatus as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided. Thus, since the condition for transitioning to the power saving state or the condition for returning from the power saving state is switched, the power consumption can be suppressed by performing fine and efficient power saving.

According to invention of Claim 2 , compared with the case where it does not have this structure, user information is based on the information regarding a user, the conditions which change to the power saving state corresponding to the said user, or a power saving state. Since the conditions for returning are included, more efficient power saving can be performed according to the user to reduce power consumption.

According to the third aspect of the invention, compared to the case where the present configuration is not provided, since the power saving state is set at a plurality of stages with different power consumption, the power consumption is reduced by performing fine and efficient power saving. Electric power can be suppressed.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the detection means is constituted by an entrance / exit management system connected to each image forming apparatus via the communication means as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided. Therefore, it is possible to reliably detect the user's entrance and exit and perform fine and efficient power saving to suppress power consumption.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that power consumption can be suppressed by performing efficient power saving as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

According to invention of Claim 6 , compared with the case where it does not have this structure, there exists an effect that power consumption can be performed and power consumption can be suppressed.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment as an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same members, and duplicate descriptions are omitted. In addition, since description here is the best form by which this invention is implemented, this invention is not limited to the said form.

  A power saving system S1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the power saving system S1 includes information processing apparatuses PC1 and PC2 configured by personal computers connected via a network N such as a LAN, and information processing apparatus PC1 via the network N. , Printers PR1 and PR2 (an example of an image forming apparatus) connected to the PC 2 and performing image processing relating to image formation (printing), and an entrance / exit for detecting a user's entrance to and exit from a room in which the printers PR1 and PR2 are installed At least a management system CS (an example of detection means) is provided.

  In the functional block of FIG. 2, the illustration and description of the printers PR1 and PR2 that are not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  In this embodiment, two printers and information processing apparatuses are connected to the network N. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and three or more printers and information processing apparatuses may be connected.

  The printing method of the printers PR1 and PR2 is not particularly limited, and may be any of a laser printer, a full color printer, a multifunction machine, an ink jet printer, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the printers PR1 and PR2 have the same configuration.

  The printer PR1 (PR2) includes a user information storage unit 100 (an example of a storage unit) configured by a nonvolatile memory or a hard disk device that stores user information in which each printer PR1 and PR2 is associated with a user (user). ), An entrance / exit information acquisition unit 101 (an example of an acquisition unit) that acquires a detection result by the entrance / exit management system CS, and the user information stored in the detection result and the user information storage unit 100. A power-saving control unit 102 (an example of a control unit) configured by a microcomputer or the like that controls transition to or a return from the power-saving state that reduces power consumption of the printers PR1 and PR2.

  Although the entrance / exit management system CS is not particularly limited, the entrance / exit management system CS includes a surveillance camera, a biometric authentication device (such as a personal authentication device using fingerprints, glows, etc.), an ID card authentication device, an entrance / exit gate, and the like. The entrance / exit of the user to the room is monitored, and entrance / exit information is transmitted in response to a request from the entrance / exit information acquisition unit 101 of the printers PR1, PR2.

  The power saving control unit 102 of the printers PR1 and PR2 can switch the condition for transitioning to the power saving state or the condition for returning from the power saving state based on the user information.

  In addition, the user information can include information on the user (information on the user's name, affiliation, job title, etc.), a condition for transitioning to the power saving state corresponding to the user, or a condition for returning from the power saving state. . In this case, each condition may be stored in the user information storage unit 100 as a table.

  The power saving state may be set at a plurality of stages (for example, a standby mode, a power saving mode, etc.) with different power consumption.

  The user information includes on / off information regarding which of the users has turned on or off the power of each of the printers PR1 and PR2. The power saving control unit 102 enters the power saving state based on the on / off information. The transition condition or the condition for returning from the power saving state may be switched.

  As described above, the printers PR1 and PR2 identify the user, confirm the entrance / exit status to the entrance / exit management system CS in accordance with the power saving state of the printers PR1 and PR2, change to the power saving state, and save power. The return from the state can be switched, and the power consumption can be suppressed.

  Further, when a plurality of printers PR1 and PR2 are installed in the room, each printer PR1 and PR2 can check whether the user of the printer has entered or left the room and can shift to a power saving state. Therefore, the power saving effect increases.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a configuration example of the database DB for power saving processing stored in the user information storage unit 100 will be described.

  The database (DB) management information 1 to N (N is an integer) includes, for example, database (DB) designation information, entry / exit information, and a control table.

  The database designation information includes, for example, information about the user and information about the control type (for example, standby mode, power saving mode, etc.).

  The entry / exit information includes user entry / exit, presence / absence of login, presence / absence of login, and the like.

  The control table includes information related to the setting of the power saving level at the time of leaving the room, information related to the processing setting for leaving the room during the printing process, information about the processing setting for entering the room waiting for printing, and the like.

  Next, with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 to 6, processing procedures of various processes executed in the power saving system S <b> 1 having the above configuration will be described.

  The flowchart of FIG. 4 shows a processing procedure of power saving processing database (DB) generation processing executed by the printers PR1 and PR2.

  First, in step S10, print processing is accepted and user information is acquired based on print data transmitted from the information processing apparatuses PC1 and PC2 via the network N. Then, the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S11, the database management information of the power saving processing database is checked for the presence / absence of the user's database designation information. If there is, the process proceeds to step S13, where the printing process is executed and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if not, the process proceeds to step S12, the database management information of the user is generated in the power saving process database, the process proceeds to step S13, the printing process is executed, and the process is terminated. .

  Accordingly, the user information associated with the printers PR1 and PR2 can be registered in the user information storage unit 100 without omission.

  The flowchart of FIG. 5 shows the processing procedure of the power saving processing database (DB) generation processing executed by the printers PR1 and PR2.

  First, in step S20, the setting of the power saving processing database (DB) is accepted and the user information is acquired, and then the process proceeds to step S21.

  In step S21, the database management information of the power saving processing database is checked for the presence / absence of the user's database designation information. If there is, the process proceeds to step S23, and the database management information is updated or deleted. The process ends.

  On the other hand, if not, the process proceeds to step S22, the database management information of the user is generated in the power saving processing database, and then the process proceeds to step S23 to update or delete the database management information. The process is terminated.

  Thus, the user information setting associated with the printers PR1 and PR2 can be registered in the user information storage unit 100 without omission.

  The flowchart of FIG. 6 shows a processing procedure of power saving state transition processing executed by the printers PR1 and PR2.

  In step S30, the entrance / exit information acquisition part 101 requests | requires and acquires a user's entrance / exit information with respect to the entrance / exit management system CS, and transfers to step S31.

  In step S31, it is determined whether or not all the users registered in the power saving processing database have left the room. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S32. If “No”, the process proceeds to step S33. Transition.

  In step S32, for example, the process is terminated after a transition to a power saving level for stopping functions and reducing power consumption.

  Further, in step S33, when the information from the entrance / exit management system CS was confirmed last time, it is determined whether all users have exited and the power saving level has been changed. The process proceeds to S34, and in the case of “No”, the process proceeds to Step S35.

  In step S34, for example, the function is activated and the power consumption is increased (a kind of return operation).

  In step S35, the current state including the power saving state is maintained and the process is terminated.

  Thereby, more efficient power saving is performed according to the usage status of the user and the power consumption is suppressed.

  Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not limited to the disclosed technology. Should not be considered. That is, the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed restrictively based on the description in the above embodiment, but should be construed according to the description of the scope of claims. All modifications that fall within the scope of the claims and the equivalent technology are included.

  When using a program, it can be provided via a network or stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  That is, the predetermined program including the image processing program is not limited to being recorded in a storage device such as a hard disk as a recording medium, and the predetermined program can be provided as follows.

  For example, a predetermined program may be stored in the ROM, and the CPU may load the predetermined program from the ROM to the main storage device and execute it.

  The predetermined program may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a DVD-ROM, a CD-ROM, an MO (magneto-optical disk), a flexible disk, and distributed.

  Further, the image processing apparatus or the like is connected to a server apparatus or a host computer via a communication line (for example, the Internet), and after the predetermined program is downloaded from the server apparatus or the host computer, the predetermined program is executed. You may do it. In this case, examples of the download destination of the predetermined program include a memory such as a RAM and a storage device (recording medium) such as a hard disk.

  The power saving system, the image forming apparatus, and the power saving program according to the present invention can be applied to a copying machine, a laser printer, a full-color printer, a multifunction machine, a facsimile machine, and the like.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of power saving system S1 which concerns on embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of power saving system S1 which concerns on embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of database DB for a power saving process stored in the user information storage part. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the database generation process for power saving processes. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the setting process of the database for power saving processes. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a power saving state transition process.

S1 Power saving system N Network PC1 Information processing apparatus PR1, PR2 Printer 100 User information storage unit 101 Entrance / exit information acquisition unit 102 Power saving control unit CS Entrance / exit management system DB database

Claims (6)

At least one image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium;
At least one information processing apparatus that is connected to the image forming apparatus via a communication unit and transmits / receives information related to image formation;
Detecting means for detecting a user's entering and leaving the room in which the image forming apparatus is installed;
Storage means for storing user information associating each image forming apparatus with the user;
Control means for controlling the transition to the power saving state or the return from the power saving state for reducing the power consumption of each image forming apparatus based on the detection result by the detection means and the user information stored in the storage means ; Comprising at least
The user information is
On / off information regarding which of the users has turned on or off the power of each of the image forming apparatuses,
The control means includes
Based on the on / off information, the condition for transitioning to the power saving state or the condition for returning from the power saving state is switched.
Power saving system characterized by that. The said user information contains the information regarding a user, the conditions which change to the power saving state corresponding to the said user, or the conditions which return from the said power saving state , Either of Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Power saving system. The power saving system according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of stages with different power consumption are set as the power saving state . The detection means includes
4. The power saving system according to claim 1 , comprising an entrance / exit management system connected to each of the image forming apparatuses via a communication unit . An acquisition means for connecting to a room entrance / exit management system for detecting a user's entrance / exit to a room in which the device is installed via a communication means, and acquiring information related to entrance / exit;
Storage means for storing user information associating the device itself with the user;
Control means for controlling the transition to the power saving state or the return from the power saving state to reduce the power consumption of the device itself based on the information on the entrance / exit acquired by the acquisition means and the user information stored in the storage means And at least
The user information is
On / off information regarding which of the users has turned on or off the power of each of the image forming apparatuses,
The control means includes
Based on the on / off information, the condition for transitioning to the power saving state or the condition for returning from the power saving state is switched.
An image forming apparatus. A detection process for detecting a user entering or leaving the room where the image forming apparatus is installed;
A storage process for storing user information associating each image forming apparatus with the user;
Based on the detection result of the detection process and the control process for controlling the transition to the power saving state or the return from the power saving state to reduce the power consumption of each image forming apparatus based on the stored user information Run by means,
The user information is
On / off information regarding which of the users has turned on or off the power of each of the image forming apparatuses,
The control processing means is
Based on the on / off information, the condition for transitioning to the power saving state or the condition for returning from the power saving state is switched.
A power-saving program characterized by that.

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