Image forming apparatus, power saving mode transition control method, and image forming system

Abstract

To appropriately control transition to a power-saving mode.SOLUTION: The image forming device includes a registered information storage unit configured to store registered information of a terminal that uses the image forming device, a communication unit configured to communicate with the terminal, and a control unit configured to control transition to a power saving mode in which power consumption is suppressed more than in a normal mode, wherein the control unit transmits a response request for confirming an operation state to the terminal whose registered information is stored in the registered information storage unit by the communication unit within a power saving mode transition time until transition to the power saving mode after printing is ended in the normal mode, terminal, based on the presence or absence of a response from the terminal, the power saving mode transition time is extended.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a power saving mode transition control method, and an image forming system. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming devices used in offices and the like are connected to a large number of terminal devices (for example, personal computers, hereinafter abbreviated as PCs) via a network such as a LAN, and are shared by the large number of PCs. Conventionally, image forming devices shared by such a large number of PCs have been designed to detect the operating status (operating, stopped, etc.) of the PCs on the network and, taking the detection results into account, control the transition to a power-saving mode that reduces power consumption (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-121753 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A conventional method for an image forming device to detect the operating status of PCs on a network is to broadcast to the PCs on the network and determine that the PCs that respond are operating. However, this method also detects the operating status of PCs that do not use the image forming device (for example, PCs on which the image forming device driver is not installed), so it has the problem that it is not possible to accurately detect which PCs are operating among those that use the image forming device, and it is not possible to appropriately control the transition to power-saving mode.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to propose an image forming apparatus, a method for controlling transition to a power-saving mode, and an image forming system that are capable of appropriately controlling transition to a power-saving mode. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve this problem, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that prints based on print data received from a terminal device, and is equipped with a registration information storage unit that stores registration information of the terminal device that uses the image forming apparatus, a communication unit that communicates with the terminal device, and a control unit that controls the transition to a power saving mode that consumes less power than normal mode, and after printing is completed in the normal mode, the control unit sends a response request via the communication unit to the terminal device, whose registration information is stored in the registration information storage unit, to confirm its operating status within the power saving mode transition time until the transition to the power saving mode, and extends the power saving mode transition time based on whether or not there is a response from the terminal device.

[0007] Furthermore, in the power saving mode transition control method of the present invention, a control unit of an image forming device that prints based on print data received from a terminal device sends a response request to the terminal device that uses the image forming device, whose registration information is stored in the registration information storage unit of the image forming device, to confirm its operating status within the power saving mode transition time from when printing is completed in normal mode until the device transitions to a power saving mode that consumes less power than the normal mode, and extends the power saving mode transition time based on whether or not there is a response from the terminal device.

[0008] Furthermore, the image forming system of the present invention includes a terminal device and an image forming device that prints based on print data received from the terminal device, and the image forming device is equipped with a registration information storage unit that stores registration information of the terminal device that uses the image forming device, a communication unit that communicates with the terminal device, and a control unit that controls the transition to a power saving mode that consumes less power than normal mode, and after printing is completed in the normal mode, the control unit sends a response request via the communication unit to the terminal device, whose registration information is stored in the registration information storage unit, to confirm its operating status within the power saving mode transition time until the transition to the power saving mode, and extends the power saving mode transition time based on whether or not there is a response from the terminal device, and the terminal device is equipped with a communication unit that receives the response request sent from the image forming device and transmits a response to the response request to the image forming device.

[0009] In this way, the present invention extends the time required to transition to power saving mode based on the operating status of the terminal devices that use the image forming device and are registered in the image forming device, thereby making it possible to accurately detect which terminal devices are operating among the terminal devices that use the image forming device and appropriately control the transition to power saving mode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus, a method for controlling transition to a power-saving mode, and an image forming system that can appropriately control transition to a power-saving mode. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a PC and an image forming apparatus that constitute the image forming system. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the configurations of a PC registration table and a job history tally table. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a job history storage table. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing data of a job history aggregation result. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an operation when installing a printer driver. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an operation when transitioning to a power saving mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] [1. Overall configuration of image forming system] Fig. 1 shows the overall configuration of an image forming system 1 according to this embodiment. This image forming system 1 is composed of PCs 100 (100A to 100G), which are user terminal devices, and an image forming device 200, which is a printer, and the PCs 100 and the image forming device 200 are connected to a network Nt such as a LAN, so that they can communicate with each other. Note that Fig. 1 shows an example in which seven PCs 100A to 100G and one image forming device 200 are connected to the network Nt.

[0014] PC 100 is able to print using image forming apparatus 200 by installing a printer driver for controlling image forming apparatus 200. In this embodiment, as an example, printer drivers are installed in five of seven PCs 100A to 100G, namely, PC 100A to PC 100E.

[0015] The image forming device 200 is shared by a PC 100 on which a printer driver is installed, and prints on a medium such as paper based on print data sent from the PC 100. The overall configuration of the image forming system 1 is as described above.

[0016] Next, the configuration of the main parts of the PC 100 and the configuration of the main parts of the image forming apparatus 200 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

[0017] [2. PC configuration] First, the configuration of the main parts of PC 100 will be described. Here, the configuration of PCs 100A to 100E, on which a printer driver is installed, will be described among PCs 100A to 100G. Since the configuration of the main parts of PCs 100A to 100E is the same, the configuration of the main parts of PC 100A will be described here.

[0018] The PC 100A has a computer configuration including a CPU, memory, storage device, and various interfaces (not shown), and realizes various functions by the CPU executing programs read from the storage device onto the memory. The PC 100A has, as its main components, a communication unit 101, a printer driver installer 102, a printer driver 103, and a PC registration command transmission module 104. The printer driver installer 102, the printer driver 103, and the PC registration command transmission module 104 are stored in the storage device.

[0019] The communication unit 101 communicates with the image forming apparatus 200 via the network Nt. The communication unit 101 transmits print data to the image forming apparatus 200. Furthermore, when the communication unit 101 receives a response request by a ping command from the image forming apparatus 200 while the PC 100A is running, the communication unit 101 returns a response to the response request to the image forming apparatus 200.

[0020] The printer driver installer 102 is a program for installing the printer driver 103 and the PC registration command transmission module 104 in the PC 100A. That is, by executing the printer driver installer 102 in the PC 100A, the printer driver 103 and the PC registration command transmission module 104 are installed.

[0021] Printer driver 103 is a program for controlling image forming apparatus 200. In PC 100A, for example, when a user instructs an application to print application data, printer driver 103 converts the application data into print data and sends it to image forming apparatus 200, so that the application data can be printed by image forming apparatus 200. Note that printer driver 103 is configured to send print data for the number of pages to be printed at one time, together with printing conditions and the like, as a print job to image forming apparatus 200, and image forming apparatus 200 performs printing on a print job basis.

[0022] PC registration command sending module 104 is a program for registering information about PC 100A (called PC information) in image forming apparatus 200. When printer driver 103 is installed in PC 100A, PC registration command sending module 104 sends a PC registration command to image forming apparatus 200, thereby registering the PC information of PC 100A in image forming apparatus 200. The PC registration command sent to image forming apparatus 200 includes at least the PC name (for example, "PC-A") and IP address of PC 100 as the PC information of PC 100A. The main components of PC 100A are configured as described above.

[0023] [3. Configuration of image forming device] Next, we will explain the configuration of the main parts of the image forming apparatus 200. The image forming apparatus 200 has a computer configuration including a CPU, memory, storage device, and various interfaces (not shown), and a printing mechanism, and the CPU executes programs read from the storage device onto the memory to realize various functions, and the printing mechanism realizes the printing function.

[0024] This image forming device 200 has, as its main parts, a communication unit 201, an operation panel 202, a print data analysis processing unit 203, a print processing unit 204, a power saving mode transition processing unit 205, a PC registration processing unit 206, a job history aggregation processing unit 207, a registered PC operation confirmation processing unit 208, a printer operation rate prediction processing unit 209, a power saving mode transition time update processing unit 210, a receiving buffer 221, a job history storage table 222, a PC registration table 223, and a job history aggregation table 224.

[0025] The communication unit 201 communicates with the PC 100 via the network Nt. The PC registration command and print job received from the PC 100 by the communication unit 201 are stored in a receiving buffer 221. The operation panel 202 accepts operations by the user.

[0026] The PC registration processing unit 206 analyzes the PC registration command stored in the receiving buffer 221 to obtain the PC information (PC name, IP address, etc.) of the PC 100 , and registers the PC information in the PC registration table 223 .

[0027] FIG. 3 shows the configuration of PC registration table 223. PC registration table 223 is composed of four items: "PC name," "IP address," "registration date," and "number of units." "PC name" stores the name of PC 100 registered in image forming device 200 (i.e., PC name). The PC name is unique identification information on network Nt. "IP address" stores the IP address required for image forming device 200 to access PC 100. "Registration date" stores the date and time when PC information was registered. "Number of units" stores the number of PCs 100 registered in PC registration table 223.

[0028] In addition, Figure 3 shows an example in which information on five PCs, PC100A ("PC-A"), PC100B ("PC-B"), PC100C ("PC-C"), PC100D ("PC-D"), and PC100E (PC-E), is registered in the PC registration table 223.

[0029] 2, the print data analysis processing unit 203 analyzes the print job stored in the receive buffer 221 (i.e., analyzes the print data and printing conditions included in the print job) and passes the data obtained as a result of the analysis (e.g., bitmap data) to the print processing unit 204. The print processing unit 204 performs printing on a medium such as paper based on the data passed from the print data analysis processing unit 203. At this time, the print data analysis processing unit 203 also saves the history (hereinafter referred to as job history) of the analyzed print job (i.e., the print job that performed printing) in the job history storage table 222.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows the configuration of job history storage table 222. Job history storage table 222 is made up of six items: "PC name," "print time," "number of pages," "job name," and "paper size." "PC name" stores the name of the PC 100 that sent the print job (i.e., the PC name). "Print time" stores the time when printing of the print job started (or the time when printing ended). "Number of pages" stores the number of pages of the print data included in the print job. "Job name" stores the name of the print job, and "paper size" stores the paper size specified in the printing conditions included in the print job. Note that data does not have to be stored in "job name" and "paper size."

[0031] FIG. 4 shows an example in which information (PC name, printing time, number of pages, job name, paper size) for each print job printed by the image forming apparatus 200 on August 21 is stored as job history in the job history storage table 222.

[0032] The job history tallying processor 207 tally the job histories stored in the job history storage table 222, for example, at the end of each day, and stores the tallying results for that day in the job history tallying table 224. Note that although the job histories for that day are tallying at the end of each day (for example, midnight) in this example, the user can set the timing for tallying the job histories to any timing by operating the operation panel 202, for example.

[0033] 5(A) to 5(C) show the results of tallying the job history. As shown in Fig. 5(A) to 5(C), the results of tallying the job history are data obtained by tallying the job history for one day stored in the job history storage table 222 for each set time period.

[0034] 5A shows, for example, data Dt821 of the counting result on August 21st, FIG. 5B shows, for example, data Dt822 of the counting result on August 22nd, and FIG. 5C shows, for example, data Dt826 of the counting result on August 26th.

[0035] The aggregated data Dt821, Dt822, and Dt826 each consist of 10 items: "PC name," "Operating status," "Until 9:00," "Until 11:00," "Until 13:00," "Until 15:00," "Until 17:00," "Until 24:00," "Number of pages during the time period," and "Time period operation rate."

[0036] Of these, "PC name," "operating / not operating," "up to 9:00," "up to 11:00," "up to 13:00," "up to 15:00," "up to 17:00," and "up to 24:00" are historical data for each PC 100. "PC name" stores the name of the PC 100 that sent the print job (i.e., the PC name). "Operating / not operating" stores a circle if the PC 100 was operating (i.e., sent a print job) on the counting date (for example, August 21), and stores an empty string if the PC 100 was not operating (i.e., did not send a print job).

[0037] "Up to 9:00" stores the number of pages printed by image forming apparatus 200 based on a print job transmitted from PC 100 during the time period from midnight to 9:00. Similarly, "up to 11:00" stores the number of pages printed by image forming apparatus 200 based on a print job transmitted from PC 100 during the time period from 9:00 to 11:00, "up to 13:00" stores the number of pages printed by image forming apparatus 200 based on a print job transmitted from PC 100 during the time period from 11:00 to 13:00, "up to 15:00" stores the number of pages printed by image forming apparatus 200 based on a print job transmitted from PC 100 during the time period from 13:00 to 15:00, "up to 17:00" stores the number of pages printed by image forming apparatus 200 based on a print job transmitted from PC 100 during the time period from 15:00 to 17:00, and "up to 24:00" stores the number of pages printed by image forming apparatus 200 based on a print job transmitted from PC 100 during the time period from 17:00 to 24:00.

[0038] In this way, the "PC name," "operating status," "up to 9:00," "up to 11:00," "up to 13:00," "up to 15:00," "up to 17:00," and "up to 24:00" are historical data that indicate how many pages each PC 100 printed using the image forming device 200 and at what time period.

[0039] Meanwhile, the "hourly page count" and "hourly operation rate" are aggregated data for each time period. The "hourly page count" stores the aggregated value of the number of pages printed by image forming device 200 for each time period. For example, in FIG. 5A, in the time period "up to 13:00", PC 100A ("PC-A") printed 12 pages using image forming device 200, and PC 100C ("PC-C") printed 20 pages, so the "hourly page count" for this time period is 12 + 20 = 32.

[0040] The "time slot availability rate" stores the availability rate of image forming apparatus 200 for each time slot. Specifically, image forming apparatus 200 is configured to print, for example, 100 pages per hour. Therefore, the "time slot availability rate" stores the ratio of the number of pages actually printed to the number of pages that can be printed for each time slot as the availability rate. For example, in FIG. 5A, in the time slot "up to 17:00," PC 100A ("PC-A") uses image forming apparatus 200 to print 15 pages, PC 100B ("PC-B") prints 30 pages, and PC 100D ("PC-D") prints 15 pages. Therefore, the "time slot availability rate" for this time slot is 60 / 200, or 30% because the number of pages that can be printed in two hours is 200 and the number of pages actually printed is 60.

[0041] Here, the "time slot utilization rate" is calculated by aggregating the "number of pages per time slot" for each time slot set, such as "up to 9:00," "up to 11:00," "up to 13:00," "up to 15:00," "up to 17:00," and "up to 24:00." However, these time slots are just an example, and other time slots may be set, for example, to divide a day into three-hour intervals, or time slots may be set that exclude times when users are not in the office (for example, from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.) from the aggregation, or time slots may be set at shorter intervals for times when users are expected to use the image forming device 200 frequently.

[0042] Next, the configuration of the job history aggregation table 224 that stores the aggregation results of the job histories will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The job history aggregation table 224 is a table that stores the aggregation results of the job histories for a set period (for example, the past week). Fig. 3 is simplified, but it shows an example in which the aggregation results of the job histories for one week, for example, from August 21st to August 27th, are stored in the job history aggregation table 224. In this case, the aggregation result of the job histories for August 21st stored in the job history aggregation table 224 is data Dt821 shown in Fig. 5(A), the aggregation result of the job histories for August 22nd is data Dt822 shown in Fig. 5(B), and the aggregation result of the job histories for August 26th is data Dt826 shown in Fig. 5(C).

[0043] In other words, by referring to this job history aggregation table 224, the "time slot operation rate" for each time slot for the past week can be found.

[0044] 2, the registered PC operation confirmation processor 208 uses the PC information of the PCs 100 registered in the PC registration table 223 to send a response request by executing a ping command to the IP address of each registered PC 100, and checks the operation status of each registered PC 100 based on whether or not there is a response to the response request. In other words, the registered PC operation confirmation processor 208 determines that a PC 100 that has responded to the transmitted response request is currently operating.

[0045] The power-saving mode transition processing unit 205 performs a power-saving mode transition process. Specifically, in the image forming apparatus 200, when a print process is executed in a normal mode and an idle state (i.e., a standby state) continues for a predetermined time after the print process is completed, the power-saving mode transition processing unit 205 turns off unnecessary power sources of the image forming apparatus 200 to transition to a power-saving mode in which power consumption is reduced more than in the normal mode.

[0046] In the image forming apparatus 200, the time from when the print process ends until the device switches to the power saving mode (called the power saving mode switching time) is set to, for example, 10 minutes as a default value. The user can set this default value to any time by operating the operation panel 202, for example.

[0047] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 200 is also configured to be able to extend this power saving mode transition time. Specifically, in the image forming apparatus 200, during the period from when the print processing ends until when the image forming apparatus 200 transitions to the power saving mode, the registered PC operation confirmation processing unit 208 checks the operation status of each registered PC 100, and the printer operation rate prediction processing unit 209 predicts the operation rate of the image forming apparatus 200 when it next transitions to the power saving mode, using the "time zone operation rate" for each time zone for the past week stored in the job history aggregation table 224.

[0048] Here, we will explain how the printer availability prediction processor 209 predicts the availability when the printer next transitions to power-saving mode. The printer availability prediction processor 209 calculates the time to transition to power-saving mode from the time when the print process ends and the currently set power-saving mode transition time (for example, 10 minutes). For example, if the print process ends at 12:00 and the power-saving mode transition time is 10 minutes, the next time to transition to power-saving mode will be 12:10.

[0049] Next, the printer availability prediction processing unit 209 acquires data from one week ago (the same day of the week as today) from the data for the past week stored in the job history aggregation table 224, and then acquires from the data from one week ago the "time slot availability rate" data for the time slot that includes the calculated time to switch to power saving mode. For example, if today is Monday, August 28th, the printer availability prediction processing unit 209 acquires the "time slot availability rate" data of 16[%] for "up to 13:00", which includes the time to switch to power saving mode (12:10), from the data for Monday, August 21st, one week ago, stored in the job history aggregation table 224 (i.e., data Dt821 in FIG. 5A).

[0050] The printer availability prediction processing unit 209 predicts that the "time period availability" data for the same time period on the same day of the week last week, 16% thus obtained, will be the availability (i.e., predicted availability) when the printer next switches to power saving mode. In this way, the printer availability prediction processing unit 209 predicts the availability (i.e., acquires the predicted availability) when the printer next switches to power saving mode.

[0051] In the image forming device 200, the power saving mode transition time update processing unit 210 determines whether to update (extend) the power saving mode transition time based on the operating status of each PC 100 and the predicted operating rate at the time of transition to the power saving mode, and if it determines to extend it, extends the power saving mode transition time.

[0052] Here, we will explain the algorithm by which the power saving mode transition time update processing unit 210 extends the power saving mode transition time. The power saving mode transition time update processing unit 210 first determines whether at least one of the registered PCs 100 is operating, based on the operating status of each PC.

[0053] At this time, if no PCs 100 are running, it means that there is little chance that printing will be performed on the image forming apparatus 200 soon. In this case, the power saving mode transition time update processing unit 210 determines that there is no need to extend the power saving mode transition time, and does not extend the power saving mode transition time. In this case, the transition to power saving mode will occur 10 minutes after printing ends.

[0054] On the other hand, if at least one PC 100 is operating, the power-saving mode transition time update processing unit 210 determines whether to extend the power-saving mode transition time based on the predicted operation rate at the time of transition to the power-saving mode.

[0055] Specifically, if the predicted operation rate is, for example, 20% or less, the power-saving mode transition time update processing unit 210 determines not to extend the power-saving mode transition time because it is unlikely that printing will be performed on the image forming apparatus 200 soon. On the other hand, if the predicted operation rate is, for example, more than 20%, the power-saving mode transition time update processing unit 210 determines to extend the power-saving mode transition time because it is likely that printing will be performed on the image forming apparatus 200 soon. Note that in this embodiment, the condition for determining whether to extend the power-saving mode transition time is that one or more registered PCs 100 are operating (i.e., the number of PCs 100 that have responded to a response request via a ping command is one or more, which is a predetermined number), but this is just one example, and the condition may be changed (for example, to two or more registered PCs 100 being operating). Furthermore, the condition for extending the power saving mode transition time is that the predicted operation rate exceeds 20% (i.e., the predicted operation rate exceeds the predetermined value of 20%), but this is just one example, and the condition may be changed (for example, to that the predicted operation rate exceeds 0%).

[0056] Here, the power-saving mode transition time update processing unit 210 extends the power-saving mode transition time so that the extension time increases as the predicted operation rate increases. For example, the power-saving mode transition time update processing unit 210 extends the power-saving mode transition time by two hours if the predicted operation rate is 100[%], by 90 minutes if it is 80[%], by one hour if it is 60[%], and by 30 minutes if it is 40[%].

[0057] The reason for extending the time by two hours when the predicted availability rate is 100% is that the image forming apparatus 200 calculates the availability rate every two hours between 9:00 and 17:00, and if the predicted availability rate is 100%, there is a possibility that 200 pages will be printed in the next two hours. In other words, if the predicted availability rate is 100%, the time to transition to the power saving mode is extended by the two hours required to print 200 pages.

[0058] When the power saving mode transition time update processing unit 210 extends the power saving mode transition time in this way, it notifies the power saving mode transition processing unit 205 of the extension time of the power saving mode transition time. The power saving mode transition processing unit 205 does not transition to the power saving mode when the print process is completed and the idle state (i.e., standby state) has continued for the initial value of the power saving mode transition time (for example, 10 minutes), but transitions to the power saving mode when the idle state has continued for the extended time of the power saving mode transition time (for example, 30 minutes). The configuration of the main parts of the image forming apparatus 200 is as described above.

[0059] [4. Operation of the image forming system] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the image forming system 1. Here, the operation of the image forming system 1 will be described in terms of the operation when the printer driver 103 is installed in the PC 100 and the operation when the image forming apparatus 200 transitions to a power saving mode. First, the operation when the printer driver 103 is installed in the PC 100 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0060] [4-1. Printer driver installation] As an example, the operation when installing printer driver 103 on PC 100A will be described. In the first step SP1, PC 100A starts printer driver installer 102. In the following step SP2, printer driver installer 102 installs printer driver 103 and PC registration command transmission module 104 in the storage device of PC 100A.

[0061] In the next step SP3, printer driver installer 102 activates PC registration command transmission module 104. In the next step SP4, PC registration command transmission module 104 transmits a PC registration command including PC information of PC 100A to image forming apparatus 200 via communication unit 101.

[0062] In the next step SP5, when image forming apparatus 200 receives the PC registration command from PC 100A via communication unit 201, image forming apparatus 200 analyzes the PC registration command using PC registration processing unit 206 to obtain PC information about PC 100A and registers the PC information in PC registration table 223. The above is the operation when installing printer driver 103 in PC 100.

[0063] [4-2. Operation when switching to power saving mode] Next, the operation when switching to the power saving mode will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 7. Note that this operation is mainly performed by the power saving mode switching processing unit 205 of the image forming apparatus 200.

[0064] After completing the print process, if the idle state continues for a predetermined time (for example, one minute minus the power saving mode transition time), the power saving mode transition processing unit 205 checks the operation status of each registered PC 100 in a first step SP11 by sending a response request by a ping command to each registered PC 100 by the registered PC operation confirmation processing unit 208. In other words, after completing the print process, the power saving mode transition processing unit 205 checks the operation status of each registered PC 100 by the registered PC operation confirmation processing unit 208 within the power saving mode transition time.

[0065] In the next step SP12, the power saving mode transition processing unit 205 predicts the operation rate of the image forming apparatus 200 when transitioning to the power saving mode by using the "time zone operation rate" for each time zone for the past week stored in the job history aggregation table 224 by the printer operation rate prediction processing unit 209. The processing of step SP11 and the processing of step SP12 may be reversed in order or may be executed simultaneously.

[0066] In the next step SP13, the power saving mode transition processing unit 205 determines whether to update (extend) the power saving mode transition time based on the operating status of each registered PC 100 and the predicted operating rate at the time of transition to the power saving mode using the power saving mode transition time update processing unit 210.

[0067] Here, if the power saving mode transition time update processing unit 210 determines that the power saving mode transition time should be extended, the power saving mode transition processing unit 205 obtains a positive result in step SP13 and proceeds to step SP14. In step SP14, the power saving mode transition processing unit 205 causes the power saving mode transition time update processing unit 210 to extend the power saving mode transition time (for example, extend it by 30 minutes). In the following step SP15, the power saving mode transition time update processing unit 210 transitions to the power saving mode when the idle state continues for the extended power saving mode transition time (for example, a total of 40 minutes, which is the initial value of 10 minutes plus the extended 30 minutes).

[0068] On the other hand, if the power saving mode transition time update processing unit 210 determines not to extend the power saving mode transition time, a negative result is obtained in step SP13 and the process proceeds to step SP15. In step SP15, the power saving mode transition time update processing unit 210 transitions to the power saving mode if the idle state continues for the initial power saving mode transition time. The operation at the time of transition to the power saving mode is as described above.

[0069] Although omitted from the above-described flowchart, if the power saving mode transition time is extended, the power saving mode transition processing unit 205 executes the processing of steps SP1 to SP15 again, for example, one minute before the time to transition to the power saving mode, to determine whether or not to extend the power saving mode transition time, and if it determines here that the power saving mode transition time should be extended, it extends the power saving mode transition time again.

[0070] [5. Summary and Effects] As described above, image forming system 1 of the present embodiment includes PC 100 (100A to 100F) which is an example of a terminal device, and image forming apparatus 200. Image forming apparatus 200 is provided with PC registration table 223 which is an example of a registration information storage unit that stores PC information which is an example of registration information of PC 100 which uses image forming apparatus 200 (i.e., PC 100 on which printer driver 103 is installed), job history aggregation table 224 which is an example of a print history storage unit that stores the print history of image forming apparatus 200, communication unit 201 which communicates with PC 100, and power saving mode transition processing unit 205 which is an example of a control unit that controls transition to a power saving mode which consumes less power than a normal mode.

[0071] Furthermore, the power saving mode transition processing unit 205, after completing printing in normal mode, during the power saving mode transition time until transition to power saving mode, transmits a response request to the registered PC 100 whose PC information is stored in the PC registration table 223 to confirm its operating status via the registered PC operation confirmation processing unit 208, and confirms the operating status of the registered PC 100 based on whether or not there is a response from the PC 100 to the response request.

[0072] At this time, the power saving mode transition processing unit 205 uses the printer availability prediction processing unit 209, which is an example of an availability prediction unit, to predict the availability of the image forming device 200 in the time period when the power saving mode is transitioned to (i.e., acquire the predicted availability) based on the printing history stored in the job history aggregation table 224 (specifically, based on the "time period availability" for each time period for the past week).

[0073] The power saving mode transition processing unit 205 determines whether or not to update (extend) the power saving mode transition time using the power saving mode transition time update processing unit 210 based on the registered operating state of the PC 100 and the predicted operating rate of the image forming device 200 at the time of transition to the power saving mode, and if it is determined that the power saving mode transition time should be extended, the power saving mode transition time is extended.

[0074] In this way, the image forming system 1 of this embodiment extends the power saving mode transition time before transitioning to the power saving mode based on the operating status of the PC 100 that uses the image forming device 200, which is registered in the image forming device 200, and the operating rate of the image forming device 200 at the time of transitioning to the power saving mode, which is predicted from the printing history of the image forming device 200.

[0075] Specifically, when there is at least one operating PC 100 among the PCs 100 using the image forming apparatus 200, the image forming system 1 extends the power saving mode transition time longer the higher the predicted availability rate of the image forming apparatus 200 at the time of transition to the power saving mode. This allows the image forming system 1 to appropriately control the transition to the power saving mode, thereby improving the power saving efficiency of the image forming apparatus 200.

[0076] Furthermore, in the image forming system 1, a response request using a ping command is sent only to PCs 100 registered in the image forming device 200 and having the printer driver 103 installed to check their operating status. This makes it possible to efficiently and accurately detect the PCs 100 that are operating among the PCs 100 that use the image forming device 200, and also reduces the load on the network Nt, compared to when broadcasting to all PCs 100 on the network Nt to check the operating status of each PC 100.

[0077] 6. Other Embodiments [6-1. Other embodiment 1] In the above-described embodiment, the power-saving mode transition processing unit 205 of the image forming apparatus 200 extends the power-saving mode transition time until transition to the power-saving mode based on the registered operating state of the PC 100 and the availability rate of the image forming apparatus 200 at the time of transition to the power-saving mode predicted from the print history of the image forming apparatus 200. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the power-saving mode transition time until transition to the power-saving mode may be extended based only on the registered operating state of the PC 100.

[0078] Specifically, for example, if there are a predetermined number (e.g., one) or more of the PCs 100 registered in the image forming device 200 that are currently operating, the power saving mode transition time may be extended by a predetermined time (e.g., 10 minutes), or the power saving mode transition time may be extended so that the longer the number of PCs 100 currently operating among the PCs 100 registered in the image forming device 200, the longer the extension time.

[0079] Even in this case, compared to the prior art, it is possible to accurately detect which PCs 100 are operating among the PCs 100 that use the image forming apparatus 200, and therefore it is possible to appropriately control the transition to the power saving mode.

[0080] [6-2. Other embodiment 2] In the above-described embodiment, the aggregation results of the job histories for the past week are stored in the job history aggregation table 224, and the availability rate of the image forming apparatus 200 when the apparatus transitions to the power-saving mode is predicted based on the aggregation results of the job histories for the same day of the week last week (for example, if today is Monday, then last Monday) from the time printing ends until the apparatus transitions to the power-saving mode. However, without being limited to this, for example, the aggregation results of the job histories for the past month may be stored in the job history aggregation table 224, and the availability rate of the image forming apparatus 200 when the apparatus transitions to the power-saving mode may be predicted based on the aggregation results of the job histories for the same day last month (for example, if today is the 22nd, then the 22nd of last month).

[0081] Furthermore, without being limited to this, the period of job history to be stored in the job history aggregation table 224 and the aggregation results to be used to predict the availability rate of the image forming apparatus 200 may be changed as appropriate by operating the operation panel 202 of the image forming apparatus 200.

[0082] [6-3. Other embodiment 3] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the "time slot availability rate," which is the availability rate for each time slot, is calculated based on the number of pages that image forming apparatus 200 can print per time slot (200 pages in two hours) and the number of pages that image forming apparatus 200 actually printed per time slot ("time slot page count"). This is not limiting, and for example, the "time slot availability rate" may be calculated from the time that image forming apparatus 200 actually performed printing processing for a set time slot. In this case, for example, if image forming apparatus 200 performed printing processing for one hour during the two-hour time slot "until 11:00," the "time slot availability rate" for this time slot would be 50%.

[0083] [6-4. Other embodiment 4] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when PC 100 installs printer driver 103, a PC registration command is sent to image forming device 200 by PC registration command sending module 104 installed together with printer driver 103, thereby registering the PC information of PC 100 in image forming device 200.

[0084] Without being limited to this, for example, when PC 100 generates a print queue to be sent to image forming device 200 as a print job by printer driver 103 (i.e., when print data is generated), the PC information of PC 100 may be registered in image forming device 200.

[0085] In this case, for example, when the printer driver 103 generates a print queue for the first time after the installation of the printer driver 103, the PC registration command sending module 104 may send a PC registration command to the image forming device 200, thereby registering the PC information of the PC 100 in the image forming device 200.

[0086] Furthermore, without being limited to this, for example, when the image forming device 200 receives a print job from the PC 100, the PC registration processing unit 206 may obtain the PC information (PC name, IP address, etc.) of the PC 100 by analyzing the print job stored in the receiving buffer 221, check whether the PC information has already been registered in the PC registration table 223, and if it has not yet been registered, register the PC information in the PC registration table 223.

[0087] By doing as described above, only PCs 100 that have used the image forming device 200 to print at least once will be registered in the image forming device 200, making it possible to execute a ping command on PCs 100 that are more likely to use the image forming device 200.

[0088] [6-5. Other embodiment 5] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 200 checks the operating status of the registered PC 100 by sending a response request to the registered PC 100 using a ping command, but this is not limited to this, and the operating status of the registered PC 100 may be checked by communicating with the registered PC 100 using another method.

[0089] [6-6. Other Embodiments 6] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a determination is made as to whether or not to extend the power-saving mode transition time when at least one of the registered PCs 100 is operating. However, this is not limited to this, and the conditions for determining whether or not to extend the power-saving mode transition time may be changed, for example, such that a determination is made as to whether or not to extend the power-saving mode transition time when at least 10% or more of the registered PCs 100 are operating.

[0090] [6-7. Other Embodiments 7] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the image forming device 200, which is a printer, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various image forming devices, such as a copier, a facsimile machine, or an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral).

[0091] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to an image forming system 1 consisting of an image forming device 200 and one or more PCs 100, but is not limited to this and can be applied to various image forming systems, such as an image forming system consisting of an image forming device 200 and a terminal device other than the PC 100 (for example, a smartphone).

[0092] [6-8. Other Embodiments 8] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and other embodiments, and the scope of application of the present invention also extends to embodiments in which the above-described embodiments and part or all of the other embodiments are combined as desired. [Industrial Applicability]

[0093] The present invention can be widely used in, for example, a printer shared by a plurality of terminal devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1...Image forming system, 100...PC, 101...Communication unit, 102...Printer driver installer, 103...Printer driver, 104...PC registration command sending module, 200...Image forming device, 201...Communication unit, 202...Operation panel, 203...Print data analysis processing unit, 204...Print processing unit, 205...Power saving mode transition processing unit, 206...PC registration processing unit, 207...Job history aggregation processing unit, 208...Registered PC operation confirmation processing unit, 209...Printer operation rate prediction processing unit, 210...Power saving mode transition time update processing unit, 221...Receiving buffer, 222...Job history storage table, 223...PC registration table, 224...Job history aggregation table, Nt...Network.

Claims

1. an image forming apparatus that performs printing based on print data received from a terminal device, a registration information storage unit that stores registration information of the terminal device that uses the image forming apparatus; a communication unit that communicates with the terminal device; a control unit that controls transition to a power-saving mode that consumes less power than a normal mode; Equipped with The control unit After printing is completed in the normal mode, during the power-saving mode transition time until the power-saving mode is transitioned to, the communication unit transmits a response request to the terminal device whose registration information is stored in the registration information storage unit to confirm its operating state, and extends the power-saving mode transition time based on whether or not there is a response from the terminal device. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

2. The registration information storage unit stores registration information of the terminal device in which a driver for printing using the image forming device is installed.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

3. When the driver is installed in the terminal device, the registration information transmitted from the terminal device is received by the communication unit and stored in the registration information storage unit.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

4. When the terminal device generates the print data using the driver, the registration information transmitted from the terminal device is received by the communication unit and stored in the registration information storage unit.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

5. The control unit When the number of the terminal devices that have responded to the response request is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the power saving mode transition time is extended.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

6. Further comprising a print history storage unit that stores a print history, The control unit The power saving mode transition time is extended based on whether or not there is a response from the terminal device and the print history stored in the print history storage unit.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

7. the print history includes a time zone operation rate, which is an operation rate of the image forming apparatus for each set time zone; an operation rate prediction unit that predicts the operation rate of the image forming apparatus in a time period that includes a time when the image forming apparatus will transition to the power saving mode, based on the past operation rate in a time period that is included in the print history; The control unit The power saving mode transition time is extended based on the number of the terminal devices that have responded to the response request and the operation rate predicted by the operation rate prediction unit.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

8. The control unit When the number of the terminal devices that have responded to the response request is equal to or greater than a predetermined number and the operation rate predicted by the operation rate prediction unit exceeds a predetermined value, the power saving mode transition time is extended.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7,

9. The control unit The higher the operation rate predicted by the operation rate prediction unit, the longer the time for extending the power saving mode transition time.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8,

10. A control unit of an image forming device that performs printing based on print data received from a terminal device transmits a response request to confirm an operating state to the terminal device that uses the image forming device, whose registration information is stored in a registration information storage unit of the image forming device, during a power-saving mode transition time from when printing is completed in a normal mode until the image forming device transitions to a power-saving mode that consumes less power than the normal mode, and extends the power-saving mode transition time based on whether or not there is a response from the terminal device. A power saving mode transition control method comprising:

11. A terminal device; an image forming device that performs printing based on the print data received from the terminal device; and the image forming apparatus, a registration information storage unit that stores registration information of the terminal device that uses the image forming apparatus; a communication unit that communicates with the terminal device; a control unit that controls transition to a power-saving mode that consumes less power than a normal mode; Equipped with The control unit After completing printing in the normal mode, during a power-saving mode transition time until the printer transitions to the power-saving mode, the printer transmits, via the communication unit, a response request for confirming an operating state to the terminal device whose registration information is stored in the registration information storage unit, and extends the power-saving mode transition time based on whether or not there is a response from the terminal device; The terminal device a communication unit that receives a response request sent from the image forming apparatus and sends a response to the response request to the image forming apparatus; An image forming system comprising:

Images