Information processing system, power management system, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing system, a power supply management system, and a program capable of operating both a device and a smart plug by one instruction input to the device.SOLUTION: Identification information of an external device and identification information of a smart plug capable of changing a power supply state to the external device by an instruction from the outside are stored in association with each other, and the external device and the smart plug corresponding to the external device are controlled according to one instruction input to the external device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing system, a power management system, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a printer device that is turned on only when print data is to be printed, thereby preventing the printer device from being constantly powered on.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes an automatic registration device that associates a power supply device with an electrical device connected to the power supply device and automatically registers the correspondence between them. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 08-238822 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-171198 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to completely eliminate standby power consumption of devices such as image forming devices, it is conceivable to supply power to the device via a smart plug, and when the device is turned off, cut off the power supply from the smart plug to the device.

[0006] However, with this configuration, when turning the power of the device on or off, the user must operate both the device and the smart plug separately, which is cumbersome.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing system, a power management system, and a program that are capable of operating both a device and a smart plug by inputting a single command to the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The information processing system of the first aspect includes a processor, which stores identification information of an external device and identification information of a smart plug that can change the power supply state to the external device based on an external instruction, in association with each other, and controls the external device and the smart plug corresponding to the external device in response to a single instruction input to the external device.

[0009] In a second aspect of the information processing system, in the information processing system of the first aspect, when the power supply of the external device is off, the processor sends an instruction to the smart plug to turn on the power supply state to the external device, and then sends a processing instruction to the external device.

[0010] In a third aspect of the information processing system, in the information processing system of the second aspect, the external device is an image forming device, and when the power supply to the image forming device is off, the processor sends an instruction to the smart plug to turn on the power supply to the image forming device, and then sends a printing instruction to the image forming device.

[0011] A fourth aspect of the power management system includes an external device, a smart plug that can change the power supply state to the external device based on an external instruction, and an information processing system having a processor, wherein the processor stores identification information of the external device and identification information of the smart plug in association with each other, and controls the external device and the smart plug corresponding to the external device in response to a single instruction input to the external device.

[0012] A fifth aspect of the power management system is the information processing system of the fourth aspect, in which the external device sends a notification to the processor indicating that it will transition to a standby state after a set time has elapsed, and upon receiving the notification, the processor sends an instruction to the smart plug to turn off the power supply to the external device.

[0013] A sixth aspect of the power management system is an information processing system of the fifth aspect, which includes a plurality of the processors, and the external device selects a processor from the plurality of processors that can be connected to the external device, and sends the notification to the selected processor.

[0014] A seventh aspect of the power management system is the information processing system of the fourth aspect, in which the external device obtains identification information of the smart plug connected to the external device, and the processor obtains the identification information of the external device and the identification information of the smart plug via the external device.

[0015] The program of the eighth aspect causes a computer to execute the steps of: storing, in association with each other, identification information of an external device and identification information of a smart plug that can change the power supply state to the external device based on an external instruction; and controlling, in response to a single instruction input to the external device, the external device and the smart plug corresponding to the external device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the information processing system of the first aspect, it is possible to operate both the external device and the smart plug by inputting a single instruction to the device.

[0017] According to the information processing system of the second aspect, even when the power supply of the external device is in an off state, it is possible to transmit a processing instruction to the external device.

[0018] According to the information processing system of the third aspect, even when the power supply of the image forming apparatus is turned off, it is possible to send a print instruction to the image forming apparatus.

[0019] According to the power management system of the fourth aspect, it is possible to operate both the external device and the smart plug by inputting a single instruction to the device.

[0020] According to the power management system of the fifth aspect, the external device can autonomously turn off the power supply to the external device itself.

[0021] According to the power management system of the sixth aspect, even if connection to some of the multiple processors becomes impossible, the smart plug can be controlled via the other processors.

[0022] According to the power management system of the seventh aspect, the processor can obtain the identification information of the external device and the identification information of the smart plug from one location.

[0023] According to the program of the eighth aspect, it is possible to operate both the external device and the smart plug by inputting a single command to the device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of a power management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a user terminal in the power management system. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus in the power management system. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a smart plug in the power management system. [Figure 5] 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process flow when a print job is requested to an image forming apparatus that is powered off. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process flow when the image forming apparatus transitions to a standby state. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process flow for acquiring identification information of an image forming apparatus and identification information of a smart plug in a user terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the system configuration of a power management system according to an embodiment;

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the power management system of this embodiment includes a plurality of user terminals 10a, 10b, and 10c, an image forming apparatus 20, and a smart plug 30.

[0027] The user terminals 10a, 10b, and 10c are terminals for issuing instructions for jobs such as printing to the image forming apparatus 20. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the user terminals 10a, 10b, and 10c, they will be referred to as the user terminal 10.

[0028] The user terminal 10 is connected to the image forming apparatus 20 and the smart plug 30 via a network 40. The user terminal 10 is an example of an information processing system in the technology of the present disclosure.

[0029] The image forming apparatus 20 is a so-called multifunction device that has multiple functions such as a copy function, a print function, a fax function, and a scan function, etc. The image forming apparatus 20 is an example of an external device in the technology of the present disclosure.

[0030] The smart plug 30 is a device that supplies power to the image forming apparatus 20. The smart plug 30 can change the state of power supply to the smart plug 30 in response to an external instruction in order to reduce the standby power consumption of the image forming apparatus 20 to zero.

[0031] Next, a description will be given of the hardware configuration of the user terminal 10 of this embodiment. FIG.

[0032] 2, the user terminal 10 includes a control unit 11, a communication interface (abbreviated as IF) device 12, and a user interface (abbreviated as UI) device 13. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 14.

[0033] The control unit 11 includes a processor 11a, a memory 11b, and a storage unit 11c. The processor 11a executes predetermined processing based on a program read from the storage unit 11c and loaded into the memory 11b. The storage unit 11c is configured, for example, with a read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid state drive (SSD). The storage unit 11c stores various software programs, including a program for using the image forming apparatus 20, as well as data. Hereinafter, the program for using the image forming apparatus 20 will be referred to as a printer driver.

[0034] In the present embodiment, the processor 11a is described as reading and executing a program stored in the storage unit 11c, but this is not limited thereto. The program may be provided in a form recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. For example, the program may be provided in a form recorded on an optical disc such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM (Read Only Memory) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM, or in a form recorded on a semiconductor memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a memory card. The program may also be obtained from an external device via a communication line.

[0035] The communication IF device 12 transmits and receives data to and from external devices, etc. The UI device 13 is a device such as a touch panel, a monitor, a keyboard, and / or a mouse, through which a user receives and inputs information.

[0036] Next, a description will be given of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 20 of this embodiment.

[0037] 3, the image forming apparatus 20 includes a control unit 21, a communication interface (abbreviated as IF) device 22, a user interface (abbreviated as UI) device 23, a print engine 24, and a scanner 25. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 26.

[0038] The control unit 21 includes a processor 21a, a memory 21b, and a storage unit 21c. The processor 21a executes predetermined processing based on a program read from the storage unit 21c and loaded into the memory 21b. The storage unit 21c is configured with, for example, a ROM, a HDD, or an SSD. Various programs, data, etc. are stored in the storage unit 21c.

[0039] In the present embodiment, the processor 21a is described as reading and executing a program stored in the storage unit 21c, but this is not limited to this. The program may be provided in a form recorded on a computer-readable recording medium as described above. The program may also be obtained from an external device via a communication line.

[0040] The communication IF device 22 transmits and receives data to and from external devices, etc. The UI device 23 is, for example, a touch panel and / or buttons, etc., which allow the user to receive and input information. The print engine 24 prints an image on a recording medium such as printing paper through processes such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing. The scanner 25 reads an original document loaded in the image forming device 20 as image data.

[0041] Next, a description will be given of the hardware configuration of the smart plug 30 of this embodiment. FIG.

[0042] 4, the smart plug 30 includes a control unit 31, a communication interface (abbreviated as IF) device 32, a user interface (abbreviated as UI) device 33, and a power supply unit 34. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 35.

[0043] The control unit 31 includes a processor 31a, a memory 31b, and a storage unit 31c. The processor 31a executes predetermined processing based on a program read from the storage unit 31c and loaded into the memory 31b. The storage unit 31c is configured with, for example, a ROM, a HDD, or an SSD. Various programs, data, etc. are stored in the storage unit 31c.

[0044] In this embodiment, the processor 31a is described as reading and executing a program stored in the storage unit 31c, but this is not limited to this. The program may be provided in a form recorded on a computer-readable recording medium as described above. The program may also be obtained from an external device via a communication line.

[0045] The communication IF device 32 transmits and receives data to and from external devices, etc. The UI device 33 is a device, such as a touch panel and / or buttons, that allows the user to receive and input information.

[0046] The power supply unit 34 supplies power to the connected device. The power supply unit 34 can switch the power supply to the connected device between an on state and an off state under the control of the control unit 31.

[0047] In order to completely eliminate standby power consumption of the image forming apparatus 20, it is conceivable to supply power via the smart plug 30. In this case, it is cumbersome to operate both the image forming apparatus 20 and the smart plug 30 individually to turn the power of the image forming apparatus 20 on and off.

[0048] To solve this problem, the control unit 11 in the user terminal 10 of this embodiment stores the identification information of the image forming device 20 and the identification information of the smart plug 30 in association with each other, and controls the image forming device 20 and the smart plug 30 corresponding to the image forming device 20 in response to a single instruction input to the image forming device 20.

[0049] Here, the identification information of the image forming device 20 and the identification information of the smart plug 30 are information that can identify the individual devices, and can be, for example, the IP address or serial number of each device.

[0050] For example, when the power supply to the image forming device 20 is off, the control unit 11 sends an instruction to the smart plug 30 to turn on the power supply to the image forming device 20, and then sends an instruction to the image forming device 20 for a job such as printing.

[0051] Here, the flow of processing when a print job is requested to the image forming apparatus 20 in a power-off state will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

[0052] 5, the processing of user terminal 10 is actually performed by control unit 11, but for convenience, user terminal 10 is described as the subject. Furthermore, the processing of image forming apparatus 20 is actually performed by control unit 21, but for convenience, image forming apparatus 20 is described as the subject. Furthermore, the processing of smart plug 30 is actually performed by control unit 31, but for convenience, smart plug 30 is described as the subject. This also applies to the sequence diagrams of FIGS. 6 and 7 described below.

[0053] First, in step S01, a user presses a print button to execute printing using the user terminal 10 in which a printer driver for the image forming apparatus 20 is installed.

[0054] Next, in step S02, the user terminal 10 instructs the smart plug 30 to turn on the power supply to the image forming apparatus 20.

[0055] Next, in step S03, the smart plug 30 turns on the power supply to the image forming device 20, and then in step S04 transmits a completion direction to the user terminal 10. When power is supplied from the smart plug 30, the image forming device 20 starts the startup process.

[0056] Next, in step S05, the user terminal 10 checks the status of the startup state of the image forming apparatus 20. When the image forming apparatus 20 receives a status check from the user terminal 10 after startup, in step S06, the image forming apparatus 20 notifies the user terminal 10 that it is in an online state.

[0057] Next, the user terminal 10 transmits a print job to the image forming apparatus 20 in step S07.

[0058] Next, the image forming apparatus 20 executes the print job, and when the print job is completed, notifies the user terminal 10 of the completion in step S08.

[0059] In addition, the image forming device 20 may send a notification to the user terminal 10 indicating that it will transition to a standby state after a set time has elapsed, and the user terminal 10 may send an instruction to the smart plug 30 to turn off the power supply to the image forming device 20 upon receiving the notification.

[0060] Here, the flow of processing when the image forming apparatus 20 transitions to a standby state will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

[0061] First, in step S11, the image forming apparatus 20 notifies the user terminal 10 that it is in the process of powering off.

[0062] Next, in step S12, the user terminal 10 checks the startup status of the image forming apparatus 20. Next, after confirming that the image forming apparatus 20 is in a power-off state, the user terminal 10 instructs the smart plug 30 to turn off the power supply to the image forming apparatus 20 in step S13.

[0063] Next, the smart plug 30 turns off the power supply to the image forming apparatus 20 in step S14, and then transmits a completion direction to the user terminal 10 in step S15.

[0064] 1, when multiple user terminals 10a, 10b, and 10c are connected to the image forming apparatus 20, any one of the user terminals 10 may be used when the image forming apparatus 20 transitions to the standby state. For example, the user terminal 10 may be the one with which the image forming apparatus 20 communicated immediately before transitioning to the standby state.

[0065] However, when the image forming device 20 transitions to a standby state and attempts to connect to a specific user terminal 10, it may be temporarily unable to connect to the user terminal 10, for example, if the power to the user terminal 10 is turned off.

[0066] In such a case, the image forming apparatus 20 may select a user terminal 10 that can be connected to the image forming apparatus 20 from among the plurality of user terminals 10, and transmit a notification to the selected user terminal 10.

[0067] For example, if the image forming apparatus 20 attempts to connect to the user terminal 10a but fails when transitioning to a standby state, it may try to connect to other user terminals 10b and 10c and select a user terminal 10 that can be connected.

[0068] In addition, the image forming device 20 may acquire identification information of the smart plug 30 connected to the image forming device 20, and the user terminal 10 may acquire the identification information of the image forming device 20 and the identification information of the smart plug 30 via the image forming device 20.

[0069] Here, the flow of processing related to acquisition of the identification information of the image forming apparatus 20 and the identification information of the smart plug 30 in the user terminal 10 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

[0070] First, in step S21, the user inputs the identification information of the smart plug 30 into the image forming apparatus 20.

[0071] Next, in step S22, the user installs and sets up a printer driver compatible with the image forming apparatus 20 in the user terminal 10.

[0072] Next, in step S23, the user terminal 10 instructs the image forming apparatus 20 to transmit the identification information of the image forming apparatus 20 and the smart plug 30.

[0073] Next, in step S24, the image forming apparatus 20 transmits to the user terminal 10 the identification information of the image forming apparatus 20 stored therein and the identification information of the smart plug 30 input by the user.

[0074] [Variations] The power management system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified as appropriate.

[0075] For example, the device that can be connected to the smart plug 30 is not limited to the image forming device 20, and may be any device.

[0076] In each of the above embodiments, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0077] Furthermore, the operations of the processors in the above embodiments may not only be performed by a single processor, but may also be performed by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. Furthermore, the order of the operations of the processors is not limited to the order described in the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

[0078] Furthermore, in the technology of the present disclosure, a system includes both a system made up of multiple devices and a system made up of a single device.

[0079] The techniques of the present disclosure can also be applied to programs and program products.

[0080] [Note] The following additional notes are provided regarding the above-described embodiment.

[0081] (((1))) a processor; The processor: storing, in association with each other, identification information of an external device and identification information of a smart plug that can change the state of power supply to the external device in response to an external instruction; Controlling the external device and the smart plug corresponding to the external device in response to a single instruction input to the external device Information processing system.

[0082] (((2))) The processor: If the power supply of the external device is in an off state, an instruction to turn on the power supply state of the external device is transmitted to the smart plug, and then an instruction to perform a process is transmitted to the external device. The information processing system according to (((1))).

[0083] (((3))) the external device is an image forming device, The processor: If the power supply of the image forming apparatus is in an off state, an instruction to turn on the power supply state of the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the smart plug, and then an instruction to print is transmitted to the image forming apparatus. The information processing system according to (((2))).

[0084] (((4))) An external device; a smart plug capable of changing the state of power supply to the external device in response to an external instruction; an information processing system including a processor; The processor: The identification information of the external device and the identification information of the smart plug are stored in association with each other; Controlling the external device and the smart plug corresponding to the external device in response to a single instruction input to the external device Power management system.

[0085] (((5))) The external device is When a set time has elapsed, a notification indicating that the processor will transition to a standby state is sent to the processor; The processor: When the notification is received, an instruction to turn off the power supply to the external device is sent to the smart plug. The power management system according to (((4))).

[0086] (((6))) a plurality of said processors; The external device is A processor that can be connected to the device itself is selected from the plurality of processors, and the notification is transmitted to the selected processor. The power management system according to (((5))).

[0087] (((7))) The external device acquires identification information of the smart plug connected to the external device, The processor acquires, via the external device, identification information of the external device and identification information of the smart plug. A power management system according to any one of (((4))) to (((6))).

[0088] (((8))) storing, in association with each other, identification information of an external device and identification information of a smart plug that can change the state of power supply to the external device in response to an external instruction; Controlling the external device and the smart plug corresponding to the external device in response to an instruction input to the external device; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

[0089] The effects of the configuration described above will be described below.

[0090] According to the information processing system of (((1))), it is possible to operate both the external device and the smart plug by inputting a single command to the device.

[0091] According to the information processing system (((2))), even when the power supply of the external device is turned off, it is possible to transmit a processing instruction to the external device.

[0092] According to the information processing system (((3))), even when the power supply of the image forming apparatus is turned off, it is possible to send a print instruction to the image forming apparatus.

[0093] According to the power management system of (((4))), it is possible to operate both the external device and the smart plug by inputting a single command to the device.

[0094] According to the power management system (((5))), an external device can autonomously turn off the power supply to the external device itself.

[0095] According to the power management system (((6))), even if connection to some of the multiple processors becomes unavailable, the smart plug can be controlled via the other processors.

[0096] The power management system of (((7))) allows the processor to obtain the identification information of the external device and the identification information of the smart plug from one location.

[0097] According to the program (((8))), it is possible to operate both the external device and the smart plug by inputting a single command to the device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 10, 10a, 10b, 10c User terminal 11 Control section 11a processor 11b memory 11c storage section 12 Communication interface device 13 User Interface Device 14 Control Bus 20 Image forming device 21 Control section 21a processor 21b memory 21c storage section 22 Communication interface device 23 User Interface Device 24 Print Engine 25 Scanner 26 Control Bus 30 Smart Plugs 31 Control Unit 31a processor 31b memory 31c storage section 32 Communication interface device 33 User Interface Device 34 Power supply section 35 Control Bus 40 Network

Claims

1. a processor; The processor: storing, in association with each other, identification information of an external device and identification information of a smart plug that can change the state of power supply to the external device in response to an external instruction; Controlling the external device and the smart plug corresponding to the external device in response to a single instruction input to the external device Information processing system.

2. The processor: If the power supply of the external device is in an off state, an instruction to turn on the power supply state of the external device is transmitted to the smart plug, and then an instruction to perform a process is transmitted to the external device. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. the external device is an image forming device, The processor: If the power supply of the image forming apparatus is in an off state, an instruction to turn on the power supply state of the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the smart plug, and then an instruction to print is transmitted to the image forming apparatus. The information processing system according to claim 2 .

4. An external device; a smart plug capable of changing the state of power supply to the external device in response to an external instruction; an information processing system including a processor; The processor: The identification information of the external device and the identification information of the smart plug are stored in association with each other; Controlling the external device and the smart plug corresponding to the external device in response to a single instruction input to the external device Power management system.

5. The external device is When a set time has elapsed, a notification indicating that the processor will transition to a standby state is sent to the processor; The processor: When the notification is received, an instruction to turn off the power supply to the external device is sent to the smart plug. The power management system of claim 4 .

6. a plurality of said processors; The external device is A processor that can be connected to the device itself is selected from the plurality of processors, and the notification is transmitted to the selected processor. The power management system of claim 5 .

7. The external device acquires identification information of the smart plug connected to the external device, The processor acquires, via the external device, identification information of the external device and identification information of the smart plug. The power management system of claim 4 .

8. storing, in association with each other, identification information of an external device and identification information of a smart plug that can change the state of power supply to the external device in response to an external instruction; controlling the external device and the smart plug corresponding to the external device in response to a single instruction input to the external device; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

Images