Image processing apparatus control method and image processing apparatus

Abstract

To increase a probability that a device necessary for processing requested first is started when a part of a plurality of processing devices is started from a pause state to a standby state according to a start event.SOLUTION: When a start event occurs while a plurality of processing devices 1 and 2 are in a pause state, a controller 5 executes first start processing for shifting one or more start designation devices designated by preset start designation information among the plurality of processing devices 1 and 2 from the pause state to a standby state (S3). The control apparatus 5 records, in the non-volatile storage apparatus 6, operation history information from which an initial operation frequency can be identified, the initial operation frequency being a frequency at which some or all of the plurality of processing devices 1 and 2 operate by execution of an initial job after the first boot process is executed (S9). The control device 5 sets the start designation information based on the initial operation frequency specified by the operation history information (S11).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having a plurality of processing devices each capable of switching from one of a standby state and a sleep state to the other, and to an image processing apparatus control method for controlling the image processing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] An image processing apparatus such as a copier or a multifunction peripheral includes a plurality of processing devices each capable of performing different types of image processing, such as an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet and an image reading unit that reads an image from a document.

[0003] The processing devices may be configured to be able to switch between a standby state in which the image processing can be performed and a hibernation state in which power consumption is lower than that of the standby state in response to a request. The hibernation state may be a stopped state in which power supply is stopped or a sleep state in which only some functions necessary for startup are enabled.

[0004] In the image processing device, the control device transitions the processing devices to the standby state when a wake-up event occurs while the processing devices are in the sleep state. For example, the wake-up event may be an operation of a wake-up button or a motion sensor detecting a person in front of the image processing device.

[0005] It is also known that the control device transitions only some of the processing devices from the sleep state to the standby state depending on the frequency of use of each of the multiple functions of the printer, scanner, facsimile, and copy (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-171297 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, when only a specific device among the plurality of processing devices transitions from the sleep state to the standby state in response to the activation event, an initial mismatch may occur in which processing that requires the operation of a device other than the specific device is requested first.

[0008] If the first mismatch occurs frequently, the specific device will consume power unnecessarily and the waiting time from when a request to execute a process is made until the requested process starts will become longer.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide an image processing device control method and an image processing device that can increase the probability that the device required for the first requested processing will be started when some of multiple processing devices are started from a sleep state to a standby state in response to a start-up event. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] An image processing method according to one aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling an image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus includes a plurality of processing devices that can switch between a standby state in which different types of image processing can be performed and a sleep state that consumes less power than the standby state upon request. The image processing apparatus control method includes a control device executing a first startup process when a startup event occurs while the plurality of processing devices are in the sleep state, in which one or more startup-specified devices among the plurality of processing devices, specified by preset startup specification information, transition from the sleep state to the standby state. The image processing apparatus control method further includes a control device executing a second startup process when the control device is requested to execute a job including one or more types of image processing after the first startup process is executed, in which the control device transitions one or more target devices among the plurality of processing devices that are required to execute the job to the standby state if some or all of the target devices are in the sleep state. The image processing apparatus control method further includes the control device causing the target devices to execute the job when the control device is requested to execute the job after the first startup process is executed. The image processing apparatus control method further includes the control device recording, in a non-volatile storage device, operation history information capable of identifying an initial operation frequency, which is a frequency at which some or all of the processing devices operate in response to the first execution of the job after the first startup process has been executed, and the image processing apparatus control method further includes the control device setting the startup specification information based on the initial operation frequency identified by the operation history information.

[0011] An image processing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes the plurality of processing devices and the control apparatus that realizes the image processing apparatus control method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing device control method and an image processing device that can increase the probability that the device required for the first requested processing will be started when some of multiple processing devices are started from a dormant state to a standby state in response to a start-up event. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a first example of the procedure of the device management process in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a data configuration diagram of operation history information recorded by the image processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of date classification data in the image processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a second example of the procedure of the device management process in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example of the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0015] [Configuration of image processing device 10] The image processing device 10 according to the embodiment is capable of executing various types of image processing such as image formation processing, image reading processing, image transmission processing, etc. For example, the image processing device 10 is a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, a multifunction peripheral, or the like.

[0016] 1, the image processing device 10 includes an image forming unit 1, an image reading unit 2, a user interface device 3, a control device 5, and a secondary storage device 6. The image processing device 10 further includes a communication device 4, a human presence sensor 71, and a USB interface 72. Note that USB is a registered trademark.

[0017] The image processing device 10 is capable of communicating with other devices such as a host device 8 through a network 80. The network 80 includes a LAN (Local Area Network) and the Internet.

[0018] The image forming unit 1 performs the image forming process by a predetermined method such as an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. The image forming process is a process of forming an image on a sheet 91.

[0019] The image forming unit 1 includes a sheet transport mechanism that transports a sheet 91 and a printing device that forms an image on the sheet 91 .

[0020] The image reading unit 2 executes the image reading process. The image reading process is a process of reading an image of the original 92. The image reading unit 2 includes an optical scanning mechanism that scans the original 92 with light, and an image sensor that receives light reflected from the original 92.

[0021] The image sensor outputs data of the read image, which is an image read from the document 92.

[0022] The user interface device 3 includes an operation device 3a and a display device 3b. The operation device 3a is a device that accepts human operations. For example, the operation device 3a includes operation buttons and a touch panel. The display device 3b is capable of displaying information. For example, the display device 3b includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel.

[0023] The communication device 4 is a communication interface device that communicates with other devices such as a host device 8 via a network 80. The control device 5 performs all transmission and reception of data between it and the other devices through the communication device 4.

[0024] The image forming unit 1 executes the image forming process based on the data of the scanned image or the received print data. The received print data is data included in a print request received from the host device 8 via the communication device 4.

[0025] The communication device 4 is also capable of executing the image transmission process, which is a process of transmitting the data of the scanned image to a specified destination via the network 80.

[0026] The human presence sensor 71 detects a user approaching the image processing device 10. For example, the human presence sensor 71 is an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or a microwave sensor.

[0027] The USB interface 72 is an interface to which a USB device 72x such as a USB memory can be connected. The process of recording image data obtained by the image reading unit 2 in the USB memory is also an example of the image processing that can be performed by the image processing device 10. Furthermore, the image formation process based on the image data stored in the USB memory is also an example of the image processing.

[0028] In this embodiment, the image forming unit 1 and the image reading unit 2 are examples of a plurality of processing devices each capable of executing different types of image processing.

[0029] The image forming unit 1 and the image reading unit 2 can be switched between a standby state and a pause state, which consumes less power than the standby state. The standby state is a state in which image processing can be performed upon request. The pause state consumes less power than the standby state.

[0030] For example, the hibernation state is a stop state in which the supply of power is stopped or a sleep state in which only some of the functions necessary for startup are enabled.

[0031] The control device 5 executes various calculations, data processing, and control of various electrical devices included in the image processing device 10. The control device 5 includes a CPU 51, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 52, and the like.

[0032] The secondary storage device 6 is a computer-readable non-volatile storage device. The secondary storage device 6 can store computer programs and various data. For example, one or both of an SSD (Solid State Drive) and a hard disk drive may be used as the secondary storage device 6.

[0033] The secondary storage device 6 stores the computer programs executed by the CPU 51 and data referenced by the CPU 51. The CPU 51 is an example of a processor.

[0034] The CPU 51 is a processor that executes the computer programs stored in the secondary storage device 6 to perform various data processing and control operations.

[0035] It is also conceivable that another processor such as a DSP may perform the data processing and control instead of the CPU 51.

[0036] The RAM 52 is a computer-readable volatile storage device that temporarily stores the computer programs executed by the CPU 51 and data output and referenced during the execution of the computer programs by the CPU 51.

[0037] The CPU 51 includes a plurality of processing modules that are realized by executing the computer programs, including a device management unit 5a and a job control unit 5b.

[0038] The device management unit 5a executes control to transition the image forming unit 1 and the image reading unit 2 from one of the standby state and the sleep state to the other. In the following description, the transition of each of the image forming unit 1 and the image reading unit 2 from the sleep state to the standby state is referred to as "activation." On the other hand, the transition of each of the image forming unit 1 and the image reading unit 2 from the standby state to the sleep state is referred to as "pause."

[0039] When a startup event occurs while the image forming unit 1 and the image reading unit 2 are in the sleep state, the device management unit 5a starts up one or both of the image forming unit 1 and the image reading unit 2.

[0040] In this embodiment, the activation event occurs when the human presence sensor 71 detects a person in front of the image processing device 10. Note that the activation event may also occur when an operation on a start button included in the operation device 3a is detected.

[0041] Furthermore, the device management unit 5a executes a pause process when a pause condition is met while one or both of the image forming unit 1 and the image reading unit 2 are in the standby state. The pause process is a process of transitioning one or both of the image forming unit 1 and the image reading unit 2 that are in the standby state to the pause state.

[0042] In this embodiment, when the sleep condition is satisfied, the CPU 51 stops the operation of the display device 3b and transitions from the normal mode to the sleep mode. In the normal mode, the CPU 51 can execute a plurality of types of image processing.

[0043] The sleep mode is an operating mode that consumes less power than the normal mode. When the wake-up event occurs while the CPU 51 is operating in the sleep mode, the CPU 51 transitions from the sleep mode to the normal mode.

[0044] The job control unit 5b controls the image forming unit 1, the image reading unit 2, and the communication device 4. The job control unit 5b causes some or all of the image forming unit 1, the image reading unit 2, and the communication device 4 to execute a job corresponding to a request input through the operation device 3a or the communication device 4.

[0045] The job includes some or all of the multiple types of image processing, and in this embodiment, the job includes an image scanning job, a print job, and a copy job.

[0046] The image reading job is the image reading process executed by the operation of the image reading unit 2. The print job is the image forming process executed by the operation of the image forming unit 1. The copy job includes the image reading process and the image forming process executed by the operations of the image reading unit 2 and the image forming unit 1. In other words, the job includes one or more types of image processing.

[0047] However, when only a specific device among the plurality of processing devices is started in response to the start-up event, an initial mismatch may occur in which processing that requires the operation of a device other than the specific device is initially requested.

[0048] If the first mismatch occurs frequently, the specific device will consume power unnecessarily and the waiting time from when a request to execute a process is made until the requested process starts will become longer.

[0049] In this embodiment, the CPU 51 executes a device management process (see FIG. 2) to be described later. The device management process includes a process for increasing the probability that a device required for the first requested processing will be started when some of the processing devices are started in response to the start-up event.

[0050] [First example of device management processing] The procedure of the first example of the device management process will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0051] The device management process is an example of a process that realizes an image processing device control method for controlling the image processing device 10.

[0052] The CPU 51 of the control device 5 starts the device management process when the startup event occurs while the image forming unit 1 and the image reading unit 2 are in the sleep state.

[0053] In the following description, S1, S2, ... represent identification codes of a plurality of steps in the device management process. In the device management process, step S1 is executed first.

[0054] <Process S1> In step S1, the CPU 51 starts up from the sleep mode to the normal mode. After executing the process of step S1, the CPU 51 executes the process of step S2.

[0055] <Process S2> In step S2, the device management unit 5a of the CPU 51 acquires preset startup designation information D0 from the secondary storage device 6 (see FIG. 1). The startup designation information D0 is information that designates one or both of the image forming unit 1 and the image reading unit 2 as devices to be started up.

[0056] The initial setting state of the startup designation information D0 is information that designates both the image forming unit 1 and the image reading unit 2. The startup designation information D0 may be stored in an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) not shown or a register of the COY51.

[0057] In the following description, one or more devices designated by the activation designation information D0 among the image forming unit 1 and the image reading unit 2 are referred to as activation designated devices. After performing the process of step S2, the device management unit 5a performs the process of step S3.

[0058] <Process S3> In step S3, the device management unit 5a executes a first startup process for transitioning the startup-specified device from the hibernation state to the standby state, and also starts up the display device 3b.

[0059] After executing the process of step S3, the device management unit 5a executes the process of step S4.

[0060] <Process S4> In step S4, the device management unit 5a outputs a menu screen for accepting an operation to request execution of the job to the display device 3b.

[0061] After executing the process of step S4, the device management unit 5a executes the process of step S5.

[0062] <Process S5> In step S5, the device management unit 5a selects the next process depending on whether or not an operation on the operation device 3a requesting execution of the job has been detected.

[0063] The device management unit 5a executes the process of step S6 when an operation requesting execution of the job is detected, whereas the device management unit 5a executes the process of step S10 when an operation requesting execution of the job is not detected.

[0064] <Process S6> In step S6, the device management unit 5a selects the next process depending on whether the image processing device 10 is in the insufficient activation state or not. Here, one or more devices among the image forming unit 1 and the image reading unit 2 that are required to execute the requested job are referred to as target devices. When some or all of the target devices are in the inactive state, the image processing device 10 is in the insufficient activation state.

[0065] That is, when the image processing apparatus 10 is not in the insufficient activation state, the image processing apparatus 10 can execute the job without newly activating either the image forming unit 1 or the image reading unit 2.

[0066] The device management unit 5a executes the process of step S7 when the image processing device 10 is in the insufficient activation state. On the other hand, the device management unit 5a executes the process of step S8 when the image processing device 10 is not in the insufficient activation state.

[0067] <Process S7> In step S7, the device management unit 5a executes a second activation process to transition the target device from the hibernation state to the standby state. After executing the process of step S7, the device management unit 5a executes the process of step S8.

[0068] <Process S8> In step S8, the job control unit 5b causes the target device to execute the requested job, whereby one or both of the image forming unit 1 and the image reading unit 2 execute the requested job.

[0069] After the job control unit 5b executes the process of step S8, the device management unit 5a executes the process of step S9.

[0070] <Process S9> In step S9, the device management unit 5a records the operation history information D1 in the secondary storage device 6 (see FIG. 1).

[0071] The operation history information D1 includes at least information that can identify the initial operation frequency, which is the frequency at which the image forming unit 1 and the image reading unit 2 operate upon execution of the first job after the first startup process is executed.

[0072] In this embodiment, the operation history information D1 also includes information that can identify the frequency of operation of the image forming unit 1 and the image reading unit 2 at least once during a processable period due to the execution of the job. The processable period is the period from when the first startup process is executed until the image forming unit 1 and the image reading unit 2 transition to the sleep state.

[0073] For example, the job control unit 5b records the operation history information D1 in association with some or all of the month, date, and day of the week on which the first startup process was executed.

[0074] Fig. 3 shows an example of the data configuration of the operation history information D1. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the operation history information D1 includes a plurality of date codes D20, a plurality of activation count data D11 respectively associated with the plurality of date codes D20, a plurality of first print count data D12, a plurality of first read count data D13, a plurality of one or more print count data D14, and a plurality of one or more read count data D15.

[0075] The plurality of date codes D20 are data that identify a plurality of combinations of the month, date, and day of the week on which the first startup process was executed. For example, preset date classification data D2 is stored in the secondary storage device 6 (see FIG. 1).

[0076] Fig. 4 shows an example of the data configuration of date classification data D2. In the example shown in Fig. 4, date classification data D2 includes a plurality of date codes D20, a plurality of month data D21 each associated with the plurality of date codes D20, a plurality of day data D22, and a plurality of day-of-week data D23.

[0077] The plurality of month data D21, the plurality of day data D22, and the plurality of day of the week data D23 represent a plurality of combinations of months, days, and days of the week on which the first startup process is executed. The plurality of date codes D20 are data that identify the combinations of the plurality of month data D21, the plurality of day data D22, and the plurality of day of the week data D23.

[0078] The month data D21 represents each month from January to December or a period spanning multiple months. The day data D22 represents each day from the 1st to the 31st or a period spanning multiple days in each month. The day of the week data D23 represents each day of the week from Monday to Sunday or a period spanning multiple days of the week.

[0079] The job control unit 5b counts up the activation count data D11 corresponding to the combination of the month, date, and day of the week on which the first activation process is executed every time the first activation process is executed.

[0080] Furthermore, when the first job is executed after the first startup process is executed, the job control unit 5b counts up one or both of the initial print count data D12 and the initial read count data D13 corresponding to the month, date, and day of the week on which the first startup process was executed.

[0081] In this embodiment, if the first job is the print job, the device management unit 5a counts up the first print count data D12. If the first job is the image reading job, the device management unit 5a counts up the first read count data D13. If the first job is the copy job, the device management unit 5a counts up the first print count data D12 and the first read count data D13.

[0082] Furthermore, when the image forming unit 1 operates by executing the print job or the copy job after the first startup process has been executed, the job control unit 5b counts up the print count data D14 (one or more times) corresponding to the month, day, and day of the week on which the first startup process was executed, only once for each of the first startup processes.

[0083] Furthermore, when the image reading unit 2 operates by executing the image reading job or the copy job after the first startup process is executed, the job control unit 5b counts up the reading count data D15 (one or more times) corresponding to the month, day, and day of the week on which the first startup process was executed, only once for each of the first startup processes.

[0084] In this embodiment, the ratio of the first print count data D12 to the start count data D11 in the data corresponding to each date code D20 is the initial operation frequency of the image forming unit 1. Similarly, the ratio of the first read count data D13 to the start count data D11 in the data corresponding to each date code D20 is the initial operation frequency of the image reading unit 2.

[0085] Furthermore, the ratio of the one or more print count data D14 to the one or more start count data D11 in the data corresponding to each date code D20 is the one or more operation frequency of the image forming unit 1. Similarly, the ratio of the one or more read count data D15 to the one or more start count data D11 in the data corresponding to each date code D20 is the one or more operation frequency of the image reading unit 2.

[0086] After executing the process of step S9, the device management unit 5a repeats the processes from step S4 onwards.

[0087] <Process S10> On the other hand, in step S10, the device management unit 5a determines whether the pause condition is met or not. The pause condition includes a time condition that the duration of the state in which the job is not executed and the operation device 3a is not operated exceeds a predetermined upper standby time limit.

[0088] The pause condition may also include a pause operation condition that a predetermined pause operation is detected by the operation device 3a. In this case, the pause condition is a logical sum of the time condition and the pause operation condition.

[0089] If the device management unit 5a determines that the sleep condition is not met, it repeats the processes from step S5 onwards. On the other hand, if the device management unit 5a determines that the sleep condition is met, it executes the process of step S11.

[0090] <Process S11> On the other hand, in step S11, the device management unit 5a sets the startup specification information D0 based on the first operation frequency and the one or more operation frequencies specified by the operation history information D1.

[0091] For example, when the initial operation frequency of the image forming unit 1 exceeds a predetermined first reference frequency, the device management unit 5a includes the image forming unit 1 as the startup specified device in the startup specification information D0.

[0092] Similarly, when the initial operation frequency of the image reading unit 2 exceeds the first reference frequency, the device management unit 5a includes the image reading unit 2 as the startup specified device in the startup specification information D0.

[0093] In addition, the device management unit 5a includes the image forming unit 1 as the startup designated device in the startup designation information D0 when the initial operation frequency of the image forming unit 1 is lower than the first standard frequency and the one or more operation frequency of the image forming unit 1 is higher than a predetermined second standard frequency.

[0094] Similarly, the device management unit 5a includes the image forming unit 1 as the startup designated device in the startup designation information D0 when the initial operation frequency of the image reading unit 2 is lower than the first standard frequency and the one or more operation frequency of the image reading unit 2 is higher than the second standard frequency.

[0095] Furthermore, if the initial operation frequency for both the image forming unit 1 and the image reading unit 2 is lower than the first standard frequency and the one or more operation frequencies are lower than the second standard frequency, the device management unit 5a sets the startup specification information D0 according to special rules.

[0096] For example, the special rule is a rule that one of the image forming unit 1 and the image reading unit 2, whichever has a higher initial operation frequency, is included in the activation designation information D0 as the activation designated device.

[0097] In this embodiment, the device management unit 5a sets the startup specification information D0 based on the initial operation frequency and the one or more operation frequencies corresponding to the month, day, and day of the week when the sleep condition is met. This process is an example of a process of setting the startup specification information D0 based on the operation history information D1 corresponding to some or all of the month, day, and day of the week when the multiple processing devices transition to the sleep state.

[0098] The device management unit 5a records the set startup specification information D0 in a non-volatile storage device such as the secondary storage device 6.

[0099] After executing the process of step S11, the device management unit 5a executes the process of step S12.

[0100] <Process S12> In step S12, the device management unit 5a executes the pause process, whereby one or both of the image forming unit 1 and the image reading unit 2 that are in the standby state transition from the standby state to the pause state.

[0101] After executing the process of step S12, the device management unit 5a ends the device management process.

[0102] [Variations] In step S9 of the device management process, the device management unit 5a may record the operation history information D1 that is not associated with the month, date, or day of the week in the secondary storage device 6 (see FIG. 1).

[0103] Furthermore, three or more processing devices including the image forming unit 1 and the image reading unit 2 may be set as targets for recording the operation history information D1 and for setting the startup designation information D0.

[0104] Furthermore, the image forming unit 1 may be excluded from the targets for recording the operation history information D1 and the targets for setting the startup specification information D0. In this case, the device management unit 5a always starts up the image forming unit 1 in the first startup process.

[0105] As described above, when the startup event occurs while the processing devices are in the sleep state, the device management unit 5a executes the first startup process. The first startup process is a process of transitioning one or more of the processing devices, which are designated by preset startup designation information D0, from the sleep state to the standby state.

[0106] Furthermore, when execution of the job including one or more types of image processing is requested after the first startup process is executed, the device management unit 5a executes processes of steps S6 to S9. In steps S6 and S7, the device management unit 5a executes the second startup process when some or all of one or more target devices necessary for execution of the job among the plurality of processing devices are in the dormant state. The second startup process is a process of transitioning the target devices in the dormant state to the standby state.

[0107] Furthermore, the job control unit 5b causes the target device to execute the job when execution of the job is requested after the first activation process is executed (step S8).

[0108] Furthermore, the device management unit 5a records operation history information D1 for some or all of the plurality of processing devices in the secondary storage device 6 (step S9). The operation history information D1 is information that can identify the initial operation frequency, which is the frequency at which the processing devices operate due to the first execution of the job after the first startup process is executed (see FIG. 3).

[0109] In this embodiment, the operation history information D1 also includes information capable of identifying the one or more operation frequency, which is the frequency at which some or all of the plurality of processing devices operate one or more times due to the execution of the job during the processable period (see FIG. 3).

[0110] Furthermore, the device management unit 5a sets the startup specification information D0 based on the initial operation frequency specified by the operation history information D1 (step S11).

[0111] In this embodiment, the device management unit 5a sets the startup specification information D0 based on the first operation frequency and the one or more operation frequencies specified by the operation history information D1.

[0112] In this embodiment, the device management unit 5a records the operation history information D1 in association with the month, date, and day of the week on which the first startup process was executed (step S9).

[0113] Furthermore, the device management unit 5a sets the startup specification information D0 based on the operation history information D1 corresponding to the month, date, and day of the week when the sleep condition is met (step S11). When the sleep condition is met, it is the time when the multiple processing devices transition to the sleep state (steps S11 and S12).

[0114] In step S9, the device management unit 5a may record operation history information D1 in association with part of the month, day, and day of the week when the first startup process was executed. In step S11, the device management unit 5a may set startup designation information D0 based on operation history information D1 corresponding to part of the month, day, and day of the week when the sleep condition was met.

[0115] By employing the image processing device 10, the probability of the first mismatch occurring, in which a process requiring the operation of a device that is not activated is requested first when one of the image forming unit 1 and the image reading unit 2 is activated by the first activation process, is reduced. In other words, when the first activation process is executed, the probability that a device required for the first requested process will be activated increases.

[0116] [Second example of device management processing] Next, the procedure of a second example of the device management process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0117] The following describes the differences between the second example of the device management process and the first example of the device management process.

[0118] The second example of the device management process has a procedure in which step S8a is added to the procedure of the first example of the device management process (see FIG. 8).

[0119] In the second example of the device management process, the device management unit 5a executes the process of step S8a in parallel with the process of step S8.

[0120] In the following description, when the job is executed in step S8, the image forming unit 1 and the image reading unit 2 that are not the target device are referred to as non-target devices. If the job executed in step S8 is the print job, the image reading unit 2 is the non-target device. If the job executed in step S8 is the image reading job, the image forming unit 1 is the non-target device.

[0121] If the job executed in step S8 is the copy job, the non-target device does not exist. If the non-target device is in the dormant state, the device management unit 5a executes the process of step S8a in parallel with the process of step S8.

[0122] <Process S8a> In step S8a, the device management unit 5a executes a third activation process for transitioning the non-target device from the hibernation state to the standby state.

[0123] That is, in this second example, the device management unit 5a executes the processing of step S8a when one or more of the non-target devices other than the target device among the plurality of processing devices are in the hibernating state when the job is executed.

[0124] In step S8a, the device management unit 5a executes the third startup process in parallel with the execution of the job by the target device. As described above, the third startup process is a process for transitioning the non-target device from the dormant state to the standby state.

[0125] By adopting this second example, when the second or subsequent job is executed after the first startup process is executed, the second startup process in step S7 is skipped, thereby avoiding delays in the start of the second or subsequent job due to the second startup process.

[0126] [Notes on the Invention] The following is a summary of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiment. Note that the configurations and processing functions described in the following supplementary notes can be selected and combined as desired.

[0127] <Appendix 1> 1. A method for controlling an image processing device, comprising: controlling an image processing device having a plurality of processing devices that can switch between a standby state in which different types of image processing can be performed in response to a request; and a sleep state in which power consumption is lower than that of the standby state; a control device executing a first startup process for transitioning one or more startup-specified devices among the plurality of processing devices, which are specified by preset startup specification information, from the sleep state to the standby state when a startup event occurs while the plurality of processing devices are in the sleep state; when the control device is requested to execute a job including one or more types of image processing after the first startup process has been executed, if part or all of one or more target devices among the plurality of processing devices required to execute the job are in the dormant state, executing a second startup process to transition the target devices in the dormant state to the standby state; the control device causes the target device to execute the job when execution of the job is requested after the first activation process is executed; the control device records, in a non-volatile storage device, operation history information that can identify an initial operation frequency, which is a frequency at which some or all of the processing devices operate in response to the first execution of the job after the first startup process has been executed for the processing devices; the control device sets the startup specification information based on the initial operation frequency specified by the operation history information.

[0128] <Appendix 2> the control device records, in the non-volatile storage device, the operation history information including information capable of identifying one or more operation frequencies, which are frequencies at which some or all of the processing devices operate one or more times due to execution of the job from the time the first startup process is executed until the time the processing devices transition to the hibernation state; The image processing device control method described in Appendix 1 includes the control device setting the startup designation information based on the initial operation frequency and the one or more operation frequencies identified by the operation history information.

[0129] <Appendix 3> The image processing device control method described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2 includes, when one or more non-target devices other than the target device among the plurality of processing devices are in the hibernation state when the job is executed, the control device executes a third startup process to transition the non-target devices in the hibernation state to the standby state in parallel with the execution of the job by the target device.

[0130] <Appendix 4> The image processing apparatus control method according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the plurality of processing devices include an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet and an image reading unit that reads an image of a document.

[0131] <Appendix 5> the control device records the operation history information in association with some or all of the month, date, and day of the week on which the first startup process was executed; The image processing device control method described in any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 4 includes the control device setting the startup designation information based on the operation history information corresponding to some or all of the month, day, and day of the week when the multiple processing devices transition to the hibernation state.

[0132] <Appendix 6> a plurality of processing devices that can be switched between a standby state in which different types of image processing can be performed in response to a request and a sleep state in which power consumption is lower than that of the standby state; An image processing device comprising: a control device that realizes the image processing device control method according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0133] 1: Image forming unit 2: Image reading unit 3: User interface device 4: Communication equipment 5: Control device 10: Image processing device

Claims

1. 1. A method for controlling an image processing device, comprising: controlling an image processing device having a plurality of processing devices that can switch between a standby state in which different types of image processing can be performed in response to a request; and a sleep state in which power consumption is lower than that of the standby state; a control device executing a first startup process for transitioning one or more startup-designated devices designated by preset startup designation information among the plurality of processing devices from the sleep state to the standby state when a startup event occurs while the plurality of processing devices are in the sleep state; when the control device is requested to execute a job including one or more types of image processing after the first startup process has been executed, if part or all of one or more target devices among the plurality of processing devices required to execute the job are in the dormant state, execute a second startup process to transition the target devices in the dormant state to the standby state; the control device causes the target device to execute the job when execution of the job is requested after the first activation process is executed; the control device records, in a non-volatile storage device, operation history information that can identify an initial operation frequency, which is a frequency at which some or all of the processing devices operate in response to the first execution of the job after the first startup process has been executed for the processing devices; the control device sets the startup specification information based on the initial operation frequency specified by the operation history information.

2. the control device records, in the non-volatile storage device, the operation history information including information capable of specifying an operation frequency of one or more times, which is a frequency at which the processing devices operate one or more times due to execution of the job from the time when the first startup process is executed for some or all of the processing devices until the processing devices transition to the hibernation state; The image processing device control method according to claim 1 , further comprising: the control device setting the startup specification information based on the first operation frequency and the one or more operation frequencies specified by the operation history information.

3. The image processing device control method of claim 1 or claim 2 further comprises: when one or more non-target devices other than the target device among the plurality of processing devices are in the hibernation state when the job is executed, the control device executes a third startup process to transition the non-target devices in the hibernation state to the standby state in parallel with the execution of the job by the target device.

4. 3. The image processing apparatus control method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of processing devices include an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and an image reading unit that reads an image of an original.

5. the control device records the operation history information in association with some or all of the month, date, and day of the week on which the first startup process was executed; 3. The image processing device control method of claim 1, further comprising: the control device setting the startup designation information based on the operation history information corresponding to some or all of the month, day, and day of the week when the plurality of processing devices transition to the hibernation state.

6. a plurality of processing devices that can be switched between a standby state in which different types of image processing can be performed in response to a request and a sleep state in which power consumption is lower than that of the standby state; 3. An image processing apparatus comprising: a control device that implements the image processing apparatus control method according to claim 1.

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