Electronic device, method for controlling electronic device, and program

Abstract

To improve user convenience. [Solution] An electronic device that performs an automatic power-off function, comprising: setting means for setting first setting information for performing the automatic power-off function when the electronic device is in a first state; second setting information for performing the automatic power-off function when the electronic device is in a second state different from the first state; and execution means for performing the automatic power-off function based on the first setting information when the electronic device is in a first state, and performing the automatic power-off function based on the second setting information when the electronic device is in a second state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, a control method for an electronic device, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there are products equipped with a mechanism that automatically turns off the power of a device when it is not in operation in order to suppress the power consumption of electrical appliances. Power saving has become an important function from the perspective of contributing to the global warming problem. In recent years, various countries have been implementing power saving-related regulations, and electrical appliances are increasingly required to comply with the regulations of the sales region.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, a technique for switching the time from when a printer becomes non-operational to when the power is turned off according to the power source type (AC adapter connection or battery connection) is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] One of the power saving-related regulations is that in the stand-alone state, the device must automatically turn off the power within a specified time. However, in conventional electronic devices such as printers, there is only one automatic power off setting, and the automatic power off setting cannot be changed according to the state of the printer. Therefore, the following user requirements cannot be met, and there is a problem that the usability deteriorates.

[0006] In other words, when the printer is connected to a network, there is a desire to disable automatic power-off so that the printer's status can be checked remotely. On the other hand, when the printer is not connected to a network (standalone mode), there is a desire to set a shorter automatic power-off time, as the printer only needs to be powered on when the user is physically present to use it.

[0007] The invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 only allows switching the time between when the printer becomes inactive and when the power is turned off, depending on the type of power supply, and therefore does not address this problem.

[0008] This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems and provides an electronic device, a control method for the electronic device, and a program that can improve user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention relates to an electronic device capable of performing an automatic power-off function, comprising: setting means for setting first setting information for performing the automatic power-off function when the electronic device is in a first state; second setting information for performing the automatic power-off function when the electronic device is in a second state different from the first state; and execution means for performing the automatic power-off function based on the first setting information when the electronic device is in a first state, and performing the automatic power-off function based on the second setting information when the electronic device is in a second state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve user convenience. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] A functional block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the MFP100 in the first embodiment. [Figure 2]This diagram shows the settings screen for configuring automatic power-off settings in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] A flowchart illustrating the automatic power-off operation of the MFP100 in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] A flowchart for determining whether the MFP100 is in a standalone state or a non-standalone state in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the settings screen for configuring automatic power-off in the second embodiment. [Figure 6] A flowchart illustrating the automatic power-off operation of the MFP100 in the second embodiment. [Figure 7] This diagram shows a settings screen for configuring automatic power-off settings in other embodiments (invalid settings are grayed out). [Figure 8] In another embodiment, the diagram shows a settings screen for configuring automatic power-off settings (with added information indicating valid settings). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are not intended to limit the claims of this disclosure, and not all combinations of features described in these embodiments are necessarily essential to the solutions of this disclosure. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, identical or similar components are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0013] (First embodiment) Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of an MFP100, which is one embodiment of the electronic device of the present invention. In the MFP100, the CPU101 is the system control unit and controls the entire MFP100. The ROM102 stores fixed data such as control programs, data tables, and embedded operating system (OS) programs executed by the CPU101. In this embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM102 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM102. The RAM103 is composed of SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or the like, which requires a backup power supply, and the data is held by a primary battery for data backup (not shown). The RAM103 stores program control variables and the like, whose data should not be erased. A memory area is also provided to store user-registered settings and management data for the MFP100. For example, user-registered settings include network settings, and memory areas are provided to store the enable / disable status of wired LAN, Wi-Fi, and wireless direct. These settings are manually set by the user using the display operation unit 108, which will be described later. After turning on the MFP100, the LAN settings screen can be displayed by selecting the following menus in order from the TOP screen (not shown) displayed on the display control unit 108: Settings menu, Main unit settings, and LAN settings.

[0014] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a memory area is provided to store setting information for "Automatic Power Off (LAN / USB Connection)" and "Automatic Power Off (LAN / USB Not Connected)" (six types: none, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 120 minutes, 240 minutes). Initial values ​​are stored as "never" for "Automatic Power Off (LAN / USB Connection)" and "15 minutes" for "Automatic Power Off (LAN / USB Not Connected)". In this way, in this embodiment, by setting a predetermined time as the initial value for the setting time of "Automatic Power Off (LAN / USB Not Connected)", it is possible to comply with regulations that require the device to automatically power off within a specified time in standalone mode.

[0015] The image memory 104 is composed of DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and stores image data. A portion of the memory is reserved as a work area for executing software processing. The data conversion unit 105 performs image data conversion, such as parsing of page description language (PDL) and character data conversion into computer graphics (CG).

[0016] The reading control unit 106 processes the image signal, which has been optically read by the reading unit 107 using a CIS image sensor and converted into electrical image data, through an image processing control unit (not shown), performing various image processing such as binarization and halftone processing to output high-resolution image data. The reading control unit 106 and the reading unit 107 may use either of the following two control methods. The first method is a sheet reading control method in which the document is transported and read by a fixed CIS image sensor. The second method is a book reading control method in which the document fixed to the document glass is scanned by a moving CIS image sensor. The display operation unit 108 consists of keys such as numerical input keys, mode setting keys, OK keys, and cancel keys, and a display unit such as an LED (light-emitting diode) or LCD (liquid crystal display), allowing the user to activate various functions and settings of the multifunction device. It can also display screens and operation units for setting "automatic power off (LAN / USB connection)" and "automatic power off (LAN / USB not connected)".

[0017] The FAX communication control unit 109 is connected to a telephone line and transmits and receives FAX images to and from a FAX machine (not shown). The resolution conversion processing unit 110 performs resolution conversion control of input image data and output image data and enlargement / reduction processing of image data. The coding / decoding processing unit 111 performs mutual coding / decoding processing of image data (non-compressed, MH, MR, MMR, JBIG, JPEG, etc.) handled by the MFP 100 and enlargement / reduction processing. The recording control unit 112 performs various image processes such as smoothing processing, recording density correction processing, and color correction on the image data to be printed via an image processing control unit (not shown), converts it into high-definition image data, and outputs it to the recording unit 113. The recording unit 113 is a recording unit composed of a laser beam printer, an inkjet printer, etc., and prints the color image data or monochrome image data generated by the recording control unit 112 on a printing member fed from the paper feed port 114. The paper feed port 114 is composed of one or more paper feed ports such as an ASF and a paper feed cassette, and papers of different paper sizes can be inserted for each paper feed port. The USB function control unit 115 performs communication control of the USB interface and performs protocol control in accordance with the USB communication standard. It converts data from the USB function control task executed by the CPU 101 into packets and transmits USB packets to a PC (not shown), or conversely, converts USB packets from the PC into data and transmits them to the CPU 101. The communication unit 116 communicates with terminals on a network (a network capable of communication according to TCP / IP) via wireless communication or a wired LAN. The communication unit 116 is assumed to be capable of data (packet) communication in a network system compliant with, for example, the IEEE802.11 series with an AP or a PC (not shown).

[0018] The automatic power-off control unit 117 controls to set an appropriate automatic power-off time based on the settings of "Automatic Power-off (LAN / USB Connected)" and "Automatic Power-off (LAN / USB Not Connected)" and the state of the MFP 100. Also, it counts the time when the MFP 100 is not operating, and when the set automatic power-off time is reached, it controls to execute the process of the automatic power-off function. The above components 101 to 106, 108 to 117 are interconnected via the CPU bus 121 managed by the CPU 101.

[0019] In this embodiment, items for setting two automatic power-off settings of "Automatic Power-off (LAN / USB Connected)" and "Automatic Power-off (LAN / USB Not Connected)" are displayed on the setting screen (power saving setting screen) of the display operation unit 108. Then, the user can perform two automatic power-off settings of "Automatic Power-off (LAN / USB Connected)" and "Automatic Power-off (LAN / USB Not Connected)" via the display operation unit 108. And the setting information of the two automatic power-off settings of "Automatic Power-off (LAN / USB Connected)" and "Automatic Power-off (LAN / USB Not Connected)" set according to the user instruction is stored in the RAM 103. In this embodiment, the stand-alone state is described as, for example, a state in which an electronic device can be used independently without being connected to other devices or a network (hereinafter, also referred to as the first state). Conversely, the non-stand-alone state is described as, for example, a state in which an electronic device can be used while being connected to other devices or a network (hereinafter, also referred to as the second state). Also, the power-off is described as a so-called soft-off state (a state in which power is supplied to at least some components), where the power consumption is smaller than the normal startup state, rather than a hard-off state in which the power cord is unplugged from the power plug and disconnected from the commercial power supply (a state in which no power is supplied to each component).

[0020] Figure 2 shows an example of a setting screen for performing two automatic power-off settings on the display operation unit 108 of the MFP100 in this embodiment. After the MFP100 is powered on, the user can transition to the power-saving settings screen 200 by selecting the following menus in order from the TOP screen (not shown) displayed on the display operation unit 108: Settings menu, Main unit settings, Power saving settings. The power-saving settings screen 200 displays three setting items: "Automatic power off (LAN / USB connected)" 201, "Automatic power off (LAN / USB not connected)" 202, and "Automatic power on" 203, allowing the user to perform each setting. The current settings for the three settings are stored in the RAM 103, and are retrieved from the RAM 103 and displayed before the power-saving settings screen 200 is displayed.

[0021] In "Automatic Power Off (LAN / USB Connection)" 201, you can change the automatic power off time when the LAN or USB is connected (non-standalone state). The current value displayed is "Never" obtained from RAM103, but selecting this will display six options: "Never, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 120 minutes, 240 minutes," allowing you to change the setting. The changed value will then be stored in RAM103. Similarly, in "Automatic Power Off (LAN / USB Not Connected)" 202, you can change the automatic power off time when the LAN or USB is not connected (standalone state). The current value displayed is "30 minutes" obtained from RAM103, but selecting this will display six options, similar to "Automatic Power Off (LAN / USB Connection)" 201, allowing you to change the setting. The changed value will then be stored in RAM103.

[0022] Furthermore, the "Automatic Power On" setting 203 allows you to change the automatic power on setting. The current value displayed is "Enable," obtained from RAM 103, but selecting this will display the options "Do not enable" and "Enable," allowing you to change the setting. The changed value is stored in RAM 103. When "Automatic Power On" is set to "Enable," the automatic power on function is activated, and when the MFP 100 receives part of an external job while powered off, it will power on and execute the job. For example, if a scan job is received from a PC (not shown) via the USB function control unit 115, or a print job is received from a smartphone (not shown) via the communication unit 116, the MFP 100 will power on and execute the scan or print.

[0023] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the automatic power-off operation of the MFP100 in this embodiment. When the MFP100 is powered on, the automatic power-off control unit 117 starts a timer at regular intervals. When the timer process that is started at regular intervals begins, this flowchart starts. This flowchart is implemented by the CPU 101 reading the programs for implementing each control module stored in the ROM 102 into the RAM 103 and executing them. Note that some or all of the functions of the steps in Figure 3 may be implemented by hardware such as an ASIC or electronic circuit. Also, the symbol "S" in the description of each process means that it is a step in the flowchart (the same applies to flowcharts in this specification hereafter).

[0024] First, in S301, CPU101 checks whether MFP100 is in a standalone or non-standalone state. This check process will be described later using Figure 4.

[0025] Next, in S302, the CPU 101 determines whether the result of the check in S301 has changed from the previous state. If it determines that there has been no change, the process proceeds to S306; if it determines that there has been a change, the process proceeds to S303. In S303, the CPU 101 determines whether the result of the check in S301 is a standalone state. If it is not a standalone state, the process proceeds to S304, and the time stored as the setting information for "Automatic power off (LAN / USB connected)" in RAM 103 is set as the automatic power off time. On the other hand, if it is a standalone state, the process proceeds to S305, and the time stored as the setting information for "Automatic power off (LAN / USB not connected)" in RAM 103 is set as the automatic power off time.

[0026] Here, the automatic power-off time stored in RAM 103, which is set in S304 and S305, can be set by the user using the power saving settings screen 200, as explained in Figure 2, and the power saving settings screen 500, which will be described later in Figure 5. If the user has not set an automatic power-off time, the automatic power-off time registered as the initial value in RAM 103 will be set. In addition, in S304 and S305, the count used to measure the non-operation time, which will be described later, may be cleared.

[0027] Next, in S306, the CPU 101 determines whether the MFP 100 is operational. To determine if it is operational, conditions such as not having any jobs running (printing, scanning, etc.), not having a user operating the display operation unit 108, and not having any errors are checked, and if all conditions are met, it is determined to be "not operational". However, this is just one example of how to determine whether the MFP 100 is operational, and the determination may be based on other conditions, or if it is determined to be not operational when at least some of the above conditions are met. For example, the condition for determining whether it is operational may be to add whether the automatic power-off time set in S304 or S305 is set to "do not". If the automatic power-off time is set to "do not", the automatic power-off will not be performed, so it can always be determined to be operational. If it is determined that the MFP 100 is operational, the process proceeds to S307, and if it is determined that the MFP 100 is not operational, the process proceeds to S308.

[0028] In S307, CPU101 clears the counter that measures idle time and terminates the timer process. On the other hand, in S308, CPU101 increments the counter that measures idle time. Subsequently, in S309, CPU101 compares the automatic power-off time set in S304 or S305 with the idle time counter incremented in S308 to determine if the set automatic power-off time has been reached. If the automatic power-off time has not elapsed, the timer process terminates; if the automatic power-off time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S310. For example, if 30 minutes is set as the setting information for "Automatic power-off (LAN / USB not connected)" in RAM103, and it is determined in S301 that the device is in a standalone state, then 30 minutes is set as the automatic power-off time in S305. In this case, in S309, CPU101 determines whether the counter value has exceeded 30 minutes. Next, in S310, the CPU 101 performs the power-off process for the MFP 100, and then terminates the timer process. The power-off process in S310 is the same as when a user presses the power button (not shown) on the display operation unit 108, and the MFP 100 is powered off.

[0029] Figure 4 is a flowchart for determining whether the MFP100 is in a standalone or non-standalone state in this embodiment. In S401, the CPU 101 determines whether the network settings of the MFP100 are enabled. There are three network settings: wired LAN, Wi-Fi, and wireless direct. If even one of them is set to enabled, it is determined to be enabled, and the process proceeds to S405. On the other hand, if all three—wired LAN, Wi-Fi, and wireless direct—are set to disabled, the process proceeds to S402. Next, in S402, the MFP100 uses the USB function control unit 115 to determine whether it is connected to a PC (not shown) via USB. The method for determining whether USB is connected is to check whether the USB VBUS is on. If the MFP100 is physically connected to a PC (not shown) via a USB cable and the PC is powered on, the VBUS is on. If the PC is not powered on, the VBUS is off. If it is determined that the USB is connected with the USB VBUS on, the process proceeds to S405. On the other hand, if the USB VBUS is turned off and it is determined that the USB is not connected, the process proceeds to S403. Next, in S403, the CPU 101 determines whether the FAX communication control unit of the MFP 100 is connected to a telephone line. If it is connected to a FAX line, the process proceeds to S405. On the other hand, if it is not connected to a FAX line, the process proceeds to S404. In S404, the CPU 101 determines that the state of the MFP 100 is a standalone state and terminates the process. Also in S404, the CPU 101 determines that the state of the MFP 100 is a non-standalone state and terminates the process.

[0030] As described above, according to this embodiment, the setting screen (power saving setting screen) of the display operation unit 108 displays setting items for setting two automatic power off settings: "Automatic power off (LAN / USB connected)" and "Automatic power off (LAN / USB not connected)". The user can then set the two automatic power off settings, "Automatic power off (LAN / USB connected)" (non-standalone state) and "Automatic power off (LAN / USB not connected)" (standalone state), via the display operation unit 108. This improves user convenience. Furthermore, it enables automatic power off settings according to the state of the electronic device (standalone state / non-standalone state), making it possible to efficiently reduce power consumption.

[0031] In this embodiment, an example of changing "Automatic power off (LAN / USB connected)" or "Automatic power off (LAN / USB not connected)" from the setting screen (Figure 2) displayed on the display operation unit 108 is shown, but the system is not limited to this. The USB function control unit 115 and the communication unit 116 may be used to communicate with applications and drivers on a PC (not shown) to change the settings. Alternatively, the settings may be changed by communicating with the web server unit (not shown) of the MFP100 from a browser on a PC (not shown).

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the setting of the automatic power-off time in S301 to S305 was explained using the timer processing shown in Figure 3 as an example, but it is not limited to this. The automatic power-off time may be reset when the standalone state changes, or when the user changes the settings from the settings screen shown in Figure 2.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, while we have described determining whether the network setting is enabled within the standalone state determination process shown in Figure 4, the method is not limited to this. Instead of determining whether the network setting is enabled, we may also determine whether the device is actually connected to a network or whether it is communicating with a PC (not shown) via the network. Similarly, while we have described determining whether the USB connection is connected to a PC (not shown), the method is not limited to this. The MFP100 may also be configured to determine whether the USB connection is enabled.

[0034] (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, setting items for setting two automatic power-off settings, "Automatic power off (LAN / USB connected)" and "Automatic power off (LAN / USB not connected)," were displayed on the setting screen (power saving setting screen) of the display operation unit 108. This allows for setting two automatic power-off settings, "Automatic power off (LAN / USB connected)" and "Automatic power off (LAN / USB not connected)." In the second embodiment, a configuration in which two automatic power-off settings, "Automatic power off (LAN / USB connected)" and "Automatic power off (LAN / USB not connected)," are performed with a single setting item will be described. Note that components already described in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0035] Figure 5 shows an example of a setting screen displayed on the display operation unit 108 of the MFP100 in this embodiment. In the power saving setting screen 500 of this embodiment, two setting items, "Automatic Power Off" 501 and "Automatic Power On" 502, are displayed, and the user can instruct and change the setting of each. In this embodiment, two automatic power off settings, "Automatic Power Off (LAN / USB connected)" and "Automatic Power Off (LAN / USB not connected)," can be made with a single setting item, "Automatic Power Off" 501. The RAM 103 stores three current setting values ​​(setting information): "Automatic Power Off (LAN / USB connected)," "Automatic Power Off (LAN / USB not connected)," and "Automatic Power On." These values ​​are retrieved from the RAM 103 and displayed before the power saving setting screen 500 is displayed. At this time, whether to display and set the value of "Automatic Power Off (LAN / USB connected)" or "Automatic Power Off (LAN / USB not connected)" in "Automatic Power Off" 501 will be described later using Figure 6.

[0036] As shown in Figure 5, the "Automatic Power Off" 501 displays "30 minutes" as the current value obtained from RAM 103. However, selecting this option displays six choices: "Never, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 120 minutes, 240 minutes," allowing the setting to be changed. The changed value is stored in RAM 103. The "Automatic Power On" 502 is the same as the "Automatic Power On" 203 in the first embodiment, so its explanation is omitted.

[0037] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of setting up automatic power off when the MFP100 displays one automatic power off setting item on the display operation unit 108 in this embodiment. The processes of S601 and S602 are the same as S301 and S303, respectively, so their explanation is omitted.

[0038] In S603, since the current state of MFP100 is not standalone, CPU101 retrieves the value stored in RAM103's "Automatic Power Off (LAN / USB Connection)" and displays it as the current value in "Automatic Power Off" 501. Also, if the user changes the value from the current value, RAM103's "Automatic Power Off (LAN / USB Connection)" is updated to one of the changed values: "Never, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 120 minutes, 240 minutes".

[0039] On the other hand, in S604, since the current state of MFP100 is standalone, CPU101 retrieves the value stored in RAM103's "Automatic Power Off (LAN / USB Not Connected)" and displays it as the current value in "Automatic Power Off" 501. Also, if the user changes the current value, RAM103's "Automatic Power Off (LAN / USB Not Connected)" is updated to one of the changed values: "Never, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 120 minutes, 240 minutes".

[0040] As for subsequent processing, in this embodiment as well, the processes from S306 onwards in Figure 3 are executed, but since this has already been explained in the first embodiment, it is omitted from the drawings and the explanation is also omitted.

[0041] As described above, according to this embodiment, one setting item is displayed on the setting screen (power saving setting screen) of the display operation unit 108, and the automatic power off setting for the current state of the MFP100 can be configured. In other words, even with just one setting item, if the state of the MFP100 is set to standalone state, the standalone state automatic power off setting can be configured, and if the state of the FP100 is set to non-standalone state, the non-standalone state automatic power off setting can be configured. In this embodiment, two automatic power off settings, "automatic power off (LAN / USB connected)" (non-standalone state) and "automatic power off (LAN / USB not connected)" (standalone state), can be configured via a single setting item. This improves user convenience. Furthermore, it is possible to realize automatic power off settings according to the state of the electronic device (standalone state / non-standalone state), making it possible to efficiently reduce power consumption.

[0042] In this embodiment, the "Automatic Power Off" setting was explained using the display operation unit 108 to access the settings screen shown in Figure 5, but this is not the only way to change the setting. The USB function control unit 115 and the communication unit 116 may be used to communicate with applications and drivers on a PC (not shown) to change the setting. Alternatively, the setting may be changed by communicating with the web server unit of the MFP100 (not shown) from a browser on a PC (not shown).

[0043] (Other embodiments) In the first embodiment, the settings screen displayed on the display operation unit 108 (Figure 2) allows users to set "Automatic power off (LAN / USB connected)" and "Automatic power off (LAN / USB not connected)". However, the user cannot determine which automatic power off setting the MFP100 is currently operating under.

[0044] Figure 7 shows a modified version of the settings screen for setting automatic power off (invalid settings are grayed out). In the example in Figure 7, two automatic power off setting items are displayed on the settings screen of the display operation unit 108, and the currently invalid automatic power off setting cannot be implemented. That is, the power saving settings screen 700 determines whether the device is in a standalone state in order to display the screen, and grays out the currently invalid automatic power off setting. In Figure 7, the determination of whether the device is in a standalone state was found to be in a non-standalone state, so "Automatic Power Off (LAN / USB Not Connected)" 701 is grayed out, and even if this section is selected, the setting cannot be changed (setting is disabled). By using such a power saving settings screen, users can easily understand which automatic power off setting the MFP100 is currently operating under.

[0045] Figure 8 shows a modified version of the setting screen for automatic power-off settings (with added information indicating the active setting). In the example in Figure 8, two automatic power-off setting items are displayed on the display operation unit 108, making it clear which automatic power-off setting is currently active. In other words, the power saving setting screen 800 determines whether the device is in a standalone state in order to display the screen, and adds information to the setting item of that automatic power-off setting so that the user can see which automatic power-off setting is currently active. In Figure 8, the determination of whether the device is in a standalone state was made, and since it was determined to be in a non-standalone state, the display (information) "Applied" 801 is added to indicate that "Automatic Power Off (LAN / USB Connection)" is active. By using such a power saving setting screen, the user can easily understand which automatic power-off setting the MFP100 is currently operating under.

[0046] The embodiments described above can also be realized by performing the following process: supplying software (programs) that realize the functions of the embodiments described above to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and having the computer (CPU, MPU, etc.) of that system or device read and execute the program. The program may be executed on a single computer or executed in conjunction with multiple computers. Furthermore, it is not necessary to realize all of the above processes in software; some or all of the processes may be realized in hardware such as ASICs. Also, the CPU is not limited to one CPU that performs all the processing; multiple CPUs may perform the processing in coordination as appropriate.

[0047] Furthermore, the functionality of the aforementioned embodiment is not only realized by the execution of program code read by the computer. It also includes cases where the operating system running on the computer performs some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of that program code, and the functionality of the aforementioned embodiment is realized through that processing.

[0048] This embodiment includes the following configurations, methods, and programs.

[0049] (Composition 1) An electronic device that performs an automatic power-off function, Setting means for setting first setting information for executing the automatic power-off function when the electronic device is in a first state, and second setting information for executing the automatic power-off function when the electronic device is in a second state different from the first state, An execution means that executes an automatic power-off function based on the first setting information when the electronic device is in a first state, and executes an automatic power-off function based on the second setting information when the electronic device is in a second state, An electronic device characterized by having the following features.

[0050] (Configuration 2) The electronic device according to Configuration 1, wherein the setting means displays a first setting item for setting the first setting information and a second setting item for setting the second setting information on the display unit of the electronic device, and sets the first setting information and the second setting information based on user instructions for the first setting item and the second setting item.

[0051] (Composition 3) The electronic device according to configuration 2, characterized in that the second setting item cannot be set when the electronic device is in the first state, and the first setting item cannot be set when the electronic device is in the second state.

[0052] (Composition 4) The electronic device according to configuration 2, characterized in that when the electronic device is in the first state, information indicating that the electronic device is in the first state is added to the first setting item, and when the electronic device is in the second state, information indicating that the electronic device is in the second state is added to the second setting item.

[0053] (Composition 5) The setting means displays a single setting item for setting the first setting information and the second setting information on the display unit of the electronic device, and sets the first setting information and the second setting information based on user instructions for the single setting item. The electronic device according to configuration 1, characterized in that the single setting item allows setting first setting information when the electronic device is in a first state, and allows setting second setting information when the electronic device is in a second state.

[0054] (Composition 6) The electronic device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that the first state is a standalone state and the second state is a non-standalone state.

[0055] (Composition 7) The electronic device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, further comprising determination means for determining whether the electronic device is in the first state or the second state.

[0056] (Composition 8) The electronic device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, characterized in that the first setting information is a set time from when the electronic device is determined to be in a non-operational state in the first state until it is automatically powered off, and the second setting information is a set time from when the electronic device is determined to be in a non-operational state in the second state until it is automatically powered off.

[0057] (Composition 9) The electronic device according to configuration 8, characterized in that the first setting information and the second setting information can further be configured to include information that the automatic power-off function is not enabled.

[0058] (Composition 10) The electronic device according to configuration 8 or 9, characterized in that the electronic device is determined to be in a non-operational state when it satisfies at least one of the following conditions: the electronic device is not currently executing a job, the display unit of the electronic device is not being operated by a user, and no errors have occurred.

[0059] (Composition 11) The electronic device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, characterized in that the first state is a standalone state, and the initial value of the first setting information is set to a predetermined time as the setting time from when the electronic device is determined to be in a non-operational state in the first state until it is automatically powered off.

[0060] (Composition 12) The electronic device according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, characterized in that the electronic device is a printer. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0061] 100 MFP 101 CPU 103 RAM 108 Display operation section 117 Automatic power off control unit

Claims

1. An electronic device that performs an automatic power-off function, Setting means for setting first setting information for executing the automatic power-off function when the electronic device is in a first state, and second setting information for executing the automatic power-off function when the electronic device is in a second state different from the first state, An execution means that executes an automatic power-off function based on the first setting information when the electronic device is in a first state, and executes an automatic power-off function based on the second setting information when the electronic device is in a second state, An electronic device characterized by having the following features.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the setting means displays a first setting item for setting the first setting information and a second setting item for setting the second setting information on the display unit of the electronic device, and sets the first setting information and the second setting information based on user instructions for the first setting item and the second setting item.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, characterized in that the second setting item cannot be set when the electronic device is in the first state, and the first setting item cannot be set when the electronic device is in the second state.

4. The electronic device according to claim 2, characterized in that when the electronic device is in the first state, information indicating that the electronic device is in the first state is added to the first setting item, and when the electronic device is in the second state, information indicating that the electronic device is in the second state is added to the second setting item.

5. The setting means displays a single setting item for setting the first setting information and the second setting information on the display unit of the electronic device, and sets the first setting information and the second setting information based on user instructions for the single setting item. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the single setting item allows setting first setting information when the electronic device is in a first state, and allows setting second setting information when the electronic device is in a second state.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first state is a standalone state and the second state is a non-standalone state.

7. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising determination means for determining whether the electronic device is in the first state or the second state.

8. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first setting information is a set time from when the electronic device is determined to be in a non-operational state in the first state until it is automatically powered off, and the second setting information is a set time from when the electronic device is determined to be in a non-operational state in the second state until it is automatically powered off.

9. The electronic device according to claim 8, characterized in that the first setting information and the second setting information can further be configured to include information that the automatic power-off function is not enabled.

10. The electronic device according to claim 8, characterized in that the electronic device is determined to be in a non-operational state when it satisfies at least one of the following conditions: the electronic device is not executing a job, the display unit of the electronic device is not being operated by a user, and no error has occurred.

11. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first state is a standalone state, and the initial value of the first setting information is set to a predetermined time as the setting time from when the electronic device is determined to be in a non-operational state in the first state until it is automatically powered off.

12. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic device is a printer.

13. A control method for electronic equipment that performs an automatic power-off function, The steps include setting first setting information for executing the automatic power-off function when the electronic device is in a first state, and second setting information for executing the automatic power-off function when the electronic device is in a second state different from the first state, An execution step which includes executing an automatic power-off function based on the first setting information when the electronic device is in a first state, and executing an automatic power-off function based on the second setting information when the electronic device is in a second state, A control method characterized by having the following features.

14. A program for causing a computer to function as an electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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