Electronic equipment, power control methods, and programs

Abstract

The present invention provides electronic devices, power control methods, and programs that can reduce unnecessary power consumption while minimizing a decrease in user convenience. [Solution] An electronic device comprising: a first detection unit for detecting the usage status of the electronic device; a second detection unit for detecting the network connection status to the electronic device; and a power control unit for performing power control to the electronic device according to the usage status detected by the first detection unit and the connection status detected by the second detection unit.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Techniques related to power saving control that shift to a power saving mode when the user is not using the device and reduce power consumption are generally known.

[0003] As a technique for reducing such power consumption, a configuration is disclosed in which the power is turned off when the device becomes inoperable and cannot be restored, or when the connection to the UI device is cut off for a long time in order to reduce power consumption (for example, Patent Document 1).

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional technology, when connected to a network, it is necessary to maintain a minimum amount of power for control via the network, and the power of the device cannot be completely turned off, so it is difficult to further reduce power consumption. There is a problem. Furthermore, in order to reduce power consumption, a technique of immediately turning off the power of the device when the user is not using the device and the network is not connected is also conceivable. However, in this method, the power is turned off immediately after the user finishes using the device, so it takes time to turn on the power of the device when the user uses it again, which also causes a problem of poor usability.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic device, a power control method, and a program that can suppress unnecessary power consumption while suppressing a decrease in user convenience.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the present invention is an electronic device comprising: a first detection unit for detecting the usage state of the electronic device; a second detection unit for detecting the network connection state to the electronic device; and a power control unit for performing power control to the electronic device according to the usage state detected by the first detection unit and the connection state detected by the second detection unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce unnecessary power consumption while suppressing a decrease in user convenience. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of the overall appearance of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of a functional block in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the power control flow of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the power control flow of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the power control flow of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the electronic device, power control method, and program according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited by the following embodiments, and the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily conceivable by those skilled in the art, substantially identical, and so-called equivalents. Moreover, various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations of components can be made without departing from the spirit of the following embodiments.

[0010] (External configuration of the image forming apparatus) Figure 1 shows an example of the overall external appearance of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. The overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1 is an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) having at least two functions from among, for example, a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a fax function. As shown in Figure 1, the image forming apparatus 1 comprises a main unit 2, a bank option 3, a paper output option 4, and an operation panel 940.

[0012] Note that the image forming apparatus 1 is an example of an "electronic device" according to the present invention. The "electronic device" according to the present invention includes not only the image forming apparatus 1, but also other image forming apparatuses other than MFPs, information processing devices such as PCs (Personal Computers), fax machines, image reading devices, etc. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 will be described as an example of an "electronic device".

[0013] The main unit 2 is a device that forms images on paper fed from bank option 3 in response to user operations on the control panel 940. The main unit 2 is equipped with, for example, a heat source such as a fixing unit for fixing colorants to the image-formed paper or a drying device for drying it.

[0014] Bank Option 3 is an optional device that holds paper and feeds it to the main unit 2 in response to commands from the main unit 2.

[0015] The paper discharge option 4 is an option device that performs a paper discharge operation on the paper on which an image is formed by the main body 2 in response to a command from the main body 2.

[0016] The operation panel 940 is a device that accepts operations from the user and displays various screens and the like.

[0017] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the bank option 3 and the paper discharge option 4 are exemplified as the option devices provided in the image forming apparatus 1, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and another option device such as an automatic duplex document feeder (ARDF: Automatic Reversing Document Feeder) or a card reader may be provided.

[0018] (Hardware Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. With reference to FIG. 2, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a controller 910, a short-range communication circuit 920, an engine control unit 930, an operation panel 940, and a network I / F 950.

[0020] The controller 910 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901 which is the main part of a computer, a MEM-P (system memory) 90 (should be 902), an NB (North Bridge) 903, an SB (South Bridge) 904, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 906, a MEM-C (local memory) 907, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 908, and an HD 909. Among these, the NB 903 and the ASIC 906 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 921.

[0021] The CPU 901 is an arithmetic unit that performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 1. The NB 903 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 901 to the MEM-P 902, the SB 904, and the AGP bus 921, and has a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 902, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target.

[0022] The MEM-P 902 includes a ROM 902a that is a memory for storing programs and data for realizing each function of the controller 910, and a RAM 902b that is used as a memory for developing programs and data, a drawing memory at the time of memory printing, and the like. Note that the programs stored in the RAM 902b may be configured to be recorded and provided on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable), or a DVD in an installable or executable file format.

[0023] SB904 is a bridge for connecting NB903 to PCI devices and peripheral devices. ASIC906 is an integrated circuit (IC) for image processing applications that has hardware elements for image processing and acts as a bridge connecting the AGP bus 921, PCI bus 922, HDD controller 908, and MEM-C907, respectively. ASIC906 includes a PCI target and AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of ASIC906, a memory controller that controls MEM-C907, multiple DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that perform image data rotation etc. using hardware logic, and a PCI unit that performs data transfer via PCI bus 922 between the scanner unit 931 and the printer unit 932. Note that ASIC906 may be connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or an IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface.

[0024] MEM-C907 is local memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer. HD909 is storage for storing image data, font data used during printing, and forms. HDD controller 908 is a controller that controls the reading or writing of data to HD909 according to the control of CPU 901. Note that HDD controller 908 and HD909 may be SSDs (Solid State Drives).

[0025] The AGP bus 921 is a bus interface for graphics accelerator cards proposed to accelerate graphics processing, and by providing high-throughput direct access to the MEM-P902, it can speed up graphics accelerator cards.

[0026] The near-field communication circuit 920 is a communication circuit such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The near-field communication circuit 920 is electrically connected to the ASIC 906 via the PCI bus 922. An antenna 920a for wireless communication is connected to the near-field communication circuit 920.

[0027] The engine control unit 930 controls the scanner unit 931, which performs reading operations, and the printer unit 932, which performs image formation.

[0028] The control panel 940 includes a panel display unit 940a, such as a touch panel, which displays the current settings or selection screen and accepts input from the user, and a hard key 940b consisting of a numeric keypad that accepts setting values ​​for image formation conditions such as density settings, and a start key that accepts a copy start command.

[0029] The image forming apparatus 1 allows the user to sequentially switch between document box function, copy function, printer function, and fax function using the application switching key on the operation panel 940. When the document box function is selected, the system switches to document box mode; when the copy function is selected, it switches to copy mode; when the printer function is selected, it switches to printer mode; and when the fax function is selected, it switches to fax mode.

[0030] The Network I / F950 is an interface for data communication over a network, and is capable of communication compliant with protocols such as Ethernet® and TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP (Internet Protocol). The Network I / F950 is electrically connected to the ASIC906 via PCI bus 922.

[0031] Note that the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in Figure 2 is an example, and it is not necessary to include all the components shown in Figure 2, or other components may be included.

[0032] (Configuration and operation of the functional blocks of the image forming apparatus) Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of a functional block in an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. The configuration and operation of the functional block of the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 3.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the controller 910 of the image forming apparatus 1 includes a usage detection unit 101 (first detection unit), a network connection detection unit 102 (second detection unit), a power control unit 103, and a display control unit 104.

[0034] The usage detection unit 101 is a functional unit that detects whether or not the image forming apparatus 1 is being used by a user. In other words, the usage detection unit 101 detects the usage status of the image forming apparatus 1. Here, the use of the image forming apparatus 1 includes not only operations on the operation panel 940 of the image forming apparatus 1 (panel display unit 940a and hard keys 940b), but also the execution of functions of the image forming apparatus 1 (for example, forming images by printing jobs) via the network from the user's external device. In other words, the state in which the image forming apparatus 1 is not being used indicates a state in which no operations are being performed on the operation panel 940 of the image forming apparatus 1, and no functions of the image forming apparatus 1 are being executed via the network.

[0035] Note that the term "network" includes not only LANs (Local Area Networks) or the Internet, which transmit data via the TCP / IP-compliant network interface 950 mentioned above, but also networks such as those used for data communication with external USB devices via a USB interface. In the following explanation, "network" will be described as a network used for data communication via the network interface 950.

[0036] The network connection detection unit 102 is a functional unit that detects whether the image forming apparatus 1 is connected to or disconnected from an external network via the network interface 950. In other words, the network connection detection unit 102 detects the network connection status to the image forming apparatus 1. Here, a connected network state indicates that the network function of the network interface 950 is enabled and data communication with external devices via the network is possible. A disconnected network state indicates that the network interface 950 is physically disconnected from the network, the network function of the network interface 950 is disabled by the settings of the image forming apparatus 1, or data communication via the network interface 950 is impossible due to factors on the external device side.

[0037] The power control unit 103 is a functional unit that controls the power of the image forming apparatus 1 according to its state. In this embodiment, the power control unit 103 controls the power of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the state of the network via the network I / F 950. The control of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the state of the network will be described in detail in Figures 4 to 6. Specifically, power control of the image forming apparatus 1 refers to controlling the switching of the power mode of the image forming apparatus 1. Possible power modes include, for example, a normal mode which is the normal power supply state, a power saving mode which puts the image forming apparatus 1 into a power saving state, and a power-off state where the power to the image forming apparatus 1 is turned off. The power saving state refers to a state in which power consumption is reduced by, for example, turning off the power to the panel display unit 940a of the operation panel 940, putting the printer unit 932 into a sleep state, and lowering the clock frequency of the CPU 901. Even in the power saving state, the network function of the network I / F 950 is active, and it is possible to accept jobs, etc.

[0038] Furthermore, when the power mode is in normal mode, the power control unit 103 switches to power saving mode if, for example, the usage detection unit 101 detects that the image forming apparatus 1 has been inactive for a predetermined period of time.

[0039] The display control unit 104 is a functional unit that controls the display operation of the panel display unit 940a of the operation panel 940.

[0040] The usage detection unit 101, network connection detection unit 102, power control unit 103, and display control unit 104 described above are implemented, for example, by a program executed by the CPU 901 shown in Figure 2. At least a portion of the usage detection unit 101, network connection detection unit 102, power control unit 103, and display control unit 104 may be implemented by hardware circuits such as FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) or ASICs.

[0041] It should be noted that the functional units of the controller 910 shown in Figure 3 are conceptual representations of their functions and are not limited to this configuration. In other words, each functional unit of the controller 910 does not need to be configured as a distinct software module as a block as shown in Figure 3; the functions of each functional unit can be realized as a whole by the execution of a program on the CPU 901 of the controller 910. For example, multiple functional units shown as independent functional units in the controller 910 in Figure 3 may be configured as a single functional unit. On the other hand, the functions of one functional unit in the controller 910 shown in Figure 3 may be divided into multiple functions and configured as multiple functional units. Furthermore, for example, if the operation panel 940 is equipped with a CPU, some of the above-mentioned usage detection unit 101, network connection detection unit 102, power control unit 103, and display control unit 104 may be realized by the execution of a program on that CPU.

[0042] (Regarding the power control flow of an image forming apparatus) Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the power control flow of an image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the power control flow of an image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the power control flow of an image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. The power control flow of the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figures 4 to 6.

[0043] First, referring to Figure 4, we will explain the power control of the image forming apparatus 1, specifically the power control in the event of a network disconnection being detected while the image forming apparatus 1 is in use.

[0044] <Step S11> If the usage detection unit 101 detects that the image forming apparatus 1 is in use (step S11: Yes), the process proceeds to step S12. If it is detected that the apparatus is not in use (step S11: No), the operation ends.

[0045] <Step S12> If the network connection detection unit 102 detects that the network has been disconnected (step S12: Yes), the process proceeds to step S13. If the network is detected to be connected (step S12: No), the process terminates. Note that the order of the determinations in steps S11 and S12 may be reversed.

[0046] <Step S13> Subsequently, if the user has finished using the image forming apparatus 1 and the usage detection unit 101 detects that the image forming apparatus 1 is not in use (step S13: Yes), the process proceeds to step S14. If the usage detection unit 101 subsequently detects that the image forming apparatus 1 is still in use (step S13: No), the process returns to step S12.

[0047] <Step S14> The power control unit 103 switches the power mode to power saving mode. Then, it proceeds to step S15.

[0048] <Step S15> Then, the power control unit 103 turns off the power to the image forming apparatus 1 after a predetermined time has elapsed since switching to power-saving mode. If the image forming apparatus 1 is used again before the predetermined time has elapsed since switching to power-saving mode, the power control unit 103 should switch the power mode back to normal mode.

[0049] Through the power control described above, the system switches to power-saving mode when the network is disconnected and the use of the image forming apparatus 1 ends, thereby reducing power consumption. Furthermore, if the user resumes using the image forming apparatus 1 before a predetermined time has elapsed, it can quickly return to normal mode, thus ensuring convenience. In addition, the power to the image forming apparatus 1 is turned off after a predetermined time has elapsed since switching to power-saving mode, further reducing power consumption.

[0050] Next, referring to Figure 5, we will explain the power control of the image forming apparatus 1 when a network disconnection is detected and the system is in power-saving mode.

[0051] <Step S21> If the network connection detection unit 102 detects that the network is disconnected (step S21: Yes), the process proceeds to step S22. If the network is detected to be connected (step S21: No), the process terminates.

[0052] <Step S22> Furthermore, if the power mode of the image forming apparatus 1 is power saving mode (step S22: Yes), the process proceeds to step S23; otherwise, the process terminates. Note that the determination order of steps S21 and S22 may be reversed.

[0053] <Step S23> Then, the power control unit 103 turns off the power to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0054] Through the power control described above, if the network is disconnected and the power mode is in power-saving mode, the power to the image forming apparatus 1 is immediately turned off, thereby enhancing the power-saving effect.

[0055] Next, referring to Figure 6, we will explain the power control of the image forming apparatus 1 when the network function is not used for an extended period of time.

[0056] <Step S31> If the network connection detection unit 102 detects that the network function has not been used for a predetermined period of time (step S31: Yes), the process proceeds to step S32. If it is not detected that the network function has not been used for a predetermined period of time (step S31: No), the operation terminates.

[0057] <Step S32> If the usage detection unit 101 detects that the image forming apparatus 1 is not in use (step S32: Yes), the process proceeds to step S33. If it detects that the apparatus is in use (step S32: No), the operation terminates.

[0058] <Step S33> Furthermore, if the power mode of the image forming apparatus 1 is power saving mode (step S33: Yes), the process proceeds to step S34; otherwise, the operation terminates. Note that the determination order of steps S32 and S33 may be reversed.

[0059] <Step S34> Then, the power control unit 103 turns off the power to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0060] Through the power control described above, even when a network is connected, if the network function is not used for a predetermined period of time, the image forming apparatus 1 is not in use, and the system is in power-saving mode, the power to the image forming apparatus 1 is immediately turned off, thereby enhancing the power-saving effect.

[0061] Furthermore, the operations of steps S11 to S15 in Figure 4, steps S21 to S23 in Figure 5, and steps S31 to S34 in Figure 6 are repeated as long as the image forming apparatus 1 is not powered off.

[0062] As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, the usage detection unit 101 detects the usage status of the image forming apparatus 1, the network connection detection unit 102 detects the network connection status to the image forming apparatus 1, and the power control unit 103 controls the power to the image forming apparatus 1 according to the usage status detected by the usage detection unit 101 and the connection status detected by the network connection detection unit 102. This makes it possible to suppress unnecessary power consumption while suppressing a decrease in user convenience.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, if at least one of the functional units of the controller 910 of the image forming apparatus 1 is implemented by program execution, the program is provided pre-installed in ROM or the like. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the program executed by the controller 910 of the image forming apparatus 1 may be provided as an installable or executable file recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), flexible disk (FD), CD-R (Compact Disk-Recordable), or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). Also, in the above-described embodiment, the program executed by the controller 910 of the image forming apparatus 1 may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading it via the network. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the program executed by the controller 910 of the image forming apparatus 1 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the program executed by the controller 910 of the image forming apparatus 1 has a module configuration including at least one of the above-described functional units, and in actual hardware, the CPU 901 reads the program from the above-described storage device and executes it, thereby loading and generating the above-described functional units on the main memory.

[0064] The embodiments of the present invention are as follows. <1> It is an electronic device, A first detection unit for detecting the usage status of the electronic device, A second detection unit that detects the network connection status to the aforementioned electronic device, A power control unit that controls the power to the electronic device according to the usage state detected by the first detection unit and the connection state detected by the second detection unit, It is an electronic device equipped with [something]. <2> The power control unit, If the first detection unit detects that the electronic device is in use, and the second detection unit detects that the network has been disconnected, the power mode of the electronic device is switched to a power-saving mode that puts the electronic device into a power-saving state. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the power to the electronic device is turned off. <1> It is an electronic device as described above. <3> When the power control unit detects that the network has been disconnected, if the power mode of the electronic device is a power-saving mode that puts the electronic device into a power-saving state, the power control unit turns off the power to the electronic device. <1> or <2> It is an electronic device as described above. <4> When the second detection unit detects that the network function of the electronic device has not been used for a predetermined time, and the first detection unit detects that the electronic device is not being used, and the power mode of the electronic device is a power-saving mode that puts the electronic device in a power-saving state, the power control unit turns off the power to the electronic device. <1> ~ <3> It is an electronic device as described in any one of the items. <5> The power control unit, when the power mode of the electronic device is in normal mode, which is the normal power state of the electronic device, and the first detection unit detects that a predetermined time has elapsed without the electronic device being used, will switch the power mode of the electronic device to the power saving mode. <2> ~ <4> It is an electronic device as described in any one of the items. <6> The first detection unit detects that the electronic device is not in use if the user is not operating the control unit of the electronic device and the functions of the electronic device are not being executed via the network. <1> ~ <5> It is an electronic device as described in any one of the items. <7> The second detection unit detects that the network is disconnected if the electronic device is physically disconnected from the network, if the network function is disabled by the settings of the electronic device, or if data communication with an external device via the network is impossible. <1> ~ <6> It is an electronic device as described in any one of the items. <8> A first detection step that detects the usage status of an electronic device, A second detection step for detecting the network connection status to the electronic device, A power control step that controls the power to the electronic device according to the usage state detected by the first detection step and the connection state detected by the second detection step, This is a power supply control method that has the following characteristics. <9> On the computer, A first detection step that detects the usage status of an electronic device, A second detection step for detecting the network connection status to the electronic device, A power control step that controls the power to the electronic device according to the usage state detected by the first detection step and the connection state detected by the second detection step, This is a program to execute [the command / action]. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1. Image forming apparatus 2 Main unit 3 Bank Options 4. Paper Output Options 101 Usage detection unit 102 Network connection detection unit 103 Power Control Unit 104 Display Control Unit 901 CPU 902 MEM-P 902a ROM 902b RAM 903 NB 904 SB 906 ASIC 907 MEM-C 908 HDD Controller 909 HD 910 Controller 920 Near field communication circuit 920a antenna 921 AGP bus 922 PCI bus 930 Engine Control Unit 931 Scanner Unit 932 Printer Section 940 Control Panel 940a Panel display unit 940b Hard Key 950 Network Interface [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0066] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-323465

Claims

1. It is an electronic device, A first detection unit for detecting the usage status of the electronic device, A second detection unit that detects the network connection status to the aforementioned electronic device, A power control unit that controls the power to the electronic device according to the usage state detected by the first detection unit and the connection state detected by the second detection unit, Electronic devices equipped with them.

2. The power control unit, If the first detection unit detects that the electronic device is in use, and the second detection unit detects that the network has been disconnected, the power mode of the electronic device is switched to a power-saving mode that puts the electronic device into a power-saving state. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the power to the electronic device is turned off after a predetermined time has elapsed.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the power control unit, when the second detection unit detects that the network has been disconnected, turns off the power to the electronic device if the power mode of the electronic device is a power-saving mode that puts the electronic device into a power-saving state.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the power control unit, when the second detection unit detects that the network function of the electronic device has not been used for a predetermined time, and the first detection unit detects that the electronic device is not being used, and the power mode of the electronic device is a power-saving mode that puts the electronic device in a power-saving state, turns off the power to the electronic device.

5. The electronic device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the power control unit, when the power mode of the electronic device is in normal mode, which is the normal power state of the electronic device, and the first detection unit detects that a predetermined time has elapsed without the electronic device being used, the power control unit switches the power mode of the electronic device to the power saving mode.

6. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first detection unit detects that the electronic device is not in use when the user is not operating the control unit of the electronic device and the functions of the electronic device are not being executed via the network.

7. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second detection unit detects that the network is disconnected when the electronic device is physically disconnected from the network, when the network function is disabled by the settings of the electronic device, or when data communication with an external device via the network is impossible.

8. A first detection step that detects the usage status of an electronic device, A second detection step for detecting the network connection status to the electronic device, A power control step that controls the power to the electronic device according to the usage state detected by the first detection step and the connection state detected by the second detection step, A power control method having the following characteristics.

9. On the computer, A first detection step that detects the usage status of an electronic device, A second detection step for detecting the network connection status to the electronic device, A power control step that controls the power to the electronic device according to the usage state detected by the first detection step and the connection state detected by the second detection step, A program to execute.

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