Information processing device and program

Abstract

To provide an information processor and a program which can suppress a frequency of restoration from a function stop state to a normal operation state of a processor.SOLUTION: An information processor includes a timer, an interruption request generation part for accepting notification from the timer and performing an interruption request, and a processor, wherein the processor sets a time to execute a time designating processing instruction in the timer when the time designating processing instruction is set, is transited to a power-saving state when accepting an instruction of transition to the power-saving state, is restored to a normal operation state from the power-saving state and executes the time designating processing instruction when accepting an interruption request from an interruption request generating part, and sets not to perform an interruption request on the basis of notification from the timer in the interruption request generating part, when a prescribed specific time designating processing instruction is not set, when accepting the instruction of transition to the power-saving state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a computer device capable of quick startup, which stores information from the previous startup and starts up using that information, and which has a timing means for measuring time and generating an interrupt when a set time is reached, a detection means for detecting whether an instruction to turn the power off or on has been issued, a determination means for determining whether quick startup is enabled when the detection means detects that the power has been turned off, and a setting means for setting the device to disable the interrupt from the timing means when the determination means determines that quick startup is enabled. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-243219 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an information processing device such as a multifunction peripheral, when a time-specified processing command such as a time-specified job is executed, the processing is executed upon receiving a notification from a timer. In order to execute the time-specified processing command in the information processing device even in a power-saving state in which at least the processor is in a stopped state, the timer is made to function even in the power-saving state, and when the time specified in the time-specified processing command arrives, the processor is made to return from the stopped state to a normal operating state upon receiving a notification from the timer.

[0005] However, such a configuration is not preferable from the viewpoint of power saving, since every time-specified processing command triggers the information processing device to return from the power saving state.

[0006] Conversely, if power saving is prioritized and the timer is stopped during the power saving state, even if there is a specific time-specified processing command that is to be executed during the power saving state, the time-specified processing command cannot be executed, which is a problem.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide an information processing device and program that can reduce the frequency at which a processor returns from a stopped state to a normal operating state when it is time to execute a set time-specified processing command, even when the processor has transitioned to a power-saving state, compared to when the set time-specified processing command is executed, by always returning the processor that has transitioned to a stopped state to a normal operating state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An information processing device of a first aspect of the present invention comprises a timer that counts the passage of time and sends a notification when the set time arrives, an interrupt request generating unit that receives the notification from the timer and makes an interrupt request upon receiving the notification from the timer, and a processor, wherein the processor, when a time-specified processing instruction to execute a specified process at a specified time is set, sets the timer to the time at which the time-specified processing instruction should be executed, and when it receives an instruction to transition to a power-saving state, it transitions to a power-saving state, and when it receives an interrupt request from the interrupt request generating unit, it returns from the power-saving state to a normal operating state and executes the set time-specified processing instruction, and when it receives an instruction to transition to a power-saving state, if a specific time-specified processing instruction that has been set in advance is not set, sets the interrupt request generating unit not to make an interrupt request based on the notification from the timer.

[0009] A second aspect of the information processing device of the present invention is the information processing device of the first aspect, wherein when the processor receives an instruction to transition to a power saving state, if a predetermined specific time-specified processing command is set, the processor sets the interrupt request generating unit to issue an interrupt request based on a notification from the timer.

[0010] An information processing device of a third aspect of the present invention is an information processing device of the first or second aspect, in which when the processor returns from a power-saving state to execute a time-specified processing command, it executes the time-specified processing command that triggered the return and then transitions back to the power-saving state.

[0011] A fourth aspect of the information processing device of the present invention is an information processing device of the third aspect, in which when the processor returns from a power-saving state to execute a time-specified processing command, it executes only the time-specified processing command that triggered the return, and then transitions back to the power-saving state.

[0012] An information processing device of a fifth aspect of the present invention is an information processing device of the third aspect, in which, when the processor returns from a power-saving state to execute a time-specified processing command, it executes, in addition to the time-specified processing command that triggered the return, a time-specified processing command set for a time within a predetermined time from the return, and then transitions back to the power-saving state.

[0013] An information processing device of a sixth aspect of the present invention is an information processing device of any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the processor switches the type of time-specified processing instruction to be set as the specific time-specified processing instruction from among a plurality of time-specified processing instructions in response to a user operation.

[0014] An information processing device of a seventh aspect of the present invention is an information processing device of any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein when a new time-specified processing command is set, the processor receives a request as to whether or not to set the time-specified processing command as the specific time-specified processing command.

[0015] An eighth aspect of the program of the present invention is a program for controlling an information processing device having a timer that counts the passage of time and sends a notification when the set time arrives, and an interrupt request generating unit that receives a notification from the timer and makes an interrupt request, and causes a computer to execute the following steps: when a time-specified processing instruction is set to execute a specified process at a specified time, setting the timer to the time at which the time-specified processing instruction should be executed; when an instruction to transition to a power-saving state is received, transitioning to a power-saving state; when an interrupt request is received from the interrupt request generating unit, returning from the power-saving state to a normal operating state and executing the set time-specified processing instruction; and when an instruction to transition to a power-saving state is received and a specific time-specified processing instruction that has been set is not set, setting the interrupt request generating unit not to make an interrupt request based on the notification from the timer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the information processing device of the first aspect of the present invention, even when the device transitions to a power saving state, the processor that has transitioned to a stopped state is always returned to a normal operating state when the time to execute the set time-specified processing command arrives, thereby reducing the frequency with which the processor returns from a stopped state to a normal operating state compared to when the set time-specified processing command is executed.

[0017] According to the information processing device of the second aspect of the present invention, even when the information processing device has transitioned to the power saving state, it is possible to reliably execute a time-specified processing command that needs to be executed at a set time.

[0018] According to the information processing device of the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to achieve power savings in the information processing device compared to when the information processing device returns from a power saving state, executes the time-specified processing command that triggered the return, and then maintains a normal operating state.

[0019] According to the information processing device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to achieve power savings in the information processing device compared to when the information processing device returns from a power saving state, executes the time-specified processing command that triggered the return, and then maintains a normal operating state.

[0020] According to the information processing device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to achieve power savings in the information processing device compared to when the information processing device returns from a power saving state, executes the time-specified processing command that triggered the return, and then maintains a normal operating state.

[0021] According to the information processing device of the sixth aspect of the present invention, even when the information processing device has transitioned to the power saving state, the user can be made to select a time-specified processing command that needs to be executed at a set time.

[0022] According to the information processing device of the seventh aspect of the present invention, even when the information processing device has transitioned to the power saving state, the user can be made to select a time-specified processing command that needs to be executed at a set time.

[0023] According to the program of the eighth aspect of the present invention, even when the processor transitions to a power saving state, when the time arrives to execute the set time-specified processing instruction, the processor that has transitioned to a stopped state is always returned to a normal operating state, thereby reducing the frequency with which the processor returns from a stopped state to a normal operating state compared to when the set time-specified processing instruction is executed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 5 is a diagram showing a setting table for a time-specified processing command of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a time-specified process command list of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the flow of processing in the image forming apparatus in a power saving state, and shows a state in which the CPLD is set not to issue an interrupt request based on a notification from the RTC. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the flow of processing in the image forming apparatus in a power saving state, and shows a state in which the CPLD is set to issue an interrupt request based on a notification from the RTC. [Figure 7] 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow when a power button is pressed in the image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 1, an image forming system according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured with an image forming apparatus 10 and a terminal apparatus 30, which are interconnected via a network 40. The terminal apparatus 30 generates print data and transmits the generated print data to the image forming apparatus 10 via the network 40. The image forming apparatus 10 receives the print data transmitted from the terminal apparatus 30 and outputs an image on paper in accordance with the print data. The image forming apparatus 10 is a so-called multifunction device having multiple functions such as printing, scanning, copying, and facsimile functions, and is an example of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

[0028] Next, the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 in the image forming system of this embodiment is shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a memory 12, a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) 13, an RTC (Real-Time Clock) 14, a user interface (abbreviated as UI) device 15, a storage device 16 such as a hard disk drive, a communication interface (abbreviated as IF) 17 that transmits and receives data to and from external devices, a scanner 18, and a print engine 19. These components are connected to one another via a control bus 20.

[0029] The CPU 11 is a processor that executes predetermined processes based on a control program stored in the storage device 16 to control the operation of the image forming apparatus 10. In this embodiment, the CPU 11 is described as reading and executing a control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 16, but the program can also be stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) and provided to the CPU 11.

[0030] The RTC 14 is an example of a timer in the present invention, which counts the elapsed time and transmits a notification when the set time arrives. The CPLD 13 is an example of an interrupt request generating unit in the present invention, which receives a notification from the RTC 14 and issues an interrupt request to the CPU 11.

[0031] The UI device 15 includes a power button 15a combined with software, as well as an operation panel configured by, for example, a touch panel, which displays various information to the user and allows the user to input operations.

[0032] The communication IF 17 has multiple communication interfaces, such as a network 40 or a USB (Universal Serial Bus), for sending and receiving data to and from external devices. The scanner 18 reads an original image from a set original. The print engine 19 prints the image on a recording medium, such as printing paper, through processes such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing.

[0033] Next, we will explain the types of operating states of the image forming apparatus 10 in this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 10 in this embodiment is equipped with a hardware switch (not shown), and when the hardware switch is in the off state, the power supply to the image forming apparatus 10 is stopped, and the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 is completely stopped.

[0034] The image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment has three operating states when the hardware switch is on: a power-off state, a normal operating state, and a power-saving state.

[0035] When a hardware switch (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 10 is on and the image forming apparatus 10 is powered off, pressing the power button 15a causes the CPU 11 to place the image forming apparatus 10 in a normal operating state. When the image forming apparatus 10 is in a normal operating state, pressing the power button 15a for a long time causes the CPU 11 to place the image forming apparatus 10 in a powered off state from the normal operating state. When the image forming apparatus 10 is in a normal operating state, pressing the power button 15a for a short time causes the CPU 11 to place the image forming apparatus 10 in a power saving state from the normal operating state.

[0036] Here, a long press of the power button 15a means that the power button 15a is pressed continuously for a preset time or longer, and a short press of the power button 15a means that the power button 15a is pressed continuously for a time shorter than the preset time. For example, pressing the power button 15a continuously for two seconds or longer constitutes a long press of the power button 15a, and pressing the power button 15a continuously for less than two seconds constitutes a short press of the power button 15a.

[0037] The power-off state is a state in which the supply of power to all hardware constituting the image forming apparatus 10 is stopped, except for standby power required for detecting when the power button 15a is pressed, and the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 is stopped.

[0038] The normal operating state is a state in which normal power is supplied to all hardware constituting the image forming apparatus 10, enabling normal operation of the image forming apparatus 10. When the image forming apparatus 10 is in the normal operating state, the CPU 11 is also in the normal operating state. When transitioning from the power-off state to the normal operating state, the CPU 11 is started from its initial state. That is, the CPU 11 reads out a control program stored in the storage device 16, loads it into the memory 12, and executes predetermined processing, thereby putting the image forming apparatus 10 into the normal operating state.

[0039] The power saving state is a state in which normal power is supplied only to the memory 12, the CPLD 13, the RTC 14, and the power button 15a of the UI device 15, the CPU 11 is supplied with only standby power necessary for accepting interrupt requests, the supply of power to other hardware is stopped, and the image forming apparatus 10 stops functioning. When the image forming apparatus 10 is in the power saving state, the CPU 11 also stops functioning, which is a so-called suspend mode.

[0040] Even if the CPU 11 is executing a control program, it stops operation midway through execution and enters suspend mode. In the power-saving state, memory 12 maintains information stored therein that indicates the information that the CPU 11 is currently executing. Therefore, when the CPU 11 returns to a normal operating state from the suspend mode, the CPU 11 can be quickly started up using the information stored in memory 12. Such a quick start-up of the CPU 11 is generally referred to as a quick boot. In other words, the time it takes for the CPU 11 to return to a normal operating state from the suspend mode (the time required for a so-called quick boot) is shorter than the time it takes for the CPU 11 to transition from a power-off state to a normal operating state.

[0041] When a time-specified processing command for executing a specified process at a specified time is set, the CPU 11 sets in the RTC 14 the time at which the time-specified processing command should be executed.

[0042] Furthermore, when the CPU 11 receives an instruction to transition to a power saving state, it transitions to the power saving state, and when it receives an interrupt request from the CPLD 13, it returns from the power saving state to a normal operating state and executes the set time designation processing command.

[0043] Furthermore, when the CPU 11 receives an instruction to transition to a power saving state, if a specific pre-set time designation processing command is not set, the CPU 11 sets the CPLD 13 not to issue an interrupt request based on a notification from the RTC 14, and if a specific pre-set time designation processing command is set, the CPU 11 sets the CPLD 13 to issue an interrupt request based on a notification from the RTC 14.

[0044] If the CPLD 13 is set not to issue an interrupt request based on a notification from the RTC 14, the CPLD 13 will not issue an interrupt request to the CPU 11 even if the RTC 14 sends a notification to the CPLD 13 when the specified time arrives.

[0045] Therefore, if the set time-specified processing commands do not include a specific time-specified processing command, the CPLD 13 is set not to issue an interrupt request based on a notification from the RTC 14, so that an interrupt request is not issued to the CPU 11 in the power-saving state.

[0046] If the set time-specified processing commands include a specific time-specified processing command, the CPLD 13 is set to issue an interrupt request based on a notification from the RTC 14, whereby an interrupt request is issued to the CPU 11 in the power-saving state, and the CPU 11 returns from the power-saving state to the normal operating state and executes the time-specified processing command.

[0047] Then, the CPU 11 determines, for example, by referring to a setting table of time-specified processing commands shown in Fig. 3, what kind of time-specified processing command is not set when setting is to prevent the CPLD 13 from issuing an interrupt request based on a notification from the RTC 14. This setting table of time-specified processing commands is created in advance and stored in the storage device 16.

[0048] Next, the time-specified processing command will be described with reference to the setting table of the time-specified processing command shown in FIG.

[0049] A time-specified processing command is a command to execute a specified process at a specified time, and as an example, four setting items are set: process content, execution flag in power-saving state, re-transition flag, and execution permission flag before the time arrives.

[0050] The processing content is the content of the processing to be performed when the time specified in the time-specified processing command arrives, and examples include time-specified fax, time-specified print, time-specified power-on, FW (Firmware) update check, sending maintenance information, clock correction using NTP (Network Time Protocol), etc.

[0051] The execution flag in the power saving state is a flag that sets whether or not to execute the processing of a time-specified processing command when the specified time of the time-specified processing command arrives while the image forming apparatus 10 is in the power saving state. In other words, a time-specified processing command whose execution flag in the power saving state is set to Yes corresponds to the "predetermined specific time-specified processing command" in this embodiment.

[0052] The re-transition flag is a flag that sets whether or not the image forming device 10 will transition to a normal operating state, execute processing, and then transition back to a power saving state when the specified time of the time-specified processing command arrives while the image forming device 10 is in a power saving state.

[0053] The pre-time execution permission flag is a flag that sets whether or not execution of a process is permitted even before the time specified in a time-specified process command when the image forming apparatus 10 transitions from a power-saving state to a normal operation state. For a time-specified process command for which this flag is set to Yes, an permission period is further set that indicates how long before the specified time execution of the process is permitted.

[0054] When a time-specified processing command is set by the user, the CPU 11 registers the time-specified processing command set by the user in a time-specified processing command list in the order of the specified times, as shown in Fig. 4. This time-specified processing command list is stored in the memory 12. The CPU 11 also sets the RTC 14 to transmit a notification at the time specified in the time-specified processing command.

[0055] When the CPU 11 receives an instruction to shift to the power saving state, if a time-specified processing command whose execution flag in the power saving state is set to Yes is not registered in the time-specified processing command list, the CPU 11 sets the CPLD 13 not to issue an interrupt request based on a notification from the RTC 14.

[0056] 5 is a block diagram showing the flow of processing in the image forming apparatus in a power saving state, and shows a state in which the CPLD 13 is set not to issue an interrupt request based on a notification from the RTC 14. In FIG. 5, components to which power supply is stopped are indicated by diagonal lines.

[0057] If the CPLD 13 is configured not to issue an interrupt request based on a notification from the RTC 14, as shown in Figure 5, even if the specified time of the time-specified processing command arrives while the image forming device 10 is in a power-saving state and a notification is sent from the RTC 14 to the CPLD 13, the CPLD 13 will no longer send an interrupt request to the CPU 11, and the CPU 11 will not return from the power-saving state to a normal operating state.

[0058] Furthermore, when the CPU 11 receives an instruction to transition to the power saving state, if a time-specified processing command whose execution flag in the power saving state is set to Yes is registered in the time-specified processing command list, the CPU 11 sets the CPLD 13 to make an interrupt request based on a notification from the RTC 14.

[0059] 6 is a block diagram showing the flow of processing in the image forming apparatus in a power saving state, and shows a state in which an interrupt request is set to be made to the CPLD 13 based on a notification from the RTC 14. In FIG. 6, components to which power supply is stopped are indicated by diagonal lines.

[0060] If the CPLD 13 is configured to issue an interrupt request based on a notification from the RTC 14, as shown in Figure 6, when the specified time for the time-specified processing command arrives while the image forming apparatus 10 is in a power-saving state and a notification is sent from the RTC 14 to the CPLD 13, the CPLD 13 sends an interrupt request to the CPU 11, and when the CPU 11 accepts this interrupt request, it returns from the power-saving state to a normal operating state and executes the set time-specified processing command.

[0061] When the CPU 11 returns from the power saving state to execute a time designation processing command, it executes the time designation processing command that triggered the return, and then transitions back to the power saving state. In this embodiment, the CPU 11 refers to the re-transition flag of the time designation processing command that triggered the return, and if the re-transition flag of the time designation processing command that triggered the return is Yes, it executes the time designation processing command that triggered the return, and then transitions back to the power saving state.

[0062] At this time, the CPU 11 may execute, in addition to the time-specified processing instruction that triggered the return, a time-specified processing instruction that is set for a time within a preset time from the return time, and then transition back to the power-saving state. In this embodiment, the CPU 11 refers to the time-specified processing instruction list, and if there is a time-specified processing instruction whose pre-time execution permission flag is Yes and whose period from the current time to the specified time is within the permission period, the CPU 11 executes this time-specified processing instruction and then transitions back to the power-saving state.

[0063] As an example, let us consider the case where the device returns from the power-saving mode to the normal operating mode in order to execute a "time-specified fax" with a time specified for 23:30 on January 10, 2021 in the time-specified processing command list in Figure 4. Among the time-specified processing commands registered after the "time-specified fax" that triggered the return, "NTP clock correction" with a time specified for 00:00 on January 11, 2021 is registered as a time-specified processing command within the permitted period from the current time to the specified time. Therefore, in this case, after executing the "time-specified fax" that triggered the return, the device will again transition to the power-saving mode after executing this "NTP clock correction."

[0064] When the CPU 11 returns from the power saving state to execute a time-specified processing command, the CPU 11 may execute only the time-specified processing command that triggered the return, and then transition to the power saving state again.

[0065] Next, an outline of the process performed when the power button 15a in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment is pressed will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0066] First, when the CPU 11 detects an operation of the power button 15a in step S01, the CPU 11 determines in step S02 whether the power button 15a has been pressed and held down. Here, a long press of the power button 15a means that the power button 15a has been pressed and held down continuously for a preset time or longer. For example, when the power button 15a has been pressed and held down continuously for two seconds or longer, the CPU 11 determines that the power button 15a has been pressed and held down.

[0067] If it is determined in step S02 that the power button 15a has been pressed and held (determination result: Yes), the CPU 11 transitions the image forming apparatus 10 to a power-off state in step S03.

[0068] In step S02, if it is determined that the power button 15a has not been pressed for a long time, i.e., that the power button 15a has been pressed for a short time (determination result: No), the CPU 11 determines in step S04 whether or not there is an execution flag in the power saving state in the time-specified processing command list.

[0069] In step S04, if it is determined that the time-specified processing command list has an execution flag in the power-saving state (determination result: Yes), in step S05, the CPU 11 sets the CPLD 13 to allow interrupt requests, and in step S07, transitions the image forming device 10 to the power-saving state, and ends the processing.

[0070] As a result, if there is a time-specified processing command that requires execution of processing while the image forming apparatus 10 is in the power saving state, an interrupt request will be sent from the CPLD 13 to the CPU 11 at the set time of the time-specified processing command that requires execution of processing. As a result, the CPU 11 can return the image forming apparatus 10 from the power saving state to the normal operating state at the set time of the time-specified processing command that requires execution of processing, and execute the processing.

[0071] If it is determined in step S04 that there is no execution flag in the power saving state in the time-specified processing command list (determination result: No), the CPU 11 sets the CPLD 13 to prohibit interrupt requests in step S06, and then transitions the image forming device 10 to the power saving state in step S07, and terminates the processing.

[0072] As a result, if there is no time-specified processing command that requires execution of processing while the image forming device 10 is in the power saving state, even if the set time of the time-specified processing command that requires execution of processing arrives, an interrupt request is not sent from the CPLD 13 to the CPU 11, and the image forming device 10 does not return from the power saving state to the normal operating state.

[0073] In this embodiment, the execution flag during the power saving state is set in advance for each processing content as shown in the setting table of the time-specified processing command in FIG. 3. However, the type of time-specified processing command that is set as a specific time-specified processing command among a plurality of time-specified processing commands by the CPU 11 may be switched by a user operation, and the Yes / No of the execution flag during the power saving state for each processing content in the setting table of the time-specified processing command may be switched by a user operation.

[0074] In addition, when a new time-specified processing command is set, the CPU 11 may be configured to accept whether or not to set the time-specified processing command as the specific time-specified processing command, so that when the user sets a time-specified processing command, the user can arbitrarily set the execution flag for the processing content of the time-specified processing command in the power-saving state to Yes / No.

[0075] [Variations] Although the image forming system according to one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified as appropriate.

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

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

[0078] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to an image forming apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various types of apparatus. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 10 Image forming device 11 CPU 12 Memory 13 CPLD 14 RTC 15 UI device 15a Power button 16 Storage device 17 Communication Interface 18 Scanner 19 Print Engine 20 Control Bus 30 Terminal Equipment 40 Network

Claims

1. A timer that counts the passage of time and sends a notification when the set time arrives; an interrupt request generating unit that receives a notification from the timer and issues an interrupt request; a processor, The processor: If a time-specified processing command for executing a specified process at a specified time is set, the time at which the time-specified processing command should be executed is set on the timer; When an instruction to switch to the power saving state is received, the device switches to the power saving state. When an interrupt request is received from the interrupt request generating unit, the device returns from the power saving state to a normal operating state and executes a set time-specified processing command; when an instruction to transition to a power saving state is received, if a predetermined specific time designation processing instruction is not set, setting the interrupt request generation unit not to issue an interrupt request based on a notification from the timer; For each time-specified processing command, a setting is made as to whether or not to permit the execution of processing before the specified time, and when returning from a power-saving state to execute a time-specified processing command, in addition to the time-specified processing command that triggered the return, a time-specified processing command is executed that is set to a time within a preset time from the return and that is set to permit the execution of processing before the specified time, and then the device transitions back to the power-saving state. Information processing device.

2. The processor: When an instruction to transition to a power saving state is received, if a predetermined specific time designation processing instruction is set, the interrupt request generation unit is configured to issue an interrupt request based on a notification from the timer. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The processor: The type of the time-specified processing instruction to be set as the specific time-specified processing instruction among the plurality of time-specified processing instructions is switched by a user operation.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1.

4. The processor: When a new time-specified processing command is set, whether or not the time-specified processing command is to be set as the specific time-specified processing command is accepted.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1.

5. A program for controlling an information processing device including a timer that counts the passage of time and transmits a notification when a set time has passed, and an interrupt request generating unit that receives the notification from the timer and issues an interrupt request, a step of setting the timer to a time at which the time-specified processing instruction should be executed when a time-specified processing instruction for executing a specified process at a specified time is set; transitioning to a power saving state when an instruction to transition to a power saving state is received; when an interrupt request is received from the interrupt request generating unit, returning from a power saving state to a normal operating state and executing a set time-specified processing command; a step of setting the interrupt request generating unit not to issue an interrupt request based on a notification from the timer when a specific time-specified processing command is not set when an instruction to transition to a power-saving state is received; a step of setting whether or not to permit execution of processing before the specified time for each time-specified processing command, and when returning from the power-saving state to execute a time-specified processing command, executing, in addition to the time-specified processing command that triggered the return, a time-specified processing command that is set to permit execution of processing before the specified time, and then transitioning back to the power-saving state; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

Images