Printing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a technology suitable for achieving power saving, which is a printer capable of printing when a log-in procedure is completed.SOLUTION: An MFP1 includes, as states: a printing execution state in which printing is performed by a print engine 15; a standby state in which power is supplied to the print engine 15 to prepare for printing; and a power saving state in which power supplied to the print engine 15 is less than that in the standby state. A controller 10 acquires authentication information of a user via a user IF13 and executes a login procedure using the acquired authentication information. In the case that the login procedure is completed, the MFP1 can cause the print engine 15 to perform printing. Further, Upon receiving a logout instruction via the user IF13 after the login procedure is completed, the controller 10 performs a logout procedure, and when the logout procedure is completed, the controller switches the state of the MFP1 to the power saving state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technical field disclosed in this specification relates to a printing device that can be switched to a power-saving state to reduce power consumption. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been known printing devices that can switch to a power-saving state that reduces power consumption by reducing the power supplied to the print engine, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing device that has a power-saving mode in which no power is supplied to the print engine and is capable of authentication printing in which accumulated print data is printed after user authentication, and that switches to the power-saving mode when a set time has passed without the printing device being used. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-47614 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, some printing devices require a login procedure to execute printing. In such cases, the printing device will not print until the login procedure is completed, so there is room for improvement in power saving of the printing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A printing device made to solve this problem is a printing device comprising a print engine, a user interface, and a controller, and the states of the printing device include a printing state in which printing is performed by the print engine, a standby state in which a first power is supplied to the print engine to prepare for printing, and a power saving state in which less power is supplied to the print engine than in the standby state, and the controller acquires user authentication information via the user interface and executes a login process to perform a login procedure using the acquired authentication information, and when the login procedure is completed, the controller is able to cause the print engine to perform printing, and further the controller is configured to execute a logout process to perform a logout procedure when a logout instruction is received via the user interface after the login procedure is completed, and a switching process to switch the state of the printing device to the power saving state when the logout procedure is completed.

[0006] The printing device disclosed in this specification is capable of printing when the login procedure is complete, and therefore cannot print after the logout procedure is complete unless the login procedure is completed again. In other words, there is little need to prepare for printing after the logout procedure is complete. The printing device disclosed in this specification switches to a power-saving state when the logout procedure is complete, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption after the logout procedure is complete.

[0007] A control method for realizing the functions of the printing device, a computer program, and a computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program are also novel and useful. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The technology disclosed in this specification realizes a suitable technology for saving power in a printing device that is enabled to print when the login procedure has been completed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printing system of the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of each state of the MFP. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure when a print job is received. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure when a user operation is accepted in a secure mode. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a login screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure when a user operation is accepted in a storage mode. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure when a user operation is accepted in a storage mode. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for a sleep time change process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, a multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as "MFP") according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present embodiment discloses an MFP having an image processing function including a printing function and a communication function.

[0011] 1, the MFP 1 of this embodiment includes a controller 10 including a CPU 11 and a memory 12. The MFP 1 also includes a user interface (hereinafter referred to as "user IF") 13, a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as "communication IF") 14, a print engine 15, and a scanner 16, which are electrically connected to the controller 10. The MFP 1 is an example of a printing device.

[0012] The CPU 11 executes various processes in accordance with programs read from the memory 12 and based on user operations. Note that the controller 10 in Fig. 1 is a collective term for hardware and software used to control the MFP 1, and does not necessarily represent a single piece of hardware actually present in the MFP 1.

[0013] Memory 12 of MFP1 of this embodiment stores various programs and various data for realizing the functions of MFP1. Memory 12 is also used as a work area when various processes are executed. A buffer provided in CPU 11 is also an example of memory. Note that examples of memory are not limited to ROM, RAM, HDD, etc. built into MFP1, but may also be a storage medium readable and writable by CPU 11. For example, external memory such as a USB memory or HDD connected to MFP1 via communication IF 14, or a memory or HDD provided in a device connected to MFP1 via communication IF 14 are also examples of memory.

[0014] Note that computer-readable storage media are non-transitory media. In addition to the above examples, non-transitory media also include storage media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. Non-transitory media are also tangible media. On the other hand, electrical signals that carry programs downloaded from servers on the Internet are computer-readable signal media, which is a type of computer-readable medium, but are not included in non-transitory computer-readable storage media.

[0015] The user IF 13 includes hardware that displays a screen for notifying the user of information and hardware that accepts user operations. The MFP 1 of this embodiment includes a touch panel 31 and an NFC (Near Field Communication) reader 32 as the user IF 13. The touch panel 31 has a screen display function and an operation acceptance function, and is, for example, a liquid crystal panel including a backlight 311 and a touch sensor 312 that detects user operations. The touch panel 31 is an example of a display panel. The NFC reader 32 has a function of accepting a user operation of bringing an ID card or the like close to the NFC reader 32 and reading information from the ID card or the like through near-field communication. The MFP 1 may further include hardware buttons.

[0016] The communication IF 14 includes hardware for communicating with external devices such as the PC 100. The communication standards of the communication IF 14 include Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), USB, etc. The MFP 1 may be provided with multiple communication IFs 14 that are compatible with multiple communication standards.

[0017] Print engine 15 includes a configuration for printing an image on a print medium such as a sheet by, for example, electrophotography. Print engine 15 includes heater 151 and fan 152. Scanner 16 includes a configuration for reading an image on a document. Scanner 16 may be equipped with an automatic document feeder.

[0018] Next, the operation of the MFP 1 will be described. The following processes basically refer to the processing of the CPU 11 in accordance with instructions written in a program. In other words, processes such as "judging," "extracting," "selecting," "calculating," "deciding," "identifying," "acquiring," "receiving," and "control" in the following description represent the processing of the CPU 11. The processing by the CPU 11 also includes hardware control using an OS API. In this specification, the operation of each program will be described without mentioning the OS. In other words, in the following description, a statement to the effect that "program B controls hardware C" may also mean that "program B controls hardware C using the OS API." Furthermore, the processing of the CPU 11 in accordance with instructions written in a program may be described in abbreviated terms. For example, it may be described as "performed by CPU 11." Furthermore, the processing of the CPU 11 in accordance with instructions written in a program may be described in abbreviated terms, such as "performed by program A."

[0019] Note that "acquire" is used as a concept that does not require a request. In other words, the process of CPU 11 receiving data without a request is also included in the concept of "CPU acquiring data." Furthermore, "data" in this specification is represented by a bit string that can be read by a computer. Data with the same substantial meaning but different formats are treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in this specification. Furthermore, "request" and "instruct" are concepts that indicate outputting information indicating a request or an instruction to the other party. Furthermore, information indicating a request or an instruction is also simply referred to as a "request" or "instruction."

[0020] Furthermore, the process by CPU 11 to determine whether information A indicates event B may be conceptually described as "determining whether event B is present from information A." The process by CPU 11 to determine whether information A indicates event B or event C may be conceptually described as "determining whether event B or event C is present from information A."

[0021] The MFP 1 of this embodiment is capable of receiving a print job from an external device such as the PC 100 and executing printing based on the received print job. The operation of the MFP 1 when a print job is received from an external device will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows the operation of the MFP 1 when a print job is received while the MFP 1 is in a power saving state with the backlight 311 turned off.

[0022] When the controller 10 of the MFP 1 receives data from an external device via the communication IF 14, it determines whether the received data is a print job. If the received data is not a print job, the MFP 1 performs processing based on the received data, rather than the operation shown in the sequence diagram of FIG.

[0023] 3, when the controller 10 receives a print job (A01), it first supplies power to the touch panel 31 and turns on the backlight 311 of the touch panel 31 (A02). The power supplied to the touch panel 31 is an example of second power. This enables the touch panel 31 to display messages and buttons and to accept user operations on the displayed buttons. The controller 10 then causes the touch panel 31 to display a message indicating that data is being received (A03).

[0024] Then, the controller 10 acquires information about the mode set in the MFP 1 (A04). The MFP 1 has a secure mode and a non-secure mode, and accepts the selection of the mode. The MFP 1 accepts an instruction to set the mode from an administrator of the MFP 1 or the like via, for example, the touch panel 31 or the communication IF 14, and stores secure setting data 21 (see FIG. 1) indicating the accepted mode in a non-volatile storage area of ​​the memory 12.

[0025] The secure mode is a mode in which the MFP1 accepts input of authentication information for login authentication, and after successful login authentication, can accept instructions for functions permitted for the login user identified by the accepted authentication information. The permitted functions may differ for each login user. The MFP1 stores the user information of the login user in association with the permitted functions. In the secure mode, the MFP1 does not accept user instructions, even for permitted functions, until the login procedure is completed.

[0026] Furthermore, the MFP 1 may accept a setting for whether to enable the stored print function, separate from the mode setting. Alternatively, the MFP 1 may automatically enable the stored print function when set to secure mode. When the stored print function is enabled, the MFP 1 does not immediately start printing when it receives a print job from an external device such as the PC 100, but temporarily stores stored job data based on the received print job in storage such as the memory 12. Note that the MFP 1 may store stored job data only when the print job includes user information indicating a user who is authorized to use the stored print function. The MFP 1 then executes printing based on the stored stored job data after the login procedure by the user who is authorized to use the stored print function is completed.

[0027] In this specification, an example will be described in which the stored print function is enabled when secure mode is set. In this case, secure setting data 21, which indicates whether secure mode or non-secure mode, is information indicating whether a received print job is to be stored, and is an example of storage permission information. Secure setting data 21 is also information indicating whether a login procedure is enabled, and is an example of login permission information. In this way, MFP 1 determines, based on secure setting data 21, whether to store a received print job as stored job data or to print it without storing it, thereby improving the convenience of the printing device.

[0028] If it is determined that the secure mode is set (alt:[secure mode]), the controller 10 analyzes the print job being received and determines whether it contains appropriate user information (A12). The user information is, for example, a user ID. The user ID may also be a user name. A print job generated by the PC 100 or the like contains PJL data indicating processing instructions for the MFP 1, and the user information is included in the PJL data. The PC 100 or the like may include the user ID of the user currently logged in to the PC 100 or the like in the PJL data as user information.

[0029] If it is determined that the appropriate user information is included (alt: [Yes]), the controller 10 associates the received print job with the user information and stores the stored job data based on the print job in storage (A13). A13 is an example of the storage process. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, stored job data 22 based on the received print job is stored in, for example, memory 12. On the other hand, if it is determined that the print job does not include appropriate user information, the MFP 1 does not store the data based on the received print job, but instead discards it. Note that the PC 100 or the like may include the job name of the print job to be sent in the PJL data. In this case, the controller 10 may associate the received print job with the job name and store it in A13.

[0030] The storage for storing the accumulated job data may be a non-volatile storage area of ​​memory 12, a volatile storage area such as RAM of memory 12, or an external storage such as a USB memory connected to MFP 1. The accumulated job data 22 may be the received print job itself, or may be data after processing such as rasterization based on the received print job. The MFP 1 can store multiple pieces of accumulated job data 22, 23.

[0031] On the other hand, if it is determined that the mode is non-secure based on the secure setting data 21 stored in the memory 12 (alt:[non-secure mode]), the controller 10 causes the touch panel 31 to display a message indicating that printing is in progress (A21). In this embodiment, in non-secure mode, when the MFP 1 receives a print job, it executes printing based on the received print job.

[0032] The controller 10 supplies the necessary power to the print engine 15 and instructs the print engine 15 to execute printing based on the print job being received (A22). Upon receiving the print instruction, the print engine 15 performs warm-up for printing (A23), and executes printing once warm-up is complete (A25). The warm-up includes, for example, a process of heating the fixing device until a temperature at which printing can be executed is reached.

[0033] The MFP 1 of this embodiment has a plurality of states of the print engine 15, including a printing state, a standby state, and a power saving state, as shown in Fig. 2. The printing state is a state in which printing is being performed by the print engine 15. In the printing state, the MFP 1 supplies the necessary power to each part of the print engine 15, including the heater 151 and the fan 152, and controls, for example, the fixing device of the print engine 15 to maintain an appropriate fixing temperature. The printing state is an example of a printing state.

[0034] In the standby state, the MFP 1 supplies power to at least the heater 151 of the print engine 15, and controls the fixing device to a standby temperature that is lower than the temperature in the printing state but higher than room temperature. The power supplied to the print engine 15 in the standby state is an example of first power. When a print instruction is received in the standby state and the MFP 1 transitions to the printing state, the MFP 1 warms up until the fixing device reaches the fixing temperature. During warm-up, the MFP 1 performs, for example, heating using the heater 151 and stirring the toner. The temperature of the fixing device is higher in the standby state than in the power-saving state, and the time required for warm-up is shorter from the standby state than from the power-saving state.

[0035] In the power-saving state, the MFP 1 does not supply power to at least the heater 151 of the print engine 15. Therefore, for example, when a print instruction is received in the power-saving state and the MFP 1 transitions to the print-executing state, the MFP 1 supplies power to each component, including the heater 151, to warm up. The MFP 1 does not transition to the print-executing state or start printing until the fixing device reaches at least an appropriate fixing temperature through warm-up. Note that in the power-saving state, the MFP 1 may completely cut off the power supply to the print engine 15. However, because it is preferable to control the fan 152 according to the temperature of the fixing device, the MFP 1 may continue to drive the fan 152 according to the temperature situation even after transitioning to the power-saving state.

[0036] When printing based on the print job being received is completed, the print engine 15 notifies the controller 10 of the completion of printing (A26). In response to receiving the notification of the completion of printing, the controller 10 switches the state of the print engine 15 to a standby state (A27). Furthermore, after switching to the standby state, if the controller 10 determines that a predetermined engine sleep time stored in the memory 12 has elapsed (alt:[engine sleep time elapsed]), it switches the state of the power supply to the print engine 15 to a power saving state (A28). The controller 10 stops the supply of power to the heater 151 of the print engine 15. Note that the controller 10 may instruct the print engine 15 to transition to the power saving state, and the print engine 15 may then perform the process of transitioning to the power saving state.

[0037] The engine sleep time is the standby time from when the MFP is switched to the standby state until when the standby state continues and the MFP switches to the power saving state. The engine sleep time may be a fixed time set in advance in the MFP 1, or may be a variable time that can be set by a user operation. The MFP 1 stores the engine sleep time in the memory 12. A28 is an example of an elapsed time switching process. The engine sleep time is an example of a threshold time and an example of a first threshold time.

[0038] Furthermore, the MFP 1 has a plurality of states of power supply to the touch panel 31, separate from the state of the print engine 15. Specifically, the MFP 1 has, as the state of power supply to the touch panel 31, an on state in which power is supplied to the backlight 311 and the backlight 311 is turned on, and an off state in which the backlight 311 is turned off and no power is supplied to the backlight 311.

[0039] After the controller 10 has finished storing the job being received in A13, or after receiving a notification of printing completion in A26, it determines whether a predetermined panel sleep time has elapsed while no operation is being accepted on the touch panel 31. The panel sleep time is the waiting time until the touch panel 31 transitions to an off state when power is being supplied to the touch panel 31 and the state does not require the display of the execution status, and no operation is being accepted on the touch panel 31. The state requiring the display of the execution status includes, for example, a state in which printing is being executed.

[0040] The panel sleep time may be a fixed time set in advance in the MFP 1, or may be a variable time set by a user operation. When the controller 10 determines that the set panel sleep time has elapsed (alt:[Panel sleep time elapsed]), it turns off the backlight 311 of the touch panel 31, and the touch panel 31 enters an off state (A31).

[0041] The engine sleep time and panel sleep time are set independently of each other, so they may be set to the same length, or one may be set longer than the other. In other words, A28 and A31 may be executed simultaneously, or either may be executed first.

[0042] In this embodiment, the MFP 1 notifies the user in A03 that a print job is being received. This allows a user near the MFP 1 to recognize that the MFP 1 is receiving data, reducing the possibility of erroneous operations such as turning off the power to the MFP 1. In secure mode, the MFP 1 stores all received print jobs and accepts print execution instructions thereafter. Therefore, when a print job is received, it is highly likely that the user who issued the print instruction via the PC 100 or the like is not near the MFP 1. Therefore, the MFP 1 does not need to display the message indicating that a print job is being received. In other words, the MFP 1 may not perform A02 and A03 if it is in secure mode. In addition, even if the backlight 311 of the touch panel 31 is turned off, the MFP 1 supplies power to the touch sensor 312 and can detect user operations.

[0043] Next, the procedure for printing the stored job data stored in A13 of Fig. 3 on the MFP 1 when set to secure mode will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of Fig. 4. If the panel sleep time has elapsed between when a print instruction is given on the PC 100 or the like and when the user operates the touch panel 31 of the MFP 1, the backlight 311 of the touch panel 31 will be turned off. Fig. 4 shows the operation of the MFP 1 when a user operation is accepted on the user IF 13 while the MFP 1 is in a power saving state with the backlight 311 turned off and in a state where the MFP 1 is not accepting user logins.

[0044] Upon detecting an operation on either the touch panel 31 or a hardware button of the user IF 13 by a user operation (B01) (B02), the controller 10 turns on the backlight 311 of the touch panel 31 (B03) and displays a login screen on the touch panel 31 (B04). For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the controller 10 displays a login screen 51 including a field 511 for accepting input of authentication information for login and a login button 512 for accepting a login instruction. The user inputs the authentication information into the login screen 51 and inputs a login instruction by operating the login button 512 (B05).

[0045] 4, if the backlight 311 is not turned off at the start of the procedure, a login screen is displayed on the touch panel 31. In this case, the controller 10 skips B01 to B04 and accepts the login instruction at B05.

[0046] When the controller 10 receives a login instruction, it acquires the input authentication information (B06) and performs the login procedure (B07). B07 is an example of the login process. The authentication information is, for example, information including a user ID, and may be paired with a password. For example, the MFP 1 stores authentication information of users who are permitted to use the MFP 1 in memory 12, and compares the received authentication information with the stored information. Note that instead of performing the login procedure on the MFP 1, the MFP 1 may transmit the authentication information to an external device such as an authentication server and have the authentication server perform the login procedure.

[0047] The MFP1 enters a logged-in state by accepting a login instruction from a user and completing the login procedure. In the logged-in state, the MFP1 stores information indicating the currently logged-in user as status information. On the other hand, when the MFP1 is in a logged-out state (not logged-in), it stores information indicating the logged-out state as status information. Note that the status information indicating the logged-out state may also be information indicating that a "public user" is logged in. A "public user" is a user that is conveniently set up to set functions that are permitted to be provided when no one is logged in. For example, in the factory default state, the MFP1 accepts print and copy instructions from a "public user." A "public user" is sometimes called a "guest user."

[0048] Furthermore, the MFP 1 is not limited to receiving an operation on the touch panel 31, and can also receive a login operation via the NFC reader 32, for example. The MFP 1 can also acquire authentication information by communicating with an ID card, a mobile terminal, or the like that is presented within a communication range of the NFC reader 32, for example. The MFP 1 may also acquire authentication information based on information input by scanning a fingerprint or palm print, for example. In these cases, instead of B01, the controller 10 first receives a login operation (B05) from the user and acquires authentication information (B06), and then turns on the backlight 311 of the touch panel 31 (B03). Alternatively, the controller 10 may turn on the backlight 311 when the login procedure is completed.

[0049] If it is determined that the login procedure has been completed (alt: [Login successful]), the controller 10 switches the power supply state from the power saving state to the standby state (B11). As a result, power is supplied to the heater 151 of the print engine 15, and the temperature of the fixing device is controlled to the standby temperature. B11 is an example of post-login switching processing. Note that, although an example in which the accumulated print function is enabled in secure mode is described in this specification, if the accumulated print function is disabled, the power supply state may not be switched to the standby state even if login is successful.

[0050] The controller 10 also displays an operation screen on the touch panel 31 (B12). The operation screen is a screen including a plurality of buttons for accepting selection of a function to be executed from among a plurality of functions possessed by the MFP 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the controller 10 displays an operation screen 52 including a logout button 521 for accepting a logout instruction, a store print button 522 for accepting a store print instruction, and a copy button 523 for accepting a copy instruction. When the login procedure is completed and the MFP 1 is in a logged-in state, the MFP 1 can accept instructions for store print, which is printing based on stored job data stored in storage, and instructions for execution of copying, etc. In other words, in secure mode, the MFP 1 does not accept a print instruction unless the login procedure is completed.

[0051] Then, MFP 1 accepts a user operation on operation screen 52 being displayed on touch panel 31 (B13) and acquires information on the accepted operation (B14). For example, if the user operation is an operation on store print button 522, copy button 523, or the like, and is an operation to select a function to be executed by MFP 1, MFP 1 accepts an instruction to select the function. In this case, B14 is an example of function selection processing.

[0052] In an MFP 1 that has functions other than the storage print function, for example, when a function other than the storage print function is used, the login procedure may not be necessary. In this case, the MFP 1 may display, in B04, an operation screen such as that shown in Fig. 6 instead of login screen 51. In this case, however, instead of logout button 521 in Fig. 6, a login button that accepts a login instruction or "public user" is displayed.

[0053] The MFP 1 also acquires authentication information and performs the login procedure when it accepts an operation on the login button on the operation screen or when an IC card or the like is presented to the NFC reader 32 while the operation screen is displayed (B06 to B07). In this case, the operation screen displayed in B04 may include only buttons that accept the selection of functions that can be used without logging in. Alternatively, the MFP 1 may display an operation screen including the store print button 522 in B04, and request input of login information when an instruction for store print is accepted on the operation screen. In this case, the MFP 1 may skip B12 to B14 and proceed to B23. Note that the MFP 1 may request a user ID and password when it accepts a login instruction, and may request only a user ID when it requests login information in response to an instruction for store print.

[0054] If the received operation is an operation on Store Print button 522 and is determined to be an instruction to execute Store Print (alt:[Store Print]), controller 10 extracts and acquires identification information for stored job data stored in storage in association with the user information of the logged-in user, based on the user information of the logged-in user (B23). The identification information is, for example, a job name associated with the stored job data. For example, if one or more stored job data 22, 23 (see FIG. 1) for the logged-in user are stored in memory 12, controller 10 displays a list of the extracted stored job data, for example, a list of job names, on user IF 13 (B24). MFP 1 according to this embodiment stores stored job data in association with user information, and after accepting login, only the stored job data of the logged-in user can be selected for printing. This allows stored job data to be managed for each user, improving the security of the stored job data.

[0055] The controller 10 then accepts the selection of a job to be printed and an instruction to print the selected job through a user operation on the user IF 13. The controller 10 accepts the selection of a job to be printed (B27) through a user operation on the list of accumulated job data displayed on the user IF 13 (B26). Based on the user selection, the controller 10 reads the accumulated job data to be printed from storage such as the memory 12 (B28).

[0056] The controller 10 passes print data based on the accumulated job data read from storage to the print engine 15 and instructs it to print (B30). Upon receiving the print instruction, the print engine 15 performs warm-up (B31). In this case, since the print engine 15 is in a standby state in B11, the time required for warm-up is shorter than when the print engine 15 is in a power-saving state. Upon completion of warm-up, the print engine 15 enters a print-executing state and executes printing based on the received print data (B32). B32 is an example of accumulated print processing.

[0057] Then, when the print engine 15 has finished printing all of the received print data, it notifies the controller 10 of printing completion information (B33). When the controller 10 receives printing completion information from the print engine 15, it may cause the user IF 13 to display a message indicating that printing has completed. After printing is completed, the controller 10 switches the state of the print engine 15 to a standby state (B34). After passing the print instruction and print data to the print engine 15, the controller 10 also causes the user IF 13 to display, for example, an operation screen 52 to accept user operations.

[0058] When the login procedure is completed, the MFP1 of this embodiment is likely to accept a print instruction such as a stored print instruction or an instruction to print copy or received fax data as described below. Since the MFP1 of this embodiment switches to the standby state when the login procedure is completed, the time required for warm-up is shorter than when the MFP1 switches from the power saving state to the standby state after accepting a print instruction, and it is likely that printing can start immediately.

[0059] Furthermore, after the accumulated printing is completed, the MFP 1 can further accept the selection of functions other than the accumulated printing function, such as copying. After the printing based on the selected accumulated job data is completed, the MFP 1 goes into a standby state and can execute the processing of the function selected by the user, thereby improving the usability of the MFP 1 in the logged-in state.

[0060] On the other hand, if the operation accepted in B13 is an operation on the logout button 521 and is determined to be a logout instruction (alt:[logout]), the controller 10 performs a logout procedure (B43). B43 is an example of a logout process. The controller 10 enters the logout state described above.

[0061] The logout instruction is not limited to being received by logout button 521 on operation screen 52, and may be received by, for example, a hardware button, or may be selected from a setting menu displayed by pressing a setting button. Alternatively, MFP 1 may determine that a logout instruction has been received when, for example, the ID card of the logged-in user is touched to NFC reader 32.

[0062] Furthermore, in response to the completion of the logout procedure, the controller 10 switches the power supply state to the print engine 15 to a power-saving state (B44). That is, the controller 10 stops the supply of power to the heater 151 of the print engine 15 and does not control the temperature of the fixing device. B44 is an example of the switching process. In secure mode and with the stored print function enabled, the MFP 1 can accept print instructions if the login procedure is completed. That is, after logging out, the MFP 1 will not accept print instructions using the stored print function unless the login procedure is completed again. Since the MFP 1 of this embodiment switches to a power-saving state when the logout procedure is completed, unnecessary power consumption after the logout procedure is completed is reduced.

[0063] In this embodiment, the MFP1 not only transitions to the power-saving state in response to logout, but also transitions to the power-saving state under other conditions. For example, even if the MFP1 is logged in, it switches from the standby state to the power-saving state if the elapsed time in the standby state after entering the standby state in B11 or B34 exceeds a predetermined engine sleep time. The process of switching to the power-saving state in this case is also an example of the elapsed time switching process.

[0064] For example, if the standby state is maintained for a long period of time without logging out, such as when a user forgets to log out and leaves the MFP 1, unnecessary power consumption increases. The MFP 1 of this embodiment automatically switches to a power-saving state when the elapsed time since switching to the standby state exceeds the engine sleep time, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption. Furthermore, if the operation received by B13 after switching to the standby state is an instruction for a function other than printing, such as scanning or fax transmission, the period of operation based on that instruction may also be included in the elapsed time since switching to the standby state.

[0065] On the other hand, when the logout procedure is completed, the controller 10 transitions to the power-saving state regardless of whether the MFP 1 is in the standby state or not, and regardless of whether the engine sleep time has elapsed in the standby state or not. For example, the MFP 1 may be able to accept a logout instruction even while printing is in progress. In this case, if the logout procedure is completed when printing is completed, the MFP 1 may transition from the printing in progress state to the power-saving state without transitioning to the standby state in response to receiving a print completion notification (B33). Furthermore, the MFP 1 may automatically initiate the logout procedure and switch to the power-saving state when a predetermined time or more has elapsed while the MFP 1 is in the logged-in state and no user operations are being accepted.

[0066] Note that instead of accepting the selection of jobs to be printed in B26, the controller 10 may select all accumulated job data associated with the user information of the logged-in user and accumulated in storage as the print target. Specifically, the controller 10 may omit B23 to B27 and acquire all accumulated job data of the logged-in user in B28. If all accumulated job data of the logged-in user is automatically selected as the print target, the user's effort of selecting the print target can be saved.

[0067] The controller 10 may also acquire identification information of all stored job data in B23, and display a list of the acquired identification information of all stored job data in B24. This is highly convenient because logging in allows all stored job data to be selected as the print target.

[0068] Furthermore, the MFP 1 may store in its storage not only stored job data based on print jobs received from the PC 100, etc., but also data based on received data received by fax, image data read from a USB memory, image data downloaded from an external server, etc. Even when such data is stored, in secure mode, after accepting login, the MFP 1 can accept an instruction to execute printing of that data within the scope of the functions permitted to the logged-in user.

[0069] 6, the MFP 1 displays a button for accepting a print instruction for received data, etc., and when operation of that button is accepted, a list of accumulated received data, etc. is displayed in B24. The MFP 1 may then accept a selection of received data, etc. in B26 and perform printing based on the selected received data, etc. In this case as well, the MFP 1 accepts a logout instruction, and switches the state of power supply to the print engine 15 to the power saving state in B44 in response to completion of the logout procedure in B43.

[0070] If a function other than the storage print function is selected by the user's operation in B13, controller 10 controls each unit of MFP 1 to execute the function based on the selected instruction. For example, if operation of copy button 523 is accepted, MFP 1 performs a copy operation. In this case, instead of B23 to B28, controller 10 causes scanner 16 to read an image of an original to obtain image data, and in B30 instructs print engine 15 to print based on the obtained image data. In this case, operation of copy button 523 is an example of a print instruction, and B32 is an example of a print process. In this case, MFP 1 also accepts a logout instruction, and in response to completion of the logout procedure in B43, switches the state of power supply to print engine 15 to the power saving state in B44.

[0071] The controller 10 switches the power supply state to the print engine 15 to the power saving state, and then waits for a predetermined time (B45). The predetermined time may be a fixed time of, for example, 0 to 5 seconds, the panel sleep time described above, or a time set by the user separately from the panel sleep time. After waiting for the predetermined time, the controller 10 turns off the backlight 311 of the touch panel 31 (B46). This returns the MFP 1 to the state it was in before the procedures shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 were started.

[0072] In the secure mode, the MFP 1 may not accept any user operations other than the login operation in the logout state. In this case, there is little need to display the touch panel 31 after logout. The MFP 1 of this embodiment turns off the backlight 311 after logout is complete, thereby reducing power consumption in the logout state.

[0073] However, if the backlight 311 is turned off immediately after logout, the user may mistakenly think that this is a malfunction of the MFP 1 and become anxious. In the MFP 1 of this embodiment, after logout, the MFP 1 waits a predetermined time before turning off the backlight 311, thereby reducing the possibility of causing anxiety to the user. After logout is complete and before the predetermined time has elapsed, the MFP 1 may, for example, notify the user that the display on the touch panel 31 will be turned off or may notify the user of the time remaining until the light is turned off. On the other hand, the MFP 1 reduces the power supplied to the print engine 15 immediately after logout, thereby achieving a high power-saving effect.

[0074] Next, another example of the timing for switching from the power saving state to the standby state after the login procedure will be described. While Fig. 4 shows the procedure for switching to the standby state immediately after the login procedure is completed, the timing for switching to the standby state is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 7, the standby state may be switched to when the accumulated printing function is selected after the login procedure is completed. In Fig. 7, the same processes as in Fig. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only the parts that differ from Fig. 4 are shown.

[0075] In this procedure, as in the procedure of Fig. 4, the controller 10 accepts a user operation for login and executes the login procedure (B01 to B07). When it is determined that the login procedure is completed (alt: [Login successful]), the controller 10 does not switch to a standby state, but first displays the operation screen 52 shown in Fig. 6 (B12), and accepts a user operation (B13).

[0076] After acquiring information about the accepted operation (B14), if it is determined that the user's operation is an instruction to execute stored printing by operating the stored printing button 522 (alt:[stored printing]), the controller 10 switches the power supply state to the print engine 15 from the power saving state to the standby state (B11). In this case, B11 is an example of a post-function selection switching process. Thereafter, the controller 10 extracts and acquires the stored job data stored in the storage in association with the user information (B23). Thereafter, the controller 10 executes processing based on the user's operation, similar to the procedure shown in FIG. 4.

[0077] Furthermore, if the controller 10 determines that the user's operation in B14 is an instruction to execute a copy or an instruction to print received fax data, etc., it also switches the state of power supply to the print engine 15 from the power-saving state to the standby state (B11). B11 in this case is also an example of post-function selection switching processing. That is, if the controller 10 determines that the user's operation received in B13 is a selection of a function to use the print engine 15, and the state of power supply to the print engine 15 is the power-saving state, it switches to the standby state.

[0078] In secure mode, the MFP 1 of this embodiment can accept various function instructions after the login procedure is completed. If the accepted function instruction is not a print instruction, the print engine 15 may not be used. If the MFP 1 switches to standby mode when a function that uses the print engine 15, such as store printing or copying, is selected, the possibility of immediately starting printing increases without wasting power on the print engine 15. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, if the MFP 1 switches to standby mode when the login procedure is completed, the possibility of immediately starting printing increases, for example, even if a print instruction is accepted immediately after logging in.

[0079] Next, another example of the timing for switching from the power saving state to the standby state will be described. The timing for switching to the standby state may be, for example, when the stored print function is selected and the logged-in user's stored job data is stored, as shown in Fig. 8. In Fig. 8, the same processes as in Fig. 4 are assigned the same reference numerals, and only the parts that are different from Fig. 4 are shown.

[0080] In this procedure, as in the procedure of Fig. 4, the controller 10 accepts a user operation for login and executes the login procedure (B01 to B07). If it is determined that the login procedure is completed (alt: [Login successful]), the controller 10 does not switch to a standby state, but first displays the operation screen 52 shown in Fig. 6 (B12), and attempts to extract accumulated job data that is associated with the user information of the logged-in user and accumulated in the storage (B23).

[0081] When it is determined that there is one or more stored job data associated with the user information of the logged-in user (alt: [job exists]), the controller 10 switches the power supply mode from the power saving state to the standby state (B11). B11 in this case is an example of a switching process when a job exists.

[0082] Then, the controller 10 accepts a user operation on the operation screen 52 displayed in B12 (B13) and acquires information about the accepted operation (B14). If the user operation is to select the stored print function (alt:[stored print]), the controller 10 causes the user IF 13 to display a list showing the stored job data extracted in B23 (B24). Thereafter, the controller 10 executes function processing in the same manner as the procedure shown in FIG. 4. Note that if stored job data associated with the user information of the logged-in user is not extracted in B23, the MFP 1 does not switch to a standby state and does not accept an instruction to execute stored print. If there is no stored job data for the logged-in user, the MFP 1 may not display the stored print button 522 on the operation screen 52.

[0083] In the MFP 1 of this embodiment, even if the login procedure is completed, if the logged-in user's accumulated job data is not stored, accumulated printing cannot be performed, and therefore there is a possibility that the print engine 15 will not be used. As shown in Fig. 8, by switching to the standby state only when the logged-in user's accumulated job data is stored, the possibility of immediately starting printing is increased without wasting power supply to the print engine 15. On the other hand, if the MFP 1 switches to the standby state when the login procedure is completed, as shown in Fig. 4, the possibility of immediately starting printing is increased, for example, even when a print instruction other than the accumulated printing function is received.

[0084] Next, the procedure for the sleep time change process for temporarily changing the engine sleep time in the MFP 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 9. This sleep time change process is executed by the CPU 11 of the MFP 1, for example, when an instruction to execute printing is received. As mentioned above, the engine sleep time is the waiting time from when the MFP 1 switches to the standby state until when the MFP 1 switches to the power saving state, and is stored in advance in the memory 12.

[0085] The CPU 11 determines whether the set mode is the secure mode (S101). If it is determined that the mode is not the secure mode (S101: NO), the CPU 11 ends the sleep time change process. If the mode is not the secure mode, the CPU 11 does not change the engine sleep time.

[0086] If it is determined that the mode is secure (S101: YES), the CPU 11 determines whether the logout procedure has been completed (S102). If it is determined that the logout procedure has not been completed (S102: NO), the CPU 11 executes various other processes based on the user's operation (S103).

[0087] On the other hand, if the mode is secure and it is determined that the logout procedure has been completed (S102: YES), the CPU 11 sets the engine sleep time to a second time that is shorter than the engine sleep time stored in the memory 12 (S105). The second time is, for example, half the length of the engine sleep time stored in the memory 12. The second time is an example of the threshold time, and is also an example of the second threshold time.

[0088] As a result, the MFP 1 transitions to a power-saving state if the standby state continues for a second time after the power supply to the print engine 15 has entered a standby state. Because the second time is shorter than the engine sleep time stored in memory 12, the standby state will not continue for a long time after the logout procedure is completed in secure mode. This increases the possibility of reducing power consumption.

[0089] On the other hand, in non-secure mode, since printing is performed when a print job is received from an external device, even if printing of one print job is completed and the MFP switches to standby mode, there is a possibility that the next print job will be accepted immediately. In this embodiment, the MFP1 does not shorten the engine sleep time in non-secure mode, so there is little possibility that the state will be switched frequently.

[0090] Then, the CPU 11 determines whether the MFP 1 has transitioned to the power saving state (S106). If it determines that the MFP 1 has not transitioned to the power saving state (S106: NO), the CPU 11 waits until the MFP 1 transitions to the power saving state. For example, if printing is being performed when the logout procedure is completed, the MFP 1 will enter the standby state after the printing is completed, and if a second time has elapsed in the standby state, the MFP 1 will enter the power saving state.

[0091] If it is determined that the state has transitioned to the power saving state (S106: YES), the CPU 11 resets the engine sleep time to its original value (S107). As a result, even in the secure mode, the engine sleep time stored in the memory 12 will be applied at the next login. Note that although the procedure for changing the engine sleep time is shown in FIG. 9, the panel sleep time may also be changed in the same way.

[0092] As described above in detail, when the MFP 1 of this embodiment is set to secure mode, it is possible for the print engine 15 to print if the login procedure is complete, but after the logout procedure is complete, printing is not possible unless the login procedure is completed again. Therefore, there is little need to prepare for printing after the logout procedure is complete. The MFP 1 of this embodiment switches to a power-saving state when the logout procedure is complete, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption after the logout procedure is complete.

[0093] In particular, when the MFP 1 of this embodiment is set to secure mode, even if it receives a print job, it only stores accumulated job data based on the print job without printing it, and printing becomes possible after the login procedure is completed. Also, when the MFP 1 is set to secure mode, it becomes possible to accept print instructions such as copy instructions after the login procedure is completed. Therefore, even if the MFP 1 switches to a power-saving state when the logout procedure is completed, it is possible to suppress delays in the start of printing by switching to a standby state after the login procedure is completed.

[0094] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the login procedure is completed, or when the accumulated printing function is selected, or when the logged-in user's accumulated job data is stored, the power supply mode is switched to standby mode, so there is a high possibility that printing can start immediately after receiving a print instruction.

[0095] Note that this embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the technology disclosed in this specification can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the device that sends a print job to the MFP 1 is not limited to the PC 100, but may be, for example, a smartphone or a tablet computer. Furthermore, the MFP 1 may be any device that has at least a printing function, and is not limited to a multifunction peripheral, but may also be a printer, a fax machine, or the like. Furthermore, the print engine 15 of the MFP 1 is not limited to an electrophotographic system, but may also be an inkjet system.

[0096] Furthermore, MFP 1 may be a printer that performs accumulated printing for all received print jobs, i.e., a dedicated printer that performs only accumulated printing. In this case, secure setting data 21 may not be necessary. In this case, MFP 1 does not perform A04 or A21 to A28 in FIG. 3, and accumulates accumulated job data based on a received print job if the print job contains user information, regardless of whether the print job is in secure mode or not.

[0097] Furthermore, the state of power supply to the print engine 15 is not limited to the three states of the printing state, the standby state, and the power saving state, and other states may also be included. For example, intermediate states between these states may also be included. Furthermore, while the backlight 311 of the touch panel 31 is turned off when the touch panel 31 is in the off state, it is sufficient to reduce the power supply to the touch panel 31, and it is also possible to simply reduce the brightness. Furthermore, the touch panel 31 may be a light-emitting element panel that does not have a backlight 311, such as an organic EL panel.

[0098] In addition, in the present embodiment, power is supplied to the touch sensor 312 of the touch panel 31 even when the touch panel 31 is in an off state, but this is not limited to this. For example, the MFP 1 may have a hardware key for turning on the touch sensor 312, and in that case, only the hardware key may be enabled and the touch sensor 312 may be turned off.

[0099] Furthermore, while the MFP 1 of this embodiment discards print jobs that do not include user information in secure mode, this is not limited to this. For example, the MFP 1 may store print jobs that include user information (A12 to A13 in FIG. 3) and print print jobs that do not include user information without storing them (if it determines in A12 in FIG. 3 that no user information is included, it executes A21 to A28). Alternatively, the MFP 1 may not perform the determination in A12 in FIG. 3, store print jobs that include user information and print jobs that do not include user information, and allow anyone to print print jobs that do not include user information, regardless of the user information of the logged-in user.

[0100] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the storage print function is enabled in secure mode, but there are cases in which the storage print function is disabled even in secure mode. In this case, for example, when the MFP 1 receives a print job even in secure mode, it executes A21 to A28 in FIG. 3 to print, and accepts operations on the touch panel 31 after logging in. However, the operation screen does not include the storage print button 522 that accepts an instruction for storage print, and in B13 in FIG. 4, the controller 10 does not accept an instruction for storage print.

[0101] Furthermore, although the MFP 1 of this embodiment is configured to print all received print jobs in non-secure mode, it may also be possible to add information regarding whether to store each print job. For example, in non-secure mode, the MFP 1 may store received print jobs that contain storage information such as a password, and print print jobs that do not. Alternatively, in non-secure mode, the MFP 1 may print print jobs that do not contain a password if printing by public users is permitted, and delete print jobs that do not contain a password without storing or printing them if printing by public users is not permitted.

[0102] Furthermore, in any flowchart disclosed in the embodiments, the execution order of multiple processes in any multiple steps can be changed or they can be executed in parallel as long as no contradiction occurs in the processing content.

[0103] The processes disclosed in the embodiments may be executed by hardware such as a single CPU, multiple CPUs, or ASIC, or a combination thereof. The processes disclosed in the embodiments may be realized in various ways, such as a recording medium on which a program for executing the processes is recorded, or a method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1 MFP 10 Controller 12 Memory 13 User Interface 14 Communication Interface 15 Print Engine

Claims

1. A print engine; A user interface; A controller; A printing device comprising: the printing device has a printing state in which printing is performed by the print engine, a standby state in which a first power is supplied to the print engine to prepare for printing, and a power saving state in which less power is supplied to the print engine than in the standby state; the user interface includes a display panel; In the standby state, the first power is supplied to the print engine to prepare for printing, and the second power is also supplied to the display panel; In the power saving state, the power supplied to the print engine and the display panel is less than that in the standby state, The controller The system acquires user authentication information via the user interface, executes a login process using the acquired authentication information to perform a login procedure, and when the login procedure is complete, allows the print engine to perform printing. The controller further comprises: a logout process for performing a logout procedure when a logout instruction is received via the user interface after the log-in procedure is completed; a switching process for switching the state of the printing device to the power saving state when the logout procedure is completed; Run In the switching process, When switching the state of the printing device to the power saving state, the power supplied to the print engine is reduced in response to the completion of the logout procedure, and the power supplied to the display panel is reduced after a set predetermined time has elapsed since the completion of the logout procedure.

1. A printing device configured to:

2. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, The controller When a print instruction is received via the user interface, a print process is executed to cause the print engine to perform printing, and when the login procedure has been completed, the print instruction can be received via the user interface.

1. A printing device configured to:

3. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, Memory and a communication interface; Equipped with The controller When a print job is received via the communication interface, a storage process is executed to store stored job data based on the received print job in the memory, and a plurality of stored job data can be stored in the memory; The controller further comprises: When the login procedure has been completed, an accumulated print process is executed to cause the print engine to perform printing based on the accumulated job data accumulated in the memory.

1. A printing device configured to:

4. 4. The printing device according to claim 3, Storage availability information indicating whether or not to store the received print job is set, The controller further comprises: When a print job is received via the communication interface, If the storage permission information indicates that the received print job is to be stored, the storage process is executed without causing the print engine to print based on the received print job; If the storage permission information is set to not store the received print job, the storage process is not executed and the print engine is caused to perform printing based on the received print job.

1. A printing device configured to:

5. 5. The printing device according to claim 3 or claim 4, In the accumulation process, The stored job data based on the received print job is stored in the memory in association with user information, and the received print job includes the user information; In the accumulation printing process, When the login procedure has been completed, the print engine is caused to perform printing based on the stored job data associated with the user information corresponding to the logged-in user, among the stored job data stored in the memory.

1. A printing device configured to:

6. 6. The printing device according to claim 5, In the accumulation printing process, When the login procedure has been completed, the stored job data associated with the user information corresponding to the logged-in user is extracted from the stored job data stored in the memory, a selection of a print target is accepted from the extracted stored job data, and printing is performed based on the selected stored job data by the print engine.

1. A printing device configured to:

7. 6. The printing device according to claim 5, In the accumulation printing process, When the login procedure has been completed, all of the stored job data stored in the memory that is associated with the user information corresponding to the logged-in user is set as print targets, and printing is performed on the basis of the stored job data to be printed by the print engine.

1. A printing device configured to:

8. A printing device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, The controller When the login procedure is completed, if the stored job data associated with the user information corresponding to the logged-in user is stored in the memory, a job-presence switching process is executed to switch the state of the printing device to the standby state.

1. A printing device configured to:

9. A printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The controller When the login procedure is completed in the login process, a post-login switching process is executed to switch the state of the printing device to the standby state.

1. A printing device configured to:

10. A printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The controller a function selection process is executed to accept a selection of a function from among a plurality of functions possessed by the printing device, and when the login procedure is completed, the function selection process becomes executable, the plurality of functions include a function that uses the print engine, and after the function that uses the print engine is selected, a process based on the function that uses the print engine becomes executable; The controller further comprises: When the function using the print engine is selected in the function selection process and the state of the printing device is the power saving state, a post-function selection switching process is executed to switch the state of the printing device to the standby state.

1. A printing device configured to:

11. 10. A printing device according to claim 1, The controller a function selection process is executed to accept a selection of a function from among a plurality of functions possessed by the printing device, and when the login procedure is completed, the function selection process becomes executable, the plurality of functions include a function that uses the print engine, and after the function that uses the print engine is selected, a process based on the function that uses the print engine becomes executable; The controller further comprises: the function selection process can be executed even after the process based on the function using the print engine has been executed, and when one function of the plurality of functions is selected, the process based on the selected one function is executed.

1. A printing device configured to:

12. A printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, The controller When the elapsed time since the state of the printing device was switched to the standby state exceeds a threshold time, an elapsed time switching process is executed to switch the state of the printing device to the power saving state.

1. A printing device configured to:

13. 13. The printing device according to claim 12, The login permission information is set to indicate whether the login procedure is enabled or disabled. The controller further comprises: If the login permission information is set to enable the login procedure, the login process can be executed, and if the login procedure is completed, the print engine can be made to perform printing. If the login permission information is set to not enable the login procedure, the print engine can be made to perform printing without executing the login process, Furthermore, in the elapsed time switching process, If the login permission information is set to not enable the login procedure, when the elapsed time since the state of the printing device was switched to the standby state exceeds a first threshold time, the state of the printing device is switched to the power saving state; If the login permission information is set to enable the login procedure and the logout procedure has been completed, when the elapsed time since the state of the printing device was switched to the standby state exceeds a second threshold time that is shorter than the first threshold time, the state of the printing device is switched to the power saving state.

1. A printing device configured to:

14. A print engine; A user interface; A controller; A printing device comprising: the printing device has a printing state in which printing is performed by the print engine, a standby state in which a first power is supplied to the print engine to prepare for printing, and a power saving state in which less power is supplied to the print engine than in the standby state; Furthermore, login availability information is set to indicate whether the login procedure is enabled or not. The controller further comprises: If the login permission information is set to enable the login procedure, the login process can be executed, and in the login process, user authentication information is acquired via the user interface, the login procedure is performed using the acquired authentication information, and when the login procedure is completed, the print engine can be made to perform printing in accordance with instructions via the user interface. If the login permission information is set to not enable the login procedure, the print engine can be made to perform printing in accordance with an instruction via the user interface without executing the login process, The controller further comprises: If the login permission information is set to not enable the login procedure, when the elapsed time since the state of the printing device was switched to the standby state exceeds a first threshold time, the state of the printing device is switched to the power saving state; If the login permission information is set to enable the login procedure and if the logout procedure has been completed, when the elapsed time since the state of the printing device was switched to the standby state exceeds a second threshold time that is shorter than the first threshold time, the state of the printing device is switched to the power saving state.

1. A printing device configured to:

Images