JP2003032397A - Power saving control method and power saving server - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To efficiently reduce the power consumption of the entire system without increasing the waiting time of a user who performs a printing process. A power saving server temporarily changes all image forming apparatuses to a power saving state and determines whether or not the total power consumption of each image forming apparatus exceeds an upper limit target value.
When the total power consumption of each image forming apparatus is equal to or greater than the upper limit target value, the power saving server 1 does not change the image forming apparatus to the ready state, and gives the image forming apparatus temporarily changed to the power saving state. On the other hand, a command for notifying the command to formally shift the power saving state in the temporary change to the power saving state and formally shifting the ready state in the temporary change to the ready state for each image forming apparatus temporarily changed to the ready state. Notify. If the total power consumption of each image forming apparatus is less than the upper limit target,
The power saving server 1 temporarily changes the image forming apparatus determined to have the highest priority to the ready state.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power saving control method for an image forming system and a power saving server, and more particularly, it is connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a network and centralizes control of power states of the respective image forming apparatuses. Power saving control method and power saving server.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer controls each image forming apparatus in a power saving mode (power saving mode) in order to save power consumption during standby. Specifically, a timer is provided inside the image forming apparatus, and based on this timer,
If it was determined that copying or printing was not being performed, the power saving mode was entered.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-95622 proposes an invention in which two image forming apparatuses cooperate with each other to perform control related to a power saving mode. This invention is 1
Power consumption mode of both the copying machine and the printer is set to valid, and the power consumption of the copying machine and the printer in the comparison device in the copying machine is kept when both are not in use for a predetermined time. In comparison, the one with a larger power consumption (for example, a copying machine) executes the power saving mode, and the one with a smaller power consumption maintains the standby mode.

[0004]

However, in the case where the power saving control is performed for each image forming apparatus as in the prior art, when the image forming apparatus enters the power saving mode, the formed image is generally displayed. Since the temperature of the fixing device for fixing is lowered, it takes time to be able to print again. For this reason, even if the user intends to use the image forming apparatus, if all the image forming apparatuses have entered the power saving mode, there is no image forming apparatus capable of performing print processing quickly. In some cases, a waiting time occurs until the print processing becomes possible.

Further, even if the total power consumption value of the image forming apparatuses actually operating is not large with respect to the power consumption value allowed for the entire system, each image forming apparatus shifts to the power saving mode. Since it is left up to each device, there is a problem that the power consumption cannot be efficiently reduced as a whole system.

Further, even when the image forming system proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-95622 is used, the two image forming apparatuses cooperate to control the power saving mode. Since the control itself is performed in the copying machine and the printer, it is the same as the conventional image forming apparatus in that it is a voluntary control of each device, and each device needs to perform power saving control. There was a problem.

Further, the conventional image forming system has a problem that even if there is a margin in the power consumption of the entire system, the other image forming apparatus remains in the power saving mode while leaving one unit. Furthermore, in the conventional image forming system,
Whether or not to enter the power saving mode was determined only by the power consumption. For this reason, the power saving mode is set regardless of the installation position (location) of the image forming apparatus frequently used by the user and the type of the image forming apparatus having the function required by the user. In some cases, the image forming apparatus located at a high installation position or the image forming apparatus having a function that is frequently used is not in a state in which print processing can be performed. In this case, the user needs to wait for a while until the image forming apparatus becomes ready for printing, and thus there is a problem in that rapid print processing cannot be performed.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object thereof is to efficiently control the power consumption of the entire system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected by a network. To provide a power saving control method and a power saving server capable of centrally controlling a power saving mode of each image forming apparatus so that a waiting time of an image forming apparatus which a user intends to use can be reduced. It is in.

[0009]

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides a plurality of image forming apparatuses having a plurality of standby states with different power consumption and a network. A power-saving control method for controlling a standby state of each image forming apparatus in a connected power-saving server, wherein the standby state information is obtained from the image forming apparatus for each image forming apparatus. From the state information acquisition step and the image forming apparatus,
A power consumption information acquisition step of acquiring power consumption information regarding current power consumption for each image forming apparatus; a control condition setting step of setting a standby state condition for determining an individual standby state of the image forming apparatus; Based on the standby state information acquired by the standby state information acquisition step, the power consumption information acquired by the power consumption information acquisition step, and the standby state condition set by the control condition setting step, A standby state adjusting step of adjusting each standby state of the image forming apparatus; and a standby state shifting step of shifting the standby state of the image forming apparatus to the standby state adjusted by the standby state adjusting step. It is characterized by

In the present invention, the power saving server is
This means a server for controlling the standby state of each image forming apparatus in order to reduce the power consumption of the entire image forming system to which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the control condition setting step determines that the total power consumption of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is equal to or less than a predetermined target value as the standby state condition. It is characterized by setting so that

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first or second aspect, the image forming apparatus as a whole sets the standby state condition set by the control condition setting step in the standby state adjusting step. If the condition is satisfied, the standby state of the image forming apparatus, which has been adjusted to the standby state with low power consumption, is further adjusted to the standby state with high power consumption.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a device information acquisition step of acquiring device information relating to an image forming function of the image forming apparatus, The standby state adjusting step is characterized in that, based on the device information, many of the image forming apparatuses having the image forming function are preferentially adjusted to a standby state in which power consumption is high.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in a power-saving server connected by a network to a plurality of image forming apparatuses having a plurality of standby states with different preparation times required before starting image forming processing, A power saving control method for controlling a standby state of each image forming apparatus, comprising: a standby state information acquisition step of acquiring standby state information regarding a current standby state for each image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus; A control condition setting step for setting a standby condition for determining an individual standby state of the forming apparatus, the standby state information acquired by the standby state information acquisition step, and the control condition setting step set by the control condition setting step. A standby state adjusting step of adjusting each standby state of the image forming apparatus based on a standby state condition; The standby state of the location, characterized in that it comprises a standby state step for shifting to the standby state adjusting the standby state adjusted by step.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fifth aspect, the standby state is an image formable state in which the preparation time is not required in the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus includes the image forming apparatus. It is characterized in that it is classified into an image formation preparation state requiring preparation time.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 6, wherein in the control condition setting step, a predetermined number of image forming apparatuses among the plurality of image forming apparatuses are set as the standby state condition. It is characterized in that it is set so as to be in the image formable state.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the sixth aspect, the control condition setting step includes a predetermined ratio of image forming apparatuses among the plurality of image forming apparatuses as the standby condition. It is characterized in that it is set so as to be in the image formable state.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any of the sixth to eighth aspects, the standby state adjusting step includes the image forming of the standby state condition set by the control condition setting step. When the apparatus as a whole is filled, the standby state of the image forming apparatus adjusted to the image forming preparation state is further adjusted to the image formable state.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the sixth to ninth aspects, the method further comprises a device information acquisition step of acquiring device information regarding an image forming function of the image forming apparatus. In the standby state adjusting step, the image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming functions is preferentially adjusted to the image formable state based on the device information.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the tenth aspect, the device information includes location information regarding a position where the image forming apparatus is installed,
In the standby state adjusting step, based on the location information extracted from the device information, the standby state of the image forming apparatus at different installation positions is adjusted to shift to the image formable state. To do.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, based on the tenth or eleventh aspect of the invention, a search condition acquisition step of acquiring a search condition for the image forming apparatus from a user terminal via a network, and the device information is used. hand,
An image forming apparatus selecting step of selecting an image forming apparatus that matches the search condition acquired by the search condition acquiring step, and a search result notification for notifying the user terminal of the image forming apparatus selected by the image forming apparatus selecting step The image forming apparatus selecting step further includes a step, and the image forming apparatus in the image formable state is preferentially selected in the image forming apparatus selecting step.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the twelfth aspect, when the image forming apparatus selected in the image forming apparatus selecting step is not in the image formable state, the standby state is set. In the adjusting step, the image forming apparatus is adjusted to the image formable state.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the fifth to thirteenth aspects, the time elapsed since the image forming apparatus last performed an image forming operation by the image forming apparatus is included. The apparatus movable information acquisition step of acquiring apparatus movable information, the standby state adjusting step, in addition to the standby state information and the standby state condition, further the apparatus acquired by the apparatus movable information acquisition step It is characterized in that each standby state of the image forming apparatus is adjusted based on the movable information.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power-saving server connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses having a plurality of standby states having different power consumptions by a network, the image forming apparatus moving from the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus. Standby state information acquisition unit that acquires standby state information regarding the current standby state for each, and power consumption information acquisition unit that acquires power consumption information regarding the current power consumption for each image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus; Control condition setting means for setting a standby state condition for determining each standby state of the image forming apparatus, the standby state information acquired by the standby state information acquisition means, and the power consumption information acquisition means Of the image forming apparatus based on the consumed power information and the standby condition set by the control condition setting unit. Standby state adjusting means for adjusting each standby state, and standby state shifting means for shifting the standby state of the image forming apparatus to the standby state adjusted by the standby state adjusting means. .

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fifteenth aspect, the control condition setting means sets the total power consumption of the plurality of image forming apparatuses as the standby state condition to a predetermined target value or less. It is characterized by setting so that

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fifteenth or sixteenth aspect, the standby state adjusting means controls the standby state condition set by the control condition setting means as a whole by the image forming apparatus. If the condition is satisfied, the standby state of the image forming apparatus, which has been adjusted to the standby state with low power consumption, is further adjusted to the standby state with high power consumption.

The invention according to claim 18 is the invention according to claim 15 or 16, further comprising a device information acquisition means for acquiring device information relating to an image forming function of the image forming apparatus, and adjusting the standby state. The means preferentially adjusts a large number of the image forming apparatuses having the image forming function to a standby state with high power consumption based on the device information.

In a nineteenth aspect of the present invention based on the eighteenth aspect, at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is a copying machine and at least one is a printer apparatus. The standby state adjusting means adjusts at least one of the copying machine and at least one of the printer devices to a standby state in which power consumption is high, based on the device information.

According to a twentieth aspect of the invention, in the eighteenth or nineteenth aspect of the invention, at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is a color image forming apparatus, and at least one of them is a monochrome image forming apparatus. In the image forming apparatus, the standby state adjusting means sets at least one of the color image forming apparatus and at least one of the monochrome image forming apparatus in a standby state with a large power consumption based on the device information. It is characterized by adjusting to.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the invention, in the invention according to any one of the eighteenth to twentieth aspects, the device information includes location information regarding a position where the image forming apparatus is installed, and the standby state adjustment is performed. The means adjusts, based on the location information extracted from the device information, the standby state of the image forming apparatuses at different installation positions so as to shift to the standby state in which the power consumption is high.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power-saving server connected by a network to a plurality of image forming apparatuses having a plurality of standby states with different preparation times required before starting image forming processing. A standby state information acquisition unit that acquires standby state information regarding the current standby state for each image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus;
Control condition setting means for setting a standby state condition for determining each standby state of the image forming apparatus, the standby state information acquired by the standby state information acquisition means,
Based on the standby state condition set by the control condition setting unit, a standby state adjustment unit that adjusts each standby state of the image forming apparatus, and a standby state adjustment unit that sets the standby state of the image forming apparatus. And a standby state transition means for shifting to the standby state adjusted by.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the invention, in the twenty-third aspect of the invention, the standby state is an image formable state in which the preparation time is not required in the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus is in the image forming apparatus. It is characterized in that it is classified into an image formation preparation state requiring preparation time.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the twenty-third aspect, the control condition setting means sets a predetermined number of image forming apparatuses among the plurality of image forming apparatuses as the standby state condition. It is characterized in that it is set so as to be in the image formable state.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the twenty-third aspect of the invention, the control condition setting means sets a predetermined proportion of image forming apparatuses among the plurality of image forming apparatuses as the standby state condition. It is characterized in that it is set so as to be in the image formable state.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the twenty-third to twenty-fifth aspects, the standby state adjusting means sets the standby state condition set by the control condition setting means to the image formation. When the apparatus as a whole is filled, the standby state of the image forming apparatus adjusted to the image forming preparation state is further adjusted to the image formable state.

An invention according to claim 27 is the invention according to any one of claims 23 to 26, further comprising a device information acquisition means for acquiring device information regarding an image forming function of the image forming apparatus, The standby state adjusting means preferentially adjusts the plurality of image forming apparatuses having the image forming function to the image formable state based on the device information.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the invention, in the twenty-seventh aspect of the invention, at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is a copying machine and at least one is a printer apparatus. The standby state adjusting means adjusts at least one of the copying machine and at least one of the printer devices to the image formable state based on the device information.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the invention, in the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth aspect of the invention, at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is a color image forming apparatus, and at least one of them is a monochrome image forming apparatus. In the image forming apparatus, the standby state adjusting means sets at least one of the color image forming apparatus and at least one of the monochrome image forming apparatus to the image formable state based on the device information. It is characterized by adjusting and.

According to a thirtieth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the twenty-seventh to twenty-ninth aspects, the device information includes location information regarding a position where the image forming apparatus is installed, and the standby state adjustment is performed. The means adjusts, based on the location information extracted from the device information, the standby state of the image forming apparatuses at different installation positions so as to shift to the image formable state.

According to a thirty-first aspect of the invention, in the invention according to any one of the twenty-seventh to thirty-third aspects, a search condition obtaining means for obtaining a search condition regarding an image forming apparatus from a user terminal via a network, and the device. An image forming apparatus selecting unit that selects an image forming apparatus that matches the search condition acquired by the search condition acquiring unit based on information, and an image forming apparatus selected by the image forming apparatus selecting unit in the user terminal. The image forming apparatus selecting unit further includes a search result notifying unit for notifying, and the image forming apparatus selecting unit preferentially selects the image forming apparatus in the image formable state.

According to a thirty-second aspect of the invention, in the thirty-first aspect of the invention, when the image forming apparatus selected by the image forming apparatus selecting means is not in the image formable state, the standby state is set. The adjusting means adjusts the image forming apparatus to the image formable state.

A thirty-third aspect of the present invention is the invention according to any one of the twenty-second to thirty-second aspects, which includes a time elapsed since the image forming apparatus last performed an image forming operation by the image forming apparatus. A device movement information acquisition unit that acquires device movement information is further provided, and the standby state adjustment unit, in addition to the standby state information and the standby state condition, further includes the device movement information acquired by the device movement information acquisition unit. The standby state of each of the image forming apparatuses is adjusted based on the information.

A thirty-fourth aspect of the invention is a program for causing a power-saving server to execute the power-saving control method according to the first to fourteenth aspects.

A thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program according to the thirty-fourth aspect.

[0045]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a part of an image forming system using a power saving server according to the present invention. The image forming system includes image forming apparatuses 2 to 6 having various functions such as a printer function, a copy function, and a FAX function, and a power saving server 1 that manages the power states of the image forming apparatuses 2 to 6. Image forming apparatus 2
6 to the power saving server 1 are connected by a network 7. Note that, in FIG. 1, a general block diagram showing a print job client, a print server, and the like, which are not necessarily required for explaining the function of the image forming system, is omitted. Further, in the present embodiment, the network 7 is configured by Ethernet (registered trademark), but it may be configured by another interface as long as it connects a plurality of devices to the network.

In this embodiment, the image forming apparatuses 2 to 6 are used.
As the color copying machine A2, a monochrome printer B3, a monochrome complex machine C4, a monochrome complex machine D5, and a monochrome printer E6 are used.

The color copying machine A2 has a color copying function and a color printer function, and a monochrome printer B3.
Has a monochrome printer function. Monochrome C4
Has a black-and-white copy function, a black-and-white printer function, and a FAX function, and the black-and-white multifunction device D5 has a black-and-white copy function and a black-and-white printer function. The monochrome printer E6 has a monochrome printer function.

As shown in FIG. 1, the power saving server 1
The color copying machine A2 and the monochrome printer B3 are installed on the third floor of the office where the image forming system is constructed.
B / W multifunction device C4, B / W multifunction device D5, and B / W printer E
6 is installed on the second floor of the office.

Further, the image forming apparatuses 2 to 6 have two standby states in addition to the operation state in which image formation is performed. The first is a fixing device (not shown) for fixing the formed image.
It is in a power saving state in which the power consumption is reduced by lowering the temperature of. In the power saving state, even when the image forming apparatus receives an image formation instruction (print job), the print processing cannot be performed until the temperature of the fixing device rises and the print processing becomes possible. Therefore, waiting time (preparation time) occurs. The second is a ready state in which the process of lowering the temperature of the fixing device is not performed and the next print process is waited. The ready state consumes more power than the power saving state, but when the image formation instruction (print job) is received, the print processing can be performed immediately, so that quick image formation is possible. .

The power-saving server 1 includes a network I / F 8 for transmitting and receiving various kinds of information to and from the image forming apparatus via the network 7, and a memory 1 for storing the received information and the like.
0, an operation unit 11 including a keyboard and a display, and a CPU 9 that controls various processes in the power saving server 1.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing device information regarding each image forming apparatus stored in the memory of the power saving server. The power saving server 1 receives from each of the image forming apparatuses 2 to 6 on the network (1) whether or not the apparatus is a color machine (color), and (2) whether or not it has a Copy function (C
opy), (3) whether or not it has a Print function (Print), (4) whether or not it has a FAX function (FAX), (5) which floor of the office is installed (Location), (6) Information on the current standby state and standby time (current mode), (7) current power consumption, (8) electrostatic state power consumption, (9) ready state power consumption is acquired, and these information are obtained. Are classified into the image forming apparatuses that have received, and stored in the memory 10 as device information tables.

For example, in FIG. 2, a color copying machine A
Is a color machine, which has a Copy function and a Print function, but does not have a FAX function, the location is on the 3rd floor, the current standby state is the ready state, and it is in the standby state after the end of the previous image forming operation. Twenty minutes have passed since then, and the current power consumption is 200 W, the power consumption in the power saving state is 60 W, and the power consumption in the ready state is 200 W.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the control reference (standby state condition) of the image forming apparatus in the power saving server 1. Hereinafter, this control standard is referred to as a control policy. The power saving server 1 performs integrated power saving control of each image forming apparatus on the network according to the control policy shown in FIG. The control policy is the operation unit 1 of the power saving server 1.
It is set by the user using 1 and stored in the memory 10.

The control policy is composed of four types of control standards, total power control, constant number device active control, constant rate device active control, and non-control, and the image forming apparatus is controlled by these four types of control standards. Is based on.

The total power control is a control method used when giving priority to limiting the total power consumption value of the image forming apparatuses on the network. The total power control is performed by the image forming apparatus that is in the ready state when the total power consumption of the image forming apparatuses connected to the network has a margin with respect to the power consumption value allowed for the entire image forming system. It is characterized in that control is performed so as to increase the number.

The certain number of devices active control is characterized by performing control so that a certain number of image forming apparatuses on the network maintain the ready state. The constant device active control is used when priority is given to reducing the waiting time of the user by keeping a certain number of image forming apparatuses in a ready state.

The constant rate device active control is characterized by performing control so that a fixed rate of image forming apparatuses on the network maintain a ready state. The constant rate device active control is used when priority is given to reducing the waiting time of the user by maintaining a constant rate of the image forming apparatus in the ready state.

The fixed number device active control has an advantage that the total value of power consumption can be suppressed, as compared with the constant rate device active control, because the upper limit number of devices in the ready state is determined. On the other hand, the constant rate device active control has an advantage over the constant number device active control in that it can follow up even when the number of image forming apparatuses on the network changes. For example, in the case of a constant rate device active control, when the organization expands and a new image forming apparatus is added, there is an advantage that the number of image forming apparatuses that maintain the ready state is automatically increased. In addition, when many image forming apparatuses are powered off at night, the number of image forming apparatuses that maintain the ready state is automatically reduced accordingly.

The non-control is characterized in that the power saving server 1 does not intensively perform power saving control of each image forming apparatus, but controls each image forming apparatus.

When the total power control is used as the control policy of the power saving server 1, the upper limit target value for the total power consumption of the image forming apparatuses is set as the first control parameter, and is connected to the network. The power saving control of each image forming apparatus is performed so that the total value of the power consumption of each image forming apparatus does not exceed the upper limit target value.

As the second control parameter, the new function priority is set. This is a parameter that indicates the degree to which the image forming apparatus having the new function is prioritized when determining the image forming apparatus to be transferred to the ready state. For example, in the case of the new function priority = 30, when a certain image forming apparatus X has two functions which the image forming apparatus currently in the ready state does not have, 2 × 30 = 60 is set to the image forming apparatus X. Add to the priority of. By increasing this parameter, it is possible to control an image forming apparatus having a new function so as to preferentially shift to the ready state.

In the case of this embodiment, the function is Cop.
Three types of y, Print, and Fax are set. By performing such control, the image forming apparatus having various functions can be maintained in the ready state, and the probability that the image forming apparatus having the function desired by the user is in the ready state can be increased. .

As the third control parameter, the new type priority is set. This is a parameter that means the degree to which a new type image forming apparatus is prioritized when determining the image forming apparatus to be transferred to the ready state. For example, in the case of the new type priority = 10, when a certain image forming apparatus X is of a type different from the image forming apparatus in the ready state, 10 is added to the image forming apparatus X as the priority. By increasing this parameter, a new type of image forming apparatus can be controlled so as to preferentially shift to the ready state.

In the case of the present embodiment, the types are a monochrome printer dedicated machine, a color printer dedicated machine, a monochrome multifunction machine,
There are four types of color MFPs. A printer-only machine is generally characterized by low print costs, and a multifunction machine is characterized by being able to perform copying in addition to print processing. Therefore, by performing such control, it is possible to maintain the image forming apparatus of the desired type among the image forming apparatuses of various types in the ready state,
It is possible to increase the probability that the image forming apparatus of the type that the user wants to use is in the ready state.

As the fourth control parameter, the priority of the multifunction peripheral is set. This is a parameter that means the degree to which the image forming apparatus, which is a multifunction peripheral, is prioritized when determining the image forming apparatus to be transferred to the ready state.
For example, when the priority of the multi-function peripheral = 20 and the image forming apparatus X is the multi-function peripheral, the priority is 20.
Is added to the image forming apparatus X. By increasing this parameter, the image forming apparatus, which is a multi-function peripheral, can be controlled so as to preferentially shift to the ready state.

Further, since the multi-function peripheral has many functions, the amount of power consumed per function is smaller than that of the image forming apparatus having a single function.
Therefore, by performing control based on the composite priority, it is possible to quickly maintain a large number of functions in a usable state with low power consumption in the entire system.

The fifth control parameter is used to set the color machine priority. This means the degree to which an image forming apparatus having a color image forming function (hereinafter referred to as a color machine) is prioritized over other image forming apparatuses when determining an image forming apparatus to shift to the ready state. Is a parameter to For example, when the priority of the color machine is 40 and the image forming apparatus X is a color machine, 40 is added to the image forming apparatus X as the priority. By increasing this parameter, it is possible to control the image forming apparatus, which is a color machine, to preferentially shift to the ready state. Generally, a color machine can form a black-and-white image, and thus can be used as a substitute machine for an image forming apparatus that forms a black-and-white image (hereinafter referred to as a black-and-white machine). Don't Therefore, by performing such control, it is possible to maintain many functions in the ready state with a small number of units in the entire system.

As the sixth control parameter, the new location priority is set. This is a parameter that means the degree to which the image forming apparatus at the new location is prioritized over other image forming apparatuses when determining the image forming apparatus to be transferred to the ready state. For example, if the new location priority = 50,
When a certain image forming apparatus X is in a new location different from the location where the image forming apparatus currently in the ready state exists, the image forming apparatus X is given priority as 50.
Add to. By increasing this parameter, the image forming apparatus at the new location can be controlled so as to preferentially shift to the ready state. By performing such control, for example, when three image forming apparatuses are in the ready state on the third floor of the office, but there are no ready state on the second floor, there are no image forming apparatuses on the second floor. The user can avoid the inconvenience of having to wait until the image forming apparatus on the second floor is ready or go to the third floor. Further, it is possible to reduce the waiting time and the moving distance to the image forming apparatus for the users at all locations.

The standby time priority is set as the seventh control parameter. This is a parameter that indicates the degree to which an image forming apparatus having a long preparation time is prioritized over other image forming apparatuses when determining an image forming apparatus to be transitioned to the ready state. For example, when the standby time priority = −0.5 and the standby time of a certain image forming apparatus X is 20 minutes, −0.5 × 20 = −10,
It is added to the priority of the image forming apparatus X. By setting this parameter to a negative value, the power saving server 1
It is possible to control the image forming apparatus, which has a short elapsed time from the end of the previous image forming operation, to be in the ready state preferentially. Conversely, an image forming apparatus that takes a long time after the last image forming operation is completed is likely to be in a power saving state. By performing such control, the frequently used image forming apparatus can be preferentially maintained in the ready state.

The power consumption priority is set as the eighth control parameter. This is a parameter that means the degree to which an image forming apparatus that consumes a lot of power is prioritized over other image forming apparatuses when deciding an image forming apparatus to be transitioned to the ready state. For example, when the power consumption priority is −0.1 and the power consumption of a certain image forming apparatus X in the ready state is 200 W, −0.1 is set.
× 200 = −20 is added to the image forming apparatus X as a priority. By setting this parameter to a negative value, an image forming apparatus with low power consumption can be preferentially controlled to be in the ready state.

When the control method is the active control of a fixed number of devices, the first control parameter is set to a predetermined number of image forming apparatuses which maintain the ready state among the image forming apparatuses connected to the network. . Other control parameters are the same as in the case of total power control.

When the control method is the constant rate device active control, the first control parameter is a predetermined ratio (predetermined rate) of the image forming apparatuses that maintain the ready state among the image forming apparatuses connected to the network. ) Is set. Other control parameters are the same as in the case of total power control.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining a process for acquiring the device information of each image forming apparatus in the power saving server, and this process will be referred to as a monitor task hereinafter. In step S101, the power saving server 1
The CPU 9 sends a command for inquiring device information of each image forming apparatus to each image forming apparatus on the network. Next, in step S102, the power saving server 1 checks whether or not the device information has been received from each image forming apparatus, and if the device information has been received,
In step S103, the device information for each image forming apparatus is registered in the device information table described with reference to FIG.

Next, in step S104, it is checked whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S102 and the reception check is repeated. On the other hand, when the predetermined time has elapsed, the process returns to step S101 and the command to inquire the device information to each image forming apparatus is sent again. In this way, the monitor task collects device information of each image forming apparatus on the network.

FIGS. 5 to 7 are flowcharts for explaining the control of the power consumption of the entire image forming system by adjusting the processing state of each image forming apparatus in the power saving server. Hereinafter, this control is referred to as an adjustment task. The CPU 9 of the power saving server 1 saves power of each image forming apparatus on the network based on the device information of each image forming apparatus acquired by the monitor task shown in FIG. 4 and the control policy shown in FIG. Take control.

First, in step S201, it is determined whether the control policy is set to total power control. If the control policy is total power control, in step S202, it will be described later with reference to FIG. The processing of adjustment task 2 is executed. Next, in step S203, it is determined whether or not the control policy is a fixed number of device active controls, and if the control policy is a fixed number of device active controls, then in step S204, an adjustment described later with reference to FIG. The processing of task 3 is executed.

Further, in step S205, it is determined whether or not the control policy is constant rate device active control, and if the control policy is constant rate device active control, the number of image forming apparatuses connected to the network. On the other hand, according to a predetermined rate set in the control policy, a predetermined number is calculated in step S206,
In step S207, the process of the adjustment task 3 described later with reference to FIG. 7 is executed.

Further, when the control policy does not correspond to any of the above, that is, when the control policy is non-control, and the adjustment task 2 in step S202, step S20.
When the adjustment task 3 of No. 4 and the adjustment task 3 of step S207 are completed, in step S208, a predetermined time elapses, and after the predetermined time elapses, step S208 is performed.
Returning to step 201, the adjustment task processing is repeated.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the control in the adjustment task 2 shown in FIG. First,
In step S301, the power saving server 1 temporarily changes all the image forming apparatuses in the ready state to the power saving state. Next, in step S302, the power saving server 1
Determines whether the total power consumption of the image forming apparatuses exceeds the upper limit target value set in the control policy. In making this determination, the power saving server 1
The power consumption is calculated by using the power consumption in the power saving state as the power consumption of the image forming apparatus temporarily changed to the power saving state.

If it is determined in step S302 that the total power consumption of the image forming apparatuses exceeds the upper limit target value, it means that the current power consumption has a margin with respect to the upper limit power consumption. To do. Therefore, step S
In step 303, the priority of each image forming apparatus is calculated according to the control policy described in FIG.
In 4, the image forming apparatus having the highest priority is changed to the ready state.

For example, regarding the calculation of the priority of the image forming apparatus in step S303, each control parameter is set as shown in FIG.
If the priority is set to the value shown in Fig. 1 and all the devices are temporarily changed to the power saving state, the priority of the color copying machine A2 shown in Fig. 1 is as follows: new function priority = 2 (Copy, Pr
int) × 30, new type priority = 1 × 10, multifunction device priority = 1 × 20, color device priority = 1 × 40, new location priority = 1 × 50, standby time priority = −0.5
× 20, power consumption priority = −0.1 × 200, and the total priority is 2 × 30 + 1 × 10 + 1 × 20 + 1 × 40.
+ 1 * 50-0.5 * 20-0.1 * 200 = 150.

By the same calculation, the priority of the monochrome printer B3 is 56, the priority of the monochrome multifunction device C4 is 157, and the priority of the monochrome multifunction device D5 is 116. The black and white printer E
When 6 is in the middle of printer processing, it is determined that the image forming operation is currently being performed, so the priority is calculated as 0.

Next, in step S304, the power saving server 1 temporarily changes the image forming apparatus determined to have the highest priority in step S303 to the ready state. In the above example, since the priority value of the black-and-white multifunction device C4 is 157, which is the highest, the black-and-white multifunction device C4 is temporarily changed to the ready state. After that, the process of the adjustment task 2 returns to step S302, and even after the first image forming apparatus is temporarily changed to the ready state, the total power consumption of each image forming apparatus is the upper limit target set in the control policy. It is checked again whether the value exceeds the upper limit value, and if the upper limit target value has not been exceeded, the second and subsequent image forming apparatuses are provisionally changed to the ready state in the same manner as the first apparatus.

However, in the case of the second image forming apparatus, since the first image forming apparatus has already been temporarily changed to the ready state, the priority of each image forming apparatus also changes. For example, if the black-and-white multifunction device C4 is temporarily changed to the ready state as the first device,
The black-and-white multifunction device C4 has a Copy function and a Print function. Therefore, the Cop of the color copying machine A2
Both the y function and the Print function are already black and white multifunction devices C4
Color copying machine A2
The value of the new function priority of is judged as 0.

Similarly, the Copy of the black-and-white multifunction device D5 has
Since the function and the Print function are not judged to be new types, the new type priority is 0. Also in the new location priority, since the black-and-white multifunction device C4 is installed on the second floor, it is determined that the black-and-white multifunction device D5 installed on the second floor is not a new location, and the new location priority is given. The degree becomes 0.

That is, the image forming apparatus which has been temporarily changed to the ready state by the device information table shown in FIG. 2, the same location and the same type as the monochrome multifunction machine C4 in the above example, The priority for the image forming apparatus having the same function is calculated low.

In step S302, if the total power consumption of each image forming apparatus is greater than or equal to the upper limit target value (Yes), it means that there is no margin in the total power consumption value of each image forming apparatus. The power server 1 is more
The image forming apparatus is not changed to the ready state, and in step S305, a command for officially shifting the temporarily saved power saving state to the power saving state is issued to each image forming apparatus temporarily changed to the power saving state. Notify via 7.

Further, in step S 306, the power-saving server 1 sends a command to the image forming apparatuses temporarily changed to the ready state via the network 7 to officially shift the temporarily changed ready state to the ready state. And notify you. In this way, the power-saving server 1 performs control so as to maintain the ready state in order from the image forming apparatus having the highest priority when the power consumption has a margin.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the control in the adjustment task 3 shown in FIG. First,
In step S401, all the image forming apparatuses in the ready state are temporarily changed to the power saving state. Next, step S
In 402, it is determined whether or not the number of image forming apparatuses temporarily changed to the ready state exceeds the set predetermined number of image forming apparatuses (predetermined number).

If the number is not above the predetermined number, the priority of each image forming apparatus is calculated in steps S403 and S404 in the same manner as the processing in steps S303 and S304 shown in FIG. 6, and the maximum priority is calculated. The image forming apparatus of No. 1 is changed to the ready state. If the number exceeds the predetermined number, in step S405, a command for officially shifting the temporarily saved power saving state to the power saving state is sent to each image forming apparatus temporarily changed to the power saving state via the network 7. And notify you.

Further, in step S406, each image forming apparatus temporarily changed to the ready state is notified via the network 7 of a command for officially shifting the ready state in the temporary change to the ready state. In this way, the power saving server 1 performs control so as to maintain a predetermined number of image forming apparatuses in descending order of priority in order to maintain the ready state.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining the control of the directory service task, which is processed by the CPU 9 of the power saving server 1. The directory service performed by the power saving server 1 is a printer search condition received from a user terminal (not shown) connected to the power saving server 1 and the network 7, and the search condition is selected from the image forming apparatuses on the network 7. Means a service that selects an image forming apparatus that matches with and notifies the user terminal.

First, in step S501, the power saving server 1 waits for a search request for an image forming apparatus from the user terminal via the network 7. When a search request is received, in step S502, the power saving server 1 determines whether there is an image forming apparatus in a ready state that matches the search condition. For example, a function to be used, a location, or the like is used as the search condition, and in step S502, the power saving server 1 uses the device information table illustrated in FIG. 2 to determine whether or not there is an image forming apparatus that meets the search condition. To investigate. If there is an image forming apparatus in a ready state that matches the search condition, the user terminal is notified of the image forming apparatus in step S503, and the process returns to step S501.

If there is no ready image forming apparatus that matches the search condition, the power saving server 1 uses the device information table of FIG. 2 in step S504 to form an image in the power saving state that matches the search condition. It is determined whether the device exists. If there is a device in a power saving state that matches the search condition, in step S505,
The device is notified to the user terminal, and a command to shift to the ready state is sent to the image forming device, and a power saving state is sent to another device in the ready state instead of the image forming device. A command to shift to is transmitted and the process returns to step S501.

If there is no apparatus in the power saving state that matches the search condition, in step S506, the power saving server 1 uses the device information table in FIG. 2 to find an image forming apparatus in the operating state that matches the search condition. It is determined whether or not to do it. If there is an image forming apparatus that matches the search condition, the user terminal is notified of the image forming apparatus in step S507, and the process returns to step S501.
If there is no image forming device that matches the search conditions,
In step S508, the image forming apparatus closest to the search condition is checked using the device information table shown in FIG.
The device is notified to the user terminal, and the process returns to step S501.

As described above, the power saving server 1 can also serve as a directory server that provides a directory service. Since device information such as the function and location of each image forming apparatus is required to perform the directory service, there is an advantage that the device information stored in the power saving server 1 can be used. Further, since the device in the ready state can be preferentially selected and notified to the user terminal, there is an advantage that the waiting time of the user can be reduced. Further, when the image forming apparatus in the power saving state is selected and the user terminal is notified of the image forming apparatus, the power saving server sends an instruction to the image forming apparatus to immediately shift to the ready state. As a result, it is possible to reduce the waiting time of the user, and it is possible to prevent an increase in the power consumption of the entire system by shifting other image forming apparatuses to the power saving state.

Further, by centrally performing the power saving control in the power saving server 1, it is not necessary to individually perform the power saving control in each image forming apparatus, and the processing of each image forming apparatus can be reduced. Further, there is an effect that hardware such as a calendar IC required for power saving control can be deleted from each image forming apparatus.

[Embodiment 2] An image forming system using a power saving server according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described.
In the first embodiment, in step S103 shown in FIG. 4, the power saving server 1 causes the image forming apparatus on the network to pass the function, location, standby state, standby time, and current power consumption via the network 7. Although the device information including the power consumption in each standby state is received, in the second embodiment, the device information that the power saving server 1 receives from each image forming apparatus via the network 7 is in the standby state. It is different from the first embodiment in that it is only. Therefore, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

In the power saving server according to the second embodiment, since the information on the power consumption in the location and each standby state is a fixed parameter determined for each image forming apparatus, the power saving is performed in advance by the operation unit 11 or the like. The value stored in the server is used. Further, the standby time of each image forming apparatus is calculated by the power saving server 1 based on the regularly received device information in the standby state. Therefore, the power saving server 1 calculates based on the standby state in which the current power consumption is received and the power consumption value stored in the power saving server 1 in the standby state of each image forming apparatus. By performing such control, in addition to the same effect as that of the first embodiment, there is an effect that it is not necessary to measure the standby time on each image forming apparatus side.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the information on the number of floors of the office is used as the information on the location. However, not only information on the number of floors of the office but also more detailed information, for example, a certain floor is used. When there are a plurality of blocks, the location information may be determined for each block, or the information may be determined using the department or department in which the image forming apparatus is installed.

In the first and second embodiments, two types of cases have been described: the standby state is the power saving state and the ready state, but the controlled image forming apparatus consumes different power. However, the standby state is not limited to two types, and may be three or more types. Further, the power-off state may be treated as one of the standby states.

Furthermore, although each parameter in the control policy is a fixed value set by the operation unit 11, it can be set so as to change in association with the day of the week, time of day, or a predetermined function. The setting may be made based on the determination. For example, in an office, on a Sunday or a night when the number of users who use the image forming apparatus is small, the predetermined number set in the device active control may be set to be reduced.

In the first and second embodiments, the case where the network 7 is used as a local area network using Ethernet (registered trademark) and installed in an office has been described. It is not limited to the local area network as long as it is connected. For example, a wide area network connecting each branch in Japan may be used, and in this case, the effect that the image forming apparatus at the A branch and the image forming apparatus at the B branch can be integratedly controlled. Will play. Further, it may be network-connected via the Internet. Further, the network 7 is not limited to a wired network such as Ethernet (registered trademark), and may be a network for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data.

[0104]

As described above, by using the power saving control method and the power saving server according to the present invention, the power consumption of the entire image forming system can be increased without increasing the waiting time of the user who performs print processing. There is an effect that can be efficiently saved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a part of an image forming system using a power saving server 1 according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing information about an image forming apparatus held in a memory of a power saving server.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a control standard of the image forming apparatus in the power saving server 1.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process for acquiring device information of each image forming apparatus in the power saving server.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining control of power consumption of the entire image forming system by adjusting the processing state of each image forming apparatus in the power saving server.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining control in adjustment task 2 shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining control in adjustment task 3 shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a control flow of a directory service task processed by the CPU 9 of the power saving server 1.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Power saving server 2 Color copier A 3 Black and white printer B 4 Black and white multifunction machine C 5 Black and white multifunction machine D 6 Black and white printer E 7 network 8 I / F 9 CPU 10 memory 11 Operation part

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G03G 21/14 G03G 21/00 372 G06F 1/32 G06F 1/00 332Z F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 AP07 AR01 HH11 HR07 HT02 HT03 HT06 HT07 HT09 2H027 EA15 EE08 EE10 EF15 EJ13 EJ15 FA35 FC03 ZA07 ZA09 5B011 DA01 EA01 EB08 LL11 LL14 5C062 AA05 AA13 AA29 AB49 AF06 AF14 BA00

Claims (35)

[Claims] 1. A power-saving control method for controlling a standby state of each image forming apparatus in a power-saving server connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses having a plurality of standby states with different power consumption by a network, A standby state information acquisition step of acquiring standby state information regarding a current standby state for each image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus; and power consumption information regarding a current power consumption for each image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus. Power consumption information acquisition step to obtain, a control condition setting step to set a standby state condition for determining the individual standby state of the image forming apparatus, the standby state information acquired by the standby state information acquisition step , The power consumption information acquired in the power consumption information acquisition step and the control condition setting step A standby state adjusting step of adjusting each standby state of the image forming apparatus based on the set standby state condition; and a standby state of the image forming apparatus adjusted by the standby state adjusting step. A power saving control method comprising: a standby state transition step of transitioning to a state. 2. The control condition setting step is set as the standby state condition such that the total power consumption of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is equal to or less than a predetermined target value. Power saving control method. 3. The standby state adjusting step adjusts the standby state with less power consumption when the image forming apparatus as a whole satisfies the standby state condition set by the control condition setting step. The power saving control method according to claim 1, wherein the standby state of the image forming apparatus is further adjusted to a standby state in which power consumption is high. 4. A device information acquisition step of acquiring device information relating to an image forming function of the image forming apparatus, wherein the standby state adjusting step has many image forming functions based on the device information. 4. The power saving control method according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is preferentially adjusted to a standby state in which power consumption is high. 5. A power-saving server connected by a network to a plurality of image forming apparatuses having a plurality of standby states that require different preparation times before starting image forming processing, and the standby state of each image forming apparatus. And a standby state information acquisition step of acquiring standby state information regarding a current standby state for each image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus, and an individual standby state of the image forming apparatus. Based on the control condition setting step of setting a standby state condition for determining, the standby state information acquired by the standby state information acquisition step, and the standby state condition set by the control condition setting step A standby state adjusting step of adjusting each standby state of the image forming apparatus; Saving control method characterized by and a standby state step for shifting to the standby state adjusted by the standby conditioning step. 6. The standby state is an image formable state in which the preparation time is not required in the image forming apparatus,
The power saving control method according to claim 5, wherein the image forming measure is classified into an image forming preparation state that requires the preparation time. 7. The control condition setting step is characterized in that a predetermined number of image forming apparatuses among a plurality of the image forming apparatuses are set to the image formable state as the standby state condition. The power saving control method according to claim 6. 8. The control condition setting step is characterized in that a predetermined ratio of the image forming apparatuses among the plurality of image forming apparatuses is set to the image formable state as the standby state condition. The power saving control method according to claim 6. 9. The standby state adjusting step, when the image forming apparatus as a whole satisfies the standby state condition set by the control condition setting step,
9. The power saving control method according to claim 6, further comprising adjusting the standby state of the image forming apparatus adjusted to the image forming preparation state to the image formable state. 10. The apparatus further comprises a device information acquisition step of acquiring device information relating to an image forming function of the image forming apparatus, wherein the standby state adjusting step has a plurality of the image forming functions based on the device information. 10. The power saving control method according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus is preferentially adjusted to the image formable state. 11. The device information includes location information related to a position where the image forming apparatus is installed, and the standby state adjusting step determines that different installation positions are set based on the location information extracted from the device information. 11. The stand-by state of a certain image forming apparatus is adjusted so as to shift to the image formable state.
The power saving control method described in. 12. A search condition acquisition step of acquiring a search condition for an image forming apparatus from a user terminal via a network, and image formation conforming to the search condition acquired by the search condition acquisition step based on the device information. An image forming apparatus selecting step of selecting an apparatus, and a search result notifying step of notifying the user terminal of the image forming apparatus selected in the image forming apparatus selecting step, wherein the image forming apparatus selecting step includes the image The power saving control method according to claim 10, wherein the image forming apparatus in the formable state is selected with priority. 13. If the image forming apparatus selected in the image forming apparatus selecting step is not in the image formable state, the standby state adjusting step adjusts the image forming apparatus to the image formable state. The power saving control method according to claim 12, wherein 14. A device movement information acquisition step of acquiring device movement information including the elapsed time since the image forming apparatus last performed an image forming operation from the image forming apparatus, the standby state adjusting step. Adjusting the individual standby states of the image forming apparatus based on the standby state information and the standby state condition, and further based on the device movable information acquired in the device movable information acquisition step. The power saving control method according to any one of claims 5 to 13, which is characterized in that. 15. A power-saving server connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses having a plurality of standby states with different power consumption by a network, wherein the image forming apparatus relates to a current standby state for each of the image forming apparatuses. A standby state information acquisition unit that acquires standby state information; a power consumption information acquisition unit that acquires power consumption information regarding current power consumption for each image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus; Control condition setting means for setting a standby state condition for determining a standby state, the standby state information acquired by the standby state information acquisition means, and the power consumption information acquired by the power consumption information acquisition means Adjusting the individual standby states of the image forming apparatus based on the standby state conditions set by the control condition setting means. That a waiting state adjusting unit, the standby state of the image forming apparatus, the power-saving server which is characterized in that it comprises a standby-state means for shifting to the standby state adjusted by the standby condition adjusting means. 16. The control condition setting means sets the total power consumption of the plurality of image forming apparatuses as the standby state condition to be a predetermined target value or less. Power saving server. 17. The standby state adjusting means adjusts the standby state with less power consumption when the image forming apparatus as a whole satisfies the standby state condition set by the control condition setting means. The power saving server according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the standby state of the image forming apparatus is further adjusted to a standby state in which power consumption is high. 18. A device information acquisition unit for acquiring device information about an image forming function of the image forming apparatus, wherein the standby state adjusting unit has many image forming functions based on the device information. 18. The power saving server according to claim 15, wherein the image forming apparatus is preferentially adjusted to a standby state in which power consumption is high. 19. At least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is a copying machine, and at least one of them is a printer apparatus, and the standby state adjusting means is based on the equipment information. 19. The power saving server according to claim 18, wherein at least one of the copying machine and at least one of the printer devices are adjusted to a standby state in which power consumption is high. 20. Among the plurality of image forming apparatuses, at least one is a color image forming apparatus, and at least one is a black and white image forming apparatus, and the standby state adjusting means stores the device information in the device information. 19. Based on the above, at least one of the color image forming apparatus and at least one of the monochrome image forming apparatus are adjusted to a standby state in which power consumption is high.
The power-saving server according to item 9. 21. The device information includes location information regarding a position where the image forming apparatus is installed, and the standby state adjusting means sets different installation positions based on the location information extracted from the device information. 21. The power saving server according to claim 18, wherein a standby state of a certain image forming apparatus is adjusted so as to shift to a standby state in which power consumption is high. 22. A power-saving server connected by a network to a plurality of image forming apparatuses having a plurality of standby states with different preparation times required before starting the image forming processing, A standby state information acquisition unit that acquires standby state information regarding a current standby state for each image forming apparatus; and a control condition setting unit that sets a standby state condition for determining each standby state of the image forming apparatus. A standby state adjustment for adjusting each standby state of the image forming apparatus based on the standby state information acquired by the standby state information acquisition unit and the standby state condition set by the control condition setting unit And a standby state transition unit for transitioning the standby state of the image forming apparatus to the standby state adjusted by the standby state adjusting unit. , Saving server which is characterized in that it comprises. 23. The standby state is classified into an image formable state in which the preparation time is not required in the image forming apparatus and an image formation preparation state in which the preparation time is required in the image forming measure. The power saving server according to claim 22, wherein 24. The control condition setting means sets, as the standby state condition, a predetermined number of image forming apparatuses among the plurality of image forming apparatuses to be in the image formable state. The power saving server according to claim 23. 25. The control condition setting means sets, as the standby state condition, a predetermined ratio of image forming apparatuses among the plurality of image forming apparatuses to be in the image formable state. The power saving server according to claim 23. 26. The standby state adjusting means adjusts the image forming preparation state when the image forming apparatus as a whole satisfies the standby state condition set by the control condition setting means. 26. The power saving server according to claim 23, wherein the standby state of the image forming apparatus is further adjusted to the image formable state. 27. The apparatus further comprises a device information acquisition unit for acquiring device information regarding an image forming function of the image forming apparatus, wherein the standby state adjusting unit has a plurality of the image forming functions based on the device information. 27. The power saving server according to claim 23, wherein the image forming apparatus is preferentially adjusted to the image formable state. 28. At least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is a copying machine, and at least one of them is a printer apparatus, and the standby state adjusting means is configured to perform the operation based on the device information. The power saving server according to claim 27, wherein at least one of the copying machine and at least one of the printer devices are adjusted to the image formable state. 29. At least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is a color image forming apparatus, and at least one is a black and white image forming apparatus, and the standby state adjusting means stores the device information in the device information. 29. Based on this, at least one of the color image forming apparatus and at least one of the monochrome image forming apparatus are adjusted to the image formable state.
Power saving server described in. 30. The device information includes location information related to a position where the image forming apparatus is installed, and the standby state adjusting means sets different installation positions based on the location information extracted from the device information. 30. The power saving server according to claim 27, wherein a standby state of an image forming apparatus is adjusted so as to shift to the image formable state. 31. A search condition acquisition unit for acquiring a search condition for an image forming apparatus from a user terminal via a network; and an image formation conforming to the search condition acquired by the search condition acquisition unit based on the device information. The image forming apparatus selecting unit further includes an image forming apparatus selecting unit selecting an apparatus, and a search result notifying unit notifying the user terminal of the image forming apparatus selected by the image forming apparatus selecting unit. 31. The power saving server according to claim 27, wherein the image forming apparatus in the formable state is selected with priority. 32. When the image forming apparatus selected by the image forming apparatus selecting means is not in the image formable state, the standby state adjusting means adjusts the image forming apparatus to the image formable state. The power saving server according to claim 31, wherein 33. The image forming apparatus further comprises an apparatus movable information acquiring unit that acquires apparatus movable information including an elapsed time since the image forming apparatus last performed an image forming operation, and the standby state adjusting unit. In addition to the standby state information and the standby state condition, each standby state of the image forming apparatus is adjusted based on the apparatus movable information acquired by the apparatus movable information acquisition unit. The power saving server according to any one of claims 22 to 32. 34. A program for causing a power saving server to execute the power saving control method according to claim 1. 35. A computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program according to claim 34.