JP2004070817A - Power management device, file server, printing system, and computer software - Google Patents

Abstract

A power management device, a file server, a printing system, and computer software for a plurality of printers shared by a plurality of hosts are provided.
A power management device that manages the power of a plurality of printers connected to a plurality of host devices via a network, the host operating status monitoring unit and the host device being controlled by the network. And a host-specific priority setting unit 111 for setting the priority of the printer 3 and the priority of the function of the printer 3 for each printer, and summing up the set host-specific priorities in consideration of the host operating state to determine the priority of each printer. A printer information totalizing unit 113 to calculate, a printer power determining unit 114 for determining whether or not each printer needs to be operated from the total result, and a printer power controlling unit for remotely controlling the power of the printer based on the determination as to whether the printer 3 needs to operate. 115.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a power management device, a file server, a printing system, and computer software, and more particularly to a printing system in which a plurality of printers are shared by a plurality of host devices.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-172474 proposes an automatic power supply that automatically detects that all computers using the network printer have completed their tasks and turns off the power of the network printer. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-199131 proposes setting a priority order for each printer, and determining power-on / off and energy-saving mode control based on printing frequency and intervals.
[0003]
However, JP-A-2000-172474 does not disclose a measure for sharing a plurality of printers with a plurality of hosts. Further, in the above publication, all printers are turned on until the last host device is stopped, which wastes energy.
[0004]
In the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-199131, it is assumed that a plurality of printers are shared by a plurality of host devices. However, the printer to be set in the energy saving mode is determined from the priority order and the frequency of use. Can reflect past usage, but is not always optimally set for the expected usage at that time.
[0005]
In view of this, the present inventor has previously set a printer to be used by each host device and its priority (necessity) in Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-106439, confirms the power supply state of the host device, and is in an activated state. It has been proposed to turn off the printer which is determined to have low priority based on the type of printer priority for each host device. Thus, the necessity of the printer is determined based on the priority and the operating state of each host, and the power management is performed, so that the user's trouble is saved and the energy saving effect of the entire network can be obtained.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-106439, functions and performances of a plurality of printers (and attached options) connected to a network are not taken into consideration, and are not necessarily the same. Further, it is conceivable that the user also needs a printer having a specific function (performance) depending on the content of work at that time.
[0007]
For example, it is assumed that a user who normally exclusively uses a printer close to the host device uses a printer capable of performing double-sided printing far from the host device in order to print a large number of copies of conference materials and the like. In such a case, the user needs to change the priority setting each time to turn on the printer suitable for the operating host device (remaining user) based only on the priority setting of the printer. is there. In addition, when the number of printers is large, for a user who frequently needs a printer having a specific function (performance), the priority of the printer is set so that the printer to be operated is expressed. May not be appropriate.
[0008]
The present invention can specify the required printer function (performance) in addition to (or instead of) the printer priority of each host, as the power management determination data of a plurality of printers shared by a plurality of hosts. Power management device, file server, printing system, and computer software capable of automatically and temporarily setting necessary functions (performance) corresponding to specific tasks set in a schedule as power management determination data Provide wear.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention relates to a power supply management device that manages the power of a plurality of printers connected to a plurality of host devices via a network via a network. Unit, a priority setting unit for each host that sets the priority of each printer and the priority of the function of the printer for each host device, and the priority for each host that is set in consideration of the host operating state, and the total priority set for each host is collected. A printer information summarizing unit that calculates the priority of each printer; a printer power judging unit that judges whether each printer needs to be operated based on the sum of the printer information summarizing unit; The power management device includes a printer power control unit that is remotely operated.
[0010]
By setting the priority of each printer and the function (performance) of each printer for each host device in the priority setting unit for each host, the power supply of the printer having the function (performance) necessary for the user's job is turned on. Can be specified.
[0011]
Further, in the present invention, the host-specific priority setting unit sets the priority of each printer and the priority of a printer function for each host device by the possessed points of each host device, and at this time, The power management apparatus has a different rate (weighting) from the score for setting the priority and the score for setting the priority of the function of the printer.
[0012]
The necessity for the function of the printer is rarely determined by the user's arbitrariness and preference, and is expected to be based on the business necessity of the user. Therefore, the rate (weighting) between the point for setting the priority of each printer and the point for setting the priority of the function of the printer is made different, and the points for setting the priority of the function of the printer are made heavier. By assigning weights in such a manner, it is possible to specify that a printer having a function necessary for a user's job is reliably turned on.
[0013]
According to the present invention, there is provided a file server connected to the power management apparatus and the network, wherein an event material file capable of storing a user and a printer function designated as a printing condition is associated with an event start date and time. The specified printer function is converted into the priority of the printer function for the host device and converted based on the schedule data file and the user information file storing information that associates the user with the host device. The file server includes a schedule management unit that notifies the priority to the host-specific priority setting unit of the power management apparatus before the event start date and time.
[0014]
Based on the event start date and time written in the schedule data file, prior to the event start date and time, the printer function specified as the print condition is notified as a priority to the host-specific priority setting unit, so that the user can be notified. It can be set so that a printer having a function required for business is automatically turned on.
[0015]
Further, according to the present invention, when the schedule management means further associates the event end date and time with the schedule data file, the schedule management means is preset in the host-specific priority setting section of the power management device after a predetermined time of the event end date and time. This is a file server that notifies the user to set the priorities again.
[0016]
After a predetermined time after the event end date and time, the schedule management unit notifies the host-specific priority setting unit to set the preset priority again, so that the priority of the printer is normally set after the event ends. You can automatically return to the state that you are.
[0017]
Further, according to the present invention, when the schedule management unit associates the schedule data file with the event material distribution date and time, the host-based priority setting of the power management apparatus is performed based on the material distribution date and time instead of the event start date and time. This is the file server that notifies the section.
[0018]
When distributing materials prior to an event by notifying the host-specific priority setting unit of the printer function specified as a print condition prior to the event material distribution date and time based on the event material distribution date and time Is no longer affected by the event start date and time set in the schedule data file.
[0019]
The present invention is a printing system comprising the above power management device, a plurality of host devices, and a plurality of printers, which are connected via a network.
[0020]
By providing a printing system that can set the priority of a printer and the priority of a function of a printer for a plurality of host devices via a network, it is possible to provide a user with a suitable work environment.
[0021]
Further, the present invention is a printing system comprising the above power management device, a plurality of host devices, a plurality of printers, and the above file server, which are connected via a network.
[0022]
By providing a printing system that can automatically set the priority of a printer and the priority of a function of a printer for a plurality of host devices by providing a file server, it is possible to provide a user with a more suitable work environment. it can.
[0023]
Further, the present invention is computer software comprising a program for causing a computer to realize a function as a printer power control unit in the above power management device.
[0024]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described. An embodiment of a power management apparatus, a file server, and a printing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the printing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a power management procedure in the printing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of possession point assignment in the host-specific priority setting unit of the printing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a calculation result in the printer information totalizing unit of the printing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another example of the calculation result in the printer information totalizing unit of the printing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a third example of a calculation result in the printer information totalizing unit of the printing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the printing system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a schedule data file in the printing system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a priority setting unit for each host in the printing system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a modification of the host device in the printing system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of another example of the schedule data file of the printing system according to the second embodiment.
[0025]
Embodiment 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system according to the present embodiment includes a power management server (print server) 1 which is a power management device, Z printers 3a to 3z, and n host devices 401 to 40n. , Are connected by a network 5.
[0026]
The power management server 1 includes a power control unit 11 for determining ON / OFF of the power of each of the printers 3a to 3z, a network I / F 12 connected to the network 5 for transmitting and receiving various data, and input / output of print data. , And is connected to the network 5 together with the host devices 401 to 40n that issue print requests and the printers 3a to 3z that accept and output print requests from the host devices.
[0027]
The power control unit 11 includes a host-specific priority setting unit 111, a printer information storage unit 112, a printer information totalizing unit 113, a printer power determination unit 114, a printer power control unit 115, a host operating state monitoring unit 116, And a printer operation status monitoring unit 117.
[0028]
The host operating state monitoring unit 116 transmits a packet having characteristics such as ping to each of the host devices 401 to 40n at regular intervals by a timer device (not shown) provided in the power management server 1 and determines whether there is a response from the host device. Is determined, it is determined whether or not the power of the host device is turned on. (An example of a method of monitoring whether or not the host devices 401 to 40n have completed their work is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-172474.)
[0029]
The printer operating status monitoring unit 117 has the same function as the host operating status monitoring unit 116, checks the responses of the printers 3a to 3z at regular time intervals, and determines whether the printer is turned on. The host-specific priority setting unit 111 stores the use priority setting value of each of the host devices 401 to 40n and the priority setting value of the function (performance) of the printer for each of the printers 3a to 3z.
[0030]
The printer information totalizing unit 113 obtains each time point from the priority of each of the printers 3a to 3z based on the priority setting value for each host and the operating status information of the host devices 401 to 40n and the printers 3a to 3z obtained at regular intervals. Calculates the priority P of each of the printers 3a to 3z.
[0031]
The printer power determination unit 114 has a memory for storing a preset reference value S for determining whether to turn off the power of the printers 3a to 3z. S is compared.
[0032]
An example of a power management unit in the power management apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the power management server 1, in step S201, the host operating state monitoring unit and the printer operating state monitoring unit monitor the power supply of the host device and the printer on the network, and confirm in step S202 whether there is an operating host device. . If there is no active host device, the printer power control unit turns off the power of all printers in step S207, and ends the processing.
[0033]
If there is an operating host device, the printer operation status monitoring unit checks in step S203 whether two or more printers are operating. If only one printer is operating, it is necessary to start the printer until all the host devices are turned off. Therefore, the process returns to step S201, and the host operation status monitoring is performed at regular intervals. The unit monitors the power supply of the host device.
[0034]
If the printer operation status monitoring unit determines in step S203 that two or more printers are operating, the printer information aggregation unit calculates the priority P of each printer in step S204.
[0035]
An example of the calculation of the priority will be described below. It is assumed that each host device can assign a total of 10 points as a priority to each printer and each function (A3, recycled paper, color,... Both sides). (Here, one point is assigned to each printer, one point is assigned to the color function, three points are assigned to one point, and two points are assigned to the double-sided function. The points assigned to each function shall be added to the printer having that function.) Here, it is assumed that each host device assigns a point to each printer and the function of the printer as shown in FIG. Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the power supply of each host device is set, the result of the priority P in each printer is as shown in FIG. 4B.
[0036]
In step S205, the printer power determination unit determines whether the total of the priorities P obtained by the printer information aggregation unit includes a printer having a value equal to or less than the reference value S set in the memory of the printer power determination unit. Here, it is assumed that the reference value for turning on and off the printer is set to 3. In this case, if there is a printer whose total priority is 3 or less, the printer power determination unit determines that the necessity of the printer is low, and the printer power control unit determines in step S206 that the power of the printer is remotely controlled. To OFF.
[0037]
Here, for example, in the case of FIG. 4A described above, as a result of calculation by the printer information totaling unit, there is no printer with a priority of “3” or less, so that the printer power determination unit needs the printers A to Z. Then, the process returns to step S201, and the host operating status monitoring unit and the printer operating status monitoring unit continue to monitor the operating status at regular intervals.
[0038]
If the host operating state monitoring unit cannot obtain a packet response from any of the host devices, it determines that the power of the corresponding host device has been turned off, and transmits the information to the printer information totalizing unit. The printer information totalizing unit re-aggregates the printer information based on the information of the host-specific priority setting unit and the operating state of the host device, and notifies the printer power determining unit of the calculated priority. The printer power determining unit calculates each priority based on the information from the printer information totalizing unit and compares it with a reference value S for turning on and off the power of the printer.
[0039]
Here, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the host operating state monitoring unit cannot obtain a packet response from the host device 1, it determines that the power of the host device 1 has been turned off, and the calculation is performed by the printer information totalizing unit. As a result, the priority of the printer A becomes “3” as shown in FIG. Since the value set by the printer power determination unit is “3”, it is determined that the printer A is not necessary. In step S206, the printer power control unit turns off the power of the printer A by remote control. Then, the process returns to step S201, and the host operating state monitoring unit and the printer operating state monitoring unit continue monitoring.
[0040]
Similarly, when the power of the host 3 is turned off as shown in FIG. 6A, the priority of the printer C becomes 3 as shown in FIG. 6B, which is equal to or less than the set value "3". Therefore, the power of the printer C is turned off.
[0041]
The print data management unit receives a print request transmitted from each host device via the network, transmits print data to the requested printers A to Z, and stores information on the host device that has performed printing in printer information. Store in the department.
[0042]
In the above configuration, the host-specific priority setting unit sets the priority of each printer and the function (performance) of each printer for each host device, thereby providing the functions (performance) required for the user's business. You can specify that the printer is turned on.
[0043]
Embodiment 2 will be described. This embodiment is a printing system in which a shared file server 2 is further connected via a network 5 as compared with the power management server of the first embodiment.
[0044]
As shown in FIG. 7, the shared file server 2 includes a storage unit 21 for storing a schedule data file 211 and a user information file 212, a control unit 23 connected to the storage unit 21 and having a schedule management unit, And a network I / F 22 for transmitting and receiving data.
[0045]
As shown in FIG. 8A, the schedule data file 211 is used for the start date / time and end date / time of an event such as a conference written by a user via a host device connected to the network 5, and the event. The schedule data in which the material (or the storage location of the material) is written is stored. The schedule data file 211 can be viewed through the host device, and the user proceeds with the work while referring to the schedule data. As shown in FIG. 8B, the material used in the event is an event material file that can store the functions of the printer specified as the user ID and the printing conditions. In the event material file, the material creation date and time and the update date and time are automatically set. As shown in FIG. 8C, the user information file 212 stores data indicating which device is the host device corresponding to the user ID.
[0046]
The schedule management means of the control unit 23 determines from the user information file which host device has the priority of the printer function specified as the printing condition in the event material file based on the user ID of the material file. Then, the designated printer function is converted to be the priority of the printer function for the host device that has been determined, and the converted priority is set before the start date and time of the event written in the schedule data file. The power management server is notified of the priority setting unit for each host. With this configuration, based on the event start date and time written in the schedule data file, prior to the event start date and time, the printer function specified as the print condition is notified as a priority to the host-specific priority setting unit. By doing so, it is possible to set so that the printer having the functions required for the user's work is automatically turned on.
[0047]
In the printing system having the above configuration, a case where a user creates materials for a meeting will be considered. A user ID and a print condition of the material are set in the material created by the user. Here, it is assumed that double-sided, recycled paper printing is set as the printing condition. Next, the user writes the name of the meeting, the venue, the start date and time, and the end date and time in the schedule data. At this time, the storage location of the material is also written.
[0048]
By doing so, the priority of each printer and the priority of the function of each printer for each host device are normally set in the host-specific priority setting unit as shown in FIG. 9A. However, prior to the meeting start date and time, priorities are set for the recycled paper and the duplex printing function by the schedule management means as shown in FIG. Automatically set to enter. Here, a schedule management unit that notifies the priority setting unit of the power management host after a predetermined time after the event end date and time and notifies the priority setting unit to return to the setting state before notifying the priority may be used. As described above, after a predetermined time after the event end date and time, the schedule management unit notifies the host-specific priority setting unit that the priority has been set in advance, so that the event is completed and the material used in the event. Is no longer required to be printed, the printer priority can be automatically returned to the normally set state.
[0049]
A modification of the second embodiment will be described. In the printing system of the present modification, as shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 43 of each host device 4 is provided with a printer driver setting unit 431, a printer priority setting unit 432, and a schedule management unit 433. The power management server is controlled on the basis of the schedule data file 411. As another example, the event data distribution date and time can be written in the schedule data file as shown in FIG. 11, and the host-specific priority setting unit of the power management apparatus is notified based on the material distribution date and time. It may be. According to this, based on the event material distribution date and time, prior to the event material distribution date and time, the function of the printer specified as the printing condition is notified as a priority to the host-specific priority setting unit, so that the event can be prior to the event. When distributing materials, it is no longer affected by the event start date and time set in the schedule data file.
[0050]
Although the printing system and the power management device have been described in the above embodiments, computer software including a program for causing a computer to function as a printer power control unit in the power management device, or a computer storing the same, It is also possible to use a readable recording medium (for example, a CD-ROM).
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the printer function (performance) required together with (or instead of) the printer priority of each host is determined as the power management determination data of the plurality of printers shared by the plurality of hosts. A power management apparatus, a file server, and a printing system that can be specified and that can automatically and temporarily set necessary functions (performance) corresponding to specific tasks set in a schedule as power management determination data are obtained. be able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a printing system according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a power management procedure in the printing system according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of possession point assignment in a host-specific priority setting unit of the printing system according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a calculation result in a printer information totalizing unit of the printing system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of another example of the calculation result in the printer information totalizing unit of the printing system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a third example of a calculation result in the printer information totalizing unit of the printing system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a printing system according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a schedule data file in the printing system according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a priority setting unit for each host in the printing system according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the host device in the printing system according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of another example of the schedule data file of the printing system according to the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 1 power management server 11 power control unit 111 host-specific priority setting unit 112 printer information storage unit 113 printer information totaling unit 114 printer power determination unit 115 printer power control unit 116 host operating status monitoring unit 117 printer operating status monitoring unit 12 network I / F
13 print data management unit 2 shared file server 21 storage unit 211 schedule data file 212 user information file 213 conference folder 22 network I / F
23 Control units 3a to 3z Printers 4, 401 to 40n Host device 41 Storage unit 411 Schedule data file 412 User information file 413 Conference folder 42 Network I / F
43 control unit 431 printer driver setting unit 432 printer priority setting unit 433 schedule management unit 5 network

Claims (8)

In a power management device that manages power of a plurality of printers connected to a plurality of host devices via a network via the network,
A host operating status monitoring unit that monitors whether the host device is turned on, a host-specific priority setting unit that sets the priority of each printer and the priority of a printer function for each host device, and a host operating status. A printer information totalizing unit that calculates the priority of each printer by totalizing the set priority for each host in consideration of the setting, a printer power determining unit that determines whether each printer needs to be operated from the totaling result of the printer information totaling unit, A power supply management device, comprising: a printer power supply control unit for remotely controlling the power supply of the printer based on the determination of the necessity of operation of each printer. The host-specific priority setting unit sets the priority of each printer and the priority of the function of the printer for each host device based on the points possessed by each host device, and at this time, sets the priority of each printer. 2. The power management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rate and the assigned point for setting the priority of the function of the printer are different (weighted). A file server connected to the power management device according to claim 1 or 2 via the network,
Based on an event data file capable of storing a user and a printer function specified as a printing condition, a schedule data file in which an event start date and time are associated, and a user information file in which information in which a user is associated with a host device is stored. And converts the designated printer function into the priority of the printer function for the host apparatus, and notifies the converted priority to the host-specific priority setting unit of the power management apparatus before the event start date and time. A file server comprising schedule management means. If the schedule management unit further associates the event end date and time with the schedule data file, the schedule management unit resets the priority previously set in the host-specific priority setting unit of the power management device after a predetermined time after the event end date and time. 4. The file server according to claim 3, wherein the file server notifies the setting. When the schedule management unit associates the schedule data file with the event material distribution date and time, the schedule management unit notifies the host priority setting unit of the power management apparatus based on the material distribution date and time instead of the event start date and time. 3. The file server according to 3. A printing system comprising the power management device according to claim 1, a plurality of host devices, and a plurality of printers, which are connected via a network. A printing system comprising the power management device according to claim 1, a plurality of host devices, a plurality of printers, and the file server according to claim 3, which are connected via a network. Computer software comprising a program for causing a computer to realize a function as a printer power supply control unit in the power supply management device according to claim 1.

Images