JP2009266088A - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

In an information processing apparatus in a power saving state, even when there is an acquisition request for information on data managed by the information processing apparatus from outside, transmission of information about data to the outside is performed while maintaining the power saving state as much as possible. Make it possible.
An image forming apparatus having an image forming apparatus main body (101 to 107) in which power supply is cut off in a power saving state and a NIC (112) to which power is supplied even in the power saving state is provided in a NIC RAM (115) of the NIC (112). The NIC CPU 113 of the NIC 112 stores the management information of the information managed by the HDD 104 based on the management information stored in the NIC RAM 115 when the image forming apparatus 100 is in the power saving state. When the request can be processed, the request is processed without returning from the power saving state. On the other hand, when the request cannot be processed based on the management information, the image forming apparatus 100 is returned from the power saving state to the main state. The CPU 101 and the like are operated.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a program, and a recording medium having a power saving function.

  Conventionally, there has been known an image forming apparatus capable of acquiring and displaying a list of data managed by a plurality of image forming apparatuses (see Patent Document 1).

  The image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 can select desired data from a data list and can instruct data (for example, print instruction for image data).

  By the way, in an image forming apparatus typified by a copying apparatus or the like, power saving is achieved by cutting off the power supply to a part of the apparatus in order to reduce the power consumption when the apparatus is not operating (non-operating state). Functions are often provided.

A storage device such as a hard disk that stores data may be targeted for power supply being cut off by a power saving function. In such a case, when a data list acquisition request is made from an external device to an image forming apparatus in a power saving state, the image forming apparatus in the power saving state cancels the power saving state. It is necessary to restart the power supply to the storage device.
JP 2006-146938 A

  However, if the power saving state is canceled each time a data list acquisition request is made to the image forming apparatus that is in the power saving state, the power consumption of the image forming apparatus cannot be suppressed.

  In particular, when there are a large number of devices connected to the network, the power-saving state is canceled each time an inquiry packet or device information is browsed, so there is virtually no time to enter the power-saving state, and substantial energy-saving is achieved. Could not be realized, reducing customer satisfaction.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide information regarding data to an external device while maintaining the power saving state as much as possible even when there is a request for acquiring information related to data managed by the information processing device from the outside in the power saving state. It is to provide a mechanism that enables transmission of.

  The present invention is an information processing apparatus including an information processing apparatus main body that is cut off in a power saving state, and a communication unit that is supplied with power even in the power saving state. A storage unit that stores management information of information managed by the information processing apparatus main body; and a control unit that processes an external request, wherein the control unit is in the power-saving state and includes the external If the request from can be processed based on the management information stored in the storage means, the request is processed based on the management information, while the request cannot be processed based on the management information. In this case, the information processing apparatus is returned from the power saving state to operate the information processing apparatus main body.

  According to the present invention, in an information processing apparatus in a power saving state, even when there is an acquisition request for information related to data managed by the information processing apparatus from outside, while maintaining the power saving state as much as possible, Enables transmission of information about data.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus (image processing apparatus) as an information processing apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an image forming apparatus. In the image forming apparatus 100, reference numeral 101 denotes a main CPU for controlling the image forming apparatus 100. Reference numeral 102 denotes an operation unit to which an instruction from the user of the image forming apparatus is input in order to perform various settings in the image forming apparatus.

  Reference numeral 103 denotes a RAM for storing a work area used as a temporary data storage area when the main CPU 101 executes a program, image data, and the like. Reference numeral 108 denotes a timer having an alarm function that measures time and outputs an event signal to the main CPU 101 at a predetermined timing.

  An image processing processor 105 controls the printer engine 106 and the image scanner 107 to perform image processing on image data input by the image scanner 107 and image processing for causing the printer engine 106 to execute print processing.

  An image scanner 107 reads characters, images, and the like on a sheet (original) as image data, and transfers the read image data to the image processor 105. A printer engine 106 forms an image on a sheet based on contents instructed from the image processor 105.

  Note that the image data transferred by the image processor 105 to the printer engine 106 is not limited to that input by the image scanner 107. For example, it may be image data generated from print data received via a LAN by a network interface card (NIC) 112 described later.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes an HDD which stores image data generated by the image scanner 107 and holds print data and image data received by the network interface card 112. In addition, the HDD 104 also has a role of storing destination information for transmitting the held image data by the network interface card 112. The HDD 104 also stores program code executed by the main CPU 101, font information used when executing print processing for performing print processing based on image data, and the like.

  The main CPU 101, the operation unit 102, the RAM 103, the HDD 104, and the image processing processor 105 are all connected to the I / O controller 111. Communication between these devices connected to the I / O controller 111 is controlled by the I / O controller 111.

  Reference numeral 110 denotes a power supply device that always generates voltage from a commercial power supply while the main switch of the image forming apparatus 100 is ON. Then, the power supply device 110 supplies the generated voltage to the voltage control circuit 109 via the main power line 132 and supplies it to the network interface card 112 via the NIC power line 133.

  Reference numeral 109 denotes a voltage control circuit which receives voltage supply from the power supply apparatus 110 and supplies the voltage to each apparatus including the main CPU 101 via the sub power line 130 when the operation state of the image forming apparatus 100 is in the operating state. To do.

  On the other hand, the voltage control circuit 109 shifts the image forming apparatus 100 to the power saving state by cutting off the voltage supply via the sub power line 130 when the image forming apparatus 100 is in the non-operating state.

  When the main CPU 101 determines that the operation state of the image forming apparatus 100 is to be shifted to a power saving state that consumes less power than the operation state, the main CPU 101 cuts off the voltage supply to the voltage control circuit 109 via the signal line 131. Send a signal. The voltage control circuit 109 that has received the voltage supply cut-off signal from the main CPU 101 cuts off the voltage supply to each device that supplies the voltage through the sub power line 130.

  Next, the network interface card 112 will be described.

  The network interface card 112 performs reception processing of various data including print data from an external device such as a PC via a LAN, and transmission processing of image data obtained by reading by the image scanner 107. Further, the network interface card 112 processes a request such as a status inquiry of the image forming apparatus 100 from an external device.

  The network interface card 112 includes a NIC CPU 113, a NIC I / O controller 116, a NIC RAM 114, and a network I / F 115.

  The NIC CPU 113 confirms the state of the network I / F 115, reads out information from the NIC RAM 114 and performs processing if necessary. Further, the NIC CPU 113 requests the NIC I / O controller 116 to perform processing when it is necessary to communicate with the main CPU 101 or the like.

  Note that the network interface card 112 needs to determine whether or not data is input via the LAN even when the image forming apparatus 100 is in the power saving state. Operates with voltage supply.

  Next, the operation state of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described.

  The image forming apparatus 100 executes a copying operation in which the printer engine 106 forms image data input from the image scanner 107 on a sheet. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 executes various operations such as a print operation for forming an image on a sheet based on print data received via the network interface card 112.

  However, the image forming apparatus 100 does not always execute a copy operation or a print operation. Therefore, the main CPU 101 controls the voltage control circuit 109 to cut off the power supply to a specific part of the image forming apparatus 100 when the image forming apparatus 100 is not in operation (hereinafter referred to as non-operational state). . Here, the specific portion corresponds to the main CPU 101, the operation unit 102, the RAM 103, the HDD 104, the image processor 105, the printer engine 106, and the image scanner 107 in FIG.

  A case in which the main CPU 101 determines that the image forming apparatus 100 is not operating satisfies the following conditions.

(1) Input of image data from the image scanner 107 is not performed for a predetermined time.

(2) Input of print data via the network interface card 112 is not performed for a predetermined time.

(3) An operation input from the user via the operation unit 102 is not performed over a predetermined time.

  In addition to this, a power saving key is provided in the image forming apparatus 100, and the main CPU 101 determines that the image forming apparatus 100 is in an inoperative state when the user of the image forming apparatus 100 presses the power saving key. You may do it. Further, the user of the image forming apparatus 100 may set a time for shifting the image forming apparatus 100 to the power saving state via the operation unit 102. In this case, the main CPU 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 shifts the image forming apparatus 100 from the operating state to the power saving state by measuring that the time counted by the timer 108 has reached the time set by the user. .

  When the main CPU 101 determines that the image forming apparatus 100 is in a non-operating state, the main CPU 101 transmits a signal (voltage supply cutoff signal) for shifting the operation state of the image forming apparatus 100 to the power saving state via the signal line 131. To the voltage control circuit 109.

  Next, an operation performed by the voltage control circuit 109 when the main CPU 101 determines to shift the image forming apparatus 100 to the power saving state will be described.

  When the main CPU 101 determines that the image forming apparatus 100 is in an operating state, the voltage control circuit 109 performs the following operation. That is, the voltage control circuit 109 converts the input voltage supplied from the power supply device 110 through the main power line 132 to the main CPU 101, the operation unit 102, the RAM 103, the HDD 104, the image processing processor 105, the printer engine 106, the image through the sub power line 130. Output to the scanner 107. On the other hand, when the main CPU 101 determines that the image forming apparatus 100 is in a non-operating state, the voltage control circuit 109 performs the following operation. That is, the voltage control circuit 109 does not output the input voltage from the main power line 132 to the main CPU 101, the operation unit 102, the RAM 103, the HDD 104, the image processor 105, the printer engine 106, and the image scanner 107 via the sub power line 130 ( Cut off). The voltage control circuit 109 shifts the operation state of the image forming apparatus 100 to the power saving state by cutting off the voltage output via the sub power line 130.

  In the above description, the power supply device 110 outputs one voltage to the voltage control circuit 109, and the voltage control circuit 109 performs OFF / ON control on the power supply secondary side. However, the voltage control circuit 109 is disposed on the primary side of the power supply, and the power supply device 110 has two power supply systems. One is always ON, and the other is controlled by the voltage control circuit 109 according to the power saving state. It may be configured to perform OFF / ON control.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 includes the voltage control circuit 109, the image forming apparatus main body (101 to 107) in which power supply is cut off in the power saving state, and communication in which power is supplied even in the power saving state. A network interface card 112 as a unit.

  Next, a method for managing image file information in the image forming apparatus 100 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a storage state of image file information in the HDD 104 of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the information about the image file is managed by being divided into an image file information storage area A501 and an image file information storage area B.

  The image file information storage area A501 stores a part of information regarding all image files held by the image forming apparatus 100. The image file information storage area A501 includes a file name management area 503, a folder name storage area 504, a creation date management area 505, and a file ID management area 506 for each image file.

  In the image file information storage area B502, information not stored in the image file information storage area A501 regarding all the image files held in the image forming apparatus 100 is stored. The area in the image file information storage area B502 includes a file ID management area 507, a thumbnail management area 508, and an image file data management area 509 for each image file.

  In the present embodiment, a file ID is used for associating each image file information in the image file information management area A501 with the image file information in the image file information management area B502. The file ID is management information for specifying the main body (substance) of data held in the image file information storage area B502. For example, when it is desired to obtain an image file corresponding to a specific file name, the following procedure is taken. First, the file name management area 503 in the image file information storage area A501 corresponding to the specific file name is searched, and the information of the file ID management area 506 corresponding to the corresponding file name management area 503 is acquired. Next, in the image file information storage area B502, the area where the previously acquired file ID is described in the file ID management area 507 is searched, and information on the image file data management area of the corresponding area is acquired.

  Thus, the image file information management area A501 stores and manages the management information of the information stored and managed in the image file information management area B502, and the information stored and managed in the image file information management area B502 using this management information. Is configured to be accessible.

  At this time, any combination of information stored in the image file information management area A501 and the image file information management area B502 may be used. For example, the creation date management area 505 for each image file may be held and managed in the image file information storage area B502.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 stores and manages information on image files by dividing them into the image file information storage area A501 and the image file information storage area B502 according to the type of information.

  Next, an image file sharing service provided by the image forming apparatus via a network will be described.

  Here, the image file sharing service is a method in which each image forming apparatus publishes a print file or an image file held by the apparatus to another image forming apparatus or an information processing apparatus. When each image forming apparatus performs such a service, the user can perform processing such as printing using data read by another image forming apparatus from the operated image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of a system using an image file sharing service.

  In FIG. 3, reference numerals 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 denote image forming apparatuses corresponding to the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. Image forming apparatuses 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 are connected via a LAN 206. In this embodiment, the number of image forming apparatuses connected to the system is five, but the number of image forming apparatuses connected is not limited. Further, the connection form between the image forming apparatuses is not limited to the LAN, and may be a WAN or the like. Further, the apparatus participating in the system is not necessarily limited to the image forming apparatus, and may be a personal computer, for example.

  Here, it is assumed that information (for example, an IP address or the like) for specifying another image forming apparatus participating in the system is set in advance in each image forming apparatus participating in the system. However, depending on the system configuration, every time the image file sharing system is used, it may be set to search which image forming apparatus is connected to the system.

  Next, the processing sequence of the image file sharing service will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing sequence of the image file sharing service. In the figure, the sequence of the image forming apparatuses 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 is executed by the main CPU 101 of the image forming apparatuses 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 reading and executing a program stored in the HDD 104. Realized.

  FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a process in which a user selects and prints one image file from files stored in another image forming apparatus using the image forming apparatus 201.

  First, in sequence 301, the user instructs the operation unit of the image forming apparatus 201 to display a list of files available in the system from the operation unit of the image forming apparatus 201. Upon receiving this file list display instruction, the image forming apparatus 201 sends a file list acquisition instruction packet (FIG. 5) to the image forming apparatuses 202, 203, 204, and 205 connected to the system via the LAN 206. To send.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a file list instruction packet that the image forming apparatus 201 transmits to the image forming apparatuses 202, 203, 204, and 205 in the sequence 301 of FIG.

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 801 denotes a packet header part of a network packet. When the network is configured by TCP / IP, for example, the common header 801 includes a source IP address, a destination IP address, a protocol ID, and the like, but if the network architecture is different, different information may also be included. .

  Reference numeral 802 denotes an instruction type storage unit, and 803 denotes a data type storage unit to which the instruction is applied. Here, since a list of image files is acquired, the instruction type storage unit 802 stores data “list acquisition” indicating list acquisition, and the data type storage unit 803 stores data “image file” indicating image files. Is done.

  Although a packet for obtaining a list of image files is shown here, it is also possible to transmit different instructions to the image forming apparatus by writing different information in this packet. For example, acquisition of a list of destinations held by the device is conceivable, but in addition to this, in the case of an inquiry about information held by the device, the instruction type and data type given to the packet are arbitrary.

  Returning to the description of the sequence diagram of FIG.

  In the sequences 302 to 305 in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatuses 202, 203, 204, and 205 that have received the file list instruction packet in FIG. 5 store the image files stored in the respective image forming apparatuses with respect to the image forming apparatus 201. The attribute information packet (FIG. 6) is returned.

  In the sequence 306, the file list information held by the image forming apparatus 201 itself is also acquired. The attribute information here is information sufficient to provide a file list to the user. For example, the file name, the directory in which the file is stored, the file format, the file size, etc., but any other information that can identify the file desired by the user may be used.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image file attribute information packet returned from the image forming apparatuses 202, 203, 204, and 205 to the image forming apparatus 201.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the attribute information packet of the image file includes a file number storage unit 902 that stores the number of files to be returned as a list after the packet header unit 901. Subsequently, attribute information of the image file is stored between the single file attribute start unit 903 and the single file attribute end unit 908 for each file. Here, there are a file name storage unit 904, a folder name storage unit 905, a creation date storage unit 906, and a file ID storage unit 907, but other attributes may be stored as necessary.

  Returning to the description of the sequence diagram of FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 201 receives the attribute information packet (FIG. 6) of each image file, acquires file list information from each of the image forming apparatuses 202 to 205, and then sends a file to the operation unit 102 in sequence 307. A list (FIG. 7) is displayed. Note that the file list displayed on the operation unit 102 is a collection of a plurality of file list information acquired from the image forming apparatuses 201 to 205.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an image file list screen displayed on the operation unit 102 of the image forming apparatus 100 in the sequence 307 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the image file list display screen includes a file name display column 401 that displays file names of files held (managed) by the image forming apparatus 201. In addition, a folder name display column 402 for displaying a folder in which the file is stored, a device name display column 403 for displaying a device in which the file is stored, and a creation date display column 404 for displaying the date and time when the file is stored are provided. .

  Here, the information displayed on the image file list screen may be any information as long as it is obtained by the aforementioned file list acquisition instruction. Furthermore, attribute information of a file that could not be displayed on the image file list display screen due to regional restrictions can be viewed by selecting a target file and pressing a detailed information display button 408.

  When the user of the image forming apparatus 201 issues a processing instruction for a specific file in the image file list, the user selects a file and presses a button for performing a desired process. As buttons for instructing processing, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a print instruction button 405, a transmission button 406 for transmitting an image file to another place on the LAN or the Internet, and a browse button 407 for displaying the image file. In addition to this, another button for instructing other processing for a specific file may be provided.

  Reference numeral 409 denotes an OK button. By pressing this button, the image file list screen is closed.

  In the present embodiment, the information that can be acquired by the image file list acquisition instruction is information managed in the image file information management area A501 held in the HDD 104 provided in each image forming apparatus. That is, the management information of the information stored and managed in the image file information management area B502.

  Returning to the description of the sequence diagram of FIG.

  In the sequence 308 of FIG. 4, when the user selects a file and presses the print instruction button 405 to give a print instruction to the file stored in the image forming apparatus 203, the image forming apparatus 201. Performs the following actions: First, the image forming apparatus 201 transmits an image file acquisition instruction packet (FIG. 8) to the image forming apparatus 203 that stores the file instructed in the sequence 309.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image file acquisition instruction packet transmitted from the image forming apparatus 201 to the image forming apparatus 203 for an image file acquisition instruction in the sequence 309 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the image file acquisition instruction packet, a packet header part 1001 is added to the head of the packet, and, similarly to the image file list instruction packet shown in FIG. A storage unit 1003 is provided.

  Since this packet is an image file acquisition instruction, the instruction type storage unit 1002 stores data indicating content acquisition, and the data type storage unit 1003 stores data indicating an image file.

  In addition, a file ID storage unit 1004 is assigned to identify the target image file.

  In the sequence 309 of FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 203 that has received the image file acquisition instruction packet shown in FIG. 8 returns the contents of the designated file (image file content packet shown in FIG. 9) to the image forming apparatus 201. .

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an image file content packet returned from the image forming apparatus 203 to the image forming apparatus 201 in the sequence 309 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the image file content packet has a packet header portion 1101 added to the head of the packet. Subsequently, a file ID storage unit 1102 that stores the file ID of the file to be transmitted, a file size storage unit 1103 that indicates the size of the file to be transmitted, and a file content storage unit 1104 that stores the contents of the file are provided.

  Returning to the description of the sequence diagram of FIG.

  In the sequence 310 of FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 201 prints the file received from the image forming apparatus 203 and ends the process.

  In this way, an image file sharing service is provided in a system composed of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, but each image forming apparatus can transition to a power saving state as described above. In this case, even when the image forming apparatus is in the power saving state, it is necessary to respond to an instruction from another image forming apparatus and to maintain the power saving state as much as possible.

  Next, a process when each image forming apparatus constituting the system transitions to the power saving state will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram when the image forming apparatus 100 transitions to the power saving state.

  First, in sequence 601, the main CPU 101 detects that the image forming apparatus 100 satisfies the above-described power saving state transition condition, and determines to shift to the power saving state.

  Subsequently, in sequence 602, the main CPU 101 instructs the I / O controller 111 to transfer the data in the image file information storage area A 501 stored in the HDD 104 to the NIC RAM 114.

  In response to this, the I / O controller 111 acquires data in the image file information storage area A 501 from the HDD 104 in sequence 603 and stores the data in the NIC RAM 114 via the NIC I / O controller 116 (sequences 604 and 605). ).

  In the above description, the data in the image file information storage area A501 of the HDD 104 is transferred to the NIC RAM 114 when the power saving state is changed. However, the same image file information may always be stored in the image file information storage area A 501 of the HDD 104 and the NIC RAM 114. That is, the image file information storage area A501 of the HDD 104 and the NIC RAM 114 may be mirrored or the like.

  Subsequently, in sequence 606, the main CPU 101 notifies the NIC CPU 113 that the image forming apparatus 100 shifts to the power saving state. The notification method at this time may be an interrupt to the NIC CPU 113, or a value may be written to a specific area of the NIC RAM 114, and a specific method is not limited.

  The NIC CPU 113 that has detected this sets itself so as to perform a predetermined power saving operation. The operation performed by the NIC CPU 113 during power saving will be described later.

  Finally, the main CPU 101 transmits a signal (voltage supply cut-off signal) to the voltage control circuit 109 to the voltage control circuit 109 via the signal line 131 to the voltage control circuit 109 in sequence 608. As with the sequence 606, the notification method for the voltage control circuit 109 is arbitrary. In response to this, the voltage control circuit 109 stops the voltage supply to the sub power line 130. With the above processing, the image forming apparatus 100 completes the transition to the power saving state.

  Even when the image forming apparatus 100 is in the power saving state, the network interface card 112 can operate because it receives voltage supply from the power supply apparatus 110 via the NIC power line 133.

  Next, a process when a file list acquisition instruction or an image file acquisition instruction is received from the outside of the image forming apparatus 100 when the image forming apparatus 100 is in a power saving state will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. .

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the network interface card 112 when a file list acquisition instruction or an image file acquisition instruction is received from the outside of the image forming apparatus 100 when the image forming apparatus 100 is in a power saving state. is there. Note that the processing in this flowchart is realized by the NIC CPU 113 of the network interface card 112 executing a program acquired from an internal memory (not shown) or the HDD 104 and stored in the NIC RAM 114. In the figure, S701 to S708 indicate steps.

  First, when the NIC CPU 113 receives a notification from the network I / F 115 indicating that information (processing request) has been received from an external device in S701, the processing proceeds to S702. The notification method at this time is arbitrary.

  Next, in step S <b> 702, the NIC CPU 113 determines whether the information received from the external device is an image file list acquisition instruction. Here, for the sake of explanation, the processing is performed assuming that the information received thereafter is two types of image file list instruction and image file acquisition instruction, but other information is received, and each received information Appropriate processing may be performed.

  If it is determined that the received information is an image file list acquisition instruction, the NIC CPU 113 uses only the information in the image file information storage area A501 stored in the NIC RAM 114 to answer the instruction source. It is possible to provide a file list.

  Specifically, if it is determined in S702 that the received information is an image file list acquisition instruction, the NIC CPU 113 acquires information on the image file information storage area A501 from the NIC RAM 114 in S706. Further, in step S707, the NIC CPU 113 creates file list information based on the information in the image file information storage area A501 acquired in step S706. Then, the process proceeds to S708.

  In this process, as described above, when the image forming apparatus 100 shifts to the power saving state, the NIC CPU 113 transfers the information of the image file information storage area A501 previously stored in the HDD 104 to the NIC RAM 114. Is made possible by.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the received information is not an image file list acquisition instruction but an image file acquisition instruction, the NIC RAM 114 does not have information necessary for a reply. For this reason, the NIC CPU 113 cannot perform processing only with information stored in the NIC RAM 114.

  Specifically, when determining in S702 that the received information is not an image file list acquisition instruction (the received information is an image file acquisition instruction), the NIC CPU 113 advances the process to S703.

  In step S <b> 703, the NIC CPU 113 transmits an operation state transition notification (notification for returning from the power saving state) to the voltage control circuit 109 via the signal line 134, and the voltage control circuit 109 supplies a voltage to the sub power line 130. Control to resume supply. As a result, voltage supply is resumed for each device in the image forming apparatus 100 including the main CPU 101 so that the operation can be performed.

  In step S <b> 704, the NIC CPU 113 notifies the main CPU 101 that an image file acquisition instruction has been received. Upon receiving this notification, the main CPU 101 controls to transmit the information in the image file information storage area B502 corresponding to the notification to the network interface card 112.

  In step S <b> 705, the NIC CPU 113 acquires image file information corresponding to the notification and advances the process to step S <b> 708.

  Finally, in step S708, the NIC CPU 113 returns the information acquired in step S705 or S707 via the network interface card 112 to the external apparatus that is the instruction source of the processing request notified in step S701. Exit.

  As described above, when receiving the file list acquisition instruction, the network interface card 112 may return the file list to the processing instruction source without returning the entire image forming apparatus from the power saving state. it can. As a result, in response to an image file list acquisition instruction issued from a specific image forming apparatus to a plurality of image forming apparatuses, each image forming apparatus can respond in a power saving state, and power consumption of the entire system Can be reduced.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the information obtained by the image file list acquisition instruction, that is, the items displayed on the image file list screen are fixed.

  In the present embodiment, it is configured such that information (items) that the user wants to browse is displayed on the image file list screen when the user predetermines items to be displayed on the image file list screen.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an image file list screen setting screen in the second embodiment of the present invention.

  This setting screen is displayed on the operation unit 102 under the control of the main CPU 101 in the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, and sets the setting item name and the setting item ON / OFF in the image file list screen. It is possible.

  In FIG. 12, reference numeral 1201 denotes a thumbnail image list setting for setting whether to obtain a list of thumbnail images from each image forming apparatus together with image file attribute information. If the thumbnail image list acquisition setting 1201 is ON, the image file list screen displayed in the sequence 307 of FIG. 4 is as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an image file list screen in the second embodiment of the present invention.

  If the thumbnail image list acquisition setting 1201 in FIG. 12 is ON, a thumbnail display unit 1301 is displayed on the image file list screen as shown in FIG. 13, and the user views the thumbnail image of the document. However, it becomes possible to select a document to be processed.

  1202 in FIG. 12 is a setting for setting whether to display the device name on the list screen. If this setting 1202 is ON, a device name display column 403 is displayed on the image file list screen. 1203 is a setting for setting whether or not the creator displays only his (operator) files on the list screen. If this setting 1203 is ON, only the file of the creator (operator) is displayed on the image file list screen.

  In order to display the thumbnail image of each image forming apparatus on the image file list screen, it is necessary to acquire the thumbnail image from each image forming apparatus. Hereinafter, a packet used when acquiring a thumbnail image will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an image file list instruction packet transmitted from the image forming apparatus 201 to the image forming apparatuses 202, 203, 204, and 205 in the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same thing as FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the image file list instruction packet of this embodiment is obtained by first adding the acquired data attribute number storage unit 1401 to the packet shown in the first embodiment (FIG. 5) in order to specify the attribute to be acquired. Is granted. Subsequently, attribute type storage units 1402, 1403, 1404, 1405, and 1406 for storing the types of attributes that need to be acquired are assigned.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an image file list packet that is returned from the image forming apparatuses 202, 203, 204, and 205 to the image forming apparatus 201 in response to an image file list instruction according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same thing as FIG.

  When the “attribute type“ thumbnail ”” shown in 1405 is included in the image file list instruction packet, the image file list packet of this embodiment stores the thumbnail size in addition to the information (FIG. 6) shown in the first embodiment. A unit 1501 and a thumbnail content storage unit 1502 are provided. In this case, in each of the image forming apparatuses 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205, information related to thumbnail images needs to be held and managed in the image file information storage area A 501 that is held in advance in the HDD 104. Therefore, if the thumbnail image list setting is ON, it is necessary to move the thumbnail management area managed in the image file information storage area B502 in the first embodiment to the image file information storage area A501.

  As described above, since the user can select information to be acquired as list information, the user can further easily specify a desired file when the network environment is good.

[Third Embodiment]
In the first and second embodiments, when the image forming apparatus is in the power saving state, the network interface card 112 responds to an external request using information held in the NIC RAM 114. It was a thing. The information here refers to information copied from the image file information storage area A501 of the HDD 104 to the NIC RAM 114.

  In the present embodiment, the network interface card 112 of the image forming apparatus is configured to filter unauthorized inquiry packets using information held in the NIC RAM 114 when in the power saving state.

  Hereinafter, the processing of the network interface card 112 when the image forming apparatus 100 is in the power saving state in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 16 illustrates an example of processing in the network interface card 112 when a file list acquisition instruction or an image file acquisition instruction is received from the outside when the image forming apparatus 100 is in the power saving state according to the third embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart to show. Note that the processing in this flowchart is realized by the NIC CPU 113 of the network interface card 112 executing a program acquired from an internal memory (not shown) or the HDD 104 and stored in the NIC RAM 114. In the figure, S1601 to S1609 indicate each step.

  First, S1601, S1602, S1608, and S1609 are the same steps as S701, S702, S706, and S707 in FIG.

  If it is determined that the received information is not an image file list acquisition instruction (the received information is an image file acquisition instruction) (No in S1602), the NIC CPU 113 advances the process to S1603.

  In step S <b> 1603, the NIC CPU 113 searches whether the information corresponding to the file ID stored in the file ID storage unit 1004 of the received image file acquisition instruction packet exists in the NIC RAM 114.

  If the information corresponding to the file ID exists in the NIC RAM 114, the corresponding image file exists in the HDD 104 of the image forming apparatus 100. Therefore, the NIC CPU 113 wakes up the main CPU 101 in a subsequent process, and the main CPU 101 creates information and responds.

  Specifically, if it is determined in S1603 that the information corresponding to the file ID stored in the file ID storage unit 1004 of the received image file acquisition instruction packet exists in the NIC RAM 114, the NIC The CPU 113 executes the processes of S1604 to S1607. Note that S1604 to S1607 are the same steps as S703 to S705 and S708 in FIG.

  However, if the information corresponding to the file ID does not exist in the NIC RAM 114, the image forming apparatus 100 does not hold the instructed image file. Therefore, the NIC CPU 113 determines that the network interface card 112 does not need a response (invalid request), and ends the process. Here, some error message may be returned to the instruction source.

  Specifically, if it is determined in S1603 that the information corresponding to the file ID stored in the file ID storage unit 1004 of the received image file acquisition instruction packet does not exist in the NIC RAM 114, the NIC CPU 113 End the process.

  As described above, packet filtering can be performed without the network interface card 112 waking up each device (101 to 107) in the image forming apparatus including the main CPU 101. Therefore, the main CPU does not wake up due to an erroneous information acquisition instruction, and the power consumption of the entire system can be further reduced.

[Fourth Embodiment]
The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

<Configuration of MFP>
FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus as an information processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 17, reference numeral 2000 denotes an image forming apparatus (MFP; Multifunction Peripheral). Reference numeral 2100 denotes a main controller.

  The main controller 2100 is a central control unit of the MFP 2000, and performs various processes centering on the high-speed CPU 2101, the RAM 2102 read and written by the CPU 2101, and the ROM 2103 for storing programs in the CPU 2101.

  The main controller 2100 further includes an IO control unit 2104 that controls various IO devices, a network control unit 2105 connected to the IO control unit 2104, and a data storage unit 2106 that stores image data and the like. Further, the main controller 2100 includes an operation unit 2107 and an image processing unit 2108 that perform display by operation panel display and control by key operation.

  An image processing unit 2108 controls the scanner 2301 and the printer 2302 and performs necessary image processing. An image input from the scanner 2301 is directly processed by the image processing unit 2108, temporarily placed in the RAM 2102, and then stored in the data storage unit 2106. The stored image data is read out when output is necessary, and is temporarily placed in the RAM 2102 again. Thereafter, the image data is processed by the image processing unit 2108 and directly output to the printer 2302.

  In addition to controlling the entire MFP 2000, the CPU 2101 converts PDL data (print command data that can be processed at high speed by the printer) into a bitmap format that can be directly printed by the printer 2302. The PDL data sent via the network 2200 is accumulated in the data storage unit 2106 configured by a large-capacity storage medium such as an HDD via the network control unit 2105 and the IO control unit 2104. Thereafter, as described above, the CPU 2101 performs conversion to the bitmap format.

  After being converted into the bitmap format, the bitmap data is subjected to gradation correction of the image, filter processing, and resolution conversion as necessary, and output from the printer 2302 by the image processing unit 2108.

  Also, the bitmap data fetched from the scanner 2301 is processed in the same manner as after the PDL data is converted into the bitmap format. That is, the bitmap data is subjected to gradation correction of the image, filter processing, and resolution conversion as necessary, and is printed out from the printer 2302 by the image processing unit 2108. Thereby, a copy operation is realized. Alternatively, the bitmap data captured from the scanner 2301 is compressed by the image processing unit 2108 and then transmitted as image data to the PC 2400 connected to the network via the network control unit 2105. You can also.

  A voltage control unit 2109 supplies power to each unit of the MFP 2000. The voltage control circuit 2109 can turn off the power supply SW to stop a part of the power supply of the MFP 2000 under the control of the CPU 2101 and shift the MFP 2000 to the power saving mode (power saving state).

  In the example of FIG. 17, the state of power supply when the MFP 2000 shifts to the power saving mode is also shown by shading. That is, in the power saving mode, power supply to the shaded parts (CPU 2101, RAM 2102, ROM 2103, IO control unit 2104, data storage unit 2106, operation unit 2107, image processing unit 2108, scanner 2301, printer 2302) is cut off. Will be.

  Since the network control unit 2105 has low power consumption, power is supplied from the voltage control circuit 2109 even in the power saving mode. When access from the network 2200 occurs, the voltage control circuit 2109 can be controlled according to the determination of the network control unit 2105 to automatically turn on the power, and the MFP 2000 can be returned from the power saving mode. It is configured.

  FIG. 18 is a detailed block diagram of the network control unit 2105 shown in FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 18, the network control unit 2105 includes a physical layer part PHY unit 2201, a Mac unit 2202 that performs network transmission / reception, and a BUS IF unit 2203 that performs protocol conversion on an internal bus connected to the IO control unit 2104. The network control unit 2105 further includes a packet filter 2204 that determines the type of network packet received from the network 2200 and a CPU 2205 that performs simple processing on packets addressed to the network control unit 2105.

  The CPU 2205 can respond to an inquiry from the network 2200 by proxy without turning on the power of the CPU 2101 of the main controller 2100 (without returning the MFP 2000 from the power saving mode). This has the effect of keeping the MFP 2000 in the power saving mode as long as possible.

  If the CPU 2205 determines that the power of the entire main controller 2100 and the printer 2302 needs to be turned on (return the MFP 2000 from the power saving mode) as in the case of a print job or the like, the CPU 2205 The power switch is turned on to return from the power saving mode.

  The CPU 2205 has a built-in small-capacity storage device 2205a, and can store data necessary for displaying device information described later.

  As described above, the MFP 2000 includes the voltage control circuit 2109, the MFP main body in which power supply is cut off in the power saving state, and the NIC 112 as a communication unit to which power is supplied even in the power saving state. The MFP main body is a shaded portion (CPU 2101, RAM 2102, ROM 2103, IO control unit 2104, data storage unit 2106, operation unit 2107, image processing unit 2108, scanner 2301, printer 2302).

<Display device information>
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a display example of device information in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the IP address of the MFP 2000 is designated by a browser from the user's PC 2400 via the network 2200 and the device information of the MFP 2000 is browsed in the WEB format is shown.

  The software executed by the CPU 2101 of the main controller 2100 includes a Web-Server module, and can notify the PC 2400 of device information of the MFP 2000 by a request from the Web client of the user PC 2400. This device information is notified to the Web client via the network control unit 2105 and the network 2200 according to the HTTP protocol.

  In the display example of FIG. 19, various operations and information browsing can be performed from a plurality of menus such as a device menu 2311, a job menu 2312, a box menu 2313, an address menu 2314, and a user mode menu 2315. The device menu 2311 is for displaying the status of the printer 2302 and the scanner 2301. The job menu 2312 is for monitoring the status of the job being executed. A box menu 2313 is used to browse image information stored in the data storage unit 2106. The address menu 2314 is for browsing destination information for transmitting data. The user mode menu 2315 is for performing user settings. The example of FIG. 19 shows a display example when the job menu 2312 is selected.

  However, in recent years, the number of PCs connected to the network has been increasing, and the frequency of inquiries from PCs to devices via the network has increased greatly. Therefore, the device in the power saving mode is queried for device information from a large number of PCs in the network, and if the power is supplied to the entire main controller 2100 each time, the energy saving effect is reduced. On the other hand, the device information requested by the user is often sufficient even if it is not detailed information as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of simplified display of device information according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Note that the display example of FIG. 20 displays the minimum information of the device.

  When a CPU is also present in the network control unit 2105 as in the present embodiment, only a small amount of information necessary for display can be displayed in the same manner as the CPU 2101 of the main controller 2100 described above if the display is simple. It is. This is the same concept as that for simple Internet display on a mobile phone.

  In addition, the state of the device is not real-time information, and when shifting to the power saving mode, information immediately before shifting (management information immediately before a portion where power supply is cut off) is stored in the CPU 2205 of the network control unit 2105. The data is transferred to the small-capacity storage unit 2105a. Then, when an inquiry about device information is received from the network during the power saving mode, first, the stored information in the CPU 2205 of the network control unit 2105 may be called to perform simple display.

  If detailed display is required, the CPU 2205 of the network control unit 2105 turns on the power switch to return from the power saving mode by selecting the “detail display” button 2401 in FIG. The CPU 2205 of the network control unit 2105 transmits simple display information to the main controller 2100 and the like. As a result, the CPU 2101 of the main controller 2100 calls the additional information and image information necessary for the detailed display as shown in FIG. 19 from the data storage unit 2106 and merges the display data to realize the detailed display.

  Further, the contents of the simple display may be made variable depending on the usage situation of the user. For example, when the CPU 2101 of the main controller 2100 determines that the user uses the box frequently, the following processing is performed. When entering the power saving mode, the CPU 2101 of the main controller 2100 transfers the information corresponding to the box menu (information management information stored in the data storage unit 2106) to the CPU 2205 of the network control unit 2105. In response to an inquiry from the network in the power saving mode, the CPU 2205 of the network control unit 2105 performs a simple display regarding the box based on the information transferred from the main controller 2100 and stored in the storage device 2205a. Just do it.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a simple box display.

<Device information display processing>
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of device information display processing by the CPU 2101 of the main controller 2100. Note that the processing of this flowchart is realized by the CPU 2101 of the main controller 2100 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 2102 or the HDD 104 or the like. In the figure, S401 to S406 indicate steps.

  When power is supplied to the CPU 2101 of the main controller 2100 by turning on the main power source or returning from the power saving mode, the CPU 2101 starts up (S401), and enters a standby state for receiving a detailed display packet when it enters a standby state (S402). ).

  If the detailed display packet is transferred from the network control unit 2105 to the CPU 2101 of the main controller 2100 in S402, the CPU 2101 performs detailed device information display processing in S403, and advances the processing to S404.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 2101 of the main controller 2100 does not receive the detail display packet in S402, the CPU 2101 advances the process to S404 as it is.

  In step S <b> 404, the CPU 2101 of the main controller 2100 determines whether a request for the power saving mode is generated internally by a known method such as a set time or no job.

  If it is determined in S404 that a request for the power saving mode has not been generated internally, the CPU 2101 of the main controller 2100 advances the process to S402 and enters a state of waiting for receiving a detailed display packet.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S404 that a request for the power saving mode has occurred internally, the CPU 2101 of the main controller 2100 advances the process to S405.

  In step S <b> 405, the CPU 2101 of the main controller 2100 transfers information corresponding to the simplified display to the CPU 2205 of the network control unit 2105.

  Finally, in S406, the CPU 2101 of the main controller 2100 controls the voltage control circuit 2109 so as to turn off the power supply SW, cuts off the power supply itself, and shifts to the power saving mode.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of device information display processing performed by the CPU 2205 of the network control unit 2105. Note that the processing of this flowchart is realized by reading and executing a program stored in the storage device 2205a or the like built in the CPU 2205 of the network control unit 2105. In the figure, S501 to S507 indicate steps.

  The CPU 2205 of the network control unit 2105 is supplied with power even during the power saving mode, and is ready for packet reception from the network 2200 (S501).

  When the packet reception standby state is set, the CPU 2205 of the network control unit 2105 waits until a packet indicating a device information display request is received from the network 2200 in step S502.

  If it is determined in S502 that a packet indicating a device information display request has been received, the CPU 2205 of the network control unit 2105 advances the process to S503.

  In step S503, the CPU 2205 of the network control unit 2105 determines whether the received packet indicates a detailed device information display request.

  If it is determined in S503 that the received packet does not indicate a detailed device information display request, the CPU 2205 of the network control unit 2105 advances the process to step S507.

  In step S507, the CPU 2205 of the network control unit 2105 performs the above-described simple device information display based on the information stored in the storage device 2205a built in the CPU 2205, returns to step S502, and enters a packet reception standby state. Then, a new device information display request is prepared.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S503 that the received packet indicates a detailed device information display request, the CPU 2205 of the network control unit 2105 advances the process to step S504.

  In step S504, the CPU 2205 of the network control unit 2105 determines whether the MFP 2000 is in the power saving mode. If it is determined that the MFP 2000 is in the power saving mode, the process advances to step S505.

  In step S505, the CPU 2205 of the network control unit 2105 controls the voltage control circuit 2109 to turn on the power supply SW, supplies power to the entire main controller 2100, returns from the power saving mode, and advances the process to step S506. Note that the CPU 2101 of the main controller 2100 that has returned from the power saving mode waits for receiving a detailed display packet in S402 of FIG.

  On the other hand, in step S504, if the CPU 2205 of the network control unit 2105 determines that the MFP 2000 is not in the power saving mode, the process proceeds directly to step S506.

  In step S506, the CPU 2205 of the network control unit 2105 transmits a detailed display packet to the CPU 2101 of the main controller 2100, returns the process to step S502, and enters a packet reception standby state. Then, a new device information display request is prepared.

  Note that the CPU 2101 of the main controller 2100 that has received the detailed display packet transmitted from the CPU 2205 of the network control unit 2105 in S506 executes detailed device information display processing in S403 of FIG.

  As described above, when the CPU 2205 of the network control unit 2105 is in a power saving state and an external request can be processed based on the management information stored in the storage device 2205a, the request is transmitted to the management information. Process based on. On the other hand, if the request cannot be processed based on the management information, the CPU 2205 returns the MFP 2000 from the power saving state and puts the entire main controller 2100 into an operating state.

  As described above, the CPU 2101 of the main controller 2100 and the CPU 2205 of the network control unit 2105 share their roles, so that when the detailed display is requested while maintaining the power saving mode state as much as possible, the CPU 2101 promptly displays it. be able to.

  It should be noted that the configuration and contents of the various data described above are not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the various data and configurations are configured according to the application and purpose.

  Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can take an embodiment as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium, or the like. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus (image processing apparatus) of the present invention holds management information including information for specifying a data body (entity) held in the image forming apparatus body in the NIC as a communication unit. Let me. Then, the management information held in the NIC is used to respond to the inquiry. Thereby, the power saving state of the image forming apparatus can be prevented from being inadvertently released. Further, the management information transmitted in response to the inquiry has link information (file ID or the like) to data managed by the image forming apparatus main body. As a result, the inquiring device can access the data body by acquiring the management information.

  In the above embodiments, the information processing apparatus of the present invention has been described by taking an image forming apparatus (image processing apparatus) that handles image information as an example. However, the information processing apparatus of the present invention may be configured by a personal computer or the like. It is possible to handle not only image information but also any content.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an information processing apparatus main body that is cut off in the power saving state and a NIC that is supplied with power even in the power saving state. Furthermore, the information processing apparatus of the present invention holds management information including information (link information or the like) for specifying a data body (entity) held in the information processing apparatus main body in a storage device in the NIC. Then, the NIC responds to an inquiry from the outside using the management information held in the NIC. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the power saving state of the information processing apparatus from being inadvertently released. Further, the management information transmitted in response to the inquiry has link information (file ID or the like) to data managed by the information processing apparatus main body. As a result, the inquiring device can access the data body by acquiring the management information.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the memory map shown in FIG. 24, the configuration of a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs readable by the information processing apparatus (image forming apparatus) according to the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium (recording medium) that stores various data processing programs readable by the information processing apparatus (image forming apparatus) according to the present invention.

  Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 16, FIG. 22, and FIG. 23 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Therefore, as long as it has the function of a program, the form of the program is not limited, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, and script data supplied to the OS.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD, etc. Can be used.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As another program supply method, the program can be supplied by connecting to a home page on the Internet using a browser of a client computer and downloading the program of the present invention from the home page to a storage medium such as a hard disk. It can also be supplied by downloading a file compressed from the home page and including an automatic installation function to a storage medium such as a hard disk. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server, an FTP server, and the like that allow a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer are also included in the claims of the present invention.

  Further, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, and distributed to users. Further, the user who has cleared the predetermined condition is allowed to download key information for decryption from the homepage via the Internet. Furthermore, it is also possible to execute the encrypted program using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but it is needless to say that the following configurations are included. For example, an OS (operating system) running on a computer performs part or all of actual processing based on an instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments may be realized by the processing. Needless to say, it is included.

  Further, the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Then, based on the instruction of the program code written in the memory, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Needless to say, it is also included.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. It goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

  Although various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will not limit the spirit and scope of the present invention to the specific description in the present specification.

  In addition, all the structures which combined each embodiment mentioned above and its modification are also included in this invention.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the information processing apparatus in the power saving state, even when there is a request for acquiring information related to data managed by the information processing apparatus from the outside, the power saving state is as much as possible. It is possible to transmit information about the data to the outside while maintaining it.

  In addition, even when there is an inquiry about the state of the information processing device (apparatus information) from the outside, it is possible to display the information immediately before entering the power saving state without canceling the power saving state. A sufficient amount of time in the power saving state can be secured.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus (image processing apparatus) as an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a storage state of image file information in the HDD 104 of the image forming apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a system using an image file sharing service. It is a figure which shows an example of the process sequence of an image file sharing service. It is a figure which shows the example of the file list instruction | indication packet in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the attribute information packet of the image file in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the image file list screen in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the image file acquisition instruction packet in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the image file content packet in 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram when the image forming apparatus 100 transitions to a power saving state. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the network interface card 112 when a file list acquisition instruction or an image file acquisition instruction is received from the outside of the image forming apparatus 100 when the image forming apparatus 100 is in a power saving state. It is a figure which shows the image file list screen setting screen in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the image file list screen in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the image file list instruction | indication packet in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the image file list packet in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the network interface card 112 when a file list acquisition instruction or an image file acquisition instruction is received from the outside when the image forming apparatus 100 is in a power saving state in the third embodiment of the present invention. . It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus as an information processing apparatus which shows 4th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of a network control unit 2105 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the apparatus information in 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the simple display of the apparatus information in 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a box simple display. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of device information display processing by a CPU 2101 of the main controller 2100. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of device information display processing by a CPU 2205 of a network control unit 2105. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the storage medium (recording medium) which stores the various data processing program which can be read by the information processing apparatus (image forming apparatus) which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 Image forming apparatus 101 Main CPU
102 Operation unit 103 RAM
104 HDD
108 Timer 109 Voltage Control Circuit 110 Power Supply 111 I / O Controller 112 Network Interface Card 113 NIC CPU
114 NIC RAM
115 Network I / F
130 Sub power line 132 Main power line 133 NIC power line

Claims (22)

An information processing apparatus having an information processing apparatus main body in which power supply is cut off in a power saving state and a communication unit to which power is supplied even in the power saving state,
The communication unit is
Storage means for storing management information of information managed by the information processing apparatus body;
Control means for processing external requests,
When the control unit is in the power saving state and the request from the outside can be processed based on management information stored in the storage unit, the control unit returns the information processing apparatus from the power saving state. Without processing the request based on the management information, and when the request cannot be processed based on the management information, the information processing apparatus is returned from the power saving state to the information processing apparatus. An information processing apparatus characterized by operating a main body.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the management information includes information for specifying an entity of information held in the information processing apparatus main body. The information processing apparatus main body includes transmission means for transmitting management information of information managed by the information processing apparatus to the communication unit before transitioning to the power saving state,
The storage means receives management information of information managed by the information processing apparatus main body from the information processing apparatus main body and stores it before transitioning to the power saving state. 2. The information processing apparatus according to 2.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit returns management information of a type specified by the request from the outside.   If the control unit is in the power saving state and the request from the outside cannot be processed based on the management information stored in the storage unit, whether the request is a valid request based on the management information The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the determination is made and the request is not a valid request, the information processing apparatus is not returned from the power saving state.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit determines that the request is not valid when management information of information corresponding to the request is not stored in the storage unit.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit also stores management information for managing a state of a device of the information processing apparatus main body. The transmission means also transmits management information for managing the state of the device of the information processing apparatus main body to the communication unit before transitioning to the power saving state,
The storage means receives, from the information processing apparatus main body, and stores management information for managing the device state of the information processing apparatus main body before transitioning to the power saving state. 8. The information processing apparatus according to 7.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit performs a reply to the request according to an HTTP protocol. The information processing apparatus is an image forming apparatus,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information managed by the information processing apparatus is image information. An information processing apparatus control method comprising: an information processing apparatus main body whose power supply is cut off in a power saving state; and a communication unit which is supplied with power even in the power saving state,
A storage step of storing management information of information managed by the information processing apparatus main body in a storage unit of the communication unit;
The control unit of the communication unit includes a control step for processing an external request,
In the control step, when the request from the outside can be processed based on management information stored in the storage unit, the information processing apparatus is returned from the power saving state. Without processing the request based on the management information, and when the request cannot be processed based on the management information, the information processing apparatus is returned from the power saving state to the information processing apparatus. A control method for an information processing apparatus, characterized by operating a main body.   12. The information processing apparatus control method according to claim 11, wherein the management information includes information for specifying an entity of information held in the information processing apparatus main body. The transmission unit of the information processing apparatus main body includes a transmission step of transmitting management information of information managed by the information processing apparatus before the transition to the power saving state to the communication unit,
The storage step receives management information of information managed by the information processing apparatus main body from the information processing apparatus main body and stores the information before the transition to the power saving state. 12. A method for controlling the information processing apparatus according to 12.   14. The information processing apparatus control method according to claim 11, wherein the control step returns management information of a type specified by the request from the outside.   If the control step is in the power saving state and the request from the outside cannot be processed based on the management information stored in the storage means, the request is valid based on the management information. The information processing apparatus control method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein when the determination is made and the request is not a valid request, the information processing apparatus is not returned from the power saving state. .   The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the control step determines that the request is not valid when management information of information corresponding to the request is not stored in the storage unit. Control method.   The information processing according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein in the storage step, management information for managing a state of the device of the information processing apparatus main body is also stored in the storage unit of the communication unit. Control method of the device. In the transmission step, management information for managing the state of the device of the information processing apparatus main body before the transition to the power saving state is also transmitted to the communication unit.
In the storage step, management information for managing the state of the device of the information processing apparatus main body is also received from the information processing apparatus main body and stored in the storage unit of the communication unit before the transition to the power saving state. The method of controlling an information processing apparatus according to claim 17.   The method according to claim 11, wherein the communication unit performs a reply to the request according to an HTTP protocol. The information processing apparatus is an image forming apparatus,
20. The information processing apparatus control method according to claim 11, wherein the information managed by the information processing apparatus is image information.   A program for causing a computer to execute the method for controlling the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 20.   A computer-readable recording medium recording a program for causing a computer to execute the control method for an information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 20.

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