JP2017038171A - Image reading apparatus and image reading apparatus control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prohibit an image reading device from shifting to a power saving state due to lapse of a sleeve shift time, according to reception of an access request from an external device.SOLUTION: An image reading device for reading an image of a document according to a reading request transmitted from an external device includes: setting means for setting a sleep shift time for shifting the image reading device from a first power state to a second power state having lower power consumption than the first power state; power control means for shifting the image reading device from the first power state to the second power state according to lapse of the sleep shift time set by the setting means; and receiving means for receiving an access request from an external device. The power control means shifts the image reading device from the second power state to the first power state according to reception of the access request, and the image reading device further includes control means for changing the sleep shift time set by the setting means, according to reception of the access request.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus that reads an image of a document in accordance with a reading request from an external apparatus.

  There is known an image reading apparatus that reads an image of a document according to a reading request from an external apparatus and transmits image data corresponding to the image to the external apparatus. Hereinafter, a function in which the image reading apparatus reads an image of a document in accordance with a reading request from an external apparatus is referred to as a pull scan function.

  Conventionally, when executing the pull scan function, the user has to manually set the image reading apparatus to the pull scan mode. However, the user has to manually set the pull scan mode each time the pull scan function is executed. Therefore, an image reading apparatus that shifts to the pull scan mode based on an instruction from an external apparatus has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). When the image reading device disclosed in Patent Document 1 receives a read request for the pull scan function from an external device while the image reading device is in the power saving state, the image reading device returns from the power saving state to the standby state and enters the pull scan mode. Transition.

JP 2014-230070

  Since the image reading apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above returns from the power saving state to the standby state in response to a reading request from the external apparatus, the external apparatus may check the state of the document to be read before transmitting the reading request. Could not figure out. Therefore, it is considered to restore the image reading apparatus from the power saving state by an access request before a reading request from an external apparatus. By returning the image reading apparatus from the power saving state to the standby state by the access request, it is possible to transmit the reading request after confirming the state of the document to be read.

  However, when the image reading apparatus returns from the power saving state to the standby state due to an access request, there are the following problems.

  In an image reading apparatus, when a predetermined sleep transition time elapses or when a power saving button is pressed by a user, the image reading apparatus generally shifts from a standby state to a power saving state. In the above-described image reading apparatus, scan settings such as a reading method and a reading resolution in the image reading apparatus are performed after returning from the power saving state to the standby state in response to an access request from an external apparatus. However, when the sleep transition time elapses or the user presses the power saving button, the power saving state is restored again before the scan setting is completed.

  In particular, when a short time is set as the sleep transition time, there is a problem that the image reading apparatus shifts to the power saving state again after the sleep transition time elapses while performing the scan setting or the like. . Further, when a user different from the user who uses the pull scan function presses the power saving button of the image reading apparatus, there is a problem that the image reading apparatus shifts to the power saving state again.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to prohibit an image reading apparatus from shifting to a power saving state when a sleep transition time elapses or a power saving button is pressed when an access request is received from an external apparatus.

  An image reading apparatus according to the present invention is an image reading apparatus that reads an image of a document in accordance with a reading request transmitted from an external device, and the second power consumption of the image reading apparatus from the first power state is lower than that in the first power state. A setting unit that sets a sleep transition time for shifting to the state, and a power control unit that shifts the image reading apparatus from the first power state to the second power state according to the elapse of the sleep transition time set by the setting unit. And receiving means for receiving an access request from an external device, wherein the power control means shifts the image reading device from the second power state to the first power state in accordance with the reception of the access request. And a control unit that changes the sleep transition time set by the setting unit in accordance with reception of the access request.

  The image reading apparatus of the present invention is an image reading apparatus that reads an image of a document in accordance with a reading request transmitted from an external apparatus, and a sleep transition instruction for shifting the image reading apparatus from the first power state to the second power state. Receiving means for receiving from the user, power control means for shifting the image reading apparatus from the first power state to the second power state in response to receiving the sleep transition instruction, receiving means for receiving an access request from an external device, The power control means shifts the image reading apparatus from the second power state to the first power state according to reception of the access request, and the image reading apparatus further shifts the power control means to sleep according to reception of the access request. Control means for prohibiting the image reading apparatus from shifting from the first power state to the second power state based on receiving the instruction; Obtain.

  When receiving an access request from an external apparatus, the image reading apparatus of the present invention prohibits the image reading apparatus from shifting to a power saving state due to elapse of the sleep transition time or pressing of the power saving button.

Block diagram of image forming apparatus The figure which shows the image forming device of the power saving state Computer block diagram Figure showing the sleep transition time setting screen Figure showing the device search screen Figure showing the device confirmation screen Figure showing the scan settings screen Sequence diagram when the pull scan function is executed Flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus when executing the pull scan function

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Outline of Image Forming Apparatus 1>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus (image reading apparatus) 1 includes a scanner device 2, a controller 3, a printer device 4, an image processing unit 5, a power supply device 6, a FAX device 7, an operation unit 8, and a network controller. 9 is provided. The image forming apparatus 1 is an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) and has a print function, a scan function, a fax function, and the like. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has a pull scan function. The pull scan function is a function of reading an image of a document based on a reading request transmitted from an external device and transmitting digital image data of the read image to a unit device.

  The scanner device 2 optically reads an image from a document and generates a digital image. The scanner device 2 is capable of placing a document, a document feeding unit 11 that feeds the installed documents one by one, and optically scanning an image of the document fed by the document feeding unit 11. And a scanner unit 12 for generating a digital image of the image. The scanner unit 12 can also optically scan an image of a document placed on a glass plate document table (not shown) and generate a digital image of the image.

  The printer device 4 forms an image on a sheet based on the digital image. The printer device 4 discharges the paper on which the image is formed, the paper feeding unit 19 that supplies the paper one by one from the paper bundle installed in the paper cassette, the marking unit 17 that forms an image on the supplied paper, and the paper. A paper discharge unit 18.

  The image processing unit 5 includes an image processing unit 21 that executes various types of image processing such as reduction and enlargement.

  The power supply device 6 supplies power to each unit of the image forming apparatus 1. The power supply device 6 converts AC power supplied via the plug 11 into DC power and supplies the DC power to each unit of the image forming apparatus 1. The power supply device 6 includes an AC-DC converter 20 and a plurality of switches SW1 to SW4. The AC-DC converter 20 generates and outputs a controller unit power 25 supplied to the controller 3 and a scanner unit power 26 supplied to the scanner device 2. The AC-DC converter 20 generates and outputs an image processing unit power 27 supplied to the image processing unit 5 and a printer unit power 28 supplied to the printer device 4. The AC-DC converter 20 also supplies sleep-time power 31 that is supplied to devices (the power control unit 16, the FAX device 7, the operation unit 8, and the network controller 9) that operate when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the power saving state. Generate and output.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a power switch 30 that is turned on or off in accordance with a user operation. When the power switch 30 is turned on by a user operation, AC power is input to the AC-DC converter 20 via the plug 11.

  The FAX apparatus 7 receives facsimile data via a telephone line or transmits facsimile data via a telephone line.

  The operation unit 8 displays a hard key for instructing the number of copies to be printed and start of copying, a main menu screen for selecting a function of the image forming apparatus 1, a status screen indicating the state of the image forming apparatus 1, and the like. A display unit 41 is provided. The operation unit 8 also receives a sleep return instruction for returning the image forming apparatus 1 from the power saving state to the standby state, and also issues a sleep transition instruction for shifting the image forming apparatus 1 from the standby state to the power saving state. A power saving button 40 is provided.

  The network controller 9 is an interface for communicating with the computer 10. The network controller 9 receives information transmitted from the computer 10, which is an external device, and transmits information to the computer 10.

  The controller 3 controls the operations of the scanner device 2, printer device 4, image processing unit 5, power supply device 6, FAX device 7, operation unit 8, and network interface 9. The controller 3 includes a CPU 13, a hard disk device 14, a memory 15, and a power control unit 16. The CPU 13 performs various data processing based on programs developed in the memory 15. The hard disk device 14 is a non-volatile storage device that stores digital images, control programs, and the like. The memory 15 is a DRAM, a ROM, or the like, and temporarily stores a boot program and digital image data received from the scanner device 2.

  The power control unit 16 controls power supply to each unit of the image forming apparatus 1. The power control unit 16 is configured by a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device). An interrupt signal is input to the power control unit 16 from the fax machine 7, the operation unit 8, and the network controller 9. When the interrupt signal is input when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the power saving state, the power control unit 16 returns the image forming apparatus 1 from the power saving state to the standby state. The state that is shifted when the image forming apparatus 1 returns from the power saving state may be a state other than the standby state as long as the power consumption is larger than the power saving state. When the power saving button 40 of the operation unit 8 is operated, an interrupt signal is output from the operation unit 8 to the power control unit 16. When the FAX apparatus 7 receives facsimile data, an interrupt signal is output from the FAX apparatus 7 to the power control unit 16. Also, when the network controller 9 receives a WOL (Wake On LAN) packet, an interrupt signal is output from the network controller 9 to the power control unit 16.

  Here, the power state of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The image forming apparatus 1 is in a standby state or a power saving state in which power consumption is smaller than that in the standby state. Note that the image forming apparatus 1 may be in a power state other than the standby state and the power saving state.

  In the standby state, power is supplied to each part of the image forming apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. The power control unit 16 controls each of the control signals 21-24 to turn on all the switches SW1-SW4. Thereby, the controller unit power 25, the scanner unit power 26, the image processing unit power 27, and the printer unit power 28 are supplied from the AC-DC converter 20 to the controller 9, the scanner device 2, the image processing unit 5, and the printer device 4, respectively. The

  The power control unit 16 can individually control the switches SW1 to SW4. Therefore, the power control unit 16 can supply power only to the device to be used. For example, when the user executes the copy function, all of SW1 to SW4 are turned on so that power is supplied to each unit of the image forming apparatus 1. Further, when the user executes the fax transmission function, SW1, SW3, and SW4 are turned on and SW2 is turned off so that power is supplied to the scanner device 2, the controller 3, and the image processing unit 5. Further, when the network controller 9 receives a print request, SW1 and SW2 are turned on so that power is supplied to the printer device 4 and the controller 3.

  In the power saving state, as shown in FIG. 2, the power supply to the scanner device 2, the printer device 4, the image processing unit 5, and the like is stopped. Specifically, in the power saving state, power is supplied to the FAX device 7, the operation unit 8, the network controller 9, the memory 15, the power control unit 16, and the power supply device 6, but power is supplied to other portions. Not. This power saving state is the S3 state of the ACPI standard. The power supply device 6 supplies only the sleep power 31 and does not supply the scanner unit power 26, the printer unit power 28, the image processing unit power 27, and the controller unit power 25.

  Before shifting to the power saving state, the CPU 13 stores information indicating the state of the image forming apparatus 1 in the memory 15. In the power saving state, when the network controller 9 receives a WOL packet, when the FAX apparatus 7 receives facsimile data, or when the power saving button 40 of the operation unit 8 is pressed, the power control unit 16 Turn on SW1-SW4. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 returns from the power saving state to the standby state. When the image forming apparatus 1 returns from the power saving state, the CPU 13 resumes using the information stored in the memory 15.

<Computer overview>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the computer 10.

  The computer 10 includes a CPU 501, a RAM 502, a nonvolatile storage device 503, an operation unit 510, and a network controller 504. The computer 10 is, for example, a personal computer, a smartphone, a mobile phone, or the like, and the type thereof is not limited as long as it is a computer that can communicate with the image forming apparatus 1. The operation unit 510 of the computer 10 is a touch panel, and includes a display unit 512 that displays text and graphics, and an input unit 511 that includes a touch panel sensor that detects a user operation on the display unit 512.

<Sleep transition time setting screen>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a sleep transition time setting screen.

The sleep transition time setting screen 100 is displayed on the display unit 41 of the image forming apparatus 1.
The sleep transition time setting screen 100 is a time for setting the time (sleep transition time) until the image forming apparatus 1 transitions from the standby state to the power saving state. When the sleep transition time has elapsed without the image forming apparatus 1 being used, the image forming apparatus 1 transitions from the standby state to the power saving state. The use of the image forming apparatus 1 means that the user operates the operation unit 8, receives a WOL packet from an external device such as the computer 10, receives facsimile data from the outside via a telephone line, etc. It is. In other words, the image forming apparatus 1 forms an image when the operation unit 8 is not operated, the WOL packet is not received from the external apparatus, and the sleep transition time has elapsed without receiving facsimile data from the outside. The device 1 shifts from the standby state to the power saving state. The conditions for the image forming apparatus 1 to shift from the standby state to the power saving state are that the user operates the operation unit 8, receives a WOL packet from an external device such as the computer 10, and externally via a telephone line. It is not limited to receiving facsimile data.

  The setting screen 100 includes a selection key 102 for selecting a sleep transition time, a display column 101 for displaying the sleep transition time selected using the selection key 102, and a sleep transition time displayed in the display column 101. An OK key 103 for setting is displayed. When changing the sleep transition time, the user operates the selection key 102 to select a desired sleep transition time from among 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 1 hour, and 4 hours. The selected sleep transition time is displayed in the display column 101. Then, when the user selects the OK key 103 while the desired sleep transition time is displayed in the display field 101, the sleep transition time is changed. When the sleep transition time is not changed, the user selects the cancel key 104.

<Device search screen>
FIG. 5 shows a device search screen.

  The device search screen 200 is displayed on the display unit 512 of the computer 10. When the scan application installed in the computer 10 is executed, a list of devices connected to the computer 10 so as to be communicable is displayed in the list column 201. In the example of FIG. 5, the ABC scanner 1, the ABC scanner 2, and the XYZ scanner are displayed together with their types as devices that are communicably connected to the computer 10. On the device search screen 200, a search key 202 for updating a list of devices connected to be communicable with the computer 10 is displayed.

<Device confirmation screen>
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a device confirmation screen.

  The device confirmation screen 210 is displayed on the display unit 512 of the computer 10. The device confirmation screen 210 illustrated in FIG. 6 is displayed when the user selects a device displayed in the list field 201 of the device search screen 200. A device confirmation screen 210 in FIG. 6 is a screen displayed when the ABC scanner 1 displayed in the list column 201 is selected.

  The device confirmation screen 210 displays a selected device display unit 211 that displays the name of the selected device, and a scanner button 212 that opens a screen for performing scan settings for the selected device. . When the user selects the scanner button 212, an access request is transmitted to the selected device (the ABC scanner 1 in the example of FIG. 6).

<Scan setting screen>
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a scan setting screen.

  The scan setting screen 220 is displayed on the display unit 512 of the computer 10. The scan setting screen 220 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed when the scanner button 212 on the device confirmation screen 210 is selected by the user. The scan setting screen 220 is a screen for performing scan settings in the selected device. The scan setting screen 220 displays a selected device display unit 221 that displays a selected device name and a scan setting field 222. The scan setting field 222 includes a document setting item 224 for setting a document setting method (automatic, pressure plate, ADF).

When the user selects a pressure plate as a document setting method, the scanner device 2 reads an image of the document placed on the document table. When the user selects ADF as the document setting method, the scanner device 2 reads an image of the document fed from the document feeding unit 11. Further, when the user selects automatic as the document setting method, if a document is placed on the document feed unit 11, the document placed on the document feed unit 11 is read and the document is placed on the document feed unit 11. If it is not placed, the image of the document placed on the platen is read.

The scan setting item 222 includes a color setting item 225 for setting whether to output image data of a document as color data or monochrome data, and a resolution setting item 226 for setting the reading resolution of the document. , Including. The scan setting field 222 includes a size specification item 227 for specifying the size of the document, and a file specification item 228 for specifying the output file format (PDF, TIFF, JPEG) of the image data of the read document. , Including.

  When the user selects the scan start button 223, the image forming apparatus 1 starts reading a document based on the contents of the items 224 to 228. For example, when the contents of the items 224 to 228 are set as shown in FIG. 7, the image forming apparatus 1 reads the image of the document placed on the document feeding unit 11 or the document table in the A4 size range. Then, the image forming apparatus 1 transmits a PDF file including color image data with a resolution of 300 × 300 dpi to the computer 10.

<Pull scan sequence>
FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram when the pull scan function is executed.

  When the user executes a scan application installed on the computer 10, the device search screen 200 is displayed on the display unit 512. When the user selects a desired device on the device search screen 200, a device confirmation screen 210 is displayed on the display unit 512. When the scanner button 212 on the device confirmation screen 210 is selected, the computer 10 transmits an access request (S521) to the selected device. In the following description, it is assumed that the selected device is the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 is in the power saving state and receives an access request from the computer 10 via the network, the network controller 9 outputs an interrupt signal to the power control unit 16 of the controller 3 (S522). When the interrupt signal is input, the power control unit 16 executes a sleep return process for returning the image forming apparatus 1 from the power saving state to the standby state (S523). Here, the example in which the image forming apparatus 1 shifts from the power saving state to the standby state has been described, but the state to which the image forming apparatus 1 shifts from the power saving state is not limited to the standby state. For example, in the present embodiment, power may not be supplied to the printer device 4.

  In the present embodiment, when the image forming apparatus 1 returns from the power saving state to the standby state in response to an access request from the computer 10, the CPU 13 executes a sleep transition time changing process (S524).

<Details of sleep transition time change processing>
Here, the sleep transition time changing process executed by the CPU 13 will be described.

  In S524, the CPU 13 adds a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) to the sleep transition time (for example, 1 minute) set on the sleep transition time setting screen 100 (for example, 6 minutes). Min) is set as the new sleep transition time. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 that has received the access request from the computer 10 and has returned from the power saving state to the standby state shifts to the power saving state in accordance with the elapse of the sleep transition time set on the setting screen 100. Can be prevented.

  Conventionally, in the sleep transition time setting screen 100, for example, when the user sets a short time of 1 minute, the image forming apparatus is configured while the user is setting the pull scan function on the scan setting screen 220. 1 shifts to the power saving state. In this embodiment, when an access request from the computer 10 is received, a sleep transition time longer than the sleep transition time set on the setting screen 100 is set. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 can be prohibited from shifting to the power saving state according to the sleep transition time set on the setting screen 100. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 can be prevented from shifting to the power saving state while the user is setting the pull scan function.

  In addition, when the image forming apparatus 1 is returned from the power saving state to the standby state by the pull scan function access request from the computer 10, the CPU 13 prohibits the transition to the power saving state by pressing the power saving button 40. Is executed (S525).

<Details of prohibition processing that prohibits the transition to the power saving state by pressing the power saving button>
Here, the prohibition process (S525) executed by the CPU 13 will be described.

  In S525, the CPU 13 sets a prohibition flag of the power control unit 16 so as not to control the control signals 21-24 even when an interrupt signal is input from the power saving button 40. When the prohibition flag is set, the power control unit 16 does not turn on the switches SW1 to SW4 even when an interrupt signal is input from the power saving button 40. This prohibition flag continues to be set during the changed sleep transition time. When the changed sleep transition time has elapsed, the prohibition flag is released.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, when an access request for the pull scan function is received from the computer 10, the transition to the power saving state by pressing the power saving button 40 can be prohibited. As a result, while the user is setting the pull scan function, it is possible to prevent the image forming apparatus 1 from entering the power saving state by pressing the power saving button 40 of another user.

  After the change process (S524) and the prohibition process (S525) are executed, the CPU 13 returns a response to the computer 10 via the network controller 9 (S526, S527).

  Next, when the user makes scan settings on the scan setting screen 220 and selects the scan start button 223, the computer 10 transmits an image reading request (S 528, S 529) to the image forming apparatus 1. Receiving the image reading request, the CPU 13 executes a document scanning process based on the scan setting (S530). The CPU 13 that has received the image reading request transmits an acceptance response indicating that the image reading request has been received to the computer 10 via the network controller 9 (S531, S532).

  Upon receipt of the acceptance response, the computer 10 transmits an image acquisition request (S533, S534) to the image forming apparatus 1. If the scan processing described above is not completed when the image acquisition request is received, the CPU 13 transmits a status indicating that scanning is in progress to the computer 10 (S535, S536). The computer 10 that has received the status indicating that scanning is in progress waits for a predetermined time, and then transmits an image acquisition request (S537, S538) to the image forming apparatus 1 again.

  If the scan process described above is completed when the image acquisition request is received, the CPU 13 transmits image data of the document to the computer 10 (S539, S540).

<Flowchart showing operation of image forming apparatus>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus when executing the pull scan function.

  When the computer 10 executes the pull scan function of the image forming apparatus 1, a scan application installed in the computer 10 is executed. When the user selects a device for executing the pull scan function on the device search screen 200 displayed by executing the scan application, a device confirmation screen 210 is displayed. When the user presses the scanner button 212 on the device confirmation screen 210, the computer 10 transmits an access request (WOL packet) to the image processing apparatus 1. This access request is transmitted according to a predetermined protocol.

  When the network controller 9 receives a WOL packet while the image forming apparatus 1 is in the power saving state (S400), an interrupt signal is input to the power control unit 16. The power control unit 16 to which the interrupt signal is input executes a sleep return process (S401). Specifically, the power control unit 16 controls the control signal 21 to turn on the switch SW1. As a result, power is supplied to the CPU 13.

  The CPU 13 supplied with the power determines whether the received WOL packet is a packet according to a predetermined protocol (S402). When the received WOL packet conforms to a predetermined protocol (S402: Yes), the CPU 13 determines that the access request for the pull scan function has been received from the computer 10, and instructs the power control unit 16 to return to the standby state ( S403). The power control unit 16 controls the control signals 21-24 according to the instruction from the CPU 13, and turns on the switches SW1-SW4. Note that the power control unit 16 may control the control signal 23 to turn on only the switch SW3 so that power is not supplied to the printer device 4 that is not required to execute the pull scan function.

  When the CPU 13 determines that the pull scan function access request has been received from the computer 10, the CPU 13 may display a screen for displaying information indicating that the pull scan function is being executed on the display unit 41.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 13 executes a process for changing the sleep transition time (S404). Specifically, the CPU 13 sets a time obtained by adding a predetermined time to the sleep transition time set on the setting screen 100 as the sleep transition time of the image forming apparatus 1. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when receiving the access request for the pull scan function, the CPU 13 prohibits the transition to the power saving state by pressing the power saving button 40 (S405). Specifically, the CPU 13 sets a prohibition flag of the power control unit 16 so as not to control the control signals 21-24 even when an interrupt signal is input from the power saving button 40. When the prohibition flag is set, the power control unit 16 does not turn off the switches SW1 to SW4 even if an interrupt signal is input from the power saving button 40 before the changed sleep transition time elapses.

  When the CPU 13 receives a reading request from the computer 10 (S406: Yes), the CPU 13 instructs the scanner device 2 to read the image of the document (S407). The scan request is transmitted from the computer 10 to the image forming apparatus 1 when the scan start button 223 displayed on the scan setting screen 220 is selected by the user.

  The image data of the original read by the scanner device 2 is stored in the hard disk device 14. Then, the CPU 13 transmits the image data stored in the hard disk device 14 to the computer 10 via the network controller 9 (S408).

  Then, the CPU 13 returns the changed sleep transition time to the sleep transition time set on the setting screen 100 (S409). Further, the CPU 13 cancels the setting of the prohibition flag so as to be able to shift to the power saving state when an interrupt signal is input from the power saving button 40 (S410).

(Other embodiments)
In the present embodiment, an example in which the sleep transition condition is changed in accordance with the reception of the pull scan function access request from the computer 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the pull scan function access request. Any access request for the pull scan function may be used as long as it is a function for reading a document in response to a read request from an external device.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which a predetermined time is added to the sleep transition time set on the setting screen 100 as the sleep transition time when an access request for the pull scan function is received from the computer 10 has been described. . The present invention is not limited to this, and instead of the sleep transition time set on the setting screen 100, a predetermined time may be set.

  Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which a predetermined time is uniformly added to the sleep transition time set on the setting screen 100 has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and the predetermined time may be added only when the sleep transition time set on the setting screen 100 is shorter than the predetermined time, or may be changed to the predetermined time X. Also good.

  In the above-described embodiment, the MFP has been described as the image reading apparatus of the present invention. However, as long as it has a scanning function, the image reading apparatus may not have a printing function or a fax function.

  Note that the present invention can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, an information processing device, a router, an image reading device, etc.), or a device (for example, an image reading device, a copier, The present invention may be applied to a facsimile machine or the like.

  The object of the present invention can also be achieved by supplying a recording medium recording a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus. In this case, the function is realized by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the recording medium. In this case, the recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the program code read by the computer. 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. included.

  Further, when the program code read from the recording 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, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized. Is also included. That is, after the program code is 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 based on the instruction of the program code, and is realized by the processing. This is also included.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Scanner apparatus 9 Network controller 10 Computer 13 CPU
16 Power control unit

Claims (14)

An image reading device that reads an image of a document according to a reading request transmitted from an external device,
Setting means for setting a sleep transition time for causing the image reading apparatus to transition from a first power state to a second power state that consumes less power than the first power state;
Power control means for causing the image reading apparatus to transition from the first power state to the second power state in accordance with the elapse of the sleep transition time set by the setting means;
Receiving means for receiving an access request from the external device,
The power control unit shifts the image reading apparatus from the second power state to the first power state in accordance with the reception of the access request,
The image reading device further includes:
An image reading apparatus comprising: control means for changing the sleep transition time set by the setting means in accordance with reception of the access request.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit lengthens the sleep transition time set by the setting unit.   3. The control unit according to claim 2, wherein the control unit changes the sleep transition time set by the setting unit to a sleep transition time obtained by adding the sleep transition time and a predetermined time. Image reading device.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit changes to a predetermined sleep transition time instead of the sleep transition time set by the setting unit.   The control means lengthens the sleep transition time when the sleep transition time set by the setting means is shorter than a predetermined time, and when the sleep transition time set by the setting means is longer than the predetermined time. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sleep transition time is not changed. A receiving unit that receives a sleep shift instruction for shifting the image reading apparatus from the first power state to the second power state;
The power control unit shifts the image reading device from the first power state to the second power state in accordance with the reception unit receiving the sleep shift instruction from a user.
When the control means receives the access request, the power control means causes the image reading apparatus to transition from the first power state to the second power state in response to accepting the sleep transition instruction. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus is prohibited.   The control unit prohibits the power control unit from shifting the image reading apparatus from the first power state to the second power state in response to receiving the sleep transition instruction for a predetermined time. The image reading apparatus according to claim 6. An image reading device that reads an image of a document according to a reading request transmitted from an external device,
Accepting means for accepting, from a user, a sleep transition instruction for causing the image reading apparatus to transition from the first power state to the second power state;
Power control means for causing the image reading apparatus to transition from the first power state to the second power state in response to receiving the sleep transition instruction;
Receiving means for receiving an access request from the external device,
The power control unit shifts the image reading apparatus from the second power state to the first power state in accordance with the reception of the access request,
The image reading device further includes:
Control means for prohibiting the image reading apparatus from shifting from the first power state to the second power state based on receipt of the sleep transition instruction by the power control means in accordance with reception of the access request; An image reading apparatus comprising: A setting unit configured to set a sleep transition time for causing the image reading apparatus to transition from the first power state to a second power state that consumes less power than the first power state;
The power control unit causes the image reading apparatus to transition from the first power state to the second power state according to the elapse of the sleep transition time set by the setting unit,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control unit changes the sleep transition time set by the setting unit in accordance with reception of the access request.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit extends the sleep transition time set by the setting unit in accordance with reception of the access request.   The control means causes the power control means to shift the image reading device from the first power state to the second power state in response to receiving the sleep transition instruction during the changed sleep transition time. The image reading apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the image reading apparatus is prohibited.   The control means causes the power control means to shift the image reading apparatus from the first power state to the second power state in response to receiving the sleep transition instruction for a predetermined time. The image reading apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the image reading apparatus is prohibited. A method for controlling an image reading apparatus for reading an image of a document in accordance with a reading request transmitted from an external device,
A setting step for setting a sleep transition time for causing the image reading apparatus to transition from a first power state to a second power state that consumes less power than the first power state;
A power control step of causing the image reading apparatus to transition from the first power state to the second power state according to the elapse of the sleep transition time set in the setting step;
A receiving step of receiving an access request from the external device;
Returning the image reading apparatus from the second power state to the first power state in accordance with receiving the access request;
And a control step of changing the sleep transition time set in the setting step in accordance with reception of the access request. A method for controlling an image reading apparatus for reading an image of a document in accordance with a reading request transmitted from an external device,
An accepting step of accepting from the user a sleep transition instruction for causing the image reading apparatus to transition from the first power state to the second power state;
A power control step of causing the image reading apparatus to transition from the first power state to the second power state in response to receiving the sleep transition instruction;
A receiving step of receiving an access request from the external device;
Returning the image reading apparatus from the second power state to the first power state in accordance with receiving the access request;
And a control step of prohibiting the image reading apparatus from shifting from the first power state to the second power state based on reception of the sleep transition instruction in accordance with reception of the access request. A method for controlling the image reading apparatus.

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