JP2004009341A - Printer - Google Patents

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Publication number
JP2004009341A
JP2004009341A JP2002162310A JP2002162310A JP2004009341A JP 2004009341 A JP2004009341 A JP 2004009341A JP 2002162310 A JP2002162310 A JP 2002162310A JP 2002162310 A JP2002162310 A JP 2002162310A JP 2004009341 A JP2004009341 A JP 2004009341A
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Japan
Prior art keywords
printing
print
power saving
saving mode
printing apparatus
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JP2002162310A
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Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Ken Sato
佐藤　研
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Ricoh Co Ltd
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Ricoh Co Ltd
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Priority to JP2002162310A priority Critical patent/JP2004009341A/en
Publication of JP2004009341A publication Critical patent/JP2004009341A/en
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    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02D—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE
    • Y02D10/00—Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

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  • Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)
  • Control Or Security For Electrophotography (AREA)

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer which can efficiently perform a printing process in a local area network having a host device and the printer connected at a low cost via a communication circuit or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The printer inquires about an operating state of other nearby printers when accepting a print request from the host device or other printers during a power saving mode and searches for the printer which can efficiently print including itself for the request by comparing the operating states of the other printers which have responded and the operating state of itself. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は印刷装置に関し、詳細にはホスト装置や印刷装置が接続されたローカルエリアネットワークにおける印刷処理を効率良く行うことができる印刷装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
レーザプリンタなどの印刷装置においては、省エネルギーのため、所定の時間印刷装置の使用がない場合定着器への電力供給を遮断する省電力モードを備えている。印刷待機中は省電力モードで電力の消費は少ないが、印刷の要求がきた場合には定着器の温度を上げるためにかなりの電力が必要となる。従来の技術では、印刷装置が印刷不可能の時に限り、他の印刷装置へ出力先を切り替えることは可能である。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、従来の技術では省エネルギーの観点から印刷可能な印刷装置から出力先を切り替える技術が存在していない。よって、印刷待機状態である省電力モードは、印刷装置自体は印刷可能な状態にあるので、近隣の印刷装置の状態を考慮することなく、自ら省電力モードから復帰し、印刷を実行する。そのため、たとえ近隣に設置されている印刷装置がウォームアップの必要なくすぐに印刷できる状態にあるにもかかわらず、ウォームアップに多量の電力を消費することになり、エネルギーの浪費につながる。また、省エネルギーの観点だけから考慮すると、省電力モードにない印刷装置に、印刷データが集中してしまう。
【０００４】
本発明はこれらの問題点を解決するためのものであり、省エネルギーと印刷効率を両立させ、必要最小限の情報に基づいて効率良い印刷装置を検索できることにより、通信回線等で少ない負担でホスト装置や印刷装置が接続されたローカルエリアネットワークにおける印刷処理を効率良く行うことができる印刷装置を提供することを目的とする。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
前記問題点を解決するために、本発明の印刷装置の構成を示すブロック図である図１に示すように、本発明の印刷装置１０は、少なくとも１つのホスト装置や複数の印刷装置を接続し、かつ印刷装置間も接続された印刷ネットワークシステムにおける印刷装置であって、省電力モードに切り換える省電力モード切換手段１３と、省電力モード時にホスト装置又は他の印刷装置から印刷要求を受けた際、近隣の他の印刷装置の稼動状態の問い合わせを行う稼動状態検出手段１２と、他の印刷装置からの稼動状態の問い合わせに対して自装置の稼動状態を検出して他の印刷装置に回答する稼動状態応答手段１４と、回答してきた他の印刷装置の稼動状態と自装置の稼動状態とを比較して印刷要求に対して自装置を含めて効率良く印刷可能な印刷装置を検索する印刷装置検索手段１５とを有することに特徴がある。よって、省エネルギーと印刷効率を両立させ、必要最小限の情報に基づいて効率良い印刷装置を検索でき、ホスト装置や印刷装置が接続されたローカルエリアネットワークにおける印刷処理を効率良く行うことができる印刷装置を提供できる。
【０００６】
また、印刷要求を受けた際に、又は稼動状態検出手段による稼動状態の問い合わせを受けた際に、稼動状態の情報として、省電力モードにある時蓄積されている印刷データと自装置の印刷速度性能とに基づいて蓄積されている印刷データを印刷完了するまでの印刷完了所要時間を算出する印刷完了所要時間算出手段を有することにより、稼動状態の情報を印刷完了所要時間として少ない情報量で通信回線等の負担を少なくできると共に少ない情報量で効率良い印刷装置を検索できる。
【０００７】
更に、印刷データは印刷ジョブにおける蓄積されたページ数と印刷要求におけるページ数を加算したページ数であることにより、印刷ジョブの処理に伴なって更新されるページ数は逐次更新されるので常に最適な印刷装置の検索を行うことができる。
【０００８】
また、印刷要求を受けた際に、又は稼動状態検出手段による稼動状態の問い合わせを受けた際に、稼動状態の情報として、省電力モードにある時通常印刷モードに復帰するまでのウォームアップ完了時間を算出するウォームアップ完了時間算出手段を有することにより、稼動状態の情報を印刷完了所要時間として少ない情報量で通信回線等の負担を少なくできると共に少ない情報量で効率良い印刷装置を検索できる。
【０００９】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の印刷装置は、省電力モード時にホスト装置又は他の印刷装置から印刷要求を受けた際、近隣の他の印刷装置の稼動状態の問い合わせを行い、回答してきた他の印刷装置の稼動状態と自装置の稼動状態とを比較して印刷要求に対して自装置を含めて効率良く印刷可能な印刷装置を検索する。
【００１０】
【実施例】
図２は本発明の一実施例に係る印刷装置を適用する印刷ネットワークシステムの構成を示すシステム概略図である。同図において、本発明の印刷装置を適用する印刷システムは、印刷要求元であるホスト装置１００と、該ホスト装置１００と通信回線４００を介して接続する印刷装置２００と、該印刷装置２００と通信回線５００を介して接続する印刷装置３００とを含んで構成されている。なお、印刷要求元であるホスト装置１００はパソコンに限らず、ＦＡＸなどでもこのシステムが利用できる。また、通信回線４００，５００はローカルエリアネットワークに代用しても良い。更に、同図では印刷装置は２基であるがそれ以上の印刷装置を接続した印刷ネットワークシステムを構築した場合にも適用可能である。
【００１１】
次に、図２に示す印刷システムにおいて本実施例の印刷装置の動作について図３に示す動作フローに従って説明する。
先ず、印刷要求元であるホスト装置１００が印刷装置２００を所望の印刷装置として選択し、印刷データを、通信回線４００を通して送信する（ステップＳ１０１）。印刷装置２００が省電力モードにあるか否かを判断し（ステップＳ１０２）、省電力モードでない場合は、ウォームアップのために必要な時間と電力は問題にならないと判断し、印刷要求元であるホスト装置１００の要求通り印刷装置２００において通常の印刷を行う（ステップＳ１０２；ＮＯ、ステップＳ１０３）。一方、印刷装置２００が省電力モードにある場合は、近隣の他の印刷装置の１つである印刷装置３００に稼動状態を問い合わせる（ステップＳ１０２；ＹＥＳ、ステップＳ１０４）。なお、図示していないが印刷装置３００以外の印刷装置があれば全ての印刷装置に問い合わせを行ってもよい。問い合わせを受けた近隣の他の印刷装置３００は、現在、省電力モードにあるかないかを印刷装置２００に回答する（ステップＳ１０５）。これは、現在抱えている印刷ジョブの完了所要時間で代用することが可能である。例えば省電力モードにある時は、印刷完了予想時間を膨大な時間とする。省電力モードになく、印刷すべきジョブもないときは、時間を０と答える。省電力モードになく、印刷すべきジョブを抱えているときは、後述する算出方法により算出した印刷完了所要時間（Ｔ）を答え、省電力モードである場合はウォームアップ完了時間も回答する（ステップＳ１０６）。
【００１２】
ここで、印刷完了所要時間（Ｔ）の算出方法は、その印刷装置が蓄積している印刷ページ数（Ａ４相当に換算）をｐ、印刷装置のＡ４を単位時間あたり何枚出力できるかを示す印刷性能をｓ（ｐｐｍ）とすると、Ｔ＝ｐ／ｓとして算出する。また、ウォームアップ完了時間の算出には、ウォームアップ状態がいくつあるかによって、算出方法を変更する。単純に稼動状態と省電力モードの２通りであるならば、前回のウォームアップ完了時間と今回のウォームアップ完了時間の平均を算出し、この値を最新の復帰時間として記録する。省電力状態が何段階かある場合、前述の方法は適用できないので、現在の定着器の温度を測定し、そこから印刷可能になるまでの温度に加熱するのに必要な時間を算出式から計算、ないしは予めデータとして印刷装置に持たせておき、その値をウォームアップ完了時間として適用する。
【００１３】
そして、稼動情報を受け取った印刷装置２００は、自装置のウォームアップ完了時間と比較し、印刷効率が最大となるような印刷先を決定する（ステップＳ１０７）。印刷装置３００が省電力モードから復帰して印刷したほうが効率的と判断すれば、印刷装置３００において受け取った印刷データにより通常印刷シーケンスとなる（ステップＳ１０８；ＮＯ、ステップＳ１０９，Ｓ１１０）。一方、印刷装置２００が印刷したほうが効率的と判断すれば、印刷装置３００が受け取った印刷データを印刷装置２００へ転送する。印刷データの転送を受け取った印刷装置２００は通常印刷シーケンスとなる（ステップＳ１０８；ＹＥＳ、ステップＳ１１０）。
【００１４】
ここで、図４に示した本実施例の印刷装置における印刷完了所要時間及びウォームアップ完了時間の検出処理フローに従って当該検出処理を説明する。
先ず、印刷装置の電源が投入されると、初期ウォームアップを行い、当該初期ウォームアップが完了した時印刷完了所要時間を０にして印刷完了所要時間テーブル等に記録する（ステップＳ２０１，Ｓ２０２）。そして、ホスト装置又は他の印刷装置から印刷要求があるか否かを調べ（ステップＳ２０３）、印刷要求がなくて所定時間経過した時点で所定の省電力モードに移行し、印刷完了所要時間を所定の省電力モードに対応した値に更新する（ステップＳ２０３；ＮＯ、ステップＳ２０４；ＹＥＳ、ステップＳ２０５，Ｓ２０６）。なお、このように、省電力モードを複数段階に分けて各々に対応する印刷完了所要時間の値を予め定めておくもののとするか、１つの省電力モードに対して一義的に最大値を設定してもよいとする。そして、ホスト装置又は他の印刷装置から印刷要求があった場合、ウォームアップを行う必要があるか否かを判断し、必要があればウォームアップを行い、そのウォームアップ状態、例えば定着器の温度に応じたウォームアップを行って、ウォームアップ開始から完了までの時間を計測し、記録してある前回のウォームアップ完了時間と今回のウォームアップ完了時間の平均を算出して新たなウォームアップ完了時間として記録する（ステップＳ２０７；ＹＥＳ、ステップＳ２０８，Ｓ２０９）。ウォームアップが完了すれば印刷要求に基づいて通常印刷を開始する（ステップＳ２１０；ＹＥＳ、ステップＳ２１１）。一方、ステップＳ２０７でウォームアップを行う必要がない場合、例えば既に印刷中である等の場合、ホスト装置又は他の印刷装置からの印刷要求に基づいて通常印刷を開始する（ステップＳ２０７；ＮＯ、ステップｓ２１１）。そして、ホスト装置及び他の印刷装置からの印刷要求によるページ数を更新する。なお、１つの印刷要求ごとに１ページ分の印刷データが送られてくるものとする。そして、印刷装置の演算部（図示せず）で蓄積されたページ数を印刷速度で除算して印刷完了所要時間を算出して上述した印刷完了所要時間テーブル等の値を更新する（ステップＳ２１２，Ｓ２１３）。そして、印刷が行われていき、１ページの印刷が完了する度に蓄積されたページ数を１減算して、減算後のページ数を印刷速度で除算して印刷完了所要時間を逐次算出して上述した印刷完了所要時間テーブル等の値を更新する（ステップＳ２１４；ＮＯ、ステップＳ２１５，Ｓ２１６）。全てのページが完了したら印刷装置の電源が切断されるまでステップＳ２０３に戻って上記ステップを繰り返す（ステップＳ２１４，Ｓ２１７；ＮＯ）。印刷装置の電源が切断されれば一連の処理も同時に終了する（ステップＳ２１７；ＹＥＳ）。
【００１５】
なお、本発明は上記実施例に限定されるものではなく、特許請求の範囲内の記載であれば多種の変形や置換可能であることは言うまでもない。
【００１６】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明の印刷装置は、少なくとも１つのホスト装置や複数の印刷装置を接続し、かつ印刷装置間も接続された印刷ネットワークシステムにおける印刷装置であって、省電力モードに切り換える省電力モード切換手段と、省電力モード時にホスト装置又は他の印刷装置から印刷要求を受けた際、近隣の他の印刷装置の稼動状態の問い合わせを行う稼動状態検出手段と、他の印刷装置からの稼動状態の問い合わせに対して自装置の稼動状態を検出して他の印刷装置に回答する稼動状態応答手段と、回答してきた他の印刷装置の稼動状態と自装置の稼動状態とを比較して印刷要求に対して自装置を含めて効率良く印刷可能な印刷装置を検索する印刷装置検索手段とを有することに特徴がある。よって、省エネルギーと印刷効率を両立させ、必要最小限の情報に基づいて効率良い印刷装置を検索でき、ホスト装置や印刷装置が接続されたローカルエリアネットワークにおける印刷処理を効率良く行うことができる印刷装置を提供できる。
【００１７】
また、印刷要求を受けた際に、又は稼動状態検出手段による稼動状態の問い合わせを受けた際に、稼動状態の情報として、省電力モードにある時蓄積されている印刷データと自装置の印刷速度性能とに基づいて蓄積されている印刷データを印刷完了するまでの印刷完了所要時間を算出する印刷完了所要時間算出手段を有することにより、稼動状態の情報を印刷完了所要時間として少ない情報量で通信回線等の負担を少なくできると共に少ない情報量で効率良い印刷装置を検索できる。
【００１８】
更に、印刷データは印刷ジョブにおける蓄積されたページ数と印刷要求におけるページ数を加算したページ数であることにより、印刷ジョブの処理に伴なって更新されるページ数は逐次更新されるので常に最適な印刷装置の検索を行うことができる。
【００１９】
また、印刷要求を受けた際に、又は稼動状態検出手段による稼動状態の問い合わせを受けた際に、稼動状態の情報として、省電力モードにある時通常印刷モードに復帰するまでのウォームアップ完了時間を算出するウォームアップ完了時間算出手段を有することにより、稼動状態の情報を印刷完了所要時間として少ない情報量で通信回線等の負担を少なくできると共に少ない情報量で効率良い印刷装置を検索できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施例に係る印刷装置の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図２】本発明の一実施例に係る印刷装置を適用する印刷ネットワークシステムの構成を示すシステム概略図である。
【図３】本実施例の印刷装置の動作を示すフローチャートである。
【図４】本実施例の印刷装置における印刷完了所要時間及びウォームアップ完了時間の検出処理を示すフローチャートである。
【符号の説明】
１０，２００，３００；印刷装置、１１；印刷要求受信手段、
１２；稼動状態検出手段、１３；省電力モード切換手段、
１４；稼動状態応答手段、１５；印刷装置検索手段、１００；ホスト装置、
４００，５００；通信回線。[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, and more particularly, to a printing apparatus capable of efficiently performing a printing process in a local area network to which a host device and a printing apparatus are connected.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art A printing apparatus such as a laser printer is provided with a power saving mode in which power supply to a fixing device is cut off when the printing apparatus is not used for a predetermined time in order to save energy. During standby for printing, power consumption is low in the power saving mode, but when printing is requested, considerable power is required to raise the temperature of the fixing device. In the related art, it is possible to switch the output destination to another printing device only when the printing device cannot print.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the related art, there is no technique for switching an output destination from a printing device capable of printing from the viewpoint of energy saving. Therefore, in the power saving mode in the print standby state, the printing apparatus itself is in a printable state, so that the printing apparatus itself returns from the power saving mode and performs printing without considering the state of a neighboring printing apparatus. Therefore, even if a nearby printing apparatus is ready for printing without the need for warm-up, a large amount of power is consumed for warm-up, resulting in waste of energy. In addition, when considering only from the viewpoint of energy saving, print data concentrates on printing apparatuses that are not in the power saving mode.
[0004]
The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and achieves both energy saving and printing efficiency, and can search for an efficient printing device based on the minimum necessary information. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus capable of efficiently performing a printing process in a local area network to which the printing apparatus is connected.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, as shown in FIG. 1 which is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printing apparatus of the present invention, the printing apparatus 10 of the present invention connects at least one host device and a plurality of printing apparatuses. And a power saving mode switching unit 13 for switching to a power saving mode when a printing request is received from a host device or another printing device in the power saving mode. The operating state detecting means 12 for inquiring about the operating state of another printing apparatus in the vicinity, and detecting the operating state of the own apparatus in response to the inquiry about the operating state from another printing apparatus, and replying to the other printing apparatus. The operating state responding unit 14 compares the operating state of the other printing apparatus that has responded with the operating state of the own apparatus, and the printing apparatus capable of efficiently printing the printing request including the own apparatus. It is characterized by having a printing device search unit 15 to search for. Therefore, a printing apparatus that can achieve both energy saving and printing efficiency, can search for an efficient printing apparatus based on minimum necessary information, and can efficiently perform printing processing in a local area network to which a host apparatus and a printing apparatus are connected. Can be provided.
[0006]
Further, when a print request is received or an operation status inquiry is received by the operation status detecting means, the print data stored in the power saving mode and the print speed of the own device are stored as the operation status information. By having a print completion required time calculating means for calculating a print completion required time until printing of stored print data is completed based on performance, information of an operating state is communicated with a small amount of information as a print completion required time. It is possible to reduce the load on the line and the like and to search for an efficient printing apparatus with a small amount of information.
[0007]
Furthermore, since the print data is the number of pages obtained by adding the number of pages accumulated in the print job and the number of pages in the print request, the number of pages updated with the processing of the print job is updated successively, so that it is always optimal. Search for a suitable printing device.
[0008]
Further, when a print request is received or when an operation status is inquired by the operation status detection means, the warm-up completion time until returning to the normal print mode when in the power saving mode as the information of the operation status. Is calculated, the information on the operating state can be used as the required time to complete the printing, the load on the communication line can be reduced with a small amount of information, and an efficient printing apparatus can be searched with a small amount of information.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The printing apparatus of the present invention, when receiving a print request from the host apparatus or another printing apparatus in the power saving mode, inquires about the operating state of the other printing apparatus in the vicinity, and responds to the operating state of the other printing apparatus. Then, the printing apparatus searches for a printing apparatus that can efficiently perform printing including the own apparatus in response to a print request.
[0010]
【Example】
FIG. 2 is a system schematic diagram showing the configuration of a printing network system to which the printing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. In the figure, a printing system to which the printing apparatus of the present invention is applied includes a host apparatus 100 that is a print request source, a printing apparatus 200 connected to the host apparatus 100 via a communication line 400, and a communication with the printing apparatus 200. And a printing device 300 connected via the line 500. Note that this system can be used not only for a personal computer but also for a facsimile or the like, as the host device 100 that has issued a print request. Further, the communication lines 400 and 500 may be substituted by a local area network. Further, in the figure, there are two printing apparatuses, but the present invention can be applied to a case where a printing network system connecting more printing apparatuses is constructed.
[0011]
Next, the operation of the printing apparatus of this embodiment in the printing system shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to the operation flow shown in FIG.
First, the host device 100 that is the print request source selects the printing device 200 as a desired printing device, and transmits print data through the communication line 400 (step S101). It is determined whether or not the printing apparatus 200 is in the power saving mode (step S102). If the printing apparatus 200 is not in the power saving mode, it is determined that the time and power required for warm-up are not a problem, and the printing apparatus 200 is the print request source. Normal printing is performed in the printing device 200 as requested by the host device 100 (step S102; NO, step S103). On the other hand, when the printing apparatus 200 is in the power saving mode, the printing apparatus 200 inquires of the printing apparatus 300, which is one of the other printing apparatuses in the vicinity, about the operation state (step S102; YES, step S104). Although not shown, if there is a printing device other than the printing device 300, an inquiry may be made to all printing devices. The other printing device 300 in the vicinity that has received the inquiry replies to the printing device 200 whether or not the printer is in the power saving mode (step S105). This can be substituted by the time required to complete the print job currently held. For example, when in the power saving mode, the estimated print completion time is an enormous time. If the printer is not in the power saving mode and there is no job to be printed, the time is answered as 0. If the printer is not in the power saving mode and has a job to be printed, the time required for printing completion (T) calculated by the calculation method described later is answered. S106).
[0012]
Here, the method of calculating the required printing completion time (T) indicates the number of print pages (converted into A4 equivalent) stored in the printing apparatus as p, and indicates how many A4 of the printing apparatus can be output per unit time. Assuming that the printing performance is s (ppm), it is calculated as T = p / s. The calculation method of the warm-up completion time is changed depending on the number of warm-up states. If there are simply two modes, the operating state and the power saving mode, the average of the previous warm-up completion time and the current warm-up completion time is calculated, and this value is recorded as the latest recovery time. If there are several power saving states, the above method cannot be applied, so measure the current temperature of the fixing unit and calculate the time required to heat it up to the temperature before it can be printed from the formula Alternatively, the data is stored in advance in the printing apparatus as data, and the value is applied as the warm-up completion time.
[0013]
The printing apparatus 200 that has received the operation information determines the printing destination that maximizes the printing efficiency by comparing with the warm-up completion time of the printing apparatus 200 (step S107). If it is determined that it is more efficient for the printing apparatus 300 to return from the power saving mode and perform printing, a normal printing sequence is performed based on the print data received by the printing apparatus 300 (step S108; NO, steps S109 and S110). On the other hand, if the printing device 200 determines that printing is more efficient, the print data received by the printing device 300 is transferred to the printing device 200. The printing apparatus 200 that has received the transfer of the print data enters the normal print sequence (Step S108; YES, Step S110).
[0014]
Here, the detection process will be described according to the detection process flow of the printing completion required time and the warm-up completion time in the printing apparatus of the present embodiment shown in FIG.
First, when the power of the printing apparatus is turned on, an initial warm-up is performed, and when the initial warm-up is completed, the print completion required time is set to 0 and recorded in a print completion required time table or the like (steps S201 and S202). Then, it is checked whether or not there is a print request from the host device or another printing device (step S203). When a predetermined time has passed without a print request, the mode is shifted to a predetermined power saving mode, and the required printing completion time is determined by a predetermined time. (Step S203; NO, step S204; YES, steps S205, S206). In this manner, the power saving mode is divided into a plurality of stages, and the value of the required printing completion time corresponding to each of the stages is determined in advance, or the maximum value is uniquely set for one power saving mode. You can do it. Then, when a printing request is issued from the host device or another printing device, it is determined whether or not warm-up is necessary, and if necessary, warm-up is performed, and the warm-up state, for example, the temperature of the fixing device, The warm-up time from the start to completion of the warm-up, calculate the average of the previous warm-up completion time recorded and the current warm-up completion time, and calculate the new warm-up completion time (Step S207; YES, steps S208, S209). When the warm-up is completed, normal printing is started based on the print request (step S210; YES, step S211). On the other hand, if it is not necessary to perform the warm-up in step S207, for example, if printing is already being performed, normal printing is started based on a print request from the host device or another printing device (step S207; NO, step S207). s211). Then, the number of pages in response to a print request from the host device and another printing device is updated. It is assumed that one page of print data is sent for each print request. Then, the number of pages stored in the arithmetic unit (not shown) of the printing apparatus is divided by the printing speed to calculate the required time for completion of printing, and the values in the above-described required time for completion of printing are updated (step S212, S213). Then, printing is performed, and each time printing of one page is completed, the accumulated number of pages is subtracted by 1, and the number of pages after the subtraction is divided by the printing speed to sequentially calculate the required time for completing printing. The values of the above-described print completion required time table and the like are updated (step S214; NO, steps S215 and S216). When all pages have been completed, the process returns to step S203 and repeats the above steps until the power of the printing apparatus is turned off (steps S214, S217; NO). When the power supply of the printing apparatus is turned off, a series of processing ends at the same time (step S217; YES).
[0015]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications and substitutions can be made within the scope of the claims.
[0016]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the printing device of the present invention is a printing device in a printing network system in which at least one host device and a plurality of printing devices are connected and the printing devices are also connected, and switches to a power saving mode. Power saving mode switching means, operating state detecting means for inquiring about the operating state of other neighboring printing apparatuses when receiving a printing request from the host apparatus or another printing apparatus in the power saving mode, The operating status response means for detecting the operating status of the own device in response to the inquiry about the operating status of the device and responding to the other printing device is compared with the operating status of the other printing device that has responded and the operating status of the own device. Printer device searching means for searching for a printing device that can efficiently print, including its own device, in response to a print request. Therefore, a printing apparatus that can achieve both energy saving and printing efficiency, can search for an efficient printing apparatus based on minimum necessary information, and can efficiently perform printing processing in a local area network to which a host apparatus and a printing apparatus are connected. Can be provided.
[0017]
Further, when a print request is received or an operation status inquiry is received by the operation status detecting means, the print data stored in the power saving mode and the print speed of the own device are stored as the operation status information. By having a print completion required time calculating means for calculating a print completion required time until printing of stored print data is completed based on performance, information of an operating state is communicated with a small amount of information as a print completion required time. It is possible to reduce the load on the line and the like and to search for an efficient printing apparatus with a small amount of information.
[0018]
Furthermore, since the print data is the number of pages obtained by adding the number of pages accumulated in the print job and the number of pages in the print request, the number of pages updated with the processing of the print job is updated successively, so that it is always optimal. Search for a suitable printing device.
[0019]
Further, when a print request is received or when an operation status is inquired by the operation status detection means, the warm-up completion time until returning to the normal print mode when in the power saving mode as the information of the operation status. Is calculated, the information on the operating state can be used as the required time to complete the printing, the load on the communication line can be reduced with a small amount of information, and an efficient printing apparatus can be searched with a small amount of information.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a system schematic diagram showing a configuration of a printing network system to which the printing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printing apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of detecting a required print completion time and a warm-up completion time in the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 200, 300; printing device, 11; print request receiving means,
12: operating state detecting means, 13: power saving mode switching means,
14; operating status response means; 15; printing device search means; 100; host device;
400, 500; communication line.

Claims (4)

少なくとも１つのホスト装置や複数の印刷装置を接続し、かつ印刷装置間も接続された印刷ネットワークシステムにおける印刷装置において、
省電力モードに切り換える省電力モード切換手段と、
省電力モード時にホスト装置又は他の印刷装置から印刷要求を受けた際、近隣の他の印刷装置の稼動状態の問い合わせを行う稼動状態検出手段と、
他の印刷装置からの稼動状態の問い合わせに対して自装置の稼動状態を検出して他の印刷装置に回答する稼動状態応答手段と、
回答してきた他の印刷装置の稼動状態と自装置の稼動状態とを比較して前記印刷要求に対して自装置を含めて効率良く印刷可能な印刷装置を検索する印刷装置検索手段と
を有することを特徴とする印刷装置。At least one host device and a plurality of printing devices are connected, and a printing device in a printing network system in which the printing devices are also connected,
Power saving mode switching means for switching to a power saving mode;
Operating state detecting means for inquiring about the operating state of other nearby printing apparatuses when receiving a print request from the host apparatus or another printing apparatus in the power saving mode;
Operating status response means for detecting the operating status of the own device in response to an inquiry about the operating status from another printing device and responding to the other printing device;
A printing device search unit for comparing the operating status of the other printing device that has responded with the operating status of the own device and searching for a printing device capable of efficiently printing including the own device in response to the print request; A printing device characterized by the above-mentioned. 前記印刷要求を受けた際に、又は前記稼動状態検出手段による稼動状態の問い合わせを受けた際に、稼動状態の情報として、省電力モードにある時蓄積されている印刷データと自装置の印刷速度性能とに基づいて蓄積されている印刷データを印刷完了するまでの印刷完了所要時間を算出する印刷完了所要時間算出手段を有する請求項１記載の印刷装置。When the print request is received, or when the operation status detection unit receives an inquiry about the operation status, the print data stored in the power saving mode and the print speed of the own device are stored as the operation status information. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a print completion required time calculating means for calculating a print completion required time until printing of the stored print data is completed based on the performance. 前記印刷データは印刷ジョブにおける蓄積されたページ数と印刷要求におけるページ数を加算したページ数である請求項２記載の印刷装置。3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the print data is a number of pages obtained by adding the number of pages stored in a print job and the number of pages in a print request. 前記印刷要求を受けた際に、又は前記稼動状態検出手段による稼動状態の問い合わせを受けた際に、稼動状態の情報として、省電力モードにある時通常印刷モードに復帰するまでのウォームアップ完了時間を算出するウォームアップ完了時間算出手段を有する請求項１記載の印刷装置。When the print request is received, or when the operation state detection unit receives an inquiry about the operation state, the warm-up completion time before returning to the normal print mode when in the power saving mode as the information on the operation state. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a warm-up completion time calculating unit that calculates the warm-up completion time.
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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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JP2006337478A (en) * 2005-05-31 2006-12-14 Brother Ind Ltd Image forming apparatus, external instrument, and image forming system
JP2007286389A (en) * 2006-04-18 2007-11-01 Seiko Epson Corp Image forming apparatus and method for controlling image forming apparatus
JP2011150593A (en) * 2010-01-22 2011-08-04 Ricoh Co Ltd Co2 emission management system and co2 emission management method
US20110228304A1 (en) * 2010-03-16 2011-09-22 Kuwano Shuko Image forming apparatus and method for controlling the same
JP2014102523A (en) * 2014-02-12 2014-06-05 Ricoh Co Ltd Information processing apparatus, method of controlling image processing apparatus, and program

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2006337478A (en) * 2005-05-31 2006-12-14 Brother Ind Ltd Image forming apparatus, external instrument, and image forming system
JP4501783B2 (en) * 2005-05-31 2010-07-14 ブラザー工業株式会社 Image forming apparatus, external device, and image forming system
JP2007286389A (en) * 2006-04-18 2007-11-01 Seiko Epson Corp Image forming apparatus and method for controlling image forming apparatus
JP2011150593A (en) * 2010-01-22 2011-08-04 Ricoh Co Ltd Co2 emission management system and co2 emission management method
US20110228304A1 (en) * 2010-03-16 2011-09-22 Kuwano Shuko Image forming apparatus and method for controlling the same
JP2011189713A (en) * 2010-03-16 2011-09-29 Ricoh Co Ltd Image forming apparatus and control method for the same
JP2014102523A (en) * 2014-02-12 2014-06-05 Ricoh Co Ltd Information processing apparatus, method of controlling image processing apparatus, and program

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