JP2008087353A - Electronic device with power saving function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively and automatically restore an electronic device to a ready state from a power saving state. <P>SOLUTION: When a print job is started, a print history recording section 101 increments the number of times of print jobs in a corresponding time slot in a print history table 1000. When the number of times of print jobs in the print history table 1000 exceeds a threshold, a print history analysis section 103 sets a restoring flag to 1, the restoring flag being of a restoring time corresponding to the time slot. A restoring judgment section 104 restores an image forming apparatus to the ready state from the power saving state at a time when the restoring flag is 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, a multi-function machine equipped with these, or an electronic device such as a personal computer that heats and fixes a toner image transferred onto a sheet, and particularly when the electronic device is in an unused state. The present invention relates to an electronic device having a power saving function (energy saving mode) for automatically turning off part or all of the device.

  Conventionally, electronic devices such as copiers, printers, facsimiles, multi-function machines equipped with these, and personal computers have a power saving function to reduce power consumption. If the unused state continues substantially in the state of being, it is automatically shifted to the power saving state. Hereinafter, the time when the power is turned on and the unused state is changed from the substantially unused state to the ready state and automatically to the power saving state is referred to as a maximum ready time (set time). The substantially unused state is a state in which the image forming apparatus does not perform an input / output operation by a user operation or job execution.

  In the following Patent Document 1, the usage frequency of the user is recorded, and based on the correspondence table between the usage frequency and the maximum ready time, the power consumption of the image forming apparatus is considered in a time zone where the usage frequency is low. A configuration is disclosed in which the maximum ready time is set to be short and the maximum ready time is set to be long in consideration of user convenience in a time zone in which the maximum use frequency is high.

According to this configuration, it is possible to set the maximum ready time according to the frequency of use of the user, reduce power consumption in a time zone that is not necessary for the user, and the user continuously uses the image forming apparatus. In the case of use, the user can use it immediately without feeling uncomfortable.
JP 2004-101919 A

  However, the invention of Patent Document 1 does not take into account the case where the user uses the image forming apparatus again after the maximum ready time has elapsed and the image forming apparatus once shifts to the power saving state. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1B, when the user uses the image forming apparatus again, the time until the image forming apparatus returns from the power saving state to the ready state (hereinafter referred to as a return time). You have to wait and it is inconvenient.

  These problems also apply to other electronic devices such as computers.

  The object of the present invention is to solve such a problem, and as shown in FIG. 1A, it is possible to effectively return from the power saving state to the ready state according to the use state of the user. An object is to provide an electronic device having a power function.

In an electronic device having a function of automatically shifting to a power saving state when the ready state continues for a set time,
In the electronic device according to the first aspect of the present invention,
A timer that counts the time,
Storage means for storing usage history data of the electronic device and a threshold value relating to the usage degree of the electronic device;
When the electronic device is used, a usage history recording unit that refers to the timer and updates the usage history data with the usage information of the electronic device based on the value;
When the electronic device is in the power saving state, a return processing unit that returns the electronic device from the power saving state to the ready state based on the usage history data and the threshold value according to the value of the timer And comprising.

In the electronic device according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect,
When the time indicated by the timer matches the time set for each time zone, and the frequency of use information included in the time zone is equal to or greater than the threshold, the return processing unit Is restored from the power saving state to the ready state.

In the electronic device according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect,
The usage history data is a histogram in which the time included in the usage information is sorted for each time zone,
The usage history recording unit updates the usage history data of the time zone corresponding to the value of the timer with the usage information,
The return processing unit refers to the timer to determine whether or not the time indicated by the timer matches the time corresponding to the time zone of the usage history data. It is further determined whether or not the frequency of the band is equal to or higher than the threshold value. When the frequency is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the electronic device is returned from the power saving state to the ready state.

In the electronic device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect,
The timer further counts the day of the week,
The histogram is a histogram for each day of the week,
The usage history recording unit updates the usage history data of the day of the week corresponding to the timer value according to the usage information,
The return processing unit refers to the timer to determine whether the day of the week and the time indicated by the timer match the time corresponding to the day of the week and the time zone of the usage history data, If they match, it is determined whether or not the frequency of the time zone of the day of the week is equal to or greater than the threshold, and if the frequency is equal to or greater than the threshold, the electronic device is returned from the power saving state to the ready state.

In the electronic device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the second to fourth aspects,
The storage means further stores data of the set time,
The return processing unit sets the set time indicated by the data to be equal to or less than the interval corresponding to the interval of the time zone.

In the electronic device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects,
The power saving state is a hibernation state,
The electronic device includes an electronic device body,
The use history recording unit, the return processing unit, and a control device having the timer,
The control device is supplied with power even when the electronic device main body is in the resting state,
The return processing unit returns the electronic device main body from the hibernation state to the ready state.

  According to the configuration of the first aspect, when the electronic device is used, the usage history recording unit refers to the timer, updates the usage history data with the usage information of the electronic device based on the value, and When the device is in the power saving state, the return processing unit returns the electronic device from the power saving state to the ready state based on the usage history data and the threshold according to the value of the timer. The electronic device can be used immediately when desired.

  Further, when the user is unnecessary, the electronic device does not return, so that the power consumption can be reduced.

  Furthermore, when the user wants to use based on the user's usage history, the electronic device has already been restored by the restoration processing unit, so there is no need to lengthen the set time for automatically shifting from the ready state to the power saving state, and the power consumption There is an effect that it can be reduced.

  According to the configuration of the second aspect and the third aspect, the time indicated by the timer matches the time set for each time zone, and the frequency of usage information or usage history data included in the time zone is When the indicated frequency is equal to or greater than the threshold, the return processing unit returns the electronic device from the power saving state to the ready state, so that the electronic device can be appropriately returned according to the frequency of use of each time slot, and the user Produces an effect that the electronic device can be used immediately without discomfort.

  In addition, since the use history recording unit and the return processing unit determine whether or not the electronic device is properly restored from the power saving state to the ready state at every predetermined time zone, the electronic device is used during an unnecessary time zone. The power consumption can be reduced without returning the power.

  Furthermore, since the return processing unit returns the electronic device from the power saving state to the ready state every time period in which the usage frequency is high, the set time for automatically shifting from the ready state to the power saving state is set to the time period or more. There is no need, and the power consumption can be reduced.

  According to the configuration of the fourth aspect, the usage history recording unit updates the usage history data of the time zone of the day of the week corresponding to the value of the timer with the usage information, and the return processing unit includes the time of the day of the week indicated by the timer. When the time corresponding to the time zone of the day of the usage history data matches and the frequency of the time zone of the day is equal to or greater than the threshold, the electronic device is returned from the power saving state to the ready state. The electronic device can be appropriately restored in the time zone of the day of the week when the usage frequency is high, and the user can use the electronic device immediately without discomfort.

  In addition, since the return processing unit appropriately returns the electronic device from the power saving state to the ready state based on the usage information of the day of the week and the time zone, the electronic device does not return to an unnecessary time zone of the day of the week. There exists an effect that electric power can be reduced.

According to the configuration of the fifth aspect, the return processing unit sets the set time indicated by the data to be equal to or less than the interval corresponding to the interval of the time zone in which the usage information is divided. The power consumption can be reduced without continuing the ready state.
According to the configuration of the sixth aspect, even when the electronic device main body is in a dormant state, power is supplied to the control device having the use history recording unit, the return processing unit, and the timer.
The return processing unit can return the electronic device main body to the ready state even when the electronic device main body is in the resting state. As a result, it is possible to put all the electronic device main units into a dormant state during a time period not required by the user, and further reduce power consumption.

  Other objects, configurations and effects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

  In the first embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 10 is, for example, a multifunction machine, and includes a control device 11, an operation panel 12, and an image forming apparatus main body 13. In addition, to the control device 11, an EEPROM 16, an EEPROM 17, a DRAM 18, an HDD 19, a NIC 20, and a timer 21 are coupled to the MPU 15 through the interface 14. In FIG. 7, for simplification, a plurality of interfaces are shown as one block.

  The control device 11 processes a document image read by the image forming apparatus main body 13 based on information set on the operation panel 12 or a default setting value, or an external host (not shown) coupled to the NIC 20. Based on the setting information and image data supplied from the computer, the image forming apparatus main body 13 is caused to form an image.

  The operation panel 12 is used for inputting a setting value or an instruction and displaying a setting screen or a state.

  The image forming apparatus main body 13 includes a printer, a scanner, a FAX, and the like. The printer includes a print engine, a fixing device, a paper feed unit, a conveyance unit, and a paper discharge unit, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum of the print engine based on the supplied bitmap data. Is developed with toner, transferred onto a sheet, fixed, and then discharged. Here, the fixing device is provided with a heater 22, and the sheet on which the toner image is electrostatically transferred is overheated by the heater 22 and fixed by being pressed by a pressure roller.

  The EEPROM 16 and the EEPROM 17 are, for example, flash memories. The EEPROM 16 stores a BIOS (Basic Input Output System). The EEPROM 17 stores an OS (Operating System), OS upper layer service programs and applications, and OS lower layer device drivers. The DRAM 18 is for work area, and the HDD 19 is for data storage.

  The HDD 19 stores a print history table 1000 and a return time setting table 1001 used in the present invention. In the print history table 1000, a history of the number of print jobs from the first day to the last day of each month is recorded for each day of the week and for each time zone. In the return time setting table 1001, a return time corresponding to the time zone in the print history table 1000 and a return flag for determining whether to return to the return time are set in advance.

  The NIC 20 is coupled to a host computer via a cable (not shown) or a wireless communication medium and a router, and is used for print jobs, electronic mail transmission / reception, and Internet facsimile transmission.

  Electric power is supplied to the timer 21 even when the image forming apparatus 10 is in the off state. The timer 21 operates with its own clock and supplies a time-out pulse to the interrupt input terminal of the interface 14. In response to this, the interface 14 interrupts the MPU 15.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing portions related to the present invention in the image forming apparatus 10.

  Here, the system control unit 100, the print history recording unit 101, and the print history analysis unit 103 and the return determination unit 104 of the return processing unit 102 are configured by a combination of software, MPU 15, EEPROM 16, EEPROM 17, HDD 19, and NIC 20. To do.

  The system control unit 100 controls the image forming apparatus main body 13 based on a request from the operation panel 12, the NIC 20, or the return determination unit 104.

  When the system control unit 100 starts a print job (excluding a print job by facsimile), the print history recording unit 101 refers to the timer 21 and corresponds to the day of the week in the print history table 1000 as shown in FIG. Increment the number of print jobs in the time zone. The print history table 1000 before data entry is recorded in advance in the EEPROM 17 and is copied to the HDD 19 and used. Although the time zone is set so that the number of print jobs is divided every 5 minutes, the time zone interval can be changed by the operation panel 12.

  The return processing unit 102 includes a print history analysis unit 103, a return time setting table 1001, and a return determination unit 104.

  The print history analysis unit 103 clears the return flags corresponding to all days of the week and time zones in the return time setting table 1001 as shown in FIG. Next, referring to the print history table 1000, which is the history of the number of print jobs of the previous month shown in FIG. 4, when the number of print jobs is 5 or more which is a threshold, the corresponding day of the week and time zone are handled. The return time setting table 1001 is updated so that the return flag of the return time becomes 1. In addition, in order to record the history of the number of print jobs this month, the number fields corresponding to all days of the week and time zones in the print history table 1000 are cleared to zero.

  For example, in the print history table 1000 in FIG. 4, since the number of print jobs in the Monday time period 09:05 to 09:10 is five or more as a threshold, the time of Monday in the return time setting table 1001 shown in FIG. A flag corresponding to 9:05 is set to 1. The threshold setting for the number of print jobs is set by the operation panel 12. In addition, the return time of the return time setting table 1001 does not have to be the first time of the time zone that divides the number of print jobs in the print history table 1000, and preparation for printing starts from the first time of the time zone that divides the number of print jobs. It may be the time obtained by subtracting the required time (return time).

  Returning to FIG. 2, the return determination unit 104 refers to the timer 21 based on the content of the return time setting table 1001 created by the print history analysis unit 103, and via the system control unit 100, the heater 22 of the fixing device. Turn on. In this way, the image forming apparatus 10 returns from the power saving state to the ready state.

  FIG. 3 shows processing until the image forming apparatus 10 changes from the power saving state to the ready state when the return determination unit 104 turns on the heater 22 of the fixing device via the system control unit 100. This will be described with reference to a flowchart. This process is started by the MPU 15 by periodic interruption by the timer 21. In parentheses are step identification codes in FIG.

  (S1) The return determination unit 104 acquires the current date and time from the timer 21, and determines whether or not the current time matches the time of the corresponding day of the week in the return time setting table 1001. If they match, the process proceeds to step S2, and if not, the process ends.

  (S2) The return determination unit 104 determines whether the return flag corresponding to the time of the day of the week that matches the current time in the return time setting table 1001 is 1. If the return flag is 1, the process proceeds to step S3; otherwise, the process ends.

  (S3) The return determination unit 104 determines whether or not the image forming apparatus 10 is in a power saving state (in this embodiment, the heater of the fixing device is in an off state). Advances to step S4, otherwise the process ends.

  (S4) The return determination unit 104 requests the system control unit 100 to turn on the heater 22 of the fixing device. In response to this, the system control unit 100 turns on the heater 22 of the fixing device to return the image forming apparatus 10 from the power saving state to the ready state.

  FIG. 6A is a graph showing the relationship between the time zone on the Monday of the previous month and the number of print jobs in the print history table 1000 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6B shows the time when the heater 22 of the fixing device is turned on by the return determination unit 104 in the current time zone of Monday of this month.

  FIG. 6C shows the relationship between the state of the image forming apparatus 10 and the time as of Monday of this month using the image forming apparatus 10 to which the present invention is applied. The black area is a time zone during job execution.

  In FIG. 6B, a dotted arrow indicates that the process of turning on the heater 22 is not executed according to the determination of the return determination unit 104 in step S3. That is, in the return time setting table 1001 at that time, it is set to turn on the heater 22 of the fixing device. However, as shown in FIG. 6C, the image forming apparatus 10 is already in the ready state, so that the return is performed. The process of turning on the heater 22 of the fixing device is not executed according to the determination of the determination unit 104.

  By the above processing, for example, as shown in FIG. 6C, in the time zone 9:05 to 9:10 in which the user is expected to be used frequently, image formation is performed before the user uses it. Since the device 10 has already been automatically restored and is in a ready state, the user does not need to wait for the restoration time. In the first embodiment, a fixed value of 1 minute is used as the maximum ready time. This is because even if the maximum ready time is shortened, the next use start time is predicted and the heater 22 is turned on. Therefore, it is considered that there is little need to make it long, and thereby power saving is achieved. .

  In the first embodiment, the return time setting table 1001 is updated based on the print history of the user, and the heater 22 of the fixing device is turned on based on the update time setting table 1001, so that it is optimal for the ready state according to the use situation of the user. You can return to As a result, as shown in FIG. 6C, the user can immediately use the image forming apparatus 10 without waiting for the return time when necessary, so that the necessary processing can be performed without discomfort. There is an effect that can be done.

  Also, the number of print jobs is divided in units of 5 minutes, the print history table 1000 is updated, and the image forming apparatus 10 is returned in units of 5 minutes only when the number of print jobs is large, so the maximum ready time is 5 minutes or more. The power saving effect can be expected by shortening the maximum ready time.

  Furthermore, since the return time setting table 1001 is updated only when the print history analysis unit 103 uses the threshold and the number of print jobs exceeds the threshold, the image forming apparatus accurately predicts a case where the use frequency is high. 10 can be optimally restored, thereby reducing the power consumption and allowing the user to use the image forming apparatus 10 immediately without discomfort when necessary.

  Here, since the maximum ready time is as short as 1 minute from 9: 5 to 9:10 shown in FIG. 6 (C), the user waits for the return time at the desired third time. There must be. It is desirable that the optimum maximum ready time corresponds to the time zone interval of the print history table 1000. By doing so, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus that takes into account the convenience of the user. When changing the time zone interval of the print history table 1000, the maximum ready time may be automatically changed to correspond to the time zone.

  In the first embodiment, the time interval of the print history table 1000 is set to 5 minutes, but may be set shorter or longer depending on the use frequency. However, if it is too long, the user may feel uncomfortable unless the maximum ready time is increased. If it is too short, it is difficult to obtain accurate statistics, and the return time setting table 1001 cannot be updated optimally. Therefore, it is desirable that the time division of the number of print jobs in the print history table 1000 is set according to the usage frequency so that it is not too short and not too long. When the image forming apparatus is used by many users, the correct statistics of the number of print jobs can be obtained even when the time zone is short, so that the return of the image forming apparatus with respect to the time axis becomes more accurate, The maximum ready time can be shortened.

  In the second embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to a computer will be described.

  In this case, it is assumed that the power saving state returns to the ready state from a hibernation state (a state where data is written to the HDD so as to be resumed and the power is turned off). In a conventional computer, when the power is turned on and the unused state continues substantially, the computer shifts to a standby mode or a hibernation state. In this case, when the user uses the computer again, the user must wait until the computer returns.

  FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing portions related to the present invention in the computer.

  The computer 30 according to the present invention includes a control device 31 having the functions described in the first embodiment and a computer main body 13A.

  Here, it is assumed that the computer main body 13A includes all the hardware configurations provided in the conventional computer, and in the hibernation state, all the hardware configurations of the computer main body 13A are turned off. However, it is assumed that the control device 31 is supplied with power even when the computer main body 13A is in the off state.

  In the second embodiment, the number of print jobs shown in FIG. 4 is the number of computer activations, and the activation history recording unit 101A and the activation history analysis unit 103A have the same functions as the print history recording unit 101 and the print history analysis unit 103, respectively. do. That is, the activation history recording unit 101A updates the activation history table 1000A as shown in FIG. 4, and the activation history analysis unit creates a return time setting table 1001A as shown in FIG. The return processing unit 102A includes a startup history analysis unit 103A, a return time setting table 1001A, a return determination unit 104A, and a system control unit 100A.

  Here, when the activation history recording unit 101A is manually activated by the user, the activation history recording unit 101A recognizes the activation point as activation, and updates the corresponding activation number in the activation history table 1000A. Further, when the computer 30 is automatically restored by the restoration determination unit 104A, the activation history recording unit 101 does not recognize the time of automatic restoration as activation, but when the computer is used by the user for the first time after automatic restoration ( Mouse operation or keyboard input) is recognized as activation, and the corresponding activation count in the activation history table 1000A is updated.

  The return determination unit 104A determines whether the current time and the content of the return time setting table 1001A match according to the interruption of the timer 21, and if they match, determines whether the power of the computer main body 13A is off. If the computer has been shut down, the computer main unit 13A is powered on via the system control unit 100A.

  In the second embodiment, when the computer is in the hibernation state, the control device 31 updates the return time setting table 1001A according to the number of times the computer is activated, and activates the computer main body 13A based on the contents, so that the user There is an effect that can be used immediately when wanting to use.

  Further, by providing the above function, the user can set the maximum ready time short in the setting of the computer. Furthermore, it can be used immediately when the user wants to use it in hibernation, so in the computer settings, the power saving function can be changed from standby mode (monitor and hard disk other than memory disconnected) to hibernation, reducing power consumption. It is possible to do this.

  The present invention includes various other modifications.

  In the first embodiment, the timer 21 uses the power supplied to the image forming apparatus 10, but the timer 21 may have a unique battery. In the first exemplary embodiment, the configuration in which the timer 21 is hardware has been described. However, since power is supplied to the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 even in the power saving state, the timer unit is not hardware. It may be configured by software. In the second embodiment, the same configuration may be used.

  In the first embodiment, the return determination unit 104 determines whether or not the current time indicated by the timer 21 matches the time recorded in the return time setting table 1001. The timer 21 itself may determine whether the current time and the return time match by writing the return time recorded in the return time setting table 1001 into the timer 21. In this configuration, the timer 21 gives an interrupt request to the MPU 15 only when the current time and the return time match, and the return determination unit 104 performs an interrupt process. In the second embodiment, the same configuration may be used.

  Furthermore, in the first exemplary embodiment, the history of the number of print jobs is used to automatically return the image forming apparatus 10 from the power saving state to the ready state. However, the number of prints and the number of times of transition from the power saving state to the ready state are used. A history of the number of times the operation panel 12 has been operated or the number of times data has been received by an external computer may be used. Here, when the number of times of shifting from the power saving state to the ready state is used, the case where the image forming apparatus 10 is automatically returned by the return determination unit 104 is not reflected in the history.

  Furthermore, in the second embodiment, when the computer 30 is started by the user and the first operation by the user after the automatic return is used as the number of times of starting, the computer 30 is started without being divided in such a case. The configuration may be such that the first operation by the subsequent user or the activation of the first application is used as the activation count.

  In the print history table 1000 or the activation history table 1000A in the first or second embodiment, a history of the number of print jobs for one month is recorded and initialization is performed, but in units of one day, one week, or one year. Alternatively, a configuration in which updating and initialization are performed may be employed.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the return determination unit 104 turns on the heater 22 of the fixing device based on the return time setting table 1001 having the same contents for one month, but the print history analysis unit 103 updates the return time setting table 1001. By adding new history data every day instead of the beginning of the month and deleting history data of the oldest date in the print history table 1000, the heater 22 of the fixing device is always based on the new return time setting table 1001. May be turned on. In this case, the print history analysis unit 103 records the print date and time for each print job in the print history table 1000. In the second embodiment, the same configuration may be used.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the power saving state is described as a state in which only the heater 22 of the fixing device is off. However, the power saving state is an image in a power saving state in addition to the heater 22 of the fixing device. The CPU, the memory, the HDD, the light source of each part of the image forming apparatus 10, or a combination thereof, which is not required by the forming apparatus 10, may be off. In this case, in order to return the image forming apparatus 10, the return determination unit 104 not only turns on the heater 22 of the fixing device but also turns on each hardware in the off state.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the case where the return processing unit 102 includes the return time setting table 1001 has been described, but a configuration that does not include the return time setting table 1001 may be used. That is, the return determination unit 104 turns on the heater 22 of the fixing device based on the return time setting table 1001 updated by the print history analysis unit 103, but the return determination unit 104 includes the print history analysis unit 103 and includes a return time. If the setting table 1001 is not created and there is an interrupt process by the timer 21, it may be determined whether or not the heater 22 of the fixing device is turned on at any time based on the direct print history table 1000. In the second embodiment, the same configuration may be used.

  Further, the return determination units 104 and 104A may be included in the system control units 100 and 100A, respectively.

  In the first embodiment, the system control unit 100, the print history recording unit 101, the print history analysis unit 103, and the return determination unit 104 are configured by a combination of software, MPU 16, EEPROM 16, EEPROM 17, HDD 19, and NIC 20. However, it may be configured by a logic circuit such as a flip-flop. In the second embodiment, the same configuration may be used.

  In the second embodiment, the control device 31 is independent of the computer main body 13A. However, the activation history recording unit 101A, the activation history table 1000A, and the activation history analysis unit 103A are provided on the computer main body 13A side. It may be.

  Furthermore, in the first exemplary embodiment, the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus, and in the second exemplary embodiment, the present invention is applied to the computer. It can be applied to an electronic device such as an air conditioner that takes time to do.

(A) is explanatory drawing of the state of the image forming apparatus to which this invention is applied, (B) is explanatory drawing which contrasted the state of the conventional image forming apparatus with the state of the image forming apparatus to which this invention was applied. It is. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing portions related to the present invention in the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the return judgment part by a timer interruption. It is explanatory drawing of the printing history table updated by the printing history recording part. It is explanatory drawing of the return time setting table updated by the printing log | history analysis part. (A) is an explanatory diagram showing the number of print jobs in the time zone of last Monday, (B) is an explanatory diagram showing a point in time when the image forming apparatus is returned by the return determination unit, and (C). FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of the current image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus. It is a functional block diagram which shows the part relevant to this invention in a computer.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Control apparatus 12 Operation panel 13 Image forming apparatus main body 13A Computer main body 14 Interface 15 MPU
16 EEPROM
17 EEPROM
18 DRAM
19 HDD
20 NIC
21 Timer 22 Heater 30 Computer 31 Control Device 100, 100A System Control Unit 101 Print History Recording Unit 101A Startup History Recording Unit 102, 102A Return Processing Unit 103 Print History Analysis Unit 103A Startup History Analysis Unit 104, 104A Return Determination Unit 1000 Print History Table 1000A Startup history table 1001, 1001A Return time setting table

Claims (9)

In an electronic device having a function of automatically shifting to a power saving state when the ready state continues for a set time,
A timer that counts the time,
Storage means for storing usage history data of the electronic device and a threshold value relating to the usage degree of the electronic device;
When the electronic device is used, a usage history recording unit that refers to the timer and updates the usage history data with the usage information of the electronic device based on the value;
When the electronic device is in the power saving state, a return processing unit that returns the electronic device from the power saving state to the ready state based on the usage history data and the threshold value according to the value of the timer When,
An electronic device comprising:   When the time indicated by the timer matches the time set for each time zone, and the frequency of use information included in the time zone is equal to or greater than the threshold, the return processing unit The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is returned from the power saving state to the ready state. The usage history data is a histogram in which the time included in the usage information is sorted for each time zone,
The usage history recording unit updates the usage history data of the time zone corresponding to the value of the timer with the usage information,
The return processing unit refers to the timer to determine whether or not the time indicated by the timer matches the time corresponding to the time zone of the usage history data. It is further determined whether or not the frequency of the band is equal to or higher than the threshold, and when the frequency is equal to or higher than the threshold, the electronic device is returned from the power saving state to the ready state.
The electronic device according to claim 1. The timer further counts the day of the week,
The histogram is a histogram for each day of the week,
The usage history recording unit updates the usage history data of the day of the week corresponding to the timer value according to the usage information,
The return processing unit refers to the timer to determine whether the day of the week and the time indicated by the timer match the time corresponding to the day of the week and the time zone of the usage history data, If the two times match, it is determined whether the frequency of the day of the week is equal to or greater than the threshold, and if the frequency is equal to or greater than the threshold, the electronic device is returned from the power saving state to the ready state.
The electronic device according to claim 3. The storage means further stores data of the set time,
5. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the return processing unit sets the set time indicated by the data to be equal to or less than the interval corresponding to the interval of the time period. . The electronic apparatus is an image forming apparatus, and the power saving state is a state in which at least a heater is not powered.
The return processing unit returns the electronic device from the power saving state to the ready state by supplying power to the heater when the usage history data is equal to or greater than the threshold value. Item 6. The electronic device according to any one of Items 1 to 5. The power saving state is a hibernation state,
The electronic device includes an electronic device body,
The use history recording unit, the return processing unit, and a control device having the timer,
The control device is supplied with power even when the electronic device main body is in the resting state,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the return processing unit returns the electronic device body from the hibernation state to the ready state.   The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the electronic device main body is an electronic computer. When an electronic device having a function of automatically shifting to a power saving state is used when the ready state continues for a set time, the timer is referred to and the electronic device usage information based on the timer is stored in the storage means. Updating usage history data,
When the electronic device is in the power saving state, based on the value of the timer, the electronic history is based on the usage history data and a threshold value regarding the degree of use of the electronic device stored in the storage unit. Returning the device from the power saving state to the ready state;
A computer program characterized by causing a processor to execute.

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