Abstract:
An information processing apparatus includes a request unit configured to request information processing to an image processing apparatus via a network; a return unit configured to cause a request processing apparatus to return to a first operation mode from a second operation mode, wherein the request processing apparatus supplements a function when the image processing apparatus executes the information processing, and the request processing apparatus operates in the first operation mode and in the second operation mode in which power consumption is lower than that of the first operation mode; and a determining unit configured to determine whether the requested information processing is a predetermined type. When it is determined that the information processing is the predetermined type, the request processing apparatus is caused to return to the first operation mode from the second operation mode, before the information processing is requested to the request processing apparatus.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing system. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Devices including a plurality of functions are known, such as an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral). Furthermore, there is known an information processing system in which some of the functions that can be provided by an MFP are distributed across other devices in a network. In the information processing system, there is no need for the MFP to provide all functions by a single device, and therefore the load of the MFP can be reduced. Furthermore, even an inexpensive MFP of a low-end class can provide the same functions as those of an expensive MFP of a high-end class to the user, by receiving functions provided from devices distributed in the network. 
         [0005]    Therefore, when a user installs an MFP together with an information processing system, the installation cost of the MFP can be reduced. Furthermore, as the functions of devices arranged in the network are improved, the functions of all MFPs receiving functions provided from the information processing system can be improved (for example, the upgrading of a function). The information processing system has many advantages as above. 
         [0006]    Incidentally, the MFPs and devices in the information processing system often include an operation mode referred to as an energy saving mode, in which the power consumption can be reduced. When the user uses the functions of the MFP and devices in a state where the MFP and devices are in an energy saving mode, not only the MFP, but also the devices need to return from the energy saving mode. Accordingly, there is a devised technology for causing a plurality of MFPs and devices in a network to return from the energy saving mode (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a device cooperation system in which a plurality of cooperation devices in a network complete the process of returning from the energy saving mode at about the same time. 
         [0007]    However, in the device cooperation system disclosed in Patent Document 1, a case where the time required for returning from the energy saving mode may differ according to the function, is not considered. For example, when there is a function for which the time required for returning from the energy saving mode is T 1 , and a function for which the time required for returning from the energy saving mode is T 2  (&gt;T 1 ), the waiting time becomes long for the user who wants to user the latter function. 
         [0008]    Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2011-233106 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention provides an information processing apparatus and an information processing system, in which one or more of the above-described disadvantages are eliminated. 
         [0010]    According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus for requesting information processing via a network, the information processing apparatus including a request unit configured to send a request for the information processing to at least one image processing apparatus via the network; a return unit configured to cause a request processing apparatus to return to a first operation mode from a second operation mode, wherein the request processing apparatus supplements a function when the image processing apparatus executes the information processing, and the request processing apparatus operates in the first operation mode and in the second operation mode in which power consumption is lower than that of the first operation mode; and a determining unit configured to determine whether the information processing requested by the request unit is a predetermined type, wherein when the determining unit determines that the information processing is the predetermined type, the return unit causes the request processing apparatus to return to the first operation mode from the second operation mode, before the request unit sends the request for the information processing to the request processing apparatus. 
         [0011]    According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing system including an image processing apparatus; a request processing apparatus configured to operate in a first operation mode and in a second operation mode in which power consumption is lower than that of the first operation mode, wherein the request processing apparatus supplements a function when the image processing apparatus executes information processing; and an information processing apparatus configured to send a request for the information processing to the image processing apparatus via a network, wherein the information processing apparatus includes a return unit configured to cause the request processing apparatus to return to the first operation mode from the second operation mode, and a determining unit configured to determine whether the information processing requested to the image processing apparatus is a predetermined type, wherein when the determining unit determines that the information processing is the predetermined type, the return unit causes the request processing apparatus to return to the first operation mode from the second operation mode, before sending the request for the information processing to the request processing apparatus. 
         [0012]    According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute a process, the computer constituting an information processing apparatus for requesting information processing via a network, the process including sending a request for the information processing to at least one image processing apparatus via the network; causing a request processing apparatus to return to a first operation mode from a second operation mode, wherein the request processing apparatus operates in the first operation mode and in the second operation mode in which power consumption is lower than that of the first operation mode; and determining whether the requested information processing is a predetermined type, wherein when it is determined that the information processing is the predetermined type, the request processing apparatus is caused to return to the first operation mode from the second operation mode, before the request for the information processing is sent to the request processing apparatus. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a hardware block diagram of an image processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus, and a user PC constituting the information processing system according to an embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is an example of a functional block diagram of the devices constituting the information processing system according to an embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  illustrates an example of a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on the user PC; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  illustrates an example of a sub GUI by which various settings can be made according to an embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  illustrates an example of input screen information displayed when the user clicks a button for “cooperation function setting” in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 7A through 7C  illustrate examples of an energy saving return instruction packet according to an embodiment sent from the user PC, an address management table, and a device management table; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart of a process according to a first embodiment executed by the information processing system; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart of a first modification example of the process according to the first embodiment; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a second modification example of the process according to the first embodiment; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart of a process according to a second embodiment executed by the information processing system; 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart of a first modification example of the process according to the second embodiment; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart of a second modification example of the process according to the second embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    In the following, a description is given of embodiments of the present invention; however, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a configuration of an information processing system  10  according to the present embodiment. The information processing system  10  includes a plurality of devices that are connected via a network  100 . The network  100  is constructed by at least one of a LAN in a facility such as a company in which a plurality of devices are arranged, a provider network of a provider connecting the LAN to the Internet, a line provided by a line enterprise, etc. Furthermore, the network  100  may include a WAN and the Internet including a plurality of LANs. The network  100  may be constructed by wired or wireless connections, or by a combination of wired and wireless connections. 
         [0029]    In  FIG. 1 , for example, a user PC (Personal Computer)  110 , a mobile terminal  109 , and image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d  are connected to the network  100 . The user PC  110  is a device for being used by a user and for issuing a service request. The mobile terminal  109  is, for example, a tablet terminal, a smart device such as a smartphone, or a notebook PC, which is connected to the network  100  via a wireless LAN access point  108 . The mobile terminal  109  is used in a similar manner as the user PC  110 . In the following, at least one of the mobile terminal  109  and the user PC  110  is simply referred to as the user PC  110 , when it is not particularly necessary to distinguish these two devices. 
         [0030]    Furthermore, the image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d  are, for example, MFPs (Multi-Function Peripherals), which acquire requests for services from the user. Note that the MFP may also be referred to as a multifunction copier or an image forming apparatus. The image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d  respectively include functions that can be provided to the user, and different functions are provided to the user, according to different models, grades, and option configurations of the image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d . The image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d  provide a function in response to a service request from the user PC  110 . Furthermore, each of the image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d  can be operated by the user, and when the image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d  directly receive a service request by a user&#39;s operation, the image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d  provide a service in response to the request. 
         [0031]    When an MFP is a specific example of the image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d  according to the present embodiment, a scanner function, a print function, a fax function, and a network access function are included. The image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d  provide a service in response to a service request from the user, by itself or by a function of cooperating with an external device. 
         [0032]    Furthermore, when the processing ability of the own device is insufficient for processing a service requested by the user, the image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d  request information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c , which are connected via the network  100 , to perform the processing. The image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d  receive the necessary functions from the information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  in response to the request, and the image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d  provide the service corresponding to the user request, to the user. 
         [0033]    Note that in the following, the image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d  are simply referred to as an “image processing apparatus  104 ”, when these apparatuses do not particularly need to be distinguished from each other. 
         [0034]    The information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  may be implemented as a PC, a workstation, a server computer, etc., which are remotely connected to the user PC  110  via the network  100 . Furthermore, in another embodiment, the information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  may be an MFP that can provide a server function. 
         [0035]    The information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  according to the present embodiment provide the image processing apparatus  104  with some of the functions that are supposed to be provided by the image processing apparatus  104 , without having the user notice this. Therefore, the user can make a service request to any image processing apparatus  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d  without considering the model, and the user can receive the functions provided by the image processing apparatus  104  to which the service request has been made. 
         [0036]    Note that the information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  function as a request processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the following, the information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  are simply referred to as an “information processing apparatus  101 ”, when these apparatuses do not particularly need to be distinguished from each other. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  is a hardware block diagram of the image processing apparatus  104 , the information processing apparatus  101 , and the user PC  110  and the mobile terminal  109  constituting the information processing system  10  according to the present embodiment. The image processing apparatus  104  includes a CPU  200 , a RAM  201 , a ROM  202 , and a HDD (Hard Disk Drive)  203 . The CPU  200  loads the programs stored in the HDD  203  into the RAM  201 , and provides various control processes. The CPU  200  is a central processing unit for managing and controlling the entire image processing apparatus  104 . The RAM  201  is a readable and writable storage unit that stores programs executed by the CPU  200 , and is used as a work area when various processes are performed. The ROM  202  is a non-volatile storage unit storing programs (firmware) executed by the CPU  200 . The HDD  203  is a high-capacity storage unit storing various data and programs executed by the CPU  200 . 
         [0038]    Furthermore, the image processing apparatus  104  includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)  204 , a touch panel  205 , a print engine  206 , a scanner  207 , and a fax  208 . The image processing apparatus  104  can directly receive input from the user by the LCD  204  and the touch panel  205 , and provide various functions. The touch panel  205  is integrally arranged with the LCD  204  that is a display unit, and includes a touch sensor that is a detecting unit for detecting a touch operation from the user. The touch panel  205  displays a menu based on screen data, or receives touch operation from the user. The image processing apparatus  104  may include hard keys, other than the touch panel  205 . The print engine  206  is an output unit relevant to image processing by the image processing apparatus  104 , and prints images on a sheet and outputs the sheet. The scanner  207  is an input unit relevant to image processing, and optically reads an original document and converts the image into electronic data. Furthermore, the fax  208  is an input output unit relevant to image processing by the image processing apparatus  104 , and sends and receives images via a public phone line and the Internet. 
         [0039]    Furthermore, the image processing apparatus  104  includes a power source control circuit  209  and a network/subsystem  210 . The power source control circuit  209  is a circuit unit for managing the power source control of the image processing apparatus  104 . The image processing apparatus  104  includes at least two operation modes; an energy saving mode (second operation mode) in a state where power consumption is reduced because the user is not using the image processing apparatus  104 , and a regular mode (first operation mode) in which power is consumed in a regular manner because the user is using the image processing apparatus  104 . The power source control circuit  209  transitions the state between the regular mode and the energy saving mode according to the usage state, etc., by the user. Accordingly, it is possible to save power. 
         [0040]    The network/subsystem  210  is a circuit unit including NIC (Network Interface Card), and plays the role of relaying between the image processing apparatus  104  and other devices in the network  100 . Furthermore, the network/subsystem  210  receives frames and packets that are sent via the network  100 . 
         [0041]    Next, a description is given of a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus  101 . The information processing apparatus  101  illustrated in  FIG. 2  includes a CPU  211 , a RAM  212 , a ROM  213 , an HDD  214 , a power source control circuit  215 , and a network/subsystem  216 . The CPU  211  is a central processing unit for managing and controlling the information processing apparatus  101 , and the ROM  213  is a non-volatile storage unit storing programs executed by the CPU  211 . The RAM  212  is a readable and writable storage unit that develops programs executed by the CPU  211 , and is used as a work area when various processes are performed. The HDD  214  is a high-capacity storage unit storing various data and programs executed by the CPU  211 . 
         [0042]    The information processing apparatus  101  also has at least two operation modes; the energy saving mode and the regular mode. The power source control circuit  215  controls the operation mode (power consumption state) of the information processing apparatus  101 . The network/subsystem  216  is able to communicate with other devices in the network  100 . 
         [0043]    Next, a description is given of the user PC  110  and the mobile terminal  109 . The user PC  110  and the mobile terminal  109  include, for example, a CPU  221 , a RAM  222 , a ROM  223 , a SSD (Solid State Drive)  224 , a display  225 , a touch panel  226 , a keyboard/mouse  227 , a network/subsystem  220 , etc. In the user PC  110  and the mobile terminal  109 , the CPU  221  loads the operating system (OS) and application programs into the RAM  222 , and executes these programs. The ROM  223  is a non-volatile storage unit storing programs executed by the CPU  221 . The SSD  224  is a high-capacity storage unit storing various data and programs executed by the CPU  221 . On the display  225 , a user interface is displayed. The touch panel  226  receives touch operations from the user. The user PC  110  and the mobile terminal  109  may include hard keys, other than the touch panel  226 . The keyboard/mouse  227  is an input unit for inputting the user&#39;s operations. According to these hardware elements, the user PC  110  and the mobile terminal  109  can execute various programs and receive services provided from the image processing apparatus  104 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 3  is an example of a functional block diagram of the devices constituting the information processing system  10  according to the present embodiment.  FIG. 3  illustrates an example where a service request is sent from the user PC  110  to the information processing apparatus  101 . However, the image processing apparatus  104  can also directly receive input from the user, and therefore it is to be noted that the image processing apparatus  104  can send a service request to the information processing apparatus  101 . 
         [0045]    The image processing apparatus  104  includes an MFP function API  350 , a fax processing unit  351 , a print processing unit  352 , and a scanner processing unit  353 . Note that the functions of these units can be implemented as the CPU  200  of the image processing apparatus  104  executes various programs and controls the respective units. The fax processing unit  351  manages a fax function, and processes jobs relevant to the fax function. The print processing unit  352  manages a print function, and processes jobs relevant to a print function. Furthermore, the scanner processing unit  353  manages a scanner function, and processes jobs relevant to a scanner function. The MFP function API  350  is an application program interface for receiving instructions from an external device (the information processing apparatus  101  in  FIG. 3 ) having a different protocol, and is provided for the external device to use a function of the image processing apparatus  104 . 
         [0046]    Furthermore, the image processing apparatus  104  includes a power control unit  354  and a timer  355  for managing the time of returning to the energy saving mode. The power control unit  354  transitions the state to the energy saving mode, when a state in which the image processing apparatus  104  is not processing jobs is continued. Furthermore, the power control unit  354  transitions the state to the regular mode from the energy saving mode, when a service request for a job is received or when an instruction to return to the regular mode from the energy saving mode is received. In the energy saving mode also, the power control unit  354  is operating, and can receive energy saving return instruction packets (an instruction to return to the regular mode from the energy saving mode is referred to as an energy saving return instruction, and an energy saving return instruction being sent as an IP packet is referred to as an energy saving return instruction packet). 
         [0047]    The timer  355  counts the time during which no jobs are requested from the information processing apparatus  101  functioning as an external controller, and sends a report to the power control unit  354  when a certain amount of time passes. The power control unit  354  that has received the report causes the image processing apparatus  104  to shift to the energy saving mode. 
         [0048]    Next, a description is given of the information processing apparatus  101 . The information processing apparatus  101  includes a power control unit  321 , an energy saving shift timer  322 , a Web server  323 , a cooperation job management unit  324 , a document management unit  325 , a document folder  326 , and various services  327 . The power control unit  321  transitions the state to the energy saving mode, when a state in which the information processing apparatus  101  is not processing jobs is continued. Meanwhile, the power control unit  321  transitions the state to the regular mode from the energy saving mode, when a service request for a job is received or when an instruction to return to the regular mode from the energy saving mode is received. 
         [0049]    In the energy saving mode also, the power control unit  321  is operating, and can receive energy saving return instruction packets, and can process the packets. The energy saving shift timer  322  counts the time during which no jobs are requested from the user PC  110  functioning as an external controller. When a certain amount of time passes in the state where no jobs are requested, the energy saving shift timer  322  issues a report to the power control unit  321 . The power control unit  321  that has received the report causes the information processing apparatus  101  to shift to the energy saving mode. 
         [0050]    The Web server  323  can be implemented as a server program such as Apache (registered trademark), and analyzes the execution instructions received from the user PC  110  by using the HTTP protocol. 
         [0051]    After the analysis, the information processing apparatus  101  transfers the job to the cooperation job management unit  324 . The cooperation job management unit  324  sends, to the document management unit  325 , an execution instruction relevant to the storage/taking over of a document according to the type of the job, and also sends an execution instruction for executing a service such as image processing, etc., to various services  327 . The document management unit  325  manages the document folder  326  that is the storage destination of a document. 
         [0052]    Various services  327  provide additional functions with respect to the functions of the image processing apparatus  104 . Note that in the following, the cooperation job management unit  324 , the document management unit  325 , the document folder  326 , and various services  327  are collectively referred to as a cooperation service providing unit  320 . 
         [0053]    Next, a description is given of the user PC  110 . The user PC  110  includes a UI management unit  311 , various applications  312 , a determining unit  313 , an address management unit  314 , a web browser  315 , and an energy saving return instruction sending unit  316 . The UI management unit  311  provides a user interface of a cooperation application  310  implemented in the information processing apparatus  101 . Specifically, when the user gives an instruction to press the operation button or to input a mouse event or a key in the cooperation application displayed on the display  225  of the user PC  110 , the UI management unit  311  receives the input of the instruction from the user, and performs an operation according to the instruction. Examples of operation screens displayed on the display  225  are illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Details of these screens are given below. 
         [0054]    The determining unit  313  determines whether the service request requires a high-speed response, with respect to a service to which the pressed operation button belongs. A service request that requires a high-speed response is described with reference to  FIG. 4 . When the determining unit  313  determines that the service request requires a high-speed response, the energy saving return instruction sending unit  316  immediately sends an energy saving return instruction to the information processing apparatus  101  and the image processing apparatus  104 . 
         [0055]    The address management unit  314  manages the identification values and the IP addresses of the information processing apparatus  101  and the image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d . An example of contents managed by the address management unit  314  is illustrated in  FIGS. 7A through 7C  together with an embodiment of the energy saving return instruction; however, details are given below. 
         [0056]    Furthermore, the address management unit  314  includes an address management DB  750   a  and a device management DB  760   a . The address management DB  750   a  stores an address management table  750  of  FIG. 7B , and the device management DB  760   a  stores a device management table  760  of  FIG. 7C . The determination by the determining unit  313  is performed based on the address management table  750  and the device management table  760  illustrated in  FIGS. 7B and 7C . 
         [0057]    The energy saving return instruction sending unit  316  sends an energy saving return instruction to the IP address of at least one of the information processing apparatus  101  and the image processing apparatus  104  that is a return target, through the network  100  according to the determination result by the determining unit  313 , separately from the service request. Furthermore, there may be cases where the energy saving return instruction sending unit  316  issues an instruction to shift to the energy saving mode. Various applications  312  are applications for providing additional functions to the image processing apparatus  104 . 
         [0058]    Note that the UI management unit  311 , various applications  312 , the determining unit  313 , and the address management unit  314  are collectively referred to as the cooperation application  310 . 
         [0059]    The web browser  315  sends the service request of the execution job created by the cooperation application  310 , according to an HTTP protocol, to the information processing apparatus  101 . 
       &lt;&lt;User Interface&gt;&gt; 
       [0060]      FIG. 4  illustrates an example of a graphical user interface (GUI)  400  displayed on the display  225  of the user PC  110 . In the GUI  400 , a job list including a plurality of jobs that can be selected by the user, is displayed. Each of the buttons for selecting one of the jobs is referred to as a first operation button. 
         [0061]    In the example of  FIG. 4 , an area  410  displaying a group of jobs that do not require a high-speed response, and an area  420  displaying a group of jobs that require a high-speed response, are displayed. 
         [0062]    For example, a group of jobs that do not require a high-speed response includes register information processing apparatus  411 , store scan document  412 , and send scan document  413 . Furthermore, a group of jobs that require a high-speed response includes view stored document  421 , download  422 , and MFP cooperation  423 . MFP cooperation  423  means a software function providing an MFP cooperation function. Note that these are merely examples; there may be jobs that do not require a high-speed response and jobs that require a high-speed response, other than those in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0063]    A description is given of jobs that require a high-speed response and jobs that do not require a high-speed response. In the present embodiment, one mode of a job that requires a high-speed response is a job that the user expects a high-speed response. 
         [0000]    (i) A job that the user assumes that the time for the image processing apparatus  104  to finish providing a function, is shorter than the set up time for returning to the regular mode from the energy saving mode.
 
(ii) A job that can be provided without requiring the operation of a mechanical element in the image processing apparatus  104 . Examples of such a process are view stored document  421 , download  422 , and MFP cooperation  423 .
 
(iii) A process that corresponds to receiving a service from an application server by the user PC  110  via the network  100 , when the information processing apparatus  101  is regarded as an application server. Examples of such a service request are searching for an address, searching for an image processing apparatus, and searching various other databases.
 
         [0064]    Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the following are jobs that do not require a high-speed response. 
         [0000]    (i) A job in which the output function by the image processing apparatus  104  is completed on condition that the image processing apparatus  104  returns to the regular mode from the energy saving mode.
 
(ii) A job that is assumed to be performed in the regular mode, such as making various settings in the image processing apparatus  104 . Example of such jobs are register information processing apparatus  411 , scanning, send scan document  413 , and printing, which require the operations of various engines, and the set up time can be predicted by the user under regular circumstances.
 
         [0065]    These job groups can be included in, for example, the printer driver of the user PC  110  according to the present embodiment. Furthermore, in another embodiment, the job groups can be created as a data file of the printer driver (for example, a data file having a look-up data table format) which is constituted separately from the cooperation application  310 . Accordingly, it is possible to flexibly respond to changes of the functions. 
         [0066]    When the user selects, for example, MFP cooperation  423  in the GUI  400 , and generates a mouse event, the UI management unit  311  displays a sub GUI  500  by which various settings can be made as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The user selects a setting item displayed in the buttons  501  through  509 , and generates a mouse event such as a click. The buttons  501  through  509  of  FIG. 5  are referred to as second operation buttons. Accordingly, a screen according to the buttons  501  through  509  is displayed (for example, input screen information  600  in  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0067]      FIG. 6  illustrates an example of input screen information  600  displayed on the display  225 . The input screen information  600  is displayed as the user selects a “corporation function setting” button, which is one of the buttons  501  through  509  in  FIG. 5 . As settings of corporation functions, the user can make various settings such as destination setting  610 , reading setting  620 , file setting  630 , etc. The displayed input screen information  600  in  FIG. 6  may be constituted as, for example, a form, and the user selects a value that the user wants to set from the input screen information  600 , and presses an operation start button  601 . Accordingly, a service request is sent to the information processing apparatus  101 . The information processing apparatus  101  registers various settings by using an appropriate server program such as the Web server  323 . 
       &lt;&lt;Energy Saving Return Instruction, Energy Saving Return Instruction Packet&gt;&gt; 
       [0068]      FIG. 7A  illustrates an example of an energy saving return instruction packet  700  that is sent from the user PC  110  to the information processing apparatus  101  and the image processing apparatus  104 . The energy saving return instruction sending unit  316  of the user PC  110  issues an energy saving return instruction as an energy saving return instruction packet  700  before issuing a service request, when the user selects a job classified as a high-speed request. 
         [0069]    The energy saving return instruction packet  700  includes control information  701 , a MAC header  702 , and an IP header  703 . The control information  701  is a field in which packet information such as the packet length is described. Specifically, the version information, the header length, the service type, etc., are described. Note that the energy saving return instruction may be in a frame format according to the type of the network  100 , and when the energy saving return instruction is issued in a frame format, frame synchronization information is described in the control information  701 . 
         [0070]    The MAC header  702  is a field in which the MAC address of the user PC  110  that is the transmission source, and the MAC address of the information processing apparatus  101  to be the destination are described. Not all of the information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  and the image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d  can provide the same function, and it is assumed that there may be cases where the functions that can be provided differ according to the information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  and the image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d . Therefore, one or more of the information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  and the image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d  are set as the destinations, and the energy saving return instruction packet  700  is sent to the destinations. 
         [0071]    The IP header  703  is an area for describing transport layer information of the OSI basic reference model third layer for sending the energy saving return instruction packet  700 . In the IP header  703 , the destination IP address, the transmission source IP address, and various kinds of information for assuring the packet quality, are described. 
         [0072]    In the payload  704 , a command and data corresponding to the energy saving return instruction are described. Examples of the command and data are a command for activating an application for providing a function implemented in the information processing apparatus  101  for a function request; however, the present embodiment is not so limited. In an embodiment in which the energy saving return instruction is applied only in the network  100 , the transmission data can be created in a frame format, and in this case, at the end of the transmission frame, CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) information  705  is added. 
       &lt;&lt;Table Information&gt;&gt; 
       [0073]      FIG. 7B  illustrates an example of an address management table  750  managed by the user PC  110  according to the present embodiment. In the address management table  750 , an IP address and the stored function are registered in association with each device. A description is given of an example of a method of creating the address management table  750 . 
         [0074]    First, an IP address is assigned by a DHCP server, and it is assumed that the IP address is not necessarily fixed. In this case, the address management unit  314  of the user PC  110  searches for the information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  and the image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d  from the network  100 . For example, the network address of the user PC  110  is obtained, and the information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  and the image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d  are searched from the same network address. It can be determined whether the device is compatible with the cooperation application  310  by referring to a MIB (Management Information Base) described below. 
         [0075]    When the IP address is fixed (assigned by or not assigned by the DHCP server), the user PC  110  holds the IP addresses of the information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  and the image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d.    
         [0076]    For example, the user PC  110  has a function of a host of SNMP (Small Network Management Protocol), and the information processing apparatus  101  and the image processing apparatus  104  have a function as an agent of a management target. 
         [0077]    When the process according to the present embodiment is performed with respect to the user PC  110 , the address management unit  314  of the user PC  110  issues a get_request to each of the agents when installing a printer driver (for example, by broadcasting or multicasting), and acquires a get_response from each of the agents. Then, the user 
         [0078]    PC  110  acquires what kind of function is stored by each of the information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  and the image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d  that are agents, by causing these devices to send MIB information, for example. 
         [0079]    Then, when the address management unit  314  receives a get_response packet, the address management unit  314  registers, in the address management table  750 , the IP address and the function in association with each of the information processing apparatuses  101  and the image processing apparatuses  104 . Note that when the MAC address of the information processing apparatus  101  and the image processing apparatus  104  is necessary, the MAC address is acquired by issuing an ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) request to the acquired IP address, and the MAC address is added to the address management table  750 . 
         [0080]    Note that the information processing apparatuses A through C in  FIGS. 7B and 7C  are identification values (names, etc.) of the information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c . The image processing apparatuses A through C are identification values (names, etc.) of the image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b , and  104   c.    
         [0081]      FIG. 7C  illustrates an example of a device management table  760 . The device management table  760  includes a list of functions, the “response type” corresponding to each “function”, the “information processing apparatus”, and the “image processing apparatus”, registered in association with each other. As the “response type”, the speed of the response is set as “high speed” or “low speed”. For a function that is provided by a job that requires a high-speed response, “high speed” is set, and for a function that is provided by a job that does not require a high-speed response, “low speed” is set. 
         [0082]    The device management table  760  is also collected from each device by the user PC  110  via the network  100  and stored in advance. That is, the “response type” is also provided by, for example, MIB. Alternatively, the device management table  760  may be downloaded via a network. Alternatively, the device management table  760  may be set by the developer of the cooperation application  310 . 
         [0083]    Note that the address management table  750  and the device management table  760  may be information data used by the printer driver. The address management table  750  and the device management table  760  may be stored in the ROM  223  or the SSD  224  in which information can be written and read any time. In this case, the CPU  221  of the user PC  110  can use these tables as look-up tables that can be accessed according to need. 
         [0084]    The energy saving return control is performed based on the information stored in the address management table  750  and the device management table  760 . The UI management unit  311  of the user PC  110  refers to the device management table  760  and causes the GUI  400  illustrated in  FIG. 4  to be displayed. The user does not need to recognize which function is set as a high-speed response and which function is not set as a high-speed response; however, “high speed” or “low speed” may be displayed at each job in the GUI  400 . As these items are displayed, the user can recognize whether the function is set as a high-speed response or not. When a job that requires a high-speed response is selected, the user can act upon predicting that the waiting time will be short. 
       Operation Procedures 
     First Embodiment 
       [0085]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart of a process according to a first embodiment executed by the information processing system  10  according to the present embodiment. The process of  FIG. 8  starts when the information processing apparatus  101  is in a regular mode. 
         [0086]    First, in step S 801 , the information processing apparatus  101  shifts to an energy saving mode. In step S 802 , the cooperation application  310  is activated at the user PC  110 , and the UI management unit  311  displays jobs that can be selected, on the GUI  400  illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The user operates a first operation button, and the UI management unit  311  receives the job selected by the user. 
         [0087]    In step S 803 , the determining unit  313  of the user PC  110  refers to the device management table  760 , and determines whether the function provided by the job selected by the user is a job that requires a high-speed response. Note that the determining unit  313  refers to the address management table  750 , and determines at least one of the information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  that can provide the function of the job selected by the user. 
         [0088]    When the job requires a high-speed response (YES in step S 803 ), in step S 804 , the energy saving return instruction sending unit  316  sends an energy saving return instruction packet separately from the service request, to the information processing apparatus  101  determined in step S 803 . 
         [0089]    In step S 805 , the information processing apparatus  101  receives the energy saving return instruction packet, and the power control unit  321  starts an energy saving return operation. This process may include, for example, a process of making the power supply to the CPU  211  return to a regular mode and activating the HDD  214 ; however, the process is not so limited. 
         [0090]    Meanwhile, when the determination of step S 803  is NO, the process branches to step S 806 , and a cooperation process is started. 
         [0091]    In step S 806 , the UI management unit  311  displays the sub GUI  500  at the user PC  110 , and the user presses the second operation button and inputs various settings. Next, the input screen information  600  of  FIG. 6  is displayed, and lastly, the operation start button  601  is pressed. 
         [0092]    In step S 807 , various applications  312  of the user PC  110  start the process of the cooperation application  310 , and in step S 808 , the web browser  315  sends a service request packet to the information processing apparatus  101 . 
         [0093]    The processes of steps S 803 , S 805 , S 807 , and S 808  are performed without being known by the user, and therefore the user can receive a service according to device cooperation by the information processing apparatus  101  and the image processing apparatus  104 , without noticing that the information processing apparatus  101  returns from the energy saving mode. Furthermore, when a job that requires a high-speed response is selected, an energy saving return instruction is sent, and therefore the user can receive a service with a short time delay. 
       First Modification Example 
       [0094]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart of a first modification example of the process according to the first embodiment. The first modification example is an embodiment to address a case where the user changes the requested service, and is different from the process of  FIG. 8  in that steps S 906  and S 910  are added. In the following, a detailed description is given of the processes that are different from those of  FIG. 8 . 
         [0095]    In step S 905 , after the energy saving return instruction packet is received from the user PC  110 , the information processing apparatus  101  starts an energy saving return operation. 
         [0096]    In step S 906 , the UI management unit  311  of the user PC  110  monitors the operation of the user, and determines, for example, whether a “return” button is pressed, or a mouse event corresponding to a “return” button is generated, by the user. Accordingly, the GUI  400  is displayed on the display  225 . 
         [0097]    When it is determined that a “return” request is generated in step S 906  (YES in step S 906 ), in step S 910 , the energy saving return instruction sending unit  316  issues an instruction to forcibly return to the energy saving mode, to the information processing apparatus  101 . Subsequently, the process returns to step S 902 . 
         [0098]    Furthermore, when it is determined that an event other than the “return” request is generated in step S 906  (NO in step S 906 ), the process proceeds to step S 908 , and the process is executed in the same manner as  FIG. 8 . 
         [0099]    According to the operation procedures illustrated in  FIG. 9 , even when the user erroneously specifies a job, the information processing apparatus  101  can quickly shift to the energy saving mode, and therefore it is possible to prevent energy from being wastefully consumed. 
       Second Modification Example 
       [0100]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a second modification example of the process according to the first embodiment.  FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a preferred embodiment that is applicable when the information processing system  10  cannot identify the functions of the information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c.    
         [0101]    A plurality of information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  are connected in the information processing system  10 ; however, there may be cases where it is not possible to acquire the information of the information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  in advance, because the SNMP protocol is not accommodated as described above, etc. Furthermore, there may be cases where the information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  do not have fixed IP addresses, and the IP addresses cannot be identified (because the IP address cannot be identified, the address management unit  314  cannot acquire the function of the information processing apparatus  101 ). Furthermore, when the user PC  110  performs communication by using a protocol other than TCP/IP, for example, frame relay, the IP address of the information processing apparatus  101  cannot be identified. Accordingly, in the present modification example, the user PC  110  sends energy saving return instruction packets to a plurality of information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c.    
         [0102]    In the process illustrated in  FIG. 10 , steps S 1001  through S 1008  are the same as  FIG. 8 . However,  FIG. 10  is different from  FIG. 8  in that in steps S 1004  and S 1008 , the energy saving return instruction sending unit  316  and the web browser  315  respectively send the energy saving return instruction packet and the service request packet to the network  100 , by broadcast communication (IPv4 protocol) or multicast communication (IPv6 protocol). 
         [0103]    Therefore, when an energy saving return instruction packet is sent in step S 1004 , the information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  according to the present embodiment start a process of returning from the energy saving mode. 
         [0104]    If the process is continued in this state, even an information processing apparatus  101  that does not execute a job is maintained in a regular mode until the energy saving shift timer  322  expires, which is not preferable. Therefore, among the information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c , devices other than the device responding to the service request shift to the energy saving mode. 
         [0105]    Thus, in the procedures of  FIG. 10 , after the user PC  110  sends a service request packet in step S 1008 , in step S 1009 , a process is executed for a case where there are a plurality of information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c . The process of step S 1009  may be executed by the user PC  110 , or may be executed by the information processing apparatus  101 . Specifically, the following process can be performed. 
         [0106]    In the described embodiment, at the user PC  110 , a command for directly executing a requested service is described, together with a path specification, in a service request packet to be sent in step S 1008  by the web browser  315 . Then, when the cooperation job management unit  324  finds an execution file name that the own device can process in the service request packet, the corresponding information processing apparatus  101  issues a report including the IP address of the own device, to the user PC  110 . For example, it is assumed that the information processing apparatus  101   a  has issued a report including the IP address of the own device, to the user PC  110 . 
         [0107]    After receiving the report, the user PC  110  instructs the information processing apparatuses  101   b ,  101   c  and the image processing apparatuses  104 , which are the devices other than the issue source of the report, to shift to energy saving. Thus, the information processing apparatuses  101   b ,  101   c  and the image processing apparatuses  104  that have temporarily returned to the regular mode, can transit to the energy saving mode before the energy saving shift timer  322  elapses, and therefore excessive energy consumption can be avoided. 
         [0108]    Note that when the cooperation job management unit  324  cannot find an execution file name that the own device can process in the service request packet, the corresponding information processing apparatus  101  may issue a report including the IP address of the own device to the user PC  110 . 
         [0109]    In another embodiment, when the cooperation job management unit  324  of the information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  cannot find a command that the own device can process in the service request packet, the information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  immediately start an energy saving retreating process. According to this embodiment, it is possible to omit the transactions with the user PC  110 , and therefore the information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  can quickly retreat to the energy saving mode. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0110]    In a second embodiment, a description is given of an embodiment in which the user PC  110  sends a return request instruction packet also to the image processing apparatus  104 . 
         [0111]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart of a process according to a second embodiment executed by the information processing system  10  according to the present embodiment. The process of  FIG. 11  starts when the information processing apparatus  101  is in a regular mode. 
         [0112]    First, in step S 1101 , the information processing apparatus  101   c  shifts to an energy saving mode. 
         [0113]    In step S 1102 , the cooperation application  310  is activated at the user PC  110 , and the UI management unit  311  displays jobs that can be selected, on the GUI  400  illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The user presses a first operation button, and the UI management unit  311  receives the job selected by the user. 
         [0114]    In step S 1103 , the determining unit  313  of the user PC  110  refers to the device management table  760 , and determines whether the function provided by the job selected by the user is a job that requires a high-speed response. Note that the determining unit  313  refers to the address management table  750 , and determines which of the information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  and the image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d  can provide the function of the job selected by the user. 
         [0115]    When the job requires a high-speed response (YES in step S 1103 ), in step S 1104 , the determining unit  313  refers to the device management table  760  and determines the device required for executing the job. 
         [0116]    The determining unit  313  refers to the device management table  760 , and identifies a function corresponding to a job that requires a high-speed response, and the information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  and the image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d  holding the function. 
         [0117]    When the device required for executing the job is “A: only information processing apparatus”, the process proceeds to step S 1105   a , and the energy saving return instruction sending unit  316  sends an energy saving return instruction packet to one or more of the corresponding information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  obtained from the information of the device management table  760 . 
         [0118]    Furthermore, when the device required for executing the job is “B: only image processing apparatus”, the process proceeds to step S 1105   b , and the energy saving return instruction sending unit  316  refers to the device management table  760 , and sends an energy saving return instruction packet to one or more of the corresponding image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d.    
         [0119]    When the devices required for executing the job are “C: information processing apparatus and image processing apparatus”, the process proceeds to step S 1105   c , and the energy saving return instruction sending unit  316  sends an energy saving return instruction packet to one or more of the corresponding information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  and the image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d.    
         [0120]    Specific examples of applying the processes of steps S 1105   a  through S 1105   c  are described below.
       When the function is “view stored document”, a high-speed response is set, and therefore a process of sending an energy saving return instruction packet to the information processing apparatus A and the image processing apparatuses A, B, C is executed.   When the function is “store scan document”, a low-speed response is set, and therefore the energy saving return instruction packet according to the present embodiment is not sent.   When the function is “image conversion”, a high-speed response is set, and therefore a process of sending an energy saving return instruction packet to the information processing apparatus B is executed.   When the function is “book binding process”, a high-speed response is set, and therefore a process of sending an energy saving return instruction packet to the image processing apparatus A is executed. Note that the “book binding process” in the present embodiment is a collective term for finishing processes including combine, staple, punch, sort, etc.       
 
         [0125]    Subsequently, in steps S 1106   a  through S 1106   c , the power control unit  321  of each device that received the energy saving return instruction packet starts an energy saving return operation. By these processes, the user PC  110  can select the device that requires high-speed processing and send an energy saving return instruction packet. 
         [0126]    Meanwhile, when it is determined that the job does not require a high-speed response in step S 1103  (NO in step S 1103 ), the process branches to step S 1107 . 
         [0127]    In step S 1107 , the UI management unit  311  displays the sub GUI  500  on the display  225  at the user PC  110 , and the user presses the second operation button and inputs various settings. Next, the input screen information  600  of  FIG. 6  is displayed, and lastly, the operation start button  601  is pressed. 
         [0128]    In step S 1108 , various applications  312  of the user PC  110  start the process of the cooperation application  310 , and in step S 1109 , the web browser  315  sends a service request packet to one or more of the information processing apparatuses  101  and the image processing apparatuses  104  selected in step S 1104 . 
         [0129]    Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, the user can receive a service according to device cooperation by the information processing apparatus  101  and the image processing apparatus  104 , with a short time delay. 
       First Modification Example 
       [0130]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart of a first modification example of the process according to the second embodiment. The first modification example is an embodiment to address a case where the user changes the requested service, and is different from the process of  FIG. 11  in that steps S 1207  and S 1212  are added. In the following, a detailed description is given of the processes that are different from those of  FIG. 11 . 
         [0131]    In step S 1205 , after the energy saving return instruction packet is received from the user PC  110 , the information processing apparatus  101  and the image processing apparatus  104  start an energy saving return operation. 
         [0132]    In step S 1207 , the UI management unit  311  of the user PC  110  monitors the operation of the user, and determines, for example, whether a “return” button is pressed, or a mouse event corresponding to a “return” button is generated, by the user. Accordingly, the GUI  400  is displayed on the display  225 . 
         [0133]    When it is determined that a “return” request is generated in step S 1207  (YES in step S 1207 ), in step S 1212 , the energy saving return instruction sending unit  316  issues an instruction to forcibly return to the energy saving mode, to all of the information processing apparatuses  101  and the image processing apparatuses  104 . Subsequently, the process returns to step S 1202 . Note that at this time, an instruction to return to the energy saving mode may only be issued to the information processing apparatus  101  and the image processing apparatus  104  to which the energy saving return instruction packet has been sent. 
         [0134]    Furthermore, when it is determined that an event other than the “return” request is generated in step S 1207  (NO in step S 1207 ), the process proceeds to step S 1209 , and the process is executed in the same manner as  FIG. 11 . 
         [0135]    Therefore, even when the user erroneously selects a job, it is possible to prevent the energy from being wastefully consumed. 
       Second Modification Example 
       [0136]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart of a second modification example of the process according to the second embodiment.  FIG. 13  is a flowchart of a preferred embodiment that is applicable when the information processing system  10  cannot identify the functions of the information processing apparatuses  101   a ,  101   b , and  101   c  and the image processing apparatuses  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c , and  104   d.    
         [0137]    In the process illustrated in  FIG. 13 , steps S 1301  through S 1308  are the same as  FIG. 11 . However,  FIG. 13  is different from  FIG. 11  in that in steps S 1304  and S 1308 , the web browser  315  and the energy saving return instruction sending unit  316  respectively send the energy saving return instruction packet and the service request packet to the network, by broadcast communication (IPv4 protocol) or multicast communication (IPv6 protocol). Therefore, when an energy saving return instruction packet is sent in step S 1304 , the information processing apparatuses  101  and the image processing apparatuses  104  respectively start a process of returning from the energy saving mode. 
         [0138]    Next, after the user PC  110  sends a service request packet in step S 1309 , in step S 1310 , a process is executed for a case where there are a plurality of information processing apparatuses  101  and image processing apparatuses  104 . This process is the same as step S 1009  of  FIG. 10 . 
       Other Application Examples 
       [0139]    In the above embodiment, the cooperation application  310  is implemented in the user PC  110 ; however, the cooperation application  310  may be implemented in another system present in a smart device or the operation unit of the image processing apparatus  104 . Furthermore, HTTP is used as the communication protocol of the network  100 ; however, in another variation example, communication protocols other than HTTP may be used, such as UDP, HTTPS, etc. 
         [0140]    As other variation examples, there are a multi system configuration in which a CPU is installed in the operation unit of the image processing apparatus  104  and this operation unit provides a unique solution, an outdoor wireless infrastructure (3G, LTE, IEEE801.xx, etc.) may be used for connecting a smart device and a network, a Wi-Fi communication standard among the image processing apparatuses  104  or the information processing apparatuses  101  may be used for connecting a smart device and a network, and Wi-Fi ad hoc among the image processing apparatuses  104  or the information processing apparatuses  101  may be used for connecting a smart device and a network. 
         [0141]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, an information processing apparatus and an information processing system are provided, which are capable of reducing the waiting time of a user using a function. 
         [0142]    The information processing apparatus and the information processing system are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0143]    The present application is based on and claims the benefit of priority of Japanese Priority Patent Application No. 2014-233474, filed on Nov. 18, 2014, Japanese Priority Patent Application No. 2015-074986, filed on Apr. 1, 2015, and Japanese Priority Patent Application No. 2015-117982, filed on Jun. 11, 2015, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.