Image forming apparatus with different operation modes and image forming method for imaging forming apparatus with different operation modes

According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus having a plurality of operation modes including a normal mode and a power saving mode in which power consumption is less than that in the normal mode and includes a processor. The processor is configured to acquire information about unexecuted print jobs via a communication interface or the like. The processor transitions the apparatus to the power saving mode after a preset standby time elapses after a completion of a print job by the apparatus if an unexecuted print job satisfies predetermined conditions that indicate that the unexecuted print job can be executed on the apparatus. The processor transitions the apparatus to the power saving mode sooner than the elapse of the preset standby time after the completion of the print job if none of the unexecuted print jobs satisfies the predetermined conditions.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method.

BACKGROUND

An image forming apparatus transitions to a power saving mode when a preset period of time is elapsed after a user logs out. When the image forming apparatus is powered on but not being used, it is unnecessarily consuming power until it switches to the power saving mode. On the other hand, if the image forming apparatus transitions to the power saving mode immediately after use, then a long period of time will be required to wake up from the power saving mode for the next use or user, and thus the apparatus cannot execute printing as immediately as requested in some cases.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, according to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus has a plurality of operation modes including a normal mode and a power saving mode in which power consumption is less than that in the normal mode and includes a processor. The processor is configured to: acquire information of unexecuted print jobs via a communication interface; transition the apparatus to the power saving mode after a preset standby time elapses after a completion of a print job by the apparatus if an unexecuted print job in the unexecuted print jobs satisfies predetermined conditions that indicate that the unexecuted print job can be executed on the apparatus; and transition the apparatus to the power saving mode after a standby time shorter than the preset standby time is elapsed after the completion of the print job if none of the unexecuted print jobs satisfies the predetermined conditions.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1depicts an overall configuration example of an image forming apparatus100according to a first embodiment. The image forming apparatus100is, for example, a multi-function peripheral. The image forming apparatus100includes a display110, a control panel120, a printer unit130, a sheet accommodation unit140, and an image reading unit200. The printer unit130in the image forming apparatus100may be an electrographic device that fixes a toner image or an ink jet device.

The image forming apparatus100forms an image on a sheet using a developer such as a toner. The sheet is, for example, paper or label paper. The sheet may be any material as long as the image forming apparatus100can form an image on a surface thereof.

The display110is an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display110displays various types of information related to the image forming apparatus100.

The control panel120includes a plurality of buttons. The control panel120receives the input operation of a user. The control panel120outputs a signal corresponding to the input from the user to a control unit of the image forming apparatus100. The display110and the control panel120may be configured to be integrated into a touch panel.

The printer unit130forms an image on the sheet based on image information generated by the image reading unit200or image information received through a communication path. The printer unit130forms an image through, for example, the following process. The printer unit130forms an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductive drum based on the image information. The printer unit130applies the developer to the electrostatic latent image to form a visible image thereon. A specific example of the developer is toner. The printer unit130transfers the visible image to the sheet. The printer unit130applies heat and pressure to the sheet to fix the visible image to the sheet. The sheet on which the image is formed may be a sheet accommodated in the sheet accommodation unit140or a sheet that is manually fed.

The sheet accommodation unit140accommodates the sheet used for forming the image in the printer unit130.

The image reading unit200reads image information of a reading target in the form of brightness of light. The image reading unit200records the read image information. The recorded image information may be transmitted to another information processing apparatus through a network. The recorded image information may be formed as an image on the sheet by the printer unit130.

FIG. 2is a system configuration diagram illustrating a system configuration of an image forming system1according to the first embodiment. The image forming system1is provided in a network500. The image forming system1includes an image forming apparatus100a, an image forming apparatus100b, an image forming apparatus100c, an image forming apparatus100d, an information processing apparatus300, and a print server400that are communicatably connected to each other through the network500. For example, the network500may be an intranet such as a local area network (LAN). Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish the image forming apparatuses (100a,100b,100c,100d) from each other, the image forming apparatuses will be simply referred to as “image forming apparatus100”.

The information processing apparatus300transmits a print job to the print server400. The information processing apparatus300is an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet computer. The print job includes information relating to an image for executing printing. The print job may include identification information representing a user who transmits the print job. The identification information is information that does not overlap identification information of another user. For example, the identification information may be any information as long as it is information such as a character string including numbers and alphabets. The print job may further include print setting information representing a setting for executing printing on a sheet. For example, the print setting information may be any information as long as it is information relating to a print setting such as monochrome printing, color printing, decolorable printing, duplex printing, collective printing, or stapling.

The print server400is an information processing apparatus such as a server or a personal computer. The print server400stores/records the received print job in a storage device. The print server400transmits the recorded print job to the image forming apparatus100in response to a request from the image forming apparatus100.

FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus100according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus100includes the display110, the control panel120, the printer unit130, the sheet accommodation unit140, a processor151, a memory152, a storage device153, an external interface154, and the image reading unit200. Since the display110, the control panel120, the printer unit130, the sheet accommodation unit140, and the image reading unit200are described above, repeated descriptions thereof will be omitted. The processor151, the memory152, the storage device153, and the external interface154will be described. The respective functional units are connected to each other through a system bus160capable of data communication.

The processor151controls the operation of each of the functional units of the image forming apparatus100. The processor151loads a software program stored in the storage device153to the memory152and executes the software program to execute the process. Here, an example of a specific processing of the processor151according a software program will be described. The processor151can control the image forming apparatus100to transition to any one of a plurality of operation modes including a power saving mode and a normal mode. In the normal mode, a predetermined electric power is supplied to equipment included in the respective image forming apparatus100. In the power saving mode, power consumption is lower than that in the normal mode. When one or more unexecuted print jobs among print jobs capable of being acquired through the network500satisfy predetermined conditions indicating that a print job can be executed by the image forming apparatus100, the processor151controls the image forming apparatus100to transition to the power saving mode only after a preset period of standby time is elapsed after completion of a job to be executed by the image forming apparatus100. The standby time refers to a period of time image forming apparatus100waits before transition to the power saving mode. When none of the unexecuted print jobs satisfy the conditions indicating that a print job can be executed by the image forming apparatus100, the processor151controls the image forming apparatus100to transition to the power saving mode after a shorter period of time than the preset standby time that would have to elapse after the completion of a designated print job. Specifically, when a user logs out, the processor151acquires, from the print server400, the user's identification information that was included in the print job(s) recorded in the print server400. When the acquired identification information identifies a user who has a previous record of using the particular image forming apparatus100(i.e., the image forming apparatus including the presently executing processor151), the processor151controls the image forming apparatus100to transition to the power saving mode after a predetermined period of standby time (for example, 15 minutes) is elapsed after the completion of the print job. When the acquired identification information does not include identification information of a user with a previous record of using the particular image forming apparatus100, the processor151controls the image forming apparatus100to transition to the power saving mode after a shorter period of time (for example, 0 to 5 minutes), which is less than the standby time would be elapsed otherwise.

The memory152temporarily stores data used by each of the functional units included in the image forming apparatus100. The memory152is, for example, a random access memory (RAM). The memory152may store digital data generated by the image reading unit200. The memory152may temporarily store identification information received through the control panel120, a print job, and/or an elapsed time required to transition to the power saving mode.

The storage device153is, for example, a hard disk or a solid state drive (SSD) and stores various data. Various data is, for example, a history information table. The history information table is a table in which identification information of users who have a record of executing printing on the image forming apparatus100is recorded.

FIG. 6is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a history information table according to the first embodiment. The history information table includes history information records. The history information record has an entry for identification information. The identification information represents a user who has a record of executing printing on image forming apparatus100. The identification information stored in the history information record is one aspect of the second identification information.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 6, the uppermost history information record in the history information table has an identification information value of “UserA”. Accordingly, it can be understood from the uppermost record in the history information table that the user represented by the identification information “UserA” is a user who has a record of executing printing on the image forming apparatus100. The history information table illustrated inFIG. 6is merely one specific example. Therefore, the history information table may be configured in an aspect different from that ofFIG. 6. For example, the history information table may include a column indicating a time and date at which the history information record is to be deleted.

Returning toFIG. 3, the description will be continued. The external interface154transmits and receives data to and from another apparatus. Here, another apparatus refers to an apparatus such as another image forming apparatus100, the information processing apparatus300, or the print server400. The external interface154operates as an input interface and receives data or an instruction transmitted from another apparatus. Examples of the instruction transmitted from another apparatus include a print execution instruction and an image information storage instruction. In addition, the external interface154operates as an output interface and transmits data to another apparatus.

FIG. 4is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus300according to the first embodiment. The information processing apparatus300includes a processor301, a memory302, a storage device303, an external interface304, an operation unit305, and a display306. The respective functional units are connected to each other through the system bus160to be capable of data communication.

The processor301controls the operation of each of the functional units of the information processing apparatus300. The processor301loads a software program stored in the storage device303to the memory302and executes the software program to execute the process. Here, an example of a specific process of the processor301will be described. The processor301receives a print job from a user through the operation unit305. The processor301transmits the received print job to the print server400.

The memory302temporarily stores data used in each of the functional units included in the information processing apparatus300. The memory302is, for example, a RAM. The memory302may store digital data representing an image as a print target.

The storage device303is, for example, a hard disk or an SSD and stores various data. The various data is, for example, a software program or a printer driver of a image forming apparatus100.

The external interface304transmits and receives data to and from another apparatus. Here, another apparatus refers to an apparatus such as an image forming apparatus100or the print server400. The external interface304operates as an input interface and receives data or an instruction transmitted from another apparatus. Examples of the instruction transmitted from another apparatus include a print completion instruction. In addition, the external interface304operates as an output interface and transmits data to another apparatus.

The operation unit305is an input device such as a touch panel, a mouse, or a keyboard. In some contexts, the operation unit305may be an interface for connecting an input device to the information processing apparatus300rather than the input device itself. In this case, the operation unit305generates input data (for example, instruction information representing an instruction for the information processing apparatus300) from an input signal received from the input device and sends the generated input data to the information processing apparatus300.

The display306is an output device such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, a liquid crystal display, or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display306may be an interface for connecting the output device to the information processing apparatus300. In this case, the display306generates a video signal from video data and outputs the video signal to a video output device connected to the display306.

FIG. 5is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the print server400according to the first embodiment. The print server400includes a processor401, a memory402, a storage device403, and an external interface404. The respective functional units are connected to each other through a system bus405to be capable of data communication.

The processor401controls the operation of each of the functional units of the print server400. The processor401loads a software program stored in the storage device403to the memory402and executes the software program to execute the process. Here, an example of a specific process of the processor401will be described. The processor401receives a print job from the information processing apparatus300. The processor401records the received print job in the storage device403.

The memory402temporarily stores data used in each of the functional units included in the print server400. The memory402is, for example, a RAM. The memory402may temporarily store a packet as a transmission target.

The storage device403is, for example, a hard disk or an SSD and stores various data. The various data is, for example, a print job or a print job table. The print job table is a table in which identification information included in print jobs that are not yet executed is recorded. The identification information included in the print job table is one aspect of the first identification information. The first identification information represents a user who transmits a print job. The print job table will be described with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 7is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a print job table according to the first embodiment at a first time. The print job table includes print job records. The print job record has an entry for each print job. The print job includes identification information representing a user who transmits the print job.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 7, the uppermost print job record in the print job table has a print job value of “UserA”. Accordingly, it can be understood from the uppermost record in the print job table that the user represented by “UserA” transmitted the print job. In addition, it can be understood that the print job has not yet printed at the first time.

FIG. 8is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a print job table according to the first embodiment at a second time. In the example illustrated inFIG. 8, the uppermost print job record in the print job table has a print job value of “UserK”. Accordingly, it can be understood from the uppermost record in the print job table that the user represented by “UserK” transmitted the print job. In addition, it can be understood that this print job is not yet printed at the second time.

The print job table illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8are merely examples. Therefore, the print job table may be configured in an aspect different from that ofFIGS. 7 and 8. For example, the print job table may include a column indicating print setting information.

Returning toFIG. 5, the description will be continued. The external interface404transmits and receives data to and from another apparatus. Here, another apparatus refers to an apparatus such as an image forming apparatus100or the information processing apparatus300. The external interface404operates as an input interface and receives data or an instruction transmitted from another apparatus. Examples of the instruction transmitted from another apparatus or the data transmitted from the other apparatus include a print job. In addition, the external interface404operates as an output interface and transmits data to another apparatus.

FIGS. 9 and 10are sequence diagrams illustrating a process flow of a transition to the power saving mode of the image forming system1according to the first embodiment. The processor301transmits a print job to the print server400(ACT101). Specifically, the processor301receives a print instruction from a user through the operation unit305. The processor301generates a print job based on the print instruction. The print job includes information relating to an image for printing and identification information of the user. The processor401of the print server400records the received print job in the storage device (ACT102). Specifically, the processor401records the print job in the storage device403. The processor401records the identification information included in the print job in the print job table.

The processor151of the image forming apparatus100executes an authentication process of the user (ACT103). Specifically, the processor151of the image forming apparatus100receives identification information input through the control panel120. The processor151determines whether or not the identification information is authentic. The processor151may determine whether or not the identification information is authentic by determining whether or not the received identification information is included in a list of identification information for the authentication process which is recorded in advance. The identification information for the authentication process may be recorded in the storage device153of the image forming apparatus100or may be recorded in the storage device403of the print server400.

The processor151determines whether or not the authentication process is successful (ACT104). When the authentication process is not successful (ACT104: NO), the processor151ends the process (ACT105). Specifically, when the received identification information is not included in the list of identification information for the authentication process, the processor151determines that the authentication process is not successful. When the authentication process is successful (ACT104: YES), the processor151transmits the received identification information to the print server400(ACT106). Specifically, when the received identification information is included in the list of identification information for the authentication process, the processor151determines that the authentication process is successful.

The processor401of the print server400acquires a print job (ACT107). Specifically, the processor401acquires a print job including the received identification information from the storage device403. The processor401transmits the acquired print job to the image forming apparatus100(ACT108).

The processor151of the image forming apparatus100executes a printing process based on the print job (ACT109). Specifically, the processor151controls the printer unit130to form an image included in the print job on the sheet. The processor151causes the sheet on which the image is formed to be discharged to a paper discharge tray of the image forming apparatus100. The processor151transmits a print completion notification to the print server400(ACT110). The print completion notification refers to a notification indicating that the print job transmitted from the print server400is executed. The print completion notification includes identification information included in the print job.

The processor401deletes the identification information from the print job table (ACT111). Specifically, when the print completion notification is received, the processor401acquires the print job table from the storage device403. The processor401deletes the identification information included in the print completion notification from the print job table. The processor401deletes the print job that includes the identification information included in the print completion notification from the storage device403. The processor401records the print job table from which the identification information is deleted in the storage device403.

The processor151executes a log-out process (ACT112). Specifically, when a predetermined period of time is elapsed without receiving any input operation after receiving the print completion notification, the processor151executes the log-out process. The log-out process is a process of canceling the previous authentication of the user. The processor151may also explicitly receive an instruction for the log-out process from the user through the control panel120.

The processor151records the identification information in the history information table (ACT113). Specifically, the processor151acquires the history information table from the storage device153. The processor151records the identification information received through the control panel120during the authentication process, in the history information table. The processor151records the history information table in the storage device153.

The processor151requests the print server400for identification information (ACT114). Specifically, the processor151requests the print server400for identification information included in print jobs that are not yet executed. The processor401then acquires the identification information (ACT115). Specifically, the processor401acquires the print job table recorded in the storage device403. The processor401acquires all the identification information included in the print job table. The processor401transmits the acquired identification information to the image forming apparatus100(ACT116).

The processor151searches for whether or not the received identification information includes the identification information which is included in the history information table (ACT117). Specifically, the processor151acquires the history information table recorded in the storage device403. The processor151acquires identification information from the history information table. The processor151searches for whether or not the acquired identification information as a search target is included in the identification information received from the print server400.

When the identification information received from the print server400includes the identification information as a search target (ACT118: YES), the processor151waits for a predetermined period of time before transitioning to the power saving mode (ACT119). Specifically, the processor151controls the image forming apparatus100to wait for a predetermined period of time in a state where the supply of electric power is continued. When the identification information received from the print server400does not include the identification information as a search target (ACT118: NO), the processor151transitions the image forming apparatus100to the power saving mode (ACT120). The processor151may proceed to ACT120immediately (standby time: zero) or may proceed to ACT120after waiting for a shorter period of time than the predetermined period of time in ACT119.

In the image forming apparatus100having the above-described configuration, the processor151executes the log-out process after executing the printing process. After executing the log-out process, the processor151acquires the identification information recorded in the print job table from the print server400. The processor151searches for whether or not the acquired identification information includes the identification information recorded in the history information table. When the identification information received from the print server400includes the relevant (the just logged out user's) identification information, the processor151controls the image forming apparatus100to wait in the normal mode for a predetermined period of time and then to transition to the power saving mode. When the identification information received from the print server400does not include the relevant identification information, the processor151controls the image forming apparatus100to transition to the power saving mode immediately. The processor151adjusts the timing at which the image forming apparatus100transitions the image forming apparatus100to the power saving mode and, therefore, the power saving and usability of the image forming apparatus100can be optimized.

The processor151of the image forming apparatus100may be configured such that identification information is acquired directly from a communication apparatus belonging to a user. The communication apparatus may be an information processing apparatus such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a wearable computer. The communication apparatus transmits the identification information corresponding to the user using the image forming apparatus100through a near field communication using a beacon or the like. The identification information transmitted from the communication apparatus is one aspect of the second identification information. The second identification information corresponds to a user who has the possibility of using the image forming apparatus100. The processor151may be configured to determine the timing at which the image forming apparatus100will transition to the power saving mode using the acquired identification information to vary the timing accordingly. The processor151stores the identification information acquired from the communication apparatus only for a predetermined period of time. After executing a log-out process, the processor151acquires the identification information recorded in the print job table from the print server400. The processor151searches for whether or not the identification information acquired from the print server400includes the identification information acquired from the communication apparatus. The processor151adjusts the timing to transition to the power saving mode according to the search result. With the above-described configuration, when a user of a print job is present in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus100, the processor151controls the image forming apparatus100not to transition to the power saving mode immediately. When the user is not present in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus100, the processor151controls the image forming apparatus100to transition to the power saving mode immediately. As a result, the power saving and the usability can be optimized. After a predetermined period of time is elapsed, the processor151disposes of the acquired identification information.

The storage device153of the image forming apparatus100may be configured to record a plurality of predetermined identification information. The predetermined identification information may be determined by an administrator or the like of the image forming apparatus100. The predetermined identification information is one aspect of the second identification information. The processor151may be configured to determine the timing at which the image forming apparatus100transitions to the power saving mode using this predetermined identification information to adjust accordingly. Specifically, after executing the log-out process, the processor151acquires the identification information recorded in the print job table from the print server400. After executing the log-out process, the processor151acquires the plurality of predetermined identification information from the storage device153. The processor151searches for whether or not the plurality of predetermined identification information includes the identification information acquired from the print server400. The processor151adjusts the timing to transition to the power saving mode according to the search result, thereby optimizing the power saving and the usability of the image forming apparatus100. In addition, the administrator or the like determines the predetermined identification information and thus, a user who does not want to wait for printing can print without waiting for a period of time required for waking up from the power saving mode.

The history information table of the image forming apparatus100may include a column indicating the frequency of printing executed by a user represented by the identification information. The frequency may be the number of times that a print job is executed by a user represented by identification information within some predetermined period of time. The processor151may be configured to adjust the time to transition to the power saving mode based on the print job table and the frequency. Specifically, after executing the log-out process, the processor151acquires the identification information recorded in the print job table from the print server400. After executing the log-out process, the processor151acquires identification information of a history information record having a higher frequency than a predetermined threshold from the history information table. The identification information of the history information record having a higher frequency than the predetermined threshold is one aspect of the second identification information. The processor151searches for whether or not the acquired identification information includes the identification information acquired from the history information table. The processor151adjusts the timing to transition to the power saving mode according to the search result, thereby optimizing the power saving and the usability of the image forming apparatus100.

When the print job table includes a column for print setting information, the processor151may be configured to adjust the timing to transition to the power saving mode based on the print setting information and the functions included in the image forming apparatus100. Specifically, after executing the log-out process, the processor151acquires the print setting information recorded in the print job table from the print server400. Examples of the print setting information include color or monochrome and simplex printing or duplex printing. The processor151determines whether or not the acquired print setting information can be printed using the functions included in the image forming apparatus100. When the acquired print setting information can be printed using the functions included in the image forming apparatus100, the processor151waits for a predetermined period of time and then to transition to the power saving mode. When the acquired print setting information cannot be printed using the particular functions included in the image forming apparatus100, the processor151transitions the image forming apparatus100to the power saving mode immediately. The processor151adjusts the timing to transition to the power saving mode, thereby optimizing the power saving and the usability of the image forming apparatus100.

Second Embodiment

Next, the image forming system1according to a second embodiment will be described. The image forming system1according to the second embodiment is different from that according to the first embodiment in that a print server400is not provided; however, the other aspects are the same. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described.

In the image forming system1according to the second embodiment, the image forming apparatus100receives a print job. The storage device153of the image forming apparatus100stores the received print job. The storage device153stores various data such as a print job and/or a print job table. The print job or the print job table stored in the storage device153is the same as the data stored in the storage device403of the print server400.

FIG. 11is a flowchart illustrating a process flow of a transition to the power saving mode of the image forming system1according to the second embodiment. The flowchart is executed when a print job is received from the information processing apparatus300. Since ACTs103,104,109,119, and120inFIG. 11are the same as those of the first embodiment, repeated descriptions thereof will be omitted. The processor151of the image forming apparatus100receives the print job transmitted from the information processing apparatus300(ACT201). The print job includes information relating to an image for printing and identification information of a user. The processor151records the print job in the storage device153(ACT202). Specifically, the processor151records the print job in the storage device153. The processor153records the identification information included in the print job in the print job table. When the authentication process is successful in ACT104(ACT104: YES), the processor151acquires the print job (ACT203). Specifically, the processor151acquires the print job including the identification information, which is received from the storage device153by the authentication process.

The processor151deletes the identification information from the print job table (ACT204). Specifically, when the printing process is completed, the processor151acquires the print job table from the storage device153. The processor151deletes the identification information included in the print job from the print job table. The processor151deletes the print job for which the printing process is executed from the storage device153. The processor151records the print job table from which the identification information is deleted in the storage device153.

The processor151executes a log-out process (ACT205). Specifically, when a predetermined period of time is elapsed without receiving any operations after completion of the printing process, the processor151executes the log-out process. The processor151may explicitly receive an instruction of the log-out process from the user through the control panel120.

The processor151determines whether or not the print job is stored in the storage device153(ACT206). When the print job is stored in the storage device153(ACT206: YES), the processor151proceeds to ACT119. When the print job is not stored in the storage device153(ACT206: NO), the processor151transitions the image forming apparatus100to the power saving mode (ACT120). The processor151may proceed to ACT120immediately (standby time: zero) or may proceed to ACT120after waiting for a shorter period of time than the predetermined period of time in ACT119.

In the second embodiment, the processor151changes the period of time to transition to the power saving mode depending on whether or not a print job is stored in the storage device153when a user logs out. The processor151may instead be configured to change the period of time to transition to the power saving mode depending on whether or not a print job is stored in the storage device153when the printing process is completed.

In the image forming apparatus100, even when the system configuration does not include a print server400, the processor151can still adjust the time to transition to the power saving mode, and the power saving and the usability of the image forming apparatus100can be optimized.

In the first embodiment, the image forming system1is described as including a print server400. However, the image forming system1may be configured not to include a separate print server400. In this case, any one of a plurality of image forming apparatuses100may include the function of a print server400, or a plurality of image forming apparatuses100may be configured to share the function of the print server400.

In an embodiment, the processor151is configured to determine the time to transition to the power saving mode from when the log-out process is executed, but this determination may not necessarily be after the log-out process occurs. In some embodiments, processor151may determine the time to transition to the power saving mode after any predetermined process is executed, for example, after a printing process is executed, after an image reading process is executed, or after a FAX is received.

In the above-described embodiments, the time to transition to the power saving mode is determined by the processor151, but in other embodiments the time is not necessarily determined by the processor151itself. For example, the processor401of the print server400may be configured to set the time to transition to the power saving mode and to transmit the setting to the processor151. In this case, the processor151controls the image forming apparatus100to transition to the power saving mode based on the setting received from the print server400.

The print server400may be implemented using a plurality of information processing apparatuses that are communicably connected to each other through the network500. In this case, the print server400may be implemented in a state where the respective functional units included in the print server400are distributed to the plurality of information processing apparatuses. For example, the storage device403and the processor401may be mounted on different information processing apparatuses, respectively.