Data processing apparatus and data processing method

A data processing system includes a wireless terminal and first and second data processing apparatuses. The first data processing apparatus, responsive to receiving from the wireless terminal data including identification information identifying the second data processing apparatus, sends to the second data processing apparatus a shift signal for shifting the second data processing apparatus from a power saving mode incapable of receiving wireless communication data to a standby mode capable of receiving wireless communication data. Further, the second data processing apparatus shifts from the power saving mode to the standby mode responsive to receiving the shift signal from the first data processing apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus and a data processing method.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, an image forming apparatus, such as a printer or a multifunction peripheral, is provided with a function to shift to a power saving mode, which is low in power consumption, in order to reduce power consumed by the apparatus when the apparatus is not in use during a predetermined period of time. In the power saving mode, the image forming apparatus either stops a power supply to a heat fixing device, which is a main power consuming source, or lowers the temperature of the heat fixing device to a predetermined temperature.

In contrast to this, in recent years, a product realizing power consumption reduction of the heat fixing device itself, such as represented by an on-demand heat fixing device, has been developed, and thus, power consumption reduction of the image formatting apparatus has been advancing.

However, the power consumption of an image forming apparatus is not simply limited to the heat fixing device. Recent image forming apparatuses are mounted with system ASICs (application specific integrated circuits) and other numerous electronic parts in order to perform image processing and system control in the image forming apparatus, and as a result, the power consumed by these electronic parts has increased. Furthermore, because of the speeding up of rasterization of PDL (page description language) data, operating clock frequencies of an image processing ASIC and a CPU are becoming high, and the power consumption tends to further increase. Thus, although some advancements in electronics are beneficial for increasing processing speeds, in many circumstances, the tradeoff is increased power consumption.

Under such circumstances, in the power saving mode, an image forming apparatus is required to perform control to reduce the power supply to electronic parts. Hence, to realize the power consumption reduction, an information technology device adopting a method of supplying power to only a portion which detects the incoming of data in the power saving mode has been developed as represented by a Wake On LAN function of wired LAN (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-324071).

Such an information technology device performs the power supply to hardware configuring the device upon reception of a packet matching the condition of Wake On LAN from a host computer and the like, thereby waking up the hardware. In the information technology device equipped with the Wake On LAN function, an incoming detecting portion for detecting whether a wake on packet has been received from the host computer is required to be supplied with power in the power saving mode. The power consumption in this case is lower compared to the ordinary operation. Consequently, this is an effective method to realize the power consumption reduction for the whole of an information technology device. In the information technology device introducing such function, it is possible to allow a remote printer or network multifunction peripheral to shift from the power saving mode to a standby mode through the wired LAN.

Further, in recent years, a mobile information technology device, such as a notebook personal computer and the like, corresponding to a wireless LAN using a wireless technology in replacement of the wired LAN has been developed. By appearance of the information technology device sufficiently giving a full play to cordless user-friendliness, ubiquitous environment is being constructed in home and offices. Even in the case of a printer or a multifunction peripheral, which is an image forming apparatus, product development corresponding to the wireless LAN is being aggressively conducted. However, in the case of a network multifunction peripheral or the like which is fixedly installed at a predetermined location of the office as against a mobile information technology device which is freely movable, there still exists a need in terms of enabling communications either by wired or wireless network in order to give versatility to the network connection function.

However, an image forming apparatus which corresponds to both wired and wireless network interfaces is always in search of a link destination of wireless communication in order to establish a network connection with the wireless equipment existing in the distance within a predetermined range. Therefore, it is necessary to supply power to the wireless network interface even in the power saving mode. In this case, the consumption power of the image forming apparatus is presumed to increase due to the communication connection with the wireless equipment.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a data processing apparatus and a data processing method directed to realizing power consumption reduction and maintaining user-friendliness in a data processing system configured by a plurality of data processing apparatuses having both wired and wireless network connection functions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above described disadvantages affiliated with the aforementioned conventional approaches. And in particular, the present invention is directed to realizing power consumption reduction and maintaining user-friendliness in a data processing system configured by a plurality of data processing apparatuses having both wired and wireless network connection functions.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a data processing system is provided which includes a first and second data processing apparatuses on communication via wired network, the first and second data processing apparatuses both also being configured to receive wireless communication data sent from a wireless terminal. The data processing system includes the first data processing apparatus including, a first wireless communication unit configured to receive from the wireless terminal a shift signal for shifting the second data processing apparatus from a first status incapable of receiving the wireless communication data to a second status capable of receiving the wireless communication data; and a first wired communication unit configured to, responsive to the first wireless communication unit receiving the shift signal, send the shift signal for shifting the second data processing apparatus from the first status to the second status to the second data processing apparatus via the wired network; and the second data processing apparatus including, a second wireless communication unit configured to receive wireless communication data from the wireless terminal; a second wired communication unit configured to receive the shift signal sent by the first wired communication unit from the first data processing apparatus via the wired network; and a status shift unit configured to, responsive to the second wired communication unit receiving the shift signal, shift the second data processing apparatus from the first status to the second status.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing apparatus configured to be in communication with a second data processing apparatus via a wired network, comprising a first wireless communication unit configured to receive from a wireless terminal a shift signal for shifting the second data processing apparatus from a first status incapable of receiving wireless communication data to a second status capable of receiving the wireless communication data, and a first wired communication unit configured to, responsive to the first wireless communication unit receiving the shift signal, send the shift signal for shifting the second data processing apparatus from the first status to the second status to the second data processing apparatus via the wired network.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing method for a data processing system including a wireless terminal, a first data processing apparatus, and a second data processing apparatus, the data processing method including, responsive to the first data processing apparatus receiving from the wireless terminal data including identification information for identifying the second data processing apparatus, sending from the first data processing apparatus to the second data processing apparatus a shift signal for shifting the second data processing apparatus from a first status incapable of receiving wireless communication data to a second status capable of receiving the wireless communication data, and, responsive to the second data processing apparatus receiving the shift signal from the first data processing apparatus, shifting the second data processing apparatus from the first status to the second status.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Numerous exemplary embodiments, features and aspects of the present invention will now be herein described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1shows an example of an image forming system configured by a plurality of image forming apparatuses corresponding to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral101denotes a wireless terminal. The wireless terminal101includes, for example, a lap top type personal computer101aor a portable type personal information terminal101b. The aforementioned devices are considered examples, and it is noted that various other types of devices with information processing terminals and of which utilize wireless communication functions may also be considered a wireless terminal. Reference numerals102and103denote image forming apparatuses, which, for example, correspond to multifunction peripherals such as a laser printer, an ink jet printer or a multifunction peripheral having a printer function, facsimile function, copy function and the like.

FIG. 1shows a case where the image forming system is configured by two image forming apparatuses. However, the configuration of the system is not limited to this pattern, and the image forming system configured by two or more image forming apparatuses can be also applied to the present invention. Reference numeral104denotes a wired LAN (for example, conforming to the standard of Ethernet (registered trademark)), and reference numeral105denotes a wireless LAN (for example, conforming to the standard of IEEE802.11 system). Here, the wireless terminal101can perform communications through the wireless LAN105, and both of the image forming apparatuses102and103have a connecting function of the wired LAN104and the wireless LAN105, and can perform wired communications and wireless communications.

In the image forming system shown inFIG. 1, the wireless terminal101can perform communications in an ad hoc mode (a mode in which wireless terminals directly perform data communication with each other) through the wireless LAN105. Further, the image forming system shown inFIG. 1can execute processings such as a print out, facsimile sending, and the like by using the image forming apparatuses102and103.

InFIG. 1, the image forming apparatus102is in a state (standby mode) in which the apparatus is activated and normally operated. The image forming apparatus103has only a part of the configuration of the apparatus supplied with power, and is in a state in which it is not activated as a whole and nor is it normally operated (power saving mode).

More specifically, the image forming apparatus103is in the power saving mode, in which power is supplied only to a packet incoming detecting unit inside the apparatus, and a packet can be received through the wired LAN104. On the contrary, a receiving unit for performing reception through the wireless LAN105is not supplied with power, and in this manner, the power consumption is reduced. Consequently, the image forming apparatus103cannot directly send and receive data with the wireless terminal101.

That is, in the standby mode, power is supplied at least to a wired communication unit and a wireless communication unit for performing communications through the wired LAN104and the wireless LAN105. In the power saving mode, power is supplied to the wired communication unit for performing communications through the wired LAN104, but power is not supplied to the wireless communication unit for performing communications through the wireless LAN105.

Hence, in the present embodiment, the wireless terminal101, first, accesses the image forming apparatus102, which is normally operating in the standby mode, through the wireless LAN105, and notifies the image forming apparatus102that processing is to be performed in the image forming apparatus103(step (1)). The image forming apparatus102, according to this notice, sends a wake on packet to the image formatting apparatus103through the wired LAN104(step (2)). Here, the wake on packet is packet data for performing a notification to shift an image forming apparatus from the power saving mode to the standby mode. In this manner, the image forming apparatus103returns to the standby mode, and therefore, the wireless terminal101can perform sending and receiving of print data with the image forming apparatus103through the wireless LAN105(step (3)).

Thus, in the system corresponding to the embodiment such as that shownFIG. 1, in the environment where two or more image forming apparatuses are connected on the network, at least one image forming apparatus is configured to maintain a power mode capable of performing the wireless LAN communication.

<Exemplary Appearance of Image Forming Apparatus>

Next, an example of the appearances of the image forming apparatuses102and103(hereinafter referred to as “image forming apparatus102” for ease of explanation) corresponding to the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 2. A scanner10, which is an image input device, illuminates a document image by a document illuminating lamp, and reads the document image by a CCD line sensor, and converts it into electrical signals, thereby obtaining image data. A document sheet is set in a document feeder (automatic document feeding device)142, and the device user instructs a reading activation from the operating unit140, so that the document feeder142feeds the document one sheet by one sheet, thereby performing a reading operation of the document image.

A printer unit20, which is an image output device, is a unit for converting the image data into an image on a sheet, and in the present embodiment, the printer unit20will be described as a printer unit based on an electrophotographic system using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt. However, for the printer unit20, an ink jet system and the like, which directly print an image on a sheet by ejecting ink droplets from a fine nozzle array may be adopted. The activation of the printing operation is started by the instructions from a controller (to be described later) inside the apparatus. In the printer unit20, a plurality of paper feeding stages are provided so that different paper size or different aspect of the paper can be selected, and corresponding paper cassettes122,124,142, and144are provided. The sheet on which an image is formed is discharged onto a discharge tray132.

Next, an example of an inner configuration of the image forming apparatus102shown inFIG. 2will be described with reference to a sectional view shown inFIG. 3. In the scanner unit10ofFIG. 3, reference numeral901denotes a document board glass901, on which the document fed from the document feeder142is mounted in order at a predetermined position. Reference numeral902denotes a document illuminating lamp, for example, configured by a halogen lamp, and exposes the document mounted on the document board glass901. Reference numerals903,904, and905denote scanning mirrors, which are stored in an optical scanning unit (not shown), and while making reciprocating motions, guides reflecting light from the document to a CCD unit906. The CCD unit906is configured by an image forming lens907for image-forming reflected light from the document on a CCD (charge-coupled device), an image pickup device configured by a CCD image sensor, a CCD driver909for driving the image pick-up device908, and the like. An image signal output from the image pick-up device908, for example, after being converted into digital data of 8 bits, is input to a controller unit939. The controller unit939includes a microcomputer, an image processing unit, and the like, which are to be described later, and performs an image forming operation according to the instructions from the operating unit140receiving the operation from the user.

Next, in the printer unit20ofFIG. 3, reference numeral910denotes a photosensitive drum, which is removed from charge by a pre-exposure lamp912in preparation for an image formation. Reference numeral913denotes a primary charging device, which uniformly charges the photosensitive drum910. Reference numeral917denotes an exposing unit, which is, for example, configured by a semiconductor laser and the like, and exposes the photosensitive drum910based on the image data processed by the controller unit939performing control of the image formation and the whole apparatus, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photo sensitive drum910. Reference numeral918denotes a developing device, in which black developer (toner) is stored. Reference numeral919denotes a pre-transfer charging device, which is applied with a high voltage before transferring a toner image developed on the photosensitive drum910onto a sheet.

Reference numerals920,922,924,942, and944denote sheet feeding units (reference numeral920denotes a manual type sheet feeding unit), into which transfer sheets are fed by the driving of each of the feeding rollers921,923,925,943, and945, and stop once at an installed position of a registration roller926, and are fed out again in writing timing with the image formed on the photosensitive drum910. Reference numeral927denotes a transfer charging device, which transfers the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum910onto a transfer sheet to be fed out. Reference numeral928denotes a separating charging device, which separates a transfer sheet having completed a transfer operation from the photosensitive drum910. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum910without being transferred is recovered by a cleaner911. Reference numeral929denotes a conveying belt, which conveys a transfer sheet having completed a transferring process to a fixing device930. The fixing device930fixes a toner transferred on the transfer sheet, for example, by heat. Reference numeral931denotes a flapper, which controls a conveyance path of the transfer sheet having completed a fixing process to the installed direction of either a sorter932or an intermediate tray937.

Reference numerals933to936denote sheet feeding rollers, which convey the transfer sheet having completed the fixing process once to the intermediate tray937while turning (for multiple printing) or reversing (for two-sided printing) the sheet. Reference numeral938denotes a re-feeding roller, which conveys again the transfer sheet mounted on the intermediate tray937up to the installed position of the registration roller926.

Next, referring toFIG. 4, an example of the configuration of the controller unit939inFIG. 3will be described. The controller unit939connects to the scanner unit10, which is an image input device, and the printer unit20, which is an image output device. Further, the controller unit939connects to the wired LAN104and a wide area network (WAN)1251, thereby serving as a control unit for performing the input and output of image information or device information.

InFIG. 4, a CPU1201is a control unit for controlling the whole of the image forming apparatus102. A RAM1202is a work memory for allowing the CPU1201to operate, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. A ROM1203is a boot ROM, in which a boot program of the image forming apparatus102is stored.

An HDD1204is a hard disc drive, and stores system software, image data, a software counter value, and the like. The software counter value is provided with a counter region for each sheet size and a counter region for each data processing capacity. Based on the number of image output sheets and data volume processed by the CPU1201, a count-up is performed by calculating with an arbitrary standard volume value set in advance as a reference. The counter value may have its storage region not limited to the HDD1204, but also in an EEPROM and the like if it is capable of storing and retaining the value even when the power supply is cut off.

An operating unit I/F (interface)1206is an interface unit with an operating unit (UI: user interface)140, and outputs image data to be displayed in the operating unit140. Further, the operating unit I/F1206plays a role of sending information input by the user of the present system via the operating unit140to the CPU1201. A network unit1210connects to the wired LAN104, and performs the input and output of image data and information relating to equipment control. Further, responsive to the input operation in the operating unit140, the network unit1210receives output image data according to the input operation by the operating unit140from a host computer1100or an output image data management device (not shown) on the wired LAN104, and performs an image output. The network unit1210has a packet incoming detecting unit for detecting the incoming of a packet through the wired LAN104.

A wireless LAN1270is a wireless sending and receiving unit performing wireless communications with a wireless terminal101capable of performing the wireless LAN communication. A modem1250connects to the wide area network1251, and performs the input and output of information. A scanner and printer communication I/F (interface)1212is an interface for performing communications with the CPUs of the scanner10and the printer20. A raster image processor (RIP)1260rasterizes PDL (page description language) code into a bit map image. The above-described devices are disposed on a system bus1207.

A timer1211performs a time setting of the image forming apparatus102and the controller unit939and functions as a timer offering an interruption for every cycle of a predetermined period of time. An image bus I/F1205connects the system bus1207to an image bus2008for sending image data at high speed, and serves as a bus bridge for converting a data configuration. The image bus2008is configured by a PCI bus, an IEEE 1394 bus or the like.

On the image bus2008, the following devices are disposed. A device I/F (interface) unit1220connects the scanner unit10and the printer unit20to the controller939, and performs synchronous or asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner image processing unit1280performs a correction, process, and editing for input image data. A printer image processing unit1290performs a correction, resolution conversion, and the like for print output image data. An image rotating unit1230performs a rotation of image data. An image compressing unit1240performs a compression and decompression processing of JPEG for multi-valued image data and a compression and decompression processing of JBIG, MMR, or MH for binary image data.

A removable medium IF1208is an external interface capable of writing and reading to a removable medium1209such as an IC card, a CD-ROM, a mobile hard disk, and the like. The removable medium IF1208supports various types of media, including USB, PCMCIA, DVD drive, and the like.

In the present embodiment, when the image forming apparatus102is put into the power saving mode, power is supplied to at least the packet incoming detecting unit of the network unit1210and the RAM1202. This is because, usually, initialization data of a device is backed up by the RAM1202in order to speed up the return to the standby mode. Further, if the shift to the standby mode from the power saving mode is made possible based on the operation of the operating unit140, it is desirable to supply power also to the operating unit140.

Next, referring toFIG. 5, an example of the configuration of the scanner image processing unit1280inFIG. 4will be described. InFIG. 5, an image bus IF controller1381connects to the image bus2008so as to control its bus access sequence, and controls operation and timing of each device inside the scanner image processing unit1280. A filtering unit1382performs a convolution calculation using a spatial filter. An editing unit1383recognizes, for example, a closed region surrounded by a marker pen from input image data, and performs an image process processing such as shadowing, half-tone dot meshing, negative-positive reversal, and the like for image data inside the closed region.

A scaling unit1384performs an interpolation calculation regarding the main scanning direction of a raster image when resolution of a read image is changed, and performs enlarging or reducing of the image. The scaling in the sub-scanning direction is effected by changing the speed of scanning of an image reading line sensor (not shown). A table1385is used for a table conversion performed for converting image data which is read luminance data into density data. A binarizing unit1386binarizes multi-valued gray scale image data by an error diffusing processing or a screen processing. The image data having completed the processing is transferred again onto the image bus2008through the image bus controller1381.

<Exemplary Printer Image Processing Unit>

Next, referring toFIG. 6, an example of the configuration of the printer image processing unit1290inFIG. 4will be described. InFIG. 6, an image bus I/F controller1491connects to the image bus2008so as to control its bus access sequence, and controls operation and timing of each device inside the scanner image processing unit1280. A resolution converting unit1492performs a resolution conversion for converting image data acquired through the wired LAN104or the wide area network1251into a resolution for the printer unit20. A smoothing unit1493performs a processing for smoothing jaggies (crudeness of an image appearing in the black and white boundaries such as diagonal lines) of image data after the resolution conversion.

Next, referring toFIG. 7, an example of the configuration of the image compressing unit1240inFIG. 4will be described. InFIG. 7, an image bus I/F controller1541connects to the image bus2008so as to control its bus access sequence, and performs a timing control for exchanging data with an input buffer1542and an output buffer1545, and a control such as setting up a mode for an image compressing unit1543.

A setting of the image compression control is performed for the image bus I/F controller1541from the CPU1201through the image bus2008. By this setting, the image bus I/F controller1541performs a setting (for example, MMR compression, JBIG decompression, and the like) necessary for image compression for the image compressing unit1543. After performing the necessary setting, a permission of the sending of image data is issued to the image bus I/F controller1541from the CPU1201again.

According to this permission, the image bus I/F controller1541starts sending the image data from each device on the RAM1202or the image bus2008. The image data received by the image bus I/F controller1541is temporarily stored in the input buffer1542, and is then transferred at a constant speed according to an image data request from the image compressing unit1543. At this time, the input buffer1542determines whether the image data can be transferred between the image bus I/F controller1541and the image compressing unit1543. If the reading of the image data from the image bus2008and the writing of the image data to the image compressing unit1543are impossible, the input buffer1542performs a control not performing the transfer of the data (hereinafter, such control is referred to as a hand shake).

The image compressing unit1543temporarily stores the received image data in a RAM1544. This is because, when the compression is performed, data for several lines is required depending on the types of the image compressing processing to be performed, and in order to perform the compression for the initial one line, image data for several lines is required to be stored in advance. The image data subjected to the image compression is immediately sent to the output buffer1545. In the output buffer1545, a hand shake between the image bus I/F controller1541and the image compressing unit1543is performed, so that the image data is transferred to the image bus I/F controller1541.

In the image bus I/F controller1541, the transferred compressed (or decompressed) image data is transferred to the RAM1202or each device on the image bus2008. Such a series of processings is repeated until a processing request from the CPU1201is suspended (when the processing of a required number of pages is terminated) or a stop request from the image compressing unit1240is issued (when an error occurs during compressing or decompressing).

Next, referring toFIG. 8, an example of the configuration of the image rotating unit1230inFIG. 4will be described. An image bus I/F controller1631connects to the image bus2008so as to control its bus sequence, and performs control for setting a mode and the like in an image rotating unit1632and timing control for transferring image data to the image rotating unit1632.

A setting for controlling the image rotation is performed for the image bus I/F controller1631by the CPU1201via the image bus2008. By this setting, the image bus I/F controller1631performs a setting (for example, an image size, a rotational direction and angle, and the like) necessary for the image rotation for the image rotating unit1632. After the necessary setting, a permission of sending of image data is issued to the image bus I/F controller1631from the CPU1201again.

According to this permission, the image bus I/F controller1631starts sending image data from the RAM1202or each device on the image bus2008. Here, the imaged size to be rotated is made 32×32 (bits) as shown by reference numeral1701inFIG. 9, and when the image data is transferred onto the image bus2008, image transferring with 32 bits as a unit is performed (an image to be handled is supposed to be binary).

As described above, in order to obtain a 32×32 (bits) image, it is necessary to perform the above-described unit data transferring32times, and moreover, it is necessary to transfer the image data from discontinuous addresses (seeFIG. 9). The image data transferred by discontinuous addressing is written into a RAM1633in such a manner as to be rotated at a desired angle at the time of reading. For example, in the case of a 90 degree counterclockwise rotation, image data of 32 bits transferred first in the X direction is written in the Y direction, as shown inFIG. 10. When this image data is read out in the X direction at the time of reading, the image is rotated.

After the 32×32 (bits) image rotation (writing into the RAM1633) is completed, the image rotating unit1632reads the image data from the RAM1633by the above-described reading method, and transfers the image to an image bus I/F controller1631. The image bus I/F controller1631having received the image data subjected to the rotation processing transfers data to the RAM1202or each device on the image bus2008by continuous addressing.

Such a series of processings is repeated until a processing request from the CPU1201is suspended (when the processing of a required number of pages is completed).

Next, referring toFIG. 11, an example of the configuration of the device I/F1220inFIG. 4will be described. InFIG. 11, an image bus I/F controller1921connects to the image bus2008so as to control its bus access sequence, and controls operation and timing of each device inside the device I/F1220. The image bus I/F controller1921further generates a control signal to the scanner unit10and the printer unit20. A scan buffer1922temporarily stores the image data sent from the scanner unit10, and outputs the image data while allowing the image data to be synchronized with the image bus2008. A serial-parallel/parallel-serial converting unit1923serializes or disassembles the image data stored in the scan buffer1922so as to convert the image data into a data width available for transfer to the image bus2008.

A parallel-serial/serial-parallel converting unit1924disassembles or serializes the image data sent from the image bus2008so as to convert the image data into a data width available for storage in a print buffer1925. The print buffer1925temporarily stores the image data sent from the image bus2008, and outputs the image data while synchronizing the image data with the printer unit20.

An exemplary processing procedure at the time of image scanning will be described below. First, the image data sent from the scanner unit10is synchronized with the timing signal sent from the scanner unit10, and is stored in the scan buffer1922. If the image bus2008is a PCI bus, when the image data is stored more than 32 bits in the scan buffer1922, the image data is sent for 32 bits by the first-in first-out (FIFO) system from the scan buffer1922to the serial-parallel/parallel-serial converting unit1923. The serial-parallel/parallel-serial converting unit1923converts the image data into image data of 32 bits, and transfers the image data to the image bus2008through the image bus I/F controller1921. Further, if the image bus2008is an IEEE 1394 bus, image data stored in the scan buffer1922is sent from the scan buffer1922to the serial-parallel/parallel-serial converting unit1923by the FIFO system. Further, the serial-parallel/parallel-serial converting unit1923converts the image data into serial image data, and transfers the image data to the image bus2008through the image bus I/F controller1921.

Next, an exemplary processing procedure at the time of image printing will be described below. If the image bus2008is a PCI bus, the image data of 32 bits sent from the image bus2008is received by the image bus I/F controller1921, and is sent to the serial-parallel/parallel-serial converting unit1924. The serial-parallel/parallel-serial unit1924disassembles the image data into image data corresponding to the number of input data bits of the printer unit20, and stores the image data in the print buffer1925. Further, if the image bus2008is an IEEE 1394 bus, the serial image data sent from the image bus2008is received by the image bus I/F controller1921, and is sent to the parallel-serial/serial-parallel converting unit1924. The parallel-serial/serial-parallel converting unit1924converts the image data into image data corresponding to the number of input data bits of the printer unit20, and stores the image data in the printer buffer1925. The parallel-serial/serial-parallel converting unit1924synchronizes the image data with the timing signal sent from the printer unit20and sends the image data stored in the print buffer1925to the printer unit20by the FIFO system.

Next, an example of a configuration of the operating unit140shown inFIGS. 2,3, and4will be described with reference toFIG. 12. In the configuration of the operation unit140shown inFIG. 12, reference numeral2301denotes a liquid crystal operating panel, which is configured to be combined with a touch panel in the liquid crystal, and is capable of displaying a setting content, a soft key, and the like. Reference numeral2302denotes a start key, which is a hard key for starting and instructing a copy operation, and the like, and in which green and red LEDs are incorporated. The start key2302turns on green when the copy operation and the like can start, and turns on red when the copy operation and the like cannot start. Reference numeral2303denotes a stop key, which is a hard key used to stop the operation of the image formation apparatus102. Reference numeral2306denotes a group of hard keys, in which numeric keys, a clear key2305, a reset key2304, a guide key, and a user mode key are provided.

<Exemplary Liquid Crystal Panel Display During Copy Operation Mode>

Next, referring toFIG. 13, an example of a display status in the crystal liquid operating panel2301inFIG. 12will be described.FIG. 13shows a status in which an ordinal copy screen is displayed. InFIG. 13, reference numeral2411denotes a setting display unit, in which the current operating situation of a digital multifunction peripheral, a scaling factor setup, a type of sheet, and the number of copies are displayed. Reference numeral2412denotes a group of scaling factor soft keys, in which keys for direct size, enlarge, reduce, and zoom, which are soft keys regarding the scaling factor during copying, are provided. The direct size key is pressed when a copy scaling factor is made 100%. The reduce key and the enlarge key are pressed when the scaling up and scaling down to fixed sizes is performed. The zoom key is pressed when the scaling down and scaling up to unfixed sizes is made at increments of 1%.

Reference numeral2414denotes a sorter key, which is used when a processing method for output sheets is designated. Reference numeral2415denotes a two-sided copy key, which is used when two-sided printing is involved in the document or the output method. Reference numeral2416denotes a paper select key, which is used when shifting to a screen for designating a size, color, material and the like of the output sheet. Reference numeral2417denotes a group of density designating keys, which are used to adjust density of a read or output image and display the setting content. Reference numeral2418denotes an application mode key, which is used when shifting to an application mode screen.

FIG. 20shows an outline of an exemplary hardware configuration of the wireless terminal101. InFIG. 20, reference numeral2901denotes a CPU, which is a control unit for controlling the whole of the wireless terminal101. Reference numeral2902denotes a RAM, which is a work memory for allowing the CPU2901to operate. Reference numeral2903denotes a ROM, in which a boot program of the wireless terminal101is stored. Reference numeral2904denotes a hard disk drive (HDD), which stores system software, application data, and the like. Reference numeral2905denotes an operating unit, which is configured by a keyboard and a mouse, or a point pad, for accepting an instruction from the user of the wireless terminal101. Reference numeral2906denotes a display unit. Reference numeral2907denotes a wireless LAN interface, which is a communication unit for performing communications through the wireless LAN105. Further, reference numeral2908denotes a wired LAN interface, which is a communication unit for performing communications through the wired LAN104.

<Exemplary Flowchart Showing Transition of Power Supply Status>

Next, exemplary processing corresponding to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart ofFIG. 14which shows an example of the transition of the power supply status in the image forming apparatuses102and103.

As a prerequisite for the processing inFIG. 14, at least two image forming apparatuses are connected to the wired LAN104. For example, as shown inFIG. 15, a plurality of image forming apparatuses having IP addresses2501and host names2502allotted as MFP1to MFP5are connected to the wired LAN104, thereby configuring an image forming system. At this time, the power supply status of each image forming apparatus is shown in the column2503inFIG. 15. Hereinafter, in the flowchart ofFIG. 14, a description will be made on the case where processing is performed for an image forming apparatus of the host name MFP1. In the following description, the host name allotted to each apparatus will be used for each image forming apparatus.

Further,FIG. 15shows a power status management list corresponding to the present embodiment. This list stores information regarding the power supply status (standby more or power saving mode) of each image forming apparatus connected to the network in association with the IP addresses2501and the host names2502as information for identifying each image forming apparatus. This list is stored in the RAM1201or the HDD1204of the control unit939of the image forming apparatus. Further, in addition to this, as identification information, MAC addresses and the like may be registered. The image forming apparatus in the standby mode can recognize the power supply status of other apparatuses by referring to this list.

Now referringFIG. 14, first, MFP1is in an ordinary operating state, in which the power supply mode is the standby mode. At step S101, this standby mode is continued. Next, at step S102, polling is made as to whether power status transition information to be sent from other image forming apparatuses such as MPF2to MPF5is received. Here, the power status transition information is information for notifying another apparatus of the shifting power mode in association with the IP address, the host name, and the like of the apparatus. If the power status transition information is received at step S102(“YES” at step S102), the processing proceeds to step S103, where the power status management list shown inFIG. 15is updated.

For example, inFIG. 15, while MFP5is in the standby mode, if MFP5shifts to the power saving mode, the power status transition information is notified from MFP5to MFP1. In the MFP1, the power status management list ofFIG. 15is updated according to the received power status transition information, and the power status2503of MFP5is changed to the power saving mode.

Referring back toFIG. 14, next, when the updating at step S103is completed, at step S104, a completion notice of power status management list updating is sent to the sender of the power status transition information, and the processing returns to the standby mode at step S101. At step S102, if the power status transition information is not received (“NO” at step S102), the processing proceeds to step S105, where it is determined whether a trigger event for shifting to the power saving mode has occurred. Here, the trigger event to the power saving mode includes, for example, the case where the apparatus is not used even when a timer is set and the time set in advance elapses or the case where the power consumption reduction switch of the operation panel is operated. If the trigger event to the power saving mode has occurred (“YES” at step S105), the processing proceeds to step S106, where the power status management list owned by the apparatus itself is confirmed. On the other hand, if the trigger event to the power saving mode has not occurred (“NO” at step S105), the processing returns to step S101, where the standby mode is continued.

If it is determined as a result of having confirmed the power status management list at step S106that there exists an apparatus in the standby mode in addition to MFP1(“YES” at step S107), the processing proceeds to step S108. On the other hand, if it is determined that there exists no apparatus in the standby mode in addition to MFP1(“NO” at step S107), the processing returns to step S101, where the standby mode is continued. In the case ofFIG. 15, since MFP5is in the standby mode in addition to MFP1, if the trigger event to the power saving mode has occurred for MFP1, there is a possibility that MFP1shifts to the power saving mode.

Next, at step S108, the power status transition information to the effect that MFP1shifts to the power saving mode is sent to another apparatus (MFP5in the case ofFIG. 15) operating in the standby mode, whose existence has been confirmed at step S106and S107. Further, at step S109, it is determined whether the completion notice of power status management list updating is received from the apparatus to which the power status transition information has been sent. If the completion notice is received (“YES” at step S109), the processing proceeds to step S110, where MFP1shifts to the power saving mode. In the power saving mode, power is supplied to the packet incoming detecting unit of the network unit1210, the RAM1202, and the operating unit140shown inFIG. 4. On the other hand, if the completion notice is not received (“NO” at step S109), monitoring of the reception of the completion notice is continued.

After proceeding to the power saving mode at step S110, it is determined whether a trigger event for returning to the standby mode has occurred at step S111. With respect to the occurrence of the trigger event for returning to the standby mode, specifically, the network unit1201monitors receipt of a wake on packet through the wired LAN104, and further, the operating unit140monitors whether a return instruction from the user has been received. Consequently, if the power source switch of the operating unit140is operated by the user or if the wake on packet is received through the wired LAN104, the occurrence of the trigger event for returning to the standby mode is detected.

If the occurrence of the trigger event for returning to the standby mode has been detected (“YES” at step S111), the processing proceeds to step S112, where MFP1shifts to the standby mode. Subsequently, at step S113, the power status transition information notifying to the effect that MFP1has shifted from the power saving mode to the standby mode is sent to other apparatuses connected to the wired LAN104. Next, at step S114, in order to prepare an up-to-date power status management list at the point of time when MFP1has returned to the standby mode, a request for sending information is issued to other apparatuses on the wired LAN104. In response to this request, the power status management list is sent from any apparatus operating in the standby mode. Accordingly, at step S115, based on the most recent updated list from among the power status management lists, the power status management list of MFP1is updated.

In the determining process at step S107as described above, if no other image forming apparatuses in the standby mode exist, MFP1does not shift to the power saving mode. However, for example, MFP1may shift to the power saving mode while supplying power to the wireless sending and receiving unit1270.

<Exemplary Communication Processing Between Wireless Terminal and Image Forming Apparatus>

Next, the communication processing between the wireless terminal101and the image forming apparatus102will be described with reference to the flowchart ofFIG. 16when the image forming apparatus103in the power saving mode is caused to shift to the standby mode via the image forming apparatus102in the standby mode.

InFIG. 16, at step S201, the wireless terminal101displays a screen for selecting an image forming apparatus in the display of the wireless terminal101, and accepts the selection of an image forming apparatus by the user. At this time, for example, a screen2600as shown inFIG. 17is displayed in the display, and the selection of an image forming apparatus MFP1through MFP5(reference numerals2601through2605) to be used for processing is accepted. The image forming apparatus whose selection is accepted at step S201is referred to as a “selected apparatus1”.

InFIG. 17, a list of image forming apparatuses whose printer drivers are installed on the wireless terminal101is displayed. InFIG. 17, corresponding toFIG. 15, the wireless terminal101can use image forming apparatuses named MFP1to MFP5(reference numerals2601through2605). Among these apparatuses, the image forming apparatuses MFP1to the MFP4, which have been put into the power saving mode and are not capable of performing communications with the wireless terminal101through the wireless LAN105at this time, are displayed in gray out as shown inFIG. 17. On the other hand, the image forming apparatus MFP5, which is capable of performing communications with the wireless LAN105, is displayed as recognizable to be in the standby mode. Consequently, an image forming apparatus capable of accepting the selection at step S210is limited to MFP5. Further, in correspondence withFIG. 1, MFP5corresponds to the image forming apparatus102, and any one of MFP1to MFP4corresponds to the image forming apparatus103.

It is conceivable that a print driver corresponding to an image forming apparatus other than MFP1to MFP5is also installed on the wireless terminal101. In that case, the above-described power status management list is received from the image forming apparatus put in the standby mode, and the image forming apparatuses may be narrowed down to an image forming apparatus capable of sending a wake on packet through the wired LAN104.

Now referring back toFIG. 16, next, at step S202, in order to accept the selection of processing ordered to be executed for the selected image forming apparatus, a screen for selecting processing to be executed is displayed as shown inFIG. 18, and the selection of processing is accepted. InFIG. 18, a state in which MFP5has been selected is shown by the fact that the frame line2605of MFP5is displayed in bold stroke. At the lower portion of the screen2600, a print button2701and a wake on packet sending request button2702are shown as processing to accept the selection.

Next, at step S203, in the display ofFIG. 18, it is determined whether a print instruction has been accepted based on the operation of the print button2701. If the print instruction has been accepted (“YES” at step S203), the processing proceeds to step S207, where print data is sent to the image forming apparatus (selected apparatus1) selected at step S201through the wireless LAN105, so that printing is performed. After that, the processing terminates.

On the other hand, if the print instruction has not been accepted, that is, if the wake on packet sending request has been accepted (“NO” in state S203), the processing proceeds to step S204, where a screen such as that shown inFIG. 19is displayed, and the selection of an image forming apparatus which becomes the destination of a wake on packet (an image forming apparatus in the power saving mode) is accepted. Here, the image forming apparatus having accepted the selection is referred to as a “selected apparatus2”.

InFIG. 19, MFP5, which is the sender of a wake on packet, is displayed in gray out, and MFP1to MFP4, which have a possibility of being selected as the destination, are displayed as selectable. Further,FIG. 19shows the case where MFP1has been selected as shown in bold stroke by the frame line2601. When any one of the image forming apparatuses is selected, an execute button2801and a cancel button2802are displayed in the lower portion of the screen2600. The execute button2801is selected when a request is made for the selected apparatus1to send a wake on packet to the selected apparatus2. On the other hand, the cancel button2802is selected when the selection of MFP1is cancelled.

At step S205, according to the operation of the execute button2801, a request for sending a wake on packet to MFP1is sent to MFP5, which is the selected apparatus1. After that, the processing proceeds to step S206, the wireless terminal101monitors whether a notice indicating that MFP1has shifted to the standby mode has been received from MFP5.

On the other hand, at step S208, MFP5, which is the selected apparatus1, monitors whether the wake on packet sending request has been received from the wireless terminal101. If the wake on packet sending request has been received (“YES” at step S208), the processing proceeds to step S209. At step S209, first, MFP5extracts identification information (which, for example, may be a host name or a MAC address) on an image forming apparatus of the wake on packet sending destination, which is included in the wake on packet sending request. Further, based on the extracted identification information, MFP5identifies an image forming apparatus which becomes the sending destination of a wake on packet from the power status management list. Next, at step S210, MFP5extracts an IP address2501of the image forming apparatus (MFP1in the present embodiment) identified at step S209from the power status management list, and using the IP address2501, sends a wake on packet to MFP1through the wired LAN104.

MFP1, as described in relation to step S111of the flowchart ofFIG. 14, monitors the occurrence of the standby mode return event, and when receiving the wake on packet, shifts to the standby mode at steps S112. Then, MFP1sends the power status transition information to other image forming apparatuses at step S113.

Referring back toFIG. 16, at step S211, MFP5monitors reception of the power status transition information from MFP1, to which the wake on packet has been sent. If the power status transition information has not been received (“NO” at step S211), MFP5continues monitoring reception of the power status transition information at step S211. On the other hand, if the power status transition information has been received (“YES” at step S211), the processing proceeds to step S212, where MFP5notifies the wireless terminal101that MFP1, which is the selected apparatus2, has shifted to the standby mode. After that, the processing returns to step S208, where MFP5continues monitoring reception of the wake on packet sending request sent from the wireless terminal101.

The wireless terminal101, at step S206, monitors whether the notice indicating that MFP1has shifted to the standby mode has been received from MFP5. If the notice has been received (“YES” at step S206), the processing proceeds to step S201, where the wireless terminal101performs the above-described processing again. In this case, the screen for selecting an image forming apparatus shown inFIG. 17displays MFP1as selectable. If the notice has not been received (“NO” at step S206), the wireless terminal101continues monitoring reception of the notice.

According to the present embodiment as described above, in an image forming system configured by a plurality of image forming apparatuses, even if the network connection cannot be established by the wireless LAN when an image forming apparatus desired by the user to output an image is put in the power saving mode, the image forming apparatus can be waken up to shift to the standby mode through the wired LAN by another image forming apparatus in the standby mode. Consequently, the power consumption reduction can be attained as a whole without reducing the user-friendliness of the image forming system.

Other Exemplary Embodiments

The present invention can be applied to a system configured by a plurality of apparatuses (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, and the like), or can be applied to a device comprising one apparatus (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile device, and the like).

Further, the present invention can be implemented by providing a system or an apparatus with a storage medium (or recording medium) storing program code of software realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments, and also by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium by a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code configures the present invention. Further, in addition to a case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the program code read by the computer, the present invention includes a case where an operation system (OS) and the like running on the computer performs a part or the whole of the actual processing based on instructions of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by that processing.

Furthermore, the present invention includes a case where the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, and after that, a CPU provided in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs a part or the whole of the actual processing based on instructions of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by that processing.

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-167370 filed Jun. 7, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.