Patent Publication Number: US-2019171398-A1

Title: Image forming apparatus, program, and information processing apparatus

Description:
The entire disclosure of Japanese patent Application No. 2017-232075, filed on Dec. 1, 2017, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Technological Field 
     The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a program, and an information processing apparatus. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Conventionally, a multi-functional image forming apparatus having a printing function, a copying function, a reading (scanning) function, etc. has been widely used. The image forming apparatus of this type is also referred to as a multi-functional peripheral (MFP). 
     Recently, user&#39;s interest in the global environmental problems has increased to make environmental regulations surrounding MFP stricter year after year. The environmental regulations surrounding the MFP are determined on the basis of ENERGY STAR (registered trademark) or the like. ENERGY STAR (registered trademark) is an international system for implementing a power saving program for electrical devices in cooperation with Japan and the United States, countries such as European Union (EU) and other regions. 
     In order to reduce the waiting time until the printed matter is output, the MFP performs control such as keeping the fixing device for fixing the toner image formed on a sheet at a constant temperature, leading to high power consumption in a normal state. Therefore, in a case where a non-use state continues for a certain period of time, the MFP is usually controlled to shift from a standby state to a power saving state (also referred to as a sleep state) in which power consumption is lower than in the standby state so as to reduce the power consumption. 
     Meanwhile, with the spread of mobile terminals such as tablets, smartphones or the like, MFPs are on a way to achieve compatibility with not only wired networks but also wireless networks. That is, the MFP is required to be capable of receiving a print request all the time through the network in the power saving state. 
     Furthermore, when World Wide Web (Web)-based user interface (UI) display, namely, Web UI is adopted, the frequency of access from mobile terminals to the MFP via the web is expected to increase. 
     In addition, the MFP can include a function (for example, an expense adjustment system) for performing a single task on a cloud basis. Users not only use prints, copies, and scans, but also are going to more frequently use the MFP to perform single tasks such as accounting and salary on a cloud basis. Due to this circumstance, the MFP needs to receive a request from a mobile terminal or the like even in a power saving state where the power supply of the CPU/memory and the network function etc. is turned off while there is no output of the printed matter. 
     JP 2015-159564 A discloses a technique of prefetching computer readable instructions related to the execution of one or more applications and/or functions on a mobile device in response to detection of arrival of the mobile device at a certain location. This technique can be used to execute computer readable instructions and activate applications and/or functions without user initiated input or selection events. 
     JP 2014-27422 A discloses a technique related to a communication terminal including a power management unit that controls power supply to a communication device in accordance with a detection result of the start and end of a session on connection, detected by a communication management unit. 
     JP 2014-123795 A discloses a technique in which a control unit of a sub device transmits address information and device information of an own device on a wireless network and a wired network to a parent device when requesting a substitute response to the parent device, and thereafter shifts the operation state of the own device to a power saving state, and after receiving a return request from the parent device, the control unit shifts the operation state of the own device from the power saving state to a standby state. 
     Meanwhile, the technique disclosed in JP 2015-159564 A is processing of requesting and obtaining beforehand an application or a function needed by a user from a mobile device side to a server or the like in accordance with a situation of the mobile device. However, with a method by which the mobile device accesses the MFP via the web for each of mobile devices and requests and obtains an application or a function from the MFP each of occasions of access, it would be difficult to maintain the power saving state of the MFP. 
     The technique disclosed in JP 2014-27422 A controls power supply in accordance with a communication connection status of a mobile terminal However, with a method by which the MFP transfers data in response to each of the requests from the mobile terminal, it is difficult to maintain the power saving state of the MFP. 
     The technique disclosed in JP 2014-123795 A is processing in which another MFP performs substitute response in place of the MFP in the power saving state. In order to make a substitute response, another MFP needs to hold data for substitute response beforehand However, the screen data for displaying the operation screen on a terminal has a large data size. In a case where all patterns of screen data having such a large data size are held beforehand in the parent device, the data storage region of the parent device might be overstrained. Furthermore, in a situation where there is no MFP to be a parent device that can handle a request of substitute response, it would be difficult to implement the technique disclosed in JP 2014-123795 A. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention has been made in view of such situations, and aims to maintain an image forming apparatus in a power saving state as much as possible even in a situation where access traffic from a terminal is heavy. 
     To achieve the abovementioned object, according to an aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus reflecting one aspect of the present invention comprises: a power supply controller that controls a power supply state of an own apparatus; a network part that performs network communication with a terminal on which operation for the own apparatus is performed; a screen data generator that generates screen data for configuring an operation screen displayed on the terminal; a screen data transmitter that transmits the screen data to the terminal via the network communication; and a screen data transmission controller that performs determination as to whether to perform preliminary transmission of the screen data for which an acquisition request has been received from the terminal, and in a case where the screen data transmission controller determines that preliminary transmission is necessary, the screen data transmission controller notifies the terminal that preliminary transmission of the screen data is to be performed, instructs the screen data generator to generate the screen data to be transmitted in preliminary transmission, instructs the screen data transmitter to perform preliminary transmission of the screen data generated by the screen data generator, and together with this, notifies the power supply controller that the power supply state can be shifted to a power saving state so as to cause the power supply controller to shift the power supply state to the power saving state. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features provided by one or more embodiments of the invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the appended drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration example of a communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of an MFP according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example of a conventional communication system; 
         FIG. 4  is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example of a communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example when the MFP according to the first embodiment of the present invention transmits a home screen to a terminal; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a processing example of the MFP according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a table illustrating a configuration example of a preliminary transmission UI data determination table according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating a processing example of generation and transmission of preliminary transmission UI data illustrated in step S 35  of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are explanatory diagrams illustrating examples of link information set in the UI data according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration example of a communication system according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of an information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 12  is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example of the communication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, one or more embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Note that in this specification and the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to constituent elements having substantially the same function or configuration, and redundant description will be omitted. 
     Overall Configuration Example of Communication System 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration example of a communication system  10 . 
     The communication system  10  includes an MFP  100 , a terminal  200 , and an access point (AP)  300 . 
     Although  FIG. 1  illustrates a configuration including three MFPs  100  and two terminals  200 , the number of MFPs  100  and terminals  200  can be set to any number. For example, it is allowable to provide one or more MFPs  100  and one or more terminals  200 . 
     The MFP  100  and the AP  300  are connected to a wired network. The terminal  200  can access the MFP  100  through the AP  300 . 
     The MFP  100  is used as a multifunction device having a plurality of functions such as a print function of printing on a sheet, a document conveyance function to sequentially convey a plurality of documents, a communication function to transmit UI data (example of screen data) to the terminal  200 , and an image reading function of reading an image of the conveyed document. The MFP  100  can operate in two states, a normal state and a power saving state. The normal state is a state in which power is supply to individual functions, enabling immediate start of processing as soon as an instruction such as printing is made. The power saving state is also referred to as a sleep state, which is a state in which power is supplied only to minimum functions of the MFP  100 . When an operation screen acquisition request is issued from the terminal  200  or the like through the wired interface (I/F), the MFP  100  supplies power to individual functions and shifts from the power saving state to the normal state. 
     Examples of the terminal  200  include mobile terminals such as a tablet terminal, a smartphone, and a laptop computer (notebook PC). Alternatively, the terminal  200  may be a stationary personal computer (PC) such as a desktop computer device. 
     The terminal  200  displays an operation screen having a plurality of hierarchical structures for performing various settings for the MFP  100 . This operation screen is displayed on the basis of UI data transmitted from the MFP  100 . The hierarchical structure is a structure including a plurality of operation screens in stages. In a case where a next screen is displayed by user&#39;s operation of a button on the operation screen displayed on the terminal  200 , the operation screen initially displayed on the terminal  200  is referred to as a first layer, and the next screen is referred to as a second layer. For example, a Scan menu setting screen corresponds to the first layer and a screen transitions from the screen after the button on the first layer is pressed (such as a screen for designating storage location of scanned data) corresponds to the second layer. In addition, a screen having a button for instructing the MFP  100  to start a job is referred to as a lowest layer. In a case, however, as in the Copy menu setting screen, where there is one layer alone with no next screen to which transition is possible, the Copy menu setting screen itself includes a button to instruct start of copying. 
     The AP  300  is connected to the terminal  200  via a wireless network such as a wireless local area network (LAN). When connected to the AP  300  via a wireless network, the terminal  200  is capable of performing data communication with each of the MFP  100  connected to the wired network. 
     Block Diagram Illustrating Internal Configuration Example of MFP 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of the MFP  100 . 
     The MFP  100  includes a UI generator  100   a,  a UI transmitter  100   b,  a UI transmission controller  100   c,  a storage  100   d,  an MFP controller  100   e,  a power supply controller  100   f,  and a network part  100   g.    
     The UI generator  100   a  is an example of a screen data generator, and generates UI data for configuring an operation screen or the like that can be displayed on the terminal  200 . The UI generator  100   a  generates UI data in which link information for specifying a screen to which transition is performed by operation on the operation screen displayed on the terminal  200  is changed to link information that can be referred to on the terminal  200 . However, the UI generator  100   a  does not change link information for which an execution instruction is issued to an own apparatus by operation on the operation screen, or does not change the link information included in a lowest layer of the operation screen having a hierarchical structure. 
     The UI transmitter  100   b  is an example of a screen data transmitter, and transmits the UI data generated by the UI generator  100   a  to the terminal  200  by network communication via the network part  100   g.    
     The UI transmission controller  100   c,  an example of a screen data transmission controller, determines whether to perform preliminary transmission of the UI data for which acquisition request has been received from the terminal  200 , and in a case where it determines that the preliminary transmission is necessary, notifies the terminal  200  that preliminary transmission of the UI data is to be performed. Subsequently, the UI transmission controller  100   c  instructs the UI generator  100   a  to generate the UI data to be transmitted in preliminary transmission. 
     Furthermore, the UI transmission controller  100   c  instructs the UI transmitter  100   b  to perform preliminary transmission of the UI data generated by the UI generator  100   a,  and notifies the power supply controller  100   f  that the power supply state can be shifted to the power saving state. With this operation, the UI transmission controller  100   c  shifts the power supply controller  100   f  to the power saving state. 
     Note that the UI transmission controller  100   c  can also determine whether to allow the UI transmitter  100   b  to perform preliminary transmission in accordance with the UI data type requested from the terminal  200 . 
     In this manner, the UI transmission controller  100   c  has a function of collectively transmitting the necessary UI data in preliminary transmission in accordance with the request for UI data from the terminal  200 , rather than transmitting the UI data every time the UI data request is received from the terminal  200 , as in the conventional method. Additionally, the terminal  200  is notified that the preliminary transmission is to be performed. With this configuration, the MFP  100  can shift to the power saving state while the user is operating the UI data transmitted to the terminal  200  in preliminary transmission. 
     The UI transmission controller  100   c  also instructs the UI transmitter  100   b  to perform preliminary transmission of the UI data that is related to the function requested through the operation screen displayed on the terminal  200  and that is frequently operated by the terminal  200 . For example, UI data of the next screen to which the operation screen displayed on the terminal  200  is to transition is transmitted in preliminary transmission in order to cause the MFP  100  to execute a function used by a general user to operate the operation screen. Here, a menu screen set by the administrator when operating the operation screen is used less frequently than the operation screen used by a general user. For this reason, there would be no influence on the operability even if the UI data of the menu screen such as the administrator setting is not transmitted as preliminary transmission. 
     The storage  100   d  includes a hard disk drive (HDD), and stores programs such as UI data, print data, network address information and device information, and image data that has undergone image formation processing. That is, the storage  100   d  can store the UI data transmitted in preliminary transmission by the UI transmitter  100   b,  the terminal  200  as a transmission destination of the UI data, and an access state from the terminal  200 . 
     The MFP controller  100   e  has a copying function (Copy) of copying a document image, a reading function (Scan) of reading a document image, a facsimile function (Fax) of transmitting and receiving image data via a communication line, and a printing function (Print) of printing on the basis of image data supplied from an external device via an external I/F. 
     The power supply controller  100   f  controls a power supply state of the MFP  100  (own apparatus). The power supply controller  100   f  controls the power supplied to the MFP  100  and shifts the power supply state to either the normal state or the power saving state in which the power consumption is lower than that in the normal state. Since the power saving state includes a plurality of states, the power saving state to which the power supply state is shifted by the power supply controller  100   f  corresponds to one state selected from the plurality of states. 
     The network part  100   g  includes a network interface card (NIC) and a modem and performs network communication with the terminal  200  on which operation is performed for the own apparatus. The network part  100   g  enables data communication such as transmission of the UI data to the terminal  200  via the wired network and the wireless network and or reception of instructions from the terminal  200 . 
     Operation Example of Communication System 
     Next, an operation example of a conventional communication system and an operation example of the communication system  10  according to the present embodiment related to transmission of UI data will be described with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
       FIG. 3  is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example of the conventional communication system. 
     The conventional MFP can wirelessly communicate with the terminal In a case where Print or the like is executed on the MFP, a Print request is transmitted from a terminal connected via a wireless network to the MFP via an AP to instruct Print. This data exchange uses transmission control protocol (TCP), for example. 
     Initially, the terminal transmits a connection request (SYN packet) for requesting data transfer to an MFP being in a power saving state ST 1  (S 1 ). 
     The MFP that has received the connection request from the terminal shifts to a wake-up state ST 2 . Subsequently, the MFP transmits an ACK packet (acknowledgment) to the terminal to permit connection from the terminal (S 2 ) and establishes a session with the terminal that has received a connection permission. 
     Next, the terminal and the MFP start transmitting and receiving the UI data. For example, the terminal requests (S 3 ) the MFP in the wake-up state ST 2  to provide UI data capable of displaying a Scan menu screen for performing Scan setting. The MFP transmits the requested UI data to the terminal (S 4 ). 
     One set of exchanges of the processing of requesting a UI data request made by the terminal (S 3 ) and the processing of UI data transmission from the MFP (S 4 ) is performed to display the Scan menu screen for one page on the terminal. Here, the Scan menu screen includes buttons for transitioning to another screen, or the like. For example, in a case where the user operating the terminal has pressed the button, the terminal requests MFP to provide UI data of the next screen to be displayed on the terminal on the basis of the link information set on the button (S 3 ). The MFP transmits the requested UI data of the next screen to the terminal (S 4 ). The processing of requesting the UI data made by the terminal (S 3 ) and the processing of transmitting the UI data from the MFP (S 4 ) are repeated up to the layer other than the lowest layer, for example. 
     When the setting of the Scan is finished and there is no UI data request processing (S 3 ) from the terminal, a session disconnect request is issued from the terminal to the MFP (S 5 ). After receiving the disconnect request, the MFP transmits an ACK packet (acknowledgment) to the terminal (S 6 ) and disconnects the session. Thereafter, the MFP shifts to a power saving state ST 3 . 
     In this manner, the conventional communication system performs request and transmission of UI data for each of screens displayed on the terminal. Therefore, the MFP needs to maintain the normal state so as to be able to transmit the UI data immediately since the timing of receiving the UI data request from the terminal is not fixed. 
       FIG. 4  is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example of the communication system  10  according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     Similarly to the operation example of the conventional communication system in  FIG. 3 , the terminal  200  according to the first embodiment of the present invention also transmits a connection request to the MFP  100  in a power saving state ST 1  (S 11 ). Then, after shifting the MFP  100  to a wake-up state ST 2 , a session is established (S 12 ) on reception of an ACK packet (acknowledgment) from the MFP  100 . 
     In addition, the terminal  200  requests (S 13 ) the MFP  100  in the wake-up state ST 2  to provide UI data capable of displaying a Scan menu screen for performing Scan setting. The MFP  100  transmits the requested UI data to the terminal (S 14 ). After the session is established between the terminal  200  and the MFP  100 , the MFP  100  shifts to a state ST 4  of generating UI data to be transmitted in preliminary transmission to the terminal  200 . 
     The UI data transmitted in preliminary transmission by the MFP  100  includes, for example, UI data for displaying on the terminal  200  a screen to which transition from the Scan menu screen is possible. The data amount of UI data to be transmitted in preliminary transmission is larger than the amount of UI data transmitted to the conventional terminal illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Therefore, the UI transmission controller  100   c  notifies the terminal  200  that the UI data is to be transmitted in preliminary transmission (S 15 ). Upon receiving this notification, the terminal  200  reserves a storage region in the terminal  200 . 
     After transmitting notification to the terminal  200 , the MFP  100  transmits the UI data in preliminary transmission to the terminal  200  (S 16 ). The terminal  200  saves the UI data transmitted in preliminary transmission from the MFP  100  in the storage region in the terminal  200 . 
     The link information included in the UI data transmitted in preliminary transmission by the MFP  100  has been changed by the UI transmission controller  100   c  to the link information that can be referred to within the terminal  200  so as to enable the terminal  200  to transition to the next screen without communicating with the MFP  100  via the network part  100   g.  This enables the terminal  200  to display, for example, the next screen to which transition is performed from the Scan menu screen by merely referring to the UI data transmitted in preliminary transmission by the MFP  100 , stored in the storage region in the terminal  200 . After the MFP  100  transmits the UI data in preliminary transmission to the terminal  200 , the MFP  100  does not need to maintain the normal state until the terminal  200  instructs the MFP  100  to execute operation. 
     Therefore, after step S 16 , a session disconnect request is issued from the terminal  200  to the MFP  100  (S 17 ). After receiving the disconnection request, the MFP  100  transmits an ACK packet (acknowledgment) to the terminal and disconnects the session (S 18 ). Thereafter, the MFP shifts to a power saving state ST 3 . 
     In this manner, since the UI data is transmitted in preliminary transmission in the processing of the terminal  200  and the MFP  100  illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the MFP  100  shifts to the power saving state ST 3  in a shorter time as compared with the processing of the conventional terminal and the MFP illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     Operation Example of Communication System Between Terminal and MFP (With a Home Screen) 
     Next, an operation example of the terminal and the MFP in a case where there is a home screen on the operation screen displayed on the terminal will be described. 
     The home screen is a screen displayed before the transition to the operation screen on which the user operating the terminal  200  performs execution instructions such as Print, Copy, Scan, etc. to the MFP  100 . The home screen may have different specifications for each of organizations to which the user belongs. For example, a logo of the organization to which the user belongs may be displayed on the home screen. Here, description of the operation example of the conventional communication system is omitted. 
       FIG. 5  is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example when the MFP  100  transmits the home screen to the terminal  200 . In the operation example illustrated in  FIG. 5 , processing of requesting and transmitting UI data of the home screen is added between steps S 12  and S 13  illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     The processing of steps S 11  and S 12  illustrated in  FIG. 5  is as described in  FIG. 4 . Then, after the MFP  100  wakes up and establishes a session with the terminal  200 , the terminal  200  requests the MFP  100  to transmit the UI data of the home screen (S 19 ). The MFP  100  generates UI data of a home screen that can be displayed on the terminal  200 , and transmits the generated UI data to the terminal  200  (S 20 ). With this operation, the home screen is displayed on the terminal  200 . 
     The home screen displays buttons to be used to transition to the menu screen including Copy setting, Scan setting, and administrator setting. The user operating the terminal  200  can make settings for the MFP  100  by selecting any of the buttons. At a timing when the user presses the button, the terminal  200  requests (S 13 ) the MFP  100  in the wake-up state ST 2  to provide UI data capable of displaying a Scan menu screen on which Scan setting is performed. The MFP  100  transmits the requested UI data to the terminal (S 14 ). With this operation, the Scan menu screen is displayed on the terminal  200 . Then, processing from step S 15  onward is performed similarly to  FIG. 4 . 
     There are various types of menu screens transitioned from the home screen, and it is often unknown which menu is to be selected by the user. Therefore, the MFP  100  transmits the UI data of the home screen to the terminal  200  before transmitting the UI data of the menu screen. However, execution of preliminary transmission for the UI data related to the entire menu screen to the terminal  200  together with the home screen in accordance with the menu that the user can select might cause not only shortage of the communication band of the wired network but also the shortage of the storage region of the terminal  200 . 
     To manage this, in a case where the terminal  200  requests the UI data of the home screen, the MFP  100  transmits the UI data of the home screen alone to the terminal  200 . Thereafter, on the basis of the button selected from the home screen displayed on the terminal  200 , the MFP  100  collectively transmits the UI data of the menu screen in preliminary transmission This makes it possible to avoid shortage both in the communication band of the wired network and the storage region of the terminal  200 . 
     Processing Example of MFP 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a processing example of the MFP  100  according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     Hereinafter, processing of UI data that the UI transmission controller  100   c  transmits to the terminal  200  in preliminary transmission in a case where the terminal  200  accesses via the web to the MFP  100  and requests the MFP  100  to provide the UI data will be described. 
     First, the UI transmission controller  100   c  determines whether the MFP  100  is in the power saving state (S 31 ). When the UI transmission controller  100   c  determines that the MFP  100  is in the power saving state (Yes in S 31 ), the UI transmission controller  100   c  cancels the power saving state of the MFP  100  (S 32 ). Thereafter, the UI transmission controller  100   c  confirms the connection source of the MFP  100  (S 33 ). 
     The UI transmission controller  100   c  determines which of the MFP  100  and the terminal  200  is the connection source of the MFP  100  (S 34 ). In steps S 33  and S 34 , the UI transmission controller  100   c  obtains information related to the device type from the connection source, and switches the necessity of execution of preliminary transmission to the connection source of the UI data in accordance with the device type of the connection source. 
     In a case where it is determined that the connection source is the terminal  200  (terminal of S 34 ), the UI transmission controller  100   c  instructs the UI generator  100   a  to generate UI data to be transmitted in preliminary transmission to the terminal  200 , and instructs the UI transmitter  100   b  to transmit the generated UI data. The UI transmission controller  100   c  confirms that the UI data generated by the UI generator  100   a  has been transmitted to the terminal  200  via the network part  100   g  by the UI transmitter  100   b  and then disconnects the session with the terminal  200  (S 35 ). Detailed processing of step S 35  will be described below with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
     Next, the UI transmission controller  100   c  stores the UI data transmitted in preliminary transmission and the terminal  200  as a transmission destination, into the storage  100   d  (S 36 ). Thereafter, the UI transmission controller  100   c  performs control to instruct the power supply controller  100   f  to shift to the power saving state (S 37 ), so as to finish the present processing. Then, the MFP  100  is controlled by the power supply controller  100   f  to shift to the power saving state. 
     Meanwhile, in a case where it is determined in step S 34  that the connection source is the MFP  100  (MFP in S 34 ), the UI transmission controller  100   c  determines whether the connection source MFP  100  can display the operation screen (S 38 ). This determination is performed in consideration of a case where there is no need to transmit the UI data to the connection source MFP  100 . For example, if the connection source MFP  100  itself stores the screen data of the home screen and the menu screen and is capable of display the home screen and the menu screen, the UI transmitter  100   b  need not transmit the UI data to the connection source MFP  100 . 
     In a case where it is determined that the connection source MFP  100  can display the operation screen (Yes in S 38 ), the UI transmission controller  100   c  instructs the connection source MFP  100  to display the UI data (S 39 ), and the processing proceeds to step S 37 . Accordingly, the UI transmitter  100   b  does not transmit the UI data to the connection source MFP  100 . Thereafter, the processing of the above-described step S 37  onward is performed. 
     In a case where the UI transmission controller  100   c  determines that the connection source MFP  100  cannot display the operation screen (No in S 38 ), the processing proceeds to step S 35 . Thereafter, the processing from step S 35  onward is performed. 
     Meanwhile, in a case where it is determined in step S 31  that the MFP  100  is not in the power saving state (No in S 31 ), the UI transmission controller  100   c  refers to the storage  100   d  and determines whether there is a terminal  200  to which UI data has already been transmitted in preliminary transmission (S 40 ). In a case where there is no terminal  200  that has received the UI data transmitted in preliminary transmission (No in S 40 ), the present processing is finished. 
     In contrast, in a case where there is a terminal  200  to which the UI data has already been transmitted in preliminary transmission (Yes in S 40 ), the UI transmission controller  100   c  obtains the operation state of the terminal  200  (S 41 ). 
     Next, the UI transmission controller  100   c  determines whether a difference has occurred with the UI data already transmitted in preliminary transmission to the terminal  200 , caused by update of the UI data by the UI generator  100   a  during the period of the power saving state of the MFP  100  (S 42 ). 
     In a case where the UI transmission controller  100   c  determines that a difference has occurred with the UI data transmitted in preliminary transmission and stored in the terminal  200  as a result of update of the UI data performed by the UI generator  100   a  (Yes in S 42 ), the UI transmission controller  100   c  causes the UI generator  100   a  to generate update data for updating the UI data transmitted in preliminary transmission, and transmits the generated update data to the terminal  200  (S 43 ). At this time, the UI transmission controller  100   c  also transmits to the terminal  200  a discard request for the UI data that has been transmitted in preliminary transmission, and then finishes the present processing. 
     In contrast, in a case where the UI transmission controller  100   c  determines that there is no difference from the UI data transmitted in preliminary transmission and stored in the terminal  200  (No in S 42 ), the UI transmission controller  100   c  finishes the present processing at this stage since there is no need to update the UI data transmitted in preliminary transmission in the terminal  200 . 
     Example of Processing of Generating and Transmitting Preliminary Transmission UI Data 
     Next, details of the processing of determining the UI data to be transmitted in preliminary transmission and causing the UI transmitter  100   b  to perform preliminary transmission of the UI data performed by the UI transmission controller  100   c  will be described. 
     The MFP  100  can judge necessity of execution of preliminary transmission of the UI data in accordance with the menu screen requested from the terminal  200 . 
     For example, in a case where UI data on the Copy menu screen is requested from the terminal  200 , it is highly likely that the terminal  200  immediately requests execution of copy to the MFP  100 . 
     At this time, a fixing unit (not illustrated) provided in the MFP  100  takes a certain time to warm up. Accordingly, the MFP  100  starts warming up the fixing unit immediately after transmitting the UI data of the Copy menu screen to the terminal  200 . 
     With this configuration, the MFP  100  can immediately execute copy in response to the request of execution of copy received from the terminal  200 . For this reason, the user operating the terminal  200  does not need to wait for the time until the MFP  100  actually starts copying after instruction to start copying made on the Copy menu screen. In this manner, the UI transmission controller  100   c  can perform control that does not perform preliminary transmission of the UI data by prioritizing the convenience of the user. 
     In contrast, when the menu screen requested from the terminal  200  is the administrator menu screen, it is highly likely that setting change alone is to be performed onto the MFP  100 . Therefore, with the preliminary transmission of the UI data of the menu screen to the terminal  200  by the UI transmission controller  100   c,  the MFP  100  does not have to maintain the normal state until the setting change is instructed from the terminal  200 . 
     This enables prompt shift of the power supply controller  100   f  to the power saving state. The MFP  100  is only required to wake up and change the setting after reception of a setting change instruction from the terminal  200 . 
     A configuration example of the preliminary transmission UI data determination table  500  referred to by the UI transmission controller  100   c  when it determines necessity of execution of preliminary transmission of the UI data will be described with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 7  is a table illustrating a configuration example of the preliminary transmission UI data determination table  500 . 
     The preliminary transmission UI data determination table  500  is a table stored in the storage  100   d,  for example. The preliminary transmission UI data determination table  500  includes a UI data request item field, a preliminary transmission UI data presence/absence field and a preliminary transmission UI data layer number field. 
     The UI data request item field stores information specifying the menu screen at the time of execution of UI data acquisition request from the terminal  200  to the MFP  100 . While the information specifying the menu screen may be represented by the screen name, the screen identifier, or the like, here, it is represented by the screen name like the Copy menu, the Scan menu, the Fax menu and the administrator menu. 
     The preliminary transmission UI data presence/absence field stores information indicating the presence or absence of UI data that the MFP  100  transmits to the terminal  200  in preliminary transmission. 
     The preliminary transmission UI data layer number field stores information indicating the number of hierarchical layers in the next and subsequent screens to which transition is performed from the menu screen. 
     Since Copy menu of the UI data request item field has no next screen to which transition is performed other than the copy execution instruction, “No” is stored in the preliminary transmission UI data presence/absence field, while “0” is stored in the preliminary transmission UI data layer number field. 
     In contrast, the Scan menu, the Fax menu, and the administrator menu in the UI data request item field transition to their individual next and subsequent screens in response to button operation. Accordingly, for any menu, “Present” is stored in the preliminary transmission UI data presence/absence field. The preliminary transmission UI data layer number field stores “3” for the Scan menu, “3” for the Fax menu, and “4” for the administrator menu. 
     Note that the preliminary transmission UI data layer number field does not include the lowest layer. In the setting of the preliminary transmission UI data, the lowest layer of the operation screen is set to normal UI data link information. Therefore, the lowest layer of the UI data remains the normal UI data link information, and thus, the terminal  200  communicates with the network part  100   g  when access is made to the UI data link information. 
     Next, processing of determining necessity of execution of UI data preliminarily transmission to be performed with reference to the preliminary transmission UI data determination table  500  will be described with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating a detailed example of the processing of generating and transmitting the preliminary transmission UI data illustrated in step S 35  of  FIG. 6 . 
     As described above, the UI transmission controller  100   c  switches necessity of execution of transmission of preliminary transmission UI data in accordance with the UI data type requested from the terminal  200  (for example, Copy setting, Scan setting, Administrator setting). 
     In order to do this, the UI transmission controller  100   c  refers to the preliminary transmission UI data determination table  500  to determine UI data to be transmitted in preliminary transmission (S 51 ), and determines whether the UI generator  100   a  has been generated the preliminary transmission UI data (S 52 ). 
     In a case where the UI generator  100   a  determines that the UI data to be transmitted in preliminary transmission has been generated (Yes in S 52 ), the UI transmission controller  100   c  transmits the UI data in preliminary transmission to the terminal  200 , disconnects the session with the terminal  200  (S 55 ) to finish the present processing. 
     In a case where the UI generator  100   a  determines that the preliminary transmission UI data has not been generated (No in S 52 ), the UI transmission controller  100   c  causes the UI generator  100   a  to generate the menu screen of the preliminary transmission UI data alone (S 53 ). Subsequently, the UI transmission controller  100   c  edits the UI data so that the link information excluding the lowest layer refers to the link information stored in the storage region in the terminal  200  (S 54 ). 
     Thereafter, when it is determined that the preliminary transmission UI data has been successfully generated in step S 52  (Yes in S 52 ), the UI transmission controller  100   c  transmits the UI data in preliminary transmission to the terminal  200 , disconnects the session with the terminal  200  (S 55 ) to finish the present processing. 
     Example of Link Information Change 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  are explanatory diagrams illustrating examples of link information set in the UI data. 
       FIG. 9A  illustrates an example of the link information set in the UI data in a case where the UI data is obtained by accessing the MFP  100  for each of screen transitions on the terminal  200 . 
     This UI data has setting, for example, of link information used by the terminal  200  to gain access via the web to the htm file stored in the MFP  100 . 
     This link information is expressed as “&lt;a href=“http://konicaminolta.com/link htm”&gt;”, for example. 
       FIG. 9B  illustrates an example of the link information set in the UI data transmitted in preliminary transmission to the terminal  200 . 
     This UI data has setting, for example, of link information changed so as to refer to the htm file stored in the storage region of the terminal  200 . 
     This link information is expressed as “&lt;a href=“link.htm”&gt;”, for example. 
     In the communication system  10  according to the first embodiment described above, in a case where the terminal  200  gains access via the web to the MFP  100  in the power saving state, the MFP  100  follows the menu screen operated on the terminal  200  to generate a set of UI data related to the menu screen and transmits the generated UI data in preliminary transmission to the terminal  200 . With this configuration, unlike the conventional case, the MFP  100  does not need to maintain the normal state in preparation for access from the terminal  200 . Furthermore, after performing preliminary transmission of the screen data to the terminal  200 , the MFP  100  disconnects the session and immediately shifts to the power saving state. In this manner, while performing operation or setting for the MFP  100  on the terminal  200 , the MFP  100  can return to the power saving state, making it possible to enhance the power saving effect. 
     The UI data transmitted in preliminary transmission to the terminal  200  is related to the function requested from the terminal  200  and is frequently operated by the terminal  200 . Therefore, the user operating the terminal  200  can operate the operation screen displayed in response to the reception of the UI data by the terminal  200  so as to promptly execute target functions. 
     Modification of First Embodiment 
     The preliminary transmission of UI data includes various methods. 
     For example, when there is previous access from the terminal  200  to the MFP  100  (own apparatus) and the MFP  100  wakes up from the power saving state, the UI transmission controller  100   c  confirms necessity of execution of additional transmission to the UI data transmitted in preliminary transmission to the terminal  200 , and transmits, in additional transmission, the UI data for which necessity of additional transmission has been confirmed from the terminal  200 . With this arrangement, the MFP  100  in the wake-up state can transmit the necessary UI data in additional transmission to the terminal  200  when it is insufficient with the UI data transmitted in preliminary transmission alone. 
     Furthermore, in a case where there is previous access to the MFP  100  (own apparatus) from another terminal  200  and the MFP  100  wakes up from the power saving state, the UI transmission controller  100   c  returns link information that has been changed to link information that can be referred to within the terminal  200 , to the link information that can be accessed via the web. Subsequently, the UI transmission controller  100   c  notifies the terminal  200  that the link information changed to the link information that can be referred to within the terminal  200  is going to be returned to link information that can be accessed via the web, and also transmits the terminal  200  the link information that can be accessed via the web. With this configuration, the MFP  100  in the wake-up state can transmit the UI data to the terminal  200  in accordance with the access from the terminal  200  via the web similarly to the conventional method. 
     Alternatively, the UI transmission controller  100   c  may cause the UI transmitter  100   b  in step S 3  to perform preliminary transmission of the UI data changed in accordance with the information related to restriction of the preliminary transmission UI data, which is received from the terminal  200 . For example, when the storage region of the terminal  200  is tight, the UI transmission controller  100   c  can perform preliminary transmission of the UI data with the reduced number of layers or even cancel the preliminary transmission of the UI data. 
     Example of Overall Configuration of Communication System According to Second Embodiment 
     Next, a communication system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 10 to 12 . 
       FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of a communication system  10 A. 
     The communication system  10 A includes the MFP  100 , the terminal  200 , the AP  300 , and an information processing apparatus  400 . The information processing apparatus  400  is connected to a wired network to which the MFP  100  and the AP  300  are connected. Therefore, the MFP  100  can access the information processing apparatus  400 . The communication system  10 A has a server client configuration having the information processing apparatus  400  as a server and the MFP  100  as a client. 
     The information processing apparatus  400  is a server apparatus, for example, and has a communication function for transmitting and receiving UI data, a storage function of storing a variety of information, or the like. In a case where the MFP  100  has an image forming function alone, the information processing apparatus  400  can generate the UI data instead of the MFP  100  and can transmit the UI data in preliminary transmission to the MFP  100 . 
     Example of Internal Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus According to Second Embodiment of The Present Invention 
       FIG. 11  is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of the information processing apparatus  400 . 
     The information processing apparatus  400  includes a UI generator  400   a,  a UI transmitter  400   b,  a UI transmission controller  400   c,  a storage  400   d,  a power supply controller  400   f,  and a network part  400   g.  The functions of the individual components of the information processing apparatus  400  are similar to the functions of the individual components of the MFP  100  illustrated in  FIG. 2  described above. Main functions and operation examples of each of functional blocks included in the information processing apparatus  400  will be described below. 
     The UI generator  400   a  generates UI data for configuring an operation screen or the like that can be displayed by the MFP  100  during access to the information processing apparatus  400 . The UI generator  400   a  generates UI data in which link information for specifying a screen to which transition is performed by operation on the operation screen displayed on the MFP  100  is changed to link information that can be referred to on the MFP  100 . 
     The UI transmitter  400   b  transmits the UI data generated by the UI generator  400   a  to the MFP  100  using network communication via the network part  400   g.    
     The UI transmission controller  400   c  determines whether to perform preliminary transmission of the UI data for which an acquisition request has been received from the MFP  100 . In a case where the UI transmission controller  400   c  determines that preliminary transmission is necessary, the UI transmission controller  400   c  notifies the MFP  100  that preliminary transmission of the UI data is to be performed, and instructs the UI generator  400   a  to generate preliminary transmission UI data. Furthermore, the UI transmission controller  400   c  instructs the UI transmitter  400   b  to perform preliminary transmission of the UI data generated by the UI generator  400   a,  and notifies the power supply controller  400   f  that the power supply state can be shifted to the power saving state, so as to control the power supply controller  400   f  to shift the power supply state to the power saving state. 
     The storage  400   d  can store the UI data transmitted in preliminary transmission by the UI transmitter  400   b , the MFP  100  as a transmission destination of the UI data, and an access state from the MFP  100 . 
     The power supply controller  400   f  controls the power supply state of the information processing apparatus  400  (own apparatus). The power supply controller  100   f  controls the power supplied to the information processing apparatus  400  and shifts the power supply state to either the normal state or the power saving state in which the power consumption is lower than that in the normal state. 
     The network part  400   g  includes an NIC, a modem, or the like, and performs network communication with the MFP  100  on which operation is performed for the information processing apparatus  400  (own apparatus). The network part  400   g  can perform data communication such as transmission of UI data to the MFP  100  or reception of instructions from the MFP  100 , via a wired network. 
     Example of Operation of Communication System Between MFP and Information Processing Apparatus&gt; 
       FIG. 12  is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example of the communication system  10 A. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the information processing apparatus  400  transmits the UI data in preliminary transmission to the MFP  100  capable of displaying the operation screen. In the operation example illustrated in  FIG. 12 , steps S 12  and S 13  illustrated in  FIG. 4  are followed by additional processing of requesting terminal information for identifying the MFP  100  and transmission thereof, and processing of switching necessity of execution of preliminary transmission in accordance with the connection source type. 
     The processing in steps S 11  to S 13  illustrated in  FIG. 12  is as described in  FIG. 4 . When the information processing apparatus  400  wakes up to establish a session with the MFP  100 , the MFP  100  requests the information processing apparatus  400  to transmit the UI data in preliminary transmission (S 13 ). 
     The information processing apparatus  400  requests the MFP  100  of the connection source to transmit terminal information in order to specify the type of the MFP  100  (S 21 ). In response to this, the MFP  100  transmits the terminal information to the information processing apparatus  400  (S 22 ). On the basis of this information, the UI transmission controller  100   c  of the information processing apparatus  400  determines whether UI data to be transmitted in preliminary transmission to the MFP  100  is necessary (ST 5 ). 
     In a case where UI data is stored in the MFP  100 , preliminary transmission of UI data from the information processing apparatus  400  to the MFP  100  is unnecessary. Therefore, the information processing apparatus  400  requests the operation screen to be displayed using the UI data held by the MFP  100  (S 23 ). In contrast, in a case where the UI data is not stored in the MFP  100 , the information processing apparatus  400  transmits the UI data in preliminary transmission to the MFP  100  and displays the operation screen on the MFP  100 . 
     Thereafter, the information processing apparatus  400  disconnects the established session with the MFP  100 . The processing after step S 17  of disconnecting the session is as described with reference to  FIG. 4 . After the information processing apparatus  400  shifts to the power saving state ST 3 , the MFP  100  enters a state of displaying the operation screen (ST 6 ). 
     In the communication system  10 A according to the second embodiment described above, the information processing apparatus  400  generates the UI data to be transmitted in preliminary transmission, which is transmitted by the MFP  100  to the terminal  200  in the first embodiment, and transmits the generated UI data to the MFP  100  in preliminary transmission. With this configuration, the information processing apparatus  400  can immediately shift to the power saving state after performing preliminary transmission of the UI data. 
     Note that the information processing apparatus  400  can also perform preliminary transmission of the UI data requested from the terminal  200 , to the terminal  200 . In a case where the terminal  200  accesses the information processing apparatus  400 , the operation performed by each of functional blocks in the information processing apparatus  400  illustrated in  FIG. 11  onto the terminal  200  is similar to the operation performed by the information processing apparatus  400  onto the MFP  100 . 
     Although embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated in detail, the disclosed embodiments are made for purposes of illustration and example only and not limitation. The scope of the present invention should be interpreted by terms of the appended claims Various other application examples and modifications can naturally be adopted as long as they do not deviate from the scope and spirit of the present invention described in the claims 
     For example, while the above-described embodiments gives detailed and specific description of the configuration of the apparatus and the system in order to clearly present the present invention, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the embodiments having all the configurations described. Furthermore, it is possible to replace a part of the configuration of the embodiment described here with the configuration of another embodiment, and furthermore, it is also possible to add a configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is also possible to add, delete, and replace a portion of other configurations with respect to part of the configuration of individual embodiments. 
     Moreover, control lines and information lines indicate what is considered to be necessary for explanation, and not necessarily include all control lines and information lines in the product. In practice, it can be considered that almost all the structures are mutually connected.