Patent ID: 8112520

Claim:
An information processing apparatus for controlling services provided by a plurality of devices connected to a network, the apparatus comprising: a service table that stores a combination of a service provided via the network and a device connected to the network and providing the service; a power consumption table that stores a device connected to the network and power consumption of the device; a service reception unit configured to receive a request of a service provided by a device connected to the network; a sleep check unit configured to check whether or not the device connected to the network and providing the requested service is in a sleep state; a device search unit configured to select a device to be used based on the sleep state of the device checked by the sleep check unit, the service table and the power consumption table under a condition of a time until the service is provided and power consumption of the selected device; and a service instruction unit configured to issue an instruction of providing the service to the device connected to the network and selected by the device search unit, wherein said device search unit preferentially selects, as devices to be used, a combination of devices connected to the network but not needing a change to the sleep state level, and wherein said device search unit preferentially selects, as devices to be used, a combination of devices connected to the network and having a minimum sum of power consumption of the devices providing the services, when it is necessary to change the sleep state level.