Remote power configuration of functions within multifunction apparatus using status and setting screens displayed on external apparatus

• US 7,260,730 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2003
• Issued: 08/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Sakaue, Tsutomu
• Primary Examiner(s): Cao; Chun
• Assistant Examiner(s): WANG, ALBERT C
• Application Number:
  US10/689,533
• Publication Number:
  US 20040139385A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,401 Days
• Field of Search: 358/305, 709/220
• US Class Current: 713/310
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3228 Monitoring task completion, e.g. by use of idle timers, stop commands or wait commands
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3246 by software initiated power-off

Abstract

There is provided an information processing apparatus that makes it possible to supply power only for a function desired by the user. A CPU causes a display unit to display a plurality of functions of the information processing apparatus in a manner being selectable. Information on at least one function selected from the plurality of functions via a screen displayed by the display unit is input. The CPU controls power supply relating to the input at least one function, based on the information on the at least one function.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus having a plurality of functions and connected with an external apparatus having a display unit via a network, the information processing apparatus comprising:

a generating unit that generates a file including first information that causes the display unit to display a status screen for displaying power supply status of the plurality of functions and second information that causes the display unit to display a setting screen for setting at least power supply status of the plurality of functions;

a communication control unit that transmits the file generated by said generating unit to the external apparatus and that receives function information from the external apparatus indicating at least one function selected from the plurality of functions via the setting screen displayed by the display unit based on the second information;

a power supply unit that supplies power to devices that compose the information processing apparatus; and

a power supply control unit that controls the power status of the power supply unit relating to at least one of the devices required for the at least one function indicated by the function information, according to the reception of the function information from the external apparatus.

2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said second information causes the display unit to display types of power supply status corresponding to the at least one function on the setting screen in a manner being selectable;

said communication unit receives type information indicating the types of power supply status relating to the at least one selected function; and

said power supply control unit controls the power supply status of the power supply unit relating to the at least one of the devices required for the at least one function indicated by the function information based on the type information.

3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus having an image forming unit for forming an image.

4. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of functions comprise at least two functions selected from the group consisting of a printing function, a facsimile function, a copying function, and a scanner function.

5. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said generating unit generates the file in response to a request to view the file to be generated made by the external apparatus.

6. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the file is written in a markup language, and the external apparatus includes a browsing unit for browsing the file on the display unit.

7. A power supply control method for an information processing apparatus having a plurality of functions and connected with an external apparatus having a display unit via a network, the method comprising the steps of:

generating a file including first information that causes the display unit to display a power status screen for displaying power supply status of the plurality of functions and second information that causes the display unit to display a setting screen for setting at least power supply status of the plurality of functions;

transmitting the file generated by the generating step to the external apparatus;

receiving function information indicating at least one function selected from the plurality of functions via the setting screen displayed by the display unit; and

controlling the power supply status of a power supply unit that supplies power to devices that compose the information processing apparatus relating to at least one of the devices required for the at least one function indicated by the function information, according to the reception of the function information from the external apparatus.

8. A power supply control method according to claim 7, wherein:

said second information causes the display unit to display types of power supply status corresponding to the at least one function on the setting screen in a manner being selectable;

type information indicating the types of power supply status relating to the at least one function received; and

said power supply control step comprises controlling the power supply status of the power supply unit relating to the at least one of the devices required for the at least one function indicated by the function information based on the type information.

9. A power supply control method according to claim 7, wherein the information processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus having an image forming unit for forming an image.

10. A power supply control method according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of functions comprise at least two functions selected from the group consisting of a printing function, a facsimile function, a copying function, and a scanner function.