1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data storage device, a method for controlling the same, and a recording medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, a storage device such as a hard disk has been mounted on a digital multifunction peripheral to be used as a temporary storage box for image data to be processed. A part of a storage area of the storage box is open to a user, whereby the user can store data therein.
Especially, the digital multifunction peripheral has a file sharing function which enables other devices connected via a network to access, browse and output electronic data stored in each storage device.
In the case of using the file sharing function, the devices keep the conditions which allow each other to access internal information. In other words, in the conventional technology each device is to operate in a mode not to enter a sleep condition independently. Each device is to be kept woken up.
However, if all the devices corresponding to the storage boxes and connected to the network are kept woken up, power is unnecessarily wasted.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-205830 offers, as a method for optimizing a power saving environment of a plurality of printers connected via a network, a system which enables a shift to a power saving mode (sleep condition) based on sleep level information (use frequency/time correlation information), or automatic waking-up from the power saving mode.
In the method discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-205830, however, when even one digital multifunction peripheral which provides storage areas is powered off, the system cannot respond to a request of access to a file. In consequence, a file sharing function cannot be established.
The following method is conceivable as a solution to the above-mentioned situation. When each device shifts to a sleep condition, the device shifts to the sleep condition after it transmits only certain information (e.g., a file name) of a file therein to the other device. When a request of access to the file is received, the entrusted device responds by proxy.
In this method, however, when the digital multifunction peripherals that use the file sharing function shift to sleep conditions one after another to leave only a last one, the device is inhibited to shift to asleep condition. In such a condition, if standby power consumption of the last remaining device is large, the system uselessly consumes power.
Thus, the system that includes the data storage devices having the file sharing function to enable the data storage devices connected via the network to refer to mutual data has had a difficulty of suppressing power consumption while maintaining the file sharing function.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a data storage device includes a first storage unit configured to store data, a reception unit configured to receive a request of access to the stored data from an external device, a transmission unit configured to transmit, to the external device, data corresponding to the access request, a control unit configured to perform, when shifting from a standby condition to a power saving condition, control so that identification information for identifying the stored data is transmitted to other data storage devices in the standby condition. In this case, when there are no other data storage devices in the standby condition, the control unit specifies one of the other data storage devices, an amount of power consumption of which is lower than that of the data storage device by referring to the stored standby power information, causes the specified data storage device to shift from the power saving condition to the standby condition and transmits the identification information to the specified data storage device in the standby condition.
Further features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
Various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
In
The number of devices connected to the network is not limited to that in the configuration of
As illustrated in
The control unit 1404 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and the like, and reads and executes a program stored in the ROM with the CPU to perform overall control of the digital multifunction peripheral. The RAM is used as a work area of the CPU. The ROM stores, in addition to the program executed by the CPU, various types of data including information indicating standby power consumption of its own device.
The device interface 1403 is an interface to the other devices. The network interface 1407 is provided to send and receive information to and from the other devices via the network 100. The operation panel 1408 is provided to set or operate the digital multifunction peripheral.
The data storage unit 1405 includes a shared file storage unit 1406 which can share and use a part of the data storage unit 1405 with the external device. The control unit 1404 controls a data file such as image data stored in the shared file storage unit 1406 so as to permit the other devices to access the data file via the network 100. In other words, the control unit 1404 receives requests of access to data stored in the shared file storage unit 1406 of its own device from the other devices connected to the network 100, and performs, upon reception of the access requests, control to transmit data corresponding to the access requests to the other devices. This control enables the digital multifunction peripherals 101 to 104 to realize file sharing functions.
In the exemplary embodiment, the data file stored in the shared file storage unit 1406 contains a file name and pass information (network pass) of the network storing the data file as supplementary information. As illustrated in
In
Data 202, 203, and 204 respectively indicate examples of data files stored in devices B (102), C (103) and D (104). In other words, the shared file storage unit 1406 of the device B (102) stores files of file names “BB1”, “BB2”, and “BB3”. The shared file storage unit 1406 of the device C (103) stores files of file names “CC1”, “CC2”, and “CC3”. The shared file storage unit 1406 of the device D (104) stores files of filenames “DD1”, “DD2”, and “DD3”.
A data management format of data files is not limited to the above format. For pass information, any other information such as an IP address may be used as long as a location of a device storing data files can be specified.
In the exemplary embodiment, during shifting of the device A (101) to the sleep condition, the device A (101) transmits not a substantive file but identification information enabling specifying of a file such as a file name or pass information of the network to the device B (102). Hereinafter, the identification information is referred to as “partial information” or “file information”. The above transmission processing enables, even if the device A (101) is set in a sleep condition, the device B (102) to display file information of a file stored in the device A (101) by proxy. Further, based on this file information, the device B (102) can receive access to the file stored in the device A (101). The file information may contain other information such as information of a date and time when a file was created, information of a file creator, a file size, a number of pages, and a thumbnail image.
Referring to
First, in step S401, the CPU of the control unit 1404 executes monitoring to determine whether sleep conditions have been satisfied. Upon determining that the sleep conditions have been satisfied, the CPU of the control unit 1404 starts the processing of the flowchart.
In step S402, the CPU of the control unit 1404 determines whether other devices connected within the same network are on standby. If it is determined that the other devices are on standby (YES in step S402), the CPU of the control unit 1404 proceeds to step S403.
In step S403, the CPU of the control unit 1404 determines whether there is a plurality of devices on standby. If it is determined that there is a plurality of devices on standby (YES in step S403), the CPU of the control unit 1404 proceeds to step S405.
Instep S405, the CPU of the control unit 1404 selects a device consuming lowest standby power among the standby devices by referring to a power management table of
On the other hand, if it is determined that there is only one device on standby (NO in step S403), the CPU of the control unit 1404 selects the device to proceed to step S407.
If it is determined that no other devices are on standby, in other words, there is only one device having a file sharing function, i.e., an own device, in the same network group (NO in step S402), the CPU of the controlling unit 1404 proceeds to step S404.
In step S404, the CPU of the control unit 1404 refers to the power management table of
In step S406, based on the power management table of
In step S407, the CPU of the control unit 1404 transmits information stored in the own device to the selected devices. If it is determined in step S406 that there is a plurality of devices in sleep conditions at standby power consumption levels lower than that of the own device, the CPU of the control unit 1404 determines which of the devices at the standby power consumption levels lower than that of the own device is to wake up according to a predetermined determination order. For example, the CPU of the control unit 1404 makes determination based on a priority, for example, according to a high usage frequency or a large free capacity of the shared file storage units 1406. If it is determined in step S405 that there is a plurality of devices consuming lowest standby power among activated ones, the CPU of the control unit 1404 determines which of the devices is to wake up according to a predetermined determination order.
Next, in step S408, the CPU of the control unit 1404 shifts to a sleep condition and, in step S409, finishes the processing of the flowchart.
On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no device in a sleep condition at a standby power consumption level lower than that of the own device (NO in step S406), in step S409, the CPU of the control unit 1404 finishes the processing of the flowchart without shifting to a sleep condition.
In the exemplary embodiment, in step S405, the CPU of the control unit 1404 determines devices to which file information is transmitted in an order of standby power consumption starting from the smallest one in the power management table. However, a method for determining a file information transmission destination is not limited to this method. For example, a configuration may be employed that determines devices to which data information is transmitted based on other criteria preset and managed in the power management table such as access frequencies and free capacities of the shared file storage units 1406.
As illustrated in
The standby power consumption rank indicates ranking of standby power values of the devices in order of “1”, “2”, and “3” within a certain range. In the exemplary embodiment, the standby power consumption rank defines standby power values in order of 1<2<3.
The status information indicates which of a standby condition and a sleep condition the device is in. Further, the shared BOX free capacity indicates a free capacity of the shared file storage unit 1406 (hereinafter, referred to as “shared BOX folder”).
Referring to
Each device having a file sharing function and connected to the network includes a power management table in its data storage unit 1405. When connected to the network for the first time, as illustrated in
Each step of
In step S1501, when the digital multifunction peripheral wakes up, and its connection to the network is detected, the CPU of the control unit 1405 starts the processing of the flowchart.
In step S1502, the CPU of the control unit 1404 detects other devices connected to the network. In step S1503, based on a result of the detection, the CPU of the control unit 1404 determines whether there are any other devices connected to the network.
If it is determined that there are no other devices connected to the network (NO in step S1503), in step S1510, the CPU of the control unit 1404 finishes the processing of the flowchart.
On the other hand, if it is determined that there are other devices connected to the network (YES in step S1503), the CPU of the control unit 1404 proceeds to step S1504.
In step S1504, the CPU of the control unit 1404 determines whether information of all the other devices connected to the network has been stored in the power management table. If it is determined that there is information of other devices connected to the network yet to be stored in the power management table (NO in step S1504), the CPU of the control unit 1404 proceeds to step S1505.
In step S1505, the CPU of the control unit 1404 communicates with any of the other devices (hereinafter, relevant devices) whose information is yet to be stored in the power management table, and receives the information from the relevant devices to add it to the power management table. Then, returning to step S1504, the CPU of the control unit 1404 repeats steps S1504 and S1505 until the information of all the other devices connected to the network is stored in the power management table.
If it is determined that the information of all the other devices connected to the network has been stored in the power management table (YES in step S1504), the CPU of the control unit 1404 proceeds to step S1506.
In step S1506, the CPU of the control unit 1404 communicates (makes a request to) with any of the other devices (hereinafter, relevant devices) registered in the power management table to receive information (including standby power information) of the devices transmitted from the relevant devices. Then, the CPU of the control unit 1404 compares the received standby power information of the relevant devices with that of the relevant devices registered in the power management table to proceed to step S1507.
In step S1507, based on a result of the comparison of step S1506, the CPU of the control unit 1404 determines whether the received standby power information of the relevant devices is different from that of the relevant devices registered in the power management table.
If it is determined that the received standby power is different from that of the relevant devices registered in the power management table (YES in step S1507), the CPU of the control unit 1404 determines that a device configuration has been changed and proceeds to step S1508.
In step S1508, the CPU of the control unit 1404 updates the power management table according to the received information of the relevant devices and proceeds to step s1509.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the received standby power information is similar to that of the relevant devices registered in the power management table (NO in step S1507), the CPU of the control unit 1404 directly proceeds to step S1509.
In step S1509, the CPU of the control unit 1404 determines whether the processing of steps S1506 to S1508 has been finished for all the other devices connected to the network. If it is determined that the processing is yet to be finished (NO in step S1509), the CPU of the control unit 1404 returns to step S1506.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the processing of steps S1506 to S1508 has been finished for all the other devices connected to the network (YES in step S1509), in step S1510, the CPU of the control unit 1404 finishes the processing of the flowchart. The method for obtaining power management table information is not limited to the method illustrated in
Before finishing the flowchart, the CPU of the control unit 1404 may transmit standby power information of its own device to all the devices which have woken up.
In step S601, upon detecting transmission of file information from the other devices to the own device via the network (e.g., transmission of step S407 of
In step S602, the CPU of the control unit 1404 receives file information (e.g., file information transmitted in step S407 of
Next, in step S603, the CPU of the control unit 1404 stores the file information received in step S602 in the shared BOX folder. In step S604, the CPU of the control unit 1404 finishes the processing of
In step S605, after waking-up of the device, the CPU of the control unit 1404 starts the processing of
In step S606, the CPU of the control unit 1404 determines whether an external device has accessed file information stored in the shared BOX folder in the own device. If it is determined that the external device has accessed the file information (YES in step S606), the CPU of the control unit 1404 proceeds to step S607. As described above, the control unit 1404 displays file information of the data file stored in the own device and file information received from the other devices (file information not substantive in the own device) on the external device or the like, and receives access to the data file. Thus, the accessed file information may be not only file information of the substantive data file in the own device but also file information of substantive data files in the other devices.
Next, in step S607, the CPU of the control unit 1404 determines whether the file information access-detected in step S605 belongs to another device (whether the file information has been received and stored in
If it is determined that the access-detected substantive file information belongs to another device (YES in step S607), the CPU of the control unit 1404 proceeds to step S608.
In step S608, the CPU of the control unit 1404 inquires the accessed external device (access source) whether it is permitted to wake up the device in which a file is actually present, from a sleep condition.
In step S609, the CPU of the control unit 1404 stands by for a reply (response) from the accessed external device, and determines whether there has been an OK response (response indicating that it is permitted to wake up the device from sleep) from the accessed external device.
If it is determined that there has been no OK response (response indicating that it is permitted to wake up the device from sleep) from the accessed external device (NO in step S609), in step S613, the CPU of the control unit 1404 finishes the processing of
On the other hand, if it is determined that there has been an OK response (response indicating that it is permitted to wake up the device from sleep) from the accessed external device (YES in step S609), the CPU of the control unit 1404 proceeds to step S610.
In step S610, the CPU of the control unit 1404 transmits a wake-up command to the device (the other device above described) which stores the accessed substantive file (other device wake-up processing). The digital multifunction peripheral that has received the wake-up command returns to the standby condition (woken-up condition) from the sleep condition.
Then, in step S611, the CPU of the control unit 1404 stands by until the device which stores the accessed substantive file is set in a standby condition. After the device has been set in the standby condition, the CPU of the control unit 1404 notifies the device that the external device has accessed the file stored in the device (information about the file is also notified). Then, in step S613, the CPU of the control unit 1404 finishes the processing of
In the present flowchart, there is access from the external device. However, similar processing is carried out when there is direct access to a file from the operation panel 1408 of the own device.
In the exemplary embodiment, a file in the device B (102) is displayed, and the devices A (101) and C (103) have both transmitted file information to the device B (102) and are in sleep conditions.
In
The user can perform an access operation to the data files from the display screen of
In this case, an operation of the file “AA 2” performs the waking-up of the device A from sleep, and hence the CPU of the control unit 1404 of the device B (102) displays a screen 801 (inquiry screen) to select whether it is permitted to wake up the device. The CPU of the control unit 1404 of the device B (102) carries out this display in response to reception of the notification of step S608 of
On the screen 801, when a “YES” button 802 is specified, the CPU of the control unit 1404 of the device B (102) gives an OK response (response indicating that it is permitted to wake up the device from sleep) to the transmission source of the notification of step S608 of
On the other hand, when a “NO” button 803 is specified, the CPU of the control unit 1404 of the device B (102) gives an NG response (response indicating that it is not permitted to wake up the device from sleep) to the transmission source of the notification of step S608 of
As described above, according to the exemplary embodiment, by the method that allows free shifts of the individual digital multifunction peripherals to sleep conditions while realizing file sharing functions, power consumption can be reduced. Furthermore, when the last remaining device shifts to a sleep condition, the device consuming less standby power than the own device takes over, whereby a much better power saving condition can be maintained.
In the first exemplary embodiment, data of
In
When the shared BOX folder is opened by using the file sharing function from the PC 1801, first, the screen 1900 illustrated in
In the exemplary embodiment, an inquiry can be made only to a device on standby, and the user A can select the “device B” or the “device C” on standby. In the example illustrated in
As illustrated in
As described above, according to the exemplary embodiment, the user can browse file information stored in the shared BOX folder from the PC 1801 by using the file sharing function, and hence a power saving condition can be maintained without carelessly releasing a sleep condition of the digital multifunction peripheral. For example, because of use of the file sharing function, irrespective of presence of other woken-up digital multifunction peripherals, the user may wake up a digital multifunction peripheral in a sleep condition located near user's seat, consequently wasting power. This situation can be prevented.
The first exemplary embodiment has been described by way of the configuration where each digital multifunction peripheral transmits file information in the shared BOX folder of its own device to the other device before entering a sleep condition. However, a configuration may be employed, in which when the digital multifunction peripherals are connected to the network and woken up, the digital multifunction peripherals transfer file information in the shared BOX folders with each other. This configuration will be described below as a third exemplary embodiment.
In the present exemplary embodiment, when the digital multifunction peripherals are connected to the network, the digital multifunction peripherals transfer file information in the shared BOX folders with each other.
In this case, the file information (identification information) may contain instead of the substantive file additional information such as a file name or network pass information to specify a storage destination of the substantive file, and additionally a part of file information of a relatively small capacity such as a thumbnail image.
When the devices A, C and D enter the sleep conditions, each device deletes file information of the other devices stored therein.
Referring to
In step S1201, when the digital multifunction peripheral wakes up and its connection to the network is detected, the CPU of the control unit 1404 starts the processing of the flowchart.
Instep S1202, the CPU of the control unit 1404 checks whether the other devices having file sharing functions and connected to the network have woken up. If it is determined that the other devices have not woken up (NO in step S1202), in step S1206, the CPU of the control unit 1404 finishes the processing of the flowchart.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the other devices have woken up (YES in step S1202), the CPU of the control unit 1404 proceeds to step S1203.
In step S1203, the CPU of the control unit 1404 obtains power level information from all the other devices having file sharing functions which have woken up to generate a standby power management table.
Next, in step S1204, the CPU of the control unit 1404 transmits file information stored in the shared BOX folder of the own device to the other devices that have woken up (wake-up time transmission processing).
In step S1205, the CPU of the control unit 1404 communicates (makes a request to) with the other devices that have woken up and receives file information transmitted from the other devices (wake-up time reception processing). Then, in step S1206, the CPU of the control unit 1404 finishes the processing of the flowchart.
There is no preference in order between step S1204 and step S1205. The file information to be transmitted and received includes as additional information partial information containing a file name of a file stored in the shared BOX folder, network pass information, or information such as an IP address to specify a storage place.
Referring to
First, in step S1301, the CPU of the control unit 1404 executes monitoring to determine whether sleep conditions have been satisfied. Upon determining that the sleep conditions have been satisfied, the CPU of the control unit 1404 starts the processing of the flowchart.
In step S1302, the CPU of the control unit 1404 determines whether other devices connected within the same network are on standby. If it is determined that the other devices are on standby (YES in step S1302), the CPU of the control unit 1404 proceeds to step S1303.
In step S1303, the CPU of the control unit 1404 determines whether there is a plurality of devices on standby. If it is determined that there is a plurality of devices on standby (YES in step S1303), the CPU of the control unit 1404 proceeds to step S1305.
In step S1305, the CPU of the control unit 1404 selects a device consuming lowest standby power among the standby devices by referring to a power management table of
On the other hand, if it is determined that there is only one device on standby (NO in step S1303), the CPU of the control unit 1404 selects the device and proceeds to step S1307.
If it is determined that no other devices are on standby, in other words, there is only one device having a file sharing function, i.e., an own device, in the same network group (NO in step S1302), the CPU of the controlling unit 1404 proceeds to step S1304.
In step S1304, the CPU of the control unit 1404 refers to the power management table of
In step S1306, based on the power management table of
In step S1307, the CPU of the control unit 1404 transmits information stored in the own device to the selected devices. If it is determined in step S1306 that there is a plurality of devices in sleep conditions at standby power consumption levels lower than that of the own device, the CPU of the control unit 1404 determines which of the devices at the standby power consumption levels lower than that of the own device is to wake up according to a predetermined determination order. For example, the CPU of the control unit 1404 makes determination based on a priority such as a high usage frequency or a large free capacity of the shared file storage units 1406.
If it is determined in step S1305 that there is a plurality of standby devices consuming lowest standby power, the CPU of the control unit 1404 determines which of the devices is to wake up according to a predetermined determination order.
The information stored in the own device and transmitted in step S1307 indicates only file information having a substantive data file stored in the own device. In other words, no file information (file information collected from the other devices) having substantive data files stored in the other devices is included.
Next, in step S1308, the CPU of the control unit 1404 deletes the file information collected from the other devices and proceeds to step S1309.
Instep S1309, the CPU of the control unit 1404 shifts to a sleep condition. In step S1310, the CPU of the control unit 1404 finishes the processing of the flowchart.
On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no device in a sleep condition at a standby power consumption level lower than that of the own device (NO in step S1306), in step S1310, the CPU of the control unit 1404 finishes the processing of the flowchart without shifting to a sleep condition.
In the exemplary embodiment, in step S1305, the CPU of the control unit 1404 determines devices to which file information is transmitted according to a standby power consumption level in the power management table starting from the smallest level. However, a method for determining a file information transmission destination is not limited to this method. For example, a configuration may be employed that determines devices to which data information is transmitted based on other criteria preset and managed in the power management table such as access frequencies and large free capacities of the shared BOX folders.
In step S1305, all the devices on standby may be selected as devices to which file information is transmitted.
As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, by the method that allows free shifts of the individual digital multifunction peripherals to sleep conditions while realizing file sharing functions power consumption can be reduced. Furthermore, when the last remaining device shifts to a sleep condition, the device consuming less standby power than the own device takes over, whereby a much better power saving condition can be maintained.
In addition, a configuration may be employed, in which the PC server 105 stores the power management table illustrated in
The PC server 105 may be in overall control of conditions of the digital multifunction peripherals. For example, before entering a sleep condition, each digital multifunction peripheral inquires the PC server 105 whether it is permitted to shift to the sleep condition. If there are devices at standby power consumption levels lower than that of the inquired device and the devices are in woken-up conditions, based on the power management table which the PC server 105 holds, the PC server 105 permits the inquired device to shift to a sleep condition. If there are devices at standby power consumption levels lower than that of the inquired device, and the devices are in sleep conditions, the PC server 105 permits the inquired device to shift to a sleep condition, and wakes up the device consuming lowest standby power from the sleep condition.
The digital multifunction peripheral permitted to shift to the sleep condition transmits file information stored in the shared BOX folder of the own device to the PC server 105 to shift to the sleep condition. Then, the PC server 105 that has received the file information transmits the received file information to the devices at standby power consumption levels lower than that of the device which has shifted to the sleep condition.
The above-described configurations of various data and contents thereof are in no way limitative. According to usages and purposes, various configurations and contents can be employed. The above described is the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The present invention can be embodied into a system, an apparatus, a method, a program or a storage medium. More specifically, the invention may be applied to a system which includes a plurality of devices, or an apparatus which includes one device.
As described above, when each device constituting the shared file system connected to the network shifts to the sleep condition, the device notifies the other devices of identification information (partial information such as a file name) of the data file stored in the own device to shift to the sleep condition. When the last remaining device shifts to the sleep condition, the device wakes up the other devices consuming less standby power from sleep, and then notifies the other devices of identification information of the data file stored in the own device to shift to the sleep condition.
Thus, the file sharing function is effectively utilized to permit the unnecessary device to shift to a power saving condition, and when the last remaining device shifts to a power saving condition, the device consuming less standby power takes over. As a result, the power saving condition can be maintained for the entire system.
Thus, in the system including the data storage devices which have file sharing functions to enable mutual reference to the data among the data storage devices connected to the network, an optimal power saving system that suppresses wasteful power consumption while maintaining file sharing functions can be constructed.
Aspects of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus (or devices such as a CPU or MPU) that reads out and executes a program recorded on a memory device to perform the functions of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method, the steps of which are performed by a computer of a system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing a program recorded on a memory device to perform the functions of the above-described embodiment(s). For this purpose, the program is provided to the computer for example via a network or from a recording medium of various types serving as the memory device (e.g., computer-readable medium).
While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-335391 filed Dec. 27, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2008-335391 | Dec 2008 | JP | national |