An information processing apparatus including a processor and a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) device includes a device controller configured to change a state of the PCI device between a first power state and a second power state in which electric power is consumed less than the first power state, and a power mode controller configured to control a power mode of the information processing apparatus in the standby state. The device controller maintains a power state of the PCI device in the first power state when a power mode of the information processing apparatus in the standby state controlled by the power mode controller is a first power mode, and changes the power state of the PCI device between the first and second power states in a second power mode in which electric power is consumed less than the first power mode.

A multifunction peripheral includes a printer and a panel. The printer may perform a print process based on a print job and a process of printing an eco-report. The panel may simultaneously display a print instruction screen and a notification screen. The panel may instruct the print process based on a print job when the two screens are simultaneously displayed.

A printer switches between and uses plural communication units according to the operating mode, can switch the operating mode appropriately to the operating conditions, and can improve power conservation. The printer has a network control unit with a first communication unit configured to communicate in a first operating mode; and a main control unit having a second communication unit configured to communicate in a second operating mode. The main control unit limits the power supply to the first communication unit in the second operating mode; and the second communication unit determines whether or not to go to the first operating mode based on content of data received in the second operating mode.

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is operated by at least switching between a first power state and a second power state in which its power consumption is less than that of the first power state. In a case where an event detected during a period from start to end of processing of making transition from the first power state to the second power state is a communication establishment event, the information processing apparatus causes a communication unit to transmit to a communication partner a notification for maintaining connection of communication in the second power state.

Ethernet and Universal Serial Bus (USB) powered printing devices are provided. In particular, Ethernet and USB powered printers and methods of Ethernet powering of printers that support high speed printing and/or data intensive printing. Such high-speed and/or data intensive printing operations are able to be Ethernet or USB powered by providing for a power storage unit within the printer device that is able be charged during non-printing periods and provide for necessary energy bursts to support such higher powered processes. In addition, the present invention provides for devices and methods that allow for printers to operate with main power provided by conventional power mains and for back-up or secondary power to be supplied by Ethernet or USB power. Additionally, the invention provides for Ethernet or USB powering, both primary and back-up, of the data and configuration settings in the printer control and image generating electronics. In the back-up power mode, the Ethernet or USB power insures that data and configurations are not lost during periods of main power outage. The invention also provides a printer and method that can optimize a printing operation, e.g., by adjusting the speed of the printing operation according to the power required for the operation and/or the power available.

A printing system includes a first printer configured to execute an initial operation to transition to a printable state when receiving an activation instruction and a second printer configured to execute an initial operation to transition to a printable state when receiving an activation instruction. Activation instruction processing for outputting the activation instruction to the second printer is executed when the second printer is designated as a following printer to be activated subsequently to the first printer. In the activation instruction processing, the activation instruction is output to the second printer at second activation timing obtained based on, with timing at which the first printer receives the activation instruction as a starting point, a first initial operation time, a first maintenance time, and a second initial operation time.

An image forming device is provided with a signal output unit which outputs an interrupt signal when storage of a print job input from the outside in a memory is completed, a processor which switches the operation mode to a normal mode when an operation mode of the own device is a power saving mode when an interrupt signal output from the signal output unit is input, executes each of the print jobs stored in the memory, and switches the operation mode to the power saving mode after the completion of printing, and a signal delay unit which can delay the input of the interrupt signal output from the signal output unit to the processor when the operation mode is the power saving mode.

An information processing apparatus includes a memory storing identification information on the information processing apparatus and a processor configured to: generate a code image including the identification information and cause a display to display the code image; detect a communication content from a terminal apparatus and, if the communication content includes the identification information on the information processing apparatus, make a connect request to the terminal apparatus as a transmission source of the communication content via a communication unit that performs wireless communication; and perform control to establish a connection to the terminal apparatus.

A printing system includes a printer and an information processing device that includes a processor and a memory storing processor-executable instructions, the instructions being configured to, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to accept a print instruction, in response to accepting the print instruction, determine whether to instruct the printer to start a pre-printing operation based on preparation instruction information, in response to determining to instruct the printer to start the pre-printing operation, transmit the preparation instruction information to the printer, in response to determining to instruct the printer to start the pre-printing operation and transmitting the preparation instruction information to the printer, generate print data based on specified contents data, and transmit print instruction information to the printer.

A control device includes: a wireless communication section that operates while being continuously supplied with power; and a detection section that detects approach of a user. The control device further includes: an authentication processing section that authenticates a user of a terminal in response to reception of a request from the terminal by the wireless communication section when supply of power to a processing section of an information processing apparatus is stopped; and a control section that starts supplying power to the processing section when the approach of the user of the terminal is detected by the detection section after the authentication succeeds.