JP2009271413A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem of an image forming apparatus, wherein printing for a standby job is not carried out, when a power source is automatically shut off when sleep condition continues for a fixed time or longer, or when the power source is automatically shut off by the input of a power source off-switch. <P>SOLUTION: In the image forming apparatus, when the power source is automatically shut off during sleep conditions continuing for the fixed time or longer, an automatic power source control section informs a job control section of it; and when the job control section completes printing for a standby job, it informs power source shut-off permission and shuts off the power source. In addition, when a power source soft switch is input and turned off, the power source control section also informs the job control section of power source shut-off permission, and receives an input informing that whether the job control section performs printing for a standby job or not. If printing for the job is to be carried out, the power source control section informs power source shut-off permission and shuts off the power source, when the printing for the job is finished in the case of performing the print; and when it is not to be carried out, the power source control section informs power source shut-off permission immediately and shuts off the power source. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to printing control of a job in a standby state when an automatic power shut-off when a sleep state continues for a predetermined time or more and a power shut-off by a power soft switch OFF input in the image forming apparatus.

  As a method for reducing the power consumption of the image forming apparatus, there is a method of adopting a sleep state in which power supply to a main part of the image forming apparatus, particularly a fixing device and a developing device is stopped. In this method, when the image forming apparatus is not used for a certain period of time, the apparatus is shifted to the sleep state to save power. However, in a situation where jobs are entered irregularly, the sleep state is temporarily entered. However, there is a problem that the operation is immediately returned to the operation state by the input of the job, and as a result, the power saving effect is very small.

  As a conventional technique, there is a method of specifying a print end time for a job and performing printing by combining jobs for jobs that are close in time, thereby reducing the number of times of transition to a power saving mode and reducing power consumption. (See Patent Document 1).

When performing such job control, when a job that has entered a standby state has been in the sleep state for a predetermined time or longer, and when the power is turned off by turning off the power soft switch, printing is performed as it is. There was a problem that the device stopped without outputting.
JP 2003-220742 A

  The problem to be solved is that when a job that has entered a standby state has been in the sleep state for a predetermined time or longer, and when the power is turned off by turning off the power soft switch, the print output is not output as it is. This is the point that the device stops.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention supplies a limited amount of power to the inside of the apparatus to enable power saving, and prints a job generated by a host computer by supplying power to each unit in the apparatus. An image forming apparatus having an image forming apparatus capable of switching between two states, ie, an operating state that enables the image forming apparatus, and a host computer that transmits the job to the image forming apparatus, wherein the sleep state is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. When the job control unit continues, the job control unit is notified to the job control unit, and when the notification of the power supply cut-off permission from the job control unit is obtained, the automatic control unit cuts off the power, and the job control unit The main feature is that when a notification of power-off is received, a print job in a standby state is printed out, and when the print output is completed, the notification of power-off is notified.

  The image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a power soft switch that accepts an input of turning on or off a power supply and notifies the power control section of the input, wherein the power control section When an on input of the power soft switch is accepted, power is supplied to each part in the apparatus to exert its function, and when an off input of the power soft switch is accepted, the job control unit is notified of the power shutdown of the apparatus, and the job control When the notification of power cut-off permission is obtained from the unit, the power is cut off, and when receiving the power cut-off notification, the job control unit accepts an input as to whether or not to perform print output of a print job in a standby state, The main feature is that when the print output is completed, notification of the power-off permission is performed.

  An image forming apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the job control unit prints out a print job in a standby state upon receiving the power-off notification, When the print output is completed, notification of the power-off permission is given.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention supplies a limited amount of power to the inside of the apparatus to enable power saving, and prints a job generated by a host computer by supplying power to each unit in the apparatus. An image forming apparatus having an image forming apparatus capable of switching between two states, ie, an operating state that enables the image forming apparatus, and a host computer that transmits the job to the image forming apparatus, wherein the sleep state is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. When the job control unit continues, the job control unit is notified to the job control unit, and when the notification of the power supply cut-off permission from the job control unit is obtained, the automatic control unit cuts off the power, and the job control unit Since the most important feature is that when a power-off notification is received, a print job in a standby state is printed out, and when the print output is completed, the power-off permission is notified. Sometimes job in the standby state is no longer that the power of the device without being printed is interrupted.

  The image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a power soft switch that accepts an input of turning on or off a power supply and notifies the power control section of the input, wherein the power control section When an on input of the power soft switch is accepted, power is supplied to each part in the apparatus to exert its function, and when an off input of the power soft switch is accepted, the job control unit is notified of the power shutdown of the apparatus, and the job control When the notification of power cut-off permission is obtained from the unit, the power is cut off, and when receiving the power cut-off notification, the job control unit accepts an input as to whether or not to perform print output of a print job in a standby state, Since the most important feature is that notification of the power-off permission is made when the print output is completed, whether the user prints a job in a standby state when the apparatus is turned off. Ukao has become possible selection.

  An image forming apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the job control unit prints out a print job in a standby state upon receiving the power-off notification, Since the power-off permission is notified when the print output is completed, it is possible to automatically print a job in a standby state when the apparatus is turned off.

  Image formation that can control two states: a sleep state that can supply power only within the device to save power and an operating state that supplies power to each part of the device to maximize its functions The image forming apparatus of the present invention has a problem that the apparatus returns from the sleep state due to an irregularly input job, and as a result, power saving is not realized, even if a job is input within a predetermined forced sleep time. The problem was solved by not returning to the operating state until the forced sleep time elapses.

  An image forming apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention, and an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a host computer will be described below.

[Constitution]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus, a host computer, and an image forming system comprising the two according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 101 includes a printing unit 200, a fixing device 211, a CPU 301, an operation unit 400, a touch panel 401, a power soft switch 501, a power control unit 510, an automatic power cut-off unit 513, a document reading unit 600, a job generation unit 711, A printing symbol assigning unit 713, a printing deadline symbol giving unit 715, a job control unit 721, an immediate printing symbol judgment unit 723, a printing deadline symbol judgment unit 725, a job buffer 751, and a communication interface unit 801 are provided.

  The host computer 901 includes a printer driver 910, and the printer driver 910 includes functional units such as a job generation unit 911, an immediate print symbol assigning unit 913, and a print deadline symbol assigning unit 915.

  The host computer 901 and the image forming apparatus 101 are connected by a network 950.

  Other functional units such as an image processing unit provided in a normal image forming apparatus are omitted because they are not related to the essence of the present invention.

  Each functional unit will be described below.

  The printing unit 200 prints a job instructed by the job control unit 721. In addition, the power supply control unit 510 controls the power supply according to the sleep state and the operation state.

  The fixing device 211 is a part of the printing unit 200 and consumes a large amount of power because the toner performs heat fixing. In general, in an image forming apparatus, if the fixing device starts to be overheated after a printing instruction is issued, it takes time until printing. Therefore, in an operating state, the image forming apparatus is kept in a preheating state called preheating. Increase response speed. In the preheating state, the temperature is lower than that in the heat fixing state, but there is still power consumption. Therefore, if the job is not input for a predetermined time, the power supply of the fixing device is completely shut off, the preheating state is stopped, and the sleep state is entered. .

  The CPU 301 is an arithmetic device that controls the entire image forming apparatus 101. Since the CPU 301 consumes a large amount of power along with the fixing device 211 and the like, in the sleep state, the clock is slowed down or the power supply to a part of the CPU is cut off to realize power saving.

  The operation unit 400 includes a touch panel 401 (display unit), inputs an operation of the image forming apparatus 101 to display the state of the device, and inputs a job generation (job start instruction) in the embodiment of the present invention. Accepts input of immediate symbol or deadline symbol at the time of job generation.

  The touch panel 401 (display unit) displays information on a part of the operation unit 400 and receives an operation input.

  Both the operation unit 400 and the touch panel 401 have illumination for display. In the operating state, the illumination is on and power is consumed. However, when the sleep mode is entered, the illumination power and the operation unit 400 itself are cut off. To achieve power saving.

  The power soft switch 501 is a soft switch for performing power on / off input, and does not directly shut off the power by a mechanical contact, but transmits the soft switch input to the power controller 510 to control the power. Unit 510 determines the state of the device and turns the apparatus on and off.

  The power control unit 510 receives an input from the power soft switch 501 and controls on / off of the power source. The power source control unit 510 supplies a limited amount of power to the inside of the apparatus to enable power saving and each part in the apparatus. Two states are controlled: an operating state in which power is supplied to the power supply and the function is performed.

  In general, the image forming apparatus 101 starts up in an operating state when the apparatus is started up. However, when there is no input of a job for a predetermined time, the image forming apparatus 101 shifts to a sleep state to realize power saving.

  Even when the printer is in the sleep state, the job control unit 721 requests to shift to the operation state in order to print the job (in the path indicated by the black arrow between the power control unit 510 and the job control unit 721 in FIG. 1). When a notification is received), the printer shifts to an operating state to enable print output. In this case, necessary power is sent to the printing unit 200 and the CPU 301 and power consumption increases, but printing is possible. After print output, as described above, if there is no input of a job for a predetermined time again, it shifts to the sleep state.

  The power control unit 510 of the image forming apparatus 101 according to the embodiment controls the power to each unit of the printing unit 200 (including the fixing device 211), the CPU 301, and the operation unit 400 that consumes particularly large power as described above (each function unit). To control the sleep state and the operating state. The relationship between these power controlled units and the power control unit 510 is indicated by broken lines in FIG.

  When there is a power shutdown request from the power soft switch 501, the power control unit 510 notifies the job control unit 721 of power shutdown (the black arrow path in FIG. 1 described above). Thereafter, upon receiving a power cutoff permission notification (indicated by the black arrow) from the job control unit 721, the power cutoff unit 510 shuts off the power of the apparatus.

  The automatic power shut-off unit 513 automatically shuts off the power when the sleep state continues for a set predetermined time. In this case, the automatic power shut-off unit 513 notifies the job control unit 721 of power shut-off in the same manner as the power shut-off by the power soft switch 501 (the black arrow path). When receiving a power-off permission notification (indicated by the black arrow) from the job control unit 721, the automatic power-off unit 513 shuts off the power of the apparatus.

  The document reading unit 600 is a scanner unit that reads a document.

  The job generation unit 711 is a functional unit that generates a job. When the image forming apparatus 101 receives a job from the host computer 901, the job is generated by the printer driver 910 of the host computer 901, but when the original read by the original reading unit 600 is copied, image formation is performed. A job is generated by the job generation unit 711 of the apparatus 101.

  The immediate printing symbol assigning unit 713 is a functional unit that assigns an immediate printing symbol that is a symbol for performing immediate printing to the job generated by the job generating unit 711.

  A job to which the immediate printing symbol is attached is shifted to the operating state even when the image forming apparatus 101 is in the sleep state, and is immediately printed.

  The printing deadline symbol assigning unit 715 is a functional unit that assigns a printing deadline symbol that is a symbol for performing printing when a designated deadline comes to the job generated by the job generation unit 711.

  Even if the image forming apparatus 101 is in the sleep state, the job with the print deadline symbol is shifted to the operating state and printed when the deadline is reached. The job is in a standby state until the print deadline is reached, but if the image forming apparatus shifts from the sleep state to the active state by another job while the job is in the standby state, printing continues with that job. Is called.

  The job control unit 721 controls when to print a job. As shown in FIG. 1, the job control unit 721 has a job buffer 751 and temporarily records the job received from the host computer 901 or the job generated by the job generation unit 711 in the job buffer 751. When the image forming apparatus 101 is in an operating state, all jobs in the job buffer 751 are printed. When the image forming apparatus is in the sleep state, when the printing is performed is determined by the immediate printing symbol and the printing deadline symbol added to the job. The determination of the addition of these symbols is performed by the following functional units.

  The immediate print symbol determination unit 723 operates in conjunction with the job control unit 721 and determines whether or not an immediate print symbol is assigned to the received job. If it is assigned, immediate printing is performed. Even if it is not assigned, if the image forming apparatus 101 is in an operating state, immediate printing is performed.

  The printing deadline determination unit 725 operates in conjunction with the job control unit 721 and determines whether a printing deadline symbol is given to the received job. If it is assigned, the power supply control unit 510 shifts the image forming apparatus to the operating state and prints the job when the print deadline is reached even in the sleep state. Even if it is not assigned, if the image forming apparatus 101 is in an operating state, immediate printing is performed. The deadline symbol may be a designated date and time or a designated elapsed time.

  The job buffer 751 is a place for storing jobs received by the job control unit 721 (including jobs generated by the job generation unit 711 of the image forming apparatus 101). In FIG. 1, as shown by the job buffer 751, three jobs of job 1; 761, job 2; 762, and job 3; 763 are stored.

  (1) Job 1; 761 is assigned a printing deadline symbol 761k, and is set to execute the job at 17:00, assuming that the job has not yet reached 17:00. 1 enters a standby state.

  (2) Job 2; 762 is assigned an immediate print symbol 762s, and is set to execute the job immediately.

  (3) Job 3; 763 has no immediate printing symbol or printing deadline symbol, and is in a standby state.

  The above three jobs are received in the order of numbers. However, since the job 2 to which the immediate print symbol is assigned is immediately printed, the image forming apparatus shifts from the sleep state to the active state, and the white color in FIG. As indicated by the arrow, the job 2 is transferred to the printing unit 200 and printed.

  When job 2 is printed, job 1 and job 3, which have been waiting, are also printed continuously.

  The communication interface unit 801 has a function of connecting the image forming apparatus 101 and the host computer. The job may be generated in the main body of the image forming apparatus 101 or may be generated by the printer driver 910 of the host computer 901 and transmitted to the image forming apparatus through the communication interface unit 801.

  Next, each functional unit of the host computer 901 will be described.

  The host computer 901 includes a printer driver 910 that generates a job for printing on the image forming apparatus 101.

  The printer driver 910 includes functional units such as a job generation unit 911, an immediate print symbol assigning unit 913, and a print deadline symbol assigning unit 915.

  The job generation unit 911 converts document data into a data format printable by the image forming apparatus using a page description language or the like in order to print a document file on the host computer 910.

  Immediate print symbol assignment unit 913 is a functional unit that assigns an immediate print symbol, which is a symbol for performing immediate printing, to the job generated by the job generation unit 911.

  A job to which the immediate printing symbol is attached is shifted to the operating state even when the image forming apparatus 101 is in the sleep state, and is immediately printed.

  The printing deadline symbol assigning unit 915 is a functional unit that assigns a printing deadline symbol that is a symbol for performing printing when a specified deadline comes to the job generated by the job generation unit 911.

  Even if the image forming apparatus 101 is in the sleep state, the job to which the print deadline symbol is attached is shifted to the operation state and printed when the time limit has come. The job is in a standby state until the print deadline is reached, but if the image forming apparatus shifts from the sleep state to the active state by another job while the job is in the standby state, printing continues with that job. Is called.

[flowchart]
The flow of operation will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an operation when the image forming apparatus receives a job (including a case where a job is generated by the job generation unit 711 of the image forming apparatus 101).

  S11: Job generation is input by an operation input from the operation unit 400 of the image forming apparatus 101. At that time, a setting input is made as to whether to give an immediate printing symbol or a deadline symbol. The job generation unit 711 performs job generation. Also, the immediate print symbol assigning unit 713 assigns the immediate print symbol. The printing deadline symbol is assigned by the printing deadline symbol assigning unit 713.

  Similarly, the job generation may be performed by the host computer. In this case, a setting input is performed as to whether an immediate print symbol is assigned by the immediate print symbol assigning unit 913 of the printer driver 910 or a deadline symbol is assigned by the printing deadline symbol assigning unit 915. The job generation unit 911 performs job generation. The generated job is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 101 through the network 950.

  S13: A job generated by the job generation unit 711 of the image forming apparatus 101 or a job generated by the job generation unit 911 of the host computer 901 is received by the job control unit 721.

  S15: The job control unit 721 notifies the power supply control unit 510 that a job has occurred, and the power supply control unit 510 notifies the job control unit 721 of the current power supply state (active state or sleep state). If it is in the sleep state, the operation proceeds to S19. If it is not in the sleep state, the operation proceeds to S17.

  S17: Since the image forming apparatus 101 is in an operating state, the printing unit 200 performs immediate printing of the job regardless of the symbol attached to the job. This completes the operation.

  S19: If the image forming apparatus 101 is in the sleep state, the immediate print symbol determination unit 723 determines whether an immediate print symbol is assigned to the job. If the immediate print symbol is assigned, the operation proceeds to S23. If the immediate print symbol is not assigned, the operation proceeds to S21.

  S21: Since the immediate print symbol is not assigned to the job, the job control unit 721 sets the job to a standby state. The operation when the print deadline is reached when the print deadline symbol is assigned to the job in the standby state will be described with reference to FIG. 3 in the next section.

  S23: Since the immediate print symbol is assigned to the job, the job control unit 721 requests the power supply control unit 510 to shift to the operating state in order to perform print output. The power control unit 510 shifts from the sleep state to the operation state in accordance with the request.

  S25: Since the image forming apparatus 101 has shifted to the operating state, the job control unit 721 passes the job assigned the immediate print symbol to the printing unit 200, and the printing unit 200 prints the job.

  S27: The job control unit 721 determines whether there is a standby job. If there is a waiting job, the operation proceeds to S29. If there is no waiting job, the operation is terminated.

  S29: Since there is a standby job, the job control unit 721 transfers the standby job to the printing unit 200 regardless of the symbol given to the job, and the printing unit 200 prints the job in the standby state.

  Through the series of processes described above, the process of printing a newly received job according to the power supply status and the assigned symbol or putting the job in a standby state is completed.

  Next, an operation until a job to which a print deadline symbol that has been in a standby state is given will be described with reference to FIG.

  S41: When a job to which a print deadline is given is in a standby state, whether or not the deadline of the job is reached is monitored. When the printing deadline is reached, the operation proceeds to S43.

  S43: The power control unit 510 shifts the power state of the image forming apparatus from the sleep state to the active state because the print deadline of the job assigned the print deadline symbol in the standby state has been reached.

  S45: Since the image forming apparatus 101 has shifted to the operating state, the job control unit 721 passes the job with the print deadline symbol to the printing unit 200, and the printing unit 200 prints the job.

  S47: The job control unit 721 determines whether there is another waiting job. If there is a waiting job, the operation proceeds to S49. If there is no waiting job, the operation is terminated.

  S49: Since there is a standby job, the job control unit 721 transfers the standby job to the printing unit 200 regardless of the symbol given to the job, and the printing unit 200 prints the job in the standby state.

  Through the series of processes described above, a job that has reached the print deadline is printed.

  Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 4, the operation of power shutoff by the automatic power shutoff unit 513 when the power soft switch 501 is turned off and when the sleep state continues for a predetermined time or more will be described.

  S61: When an off input is performed by the power soft switch 501, the power control unit 510 receives the input and notifies the job control unit 721 of power-off. Further, when the sleep state continues for a predetermined time or longer, the automatic power shutdown unit 513 similarly notifies the job control unit 721 of power shutdown.

  S63: The job control unit 721 checks the state of the job buffer 751 upon receiving a power shutdown notice.

  S65: If the result of the check in S63 is that there is a standby job, the operation proceeds to S67. If there is no standby job, the operation proceeds to S75.

  S67: A message indicating that there is a standby job is displayed on the touch panel 401 (display unit).

  S69: An input for designating whether to turn off the apparatus after printing a standby job or not to print is received from the operation unit 400 and passed to the job control unit 721.

  S71: When printing a standby job as a result of the input in S69, the operation proceeds to S73. If the standby job is not printed, the operation proceeds to S75.

  S73: The job control unit 721 passes the standby job to the printing unit 200 regardless of the symbol given to the job, and the printing unit 200 prints and completes the job in the standby state.

  S75: Since the job in S73 is completed, the job control unit 721 grants the power control unit 510 (or the automatic power shutdown unit 513 when receiving the power shutdown notification from the automatic power shutdown unit 513) permission to power off. Notice.

  S77: The power shutdown unit 510 (when receiving the power shutdown notification from the automatic power shutdown unit 513, the automatic power shutdown unit 513) shuts off the power and turns off the apparatus.

  Through the series of processes described above, the operation for printing the job in the standby state when the power soft switch is turned off and the automatic power shut-off unit 513 is automatically shut off is completed.

  In S29 and S49 in the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3, the job in the standby state is continuously printed. However, depending on the setting, the continuous printing is not performed, and the job in the standby state is not changed by the user. You may take the method of printing by the printing instruction | indication at arbitrary timings.

  Also, in the above-described step S69, if no user input is made for a certain period of time, it is possible to specify whether or not to print a standby job according to a preset setting, and the operation may be advanced as specified. In the case of soft switch off, it is assumed that the user is in front of the device, but for automatic power shutdown when the sleep time continues for a predetermined time or more, there are many cases where the user's input cannot be expected, It is necessary to set to advance automatically to the next step when there is no input for a certain period of time.

[Effect of Example]
The image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention enables the following.

  In the image forming apparatus, even after entering the sleep state, the job is returned from the sleep state due to an irregularly input job, and as a result, power saving cannot be realized by repeating the transition between the sleep state and the operation state. Whether or not urgent printing is performed for received jobs is distinguished by assigning an immediate print symbol. Jobs that do not have an urgent print instruction are kept in a standby state, and continuously when a job that has an urgent print instruction is printed. In the method of enabling printing, the number of transitions between the sleep state and the operation state is reduced, and as a result, power saving is achieved.

[Others]
In the embodiment of the present invention, the method of assigning an immediate print symbol for performing immediate printing is used, but conversely, when immediate printing is not required, the method of assigning an immediate print unnecessary symbol is taken and immediately A method may be used in which nothing is given to a job for printing.

1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus and a host computer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart at the time of job reception in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart when the time limit of a time-limited job has reached in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart according to an off operation of a power soft switch of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 Image forming apparatus 401 Touch panel (display unit)
501 Power supply soft switch 510 Power control unit 513 Automatic power cut-off unit 711 Job generation unit 713 Immediate print symbol assignment unit 715 Print deadline symbol assignment unit 721 Job control unit 723 Immediate print symbol determination unit 725 Print deadline symbol determination unit 901 Host computer 910 Printer Driver 911 Job generation unit 913 Immediate printing symbol assignment unit 915 Printing deadline symbol addition unit

Claims (3)

Switchable between a sleep state where power is limited and power can be saved, and an operating state where power is supplied without limitation and the job generated by the host computer can be printed by the job control unit An image forming apparatus,
When the sleep state continues for a predetermined time or more, the job control unit is notified of the power-off of the apparatus, and an automatic power-off unit that shuts off the power when the power-off permission notification is obtained from the job control unit is provided. And
The job control unit prints out a print job that is in a standby state upon receiving the power-off notification, and notifies the power-off permission when the print output is completed.
An image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus having a power soft switch that accepts an input of power on or off and notifies the power controller of the input,
The power control unit supplies power to each unit in the apparatus when receiving an ON input of the power soft switch, and performs a function. When receiving an OFF input of the power soft switch, the power control unit turns off the power of the apparatus. And when the notification of power cut-off permission is obtained from the job control unit, the power is cut off,
The job control unit receives an input as to whether or not to perform print output of a print job in a standby state upon receiving the power-off notification, and notifies the power-off permission when the print output is completed. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
The job control unit, upon receiving the power shutdown notification, prints out a print job in a standby state, and when the print output is completed, notifies the power shutdown permission.
An image forming apparatus.

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