JP2012192702A - Image forming apparatus, power saving control method, power saving control program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control power saving according to illuminance of the external light and a power supply state of the external device.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 generates and supplies power supply electric powers Pa and Pb that are the electric powers used for the inside of the image forming apparatus 1 from the electric power supplied from the external by a power supply part 3, detects the illuminance of the entered external light by an illuminance sensor 52, and detects the power supply state of an external device GS that requests the operation to the image forming apparatus 1 through a network NW by a network monitoring part 36. A CPU 21 intercepts supply of power supply electric power Pa from the power supply part 3 on a power supply blocking condition that the detected illuminance is below a given power-off illuminance threshold, and all of the all external devices GS are power-off.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a power saving control method, a power saving control program, and a recording medium. More specifically, the present invention relates to a copying apparatus that performs power saving control according to the amount of external light, an image forming apparatus such as a composite apparatus, and power saving. The present invention relates to a control method, a power saving control program, and a recording medium.

  In image forming apparatuses such as printers, multifunction devices, facsimile machines, and copying machines, when a predetermined waiting time elapses in a standby state due to a recent demand for energy saving, a power saving state (energy saving state) in which power consumption is reduced is entered. There is a power saving mode for shifting to a standby state where normal operation is possible by resuming power supply based on a predetermined return factor.

  Conventionally, there has been proposed an image forming apparatus that detects the amount of external light by a light amount detection unit such as an illuminance sensor and supplies, shuts off, or waits for power based on the detected amount of external light (Patent Document). 1).

  However, in the prior art described in the above publication, power supply / supply cut-off is performed only based on the amount of external light such as room lighting arranged around the image forming apparatus. In order to control the power supply of the image forming apparatus in a good state, there is a need for improvement.

  That is, in the prior art described in the publication, when an image forming apparatus is installed in a company or the like and connected to a network and used by a plurality of users via the network, a user near the image forming apparatus returns home or When the seat is removed and the room light is turned off, the power supply to the image forming apparatus is cut off even if the user who uses the terminal connected to the network is at a seat away from the image forming apparatus. As a result, a user who is away from the image forming apparatus cannot use the image forming apparatus, and there is a need to improve the usability.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus, a power saving control method, a power saving control program, and a recording medium that appropriately control power supply power according to various usage modes.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention generates and supplies electric power used inside the image forming apparatus from electric power supplied from the outside, detects the illuminance of incident external light, and via a network. The power supply state of the external device that makes an operation request to the image forming apparatus is detected and the detected illuminance is less than or equal to the predetermined power-off illuminance and the power supply state of the external device satisfies the predetermined power-off state. As a cutoff condition, the power supply is cut off.

  Further, the present invention satisfies at least one of the detected illuminance of the external light rising above a predetermined power-on illuminance and the detected power state of the external device being a predetermined power-on state. The power supply restart condition may be characterized by restarting the supply of power that has been shut off.

  Further, according to the present invention, the detected external light illuminance decreases below a predetermined power-saving illuminance, and the detected power state of the external device satisfies a predetermined power-saving power state as a power-saving transition condition, The image forming apparatus may be characterized in that power is supplied only to a predetermined portion inside the image forming apparatus or a power saving mode for reducing the power supplied to the predetermined portion is entered.

  Further, the present invention provides at least one of the detected illuminance of the external light rising above a predetermined power saving return illuminance and the detected power state of the external device being a predetermined power saving return power state. The supply of power to the predetermined portion that has been in the power saving mode may be resumed with satisfying the power saving return condition.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately control power supply power in accordance with various usage modes.

1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus to which a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. The flowchart which shows a power-on process. The flowchart which shows a power-off process. The flowchart which shows the power-on process based on illumination intensity. The block block diagram of a controller in the case of having a power saving mode. The flowchart which shows a power saving mode transfer control process. The block block diagram of the image forming apparatus provided with the secondary battery to which 2nd Example of this invention is applied.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The range of this invention is unduly limited by the following description. However, not all the configurations described in the present embodiment are essential constituent elements of the present invention.

  1 to 6 are diagrams illustrating a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus, a power saving control method, a power saving control program, and a recording medium according to the present invention. FIG. 1 illustrates the image forming apparatus, power saving according to the present invention. 1 is a block configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus 1 to which a first embodiment of a control method, a power saving control program, and a recording medium are applied. FIG.

  In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a power switch 2, a power supply unit 3, a controller 4, a power control unit 5, an operation panel 6, a scanner 7, a plotter 8, and the like.

  The power switch 2 is used by a user to turn on / off the power of the image forming apparatus 1 and outputs a power switch signal that instructs the power control unit 5 to turn on / off the power.

  The power supply unit (power supply means) 3 includes a relay 11, transformers 12 and 13, and the like, and includes a rectifier circuit (not shown). A plug 15 is connected to the tip of a power cord 14 in the relay 11. And plugged into an AC 100V commercial power outlet. The transformer 12 is connected to the power cord 14 via the relay 11, transforms and rectifies the AC 100 V commercial AC power supplied via the relay 11 to generate a DC power source power Pa having a predetermined voltage, and the controller 4 And supplied to the operation panel 6. Further, the transformer 13 is directly connected to the power cord 14, transforms and rectifies AC 100 V commercial AC power, generates DC power Pb having a predetermined voltage, and supplies the power to the power controller 5. That is, when the relay 11 is on, the controller 4 and the operation panel 6 are supplied with the power supply power Pa from the power supply unit 3, and the power supply control unit 5 is plugged into the outlet so that the commercial power is supplied. As long as it is supplied, the power supply Pb is supplied from the power supply unit 3.

  The controller 4 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 21, a random access memory (RAM) 22, a read only memory (ROM) 23, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 24, and the like. A microcomputer 51 and an illuminance sensor 52. The operation panel 6 includes various key switches 61, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 62, an ASIC 63, and the like.

  The ASIC 24 of the controller 4 includes a microcomputer IF (interface) 31 that is an interface with the microcomputer 51 of the power controller 5, a CPU IF 32 that is an interface with the CPU 21, a RAM IF 33 that is an interface with the RAM 22, and a ROM that is an interface with the ROM 23. An IF 34, an operation panel IF 35 that is an interface with the ASIC 63 of the operation panel 6, a network monitoring unit 36, a scanner IF 37 that is an interface with the scanner 7, a plotter IF 38 that is an interface with the plotter 8, etc. Information and signals are exchanged with each unit via the interface.

  The ROM 23 stores a basic program as the image forming apparatus 1, a power supply control program of the present invention, necessary system data, and the like. The CPU 21 forms an image while using the RAM 22 as a work memory based on the program in the ROM 23. Each part of the apparatus 1 is controlled to execute basic processing as the image forming apparatus 1 and to execute power saving control processing of the present invention. The CPU 21 includes an ASIC IF 21 a that is an interface with the ASIC 24, and exchanges various information, signals, and commands with the ASIC 24.

  A network NW such as a LAN (Local Area Network) is connected to the network monitoring unit (external device detection unit, reception unit) 36, and print data of a print job to the image forming apparatus 1 is connected to the network NW. An external device GS such as a computer for performing an operation request such as a print request for requesting printing, a data transfer request for requesting data transfer of data stored in a hard disk (not shown), or the like is connected. The network monitoring unit 36 exchanges signals and data with the external device GS on the network NW, receives a print request and a data transfer request, processes the request, and sends a processing result via the network NW. To the external device GS that has made the request. In particular, the network monitoring unit 36 detects a power state such as whether the external device GS is turned on, off, or in a power saving state. As a method for detecting the power state, a known method such as a method of communicating with the external device GS using an IP address or a MAC address can be used.

  The illuminance sensor (illuminance detection means) 52 of the power supply control unit 5 is arranged at a position where the illuminance of the external light of the image forming apparatus 1 (for example, the illuminance of the illumination lamp in the room where the image forming apparatus 1 is installed) can be detected. The illuminance of the external light is detected and an analog illuminance signal is output to the microcomputer 51.

  The microcomputer 51 of the power supply control unit 5 includes a GIO (General Purpose Input / Output) 53, an A / D conversion IF 54, a ROM 55, a RAM 56, a controller IF 57, and the like. Based on a program in the ROM 55, The power supply control is performed by controlling each unit of the power supply control unit 5 while using the RAM 56 as a work memory. The microcomputer 51 receives the analog illuminance signal from the illuminance sensor 52 by the A / D conversion IF 54, converts it to digital, and outputs it from the controller IF 57 to the microcomputer IF 31 of the ASIC 24 of the controller 4. Further, the microcomputer 51 receives the power switch signal from the power switch 2 to the GIO 53 and outputs a relay control signal to the relay 11 to control the ON / OFF of the relay 11 and, under the control of the CPU 21 of the controller 4, Based on the illuminance of the external light detected by the illuminance sensor 52, a power-off control process for outputting a relay control signal for turning off the relay 11 to the relay 11 after completing a predetermined shutdown control process set in advance. Based on the illuminance of the external light detected by the illuminance sensor 52, a relay control signal for turning on the relay 11 is output to the relay 11, and the power supply unit 3 outputs the power supply power Pa. Execute the process. Further, the microcomputer 51 cuts off or reduces the supply power to the main components of the image forming apparatus 1 under the control of the CPU 21 of the controller 4 based on the illuminance of the external light detected by the illuminance sensor 52. The power saving transition control process for shifting to the power saving mode is performed, the illuminance of the external light detected by the illuminance sensor 52, the setting of the original on the scanner 7, the job request from the external device GS, and the key switch of the operation panel 6 Based on the operation of 61 and the like, a power saving return control process for restarting the supply of power to the main units from the power saving mode is performed. Further, the power supply control unit 5 supplies / stops the supply of the power supply power Pa (5V) from the power supply unit 3 to the operation panel 6 according to the 5V monitoring signal from the operation panel 6. The supply state from 3 is monitored. That is, the CPU 21 and the microcomputer 51 of the controller 4 function as power control means as a whole, and the microcomputer 51 functions as power control means for resuming power supply when the power is on.

  The operation panel (notification unit, reception unit) 6 includes an ASIC 63 that includes a controller IF 64, an LCD IF 65, a switch IF 66, and the like. The ASIC 63 receives input information and the like of the key switch 61 received from the controller 4 via the controller IF 64. Various display information notified to the user from the image forming apparatus 1 is output to the LCD 62 via the LCD IF 65 and displayed on the LCD 62. In the operation panel 6, the ASIC 63 acquires the operation signal of the key switch 61 and outputs the operation signal from the controller IF 64 to the controller 4.

  The CPU 21 can set power-off conditions, power-saving conditions, power-on conditions, and power-saving return conditions based on setting operations from the operation panel 6 or setting signals from the external device GS. When setting the power condition, the power-on condition, and the power saving return condition, the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor 52 is displayed on the LCD 62 of the operation panel 6 or output to the external device GS. In this way, the illuminance detected by the current illuminance sensor 52 can be used as a reference for setting the power-off condition, the power-saving condition, the power-on condition, and the power-saving return condition.

  The image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a ROM, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM, a flash memory, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), and a CD-RW (Compact Disc). Power saving for executing the power saving control method of the present invention recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a rewritable (DVD), digital versatile disk (SD), secure digital (SD) card, or MO (Magneto-Optical Disc). By saving the control program and introducing it into the ROM 23, ROM 55, hard disk (not shown), etc., the power supply power can be appropriately controlled according to the power state of the illuminance sensor 52 and the external device GS connected to the network NW. It is constructed as an image forming apparatus that executes a power control method. This power saving control program is a computer-executable program written in a legacy programming language such as assembler, C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark) or an object-oriented programming language, and is stored in the recording medium. And can be distributed.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment appropriately controls supply of power supply, supply interruption, and power saving processing according to various usage modes.

  First, a power-on process when supply of power to the image forming apparatus 1 is started will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, when the plug 15 of the power cord 14 is connected to the outlet of the external commercial power supply (step S101), the power supply unit 3 supplies the power supply power Pb to the power supply control unit 5 (step S102).

  When the power supply Pb is supplied to the power supply unit 5, the image forming apparatus 1 initializes the microcomputer 51 (step S <b> 103), and the microcomputer 51 of the power supply unit 5 waits for the power switch 2 to be turned on. Thus, it is checked whether the power switch 2 is turned on, that is, whether an on power switch signal is input (steps S104 and S105).

  When the power switch 2 is turned on in step S105, the microcomputer 51 turns on the relay 11 of the power supply unit 3 via the GIO 53 (step S106), and the controller 4 and the operation panel 6 are switched from the power supply unit 3. The supply of power source power Pa is started (step S107).

  In the image forming apparatus 1, when the power supply power Pa is supplied to the controller 4, the CPU 21 performs a preset initialization process (step S108), and the controller ASIC 24 performs the initialization process (step S109). The ASIC 63 performs initialization processing (step S110).

  When the initialization processing of each unit is completed, the image forming apparatus 1 enters a standby state waiting for an operation request from the user (for example, a print request from the external device GS) (step S111). In this standby state, the microcomputer 51 of the power control unit 5 monitors the supply state of the power supply Pa from the power supply unit 3 by monitoring the 5V power supply Pa supplied to the operation panel 6. Yes.

  In the standby state, the image forming apparatus 1 performs a power supply power control process based on the illuminance of the illumination light detected by the illuminance sensor 52.

  That is, in the standby state, the image forming apparatus 1 has external light that is incident on the image forming apparatus 1 such as the illuminance of the interior illumination lamp in which the illuminance sensor 52 is installed as shown in FIG. Is detected (step S201), an analog illuminance signal is output to the microcomputer 51 (step S202), the microcomputer 51 receives the analog illuminance signal from the illuminance sensor 52 by the A / D conversion IF 54, and the digital Conversion (A / D conversion) is performed and output from the controller IF 57 to the microcomputer IF 31 of the ASIC 24 of the controller 4 (step S203).

  The CPU 21 of the controller unit 4 compares the illuminance signal with a preset power-off illuminance threshold (power-off illuminance), and whether or not a power-off condition (power-off condition) for turning off power is satisfied, for example, 30 seconds or more, it is determined whether or not the illuminance signal is equal to or lower than the power-off illuminance threshold (steps S204 and S205). If the power-off condition (power-off condition) is not met, the process returns to step S201 and the illuminance sensor 52 The same processing as described above is performed from the measurement of illuminance (steps S201 to S205).

  If the power-off condition is met in step S205, the CPU 21 checks whether the external device GS (indicated as PC in FIG. 3) that is powered on (powered on) is connected to the network NW (step S206). ) When the power-on external device GS is connected, it is determined that the power-off conditions are not met, and the process returns to step S201 to perform the same processing as described above from the measurement of the illuminance by the illuminance sensor 52 (step S201). S206).

  In step S206, when the external device GS that is powered on is not connected to the network NW, that is, the external device GS is not connected to the network NW, or all the connected external devices GS are powered off. The CPU 2 determines that the power-off condition is satisfied, performs a predetermined power-off preparation process (power-off preparation process) that is set in advance to turn off the power supply (step S207), A return illuminance threshold value for turning on the power based on the illuminance is sent to the control unit 5 through the microcomputer IF 31 (step S208), and then a power OFF request is sent through the microcomputer IF 31 (step S209). This power-off preparation process is, for example, a preset shutdown process necessary to safely perform power-off such as storage of image data in a hard disk and storage of necessary data and status information in a nonvolatile memory. is there.

  In this case, the image forming apparatus 1 checks only whether or not the external device GS set in advance by operating the operation panel 6 among the external devices GS connected to the network NW is turned on. Then, it may be controlled whether to turn off the power, or a print request from an external device GS connected to the network NW under the control of the CPU (at-work seat recording control means) 2. Whether or not to turn off the power by checking whether or not the external device GS that may generate a print request is turned on. You may control. Further, even when the power-on external device GS is connected to the network NW, the CPU 2 permits the power-off to the external device GS if the power-off condition is satisfied in step S205. A message to be requested may be transmitted and notified, and the power may be turned off when there is a power off permission notice from the external device GS.

  When the controller IF 57 receives the return illuminance threshold and the power OFF request from the controller unit 4, the power control unit 5 stores the return illuminance threshold in an internal memory (not shown) and then relays the relay 11 to the power supply unit 3 via the GIO 53. Is turned off (OFF), and the power supply unit 3 turns off the relay 11 in response to the off relay control signal to cut off the supply of the power source power Pa (step S210).

  Even in this power-off state, the image forming apparatus 1 is supplied with the power power Pb to the power control unit 5, and the illuminance sensor 52 detects the illuminance of external light and outputs it to the microcomputer 51. .

  Then, when the image forming apparatus 1 is turned off, as shown in FIG. 4, the illuminance sensor 52 is incident on the image forming apparatus 1 such as the illuminance of the indoor illumination lamp in which the image forming apparatus 1 is installed. Is detected (step S301), an analog illuminance signal is output to the microcomputer 51 (step S302), the microcomputer 51 receives the analog illuminance signal from the illuminance sensor 52 by the A / D conversion IF 54, and the digital Conversion (A / D conversion) is performed (step S303). The microcomputer 51 compares the digital illuminance signal with the return illuminance threshold value stored in the internal memory, the illuminance signal exceeds the return illuminance threshold value (step S304), and corresponds to the power ON condition (power supply restart condition). (Step S305).

  If it is determined in step S305 that the power-on condition is not met, the microcomputer 51 returns to step S301 and performs the same processing as described above from the acquisition of the illuminance signal detected by the illuminance sensor 301 (steps S301 to S305).

  In step S305, when the power-on condition is satisfied, the image forming apparatus 1 performs the power-on process (power-on process) shown in steps S106 to S110 in FIG. Output of a relay control signal for turning on the relay 11 from the microcomputer 5 to the power supply control unit 5, start of supply of the power supply Pa by the power supply control unit 5, initialization processing of the CPU 21, initialization processing of the controller ASIC 24, and initialization of the panel ASIC 63 Processing is performed to shift to a standby state (step S306), and the CPU 21 checks whether or not an external device GS that is powered on (denoted as PC in FIG. 4) is connected to the network NW (step S307). ).

  In step S307, when the power-on external device GS is connected, the CPU 21 maintains the standby state, and when the power-on external device GS is not connected, the power consumption provided in the image forming apparatus 1 is maintained. The process shifts to a power saving mode in which power is reduced, and the process ends (step S308).

  In other words, as described above, the image forming apparatus 1 has a power saving mode for cutting off power supply to the main components or reducing the amount of supplied power. In order to execute this power saving mode, the image forming apparatus 1 is shown in FIG. As described above, the controller 40 includes the same CPU 21, RAM 22, and ROM 23 as described above, and also includes the controller ASIC 41 and the power saving control unit 42. The controller ASIC 41 includes the same microcomputer IF 31, CPU IF 32, and RAM IF 33 as described above. A ROM IF 34, an operation panel IF 35, a network monitoring unit 36, a scanner IF 37, a plotter IF 38, and the like are mounted, and a power saving power control unit IF 43 that is an interface with the power saving power control unit 42 is mounted.

  The power saving power control unit (power control means) 42 supplies / stops the power supply of the scanner 7 and the plotter 8, shifts the RAM 33 to self-refresh / auto-refresh via the RAM IF 34, and supplies power to the CPU 21 and the ROM 23. The power consumption of the controller 40 is reduced by controlling the power supply / supply stop, the power supply / supply stop of the scanner IF 37, the plotter IF 38, the CPU IF 32, and the ROM IF 34 or the function on / off.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 1 performs the power saving mode shift control process for controlling the shift to the power saving mode based on the illuminance of the external light as shown in FIG. Note that the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can select whether or not to shift to the power saving mode by using the key switch 61 of the operation panel 6.

  That is, in the standby state, the image forming apparatus 1 has an illuminance of external light of the image forming apparatus 1 such as an illuminance of an indoor lamp in which the illuminance sensor 52 is installed as shown in FIG. (Step S401), an analog illuminance signal is output to the microcomputer 51 (step S402), and the microcomputer 51 receives the analog illuminance signal from the illuminance sensor 52 by the A / D conversion IF 54 and converts it to digital conversion ( (A / D conversion) and output from the controller IF 57 to the microcomputer IF 31 of the ASIC 24 of the controller 4 (step S403).

  The CPU 21 of the controller unit 4 compares the illuminance signal with a preset power saving shift illuminance threshold value to determine whether the power saving transition condition for shifting to the power saving mode is satisfied, for example, for 30 seconds or more. Is less than or equal to the power saving transition illuminance threshold (steps S404 and S405), and when the power saving transition condition is not met, the process returns to step S401 and the same processing as described above is performed from the measurement of the illuminance by the illuminance sensor 52 ( Steps S401 to S405).

  In step S405, if the power saving transition condition is met, the CPU 21 checks whether an external device GS (indicated as PC in FIG. 6) that is powered on (powered on) is connected to the network NW (step S405). S406) When an external device GS that is powered on is connected, it is determined that the conditions for shifting to the power saving mode are not met, and the process returns to step S401 to perform the same processing as described above from the measurement of the illuminance by the illuminance sensor 52. (Steps S401 to S406).

  In step S406, when the external device GS that is powered on is not connected to the network NW, that is, the external device GS is not connected to the network NW, or all the connected external devices GS are powered off. The CPU 2 outputs a power saving transition command to the power saving power control unit 42, and the power saving power control unit 42 performs a transition process to the power saving mode (step S409). Then, the power saving control unit 42 stops the supply of power to the scanner 7 connected to the scanner IF 37 and the plotter 8 connected to the plotter IF 38 via the controller ASIC 24, and self-refreshes the RAM 33 via the RAM IF 34. , The supply of power to the CPU 21 and the ROM 23 is stopped, the supply of power to the scanner IF 37, the plotter IF 38, the CPU IF 32 and the ROM IF 34 is stopped, or the function is turned off to shift to the power saving mode. Reduce power. In this case, the CPU 2 notifies the power saving power supply control unit 42 of the power saving return threshold that is the illuminance threshold when returning from the power saving mode, and the power saving power control unit 42 notifies the notified power saving return. You may memorize | store a threshold value in an internal non-volatile memory etc., and may use it in the power saving return process at the time of returning from a power saving mode based on the illumination intensity of external light.

  Further, in the power saving mode, the image forming apparatus 1 detects the illuminance of the external light of the image forming apparatus 1 such as the illuminance of the indoor lamp in which the image forming apparatus 1 is installed, and the analog sensor 52 The illuminance signal is output to the microcomputer 51, and the microcomputer 51 receives the analog illuminance signal from the illuminance sensor 52 by the A / D conversion IF 54, performs digital conversion (A / D conversion), and the controller IF 57 to the ASIC 24 of the controller 4. To the microcomputer IF31.

  The power saving power control unit 42 of the controller unit 4 determines whether or not the power saving return condition for returning from the power saving mode is satisfied by comparing the illuminance signal with a preset power saving illuminance threshold. When the power saving return condition is not met, the same processing as described above is performed from the measurement of the illuminance by the illuminance sensor 52.

  Then, the power saving power control unit 42 performs the power saving return process when the power saving return condition is satisfied. That is, the power saving control unit 42 starts supply of power to the scanner 7 and the plotter 8, transition processing to auto refresh of the RAM 33 via the RAM IF 34, start of supply of power to the CPU 21 and the ROM 23, scanner IF 37, plotter The supply of power to the IF 38, CPU IF 32, and ROM IF 34 is started or the function is turned on to return from the power saving mode.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes the power-off condition (power-off illuminance threshold, illuminance duration less than the power-off illuminance threshold or the like), power-on condition (power-on illuminance threshold, illuminance duration exceeding the power-on illuminance threshold). ), Power saving transition conditions (power saving transition illuminance threshold, duration of illuminance below power saving transition illuminance threshold, etc.), power saving return conditions (power saving transition illuminance threshold, duration of illuminance exceeding power saving return threshold, etc.) ) Can be set by operating the operation panel 6, or can be set from an external device GS of an administrator connected to the network NW.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment, the power supply unit 3 generates and supplies power power Pa and Pb that are power used inside the image forming apparatus 1 from power supplied from the outside. The illuminance sensor 52 detects the illuminance of the incident external light, and the network monitoring unit 36 detects the power supply state of the external device GS that makes an operation request to the image forming apparatus 1 via the network NW. The detected illuminance is less than or equal to a predetermined power-off illuminance threshold (power-off illuminance), and the power state of the external device GS satisfies the predetermined power off state. For example, all the external devices GS are all powered off. The power supply is cut off under the condition that the power is cut off.

  Accordingly, the supply power supply Pa and Pb are appropriately cut off according to the illuminance of the external light of the image forming apparatus 1 and various usage modes that are the power supply state of the external apparatus GS that requests the image forming apparatus 1 to operate. be able to.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the detected illuminance of the external light increases to a predetermined return illuminance threshold (power-on illuminance threshold) or more, and the detected power state of the external device GS is a predetermined power-on state. For example, the power supply restart condition is to satisfy at least one of the power supplies of any one of the external devices GS on the network NW being resumed. Yes.

  Therefore, the supply of the power supply power Pa and Pb of the image forming apparatus 1 can be started based on the illuminance of the external light and the power supply state of the external apparatus GS, and the power consumption is improved while improving the usability of the image forming apparatus 1. Can be reduced appropriately.

  Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the illuminance of the external light detected by the illuminance sensor 52 is reduced to a predetermined power saving illuminance or less, and the detected power state of the external device GS is a predetermined power saving power state. For example, assuming that the power supply of all the external devices GS satisfies the off state, the power saving transition condition is to supply power only to a predetermined part in the image forming apparatus 1 or to reduce power supplied to the predetermined part. It has migrated.

  Therefore, by shifting to the power saving mode without turning off the power, the mode is shifted to the power saving mode according to the usage state of the image forming apparatus 1 and the usability of the image forming apparatus 1 is improved. , Power consumption can be reduced appropriately.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the illuminance of the external light detected by the illuminance sensor 52 rises to a predetermined return illuminance threshold (power saving return illuminance) and the detected power state of the external device GS is predetermined. The power supply to the predetermined portion that has been in the power saving mode is resumed with the power saving return condition that the power saving return power supply state, for example, satisfying that any of the external devices GS is in the power on state .

  Therefore, based on the illuminance of the external light and the power supply state of the external device GS, the supply of the power supply power Pa and Pb of the image forming apparatus 1 that has been in the power saving state can be started, and the usability of the image forming apparatus 1 can be increased. The power consumption can be appropriately reduced while improving.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when the power cutoff condition or the power saving transition condition is satisfied, the CPU 21 notifies the power state transition notification that the power cutoff condition or the power saving transition condition is satisfied. Displayed on the LCD (notification means) 62 of the operation panel 6 or output to the external device GS on the network NW from the network NW monitoring unit 36 to notify the user, and in response to the power state transition notification, the operation is performed. In accordance with a user instruction received from the key switch 61 of the panel 6 or the external device GS, the power supply cutoff or the shift to the power saving mode is controlled.

  Therefore, for example, when the user of the external device GS whose power is on does not intend to print, power control processing such as appropriately turning off the power according to the user's intention can be performed, and the image forming apparatus It is possible to further appropriately reduce the power consumption while further improving the usability of 1.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the power supply state of only a predetermined external device GS that is set in advance by the network monitoring unit 36 may be detected.

  In this way, for example, when there are many image forming apparatuses 1 on one floor or on multiple floors in an office or the like, the external apparatus GS requests the corresponding image forming apparatus 1 to operate in each case. By specifying the corresponding external device GS using the IP address, MAC address, or the like and monitoring only the specific external device GS as a power monitoring target, the external device can be efficiently managed while suppressing traffic on the network NW. The availability of the image forming apparatus 1 by GS can be determined, and the power consumption can be further appropriately reduced while further improving the usability of the image forming apparatus 1.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the CPU (operation result recording control unit, power source control unit) 21 records the operation result in the nonvolatile memory (nonvolatile storage unit), and the power cutoff condition or the power saving transition is performed. With reference to the condition, the power supply restart condition, the power saving return condition, and the operation result, the power supply cutoff, the transition to the power saving mode, the power supply restart, or the return from the power saving mode may be controlled.

  In this way, the power control process can be performed according to the operation results of the image forming apparatus 1, and the power consumption can be further appropriately reduced while further improving the usability of the image forming apparatus 1. .

  The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a nonvolatile memory (condition storage unit) that stores at least one of a power shut-off condition and a power saving transition condition or a power supply restart condition and a power saving return condition. However, at least one of a power-off condition, a power saving transition condition, a power supply restart condition, and a power saving return condition sent from the operation panel 6 or input from the external device GS is stored in the nonvolatile memory. The power supply from the power supply unit 3 is controlled based on at least one of the power cutoff condition and the power saving transition condition or the power supply restart condition and the power saving return condition stored in the nonvolatile memory. is doing.

  Therefore, it is possible to perform power on / off and power saving control under conditions appropriately set by the user according to the usage state of the image forming apparatus 1, and to further improve the usability of the image forming apparatus 1 and to reduce power consumption. Can be more appropriately reduced.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment waits for the CPU 21 to complete a predetermined power supply preparation process (shutdown process) that can safely cut off the power supply, and then receives power from the power supply unit 3. Supply is cut off or switched to power saving mode.

  Accordingly, it is possible to safely cut off the supplied power and ensure the safety of the image forming apparatus 1 and the safety of data.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus 100 to which a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus, the power saving control method, the power saving control program, and the recording medium of the present invention is applied.

  The image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment is applied to the same image forming apparatus as the image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, and is the same as the image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment of the present embodiment. About the component of these, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted or simplified.

  The image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment includes a power switch 2, a power supply unit 3, a controller 4, an operation panel 6, a scanner 7, a plotter 8, and the like similar to those of the image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. 2 relay 101 and a power supply unit 110 are provided.

  Since the power switch 2, the power supply unit 3, the controller 4, the operation panel 6, the scanner 7, and the plotter 8 are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  The second relay 101 is connected between the power cord 14 and the transformer 13 of the power supply unit 3, and performs supply / supply interruption of commercial power of AC 100 V to the transformer 13 to the transformer 13.

  The power controller 110 includes the same illuminance sensor 52, microcomputer 120, illuminance sensor power controller 130, secondary battery 131, and the like as in the first embodiment. The microcomputer 120 includes the GIO 121, ROM 122, RAM 123, and the first embodiment. The same A / D conversion IF 54 and controller IF 57 as those in the example are provided.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the microcomputer 120 receives a power switch signal from the power switch 2, an illuminance signal from the illuminance sensor 52, and a 5V monitoring signal from the operation panel 6, and an illuminance sensor power supply. A secondary battery capacity notification signal is input from the control unit 130, and based on a program in the ROM 122, each unit of the power control unit 5 is controlled while using the RAM 123 as a work memory, and the same power supply as in the first embodiment is provided. In addition to performing control, the power supply power Pc to the illuminance sensor 52 and the microcomputer 120 of the power supply control unit 110 based on the secondary battery capacity notification signal from the illuminance sensor power supply control unit 130 is the power supply power Pb and the secondary battery power (charging power). Pe is switched and supplied.

  The illuminance sensor power supply control unit 130 is connected to the secondary battery 131 and the transformer 13 of the power supply unit 3, and switches the secondary battery power Pe and the power supply power Pb of the secondary battery 131 as the power supply power Pc. Is supplied to the illuminance sensor 52 and the microcomputer 120 which are the power supply areas of the power supply, and the charging / stopping of the secondary battery 131 by the power supply power Pb is controlled. The illuminance sensor power supply control unit 130 detects the charging capacity of the secondary battery 131, notifies the microcomputer 120 of the charging capacity by a secondary battery capacity notification signal, and when the charging stop notification signal is input from the microcomputer 120, The charging of the secondary battery 131 by the power Pb is stopped, and the power source power Pc is supplied to the illuminance sensor 52 and the microcomputer 120 only by the secondary battery 131.

  The microcomputer 120 outputs a second relay control signal for controlling on / off of the second relay 101 to the second relay 101 based on the secondary battery capacity notification signal from the illuminance sensor power supply control unit 130, thereby supplying commercial power of 100V. The supply to the transformer 13 is stopped / supplied. Further, the microcomputer 120 compares the secondary battery capacity indicated by the secondary battery capacity notification signal with the preset secondary battery upper limit threshold capacity (charge threshold) and secondary battery lower limit threshold capacity, and uses the power source power Pb. When the secondary battery capacity to the secondary battery 131 becomes equal to or greater than the secondary battery threshold upper limit capacity, a charge stop notification signal is output to the illuminance sensor power supply control unit 130, and the power supply power Pb is transmitted via the illuminance sensor power supply control unit 130. When charging of the secondary battery 131 is stopped and the secondary battery capacity becomes equal to or lower than the secondary battery lower limit threshold capacity, an ON second relay control signal is output to the second relay 101, and the second relay 101 is turned ON. Thus, the illuminance sensor power control unit 130 charges the secondary battery 131 with the power supply power Pb, and supplies the power supply power Pb as the power supply power Pc.

  The initial value of the relay 11 is off, and the initial value of the second relay 101 is on. The illuminance sensor power control unit 130, the microcomputer 120, and the second relay 101 function as a power switching control unit as a whole.

  That is, in the image forming apparatus 100, when the plug 15 of the power cord 14 is connected to an external commercial power outlet, the initial value of the second relay 101 is on and the initial value of the relay 11 is off. 3 supplies the power supply power Pb to the power supply control unit 110.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, when the power supply unit 110 is supplied with the power supply power Pb, the illuminance sensor power supply control unit 130 starts charging the secondary battery 131 with the power supply power Pb. The power Pb is supplied to the illuminance sensor 52 and the microcomputer 120 as the power source power Pc.

  The illuminance sensor power supply control unit 130 detects the charging capacity of the secondary battery 131 and notifies the microcomputer 120 of the charging capacity by a secondary battery capacity notification signal. The microcomputer 120 displays the secondary battery capacity notification signal indicated by the secondary battery capacity notification signal. When the battery capacity is compared with the secondary battery upper limit threshold capacity and the secondary battery capacity to the secondary battery 131 by the power source power Pb is equal to or greater than the secondary battery threshold upper limit capacity, the illuminance sensor power supply control unit 130 is notified of the charge stop notification. And the charging of the secondary battery 131 by the power supply power Pb is stopped via the illuminance sensor power supply control unit 130, and the second relay control signal OFF is output to the second relay 101 to output the second relay 101. Is turned off, the supply of the power supply Pb from the power supply unit 3 is stopped, the charging of the secondary battery 131 is stopped, and the secondary battery power P from the secondary battery 131 is stopped. Only supplied to the illuminance sensor 52 and the microcomputer 120 as a source power Pc.

  The CPU 21 performs power supply power control processing based on the illuminance of the illumination light detected by the illuminance sensor 52. At this time, for example, a digital illuminance signal obtained by digitally converting an analog illuminance signal from the illuminance sensor 52 is indicated. When a power-off condition such as the time when the illuminance signal is less than or equal to the power-off illuminance threshold elapses is met, it is checked whether an external device GS that is powered on (powered on) is connected to the network NW, and the power is turned on. When the external device GS is not connected and all power-off conditions are satisfied, the power source power Pa is turned off as described above, and then the off-second relay control signal is output to the second relay 101. The power source power Pb is turned off.

  In this state, the illuminance sensor power supply control unit 130 supplies the battery power Pe from the secondary battery 131 to the illuminance sensor 52 and the microcomputer 120 as the power supply power Pc, and detects the charge capacity of the secondary battery 131. The secondary battery capacity is notified to the microcomputer 120 by the secondary battery capacity notification signal, and the microcomputer 120 sends an ON second relay control signal to the second relay 101 when the secondary battery capacity falls below the secondary battery lower limit threshold capacity. And the second relay 101 is turned on to cause the illuminance sensor power supply control unit 130 to charge the secondary battery 131 with the power supply power Pb, and the power supply power Pb is supplied as the power supply power Pc.

  Even after that, the illuminance sensor power supply control unit 130 detects the charge capacity of the secondary battery 131 and notifies the microcomputer 120 of the charge capacity by the secondary battery capacity notification signal. The microcomputer 120 receives the secondary battery capacity notification signal. Is compared with the secondary battery upper limit threshold capacity, and when the secondary battery capacity to the secondary battery 131 by the power source power Pb exceeds the secondary battery threshold upper limit capacity, the illuminance sensor power control unit 130 A charge stop notification signal is output to stop the charging of the secondary battery 131 by the power supply power Pb via the illuminance sensor power supply control unit 130, and the second relay control signal is turned off to the second relay 101. 131, the second relay 101 is turned off, the supply of the power supply Pb from the power supply unit 3 is stopped, and only the secondary battery power Pe from the secondary battery 131 is supplied. Repeating the process of supplying the illumination sensor 52 and the microcomputer 120 as the source power Pc.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment, the illuminance sensor power supply control unit 130 is charged by the power supply Pb from the power supply unit 3 of the secondary battery 131 and the illuminance sensor 52 and The power source power Pc is supplied to the microcomputer 120 and the charging power is supplied to the secondary battery 131. The charging amount of the secondary battery 131 is monitored by monitoring the charging amount of the secondary battery 131 and reaching a predetermined threshold charging amount. Is stopped and the second relay 101 is turned off to stop the power supply Pb from the power supply unit 3 and supply the charging power Ps from the secondary battery 131 to the illuminance sensor 52 and the microcomputer 120 as the power supply power Pc. I am letting.

  Therefore, by using the secondary battery 131, the supply of power from the power supply unit 3 can be completely stopped to reduce power loss, and the power saving effect can be further improved.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to that described in the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

  The present invention can be used for a copying apparatus that performs power saving control according to the amount of external light, an image forming apparatus such as a composite apparatus, a power saving control method, a power saving control program, and a recording medium.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Power switch 3 Power supply part 4 Controller 5 Power supply control part 6 Operation panel 7 Scanner 8 Plotter 11 Relay 12, 13 Transformer 14 Power cord 15 Plug 21 CPU
22 RAM
23 ROM
24 ASIC
31 Microcomputer IF
32 CPU IF
33 RAM IF
34 ROM IF
35 Operation Panel IF
36 Network monitoring unit 37 Scanner IF
38 Plotter IF
40 controller 41 controller ASIC
42 Power saving control unit 43 Power saving power control unit IF
51 Microcomputer 52 Illuminance Sensor 53 GIO
54 A / D conversion IF
55 ROM
56 RAM
57 Controller IF
61 Key switch 62 LCD
63 ASIC
64 Controller IF
65 LCD IF
66 Switch IF
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 101 2nd relay 110 Power supply part 120 Microcomputer 130 Illuminance sensor power supply control part 131 Secondary battery 121 GIO
122 ROM
123 RAM

JP-A-2005-88521

Claims (19)

Power supply means for generating and supplying power to be used inside the image forming apparatus from power supplied from the outside;
Illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance of the incident external light;
An external device detection unit that is connected to a network to which an external device that makes an operation request to the image forming device is connected, and that detects a power state of the external device;
The power supply condition is that the illuminance detected by the illuminance detection means is less than or equal to a predetermined power-off illuminance and the power supply state of the external device detected by the external device detection means satisfies a predetermined power-off condition. Power control means for cutting off power supply from the supply means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The power control means includes
At least one of the fact that the illuminance detected by the illuminance detection means rises above a predetermined power-on illuminance and the power state of the external device detected by the external device detection means is a predetermined power-on state is satisfied. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supply of power from the interrupted power supply means is resumed under the condition that the power supply is resumed. The image forming apparatus includes:
A power saving mode for supplying power from the power supply means only to a predetermined portion inside the image forming apparatus or reducing power supplied to the predetermined portion;
The power control means includes
As the power saving transition condition, the illuminance detected by the illuminance detecting means is reduced below a predetermined power saving illuminance, and the external device detecting means satisfies that the power state of the external device satisfies a predetermined power saving power state. The power supply from the power supply unit is shifted to a power saving mode in which power is supplied from the power supply unit only to a predetermined part inside the image forming apparatus or power supplied to the predetermined part is reduced. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The power control means includes
At least one of the illuminance detected by the illuminance detection means rising above a predetermined power saving return illuminance and the power state of the external device detected by the external device detection means being a predetermined power saving return state 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the power supply from the power supply unit to the predetermined portion that has been in the power saving mode is resumed with the power saving return condition that the condition is satisfied. . The image forming apparatus includes:
A predetermined notification means for notifying the user of information;
An instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction from the user;
With
The power control means includes
When the power shutdown condition or the power saving transition condition is satisfied, the notification means causes the user to perform a power status transition notification indicating that the power shutdown condition or the power saving transition condition is satisfied, and the notification means 5. The power supply cut-off or the shift to the power saving mode is controlled according to an instruction from a user accepted by the instruction accepting means in response to a power status transition notification. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The external device detection means includes
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a power state of only a predetermined external device set in advance is detected. The image forming apparatus includes:
An operation record recording control means for recording the operation record in the nonvolatile storage means,
The power control means includes
Referring to the power cutoff condition, the power saving transition condition, the power supply restart condition, the power saving return condition, and the operation results, the power supply cutoff, the transition to the power saving mode, the power supply restart, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the return from the power saving mode is controlled. The image forming apparatus includes:
Predetermined operating means;
Condition storage means for storing at least one of the power cutoff condition and the power saving transition condition or the power supply restart condition and the power saving return condition;
With
The power control means includes
At least one of the power cutoff condition and the power saving transition condition or the power supply restart condition and the power saving return condition sent from the operation means as a setting input or from the external device is stored in the condition storage means. The power supply from the power supply means is controlled based on at least one of the power shutdown condition and the power saving transition condition or the power supply restart condition and the power saving return condition stored in the condition storage means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The power control means includes
The power supply from the power supply means is cut off or shifted to the power saving mode after waiting for completion of a predetermined shutdown process for safely turning off the power supply. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8. The image forming apparatus includes:
A rechargeable secondary battery capable of supplying resumption power to the power control means for resuming the power supply and the illuminance detection means, and rechargeable.
The charge amount of the secondary battery is monitored, and the power supply means generates the restart power supply power and the charge power of the secondary battery. When the charge amount reaches a predetermined charge threshold, the power supply means Power supply switching control means for stopping generation of the resuming power supply power and charging power and supplying the resuming power supply power from the secondary battery to the power supply control means and the illuminance detection means,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A power supply processing step for generating and supplying power used inside the image forming apparatus from power supplied from outside;
Illuminance detection processing step for detecting the illuminance of incident external light;
An external device detection processing step for detecting a power state of the external device connected to a network connected to the external device that makes an operation request to the image forming device;
The power-off condition is that the illuminance detected in the illuminance detection processing step is less than or equal to a predetermined power-off illuminance and the power state of the external device detected in the external device detection processing step satisfies a predetermined power-off state As a power supply control processing step for cutting off the power supply by the power supply processing step,
A power saving control method characterized by comprising: The power control process step includes
At least of the fact that the illuminance detected in the illuminance detection processing step rises above a predetermined power-on illuminance and the power state of the external device detected in the external device detection processing step is a predetermined power-on state The power saving control method according to claim 11, wherein the supply of electric power by the power supply processing step that has been interrupted is resumed by satisfying any of them as a power supply resumption condition. The power control process step includes
The illuminance detected in the illuminance detection processing step is reduced to a predetermined power saving illuminance or less, and the power state of the external device detected in the external device detection processing step satisfies the predetermined power saving power state. 12. The power transfer condition is characterized in that only a predetermined portion inside the image forming apparatus is supplied with power by the power supply processing step or is shifted to a power saving mode for reducing power supplied to the predetermined portion. The power saving control method according to claim 12. The power control process step includes
The illuminance detected in the illuminance detection processing step rises above a predetermined power saving return illuminance, and the power state of the external device detected in the external device detection processing step is a predetermined power saving return power state 14. The power saving according to claim 13, wherein power supply by the power supply processing step to the predetermined portion that is in the power saving mode state is resumed using at least one of the conditions as a power saving return condition. Power control method. On the computer,
A power supply process for generating and supplying power to be used inside the image forming apparatus from power supplied from the outside;
Illuminance detection processing for detecting the illuminance of incident external light;
An external device detection process for detecting a power state of the external device connected to a network connected to the external device that makes an operation request to the image forming device;
The power cutoff condition is that the illuminance detected in the illuminance detection process is less than or equal to a predetermined power-off illuminance and the power state of the external device detected in the external device detection process satisfies a predetermined power-off state, A power control process for cutting off power supply by the power supply process;
A power-saving control program characterized by causing The power control process includes
At least one of the illuminance detected by the illuminance detection process rising above a predetermined power-on illuminance and the power state of the external device detected by the external device detection process being a predetermined power-on state The power saving control program according to claim 15, wherein the supply of electric power by the power supply process that has been interrupted is resumed under the condition that the power supply is resumed. The power control process includes
The illuminance detected by the illuminance detection process falls below a predetermined power-saving illuminance, and the power state of the external device detected by the external device detection process satisfies a predetermined power-saving power state. The condition is that power is supplied to the predetermined part inside the image forming apparatus only by the power supply process or is shifted to a power saving mode for reducing power supplied to the predetermined part. The power saving control program described. The power control process includes
Among the fact that the illuminance detected by the illuminance detection process rises above a predetermined power saving return illuminance and that the power state of the external device detected by the external device detection process is a predetermined power saving return power state 18. The power saving control program according to claim 17, wherein power supply by the power supply process to the predetermined portion that has been in the power saving mode is resumed, with at least one of the conditions being satisfied as a power saving return condition. .   A computer-readable recording medium on which the power saving control program according to any one of claims 15 to 18 is recorded.

Images