JP5608547B2 - Electronic apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

  Electronic devices such as facsimile machines, copiers, and multifunction machines are widely used. Patent Documents 1 to 4 describe that when an abnormality occurs in an electronic device, notification of the occurrence of the abnormality is described.

JP-A-1-95084 JP 2003-198789 A JP 2008-12868 A JP-A-8-292363

  Display for prompting the user to perform an operation to stop the operation of the electronic device and to restart the electronic device when a specific abnormality that is an abnormality that requires calling the service person occurs May do. In this case, the user is forced to perform an operation for instructing restart of the electronic device, and as a result, the user's hand is bothered.

  In addition, the electronic device may be automatically restarted when a specific abnormality occurs. At the time of restarting, processing such as calibration is performed, so that a mechanical sound is generated in the electronic device. In this case, the user may feel uncomfortable because the mechanical sound is generated without permission even though the electronic device is not operated.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem. An electronic apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can bother the user's hand or reduce discomfort when a specific abnormality occurs. The purpose is to provide.

An electronic device according to an aspect of the present invention is an electronic device, and among abnormalities of the electronic device, an abnormality detection unit that detects a specific abnormality that is a preset specific abnormality, and each unit in the electronic device And a normal mode for supplying driving power to each unit in the electronic device, and a sleep mode for cutting off the supply of driving power to at least the control unit, and detecting the abnormality in the normal mode. When the specific abnormality is detected by the unit, a sleep control unit that shifts from the normal mode to the sleep mode, and a return instruction that instructs the sleep control unit to return from the sleep mode to the normal mode are received. includes a return instruction receiving unit, and a display unit that performs specific display is a display related to the particular anomaly, the sleep control unit, the abnormality in the normal mode When the specific abnormality is detected by the output unit, the mode shifts to the sleep mode. In the sleep mode after transition, the return instruction reception unit shifts to the normal mode when the return instruction is received. The display unit performs the specific display when an abnormality re-detection condition including that the specific abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit is satisfied .

  Here, the specific abnormality means an abnormality that should be requested to be called by a service person because it cannot be resolved by restarting the apparatus or user operation.

  According to this configuration, in the normal mode, when a specific abnormality of the electronic device is detected by the abnormality detection unit in the normal mode, at least the supply of drive power to the control unit that controls each unit of the electronic device is interrupted Enter sleep mode.

  Accordingly, even if the user does not operate the electronic device, the supply of driving power to the control unit is stopped, and the operation of each unit of the electronic device controlled by the control unit is stopped.

  As a result, unlike the conventional case where restart is requested when a specific abnormality occurs, the user's hand is not bothered.

  Further, the control unit is initialized by interrupting the supply of drive power to the control unit. As a result, it is possible to eliminate a temporary abnormality related to the control unit.

  Furthermore, unlike the conventional case where the automatic restart is performed when a specific abnormality occurs, the normal mode is not automatically shifted after the sleep mode is entered. For this reason, the activation operation is not automatically performed, and no mechanical sound is generated at the time of activation, so that the possibility that the user feels uncomfortable is reduced.

  Here, the specific display relating to the specific abnormality is a display prompting the user to call a service person.

  According to this configuration, when a specific abnormality is detected in the normal mode, the mode is shifted to the sleep mode. After that, when a return instruction is issued in the sleep mode, the mode is shifted to the normal mode. When an abnormality re-detection condition including detection is satisfied, a specific display regarding the detected specific abnormality is performed.

  Thereby, since the specific display is performed when the specific abnormality is detected twice, the user can contact the service person on the assumption that the specific abnormality is not erroneously detected.

  In the above configuration, a plurality of types of abnormalities are preset as the specific abnormality, and further includes a storage unit that stores information, and the sleep control unit detects the specific abnormality by the abnormality detection unit in the normal mode. Information indicating the type of the detected specific abnormality is stored in the storage unit, and the abnormality re-detection condition is that the specific abnormality is detected in the normal mode after the transition, and the detected specific abnormality is detected. Is preferably stored in the storage unit.

  According to this configuration, when a specific abnormality is detected in the normal mode, the mode shifts to the sleep mode. After that, when a return instruction is issued in the sleep mode, the mode shifts to the normal mode, and the same specific abnormality is detected again in the normal mode. Specific indication regarding the specific abnormality is performed.

  Thereby, since the specific display is performed when the same type of specific abnormality is detected twice, the user can contact the service person on the assumption that the specific abnormality is not erroneously detected.

  In the above configuration, it is preferable that the sleep control unit further performs a predetermined device stop process when the abnormality re-detection condition is satisfied.

  Here, the predetermined apparatus stop process includes, for example, cutting off the supply of driving power to each part of the electronic device. In addition, a transition to the sleep mode may be mentioned.

  According to this configuration, when the abnormality re-detection condition is satisfied, a predetermined device stop process is performed.

  Accordingly, when a specific abnormality is detected twice, a predetermined apparatus stop process is performed and the operation of the electronic device is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to ensure the safety of the electronic device.

  In the above configuration, any one of the plurality of specific abnormalities is set in advance as a dangerous abnormality that is a high-risk abnormality for the electronic device, and the sleep control unit is operated by the abnormality detection unit in the normal mode. When a specific abnormality that is the dangerous abnormality is detected, it is preferable to shift to the sleep mode and prohibit the subsequent shift to the normal mode.

  According to this configuration, when a dangerous abnormality that is a highly dangerous abnormality for the electronic device is detected, the mode shifts to the sleep mode and the subsequent shift to the normal mode is prohibited.

  As a result, for example, when the heater that heats the fixing roller in the normal mode is overheated, the drive power to the heater is shifted to the sleep mode when there is a high risk if the drive power is further supplied to the heater. Is stopped, and then the transition to the normal mode is prohibited. As a result, the safety of the electronic device is maintained.

  In the above configuration, the sleep control unit preferably notifies the display unit that the risk abnormality has occurred when the abnormality detection unit detects the specific abnormality that is the risk abnormality in the normal mode. .

  According to this configuration, in addition to prompting the user to contact the service person, a warning can be given.

  An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes the above-described electronic device, an image acquisition unit that acquires image data of an original, and an image that forms image data acquired by the image acquisition unit on a recording sheet. A control unit that controls operations of the image acquisition unit and the image forming unit.

  According to this configuration, since the above-described electronic device is provided, it is possible to bother the user's hand or reduce discomfort when a specific abnormality occurs.

  The above configuration further includes an image storage unit for storing the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit, and the sleep control unit is configured to drive power to the image acquisition unit and the image forming unit in the sleep mode. In the normal mode, the driving power is supplied to the image acquisition unit and the image forming unit, and when the specific abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit in the normal mode, the image acquisition unit If the image data has already been acquired, it is preferable to store the acquired image data in the image storage unit.

  According to this configuration, when a specific abnormality is detected in the normal mode, if the image data has already been acquired by the image acquisition unit, the acquired image data is stored in the image storage unit, and then the sleep mode is executed. To do. Thereafter, the sleep mode shifts to the normal mode.

  Thereby, when a specific abnormality is detected, if the image data has already been acquired by the image acquisition unit, the acquired image data is stored in the image storage unit, and in that state, the sleep mode is executed to acquire the image. The supply of drive power to the image forming unit and the image forming unit is stopped.

  Thereafter, the normal mode is entered, and the supply of drive power to the image acquisition unit and the image forming unit is resumed.

  For this reason, when a print job is executed, an image acquisition unit, for example, when an access error such as inability to access the image memory or a rotation error such as the motor used to execute the print job does not rotate occurs as a specific error. It is possible to reset the image memory and the motor without erasing the image data acquired by.

  As a result, when shifting from the sleep mode to the normal mode, printing of the image data can be resumed without performing reacquisition of the image data.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when specific abnormality generate | occur | produces in an electronic device, it becomes possible to reduce a possibility that a user's hand may be troubled or a sense of incongruity may be held.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing an example of a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the front view which showed an example of the structure of the user interface part. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional module of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first example of an operation of the image forming apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of the operation of the image forming apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of the operation of the image forming apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of the operation of the image forming apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of the operation of the image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is illustrated as an electronic device. However, the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to this example. The sleep mode in which the supply of drive power to at least the control unit is cut off, and the image forming apparatus 1 Any device including a normal mode for supplying driving power to each unit may be used.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading unit 200 and an image forming main body unit 3. The image reading unit 200 includes a document feeding unit 210, a scanner main body 220, a CIS 231, a user interface unit I disposed so as to be exposed on the front surface of the scanner main body 220, and a reversing mechanism described later.

  The document feeder 210 includes an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder), and includes a document tray 211, a pickup roller 212, a platen 213, a paper discharge roller 214, and a paper discharge tray 215.

  A document to be read is placed on the document tray 211. Documents placed on the document tray 211 are picked up one by one by the pickup roller 212 and sequentially conveyed to the platen 213 through the gap. Documents that have passed through the platen 213 are sequentially discharged to the discharge tray 215 by the discharge rollers 214.

  Of the positions facing the peripheral surface of the platen 213, a timing sensor (not shown) for detecting paper is installed at a predetermined position before the reading position P in the document transport direction. The document transport timing to the reading position P is achieved based on the output request. The timing sensor is configured by, for example, a photo interrupter.

  The scanner main body 220 optically reads image data of a document and generates image data. The scanner body 220 includes a glass (original table) 221, a light source 222, a first mirror 223, a second mirror 224, a third mirror 225, a first carriage 226, a second carriage 227, an imaging lens 228, and a line sensor 229. .

  In the scanner main body 220, the light emitted from the light source 222 is reflected by the original on the glass 221 to become reflected light, and this reflected light is used as the first mirror 223, the second mirror 224, the third mirror 225, and the first carriage. 226, the second carriage 227, and the imaging lens 228 are guided to the line sensor 229.

  The light guided to the line sensor 229 is converted by the line sensor 229 into charges representing image data.

  On the glass 221, a document is manually placed by the user when reading the document without using the document feeder 210. The light source 222 and the first mirror 223 are supported by the first carriage 226, and the second mirror 224 and the third mirror 225 are supported by the second carriage 227.

  As the document reading method of the image reading unit 200, the scanner body 220 reads a document placed on the glass 221 and the document is read by the document feeder 210 (ADF). There is an ADF reading mode for reading.

  In the flatbed reading mode, the light source 222 irradiates a document placed on the glass 221, and reflected light for one line in the main scanning direction is reflected in the order of the first mirror 223, the second mirror 224, and the third mirror 225. Then, the light enters the imaging lens 228. The light incident on the imaging lens 228 is imaged on the light receiving surface of the line sensor 229.

  The line sensor 229 is a one-dimensional image sensor, and processes the image data of one line of document in an overlapping manner. The first carriage 226 and the second carriage 227 are configured to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction (sub-scanning direction Y). When reading of one line is completed, the first carriage 226 is moved in the sub-scanning direction. Then, the second carriage 227 moves and the next line is read.

  In the ADF reading mode, the document feeder 210 takes in the documents placed on the document tray 211 one by one by the pickup roller 212. At this time, the first carriage 226 and the second carriage 227 are disposed at a predetermined reading position P located below the reading window 230.

  When the document is transported by the document feeder 210, when the document passes over the reading window 230 provided in the transport path from the platen 213 to the paper discharge tray 215, the light source 222 irradiates the document, and the main scanning one line. The reflected light is reflected in the order of the first mirror 223, the second mirror 224, and the third mirror 225 and enters the imaging lens 228. The light incident on the imaging lens 228 is imaged on the light receiving surface of the line sensor 229. Subsequently, the document is conveyed by the document feeder 210 and the next line is read.

  Further, the document feeder 210 has a reversing mechanism including a switching guide 216, a reversing roller 217, and a reversing conveyance path 218. The reversing mechanism reverses the front and back of the original whose surface has been read by the first ADF reading and transports it again to the reading window 230, so that the line sensor 229 reads the back side again.

  This reversing mechanism operates only when reading both sides and does not operate when reading one side. After reading the back side during single-sided reading and double-sided reading, the switching guide 216 is switched to the upper side, and the document that has passed through the platen 213 is discharged to the discharge tray 215 by the discharge roller 214.

  After the front side reading at the time of double-sided reading, the switching guide 216 is switched to the lower side, and the document that has passed through the platen 213 is transported to the reverse transport path 218 by the reverse roller 217. Thereafter, the switching guide 216 is switched upward, and the reverse roller 217 rotates in the reverse direction to re-feed the document to the platen 213. Hereinafter, a mode in which both sides of a document are read using a reversing mechanism is referred to as a double-sided reversal reading mode.

  Further, in the ADF reading mode, the image reading unit 200 according to the present embodiment substantially overlaps when the line sensor 229 (scanner body 220) reads the surface of the document during the conveyance of the document as described above ( It is possible to read the back side of the document by the CIS 231 (substantially in parallel). In this case, the document conveyed from the document tray 211 by the document feeder 210 is read by the line sensor 229 when passing over the reading window 230 and further read by the back side when passing through the location where the CIS 231 is disposed. It is done. In CIS231, RGB three-color LEDs or the like are used as light sources.

  By using the line sensor 229 and the CIS 231 in this way, it is possible to read both the front and back sides of a document by a single document transport operation (one pass) from the document tray 211 to the paper discharge tray 215 by the document feeding unit 210.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming main body 3 and a stack tray 6 disposed on the left side of the image forming main body 3. The image forming main body 3 has been transported from a plurality of paper feed cassettes 461, a paper feed roller 462 for feeding recording sheets from the paper feed cassette 461 one by one to the image forming unit 40, and a paper feed cassette 461. And an image forming unit 40 that forms image data on recording paper. In addition, the image forming main body 3 includes a paper feed tray 471 and a feeding roller 472 that feeds the originals placed on the paper feed tray 471 one by one toward the image forming unit 40.

  The image forming unit 40 removes the residual charge from the surface of the photosensitive drum 43, the charging device 422 that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 43 after static elimination, and the image data acquired by the scanner main body 220. Based on the electrostatic latent image, an exposure device 423 that outputs a laser beam to expose the surface of the photosensitive drum 43 to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 43. Above, developing devices 44K, 44Y, 44M, and 44C that form toner images of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), and various colors formed on the photosensitive drum 43. A transfer drum 49 on which the toner image data is transferred and superimposed, a transfer device 41 for transferring the toner image on the transfer drum 49 to the paper, and heating the paper on which the toner image is transferred. And a fixing device 45 for fixing the toner image to the sheet.

  The cyan, magenta, yellow, and black colors are supplied from a toner cartridge (not shown). Further, conveyance rollers 463 and 464 that convey the recording paper that has passed through the image forming unit 40 to the stack tray 6 or the discharge tray 48 are provided.

  When forming image data on both sides of the recording paper, the image forming unit 40 forms image data on one side of the recording paper, and then the recording paper is nipped by the conveyance roller 463 on the discharge tray 48 side. To do. In this state, the conveyance roller 463 is reversed to switch back the recording paper, and the recording paper is sent to the paper conveyance path L and conveyed again to the upstream area of the image forming unit 40, and image data is transferred to the other surface by the image forming unit 40. Then, the recording paper is discharged to the stack tray 6 or the discharge tray 48.

  FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of the user interface unit I.

  The user interface unit I includes a display unit 5 that includes a liquid crystal panel 50 and a light emitting diode 51, and an operation unit 18. The liquid crystal panel 50 displays a display relating to a specific abnormality when a specific abnormality that should prompt the user to call a service person to deal with among the abnormalities occurring in the image forming apparatus 1 occurs in the liquid crystal panel 50. A specific display, that is, a display that prompts the user to call a serviceman is performed.

  The light emitting diode 51 is turned on or blinked when a risk abnormality that is a high-risk abnormality for the image forming apparatus 1 among the specific abnormalities that occur in the image forming apparatus 1 occurs in the image forming apparatus 1.

  The user interface unit I includes operation buttons 18 </ b> A to 18 </ b> J as the operation unit 18. The operation buttons 18A to 18D constitute a function selection button group 180 in a collective state. Each of the operation buttons 18A to 18D is an operation button operated by the user in order to cause the image forming apparatus 1 to execute any one function of copy, printer, scanner, and FAX.

  The operation buttons 18H constitute a number key group in a state where a plurality of the operation buttons 18H are collected. This number key group is for inputting, for example, the number of copies when the image forming apparatus 1 operates the copy function, and the destination telephone number when operating the facsimile function.

  The operation button 18E constitutes a reset button, and is a button for setting the display and various settings of the display unit 5 to an initial state or a standard operation state.

  The operation button 18F constitutes a stop / clear button, and is a button for stopping the copy operation and the scanner operation and canceling the input operation. The operation button 18G constitutes a start button, and is a button for starting a copy operation, a scanner operation, and the like.

  The operation button 18I is a button for shifting the sleep control unit 16 from the sleep mode to the normal mode. When the operation button 18I is operated, the user interface I receives a return instruction that instructs the sleep control unit 16 to shift from the sleep mode to the normal mode.

  In the user interface unit I, when the operation key 18A is operated, the copy function is selected. The copy function is a function of reading image data of a document by the image reading unit 200 and forming image data of the document on a recording sheet by the image forming unit 40. When the copy function is selected and the start key 18G is operated, the user interface unit I accepts a copy function execution instruction as a print job execution instruction.

  When the operation key 18B is operated, an instruction to execute the printer function is accepted. The printer function is a function of receiving image data of a document by the external interface 19 (see FIG. 3) and forming the image data by the image forming unit 40.

  Further, when the operation key 18C is operated and the start key 18G is operated, the image reading unit 200 reads the image data of the original and stores an instruction to execute the scanner function for storing the image data in the image memory 11 (see FIG. 3). Accept.

  Further, when the operation key 18D is operated and the start key 18G is operated, the image reading unit 200 reads the image data of the original, and accepts an instruction to execute a facsimile function for facsimile transmission of the image data.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functional modules of the image forming apparatus 1. Since the image reading unit 200, the image forming unit 40, and the user interface I are as described above, description thereof will be omitted. Further, the power supply lines by the normal power supply unit 15 and the sleep power supply unit 20 are indicated by solid lines, the control lines of the control unit 10 are indicated by broken lines, and the control lines of the sleep control unit 16 are indicated by two-dot chain lines.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, an image reading unit 200, an image memory (image acquisition unit) 11, an image forming unit 40 in which various rollers such as a fixing roller and a motor M for rotating a belt are arranged, an abnormal type Storage unit (storage unit) 13, hard disk (image storage unit) 14, normal power supply unit 15, sleep control unit 16, return instruction reception unit 17, external interface 19, sleep power supply unit 20, user interface I, triac 21, fixing heater 22, a relay circuit 23, and a power supply relay 24.

  The control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The abnormality detection unit 12 is realized by the CPU executing a predetermined control program.

  The abnormality detection unit 12 detects an abnormality that has occurred in the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the abnormality detection unit 12 detects the overheating of the fixing heater 22 as an abnormality based on the temperature of the fixing heater 22 detected by the temperature sensor.

  Alternatively, the abnormality detection unit 12 detects, as an abnormality, an access abnormality that cannot access the image memory 11 or a rotation abnormality that does not cause the motor M to rotate.

  The control unit 10 controls the fixing heater 22, the image reading unit 200, the image memory 11, the image forming unit 40, the abnormality type storage unit 13, and the sleep control unit 16 in the normal mode.

  When the user interface unit I receives an execution instruction for any one of a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function, the control unit 10 executes any one of the execution-instructed functions.

  For example, when the user interface unit I receives a copy function execution instruction as a print job execution instruction, the control unit 10 executes the print job, reads the image data of the document with the image reading unit 200, and The data is stored in the image memory 11 and the image data in the image memory 11 is formed on the recording paper by the image forming unit 40.

  Alternatively, the control unit 10 executes the print job when the user interface unit I receives a printer function execution instruction and the external interface 19 receives the print job execution instruction, and is acquired by the external interface 19. The image data stored in the image memory 11 is formed on the recording paper by the image forming unit 40.

  Alternatively, even when the printer interface execution instruction is not received by the user interface unit I, the control unit 10 executes the print job and receives the print job execution instruction by the external interface 19. Is stored in the image memory 11, and the image data in the image memory 11 is formed on the recording paper by the image forming unit 40.

  In the control unit 10 having such a configuration, a plurality of types of specific abnormalities are set in advance, and when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit 12, it is determined whether or not the detected abnormality is a specific abnormality. .

  The specific abnormality is an abnormality that occurs in the image forming apparatus 1 and cannot be resolved by restarting the image forming apparatus 1 or a user operation. Means. For example, specific abnormalities include overheating of the fixing heater 22, poor access to the image memory 11, and poor rotation of the motor M.

  In addition, when the control unit 10 determines that a part of the specific abnormality is a risk abnormality and the control unit 10 determines that the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit 12 is the specific abnormality, the specific abnormality It is determined whether or not is dangerous. Here, the danger abnormality is an abnormality having a high degree of danger for the image forming apparatus 1, such as overheating of the fixing heater 22, among the specific abnormality.

  Then, when the detected abnormality is a specific abnormality and not a dangerous abnormality, the control unit 10 outputs a first specific abnormality notification signal to the sleep control unit 16, and the detected abnormality is a specific abnormality and dangerous. When it is abnormal, the control unit 10 outputs a second specific abnormality notification signal to the sleep control unit 16.

  The image memory 11 stores image data read by the image reading unit 200 or image data acquired by the external interface 19.

  The abnormality type storage unit 13 is composed of a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM, and stores information indicating the type of specific abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit 12. The hard disk 14 receives the image data stored in the image memory 11 and stores the image data.

  The normal power supply unit 15 generates drive power for the control unit 10, the image reading unit 200, the image memory 11, the image forming unit 40, and the hard disk 14 by transforming and rectifying commercial AC power, and the drive power is supplied to these units. Supply to each part.

  Similar to the control unit 10, the sleep control unit 16 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like.

  The sleep control unit 16 includes a sleep mode and a normal mode. When one of the first specific abnormality notification signal and the second specific abnormality notification signal is received from the control unit 10 in the normal mode, the sleep control unit 16 is described later. Various processes are performed.

  The sleep control unit 16 shifts to the normal mode in the sleep mode when a return instruction receiving unit 17 described later receives a return instruction.

  In the sleep control unit 16, the return instruction receiving unit 17 is realized by the CPU executing a predetermined control program.

  The sleep control unit 16 controls the relay circuit 23, the user interface I, and the external interface 19.

  In the normal mode, the sleep control unit 16 shifts from the normal mode to the sleep mode when the operation unit 18 is not operated or the external interface 19 does not accept a print job for a period longer than a predetermined sleep shift time.

  In the normal mode, the sleep control unit 16 closes the relay circuit 23 and supplies driving power to the fixing heater 22, the control unit 10, the image reading unit 200, the image memory 11, the image forming unit 40, and the hard disk 14. .

  On the other hand, in the sleep mode, the relay circuit 23 is opened to cut off the supply of driving power to the fixing heater 22, the control unit 10, the image reading unit 200, the image memory 11, the image forming unit 40, and the hard disk 14. Thus, in the sleep mode, unlike the normal mode, the supply of drive power to the fixing heater 22, the control unit 10, the image reading unit 200, the image memory 11, the image forming unit 40, and the hard disk 14 is cut off. Power consumption can be reduced as compared with the normal mode.

  When the user interface unit I receives an execution instruction for any of a print job, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function, the return instruction reception unit 17 shifts the sleep control unit 16 from the sleep mode to the normal mode. A return instruction is received.

  Further, the return instruction receiving unit 17 receives the return instruction when the operation button 18I for returning the sleep control unit 16 to the normal mode is operated on the user interface I.

  Alternatively, the return instruction receiving unit 17 can be operated by the external interface 19 in the sleep mode even when the user interface unit I has not received an execution instruction for any of the print job, printer function, scanner function, and facsimile function. When the print job execution instruction is received, the return instruction is received.

  Alternatively, the return instruction accepting unit 17 accepts the return instruction even when a power switch (not shown) is turned on.

  Note that when the return instruction receiving unit 17 receives the return instruction, the sleep control unit 16 shifts from the sleep mode to the normal mode.

  The external interface 19 is an interface circuit that receives a print job execution instruction from a terminal device such as an external personal computer through a communication network such as a LAN.

  The sleep power supply unit 20 transforms and rectifies commercial AC power in the same manner as the normal power supply unit 15, and generates drive power for the sleep control unit 16, the abnormality type storage unit 13, the user interface I, and the external interface 19, The driving power is supplied to these units.

  The triac 21 adjusts the magnitude of commercial AC power according to the fixing heater 22, and supplies the adjusted power to the fixing heater 22. The fixing heater 22 is arranged to heat a fixing roller (not shown) of the fixing device 45.

  The fixing heater 22 is ON / OFF controlled by the control unit 10 so that the temperature of a fixing roller (not shown) of the fixing device 45 becomes a temperature suitable for forming an image on recording paper.

  The relay circuit 23 is composed of, for example, two sets of electromagnetic relays, and these two sets of electromagnetic relays are turned on / off simultaneously. The relay circuit 23 is controlled by the sleep control unit 16 and is in one of a closed state and an open state.

  The power relay 24 is a circuit for turning on and off the supply of commercial AC power to the image forming apparatus 1 and is configured by, for example, an electromagnetic relay. The power supply relay 24 is controlled by the sleep control unit 16 to be in one of a closed state and an open state.

  A first example of the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described below.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a first example of the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. In order to execute the following operations, the image reading unit 200, the image memory 11, the image forming unit 40, the abnormality type storage unit 13, and the hard disk 14 are not required.

  In the following processing, it is assumed that the power relay 24 is closed and commercial AC power is supplied to the image forming apparatus 1.

  When the abnormality detection unit 12 detects an abnormality in the image forming apparatus 1 (YES in step S1), the control unit 10 determines whether the detected abnormality is a predetermined specific abnormality (step S2). ).

  When the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit 12 is a specific abnormality (YES in step S2), the control unit 10 sleeps the first specific abnormality notification signal or the second specific abnormality notification signal (both described above). Since it is output to the control part 16, the sleep control part 16 transfers to sleep mode (step S3).

  As a result, the supply of drive power to the fixing heater 22, the control unit 10, the image reading unit 200, the image memory 11, the image forming unit 40, the abnormality type storage unit 40, and the hard disk 14 is cut off.

  On the other hand, when it is not a specific abnormality (NO in step S2), the control unit 10 performs a predetermined abnormality display (step S6), and displays, for example, the type of abnormality on the liquid crystal panel 50.

  In the sleep mode, when the return instruction receiving unit 17 receives a return instruction that instructs the sleep control unit 16 to shift to the normal mode (YES in step S4), the sleep control unit 16 starts from the sleep mode. Transition to the normal mode (step S5).

  As a result, the supply of driving power to the fixing heater 22, the control unit 10, the image reading unit 200, the image memory 11, the image forming unit 40, the abnormality type storage unit 40, and the hard disk 14 is resumed. Then, as a result of the power being turned off once and restarted, the temporary abnormality that can be solved by the restart is solved.

  As described above, when a specific abnormality of the image forming apparatus 1 is detected in the normal mode, the mode shifts to a sleep mode in which supply of drive power to at least the control unit 10 that controls each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 is cut off.

  As a result, when a specific abnormality occurs in the image forming apparatus 1 in the normal mode, the supply of drive power to the control unit 10 is stopped even if the user does not operate the image forming apparatus 1, and the control unit The operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 1 controlled by the operation 10 is stopped.

  As a result, unlike the conventional case where restart is prompted when a specific abnormality occurs, the user's hand is not bothered.

  Further, unlike the conventional case where the automatic restart is performed when a specific abnormality occurs, the normal mode is not automatically shifted after the sleep mode is entered. For this reason, the activation operation is not automatically performed, and no mechanical sound is generated at the time of activation, so that the possibility that the user feels uncomfortable is reduced.

(Second example)
Hereinafter, a second example of the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following processing, it is assumed that the power supply relay 24 is closed and commercial AC power is supplied to the image forming apparatus 1.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an outline of the operation of the image forming apparatus 1.

  In the normal mode, when an abnormality of the image forming apparatus 1 is detected by the abnormality detection unit 12 (YES in step S10), the control unit 10 determines whether or not the detected abnormality is a specific abnormality (step S11). ).

  When the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit 12 is a specific abnormality (YES in step S11), the control unit 10 proceeds to the process of step S12. When the abnormality is not a specific abnormality (NO in step S11), the detected abnormality Can be resolved by the user's operation, the control unit 10 performs a guide display for eliminating the abnormality by the display unit 5 (step S15).

  In step S12, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit 12 is a preset danger abnormality. When the risk is abnormal (YES in step S12), the control unit 10 proceeds to step S40 (see FIG. 8). When the risk is not abnormal (NO in step S12), the control unit 10 causes the sleep control unit 16 to The specific abnormality notification signal is output (step S13).

  When the first specific abnormality notification signal is output from the control unit 10 in step S <b> 13, the sleep control unit 16 determines whether information indicating a specific abnormality type is stored in the abnormality type storage unit 13. (Step S14).

  When no information indicating the type of specific abnormality is stored (NO in step S14), it means that a specific abnormality has occurred for the first time, so the sleep control unit 16 proceeds to step S20 (see FIG. 6) and stores it. If it is determined that the specific abnormality has occurred repeatedly (YES in step S14), the sleep control unit 16 proceeds to step S30 (see FIG. 7).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of an outline of the operation when information indicating the type of the specific abnormality is not stored in the abnormality type storage unit 13.

  When the information indicating the type of the specific abnormality is not stored in the abnormality type storage unit 13 (NO in step S14), the sleep control unit 16 displays the information indicating the type of the specific abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit 12 as abnormal. The data is stored in the type storage unit 13 (step 20).

  Then, the sleep control unit 16 determines whether image data is stored in the image memory 11 (step S21). If no image data is stored in the image memory 11 (NO in step S21), the sleep control unit 16 proceeds to the process in step S23, and if image data is stored (YES in step S21), the sleep control unit. 16 stores the image data in the image memory 11 in the hard disk 14 (step S22), and then proceeds to step S23.

  In step S22, the image data in the image memory 11 may not be stored in the hard disk 14, but may be stored in a non-volatile memory that is supplied with driving power by the normal power supply unit 15.

  In step S23, the sleep control unit 16 shifts to the sleep mode. When the return instruction receiving unit 17 receives the return instruction (YES in step S24), the sleep control unit 16 shifts from the sleep mode to the normal mode (step S25).

  Thereafter, the control unit 10 and the sleep control unit 16 return to Step S10 of FIG. The sleep control unit 16 shifts to the normal mode after receiving the return instruction in the sleep mode after the transition. However, after the transition to the sleep mode, the sleep control unit 16 may immediately shift to the normal mode without receiving the return instruction. Good.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of an outline of the operation when it is determined in step S14 of FIG. 5 that information indicating the type of the specific abnormality is stored in the abnormality type storage unit 13.

  When it is determined in step S14 of FIG. 5 that information indicating the type of specific abnormality is stored in the abnormality type storage unit 13 (YES in step S14), the sleep control unit 16 is detected by the abnormality detection unit 12. It is determined whether or not the specific abnormality is the same as the specific abnormality type stored in the abnormality type storage unit 13 (step S30).

  When it is not the same type of abnormality (NO in step S30), the sleep control unit 16 shifts to the sleep mode (step S33), but when it is the same type of abnormality (YES in step S30), the abnormality redetection condition Is satisfied, the sleep control unit 16 performs a specific display regarding the specific abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit 12 (step S31). For example, the sleep control unit 16 displays the specific display on the liquid crystal panel 50 to the user. A display prompting a service person to be called is displayed.

  As the specific display, for example, when the fixing heater 22 is overheated, which is one type of specific abnormality, a display such as “C6010: fixing heater abnormality” is performed.

  Then, the sleep control unit 16 performs an apparatus stop process (step S32), for example, the power supply relay 24 is changed from the closed state to the open state, and the supply of commercial AC power to the image forming apparatus 1 is interrupted. In the device stop process, the power supply relay 24 is not changed from the closed state to the open state, but the relay circuit 23 is changed from the closed state to the open state, and each unit other than the sleep control unit 16, the user interface I, and the external interface 19. It may be a process of shifting to a sleep mode in which the supply of the drive power to is interrupted.

  As described above, when a specific abnormality is detected in the normal mode, the mode shifts to the sleep mode. After that, when a return instruction is issued in the sleep mode, the mode shifts to the normal mode, and the same specific abnormality is detected again in the normal mode. Sometimes a specific display is made.

  Accordingly, since the specific display is performed when the same type of specific abnormality is detected twice, the user can contact the service person by regarding that the specific abnormality is not erroneously detected.

  In addition, when the same type of specific abnormality is detected twice, the apparatus stop process is performed and the operation of the electronic device is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to ensure the safety of the electronic device.

  Further, when image data is present in the image memory 11 when a specific abnormality is detected, the image data in the image memory 11 is stored in the hard disk 14 and then the sleep mode is entered, and then the normal mode is entered.

  Therefore, when a specific abnormality occurs during the execution of the print job, for example, an access abnormality such as inability to access the image memory 11 or a rotation abnormality such as the motor M used for executing the print job does not rotate, the image is displayed. The image memory 11 and the motor M can be reset without erasing the image data in the memory 11.

  As a result, when shifting from the sleep mode to the normal mode, printing of the image data can be resumed without performing reacquisition of the image data.

  Returning to FIG. 5, when it is determined that the specific abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit 12 is a preset risk abnormality (YES in step S12), the image forming apparatus 1 performs the process of FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the outline of the operation when it is determined in step S12 of FIG.

  When the specific abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit 12 is a preset dangerous abnormality (YES in Step S12), the control unit 10 outputs a second specific abnormality notification signal to the sleep control unit 16 (Step S12). S40). Then, the sleep control unit 16 shifts to the sleep mode (step S41) and notifies that a danger abnormality has occurred by lighting or blinking the light emitting diode 51 (step S42).

  Then, the sleep control unit 16 prohibits the transition to the normal mode (step S43). In this case, even if the return instruction receiving unit 17 receives the return instruction, the sleep control unit 16 does not return to the normal mode.

  As described above, when a risk abnormality that is a high-risk abnormality for the image forming apparatus 1 is detected, the shift to the sleep mode and the shift to the normal mode are prohibited.

  As a result, for example, when the heater that heats the fixing roller in the normal mode is overheated, the drive power to the heater is shifted to the sleep mode when there is a high risk if the drive power is further supplied to the heater. Is stopped, and then the transition to the normal mode is prohibited. As a result, the safety of the image forming apparatus 1 is maintained.

  Further, when a dangerous abnormality is detected, the light emitting diode 51 is turned on or blinked, so that the user can easily confirm that a dangerous abnormality has occurred.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 5 Display part 10 Control part 11 Image memory 12 Abnormality detection part 13 Abnormality kind | species memory | storage part 14 Hard disk 16 Sleep control part 17 Return instruction | indication reception part 40 Image formation part 50 Liquid crystal panel 51 Light emitting diode

Claims (7)

Electronic equipment,
Among the abnormalities of the electronic device, an abnormality detection unit that detects a specific abnormality that is a predetermined specific abnormality,
A control unit for controlling each unit in the electronic device;
A normal mode for supplying drive power to each unit in the electronic device; and a sleep mode for cutting off at least supply of drive power to the control unit, and the specific abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit in the normal mode. A sleep control unit that shifts from the normal mode to the sleep mode,
A return instruction receiving unit that receives a return instruction that instructs the sleep control unit to return from the sleep mode to the normal mode;
A display unit for performing a specific display that is a display related to the specific abnormality;
Equipped with a,
The sleep control unit
When the specific abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit in the normal mode, the mode shifts to the sleep mode, and when the return instruction reception unit receives the return instruction in the sleep mode after the transition, the mode shifts to the normal mode, An electronic apparatus, wherein the display unit performs the specific display when an abnormality re-detection condition including that the specific abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit in a normal mode after the transition is satisfied . A plurality of types of abnormalities are preset as the specific abnormality,
A storage unit for storing information;
The sleep control unit
When the specific abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit in the normal mode, information indicating the type of the detected specific abnormality is stored in the storage unit,
The abnormality redetection conditions, said specific anomaly in the normal mode after the transition is detected, and claim 1 in which the detected specific type of abnormality is characterized in that it stored in the storage unit The electronic device as described in. The sleep control unit
The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the abnormality re-detection condition is satisfied, a predetermined device stop process is further performed. Any one of the plurality of specific abnormalities is set in advance as a dangerous abnormality that is a high-risk abnormality for the electronic device,
The sleep control unit
When the specific abnormality is detected is the dangerous abnormal by the abnormality detection unit in the normal mode, according to claim 2, characterized in that prohibiting the transition to subsequent normal mode as well as transition to a sleep mode Electronics. The sleep control unit
The electronic device according to claim 4 , wherein when the specific abnormality that is the danger abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit in the normal mode, the display unit notifies that the danger abnormality has occurred. . An electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
An image acquisition unit for acquiring image data of a document;
An image forming unit that forms image data acquired by the image acquisition unit on a recording sheet,
The control unit further controls operations of the image acquisition unit and the image forming unit. An image storage unit for storing the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit;
The sleep control unit
In the sleep mode, the supply of driving power to the image acquisition unit and the image forming unit is cut off. In the normal mode, driving power is supplied to the image acquisition unit and the image forming unit.
When the specific abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit in the normal mode, if the image data has already been acquired by the image acquisition unit, the acquired image data is stored in the image storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 .

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