JP2000321943A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To return an energy saving mode to a usual mode normally if there is not trouble with a function requested by an external equipment having requested the return to the usual mode even if either an image scanner or a printer engine is error state and is transferred into the energy saving mode. SOLUTION: Under re-pressing a main power source switch when a power source control part detects either a recovery request from a printer unit or a recovery request from a facsimile unit, one having requested recovery is written in a memory and a power supply to a main control part is started again. The main control part reads out an error information, information of the one having requested recovery by accessing the memory (step S15), and if the error information is one by the image scanner (step S16Y) and furthermore the information of the one having requested recovery is a recovery request from the facsimile unit (step S17 Y), the printer engine is executed to start (step S18). Consequently a job requested through the facsimile unit is processed by the printer engine.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including an image scanner for reading an original and outputting image data and a printer engine for forming an image by visualizing the image data by an electrophotographic system. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus having an energy saving mode has been known. In this image forming apparatus, the shift to the energy saving mode is executed by a manual switch arranged on the operation unit or the like. To return from the energy saving mode, the manual switch is pressed again or an external I / F (a personal computer (PC) It is well known that the processing is executed in response to a return request from a printer unit or a facsimile unit having a facsimile function connected to a PC.

[0006] The transition to the energy saving mode is performed by a main power switch arranged on the operation unit. When the main power switch is pressed, the power control unit turns off the power relay switch. When the power relay switch is turned off, power supply from the main power supply unit is stopped, and the main control unit, the image scanner, and the printer engine of the image forming apparatus enter a non-energized state (energy saving mode). The return from the energy saving mode is performed by pressing the main power switch again, by a return request from the printer unit connected to the image forming apparatus, or by a return request from the fax unit connected to the image forming apparatus. Then, the power control unit turns on the power relay switch. Thereby, power is supplied from the main power supply unit, and the main control unit,
The image scanner and the printer engine are energized (normal mode).

Further, an image forming apparatus has been proposed which shifts to an energy saving mode for reducing power consumption when the apparatus has not been operated for a certain period of time (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-69225). If the image scanner or printer engine is in an error state,
It does not shift to the energy saving mode.

On the other hand, when a certain period of time elapses after the image scanner or the printer engine enters the error state, the main control unit (CPU) writes the contents of the error into the nonvolatile memory, and the image scanner or the printer engine is turned off. Then, when shifting to the energy saving mode and returning from the energy saving mode to the normal mode, the main control unit reads the error information stored in the nonvolatile memory, displays the content on the operation panel, and enters the energy saving mode. There has also been proposed a technique capable of restarting in the same state (error state) as before (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-109519).

[0006]

Here, when returning from the energy saving mode, the case where the user instructs to return from the energy saving mode by pressing down the main power switch again means that the image forming apparatus functions as a copying machine. Is required, and both functions of the image scanner and the printer engine are required. On the other hand, the return command from the energy saving mode from the printer unit connected to the image forming apparatus is when the image data read by the image scanner is taken into the PC or when the image data generated by the PC is printed out from the printer engine. It is. In the case of a return command from a facsimile unit connected to the image forming apparatus, the image data received by facsimile is printed out from a printer engine.
In other words, in the case of a return instruction from the printer unit or the fax unit, not the functions of both the image scanner and the printer engine are required, but only the functions of either the image scanner or the printer engine. is there.

However, when the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H09-09519 is applied to an image forming apparatus having an image scanner, is it required to provide only one of the functions of the image scanner and the printer engine? Regardless of whether both functions are required, the system is restarted in the same state as before entering the energy saving mode, that is, an error state of either the image scanner or the printer engine. For example, even if some kind of reading error occurs while the image data read by the image scanner is being taken into the PC, the printer shifts to the energy saving mode after a certain period of time, but then prints out the image data received by facsimile from the printer engine. Therefore, if a command to return to the normal mode is sent from the fax unit to the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus returns to the normal mode in the state of the previous reading error, so the image forming apparatus has to notify the fax unit of the reception impossible state. There is a problem that it cannot be obtained.

An object of the present invention is to prevent a function required by an external device requesting a return to a normal mode even if one of an image scanner and a printer engine shifts to an energy saving mode in an error state. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can normally return to the normal mode.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image scanner for reading an original and outputting image data, and a printer engine for forming an image by visualizing the image data by an electrophotographic method. A main control unit that controls the image scanner and the printer engine, and a power supply unit that supplies power to the image scanner, the printer engine, and the main control unit in an image forming apparatus to which an external device can be connected; A switch for supplying or interrupting power from the power supply unit to the image scanner, the printer engine, and the main control unit, an operation unit for operating the image forming apparatus, and an instruction from the operation unit or the external The power is supplied by closing the switch according to an instruction sent from the device, A power control unit that opens the switch and shuts off the power when a predetermined time has elapsed after a predetermined abnormality has occurred in the image scanner or the printer engine, and the main control unit includes: When the abnormality occurs, the contents of the abnormality are written into a predetermined memory, and when the operation of the image forming apparatus is requested from the external device after the power is cut off, the memory is read. It is determined that the location where the abnormality has occurred is the image scanner, and the external device that has issued the operation request requires the operation of the printer engine but does not require the operation of the image scanner. Is an image forming apparatus wherein the job requested by the external device is executed by the printer engine.

Therefore, after a predetermined time elapses after an error such as a reading error occurs in the image scanner, the power to the image scanner, the printer engine, and the main control unit is cut off and the operation mode is shifted to the energy saving mode. When the power supply to the image scanner, the printer engine, and the main control unit is resumed by the instruction from the external device that requires the operation but does not require the operation of the image Since there is no problem, the fax unit is not informed that the reception is not possible, and the job requested via the fax unit is executed by the printer engine.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the power supply is cut off by the power supply control unit in a state where the abnormality has occurred. Later, when the external device requests an operation of the image forming apparatus, the memory is read to determine that the location where the abnormality has occurred is the image scanner, and the external device that has issued the operation request is the printer. When one operation is selectively required from the engine and the image scanner, the external device is notified that only the printer engine can operate.

Therefore, after a predetermined time elapses after an error such as a reading error occurs in the image scanner, the power to the image scanner, the printer engine, and the main control unit is cut off and the operation mode is shifted to the energy saving mode. When the power supply to the image scanner, the printer engine, and the main control unit is resumed by an instruction from an external device that requires one operation selectively from among the image scanners and the mode shifts to the normal mode, the printer engine Since there is no problem, the external device is notified that only the printer engine can operate.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the main control unit shuts off the power by the power supply control unit while the abnormality has occurred. When the operation of the image forming apparatus is requested from the external device after being read, the memory is read and the location where the abnormality has occurred is determined to be the printer engine. When one of the printer engine and the image scanner selectively requires one operation, the external device is notified that the operation of only the image scanner is possible. I do.

Therefore, after a lapse of a predetermined time after an abnormality such as paper end or toner end has occurred in the printer engine, the power to the image scanner, the printer engine and the main control unit is cut off, and the printer shifts to the energy saving mode. When the power supply to the image scanner, the printer engine, and the main control unit is restarted by the instruction from the external device that requires one operation selectively from the printer engine and the image scanner, and the mode shifts to the normal mode. Notifies the external device that only the image scanner is operable since there is no problem with the image scanner.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 has a main control unit 3 which is a microcomputer on which a CPU 2 is mounted and which performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 1 and communication processing with an external I / F.
An image scanner 4 for reading a document and converting the image data into electrical image data, a printer engine 5 for visualizing the image data by electrophotography and outputting the image data to a transfer sheet, and an operator for operating the image forming apparatus 1. And an operation unit 6.

When the image forming apparatus 1 is used as an online printer of a PC, a printer unit 7 having an I / F function between a PC (not shown) as an external device and the main control unit 3 and a facsimile receiver are used. When the present image forming apparatus 1 is used, a fax unit 8 having an I / F function of a modem (not shown) as an external device and the main control unit 3 is mounted, and the CPU 2 includes the printer unit 7 and the fax unit 8. Communicates with a control unit (not shown) mounted on each of the.

Power is supplied to each section of the image forming apparatus 1 by a main power supply section 9 or an auxiliary power supply section 10 as a power supply section, and a main control section 3, an image scanner 4, a printer engine 5, and an operation section 6 are provided. , Power is supplied from a main power supply unit 9 which is a power supply unit of the present invention via a power relay switch 11 which is a switch. The power relay switch 11 is controlled by a sub CPU 13 mounted on a power supply control unit 12 composed of a microcomputer. When the power relay switch 11 is turned off, power supply from the main power supply unit 9 to each unit is cut off. Also, a printer unit 7, a fax unit 8, a power control unit 12
Is supplied with electric power from the auxiliary power supply unit 10.

A main power switch 14 used by an operator to shift the image forming apparatus 1 to the energy saving mode is disposed on the operation unit 6. Power is supplied from the auxiliary power supply unit 10 via the control unit 12.

In FIG. 1, the shift to the energy saving mode is performed by depressing the main power switch 14 arranged on the operation unit 6. When the main power switch 14 is pressed, the power control unit 12 turns off the power relay switch 11. As a result, the power supply from the main power supply unit 9 is stopped, and the main control unit 3, the image scanner 4, the printer engine 5, and the operation unit 6 enter a non-energized state (energy saving mode). Also, when returning from the energy saving mode,
The power control unit 12 turns on the power relay switch 11 in response to the main power switch 14 being pressed again, a return request from the printer unit 7 or a return request from the fax unit 8. As a result, power is supplied from the main power supply unit 9, and the main control unit 3, the image scanner 4, and the printer engine 5 enter an energized state (normal mode). Reference numeral 15 denotes a nonvolatile memory provided in the power supply control unit 12. This memory 15 has a sub CP
Access is possible not only from U13 but also from the CPU 2 of the main control unit 3.

The operation of the image forming apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described below. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a process for shifting to the energy saving mode.
FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts illustrating a process for returning from the energy saving mode to the normal mode.

First, referring to FIG.
Alternatively, after an error of the printer engine 5 is detected (step S1), a predetermined time has elapsed (step S1).
2), the CPU 2 writes the contents of the error in the memory 15 (step S3), and notifies the sub CPU 13 of transition to the energy saving mode (step S4). Upon receiving this notification, the sub CPU 13 turns off the power relay switch 11 (step S5), and the system shifts to the energy saving mode.

Next, referring to FIG.
Is pressed again, either a return request from the printer unit 7 or a return request from the fax unit 8
When the PU 13 detects (step S11), the return request destination is written into the memory 15 (step S12), the power relay switch 11 is turned on (step S13), and the power supply to the main control unit 3 is restarted.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the power supply to the main control unit 3 is resumed, the CPU 2 performs an initialization process (step S14), accesses the memory 15 and stores error information and return request destination information. Reading (step S15),
If the error information is from the image scanner 4 (Y in step S16) and the return request destination information is a return request from the fax unit 8, (step S16).
17Y), the printer engine 5 is started (step S18). Thus, the job requested via the fax unit 8 is processed by the printer engine 5.

Even if the error information is from the image scanner 4 (Y in step S16), if the return request destination information is not from the fax unit 8 (step S16).
17N), the processing is performed as follows. If the return request destination information is from the printer unit 7 (Y in step S19), a notification that the printer engine 5 can be used is sent to the printer unit 7 (step S20).
When the return request destination information is due to the depression of the main power switch 14 (N in step S19), an error is displayed on the LCD display of the operation unit 6 (step S21).

When the error information is from the printer engine 5 (N in step S16), the following processing is performed. If the return request destination information is the printer unit 7 (N in step S22, Y in step S23), the printer unit 7 is notified that the image scanner 4 can be used (step S24).
The return request destination information is a fax unit (step S22).
(Y) or when the main power switch 14 is pressed (N in step S23), an error is displayed on the LCD display of the operation unit 6 (step S25).

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 1, after a certain period of time elapses due to a reading error or the like occurring in the image scanner 4, the image scanner 4, the printer engine 5, and the main control unit 3 The power is cut off and the mode shifts to the energy saving mode. Thereafter, the image scanner 4, the printer engine 5 and the main unit are connected to the fax unit 8 by an instruction from a modem (not shown), that is, an external device that requires the operation of the printer engine 5 but does not require the operation of the image scanner 4. When the supply of power to the control unit 3 is resumed and the mode is shifted to the normal mode, the printer engine 5 does not have any trouble. Is executed by the printer engine 5.

When a certain time elapses after an error such as a reading error occurs in the image scanner 4, the power to the image scanner 4, the printer engine 5, and the main control unit 3 is cut off, and the mode shifts to the energy saving mode. Thereafter, the PC connected to the printer unit 7, ie,
The power supply to the image scanner 4, the printer engine 5, and the main control unit 3 is resumed by an instruction from an external device that requires one operation selectively from the printer engine 5 and the image scanner 4, and the mode is changed to the normal mode. At the time of transfer, there is no problem with the printer engine 5, so that the PC is notified via the printer unit 7 that only the printer engine 5 can operate.

Further, after a lapse of a predetermined time after an abnormality such as paper end or toner end has occurred in the printer engine 5, the power to the image scanner 4, the printer engine 5 and the main control unit 3 is cut off, and the mode shifts to the energy saving mode. I do. After that, the image scanner 4, the printer engine 5, and the operation unit 6 are operated in response to an instruction from a PC connected to the printer unit 7, that is, an external device that requires one operation selectively from the printer engine 5 and the image scanner 4. When the supply of power to the printer is resumed and the mode is shifted to the normal mode, the image scanner 4 is not affected, and therefore, a notification is sent to the PC via the printer unit 7 to the effect that only the image scanner can be operated. Do.

[0029]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the power to the image scanner, the printer engine and the main control unit is cut off after a lapse of a predetermined time after an abnormality such as a reading error occurs in the image scanner, and the image scanner enters the energy saving mode. After that, supply of power to the image scanner, printer engine and main control unit is resumed by an instruction from an external device that requires the operation of the printer engine but does not require the operation of the image scanner, and returns to the normal mode. At the time of transfer, there is no problem with the printer engine,
The printer unit does not notify the fax unit that the reception is not possible, and executes the job requested by the printer engine via the fax unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the image scanner, the printer engine, and the main control unit are transmitted to the image scanner after a predetermined time elapses after an error such as a reading error occurs in the image scanner. Power is cut off and the printer enters the energy-saving mode. After that, the image scanner, printer engine, and main control unit are selectively operated by an external device that requires one of the operations. When the supply of power is resumed and the mode shifts to the normal mode, there is no problem in the printer engine, so that the external device is notified that only the printer engine can operate.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first or second aspect, the image scanner and the printer engine are provided after a lapse of a predetermined time after an abnormality such as paper end or toner end has occurred in the printer engine. And the power to the main control unit is cut off and the mode shifts to the energy saving mode. After that, the image scanner, the printer engine, and the printer engine are selectively operated by an external device that requires one of the operations. When the supply of power to the main control unit is resumed and the mode shifts to the normal mode, there is no problem with the image scanner, so that the external device is notified that only the image scanner can operate.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating processing for shifting to an energy saving mode in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process for returning from an energy saving mode to a normal mode in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing for returning from an energy saving mode to a normal mode in the image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 3 Main control part 4 Image scanner 5 Printer engine 6 Operation part 9 Power supply part 11 Switch 12 Power supply control part 15 Memory

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image scanner for reading a document and outputting image data, a printer engine for visualizing the image data by electrophotography to form an image, and a main control for controlling the image scanner and the printer engine A power supply unit for supplying power to the image scanner, the printer engine and the main control unit, and the image scanner, the printer engine, and the power supply unit. A switch for supplying or interrupting power to the main control unit, an operation unit for operating the image forming apparatus, and the switch in response to an instruction from the operation unit or an instruction sent from the external device. When the power supply is closed and the power is supplied, the image scanner or the A power control unit that opens the switch and shuts off the power when a predetermined time has elapsed after a predetermined abnormality has occurred in the engine, and the main control unit has When the content of the abnormality is written into a predetermined memory, and when the operation of the image forming apparatus is requested from the external device after the power is cut off, the memory is read to generate the abnormality. When it is determined that the location is the image scanner, and the external device that has issued the operation request requires the operation of the printer engine but does not require the operation of the image scanner, the external device An image forming apparatus, wherein a job requested by a device is executed by the printer engine. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main controller controls the power supply controller to shut off the power in a state where the abnormality has occurred. The memory is read to determine that the location where the abnormality has occurred is the image scanner, and the external device that has issued the operation request selectively requires one operation from the printer engine and the image scanner. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the external device can operate only the printer engine, the external device is notified. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main controller controls the power supply controller to shut off the power while the abnormality is occurring, and then requests the operation of the image forming apparatus from the external device. The memory is read to determine that the location where the abnormality has occurred is the printer engine, and the external device that has issued the operation request selectively requires one operation from the printer engine and the image scanner. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the image forming apparatus determines that the operation is performed, the external device is notified that only the image scanner can operate.