JP2000343792A - Image forming apparatus and method, and computer readable recording medium with image forming program recorded therein - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which can realize a power saving function in conformity with a use state. SOLUTION: A shift time to a power save mode is switched in accordance with the number of personal computers on the same network as a printer and using the printer (the number of personal computers to be used). More specifically, when the number of personal computers connected on the same network is small, the printer is shifted fast to the power saving mode. When the number of personal computers connected on the same network is large, the printer is shifted slowly to the power saving mode.

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 such as a printer and a copying machine, and more particularly to an apparatus capable of realizing a power saving function suitable for a use situation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the progress of networking, not only personal computers and printers but also scanners, digital copiers, digital facsimile machines, and the like are connected via a network, and a plurality of personal computers and the like are connected on the same network. There are systems that can print out to printers and copiers.

[0003] Some printers and copiers have a power saving mode (power saving function) that automatically switches to a power saving state if not used for a certain period of time in accordance with recent proposals for energy saving and recycling. More. The transition time to the power saving mode is usually
It can be set arbitrarily from the operation panel or the like. In particular, electrophotographic printers and copiers are equipped with a fixing device using a heater lamp, and the heater lamp requires a considerable amount of electric power. By turning off or reducing the lighting time, the power consumption is reduced.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional system, the number of image processing apparatuses (such as personal computers and scanners) on the network is the same as the number of image processing apparatuses (such as printers and copiers) on the network. )
Irrespective of whether the device is used from the beginning (usage status), there is a problem that the mode automatically shifts to the power saving mode only after a certain period of time has elapsed.

In particular, in the case of an electrophotographic printer or copier, it takes a considerable time to prepare a fixing unit (particularly a heater lamp) to return from a power saving mode to a printable mode. For example, from the standpoint of an operator of a personal computer that performs printing, it is better not to enter the power saving mode when performing printing. However, the conventional system shifts to the power saving mode only after a certain period of time, as described above, and thus cannot meet such a need. Therefore, the above-described image forming apparatus can be effectively used and the convenience of the user can be improved. There was a problem in the point.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art, and has recorded an image forming apparatus and method and an image forming program capable of realizing a power saving function suitable for a use situation. It is an object to provide a computer-readable recording medium.

[0007]

The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

(1) An image forming apparatus according to the present invention has a power saving function, and is used in an image forming apparatus connected to an external device via a network, connected to the same network and using the image forming apparatus. A storage unit for storing the number of external devices, and a switching unit for switching the content of the power saving function according to the number of external devices stored in the storage unit.

(2) The switching means switches the transition time from the normal mode to the power saving mode.

(3) The switching means switches the type of the power saving mode.

(4) An image forming method according to the present invention is an image forming method for an image forming apparatus having a power saving function and connected to an external device via a network, wherein the image forming method is connected to the same network and The method includes a step of storing the number of external devices that use the image forming apparatus, and a step of switching the content of the power saving function according to the stored number of external devices.

(5) A computer readable recording medium according to the present invention has a power saving function, and has a computer readable recording medium for recording an image forming program in an image forming apparatus connected to an external device via a network. A computer that performs a process of storing the number of external devices connected to the same network and using the image forming device and a process of switching the content of the power saving function according to the stored number of external devices. In which a print control program to be executed by the printer is recorded.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a network system to which the present invention is applied.

In this system, the printer 10 and a plurality (N) of personal computers 20-1,..., 20-N are communicably connected via a network 30. The image data created or processed by each personal computer 20 is included in a print job, transmitted to the printer 10 via the network 30, and printed out.

Although a system in which the printer 10 and the personal computer 20 are connected via the network 30 is shown here, the present invention is not limited to this. A system in which a digital copying machine, a digital facsimile machine, and / or a composite device thereof are connected instead of or together with the printer, or a system in which a scanner is connected instead of or together with the personal computer. Is also good.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer 10 shown in FIG.

The printer 10 includes a control unit (switching means) 11 for controlling the operation of the printer 10, a program, a control table, a received print job (including image data), 10
Number of personal computers 20 that use PC
Storage unit (storage means) for storing other information
12, an operation panel unit 13 for an operator to instruct the operation of the printer 10, and a print engine unit 14 for printing image data on paper according to the contents of a print job.
And a network interface (I / F) for connecting to the network 30 to receive a print job from the personal computer 20 connected to the same network 30 and to transmit and receive commands and data to and from the personal computer 20. And a unit 15. The control unit 11 includes a CPU, and the storage unit 12 includes a ROM and a RAM.

The printer 10 has a power saving function, and the control unit 11 enters the power saving mode in accordance with a timer value that determines a transition time from the normal mode to the power saving mode. Specifically, the time (timer value) for shifting to the power saving mode is stored in the storage unit 12 in advance, and the control unit 11 reads the timer value from the storage unit 12 at power-on or after printing is completed. Then, the print job is stored in another storage buffer for subtraction in the control unit 11, and while the print job is not received, the timer is sequentially subtracted by a separate timer routine. The timer value stored in the storage unit 12 is obtained by a timer value setting process described below.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing program for setting a timer value. In this processing procedure, information on the number of personal computers used when the print job is received is stored in the storage unit 12.

When the control unit 11 of the printer 10 receives a print job received from the outside from the network I / F unit 15, the personal computer ID stored in the storage unit 12
(See FIG. 6) and the ID of the personal computer which is the transmission source of the print job received this time, and the personal computer ID corresponding to the print job received this time is a new personal computer ID.
It is determined whether or not (S100). In addition, the ID of the personal computer
May use the address on the network 30, or add the ID of the transmission source personal computer before the image data included in the print job output from each personal computer. The personal computer ID included in the print job may be used.

If it is not the new personal computer ID but the same as the already stored personal computer ID (S100:
(NO), after returning the value of the ID deletion counter corresponding to the personal computer ID to the initial value (S110), the process immediately ends, and the timer value is not changed. The ID deletion counter is a counter for deleting the ID of the unused personal computer from the storage unit 12, and will be described later in detail.

On the other hand, if it is a new personal computer ID (S100: YES), the personal computer ID is additionally registered in the storage unit 12, and at the same time, the value of the ID deletion counter corresponding to the personal computer ID is set to the initial value. (S1
20). Thereafter, the value of the number of used personal computers stored in the storage unit 12 is increased by one (S130), and the new used number of personal computers is calculated with reference to the request timer value table stored in the storage unit 12 in advance. A timer value corresponding to the value is set (S140).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a required timer value table showing the relationship between the number of personal computers used and the required timer value.

Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the longer the value of the number of personal computers used, the longer the timer value is set, so that the transition time to the power saving mode is lengthened. That is, when the number of personal computers 20 connected on the same network 30 is small, that is, when the number of operators using the printer 10 on the same network 30 is small, the timer value is set to a short value to save. By shortening the time for shifting to the power mode, the mode is quickly shifted to the power saving mode. Conversely, when the number of personal computers 20 connected on the same network 30 is large,
In other words, when the number of operators using the printer 10 on the same network 30 is large, the timer is set to be longer and the time for shifting to the power saving mode is lengthened, so that the mode is shifted to the power saving mode later. Like that.
As a result, a transition to the power saving mode suitable for the use situation is realized, and the disadvantages of the related art are reduced.

The request timer value table may be of a type that cannot be rewritten or of a type that can be freely rewritten. In the latter case, the operator may use the numerical values (the number of personal computers used and the timer value) in the preset table as they are, or increase or decrease the numerical values to the values set by the operation panel unit 13.

In the present embodiment, an ID deletion counter is provided to delete the ID of a personal computer that has not been used for a certain period from the storage unit 12. That is, if there is a personal computer whose ID is registered in the storage unit 12 and the printer 10 does not receive the print job for a certain period of several days or weeks, the ID of the personal computer is registered. By deleting and reducing the value of the number of used computers, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the value of the number of used computers is unnecessarily increased and the transition to the power saving mode is not easily stopped.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing program for deleting the registration of the personal computer ID. The processing program is started and executed by an internal timer at regular intervals (for example, every one hour).

The control unit 11 of the printer 10 first reads the PC table stored in the storage unit 12 (S2).
00). The PC table is the registered PC ID
6 is a table in which IDs and corresponding ID deletion counter values are arranged, and has a format as shown in FIG. 6, for example. Here, the initial value of the ID deletion counter is:
For example, it is set to 480 hours (20 days).

When the reading of the PC table is completed, the value of the ID deletion counter corresponding to a certain personal computer ID is reduced by 1 (S210), and it is checked whether the counter value after the subtraction is 0 (S220). Counter value is 0
If it has become (S220: YES), it is determined that the PC ID has not been used for a certain period of time, the PC ID item is deleted from the PC table, and its registration is deleted (S23).
0), the process proceeds to step S240. If the counter value is not 0 (S220: NO), the process immediately proceeds to step S240 without deleting the registration.

In step S240, it is determined whether or not the above processing has been completed for all the personal computer IDs in the PC table. If all the personal computer IDs have been completed (S240: YES), the series of processing ends, but if not all the personal computer IDs have been completed (S240: NO), step S210.
Then, the above process is performed for the next unconfirmed personal computer ID. In this way, the above-described processing for all the personal computer IDs, that is, the processing of confirming the ID deletion counter value (S210 to S230) is performed.

Therefore, according to the first embodiment,
Switching the transition time to the power saving mode according to the number of personal computers 20 (number of personal computers) that are on the same network 30 as the printer 10 and use the printer 10;
That is, when the number of the personal computers 20 connected to the same network 30 is small, the mode quickly shifts to the power saving mode. When the number of the personal computers 20 connected to the same network 30 is large, the mode shifts to the power saving mode. Since the shift is made later, the shift to the power saving mode corresponding to the use situation is realized, the printer 10 can be effectively used, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

(Second Embodiment) In order to realize a power saving function corresponding to the use situation, in the first embodiment, only the time for shifting to the power saving mode is changed according to the number of personal computers used. However, there is a method in which the type of the power saving mode itself is changed instead of or together with the transition time to the power saving mode. Of these, in the second embodiment, the type of the power saving mode itself is changed together with the transition time to the power saving mode. The second embodiment has the same basic configuration as the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The feature of the second embodiment is that, as described above, the type of the power saving mode itself is changed together with the transition time to the power saving mode according to the number of personal computers used. Here, the types of the power saving mode are as follows: energy saving mode 1, energy saving mode 2, energy saving mode 3
Are defined.

Energy saving mode 1: The power supply to the fixing unit is completely turned off, and a minimum amount of power is supplied for control. Lowest power consumption. On the other hand, it takes the longest time to return. Energy saving mode 2: Only electric power is supplied to reduce the set temperature of the fixing unit to half that during printing. Mode with intermediate levels of power consumption and recovery time. Energy saving mode 3: Only electric power for setting the set temperature of the fixing unit to ／ of that during printing is supplied. The recovery time is the shortest. On the other hand, the power consumption is the largest.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing program for setting a timer value and an energy saving mode. Note that this flowchart has the same basic processing procedure as the flowchart of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, and thus common steps are given the same numbers, and
Just a brief explanation.

When the control unit 11 of the printer 10 receives a print job received from the outside from the network I / F unit 15, the personal computer ID stored in the storage unit 12
(See FIG. 6) and the ID of the personal computer which is the transmission source of the print job received this time, and the personal computer ID corresponding to the print job received this time is a new personal computer ID.
It is determined whether or not (S100).

If the ID is the same as the already stored personal computer ID (S100: NO), the value of the ID deletion counter corresponding to the personal computer ID is returned to the initial value (S110), and the process is immediately terminated. The timer value and energy saving mode are not changed.

On the other hand, if it is a new personal computer ID (S100: YES), the personal computer ID is additionally registered in the storage unit 12, and at the same time, the value of the ID deletion counter corresponding to the personal computer ID is set to the initial value. (S1
20). Thereafter, the value of the number of used personal computers stored in the storage unit 12 is increased by one (S130), and a new usage is referred by referring to the required timer value / energy saving mode table stored in the storage unit 12 in advance. Set the timer value and energy saving mode that match the value of the number of personal computers (S1
50).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a required timer value / energy saving mode table showing the relationship between the number of personal computers used, the required timer value, and the energy saving mode.

As shown in the figure, the larger the value of the number of personal computers used, the longer the timer value is set to extend the transition time to the power saving mode. The type (energy saving mode) is set to a mode in which the return time to the printable mode is short, so that the return time is shortened. That is, when the number of personal computers 20 connected to the same network 30 is small,
When the number of operators using 0 is small, the timer value is set to a short value so as to shift to the power saving mode quickly. The power consumption is set to a low mode so that the power consumption is minimized in the power saving mode. Conversely, when the number of personal computers 20 connected to the same network 30 is large, When the number of operators using the printer 10 is large, the timer value is set to be long so that the mode shifts slowly to the power saving mode. Is high, but the recovery time is set to a short mode, so that the recovery time from the power saving mode to the printable mode is minimized. As a result, the transition to the power saving mode according to the usage situation is realized, and even when the mode is switched to the power saving mode, the type of the power saving mode according to the usage situation is set, and the inconvenience in the conventional technology is further alleviated. Is done.

The required timer value / energy saving mode table may be of a type that cannot be rewritten or of a type that can be freely rewritten, similarly to the required timer value table shown in FIG. In the latter case, the operator may use the numerical values (the number of personal computers used and the timer value) and the energy saving value mode in the table set in advance, or change to the values set by the operation panel unit 13 or the energy saving mode. You can also.

Other processes, such as a process for entering a power saving mode in accordance with a set timer value and a process for deleting registration of a personal computer ID that has not been used for a certain period (FIG. 5)
Is completely the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Therefore, according to the second embodiment,
The transition time to the power saving mode and the type of the power saving mode are switched according to the number of personal computers 20 (number of personal computers) that are on the same network 30 as the printer 10 and use the printer 10, that is, the same network 30.
When the number of personal computers 20 connected above is small,
When the mode is shifted to the power saving mode quickly, the power consumption in the case of shifting to the power saving mode is reduced as much as possible, and when the number of personal computers 20 connected on the same network 30 is large, the mode is shifted to the power saving mode late. Even when shifting to the power saving mode, the return time from the power saving mode to the printable mode is shortened as much as possible, so that the shift to the power saving mode suitable for the use situation is realized and Even when the mode is shifted to the power saving mode, the type of the power saving mode is set according to the usage status, and the printer 1
0 can be used more effectively, and the user's convenience can be improved while satisfying the demand for energy saving. That is, it is possible to achieve both higher energy saving and higher user convenience.

When a computer is used as described above, a recording medium capable of causing a computer to read a print control program describing the above-described processing procedure (see FIGS. 3, 5, and 7). (For example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk or a CD-ROM), and the image forming apparatus (such as the printer 10) can be operated based on the recording medium.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Depending on the number of external devices that use the image forming apparatus on the same network as the image forming apparatus, the content of the power saving function (for example, transition time from the normal mode to the power saving mode,
And / or type of power saving mode)
As a result, a power saving function corresponding to the usage situation is realized, the image forming apparatus can be effectively used, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

In particular, when the transition time from the normal mode to the power saving mode is switched, when the number of external devices connected to the same network is small, the mode is quickly shifted to the power saving mode and the connection to the same network is made. When a large number of external devices are used, shifting to the power saving mode later can realize a shift to the power saving mode in accordance with the usage situation, enabling the effective use of the image forming apparatus, and improving user convenience. Performance can be improved.

When the type of the power saving mode is switched, when the number of external devices connected to the same network is small, the return time is long and the power consumption is low in the power saving mode, When the number of external devices connected to the device is large, the power consumption is high in the power saving mode and the recovery time is short, so that the type of the power saving mode that matches the usage situation when the mode is switched to the power saving mode is set. Therefore, the image forming apparatus can be effectively used, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a network system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the printer of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing program for setting a timer value according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a request timer value table.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing program for deleting registration of a personal computer ID.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC table.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing program for setting a timer value and an energy saving mode according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a required timer value / energy saving mode table.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printer (image forming apparatus), 11 ... Control part (switching means), 12 ... Storage part (storage means), 13 ... Operation panel part, 20 ... Personal computer (external device), 30 ... Network.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP04 AQ06 HH11 HT03 HT11 HT13 5B021 EE02 MM01

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having a power saving function and connected to an external device via a network, a storage means for storing the number of external devices connected to the same network and using the image forming device. An image forming apparatus comprising: a switching unit configured to switch the content of the power saving function according to the number of external devices stored in the storage unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit switches a transition time from a normal mode to a power saving mode. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit switches a type of a power saving mode. 4. An image forming method in an image forming apparatus having a power saving function and connected to an external apparatus via a network, wherein the number of external apparatuses connected to the same network and using the image forming apparatus is provided. And a step of switching the contents of the power saving function according to the number of stored external devices. 5. A computer-readable recording medium having a power-saving function and recording an image forming program in an image forming apparatus connected to an external device via a network, wherein the computer-readable recording medium is connected to the same network and has the image A computer storing an image forming program for causing a computer to execute a process of storing the number of external devices that use the forming device, and a process of switching the content of the power saving function according to the number of stored external devices. A readable recording medium.