JP2002002063A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system wherein energy saving with good operability is considered and quick response to occurrence of trouble of jamming and high productivity can be achieved. SOLUTION: There is disclosed an image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses which are connected to enable bi-directional data communication. The image forming system includes a master image forming apparatus and a slave image forming apparatus that forms an image in accordance with image data transmitted from the master image forming apparatus. After the image forming operation is completed, the master image forming apparatus transmits an image forming completion condition signal to the slave image forming apparatus.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected so as to enable two-way data communication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A plurality of copying machines are connected to each other, and image data is transferred to a plurality of other copying machines via a scanner or a copying machine serving as a master machine to which image data is input from the outside. An image forming system configured to perform a process (job) based on an image forming command (operation) by all copying machines is known in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-331292 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-27876.

[0003] Each image forming apparatus constituting the image forming system can be used as a single machine, but as described above, when used as a system machine, it functions as a copying machine sharing the load.

In other words, the operation of the system (hereinafter, also referred to as a connection mode, a connection copying mode or an image forming system mode) is performed when a large number of copies are made from a large number of documents. It is a very efficient and useful system.

[0005]

However, in an image forming system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses output images for one job, no consideration is given to power saving (energy saving) as the system.

[0006] As a power saving measure, for example, after a certain period of time, the power supply to the fixing unit or the display unit, which consumes a large amount of power compared to other parts, is provided for each copying machine which has completed the shared copy production. Can be considered as a method for reducing the amount of light.

Although such power saving measures are effective, it has been found that there is a specific problem that the usefulness of the image forming system mode cannot be maximized.

For example, when copying is performed in the connection mode, there is a time lag in completing the allotment by allocating the capacity and the work amount of the copying machine, and the copying machine enters the power saving mode first, and then also connects. When copying in the power saving mode is required, it takes time to start up the fixing of the copying machine in the power saving mode.

Further, for example, when a situation occurs in which one copying machine must interrupt the copying function due to some trouble such as a jam (paper jam) or no paper, the other copying machine recovers the situation. However, if another copier has already shifted to the power saving mode, the other copier is activated from the power saving mode with the fixing off by the recovery command from the master machine, and returns to the copy processing enabled state. In such a case, it takes a long time to copy unprocessed parts, so that it takes much time and the merit of the image system having good working efficiency cannot be fully utilized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its main objects to consider power saving with good workability as an image forming system and to quickly respond to occurrence of a jam trouble or the like. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system which is possible and has high productivity.

[0011]

The object of the present invention can be achieved by the following components.

(1) In an image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected so as to enable two-way data communication, an image is formed based on a master image forming apparatus and image data sent from the master image forming apparatus. After completion of a predetermined image forming process with the slave image forming apparatus, the master image forming apparatus sends an image formation completion state signal to the slave image forming apparatus. Image forming system.

(2) In an image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected so as to enable two-way data communication, a master image forming apparatus and a slave for forming an image based on image data sent from the master image forming apparatus. After a predetermined time has elapsed after the image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus have completed the predetermined image formation, the power saving mode is not set. In the power saving mode, an input to the operation unit or an input of image information is performed on any of the image forming apparatuses. An image forming system configured to send a wake-up command from an image forming apparatus to which image information has been input to all of the other image forming apparatuses in a power saving mode, if any.

(3) In an image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected so as to be capable of bidirectional data communication, a master image forming apparatus for converting input image information into image data and transmitting the image data, and the master image forming apparatus And a slave image forming apparatus capable of taking in the image data sent from the image forming apparatus and forming an image based on the image data. The slave image forming apparatus receives a connection mode start command sent from the master image forming apparatus. Wherein the image forming system is configured to shift to a power saving mode in which power consumption of a portion unnecessary for the operation in the connection mode is suppressed.

[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 schematic diagram showing an image forming system constituted by connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses so as to enable two-way data communication.

In the figure, reference numerals 1 to 6 denote image forming apparatuses (hereinafter referred to as "copiers") each comprising a black-and-white digital copier capable of performing a copying operation independently. By connecting to the transmission line 80 via the connectors 71 to 76, it functions as one image forming system.

In other words, image data and status information indicating the operating state of the copying machine and commands are automatically transmitted and received via the transmission line 80 and the like. Can work.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the entire configuration of the copying machine according to the present embodiment. In the figure, a copying machine 1 reads image data of a document DC, stores the image data,
The copying machine main body 9 that forms an image on recording paper based on the image data, and the document DC set on the document table 41 are sequentially sent to the platen glass 11 so that the image data can be read. , An automatic document feeder ADF.

The automatic document feeder ADF is provided on the platen glass 11, and when driven by a motor (not shown), the direction of the document DC set on the document table 41 is changed by the reversing unit and the document is sequentially turned. The document is automatically conveyed to a predetermined position on the platen glass 11, and the read document is discharged onto a document discharge tray 42.

The reading of the original DC is performed by irradiating with an illumination lamp (no reference numeral) and forming an image on the image pickup device 20 by a combination of a lens and a scanning optical base including a plurality of mirrors (not shown). You.

Instead of the above configuration, it is also possible to use a movement of the document DC to maintain the optical system at a fixed position.

The image pickup device 20 comprising a CCD line sensor outputs an image signal in the lateral (main scanning) direction of the original by a read clock pulse from the CCD, and moves in the longitudinal (sub-scanning) direction of the original by moving the scanning optical frame. The scanning is performed and an image signal for one page is output.

Thus, the image signal of the original image read by the image signal reading unit A by the scanning of the scanning optical gantry,
That is, the image data is subjected to various types of image processing such as density conversion, scaling processing, gradation correction, and the like in the image data processing section B, and then stored in the image storage section C and output to the image forming section D.

The image forming section D includes a semiconductor laser writing section. The image data modulates a laser beam generated by a semiconductor laser (not shown) on the basis of an image signal, and uses an exposure scanning system (not shown). The surface of the photosensitive drum 12 is scanned and deflected to form an electrostatic latent image by scanning.

The image forming section D basically employs an electrophotographic technique, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 is uniformly charged before scanning by the laser beam.

The electrostatic latent image is converted into a toner image by a developing device 13, transferred to a recording paper P conveyed at a timing by a registration roller 17 that is driven and controlled, and is fixed by a fixing device (fixing unit) 14. The fixing process is performed, and a copy corresponding to the document is obtained.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a cassette for accommodating the recording paper P, and reference numeral 16 denotes a paper feed roller 16 with a belt for feeding out the recording paper in the cassette 15.

In the above-described image formation, in the case of a one-sided copy mode in which an image is formed on one side of a recording sheet, the reverse sheet discharge switching section 18 is switched to the sheet discharge side, and the recording sheet having the image formed on one side is fixed. After the processing, the sheet is discharged onto a discharge tray 19 provided outside the copying machine.

On the other hand, in a double-sided copy mode in which an image is formed on both sides of the recording paper, the recording paper P on which an image is formed on one side passes through the fixing device 14 and is then turned by the reversing discharge switching unit 18 in FIG. Is guided to an intermediate tray 37 via a reversing conveyance section 36 having a path 35 indicated by a dashed line, and the intermediate stack 3
8 is formed.

When the image formation on one side is completed, the intermediate stack 38 is moved to the left as shown by the arrow, and the recording paper P
Is taken out by a paper feed roller 39 with a belt and fed to a double-sided recording paper transport section 40 having a U-shaped guide.

Here, the recording paper P is fed upside down and is temporarily stopped with its leading end abutting the registration roller 17 which has stopped rotating.

Thereafter, the registration roller 17 is rotated by the timing at which the area of the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 12 and the uncopied surface of the recording paper P overlap each other.
Feeding of the recording paper P is started, and the recording paper P having images on both sides is discharged to the discharge tray 19 through the above-described processes, that is, the transfer and fixing process steps and the reverse discharge switching unit 18. .

In the present embodiment, the control unit 26 includes an operation unit 28, and uses a control panel and key switches to specify the size of the recording paper and the number of copies, and to operate in a single operation mode used as a single copier. Operating conditions such as selection and selection of a connection mode in which a plurality of copying machines can be connected and operated can be set.

Further, the control unit 26 controls various steps in the connection mode, that is, controls the reception and transmission of status information, the transmission and reception of image data, the image data transmission and reception unit, and the status information transmission and reception unit. In addition to determining whether or not another copying machine is suitable for shared copying based on state information (selection of a suitable copying machine), it also controls an electrophotographic process for image formation as a normal copying machine, and supplies recording paper. It performs transmission control and the like.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the copying machine shown in FIG. 2, wherein the above-described image signal reading section A, image data processing section B,
A circuit configuration including the image storage unit C, the image forming unit D, the control unit 26, the image data transmitting / receiving unit 31, and the state information transmitting / receiving unit 34 will be described below.

First, in the image signal reading section A, an analog image signal output from the image pickup device 20 is converted into a digital image signal by an A / D converter and sent to an image data processing section B via an interface I / F. Is output.

The digital image signal (luminance information) input to the image data processing section B is converted into density information by a density conversion section (not shown), and the density information is enlarged or reduced as necessary. And a gamma correction (gradation correction) process according to the characteristics of the image forming unit D is performed, and after an effective image area of the document is extracted, a frame is erased, and a fold is erased. Are output to the image storage unit C and the image forming unit D via the interface 23 as image data.

The image storage section C stores a plurality of pages of input image data in a rewritable manner.

The image forming section D has a mode for immediately forming an image on a recording sheet in response to reading of the original DC, and reads the image data stored in the image storage section C in an arbitrary order later. After that, it is possible to cope with a mode in which image formation is performed.

In order to realize at least the two modes, the image forming section D includes a data selector 24 and a laser for switching between image data from the image storage section C and image data for normal immediate image formation. Writing unit 25
And

The data selector 24 selects one of the image data read from the image storage unit C and the image data sequentially output from the image data processing unit B in response to the reading, and performs laser writing. The image data is output to the embedding unit 25, and may be provided in the image data processing unit B as necessary.

Further, the image forming section D performs image forming based on image data transmitted from another copying machine in addition to a mode for forming an image using image data obtained from the image signal reading section A of the own apparatus. It can also be used as a slave copying machine (slave machine).

The image data processing section B is controlled by the image processing system CPU 44 and the control section 26 of the image forming section D.
And the operation unit 28 are controlled by a main body CPU 27 (hereinafter, simply referred to as CPU 27).

The image storage section C includes an address register,
It has a data buffer, image data writing / reading means including a latch for holding a read / write signal, and a memory for storing compressed image data in page units.

To accumulate a large amount of image data for a limited memory capacity, a data compression / decompression unit is provided which compresses image data to be written into the memory and decompresses the image data read from the memory for restoration. Can be

The control section 26 of the image forming section D has a CPU 27 for performing various controls based on programs.
The CPU 27 temporarily stores the work data.
Specify the operation mode as M27C or copier,
The operation unit 28 for designating and inputting copy conditions is controlled.

The control section 26 of the image forming section D needs to proceed with the control of the next step while monitoring whether or not the operation of the copying machine is normal, and grasps an accurate state when a trouble occurs. The self-diagnosis function is used to grasp the state of the copying machine using various sensors.

The status information is status information indicating the status of the copier, the mode and the setting, and the operation of the copier. For example, the temperature of the fixing device 14, the toner in the developing device 13, The presence / absence, the paper size and the number of sheets stored in the cassette 15 in use, the presence / absence of paper, the number of copies currently being copied, the remaining number of copies, the presence / absence of a jam, and the like.

The status information is taken as data into a temporary storage device such as a register, a buffer, or a flag when there is an interrupt to the CPU at fixed time intervals or a status change.

The status information is taken alone or in combination as data, and then displayed on the operation panel as, for example, heater warm-up completed and a copying machine operable state by turning on an LED or a lamp. .

When there are many flags, they are stored in a flag table or flag data area provided in the RAM 27C.

The image data transmitting / receiving unit 31 includes an image data transmitting unit 29, an image data transmitting buffer 29B,
It includes an image data receiving unit 30, an image data receiving buffer 30B, and an interface board (not shown). The image data read from the memory is transmitted to an external copying machine, and the image data from the external copying machine is transmitted. Or receive.

The status information transmitting / receiving section 34 includes a status information receiving unit 32, a status information receiving buffer 32B, a status information transmitting unit 33, a status information transmitting buffer 33B, and an interface board (not shown). Sending status information about the formation to an external copier,
Alternatively, it is configured to receive from an external copying machine.

The control of the image data transmitting / receiving unit 31 is executed by a communication control program.

The CPU 27 only has to specify the destination of the image data, transfer the image data stored in the image storage unit C to the transmission buffer 33B of the transmission unit 33, and send a transmission start signal. Check connection, send,
The procedure for terminating the connection automatically proceeds, and the received data can be sequentially obtained on the receiving buffer 32B of the receiving unit 32 of the other copying machine.

The CPU 27 need only transfer the status information stored in the flag data area to the transmission buffer of the transmission unit 33 and send a transmission start signal. The procedure of connection start, connection confirmation, communication, and connection end is automatically performed. The reception data can be obtained on the reception buffer 32B of the reception unit 32.

The power supply unit 90 supplies AC power to the fixing unit (fixing unit) 14, and also includes a CPU, an operation unit 28, an image signal reading unit A, an image data processing unit B, an image storage unit C, an image forming unit D, and the like. In order to supply DC power to the power supply, the power supply is supplied to the power supply control unit 93, and the power supply control unit 93 controls the supply of power from the power supply unit 90 based on a control command from the CPU 27 and supplies the power to each unit.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation panel 45 of the operation unit 28. Reference numeral 50 denotes a copy button, and when this button is pressed, for example, when used as a stand-alone machine or as a master copier (master machine) in the linked copy mode, a copy operation corresponding to those modes is started.

A ten key 51 is a key for inputting the number of copies. The number of copies set with this key and the number of copies during the copying operation are displayed on the display unit 52.

Reference numeral 53 denotes a preheating button. By pressing this button, a power saving mode (synonymous with a power saving mode or an energy saving mode) in which the amount of heat consumed by the fixing device 14 is greatly reduced can be selected.

The interrupt button 54, when used as a stand-alone machine, is used when one or two copies are to be taken immediately during a continuous copying operation.

A mode in which a plurality of copying machines are linked to perform a copying operation is referred to as a link mode or the like as described above. To select a link mode, the link mode selection button 55 is pressed to select the link mode. And L at the top of the button
The ED lights up to indicate that it is operating in the connection mode.

When the connection mode release button 56 is pressed, the connection mode is released and the LED for which the connection mode is selected is turned off.

During the connection mode selection, in the slave copying machine (slave machine) for forming an image by transmitting image data from the master copying machine, other than the LED indicating that the connection mode operation is being performed and the interrupt button 54, that is, ,
Unnecessary display and key input for the operation in the connection mode are invalidated to suppress unnecessary power consumption.

Further, in the slave copying machine during the connection operation,
The power supply control unit has the effect of turning off the power supply from the power supply unit that supplies unnecessary image signal reading unit A and image data processing unit B to the slave unit, thereby saving power at the board level.

Although the operation / display section is constituted by push buttons and LEDs here, a large liquid crystal panel is used to
A further power saving effect can be obtained if the lamp indicating the connection mode, the connection release button, and the interrupt button are put out of the liquid crystal touch panel, and the liquid crystal is turned off when the slave copier is in the connection mode.

The automatic return button 57 is a means for returning to an initial setting mode in which main functions are designated. For example, when this button is pressed, a sorter, an automatic paper size selecting function, an automatic copy density adjusting function, The automatic document feeder becomes ready for use, and the processing for making the copy magnification equal to the same magnification is automatically performed.

When the copying machine is used alone, after the copying is completed, the automatic recovery is performed after a certain time has passed.
The mode becomes the initial value.

Further, as will be described later, when the apparatus is used in the connection mode, the automatic reset is performed automatically after all the outputs during the operation have been completed, for example, after a certain period of time set for each machine has elapsed. It is configured to perform an operation and return to the initial setting mode.

Among these functions, an automatic paper size selection button 58, a magnification enlargement button 59, a magnification reduction button 60, a copy density (light) button 61, and a copy density (dark)
Button 62, copy mode (single-sided / double-sided) selection button 6
3. The condition of the sorter mode selection button 64 can be manually set by pressing a predetermined button.

When the conditions are manually set, the mode set by each button is displayed by an LED.

A copy mode selection button 63 is used for a single-sided / single-sided mode for reading one side of a document and forming an image on one side of a recording sheet, or a double-sided / two-sided mode for reading both sides of a document and forming an image on both sides of a recording sheet. A copy mode such as a mode is designated.

By specifying the copy mode selection button 63, writing of image data to the memory, presence / absence of change of the reading order of the image data stored in the memory, automatic switching of the reversing / discharging switching unit, and non-use of the intermediate tray are determined. Set automatically.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for setting a power saving timer and an auto reset timer in the image forming system mode (connection mode). This subroutine is called and executed by a main routine.

First, it is determined whether the copying machine is operating in the connection mode or the single mode (step 10).
1) If in the single mode, return to the main routine.

Next, it is determined whether the print output has been completed (step 102). If not, the process returns to the main routine.

Next, whether the copying machine is in the master mode in which the original is read by itself and the image is transferred to another external copying machine,
It is determined whether the slave mode is a slave mode in which image information is input from the master and an image is formed (step 103). If the master mode is selected, all other slave mode copying machines operating in the linked mode are completed. It is determined whether a copy completion state signal has been received (step 104).

When the completion of all the copying machines operating in the connection mode is confirmed, a connection mode copy completion status signal is transmitted from the master copying machine to the other slave copying machines (step 105).

Thereafter, the power saving timer of the master copying machine is set (step 106), and thereafter, the auto reset timer is set (step 107).

If the copying machine is in the slave mode in the above-mentioned step (step 103), it is confirmed whether or not a copy completion state signal in the connection mode has been received from the master copying machine (step 108). Returning to the routine, if it has been received, the outputs of all copying machines in the connection mode have been confirmed, so the power saving timer is set, and then the auto reset timer is also set.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine for canceling the power saving mode. This subroutine is also called and processed in the main routine.

When the subroutine starts, it is determined whether or not power saving is being performed (step 201). If power saving is not being performed, the process returns to the main routine. Is determined (step 202).

If there is no designation key input, it is determined whether there is a copy job input from an external computer or the like (step 203). If there is no input, the process returns to the main routine. Similarly to the above, it is determined in the next step whether or not the connection mode is set (step 20).
4).

If the connection mode is not set, no interlocking operation is required for other copying machines. Therefore, a wakeup flag is set to wake up the copying machine itself, and the process returns to the main routine (step 208).

If the connection mode is set, it is determined whether the mode is the wake-up delay mode (step 20).
5).

In the wake-up delay mode, if the fixing power supply of the copier linked in the linked mode is turned on at once, current may flow instantaneously, which may cause a problem such as excess current capacity or radio interference. In order to avoid this, at least a mode for delaying a wake-up command transmitted to one slave unit is referred to, and it is determined whether or not this mode is set.

In the above configuration, the wake-up commands from the master unit to all the slave units are sequentially transmitted or
A mode in which the delay is performed for each appropriate number is included.

In the above mode, after setting the wake-up delay mode flag (step 206), the wake-up flag of the own device is set (step 208).

When the wake-up delay flag is set, a delay timer is set separately as a part of the main routine, and a wake-up command is transmitted to the slave unit after a lapse of a specified time in order by checking this flag and the timer. To go.

If the mode is not the wake-up delay mode, a wake-up command is transmitted to the slave device (step 207), and then the wake-up flag of the own device is set.

The wake-up flag is called at another place in the main program routine (not shown), and controls the copying machine to a standby state, such as start of power supply for fixing and start of display on the operation / display unit.

In the above configuration, the digital copying machine has been described as an image forming apparatus, but the image forming apparatus may be constituted by a printer.

[0094]

The image forming system mode (connection mode)
In, since all the image forming apparatuses in operation can shift to the power saving mode after completing the predetermined image forming process, re-copying when the time difference is large in the end time in the system, or in the middle when the time difference is large, When an image forming apparatus that has been linked and ended early in the event of a jam or the like does not enter the power saving mode, the startup time from the power saving mode is not required, and quick copying and recovery copying can be performed at the time of re-operation. Is effective.

Similarly, the automatic reset timer is started when all the image forming apparatuses in the connection mode are completed, and returns to the reset state when the time is up.
If there is a time difference between the terminations, the automatic reset is not performed early, so that when the operation in the connection mode is required again, the quick recovery can be performed without changing the setting.

Also, when returning from the standby mode, when the connection mode is selected, it is detected which operation unit of any of the image forming apparatuses has been operated, and the fixing of all the linked image forming apparatuses is started. Thus, there is an effect that a copy can be obtained earlier.

At this time, by shifting the start-up time, there is an effect that a problem such as a large current flowing instantaneously can be prevented.

Further, in the slave image forming apparatus which receives image data and forms an image in the connection mode, energy is saved by cutting off power supply to an unnecessary display section and an image reading section. The effect is obtained.

In the connection mode, the power is controlled in consideration of power saving as the image forming system, so that there is an effect that an image forming system capable of saving power with high productivity and high copy work efficiency can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming system configured by connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses so as to enable two-way data communication.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a copying machine according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the copying machine shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining an operation panel of an operation unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for setting a power saving timer and an auto reset timer in an image forming system mode (connection mode).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a subroutine for canceling a power saving mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 copier 12 photoreceptor drum 13 developing device 14 fixing device 15 cassette 16 feed roller with belt 41 platen 50 copy button 51 numeric keypad 52 display 55 connection mode selection button 56 connection mode release button

Claims (6)

[Claims] An image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected so as to be capable of two-way data communication, a master image forming apparatus and a slave for forming an image based on image data sent from the master image forming apparatus And an image forming apparatus, after completing a predetermined image forming process, transmitting an image formation completion state signal from the master image forming apparatus to the slave image forming apparatus. Image forming system. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the slave image forming apparatus shifts to a power saving mode in which a part of the power of the image forming apparatus is reduced after a predetermined time has elapsed after receiving the image forming completion state signal. Item 2. The image forming system according to Item 1. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting mode of the slave image forming apparatus is returned to the initial setting mode after receiving the image forming completion state signal and after a lapse of a predetermined time. system. 4. An image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected so as to be capable of two-way data communication, and a slave image forming an image based on a master image forming apparatus and image data sent from the master image forming apparatus. The power saving mode is not set after a predetermined time elapses after the forming apparatus completes the predetermined image formation. In the power saving mode, there is no input to the operation unit or input of image information to any of the image forming apparatuses. If
An image forming system configured to transmit a wake-up command from an image forming apparatus to which image information has been input to all of the other image forming apparatuses in a power saving mode. 5. The transmission timing of the wake-up command for at least one image forming apparatus among other image forming apparatuses is delayed.
3. The image forming system according to 1. 6. An image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected so as to be capable of two-way data communication, a master image forming apparatus for converting input image information into image data and transmitting the image data; A slave image forming apparatus capable of taking in the transmitted image data and forming an image based on the image data, wherein the slave image forming apparatus responds to the connection mode start command transmitted by the master image forming apparatus. ,
An image forming system configured to shift to a power saving mode in which power consumption of a portion unnecessary for operation in the connection mode is suppressed.