JP2002120435A - System, apparatus and method for imaging and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging system which can save power consumption by automatically shifting an imaging apparatus to a power save state after forming images with releasing the apparatus from the power save state when the apparatus is in the state. SOLUTION: In a power save mode, a controller 202 issues a power save release command to a copying machine 201. Upon receiving the power save release command, the copying machine 201 shifts into the middle of warming up and becomes a local busy state. When the local busy state is released, the controller 202 issues a remote command to change the copying machine 201 to a remote standby state, and issues a printing start order command to make the copying machine 201 print. When the printing is complete and the copying machine 201 is returned from a remote busy state to the remote standby state, the controller 202 issues a power save shift command to automatically return the copying machine 201 to the power save 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 system for forming and outputting an image on a sheet fed from a sheet feeding device based on image data sent from a host computer via a connection means such as a network. , An image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a standby mode in which a printing operation can be started, a copying machine having a power saving mode for reducing power consumption by lowering the temperature of a fixing device or operating a CPU in a power saving mode. 2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus such as a printer is known.

In an image forming apparatus having such a power saving mode, an operation panel is provided with a power saving key, and when the user presses the power saving key, the mode shifts from the standby mode to the power saving mode (key power saving). When a timer is provided, no print operation or operation from the operation panel is performed at all in the standby mode, and when a predetermined power saving mode transition time set in advance in the operation panel elapses, the mode automatically shifts to the power saving mode. (Timer saving).

Further, such an image forming apparatus is provided with a print controller connected to a host computer via a network or the like. The print controller receives the PDL received from the host computer.
Image data such as data is developed, a print command is output to the image forming apparatus, the image data is transferred, and printing is performed. At this time, if the image forming apparatus is in the power saving mode, the print controller issues a power saving cancel command to shift the image forming apparatus from the power saving mode to the standby mode, and then executes a printing operation (automatic power saving cancellation). .

[0005]

However, after the automatic power saving cancellation is executed and the image forming apparatus is in the standby mode, after the printing is completed, the user can go to the operation panel to perform the key power saving. Alternatively, the mode is not shifted to the power saving mode until the timer power saving after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the power consumption in the standby mode during that time is wasted.

Therefore, the present invention provides an image forming system capable of saving power consumption by automatically shifting to a power saving state after the image forming apparatus is in a power saving state and forms an image by performing power saving cancellation. An image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a storage medium are provided.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming system according to a first aspect of the present invention has a standby mode in which a printing operation can be started, and consumes less power than the standby mode. An image forming system having a power saving mode, an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet, and a control device for outputting image data to the image forming device, wherein the control device outputs the image data during the power saving mode. When an image of image data is formed, the image forming apparatus is shifted from the power saving mode to the standby mode, and is returned to the power saving mode after image formation is completed.

The image forming apparatus further includes a status notifying unit for notifying the control device of the standby mode or the power saving mode, and a receiving unit for receiving a command from the control device. The control device executes a command issuing unit that issues a power saving cancellation command, and controls the image forming apparatus to issue a power saving transition command to shift from the standby mode to the power saving mode after receiving the power saving cancellation command. A mode switching unit, when the image forming is performed, when the image forming apparatus knows that the apparatus is in the power saving mode, issues the power saving canceling command, and issues the power saving shifting command after the image formation is completed. Then, the mode is shifted from the standby mode to the power saving mode again.

The image forming apparatus further includes a state transition unit that transitions from the power saving mode to the standby mode in accordance with the received power saving cancellation command, and an image formation of the image data after the transition to the standby mode. Image forming execution means for performing, and state return means for returning from the standby mode to the power saving mode in accordance with the received power saving shift instruction after the image formation is completed.

Further, the control device is characterized in that the control device expands and outputs the image data transmitted from the information processing device.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention has a standby mode in which a print operation can be performed, and a power saving mode in which power consumption is smaller than that in the standby mode, and stores image data output from the control device on a sheet. In the image forming apparatus to be formed, a receiving unit that receives a command from the control device, and a state transition unit that transitions from the power saving mode to the standby mode according to the received command.
An image forming execution unit configured to form an image of the image data after shifting to the standby mode; and
A state return unit configured to return from the standby mode to the power saving mode in accordance with the received instruction.

Further, the control device is characterized in that the control device expands and outputs the image data transmitted from the information processing device.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, an image output from a control device is provided to an image forming apparatus having a standby mode in which a printing operation can be started and a power saving mode which consumes less power than the standby mode. In the image forming method for forming an image of data, a step of notifying the control device whether the image forming apparatus is in the standby mode or the power saving mode, and the image forming apparatus is in the power saving mode. The control device issues a power saving cancellation command, and the image forming apparatus receives the power saving cancellation command from the control device and shifts from the power saving mode to the standby mode, After shifting to a standby mode, the image forming apparatus forms an image of the image data, and after the image formation is completed, The image forming apparatus receives the power saving transition command from the control device, and returns to the power saving mode from the standby mode again. .

According to the storage medium of the present invention, image data is output to an image forming apparatus having a standby mode in which a printing operation can be started and a power saving mode which consumes less power than the standby mode. A storage medium storing a program to be executed by a computer in the control device, wherein the program determines whether the standby mode or the power saving mode is notified from the image forming apparatus; and When the image forming apparatus knows that the image forming apparatus is in the power saving mode, the control device issues a power saving canceling command for shifting the image forming apparatus from the power saving mode to the standby mode; and After completing the image formation, the image forming apparatus is returned from the standby mode to the power saving mode again. Characterized in that it comprises a procedure for issuing the power-saving shift command for causing.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, an image forming method and a storage medium according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an image printing system according to a first embodiment. In the figure, a copying machine 201 and a print controller 202 are shown. Copier 201
Are connected to a controller 202 via a video cable 204 connected to a video interface 203. The copying machine 201 includes a scanner unit 205 and a printer unit 206. The scanner unit 205 is controlled by one built-in CPU. Printer unit 2
06 is controlled by another built-in CPU.

The two CPUs are, for example, dual port R
Communication is performed using an AM (DPRAM) to exchange control commands and control data. The CPU of the scanner unit 205 operates as a master, and the
The PU operates as a slave. The printer unit 206
In accordance with an instruction from the CPU in the scanner unit 205, rotation start of a drum or the like of the image forming unit, sheet feeding, printing operation, and the like are performed.

The scanner unit 205 includes an operation unit panel 20 for a user to operate a copy operation, a mode setting, and the like.
7. Original platen 208 made of transparent glass, this original platen 20
A platen 209 for pressing a document placed on the platen 8, a document sensor (not shown) at the bottom of the platen glass for detecting whether a document is placed on the platen 208, An image reading mechanism (scanner) including a photoelectric conversion element (for example, a CCD) for reading an image of a document placed on a document table and a motor is provided.

In the case of a copy operation, the user operates the document table 208
When a copy is set on the operation unit panel 207 and the copy button of the operation unit panel 207 is pressed, the image reading mechanism synchronizes with a printable timing, for example, rotation of a drum in an electrophotographic printer, by communication with the printer unit CPU. While performing the image reading operation under the control of the unit CPU,
The read image data is output to the printer unit via a video I / F (not shown) between the printer and the scanner.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the print controller 202. In the case of a print operation, the host computer 310 is a supply source of print data (job). The job sent from the host computer 310 is usually described in a page description language (PDL) format such as PostScript, and in this job, a paper feed stage and a print mode such as a color mode are also specified.

When the full-color copying machine 201 is installed in a convenience store or the like, the host computer 310 is also installed in the same place, and the user sends an image to be printed from a home computer or the like via a telephone line or a computer network in advance. It is possible to print by inputting a predetermined password or the like from the host computer 310.
Alternatively, it is also possible to bring a portable information terminal, a digital camera or the like to the same place, connect to a host computer, send print data, and perform printing from the host computer.

The print controller 202 converts print data supplied from the host computer 310 via the cable 31 and the external interface 325 into HD
The internal hard disk (H
D) Hold once in 324. The print data held in the built-in HD 324 is sent to the built-in RA via the CPU bus 33.
The data is temporarily stored in the PDL buffer 326a of the M326. The controller 202 stores the PDL data held in the PDL buffer 326a in the frame memory 326b.
To generate image data. At this time, image data for full color or gray scale is generated according to the PDL data.

The image data developed in the frame memory 326b is sent to the copying machine 201 via the cable 32. Prior to the image data, the image data is necessary when printing the paper feed stage and print mode described in the PDL data. The information provided
Copier 201 via the same cable 32 as a command
Sent to In the present embodiment, since the scanner unit CPU performs job management, commands such as print information and a print start command are sent to the scanner unit CPU.

The scanner unit 205 operates similarly to the case of copying.
A print start command is sent to the printer unit 206 to inform the printer unit 206 of a printable timing, and the developed image data is transmitted to the printer unit 206 via the cable 32 for each page in synchronization with the timing. Here, cable 3
Reference numerals 1 and 32 are general-purpose cables such as a parallel cable, a SCSI cable, a serial cable, and a network cable, or a combination thereof or a dedicated cable.

The printer unit 206 sets a designated color operation mode and the like using the transmitted job information and the image data signal, and performs a printing operation. For example, when the image data signal is full color, MCYK printing is performed, and when the image data signal is gray scale, K (single color) printing operation is performed. Specified paper feed tray, paper cassette 210 or manual paper slot 211
Paper is fed from an image forming unit, such as an electrophotographic system or an inkjet system, on a sheet conveyed to an image forming unit (not shown) built in by a conveying mechanism, and is discharged to a discharge port 212. I do.

The resolution of the image to be printed at this time is, for example, 400 dpi as it is with the image data signal sent from the controller, or an interpolation process is performed by the function of the copier, and the image is printed, for example, at 800 dpi. Is also effective. It should be noted that, depending on the printing capability of the copying machine, printing may be performed at, for example, half of 200 dpi.

The printer unit 206 is provided with a double-sided printing mechanism (not shown). For a job for which double-sided printing is specified, the scanner unit CPU prints out the first side (rear side) and the external unit. Instead, the built-in double-sided tray is specified as the discharge destination. Thereafter, when printing the second side (front side), a double-sided tray is specified as a paper source, and after the second side printing, the sheet is discharged out of the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a staple sorter provided at the outlet 212 of the printer unit 206. A staple sorter (STS) 410 can be provided as a finisher at the outlet 212 of the printer unit 206. The STS 410 has a non-sort bin 411 at the top for discharging the output sheets during the non-sort operation, and for discharging the output sheets at the time of sorting or group operation designation for each copy or each page in the job of specifying a plurality of copies. A sort bin 412 is provided.

Non-sort bin 411 and sort bin 412
Move up and down integrally, and the bin to be discharged is determined by the up and down position. For example, in the figure, the fourth (fourth bin) from the top of the sort bin 412 is the outlet 21
2, and the output sheet at this time is discharged to the fourth bin.

Normally, when a plurality of pages and a plurality of copies are designated, printing is continuously performed for each page by the number of copies. In other words, in the case of the sorting operation, each time one sheet of the page 1 is discharged from the first bin, the sheet is moved down by one bin (replacement of a new bin). When the first sheet of the page 2 is discharged, the sheet is folded and moved up one bin. Then, in the same manner, by performing the folding operation on the first sheet of each page, it is possible to obtain a sorted output in which all pages are discharged one by one in each bin.

In the case of group operation, starting from the first bin, the bin is changed downward every time a specified number of pages are discharged, so that the same page is output to each bin for the specified number of copies. You can get the output.
Since this STS410 has 20 bins,
It is possible to specify up to 20 copies for a sort operation and up to 20 pages for a group operation. It is to be noted that the sorting and grouping operations can be performed during the double-sided operation. In this case, the bin changing operation is performed only during the second-side printing, that is, when the sheet is discharged outside the apparatus. In the case of a double-sided group, up to 40 pages can be designated.

Further, the STS 410 has a staple function. With staples, corner (a), double (b), and single (c) positions can be designated, and can be used properly depending on the size of the paper and the orientation of the original.

Such finishing operations such as double-sided printing and sorting are all performed by operation commands from the scanner CPU. Then, the scanner unit CPU sends the image data to the printer unit 206 in accordance with the designated operation.

The print instruction command from the host computer 310 can also include these finishing designations. By transmitting the command from the controller 202 to the scanner CPU via the cable 32 as in the case of copying, Also, finishing can be performed during printing.

The controller 202 is connected to the cable 3
For example, status information such as paper size, media, presence / absence of paper, presence / absence of error, and jam information in each paper feed stage can be acquired from the copier 201 via the printer 2 and notified to the host computer 310. Further, desired control can be performed on the copying machine 201 based on the status information.

When a plurality of PDL data are successively sent from the host computer 310 before printing of one PDL data is completed, the controller 202 continuously queues the data in the built-in HDD 324 and stores the image in the frame buffer memory 326b. The next PDL data is sequentially transferred to the PDL buffer 326a and printed every time the development is completed.

Since the image data developed in the frame buffer memory 326b is not discarded until printing is completed, if there is a free space in the frame buffer area according to the progress of printing, the development is started. When the sort or group job continues, a message is normally displayed on the LCD panel after the previous print is completed, the user is allowed to remove the paper from the sort bin 412, and the next PDL data is printed after the paper out status of the sort bin 412 is completed. To start.

The CPU 321 operates based on a control program stored in the ROM 322, and
2 controls the function. The built-in hard disk 324 has an area for temporarily storing printed PDL data and image data generated by expanding the PDL data, an area for storing font data, and the like.
It is connected to the CPU bus 33 via. RAM
326 is the PDL received from the host computer 310
A PDL buffer 326a serving as a buffer for temporarily storing data; and a frame memory 32 for expanding PDL data and temporarily storing the expanded image data.
6b, and also includes other work areas required by the control program.

The ROM 322 is composed of, for example, a programmable memory (EEPROM or the like), and it is effective to install a control program from the host computer 310 or the like. For example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk or a CD-ROM can be used.
It is composed of a memory medium such as a ROM and its driver.

In the copying machine 201, the state in which the printing operation can be started immediately is the standby mode, and at this time, the scanner CPU and the printer CPU are in the normal operation mode. Further, the printer unit 206 is provided with a fixing device that develops an image formed on a sheet with toner and melts the toner before discharging to fix the image on the sheet.
The fixing device is required to be in a high temperature state in order to melt the toner, and in the standby mode, the temperature is adjusted to a fixable temperature.

The copying machine 201 has a power saving mode state with respect to the standby mode. In the power saving mode, the temperature of the fixing device is set between the fixing possible temperature and the room temperature. Also, the LCD backlight of the operation panel 207 is cut off. That is, in the power saving mode, the power consumption is controlled so as to be lower than in the standby mode. After the power of the copying machine 201 is turned on, first, the temperature of the fixing device is increased so as to be in the standby mode (warm-up).

The operation panel 207 is provided with a power saving key. In the standby mode, when the pressing of the power saving key is detected, the scanner unit CPU instructs the printer unit CPU to shift to the power saving mode, turns off the LCD backlight of the operation panel 207, and shifts to the power saving mode. Yes (key power saving). When the press of the power saving key is detected in the power saving mode, the scanner CPU is switched to the printer CPU.
To turn off the power, turn on the LCD backlight to warm up, and shift to the standby mode.

The scanner unit CPU includes a timer (not shown)
Built-in, measures time in standby mode, without any key operation or printing operation,
When the preset power saving mode transition time has elapsed, the mode automatically transitions to the power saving mode (timer power saving). The power saving mode transition time is stored in the backup RAM connected to the scanner unit CPU, and the user can specify a desired time on the operation unit 207 from the factory setting time.

Further, the power consumption rate can be set on the operation panel 207. Assuming that the power consumption in the standby mode is 100, the user can set the power consumption rate in the power saving mode at a desired percentage. As the power consumption rate in the power saving mode approaches 100, the warm-up time at the time of power saving cancellation becomes shorter,
The power consumption in the power saving mode increases accordingly. This power consumption rate can also be set in the form of a recovery time,
The printer unit CPU controls the temperature of the fixing unit in the power saving mode by setting the temperature to a value in the standby mode within the recovery time.

In response to a status inquiry command from the print controller 202, the scanner CPU determines whether the printer is in the standby mode, the power saving mode, the local print (copy) is being executed, or the remote print is being executed. Can be notified as a response to the command. These states are classified as follows.

Local standby state: a standby mode in which the fixing device is sufficiently high in temperature and the user can immediately start local printing (copying) by operating the operation unit 207.

Power saving state: A power saving mode, that is, a low power consumption state, in which a warm-up operation is required to raise the temperature of the fixing unit for a certain period of time in order to perform a printing operation.

Local busy state: A state in which remote printing cannot be started, such as during local printing or during warm-up.

Remote standby state: The fixing unit is sufficiently high in temperature, the use of the copying machine is reserved from the controller, and the printer is in a standby mode in which remote printing can be immediately performed. A state that cannot be performed.

Remote-busy state: a state in which an operation is performed according to a command from the controller, such as during remote printing.

On the other hand, when the scanner unit CPU receives the power saving cancel command from the controller 202, the scanner unit CPU
D, or instructs the printer CPU to shift the copying machine 201 from the power saving mode to the standby mode. Conversely, when a power saving shift command is received, the mode is shifted from the standby mode to the power saving mode. If the mode is not the standby mode at the time of receiving the power saving shift command or the power saving mode is not at the time of receiving the power saving cancellation command, such as during printing, these commands are ignored.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing a print operation command processing procedure in the controller 202. This processing program is executed by the print controller 20.
2 is executed by the CPU 321 upon receiving the print data. Upon receiving the PDL data to be printed from the host computer 310, the print controller 202 performs image expansion (step S1). A status inquiry command is issued to the copying machine 201 (step S2).

Then, it is determined whether or not power saving is being performed (step S3). If it is determined that power is being saved, a power saving cancellation command is issued (step S4), and an automatic power saving cancellation flag is set (step S4). S5). Thereafter, or after it is determined in step S3 that power is not being saved, a status inquiry command is issued again (step S6).

Then, it is determined whether or not it is the local standby (step S7). If it is not the local standby, the process returns to the step S6, and if it is the local standby, a remote command is issued (step S7).
8) Print is executed (step S9).

A status inquiry command is issued again (step S10), and remote standby (printing completed).
Is determined (step S11), and if it is not the remote standby, the process returns to step S10. On the other hand, if it is remote standby (print completed),
It is determined whether there is a next print job (step S12).

If there is a next print job, the process returns to step S9. On the other hand, if there is no next print job in step S12, it is determined whether or not the automatic power saving release flag is set (step S13). If the automatic power saving cancellation flag is set, a power saving shift command is issued (step S14), and the automatic power saving cancellation flag is cleared (step S15). Further, a remote release command is issued (step S16), and the process ends.
On the other hand, if the automatic release flag has not been set in step S13, the remote release command is issued as it is (step S16), and the process ends.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the copying machine 20
It is checked whether 1 is in a local standby state or a power saving state, or whether it is in a local busy state such as during a local print operation or warm-up. If the local busy is found in step S7, a status inquiry command is issued at regular intervals, and it is monitored that the local busy is released and the system returns to the local standby.

On the other hand, in the case of the power saving mode, the copying machine 20
1 and issues an energy saving cancellation command and sets an automatic energy saving cancellation flag. When the copier 201 receives the power saving cancellation command, the copier 201 transitions to warm-up and enters a local busy state. When the local busy state is released, the controller 202 issues a remote command,
The copier 201 is shifted to the remote standby state,
A print start command command is issued to perform a print operation.

When the printing operation is completed and the copying machine 201 returns from the remote busy state to the remote standby state, the controller 202 issues a remote release command in step S16 when there is no subsequent print command from the host computer 310. At this time, if the automatic power saving cancellation flag is set, the power saving shift command is issued at the same time, and the automatic power saving cancellation flag is reset.

In the image printing system according to the present embodiment, when the mode is the power saving mode at the start of printing, the mode is automatically returned to the power saving mode when the printing is completed, thereby realizing low power consumption. By operating in the remote standby mode, an operation is performed so that the state desired by the user is maintained.
Incidentally, even if the image forming apparatus is replaced with a mere printer instead of the copying machine 201, the same configuration can be obtained.
At this time, the processing in the scanner unit CPU of the present embodiment is performed by the main CPU of the printer.

[Second Embodiment] In the image printing system of the second embodiment, it is possible for the copying machine to automatically shift to power saving cancellation and power saving. The configuration and appearance of the image printing system according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are flow charts showing the procedure of a command receiving task that operates in the scanner unit when the copier automatically shifts to power saving cancellation in the second embodiment. This processing program is executed by the scanner unit 20.
5, stored in a ROM (not shown), and executed by a scanner unit CPU (not shown).

In the copying machine 201 of this embodiment, there are three states of standby, busy, and power saving independently of the two states of local and remote. Local is a state in which the copying machine 201 is not reserved for use from the controller 202, and the user can perform a local copy operation from the operation unit panel 207.

"Remote" indicates that it is in a reserved state for executing a job from the controller 202, such as printing or scanning. "Remote" is displayed on the operation panel 207, and no key operation from the user is accepted. State. Standby is a state in which preparations for printing such as warming up of the fixing device have been completed.
The local copy or remote print can be started immediately. Busy indicates that a local copy or remote print is being performed or is warming up, and that the copier is working.

The power saving is a state in which the power consumption is reduced as compared with the normal standby state, such as lowering the temperature of the fixing device. When the power saving is canceled, the state returns to the standby state via a warm-up (busy state). When the pressing of the power saving key is detected in the local & standby state, the state shifts from the standby state to the power saving state after a lapse of a predetermined time by the timer.

The command receiving task waits for a command to be received (step S31), and upon receiving the command, determines the command (step S32). Controller 20
2 receives a print job from the host computer 310 and issues a status command to the copying machine 201.

Upon receiving the status command, the command receiving task returns a remote or local state and a standby / busy / power saving state as a response (step S33). After this, step S
It returns to the process of 31. It should be noted that information returned by the status command also includes error information, but is omitted because it is not directly related to the present invention.

When the controller 202 confirms that it is neither local nor busy, it issues a remote command to secure the right to use the copying machine 201. Upon receiving the remote command (steps S31 and S32), the command receiving task confirms that the command is not local and not busy (steps S34 and S35), and the copier 2
01 is shifted to the remote state (step S36).
Here, if it is not local in step S34 or if it is local busy in step S35, it is determined that the copying machine 201 is working locally, and a rejection (Nack) is returned to the controller 202 (step S4).
0), and the process ends.

After shifting to the remote state, it is checked whether the apparatus is in the power saving state (step S37).
If you are not saving power, that is, if you are already on standby,
As it is in the remote & standby state, step S
It returns to the reception processing of the command of No. 31.

On the other hand, if the power saving state is established in step S37, power saving is canceled for the copying machine 201 (step S38). As a result, the copying machine 201 temporarily enters a busy state after starting the warm-up, and returns to the standby state when the warm-up is completed. In addition to performing power saving cancellation, the command receiving task sets a built-in power saving cancellation flag (step S39). That is, this flag is set only when the power saving state is set when the remote command is received, and cleared when the standby state is set.

Then, the controller 202 confirms that the remote state has been established by the status command, and sends a print command. This command includes all information related to printing, such as the color mode, the number of pages, and finishing, described in the first embodiment. Upon receiving the print command, the command receiving task checks whether or not the printer is in the remote state (step S).
41) If it is local here, Nack is returned (step S42), and the process returns to waiting for command reception.

If the print command is correctly sent in the remote state, it is checked whether or not the printer is in the standby state (step S43). If it is busy, such as during a warm-up or during the execution of a previous print job, the process waits for a return to the standby state. When the printer enters the standby state, it instructs the print task to execute printing (step S44), and returns to the command receiving process of step S31. As a result, the copying machine 201 starts printing and enters a busy state. When printing is completed, the printer returns from the busy state to the standby state.

When there are no more jobs to be printed, the controller 202 issues a remote release command after completion of printing, that is, waiting for return to the standby state. Upon receiving the remote release command (steps S31 and S32), the command receiving task checks whether the copier is in the remote & standby state (step S45). Here, if it is not remote, or if the remote is busy printing, Na
ck is returned (step S46), and the process returns to the command receiving process of step S31.

On the other hand, in the case of remote & standby in step S45, the next time a transition is made to the remote state, the power saving cancellation flag is checked to check whether or not the power saving has been canceled (step S47). If the power saving cancellation flag is set, a command to shift the copying machine 201 to the power saving state is issued, and the power saving cancellation flag is cleared (steps S48 and S49). Then, the process returns from the remote state to the local state (step S50), and returns to the command receiving process of step S31. On the other hand, step S4
If the power saving cancellation flag is not set in step 7, the process returns to the local state as it is (step S50).

As in the second embodiment, the processing on the copying machine side is automatically shifted to the power saving state only when the power saving is automatically canceled and the printing is performed with the automatic power saving canceled. Is possible. As a result, the power consumption until the timer is saved can be saved without the user having to bother pressing the power saving key.

The image forming apparatus is not the copying machine 201,
The same configuration can be adopted even if the printer is replaced with a mere printer. In this case, the main CPU of the printer performs the processing in the scanner unit CPU of the present embodiment.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments, and the functions described in the claims or the functions of the embodiments are not limited thereto. Any configuration that can achieve the function of the configuration is applicable.

Further, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a case where the recording medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is achieved by supplying the program to the apparatus. .
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program constitutes the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the program codes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7 are stored in the ROM as a storage medium. The storage medium for supplying the program code is not limited to the ROM, and for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a DVD, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, and the like can be used. it can.

[0080]

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce power consumption by automatically shifting to the power saving state after forming the image by canceling the power saving when the image forming apparatus is in the power saving state.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an image printing system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a print controller 202.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a staple sorter provided at an outlet 212 of the printer unit 206.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a print operation command processing procedure in a controller 202;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a print operation command processing procedure in the controller 202 continued from FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a command receiving task processing procedure that operates in the scanner unit when the copier automatically shifts to power saving cancellation according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a command receiving task processing procedure that operates in the scanner unit when the copier automatically shifts to power saving cancellation in the second embodiment following FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

 201 Copier 202 Print controller 205 Scanner unit 206 Printer unit 310 Host computer 321 CPU 322 ROM 326 RAM

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 1/32 G06F 3/12 K 3/12 H04N 1/00 C H04N 1/00 G06F 1/00 332Z F Term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP04 AQ05 AQ06 HH11 HT08 HT11 2H027 DA31 EA15 EE10 EF15 EF16 EJ15 EJ17 FA30 FA35 FB04 FB19 ZA01 ZA07 5B011 EB08 HH02 KK12 LL14 5B021 AA01 AB02A35 AB04

Claims (8)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus that has a standby mode in which a printing operation can be started and a power saving mode that consumes less power than the standby mode, forms an image on a sheet, and stores image data in the image forming apparatus. An image forming system including a control device that outputs the image data.When forming an image of image data output from the control device during the power saving mode, the image forming device shifts from the power saving mode to the standby mode. An image forming system for returning to the power saving mode after image formation is completed. 2. The image forming apparatus includes: a status notifying unit that notifies the control device whether the mode is the standby mode or the power saving mode; and a receiving unit that receives a command from the control device. The control device executes a command issuing unit that issues a power saving cancellation command, and controls the image forming apparatus to issue a power saving transition command to shift from the standby mode to the power saving mode after receiving the power saving cancellation command. A mode switching unit, when the image forming is performed, when the image forming apparatus knows that the apparatus is in the power saving mode, issues the power saving canceling command, and issues the power saving shifting command after the image formation is completed. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the mode is shifted from the standby mode to the power saving mode again. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus shifts from the power saving mode to the standby mode in accordance with the received power saving cancellation command. The image forming apparatus performs image formation of the image data after shifting to the standby mode. 3. An image forming execution means for performing, and a state return means for returning from the standby mode to the power saving mode in accordance with the received power saving shift instruction after the image formation is completed.
The image forming system as described in the above. 4. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the control device expands and outputs image data transmitted from the information processing device. 5. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a standby mode in which a print operation can be performed; and a power saving mode in which power consumption is lower than in the standby mode, wherein the image forming apparatus forms image data output from a control device on a sheet. Receiving means for receiving a command from the apparatus; state transition means for transitioning from the power saving mode to the standby mode in accordance with the received command; and image forming for forming an image of the image data after transitioning to the standby mode. An image forming apparatus comprising: an execution unit; and a state return unit configured to return from the standby mode to the power saving mode according to the received instruction after the image formation is completed. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control device expands and outputs the image data transmitted from the information processing device. 7. An image forming apparatus which has an image forming apparatus having a standby mode in which a printing operation can be started and a power saving mode which consumes less power than the standby mode, to form an image of the image data output from the control device. Notifying the control device whether the image forming apparatus is in the standby mode or the power saving mode; and when the image forming apparatus learns that the image forming apparatus is in the power saving mode, the control apparatus Issuing a power saving cancellation command, the image forming apparatus receiving the power saving cancellation command from the control device, and shifting from the power saving mode to the standby mode; and A forming device for forming an image of the image data, and after the image forming is completed, the control device issues a power saving shift command That step and the image forming apparatus image forming method characterized by a step of returning from the power saving shift command again the standby mode receives from the control device to the power saving mode. 8. A computer in a control device that outputs image data to an image forming apparatus having a standby mode in which a printing operation can be started and a power saving mode that consumes less power than the standby mode and performs image formation. A storage medium for storing a program to be executed, wherein the program is configured to determine whether the standby mode or the power saving mode notified from the image forming apparatus is the power saving mode; and If the control device knows that there is, the control device issues a power saving cancellation command for shifting the image forming device from the power saving mode to the standby mode, and after the image forming device completes image formation, A power saving transition finger for returning the image forming apparatus from the standby mode to the power saving mode. Storage medium characterized by comprising a step of issuing.