JP2002290640A - Imaging device, and method of controlling power of imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide power to indispensable minimal functions, so as to suppress the power consumption at return operation from an energy-saving mode. SOLUTION: A drive control signal is inputted from a controller (S1). When the drive control signal shifts to the energy-saving mode, all the power to each part outputted from a power source for operation is cut off by power control signal (S3), by turning on the energy-saving mode indication. (S2). It turns into energy-saving mode, and each part gets in minimum drive condition by the power of the power source part for energy saving. The detection of the trigger signal of the output of the signal detection part in each section is checked (S4), and when detecting the trigger signal ('YES'), the supply of power to the controller is started (S5), and a release factor signal, based on each trigger signal, is outputted to the controller (S6). A selected function is made to work by the drive control signal, based on the release factor signal from the controller (S7).

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, a facsimile, a digital copier, a scanner, and a multifunction peripheral having a plurality of these functions. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having an energy saving function and a power control method for the image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional image forming apparatus of this type,
The power consumption of the devices that operate according to the number of devices that have become widespread has also increased, making it difficult to neglect. In order to reduce power consumption, for example, as shown in JP-A-2000-127568, a plurality of power supply units are provided in the image forming apparatus, at least one of which is an optical input power supply, and further at least one is The optical input power supply is used as a rechargeable power supply as an input source, and the image control unit or the image communication unit controls the power supply according to the operation state of the image forming apparatus, thereby selecting and using the optimum power supply, particularly when the apparatus is not operating. In the "sleep" mode, there has been invented an apparatus for reducing power consumption for an external input power supply by disconnecting an input from an external input power supply and using an optical input power supply and a rechargeable power supply of the internal power supply unit.

[0003]

However, in an image forming apparatus having such a configuration, a power supply section for supplying power to the apparatus, such as a main power supply section, an optical input power supply section, and a rechargeable power supply section, is provided. The supply destination is selected according to the operation state of each of the plurality of units. However, the supply destination is configured to simultaneously return from the energy saving mode and operate for a plurality of predetermined units. However, there is a problem that the power consumption at the time of the returning operation becomes large.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. In order to suppress power consumption at the time of an operation for returning from an energy saving mode, an image forming apparatus which supplies power to a minimum necessary function is provided. It is an object to provide a power control method for an apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

[0005]

In order to achieve this object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention and an image forming apparatus in the power control method include a scanner for reading a document and outputting image data; Engine means for forming an image on transfer paper based on the image data; at least one connection means for connecting an external device for transferring image data; communication means for connecting to a communication medium for transferring image data; An image forming apparatus comprising: an operation / display unit for inputting a processing instruction or outputting a status display of an apparatus main body; a power supply unit for supplying power to each unit; and a control unit for controlling each unit. Switching between supply and cutoff of power from the means to at least one means selected from scanner means, engine means, connection means, communication means, and operation / display means; Switching means and power supply control for controlling the switching means based on a trigger signal output from detection means provided in at least one or more means selected from scanner means, engine means, connection means, communication means and operation / display means Means, scanner means, engine means,
Independently controlled power supply is performed for at least one or more means selected from the connection means, the communication means, and the operation / display means.

[0006] The power supply means for supplying power to the respective parts includes an operating power supply for supplying power during operation supplied with power by the switching means, and a power supply for standby when power is cut off by the switching means. An energy-saving power supply is provided.

And outputting a trigger signal from the detecting means in response to a signal from which an output data signal and / or an output command request signal from an external device connected to the connecting means is detected. Output in response to a detected signal, an operation instruction from a user input by an operation / display unit, and / or a signal in response to a signal that detects the user approaching the operation position of the apparatus. And outputting the original set provided in the scanner means in accordance with a detected signal.

Further, the communication means is characterized in that a G3 standard facsimile apparatus for an analog telephone line is connected via a communication medium.

The power control method of the image forming apparatus includes a scanner for reading a document and outputting image data, an engine for forming an image on a transfer sheet based on the image data, and an external device for transmitting and receiving image data. At least one connection means for connecting the image processing apparatus, a communication means for connecting to a communication medium for transmitting and receiving image data, an operation / display means for inputting a processing instruction to the apparatus main body or outputting a status display of the apparatus main body, What is claimed is: 1. A power control method for an image forming apparatus comprising: a power supply unit for supplying power to each unit; and a control unit for controlling each unit, wherein the power supply unit is based on a trigger signal output from a detection unit provided for each unit. The power supply means controls the switching means for switching between supply and cutoff of power from the power supply to each means, and the power supply is controlled independently for each means.

In the control means, the control processing of the power control means is output by the output of the power control means in accordance with the trigger signal output from the detection means of each means, and supply and cutoff of power to each means are performed. The control means controls the switching means to perform independent power supply for each means.

In the control of the switching means in response to a power control signal from the power control means, a release factor signal is output to the control means based on a trigger signal from each means, and further input from the control means. A power control signal is output to the switching means by a drive control signal indicating a control process, and the power is supplied from the power means by controlling the switching means to the means which has output the trigger signal of the operation request. A release factor signal is output to the control means based on the trigger signal, and a power control signal is output to the switching means by a drive control signal indicating a control process input from the control means. It is characterized in that the switching means is controlled only by the means and power is supplied from the power supply means.

According to the above configuration and method, in order to perform power supply independently controlled for each means, it is necessary to supply necessary power according to the operation state of the apparatus based on a trigger signal from the detection means for each means. Further, the switching means is controlled by a drive control signal based on the release factor signal, and power can be supplied only to the corresponding means.

[0013]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, in an MFP as an image forming apparatus, an external I / F unit 1 which is used as a part of a printer function and is a means for connecting to an external device internally has output data and output from the external device. A signal detection unit 1a for detecting a command request signal or the like and outputting a trigger signal is provided.

A communication control unit 2 is used as a part of the facsimile function and is a communication means for connecting to a communication medium.
Has a signal detecting unit 2a for detecting a calling signal from a G3 standard facsimile apparatus in an analog telephone line as a communication medium and outputting a trigger signal.

An operation / display unit 3 for inputting an operation instruction from the user to the image forming apparatus or outputting status information of the apparatus to the user is provided. In addition to the signal detection unit 3a that detects the approach of the vehicle and outputs a trigger signal, an energy-saving display unit 3b that displays an energy-saving mode display signal to notify the user of the standby state of the energy-saving mode is provided.

The scanner section 4, which is used as a part of the copying function and reads the image data of the original, has a signal detecting section 4a for detecting the original set on the scanner section 4 and outputting a trigger signal. .

An engine unit 5 for forming image data obtained by the above-described units on transfer paper, and a means for controlling the respective units, including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc.
A control unit 6 for controlling the entire apparatus according to a control signal in accordance with a program stored in the power supply unit, a power supply unit 7 for supplying power to each unit, a power supply unit 7b for operating when supplying power to the apparatus, and an energy saving mode. And a power detection unit 7c for supplying power to the signal detection units 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a, the energy saving display unit 3b, and the like provided at the time of standby.

In a normal operation or an energy saving mode, a power supply control unit 8 controls power supply to each unit.
Sends a release factor signal to the control unit 6 based on a trigger signal from the signal detection units 1a, 2a, 3a, and 4a.
And outputs a power control signal to the switching unit 9 that switches between supply and cutoff of power from the operating power supply unit 7b to each of the units in response to the drive control signal.

The switching section 9 is composed of a simple circuit comprising a transistor, a MOSFET and the like. Further, the power supply control section 8 is a power-saving microcomputer in which a ROM, a RAM and the like are constituted by one integrated circuit as a sub CPU. It consists of.

In the image forming apparatus configured as described above, a signal is output via the communication I / F unit 1 of the image forming apparatus as a factor for outputting a trigger signal by the signal detection units 1a, 2a, 3a, and 4a. A signal from a line (communication medium) such as a ringing signal and a facsimile network calling signal from the communication control unit 2 and an off-hook signal of an external telephone, There are signals based on a start / stop key, an energy saving key, an off-hook dial key, and the like, which are input and pressed by the user from the operation / display unit 3, and a document set detected by the scanner unit 4.

By outputting these trigger signals, power supply for performing normal operation from the energy saving mode is performed for each unit that has output the trigger signals. In addition, in the energy saving mode, power is supplied from the energy saving power supply unit 7c to each unit, and the signal detection units 1a and 2a of each unit are supplied.
a, 3a, 4a, energy saving display section 3b, and power control section 8
Works.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of shifting from the energy saving mode to the operating state according to the embodiment of the present invention. This will be described with reference to FIG. 1 based on the flowchart of FIG.

In a normal operating state, a drive control signal is input from the control unit 6 to the power supply control unit 8 as a command at a preset time or the like (S1). When the drive control signal shifts to the energy saving mode, the energy saving mode display of the energy saving display unit 3b provided in the operation / display unit 3 is turned on (S2), and the operation is started by the power control signal from the power control unit 8. All power output from the power supply unit 7b to each unit is cut off via the switching unit 9 (S3). As a result, an energy saving mode is set, and each unit operates in the minimum driving state of the signal detection unit and the like by the power from the energy saving power supply unit 7c.

The power control unit 8 confirms the presence or absence of the detection of the trigger signal output from the signal detection unit of each unit (S
4) When the trigger signal is detected by the power control unit 8 (Y
es) A power control signal is output to start supplying power to the control unit 6 (S5), and a release factor signal based on each trigger signal is output to the control unit 6 (S6). afterwards,
The selected function is operated by the drive control signal based on the release factor signal from the control unit 6 (S7).

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the function selection processing of the processing S7 shown in FIG. It is determined which of the printer function (S11), the facsimile function (S12), the copying function (S13), and the scanner function (S14) has been selected based on the drive control signal from the control unit 6.

When the printer function is selected in step S11 (Yes), the operation / display unit 3, engine unit 5, external I / O
The supply of power to the F unit 1 is sequentially started (S15), and the control unit 6 outputs a control signal to each unit to perform a normal printer function process.

In step S12, when the facsimile function is set (Yes), the supply of power to the communication control unit 2, the operation / display unit 3, and the engine unit 5 is started sequentially (S16), and the control signal from the control unit 6 to each unit is further transmitted. , The reception process of the normal facsimile function is performed.

When the copy function is selected in step S13 (Ye
s) The supply of power to the operation / display unit 3, the scanner unit 4, and the engine unit 5 is sequentially started (S17), and the control unit 6 outputs a control signal to each unit to perform normal copy function processing. .

When the scanner function is performed in step S14 (Yes), the supply of power to the operation / display unit 3 and the scanner unit 4 is started (S18), and the control unit 6 outputs a control signal to each unit to output the scanner unit. Then, the image data of the document set in No. 4 is read.

Here, when the image data read by the scanner unit 4 is sent to an external device, the external I / O
Power supply to the F unit 1 is started. Further, the same applies to the case where the received image data is output to an external device without outputting the image to transfer paper as a facsimile function, and the external I / F unit 1 is used instead of the engine unit 5 in the process S16. Supply power to In this process, it is necessary to set an output destination of the read image data in advance.
Also, in the receiving process of the facsimile function, the process S1
Power supply is sequentially started to the operation / display unit 3, scanner unit 4, and communication control unit 6 to transmit image data of the document.

Further, when shifting from the operating state to the energy saving mode, the control unit switches from the control unit in accordance with a release factor signal based on a trigger signal from each unit performing a user request process output from the power control unit. The power to the parts other than the selected part is cut off by the drive control signal indicating the control processing of (1). Then, the corresponding request processing is performed by the part to which the power is supplied, and the power to the operating part is cut off with the end of the user's request processing, and the mode shifts to the energy saving mode.

In particular, in a multifunctional device such as a multifunction peripheral, it is possible to control power supply only to each unit that executes a user's request process when the power is turned on. In order to perform this processing, processing S15, S1 in the flowchart shown in FIG.
After each of the processes in S6, S17, and S18, a process of shutting off the power to the remaining portion is added, and the mode shifts to the energy saving mode.

It is also possible to select whether to shift the image forming apparatus to the energy saving mode, depending on whether or not to output a control process for shifting to the energy saving mode in the drive control signal from the control unit in the process S1 in FIG. .

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The necessary power can be supplied according to the operation state of the device based on the trigger signal from the signal detection unit of each unit, and the switching unit is controlled by the drive control signal based on the release factor signal, and only the relevant unit is controlled. By supplying power, there is an effect that power consumption can be suppressed during a return operation from the energy saving mode.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of shifting from an energy saving mode to an operating state according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a process S shown in FIG. 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention;
7 is a flowchart showing the function selection process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 External I / F part 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a Signal detection part 2 Communication control part 3 Operation / display part 4 Scanner part 5 Engine part 6 Control part 7 Power supply part 7b Operation power supply part 7c Energy saving power supply part 8 Power supply control Part 9 Switching part

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AP07 HH11 HK11 HT13 2H027 DA29 DA31 DA50 DB03 ED04 ED30 EF06 EF16 EJ17 ZA01 ZA07 5C062 AA02 AA05 AB46 AB49 AE13 BA00

Claims (11)

[Claims] A scanner for reading an original and outputting image data; an engine for forming an image on a transfer sheet based on the image data; and at least one connection for connecting an external device for transmitting and receiving the image data Means, a communication means for connecting to a communication medium for transmitting and receiving the image data, an operation / display means for inputting a processing instruction to the apparatus main body or outputting a status display of the apparatus main body, and supplying power to each means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a power supply unit for supplying power; and a control unit for controlling each of the units, wherein the power supply unit includes the scanner unit, the engine unit, the connection unit, the communication unit, and the operation / display unit. Switching means for switching between supply and cutoff of power to at least one or more means selected from the group consisting of:
Power control means for controlling the switching means based on a trigger signal output from detection means provided in at least one of the means selected from the engine means, the connection means, the communication means, and the operation / display means; And an independently controlled power supply for at least one or more units selected from the scanner unit, the engine unit, the connection unit, the communication unit, and the operation / display unit. Forming equipment. 2. An operating power supply for supplying power during operation supplied with power by a switching means as a power supply means for supplying electric power to the respective parts, and supplying power during standby when power is cut off by the switching means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a power source for energy saving. 3. A trigger signal from the detecting means, and an output data signal from an external device connected to the connecting means and / or
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus outputs the output command request signal in accordance with the detected signal. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a trigger signal is output from said detection means in response to a signal detected as a call signal from a communication medium to said communication means. 5. A method according to claim 5, wherein a trigger signal from said detecting means is operated / operated.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output is performed in response to an operation instruction from the user input by the display unit and / or a signal that detects the user approaching the operation position of the apparatus. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a trigger signal is output from the detection unit in accordance with a signal that detects a document set provided in the scanner unit. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said communication means connects a G3 standard facsimile apparatus for an analog telephone line via a communication medium. 8. A scanner for reading an original and outputting image data, an engine for forming an image on a transfer sheet based on the image data, and at least one connection for connecting an external device for transmitting and receiving the image data. Means, a communication means for connecting to a communication medium for transmitting and receiving the image data, an operation / display means for inputting a processing instruction to the apparatus main body or outputting a status display of the apparatus main body, and supplying power to each means. A power control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a power supply unit that supplies power and a control unit that controls each of the units. An image forming apparatus comprising: a power supply control unit that controls a switching unit that switches between supply and cutoff of power to a unit; Power control method of the location. 9. The control means outputs control processing of the power control means in response to an output of the power control means in response to a trigger signal output from the detection means of each means, and supplies power to each means. 9. The power control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a switching unit that performs cutoff is controlled to supply power independently for each of the units. 10. A control of a switching means according to a power control signal from said power control means, wherein a release factor signal is output to the control means based on a trigger signal from each means, and further input from the control means. A power supply control signal is output to the switching means by a drive control signal indicating a control process, and power is supplied from the power supply means by controlling the switching means to the means that has output a trigger signal of an operation request. Item 8
A power control method for an image forming apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 11. Control of a switching means according to a power control signal from the power control means, wherein a release factor signal is output to the control means based on a trigger signal from each means, and further inputted from the control means. A power control signal is output to the switching means by a drive control signal indicating the control processing to be performed, and power is supplied from the power supply means by controlling the switching means only to each corresponding means based on the control processing of the drive control signal. 9. The power control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: