JP2002356038A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize prevention of accident and energy saving when an error is not solved for a long time by entering energy saving mode upon occurrence of an error, e.g. jamming or end of sheet. SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus entering energy saving mode upon occurrence of an artificially recoverable error can make a selection whether it enters energy saving mode or not and can detect solution of an error in energy save mode before being reset.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control method for an image forming apparatus capable of shifting to a low power consumption state in which power consumption of a circuit is reduced and having at least one function such as a printer, a copy, and a facsimile. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been a movement to regulate the power consumption of an image forming apparatus as represented by the Energy Star standard in the United States. It has become. In these standards, power consumption, particularly in a standby state, is severely limited. Therefore, the image forming apparatus in the standby state has been devised such as turning off the power of all possible parts except for some functions such as an operation panel and a network interface, and shifting to a low power consumption state. I have. The standby state of the conventional device is called an auto-standby function, etc., which detects the unused state of the device, shifts to the standby state after a certain period of time has elapsed, and then returns to the normal state after detecting the start of use of the device Was to do.
However, when an error such as a paper jam or an out of paper occurs, which is resolved by an artificial action, the apparatus does not shift to the standby state even after a certain time has elapsed. The reason for this is that you need to display the nature of the error and how to resolve it in the panel,
After the error is resolved, it is necessary to perform error recovery immediately.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, if
If these errors are not resolved for a long time, the normal state will be maintained, and the problem of wasteful power consumption,
There is a problem that the heat generated by the power consumption may lead to some accident and a problem of shortening the product life. In particular, in a printer or a facsimile, etc., during an unmanned operation, it is easy for an error not to be solved for a long time.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems, and has the following structure as one means for solving the above-mentioned problems. That is, it comprises means for detecting an error that is solved by an artificial effect, means for displaying the detected error, and means for shifting to a low power consumption state. The state shifts to the low power consumption state, and the detected error is displayed continuously. In addition, when shifting to the low power consumption state after detecting an error, it retains a function to monitor whether this error has been resolved by human action, and automatically detects error recovery, and automatically detects error recovery. The present invention becomes more practical if the function of performing the above is provided.

[0005] In addition, a configuration is adopted in which, during a certain period of time, the error is waited for in a normal state, and the state shifts to the low power consumption state after a certain period of time, rather than immediately shifting to the low power consumption state after detecting the error. There may be cases where it is better.
This is because if the user can resolve the error immediately after the error occurs, the normal state will be restored rather than temporarily shifting to the low power consumption state and returning to the normal state. This is the case where it is better to maintain and end the return processing in a short time.

[0006]

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

The reader unit 1 reads an image of a document and outputs image data corresponding to the original seat image to the printer unit 2 and the image input / output control unit 3. The printer unit 2 records an image corresponding to image data from the reader unit 1 and the image input / output control unit 3 on recording paper. The image input / output control unit 3 is connected to the reader unit 1 and includes a facsimile unit 4, a computer interface unit 5, a formatter unit 6, a hard disk 7, an image memory unit 8, a core unit 9, and the like.

The fax unit 4 expands the compressed image data received via the telephone line, transfers the expanded image data to the core unit 9, compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 9, The compressed image data is transmitted via a telephone line.

The computer interface unit 5 includes a personal computer or a workstation (PC)
/ WS) 10 and the core unit 9. The formatter unit 6 expands code data representing an image transferred from the PC / WS 10 into image data that can be recorded by the printer unit 2. Hard disk 7
Is connected to the formatter unit 6 and stores programs and data. The formatter unit 6 is also used for temporarily storing expanded image data and the like.
The image memory unit 9 temporarily stores data transferred from the PC / WS 10.

The core unit 9 includes a reader unit 1, a fax unit 4, a computer interface unit 5, a formatter unit 6,
It controls the flow of data between the image memory units 8.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the structure of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2. Laser emitting unit 20 of printer unit 2
1 emits a laser beam corresponding to the image data output from the reader unit 1. The laser beam is applied to the photosensitive drum 202, and a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 202.

In the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 202,
The developer is attached by the developing device 203. Then, at a timing synchronized with the start of the laser light irradiation, the recording paper is fed from one of the paper cassette 204 and the paper cassette 205 and conveyed to the transfer unit 206, and the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 202 is removed from the recording paper. Transfer to The recording paper on which the developer is loaded is conveyed to the fixing unit 207, and the developer is fixed on the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 207.

The recording paper that has passed through the fixing section 207 is discharged by discharge rollers 208, and the sorter 220 sorts the recording paper by storing the discharged recording paper in each bin. The sorter 220 stores the recording paper in the uppermost bin when the sorting is not set. When double-sided recording is set, the recording sheet is conveyed to the discharge roller 208, the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed, and the recording paper is guided to the re-feed conveyance path by the flapper 209.

When multiple recording is set, the flapper 20 is set so that the recording paper is not conveyed to the discharge roller 208.
9 guides the sheet to the re-feeding conveyance path. The recording paper guided to the re-feeding conveyance path is fed to the transfer unit 206 at the above-described timing.

An original feeder 101 feeds paper originals for copying or facsimile transmission to an original platen 102 one by one. The user can also place the document on the document table 102 by raising the document feeder 101 upward.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the reader unit 1. As shown in FIG. The image data output from the CCD 109 is A
The analog / digital conversion is performed in the / D · SH unit 110, and shading correction is performed. A / D
The image data processed by the SH unit 110 is transferred to the printer unit 2 via the image processing unit 111 and to the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 via the interface unit 113.

The CPU 114 controls the image processing unit 111 and the interface 113 in accordance with the settings set by the operation unit 115. For example, when a copy mode in which the trimming process is performed by the operation unit 115 to perform copying is set, the image processing unit 111 performs the trimming process and transfers the image data to the printer unit 2.

When the fax transmission mode is set on the operation unit 115, the interface unit 113 transfers image data and control commands corresponding to the set mode to the core unit 10. Such a control program of the CPU 114 is stored in the memory 116,
U114 performs control with reference to the memory 116.
The memory 116 is also used as a work area of the CPU 114.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the core unit 9. The image data from the reader unit 1 is transmitted to the data processing unit 1
21 and the control command from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the CPU 123. Data processing unit 12
Reference numeral 1 denotes an image processing unit that performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing. Image data transferred from the reader unit 1 to the data processing unit 121 is processed according to a control command transferred from the reader unit 1. The data is transferred to the fax unit 4 and the computer interface unit 5 via the interface 120.

The computer interface unit 5
Is transmitted to the data processing unit 121 and then to the formatter unit 6, which converts the data into a format called an intermediate code, and converts the intermediate code into bitmap image data. The image data is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then to the fax unit 4 and the printer unit 2. This series of processing is performed by the CPU 125 in the formatter unit 6. This CPU has a function capable of operating with lower power consumption than usual, and can shift from the low power consumption state to the normal state and from the normal state to the low power consumption state by software control. CPU in low power consumption state
However, instead of reducing the processing speed, the power consumption is low, and as a result, the heat generation is also low. After the image data from the fax unit 4 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, the printer unit 2, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 5
Transferred to

The image data from the file unit 5 is
After being transferred to the data processing unit 121, the data is transferred to the printer unit 2, the fax unit 4, and the computer interface unit 5. The CPU 123 performs such control according to a control program stored in the memory 124 and a control command transferred from the reader unit 1. The memory 124 is also used as a work area of the CPU 123. As described above, it is possible to perform processing combining functions such as reading of an original image, printing of an image, transmission and reception of an image, storage of an image, input and output of data from a computer, and the like, mainly on the core unit 10. .

Next, the operation of outputting data from the formatter unit 6 will be described.

First, when the formatter unit 6 performs output without storing data in the storage means of the image memory, the formatter unit 6 develops the data of the first page into bitmap data and transfers the data to the printer via the bus. Perform printing. Similarly, the above operation is repeated until the last page.

When the formatter unit 6 stores data in the storage means of the image memory unit 8 and outputs the data, the formatter unit 6 develops the data of the first page into bitmap data, and outputs the data to the image memory unit via a bus. Transfer to 8. At this time, information such as the number of output copies and single / double-sided printing is notified to the image memory unit 8.

Since the image memory unit 8 is designated for each job, it only performs processing for storing the bitmap data received from the formatter unit 6 in the storage means. Similarly, the above operation is performed up to the last page, and the formatter unit 6 develops the data of the last page into bitmap data and transfers it to the image memory unit 9 via the bus.
Notify that this is the last page of the job.

The image memory unit 8 includes a formatter unit 6
Storing the bitmap data received from the storage means,
Since this is the final page, the bitmap data of each page is transferred to the printer and printed.

Next, the hard disk 7 connected to the formatter unit 6 will be described. The hard disk 7
Programs and data necessary for processing in the formatter unit 6 are stored in advance, and are read out at the time of initialization or in accordance with job processing. It is also used for temporarily storing job data received by the computer interface unit 5, storing temporary data at the time of image development, and storing images generated after image development.

Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus having the above configuration according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the first embodiment, a print job is generated by a formatter unit 6 to generate image data,
The following describes an example in which the printer shifts to the low power consumption state when an out-of-paper error occurs during printing.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a task for performing error processing in the first embodiment. This error processing task is operated by the CPU 123 of the core unit 9.

In S501 of FIG. 5, the core unit 9 initializes an error processing task. In S502, the core unit 9 monitors whether an error has occurred, and if no error has occurred, performs the process of S502 again. S502
If an error is detected in step S503, error information is received from the location where the error has occurred in step S503, and error processing according to the content of the error is started. In this embodiment,
Since the error type is out of paper, each unit is notified of the out of paper error. In response to this notice, leader unit 2
The operation unit 115 displays error occurrence information, and the printer unit 2 stops the motor.

Next, in S504, the core unit 9 shifts the device to a low power consumption state. Notify each unit that it will transition to the low power consumption state. In response to this notification, the printer unit 2 stops all motors, cuts off the power of the fixing unit 207, and the like. In the formatter unit 6, the CPU 125 shifts to the low power consumption state and stops the rotation of the hard disk 7. However, even in this low power consumption state, the printer unit 2 detects out of paper. Then, the core unit 9 monitors that the paper out condition is resolved. Further, the operation unit 115 continues to indicate occurrence of an error.

Next, in S505, it is monitored that the out-of-paper error is resolved. If the out-of-paper error has not been resolved, the process of S505 is performed again. If S50
If it is detected in S5 that the out-of-paper error has been resolved, the low power consumption state is canceled in S506,
In order to perform the error recovery processing, the core unit 9 notifies each unit of an error solution. The error recovery process has various procedures depending on the type of error. However, in this embodiment, the error is a paper-out error, so that printing may be simply restarted from the page next to the page printed before the error occurred. Each unit shifts from the low power consumption state to the normal state, and prepares for printing. Thus, the error recovery processing is completed, and the processing is started again from S502.

It is obvious that the present invention is also applicable to the reception of a fax job in the fax unit 4 and the copying operation.

In this embodiment, an example of a paper-out error has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to an error that can be solved by an artificial effect, such as a lack of toner and an overload of discharged paper.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention, when an error that can be solved by an artificial action occurs,
By shifting to the low power consumption state, power consumption can be reduced,
It is now possible to prevent accidents and shorten the life of the product.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a reader unit and a printer unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a reader unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a core unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of the first embodiment.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03G 21/00 398 G03G 21/00 398 500 500 H04N 1/00 H04N 1/00 CF term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AQ06 HH11 HT11 HV13 HV14 HV31 HV44 HV45 2H027 DA36 EF16 EK04 EK11 FA30 FA37 FB06 FB07 FB19 GB07 ZA01 5C062 AA02 AA06 AB20 AB23 AB46 AB49 AB51 AC58 AF15 BA00

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A low power consumption means for reducing the power consumption of a circuit, a state switching means capable of switching between a low power consumption state and a normal state, and an error detection means for detecting an error solved by an artificial action. And an error display means for displaying the detected error to the outside. After the error detection means detects the error, the error display means displays the error, and the state switching means shifts to a low power consumption state. An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after the error detection unit detects an error, the state switching unit can select whether to shift to a low power consumption state. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, after detecting the error by the error detecting means, if the error is not resolved within a predetermined time, the state switching means shifts to a low power consumption state. Image forming device. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the error detection means can detect that the error has been resolved in a low power consumption state, and after the error detection means detects the resolution of the error, the state switching means An image forming apparatus capable of shifting to a normal state.