JP2002359703A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress power consumption in a restoration operation from an energy-saving mode, supply power to required minimum functions and avoid function limits placed in the energy-saving mode. SOLUTION: A CPU 10b controls a power supply changeover section 9c to supply power to required sections in response to an energy-saving release signal given to an energy-saving control section 10 from each section such as a print signal detection section 1a, a call signal detection section 2a, an energy-saving operation section 3a, and an original detection section 5a in the energy-saving mode. The CPU 10b controls the entire device in the energy-saving mode. Further, the CPU 10b controls supply of power to each section based on the predetermined priority depending on the processing executed by each section under the control of a main control section 8 in an ordinary operation. The CPU 10b efficiently supplies power to each required section depending on the processing in the device operation. Each section is controlled by a CPU (1b-6b) provided thereto and memories 1c-6c store data for control processing or the like in a concerned section depending on required minimum supply of power in the ordinary operation for controlling the concerned section.

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 (hereinafter, referred to as energy saving) function capable of performing an energy saving.

[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 an image forming apparatus, at least one of which is an optical input power supply, and at least one The optical input power source is used as a rechargeable power source as an input source, and the image control unit or the image communication unit controls the image forming apparatus in accordance with the operation state of the image forming apparatus, thereby selecting and using an optimum power source, particularly when the apparatus is not operating. In the “sleep” mode, the input from the external input power supply is disconnected and the optical input power supply of the internal power supply unit and the rechargeable power supply are used.
A device for reducing power consumption for an external input power supply has been invented.

[0003] Further, the functions of the apparatus which are limited when the mode is shifted to the energy saving mode as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-232540 are executed by starting the apparatus at regular intervals and monitoring the state of the apparatus. There is a facsimile machine configured as described above.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
In an image forming apparatus having a configuration as described in 00-127568, a plurality of power supply units for supplying power to the apparatus, such as a main power supply unit, an optical input power supply unit, and a rechargeable power supply unit, are provided. Although the supply destination is selected according to the operation state of the apparatus, the supply destination is configured to simultaneously return from the energy saving mode to a plurality of predetermined units and operate, so that when the apparatus returns operation, Power consumption increases.

Further, in the apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-232540, a process of starting the apparatus at regular intervals is required for monitoring, and the power consumption is increased because the apparatus is restored every time. There was a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to solving the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, in which power consumption is suppressed during a return operation from an energy saving mode, and power is supplied to a minimum necessary function in the operation mode. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of avoiding functional restrictions in an energy saving mode.

[0007]

In order to achieve this object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises a scanner for reading an original and outputting image data; Engine means for forming an image, at least one connection means for connecting an external device for transmitting and receiving image data, communication means for connecting to a communication medium for transmitting and receiving image data, and writing / reading control to / from a memory. Memory control means, operation means for inputting operation instructions to the apparatus main body, display means for outputting status display of the apparatus main body, priority of power supply to each means during operation in the energy saving state and operation in the normal state Control means for controlling the order is provided, and power supply means for supplying power to each means is provided.

Further, the control means mounted on the power supply means controls each means operated by the power supply in the energy saving state during the operation in the energy saving state, and controls each of the means according to the requested operation function in the normal state operation. The power supply to the means is controlled based on the priority.

[0009] Further, the invention is characterized in that a connection means for connecting the memory controlled by the memory control means and each means is provided, and each means shares the memory.

The control means mounted on the power supply means selects a means to be supplied with power in accordance with an operation function to be executed.

According to the above-mentioned configuration, the control means mounted on the power supply means controls the operation of each part according to the priority order during the energy saving operation and the normal operation, and controls each part efficiently according to the selected operation function. In addition, by connecting and sharing the memory with each part, the memory capacity is optimized and the power in each operation function is reduced, and only the necessary parts are restored when returning from the energy saving mode. Power can be supplied to the minimum supply destination.

[0012]

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, a printer control unit 1 that is used as a part of a printer function and has an external I / F unit that is a connection unit with an external device such as a personal computer includes: Output data from external devices inside,
Print signal detector 1a for detecting an output command request signal and the like
Is provided. Further, it has a CPU 1b for performing basic control in the printer control unit 1, and a memory 1c.

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.
Is internally provided with a call signal detecting section 2a for detecting a call signal, ringing signal, facsimile network call signal, off-hook signal of an external telephone, etc. from a G3 standard facsimile apparatus on an analog telephone line as a communication medium.
Further, C for performing basic control in the communication control unit 2 is used.
It has a PU 2b and a memory 2c.

The image forming apparatus further includes an operation unit 3 for inputting operation instructions from the user to the image forming apparatus. The operation unit 3 is operated by a user to start / stop, save energy, press an operation button such as an off-hook dial key, or operate the apparatus of the user. An energy saving operation unit 3a for detecting approach to the vehicle is provided.
Further, a CPU for performing basic control in the operation unit 3
3b and a memory 3c.

The image forming apparatus further includes a display unit 4 for notifying the user of device status information to the image forming apparatus, and an energy saving display unit 4a for displaying to notify the user that power is being saved in the energy saving mode. Is provided. Further, a CPU 4 for performing basic control in the display unit 4
b, and a memory 4c.

The scanner section 5, which is used as a part of the copying function and reads image data of a document, is provided with a document detecting section 5a for detecting a document set on the scanner section 5. Further, the scanner unit 5 includes a CPU 5b for performing basic control and a memory 5c.

Further, an engine unit 6 for forming image data obtained by each unit on a transfer sheet, a RAM for storing control information of an additional function which operates in each unit and the like, and a storage capacity which can be changed in accordance with the use condition thereof. , An EEPROM, or a storage medium such as an HDD, a memory controller 7 having a memory controller 7b for controlling the transfer of information between the memory 7c and the CPU of each unit, and a CPU 8b for controlling each unit. , A ROM, a RAM, etc., and a main control unit 8 for controlling each unit by a control signal through an internal bus in accordance with a program stored in the ROM.

Further, a power supply unit 9 for supplying power to each unit includes:
A main power supply unit 9a for supplying power during normal operation of the apparatus, a print signal detection unit 1a, a call signal detection unit 2a, an energy saving operation unit 3a,
The power supply during normal operation is switched from the main power supply unit 9a to the energy saving display unit 4a, the energy saving power supply unit 9b that supplies power to the document detection unit 5a, etc.
And a power supply switching unit 9c composed of a simple circuit including the above.

Further, an energy saving control section 10 of the power supply section 9 is a section for controlling an energy saving function. The CPU 10b is constituted by a power saving type microcomputer or the like which includes a ROM and a RAM in one chip, and is provided in each means. CPUs 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 8
b, 10b and the memory 7 via the memory controller 7b.
An internal bus 11 is provided as connection means for connecting to share with the server c.

In the image forming apparatus configured as described above, the print signal detecting section 1a, the call signal detecting section 2a, the energy saving operation section 3a,
The CPU 10b of the energy saving control unit 10 responds to an energy saving cancellation signal input to the energy saving control unit 10 from the document detection unit 5a.
Switching unit 9c based on a power control signal output by
And supplies power to the corresponding part. In addition, the CPU 10b of the energy saving control unit 10 controls energy saving such as performing control to continuously display an error of the device occurring during operation including the fact that the device in the energy saving mode is saving power and display the error on the energy saving display unit 4a. Controls the entire device in the mode.

The ROM and RA constituting the CPU 10b
For example, in the memory part such as M, the apparatus is automatically operated from the energy saving mode state regardless of the external cause and the processing is performed. By storing a processing program for performing error cancellation (e.g., error display according to processing that does not involve the operation of the apparatus), it is possible to control the energy saving mode appropriately corresponding to the state of the apparatus.

During normal operation, the CPU 10b of the energy saving control unit 10 controls the power supply to each unit based on a predetermined priority according to the process controlled by the main control unit 8 and executed by each unit. . This makes it possible to efficiently supply power to each unit required in accordance with processing during the operation of the apparatus.

Each unit is provided with a CPU provided for each unit.
1b to 6b, and the memories 1c to 6c store minimum necessary programs (for example,
Control processing in the unit according to the power supply for normal operation).

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an operation for supplying power to each section in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, and the operation will be described with reference to FIG. In the normal state of the apparatus, the energy saving control unit 10 reads the energy saving control signal in order to respond to the energy saving control signal output from the main control unit 8 to the energy saving control unit 10 based on a preset condition such as time ( S1). It is confirmed whether or not there is an instruction to shift to the energy saving mode in the energy saving control signal (S2), and when it is not a shift to the energy saving mode (No in S2), the process returns to step S1. Also, when shifting to the energy saving mode (Yes in S2)
s) The energy saving display is turned on by the energy saving display section 4a of the display section 4 (S3).

Further, in response to the power control signal from the energy saving control unit 10, the power supply to each unit is turned off by the power source switching unit 9c (S4), the apparatus is set to the energy saving mode, and the control right is transferred to the energy saving control unit 10. Then, the device is controlled by the CPU 10b (S5).

In the device in the energy saving mode, each mode (copy, facsimile transmission) is requested by the user from the energy saving operation unit 3a operating with the power supplied from the energy saving power supply unit 9b. , A printer, and a scanner), and the energy-saving control unit 10 performs detection (S6).

When an energy saving release signal is detected (Y in S6)
es) First, it is determined whether or not a copy mode for performing copying is performed (S7), and in the copy mode (Yes in S7), the energy saving control unit 10 controls the power switching unit 9c by the output power control signal, and The controller 8, the operation unit 3, the display unit 4, the scanner unit 5, the memory controller 7, and the engine unit 6 are selected and supplied with power, and an energy saving cancellation factor signal is sent from the energy saving controller 10 to the main controller 8. Further, the CPU 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b of the corresponding section performs a start-up process corresponding to the energy saving release signal (S8), and sets the control right to the main control section 8 (S9). The operation processing in the copy mode is performed under the control of the main control unit 8.

When the mode is not the copy mode (No in S7), it is further determined whether or not the mode is the facsimile mode for performing facsimile transmission (S10). When the mode is the facsimile mode (Yes in S10), the operation is controlled by the energy saving control unit 10. The main control unit 8, the operation unit 3,
The display unit 4, the communication control unit 2, the scanner unit 5, and the memory control unit 7 are selected, power is supplied to each of them, and each unit is subjected to a start-up process corresponding to the energy saving release signal (S11).
Is set to the control right (S12). Under the control of the communication control unit 2, an operation process in the facsimile mode is performed.

When the mode is not the facsimile mode (No in S10), it is further determined whether or not the mode is a printer mode for printing data from an external device (S13). 1
The main control unit 8,
The operation unit 3, the display unit 4, the engine unit 6, the printer control unit 1, and the memory control unit 7 are selected, and power is supplied to each of them.
Each part is subjected to a start-up process corresponding to the energy-saving release signal (S1
4), a control right is set in the printer control unit 1 (S1).
5). An operation process in a printer mode is performed under the control of the printer control unit 1.

When the mode is not the printer mode (S1
(No in 3), and a determination is made as to whether or not the mode is the scanner mode for reading the original and outputting the data to an external device (S1).
6) In the scanner mode (Yes in S16), the main control unit 8, the operation unit 3, the display unit 4, the scanner unit 5, and the memory control unit 7 are selected by the power switching unit 9c controlled by the energy saving control unit 10, and each of them is selected. The power is supplied, the respective units are activated according to the energy saving release signal (S17), and the control right is set to the scanner unit 5 (S18). An operation process in a scanner mode is performed under the control of the scanner unit 5. At this time, when output to an external device is requested, for example, the printer control unit 1 or the communication control unit 2 is activated and the read data is output according to the output destination device. Alternatively, the data may be temporarily stored in the memory 7c of the memory control unit 7 until a new instruction is issued.

As described above, it is possible to efficiently supply necessary power to each unit in response to a start request from the user in the energy saving operation unit 3a from the state of the energy saving mode. In the processes S7, S10, S13, and S16, when the energy saving to each unit is canceled, the energy saving display unit 4a
Turn off the energy saving display displayed by.

In addition to the information for instructing the shift to the energy saving mode as the energy saving control signal from the main control unit 8 in the normal state, the information of the operation function corresponding to the processing request is output, thereby saving the energy. By a process similar to the process of returning from the energy saving mode in the unit 10, power can be supplied to each unit according to the processing request, and a process of stopping power supply to each unit other than the request can be performed.

Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the CPUs 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5
b, 6b, 8b, and 10b are connected to the memory 7c via the memory controller 7b of the memory control unit 7 by the internal bus 11, and the internal bus 11 controls the C of each unit.
The control processing information and the program for performing the additional function of the device stored in the memory 7c are read from the PU to execute the processing, or the acquired data and the like are temporarily stored.

In this way, each unit is operated by the activation and return from the normal energy-saving mode, and each unit is activated by the minimum necessary control information stored in the memory of each unit, thereby further enhancing the function of the apparatus. Regarding the added functions, call each function after returning from the energy saving mode,
Each additional process can be performed. Further, since the additional function stored in the memory control unit 7 is used only when it is required, the power consumption of the apparatus can be further reduced. By storing data and the like in the memory 7c formed of a non-volatile storage medium, for example, when performing timer transmission in facsimile transmission even in the energy saving mode state, control by the CPU 10b of the energy saving control unit 10 is performed. Is possible.

As another example of this embodiment, FIG. 3 shows a print signal detecting section 1a, a call signal detecting section 2a to which power is supplied from an energy saving power supply section 9b provided in each section of the apparatus, and a document. The energy saving mode is automatically canceled based on the energy saving cancellation signal generated from each unit of the detection unit 5a. In this example, the difference from the flowchart for canceling the energy saving mode shown in FIG. 2 is that the energy saving mode is not canceled by a user's cancellation request from the energy saving operation unit 3a, but is detected by a sensor or the like provided in each unit. The energy saving cancellation processing is performed based on the energy saving cancellation signal.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the normal state, FIG.
(S) according to the energy saving control signal from the main control unit 8 shown in FIG.
21), confirm the transition to the energy saving mode (S22), display on the energy saving display unit 4a (S23), and the energy saving control unit 10 controls the power switching unit 9c by the power control signal to supply power to each unit. Is switched (S24). As a result, the device shifts to the energy saving mode and the energy saving control unit 10
Is set to the control right (S25).

Here, an energy-saving release signal is detected (S
26). The energy-saving operation unit 3a detects whether any switch provided on the operation panel of the operation unit 3, for example, a start / stop key, an energy-saving key, an off-hook dial key, or the like has been pressed (S27). When detecting the depression of the switch (Yes in S27), the energy-saving control unit 10 that has received the output energy-saving release signal from the energy-saving operation unit 3a controls the power switching unit 9c with the power control signal, and the main control unit 8, The power is supplied to the memory control unit 7, the operation unit 3, and the display unit 4, and the energy saving control unit 10 sends an energy saving cancellation factor signal to the main control unit 8 and each CPU 1.
b, 4b, and 6b are notified via the internal bus 11 of information for canceling the energy saving mode and activating each unit (S28).
A control right is set in the main control unit 8, and as a process corresponding to the switch pressed from the operation unit 3, setting of each function or an operation instruction desired by the user is performed.
Further, depending on each instruction, the operation for canceling the energy saving of each unit described above is also performed (S29).

When it is not detected that the switch of the energy saving operation unit 3a is pressed (No in S27), a call signal (facsimile reception signal) of the G3 communication from the external line to the communication control unit 2 is detected by the call signal detection unit 2a. It is confirmed whether or not it has been performed (S30). When a calling signal is detected (Y in S30)
es) The energy-saving control unit 10 receiving the output energy-saving release signal from the call signal detection unit 2a controls the power switching unit 9c with the power control signal, and the main control unit 8, the memory control unit 7, the communication control unit 2, In addition to supplying power to the display unit 4 and the engine unit 6, the energy saving control unit 10 sends an energy saving canceling factor signal to the main control unit 8 and each of the CPUs 2 b, 4 b, 6 b via the internal bus 11 to cancel the energy saving mode and switch each unit. The information to be activated is notified (S31). The control right is set in the communication control unit 2, and as processing corresponding to the call signal of the G3 communication, printing of facsimile-received data or memory 7
Then, a process of storing the data in c is performed (S32).

If the call signal is not detected by the call signal detector 2a (No in S30), the printer controller 1
It is confirmed whether or not a print request signal from an external device such as a personal computer is detected by the print signal detecting unit 1a (S33). Upon detecting a print request signal (Yes in S33), the energy saving control unit 10 having received the output energy saving cancellation signal from the print signal detecting unit 1a performs control with the power control signal to the power switching unit 9c, and the main control unit. 8, memory control unit 7, printer control unit 1, display unit 4,
Power is supplied to the engine unit 6 and the energy saving control unit 1
0 indicates the energy saving cancellation factor signal to the main control unit 8 and each C
The PUs 1b, 4b, and 6b are notified of information for canceling the energy saving mode and activating each unit via the internal bus 11 (S3).
4). The control right is set in the printer control unit 1, and a data printing process is performed as a process corresponding to a print request from an external device (S35).

When the print request is not detected by the print signal detecting section 1a (No in S33), the fact that the read original is set on the scanner section 5 is notified by the original detecting section 5a.
It is confirmed whether or not it has been detected (S36). When a document set is detected (Yes in S36), the document detection unit 5a
Energy saving control unit 10 which has received the output energy saving cancellation signal from
Is controlled by a power control signal to the power switching unit 9c.
Power is supplied to the main control unit 8, the memory control unit 7, the operation unit 3, the display unit 4, and the scanner unit 5, and the energy saving control unit 10 sends the energy saving canceling signal to the main control unit 8 and the CPUs 3b, 4b, 5b. Then, information for canceling the energy saving mode and activating each unit is notified via the internal bus 11 (S37). The control right is set to the scanner unit 5, and the reading process of the original set in the scanner unit 5 is performed (S3).
8).

As described above, the energy saving control means 1
When the power supply switching unit 9c is controlled in response to the power supply control signal from 0 to return from a state in which power is cut off (an energy saving mode), for example, only each unit required for an operation function desired by the user is selectively restored. Electricity can be suppressed by supplying electric power to a minimum necessary supply destination. In addition, the power can be efficiently supplied by controlling the power supply to each unit and the priority order selected by the energy saving control unit 10 during the normal operation, and the function limitation in the energy saving mode can be avoided.

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The CPU is mounted on the energy-saving control unit, controls the operation of each unit according to the priority order during the energy-saving operation and the normal operation, performs efficient control of each unit according to the selected operation function, and uses the memory control unit. By connecting and sharing with each part via, the memory capacity is optimized and the power in each operation function is reduced, and when returning from the energy saving mode, only the necessary parts are selectively returned to the operation function. Accordingly, there is an effect that power can be supplied to a minimum necessary supply destination.

[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 of an operation for supplying power to each unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an operation of supplying power to each unit in an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Printer control unit 1a Print signal detection unit 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 8b, 10b
CPU 1c, 2c, 3c, 4c, 5c, 6c, 7c, 8c Memory 2 Communication control unit 2a Call signal detection unit 3 Operation unit 3a Energy saving operation unit 4 Display unit 4a Energy saving display unit 5 Scanner unit 5a Document detection unit 6 Engine unit 7 memory control unit 7b memory controller 8 main control unit 9 power supply unit 9c power supply switching unit 10 energy saving control unit 11 internal bus

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 HH11 HJ10 HK11 HN15 HT03 HT07 5B011 DA01 EB08 MA05 5B021 AA01 AA05 AA19 MM00 5C062 AA02 AA05 AB02 AB23 AB41 AB42 AB46 AB49 AE15 BA00

Claims (4)

[Claims] A scanner for reading an original and outputting image data; an engine for visualizing the image based on the image data to form an image on transfer paper; and an external device for transmitting and receiving the image data. At least one connection unit, a communication unit for connecting to a communication medium for transmitting and receiving the image data, a memory control unit for performing a write / read control on a memory, an operation unit for inputting an operation instruction to the apparatus main body, Display means for performing a status display output of the apparatus main body, and control means for controlling the priority order of power supply to each of the means during the operation in the energy saving state and the operation in the normal state, and power is supplied to each means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a power supply unit for supplying power. 2. A control unit mounted on the power supply unit controls each unit that operates by power supply in the energy saving state during operation in the energy saving state, and according to a requested operation function during operation in the normal state. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein power supply to each unit is controlled based on a priority order. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a connection unit that connects said memory controlled by said memory control unit and each unit, and wherein said each unit shares said memory. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a control unit mounted on the power supply unit selects a unit to be supplied with power in accordance with an operation function to be performed.