JP2003291460A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus in which power saving mode can be released automatically when the state changes on the side of engine control section (e.g. draw out of a sheet tray). <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus having a power saving mode for reducing power consumption by reducing or interrupting power supply to each section at the time of waiting where print processing is not performed comprises a means for detecting fixing/removal of a unit (a sheet tray sensor 14), and a control means (a controller 4, a CPU 15) for releasing the power saving mode from that state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power saving control technique for an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is widely known an image forming apparatus having a power saving mode in which power supply to each unit of the apparatus is reduced or cut off during standby while no printing process is performed. As a related art related to this, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-
No. 101609 exists. In the above publication,
A technique for returning from the power saving mode by inputting data from an external device such as a PC is disclosed. Although not described in the above publication, a technique of returning from the power saving mode by a switch of the operation unit is also known.

[0003]

The image forming apparatus is roughly divided into an engine control section for controlling mechatronics and a controller for controlling image processing. In recent years, in order to save resources for the global environment and to reduce the power consumption during standby as a matter of course during printing, when the image forming apparatus enters the power saving mode, the power supply to the engine control unit is stopped and the sensor Stop all mechatronics operations including.

Further, it is the operation display section and the interface section (network, USB, Centronics) with the PC or the like that must be operating in the power saving mode, and the controller in the power saving mode is the operation display section and the interface section. Except for the above, power supply to all other circuits including the CPU is stopped. Recovery from the power saving mode is performed by inputting data from the PC or the like to the interface section or pressing a switch for recovery on the operation display section.

The opening and closing of the cover of the image forming apparatus is monitored by a sensor by the engine control unit. Since the operation of the engine control unit stops when shifting to the power saving mode,
In the power saving mode, opening and closing the cover, changing the paper size, etc.
When the state of the image forming apparatus is changed, the change is detected after returning from the power saving mode, and in the power saving mode, the display of the operation display unit, the PC, or the like cannot be seen. In addition, accurate information cannot be transmitted to a PC or the like until the power saving mode is restored, which takes extra time.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of automatically canceling the power saving mode when there is a change in the state of the engine control unit side (drawing of a paper tray or the like). To do.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 reduces power consumption by reducing or interrupting power supply to each part of the apparatus during standby when printing processing is not performed. In an image forming apparatus having a power saving mode for achieving the above, an image forming apparatus having a unit attachment / detachment detection means and a control means for canceling the power saving mode from the state is the most main feature.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the unit attachment / detachment detection means is a paper tray presence / absence sensor, and an image for canceling the power saving mode when the drawer of the paper tray is detected. The forming device is a main feature.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of power saving control in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows details of the switch and the power saving circuit in FIG.
FIG. 3 shows a time chart.

In the laser printer, after printing is completed, the printer enters a standby state, and after a lapse of a predetermined time, power supply to the fixing heater is stopped, and power is supplied only to a minimum necessary circuit to save power. ing.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, power is supplied from the voltage generator 2 of the PSU (DC power supply) 1 to the engine controller 3 and the controller 4, and the power supply to the engine controller 3 is on the PSU 1. Tr1 to 3 (reference numerals 5 to 7)
It can be shut off by turning off. Also,
The power supply to the controller 4 is Tr4 (reference numeral 11) except for the operation panel 8, the interface 9 and the power saving circuit 10.
It can be shut off by turning off.

When the power is turned on, the system of the controller 4 is reset, so that the output / Q of the flip-flop 12 shown in FIG. 2 becomes "H" level and the Tr4 (reference numeral 11) of the controller 4 is turned on. Supply power to the circuit.

The power saving 2 terminal of the CPU 13 of the controller 4 outputs the "H" level, the Trs 1 to 3 (reference numerals 5 to 7) are turned on, and the engine control unit 3 is supplied with power to operate as an image forming apparatus. At this time, the state of the paper tray presence / absence sensor (switch) 14 is detected by the CPU 15 of the engine control unit 3.

When a predetermined time elapses after printing is completed, the "L" level is output from the power saving 2 terminal of the CPU 13 of the controller 4 and the Tr1 to 3 (reference numerals 5 to 7) of the engine control unit 3 are turned off. The power supply to the engine control unit 3 is stopped, and the function of the engine control unit 3 is stopped.

Further, by outputting the "H" level from the power saving 1 terminal of the CPU 13 of the controller 4, the output / Q of the flip-flop 12 is "L" at the rising edge thereof.
Is output and Tr4 (11) of the controller 4 is turned off.
By doing so, the power supply to the operation panel 8, the interface 9 and the power saving circuit 10 (4AND16, flip-flop 12) is stopped, and the power saving mode is entered.

In the power saving mode, data input from the PC or the like to the interface 9 (network, USB, Centronics, etc.) (return 1), pressing of the power saving mode return switch 17 on the operation panel 8 (return 1), paper tray 4AND16 outputs "L" level when any one of the switch 14 = ON (return 2) is established.

By inputting this to the clear terminal (CL) of the flip-flop 12, the output / Q (recovery of power saving) of the flip-flop 12 becomes "H" level and the controller 4
Tr4 (reference numeral 11) is turned on, power is supplied to all circuits of the controller 4, and the CPU 13 of the controller 4
Power saving 2 terminal outputs “H” level, and Tr1 to 3
(Reference numerals 5 to 7) are turned on and power is supplied to the engine control unit 3 to operate as an image forming apparatus. The power saving mode can be canceled when the front cover of the apparatus body is opened.

[0018]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In an image forming apparatus having a power saving mode for reducing or cutting off power supply to each part of the apparatus during standby when printing processing is not performed, a unit attachment / detachment detection unit, for example, a paper tray presence / absence sensor, When the drawer of the paper tray is detected, the power saving mode is canceled.Therefore, when changing the state of the engine control section in the power saving mode, it is not necessary to cancel the power saving mode by another operation. The state can be notified to the user quickly and accurately.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of power saving control in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed diagram of a switch and a power saving circuit in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a time chart showing the operation of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 PSU (DC power supply) 2 Voltage generator 3 Engine control section 4 Controller (control means) 5 Tr1 6 Tr2 7 Tr3 8 Operation panel 9 Interface 10 power saving circuit 11 Tr4 12 flip-flops 13, 15 CPU (control means) 14 Paper tray presence sensor 16 4 AND 17 Power saving mode return switch

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having a power-saving mode for reducing or cutting off power supply to each part of the apparatus during standby when printing processing is not performed,
An image forming apparatus comprising unit attachment / detachment detection means, and control means for releasing the power saving mode from the state. 2. The unit attachment / detachment detection means is a paper tray presence / absence sensor, and releases the power saving mode when the drawer of the paper tray is detected.
The image forming apparatus described.