JP2003338894A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce power consumption by consolidating received data for one image forming apparatus and collectively outputting the received data at a prescribed time. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming apparatus which is connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses by a communication means 24 through a communication line, is provided with a facsimile function and a network printer function and receives data in an energy saving mode that drops the power of any part other than a part related to transmission and reception of the device is provided with storage means 33 and 34 for storing the received data and with a control means 21 having a function for determining an image forming apparatus of a transmission destination to which data is transmitted in entering the energy saving mode, a function for once storing the received data in the storage means 33 and 34 and transmitting the received data to the image forming device of the transmission destination and a function for once storing data in the storage means 33 and 34 when the data is transmitted from a different place and collectively outputting the data. <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 digital type image forming apparatus such as a facsimile, a laser printer, a digital copying machine, etc., and more particularly to a technique for efficiently collectively outputting data received in an energy saving mode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, widely used facsimile machines generally use one of two methods for outputting received data on paper. The first is a method of automatically outputting the received data each time the facsimile device receives the data. The second is to use the energy saving mode in which the power is turned off except for the communication-related portion of the facsimile apparatus, and when the automatic output is not set, when the receiver cancels the energy saving mode, the storage device is used. This is a method of outputting the reception data stored in. In addition, as an energy-saving technology for a facsimile apparatus that adopts the second method, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 233907, an output time is designated so that the output is performed only for a limited time in order to reduce the number of times of output, and the received data is collectively output when the designated output time is reached. Proposed.

[0003]

However, in the prior art in which the data received in the energy saving mode is stored in the storage device and the received data is output at a predetermined time, the free space of the storage device is insufficient. When it disappears, there is a drawback that the energy saving mode must be released and output each time, and the power consumption of the facsimile apparatus itself is large and the energy saving effect may be low. The present invention collects received data in a single image forming apparatus (having a facsimile function) in order to reduce the number of outputs when there is no operator such as when receiving a facsimile at night.
A first object is to save power consumption by batch outputting at a predetermined time. Further, even if the capacity of the received data of the self-image forming apparatus (having a facsimile function) exceeds the storage capacity of the storage means, the reception data can be received by sending it to the storage means of another image forming apparatus. The second purpose is to prevent the impossibility. In addition, after the reception data stored in the storage unit of the self-image forming apparatus are collectively output, when the storage unit becomes empty, the data sent to the storage unit of another image forming apparatus so as not to exceed the capacity of the storage unit. The third object is to reduce the total power consumption by re-receiving and outputting all at once, by consolidating the recovery targets from the energy saving mode into only one. A fourth object is to maintain an environment in which data can be received by maintaining the free space of the storage unit by collectively outputting the received data when the free space of the storage unit is insufficient.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is provided with a plurality of communication means connected via a communication line, has a facsimile function and a network printer function, and is related to transmission / reception of an apparatus. In an image forming apparatus that receives data in an energy saving mode in which power is turned off except for the part, a function of determining a destination image forming apparatus that has a storage unit that stores the received data and that transmits the data when entering the energy saving mode An image forming apparatus having a function of temporarily storing the received data in the storage unit and transmitting the data to the destination image forming apparatus, and a function of temporarily storing the data in the storage unit and outputting the data collectively when the data is transmitted from another device. The device is the most important feature. A second aspect of the present invention is characterized mainly in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, which includes an operation unit as a time designation unit that designates a time to output. According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control unit has a detection function of detecting the free space of the storage unit of another image forming apparatus, and when the free space of the storage unit of the self image forming apparatus is insufficient, Data is transmitted to the storage unit of another image forming apparatus by the communication unit. In the invention according to claim 4, when the storage capacity of the storage means of the self-image forming apparatus is free, the control means receives data from the storage means of another image forming apparatus again, and outputs the data collectively by the self-image forming apparatus. It is characterized by According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the control means collectively outputs the received data when the free space of the storage means of the self-image forming apparatus is insufficient.

[0005]

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 is an external view of a digital copying machine as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The digital copying machine 1 includes a device body 10 and a device body 10
Is equipped with a large-volume paper feeding device (hereinafter, referred to as LCT) 11 and a finisher 12 provided with the device main body for performing sorting, punching, stapling and the like.
An automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 13 for placing and reading a document is arranged on the top of the apparatus body 10.
Further, there is provided an operation unit 14 for performing a reading mode, a copy magnification setting, a sheet feeding stage setting, a post-processing setting by the finisher 12, a display for an operator, and the like. This digital copying machine is an image forming apparatus which has a facsimile function and a network printer function, and receives data in an energy saving mode in which power is turned off except for transmission / reception-related parts of the apparatus. Further, below the apparatus body 10, there is a sheet feeding section 15 of the apparatus body itself, and the LCT 11 has a three-stage sheet feeding section 16. The finisher 12 includes a paper discharge unit 17. Inside the digital copying machine 1, an exposure optical unit for reading an original image on a contact glass, a paper feeding and conveying unit for conveying the paper fed from the paper feeding unit 16 and the LCT 11 to an image forming unit, and an image carrier. The photoconductor, the writing unit that irradiates the photoconductor with optical image information, the developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor, the fixing unit that fixes the unfixed toner on the paper, and the fixed paper. Well-known mechanisms and control devices of the digital copying machine such as a paper discharging section for discharging the copying machine are arranged to realize the operation as the copying machine.

In the above structure, the original is placed on the original setting table of the ADF 13 and the copy start key on the operation unit 14 is pressed to supply the original on the contact glass (not shown) under the ADF 13. The original on the contact glass is read by an illumination unit and an imaging optical unit (not shown). Then, after various corrections and processing are performed on the read image data, a beam is irradiated by a laser diode in a writing unit based on the image data to form an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor (not shown). After that, through a so-called electrophotographic process, a copy image is formed on the paper fed from the paper feed unit 15 or the LCT 16 as instructed by the operation unit 14, and the finisher 12 performs post-processing such as sorting, punching, and stapling. After ejecting,
To discharge.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a portion relating to operation control and image data control of the digital copying machine shown in FIG. The configuration of these control systems will be described together with the operation. The control unit stores the CPU 21, the ROM 22 for storing the program for operating the CPU 21, the adjustment values for the program, control, timing, etc. and the registered copy mode setting, and retains the data even when the power is turned off. And a non-volatile RAM 23 capable of performing the above, and an IO control unit 25 for controlling the load 38 and the like based on the inputs of the respective sensors 37 of the digital copying machine. On the other hand, regarding the image data, when the document is supplied onto the contact glass by the ADF 13, the image data is read by the reading unit 35. The read image data is subjected to MTF correction, scaling processing, image quality correction, etc. by the image processing unit 32 according to the mode set in the operation unit 14, and the image data after this image processing is stored in the RAM 33, And a storage device (storage means) 34. The storage in the storage device 34 is performed via the interface 31.

It is not sufficient to store the image data in both the image data RAM 33 and the storage device (storage means) 34 because the image data RAM 33 has a storage capacity of about 5 A4 originals. Is. At the start of copying, the number of originals to be fed is not known yet. Therefore, when the number of originals exceeds 5, when performing a sort copy of a plurality of copies, when performing the copy operation for the second and subsequent copies. This is because the image data is transferred from the storage device 34 to the image data RAM 33 and the copy operation is performed to realize the sorting operation for the second and subsequent sheets. The storage device 34 is also used to store image data used in the recovery operation when the paper is jammed. Then, the writing unit 36 causes the paper feeding unit 15
Alternatively, the image data is written on the photoconductor in accordance with the timing of the paper fed from the LCT 16. This digital image forming apparatus incorporates a known mechanism and control device necessary for realizing a facsimile function, and realizes the operation as a facsimile device. That is,
At the time of reception, the CPU 21 receives the compressed data from the other facsimile apparatus (or digital image forming apparatus) on the transmission side from the external interface 24, performs the image processing in the image processing unit 32, and outputs the image data on a sheet. . Further, at the time of transmission, the captured image data is compressed and transmitted to the receiving side facsimile apparatus via the external interface 24. Further, for communication, a plurality of image forming apparatuses (having a facsimile function) are connected via an external interface 24 via a communication line. The CPU 21 included in each image forming apparatus periodically communicates the image data RAM 23 and the free space of the storage device 34 with each other via the external interface 24, and stores the information in the image data RAM 23. ing. The configuration and operation of each of these parts are well known in the art and are not distinctive features in the present invention, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses (having a facsimile function) are connected on a communication line. Four devices (digital copying machine 1 in FIG. 1) A to D are network-connected. 4, 5, and 6 are flowcharts showing the control operation of the present invention. Each CPU 21 included in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
Through the respective external interfaces 24, the states such as the free space of the image data RAM 33 and the storage device 34 and the power consumption of the devices are communicated and grasped periodically (S1-1). Here, for example, when the device A enters the energy saving mode (S1-2), it is determined whether or not another device is connected on the line (S1-3), and if it is connected, the other device is connected. On the basis of the information about the various states that are known about, the device of the other party to which the received data is transmitted in the energy saving mode is specified and determined (S1-4).
At this time, it suffices if it is possible to select a device that consumes the least power (for example, power consumption when storing or outputting data) among the devices that are connected via a line.
Next, when the device A receives data such as a facsimile communication via the external interface 24 (S1-
5), the CPU 21 of the device A is the external interface 24
The received data is stored in its own storage device 34 via (S1-6). Next, the data stored in its own storage device 34 is transmitted to the other device determined earlier through the external interface 24 (S1-7). Upon receiving the data, the receiving side device stores the data in the storage device 34 and performs batch output (printout or the like) at a predetermined time (S1-
8).

As shown in the flow chart of FIG. 5, according to the present invention, the receiving side device can be configured to specify the time at which the data received (printed out) is collectively designated. 14 or a personal computer on the communication line can be used to specify the time.
When the operator selects the time setting (designating) mode on the operation screen (S2-1 to S2-3), the operator sets the batch output time of the received document according to the displayed instruction (S2-4). When the time is set, a time confirmation message such as "Is the above setting okay?" Is displayed on the display (S
2-5). The operator confirms the set time corresponding to this instruction. If you can confirm the set time,
After the setting is completed, the mode shifts to the energy saving mode to save power consumption (S1-1, S1-2). On the other hand, step 2
In -5, if the set time cannot be confirmed,
Returning to S2-3, the receiver resets the collective output time in the receiving side device.

Next, as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 6, the remaining storage capacity of the storage device 34 of its own device is checked (S3-1, S3-2) and the specified storage capacity (specified capacity) is exceeded. It is determined whether or not (S3-3). As a result, when the designated capacity is not exceeded, it is determined whether there is received document data. On the other hand, if the remaining storage capacity of the own device exceeds the predetermined specified capacity, S3-4
Then, the received document data is transmitted to the storage device of another image forming apparatus (having a facsimile function) existing on the line (S3-5-1). Further, in S3-3, if the specified capacity of the storage device 34 of the own device is exceeded, the stored document data can be collectively output (printed out) (S3-4, S3-5). −
2). This is because if the capacity of the storage device 34 of the own device exceeds the specified capacity, the next reception will be hindered.
This is because the capacity of the storage device 34 is secured by outputting the data early. Then, in step 3-6, when the designated time comes, the data stored in the storage device 34 of a certain device is collectively output (printed out) (S3-7). Before the batch output, when data is transmitted to the storage device 34 of another device because the capacity of the storage device 34 of the device is exceeded (S3-5-1), the storage of the other device is performed. The data is re-received from the device 34 and is collectively output by the device itself (S3-7, S3-8). As a result, since only one image forming apparatus (own apparatus) is started up and all output on the communication line is taken over, it is possible to further reduce power consumption.

That is, when the storage capacity of the self-image forming apparatus becomes available by collectively outputting the storage data of the self-image forming apparatus to the storage device 34 of another image forming apparatus, the storage device 3 of the self-image forming apparatus
By re-receiving the data that was sent to the storage device of another device so that it does not exceed the storage capacity of 4 and retrieving it, and outputting it all at once by the device itself, it is only necessary to recover from the energy-saving mode. It is possible to reduce the power consumption of the entire system.

[0013]

As described above, according to the first and second aspects of the invention, when there is no operator such as facsimile reception at night or when it is necessary to reduce the number of outputs,
It is possible to reduce power consumption by collecting the received data in one image forming apparatus (having a facsimile function) and collectively outputting the data at a predetermined time. Claim 3
According to the described invention, even when the storage capacity of the received data of the storage device of the own device exceeds the specified capacity of the storage device, the data is sent to the storage device of the other device on the line, so that the own device Can be prevented from becoming impossible to receive. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the storage data of the storage device of the own device is collectively output (printed out) and the storage device has a vacant capacity, another method is provided so as not to exceed the capacity of the storage device. The data that has already been sent to the storage device of this device is re-received and retrieved, and the device itself outputs it in a batch, so that only one (the device) can recover from the energy saving mode, and the power consumed by the entire system It is possible to hold down. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the free space of the storage device becomes insufficient, it is possible to maintain the free space of the storage device by collectively outputting the received data.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a digital copying machine as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a portion related to operation control and image data control of the digital copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected on a communication line.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 digital copying machine, 14 operation unit, 21 CPU (control means), 24 external interface (communication means),
33 image data RAM (storage means), 34 storage device (storage means)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G03G 21/00 384 G03G 21/00 384 386 386 396 396 398 398 H04N 1/21 H04N 1/21 F term ( reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 HH03 HH11 HJ08 HK04 HK11 HK19 HN02 HN15 HT03 HT07 HT09 2C187 AD03 AE07 BF02 BF19 BH30 GC08 2H027 DA50 EA15 EE10 EF18 EJ08 EJ13 EJ15 EJ18 FA08 FA35 FB06 FC03 GA34 GB10 GB14 GB18 ZA07 ZA09 ZA10 5C062 AA05 AB11 AB21 AB22 AB41 AB42 AB51 AC03 AC04 AC22 AC23 AC35 AC43 AC58 AE02 AE15 BA01 5C073 BC02 CD22

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for receiving data in an energy saving mode in which a plurality of devices are connected through a communication line by a communication means, have a facsimile function and a network printer function, and power is turned off except for a transmission / reception-related part of the apparatus, Storage means for storing the received data, and
A function of determining a destination image forming apparatus to which data is transmitted when entering the energy-saving mode, a function of temporarily storing received data in a storage unit and transmitting the data to the destination image forming apparatus, and a case where data is transmitted from another person. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit having a function of temporarily storing in a storage unit and collectively outputting. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit as a time designation unit that designates a time at which the data stored in the storage unit is output. 3. The control unit has a detection function of detecting the free space of the storage unit of another image forming apparatus, and when the free space of the storage unit of the self-image forming apparatus is insufficient, the communication unit is provided. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data is transmitted to a storage unit of another image forming apparatus by means of. 4. The control means receives data from the storage means of another image forming apparatus again when the storage capacity of the storage means of the self-image forming apparatus is free, and outputs the data collectively by the self image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit collectively outputs the received data when the free space of the storage unit of the self-image forming apparatus is insufficient. .