JP2004200995A - Composite device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a composite device that deactivates an energy-saving mode and a fixing and preheating mode based on insertion of originals. <P>SOLUTION: When an original insertion detecting section detects the insertion of the originals into an image reading section in the energy-saving mode or the fixing and preheating mode, a digital composite device deactivates the energy-saving mode or the fixing and preheating mode, and reads the originals by the image reading section to store up the read image data in an image memory section. When a fixing portion temperature reaches a fixing temperature, images are formed in an image forming section based on the image data of the originals stored in the image memory section (steps S101 to S111). Accordingly, the energy-saving mode can be deactivated without operating an energy-saving mode deactivating button or the like as is conventionally done, so that availability of the digital composite device 1 can be improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a multifunction peripheral, and more particularly, to a multifunction peripheral that cancels an energy saving mode and a fixing preheating mode based on insertion of a document.
[0002]
[Prior art]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-172130 A
2. Description of the Related Art For the purpose of environmental protection, improvement of energy consumption efficiency of equipment has been important in recent years. Also, for the user, energy consumption of the equipment when not in use is economically useless.
[0003]
Therefore, a multifunction device (multifunction device) having a plurality of functions, such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer and a copy function, a facsimile function, and a printer function, which has an energy-saving mode, has emerged. In a standby state other than during operation, the apparatus shifts to the energy saving mode, supplies power only to the minimum necessary units, and stops power supply to the units used only during image forming operation, so that the apparatus can be used as a device. The power consumption of the entire system has been reduced.
[0004]
Conventionally, in a device provided with such an energy saving mode, a return from the energy saving mode is performed by a user operating an energy saving code release button or the like provided on an operation unit or the like.
[0005]
The applicant first supplies power to each unit of the image forming apparatus in accordance with an instruction from an instruction unit for instructing supply and cutoff of power, and then resets each unit to thereby save the energy saving mode. An image forming apparatus has been proposed in which a return to the normal mode after a return instruction from the image forming apparatus is performed by simple software control (see Patent Document 1).
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in a device provided with such a conventional energy saving mode, it is necessary to improve the process of returning from the energy saving mode to improve the usability of the device.
[0007]
That is, in a device equipped with the conventional energy saving mode, the user can return from the energy saving mode by operating the energy saving mode release button or the like by the user. In order to return to the mode or switch to the copy mode, it is necessary to operate an energy saving mode release button or the like, and there is a problem that the usability is poor.
[0008]
Further, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, it is not possible to perform a return to the normal mode after a return instruction from the energy saving mode by simple software control, and to reliably return to the normal mode with a simple command. Although it is possible, the user has to operate an energy saving mode release button or the like to give an instruction to return from the energy saving mode to the normal mode, and there is a need for improvement in improving the usability.
[0009]
In addition, many apparatuses equipped with an electrophotographic image forming section have a fixing preheating mode in which the temperature of the fixing section is lowered to a preheating temperature lower than the fixing temperature and a standby is performed. In a device having a fixing preheating mode, the fixing preheating mode is released by operating a fixing preheating mode release button or the like.
[0010]
Therefore, the invention according to the first aspect uses various resources such as reading means for reading an image of a document and outputting image data and recording means for recording and outputting an image on paper based on the image data. Processing and various function operation processing such as facsimile communication processing, and when performing an energy saving mode for reducing power supply to main parts in a predetermined standby state, insertion of a document into the reading means during the energy saving mode is performed. When the document insertion detection unit detects the energy saving mode, the energy saving mode is canceled, so that the energy saving mode can be canceled without operating the energy saving mode canceling button or the like as in the related art, thereby improving the usability. It is intended to provide a device.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the document insertion detecting means detects the document and cancels the energy saving mode, even if the temperature of the fixing means of the recording means is lower than the fixing temperature, the document is detected by the reading means. When reading is started, the image data of the read original is temporarily stored in the image data storage unit, and when the temperature of the fixing unit reaches the fixing temperature, the image is stored in the recording unit based on the image data stored in the image data storage unit. By forming, without waiting until the temperature of the fixing unit reaches the fixing temperature, reading of the original by the reading unit is started, and a series of operations from the release of the energy saving mode to the reading operation of the original and the accumulation of image data are performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a multifunction device capable of smoothly performing the processing, shortening the processing time, and further improving the usability.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided reading means for reading an image of a document and outputting image data, and applying a developer to a photoconductor on which an electrostatic latent image has been formed based on the image data to develop a developer image on paper The paper on which the developer image has been transferred is transferred to a predetermined fixing temperature by a fixing unit, and the image is formed by fixing the image by using a variety of resources such as a recording unit for performing image forming, facsimile communication processing, and the like. When performing a fixing preheating mode in which the temperature of the fixing unit is lowered to a predetermined preheating temperature lower than the fixing temperature in a predetermined standby state and a standby operation is performed in the fixing preheating mode, the reading unit is operated in a predetermined standby state. When the insertion of the original is detected by the original insertion detecting unit, the fixing preheating mode is released, so that the fixing preheating mode is released without operating the fixing preheating mode release button or the like as in the related art. And it is intended to provide a composite device capable of improving the usability.
[0013]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the document insertion detecting means detects the document and cancels the fixing preheating mode, the reading means starts reading the document even if the temperature of the fixing means is lower than the fixing temperature. The image data of the read original is temporarily stored in the image data storage unit, and when the temperature of the fixing unit reaches the fixing temperature, an image is formed by the recording unit based on the image data stored in the image data storage unit. Thus, without waiting until the temperature of the fixing unit reaches the fixing temperature, the reading unit starts reading the original, and a series of operations from the release of the fixing preheating mode to the reading operation of the original and the accumulation of image data are smoothly performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a multifunction device capable of reducing the processing time and further improving the usability.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The multifunction peripheral according to the first aspect of the present invention includes various resources such as a reading unit that reads an image of a document and outputs image data, and a recording unit that records and outputs an image on a sheet based on the image data. In a multifunction device equipped with an energy-saving mode for performing various functional operation processes such as copy processing, print processing, facsimile communication processing, and reducing power supply to main parts in a predetermined standby state, the reading means The above object is achieved by providing a document insertion detecting means for detecting insertion of a document, and canceling the energy saving mode when the document insertion detecting means detects insertion of a document in the energy saving mode.
[0015]
According to the above configuration, copy processing, print processing, facsimile communication using various resources such as reading means for reading an image of a document and outputting image data and recording means for recording and outputting an image on paper based on the image data. When performing an energy saving mode for reducing power supply to the main parts in a predetermined standby state while performing various functional operation processes such as a process, when the energy saving mode is set, insertion of a document into the reading unit is performed by a document insertion detecting unit. Is detected, the energy-saving mode is released, so that the energy-saving mode can be released without operating the energy-saving mode release button or the like as in the related art, and the usability can be improved.
[0016]
In this case, for example, as described in claim 2, the recording unit transfers a developer image developed by applying a developer to a photoconductor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed based on image data, onto a sheet. A recording unit that heats the sheet on which the developer image is transferred to a predetermined fixing temperature by a fixing unit to fix the sheet, thereby forming an image; and the multifunction device stores image data of a document read by the reading unit. An image data accumulating unit that detects the original and releases the energy saving mode even when the temperature of the fixing unit is lower than the fixing temperature. , The image data of the document read by the reading unit is temporarily stored in the image data storage unit, and when the temperature of the fixing unit reaches the fixing temperature, the image data storage operation is started. Or it may be an image formed by the recording unit based on the image data stored in the.
[0017]
According to the above configuration, when the document insertion detecting unit detects the document and cancels the energy saving mode, even if the temperature of the fixing unit of the recording unit is lower than the fixing temperature, the reading of the document by the reading unit is performed. At the start, the image data of the read original is temporarily stored in the image data storage unit, and when the temperature of the fixing unit reaches the fixing temperature, an image is formed by the recording unit based on the image data stored in the image data storage unit. Therefore, without waiting until the temperature of the fixing unit reaches the fixing temperature, reading of the original by the reading unit is started, and a series of operations from the release of the energy saving mode to the reading of the original and the accumulation of image data are smoothly performed. Can be performed, the processing time can be shortened, and the usability can be further improved.
[0018]
A composite device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a reading unit that reads an image of a document and outputs image data, and a developer that applies a developer to a photoconductor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed based on the image data and develops the photosensitive member. An image is transferred to a sheet, and the sheet on which the developer image is transferred is provided with various resources such as a recording unit that heats the sheet to a predetermined fixing temperature by a fixing unit and fixes the image to form an image. A fixing preheating mode is provided in which various processing such as copy processing, printing processing, and facsimile communication processing are performed, and the temperature of the fixing unit is lowered to a predetermined preheating temperature lower than the fixing temperature in a predetermined standby state and the apparatus is in a standby state. A document insertion detecting means for detecting insertion of a document into the reading means, and when the document insertion detecting means detects the insertion of a document in the fixing preheating mode, the fixing preheating mode. By releasing the, it has achieved the above objects.
[0019]
According to the above configuration, a reading unit that reads an image of an original and outputs image data, transfers a developer image developed by applying a developer to a photoconductor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed based on the image data and developing the image on paper Then, the paper on which the developer image has been transferred is heated to a predetermined fixing temperature by a fixing unit and fixed by using various resources such as a recording unit for performing image formation by fixing the image, such as a copy process, a print process, and a facsimile communication process. In performing the various function operation processes and performing the fixing preheating mode in which the temperature of the fixing unit is lowered to a predetermined preheating temperature lower than the fixing temperature in a predetermined standby state and the image forming apparatus is in a standby state, the document is transferred to the reading unit in the fixing preheating mode. When the insertion of the original document is detected by the document insertion detecting means, the fixing preheating mode is released, so that the fixing preheating mode is released without operating the fixing preheating mode release button or the like as in the related art. It can, thereby improving the usability.
[0020]
In this case, for example, as described in claim 4, the multifunction peripheral includes an image data storage unit that stores image data of the document read by the reading unit, and the document insertion detection unit detects the document. When the fixing preheating mode is released, even if the temperature of the fixing unit is lower than the fixing temperature, reading of the document by the reading unit is started, and the image data of the read document is temporarily read out. The image data may be stored in an image data storage unit, and when the temperature of the fixing unit reaches the fixing temperature, an image may be formed by the recording unit based on the image data stored in the image data storage unit.
[0021]
According to the above configuration, when the document insertion detecting unit detects the document and cancels the fixing preheating mode, even if the temperature of the fixing unit is lower than the fixing temperature, the reading unit starts reading the document. The image data of the read original is temporarily stored in the image data storage unit, and when the temperature of the fixing unit reaches the fixing temperature, an image is formed by the recording unit based on the image data stored in the image data storage unit. Without waiting until the temperature of the unit reaches the fixing temperature, reading of the original by the reading unit is started, and a series of operations from releasing the fixing preheating mode to reading the original and storing image data are smoothly performed. And the processing time can be shortened, and the usability can be further improved.
[0022]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention, and therefore, various technically preferred limitations are added. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following description. The embodiments are not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise specified.
[0023]
FIGS. 1 to 3 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the external appearance of a digital multifunction peripheral 1 to which one embodiment of the multifunction peripheral according to the present invention is applied. is there.
[0024]
In FIG. 1, a digital multifunction device 1 includes a recording paper supply unit 3, an image forming unit 4, and an image reading unit 5 sequentially provided from a lower part of a main body housing 2. An operation display unit is provided above the image reading unit 5. 6 are provided.
[0025]
The operation display unit 6 is provided with various operation keys 11 and a display 12, as well as an energy saving release button 13 and a fixing preheating release button 14. The display 12 is used to perform an operation of instructing various operations such as an operation and a scanner operation. The display 12 displays the contents of an instruction command input from the operation keys 11 and various information to be notified to the operator from the digital multifunction peripheral 1, for example, a digital multifunction peripheral. It displays and outputs operation state information and the like of the device 1.
[0026]
The energy saving release button 13 is used to instruct the cancellation of the energy saving mode. In this energy saving mode, the power supply to the main parts of the digital multifunction device 1 is stopped or the voltage is reduced to reduce the power consumption. Reduce.
[0027]
The fixing preheating release button 14 is used to instruct the release of the fixing preheating mode. In this fixing preheating mode, the temperature of the fixing unit of the image forming unit 4 is controlled by lowering it to a preheating temperature lower than a specified fixing temperature. Then, the power consumption is saved by turning off the display of the operation display unit 6 and the like.
[0028]
The image reading section (reading means) 5 is provided with a document insertion detecting section 15 for inserting a sheet-shaped document G into the document inserting section 5a and detecting the insertion of the document G. The document insertion unit (document insertion detection unit) 15 detects a document G inserted into the document insertion unit 5a of the image reading unit 5.
[0029]
The digital multifunction device 1 is configured as a block as shown in FIG. 2, and includes the image forming unit 4, the image reading unit 5, the operation display unit 6, and the document insertion detecting unit 15, and a system control unit 21. , An image processing unit 22, an external IF unit 23, an IO unit 24, an image memory unit 25, and the like.
[0030]
As the image forming unit 4, for example, an electrophotographic image forming unit is used. In the electrophotographic image forming unit, an image writing unit, a developing unit, and a transfer unit are arranged around a photoconductor that is driven to rotate. And a fixing section, a charging section, a cleaning section, and the like. The image forming unit 4 irradiates the photosensitive member uniformly charged by the charging unit with writing light modulated based on image data of a document read by the image reading unit 5 by the image writing unit, and An electrostatic latent image is formed. The image forming unit 4 supplies toner (developer) from the developing unit to the photoconductor on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, develops the photoconductor, and transfers the toner image on the photoconductor between the transfer unit and the photoconductor. The recording paper is transferred onto the recording paper (paper) conveyed from the recording paper supply unit 3 and the recording paper on which the transfer of the toner image is completed is conveyed to the fixing unit. The fixing unit includes, for example, a heating roller heated to a fixing temperature and a pressure roller that is pressed against the heating roller, and rotates the heating roller and the pressure roller to transfer the recording paper onto which the toner image has been transferred. The sheet is heated and pressed while being conveyed to fix the sheet, and the fixed recording sheet is sent to a discharge tray (not shown).
[0031]
In the fixing section of the image forming section 4, the heating roller is controlled to be heated to a predetermined fixing temperature during the fixing operation. However, in the fixing preheating mode, the temperature is controlled to a predetermined fixed temperature.
[0032]
The image reading section 5 irradiates reading light to a sheet-like document G inserted into the document inserting section 5a, makes reflected light reflected by the document G incident on a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and photoelectrically converts the light by the CCD. Then, the image of the document G is read, and the image data of the read image of the document G is output to the image processing unit 22.
[0033]
The image processing unit 22 converts the image data input from the image reading unit 5 into digital image data, and applies shading correction to the digital image data to correct the irradiation unevenness of the light source for irradiating the original G and the sensitivity variation of the CCD. And various kinds of image processing such as MTF correction for correcting blur due to the optical system, a change in image reading density, and magnification change processing for data interpolation using the read image data, and output to the system control unit 21.
[0034]
The system control unit 21 controls each unit of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 based on a program stored in the internal memory to perform basic processing as the digital multi-function peripheral 1 and perform energy saving mode processing and fixing preheating mode processing. Then, an energy saving release control process and a fixing preheating release control process based on document insertion are performed.
[0035]
That is, the digital multifunction device 1 includes various resources such as the image reading unit 5 and the image forming unit 4 and performs various functional operation processes such as a copy process, a print process, and a facsimile communication process using the resources. A mode control is performed under the control of the system control unit 21 to save power consumption, and a fixing preheating mode in which the temperature of the fixing unit of the image forming unit 4 is controlled to a preheating temperature lower than a specified fixing temperature. In addition to having a main power supply (not shown), a sub-power supply is provided for supplying power to portions that need to be supplied with power even in the energy saving mode or the fixing preheating mode in the energy saving mode or the fixing preheating mode. I have. In the energy-saving mode, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 supplies power from the sub power supply to only the system control unit 21, the original insertion detection unit 15, and the external IF unit 23, which are indicated by the thick lines in FIG. In the fixing preheating mode, control is performed by lowering the fixing temperature of the fixing unit of the image forming unit 4 to a constant temperature.
[0036]
Then, the system control unit 21 performs a shift control process to shift to the energy saving mode or the fixing preheating mode and to release the energy saving mode or the fixing preheating mode. In particular, a detection signal is input to the system control unit 21 from the document insertion detection unit 15, and the system control unit 21 detects that the document G has been detected from the document insertion detection unit 15 in the energy saving mode or the fixing preheating mode. When the signal is input, an energy saving release control process and a fixing preheating release control process described later are performed.
[0037]
The operation display unit 6 outputs key operation contents such as the operation keys 11, the energy saving release button 13 and the fixing preheating release button 14 to the system control unit 21, and the system control unit 21 outputs the key operation contents based on these key operation contents. The basic processing as the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is performed, and the energy saving release control processing and the fixing preheating release control processing are performed.
[0038]
The image memory unit (image data storage unit) 25 includes, for example, a hard disk, a large-capacity RAM (Random Access Memory), and stores image data and the like read by the image reading unit 5 under the control of the system control unit 21. .
[0039]
An external device such as a computer or a server is connected to the external IF unit 23. The external IF unit 23 exchanges commands and data with the external device under the control of the system control unit 21.
[0040]
The IO unit 24 is connected to various external components such as a paper sensor and various drivers, and the IO unit 24 exchanges data and commands with the external components.
[0041]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. The digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment has an energy saving mode for reducing power consumption in a standby state and a fixing preheating mode for controlling the fixing unit of the image forming unit 4 to a preheating temperature lower than the fixing temperature by a certain temperature. However, not only the energy saving mode is released by the energy saving release button 13 of the operation display unit 6, and the fixing preheating mode is released by the fixing preheating release button 14, but also the image reading unit 5 is inserted into the document insertion unit 5 a. The energy saving mode and the fixing preheating mode are also released by inserting the document G.
[0042]
That is, when the document G is inserted into the document insertion section 5a of the image reading section 5 in the energy saving mode or the fixing preheating mode (step S101), the document insertion detection section 15 causes the document insertion detection section 15 to insert the document G. Is detected, the detection result is output to the system control unit 21, and the system control unit 21 recognizes that the document G has been inserted (step S102). That is, as described above, in the digital multifunction peripheral 1, even in the energy saving mode or the fixing preheating mode, power is supplied from the sub power source to the document insertion detection unit 15, the system control unit 21, and the external IF unit 23. The document insertion detecting section 15 detects the insertion of the document G into the document inserting section 5a, and the system control section 21 receives a signal indicating that the document G has been inserted from the document insertion detecting section 15, and Recognize the insertion of
[0043]
When recognizing the insertion of the document G, the system control unit 21 determines whether the current mode of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is the energy saving mode or the fixing preheating mode, and determines that the mode is the energy saving mode. The energy saving mode is canceled (step S103). If the current mode is the fixing preheating mode, the system control unit 21 releases the fixing preheating mode (step S104).
[0044]
When the system control unit 21 releases the energy saving mode or the fixing preheating mode, the system control unit 21 starts up the main power supply, supplies power from the main power supply to each unit of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 (step S105), and drives the image reading unit 5. Then, reading of the image of the inserted document G is started (step S106).
[0045]
The system control unit 21 stores the image data of the document G read by the image reading unit 5 in the image memory unit 25 (step S107), and causes the image reading unit 5 to discharge the document G that has been read (step S108).
When the image data of the document G is stored in the image memory unit 25, the system control unit 21 checks whether the temperature of the fixing unit of the image forming unit 4 has reached the fixing temperature (specified value) (step S109). When the temperature has reached the specified fixing temperature, the image data of the document G stored in the image memory unit 25 is read out and passed to the image forming unit 4. The system control unit 21 drives the image forming unit 4 to form an image of the image data on a recording sheet (step S110), discharges the recording sheet on which the image has been recorded to the discharge tray, and executes the process. The process ends (step S111).
[0046]
In the above processing, when the main power is turned on and the reading of the document G is started, the read image data of the document G is stored in the image memory unit 25 as it is, but the image data is stored in the image memory unit 25. Before the fixing, the fixing unit checks whether the fixing temperature of the fixing unit is at the specified fixing temperature. If the fixing temperature is at the specified fixing temperature, the image forming unit 4 does not accumulate the image data in the image memory unit 25 and keeps the image data. The image data may be transferred to the image forming unit 4 so that the image may be recorded and output on the recording paper by the image forming unit 4. When the temperature of the fixing unit reaches the specified fixing temperature, reading of the original G by the image reading unit 4 is started, the image data is directly transferred to the image forming unit 4, and the image is printed on the recording paper. Record output Unishi may be.
[0047]
As described above, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment includes an image reading unit 5 that reads an image of a document G and outputs image data, an image forming unit 4 that records and outputs an image on paper based on the image data, and the like. When performing various function operation processing such as copy processing, print processing, facsimile communication processing using various resources, and performing an energy saving mode for reducing power supply to main parts in a predetermined standby state, the energy saving mode is used. Sometimes, when the document insertion detection unit 15 detects insertion of the document G into the document insertion unit 5a of the image reading unit 5, the energy saving mode is released.
[0048]
Therefore, the energy saving mode can be released without operating the energy saving mode release button or the like as in the related art, and the usability of the multifunction device 1 can be improved.
[0049]
Further, in the digital multifunction peripheral 1 of the present embodiment, when the document insertion detection unit 15 detects the document G and cancels the energy saving mode, the temperature of the fixing unit of the image forming unit 4 is lower than the fixing temperature. Even if the image reading unit 5 starts reading the document G, the image data of the read document is temporarily stored in the image memory unit 25, and when the temperature of the fixing unit reaches the fixing temperature, the image memory unit 25 The image forming section 4 forms an image based on the image data stored in the image forming section.
[0050]
Therefore, the reading of the document G by the image reading unit 5 is started without waiting for the temperature of the fixing unit to reach the fixing temperature, and a series of operations from the release of the energy saving mode to the reading operation of the document G and the accumulation of image data are performed. The operation can be performed smoothly, the processing time can be reduced, and the usability of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 can be further improved.
[0051]
Further, in the digital multifunction peripheral 1 of the present embodiment, when the document insertion detection unit 15 detects insertion of the document G into the image reading unit 5 in the fixing preheating mode, the fixing preheating mode is released.
[0052]
Therefore, the fixing pre-heating mode can be released without operating the fixing pre-heating mode release button or the like as in the related art, and the usability of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 can be improved.
[0053]
Further, when the document insertion detecting unit 15 detects the document G and cancels the fixing preheating mode, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment has an image even if the temperature of the fixing unit is lower than the fixing temperature. The reading unit 5 starts reading the document G, temporarily stores the read image data of the document G in the image memory unit 25, and when the temperature of the fixing unit reaches the fixing temperature, the image stored in the image memory unit 25. The image forming section 4 forms an image based on the data.
[0054]
Therefore, without waiting until the temperature of the fixing unit reaches the fixing temperature, the reading of the document G by the image reading unit 5 is started, and a series of operations from the release of the fixing preheating mode to the reading operation of the document G and the accumulation of image data are performed. The operation can be performed smoothly, the processing time can be reduced, and the usability of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 can be further improved.
[0055]
As described above, the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof. Needless to say.
[0056]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, copying is performed using various resources, such as a reading unit that reads an image of a document and outputs image data, and a recording unit that records and outputs an image on paper based on the image data. Processing, print processing, facsimile communication processing, and other various function operation processing, and when performing an energy saving mode in which power supply to the main parts is reduced in a predetermined standby state, when the energy saving mode is set, the original is read to the reading unit. When the document insertion detecting means detects the insertion of the document, the energy saving mode is released, so that the energy saving mode can be released without operating the energy saving mode release button or the like as in the conventional case, and the usability is improved. Can be done.
[0057]
According to the composite apparatus of the present invention, when the document insertion detecting means detects the document and cancels the energy saving mode, even if the temperature of the fixing means of the recording means is lower than the fixing temperature, When the reading unit starts reading the document, the image data of the read document is temporarily stored in the image data storage unit, and when the temperature of the fixing unit reaches the fixing temperature, the image data based on the image data stored in the image data storage unit is used. Since the image is formed by the recording means, the reading of the document by the reading means is started without waiting for the temperature of the fixing means to reach the fixing temperature. Can be smoothly performed, the processing time can be shortened, and the usability can be further improved.
[0058]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the reading means for reading the image of the document and outputting the image data, and applying the developer to the photoreceptor on which the electrostatic latent image is formed based on the image data to perform development. The developer image is transferred to a sheet, and the sheet on which the developer image is transferred is heated to a predetermined fixing temperature by a fixing unit to be fixed, and the image is formed by using various resources such as a recording unit for performing image forming and printing. Processing, facsimile communication processing, and other various function operation processing, and in the fixing preheating mode, when performing the fixing preheating mode in which the temperature of the fixing unit is lowered to a predetermined preheating temperature lower than the fixing temperature in a predetermined standby state and the standby is performed. When the document insertion detecting means detects the insertion of a document into the reading means, the fixing preheating mode is released, so that the fixing preheating mode is not operated as in the related art without operating the fixing preheating mode release button or the like. It can be released over de, thereby improving the usability.
[0059]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the document insertion detecting means detects the document and cancels the fixing preheating mode, even if the temperature of the fixing means is lower than the fixing temperature, it is determined by the reading means. When the reading of the document is started, the image data of the read document is temporarily stored in the image data storage unit, and when the temperature of the fixing unit reaches the fixing temperature, the recording unit based on the image data stored in the image data storage unit. Therefore, without waiting until the temperature of the fixing unit reaches the fixing temperature, reading of the original by the reading unit is started, and a series of operations from releasing the fixing preheating mode to reading the original and storing image data are performed. The operation can be performed smoothly, the processing time can be shortened, and the usability can be further improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external schematic perspective view of a digital multifunction peripheral to which an embodiment of the multifunction peripheral of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of a main part of the digital multifunction peripheral of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an energy saving / preheating mode control process by the digital multifunction peripheral of FIGS. 1 and 2;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Digital composite device
2 Body case
3 Recording paper supply unit
4 Image forming unit
5 Image reading unit
5a Document insertion section
6 Operation display section
11 Operation keys
12 Display
13 Energy saving release button
14 Fixing preheat release button
15 Original insertion section
21 System control unit
22 Image processing unit
23 External IF section
24 IO section
25 Image memory

Claims (4)

It has various resources such as reading means for reading an image of a document and outputting image data, recording means for recording and outputting an image on paper based on the image data, and performs copying, printing and facsimile communication using the resources. Document insertion detecting means for detecting insertion of a document into the reading means in a multifunction device having an energy saving mode for performing various functional operation processing such as processing and reducing power supply to main parts in a predetermined standby state. A multifunction device, wherein when the document insertion detecting means detects insertion of a document in the energy saving mode, the energy saving mode is released. The recording means transfers a developed developer image onto a sheet by applying a developer to a photoconductor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed based on image data, and fixes the sheet on which the developer image is transferred by a fixing means. The image forming apparatus is a recording unit that forms an image by heating to a fixing temperature of the fixing unit, and the image forming apparatus includes an image data storing unit that stores image data of a document read by the reading unit. When the document is detected and the energy saving mode is released, even if the temperature of the fixing unit is lower than the fixing temperature, reading of the document by the reading unit is started and reading by the reading unit is started. The image data of the original document is temporarily stored in the image data storage unit, and when the temperature of the fixing unit reaches the fixing temperature, the recording is performed based on the image data stored in the image data storage unit. Composite apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the imaging at stage. Reading means for reading an image of a document and outputting image data, applying a developer to a photoconductor on which an electrostatic latent image has been formed based on the image data, transferring the developed developer image to paper, and transferring the developer image to the paper The transfer sheet is provided with various resources such as a recording unit for performing image formation by heating and fixing the transferred paper to a predetermined fixing temperature by a fixing unit, and using such resources, a copy process, a print process, a facsimile communication process, and the like are provided. In a multifunction device having a fixing preheating mode for performing various function operation processes and lowering the temperature of the fixing unit to a predetermined preheating temperature lower than the fixing temperature in a predetermined standby state and waiting, a document to the reading unit is provided. A document insertion detecting means for detecting insertion of a document, and releasing the fixing preheating mode when the document insertion detecting means detects insertion of a document in the fixing preheating mode. Location. The multifunction device includes image data storage means for storing image data of the document read by the reading means, and when the document insertion detection means detects the document and releases the fixing preheating mode, Even when the temperature is lower than the fixing temperature, reading of the document by the reading unit is started, and the image data of the read document is temporarily stored in the image data storage unit, and the temperature of the fixing unit is reduced. 4. The multifunction apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the fixing temperature is reached, an image is formed by the recording unit based on the image data stored in the image data storage unit.

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