JP2004333955A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem of an image forming apparatus that allows independent settings of time (auto-clear time) for which an auto-clear operation is automatically performed and time (auto-preheat time) for which shift to a preheat mode automatically takes place, in which when the auto-preheat time is set shorter than the auto-clear time, a function screen being displayed may suddenly disappear, which may frighten a user, and copying cannot be resumed in a short time. <P>SOLUTION: The all-clear operation is securely performed prior to shift to the preheat mode. This ensures such order that, in a case where the image forming apparatus is left without being operated or without being subjected to printing, a basic screen is once displayed and then the basic screen displayed disappears. This solves the problem of the image forming apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a power saving mode for an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine, a facsimile, and a multifunction peripheral having a copy function, in which, when there is no image output or operation for a predetermined time, the operation display unit is turned off to save power consumption. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent image forming apparatuses such as copiers, a plurality of display screens for performing job setting are switched and displayed, and the plurality of display screens include a large screen including a basic screen and a plurality of function screens that can be switched from the basic screen. Image forming apparatuses having an operation display unit such as an LCD display unit are increasing. When setting the job from these displays, switch to the function screen in addition to the basic screen, and perform various settings from this function screen, so when setting complicated functions, skill is required, and many users It takes time to operate.
[0003]
On the other hand, it has been necessary to minimize the power consumption of copiers for a long time in consideration of the environment. For example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-153203, when a predetermined time elapses after the copying operation or the last operation is completed, the screen of the operation display section is turned off, and the fixing temperature is set at the preheating temperature. A standby preheat mode (one of the power saving modes) is employed. Further, in recent years, the control of power consumption has become strict, and users who want to minimize power consumption tend to set a shorter time for shifting the copying machine to the preheat mode. (For example, a very short time of about one minute)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the multiple display screens of the copier complicate the function setting and increase the time required for setting and thinking without operation, the time required to shift to the preheat mode is shortened. However, if a user unfamiliar with the operation thinks without operating the screen while displaying the function screen, or takes time to prepare a document, it may take about one minute immediately and the screen may suddenly disappear. Was. If the user operates the power saving key again to return, the copying is possible again, but once the preheating mode is entered, the fixing is turned off, so that the copying cannot be performed immediately. An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem as much as possible.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the first invention of the present application switches between a plurality of display screens for setting a job, and displays the plurality of display screens, the plurality of display screens being a basic screen and a plurality of functional screens switchable from the basic screen. In the image forming apparatus having an operation display unit comprising: an all clear key for returning the job setting to a default setting state and displaying the basic screen; and shifting to a power saving mode in which nothing is displayed on the operation display unit by operating. A power saving key, and displaying one of the plurality of display screens, returning a job setting to a default setting state and displaying the basic screen when a first predetermined time elapses after completion of the image forming operation or operation. When the second predetermined time further elapses, the display screen displayed on the operation display section is erased, and the mode shifts to a power saving mode in which nothing is displayed. And over preparative power saving mode shift unit, using the image forming apparatus characterized by having a predetermined time setting means for setting the first predetermined time.
[0006]
A second invention of the present application is characterized in that, when the power saving key is operated in the power saving mode when nothing is displayed on the operation display unit, the basic screen is displayed on the operation unit. Is used.
[0007]
A third invention of this application is characterized in that, when any operation is performed during the counting of the second predetermined time, a timer for measuring the first predetermined time and the second predetermined time is cleared. The image forming apparatus according to the first and second aspects of the invention is used.
[0008]
[Action]
The first invention of the present application is directed to an image forming apparatus in which the time for automatically executing auto clear (auto clear time) and the time for automatically shifting to the preheat mode (auto preheat time) can be independently set. All clear is executed before shifting to the preheat mode, and when the image forming apparatus is left without operation or printing, the basic screen is displayed once and then this display screen disappears. The screen does not suddenly disappear during the display and you do not panic.
[0009]
The second invention of the present application is convenient because the power-saving key also has a power-saving mode canceling function.
[0010]
According to the third invention of the present application, if an operation or the like is performed within a predetermined time immediately after the elapse of the auto preheat time, the timer of the auto preheat time is temporarily cleared. You can cancel it.
[0011]
【Example】
A composite device employing the present invention will be described based on the schematic diagram of FIG. In FIG. 1, the multifunction device 1 is a multifunction device having copy, printer, facsimile, and scanner functions, and includes a CPU 2, a ROM 3, a RAM 4, a mail creating unit 5, a printer controller 6, a printer unit 7, an I / F 8 for a post-processing device, From the post-processing device 9, operation panel 10, scanner I / F 11, scanner unit 12, DF 13, buffer memory 14, bit map memory 15, CODEC 16, modem 17, NCU 18, public line 19, network I / F 20, bus 21, etc. It is configured. The multifunction device 1 is connected to PCs (24, 25) and a printer 23 via a network cable 22.
[0012]
More specifically, the CPU 2 controls each component of the image forming apparatus 1 and is connected to the ROM 3 storing various programs and the RAM 4 storing user choice data, setting information, total count data, various font data, and the like. Have been.
[0013]
The mail creating means 5 is a means for creating an e-mail when the image data read by the scanner unit 12 is attached to an e-mail and transmitted to a pre-registered destination.
[0014]
The printer controller 6 analyzes print commands (PDL) and job information transmitted from a connected personal computer and stored in a reception area of the buffer memory 14, and generates intermediate language information. This intermediate language information is stored in the intermediate language information storage area of the buffer memory 14.
[0015]
The printer unit 7 sequentially sends the image data developed in the bitmap memory 15 to an optical device for writing a latent image such as an LSU or LPH of an image forming unit of the printer unit 7, and the image forming unit Is transferred to a sheet that is sequentially fed and conveyed from a sheet feeding cassette, and is fixed and discharged.
[0016]
The post-processing device I / F 8 and the post-processing device 9 perform post-processing such as stapling and punching, sorting, sorting of groups, and the like on printed matter printed and discharged from the multifunction device 1. 9 and an interface and a cable for connecting this to the multifunction device 1 main body.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 10 includes an LCD display unit 101 which is a large LCD device, a plurality of operation keys such as a reset key 102 (all clear key), a power saving key 103, and the like. Inside the power saving key 103, there are built-in LEDs that are turned off in the stable standby state and turned on in the power saving mode. Since this image forming apparatus is a composite apparatus, the operation display unit can be switched between a copy function screen, a printer function screen, a facsimile function screen, and a scanner function screen by a selection key on the left side of the operation panel 10.
[0018]
The screen displayed on the LCD display unit 101 includes a basic screen shown in FIG. 3 and a “user function screen” (function screen) shown in FIG. 4 when “user function” is selected from a plurality of tabs below the screen. Is displayed. Further, when the “function list” tab is selected, a “function list screen” (one of the function screens) shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. Also, for example, when an “aggregate” key in the function list is selected, an “aggregate function screen” (one of the function screens) is displayed. The basic screen described in the claims of the present invention is the basic screen of FIG. 3, and the plurality of functional screens are the respective screens shown in FIGS.
[0019]
The scanner I / F 11 is an interface for connecting the scanner unit 12 placed on the multifunction device 1 via a cable and controlling the scanner unit 12 and the DF 13.
[0020]
The scanner unit 12 irradiates a document which is fed one by one by the DF 13 or illuminates a document placed on a contact glass with a halogen lamp or a fluorescent lamp, reads the reflected light with a CCD sensor, and converts the analog signal into an analog signal. The digital signal is converted into a digital signal by the / D conversion, the image is processed by the image processing unit, and is developed in the bit map memory 15 at the subsequent stage. The bitmap memory 15 stores, in addition to the image data from the scanner section 12, print commands transmitted from a personal computer connected via a network or the like, the printer controller 7 analyzes and generates intermediate language information, Image data transmitted from the facsimile 26 via the public line 19, the NCU 18, and the modem 17 is expanded by the CODEC 16 as required, and is expanded and held as full bitmap image data. The CODEC 16 is also used for decoding encoded image data included in print data.
[0021]
The buffer memory 14 encodes image data read by the scanner unit 12 using the CODEC 16 and stores the image data when performing normal memory copy, facsimile memory transmission, or reserved transmission, in addition to the above-described received image area and intermediate language area. . When the scanner function is used, the image data read by the scanner unit 12 may be coded by the CODEC 16 and stored and read from an external personal computer. Is also possible. In recent years, image forming apparatuses often use a hard disk for storing image data having a relatively large capacity as an image memory.
[0022]
The modem 17 converts an analog signal transmitted from the public line 19 into a digital signal, and converts a digital signal into an analog signal and transmits the analog signal through the public line, and performs modulation and demodulation. Or receive only the HDLC frame. The NCU 18 performs connection to a public line, switching between facsimile and telephone, transmission of an on-hook signal to the line, ring detection, and the like.
[0023]
The network I / F 20 is an interface that connects the multifunction device 1 to a network. Here, personal computers (24, 25), a printer 23, and other connected devices (not shown) are connected via a network cable 22.
[0024]
The bus 21 is a bus for exchanging data and signals of the respective components described above. There are a bus for image data and a bus for control signals, respectively, but here, they are simply represented by one.
[0025]
With reference to FIG. 8, a processing flow up to the shift to the auto clear and the auto plate in the multifunction device employing the present invention will be described. First, in a start state, when the power switch is turned on (S102) in a state where the power is turned off (S101) shown in FIG. 7A (S102), an initial setting operation is performed (S103), and the fixing temperature can be copied. Then, the process flow of FIG. 8 is started in the state of being in the stable standby state (S104). At this time, the multifunction peripheral is in an initial setting state, a basic screen is displayed on the screen, and job settings such as the number of copies, density, and magnification are in a default setting state. As in the fourth invention of the present application, the play heat mode is canceled by operating the power saving key 103 (S202) while the play heat mode shown in FIG. 7B is being executed (S201) (S203), and the fixing temperature is fixed. Enters a stable standby state in which copying can be performed (S204), and the multifunction peripheral enters the same initial setting state as described above and starts the processing flow of FIG. Also, as shown in FIG. 7C, when the printing operation is being executed (S301) while the printing operation is being performed (S301), the processing flow of FIG. 8 starts with the set job state and screen set. If the print job is interrupted during copying and the print job ends, the state of the multifunction peripheral may be set to the initial setting state and the processing in FIG. 8 may be started.
[0026]
The description starts from the start of the processing in FIG. First, when the above-mentioned initial setting state or the state after the end of the printing operation is reached, a timer t1 for measuring the time to the auto clear time and the auto preheat time, and a time until the auto preheat is executed after the elapse of the auto preheat time. The timer t2 is cleared, and only the timer t1 starts counting time (S401). Subsequently, t1 ≧ T1 (auto preheat time) is compared (S402). If the auto preheat time has not elapsed yet, it is determined whether there is any operation or print command (S403), and if not, t1 ≧ T3 (auto The clear time is compared (S404). If the auto clear time has elapsed, the state of the multifunction peripheral is set to the initial setting state (S405), and the process returns to S402. If the auto clear time has not elapsed in S404, the process returns to S402. If there is any operation or print command in S403, it is determined whether the all clear key (reset key 102 in FIG. 2) has been operated (S406), and if it has been operated, the state of the multifunction peripheral is set to the initial setting state. (S407), and returns to S401. If the all clear key has not been operated in S406, it is determined whether or not the power saving key has been operated (S408), and if it has been operated, the mode shifts to the preheat mode (S415), the screen is turned off, and the fixing temperature is set. Indicates the preheat temperature setting, and the process ends. If the power saving key has not been operated in S408, it is determined whether there has been a print key operation or a job execution command such as input of a print job, scanner reading, facsimile output (S409), and if so, the job is executed. If it is determined in S409 that there is nothing, the operation in S403 is an operation for setting, and the screen is switched or the setting is changed according to this operation, and the process returns to S401.
[0027]
If it is determined in S402 that the auto preheat time has elapsed, the state of the multifunction device is set to the initial setting state without shifting to the preheat mode (S411), and the auto preheat is executed after the elapse of the auto preheat time. The timer t2, which counts the time until the start, is started (S412). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not there has been any operation or print command (S413). If there is, the process proceeds to S406, and if not, t2 ≧ T2 (time from when the auto preheat time has elapsed until auto preheat is executed) is compared (S414). ). If this time has not yet elapsed, the process returns to S413. If it is determined that this time has elapsed, the mode shifts to the preheating mode (S415), the screen is turned off, the fixing temperature setting is changed to the preheating temperature setting, and the process is terminated. finish.
[0028]
In the case where T1, T2 and T3 are not specially set, they have factory default values and are stored in the non-volatile memory, so they are set until they are changed regardless of the power on / off state. Time is kept. The set time in the case of further change is a set value which does not change until a new setting is changed.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus in which the time for automatically executing the automatic clear (auto clear time) and the time for automatically shifting to the preheat mode (auto preheat time) can be independently set. Automatic clearing is always executed before entering the preheat mode, and when the image forming apparatus is left without operation or printing, the basic screen is displayed once, and then the display screen disappears. There is no sudden disappearance of the screen while the function screen is displayed.
[0030]
If the second invention of the present application is used, even when the setting of only the auto clear time is changed to be longer, the effect of the first invention of the present application is impaired because the auto preheat time is automatically set longer than the auto clear time. Not.
[0031]
If the third invention of the present application is used, even if only the auto preheat time is changed to a shorter setting, the effect of the first invention of the present application is impaired because the auto clear time is also automatically set shorter than the auto preheat time. Not.
[0032]
The fourth invention of this application is convenient because the power-saving key also has a power-saving mode canceling function.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multifunction peripheral and peripheral devices that employ the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an operation panel of the multifunction peripheral employing the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a basic screen displayed on an LCD display unit of an operation panel of the multifunction peripheral employing the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a user function screen (one of the function screens) displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation panel of the multifunction peripheral employing the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a function list screen (one of the function screens) displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation panel of the multifunction peripheral employing the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an aggregate screen (one of the function screens) displayed by operating an aggregate key on the function list screen displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation panel of the multifunction peripheral employing the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a processing flow until the multi-function device employing the present invention clears the timers for the auto clear time and the auto preheat time.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process flow of the multifunction device adopting the present invention, which is performed up to a transition to an automatic clear and an auto plate;
3: ROM
4: RAM
5; mail creation means 6; printer controller 7; printer unit 8; I / F for post-processing device
9; post-processing device 10; operation panel 11; scanner interface 12; scanner unit 13; automatic document feeder (DF)
14; buffer memory 15; bitmap memory 16; CODEC
17; Modem 18; NCU
19; public line 20; network I / F
21; bus 22; network cable 23; printers 24 and 25;
26; other party facsimile

Claims (3)

A plurality of display screens for performing job setting are switched and displayed, and the plurality of display screens is an image forming apparatus having an operation display unit including a basic screen and a plurality of function screens that can be switched from the basic screen.
An all clear key for returning the job settings to the default setting state and displaying the basic screen, a power saving key for shifting to a power saving mode in which nothing is displayed on the operation display unit by operating, and any one of the plurality of display screens Is displayed, when the first predetermined time elapses after the end of the image forming operation or the operation, the job setting is returned to the default setting state and the basic screen is displayed, and when the second predetermined time elapses, the operation display is performed. Auto power saving mode shifting means for erasing the display screen displayed on the unit and shifting to a power saving mode in which nothing is displayed; predetermined time setting means for setting the first predetermined time;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the power saving key is operated in the power saving mode when nothing is displayed on the operation display unit, the basic screen is displayed on the operation unit. 3. The timer according to claim 1, wherein a timer for measuring the first predetermined time and the second predetermined time is cleared when any operation is performed during the counting of the second predetermined time. Image forming device.

Images