JP2005217980A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus including two or more power-saving modes that informs a user to which of power-saving modes a power-saving mode shifted when a power-saving key is operated goes during a stable standby state. <P>SOLUTION: In the image forming apparatus having e.g., a pre-heat mode and a sleep mode as the power-saving modes, display of an LED built in the power-saving key is made different between the case of being shifted to the pre-heat mode when the power-saving key is operated in the stable standby state and the case of being shifted to the sleep mode when the power-saving key is operated in the stable standby state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a multi-function apparatus having a copy function, particularly when there is no image output or operation for a predetermined time or when a power saving key is operated. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a power saving mode for saving power consumption.

  In conventional digital copying machines, facsimiles, and multifunction devices, the first power-saving mode with a low energy-saving effect by setting the temperature of the fixing device to a preheating temperature and the second power-saving mode in which a high energy-saving effect such as turning off fixing can be obtained. In the case of one power saving mode, if the state where printing or operation is not performed is short, the first power saving mode is set, and if the state is left unattended, the second power saving mode is set. In addition, there has been proposed one in which the power saving key is in the first power saving mode when the key is pressed and the second power saving mode is entered in the long press (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Similarly, in the case where there are two power saving modes of the first power saving mode and the second power saving mode in which the energy saving effect higher than that of the first power saving mode is obtained, if the state where printing or operation is not performed is a short time The first power saving mode is entered, and if left unattended, the second power saving mode is entered. Further, there has been proposed a power-saving key that is set to the first power-saving mode when the first operation method is used, and a second power-saving mode that is set to the first operation method (for example, Patent Document 2). See).

  In addition, a copying machine that can set a power saving mode and a time for shifting to power-off when there is no image output or operation has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

  Others determine the power saving mode to be switched when the power saving key is operated in accordance with the state of the dew condensation heater on the photosensitive drum (see, for example, Patent Document 4).

As described above, some of the power saving modes that have two or more power saving modes are in any one of the power saving modes depending on conditions and operation methods.
JP 2001-111732 A JP 2001-188442 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-6496 JP-A-9-106225

  However, in the techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2, the power saving mode is determined only by the will of the user who has operated the power saving key, and the power saving mode is switched by a simple operation method if not conscious. The overwhelmingly more to move to. In the technique of Patent Document 3, when a power saving key is operated, only one power saving mode is entered. In the technique of Patent Document 4, since the power saving mode is switched according to the on / off of the dew condensation heater, it is influenced by external factors such as temperature and humidity. Furthermore, these patent documents sometimes display which power saving mode after the transition to the power saving mode. However, what kind of power saving key is operated when the power saving key is operated in advance in the stable standby state when power saving is not being performed. There is no indication of whether to enter power saving mode.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to inform a user in advance of which power saving mode that is shifted when a power saving key is operated in an image forming apparatus having two or more power saving modes during a stable standby. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, the first invention of the present application is configured to shift to the first power saving mode when the power saving key is operated in the stable standby state, and when the power saving key is operated in the stable standby state, A power saving mode setting means that can selectively set a setting to shift to a second power saving mode that has a higher power saving effect than the power saving mode, a power saving display section provided near the power saving key, and the power saving display section In the stable standby state, when the power saving key is operated in the stable standby state, the first display is performed when setting to shift to the first power saving mode, and when the power saving key is operated in the stable standby state, the second display is performed. An image forming apparatus having power saving display unit control means for performing a second display when setting to shift to the power saving mode is used.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the first power saving mode is a low power mode in which the operation display unit is turned off and the fixing device is maintained at a preheat temperature. The second power saving mode is a mode in which the operation display unit is turned off. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is in a sleep mode in which the fixing device is turned off and a printer job or facsimile data can be received.

  By using the first invention of the present application, when there are two or more power saving modes to be switched when the power saving key is operated, the power saving mode to be switched in advance can be known. For example, the intention to switch to the preheat mode is shifted to the sleep mode. Thus, it is less likely that the next user waits for recovery or intends to switch to the sleep mode, but only switches to the preheat mode and consumes wasted power.

  If the second invention of the present application is used, in the first invention, the first power saving mode is a low power mode (preheat mode) of a light power saving mode in which printing can be performed immediately. This is a sleep mode that is effective in workplaces where there are many facsimile receptions. In an image forming apparatus having these two power saving modes, the mode to be shifted when the power saving key is operated can be set to the power saving mode emphasized in the office.

  A composite apparatus employing the present invention will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. In the figure, the composite apparatus 1 is a composite apparatus having functions of a copy, a printer, a facsimile, and a scanner. The CPU 2, the ROM 3, the RAM 4, the mail creating means 5, the printer controller 6, the printer unit 7, the post-processing apparatus I / F 8, From the post-processing device 9, the operation panel 10, the scanner I / F 11, the scanner unit 12, the DF 13, the buffer memory 14, the bitmap memory 15, the CODEC 16, the modem 17, the NCU 18, the public line 19, the network I / F 20, the bus 21, etc. It is configured. The composite apparatus 1 is connected to a PC (24, 25) or a printer 23 via a network cable 22.

  Specifically, the CPU 2 controls each component of the image forming apparatus 1 and is connected to the ROM 3 storing various programs, the RAM 4 storing user choice data, setting information, total count data, various font data, and the like. Has been.

  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 destination registered in advance.

  The printer controller 6 analyzes the print command (PDL) and job information transmitted from the connected personal computer and stored in the reception area of the buffer memory 14, and generates intermediate language information. This intermediate language information is stored in an intermediate language information storage area of the buffer memory 14.

  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 LSU or LPH of the image forming unit of the printer unit 7, and the toner image is generated by this image forming unit. Are sequentially transferred from the paper feed cassette to the paper that is fed and transported, and is fixed and ejected.

  The post-processing device I / F 8 and the post-processing device 9 perform post-processing such as stapling and punching, sorting, grouping, and the like on the printed matter printed and discharged from the composite device 1. 9 and an interface and a cable for connecting this to the main body of the composite apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 10 includes an LCD display unit 101, which is a large LCD device, a start key 102, a stop clear key 103, a reset key 104 (all clear key), an initial setting key 105, a power saving key 106, and the like. It consists of a plurality of operation keys. The power saving key 106 includes an LED that is 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 switch a copy function screen, a printer function screen, a facsimile function screen, and a scanner function screen by a selection key on the left of the operation panel 10.

  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 this 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. For example, when an “aggregation” key in the function list is selected, an “aggregation function screen” (one of the function screens) is displayed.

  When the initial setting key 105 is operated, the screen is switched to the initial setting screen shown in FIG. 6, and when the “machine initial setting” key displayed on this screen is selected, the screen is switched to the copy initial setting screen shown in FIG. On this screen, each common initial setting of this composite apparatus can be changed. Here, the auto preheat time is set to 15 minutes and the auto sleep time is set to 45 minutes. To change these, select from this list and switch the screen by operating the “setting value change” key at the lower right of the screen.

  For example, when auto preheat is selected on the above machine initial setting screen and the “setting value change” key is operated, the screen is switched to a screen for setting the auto preheat time shown in FIG. The auto preheat time can be changed by operating the “−” key. Here, the setting is 15 minutes. When auto sleep is selected on the above machine initial setting screen and the “setting value change” key is operated, the screen is switched to a screen for setting the auto sleep time shown in FIG. 9, and the “+” key and “ The auto sleep time can be changed by operating the “−” key. Here, the setting is 45 minutes.

  When the power saving key is selected on the machine initial setting screen and the “setting value change” key is operated, the “preheat mode” and the “sleep mode” can be switched selectively. This corresponds to the power saving mode setting means of claim 1 of the present application.

  The processing when the power saving key 106 is operated and the display control of the LED built in the power saving key 106 will be described in detail later.

  The scanner I / F 11 is an interface for controlling the scanner unit 12 and the DF 13 by connecting to the scanner unit 12 placed on the multifunction apparatus 1 via a cable.

  The scanner unit 12 feeds one sheet at a time by the DF 13 or applies light to a document placed on the contact glass with a halogen lamp or a fluorescent lamp and reads the reflected light with a CCD sensor. The digital signal is converted by / D conversion, the image processing unit performs image processing, and the resultant data is developed in the subsequent bit map memory 15. The bit map memory 15 includes intermediate language information generated by analyzing the print command transferred from a personal computer connected via a network in addition to the image data from the scanner unit 12 by the printer controller 7, and the other party. The image data sent from the facsimile 26 via the public line 19, the NCU 18, and the modem 17 is decompressed by the CODEC 16 as needed, and is expanded and held as full bit map image data. The CODEC 16 is also used for decoding the encoded image data included in the print data.

  The buffer memory 14 encodes and stores the image data read by the scanner unit 12 using the CODEC 16 when performing normal memory copy, facsimile memory transmission, and 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 can be read from an external personal computer encoded by the CODEC 16, and similarly, the facsimile polling function can be read from the other party's facsimile. Is also possible. In recent years, an image memory is often used as an image memory using a relatively large capacity hard disk for storing image data.

  The modem 17 converts an analog signal transmitted from the public line 19 into a digital signal, and conversely converts the digital signal into an analog signal and transmits it through the public line, and performs modulation and demodulation. Or receiving only HDLC frames. 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.

  The network I / F 20 is an interface that connects the composite apparatus 1 to the network. Here, it is connected via a network cable 22 to a personal computer (24, 25), a printer 23, and other connection devices not shown.

  The bus 21 is a bus for exchanging data and signals of each configuration described above. Although there are buses for image data and buses for control signals, they are represented by one for short here.

  In the composite device adopting the present invention, the second power saving mode has a higher power saving effect than the first power saving mode, and the first predetermined time for shifting to the first power saving mode shifts to the second power saving mode. It is assumed that only a setting shorter than the second predetermined time can be performed, a process of switching to the first power saving mode when the first predetermined time elapses, a process of switching to the second power saving mode when the second predetermined time elapses, and power saving A process of switching to the first power saving mode or the second power saving mode when the key 106 is operated will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. First, in the start state, when the power supply SW is turned on in the state where the power source shown in FIG. 10A is turned off (S101) (S102), an initial setting operation is performed (S103), and the fixing temperature can be copied. The process flow of FIG. 11 is started in a state where the stable standby state (S104) is reached. At this time, the composite apparatus 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. Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the printing operation is being executed (S201) and this printing operation is completed (S202), the processing flow of FIG. 11 starts with the set job state and screen. When a print job is interrupted during copying, when the print job ends, the state of the composite apparatus may be set to the initial setting state to start the processing in FIG.

  A description will be given from the start of the processing of FIG. First, in the initial setting state or the state after the end of the printing operation, a timer t1 for timing the time until shifting to the first power saving mode and a timer t2 for timing the time until shifting to the second power saving mode are set. The timer is cleared, and the timers t1 and t2 are started (S301). Subsequently, when the power saving key is operated in the stable standby state, it is determined whether the mode is shifted to the first power saving mode or the second power saving mode (S302), and the mode is shifted to the first power saving mode. In this case, the power-saving LED is displayed for the first time (for example, turned off) (S303), and then it is determined whether the time for shifting to the first power-saving mode has elapsed (S304). 1 (S305), if t1 ≧ T1, it is determined whether or not the power saving key is operated (S306). If the power saving key is operated, the t2 timer is cleared. The t2 timer is started (S307), and the first power saving mode is entered (S305). At this time, the power saving LED switches the display to a display (for example, green lighting) that has shifted to the first power saving mode. If the power saving key is not operated in S306, it is determined whether any operation such as job setting or print instruction has been performed (S308). If not, the process returns to S304. It is determined whether it is a print button operation, facsimile reception, or print job print instruction (S309). If it is a print instruction, the process proceeds to the start of FIG. 10, and if it is not a print instruction, the process returns to S301.

  When the mode is switched to the first power saving mode in S305, it is determined whether or not the time for shifting to the second power saving mode has elapsed (S310). If t2 ≧ T2, the mode is shifted to the second power saving mode ( S311), if t2 ≧ T2, it is determined whether or not the power saving key is operated next (S312). If the power saving key is operated, the first power saving mode is canceled and the process returns to S301. If the power saving key has not been operated, it is determined whether or not there has been a print instruction by facsimile reception or printer job (S314). If there is a print instruction, the process proceeds to the start of FIG. 10, and if there is no print instruction, the process returns to S310. .

  When the mode is switched to the second power saving mode in S311, it is next determined whether or not the power saving key is operated (S315). If the power saving key is operated, the second power saving mode is canceled and the process returns to S301. If the power saving key has not been operated, it is determined whether or not a print instruction by facsimile reception or a printer job has been issued (S317). If there is a print instruction, the process proceeds to the start of FIG. Return.

  In S302, when the power saving key is operated in the stable standby state and the transition to the second power saving state is made, the power saving LED is displayed for the second time (for example, blinking green or lit red) (S318), and then It is determined whether the time for shifting to the power saving mode 1 has elapsed (S319). If t1 ≧ T1, the process shifts to the first power saving mode, so that the process proceeds to S305. If t1 ≧ T1, the power saving is next performed. It is determined whether or not the key has been operated (S320). If the power saving key has been operated, the process proceeds to the second power saving mode, and thus the process proceeds to S311. If the power saving key has not been operated, job setting and printing are performed. It is determined whether any operation such as an instruction has been performed (S321). If not, the process returns to S319. If so, the operation is an operation of a copy button, facsimile reception or printer job. Determine by whether a print instruction (S322), if the print instruction proceeds to the start of FIG. 10, the flow returns to S301 unless a print instruction.

  As described above, in the flow of FIG. 11, according to the setting for shifting to the first power saving mode or the second power saving mode when the power saving key is operated in the stable standby state (S302), the first power saving LED is turned on. Display (S303) or second display (S318), and by looking at the display state of the LED of this power saving key, it is determined what power saving mode is to be entered when the power saving key is operated. You can see at a glance. This processing corresponds to the first invention of the present application.

  The first power saving mode is set to a low power mode (such as a preheat mode) in which the operation display unit is turned off and the LED of the power saving key is turned on while maintaining the fixing temperature at the preheat temperature. Is a sleep mode in which the operation display unit is turned off, the fixing device is turned off, and a printer job or facsimile data can be received, which corresponds to the second invention of the present application.

  Finally, when the power-saving key is operated in the stable standby state, the setting for shifting to the first power-saving mode or the second power-saving mode is the preheat mode as the factory default value if no special setting is made. Is held in the non-volatile memory, the setting is held until it is changed regardless of whether the power is on or off. Further, the setting when changed is a setting that does not change until a new setting is changed.

1 is a block diagram of a composite apparatus and peripheral devices that employ the present invention. 3 is an operation panel of a composite apparatus that employs the present invention. It is a basic screen displayed on the LCD display part of the operation panel of the composite apparatus employing the present invention. It is a user function screen (one of the function screens) displayed on the LCD display part of the operation panel of the composite apparatus employing the present invention. It is a function list screen (one of the function screens) displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation panel of the composite apparatus employing the present invention. Initial setting screen displayed by operating the initial setting key Machine initial setting screen displayed by operating the machine initial setting key It is a screen which sets auto preheat mode time. It is a screen which sets auto sleep mode time. Processing flow immediately after power-on and immediately after printing of a composite apparatus employing the present invention. It is a processing flow until the composite apparatus adopting the present invention shifts to the first power saving mode and the second power saving mode.

Explanation of symbols

1; Compound device 2; CPU
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; PC
26;

Claims (2)

  A setting for shifting to the first power saving mode when the power saving key is operated in the stable standby state, and a second power saving mode having a higher power saving effect than the first power saving mode when the power saving key is operated in the stable standby state. Power saving mode setting means that can selectively set the transition setting, a power saving display section provided in the vicinity of the power saving key, and when this power saving display section is in the stable standby state, when the power saving key is operated in the stable standby state In the case of setting to shift to the first power saving mode, the first display is performed. In the case of setting to shift to the second power saving mode when the power saving key is operated in the stable standby state, the second display is performed. An image forming apparatus having a display control unit. The first power saving mode is a low power mode in which the operation display unit is turned off and the fixing device is maintained at the preheat temperature. The second power saving mode is a mode in which the operation display unit is turned off and the fixing device is turned off. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is in a sleep mode in which a printer job and facsimile data can be received.

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