JP2005288971A - Image forming device and its controlling method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device and its controlling method which enable a user to set a preferential transition into a sleep state or a ready state. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device is characterized in that the device is provided with a setting means for preferentially setting the device at a print-ready state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer and a control method for the image forming apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that can be set by a user to preferentially shift to a sleep state or a ready state, and a control method thereof.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some image forming apparatuses such as printers are designed to save power by shifting to a sleep state in which power supply to some hardware is cut off. However, if printing must be executed in the sleep state, there is a problem that printing takes a long time because the interrupted power must be supplied again to warm up.

  For this reason, the history management of the waiting time between the print time and the print end time at the time of the previous printing is performed so that the transition to the sleep state can be smoothly performed in the time when the printing is not executed conventionally, and until the sleep state is entered. There is one in which various times can be set (for example, Patent Document 1 below).

In addition, there is one that changes a predetermined time until the display unit in the image forming apparatus shifts to a preheat state in which the display unit is in a standby state according to a time zone and a past use frequency (for example, Patent Document 2 below).
JP-A-11-70716 Japanese Patent No. 3467241

  However, in these prior arts, the transition to the sleep state is automatically set according to the past use history. For this reason, when a user who does not depend on the usage history executes printing using such an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus may be in a sleep state and may take a long time to print. Therefore, there is a problem that the transition to the sleep state does not necessarily correspond to each user.

  In addition, an image forming apparatus that continues to operate for 24 hours may be hardly used in a certain time zone regardless of the elapsed time from the previous printing. For example, it is conceivable that many users use it during the day and rarely use it during the night. Therefore, it is convenient to save power if the image forming apparatus is set in advance so that it can preferentially shift to a sleep state or a printable state (hereinafter referred to as a ready state) according to a time period.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be set by a user to preferentially shift to a sleep state or a ready state, and a control method therefor.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, setting means for preferentially setting the image forming apparatus to a printable state is provided. As a result, for example, when the printer is put into a ready state in which printing can be preferentially performed, the printer returns to the ready state even when the printer enters the sleep state.

  According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the setting unit is an operation unit, and is set by inputting a start time and an end time at which printing is preferentially performed by operation of the operation unit. It is said. Thereby, for example, when the user operates an operation means such as an operation panel, it is possible to easily set the time to shift to the preferential ready state.

  Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus, the start time and the end time are input when the start time and the end time are input by an operation by the operation unit. And a control unit that stores the image forming apparatus in a table, and the control unit preferentially shifts the image forming apparatus to a printable state by referring to the table. Thus, for example, the reservation time for preferentially entering the ready state input by the user is stored, and the control means can easily determine whether or not to preferentially shift the printer to the ready state by referring to such a table. Can do.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides the image forming apparatus, wherein the setting unit is in a printable state by inputting a start time and an end time to make the printable state preferentially from a host computer connected to the image forming apparatus. It is characterized by being set to. As a result, for example, the time when the ready state is preferentially set from the host connected to the printer 10 can be set.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, setting means for preferentially setting the image forming apparatus to a power saving state is provided. As a result, for example, when the printer is preferentially put into the sleep state, the printer can be set to return to the sleep state even if the printer enters the ready state.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, when the image forming apparatus shifts to a printable state when the setting unit sets the priority power saving state, the image forming apparatus shifts to the power saving state. It is characterized by comprising control means for controlling. As a result, for example, when the printer is preferentially put into the sleep state, the printer returns to the sleep state even when the printer shifts to the ready state, so that power saving of the image forming apparatus can be achieved.

  Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-described object, according to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium, the image forming apparatus is preferentially set in a printable state and the image forming apparatus is preferentially power-saving. And a setting means for setting the state. As a result, for example, the printer can be preferentially put into a sleep state or put into a ready state, so that power saving of the printer can be achieved and the printing speed can be increased.

  Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that in a control method in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, the image forming apparatus is preferentially set in a printable state. . As a result, for example, when the printer is put into a ready state in which printing can be preferentially performed, control can be performed so that the printer returns to the ready state even when the printer enters the sleep state. Become.

  Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that in a control method in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, the image forming apparatus is preferentially set in a power saving state. Accordingly, for example, when the printer is preferentially put into the sleep state, the printer can be controlled so as to return to the sleep state even when the printer enters the ready state. Therefore, power saving of the image forming apparatus can be achieved.

  Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a control method in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, wherein the image forming apparatus is preferentially set to a printable state, and the image forming apparatus is preferentially used. Is provided with a step of setting the power saving state. As a result, for example, the printer can be preferentially put into a sleep state or put into a ready state, so that power saving of the printer can be achieved and the printing speed can be increased.

[Overall configuration and operation]
The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an example of the configuration of the entire system to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, this system includes a host computer 10 and a laser printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer) 20 as an example of an image forming apparatus.

  The host computer 10 includes an application 12 and a driver 14. The application 12 is connected to the driver 14 and generates data to be printed (hereinafter, print data) such as character data, graphic data, and image data. For example, print data such as character data and graphic data is generated by operating the keyboard or the like using an application program such as a word processor or a graphic tool in the host computer 10. The generated print data is output to the driver 14.

  The driver 14 is also connected to the printer 20 via a network or the like. The driver 14 receives print data generated by the application 12, generates print job data for each print job, and outputs the print job data to the printer 20 in a predetermined transmission format.

  Next, the configuration of the printer 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 20 includes an external interface (I / F) 21, a ROM 22, a CPU 23, a RAM 24, an operation panel 25, a timer 26, an EEPROM 27, a main body memory 28, an engine controller 29, And the print engine 30. The external I / F 21, ROM 22, CPU 23, RAM 24, operation panel 25, timer 26, EEPROM 27, main body memory 28, and engine controller 29 are connected to each other in the printer 20 via a bus.

  The external I / F 21 is also connected to the driver 14 of the host computer 10. The print job data output from the driver 14 is input and converted into a format that can be processed inside the printer 20. The input print job data is output to the RAM 24 under the control of the CPU 23.

  The ROM 22 stores various programs for the CPU 23 to execute processing. In addition to image processing for print data, the CPU 23 executes initial setting processing, printing processing, and the like. Details will be described later. The CPU 23 executes processing by appropriately reading out a program stored in the ROM 22. The RAM 24 stores data during and after processing by the CPU 23 and serves as a working memory for the CPU 23.

  The operation panel 25 has a display screen such as a liquid crystal panel, and is configured so that a print direction, a print type, and the like can be designated in the screen. Further, as will be described later, the display screen is configured so that reservation sleep control, reservation ready control, and the like can be set and canceled.

  The timer 26 is for measuring the time in the printer 20, and is composed of, for example, a crystal oscillator or a ceramic oscillator. The EEPROM 27 is a non-volatile memory, and stores the model name and serial number of each printer 20. In addition, a time control table, which will be described later, is stored in the EEPROM 27 in advance, and is read out from the EEPROM 27 by the CPU 23 and stored in the RAM 24 when processing is executed. The main body memory 28 is similarly composed of a nonvolatile memory. A time control table read from the EEPROM 27 may be stored.

  The engine controller 29 is also connected to the print engine 30. A controller for controlling the print engine 30. The CPU 23 generates pulse data by processing such as pulse width modulation for the print data after halftone processing. This pulse data is input to the engine controller 29 to control the print engine 30.

  The print engine 30 includes an exposure unit such as a laser diode, a photosensitive drum, a paper feed tray, and the like. Under the control of the engine controller 29, a laser corresponding to the pulse data from the exposure unit irradiates the photosensitive drum to form a latent image, and a printing medium such as printing paper fed from the paper feed tray via the intermediate transfer belt An image is formed.

  The overall operation of the printer 20 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the overall processing operation in the printer 20. First, the CPU 23 reads a program for executing this process from the ROM 22 and starts the process (step S10). Next, the CPU 23 performs an initial setting process (step S11). Details of the initial setting process are shown in FIG.

  When the process proceeds to the initial setting process, the CPU 23 first initializes the time control table (step S111). An example of the time control table 200 is shown in FIG. The time control table 200 is a table in which various start times and end times set by the user on the operation panel 25 are stored. The CPU 23 shifts to a sleep state or the like by comparing it with the current time by the timer 26. This time control table 200 is stored in advance in the EEPROM 27 before this processing is executed, and is read from the EEPROM 27 by the CPU 23 in step S11 and stored in the RAM 24. Of course, it may be stored in the main body memory 28 from the EEPROM 27 in this step S111.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the time control table 200 includes a sleep control reference time area 201 in which the current time (sleep control reference time) is stored as a reference time every time various processes are performed, and sleep from the sleep control reference time. A sleep control interval time area 202 in which an interval time for shifting to the state is stored, and a flag indicating whether or not a reserved sleep time (start time and end time) for shifting to the sleep state preferentially is set Reserved sleep control flag area 203 to be stored, reserved sleep control start time area 204 in which the start time of the reserved sleep time is stored, reserved sleep control end time area 205 in which the end time is stored, and priority to the ready state Ready for transition A reservation ready control flag area 206 in which a flag indicating whether (start time and completion time) is set, a reservation ready control start time area 207 in which a start time of the reservation ready time is stored, and an end time thereof Is stored in the reservation ready control end time 208.

  Here, the sleep state refers to a state where the printer 20 is not energized to the print engine 30 (so-called power saving state). For example, the print engine 30 has a fixing roller, and an image (toner image) transferred to the recording medium is made into a permanent image by heat-pressing the recording medium. Will not be performed and will not be heated. Further, the developing device containing the toner of each color is driven to rotate by the engine controller 29. However, the developing device is not energized and is not rotated.

  The ready state refers to a printable state in which the printer 20 is energized to the print engine 30 and print operation can be performed as soon as print job data is input. If a state in which a printing operation (for example, image processing by the CPU 23 or formation of a latent image on the photosensitive drum by the print engine 30) is actually performed is a printing state, the ready state is the state of the printing state and the sleep state described above. It becomes a state between. The values stored in each area 201 of the time control table 200 will be described in order according to the flowchart.

  Returning to FIG. 3, in step S <b> 111, the CPU 23 reads the time control table 200 from the EEPROM 27 and stores it in the RAM 24. Various settings at the time of previous use remain in the EEPROM 27, and the information is taken over. As a standard setting when the product is shipped, the reserved sleep control flag area 203 and the reserved ready control flag 206 are “0” (reserved sleep and reserved ready are not set), and the sleep control interval time is “01: 00 ″ is set, and the other areas 201 and the like are in an initial state (an undefined state in which no value is stored in this embodiment) (see FIG. 9A). In subsequent processing, the time control table 200 in the RAM 24 is used when reading the set information, and not only the RAM 24 but also the control table 200 of the EEPROM 27 is used when setting (writing) information such as panel settings and the current time. The information setting is updated so that the latest setting remains in the EEPROM 27. Then, the CPU 23 stores the initialized time control table 200 in the RAM 24.

  Next, the CPU 23 sets the sleep control reference time to the current time (step S112). That is, the CPU 23 accesses the time control table 200 stored in the RAM 24 and stores the current time in the sleep control reference time area 201. For example, when the current time is 10:00 am, the current time “10:00” is stored in the area 201 as shown in FIG.

  Then, the initial setting process is completed and the processing returns to FIG. 2, and then the CPU 23 performs a printing process (step S13). Details of the printing process are shown in FIG. When the process proceeds to the printing process (step S13), the CPU 23 first determines whether or not there is a print request (step S131). That is, it is determined whether print job data is input from the driver 14 to the external I / F 21. If no print job data is input (when “NO” in this step S131), the print processing cannot be performed without input of print data, so the print processing ends, returning to FIG. 2, and the panel processing (step S15). Migrate to

  On the other hand, when print job data is input (“YES” in step S131), the CPU 23 then determines whether or not the printer 20 is sleeping (step S132). This is because, when the print job data is input, when the printer 20 is in the sleep state, it is necessary to shift from this state to the print state.

  Accordingly, when the printer 20 is in the sleep state (“YES” in step S132), the sleep state is canceled (step S133). That is, the CPU 23 outputs a control signal to the engine controller 29 to energize each motor, drum, and the like that constitute the print engine 30, and power is turned on to each part that constitutes the print engine 30 based on this signal. It will be.

  On the other hand, since it is not in the sleep state (when “NO” in step S132), it is in a printable state (ready state), so the printing operation is performed as it is (step S134). Since printing is possible even after sleep is canceled (step S133), a printing operation is performed (step S134).

  The printing operation will be briefly described below with reference to FIG. First, the input print job data is stored in the RAM 24 by the CPU 23. Print data (character data, graphic data, image data, etc.) included in the print job data is read by the CPU 23 and converted from color conversion processing (RGB (red, green, blue) to CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black)). Color conversion processing), halftone processing for expressing gradation of a grayscale image, etc., and then processing such as pulse width modulation is performed to generate pulse data. The pulse data is output to the engine controller 29 by the CPU 23, and a printing operation is performed by irradiating the photosensitive drum with a laser based on the pulse data.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the CPU 23 then sets the sleep control reference time to the current time (step S135). This is to hold the latest print end time. That is, the CPU 23 updates the sleep control reference time 201 of the time control table 200 to the time when printing is finished. For example, when printing ends at 10:03 am, “10:03” is stored in the sleep control reference time area 201 of the table 200 (see FIG. 10A). Then, returning to FIG. 2, the process proceeds to panel processing (step S15).

  Details of the panel processing are shown in FIGS. When the CPU 23 proceeds to the panel process (step S15), it first determines whether or not there is a time setting request (step S151). Although the current time can be corrected and set by the user operating the operation panel 25, a control signal indicating that the time has been set is output from the operation panel 25 to the CPU 23. It can be determined by whether or not this signal is input. As for the time setting, when the printer 20 is connected to the host computer 10 via the Internet, correction and setting can also be performed by acquiring the current time from a server or the like by NTP (Network Time Protocol). it can. This step S151 can also be determined by whether or not the current time by NTP has been acquired.

  When there is a time setting request (“YES” in step S151), the CPU 23 then corrects and sets the current time based on the time setting request (step S152). For example, the CPU 23 corrects the time of the timer 26 to the time input from the operation panel 25 or the time acquired from the network.

  Next, the CPU 23 updates the sleep control reference time 201 to the current time (step S153). This is because the reference time is set to the current time set in step S152. For example, when setting the time on the operation panel 25 at 10:30 am, the CPU 23 stores this time in the sleep control reference time area 201 (see FIG. 10B).

  On the other hand, when there is no time setting request (when “NO” in step S151), there is no need to correct and set the current time, so that the sleep control reference time 201 is updated to the current time (step S153) in the same manner. The process proceeds to step S154.

  In step S154, the CPU 23 determines whether or not there is a reservation sleep control setting request. A setting screen for preferentially shifting the printer 20 to the sleep state is displayed in advance from the operation panel 25, and necessary items can be input and, for example, a transmission button and a confirmation button can be operated. Since the reservation sleep control setting request is output from the operation panel 25 to the CPU 23 by the operation of the transmission button or the like, it can be determined whether there is such a request. In addition to the operation panel 25, for example, such setting can be performed by the driver 14, and it can be determined whether or not a reservation sleep control setting request is input to the printer 20.

  If there is a reservation sleep control setting request (“YES” in step S154), then the CPU 23 determines whether sleep control is canceled or set (step S155). As described above, the reservation sleep setting screen is displayed on the operation panel 25. For example, there is an operation button for determining whether or not to cancel the start time for entering the reservation sleep state, which has been input before, and this release button has been operated. The CPU 23 determines whether the setting is to be canceled or not, depending on whether or not a new start time is input.

  When the sleep control is set (when “set” in step S155), the CPU 23 then sets a reservation start time and a reservation end time that are preferentially shifted to the sleep state input on the operation panel 25 (step S156). ). That is, on the reserved sleep setting screen displayed on the operation panel 25, it is possible to input the reserved sleep start time and the reserved sleep end time for shifting to the sleep state. Therefore, the CPU 23 receives information on the reserved sleep start time and the reserved sleep end time from the operation panel 25, accesses the time control table 200, and stores them in the reserved sleep control start time area 204 and the reserved sleep control end time area 205, respectively. To do. For example, when the reservation sleep start time is entered at 9 pm and the end time is entered at 8:00 am on the operation panel 25, as shown in FIG. “21:00” and “08:00” are stored.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the CPU 23 then sets the reservation sleep control flag to “valid” (step S157). This is to confirm whether or not the reservation setting for the sleep state has been performed. In this embodiment, “1” (valid) is stored in the flag area 203 as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the sleep control is canceled (when “released” in step S155), the CPU 23 stores the reserved sleep control flag 203 as “invalid”, that is, stores “0” in the flag area 203 (step S158). Then, the process proceeds to step S159.

  Further, when there is no reservation sleep control setting request (when “NO” in step S154), it is not necessary to perform processing such as storing values in the table 200, and in this case, the process also proceeds to step S159.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in step S159, the CPU 23 determines whether there is a reservation ready control setting request. Similar to the setting of the reservation sleep control, for example, a setting screen for preferentially shifting the printer 20 to the ready state is displayed on the operation panel 25, the necessary items are input, and the operation is performed by operating the send button or the like. A reservation ready control setting request is output from the panel 25. This step 159 can be determined based on whether or not such a request is input to the CPU 23.

  If there is a reservation ready control setting request (“YES” in step S159), then the CPU 23 determines whether the reservation ready control setting has been canceled or set (step S160). Similar to step S155 described above, for example, there is a button for canceling the reservation start time and end time set previously on the setting screen of the operation panel 25, which has been operated, or the start time is newly input. It can be judged by whether or not it has been done.

  When the reservation ready state is set (when “set” in step S160), the CPU 23 then sets the reservation ready control start time and end time (step S161). That is, the CPU 23 accesses the time control table 200 stored in the RAM 24, and displays the reservation ready start time and reservation ready end time input on the operation panel 25, the reservation ready control start time area 207 and the reservation ready control end time area. Each is stored in 208. For example, when the reservation ready start time is input from the operation panel 25 at 8 am and the end time is 9 pm, “08: 0” is displayed in the reservation ready control start time area 207 as shown in FIG. “21:00” is stored in the reservation ready control end time area 208.

  Returning to FIG. 6, the CPU 23 then sets the reservation ready control setting valid flag to “valid” (step S162). That is, the CPU 23 stores “1” (indicating “valid” in the present embodiment) in the reservation ready control flag area 206 of the time control table 200. Then, the process proceeds to step S163.

  On the other hand, when canceling the previously set start time or the like to the reservation ready state (“Release” in step S160), the CPU 23 then sets the reservation ready control setting valid flag to “invalid”. That is, the CPU 23 stores “0” in the reservation ready control flag area 206 of the table 200. Then, the process proceeds to step S163.

  Further, when there is no reservation ready control setting request (when “NO” in step S159), it is not necessary to access the table 200 and so on, and the process similarly proceeds to step S163.

  Next, the CPU 23 determines whether there is a sleep control interval time setting request (step S163). The sleep control interval time is an interval time until the printer 20 shifts to the sleep state based on the time stored in the sleep control reference time area 201 of the table 200. When this interval time elapses, the printer 20 shifts to the sleep state. When this time is between the disclosure time and the end time to the reserved ready state, the printer 20 shifts from the sleep state to the ready state as described later. It will be.

  The present invention enables the printer 20 to be preferentially set to the ready state in this way, and even if it is set to shift to the sleep state in the meantime, by shifting to the ready state, for example, a user who wants to perform printing However, inconveniences such as being unable to print at that time can be solved. Further, as described above, since the energization to the fixing roller or the like is interrupted in the sleep state, it takes a transition time from the sleep state to the ready state where printing is possible. By preferentially shifting to the ready state, printing can be performed as soon as print job data is input, so that the printing speed can be increased.

  On the other hand, if the printer 20 is preferentially set to the sleep state during a time period when the printer 20 is not used at all, for example, at night, the power supply to the print engine 30 is cut off. Compared with the case where it keeps, power saving can be achieved. This is particularly convenient when a printer connected to a server on the network or a printer installed in a convenience store must operate for 24 hours.

  The sleep control interval time can be set by operating the screen displayed on the operation panel 25 in the same manner as in the case of reserved sleep and reservation ready. This step S163 can be determined based on whether or not.

  Returning to FIG. 6, when there is a request for setting the sleep control interval time (“YES” in step S163), the CPU 23 then sets the sleep control interval time (step S164). That is, the CPU 23 accesses the time control table 200 stored in the RAM 24 and stores the interval time input from the operation panel 25 in the sleep control interval time area 202. For example, FIG. 12A shows an example of the table 200 when the interval time is 30 minutes.

  Next, the CPU 23 updates the sleep control reference time to the current time (step S165). That is, the time when the setting process such as reserved sleep is performed on the operation panel 25 is updated as the sleep control reference time. When the current time in step S165 is 11:00 am, “11:00” is stored in the sleep control reference time area 201 as shown in FIG. Then, the panel process (step S15) ends, and the process proceeds to step S17 in FIG.

  On the other hand, when there is no request for setting the sleep control interval time (when “NO” in step S163), the user does not request the transition to the sleep state. The control interval time 202 is not updated, and the panel processing ends in the same manner, and the process proceeds to step S17 in FIG.

  The start time of the reservation sleep state, the start time of the reservation ready state, etc. stored in the time control table 200 in this panel process (step S15) are not limited to the example of FIG. 12B, for example, as shown in FIG. As described above, the reservation ready start time and end time can be set between the reservation sleep start time and end time. Further, as shown in FIG. 13B, the reservation sleep start time and end time can be set between the reservation ready start time and end time.

  Returning to FIG. 2, when the panel process (step S15) is completed, the CPU 23 then performs a sleep process (step S17). Details of the sleep processing are shown in FIGS. When shifting to the sleep process, the CPU 23 first determines whether or not there is a print request (step S171). This process is a process of comparing the current state of the printer 20 with the table 200 and shifting to the ready state or shifting to the sleep state. Therefore, when the print request is input at the time of starting the sleep process, the sleep process (step S17) is skipped and the process proceeds to the print process (step S13) in FIG. 2 in order to perform the printing operation. become.

  In FIG. 2, each process is described as sequentially shifting to an initial setting process (step S11), a printing process (step S13), a panel process (step S15), and a sleep process (step S17). The CPU 23 executes print processing, panel processing, and sleep processing in parallel as separate tasks. FIG. 2 is shown as such for convenience of explanation.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the CPU 23 then determines whether or not the reservation ready control setting flag is valid (step S172). For example, the CPU 23 reads the value stored in the reservation ready control setting flag area 206 of the time control table 200 stored in the RAM 24 and determines whether or not it is “valid” depending on whether “1” is stored. When setting is made as shown in FIG. 12B in the panel process (step S15), “1” indicating validity is stored in the reservation ready control flag area 206, so “YES” is determined in this step. .

  When the reservation ready control setting flag is valid (“YES” in step S172), the CPU 23 then determines whether or not the current time is between the reservation ready control start time and the end time (step S173). That is, the CPU 23 reads the reservation ready control start time and end time from the reservation ready control start time area 207 and end time area 208 of the time control table 200, respectively. Then, it is determined whether or not the current time read from the timer 26 is between the start time and the end time.

  Here, for example, when the time control table 200 is set as shown in FIG. 12B, a relationship diagram when the horizontal axis is time is shown in FIG. When the current time read from the timer 26 is 10:00 am, it is between the reservation ready start time (8 am) and the end time (9 pm), so “YES” is determined in this step S173.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the CPU 23 then determines whether or not the printer 20 is currently sleeping (step S174). For example, when the printer 20 shifts to a ready state or a sleep state, a flag indicating the current state is stored in a memory such as the RAM 24, and the CPU 24 reads out the flag from the RAM 24 in step 174. it can.

  When currently sleeping (“YES” in step S174), the CPU 23 then starts a warm-up operation to shift to the ready state (step S175). That is, the CPU 23 outputs a control signal to the engine controller 29 so that the print engine 30 is energized, and shifts to a ready state in which printing is possible. The reservation ready control setting is valid (“YES” in step S172), the current time is within the set time (“YES” in step S173), and the current sleep state is set (“YES” in step S174). Is the time to transition from the sleep state to the reservation ready state. In the case shown in FIG. 14 (A), the time is about 8:00 am set as the reservation ready start time. The printer 20 is in the sleep state because it has been set as the reserved sleep state until then. Then, in order to shift to the reserved ready state from just 8:00 am, “YES” is set as sleeping in step S174, and warm-up is started (step S175).

  Next, the CPU 23 updates the sleep control reference time to the current time (step S176). This is because the latest time transition (from the sleep state to the ready state) is held. Then, the sleep process ends, and the process proceeds to the printing process (step S13) in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the printer 20 is not currently sleeping (when “NO” in step S174), it can be determined that the printer 20 is currently ready. Therefore, the sleep process is not performed without performing the above-described warm-up process (step S175, etc.). The process ends, and the process proceeds to the printing process (step S13). This is because the printer is not in a sleep state and there is no print request (“NO” in step S171), so the remaining state is the ready state. For example, in FIG. 14A, when the current time is 10:00 am, it is not sleeping, so “NO” is determined in step S174. In order to shift to the sleep state after setting the start time and end time to the reservation ready state, for example, an operation may be performed on the operation panel 25 so as to cancel the reservation sleep control setting. ("Release" in step S155 in FIG. 5). On the contrary, even if the operation panel 25 is operated so as to shift to the sleep state after setting to the reservation ready state, the printer 20 gives priority to the reservation ready setting so as not to shift to the sleep state. It has become.

  Returning to FIG. 7, on the other hand, when the current time is not from the reservation ready control start time to the end time (“NO” in step S173), the process proceeds to step S177 in FIG. For example, even if the time is stored in the reservation ready control start time 207 of the table 200 (even if the reservation ready is set), the current time is 7 am or 11 pm in FIG. Since it is outside the reservation ready set time, “NO” is selected in this step in such a case.

  Further, when the reservation ready control setting flag is not valid (“NO” in step S172), the user is not performing the setting for reservation ready. The process proceeds to step S177. Note that the processing from step S172 to step S176 described above is processing related to items related to reservation ready (from region 206 to region 208) in the time control table 200.

  In step S177 in FIG. 8, the CPU 23 determines whether or not the reserved sleep control setting flag is valid. That is, the CPU 23 reads a value from the sleep control setting flag area 203 of the time control table 200, and determines whether it is “1” (valid).

  When the setting flag is valid (“YES” in step S177), the CPU 23 then determines whether or not the current time is between the reservation sleep control start time and the end time (step S178). As in step S173, the CPU 23 reads the reserved sleep control start time and end time from the reserved sleep control start time area 204 and reserved sleep control end time area 205 of the time control table 200, respectively, and reads the current read from the timer 26. Judgment is made by comparing the time. For example, in FIG. 14A, when the current time is 11:00 pm, a reserved sleep state is set, so “YES” is selected in this step S178.

  When the current time is between the reservation sleep control start time and the end time (“YES” in step S178), the CPU 23 then determines whether or not the printer 20 is currently sleeping (step S179). For example, as in step S174, it is determined whether or not it is in the sleep state by checking a flag indicating the current state stored in the RAM 24.

  When not in sleep (when “NO” in step S179), the CPU 23 shifts the printer 20 to the sleep state (step S180). That is, the CPU 23 outputs a control signal to the engine controller 29 so as to cut off the energization of the print engine 30, thereby shifting to the sleep state. The reserved sleep is set ("YES" in step S177), and within the time when the reserved sleep state is set ("YES" in step S178), and if not in sleep (in step S179) This is because it is necessary to shift to the sleep state with priority when “NO”. For example, as shown in FIG. 14B, when printing is performed at 10 pm after shifting to the ready state in the reserved sleep state, the CPU 23 is in the ready state immediately after the end of printing, so the CPU 23 changes from the ready state to the sleep state. The printer 20 needs to be migrated. Therefore, immediately after the end of printing, “YES” is selected in step S178 because it is within the reserved sleep setting time, and “NO” is selected in step S179 because it is not in sleep, and the sleep state is preferentially shifted. I will let you.

  Next, the CPU 23 stores the current time in the sleep control reference time area 201 in order to hold the time at which the state transition is performed (step S181). Then, the sleep process ends, and the process proceeds to the printing process (step S13) in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the device is currently sleeping (when “YES” in step S179), the sleep state is maintained, so that it is not necessary to perform the processing such as the above-described sleep start (step S180) or the like. (Step S17) ends, and the process proceeds to the printing process of FIG. 2 (Step S13).

  Further, when the current time is not between the reservation sleep control start time and the end time (when “NO” in step S178), it is not necessary to preferentially shift to the sleep state. The process proceeds to step S182 without performing S180).

  Further, when the reservation sleep control flag is not valid (“NO” in step S177), since the user has not set reservation sleep, the process proceeds to step S182 in this case as well. Steps S177 to S181 described above are processes for executing items related to reserved sleep (from regions 203 to 205) in the time control table 200.

  The processing from step S182 to step S184 is processing related to the sleep control reference time 201 and the sleep control interval time 202 in the time control table 200. That is, in step S182, the CPU 23 determines whether the printer 20 is currently sleeping. In order to shift to the sleep state according to the sleep control interval time, it is not necessary to shift the state if the current state is the sleep state. Therefore, if it is during sleep (when “YES” in step S182), the sleep process (step S17) ends, and the process proceeds to the printing process (step S13) in FIG.

  On the other hand, when not in sleep (when “NO” in step S182), the CPU 23 reads out the respective times stored in the sleep control reference time area 201 and the sleep control interval time area 202 of the table 200, It is determined whether the time obtained by adding the interval time to the time is the same as or exceeds the current time read from the timer 26 (step S183). If it is the same or exceeds (when “YES” in step S183), the current time has passed the sleep interval time, so the CPU 23 causes the printer 20 to transition to the sleep state. As described above, the CPU 23 enters such a state by outputting a control signal for shifting to the sleep state to the engine controller 29. Then, the sleep process (step S17) ends, and the process proceeds to the printing process (step S13) in FIG. Then, the above-described processing is repeated.

  Since the printer 20 is a printer that has been operating for 24 hours, the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 is repeated. For example, if the power of the printer 20 is forcibly turned off, each process is interrupted and terminated. Become. At this time, the CPU 23 stores the time control table 200 stored in the RAM 24 in the EEPROM 27 and stores the previous state.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the user can set the time for preferentially shifting to the sleep state or the ready state in the image forming apparatus such as the printer 20.

  In the above example, in the panel process (step S15, see FIGS. 5 to 6), the reservation ready and the start time and the end time of the reservation sleep can be set by the operation panel 25 of the printer 20. Such time may be set by the application 12 or the driver 14.

  In the above example, the color conversion and the halftone process are described as being performed by the CPU 23 of the printer 20. However, such a process may be performed by the driver 14 of the host computer 10, for example. At this time, the processed gradation data is added to the print job data and input to the printer 20, and the CPU 23 performs processing such as pulse width modulation.

  Furthermore, in the above-described example, the laser printer is described as an example of the printer 20, but other various types such as an ink jet printer, a bubble jet printer, and a thermal transfer printer that perform printing by ejecting ink of each color from a head onto a recording medium. Even if the present invention is applied to this printer, the same effect can be obtained.

  Further, in the above-described example, the printer 20 is described as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the same effect can be obtained even in a multifunction machine including these functions including a facsimile, a copying machine, and a printer. Further, as an example of the host computer 10, for example, a personal computer, a mobile phone or a digital camera, and a portable information terminal such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) may be used.

1 is an overall system diagram including a configuration of a printer 20 to which the present invention is applied. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the whole process. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an initial setting process. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of print processing. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a panel process. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a panel process. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a sleep process. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a sleep process. It is a figure which shows an example of a time control table. It is a figure which shows an example of a time control table. It is a figure which shows an example of a time control table. It is a figure which shows an example of a time control table. It is a figure which shows an example of a time control table. It is a figure which shows the relationship of each set time.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Host computer 12 Application 14 Driver 20 Printer 22 ROM 23 CPU 24 RAM 25 Operation panel 26 Timer 27 EEPROM 28 Main body memory 29 Engine controller 30 Print engine 200 Time control table 201 Sleep control reference time area 202 Sleep control interval time area 203 Reserved sleep Control flag area 204 Reserved sleep control start time area 205 Reserved sleep control end time area 206 Reserved ready control flag area 207 Reserved ready control start time area 208 Reserved ready control end time area

Claims (10)

In an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium,
Setting means for preferentially setting the image forming apparatus to a printable state;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit is an operation unit, and is set by inputting a start time and an end time at which the preferential printing is enabled by the operation of the operation unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.
Further, a table storing the start time and end time;
Control means for storing the start time and the end time in the table when the start time and the end time are input by an operation by the operation means;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the control unit preferentially shifts the image forming apparatus to a printable state by referring to the table. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The setting unit sets the printable state by inputting a start time and an end time for making the printable state preferentially input from a host computer connected to the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus. In an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium,
Setting means for preferentially setting the image forming apparatus to a power saving state;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.
And a control unit configured to control the image forming apparatus to shift to a power saving state even when the image forming apparatus shifts to a printable state when the priority shifts to the power saving state by the setting of the setting unit.
An image forming apparatus comprising: In an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium,
Setting means for preferentially setting the image forming apparatus to a printable state and preferentially setting the image forming apparatus to a power saving state;
An image forming apparatus comprising: In a control method in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium,
Preferentially setting the image forming apparatus to a printable state;
A control method comprising: In a control method in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium,
Preferentially setting the image forming apparatus to a power saving state;
A control method comprising: In a control method in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium,
Preferentially setting the image forming apparatus to a printable state and preferentially setting the image forming apparatus to a power saving state;
A control method comprising:

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