JP2006194922A - Electronic equipment, control method for the electronic equipment, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide electronic equipment capable of making power consumption low by setting an energy-saving mode, even if the shift of a mode to the energy-saving mode is required, even when there exists a cause showing some warning or other. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic equipment, equipped with the energy-saving mode for restraining the power consumption at the time of standby as one of modes of the equipment, is equipped with a display means for displaying an effect that a warning is given as a display part which can be controlled, even when the energy-saving mode is set, and equipped with a shifting means for shifting the mode of the equipment to the energy-saving mode. If the shift of the mode to the energy-saving mode is required, even when there exists a factor that shows some warning or another, the shifting means shifts the mode of the equipment to the energy-saving mode. In such a case, the display part also is to display the effect that the warning is given, even in a state where the energy-saving mode is set. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device having an energy saving mode that suppresses power consumption during standby (for example, power is supplied to only a minimum circuit during standby), a control method for the electronic device, a program, and a recording medium.

  Conventionally, for example, in Patent Document 1, the power supplied to the main control unit is cut off during standby to shift to an energy saving state. In the energy saving state, the user presses an energy saving release key, sets a document, a ringing signal on a line, an off-hook signal When any one of these is detected, a multi-function device including means for sending an energy saving state release signal to the main power source and the main control unit is shown.

JP-A-8-214096

  However, in the conventional multifunction device, when a factor indicating a warning occurs, for example, there is no recording paper, the transition to the energy saving mode is prohibited, for example, to inform the operator that there is no recording paper. However, there is a problem that power consumption increases because the mode is not shifted to the energy saving mode only for the purpose.

  The present invention provides an electronic device capable of reducing the power consumption by setting the energy saving mode when there is a request for switching to the energy saving mode even when there is a factor indicating a warning in an electronic device such as a multifunction peripheral. It is an object of the present invention to provide a control method and program for a device and an electronic device, and a recording medium.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is an electronic device having an energy saving mode that suppresses power consumption during standby as one of the device modes, and displays an indication that there is a warning. The device is provided as a display unit that can be controlled even in the energy saving mode, and the device is provided with a shifting means for shifting the device mode to the energy saving mode. The transition means shifts the mode of the device to the energy saving mode, and the display unit is configured to display that there is a warning even in the energy saving mode.

  Further, in the electronic device according to claim 1, when there is a request to shift to the energy saving mode even when there is a factor that should indicate a warning at the end of the recording paper in the energy saving mode in the electronic device according to claim 1, The shift means shifts the mode of the device to the energy saving mode, and at that time, the display unit displays a warning that there is a warning even in the state of the energy saving mode, which may trigger recording paper filling. An event detection function is provided as a return request from the energy saving mode.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the first aspect, even when there is a factor that should indicate a door open warning during the energy saving mode, if there is a request to shift to the energy saving mode, the transition is performed. The means shifts the mode of the device to the energy saving mode, and at that time, the display unit displays a warning that there is a warning even in the energy saving mode, and the door closing detection function is changed from the energy saving mode. It has the feature that it is provided as a return request.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the first aspect, when there is a factor indicating a toner end warning in the energy saving mode, if there is a request to shift to the energy saving mode, the transition is performed. The means shifts the mode of the device to the energy saving mode, and at this time, the display unit displays a warning that there is a warning even in the state of the energy saving mode. It is characterized by having a detection function as a return request from the energy saving mode.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the first aspect, when there is a request to shift to the energy saving mode even when there is a factor that should indicate a recording paper jam warning during the energy saving mode, The transition means shifts the mode of the device to the energy saving mode, and at that time, the display unit displays a warning that there is a warning even in the state of the energy saving mode, which is an opportunity to eliminate the recording paper jam. It is characterized by having a function to detect possible events as a return request from the energy saving mode.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the first aspect, even when there is a factor to indicate a document jam warning in the energy saving mode, if there is a request to shift to the energy saving mode, the transition is performed. The means shifts the mode of the device to the energy saving mode, and at that time, the display unit displays the warning that there is a warning even in the state of the energy saving mode, and an event that may trigger the document jam removal Is provided as a request for returning from the energy saving mode.

  Further, in the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is provided with a display unit dedicated to warning as the display unit. When there is a factor to indicate the warning, the warning is displayed by turning on a warning display unit.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, a display unit indicating that the display unit is in an energy saving mode is provided. When there is a factor indicating a warning in the energy saving mode, the warning is displayed by blinking a display unit indicating that the energy saving mode is set.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, a display unit indicating that the display unit is in an energy saving mode is provided. When there is a factor that should give some warning in the energy saving mode, the warning is displayed by changing the color of the display portion indicating the state of the energy saving mode.

  The invention described in claim 10 is the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the electronic device is a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, a copying machine, It is a multi-function machine having at least two functions of a facsimile and a printer.

  The invention according to claim 11 is a method for controlling an electronic device having an energy saving mode for suppressing power consumption during standby as one of the device modes, and there is a factor indicating some warning. However, when there is a request for shifting to the energy saving mode, the mode of the device is shifted to the energy saving mode, and at that time, a display indicating that there is a warning is also performed in the state of the energy saving mode.

  Further, in the invention described in claim 12, even when there is a factor indicating some warning, if there is a request to shift to the energy saving mode, the mode of the device is shifted to the energy saving mode, and at that time, there is a warning. Is a program for causing a computer to execute the process of performing the display in the energy saving mode.

  Further, in the invention described in claim 13, even when there is a factor indicating some warning, if there is a request to shift to the energy saving mode, the mode of the device is shifted to the energy saving mode, and at that time, there is a warning. Is a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a program for causing a computer to execute a process for performing the display in the energy saving mode.

  According to the first to thirteenth aspects of the present invention, when there is a request for shifting to the energy saving mode in the normal mode, the warning display function is not impaired even while a factor for displaying a warning is generated. Since the mode can be shifted to the energy saving mode, the power consumption can be reduced without impairing the operability.

  In particular, according to the second aspect of the invention, even when the recording paper end (no recording paper) is entered and the mode is shifted to the energy saving mode, the operator can be notified that there is a warning and the recording paper is filled. When the work is performed, the mode is returned from the energy saving mode to the normal mode, and recording paper filling can be detected, so that power consumption can be reduced without impairing operability.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, when the door is opened (door open) and the mode is shifted to the energy saving mode, the operator can be notified that there is a warning and the door is closed. Since the energy saving mode returns to the normal mode and the door closing can be detected, power consumption can be reduced without impairing operability.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, even when the energy saving mode is entered in the toner end state, the operator can be informed that there is a warning, and when the operation of filling the toner is performed, the energy saving mode is achieved. Therefore, it is possible to detect power consumption without deteriorating the operability.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, when the recording paper jam is entered and the energy saving mode is entered, it is possible to notify the operator that there is a warning, and when the recording paper jam removal operation is performed, the energy saving is achieved. Since the mode returns to the normal mode and the removal of the recording paper jam can be detected, the power consumption can be reduced without impairing the operability.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, even when the document jam state shifts to the energy saving mode, it is possible to notify the operator that there is a warning, and when the document jam removing operation is performed, the energy saving mode is started. Since the normal mode can be restored and the original jam removal can be detected, the power consumption can be reduced without impairing the operability.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the function for displaying a warning factor is displayed even when a factor for displaying a warning is generated when there is a request to shift to the energy saving mode in the normal mode. By realizing by turning on the dedicated indicator lamp, it is possible to shift to the energy saving mode without impairing the warning display function, and it is possible to further reduce power consumption without impairing operability.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the function for displaying a warning factor is provided even when a factor for displaying a warning is generated when there is a request to shift to the energy saving mode in the normal mode. By flashing the display that shows the mode, it is possible to shift to the energy saving mode without impairing the warning display function, and to further reduce power consumption without impairing operability. it can.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the function for displaying a warning factor is provided even when a factor for displaying a warning is generated even when there is a request for switching to the energy saving mode in the normal mode. By changing the color of the display that indicates the mode, it is possible to shift to the energy saving mode without impairing the warning display function, and further reduce power consumption without impairing operability. Can do.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First form)
The first aspect of the present invention is an electronic device having an energy saving mode that suppresses power consumption during standby as one of the device modes, and controls display means for displaying a warning even in the energy saving mode. Provided as a possible display unit, and equipped with a transition means for shifting the device mode to the energy saving mode, even when there is a factor indicating some warning, when there is a request for shifting to the energy saving mode, such as an operator command, The shift means shifts the mode of the device to the energy saving mode, and at this time, the display unit is configured to display that there is a warning even in the energy saving mode.

  In the first mode of the present invention, when there is a request to shift to the energy saving mode in the normal mode, the warning display function is shifted to the energy saving mode even while a factor for displaying some warning is occurring. Therefore, power consumption can be reduced without impairing operability.

(Second form)
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device of the first aspect, even when there is a factor that should indicate a warning at the end of the recording paper in the energy saving mode, a request for shifting to the energy saving mode, such as an operator command, is provided. If there is, the transition means shifts the mode of the device to the energy saving mode, and at that time, the display unit displays a warning that there is a warning even in the energy saving mode. It is characterized by having a function of detecting an event that can trigger recording paper filling such as door opening and closing as a request to return from the energy saving mode.

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, even when the recording paper end (no recording paper) is entered and the mode is shifted to the energy saving mode, it is possible to notify the operator that there is a warning and to perform the operation of filling the recording paper. Then, the normal mode is restored from the energy saving mode, and the recording paper filling can be detected, so that power consumption can be reduced without impairing operability.

(Third form)
According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the first aspect, even when there is a factor indicating a door open warning in the energy saving mode, there is a request for shifting to the energy saving mode, such as an operator command. If there is, the transition means shifts the mode of the device to the energy saving mode, and at that time, the display unit displays a warning that there is a warning even in the energy saving mode state, and detects that the door is closed. It is characterized by having a function as a return request from the energy saving mode.

  In the third aspect of the present invention, when the door is open (door open) and the mode is shifted to the energy saving mode, the operator can be notified that there is a warning and the door is closed. Therefore, it is possible to detect power consumption without impairing operability.

(4th form)
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device of the first aspect, even when there is a factor that should indicate a toner end warning in the energy saving mode, there is a request for shifting to the energy saving mode, such as an operator command. If there is, the transition means shifts the device mode to the energy saving mode, and at that time, the display unit displays a warning message in the energy saving mode state. It is characterized in that it has a function of detecting an event that can trigger toner filling, such as a request for returning from the energy saving mode.

  In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, even when the toner end state is entered and the energy saving mode is entered, the operator can be informed that there is a warning, and when the operation of filling the toner is performed, the energy saving mode is changed to the normal mode. Therefore, it is possible to detect power consumption without deteriorating operability.

(5th form)
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device of the first aspect, even when there is a factor that should indicate a warning of a recording paper jam in the energy saving mode, a request for shifting to the energy saving mode, such as an operator command, is provided. If there is, the transition means shifts the mode of the device to the energy saving mode, and at that time, the display unit displays a warning that there is a warning even in the energy saving mode. It is characterized by having a function for detecting an event that can trigger recording paper jam removal such as door opening and closing as a request to return from the energy saving mode.

  In the fifth aspect of the present invention, even when the recording paper jam is entered and the energy saving mode is entered, the operator can be notified that there is a warning, and when the recording paper jam removal operation is performed, the energy saving mode is changed to the normal state. Since the recording paper jam removal can be detected by returning to the mode, the power consumption can be reduced without impairing the operability.

(Sixth form)
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device of the first aspect, even when there is a factor that should indicate a document jam warning in the energy saving mode, a request for shifting to the energy saving mode, such as an operator command, is made. If there is, the transition means shifts the mode of the device to the energy saving mode, and at that time, the display unit displays a warning that there is a warning even in the state of the energy saving mode. It is characterized in that it has a function for detecting an event that can be a trigger for eliminating the original jam such as the above as a request for returning from the energy saving mode.

  In the sixth embodiment of the present invention, even when the document jam state is entered and the energy saving mode is entered, the operator can be notified that there is a warning, and when the document jam removal operation is performed, the energy saving mode is changed to the normal mode. Since the original jam removal can be detected, the power consumption can be reduced without impairing the operability.

(7th form)
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device of any one of the first to sixth aspects, a display unit dedicated to warning is provided as the display unit, and there is a factor that should give some warning in the energy saving mode. When present, the warning is displayed by turning on a warning display unit.

  In the seventh aspect of the present invention, when there is a request to shift to the energy saving mode in the normal mode, a function for displaying a warning factor is displayed for a warning only while a factor for displaying a warning is generated. By realizing by turning on the lamp, it is possible to shift to the energy saving mode without impairing the warning display function, and it is possible to further reduce power consumption without impairing operability.

(Eighth form)
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, a display unit indicating that the display unit is in an energy saving mode is provided as the display unit. When there is a factor to indicate a warning, the warning is displayed by blinking a display unit indicating that the state is the energy saving mode.

  In the eighth embodiment of the present invention, when there is a request to shift to the energy saving mode in the normal mode, the function for displaying the warning factor is in the energy saving mode even while the factor for displaying the warning is generated. This is realized by blinking the display unit indicating that it is possible to shift to the energy saving mode without impairing the warning display function, and it is possible to further reduce power consumption without impairing operability.

(9th form)
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, a display unit indicating that the display unit is in an energy saving mode is provided as the display unit. When there is a factor to indicate a warning, the warning is displayed by changing the color of the display unit indicating that the state is the energy saving mode.

  In the ninth aspect of the present invention, when there is a request to shift to the energy saving mode in the normal mode, the function for displaying the warning factor is in the energy saving mode even while the factor for displaying the warning is generated. This is realized by changing the color of the display unit indicating that the warning display function can be shifted to the energy saving mode without impairing the operability, and the power consumption can be further reduced without impairing the operability.

  Examples of the present invention will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the electronic apparatus is configured as a multifunction machine.

  That is, in FIG. 1, a scanner 1 is for reading a document image at a predetermined resolution, a plotter 2 is for recording and outputting a recorded image at a predetermined resolution, and a system control unit 3 is provided inside the multifunction device. The operation display unit 4 is provided with various keys necessary for operating the multi-function device, various operation guidance messages, a display for displaying a time display, and the like. The communication control unit 5 is for performing communication control such as facsimile transmission / reception, and the printer control unit 6 is for processing a print command from a personal computer or the like.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation for warning display when some warning factor is generated during normal standby (in the normal mode) and in the energy saving mode in the multifunction machine of FIG. The processing in FIG. 2 is performed in the system control unit 3 of the multifunction peripheral in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 2, in the normal mode, whether or not there is a cause for displaying various warnings such as recording paper end (no recording paper), door open (door open), toner end, recording paper jam, document jam, etc. (Step 201), if a factor for displaying a warning has occurred, a warning display (alarm display) corresponding to the warning factor is displayed on the operation display unit 4 (step 202).

  At this time, in the present invention, when a request to shift to the energy saving mode (energy saving mode shift request) such as an operator command or a timeout occurs (step 203), the energy saving is performed even while the warning factor is generated. The mode (energy saving mode) is entered (step 204).

  In the present invention, even in the energy saving mode, it is determined whether or not a factor for displaying the various warnings described above has occurred (step 205). Then, the warning display (alarm display) for energy saving as described later (as will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3) is performed on the operation display unit 4 (step 206).

  Then, during the energy saving mode, detection of factors that trigger recording paper filling such as recording paper door opening and closing, detection of door closing for door opening (door opening), detection of factors that trigger toner filling such as toner cover opening and closing, and recording When there is a request to return to the normal mode, such as detection of a factor that triggers removal of a recording paper jam such as opening / closing of a paper door, or detection of a factor that triggers removal of a document jam such as opening / closing of a document door (step 207), an energy saving mode To normal mode (step 208). 2 is performed (after reaching “END” in FIG. 2), the process returns to step 201 and the process of FIG. 2 is repeated.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the operation display unit 4 of the multifunction machine shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the operation display unit 4 includes display means (for example, an energy saving state display LED) 10 that is turned on in the energy saving mode and notifies the operator that the multifunction device is in the energy saving mode. In the present invention, for example, in the normal energy saving mode state (when image data or the like is not held), the LED 10 is lit in green, for example.

  In the energy saving mode, when a factor for displaying a warning is generated, a dedicated warning LED (not shown) is turned on (seventh embodiment), or the energy saving state display LED 10 blinks. Or the LED 10 is lit in orange (ninth form).

  As described above, according to the present invention, when there is a request to shift to the energy saving mode in the normal mode, the function for displaying the warning factor is not impaired even while the factor for displaying some warning is generated. When the operator shifts to the energy saving mode and cancels the warning, the operator can quickly return to the normal mode, and the warning can be canceled when the warning factor is removed.

  It should be noted that there is a request for transition to the energy saving mode such as an operator command even when there is a factor indicating a warning in the processing in the electronic device described in the above-described best mode for carrying out the present invention. And a process of causing the computer (for example, the system control unit 3 in FIG. 1) to realize the process of shifting the device mode to the energy saving mode and displaying a warning message in the energy saving mode. Can be offered at.

  In addition, there is a request for transition to the energy saving mode such as an operator command even when there is a factor indicating a warning in the processing in the electronic device described in the above-described best mode for carrying out the present invention. And a program for causing a computer (for example, the system control unit 3 in FIG. 1) to implement a process of shifting the device mode to the energy saving mode and displaying a warning message even in the energy saving mode. The program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program can be distributed from the recording medium via a network such as the Internet.

The present invention can be used for digital copying machines, MFPs (multifunction machines such as copying, FAX, printers, and scanners), measuring instruments, and the like.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the electronic device of the Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation display part of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Scanner 2 Plotter 3 System control part 4 Operation display part 5 Communication control part 6 Printer control part 10 Display means

Claims (13)

An electronic device that includes an energy saving mode that suppresses power consumption during standby as one of the device modes, and that includes a display unit that displays a warning as a display unit that can be controlled even in the energy saving mode. Provided with a transition means for shifting the mode to the energy saving mode, and even when there is a factor indicating some warning, when there is a request for transition to the energy saving mode, the transition means shifts the mode of the device to the energy saving mode, At this time, the display unit is configured to display that there is a warning even in an energy saving mode. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein when there is a factor to indicate a warning at the end of the recording paper in the energy saving mode, if there is a request for shifting to the energy saving mode, the shifting means sets the device mode to the energy saving mode. At that time, the display unit displays a warning message even in the energy saving mode, and a function for detecting an event that may trigger recording paper filling is returned from the energy saving mode. An electronic device characterized by being provided as a request. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein when there is a factor to indicate a door open warning in the energy saving mode, if there is a request for shifting to the energy saving mode, the shifting means sets the device mode to the energy saving mode. In this case, the display unit is configured to perform a display indicating that there is a warning even in the energy saving mode, and has a door closing detection function as a return request from the energy saving mode. Electronic equipment. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein when there is a factor that should indicate a toner end warning in the energy saving mode, if there is a request for shifting to the energy saving mode, the shifting means sets the device mode to the energy saving mode. At that time, the display unit displays a warning message even in the energy saving mode, and a function for detecting an event that can trigger toner filling is used as a request to return from the energy saving mode. An electronic device characterized by comprising. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein when there is a factor to indicate a recording paper jam warning in the energy saving mode, if there is a request for shifting to the energy saving mode, the shifting means sets the device mode to the energy saving mode. At that time, the display unit displays a warning message even in the energy saving mode, and an event detection function that can trigger the removal of the recording paper jam is provided from the energy saving mode. An electronic device characterized by being provided as a return request. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein when there is a factor to indicate a document jam warning in the energy saving mode, if there is a request for shifting to the energy saving mode, the shifting means sets the device mode to the energy saving mode. At that time, the display unit displays a warning message even in the energy saving mode, and a request for returning from the energy saving mode is provided for a detection function of an event that can trigger a document jam removal. An electronic device characterized by comprising: The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a display unit dedicated to warning is provided as the display unit, and there is a factor that should give some warning during the energy saving mode. In addition, the warning is displayed by turning on a warning display unit. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a display unit indicating that the display unit is in an energy saving mode is provided as the display unit, and a factor that should give some warning in the energy saving mode. An electronic device characterized by displaying the warning by blinking a display portion indicating that the state is in the energy saving mode when the device exists. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a display unit indicating that the display unit is in an energy saving mode is provided as the display unit, and a factor that should give some warning in the energy saving mode. An electronic device characterized by displaying the warning by changing the color of the display portion indicating that the state is in the energy saving mode. 10. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device has at least two functions of a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a copying machine, a facsimile, and a printer. An electronic device characterized by being a multifunction device having A control method for an electronic device that includes an energy saving mode that suppresses power consumption during standby as one of the device modes, and there is a request to shift to the energy saving mode even when a factor indicating some warning exists. A method of controlling an electronic device, wherein the device mode is changed to the energy saving mode, and at that time, a warning message is displayed even in the energy saving mode. Even when there is a factor indicating a warning, if there is a request to switch to the energy saving mode, the device mode is changed to the energy saving mode, and at that time, a warning is displayed even in the energy saving mode. A program to make a computer realize. Even when there is a factor indicating a warning, if there is a request to switch to the energy saving mode, the device mode is changed to the energy saving mode, and at that time, a warning is displayed even in the energy saving mode. The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program for making a computer perform.

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