JP2007065255A - Image forming apparatus, method for controlling image forming apparatus, power monitoring system of image forming apparatus and method for controlling power monitoring system of image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To set an energy saving mode shifting time for lowering power consumption based on an actual operation pattern. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is equipped with an energy saving mode in which the power consumption is lower than in an ordinary state: the energy saving mode shifting time to shift to the energy saving mode; a release means for releasing the energy saving mode: a monitoring means for monitoring the service circumstances of the image forming apparatus for a fixed period; a storage means for storing the result of monitoring; a calculation means for calculating consumed electric power for the fixed period based on result of monitoring stored in the storage means; and a means for temporarily setting the energy saving mode shifting time and calculating virtual power consumption based on the temporarily set shifting time and the content of the storage means. When the image forming apparatus is not used for a fixed time or longer, the energy saving mode shifting time of the image forming apparatus is reset based on a result obtained by calculating the virtual power consumption. It is equipped with: a means for displaying the virtual power consumption and the power consumption for the fixed period; and a means for inputting the energy saving mode shifting time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus that monitor an electric power for optimizing an energy saving mode transition time for the purpose of reducing power consumption when an image forming apparatus having an energy saving mode is connected to a power monitoring apparatus via a network.

Currently, power is produced (power generation) in a form that consumes resources, and an increase in power consumption leads to the destruction of the global environment. Tendency. Therefore, regulations and standards related to energy conservation have been established in each country. In Japan, there is the Energy Conservation Law and in the United States, Energy Star, but these regulations have been revised and the standards are becoming stricter.
On the other hand, from the viewpoint of improving environmental awareness and reducing electricity bills, users are increasingly purchasing products that emphasize power consumption and energy efficiency in catalogs and advertisements. For this reason, many image forming apparatuses that shift to an energy saving mode in which the power is reduced from the normal power consumption are manufactured / sold when the image forming apparatus is not used for a certain period of time.
However, if such an image forming apparatus reduces the time for shifting to the energy saving mode for the purpose of reducing power consumption, the fixing device temperature of the image forming apparatus is lowered when used, and the copy waiting time becomes longer. Considering the ease of use, increasing the time for shifting to the energy saving mode leads to an increase in power consumption.
In order to solve such a problem, the following patent documents are disclosed in the prior art relating to the image forming apparatus.
JP 2004-268529 A

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 holds some data related to the usage status of a printing apparatus, and based on the data related to the usage status of the printing apparatus, several times for shifting to a power saving mode suitable for an environment in which the printing apparatus is used. A print control method is disclosed in which learning is performed from among the choices and an optimal transition time to the power saving mode is selected for each use situation.
JP 2004-101919 A

In Patent Document 2, in order to automatically determine an appropriate standby time until the energy saving mode is entered according to the environment of the office or office where the image forming apparatus is placed, and further according to the use situation of the user, In the time zone where the time to shift to the energy saving mode from the standby state and the time to shift to the standby state from the energy saving mode, the clock means for recognizing the day of the week and the time, the frequency of use of the image forming apparatus is high An image forming apparatus is disclosed in which the transition time to the energy saving mode is set to be long and the transition time is set to be short in the energy saving mode in a time zone where the frequency of use is low.
JP 2003-307980 A

  In Patent Document 3, the frequency of use of the image reading unit and the image forming unit for a certain period is measured, and the normal mode of at least one of the image reading unit and the image forming unit is shifted to the power saving mode at the measured usage frequency. Changing the time is disclosed.

By the way, in the prior art, power saving is achieved by changing the transition time to the energy saving mode according to the use state (usage frequency).
However, it is not considered in Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3 to know how much power consumption has been reduced or increased by changing the transition time to the energy saving mode. . Further, when considering the power saving of the image forming apparatus, it is not only the relationship between the time for shifting to the energy saving mode and the use frequency.
As described above, power reduction of the OA device is required, and in the energy saving mode state, the power supply to the heating unit of the fixing device is stopped. Therefore, there is a reality that the power consumption during so-called warm-up until the energy saving mode is canceled and the image forming operation becomes possible becomes very large.
Therefore, the power consumption per sheet when the energy saving mode is canceled and one copy is made differs greatly from the power consumption per sheet when the energy saving mode is canceled and several tens of copies are made.
For example, in an image forming apparatus capable of outputting 35 copies per minute, the power consumption per copy when copying one copy after canceling the energy-saving mode is 6.4 W / copy, the same When the energy saving mode is canceled with the machine and 30 sheets are copied, the power consumption per sheet is 0.36 W / sheet. Accordingly, if a small number of copies are output after the energy-saving mode is released, the power consumption increases.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to compare the power consumption during a certain period of the current image forming operation with the power consumption when the energy saving mode transition time is changed, and to set the energy saving mode transition time with less power consumption as the image forming apparatus. By setting the energy saving mode transition time, it is possible to provide a power monitoring system for an image forming apparatus that can reduce power consumption, and to visualize the power consumption that can be reduced, and to effectively promote power reduction. And a power monitoring system for the image forming apparatus.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in the power monitoring system including a power monitoring device that monitors power consumption of the image forming apparatus via a network, the image forming apparatus has an energy saving mode in which power consumption is lower than a normal state, and the image An energy-saving mode transition time for shifting to the energy-saving mode when the forming apparatus is not used for a certain period of time and an energy-saving mode canceling means for canceling the energy-saving mode are provided, and the power monitoring apparatus monitors the usage status of the image forming apparatus for a certain period. Monitoring means for storing, storage means for storing the monitoring results by the monitoring means, power consumption calculating means for calculating the amount of power consumption for the predetermined period based on the monitoring results stored in the storage means, and the energy saving mode A transition time is temporarily set, and the virtual energy consumption mode transition time and the contents of the monitoring result stored in the storage means are virtually erased. Characterized in that comprises a temporary power consumption calculation means for calculating the power, the.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the monitoring means is the image forming operation pattern of the image forming apparatus, the return time, the copy operation time, the energy saving mode transition time, and the energy saving mode time that was the energy saving mode. Is monitored for a certain period.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a comparison means between the calculation result of the power consumption calculation means and the calculation result of the temporary power consumption calculation means. As a result of the comparison, when the calculation result of the temporary power consumption calculation unit is lower in power consumption, the temporary energy saving mode transition time is automatically set to the energy saving mode transition time of the image forming apparatus.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the first, second or third aspect of the invention, the power consumption for a certain period, the virtual power consumption, the energy saving mode transition time for a certain period or the time stored in the storage means It is characterized by comprising display means for displaying all or any of the temporarily set energy saving mode transition times.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, or the fourth aspect, the energy saving mode transition time or the temporarily set energy saving mode transition time is input. An input means for receiving is provided.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first, second, and third aspects of the present invention, the temporary setting energy saving mode transition time is received by the input means, and the input means receives the input time. A simulation unit that calculates power consumption based on the temporarily set energy saving mode transition time and a display unit that displays a simulation result by the simulation unit are provided.
According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the sixth aspect of the invention, the energy saving mode transition time of the power consumption simulated by the simulation means is set as a new energy saving mode transition time of the image forming apparatus.
The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising energy saving mode transition time resetting means for automatically reviewing the energy saving mode transition time at a specific interval. It is characterized by that.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, in the eighth aspect of the invention, the power consumption measurement in a state where the energy saving mode transition time is reset by the energy saving mode transition time resetting means is performed for a certain period, and the energy saving mode transition time is reset. It is characterized by comprising display means for displaying the power consumption before the power consumption and the power consumption for a certain period.
The invention according to claim 10 is provided with a selection means for accepting selection of ease of use priority or power consumption reduction priority in the invention of any one of claims 1 to 9. Features.
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, an electricity bill corresponding to the power consumption calculated by the power consumption calculating means and the temporary power consumption calculating means. A charge display means for displaying both or one of the electricity charges corresponding to the power consumption calculated by the above is provided.
In the invention of claim 12, in the invention of any one of claims 1 to 11, the power consumption calculated by the power consumption calculating means and the power consumption calculated by the temporary power consumption calculating means. A power consumption transmitting means for transmitting either or both of the above to the image forming apparatus is provided.
The invention according to claim 13 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein either or both of the notification of changing the energy saving mode transition time or the energy saving mode transition time for performing the change are performed. It is characterized by comprising a transmission means for transmitting.
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, the instruction means for receiving an instruction to review the energy saving mode transition time from the image forming apparatus, and the instruction means And a result transmitting means for transmitting the result of changing the energy saving mode transition time corresponding to the received instruction to the image forming apparatus.
According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the twelfth, thirteenth, or fourteenth aspect, display means for displaying power consumption and / or energy saving mode transition time transmitted to the image forming apparatus. It is provided with.
According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes a power monitoring device that monitors power consumption of the image forming apparatus via a network, and the image forming apparatus has a power saving mode in which power consumption is lower than that in a normal state, and the image forming apparatus has a predetermined time. In the control method of the power monitoring system in which the energy saving mode transition time for transitioning to the energy saving mode when not used above is set, the image forming operation pattern of the image forming apparatus, the return time, the copy operation time, the energy saving mode transition time, The first step for monitoring the energy saving mode time for a certain period, the second step for storing the result monitored in the first step, and the power consumption for a certain period based on the monitoring result stored in the second step A third step, a fourth step of temporarily setting the energy saving mode transition time;
Corresponding to the energy saving mode transition time temporarily set in the fourth step, the fifth step of measuring the operating time based on the monitoring result stored in the second step, and the operating time measured in the fifth step And a sixth step of calculating virtual power consumption.

The invention according to claim 17 is provided with an energy saving mode that consumes less power than a normal state, and includes an energy saving mode transition time for shifting to the energy saving mode when not used for a certain period of time, and an energy saving mode canceling means for canceling the energy saving mode. In the image forming apparatus, based on the monitoring result stored in the storage unit, the monitoring unit that monitors the usage status of the image forming apparatus for a certain period, the storage unit that stores the monitoring result by the monitoring unit, The power consumption calculating means for calculating the amount of power consumption during the period and the energy saving mode transition time are temporarily set, and the virtual power consumption is calculated based on the temporary energy saving mode transition time and the contents of the monitoring result stored in the storage means Provisional power consumption calculating means.
In the invention described in claim 18, in the invention described in claim 17, the monitoring means is an image forming operation pattern of the image forming apparatus, a recovery time, a copy operation time, an energy saving mode transition time, and an energy saving mode time which is an energy saving mode. Is monitored for a certain period.
The invention according to claim 19 is the invention according to claim 17 or claim 18, further comprising a comparison means between the calculation result of the power consumption calculation means and the calculation result of the temporary power consumption calculation means. As a result of the comparison, when the calculation result of the temporary power consumption calculation unit is lower in power consumption, the temporary energy saving mode transition time is automatically set to the energy saving mode transition time of the image forming apparatus.
The invention according to claim 20 is the invention according to claim 17, claim 18 or claim 19, further comprising energy saving mode transition time resetting means for automatically reviewing the energy saving mode transition time at specific intervals. It is characterized by that.
The invention according to claim 21 is the invention according to claim 17, 18 or 19, further comprising an operation instruction key for accepting a review of the energy saving mode transition time.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth or twentieth aspect, an input for accepting an input of either or both of the energy saving mode transition time and the temporary energy saving mode transition time. Means are provided.
According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the seventeenth to twenty-second aspects, an input means for receiving an input of the temporary setting energy saving mode transition time, and a temporary setting energy saving mode received by the input means. A simulation unit that calculates power consumption based on the transition time and a display unit that displays a simulation result by the simulation unit are provided.
According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the twenty-third aspect, the energy saving mode transition time of the power consumption simulated by the simulation unit is set as a new energy saving mode transition time of the image forming apparatus.
According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the seventeenth to twenty-fourth aspects, the power consumption for a certain period, the virtual power consumption, and the energy saving mode transition time for a certain period stored in the storage means. Alternatively, a display means for displaying all or any of the temporarily set energy saving mode transition times is provided.
According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the invention, in the invention according to any one of the seventeenth to twenty-fifth aspects, the power consumption measurement in a state where the energy-saving mode transition time is reset by the energy-saving mode transition time resetting means is performed for a predetermined period. And a display means for displaying the power consumption before resetting the energy saving mode transition time and the power consumption for a certain period of time.
The invention according to claim 27 is the invention according to any one of claims 17 to 26, further comprising selection means for accepting selection of ease of use priority or power consumption reduction priority. And
According to the invention of claim 28, in the invention of any one of claims 17 to 27, an electricity bill corresponding to the power consumption calculated by the power consumption calculation means and the temporary power consumption calculation means It is characterized by comprising a charge display means for displaying both or one of the electricity charges corresponding to the calculated power consumption.
According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an energy saving mode with lower power consumption than in a normal state, provided with an energy saving mode transition time for shifting to the energy saving mode when not used for a certain period of time, and an energy saving mode releasing means for releasing the energy saving mode In the control method of the image forming apparatus, the first step of monitoring the image forming operation pattern, the return time, the copy operation time, the energy saving mode transition time, and the energy saving mode time for a certain period, and the result monitored in the first step A second step of storing, a third step of calculating power consumption for a fixed period based on the monitoring result stored in the second step, a fourth step of temporarily setting the energy saving mode transition time, and a fourth step Corresponding to the energy saving mode transition time temporarily set in the step, the operation time is measured based on the monitoring result stored in the second step. A fifth step that, characterized by comprising a seventh step of calculating a virtual power consumption has been operating time measurement in the fifth step.

  According to the first to sixteenth aspects of the present invention, in the power monitoring system of the image forming apparatus or the control method of the power monitoring system of the image forming apparatus, when the current power consumption for a certain period and the energy saving mode transition time are temporarily set. The power consumption can be reduced by comparing the power consumption with the power saving mode and setting the temporary energy saving mode transition time with less power consumption as the energy saving mode transition time. In addition, the power consumption that can be reduced can be visualized, and the power reduction can be effectively promoted.

  According to the image forming apparatus or the image forming apparatus control method of claims 17 to 29, a comparison is made between the current power consumption for a certain period and the power consumption when the energy saving mode transition time is temporarily set. By setting the temporary energy saving mode transition time with less power as the energy saving mode transition time, the power consumption of the image forming apparatus can be reduced. Further, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can visualize power consumption that can be reduced and can effectively promote power reduction.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a power monitoring system according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, this power monitoring system includes an office office equipment, lighting equipment control device, and entrance / exit management system installed in a company (building) connected to an in-house LAN (local area network). It is connected to the monitoring device 108 via a LAN (Local Area Network).
The device monitoring system also includes functions other than the power monitoring system of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, such as a security management function and a lighting monitoring function that monitor employee entry and exit. Only the function of the power monitoring system of the image forming apparatus will be described. Therefore, hereinafter, the device monitoring system will be described as a power monitoring system for the image forming apparatus.

The power monitoring system for the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is installed on the first floor or the A room 118 and connected to the in-house LAN. The image forming apparatuses 103 and 104, the image forming apparatus (printer) 105, the personal computer 109, To monitor the image forming apparatus 110, the image forming apparatus 111, the facsimile apparatus (FAX) 112, and the lighting equipment control apparatus 113 that are installed in the exit management system 115, the second floor or the B room 117 and connected to the in-house LAN. A monitoring device 108 connected to the in-house LAN, a web server 107 connected to the Internet through a router 120, and an external monitor 116 that publishes the web server data and can be viewed by a specified user. It consists of
Note that the image forming apparatus 103 has an optical sensor that detects the brightness of the surroundings, and the monitoring apparatus monitors this information, so that the image forming apparatus 103 can be switched to the energy saving mode remotely. is there.

  The entry / exit management system performs human entry / exit management and security management by reading IC card information in which personal information is stored in an IC card. The entrance / exit management system 115 transmits the information to the monitoring device 108 through the LAN when all persons on each floor or room leave the office and when a person enters the room or floor. The monitoring device 108 publishes data on the web server 107 that stores and manages the above-described device information so that a specified user can view it.

  Further, the monitoring device 108 has a clock function and a calendar function. When a preset date and time or a break time such as a lunch break is reached, the power supply of the lighting and the image forming apparatus is turned off or the energy saving mode is set. Perform the transition operation to. In addition, it has a function of turning on the power supply of the lighting and the image forming apparatus and canceling the energy saving mode when a preset date and time or a time when a break such as a lunch break ends.

The monitoring apparatus 108 according to the present exemplary embodiment is configured to perform a warm-up mode, a copy mode (image forming operation) standby mode, an energy saving mode, a return mode, and the respective modes of the image forming apparatuses 103 to 105, 110, and 111 via a network (LAN). The operation time of the operation mode is monitored and stored. Since the image forming apparatus shifts to the energy saving mode if it is not used for a certain period of time in the standby mode state, the standby mode time becomes the energy saving mode shift time.
The monitoring device 108 monitors the operation state when generating power consumption of each image forming apparatus based on the operation time of each mode and the power consumption of each operation mode set in advance, and generates the operation time of each mode. In some cases, the power consumption of each image forming apparatus is calculated.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of a power monitoring system using the Internet according to the present embodiment.
The monitoring device 208 can perform the same operation as the power monitoring system of FIG. 1 by setting the network address of the image forming apparatus to be monitored in advance.
This power monitoring system publishes data on the management server 219 or the web server 207 so that a specified specific user can view it.
The power monitoring system of the image forming apparatus includes a network system 218 of company A, a network system 217 of company B, a monitoring device 208 connected to the Internet for monitoring the devices, a management server 219, or a web server 207. It is composed of an external monitor 216 that allows data to be disclosed and viewed by a specified specific user.
The network system 218 of company A is connected to the in-house LAN in which the image forming apparatus 203, the image forming apparatus 204, the image forming apparatus 2 (printer) 205, the scanner 206, and the entry / exit management system 215 are connected to prevent unauthorized entry from the outside. Are connected to a router 201 through a firewall 202. The router 201 is connected to the Internet. The network system 217 of company B includes an image forming apparatus 210, an image forming apparatus 211, a facsimile apparatus (FAX) 212, a personal computer 209, and a lighting equipment control apparatus 213 connected to an in-house LAN and connected to the Internet through a router 214. It is connected.
Although the present embodiment is a system using a LAN, it is also possible to connect to the Internet using an analog modem or ADSL.
The operation of the monitoring device 208 is the same as that of the monitoring device 108 described in FIG.

Next, a typical circuit diagram of an image forming apparatus connected to the monitoring apparatus 108 in FIG.
The system of the image forming apparatus includes a controller board 501 that performs overall control of the image forming apparatus, an operation unit control board 502 of the image forming apparatus connected to the controller board 501, and an HDD (hard disk drive) 503 that stores image data. A LAN interface board 505, a FAX controller unit (FCU) 506 connected to the controller board 501 by a general-purpose PIC bus, an engine control board 510, and a scanner board for reading a copy original (image) connected to the engine control board 510 ( SBU) 511, a writing control board 512 for writing image data on the drum, an AC control circuit 519 for supplying power to the fixing device mounted in the image forming apparatus, a PSU 525 for supplying power to the board and the control circuit, etc. Constructed.

  The PSU 525 includes a switching regulator IC 515, and supplies power necessary for the image forming apparatus to perform an image forming operation to each board, control circuit, and mechatronic component. Further, when the energy saving mode transition signal (c) for reducing the power consumption of the image forming apparatus is output from the CPU 518 of the engine control board 510, the PSU 525 outputs the controller board 501, the LAN interface board 505, and the energy saving mode cancel SW 508. The operation is stopped except for the power supply to the ADF sensor 509.

The LAN interface board 505 is connected to an in-house LAN, and the communication interface with the controller board is connected through standard communication interfaces of a PHY chip I / F (interface) and an I2C bus I / F (interface). . Communication with an external device is performed via the LAN interface board 505.
When receiving a signal from the external device, the LAN interface board 505 outputs an energy saving mode cancel signal (a) to the PSU 525. The PSU 525 supplies power necessary for image formation of the image forming apparatus to each board, control circuit, and mechatronic component in order to cancel the energy saving mode. The image forming apparatus returns to the same state as when the main power switch is turned on.

The PSU 525 receives an energy saving mode cancel signal (b) from the energy saving mode cancel SW 508, an output of the pressure plate sensor 522 for detecting the opening of the pressure plate, or the output of the ADF sensor 509 for detecting the document insertion into the ADF (automatic document feeder). Then, in order to cancel the energy saving mode, power is supplied to each board, the control circuit, and the mechatronic component as necessary for image formation of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus returns to the same state as when the main power switch is turned on.
When the energy saving mode transition time review key 530 is pressed, the CPU of the operation unit control board 502 transmits a signal to the controller board 501. The CPU of the controller board 501 transmits this signal to the power monitoring device.

Next, the control circuit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 3 will be described in detail.
A color original reading unit 300 for optically reading an original scans the original with an original illumination light source, and forms an original image on the CCD 521. An original image, that is, reflected light of light irradiation on the original is photoelectrically converted by the CCD 521 to generate R, G, and B image signals.
The CCD 521 is a 3-line color CCD, generates EVENch / ODDch R, G, B image signals and inputs them to the analog ASIC of the SBU board. The SBU board includes an analog ASIC and a circuit for generating drive timings for the CCD and analog ASIC.
The output of the CCD 521 is sampled and held by a sample and hold circuit inside the analog ASIC, then A / D (analog / digital) converted, converted into R, G, and B image data, and output I / O of the image data bus The image data is sent to an image data processor IPP (Image Processing Processor; hereinafter simply referred to as IPP) via F (interface) 520.

The IPP is a programmable arithmetic processing unit that performs image processing. Image data transferred from the SBU to the IPP is corrected for signal deterioration (signal deterioration of the scanner system) by the IPP and written in the frame memory 507.
The controller board 501 includes a ROM that controls the CPU and the system controller board, a RAM that is a working memory used by the CPU, an NV-RAM that has an SRAM backup and clock function using a lithium battery, and a system controller board 501. System bus control, local bus control, memory interface control such as frame memory, FIFO, PCI bus, HDD I / F, compression / decompression, editing / rotation function and ASIC with CPU peripheral control function and its interface circuit etc. It is installed.
The NV-RAM stores an operation pattern of the image forming apparatus, a return time, a copy mode (image forming operation) time, a standby mode time, and an energy saving mode time.
Since the image forming apparatus shifts to the energy saving mode if it is not used for a certain period of time in the standby mode state, the standby mode time becomes the energy saving mode shift time. Each operation mode time is monitored by the monitoring device 108, and the monitoring device 108 calculates the power consumption of each image forming apparatus based on the operation time of each mode and the power consumption of each operation mode set in advance. It has become.

A work memory 504 is a working memory for image development (conversion from document data to image data) used in the printer. The frame memory 507 is a working memory that temporarily stores a read image that is printed immediately while power is being supplied and image data of a written image.
The HDD 503 is used as an application database that stores system application programs and device activation information of printers and image forming process devices, and an image database that stores image data of read images and write images, that is, image data and document data. .
Both the physical interface and the electrical interface are connected to the controller through an interface compliant with ATA / ATAPI-4.

The system controller board 501 controls the entire system such as a scanner application, a facsimile application, a printer application, and a copy application using the above functions.
Further, the input of the operation unit control board 502 is decoded, and the setting of the system and the contents of the state are displayed on the display unit of the operation unit.
The operation unit control board 502 is equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, LCD, and ASIC (LCDC) for controlling key input.
In the ROM, a control program for controlling the operation unit control board 502 for controlling input reading and display output of the operation unit control board 502 is written. The RAM is a working memory used by the CPU.
Through communication with the controller board 501, the user operates the panel to input system settings, and controls the display and input to display the system setting contents and status to the user.

In addition, the operation unit control board 502 changes the power consumption, virtual power consumption, reset energy saving mode transition time, energy saving mode transition time before resetting, and energy saving mode transmitted from the monitoring device 108 for a certain period. It has a function to confirm and input the display and change of the energy saving mode, a review key for the energy saving mode transition time, and the like.
The engine control board 510 mainly performs image creation control of the image forming apparatus, and includes a CPU, an IPP that performs image processing, a ROM that contains programs necessary to control copying and printout, a RAM that is necessary for the control, And NV-RAM.
It also has a serial interface that transmits and receives signals to and from other CPUs that perform control.

I / OASIC is a motor that controls the image forming apparatus, high-voltage power supply control such as charging, developing bias and transfer bias used for image formation, pick-up solenoid that feeds copy paper, paper feed clutch, registration clutch, etc., registration sensor, I / O control of the image forming apparatus including analog control such as a discharge sensor, a toner end sensor, a P sensor, a T sensor, and a thermistor for detecting a fixing temperature is performed.
This fixing temperature is detected when the main power is turned on or when the energy saving mode is released, and is stored in the NV-RAM and used for detecting an abnormality when the fixing device is started up. This fixing temperature is also transmitted to the power monitoring apparatus according to an instruction from the power monitoring apparatus.
The writing control board 512 has a writing image processing ASIC 513 and an LD driver 514 that drives PWM signals of black (B), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M) output from the ASIC. It is installed. The written image processing ASIC 513 performs edge correction, jaggy correction, double density processing, and the like.
The LD 517 is composed of four units for each color and includes a synchronization detection sensor 516.
The LD driver 514 performs current control (modulation control) so that the laser light becomes a predetermined value by detecting and feeding back the output light of the LD with the PD.

Next, operation pattern examples of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a pattern example of an image forming operation (copying operation) of the image forming apparatus.
In copy operation pattern 1, the main power supply is turned on to perform a copy operation, and after a predetermined time or more has elapsed, the operation shifts to the sleep mode (energy saving mode). In the copy operation pattern 2, the sleep mode (energy saving mode) is canceled, the return operation is performed, and the mode shifts to the sleep mode (energy saving mode) when a predetermined time or more elapses after the copy operation.
Copy operation pattern 3 and copy operation pattern 4 are examples in which the copy operation is performed within a short time in the sleep mode. The copy operation pattern 4 is an example in which a copy operation is performed before shifting to the sleep mode.
Copy operation pattern 5 is an example in which a copy operation is performed in which a large number of copies are ejected after the sleep mode is canceled.
The power consumption of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 4 for a certain period is copy operation pattern 1 (A1 + A2 + A3 + A4) + copy operation pattern 2 (B1 + B2 + B3 + B4) + copy operation pattern 3 + copy operation pattern 4 + copy operation pattern 5 + copy operation pattern N.
A1 to A4 and B1 to B4 are power consumption (W) in each operation mode.
This copy operation pattern differs depending on the device or user. Therefore, power consumption is also different.
In this embodiment, it is assumed that the copy operation interval is the same, and the power consumption is calculated by changing only the energy saving mode transition time.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a pattern example of an image forming operation (copy operation) of the image forming apparatus generated by changing the energy saving mode transition time.
This copy operation pattern is an example in which the time for shifting to the energy saving mode is shortened and lengthened. If it is shortened, the time in the energy saving mode becomes longer, so the power consumption in the standby mode can be reduced. On the other hand, when the copy operation time interval is short, the power consumption at the time of return can be reduced if the relationship of the power consumption at the time of return to the power consumption at the time of sleep is satisfied by extending the energy saving mode transition time.

Next, a method for calculating power consumption when the energy saving mode transition time is changed will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, a method for calculating power consumption when the transition to the energy saving mode is made shorter (1 minute) than the current transition time (15 minutes) will be described. Details will be described in the description of the power consumption calculation flowchart (FIG. 22).
As a power consumption calculation method when the transition to the energy saving mode is made shorter than the current transition time (15 minutes), consumption is divided into patterns when the copy operation is performed and when it is not performed within the current transition time. It is necessary to calculate the power.
If the copy operation is not performed, simply replace the standby time (transition time), subtract the shortened standby time (transition time) from the current standby time (transition time), and add the current energy saving mode time to this value. Addition makes it possible to calculate a new energy saving mode time when the transition time is shortened.

The power consumption of the pattern in FIG. 6 is obtained by calculating the product of the transition time (1 minute) and the power consumption per hour (Wh) in the standby mode, and calculating the energy saving mode time calculated above and the hour in the energy saving mode. It can be obtained by adding the product with the power consumption (Wh).
The formula of the pattern shown in FIG. 6 is: power consumption = [temporary transition time (1 minute) × standby power (Wh)] + [current energy saving mode time (d) + current transition time (15 minutes) −temporary Transition time (1 minute)] × power (Wh) in the energy saving mode.
When the energy saving mode transition time is 1 minute, the virtual power consumption in the upper diagram is a + b + c + d. Therefore, the power consumption of the part a can be reduced by setting the transition time to 1 minute.
The calculation formula is shown below.

[Virtual power consumption of part b (power consumption during standby) = temporary transition time (1 minute)] × power during standby (Wh)
Virtual power consumption of part c = [current transition time (15 minutes) −provisional transition time (1 minute)] × power consumption in energy saving mode (Wh)
Power consumption in energy saving mode when set to 1 minute = c power + (energy saving mode time (d) x energy saving mode power (Wh))

The cumulative virtual power consumption for a certain period is given by the following formula.
[(B + c + d) cumulative power consumption] + [copy operation time cumulative x copy mode power (Wh)] + [recovery time cumulative x power at recovery (Wh)]

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the next copy occurs within the energy saving mode transition time (15 minutes).
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which the energy saving mode transition time of the copy operation of FIG. 7 is set to 1 minute.
If the transition to the energy saving mode is made shorter (1 minute) than the current transition time (15 minutes), the power consumption at the time of return for the copy operation continuously copied within the current transition time (15 minutes) Need to be added. Since the transition to the energy saving mode is made earlier, the standby power shown in FIG. 8 is reduced, but the number of times of restoration increases, so that the power consumption at the time of restoration increases. However, the power consumption during standby can be reduced because the mode is quickly shifted to the energy saving mode.
Whether the power is reduced when the transition time is shortened depends on the device and also depends on the number of occurrences of this mode.

When the copy operation is performed within the current transition time (when the transition to the energy saving mode is changed from 15 minutes to 1 minute and the copy operation occurs within 15 minutes), the power consumption calculation is performed in the standby mode. It is necessary to calculate the power consumption by dividing the above time into the standby mode time and the energy saving mode time, and to add the power consumption at the time of restoration of the number of times this copy operation has occurred.
The calculation formula is shown below.
Transitional power consumption for 1 minute (b standby power consumption) = temporary transition time (1 minute) × standby power (Wh)
Since the transition time is 1 minute and the standby mode is the energy saving mode, the virtual power consumption of the energy saving mode at this time is (c) = [standby mode time−temporary transition time (1 minute)] × power in the energy saving mode (Wh)

When the energy saving mode transition time is 15 minutes, the virtual power consumption when the image forming operation is performed a plurality of times within this time is (b + c + power consumption at recovery (10) + power consumption at copying (1)). What is necessary is just to calculate the operation pattern in which the copy operation has occurred within 15 minutes.
The accumulated virtual power consumption can be obtained by adding the following calculated value to this value.
[Total accumulated standby mode time x power in standby mode (Wh)] + [Generated accumulated energy saving mode time x power in energy saving mode (Wh)] + [Total accumulated copying operation time x power during copying (Wh)] + [Total recovery time x Power at recovery (Wh)]

Next, a method for calculating power consumption when the transition to the energy saving mode is made longer (15 minutes) than the current transition time (1 minute) will be described with reference to FIG. Details will be described in the description of the power consumption calculation flowchart (FIG. 23).
If there are many uses that make several copies in succession after shifting to energy saving mode, it is necessary to restore power each time a small number of copies are made. This reduction may vary depending on the device.
As a power consumption calculation method when the transition to the energy saving mode is longer than the current transition time (1 minute), when the return operation does not occur within the current transition time and when the return operation does not change It is necessary to calculate consumption separately. If the recovery operation does not occur within the current transition time even if the transition time is increased, the standby time (transition time) is simply replaced, and the current standby time (transition time) is changed from the increased standby time (transition time). ) And subtracting this value from the current energy saving mode time, a new energy saving mode time can be calculated.

The formula for calculating power consumption in FIG. 9 is shown below. This is a case where the return operation does not occur within the current transition time.
Transition time 1 minute (b) + energy saving mode time (c) is set as the standby mode time.
Virtual power consumption calculation = [(b time + c time) × power in standby mode (Wh)] + copy power consumption ((1))
If this calculation is performed for the operation patterns (1) to (6), the cumulative virtual power consumption of FIG. 9 is obtained.

The formula for calculating the power consumption in FIG. 10 is shown below. This is a case where the occurrence of the return operation does not change.
Since the standby mode (transition time) is 15 minutes, the new energy saving mode time (e) is the current energy saving mode transition time (d)-[standby mode time (15 minutes)-current standby time 1 minute] Become.
Therefore, when the energy saving mode transition time is set to 15 minutes, the virtual power consumption in FIG. 10 is = [temporary standby time × power in standby mode (Wh)] + [copy operation time × copy mode power (Wh)] + [New energy saving mode time x Power consumption in energy saving mode (Wh)]
The cumulative power consumption may be calculated for the number of times that the operation pattern of FIG. 10 has occurred.

Examples of the display screen and the input screen of the power monitoring apparatus according to the present embodiment are shown in FIGS.
First, an example of the basic screen of the power monitoring apparatus is shown in FIG.
The current energy saving mode transition time, the power consumption display for a certain period of this transition time, the transition time after changing the energy saving mode transition time, and the power consumption for a certain period of this transition time are displayed.
Next, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for changing the current energy saving mode transition time.
This input is a screen for input setting in consideration of ease of use, not for the purpose of reducing power consumption. If this value is input and the energy saving mode transition time is reviewed, this value becomes the current energy saving mode transition time.
The input is performed by clicking ▼ in the transition time display box displaying the current energy saving mode transition time and checking the check box for the displayed transition time.

Next, FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen that displays a result of simulating power consumption for a certain period by inputting a temporary energy saving mode transition time.
The temporary energy saving mode transition time is entered by clicking ▼ in the transition time display box displaying the changed energy saving mode transition time and checking the displayed transition time check box, and the simulation is performed. The result is displayed. The energy saving mode transition time after the change at this time changes to a temporary energy saving mode transition time.
By checking the check box for selecting the temporary energy saving mode transition time, the temporary energy saving mode transition time is set as the energy saving mode transition time and transmitted to the image forming apparatus.
Next, FIG. 14 shows an example of an input screen for selecting usability priority or power reduction priority.
By checking the ease of use priority check box, the energy saving mode transition time of the image forming apparatus is set to the maximum. Checking the checkbox for priority on power reduction will review the transition time for energy saving mode.
Next, FIG. 15 shows an example in which power consumption is converted into an electricity bill and displayed.
This electricity charge is a value converted at 23 yen per 1 kWh according to a flowchart displaying power consumption and electricity charge for a certain period.

Next, FIGS. 16 to 19 are flowcharts in which the power monitoring apparatus of the present invention acquires copy operation information from the image forming apparatus and generates an operation mode and an operation time thereof.
It is possible to accumulate the accumulated time of the operation mode for a certain period on the image forming apparatus side, acquire this information, and calculate the power consumption. This process will be described later.
First, a description will be given with reference to FIG. First, the power monitoring apparatus confirms whether communication with the image forming apparatus is possible (step 10). If communication cannot be confirmed (step 10; N), a copy operation counter that counts a series of copy operations in the copy mode, standby mode, energy-saving mode, and return mode, and other than the energy-saving mode return frequency counter, mode flag, counter related Is completed and the process is terminated (step 11).
On the other hand, if communication is possible (step 10; Y), it is confirmed whether the power consumption is being monitored for a predetermined period of time, for example, one month (step 12). If the monitoring is not in progress (step 12; N), the process is terminated.

When monitoring is in progress (step 12; Y), it is confirmed whether the image forming apparatus is copying (copy mode) (step 13). In the case of the copy mode (step 13; Y), the copy mode flag is set (step 14), and then a count of 1 is added to the counter for measuring the copy mode time (step 15).
Next, it is confirmed whether or not a returning flag that is set when the energy saving mode is canceled is set (step 16). If not set (step 16; N), the process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is set (step 16; Y), the timer during the return time measurement is stopped (step 17), and then the return flag is reset (step 18).

Next, the return time corresponding to the copy operation counter is stored (step 19). In the case of the first copy mode, the copy operation counter is “1”. Next, the return time measurement timer is cleared (step 20), and the process is terminated.
If the copy mode is not set (step 13; N), it is checked whether the copy mode flag is set (step 21). If the copy mode flag is set (step 21; Y), the copy mode flag is set. Is reset (step 22), and count 1 is added to the copy operation counter (step 23).
Next, the copy mode time corresponding to the copy operation counter is stored (step 24). Subsequently, the copy mode time counter is cleared (step 25), and the process ends. The copy mode time can be generated by this series of operations.

Next, a description will be given with reference to FIG. If the copy mode flag is not set (step 21; N), it is confirmed whether or not the standby mode is set (step 26). When in the standby mode (step 26; Y), the standby mode flag is set (step 27). Next, count 1 is added to the timer for measuring the standby mode time (step 28).
Next, it is confirmed whether the returning flag that is set when the energy saving mode is canceled is set (step 29). If not set (step 29; N), the process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is set (step 29; Y), the timer during the return time measurement is stopped (step 30), and the return flag is reset (step 31).
Next, the return time corresponding to the copy operation counter is stored (step 32). In the case of the first copy mode, the copy operation counter is “1”. Then, the return time measurement timer is cleared (step 33), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is not in the standby mode state (step 26; N), it is confirmed whether the standby mode flag is set (step 34). If it is set (step 34; Y), the standby mode flag is reset (step 35). Next, the standby mode time corresponding to the copy operation counter is stored (step 36). In the case of the first copy mode, the copy operation counter is “1”. Next, the measurement timer for the standby mode time is cleared (step 37), and the process ends.

Next, a case where the standby mode flag is not set will be described with reference to FIG. When the standby mode flag is not set (step 34; N), it is confirmed whether the energy saving mode is in effect (step 38). When in the energy saving mode (step 38; Y), the standby mode flag set during the standby mode is reset, the energy saving mode flag is set (step 39), and the timer counter that measures the energy saving mode time is set. Count 1 is added to (step 40), and the process ends.
On the other hand, if it is not in the energy saving mode (step 38; N), it is confirmed whether the energy saving mode flag is set (step 41). If the energy saving mode flag is set (step 41; Y), the energy saving mode has been canceled, so a timer for measuring the return time is started (step 42), and then the return flag Is set (step 43).
Next, the energy saving mode flag is reset (step 44), and count 1 is added to the energy saving mode return count (step 45). Subsequently, the energy saving mode time corresponding to the copy operation counter is stored (step 46). Then, the energy saving mode time is cleared from the measurement timer (step 47), and the process is terminated.

Next, a timer control processing procedure for measuring the return time will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
This processing procedure is a control flow that operates when the return time is short and the power monitoring apparatus cannot accurately measure the return time. The return time is set in advance, the time is measured by a timer, and when the set time is reached, the return operation is completed.
First, it is confirmed whether the returning flag is set (step 50). If it has been set (step 50; Y), a timer for measuring the return time is counted (step 51). Next, it is checked whether the count of the timer for measuring the return time is a preset value (step 52). The flag is reset (step 53), and the timer during the return time measurement is stopped (step 54). Next, the return time corresponding to the copy operation counter is stored (step 55). In the case of the first copy mode, the copy operation counter is “1”. Then, the return time measurement timer is cleared (step 56), and the process is terminated.

The above operation is performed for each copy operation, and the operation time of each mode is stored in correspondence with the copy operation counter. When the copy operation counter is 1, the first series of operation time is stored.
In addition, the cumulative time of each mode is a flowchart in which the transition time in the energy saving mode is periodically reviewed to calculate the power consumption. FIG. 22 and FIG. 32, accumulated in FIG.

Next, a processing procedure in which the power monitoring apparatus calculates the current power consumption based on information from the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
This is the case when reviewing the energy saving mode transition time at a specific interval, changing the energy saving mode transition time, reviewing the energy saving mode transition time, or displaying the current power consumption, etc. Perform the process.
First, the flowchart of FIG. 20 which is processing for calculating the accumulated power consumption from the accumulated time in each mode will be described.
First, it is confirmed whether there is an instruction to calculate the current power consumption (step 60). If there is no instruction (step 60; N), the process ends.
If there is an instruction (step 60; Y), the accumulated standby time for a certain period is acquired from the target image forming apparatus, and the accumulated standby time in the flowchart “FIG. 16” stored or the operation time for each operation mode is stored. Flowcharts to be generated The product of the accumulated standby time obtained by the processing of FIGS. 16 to 18 and the power consumption (Wh) per hour of a preset standby time is obtained, and the accumulated power consumption during standby is calculated (step) 61). The target image forming apparatus is instructed in advance from the power monitoring apparatus to accumulate the copy operation mode time for a certain period and store the operation pattern in the N-VRAM.

Next, a cumulative energy saving mode time for a certain period is acquired from the target image forming apparatus, and the accumulated energy saving mode time stored or the operation time for each operation mode is generated. The product of the energy saving mode time and the power consumption (Wh) per hour of the preset energy saving mode time is obtained, and the cumulative power consumption calculation in the energy saving mode is performed (step 62).
Subsequently, a cumulative return time for a certain period is acquired from the target image forming apparatus, and the stored cumulative return time or the operation time for each operation mode is generated. And the power consumption per hour (Wh) of the preset return time is obtained, and the cumulative power consumption at the time of return is calculated (step 63). Then, a cumulative copy time for a certain period is acquired from the target image forming apparatus, and the stored cumulative copy time or the operation time for each operation mode is generated. The product of the preset copy time and the power consumption per hour (Wh) is obtained, and the cumulative power consumption during copying is calculated (step 64).
Next, the current power consumption is calculated by summing up the total power consumption during standby, the total power consumption during energy saving mode, the total power consumption during recovery, and the total power consumption during copying calculated above (step 65). ), The process is terminated.

  In FIG. 21, the total number of times of return and the power consumption (W) required for one return, the cumulative power consumption at the time of return, the total number of copies and the power consumption (W) of one copy, Accumulated power consumption is calculated (step 73 to step 75). Other than that, it is the same as the processing of FIG.

Next, a processing procedure for calculating the power consumption at a specific interval and reviewing the transition time of the energy saving mode will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
The flowchart in FIG. 22 shows the power consumption for a certain period of time when the energy saving mode transition time is temporarily set (1 minute) shorter than the current transition time (15 minutes) in order to review the energy saving mode transition time. This is a flow for calculating. The transition time is not limited to 1 minute, but may be 5 minutes or 10 minutes.
First, it is confirmed whether it is time to review the energy saving mode transition time (step 80). The review time (interval) may be set in advance or may be input from the input unit of the power monitoring apparatus. If it is not the review time (step 80; N), the process is terminated.
In the case of the review time (step 80; Y), it is confirmed how many minutes the energy saving mode transition time (15 minutes in this embodiment) is (step 81). As a result of confirmation, first, a time shorter than this time (1 minute in this embodiment) is temporarily set (step 82), and then whether the copying operation is performed within the confirmed energy saving mode transition time (15 minutes), The usage status of the target image forming apparatus is monitored for a certain period and the stored usage status is confirmed (step 83).

If there is no copy operation mode performed within 15 minutes (step 83; N), a cumulative waiting time is generated (step 94). The cumulative standby time is generated by temporarily setting the energy saving mode transition time to 1 minute, so this time becomes the standby time. it can. By calculating the product of this time and the power consumption per hour (Wh) in the preset standby mode, the cumulative power consumption in the temporary standby mode can be calculated.
Next, the accumulated energy saving mode time is generated, and the accumulated power consumption is calculated in the temporary energy saving mode. For the temporary energy saving mode time, subtract the temporary energy saving mode transition time (1 minute) from the current energy saving mode transition time (15 minutes), and add the current (stored) actual energy saving mode time to this value. Is required.

The accumulated energy saving mode time can be obtained by performing this calculation on the stored copy operation patterns for a certain period and summing them up. By calculating the product of this accumulated time and the power consumption per hour (Wh) in the energy saving mode set in advance, the cumulative power consumption in the temporary energy saving mode can be calculated (step 95).
Next, the cumulative power consumption when returning from the energy saving mode is calculated. Since there is no copy operation within 15 minutes, there is no need to correct the return time. The product of the total return time and the power consumption per hour (Wh) at the time of return is obtained, and the total consumption when returning. Power calculation is performed (step 96). Subsequently, the cumulative power consumption during the copy operation is calculated. Correction during the copy operation is also unnecessary, and the product of the total copy time as it is and the power consumption per hour (Wh) during the copy operation is obtained to calculate the total power consumption during the copy (step 97).

Next, in order to calculate the cumulative power consumption for a certain period when the energy saving mode transition time is 1 minute, the cumulative power consumption during standby, the cumulative power consumption during energy saving mode, and the cumulative power consumption after return are calculated. The power consumption is calculated by summing the power consumption and the cumulative power consumption during copying (step 98).
Then, the calculation result is compared with the current power consumption for a certain period calculated by another control flow (step 99). As a result of the comparison, if the virtual power consumption is smaller than the current power consumption (step 99; Y), a signal for changing the energy saving mode transition time is transmitted to the image forming apparatus (step 100), and the image forming apparatus transition time is reached. Is set as the temporary energy saving mode transition time (step 101). Next, the cumulative virtual power consumption is transmitted to the image forming apparatus (step 102), and the process is terminated.

On the other hand, when the current power consumption is small (step 99; N, step 103; Y), a display indicating that the current energy saving mode transition time is optimal is performed (step 104), and the process is terminated. When the current power consumption is large (step 103; N), the power consumption calculation flow (FIG. 23) is executed when the current power consumption mode transition time is longer.
On the other hand, when the copy operation is performed within the standby mode transition time (within 15 minutes) (step 83; Y), if the energy saving mode transition time is set to 1 minute, the number of recovery times increases, so the power consumption at the time of recovery Will also increase. Further, since the standby time becomes the energy saving mode time, the energy saving mode time increases and the power consumption also increases, but the standby time becomes shorter and the standby power is reduced. It is necessary to generate the time to increase or decrease and calculate the power consumption.
First, if the copy operation is performed within the standby mode transition time (within 15 minutes), the recovery time increases, so the number of times the copy operation has been performed within the standby mode transition time (within 15 minutes) is accumulated. A return time is generated (step 84). This cumulative return time is the product of the return time and the number of times this copy operation has been performed.

Next, an accumulated standby time of the number of times this copy operation is performed is generated (step 85). This cumulative standby time is the product of the temporarily set energy saving mode transition time (1 minute) and the number of times this copy operation has been performed. Subsequently, a cumulative energy saving mode time of this operation pattern is generated (step 86). The energy saving mode time can be obtained by subtracting the temporarily set energy saving mode transition time (1 minute) from the stored (actually measured) standby mode time. If this calculation is performed for this operation pattern, the cumulative energy saving mode time can be calculated.
Next, a cumulative waiting time other than the above number is generated (step 87). Since the energy saving mode transition time is temporarily set to 1 minute, this time becomes the waiting time, and the cumulative waiting time can be calculated by calculating the product of this waiting time and the number of times of energy saving mode transition.

Next, a cumulative energy saving mode time other than the above is generated (step 88). The energy saving mode time can be obtained by subtracting the temporary energy saving mode transition time (1 minute) from the current energy saving mode transition time (15 minutes) and adding the stored (actually measured) energy saving mode time. If this calculation is performed for operation patterns other than those described above, the cumulative energy saving mode time can be calculated.
Subsequently, the above-mentioned cumulative standby time is calculated, and the product of this time and a preset power consumption per hour (Wh) in the standby mode is calculated to calculate the cumulative power consumption in the temporary standby mode. (Step 89).
Next, the cumulative energy saving mode time is calculated, the product of this time and the power consumption per hour (Wh) in the preset energy saving mode is calculated, and the cumulative power consumption calculation of the temporary energy saving mode is calculated. Perform (step 90).

Then, the product of the total return time described above, the total time of the stored total return times, and the power consumption per hour (Wh) at the time of return is calculated, and the total power consumption at the time of return is calculated (step) 91). Next, the cumulative power consumption during the copy operation is calculated (step 92). Since correction during the copy operation is necessary, the product of the total copy time as it is and the power consumption (Wh) per hour during the copy operation is obtained to calculate the total power consumption during the copy.
Next, in order to calculate the cumulative power consumption for a certain period when the energy saving mode transition time is 1 minute, the cumulative power consumption during standby, the cumulative power consumption during energy saving mode and the The total power consumption and the total power consumption at the time of copying are calculated (step 93). Then, the calculation result is compared with the current power consumption for a certain period calculated by another control flow (step 99).

The flowchart of FIG. 23 is a flow for calculating power consumption for a certain period when the energy saving mode transition time is temporarily set (15 minutes) longer than the current transition time (1 minute) in order to review the energy saving mode transition time. is there. It is not limited to 15 minutes, and may be 10 minutes or 20 minutes.
First, it is confirmed how many minutes the energy saving mode transition time (1 minute in this embodiment) is (step 105). As a result of the confirmation, a time longer than this time (15 minutes in this embodiment) is temporarily set (step 106), and then whether or not the copying operation is performed within this energy saving mode transition time (15 minutes) The status of monitoring and storing the usage status of the forming apparatus for a certain period is confirmed (step 107). If there is no copy operation mode performed within 15 minutes (step 107; N), the energy saving mode transition time (standby time) for 1 minute is set to 15 minutes, and this value is subtracted from the current energy saving mode time. The virtual power consumption may be calculated using the energy saving mode time. A specific description will be given below.

First, the product of the temporarily set energy saving mode transition time (15 minutes) and the number of times of energy saving mode transition is obtained to generate a cumulative standby time, and this cumulative time and the consumption per hour in the preset standby mode The product with the power (Wh) is obtained, and the cumulative power consumption in the standby mode is calculated (step 118).
Next, the accumulated energy saving mode time is generated, and the accumulated power consumption is calculated in the temporary energy saving mode. Since the standby mode (transition time) is 15 minutes, the energy saving mode time can be obtained by subtracting the standby mode time (15 minutes) and the current transition time of 1 minute from the stored (actually measured) energy saving mode transition time. it can. If this calculation is performed for the stored copy operation patterns for a certain period and then totaled, the cumulative energy saving mode time can be calculated. By calculating the product of this time and the power consumption per hour (Wh) in the preset energy saving mode, the cumulative power consumption in the temporary energy saving mode can be calculated (step 119).

Next, the cumulative power consumption when returning from the energy saving mode is calculated. Since there is no copy operation within 15 minutes, there is no need to correct the recovery time. Therefore, the product of the total of the return time as it is and the power consumption per hour (Wh) at the time of return is obtained, and the total power consumption at the time of return is calculated (step 120).
Then, the cumulative power consumption during the copy operation is calculated. Since correction at the time of the copy operation is also unnecessary, the product of the total copy time and the power consumption per hour (Wh) at the time of the copy operation is directly calculated to calculate the total power consumption at the time of copying (step 121).
Subsequently, in order to calculate the cumulative power consumption for a certain period when the energy saving mode transition time is set to 15 minutes, the cumulative power consumption during standby, the cumulative power consumption during the energy saving mode calculated above, and the power consumption during recovery are calculated. The total power consumption and the total power consumption at the time of copying are calculated (step 122).

Next, this calculation result is compared with the current power consumption for a certain period calculated by another control flow (step 123). As a result of this comparison, if the virtual power consumption is smaller than the current power consumption (step 123; Y), a signal for changing the energy saving mode transition time is transmitted to the image forming apparatus (step 124), and the image forming apparatus transitions. The time is set to the temporary energy saving mode transition time, the cumulative virtual power consumption is transmitted to the image forming apparatus (step 125), the transition time of the image forming apparatus is set to the temporary energy saving mode transition time (step 126), and the process is performed. finish.
On the other hand, when the current power consumption is small (step 123; N, step 127; Y), a display indicating that the current energy saving mode transition time is optimal is performed (step 128), and the process is terminated. When the current power consumption is large (step 127; N), the energy saving mode transition time is set again, and the process returns to step 80 in FIG. 22 to repeat the operation of this flowchart.

If there is a copy operation mode executed within 15 minutes (step 107; Y), the transition time is set to 15 minutes, so that power at the time of return is not necessary, and power in the energy saving mode becomes standby power. Therefore, it is necessary to calculate the power consumption of this operation pattern. A specific description will be given below.
First, the product of the time required for recovery (recovery time) and the number of copy operation modes performed within 15 minutes is obtained, and this value is subtracted from the stored total recovery time to set the energy saving mode transition time to 15 times. The accumulated return time when minutes are set is generated (step 108). Next, the cumulative standby time of the number of copy operation modes executed within 15 minutes is calculated (step 109). The cumulative standby time of the number of copy operation modes may be calculated for the copy operation pattern executed within 15 minutes by adding the energy saving mode time stored (measured) to the current standby time (1 minute).

Next, since the energy saving mode time is replaced with the standby time, the energy saving mode time is subtracted from the cumulative energy saving mode time (step 110). Subsequently, a cumulative standby mode time other than the above is calculated (step 111). To calculate the accumulated standby mode time other than the above, subtract the number of energy saving mode transitions that occurred within 15 minutes from the total number of energy saving mode transitions, and calculate the product of this value and the standby mode time (15 minutes) to determine the cumulative standby time Is generated.
Next, a cumulative energy saving mode time other than the above is calculated (step 112). For the calculation of the cumulative energy saving mode time other than the above, the standby mode time (15 minutes) and the energy saving mode transition time (1 minute) are subtracted from the stored (actually measured) energy saving mode time other than the above. If this calculation is performed for an operation pattern in which an energy saving mode transition other than the above occurs, the cumulative energy saving mode time can be calculated.

Next, the above-mentioned cumulative standby time is calculated, and the product of this time and a preset power consumption per hour (Wh) in the standby mode is calculated, and the cumulative power consumption in the temporary standby mode is calculated. (Step 113). Subsequently, the cumulative energy saving mode time is calculated, the product of this time and the power consumption per hour (Wh) in the preset energy saving mode is calculated, and the cumulative power consumption calculation of the temporary energy saving mode is calculated. Perform (step 114).
Next, the product of the cumulative return time and the power consumption per hour (Wh) at the time of return is calculated, and the cumulative power consumption at the time of return is calculated (step 115). Then, the cumulative power consumption during the copy operation is calculated (step 116). Since correction during the copy operation is necessary, the product of the total copy time as it is and the power consumption (Wh) per hour during the copy operation is obtained to calculate the total power consumption during the copy.

  Next, in order to calculate the cumulative power consumption for a certain period when the energy saving mode transition time is 1 minute, the cumulative power consumption during standby, the cumulative power consumption during energy saving mode and the The total power consumption and the total power consumption at the time of copying are calculated (step 117). Then, this calculation result is compared with the current power consumption for a certain period calculated by another control flow (step 123). Subsequent processing is as described above.

Next, a processing procedure for displaying the calculated power consumption and electricity bill for a certain period will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The power monitoring apparatus checks whether there is a new virtual power consumption calculation result (step 130). The virtual power consumption calculation is calculated according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 22 and 23 which review the transition time of the energy saving mode at the provisional specific interval, or the “flow chart FIG. 19” for calculating the virtual power consumption based on the input temporary energy saving mode transition time. Is done.
When there is a new virtual power consumption calculation result (step 130; Y), the calculated virtual power consumption result is displayed on the display screen of the power monitoring device (step 131), and the energy saving mode when the virtual power consumption is calculated Similarly, the transition time display is displayed on the display screen of the power monitoring apparatus (step 132), and the calculation (virtual power consumption × 23 yen (KWh)) for converting the virtual power consumption into the electricity charge is executed and displayed (step) 133).

Next, it is confirmed whether there is a new current power consumption calculation result (step 134). The new current power consumption calculation result is obtained from flowcharts 20 and 21 in which the power monitoring apparatus calculates the current power consumption based on information from the image forming apparatus.
If there is a new current power consumption calculation result (step 134; Y), the calculated current power consumption result is displayed on the display screen of the power monitoring device (step 135), and the current energy saving mode transition time display is displayed. Similarly, it is displayed on the display screen of the power monitoring device (step 136), and a calculation (virtual power consumption × 23 yen (KWh)) for converting the current power consumption into an electric charge is executed and displayed (step 137), and processing Exit.

Next, a processing procedure for verifying the reduced power when the energy saving mode transition time is reset will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The accumulated time in each mode is obtained by acquiring the accumulated standby time for a certain period from the target image forming apparatus, and storing the accumulated standby time in FIG. 29 or the operation time for each operation mode. The product of the accumulated standby time obtained by 18 and the power consumption per hour (Wh) of the preset standby time is obtained, and the accumulated power consumption during standby is calculated.
First, it is confirmed whether the verification period for confirming how much power reduction is actually performed after resetting the energy saving mode transition time (step 140). This verification period is set in advance. As a result, when the verification period has elapsed (step 140; Y), power consumption is calculated. The power consumption calculation is the same as the flowcharts 20 and 21 for calculating the current power consumption (steps 141 to 145).
The calculated cumulative virtual power consumption is displayed (step 146), the power consumption before changing the energy saving mode transition time is displayed (step 147), and the process is terminated.
If the reduction result is too small or large, the temporary energy saving mode transition time may be reset again.

Next, the processing procedure for reviewing the energy saving mode transition time and the processing procedure for displaying the result are shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.
For the purpose of reducing power consumption, the image forming apparatus has a function for confirming whether the energy saving mode transition time is optimal, and this signal can be transmitted to the power monitoring apparatus. When the power monitoring apparatus receives this signal, the power monitoring apparatus performs a review process (FIG. 27) of the energy saving mode transition time, and transmits the review result to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus stores this result in the NV-RAM.
On the image forming apparatus side, the transmitted power consumption and energy saving mode transition time can be called from the NV-RAM and confirmed.
The flowchart of FIG. 27 for reviewing the energy saving mode transition time and the flowchart of FIG. 26 for displaying the result will be described below.

First, the flowchart of FIG. 26 in which the image forming apparatus displays the virtual power consumption and the energy saving mode transition time transmitted from the power monitoring apparatus will be described.
The image forming apparatus confirms whether or not the virtual power consumption is transmitted from the power monitoring apparatus (step 150). If the virtual power consumption is transmitted (step 150; Y), the virtual power consumption is displayed on the operation unit and stored in the NV-RAM. (Step 151), and the process is terminated.
On the other hand, if the virtual power consumption is not transmitted (step 150; N), it is confirmed whether the current power consumption is transmitted (step 152). If the virtual power consumption is transmitted (step 152; Y), the current power consumption is confirmed. The power is displayed on the operation unit, stored in the NV-RAM (step 153), and the process ends.
On the other hand, when the virtual power consumption is not transmitted (step 152; N), it is confirmed whether or not the temporary energy saving mode transition time is transmitted (step 154). The mode transition time is displayed on the operation unit, stored in the NV-RAM (step 155), and the process ends.
If the temporary energy saving mode transition time has not been transmitted (step 154; N), it is confirmed whether the energy saving mode transition time has been transmitted (step 156). If it has been transmitted (step 156; Y), the energy saving mode transition has been performed. The time is displayed on the operation unit, stored in the NV-RAM (step 157), and the process is terminated.

Next, the flowchart of FIG. 27 showing the procedure for reviewing the energy saving mode transition time will be described.
The image forming apparatus (the CPU of the operation unit control board 502 in FIG. 3) confirms whether or not the review key for the energy saving mode transition time has been pressed (step 160), and if pressed (step 160; Y), The signal is transmitted to the power monitoring device (step 161). Next, it is confirmed whether the power consumption before changing the energy saving mode transition time and the changed power consumption are transmitted from the power monitoring apparatus. That is, it is determined whether or not the NV-RAM has virtual power consumption (step 162). If there is (step 162; Y), the virtual power consumption is displayed (step 163), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, when there is virtual power consumption in the NV-RAM (step 162; N), it is determined whether or not there is current power consumption in the NV-RAM (step 164), and when there is (step 164; Y). The current power consumption is displayed (step 163), and the process is terminated. .
Further, it is determined whether or not the NV-RAM has a transition time for the temporary energy saving mode (step 166). If there is (step 166; Y), the transition time for the temporary energy saving mode is displayed (step 167). Then, it is determined whether or not the NV-RAM has the energy saving mode transition time (step 168). If there is (step 168; Y), the energy saving mode transition time is displayed (step 169), and the process ends. .

Next, a processing procedure for inputting the energy saving mode transition time will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
This input is a screen for input setting in consideration of ease of use, not for the purpose of reducing power consumption. If this value is input and the energy saving mode transition time is reviewed, this value becomes the current energy saving mode transition time.
First, it is confirmed whether or not there is an input for changing the current energy saving mode transition time (step 170). If there is an input (step 170; Y), the current energy saving mode transition time is changed, the input energy saving mode transition time is displayed (step 171), and the energy saving mode transition time changed to the image forming apparatus is displayed. Is transmitted (step 172), and the process is terminated.
On the other hand, if there is no input to change the current energy saving mode transition time (step 170; N), it is confirmed whether or not there is an input of the temporary energy saving mode transition time (step 173). If there is an input (step 173; Y), the input temporary energy saving mode transition time is displayed (step 174), and the process is terminated.

Next, a processing procedure for acquiring the operation mode time and the operation mode pattern accumulated in the image forming apparatus for a certain period and storing them in the power monitoring apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, it is confirmed whether or not it is a date and time for regular monitoring for a certain period (step 180). This date and time is a date and time within a preset fixed period. For example, information on the image forming apparatus is acquired at 0:00 on December 1, 2006. This date and time is updated by a clock provided in the power monitoring apparatus. Further, the fixed period is set in advance from December 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006.
In the case of the date and time for monitoring this fixed period (step 180; Y), the accumulated copy time of this date and time stored in advance in the NV-RAM of the image forming apparatus is obtained and stored in the storage device for each date and time. Store (step 181). Then, the accumulated standby mode time of this date and time stored in advance in the NV-RAM of the image forming apparatus is obtained and stored in the storage device for each date and time (step 182).

Next, the accumulated energy saving mode time of this date and time stored in advance in the NV-RAM of the image forming apparatus is obtained and stored in the storage device for each date and time (step 183). Then, the accumulated return time of this date and time stored in advance in the NV-RAM of the image forming apparatus is obtained and stored in the storage device for each date and time (step 184).
Subsequently, a series of copy operation patterns of copy operation time, standby mode time, energy saving mode time, and return time that are stored in advance in the NV-RAM of the image forming apparatus are acquired for each series of copy operation patterns. Every time it is stored in the storage device (step 185), the processing is terminated.

Next, the flowchart of FIG. 30 and FIG. 31 shows a processing procedure in which the power monitoring apparatus performs the review when the image forming apparatus gives an instruction to review the energy saving mode transition time.
The flowcharts of FIGS. 30 and 31 are the same as those of FIG. 22 except for the review and confirmation of the energy saving mode transition time and the flow of transmitting the result to the image forming apparatus.
First, it is confirmed whether or not there is an instruction to review the energy saving mode transition time from the image forming apparatus (step 190). If there is a review instruction (step 190; Y), the same operation as the flow of FIG. 22 is performed to calculate virtual power consumption (step 191 to step 208).
If the virtual power consumption is smaller than the current power consumption (step 209; Y), the cumulative virtual power consumption is transmitted to the image forming apparatus (step 210), and the temporary energy saving mode transition time is transmitted to the image forming apparatus ( Step 211), the process is terminated.
On the other hand, when the current power consumption is small (step 209; N, step 212; Y), a signal indicating that the current energy saving mode transition time is optimal is transmitted to the image forming apparatus (step 213), and the process is terminated. .
When the current power consumption is large (step 212; N), the power consumption calculation flow (FIG. 31) when the current energy saving mode transition time is set longer is executed.

After performing the processing from step 215 to step 231 (similar to FIG. 23), if the virtual power consumption is smaller than the current power consumption (step 232; Y), the total virtual power consumption is transmitted to the image forming apparatus (step 232). 233), the temporary energy-saving mode transition time is then transmitted to the image forming apparatus (step 234), and the process ends.
On the other hand, if the current power consumption is small (step 232; N, step 235; Y), a signal indicating that the current energy saving mode transition time is optimal is transmitted to the image forming apparatus (step 236), and the process is terminated. . If the current power consumption is large (step 235; N), the process returns to step 190 in FIG. 30 and the process is repeated.

Next, a processing procedure for calculating virtual power consumption based on the input temporary energy saving mode transition time will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, the power monitoring apparatus checks whether or not there is an input of a temporary energy saving mode transition time (step 240). When there is an input (step 240; Y), it is confirmed whether the input temporary energy saving mode transition time is shorter than the current energy saving mode transition time (step 241 and step 242). If it is shorter (step 242; Y), the copying operation is performed within the current energy saving mode transition time (15 minutes) confirmed next, or the usage status of the target image forming apparatus is monitored and stored for a certain period. This usage status is confirmed (step 243).
If there is no copy operation mode executed within the current energy saving mode transition time (step 243; N), then the accumulated return time, accumulated standby mode time, and accumulated energy saving mode time are generated. The accumulated time of each mode is generated (step 249), and then the power consumption of the accumulated return time, accumulated standby mode time, accumulated energy saving mode time, and copy mode time is calculated (step 250). Since these processes are the same as those in the flowchart of FIG.

Next, this power consumption is accumulated and displayed as accumulated virtual power consumption (step 251), and the temporary energy saving mode transition time for which the accumulated virtual power consumption is calculated is displayed (step 252).
Subsequently, it is confirmed whether or not the displayed temporary energy saving mode transition time has been selected (step 253). If it is selected (step 253; Y), a signal for changing the energy saving mode transition time is transmitted to the image forming apparatus (step 254). Next, the cumulative virtual power consumption is transmitted to the image forming apparatus (step 255), the transition time of the image forming apparatus is set to the temporary energy saving mode transition time (step 256), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when there is a copy operation mode executed within the current energy saving mode transition time (step 243; Y), as in the flowchart of FIG. 22, the total return time of occurrence, the total standby mode time, the total energy saving A mode time is generated (step 244), and a cumulative standby mode time and a cumulative energy saving mode time other than those described above are generated (step 245). Time power consumption is calculated (step 246). Thereafter, this power consumption is accumulated and displayed as the accumulated virtual power consumption (step 247), and the temporary energy saving mode transition time for which the accumulated virtual power consumption is calculated is displayed (step 248). After this, the processing from step 253 to step 256 described above is performed.

When the temporary energy saving mode transition time input in step 242 is longer than the current energy saving mode transition time (step 242; N), the power consumption calculation flowchart of FIG. Since this operation is the same as the flowchart of FIG. 23 and the above-described operation, description thereof is omitted (steps 257 to 270).
In the present embodiment, it is also possible to change the energy saving mode transition time according to a specific time and date.
In addition, the energy saving mode and the energy saving mode transition time described in this embodiment lower the fixing temperature of the image forming apparatus or stop the power supply to the fixing apparatus, and also stop the power supply to some control circuits. And a sleep mode in which power is supplied only to the network function or the network function and some control circuits.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operation pattern including each operation mode time of the image forming apparatus is accumulated for a certain period, and the current power consumption calculation is performed based on the accumulated operation mode time and operation pattern. Do. Of these operation mode times, only the energy saving mode transition time is temporarily set, and the virtual power consumption calculation is executed based on the temporarily set energy saving mode transition time. After that, by comparing the current power consumption for a certain period with the power consumption when the energy saving mode transition time is temporarily set, and setting the temporary energy saving mode transition time with less power consumption as the energy saving mode transition time, Enables power consumption reduction. At the same time, it is possible to provide a power monitoring system for an image forming apparatus that can visualize power consumption that can be reduced and effectively promote power reduction.

The above description has been made with respect to the power monitoring system of the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same effect can be obtained with the image forming apparatus alone.
34 to 36 are flowcharts in which the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment generates the operation time of each mode.
Basically, the processing is the same as that shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, but only differences are described here.
Steps 280 to 283 are the same as steps 13 to 15, and if a copy is subsequently carried out (step 284; Y), the copy discharge counter is incremented by 1 (step 285). Steps 286 to 290 correspond to steps 21 to 25. 35 correspond to Step 26 to Step 28, and Step 294 to Step 297 correspond to Step 34 to Step 37.
Further, step 298 to step 301 in FIG. 36 correspond to step 38 to step 41.
If not in the energy saving mode (step 298; N), it is confirmed whether the energy saving mode flag is set (step 301). If the energy saving mode flag is set (step 301; Y), the energy saving mode flag is reset (step 302), and the energy saving mode time corresponding to the copy operation counter is stored (step 303). Then, the measurement timer for the energy saving mode time is cleared (step 304), and the process is terminated.

If the energy saving mode flag is not set (step 301; N), it is confirmed whether the energy saving mode is being restored (step 305). When returning (step 305; Y), a returning flag is set (step 306), count 1 is added to the return time counter (step 307), and the process ends.
On the other hand, when not returning from the energy saving mode (step 305; N), it is confirmed whether the returning flag is set (step 308). If the returning flag is set (step 308; Y), count 1 is added to the energy saving mode return count (step 309), and the returning flag is reset (step 310). Next, the return time corresponding to the copy operation counter is stored (step 311), the return time measurement timer is cleared (step 312), and the process ends.
In this embodiment, this process is performed for each copy operation, and the operation time in each mode is stored corresponding to the copy operation counter. When the copy operation counter is 1, the first series of operation time is stored.

  In this embodiment, the operation pattern including each operation mode time of the image forming apparatus is accumulated for a certain period, the current power consumption is calculated based on the accumulated operation mode time and operation pattern, and each operation mode time is calculated. Of these, temporary setting is made only for the energy saving mode transition time, and virtual power consumption is calculated based on the temporarily set energy saving mode transition time. By comparing the current power consumption for a certain period with the power consumption when the energy saving mode transition time is temporarily set, and setting the temporary energy saving mode transition time with less power consumption as the energy saving mode transition time, the image It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing the power consumption of the forming apparatus, visualizing the power consumption that can be reduced, and effectively promoting the power reduction.

It is the figure explaining the outline of the electric power monitoring system which uses the company LAN concerning a present Example. It is a figure explaining the example of the power monitoring system which uses the internet. 1 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is the figure which showed the example of the operation | movement pattern of an image type apparatus. It is the figure which showed the example of the copy pattern produced | generated by changing energy saving mode transfer time. It is an example of a display of the power monitoring apparatus of a power monitoring system. FIG. 4 is an example of a copy operation pattern. It is a figure explaining the electric power calculation method when the transfer time (15 minutes) to energy saving mode is shortened (1 minute). It is the figure which showed the example which the next copy operation generate | occur | produced within the transfer time (15 minutes) to energy saving mode. It is a figure explaining the example which made the transfer time to the energy saving mode of copy operation | movement into 1 minute. It is a figure explaining calculation of the power consumption when the transition time to energy saving mode is changed from 1 minute to 15 minutes. It is a figure explaining calculation of the power consumption when the transition time to energy saving mode is changed from 1 minute to 15 minutes. It is the figure which showed the example of the display and input screen of an electric power monitoring apparatus. It is the figure which showed the example of the screen which changes the present energy saving mode transfer time. It is the figure which showed the example of the screen which simulates power consumption. It is an example of the input screen which selects usability priority or electric power reduction priority. It is the figure which showed the example of the electricity bill display of power consumption. 5 is a flowchart in which a power monitoring apparatus acquires information on a copy operation from an image forming apparatus and generates each operation mode time. 5 is a flowchart in which a power monitoring apparatus acquires information on a copy operation from an image forming apparatus and generates each operation mode time. 5 is a flowchart in which a power monitoring apparatus acquires information on a copy operation from an image forming apparatus and generates each operation mode time. It is a timer control flowchart for measuring the return time. 6 is a flowchart in which a power monitoring apparatus calculates current power consumption based on information from an image forming apparatus. 6 is a flowchart in which a power monitoring apparatus calculates current power consumption based on information from an image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which reviews the transition time of energy saving mode at a specific interval. It is a flowchart which calculates the power consumption when making it longer than the present energy saving mode transfer time. It is a flowchart which displays the power consumption and the electricity bill of the calculated fixed period. It is a flowchart which verifies the reduction electric power at the time of resetting energy saving mode transfer time. 6 is a flowchart in which an image forming apparatus displays power consumption and energy saving mode transition time transmitted from a power monitoring apparatus. 6 is a flowchart for instructing the power monitoring apparatus to review the energy saving mode transition time from the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which inputs energy saving mode transfer time. 5 is a flowchart for acquiring an operation mode time and an operation mode pattern accumulated in the image forming apparatus for a certain period and storing them in the power monitoring apparatus side. This is a flow chart that is executed by the power monitoring apparatus when an instruction for reviewing the energy saving mode transition time is issued from the image forming apparatus. This is a flow chart that is executed by the power monitoring apparatus when an instruction for reviewing the energy saving mode transition time is issued from the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which calculates virtual power consumption with the input temporary energy saving mode transfer time. It is a flowchart which calculates virtual power consumption with the input temporary energy saving mode transfer time. 3 is a flowchart for generating an operation time of each mode by the image forming apparatus. 3 is a flowchart for generating an operation time of each mode by the image forming apparatus. 3 is a flowchart for generating an operation time of each mode by the image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

103 to 105 Image forming apparatus 108 Monitoring apparatus 109 Personal computer 110 Image forming apparatus 111 Image forming apparatus 113 Lighting equipment control apparatus 115 Entrance / exit management system 116 External monitor 117 Room 118 Room 203 to 205 Image forming apparatus 206 Scanner 208 Monitoring apparatus 209 Personal computer 210 Image forming apparatus 211 Image forming apparatus 213 Lighting equipment control apparatus 215 Entrance / exit management system 216 External monitor 217 Network system 218 Network system 300 Color document reading unit 501 Controller board 502 Operation unit control board 504 Work memory 505 LAN interface board 506 Controller unit 507 Frame memory 509 ADF sensor 510 Engine control board 512 Write control board 514 D driver 516 synchronization detection sensor 519 AC control circuit 522 plate sensor

Claims (29)

In a power monitoring system including a power monitoring device that monitors power consumption of an image forming apparatus via a network,
An energy saving mode in which power consumption is lower in the image forming apparatus than in a normal state; an energy saving mode transition time for shifting to the energy saving mode if the image forming apparatus is not used for a certain period of time; and an energy saving mode canceling means for canceling the energy saving mode. Provided,
Monitoring means for monitoring a usage status of the image forming apparatus for a certain period in the power monitoring apparatus;
Storage means for storing the monitoring result by the monitoring means;
Based on the monitoring result stored in the storage means, power consumption calculation means for calculating the power consumption amount for the predetermined period;
Temporary power consumption calculation means for temporarily setting the energy saving mode transition time and calculating virtual power consumption based on the temporary energy saving mode transition time and the contents of the monitoring result stored in the storage means, A power monitoring system for an image forming apparatus. 2. The monitoring unit according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring unit monitors an image forming operation pattern of the image forming apparatus, a return time, a copy operation time, an energy saving mode transition time, and an energy saving mode time which is an energy saving mode for a predetermined period. A power monitoring system for an image forming apparatus. Comparing means between the calculation result of the power consumption calculation means and the calculation result of the temporary power consumption calculation means,
As a result of the comparison by the comparison unit, when the calculation result of the temporary power consumption calculation unit is lower in power consumption, the temporary energy saving mode transition time is automatically set to the energy saving mode transition time of the image forming apparatus. The power monitoring system for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power monitoring system is an image forming apparatus. A display means for displaying all or any of the power consumption, virtual power consumption, energy saving mode transition time for a certain period or temporarily set energy saving mode transition time stored in the storage means is provided. 4. The power monitoring system for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2, or 3. 5. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising an input unit configured to receive an input of either or both of the energy saving mode transition time and the temporary setting energy saving mode transition time. A power monitoring system for an image forming apparatus. Input means for receiving input of the temporary setting energy saving mode transition time; simulation means for calculating power consumption based on the temporary setting energy saving mode transition time received by the input means; and display means for displaying a simulation result by the simulation means; 5. The power monitoring system for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power monitoring system comprises: The power monitoring system for an image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the energy saving mode transition time of the power consumption simulated by the simulation means is set as a new energy saving mode transition time of the image forming apparatus. The power of the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an energy saving mode transition time resetting unit that automatically reviews the energy saving mode transition time at a specific interval. Monitoring system. The power consumption measurement with the energy saving mode transition time reset by the energy saving mode transition time resetting means is performed for a certain period, and the power consumption before resetting the energy saving mode transition time and the power consumption for this certain period are displayed. 9. The power monitoring system for an image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a display unit configured to display. 10. The power monitoring system for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit configured to accept selection of whether to prioritize usability or to reduce power consumption. 11. Charge display means for displaying either or both of the electricity charge corresponding to the power consumption calculated by the power consumption calculation means and the electricity charge corresponding to the power consumption calculated by the temporary power consumption calculation means 11. The power monitoring system for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power monitoring system is an image forming apparatus. A power consumption transmitting unit that transmits the power consumption calculated by the power consumption calculating unit and / or the power consumption calculated by the temporary power consumption calculating unit to the image forming apparatus. The power monitoring system for an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11. 13. The transmission apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit a notification of changing the energy saving mode transition time or an energy saving mode transition time for performing the change. The power monitoring system of the image forming apparatus described. Instruction means for receiving an instruction to review the energy saving mode transition time from the image forming apparatus;
14. A result transmitting unit that transmits a result of changing the energy saving mode transition time in response to an instruction received by the instructing unit to the image forming apparatus. 2. A power monitoring system for an image forming apparatus according to item 1. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, 13 or 14, further comprising display means for displaying power consumption and / or energy saving mode transition time transmitted to the image forming apparatus. Power monitoring system. A power monitoring device for monitoring the power consumption of the image forming apparatus via a network; the image forming apparatus has an energy saving mode in which power consumption is lower than a normal state; and the energy saving mode in which the image forming apparatus is not used for a predetermined time or more. In the control method of the power monitoring system in which the energy saving mode transition time to transition is set,
A first step of monitoring an image forming operation pattern of the image forming apparatus, a return time, a copy operation time, an energy saving mode transition time, and an energy saving mode time for a predetermined period;
A second step for storing the results monitored in the first step;
A third step of calculating power consumption for a certain period based on the monitoring result stored in the second step;
A fourth step of temporarily setting the energy saving mode transition time;
A fifth step of measuring the operating time based on the monitoring result stored in the second step corresponding to the energy saving mode transition time temporarily set in the fourth step;
A control method for a power monitoring system of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a sixth step of calculating virtual power consumption based on the operation time measured in the fifth step. In an image forming apparatus provided with an energy saving mode transition time that shifts to the energy saving mode when it is not used for a certain period of time and an energy saving mode canceling means that cancels the energy saving mode.
Monitoring means for monitoring the usage status of the image forming apparatus for a certain period;
Storage means for storing the monitoring result by the monitoring means;
Based on the monitoring result stored in the storage means, power consumption calculation means for calculating the power consumption amount for the predetermined period;
Temporary power consumption calculation means for temporarily setting the energy saving mode transition time and calculating virtual power consumption based on the temporary energy saving mode transition time and the contents of the monitoring result stored in the storage means, Image forming apparatus. 18. The image according to claim 17, wherein the monitoring unit monitors an image forming operation pattern, a return time, a copy operation time, an energy saving mode transition time, and an energy saving mode time which is an energy saving mode for a certain period of time. Forming equipment. Comparing means between the calculation result of the power consumption calculation means and the calculation result of the temporary power consumption calculation means,
As a result of the comparison by the comparison unit, when the calculation result of the temporary power consumption calculation unit is lower in power consumption, the temporary energy saving mode transition time is automatically set to the energy saving mode transition time of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that: 20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising an energy saving mode transition time resetting unit that automatically reviews the energy saving mode transition time at specific intervals. 20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising an operation instruction key for accepting a review of the energy saving mode transition time. 21. The image according to claim 17, 18, 19, or 20, further comprising an input unit that receives an input of either or both of the energy saving mode transition time and the temporary energy saving mode transition time. Forming equipment. Input means for receiving input of the temporary setting energy saving mode transition time; simulation means for calculating power consumption based on the temporary setting energy saving mode transition time received by the input means; and display means for displaying a simulation result by the simulation means; The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 22, further comprising: 24. The image forming apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the energy saving mode transition time of the power consumption simulated by the simulation unit is set as a new energy saving mode transition time of the image forming apparatus. A display means for displaying all or any of the power consumption, virtual power consumption, energy saving mode transition time for a certain period or temporarily set energy saving mode transition time stored in the storage means is provided. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 24. The power consumption measurement with the energy saving mode transition time reset by the energy saving mode transition time resetting means is performed for a certain period, and the power consumption before resetting the energy saving mode transition time and the power consumption for this certain period are displayed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising a display unit configured to display the display unit. 27. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 26, further comprising a selection unit configured to accept selection of priority on usability or priority on reduction of power consumption. Charge display means for displaying either or both of the electricity charge corresponding to the power consumption calculated by the power consumption calculation means and the electricity charge corresponding to the power consumption calculated by the temporary power consumption calculation means The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 27, wherein: In an image forming apparatus provided with an energy saving mode transition time that shifts to the energy saving mode when it is not used for a certain period of time and an energy saving mode canceling means that cancels the energy saving mode.
A first step of monitoring an image forming operation pattern, a return time, a copy operation time, an energy saving mode transition time, and an energy saving mode time for a predetermined period;
A second step for storing the results monitored in the first step;
A third step of calculating power consumption for a certain period based on the monitoring result stored in the second step;
A fourth step of temporarily setting the energy saving mode transition time;
A fifth step of measuring the operating time based on the monitoring result stored in the second step corresponding to the energy saving mode transition time temporarily set in the fourth step;
A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a sixth step of calculating virtual power consumption based on the operation time measured in the fifth step.

Images