JP2007334094A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize power-saving in an image forming device by allowing only functions selected in the sleep state to be started. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device that has various functions, such as an image processing part, a facsimile communication part, a scanner part, and a printer part in a combined manner and that can be shifted to the sleep state, which is a power-saving mode. When both a function key for starting one among the various functions and a power source key for starting the device are depressed simultaneously, power is supplied only to the selected function part for starting it. According to this method, since the device will not start, except when the two keys are actively depressed, wasteful power consumption due to only the various function key being depressed inadvertently. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus referred to as a so-called digital multi-function peripheral having a combination of at least two functions such as a copy, a facsimile, a scanner, and a printer. In particular, the present invention improves economy and environmental compatibility by saving power. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that contributes to

  In image forming devices such as copiers and multifunction devices, a power key is provided on the operation unit to enter / return to the sleep mode, which is an energy-saving mode. There is a way to let the user know that it is in a power state.

  On the other hand, there is a method in which the scanner key or FAX key is used as a key for returning from energy saving in the same way as the power key, and when the scanner key is pressed, only the scanner is restored without causing the engine to power up (patent) Reference 1).

  In the above prior art, if the user accidentally presses the scanner key or the FAX key, it returns even though it is a part, so the power consumption at that time becomes a problem. Also, if the user really wants to copy but accidentally presses the scanner key, he / she feels uncomfortable because he / she cannot copy.

  However, for a user who wants to perform only the scanner function, if the engine is started up and warming up of the fixing occurs by pressing the power key, the power consumption is enormous.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-222234

  The problem to be solved is that even if the user accidentally presses the scanner key or the FAX key in the image forming apparatus, various functions are activated, and power saving cannot be realized.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention has at least two or more functions such as a copy, a facsimile, a scanner, and a printer in combination, and can shift to a sleep state in which all the functions are suspended. The operation unit capable of selectively inputting the various functions and the sleep unit in the sleep state when the input operation for selecting the various functions and the device activation is performed at the same time or in the sleep state. And a control unit that activates only the selected functions when an input operation is performed that selects device activation in a state in which the operation operation unit has selected the various functions. Main features.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention has at least two or more functions such as a copy, a facsimile, a scanner, and a printer in combination, and can shift to a sleep state in which all the functions are suspended. The operation unit capable of selectively inputting the various functions and the sleep unit in the sleep state when the input operation for selecting the various functions and the device activation is performed at the same time or in the sleep state. And a control unit that activates only the selected functions when an input operation is performed that selects device activation in a state in which the operation operation unit has selected the various functions. The main feature is that the user actively selects two function keys and the device activation key at the same time, or the user actively selects the function keys. The selected functions do not operate unless the device start key is selected and the device start key is not selected. Therefore, it is not possible to start the device simply by selecting only the keys for the various functions. It can contribute to the improvement of safety and environmental compatibility.

  Only the selected functions are selected by simultaneously selecting and inputting a function selection key and a device activation key for the purpose of realizing power saving by starting only the selected function after the power is turned on. This is realized by the control unit that starts up.

[Image forming apparatus]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation panel unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus is controlled by a main control unit 11 that is a control unit of the present embodiment, which includes a microcomputer and a dedicated hardware circuit. As an input / output device connected to the main control unit 11 and performing various functions, the image forming apparatus includes a scanner unit 21, an image processing unit 31, a printer unit 41, an operation panel unit 51, a facsimile communication unit 81, a network I / F ( An interface) unit 83 is provided.

  The main control unit 11 includes a scanner controller 13 that performs operation control for realizing a scanner function, a facsimile controller 15 that performs operation control for realizing a facsimile function, and a printer controller that performs operation control for realizing a printer function. 17 and a copy controller 19 for controlling the operation for realizing the copy function are incorporated, and the overall operation of the apparatus is controlled.

  The scanner unit 21 includes an image irradiation lamp 23 and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor 25 constituting a scanner (not shown). The scanner unit 21 irradiates the document with the image irradiation lamp 23, receives the reflected light with the CCD sensor 25, reads an image from the document, and outputs image data corresponding to the read image to the image processing unit 31. .

  The image processing unit 31 includes a correction unit 33, an image processing unit 35, and an image memory 37. The image processing unit 31 processes the image data read by the scanner unit 21 with the correction unit 33 and the image processing unit 35 as necessary, and stores the processed image data in the image memory 37, or the printer unit 41, Output to the facsimile communication unit 81 or the like. The correction unit 33 performs predetermined correction processing such as level correction and Y correction on the image data read by the scanner unit 21. The image processing unit 35 performs various types of processing such as image data compression or expansion processing and enlargement or reduction processing.

  The printer unit 41 includes a paper transport unit 43 including a paper cassette and a paper feed roller (not shown), an image forming unit 45 including a photosensitive drum, an exposure device, a developing device, and the like, a transfer roller (not shown), and the like. And a fixing unit 49 including a fixing roller (not shown). The printer unit 41 includes original data read by the scanner unit 21, print data transmitted from a client PC (personal computer) or the like via a LAN (Local Area Network) via the network I / F unit 83, and a facsimile communication unit 81. The image is printed on a sheet using image data such as fax data received from an external facsimile machine. Specifically, the paper transport unit 43 transports the paper to the image forming unit 45, the image forming unit 45 forms a toner image corresponding to the image data, the transfer unit 47 transfers the toner image to the paper, The fixing unit 49 fixes the toner image on a sheet to form an image.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation panel unit 51 includes a touch panel unit 53 and an operation key unit 59 including a numeric keypad 55 and a start key 57. The operation panel unit 51 is an operation unit that selectively inputs and operates various functions in this embodiment, and is used by a user to perform operations related to a scanner function, a facsimile function, a printer function, a copy function, and the like. Commands and the like are given to the main control unit 11.

  The touch panel unit 53 includes a touch panel unit that combines a touch panel and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The touch panel unit 53 displays various operation screens, for example, information regarding the document size, copy size, number of copies, and the like when executing the copy function. In addition, operation buttons for inputting various operation commands are displayed by the user touching the corresponding part.

  The operation key unit 59 is used when the user selectively executes a key input operation of a required function from various functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function, for example. This is used when inputting operation and copy execution commands. Therefore, the operation panel unit 51 has a copy function selection key 61 used for the user to selectively execute a copy function key input operation and a user to selectively execute a printer function key input operation. The printer function selection key 63 used for the scanner function, the scanner function selection key 65 used for the user to selectively execute the key input operation of the scanner function, and the user to selectively execute the key input operation of the facsimile function. And a facsimile function selection key 67 used in the above. In addition, a copy function selection LED 71, a printer function selection LED 73, a scanner function are arranged at positions adjacent to the copy function selection key 61, the printer function selection key 63, the scanner function selection key 65, and the facsimile function selection key 67 on the operation panel unit 51, respectively. A selection LED 75 and a facsimile function selection LED 77 are provided. Then, the selection state of the corresponding function is displayed by the blinking state of these LEDs.

  The facsimile communication unit 81 includes an encoding / decoding unit (not shown), a modem unit (not shown), and an NCU (Network Control Unit) (not shown). The facsimile communication unit 81 transmits image data of a document read by the scanner unit 21 to a facsimile apparatus or the like via a telephone line, and receives image data transmitted from the facsimile apparatus or the like.

  The network I / F unit 83 uses a network interface (10 / 100Base-TX) or the like to control transmission / reception of various data to / from a client PC connected via a LAN. For example, the network I / F unit 83 has been transmitted from the client PC or the like. Receive print data.

[Power key function key circuit]
FIG. 3 shows a circuit of the power key and various function keys.

  On the operation unit PCB 201 (Print Circuit Board), a CPU 203 (Central Processing Unit) for operation control and keys of the operation unit are mounted. Among them, a representative power key 207 and scanner key 209 are grounded by a two-pole switch as shown in the figure, and the other side is pulled up to 5 V by a pull-up resistor 205.

  The operation unit PCB 201 is connected to the controller PCB 211 through a bus, and controls each mechanism unit by the controller PCB 211 by an operation on the operation unit.

[Transition from sleep state to active state]
Next, a flow of operation control for starting various functions or starting the entire apparatus from the sleep state of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an operation in key input on the operation unit when the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is in the sleep mode state. The operation steps will be described below.

  When a key input event occurs when a power key or various function keys such as a FAX key and a scanner key are pressed, the operation of the flowchart of FIG. 4 starts.

  It is checked what key was pressed in S101.

  In S103, it is determined whether the key checked in S101 is a power key or a function key such as a FAX key or a scanner key. In the case of various function keys, the operation proceeds to S111. If it is the power key, the operation proceeds to S121.

  In S111, a timer of 0.1 seconds is set and it is checked whether the power key is pressed during that time (turned on). The operation of pressing the keys at the same time actually results in a slight time difference depending on how the buttons are pressed. Even if the power key is delayed from the various function keys, the difference is within 0.1 seconds, for example. If so, this timer is provided in order to determine that they are considered to be simultaneous.

In S113, it is determined whether the power key is pressed within a predetermined time (within 0.1 second).
If the power key is pressed, it is determined that the various function keys and the power key are pressed at the same time, and the operation proceeds to S115. If the power key is not pressed within a predetermined time (within 0.1 second), it is determined that a timeout has occurred, and the operation ends, and the apparatus waits for the next key input event to occur while maintaining the sleep state.

  When the operation is shifted to S115, only the function part of the function keys selected in S115 is activated.

  If it is determined in S103 that the key checked in S101 is a power key, the operation proceeds to S121, and the next key input event is checked with a timer for a predetermined time (3 seconds) in S121.

  In S123, when the next key input obtained in S121 is a function key, the operation proceeds to S115, and only the function selected in S115 is activated.

  In S123, when the next key input event obtained in S121 is released from the state where the power key is pressed (when the power key is turned off), it is determined that only the power key is pressed, and the operation proceeds to S125. To do.

  If no key input event occurs within the predetermined time (3 seconds) in S123, it is determined that only the power key is pressed and no function keys are input, and the operation proceeds to S125.

  In S125, it is determined that only the power key has been pressed, and the entire apparatus is activated.

  The key input event is terminated by the above series of flows.

  The set values of the timer in the above embodiment are 0.1 seconds and 3 seconds, but other values may be used.

  In the above flow chart, it is determined whether the next key input event is a power key off or various function keys are turned on without attaching a timer to the event with a timer in S121. It may be set so that the device is not activated even if it stands up.

[Transition from startup to sleep]
The user can put the device to sleep by pressing the power key. If you want to copy or restore the whole, press the power key again. However, if you want to restore only the scanner, you can implement only the scanner function by pressing the power key while holding the scanner key and power key at the same time. Like that. In this way, by accidentally pressing a key, it is not easy to return from the sleep state, and wasteful power can be reduced. In the sleep state, only the power key and the function keys need to be monitored, and the power is very small.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist or technical idea of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and image formation accompanied by such changes Devices are also encompassed within the scope of the present invention.

  Specifically, for example, in this embodiment, the copy key selection key 61, the printer function selection key 63, the scanner function selection key 65, and the like are included in the operation key unit 59 disposed on the operation panel unit 51. The facsimile function selection key 67 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, a copy function selection key, a printer function selection key, a scanner function selection key, The facsimile function selection key may be displayed, and the user may touch the key to select the function.

  In the present embodiment, for example, a scanner function selection key 65 and a facsimile function selection key 67 are selectively input by the user in order to notify the user which function is released from the function selection standby mode. When operated, the scanner function selection LED 75 and the facsimile function selection LED 77 may be lit. In this case, the copy function and the printer function maintain the function selection standby mode, but it is convenient if the user can be notified of how long the function selection standby mode is maintained. For this purpose, the function selection LED corresponding to the function maintaining the function selection standby mode may be blinked, and the blinking speed may be changed according to the remaining time of the standby timer.

  This will be described with a specific example. When the copy function and the printer function maintain the function selection standby mode, the copy function selection LED 71 and the printer function selection LED 73 are blinked. The blinking speed of the copy function selection LED 71 and the printer function selection LED 73 may be variably controlled so as to increase as the remaining time of the standby timer decreases.

  Finally, in the present embodiment, the various processing procedures shown in the operation flowchart of FIG. 4 have been described with an example in which the main control unit 11 executes data exchange with an input / output device according to a predetermined program. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the function of the main control unit 11 may be realized by hardware.

1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation panel unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 2 is a circuit diagram of a power key and various function keys of an operation panel unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart when the power supply of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is activated.

Explanation of symbols

11 Main control unit (control unit)
21 Scanner (Functions)
31 Image processing unit (various functions)
41 Printer (Functions)
51 Operation panel (operation unit)
81 Facsimile communication section (various functions)
83 Network I / F (Functions)

Claims (3)

In an image forming apparatus that has a combination of at least two or more functions such as a copy, a facsimile, a scanner, and a printer, and can shift to a sleep state in which all the functions are suspended.
An operation unit capable of selectively operating the various functions and an input operation in which the functions and device activation are simultaneously selected by the operation unit in the sleep state, or in the sleep state A control unit that activates only the selected functions when an input operation is performed to select device activation in a state where the input operation with the functions selected by the operation unit is performed. Image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the control unit activates all functions when an input operation in which only the apparatus activation is selected is performed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The operation unit has a start key for each function for starting the functions and a device start key for starting the device,
The control unit determines that an input operation for selecting the various functions or the device activation is performed when the activation key for each of the functions or the device activation key is pressed. .

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