JP2007336325A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a control display unit serving as a user interface to be improved in both user-friendly properties by a reduction in a waiting time for start and economical efficiency by a reduction in power consumption. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device is equipped with a main control display unit 53 provided with a standard user interface function; an auxiliary control display unit 55 which is provided with a user interface function limited to a basic function, and has a shorter waiting time for complete start than the main control display unit 53; and a main control unit 11 which starts to feed a power to the main/auxiliary control display units 53 and 55, when a power source is turned ON or the device is made to recover from a sleep mode, and performs a power control to stop feeding a power to the auxiliary control display unit 55 after the start of the main control display unit 53 is completed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus called 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, and in particular, waiting for activation of an operation display unit serving as a user interface. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that achieves both convenience by shortening time and economy by reducing power consumption.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been provided an image forming apparatus called a so-called MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) having various functions such as copying, facsimile, scanner, and printer. In such a multifunctional image forming apparatus, a touch panel is superimposed on a display screen, and items related to various functions are selectively selected by pressing a position on the touch panel corresponding to the function item displayed on the display screen. An operation display unit that can be set and operated as a user interface is widely used. In an image forming apparatus provided with such an operation display unit, the power consumption thereof has been steadily increasing along with the demand for multi-function. Therefore, conventionally, when there is no panel operation for a certain period of time, an attempt has been made to reduce power consumption by temporarily stopping power supply to the operation display unit (shifting to a sleep state) (Patent Document 1). ).

  However, in the multifunctional image forming apparatus as described above, it takes a long time to start up the operation display unit when the power is turned on or when returning from sleep, and the user is burdened with waiting time. There was a problem.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-17111

  The problem to be solved is that the conventional image forming apparatus lacks convenience on the user side as a result of a long start-up time of the operation display unit when the power is turned on or returning from sleep, and the user is burdened with waiting time. It is a point.

  In order to achieve both the convenience by shortening the activation waiting time of the operation display unit serving as a user interface and the economy by reducing power consumption, which have conventionally been in a trade-off relationship, the present invention provides a copy, facsimile, scanner, In addition, in an image forming apparatus having a combination of at least two or more functions such as a printer, the image forming apparatus has a user interface function for selectively setting and operating desired items among all items related to the functions. A limited user interface function for selectively setting and operating a desired item from among the items related to the function selected from all the items provided separately from the operation display means and the main operation display means Sub-operation display means having a shorter waiting time until completion of activation than the main operation display means, and at power-on or sleep recovery When at least one is a most important feature that a control means for the main / both power control for starting supplying power to auxiliary both the operation display unit.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a combination of at least two functions such as a copy, a facsimile, a scanner, and a printer, and a desired item among all items related to the functions. A main operation display means having a user interface function for selectively setting and selecting a desired item from among the items related to functions selected from all the items provided separately from the main operation display means Sub-operation display means that has a limited user interface function for selectively setting operation and has a shorter waiting time until completion of activation than the main operation display means, and at least one of power-on or sleep recovery time, And control means for performing power control for starting power supply to both the main / sub operation display means. Immediately after the it can quickly performed without requiring the latency setting operation of the job by using the sub-operation display means and activation completion prior to the main operation display unit. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both convenience by shortening the activation waiting time of the operation display unit serving as a user interface, which has been in a trade-off relationship, and economy by reducing power consumption.

  The purpose of achieving both the convenience by shortening the startup waiting time of the operation display unit serving as the user interface and the economy by reducing power consumption, which had a trade-off relationship in the past, This is realized by a control means for performing power control for simultaneously starting power feeding to both the auxiliary operation display means.

[Image forming apparatus]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an electric circuit around an operation display unit in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an external view of an operation display unit in the image forming apparatus. FIG.

  The image forming apparatus is controlled by a main control unit 11 including a microcomputer and a dedicated hardware circuit. As an input / output device connected to the main control unit 11 and responsible for various functions, the image forming apparatus includes a scanner unit 21, an image processing unit 31, a printer unit 41, an operation display unit 51, a facsimile communication unit 81, a network I / F ( An interface) unit 83 and an HDD (hard disk drive) 85 are 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 main control unit 11 functioning as a control unit in the present invention starts power supply to both the main / sub operation display units described later and waits for completion of activation of the main operation display unit when the power is turned on or the sleep mode is resumed. Thus, it has a power control function for stopping power supply to the sub-operation display unit. Power supply to both the main / sub operation display units is performed at the same time. However, supplying power to both with a slight time difference also means starting power supply.

  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 (not shown), 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 to 3, the operation display unit 51 includes a main operation display unit 53 corresponding to the main operation display unit in the present invention, a sub operation display unit 55 corresponding to the sub operation display unit in the present invention, a numeric keypad, and the like. Key group 57, power key 59 of the image forming apparatus main body, and sleep return key 60. The operation display unit 51 is used as a user interface for a user to perform setting operations related to various functions such as a scanner function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and a copy function, and gives setting operation information by the user to the main control unit 11.

  The main operation display unit 53 includes a main touch panel unit 61 configured by superimposing a touch panel (not shown) on an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and a main unit controller 63 that controls the operation of the unit 61. The main operation display unit 53 has a user interface function for selectively setting and operating a desired item among all items related to various functions such as a scanner function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and a copy function. Accordingly, all functions of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention are realized by using the main operation display unit 53 as a user interface. That is, the main operation display unit 53 displays various setting operation screens and operation icons for inputting various operation commands when the user touches the corresponding part. Furthermore, it is possible to adopt a functional configuration that displays the document data read by performing the scanner function.

  On the other hand, the sub operation display unit 55 provided independently of the main operation display unit 53 includes a sub touch panel unit 65 configured by superimposing a touch panel (not shown) on an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and the same unit. And a sub-unit controller 67 for controlling 65 operations. The sub-operation display unit 55 is used to selectively set a desired item from items related to basic functions selected from all items related to various functions such as a scanner function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and a copy function. To have limited user interface functions. Accordingly, basic functions that constitute a part of all the functions of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention are realized by using the main operation display unit 53 as a user interface or the sub operation display unit 55 as a user interface. be able to. In selecting items related to basic functions from all items related to various functions, it is only necessary to refer to the frequency of use of various items by the user and appropriately set items that are frequently used as items related to basic functions. . Specifically, for example, when the copy function is executed, the sub operation display unit 55 displays a setting operation screen regarding the document size, copy size, number of copies, and the like, and various setting operations can be performed by the user touching the corresponding part. The function icons for performing are displayed. In addition, when the scanner function is executed, a setting operation screen regarding the document format of the read original data, the transfer destination address of the original data, etc. is displayed, and a function for the user to perform various setting operations by touching the corresponding part Displays icons. What should be noted here is that the sub-operation display unit 55 has a much shorter waiting time until the completion of activation than the main operation display unit 53. This is because the number of functions provided to satisfy the user interface function limited to the basic function is narrowed down to a much smaller number in the sub operation display unit 55 than in the main operation display unit 53. Is one factor. Furthermore, the size of the display screen of the sub operation display unit 55 is set to be sufficiently smaller than the display screen of the main operation display unit 53 according to the number of functions provided. Therefore, coupled with the small number of functions provided and the small display screen, the sub-operation display unit 55 dramatically shortens the waiting time until the start-up is completed as compared with the main operation display unit 53 (for example, one tenth). Below)

  Next, the electrical connection relationship between the main control unit 11 and the operation display unit 51 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, the thick solid line indicates the power supply system, while the thin solid line indicates the control signal system.

  First, the power supply system will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the main operation display unit 53 is connected to the power source 69 through the main open / close switch 71, while the sub operation display unit 55 is connected through the sub open / close switch 73. Connected to a power source 69.

  In the control signal system, the power key 59 is connected to the main controller 11 via the signal line 75, while the sleep return key 60 is connected to the main controller 11 via the signal line 77. The main opening / closing switch 71 is connected to the main control unit 11 via a signal line 78, while the sub opening / closing switch 73 is connected to the main control unit 11 via a signal line 79.

  When the power key 59 is turned on or the sleep return key 60 is operated to the return side according to the electrical connection relationship between the operation display unit 51 and the main control unit 11, the operation command signal is Input to the main control unit 11 via the line 75 or 77. Upon receiving this signal input, the main control unit 11 sends a control signal for energizing the main opening / closing switch 71 in the closing direction via the signal line 78 to the main opening / closing switch 71 and at the same time via the signal line 79. A control signal for energizing the switch 73 in the closing direction is sent to the sub open / close switch 73. Thereby, the main control unit 11 is configured to start power supply to both the main / sub operation display units 53 and 55 at the time of power-on or sleep return.

  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.

  The HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 85 stores various data such as image data read by the scanner unit 21 and an output format set in the image data. The image data stored in the HDD is not only used inside the image forming apparatus, but also confirmed from a client PC or the like via the network I / F unit 83 as necessary, or a predetermined folder such as a client PC. Forwarded to

[Operation when power is turned on or resumes from sleep]
Next, the flow of operation control around the main control unit 11 and the operation display unit 51 in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention when the power is turned on or when the sleep is resumed. FIG. 5 is an operation display unit when the power on / off state or the sleep on / off state is changed every moment. Shows the state transition of the setting operation screen.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is in a power-off or sleep state, a user who intends to execute the copy function turns on the power key 59 or a sleep return key. When 60 is operated to the return side, the main control unit 11 receives this and sends a control signal for energizing the main opening / closing switch 71 in the closing direction via the signal line 78 to the main opening / closing switch 71 at the same time. Then, a control signal for energizing the sub open / close switch 73 in the closing direction is sent to the sub open / close switch 73. As a result, power supply to both the main / sub operation display units 53 and 55 is started simultaneously (S1).

  In S <b> 2, the start of the sub operation display unit 55 is completed promptly, and preparations for accepting the user's setting operation are completed (see FIG. 5B). Note that at the time of S2 (immediately after power-on or sleep recovery), activation of the main operation display unit 53 is not yet completed. At this time, the user uses a setting operation screen which is a user interface limited to the basic functions provided by the sub operation display unit 55, for example, “only three A4 size documents set on the document table are scaled by 100%. When the user presses the start key after setting the job “Copy with”, the job is processed. As a result, the user can execute the required job without being bothered by the waiting time required to activate the operation display unit. Here, the operation processing of a job means that the job is performed when the apparatus main body is in an image forming operation enabled state, while the job execution is performed when the apparatus main body is not in an image forming operation enabled state. Means to book.

  In S3, the start of the main operation display unit 53 is completed after a predetermined time from the completion of the start of the sub operation display unit 55, so that the user is ready to accept any setting operation. At this time, a user who desires to use an application function that exceeds the basic function provided by the sub operation display unit 55 waits for the start of the main operation display unit 53 to complete the setting operation of the desired job.

  In S <b> 4, the main control unit 11 determines whether or not the job set using the sub operation display unit 55 has ended. As a result of the determination in S4, when it is determined that the job has not ended, the main control unit 11 repeats the determination process in S4 until the active job ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined as a result of the determination in S2 that the job set using the sub operation display unit 55 has ended, the main control unit 11 performs information on the items set using the sub operation display unit 55. Is performed by the main operation display unit 53 (S5). At this time, the information to be handed over is, for example, setting operation information such as “copy only three A4 size documents set on the document table at a magnification of 100%”.

  When the setting information takeover process of S5 is completed, the main control unit 11 sends a control signal for energizing the sub opening / closing switch 73 to the sub opening / closing switch 73 via the signal line 79. At this time, the main opening / closing switch 71 is maintained in the closed state (power supply to the main operation display unit 53 is maintained). Thereby, the power supply to the sub operation display part 55 is stopped (refer FIG.5 (c), S6).

[Effect of Example]
As described above, since the main control unit 11 (control unit) starts power supply to both the main / sub operation display units 53 and 55 at the time of power-on or sleep return, the power-on or sleep return is performed. Immediately after that, the job setting operation can be quickly performed without waiting time by using the sub-operation display unit 55 that has been activated prior to the main operation display unit 53. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both convenience by shortening the activation waiting time of the operation display unit serving as a user interface, which has been in a trade-off relationship, and economy by reducing power consumption.

  Since the main control unit 11 waits for the completion of the activation of the main operation display unit 53 (main operation display unit) and performs power control to stop power supply to the sub operation display unit 55 (sub operation display unit). Reduction of power consumption can be further promoted by stopping the power supply to the sub-operation display unit 55 that has already played the role of connection.

  Since the size of the setting operation screen in the sub operation display unit 55 is smaller than that of the main operation display unit 53, an increase in power consumption can be suppressed as much as possible.

  If the job set using the sub-operation display unit 55 is not completed before the main operation display unit 53 is activated, the main control unit 11 waits for the job to end and displays the sub-operation display. Since the power control for stopping the power supply to the unit 55 is performed, the operation on the sub-operation display unit 55 can be surely performed.

  Before the main control unit 11 stops the power supply to the sub operation display unit 55, the main operation display unit 53 takes over the information related to the items set using the sub operation display unit 55. The power supply to the unit 55 can be smoothly stopped.

[Others]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification or the technical idea. The accompanying image forming apparatus is also included in the scope of the technical scope of the present invention.

  Finally, in the present embodiment, the various processing procedures shown in the above-described operation flowchart have been described with reference to 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 functional block diagram illustrating an electric circuit around an operation display unit in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is an external view of an operation display unit in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart when the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is turned on or resumes from sleep. In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, it is a diagram showing the state transition of the setting operation screen in the operation display unit when the power on / off state or sleep on / off state changes from moment to moment.

Explanation of symbols

11 Main control unit (control means)
21 Scanner (Functions)
31 Image processing unit (various functions)
41 Printer (Functions)
53 Main operation display section (main operation display means)
55 Sub-operation display section (sub-operation display means)
81 Facsimile communication section (various functions)
83 Network I / F (Functions)

Claims (5)

In an image forming apparatus having at least two or more functions such as a copy, a facsimile, a scanner, and a printer.
Main operation display means having a user interface function for selectively setting and operating a desired item among all items related to the functions;
The main operation display unit is provided separately from the main operation display means, and has a limited user interface function for selectively setting and operating a desired item from among items related to functions selected from all the items. Sub-operation display means that has a shorter waiting time until completion of activation than the display means;
Control means for performing power control to start power supply to both the main / sub operation display means at least one of when the power is turned on or when returning from sleep;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The control means waits for completion of activation of the main operation display means, and stops power supply to the sub operation display means.
An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The size of the setting operation screen in the sub-operation display unit is smaller than that of the main operation display unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
If the job set using the sub-operation display unit is not completed before the main operation display unit is activated, the control unit waits for the end of the job and displays the sub-operation display. An image forming apparatus that performs power control to stop power supply to the means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The control means, before stopping the power supply to the sub operation display means, allows the main operation display means to take over the information related to the item set using the sub operation display means,
An image forming apparatus.

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