JP2008040127A - Image forming apparatus and method for controlling image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of shifting a normal mode to a power saving mode as quickly as possible after the end of image forming operation without requiring user's operation in an operation state of the normal mode. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is provided with: a power saving reset part for shifting the power saving mode to the normal mode when at least one of a wake-up instruction and an image forming job is received; a timer part for counting wake-up lapse time indicating lapse time based on the reception of the wake-up instruction; a device judgment part for judging whether the normal mode can be shifted to the power saving mode or not on the basis of a device state after ending image forming operation; and a power saving shifting part for shifting the normal mode to the power saving mode; wherein, the power saving shifting part shifts the normal mode to the power saving mode when the wake-up lapse time in counting reaches prescribed time or when the device judgment part judges that shift to the power saving mode is possible. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer having a power saving mode for power saving, and a control method for the image forming apparatus.

  In a conventional image forming apparatus, in order to reduce power consumption, when a state in which an image forming operation is not performed in a normal mode operation state has elapsed for a certain period of time, the image forming apparatus shifts to a power saving mode in which the energization to a fixing heater or the like is cut off. So that it is controlled. Further, for example, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 below, a power saving button is displayed on a display screen of a computer connected to the image forming apparatus, and the user operates the power saving button to thereby display an image. The operation state of the forming apparatus is shifted from the normal mode to the power saving mode, or conversely, the power saving mode is shifted to the normal mode.

JP 2004-127314 A

  However, in the case of the conventional image forming apparatus that shifts to the power saving mode after a certain period of time described above, the computer and the image forming apparatus are turned on, for example, as an individual user or a small office, and then the computer is frequently However, it is not suitable for the user who rarely uses the image forming apparatus even in the aspect of the power saving effect. For such users, it is possible to obtain a higher power saving effect by shifting to the power saving mode as soon as possible after the image forming operation is completed, instead of shifting to the power saving mode when a certain time has elapsed. In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 described above, instead of waiting for a certain period of time to elapse, a power saving button or a normal mode is operated by operating a power saving button from a computer as necessary. However, the user must operate the power saving button at each transition, which causes a work load and has a problem in terms of operability.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of shifting to the power saving mode as soon as possible after the image forming operation is completed without requiring any user operation in the normal mode operation state.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that operates in a normal mode and a power saving mode that consumes less power than the normal mode, and a wake-up command that instructs a transition from the power saving mode to the normal mode. And a power saving canceling unit that cancels the power saving mode and shifts to the normal mode when receiving at least one of the image forming jobs, and a wakeup elapsed time that indicates an elapsed time based on the reception of the wakeup command A time measuring unit that measures the above, and a device determination unit that determines whether or not it is possible to shift to the power saving mode based on the device state of the image forming device after the image forming operation in the image forming device is completed, A power-saving transition unit that transitions from the normal mode to the power-saving mode, the power-saving transition unit, when the wake-up has elapsed during the measurement There upon reaching a predetermined time, or characterized by the transition from the normal mode to the power saving mode when it is determined that it is possible to shift to the power saving mode by the device determination unit.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the power saving canceling unit cancels the power saving mode when receiving a wakeup command or an image forming job, and the time measuring unit determines the wakeup elapsed time based on the acquisition of the wakeup command. The device determination unit determines whether it is possible to shift to the power saving mode based on the device state after the image forming operation is completed, and the power saving transition unit determines whether the wake-up elapsed time during measurement is When the predetermined time is reached or when it is determined by the device determination unit that it is possible to shift to the power saving mode, the normal mode is shifted to the power saving mode.
In the normal mode operation state, it is determined whether or not it is possible to shift to the power saving mode based on the apparatus state after the image forming operation is completed, and if possible, the mode shifts to the power saving mode. After the operation is completed, as long as the device state can be shifted to the power saving mode, the apparatus can immediately shift to the power saving mode. Thereby, in the operation state of the normal mode, it is possible to shift to the power saving mode as soon as possible after the end of the image forming operation without requiring any user operation. In addition, when the wake-up elapsed time during measurement reaches a predetermined time, the mode shifts to the power saving mode. Therefore, even when the wake-up command is acquired and the image forming operation is not actually performed, the power saving mode is efficiently entered. Can be migrated.

  In the above-described image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when the power saving transition unit does not receive the wake-up command, the device determination unit determines that it is possible to shift to the power saving mode. When transitioning from the normal mode to the power saving mode and not receiving the image forming job, when the wake-up elapsed time during the measurement reaches a predetermined time, the normal mode shifts to the power saving mode, When both the wake-up command and the image forming job are received, when the apparatus determination unit determines that it is possible to shift to the power saving mode, the wake-up elapsed time during the measurement is a predetermined time It is characterized in that the normal mode is shifted to the power saving mode at any later point in time when the time is reached.

  In the above-described image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when the timing unit acquires a wakeup command during measurement of the wakeup elapsed time, the wakeup progress is based on the wakeup command acquired during the measurement. It is characterized by measuring time again.

  In the above-described image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the image forming apparatus is connected to a host apparatus, and the host apparatus generates the image formation generated based on the wakeup command and data output from an application program. A printer driver that transmits a job to the image forming apparatus, and the printer driver includes a setting unit that displays a setting screen for a user to set an image forming condition and receives the setting of the image forming condition; The wake-up command is transmitted from the printer driver to the image forming apparatus at any point of time when the application program is activated or when the setting screen is displayed by the setting unit. Features.

  In the above-described image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when the time measuring unit includes subsequent information indicating that the received image forming job is to be followed by a next image forming job, the time measuring unit includes an image forming job including the subsequent information. A job elapsed time indicating an elapsed time based on reception is measured, and the power saving transition unit is configured to measure when the wakeup elapsed time during the measurement reaches a predetermined time and when the job elapsed time during the measurement reaches a predetermined time. Transition from the normal mode to the power saving mode at the latest time point in time when the device determination unit determines that it is possible to shift to the power saving mode. It is characterized by.

  The image forming apparatus control method according to the present invention cancels the power saving mode when receiving at least one of a wake-up command for instructing transition from the power saving mode to the normal mode and an image forming job. The power saving canceling step for shifting to the normal mode, the time measuring step for measuring the wakeup elapsed time indicating the elapsed time based on the reception of the wakeup command, and the image forming operation in the image forming apparatus, after the image forming operation is finished, the image A device determination step for determining whether or not it is possible to shift to the power saving mode based on a device state of the forming device, and a power saving transition step for shifting from the normal mode to the power saving mode, the power saving transition step, The wake-up elapsed time during the measurement reaches a predetermined time, or the apparatus judgment unit shifts to the power saving mode. Wherein said that the transition from the normal mode to the power saving mode when it is determined that Rukoto are possible.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Configuration of image forming apparatus>
First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus connected to the host device will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus and the host apparatus of FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 forms a full color image by superposing four color toners of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K), or uses only black (K) toner. To form a monochrome image. Further, in the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 2, when an image signal serving as an image forming job is given to the main controller 11 from a host device 200 such as a computer, a mechanical controller according to a command from the main controller 11. 13 controls the operation of each part of the engine unit EG to execute a predetermined image forming operation, and forms an image defined by the image signal on the sheet S.

  In the engine unit EG, as shown in FIG. 1, the photosensitive member 22 is provided to be rotatable in the arrow direction D1. Further, a charging unit 23, a developing unit 4, and a cleaning unit 25 are arranged around the photosensitive member 22 along the rotation direction D1. The charging unit 23 is applied with a predetermined charging bias, and uniformly charges the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 22 to a predetermined surface potential. The cleaning unit 25 removes toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 22 after the primary transfer, and collects it in a waste toner tank provided inside. The photosensitive member 22, the charging unit 23, and the cleaning unit 25 integrally constitute a photosensitive member cartridge 2, and the photosensitive member cartridge 2 is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 as a whole. Yes.

  Further, the exposure unit 6 irradiates the light beam L toward the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive member 22 charged by the charging unit 23. The exposure unit 6 exposes the light beam L onto the photoconductor 22 in accordance with an image signal given from the host device 200, and forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image signal.

  The electrostatic latent image thus formed is developed with toner by the developing unit 4. The developing unit 4 is configured as a toner cartridge that is detachable with respect to a support frame 40 that is rotatably provided around a rotation axis orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 1, and is a yellow toner that contains toner of each color. A cartridge 4Y, a cyan toner cartridge 4C, a magenta toner cartridge 4M, a black toner cartridge 4K, and a rotary drive unit for rotating them integrally are provided. The developing unit 4 is controlled by a mechanical controller 13 shown in FIG. Based on a control command from the mechanical controller 13, the developing unit 4 is driven to rotate, and the toner cartridges 4Y, 4C, 4M, and 4K selectively abut against the photosensitive member 22 and face each other with a predetermined gap therebetween. When the toner is positioned at a predetermined developing position, toner is applied to the surface of the photoreceptor 22 from a developing roller 44 provided in the toner cartridge and carrying toner of a selected color. As a result, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 22 is visualized with the selected toner color.

  The toner image developed by the developing unit 4 as described above is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 71 of the transfer unit 7 in the primary transfer region TR1. The transfer unit 7 includes an intermediate transfer belt 71 that is stretched over a plurality of rollers 72 to 75, and a drive unit that rotates the intermediate transfer belt 71 in a predetermined rotation direction D2 by rotationally driving the roller 73. . When transferring a color image onto the sheet S, the color toner images formed on the photosensitive member 22 are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 71 to form a color image, and are taken out from the cassette 8 and conveyed one by one. The color image is secondarily transferred onto the sheet S conveyed to the secondary transfer region TR2 along the path F.

  At this time, in order to correctly transfer the image on the intermediate transfer belt 71 to a predetermined position on the sheet S, the timing of feeding the sheet S to the secondary transfer region TR2 is managed. Specifically, a gate roller 81 is provided on the transport path F on the front side of the secondary transfer region TR2, and the gate roller 81 rotates in accordance with the timing of the circumferential movement of the intermediate transfer belt 71. S is sent to the secondary transfer region TR2 at a predetermined timing.

  The sheet S on which the color image is formed in this way is conveyed to the discharge tray unit 89 provided on the upper surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 via the fixing unit 9, the pre-discharge roller 82 and the discharge roller 83.

  Here, the fixing unit 9 is provided with a fixing roller 91 and a pressure roller 92 that rotate while being in pressure contact with each other, and the pressure roller 92 is driven to rotate as the fixing roller 91 is driven to rotate by a driving unit. A fixing heater 9A shown in FIG. 2 is inserted inside the fixing roller 91 and the pressure roller 92. The fixing unit 9 heats and pressurizes the sheet S on which the color image is formed by the toner image, and the toner image. Is fixed to the sheet S by fusing.

  When images are formed on both sides of the sheet S, the rear end portion of the sheet S on which the image is formed on one side as described above has been conveyed to the reversal position PR via the pre-discharge roller 82. The rotation direction of the discharge roller 83 is reversed at the timing, whereby the sheet S is conveyed in the direction of the arrow D3 along the reverse conveyance path FR. Then, the sheet is again placed on the transport path F before the gate roller 81. At this time, the image is transferred first on the surface of the sheet S on which the image is transferred by contacting the intermediate transfer belt 71 in the secondary transfer region TR2. It is the opposite surface. In this way, images can be formed on both sides of the sheet S.

<Electrical Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus and Host Device>
Next, the electrical configurations of the image forming apparatus 1 and the host apparatus 200 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the main controller 11 includes a CPU 111, an interface 112, a USB interface 113, a ROM 114, a RAM 115, a memory 116, and a timer 117 as a time measuring unit. The USB memory 120 can be inserted and removed via the USB interface 113, and an operation unit 121 provided with a display panel 121P is connected to the main controller 11.

  The interface 112 provided in the main controller 11 receives from the host device 200 a wakeup command for instructing a transition from the power saving mode to the normal mode, an image forming job, and the like. The ROM 114 stores a calculation program executed by the CPU 111, control data for controlling the mechanical controller 13, and the like. The RAM 115 temporarily stores data relating to the image forming job received via the interface 112 or the USB interface 113 as a result of the calculation by the CPU 111. The memory 116 stores setting information input by the user from the operation unit 121. The timer 117 measures a wakeup elapsed time 117W that is an elapsed time based on reception of a wakeup command, a job elapsed time 117J that is an elapsed time based on reception of an image forming job, and the like.

  Here, the memory 116 provided in the main controller 11 uses a non-volatile memory in which information is retained even in a non-energized state in order to store setting contents input by the user. As such an element, for example, a flash memory or a ferroelectric memory can be used.

  The mechanical controller 13 includes a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 133, a motor drive circuit 134, and a heater drive circuit 135. The ROM 132 stores a calculation program executed by the CPU 131, control data for controlling the engine unit EG, and the like. The RAM 133 temporarily stores the calculation result by the CPU 131 and the like. The motor drive circuit 134 receives a control signal from the CPU 131 and drives each drive unit for units such as the photosensitive cartridge 2, the developing unit 4, the exposure unit 6, the transfer unit 7, the fixing unit 9, and the cooling fan 10. To control. The heater driving circuit 135 receives a control signal from the CPU 131 and controls the temperature of the fixing heater 9 </ b> A provided in the fixing unit 9. Further, the engine unit EG is provided with various sensors 19 composed of various sensors for purposes such as image density measurement, fixing member temperature / humidity measurement, consumables monitoring, and cover open / close monitoring. Yes.

  Next, the host device 200 includes an application 210, an operating system 211, and a printer driver 212. The application 210 is software such as word processing software, spreadsheet software, business software, and the like. The operating system 211 is basic software that controls the entire host device 200, and enables the application 210 and the printer driver 212 to be used. The printer driver 212 operates on the operating system 211 and transmits, to the image forming apparatus 1, an image forming job generated based on a wakeup command and data output from the application 210. The printer driver 212 also has a setting unit 212S. The setting unit 212S displays a setting screen for image forming conditions such as a print page and the number of prints on a display unit 221 such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display. Then, the setting of image forming conditions is accepted via the operation unit 220 such as a keyboard or a mouse.

<Power supply path of image forming apparatus>
Next, the power supply path of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a power supply path of the image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a power supply unit 14. The power supply unit 14 converts a DC power supply voltage into DC voltages of 5V, 24V, and 100V, respectively, a DC power supply 141, a DC power supply 142, and a DC power supply. 143.

  The output voltage of the DC power supply 141 (5 V) is supplied to a control circuit such as a CPU 111 provided in the main controller 11 and a CPU 131 provided in the mechanical controller 13. Further, the output voltage of the DC power supply 142 (24V) is driven by units such as the photosensitive cartridge 2, the developing unit 4, the exposure unit 6, the transfer unit 7, the fixing unit 9, and the cooling fan 10 provided in the engine unit EG. Is supplied to a motor or the like for driving the unit and various sensors 19. Further, the output voltage of the DC power supply 143 (100 V) is supplied to a fixing heater 9 </ b> A provided in the fixing unit 9.

  As shown also in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 executes an image forming operation after receiving an image forming job from the printer driver 212 of the host device 200 via the interface 112 provided in the main controller 11. The state in which the image forming operation is being executed or can be executed immediately without taking a preparation time is the normal mode operation state. On the other hand, in order to reduce power consumption, the state of suppressing the supply of the predetermined power described above is the operation state of the power saving mode. In this power saving mode operation state, an output voltage of 5 V is always supplied to the main controller 11 and the mechanical controller 13, so that communication is possible even in the power saving mode operation state.

<Operation to shift to normal mode and return to power saving mode>
Next, an operation of shifting from the power saving mode to the normal mode and returning to the power saving mode again will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of shifting from the power saving mode to the normal mode and returning to the power saving mode again. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the detailed operation of the check process for shifting to the power saving mode. The operations in each step shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are all executed by the control of the CPU 111 provided in the main controller 11.

First, in steps S510 and S511 shown in FIG. 4, in the power saving mode operation state, the apparatus waits until a wake-up command or an image forming job is received from the printer driver 212 of the host device 200.
In step S510, if a wakeup command is received, the process proceeds to step S512, the timer 117 provided in the main controller 11 starts measuring the wakeup elapsed time 117W, and the process proceeds to step S513.
On the other hand, if an image forming job is received in step S511, the process proceeds to step S513.

  In step S513, in order to cancel the operation state of the power saving mode, a signal instructing the shift to the normal mode is transmitted to the CPU 131 provided in the mechanical controller 13. The CPU 131 receives this signal and performs control to energize the output voltage that has been cut off until then. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 shifts to the normal mode operation state.

  In step S514, a check process is performed to determine whether or not it is possible to shift to the power saving mode in the normal mode operation state, and the result of the check process is set in the RAM 115 provided in the main controller 11. The details of the check process for shifting to the power saving mode will be described later.

In step S515, the result of the check process for the transition to the power saving mode set in step S514 is determined. If it is possible to transition to the power saving mode, the process proceeds to the next step S516.
On the other hand, if it is impossible to shift to the power saving mode, the process of checking the shift to the power saving mode in step S514 is repeated until it becomes possible.

  In step S516, a transition process from the normal mode to the power saving mode is performed. For this purpose, a signal instructing the shift to the power saving mode is transmitted to the CPU 131 provided in the mechanical controller 13. The CPU 131 receives this signal and performs control to cut off the 100V output voltage supplied to the fixing heater 9A and the like. Thereby, the image forming apparatus 1 returns to the operation state of the power saving mode again. Here, in addition to the output voltage of 100V supplied to the fixing heater 9A or the like, the output voltage of 24V supplied to a motor or the like for driving each drive unit may be cut off.

<Details of check process for transition to power saving mode>
Next, details of the check process for the transition to the power saving mode will be described.
When the process proceeds to the above-described check process for shifting to the power saving mode in step S514 in FIG. 4, the process in step S520 shown in FIG. 5 is started.

In step S520, it is determined whether or not a wake-up command is received from the printer driver 212 of the host device 200 in the power saving mode operation state.
When the wakeup command is received, the process proceeds to step S521, the timer 117 provided in the main controller 11 starts measuring the wakeup elapsed time 117W, and the process proceeds to step S522. If the wakeup elapsed time 117W is already being measured, the wakeup elapsed time 117W being measured is once cleared, and the wakeup elapsed time 117W is measured again from the beginning.
On the other hand, if the wakeup command has not been received, the process proceeds to step S522.

In step S522, it is determined whether or not the wake-up elapsed time 117W is being measured by the timer 117.
If the wakeup elapsed time 117W is being measured, the process proceeds to the next step S523, and it is determined whether or not the wakeup elapsed time 117W being measured has reached a transition time tw that is a condition for shifting to the power saving mode. If the transition time tw has been reached, the process proceeds to the next step S524. On the other hand, if the transition time tw has not been reached, the process proceeds to step S526, and the fact that the transition to the power saving mode is “impossible” is set in the RAM 115 provided in the main controller 11.
On the other hand, if the wakeup elapsed time 117W is not being measured in step S522, that is, if no wakeup command has been received, the process proceeds to the next step S524.

  Here, the transition time tw is a time set by the user from the operation unit 121 of the image forming apparatus 1 and is stored in the memory 116 provided in the main controller 11. If the user has not set the transition time tw, the transition time tw stored in the memory 116 as an initial value is valid.

In step S524, based on the apparatus state of the image forming apparatus 1, it is determined whether or not it is possible to shift to the power saving mode.
If the transition to the power saving mode is possible, the process proceeds to step S525, and the fact that the transition to the power saving mode is “permitted” is set in the RAM 115.
On the other hand, if it is impossible to shift to the power saving mode, the process proceeds to step S526, and the RAM 115 is set to the effect that the shift to the power saving mode is “impossible”.

  Here, the determination based on the apparatus state of the image forming apparatus 1 is determined based on whether or not the driving by the motor driving circuit 134 is stopped. Specifically, when driving of the driving units such as the photosensitive cartridge 2, the developing unit 4, the exposure unit 6, the transfer unit 7, the fixing unit 9, and the cooling fan 10 is not stopped, the mode is shifted to the power saving mode. I can't. That is, when the image forming operation is being prepared, during the operation, and immediately after the operation is completed, the mode cannot be shifted to the power saving mode.

  When the above process ends, the process returns to the process of the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In addition, the power saving cancellation | release part and power saving cancellation | release process of this invention are corresponded to step S513 shown in FIG. Moreover, the time measuring process of this invention is corresponded to step S512 shown in FIG. 4, and step S521 shown in FIG. Moreover, the apparatus determination part and apparatus determination process of this invention are corresponded to step S524 shown in FIG. Further, the power saving transition unit and the power saving transition process of the present invention correspond to step S516 shown in FIG.

<Example of transition to normal mode and return to power saving mode>
Next, an example of shifting from the power saving mode to the normal mode and returning to the power saving mode again will be described using a time chart.
FIG. 6 is a time chart showing an example of transition from the power saving mode to the normal mode and returning to the power saving mode again, (a) is a time chart showing an example of not receiving a wakeup command, and (b) It is a time chart which shows the example which receives a wakeup command, (c) is a time chart which shows the example which did not receive a print job after receiving a wakeup command. In addition, in the same figure (a)-(c), the horizontal axis t shows progress of the time from the left to the right toward a time chart.

  First, in the case of the time chart shown in FIG. 6A, when the image forming job is received in the power saving mode operation state, the power saving mode is canceled and the normal mode is entered. Thereafter, the image forming operation is started in the normal mode operation state, the image forming operation is finished, and the apparatus state is returned to the power saving mode again when the apparatus state can be shifted to the power saving mode.

  Next, in the case of the time chart shown in FIG. 6B, when the wake-up command is received in the operation state of the power saving mode, the power saving mode is canceled to shift to the normal mode. Thereafter, the image forming job is received in the operation state of the normal mode, and the image forming operation is started. Thereafter, the second wake-up command is received during the image forming operation, the image forming operation ends, and when the wake-up elapsed time reaches the transition time tw, the mode again returns to the power saving mode. Here, unlike (a) of the figure, when the apparatus state can be shifted to the power saving mode, it does not return to the power saving mode.

  In FIG. 6B, measurement of the wake-up elapsed time is started by receiving the first wake-up command. However, since the second wake-up command is received during the image forming operation, measurement is being performed so far. The wakeup elapsed time is cleared once, and the wakeup elapsed time is measured again. The transition time tw in the figure indicates the wake-up elapsed time based on the wake-up command received during the image forming operation.

  Next, in the case of the time chart shown in FIG. 8C, the power saving mode is canceled and the normal mode is entered by receiving the wake-up command, as in FIG. Unlike), an image forming job has not been received. That is, the image forming operation is not executed although the mode is shifted to the normal mode. In this case, when the wake-up command is received, the wake-up elapsed time during measurement reaches the transition time tw, and the power-saving mode is restored.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment described above, as shown in the example of the time chart of FIG. 6A, in the normal mode operation state, the apparatus state shifts to the power saving mode after the image forming operation ends. It is determined whether or not it is possible, and when it becomes possible to shift to the power saving mode, it shifts to the power saving mode. For this reason, it is possible to shift to the power saving mode in a shorter time compared to the case of shifting to the power saving mode after waiting for a certain period of time when the image forming operation is not performed as in the conventional image forming apparatus. The power saving effect can be enhanced.

Further, as shown in the example of the time chart of FIG. 6B, the measurement of the wakeup elapsed time 117W is started based on the reception of the wakeup command, and the wakeup elapsed time 117W being measured for the second time is the transition time. When tw is reached, the power saving mode is entered. Here, even if the apparatus state can be shifted to the power saving mode before the wake-up elapsed time reaches the transition time tw, the operation state of the normal mode is continued without shifting to the power saving mode.
As a result, after the image forming operation is completed, the user transmits a wake-up command to the image forming apparatus 1 from the host device 200 when the user wants to continue the normal mode operation state for a while instead of shifting to the power saving mode immediately. Can be dealt with. That is, by transmitting the wake-up command, it is possible to ensure the normal mode operation state until the transition time tw elapses after the image forming apparatus 1 receives the wake-up command. The user can prepare, for example, the next image forming job until the transition time tw elapses.

  Further, as shown in the example of the time chart of FIG. 6C, when the wakeup command is received and the mode is shifted to the normal mode but the image forming job is not actually received, the wakeup elapsed time 117W is shifted. When the time tw is reached, the mode is shifted to the power saving mode. As a result, when the user transmits a wake-up command and shifts to the normal mode, when the user does not actually transmit the image forming job, the wake-up command is not continued as it is. After the transition time tw has elapsed since the reception of, it is possible to automatically shift to the power saving mode.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The configuration of the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment shown in FIGS.

<Operation to shift to normal mode and return to power saving mode>
An operation of shifting from the power saving mode to the normal mode and returning to the power saving mode again according to the second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of shifting from the power saving mode to the normal mode and returning to the power saving mode again according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation of the check process for shifting to the power saving mode according to the second embodiment. The operations in the steps shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are all executed under the control of the CPU 111 provided in the main controller 11.

First, in steps S610 and S611 shown in FIG. 7, the apparatus stands by until a wake-up command or an image forming job is received from the printer driver 212 of the host apparatus 200 in the power saving mode operation state.
If a wakeup command is received in step S610, the process proceeds to step S612, the timer 117 provided in the main controller 11 starts measuring the wakeup elapsed time 117W, and the process proceeds to step S615.

On the other hand, if an image forming job is received in step S611, the process proceeds to step S613, and when the received image forming job includes the designation of “following job” “present”, the timer 117 measures the job elapsed time 117J in step S614. Start and go to step S615. On the other hand, if the image forming job does not include the subsequent job “present” designation, the process advances to step S615.
Here, the subsequent job “present” designation is subsequent information indicating that the next image forming job follows the received image forming job.

  In steps S615 to S618, similarly to steps S513 to S516 of the flowchart according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the operation state of the power saving mode is canceled, the transition process to the power saving mode is checked, and the transition to the power saving mode is checked. Processing result determination and transition processing to the power saving mode are performed. Details of the check process for the transition to the power saving mode in step S616 will be described later.

<Details of check process for transition to power saving mode>
Next, details of the check process for the transition to the power saving mode will be described.
When the process proceeds to the check process for shifting to the power saving mode in step S616 in FIG. 7, the process in step S620 shown in FIG. 8 is started.

  In steps S620 and S621, as in steps S520 and S521 of the flowchart according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not a wakeup command has been received. The measurement of elapsed time 117W is started.

In steps S622 and S623, as in steps S522 and S523 shown in FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not the wakeup elapsed time 117W is being measured. If the wakeup elapsed time 117W is being measured, the wakeup elapsed time is determined. It is determined whether or not the time 117W has reached the transition time tw. If the transition time tw has been reached, the process proceeds to the next step S624. On the other hand, if the transition time tw has not been reached, the process advances to step S631 to set in the RAM 115 provided in the main controller 11 that the transition to the power saving mode is “impossible”.
On the other hand, if the wakeup elapsed time 117W is not being measured in step S622, the process proceeds to step S624.

In step S624, it is determined whether an image forming job has been received from the printer driver 212 of the host apparatus 200.
If an image forming job has been received, the process proceeds to step S625. When the received image forming job includes a subsequent job “Yes” designation, the timer 117 starts measuring the job elapsed time 117J in step S626, and then proceeds to step S627. move on. If the job elapsed time 117J is already being measured when the measurement is started in step S626, the job elapsed time 117J being measured is once cleared, and the job elapsed time 117J is measured again from the beginning.
On the other hand, if the image forming job has not been received in step S624, and if the image forming job has been received and the image forming job does not include the subsequent job “present” designation in step S625, the process proceeds to step S627.

In step S627, it is determined whether the timer 117 is measuring the job elapsed time 117J.
If the job elapsed time 117J is being measured, the process proceeds to the next step S628, and it is determined whether or not the job elapsed time 117J being measured has reached a transition time tj that is a condition for shifting to the power saving mode. When the transition time tj is reached, the process proceeds to the next step S629. On the other hand, if the transition time tj has not been reached, the process proceeds to step S631 to set in the RAM 115 provided in the main controller 11 that the transition to the power saving mode is “impossible”.
On the other hand, if the job elapsed time 117J is not being measured in step S627, that is, if no image forming job including the subsequent job “present” designation has been received, the process proceeds to step S629.

  Here, the transition time tj is a time set by the user from the operation unit 121 of the image forming apparatus 1 and is stored in the memory 116 provided in the main controller 11. If the user has not set the transition time tj, the transition time tj stored in the memory 116 as an initial value is valid.

In step S629, whether or not it is possible to shift to the power saving mode is determined based on the apparatus state of the image forming apparatus 1 as in step S524 shown in FIG.
If the transition to the power saving mode is possible, the process proceeds to step S630, and the fact that the transition to the power saving mode is “permitted” is set in the RAM 115.
On the other hand, if it is not possible to shift to the power saving mode, the process proceeds to step S631 to set in the RAM 115 that the shift to the power saving mode is “impossible”.

  When the above process ends, the process returns to the process of the flowchart shown in FIG.

<Example of transition to normal mode and return to power saving mode>
Next, an example of shifting from the power saving mode to the normal mode and returning to the power saving mode again will be described using a time chart.
FIG. 9 is a time chart showing an example of designation of a succeeding job “Yes” according to the second embodiment, (a) is a time chart showing an example of not receiving a wakeup command, and (b) is It is a time chart which shows the example which receives a wakeup command. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, the horizontal axis t indicates the passage of time from left to right as viewed in the time chart.

  First, in the case of the time chart shown in FIG. 6A, when the image forming job is received in the power saving mode operation state, the power saving mode is canceled and the normal mode is entered. At this time, the received image forming job includes a subsequent job “present” designation. Thereafter, the image forming operation is started in the normal mode operation state, and the image forming operation is ended. Thereafter, when the next image forming job is received and the image forming operation is completed and the apparatus state can be shifted to the power saving mode, the apparatus returns to the power saving mode again. Here, when the apparatus state can be shifted to the power saving mode for the first time, the apparatus does not return to the power saving mode. This is because the job elapsed time 117J being measured by receiving the image forming job has not reached the transition time tj.

  Next, in the case of the time chart shown in FIG. 6B, when the wake-up command is received in the operation state of the power saving mode, the power saving mode is canceled to shift to the normal mode. Thereafter, the image forming job is received in the operation state of the normal mode, and the image forming operation is started. At this time, the received image forming job includes a subsequent job “present” designation. Thereafter, the first image forming operation ends after receiving the second wake-up command during the image forming operation. Thereafter, when the next image forming job is received and the image forming operation is completed and the apparatus state can be shifted to the power saving mode, the apparatus returns to the power saving mode again.

  Here, when the job elapsed time 117J reaches the transition time tj, when the apparatus state can be shifted to the power saving mode for the first time, and when the second wake-up elapsed time reaches the transition time tw Even in this case, the operation state of the normal mode is continued without returning to the power saving mode, and the apparatus is returned to the power saving mode when the apparatus state can be shifted to the power saving mode for the second time. This is because the device state cannot be shifted when the job elapsed time 117J reaches the transition time tj, and the second wake-up elapsed time is being measured when the device state can first shift to the power saving mode. When the second wake-up elapsed time reaches the transition time tw, the device state cannot be transitioned. That is, when the apparatus state can be shifted to the power saving mode for the second time, it can be returned to the power saving mode because it is the latest in time compared to other time points.

In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment described above, as shown in the example of the time chart of FIG. 9A, when the received image forming job includes a subsequent job “present” designation, the apparatus state shifts to the power saving mode. Even if it is possible, if the job elapsed time 117J being measured has not reached the transition time tj, the operation state of the normal mode is continued without shifting to the power saving mode.
Thus, when the user wants to continue the image forming operation of the next image forming job after the image forming operation is completed, the user can follow the operation from the operation unit 220 of the host device 200 when transmitting the first image forming job. This can be dealt with by entering the job "Yes" designation. In other words, the normal mode operation state can be secured until the transition time tj elapses after the image forming apparatus 1 receives the image forming job including the designation of “following job”. The user can prepare and transmit the next image forming job until the transition time tj elapses, and can continue the image forming operation.

Further, as shown in the example of the time chart of FIG. 9B, when the received image forming job includes the designation of “following job”, the wakeup elapsed time 117W being measured reaches the transition time tw. When the measured job elapsed time 117J reaches the transition time tj and when the apparatus state can be shifted to the power saving mode, the normal mode is shifted to the power saving mode at the latest point in time. To do.
As a result, the user can designate a wake-up command and designation of “following job” “in accordance with the situation”. For example, the user designates the succeeding job “Yes” and executes the image forming operation. However, since the time required for the image forming operation at this time is too long, the elapsed job time 117J being measured exceeds the transition time tj. However, the image forming operation may not be completed. In this case, by transmitting a wake-up command during the image forming operation, the user can continue the normal mode operation state even if the apparatus state can be shifted to the power saving mode.

  (Modification 1) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a wake-up command and an image forming job are received from the host device 200 has been described. However, these wake-up commands and an image forming job are received from the host device 200. It is not limited to acquisition. For example, the wake-up command may be acquired by performing an operation in which the user instructs the wake-up command from the operation unit 121 connected to the image forming apparatus 1. Alternatively, the main controller 11 may acquire a wake-up command from the USB memory 120 inserted in the image forming apparatus 1 by detecting data that can form an image via the USB interface 113. Furthermore, an image forming job for performing an image forming operation of the data that can be imaged may be acquired from the USB memory 120. Data that can be image-formed is not limited to the USB memory 120, and may be recorded on another recording medium such as a memory card and connected to the image forming apparatus 1.

(Modification 2) In the above-described embodiment, the measurement of the job elapsed time 117J is started when an image forming job is received and it is determined that the image forming job includes a subsequent job “present” designation. The time point at which the measurement of the job elapsed time 117J is started is not limited to this. When the received image forming job includes the designation of “following job”, for example, the measurement of the job elapsed time 117J may be started when the image forming operation of the image forming job ends.
As a result, regardless of the time required for the image forming operation, the user secures the operation state in the normal mode from the time when the image forming operation designated by the succeeding job “present” is completed until the transition time tj elapses. can do.

1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus and a host device. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a power supply path of the image forming apparatus. The flowchart which shows operation | movement which transfers to normal mode from power saving mode, and returns to power saving mode again. The flowchart which shows the detailed operation | movement of the check process of transfer to power saving mode. Time chart showing an example of transition from power saving mode to normal mode and returning to power saving mode again, (a) is a time chart showing an example of not receiving a wakeup command, and (b) is an example of receiving a wakeup command. The time chart which shows, (c) is the time chart which shows the example which did not receive the print job after receiving the wakeup command. The flowchart which shows operation | movement which transfers to power saving mode from the power saving mode based on 2nd Embodiment, and returns to power saving mode again. The flowchart which shows the detailed operation | movement of the check process of transfer to power saving mode based on 2nd Embodiment. 4 is a time chart showing an example of designation of a subsequent job “present” according to the second embodiment, (a) is a time chart showing an example of not receiving a wakeup command, and (b) is an example of receiving a wakeup command. Time chart shown.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 11 ... Main controller, 13 ... Mechanical controller, 14 ... Power supply part, 111 ... CPU, 112 ... Interface, 113 ... USB interface, 114 ... ROM, 115 ... RAM, 116 ... Memory, 117 ... Timer, 117W ... Wake-up elapsed time, 117J ... Job elapsed time, 120 ... USB memory, 121 ... Operation unit, 121P ... Display panel, 131 ... CPU, 132 ... ROM, 133 ... RAM, 134 ... Motor drive circuit, 135 ... Heater drive Circuit 200, host device 210, application 211, operating system 212 printer driver 212S setting unit 220 operation unit 221 display unit

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus that operates in a normal mode and a power saving mode that consumes less power than the normal mode,
A wake-up command for instructing a transition from the power saving mode to the normal mode, and a power saving canceling unit for canceling the power saving mode and shifting to the normal mode when receiving at least one of an image forming job;
A timekeeping unit for measuring a wakeup elapsed time indicating an elapsed time based on reception of the wakeup command;
A device determination unit that determines whether or not it is possible to shift to the power saving mode based on a device state of the image forming device after the image forming operation in the image forming device is completed;
A power saving transition unit that transitions from the normal mode to the power saving mode,
The power saving transition unit starts from the normal mode when the wake-up elapsed time during the measurement reaches a predetermined time, or when it is determined that the device determination unit can shift to the power saving mode. An image forming apparatus that shifts to the power saving mode. When the power saving transition unit does not receive the wake-up command, the device determination unit transitions from the normal mode to the power saving mode when it is determined that the power saving mode can be entered,
When the image forming job is not received, the wake-up elapsed time during measurement reaches a predetermined time when the normal mode is shifted to the power saving mode.
When both the wake-up command and the image forming job are received, when the apparatus determination unit determines that it is possible to shift to the power saving mode, the wake-up elapsed time during the measurement is a predetermined time The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus shifts from the normal mode to the power saving mode at a later point in time when the time is reached.   The timing unit, when acquiring a wakeup command during measurement of the wakeup elapsed time, remeasures the wakeup elapsed time based on the wakeup command acquired during the measurement. Item 3. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1 or 2. The image forming apparatus is connected to a host apparatus, and the host apparatus transmits the image forming job generated based on the wakeup command and data output from an application program to the image forming apparatus. Have
The printer driver includes a setting unit that displays a setting screen for a user to set image forming conditions and receives settings of the image forming conditions.
The wake-up command is transmitted from the printer driver to the image forming apparatus at any time point when the application program is activated or when the setting screen is displayed by the setting unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The time measuring unit includes a job elapsed time indicating an elapsed time based on reception of the image forming job including the subsequent information when the received image forming job includes subsequent information indicating that a next image forming job follows. Measure
The power saving transition unit switches to the power saving mode by the device determination unit when the wake-up elapsed time during the measurement reaches a predetermined time, when the job elapsed time during the measurement reaches a predetermined time, and 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the transition from the normal mode to the power saving mode is performed at a time point that is the latest in time when it is determined that the transition is possible. The image forming apparatus described. A power saving cancellation step of canceling the power saving mode and shifting to the normal mode when receiving at least one of a wake-up command for instructing the transition from the power saving mode to the normal mode, and an image forming job;
Measuring a wakeup elapsed time indicating an elapsed time based on the reception of the wakeup command;
A device determination step of determining whether or not it is possible to shift to the power saving mode based on a device state of the image forming device after an image forming operation in the image forming device is completed;
A power saving transition process for shifting from the normal mode to the power saving mode,
The power saving transition process starts from the normal mode when the wake-up elapsed time during the measurement reaches a predetermined time, or when the device judgment unit determines that the power saving mode can be entered. A control method for an image forming apparatus, wherein the mode is shifted to the power saving mode.

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