JP2008052206A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of achieving the prolongation of the life of an auxiliary power source device while maintaining operability related to a fixing device. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is constituted so that a user can set the propriety of using an auxiliary power source unit and the time zone of a set object according to respective functions (operation modes) mounted in a multifunction machine. A set picture for setting content concerning the restoring operation displayed on a display part has: a function designating part 50 for designating a desired (set object) function out of a facsimile function, a printer function and a copy function; a use propriety designating part 51 for designating whether or not to use the auxiliary power source unit 55; and a time zone designating part 52 for designating the time zone in which the content designated by the use propriety designating part 51 is reflected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a copy function, a printer function, a facsimile function, and a scanner function.

  As an apparatus for forming an image by fixing toner on a recording medium such as paper, there is an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile, or a multifunction machine in which the functions of these devices are combined. In general, a fixing device that performs a fixing process for fixing a toner image transferred onto a transfer material such as paper to the transfer material is mounted. This fixing device mainly includes a fixing roller and a heating unit. The fixing roller is a pair of rollers facing each other in a state where the peripheral surfaces are in close contact with each other, and the heating unit heats a fixing roller (heating roller) located on the toner side of the recording medium among the pair of fixing rollers. Is. The fixing device configured in this manner fixes the toner image transferred onto the recording medium by the photosensitive member to the recording medium by pressing and heating the recording medium passing between the pair of fixing rollers.

  In the fixing device, the heating unit includes a main heating element and an auxiliary heating element, a main power supply device that supplies power to the main heating element, and power (auxiliary power) to the auxiliary heating element. Some have an auxiliary power supply that uses an electric double layer capacitor as a power source. This auxiliary power supply device is installed to raise the temperature of the fixing device to a predetermined temperature in a shorter time for the purpose of improving the operability of the device and saving power.

On the other hand, as a technical document related to this type of technical field, for example, there is Patent Document 1 below. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133830 discloses a technique for supplying power to the heater by a main power supply device and an auxiliary power supply device when the fixing device is returned from a standby state in a fixing device having a main power supply device and an auxiliary power supply device. It is disclosed.
Japanese Patent No. 3588006

  By the way, the auxiliary power supply device deteriorates as it is used (repeating charge and discharge). Then, when the life of the auxiliary power supply device is exhausted or the situation where the auxiliary power supply device cannot function sufficiently, the auxiliary power supply device needs to be replaced. However, since this auxiliary power supply device is expensive, in order to reduce the user's economic burden, it is necessary to reduce the number of times the auxiliary power supply device is used and the charge / discharge time as much as possible to prolong its life. desirable.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides an image forming apparatus capable of extending the life of an auxiliary power supply device while maintaining the operability associated with the fixing device. With the goal.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an image reading unit that reads an image of a document by a photoelectric conversion operation, an image forming unit that forms an image on a transfer material, and a communication unit that transmits and receives data to and from another electronic device. And at least two including the image forming unit, and a plurality of functions are executed using a plurality of the image reading unit, the image forming unit, and the communication unit including the image forming unit or the image forming unit. A possible image forming apparatus, comprising: an auxiliary power source; a first fixing heater driven by electric power from an external power source; and a second fixing heater driven by electric power from the auxiliary power source. (2) A fixing unit for fixing toner onto a transfer material by heat generated by the fixing heater, and an input for setting whether or not a power supply operation to the second fixing heater is performed by the auxiliary power source for each of the functions installed in the multifunction peripheral. To do An operation unit, the input of the setting is performed by the input operation unit, an image forming apparatus and a control unit for controlling the operation of the auxiliary power supply in accordance with the setting content.

  According to this invention, the input operation unit for performing the input for setting the presence or absence of the power supply operation to the second fixing heater by the auxiliary power source for each function installed in the multifunction peripheral is provided. When the setting is input, the operation of the auxiliary power source is controlled according to the setting content. Therefore, the user arbitrarily determines whether or not the power supply operation to the second fixing heater is performed by the auxiliary power source for each function. Can be set. Therefore, the user operates the auxiliary power supply for a function that requires a reduction in the recovery time and the like, while the function that does not require a reduction in the recovery time does not operate the auxiliary power supply for each function. Whether or not the auxiliary power supply operates can be determined according to whether or not shortening is required.

  The plurality of functions are, for example, a copy function for forming an image on a transfer material by the image forming unit based on image data obtained by a reading operation of the image reading unit, or transmitted from another electronic device. A printer function that receives image data by the communication unit and forms an image on a transfer material by the image forming unit based on the image data, and transmits and receives data to and from other electronic devices by the communication unit. These are at least two functions among the facsimile functions for forming an image on the transfer material by the image forming unit based on the image data when the image data is received from the electronic device.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the input operation unit is further configured to be able to set a time zone in which the setting content is reflected, and the control unit The operation of the auxiliary power source is controlled according to the time zone input by the input operation unit.

  According to this invention, the user uses the input operation unit to reflect the presence / absence of the power supply operation to the second fixing heater by the auxiliary power source and the return time until the fixing operation by the fixing heater becomes possible. A belt can be set.

  According to the present invention, since the function of the auxiliary power supply can be determined for each function installed in the image forming apparatus depending on whether or not the reduction of the recovery time is required, the user can determine the recovery time. By setting the auxiliary power supply to operate with a function that requires shortening, etc., it is possible to maintain or prevent the operability related to restoration of the fixing device, and to prevent shortening of the restoration time, etc. By setting the auxiliary power supply not to operate, the life of the auxiliary power supply device can be extended.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing the internal configuration of the multifunction machine. The multifunction device 1 has functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The multifunction device 1 has a main body 2, a stack tray 3 disposed on the left side of the main body 2, and a main body 2. The document reading unit 4 is disposed above the document reading unit 4 and the document feeding unit 5 is disposed above the document reading unit 4.

  An operation unit 6 is provided on the front part of the multifunction machine 1. The operation unit 6 displays a start key 7 for a user to input a print execution instruction, a numeric keypad 8 for inputting the number of copies to be printed, operation guide information for various copying operations, and the like. Display unit 9 including a liquid crystal display or the like having a touch panel function, a reset key 10 for resetting setting contents set on display unit 9, and a stop key for stopping a printing (image forming) operation being executed 11 and a function switching key 12 for switching between a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

  The document reading unit 4 includes a scanner unit 13 including a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor and an exposure lamp, and a document table 14 and a document reading slit 15 made of a transparent member such as glass. The scanner unit 13 is configured to be movable by a drive unit (not shown). When reading a document placed on the document table 14, the scanner unit 13 is moved along the document surface at a position facing the document table 14, and the document image is displayed. The image data acquired while scanning is output to the control unit 35 (see FIG. 2). When reading the document fed by the document feeding unit 5, the document is moved to a position facing the document reading slit 15 and synchronized with the document feeding operation by the document feeding unit 5 via the document reading slit 15. The image of the original is acquired and the image data is output to the control unit 35.

  The document feeder 5 includes a document placement unit 16 for placing a document, a document discharge unit 17 for ejecting an image-read document, and a document placed on the document placement unit 16. A document transport mechanism 18 including a paper feed roller, a transport roller (not shown), and the like for feeding the paper one by one to a position facing the document reading slit 15 and discharging it to the document discharge section 17 is provided. The document transport mechanism 18 further includes a sheet reversing mechanism (not shown) that reverses the document and reversely transports the document to a position facing the document reading slit 15, and scans the images on both sides of the document via the document reading slit 15. It is possible to read from the unit 13.

  Further, the document feeding unit 5 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the main body unit 2 so that the front side thereof can move upward. By moving the front side of the document feeder 5 upward to open the upper surface of the document table 14, the operator can place a read document, for example, a book in a spread state, on the upper surface of the document table 14. It has become.

  The main body 2 includes a plurality of paper feeding cassettes 19, a paper feeding roller 20 that feeds recording paper from the paper feeding cassette 19 one by one and transports it to the image forming unit 21, and a recording paper transported from the paper feeding cassette 19. And an image forming unit 21 for forming an image.

  An image forming unit 21 outputs an optical unit 23 based on the image data acquired by the scanner unit 13 to expose the photosensitive drum 22 and a developing unit 24 that forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 22. And a transfer unit 25 for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 22 to the recording paper, and a fixing unit including a pair of rollers 26 and 27 for heating the recording paper to which the toner image has been transferred and fixing the toner image to the recording paper. The apparatus 28 includes a pair of conveyance rollers 30 and 31 that are provided in the sheet conveyance path in the image forming unit 21 and convey the recording sheet to the stack tray 3 or the discharge tray 29.

  When images are formed on both sides of the recording paper, the image forming unit 21 forms an image on one side of the recording paper, and then the recording paper is nipped by the pair of conveying rollers 30 on the discharge tray 29 side. And In this state, the conveyance roller pair 30 is reversed to switch back the recording paper, and the recording paper is sent to the paper conveyance path 32 and conveyed again to the upstream area of the image forming unit 21. Then, the recording paper is discharged to the stack tray 3 or the discharge tray 29.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction device 1 includes a document reading unit 4, an image processing unit 33, an image forming unit 21, a fixing device 28, a data memory 34, a control unit 35, an operation unit 6, a facsimile communication unit 36, a network I. / F unit 37, parallel I / F unit 38, serial I / F unit 39, and HDD (hard disk drive) 40. The setting content storage unit 351 and the auxiliary power supply operation control unit 352 in the time measuring unit 50 and the control unit 35 will be described later.

  The document reading unit 4, the image processing unit 33, the data memory 34, the control unit 35, the operation unit 6, and the network I / F unit 37 realize a network scanner function for transmitting the captured image data to a pre-specified IP address. Is done. The document reading unit 4, the image processing unit 33, the image forming unit 21, the data memory 34, the control unit 35, the operation unit 6, and the facsimile communication unit 36 realize a facsimile function. Further, the image processing unit 33, the image forming unit 21, the control unit 35, the operation unit 6, the network I / F unit 37, and the parallel I / F unit 38 realize a printer function. The document reading unit 4, the image processing unit 33, the image forming unit 21, the control unit 35 and the operation unit 6 implement a copy function.

  The operation unit 6 corresponds to the operation unit 6 shown in FIG. 1 and is used by a user to perform operations related to a copy function, a printer function, a facsimile function, a scanner function, and the like. Is given to the control unit 35. The operation unit 6 includes a display unit 9 having a touch panel and the like, and an operation key unit 41 including the start key 7 and the numeric keypad 8 described above. The operation key unit 41 is used for inputting various instructions such as a copy execution start command or a facsimile transmission start command by the user, and as will be described later, the operation key unit 41 is used for the fixing device 28 from the sleep mode (during printing standby) or the like. This is used for input by the user to set the contents related to the return operation (start-up operation).

  The document reading unit 4 corresponds to the document reading unit 4 shown in FIG. 1, and optically acquires an image of a document and generates image data.

  The image processing unit 33 performs various image processing on the image data. For example, the image processing unit 33 performs predetermined correction processing such as level correction and γ correction, image data compression or expansion processing, enlargement or reduction on image data obtained by being read by the document reading unit 4. Various image processing (processing) such as processing is performed. The image processing unit 33 includes an image memory 48 and stores processed image data or the like in the image memory 48 or outputs the image data to the image forming unit 21, the facsimile communication unit 36, the network I / F unit 37, or the like. .

  The image forming unit 21 corresponds to the image forming unit 21 described above, and includes image data of a document read by the document reading unit 4 and an image received from an external personal computer or the like via the network I / F unit 37. Data and an image corresponding to image data such as fax data received from an external facsimile apparatus by the facsimile communication unit 36 are printed on a predetermined recording sheet.

  The data memory 34 is a storage means for previously storing the destination name and the facsimile number of the abbreviated button registration when performing facsimile communication, and also the IP address of the transmission destination when used as a network scanner. Pre-stored.

  The control unit 35 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory) that store programs that define the operation of the CPU, and temporarily. Peripheral devices such as a storage unit such as a RAM for storing data are included. As a result, the control unit 35 controls the entire multifunction device 1 in accordance with the instruction information received by the operation unit 6 and the like and the detection signals from the sensors provided in various parts of the multifunction device 1. More specifically, the control unit 35 functions as a scanner controller 42, a facsimile controller 43, a printer controller 44, and a copy controller 45.

  A program for realizing the above-described functions by being read by a computer as the control unit 35 is stored in a non-volatile and large-capacity external storage device such as the HDD 40, and is appropriately transferred to the main storage device such as the RAM. By doing so, it is also possible to provide execution by the CPU. The program can be supplied through a recording medium such as a ROM or a CD-ROM, or can be supplied through a transmission medium such as a network connected to the network I / F unit 37. The transmission medium is not limited to a wired transmission medium, and may be a wireless transmission medium. The transmission medium includes not only a communication line but also a relay device that relays the communication line, for example, a communication link such as a router.

  When the program is supplied through the ROM, it can be used for execution by the CPU by mounting the ROM on which the program is recorded in the control unit 35. When the program is supplied through a CD-ROM, the CD-ROM reader is connected to, for example, the parallel I / F unit 38 and transferred to the RAM or HDD 40 for execution by the CPU. it can. When the program is supplied through a transmission medium, the program received through the network I / F unit 37 can be transferred to the RAM or the HDD 40 for execution by the CPU.

  The scanner controller 42 controls the operation of each unit used to realize the scanner function. The facsimile controller 43 controls the operation of each unit used to implement the facsimile function. The printer controller 44 controls the operation of each unit used for realizing the printer function. The copy controller controls the operation of each unit used for realizing the copy function.

  The facsimile communication unit 36 includes an encoding / decoding unit (not shown), a modulation / demodulation unit (not shown), and an NCU (Network Control Unit: not shown), and an image of a document read by the document reading unit 4. Data is transmitted to another facsimile apparatus via a telephone line or an Internet line, and image data transmitted from another facsimile apparatus is received. The encoding / decoding unit compresses / decodes image data to be transmitted and expands / decodes received image data. The modem unit modulates the compressed / decoded image data into an audio signal. Or the received signal (audio signal) is demodulated into image data. The NCU controls connection with a facsimile machine as a transmission destination via a telephone line.

  The network I / F unit 37 uses a network interface (for example, 10 / 100base-TX) or the like to control transmission / reception of various data to / from a user side server connected via the network. When one or more terminal devices (not shown) such as a personal computer are connected to the network, the network I / F unit 37 controls transmission / reception of various data to / from these terminal devices. For example, the network I / F unit 37 transmits document image data read by the document reading unit 4 to the terminal device, or receives image data sent from the terminal device for printing by the image forming unit 21. To do.

  The parallel I / F unit 38 uses a high-speed bidirectional parallel interface (for example, IEEE1284 compliant) or the like to transmit print data from an external device or the like by parallel transmission in which data is transmitted in units of a plurality of bits using a plurality of signal lines. It is something to receive. The serial I / F unit 39 uses a serial interface (for example, RS-232C) or the like, and receives various data from an external device or the like by serial transmission that sequentially transmits data bit by bit using a single signal line. To do.

  The HDD 40 stores image data read by the document reading unit 4, image data transmitted via a network, an output format set for the image data, and the like. The image data stored in the HDD 40 is not only used by the multifunction device 1 but also confirmed by the terminal device via the network I / F unit 37 or transferred to a predetermined folder of the terminal device. Or used in the terminal device.

  In the multifunction machine 1, various functions are realized by combining the above-described functions. For example, as the scanner function, a PC transmission function, an E-mail transmission function, a FAX transmission function, or the like may be realized. Here, the PC transmission function is a function for directly transmitting image data read from a document to an arbitrary terminal device or the like via a network. The E-mail transmission function transmits image data read from a document as an attached file of an e-mail directly to, for example, an SMTP server (not shown) via a network, and from the SMTP server to an arbitrary external terminal device via the network This is a function for transmitting image data read from a document as an attached file of the e-mail by transmitting the e-mail to the e-mail. The FAX transmission function is a function for directly transmitting image data read from a document to an arbitrary facsimile machine or the like via a telephone line or the like.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the fixing device 28 and its periphery shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the fixing device 28 includes a first power switch 54, an auxiliary power unit 55, a fixing roller 53, an auxiliary power switch 56, and a charging switch 57.

  The fixing roller 53 includes a pressure roller that applies pressure to the recording paper, and a heat roller that applies heat to the recording paper. The toner image on the recording paper is formed by sandwiching the recording paper between the two rollers in a press-contact state. Fix on recording paper. A fixing heater 530 for heating is provided in the heat roller of the fixing roller 53. FIG. 3 particularly shows the fixing heater 530 portion. The fixing heater 530 includes a first fixing heater 531 and a second fixing heater 532. The first fixing heater 531 is a halogen heater that generates heat with electric power supplied from an AC commercial power supply 49 (external power supply). The second fixing heater 532 is a halogen heater that generates heat with electric power supplied from the auxiliary power supply unit 55.

  The first power switch 54 is provided between the commercial power supply 49 and the first fixing heater 531, and determines whether or not to supply AC100V power from the commercial power supply 49 to the first fixing heater 531, that is, the first power switch 54. This is an open / close switch for switching whether to drive (heat generation) the fixing heater 531. The first power switch 54 turns on or off the AC 100 V power supply from the commercial power supply 49 based on an open / close signal input from the control unit 35 that controls the overall operation of the multifunction machine 1.

  The auxiliary power switch 56 is provided between the auxiliary power unit 55 and the second fixing heater 532, and determines whether or not the power from the auxiliary power unit 55 is supplied to the second fixing heater 532, that is, the second fixing. This is an open / close switch for switching whether to drive (heat generation) the heater 532. The auxiliary power switch 56 turns on or off the power supply from the auxiliary power unit 55 based on the open / close signal input from the control unit 35.

  The charging switch 57 is an open / close switch that is provided between the commercial power supply 49 and the auxiliary power supply unit 55 and switches whether power from the commercial power supply 49 is supplied to the auxiliary power supply unit 55. The charging switch 57 also turns on or off the power supply from the commercial power source 49 based on the open / close signal input from the control unit 35. The control unit 35 turns on the charging switch 57 to turn on the charging device 551 and the power storage device when the power consumption of the commercial power supply 49 is small in the multifunction device 1 such as when the multifunction device 1 is in the sleep mode or when the main power is off. Charging by 552 is performed.

  The auxiliary power unit 55 is provided as an auxiliary power source for the commercial power source 49 in order to supply power to the second fixing heater 532. The auxiliary power supply unit 55 includes a charging device 551, a power storage device 552, and a booster 553.

  Charging device 551 is an AC / DC converter for charging power storage device 552, and outputs a current obtained by rectifying AC 100 V of commercial power supply 49 that is AC power to power storage device 552.

  The power storage device 552 includes one electric double layer capacitor or a plurality of electric double layer capacitors connected in series. The power storage device 552 charges the electric double layer capacitor with the current from the charging device 551 as electric charge, while discharging the electric charge charged in the electric double layer capacitor and outputs the electric charge to the boosting device 553 as a discharge current.

  The booster 553 uses the voltage output from the power storage device 552 as an input voltage, boosts the input voltage to a predetermined voltage suitable for the second fixing heater 532 that is a load, and uses the boosted power to the second fixing heater. 532 is supplied. The booster 553 is an isolated DC / DC converter in which an input side and an output side are insulated by an insulated transformer.

  The control unit 35 corresponds to the control unit 35 shown in FIG. 2, and controls switching on and off of the first power switch 54, the auxiliary power switch 56, and the charging switch 57. The control unit 35 drives the booster 553 at a predetermined timing and switches the power supplied to the second fixing heater 532 to the power from the power storage device 552 whose output voltage has been converted by the booster 553.

  In addition to the above configuration, in the present embodiment, the user can set the contents related to the recovery operation (start-up operation) of the fixing device 28 from the sleep mode, for example, for each function of the facsimile function, the printer function, and the copy function. It is configured. Note that when the multifunction device 1 operates as a scanner function, the fixing device 28 does not operate. Therefore, the scanner function is not set as a setting target of contents related to the return operation of the fixing device 28.

  Normally, when the multifunction device 1 is shared by a plurality of users, and when the multifunction device 1 functions as a copy device, the user issues a copy start instruction in a standing state near the multifunction device 1. In view of the fact that it is often used, each user often requests that a series of copy operations including a return operation be completed promptly. On the other hand, when the multifunction device 1 functions as a printer, each user uses a certain amount of paper, for example, from the position of the personal computer to the position of the multifunction device 1 to move to pick up the sheet on which the image is formed. Since time is required and the return operation can be performed using the time, in this case, it is rare for each user to promptly complete a series of print operations including the return operation.

  This case has been made with such points in mind, and in accordance with each function (operation mode) installed in the multi-function device 1, whether or not the auxiliary power unit 55 is used and the time zone to be set are determined by the user. Is configured to be settable. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for setting the contents related to the return operation displayed on the display unit 9.

  In the present embodiment, whether or not the auxiliary power supply unit 55 is used and the time zone to be set can be set. As shown in FIG. 4, the setting screen includes a copy function, a printer function, and a facsimile function. The function designation unit 50 for designating a desired (setting target) function, the use / non-use designation unit 51 for designating whether or not the auxiliary power supply unit 55 is used, and the contents designated by the use / non-use designation unit 51 are reflected. And a time zone designation unit 52 for designating a time zone to be performed.

  As described above, the display unit 9 of the present embodiment has a touch panel function. When the function designation unit 50 presses the right-pointing triangle mark 50a or the left-pointing triangle mark 50b, the operation unit 6 performs the pressing operation. And outputs the operation signal to the control unit 35. The control unit 35 receives the operation signal and selectively selects a function to be set from the functions.

  In the use presence / absence designating part 51, a “use” character indicating that the auxiliary power supply unit 55 is used, a circle provided near the character, and a “not used” indicating that the auxiliary power supply unit 55 is not used. ”And a circle mark provided in the vicinity thereof are displayed. When one of the circle marks is pressed, the operation unit 6 accepts the pressing operation and outputs an operation signal to the control unit 35 for control. The unit 35 receives the operation signal and sets the content corresponding to the pressed circle (“use” or “not use”).

  In the time zone designation unit 52, the character “ALL” indicating that the content designated by the use presence / absence designation unit 51 is reflected throughout the day, a circle provided in the vicinity thereof, and the time for reflecting the content are limited. A display area 52a for displaying the time of the case and a circle provided near the display area 52a are displayed. When the circle provided near the character "ALL" is pressed, the operation unit 6 performs the pressing operation. The control unit 35 receives the operation signal and outputs the operation signal to the control unit 35. The control unit 35 receives the operation signal and reflects the content specified by the use presence / absence specifying unit 51 throughout the day, while being provided in the vicinity of the display area 52a. When the circle is pressed and the time is input to the display area 52a with the numeric keypad 8, the operation unit 6 receives the pressing operation and outputs the operation signal to the control unit 35. This operation signal Only the contents specified by using the presence or absence designating unit 51 is only reflected on the time entered.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the control unit 35 functionally includes a setting content storage unit 46 and an auxiliary power supply operation control unit 47. As shown in FIG. 5, the setting content storage unit 46 stores, in a table format, the presence / absence of use of the auxiliary power supply unit 55 and the setting time zone set for each function. The table shown in FIG. 5 uses, for example, the auxiliary power supply unit 55 in all time periods (all day) for the copy function, and the auxiliary power supply unit only in the time period from 20:00 to 8:00 for the facsimile function. It is shown that 55 is set not to be used.

  The auxiliary power supply operation control unit 47 reads the setting content corresponding to the function currently set in the multifunction machine 1 from the setting content storage unit 46, and operates the auxiliary power supply unit 55 according to the read setting content. is there. For example, when the multifunction device 1 currently functions as a printer, referring to the table, whether or not the auxiliary power supply unit 55 is used is “none”, and the setting time zone is “20: 00 to 8:00”. Therefore, the auxiliary power supply operation control unit 47 does not operate the auxiliary power supply unit 55 during the time period from 20:00 to 8:00, and does not operate the auxiliary power supply unit 55 during the time period from 8:00 to 20:00. Make it work.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing auxiliary power setting processing in the multifunction machine 1.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 35 displays the contents related to the operation of the auxiliary power supply unit 55, that is, in this embodiment, whether or not the auxiliary power supply unit 55 is used and the set time zone on the screen shown in FIG. 4. Are set (YES in step # 1), the setting contents are stored (or updated) in a table format as shown in FIG. 5 (step # 2).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an auxiliary power supply operation control method in the multifunction machine 1.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the control unit 35 determines that it is necessary to restore the fixing device 28 or the like from the sleep mode, for example (step # 11), the current function (scanner function, Any one of the facsimile function, printer function and copy function) is recognized (step # 12), and the setting contents related to the operation of the auxiliary power unit 55 corresponding to the function are read from the table (step # 13). Then, the control unit 35 controls the operation of the auxiliary power supply unit 55 in accordance with the setting content read out in step # 13 (step # 14). That is, the control unit 35 operates the auxiliary power supply unit 53 based on whether or not the operation of the auxiliary power supply unit 53 is permitted with the function at that time.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the user can set whether or not the auxiliary power supply unit 55 is used and the time zone to be set, a function that does not require a reduction in recovery time or the like is used accordingly. It can be set to control the auxiliary power supply. Therefore, useless operation by the auxiliary power supply unit 55, and hence the number of times the auxiliary power supply unit 55 is used can be reduced, and the life of the auxiliary power supply unit 55 can be extended. Further, in a function (for example, a copy function) that requires a shortening of the recovery time, the auxiliary power supply is operated in response to the request. Sex can be maintained.

  In this case, the following embodiment can also be adopted in addition to or instead of the contents of the embodiment.

  (1) In the above embodiment, the time reflecting the content specified by the use presence / absence specifying unit 51 is configured to be inputable. However, the present invention is not limited to the time, and for example, “daytime”, “night”, and the like may be input. In this case, the time corresponding to “daytime” is stored in the setting content storage unit 351, for example, from 9:00 to 18:00 and the time corresponding to “night” is stored in the setting content storage unit 351. When the restoration operation of the fixing device 28 is required, the control unit 35 reads the setting content corresponding to the current day of the week and time from the setting content storage unit 351, and the operation of the auxiliary power supply unit 53 according to the read setting content. It is good to control.

  (2) In the above-described embodiment, the user can set the content related to the return operation of the fixing device 28 from the sleep mode for each function installed in the multifunction device 1. It may be configured so that it can be set for each day of the week or time of use. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for setting the contents related to the return operation displayed on the display unit 9.

  In the present embodiment, the presence / absence of use of the auxiliary power supply unit 53, the return time, and the setting target time zone can be set, and the setting screen specifies the setting target day of the week as shown in FIG. It has a day of the week specifying unit 60, a use presence / absence specifying unit 61 for specifying whether or not the auxiliary power supply unit 53 is used, a return time setting unit 62 for setting a return time, and a time zone specifying unit 63 for specifying a time zone.

  In the day of the week specifying unit 60, when the right triangle mark 60a or the left triangle mark 60b is pressed, the operation unit 6 accepts the pressing operation and outputs the operation signal to the control unit 35. In response to an operation signal, the setting target day of the week is raised or lowered.

  In the use presence / absence designation unit 61, when a circle provided in the vicinity of the characters “used” and “not used” is pressed, the operation unit 6 accepts the pressing operation and outputs the operation signal to the control unit 35. Then, the control unit 35 sets the content (“use” or “not use”) corresponding to the circle pressed upon receiving this operation signal. In the return time setting unit 62, when the numeric keypad 8 is operated, the operation unit 6 receives the pressing operation and outputs the operation signal to the control unit 35. The control unit 35 receives the operation signal and performs the operation. Display the input time. The time zone designating unit 63 displays “ALL” indicating that the contents set by the use presence / absence designating unit 61 and the return time setting unit 62 are set all day without designating the time, and the time when the time is designated. When there is a round mark provided in the vicinity of the display area 63a and one of them is pressed, the operation unit 6 receives the pressing operation and outputs an operation signal to the control unit 35. The control unit 35 In response to the signal, whether or not the target time zone (time) is set to all time zones is set, and the numeric keypad 8 is operated when the circle provided near the display area 63a is pressed. The control unit 35 receives this operation signal and displays the time input by the operation in the display area 63a.

  Also in the present embodiment, the control unit 35 functionally includes the setting content storage unit 46 and the auxiliary power supply operation control unit 47 and takes in date / time information indicating the current date / time from the time measuring unit 64. As shown in FIG. 9, the setting content storage unit 46 stores, in a table format, the presence / absence of use of the auxiliary power supply unit 53, the return time, and the setting target time zone set for each day of the week. In the table shown in FIG. 9, for example, on Wednesday, the auxiliary power supply unit 53 is used only between 8:00 and 20:00, and the recovery time in the time zone from 8:00 to 17:30 is “15 seconds. ”Indicates that the return time in the time zone from 17:30 to 20:00 is set to“ 30 seconds ”.

  The auxiliary power supply operation control unit 47 reads the setting content corresponding to the current date and time indicated by the date and time information fetched from the time measuring unit 64 from the setting content storage unit 46, and operates the auxiliary power supply unit 53 according to the read setting content. It is something to be made. For example, when the current date and time indicated by the date and time information captured from the time measuring unit 64 is 12:00 on Tuesday, referring to the table, the presence or absence of use of the auxiliary power unit 53 is “present”, the return time Is “15 seconds” and the target time zone is “8:00 to 17:00”, the auxiliary power supply operation control unit 47 operates the auxiliary power supply unit 53 so that the return time is 15 seconds. If the current date and time indicated by the date and time information is 12:00 on Sunday, referring to the table, the presence or absence of use of the auxiliary power supply unit 53 is “none”, and the time zone to be set is “ALL”. Therefore, the auxiliary power supply operation control unit 47 deactivates the auxiliary power supply unit 53 throughout the day.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an auxiliary power supply operation control method in the multifunction machine 1.

  After the processing similar to the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is performed, the control unit 35, for example, when the returning operation of the fixing device 28 from the sleep mode is required (step # 21), the time measuring unit 64 The day of the week and time are acquired (step # 22), and the setting contents relating to the operation of the auxiliary power supply unit 53 corresponding to the acquired day of the week and time are read from the table (step # 23). Then, control unit 35 operates auxiliary power supply unit 53 in accordance with the setting content read in step # 23 (step # 24). That is, whether or not the operation of the auxiliary power supply unit 53 is permitted at the current day of the week / time, and if the operation is permitted, based on the return time set for the current day / time. Then, the auxiliary power supply unit 53 is operated.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the user can set the use / non-use of the auxiliary power supply unit 53, the return time, and the time zone to be set, the date and time when the reduction of the return time is not required. Accordingly, the operation of the auxiliary power supply can be made non-executed accordingly, the useless operation by the auxiliary power supply is reduced, and the number of times of use of the auxiliary power supply unit 53 can be reduced as much as possible. As a result, the life of the auxiliary power supply unit 53 can be extended without making the user feel inconvenience of the multifunction device 1. In addition, on the day and time when reduction of the recovery time is required, the operation of the auxiliary power supply can be executed accordingly, and the operability of the multifunction device 1 in terms of quick recovery can be maintained.

1 is a side view schematically showing an internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral that is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a fixing unit and a periphery included in a multifunction machine. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting screen for setting the content regarding the said return operation | movement displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows the table memorize | stored in the table memory | storage part. 6 is a flowchart illustrating auxiliary power setting processing in the multifunction machine. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an auxiliary power supply operation control method in the multifunction machine. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting screen for setting the content regarding the return operation | movement displayed on the display part in other embodiment. It is a figure which shows the table memorize | stored in the table memory | storage part in other embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an auxiliary power supply operation control method for a multifunction peripheral according to another embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multifunction device 4 Document reading part 6 Operation part 9 Display part 13 Scanner part 21 Image forming part 28 Fixing device 35 Control part 42 Scanner controller 43 Fax controller 44 Printer controller 45 Copy controller 46 Setting content storage part 47 Auxiliary power supply operation control part 50 Function designation unit 51, 61 Use / non-use designation unit 52, 63 Time zone designation unit 53 Fixing roller 55 Auxiliary power supply unit 530 Fixing heater 531 Fixing heater 532 Fixing heater 551 Charging device 552 Power storage device 553 Boosting device 60 Day of week designation unit 60a, 60b Triangle Mark 62 Return time setting section 63a Display area 64 Timekeeping section

Claims (2)

At least the image forming unit among an image reading unit that reads an image of a document by a photoelectric conversion operation, an image forming unit that forms an image on a transfer material, and a communication unit that transmits and receives data to and from another electronic device. An image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions using a plurality of the image reading unit, the image forming unit, and the communication unit including the image forming unit or the image forming unit.
Auxiliary power,
A first fixing heater driven by electric power from an external power source and a second fixing heater driven by electric power from the auxiliary power source; and the toner is fixed to the transfer material by the heat generated by the first and second fixing heaters. A fixing unit;
An input operation unit for performing an input for setting whether or not the power supply operation to the second fixing heater is performed by the auxiliary power source for each of the functions installed in the multifunction peripheral;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the operation of the auxiliary power source according to the setting content when the input operation unit inputs the setting. The input operation unit is further configured to be able to set a time zone in which the setting content is reflected,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the auxiliary power source according to a time zone input by the input operation unit.

Images