JP2008234386A - Image formation system, power controller, and image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation system capable of starting an image formation device in a short time in comparison with a conventional one while preventing excessive increase in power consumption. <P>SOLUTION: A printer device 100 is connected communicatively to a print server 200 along with other printer devices. The printer device 100 is provided with a first drive part 40, a power accumulation part 20, and a second drive part 30. A fixing part 40 includes a fixing part 42 overheated by electric power fed from commercial power supply. The power accumulation part 20 charges electric power fed from the commercial power supply to an electric double layer capacitor 22. The second drive part 30 is driven by electric power fed from the electric double layer capacitor 22. A network controller 14D transmits a power accumulation quantity of the electric double layer capacitor 22 to the print server 200, receives power supply control signal, and controls sub switches 52A and 53A to turn on/off them. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording sheet, a power supply control apparatus that controls the power supply of the image forming apparatus, and an image forming system that includes the power supply control apparatus and a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming systems that activate (set up) image forming apparatuses such as printer apparatuses via a network have become widespread. As this type of image forming system, there has been proposed an image forming system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are prevented from being turned on at the same time, and excessive power consumption is suppressed (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

In this image forming system, a host computer, which is a power control device, turns on power to a plurality of image forming apparatuses in accordance with priorities recorded in advance. By determining the priority order, the activation of each image forming apparatus is distributed over time.
JP 2000-238373 A

  By the way, since the startup time of the image forming apparatus is relatively long, there is a great demand for shortening the startup time from the viewpoint of usability.

  However, the above image forming system does not consider shortening the startup time, and depending on the state of the image forming apparatus and the contents of the print job, the startup time of the image forming apparatus with the first priority may take a long time. was there. For example, when printing a large amount of print jobs at high speed, it is necessary to supply a large amount of power to the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus. However, there is a limit to the amount of power supplied from a commercial power source, and the above-described image forming system exceeds a certain level. It is difficult to speed up printing.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system that can start up in a shorter time than before and perform large-scale high-speed printing while suppressing excessive power consumption, a power supply control device used in the image forming system, and an image To provide a forming apparatus.

  In the image forming system according to the present invention, a power control device is communicably connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

  Each image forming apparatus includes a first drive unit, a storage battery, a second drive unit, and a communication unit. The first drive unit is driven by electric power supplied from a commercial power source. The first driving unit includes, for example, a fixing unit. The storage battery is charged with electric power supplied from a commercial power source. The second drive unit is driven by electric power supplied from a commercial power source or a storage battery. The second drive unit includes, for example, a transport roller group, a transfer unit, an exposure unit, and their controllers. A communication means transmits the information regarding the electrical storage amount of a storage battery to a power supply control apparatus. This communication means includes, for example, a voltage detection circuit for detecting the storage amount of the storage battery, a network controller, and the like.

  The power supply control device includes communication means, order selection means, and signal setting means. The order selection unit determines the selection order of each image forming apparatus. The signal setting unit sets a power supply control signal to be transmitted to each image forming apparatus based on the amount of stored electricity. The order selection means and the signal setting means are each preferably realized by a software technique using a CPU or the like, but can also be realized by a hardware technique. The communication unit acquires information related to the amount of power stored in each image forming apparatus. Further, the power supply control signal of each image forming apparatus set based on the information is transmitted in the order of selection.

  The image forming apparatus that has received the power supply control signal controls power supply to the first drive unit, the second drive unit, and the storage battery based on the power supply control signal.

  The signal setting unit of the power supply control device outputs a power supply control signal for starting or stopping power supply to at least one of the first drive unit and the second drive unit with respect to the image forming apparatus having a storage amount larger than a predetermined value It may be set. In addition, a power supply control signal for starting power supply to the storage battery may be set for an image forming apparatus having a stored power amount smaller than a predetermined value.

  The order selection means of the power supply control device may select each image forming apparatus in the order registered in advance, the order in which the activation time in the specification is short, or the order in which the actual activation time is short. The actual startup time is preferably predicted from the sum of the charging time until the amount of power storage reaches a predetermined value and the specified startup time.

  Each image forming apparatus includes a first switch and a second switch, and each switch is controlled based on a power supply control signal or a state determination in the own apparatus, whereby the first drive unit, the second drive unit, and the storage battery are connected. It is preferable to control the power supply.

  Each image forming apparatus is preferably operated in any one of a printable mode, a charge mode, and a power saving mode. In the printable mode, power may be supplied from a commercial power source to the fixing heater, power may be supplied from the storage battery to the drive unit, and power supply to the storage battery may be stopped. In the charging mode, power supply to the fixing heater and the drive unit may be stopped and power may be supplied to the storage battery from a commercial power source. In the power saving mode, power supply to the fixing heater, the drive unit, and the storage battery may be stopped and power may be supplied to the transmission unit from a commercial power source.

  According to the image forming system of the present invention, since the image forming apparatus includes the storage battery, and the power supply control signal based on the amount of power stored in the power control apparatus is transmitted in the order of selection, the operations of the image forming apparatuses are performed simultaneously. Disappears. In the image forming apparatus, power is supplied from the storage battery to the second drive unit by the power supply control signal. Therefore, the power that should be supplied from the commercial power source to the second drive unit can be routed to other circuits. It becomes possible. Therefore, the image forming apparatus can be activated in a shorter time than before while suppressing excessive power consumption.

  The power control device of this system checks the charge amount of the storage battery of each image forming apparatus, and preferentially activates an image forming apparatus having a charge amount equal to or greater than a specified value, thereby forming a plurality of network-connected image formation devices. Any one of the image forming apparatuses can be quickly moved to a usable state, and the speed of the image forming process can be achieved. For example, this is extremely effective when an image forming process is urgently performed in an office immediately after the start of work.

  First, a connection configuration of an image forming system 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the present embodiment, as the image forming system 300, printer apparatuses 100A to 100C, which are image forming apparatuses of the present invention, and the print server 200, which is a power supply control apparatus of the present invention, are connected in a bus type via a communication line. Adopt the network configuration. Note that the network configuration shown in the present embodiment is merely an example, and other network configurations can be employed.

  A user terminal (not shown) is further connected to the image forming system 300. The user terminal transmits a print job to the print server 200. The print server 200 selects one of the printer devices 100A to 100C and transmits a print job. The printer devices 100A to 100C have a print function for printing a print job transmitted from the print server 200, a copy function for printing a copy job obtained by reading a set original image, and a FAX transmitted via a telephone line. A fax function for printing jobs is provided.

  When the printer devices 100A to 100C are started or stopped at a predetermined time or when a predetermined operation is performed, the print server 200 sends power supply control signals to all the connected printer devices 100A to 100C. Perform transmission processing. The printer apparatuses 100A to 100C that have received the power supply control signal set a power supply operation mode instructed by the received power supply control signal.

  Each of the printer devices 100A to 100C controls power supply from a commercial power source or a storage battery, and operates in one of three power supply operation modes: a power saving mode, a printable mode, and a charging mode. Each of the printer devices 100A to 100C includes a storage battery (electric double layer capacitor) 22 and a fixing unit 42 that consumes most of the supplied power, and stops power supply to the fixing unit 42 in the power saving mode. Therefore, power consumption is suppressed. In the printable mode, the temperature of the fixing unit 42 is raised by supplying power to the fixing unit 42. In the charging mode, the storage battery 22 is charged by supplying power to the storage battery 22.

  Here, the processing flow of the print server 200 will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

  The print server 200 changes the power supply operation mode when the printer devices 100A to 100C are activated or stopped. At that time, the print server 200 selects the printer devices 100A to 100C in a predetermined order (S11).

  Then, a storage amount request signal is transmitted to the selected printer device (S12). The charge amount request signal is a signal transmitted from the print server to the printer device. Upon receiving this signal, the printer device reads the charge amount of its own storage battery and returns data related to the charge amount as a charge amount notification signal. come. Therefore, the print server receives a storage amount notification signal returned from the printer device (S13). The print server 200 grasps the power storage amount of the selected printer device from this power storage amount notification signal.

  The print server 200 sets a power supply control signal to be transmitted to each device based on the grasped power storage amount (S14). If it is at the time of start-up, it is determined whether or not the charged amount is greater than or equal to a predetermined value as shown in FIG. 5B (S141). A control signal is set (S142). If the charged amount is less than the predetermined value, a change command to the charge mode is set as a power supply control signal (S143). On the other hand, when the operation is stopped, as shown in FIG. 5C, it is determined whether or not the charged amount is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (S144). The change command is used as a power supply control signal (S145). If the charged amount is less than the predetermined value, the change command to the charging mode is set as a power supply control signal (S146).

  After setting the power supply control signal, the power supply control signal is transmitted to the selected printer (S15). As a result, the selected printer device changes the setting to the designated power supply operation mode.

  The print server 200 transmits a change command to the printable mode as a power supply control signal when the printer apparatuses 100A to 100C are activated. As a result, in the printer devices 100A to 100C, power supply to the fixing unit is started.

  Further, the print server 200 transmits a change command to the power saving mode as a power supply control signal when the operation of each of the printer apparatuses 100A to 100C is stopped. As a result, in the printer devices 100A to 100C, the power supply to the fixing unit is stopped.

  Further, the print server 200 transmits a change command to the charging mode as a power supply control signal when the printer apparatuses 100A to 100C are activated or stopped. Thereby, in printer apparatuses 100A to 100C, power supply to the storage battery (electric double layer capacitor) is started. In this way, when starting up and stopping operation, the storage battery will be charged prior to the transition process to the printable mode or power saving mode, so that the storage amount will bottom out during the printable mode or power saving mode. Disappears.

  Next, the configuration of the print server 200 will be described. FIG. 3A is a block diagram of the print server 200.

  The print server 200 includes a control unit 114, a communication unit 112, and a memory 115. The control unit 114 includes an order selection unit 114A, a signal setting unit 114B, a memory controller 114C, and a network controller 114D, and performs overall control of the print server 200. The order selection unit 114A is the order selection unit of the present invention, and the signal setting unit 114B is the signal setting unit of the present invention. The communication unit 112 is a communication unit of the present invention, and controls communication with the printer apparatuses 100A to 100C via a communication line. In the memory 115, the activation time according to the specifications of each printer is registered in advance. An example of the activation time according to the registered specifications is shown in FIG.

  The order selection unit 114A reads the activation time in the specifications of each printer apparatus from the memory 115 via the memory controller 114C. The order selection unit 114A selects the printer device that is the transmission destination of the power supply control signal in the order of the short startup time according to the specifications. The network controller 114D transmits a storage amount request signal to the printer device selected by the order selection unit 114A, and receives a storage amount notification signal. The received storage amount notification signal is output to the signal setting unit 114B. The network controller 114D transmits the power supply control signal set by the signal setting unit 114B to the printer device selected by the order selection unit 114A. The signal setting unit 114B sets the content of the power supply control signal based on the storage amount notification signal.

  In this example, the printer devices 100A to 100C are selected in the order of the short start-up time in the specifications registered in the memory 115, but the actual start-up time is predicted from the sum of the charging time of the storage battery 22 and the start-up time in the specifications. Then, the printer devices may be selected in the order of a short actual startup time. In that case, it is sufficient to know the amount of power stored in all the printer devices in advance before selecting each printer device and transmitting the power supply control signal. Based on the amount of stored power, the actual startup time is predicted. Is preferred.

  Next, the printer apparatus 100 (printer apparatuses 100A to 100C) will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the power line of the printer apparatus 100.

  The printer device 100 includes a first drive unit 40, a second drive unit 30, a sub drive unit 10, a power storage unit 20, and a main switch 51. Sub switches 52A, 52B, 53A, 53B, 54, and 55 are provided.

  The sub switches 52 </ b> A and 53 </ b> A are on / off controlled in accordance with a power supply control signal notified from the print server 200. The sub switches 52B, 53B, 54, and 55 are on / off controlled according to the processing state of the printer apparatus 100.

  The main switch 51 is configured as a switch mechanism provided on the surface of the housing. When the switch mechanism is pressed by the user, the power supply to the entire printer apparatus 100 is switched on / off.

  The first drive unit 40 is the first drive unit of the present invention, and is connected to a commercial power supply via the sub switch 54 and the main switch 51. While the main switch 51 is on, power is supplied to the first drive unit 40 from the commercial power source according to the on / off control of the sub switch 54.

  The first drive unit 40 includes a fixing unit 42 and a fixing power supply unit 41. The fixing unit 42 includes a fixing heater and a fixing roller (not shown). The fixing unit 42 converts most of the supplied electric power into heat generated by the fixing heater, melts the toner by this heat, and fixes the toner onto the recording paper. The fixing power supply unit 41 controls the voltage and current supplied to the fixing unit 42 and the thermistor 15.

  The second drive unit 30 is a second drive unit of the present invention, and is connected to a commercial power supply via the sub switches 53A and 53B and the main switch 51. While the main switch 51 is on, power is supplied from the commercial power source to the second drive unit 30 according to the on / off control of the sub switches 53A and 53B. In addition, according to the on / off control of the sub switch 55, power is supplied from the power storage unit 20 to the second drive unit 30.

  The second drive unit 30 includes a general load 32 and a main power supply unit 31. The main power supply unit 31 controls the voltage and current supplied to the general load 32. The general load 32 includes a group of conveyance rollers, a transfer unit, an image reading unit, a display unit, and the like (not shown), and the general load 32 includes each unit except for the first driving unit 40 and the sub driving unit 10. Good. The transport roller group transports the recording paper along a transport path provided inside the printer apparatus 100. The transfer unit executes electrophotographic image development processing on the recording paper conveyed by the conveyance roller group. The image reading unit reads an image of a document placed on a document table and generates image data. The display unit displays information to be notified to the user.

  The sub drive unit 10 is connected to a commercial power supply via the main switch 51. While the main switch 51 is turned on, power is always supplied to the sub drive unit 10.

  The sub drive unit 10 includes a control unit 14, a storage amount detection unit 13, a thermistor 15, a communication unit 12, and a sub power supply unit 11. The control unit 14 controls the operation of the entire apparatus and also controls on / off switching of the sub switches 52A, 52B, 53A, 53B, and 55. The storage amount detection unit 13 detects the storage amount of the electric double layer capacitor 22 based on the voltage across the electric double layer capacitor 22. The thermistor 15 measures the temperature of the fixing unit 42. The communication unit 12 controls communication with the print server 200 via a communication line. The sub power supply unit 11 controls the voltage and current supplied to each of the control unit 14, the storage amount detection unit 13, the thermistor 15, and the communication unit 12.

  The power storage unit 20 is connected to a commercial power supply via the sub switches 52A and 52B and the main switch 51. The power storage unit 20 includes a storage battery (electric double layer capacitor) 22 and a charging circuit 21. The electric double layer capacitor 22 is the storage battery of the present invention, and is configured to be rechargeable. The charging circuit 21 controls the voltage and current supplied to the electric double layer capacitor 22. While the main switch 51 is turned on, power is supplied to the power storage unit 20 according to the on / off control of the sub switches 52A and 52B. Further, electric power is supplied from the power storage unit 20 to the second drive unit 30 in accordance with the on / off control of the sub switch 55.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a control line of the printer apparatus 100.

  The control unit 14 has functions of a main controller 14A, a scanner controller 14B, a printer controller 14C, and a network controller 14D.

  The main controller 14A controls cooperation among the scanner controller 14B, the printer controller 14C, and the network controller 14D. The scanner controller 14B reads image data of a copy job from the set original image, and outputs the image data to the printer controller 14C via the main controller 14A. The network controller 14D outputs image data of a print job or a FAX job received by the communication unit 12 from an external device to the printer controller 14C via the main controller 14A. The printer controller 14C performs electrophotographic image development processing on the recording paper based on the image data of the print job, FAX job, and copy job.

  The printer controller 14 </ b> C controls on / off of the sub switches 53 </ b> B and 55 in order to control power supply to the general load 32. Further, on / off of the sub switch 54 is controlled so that the temperature of the fixing unit 42 detected by the thermistor 15 becomes a predetermined value. In addition, in order to control power supply to the power storage unit 20, the on / off of the sub switch 52B is controlled.

  When the communication unit 12 receives the power supply control signal, it controls on / off of the sub-switches 52A and 53A based on the content.

  When the communication unit 12 receives the storage amount request signal, the network controller 14 </ b> D detects the storage amount of the electric double layer capacitor by the storage amount detection unit 13. The network controller 14 </ b> D generates a storage amount notification signal regarding the storage amount, and transmits the signal to the print server 200 from the communication unit 12.

  In the printer apparatus 100, each unit operates by the power line and the control line as described above, and the power operation mode is set according to the power supply control signal.

  Here, the power line in each power supply operation mode will be described.

  In the printer apparatus 100, the power supply operation mode is set to any of the printable mode, the power saving mode, and the charging mode in accordance with the content of the power supply control signal, and each sub switch is controlled as shown in the flow in FIG.

  When the power supply operation mode is set to the printable mode, the printer device 100 turns on the sub switch 52A (S1) and turns on the sub switch 53A (S2). Then, the temperature of the fixing unit 42 is detected by the thermistor 15. If the detected temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined value (S3 → S4), the heater of the fixing unit 42 is turned on and power is supplied to the fixing unit 42 (S4). As a result, the detected temperature of the thermistor 15 falls within the range of 160 to 180 ° C. On the other hand, if the detected temperature of the thermistor 15 is higher than a predetermined value (S3 → S5), the heater of the fixing unit 42 is turned off and the power supply to the fixing unit 42 is stopped (S5).

  In the state where the heater of the fixing unit 42 is turned on (S4), the sub switch 54 is turned on as shown in FIG. At that time, the sub switches 52B and 53B are turned off in order to supply more power to the fixing unit 42. Thereby, the power storage unit 20 and the second drive unit 30 are stopped from supplying power from the commercial power source. Then, the electric power charged in the electric double layer capacitor 22 is supplied to the general load 32 by turning on the sub switch 55. Therefore, almost all of the power (for example, 1.5 kW) that can be supplied from the commercial power supply can be supplied to the fixing unit 42. For this reason, it is easy to maintain the temperature of the fixing unit 42 without the power consumption of the entire printer apparatus 100 exceeding a predetermined power value of 1.5 kw. As a result, the printer apparatus 100 can perform high-speed continuous printing.

  On the other hand, in the state where the heater of the fixing unit 42 is turned off (S5), as shown in FIG. 8, the sub switches 52B, 53B, 54 and 55 are reversed from the state where the heater of the fixing unit 42 is turned on (S4). That is, the sub switch 54 is turned off, and power supply from the commercial power source to the fixing unit 42 is stopped. At that time, the sub switch 52B is turned on and the sub switch 55 is turned off. As a result, power from the commercial power source is supplied to the power storage unit 20, and the amount of power stored in the electric double layer capacitor is recovered. Further, the power of the commercial power supply is supplied to the general load 32 by turning on the sub switch 53B.

  When the power supply operation mode is set to the power saving mode, both the sub switch 52A and the sub switch 53A are turned off in the printer apparatus 100 as shown in FIG. In this state, the sub switches 52B, 53B, 54, and 55 are the same as the state where the heater of the fixing unit 42 is turned off (S5), that is, the sub switch 52B is turned on but the sub switch 52A is turned off, The power supply from the commercial power source to the unit 20 is stopped. Further, the sub switch 54 is turned off, and the power supply from the commercial power source to the fixing unit 42 is stopped. Further, the sub switch 53B is turned on, but the sub switch 53A is turned off, and the power supply from the commercial power source to the general load 32 is stopped. Further, the sub switch 55 is turned off, and the power supply from the power storage unit 20 to the general load 32 is stopped.

  When the power supply operation mode is set to the charging mode, as shown in FIG. 10, in the printer apparatus 100, the sub switch 52A is turned on and the sub switch 53A is turned off. In this state, the sub switches 52B, 53B, 54, 55 are the same as the state where the heater of the fixing unit 42 is turned off (S5), that is, the sub switch 52B is turned on in order to recover the charged amount of the electric double layer capacitor. The sub switch 55 is turned off. As a result, power from the commercial power source is supplied to the power storage unit 20. Further, the sub switch 54 is turned off, and the power supply from the commercial power source to the fixing unit 42 is stopped. The power supply from the commercial power source to the general load 32 is stopped by turning on the sub switch 53B and turning off the sub switch 53A.

  As described above, the printer apparatus 100 is configured. Therefore, in the image forming system 300, the plurality of printer apparatuses 100A to 100C are not activated at the same time, and excessive power consumption can be suppressed. In this case, since the power supplied to the general load is supplied from the storage battery, the power supplied from the commercial power source can be supplied to the fixing unit to the maximum, and printing can be performed at a higher speed than before. Accordingly, it is possible to start the printer device in a shorter time than before and to perform printing at a higher speed than in the past.

  The above description of the embodiment is an example in all respects, and should not be considered as restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above embodiments but by the claims. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.

1 is a block diagram of an image forming system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a power line of a printer device that constitutes the image forming system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control line of the printer apparatus. 4 is a processing flow in a printable mode of the printer apparatus. It is a block diagram showing a power line when the fixing unit is on in the printable mode. It is a block diagram showing a power line when the fixing unit is off in the printable mode. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a power line in a power saving mode of the printer apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the electric power line in the charge mode of the printer apparatus. It is a block diagram showing a control line of a print server constituting the image forming system. It is a processing flow of the print server.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Communication part 13 ... Power storage amount detection part 14 ... Control part 15 ... Thermistor 20 ... Power storage part 22 ... Electric double layer capacitor 30 ... 2nd drive part 32 ... General load 40 ... 1st drive part 42 ... Fixing part 52A, 52B , 53A, 53B, 54, 55 ... sub switch 100 ... printer apparatus 200 ... print server 300 ... image forming system

Claims (11)

In an image forming system in which a power supply control device and a plurality of image forming devices are connected to be communicable,
Each image forming apparatus includes a first drive unit that is driven by power supplied from a commercial power source, a storage battery that is charged by power supplied from the commercial power source, and power that is selectively supplied from the commercial power source or the storage battery. A second drive unit that is driven by the communication unit, and a communication unit that transmits information related to a storage amount of the storage battery to the power supply control device.
The power control device includes: a signal setting unit that sets a power supply control signal for each image forming device based on the information related to the amount of stored electricity; an order selection unit that determines a selection order for each image forming device; Communication means for receiving information on the amount of stored electricity and transmitting the power supply control signal set by the signal setting means in the order of selection by the order selection means,
The image forming apparatus is an image forming system that controls power supply to the first drive unit, the second drive unit, and the storage battery based on a received power supply control signal.   2. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the signal setting unit of the power supply control device sets a power supply control signal for starting power supply to the storage battery with respect to an image forming device in which the storage amount is smaller than a predetermined value. system.   The signal setting unit of the power supply control device is configured to supply power to at least one of the first drive unit and the second drive unit with respect to an image forming apparatus in which the storage amount is greater than a predetermined value. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein a signal is set.   The signal setting means of the power supply control device controls power supply to stop power supply to at least one of the first drive unit and the second drive unit with respect to the image forming apparatus in which the amount of stored electricity is larger than a predetermined value. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein a signal is set.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the order selection unit of the power supply control device selects each image forming apparatus in an order registered in advance.   5. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the order selection unit of the power supply control device selects each image forming apparatus in the order of short activation time according to specifications.   The order selection means of the power supply control device predicts a charging time which is a time until the amount of stored electricity reaches a predetermined value, and predicts an actual starting time from a sum of the charging time and a starting time according to a specification. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein each image forming apparatus is selected in order of a short actual startup time.   Each image forming apparatus includes a first switch that is controlled based on the power supply control signal, and a second switch that is controlled based on a state determination in the apparatus, and the first switch and the second switch The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein power supply to the first drive unit, the second drive unit, and the storage battery is controlled. The first drive unit includes a fixing unit that is heated by electric power supplied from the commercial power source.
A printable mode in which the first drive unit is powered from the commercial power source, the second drive unit is powered from the storage battery, and the storage battery is powered off;
A charging mode in which the first driving unit and the second driving unit are stopped from supplying power, and the storage battery is supplied with power from the commercial power source;
Alternatively, the first drive unit, the second drive unit, and the storage battery are stopped from supplying power, and the transmission unit is supplied with power from the commercial power source.
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein each of the image forming apparatuses is operated. In a power supply control device connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses in a communicable manner,
Based on information relating to the storage amount of the storage battery of each image forming apparatus, a signal setting means for setting a power supply control signal for each image forming apparatus, an order selecting means for determining the selection order of each image forming apparatus, and each image forming apparatus Communication means for receiving information related to the amount of electricity stored from and transmitting the power supply control signal set by the signal setting means in the order of selection by the order setting means,
A first drive unit that is driven by power supplied from a commercial power source of each image forming apparatus, a storage battery that is charged by power supplied from a commercial power source, and the commercial power source or the storage battery, according to the power supply control signal The power supply control apparatus which controls the electric power supply to the 2nd drive part driven with the electric power supplied to. In an image forming apparatus that is communicably connected to a power supply control apparatus together with another image forming apparatus,
A first drive unit driven by power supplied from a commercial power source; a storage battery charged by power supplied from the commercial power source; and a second drive driven by power selectively supplied from the commercial power source or the storage battery And transmission means for transmitting information related to the storage amount of the storage battery to the power supply control device,
An image forming apparatus that receives a power supply control signal set based on the power storage amount and controls power supply to the storage battery, the first drive unit, and the second drive unit based on the power supply control signal.

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