JP2008265056A - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and electric power control processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system which can shift an image forming apparatus from a low power state to a regulated power state so that a time from a time point when a printing request is issued by a request origin apparatus to a time point when the printing apparatus in the low power state starts printing processing becomes shortest, and which can suppress consumption of an electric power in the regulated power state of the image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A timing information calculating means calculates timing information related to a timing of warm-up on the basis of data processing time information, image expansion time information estimated by an image expansion time estimating means, and warm-up time information calculated by a warm-up time calculating means. An electric power controlling means carries out the control of shifting an image formation processing means in the low power state to the regulated power state on the basis of both a time point when the printing request is received by a data receiving means and the timing information calculated by the timing information calculating means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and a power control processing program.

  In the image forming apparatus, the first power state (for example, the normal power mode) in which the first power capable of performing image formation is supplied when the printing process is not continuously performed for a predetermined time is used. In some cases, the second power state (for example, the power saving mode) in which the second power lower than the second power is supplied is shifted to.

  The image forming apparatus that has been shifted to the power saving mode shifts from the power saving mode to the normal power mode in accordance with a predetermined timing, performs warm-up, and then performs image forming processing for print data corresponding to the print request.

  Here, the predetermined timing for shifting from the power saving mode to the normal power mode, that is, the timing for starting the warm-up will be described.

  First, an example in which warm-up is started in synchronization with the time point when the image forming apparatus receives print data from the host computer will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 18 shows a printing process when sequentially printing print data in units of pages, and FIG. 19 shows a printing process when a collation-designating printing process is performed.

  In the case of sequentially printing print data in units of pages, as shown in FIG. 18, the host computer 1a is instructed by the user in response to a print request and determined to be a print request. The print data to be printed is converted into data in a data format that can be printed by the image forming apparatus, for example, data (PDL data) expressed in page description language (PDL), and the converted PDL data is used as transmission data in the image forming apparatus. (S11).

  In the image forming apparatus, the controller 2a outputs a warm-up request to the engine (image forming unit that performs image formation) 2b in synchronization with the time when the transmission data (PDL data) is received (S12). An image expansion process is performed on the received data (PDL data) received.

  The controller 2a transfers the data (development data) subjected to the image expansion process to the engine 2b in units of pages. For example, data (development data) corresponding to the first page (first page) is transferred to the engine 2b (S13).

  On the other hand, in synchronization with the time when the warm-up request from the controller 2a is received, the engine 2b shifts from the power saving mode to the normal power mode to start warm-up, and starts warm-up from the time when the warm-up request is received. When the up time (warm-up time) Ta elapses, printing processing for the developed data from the controller 2a is started.

  On the other hand, in the case of performing collation-designated printing processing, as shown in FIG. 19, the host computer 1a performs the same processing as in S11. In the image forming apparatus, the controller 2a While performing the same processing, it waits without performing the image expansion processing until all transmission data (PDL data) from the host computer 1a is received.

  The controller 2a receives the received data (PDL data) when the waiting time Tw has elapsed from the time when the transmission data (PDL data) is received (when all the transmission data (PDL data) from the host computer 1a is received). The image expansion process is performed on

  Then, the controller 2a transfers data subjected to image development processing (development data) to the engine 2b in units of pages. For example, data (development data) corresponding to the first page (first page) is transferred to the engine 2b (S14).

  On the other hand, in synchronization with the time when the warm-up request is received from the controller 2a, the engine 2b shifts from the power saving mode to the normal power mode and starts warm-up. When the up time Ta elapses, printing is possible (warm-up is completed), but no data is received from the controller 2a.

  Then, the engine 2b starts the printing process for the developed data from the controller 2a when the warm-up time Ta and the data reception waiting time Tb have elapsed from the time when the warm-up request is received.

  Next, an example in which the image forming apparatus starts warm-up in synchronization with the reception of a warm-up start instruction transmitted prior to transmission of print data from the host computer will be described with reference to FIGS. I will explain.

  FIG. 20 shows a printing process when sequentially printing print data in units of pages, and FIG. 21 shows a printing process when a collation designation printing process is performed.

  In the case of sequentially printing print data in units of pages, as shown in FIG. 20, the host computer 3a warms up when it is determined that the print request is operated by the user. A request (warm-up start instruction) is transmitted to the image forming apparatus (S21).

  In the image forming apparatus, when the controller 4a transfers the received warm-up request to the engine (image forming unit that performs image formation) 4b, the engine 4b saves power in synchronization with the reception of the warm-up request. Transition from mode to normal power mode starts warm-up.

  By the way, when the host computer 3a that has transmitted the warm-up request to the image forming apparatus performs the same processing as the above S11 (S22), in the image forming apparatus, the controller 4a displays an image for the received data (PDL data) received. The development process is performed, and the data (development data) subjected to the image development process is transferred to the engine 4b in units of pages. For example, data (development data) corresponding to the first page (first page) is transferred to the engine 2b (S23).

  On the other hand, in the engine 4b, when the warm-up time Ta elapses from the time when the warm-up request is received from the controller 4a, the printing process for the developed data from the controller 4a is started.

  On the other hand, in the case where collation-designated printing processing is performed, as shown in FIG. 21, when the host computer 3a performs processing similar to S21 and S22, in the image forming apparatus, the controller 4a Until all the transmission data (PDL data) from the computer 1 is received, it waits without performing the image development process.

  The controller 4a receives the received data (PDL data) when the waiting time Tw elapses from when the transmission data (PDL data) is received (when all the transmission data (PDL data) from the host computer 3a is received). The image expansion process is performed on

  Then, the controller 4a transfers the data (development data) subjected to the image expansion process to the engine 2b in units of pages. For example, data (development data) corresponding to the first page (first page) is transferred to the engine 4b (S24).

  On the other hand, in synchronization with the time when the warm-up request is received from the controller 4a, the engine 4b shifts from the power saving mode to the normal power mode to start warm-up, and starts warm-up from the time when the warm-up request is received. Although the printing process is enabled when the up time Ta elapses, data is not received from the controller 4a, so that the process waits.

  Then, the engine 4b starts print processing for the developed data from the controller 4a when the warm-up time Ta and the data reception waiting time Tc have elapsed from the time when the warm-up request is received.

Examples of systems in which the host computer transmits a warm-up request (warm-up start instruction) to the image forming apparatus prior to transmission of print data are described in, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 It has been known.
JP 2002-333960 A JP 2004-272596 A

  According to the present invention, the image forming processing unit is moved from the low power state so that the time from the time when the print request is issued by the request source apparatus to the time when the image forming processing unit in the low power state starts the printing process becomes the shortest time. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of transitioning to a specified power state and suppressing power consumption in a specified power state of an image forming processing unit.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus is moved from the low power state so that the time from when the print request is issued by the request source apparatus to the time when the image forming apparatus in the low power state starts the printing process is the shortest time. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming system and a power control processing program capable of making a transition to a specified power state and suppressing power consumption in the specified power state of the image forming apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives a print request or data transmitted from a request source apparatus that creates print data to be printed, and an image forming process. An image forming processing unit that transitions between a specified power state indicating a state in which a specified power required at the time is supplied and a low power state indicating a state in which a power lower than the specified power is supplied; When the processing unit is in a low power state, when the reception unit receives a print request transmitted by the request source apparatus before transmission of print data to be printed, the time when the print request is received And when the time required for a predetermined process before the image forming process for the print data of the print processing unit related to the print data to be printed elapses has passed, A power control means for performing control to transition the conversion treatment means from said low power state to the prescribed power state, characterized by having a.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the receiving means is created by the request source device from the time when the request source device starts creating print data to be printed. Data processing time indicating the time until the completion of reception of print data of a print processing unit related to print data to be printed, and development processing of print data of a predetermined processing unit related to the print data of the print processing unit Time calculating means for calculating a time required for the predetermined processing based on an image development time and a warm-up time related to the image forming processing means, and the power control means accepts a print request by the receiving means. At the time when the time required for the predetermined processing calculated by the time calculation means elapses from the time when Performs control to transition the image forming process unit to the prescribed power state, characterized in that.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the image forming system according to the third aspect of the present invention includes a specified power state indicating a state in which the specified power required for the image forming process is supplied and lower than the specified power. An image forming apparatus that transitions to a low power state indicating a state in which power is supplied, and a request source that creates print data to be printed and transmits a print request to the image forming apparatus before transmitting the print data The image forming apparatus is connected to the apparatus via a communication line, and the image forming apparatus performs printing related to the print data to be printed on the basis of the time when the print request is received. A transition from the low power state to the specified power state is made when a time required for a predetermined process before the image forming process for the print data of the processing unit is started elapses.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the time required for the predetermined processing is determined by the image forming apparatus from the time when the request source apparatus starts to generate print data to be printed. A data processing time indicating a time until completion of reception of print data of a print processing unit related to print data to be printed created by the request source apparatus, and a predetermined processing unit related to the print data of the print processing unit This is a time determined based on the image development time required for the print data development process and the warm-up time related to the image forming apparatus.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the third or fourth aspect, the request source device is a print processing unit related to the created print data from the time when the creation of the print data to be printed is started. Data processing time prediction means for predicting a data processing time indicating a time until transmission of the print data to the image forming apparatus is completed, and print data data per predetermined processing unit related to the print data to be printed The print data to be printed is transmitted as a print request, the data amount calculating means for calculating the amount, the data processing time information predicted by the data processing time predicting means, and the data amount information calculated by the data amount calculating means. Data transmitting means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus before being performed, and the image forming apparatus includes the data A data receiving unit for receiving transmission data as a print request transmitted by the transmitting unit, a specified power state indicating a state in which a specified power required for image forming processing is supplied, and a power lower than the specified power Development of the print data per the predetermined processing unit based on the data amount information in the received data received by the data receiving means Image development time predicting means for predicting image development time required for processing, warm-up time calculating means for calculating warm-up time related to the image forming processing means, and data in the received data received by the data receiving means Processing time information, image development time information predicted by the image development time prediction means, and warm-up time calculation means Calculated based on the warm-up time information calculated by the timing information calculating means for calculating timing information related to the warm-up timing, the time when the print request is received by the data receiving means, and the timing information calculating means. Power control means for controlling the image forming processing means in the low power state to transition to the specified power state based on the timing information.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus is an environment related to an environment of at least one of a temperature and a humidity around and inside the image forming processing unit. Detection means for detecting information is further provided, wherein the warm-up time calculation means calculates the warm-up time based on environmental information detected by the detection means.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the request source device monitors the warm-up time information calculated by the warm-up time calculation means, and the monitoring Display means for displaying warm-up time information as a result of monitoring by means, and an input for a user who has confirmed the warm-up time information displayed on the display means to input arbitrary timing information regarding the warm-up timing And timing information transmitting means for transmitting arbitrary timing information input by the input means to the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus transmits the arbitrary timing information transmitted from the timing information transmitting means. Timing information receiving means for receiving the timing information of According any timing information received by the timing information receiving unit, performs control to transition the image forming processing means of the low power state to the prescribed power state, characterized in that.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, the request source apparatus collates as a part of a printing process related to the print data to be printed. A collation information transmitting unit that transmits the information to the image forming apparatus before the print data is transmitted, and the image forming apparatus transmits the collation information transmitted from the collation information transmitting unit. Based on collation information receiving means for receiving collation information, image processing means for performing predetermined image processing on the acquired print data to be printed, and collation information received by the collation information receiving means When it is recognized that the print processing for the print data to be printed includes collation, the supply of power to the image processing means is restricted until all the print data for the print target is received. Further, a power limiting control means for performing control so as to include, characterized in that.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the fifth to eighth aspects, the request source device includes an instruction means for instructing that reading of a document should be started, and a reading target. An image reading apparatus comprising: an image reading unit that optically reads a document; and an image data generation unit that generates image data corresponding to a result of a reading process performed by the image reading unit. The data processing time prediction means indicates that the start should be started when the instruction means instructs the start on the condition that the predetermined processing for the image data is a processing format to be copied. Data indicating the time from when the instruction is given to when the transmission of the image data in units of print processing to the image forming apparatus is completed among the image data corresponding to all the documents to be read To predict the physical time, characterized in that.

  In order to solve the above problem, the power control processing program according to the present invention is created by the request source device from the time when the request source device starts creating print data to be printed. Data processing time indicating a time until completion of reception of print data of a print processing unit related to print data to be printed, and development processing of print data of a predetermined processing unit related to the print data of the print processing unit A timing information calculation process for calculating timing information related to warm-up timing based on an image development time required for the image forming apparatus and a warm-up time related to the image forming apparatus, and before sending print data to be printed by the request source apparatus The timing at which the image forming apparatus accepts the issued print request and the timing information calculation process. Based calculated and the timing information, wherein the executing the power control process of performing control to transition the image forming apparatus of low power state specified power state, to the computer.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the time required for the predetermined process before the image forming process is started is elapsed with respect to the time point when the power control unit receives the print request from the request source apparatus. At this time, the image forming processing unit in the low power state is controlled to transition from the low power state to the specified power state, so that the image forming processing unit in the low power state performs the printing process from the time when the print request is issued by the requesting device. The image forming processing unit can be changed from the low power state to the specified power state so that the time until the start of the image processing is the shortest time, and power consumption in the specified power state of the image forming processing unit can be suppressed. .

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the time calculation means starts the image forming process for the print data of the print processing unit related to the print data to be printed based on the data processing time, the image development time, and the warm-up time. The time required for the previous predetermined processing is calculated, and when the time calculated by the time calculation unit has elapsed since the time when the power control unit received the print request by the receiving unit, the image forming processing unit in the low power state Can be controlled to transition to the specified power state.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the time required for the predetermined process before the image forming process is started on the basis of the time when the image forming apparatus in the low power state receives the print request from the request source apparatus. Since the transition from the low power state to the specified power state occurs at the time when elapses, the time from the time when the print request is issued by the request source apparatus to the time when the image forming apparatus in the low power state starts the printing process is the shortest It is possible to transition the image forming apparatus from the low power state to the specified power state so that time is reached, and to suppress power consumption in the specified power state of the image forming apparatus.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the time required for the predetermined process before the image forming process for the print data of the print processing unit related to the print data to be printed is started is the data processing time, the image development time, and It can be determined based on the warm-up time.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, the timing information calculating means calculates the timing information related to the warm-up timing based on the data processing time, the image development time and the warm-up time, and the power control means is printed by the data receiving means. Based on the time point when the request is received and the timing information calculated by the timing information calculation unit, it is possible to perform control for causing the image forming processing unit in the low power state to transition to the specified power state.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the warm-up time as an element for determining the timing information regarding the warm-up timing can be calculated based on the environmental information detected by the detecting means. it can.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the request source apparatus, the warm-up time information as the monitoring result by the monitoring means is displayed on the display means, and the user who confirms the warm-up time information operates the input means. Arbitrary timing information regarding warm-up timing is input, and in the image forming apparatus, the power control unit sets the image forming processing unit in the low power state to the specified power state in accordance with the arbitrary timing information input by the input unit. Control to transition can be performed.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, when it is designated that collation should be performed as part of the printing process for the print data to be printed, the power limit control means receives all the print data to be printed. Until this is done, control is performed to limit the supply of power to the image processing means, and the time from when the print request is issued by the request source apparatus to when the image forming apparatus starts print processing is the shortest time. As described above, the image forming apparatus can be shifted from the low power state to the specified power state, and power consumption in the specified power state of the image forming apparatus can be suppressed.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when the request source apparatus is an image reading apparatus, the data processing time prediction means for the data processing time as an element for determining the timing information related to the warm-up timing is applied to the image data. In response to the instruction to start by the instruction means on the condition that the predetermined processing is a processing format to be copied, the time when the instruction to start is instructed and all of the reading targets It can be obtained based on the point in time at which transmission of image data in print processing units to the image forming apparatus is completed among the image data corresponding to the original.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the time required for the predetermined process before the image forming process is started on the basis of the time when the image forming apparatus in the low power state receives the print request from the request source apparatus. Since the transition from the low power state to the specified power state occurs at the elapse of time, the time from the time when the print request is issued by the request source apparatus to the time when the image forming apparatus in the low power state starts the printing process is the shortest time It is possible to provide software that causes the image forming apparatus to transition from the low power state to the specified power state so that power consumption in the specified power state of the image forming apparatus is suppressed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiment, and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

  (Embodiment 1)

  FIG. 1 shows a functional configuration of the image forming system according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the image forming system 1, the request source apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 20 are connected via a communication line 30.

  The request source apparatus 10 creates print data to be printed and sends a print request to the image forming apparatus 20 before sending the print data, and then sends the created print data to be printed to the image forming apparatus 20. Send to.

  The image forming apparatus 20 transitions to a specified power state indicating a state in which specified power required for image forming processing is supplied and a low power state indicating a state in which power lower than the specified power is supplied. Then, print processing is performed on the print data to be printed corresponding to the print request from the request source apparatus 10 in the specified power state.

  Examples of the communication line 30 include a local area network (LAN), a wired communication line such as a telephone line, a wireless communication line such as a wireless LAN, and a combination of these communication lines.

  Next, details of the request source apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  FIG. 2 shows print data in print processing units related to print data to be printed on the basis of the time when a print request is received when the image forming apparatus 20 is in a low power state in the image forming system 1. The process of transition from a low power state (also referred to as a power saving state or a power saving state) to a specified power state when a predetermined processing time (which will be described later) elapses before image forming processing for FIG.

  First, details of the request source device 10 will be described.

  The request source device 10 is a computer such as a host computer, and includes a data processing unit 110, a communication interface unit 120, an input unit 130, a storage unit 140, and a control unit 150.

  The data processing unit 110 includes a data processing time prediction unit 111 and a data amount calculation unit 112.

  The data processing time prediction unit 111 indicates the time from the start of the creation of print data to be printed to the time when transmission of print data in print processing units related to the created print data to the image forming apparatus 20 is completed. Estimate data processing time. That is, the data processing time prediction unit 111 predicts a data processing time as a time obtained by adding the creation time of print data to be printed and the transmission time of the print data (see FIG. 2).

  In this specification, “print processing unit” is a processing unit corresponding to the type of print processing, and means “one page (page unit)” or “unit of a plurality of pages”.

  Therefore, “print data in units of print processing” means that in the case of print data in which print data to be printed corresponds to a plurality of pages, the print data corresponding to one page corresponds to a sheet (print paper) corresponding to one page. “Print data corresponding to one page” means printing, and “print data corresponding to a plurality of pages (all print data)” means collation-designated printing.

  Further, “print data for each print processing unit” is, for example, “print data corresponding to the designated number of pages” when “print data with a designation to be printed on paper (printing paper) corresponding to one page is reduced”. It means “print data according to the specified number of pages”. For example, when printing is specified to print by reducing print data corresponding to the first page and the second page (consecutive pages) to paper (print paper) corresponding to one page, “two pages” "Print data corresponding to". Of course, when the print data to be printed is only print data corresponding to one page, “print data in print processing units” is “print data corresponding to one page”.

  In the first embodiment, “print data in print processing units” is used to mean “print data corresponding to one page”. Therefore, printing the print data in units of print processing means sequentially printing the print data in units of pages.

  The data amount calculation unit 112 calculates the data amount of print data per predetermined processing unit related to print data to be printed (see FIG. 2).

  In the present specification, “predetermined processing unit” means “page unit”, and “print data per predetermined processing unit” means “print data per page”.

  The data processing unit 110 also has data format data corresponding to the image forming apparatus 20 based on print data to be printed, for example, data described in a page description language (PDL) that is a kind of printer language. (PDL data) is created.

  The communication interface unit 120 is an interface that communicates with the image forming apparatus 20 via the communication line 30. The communication interface unit 120 uses the data processing time information predicted by the data processing time prediction unit 111 and the data amount information calculated by the data amount calculation unit 112 before print data to be printed is transmitted as a print request. A data transmission unit 121 that transmits data to the image forming apparatus 20 is provided. The data transmission unit 121 has a function of a transmission unit that transmits data to be transmitted such as the PDL data to the image forming apparatus 20 in addition to the print request.

  The input unit 130 inputs input information such as designation of print data to be printed and an instruction corresponding to a print request.

  The storage unit 140 includes, for example, a storage area for storing print data to be printed, a storage area (work area) required when the data processing unit 110 performs data processing, a result of the data processing, and data to be transmitted ( A storage area for storing (transmission data) is allocated.

  The control unit 150 controls the entire request source apparatus 10 and controls the data processing unit 110 to create data processing time information and data amount information in accordance with input information from the input unit 130.

  Next, details of the image forming apparatus 20 will be described.

  The image forming apparatus 20 includes an image processing apparatus 200 having a communication interface unit 210 and a controller 220, and an image output apparatus 300.

  The communication interface unit 210 is an interface that communicates with the request source apparatus 10 via the communication line 30. The communication interface unit 210 includes a data reception unit 221 that receives transmission data as a print request transmitted by the data transmission unit 121 of the request source apparatus 10. The data receiving unit 211 has a function of a receiving unit that receives data to be received such as a print request or PDL data transmitted from the request source apparatus 10.

  The controller 220 includes an image development time prediction unit 211, a warm-up time calculation unit 212, a timing information calculation unit 213, a power control unit 214, an image processing unit 215, and a storage unit 216.

  The image development time prediction unit 211 develops image data of the print data per predetermined processing unit (print data per page in this example) based on the data amount information in the received data received by the data reception unit 221. The image development time required for processing (decomposition processing) is predicted (see FIG. 2). This image expansion process is performed by the image processing unit 215. Details of the prediction of the image development processing time will be described later.

  The warm-up time calculation unit 212 calculates a warm-up time related to the image formation processing unit 310 provided in the image output device 300 based on the detection result (environment information) detected by the detection unit 320 provided in the image output device 300. (See FIG. 2). Details of the warm-up time calculation will be described later.

  The timing information calculation unit 213 calculates timing information (hereinafter referred to as “timing information”) regarding warm-up timing based on the image development time, the warm-up time, and the data processing time (see FIG. 2).

  In other words, the timing information calculation unit 213 prints the print data to be printed, which is generated by the request source device 10 by the image forming processing unit 310 of the image forming device 20 from the time when the request source device 10 starts to create the print data to be printed. A data processing time indicating a time until reception of print data (print data corresponding to one page in this example) is completed, and the predetermined process related to the print data in the print processing unit. Image development time (print data per page in this example) required for development processing of unit print data (print data per page in this example), and warm-up related to the image formation processing unit 310 of the image forming apparatus 20 Timing information is calculated based on the time.

  Specifically, the timing information calculation unit 213 calculates timing information by calculating the following equation (1).

(Equation 1)
Timing information regarding warm-up timing = {(data processing time + image development processing time) −warm-up time}

  In the first embodiment, “timing information related to warm-up timing” means “time required for predetermined processing before image forming processing is started”.

  Therefore, the calculation of the timing information means that the time required for the predetermined processing is calculated.

  From this, the timing information calculation unit 213 calculates the time required for a predetermined process before the image forming process is started based on the image development time, the warm-up time, and the data processing time. It can be said that it has a function.

  In the present specification, “predetermined processing before image formation processing for print data in print processing units is started” means creation processing of print data to be printed in the request source device, and relevant processing in the request source device. Print data transmission processing or print data reception processing in the image forming apparatus, and warm-up in the image forming apparatus.

  Since the timing information means time as described above, the timing information is referred to as timing information (time) in the following description.

  The power control unit 214 controls the image formation processing unit 310 in the low power state according to the timing information (time) calculated by the timing information calculation unit 213 when the image formation processing unit 310 is in the low power state. Control to change the state is performed (see FIG. 2).

  Specifically, the power control unit 214 receives a print request transmitted by the request source apparatus 10 before transmission of print data to be printed when the image formation processing unit 310 is in a low power state. When the print request 221 is received, image formation is performed on the print data of the print processing unit related to the print data to be printed (print data corresponding to one page in this example) with reference to the time when the print request is received. Transition of the image formation processing unit 310 from the low power state to the specified power state when the time required for the predetermined processing before the processing is started, that is, when the timing information (time) calculated by the timing information calculation unit 213 elapses. To control.

  Further, the power control unit 214 includes a power mode switching unit 214a and a timer 214b as shown in FIG. The power mode switching unit 214a issues a mode switching instruction between the low power mode corresponding to the low power state and the specified power mode corresponding to the specified power state, which will be described later, provided in the image output apparatus 300 (FIG. 3). Output). Under the control of the power control unit 214, the timer 214b counts the time and clears the measured value under a predetermined condition.

  By the way, in the first embodiment, when the data receiving unit 221 receives a print request transmitted by the request source apparatus 10 before transmission of print data to be printed, the data receiving unit indicates that the print request has been received. The power control unit 214 is notified from 221.

  Therefore, when the power control unit 214 acquires a notification that the print request from the data reception unit 221 has been received when the image forming processing unit 310 is in the low power state, the time point when the notification is received The timer 214b is started in synchronization with (starts timing).

  Further, in the power control unit 214, when the time measurement result of the timer 214b reaches the timing information (time) from the timing information calculation unit 213, the power mode switching unit 214a should switch from the low power mode to the specified power mode. The power mode switching instruction is output toward the power supply unit 330 (see FIG. 3) in the image output apparatus 300 (see FIG. 2).

  When the power supply unit 330 that has received the mode switching instruction in this way supplies specified power to the image formation processing unit 310, the image formation processing unit 310 shifts from the low power state to the specified power state.

  Here, description will be made again with reference to FIG. The image processing unit 215 performs image development processing (decomposition processing) on print data to be printed for each predetermined processing unit (in this example, page unit), and performs color conversion on the data (image data) after the image development processing. Image processing such as processing, gradation processing, halftone generation processing (screen processing) is performed.

  The storage unit 216 includes, for example, storage areas (work areas) necessary for each of the image development time prediction unit 211, the warm-up time calculation unit 212, the timing information calculation unit 213, and the image processing unit 215 to calculate or process, A storage area for storing calculation results or processing results is allocated.

  The image output apparatus 300 includes an image formation processing unit 310 and a detection unit 320.

  The image forming processing unit 310 transitions to a specified power state indicating a state in which specified power required for the image forming process is supplied and a low power state indicating a state in which power lower than the specified power is supplied. Then, the printing process is performed on the print data to be printed corresponding to the print request from the request source apparatus 10 in the specified power state.

  The detection unit 320 detects environmental information related to at least one of the temperature and humidity of the surroundings and the inside of the image formation processing unit 310.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the image forming processing unit 310 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming processing unit 310 includes a photosensitive member 311 as an image carrier, a charging device 312 as a charging unit that charges the surface of the photosensitive member 331 to a potential of a predetermined polarity, and a charged photosensitive member. An exposure device 313 as an exposure unit that irradiates exposure light corresponding to image data toward 311, and a development device as a development unit that applies a developer (toner) to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 311 and develops it. 314, a transfer device 315 as transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photoreceptor 311 to a sheet, and a fixing device as fixing means for fixing the toner image by applying heat and pressure to the sheet on which the toner image has been transferred. 316, a cleaning device 317 as a cleaning unit that removes residual toner on the peripheral surface of the photoreceptor 311, and a temperature sensor 318.

  The developing device 314 periodically agitates toner stored in a storage unit (not shown). When the developing device 314 stirs the toner, this is output to the warm-up time calculation unit 212 as device status information.

  In the fixing device 316, a fixing roller (also referred to as a heating roller) 316a and a pressure roller 316b are disposed in a state where the surfaces of the longitudinal portions thereof are in contact with each other and pressure is applied to each other. The sheet on which the toner image is transferred passes between the fixing roller 316a and the pressure roller 216b in a state where the current temperature has reached the target temperature, so that the toner image is fixed on the sheet.

  The temperature sensor 318 is a sensor that detects the temperature of the surface of the fixing roller 316a in the longitudinal direction of the fixing device 316, and is, for example, a non-contact type temperature sensor. The detection result of the temperature sensor 318 is output to the warm-up time calculation unit 212 as device status information.

  By the way, the detection unit 320 described above includes a temperature sensor that detects temperature and a humidity sensor that detects humidity, and is disposed at a predetermined position outside the image forming processing unit 310. These detection results by the detection unit 320 are output to the warm-up time calculation unit 212 as environmental coefficient information (environment information) (see FIG. 2).

  The image forming processing unit 310 having the above-described configuration is supplied with specified power or power lower than the specified power by the power supply unit 330.

  Next, prediction processing of image development processing time by the image development time prediction unit 211 will be described in detail.

  The image expansion time predicting unit 211 calculates the image expansion processing time by calculating the following formula 2, and uses the calculated result as the predicted image expansion processing time.

(Equation 2)
Image development processing time = {data size of print data per predetermined processing unit × coefficient α / CPU power (clock frequency)}

  Here, the coefficient α indicates a value set in advance based on the data types of text data, vector data (graphic data, etc.), raster data (image data, etc.), and monochrome image and color image. An example of a table for obtaining the coefficient α according to the data type and the image type is shown in FIG. The CPU power means image development performance information and indicates the performance of, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) for realizing the image processing unit 215 that executes the image development processing. In the first embodiment, a clock frequency that is one of the performances of the central processing unit (CPU) is employed.

  Note that the data size of the print data per predetermined processing unit can be known by knowing the data amount information notified from the data amount calculation unit 112.

  Here, an example of the coefficient α will be described. For example, when the data type is vector data and the image type is a color image, the coefficient α is 80 as can be seen from the table shown in FIG. 4, and the data type is raster data. When the image type is a monochrome image, the coefficient α = 10 as can be seen from the table shown in FIG.

  Next, the warm-up time calculation process by the warm-up time calculation unit 212 will be described.

  The warm-up time calculation unit 212 calculates the warm-up time by calculating the following equation (3).

(Equation 3)
Warm-up time = {[(Fixing roller target temperature−Current fixing roller temperature) / (Fixing roller temperature rise performance × Coefficient β)] + Refresh time}

  Here, the fixing roller means the fixing roller 316 a provided in the fixing device 316, and the current temperature of the fixing roller is a detection result of the temperature sensor 318.

  The temperature rise performance means the ability to raise the fixing roller per second. Therefore, the unit of the temperature rise performance is [° C.].

  The coefficient β is a value set in advance based on the temperature (room temperature) and humidity outside the image forming processing unit 310 (outside the image forming apparatus). An example of a table for obtaining the coefficient β in accordance with the temperature and humidity is shown in FIG.

  Here, an example of the coefficient β will be described. For example, when the temperature is 5 ° C. and the humidity is 70%, the coefficient β = 1.8 as shown in the table shown in FIG. 5, and the temperature is 30 ° C. When the humidity is 40%, the coefficient β = 0.8 as can be seen from the table shown in FIG.

  The refresh time means the time required for periodic refresh processing of the machine in the image forming processing unit 310 of the image output apparatus 300. For example, the refresh time includes a time required for stirring the toner by the developing device 314. Note that the refresh time becomes 0 when the machine does not perform periodic refresh processing in the image forming processing unit 310.

  Next, printing processing by the image forming system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing operation of the printing process by the image forming system 1.

  The request source apparatus 10 performs printing when any of the printing decision making instruction by the user, pressing of the start button, and reception of image data via the communication line occurs as shown in FIG. Recognizing that the request is determined (S101), the above-described data processing time is calculated.

  Here, when the user operates the input unit 130 of the request source apparatus 10 to specify the print data (document data) to be printed, and instructs the print decision for the print data, that is, the print request, the data processing unit 110 calculates the data processing time due to the occurrence of the print request event. Note that print data (document data) to be printed is print data corresponding to a plurality of pages.

  That is, in the data processing unit 110, the data amount calculation unit 112 prints the data amount of the print data corresponding to the page of the first page, for example, the data amount of the print data corresponding to the print data to be printed (page unit), for example, the data The size is calculated (see FIG. 2), and the calculated result is defined as a data amount per predetermined processing unit.

  Further, the data processing time prediction unit 111 generates print data corresponding to the print data to be printed but print data corresponding to the first page, for example, print data in print processing units (page units in this example), A value (time) is calculated by adding the time when data transmission is completed when the generated print processing unit (page unit) is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20 (see FIG. 2). The result is defined as data processing time T1.

  Incidentally, the time for completing the transmission of print data in print processing units (page units) can be calculated based on the data size (data amount) of the print data and the bit rate.

  When the data amount (data size) per predetermined processing unit and the data processing time are defined as described above, the data processing unit 110 uses the notification-dedicated job description language to specify the data amount (data size) and the data processing. A job describing the time (hereinafter referred to as “notification job”) is created, and the created notification job is output to the communication interface unit 120 as a print request.

  In the communication interface unit 120, as shown in FIG. 6, the data transmission unit 121 transmits the received notification job to the image forming apparatus 20 as a print request (S102). This notification job is received by the data receiving unit 221 of the communication interface unit 220 in the image forming apparatus 20 via the communication line 30.

  The data receiving unit 221 passes the notification job as the received print request to the controller 210 and notifies the power control unit 214 that the print request has been received. The power control unit 214 causes the timer 214b to start measuring time.

  The controller 210 interprets the notification job and calculates timing information based on the interpreted result (S103).

  That is, the image development time prediction unit 211 calculates (predicts) the image development time T2 based on the data amount (data size) from the data amount calculation unit 122 and the image development performance information (clock frequency of the central processing unit). (See FIG. 2).

  The warm-up time calculation unit 212 also includes apparatus status information (the current temperature of the fixing roller, presence / absence of periodic refresh timing of the machine, etc.) and environmental coefficient information (the temperature and humidity in the room where the image forming apparatus is installed). ) To calculate the warm-up time T3 (see FIG. 2).

  Then, the timing information calculation unit 213 receives the data processing time T1 from the data processing time prediction unit 111 (addition time between the print data creation time and the print data transmission time), and the image development predicted information 211 based on the image development prediction information 211. Timing information (time) T is calculated based on the time T2 and the warm-up time T3 obtained by the warm-up time calculation unit 212 (see FIG. 2).

  In this case, the timing information calculation unit 213 calculates timing information (time) T = (data processing time T1 + image development time T2−warm-up time T3).

  Note that the timing at which the timing information (time) T elapses from when the print request is received is the warm-up timing.

  The fact that the timing information (time) is calculated by the timing information calculation unit 213 means that scheduling has been performed from the time when the print request is accepted until the start of warm-up.

  When the timing information (time) T calculated by the timing information calculation unit 213 as described above is output to the power control unit 214, the power control unit 214 determines that the current timing value of the timer 214b that has already started timing is When the acquired timing information (time) T is reached, the power mode switching unit 214a issues a power mode switching instruction (warm-up request) to switch from the low power mode to the specified power mode. It outputs toward the supply part 330 (refer FIG. 3) (S104).

  The power supply unit 330 that has received the power mode switching instruction (warm-up request) supplies the prescribed power to the image formation processing unit 310, whereby the image formation processing unit 310 that has transitioned from the low power state to the prescribed power state. Warm-up is started (S105).

  Meanwhile, the request source apparatus 10 that has transmitted the notification job to the image forming apparatus 20 creates PDL data as transmission data to be transmitted by the data processing unit 110 based on the print data to be printed (S106). The processed PDL data is output to the communication interface unit 120. The data processing unit 12 of the communication interface unit 120 starts transmission of the accepted PDL data (S107). This PDL data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20 via the communication line 30.

  In the image forming apparatus 20, the image processing unit 215 of the controller 210 performs image development on the PDL data corresponding to the first page (first page) of the PDL data received by the data receiving unit 221 of the communication interface unit 220. In addition to performing the processing (S109), image processing such as color conversion processing, gradation processing, and halftone generation processing (screen processing) is performed on the image data after the image development processing, and the data (development data) after the image processing is processed. Then, the image data is transferred to the image output apparatus 300 (S110).

  The image processing unit 215 also performs image development processing and image processing on the PDL data corresponding to the second and subsequent pages, and directs the image data after the image processing (development data) to the image output device 300. Transfer (S111).

  On the other hand, in the image output device 300, when the warm-up time has elapsed and the warm-up is completed, the image forming processing unit 310 performs a printing process on the image data (development data) from the image processing unit 215 (S112).

  Next, in the image forming apparatus 20, the time from when the data receiving unit 221 receives a print request to when the low power state image forming processing unit 310 starts the printing process will be described with reference to FIG. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when a notification job as a print request is received by the data receiving unit 221 at time t1, timing information (time) T (= data processing time T1 + image development time T2-warm-up from that time t1. At time t2 when time T3) elapses, the image forming processing unit 310 in the low power state is shifted to the specified power state, and warm-up is started.

  In addition, at time t3 when the data processing time T1 predicted by the data processing unit 110 has elapsed from time t1, the data receiving unit 221 has received the PDL data corresponding to the first page of the PDL data to be printed. Therefore, when the reception of the PDL data corresponding to the first page is completed, the image processing unit 215 performs an image expansion process on the PDL data at the time t3, for example. Start.

  Then, at time t4 when the warm-up time T3 has elapsed from time t2, and at time t4 when the image development processing time T2 has elapsed from time t3, the image forming processing unit 310 has completed the image development processing for the first page. Printing processing for image data corresponding to the page is started.

  In the first embodiment, the power control unit 214 instructs the power mode switching instruction (when the timing information (time) T elapses from when the data reception unit 221 receives a notification job as a print request. (Warm-up request) is output to the power supply unit 330 in the image output apparatus 300, but may be as follows.

  That is, the power control unit 214 outputs a power mode switching instruction (warm-up request) when the timing information (time) T has elapsed from the time when the timing information (time) is received from the timing information calculation unit 213. The output is performed toward the power supply unit 330 in the output device 300.

  (Embodiment 2)

  FIG. 8 shows a functional configuration of the image forming system according to the second embodiment.

  The image forming system 2 shown in FIG. 8 adds a monitoring unit 410, a display unit 420, and a timing information transmission unit 430 to the request source apparatus 10 in the image forming system 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. A functional configuration is obtained by adding a timing information receiving unit 440 to the forming apparatus 20. Note that, in FIG. 8, the same reference numerals are given to parts that perform the same functions as the components shown in FIG. 1.

  The monitoring unit 410 monitors the warm-up time information calculated by the warm-up time calculating unit 21.

  The display unit 420 displays warm-up time information as a result of monitoring by the monitoring unit 410.

  The timing information transmission unit 430 is provided in the data transmission unit 121, and an arbitrary timing related to the warm-up timing input by the user who has confirmed the warm-up time information displayed on the display unit 420 by operating the input unit 130 Information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20.

  The timing information receiving unit 440 is provided in the data receiving unit 221, receives arbitrary timing information transmitted from the timing information transmitting unit 430, and passes this timing information to the power control unit 214.

  In the second embodiment, the power control unit 214 performs control for causing the image formation processing unit 310 in the low power state to transition to the specified power state in accordance with arbitrary timing information received by the timing information receiving unit 440.

  In the image forming system 2, in addition to the functions of the image forming system 1 of the first embodiment, the request source apparatus 10 monitors the warm-up time calculated by the image forming apparatus 20, and according to the monitored result. It has a function of transmitting arbitrary timing information regarding the warm-up timing input by the user to the image forming apparatus 20.

  In the second embodiment, “arbitrary timing information related to warm-up timing” means a power mode switching instruction (warm-up request).

  Next, the new function of the image forming system 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 shows print data to be printed on the basis of the point (1) when the image forming apparatus 20 (the image forming processing unit 310) in the low power state in the image forming system 2 receives the print request. When the time required for the predetermined process before the image forming process for the print data of the print processing unit concerned starts, or (2) the power mode as a print decision-making instruction from the request source apparatus 10 The figure explaining the process which changes from a low power state to a regulation power state at the time of receiving a switching instruction (warm-up request) is shown.

  Since the process in which the image forming apparatus 20 (the image forming processing unit 310 thereof) transitions from the low power state to the specified power state at the time described in (1) above is the same as in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. . Here, the process in which the image forming apparatus 20 (the image forming processing unit 310 thereof) transitions from the low power state to the specified power state at the time described in (2) above will be described.

  When the warm-up time calculation unit 212 of the image forming apparatus 20 periodically calculates the warm-up time, the monitoring unit 410 of the request source apparatus 10 monitors the calculated warm-up time as shown in FIG. The monitored result (warm-up time) is output to the display unit 420.

  The display unit 420 displays the warm-up time from the monitoring unit 410. A user who has confirmed the warm-up time displayed on the display unit 420 operates the input unit 130 before designating print data (document data) to be printed and instructing a print decision for the print data, that is, a print request. Thus, arbitrary timing information regarding the warm-up timing, that is, a power mode switching instruction (warm-up request) is input.

  Then, the power mode switching instruction is received by the timing information receiving unit 440 of the data receiving unit 221 of the communication interface unit 220 via the communication line 30.

  When the power mode switching instruction received by the timing information receiving unit 440 is output to the power control unit 214, the power control unit 214 receives the power mode switching instruction (arbitrary timing information), and then receives the power mode switching instruction. (Warm-up request) is output toward the power supply unit 330 (see FIG. 3) in the image output apparatus 300.

  Then, the image forming processing unit 310 to which the specified power is supplied by the power supply unit 330 transitions from the low power state to the specified power state and starts warm-up.

  The user designates print data to be printed and prints the print data when the warm-up time displayed on the display unit 420 elapses, for example, from the time when the power mode switching instruction (warm-up request) is input. Instructs what should be done (equivalent to a print request).

  In the second embodiment, the data amount and the data processing time are calculated when it is input that the print data to be printed is input after any timing information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20. (Notification job is not created).

  Therefore, the timing information regarding the warm-up timing (timing information (time) in the first embodiment) is not calculated again by the image forming apparatus 20.

  By the way, in Embodiment 2, the user inputs arbitrary timing information before transmitting print data to be printed because the image forming apparatus 20 is extremely cold, for example, which takes a long time to warm up. When installed in an area, for example, print data to be printed cannot be prepared at the present time, but print data to be printed can be prepared after a time equivalent to the time required for the warm-up has elapsed. This is for instructing the image forming processing unit 310 of the image forming apparatus 20 to warm up in advance when possible.

  (Embodiment 3)

  FIG. 10 shows a functional configuration of the image forming system according to the third embodiment.

  The image forming system 3 shown in FIG. 10 adds a collation information transmitting unit 510 to the request source apparatus 10 and adds collation information to the image forming apparatus 20 in the image forming system 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The functional configuration is such that a receiving unit 520, a power limit control unit 530, and a power supply unit 540 are added. Note that, in FIG. 10, the same reference numerals are given to portions that perform the same functions as the components shown in FIG. 1.

  In the third embodiment, when the user inputs information indicating that collation is to be performed by operating the input unit 130 and instructs a print decision, that is, a print request, the input information is input to the control unit 150. The control unit 150 notifies the data processing unit 110 that collation is to be performed and a print request.

  The collation information transmission unit 510 is provided in the data transmission unit 121, and as a part of the printing process related to the print data to be printed when the user inputs an instruction to collate by operating the input unit 130 The fact that collation is to be performed is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20 before the print data is transmitted.

The collation information reception unit 520 is provided in the data reception unit 221, receives the collation information transmitted from the collation information transmission unit 510, and passes this collation information to the power limit control unit 530.
To do.

  When the power limit control unit 530 recognizes that the print processing for the print data to be printed includes collation based on the collation information received by the collation information receiving unit 520, all of the print targets Until the print data is received, the power supply unit 540 is controlled to limit the power supply to the image processing unit 215.

  The power supply unit 540 supplies the image processing unit 215 with predetermined power required when the image processing unit 215 performs image development processing or image processing or power lower than the predetermined power.

  The image processing unit 215 transitions between a state where the predetermined power is supplied and a state where the low power is supplied.

  In the third embodiment, the data processing unit 110 uses the job description language dedicated to notification, the data amount calculated by the data amount calculation unit 112, the data processing time calculated by the data processing time prediction unit 111, and the control unit 15 A job (notification job) describing the collation information notified from is created, and the created notification job is output to the communication interface unit 120 as a print request.

  In addition to the functions of the image forming system 1 according to the first embodiment, the image forming system 3 performs print processing when print data in print processing units is print data (all print data) corresponding to a plurality of pages. It has a function of executing collation-designated printing processing.

  Next, the new function of the image forming system 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 11 illustrates a case where the image forming apparatus 20 in the low power state in the image forming system 3 performs (1) print processing for print data corresponding to one page of print data in units of print processing (sequentially). , When performing print processing of page-by-page print data), or (2) when performing collation designation (that collation should be performed), a process of transitioning from a low power state to a specified power state The figure to illustrate is shown.

  FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing the processing operation of collation-designated print processing by the image forming system 3.

  The user operates the input unit 130 of the request source apparatus 10 to specify print data to be printed, and also specifies a collation designation instruction (that collation is to be performed) and a print decision for the print data, that is, a print request. , The control unit 150 recognizes that the print request is related to the collation-designated print process, as shown in FIG. 12 (S201), and notifies the data processing unit 110 to that effect.

  The data processing unit 110 calculates the data processing time as in the case of the first embodiment.

  That is, the data amount calculation unit 112 calculates the data amount, for example, the data size, of the print data corresponding to the print data of the predetermined processing unit (page unit) related to the print data to be printed, for example, the first page (see FIG. 11), the calculated result is defined as a data amount per predetermined processing unit.

  Further, the data processing time prediction unit 111 creates print data corresponding to the print data to be printed, but print data corresponding to a plurality of pages, for example, print data corresponding to a plurality of pages (print data corresponding to all pages), A value (time) obtained by adding the time when data transmission is completed when transmitting the print data of the created print processing unit (all pages) to the image forming apparatus 20 is calculated (see FIG. 11). The calculated result is defined as data processing time T11.

  Incidentally, the time for completing the transmission of the print data of the print processing unit (all pages) can be calculated based on the data size (data amount) of the print data and the bit rate.

  When the data amount (data size) per predetermined processing unit and the data processing time are defined as described above, the data processing unit 110 uses the job description language dedicated to notification to specify collation (should collate). A job (notification job) in which the collation information indicating the data), the data amount (data size), and the data processing time T1 are described is created, and the created notification job is output to the communication interface unit 120 as a print request.

  In the communication interface unit 120, as shown in FIG. 12, the data transmission unit 121 transmits the received notification job to the image forming apparatus 20 as a print request (S202). This notification job is received by the data receiving unit 221 of the communication interface unit 220 in the image forming apparatus 20 via the communication line 30.

  The data receiving unit 221 passes the notification job as the received print request to the controller 210 and notifies the power control unit 214 that the print request has been received. The power control unit 214 causes the timer 214b to start measuring time.

  The controller 210 interprets the notification job, calculates timing information based on the interpreted result (S203), and if the interpreted result includes information that the collation should be performed, the image processing unit 215. Control is performed to limit the supply of power to.

  That is, the power limit control unit 530 supplies power to the image processing unit 215 until all of the print data to be printed is received when the interpretation result includes collation. Control to limit. That is, the power limit control unit 530 outputs a low power supply command to the power supply unit 540 (see FIG. 11).

  As a result, the power supply unit 540 supplies to the image processing unit 215 power that is lower than the predetermined power required when performing image development processing and image processing.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the image development time prediction unit 211 performs image development based on the data amount (data size) from the data amount calculation unit 112 and image development performance information (clock frequency of the central processing unit). Time T12 is calculated (predicted) (see FIG. 12).

  Further, as in the case of the first embodiment, the warm-up time calculation unit 212 includes apparatus status information (current temperature of the fixing roller, presence / absence of periodic refresh timing of the machine, etc.) and environmental coefficient information (image forming apparatus). The warm-up time T13 is calculated on the basis of the temperature and humidity of the room in which is installed (see FIG. 12).

  Then, as in the case of the first embodiment, the timing information calculation unit 213 receives the data processing time T11 from the data processing time prediction unit 111 (addition time between print data creation time and print data transmission time), image Timing information (time) T10 is calculated based on the image development time T12 obtained from the development prediction information 211 and the warm-up time T13 obtained by the warm-up time calculation unit 212 (see FIG. 12).

  In this case, the timing information calculation unit 213 calculates timing information (time) T10 = (data processing time T11 + image development time T12−warm-up time T13).

  Note that the timing at which the timing information (time) T10 has elapsed since the time when the print request was received is the warm-up timing.

  The fact that the timing information (time) is calculated by the timing information calculation unit 213 means that scheduling has been performed from the time when the print request is accepted until the start of warm-up.

  When the timing information (time) T10 calculated by the timing information calculation unit 213 as described above is output to the power control unit 214, the power control unit 214 determines that the current time measurement value of the timer 214b that has already started time measurement is When the acquired timing information (time) T10 is reached (S204), the power mode switching unit 214a issues a power mode switching instruction (warm-up request) to switch from the low power mode to the specified power mode. It outputs toward the power supply unit 330 (see FIG. 3) (S205).

  The power supply unit 330 that has received the power mode switching instruction (warm-up request) supplies the prescribed power to the image formation processing unit 310, whereby the image formation processing unit 310 that has transitioned from the low power state to the prescribed power state. Warm-up is started (S206).

  By the way, the request source apparatus 10 that has transmitted the notification job to the image forming apparatus 20 creates PDL data as transmission data to be transmitted by the data processing unit 110 based on the print data to be printed (S207). The data processing unit 12 of the communication interface unit 120 that outputs the received PDL data (PDL data corresponding to all pages) to the communication interface unit 120 starts transmission of PDL data corresponding to all received pages ( S208). This PDL data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20 via the communication line 30.

  In the image forming apparatus 20, the data receiving unit 221 of the communication interface unit 220 receives the PDL data from the request source apparatus 10 (S209) and receives the received PDL data until the PDL data corresponding to all pages is received. Retain data.

  In this case, the image processing unit 215 to which power lower than the predetermined power is supplied cannot perform image development processing until reception of PDL data corresponding to all pages is completed, and the standby state (S210).

  When the data reception unit 221 completes reception of PDL data corresponding to all pages, the data reception unit 221 notifies the power limit control unit 530 to that effect.

  The power limit control unit 530 that has received the notification that the reception of the PDL data has been completed should supply the power supply unit 540 with predetermined power required when performing image development processing and image processing. Is output from the power supply unit 540 to the image processing unit 215.

  In addition, the power limit control unit 530 outputs a certain amount of power until the predetermined power is supplied to the image processing unit 215 from when the command indicating that the predetermined power should be supplied to the power supply unit 540. When the time elapses, the data receiving unit 221 is instructed to output the held PDL data to the image processing unit 215.

  When the data receiving unit 221 responds to the instruction and transfers the PDL data to the image processing unit 215, the image processing unit 215 selects the PDL corresponding to the first page (first page) of the received PDL data. Image development processing is performed on the data (S211), and image processing such as color conversion processing, gradation processing, halftone generation processing (screen processing) is performed on the image data after the image development processing, and the data ( The development data) is transferred to the image output apparatus 300 (S212).

  The image processing unit 215 also performs image development processing and image processing on the PDL data corresponding to the second and subsequent pages, and directs the image data after the image processing (development data) to the image output device 300. Transfer (S213).

  On the other hand, in the image output device 300, when the warm-up time has elapsed and the warm-up is completed, the image forming processing unit 310 performs a printing process on the image data (development data) from the image processing unit 215 (S214).

  Next, in the image forming apparatus 20, the time from when the data receiving unit 221 receives a print request including collation designation until the time when the image forming processing unit 310 in the low power state starts printing processing is shown in FIG. Will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when a notification job as a print request is received by the data receiving unit 221 at time t11, timing information (time) T10 (= data processing time T11 + image development time T12−warm-up) from that time t11. At time t12 when the time T13) elapses, the image forming processing unit 310 in the low power state transitions to the specified power state and starts warm-up.

  Further, at time t11, the image processing unit 215 is supplied by the power supply unit 540 with power lower than a predetermined power required when performing the image development processing and the image processing.

  By the way, at time t13 when the data processing time T11 predicted by the data processing unit 110 has elapsed from time t11, the data receiving unit 221 predicts that reception of PDL data corresponding to all pages to be printed has been completed. Therefore, when the reception of PDL data corresponding to all the pages has been completed, the image processing unit 215 is necessary when performing image development processing or image processing at time t13, for example. Since predetermined power is supplied by the power supply unit 540, image development processing for the PDL data is started.

  Then, at the time t14 when the warm-up time T13 has elapsed from the time t12 and at the time t4 when the image development processing time T12 has elapsed from the time t3, the image forming processing unit 310 finishes the image development processing. The printing process for the image data corresponding to is started.

  In the third embodiment, the case where “print data in units of print processing” is “print data corresponding to a plurality of pages (all print data)” (for example, collation-designated print processing) has been described. As in the case of the first embodiment, the present invention can also be applied to the case where “print data in print processing units” is “one page (page unit)” (when printing is performed in page units).

  In this case, the fact that collation is to be performed is not input by the user's operation of the input unit 130, so that the fact that collation is to be performed is not transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20. Therefore, since the power limit control unit 530 does not operate, the image processing unit 215 is maintained in a state in which predetermined power necessary for performing the image development processing and the image processing is supplied. That is, a printing process similar to the printing process in the first embodiment is performed.

  (Embodiment 4)

  FIG. 14 shows a functional configuration of an image reading apparatus as a request source apparatus included in the image forming system according to the fourth embodiment.

  In the image forming system of the fourth embodiment, in the image forming system 3 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the request source device 10 is replaced with the image reading device 600 shown in FIG. The information receiving unit 520 is omitted.

  An image reading apparatus 600 shown in FIG. 14 performs the same function as the request source apparatus 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1. In the request source apparatus 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The functional configuration is such that an instruction unit 610, an image reading unit 620, and an image data generation unit 630 are added. In FIG. 14, the same reference numerals are given to portions that perform the same functions as the components shown in FIG. 1.

  The instruction unit 610 instructs that reading of a document should be started. This instruction content is notified to the image reading unit 620. The instruction unit 610 is configured with, for example, a start key (start button).

  The image reading unit 620 optically reads a document to be read and converts an optical signal obtained by the reading process into an electric signal (image data).

  The image data generation unit 630 generates image data corresponding to the result of the reading process by the image reading unit 620, that is, data in a data format that allows the image acquired from the image reading unit 620 to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20 (image Data). The converted image data is passed to the data processing unit 110.

  In the fourth embodiment, the input unit 130 includes a key for instructing that an image read by the image reading unit 620 should be copied, for example, a copy mode key. When the copy mode key is pressed, the data processor 110 is notified that the copy is to be made.

  Further, the data processing time prediction unit 111 acquires a notification that copying is to be performed from the input unit 130 and acquires image data (image data corresponding to at least one original) from the image data generation unit 630. , When it is recognized that the instruction unit 610 has instructed to start on the condition that the predetermined processing for the image data is a processing format to be copied, from the time when the instruction to start is instructed. A data processing time indicating a time until transmission of image data in units of print processing to the image forming apparatus 20 among image data corresponding to all originals to be read is predicted.

  In the fourth embodiment, the print data for each print processing unit is print data (all print data) corresponding to a plurality of pages.

  Next, image data print request processing for the image forming apparatus 20 (see FIG. 1 or FIG. 10) of the image reading apparatus 600 as a request source apparatus will be described.

  A plurality of documents are placed on a platen (not shown) or an automatic document feeder (not shown), the copy mode key of the input unit 130 is pressed, and the instruction unit 610 is operated (the start key is pressed). Then, the image reading unit 620 optically reads the document due to the operation of the instruction unit 610, converts the optical signal obtained by the reading process into an electric signal (image data), The subsequent image data is sequentially output to the image data generation unit 630.

  The image data generation unit 630 converts the image data from the image reading unit 620 into data (image data) in a data format that can be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20, and directs the converted image data to the data processing unit 110. Output.

  In the data processing unit 110, the data amount calculation unit 112 calculates the data amount of image data corresponding to one original (image data corresponding to the first original).

  The data processing time prediction unit 111 obtains notification from the input unit 130 that copying should be performed due to pressing of the copy mode key of the input unit 130, and the image data ( (Image data corresponding to at least one original document) is acquired, it is recognized that the instruction unit 610 has instructed to start on the condition that the predetermined processing for the image data is a processing format to be copied. .

  Further, the data processing time prediction unit 111 prints image data in units of print processing among image data corresponding to all originals to be read from the time when notification that copying is to be performed, that is, the time when starting to be instructed is given. A data processing time indicating a time until transmission of the image forming apparatus is completed is predicted.

  Here, the image data for each printing process is image data corresponding to all the originals (a plurality of originals).

  The data processing unit 110 then uses a job description language dedicated to notification to describe a data amount calculated by the data amount calculation unit 112 and a data processing time calculated by the data processing time prediction unit 111 (notification job). And the created notification job is output to the communication interface unit 120 as a print request.

  When the data transmission unit 121 of the communication interface unit 120 transmits the notification job to the image forming apparatus 20, in the image forming apparatus 20, the data reception unit 221 of the communication interface unit 220 receives the notification job and receives the notification job. A notification job as a print request is passed to the controller 210, and the power control unit 214 is notified that the print request has been received.

  Since the subsequent processing (for example, processing corresponding to S203 to S214 in FIG. 12) is the same as that in the third embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  In the fourth embodiment, the printing process in the case where the document to be read is a plurality of documents has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to the printing process in the case where the document to be read is a single document. .

  (Embodiment 5)

  FIG. 15 shows a functional configuration of an image forming system according to the fifth embodiment.

  An image forming system 5 shown in FIG. 15 is the same as the image forming system 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 except that an image development processing time prediction unit 710 and a timing information calculation unit 720 are added to the request source device 10. In this configuration, the image development time prediction unit 211, the warm-up time calculation unit 212, and the timing information calculation unit 213 of the forming apparatus 20 are deleted. Note that, in FIG. 15, the same reference numerals are given to portions that perform the same functions as the components shown in FIG. 1.

  The image development processing time prediction unit 710 has the same function as the image development time prediction unit 211.

  The timing information calculation unit 720 has the same function as the timing information calculation unit 213.

  Next, the printing process of the image forming system 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16.

  FIG. 16 shows print data in print processing units related to print data to be printed on the basis of the time when a print request is received when the image forming apparatus 20 is in a low power state in the image forming system 5. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a process of transition from a low power state to a specified power state at a point in time when a predetermined process before the image forming process is started elapses.

  The predetermined process before the image forming process is started means the same contents as those defined in the first embodiment.

  Now, when the user operates the input unit 130 of the request source apparatus 10 to specify the print data to be printed, and instructs the print decision for the print data, that is, the print request, the request source apparatus 10 Recognizing that the print request is determined due to the occurrence of a print decision instruction event, timing information regarding the warm-up timing is calculated. Note that the print data to be printed is print data corresponding to a plurality of pages.

  In the data processing unit 110, as in the case of the first embodiment, the data amount calculation unit 112 calculates, for example, the data amount of the print data corresponding to the first page, for example, the data size (see FIG. 16). The calculated result is defined as a data amount per predetermined processing unit.

  As in the case of the first embodiment, the data processing time prediction unit 111 creates the print data corresponding to the first page, the print data corresponding to the first page, and the created print process. A value (time) obtained by adding the data transmission completion time when the print data in units (page unit) is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20 is calculated (see FIG. 16), and the calculated result is used as data processing. Defined as time.

  The image development time prediction unit 710 calculates (predicts) the image development time based on the data amount (data size) from the data amount calculation unit 122 and preset image development performance information (clock frequency of the central processing unit). (See FIG. 16). That is, the image development time can be obtained by calculating the above equation 2.

  The timing information calculation unit 720 includes a data processing time from the data processing time prediction unit 111 (addition time between the print data creation time and the print data transmission time), the image development time obtained from the image development prediction information 710, and Timing information (time) is calculated based on a preset warm-up time (see FIG. 16).

  In this case, as in the case of the first embodiment, the timing information calculation unit 720 calculates timing information (time) = (data processing time + image development time−warm-up time) (calculates the arithmetic expression of Equation 1 above). )

  The data processing unit 110 creates a job (notification job) describing timing information (time) using a job description language dedicated to notification, and outputs the created notification job to the communication interface unit 120 as a print request.

  When the data transmission unit 121 of the communication interface unit 120 transmits the received notification job as a print request to the image forming apparatus 20, the data reception unit 221 of the communication interface unit 220 receives the notification job, and this notification job ( Timing information (time)) is notified to the power control unit 214 (see FIG. 16).

  The power control unit 214 causes the timer 214b to start measuring time in synchronization with the time when the notification job from the data reception unit 221 is received, and the timing at which the time value of the timer 214b is described in the notification job. When the information (time) is reached, the power mode switching unit 214a issues a power mode switching instruction (warm-up request) to switch from the low power mode to the specified power mode, and the power supply unit 330 (see FIG. 3).

  The power supply unit 330 that has received the power mode switching instruction (warm-up request) supplies the prescribed power to the image formation processing unit 310, whereby the image formation processing unit 310 that has transitioned from the low power state to the prescribed power state. Start warm-up.

  Since the subsequent processing (for example, processing corresponding to S106 to S112 in FIG. 6) is the same as that in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming system according to the first and third embodiments will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 17, in the image forming system, a request source device 10 such as a computer and an image forming device 20 such as a printer are connected via a communication line 30.

  The request source device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a storage device 12 such as a hard disk, a RAM (Random Access Memory), an input device 14, and a communication interface (hereinafter “communication I”). / F ”) 15.

  The storage device 12 stores various programs and data such as application software for issuing documents and printing requests, a printer driver, and software (program) for realizing the functions of the data processing unit 110 in FIG. The storage device 12 fulfills a part of the function of the storage unit 140 in FIG. 1 and stores, for example, print data to be printed.

  The RAM 13 stores programs and data read from the storage device 12 and transmission data. The RAM 13 fulfills a part of the functions of the storage unit 140 in FIG. 1. For example, a storage area (work area) required when the data processing unit 110 realized by the CPU 11 described later performs data processing, A storage area for storing the result of the data processing and data to be transmitted (transmission data) is allocated.

  The input device 14 performs the function of the input unit 130 in FIG. 1 and inputs input information such as an instruction for print data to be printed and an instruction for decision making to print.

  The communication I / F 15 fulfills the function of the communication interface unit 120 of FIG. 1 and is an interface that transmits and receives data to and from the printer 20 via the communication line 30.

  The CPU 11 fulfills the function of the control unit 150 in FIG. 1 and controls the entire request source apparatus 10. For example, the CPU 11 reads the printer driver from the storage device 12 to the memory 13 and executes it. As a result, the printer driver transmits the print data to the printer 20. Further, the CPU 11 realizes the function of the data processing unit 110 by reading and executing software (program) for realizing the function of the data processing unit 110 from the storage device 12 to the memory 13.

  The image forming apparatus 20 includes a communication interface 26, a controller 210, and an image output apparatus 300.

  The communication I / F 26 fulfills the function of the communication interface unit 220 of FIG. 1 and is an interface that transmits and receives data to and from the request source apparatus 10 via the communication line 30.

  The controller 210 includes a CPU 21, a storage device 22 such as a hard disk, a RAM 23, a ROM 24, and a timer unit 25.

  The storage device 22 is a program for realizing the functions of the image development time prediction unit 211, the warm-up time calculation unit 212, the timing calculation unit 213, and the power mode switching unit 214a of the power control unit 214 shown in FIG. Various programs necessary for performing the printing process, such as a power control processing program (50) and a program (image processing program) for realizing the functions of the image processing unit 215, are stored. The storage device 22 is realized by a hard disk, for example.

  A ROM (Read Only Memory) 24 stores preset data such as the contents (table) shown in FIG. 4 and the contents (table) shown in FIG.

  The RAM 23 stores a power control processing program 50 and an image processing program read from the storage device 22, data read from the ROM 23, data (notification job and PDL data) received via the communication I / F 26, and the like. To do. The RAM 23 functions as the storage unit 216 in FIG.

  The timer unit 25 functions as the timer 214b in FIG.

  The CPU 21 controls the entire image forming apparatus 20. For example, the CPU 21 controls the power supply to the image output apparatus 300 by reading the power control processing program 50 from the storage device 22 into the memory 23 and executing it.

  The image output device 300 and the communication line 30 have the functions or configurations described in the first embodiment.

  Incidentally, the image forming systems of the second embodiment, the fourth embodiment, and the fifth embodiment described above can also be realized with a hardware configuration equivalent to the hardware configuration described above.

  In the specification of the present application, each function of the controller of the image forming apparatus is realized, and a predetermined program including the power control processing program is recorded in a storage device such as a hard disk as a recording medium. It is also possible to provide a program as follows.

  That is, the predetermined program may be stored in the ROM, and the CPU may load the program from the ROM to the main storage device and execute it.

  The predetermined program may be stored and distributed in a computer-readable recording medium such as a DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, MO (magneto-optical disk), flexible disk, or the like. In this case, after the image forming apparatus installs the program recorded on the recording medium, the CPU executes the program. As an installation destination of this program, there is a storage device such as a RAM or a hard disk. The image forming apparatus loads the program stored in the storage device into the main storage device and executes it as necessary.

  Furthermore, the image forming apparatus is connected to a computer such as a server apparatus or a host computer via a communication line (for example, the Internet), and after the image forming apparatus downloads the predetermined program from the server apparatus or the computer, This program may be executed. In this case, the download destination of the program is a storage device such as a RAM or a hard disk. Then, the image forming apparatus loads the program stored in the storage device into the main storage device and executes it as necessary.

  The present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a printing apparatus that prints at least one of a monochrome image and a color image, and an image forming system including the image forming apparatus and a request source device such as a computer.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a process in which the image forming apparatus of the image forming system according to Embodiment 1 transitions from a low power state to a specified power state. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming processing unit of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table used by the image development time prediction unit according to Embodiment 1 to obtain coefficients related to calculation of image development time. It is a figure which shows an example of the table for the warmup time calculation part which concerns on Embodiment 1 to obtain | require the coefficient in connection with calculation of warmup time. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing operation of a printing process by the image forming system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a period of time from a time when a data reception unit in the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 receives a print request to a time when an image formation processing unit in a low power state starts a printing process. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming system according to Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a process in which an image forming apparatus of an image forming system according to Embodiment 2 transitions from a low power state to a specified power state. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming system according to Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a process in which an image forming apparatus of an image forming system according to Embodiment 3 transitions from a low power state to a specified power state. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing operation of a printing process by the image forming system according to Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a period of time from a time when a data receiving unit in the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment receives a print request to a time when an image forming processing unit in a low power state starts a printing process. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image reading apparatus as a request source apparatus included in an image forming system according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming system according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing a process in which an image forming apparatus of an image forming system according to Embodiment 5 transitions from a low power state to a specified power state. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming system according to Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a figure explaining the printing process (a warm-up is included) by the conventional image forming system. It is a figure explaining the printing process (a warm-up is included) by the conventional image forming system. It is a figure explaining the printing process (a warm-up is included) by the conventional image forming system. It is a figure explaining the printing process (a warm-up is included) by the conventional image forming system.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2, 3, 5 Image forming system 10 Request source device 11, 21 CPU (Central processing unit)
12, 22 Storage device 13, 23 RAM (Any time read / write memory)
14 Input device 15, 26 Communication interface 24 ROM (Read only memory)
25 timer unit 50 power control processing program 110 data processing unit 111 data processing time prediction unit (data processing time prediction means)
112 Data amount calculation unit (data amount calculation means)
120, 220 Communication interface 121 Data transmission unit (data transmission means)
130 Input section (input means)
140, 216 Storage unit 150 Control unit 200 Image processing device 210 Controller 211 Image development time prediction unit (image development time prediction means)
212 Warm-up time calculation unit (warm-up time calculation means)
213 Timing information calculation unit (time calculation means, timing information calculation means)
214 Power control unit (power control means)
214a Power mode switching unit 214b Timer 215 Image processing unit (image processing means)
221 Data receiving unit (receiving means, data receiving means)
300 Image output device 310 Image formation processing unit (image formation processing means)
316 Fixing Device 320 Detection Unit (Detection Unit)
330, 540 Power supply unit 410 Monitoring unit (monitoring means)
420 Display section (display means)
430 Timing information transmission unit (timing information transmission means)
440 Timing information receiving unit (timing information receiving means)
510 Collation information transmission unit (collation information transmission means)
520 Collation information receiving unit (collation information receiving means)
530 Power limit control unit (power limit control means)
600 Image Reading Device 610 Instruction Unit (Instruction Unit)
620 Image reading unit (image reading means)
630 Image data generation unit (image data generation means)

Claims (10)

Receiving means for receiving a print request or data transmitted from a request source device that creates print data to be printed;
Image forming processing means for transitioning to a specified power state indicating a state in which specified power required for image forming processing is supplied and a low power state indicating a state in which lower power than the specified power is supplied;
When the image forming processing unit is in a low power state, the print request is accepted when the receiving unit receives a print request transmitted by the request source apparatus before transmission of print data to be printed. When the time required for a predetermined process before the start of the image forming process for the print data of the print processing unit related to the print data to be printed is elapsed, the image forming processing unit is Power control means for performing control to transition from the low power state to the specified power state;
An image forming apparatus comprising: When the receiving unit completes reception of print data of a print processing unit related to the print data to be printed created by the request source device from the time when the request source device starts creating the print data to be printed Based on the data processing time indicating the time until the print processing, the image development time required for the development processing of the print data of the predetermined processing unit related to the print data of the print processing unit, and the warm-up time related to the image forming processing means Time calculating means for calculating the time required for the predetermined processing;
Further comprising
The power control means includes
When the time required for the predetermined processing calculated by the time calculation unit elapses from when the print request is received by the reception unit, the image forming processing unit in the low power state transitions to the specified power state. Do control,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. An image forming apparatus that transitions between a specified power state indicating a state in which specified power required for image forming processing is supplied and a low power state in which a power lower than the specified power is supplied;
A request source apparatus that creates print data to be printed and transmits a print request to the image forming apparatus before transmitting the print data;
Is connected via a communication line,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Predetermined processing before image forming processing is started for print data of a print processing unit related to the print data to be printed on the basis of the time when the print request is received in the low power state When the time required for elapses, transition from the low power state to the specified power state,
An image forming system characterized by that. The time required for the predetermined processing is
From the time when the request source apparatus starts creating print data to be printed to the time when the image forming apparatus completes reception of print data of the print processing unit related to the print data to be printed created by the request source apparatus Is determined based on the data processing time indicating the time required for image processing, the image development time required for developing the print data of the predetermined processing unit related to the print data of the print processing unit, and the warm-up time related to the image forming apparatus Is,
The image forming system according to claim 3. The request source device is:
Data processing for predicting the data processing time indicating the time from the start of the creation of the print data to be printed to the time when the transmission of the print data of the print processing unit related to the created print data to the image forming apparatus is completed Time prediction means,
A data amount calculating means for calculating a data amount of print data per predetermined processing unit related to the print data to be printed;
The data processing time information predicted by the data processing time prediction unit and the data amount information calculated by the data amount calculation unit are sent to the image forming apparatus before the print data to be printed is transmitted as a print request. Data transmission means for transmitting
With
The image forming apparatus includes:
Data receiving means for receiving transmission data as a print request transmitted by the data transmitting means;
Image forming processing means for transitioning to a specified power state indicating a state in which specified power required for image forming processing is supplied and a low power state indicating a state in which lower power than the specified power is supplied;
Image development time prediction means for predicting an image development time required for the development processing of the print data per predetermined processing unit based on data amount information in the received data received by the data reception means;
A warm-up time calculating means for calculating a warm-up time related to the image forming processing means;
Data processing time information in the received data received by the data receiving means, image development time information predicted by the image development time prediction means, and warm-up time information calculated by the warm-up time calculation means Based on timing information calculating means for calculating timing information related to warm-up timing,
Power for controlling the image forming processing unit in the low power state to transition to the specified power state based on the time point when the print request is received by the data receiving unit and the timing information calculated by the timing information calculating unit Control means;
Comprising
The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein the image forming system is an image forming system. The image forming apparatus includes:
Detecting means for detecting environmental information relating to an environment of at least one of temperature and humidity of at least one of the periphery and the inside of the image forming processing means;
Further comprising
The warm-up time calculating means includes
Calculating the warm-up time based on environmental information detected by the detection means;
The image forming system according to claim 5. The request source device is:
Monitoring means for monitoring warm-up time information calculated by the warm-up time calculating means;
Display means for displaying warm-up time information as a result of monitoring by the monitoring means;
An input means for a user who has confirmed the warm-up time information displayed on the display means to input arbitrary timing information related to the warm-up timing;
Timing information transmitting means for transmitting arbitrary timing information input by the input means to the image forming apparatus;
Further comprising
The image forming apparatus includes:
Timing information receiving means for receiving arbitrary timing information transmitted from the timing information transmitting means;
Further comprising
The power control means includes
In accordance with arbitrary timing information received by the timing information receiving means, control is performed to cause the image forming processing means in the low power state to transition to the specified power state.
7. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the image forming system is an image forming system. The request source device is:
Collation information transmission means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus that the collation is to be performed as part of the printing process related to the print data to be printed before the print data is transmitted,
Further comprising
The image forming apparatus includes:
Collation information receiving means for receiving the collation information transmitted from the collation information transmission means;
Image processing means for performing predetermined image processing on the acquired print data to be printed;
Based on the collation information received by the collation information receiving means, when it is recognized that the print processing for the print data to be printed includes collation, all the print data to be printed are received. Until then, power limit control means for controlling to limit the supply of power to the image processing means,
Further comprising
The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the image forming system is an image forming system. The request source device is:
Instruction means for instructing that reading of a document should be started, image reading means for optically reading a document to be read, and image data generating means for generating image data corresponding to the result of reading processing by the image reading means And an image reading device comprising:
In the image reading apparatus,
The data processing time prediction means includes
When the instruction means instructs the start on the condition that the predetermined processing for the image data is to be copied, the reading is performed from the time when the instruction to start is instructed. Predicting a data processing time indicating a time until transmission of image data in units of print processing to the image forming apparatus among image data corresponding to all target documents is completed;
The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the image forming system is an image forming system. Time from the time when the request source apparatus starts to generate print data to be printed to the time when the image forming apparatus completes reception of print data of the print processing unit related to the print data to be printed created by the request source apparatus The warm-up timing based on the data processing time indicating the image processing time, the image development time required for the development processing of the print data of the predetermined processing unit related to the print data of the print processing unit, and the warm-up time related to the image forming apparatus A timing information calculation process for calculating timing information;
Based on the timing when the image forming apparatus accepts a print request issued before transmission of print data to be printed by the request source apparatus and the timing information calculated by the timing information calculation process, A power control process for controlling the image forming apparatus to transition to a specified power state;
A power control processing program for causing a computer to execute.

Images