JP2008271118A - Image processor and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor capable of performing efficient transfer from a standby state to a sleep state (a power saving state) concerning the image processor having a plurality of modes, and to provide a method for controlling the image processor. <P>SOLUTION: The image processor adopts the plurality of different operation modes, has different sleep modes for each operation mode, and includes: an operation mode judging means for judging the operation mode to be referred when transferring to the sleep mode; and a sleep mode transfer means for performing transfer to the sleep mode corresponding to the operation mode which is judged by the operation mode judging means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having a mode such as “scan mode”, “copy mode”, “facsimile transmission mode”, “external storage medium print mode”, and more particularly from a standby state to a sleep state (power saving state). The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing apparatus control method that can perform efficient transition.

  There is a device called a digital multifunction peripheral (hereinafter simply referred to as a multifunction peripheral) having a scanner and a printer. This multifunction machine has a scanner function for reading a document image by a scanner, a printing function for printing by a printer, a copy function for printing a document image read by a scanner, and the like. In recent years, a multi-function device having a facsimile transmission / reception function has appeared.

By the way, in an image forming apparatus such as a copier or a printer, a mode in which a power saving standby state such as a power saving mode or a sleep mode is set is known. Attempts have been made to provide such a mode in a multi-function peripheral. Regarding a power saving mode (sleep mode) in a multi-function peripheral having a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, and a facsimile function, for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-133) JP-A-167484) discloses that a multi-function apparatus having a copying function, a printer function, a facsimile function, and a scanner function is automatically operated when a first predetermined time elapses from the end of the operations included in the first operation group. If there is a first automatic power saving means for shifting to the first power saving state, a first timer for measuring the first predetermined time, and an operation of the first operation group, the first timer is set. A first timer clearing means for clearing, and a second power saving state automatically when a second predetermined time has elapsed from the end of the operations included in the second operation group. Auto power saving means, a second timer for timing the second predetermined time, and second timer clear means for clearing the second timer when there is an operation of the second operation group. A featured composite device is disclosed.
JP 2003-167484 A

  The multifunction device is equipped with various modes such as “scan mode”, “copy mode”, “facsimile transmission mode”, “external storage medium print mode”. In each mode, the multifunction device such as a printer unit or a scanner unit is provided. The operating status of each device that is configured is different. Therefore, when the multifunction device transitions to the power saving mode such as the sleep state, considering the operation status of each device, considering what mode the multifunction device considers important. This is the optimal power-saving control for multifunction devices. Further, if sleep transition control in consideration of the mode can be performed, it is conceivable that the convenience of the user can be improved, such as being able to quickly return to the mode used by the user. However, the conventional composite apparatus described in Patent Document 1 does not take this into consideration at all, and there is a problem that efficient power saving control cannot always be performed.

  In order to cope with the above-described problems, the image processing apparatus of the present invention can take a plurality of different operation modes, each operation mode has a different sleep mode, and is referred to when shifting to the sleep mode. And an operation mode determination unit that determines an operation mode to be performed, and a sleep mode transition unit that shifts to a sleep mode corresponding to the operation mode determined by the operation mode determination unit.

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the different operation modes are any combination of two or more of a scan mode, a copy mode, a facsimile transmission mode, and an external storage medium print mode.

  The image processing apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the sleep mode is set by combining a plurality of sleep levels of each device constituting the image processing apparatus for each operation mode.

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, each of the devices is a scanner unit, a printer unit, and an operation panel unit.

  The image processing apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the plurality of sleep levels include a shallow sleep level that consumes less power than a normal standby state for each device and a deep sleep level that consumes less power than the shallow sleep level. To do.

  Further, the image processing apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the sleep mode transition means starts operation when a state where there is no operation / input to the image processing apparatus continues for a predetermined time.

  The image processing apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the sleep mode transition means starts operation when a power saving button is pressed.

  The image processing apparatus of the present invention further includes an operation mode detection unit that detects which operation mode is currently enabled by the image processing apparatus, and the operation mode determination unit refers to the detection result of the operation mode detection unit. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an operation mode is determined.

  The image processing apparatus of the present invention further includes a default operation mode setting unit that sets one of the plurality of operation modes as a default mode, and the operation mode determination unit sets the default operation mode setting unit. It is characterized by determining which operation mode is referred to.

  Further, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the operation mode determination means determines the operation mode last selected by the user as an operation mode to be referred to for shifting to the sleep mode.

  The image processing apparatus control method according to the present invention is a method for controlling an image processing apparatus that can take a plurality of different operation modes, wherein the operation mode is determined by determining which operation mode is present. The mode of transition to the sleep mode is changed according to the above.

  According to the image processing apparatus and the control method of the image processing apparatus of the present invention, what mode is important for the image processing apparatus when the image processing apparatus shifts to the sleep mode (power saving mode). By considering the operating status of each device in consideration of the above, it is possible to perform optimal power saving control of the image processing apparatus by shifting. In addition, since the transition control to the sleep mode is performed in consideration of the mode, the convenience for the user can be improved, such as being able to quickly return to the mode used by the user.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a multi-function device will be described as an example of an image processing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to such a multi-function device, and can be applied to a configuration having a printer unit, a scanner unit, and an operation panel unit. .

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an image processing apparatus (multi-function peripheral) according to an embodiment of the present invention and a peripheral system configuration. In FIG. 1, 10 is a network such as a LAN or WAN, 20 is a telephone line, 100 is a multifunction device, 110 is a control unit that performs main control of the multifunction device, 120 is a facsimile unit that transmits and receives facsimile documents, and 130 is a recording medium. A printer unit that prints on a document, 140 a scanner unit that reads a document, 150 an operation panel unit that serves as an interface with a user, 160 a network I / F, 170 a USB I / F, 200, 200 ′, 200 '' Indicates a personal computer, and 300 indicates an external device. In this specification, the facsimile unit 120, the printer unit 130, the scanner unit 140, and the operation panel unit 150 may be referred to as devices.

  In the system around the facsimile apparatus (multifunction machine) shown in FIG. 1, personal computers 200, 200 ′, 200 ″ such as clients and the multifunction machine 100 are connected via a network 10. Further, the facsimile unit 120 of the multifunction peripheral 100 is configured to be connected to the telephone line 20 and the USB I / F 170 is connected to an external device 300 such as a USB memory, a mobile phone, or a digital camera.

  The multifunction device 100 scans and reads a document / image in color by a control unit 110 that performs main control of the multifunction device main body including an information processing device, an operation panel unit 150 that is an input / output device that receives a user's input operation A scanner unit 140, a printer unit 130 that performs printing on printing paper or the like, and a facsimile unit 120 that performs facsimile transmission / reception are provided. That is, the multi-function device 100 includes a scanner function, a print function, a copy function combining the scanner function and the print function, and a facsimile transmission / reception function.

  Each of the information processing mechanisms of the multifunction peripheral 100 is configured by, for example, a general-purpose computer system, and each component or function is realized by, for example, executing a computer program written in a storage unit.

  The scanner unit 140 includes a document table (not shown) on which a document can be placed and an optical system that reads the document table. The document table of the scanner unit 140 is provided with a document size detection sensor that can detect the size of the document placed on the document table. Further, the multifunction peripheral 100 may be provided with an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) that automatically and continuously feeds documents to the scanner unit 140.

  The data read by the scanner unit 140 is once stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the control unit 110. The control unit 110 outputs the document image data read by the scanner unit 140 from the printer unit 130 as it is or at a set magnification according to the designation from the operation panel unit 150 or the like (copy function of the MFP 100). , Transmitted from the facsimile unit 120 via a telephone line (facsimile function of the multifunction device 100), or transmitted to the personal computers 200, 200 ′, 200 ″ via the network I / F 160 and the network 10 (multifunction device). 100 scanner functions).

  The mode of the MFP 100 when using the copy function is defined as “copy mode”, the mode of the MFP 100 when using the facsimile transmission function among the facsimile functions is defined as “facsimile transmission mode”, and the scanner function The mode of the multi-function device 100 when using is defined as “scan mode”.

  The printer unit 130 forms an image on a recording sheet. The printer unit 130 employs a method of forming a latent image on a photoconductor with a laser or an LED line head, or directly ejects ink onto a recording sheet. A well-known hardware configuration such as an ink jet method employing the method can be used. The control unit 110 causes the printer unit 130 to perform predetermined paper output based on an instruction from the operation panel unit 150, the personal computers 200, 200 ′, and 200 ″, or an external device 300 such as a mobile phone or a digital camera. Is. That is, the printer unit 130 receives image data read by the scanner unit 140, facsimile data received by the facsimile unit 210, data from application software of the personal computers 200, 200 ′, 200 ″, and external devices 300. The image data is output on paper.

  The facsimile unit 120 is connected to the telephone line 20 and is received by a facsimile transmission / reception unit (not shown) that performs facsimile transmission / reception, a transmission buffer that temporarily stores transmission data to be transmitted by the facsimile transmission / reception unit, and a facsimile transmission / reception unit. And a facsimile unit memory for constituting a reception buffer for temporarily storing received data.

  Further, when the facsimile unit 120 receives data transmitted by facsimile from the telephone line 20, it temporarily stores the received data. The stored received data is sent to the control unit 110 and printed by the printer unit 130. The facsimile unit 120 performs facsimile transmission / reception independently of other components in the multifunction peripheral 100. In other words, when the facsimile unit 120 receives transmission data from the multifunction device 100, the facsimile unit 120 performs facsimile transmission independently of the multifunction device 100. If facsimile data is transmitted from the telephone line 20, the facsimile unit 120 receives the facsimile data.

  The copy function of the multifunction peripheral 100 is set in the control unit 110 by the user operating the operation panel unit 150. From the operation panel unit 150, a copy magnification setting, a document image size setting, and an output paper size setting related to the copy function can be set. Based on these settings, the control unit 110 can copy the MFP 100. Perform the function. The copy function of the multifunction peripheral 100 performs copy magnification processing on the original image data read by the scanner unit 140, and outputs the result to paper of a size specified by the printer unit 130.

  In addition to the functions as described above, the multifunction peripheral 100 has a print mode in which printing is performed directly by the printer unit 130 from a file stored in the external device 300. A mode of the multi-function device 100 when using such a function for printing directly from the external device 300 is defined as an “external storage medium print mode”. In this mode, the control unit 110 captures file data stored in the external device 300 such as a USB memory connected to the USB I / F 170, a mobile phone, or a digital camera, and prints it out by the printer unit 130. .

  Note that, as a special mode of the external storage medium print mode, a mode in which the printer unit 130 performs printout while controlling the multifunction device 100 by a USB device capable of directly controlling the multifunction device 100 is “directly”. The image processing apparatus of the present invention also includes a “control printable USB device mode” (Pictbridge-compatible device print mode: “Pictbridge” is a registered trademark). In such a mode, based on the control from the external device 300, the external device 300 and the control unit 110 cooperate to determine print parameters and perform printing in the printer unit 130.

  The hardware of the operation panel unit 150 is roughly composed of a display unit composed of an LCD for performing display related to an operation, and a touch panel unit capable of inputting by pressing with a finger or the like. The display unit and the touch panel unit are configured to overlap each other, and the user can perform various settings of the MFP 100 by operating the touch panel unit with a finger while referring to the display on the display unit. ing. A well-known technique can be used about the specific structure of the input mechanism by a touchscreen part, and the display mechanism by a display part. The operation panel unit 150 can select various functions such as a facsimile function, a printer function, and a copy function of the multi-function device 100, display an image preview, and shift to a power saving mode.

  Next, the sleep level in the image processing apparatus of the present invention will be described. The sleep level according to the present invention is obtained by reducing power consumption from a normal standby state, and can be considered as a power saving level, a power saving level, or the like.

  In the image processing apparatus (multifunction peripheral 100) of the present invention, the sleep level is set for each stage, the first stage sleep level in which the power consumption is reduced from the normal standby state, and one stage higher than the first stage sleep level. A second level sleep level with reduced power consumption. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a two-stage sleep mode of the image processing apparatus (multifunction peripheral) according to the embodiment of the present invention. As a technique for providing the image processing apparatus with such a plurality of stages of sleep levels, for example, a technique described in JP-A-2005-124132 can be used. The technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-124132 relates to an ink jet system that employs a system in which ink is directly ejected onto recording paper, but an electronic system that employs a system that forms a latent image on a photoconductor. The same concept can be applied to the photographic system. In particular, in an electrophotographic image processing apparatus, it is known that power is consumed in a toner fixing unit. According to an electrophotographic image processing apparatus, two levels of sleep levels as in the present invention are consumed. It is possible to reduce the time until the printing time even when returning from sleep or the like while greatly reducing power.

  In the image processing apparatus (multifunction peripheral 100) according to the present invention, the first level sleep level in which the power consumption is reduced from the normal standby state is defined as the “shallow” level sleep level, which is more than the first level sleep level. The second-stage sleep mode in which the one-stage power consumption is reduced is defined as a “deep” level sleep level.

The printer unit 130, the scanner unit 140, and the operation panel unit 150 each have a shallow sleep level and a deep sleep level in the image processing apparatus (multifunction peripheral 100) of the present invention. Each of the sleep modes shallow and deep can be defined, for example, as follows, but it goes without saying that such a definition can have various modes.
The shallow sleep level of the printer unit 130: keeping the temperature of the fixing unit constant, energizing the motor control unit, and the like.
Deep sleep level of the printer unit 130: power-off of the fixing unit, power-off of the motor control unit, etc.
Shallow sleep level of the scanner unit 140: energization of a part of the document irradiation lamp control unit, the image sensor control unit, the carriage motor control unit, and the like.
Deep sleep level of the scanner unit 140: power supply to the document irradiation lamp control unit, the image sensor control unit, the carriage motor control unit, etc.
Shallow sleep level of the operation panel 150: backlight dimming, etc.
Deep sleep level of operation panel unit 150: backlight off, etc.

  FIG. 2A shows how the printer unit 130, the scanner unit 140, and the operation panel unit 150 are in each of the "scan mode", "copy mode", "facsimile transmission mode", and "external storage medium print mode" modes. This is a description of whether to enter a two-stage sleep mode. FIG. 2B explains the distinction between “1” and “2” in FIG.

  As an example, “scan mode” will be described. In the scan mode, the printer unit 130 becomes a deep sleep level after “time 1” has elapsed (that is, after one minute has elapsed without issuing any command (operation / input) to the multifunction device 100). . In the scan mode, the scanner unit 140 is set to a shallow sleep level after “time 2” has elapsed (that is, after 5 minutes have elapsed). In the scan mode, the operation panel unit 150 is set to a shallow sleep level after “time 1” has elapsed (that is, after 1 minute has elapsed), and has a deep level after “time 2” has elapsed (that is, after 5 minutes have elapsed). Sleep level.

    As described above, in the present invention, each device such as the printer unit 130 and the scanner unit 140 corresponds to each operation mode of “scan mode”, “copy mode”, “facsimile transmission mode”, and “external storage medium print mode”. Separately, it is set to take two levels of sleep levels, and has a sleep mode corresponding to each operation mode. For this reason, it is possible to perform power saving control in accordance with the operation status of each device for each operation mode. In addition, by performing the transition control to the sleep mode in consideration of the operation mode, it is possible to improve user convenience such as being able to quickly return to the mode used by the user.

  Next, the default mode of the multifunction machine 100 will be described. As described above, the MFP 100 has various modes such as “scan mode”, “copy mode”, “facsimile transmission mode”, and “external storage medium print mode”, but each user mainly uses them. The mode to perform is relatively fixed. That is, there are many cases in which a certain user uses the multifunction peripheral 100 mainly at the copier and another user mainly uses the multifunction peripheral as a facsimile machine. Therefore, if the concept of returning (or shifting) to the “default mode” is adopted, the convenience of the multifunction device 100 is enhanced. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the concept of the default mode in the image processing apparatus (multifunction machine) according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The “default mode” is a mode that shifts when the MFP 100 is turned on or when no operation is performed for a predetermined time after using a certain mode. The user can select “scan mode”, “copy mode”, “facsimile transmission mode”. In this mode, one of the “external storage medium print modes” can be set and registered. FIG. 3 shows an image in which the MFP 100 shifts from the mode selected by the user to the default mode after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  It should be noted that the present invention can be applied to both image processing apparatuses provided with image processing apparatuses that do not include such a “default mode” (or image processing apparatuses that do not actively use the default mode).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a sequence of the image processing apparatus that enters the sleep mode after shifting to the default mode, and FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a sequence of the image processing apparatus that enters the sleep mode from each mode.

  Looking at the order of time passage with respect to FIG. 4, when there is no operation for a predetermined time from any mode selected by the user, the mode is shifted to the default mode. This default mode is any one of “scan mode”, “copy mode”, “facsimile transmission mode”, and “external storage medium print mode” set by the user.

  Next, when time 1 elapses, each of the printer unit 130, the scanner unit 140, and the operation panel unit 150 shifts to the first-stage sleep mode corresponding to the mode. When the time 2 further elapses, each of the printer unit 130, the scanner unit 140, and the operation panel unit 150 shifts to the second-stage sleep mode corresponding to the mode. The sleep state is canceled by the operation of the operation panel unit 150 by the user or the input from the personal computers 200, 200 ', 200' '.

  Next, let us look at FIG. 5 in order of time passage. When there is no operation for a predetermined time from any one of the “scan mode”, “copy mode”, “facsimile transmission mode”, and “external storage medium print mode” selected by the user, the multi-function device 100 operates in the sleep mode. Will be moved to.

  That is, when time 1 elapses, each of the printer unit 130, the scanner unit 140, and the operation panel unit 150 shifts to the first-stage sleep mode corresponding to the mode. When the time 2 further elapses, each of the printer unit 130, the scanner unit 140, and the operation panel unit 150 shifts to the second-stage sleep mode corresponding to the mode. The sleep state is canceled by the operation of the operation panel unit 150 by the user or the input from the personal computers 200, 200 ', 200' '.

  4 and 5, it is assumed that the sleep manner according to the mode of each of the printer unit 130, the scanner unit 140, and the operation panel unit 150 is determined according to the mode immediately before time 1.

  Next, a sleep processing routine in the image processing apparatus (multifunction peripheral 100) according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a sleep processing routine in the image processing apparatus (multifunction machine) according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 6, when the sleep processing routine is started in step S100, the process proceeds to step S101, where a time counter is reset by a time measuring unit (not shown) in the control unit 110.

  Next, in step S102, it is determined whether or not the power saving button has been pressed. The power saving button is provided on the operation panel unit 150 and is a button that can shift the multifunction peripheral 100 to the sleep mode when pressed by the user.

  When the result of determination in step S102 is YES, the process proceeds to step S109, and when the result of determination in step S102 is NO, the process proceeds to step S103. The transition to step S109 means that the user intends to put the device into the sleep state. That is, in step S109, the printer unit 130 is set to a deep level sleep mode, the scanner unit 140 is set to a deep level sleep mode, and the operation panel unit 150 is set to a deep level sleep mode.

  In step S103, which proceeds when the result of determination in step S102 is NO, the time counter is referred to and it is determined whether time 1 has elapsed since the standby state.

  When the determination result in step S103 is YES, the process proceeds to step S104, and when the determination result in step S103 is NO, step S103 is looped. In step S104, the process jumps to the “time 1 elapsed processing subroutine”.

  After step S104, the process proceeds to step S105. In step S105, it is determined whether or not the power saving button has been pressed.

  If the determination result in step S0105 is YES, the process proceeds to step S109, and if the determination result in step S0105 is YES, the process proceeds to step S106. In step S109, each device is set to a deep sleep mode.

  In step S106, the time counter is referred to and it is determined whether time 2 has elapsed since the standby state. If the determination result in step S106 is YES, the process proceeds to step S107, and if the determination result in step S104 is NO, the process proceeds to step S105.

  In step S107, the process jumps to the “time 2 elapsed processing subroutine”. In the subsequent step S108, a sleep state cancellation waiting routine is executed. Such a routine is a processing routine for canceling the sleep mode at a timing such as operation of the operation panel unit 150 or reception of print data, and a conventionally known routine can be used. In step S110, the sleep processing routine ends.

  Next, each subroutine will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a time 1 elapsed processing subroutine in the image processing apparatus (multifunction machine) according to the embodiment of the present invention. When the time 1 passage processing subroutine is started in step S200, the process proceeds to step S201. In step S <b> 201, it is determined whether or not the mode immediately before the time 1 has elapsed in the MFP 100 is the scan mode.

  When the result of determination in step S201 is YES, the process proceeds to step S206, and when the result of determination in step S201 is NO, the process proceeds to step S202. In step S206, the printer unit 130 is set to a deep level sleep mode, and the operation panel unit 150 is set to a shallow level sleep mode.

  In step S202, it is determined whether or not the mode immediately before the time 1 has elapsed in the multifunction peripheral 100 is the copy mode.

  When the result of determination in step S202 is YES, the process proceeds to step S207, and when the result of determination in step S202 is NO, the process proceeds to step S203. In step S207, the printer unit 130 is set to a shallow level sleep mode, the scanner unit 140 is set to a shallow level sleep mode, and the operation panel unit 150 is set to a shallow level sleep mode.

  In step S <b> 203, it is determined whether or not the mode immediately before the lapse of time 1 of the MFP 100 is the facsimile transmission mode.

  When the result of determination in step S203 is YES, the process proceeds to step S208, and when the result of determination in step S203 is NO, the process proceeds to step S204. In step S208, the printer unit 130 is set to a deep level sleep mode, and the operation panel unit 150 is set to a shallow level sleep mode.

  In step S204, since it can be seen that the mode immediately before the time 1 of the MFP 100 is the external storage medium print mode, the process proceeds to step S205, where the step S205 printer unit 130 is set to a shallow sleep mode, The scanner unit 140 is set to a deep level sleep mode, and the operation panel unit 150 is set to a shallow level sleep mode.

  In step S209, the process returns.

  Next, the “time 2 passage processing subroutine” will be described. FIG. 8 is a view showing a flowchart of a time 2 lapse processing subroutine in the image processing apparatus (multifunction peripheral) according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  When the time 2 passage process subroutine is started in step S300, the process proceeds to step S301. In step S301, it is determined whether or not the mode immediately before the time 1 has elapsed in the multifunction peripheral 100 was the scan mode.

When the result of determination in step S301 is YES, the process proceeds to step S306, and when the result of determination in step S301 is NO, the process proceeds to step S302. In step S306, the scanner unit 140 is set to a shallow level sleep mode, and the operation panel unit 150 is set to a deep level sleep mode.

  In step S <b> 302, it is determined whether or not the mode immediately before the elapse of time 1 of the multifunction peripheral 100 is the copy mode.

  When the result of determination in step S302 is YES, the process proceeds to step S307, and when the result of determination in step S302 is NO, the process proceeds to step S303. In step S307, the printer unit 130 is set to a deep level sleep mode, the scanner unit 140 is set to a deep level sleep mode, and the operation panel unit 150 is set to a deep level sleep mode.

  In step S303, it is determined whether or not the mode immediately before the lapse of time 1 of the MFP 100 is the facsimile transmission mode.

  When the result of determination in step S303 is YES, the process proceeds to step S308, and when the result of determination in step S303 is NO, the process proceeds to step S304.

  In step S304, it can be seen that the mode immediately before the lapse of time 1 of the multifunction peripheral 100 was the external storage medium print mode, so the process proceeds to step S305. In step S305, the printer unit 130 is set to a deep level sleep mode. Then, the operation panel unit 150 is set to a deep level sleep mode. In step S308, the scanner unit 140 is set to a shallow level sleep mode, and the operation panel unit 150 is set to a deep level sleep mode.

  In step S309, the process returns.

  As described above, according to the present invention, after the elapse of time 1 and after the elapse of time 2 according to the operation modes of “scan mode”, “copy mode”, “facsimile transmission mode”, and “external storage medium print mode” In addition, the power saving control is performed finely for each type of device such as the printer unit 130, the scanner unit 140, and the operation panel unit 150, so that the efficiency is improved.

  In the present embodiment, the case where there are shallow and deep two-stage sleep modes for each device such as the printer unit 130, the scanner unit 140, and the operation panel unit 150 has been described as an example. You can also set the sleep mode for the stages. Further, the combination of devices may be any combination of two or more of the printer unit 130, the scanner unit 140, and the operation panel unit 150, and another device may be targeted for power saving control.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when entering the sleep mode, it is determined which mode is in the state immediately before the elapse of time 1 and the sleep mode is determined. The sleep mode to be entered may be determined with reference to the operation mode set in the mode or the operation mode selected immediately before by the user.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the image processing apparatus shifts to the sleep mode (power saving mode), the operation status of each device is considered in consideration of what mode the image processing apparatus is in. Thus, the optimum power saving control of the image processing apparatus can be performed by shifting. In addition, since the transition control to the sleep mode is performed in consideration of the mode, the convenience for the user can be improved, such as being able to quickly return to the mode used by the user.

1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of an image processing apparatus (multifunction peripheral) and its surroundings according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the sleep mode of 2 steps | paragraphs of the image processing apparatus (multifunction machine) which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the concept of the default mode in the image processing apparatus (multifunction machine) which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the sequence of the image processing apparatus which enters sleep mode after transfering to default mode. It is a figure which shows the sequence of the image processing apparatus which enters sleep mode from each mode. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the sleep process routine in the image processing apparatus (multifunction machine) which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the time 1 passage process subroutine in the image processing apparatus (multifunction machine) which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the time 2 passage process subroutine in the image processing apparatus (multifunction machine) which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Network, 20 ... Telephone line, 100 ... Multifunction machine, 110 ... Control part, 120 ... Facsimile part, 130 ... Printer part, 140 ... Scanner part, 150. ..Operation panel unit, 160 ... Network I / F, 170 ... USB I / F, 200, 200 ', 200 "... Personal computer, 300 ... External device

Claims (11)

Different operating modes can be taken,
Each operation mode has a different sleep mode,
An operation mode determination means for determining an operation mode to be referred to when shifting to the sleep mode;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a sleep mode transition unit configured to shift to a sleep mode corresponding to the operation mode determined by the operation mode determination unit. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of different operation modes are any combination of two or more of a scan mode, a copy mode, a facsimile transmission mode, and an external storage medium print mode. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sleep mode is set by combining a plurality of sleep levels of each device constituting the image processing apparatus for each operation mode. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each of the devices includes a scanner unit, a printer unit, and an operation panel unit. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of sleep levels includes a shallow sleep level that consumes less power than a normal standby state for each device and a deep sleep level that consumes less power than the shallow sleep level. . 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sleep mode transition unit starts an operation when a state where there is no operation / input to the image processing apparatus continues for a predetermined time. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sleep mode transition unit starts an operation by pressing a power saving button. The image processing apparatus has operation mode detection means for detecting which operation mode is currently enabled,
8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation mode determination unit determines an operation mode to be referred to based on a detection result of the operation mode detection unit. It has a default operation mode setting means for setting one operation mode as a default mode among a plurality of operation modes,
9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation mode determination unit determines which operation mode is referred to by referring to the setting of the default operation mode setting unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation mode determination unit determines an operation mode last selected by a user as an operation mode to be referred to for shifting to a sleep mode. . A method for controlling an image processing apparatus capable of taking a plurality of different operation modes,
A control method for an image processing apparatus, characterized in that it determines which operation mode it is and changes the mode of transition to the sleep mode according to the determined operation mode.

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