JP2009116225A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control each part of an image forming apparatus such that an effect by power saving is displayed, and also a target power consumption is set and attained. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes a target power consumption setting part for setting a target power consumption, a power consumption monitoring part for measuring power consumption, and a power consumption control part for controlling the power consumption, and the power consumption control part controls supply of power to a CPU, a fixing part or an operation panel backlight so as to attain the power consumption within an intended maximum power consumption set for power saving. The image forming apparatus can be also set to stop functions when it is difficult to attain power consumption within a target value or the power consumption exceeds the target value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for not only measuring and displaying a power saving effect in an image forming apparatus, but also obtaining a more compelling energy saving effect from the result.

  The image forming apparatus has a sleep mode for power saving. When the frequency of use of the image forming apparatus is considered to be low, the power supply to the fixing unit and the light source unit of the display panel is restricted, or the CPU is There is a technique for reducing power consumption of the entire image forming apparatus by shifting to a power saving mode.

  Further, there is an image forming apparatus in which it is clarified how much power can be reduced in the power saving mode, and the user can be aware of the effect of power saving in the power saving mode (see Patent Document 1).

  However, although the image forming apparatus can display the effect, but has no mechanism for feeding back the effect, it has not been possible to perform further power saving such as suppressing power consumption within the target value.

JP 2005-132045 A

  The problem to be solved is that the power consumption cannot be suppressed within the target value set in the image forming apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a power consumption monitoring unit that measures power consumption, a target power consumption setting unit that sets a target value of power consumption, and power consumption that compares the measured power consumption and the target value. The main feature is to include a comparison unit and a power consumption control unit that controls each functional unit based on the comparison result of the power consumption comparison unit so that the power consumption does not exceed the target value.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a power consumption monitoring unit that measures power consumption, a target power consumption setting unit that sets a target value of power consumption, and power consumption that compares the measured power consumption and the target value. To have a power consumption control unit that controls each functional unit so that the power consumption does not exceed the target value based on the comparison result in the power consumption comparison unit. Thus, it is possible to suppress the consumed power within the target value, and once the target value is set, power saving can be realized without the user's intention. In addition, since the administrator can grasp the total power consumption of the system, it can be an effective means for reducing CO2 emission, and the image forming apparatus can cope with environmental problems.

  In the image forming apparatus, a target value is set to reduce power consumption, and the target power consumption is set to the problem that power consumption cannot be suppressed within the target value. The problem has been solved by providing a power consumption control unit for controlling the power consumption of each functional unit so as to be suppressed.

[Constitution]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus 101 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 101 includes a power consumption monitor unit 111, a power consumption comparison unit 112, a power consumption control unit 113, an operation display unit 115, a target power consumption setting unit 117, a CPU 121, a fixing unit 123, an operation panel backlight 125, and a printing unit. 127 functional blocks.

  The power consumption monitor unit 111 measures the power consumed by each unit of the image forming apparatus 101. Based on the power consumption measured by the power consumption monitor unit 111 and the target value set by the target power consumption setting unit 117, the power consumption control unit 113 controls the power supplied to each functional unit.

  The power consumption comparison unit 112 compares the power consumption measured by the power consumption monitor unit 111 with the target value of power consumption set by the target power consumption setting unit 117, and the power consumption of the image forming apparatus is the target value. Compare whether or not. Based on the comparison result, the power consumption control unit 113 controls each functional unit.

  The power consumption control unit 113 controls the power supplied to each unit of the image forming apparatus 101. In particular, the power supply to the CPU 121, the fixing unit 123, and the operation panel backlight 125 is restricted to shift to the sleep mode, and the target power consumption set by the target power consumption setting unit 117 is less than the target maximum power consumption. The power consumption of the image forming apparatus 101 is made to fall. If the power consumption is predicted to exceed the target value, the printing function is temporarily stopped to keep the power consumption within the target value, or when the target value is exceeded, It is possible to make it impossible to use the image forming apparatus 101 until the printing function is completely stopped and the unit time of target value measurement such as day, week, or month changes.

  The operation display unit 115 displays the power consumption value measured by the target power consumption monitor unit 111.

  The target power consumption setting unit 117 sets a target maximum power consumption per target unit time (for example, one day, one week, one month, etc.).

  The power consumption mode of the CPU (Central Processing Unit) 121 is controlled by the power consumption control unit 113. For example, when there is no need for information processing in the image forming apparatus 101, the clock is stopped to shift to a sleep mode that restricts power supply, or when there is no need for high-speed information processing, the clock is slowed down. In other words, the power consumption mode can be reduced as compared with the operation with the normal number of clocks. The power consumption control unit 113 changes the operation mode of the CPU.

  Since the fixing unit 123 performs heat fixing, the power consumption is large. In an image forming apparatus, if the fixing unit is at room temperature, it takes a few minutes to raise the temperature to a temperature at which fixing is possible. It is heated to a temperature at which the temperature can be raised in a short time until the fixing temperature. When the frequency of use decreases and, for example, the image forming apparatus is not used for a predetermined time, the power consumption control unit 113 stops power supply in the preheated state to save power.

  The operation panel backlight 125 is a light source unit that illuminates the operation display unit 115 from the back side, and when the user needs information on the operation display unit 115, the power is supplied from the power consumption control unit 113 to illuminate the operation display unit 115. However, when it is considered that the user is not operating the image forming apparatus, the power consumption control unit 113 stops the power supply to realize power saving.

  The printing unit 127 performs printing when executing copying and printing functions of the image forming apparatus. When it is difficult or impossible to achieve the target value set by the target power consumption setting unit 117, the power consumption control unit 113 stops the function of the printing unit 127 that executes the copying and printing functions. It can also be set to reduce power consumption.

  The function units of the CPU 121, the fixing unit 123, and the operation panel backlight 125 are configured by the power consumption control unit 113 so as to be within the target power consumption set and stored in the target power consumption setting unit 117. Part mode and power limit.

  Also, in order to keep the power consumption within the target power consumption, the image forming apparatus becomes unusable (due to the stop of the printing function) from the time when the power consumption exceeds a predetermined value, thereby achieving the target power consumption. It is also possible.

[flowchart]
FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus 101.

  S 11: A target power consumption value per unit time is input by an administrator or user and recorded in the target power consumption setting unit 117.

  S13: The power consumption monitor unit 111 stores the total value of power consumption of the image forming apparatus 101 and the usage history per unit time.

  S15: The power consumption per unit time is calculated in advance for each module in the device configuration (CPU 121, fixing unit 123, operation panel backlight 125, etc.) based on the expected usage frequency of the image forming apparatus, and the above setting is made. The power consumption control unit 113 adjusts the setting of each functional unit to the power saving mode so as to approach the setting that can reach the target value.

  S <b> 17: In S <b> 11, the power consumption comparison unit 112 determines whether or not the power consumption can be kept within the target value set by the target power consumption setting unit 117. If the target value can be achieved, the operation is shifted to S13 and the operation is continued. When the target value cannot be achieved, the operation proceeds to S19. The target achievement determination may be performed continuously or as needed, or may be performed periodically (for example, one day, one week, one month, etc.).

  S19: Since the target value cannot be achieved, the operation of the image forming apparatus is stopped.

  Through the series of operations described above, the image forming apparatus 101 performs an operation for achieving the power saving target value.

  In addition to the items described in the above flowchart, the following precautions are followed.

  (A) If the set target value is set below the minimum power required for normal operation of the image forming device, the image forming device issues an alert that it cannot be set, and the target value is the minimum required Re-establish more than power.

  (B) Depending on the setting of the target value, there may be a case where a function restriction occurs (performance, start-up time, etc.), so that the user is notified at the time of setting.

  (C) Conversely, an option based on the set target value may be presented to the user on the operation display unit from the image forming apparatus side.

[Effect of Example]
With the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the user's higher deterrence works for energy saving, and once a target is set, power saving can be realized without the user's intention. In addition, since the administrator can grasp the total power consumption of the system, it can be an effective means for reducing CO2 emissions.

[Others]
In the embodiment of the present invention, a configuration example of the image forming apparatus for setting and achieving the target power consumption is shown. The present invention is not limited to this configuration example, and can of course be applied to an apparatus including a functional unit included in a high-function image forming apparatus called a multifunction peripheral such as an image reading unit or a FAX transmission / reception unit. In this case, each of the functional units is monitored such that the power consumption is monitored by the power consumption monitoring unit, and the power consumption control unit is controlled so that the power consumption falls within the target power consumption. This is the same as the control of each function unit such as the operation backlight.

  Further, an image processing unit and a paper supply unit provided in a normal image forming apparatus are omitted as being included in the printing unit.

1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention (Embodiment 1). FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention (Embodiment 1).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Image forming apparatus 111 Power consumption monitor part 112 Power consumption comparison part 113 Power consumption control part 115 Operation display part 117 Target power consumption setting part 121 CPU
123 Fixing section 125 Operation panel backlight 127 Printing section

Claims (3)

A power consumption monitor for measuring power consumption;
A target power consumption setting unit for setting a target value of power consumption;
A power consumption comparison unit that compares the measured power consumption with the target value;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a power consumption control unit that controls each functional unit based on a comparison result in the power consumption comparison unit so that power consumption does not exceed the target value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
Each functional unit that the power consumption control unit controls so that the power consumption does not exceed the target value is at least one of a CPU, a fixing unit, and an operation panel backlight.
An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The power consumption control unit is at least one of a case where the power consumption exceeds the target value or a case where the power consumption is predicted to exceed the target value as a result of the comparison by the power consumption comparison unit. An image forming apparatus characterized by stopping the copying and printing functional operations of the image forming apparatus.

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