JP2009186559A - Image forming device and image forming program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of controlling fixation in accordance with start and return factors of the device put in power saving mode, facilitating speedy printing when restarting the operation, and reliably reducing power consumption. <P>SOLUTION: In the image forming device, a printing engine 11 supplies the paper sheet 19 supplied primarily from a paper supply step 15 secondarily to transfer printing data, heats and fixes in a fixing part 31, and prints the data on the paper sheet 19. A determining part 37 determines whether the received data needs the start of operation of the fixing part 31 based on a predetermined management table when receiving the data from the outside in the power saving mode state. A printing engine controlling part 33 controls and returns the printing engine 11 to start heating the fixing part 31 when the determining part 37 determines that the start operation of the fixing part 31 is necessary. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming program. For example, the present invention relates to an improvement of an image forming apparatus and an image forming program suitable for a copying machine or a multi function peripheral (MFP).

  Conventionally, from the viewpoint of saving power consumption, copying machines and multifunction devices shut off the power supply to the heater, etc., in the fixing unit of the print engine unit when there is no operation for a certain period of time or when a power saving key is operated. However, there are many configurations that are equipped with a function for shifting to a so-called power-saving mode (energy-saving mode: energy-saving mode) that ensures functional operations necessary for restarting.

  However, when switching from the power saving mode state to the normal mode, if power supply is started to the heater of the fixing unit after switching to the normal mode, the printing process is waited until the heater is heated to a temperature suitable for printing. Therefore, it is necessary to devise special measures that do not interfere with smooth printing.

  Therefore, for example, a multifunction device and a control method for the multifunction device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-156624 (Patent Document 1) have been proposed.

This patent document 1 is a multifunction device having a function that requires a printing operation by a printing unit including a fixing device and a function that makes the printing operation unnecessary, and a function that is activated at power-on or a function selected by a user Is a function that requires a printing operation, and if the function to be started is a function that requires a printing operation, it has a configuration in which the fixing unit of the printer unit is heated and controlled in advance. In contrast to functions that require a fixing device such as a printing operation, the starting function reaches the fixing temperature in a short time.
Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-156624

  However, in Patent Document 1 described above, since the startup is performed according to a preset initial function or a specified function, the start of the fixing device is not determined every time the startup is performed.

  Therefore, for example, even if you want to send the scanned data via the network with the setting to start up with the copy function, the heater of the fixing unit is driven to rise to the standby temperature. There is a problem from the viewpoint of saving.

  Even if there is a mode for ignoring the function setting to be started up, the heater of the fixing device is not driven unless some key input, for example, a copy function is selected after the activation.

  In such a case, even if the device is activated for the purpose of copying, the heater starts to be driven when the copy function button is input, and the time until the standby temperature is reached is delayed. is there.

  In addition, since no means for determining whether the copy, printer, or facsimile function has been restored, there is room for improvement in operability.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and it is possible to perform fixing control in accordance with the start / return factor of the apparatus placed in the power saving mode, so that quick printing at the time of restart is easy. In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming program capable of ensuring reduction of power consumption.

  In order to solve such a problem, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention transfers the print data by feeding the paper that has been primarily fed from the paper feed stage and transferring the print data, and fixing the heat by the fixing unit. When a factor to return from the power saving mode to the normal mode is input in the state of the power saving mode in which the operation of the printing engine that prints on the paper and its fixing unit is stopped at least, the return is based on predetermined management data. A determination unit that determines whether or not the factor requires activation of the fixing unit, and when the determination unit determines that activation of the fixing unit is necessary, the print engine is returned to start heating the fixing unit. And a print engine control unit for controlling.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which received data received from the outside by the apparatus is used as the return factor.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention may be configured to use print data, facsimile transmission data, or e-mail transmission / reception data as the reception data.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is also possible to employ a predetermined key operation of the apparatus as the return factor.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention may be configured to operate the power key of the apparatus as the return factor.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the determination unit determines whether or not the fixing unit needs to be activated when there is a function selection key operation of the device following the return from the power saving mode to the normal mode based on the predetermined key operation, A configuration is also possible in which the print engine control unit controls to stop activation of the fixing unit that has started heating when the determination unit determines that the activation operation of the fixing unit is unnecessary.

  An image forming image forming program according to the present invention includes a print engine that transfers a print data by transferring a sheet of paper firstly fed from a paper feed stage and transferring the print data on the sheet by heating and fixing in a fixing unit. When a factor for returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode is input to the control computer to be controlled at least in the power saving mode in which the operation of the fixing unit is stopped, the return is performed based on predetermined management data. A determination process for determining whether or not the factor requires activation of the fixing unit, and when it is determined that the determination process requires an activation operation of the fixing unit, the print engine is configured to start heating the fixing unit. A print engine control process for returning control is executed.

  In the image forming apparatus and the image forming program according to the present invention, when a factor for returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode is input in the power saving mode in which the operation of the fixing unit is stopped, Based on the management data, it is determined whether or not the return factor requires activation of the fixing unit. When the determination process requires activation of the fixing unit, heating of the fixing unit is started. Since the above-mentioned print engine is controlled, when the device placed in the power saving mode is started, it is possible to perform fixing control according to the start factor, and quick printing at the time of restart is easy and consumption It is also possible to ensure a reduction in power.

  In the present invention, with the configuration in which the received data received from the outside by the apparatus is used as the return factor, the fixing unit can be automatically activated in accordance with the received data received.

  In the present invention, in the configuration in which print data, facsimile transmission data, or e-mail transmission / reception data as the reception data is used as the return factor, a reduction in power consumption is ensured without starting the fixing unit when receiving the data. It is also possible.

  In the present invention, in the configuration in which the predetermined key operation of the apparatus is used as the return factor, the fixing unit can be automatically activated in response to the key operation.

  In the present invention, in the configuration in which the power key operation of the apparatus is used as the return factor, the fixing unit can be automatically activated in response to the power key operation.

  In the present invention, in the configuration in which the fixing unit once activated is controlled to stop according to the function selection key operation of the device after the predetermined key operation, the fixing unit is automatically activated and then the function selection key operation is performed. It is also possible to ensure the reduction of power consumption by starting and stopping the fixing unit.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The image forming program according to the present invention will be described in the process of describing the image forming apparatus.

  First, the first configuration (reactivation based on received data) of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

  1, an image forming apparatus A according to the present invention includes an image reading unit 3, a storage unit 5, a communication unit 7, an operation panel unit 9, and a print engine 11 with a main control unit 1 as a center. Is configured. Although the image forming apparatus A has various configurations other than this, it is not a main part of the present invention, and thus the description and illustration are omitted.

  The main control unit 1 controls the image reading unit 3, the storage unit 5, the communication unit 7, the operation panel unit 9, and the print engine 11, which will be described later in detail.

  The image reading unit 3 is arranged on an upper portion of a main body case (not shown) of the image forming apparatus A, and under the control of the main control unit 1, for example, an image is optically read from a printed document, filtered, etc. This is a known scanner or the like that generates the target print data, and the generated print data is sequentially stored in the storage unit 5 for each page of the document.

  The storage unit 5 stores print data and received data from the image reading unit 3 and the communication unit 7, an operation program for the main control unit 1, a management table to be described later, an operation screen (not shown), and the like, which can be read and written, for example, HDD).

  The communication unit 7 receives print data from, for example, an information processing apparatus (computer) B via the network 13 under the control of the main control unit 1, or receives a facsimile document from another multifunction device C. And an interface unit that transmits and receives data such as e-mails using a predetermined protocol.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel unit 9 is disposed on the upper part of the main body case of the image forming apparatus A, and includes a liquid crystal type display unit 9 a that displays an operation state of the image forming apparatus A, and a touch switch type input. It also serves as the unit 9b, is controlled in image display by the main control unit 1, and outputs instruction information input from the input unit 9b to the main control unit 1.

  The input unit 9b executes a printing function for printing (printing) print data from another information processing apparatus (computer) B, and a “print” key for instructing execution of a printing function for optically reading and printing a document. “Print” key for instructing, “FAX reception” key for instructing execution of a facsimile transmission / reception function for transmitting / receiving a facsimile (abbreviated as “FAX” in the drawing) to / from other image forming apparatus (multifunction machine) C, and “FAX transmission” Keys and function keys 9c such as a “mail reception” key and a “mail transmission” key for instructing execution of an electronic mail transmission / reception function for transmitting / receiving electronic mail are arranged.

  The input unit 9b further includes a numeric keypad 9d for inputting symbols such as numerals, a start key 9e for instructing start of various functions, and a power saving mode key for shifting the apparatus to a power saving mode (abbreviated as a power saving key in FIG. 2). ) 9f is arranged.

  The operation panel 9 includes a power key for turning on / off the power of the apparatus main body, a function selection key for standard size paper such as “A4”, “A3”, “manual feed”, etc., for each paper to be printed, and “density setting”. A plurality of types of image display such as a density setting key such as “magnification setting key” and a magnification setting key such as “magnification setting” are possible, but illustration thereof is omitted. In many cases, the power key is arranged at a location separate from the operation panel unit 9.

  The power saving mode is a so-called sleep mode in which, for example, a transition is made after a non-operation state has elapsed for a certain period of time or by pressing a power key or the like. In this state, power supply to a transfer rotor 23 and a fixing unit 31 (to be described later) is stopped, while the execution of image data processing and the like is ensured and the operation of the main control unit 1 is also ensured.

In the power saving mode, the power supply of the print engine 11 is completely shut down and the functions of the main control unit 1 are kept to the minimum necessary so that only the function for accepting the restart operation is utilized and the rest is suspended. It is also possible to set the transition to a deeper mode that restricts the power supply.

  The print engine 11 shown in FIG. 1 is disposed in the main body case of the image forming apparatus A, and as shown in FIG. 3, paper 19 is fed from a paper feed stage (paper feed cassette) 15 by a paper feed roller 17 and registered. The roller 21 feeds the paper second, and the transfer data 23 is monochrome or color transferred to the transport paper that has been secondarily fed by the transfer roller 23 and the pressure roller 25, and the fixing unit 31 includes the heating roller 27 and the pressure roller 29. Then, the transferred image is fixed, and the sheet on which the image is transferred and fixed is discharged.

  In FIG. 3, the paper feed roller 17, the registration roller 21, the transfer roller 23, the pressure rollers 25 and 29, the heating roller 27, and the like are shown extracted from the print engine 11 for convenience. Is included.

  The print engine 11 includes a CPU, a memory unit that stores an operation program for the CPU, an input / output interface, and a print control unit (none of which are shown). 17, a registration roller 21, a transfer roller 23, a pressure roller 25, a heating roller 27, a pressure roller 29, and the like are controlled, and a printing function is realized under the control of the main control unit 1.

  The print engine 11 has its drive start and stop controlled by a print engine control unit 33 described later of the main control unit 1 and a drive control unit 35 that controls the start and stop of the fixing unit 31. ing.

  The drive control unit 35 is driven by an ON operation of a later-described activation permission signal at the time of activation with respect to a heater and a heating lamp (both not shown) as the heating unit 27a disposed inside the heating roller 27. Heating control is performed by supplying electric power, and at the time of stop control, it has a control function of receiving the OFF operation of the start permission signal and cutting off driving power to the heating unit 27a.

  The main control unit 1 includes a CPU, a memory unit that stores a startup program for the CPU, and an input / output interface (none of which are shown). The image reading unit 3, the storage unit 5, the communication unit 7, and the operation described above. It has a control function for controlling the panel unit 9 and the print engine 11 to realize a printing function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and an electronic mail transmission / reception function.

  When the main control unit 1 selects the power saving key 9f shown in FIG. 2 or a power key (not shown) from the outside, the main control unit 1 controls the print engine 11 (drive control unit 33) and supplies power to the components necessary for restarting. On the other hand, the drive power supply to the heating unit 27a of the heating roller 27 is cut off, and the drive power supply to the components (not shown) is cut off to control the shift to the power saving mode.

  The main control unit 1 is in a power saving mode state in which the operation of the fixing unit 31 is stopped at least, and print data is input or various data is received as will be described later. It has a function of controlling restart when a key or the like is pressed.

  For the sake of convenience, the input of the print data and received data to the main control unit 1 and the pressing of a predetermined power saving mode key 9f or the power key are used as factors for returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode.

  In the state of the power saving mode, the main control unit 1 refers to the management table of the storage unit 5 and determines whether or not the operation of the fixing unit 31 is necessary when a factor for returning from the power saving mode to the communication mode is input. It functions as a determination unit 37 for determining.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the management table has functions for the image forming apparatus A, such as printing (printing), facsimile reception, facsimile transmission, e-mail reception, and e-mail transmission. Table-like management data in which whether or not the fixing unit 31 in the print engine 11 is operated in terms of function is set, and is created under the control of the main control unit 1 as will be described later.

  For example, the print function of the image forming apparatus A is set to “activate” the print engine 11, and the facsimile transmission function is set to “not operate”. Note that the operation of the print engine 11 here is substantially the activation operation of the fixing unit 31.

  The determination unit 37 analyzes the print data signal, the facsimile transmission / reception signal, or the e-mail transmission / reception signal from the data input to the main control unit 1 in the power saving mode, while referring to the management table. If it is a facsimile transmission signal or an e-mail transmission / reception signal, it is determined that the operation of the fixing unit 31 is not required. In other cases, for example, if it is print data or facsimile reception data, the fixing unit 31, that is, the heating unit 27a is started. Has a function of determining that is necessary.

  When the determination unit 37 determines that the start-up operation of the fixing unit 31 is required, the print engine control unit 33 turns on the above-described start permission signal and outputs it to the drive control unit 35 of the print engine 11 to the heating unit 27a. While starting the supply of drive power and performing heating control, when the determination unit 37 determines that the activation operation of the fixing unit 31 is unnecessary, the drive control is performed so that the activation permission signal remains OFF and the heating stop of the fixing unit 31 is maintained. The function of controlling the unit 35 is provided.

  Therefore, for example, when the communication unit 7 receives print data from the information processing apparatus B, the main control unit 1 causes the determination unit 37 to determine whether or not the activation operation of the fixing unit 31 is necessary. Since the unit 37 determines that the activation operation of the fixing unit 31 is required, the print engine control unit 33 turns on the activation permission signal and outputs it to the drive control unit 35 of the print engine 11. The same applies to the print data from the image reading unit 3.

  In response to this, the print engine 11 starts supplying drive power to the heating unit 27a, and after performing a print (print) function after raising the temperature to a predetermined heating temperature.

  On the other hand, when the communication unit 7 receives an e-mail from the information processing apparatus B, the determination unit 37 determines whether or not the activation operation of the fixing unit 31 is required, and the determination unit 37 requires the activation operation of the fixing unit 31. Since the print engine control unit 33 keeps the start permission signal OFF, the supply of driving power to the heating unit 27a is not started, the temperature rise control is not performed, the predetermined e-mail data is received, For example, storage in the storage unit 5 is controlled.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the start-up operation of the fixing unit 31 at the time of the return differs depending on the return factor from the power saving mode to the normal mode. To do.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation according to the first configuration of the image forming apparatus described above.

  As an example, a description will be given separately from the state in which the image forming apparatus A is activated to the main control unit 1 side and the print engine 11 side.

  First, the operation on the main control unit 1 side will be described.

  When the operation program is started, the main control unit 1 determines whether or not no operation has been performed for a predetermined period or whether the power key is turned off in step S1, and waits until step S1 becomes YES.

  When the predetermined period has elapsed or the power key is turned on and step S1 becomes YES, the main control unit 1 controls to shift to the power saving mode (step S2).

  In the power saving mode in step S2, the determination unit 37 determines whether or not data is received in step S3. When data is received and step S3 is YES, the print engine control unit 33 moves to the print engine 11 side in step S4. An activation signal is output to control activation of the print engine 11, and the process proceeds to step S5.

  The activation of the print engine 11 in this step is a preliminary activation and does not lead to the activation of the fixing unit 29.

  In step S5, the determination unit 37 refers to the management table to determine whether printing of received data is necessary. If printing is not necessary and the result is NO, the process proceeds to a step not shown, and printing is necessary. If YES in step S5, the print control unit 35 turns on the activation permission signal for the print engine 11 in step S6, and proceeds to step S7.

  At this point, the print engine 11 receives the activation permission signal ON and starts heating the heating unit 27a of the fixing unit 31.

  In step S7, a print request is issued to the print engine 11 and the process proceeds to step S8, where it is determined whether a predetermined period of no operation has elapsed or the power key is turned off, and the process waits until step S8 becomes YES. Is turned on and the process proceeds to the power saving mode (step S9) if YES in step S8.

  Next, the operation on the print engine 11 side will be described.

  When the operation program is started, the print engine control unit 33 determines that a predetermined period of no operation has elapsed or the power key is OFF in step S10, and waits until step S10 becomes YES.

  When the predetermined period has elapsed or the power key is turned on and step S10 is YES, the main control unit 1 controls to shift to the power saving mode (step S2), and then ends.

  When an activation instruction is issued from the main control unit 1, the print engine 11 starts a preliminary operation as an initial operation in step S11, and in the subsequent step S12, the drive control unit 35 determines whether or not the drive permission signal is ON.

  If the drive permission signal is ON and step S12 is YES, the drive control unit 35 starts fixing control (heating control) of the heating unit 27a of the fixing unit 31 in step S13, moves to step S15, and permits driving. If the signal is OFF and step S12 is NO, the drive control unit 35 maintains the stop of the fixing control in step S14 and proceeds to step S17.

  In step S15, the standby state is maintained. In step S16, the print engine 11 executes print control. In step S17, the print engine 11 determines that a predetermined period of no operation has elapsed or the power key is turned OFF, and step S17 is NO. If so, the process proceeds to step S12. If the predetermined period has elapsed or the power key is turned on and step S17 is YES, the process proceeds to the power saving mode (step S9).

  The above-described procedure is executed by the image forming program of the present invention.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the paper 19 that has been primarily fed from the paper feed stage 15 is secondarily fed to transfer the print data, and the fixing unit 31 heats and fixes the paper 19 to the paper 19. When data is received from the outside in the state of the power saving mode in which the operations of the print engine 11 and the fixing unit 31 are stopped, the received data functions as a return factor from the power saving mode to the normal mode, Based on a predetermined management table, the determination unit 37 determines whether or not the received data requires activation of the fixing unit 31, and the fixing unit 31 determines that the determination unit 37 requires activation of the fixing unit 31. A print engine control unit 33 that controls the return of the print engine 11 so as to start heating.

  Therefore, in the apparatus placed in the power saving mode, it becomes possible to determine whether or not the operation of the fixing unit 31 is necessary according to each received data. If the operation of the fixing unit 31 is necessary, it is possible from the time of receiving the received data. The fixing unit 31 can be automatically restarted, and printing can be performed promptly upon restarting, and if the operation of the fixing unit 31 is unnecessary, the power saving mode can be maintained to reduce power consumption. It is.

  In particular, the first configuration is particularly useful when receiving print data, facsimile transmission / reception, or electronic mail transmission / reception with the outside as a return factor.

  Next, a second configuration (restart by power key operation) of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

  The second configuration uses a selection key, for example, a power key operation, as a factor for returning from the power saving mode, and the block diagram is the same as that in FIG. 1 and will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 1, the determination unit 37 of the main control unit 1 operates in the power saving mode in which the operation of the fixing unit 31 is stopped, and when the power key is input as a return factor from the power saving mode, the fixing unit 31. It is functioning that it is necessary to start.

  When the determination unit 37 determines that the fixing unit 31 needs to be activated, the print engine control unit 33 turns on the activation permission signal described above and outputs it to the drive control unit 35 of the print engine 11 to drive the heating unit 27a. It has a function of starting heating and controlling heating.

  Then, after the input operation of the power key, the determination unit 37 uses the function selection keys such as the “FAX transmission” key of the facsimile transmission function, the “mail reception” key of the email transmission / reception function, and the “mail transmission” key. When the input operation 9c is received, the following discrimination function is provided.

  If the function selection key 9b for facsimile reception or e-mail transmission / reception is referred to, the determination unit 37 determines that the fixing unit 31 does not need to be activated, while in other cases, for example, facsimile reception. If there is, it has a function of determining that the fixing unit 31, that is, the heating unit 27 a needs to be activated.

  Since the other configuration is substantially the same as the first configuration, description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, the second configuration uniformly starts the heating control of the fixing unit 31 of the print engine 11 by, for example, pressing the power key.

  However, after the selection of pressing the power key, activation control of the fixing unit 31 may not be necessary depending on individual function selection.

  Therefore, in the second configuration, the fixing activation control is switched according to the function selection key 9c which is instructed to operate after the selection of the power key.

  Next, an operation according to the second configuration of the above-described image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. Similar to FIG. 5, the main control unit 1 side and the print engine 11 side will be described separately.

  First, the operation on the main control unit 1 side will be described.

  When the operation program is started, the main control unit 1 determines whether or not the no-operation state has passed for a predetermined period or the power key is turned off in step S20, and waits until step S20 becomes YES.

  When the predetermined period has elapsed or the power key is turned on and step S20 is YES, the main control unit 1 controls to shift to the power saving mode (step S21).

  In the power saving mode, the determination unit 37 determines whether or not the power key is operated in step S22. When the power key is operated and step S22 is YES, the print engine control unit 33 moves to the print engine 11 side in step S23. The activation signal is output to control the activation of the print engine 11, and the process proceeds to step S24 where the activation permission signal of the print engine 11 is turned ON, and the process proceeds to step S25.

  The activation control of the print engine 11 in this step is control including activation of the fixing unit 31.

  In step S25, after the power key is operated, any one of the function selection keys 9c is operated, and the determination unit 37 refers to the management table to determine whether or not the function of the function selection key 9c is unnecessary for printing. If it is necessary and step S25 is NO, the print control unit 35 keeps the activation permission signal for the print engine 11 ON in step S26 and returns to step S25.

  At this point, the print engine 11 maintains the heating of the heating unit 27 a of the fixing unit 31.

  If it is not necessary and step S25 is YES, the print control unit 35 switches the activation permission signal for the print engine 11 to OFF in step S27 and returns to step S25.

  In steps S25 to S27, the flowchart is exited by a predetermined operation.

  Next, the operation on the print engine 11 side will be described.

  When the operation program is started, the print engine control unit 33 determines that a predetermined period of no operation has elapsed or the power key is OFF in step S30, and waits until step S30 becomes YES.

  When the predetermined period has elapsed or the power key is turned on and step S30 becomes YES, the main control unit 1 controls to shift to the power saving mode (step S21), and then ends.

  When an activation instruction is issued from the main control unit 1 side, the print engine 11 is initially operated in step S31 to start a preliminary activation operation, and the fixing unit 31 is activated in response to the activation permission signal being turned ON.

  In subsequent step S32, the drive control unit 35 further determines whether or not the drive permission signal is ON.

  If the drive permission signal remains ON and step S32 is YES, the drive control unit 35 maintains the fixing control (heating control) of the heating unit 27a of the fixing unit 31 in step S33, and proceeds to step S35. If the drive permission signal is OFF and step S32 is NO, the drive control unit 35 stops fixing control in step S34, and the process proceeds to step S36.

  In step S35, the print engine 11 executes print processing. In step S36, the print engine 11 determines that a predetermined period of no operation has elapsed or the power key is OFF. If step S36 is NO, the process proceeds to step S32. If the period elapses or the power key is turned on and step S36 is YES, the process proceeds to the power saving mode of step S37. If step S36 is NO, the process waits until YES.

  Next, a third configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention (reactivation by operating a function selection key other than the power key) will be described.

  The third configuration uses the function selection key 9c operation as a factor for returning from the power saving mode, and the block diagram is the same as that in FIG. 1 and will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 1, the discriminating unit 37 of the main control unit 1 receives the individual function selection keys 9c as factors for returning from the power saving mode in the power saving mode in which the operation of the fixing unit 31 is stopped. It functions to determine that the operation of the fixing unit 31 needs to be started.

  When the determination unit 37 determines that the start-up operation of the fixing unit 31 is required, the print engine control unit 33 turns on the above-described start permission signal and outputs it to the drive control unit 35 of the print engine 11 to the heating unit 27a. It has a function to start heating power supply and control heating.

Then, the determination unit 37 performs operation input from function selection keys 9c such as a “print” key, a “print” key, a “FAX transmission” key, a “FAX reception” key, a “mail reception” key, and a “mail transmission” key. When receiving, it has the following discrimination function.
The determination unit 37 has a function of referring to the management table of FIG. 4 and determining whether the operation activation of the fixing unit 31 is necessary or not according to the function selection key 9b.

  For example, the function selection key 9c such as the “FAX transmission” key, the “mail reception” key, or the “mail transmission” key does not require the activation of the heating unit 27a, but the “print” key, “print” key, “FAX reception”. The function selection key 9c such as the “key” determines that the heating unit 27a needs to be activated.

  Since the other configuration is substantially the same as the first configuration, description thereof is omitted.

  Next, an operation according to the third configuration of the image forming apparatus described above will be described with reference to FIG. Similar to FIG. 6, the main control unit 1 side and the print engine 11 side will be described separately, but steps S50 to S56 on the print engine 11 side are the same as steps S30 to S37 in FIG. .

  When the operation program is started on the main control unit 1 side, the main control unit 1 determines whether or not the no-operation state has elapsed for a predetermined period or the power key is turned off in step S40, and step S40 becomes YES. Wait until.

  When the predetermined period has elapsed or the power key is turned on and step S40 is YES, the main control unit 1 controls to shift to the power saving mode (step S41).

  In the power saving mode, the determination unit 37 determines whether or not the function selection key 9c is operated in step S42. When the function selection key 9c is operated and step S42 becomes YES, the print engine control unit 33 performs printing in step S43. An activation signal is output to the engine 11 side to preliminarily activate the print engine 11, and the process proceeds to step S44.

  In step S44, the determination unit 37 refers to the management table to determine whether or not the function of the function selection key 9c needs to be printed. If printing is necessary and step S44 is “with control”, step S45 is performed. The print control unit 35 turns on the activation permission signal for the print engine 11 and proceeds to step S47.

  If printing is not required and step S44 is “no control”, the print control unit 35 maintains the activation permission signal for the print engine 11 OFF in step S46, and proceeds to step S47.

  In step S47, the function of the selected function selection key 9c is executed, and the process proceeds to step S48. The process waits until step S48 becomes YES. If a predetermined period elapses or the power key is turned on and step S48 becomes YES. The process proceeds to the power saving mode (step S49).

  The procedures according to the second and third configurations described above are also executed by the image forming program of the present invention.

  As described above, in the second and third configurations, since the predetermined key operation of the apparatus is used as the return factor, it is possible to automatically activate the fixing unit 31 in accordance with the key operation.

  In particular, in the second configuration, when the determination unit 37 performs a function selection key operation of the apparatus following the return from the power saving mode to the normal mode based on the predetermined key operation, whether or not the fixing unit 31 needs to be activated is determined. When the print engine control unit 33 determines that the start-up operation of the fixing unit 31 is unnecessary, the print engine control unit 33 controls the start-up of the fixing unit 31 that has started heating. Then, the fixing unit 31 is activated, and the fixing unit 31 is activated and stopped in accordance with the function key operation of the apparatus after the power key operation, so that reduction of power consumption can be ensured.

  Further, in the third configuration, since the fixing unit 31 can be automatically activated in accordance with the operation of the function selection key 9c, a quick printing operation is significant.

  Note that the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, or a combination machine combining these, and can be applied to various image forming apparatuses.

  By the way, in the image forming program according to the present invention, the paper 19 that has been primarily fed from the paper feed stage 15 is secondarily fed to transfer the print data, and the fixing unit 31 heats and fixes the print data on the paper 19. When a factor for returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode is input to the control computer that controls the printing engine 11 at least in the power saving mode in which the operation of the fixing unit 31 is stopped, Based on the management data, a determination process for determining whether or not the return factor requires activation of the fixing unit 31, and when it is determined that the determination process requires an activation operation of the fixing unit 31, the fixing unit 31 Print engine control processing for controlling the return of the print engine 11 so as to start heating, and the same effect as that of the image forming apparatus of the present invention described above. It is obtained.

1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation panel unit of the image forming apparatus according to FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a print engine of the image forming apparatus according to FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram for describing management data of the image forming apparatus according to FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus according to FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus according to FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus according to FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main control part 3 Image reading part 5 Memory | storage part 7 Communication part 9 Operation panel part 11 Print engine 13 Network 15 Paper feed stage 17 Paper feed roller 19 Paper 21 Registration roller 23 Transfer roller 25, 29 Pressure roller 27 Heating roller (fixing) Part)
31 Fixing unit 33 Print engine control unit 35 Drive control unit A, C Image forming apparatus (multifunction machine)
B Information processing device (computer)

Claims (7)

A print engine that transfers the print data by secondary feeding of the paper that has been primarily fed from the paper feed stage, and heat-fixed by the fixing unit to print on the paper;
At least in the power saving mode state in which the operation of the fixing unit is stopped, when a factor for returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode is input, the return factor is activated based on predetermined management data. A determination unit that determines whether or not
A print engine control unit that controls the return of the print engine to start heating the fixing unit when the determination unit determines that the start-up operation of the fixing unit is required;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the return factor is received data received from outside by the apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the return factor is print data, facsimile transmission data, or e-mail transmission / reception data as the reception data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the return factor is a predetermined key operation of the apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the return factor is a power key operation of the apparatus. The determination unit determines whether or not the fixing unit needs to be activated when there is a function selection key operation of the apparatus following the return from the power saving mode to the normal mode based on the predetermined key operation, and the print engine control unit 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the determination unit determines that the start-up operation of the fixing unit is unnecessary, the start-up of the fixing unit that has started heating is stopped. A control computer that controls a print engine that controls the print engine that prints on the paper by heat-fixing by the fixing unit and transferring the print data by secondary feeding the paper that has been primarily fed from the paper feed stage.
At least in the power saving mode state in which the operation of the fixing unit is stopped, when a factor for returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode is input, the return factor is activated based on predetermined management data. Determination processing to determine whether or not it requires,
A print engine control process for controlling the return of the print engine so as to start heating the fixing unit when it is determined that the determination unit needs to start the fixing unit;
An image forming program for executing

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