JP2009268046A - Image processing apparatus and power-saving control method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus which is superior in usability for a user by making it hard to decide power-saving state erroneously, and to provide a power-saving control method of the image processing apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A controller 10 of a multifunction machine 1 confirms whether a scanner 30 and a print engine 40 are in a power-saving state a predetermined time, after operation input to a console panel 20, and sends power-saving instruction to a panel power-saving control unit 22 of the console panel 20, when the scanner 30 and printing engine 40 are in the power-saving state. The panel power-saving unit 22. having received the power-saving instruction. places the console panel 20 in the power-saving state. Consequently, when the console panel 20 is in the power-saving state, the scanner 30 and printing engine 40 are always in the power-saving state so the user is prevented from performing false recognition of the operation state of the multifunction machine 1 from the state of the console panel 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having a power saving function for suppressing power consumption by controlling an operation panel to a power saving state, and a power saving control method for the image processing apparatus.

  Conventionally, an image processing apparatus such as a facsimile machine or a multifunction machine has been provided with an operation panel for a user to perform an operation. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the operation panel consumes more power than a normal operation state. There has been known a power saving control by performing power saving control in which the power saving state is suppressed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  For example, in the case of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, since the power consumption by the fixing unit is particularly severe, the printing engine including the fixing unit is omitted when there is no printing instruction from the operation panel or the host computer within a certain time. Power saving may be achieved by performing control to shift to the power state. Similarly, in the case of an apparatus that performs a reading process such as a scanner, when the reading instruction from the operation panel or the host computer is not within a certain time, control is performed such as turning off the light source that illuminates the document or the like. Therefore, power saving can be achieved.

JP-A-10-215336

  However, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when the instruction input to the operation panel is not within a certain time, the power consumption is suppressed by turning off the illumination device of the display unit. Since power saving control is performed independently of the engine and scanner, the operation panel exposed to the outside of the device, even though the internal components such as the fixing device of the print engine and the light source of the scanner are operating. May cause a power saving state. For this reason, when the user determines the state of the apparatus from the state of the operation panel, the apparatus is in the power saving state even though the internal configuration of the apparatus such as the print engine and the scanner is activated. There was a problem of misrecognizing.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

  Application Example 1 The apparatus includes at least one of a printing unit that performs printing or a reading unit that performs image reading, and an operation panel that receives an operation from a user, and each of the device and the operation panel is individually provided. An image processing apparatus that can be controlled to a power saving state in which power consumption is suppressed, and determines whether or not the apparatus is in a power saving state after there is no operation input to the operation panel; An image processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the operation panel to a power saving state when it is determined that is in a power saving state.

  According to this configuration, if the operation panel is in the power saving state, the printing unit or the reading unit provided in the image processing apparatus is also in the power saving state, so the state of the image processing apparatus is determined from the appearance of the operation panel. The user is less likely to misrecognize the state of the image processing apparatus including the printing unit or the reading unit. Therefore, it is possible to realize power saving control that is convenient for the user.

  Application Example 2 In the image processing apparatus, the control unit determines whether or not the apparatus is in a power saving state when a predetermined time elapses when there is no operation input on the operation panel. An image processing apparatus.

  According to this configuration, the operation panel operates without entering the power saving state for a predetermined time after the operation panel receives the operation input, and can enter the power saving state after the predetermined time elapses.

  Application Example 3 In the image processing apparatus, the apparatus is in a power saving state when a predetermined time has elapsed since the process is performed, and is in a non-power saving state by canceling the power saving state when performing the process. The image processing apparatus releases the control for setting the operation panel in a power saving state in response to the release of the power saving state for the apparatus.

  According to this configuration, when the power saving state is canceled when the device of the printing unit or the reading unit performs processing, the power saving control of the operation panel is also released. The possibility that the user who has determined the state erroneously recognizes the state of the image processing apparatus is reduced.

  Application Example 4 In the image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus is further controlled to be in a power saving state separately from the apparatus, and further includes a communication unit for executing facsimile communication, and the control unit has the operation panel in a power saving state. In some cases, when the communication unit performs facsimile transmission without reading processing or facsimile reception without printing processing, control is performed so that the power-saving state of the operation panel is maintained regardless of the facsimile communication processing. An image processing apparatus.

  According to this configuration, when performing facsimile communication without reading processing when transmitting facsimile data or performing facsimile communication without printing processing when receiving facsimile data, the power saving state of the operation panel is maintained without being released. Therefore, it is possible to prevent wasteful power consumption due to cancellation of the power saving state of the operation panel at the time of reception or transmission of facsimile data.

  Application Example 5 In the image processing apparatus, the printing unit includes the printing unit, and the control unit receives the facsimile data during a time period excluding a predetermined time period during which printing processing by facsimile communication is permitted. In this case, the received facsimile data is stored and controlled so as to maintain the power saving state of the operation panel regardless of the process of receiving the facsimile data by the communication unit, and the predetermined time period is An image processing apparatus that controls the printing unit to execute a printing process according to the accumulated facsimile data when it arrives.

  According to this configuration, printing of facsimile data received during a time period during which printing processing is not permitted is performed during the subsequent permitted time period, and the power-saving state of the operation panel is canceled during reception without printing processing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent wasteful power consumption due to the operation panel being in a non-power-saving state when receiving facsimile data.

  Application Example 6 The image processing apparatus includes the reading unit, and the control unit stores the facsimile data when transmitting facsimile data of an image read by the reading unit, and the stored facsimile A redial function for retransmitting data to the communication unit, and when the communication unit transmits facsimile data by the redial function, the power-saving state of the operation panel is set regardless of the process of transmitting the facsimile data. An image processing apparatus which is controlled to maintain.

  According to this configuration, when the facsimile data is transmitted by the redial function, the power saving state of the operation panel is maintained without being released, so that the operation panel is not saved when the facsimile data is transmitted using the redial function. Unnecessary power consumption due to the power state can be prevented.

  Application Example 7 In the image processing apparatus, the operation panel includes a display unit, and the display by the display unit is performed in the state in which the power saving state is released without performing display by the display unit in the power saving state. An image processing apparatus characterized by

  According to this configuration, the user can easily determine the state of the image processing apparatus based on whether or not the display on the operation panel is displayed.

  [Example 8] An application example includes at least one device of a printing unit that performs printing or a reading unit that executes image reading, and an operation panel that receives an operation from a user, and each of the device and the operation panel is individually provided. A power saving control method for an image processing apparatus that can be controlled to a power saving state in which power consumption is suppressed, and determining whether or not the apparatus is in a power saving state after there is no operation input to the operation panel Then, when it is determined that the device is in a power saving state, the operation panel is controlled to be in a power saving state.

  In this way, if the operation panel is in the power saving state, the printing unit or the reading unit provided in the image processing apparatus is also in the power saving state, so the state of the image processing apparatus is determined from the appearance of the operation panel. The user is less likely to misrecognize the state of the image processing apparatus including the printing unit or the reading unit. Therefore, it is possible to realize power saving control that is convenient for the user.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a multifunction machine 1 as an example of an image processing apparatus includes a controller (control unit) 10, an operation panel 20, a scanner (reading unit) 30, a print engine (printing unit) 40, and a facsimile. Unit (communication unit) 50.

  The multi-function device 1 is configured to be capable of data communication with an external computer 2 or the like via a network such as a LAN, and facsimile communication with another facsimile apparatus 3 or the like via a fax line network. The multi-function device 1 has a printer function, a copy function, a scanner function, and a fax function. The operation panel 20, the scanner 30, and the print engine 40 are used according to the usage status of the printer function, the copy function, the scanner function, and the fax function. Power saving control is performed to appropriately control each of them to a power saving state. Hereinafter, each configuration of the multifunction machine 1 will be described.

  The controller 10 is a control device that controls the operation of each unit of the multi-function device 1, and includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as “HD”) 14, a network I / F 15, and a facsimile I / O. F16, panel I / F17, scanner I / F18, and print engine I / F19 are provided. These components are connected to each other via an internal bus.

  The CPU 11 is a main control device of the controller 10, and uses the RAM 13 as a work area or the like to execute various programs stored in the ROM 12 or the HD 14, thereby issuing a reading instruction to the scanner 30. Various processes for controlling the multi-function device 1 such as a process for issuing a print instruction and transferring printing data and a process for controlling facsimile communication by the facsimile unit 50 are performed.

  The network I / F 15 is an interface connected to the network, and the multi-function device 1 is connected to the network via the network I / F 15 so as to be communicable with an external computer 2 or the like. The facsimile I / F 16 is an interface connected to the facsimile unit 50, the panel I / F 17 is an interface connected to the operation panel 20, the scanner I / F 18 is an interface connected to the scanner 30, and the print engine I / F 19 is connected to the print engine 40. Interface.

  The facsimile unit 50 is a part that performs facsimile communication via a fax line network. Under the control of the controller 10, the facsimile unit 50 encodes image data to be transmitted to generate facsimile data for facsimile communication. In accordance with the communication protocol, processing for performing facsimile communication such as transmission and reception of facsimile data, processing for obtaining image data by performing reverse encoding of the received facsimile data, and the like are performed.

  The scanner 30 is a hardware unit that reads a document set on a document table and generates image data of the document, and includes a light source lamp that irradiates the document, and an image sensor that converts reflected light of the document into an electrical signal. A reading mechanism unit 31 including a mounted carriage and a scanning mechanism that scans the carriage along the document table, and a scanner power saving control unit 32 that performs power saving control of the scanner 30 including the reading mechanism unit 31 are included.

  Further, image data generated by the reading mechanism unit 31 of the scanner 30 reading the document is stored in the RAM 13 or the HD 14 in the controller 10. The scanner 30 may be configured to include an automatic document feeder (ADF: Auto Document Feeder) that automatically sends the originals one by one to the original table when a plurality of originals are set. . In the power saving control of the scanner 30, the scanner power saving control unit 32 turns off the light source lamp, cuts off the power supply to the image pickup device, the scanning mechanism, or the like or reduces the power supply to reduce the power consumption of the scanner 30. It is done by controlling to.

  The print engine 40 is, for example, print data generated from the image data read by the scanner 30, print data generated by the facsimile unit 50 from facsimile data, or the like. This is a hardware unit that prints on printing media such as printing paper based on the print data received from the printer, and performs electrophotographic printing with an exposure device, a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, etc. A printing mechanism unit 41 to perform, and an engine power saving control unit 42 to perform power saving control and the like of the printing mechanism unit 41. In this embodiment, electrophotographic printing is performed. However, the printing method is not limited to this, and a configuration using another printing method such as an inkjet method or a thermal transfer method may be used. .

  The print engine 40 receives print data for printing from the controller 10, and the print mechanism unit 41 performs electrophotographic printing according to the print data. In the power saving control of the print engine 40, the engine power saving control unit 42 controls the print engine 40 to a power saving state in which power consumption is suppressed by cutting power supply to each unit of the printing mechanism unit 41 or reducing power supply. Is done.

  The operation panel 20 is a panel provided on the outer surface of the multifunction device 1 so that a user standing in front of the multifunction device 1 operates the multifunction device 1, and a touch panel (display unit) 21 that performs display on a liquid crystal panel or the like. , Various operation buttons, and a panel power saving control unit 22 that performs power saving control and the like of the operation panel 20 including the touch panel 21. The user can input various instructions and change various settings of the multifunction device 1 by operating the touch panel 21 or various operation buttons according to the screen displayed on the touch panel 21.

  The panel power saving control unit 22 is a portion that performs power saving control for putting the operation panel 20 in a power saving state and cancels power saving control in accordance with a power saving instruction received from the controller 10. Specifically, the panel power saving control unit 22 performs power consumption control by performing control to turn off the light source of the touch panel 21 or control to cut power supply to the driver circuit or the like that drives the touch panel 21 or to reduce power supply. Is controlled to a power-saving state in which is suppressed.

  In the multifunction device 1 described above, the scanner 30 generates image data, and the print engine 40 executes printing in accordance with the print data generated based on the image data, thereby realizing a copy function. The print engine 40 receives print data transmitted from another computer 2 via the network, and the print engine 40 executes printing according to the received print data, or the print engine 40 prints data stored in the HD 14 of the controller 10. Or the like, the printer function is realized. Further, the scanner function is realized by storing the image data generated by the scanner 30 reading the document in the HD 14 in the multifunction machine 1 or the computer 2 designated by the user via the network. Then, the facsimile data transmitted from the other facsimile apparatus 3 via the fax line network is received, and the print engine 40 executes printing according to the print data generated from the received facsimile data. Fax reception function is realized. Further, the scanner 30 generates image data, and the facsimile data generated based on the image data is transmitted to another facsimile apparatus 3 via the fax line network. Realized.

  Further, the fax function of the multifunction machine 1 includes a time zone specifying function for specifying a time zone for performing print output for facsimile reception and a redial function (retransmission function). The user can designate the time zone for printing out the contents received by facsimile from the operation panel 20, and the facsimile data received in the time zone other than the designated time zone under the control of the controller 10 is stored in the RAM 13 or the HD 14. When the designated time zone comes, the facsimile function time zone designation function is realized by printing out the accumulated facsimile data. In this way, in facsimile reception in a time zone other than the designated time zone, control is performed so as not to accompany printing processing at the time of reception.

  Further, when transmitting facsimile data, the facsimile data is stored in the RAM 13 or the HD 14, and the original is re-read when the facsimile data cannot be transmitted because the transmission destination of the facsimile data is busy. Without retransmitting the stored facsimile data to the same destination, the redial function of the fax function is realized. In other words, in facsimile communication using the redial function, facsimile data on a document that could not be transmitted is retransmitted to the other party without accompanying a reading process of the document that could not be transmitted at the time of transmission. Further, when the automatic redial function of the redial functions is set, the facsimile data about the original that could not be transmitted is retransmitted to the other party without accepting the re-transmission operation by the user.

  Here, power saving control in the multifunction machine 1 will be described. In the multifunction device 1, the usage status of the scanner 30 is monitored by the scanner power saving control unit 32, and the scanner power saving control unit 32 detects that the scanner 30 has not been used for a predetermined time set in advance. Switch to power saving control to control the power saving state. When the scanner 30 is used, the power saving control of the scanner 30 is released. Similarly, the use status of the print engine 40 is monitored by the engine power saving control unit 42, and the engine power saving control unit 42 determines that the print engine 40 has not been used for a preset time. 40 is switched to power saving control for controlling the power saving state.

  For the processing performed by the facsimile unit 50, the print engine 40 is used when printing out the received facsimile data, so that the power saving control of the print engine 40 is released. When transmitting facsimile data of an image obtained by reading a document, the scanner 30 is used, so that power saving control of the scanner 30 is released.

  As described above, when facsimile data is received in a time zone other than the designated time zone by the time zone designation function, the print engine 40 is not used at the time of reception, so the facsimile communication is triggered except for the designated time zone. In addition, the power saving control of the print engine 40 is not released. If the print engine 40 is in the power saving state when the designated time zone has arrived, the power saving control of the print engine 40 is canceled and the facsimile data is printed. Further, when retransmitting facsimile data that has already been read by the scanner 30 by the redial function and stored in the RAM 13 or the HD 14, the scanner 30 is not used at the time of retransmission, so the power saving control of the scanner 30 is canceled. The scanner 30 is maintained in a power saving state.

  In this way, the scanner 30 performs power saving control when the scanner 30 is not used for a predetermined time, and the print engine 40 performs power saving control when the print engine 40 is not used for a predetermined time. As a result, the power consumption of the multifunction device 1 is appropriately reduced.

  On the other hand, the power saving control of the operation panel 20 is performed with reference to the states of the scanner 30 and the print engine 40. The controller 10 determines that both the scanner 30 and the print engine 40 are in the power saving state, and for a predetermined time. When there is no user operation on the operation panel 20, the panel power saving control unit 22 controls the power saving state.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining power saving control of the operation panel 20. When both the scanner 30 and the print engine 40 are in the non-power saving state (see pattern A in FIG. 2), or when one of the scanner 30 or the print engine 40 is in the power saving state (see patterns B and C in FIG. 2). ), The operation panel 20 is controlled to a non-power-saving state. When the scanner 30 and the print engine 40 are both in the power saving state when there is no user operation on the operation panel 20 and a predetermined time has elapsed, the operation panel 20 is controlled to the power saving state (FIG. 2). Pattern E). Even if the scanner 30 and the print engine 40 are in the power saving state, if there is a user operation on the operation panel 20 during a predetermined time, the operation panel 20 is set in the non-power saving state (see pattern D in FIG. 2). Thus, when the operation panel 20 is in the power saving state, the scanner 30 and the print engine 40 are always in the power saving state, and the scanner 30 or the print engine is in spite of the operation panel 20 being in the power saving state. It is controlled so that the situation where 40 becomes a non-power-saving state does not occur.

  Next, power saving control performed in the multifunction machine 1 will be described in detail using a flowchart. In the following, the scanner power saving control process for shifting the scanner 30 to the power saving state when the function that uses the scanner 30 is not executed last and the time when the scanner 30 is not used has elapsed for a predetermined time will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. It explains according to.

  Prior to the start of the processing of FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 1, the power saving state indicating whether or not the memory provided in each of the power saving control units of the operation panel 20, the scanner 30, and the print engine 40 is in the power saving state. Information SD is stored, and the memory of the panel power saving control unit 22 further stores operation status information OD indicating whether or not there is no user operation on the operation panel 20 during a predetermined time. To do. In the initial state immediately after the MFP 1 is activated, the power saving state information SD is “non-power saving state”, and the operation state information OD is “with user operation”.

  For example, after the multifunction device 1 is powered on and the scanner 30 is activated, the scanner power saving control process of FIG. When the scanner power saving control process is started, first, the scanner power saving control unit 32 determines whether or not a reading instruction for reading a document is received from the controller 10 and the reading process is being executed (step S100). If there is no instruction and the reading process is not being executed (step S100: No), it is determined whether or not the scanner 30 is in the power saving state with reference to the power saving state information SD of the scanner 30 (step S155). When the scanner 30 is in the power saving state (step S155: Yes), the process returns to step S100.

  If the scanner 30 is not in the power saving state (step S155: No), it is determined whether a timer provided in the scanner power saving control unit 32 is activated (step S160). This timer is for counting the time when the scanner 30 is not used. If the timer is not started (step S160: No), in order to measure the period when the scanner 30 is not used, the timer is started and counting from the initial value is started (step S190), and then the process goes to step S100. Return.

  The process returns from step S190 to step S100, and it is determined again that there is no reading instruction and the reading process is not being executed (step S100: No), and the scanner 30 is not in the power saving state (step S155: No). The scanner power saving control unit 32 determines again that the timer has been started in the determination in step S160 (step S160: Yes), and determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the timer was started (step S160: Yes). Step S170). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S170: No), the process returns to step S100, and the processes of steps S100, S155, S160, and S170 are repeated.

  While the process of steps S100, S155, S160, and S170 is repeated while the reading instruction is not received and the reading process is not being executed, it is determined in step S170 that a predetermined time has elapsed since the timer was started. If it becomes (step S170: Yes), since there is no reading instruction and the period during which the reading process is not being executed has become a predetermined time or more, the scanner power saving control unit 32 performs power saving control to put the scanner 30 in a power saving state (step) S180). At this time, the scanner power saving control unit 32 updates the power saving state information SD of the scanner 30 to information indicating the power saving state (step S182), and then stops the timer (step S184).

  Thereafter, the process returns to the process of step S100, and until the reading instruction is received from the controller 10, the processes of steps S100 and S155 to S184 are repeated, and the scanner 30 is maintained in the power saving state. When an instruction for reading a document is input by a user operation on the operation panel 20 in accordance with the use of the user's scanner function, copy function, or facsimile transmission function, the controller 10 issues a reading instruction to the scanner 30. Upon receiving this reading instruction, the scanner power saving control unit 32 determines that there is a reading instruction (step S100: Yes), refers to the power saving state information SD of the scanner 30, and determines whether the scanner 30 is in a power saving state. Is determined (step S110). If the scanner 30 is in the power saving state (step S110: Yes), the scanner power saving control unit 32 cancels the power saving control in order to make the scanner 30 ready for reading processing (step S120). At this time, the power saving state information SD of the scanner 30 is updated to information indicating a non-power saving state. Then, after the scanner 30 whose power saving control has been released performs a reading process of reading the document set on the document table (step S130), the process returns to step S100 and continues to wait for the next reading instruction.

  If it is determined in step S110 after the reading instruction is input that the scanner 30 is not in the power saving state (step S110: No), the scanner power saving control unit 32 determines whether the timer is activated. Is determined (step S140). If the timer has been started (step S140: Yes), since there has been a reading instruction, the timer is stopped and the measurement of a period in which no reading instruction has been performed and the reading process is not executed is finished (step S150). If the timer has been started, after the timer has been stopped or if the timer has not been started (step S140: No), the scanner 30 performs a reading process in response to a reading instruction from the controller 10. This is performed (step S130). Thus, when the document reading process is performed, the process returns to step S100 to continue waiting for the next reading instruction.

  Through the scanner power saving control process described above, the scanner 30 of the multifunction machine 1 is subjected to power saving control for shifting to the power saving state when the scanner 30 is not used for a predetermined time, and reading using the scanner 30 is performed. When the instruction is received, the power saving control is canceled and the reading process is performed. Thereby, according to the usage condition of the scanner 30, the power consumption of the scanner 30 is suppressed suitably.

  Although the power saving process performed in the scanner 30 has been described above, the power saving control process performed in the print engine 40 is the same. For example, the print engine 40 is put into a power saving state when there is no instruction for performing a copy from the operation panel 20, a print instruction from the computer 2, or the use of the print engine 40 by the facsimile reception function within a predetermined time. Power saving control to be transferred is performed. When a print instruction for using the print engine 40 is received, the power saving control is canceled and the printing process is performed, so that the power consumption of the print engine 40 is appropriately suppressed according to the usage status of the print engine 40.

  Next, panel power saving control processing performed on the controller 10 side and panel power saving control processing performed on the operation panel 20 side in order to suppress power consumption of the operation panel 20 will be described. The panel power saving control process performed on the controller 10 side is performed when the scanner 30 is in the power saving state and the print engine 40 is in the power saving state after the operation panel 20 has not been operated for a predetermined time. The panel 20 is instructed to shift to the power saving state. On the other hand, the panel power saving control process performed on the operation panel 20 side is a control for shifting the operation panel 20 to the power saving state based on an instruction from the controller 10, an instruction from the controller 10, or an operation from the user to the operation panel 20. Based on this, the power saving state is canceled, and control for updating the power saving state information SD of the operation panel 20 and whether or not a state in which no operation is performed on the operation panel 20 continues for a predetermined time are detected, and the operation state information OD is updated. The control which performs is performed.

  For example, after the MFP 1 is turned on and the controller 10 is activated, the panel power saving control process shown in FIG. 4 is started. In the panel power saving control process on the controller 10 side, first, the controller 10 refers to the power saving state information SD of the operation panel 20 to confirm the state of the operation panel 20 (step S200), and is it in a power saving state? It is determined whether or not (step S205). Immediately after the start, the initial value of the power saving state information SD is not in the power saving state (step S205: No), so the controller 10 refers to the operation status information OD on the operation panel 20 to the operation panel 20 for a predetermined time. It is determined whether there has been no user operation (step S210). Immediately after activation, as described above, since the initial value of the operation status information OD is “user operation present”, it is determined that there has been a user operation on the operation panel 20 (step S210: No), and the step Returning to S200, the processes of steps S200, S205, and S210 are repeated.

  Here, when the panel power saving control process shown in FIG. 4 is performed on the controller 10 side, the panel power saving control process on the operation panel 20 side according to the flowchart of FIG. 5 is performed on the operation panel 20 side. In the panel power saving control process on the controller 10 side, when the processes of steps S200, S205, and S210 are repeated after activation, on the operation panel 20 side, the panel power saving control unit 22 shifts the operation panel 20 to the power saving state. Is not received from the controller 10 (step S300: No), and the power saving cancellation instruction for canceling the power saving state of the operation panel 20 is not received from the controller 10 (step S315: No). ), It is determined whether or not there is a user operation on the operation panel 20 (step S330). When there is no operation on the operation panel 20 (step S330: No), the power saving state is not immediately after the start (step S350: No), and the timer is not started (step S355: No). The timer provided in 22 is started to start counting from the initial value (step S370). Note that the timer activated here is for measuring the elapsed time when there is no user operation on the operation panel 20.

  After the timer is started, the process returns to step S300, the process is repeated with step S300, step S315, step S330, and step S350. When the process proceeds to step S355, it is determined that the timer is started (step S355: Yes). . In this case, panel power saving control unit 22 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the timer was started in step S370 (step S360). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S360: No), the process returns to step S300, and the processes of steps S300, S315, S330, S350, S355, and S360 are repeated. While the process is repeated, if a predetermined time has elapsed since the timer was started (step S360: Yes), it can be confirmed that there is no user operation for a predetermined time, so the operation status information OD indicating "no user operation" Is updated in the memory (step S365), the timer is stopped (step S367), and the process returns to step S300.

  Thus, in the panel power saving control process on the operation panel 20 side, when the operation status information OD indicating that there is no user operation for a predetermined time is stored in the memory, returning to the description of FIG. In step S210, the controller 10 determines that there is no user operation on the operation panel 20 for a predetermined time with reference to the operation status information OD (step S210: Yes). In this case, the controller 10 checks the state of the scanner 30 by referring to the power saving state information SD of the scanner 30 (step S215), and determines whether or not the scanner 30 is in the power saving state (step S220). . If the scanner 30 is not in the power saving state (step S220: No), since the scanner 30 is operating, the process returns to step S200 without performing power saving control of the operation panel 20.

  If the scanner 30 is in the power saving state (step S220: Yes), the controller 10 confirms the state of the print engine 40 by referring to the power saving state information SD of the print engine 40 (step S225). ), It is determined whether or not the print engine 40 is in a power saving state (step S230). If the print engine 40 is not in the power saving state (step S230: No), since the print engine 40 is operating, the process returns to step S200 without performing power saving control of the operation panel 20.

  If the print engine 40 is in the power saving state (step S230: Yes), both the scanner 30 and the print engine 40 are in the power saving state, and the operation panel 20 is also moved to the operation panel 20 for a predetermined time or more. Therefore, in order to put the operation panel 20 in a power saving state, a power saving instruction is issued to the operation panel 20 (step S235). After issuing the instruction, the processing on the controller 10 side returns to step S200.

  Thus, when power saving is instructed from the controller 10 to the operation panel 20, in the panel power saving control processing on the operation panel 20 side, there is a power saving instruction in the determination of step S300 in the flowchart of FIG. 5 (step S300: Yes). The panel power saving control unit 22 performs power saving control of the operation panel 20 (step S305). That is, the power consumption of the operation panel 20 is reduced by performing control to turn off the light source of the touch panel 21 or control to cut power supply to the driver circuit or the like that drives the touch panel 21 or to reduce power supply. Transition to the state. The panel power saving control unit 22 stores the power saving state information SD indicating the power saving state in the memory of the operation panel 20 and updates the power saving state information SD (step S310). As a result, in the multifunction device 1, the scanner 30, the print engine 40, and the operation panel 20 are in a power saving state (state of pattern E shown in FIG. 2), and the display on the touch panel 21 is not performed. By visually observing the state of the touch panel 21, it can be recognized that the multifunction device 1 is in the power saving state.

  In the panel power saving control process on the operation panel 20 side, when the operation panel 20 enters the power saving state and the power saving state information SD of the operation panel 20 is updated to the power saving state, the panel power saving control process on the controller 10 side. In step S205 in the flowchart of FIG. 4, it is determined that the operation panel 20 is in the power saving state (step S205: Yes). Thereafter, the controller 10 monitors the states of the scanner 30 and the print engine 40. To do. That is, the controller 10 confirms the state of the scanner 30 by referring to the power saving state information SD of the scanner 30 (step S240), and determines whether or not the scanner 30 is in a power saving state (step S245). If the scanner 30 is in the power saving state (step S245: Yes), the controller 10 confirms the state of the print engine 40 by referring to the power saving state information SD of the print engine 40 (step S250). It is determined whether or not the print engine 40 is in a power saving state (step S255).

  If the print engine 40 is in the power saving state (step S255: Yes), since both the scanner 30 and the print engine 40 are in the power saving state, the operation panel 20 also returns to step S200 while maintaining the power saving state. , Steps S200, S205, S240, S245, S250, and S255 are repeated.

  When the scanner 30 is used after the power saving control of the operation panel 20 is performed and the power saving control of the scanner 30 is canceled (state of pattern C in FIG. 2), it is determined that the scanner 30 is not in the power saving state. (Step S245: No), the controller 10 instructs the operation panel 20 to cancel power saving (Step S260). Then, it returns to step S200 and repeats a process.

  Similarly, when the print engine 40 is used after the power saving control of the operation panel 20 is performed and the power saving control of the print engine 40 is canceled (state of pattern B in FIG. 2), the print engine 40 is in the power saving state. If not determined (step S255: No), the controller 10 instructs the operation panel 20 to cancel power saving (step S260). Then, it returns to step S200 and repeats a process.

  In this way, when the controller 10 gives an instruction to cancel power saving to the operation panel 20, the panel power saving control process on the operation panel 20 side receives the power saving cancellation instruction, and in the determination of step S315 in FIG. If it is determined that there is (step S315: Yes), the power saving control of the operation panel 20 is canceled (step S320). That is, the operation panel 20 is shifted to the non-power saving state. Thereby, since the display by the touch panel 21 comes to be performed, the user can recognize that the multifunction device 1 is operating by viewing the display on the touch panel 21. Then, the power saving state information SD indicating the non-power saving state is stored in the memory of the operation panel 20, whereby the power saving state information SD is updated (step S325).

  In the panel power saving control process on the operation panel 20 side, when a user operation is applied to the operation panel 20 (state of pattern D in FIG. 2), the panel power saving control unit 22 determines that there is a user operation (step S330: Yes). Then, the process proceeds to step S335.

  In step S335, when the operation panel 20 is in the power saving state, the panel power saving control unit 22 sets the operation panel 20 to the non power saving state, cancels the power saving control, and updates the power saving state information SD of the operation panel 20. Then, an operation process is performed in which an operation signal corresponding to a user operation is transferred to the controller 10. And the process of step S340 is performed after the process of step S335 is completed or in parallel with the process of step S335. In step S340, the operation status information OD indicating “user operation is present” is stored in the memory of the operation panel 20 to update the operation status information OD (step S340). And if the timer has started, after stopping a timer (step S345), it will return to step S300.

  Thus, in the panel power saving control process on the operation panel 20 side, when the power saving control of the operation panel 20 is canceled and the power saving state information SD indicating the non-power saving state is stored in the memory of the operation panel 20, the panel on the controller 10 side. In the power saving control process, it is determined again that the power saving state is not established in the determination in step S205 of FIG. 4 (step S205: No). Thereafter, the processes of steps S200, S205, S210 to S230 are repeated until both the scanner 30 and the print engine 40 can be confirmed to be in the power saving state.

  As described above, in the multifunction machine 1, when there is no user operation on the operation panel 20 and both the scanner 30 and the print engine 40 are in the power saving state after a predetermined time has elapsed (in FIG. 2). The power saving control of the operation panel 20 is performed and the power saving state is entered. In addition, when the power saving state is canceled for one of the scanner 30 and the print engine 40, the power saving control of the operation panel 20 is also released to enter the non-power saving state, and display by the touch panel 21 is performed. Therefore, when the operation panel 20 is in the power saving state, the scanner 30 and the print engine 40 are also in the power saving state, and the user determines the state of the multifunction device 1 from the state of the operation panel 20 such as the display on the touch panel 21. In this case, it is possible to easily and accurately recognize whether the state of the multifunction device 1 including the scanner 30 and the print engine 40 is a non-power-saving state or a power-saving state from the appearance. For this reason, it is possible to realize power saving control that is user-friendly.

  When the facsimile unit 50 performs facsimile communication, the controller 10 performs power saving control of the operation panel 20 depending on whether the printing operation or the scanner operation is accompanied by facsimile communication. That is, when performing facsimile transmission for transmitting original facsimile data, the controller 10 issues a reading instruction to the scanner 30 in order to cause the scanner 30 to read the original. Accordingly, the power saving control of the operation panel 20 is also released, and the power saving state is set. When performing facsimile reception for receiving facsimile data, the controller 10 issues a print instruction to the print engine 40 in order to cause the print engine 40 to print the facsimile data. Therefore, the power saving control of the print engine 40 is canceled, and accordingly The power saving control of the operation panel 20 is also released to enter a non-power saving state.

  However, when performing facsimile transmission by the automatic redial function among the facsimile transmission functions, the scanner 30 reads the document by the reading instruction before redialing, does not receive the reading instruction at the time of facsimile transmission, and the user can input to the operation panel 20. Since the automatic re-transmission is performed without the re-transmission operation, the power saving control of the operation panel 20 is not released. When the time zone designation function is valid, the power saving control of the operation panel 20 is not canceled because the print engine 40 does not receive a print instruction when facsimile data is received in a time zone outside the designated time. Therefore, when redial facsimile transmission or facsimile reception other than the designated time zone is performed, useless power consumption due to the cancellation of the power saving control of the operation panel 20 is eliminated, and power saving of the operation panel 20 is achieved. be able to.

  Although one embodiment of the image processing apparatus has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and the following modifications may be made.

  (Modification 1) In the above embodiment, the multifunction device 1 including the scanner 30, the print engine 40, and the facsimile unit 50 has been described as an example of the image processing device. However, the image processing device is limited to an apparatus having all of these configurations. It is not a thing. That is, as long as the apparatus includes an operation panel, it may be an apparatus including one of the scanner 30 and the print engine 40, or an apparatus including the scanner 30 and the print engine 40 without including the facsimile unit 50.

  (Modification 2) In the above embodiment, the user can know that the multifunction device 1 is in the non-power-saving state from the display of the touch panel 21 provided on the operation panel 20 exposed to the outside of the device. If the operation panel 20 is used as a method for notifying that the device is in the non-power saving state, the method is not limited to the display on the touch panel 21. For example, the appearance of the non-power-saving state may be recognized from the appearance of the panel by display on a normal display panel, illumination provided on the operation button of the operation panel 20, or the like.

  (Modification 3) In the above embodiment, the power saving control is performed by the panel power saving control unit 22 inside the operation panel 20 in response to the instruction from the controller 10, but the controller 10 directly performs the power saving control of the operation panel 20. It is good also as a structure. In this case, the power saving state information SD and the operation state information OD for the operation panel 20 may be stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 13 to monitor the state of the operation panel 20.

  (Modification 4) In the above embodiment, the operation panel 20, the scanner 30, and the print engine 40 are controlled to one of two states, ie, a power saving state and a non-power saving state in which the control of the power saving state is released. However, further multi-stage control may be performed. For example, when there is no user operation on the operation panel 20 for a predetermined time, the display on the touch panel 21 is performed, and the power supply to the operation buttons or the like is reduced or cut to be in the first power saving state. When the operation panel 20 is in the first power saving state, if it can be confirmed that the scanner 30 and the print engine 40 are in the power saving state, the display on the touch panel 21 is stopped to further consume power. You may make it control to the 2nd power saving state which reduced electric power.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the power-saving control of an operation panel. The flowchart which showed the flow of the scanner power saving control process. The flowchart which showed the flow of the panel power saving control process performed by the controller side. The flowchart which showed the flow of the panel power saving control process performed by the operation panel side.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... MFP as image processing device, 2 ... Computer, 3 ... Facsimile device, 10 ... Controller as control unit, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... ROM, 13 ... RAM, 14 ... Hard disk drive, 15 ... Network I / F , 16 ... facsimile I / F, 17 ... panel I / F, 18 ... scanner I / F, 19 ... print engine I / F, 20 ... operation panel, 21 ... touch panel as display unit, 22 ... panel power saving control unit, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Scanner as reading part, 31 ... Reading mechanism part, 32 ... Scanner power saving control part, 40 ... Print engine as printing part, 41 ... Printing mechanism part, 42 ... Engine power saving control part, 50 ... Facsimile as communication part Part, SD ... power saving state information, OD ... operation status information.

Claims (8)

At least one of a printing unit that performs printing or a reading unit that performs image reading; and
And an operation panel that accepts user operations,
An image processing apparatus capable of controlling each of the apparatus and the operation panel individually in a power saving state in which power consumption is suppressed,
After there is no operation input to the operation panel, it is determined whether or not the device is in a power saving state, and when it is determined that the device is in a power saving state, the operation panel is controlled to a power saving state. An image processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that performs: The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines whether or not the apparatus is in a power saving state when a predetermined time elapses when there is no operation input on the operation panel. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The device is in a power saving state when a predetermined time has elapsed after performing the process, and when performing the process, the power saving state is canceled and becomes a non power saving state,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit cancels the control for setting the operation panel in a power saving state in response to the cancellation of the power saving state for the apparatus. In the image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The apparatus is controlled to be in a power saving state separately from the apparatus, and further includes a communication unit for executing facsimile communication,
When the communication unit performs facsimile transmission without a reading process or facsimile reception without a printing process when the operation panel is in a power saving state, the control unit, regardless of a facsimile communication process, An image processing apparatus that controls to maintain a power saving state of the operation panel. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4.
Comprising the printing unit;
The control unit accumulates the received facsimile data when the communication unit receives facsimile data in a time period excluding a predetermined time period in which printing processing by facsimile communication is permitted, and stores the received facsimile data, and the communication unit Regardless of the process of receiving the facsimile data, control is performed so as to maintain the power saving state of the operation panel, and the printing process according to the stored facsimile data is executed when the predetermined time period comes. An image processing apparatus that controls the printing unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4 or 5,
Comprising the reading unit;
The control unit has a redial function for storing the facsimile data when transmitting facsimile data of an image read by the reading unit, and retransmitting the stored facsimile data to the communication unit;
When the communication unit transmits facsimile data by the redial function, the image processing apparatus is controlled to maintain a power saving state of the operation panel regardless of the process of transmitting the facsimile data. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The operation panel includes a display unit,
An image processing apparatus that performs display by the display unit in a state in which the power saving state is canceled without performing display by the display unit in the power saving state. At least one device of a printing unit for performing printing or a reading unit for performing image reading;
And an operation panel that accepts user operations,
A power saving control method for an image processing apparatus capable of individually controlling each of the apparatus and the operation panel to a power saving state in which power consumption is suppressed,
After there is no operation input to the operation panel, it is determined whether or not the device is in a power saving state, and when it is determined that the device is in a power saving state, the operation panel is controlled to a power saving state. A power saving control method for an image processing apparatus.

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