JP2010009058A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a switching control method of a stand-by mode which can obtain an energy saving effect without greatly impairing convenience of a user. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming device includes a stand-by state control part 111 for allowing the device to stand by in either of the stand-by modes of a process waiting mode in which a process can be started when a request of the image forming device is received, and an electricity saving mode whose electric power consumption during the stand-by is smaller than that of the process waiting mode, an operating part 103 including an electricity saving mode key 110 for switching the process waiting mode to any of the plurality of electricity saving modes by an operation of the user, a switching condition holding part 112 for previously holding a switching condition showing which electricity saving mode is to be selected when the electricity saving mode key is operated, and a manual mode switching part 113 for requesting the stand-by state control part to switch the process waiting mode to the selected electricity saving mode when the electricity saving mode key is operated. The stand-by state control part is requested to switch the stand-by state to the one electricity saving mode meeting the condition of the switching condition holding part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of switching a processing standby mode to a power saving mode by operating a power saving mode key.

  In an image forming apparatus that performs processing in response to a request for image formation from a user, a plurality of power saving modes having different power saving levels are provided in order to suppress power consumption in a standby state in which image forming processing is not performed. There is. Among various image forming methods, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the most power consuming part is a fixing unit that heats and melts the toner transferred onto the sheet and fixes it on the sheet. Since the image forming process is not executed in the standby state, the power supplied to maintain the fixing unit at a predetermined temperature can be considered as wasted power from the viewpoint of energy saving. Therefore, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus does not receive a request for image forming processing in a standby state, and when a predetermined time elapses without any operation, the temperature of the fixing unit is lowered to a predetermined temperature or is transferred to the fixing unit. It has a power-saving mode that completely cuts off the power supply. Actually, in the power saving mode, various controls other than the fixing unit may be performed from the viewpoint of energy saving, but for the sake of simplicity, in this specification, a typical example of the power saving mode will be described. Only control will be described.

  When a request for image formation is received during the power saving mode, it is necessary to return the fixing unit to a predetermined temperature for melting the toner for the image forming process, which requires a certain amount of return time. The return time depends on the fixing temperature in the power saving mode. The lower the maintenance temperature, that is, the lower the power consumption and the greater the energy saving effect, the longer the return time becomes, and the convenience for the user becomes worse. Energy saving effect and recovery time are incompatible with each other. In order to resolve this contradiction as much as possible and to achieve both energy saving and user convenience, the time required for the processing frequency of the device during the day and the time when the processing frequency is low are calculated, and processing is immediately performed according to the requested time zone. By switching between the standby mode (processing standby mode) that can be performed and the power reduction mode (power saving mode) that cannot be processed immediately, it is possible to achieve both improved usability and energy saving. A method is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Further, from another viewpoint, there is known an apparatus that includes a power saving mode key that performs power saving according to a user's intention, and that can use a setting before entering the power saving mode when returning from the power saving mode (for example, Patent Documents). 2).

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2-289863 JP 2000-158756 A

  However, Patent Document 1 discloses only a process of shifting to a power saving mode according to a time zone when a predetermined time has passed without any operation, and for switching to the power saving mode at an arbitrary time according to the user's intention. No mention is made of the operation of the power saving mode key or the return processing from the power saving mode. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses that, in an apparatus having a power saving mode key that performs power saving according to a user's intention, setting information before shifting to the power saving mode is retained when returning from the power saving mode. There is no mention of control for switching the power saving mode so as to achieve both energy saving and user convenience.

  The present invention provides a standby mode switching control method capable of switching a standby mode to a power saving mode at an arbitrary time according to a user's will and obtaining an energy saving effect without greatly impairing the convenience of the user. To do.

  According to the present invention, in a standby state waiting for processing, a processing standby mode in which processing can be started if a request for image forming processing is received, and power consumption during standby is lower than in the processing standby mode, but after receiving a request for image forming processing A standby state control unit that causes the apparatus to wait in any one of a plurality of power saving modes that require time to return to a state where processing can be started, and a process waiting mode that is set by a user operation to any of the plurality of power saving modes. An operation unit including a power saving mode key for switching to the power saving mode, a switching condition holding unit for holding in advance a switching condition for selecting which power saving mode when the power saving mode key is operated, and the power saving mode key are operated. Manually selecting one power saving mode according to the switching condition and requesting the standby state control unit to switch the standby mode to the selected power saving mode. To provide an image forming apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a chromatography de switching unit.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the power saving mode key is operated, one power saving mode corresponding to the switching condition is selected, and the standby mode control unit is requested to switch the standby mode to the selected power saving mode. Since the switching unit is provided, it is possible to realize power saving mode switching control that achieves both energy saving and user convenience by setting a switching condition according to the use situation.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration related to switching of a standby mode among processes of the MFP controller. (Embodiment 2) 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of an electrophotographic full-color MFP that is an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention; FIG. (Embodiment 1) It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the setting conditions of automatic mode switching and manual mode switching. (Embodiment 5) It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which a manual mode switching part performs when a power saving mode key is pressed. (Embodiment 6) It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process in which a manual mode switching part switches standby mode from shut-off mode to pre-heat mode, when the preheat mode setting time zone comes during shut-off mode. (Embodiment 6)

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a processing waiting mode in which processing can be started when receiving a request for image forming processing in a standby state waiting for processing, and a request for image forming processing that consumes less power than the processing waiting mode. A standby state control unit that causes the apparatus to wait in any one of a plurality of power saving modes that take time to return to a state in which the process can be started, and the process waiting mode is set by the user's operation. An operation unit including a power saving mode key for switching to one of the power saving modes, a switching condition holding unit for holding in advance a switching condition for selecting which power saving mode when the power saving mode key is operated, and a power saving mode key When is operated, the standby state control unit selects one power saving mode according to the switching condition and switches the standby mode to the selected power saving mode. It characterized in that it comprises a manual mode switching unit that requests.

  Here, when a request for image forming processing is received in the power saving mode, it takes a recovery time until the start of processing. To reduce power consumption during standby, power supply to each unit in the image forming apparatus can be reduced. This is because it takes time for the blocked portion to return to a state where image formation processing is possible. Further, the reason for having a plurality of power saving modes is that the recovery time and the energy saving effect are different depending on each mode, and the user convenience and the energy saving effect are contradictory to each other.

  The image forming apparatus further includes a timer unit for measuring the current time, and the switching condition holding unit holds, as a switching condition, a power saving mode to be selected according to a time zone in which the power saving mode key is operated. The unit may acquire a time when the power saving mode key is operated from the timer unit, and may select a power saving mode according to the acquired time based on the switching condition. In this way, since the power saving mode is selected according to the time zone in which the power saving mode key is operated, the power saving mode with a short return time is selected in the time zone where the high usage frequency is assumed, and the usage frequency is not high. It is possible to set a switching condition so as to select a power saving mode having a large energy saving effect during the assumed time zone, and it is possible to achieve both user convenience and an energy saving effect by such a switching condition setting.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus may further include a switching condition setting unit that sets a switching condition according to a use situation in the switching condition holding unit. In this way, a user or a service engineer can set switching conditions according to the usage status of each image forming apparatus, and more appropriate condition settings can be set as compared with uniformly fixed switching conditions. Become. Therefore, the power saving mode is selected under the switching condition more suitable for the usage situation of each user, thereby making it possible to achieve both user convenience and energy saving effect in a state more suitable for the user.

  Alternatively, the switching condition holding unit holds a first time zone for selecting the first power saving mode and a second time zone for selecting the second power saving mode having a recovery time longer than the first power saving mode, and switching the manual mode When the first time zone comes after the unit switches the standby mode to the second power saving mode in response to the power saving mode key being operated in the second time zone, the standby mode is changed from the second power saving mode to the first power saving mode. You may make it switch to. In this way, the first power saving mode with a short return time is selected in the first time zone in which high usage frequency is assumed, regardless of the past history. In the second time zone, which is assumed to be used less frequently than the time zone, the standby mode switching control can be realized so as to select the second power saving mode in which a high energy saving effect is obtained compared to the first power saving mode. it can. When the usage frequency of the user depends on the time zone, for example, suitable power saving mode switching control can be performed for a usage situation in which the usage frequency differs between the working time zone and the non-working time zone.

  The image forming apparatus further includes an operation state determination unit that determines whether the operation to select a specific power saving mode or an operation to select a power saving mode according to a switching condition according to a type of operation on the power saving mode key. The manual mode switching unit selects a power saving mode corresponding to the operation when the operation state determining unit determines that the type of operation for the power saving mode key is a specific power saving mode, and the operation is performed according to the switching condition. When the operation state determination unit determines that the operation is to select a power saving mode, the power saving mode may be selected according to the switching condition. In this way, it is possible to select a power saving mode according to the user's will if necessary, regardless of the switching conditions. Therefore, when the user wants to select the power saving mode intended, the power saving mode can be selected with a simple operation. You can choose.

Further, the operation state determination unit may determine the type of operation based on the length of time during which the power saving mode key is pressed. In this way, since the type of operation is determined according to the length of the pressing time, the power saving mode that is easy for the user to remember and intended by a simple operation is selected.
Further, the standby state control unit identifies whether the standby state waiting for processing is a state of waiting for restart after interrupting the image forming process, and the manual mode switching unit determines whether the standby state is a state of waiting for restart. Is saved from the standby state control unit and if it is in the restart waiting state, the power saving mode with the shortest recovery time is selected to switch the mode, and if not in the restart waiting state, one power saving mode corresponding to the condition of the switching condition holding unit May be selected to switch to the selected power saving mode. In this way, the power saving mode with a short recovery time is selected in a situation where the image forming process is expected to be resumed soon, such as in a restart waiting state, so that the convenience for the user is not greatly impaired. Can be made to wait.

  The standby state control unit recognizes whether the operation unit is in the standard setting state in the standby state or a state in which the setting has been changed by operating from the standard setting, and the manual mode switching unit changes the setting state of the operation unit from the standby state control unit. If it is not the standard state, select the power saving mode with the shortest recovery time and switch the mode. If it is the standard state, select one power saving mode according to the conditions of the switching condition holding unit and select the selected power saving mode You may make it switch to mode. In this way, the power saving mode with a short recovery time is selected in a situation where the image forming process is predicted to start soon, such as when the setting of the operation unit has been changed. Can be made to stand by without greatly impairing the convenience. Here, the standard state of the operation unit means that when a process for returning the setting of the operation unit to the initial state is performed in the standby state, that is, the operation unit is provided with a key for returning the setting to the initial state. This means a setting state of the operation unit when the setting of the operation unit is automatically initialized when the key is pressed or when the operation unit is not operated for a predetermined time or longer.

  The image forming apparatus further includes an automatic mode switching unit that switches the standby mode to the power saving mode when a predetermined operation is not performed within a predetermined time during the processing standby mode. When the standby mode is switched by the mode switching unit, the condition for selecting which power saving mode may be maintained separately from the switching condition of the manual mode switching unit. In this way, not only the optimum power saving mode can be selected in accordance with the switching conditions corresponding to the automatic mode switching, but also the optimum condition setting is performed for each of the automatic mode switching and the manual mode switching. This makes it possible to set conditions that are more suitable for the usage situation.

  The image forming apparatus further includes a switching condition setting unit for setting a condition of the switching condition holding unit, and the switching condition holding unit includes a first time zone in which the manual mode switching unit selects the first power saving mode and a first power saving mode. A second time zone for selecting the second power saving mode with a longer recovery time, a third time zone for the automatic mode switching unit to select the first power saving mode, and a fourth time zone for selecting the second power saving mode are held. The switching condition setting unit sets the first time zone and the third time zone in association with the other time zone when one of the time zones is set so as to maintain a predetermined relationship. Alternatively, when one of the time zones is set so that the second time zone and the fourth time zone maintain a predetermined relationship, the other time zone is set correspondingly, or the first time zone and The third time zone, the second time zone, and the fourth time zone The manual mode switching unit acquires the time when the power saving mode key is operated from the timer unit, and when the acquired operation time belongs to the first time zone, the first power saving mode belongs to the second time zone. Selects the second power saving mode, and the automatic mode switching unit obtains the current time from the timer unit when switching to the power saving mode, and if the time belongs to the third time zone, the first power saving mode is selected. In the case of belonging to four hours, the second power saving mode may be selected.

In this way, when the settings of automatic mode switching and manual mode switching are related, the optimum power saving mode can be selected according to the usage situation without the user performing all the settings individually. This can reduce the time and effort of the user's operation.
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of an electrophotographic full-color MFP (also referred to as a multi function peripheral) as an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. A document is placed on the exposure unit 1002 in the scanner unit 1070 of FIG. 2, the first exposure scanning unit 1003 scans and exposes the reading surface of the document, and the light reflected on the document is reflected by the second exposure scanning unit 1004 and the optical unit. The light is guided to the image sensor 1006 through the lens 1005. The image sensor 1006 converts the document image formed on the sensor surface into an electrical image data signal. Then, the image data is input to the MFP controller 101 that controls the image data and the mechanism. The input image data is subjected to image processing in the MFP controller 101 and output to a printing unit (printer) 1071. Further, the MFP controller 101 also includes a black laser scanning unit (hereinafter referred to as LSU) 1015 provided in the printing unit 1071, a yellow image forming unit 1021, a magenta image forming unit 1031 and a cyan image forming unit 1041. Control the transfer. The above is an example of the flow of image data in the MFP when functioning as a copier.

  In addition, for example, when functioning as a network scanner, image data input from the scanner unit 1070 is designated on the network via the transfer unit 104 connected to the network and exchanging data with them, for example. Transfer to the terminal. On the other hand, when functioning as a network printer, the print data transferred from the terminal on the network via the transfer unit 104 is expanded by the MFP controller 101 and transferred to the printing unit 1071 for printing. Alternatively, the transfer unit 104 may exchange image data with an external device connected via USB, for example. The above is an example of the flow of image data in the MFP when functioning as a scanner and a printer.

The MFP controller 101 can be composed of a microcomputer, a ROM that stores programs executed by the microcomputer and backup data, a RAM that provides a work area for work, an input / output circuit, and the like. Furthermore, a DRAM or hard disk as an image memory for storing image data, a circuit for processing image data, and the like may be included. Further, for mechanical control, it may include power supply to the fixing unit 1052, an output circuit for turning on / off each load relating to the electrophotographic process, and an input circuit for receiving a signal from each sensor such as a fixing temperature sensor. Good.
Further, the operation unit 103 may include a display element such as a liquid crystal or LED, or a key, for example.

  A printing unit 1071 shown in FIG. 2 is an example of an electrophotographic full-color printer that is an aspect of a printer engine. The black print data processed by the MFP controller 101 receives a signal input to a laser element (not shown) in the LSU 1015, the laser light from the LSU 1015 scans the surface of the photoconductor 1013, and the surface of the photoconductor 1013. An electrostatic latent image is formed thereon. The formed latent image is developed by the developing unit 1017 to attach toner to the image area. The toner adhering to the image area on the surface of the photoreceptor is transferred to the transfer belt 1050 by the first transfer unit 1020. The above is an explanation of black (K) print data. In the case of color data, the same image forming process is performed for each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C), and the transfer belt 1050. Is transcribed. The parts that perform these processes are the image forming units 1021, 1031, and 1041 of the respective colors arranged in a rectangle drawn by dotted lines in FIG. The toner of each color transferred onto the transfer belt 1050 in this way is transferred to the paper fed from the paper tray 1010 by the second transfer unit 1012 and then melted by the fixing unit 1052 to stack each color. In the portion, the colors are mixed and fixed on the paper, and output to the paper output unit 1055.

  In the full-color MFP of FIG. 2, a request for image formation processing is given as follows. A request for image forming processing for causing the MFP to operate as a copier is that a user operates various setting keys of the operation unit 103 to set copy conditions, and then presses a copy start key provided on the operation unit 103. The request is transmitted to the MFP controller 101, and the image forming process is started. On the other hand, a request for image forming processing for causing the MFP to operate as a printer is given by the user operating a terminal connected via the transfer unit 104, and is transmitted from the transfer unit 104 to the MFP controller 101.

In the full-color MFP shown in FIG. 2, the portion that consumes the most power is a fixing unit 1052.
The fixing unit 1052 includes a fixing roller having a heater disposed therein, and the surface temperature of the fixing roller is such that the toner on which the toner is transferred passes through the nip portion of the fixing roller and melts the toner of each color of YMCK. In order to mix colors, the MFP controller 101 maintains a substantially constant temperature, for example, 170 ° C. during the image forming process.

  However, when the waiting state before receiving a request for image formation processing, that is, the standby mode continues for a predetermined time or more and the operation panel or document setting is not performed by the user, the MFP controller 101 is in the standby state. In order to suppress power consumption, the standby mode is switched to the preheat mode which is the first power saving mode. In the preheat mode, the control temperature of the fixing unit 1052 is maintained at a temperature lower than the temperature during the image forming process. For example, the control temperature of 170 ° C. is controlled during the image forming process and 130 ° C. during the preheat mode. When an image formation request is received during the preheat mode, the MFP controller 101 starts image processing after raising the fixing temperature to 170 ° C. This is because if the fixing temperature is low, the toner cannot be sufficiently dissolved, causing image defects and smudges. It takes 30 seconds for the fixing temperature to return from 130 ° C. to 170 ° C., for example.

  If the image forming processing request is not further received in the preheat mode and the standby state continues without any user operation, the MFP controller 101 eventually shuts off the standby mode from the preheat mode to the second power saving mode. Switch to mode. In the shut-off mode, the power supply to the fixing is completely cut off. In addition, the power consumption in the standby state is significantly suppressed by, for example, turning off the liquid crystal display on the operation unit. When an image forming process request is received in the shut-off mode in which the remaining heat of the fixing unit is lost and cooled, it takes a recovery time of, for example, 3 minutes in order to raise the fixing temperature to 170 ° C.

  On the other hand, the operation unit 103 is provided with a power saving mode key. When the user presses the power saving mode key during the processing standby mode, the MFP controller 101 can switch the standby mode to the power saving mode in response thereto. Therefore, the process waiting mode can be switched to the power saving mode at an arbitrary timing according to the user's will. This standby mode switching control will be described in more detail below.

(Embodiment 2)
In this embodiment, a first embodiment will be described in which the standby mode is switched to the power saving mode when the power saving mode key is pressed.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration related to switching of the standby mode in the processing of the MFP controller 101. In FIG. 1, a power saving mode key 110 is included in the configuration of the operation unit 103 in FIG. In addition, the standby state control unit 111, the switching condition holding unit 112, the manual mode switching unit 113, the timer 115, the switching condition setting unit 116, the operation state determination unit 117, and the automatic mode switching unit 118 are processed by the MFP controller 101 in FIG. The fixing unit energization switch 114 is realized by an output circuit of the MFP controller. The scanner unit 1070, the printing unit 1071, and the fixing unit 1052 correspond to the components indicated by the same reference numerals in FIG. In addition, a portion indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 1 indicates that a minimum configuration including the features of the present invention can be realized without it.

  The standby state control unit 111 controls the entire image forming apparatus, that is, the scanner unit 1070, the printing unit 1071, and the operation unit 103 in a state corresponding to the standby mode, and is a predetermined trigger for switching from the power saving mode to the processing standby state. In the case where it is necessary to restore the image forming process from the power saving mode in response to the request for the image forming process, it is necessary to restore the fixing unit 1052. The load in the apparatus including the fixing unit energization switch 114 for turning on / off the power to the printer is controlled. When the display of the operation unit 103 is turned off in the shut-off mode, the standby state control unit 111 also performs the control.

  A power saving mode key 110 provided on the operation unit 103 switches the standby mode to the processing waiting mode when this key is pressed in the processing waiting mode. The standby mode can be changed to the power saving mode.

  When the power saving mode key 110 is pressed, the information is transmitted to the manual mode switching unit 113. When the manual mode switching unit 113 is notified that the power saving mode key 110 has been pressed, the manual mode switching unit 113 determines which power saving mode to switch to, transmits the determination result to the standby state control unit 111, and sets the standby mode to the selected power saving mode. Switch. When selecting the power saving mode, a determination is made with reference to the conditions held in the switching condition holding unit 112. For example, when the power saving mode key 110 is pressed, the manual mode switching unit 113 acquires the current time from the timer 115 and sets it as the time when the power saving mode key 110 is pressed. On the other hand, the switching condition holding unit 112 holds a time zone for selecting the preheat mode when the power saving mode key is pressed. The time when the power saving mode key 110 is pressed and the condition of the switching condition holding unit 112 are compared. If the time when the power saving mode key 110 is pressed is included in the time zone for selecting the preheat mode, the standby mode is set. The state control unit 111 is requested to switch to the preheat mode. The switching condition holding unit 112 also holds a time zone for switching to the shut-off mode. If the time when the power saving mode key 110 is pressed is included in the time zone for selecting the shut-off mode, the switching condition holding unit 112 is in a standby state. The controller 111 is requested to switch to the shut-off mode.

  The time zone for switching to the preheat mode may be set to a time zone where the user's usage frequency is considered to be high, such as working hours during the day. On the other hand, the time zone for switching to the shut-off mode may be set to a time zone in which the frequency of use of the user is considered to be low, such as from midnight after work hours to early morning.

  Further, when the power saving mode key 110 is pressed and the manual mode switching unit 113 switches the standby mode to the shut-off mode according to the set time zone of the switching condition holding unit 112, the switching condition holding unit 112 holds it thereafter. The standby mode may be switched from the shut-off mode to the preheat mode when the time zone of the preheat mode is reached. In this way, the preheat mode is selected as the power saving mode when the time zone of the preheat mode held in the switching condition holding unit 112 comes regardless of the past history. Therefore, the power saving mode of the apparatus is always in the preheat mode in a time zone in which the frequency of use of the user is considered to be high, and when a request for image forming processing is received, image forming processing is performed without requiring a long recovery time. Can start.

The time zone held in the switching condition holding unit 112 may be held as a fixed value, but may be changeable by the user. For example, the change may be performed by the operation of the user from the operation unit 103. In this case, the switching condition setting unit 116 shown in FIG. 2 may set a condition according to the operation content of the operation unit 103 in the switching condition holding unit 112.
Alternatively, the time period held in the switching condition holding unit 112 may be automatically set or updated based on the usage history within a predetermined period of the user.

  In the above description, the condition held in the switching condition holding unit is the time zone when the power saving mode key 110 is pressed. In this embodiment, the condition held by the switching condition holding unit 112 is the time zone setting. For example, the degree of use frequency within the latest predetermined time may be used. When the most recent use frequency is higher than a predetermined frequency, the mode is switched to the preheat mode when the power saving mode key 110 is pressed. On the other hand, when the frequency is lower than the predetermined frequency, the mode is switched to the shut-off mode. In this way, since the most recent usage frequency is high, the preheating mode is selected as the power saving mode in the situation where the usage frequency is expected to be high even after switching to the power saving mode, and the latest usage frequency is low, Since the shut-off mode is selected under a situation where the frequency of use is considered to be low even after switching to the power saving mode, the power saving mode that seems to be optimal is selected according to the situation.

(Embodiment 3)
In this embodiment, an example of a method for enabling a user to select a power saving mode intended according to how the power saving mode key is pressed will be described.
In the second embodiment, when the power saving mode key 110 is pressed, the manual mode switching unit 113 selects the power saving mode according to the condition of the switching condition holding unit 112.

May want to specify and switch to the power saving mode that they intend. As a method for realizing this, the operation state determination unit 117 determines how to press the power saving mode key 110, and when the pressing method of the power saving mode key 110 matches a predetermined condition, the corresponding power saving mode is set to the standby mode. May be switched.

  For example, the operation state determination unit 117 determines that the first operation is performed when the power saving mode key 110 is pressed for less than 1 second, and the second operation when the pressed time is 1 second or more. The determination result is transmitted to the manual mode switching unit 113. The manual mode switching unit 113 performs processing according to the type of operation of the power saving mode key 110 received from the operation state determination unit 117. That is, for the first operation, a power saving mode corresponding to the condition of the switching condition holding unit 112 is selected, and for the second operation, the standby mode is set to the shut-off mode regardless of the condition of the switching condition holding unit 112. Switch modes.

  The key operation type determination performed by the operation state determination unit 117 is not limited to the key pressing time as described above. For example, if the key is pressed only once in one second, the first operation, if the key is pressed twice, the second operation, if the key is pressed three times or more, the third is In the case of the first operation as described above, the power saving mode is selected according to the switching condition, the second operation is switched to the shut-off mode, and the third operation is switched to the preheat mode. It may be.

(Embodiment 4)
In this embodiment, an example of a technique for selecting a power saving mode with a short recovery time in a state where a request for an image forming process is expected to be received soon such as an image forming process interrupted state will be described.
An example of a state in which it is predicted that a request for an image forming process will be received soon is a case where the process is interrupted due to paper running out during the image forming process and is in a standby state waiting for paper replenishment. In this case, when the user notices a paper out warning and the paper is supplied, it is predicted that there is a high possibility that the image forming process is resumed immediately. In addition to this, there are several interruption factors such as toner exhaustion, paper jam, and paper discharge tray full. When there is an interruption factor on the device side, the standby state control unit 111 recognizes the state, and when the power saving mode key 110 is pressed during standby in the interruption state, the condition of the switching condition holding unit 112 is determined. Regardless of whether the standby mode is switched to the preheat mode with a short recovery time.

  Another example of a state that is predicted to receive a request for image forming processing soon is a state in which the operation unit 103 is operated by the user and the standard setting is changed. The fact that the user has changed the standard setting is considered to be preparation for performing the image forming process. Accordingly, it is predicted that the image forming process is likely to be resumed soon after the setting of the operation unit 103 is changed from the standard state. When the standby state control unit 111 recognizes this state and the power saving mode key 110 is pressed in this state, the preheat mode with a short recovery time is selected regardless of the condition of the switching condition holding unit 112.

(Embodiment 5)
In this embodiment, in an image forming apparatus that further includes an automatic mode switching unit that switches a standby mode to a power saving mode when a predetermined operation is not performed within a predetermined time, a switching condition between manual mode switching and automatic mode switching An example of a method for linking the settings will be described.
The automatic mode switching unit 118 shown in FIG. 1 does not receive a request for image formation processing for a predetermined time or more in a standby state in the processing standby mode, and performs a predetermined operation, that is, operation of the operation unit 103 or document setting. If not, the standby mode is switched to the preheat mode or the shutoff mode. Which mode to switch to is determined based on a setting condition held in the switching condition holding unit 112 separately from the manual mode switching condition. 3 shows automatic mode switching and manual

It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the setting conditions of operation mode switching. Fig. 3 (a) is an example of time zone setting for automatic mode switching, where 24 hours is one cycle, and the time zone of one day from 0:00 to 24:00 is assigned to either preheat mode or shut-off mode. Is shown. In the example of FIG. 3A, the shut-off mode is 8:00 in the time zone from 0:00 to 8:29, 12:00 to 12:59, and 17:00 to 23:59. The preheat mode is assigned to the time zone from 30 minutes to 11:59 and from 13:00 to 16:59. For example, when there is no operation for a predetermined time in the standby state of the processing waiting mode and the user wants to switch to the power saving mode, the automatic mode switching unit 118 acquires the current time, and if it is 10:00, the preheating mode is set. Switch. Alternatively, if the acquired current time is 12:30, the mode is switched to the shut-off mode. The example of the set time corresponds to the typical working hours of the office, and when switching to the power saving mode from 8:30 at the start of work until 17:00 at the end of work excluding break time at noon. The preheat mode is selected. On the other hand, the shut-off mode is selected when switching to the power saving mode outside working hours or during breaks.

  The condition for switching to the power saving mode by pressing the power saving mode key 110 is set separately from the automatic mode switching. However, both settings may be linked. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), when automatic mode switching is assigned to the preheat mode before 12:00 as a boundary and the subsequent mode is assigned to the shut-off mode, the switching conditions for manual mode switching are also linked to it. 11:50, that is, the time zone boundary is set 10 minutes before 12:00, and when the power saving mode key 110 is pressed by 11:50, the mode is changed to the preheat mode, and the power saving mode key thereafter. When 110 is pressed, it is set to switch to the shut-off mode.

  Further, for example, when automatic mode switching is assigned to the preheat mode at 17:00 as a boundary and the subsequent mode is assigned to the shut-off mode, the switching condition for manual mode switching is also linked to that at 16:40, that is, 17:00. A time zone boundary is set 20 minutes before 00 minutes. If the power saving mode key 110 is pressed by 16:40, the preheat mode is set. If the power saving mode key 110 is pressed after that, the power saving mode key 110 is shut. It is set to switch to the off mode. Alternatively, the automatic mode switching setting may be linked to the manual mode switching time zone setting. The relationship between automatic mode switching and manual mode switching in the above setting example is based on the following assumptions. The situation where the power saving mode key is pressed immediately before the break time in the daytime or just before the end of the working hours can be considered that the user has pressed the power saving mode key 110 in preparation for the subsequent break time or leaving the office. Therefore, even within the working hours, in this case, it is assumed that switching to the shut-off mode, which has a greater energy saving effect, is more in line with the user's intention.

  As described above, automatic mode switching and manual mode switching are related to the switching conditions, but may not be exactly the same. In this case, by linking the settings of automatic mode switching and manual mode switching, the user can select the optimum power saving mode according to the use situation without performing all the settings individually, The user's operation can be reduced. You may hold | maintain the relationship between the switching conditions of automatic mode switching and manual mode switching so that change is possible. That is, the relationship between the manual mode switching 16:40 and the automatic mode switching setting at 17:00 is 20 minutes earlier than the corresponding automatic mode switching switching condition. However, you may hold | maintain these 20 minutes so that change is possible.

(Embodiment 6)
In this embodiment, a specific example of processing performed by the manual mode switching unit 113 will be described with reference to a flowchart.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by the manual mode switching unit 113 when the power saving mode key 110 is pressed. The processing routine of FIG. 4 is a standby state in the processing waiting mode.

, It is called repeatedly by polling or timer interrupt. The manual mode switching unit 113 first determines whether or not the power saving mode key 110 has been pressed (step S1). If not, the manual mode switching unit 113 ends without performing any processing. On the other hand, if the key is pressed, the routine proceeds to step S2 and checks whether the image forming process is in an interrupted state with no paper jam or no paper. In the interruption state, the routine proceeds to step S8, selects the preheat mode as the power saving mode, notifies the standby state control unit 111 to switch the standby mode to the selected mode, and ends the processing.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that it is not in the interrupted state, the routine proceeds to step S3 and checks whether the operation unit 103 is in the standard state or has been changed by the operation by the user. If it has been changed, the routine proceeds to step S8, selects the preheat mode as the power saving mode, notifies the standby state control unit 111 to switch the standby mode to the selected mode, and ends the processing. On the other hand, when the operation unit 103 is in the standard state, the routine proceeds to S4, and the determination result of the power saving mode key pressing by the operation state determination unit 117 is examined. If it is determined that the determination result is that the key has been pressed for a long time, the routine proceeds to S9, selects the shut-off mode as the power saving mode, and notifies the standby state control unit 111 to switch the standby mode to the selected mode. finish. On the other hand, if the determination result is not long press, the routine proceeds to S5 and acquires the current time from the timer 115. Further, referring to the switching conditions for manual mode switching held in the switching condition holding unit 112 (step S6), the acquired current time belongs to the time zone for switching to the preheat mode or the time zone for switching to the shut-off mode. Is determined (step S7). As a result, if it is determined that it is time to switch to the shut-off mode, the routine proceeds to S9. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is time to switch to the preheat mode, the routine proceeds to S8.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in which the manual mode switching unit 113 switches the standby mode from the shut-off mode to the pre-heat mode when the preheat mode set time period comes during the shut-off mode. The routine of FIG. 5 is executed at predetermined intervals during the timer interrupt process. In the flowchart of FIG. 5, it is first checked whether or not the current standby mode is the shut-off mode (step S20). If it is not the shut-off mode, the process is terminated without doing anything. On the other hand, if in the shut-off mode, the current time is acquired from the timer 115 (step S21). Then, the switching condition time zone held in the switching condition holding unit 112 is acquired (step S22). Then, the acquired current time is compared with the switching condition, and it is determined whether or not the current time belongs to the time zone for switching to the preheat mode (step S23). If it belongs to the time zone for switching to the preheat mode, the preheat mode is selected as the power saving mode, the standby state control unit 111 is notified to switch the standby mode to the selected mode (step S24), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if it does not belong to the time zone for switching to the preheat mode, the process ends without doing anything. When the set time zone for the preheat mode comes during the shutoff mode, the standby mode is switched to the preheat mode.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 MFP controller 103 Operation part 104 Transfer part 110 Power saving mode key 111 Standby state control part 112 Switching condition holding part 113 Manual mode switching part 114 Fixing part energization switch 115 Timer 116 Switching condition setting part 117 Operation state determination part 118 Automatic mode switching part 1000 Document tray 1001 Document feeder 1002 Exposure unit 1003 First exposure scanning unit, exposure lamp unit 1004 Second exposure scanning unit 1005 Optical lens 1006 Image sensor 1010 Paper tray 1011 Registration unit 1012 Second transfer unit 1013 Photoconductor 1014 Charging unit 1015 Laser scanning unit, LSU
1016 Laser beam 1017 Developing unit 1018 Toner container 1019 Photoconductor cleaning unit 1020 First transfer unit 1021, 1031, 1041 Image forming unit 1050 Transfer belt 1051 Transfer belt cleaning unit 1052 Fixing unit 1053 Duplex reversing unit 1054 Switcher 1055 Output unit 1070 Scanner Part 1071 printing part, printer

Claims (6)

In the standby state waiting for processing, the processing waiting mode can start processing upon receiving a request for image forming processing, and the power consumption during standby is lower than that in processing waiting mode, but processing can be started after receiving a request for image forming processing. A standby state control unit that causes the apparatus to wait in one of standby modes of a plurality of power saving modes that require time to return to a state;
An operation unit including a power saving mode key for switching a processing standby mode to one of the plurality of power saving modes by a user operation;
A switching condition holding unit for holding in advance a switching condition for selecting which power saving mode when the power saving mode key is operated;
A manual mode switching unit that selects one power saving mode according to the switching condition when the power saving mode key is operated, and requests the standby state control unit to switch the standby mode to the selected power saving mode;
The standby state control unit identifies whether the standby state is a state of waiting for restart after interrupting the image forming process, or whether the operation unit is in a standard setting state,
According to the identification of the standby state control unit, the manual mode switching unit is in a standby state so as to switch to the power saving mode with the shortest recovery time if the standby state is a state of waiting for resumption or the operation unit is not in a standard setting state. Requesting the control unit to request the standby state control unit to switch to one power saving mode according to the condition of the switching condition holding unit if the standby state is not a waiting state for resumption or if the operation unit is in a standard setting state. An image forming apparatus.   2. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the standby state control unit identifies a state in which the process is interrupted due to an event of running out of paper, toner out, paper jam, or a discharge tray full during the image forming process as a waiting state for restarting. apparatus. In the standby state waiting for processing, the processing waiting mode can start processing upon receiving a request for image forming processing, and the power consumption during standby is lower than that in processing waiting mode, but processing can be started after receiving a request for image forming processing. A standby state control unit that causes the apparatus to wait in one of standby modes of a plurality of power saving modes that require time to return to a state;
An operation unit for allowing a user to set a condition relating to image forming processing, including a power saving mode key for switching a processing standby mode to one of the plurality of power saving modes by a user operation;
Manual mode switching to switch to one of the power saving modes when the power saving mode key is operated, and automatic mode switching to switch to one of the power saving modes when there is no operation for a predetermined time during the processing standby mode A switching condition holding unit for holding a switching condition for switching to which power saving mode,
In the manual mode switching, a manual mode switching unit that requests the standby state control unit to switch to a power saving mode according to the switching condition held in the switching condition holding unit,
An automatic mode switching unit that requests the standby state control unit to switch to a power saving mode according to the switching condition held in the switching condition holding unit during the automatic mode switching;
A switching condition setting unit for setting each switching condition held by the switching condition holding unit;
With a timer section that measures the current time,
The switching condition setting unit sets the other switching condition in conjunction with one switching condition when setting the switching condition for automatic mode switching and one switching condition for manual mode switching. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the one switching condition is set, the switching condition setting unit sets the other switching condition such that the other switching condition deviates from the one switching condition by a predetermined time.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the switching condition setting unit allows a user to set a shift time between one switching condition and the other switching condition. The switching condition holding unit holds a first time zone for selecting the first power saving mode and a second time zone for selecting the second power saving mode having a recovery time longer than the first power saving mode,
The manual mode switching unit switches the standby mode from the second power saving mode when the first time zone comes after switching the standby mode to the second power saving mode in response to the power saving mode key being operated in the second time zone. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is switched to the first power saving mode.

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