JP2010030128A - Image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus efficiently saving power consumption. <P>SOLUTION: A control section accepts an image formation request (S11). The control section decides whether a digital multifunction machine is operated with predetermined power consumption or power consumption smaller than the predetermined power consumption. When the control section decides that the digital multifunction machine is operated with the power consumption smaller than the predetermined power consumption (YES in S12), the control section holds image data in the image formation request accepted in S11 (S14). Then, the control section stands by until the digital multifunction machine is operated with the predetermined power consumption (NO in S15). Then, the control section accepts the image formation request and shifts from a sleep mode to a normal mode (YES in S15). Then, the control section forms an image with respect to the held image data (S16). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system having a function of saving power consumption.

  In recent image forming apparatuses, a normal mode and a sleep mode are generally mounted from the viewpoint of saving power consumption. In the normal mode, for example, since the temperature of the fixing roller is maintained at a temperature suitable for fixing a developer such as toner, an image can be formed immediately upon receiving an image formation request. Say that. In this case, power consumption increases.

  On the other hand, in the sleep mode, for example, the temperature of the fixing roller described above is higher than room temperature but kept lower than that in the normal mode. Therefore, when a request for image formation is received, image formation cannot be performed immediately. It means that it takes time to heat the fixing roller to an appropriate temperature. In this case, the power consumption is smaller than that in the normal mode.

  In the normal mode, if the image forming apparatus is on standby for a predetermined time without accepting an image formation request, the image forming apparatus shifts from the normal mode to the sleep mode to reduce power consumption. When the image forming apparatus accepts an image formation request in the sleep mode, the image forming apparatus shifts from the sleep mode to the normal mode, heats the fixing roller to an appropriate temperature, and then forms an image in response to the image formation request. Do.

Here, an image forming apparatus in which a normal mode and a sleep mode are mounted is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-345180 (Patent Document 1). According to Patent Literature 1, when an image is formed by shifting from the sleep mode to the normal mode, it is selected whether priority is given to speed or priority to image quality.
JP 2003-345180 A

  In recent image forming apparatuses, from the viewpoint of further saving power consumption, a predetermined time for waiting without accepting an image formation request when shifting from the normal mode to the sleep mode is often shortened. That is, in many cases, the mode immediately shifts to the sleep mode. On the other hand, image forming apparatuses are generally used by a plurality of users. As a result, even when the mode immediately shifts to the sleep mode, image formation is frequently requested by a plurality of users. It must be made. Then, when the image is formed, it is necessary to shift to the sleep mode again. As described above, when the mode transition is repeated many times, it becomes difficult to save power consumption.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of efficiently saving power consumption.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system capable of efficiently saving power consumption.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention receives an image formation request by an accepting unit that accepts an image formation request, an image forming unit that forms an image from image data, a holding unit that retains image data, and an accepting unit. A determination means for determining whether the apparatus is operating with a predetermined power consumption or a power consumption smaller than the predetermined power consumption, and an image in the accepted image formation request according to a determination result by the determination means. And a control unit that controls to select whether to operate the holding unit or the image forming unit with respect to the data.

  Preferably, the control unit controls the holding unit to operate on the image data in the received image formation request when the determination unit determines that the power consumption is smaller than the predetermined power consumption.

  More preferably, if the control unit determines that the stored image data is operating with predetermined power consumption by the determination unit at a predetermined timing by operating the holding unit, the image forming unit Further control to activate.

  More preferably, the predetermined timing is a timing when a predetermined time elapses after the operation is started with power consumption smaller than the predetermined power consumption.

  More preferably, the predetermined timing is a timing at which the number of times the image forming request is received by the receiving unit after the operation is started with power consumption smaller than the predetermined power consumption reaches a predetermined number.

  More preferably, the control unit controls the image forming unit to operate on the image data in the received image formation request when the determination unit determines that the operation is performed with predetermined power consumption.

  In another aspect of the present invention, an image forming system includes any of the image forming apparatuses described above and a computer that requests the image forming apparatus to form an image.

  When receiving an image formation request, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention determines whether it is operating with a predetermined power consumption or with a power consumption smaller than the predetermined power consumption. Then, according to the determination result, whether to hold the image data or to form an image from the image data is selected for the image data in the received image formation request. As a result, when an image formation request is received, it is not necessary to immediately form an image if it is operating with a power consumption smaller than a predetermined power consumption. As a result, power consumption can be efficiently saved.

  In addition, since the image forming system according to the present invention includes the above-described image forming apparatus, it is possible to efficiently save power consumption.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral 10 when an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the digital multifunction peripheral 10. Referring to FIG. 1, the digital multifunction peripheral 10 displays a control unit 11 that controls the entire digital multifunction peripheral 10, a DRAM 12 for writing and reading image data and the like, and information that the digital multifunction peripheral 10 has. An operation unit 13 that includes a display screen and serves as an interface with the user in the digital multifunction peripheral 10, a document feeder 14 that automatically transports a document to a predetermined document reading position, and a document that has been transported by the document feeder 14 An image reading unit 15 that reads the image at a predetermined reading position with a scanner, an image forming unit 16 that forms the image from a document read by the image reading unit 15, a hard disk 17 that stores image data and the like, and a public A FAX communication unit 18 connected to the line 20 and a network IF (interface) for connecting to the network 21 And a face) unit 19.

  The control unit 11 compresses and writes the original data supplied from the image reading unit 15 in the DRAM 12, reads the data written in the DRAM 12, decompresses and decodes the data, and outputs it by the image forming unit 16.

  The digital multifunction machine 10 operates as a copying machine by forming an image in the image forming unit 16 via the DRAM 12 using the document read by the image reading unit 15. Further, the digital multifunction peripheral 10 forms an image in the image forming unit 16 through the DRAM 12 using image data transmitted from the personal computer (computer) 22 connected to the network 21 through the network IF unit 19. Operates as a printer. Further, the digital multifunction peripheral 10 forms an image in the image forming unit 16 through the DRAM 12 using the image data transmitted from the public line 20 through the FAX communication unit 18, and also by the image reading unit 15. The image data of the read original is transmitted to the public line 20 through the FAX communication unit 18 to operate as a facsimile machine. That is, the digital multi-function peripheral 10 has a plurality of functions such as a copying (copying) function, a printer function, and a FAX function regarding image processing. Further, each function has functions that can be set in more detail.

  The image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the digital multifunction peripheral 10 and the personal computer 22.

  The personal computer 22 includes a display 23 for displaying a screen and a printer driver 24. The printer driver 24 requests the digital multifunction peripheral 10 to form an image by using the printer function of the digital multifunction peripheral 10.

  In FIG. 1, thick arrows indicate the flow of image data, and thin arrows indicate the flow of control signals or control data.

  The digital multi-function peripheral 10 is equipped with a normal mode and a sleep mode.

  In the normal mode, for example, the temperature of a fixing roller (not shown) provided in the image forming unit 16 is maintained at a temperature suitable for fixing a developer such as toner. It means that the image can be immediately formed. In this case, the digital multi-function peripheral 10 operates with predetermined power consumption.

  In the sleep mode, for example, the temperature of the fixing roller described above is higher than room temperature but lower than that in the normal mode. Therefore, when an image formation request is received, image formation cannot be performed immediately, and fixing is performed. It means that it takes time to heat the roller to an appropriate temperature. In this case, the digital multi-function peripheral 10 operates with power consumption smaller than the predetermined power consumption in the normal mode.

  If the digital multi-function peripheral 10 is on standby for a predetermined time without receiving a request for image formation in the normal mode, the digital multi-function peripheral 10 shifts from the normal mode to the sleep mode to suppress power consumption. On the other hand, when receiving a request for image formation in the sleep mode, the digital multifunction peripheral 10 shifts from the sleep mode to the normal mode, heats the fixing roller to an appropriate temperature, and then forms an image in response to the request for image formation. Or whether to hold the image data in the received image formation request is controlled. Details will be described later.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when the digital multi-function peripheral 10 receives a request for image formation in the sleep mode. With reference to FIGS. 1 to 2, an operation when the digital multi-function peripheral 10 accepts an image formation request in the sleep mode will be described.

  First, the printer driver 24 of the personal computer 22 makes a request for image formation by using the printer function of the digital multifunction peripheral 10. Then, the control unit 11 receives a request for image formation from the personal computer 22 (in FIG. 2, step S11, the following steps are omitted). Here, the control unit 11 operates as an accepting unit.

  The control unit 11 determines whether the mode of the digital multi-function peripheral 10 is the normal mode or the sleep mode. That is, it is determined whether it is operating with a predetermined power consumption or with a power consumption smaller than the predetermined power consumption. Here, the control unit 11 operates as a determination unit.

  If it is determined that the mode is the sleep mode (YES in S12), that is, if it is determined that the device is operating with power consumption smaller than the predetermined power consumption, the image data in the image formation request received in S11 is held. (S14). For example, it is held in the DRAM 12 or the hard disk 17. Here, the DRAM 12 and the hard disk 17 operate as holding means.

  Then, control unit 11 waits until the sleep mode is shifted to the normal mode (NO in S15). That is, it waits until it operates with predetermined power consumption.

  Then, by using the copy function of the digital multifunction peripheral 10, the control unit 11 receives a request for image formation. Then, in the copy function, since it is necessary for the user to immediately form an image, the control unit 11 shifts from the sleep mode to the normal mode (YES in S15). Then, the control unit 11 determines that the mode of the digital multi-function peripheral 10 is operating in the normal mode, that is, with predetermined power consumption.

  At this time, the control unit 11 determines whether there is image data held in the DRAM 12 or the hard disk 17. Here, in S14, by using the printer function, the image data in the received request for image formation is held, so that it is determined that there is held image data. Then, the image forming unit 16 forms an image on the held image data (S16). Here, the image forming unit 16 operates as an image forming unit.

  As described above, when receiving a request for image formation, the digital multi-function peripheral 10 determines whether it is operating with a predetermined power consumption or less than a predetermined power consumption. Then, according to the determination result, whether to hold the image data or to form an image from the image data is selected for the image data in the received image formation request. As a result, when an image formation request is received, it is not necessary to immediately form an image if it is operating with a power consumption smaller than a predetermined power consumption. As a result, power consumption can be efficiently saved.

  In addition, since such an image forming system includes the above-described digital multifunction peripheral 10, it is possible to efficiently save power consumption.

  If it is determined in S12 that the mode is not the sleep mode, that is, the normal mode (NO in S12), the image is immediately formed in response to the accepted image formation request (S13).

  Here, the predetermined timing is a timing at which a request for image formation is received by using the copy function of the digital multifunction peripheral 10 and the mode is shifted from the sleep mode to the normal mode.

  In the above embodiment, in the sleep mode, when the printer function is used first, the image data in the accepted image formation request is held, and then the copy function is used. In the above, an example in which the image is formed by shifting from the sleep mode to the normal mode has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the FAX function is used first, the received image formation request is received. In the case where the image data is stored and then the printer function is used, the image forming may be performed by shifting from the sleep mode to the normal mode.

  In addition, for a user, only when a request for image formation is received using a function that requires image formation immediately, the image may be formed by shifting from the sleep mode to the normal mode.

  Further, when the printer driver 24 of the personal computer 22 makes a request for image formation, if the mode of the digital multifunction peripheral 10 is the sleep mode, the printer driver 24 immediately shifts to the normal mode to form an image, or immediately enters the normal mode. A request for image formation may be made by selecting whether to retain the received image data without shifting. In other words, whether or not to give priority to the sleep mode may be selected to make an image formation request. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the selection screen 26. With reference to FIG. 3, the selection screen 26 is displayed on the display 23 of the personal computer 22.

  Specifically, the printer driver 24 selects whether to give priority to the sleep mode depending on whether the check box 25 is checked. When the check box 25 is checked and the sleep mode is given priority and an image formation request is made, the digital multi-function peripheral 10 controls to hold the received image data without immediately shifting to the normal mode. If an image formation request is made without checking the check box 25 and giving priority to the sleep mode, the digital multi-function peripheral 10 immediately controls to shift to the normal mode to form an image.

  By doing so, it is possible to select whether to give priority to the sleep mode according to the convenience of the user.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in another embodiment when the digital multi-function peripheral 10 accepts an image formation request in the sleep mode. With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, an operation in another embodiment when the digital multi-function peripheral 10 receives a request for image formation in the sleep mode will be described. Note that S21 to S23 in FIG. 4 are the same as S11 to S13 in FIG.

  In S22, the control unit 11 determines whether the mode of the digital multifunction peripheral 10 is the normal mode or the sleep mode. If the control unit 11 determines that the mode is the sleep mode (YES in S22), the control unit 11 shifts to the sleep mode. In other words, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time, for example, one hour has elapsed since the operation was started with power consumption smaller than the predetermined power consumption.

  If one hour has not elapsed (YES in S24), the control unit 11 holds the image data in the accepted image formation request (S25).

  Then, the system waits until 1 hour elapses, and shifts from the sleep mode to the normal mode at the timing when 1 hour elapses (NO in S24). Then, an image is formed on the held image data (S26).

  In another embodiment, the predetermined timing is a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed since the transition to the sleep mode.

  In another embodiment, an example is described in which an image is formed on held image data at a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed since the transition to the sleep mode, here, one hour. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of times of accepting an image formation request after shifting to the sleep mode may be a timing when the predetermined number of times is reached. In this case, the predetermined timing is a timing at which the number of image formation requests received after the transition to the sleep mode has reached a predetermined number.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, this invention is not limited to the thing of embodiment shown in figure. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same range or equivalent range as the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral when an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the digital multifunction peripheral. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when the digital multi-function peripheral receives an image formation request in a sleep mode. It is a figure which shows an example of a selection screen. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in another embodiment when the digital multi-function peripheral receives an image formation request in the sleep mode.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Digital multifunction device, 11 Control part, 12 DRAM, 13 Operation part, 14 Document feeder, 15 Image reading part, 16 Image formation part, 17 Hard disk, 18 FAX communication part, 19 Network IF part, 20 Public line, 21 Network , 22 PC, 23 Display, 24 Printer driver, 25 Check box, 26 Selection screen.

Claims (7)

Receiving means for receiving a request for image formation;
Image forming means for forming an image from image data;
Holding means for holding image data;
A determination unit that determines whether the device is operating with a predetermined power consumption or a power consumption smaller than the predetermined power consumption when the image forming request is received by the reception unit;
And a control unit that controls to select whether to operate the holding unit or the image forming unit with respect to image data in the received image formation request according to a determination result by the determination unit. , Image forming apparatus. The control means includes
2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that the power consumption is smaller than the predetermined power consumption, the holding unit is controlled to operate on the image data in the received image formation request. The image forming apparatus described. The control means includes
By operating the holding unit, the image forming unit is operated when the determination unit determines that the held image data is operating at the predetermined power consumption at a predetermined timing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further controlled. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined timing is a timing at which a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation was started with power consumption smaller than the predetermined power consumption. 4. The predetermined timing is a timing at which the number of times an image forming request is received by the receiving unit after starting operation with a power consumption smaller than the predetermined power consumption reaches a predetermined number. Or the image forming apparatus according to 4. The control means includes
The control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein if the determination unit determines that the image forming unit is operating at the predetermined power consumption, the image forming unit is controlled to operate on image data in the received image formation request. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1;
An image forming system including a computer that makes a request for image formation to the image forming apparatus.

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