JP2010038998A - Image forming apparatus, start-up control method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly perform an operation on an operation part, without giving a stress due to a waiting time to a user, when power is supplied to an image forming apparatus (equipment) body or the recovery from a power saving mode to a normal mode is performed. <P>SOLUTION: A system control part 7 performs its initialization processing, when the power is supplied to equipment body or the recovery from the power saving mode to the normal mode is performed, and informs an operation part control part 13 of the completion of initialization, after the initialization processing is completed. The operation part control part 13 immediately transmits key input information (operation information) by a key input operation on the operation part 12 to the system control part 7, when the input of the key input information is detected after the completion of the initialization is detected, in such a state that a key input accepting screen for accepting the input of the key input information is displayed on the operation part 12. When the input of the key input information is detected before the completion of the initialization is detected, in such a state that the key input accepting screen is displayed on the operation part 12, the operation part control part 13 evacuates the key input information to a memory and transmits the key input information in the memory to the system control part 7, after the completion of the initialization is detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a digital copying machine, a digital multifunction machine, a start-up control method for image formation, an image forming apparatus main body constituting the image forming apparatus, and a control unit for controlling an operation unit. The present invention relates to a program for realizing functions necessary for the second computer (functions related to the present invention) and a computer-readable recording medium storing the program, and particularly for performing startup control after power-on in a short time. Related to technology.

The image forming apparatus as described above is generally composed of an image forming apparatus main body and an operation unit.
In such an image forming apparatus, a program stored in a ROM, an HDD (hard disk), or the like is expanded on a RAM at the time of startup by a main body control unit (main body control CPU) that controls the main body of the image forming apparatus. Software startup starts, but there is a limit to time reduction even if the program development up to that startup is accelerated. For this reason, it takes a long time from when the power is turned on until a drawing instruction for the startup screen (standby screen) is issued to the operation unit, and there is a problem that the startup screen cannot be immediately drawn (displayed) on the operation unit.

Therefore, the operation unit is provided with a control means (operation unit control unit that performs key input control and display control) separately from the image forming apparatus main body side, and completes activation of the operation unit control unit during preparation for main body activation, and spontaneously A start-up control system that can display the start-up screen on the operation unit by the operation unit control unit only when it is necessary to quickly notify the user of the start-up preparation is disclosed ( For example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-3659 A

However, in the start-up control system described in Patent Document 1, “key input to the operation unit before starting the software” has not been mentioned, so when the power to the image forming apparatus main body is turned on or from the energy saving (power saving) mode. When returning to the normal mode (hereinafter also referred to as “energy-saving return” or “power-saving return”), there is a problem that the key input (operation) on the operation unit is stressed to the user. It was.
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and when the power to the image forming apparatus main body is turned on or energy saving is resumed, the user can quickly perform operations on the operation unit without stressing the waiting time for the user. It aims to be able to do it.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus, a start-up control method in the image formation, an image forming apparatus main body constituting the image forming apparatus, and a control unit for controlling an operation unit. A program to be executed by a computer and a computer-readable recording medium recording the program are provided.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, an image forming apparatus main body and an operation unit are independent from each other. The image forming apparatus includes an operation unit control unit that controls the operation unit separately from a main body control unit that controls the image forming apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus comprising: an initialization processing unit configured to perform initialization processing of the main body control unit when the power to the image forming apparatus main body is turned on or when returning from the energy saving mode to the normal mode. After completion of the initialization processing by the initialization processing means, an initialization completion notification means for notifying the operation section control means of completion of initialization is provided, and input to the operation section control means by an operation on the operation section. Operation information storage means for storing operation information, input reception screen display means for displaying an input reception screen for receiving input of the operation information on the operation unit, and the operation In the state where the input reception screen is displayed by the input detection means for detecting the input of the information, the initialization completion detection means for detecting the completion of the initialization, and the input reception screen display means, the initialization completion is A first operation information transmission unit that immediately transmits the operation information to the main body control unit when the input detection unit detects an input of the operation information after being detected by the initialization completion detection unit; When the operation information input is detected by the input detection means before the completion of initialization is detected by the initialization completion detection means while the input reception screen is displayed by the input reception screen display means. The operation information is saved in the operation information storage means, and the completion of the initialization is detected by the initialization completion detection means. The operation information of the internal is provided with a second operation information transmitting means for transmitting to said main body control means.

Each time the operation information is saved in the operation information storage means, the input acceptance screen display means is based on the operation information until the initialization completion is notified by the initialization completion detection means. It is recommended to update the input reception screen. In this case, the operation unit control means is provided with a font data storage means for storing character font data, and the input reception screen display means until the initialization completion is detected by the initialization completion detection means. It is desirable to update the input acceptance screen using a font corresponding to the operation information in the character font data each time the operation information is saved in the operation information storage means.
In addition, when the operation information saved in the operation information storage unit is information indicating the start of a job, the operation unit control unit starts until the initialization completion is detected by the initialization completion detection unit. It is preferable to provide a startup screen display means for displaying a startup screen indicating that the program is in progress on the operation unit.

Alternatively, the input reception screen display means is a means for displaying the input reception screen including job identification information, and the operation information storage means until the initialization completion is detected by the initialization completion detection means. Each time information indicating the start of a job is saved as the operation information, the input reception screen including the job identification information may be displayed on the operation unit.
Further, when the operation information saved in the operation information storage means is information indicating the start of a job, a job completion notification means for notifying the completion of the job after the job is completed. It is preferable to provide a notification destination information storage unit that stores information on the notification destination of the job completion.

  The start-up control method according to the present invention has a configuration in which an image forming apparatus main body and an operation unit are independent, and includes an operation unit control unit that controls the operation unit separately from a main body control unit that controls the image forming apparatus main body. A start-up control method in an image forming apparatus, wherein the main body control means performs initialization processing of the main body control means when the image forming apparatus main body is turned on or when returning from the energy saving mode to the normal mode. And an initialization completion notifying step for notifying the operation unit control means of completion of initialization after the initialization process by the initialization process step is completed, and the operation unit control unit includes the operation unit An input reception screen display process for displaying an input reception screen for receiving input of operation information input by the above operation on the operation unit, and the input of the operation information is detected. The initialization completion detection step, the initialization completion detection step for detecting the initialization completion, and the initialization completion detection step in the state where the input acceptance screen is displayed by the input acceptance screen display step. When the input of the operation information is detected by the input detection step after being detected by the first operation information transmission step of immediately transmitting the operation information to the main body control means, and the input reception screen display step If the input of the operation information is detected by the input detection step before the initialization completion is detected by the initialization completion detection step while the input acceptance screen is displayed by the After the information is saved in the memory and the completion of initialization is detected by the initialization completion detection step, the operation information in the memory is transferred to the main body control means. It is obtained by a second operation information transmission step of Shin.

The program according to the present invention stores the image forming apparatus main body and the first computer that controls the image forming apparatus main body provided in the image forming apparatus having an independent operation unit at power-on or energy saving. When returning from the mode to the normal mode, the initialization processing function for performing initialization processing of the main body control means, and the initialization processing by the initialization processing function are completed, and then the initialization completion is notified to the second computer An input for displaying an input reception screen on the operation unit for receiving an input of operation information input by an operation on the operation unit on a second computer that controls the operation unit with an initialization completion notification function Reception screen display function, input detection function for detecting the input of the operation information, initialization completion detection function for detecting the initialization completion, and the input reception screen If the input of the operation information is detected by the input detection function after the initialization completion is detected by the initialization completion detection function while the input acceptance screen is displayed by the display function, The initialization completion is detected in the state where the input reception screen is displayed by the first operation information transmission function for immediately transmitting the operation information to the first computer and the input reception screen display function. If the input of the operation information is detected by the input detection function before being detected by the function, the operation information is saved in a memory, and the initialization completion is detected by the initialization completion detection function. And a second operation information transmission function for transmitting the operation information in the memory to the first computer. .
A recording medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which the above program is recorded.

  According to the present invention, the main body control means for controlling the image forming apparatus main body constituting the image forming apparatus performs initialization processing of the main body control means at the time of turning on the power to the image forming apparatus main body or at the time of energy saving recovery. After the initialization process is completed, the operation unit control unit notifies completion of initialization to the operation unit control unit, and the operation unit control unit that controls the operation unit constituting the image forming apparatus receives the operation information input by the operation on the operation unit. When the input of the operation information is detected after detecting the completion of the initialization in the state where the input reception screen for receiving the input is displayed on the operation unit, the operation information is immediately transmitted to the main body control unit, If the input of the operation information is detected before the initialization completion is detected with the input reception screen displayed on the operation unit, the operation information is saved in a memory (operation information storage means) After detecting the completion of the initialization, the above operation information in the memory is transmitted to the main body control means, so that the user is subjected to a waiting time stress when the power to the image forming apparatus main body is turned on or when the energy saving is restored. It is possible to quickly perform operations on the operation unit.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
[Configuration of digital copier]
First, the operation when the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is a digital copying machine will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of this digital copying machine.

This digital copying machine (hereinafter also simply referred to as “apparatus”) has a structure in which an apparatus main body (image forming apparatus main body) and an operation unit are independent, and separately from a main body control unit (main body control means) that controls the apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus includes an operation unit control unit (operation unit control unit) that controls the operation unit.
In this digital copying machine, image data of a document read by the reading control unit 1 is subjected to image processing by an image processing unit (not shown) in the engine control unit 2 and then sent to the writing control unit 3.

  The write control unit 3 performs modulation (on / off) control of a laser diode (not shown) based on image data sent from the image processing unit in the engine control unit 2, emits a corresponding laser beam, The laser beam is deflected through a lens and the surface of a drum-like or belt-like photoconductor (actually, a charged surface by a charging unit) that is an image carrier in the electrophotographic process unit 4 is scanned to form an electrostatic latent image. Form.

  In the electrophotographic process unit 4, the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive member is visualized with toner to form a toner image, and the toner image is transferred to a transfer paper (others) fed by a paper feeding unit (not shown). The toner image is melted and fixed on the surface of the transfer paper by a fixing portion (fixing roller or the like) (not shown) heated by the fixing heater 5 to form an image on the transfer paper. The transfer sheet after the image formation is discharged as a copy to a discharge tray (not shown).

The fixing heater 5 is controlled by the engine control unit 2 and the fixing control unit 6 so as to always have a desired temperature when the fixing unit is in operation.
A series of these image forming operations are controlled by the system control unit 7 (main body control unit), and image data can be held and processed, and various operation modes can be adjusted.
Each part of the apparatus main body including the engine control unit 2, the electrophotographic process unit 4, and the system control unit 7 can be operated by power supply (power-on) from the power supply 8.

Printer operation based on print data from a host computer (personal computer, etc.) (image forming operation including processing for converting print data into image data for image formation), and fax transmission / reception with an external device such as a fax machine having a fax function In the case of executing the operation by the above, the three external interfaces (hereinafter, “interface” is referred to as “I / F”) 9, 10, and 11 are controlled by the system control unit 7 so that the operation as a multifunction device can be realized. Here, the number of external I / Fs is not limited to three, and the number of external I / Fs is set in accordance with the functions of the multifunction peripheral.
In the operation unit 12 that realizes the user interface, an input unit and a display unit are controlled by an operation unit control unit 13 mounted on the operation unit 12.

[System controller configuration]
Next, the configuration of the system control unit 7 in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the system control unit 7.
The system control unit 7 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 24.
The CPU 21 performs overall control of the entire device by operating according to a program.

The ROM 22 is a read-only memory that stores programs executed by the CPU 21 and data.
The RAM 23 is a readable / writable memory used as a program memory for expanding the compressed program in the ROM 22, a work memory for the CPU 21 to work on executing the program, an image data memory for expanding and storing image data, and the like. The program developed on the program memory of the RAM 23 may be stored in other storage means such as an HDD (not shown).

The ASIC 24 is a multi-function device board that shares devices to be controlled by the CPU 21 and supports high efficiency in the development of application programs and the like from the viewpoint of architecture.
In the system control unit 7 configured as described above, the CPU 21 can serve as an initialization processing unit and an initialization completion notification unit according to the present invention by executing the program developed on the RAM 23.

[Configuration of operation unit]
Next, the configuration of the operation unit 12 in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of the operation unit 12.
FIG. 4 is a layout diagram illustrating a configuration example of the panel surface of the operation unit 12.
As shown in FIG. 3, the operation unit 12 includes an operation unit control unit 13, an LCD display unit 41, an input unit 42, and a power switch 43.

The operation unit control unit 13 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, and an ASIC 34.
The CPU 31 performs overall control of the entire operation unit 12 by operating according to a program.
The ROM 32 is a read-only memory that stores programs executed by the CPU 31 and data.

The RAM 33 is a readable / writable memory used as a program memory for expanding the compressed program in the ROM 32, a work memory for the CPU 31 to execute the program, a screen data memory for expanding and storing the screen data, and the like. . The RAM 33 has functions as operation information storage means, font data storage means, and notification destination information storage means.
The ASIC 34 is a multi-function device board, which shares devices to be controlled by the CPU 31 and supports high efficiency in development of application programs and the like from the viewpoint of architecture.

The LCD display unit 41 displays various information such as device status and setting information.
The input unit 42 is a user interface including various operation keys (also referred to as operation switches or operation buttons) for inputting data such as operation instructions for realizing various functions provided by the device. As shown in FIG. 2, the initial setting mode transition / cancellation key 51, application switching keys 52 to 56, ten key 57, reset key 58, clear / stop key 59, and start key 60 are included.

The initial setting mode shift / cancel key 51 is an operation key for setting a device in accordance with the usability of the administrator or user.
The application switching keys 52 to 56 are operation keys for selectively switching applications such as copy, document box, fax (FAX), printer (Printer), and scanner (Scanner).
The numeric keypad 57 is an operation key for inputting the number of prints and the magnification.

The reset key 58 is an operation key for returning the set mode to the default state.
The clear / stop key 59 is an operation key for instructing to interrupt the operation or clear the numeric keypad input result.
The start key 60 is an operation key for instructing the start of operations such as copying, scanning, and FAX transmission.
The power switch 43 is for turning on / off the power supply from the power source 8 to the device body (power on / off), and also has a function as an energy saving return factor key.

Normally, the screen data to be displayed on the LCD display unit 41 and the input data input by the input unit 42 are controlled by the system control unit 7 as in the image forming operation.
In the operation unit control unit 13 configured as described above, the CPU 31 executes the program developed on the RAM 33, whereby the input reception screen display unit, the input detection unit, the initialization completion detection unit, the first, and the like according to the present invention. The operation information transmitting means, the second operation information transmitting means, and the active screen display means can be fulfilled.

[Processing operations from power-on to initialization completion by the system controller]
Next, processing operations from the power-on (power-on) by the CPU 21 of the system control unit 7 shown in FIG. 2 to the completion of initialization will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing operations from power-on to initialization completion by the CPU 21 of the system control unit 7.

The CPU 21 of the system control unit 7 first performs the processing of steps S101 to S105 sequentially according to the boot loader in the ROM 22 when the power to the device main body is turned on (turned on) in step S100.
That is, first, the process proceeds to step S 101, where the compressed program is read from the ROM 22, decompressed into an execution format, and expanded on the RAM 23.
Next, the process proceeds to step S102, and it is determined whether the decompression of the compressed program is completed and can be executed.

If decompression of the compressed program has not ended, the process returns to step S101.
When decompression of the compressed program is completed, the process proceeds to step S103, and execution of the program developed on the RAM 23 is started (software of the system control unit 7 is activated).
Next, the process proceeds to step S104, where initialization processing by software of the system control unit 7 is performed. After the initialization processing is completed, an initialization completion notification indicating that is issued to the operation unit 12 in step S105. .

Hereinafter, different examples (each embodiment) of portions related to the present invention in the system control unit 7 shown in FIG. 2 and the operation unit control unit 13 shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[First embodiment]
First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a first example of a configuration of main parts related to the present invention in the system control unit 7 and the operation unit control unit 13 shown in FIGS.

The initialization completion notification issuance unit 70 of the system control unit 7 issues an initialization completion notification signal indicating the completion to the operation unit 12 after the initialization processing by the software of the system control unit 7 is completed. Notification means (see FIG. 5).
The ROM 32 of the operation unit control unit 13 stores drawing data of a key input reception screen corresponding to the input reception screen in addition to the compression program and the drawing data of the Wait screen (waiting screen indicating that the user is starting up). Has been. The key input acceptance screen is usually a simple screen as compared to the standby mode, but is preferably a screen that clearly indicates that the user can perform key input.

The key input detection unit 71 of the operation unit control unit 13 is an input detection unit that detects information (hereinafter referred to as “key input information”) input by operating an operation key on the operation unit 12.
The key input information storage unit 72 is an operation information storage unit that stores key input information (operation information) detected by the key input detection unit 71. Although it is conceivable to use the RAM 33 for the key input information storage unit 72, other devices (such as an HDD or a non-volatile memory (not shown)) may be used as long as they have a function capable of storing information.
The initialization completion detection unit 73 is an initialization completion detection unit that detects that the initialization of the system control unit 7 has been completed by receiving an initialization completion notification signal sent from the system control unit 7.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a first example of processing operations from power-on by the CPU 31 of the operation unit control unit 13 illustrated in FIG. 3 to completion of handshaking with the system control unit 7.
First, when the power to the device main body is turned on in step S200, the CPU 31 of the operation unit control unit 13 activates software in step S201. The software activation flow may be a control process equivalent to the flow of the system control unit 7 described with reference to FIG. 5. Generally, the system control unit 7 has a UNIX (registered trademark) in order to support a network. In many cases, an OS with a heavy processing is adopted as an OS (operating system) or the like, and such an OS takes time to start up after the power is cut off. For this reason, the activation of the software of the operation unit control unit 13 is completed much earlier than the system control unit 7.

When the software (program) is activated, the CPU 31 of the operation unit control unit 13 performs initialization processing by software in step S202.
In step S203, the key input acceptance screen is displayed on the LCD display unit 41 based on the drawing data of the key input acceptance screen stored in the ROM 32. At this point in time, activation (initialization) on the system control unit 7 side is not completed, but key input is possible.
After the key input acceptance screen is displayed on the LCD display unit 41, it is determined in step S204 whether the activation of the system control unit 7 has been completed.

When the activation of the system control unit 7 has been completed, a normal standby screen drawing data to be displayed on the LCD display unit 41 is requested to the system control unit 7 of the device main body in step S205.
When drawing data is received from the system control unit 7 in response to the request, a normal standby screen is displayed on the LCD display unit 41 based on the drawing data in step S206, and the transition to the normal standby state is completed. To do.

On the other hand, if the activation of the system control unit 7 has not been completed, the key input is monitored in step S207. If the key input is not detected, the process returns to step S204 to complete the activation of the system control unit 7 again. To check.
If key input is detected, after the key input information is saved (stored) in the RAM 33 in step S208, is the operation key pressed for inputting the key input information in step S209 the start key 60? Determine whether or not.

If the pressed operation key is not the start key 60, the process returns to step S203 to update the key input acceptance screen so as to reflect the key input information input by pressing the operation key.
If the pressed operation key is the start key 60, the start key 60 is an operation key for instructing the start of copying, faxing, scanning, etc., and the process proceeds to step S210.

In step S210, it is checked again whether or not the system control unit 7 has been activated (the system control unit 7 has been started up).
If the system control unit 7 has not yet started up, the wait screen is displayed on the LCD display unit 41 based on the drawing data of the wait screen (starting screen) stored in the ROM 22.
If the system control unit 7 is activated, the key input information input by pressing the start key 60 is read from the RAM 33 and transferred to the system control unit 7 in step S212.
The CPU 21 of the system control unit 7 starts a predetermined process according to the key input information.

  In this way, the system control unit performs its own initialization process when the power to the device main body is turned on, and after the initialization process is completed, notifies the operation unit control unit of the completion of the initialization. Is completed with the key input acceptance screen for accepting input of key input information (operation information input by operation on the operation unit) by key input operation on the operation unit displayed on the operation unit. If the input of key input information is detected after detecting this, the key input information is immediately transmitted to the system control unit, and the initialization completion is detected with the key input acceptance screen displayed on the operation unit. If the input of key input information is detected before, the key input information is saved in the memory, and after detecting the completion of the initialization, the key input information in the memory is transmitted to the system control unit. Body Of at power-on, it is possible to perform the key input operation in rapidly operating unit on without giving stress latency to the user.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing a second example of the configuration of the main part related to the present invention in the system control unit 7 and the operation unit control unit 13 shown in FIGS.
In the first embodiment, it is necessary to update the key input acceptance screen based on the key input information. However, in order to store a large amount of drawing data in the ROM 32 in advance, the ROM 32 requires a large storage capacity, leading to an increase in cost. Therefore, it is desirable to have a configuration capable of displaying many types of key input acceptance screens with as little storage capacity as possible.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, character font data is stored in the ROM 32 in addition to the drawing data of the key input acceptance screen. In this case, the screen is updated when the pressed operation key is not the start key 60 after the key input information by the key input operation (pressing the operation key) is saved in the RAM 33 (steps S208, S209, and S203 in FIG. 7). As an example, when the pressed operation key is “2” indicating the number of copies, the font “2” is read from the character font data, and only the number of copies on the key input reception screen is updated to “2”. Thus, the key input information can be reflected on the key input reception screen.

  Thus, every time the key input information is saved in the RAM until the operation unit control unit detects initialization completion (start-up completion) from the system control unit, the key input information in the character font data. Since the key input acceptance screen is updated using the font corresponding to the minimum number of drawing data and character font data stored in the ROM, a large number of key input acceptance screens can be displayed on the LCD display unit with a low-capacity ROM. 41 can be displayed.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of the processing operation from the power-on by the CPU 31 of the operation unit control unit 13 illustrated in FIG. 3 to the completion of the handshake with the system control unit 7.
In the first or second embodiment, an instruction to start a job such as copying is input before the start of the system control unit 7 (the start key 60 is pressed), and key input information indicating the start of the job is stored in the RAM 33. When saved, a wait screen is displayed on the LCD display unit 41, and an instruction to start the next job cannot be input until the system control unit 7 completes startup. For this reason, when it is desired to continuously input start instructions for a plurality of jobs, the user feels stress that cannot be input.

  Therefore, in the third embodiment, when the CPU 31 of the operation unit control unit 13 receives a job start instruction before the start of the system control unit 7 is completed, a new key input for accepting a new key input in step S213. The drawing data of the reception screen is created, and the process returns to step S203 to display the new key input reception screen on the LCD display unit 41, whereby a plurality of job start instructions can be input. At this time, the job number is displayed on the new key input acceptance screen to indicate that a plurality of job start instructions are input.

If the completion of activation of the system control unit 7 is detected in step S204, it is determined whether or not a job start instruction is input in step S214.
If no job start instruction is input, the process proceeds to step S205.
When a job start instruction is input, the process proceeds to step S212, and key input information stored in the ROM 32 corresponding to the job start instruction is transferred to the system control unit 7.

  As described above, each time the key input information indicating the start of the job is saved in the RAM until the operation unit control unit detects the initialization completion (start-up completion) from the system control unit, the job identification is performed. By displaying a key input acceptance screen including information on the operation unit, it is possible to input a start instruction for a plurality of jobs. The key input operation can be performed.

[Fourth embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing a third example of the configuration of the main part related to the present invention in the system control unit 7 and the operation unit control unit 13 shown in FIGS.
In the first to third embodiments, a job start instruction can be input before the system control unit 7 is activated. However, in this case, the user who has input the job start instruction needs to wait in front of the device.

Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the operation unit control unit 13 includes a notification destination storage unit 74 (notification destination information storage means). The notification destination storage unit 74 may be configured to store an address book in the ROM 32.
As a result, when the processing of the job instructed to start is completed after the system control unit 7 is started up, the CPU 31 of the operation unit control unit 13 can send a process completion notification to that effect to the user. .

As a transmission method, an external I / F such as a LAN (local area network) is used, and a process completion notification is notified to a user's device (personal computer, mobile phone, etc.) by e-mail (e-mail, etc.). Possible methods.
This eliminates the need for the user to wait in front of the device after inputting a job by operating the operation unit 12 before starting the system control unit 7.

Each of the above-described embodiments is described as a flow from when the power is turned on. However, in recent years, power saving has been demanded in all electronic apparatuses from the viewpoint of environmental protection, and digital copying machines are no exception.
For this reason, various current energy saving (energy saving) modes are prepared in the current digital copying machine, and the power supply to the CPU 21 of the system control unit 7 may be stopped depending on the modes. In such an energy saving mode, it is necessary to carry out the same initialization flow as when the power is turned on when energy saving is restored.
Therefore, the present invention can be applied not only when the power is turned on, but also when energy saving is restored.

  The embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a digital copying machine has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as a printer, a digital multifunction peripheral, or a facsimile machine.

[Program related to this invention]
This program is sent to the CPU (computer) of the main body control unit (system control unit) that controls the main body of the image forming apparatus constituting the image forming apparatus as an initialization processing unit and an initialization completion notification unit that are functions related to the present invention. To the CPU of the operation unit control unit that controls the operation unit constituting the image forming apparatus, the input reception screen display unit, the input detection unit, the initialization completion detection unit, and the first operation information transmission unit according to the present invention. , A second operation information transmission unit, and a program for realizing the function as a startup screen display unit. By causing the CPU to execute such a program, the above-described effects can be obtained. .

Such a program is stored in a storage means such as a ROM, a nonvolatile memory (flash ROM, EEPROM, etc.) or an HDD (hard disk device) provided in the main body control unit and the operation unit control unit from the beginning. However, non-volatile recording such as CD-ROM as a recording medium, memory card, flexible disk, MO, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD + R, DVD + RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, or DVD-RAM. It can also be recorded on a medium (memory) and provided. By installing the program recorded in the recording medium in the main body control unit and the operation unit control unit and causing the CPU to execute the program, or reading the program from the recording medium and causing the CPU to execute the program, The procedure can be executed.
Furthermore, it is also possible to download and execute an external device that is connected to a network and includes a recording medium that records the program, or an external device that stores the program in the storage unit.

  As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to quickly perform an operation on the operation unit without causing a waiting time stress on the user. By using the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that is very convenient for the user.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the system control part of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the control system of the operation part of FIG. FIG. 2 is a layout diagram illustrating a configuration example of a panel surface of the operation unit in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation from the power activation by CPU21 of FIG. 2 to the completion of initialization.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the 1st example of a structure of the principal part in connection with this invention in the system control part 7 and the operation part control part 13 shown in FIG. 2, FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a first example of processing operation from power-on by CPU 31 of FIG. 3 to completion of handshaking with system control unit 7. It is a functional block diagram which shows the 2nd example of a structure of the principal part in connection with this invention in the system control part 7 and the operation part control part 13 shown in FIG. 2, FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd example of the processing operation from power activation by CPU31 of FIG. 3 to the completion of handshaking with the system control part 7. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a third example of the configuration of main parts related to the present invention in the system control unit 7 and the operation unit control unit 13 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Explanation of symbols

7: System control unit 8: Power supply 21, 31: CPU 22, 32: ROM
23, 33: RAM 24, 34: ASIC 41: LCD display unit 42: Input unit 43: Power switch 70: Initialization completion notification issuing unit 71: Key input detection unit 72: Key input information storage unit 73: Initialization completion detection Part

Claims (9)

The image forming apparatus main body and the operation unit are independent from each other. The image forming apparatus includes an operation unit control unit that controls the operation unit separately from a main body control unit that controls the image forming apparatus main body.
The main body control means includes an initialization processing means for performing initialization processing of the main body control means when the image forming apparatus main body is turned on or when returning from the energy saving mode to the normal mode, and an initialization process by the initialization processing means. An initialization completion notification means for notifying the operation section control means of completion of initialization after the initialization processing is completed,
An input reception for displaying on the operation unit an operation information storage unit for storing operation information input by an operation on the operation unit and an input reception screen for receiving an input of the operation information in the operation unit control unit In a state where the input reception screen is displayed by the screen display means, the input detection means for detecting the input of the operation information, the initialization completion detection means for detecting the completion of initialization, and the input reception screen display means If the input of the operation information is detected by the input detection means after the initialization completion is detected by the initialization completion detection means, the operation information is immediately transmitted to the main body control means. In a state where the input reception screen is displayed by the operation information transmission unit and the input reception screen display unit, the initialization completion is detected by the initialization completion detection unit. When the input of the operation information is detected by the input detection means before being notified, the operation information is saved in the operation information storage means, and the initialization completion is detected by the initialization completion detection means. And a second operation information transmitting means for transmitting the operation information in the operation information storage means to the main body control means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The input reception screen display means, based on the operation information, every time the operation information is saved in the operation information storage means until the initialization completion is notified by the initialization completion detection means. An image forming apparatus that updates an input reception screen. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.
The operation unit control means is provided with font data storage means for storing character font data,
The input acceptance screen display means is configured to store the operation information in the character font data every time the operation information is saved in the operation information storage means until the initialization completion is detected by the initialization completion detection means. An image forming apparatus, wherein the input reception screen is updated using a font corresponding to operation information. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When the operation information saved in the operation information storage unit is information indicating the start of a job, the operation unit control unit is in the process of starting until the initialization completion is detected by the initialization completion detection unit. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a starting screen display means for displaying a starting screen indicating that there is a message on the operation unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The input reception screen display means is a means for displaying the input reception screen including job identification information, and in the operation information storage means until the initialization completion is detected by the initialization completion detection means. An image forming apparatus characterized in that, every time information indicating the start of a job is saved as the operation information, the input acceptance screen including the job identification information is displayed on the operation unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A job completion notifying means for notifying the completion of the job after the job is completed when the operation information saved in the operation information storage means is information indicating the start of a job; An image forming apparatus comprising: a notification destination information storage unit that stores information of a notification destination of completion. An image forming apparatus main body and an operation unit are configured independently, and a start-up control method in an image forming apparatus having an operation unit control unit that controls the operation unit separately from a main body control unit that controls the image forming apparatus main body. There,
The main body control means performs initialization processing of the main body control means when the power to the image forming apparatus main body is turned on or when returning from the energy saving mode to the normal mode, and an initial processing step by the initialization processing step An initialization completion notification step for notifying the operation unit control means of completion of initialization after the initialization process is completed,
The operation unit control means detects an input reception screen display step for displaying an input reception screen on the operation unit for receiving an input of operation information input by an operation on the operation unit, and detects the input of the operation information An initialization completion detection step for detecting the completion of initialization, and the initialization completion detection step in the state where the input acceptance screen is displayed by the input acceptance screen display step. When the input of the operation information is detected by the input detection step after being detected by the first operation information transmission step of immediately transmitting the operation information to the main body control means, and the input reception screen display step The input of the operation information is input before the initialization completion is detected by the initialization completion detection step in a state where the input acceptance screen is displayed by When detected by the intelligence process, the operation information is saved in the memory, and after the initialization completion is detected by the initialization completion detection process, the operation information in the memory is transmitted to the main body control means. And a second operation information transmitting step. A first computer that controls the image forming apparatus main body provided in the image forming apparatus having an independent configuration of the image forming apparatus main body and the operation unit is switched on when the image forming apparatus main body is turned on or from the energy saving mode to the normal mode. An initialization processing function for performing initialization processing of the main body control means upon return, and an initialization completion notification function for notifying the second computer of the completion of initialization after the initialization processing by the initialization processing function is completed; The
An input reception screen display function for displaying an input reception screen on the operation unit for receiving input of operation information input by an operation on the operation unit on a second computer that controls the operation unit, and the operation In the state where the input reception screen is displayed by the input detection function for detecting the input of information, the initialization completion detection function for detecting the completion of initialization, and the input reception screen display function, the initialization completion is performed. A first operation information transmission function for immediately transmitting the operation information to the first computer when the input of the operation information is detected by the input detection function after being detected by the initialization completion detection function; Before the initialization completion is detected by the initialization completion detection function while the input reception screen is displayed by the input reception screen display function, When the input of the operation information is detected by the input detection function, the operation information is saved in the memory, and after the initialization completion is detected by the initialization completion detection function, the operation information in the memory is stored. And a second operation information transmission function for transmitting the information to the first computer.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 8 is recorded.

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