JP2010052236A - Image formation device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation device and program which attain an electricity saving when making the transition in a power supply mode performed by the decision of a control unit or a device. <P>SOLUTION: If a reset indication is received (S201), reset processing for only the minimum members is performed (S202), a reset time as a particular module is computed (S203), and the reset time is informed by broadcasting (S204). If the information on the reset time is notified from other modules (S205), the notified information on the reset time is memorized (S206). If the information on the reset time is notified from all modules needing the reset (S207), the longest reset time among the reset time information is chosen, and a reset start time is decided from the chosen reset-time information (S208). If it is decided the reset start time can be delayed (S209), the reset processing as the module is performed (S211) after delaying it until the start time of the reset processing (S210). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a program.

  For example, Patent Document 1 proposes an operation mode control device or the like that allows an image recording apparatus to perform a standby operation at an appropriate timing. This operation mode control device or the like is an output device information acquisition unit that acquires information relating to an operation time required for the standby operation from an image recording device that can be set to the sleep mode and can cancel the sleep mode that is set by performing the standby operation. It has. The operation mode control device or the like acquires image data before processing included in the print job in synchronization with an image data generation device that processes the print job and generates image data of each page. Includes a time calculation unit for calculating a processing time required to process image data and generate image data. Also, the operation mode control device or the like instructs the image recording device to start the standby operation so that the standby operation is completed almost simultaneously with the arrival of the image data on the image recording device based on the operation time and the processing time. A standby operation instruction unit is provided.

JP 2005-258957 A

Here, in a general image forming apparatus, power supply to a control unit necessary for processing and power supply to an unnecessary control unit are stopped by a start control unit (SCU: System Control) that controls the entire image forming apparatus. A so-called centralized management configuration performed by the Unit) is employed. For example, the activation control unit (SCU) determines a control unit necessary for a job to be executed next, and performs control to supply power to a control unit that requires power supply.
However, in such a case, it is necessary to grasp the status of power supply / stop of each control unit in advance by the start control means (SCU) for each job type. Further, the activation control means (SCU) needs to predict the time required for the transition when transitioning the power mode of each control unit. When predicting the time required for the transition, if the accuracy of the prediction is low, the power consumption during the transition of the power mode increases.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a program that can save power when a power supply mode is changed based on a determination of a control unit or device.

The invention according to claim 1 is a unit capable of controlling power supply / stop, and is an image forming function unit that forms an image based on image information, and is a unit capable of controlling power supply / stop. A plurality of control function units that transmit / receive information or signals related to image formation to / from the image forming function unit; and a power supply unit that supplies power to each of the image forming function unit and the plurality of control function units An in-machine communication unit that connects the image forming function unit and the plurality of control function units, respectively, and each of the image forming function unit and the plurality of control function units is configured to operate when the power supply is stopped. Processing means for starting a return process necessary for itself to return based on a return factor to be returned upon receiving power supply by the power supply means, and before starting the return process by the processing means, An image forming apparatus which comprises a transmitting means for transmitting the information of the recovery time is a time to return from the start of the return process through the machine communication means.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, each of the image forming function unit and the plurality of control function units transmits a return time information via the in-flight communication unit after the transmission unit transmits the return time information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a delay unit that delays the start of a return process by the processing unit until information is received.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the delay means has a return time having the largest value among the return time information transmitted by the transmission means and the return time information received via the in-flight communication means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the start time of the return process is controlled so that the return process by the processing unit is finished at the time point related to the process.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the delay unit changes a time for finishing the return process by the processing unit in accordance with the return factor.
The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the processing means changes the return time based on the time during which the processing unit is in a power-off state. This is an image forming apparatus.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, an image forming function unit for forming an image on the basis of image information and / or a unit capable of controlling power supply / stop can be controlled by a computer. An acquisition function for acquiring information transmitted via in-flight communication means from a plurality of control function units that transmit / receive information or signals related to image formation to / from the image forming function unit; It is provided individually corresponding to each of the forming function unit and the plurality of control function units, and returns itself on the basis of a return factor that is returned upon receiving power supply when the power supply is stopped. A processing function for starting a necessary restoration process and a processing function provided separately for each of the image forming function unit and the plurality of control function units, and before starting the restoration process by the processing function, This is a program that realizes a transmission function for transmitting information on a return time, which is a time from the start of the return process to the return, via the in-flight communication means.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a delay function for delaying the start of the return process by the processing function until the return time information is acquired by the acquisition function after the return time information is transmitted by the transmission function. The program according to claim 6, further realized.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the delay function is a time point related to a return time having a maximum value among return time information transmitted by the transmission function and return time information acquired by the acquisition function. 8. The program according to claim 7, wherein the start time of the return process is controlled so that the return process by the processing function is completed.

According to the first aspect, it is possible to promote power saving at the time of transition of the power mode performed by the determination of the control unit or the device as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the second aspect, compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted, it is possible to further save power when the power mode is changed based on the judgment of the control unit or the device.
According to the third aspect, compared to the case where the present invention is not adopted, it is possible to further save power when the power mode is changed based on the judgment of the control unit or the device.
According to claim 4, it is possible to perform correction according to the return factor.
According to claim 5, it becomes possible to perform correction according to the time during which the power supply is stopped.
According to the sixth aspect, compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted, it is possible to promote power saving at the time of the transition of the power mode performed by the determination of the control unit or the device.
According to the seventh aspect, compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted, it is possible to further save power when the power mode is changed based on the judgment of the control unit or the device.
According to the eighth aspect, compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted, it is possible to further save power when the power mode is changed based on the judgment of the control unit or the device.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. An image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming unit 2 that forms an image based on image data (image information) of each color, and an image reading unit that reads an image of a document to generate image data and sends the image data to the image forming unit 2. 3 is provided. In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a user interface (UI) unit 4 that receives an operation input from a user and displays various information for the user, and a facsimile (FAX) that transmits and receives image information via a public telephone line, for example. And a unit 5. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided inside the housing of the image forming unit 2 or externally attached to the image forming unit 2, and a paper feeding unit 6 that supplies paper to the image forming unit 2, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD). And a memory unit 7 which is an external storage device composed of a flash memory or the like. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a system control (System Cont.) Unit 8 that controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 1 and communication via a communication line, a power supply unit 9 that supplies power to each unit, It has.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the image forming unit 2, the image reading unit 3, the UI unit 4, the FAX unit 5, the paper feeding unit 6, the memory unit 7 and the system control unit 8 are connected to an in-machine LAN 10 which is an example of in-machine communication means. Has been. In this embodiment, the units constituted by the control function units and the image forming function units are connected to one bus (in-machine LAN 10) to realize communication between the units. In this respect, it is different from the conventional technique in which communication between each unit is connected by a different control bus.
In the present embodiment, an external device (external device) is connected to the external LAN 12 via the system control unit 8.

  Each unit is provided with a control unit for executing power supply / stop state determination and power supply / stop control, which will be described later. As the control unit, as shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 2 includes an image forming control unit 92 as an example of an image forming control unit (control unit), and the image reading unit 3 includes a functional unit control unit (control unit). The image reading control unit 93 as an example, the UI unit 4 has a UI control unit 94 as an example of a function unit control unit (control unit), and the FAX unit 5 has a FAX as an example of a function unit control unit (control unit). The control unit 95 and the paper feed unit 6 have a paper feed control unit 96 as an example of a functional unit control unit, and the memory unit 7 has a memory control unit 97 and a system control unit 8 as an example of a functional unit control unit (control unit). Is provided with a system control unit control unit 98 as an example of a functional unit control means (control means).

  Further, a power line 11 is connected to the image forming unit 2 and other units (image reading unit 3, UI unit 4, FAX unit 5, paper feeding unit 6, memory unit 7 and system control unit 8) of the image forming apparatus 1. The power is supplied via the power supply unit 9 connected to the power line 11. The power supply unit 9 always supplies power of a predetermined voltage (24V) as an overnight power source.

The image forming unit 2 which is an image forming function unit, the image reading unit 3 which is various control function units, the UI unit 4, the FAX unit 5, the paper feeding unit 6, the memory unit 7 and the system control unit 8 are controlled in the power mode. It is a possible unit. For example,
(I) Power off (OFF) during system sleep,
(Ii) Standby power 5V,
(Iii) Electric power at the time of job execution 24V
Control with the power mode. In control of these power modes, the image forming function section and various control function sections themselves determine the system state or an appropriate time elapse, and change the power mode. That is, the image forming control unit 92 of the image forming unit 2, various control function units (image reading unit 3, UI unit 4, FAX unit 5, paper feed unit 6, memory unit 7, system control unit 8) control unit (image control unit 8). The reading control unit 93, UI control unit 94, FAX control unit 95, paper feed control unit 96, memory control unit 97, and system control unit control unit 98) itself from information obtained via the in-machine communication means (in-machine LAN 10). The power supply / stop state is determined by itself, and the power supply / stop control from the power supply unit 9 as the power supply means is performed by itself. Therefore, the image forming control unit 92 and the control unit (image reading control unit 93, UI control unit 94, FAX control unit 95, paper feed control unit 96, memory control unit 97, system control unit control unit 98) Information transmitted via (in-flight LAN 10) is acquired.

  Hereinafter, the control units 92 to 98 may be referred to as the control unit 30. The control unit 30 is a processing means for starting a recovery process necessary for the controller 30 to recover based on a recovery factor that is recovered by receiving power supply from the power supply unit 9 when the controller 30 is in a power-off state. And transmission means for transmitting information about the recovery time, which is the time from when the processing unit starts the recovery process to when it returns, via the onboard LAN 10 before starting the recovery process by the processing unit. is there. The control unit 30 constitutes delay means for delaying the start of the return processing by the processing means until the return time information is received via the in-flight LAN 10 after the transmission time information is transmitted by the transmission means. It is.

  Such power supply / stop control is performed not only between the units but also between devices (components) in the units constituting the units. That is, each device constituting each unit is connected to an intra-unit LAN (described later) that connects the devices. Then, the control unit provided in each device can determine the power supply / stop state of itself and control the power supply / stop by itself.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in the image forming apparatus 1 when the control unit 30 detects a job request or instruction in the sleep state. Each of the image forming unit 2, the image reading unit 3, the UI unit 4, the FAX unit 5, the paper feeding unit 6, the memory unit 7, and the system control unit 8 may be referred to as a module.
Each module shifts the power mode according to the individual judgment of each module, and maintains an appropriate power saving state. For example, a ready state in which a job can be executed (standby state), a sleep state for reducing power consumption that shifts to a condition that no job exists even after a predetermined time has elapsed after entering the ready state, and Transition to each other.

  The flowchart shown in the figure is performed in a sleep state in which power supply from the power supply unit 9 to the modules via the power line 11 is stopped. When any of the image forming unit 2, the image reading unit 3, the UI unit 4, the FAX unit 5, the paper feeding unit 6, the memory unit 7, and the system control unit 8 detects a job request or instruction (step 101), the detection is performed. The unit (detection module, command transmission module) broadcasts a command (notification information) indicating that a job has occurred through the in-machine LAN 10 (step 102).

Note that “broadcast” refers to transmitting information to which a command is attached to all modules connected to the in-machine LAN 10 via the in-machine LAN 10. A packet transmitted as notification information includes a transmission source ID, a destination ID, a command / status, and data.
The type of command / status can be a return instruction, a return time notification, or a status notification.
The data is data corresponding to the command / status. An example of this data is “JobType = Copy” when a return instruction is issued, “Return time = 3 seconds” when a return time is notified, and “State = Ready” when a state is notified.

  When the module (command receiving module) receives the command broadcast from the detection module (step 103), the module (command receiving module) determines whether or not it needs to return from the sleep state to the ready state (step 104). ). When the command receiving module determines that it is necessary to return (Yes in Step 104), the command receiving module performs a return process for shifting from the sleep state to the ready state (Step 105), and ends the series of processes.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of return processing in the command receiving module. In the drawing, one of the command receiving modules is referred to as a “specific module”, and a module other than the specific module is referred to as “another module”.
In the flowchart shown in the figure, when the specific module receives a return instruction on the assumption that the job included in the broadcast command needs to be returned (step 201), the return time described later in the control unit 30 of the specific module. Only the portion (minimum portion) for which processing such as calculation is performed is restored (step 202). Then, the restored minimum part calculates a return time as a specific module (step 203), and notifies the calculated return time to other modules by broadcast (step 204).

Here, in addition to the case where the return time is calculated using a predetermined calculation formula, a table including the return time information is stored in advance, and the return time information is obtained from the table as necessary. It is also possible to take out Further, for each module, a control example may be considered in which the time required for return in the return process is measured, the measured value is stored, and the measured value is used as the return time for the next return.
In addition, when transitioning from the ready state to the sleep state and returning to the ready state again, a control example in which the return time is shortened when the time in the sleep state is short can be considered. In other words, a control example in which the time during the sleep state is calculated and the return time is corrected based on this time to make the return time shorter than normal is also conceivable.

  Thereafter, the specific module postpones the return processing as a module until it receives the return time information from all of the other modules that need to be returned via the in-machine LAN 10. That is, the specific module determines whether or not there is a notification about return time information from another module (step 205). If it is determined that there is a notification (Yes in Step 205), the notified return time information is stored (Step 206), and whether or not there is a notification about the return time information from all the modules that need to be returned. Judgment is made (step 207).

  When the specific module determines that there is a notification about the return time information from all the modules that need to be returned (Yes in Step 207), the specific module includes the return time information of itself and the return time information of other modules. The longest return time is selected, and the return start time (at the start of the return process) is determined based on the selected return time information (step 208). Then, the specific module determines whether it is possible to delay the return processing as its own module. In other words, the specific module uses the return start time information and its own return time information to determine whether it can be delayed and how much time it can be delayed. I do. The longer the delay time is, the shorter the time from completion of the return to the start of the job can be reduced, and the power consumption associated with the return can be reduced.

When it is determined that the specific module can be delayed (Yes in Step 209), the specific module performs a return process as a module after delaying the start time of the return process (Step 210) (Step 211). If the specific module determines that the delay is not possible (No in step 209), it immediately performs a return process as a module (step 211).
As described above, in this embodiment, control is performed so that all modules necessary for job execution can be restored at the restoration timing of the module having the latest restoration time.

Next, the processing procedure in the present embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 will be described more specifically.
FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the processing when a copy job occurs in time series.
In the time chart shown in the figure, for example, when the UI unit 4 detects that the user has issued a copy instruction (occurrence of a return factor), the UI unit 4 communicates with other image forming units 2 and the like through the in-machine LAN 10. A command indicating that a copy job has occurred is broadcast (arrow P0).
Then, the image forming unit 2 and the image reading unit 3 that have received the command indicating that the copy job has occurred determine whether or not to return due to the occurrence of the copy job. In the case of a copy job, since the image forming unit 2 and the image reading unit 3 need to be restored, the minimum part (see step 202 in FIG. 4) is restored from the sleep state. In the figure, the case of the image forming unit 2 and the image reading unit 3 is shown, but a copy job is similarly generated in the FAX unit 5, the paper feeding unit 6, the memory unit 7, and the system control unit 8. And make a similar decision.

  The UI unit 4 broadcasts its own return time information T4 (see arrow P4), the image reading unit 3 broadcasts its own return time information T3 (see arrow P3), and the image forming unit 2 Broadcasts its own return time information T2 (see arrow P2). Note that the magnitude relationship between the values of the return time information T2, T3, and T4 is T2> T4> T3.

  Each of the UI unit 4, the image reading unit 3, and the image forming unit 2 acquires all the return time information T2, T3, and T4, then selects the largest return time information T2, and returns based on the information T2. Determine the scheduled time. Then, each of the UI unit 4, the image reading unit 3, and the image forming unit 2 performs a reverse calculation from the determined scheduled return time, determines its own recovery process start time, and determines whether or not the recovery process start can be delayed. Judging.

In the example shown in the figure, since the image reading unit 3 and the UI unit 4 have a relatively short return time, the start of the return process can be delayed. Therefore, the image reading unit 3 and the UI unit 4 do not start the return process immediately after broadcasting the return time information T3 and T4, but return from the broadcast point (arrows P3 and P4) to the return process start time. The processing start is delayed (see step 210 in FIG. 4). By such a delay, it is possible to shorten the time for which the ready state is maintained, and it is possible to reduce the power consumption corresponding to the delayed time.
On the other hand, since the recovery time is the longest, the image forming unit 2 cannot delay the start of the recovery process, and starts the recovery process immediately after broadcasting the recovery time information T2 (arrow P2).

In this embodiment, each of the image forming unit 2, the image reading unit 3, the UI unit 4, the FAX unit 5, the paper feeding unit 6, the memory unit 7, and the system control unit 8 is a unit that needs to be restored. Among them, the one with the longest return time delays the start of the return process in accordance with the time when the return process is finished, but other control examples are also conceivable. For example, in the control example, the determination is made according to the type of job as the occurrence of the return factor. That is, it is control that sets the ready state in the order of units necessary for executing the job.
More specifically, if the occurrence of the return factor is a copy job, the expected return time of the image reading unit 3 is earlier than the expected return time of the image forming unit 2 by the time that the image reading unit 3 scans. To control. That is, the image reading unit 3 is brought into a ready state before the image forming unit 2 is brought into a ready state.
If the occurrence of the return factor is facsimile transmission, control is performed so that the scheduled return time of the FAX unit 5 is later than the return time of the image reading unit 3 by the time that the image reading unit 3 scans. That is, the FAX unit 5 is brought into a ready state before the image reading unit 3 is brought into a ready state.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, each of the image forming function unit and the plurality of control function units receives power supply from the power supply unit 9 when the power supply unit 9 is in a power-off state. Based on a return factor (for example, a copy job) to be returned, a return process necessary for returning itself is started. In this case, before starting the return process, information on the return time, which is the time from when the self starts the return process until it returns, is transmitted via the in-flight LAN 10. As a result, power is supplied to the image forming function unit and various control function units at the timing at which they are to be operated, so that power saving can be achieved on a unit-by-unit basis when a return factor occurs.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram for describing a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in the image forming apparatus when a control unit detects a job request or instruction in a sleep state. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the return process in a command reception module. It is a time chart which shows the processing when a copy job occurs in time series.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 2 ... Image forming unit, 3 ... Image reading unit, 4 ... User interface unit, 5 ... FAX unit, 6 ... Paper feed unit, 7 ... Memory unit, 8 ... System control unit, 9 ... Power supply Unit: 10 ... LAN in machine, 93 ... Image reading control unit, 94 ... UI control unit, 95 ... FAX control unit, 96 ... Paper feed control unit, 97 ... Memory control unit, 98 ... System control unit control unit, 30 ... Control Part, T2, T3, T4 ... information of return time

Claims (8)

An image forming function unit that can control power supply / stop and that forms an image based on image information;
A plurality of control function units which are units capable of controlling power supply / stop and transmit / receive information or signals related to image formation to / from the image forming function units;
Power supply means for supplying power to each of the image forming function section and the plurality of control function sections;
In-machine communication means for connecting the image forming function unit and the plurality of control function units,
With
Each of the image forming function unit and the plurality of control function units includes:
Processing means for starting a return process necessary for returning itself based on a return factor that will be returned upon receiving power supply from the power supply means when the power supply is in a power-off state;
Before starting the return processing by the processing means, transmitting means for transmitting information of the return time, which is the time from when the self starts the return processing until returning, via the in-flight communication means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: Each of the image forming function unit and the plurality of control function units includes:
And further comprising delay means for delaying the start of the return process by the processing means until the return time information is received via the in-flight communication means after transmission of the return time information by the transmission means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The delay means is the return by the processing means at a time point related to the return time of the largest value among the return time information transmitted by the transmission means and the return time information received via the in-flight communication means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the start time of the return process is controlled so as to finish the process.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the delay unit changes a time for completing the return process by the processing unit according to the return factor.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit changes a return time based on a time during which the processing unit is in a power-off state. On the computer,
An image forming function unit that can control power supply / stop and form an image based on image information, and / or a unit that can control power supply / stop and the image forming function unit. An acquisition function for acquiring information transmitted via in-flight communication means from a plurality of control function units that transmit and receive information related to image formation or signals,
It is provided individually corresponding to each of the image forming function unit and the plurality of control function units, and returns itself based on a return factor that is returned upon receiving power supply when the power supply is stopped. Processing function to start the return processing required for
Provided individually corresponding to each of the image forming function unit and the plurality of control function units, before starting the return process by the processing function, from the start of the return process to the return A transmission function for transmitting information on a return time that is a time via the in-flight communication means;
A program that realizes   A delay function for delaying the start of the return process by the processing function until the return time information is acquired by the acquisition function after the return time information is transmitted by the transmission function is further realized. Item 7. The program according to item 6.   The delay function finishes the return process by the processing function at a time point related to the return time having the largest value among the return time information transmitted by the transmission function and the return time information acquired by the acquisition function. The program according to claim 7, wherein the start time of the return process is controlled as described above.

Images