JP2010076122A - Image forming apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus and a program that can reduce power consumption in starting an apparatus body. <P>SOLUTION: A power supply is turned on by a user (S101), and an apparatus control part receiving the supply of power performs internal initialization (S102). Confirmation of a switching button is performed (S103), and whether to make an energy-saving start is determined by the confirmation (S104). When the start in a usual starting mode is determined, usual start processing is performed (S105) to turn into a stand-by state (S106). When the start in the energy-saving mode is determined, energy-saving start processing is started (S107) to turn into an energy-saving starting state (S108). Then, whether it is necessary to transit into the stand-by state is determined (S109). When the need of transition is determined, return processing toward the stand-by state is started (S110) to transit into the stand-by state (S111). <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, when the power supply is turned on and the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus is activated, the apparatus waits in a standby state in which functions provided in the image forming apparatus can be executed. When the user issues a print instruction immediately after starting up the image forming apparatus, it is convenient for the user to enter the standby state after starting up. However, for example, when an image forming apparatus placed in an office is turned on by a user who first arrived in the office in the morning, there is a period of time until the user actually gives a print instruction or the like. It is assumed that In such a case, the power consumption of the image forming apparatus is wasted from the time the user turns on the power to the time when a printing instruction is given.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus and a program capable of reducing power consumption when starting up an apparatus main body.

The invention according to claim 1 includes a configuration that realizes a first function that is a function of accepting a user's operation, a first functional unit that consumes power to realize the first function, and the first A second function unit that implements a second function that is different from the first function, consumes power, and realizes the second function; the first function unit; and the second function unit The activation of the first functional unit is controlled based on an instruction relating to the activation of the user, while the activation of the second functional unit is controlled by the user for the second function. And an image forming apparatus including a control unit that starts when there is an image.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the first functional unit includes a display unit that displays contents to be notified to the user, and the control unit is configured to perform the first functional unit based on the instruction related to user activation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein activation control of the first functional unit is performed so as not to operate the display unit.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, further comprising a storage unit that stores information on the instruction related to user activation.
The invention according to claim 4 further includes an acquisition unit that acquires date information, and the control unit is configured to perform the operation based on the instruction information stored by the storage unit and the date information acquired by the acquisition unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein activation control of the first functional unit is performed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a first function unit that implements a first function that is a function of accepting a user operation and a second function that implements a second function that is different from the first function. A first control function that controls activation of the first functional unit in a computer included in the image forming apparatus including the functional unit, and performs activation control of the first functional unit based on an instruction related to activation of the user And a second control function that controls activation of the second function unit and starts activation control of the second function unit in response to a user instruction regarding the second function, This is a program to be realized.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the first function unit includes a display function for displaying a content to be notified to a user, and the first control function is based on the instruction related to a user activation. The program according to claim 5, wherein activation control of the first functional unit is performed so as not to operate the display function of the functional unit.
The invention according to claim 7 is the program according to claim 5 or 6, further realizing a storage function for storing information on the instruction related to user activation.
The invention according to claim 8 further includes an acquisition function for acquiring date information, wherein the first control function is based on instruction information stored by the storage function and date information acquired by the acquisition function. The program according to claim 7, wherein activation control of the first function unit is performed.

According to the first aspect, it is possible to reduce the power consumption when starting up the apparatus main body, compared to the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the second aspect, it is possible to further reduce the power consumption when starting the apparatus main body as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the third aspect, compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted, it is possible to save the user's trouble at the time of activation.
According to claim 4, it is possible to improve the usability of the user as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the fifth aspect, it is possible to reduce the power consumption when starting up the apparatus main body, compared to the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the sixth aspect, it is possible to further reduce the power consumption when starting up the apparatus main body as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the seventh aspect, compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted, it is possible to save the user's trouble at the time of activation.
According to the eighth aspect, it is possible to improve the usability of the user as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.

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 configuration of a print system according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the print system is configured by connecting a plurality of terminal devices 10 and an image forming apparatus 20 to a network NW. In this print system, for example, when a print instruction is transmitted from each of the plurality of terminal apparatuses 10 to the image forming apparatus 20 via the network NW, the image forming apparatus 20 receives the print instruction and prints on a sheet. It is configured. As described above, the print system is configured such that a plurality of users can use the image forming apparatus 20 under the environment of the network NW.

  The terminal device 10 is a device that creates image data and outputs it to the outside. For example, a computer main body that executes software to perform predetermined computations, a display device such as a display, and the like for input to the computer main body It consists of an input device. For example, a personal computer or other computer is used as the terminal device 10.

  The image forming apparatus 20 is an apparatus that prints an image on a medium and outputs it as a print document. More specifically, the image forming apparatus 20 is connected to the terminal apparatus 10 via the network NW or connected to the terminal apparatus 10 via a USB (Universal Serial Bus). The image forming apparatus 20 is a so-called “multifunction machine” having a print function, a copy function, a scan function, and a communication function for printing according to a print instruction from the terminal device 10.

The network NW can be configured by, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) based on Ethernet (registered trademark). More specifically, data can be transmitted and received between the terminal device 10 and the image forming apparatus 20 via the network NW. That is, the terminal device 10 can instruct printing by transmitting print data to the image forming apparatus 20 via the network NW.
When data transfer is performed between the terminal device 10 and the image forming apparatus 20 via the network NW, negotiation for establishing data communication between the transmission source and the transmission destination is performed. The term “negotiation” can also be said to mean that hardware devices exchange information regarding communication (communication conditions).

  In the present embodiment, the terminal device 10 and the image forming apparatus 20 are configured in a communication environment using, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark) as described above, but other existing communication environments such as USB ( It is also possible to configure in a communication environment with Universal Serial Bus) connection.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image forming apparatus 20.
As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus 20 in the present embodiment includes a printing apparatus 21 as an example of a second functional unit that processes an acquired image and prints it on a sheet, and a predetermined image. And a UI device 22 as an example of a first functional unit having a display screen for displaying the screen, an operation panel operated by the user, and the like. More specifically, the UI device 22 includes an operation unit 23 for a user to give an instruction to copy, for example, and a display unit 24 for displaying contents notified to the user. The operation unit 23 has a configuration for realizing a function of accepting a user operation.

The image forming apparatus 20 includes an image reading apparatus 25 as an example of a second functional unit configured by a scanner or the like that reads an image to be processed, and a control unit that controls various processes performed by the image forming apparatus 20. 26 and a power supply unit 29 for supplying power to each unit of the apparatus. Note that the printing device 21 and the image reading device 25 as examples of the second functional unit can be referred to as functional units that perform processing associated with image formation.
The control unit 26 includes a device control unit 27 that controls the entire device and a communication control unit 28 that controls data communication via the network NW. The device control unit 27 has a first control function and a second control function.

Here, a configuration example of the control unit 26 will be supplemented. As this control unit 26, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) that executes digital arithmetic processing according to a predetermined operation control program (firmware), a processing program that functions as a working memory of the CPU, and is executed by the CPU And a memory (not shown) in which data such as setting values used in the processing program are stored. This memory can be composed of, for example, a flash memory or an EEPROM.
Further, as another configuration example of the control unit 26, an integrated circuit for power supply control by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) may be considered. With this configuration, it is possible to operate the circuit alone without using the CPU, memory, or the like included in the image forming apparatus 20.

In addition, the image forming apparatus 20 includes a storage unit 30 that stores acquired data and the like. The storage unit 30 stores information necessary for the activation process. In addition, the storage unit 30 stores information on instructions related to user activation.
In addition, the storage unit 30 is a nonvolatile memory (NVM (Non Volatile Memory)) and can rewrite data and retain data after the power is turned off. As the storage unit 30, for example, a flash memory, an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), or the like can be used.
Further, the image forming apparatus 20 includes a date information acquisition unit 33 as an example of an acquisition unit that acquires date information on which the main switch 31 is operated.

The image forming apparatus 20 also has a main switch 31 for the user to turn on and off the apparatus main body, and a switching mode for the user to switch the activation mode when the main body 31 is turned on and the apparatus main body is activated. A switching button 32. When the main switch 31 is turned on by the user, a switch located in the middle of the power supply path connecting the power supply line and the power supply unit 29 (on the commercial current input side) is turned on.
In the present embodiment, in addition to the main switch 31, a switching button 32 for switching the activation mode is provided, but other configurations are also conceivable. For example, it is a structural example provided with the main switch 31 operated when performing a normal starting process, and the energy saving starting switch (not shown) operated when performing an energy saving starting process.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the time of activation in the first embodiment.
In the flowchart shown in the figure, when the main switch 31 is turned on by the user (step 101), the power supply unit 29 starts supplying power to the control unit 26. Then, the device control unit 27 of the control unit 26 that receives the power supply performs the internal initialization (step 102), and then confirms the switching button 32 (step 103). The device control unit 27 determines whether or not to perform energy saving activation by checking the switching button 32 (step 104).
More specifically, the user knows that if the main switch 31 is turned on while the switch button 32 is being pressed, the image forming apparatus 20 is instructed to start in the energy saving start mode. Further, the user knows that a normal activation instruction is given to the image forming apparatus 20 unless the switch button 32 is pressed when the main switch 31 is turned on. For this reason, the user operates the main switch 31 while pressing the switching button 32 when performing the activation instruction in the energy saving activation mode. Further, the user operates only the main switch 31 without pressing the switching button 32 when instructing normal activation.

When the device control unit 27 of the control unit 26 does not detect that the switching button 32 has been pressed and determines that the switch is to be started in the normal start mode (No in Step 104), the normal control process is performed (Step 105). Thereby, it will be in a standby state (step 106).
On the other hand, when the device control unit 27 of the control unit 26 detects that the switching button 32 has been pressed and determines to start in the energy saving start mode (Yes in Step 104), it starts the energy saving start process (Step 107).

Here, the normal activation process will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, and the energy saving activation process will be described later with reference to FIG. In the normal activation process here, a process for enabling all of the operation unit 23 of the printing apparatus 21 and the UI apparatus 22, the display unit 24 of the UI apparatus 22, and the image reading apparatus 25 is performed.
The energy saving start here refers to a process of enabling only the operation of the operation unit 23 of the UI device 22 when the image forming apparatus 20 is started. That is, the energy saving activation does not operate the printing device 21, the display unit 24 of the UI device 22, and the image reading device 25 at the time of activation. In the UI device 22, the operation unit 23 is operated while the display unit 24 is not operated.

After that, for example, when a printing instruction is given by the user, the device control unit 27 of the control unit 26 performs processing for enabling the printing device 21, the display unit 24 of the UI device 22, and the image reading device 25, and issues a printing instruction. Transition to the standby state that can. As described above, when the energy saving activation process is performed, the apparatus does not immediately enter the standby state, but once enters the energy saving activation state and transitions to the standby state in response to a subsequent instruction from the user.
In other words, in response to the user's operation of the main switch 31, the operation unit 23 of the UI device 22 is controlled to enter an energy saving activation state based on an instruction related to activation of the user. Then, starting control of the printing unit 21, the display unit 24 of the UI device 22, and the image reading device 25 is started when the user operates the operation unit 23 after the energy saving activation state.

More specifically, it is generally performed that the user who first comes to work in the morning at the office turns on the main switch 31 of the image forming apparatus 20. However, when the main switch 31 is turned on, a print instruction or a copy instruction is often not given to the image forming apparatus 20. In other words, the user who comes to work first in the morning turns on the main switch 31 of the image forming apparatus 20 for the time being before starting the work, but gives a print instruction or the like after actually starting the work. Often.
In the conventional image forming apparatus 20, when the main switch 31 is turned on, activation processing is performed so that any of the printing apparatus 21, UI apparatus 22, and image reading apparatus 25 can be used immediately by the user. However, in consideration of the above-described usage by the user, there is room for reducing the amount of power consumption from when the power is turned on until when a print instruction is issued. In particular, the fixing device (not shown) of the printing apparatus 21 consumes the largest amount of power in the power consumption portion of the image forming apparatus 20, so that the power consumption of the image forming apparatus 20 is delayed by delaying the timing for enabling the printing apparatus 21. The amount can be reduced.
In the present embodiment, in view of such circumstances, the image forming apparatus 20 is configured so that the user can select the activation method of the image forming apparatus 20.

When the energy saving activation process is completed and the image forming apparatus 20 enters the energy saving activation state (step 108), the apparatus control unit 27 determines whether or not the image forming apparatus 20 needs to transition to the standby state. (Step 109).
For example, when a print instruction is given from any of the terminal devices 10 via the network NW or a copy instruction is given by operating the operation unit 23 of the UI device 22, the device control unit 27 It is determined that the standby state needs to be changed (Yes in step 109). Then, the device control unit 27 starts a return process for the standby state (step 110). As a result, the image forming apparatus 20 transitions to a standby state (step 111). The return process will be described later with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the normal activation process of FIG.
As shown in the figure, in the normal activation process, power is supplied from the power supply unit 29 to the printing device 21, UI device 22, and image reading device 25, and each of the devices 21, 22, and 25 performs a predetermined initialization process. Is done. That is, when power is supplied to the printing apparatus 21 (step 201), initialization processing in the printing apparatus 21 is started (step 202). That is, the printing apparatus 21 establishes communication with the control unit 26, and performs a process such as positioning the photosensitive drum at a fixed position to make it ready for printing.
When power is supplied to the UI device 22 (step 203), initialization processing is performed in the UI device 22 (step 204). That is, the UI device 22 performs processing such as establishing communication with the control unit 26 and setting the operation unit 23 and the display unit 24 in an operable state.
When power is supplied to the image reading device 25 (step 205), the image reading device 25 performs an initialization process (step 206). That is, the image reading device 25 establishes communication with the control unit 26 and performs processing such as positioning the scanner at a fixed position.

By such processing, in the image forming apparatus 20, any of the printing device 21, the operation unit 23 of the UI device 22, the display unit 24 of the UI device 22, and the image reading device 25 can be operated.
Note that when a print instruction or the like is not given until a predetermined time elapses after entering the standby state, the state transits to a power saving state with lower power consumption. When returning from the power saving state to the standby state, after the power is supplied, the printing device 21, UI device 22, and image reading device 25 perform initialization again. In 25, calibration such as positioning of the photosensitive drum and positioning of the scanner is omitted.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the energy saving activation process of FIG.
In the flowchart shown in the figure, when power is supplied to the UI device 22 (step 301), the UI device 22 performs an energy-saving activation initialization process for energy-saving activation (step 302). That is, the UI device 22 makes the operation unit 23 operable, but does not operate the display unit 24. The user can change the image forming apparatus 20 to the standby state by operating the operation unit 23.
By such processing, power consumption until the user operates the operation unit 23 is reduced.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the return process of FIG.
The flowchart shown in the figure shows a processing procedure for transitioning from the energy saving start state to the standby state. When the operation unit 23 of the UI device 22 is operated by the user, the device control unit 27 of the control unit 26 performs a return process predetermined in the inside (step 401). Thereafter, when power is supplied to the printing apparatus 21 (step 402), initialization processing in the printing apparatus 21 is started (step 403).
When power is supplied to the image reading device 25 (step 404), initialization processing in the image reading device 25 is started (step 405).
In the UI device 22, initialization for return is performed (step 406). This return initialization is a process for initializing the display unit 24 so as to be operable.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure at the time of activation in the second embodiment. Note that steps 501 to 502 and 504 to 511 in the figure correspond to steps 101 to 102 and 104 to 111 in FIG.
In the flowchart shown in the figure, the device control unit 27 of the control unit 26 performs internal initialization (step 502) and then checks the data stored in the storage unit 30 (step 503). The device control unit 27 determines whether or not to perform energy saving activation by checking this data (step 504).
More specifically, the storage unit 30 stores in advance instruction information input from the operation unit 23 of the UI device 22 or instruction information transmitted from the terminal device 10 via the network NW. The instruction information includes setting of a start mode for performing a normal start process or an energy saving start process at the time of start. Therefore, if the data about the setting of the activation mode is stored in the storage unit 30, the device control unit 27 performs the activation process according to the data.

Here, as another control example, date information or time information is acquired to determine whether or not to perform energy saving activation, and normal activation processing is performed based on the date information or time information, or energy saving activation processing is performed. It is conceivable to determine whether or not to perform.
For example, information indicating that the office is a holiday is stored in the storage unit 30, and whether or not the day falls on an office holiday based on the date information acquired by the date information acquisition unit 33 at the time of startup and the office holiday information stored in the storage unit 30. Determine whether. There is a high possibility that a user who goes to work on an office holiday and operates the main switch 31 of the image forming apparatus 20 desires to print immediately. On the other hand, if it is not an office holiday, the user may only have operated the main switch 31 for the time being. Therefore, in the case of this control example, the normal activation process is performed if it is an office holiday, while the energy saving activation process is performed if it is not an office holiday.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a print system according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence at the time of starting in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the normal starting process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the energy-saving starting process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the return process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence at the time of starting in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Terminal device, 20 ... Image forming device, 21 ... Printing device, 22 ... UI device, 23 ... Operation part, 24 ... Display part, 25 ... Image reading device, 26 ... Control part, 27 ... Device control part, 28 ... Communication control unit 29 ... Power supply unit 30 ... Storage unit 31 ... Main switch 32 ... Switch button 33 ... Date information acquisition unit NW ... Network

Claims (8)

A first function unit that has a configuration that realizes a first function that is a function of accepting a user's operation, consumes power, and realizes the first function;
A second function unit that has a configuration that realizes a second function that is different from the first function, consumes power, and realizes the second function;
The activation of the first functional unit and the second functional unit are controlled, and activation control of the first functional unit is performed based on an instruction related to activation of the user, while activation control of the second functional unit is performed. A control unit that starts when there is a user instruction regarding the second function;
An image forming apparatus including: The first functional unit includes a display unit that displays content to be notified to the user,
The said control part performs starting control of the said 1st function part so that the said display part of the said 1st function part may not be operated based on the said instruction | indication regarding a user's starting. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that stores information on the instruction related to user activation. An acquisition unit for acquiring date information;
The said control part performs starting control of the said 1st function part based on the information of the instruction | indication stored by the said storage part, and the date information acquired by the said acquisition part, The control part of Claim 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus including a first function unit that realizes a first function that is a function of accepting a user's operation and a second function unit that realizes a second function that is a function different from the first function To the computer
A first control function that controls activation of the first functional unit and performs activation control of the first functional unit based on an instruction related to activation of the user;
A second control function that controls the activation of the second function unit and starts the activation control of the second function unit in response to a user instruction regarding the second function;
A program that realizes The first functional unit includes a display function for displaying contents to be notified to the user,
The first control function performs activation control of the first function unit so as not to operate the display function of the first function unit based on the instruction related to activation of a user. 5. The program according to 5.   7. The program according to claim 5, further comprising a storage function for storing information on the instruction related to user activation. It further includes an acquisition function for acquiring date information,
The first control function performs activation control of the first function unit based on instruction information stored by the storage function and date information acquired by the acquisition function. The program according to 7.

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