JP2010161479A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow the reduction of power consumption. <P>SOLUTION: An energy-saving I/O control section 15 of a digital copying machine 100 executes programs in flash ROMs 19 and 20 to measure the time of power supply to an apparatus body and stores a total power supply time resulting from accumulating the measured time, in a non-volatile memory 18 and measures a linking operation processing time being a processing time of image forming operation performed in linkage with another digital copying machine and stores a total linking operation processing time resulting from accumulating the measured time, in the non-volatile memory 18. When power is supplied to the apparatus body, the energy-saving I/O control section 15 reads out the total power supply time and the total linking operation processing time to calculate a frequency in use of linking operation, which corresponds to a ratio of the total linking operation processing time to the total power supply time, and interrupts power supply to a linking option board 11 when the calculated value is lower than a prescribed value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to various image forming apparatuses such as a digital copying machine, a digital multifunction peripheral, and a facsimile machine.

As an image forming apparatus as described above, a connection option board as a connection communication means is provided, thereby communicating with other image forming apparatuses (including transmission / reception of image data) and connected to the image forming apparatus. There is an image forming operation (connection operation) that can be performed.
On the other hand, as can be seen, for example, in Patent Document 1, a function is disclosed in which an apparatus main body in which an optional device can be installed shuts off power supply to the optional device.

JP-A-9-90820

  However, the power supply to the optional device is cut off at the start of the main unit power-on (power supply to the device main body) simply by shutting off the power supply to the optional device depending on the presence or absence of an image output signal instruction within a predetermined time. Since control cannot be performed, power is always supplied to the optional device when the main unit is turned on, and at least the power supply to the optional device is not cut off until a predetermined time elapses, and power is wasted. .

  If the option device is a connected option board, power is supplied to the connected option board at the same time as the main unit power supply and controller power supply from the start of turning on the main unit power, and the controller power supply is cut off from the power supply to the connected option board If it does not shift to the energy-saving mode (hereinafter simply referred to as “energy-saving”) mode, it will not be shut off. In this case, even if the connection operation has never been performed from the start of power-on to the energy saving mode when the controller power is cut off, power is supplied to the connection option board, which is useless. Electricity is consumed.

When power is supplied to the apparatus main body, the user often performs a main body power-on operation (an operation to turn on the main switch) in order to perform a simple image forming operation (for example, a copy operation), and not necessarily to perform a connection operation. The main body power-on operation is not always performed.
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to reduce power consumption in an image forming apparatus including a connection option board (connection communication means).

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus shown in the following (1) to (6).
(1) An image forming apparatus having a connection communication unit that performs communication for performing an image forming operation by connecting to another image forming apparatus, and a power supply time for measuring a power supply time to the apparatus main body Image forming operation processing performed by connecting the measuring means, the total power supply time storage means for storing the total power supply time obtained by accumulating the measurement time by the power supply time measurement means, and the other image forming apparatus. A connection operation processing time measuring means for measuring a connection operation processing time as a time, a total connection operation processing time storing means for storing a total connection operation processing time obtained by accumulating the measurement time by the connection operation processing time measuring means, and an apparatus main body Is stored in the total power supply time stored in the total power supply time storage means and in the total connected operation processing time storage means. Usage frequency calculation means for reading out the total connected operation processing time and calculating the use frequency of the connected image forming operation corresponding to the ratio of the total connected operation processing time to the total power supply time, and the use frequency Power supply cutoff control means for cutting off the power supply to the connected communication means according to the calculation result by the calculation means is provided.

(2) In the image forming apparatus of (1), a time acquisition unit that acquires the current time, and a power supply cutoff period setting unit that sets a power supply cutoff period that is a period of cutoff of power supply to the connected communication unit. When the power supply to the apparatus main body is supplied with power, the current time acquired by the time acquisition means and the power supply cutoff period set by the power supply cutoff period setting means are provided to the power supply cutoff control means. In comparison, when the time is within the power cut-off period, there is provided means for cutting off the power supply to the connected communication means.

(3) In the image forming apparatus of (1), an elapsed time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time from the end of the previous image forming operation is provided, and the power supply cutoff control means is provided with power supply to the apparatus main body. The elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measuring means is compared with a preset predetermined time, and when the elapsed time exceeds the predetermined time, the power supply to the connected communication means is shut off Means are provided.

(4) In the image forming apparatus according to (1), a network communication unit that communicates with the other image forming apparatus via a network, and the connection communication on the other image forming apparatus side through communication by the network communication unit. A power supply state detecting means for detecting a power supply state to the means is provided, and the power supply cutoff control means detects the power supply state detecting means when supplying power to the apparatus main body on the image forming apparatus side. When it is recognized from the result that the power supply to the connected communication means on the other image forming apparatus side is cut off, a means for cutting off the power supply to the connected communication means on the image forming apparatus side is provided. It is a thing.

(5) In the image forming apparatus of (4), other apparatus power supply control means for controlling power supply to the connected communication means on the other image forming apparatus side by communication by the network communication means, and the other A confirmation information notification means for notifying the user of information for allowing the user to confirm whether or not to supply power to the connected communication means on the image forming apparatus side, and the other apparatus power supply control means provides the confirmation In response to the notification by the information notification unit, when the start of power supply to the connected communication unit on the other image forming apparatus side is instructed, the power supply is started.

(6) In the image forming apparatus of (2), an elapsed time measuring unit that measures an elapsed time from the end of the previous image forming operation, and a network communication unit that communicates with the other image forming apparatuses via a network. A power supply state detecting means for detecting a power supply state to the connected communication means on the other image forming apparatus side by communication by the network communication means, and the image forming apparatus is provided in the power supply cutoff control means. When supplying power to the apparatus body on the side, the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measuring means is compared with a predetermined time set in advance, and when the elapsed time exceeds the predetermined time, When the power supply to the connection communication unit on the image forming apparatus side is interrupted, and the power supply state detection unit is configured to supply power to the apparatus main body on the image forming apparatus side. Means for shutting off power supply to the connected communication means on the image forming apparatus side when it is recognized from the result of detection that power supply to the connected communication means on the other image forming apparatus side is interrupted A first on / off setting means for setting on / off of the function of shutting off the power supply by the power supply shut-off control means according to the frequency of use of the image forming operation performed in combination, and the power supply The second on / off setting means for setting on / off of the function for shutting off the power supply by the power supply cut-off control means within the supply cut-off period and the elapsed time from the end of the previous image forming operation. The third on / off setting means for setting on / off of the function for shutting off the power supply by the power supply shutoff control means, and the shutoff of the power supply to the connected communication means on the other image forming apparatus side Therefore those provided on the function to cut off the power supply by the power supply cutoff control means, fourth on to set off, and off-setting means.

  According to the present invention, the power supply time to the apparatus main body is measured, the total power supply time obtained by accumulating the measurement time is stored, and the processing of the image forming operation performed in connection with another image forming apparatus is performed. Measures the connection operation processing time, which is the time, stores the total connection operation processing time accumulated by the measurement time, reads out the total power supply time and the total connection operation processing time when supplying power to the device body, Calculate the usage frequency of the linked operation corresponding to the ratio of the total linked operation processing time to the total power supply time, and cut off the power supply to the linked communication means according to the calculation result, thereby reducing the power consumption. be able to.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a copier system including a digital copier according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the digital copying machines 100 and 200 of FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st example of the process at the time of main body power activation by the energy-saving I / O control part 15 of FIG. It is a flowchart which similarly shows the 2nd example of the process at the time of main body power activation.

It is a flowchart which similarly shows the 3rd example of the process at the time of main body power activation. It is a flowchart which similarly shows the 4th example of the process at the time of main body power activation. It is a flowchart which similarly shows the 5th example of the process at the time of main body power activation. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a connection board power control function setting screen displayed on an operation unit 130 of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a connection board power control data setting screen displayed on an operation unit 130 of FIG. 2.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
First, a configuration example of a copying machine system including a digital copying machine as an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the copying machine system.

The copier system of this example includes a plurality of digital copiers 100, 200, 300, a PC (personal computer) 400, and a server 500. These are communicably connected via a network 1 such as a LAN (local area network).
Each of the digital copying machines 100 and 200 is a connection option board 11 (hereinafter, “interface” is referred to as “I / F”) that is a communication for performing an image forming operation by connecting with each other. Connected communication means). The digital copying machines 100 and 200 are connected to each other between the connection option boards 11 via connection cables 2, 3 and a hub (HUB) 4 for performing connection I / F.

Next, the hardware configuration of the digital copying machine 100 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the digital copying machines 100 and 200 of FIG.

  Each of the digital copying machines 100 and 200 is an image forming apparatus capable of selectively executing a plurality of image processing operations to be described later, and includes an apparatus main body including an engine control unit 110 and a controller control unit 120, various operations by a user, An operation unit 130 for performing various displays and a PSU (power supply unit) unit 140 that is a main body power supply unit that supplies power to the apparatus main body are configured.

  Then, the engine control unit 110 performs scanning (image formation on a sheet) based on the image data read by the scanner control unit 111 that reads an image of the document, and transfers from the controller control unit 120. Plotter control unit 112 that performs printing based on the image data to be printed, and peripheral device control that feeds printing paper (or other printing media) or discharges printed paper out of the machine Unit 113 and an engine system power generation unit 114 that generates an engine system power supply by supplying power from the PSU unit 140.

  Here, examples of the image processing operation include an image forming operation (for example, a copy operation and a printer operation) and a scanner operation. The copy operation is an operation in which an image of a document is read by the scanner control unit 111 and the image data is sent to the plotter control unit 112 to perform printing. The printer operation is an operation in which print data from the PC 400 or the server 500 (which may be another external device) is sent to the plotter control unit 112 as it is or after being converted into image data, and printing is performed. The scanner operation is an operation of reading an image of a document by the scanner control unit 111 and storing the image data in a memory.

  In addition to the connection option board 11, the controller control unit 120 includes a CPU 12, RAM 13, and a RAM control unit 14 that controls communication with the RAM 13, an energy saving I / O control unit 15 that performs energy saving control and I / O control, image data, Main components such as an HDD (Hard Disk Device) 16 for storing various data such as programs, an image processing control unit 17 that performs predetermined image processing on image data as needed, and reads / writes image data to / from the HDD 16 Has a device. The controller system power generation unit 121 generates a controller system power supply by supplying power from the PSU unit 140.

The CPU 12 controls the main system of the controller control unit 120.
The energy saving I / O control unit 15 has a built-in sub CPU, and controls memory such as a nonvolatile memory 18, a flash ROM 19 (main ROM), a flash ROM 20 (sub ROM), and an EEPROM 21, an SD card I / F 22 and a network. In addition to controlling the I / F 23 (network communication means), energy saving control is also performed.
The energy saving I / O control unit 15 also has a function of performing communication control with the operation unit 130 and energy saving control of the engine control unit 110.

The EEPROM 21 stores the MAC address for the network 1, and the non-volatile memory 18 stores the machine status information of the master unit, the user ID, other machine IDs, and information such as various times described later. The nonvolatile memory 18 functions as a total power supply time storage unit and a total connection operation processing time storage unit.
The RTCs 24 and 25 are real-time clock circuits which are time measuring means, and measure time. Therefore, the energy saving I / O control unit 15 can acquire the current time from the RTC 24 or 25.

  Instead of the RTCs 24 and 25, a software clock by a program (however, limited to a UNIX (registered trademark) OS) can be used. UNIX-based OSs (including Linux) have time information as elapsed seconds since 0:00 on January 1, 1970, so if there is a counter that can count seconds without RTC24 or 25 The energy saving I / O control unit 15 can also measure the time using the counter and obtain the current time.

The SD card inserted via the SD card I / F 22 is used as means for downloading a program to the flash ROMs 19 and 20 in which each program of the controller control unit 120 is stored, as a means for upgrading, and for each application software, Used as a medium for emulation software.
The digital copying machine 100 (or 200) is connected to the external network 1 via the network I / F 23 of the controller control unit 120, and is connected to another digital copying machine 200 (or 100) by the connection option board 11. They are directly connected via cables 2, 3 and hub 4.

  Here, the energy saving I / O control unit 15 executes the programs in the flash ROMs 19 and 20, and connects the option board 11, the nonvolatile memory 18, the flash ROMs 19 and 20, the EEPROM 21, the SD card I / F 22, and the network I / F 23. By controlling the RTCs 24 and 25 as necessary, the power supply time measuring means, the total power supply time update means, the connection operation processing time measurement means, the total connection operation processing time update means, and the usage frequency calculation according to the present invention are calculated. Means, power supply cutoff control means, time acquisition means, power supply cutoff period setting means, elapsed time measurement means, power supply state detection means, other device power supply control means, confirmation information notification means, and first to fourth on , It can function as an off setting means.

  Hereinafter, each embodiment of the processing related to the present invention by the digital copying machine 100 configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Since the digital copying machine 200 performs the same processing, the description thereof is omitted.

[First embodiment]
First, a first example of processing when the main body power is turned on by the energy saving I / O control unit 15 of FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first example of processing when the main body is turned on by the energy saving I / O control unit 15 of FIG.

  The energy saving I / O control unit 15 (sub CPU) of the digital copying machine 100 measures the power supply time to the apparatus main body by executing the programs in the flash ROMs 19 and 20, and periodically measures the measurement time in a non-volatile manner. Stored in the memory 18. In addition, since the non-volatile memory 18 also stores the total power supply time that is the power supply time to the device body so far (past), by adding the newly measured power supply time periodically. Update the total power supply time. That is, the total power supply time obtained by accumulating the newly measured power supply time to the apparatus main body is stored in the nonvolatile memory 18.

  In addition, a connection operation processing time that is a processing time of a copy operation (image forming operation) performed by being connected to another digital copying machine 200 is measured, and the measurement time is periodically stored in the nonvolatile memory 18. . In addition, since the non-volatile memory 18 also stores the total connection operation processing time which is the previous (past) connection operation processing time, the newly measured connection operation processing time is obtained whenever the connection operation processing ends. The total connection operation processing time is updated by adding. That is, the total connection operation processing time obtained by accumulating the newly measured connection operation processing time is stored in the nonvolatile memory 18.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the main switch (not shown) is turned on and the main body power is turned on (when the power is supplied to the apparatus main body by the PSU 140), the past total power supply time and The total linked operation processing time is read (called) from the nonvolatile memory 18 and the linked copy operation (hereinafter also simply referred to as “linked operation”) corresponding to the ratio of the total linked operation processing time with respect to the total power supply time. Calculate usage frequency.

When the calculated value (the value of the frequency of use of the connection operation) is lower than a predetermined value X set in advance, the controller system power generation unit 121 turns off the power supply to the connection option board 11 (OFF). A power supply control signal is transmitted so as to make it shut off.
The predetermined value X to be compared with the value of the use frequency of the connecting operation is set in advance and stored in the nonvolatile memory 18 by an operation on the operation unit 130 or the PC 400 (may be another external device). Can do.

  In this way, the power supply time to the apparatus main body is measured, the total power supply time obtained by accumulating the measurement time is stored, and the processing time of the image forming operation performed in connection with another digital copying machine Measures a certain linked operation processing time, saves the total linked operation processing time by accumulating the measured time, reads out the total power supply time and the total linked operation processing time when supplying power to the main body, When the usage frequency of the linked operation corresponding to the ratio of the total linked operation processing time to the power supply time is calculated, and on / off of the power supply to the linked option board is controlled according to the calculation result, and the usage frequency is low By turning off the power supply to the connected option board, the controller power supply is turned off without waiting for the transition to the energy saving mode. Since it is possible to cut off the power supply to the connected option board immediately after the start power supply to the body, it is possible to reduce the power consumption.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second example of processing when the main body power is turned on by the energy saving I / O control unit 15 of FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
Here, it is conceivable that the processing for performing the connecting operation is performed within a predetermined time zone. The main body power supply is turned on during the time when the connection operation is not performed, and even if power is supplied to the connection option board, power is merely wasted. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the problem is solved.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a second example of processing when the main body power is turned on by the energy saving I / O control unit 15 of FIG.
In the digital copying machine 100, since the time is measured by the RTCs 24 and 25, the energy saving I / O control unit 15 (sub CPU) can acquire the current time from the RTC 24 or 25.

  The energy saving I / O control unit 15 (sub CPU) of the digital copying machine 100 executes programs in the flash ROMs 19 and 20 when the main switch is turned on and the main unit is turned on as shown in FIG. Thus, the current time is acquired from the RTC 24 or 25, the time is compared with the power supply cutoff period stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory 18, and if the current time is within the power supply cutoff period, A power control signal is transmitted to the controller system power generation unit 121 to turn off the power supply to the connection option board 11.

Note that the power supply cutoff period can be preset and stored in the nonvolatile memory 18 by an operation on the operation unit 130 or the PC 400 (or other external device).
In this way, when supplying power to the device main unit, it is determined whether it is within the preset power supply cutoff period for the linked option board. By cutting off the power supply to the power consumption, the power consumption can be reduced.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a third example of processing when the main body power is turned on by the energy saving I / O control unit 15 of FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
Here, in the digital copying machine 100, when the main body power supply starts when a certain period of time, for example, several days or more elapses, the image adjustment mechanism on the apparatus main body side is tuned, and the apparatus main body can be used after the main body power supply starts. Until the state (standby state) is reached, the connection operation cannot be performed, and there is a case where it waits. During the tuning process of the image adjustment mechanism on the apparatus main body side, power is wasted even if power is supplied to the connection option board. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the problem is solved.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a third example of processing when the main body power is turned on by the energy saving I / O control unit 15 of FIG.
In the digital copying machine 100, the time (end time) at the end of the image processing operation (copy operation, printer operation, or scanner operation) through communication between the controller control unit 120 and the engine control unit 110 via the engine I / F. ) Is stored in the nonvolatile memory 18. The end time is updated and stored as needed at the end of the image processing operation.

  The energy saving I / O control unit 15 (sub CPU) of the digital copying machine 100 executes the programs in the flash ROMs 19 and 20 when the main switch is turned on and the main unit power is turned on as shown in FIG. Thus, the current time is acquired from the RTC 24 or 25, and the time is compared with the end time stored in the nonvolatile memory 18 to calculate (measure) the elapsed time from the end of the previous image processing operation. The calculated time is compared with a predetermined time (T) stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory 18, and if the calculated time exceeds the predetermined time (T), the controller system power generation unit 121 is connected. A power control signal is transmitted to turn off the power supply to the option board 11.

Note that the predetermined time to be compared with the elapsed time (calculated time) from the end of the previous image processing operation is set in advance by an operation on the operation unit 130 or the PC 400 (or other external device), and the non-volatile memory 18. Can be stored in memory.
As described above, when power is supplied to the apparatus main body, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time from the end of the previous image processing operation (image forming operation) exceeds a predetermined time, and exceeds the predetermined time. In this case, the power consumption can be reduced by cutting off the power supply to the connection option board during the tuning process of the image adjustment mechanism on the apparatus main body side.

[Fourth embodiment]
Next, a fourth example of processing when the main body power is turned on by the energy saving I / O control unit 15 of FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, it is assumed that the digital copying machine 100 is the parent machine and the digital copying machine 200 is the other party (slave machine side).

  Here, when the main body power supply of the other party (slave unit side) is turned on (power supply to the apparatus main body is turned on), but the power supply to the connection option board 11 is turned off, Even if the power supply to the connection option board 11 on the parent side is turned on, the power supply to the connection option board 11 on the counterpart side is turned off, so that the connection operation cannot be performed immediately. In such a state, even if the power supply to the connection option board 11 is turned on at the start of power-on of the parent device side, the connection operation cannot be performed, so that only power is wasted. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, the problem is solved.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a fourth example of processing when the main body is turned on by the energy saving I / O control unit 15 of FIG.
When the main switch is turned on and the main unit power is turned on, the energy saving I / O control unit 15 (sub CPU) on the master unit (digital copying machine 100) side, for example, as shown in FIG. By communicating with the energy-saving I / O control unit 15 of the controller control unit 120 on the partner side (slave unit side) connected by the connecting cables 2, 3, etc., via the network I / F 23 And the power supply state to the connection option board 11 on the other side is detected.

  From the detection result, when it is recognized that the power supply to the connection option board 11 on the other side is turned off, the energy-saving I / O control unit 15 on the power-on side (base unit side) A power control signal is transmitted to the controller system power generation unit 121 to turn off the power supply to the connection option board 11.

  In this way, on the base unit side, when power is supplied to the main unit, the power supply state of the connection option board on the partner side (slave side) connected via the connection option board of the own unit and the connection cable, etc. If the status of the entire slave unit including the remote device is detected via the network and the result of the detection indicates that the power supply to the partner option board is cut off, the connection option on the master unit side By cutting off the power supply to the board, the power consumption can be reduced.

[Fifth embodiment]
Next, a fifth example of processing when the main body power is turned on by the energy saving I / O control unit 15 of FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG. Also here, the digital copying machine 100 is set as the parent machine, and the digital copying machine 200 is set as the other party (slave machine side).

  Here, when the user turns on the main unit on the main unit side in order to perform the connecting operation, the main unit power on the other side (the child unit) is turned on, but the power supply to the connection option board is turned off. If this is the case, there is a problem that after the main unit power supply on the base unit side is turned on, it is necessary to go to the other unit main body and turn on the power supply to the connection option board. For a user who has turned on the main unit power supply for performing the coupling operation, it is desirable that the partner side is also capable of the coupling operation. Therefore, the fifth embodiment solves this problem.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a fifth example of processing when the main body power is turned on by the energy saving I / O control unit 15 of FIG.
When the main switch is turned on and the main unit power is turned on, the energy saving I / O control unit 15 (sub CPU) on the master unit (digital copying machine 100) side, for example, as shown in FIG. By communicating with the energy-saving I / O control unit 15 of the controller control unit 120 on the partner side (slave unit side) connected by the connecting cables 2, 3, etc., via the network I / F 23 And the power supply state to the connection option board 11 on the other side is detected.

Further, the detected power supply state to the connected option board on the partner side is displayed on the operation unit 130 on the power-on side (master unit side). At this time, a power supply start button (information for supplying power to the partner option board on the other side) that also serves as information (user confirmation information) for allowing the user to confirm whether or not to supply power to the partner option board A button for instructing start) is also displayed on the operation unit 130 (notified to the outside). Note that the user confirmation information and the power supply start button may be displayed separately.
Here, when the power supply to the connection option board on the other side is off and the user wants to perform the connection operation, the power supply start displayed on the operation unit 130 on the base unit side is started. Press the button.

  When the energy-saving I / O control unit 15 (sub CPU) on the master unit is instructed to start the power supply to the connection option board on the other side by pressing the power supply start button, the energy saving I / O control unit 15 (sub CPU) via the network I / F 23 Communicating with the energy saving I / O control unit 15 of the partner controller control unit 120 connected by the connection cables 2 and 3 and the like, and the connection option from the energy saving I / O control unit 15 to the controller system power generation unit 121 A power control signal is transmitted to turn on the power supply to the board 11. At the same time, a power control signal is transmitted from the energy-saving I / O control unit 15 on the parent device side to the controller system power generation unit 121 to turn on the power supply to the connection option board 11.

  In this way, when the main unit power is turned on, the power supply status to the connection option board on the partner side (slave unit side) is displayed, and when the power supply is off, the partner side on the operation unit of the master unit Since the power supply to the connection option board can be turned on, the user who performed the operation to turn on the main unit power supply to perform the connection operation has to bother in front of the other device main unit. Thus, the troublesome operation of turning on the power supply to the connection option board is eliminated, and the operability can be improved.

[Sixth embodiment]
Next, a sixth example of processing when the main body power is turned on by the energy saving I / O control unit 15 of FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG. Also here, the digital copying machine 100 is set as the parent machine, and the digital copying machine 200 is set as the other party (slave machine side). The sixth embodiment has the processing functions of the first to fourth embodiments described above.

  Here, if the power supply to the connection option board is automatically shut off at the start of power-on of the main body described in the first to fourth embodiments, the apparatus is always used for a user who always uses the connection operation. An operation for starting the power supply to the connection option board on the base unit side must be performed after the main body is started up (enters the standby state), and the operability is deteriorated. Therefore, the sixth embodiment solves this problem.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a connection board power control function setting screen displayed on the operation unit 130 of FIG.
The energy-saving I / O control unit 15 (sub CPU) on the parent machine (digital copying machine 100) side requests an operation for setting a mode for turning on / off a function for shutting off the power supply to the connection option board 11. Is performed on the operation unit 130, for example, a connection board power control function setting screen as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the operation unit 130.

  Therefore, by turning on the connection board power control function setting screen, turning on / off the function for shutting off the power supply to the connection option board 11 according to the frequency of use of the connection operation (copy operation performed by connection), power supply cutoff ON / OFF of the function to cut off the power supply to the linked option board 11 within the period, ON / OFF of the function to cut off the power supply to the linked option board 11 according to the elapsed time from the end of the previous image processing operation The function for shutting off the power supply to the connection option board 11 on the base unit side by turning off the power supply to the connection option board 11 on the handset side is set to ON and OFF, respectively, and the setting contents are stored in the nonvolatile memory 18. It can be kept in memory.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a connection board power control data setting screen displayed on the operation unit 130 of FIG.
The energy-saving I / O control unit 15 (sub CPU) on the master machine (digital copying machine 100) side cuts off the power supply to the connection option board 11 according to the use frequency of the connection operation, for example, as shown in FIG. A function for cutting off the power supply to the linked option board 11 within the power supply cut-off period, and a function for cutting off the power supply to the linked option board 11 according to the elapsed time from the end of the previous image processing operation. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, if each function is set to ON and the function of shutting off the power supply to the connection option board 11 on the parent device side by turning off the power supply to the connection option board 11 on the child device side is set to OFF. A connection board power control data setting screen is displayed on the operation unit 130.

  Therefore, by operating the connection board power control data setting screen, a predetermined value (for example, 5%) to be compared with the value of the frequency of use of the connection operation, a power supply cutoff period (for example, 17: 00 to 00: 00, 00: 00) 12:00), a predetermined time (for example, 48 hours) to be compared with the elapsed time from the end of the previous image processing operation can be set, and the setting contents can be stored and held in the nonvolatile memory 18.

  In this way, by setting on / off of a plurality of different functions that cut off the power supply to the connection option board on the base unit side by operating on the operation unit, the user who always uses the connection operation can set Therefore, it is not necessary to perform an operation for starting the power supply to the connection option board on the base unit side after starting up (becomes a standby state), and the operability can be improved.

  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, an MFP (digital multifunction peripheral), or a facsimile machine. is there.

[Program related to this invention]
This program is provided to a CPU (computer) that controls the image forming apparatus, and includes power supply time measurement means, total power supply time update means, connection operation processing time measurement means, and total connection operation processing time update means that are functions related to the present invention. , Usage frequency calculation means, power supply cutoff control means, time acquisition means, power supply cutoff period setting means, elapsed time measurement means, power supply status detection means, other device power supply control means, confirmation information notification means, This is a program for realizing the function as the fourth on / off setting means. By causing the CPU to execute such a program, the above-described effects can be obtained.

Such a program may be stored in a storage means such as a ROM provided in the image forming apparatus from the beginning, a non-volatile memory (flash ROM, EEPROM, etc.), or an HDD (hard disk device). Recorded on a CD-ROM or a non-volatile recording medium (memory) such as a memory card, flexible disk, MO, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD + R, DVD + RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, or DVD-RAM Can also be provided. The programs recorded on those recording media can be installed in the image forming apparatus and executed by the CPU, or each program described above can be executed by causing the CPU to read out and execute this program from those recording media. .
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, in the image forming apparatus provided with the connection communication means (connection option board), the power consumption of the entire apparatus is reduced by suppressing the power consumption by the connection communication means. can do. By utilizing this invention, an image forming apparatus capable of realizing energy saving can be provided.

1: Network 2, 3: Connection cable 4: Hub 11: Connection option board 12: CPU 13: RAM
14: RAM control unit 15: Energy saving I / O control unit 16: HDD
17: Image processing control unit 18: Non-volatile memory 19, 20: Flash ROM
21: EEPROM 22: SD card I / F 23: Network I / F
24, 25: RTC 100, 200, 300: Digital copier 111: Scanner control unit 112: Plotter control unit 113: Peripheral device control unit 114: Engine system power generation unit 121: Controller system power generation unit 130: Operation unit 140: PSU unit 400: PC 500: server

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus having a connection communication unit that performs communication for performing an image forming operation by connecting to another image forming apparatus,
Power supply time measuring means for measuring the power supply time to the device body;
Total power supply time storage means for storing a total power supply time obtained by accumulating the measurement time by the power supply time measurement means;
A linked operation processing time measuring means for measuring a linked operation processing time which is a processing time of an image forming operation performed by being linked to the other image forming apparatus;
Total connection operation processing time storage means for storing the total connection operation processing time obtained by accumulating the measurement time by the connection operation processing time measurement means;
When supplying power to the apparatus main body, the total power supply time stored in the total power supply time storage means and the total connection operation processing time stored in the total connection operation processing time storage means are read out, Use frequency calculation means for calculating the use frequency of the image forming operation performed in connection corresponding to the ratio of the total connection operation processing time to the total power supply time;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a power supply cutoff control unit configured to cut off power supply to the connected communication unit according to a calculation result by the use frequency calculation unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
Time acquisition means for acquiring the current time;
A power supply cut-off period setting means for setting a power supply cut-off period that is a cut-off period of power supply to the connected communication means;
The power supply cutoff control means compares the current time acquired by the time acquisition means with the power cutoff period set by the power supply cutoff period setting means when supplying power to the apparatus body, An image forming apparatus comprising: means for cutting off power supply to the connected communication means when the time is within the power cut-off period. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
Providing elapsed time measuring means to measure the elapsed time from the end of the previous image forming operation,
The power supply shut-off control means compares the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measuring means with a preset predetermined time when supplying power to the apparatus body, and determines the elapsed time as the predetermined time. An image forming apparatus comprising: means for shutting off power supply to the connection communication means when exceeding the limit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
Network communication means for communicating with the other image forming apparatus via a network;
A power supply state detection unit for detecting a power supply state to the connected communication unit on the other image forming apparatus side by communication by the network communication unit;
The power supply cut-off control means is configured to detect the result of detection by the power supply state detection means when the power is supplied to the apparatus main body on the image forming apparatus side to the connected communication means on the other image forming apparatus side. An image forming apparatus comprising: means for interrupting power supply to the connected communication means on the image forming apparatus side when it is recognized that the power supply is cut off. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.
Other apparatus power supply control means for controlling power supply to the connected communication means on the other image forming apparatus side by communication by the network communication means;
A confirmation information notifying unit for notifying the user of information for allowing the user to confirm whether or not to supply power to the connected communication unit on the other image forming apparatus side;
The other apparatus power supply control means starts the power supply when instructed to start power supply to the connected communication means on the other image forming apparatus side in response to the notification by the confirmation information notification means An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.
An elapsed time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time from the end of the previous image forming operation;
Network communication means for communicating with the other image forming apparatus via a network;
A power supply state detection unit for detecting a power supply state to the connected communication unit on the other image forming apparatus side by communication by the network communication unit;
The power supply cutoff control unit compares the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measuring unit with a predetermined time when supplying power to the apparatus main body on the image forming apparatus side. Means for shutting off the power supply to the connection communication means on the image forming apparatus side when the time exceeds the predetermined time, and the power source when supplying power to the apparatus main body on the image forming apparatus side. When it is recognized from the result of detection by the supply state detection means that the power supply to the connected communication means on the other image forming apparatus side is cut off, the power to the connected communication means on the image forming apparatus side Means for shutting off the supply,
A first on / off setting means for setting on / off of a function for shutting off the power supply by the power supply shut-off control means in accordance with the frequency of use of the image forming operation performed in connection;
Second on / off setting means for setting on / off of the function of shutting off the power supply by the power supply shut-off control means within the power supply shut-off period;
A third on / off setting means for setting on / off of the function of shutting off the power supply by the power supply shut-off control means according to the elapsed time from the end of the previous image forming operation;
A fourth on / off setting unit for setting on / off of the function of shutting off the power supply by the power supply cut-off control unit by cutting off the power supply to the connected communication unit on the other image forming apparatus side is provided; An image forming apparatus.

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