JP2011199771A - Image processor and image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To notify power consumption required for executing set processing beforehand regardless of contents of the processing.SOLUTION: When performing processing such as copy processing, scan processing and FAX processing in an image forming apparatus in which power saving is partially performed by supplying power only to required functional parts, a document is read first (102-106) and a user performs various settings, so that power consumption is estimated and displayed while considering the number of recording sheets to be ejected in accordance with settings (108-114). Furthermore, each time the settings are changed, the power consumption is estimated and displayed (114-118).

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing program.

  In the technology described in Patent Document 1, in an image forming apparatus having a copy mode and a print mode, the operation history of each operation mode is accurately measured, and based on the time-measured value, the copy mode, the print mode, etc. It has been proposed to calculate statistical power consumption from the operating status of the image forming apparatus and to inform the user of statistical information by creating log information related to power when processing various functions. .

JP 2003-309684 A

  An object of this invention is to alert | report beforehand power consumption required in order to perform the set process irrespective of the content of a process.

  The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, a reading unit that reads a document, a setting unit that sets a process to be performed on a reading result of the reading unit, and the processing content set by the setting unit Before the execution of the processing set by the setting means, the supply means for supplying power to the functional unit necessary for executing the above-mentioned, based on the reading result of the reading means and the setting result of the setting means And a control unit that controls the display unit to display a power consumption estimation result that estimates the amount of power consumed by the supply unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the control unit controls the display unit to display the power consumption estimation result each time the setting is changed by the setting unit. It is characterized by doing.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the reading result of the reading unit is in a predetermined format according to the processing content set by the setting unit. It further comprises conversion means for converting into information.

  An image processing program according to claim 4 causes a computer to function as the control unit of the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the power consumption necessary for executing the set processing can be notified in advance regardless of the content of the processing.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to confirm in advance whether the power consumption is reduced when the setting is made.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to read a document before setting a process to be executed.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, there is an effect that the power consumption necessary for executing the set processing can be notified in advance regardless of the content of the processing.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the difference in the power consumption by the setting at the time of performing a copy process, (A) The power consumption in the case of forming a color image using the moving mechanism which moves a document to an image reading part, FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating power consumption when a document is set in the image reading unit and a monochrome image is formed without using a moving mechanism. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing content types and parameter types that can be executed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a power consumption conversion table. It is a figure which shows an example of the power consumption conversion table required at the time of execution when a process content classification is printing. It is a figure which shows an example of the power consumption conversion table required at the time of execution when a process content classification is fax transmission. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a figure which shows an example of an initial screen, (B) is a figure which shows an example of a function selection screen, (C) is a figure which shows an example of a copy setting screen.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system 10 including an image forming apparatus 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the image forming system 10, an image forming apparatus 12 and a plurality of host computers 14 (14 A, 14 B,...) Are connected to each other via a network 16.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 12 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 12 includes a main controller 18.

  The main controller 18 includes a CPU (Csentral Processing Unit) 18A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 18B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 18C, a nonvolatile memory 18D, and an input / output interface (I / O) 18E via a bus 18F. Each is connected.

  The I / O 18E includes an operation display unit 20, an image reading unit 22, an image forming unit 24, a paper supply unit 26, a paper discharge unit 28, a telephone line interface (I / F) 30, a network interface (I / F) 32, The functional units of the hard disk 34 and the power saving control device 36 are connected.

  The operation display unit 20 includes various buttons such as a start button for instructing start of copying, various buttons such as a numeric keypad, a setting screen for setting processing contents such as image forming conditions such as copy density, and the state of the apparatus. A touch panel for displaying a screen is included.

  The image reading unit 22 includes an image reading sensor such as a line CCD, a scanning mechanism for scanning the image reading sensor, a moving mechanism for moving the document to a reading position, and the like. Read the image. The image reading unit 22 can perform automatic reading by moving a document to a reading position by a moving mechanism and manual reading by a user setting and reading a document at the document reading position.

  The image forming unit 24 forms an image on a recording medium by, for example, a so-called electrophotographic method. Specifically, the image forming unit 24 is a charging device for charging the photosensitive drum, and exposes light corresponding to the image onto the charged photosensitive drum, thereby static electricity corresponding to the image on the photosensitive drum. An exposure device that forms an electrostatic latent image, a developing device that develops toner with an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive drum, and a transfer device that transfers a toner image corresponding to the image formed on the photosensitive drum to a recording medium The image forming apparatus includes a fixing device that fixes a toner image corresponding to the image transferred to the recording medium.

  As the exposure apparatus, an optical scanning apparatus including an optical system such as a semiconductor laser, a rotary polygon mirror, a collimator lens, a cylindrical lens, and an fθ lens, an LED head composed of a plurality of LEDs, and the like can be applied. .

  Further, the image forming unit 24 is not limited to the electrophotographic system, and may be an apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by an ink jet recording system.

  The paper supply unit 26 includes a paper storage unit that stores recording paper, a supply mechanism that supplies recording paper from the paper storage unit to the image forming unit 24, and the like. A plurality of paper storage units are provided to store recording papers of different types of recording paper, and a plurality of supply mechanisms are provided corresponding to the paper storage units.

  The paper discharge unit 28 is a finisher that performs post-processing such as stapling processing and punching processing on the recording paper, a discharge unit that discharges the recording paper, and a recording paper that has been image-formed by the image forming unit 24. It is configured to include a discharge mechanism for discharging upward.

  The telephone line I / F 30 is an interface for performing facsimile communication with other image forming apparatuses connected via a telephone line (not shown).

  The network I / F 32 is an interface for data communication with other devices such as the host computer 14 via the network 16.

  The hard disk 34 stores, for example, log data such as the status and operating status of each part of the apparatus, log data of processing results such as copying, facsimile communication, and printing, various setting data, control programs, and the like.

  The power saving control device 36 controls the power supply unit 38 in accordance with the processing content instructed to be executed by the operation display unit 20, and supplies power to each functional unit necessary for executing the instructed processing. Control.

  The power supply unit 38 controls the main controller 18, the operation display unit 20, the image reading unit 22, the paper supply unit 26 supply mechanism, the paper discharge unit 28 discharge mechanism, and the paper discharge unit 28 according to the control of the power saving control device 36. Turns on / off the power supply to each functional unit such as the finisher and the discharge mechanism.

  In other words, in the image forming apparatus 12 of the present embodiment, the power saving control device 36 controls the power supply unit 38 so as to supply power only to necessary function units and to save power for unnecessary function units. For example, in the case of print processing, it is not necessary to supply power to the image reading unit 22, and power is saved accordingly. Also, in the case of copying, for example, if the display of the operation display unit 20 is stopped when the copy operation is instructed after the operation start by the operation display unit 20 is instructed, the power can be reduced accordingly. Saved.

  As described above, depending on the type of image forming process, it is not necessary to supply power to all the functional units, and partial power saving can be achieved by stopping power supply to unnecessary portions.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment, the power supplied to each function unit is controlled to save power partially, so that each processing content type such as copying, scanning, and fax, and each processing content The power consumption varies depending on the setting (for example, the number of discharged recording sheets and the number of copies in consideration of aggregate printing and double-sided printing). For example, in the case of executing copy processing, when a color image is formed using a moving mechanism that moves the document to the image reading unit 22 (FIG. 3A), the document is input to the image reading unit 22. When comparing the case of setting and forming a black and white image without using the moving mechanism (FIG. 3B), there is a difference in power consumption due to the moving mechanism for moving the original, and the original There are differences in power consumption due to differences in the storage time of the hard disk (HDD) according to the amount, differences in power consumption due to differences in color and monochrome processing times of the image forming unit 24, and the like. FIG. 3 shows an example of power and time for energizing each functional unit.

  Therefore, the image forming apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment has a function of estimating the power consumption according to the processing content type and the detailed setting of each processing content and displaying the estimated power consumption on the operation display unit 20. Each time the setting is changed, the power consumption corresponding to the setting change is estimated and displayed on the operation display unit 20. As a result, the power consumption in the current setting is notified to the user before each processing content is executed, so the energy saving awareness is improved by setting the image forming apparatus 12 in consideration of the power consumption. Is done.

  For example, the types of processing contents that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 12 and the types of parameters thereof are as shown in FIG. That is, the types of processing contents include image reading, transfer to a shared folder (SMB (Server Message Block) transfer), transfer to an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server, e-mail transmission, progress box storage, print, fax transmission, Internet There are fax transmission, etc., image scanning has parameters such as color mode, ground color removal, density, scanning resolution, scanning magnification, etc., and transfer to shared folder, forwarding destination, storage location, login name, password, file name, There are parameters such as output file format, re-transmission (number of times) at the time of transmission failure, and when transferring to FTP server, transfer destination, storage location, login name, password, file name, output file format, re-transmission at the time of transmission failure ( Parameter), and when sending by e-mail, resolution, color mode, transfer -There are parameters such as re-transmission (number of times) when transmission fails, and there are parameters such as resolution and color mode for saving in the progress box. For printing, the number of copies, duplex specification, paper storage specification, discharge destination specification, etc. In fax transmission, there are parameters such as destination, image quality, density, and transmission report output. In Internet fax transmission, there are parameters such as destination, image quality, and density. Further, detailed setting of processing contents is performed by specifying each parameter. Each parameter is set by performing an operation on a predetermined setting screen displayed on the operation display unit 20.

  In this embodiment, in order to estimate the power consumption, a power consumption conversion table is stored in advance in the ROM 18B, the hard disk 34, or the like for each processing content type. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the power consumption conversion table 40 is stored in advance for each processing content type such as printing, mail transmission, fax transmission, and SMB transfer.

  In addition, since each processing content has different power consumption required at the time of starting each processing and power consumption required at the time of execution, the power consumption conversion table 40 is stored in advance separately for the time of startup and the time of execution. ing. For example, in the case of printing, power for warm-up (heating of the fixing device, etc.) is required at the time of startup, and is different from the power at the time of execution. And a power consumption conversion table divided into power consumption values necessary for execution (power consumption values per recording sheet) are stored in advance.

  As an example of the power consumption conversion table 40 required at the time of execution, for example, when the processing content type is copy or print, as shown in FIG. 6, double-sided designation (double-sided or single-sided), paper storage unit designation (storage) Part A to D), discharge part designation (center discharge part or stacker discharge part), mail box (bin 1 to N), number of copies (1 to N), etc., for each parameter (coefficient with respect to a predetermined reference parameter) And the power consumption value (for example, the power consumption per sheet) are stored as a table, the power consumption of the print is calculated, and when the processing content type is fax transmission, as shown in FIG. Coefficients and power consumption values are stored as a table for each parameter (standard, high image quality, ultra high image quality (400 dpi), ultra high image quality (600 dpi)) and density (-10 to +10). Power consumption of the facsimile transmission is calculated.

  Note that the power consumption conversion table required at the time of startup may correspond to power consumption amounts (coefficients for the reference parameters and power consumption values per sheet) determined in advance for each processing content as described above. Also, the power consumption required at startup may vary depending on the current device status. Therefore, a sensor that detects the device status is provided, and the power consumption is calculated based on the sensor detection result. A table may be prepared. For example, in the case of printing, since it varies depending on the temperature of the fixing device, it is possible to accurately predict the power consumption during warm-up by preparing a conversion table for obtaining the power consumption corresponding to the current temperature. It becomes possible.

  Next, the process of displaying the estimated power consumption performed in the image forming apparatus 12 according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the image forming apparatus 12 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The following processing is performed by executing a program stored in the ROM 18B or the hard disk 34 of the image forming apparatus 12. Further, the processing in FIG. 8 is described as starting when a power saving return is instructed when shifting to a predetermined power saving mode in which power supply to each functional unit of the image forming apparatus 12 is stopped. However, it is not limited to this.

  First, when a power saving return is instructed, in step 100, the operation display unit 20 is returned and the process proceeds to step 102. That is, when the power saving control device 36 instructs the controller 18 and the operation display unit 20 to be energized, power supply from the power supply unit 38 to the operation display unit 20 is started, and the operation display unit 20 is predetermined. The initial selection screen is displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, an initial selection screen for selecting whether to perform a new document operation or a stored document operation is displayed.

  In step 102, it is determined whether a new document operation has been selected. In this determination, it is determined whether or not an instruction to select a new document operation has been made by operating the operation display unit 20. If the determination is negative, that is, if an accumulated document operation is selected, step 104 is performed. If the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 106.

  In step 104, the stored document is selected and the process proceeds to step 108. For example, the target document is selected from the stored documents stored in advance in the hard disk 34 or the like, and the process proceeds to step 108.

  On the other hand, in step 106, the new document is read and the process proceeds to step 108. That is, the power saving control device 36 starts supplying power to the image reading unit 22, a moving mechanism that moves the document to the image reading unit 22, the hard disk 34, and the like, and reads a new document set in the image forming device 12. Is started. Then, document information obtained by reading is sequentially stored in the hard disk 34. When reading of a new document is started, the process proceeds to step 108, and power supply to the image reading unit 22, the moving mechanism, and the hard disk 34 is stopped when reading of the original image and storage in the hard disk 34 are completed. Is done.

  In step 108, a predetermined function selection screen for selecting a processing content type is displayed, and the process proceeds to step 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the function selection screen displays a screen for selecting a processing content type of copy, scan, or fax. In this embodiment, the case of selecting any one of copy, scan, and fax will be described. However, the selectable processing content is not limited to this, for example, the processing content type shown in FIG. Either of these may be selectable.

  In step 110, it is determined whether the function selection has been completed. In this determination, it is determined whether the operation display unit 20 has been operated to select the processing content type, and the process waits until the determination is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 112.

  In step 112, a predetermined setting screen for the selected processing content type is displayed, and the process proceeds to step 114. As the setting screen, for example, as shown in FIG. 9C, a screen for performing various settings for the selected processing content is displayed. In the example of FIG. 9C, an example of a copy setting screen is shown.

  In step 114, the power consumption is calculated and displayed, and the process proceeds to step 116. Specifically, the power consumption amount required at the time of startup and the power consumption value required at the time of execution are read from the power consumption conversion table 40. Then, add the power consumption during execution obtained by multiplying the number of pages and number of copies of the recording paper to be ejected according to the setting by the power consumption value and coefficient required during execution and the power consumption required during startup. Thus, the power consumption is estimated and the calculation result is displayed as the power consumption prediction. For example, the calculated power consumption prediction is displayed in the upper right column of the setting screen in FIG. That is, the power consumption in the current setting is notified by the power consumption prediction displayed on the operation display unit 20. If the set processing content is fax, the communication time per page can be predicted in advance from the amount of information according to the parameters, so the reported power consumption can be used as a guideline for the communication fee. It becomes.

  In step 116, it is determined whether or not a setting change has been performed. In the determination, it is determined whether or not the operation display unit 20 has performed an operation on the setting screen and the setting has been changed. If the determination is affirmative, the process returns to step 114 and the power consumption is calculated again. If not, the process proceeds to step 118. Note that this determination is negative, for example, when a setting change instruction has not been issued even after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the routine proceeds to step 118.

  In step 118, it is determined whether or not a process start instruction has been issued. In this determination, it is determined whether or not the operation display unit 20 is operated to instruct execution of the set process. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 116 and the above process is repeated. If so, the process proceeds to step 120. That is, when the user confirms the power consumption prediction displayed on the operation display unit 20 and performs setting again, the power consumption with the changed setting is displayed on the operation display unit 20 again.

  In step 120, the document information is image-converted according to the function (processing content type) set on the setting screen, and the process proceeds to step 122. For example, when executing processing contents such as a fax, since document information obtained by reading cannot be transmitted if it is larger than a predetermined size, in a conventional image forming apparatus, when reading a document, In this embodiment, the document is read before selecting a function to be executed in order to estimate power consumption in advance, so that the document is already read in this process. With respect to the document information obtained by this, the document information is image-converted into information of a predetermined format according to the selected function or the like.

  In step 122, setting content execution processing is performed, and the routine proceeds to step 124. That is, processing according to the processing set by the user is executed. For example, when the processing content type is copy, image processing (for example, aggregation of a plurality of pages, double-sided, enlargement / reduction, etc.) is performed on document information representing a document image stored in the hard disk 34 or the like according to the setting. To do.

  In step 124, it is determined whether there is a subsequent process. The determination is made as to whether or not the next document has been set in the image reading unit 22 of the image forming apparatus 12, whether or not an accumulated document to be subsequently processed is designated, an instruction to perform the next process, or the like. It is determined whether or not the operation has been performed by the operation display unit 20. If the determination is affirmative, the process returns to step 102 and the above-described processing is repeated. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 126.

  In step 126, the power saving mode is entered and the series of processes is terminated. In other words, the power saving control device 36 controls the power supply to each functional unit of the image forming apparatus 12 to stop the power supply to each functional unit by the power supply unit 38. At this time, the power supply to the functional unit necessary for returning from the power saving mode is continued.

  As described above, in the embodiment, when performing image processing such as copying, scanning, and faxing in the image forming apparatus 12 that saves power by supplying power only to necessary function units, the document image is read in advance. Then, after the user makes various settings, the result of estimating the power consumption in consideration of the number of discharged recording sheets according to the settings is displayed on the operation display unit 20. Therefore, the power consumption is notified to the user in advance before executing the process. This improves the user's awareness of energy saving.

  In the above embodiment, the power consumption of each processing content is calculated and displayed using the predetermined power consumption conversion table 40. However, the main controller 18 and the operation display unit from the power supply unit 38 are displayed. 20, a power-saving control device 36 including a timer for measuring the energization time to each functional unit such as the image reading unit 22 is configured, and the energization time to each functional unit when each processing content is executed The power consumption may be obtained by actually measuring the power consumption, and the power consumption conversion table 40 may be corrected.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the power consumption of any one of copy, scan, and fax is estimated and displayed has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Since the storage time of the hard disk 34 is different, the power consumption may be estimated and displayed for each processing content type shown in FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Image forming apparatus 18 Main controller 20 Operation display part 22 Image reading part 36 Power saving control apparatus 38 Power supply part 40 Power consumption conversion table

Claims (4)

Reading means for reading a document;
Setting means for making settings related to processing to be executed on the reading result of the reading means;
Supply means for supplying power to a functional unit necessary for executing the processing content set by the setting means;
Before executing the processing set by the setting unit, a power consumption estimation result is obtained by estimating the amount of power supplied by the supply unit based on the reading result of the reading unit and the setting result of the setting unit. Control means for controlling to be displayed on the display means;
An image processing apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the power consumption estimation result to be displayed on the display unit every time the setting is changed by the setting unit.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a conversion unit configured to convert a reading result of the reading unit into information in a predetermined format according to the processing content set by the setting unit.   The image processing program for functioning a computer as the said control means of the image processing apparatus of any one of Claims 1-3.

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