JP2012058761A - Image formation device and method of controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation device capable of performing suitable processing even in a power-saving mode.SOLUTION: With an image formation device, when a prescribed time elapses during a power-saving mode (YES at S501), the power source of an engine CPU is turned on (S502) for environmental measurement and an environmental variation countermeasure command is transmitted (S503). In this case, no usual warm-up control is performed but temperature and humidity are input by an environment sensor SE4. When the input temperature and humidity become a high-temperature high-humidity environment (for example, temperature of 30°C or over and humidity of 70%RH or over), the fact that the high-temperature high-humidity environment has occurred during the power-saving mode is stored in a nonvolatile memory 201 of an engine substrate 200 as high-temperature high-humidity history data and an environmental variation countermeasure report is transmitted as a reply to the command. Upon receiving the environmental variation countermeasure report (S504), the power source of the engine CPU is turned off to resume to the power-saving mode (S505).

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus control method, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus including an engine CPU that controls an engine body and a controller CPU that operates separately from the engine CPU. Regarding the method.

  Conventionally, image forming apparatuses such as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral), a printer, and a facsimile machine are known.

  In many cases, the image forming apparatus includes a controller CPU that converts image data or performs network communication with a host device, and an engine CPU that performs image formation in accordance with paper feed / conveyance and image data from the controller. .

  A GDI printer is known in which a connected host device converts image data, and a controller in the printer prints image data transmitted from the host device. On the other hand, a printer in which printer language data is transmitted from a host device and converted into image data by a controller is also known. For one printer, products with either the former or the latter controller are lined up. The former can be realized with a relatively low performance CPU, but the latter needs to use a high performance CPU. In other words, the CPU and hardware differ depending on the controller.

  On the other hand, the engine CPU requires peripheral IO functions such as an AD converter, a DA converter, and a timer function for controlling the mechanical mechanism and the image forming function, which are not necessary for the controller CPU. Further, even if the controller method changes, the feeding / conveying method and the control content for forming the image data from the controller do not change. For this reason, it is common to employ a one-chip microcomputer with optimum cost and performance for the engine CPU regardless of the controller system.

  If the engine CPU and the controller CPU are integrated, the controller CPU needs a peripheral IO mechanism for controlling the engine, leading to an increase in cost. Further, since the CPU is changed depending on the controller system, it is necessary to redesign the engine program, which is not practical. Therefore, the image forming apparatus is generally developed separately for the controller CPU and the engine CPU.

  In the power saving mode of the image forming apparatus, in order to reduce power consumption, a 24V power supply supplied from the engine CPU to each sensor such as a fixing device, a polygon head, and a paper sensor, and a 5V power supply that is not necessary in the power saving mode are provided. I cut it. This is because, during the power saving mode, the fixing device, the polygon head, and the like are not activated, and the 5V power supply is also unnecessary.

However, if the 5V power is turned off for all sensors and units, there are the following disadvantages.
Assume that the power saving mode is entered in an error state that requires a user operation such as JAM, paper empty, and consumable empty. When the error is canceled by the user, there is a high possibility that printing will be executed. Accordingly, it is desirable to cancel the power saving mode without waiting for printing from the user and perform warm-up control to reduce the print waiting time. Therefore, in order to detect the release of JAM or replacement of consumables, 5 V power is supplied to the cover sensor that inputs the cover signal of the image forming apparatus, and a cassette open / close signal and a paper empty signal for detecting that the paper is set. 5V power was also supplied to the sensor that inputs.

  As a technique related to the power saving mode, the following Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-117415) discloses an image forming apparatus that switches off the fixing heater when shifting from the preheating mode to the night mode. .

JP 2001-117415 A

  As described above, there is a limit to power reduction when 5V power is supplied to necessary sensors and units even in the power saving mode, and the engine CPU program is executed by supplying power to the engine CPU itself. There is.

  Further, in order to reduce the power consumption during the power saving mode, a method is considered in which the engine program is not operated by turning off the power supplied to the engine CPU. However, in this case, it is impossible to detect that the user has canceled the error during the power saving mode, and there is a problem that the operability during the power saving mode is poor.

Further, if the engine CPU is turned off during power saving, the following two problems arise.
The first problem is the permanent distortion of the fixing roller. In the color image forming apparatus, in order to melt and fix the color toner, the fixing pressure roller and the fixing heating roller are pressed with elasticity. Because of this elasticity, if it is left for a long time, the pressure contact portion of the fixing pressure / heating roller is distorted. In order to solve this, when a predetermined time elapses in the power saving mode, 24V power supply and 5V power supply are supplied to rotate the fixing roller to move the pressure contact portion of the pressure / heating roller. After the movement, the 24V power supply and 5V power supply are turned off to return to the power saving mode.

  It is conceivable that these controls are executed by the engine program during the power saving mode. However, if the power of the engine CPU is turned off during the power saving mode, such control becomes impossible and the permanent deformation of the fixing roller is prevented. become unable.

  The second problem is related to image stabilization control. If the environment is left in the power saving mode and a high temperature / humidity environment is entered, the charge amount of the toner changes, and a normal image may not be printed when the power saving mode is canceled. For this reason, it is necessary to periodically monitor changes in temperature and humidity with an environmental sensor even during the power saving mode. If the environment is at a high temperature and high humidity even once during the power saving mode, image stabilization control is performed when the power saving mode is canceled. By image stabilization control, it is possible to determine optimal image formation parameters and prevent image defects.

  However, if the power of the engine CPU is turned off during the power saving mode, a signal from the environmental sensor cannot be input and processed, so that an image defect due to environmental fluctuations cannot be prevented.

  In other words, in order to reduce power consumption, it may be possible to install a function to turn off the engine CPU power during the power saving mode. However, turning off the CPU power reduces the user operability during the power saving mode. Or machine damage and image defects.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of performing appropriate processing even in a power saving mode and a control method thereof.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes an engine CPU that controls the engine body and a controller CPU that operates separately from the engine CPU, and operates the controller CPU in the power saving mode to control the engine CPU. An image forming apparatus that stops operation, and includes power-on means for turning on the power of the engine CPU when a predetermined time elapses in the power saving mode. When the operation for detecting the change is executed, the controller CPU is notified that the operation for detecting the environmental change is completed, and the controller CPU receives the completion of the operation for detecting the environmental change. The power of the engine CPU is turned off to return to the power saving mode.

  Preferably, the operation for detecting the environmental change is performed by inputting an environmental condition in which the image forming apparatus is installed by an environmental sensor mounted on the image forming apparatus body, and if the environmental condition has changed, the image forming apparatus It includes an operation for recording changes in environmental conditions in a memory mounted on the main body.

  Preferably, when the power saving mode is canceled, the engine CPU inputs from the memory of the image forming apparatus main body whether there is a change in environmental conditions during the power saving mode. Stabilization control is performed.

Preferably, the environmental change is detected from a temperature / humidity sensor.
According to another aspect of the present invention, an engine CPU that controls the engine body and a controller CPU that operates separately from the engine CPU are provided, and the controller CPU is operated and the operation of the engine CPU is stopped in the power saving mode. The control method of the image forming apparatus includes a power-on step for turning on the power of the engine CPU when a predetermined time has elapsed in the power saving mode, and detecting an environmental change when the engine CPU is turned on. When the controller CPU receives that the operation for detecting the environmental change is completed, and the step of notifying the controller CPU that the operation for detecting the environmental change is completed, And turning off the power to return to the power saving mode.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes an engine CPU that controls the engine main body and a controller CPU that operates separately from the engine CPU, and operates the controller CPU in the power saving mode to operate the engine CPU. The image forming apparatus is configured to stop the operation of the image forming apparatus, and includes a power-on unit that turns on the power of the engine CPU when a predetermined time elapses in the power saving mode. When the engine CPU is turned on, When the operation for preventing the fixing roller permanent distortion is executed, the controller CPU is notified that the fixing roller permanent distortion prevention control has been completed, and the controller CPU receives that the fixing roller permanent distortion prevention control has been completed. Then, the engine CPU is turned off to return to the power saving mode.

  Preferably, the operation for preventing the fixing roller permanent distortion includes an operation for warming the fixing heater and an operation for rotating the fixing roller by a predetermined amount.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, an engine CPU that controls the engine body and a controller CPU that operates separately from the engine CPU are provided, and the controller CPU is operated in the power saving mode to stop the operation of the engine CPU. The control method of the image forming apparatus includes a power-on step for turning on the power of the engine CPU when a predetermined time has elapsed in the power saving mode, and a fixing roller permanent distortion when the engine CPU is turned on. When the controller CPU receives the completion of the prevention control of the fixing roller permanent distortion and the step of notifying the controller CPU that the prevention control of the fixing roller permanent distortion has been completed, And turning off the power to return to the power saving mode.

  According to these inventions, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing appropriate processing even in the power saving mode, and a method for controlling the image forming apparatus.

1 is a central sectional view of a full-color image forming apparatus that is one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit (a controller and an engine) of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the power saving mode transfer procedure in a controller program. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the error cancellation control during power saving mode. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the fixing permanent distortion prevention control in power saving mode. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the environmental variation countermeasure control during power saving mode. It is a flowchart which shows the process which an engine performs. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an engine when a power saving mode is cancelled | released.

Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. Even if the image forming apparatus turns off the CPU power during the power saving mode,
(1) Error detection cannot be detected by user operation,
(2) Permanent distortion of the fixing roller occurs,
(3) Designed to prevent image defects due to environmental changes.

  The problem that the error cannot be canceled in the above (1) is solved by monitoring the cover open / close signal, cassette mounting signal, and paper empty signal by the controller while the engine CPU is turned off during the power saving mode.

  That is, when the controller detects a change in the cassette mounting signal or the paper empty signal, the engine CPU is turned on to confirm whether the cassette non-loading and paper empty error has been canceled. The engine CPU checks the error status of the cassette not loaded and the paper empty in the engine program and notifies the controller. When notified by the engine that the error has been resolved, the controller cancels the power saving mode so that printing can be performed immediately.

  If the error state notified from the engine remains an error, the engine CPU is turned off to return to the power saving mode again.

  By such processing, even if the power of the engine CPU is turned off during the power saving mode, the power saving mode can be immediately released when the error is canceled by a user operation. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a decrease in operability during the power saving mode.

  The problem (2) regarding the permanent deformation of the fixing roller is solved by turning on the power of the engine CPU by the controller when a predetermined time elapses during the power saving mode. The engine is notified that the fixing roller permanent distortion prevention timing is reached, and the engine determines that it is the fixing roller permanent distortion prevention timing. The engine CPU rotates the fixing roller by a predetermined amount to move the pressure contact portion between the fixing pressure roller and the heating roller. The engine CPU notifies the controller that the fixing roller permanent distortion prevention processing has been completed. In response to this, the controller turns off the power of the engine CPU and returns to the power saving mode.

  By such processing, it is possible to prevent the fixing roller from being distorted even when left for a long time in the power saving mode.

  The problem of the image defect due to the environmental variation (3) is solved by turning on the power of the engine CPU by the controller when a predetermined time elapses during the power saving mode. The engine is notified that it is the environmental variation measurement timing, and the engine determines that it is the environmental variation measurement timing. The engine CPU inputs temperature and humidity with an environmental sensor, and determines whether or not the predetermined temperature and predetermined humidity are exceeded. When the temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature and the predetermined humidity, the fact that the environmental change has occurred is recorded in the nonvolatile memory attached to the engine.

  The engine CPU notifies the controller that the environmental variation measurement has been completed. In response, the controller turns off the engine CPU and returns to the power saving mode.

  When the controller receives a print request or detects a panel operation and cancels the power saving mode, the engine CPU is turned on to notify that the power saving mode is cancelled.

  When the engine detects that the power saving mode is cancelled, it reads the record of the environmental change from the nonvolatile memory, and if the environmental change is recorded, it executes an image stabilization process to readjust the image formation parameters. As a result, even if there is an environmental change during the power saving mode, it is possible to print with high image quality when the mode is canceled.

  Thus, during the power saving mode, the power of the engine CPU is turned off to reduce the power. In a mode other than the power saving mode, a signal related to a user operation detected by the engine is monitored by the controller during the power saving mode. When the signal related to the user operation changes, the engine CPU is powered on.

  When the power saving mode continues for a predetermined time, the engine CPU is turned on to rotate the fixing roller in order to prevent fixing permanent distortion. When the power saving mode continues for a predetermined time, the engine CPU is turned on to read the environmental sensor value in order to detect an environmental change during the power saving mode.

  FIG. 1 is a central sectional view of a full-color image forming apparatus which is one embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to the drawing, a full-color image forming apparatus 1 includes an intermediate transfer belt 2, a photoreceptor 3, a developing device 4, a charging device 5, an exposure device 6, a photoreceptor cleaner blade 7, and an intermediate transfer belt cleaner blade. 8, the recording medium storage unit 9, the paper feed roller 10, the timing roller 11, the paper passing sensor 12, the transfer roller 13, the heating roller 14a, the pressure roller 14b, the paper discharge roller 15, and both surfaces. A conveyance path 16, double-sided conveyance rollers 17 a and 17 b, a cartridge 18, an image stabilization sensor 19, a thermistor 20, and a halogen heater 21 are provided.

  In the image forming unit, the cartridge 18 includes a charging unit 5 that charges the photoconductor 3, an exposure unit 6 that exposes an image pattern, a developing unit 4 that develops toner, and a photoconductor that separates transfer residual toner from the photoconductor 3. A cleaner 7 is incorporated. The cartridges are provided for four colors of YMCK (yellow, magenta, cyan, black).

  The image forming unit further transfers the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 2 onto the recording medium, and the intermediate transfer belt 2 that forms an image by superimposing the four color toner images formed on the photoreceptor 3. A transfer roller 13 and an intermediate transfer belt cleaner 8 that separates transfer residual toner from the intermediate transfer belt 2 are provided.

  The recording medium conveyance unit includes a sheet feeding roller 10 that feeds the recording medium from the recording medium storage unit 9, a timing roller 11 that temporarily stops the fed recording medium, and a toner that forms an image on the intermediate transfer belt 2. A transfer roller 13 that transfers the image onto the recording medium, a fixing roller 14 that fixes the toner image transferred onto the recording medium, and a paper discharge roller 15 that discharges the fixed recording medium or conveys it to the double-sided conveyance path 16. The double-side path transport rollers 17 a and 17 b transport the recording medium to the timing roller 11 via the double-side transport path 16.

  Further, the image forming apparatus detects whether the cover is opened and outputs a cover open / close signal, a paper empty sensor SE2 that detects the remaining amount of the recording medium, and the mounting state of the paper feed cassette 300. A cassette mounting sensor SE3 for detecting and an environment sensor SE4 for detecting an environment such as temperature and humidity are provided.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit (controller and engine) of the image forming apparatus.

  The controller board 100 and the engine board 200 are connected by various lines. The controller board 100 includes a controller CPU 100a, and the engine board 200 includes an engine CPU 200a and a nonvolatile memory 201.

  A POWER signal line and a RESET signal line are connected to the controller CPU and the engine CPU. When the POWER signal from the controller CPU to the engine CPU is turned ON and the RESET signal is released, the engine CPU is in an operating state. The engine CPU does not operate when the POWER signal is OFF.

  Further, a cover opening / closing signal line, a paper empty signal line, and a cassette mounting signal line are connected to the controller CPU and the engine CPU from the cover opening / closing sensor SE1, the paper empty sensor SE2, and the cassette mounting sensor SE3. These signals can be input to the controller CPU and the engine CPU.

A signal from the environment sensor SE4 is input to the engine CPU 200a.
Below, the merit which divides | segments a control part into a controller and an engine is described.

  The controller CPU converts (generates) image data and performs network communication with the host device. The engine CPU feeds and conveys paper to be printed and forms an image (image formation) according to image data from the controller.

  The controller CPU and the engine CPU are connected by a serial communication line, and the engine CPU performs printing and image stabilization by a serial communication command from the controller CPU. In addition, the engine notifies the controller of the state during printing or image stabilization, the cassette mounting state, the paper empty state, the life of the consumables, the JAM state, etc. via the serial communication line.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a power saving mode transition procedure in the controller program.

  The controller CPU monitors print requests from the host computer. When there is a print request (YES in S201), the engine notifies the engine of the print mode of the paper feed port, paper media, etc. When the image data is ready, the print command is transmitted and the image data is output (S202). To do. The engine performs image formation control in accordance with instructions from the controller, and transfers the image onto the paper.

  If there is no print request (NO in S201), the controller determines whether 15 minutes have elapsed since the printing was completed (S203). Fifteen minutes is a predetermined time until shifting to the power saving mode. It may be a time other than 15 minutes. If 15 minutes have not elapsed (NO in S203), the process returns to the determination of the print request (S201).

  If 15 minutes have elapsed (YES in S203), a power saving command is transmitted to the engine CPU to shift to the power saving mode (S204). When the engine CPU receives the power saving command, it returns a power saving report to the controller. The power saving report includes power saving mode transition permission data indicating whether the engine is in a state in which the engine can be shifted to the power saving mode. When a power saving command is transmitted during printing control of the engine or the like, the power saving mode shift permission data becomes data indicating prohibition, indicating that the engine cannot shift to the power saving mode.

  The controller CPU receives the power saving report from the engine CPU and makes a power saving mode transition permission determination (S205). If it is determined that the transition cannot be made in the power saving permission determination (NO in S205), the process returns to the power saving command transmission (S204) again, and the determination of the power saving command transmission and the permission to shift to the power saving mode is repeated.

  However, a timeout process (not shown) is included, and if the process cannot be shifted to the power saving mode even after being repeated a predetermined number of times, the process returns to the print request determination in step S201.

  If the controller receives the power saving report from the engine and permits the power saving transition (YES in S205), the controller turns off the power of the engine CPU and enters the power saving mode (S206).

  During the power saving mode, power saving mode processing (S207), which is processing for solving various problems in the power saving mode, is executed. Details of this processing will be described later.

  During the power saving mode, the controller determines whether to cancel the power saving mode. When printing is requested from the host PC or the main body panel of the image forming apparatus is operated (YES in S208), it is determined that printing is performed by the user, and the power saving mode is canceled.

  The power saving mode is canceled by turning on the power of the engine CPU. Specifically, the POWER signal shown in FIG. 2 is turned ON and the RESET signal is turned ON. The RESET signal is turned OFF after the time (about 100 ms) during which the engine CPU is reset (S209). This activates the engine CPU.

  After starting the engine, a power saving mode release command is transmitted to notify the engine that it has been started for power saving release (S210). When the engine receives the power saving mode cancel command, it performs a process for canceling the power saving mode.

  When the power of the image forming apparatus is turned on, the engine detects the mounting of all the unit cartridges. However, when the power saving mode is canceled, some of the mounting detection is omitted to shorten the time.

In the power saving mode process during the power saving mode in step S207 of FIG.
(1) Error cancel control during power saving mode, which is a countermeasure when an error is canceled by user operation during power saving mode,
(2) Fixing permanent distortion prevention control during power saving mode;
(3) Perform environment fluctuation countermeasure control during the power saving mode, which is control for preventing image defects due to environment fluctuations.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the details of the error cancellation control during the power saving mode.
This flow (and the flow in FIGS. 5 and 6) is control periodically executed by the controller during the power saving mode.

  The controller CPU inputs signals from the paper empty sensor SE2 and the cassette mounting sensor SE3. If there is a change (YES in S301), the controller CPU sends a paper empty or cassette in a status sent from the engine before entering the power saving mode. It is determined whether unmounting has occurred (S303). If no paper empty or no cassette has occurred (NO in S303), the error is not canceled and the power saving mode is not canceled. That is, the process returns to step S301. If the paper empty or cassette has not been installed (YES in S303), an error canceling operation may have been performed by the user, so that the engine CPU is turned on to cause the engine to determine the error state (S306). .

  When the state of the paper empty sensor changes in step S301, it is determined only in step S303 whether or not it is in the paper empty state. It may be determined only whether or not.

  If both the paper empty / cassette mounting sensor have not changed in step S301 (NO in S301), the signal of the cover open / close sensor SE1 is input to check the change (S302). If the state of the cover open / close sensor SE1 has not changed (NO in S302), the error canceling operation has not been performed, and the process returns to step S301 without canceling the power saving mode.

  If there is a change in the cover opening / closing sensor SE1 (YES in S302), a cover opening / closing history is recorded (S304). Before entering the power saving mode, it is determined from the status transmitted from the engine whether consumables empty or JAM has occurred (S305).

  The reason why the cover opening / closing history is recorded in step S304 is as follows. If the cover is opened and closed during the power saving mode, the consumable cartridge etc. may be replaced, or the intermediate transfer belt and the like may be dirty due to the consumable replacement or JAM processing. Therefore, if the cover is opened and closed, it is necessary to detect replacement of the consumable cartridge and to clean the intermediate transfer belt when the power saving mode is released. On the other hand, when the cover is not opened and closed, it is not necessary to detect the replacement of the consumable cartridge and to clean the intermediate transfer belt when the power saving mode is released, so that the warm-up time can be shortened.

  For the above reasons, the cover opening / closing history is stored as a cover opening / closing history during the power saving mode by the controller, and the cover opening / closing history is transmitted to the engine when the power saving mode is released. The engine determines whether the cover is opened and closed during the power saving mode from the history, and shortens the warm-up time by determining whether or not the replacement of the consumable cartridge or the cleaning of the intermediate transfer belt is necessary.

  Returning to FIG. 4, if the consumable item empty or JAM has not occurred (NO in S305), the process returns to step S301.

  If consumables empty or JAM has occurred (YES in S305), an error canceling operation by the user may have been performed, so the engine CPU is turned on to cause the engine to determine the error state ( S306).

  Following power-on of the engine CPU, an error determination command during power saving mode is transmitted to the engine (S307). When the engine receives this command, it does not perform normal warm-up control, but performs input of paper empty sensor / cassette mounting sensor, detection of replacement of consumable cartridge, detection of residual paper JAM by paper passing paper sensor, etc. Is determined, and an error determination report in the power saving mode is transmitted.

  The error determination report during the power saving mode includes data indicating an error occurrence state indicating whether an error has occurred.

  The controller waits for the error determination report during the power saving mode to be returned (S308), and determines the error occurrence state in the error occurrence state included in the error determination report during the power saving mode (S309).

  If an error has occurred (YES in S309), printing cannot be performed until the error is cleared. Therefore, the power of the engine CPU is turned off to return to the power saving mode (S310). If the error has been canceled in the error determination report included in the error determination report during the power saving mode (NO in S309), since there is a high possibility of printing, a power saving mode cancel command is transmitted to the engine CPU to save power. The power mode is canceled (S311).

  When the error canceling control during the power saving mode is completed, the process proceeds to determination of canceling the power saving mode in step S208 of FIG. 3, but when the power saving mode is canceled in step S311, the print request determination of step S201 of FIG. Return to.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the content of fixing permanent distortion prevention control during the power saving mode.

This flow is also control that is periodically executed by the controller during the power saving mode.
When a predetermined time elapses (e.g., one day elapses) during the power saving mode (YES in S401), the controller turns on the power of the engine CPU (S402) in order to prevent permanent distortion of the fixing roller. A distortion prevention command is transmitted to the engine CPU (S403).

  When the engine receives a fixing permanent distortion prevention command after the power is turned on, a predetermined amount until the NIP portion of the fixing heating roller and the fixing pressure roller is not in contact without performing normal warm-up control. (For example, 20 °), the roller is rotated, and a fixing permanent distortion prevention report is transmitted.

  At this time, since there is a possibility that the toner is fixed to the fixing roller, the fixing roller is turned on and the temperature of the fixing roller is adjusted to 170 degrees, and then the fixing roller is rotated. When the controller receives the fixing permanent distortion prevention report (YES in S404), the controller turns off the power of the engine CPU (S405) and returns to the power saving mode.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of the environmental variation countermeasure control during the power saving mode.
This flow is also control that is periodically executed by the controller during the power saving mode.

  For example, during the power saving mode, a transition is made from a normal environment having a temperature of about 20 ° C. and a humidity of about 45% RH to a high temperature and high humidity environment of a temperature of 30 ° C. and a humidity of 70%. A case is assumed where the normal environment of about RH has been returned. If the power of the engine CPU is turned off during the power saving mode, the engine CPU does not know that the engine CPU has become high temperature and high humidity during the power saving mode, so some countermeasure is required. This is because in a high temperature and high humidity environment, the charge amount of the toner decreases, so it is necessary to perform image stabilization control when the power saving mode is canceled, otherwise image defects will occur.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when a predetermined time (for example, 2 hours) elapses during the power saving mode (YES in S501), the controller turns on the power of the engine CPU (S502) to measure the environment. A fluctuation countermeasure command is transmitted (S503).

  When the engine is turned on and receives an environmental variation countermeasure command, normal warm-up control is not performed, and temperature and humidity are input by the environmental sensor SE4. If the input temperature and humidity are in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment (for example, a temperature of 30 ° C. or higher and a humidity of 70% RH or higher), the high-temperature and high-humidity history data indicates that the high-temperature and high-humidity environment has occurred during the power saving mode Is stored in the non-volatile memory 201 on the engine board 200 and an environmental change countermeasure report is returned.

  When the controller receives the environmental change countermeasure report from the engine (S504), the controller turns off the power of the engine CPU and returns to the power saving mode (S505).

  When the engine is released from the power saving mode, when the power is turned on from the controller and a power saving mode release command is transmitted, the engine checks the high temperature and humidity history data. As a result, it is confirmed whether the environment is in a high temperature and high humidity environment during the power saving mode. When the environment is a high temperature and high humidity environment, image stabilization control is executed to determine image parameters (development bias, laser light quantity, etc.) that allow optimum printing. Thereby, even if the power of the engine CPU is turned off during the power saving mode, it is possible to prevent image defects due to environmental fluctuations during the power saving mode.

  In particular, when a one-component toner is used, it is effective to perform the above control because a component change is likely to occur and an image defect is likely to occur.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the engine.
In step S601, it is determined whether an error determination command during power saving mode is received. If YES, the paper empty state is determined from the output of the paper empty sensor SE2 in step S603. In step S605, it is determined from the output of the cassette mounting sensor SE3 whether a cassette is mounted.

  In step S607, it is determined whether or not the consumable cartridge has been replaced. In step S609, the residual paper JAM is determined. In step S611, an error occurrence state is set, and an error determination report during the power saving mode is transmitted to the controller CPU.

  In step S613, it is determined whether a print request has been made. If YES, print control is performed in step S615. Thereafter, in step S617, it is determined whether a power saving command is received. If YES, a power saving report is transmitted in step S619. Wait for the power to turn off after sending the report.

  If NO in step S601, it is determined in step S621 whether a fixing permanent distortion prevention command has been received. If YES, in step S623, temperature control is performed until the fixing device reaches 170 ° C. Thereafter, the fixing roller is rotated in step S625, and a fixing permanent distortion prevention report is transmitted in step S627. Then, the process proceeds to step S613.

  If NO in step S621, it is determined in step S629 whether an environmental variation countermeasure command has been received. If YES, temperature and humidity are input from the environmental sensor SE4 in step S631. In step S633, it is determined whether the temperature is high temperature and high humidity. Only in the case of YES, the fact is set in the high temperature and high humidity history data in step S635.

In step S637, an environmental change countermeasure report is transmitted, and the flow advances to step S613.
If NO in step S629, it is determined in step S639 whether a power saving mode release command has been received. If YES, it is determined in step S641 whether there is a cover opening / closing history. If the cover remains closed, warm-up control is performed in step S643, and the process proceeds to step S613.

  If it is determined in step S641 that the cover has been opened, consumable mounting / replacement is detected in step S645, and cleaning control is performed in step S647. In step S649, warm-up control is performed, and the process proceeds to step S613.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the engine when the power saving mode is canceled.
In step S701, it is determined whether there is a history of high temperature and high humidity. If YES, image stabilization control is performed in step S703.

[Effects of the embodiment]
Even when the image forming apparatus is in the power saving mode, it is necessary to monitor a signal (print request) from the external interface. Therefore, at least a part of the apparatus such as the controller CPU must be activated. In the present embodiment, it is possible to execute an operation in place of the stopped engine CPU by using the ability of the CPU that has been activated as described above.

  Further, the engine CPU can be activated when the main body cover is opened and closed in a state where JAM or consumable empty is generated during the power saving mode. When the main body cover is opened and closed without an error such as JAM or consumables empty, the engine CPU is not started at that time, and the main body cover is opened and opened and the power saving mode is canceled. The processing based on the opening and closing of the main body cover can be performed.

  That is, when the controller detects a change in the image forming apparatus main body operation signal during the power saving mode, the signal is a signal that is not caused by an error that is currently occurring, and the engine CPU installs / replaces a consumable item. If it is a signal that may require detection or cleaning in the image forming apparatus, the fact that a change has occurred is stored. When canceling the power saving mode, the controller CPU can notify that to the engine CPU.

  In addition, when a predetermined time has elapsed in the power saving mode, the engine CPU is turned on to solve problems and problems that may occur in the main body of the image forming apparatus with the engine CPU, and then the controller CPU is notified that the processing has ended. Notice. When the controller CPU receives the notification that the processing has been completed, the controller CPU can turn off the power of the engine CPU again and shift to the power saving mode.

  A plurality of processes for solving problems / problems that may occur in the image forming apparatus main body may be registered. A predetermined time until each process is started may be specified.

[Others]
The CPU is not limited to the controller CPU and the engine CPU, and the present invention may be applied to an image forming apparatus using three or more CPUs. That is, the function of the engine CPU is realized by another CPU.

  The sensor may detect an open / close signal of each cover of the plurality of covers, may detect a mounting / open / close signal of each cassette of the plurality of cassettes, or may detect each feed of the plurality of paper feed ports. An empty signal at the paper mouth may be detected.

  The present invention can be implemented for an image forming apparatus such as an MFP, a facsimile machine, and a copying machine.

  Further, the processing in the above-described embodiment may be performed by software or by using a hardware circuit.

  In addition, a program for executing the processing in the above-described embodiment can be provided, and the program is recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, and a memory card and provided to the user. You may decide to do it. The program may be downloaded to the apparatus via a communication line such as the Internet.

  In addition, it should be thought that the said embodiment is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  100 controller board, 100a controller CPU, 200 engine board, 200a engine CPU, 201 nonvolatile memory, 300 paper feed cassette, SE1 cover open / close sensor, SE2 paper empty sensor, SE3 cassette wearing sensor, SE4 environmental sensor.

Claims (8)

An engine CPU for controlling the engine body;
A controller CPU that operates separately from the engine CPU;
An image forming apparatus that operates the controller CPU and stops the operation of the engine CPU in a power saving mode,
A power-on means for turning on the power of the engine CPU when a predetermined time has elapsed in the power-saving mode;
When the power is turned on, the engine CPU performs an operation for detecting an environmental change, and notifies the controller CPU that the operation for detecting an environmental change is completed.
When the controller CPU receives that the operation for detecting the environmental change is completed, the controller CPU turns off the power of the engine CPU and returns to the power saving mode.   The operation for detecting the environmental change is performed by inputting an environmental condition in which the image forming apparatus is installed by an environmental sensor mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, and if the environmental condition has changed, the image forming apparatus main body The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation of recording a change in environmental conditions in a memory attached to the camera.   When the power saving mode is canceled, the engine CPU inputs whether the environmental condition has changed during the power saving mode from the memory of the image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming control is performed.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the environmental change is detected from a temperature / humidity sensor. An image forming apparatus control method comprising: an engine CPU that controls an engine main body; and a controller CPU that operates separately from the engine CPU, wherein the controller CPU is operated to stop the operation of the engine CPU in a power saving mode Because
A power on step of turning on the engine CPU when a predetermined time has elapsed in the power saving mode;
The engine CPU performs an operation for detecting an environmental change when the power is turned on, and notifies the controller CPU that the operation for detecting an environmental change is completed;
A method for controlling the image forming apparatus, comprising: when the controller CPU receives that the operation for detecting the environmental change is completed, turning off the power of the engine CPU and returning to the power saving mode. An engine CPU for controlling the engine body;
A controller CPU that operates separately from the engine CPU;
An image forming apparatus that operates the controller CPU and stops the operation of the engine CPU in a power saving mode,
A power-on means for turning on the power of the engine CPU when a predetermined time has elapsed in the power-saving mode;
When the power is turned on, the engine CPU performs an operation for preventing fixing roller permanent distortion, and notifies the controller CPU that the fixing roller permanent distortion prevention control has been completed,
When the controller CPU receives the completion of the fixing roller permanent distortion prevention control, the controller CPU turns off the engine CPU and returns to the power saving mode.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the operation for preventing the fixing roller permanent distortion includes an operation of heating the fixing heater and an operation of rotating the fixing roller by a predetermined amount. An image forming apparatus control method comprising: an engine CPU that controls an engine main body; and a controller CPU that operates separately from the engine CPU, wherein the controller CPU is operated to stop the operation of the engine CPU in a power saving mode Because
A power on step of turning on the engine CPU when a predetermined time has elapsed in the power saving mode;
When the engine CPU is turned on, performs an operation for preventing fixing roller permanent distortion, and notifies the controller CPU that the fixing roller permanent distortion prevention control is completed;
A method for controlling the image forming apparatus, comprising: when the controller CPU receives the completion of the fixing roller permanent distortion prevention control, turning off the power of the engine CPU and returning to the power saving mode.

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