JP2012191369A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem of a conventional technique in which, since a portion to be supplied with power is determined in connection with user authentication, a power-saving effect cannot be obtained if a user authentication function is not provided and if the user authentication function is not used.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus (100) comprises: a scanner engine driver (120) for controlling an image reading part (a scanner engine 110) in the image formation apparatus (100); a printer engine driver (140) for controlling a printing part (a printer engine 130); default display screen setting means for displaying a default display screen when starting by turning ON of power or when returning from a sleep state; and driver power supply control means which, according to the content of the default display screen setting means, changes power supply to the scanner engine driver (120) and the printer engine driver (140).

Description

  The present invention relates to a control unit for realizing power saving in an image forming apparatus.

  In recent years, information related to ecology has been frequently taken up, and there is an increasing demand for power saving in all types of equipment regardless of whether it is for industrial use or home use.

  In order to meet such demands, many image forming apparatuses have been made to reduce power consumption during standby and sleep. Among them, there is a method of finely controlling power according to the user environment and usage state to reduce power consumption (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-209825 A

  However, since the technique described in Patent Document 1 determines the power supply part in conjunction with user authentication, it is said that no effect is obtained when the user authentication function is not used or when the user authentication function is not used. There was a problem.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes:
A scanner engine driver (120) for controlling an image reading unit (scanner engine 110) in the image forming apparatus (100); and a printer engine driver (140) for controlling a printing unit (printer engine 130).
Power supply to the scanner engine driver (120) and the printer engine driver (140) according to the contents of the default display screen setting means and the default display screen setting means displayed at the time of start-up when the power is turned on or when returning from the sleep state It is characterized by having a driver power supply control means for changing.

  According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus that realizes optimal power control for a user's usage environment without causing the user to perform troublesome settings dedicated to power control and regardless of whether or not the user authentication unit is used. it can.

It is a block diagram which shows a structure. It is explanatory drawing of an operation part. It is a setting screen of default display. It is a table | surface which shows an electric power control state. It is a flowchart of a power control process.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Example 1]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention. Each block indicates a module, and a line between the blocks indicates data or an instruction.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an image forming apparatus. A CPU 150 executes a program of a module in the image forming apparatus 100. Reference numeral 160 denotes an operation unit that performs information notifying the user and transmitting the user's instruction to each block in the image forming apparatus 100 via the CPU 150. A scanner engine 110 performs a document reading process. Reference numeral 120 denotes a scanner engine driver which is hardware for controlling the scanner engine 110. A printer engine 130 performs a printing process. Reference numeral 140 denotes a printer engine driver which is hardware for controlling the printer engine 130. Reference numeral 170 denotes a power supply unit. In response to an instruction from the CPU 150, power is supplied to the scanner engine driver 120 and the printer engine driver 140.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operation unit 160. Reference numeral 201 denotes a copy job function key. By pressing the copy key 201, a copy screen is displayed. Reference numeral 202 denotes a fax job function key. By pressing the fax key 202, a fax screen is displayed. Reference numeral 203 denotes a scan job function key. By pressing the scan key 203, a scan screen is displayed. Reference numeral 204 denotes a function key for a media print job. By pressing the media print key 204, a media print screen is displayed. Reference numeral 205 denotes a status confirmation key. By pressing the status confirmation key 205, the status screen of the image forming apparatus is displayed. 210 is a touch panel type LCD. An operation screen is displayed on the LCD 210. It also accepts touch panel input. Reference numeral 211 denotes a power saving key. An instruction to put the image forming apparatus 100 in the sleep state or to return from the sleep state can be given.

  FIG. 3 is a setting screen for instructing a screen to be displayed at the time of start-up when the power is turned on or when returning from the sleep state. Options are copy, fax, scan, and media print function screens and status confirmation screens. Only one of these can be selected.

  FIG. 4 is a table showing the power control state. The figure shows the relationship between the screen displayed at startup by turning on the power supply or when returning from the sleep state, and the power status of the scanner driver and printer driver at that time. For example, if the copy job is activated or restored on the copy screen, both the scanner driver and the printer driver are in the power-on state because the copy job uses both the scanner and the printer.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a power control process for performing the power control described in FIG. In the image forming apparatus 100, this flowchart is executed when the power is turned on or when the image forming apparatus 100 returns from the sleep state.

  First, in step S1001, information on a screen to be displayed by default described with reference to FIG. 3 is acquired. Next, the process proceeds to S1002. In S1002, the display of the LCD 210 is turned on, and a default screen display of any one of “copy” / “fax” / “scan” / “media print” / “status check” is performed.

  Next, power control processing is performed after S1003. First, in S1003, it is determined whether the default screen is a copy screen. If it is a copy screen, the process proceeds to S1007, and if it is not a copy screen, the process proceeds to S1004. In S1004, it is determined whether the default screen is a fax or scan screen. In the case of a fax or scan screen, the process proceeds to S1008, and in other cases, the process proceeds to S1005. In S1005, it is determined whether the default screen is a media print screen. If it is the media print screen, the process proceeds to S1009. If it is not the media print screen, the process proceeds to S1010.

  In S1007, power control suitable for copy job execution is performed. Specifically, power is supplied to both the scanner engine driver 110 and the printer engine driver 130. Exit the flowchart after power control is complete.

  In S1008, power control suitable for executing a fax job and a scan job is performed. Specifically, power is supplied to the scanner engine driver 110. The printer engine driver 130 is not supplied with power. Exit the flowchart after power control is complete.

  In step S1009, power control suitable for media print job execution is performed. Specifically, power is not supplied to the scanner engine driver 110 and power is supplied to the printer engine driver 130. Exit the flowchart after power control is complete.

  In S1010, power control suitable for a state where there is no need to immediately execute a job is performed. Specifically, power is not supplied to both the scanner engine driver 110 and the printer engine driver 130. Exit the flowchart after power control is complete.

  According to the above-described contents, image formation without a user's troublesome power control-dedicated settings and a power control mechanism that is optimal for the user's usage environment, regardless of whether the user authentication unit is used or not. Equipment can be provided. Specifically, by performing power control according to the screen displayed at startup by turning on the power or returning from the sleep state, it is possible to operate the function frequently used by the user without waiting, Power saving can be realized by not supplying power to unnecessary hardware in the function used.

100 Image forming apparatus 150 CPU

Claims (1)

A scanner engine driver (120) for controlling an image reading unit (scanner engine 110) in the image forming apparatus (100); and a printer engine driver (140) for controlling a printing unit (printer engine 130).
Default display screen setting means to be displayed at startup by turning on the power or when returning from the sleep state,
An image forming apparatus (100) comprising: a scanner engine driver (120) and driver power supply control means for changing power supply to the printer engine driver (140) according to the contents of the default display screen setting means.