JP2012218282A - Image forming processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem in which a user cannot interactively select and execute an energy-saving setting since the selection of energy-saving setting is consistently determined by a system, and the energy-saving setting cannot be dynamically created according to the situation since it must be preliminarily registered to the system as a static setting.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes a means capable of interactively selecting and executing, when a function such as scanning or printing is executed, the energy-saving setting. Thus, an optimum energy-saving setting can be dynamically formed according to the usage situation.

Description

  The present invention relates to implementation of energy saving when scanning / printing / saving / editing / transmitting a document in an image forming processing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a technology that can be realized with energy consumption when printing a scanned document in an image forming processing apparatus even for office products has been developed due to global energy saving (or ecology) orientation.

  Under such circumstances, as a conventional technique for realizing the above, when setting a target period and a target value for the usage amount in the output device and the usage amount management server, and determining that the usage amount predicting means is difficult to achieve the target value, There is a technique for changing a print setting so as to change a job mode (energy saving setting) and suppress resource use (Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-249563 A

  The current energy-saving technology using the above-described conventional technology has the following problems.

  -Users cannot change energy saving settings freely.

  Since the system determines the selection of the energy saving setting, the user cannot select and execute the energy saving setting interactively.

  ・ Energy saving settings cannot be created dynamically.

  The energy saving setting needs to be registered in the system in advance as a static setting. Therefore, the energy saving setting cannot be dynamically generated according to the usage situation.

  In the image forming processing apparatus 100 that realizes energy saving (energy saving), in a situation where each input / editing / output function parameter of the processing apparatus is changed, the user can change the parameter change or the system automatically determines Means for setting whether or not to perform (S106), means for automatically changing each function parameter based on preset values (S107), and the user interactively operating the image forming processing apparatus An image forming processing apparatus comprising: means (S110) for changing each function parameter; and means (S905) for performing processing for automatically generating an energy saving setting when the energy saving setting is ON.

  Since it is possible to select whether or not to perform energy saving based on the user's judgment and system judgment, it is possible to provide an optimum energy saving system that is highly convenient and flexible for the user and is suitable for the customer environment.

  Since the energy saving setting can be set in advance or dynamically generated at the time of execution, the maintenance cost of the administrator can be reduced.

System Configuration Hardware configuration diagram Memory map diagram Media data content diagram Hardware configuration diagram of image forming processing apparatus Outline flowchart of the present invention Manual energy saving setting process flowchart Automatic setting determination flowchart Flow chart of counter value check in automatic setting Flow chart of time specification check in automatic setting Function flow check flowchart for automatic setting Flow chart of energy saving point processing Flow chart of energy saving set point processing Flow chart of automatic energy saving setting process Flow chart until energy saving setting automatic generation processing Flow chart of energy saving setting automatic generation processing List of parameters that can be set with this function

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

[Example 1]
(System configuration diagram (Fig. 1))
FIG. 1 is an example of the system configuration of the present invention.

An image generation processing apparatus 100 includes an operation panel for providing a user with a scan function, a print processing function, various communication functions, and various services of the present invention. Reference numeral 200 denotes a server capable of storing electronic data generated by the present invention.
(Hardware configuration diagram (Fig. 2))
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer 200 that cooperates with the image forming processing apparatus 100 on which the program operates.

  The CPU 001 executes an application program, a printer driver program, an OS, a network printer control program, and the like stored in the HD (hard disk) 006, and temporarily stores information, files, and the like necessary for executing the program in the RAM 003. I do. The ROM 002 stores various data such as a program such as a basic I / O program, font data used for document processing, and template data. Reference numeral 003 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory, work area, and the like of the CPU 001. Reference numeral 004 denotes an external storage drive, which can load a program or the like stored in the medium 005 into the computer system. 005 is a medium, which stores a program and related data described in the present embodiment, and the configuration of the stored contents is shown in FIG.

  Reference numeral 006 denotes an HD which stores an application program, a printer driver program, an OS, a control program, related programs, and the like. Reference numeral 007 denotes a keyboard, which is used by the user to instruct the client computer to input device control command instructions. Reference numeral 008 denotes a display for displaying commands input from the keyboard 007, printer status, and the like. Reference numeral 010 denotes a system bus which controls the flow of data in the client computer. Reference numeral 009 denotes a network interface (hereinafter referred to as I / F), which is a communication interface for connecting to a local area network (LAN) or the Internet.

(Memory map (Figure 3))
FIG. 3 shows a memory map in a state in which the program of the present invention is loaded into the RAM 003 and becomes executable.

  In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which a program and related data are directly loaded from the medium 005 to the RAM 003 and executed. However, every time the program of the present invention is operated from the medium 005, the program is loaded from the HD 006 to the RAM 003. You may do it. The medium for recording the program of the present invention may be an FD, a CD-ROM, a DVD, an IC memory card, or the like.

  Furthermore, it is possible to record the program of the present invention in the ROM 002, make it a part of the memory map, and execute it directly by the CPU 001. Reference numeral 012 denotes a basic I / O program, which has an IPL (Initial Program Rotating) function for starting the operation of the OS by reading the OS from the HD 006 into the RAM 003 when the control device is turned on. This is the area that contains the program. Reference numeral 013 denotes an OS, control program is expanded to 014, related data is expanded to 015, and a work area for the CPU 001 to execute this program is taken to 016.

(Media data content diagram (Fig. 4))
FIG. 4 shows the data contents of the media 005 of 017, 018 is volume information indicating data information, 019 is directory information, 020 is a program described in this embodiment, and 021 is related data. The program 020 is a program code based on the flowchart of this program shown in FIGS.

(Hardware configuration diagram of image forming processing apparatus (FIG. 5))
FIG. 5 is an internal configuration diagram of the image forming processing apparatus 100 in which the program of the present invention operates. Reference numeral 1000 denotes a CPU of the printing apparatus, which prints through a printing unit I / F 1004 connected to the system bus 1011 based on a control program stored in the program ROM of the ROM 1002 or a control program stored in the external memory 1010. An image signal as output information is output to a unit (printer engine) 1007.

  Further, a control program of the CPU 1000 is stored in the program ROM of the ROM 1002. The font ROM of the ROM 1002 stores font data used when generating the output information. In the case of a printing apparatus that does not have an external memory 1010 such as a hard disk in the ROM 1002, the ROM for data is used on the client apparatus. Stores information to be used. The CPU 1000 is connected to the network via the network I / F 1004, can perform communication processing with the client apparatus 300, and can notify the client apparatus 300 of information in the printing apparatus.

  Reference numeral 1001 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 1000, and is configured such that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). The RAM 1001 is used for an output information expansion area, an environment data storage area, NVRAM, and the like. A display unit 1009 conveys various information to the print service user. Access to the external memory 1010 such as the hard disk (HD) and the IC card described above is controlled by the external memory I / F 1006. The external memory 1010 is connected as an option and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like. Reference numeral 1008 denotes a switch for operation on the operation panel described above, an LED display, and the like.

  Further, the number of external memories is not limited to one, and at least one external memory is provided, and in addition to the built-in font, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printing device control languages with different language systems can be connected. It may be configured. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided, and printing device mode setting information from the operation panel 1008 may be stored. The clock device 1003 is used to check whether the certificate has expired. The timepiece device 1003 may have the same timepiece function in the ROM 1002 or the same function outside the printing device.

(Outline flowchart of the present invention (FIG. 6))
FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of the present invention. This process is executed by the CPU 1000 in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 1002 of the image forming apparatus 100 or the hard disk 1010.

  First, in S101, the TOP screen is displayed in the image forming processing apparatus. When the function flow button is pressed in S102, the energy saving setting is checked in S103. The ON / OFF information of the energy saving processing function is acquired from the preset setting items (parameter list values in FIG. 17). Based on the ON / OFF information acquired in S104, the setting confirmation dialog display S112 is performed when OFF, and the processing type is checked when ON. In S105, a processing type check of energy saving setting is performed. Types include automatic setting and manual setting, and values are acquired from setting items. If the automatic setting process is selected in S106, the automatic energy saving determination process is executed in S107 according to the setting item. In this process, the type of automatic setting to be performed is specified.

  Next, in S108, an automatic energy saving setting process is performed. In this process, the energy saving setting process is automatically performed based on the energy saving setting. If manual setting is selected, an energy saving setting selection dialog is displayed in S109. When the energy saving setting is selected by the user after the dialog is displayed, it is determined whether or not the energy saving setting is executed in S110. When executing, the manual energy saving setting process of S111 is performed. Next, when S107 and S111 are completed, the energy saving point check process of S112 is performed. In this processing, energy saving point processing is performed based on the current energy saving points. In step S113, a final function flow setting confirmation dialog is displayed. When the user confirmation in the dialog is completed, the function flow is executed. At that time, the energy saving point process is performed based on the function flow finally executed in S114.

(Manual setting flowchart (Fig. 7))
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of manual setting in S111 of FIG. In S201, based on the selected energy saving setting, the color setting (color / monochrome, etc.) set in the function flow is overwritten with the energy saving setting value. The energy saving set value here is a value shown in FIG. In step S202, the resolution setting set in the function flow is overwritten with the energy saving setting value.

  In S203, the assignment setting set in the function flow is overwritten with the energy saving setting value. In S204, the document type setting set in the function flow is overwritten with the energy saving setting value. In S205, the duplex setting set in the function flow is overwritten with the energy saving setting value. In S206, the density setting set in the function flow is overwritten with the energy saving setting value.

  In step S207, it is checked whether an edit function exists. If it exists, the final blank page deletion setting is made in the editing function in S208. With this setting, if the last page of the scanned document is blank, the last page is deleted. In S209, it is checked whether an output function exists. If it exists, the output color setting value set in the function flow in S210 is overwritten with the energy saving setting value. In S211, the output paper value set in the flow is overwritten with the energy saving setting value.

(Automatic flow chart (Fig. 8))
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of automatic setting in S107 of FIG. First, the type of automatic setting set in S301 is checked. In S302, based on the type check result, the counter value energy saving check in S303, the time designation check in S304, or the flow function check in S305 is performed. Based on any of these checks, it is automatically determined whether or not to execute the energy saving setting. In S306, an energy saving application process is performed.

(Flow chart of counter value check in automatic setting (FIG. 9))
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of counter value check in automatic setting. In S401, the energy saving counter value is acquired from the setting item. In step S402, the current job counter value is acquired from the image forming processing apparatus. If the current job counter value exceeds the energy saving counter value in S403, the energy saving execution flag is turned ON in S404. If it does not exceed, the execution flag is set to OFF.

(Flow chart of time designation check in automatic setting (FIG. 10))
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a time designation check in automatic setting. In S501, the specified energy saving time value is acquired from the setting item. In step S502, the current time value is obtained from the image forming processing apparatus. In step S503, it is checked whether or not the current time is within the range for specifying the energy saving time. If it is within the range, the energy saving execution flag is turned ON in S504. If it is out of range, the execution flag is set to OFF.

(Flowchart of function flow check in automatic setting (Fig. 11))
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the function flow check in automatic setting. In S6011, the target energy saving function is acquired from the setting item. In step S <b> 602, the function flow information currently specified by the image forming processing apparatus is acquired. In S603, it is checked whether or not the current function flow includes a function designated as an energy saving setting target. If it is included, the energy saving execution flag is turned ON in S504. If not included, the execution flag is set to OFF.

(Energy saving point setting process flowchart (FIG. 12))
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the energy saving point process which is the process of S114 of FIG. The energy saving setting set in S701 is acquired. In S702, the energy saving point of the energy saving setting is acquired. At this time, a subtraction point when the energy saving setting is not set is also acquired. In S703, the information of the executed function flow is determined, and when executed with the standard setting, the energy saving point set in S704 is subtracted, and when executed with the energy saving setting, the energy saving point set in S705 is subtracted. In step S706, the current total energy saving points are updated.

(Energy saving set point application processing flowchart (FIG. 13))
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the energy saving point check process in S113 of FIG. In S801, the energy saving point flag is checked. If it is determined No in S802, the process ends. In the case of Yes, an energy saving point value is acquired in S803. If the energy saving point is 0 or more in S829, the process is terminated while retaining the setting value specified in S804. If the energy saving point is less than 0 minus 10 or more in S805, the color selection is set to color in S806, the magnification is set to 86% in S807, the imposition selection is set to 2in1 in S808, S809 In step S810, the process for setting the image quality setting to text, the process for setting the density selection to 8 in step S810, and the process for setting the print setting for both sides in step S811 are performed.

  If the energy saving point is less than minus 10 and minus 20 or more in S812, the color selection is set to black and white in S813, the magnification is set to 50% in S814, and the imposition selection is set to 4in1 in S815. A process for setting the image quality setting to text in S816, a process for setting the density selection to 5 in S817, a process for setting the print setting for both sides in S811, and a process for setting the print paper size to A4 in S819 are performed.

  If the energy saving point is less than minus minus 20 in S820, the color selection is set to black and white in S821, the magnification is set to 25% in S822, the imposition selection is set to 8in1 in S823, and S824 is set. Processing to set the image quality setting to text, processing to set the density selection to 2 in S825, processing to set the print setting to double side in S826, processing to delete if the last page is blank by editing in S827, printing in S828 Processing for setting the paper size to A5 is performed.

(Flow chart until energy saving setting automatic generation processing (FIG. 14))
FIG. 14 is a flowchart up to the energy saving setting automatic generation process. In S1101, the energy saving application flag is checked. In S1102, if the flag is OFF, the process ends. If it is ON, the process proceeds to the process to execute energy saving settings. In S1103, the set energy saving set value is acquired. In S1104, it is checked whether there is an energy saving setting value for the input function. If there is no energy saving setting, the process proceeds to S1117. If there is an energy saving setting, the process proceeds to S1105. In S1105, it is determined whether or not a color setting value is defined. If so, setting processing such as full color / monochrome is performed in S1106.

  Next, in S1107, it is determined whether or not the magnification setting is defined. If yes, setting processing of 86%, 70%, 61%, 50%, 25%, etc. is performed in S1108. Next, in S1109, it is determined whether or not an assignment setting is defined, and if so, 2in1, 4in1, and 8in1 are set in S1110. Next, in S1111, it is determined whether or not the type of document is defined. If YES, character, photo, map / photographic paper, photo / printed photo / character, etc. are set in S1112. Next, in S1113, it is determined whether or not double-sided settings are defined. If yes, settings such as single-sided / double-sided are performed in S1114. Next, in S1115, it is determined whether or not density setting is defined. If yes, settings such as 1/2/3/4/5/67/8/9/19 are made in S1116.

  In step S1117, it is determined whether an editing function is defined. If the editing function is defined, the process advances to step S1118. In step S1118, it is determined whether or not deletion of the last page blank page is defined. If it is determined, deletion processing or the like is set. Next, in S1120, it is determined whether or not an output function is defined. If so, the process proceeds to S1121. In S1121, it is determined whether or not a color setting is defined, and if so, a setting such as full color / monochrome is performed in S1122. Next, in S1123, it is determined whether or not paper selection is defined. If YES, A4 / A3 / B4 / B5 / A5 and the like are set in S1124.

(List of parameters that can be set with this function (Fig. 17))
FIG. 17 is a list of parameters that can be set with this function. These parameter settings are performed by accessing the image processing apparatus from a display device of the image forming processing apparatus or an external system or by importing a setting file edited by the external system to the image forming processing apparatus. S1201 is an energy saving execution setting. Set "ON" to enable this function, and "OFF" to disable it.

  In S1202, the energy saving process type is set. When “Manual” is selected, the user selects the energy saving setting. That is, when the function flow is executed, the energy saving setting that is executed interactively by the user is selected from the displayed options. If “automatic” is selected, the system determines whether or not to implement the energy saving setting in accordance with the energy saving judgment criteria selected in S1204. As the value used at this time, the value of the energy saving setting (energy saving mode) set in S1205 is used.

  In step S1203, energy saving point settings are set. First, select “ON” or “OFF” for the function, specify the point to be subtracted if the energy saving setting is not executed (user setting value), or if “energy saving point” is not specified in the energy saving setting in S1205 Specify the default value to be used (point when no value is specified).

  In S1204, an energy saving criterion is set. There are three types of standards: “Counter value”, “Time specified value”, and “Function flow”. In the counter value specification, the department and individual counter value upper limit can be set, and if it exceeds that, the energy saving setting is executed. When the start time and end time are specified as the time specification value, the energy saving setting is executed when the function flow is executed within the range. The function flow setting is a function for executing the energy saving setting when the set function flow is executed.

  S1205 designates the energy saving setting to be executed when “Automatic” is selected in the processing type setting of S1202.

  In step S1206, an energy saving setting is created. A plurality of energy saving settings can be created. The energy saving setting created here is the energy saving setting selected by the user or the energy saving setting executed during automatic processing. “Name” is the name of the energy saving setting. “Summary” specifies a summary that represents the energy saving settings. In “Scan Settings”, “Edit Settings”, and “Output Settings”, set the detailed setting values specified at the time of energy saving setting in each function. “Energy saving points” designates how many points can be obtained as energy saving settings when this energy saving setting is executed.

[Example 2]
As the second embodiment, an energy saving setting can be dynamically created.

(Flowchart of energy saving setting automatic generation processing (FIG. 15))
FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the energy saving setting automatic generation process. S904 in this figure corresponds to S104 in FIG. In the second embodiment, when the energy saving setting is defined in S904, the energy saving setting automatic generation processing in S905 is performed. The processing contents will be described with reference to FIG.

(Detailed flowchart of energy saving setting automatic generation processing (FIG. 16))
FIG. 16 is a detailed flowchart of the energy saving setting automatic generation process. First, in S1001, the total number of energy saving points is acquired. Next, in S1002, if the acquired total energy saving point is 0 or more, the duplex setting / 2in1 setting is set in the scan setting as the energy saving setting in S1003. If the total energy saving point is less than 0, an edit function is added as an energy saving setting in S1004. If the total energy saving point is less than 15 in S1005, the output function is changed to a transmission function in S1006. Next, in S1007, when the total energy saving point is less than 30, the output function is changed to the BOX storage function. The energy saving settings set in S1003 to S1009 above are registered in the image forming processing apparatus in S1009.

(Effect of Example 2)
As an effect, since the energy saving setting is dynamically generated without preparing the energy saving setting statically, the administrator can save the trouble of the energy saving setting and reduce the trouble of the setting management. Further, since the energy saving setting is created based on the current total energy saving points, it is possible to create an energy saving setting with a higher energy saving effect, so that the options of the user can be expanded.

100 image forming apparatus 200 computer

Claims (11)

In the image forming processing apparatus 100 that realizes energy saving (energy saving), in a situation where each input / editing / output function parameter of the processing apparatus is changed, the user can change the parameter change or the system automatically determines Means for setting whether or not to perform (S106), means for automatically changing each function parameter based on preset values (S107), and the user interactively operating the image forming processing apparatus An image forming processing apparatus (100) comprising means (S110) for changing each function parameter and means (S905) for performing processing for automatically generating energy saving settings when the energy saving settings are ON. The image forming processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an energy saving setting that is set in advance during manual setting (interactive operation) is displayed and the user is allowed to select. (S203). The image forming processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each parameter group of the function flow is temporarily overwritten based on the selected energy saving setting. (S205 to S215). 4. The image forming according to claim 3, wherein the parameter change can be automatically specified by the counter value at the time of execution / current time at the time of execution / function flow at the time of execution at the time of automatic setting (system automatic setting). Processing device (S302). 5. The image formation according to claim 4, wherein when the parameter value is changed based on the counter value at the time of execution, it is determined whether or not to change the parameter depending on whether or not an upper limit of the set counter value is exceeded. Processing device (S403). 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when the parameter value is changed based on the specified time, whether or not the parameter is changed is determined based on whether or not the current time is within the set specified time. S503). The parameter change is determined based on whether or not the set function is included in the function flow to be executed when the parameter value is changed based on the function flow to be executed. 6. The image forming processing apparatus according to 6 (S603). 8. The image forming processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the set energy-saving point is subtracted or added and updated in accordance with a function flow to be executed (S704 to S706). 9. The image forming processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein an existing setting is overwritten by changing a parameter value to be changed according to the point value based on a current energy saving point (S801 to S828). The image forming processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a parameter value of an energy saving setting that is automatically generated is changed based on a current total energy saving point. (S1001-S1009). 11. The image forming processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when the energy saving setting is ON and the automatic setting is performed, the set energy saving setting value is acquired and various parameters of the function are overwritten. (S1101 to S1124).