JP2013126133A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation device capable of securely setting a new operation schedule, suppressing a storage area in use, and improving usability of the setting of the schedule.SOLUTION: An image formation device 50 includes a schedule setting part 152 that sets an operation schedule for switching an operation mode from a normal mode to an energy-saving mode and a storage device that stores the operation schedule as schedule information. The storage device includes a storage area that is at least two times period of a predetermined period as the storage area for storing schedule information when an operation schedule for the predetermined period is newly set. The image formation device 50 reads schedule information in the past from the storage area (S1030, S1060) to display the read schedule information (S1040, S1070) when an operation schedule is newly set.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of switching an operation mode to an energy saving mode.

  As one type of information equipment, an image forming apparatus (typically a copier) is installed in many offices (company, office, etc.). In such offices, there are many cases where an image forming apparatus having a print function or a copy function is connected to a network and used by a plurality of users. Further, like a multifunction peripheral (MFP (Multifunction Peripheral)) which is one of such image forming apparatuses, a copy mode, an image communication mode (typically a facsimile mode), a network compatible print mode, and a scanner mode. In many cases, a plurality of modes have a plurality of modes.

  In recent offices, the operation status of electronic devices and air conditioners installed in the office is collectively managed, and the operation of these electronic devices is controlled so that the power consumption can be reduced as much as possible. The environment is spreading.

  In an image forming apparatus such as an MFP, the image forming apparatus itself has an own operation schedule management function. From a power ON state to a standby mode in a predetermined time zone according to the schedule, Alternatively, the standby mode is automatically switched to the energy saving mode. For example, by performing schedule setting (for example, ECO mode setting) for the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus basically does not operate, such as a non-working day of an office, and night time and rest time even if it is an working day. The device automatically shifts from the standby mode to the energy-saving mode during the time zone that will be. Thereby, power consumption is suppressed.

  In an MFP having a schedule setting function for shifting the operation mode, in addition to the weekly schedule setting, it is possible to separately set the operation on a specific day of every month such as a salary day and a fixed leave date.

  However, since a specific day as described above may overlap with a holiday, a schedule of “monthly XX day” cannot be basically set. For this reason, companies and companies that generally set a schedule on a yearly basis set a specific day every month. When a specific day is set for each month, the operation tends to be complicated. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus, it is required that the schedule setting for shifting the operation mode is as easy to use as possible.

  Patent Document 1 described later discloses a schedule management apparatus that switches a schedule registration method according to a specified position (date / day of the week / week) on a displayed calendar. This schedule management device registers pre-stored events for the specified day of the week when the cursor is positioned at the date position, the specified day of the week when the cursor is positioned at the position of the day of the week, and the specified day of the week when the cursor is positioned at the position of the week. To do. In Patent Document 1, the operation efficiency of event registration is improved by aligning the cursor with the position of the day of the week and the position of the week.

JP-A-8-77253

  However, as described above, since a specific day may overlap with a holiday, the schedule cannot be set for each specified day of the week. For this reason, even when the schedule management apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is applied to an image forming apparatus, the schedule setting is the same as the conventional method for designating a date, and therefore it is not expected to improve the operation efficiency. Therefore, it becomes difficult to meet the demand for improving the usability of schedule setting.

  Note that, in the schedule setting function for shifting the operation mode, for example, when setting the schedule in units of years, it is preferable that the schedule registration for the next year can be surely performed. Further, it is preferable that the storage area for schedule registration is suppressed as much as possible.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one object of the present invention is to be able to reliably set a new operation schedule and to suppress the storage area to be used. And it is providing the image forming apparatus which can improve the usability of a schedule setting.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention sets an operation schedule for switching the operation mode of the image forming apparatus from the normal mode that is a normal energization state to an energy saving mode that suppresses power consumption. Schedule setting means, storage means for storing the operation schedule set by the schedule setting means as schedule information, and read means for reading and displaying the schedule information stored in the storage means. The storage means includes a storage area for at least twice the predetermined period as a storage area for storing schedule information when an operation schedule for a predetermined period is newly set.

  When setting the operation schedule for the predetermined period, new schedule information for the predetermined period can be surely stored in the storage area by securing a storage area for at least twice the period. Therefore, it is possible to reliably set the operation schedule for the predetermined period. Since past schedule information can be stored in a storage area other than the area for storing new schedule information, a new operation schedule can be created while referring to the schedule information by reading and displaying the stored schedule information. Can be set. This makes it easy to set a new operation schedule and improves the usability of schedule setting. Further, even when the operation schedule for the predetermined period can be set reliably and the usability of the schedule setting is improved, the storage area to be secured may be at least twice as long as the predetermined period. Is relatively small. For this reason, the storage area to be used can be suppressed.

  Preferably, the storage area includes an area for storing schedule information for a predetermined period and an area for storing past schedule information for the same period as the predetermined period in order to newly set an operation schedule. . If comprised in this way, the information of the period corresponding to the period which newly sets an operation schedule among the past schedule information can be read and displayed. A new operation schedule can be easily set by referring to the past schedule information for the corresponding period. As a result, the usability of schedule setting is further improved.

  More preferably, the storage area is configured such that a writing process can be cyclically performed with respect to schedule information for newly setting an operation schedule. Thereby, the schedule information for the predetermined period can be reliably and continuously stored without increasing the storage area.

  More preferably, the predetermined period is N months (N is an integer), and the storage area includes an area for storing schedule information for at least 2N months. Thereby, for example, when a specific day is set for each month, schedule information for the next N months can be reliably stored in the storage area. In addition, a new operation schedule can be set while referring to monthly schedule information. This makes it easy to set a new operation schedule and improves the usability of schedule setting. Furthermore, the storage area to be used can be effectively suppressed.

  In this case, preferably, the area for storing the schedule information for 2N months is for storing the schedule information for the past N months and the newly set schedule information for N months. And the area. Thereby, the information of the period corresponding to the period which newly sets an operation schedule among the past schedule information can be read and displayed for every month. By referring to the past schedule information of the corresponding period, it becomes easier to set a new operation schedule. As a result, the usability of schedule setting is further improved.

  More preferably, after new schedule information for N months is stored, at least a part of the area for storing schedule information for the past N months is an area for storing schedule information to be newly set in the future Further includes means for securing as. Thereby, the storage area for the past which became unnecessary can be used as an area for storing schedule information to be newly set in the future. Therefore, the schedule information for the predetermined period can be reliably and continuously stored without increasing the storage area.

  More preferably, the predetermined period is one year, and the storage area includes an area for storing schedule information for a newly set year, and an area for storing schedule information for the immediately preceding year. The reading means includes means for reading and displaying the schedule information of the month corresponding to the month in which the operation schedule is newly set among the schedule information for the previous year. For example, when setting a schedule in units of years, it is possible to reliably register the schedule for the next year. In addition, the usability of schedule setting can be further improved, and the storage area for schedule registration can be reduced.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily obtain an image forming apparatus capable of reliably setting a new operation schedule, suppressing the storage area to be used, and improving the usability of schedule setting. .

1 is a control block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the schedule registration screen for registering an operation schedule. It is a figure for demonstrating the memory area which memorize | stores schedule information. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement which ensures the area | region which has memorize | stored the past schedule information as an area | region for memorize | storing new schedule information. 2 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program executed by the image forming apparatus of FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing an operation of securing an area storing past schedule information as an area for storing new schedule information in an image forming apparatus according to a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a control block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the memory area which memorize | stores schedule information. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program performed with the image forming apparatus of FIG.

  In the following embodiments, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their functions and names are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

(First embodiment)
[Hardware configuration]
<Image Forming Apparatus 50>
Referring to FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment is an electrophotographic MFP (multifunction machine) that functions as a facsimile, a copying machine, and a printer. The image forming apparatus 50 is connected to a terminal device (not shown) such as a PC (Personal Computer) via a network 30 including a LAN (Local Area Network) line. The image forming apparatus 50 and the terminal device can mutually transmit and receive various data including image data.

  Since image forming apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment is an MFP, it can operate in a plurality of modes. That is, the image forming apparatus 50 includes a copy mode in which an image of a document is read using a document reading device and printed on a recording sheet, a document filing mode in which electronic data of a plurality of images is processed by a user, and the like. It can operate in any mode.

  The image forming apparatus 50 also includes an operation schedule management function that switches between a normal mode that is a normal energized state and an energy saving mode that suppresses power consumption in accordance with a registered operation schedule.

  The image forming apparatus 50 further reads an original image and outputs an RGB (R: Red, G: Green, B: Blue) analog image signal, and printing for forming an image on a recording sheet. Unit 110 and a touch panel type operation panel 120 including a display unit 122 and an operation unit 124. The operation panel 120 is a functional unit that is used when the user operates the image forming apparatus 50.

  The image forming apparatus 50 further includes a communication unit 130 for transmitting / receiving data to / from a terminal device or the like via the network 30, a job management unit 140 for managing print jobs in the image forming apparatus 50, and the operation of the own apparatus. A schedule management unit 150 for managing modes, a flash memory 160 that is a nonvolatile storage device, a ROM 170 for storing programs, image data, and the like, and programs and data even when power is cut off And the like, and a RAM 190 for providing a storage area when executing a program.

  The image forming apparatus 50 further includes a bus 200 connected to the image reading unit 100, the printing unit 110, the operation panel 120, the communication unit 130, the job management unit 140, the schedule management unit 150, the flash memory 160, the ROM 170, the HDD 180, and the RAM 190. And a CPU 210 connected to the bus 200 for realizing general functions as an image processing apparatus by executing various programs.

  In order to control the image reading unit 100, the printing unit 110, the operation panel 120, the communication unit 130, the job management unit 140, the schedule management unit 150, the flash memory 160, the ROM 170, the HDD 180, and the RAM 190, the CPU 210 executes a predetermined program. It is done by.

  The schedule management unit 150 is configured to automatically switch from the power-on state to the standby mode or from the standby mode to the energy-saving mode in a predetermined time period according to the registered operation schedule. Manage the operation mode. The schedule management unit 150 includes a schedule setting unit 152 that stores schedule information in the flash memory 160 in order to set an operation schedule. The operation schedule is registered from the schedule registration screen 300 shown in FIG.

  The schedule management unit 150 further includes a web server (not shown) for performing settings related to various functions of the image forming apparatus 50 from an external PC on a browser basis. In the present embodiment, the program is configured such that a document transmitted to a PC via a web server becomes a web document, and the PC can display the screen shown in FIG. 2 with a normal web browser.

  Referring to FIG. 2, schedule registration screen 300 designates a pull-down menu 310 for selecting a year and month for schedule registration and a date on which image forming apparatus 50 will not operate among the selected year and month. And a registration button 330 operated by the user to confirm the schedule registration. When the registration button 330 is operated by the user, the operation schedule set on the screen is registered.

  Referring to FIG. 1 again, schedule setting unit 152 stores the operation schedule set on schedule registration screen 300 (see FIG. 2) in flash memory 160 as schedule information. Thereby, the date when the image forming apparatus 50 is switched to the energy saving mode is registered. The schedule management unit 150 controls the operation mode of the own apparatus so that the image forming apparatus 50 is in the energy saving mode on the day when the check box 320 is checked.

  The flash memory 160 includes a storage area for storing schedule information.

  In this embodiment, it is possible to register an operation schedule for N months (N is an integer) in the future, and the flash memory 160 has twice as many as N months as an area for storing schedule information. 2N months storage area is secured. Specifically, in this embodiment, it is possible to register an operation schedule for the next year (12 months), and 2 years (24 months) as an area for storing the schedule information. ) Storage area is secured.

  Referring to FIG. 3A, flash memory 160 includes a storage area for two years as a storage area for storing schedule information. The storage area for two years consists of an even year area and an odd year area. Each region for 24 months is arranged with the region for one month as one element. For example, the array element numbers 0 to 23 are assigned to the areas in order from January in even-numbered years to December in odd-numbered years.

  Referring to FIG. 3B, each month area in the storage area includes areas for each day from 1st to 31st. In each month region, each region for 31 days is arranged with the region for one day as one element. In the present embodiment, the area for one day is set to 1 byte. Each area is given an array element number from 0 to 30 in order from the 1st to the 31st.

  The storage area for storing the schedule information is a circular array configured so that the writing process can be performed cyclically. That is, the past area that is no longer needed is used as an area for newly storing schedule information in the future. Specifically, when new schedule information for one year (for N months) is stored, at least part of the area for storing schedule information for the past year (for the past N months) This area is secured as an area for storing newly set schedule information.

  More specific description will be given with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, it is assumed that time elapses from (a) → (b) → (c) → (d). In each of FIGS. 4A to 4D, the hatched month is the current month. Further, the even year (1) is, for example, 2010, the odd year (1) is, for example, 2011, and the even year (2) is, for example, 2012.

  In FIG. 4A, the current time is December 2010, and an area for storing schedule information for the next year (from January 2011 to December 2011) is secured. From January 2010 to November 2010, schedule information is already stored. For December 2010, the operation schedule is already registered, or the operation schedule is registered immediately. After the schedule information for one year is stored (after the registration of a new operation schedule for one year is completed), the past schedule information is stored as time passes, as shown in FIG. Area (in this example, the area for January 2010) is reserved as an area for storing new schedule information (an area for January 2012). 4C and 4D, as described above, as time passes, an area storing past schedule information is secured as an area for storing new schedule information. That is, after completion of registration of new schedule information for N months, an area for storing schedule information for the past N months is secured as an area for storing schedule information for (N + 1) months later.

  Furthermore, when the image forming apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment sets a new operation schedule, the schedule information of the month corresponding to the month for which the operation schedule is newly set among the schedule information for the previous year. Is read and displayed. Specifically, for example, when a new operation schedule for August 2011 is registered from the schedule registration screen 300 shown in FIG. 2, the schedule information for August 2010 stored in the flash memory 160 is read out, for example, a browser Display in a separate window. When setting a new operation schedule, the user can set a new operation schedule while referring to the displayed past operation schedule.

Software configuration
With reference to FIG. 5, a control structure of a computer program that executes an operation schedule registration process in image forming apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  This program allows the user to select the year and month for registering the operation schedule, accepts the input of the year and month, and determines whether the input year is an even year after step S1000. Step S1010 for branching the control flow according to the step S1010, and in step S1010, if it is determined that the input year is an even year, the step S1020 is to select an array element number obtained by subtracting 1 from the input month. And after step S1020, step S1030 which reads the schedule information of the array element number which subtracted 1 from the input month and added 12 and step S1040 which displays the read schedule information after step S1030 are included.

  The program further selects an array element number obtained by subtracting 1 from the input month and adding 12 when it is determined in step S1010 that the input year is not an even year (an odd year). After step S1050, step S1060 for reading the schedule information of the array element number obtained by subtracting 1 from the input month after step S1050, and step S1070 for displaying the read schedule information after step S1060 are included.

  In the case of initial registration when the image forming apparatus 50 is newly introduced, or when all the past schedule information is deleted, etc., when the storage area is in the initial state, the schedule information is read as described later. The initial schedule information is displayed.

  In step S1080 and step S1080, the program further determines, after step S1040 and step S1070, whether or not the input of the day to shift to the energy saving mode is completed, and branches the control flow according to the determination result. If it is determined that the date has not been input, and the date is input by the user thereafter, step S1090 for accepting the input, and an array obtained by subtracting 1 from the input date after step S1090 When an element number is selected and control is returned to step S1080, and when it is determined in step S1080 that date input has been completed, a new operation schedule is registered, and a corresponding area (selection) in flash memory 160 is selected. Schedule information in the area corresponding to the specified array element number) Storage to, and a step S1110 to end the program.

[Operation]
The operation of the image forming apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment based on the above-described structure and flowchart will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In order to automatically switch the operation mode to the energy saving mode on the day when the image forming apparatus 50 is not operated, such as a non-working day of the office, the user registers an operation schedule for the image forming apparatus 50. Do. In this case, the user first displays a web browser on the monitor of the PC, and displays the schedule registration screen 300 shown in FIG. 2 on the web browser.

  When the user operates the pull-down menu 310 on the schedule registration screen 300 to select and input the year and month for registering the operation schedule, the image forming apparatus 50 receives the input year and month (step S1000 in FIG. 5). When the year and month are accepted, the image forming apparatus 50 determines whether the input year is an even year in order to change the area for storing the schedule information depending on whether the year in which the operation schedule is registered is an even year or an odd year. .

  If the input year is an even year (YES in step S1010), an area (storage area) corresponding to the array element number obtained by subtracting 1 from the input month is selected (step S1020). On the other hand, if the input year is an odd year (NO in step S1010), an area (storage area) corresponding to the array element number obtained by subtracting 1 from the input month and adding 12 is selected (step S1050). Specifically, referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, for example, when August 2011 is input (selected) from the pull-down menu 310, since the input year is an odd year, 8 (August) to 1 The region of array element number 19 (see FIG. 3) to which 12 is added and 12 is added is selected. On the other hand, for example, when July 2010 is input (selected) from the pull-down menu 310, since the input year is an even year, the array element number 6 (see FIG. 3) obtained by subtracting 1 from 7 (July). Select an area.

  When the area corresponding to the input year and month is selected, the schedule information of the month corresponding to the month for which the operation schedule is newly set out of the previous year's schedule information is read and displayed. Specifically, if the input date is, for example, August 2011, the past schedule information stored in the area of array element number 7 obtained by subtracting 1 from 8 (August) (for the previous August) Schedule information) is read and displayed on the PC monitor (step S1040). On the other hand, when the input date is, for example, July 2010, past schedule information stored in the area of array element number 18 obtained by subtracting 1 from 7 (July) and adding 12 (July of the previous year) Schedule information) is read and displayed on the PC monitor (step S1070). As described above, when the year and month for newly registering the operation schedule are selected and input, the schedule information of the month corresponding to the input month is read out and displayed from the schedule information for the previous year. As the schedule information of the month corresponding to the input month, for example, a screen similar to the schedule registration screen 300 shown in FIG. 2 (schedule information is displayed as whether or not a check box is checked) is displayed in a separate window. In the case of initial registration when the image forming apparatus 50 is newly introduced, or when all of the past schedule information is deleted, and the storage area is in an initial state, a screen in which the check box is not checked Become. That is, schedule information in an initial state in which all check boxes are not checked is displayed.

  The user can input the date for switching the image forming apparatus 50 to the energy saving mode while referring to the displayed past schedule information (schedule information for the same month of the previous year). When the input of the date for switching to the energy saving mode is completed by the user, the image forming apparatus 50 selects an area corresponding to the array element number obtained by subtracting 1 from the input date, and stores the schedule information in the selected area. In this way, a new operation schedule is registered.

  Referring to FIG. 4, when registration of a new operation schedule for the next year is completed, an area storing past schedule information is secured as an area for storing new schedule information. In the reserved area, new schedule information is stored as a new operation schedule is registered.

[Effects of the present embodiment]
As is clear from the above description, the following effects can be obtained by using the image forming apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment.

  When setting an operation schedule for the next year, it is necessary to secure a storage area for at least twice the period (two years) in the flash memory 160, so that new schedule information for one year is always obtained. Can be stored in the storage area. Therefore, the operation schedule for the next year can be set surely. Since past schedule information can be stored in a storage area other than the area for storing new schedule information, a new operation schedule can be created while referring to the schedule information by reading and displaying the stored schedule information. Can be set. This makes it easy to set a new operation schedule and improves the usability of schedule setting. Furthermore, even if the operation schedule for the next year can be set reliably and the usability of the schedule setting is improved, the storage area to be secured is at least twice as long as one year (at least two years). Therefore, the storage area is relatively small. For this reason, the storage area to be used can be suppressed.

  The storage area for two years includes an area for storing newly set schedule information for one year, and an area for storing schedule information for the immediately preceding year, so that a schedule can be made on a yearly basis. When setting, the schedule registration for the next year can be surely performed. Further, when a new operation schedule is set, the schedule information for the month corresponding to the month for which the operation schedule is newly set among the schedule information for the previous year can be read and displayed. The operation schedule of the newly set month is often similar to the operation schedule of the corresponding month in the previous year, so it is easier to use the schedule setting by referring to the past operation schedule of the corresponding month. Can be made. In addition, the storage area for schedule registration can be reduced.

  Since the storage area of the flash memory 160 is configured to be able to perform a cyclic writing process on schedule information for newly setting an operation schedule, the schedule information for the next year can be reliably obtained. And can memorize continuously. That is, the storage area for the past that is no longer necessary can be used as an area for storing schedule information to be newly set in the future. Therefore, the schedule information for the predetermined period can be reliably and continuously stored without increasing the storage area.

(Modification)
The schedule registration screen 300 shown in FIG. 2 shows a configuration in which a new operation schedule is registered in units of one month. However, the registration of a new operation schedule can be done in units of several months in addition to one month. For example, in the first embodiment, a new operation schedule can be registered in units of three months.

  As described above, the storage area for storing the schedule information has a circular arrangement configured to be able to perform the writing process cyclically. When a new operation schedule is registered in units of three months, an area for three months storing past schedule information can be secured as an area for storing schedule information to be newly set in the future.

  More specific description will be given with reference to FIG. As in FIG. 4, it is assumed that time also passes in FIG. 6 from (a) → (b) → (c) → (d). In each of FIGS. 6A to 6D, the hatched month is a period to which the current month belongs. Further, the even year (1) is, for example, 2010, the odd year (1) is, for example, 2011, and the even year (2) is, for example, 2012.

  In FIG. 6A, the schedule is currently from October to December 2010, and the flash memory 160 (see FIG. 1) has a schedule for the next year (from January 2011 to December 2011). An area for storing information is secured. After storing the schedule information for the next year (after completing the registration of a new operation schedule for one year), as the time passes, the past is shown in units of three months as shown in FIG. An area for storing schedule information (in this example, an area from January 2010 to March 2010) is reserved as an area for storing new schedule information (an area for January 2012 to March). Is done. In FIG. 6C and FIG. 6D as well, the area for storing past schedule information in units of three months as time passes is an area for storing new schedule information. As ensured.

(Second Embodiment)
In the image forming apparatus 550 according to the present embodiment, when registering an operation schedule, instead of storing the schedule information in the storage area with the area for one day as one element, the area for eight days as one element. The schedule information is stored in the storage area.

[Hardware configuration]
<Image Forming Apparatus 550>
In image forming apparatus 550, components having the same functions as those of image forming apparatus 50 are denoted by the same reference numerals and names, and detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  Referring to FIG. 7, image forming apparatus 550 according to the present embodiment includes CPU 210A and flash memory 160A, respectively, instead of CPU 210 and flash memory 160 of the first embodiment described above.

  Also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the area of each month in the storage area includes the area of each day from the 1st to the 31st.

  Referring to FIG. 8, each region for 31 days is arranged in each month region, with the region for 8 days as one element. Specifically, an area in which schedule information for eight days can be stored is one element, and each month area includes four element areas.

  Array element number 0 is assigned to the area for storing schedule information from 1st to 8th, and array element number 1 is assigned to the area for storing schedule information from 9th to 16th. In addition, the array element number 2 is assigned to the area for storing the schedule information from the 17th to the 24th, and the array element number 3 is assigned to the area for storing the schedule information from the 25th to the 31st. Has been. In the present embodiment, one day is stored as 1 bit. Therefore, if 8 bits are 1 byte, schedule information for one month can be stored in 4 bytes.

  As described above, when the image forming apparatus 550 includes the CPU 210A and the flash memory 160A, as described above, the schedule information is stored in the storage area with the area for 8 days as one element.

Software configuration
Referring to FIG. 9, in image forming apparatus 550 according to the present embodiment, each process except for the processes in steps S2100 and S2110 is the same as each process executed by the computer program shown in FIG. Hereinafter, different parts will be described.

  After the step S1090, the program selects the array element number of the quotient obtained by dividing the input date by 8, designates the “remainder” -th bit as a bit to be turned on, and then returns the control to the step S1080. Step S2100 In step S1080, if it is determined that the date input is completed, the schedule information is stored by turning on the designated bit, and the program is terminated.

[Operation]
With reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the operation of image forming apparatus 550 according to the present embodiment based on the above-described structure and flowchart will be described. The operations except for the operation for storing the schedule information in the area corresponding to the input date are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, detailed description of similar operations will not be repeated.

  When the user inputs the date for switching to the energy saving mode, the image forming apparatus 550 selects the area corresponding to the array element number of the quotient obtained by dividing the input date by 8, and turns on the “remaining” bit. It is designated as a bit to be executed (step S2100 in FIG. 9). Specifically, when 15 days are input as the date for switching to the energy saving mode, dividing 15 by 8 gives a remainder of 7, so that array element number 1 is selected as shown in FIG. The 7th bit of 1 is designated as a bit to be turned on. Then, the schedule information is stored by turning on the designated bit of the selected array element number (step S2110 in FIG. 9). In this way, a new operation schedule is registered.

[Effects of the present embodiment]
As is clear from the above description, the following effects can be obtained by using the image forming system according to the present embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, since the schedule information is stored in the storage area with the area for 8 days as one element, the storage area to be used can be effectively suppressed.

  Other effects are the same as those of the image forming apparatus 50 shown in the first embodiment.

[Modification]
In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to an MFP that is an example of an image forming apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The image forming apparatus may be other than the MFP. For example, an image forming apparatus such as a copier or a printer may be used.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which schedule information is stored in the flash memory has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The storage device that stores the schedule information may be other than the flash memory. For example, a storage area for storing schedule information may be secured in a storage device such as a RAM or HDD, and the schedule information may be stored in the secured storage area.

  In the above embodiment, the flash memory may be a removable non-volatile memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. In addition to the above, various storage devices such as a compact flash (registered trademark) card and an SD (Secure Digital) card can be used as the storage device for storing the schedule information.

  In the above embodiment, when the past schedule information is read and displayed, another window is displayed on the PC monitor, and the read past schedule information is displayed in the other window. Is not limited to such an embodiment. The past schedule information may be displayed, for example, in the schedule registration screen. In addition, as long as the display mode of the past schedule information is a mode that can be referred to when a new operation schedule is registered, the display mode, the display method, and the like are not particularly limited.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the operation schedule of the image forming apparatus is registered from the schedule registration screen displayed on the monitor of the PC has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the operation schedule may be registered from an operation panel (display unit) of the image forming apparatus.

  In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which an area for storing schedule information for two years is secured as a storage area for storing schedule information so that schedule registration for the next year can be performed. The invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The area for storing the schedule information only needs to secure a storage area that is at least twice the area for a predetermined period for storing new schedule information as the minimum necessary area. Therefore, in the above embodiment, a storage area for a period longer than two years may be secured as an area for storing schedule information.

  In the above embodiment, the storage area for storing the schedule information for two years includes an area for the schedule information for the past year and an area for the schedule information for the newly registered year. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The area for the past schedule information and the area for the newly registered schedule information may be configured so as to be able to store schedule information for the same period as described above. Minute schedule information can also be stored.

  In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which an operation schedule for the next year (12 months) can be registered, and a storage area for 2 years (24 months) was secured as an area for storing schedule information. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, an operation schedule for N months (excluding 12 months) can be registered in the future, and a storage area for at least 2N months (excluding 24 months) may be secured as an area for storing schedule information. .

  The unit of the period for registering a new operation schedule may be, for example, a week unit, a day unit, or a time unit. In other words, an operation schedule for a predetermined period can be registered in the future, and a storage area for at least twice the predetermined period should be secured as an area for storing schedule information. The unit of the predetermined period may be any of year, month, week, day, and time.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the date when the image forming apparatus is set to the energy saving mode is registered as the operation schedule. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, a time zone during which the image forming apparatus is set in the energy saving mode may be registered as the operation schedule. In addition to the day when the image forming apparatus is set to the energy saving mode, a predetermined time zone on that day may be registered as a period for setting the energy saving mode.

  Note that embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the techniques disclosed above are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The embodiment disclosed herein is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. The scope of the present invention is indicated by each claim in the claims after taking into account the description of the detailed description of the invention, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the wording described therein are intended. Including.

50, 550 Image forming apparatus 100 Image reading unit 110 Printing unit 120 Operation panel 122 Display unit 124 Operation unit 130 Communication unit 140 Job management unit 150 Schedule management unit 152 Schedule setting unit 160, 160A Flash memory 170 ROM
180 HDD
190 RAM
200 bus 210 CPU
300 Schedule registration screen

Claims (7)

A schedule setting means for setting an operation schedule for switching the operation mode of the own machine from the normal mode which is a normal energization state to an energy saving mode which suppresses power consumption;
Storage means for storing the operation schedule set by the schedule setting means as schedule information;
Reading means for reading and displaying the schedule information stored in the storage means,
The storage unit includes a storage area for storing at least twice the predetermined period as a storage area for storing the schedule information when an operation schedule for a predetermined period is newly set. . The storage area is
In order to newly set an operation schedule, an area for storing the schedule information for the predetermined period;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an area for storing the past schedule information for the same period as the predetermined period.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the storage area is configured to be able to perform a writing process in a cyclic manner with respect to the schedule information for newly setting an operation schedule. The predetermined period is N months (N is an integer),
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage area includes an area for storing the schedule information for at least 2N months. The area for storing the schedule information for the 2N months is:
An area for storing the schedule information for the past N months;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an area for storing the schedule information for N months to be newly set.   An area for storing the schedule information for newly setting at least a part of the area for storing the schedule information for the past N months after the new schedule information for N months is stored The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising means for securing The predetermined period is one year,
The storage area includes an area for storing the schedule information for a year to be newly set, and an area for storing the schedule information for the immediately preceding year,
The reading means includes means for reading and displaying the schedule information of a month corresponding to a month for newly setting an operation schedule among the schedule information for the previous year. Image forming apparatus.

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