JP2014034209A - Information processor, image recorder and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor of which the power consumption until starting of a plurality of start object devices is finished, is suppressed, and an image recorder and a program.SOLUTION: A first starting object device 12 starts starting in response to a start instruction and finishes the starting in a first specific operation state. A plurality of starting object devices 13 start respective starting in accordance with the start of starting of the first starting object device 12, and finish respective starting in a second specific operation state. A control part 14 performs control such that a time when the starting of the first starting object device 12 finishes approaches a time when the starting of the second starting object devices 13 finishes for each of the plurality of second starting object devices 13.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an image recording apparatus, and a program.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for determining whether or not a failure that has occurred has a property of being resolved early, and shutting off the power supply if the failure has a property of being resolved early. . Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 describe contents indicating the procedure of maintenance work. Patent Document 4 discloses a technique for recovering from a power-off state to a supply state when maintenance work is completed.

JP 7-52503 A JP 2005-3894 A JP 2012-39183 A JP 2010-145448 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, an image recording apparatus, and a program that suppress power consumption until the activation of a plurality of activation target apparatuses is terminated.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 starts a start in response to a start instruction and ends the start in a first specific operation state, and the first start Start of the start of the target device is started, and when the start instruction is given, the start of the first start target device is started. And control means for controlling the time when the start of the first start target device is finished close to the time when the start of the second start target device is finished.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a first activation target device that starts activation in response to an activation instruction and ends activation in a first specific operation state, and the first activation A plurality of second activation target devices each starting activation with the start of activation of the target device and ending each activation in the second specific operation state, and when the activation instruction is given, the first activation target device For each of the plurality of second activation target devices, a timing at which activation of the first activation target device is completed and a timing at which activation of the second activation target device is terminated. Control means for controlling to approach.

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 is configured such that, as in the invention according to claim 3, the control unit starts activation of the plurality of second activation target devices in order of long time required for activation. Further control.

  In the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, as in the invention according to claim 4, the time required for the control unit to start the first activation target apparatus is the first time. If the time required for starting the second boot target device is longer than the time required for starting the second boot target device, start the second boot target device so that the start of the second boot target device is completed When the time required for starting the first start target device is equal to or shorter than the time required for starting the second start target device, the start of the second start target device is started together with the start of the first start target device.

  The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 further includes presentation means for presenting information as in the invention according to claim 5, wherein the control means is configured to perform the first activation. Control is further performed so that information related to the second activation target device is presented to the presenting means from the start of activation of the target device to before the start of activation of the second activation target device.

  In the information processing device according to claim 5, as in the invention according to claim 6, the information related to the second activation target device is information that specifies the time when the activation of the second activation target device is started. including.

  The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, as in the invention according to claim 7, is a timing unit that starts timing with the start of activation of the first activation target device;

  Stop means for stopping the timing until a condition for canceling the timing stop is satisfied when the stop of the timing is instructed, and the control means measures the time measured by the timing means, Control is performed so that the activation of the second activation target device is started when a time from the activation of the first activation target device to a predetermined time has elapsed.

  In the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, as in the invention according to claim 8, the control unit is configured to determine when the activation of the first activation target apparatus ends. Control is performed so as to start the second activation target device at a timing that minimizes the timing at which the activation of the second activation target device is completed.

  In order to solve the above problem, an image recording apparatus according to a ninth aspect includes the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects and the first activation target apparatus or the second activation. Execution means for functioning as a target device and executing any of a plurality of processes including an image recording process for recording an image on a recording medium.

  The image recording device according to claim 9 functions as the second activation target device as in the invention according to claim 10, and applies heat to a specific area including the image recorded on the recording medium. Further includes providing means.

  In order to solve the above problem, the program according to claim 11 is used for causing a computer to function as the control means in the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

  According to the first, second, ninth, and eleventh aspects of the invention, the time from the end of the start of the first start target device to the end of the start of the second start target device is minimized. As compared with the case where the configuration for starting the second activation target device is not started at the time when the activation is performed, the power consumption until the activation of the plurality of activation target devices is suppressed is obtained.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the power consumption can be suppressed with a simple configuration as compared with a case in which the startup of a plurality of startup target devices is not started in the order of long time required for startup. Is obtained.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 4, compared with the case where it does not have this structure, the effect that electric power consumption is suppressed with a simple structure is acquired.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the information related to the second activation target device is presented before the time when the activation of the second activation target device starts after the activation of the first activation target device is started. As compared with the case where the configuration to be performed is not provided, the effect that the time required to finish the activation of the plurality of activation target devices can be easily predicted.

  According to the invention of claim 6, the activation of the second activation target device is compared to the case where the information related to the second activation target device does not include information specifying the time when the activation of the second activation target device is started. It is possible to obtain an effect that the end time of is easily predicted.

  According to the invention of claim 7, when the stop of the time measurement is instructed, the time measurement is stopped until the condition for canceling the time stop is satisfied, and the start of the one start target device is started. As compared with the case where there is no configuration for starting the second activation target device when the time from the first time to a predetermined time has elapsed, an advantage that convenience is improved is obtained.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the start of the second start target device is started at the time when the start time of the first start target device ends and the start time of the second start target device ends. As compared with the case where the configuration is not provided, an effect that the power consumption until the activation of the plurality of activation target devices is completed is further suppressed.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the temperature of the image recording apparatus is higher than that in the case where there is no application unit that functions as a second activation target apparatus that applies heat to a specific area including the image recorded on the recording medium. The effect that an increase is suppressed is acquired.

It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the principal part function of the image recording device which concerns on embodiment. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electric system configuration of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the starting control process which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of work time required for each maintenance work on the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the starting time for every starting object apparatus contained in the image recording device which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the starting start time for every starting object apparatus contained in the image recording device which concerns on embodiment. It is a transition diagram showing an example of a state transition of a maintenance work target device and a non-maintenance work target device when a start control process according to the embodiment is executed.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the disclosed technology will be described in detail. Hereinafter, an image recording apparatus will be described as an example of the information processing apparatus according to the disclosed technique, but the disclosed technique is not limited thereto. For example, it may be an information processing device such as a server device or a mobile communication device (for example, a tablet terminal device), or any information processing device having a plurality of activation target devices. In the following, an inkjet printer will be exemplified as an example of an image recording apparatus, but the disclosed technology is not limited to this, and various types of images such as a xerographic printer, a thermal printer, a dot impact printer, and the like, for example. It may be a recording device.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of the main functions of the image recording apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image recording device 10 includes a first activation target device 12, a plurality of second activation target devices 13, a control unit 14, a presentation unit 16, a timing unit 18, and a stop unit 20. Yes.

  The first activation target device 12 starts activation in response to the activation instruction, and ends the activation in the first specific operation state. Note that “start activation” here refers to, for example, the start of supply of driving power. In addition, the “first specific operation state” referred to here is, for example, that the first activation target device 12 is given at least one of a plurality of processes including an image recording process for recording an image on a recording medium from the outside. A state in which preparations are made in accordance with instructions.

  The plurality of activation target devices 13 each start activation with the start of activation of the first activation target device 12, and each activation ends in the second specific operation state. The “second specific operation state” here refers to an instruction given from the outside by the second activation target device 13 for at least one of a plurality of processes including an image recording process for each of the plurality of activation target devices 13, for example. Is ready to run according to In the following, the first activation target device 12 and the second activation target device 13 are referred to as “activation target devices” when it is not necessary to distinguish between them.

  When the activation instruction is given, the control unit 14 performs control so as to start the first activation target device 12, and when the activation of the first activation target device 12 ends and the second activation target device 13. Control to bring the start time close. For example, control is performed such that the activation of each of the plurality of second activation target devices 13 is started at a time determined according to each of the second activation target devices 13. The time determined according to each of the second activation target devices 13 is, for example, the time when the activation of the first activation target device 12 ends and the time when the activation of the second activation target device 13 ends are minimized. Refers to the time. Note that the term “shortest” here means that the timing at which the startup of the first startup target device 12 ends does not differ from the timing at which the startup of the second startup target device 13 ends. It also means that the timing when the activation of the first activation target device 12 ends and the timing when the activation of the second activation target device 13 ends do not differ within a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds). The “predetermined time” mentioned here may be, for example, a time designated by a user via an instruction device (for example, a touch panel) or a default time.

  In addition, for each of the plurality of second activation target devices 13, the control unit 14 performs the second activation when the time required for activation of the first activation target device 12 is longer than the time required for activation of the second activation target device 13. Control is performed to start the target device 13 at the first specific time. Here, the “first specific time” refers to, for example, a time determined so that the start-up of the second start-up target device 13 ends when the start-up of the first start-up target device 12 ends.

  In addition, for each of the plurality of second activation target devices 13, the control unit 14 determines the second activation target when the time required for activation of the first activation target device 12 is equal to or less than the time required for activation of the second activation target device 13. Control is performed to start the device 13 at the second specific time. Here, the “second specific time” refers to, for example, a time when the first activation target device 12 starts to be activated.

  The presentation unit 16 presents information. Further, the control unit 14 further starts the first activation target device 12 for each of the plurality of second activation target devices 13 until the time for starting the second activation target device 13 arrives. The presentation unit 16 is controlled to present information related to the second activation target device 13.

  Note that the “information related to the second activation target device 13” includes, for example, information indicating the name of the second activation target device 13 and information specifying the time when the activation of the second activation target device 13 is started. As an example of “information for specifying when the second activation target device 13 is activated”, the time required for the activation of the second activation target device 13 or the activation of the second activation target device 13 is included. The start time is listed.

  The time measuring unit 18 starts measuring time when the first activation target device 12 is activated. When the stop unit 20 is instructed to stop timing by the timing unit 18, the stop unit 20 stops timing until a condition for releasing the stop is satisfied. For each of the plurality of second activation target devices 13, the control unit 14 has measured the time measured by the time measuring unit 18 after the first activation target device 12 has been activated until the third specific time. Sometimes control is performed to start the second activation target device 13. Here, the “third specific time” refers to a time that minimizes the time from the time when the start of the first start target device 12 ends to the time when the start of the second start target device 13 ends.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the image recording apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The image recording apparatus 10 records an image on one side (for example, “front side”) of the paper 114. The image recording apparatus 10 includes a paper supply unit 102 that supplies paper 114, a permeation suppression processing unit 104 that performs permeation suppression processing on the paper 114, and a processing liquid application unit 106 that applies processing liquid to the paper 114. . The image recording apparatus 10 also includes a recording unit 108 that applies color ink to the paper 114 and records an image, and a fixing processing unit 110 that performs a fixing process on the image recorded on the paper 114. The image recording apparatus 10 further includes a paper discharge unit 112 that conveys and discharges the paper 114 on which an image is recorded.

  The image recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 2 is an apparatus other than the computer 30 shown in FIG. 3 to be described later as an example of the activation target apparatus shown in FIG. Various devices (an example of execution means) that function as: The “various apparatuses” referred to here execute one of a plurality of processes including an image recording process for recording an image on the paper 114, for example. For example, a maintenance work target device that is an example of the first start target device 12 and a plurality of non-maintenance work target devices that are examples of the plurality of second start target devices 13 are included. The maintenance work target device refers to a device designated as a maintenance work target, for example. The non-maintenance work target device is, for example, stopped during a period in which an artificial maintenance work (for example, manual work) is performed on a designated maintenance work target device (for example, the supply of driving power is cut off). ) Refers to the device. For example, when the fixing processing unit 110 designates a maintenance work target device as a maintenance work target device, the paper feeding unit 102, the permeation suppression processing unit 104, the processing liquid application unit 106, and the recording unit, which are devices other than the fixing processing unit 110 108 and the paper discharge unit 112 are treated as non-maintenance work target devices.

  The paper feed unit 102 is provided with a paper feed stand 120 on which the paper 114 is stacked. A feeder board 122 is provided in front of the paper feed tray 120 (on the left side of the paper feed tray 120 in FIG. 2), and the sheets 114 stacked on the paper feed tray 120 are sequentially numbered 1 from the top by the feeder board 122. It is sent out one by one. The paper 114 sent out by the feeder board 122 reaches the surface (outer peripheral surface) of the pressure drum 126a of the permeation suppression processing unit 104 via the paper feed drum 124a.

  The paper feed cylinder 124 a is provided with a gripper 121 that holds the leading end of the paper 114, and the impression cylinder 126 a is provided with a gripper 125 that holds the leading end of the paper 114. When the leading end of the paper 114 held by the gripper 121 reaches the contact position (the delivery position of the paper 114) between the paper feed cylinder 124a and the pressure drum 126a, the gripper 125 of the pressure drum 126a extends from the gripper 121 of the paper feed cylinder 124a. The leading edge of the paper 114 is transferred. Since the transfer drum other than the paper feed drum 124a is not different from the paper feed drum 124a, hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between these, it is referred to as a “transfer drum” without a reference numeral. Further, since the pressure drums other than the pressure drum 126a are not different from the pressure drum 126a, hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between these, the pressure drum is referred to as “pressure drum” without reference. In this embodiment, the impression cylinder and the transfer cylinder have sizes and shapes that are not different from each other, and the sheet feeding cylinder is ½ the radius of the impression cylinder. Two grippers 125 are provided for each of the impression cylinder and the transfer cylinder, and one gripper 121 is provided for the sheet feeding cylinder 124a. That is, since the cylinder diameter of the transfer cylinder and the cylinder diameter of the impression cylinder are not different, the gripper 123 is provided in the transfer cylinder every half of the transfer cylinder so that the paper 114 is transferred between the transfer cylinder and the impression cylinder. A gripper 125 is provided for each half circumference.

  Further, the permeation suppression processing unit 104 is provided with a paper preheating unit 128, a permeation suppression agent head 130, and a permeation suppression agent drying unit 132. The sheet preheating unit 128, the permeation inhibitor head 130, and the permeation inhibitor drying unit 132 are arranged in order from the upstream side along the rotation (rotation) direction of the impression cylinder 126a (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1). It is arrange | positioned in the position facing. The paper preheating unit 128 and the permeation suppression agent drying unit 132 are provided with heaters that are controlled within a predetermined temperature range. When the paper 114 held on the impression cylinder 126a passes through a position facing the paper preheating unit 128 and the permeation suppression agent drying unit 132, it is heated by the heaters of these units.

  The permeation inhibitor head 130 discharges the permeation inhibitor as droplets, thereby attaching the permeation inhibitor to the paper 114 held on the impression cylinder 126a. The penetration inhibitor is preferably a thermoplastic resin latex solution, but is not limited thereto. For example, tabular grains (mica etc.), water repellent (fluorine coating agent), etc. may be applied. Further, instead of using an ink jet head for attaching the permeation suppression agent to the paper 114, various methods such as a spray method and a coating method may be applied.

  The processing liquid application unit 106 disposed at the subsequent stage of the permeation suppression processing unit 104 discharges the processing liquid as droplets. The treatment liquid application unit 106 includes a pressure drum 126b, and a transfer drum 124b is provided between the pressure drum 126a of the permeation suppression processing unit 104 and the pressure drum 126b of the treatment liquid application unit 106 so as to be in contact therewith. Yes. As a result, the sheet 114 held on the pressure drum 126a of the permeation suppression processing unit 104 is transferred to the pressure drum 126b of the treatment liquid application unit 106 via the transfer drum 124b after the permeation suppression processing is performed.

  The processing liquid application unit 106 includes a sheet preheating unit 134 and a processing liquid head at positions facing the surface of the pressure drum 126b in order from the upstream side along the rotation direction of the pressure drum 126b (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1). 136 and a processing liquid drying unit 138 are provided. The sheet preheating unit 134, the treatment liquid head 136, and the treatment liquid drying unit 138 are not different from the sheet preheating unit 128, the penetration inhibitor head 130, and the penetration inhibitor drying unit 132 of the penetration suppression processing unit 104 described above. Description is omitted. Of course, it goes without saying that a different configuration from the permeation suppression processing unit 104 may be applied.

  The processing liquid used in the processing liquid applying unit 106 is, for example, a color contained in ink ejected from the recording heads 140C, 140M, 140Y, and 140K disposed in the recording unit 108 at the subsequent stage toward the paper 114. An acidic liquid having an action of aggregating the material can be mentioned.

The heating temperature of the heater of the treatment liquid drying unit 138 dries the treatment liquid applied to the surface of the paper 114 by the discharge operation of the treatment liquid head 136 disposed on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the pressure drum 126b. As a result, a solid or semi-solid aggregation treatment agent layer (a thin film layer obtained by drying the treatment liquid) is formed on the paper 114. The term “solid or semi-solid aggregation treatment agent layer” as used herein refers to the weight per unit area of water (g / m ² ) contained in the treated liquid after drying, and the unit of the treated liquid after drying. The water content obtained by dividing by the weight per area (g / m ² ) is in the range of 0% to 70%.

  The recording unit 108 disposed at the subsequent stage of the treatment liquid application unit 106 includes a pressure drum 126c, and the pressure drum 126b of the treatment liquid application unit 106 and the pressure drum 126c of the recording unit 108 are in contact with each other. A transfer drum 124c is provided. As a result, the sheet 114 held on the pressure drum 126b of the treatment liquid application unit 106 is applied with the treatment liquid to form a solid or semi-solid solution processing agent layer, and then passes through the transfer cylinder 124c. It is delivered to the impression cylinder 126 c of the recording unit 108.

  The recording unit 108 corresponds to each of the four color inks CMYK at positions facing the surface of the pressure drum 126c in order from the upstream side along the rotation direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1) of the pressure drum 126c. Recording heads 140C, 140M, 140Y, and 140K are provided. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the recording heads 140C, 140M, 140Y, and 140K, the alphabet at the end is omitted and referred to as “recording head 140”.

  In this embodiment, an ink jet recording head (ink jet head) is applied as each recording head 140 in the same manner as the above-described permeation suppressor head 130 and the treatment liquid head 136. That is, each recording head 140 discharges ink droplets of the corresponding color toward the paper 114 held on the impression cylinder 126c.

  The recording unit 108 is provided with solvent drying units 142a and 142b on the downstream side of the recording head 140 along the rotation direction of the impression cylinder 126c.

  A head holder 40 for holding the recording head 140 is disposed above the impression cylinder 126c, and the recording heads 140 have a predetermined angle with each other along the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the impression cylinder 126c. It is held by the head holder 40. That is, the head holder 40 causes the recording head 140 to face the ink discharge surface α of the recording head 140 to the outer peripheral surface of the impression cylinder 126c, and to record an image on the paper 114 held on the outer peripheral surface of the impression cylinder 126c. Fix at the recording position.

  Each recording head 140 has a length corresponding to the maximum width of the image recording area in the paper 114 held by the pressure drum 126c, and the ink discharge surface α is for ink discharge over the entire width of the image recording area. This is a full line type head in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged. Each recording head 140 is fixedly installed so as to extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation direction of the impression cylinder 126c (the conveyance direction of the paper 114). In the present embodiment, as described above, a configuration in which an image is recorded using four colors of CMYK inks is described as an example. However, the disclosed technique is not limited to this. For example, the ink colors and combinations thereof may be changed. For example, light ink (for example, light ink such as light cyan and light magenta), dark ink, and special color ink may be added as necessary. Further, the arrangement order of the heads of the respective colors is not limited to the order shown in FIG.

  The image recording apparatus 10 employs a configuration in which a full line head having a nozzle row that covers the entire width of the image recording area on the recording surface of the paper 114 is provided for each ink color. For this reason, the image recording area of the paper 114 can be obtained by performing the operation of relatively moving the paper 114 and the recording heads 140 in the conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) of the paper 114 (that is, in one sub-scanning). An image is recorded on As a result, images can be recorded at a higher speed than when a serial (shuttle) type head that reciprocates in the direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) of the paper 114 is used, and print production is possible. Improves.

  Further, the solvent drying units 142a and 142b include heaters controlled to a predetermined temperature range, such as the paper preheating units 128 and 134, the permeation suppression agent drying unit 132, and the treatment liquid drying unit 138 described above. Is done. As will be described later, when ink droplets adhere to the solid or semi-solid aggregation processing agent layer formed on the paper 114, an ink aggregate (color material aggregate) is formed on the paper 114. The ink solvent separated from the color material spreads to form a liquid layer in which the aggregating agent is dissolved. The solvent component (liquid component) remaining on the sheet 114 in this way becomes a factor that causes not only the warp of the sheet 114 but also image degradation. Therefore, in the present embodiment, after ink droplets of each color are attached to the paper 114 from the recording heads 140, the solvent drying units 142a and 142b (hereinafter referred to as “solvent drying unit 142” when there is no need to distinguish between them). The drying process is performed to evaporate the solvent component by applying heat to the heater.

  Further, the fixing processing unit 110 disposed at the subsequent stage of the recording unit 108 includes a pressure drum 126d, and the pressure drum 126c of the recording unit 108 and the pressure drum 126d of the fixing processing unit 110 are in contact with each other. A transfer drum 124d is provided. As a result, the paper 114 held on the pressure drum 126c of the recording unit 108 is delivered to the pressure drum 126c of the recording unit 108 via the transfer drum 124d after ink droplets of each color are attached by the recording unit 108. . The fixing processing unit 110 includes heating rollers 148 a and 148 b that are examples of applying units that apply heat to a specific area including an image recorded on the paper 114. The heating rollers 148a and 148b (hereinafter referred to as "heating roller 148" when there is no need to distinguish between them) are arranged in order from the upstream side along the rotation direction of the impression cylinder 126d (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1). It is provided at a position facing the surface of the trunk 126d.

  In the fixing processing unit 110 of the present embodiment, the fixing process is performed by heating and pressurizing with the heating roller 148 after image recording, but is not limited thereto. For example, another configuration may be applied in which UV light is applied after the transparent UV ink is adhered to fix the image on the paper 114 by curing the transparent UV ink.

  A paper discharge unit 112 disposed at a stage subsequent to the fixing processing unit 110 is provided with a paper discharge drum 150 that receives the paper 114 subjected to the fixing process, and a paper discharge table 152 on which the paper 114 is stacked. . In addition, the paper discharge unit 112 spans between a sprocket provided on the paper discharge drum 150 and a sprocket provided above the paper discharge stand 152, and includes a plurality of paper discharge grippers. A belt 154 is provided.

  The control unit 14, the time measuring unit 18, and the presentation unit 20 shown in FIG. 1 are realized by the computer 30 and other input / output devices shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows an example of the main configuration of the electrical system of the image recording apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the computer 30 includes a CPU 40, a memory 42, and a nonvolatile storage unit 44. The CPU 40, the memory 42, and the storage unit 14 are connected to each other via a bus 46 that includes an address bus, a control bus, a system bus, and the like. The storage unit 44 is realized by an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flash memory, or the like. The storage unit 44 stores an activation control processing program 48. The storage unit 44 stores a time required for maintenance work for each maintenance work of the image recording apparatus 10 (contents shown in FIG. 5 described below as an example) as a database. In addition, the storage unit 44 stores a startup time (shown in FIG. 6 described later as an example) for each startup target device as a database.

  The CPU 40 reads the activation control processing program 48 from the storage unit 44 and develops it in the memory 42. Then, the processes included in each of the activation control processing programs 48 are sequentially executed.

  The activation control processing program 48 includes a control process 48a, a time measurement process 48b, and a stop process 48c. The CPU 40 operates as the control unit 14 illustrated in FIG. 1 by executing the control process 48a. The CPU 40 operates as the timing unit 18 shown in FIG. 1 by executing the timing process 48b. The CPU 40 operates as the stop unit 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 by executing the stop process 48c.

  In addition, although the case where the above-described program is read from the storage unit 44 is illustrated here, it is not always necessary to store the program in the storage unit 44 from the beginning. For example, the above program is first stored in an arbitrary “portable storage medium” such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, a magneto-optical disk, or an IC card that is connected to the computer 30. Also good. Then, the computer 30 may acquire and execute the above program from these portable storage media. Further, the above program may be stored in another computer or a server device connected to the computer 30 via a communication line, and the computer 30 may acquire and execute the above program from these.

  The image recording apparatus 10 is an input / output interface (I / O) that electrically connects a computer 30 and various input / output devices to control transmission / reception of various information between the computer 30 and various input / output devices. ) 60. In the present embodiment, the above input / output devices are electrically connected to the computer 30 via the bus 46 by being connected to the I / O 60. In the present embodiment, an operation panel 62, a motor driver 64, a head driver 66, a heater driver 68, a monitoring device 70, and a communication interface (I / F) 72 are applied as an example of the input / output device described above.

  The operation panel 62 includes a hard key 62A and a touch panel display 62B that is an example of the presentation unit 14. The hard key 62A is operated when giving an instruction regarding various processes (for example, an instruction for starting printing or an instruction for adjusting image quality) to the image recording apparatus 10. The hard key 62A includes, for example, a start button that is operated when instructing the start of printing, a stop button that is operated when instructing to interrupt printing, and a numeric keypad that is operated when setting numerical values in various processes. Etc. The touch panel display 62B displays, for example, information necessary for performing various processes and accepts various instructions via software keys.

  A motor 74 that supplies driving force to the conveyance system is connected to the motor driver 64, and the motor driver 64 controls the operation of the motor 74 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 40. The “conveyance system” includes, for example, the pressure drums 126a to 126d, the paper feed drum 124a, the transfer drums 124b to 124d, and the paper discharge drum 150 shown in FIG.

  A recording head 140 is connected to the head driver 66. The head driver 66 is supplied with dot data for image recording (image recording data), a timing signal that defines the timing of ejecting ink droplets, and the like, and is supplied by the recording head 140 based on the supplied dot data and timing signal. Controls the ink droplet ejection operation. Thereby, dots having a size according to the request are recorded on the paper P in an arrangement according to the request. The permeation inhibitor head 130 and the treatment liquid head 136 are also individually provided with drivers (not shown), and these drivers are connected to the I / O 60. Accordingly, the permeation suppressor head 130 and the treatment liquid head 136 are controlled by the corresponding driver under the control of the CPU 40 to control the discharge operation of the permeation liquid and the treatment liquid.

  A heater 76 is connected to the heater driver 68, and the heater driver 68 drives the heater 76 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 40. As the heater 76, for example, the sheet preheating units 128 and 134, the permeation suppression agent drying unit 132, the treatment liquid drying unit 138, the solvent drying unit 142, and the heater built in the heating roller 148 shown in FIG. It is done.

  The communication I / F 72 is connected to a communication network 78 such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network), and transmits / receives various information between the external device (for example, a server device) and the computer 30 via the communication network 78. To manage.

  Next, as an operation of the present embodiment, refer to FIG. 4 for the activation control processing performed in the image recording apparatus 10 by the CPU 40 executing the activation control processing program 48 when the main power of the image recording apparatus 10 is turned on. To explain. Here, a case will be described in which maintenance work is performed on a maintenance work target device in order to avoid complications. In addition, here, a case will be described in which it is necessary to temporarily stop the operation of the maintenance work target apparatus when performing maintenance work on the maintenance work target apparatus in order to avoid complications.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of maintenance work related to the image recording apparatus 10. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, as an example of maintenance work, cleaning of the processing liquid application unit 106, replacement of the processing liquid, replacement of the solvent drying unit 142, replacement of the fixing processing unit 110, replacement of the ink circulation pump of the recording unit 108, In addition, the recording head 140 is replaced. Further, for the maintenance work with the cleaning of the processing liquid application unit 106, 50 minutes is allocated in advance as the time required for cleaning the processing liquid application unit 106. Further, for the maintenance work with the replacement of the processing liquid, 20 minutes is allocated in advance as the time required for the replacement of the processing liquid. In addition, for the maintenance work with the replacement of the solvent drying unit 142, 60 minutes is allocated in advance as the time required for replacing the solvent drying unit 142. In addition, for the maintenance work for the replacement of the fixing processing unit 110, 45 minutes is allocated in advance as the time required for the replacement of the fixing processing unit 110. Also, for the maintenance work with the replacement of the ink circulation pump of the recording unit 108, 100 minutes is allocated in advance as the time required for replacement of the ink circulation pump of the recording unit 108. In addition, for the maintenance work with the replacement of the recording head 140, 60 minutes are allocated in advance as the time required for the replacement of the recording head 140.

  In the activation control process shown in FIG. 4, first, in step 200, it is determined by the control unit 14 whether or not a maintenance work target device has been instructed. If a maintenance work target device is instructed in step 200, the determination is affirmed and the routine proceeds to step 202. When the maintenance work target device is not instructed in this step 200, the determination is denied and the determination of this step 200 is performed again.

  In step 202, when there is a non-maintenance work target device, the control unit 14 performs control so as to stop the operation of the non-maintenance work target device. If there is no non-maintenance work target device, the present step 202 is skipped and the process proceeds to step 204. In step 204, the control unit 14 determines whether or not the operation of the maintenance work target device has stopped. The operation of the maintenance target device is stopped according to a stop instruction given by the maintenance worker via the touch panel display 62B, for example. If the operation of the maintenance work target device stops in this step 204, the determination is affirmed and the routine proceeds to step 206. If the operation of the maintenance work target device is not stopped in step 204, the determination is denied and the determination in step 204 is performed again.

  In step 206, the control unit 14 determines whether or not a non-maintenance work target device exists. If there is no non-maintenance work target device in this step 206, the determination is negative and the routine proceeds to step 208. In step 208, it is determined whether or not the control unit 14 has given an instruction to start activation of the maintenance work target device. If an instruction to start activation of the maintenance work target device is given in step 208, the determination is affirmed and the routine proceeds to step 210. In step 210, after starting the maintenance work target apparatus by the control unit 14, the start control process is terminated. On the other hand, if an instruction to start activation of the maintenance work target device is not given in step 208, the determination is denied and the determination in step 208 is performed again.

  If there is a non-maintenance work target device in step 206, the determination is affirmed and the routine proceeds to step 212. In step 212, the control unit 14 calculates the difference between the maintenance target activation time and the non-maintenance object activation time, and then proceeds to step 214. The “maintenance target start time” here refers to the time required for starting the maintenance work target device. In other words, after the activation of the maintenance work target device is started, at least one of a plurality of processes including the image recording process is started in a state in which the maintenance work target device is ready to execute according to an instruction given from the outside. Refers to the time until completion. Further, the “non-maintenance target activation time” referred to here refers to the time required for activation of the non-maintenance work target device. In other words, after the activation of the non-maintenance work target device is started, the non-maintenance work target device is ready to execute at least one of a plurality of processes including the image recording process in response to an instruction given from the outside. The time until the start is finished.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the time (start-up time) required for start-up that is assigned in advance to each device (an example of the start-up target device) included in the image recording apparatus 10. In the example shown in FIG. 6, 20 minutes of the time required for filling the processing liquid is assigned to the processing liquid application unit 106. In the example shown in FIG. 6, 10 minutes of the time required for adjusting the temperature of the solvent drying unit 142 is allocated to the solvent drying unit 142. In the example shown in FIG. 6, 15 minutes of the time required for adjusting the temperature of the fixing processing unit 110 is allocated to the fixing processing unit 110. In the example shown in FIG. 6, 15 minutes of the time required for starting the recording unit 108 is allocated to the recording unit 108. In the example shown in FIG. 6, 7 minutes of the time required for the self-check of the recording head 140 is allocated to the recording head 140.

  In FIG. 7, each of the non-maintenance work target devices when the ink circulation pump of the recording unit 108 is designated as an example of the maintenance work target device and each device shown in FIG. 6 is handled as an example of the non-maintenance work target device. An example of the non-maintenance work activation time and the activation start time is shown. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, it is indicated that the start time of the processing liquid application unit 106 is 5 minutes after the start of the ink circulation pump of the recording unit 108. Here, “5 minutes” corresponds to the difference calculated in step 212 described above, and the non-maintenance target activation time of the treatment liquid application unit 106 is subtracted from the maintenance target activation time of the ink circulation pump of the recording unit 108. Refers to the value.

  Further, in the example shown in FIG. 7, it is shown that the start time of starting the solvent drying unit 142 is 15 minutes after the start of the start of the ink circulation pump of the recording unit 108. Here, “15 minutes” corresponds to the difference calculated in step 212 described above, and the non-maintenance target activation time of the solvent drying unit 142 is subtracted from the maintenance target activation time of the ink circulation pump of the recording unit 108. Points to the value.

  Further, in the example illustrated in FIG. 7, it is indicated that the activation start time of the fixing processing unit 110 is 10 minutes after the activation of the ink circulation pump of the recording unit 108 is started. Here, “10 minutes” corresponds to the difference calculated in step 212 described above, and the non-maintenance target activation time of the fixing processing unit 110 is subtracted from the maintenance target activation time of the ink circulation pump of the recording unit 108. Points to the value.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, the start-up timing of the apparatuses other than the ink circulation pump and the recording head 140 in the recording unit 108 is 10 minutes after the start of the ink circulation pump of the recording unit 108 is started. It is shown. Here, “10 minutes” corresponds to the difference calculated in step 212 described above, and from the start time of the maintenance target of the ink circulation pump of the recording unit 108, except for the ink circulation pump and the recording head 140 in the recording unit 108. The value obtained by reducing the non-maintenance startup time of the device.

  Further, in the example illustrated in FIG. 7, it is indicated that the start timing of the recording head 140 is 18 minutes after the start of the ink circulation pump of the recording unit 108 is started. Here, “18 minutes” corresponds to the difference calculated in step 212 described above, and is a value obtained by subtracting the non-maintenance target activation time of the recording head 140 from the maintenance target activation time of the ink circulation pump of the recording unit 108. Point to. Although not shown in FIG. 7, if the startup time of the non-maintenance work target device is equal to or longer than the startup time of the maintenance work target device, the difference calculated in step 212 is “0” or a negative value. Thus, the start-up time is 0 minutes (0 seconds) later.

  In step 214, it is determined whether or not the control unit 14 has given an instruction to start activation of the maintenance work target apparatus instructed in step 200 described above. If an instruction to start activation of the maintenance work target device is given in step 214, the determination is affirmed and the routine proceeds to step 216. If the instruction to start activation of the maintenance work target device is not given in step 214, the determination is denied and the determination in step 214 is performed again.

  In step 216, the control unit 14 starts activation of the maintenance work target apparatus instructed in step 200. Further, in step 216, the control unit 14 gives a notice by causing the touch panel display 62B to display information related to the non-maintenance work target device to be activated next. Here, “notice” refers to, for example, presenting in advance the start time determined in accordance with the difference calculated in step 212 described above. Note that the non-maintenance target activation time of the non-maintenance work target device scheduled to be activated next may be presented in advance. Further, the start time of starting and the non-maintenance target starting time may be presented in advance.

  Subsequently, in step 218, the time counting unit 18 starts counting up the time starting from 0 seconds. In the next step 220, it is determined whether or not the control unit 24 has reached the start start time (startup start time of each device shown in FIG. 7 as an example) determined according to the difference calculated in step 212 above. Determined. If the activation start time has not come in step 220, the determination is denied and the routine proceeds to step 222.

  In step 222, it is determined whether or not the stop unit 20 has given an instruction to stop counting up. If an instruction to stop counting is given in step 222, the determination is affirmed and the routine proceeds to step 224. If the instruction to stop the count-up is not given in step 222, the determination is negative and the routine returns to step 220. In addition, although the time count-up is illustrated here, it is needless to say that the disclosed technique is not limited to this, and may be a time count-down.

  In step 224, the count-up by the timer unit 18 is stopped by the stop unit 20. Subsequently, in step 226, it is determined whether or not a condition for canceling the count-up stop (stop cancel condition) is satisfied. If the stop cancellation condition is satisfied in step 226, the determination is affirmed and the routine proceeds to step 228. In step 228, the timer 18 restarts counting from the time counted up to the present time. If the stop cancellation condition is not satisfied in step 226, the determination is negative and the determination in step 226 is performed again. The “stop cancellation condition” includes, for example, a condition that an instruction to cancel the count-up stop is accepted via the touch panel display 62B. In addition to this, for example, there is a condition that a predetermined time has elapsed since the count-up was stopped.

  On the other hand, if the start start time has come in step 220, the determination is affirmed and the routine proceeds to step 230. In step 230, the control unit 14 determines whether all non-maintenance target devices have been activated. If all the non-maintenance target devices have not been activated in step 230, the determination is denied and the process proceeds to step 232. In step 232, the control unit 14 starts to start a non-maintenance work target device predetermined as a non-maintenance work target device to be started next, and then proceeds to step 218.

  On the other hand, if all the non-maintenance target devices are activated in step 230, the determination is affirmed and the activation control process is terminated.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of the state transition of the maintenance work target device and the non-maintenance work target device included in the image recording device 10 when the above-described activation control process is executed by the CPU 40. As shown in FIG. 8, when the ink circulation pump of the recording unit 108 is designated as a maintenance work target device (step 200), the supply of driving power to the non-maintenance work target device is interrupted (step 202). Ink is collected. The period during which the ink is collected is a period during which power for driving is supplied to the ink circulation pump (power-on period). When the ink collection is completed, the ink circulation pump is replaced. In addition to the fact that the replacement of the ink circulation pump is performed manually by a maintenance worker, in order to save power, the supply of driving power to the ink circulation pump is interrupted (step 204: Y).

  When the replacement of the ink circulation pump is completed and the maintenance worker gives an instruction to start the ink circulation pump to the image recording apparatus 10 (step 214), power is supplied to the ink circulation pump to fill the ink. Is started. The ink filling ends 25 minutes after the instruction to start the ink circulation pump is given, and the image recording apparatus 10 is ready for image recording. Therefore, in this embodiment, the waiting time until image recording preparation (for example, an image recording instruction waiting state) is completed is shortened by ending the activation of the non-maintenance work target device in accordance with the completion of ink filling. ing. That is, if the start of the treatment liquid application unit 106 is started 5 minutes after the instruction to start the ink circulation pump is given, the start of the treatment liquid application unit 106 is completed along with the completion of the ink filling. .

  Further, when starting the solvent drying unit 142 15 minutes after the instruction to start the ink circulation pump is given, the start of the solvent drying unit 142 is ended together with the completion of ink filling. In addition, when the activation of the fixing processing unit 110 and the recording unit 108 is started 10 minutes after the instruction to start the ink circulation pump is given, the activation of the fixing processing unit 110 is completed together with the completion of ink filling. It becomes. Further, when the start of the recording head 140 is started 18 minutes after the instruction to start the ink circulation pump is given, the start of the recording head 140 is ended together with the completion of the ink filling.

  Here, the fixing processing unit 110 includes a heating roller 148, and the activation of the heating roller 148 is started later than the activation start timing of the maintenance work target apparatus. Therefore, compared with the case where the activation of the heat rollers 148a and 148b is not started after the start time of the activation of the maintenance work target device (for example, when the activation is started together with the maintenance work target device), Temperature rise is suppressed. In addition, power consumption accompanying heat generation of the heating roller 148 is also suppressed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the non-maintenance work target devices are activated in the activation order illustrated in FIG. 8 is illustrated as an example, but the disclosed technology is not limited thereto. By the way, if the start of non-maintenance work target devices is started in order from the shortest startup time, even if the start of the first non-maintenance work target device has already started, the remaining It is necessary to wait for the start of the maintenance target device to finish. In this case, extra power is consumed for the waiting time. In order to prevent excessive power from being consumed, for example, the control unit 14 may perform control so that activation of the non-maintenance work target devices is started in the order of longer time required for activation of the non-maintenance work target devices. In this case, compared with the case where this configuration is not provided, the power consumption is suppressed with a simple configuration.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the start start time for each non-maintenance work target device is calculated by directly calculating the difference between the maintenance target start time and the non-maintenance target start time of each non-maintenance work target device in step 212. However, the disclosed technique is not limited to this. For example, by calculating the difference in startup time between devices whose startup order is adjacent, including the maintenance target device and the non-maintenance target device, the non-maintenance target for each of the maintenance target startup time and the non-maintenance target device The difference from the activation time may be calculated indirectly.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the example of specifying the start start time from the value obtained by subtracting the non-maintenance target start time from the maintenance target start time has been described, but the disclosed technique is not limited to this. Absent. For example, the start time may be specified from a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to a value obtained by subtracting the non-maintenance target start time from the maintenance target start time, or the non-maintenance target may be determined from the maintenance target start time. The activation start time may be specified from a value obtained by adding a coefficient to the value obtained by subtracting the activation time. The value added to the value obtained by subtracting the non-maintenance target activation time from the maintenance target activation time or a coefficient to be multiplied may be specified by the user via the touch panel display 62B, or may be a fixed value set by default. Also good. Moreover, as a fixed value set by default, for example, a value determined according to a combination of a maintenance work target device and a non-maintenance work target device can be cited.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image recording device 12 1st starting object apparatus 13 2nd starting object apparatus 14 Control part 16 Presentation part 18 Time measuring part 20 Stop part

Claims (11)

A first activation target device that starts activation in response to the activation instruction and ends activation in the first specific operation state;
A second activation target device that starts activation with the start of activation of the first activation target device and ends activation in the second specific operation state;
When the activation instruction is given, control is performed so as to start activation of the first activation target device, and when the activation of the first activation target device ends and activation of the second activation target device ends. Control means for controlling the time to approach,
Information processing equipment including A first activation target device that starts activation in response to the activation instruction and ends activation in the first specific operation state;
A plurality of second activation target devices each starting activation with the start of activation of the first activation target device and ending each activation in a second specific operation state;
When the activation instruction is given, control is performed so as to start activation of the first activation target device, and for each of the plurality of second activation target devices, timing when activation of the first activation target device ends. And a control means for controlling so as to approach the timing when the activation of the second activation target device is completed,
An information processing apparatus including:   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit further controls the activation of the plurality of second activation target devices so as to be started in the order of long time required for activation.   When the time required for starting the first start target device is longer than the time required for starting the second start target device, the control means is configured to start the second start when the start of the first start target device ends. When the start of the second start target device is started so that the start of the target device is completed, and the time required for starting the first start target device is less than the time required for starting the second start target device, the second The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein activation of the second activation target device is started together with activation of the first activation target device. A presentation means for presenting information;
The control means provides the information relating to the second activation target device from the start of the activation of the first activation target device to the time when the activation of the second activation target device starts. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information processing apparatus is further controlled so as to be presented.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the information related to the second activation target device includes information that identifies a time when activation of the second activation target device is started. Timing means for starting timing with the start of activation of the first activation target device;
Stop means for stopping the timing until a condition for canceling the timing stop is satisfied when the stop of the timing is instructed,
The control means activates the second activation target device when the time measured by the timing means has elapsed from the start of activation of the first activation target device to a predetermined time. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is controlled to start.   The control means is configured to start the second activation target device at a time when the time when the activation of the first activation target device is completed and a time when the activation of the second activation target device is completed are minimized. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the information processing apparatus is controlled. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Execution means for functioning as the first activation target device or the second activation target device and executing any one of a plurality of processes including an image recording process for recording an image on a recording medium;
An image recording apparatus.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising an applying unit that functions as the second activation target device and applies heat to a specific area including an image recorded on the recording medium. Computer
The program for functioning as the said control means in the information processing apparatus of any one of Claims 1-8.