JP2014073640A - Image forming apparatus, control method therefor, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the possibility of a user turning on the power to an apparatus when the apparatus is to be switched on, thereby increasing the power consumption and exceeding a power supply volume, despite that the power is turned off to prevent exceeding of the power supply volume because it is impossible for the user to determine the reason for the power for the apparatus being turned off, that is, whether the power supply volume is about to be exceeded or the power is just turned off.SOLUTION: A control method for an image forming apparatus includes: turning off power to the apparatus in accordance with a power control signal for instructing power control, upon receiving the power control signal via a network; storing information indicating that the power is turned off in accordance with the power control signal; determining whether the information is stored in storage means, in a case where the apparatus is initiated after the power to the apparatus is turned off in accordance with the power control signal; and controlling the apparatus, if the determination result is that the information is not stored, so as to be initiated in a first power state, or if the determination result is that the information is stored, so as to be initiated in a second power state that saves more power than the first power state.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that performs power supply control according to a change in power supply amount, a control method therefor, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a multi-function processing apparatus (MFP) that employs an electrophotographic method for a printer unit requires a large amount of power during image formation. The power consumption is particularly large in the fixing device, the image forming unit, and the circuit for processing the image data. On the other hand, the need for fine-tuned power control is increasing due to the recent increase in energy saving awareness and the strengthening of regulations. For example, Patent Document 1 describes that a user is notified when the rating of a breaker is approached or that the device is turned off. Furthermore, when the power demand increases and the power supply capacity becomes tight, the power consumption is dynamically changed and the power consumption of the equipment consuming the power is turned off. A technique for reducing the amount and reducing the power peak is described.

JP 2010-161848 A

  However, in this situation, the problem is that the user who uses the device is that the device is turned off because the power supply is tight or happens to be a power source. It is indistinguishable whether it is only turned off. Furthermore, even though the power supply amount is tight, the power of the device is turned off, and the user powers on the device to increase the power consumption. There is a possibility that a situation will occur.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables startup with low power consumption when a device whose power is turned off is started according to the amount of power supplied.

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
An image forming apparatus connected to a network,
Receiving means for receiving a power control signal instructing power control via the network;
Shutdown means for turning off the image forming apparatus in response to the power control signal received by the receiving means;
Storage means for storing information indicating that the power of the image forming apparatus is turned off by the power control signal;
Determining means for determining whether or not the information is stored in the storage means when the image forming apparatus is activated after the power of the image forming apparatus is turned off by the power control signal;
When the determination unit determines that the information is not stored, the image forming apparatus is controlled to start in the first power state, and the determination unit determines that the information is stored And a control unit that controls the image forming apparatus to start up in a second power state that saves power from the first power state.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that a device in a state where the power is turned off in response to the power control signal can be started up with low power consumption when the power is turned on by the user.

1 is a configuration diagram of an information processing system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the MFP according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of the MFP according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining shutdown processing by the control unit of the MFP according to the first embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a request framework for a shutdown instruction transmitted from the power controller to the MFP via the network in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing when the MFP is activated by a user operating a power switch after shutdown in the MFP according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example on the operation unit of the MFP according to the first embodiment. 9 is a flowchart for explaining start-up processing when a user turns on a power switch in the MFP according to the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the present invention. . In the present embodiment, a multifunction processing apparatus (MFP) is described as an example of an image forming apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to such an MFP.

[Embodiment 1]
In the first embodiment, when a power supply is turned off (shutdown) because the power demand has increased with respect to the power supply that can be supplied, the composite machine (multifunction processing device) is turned on when the power is turned on. The machine determines the reason why the power was turned off last time. When the power supply is off due to the power supply amount, the MFP is not in the normal operation mode (first power state) but in the power saving mode (second power state) in which the power consumption is smaller than the operation mode. Start up with. Then, the user is notified that an instruction to turn off the power due to the amount of power supply has been issued, and that the multifunction device cannot be started up in the normal operation mode at this time.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an information processing system according to the first embodiment.

  In this system, devices such as MFPs 104 and 105, a printer 106, and a FAX 107 are connected to a network 101. This network is assumed to be Ethernet (registered trademark) here. Since the first embodiment does not depend on the type of network, it can be applied to other types of networks. A PC 102 is a PC (personal computer) used by a user, and can transmit and receive data to and from devices such as the MFPs 104 and 105, the printer 106, and the FAX 107 via the network 101. The power management server 108 is a power management server that exists on the power company side, and holds the amount of power that can be consumed by the power user. The power management server 108 is connected to the network 101 to which the MFP 104 is connected via the external network 109. The power controller 103 is a server that manages the amount of power consumed in this system. When the amount of power is tight based on the consumable amount of power acquired from the power management server 108, the power controller 103 To shut down.

  The MFPs 104 and 105 are multifunction machines in which functions such as a copy, a printer, and a scanner are integrated. In these MFPs 104 and 105, it is possible to set whether or not to perform color printing and settings such as print speed, and the power consumption varies greatly depending on the settings. In particular, in an electrophotographic printer that thermally fixes toner, a large amount of electric power is required for the heater of the fixing device. In general, color printing consumes more power than monochrome printing, and the power consumption increases as the printing speed increases. A printer 106 and a FAX 107 are a single-function printing device and a facsimile device, respectively.

  Next, the structure and operation of the MFP 104 according to the first embodiment will be described. The first embodiment can be applied to the MFP 105, the printer 106, and the FAX 107, but here, the MFP 104 will be described as an example.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the MFP 104 according to the first embodiment.

  The control unit 202 controls the overall operation of the MFP 104 and performs data transmission / reception, data conversion, data storage, power control, and the like.

  When the MFP 104 performs a print operation, the PC 102 generates a print job and transmits the print job to the MFP 104 via the network 101. As a result, the control unit 202 receives the print job and temporarily stores it in the memory in the control unit 202. The control unit 202 converts the stored print job data into image data and outputs the image data to the printer unit 204. To do. Under the control of the control unit 202, the printer unit 204 prints an image on a sheet (paper) based on the image data, and discharges the printed sheet.

  A case where the MFP 104 performs a scanning operation will be described. In this case, after the user sets a document on the scanner unit 203, the scan operation is set by operating a button while referring to the screen of the operation unit 201. When the start button of the operation unit 201 is pressed, a scanning operation is started. Under the control of the control unit 202, the scanner unit 203 optically reads a document and converts it into image data. The control unit 202 temporarily stores the image data obtained in this way, and then converts the data format according to the setting contents designated in advance by the operation unit 201 and transfers the data to the transmission destination.

  When the MFP 104 performs a copy operation, the user sets a document on the scanner unit 203 and then operates the buttons while referring to the screen of the operation unit 201 to set the copy operation. When the start button on the operation unit 201 is pressed, the copy operation is started. The scanner unit 203 optically reads a document and converts it into image data under the control of the control unit 202. After the image data is stored in the memory in the control unit 202, the control unit 202 converts the data format and outputs it to the printer unit 204. The printer unit 204 prints an image on a sheet based on the image data, and discharges the printed sheet out of the MFP 104.

  The power supply unit 205 converts the commercial power supplied from the power plug 206 into a voltage used in each unit of the MFP 104. The power switch 210 is a switch for turning on / off the power of the MFP 104. To turn on the power, the power switch 210 is turned on by a user operation. The control unit 202 and the power switch 210 are connected by a control line 211, and the control unit 202 can turn off the power of the MFP 104 through the control line 211.

  After the shutdown process is completed, the CPU 302 (FIG. 3) of the control unit 202 can turn off the power switch 210 by changing the control line 211. At this time, the MFP 104 is completely turned off. The power switch 210 is a solenoid type switch that can turn off the power supply when a current flows from the control line 211. Switches 207, 208, and 209 turn on / off the power supply to each unit based on a signal from the control unit 202. Here, the switch 207 turns on / off the power supply from the power supply unit 205 to the operation unit 201. The switch 208 turns on / off the power supply from the power supply unit 205 to the scanner unit 203. Further, the switch 209 turns on / off the power supply from the power supply unit 205 to the printer unit 204.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the control unit 202 of the MFP 104 according to the first embodiment.

  The CPU 302 that controls the control unit 202 executes a program stored in the program memory 305 that is a nonvolatile memory, and performs various processes using the general-purpose memory 307 as a temporary storage area. The CPU 302 includes a network I / F 301, a scanner I / F 303 that communicates with the scanner unit 203, an operation unit I / F 304 that communicates with the operation unit 201, a printer I / F 306 that communicates with the printer unit 204, and an internal bus 309. Connected through. Further, the CPU 302 is connected to the clock 308, the power control I / F 310, the nonvolatile memory 311, and the like via the internal bus 309. The clock 308 periodically corrects the time by the NTP (Network Time Protocol) method via the network 101 in order to keep the timekeeping accuracy. The power control I / F 310 is an output port that outputs a control signal for turning on / off these switches to the switches 207, 208, 209, and 210 under the control of the CPU 302. The non-volatile memory 311 is a memory that holds information indicating whether or not a shutdown has been performed in accordance with a shutdown instruction from the power controller 103 described later.

  Now, when the MFP 104 is in the sleep mode (third power state), the switches 207, 208, and 209 are in the OFF state under the control of the CPU 302, and the power supply to the operation unit 201, the scanner unit 203, and the printer unit 204 is cut off. Has been.

  The transition from the sleep mode (third power state) to the normal state is activated by receiving a print job via the network 101, pressing the power button of the operation unit 201, generating an alarm in the clock 308, or the like. These detections are performed by the CPU 302, and the switches 207, 208, and 209 are operated in accordance with the detections to turn on the power to the necessary parts. When the execution of the print job is completed and the printing operation is completed, the mode again shifts to the sleep mode (third power state). The above is an overview of the structure and operation of the MFP 104.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a shutdown process by the control unit 202 of the MFP 104 according to the first embodiment. A program for executing this flowchart is stored in the program memory 305, and this processing can be realized by the CPU 302 executing this program.

  This process is started when the user operates the operation unit 201 to issue a shutdown instruction or receives a shutdown instruction from the power controller 103 via the network 101. First, in step S <b> 401, the CPU 302 determines whether it is a shutdown instruction from the power controller 103. If it is determined that the instruction is a shutdown instruction from the power controller 103, the process advances to step S <b> 402, and the CPU 302 sets the flag of the nonvolatile memory 311 to perform shutdown based on instruction information from the power controller 103 (request framework: described later). turn on. In step S403, the CPU 302 stores the remark information included in the shutdown instruction information from the power controller 103 in the nonvolatile memory 311 and advances to step S404. In S404, a control signal for turning off the switch is output to the solenoid type switches 207, 208, 209, and 210, and the shutdown process is terminated. As a result, the power of the MFP 104 is turned off. Note that the power-off state in which the MFP 104 shifts after the shutdown process is a state in which a volatile memory such as a RAM is energized. This state includes a suspend state in which high-speed recovery is possible using status information such as the OS stored in the RAM at the time of shutdown. Furthermore, this state includes a hibernation state in which high-speed recovery is possible using status information such as an OS stored in a nonvolatile memory such as an HDD at the time of shutdown.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S401 that the instruction is not a shutdown instruction from the power controller 103, the process proceeds to S405, and the flag of the nonvolatile memory 311 is turned on. In step S404, the solenoid switches 207, 208, 209, and 210 are all turned off to turn off the power supply to the operation unit 201, the scanner unit 203, and the printer unit 204.

  With this process, when the shutdown is executed according to the shutdown instruction from the power controller 103, the flag of the nonvolatile memory 311 is turned on and the shutdown process is executed. As a result, when the power of the MFP 104 is turned on next time, it can be determined whether the previous shutdown is due to a user operation or a shutdown instruction from the power controller 103.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a request framework for a shutdown instruction (power control signal) transmitted from the power controller 103 to the MFP 104 via the network 101 in the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 5, 501 represents a transmission source, where “1” represents the power controller 103. Reference numeral 502 denotes a transmission destination of the request framework, and “2” indicates the MFP 104. Reference numeral 503 denotes the type of the destination model to which the request framework is transmitted. Here, “MFP” is set. Reference numeral 504 denotes control contents controlled by the model that has received the request framework. In the example of FIG. 5, “shutdown” indicating shutdown is described. Reference numeral 505 describes remarks which are supplementary information of control contents. In this case, the scheduled time when the shutdown instruction is canceled is 16:00. The request framework shown in FIG. 5 is merely an example, and is not limited to this.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing when the MFP 104 is turned on and activated by the user operating the power switch 210 after the shutdown in the MFP 104 according to the first embodiment. A program for executing this flowchart is stored in the program memory 305, and this processing can be realized by the CPU 302 executing this program.

  This process is started when the power switch 210 is turned on by a user operation. In this state, commercial power is supplied to the power supply unit 205 via the power switch 210, and power is supplied from the power supply unit 205 to the control unit 202 so that processing by the CPU 302 can be executed. First, in step S601, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the flag of the nonvolatile memory 311 is turned on. If it is determined in S601 that the flag of the nonvolatile memory 311 is turned on, the process proceeds to S602. If it is determined that the flag is not turned on, the process proceeds to S604. When this flag is on, it indicates that there has been a shutdown request from the power controller 103. In this case, the power supply amount is tight, and it is considered that power-on should be suppressed. In step S602, the CPU 302 first turns off the flag of the nonvolatile memory 311. In order to supply power to the operation unit 201, the CPU 302 turns on the switch 207 and energizes the operation unit 201 to start up. In step S <b> 603, the CPU 302 instructs the operation unit 201 to display based on the instruction information stored in the nonvolatile memory 311 and ends the activation process.

  On the other hand, if the flag of the non-volatile memory 311 is off in S601, the process proceeds to S604, and the CPU 302 turns on the switches 207, 208, and 209 to energize the operation unit 201, scanner unit 203, and printer unit 204. Perform the startup process and end the startup process.

  In S602, the operation unit 201 is energized and displayed. If the MFP 104 does not start even though the user turns on the power switch 210, the user may misunderstand that the MFP 104 has failed. . Therefore, in order to inform the user that the MFP 104 cannot be used now, the operation unit 201 is energized and a message is displayed to the user. By energizing only the operation unit 201 in this way, the power consumption of the MFP 104 at the time of activation can be reduced.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example on the operation unit 201 of the MFP 104 according to the first embodiment. This display is displayed on the operation unit 201 in S603 of FIG. 6 described above, for example.

  In the figure, reference numeral 703 denotes a hard key portion, on which a numeric keypad, a start key, and the like are arranged. The display unit 702 displays information for notifying the user that the power is currently turned off by a shutdown instruction from the power controller 103. In FIG. 7, in addition to the message “Currently, it cannot be used due to a decrease in power supply”, “Rescheduled power supply time is scheduled for XX month XX day 16:00”. Is displayed. This is set based on, for example, the request framework of FIG. 5 included in the shutdown instruction information from the power controller 103 described above. Note that the display example of FIG. 7 is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when a power switch of a device that has been shut down due to tight power supply is turned on, the device can be prevented from immediately shifting to an operable standby state. . Thereby, an increase in power consumption of the entire system can be suppressed. At this time, since it is possible to display to the user that the device cannot be used because the power supply amount is currently decreasing, it is possible to prevent the user from misunderstanding that the device has failed.

[Embodiment 2]
In the second embodiment, as a difference from the first embodiment, a process for confirming whether or not the shutdown instruction from the power controller 103 is canceled when the user turns on the power switch of the MFP 104 to start up is added. Will be described. Note that the system configuration, MFP configuration, and the like in the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a startup process when the user turns on the power switch 210 in the MFP 104 according to the second embodiment. A program for executing this flowchart is stored in the program memory 305, and this processing can be realized by the CPU 302 executing this program.

  This process is started when power is supplied to the control unit 202 when the user turns on the power switch 210. First, in step S <b> 801, the CPU 302 determines whether the flag of the nonvolatile memory 311 is on. If it is determined in S801 that the flag of the nonvolatile memory 311 is on, the process proceeds to S802. If it is determined that the flag is not on, the process proceeds to S804. In step S <b> 802, the CPU 302 turns off the flag of the nonvolatile memory 311. Then, the CPU 302 confirms whether or not the shutdown instruction is canceled with respect to the power controller 103 that is a source of the shutdown instruction via the network I / F 301. If it is determined in S803 that the shutdown instruction has been canceled, the process proceeds to S804, where the CPU 302 turns on the switches 207, 208, and 209 to energize the operation unit 201, scanner unit 203, and printer unit 204. Perform the startup process.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S803 that the shutdown instruction has not been released, the process proceeds to S805, where the CPU 302 turns on the switch 207 to supply power to the operation unit 201, and energizes the operation unit 201 to start. In step S806, the CPU 302 instructs the operation unit 201 to display a message as shown in FIG. 7, for example, based on the instruction information stored in the nonvolatile memory 311, and ends the activation process.

  As described above, when the user turns on the power switch of the MFP 104, the shutdown instruction from the power controller 103 is canceled even if the power is turned off last time because the power supply amount is tight. Then, it is possible to perform normal startup.

  Also, when the shutdown instruction from the power controller 103 has not been canceled, the power supply amount is still tight as before, so the system starts up in the power saving mode and displays to the user that the power cannot be turned on immediately. be able to.

  Thus, even when the MFP 104 is shut down by a shutdown instruction from the power controller 103, when the user turns on the power switch 210 of the MFP 104, the MFP 104 can be started up normally if the shutdown instruction is canceled. Further, when the shutdown instruction has not been canceled, the power supply amount is tight as before, so that it can be started in the power saving mode.

  In the above embodiment, a message indicating the scheduled return time is displayed as information for notifying the user. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, information indicating which other devices in the system can be used, information indicating the positions of the devices that can be used, and the like may be displayed. .

  Still further, for example, candidates that can temporarily use MFPs whose use is prohibited by reducing the power consumption of other devices in the office may be displayed. For example, a display such as “If the temperature of the air conditioner is lowered once, image data can be transmitted from the MFP” or “Can be printed by turning off the light” may be displayed.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which when the MFP is activated after the MFP is turned off by the power control signal, the MFP is activated in at least the second power state in which power is supplied to the display unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be activated in a sleep mode in which power supply to the operation unit 201, the scanner unit 203, and the printer unit 204 is stopped and power is supplied to the control unit 202.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which when the MFP is activated after the MFP is turned off by the power control signal, the MFP is activated in at least the second power state in which power is supplied to the display unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be activated in a mode in which power is supplied to at least the network I / F 301 of the control unit 202.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

Claims (9)

An image forming apparatus connected to a network,
Receiving means for receiving a power control signal instructing power control via the network;
Shutdown means for turning off the image forming apparatus in response to the power control signal received by the receiving means;
Storage means for storing information indicating that the power of the image forming apparatus is turned off by the power control signal;
Determining means for determining whether or not the information is stored in the storage means when the image forming apparatus is activated after the power of the image forming apparatus is turned off by the power control signal;
When the determination unit determines that the information is not stored, the image forming apparatus is controlled to start in the first power state, and the determination unit determines that the information is stored Control means for controlling the image forming apparatus to start up in a second power state in which power is saved from the first power state;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the activation instruction of the image forming apparatus is issued by turning on a power switch of the image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power control signal is transmitted to the network when a power consumption amount approaches the suppliable power amount.   In the second power state, the control unit supplies power to at least the display unit of the image forming apparatus and causes the display unit to display a message indicating that the power of the image forming apparatus cannot be turned on. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the power control signal includes information on a scheduled time when the power control is canceled, and the message further includes information on the scheduled time.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power saving mode is a mode in which power is supplied to an operation unit of the image forming apparatus and power is not supplied to at least a printer unit. apparatus. If it is determined by the determination means that the information is stored, it further includes inquiry means for inquiring whether or not the power control signal is released to the issuer of the power control signal,
The control means starts the image forming apparatus in the second power state when the power control signal is not canceled by the inquiry by the inquiry means,
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the power control signal is canceled by an inquiry by the inquiry means, the image forming apparatus is controlled to start in the first power state. The image forming apparatus described. A control method for controlling an image forming apparatus connected to a network,
A receiving step for receiving a power control signal instructing power control via the network;
A shutdown process in which a shutdown unit turns off the power of the image forming apparatus according to the power control signal received in the reception process;
A storage step of storing information indicating that the power of the image forming apparatus is turned off by the power control signal;
A determination step for determining whether or not the information is stored in the storing step when the image forming apparatus is activated after the power of the image forming apparatus is turned off by the power control signal; ,
When the control unit determines that the information is not stored in the determination step, the control unit controls the image forming apparatus to start in the first power state, and the information is stored in the determination step. If it is determined, a control step of controlling the image forming apparatus to start in a power saving second power state than the first power state;
A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising:   A program for causing a computer to execute the control method of claim 8.

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