JP2016099490A - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and power determination method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an image forming apparatus to which an external device can be attached, and allows a user to learn if power consumption set to the apparatus can be exceeded before execution of an operation directed by the user.CONSTITUTION: There is provided an image forming apparatus including: determination means for comparing the total power value that can be supplied to drive the image forming apparatus and an external device with a power value for each of functions when functions included in the image forming apparatus and external device are executed to determine if the power value for each of functions exceeds the total power value; and notification means for notifying a user of a result of the determination by the determination means before the execution of the functions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a method for determining power supplied to an external apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus.

  Multi-function machines with a network printer function and fax function added to a copier, an image forming system in which a sheet processing apparatus is connected to the multi-function machine, and an image processing system in which a plurality of image forming systems are connected via a network are known. .

When a user selects and uses which sheet processing device to output from among a plurality of networked sheet processing devices, if there is a difference in performance between the functions of each sheet processing device, use according to the function to be performed A technique has been proposed in which a user can select a sheet processing apparatus to be used. (Patent Document 1)
On the other hand, due to the heightened awareness of energy saving, there is an increasing demand for reduction in power consumption of devices, and there is a tendency to be designed to reduce power consumption as new devices are used.

  When a sheet processing apparatus is connected to a multifunction peripheral, power is generally supplied from a commercial power source to the multifunction peripheral, and power is further supplied from the multifunction peripheral to the sheet processing apparatus. In this case, the maximum power consumption at the time of connection is set in advance on the multifunction device side, and control is performed so that each process can be performed within the range.

  However, when a sheet processing apparatus that requires power exceeding the preset maximum power consumption is connected, if the sheet processing apparatus is used as it is, there is a problem that the preset maximum power consumption is exceeded.

  In order to keep the power consumption within the range, the technology described in Patent Document 2 may monitor the power consumption during operation of each device and change to an operation that suppresses the power consumption when the power consumption exceeds a predetermined value. A device that can be used has been proposed.

JP 2006-309350 A JP 2002-244507 A

  In the method of Patent Document 1, the user can select the sheet processing apparatus to be used according to the function to be performed. However, when the selected sheet processing apparatus is operated because the power consumption of the function to be performed is unknown. There was a possibility of exceeding the preset maximum power consumption range.

  Further, in the method of Patent Document 2, since the operation content is changed while the apparatus is actually moved, there is a possibility that the user performs an operation different from that desired before using the apparatus. there were.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems in the conventional technology, and determines a function that may not be used within the range of maximum power consumption, and notifies the user of the determination result. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system in which a user can grasp whether or not there is a possibility that the maximum power consumption may be exceeded before performing a designated function.

In an image forming apparatus to which an external device can be connected,
The total power value that can be supplied to drive the image forming apparatus and the external apparatus is compared with the power value by function when the functions of the image forming apparatus and the external apparatus are implemented. Determining means for determining whether the power value exceeds the total power value;
Notification means for notifying the determination result of the determination means before performing the function;
An image forming apparatus is provided.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that the user can grasp whether or not there is a possibility of exceeding the power consumption set in the apparatus before performing the operation instructed by the user.

1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming system. 2 is a block diagram of a drive control unit of the image forming system. FIG. It is an example of a power consumption table | surface. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the electric power determination process at the time of power-on. It is an example of the electric power determination display at the time of power-on. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the electric power determination process at the time of a copy operation. It is an example of the electric power determination display at the time of a copy operation.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the present embodiment, as an example of an image forming apparatus, a multifunction peripheral having a copy function of a document image, a network printer function, a fax function,
Examples of external devices that can be connected to the image forming apparatus include a tray unit for stacking sheets on which images are formed, a sorting function for sorting sheets by a plurality of tray units, a punch function for forming punch holes in sheets, and a sheet A sheet processing apparatus having a stapling function for binding in a bundle and a bookbinding function for folding a sheet bundle into two to form a booklet;
A description will be given using an image forming system constituted by:

  However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and the external apparatus may be an image reading apparatus that reads an original image or a sheet supply apparatus that supplies an image forming sheet to an image forming apparatus. The same applies.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The image forming system according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a multifunction peripheral A and a sheet processing apparatus B.
The multifunction machine A and the sheet processing apparatus B are configured to be detachable, and power is supplied from the commercial power source to the power supply unit 83 of the multifunction machine A, and power is supplied from the multifunction machine A to the sheet processing apparatus B. ing.

The drive control unit 70 on the multifunction machine A side controls each part of the multifunction machine A to form an image on the sheet.
The drive control unit 100 on the sheet processing apparatus B side controls each unit of the sheet processing apparatus B and performs various processes on the sheet on which the image is formed.

  The drive control unit 70 and the drive control unit 100 perform serial communication through the communication line 90, and exchange various signals for causing the multifunction peripheral A and the sheet processing apparatus B to operate in cooperation.

(Configuration of MFP)
The multifunction peripheral A includes a sheet feeding unit 10, an image forming unit 20, a fixing unit 30, a first sheet discharge unit 40, and a second sheet discharge unit 41 in order from the lower side to the upper side. A sheet refeeding unit 50 is provided on the right side of the image forming unit 20 and the fixing unit 30. An image reading unit 60 is provided at the top of the multi-function device A, and the read original can be copied.

  The panel operation unit 80 can receive an instruction from the user or notify the user of various information.

  A broken line portion in FIG. 1 indicates a sheet conveyance path. The sheet is fed from the sheet feeding unit 10, and a toner image is formed on the sheet by the image forming unit 20. When the sheet is sent to the fixing unit 30, the toner image on the sheet is thermally fixed and may be discharged from the first sheet discharge unit 40 or discharged from the second sheet discharge unit 41.

  When forming an image on both sides of a sheet, after forming an image on one side of the sheet, the sheet is temporarily stopped without being discharged from the first sheet discharge unit 40, sent to the sheet refeed unit 50, and then again By passing through the image forming unit 20 and the fixing unit 30, an image is formed on the other side of the sheet and discharged.

  The sheet discharged from the second sheet discharge unit 41 is transferred to the sheet processing apparatus B, and discharged to the first discharge tray 103 or the second discharge tray 104 through the punch unit 101 and the first staple unit 102. . When the punching process and the stapling process are performed, the punching unit 101 and the first stapling part 102 respectively process. However, when the punching process and the stapling process are not performed, the punching process and the stapling process are performed without processing.

  The first discharge tray 103 and the second discharge tray 104 are configured to be movable in the vertical direction, and sheets can be sorted according to which one is discharged.

  In addition, the sheet processing apparatus B includes a second stapling unit 105 and a sheet folding unit 106. The sheet bundle subjected to the stapling process by the second stapling unit 105 is folded into two (binding process) by the sheet folding unit 106. It can be discharged to the third discharge tray 107.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the drive control unit 70 of the multifunction peripheral A and the drive control unit 100 of the sheet processing apparatus B.

  First, a block diagram of the multifunction device A will be described.

  The CPU 75 of the drive control unit 70 of the multifunction machine A has a ROM 78 and a RAM 79 built therein. The ROM 78 is a read-only storage element in which various programs and data for image formation are written. The RAM 79 is a storage element that can be written and erased. The RAM 79 holds a program read from the ROM 78, and process data and calculation results generated in the course of sheet processing are written and erased as needed.

  The sheet feeding control unit 71 drives the sheet feeding unit 10 in FIG. 1 and a conveyance motor (not shown) to feed the sheet into the multifunction peripheral A and convey it to each processing unit.

  The image forming control unit 72 drives the image forming unit 20 in FIG. 1 to form a toner image on the sheet.

The fixing control unit 73 drives the fixing unit 30 in FIG. 1 to thermally fix the image on the sheet.
When performing a copy process, the image reading control unit 76 drives the image reading unit 60 in FIG. 1 to read a document image, and transmits image data to the image formation control unit 72.

  The external I / F unit 77 receives image data from an external computer or the like, receives image data through a fax communication line, and transmits the image data to the image formation control unit 72.

  The panel control unit 81 controls the panel operation unit 80 of FIG. 1 to accept various requests from the user and notify the user of various information.

  The power control unit 82 supplies the power supplied to the power supply unit 83 in FIG. 1 to each unit of the multifunction peripheral A and the sheet processing apparatus B.

  The power consumption storage unit 74 stores the power consumption of each part of the multifunction peripheral A itself, the model ID of the sheet processing apparatus B that can be connected to the multifunction peripheral A, and the power consumption table of each part, and is referenced by the CPU 75 when the power is turned on. Is done.

  FIG. 3 is an example of a power consumption table. From the top of the table, the maximum power consumption that can be used by the multifunction peripheral and the sheet processing apparatus, the power consumption of each part of the multifunction peripheral A, the power consumption of each function of the sheet processing apparatus with model ID = B001, and the model ID = B002. The power consumption of each function of the sheet processing apparatus and the power consumption of each function of the sheet processing apparatus of model ID = B003 are stored.

  In the present embodiment, only three types of sheet processing apparatuses are used, but actually, the number of models that can be connected is stored.

  The CPU 75 of the MFP A determines the model ID of the connected sheet processing apparatus B when the power is turned on, determines a function that may exceed the maximum power consumption from the power consumption table, and shows the determination result in FIG. Notify the panel operation unit 80.

5 and 7 are diagrams showing an example of notifying the panel operation unit 80 of the determination result. (Details will be described later)
By referring to the determination result notified to the panel operation unit 80, the user can grasp before the operation whether there is a possibility of exceeding the maximum power consumption. Whether the function is selected or whether the apparatus is allowed to switch to an operation with reduced power consumption can be determined before image formation.

  Returning to FIG. 2, a block diagram of the sheet processing apparatus B will be described.

  The CPU 115 of the drive control unit 100 of the sheet processing apparatus B also includes a ROM 118 and a RAM 119.

  The sheet conveyance control unit 117 drives a conveyance motor (not shown) and conveys the sheet received from the multifunction peripheral A to each processing unit.

  The punch control unit 111 drives the punch unit 101 in FIG. 1 to form punch holes in the sheet.

  The stapling control unit 112 drives the first stapling unit 102 and the second stapling unit 105 in FIG. 1 and performs stapling processing on the sheet bundle.

  The tray control unit 113 drives the first discharge tray 103 and the second discharge tray 104 in FIG. 1 to perform sheet sorting and stacking.

  The folding control unit 116 drives the sheet folding unit 106 in FIG. 1 and performs a folding process (bookbinding process).

  The power control unit 120 supplies power to a control unit having a usable function according to the determination by the CPU 75 of the multifunction peripheral A.

(Processing when the power is turned on)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the power consumption determination process of the CPU 75 when the power is turned on.

  When the power of the multifunction device is turned on, the CPU 75 performs initialization processing of the multifunction device in S101 of FIG. The initialization process refers to, for example, reading a set value or performing a home position search for various motors so that a user instruction can be received.

  In step S102, the CPU 115 of the sheet processing apparatus is instructed to initialize the sheet processing apparatus. In step S103, the CPU 115 of the sheet processing apparatus is requested to obtain a model ID.

  Next, in S104, the CPU 75 refers to the power consumption table (FIG. 3) stored in the power consumption storage unit 74 in FIG. 2, and uses the power consumption table (FIG. 3) in S105 to determine the power consumption of this apparatus. I do. The power consumption of the sheet processing apparatus may not be stored in the power consumption storage unit 74 but may be acquired from the sheet processing apparatus each time.

  In S105, the CPU 75 calculates the power WX that can be used by the connected sheet processing apparatus within the range of the maximum power consumption.

For example, as shown in the power consumption table of FIG. 3, when the maximum power consumption WP of the entire image forming system is set to 1.5 kW, the maximum power consumption WA of the multifunction peripheral A is obtained as a sum of power consumption.

WA = 100W + 200W + 100W + 600W = 1000W

Therefore, when using all the functions of MFP A,
The power WX that can be used by the sheet processing apparatus B is

WX = 1500W-1000W = 500W

Is calculated.

  Note that the power consumption is not necessarily such a sum, but in the present embodiment, a simple total value is used for easy understanding. However, in order to determine the power consumption more finely, the power consumption for each function may be calculated from the operation timing of each motor and the power consumption of each motor.

  Next, in S106 in FIG. 4, the CPU 75 sets the number of functions of the sheet processing apparatus to N and the variable n to 1, and starts determining whether or not the maximum power consumption is exceeded for each single function (each function is implemented independently). Example). The number of functions means the number of processing functions provided in the sheet processing apparatus stored in the power consumption table of FIG. 3. In this embodiment, “punch processing”, “staple processing”, “bookbinding processing”. Since there are four functions of “sorting process”, the number of functions is four.

  In S107, S108, and S109, the CPU 75 confirms whether there is a function exceeding WX = 500W.

  In step S107, for example, the power consumption WB of the punch function is referred to. If WX = 500 W, the process proceeds to step S111, and the panel operation unit 80 in FIG. 1 is notified that the maximum power consumption is exceeded. If WX = 500 W is not exceeded, 1 is added to the variable n in S108, and S107 to S109 are repeated until the variable n exceeds the function number N in S109.

  If the function of the sheet processing apparatus does not exceed WX = 500 W over the number of functions N, the process proceeds to S110 and notifies the panel operation unit 80 in FIG. 1 that the maximum power consumption is not exceeded.

  FIG. 5A shows a notification example when the maximum power consumption is not exceeded.

  FIG. 5B shows a notification example when the power consumption WB of the bookbinding function exceeds WX = 500 W (in the case of the sheet processing apparatus (B003) in FIG. 3), for example, and the “bookbinding” portion is shaded. ing.

  If the notification is made, it waits for the OK button to be pressed in S112, and if the OK button is detected, the process ends.

  In the above embodiment, it is determined whether or not each function of the sheet processing apparatus is operable with the remaining power obtained by subtracting the power consumption WA of the multifunction peripheral from the maximum power consumption WP of the entire image forming system. The same applies to the process of determining whether or not each function of the multifunction peripheral can operate with the remaining power obtained by subtracting the power consumption WB of the sheet processing apparatus from the maximum power consumption WP of the entire system.

(Processing during copy operation)
Next, taking a copy process as an example, the flow of a process when the user actually executes image formation will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the CPU 75 showing the flow of the power determination process during the copying operation.
In S301 of FIG. 6, the CPU 75 accepts various settings that the user performs with the panel operation unit 80 (FIG. 1). The settings here are, for example, settings such as color copy or monochrome copy, or several copies.

In S302, it is detected whether or not the user setting is completed, for example, by whether or not the start button of the panel operation unit 80 (FIG. 1) is pressed. (In addition to the start button for instructing to start copying, a button for notifying only the completion of setting may be provided.)
If it is detected that the start button has been pressed (Yes in S302), the process proceeds to S303, and the power consumption when the image formation set by the user is executed in S304 is calculated with reference to the power consumption table of FIG.

For example, when the user instructs to execute two or more bookbinding processes for double-sided monochrome copying (high speed), the power consumption of the MFP is

100W + 200W + 100W + 600W = 1000W

The power consumption of the bookbinding process of the sheet processing device is

Sheet processing device (B001) = 300 W
Sheet processing apparatus (B002) = 400W
Sheet processing device (B003) = 600 W

It becomes.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the maximum power consumption is exceeded when the processing set by the user is executed in S305.

  When the maximum power consumption is set to 1500 W, when the sheet processing apparatus (B003) is connected in the previous example, the total power consumption is 1600 W, so it is determined that there is an excess of power, and the process proceeds to S306. If other sheet processing apparatuses (B001, B002) are connected, the total power consumption is 1300 W and 1400 W, respectively, so it is determined that there is no excess power, and the process proceeds to S309 to start image formation set by the user.

  If there is an excess of power, in S306, the determination result is notified to the panel operation unit 80 (FIG. 1), and a timer until the display ends is started. The timer at this time is set to 20 seconds, for example. The display of S306 is continued in S308 until the timer elapses in S307. This timer is set as a grace time for the user to confirm the notification contents and change the setting or determine whether to perform image formation as it is. Further, by providing this timer, it is possible to avoid a situation in which image formation cannot be started when the user leaves the apparatus without looking at the determination result notified to the panel operation unit 80.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a notification example of the panel operation unit (FIG. 1) in S306.

  FIG. 7A shows an example of displaying a determination result when the maximum power consumption is exceeded when the bookbinding function is selected.

  This display is performed until the timer elapses, and if the user presses the “change” button on the panel operation unit during that time (FIG. 7B), the process returns to the setting input in S301 of FIG.

  When the user presses the “as is” button (FIG. 7C), the process proceeds to S309 in FIG. 6 and image formation is performed with the setting. In this case, there is a possibility that the apparatus changes its operation so as not to exceed the maximum power consumption.

  If the user does not perform any operation, the display is continued until the timer elapses in S307, and if the timer elapses (Yes in S307), the process proceeds to S309, as in the case where the user presses the “as is” button. Then, image formation is started with the setting.

  In addition, when the user selects “as is” in S308, or when image formation is started after the timer has elapsed in S307, sheet processing is performed by the sheet processing apparatus so as not to exceed the maximum power consumption. It is conceivable to reduce the speed of image formation during the operation, temporarily interrupt image formation, and resume image formation after sheet processing is completed.

  As described above, according to the image forming system of the present embodiment, when there is a possibility that the maximum power consumption preset in the apparatus may be exceeded, notification is made before starting the operation instructed by the user. It is possible to prevent an operation different from the instruction from being performed without the user's knowledge.

A MFP B Sheet processing apparatus 70 Drive control section 74 MFP A power consumption storage section 80 Panel operation section 83 Power supply section 100 Drive control section of sheet processing apparatus B

Claims (12)

In an image forming apparatus to which an external device can be connected,
A total power value that can be supplied to drive the image forming apparatus and the external device;
A determination unit that compares power values by function when the functions of the image forming apparatus and the external device are implemented, and determines whether the power value by function exceeds the total power value;
Notification means for notifying the determination result of the determination means before performing the function;
An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not the function of the external apparatus can be implemented with a remaining power value obtained by removing a power value used by the image forming apparatus from the total power value. The image forming apparatus described. 2. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not the function of the image forming apparatus can be implemented with a remaining power value obtained by subtracting a power value used by the external apparatus from the total power value. The image forming apparatus described. The determination unit is configured to turn on the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not the function of the external apparatus can be implemented with a remaining power value obtained by removing a power value used by the image forming apparatus from the total power value. . The determination unit is configured such that when a user instructs execution of a function included in the image forming apparatus and the external apparatus,
The total power value is compared with a power value by function when a function instructed by a user is performed, and it is determined whether or not the power value by function exceeds the total power value. The image forming apparatus according to 1. The determination unit is configured to turn on the image forming apparatus.
Determining whether the function of the external device can be implemented with the remaining power value obtained by removing the power value used by the image forming apparatus from the total power value;
When the user instructs execution of the functions provided in the image forming apparatus and the external apparatus,
The total power value is compared with a power value by function when a function instructed by a user is performed, and it is determined whether or not the power value by function exceeds the total power value. The image forming apparatus according to 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit waits for a predetermined time to perform a function that the user has instructed to perform after notifying the determination result of the determination unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external apparatus is a sheet supply apparatus that supplies a sheet for forming an image with the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external apparatus is an image reading apparatus that reads an image formed on a sheet by the image forming apparatus. 8. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external apparatus is a sheet processing apparatus that receives a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus and performs processing on the sheet. Image forming apparatus. An image forming system comprising: the image forming apparatus according to claim 1; and an external device connectable to the image forming apparatus. Compare the total power value that can be supplied to drive the image forming apparatus to which the external apparatus can be connected and the external apparatus, and the power value by function when the functions of the image forming apparatus and the external apparatus are implemented. A comparison process to
As a result of comparison in the comparison step, a determination step of determining whether the power value by function exceeds the total power value;
A notification step of notifying the determination result of the determination step before performing the function;
A power determination method characterized by comprising:

Images