JP3768980B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to energy saving control of an image recording apparatus that has an interface with an external apparatus such as a personal computer and records an image on a recording sheet based on image information input from the external apparatus via the interface. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as this type of image recording apparatus, there is a laser printer using an electrophotographic process. Many laser printers have the following three types of operating states.
[0003]
The first is a printing state, in which the recording paper is conveyed and the printing operation is performed.
[0004]
The second is a standby state in which printing can be performed immediately. For example, in a laser printer having a thermal fixing device using a halogen heater, temperature control is performed so that the temperature is maintained at a fixing temperature at the time of printing or slightly lower than that at the time of standby.
[0005]
A third state is a sleep state, which is provided in response to a recent social demand for energy saving, and is a state in which power consumption is lower than that in a standby state.
[0006]
Incidentally, many conventional laser printers have a video control means for generating a video signal from image information based on a recording command from an external device, and a recording control means for recording an image represented by the video signal. The above-described operation state control is controlled by the recording control means. The transition to the sleep state and the instruction to return from the sleep state are performed from the video control unit to the recording control unit based on information from the external device.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional sleep state, since it is set uniformly, such as turning off the power supply to the heat fixing used in the laser printer, there is a disadvantage that the energy saving control that is optimal for various use states of the printer cannot be performed. there were.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of optimal energy saving control for various usage states of a printer, for example, frequency of use, reduction of economic burden due to power consumption, and the like.
[0009]
[Means for solving problems]
  The present invention provides an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on an image signal generated by an image signal generation unit that generates an image signal, and a fixing unit that thermally fixes an image formed on the recording medium. A designation command for designating one energy saving mode from a plurality of energy saving modes including a cooling means for cooling the inside of the image recording apparatus and a first energy saving mode and a second energy saving mode outputted from the image signal generation unit. Based on this, in the first energy saving mode, the cooling means is controlled to be energized and the heat fixing means is not energized. In the second energy saving mode, the cooling means and the heat fixing means are controlled. An image recording apparatus comprising: a control unit that performs control so as not to be energized.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing the structure of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, for example, a laser printer.
[0011]
The laser printer main body 1 (hereinafter referred to as the main body 1) has a cassette 2 for storing the recording paper S, a cassette paper presence sensor 3 for detecting the presence or absence of the recording paper S in the cassette 2, and the size of the recording paper S in the cassette 2. A cassette size sensor 4 (consisting of a plurality of microswitches) for detecting the above, a paper feed roller 5 for feeding out the recording paper S from the cassette 2 and the like are provided.
[0012]
A registration roller pair 6 that synchronously conveys the recording paper S is provided downstream of the paper supply roller 5. Further, an image forming unit 8 that forms a toner image on the recording paper S based on the laser beam from the laser scanner unit 7 is provided downstream of the registration roller pair 6.
[0013]
Further, a fixing device 9 for thermally fixing the toner image formed on the recording paper S is provided downstream of the image forming unit 8. The paper transport state of the paper discharge unit is provided downstream of the fixing device 9. A paper discharge sensor 10 for detecting, a paper discharge roller 11 for discharging the recording paper S, and a stacking tray 12 for stacking the recording paper S for which recording has been completed are provided.
[0014]
The laser scanner unit 7 emits a laser beam modulated based on an image signal (image signal VDO) sent from an external device 28 described later, and the laser beam from the laser unit 13 is described later. It comprises a polygon motor 14 for scanning on the photosensitive drum 17, an imaging lens group 15, a folding mirror 16, and the like.
[0015]
The image forming unit 8 includes a photosensitive drum 17, a pre-exposure lamp 18, a primary charger 19, a developing device 20, a transfer charger 21, a cleaner 22 and the like necessary for a known electrophotographic process. The fixing device 9 includes a heat roller 9a, a pressure roller 9b, a halogen heater 9c provided inside the heat roller, a thermistor 9d for detecting the surface temperature of the heat roller, and the like.
[0016]
The main motor 23 applies driving force to the paper feed roller 5 via the paper feed roller clutch 24, and the resist roller pair 6 via the resist roller 25, and further includes an image forming unit including the photosensitive drum 17. A driving force is also applied to each unit 8, the fixing device 9, and the paper discharge roller 11.
[0017]
The engine controller 26 controls the electrophotographic process by the laser scanner unit 7, the image forming unit 8, and the fixing device 9, and controls the conveyance of the recording paper in the main body 1.
[0018]
The video controller 27 is connected to an external device 31 such as a personal computer via a general-purpose interface (Centronics, RS232C, etc.) 30, and develops image information sent from the general-purpose interface 30 into bit data, Data is sent to the engine controller 26 as a VDO signal.
[0019]
The video interface 28 serves as a communication means between the video controller 27 and the engine controller 26.
[0020]
The cooling fan 29 is controlled to be rotated and stopped by the engine controller 26, and cools the inside of the printer, particularly the video controller 27.
[0021]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the video interface 28 shown in FIG.
[0022]
In the figure, CPRDY is a signal indicating that the external device 3 can communicate, and is sent from the video controller 27 to the engine controller 26.
[0023]
PPRDY is a signal indicating that the engine controller 26 can communicate, and is sent from the engine controller 26 to the video controller 27.
[0024]
SBSY is a status valid signal and is sent from the engine controller 26 to the video controller 27.
[0025]
CBSY is a command valid signal and is sent from the video controller 27 to the engine controller 26.
[0026]
SC is a status / command signal. When the status valid signal SBSY is TRUE, it is sent from the engine controller 26 to the video controller 27 as status data indicating the internal state of the printer. When the command valid signal CBSY is TRUE, Command data indicating an instruction for the engine controller 26 from the video controller 27 is sent from the video controller 27 to the engine controller 26.
[0027]
CLK is a synchronous clock of the status / command signal SC, and is sent from the video controller 27 to the engine controller 26. In response to one command from the video controller, the engine controller 26 returns one status corresponding to the command.
[0028]
In other words, handshake serial communication is performed using the SBSY, CBSY, SC, and CLK signals.
[0029]
RDY is a ready signal and is set to TRUE when the engine controller 26 is ready for printing, and is sent from the engine controller 26 to the video controller 27.
[0030]
PRINT is a print signal that becomes TRUE when the video controller 27 instructs to start printing, and is sent from the video controller 27 to the engine controller 26.
[0031]
VSREQ is a vertical synchronization request signal that the engine controller 26 requests the video controller 27 to output a vertical synchronization signal VSYNC described later.
[0032]
VSYNC is a vertical synchronizing signal that synchronizes the image output sent from the video controller 27 to the engine controller 26 in the vertical direction (sub-scanning direction / paper transport direction).
[0033]
BD is a horizontal synchronizing signal that synchronizes the image output sent from the engine controller 26 to the video controller 27 in the horizontal direction (main scanning direction / laser scanning direction).
[0034]
VDO is an image signal in which the video controller 27 serially sends a dot image to the engine controller 26 in synchronization with the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC and the horizontal synchronization signal BD.
[0035]
FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the operation of the serial communication.
[0036]
When power is turned on to the main body 1, initialization of the engine controller 26 is completed, and serial communication is possible, the engine controller 26 sets PPRDY to TRUE.
[0037]
On the other hand, when the video controller 27 is powered on, initialization and the like are completed and serial communication is possible, the video controller 27 sets CPRDY to TRUE. Further, the video controller 27 determines that serial communication is possible after confirming that the PPRDY is TRUE for a predetermined time. If necessary, TRUE the CBSY, synchronize with the CLK, and synchronize with the CLK. Send command. Thereafter, CBSY is set to FALSE, and a status return from the engine controller 26 is awaited.
[0038]
When the engine controller 26 receives the command, the engine controller 26 sets SBSY to TRUE to return a status corresponding to the content. When the video controller 27 detects SBSY TRUE, the video controller 27 starts transmission of CLK. The engine controller 26 returns the status from the SC line in synchronization with CLK, and sets SBSY to FALSE.
[0039]
When the engine controller 26 confirms CPRDY TRUE for a predetermined time, the engine controller 26 determines that serial communication is possible and determines that the command is valid.
[0040]
4 and 5 are timing charts showing the printing operation of the main body 1. FIG. The printing operation will be described below using this figure.
[0041]
When the engine controller 26 is ready to accept printing, it sets RDY to TRUE and notifies the video controller 27 that printing is acceptable. In response to this, when a print request is generated, the video controller 27 sets PRINT to TRUE and instructs the start of printing.
[0042]
When the engine controller 26 detects PRINT TRUE, the engine controller 26 starts driving the main motor 23 and the polygon motor 14. When the main motor 23 is driven, the photosensitive drum 17, the fixing roller (in the fixing device 9), and the paper discharge roller 11 are rotated. At this time, the engine controller 26 also drives the primary charger 19, the developing device 20, and the transfer charger 21 with high voltage, and the feed clutch is t1 seconds after the rotation of the polygon motor 14 becomes steady (see FIG. 4). 24 is turned on to drive the paper feed roller 5 to feed the recording paper S toward the registration roller pair 6.
[0043]
The engine controller 26 sends a vertical synchronization request signal VSREQ to the video controller 27 at the timing when the leading edge of the recording paper S reaches the registration roller pair 6 (t2 seconds after driving the paper feed roller 5). The paper feed roller clutch 24 is turned off, and the drive of the paper feed roller 5 is stopped.
[0044]
When the video controller 27 finishes developing the image information into the dot image and is ready to output the image signal VDO, the video controller 27 confirms that the vertical synchronization request signal VSREQ is TRUE, and sets the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC to TRUE. Synchronously, output of the image signal VDO for one page is started after tV seconds.
[0045]
The engine controller 26 turns on the registration roller clutch 25 and drives the registration roller pair 6 t3 seconds after the rising edge of the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC. The registration roller pair 6 is driven for a time t4 seconds until the trailing edge of the recording paper S passes the registration roller pair 6.
[0046]
During this time, the engine controller 26 sends a horizontal synchronization signal BD to the video controller 27 at a predetermined timing synchronized with the laser scanning, and modulates the laser light emitted from the laser unit 13 based on the image signal VDO.
[0047]
Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the video controller 27 outputs an image signal VDO for one scan in synchronization with the rising of the horizontal synchronization signal BD.
[0048]
When printing the next page, the print signal PRINT is set to TRUE after t5 seconds. Thereafter, the same operation as that for the first page is performed.
[0049]
By the operation as described above, the recording paper S is sequentially conveyed to the paper feed roller 5, the registration roller pair 6, the image forming unit 8, the fixing device 9, and the paper discharge roller 11 to perform image recording.
[0050]
Next, energy saving control, that is, sleep control in the present embodiment will be described.
[0051]
The printer 1 enters a standby state or a sleep state except for an abnormal state such as the occurrence of a failure except during a printing operation.
[0052]
The standby state is a state in which if there is a print request, the printer can immediately enter the print state. Specifically, the temperature of the fixing device 9 is controlled to a temperature lower than the temperature during the printing operation (for example, the fixing device temperature during standby is 150 ° C. with respect to the fixing device temperature during printing is 190 ° C.), and the video controller. The cooling fan 29 is driven for cooling the same.
[0053]
On the other hand, the sleep state is a state in which power consumption is reduced as compared with the standby state. In this sleep state, there are two levels, sleep level 0 and sleep level 1. At level 0, the power supply to the fixing device 9 is stopped. At level 1, the power supply to the fixing device 9 is stopped and the cooling fan is used. 29 is stopped. The transition from the standby state to the sleep state is performed based on a command sent from the video controller 27 to the engine controller 26 via the video interface 28.
[0054]
FIG. 6 is a state transition diagram showing state transitions related to the sleep control of the main body 1.
[0055]
As shown in the figure, transition from the standby state to the sleep level 0 state is made by the designation of the sleep level 0 by the sleep designation command and the sleep mode designation command.
[0056]
In addition, when the sleep level 1 is designated by the sleep designation command and the sleep mode designation command, the standby state is changed to the sleep level 1 state.
[0057]
Then, transition is made from the sleep states of level 0 and level 1 to the standby state by a wakeup designation command.
[0058]
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing codes of commands relating to the sleep control as described above, and hexadecimal code 45H is assigned to sleep designation and 46H is assigned to wakeup designation.
[0059]
The sleep mode designation has a 2-byte command structure. Then, the video controller 27 transmits a command code 80H at the first byte, and then transmits a predetermined command code at the second byte to designate the sleep level.
[0060]
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the bit configuration of the second byte of the sleep mode designation command.
[0061]
This command designates the sleep level with a code of 3 bits (5th to 7th) of 8 bits.
[0062]
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the sleep level code and the processing content. A code 000 in the figure designates sleep level 0, that is, energization stop of the fixing device. The code 001 designates sleep level 1, that is, energization stop of the fixing device and cooling fan drive stop. The codes 010 to 111 are not used.
[0063]
FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing a halogen heater driving circuit for adjusting the temperature of the fixing device 9 shown in FIG. 1 and a driving circuit for the cooling fan 29.
[0064]
In the figure, a halogen heater 9 c in the fixing device 9 is connected to a commercial power source (AC power source) 32 via a triac 33 a in the SSR 33. The SSR 33 is a solid state relay, and includes a triac 33a, an LED 33b, a zero cross detection circuit (not shown), and the like. When the LED 33b emits light, the triac 33a is turned on and the halogen heater is turned on. The LED 33b has an anode connected to a + 5V power source (generated from a commercial power source by a low-voltage power supply circuit not shown) operating the DC power source engine controller 26 via a resistor 40, and a cathode connected to an emitter-grounded NPN transistor. 37 collectors are connected. The base of the transistor 37 is connected to the output port (OUT1) of the MPU 26a via a resistor 39 and a resistor 38 which are grounded.
[0065]
Here, the MPU 26 a is a microcomputer that controls the engine controller 26. When the MPU 26a sets the output port (OUT1) to L (OFF), the LED 33b is not lit, so the halogen heater 9c is not lit, and when the output port (OUT2) is set to H (ON), the LED 33b The halogen heater 9c is turned on.
[0066]
One end of the thermistor 9 d in the fixing device 9 is connected to the DC power source +5 V, and the other end is connected to the resistor 35.
[0067]
An analog voltage Vt determined by the values of the thermistor 9d and the resistor 35 is input to the A / D conversion input port of the MPU 26a, and the MPU 26a detects the fixing device temperature.
[0068]
In the above configuration, the MPU 26a controls the temperature of the fixing device 9 by monitoring the fixing device temperature with the analog voltage Vt and changing the ON / OFF duty of the output port.
[0069]
On the other hand, the transistor 42 that drives the cooling fan 29 is connected to the output port (OUT2) of the MPU 26a via the base resistor 41. The back electromotive force absorbing diode 43 of the cooling fan 29 is connected to the collector of the transistor 43 and a DC power source + 24V supplied to the cooling fan. Therefore, when the MPU 26a sets the output port (OUT2) to H (ON), the cooling fan 29 is driven, and when the output port (OUT2) is set to L (OFF), the cooling fan 29 stops.
[0070]
With the above configuration, the video controller 27 can arbitrarily specify a sleep level 0 state in which the cooling fan is driven and a sleep level 1 state in which the cooling fan is stopped.
[0071]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the sleep level can be changed only by the sleep mode designation command.
[0072]
FIG. 11 is a state transition diagram showing state transitions related to sleep control in the second embodiment.
[0073]
When the printer is in the sleep level 0 state, when the video controller 27 transmits a sleep mode designation command to the engine controller 26, if the sleep mode 1 is designated and transmitted, the printer transits to the sleep level 1 state. Conversely, when the printer is in the sleep level 1 state and the sleep mode designation command is transmitted by designating the sleep level 0, the printer transits to the sleep level 0 state.
[0074]
As a result, the video controller 27 can omit the wakeup designation command and the sleep designation command when the sleep level is changed, thereby reducing the processing load.
[0075]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The difference between the third embodiment and the first embodiment is that the control of the photo sensor is added to the control at the time of sleep.
[0076]
FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram showing a halogen heater driving circuit, a cooling fan driving circuit, and a photosensor control circuit in the third embodiment.
[0077]
In this figure, the halogen heater drive circuit and the cooling fan drive circuit are exactly the same as those shown in FIG.
[0078]
Hereinafter, the photo sensor control circuit will be described.
[0079]
The laser printer of this embodiment uses two photo sensors, one is a cassette paper presence sensor 3 and the other is a paper discharge sensor 10. The cassette paper presence / absence sensor 3 includes an LED 3a and a phototransistor 3b, and the state is detected based on whether light from the LED 3a is incident on the phototransistor 3b.
[0080]
The anode of the LED 3 a is connected to the DC power supply +24 V via the resistor 47, and the cathode is connected to the collector of the transistor 45. The emitter of the transistor 45 is connected to GND, and the base is connected to the output port (OUT3) of the MPU 26a via the base resistor 44.
[0081]
Therefore, when the MPU 26a sets the output port (OUT3) to H, the LED 3a is turned on and detection by the photosensor is possible. When the output port (OUT3) is set to L, the LED 3a is turned off and detection is impossible.
[0082]
The emitter of the phototransistor 3b is connected to GND, and the collector is connected to the input port (IN1) of the MPU 26a and the pull-up resistor 46. When the light emitted from the LED 3a is incident on the base of the phototransistor 3b, the input port (IN1) becomes L, and when not incident, the input port (IN1) becomes H.
[0083]
The same connection is made with respect to the paper discharge sensor 10. In the above description, the LED 3a is the LED 10a, the phototransistor 3b is the phototransistor 10b, the resistor 47 is the resistor 49, the pullup resistor 46 is the pullup resistor 48, and the input port (IN1). ) Corresponds to the input port (IN2).
[0084]
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the sleep level code and the processing content in the third embodiment.
[0085]
In contrast to the first embodiment, processes of “photo sensor intermittent detection” at the sleep level 0 and “photo sensor detection stop” at the sleep level 1 are added.
[0086]
FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing photosensor detection processing in each state.
[0087]
During standby, the MPU 26a sets the output port (OUT3) to H, turns on the LEDs 3a and 10a, and always performs detection by each photosensor. Next, when the sleep level is 0, each LED is turned on at intervals of a period t10 (for example, 10 seconds), and detection is performed intermittently only at that time. When the sleep level is 1, each LED is turned off and detection is stopped.
[0088]
With the above control, power consumption due to light emission of the LED in the photosensor in the sleep state can be reduced or eliminated, so that further energy saving is possible.
[0089]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The difference between the fourth embodiment and the third embodiment is that the sleep level is set by controlling energization to each load in correspondence with the bit of the sleep mode designation command.
[0090]
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the bit configuration of the second byte of the sleep mode designation command and the processing corresponding to the bit in the fourth embodiment.
[0091]
As shown in the figure, when the 5th bit is 1, the photo sensor detection is stopped, when the 6th bit is 1, the cooling fan is stopped, and when the 7th bit is 1, the energization to the fixing device is stopped.
[0092]
By such processing, the video controller 27 can designate a sleep mode by any combination.
[0093]
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. The difference between the fifth embodiment and the first embodiment is that a case where it is detected that the user directly accesses the printer is added to the condition for transition from the sleep state to the standby state.
[0094]
FIG. 16 is a state transition diagram showing state transitions related to sleep control in the fifth embodiment.
[0095]
In the sleep level 0 state and sleep level 1 state, in addition to receiving a wake-up designation command, if the open state of a printer door (not shown) that is opened during jam processing is detected, the user also performs a test. When a test print is performed by pressing a print switch (not shown), a transition is made to a standby state. In the case of a test print, the test print is performed from the standby state, so that the print state is entered.
[0096]
FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram showing a main part related to the fifth embodiment.
[0097]
The door switch 50 is open when the door is open and shorted when the door is closed. One of the door switches 50 is connected to GND, and the other is connected to the pull-up resistor 51 and the input port (IN3) of the MPU 26a. Therefore, the MPU 26a determines that the door is closed when the input port (IN3) is L, and the door is open when the input port (IN3) is H.
[0098]
The test print switch 52 is normally open, and is shorted when the user presses the test print switch 52. One of the test print switches 52 is connected to GND, and the other is connected to the pull-up resistor 53 and the input port (IN4) of the MPU 26a. Therefore, the MPU 26a determines that there is a test print request when the input port (IIN4) is L, and determines that there is no request when the input port (IIN4) is H.
[0099]
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The difference between the sixth embodiment and the first embodiment is that the soft reset by the CPRDY signal is not accepted in the sleep state.
[0100]
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the CPRDY signal and the printer status in the sixth embodiment.
[0101]
In the sleep level 0 state and the sleep level 1 state, the sleep state is maintained regardless of whether the CPRDY state is TRUE (H) or FALSE (L). When the video controller 27 sets CPRDY to TURE (H), transmits a wakeup designation command, and after the printer state transitions to the standby state, if CPRDY is set to FALSE (L), the engine controller 26 is reset, The printer is initialized.
[0102]
Therefore, when the printer is in the sleep state, even if CPRDY becomes FALSE due to the energy saving control of the video controller 27 (such as stopping one part of the power supply in the video controller), the engine controller 26 is not reset and the sleep state is changed. Will continue.
[0103]
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. The difference between the seventh embodiment and the first embodiment is that the time from the sleep designation command transmission to the transition to the sleep state and the time from the sleep state to the automatic wakeup can be set. Is a point.
[0104]
FIG. 19 is a state transition diagram showing state transitions related to sleep control in the seventh embodiment.
[0105]
As shown in the figure, when a sleep designation command is received from the standby state, after a delay time specified by a sleep-in delay time command to be described later, a transition is made to the sleep state designated by the sleep mode designation command.
[0106]
On the other hand, from the sleep state, a transition is made to the standby state by the elapse of a sleep time designated by a wake-up designation command or a sleep time designation command (to be described later).
[0107]
Next, a sleep-in delay time designation method and a sleep time designation method will be described.
[0108]
FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing commands related to sleep control in the seventh embodiment.
[0109]
The sleep-in delay time designation is performed by a sleep-in delay time designation command which is a 2-byte command similar to the sleep mode designation command. The first byte of the sleep-in delay time designation command is 83H, and the second byte is configured as shown in FIG. The binary number of 2 bits from 2nd bit to 7th bit of 6 bits indicates time, and 1 bit is 10 minutes.
[0110]
That is, if 000110 (B) is used, the delay time can be specified as 60 minutes in 6 × 10 minutes.
[0111]
On the other hand, the sleep-in time designation is similarly performed by a sleep time designation command which is a 2-byte command. The first byte of the sleep time designation command is 85H, and the second byte is configured as shown in FIG. The binary number of 2 bits from 2nd bit to 7th bit of 6 bits indicates time, and 1 bit is 10 minutes.
[0112]
For example, if it is 001000 (B), the sleep time can be specified as 80 minutes in 8 × 10 minutes.
[0113]
According to the above configuration, the video controller 27 can reduce time management processing related to sleep control.
[0114]
Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The difference between the eighth embodiment and the seventh embodiment is that the sleep-in delay time designation command and the sleep time designation command are integrated.
[0115]
FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing commands related to sleep control in the eighth embodiment.
[0116]
The sleep-in delay time designation and the sleep time designation are performed by a sleep-in delay time designation / sleep time designation command which is a 2-byte command. The first byte of the command is 83H, and the second byte has the configuration shown in FIG. A binary number of 2 bits from 2nd bit to 4th bit of 3 bits indicates a sleep-in delay time, and a binary number of 5 bits to 7th bit of 3 bits indicates a sleep time. And 1 bit is 30 minutes.
[0117]
For example, when 010100 (B) is set, the delay time can be specified as 2 hours at 4 × 30 minutes, and the sleep time can be specified as 4 hours at 8 × 30 minutes.
[0118]
As a result, both the sleep-in delay time and the sleep time can be specified with one command, and the command configuration and its exchange can be simplified.
[0119]
Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiments, the configuration of the laser beam printer is the same as that shown in FIG. The basic operation outline is also the same as that described with reference to FIGS.
[0120]
FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the video interface 28 shown in FIG.
[0121]
In the figure, RESET is a reset signal that causes the video controller 27 to reset the engine controller 26 in hardware. Others are the same as those shown in FIG.
[0122]
Next, energy saving control, that is, sleep control in the present embodiment will be described.
[0123]
The printer 1 enters a standby state or a sleep state except for an abnormal state such as the occurrence of a failure except during a printing operation.
[0124]
The standby state is a state in which if there is a print request, the printer can immediately enter the print state. Specifically, the temperature of the fixing device 9 is controlled to a temperature lower than the temperature during the printing operation (for example, the fixing device temperature during standby is 150 ° C. with respect to the fixing device temperature during printing is 190 ° C.), and the video controller. The cooling fan 29 is driven for cooling the same.
[0125]
On the other hand, the sleep state is a state in which power consumption is reduced as compared with the standby state. The sleep state has three levels, sleep level 0, sleep level 1, and sleep level 2. At level 0, the energization of the fixing device 9 is stopped, and at level 1, the energization of the fixing device 9 is stopped. In addition, the driving of the cooling fan 29 is stopped. At level 2, in addition to level 1, the clock of the MPU 26a in the engine controller is stopped. The transition from the standby state to the sleep state is performed based on a command sent from the video controller 27 to the engine controller 26 via the video interface 28.
[0126]
Next, FIG. 26 is a state transition diagram showing state transitions related to the sleep control of the main body 1.
[0127]
As shown in the figure, transition from the standby state to the sleep level 0 state is made by the designation of the sleep level 0 by the sleep designation command and the sleep mode designation command.
[0128]
In addition, when the sleep level 1 is designated by the sleep designation command and the sleep mode designation command, the standby state is changed to the sleep level 1 state.
[0129]
Further, transition from the standby state to the sleep level 2 state is made by the designation of the sleep level 2 by the sleep designation command and the sleep mode designation command.
[0130]
Then, transition is made from the sleep states of level 0 and level 1 to the standby state by a wakeup designation command.
[0131]
From the level 2 sleep state, by performing a hardware reset, an initial reset is performed and a transition is made to the standby state.
[0132]
In the commands related to sleep control as described above, as shown in FIG. 7 described above, the hexadecimal code 45H is assigned to sleep designation and 46H is assigned to wakeup designation.
[0133]
The sleep mode designation has a 2-byte command structure. Then, the video controller 27 transmits a command code 80H at the first byte, and then transmits a predetermined command code at the second byte to designate the sleep level.
[0134]
The bit configuration of the second byte of the sleep mode designation command is as shown in FIG.
[0135]
This command designates the sleep level with a code of 3 bits (5th to 7th) of 8 bits.
[0136]
FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the sleep level code and the processing content in this embodiment. A code 000 in the figure designates sleep level 0, that is, energization stop of the fixing device. The code 001 designates sleep level 1, that is, energization stop of the fixing device and cooling fan drive stop. The code 010 designates the sleep level 2, that is, the clock stop of the MPU 25a. The codes 011 to 111 are not used.
[0137]
FIG. 28 is a circuit diagram showing a halogen heater drive circuit for adjusting the temperature of the fixing device 9 shown in FIG. 1 and a drive circuit for the cooling fan 29.
[0138]
Basically, it is the same as that shown in FIG. 10 of the first embodiment, but in this embodiment, for example, NEC's μPD78214 or the like is used as the MPU 26a. RESET_*Terminal (subscript * indicates negative logic).
[0139]
Next, the sleep mode 2 will be described in detail.
[0140]
The sleep modes 0 and 1 are performed in response to an instruction from the MPU 26a, and the MPU 26a continues to operate during sleep, whereas in the sleep mode 2, the MPU 26a itself does not operate. When entering the sleep mode 2, the MPU 26a stops the oscillator and stops the entire operation.
[0141]
The MPU 26a can have ultra-low power consumption with only a leakage current. This is called MPU stop mode.
[0142]
FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control portion of the clock oscillation circuit of the MPU 26a. Hereinafter, the internal operation of the MPU 26a will be described with reference to FIG.
[0143]
When the MPU 26a receives the instruction of the sleep mode 2, after the level 2 sleep mode processing such as the energization stop of the fixing device 9 and the fan 29 is stopped, the PPRDY of the interface signal 28 is set to FALSE, and then through the internal bus. Bit 1 of the standby control register STBC61 is set. Then, the stop flip-flop 62 is set, and the operation of the system clock oscillator 64 that generates a clock using the crystal oscillator 63 is stopped.
[0144]
When the oscillator 64 stops, the frequency divider 65 that divides the output also stops, the clock supplied to the MPU 26a stops, and the entire MPU 26a stops. This will enter stop mode.
[0145]
In order to start (wake up) from this stop mode, it must be started in hardware. This activation can be performed by a non-maskable interrupt NMI or a reset signal. In the ninth embodiment, a method using a reset signal will be described.
[0146]
Of the interface signal 28 in FIG._*When input to the terminal, the stop flip-flop 62 is reset through the inverter 66 and the OR circuit 67 of FIG. 29, the system clock oscillator 64 is activated, and the MPU 26a is activated.
[0147]
The MPU 26a is reset upon activation and performs initialization processing such as memory clear and port initialization. Whether the command code 46H wakeup designation or the reset signal is used for activation from the sleep state is stored in accordance with the sleep mode designated by the video controller 27.
[0148]
Alternatively, if the PPRDY signal is FALSE, the video controller 27 may output a reset signal.
[0149]
Next, a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0150]
In the tenth embodiment, an activation method different from the ninth embodiment will be described. That is, in the ninth embodiment, the RESET of the MPU 26a_*Since the RESET signal is input to the terminal, the initialization operation is started simultaneously with the activation from the sleep mode, and the memory is also cleared.
[0151]
For this reason, after the activation, after the PPRDY signal of the interface signal 28 becomes TRUE, the video controller 27 needs to perform all communication procedures again from the beginning.
[0152]
Therefore, in the tenth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 30, a RESET signal for activation is input to the non-maskable interrupt terminal NMI of the MPU 26a.
[0153]
In this case, the MPU 26a starts without being reset. Then, immediately after startup, the engine controller 26 is set to the standby state, and the PPRDY signal of the interface signal 28 is set to TRUE.
[0154]
Thus, the video controller 27 does not need to perform an initial procedure for starting communication with the printer, and the data in the memory of the MPU 26a is also saved, so that it is not necessary to retransmit the data before sleep.
[0155]
In this case, the RESET signal has no reset function, so it is more appropriate to call it a WAKEUP signal.
[0156]
Next, an eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0157]
FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram showing state transitions related to sleep control in which the level can be changed during sleep.
[0158]
When the printer is at sleep level 0 or 1, when the video controller 27 transmits a sleep mode designation command to the engine controller 26, if the sleep level 2 is designated and transmitted, the printer transits to the sleep level 2 state.
[0159]
Further, when the sleep level is 0, if the sleep level 1 is specified, a transition is made to the sleep level 1, and when the sleep level is 1 when the sleep level 0 is specified, the transition is made to the sleep level 0.
[0160]
However, when the sleep level 2 is entered, the MPU 26a does not operate, so the sleep level cannot be changed by a command, and the RESET signal input is changed to the RESET signal input to the MPU 26a._*The signal is input to the terminal or the NMI terminal to return to the standby state.
[0161]
Since the wakeup designation command and the sleep designation command can be omitted when changing the sleep level, the processing load is reduced.
[0162]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, since the communication unit is provided with a function capable of specifying a mode from the video control unit with respect to a plurality of levels of sleep modes in the recording control unit, various use states of the printer, for example, use frequency, There is an effect that the optimum energy saving control is possible for the reduction of the economic burden due to the power consumption.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a laser printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a video interface of the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing serial communication in the video interface of the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the printing operation of the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the printing operation of the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a state transition diagram related to sleep control of the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a list of command codes related to sleep control according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a bit configuration of a sleep mode designation command in the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the sleep level code and the processing content of the first embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a portion related to fixing device control and cooling fan control of the first embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a state transition diagram related to sleep control according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a portion related to fixing device control, cooling fan control, and photosensor control in a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the sleep level code and the processing content of the third embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing detection timing of the photosensor in the third embodiment.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a bit configuration of a sleep mode designation command according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a state transition diagram related to sleep control according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram showing a main part related to the fifth embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a timing chart showing the relationship between CPRDY and the printer status in the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a state transition diagram related to sleep control according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a list of command codes related to sleep control according to the seventh embodiment.
FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a bit configuration of a sleep-in delay time designation command in the seventh embodiment.
FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a bit configuration of a sleep time designation command in the seventh embodiment.
FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a list of command codes related to sleep control according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing a bit configuration of a sleep-in delay time designation / sleep time designation command in the eighth embodiment.
FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing a video interface according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 26 is a state transition diagram related to sleep control of the ninth embodiment.
FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the sleep level code and the processing content of the ninth embodiment.
FIG. 28 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a portion related to fixing device control and cooling fan control of the ninth embodiment.
FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control part of the clock oscillation circuit of the MPU of the ninth embodiment.
FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control part of an MPU clock oscillation circuit according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 31 is a state transition diagram related to sleep control according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Laser printer,
9 ... Fixer,
26 ... Engine controller,
26a ... MPU,
27 ... Video controller,
28 ... Video interface,
29 ... Cooling fan.

Claims (6)

Image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on the image signal generated by the image signal generating unit that generates the image signal;
Fixing means for thermally fixing an image formed on a recording medium;
Cooling means for cooling the inside of the image recording apparatus;
In the first energy saving mode, the cooling is performed based on a designation command for designating one energy saving mode from a plurality of energy saving modes including the first energy saving mode and the second energy saving mode output from the image signal generation unit. Control means for energizing the means and de-energizing the heat fixing means, and in the second energy-saving mode, controlling means for controlling the cooling means and the heat fixing means to be non-energized;
An image recording apparatus comprising: In claim 1,
The image recording apparatus further comprises a third energy saving mode for stopping the clock of the MPU for controlling the image recording apparatus. In claim 1 or claim 2,
The image recording apparatus further includes the image signal generation unit. In any one of Claims 1-3 ,
The control means makes a transition to a newly designated energy saving mode when a designation command for designating an energy saving mode different from the currently executed energy saving mode is output from the image signal generation unit. Image recording device. In any one of Claims 1-4 ,
And a standby mode capable of immediately starting a printing operation in response to a print request from the image signal generating unit. In any one of Claims 1-5 ,
An image recording apparatus, wherein a printing operation started in response to a print request from the image signal generation unit includes a paper feeding operation.

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