JP3800035B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus represented by a facsimile machine with a copying function (hereinafter referred to as a multifunction machine), and more particularly to an image processing apparatus having a power saving function in an energy saving mode (hereinafter referred to as an energy saving mode). .
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, in order to save energy, multi-function devices have been installed in the reading unit or recording unit when various operations have not been performed and the power-saving key has been operated without performing various operations. It has a power-saving function that reduces or cuts off power supply to reduce power consumption, so-called energy saving mode. Also, in order to impress the user that even when shifting to the energy saving mode, the user can intuitively and quickly return to the normal mode, there is also a multifunction device that maintains the power supply to the display unit and displays the operation state on the display unit. is there.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the multifunction device detects various errors of the multifunction device, such as a jam sensor that detects whether or not a jam has occurred in the document or recording paper conveyance path, and a presence sensor that detects the presence or absence of recording paper or toner. It has. In order to further reduce power consumption during the energy saving mode, it is preferable that the power supply to these various sensors be cut off.
[0004]
Here, in such a configuration in which the power supply to various sensors is also cut off during such an energy saving mode, a jam occurs in the document transport path before shifting to the energy saving mode, and the energy is saved before the jam is released. Assume that the mode has been changed. In such a case, before the shift to the energy saving mode, based on the detection signal from the document jam sensor, the display unit displays that a document jam has occurred. When a predetermined time elapses in this state and the mode is shifted to the energy saving mode, the power supply to the original jam sensor is cut off.
[0005]
As a result, when the power supply to the original jam sensor is cut off, no detection signal is output from the original jam sensor. Therefore, during the energy saving mode, even if the power supply to the display unit is maintained, the display unit does not display that a document jam has occurred even though the document jam has not been released.
[0006]
The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of displaying an error even when the power saving function is in operation. is there.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the invention according to claim 1, an error detection means for detecting an error, a storage means for storing an error detected by the error detection means, a display means for displaying an error, A recovery detection means for detecting the start of error recovery work during operation of the power saving function, and an error stored in the storage means is displayed on the display means during operation of the power saving function, and based on a detection signal from the recovery detection means Control means for canceling the operation of the power saving function, and the control means cuts off the supply of power to the error detection means during the operation of the power saving function.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which an image processing apparatus according to the present invention is embodied in a multifunction machine will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0010]
As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 1 includes an MPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a reading unit 14, a recording unit 15, an operation unit 16, a display unit 17, an image memory 18, a codec 19, a modem 20, and an NCU (network control circuit). 21, and each unit 11 to 21 is connected via a bus 22. The multi-function device 1 includes a document jam sensor 31, a recording paper jam sensor 32, a recording paper presence sensor 33, a toner presence sensor 34, a document jam opening / closing sensor 41, a recording paper jam opening / closing sensor 42, a cassette opening / closing sensor 43, A toner open / close sensor 44, an FBS open / close sensor 45, a document presence / absence sensor 46, and a power supply circuit 50 are provided.
[0011]
The MPU 11 controls each unit constituting the multifunction machine 1. The ROM 12 stores a program for controlling the multifunction machine 1. The RAM 13 temporarily stores various information related to the multifunction device 1, specifically, errors of the multifunction device 1.
[0012]
The reading unit 14 includes a flatbed scanner (FBS) that reads a stationary document placed on a document placing plate and an automatic document reading unit (ADF) that reads a document placed on a document table while feeding the document. Is read line by line. Then, the image data of the read image is binarized in black and white, and the binarized image data for one line is sequentially output to the codec 19.
[0013]
The recording unit 15 is composed of an electrophotographic printer, and records the received image data on the recording paper in the FAX operation and the image data read by the reading unit 14 in the copying operation.
[0014]
The operation unit 16 includes a power saving key 16a for shifting from the normal mode to the energy saving mode, a FAX / copy key for setting the FAX mode or the copy mode, a numeric keypad (*, #) for inputting a telephone number or the number of copies, and the like. Various operation keys such as a start key for starting a document reading operation.
[0015]
A display unit 17 composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) displays various types of information indicating the operation state of the multifunction device 1.
The image memory 18 temporarily stores image data read by the reading unit 14 and encoded by the codec 19 and received image data. The codec 19 compresses and encodes the image data input from the reading unit 14 by the MH, MR, MMR, JBIG method, or the like. The codec 19 decodes (decodes) the image data read from the image memory 18.
[0016]
The modem 20 is an ITU (International Telecommunication Union) -T recommendation T.30. 30 based on the facsimile transmission control procedure according to 17, V. 27ter, V.L. The transmission data is modulated and the received data is demodulated in accordance with 29. The NCU 21 closes and opens the telephone line L, and has a function of transmitting a dial signal corresponding to the telephone number of the other party and a function of detecting an incoming call.
[0017]
The original jam sensor 31 determines whether or not a jam has occurred in the conveyance path of the original placed on the original table. The recording paper jam sensor 32 determines whether or not a jam occurs in the conveyance path of the recording paper contained in the recording paper cassette. Whether it has occurred or not is detected. The recording paper presence / absence sensor 33 detects the presence / absence of recording paper contained in the recording paper cassette, and the toner presence / absence sensor 34 detects the presence / absence of toner contained in the toner case or toner cartridge. In other words, the original jam sensor 31 to the toner presence / absence sensor 34 detect an error in the reading unit 14 or the recording unit 15, specifically, an original or recording paper jam, a recording paper or an out-of-toner error.
[0018]
The document jam open / close sensor 41 detects the open / closed state of an ADF cover that opens and closes to release a jam when a jam occurs on the transport path of the document placed on the document table. The recording paper jam open / close sensor 42 detects the open / closed state of the recording paper jam release cover that opens and closes to release the jam when a jam occurs in the transport path of the recording paper stored in the recording paper cassette. . The cassette open / close sensor 43 detects the open / close state of the recording paper cassette that opens and closes to replenish the recording paper when the recording paper runs out.
[0019]
The toner open / close sensor 44 detects an open / close state of a toner replenishment cover that opens and closes to replenish toner in the toner case or replace a toner cartridge when the toner runs out. The FBS open / close sensor 45 detects the open / closed state of the FBS cover that opens and closes to place the document on the document placing plate when the document is read by the FBS. The document presence sensor 46 detects the presence or absence of a document on the document table. In other words, the document jam open / close sensor 41 to the FBS open / close sensor 45 detect the error recovery start of the reading unit 14 or the recording unit 15, and the document presence / absence sensor 46 detects the start of use of the multifunction device 1.
[0020]
As indicated by a broken line in FIG. 1, the power supply circuit 50 constantly supplies power to the units 11 to 13 and 16 to 21 and the various sensors 41 to 46 regardless of the normal mode or the energy saving mode. Further, as indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 1, the power supply circuit 50 supplies power to the reading unit 14, the recording unit 15, and the various sensors 31 to 34 in the normal mode and the power supply in the energy saving mode. Cut off.
[0021]
Next, in the multi function device 1, when an error occurs in the reading unit 14 or the recording unit 15 before shifting to the energy saving mode, and when the error is restored, the normal mode is shifted to the energy saving mode and the energy saving is performed. The operation when returning from the mode to the normal mode will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This operation is executed under the control of the MPU 11 based on a program stored in the ROM 12.
[0022]
Now, when an error occurs in the reading unit 14 or the recording unit 15 during the operation in the normal mode, that is, jamming of the original or recording paper, recording paper or toner runs out,
In step S1 shown in FIG. 2, based on detection signals from the original jam sensor 31 to the toner presence / absence sensor 34, the display unit 17 indicates that an error of an original or recording paper jam, recording paper or toner out has occurred. indicate.
[0023]
In step S2, the normal mode is maintained until the transition condition from the normal mode to the energy saving mode is satisfied. If the conditions for shifting to the energy saving mode are satisfied, the process proceeds to step S3. Specifically, in a state where an error has occurred, when a predetermined time has elapsed without performing various operations, or when the power saving key 16a has been operated before the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S3.
[0024]
In step S <b> 3, based on detection signals from the original jam sensor 31 to the toner presence / absence sensor 34, an error of an original or recording paper jam, recording paper or toner out is stored in the RAM 13.
[0025]
In step S4, the normal mode is shifted to the energy saving mode. Specifically, as indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 1, power supply from the power supply circuit 50 to the reading unit 14, the recording unit 15, and the original jam sensor 31 to the toner presence / absence sensor 34 is cut off. As a result, based on the fact that the power supply to the original jam sensor 31 to the toner presence / absence sensor 34 is cut off, no detection signal is output from the various sensors 31 to 34 to the MPU 11. Therefore, during the energy saving mode, based on the error stored in the RAM 13 in the step S3, the display unit 17 displays that a document or recording paper jam, recording paper or toner out error has occurred.
[0026]
In step S5, the energy saving mode is maintained until a factor for returning from the energy saving mode to the normal mode occurs. If a factor for returning to the normal mode occurs, the process proceeds to step S6. Specifically, when the ADF cover or the like is opened or when a document is placed on the document table, the process proceeds to step S6 based on detection signals from the document jam open / close sensor 41 to the document presence / absence sensor 46. To do. Further, when the NCU 21 detects a FAX incoming call and records received image data, or when a key is input from the operation unit 16, the process proceeds to step S6.
[0027]
In step S6, the energy saving mode is canceled and the normal mode is restored.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following operations and effects can be obtained.
[0028]
(1) Even if an error occurs in the reading unit 14 or the recording unit 15 before shifting to the energy saving mode and the error saving mode is restored before the error is restored, those errors are shifted to the energy saving mode. It is stored in the RAM 13 before. Therefore, during operation in the energy saving mode, based on the error stored in the RAM 13, the fact that a document or recording paper jam, recording paper or toner out error has occurred is displayed on the display unit 17. Therefore, an error can be displayed on the display unit 17 even when the power saving function in the energy saving mode is in operation.
[0029]
(2) In addition, during operation in the energy saving mode, based on the error stored in the RAM 13, a message indicating that a document or recording paper jam, recording paper or toner out error has occurred is displayed on the display unit 17. ing. Therefore, it is not necessary to output a detection signal from the original jam sensor 31 to the toner presence / absence sensor 34 to the MPU 11 during the energy saving mode operation. As a result, the supply of power to the document jam sensor 31 to the toner presence / absence sensor 34 for detecting an error in the reading unit 14 or the recording unit 15, specifically, an error of a document or recording sheet, an error of recording sheet or toner, is cut off can do. Therefore, power consumption can be further suppressed during the operation in the energy saving mode.
[0030]
(3) Even when the energy saving mode is in operation, the document jam open / close sensor 41 to FBS open / close sensor 45 that detects the error recovery start of the reading unit 14 or the recording unit 15 and the start of use of the multifunction device 1 are detected. The document presence / absence sensor 46 is supplied with power. For example, when an original jam occurs and the ADF cover is opened to release the jam, the energy saving mode is canceled based on the detection signal from the original jam open / close sensor 41, and the normal mode is set. Has returned to. In other words, when the jam is released when the ADF cover is opened, it can be determined that the original that has not been normally read due to the jam is read again. In view of this, it is possible to raise the temperature of the heat fixing device provided in the recording unit 15 to the fixing temperature by using the time during which the user releases the jam. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time required to return to the normal mode and become operable. That is, when the original is reread and copied, the time until the first copy is completed can be shortened.
[0031]
(4) Unlike the configuration of the present embodiment, in the configuration in which the power supply to the display unit 17 is interrupted during the operation in the energy saving mode, for example, when a recording paper out error is displayed on the display unit 17 simultaneously with the completion of copying Is assumed. In such a case, for example, when the power saving key 16a is operated, the mode shifts to the energy saving mode, and the error message indicating that the recording paper is out is deleted from the display unit 17. Therefore, when a third party starts using the multifunction device 1, the third party must replenish the recording paper. However, in the present embodiment, for example, even if the power saving key 16a is operated to shift to the energy saving mode, the error message indicating that the recording paper has run out is still displayed on the display unit 17. Therefore, when the recording paper runs out at the same time as the completion of copying, the user who executed the copying can recognize the necessity of replenishing the recording paper.
[0032]
In addition, the said embodiment can also be changed and actualized as follows.
As shown in FIG. 3, latch circuits L1 to L4 are provided between the document jam sensor 31 to the toner presence / absence sensor 34 and the MPU 11 as shown in FIG. The detection signals of the jam sensor 31 to the toner presence / absence sensor 34 may be held (latched). The configuration is the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 except that the latch circuits L1 to L4 are provided. With this configuration, the detection signals of the original jam sensor 31 to the toner presence / absence sensor 34 are held by the latch circuits L1 to L4. For this reason, during the energy saving mode, a document or recording paper jam, recording paper or toner out error occurs based on the detection signals of the document jam sensor 31 to the toner presence / absence sensor 34 held by the latch circuits L1 to L4. This can be displayed on the display unit 17.
[0033]
The present embodiment may be embodied in a copier, an ADF type scanner, or a printer.
Furthermore, the technical idea grasped from the above embodiment will be described below together with the effects thereof.
[0034]
[1] includes a use detection means for detecting a start use, the control means based on a detection signal from the use detector means, cancel the operation of the power saving function. With this configuration, it is possible to shorten the time required to return to the normal function and become operable.
[0035]
[2] Error detection means that detect at least one of the error recording means for recording the reading means and the image data reading a document on a recording sheet. With this configuration, it is possible to display an error of the reading unit or the recording unit even when the power saving function is in operation.
[0036]
[3] Symbol憶means, Ru latch circuit der for holding the detection signal of the error detecting means. With this configuration, an error can be displayed even when the power saving function is in operation.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, there exist the following effects.
According to the invention described in each claim, even power-saving function even during operation, it is possible to display an error.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation when shifting from the normal mode to the energy saving mode and when returning from the energy saving mode to the normal mode.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a multifunction machine according to another embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... MFP as image processing apparatus, 11 ... MPU constituting control means, 12 ... ROM constituting control means, 13 ... RAM constituting control means and storage means, 14 ... Reading unit as reading means, 15 ... Recording section as recording means, 17 ... Display section as display means, 31 ... Original jam sensor as error detection means, 32 ... Recording paper jam sensor as error detection means, 33 ... Presence / absence of recording paper as error detection means Sensors 34... Toner presence sensor as error detection means 41. Document jam open / close sensor as recovery detection means 42. Recording paper jam open / close sensor as recovery detection means 43. Cassette open / close sensor as recovery detection means Sensors 44... Toner open / close sensor as recovery detection means 45. FBS open and close sensors as recovery detection means 46. Document sensor as the detection means, the latch circuit as L1 to L4 ... storage means.

Claims (1)

Error detection means for detecting an error, storage means for storing the error detected by the error detection means, display means for displaying the error, and recovery detection means for detecting the start of error recovery work during operation of the power saving function And an error stored in the storage means on the display means during operation of the power saving function, and a control means for canceling the operation of the power saving function based on the detection signal from the recovery detection means,
The control means is an image processing apparatus that cuts off power supply to the error detection means during operation of the power saving function.

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