JP3880224B2 - Printer and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to shortening the warm-up time in an electrophotographic printer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an electrophotographic printer, it is necessary to fix toner transferred onto a transfer material such as paper. This fixing is generally performed by heating and pressing the transfer material and the toner image formed thereon by a fixing device having a roller. In order to obtain a good image, the temperature at the time of fixing is important. Therefore, in the fixing device, temperature control of a roller or the like is performed. This temperature control was performed as shown in FIG. In other words, the heating lamp of the fixing device is turned on, heating is started, and the process waits until the target temperature is reached. When the target temperature is reached, printing is performed at a constant speed. After printing is completed, the lamp is turned on / off while monitoring the temperature, so that the optimum temperature is maintained so that printing can be started immediately at any time. Although not depicted in FIG. 22, after this, when a certain time has passed without printing, the fixing device is turned off to save power.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional temperature control has a problem that it takes a long time to start printing the first sheet because it takes time to raise the temperature of the fixing device to the target temperature. If the temperature of the fixing device in the standby state is increased, the time until the start of printing can be shortened, but the power consumption cannot be reduced much.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a printer and a control method therefor that achieve both a reduction in waiting time at the start of printing and a reduction in power consumption.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  Of the printer according to the invention.controlThe method has a function of shifting to a standby state in which power consumption is lower than that in the normal state when the time during which the print processing is not performed in a normal state where the print processing can be performed exceeds a separately set transition time. In the printer control method provided,
  After the power is turned on, the normal state is set, and the transition time when the normal state is changed to the standby state for the first time is changed from the standby state to the normal state, and then from the normal state to the standby state. It is characterized in that it is set longer than the transition time at the time of transition.
[0006]
  The printer according to the present invention is
An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet that can be in a normal state in which printing can be performed and a standby state that consumes less power than the normal state, and has not been in the standby state even once the power is turned on An information holding means for holding information on whether or not it is in the initial state, and a transition time until the transition to the standby state after printing is completed, but the transition time in the initial state is not the transition in the initial state A transition time setting means for setting a time longer than the time, and a control for shifting the printer from the normal state to the standby state when the transition time set by the transition time setting means has elapsed after the end of printing. Means and
It is characterized by having.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0022]
Embodiment 1 FIG.
In the first embodiment, when a state in which printing has not been performed for a predetermined time (transition time) in the normal state continues, the length of the transition time in a printer having a function of shifting to a standby state. Is appropriately changed. Specifically, the transition time (initial transition time) when shifting to the standby state for the first time after power-on is longer than the transition time (normal transition time) when the printer is already in the standby state immediately before the start of printing. is doing. In this specification, the “normal state” refers to a state in which printing can be performed immediately, more specifically, a state in which the temperature of the fixing device is maintained at a temperature at which fixing processing can be performed (fixing temperature). It is. On the other hand, in this specification, the “standby state” is a state in which printing cannot be performed immediately. More specifically, the temperature of the fixing device is lowered below the temperature required for the fixing process (fixing temperature). It is in a state.
[0023]
First, an outline of the basic configuration of the electrophotographic printer according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0024]
In the data reception / editing processing section 1, print data reception processing and editing processing are performed by a microprocessor executing predetermined software. The print data edited and expanded into bitmap data by the data reception / edit processing unit 1 is transferred from the data reception / edit processing unit 1 to the mechanism control unit 2 in accordance with a timing signal output from the mechanism control unit 2. The mechanism control unit 2 controls the printing operation based on various drive signals for operating the mechanism unit 3 and sensor signals input from the mechanism unit 3. For example, the print data is transferred to the print head as the printing paper travels.
[0025]
In the following, each part will be described in more detail.
[0026]
First, a detailed configuration of the data reception / edit processing unit 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 2, the data reception / edit processing unit 1 includes a microprocessor 11, a data bus 12, an address bus 13, a data RAM 14, a program ROM 15, a memory control circuit 16, an operation unit display unit 17, an operation unit control circuit 18, The engine interface circuit 19 and the network interface control circuit 20 are provided.
[0028]
The microprocessor 11 controls the entire data reception / editing processing unit 1. The microprocessor 11 has a function of performing control by accessing a data RAM 14 in which a control program stored in the program ROM 15 and various data are stored. When accessing these, an address is output through the address bus 13, and data corresponding to the address is input / output through the data bus 12.
[0029]
The memory control circuit 16 controls access to the data RAM 14 and the program ROM 15.
[0030]
The operation unit display unit 17 includes an operation unit that receives an instruction (for example, a paper size setting instruction, the number of printed sheets) from a user, and a display unit that displays desired information indicating the status of the printer. .
[0031]
The operation unit control circuit 18 controls the operation unit display unit 17 based on a display command from the microprocessor 11 to perform a desired display. In addition, an instruction from the user received by the operation unit display unit 17 is transmitted to the microprocessor 11.
[0032]
Under the control of the microprocessor 11, the engine interface circuit 19 outputs print data and an operation command to the mechanism unit 3 to the mechanism control unit 2, and further reads the operation state of the mechanism unit 3. .
[0033]
The network interface control circuit 20 is connected to a network such as Ether Net, and receives print data, transmits an apparatus status, and the like.
[0034]
Next, the detailed structure of the mechanism part 3 is demonstrated using FIG.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 3, the mechanism unit 3 includes a thermistor 21, a fixing device lamp 22, a heat roller 23, a lead contact 24, a backup roller 25, a fixing device motor 26, a drum unit 27, a drum motor 28, a writing start sensor 29, and a transfer roller. 30, a registration motor 31, a registration roller unit 32, a paper entrance sensor 33, a hopping motor 34, a hopping roller 35, a paper cassette 36, and the like.
[0036]
The hopping roller 35 is for peeling and transporting one sheet of paper set in the paper cassette 36 and is configured to be driven by a hopping motor 34.
[0037]
The sheet entrance sensor 33 is for detecting that the sheet peeled and conveyed by the hopping roller 35 has reached the registration position. The paper entrance sensor 33 outputs the detection result to the microprocessor 41 via a paper entrance sensor circuit 53 described later of the mechanism control unit 2.
[0038]
The registration roller unit 32 is for conveying paper, and is configured to be driven by a registration motor 31.
[0039]
The writing start sensor 29 is for detecting that the sheet conveyed by the registration roller unit 32 or the like has reached the writing position. The write start sensor 29 outputs the detection result to the microprocessor 41 via a write start sensor circuit 55 described later of the mechanism control unit 2.
[0040]
The drum unit 27 includes a photosensitive drum, an LED head 62 (see FIG. 4), a developing device, and the like, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum according to print data. At the same time, this is developed to form a toner image on the photosensitive drum. The drum unit 27 is driven by a drum motor 28.
[0041]
The transfer roller 30 is for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum onto the conveyed paper.
[0042]
The heat roller 23 and the backup roller 25 sandwich and convey the sheet on which the toner image is transferred, thereby heating and pressurizing the sheet, that is, the toner image transferred to the sheet, to form the toner image. It is to fix. The backup roller 25 and the heat roller 23 are rotationally driven by a fixing device motor 26 connected through a gear. Heat necessary for fixing is provided by heating the heat roller 23 by a fixing device lamp (halogen lamp) 22. The fixing device lamp 22 is supplied with electric power by a lead contact 24.
[0043]
The thermistor 21 detects the temperature of the heat roller 23. The thermistor 21 outputs the detection result to the thermistor detection circuit 57 (see FIG. 4).
[0044]
Next, a detailed configuration of the mechanism control unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0045]
As shown in FIG. 4, the mechanism control unit 2 includes a microprocessor 41, a program ROM 42, a data RAM 43, a drum motor drive circuit 44, a fuser motor drive circuit 46, a hopping motor drive circuit 48, a registration motor drive circuit 50, and a paper entrance sensor. A circuit 53, a writing start sensor circuit 55, a thermistor detection circuit 57, an engine interface circuit 58, a fixing device lamp ON / OFF circuit 59, a head data transfer circuit 61, an LED head 62, and the like are configured.
[0046]
A microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as “CPU”) 41 controls the entire mechanism control unit 2 and mechanism unit 3. The CPU 41 has a function of performing control by accessing a control program stored in the program ROM 42 and a data RAM 43 in which various data are stored. Examples of functions implemented by the CPU 41 and the like include various timer functions (fixing device temperature control timer, Tsv counter). Information stored in the data RAM 43 includes an initial transition time (count value Tqst), a normal transition time (count value Tq), and a power-on flag for holding the status of the printer. In addition to the control program, the information stored in the program ROM 42 includes the control target temperature of the heat roller of the fixing device. Details of these functions, flags, etc. will be described in the operation description.
[0047]
The drum motor drive circuit 44 generates a drive signal for the drum motor 28 that drives the drum unit 27 based on an instruction from the CPU 41.
[0048]
The fixing device motor drive circuit 46 generates a drive signal of the fixing device motor 26 for driving the fixing device (the heat roller 23, the backup roller 25, etc.) in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 41.
[0049]
The hopping motor drive circuit 48 generates a drive signal for the hopping motor 34 that drives the hopping roller 35 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 41.
[0050]
The registration motor drive circuit 50 generates a drive signal for the registration motor 31 that drives the registration roller unit 32 that once transports the sheet in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 41.
[0051]
The paper entrance sensor circuit 53 converts the signal from the paper entrance sensor 33 into a signal that can be processed by the CPU 41.
[0052]
The write start sensor circuit 55 converts the signal from the write start sensor 29 into a signal that can be processed by the CPU 41.
[0053]
The thermistor 21 detects the temperature of the heat roller 23 and is attached in contact with the heat roller 23 of the fixing device as described above. The thermistor 21 outputs an analog voltage corresponding to the detected temperature.
[0054]
The thermistor detection circuit 57 converts the analog voltage output from the thermistor 21 into a digital value by a built-in A / D (analog-digital conversion) circuit, and then outputs the digital value to the CPU 41. The thermistor detection circuit 57 is operated by a command from the CPU 41.
[0055]
The engine interface circuit 58 interfaces the print data and control commands for the mechanism unit 3 described above to the CPU 41.
[0056]
The fixing device lamp ON / OFF circuit 59 is for turning ON or OFF the AC 100V alternating current, which is the power source of the fixing device lamp 22. The fixing device lamp ON / OFF circuit 59 is controlled by the CPU 41 based on the detected temperature from the thermistor 21.
[0057]
The lead contacts 24 are in contact with sockets at both ends of the fixing device lamp 22 and supply AC 100 V that is ON / OFF controlled.
[0058]
The head data transfer circuit 61 sends raster image print data sent through the engine interface circuit 58 to the LED head 62 under CPU program control.
[0059]
The LED head 62 sets the raster image print data sent from the head data transfer circuit 61 in the LED element, and lights and extinguishes it according to the timing.
[0060]
Next, the operation of this electrophotographic printer will be described with reference to FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG.
[0061]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a main routine for program control. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a timer interrupt process for controlling the temperature of the fixing device.
[0062]
The printing process is controlled by a main routine (FIG. 5) executed by the CPU 41 of the mechanism control unit 2. Further, the temperature control of the fixing device (specifically, the heat roller 23) is performed by an interruption process (FIG. 6) by a fixing device temperature control timer activated in the main routine.
[0063]
First, the main routine will be described with reference to FIG.
[0064]
When the printer is turned on, the CPU 41 of the mechanism control unit 2 first performs an initialization process (step 102). During this initialization process, the CPU 41 sets a “power ON” flag indicating that the power has just been turned on. Thereafter, a count value (Tqst) corresponding to the initial transition time is set in the Tsv counter (step 104). On the other hand, if there is a print instruction when the power is already turned on and in the standby state, a count value (Tq) corresponding to the normal transition time is set in the Tsv counter (step 106). The Tsv counter is a timer for detecting whether the normal transition time or the initial transition time has elapsed. Here, the “initial transition time” is a transition time when the standby state has never been entered after the power is turned on (see FIG. 7A). On the other hand, the “normal transition time” is a transition time when the printing process is started in a state where the printer is already in a standby state (see FIG. 7B). The Tsv counter is set with a predetermined count value corresponding to the normal transition time or the initial transition time at the start of counting, and the value is decremented after the count starts.
[0065]
After setting the Tsv counter in step 104 or step 106, the CPU 41 turns on the fixing device lamp 22 to heat the fixing device (step 108). Specifically, the CPU 41 sends an instruction to the fixing device lamp ON / OFF circuit 59 to start / stop the power supply to the fixing device lamp 22 by the lead contact 24. Done.
[0066]
Thereafter, it is waited until the temperature of the fixing device reaches the control target temperature while confirming whether or not the fixing device has reached the control target temperature or more (step 110). Specifically, the temperature is confirmed by the CPU 41 confirming the detected temperature of the thermistor 21 input via the thermistor detection circuit 57.
[0067]
After the temperature of the fixing device reaches the target control temperature, in order to keep the temperature at the control target temperature, this temperature control is performed in an interruption process activated at regular intervals. Therefore, the CPU 41 sets a predetermined count value corresponding to this fixed time in the fixing device temperature control timer (step 112), and starts the count (step 114). When the count value of the fixing device temperature control timer becomes 0, fixing device temperature control timer interruption processing (FIG. 6) described later is executed. The fixing device temperature control timer interruption process (FIG. 6) is executed once in parallel with the main routine (FIG. 5). The Tsv counter is decremented while this interrupt process is being executed.
[0068]
Thereafter, the CPU 41 confirms whether or not print data to be printed is accumulated in the data reception / editing processing unit 1 (step 116). If the print data has been accumulated as a result of the confirmation, the process proceeds to step 118 and print processing is performed.
[0069]
After the printing process is completed, the CPU 41 confirms whether or not the power ON flag is set (step 120). When the power ON flag is set, that is, when printing is started immediately after the power is turned on, the process proceeds to step 122, and the count value (Tqst) corresponding to the initial transition time is set in the Tsv counter. On the other hand, when the power ON flag is not raised, that is, when printing is started from the standby state, the process proceeds to step 124, and the count value (Tq) corresponding to the normal transition time is set in the Tsv counter. As described above, if the printing interval is within the transition time (Tq, Tqst) to the standby state, the value of the Tsv counter is always reset every time printing is completed. Therefore, the count value of the Tsv counter does not become “0” during printing or when the printing interval is short. After step 122 or step 124, the process returns to step 116, and the print data check and Tsv counter check loops are repeated in the same manner.
[0070]
On the other hand, if the result of determination in step 116 is that print data has not been accumulated, processing proceeds to step 126. In step 126, the CPU 41 confirms whether or not the value of the Tsv counter is zero. If the value of the Tsv counter is not “0” as a result of the confirmation, the process returns to step 116, and the presence / absence of accumulated data is confirmed again. On the other hand, if the value of the Tsv counter is “0”, it is assumed that the normal transition time or the initial transition time has elapsed, the power ON flag is cleared (step 128), and the process shifts to the standby state. . In this standby state, the CPU 41 stops the temperature control of the fixing device and keeps the fixing device lamp 22 OFF, thereby suppressing power consumption.
[0071]
Next, the fixing device temperature control timer interruption process will be described with reference to FIG.
[0072]
This fixing device temperature control timer interruption process is for controlling the temperature of the fixing device (more specifically, the heat roller 23), and is counted by the fixing device temperature control timer activated in step 114 of FIG. It is repeatedly executed at regular time intervals.
[0073]
After starting the interrupt process, the CPU 41 first determines whether or not the temperature of the fixing device is equal to or lower than the control target temperature (step 132). As a result of the determination, if the temperature is equal to or lower than the control target temperature, the fixing device lamp 22 is turned on and heating of the fixing device is started (step 134), and then the processing proceeds to step 136. On the other hand, if the temperature is not lower than the control target temperature, the process proceeds directly to step 136.
[0074]
In step 136, the CPU 41 determines whether or not the temperature of the fixing device is equal to or higher than the control target temperature. As a result of the determination, if the temperature is equal to or higher than the control target temperature, the CPU 41 turns off the fixing device lamp 22 and stops heating the fixing device (step 138). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 140. On the other hand, if the temperature is not higher than the control target temperature, the process proceeds directly to step 140.
[0075]
In step 140, the CPU 41 sets a count value corresponding to the period until the next timer interruption in the fixing device temperature control timer.
[0076]
Thereafter, the CPU 41 checks whether or not the Tsv counter finishes counting and becomes “0” (step 142). If the value of the Tsv counter is not “0” as a result of this confirmation, the process proceeds to step 144, the contents of the Tsv counter are decremented (−1), and the interrupt process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is “0”, that is, if the normal transition time or the initial transition time has elapsed, the fixing device lamp 22 is turned off to shift to the standby state (step 146). Further, the fixing device temperature control timer is stopped (step 148), and this fixing device temperature control timer interruption process is terminated.
[0077]
As a result of the above processing (FIGS. 5 and 6), only after the power is turned on, as shown in FIG. 7A, after the end of printing, when the initial transition time (Tqst) elapses, the standby state is entered. . After that, as shown in FIG. 7B, after the end of printing, when the normal transition time (Tq) elapses, the state shifts to the standby state.
[0078]
As described above, in the printer of the first embodiment, the initial transition time is set longer than the normal transition time. In an office or the like, the printer is usually turned on at the start of work. Experience has shown that printing is frequently performed immediately after the power is turned on. Therefore, by increasing the initial transition time, it is possible to shorten the waiting time during printing and improve convenience. On the other hand, power consumption can be suppressed by keeping the normal transition time short. In other words, both the reduction of power consumption and the improvement of user convenience are achieved.
[0079]
Embodiment 2. FIG.
The printer according to the second embodiment is characterized in that the length of time (transition time) until the transition to the standby state after completion of printing is determined in accordance with the number of printed sheets within a predetermined time (reference time) in the past. To do. Specifically, the transition time is lengthened as the number of printed sheets within a predetermined time (reference time) increases.
[0080]
The printer according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the function realized by the CPU 41 of the mechanism control unit 2 executing the control program, particularly the function related to the control of the transition time to the standby state. . The functional configuration of each part other than this is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. Accordingly, the following description will be focused on differences from the first embodiment.
[0081]
The CPU 41 in the second embodiment controls the entire mechanism control unit 2 and mechanism unit 3. The CPU 41 has a function of performing control by accessing a control program stored in the program ROM 42 and a data RAM 43 in which various data are stored. Examples of functions implemented by the CPU 41 and the like include various timer functions (fixing device temperature control timer, Tsv counter, elapsed time measuring timer).
[0082]
Examples of information stored in the data RAM 43 include history information. This history information describes the printing end time (actually the elapsed time (hours, minutes, seconds) from when the printer is turned on until the printing process is completed) each time printing is completed. It was what I did. This history information is added every time printing for one sheet is newly completed, and is held for all the printing performed within the past predetermined time (reference time).
[0083]
In addition to the control program, the information stored in the program ROM 42 includes a control target temperature of the heat roller of the fixing device, a transition time table, and the like. This transition time table associates the total number of pages printed within the past reference time with the transition time. The contents of this transition time table are determined based on experiments. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, if the number of printed sheets within the reference time (here, the past 30 minutes) is 1, the transition time is 1 minute, and if it is 5 sheets or less, 5 minutes. If it is 6 or more, it is set to 15 minutes.
[0084]
Next, the operation of this electrophotographic printer will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0085]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a main routine for program control.
[0086]
The printing process is controlled by a main routine (FIG. 9) executed by the CPU 41 of the mechanism control unit 2. Further, the temperature control of the fixing device (specifically, the heat roller 23) is performed by an interruption process by a fixing device temperature control timer activated in the main routine. Since the fixing device temperature control timer interruption process in the second embodiment is the same as the interruption process (FIG. 6) in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0087]
The main routine will be described with reference to FIG.
[0088]
When the printer is turned on, the CPU 41 of the mechanism control unit 2 first performs an initialization process (step 162).
Subsequently, the elapsed time measurement timer is initialized and started. The elapsed time measuring timer measures an elapsed time (hour, minute, second) since the power was turned on. When the elapsed time measuring timer is started by the clock of the CPU 41, the elapsed time (hour, minute, second) is automatically counted until the printer is turned off (step 164). ). After the elapsed time measurement timer is started, the process proceeds to step 166. In this printer, various calculations described below, for example, update of history information, and the like are performed based on the count value of the elapsed time measurement timer, that is, the elapsed time since the power was turned on. However, for the sake of easy understanding, hereinafter, the elapsed time from the time of power-on which is obtained based on the count value of the elapsed time measurement timer is simply referred to as “time”.
[0089]
On the other hand, if there is a print instruction when the power is already turned on and in the standby state, the process proceeds directly to step 166.
[0090]
In step 166, the CPU 41 turns on the fixing device lamp 22 to heat the fixing device.
[0091]
Thereafter, it is waited until the temperature of the fixing device reaches the control target temperature while confirming whether or not the fixing device has reached the control target temperature or more (step 168).
[0092]
After the temperature of the fixing device reaches the target control temperature, in order to keep the temperature at the control target temperature, this temperature control is performed in an interruption process activated at regular intervals. Therefore, the CPU 41 sets a predetermined count value corresponding to this fixed time in the fixing device temperature control timer (step 170), and starts the count (step 172). When the count value of the fixing device temperature control timer becomes 0, fixing device temperature control timer interruption processing described later is executed. Once started, the fixing device temperature control timer interruption process in the second embodiment is executed in parallel with the main routine (FIG. 9).
[0093]
Thereafter, the CPU 41 confirms whether or not print data to be printed is accumulated in the data reception / editing processing unit 1 (step 174). If the print data has been accumulated as a result of the confirmation, the process proceeds to step 176 and print processing is performed.
[0094]
After the printing process is completed, the CPU 41 additionally describes the end time (hour, minute, second) of the printing performed at that time in the history information on the data RAM 43 (step 178).
[0095]
Thereafter, history information update processing (steps 178 to 186) described below is performed. That is, the CPU 41 obtains a time difference between the current time (hour, minute, second) and the print end time for each printing included in the history information (step 178). As described above, the “time” described here is an elapsed time from the time of turning on the power, which is actually counted by the elapsed time measurement timer.
[0096]
Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the time difference obtained for each printing is longer than the reference time (step 180). As a result of this determination, information whose time difference is longer than the reference time, that is, information older than the reference time is deleted from the history information (step 182). For example, if the history information at that time is as shown in FIG. 10 and the reference time is 30 minutes and the current time is 3:59:21, the information is 3: 23: 5. Will be deleted. Thereafter, the number of pieces of information described in the history information, that is, the total number N of pages printed within the past reference time is obtained (step 184). In the example of FIG. 10 shown above, the number of sheets printed within the past reference time is four. Thereafter, the transition time Tq at that time is determined by referring to the transition time table based on the obtained total number of pages N (step 186). In the example of FIG. 10, since the number of sheets printed within the reference time is four, the transition time is 5 minutes in the transition time table (FIG. 8) in the second embodiment.
[0097]
After the above update process (steps 178 to 186), a new transition time Tq is set in the Tsv counter. The Tsv counter in the second embodiment is for detecting that the transition time set at that time has elapsed with the elapsed time from the end of printing as a count.
[0098]
Thereafter, the process returns to step 174.
[0099]
On the other hand, if the result of determination in step 174 is that print data has not been accumulated, processing proceeds to step 190. In step 190, the CPU 41 confirms whether or not the value of the Tsv counter is zero. If the value of the Tsv counter is not “0” as a result of the confirmation, the process returns to step 174 to confirm again whether there is accumulated data.
[0100]
On the contrary, when the value of the Tsv counter is “0”, it is determined that the transition time has elapsed, and the state shifts to the standby state. In this standby state, the CPU 41 stops the temperature control of the fixing device and keeps the fixing device lamp 22 OFF, thereby suppressing power consumption.
[0101]
By the above processing, as shown in FIG. 11, the transition time is changed according to the number of printed sheets within a predetermined time (reference time) before the print end time. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the number of printed sheets in the past reference time is larger than the print end time, the transition time Tq is lengthened. On the contrary, as shown in FIG. However, if the number of printed sheets within the reference time is small, the transition time Tq is shortened. In FIG. 11, it is assumed that printing has not been performed before the time range illustrated in the drawing. In addition, it is assumed that the time range illustrated in the figure is a length that falls within the reference time.
[0102]
As described above, in the second embodiment, the transition time from the end of printing to the standby state is changed according to the number of printed sheets per predetermined time. Specifically, if the number of printed sheets per predetermined time is large, the transition time is lengthened. Conversely, if the number of printed sheets per unit time is small, the transition time is shortened. Thereby, the frequency of waiting for the start of printing due to the heating of the fixing device can be reduced. Furthermore, electric power can be saved as compared with the case where the fixing device is constantly heated.
[0103]
Embodiment 3 FIG.
The printer according to the third embodiment is characterized in that the time (shift time) until the transition to the standby state after the printing is completed is determined according to the communication amount per unit time in the network. Specifically, if the amount of communication per unit time is large, the transition time to the standby state is lengthened.
[0104]
These feature points are realized by the cooperation of the mechanism control unit 2 and the data reception / edit processing unit 1 (particularly, the network interface control circuit 20). That is, the network interface control circuit 20 detects the traffic on the network, and the CPU 41 of the mechanism control unit 2 sets the transition time according to the detection result, and the transition to the standby state is performed according to the set transition time. I have control. The functional configuration of each part other than this is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. Accordingly, the following description will be focused on differences from the first embodiment.
[0105]
The CPU 41 in the third embodiment controls the entire mechanism control unit 2 and mechanism unit 3. The CPU 41 has a function of performing control by accessing a control program stored in the program ROM 42 and a data RAM 43 in which various data are stored. The functions implemented by the CPU 41 and the like include, for example, a function for setting a transition time according to a separately detected network traffic k, and various timer functions (fixing device temperature control timer, Tsv counter). Details of these various functions will be described later in the operation description.
[0106]
Examples of information stored in the program ROM 42 include a control target temperature of the heat roller 23 of the fixing device, a network compatible transition time table, and the like in addition to the control program. This network correspondence transition time table associates the communication amount k in the network with the transition time. The contents of this network-compatible transition time table are determined based on experiments. In the network-compatible transition time table according to the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the transition time is 1 minute when the number of packets per 30 minutes is 1 or less, 2 minutes when the number of packets is 5 or less, 10 If the number is less than four, it is 4 minutes, if it is 15 or more, it is 8 minutes, and if it is 16 or more, it is 15 minutes.
[0107]
As shown in FIG. 13, the network interface control circuit 20 of the data reception / editing processing unit 1 according to the third embodiment includes a microprocessor 71, a program ROM 72, a data RAM 73, a LAN controller 74, a LAN drive / receive circuit 75, a received signal. A detection circuit 76 and a PRC interface circuit 77 are provided.
[0108]
The LAN drive / receive circuit 75 performs processing such as level conversion and impedance matching on the electrical signal from the network signal line. The LAN drive / receive circuit 75 includes a drive circuit for processing transmission signals and a receive circuit for processing reception signals. At the time of data reception, the receive circuit processes the received signal and outputs a signal to the LAN controller 74. On the other hand, at the time of transmission, the drive circuit is configured to send a signal after performing these processes to the network.
[0109]
The LAN controller 74 analyzes the received packet and detects its destination and the like. In addition, it has a function of converting data sent to the network generated by the microprocessor 71 or the microprocessor 11 (FIG. 2) into a packet in a transmission format.
[0110]
The reception signal detection circuit 76 is for detecting the traffic on the network. The received data that has been level-converted by the receive circuit in the LAN receive / drive circuit 75 includes data for its own address and data for other addresses, even when there is no data for its own address. Data for other addresses is included. Therefore, the reception signal detection circuit 76 detects the traffic of the network by monitoring this signal. The reception signal detection circuit 76 includes a register so that the number of received packets is integrated. Further, after the contents of the register are read by the microprocessor 71, the contents of the register are sequentially updated by clearing the contents of the register.
[0111]
The microprocessor 71 controls the entire network interface control circuit 20, and the microprocessor 71 executes a control program stored in the program ROM 72 and accesses various data stored in the data RAM 73. As a result, various control functions are realized. For example, the microprocessor 71 reads the register in the reception signal detection circuit 76 at regular time intervals to detect the network traffic per unit time, and the detected value (number of received packets) is PRC. A function of notifying the microprocessor 11 (FIG. 2) of the data reception / edit processing unit 1 through the interface circuit 77 is provided. The microprocessor 71 has a function of processing received data and transmitted data. That is, only the received data addressed to its own address among the received data output from the LAN controller 74 is read and temporarily stored in the data RAM 73. A function of sending data to the microprocessor 11 (see FIG. 2) of the data reception / edit processing unit 1 through the PRC interface circuit 77 in a predetermined unit is provided.
[0112]
Next, the operation of this printer will be described.
[0113]
The printing process is controlled by a main routine (FIG. 14) executed by the CPU 41 of the mechanism control unit 2. In the third embodiment, in this main routine, information related to the communication amount in the network is required, and this is detected by the network interface control circuit 20 of the data reception / edit processing unit 1. Further, the temperature control of the fixing device (specifically, the heat roller 23) is performed by an interruption process by a fixing device temperature control timer activated in this main routine. Here, processing by the main routine and communication amount detection processing will be described. Since the fixing device temperature control timer interruption process in the third embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment (FIG. 6), description thereof is omitted.
[0114]
First, the main routine executed by the CPU 41 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0115]
When the printer is turned on, the CPU 41 of the mechanism control unit 2 first performs initialization processing (step 232), and then turns on the fixing device lamp 22 (step 234). On the other hand, if there is a print instruction when the power is already turned on and in the standby state, the process proceeds directly to step 234, where the fixing device lamp 22 is turned on.
[0116]
Thereafter, the CPU 41 waits for the control target temperature to be reached while confirming whether or not the fixing device has reached the control target temperature or higher (step 236). After the temperature of the fixing device reaches the control target temperature, this temperature control is performed in an interrupt process activated every predetermined time in order to keep the temperature at the control target temperature. Therefore, the CPU 41 sets a predetermined count value corresponding to this fixed time in the fixing device temperature control timer (step 238), and starts the count (step 240). When the count value of the fixing device temperature control timer becomes 0, fixing device temperature control timer interruption processing described later is executed. Once the fixing device temperature control timer interruption process is started, it is executed in parallel with the main routine (FIG. 14). The Tsv counter is decremented while the interrupt process is being executed.
[0117]
Thereafter, the CPU 41 confirms whether or not print data to be printed is accumulated in the data reception / edit processing unit 1 (step 242). If the print data has been accumulated as a result of the confirmation, the process proceeds to step 244 and print processing is performed.
[0118]
Subsequently, the CPU 41 obtains the network traffic k per unit time from the data reception / edit processing unit 1 through the engine interface circuit 58 of the mechanism control unit 2 (step 246). A method of detecting the network traffic k will be described later with reference to FIG.
[0119]
The CPU 41 that has acquired the network traffic k determines the transition time Tq at that time by referring to the network-compatible transition time table based on the value (step 248). Further, a count value (Tq) corresponding to the transition time determined in this way is set in the Tsv counter (step 250). After step 250, the process returns to step 242 again.
[0120]
On the other hand, if the result of determination in step 242 is that print data has not been accumulated, processing proceeds to step 252. In step 252, the CPU 41 confirms whether or not the value of the Tsv counter is 0. If the value of the Tsv counter is not “0” as a result of the confirmation, the process returns to step 242 to confirm again whether there is accumulated data. On the other hand, if the value of the Tsv counter is “0”, the transition time set at that time has already passed, and the transition to the standby state is made. In this standby state, the CPU 41 stops the temperature control of the fixing device and keeps the fixing device lamp 22 OFF, thereby suppressing power consumption.
[0121]
Next, the operation for detecting the network traffic will be described with reference to FIG.
[0122]
The communication amount detection process is performed along with the data reception process. Data is received as follows. That is, the LAN drive / receive circuit 75 performs processing such as level conversion and impedance matching on the electrical signal from the signal line of the network, and outputs the received data after processing to the LAN controller 74. Then, the LAN controller 74 analyzes the received packet and detects its destination. Then, the microprocessor 71 reads the received data addressed to its own address and temporarily stores it in the data RAM 73. Then, the data is sent to the microprocessor 11 (see FIG. 2) of the data reception / edit processing unit 1 through the PRC interface circuit 77 in a certain unit.
[0123]
At this time, the reception signal detection circuit 76 monitors a signal output from the receive circuit in the LAN receive / drive circuit 75 to the LAN controller 74. As described above, this signal includes not only data for its own address but also data for other addresses. Therefore, by monitoring this signal, the network traffic can be known. Specifically, this monitoring is performed by the reception signal detection circuit 76 detecting the number of reception packets included in this signal and integrating the total in a register.
[0124]
The microprocessor 71 reads the register in the received signal detection circuit 76 at regular time intervals to detect the network traffic per unit time. The detected value is notified to the microprocessor 11 (FIG. 2) through the PRC interface circuit 77. Then, the microprocessor 11 notifies this value to the CPU 41 (FIG. 4) of the mechanism control unit 2 through the engine interface circuit 19 (FIG. 2). In this way, the CPU 41 acquires the communication amount k.
[0125]
Note that data is sent to the network as follows. That is, the LAN controller 74 assembles the transmission data generated by the microprocessor 71 or the microprocessor 11 (FIG. 2) into a transmission format packet. This is sent to the network after the drive circuit in the LAN drive / receive circuit 75 converts the level.
[0126]
With the above processing, the transition time to the standby state is changed according to the network traffic per unit time.
[0127]
As described above, in the printer of the third embodiment, the transition time until the standby state is changed is changed according to the network traffic per unit time. Specifically, the transition time is lengthened when the amount of communication is large, and conversely, the transition time is shortened when the amount of communication is small. When the network traffic is large, the probability of print data for the printer is also considered high. Therefore, in the printer of the third embodiment, it can be expected that the average time from data arrival to print output is shortened.
[0128]
Note that the correspondence relationship between the communication amount in the network and the length of the transition time is determined based on the contents of the network correspondence transition time table. Therefore, the transition time can be easily adjusted by changing the contents of this table. It is conceivable that the relationship between the amount of communication in the network and the rate at which print data is included (or the frequency of printing) differs depending on the actual usage situation. In the third embodiment, optimization in accordance with such an actual use situation is easy.
[0129]
Embodiment 4 FIG.
The fourth embodiment is characterized in that the fixing target temperature in the standby state is determined according to the communication amount per unit time in the network. Specifically, when the communication amount per unit time is large, the fixing target temperature in the standby state is set high.
[0130]
These feature points are realized by the cooperation of the mechanism control unit 2 and the data reception / edit processing unit 1 (particularly, the network interface control circuit 20). That is, the network interface control circuit 20 detects the amount of communication on the network, and the CPU 41 of the mechanism control unit 2 determines the fixing target temperature in the standby state according to the detection result, and the determined fixing target temperature and Temperature control is performed so that The functional configuration of each part other than this is basically the same as that of the third embodiment. Accordingly, the following description will be focused on differences from the third embodiment.
[0131]
The CPU 41 in the fourth embodiment controls the entire mechanism control unit 2 and mechanism unit 3. The CPU 41 has a function of performing control by accessing a control program stored in the program ROM 42 and a data RAM 43 in which various data are stored. The functions realized by the CPU 41 and the like include, for example, a function of changing a control target temperature in a standby state according to a separately detected network communication amount k, various timer functions (fixer temperature control timer, Tsv counter). ) Details of these various functions will be described later in the operation description.
[0132]
In addition to the control program, the information stored in the program ROM 42 includes a fixing device control target temperature table, a network compatible transition time table, and the like. The network-related fixing device control target temperature table associates the amount of communication on the network with the control target temperature in the standby state, and the contents are set based on the experimental results. In the network-related fixing device control target temperature table according to the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, when the number of packets per 30 minutes is 1 or less, the control target temperature of the fixing device is 40 ° C., 5 pieces. In the following cases, the temperature is set to 50 ° C., 60 ° C. in the case of 10 or less, 80 ° C. in the case of 15 or less, and 100 ° C. in the case of 16 or more. Note that the control target temperature when performing the fixing process is 160 ° C.
[0133]
The network correspondence transition time table is the same as that in the third embodiment (see FIG. 12).
[0134]
The functional configuration of the data reception / edit processing unit 1 and the network interface control circuit 20 provided in the fourth embodiment is the same as that in the third embodiment (FIGS. 13 and 2). Omitted.
[0135]
Next, the operation of this printer will be described.
[0136]
The printing process is controlled by a main routine (FIG. 16) executed by the CPU 41 of the mechanism control unit 2. In the fourth embodiment, in this main routine, information relating to the communication amount in the network is required, and this is detected by the network interface control circuit 20 of the data reception / edit processing unit 1. Further, the temperature control of the fixing device (specifically, the heat roller 23) is performed by an interruption process (FIG. 17) by a fixing device temperature control timer activated in the main routine. Here, the processing by the main routine and the interruption processing (FIG. 17) by the fixing device temperature control timer will be described. The communication amount detection process is the same as that in the third embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
[0137]
First, the main routine executed by the CPU 41 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0138]
When the printer is turned on, the CPU 41 of the mechanism control unit 2 first performs an initialization process (step 270). By the way, as described above, the temperature control of the fixing device is performed in an interrupt process activated at regular intervals. Therefore, subsequently, the CPU 41 sets a predetermined count value corresponding to this fixed time in the fixing device temperature control timer (step 272), and starts the count (step 274). When the count value of the fixing device temperature control timer becomes 0, fixing device temperature control timer interruption processing (FIG. 17) described later is executed. The fixing device temperature control timer interruption process (FIG. 17) is executed once in parallel with the main routine (FIG. 16). The Tsv counter is decremented while this interrupt process is being executed.
[0139]
After step 274, the CPU 41 turns on the fixing device lamp 22 (step 276). On the other hand, if there is a print instruction when the power is already turned on and in the standby state, the process proceeds directly to step 276 to turn on the fixing device lamp 22.
[0140]
Thereafter, the CPU 41 waits for the control target temperature to be reached while confirming whether or not the fixing device has reached the control target temperature or higher (step 278). If the control target temperature has been reached, the processing from step 280 to step 290 is performed thereafter. That is, the presence / absence of print data is confirmed (step 280). If print data is present, printing (step 282), acquisition of communication amount k (step 284), table reference (step 286), Tsv counter set ( Step 288) is performed. On the other hand, when there is no print data, it is checked whether or not the Tsv counter is 0 (step 290). However, since these processes are the same as steps 242 to 252 in FIG. 14, detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0141]
Next, the fixing device temperature control timer interruption process will be described with reference to FIG.
[0142]
This fixing device temperature control timer interruption process is for controlling the temperature of the fixing device (more specifically, the heat roller 23), and is counted by the fixing device temperature control timer activated in step 274 of FIG. It is repeatedly executed at regular time intervals.
[0143]
After starting the interrupt process, the CPU 41 determines whether or not the CPU 41 is already in a standby state (step 302). If the result of determination is that the printer is not in a standby state, the temperature at the time of printing is set as the control target temperature of the fixing device (step 304), and the process proceeds to step 312.
[0144]
On the other hand, if already in the standby state, the CPU 41 obtains the network communication amount k per unit time from the data reception / edit processing unit 1 through the engine interface circuit 58 of the mechanism control unit 2 (step 306). The CPU 41 that has acquired the network traffic k obtains the temperature kt corresponding to the value by referring to the network-related fixing device control target temperature table (FIG. 15) (step 308), and obtains the control target temperature at that time. (Step 310). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 312.
[0145]
In step 312, the CPU 41 first determines whether or not the temperature of the fixing device is equal to or lower than the control target temperature set at that time. As a result of the determination, if the temperature is equal to or lower than the control target temperature, the fixing device lamp 22 is turned on and heating of the fixing device is started (step 314), and then the processing proceeds to step 316. On the other hand, if the temperature is not lower than the control target temperature, the process proceeds directly to step 316.
[0146]
In step 316, the CPU 41 determines whether or not the temperature of the fixing device is equal to or higher than the control target temperature set at that time. If it is determined that the temperature is equal to or higher than the control target temperature, the CPU 41 turns off the fixing device lamp 22 and stops heating the fixing device (step 318). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 320. On the other hand, if the temperature is not equal to or higher than the control target temperature, the process proceeds directly to step 320.
[0147]
In step 320, the CPU 41 sets a count value corresponding to the period until the next timer interruption in the fixing device temperature control timer.
[0148]
Thereafter, the CPU 41 checks whether or not the Tsv counter finishes counting and becomes “0” (step 322). If the value of the Tsv counter is not “0” as a result of the confirmation, the process proceeds to step 324, the contents of the Tsv counter are decremented (−1), and the interrupt process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is “0”, that is, if the transition time has elapsed, a process of shifting to the standby state is performed (step 326). Examples of the transition process include a process of turning off the fixing device lamp.
[0149]
After the processing of step 324 or step 326, the fixing device temperature control timer interruption processing is terminated.
[0150]
With the above processing, the fixing unit temperature in the standby state is changed according to the network communication amount k per unit time.
[0151]
As described above, in the printer according to the fourth embodiment, the control target temperature of the fixing device in the standby state is changed according to the network traffic per unit time. Specifically, the control target temperature is increased when the communication amount is large, and conversely, the control target temperature is decreased when the communication amount is small. By the way, when the amount of network communication is large, the rate at which print data for the printer is included is also considered high. When printing is started in a standby state, most of the time from data arrival to print output is often the time for heating the fixing device. Therefore, when the communication amount k is large, the heating time of the fixing device, that is, the time from the data arrival to the print output can be shortened. On the contrary, when the communication amount k is small, although the heating time of the fixing device, that is, the time from data arrival to print output is long, the power consumption can be further reduced. As described above, in the fourth embodiment, it is possible to achieve both a reduction in average time from data arrival to print output and a reduction in power consumption of the fixing device depending on the situation.
[0152]
The correspondence between the network traffic and the temperature of the fixing device in the standby state is determined based on the contents of the network-related fixing device control target temperature table. Therefore, adjustment can be easily made by changing the contents of this table. It is conceivable that the relationship between the amount of communication in the network and the frequency of printing differs depending on the actual usage situation. In the fourth embodiment, optimization in accordance with such an actual use situation is easy. In addition, the same effects as those of the third embodiment can be obtained.
[0153]
In Embodiments 3 and 4 described above, the communication amount is detected as the number of packets. However, other than this, it is also possible to detect the communication amount as the communication time per unit time. For example, if the access time (data transfer time) to the printer within the past 30 minutes is 15 minutes or more, the transition time is set long, and the control target temperature in the standby state is set high, while the access time Is within 3 minutes, the transition time is shortened and the control target temperature is set low.
[0154]
Embodiment 5 FIG.
The printer of the fifth embodiment is characterized in that, at the end of printing of the last printed sheet, the fixing target temperature in the standby state is determined according to the number of printed sheets within a predetermined time before that. Specifically, when the number of printed sheets in a predetermined time is large, the fixing target temperature in the standby state is set high in advance, thereby shortening the time until the normal fixing temperature is reached after printing is started. If there is no print request after shifting to the standby state, the target temperature in the standby state is gradually lowered. The reason why such control is performed is that, from experience, when there is a large number of prints within a predetermined time, there is a high possibility that a print request will be received even after shifting to the standby state.
[0155]
The printer of the fifth embodiment is different from the second embodiment in the content of the temperature control of the fixing device realized by the CPU 41 or the like. The other points are the same as in the second embodiment. In the following, the description will be focused on the points different from the second embodiment.
[0156]
The CPU 41 in the fifth embodiment controls the entire apparatus. The CPU 41 has a function of performing control by accessing a control program stored in the program ROM 42 and a data RAM 43 in which various data are stored. Examples of functions implemented by the CPU 41 and the like include various timer functions (fixing device temperature control timer, Tsv counter, elapsed time measuring timer).
[0157]
Examples of information stored in the data RAM 43 include history information. This history information is the same as the history information in the second embodiment, every time printing is completed, the printing end time (actually the elapsed time from when the printer is turned on until the printing process is completed). (Hours, minutes, seconds)). This history information is added every time printing for one sheet is newly completed, and is held for all the printing performed within the past fixed time (reference time).
[0158]
In addition to the control program, the information stored in the program ROM 42 includes a control target temperature table for the heat roller of the fixing device. The fixing device control target temperature table associates the total number of pages printed within a predetermined reference time with the control target temperature in the standby state, and the contents thereof are set based on experimental results. . In the fixing device control target temperature table in the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, if the number of printed sheets within the past 30 minutes is 1 or less, the control target temperature of the fixing device is 40 ° C. or 5 sheets or less. If it is 50 or less, it is set to 60 ° C. if it is 10 sheets or less, 80 ° C. if it is 20 sheets or less, and 100 ° C. if it is 21 sheets or more. Note that the control target temperature when performing the fixing process is 160 ° C.
[0159]
Next, the operation of this electrophotographic printer will be described with reference to FIG. 19, FIG. 20, and FIG.
[0160]
FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the main routine for program control. FIG. 20 is a flowchart of timer interrupt processing for controlling the temperature of the fixing device.
[0161]
The printing process is controlled by a main routine (FIG. 19) executed by the CPU 41 of the mechanism control unit 2. Further, the temperature control of the fixing device (specifically, the heat roller 23) is performed by an interruption process (FIG. 20) by a fixing device temperature control timer activated in this main routine.
[0162]
The main routine will be described with reference to FIG.
[0163]
Most of the main routine is the same as the main routine (FIG. 9) in the second embodiment, and therefore detailed description throughout is omitted. Differences between this main routine in the fifth embodiment and the main routine (FIG. 9) in the second embodiment are as follows. That is, in the fifth embodiment, the process in step 190 is not provided, and if there is no print data as a result of the determination in step 174, the process directly shifts to the standby state. Accordingly, processing for determining and setting the transition time (step 186, step 188) is not provided. As is clear from this, in the fifth embodiment, the transition time as in the other embodiments is not set, and the printer immediately shifts to the standby state after the printing is completed.
[0164]
In addition, the main routine is not started from the standby state.
[0165]
Next, timer interrupt processing for controlling the temperature of the fixing device will be described with reference to FIG.
[0166]
This fixing device temperature control timer interruption process is for controlling the temperature of the fixing device (more specifically, the heat roller 23), and is counted by the fixing device temperature control timer activated in step 172 of FIG. It is repeatedly executed at regular time intervals.
[0167]
Since most of the contents of this interrupt process are the same as the interrupt process (FIG. 17) in the fourth embodiment, a detailed description throughout is omitted. Differences between this interrupt processing in the fifth embodiment and the interrupt processing in the fourth embodiment (FIG. 17) are as follows.
[0168]
In the fifth embodiment, a history information update process (steps 350 to 356) is provided instead of the process (step 306) for reading the network traffic k. That is, the CPU 41 reads history information from the data RAM 43 (step 350), and deletes the read history information that has already passed the reference time (step 352). After that, only information within the reference time is newly stored in the data RAM 43 as new history information (step 354). Subsequently, the number of pieces of information (time) included in the new history information, that is, the total number N of pages printed within the past reference time is obtained (step 356).
[0169]
After step 356, the fixing device control target temperature is set based on the total number of pages N thus obtained (steps 308 and 310).
[0170]
FIG. 21 shows the temperature change of the fixing device when the temperature control in the fifth embodiment is performed. As can be seen from FIG. 21, even after the transition to the standby state, if there is no print request, the temperature in the standby state is lowered every time a predetermined time elapses when the fixing device temperature control timer interrupt process is started (solid line). ). On the other hand, when a print request comes after the transition to the standby state, the control target temperature is set to the fixing temperature (here, 160 ° C.) in order to start printing. Then, after reaching the fixing temperature, printing is started.
[0171]
As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, since the control target temperature in the standby state is set according to the printing history, after the printing is frequently performed, after shifting to the standby state. Even so, the time to start printing is short.
[0172]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printer that realizes a reduction in waiting time until the start of printing of the first sheet and a reduction in power consumption.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a general configuration diagram of a printer.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data reception / edit processing unit in the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a mechanism unit.
4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mechanism control unit in the first embodiment. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a main routine of program control executed by the CPU of the mechanism control unit in the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing fixing device temperature control timer interrupt processing executed by the CPU of the mechanism control unit according to the first embodiment.
7 is a temperature control operation time chart of the fixing device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 7A is a case where a printing process is started when the printer is not in a standby state even after the power is turned on, and FIG. Indicates a case where the printing process has already been started in the standby state.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a transition time table in the second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a main routine of program control executed by the CPU of the mechanism control unit in the second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing history information.
FIGS. 11A and 11B are temperature control operation time charts of the fixing device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11A shows a case where the number of printed sheets is large, and FIG. 11B shows a case where the number of printed sheets is small.
12 is a diagram showing an example of a network-compatible transition time table according to Embodiment 3. FIG.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network interface control circuit according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a main routine of program control executed by the CPU of the mechanism control unit in the third embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a network-related fixing device control target temperature table in the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a main routine of program control executed by the CPU of the mechanism control unit in the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating fixing device temperature control timer interrupt processing executed by a CPU of a mechanism control unit according to the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a fixing device control target temperature table according to the fifth embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a main routine of program control executed by the CPU of the mechanism control unit in the fifth embodiment.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a main routine of program control executed by the CPU of the mechanism control unit in the fifth embodiment.
FIG. 21 is a temperature control operation time chart of the fixing device according to the fifth embodiment.
FIG. 22 is a time chart showing a conventional temperature control operation.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Data reception / edit processing part, 2 Mechanism control part, 3 Mechanism part, 11 Microprocessor, 12 Data bus, 13 Address bus, 14 Data RAM, 15 Program ROM, 16 Memory control circuit, 17 Operation part display part, 18 Operation Control circuit, 19 engine interface circuit, 20 network interface control circuit, 21 thermistor, 22 fuser lamp, 23 heat roller, 24 lead contact, 25 backup roller, 26 fuser motor, 27 drum unit, 28 drum motor, 29 writing start Sensor, 30 Transfer roller, 31 Registration motor, 32 Registration roller unit, 33 Paper entrance sensor, 34 Hopping motor, 35 Hopping roller 36 Paper cassette, 41 Microprocessor (CPU), 42 Program ROM, 43 Data RAM, 44 Drum motor drive circuit, 46 Fixer motor drive circuit, 48 Hopping motor drive circuit, 50 Registration motor drive circuit, 53 Paper entrance sensor circuit 55, write start sensor circuit, 57 thermistor detection circuit, 58 engine interface circuit, 59 fuser lamp ON / OFF circuit, 61 head data transfer circuit, 62 LED, 71 microprocessor, 72 program ROM, 73 data RAM, 74 LAN controller 75 LAN drive / receive circuit, 76 received signal detection circuit, 77 PRC interface circuit.

Claims (3)

In the normal state in which the printing process can be executed, when the time during which the printing process is not executed exceeds a separately set transition time, a function for shifting to a standby state with lower power consumption than the normal state is provided. In the printer control method,
After the power is turned on, the normal state is set, and the transition time when the normal state is changed to the standby state for the first time is changed from the standby state to the normal state, and then from the normal state to the standby state. A control method for a printer, characterized in that it is set to be longer than the transition time for transition. The normal state is a state in which the temperature of the fixing device is maintained at a temperature at which the fixing process can be performed, and the standby state is a state in which the temperature of the fixing device is lower than the temperature in the normal state. The printer control method according to claim 1, wherein: An image forming means for forming an image on paper, which can take a normal state in which printing can be performed and a standby state with lower power consumption than the normal state;
Information holding means for holding information on whether or not the initial state is not in the standby state even once the power is turned on;
A transition time setting means for setting a transition time until the transition to the standby state after printing is completed, and setting a transition time in the initial state longer than a transition time in the case of not being in the initial state;
And a control unit that shifts the printer from the normal state to the standby state when the transition time set by the transition time setting unit elapses after the end of printing.

Images