JP3897729B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having an image reading apparatus including a power-saving mode control unit that reduces power consumption during standby and an openable / closable pressure plate that presses a document placed on a document table.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus provided with this type of power saving mode control means, for example, as applied to FAX, the pressure plate is opened by the pressure plate open / close detection means during execution of the power saving mode by the power saving mode control means. There have been proposed ones that are configured to return from the power saving mode upon detecting that they have been detected, and ones that are configured to return from the power saving mode when a document is detected at that time.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-164292 (second page)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional image forming apparatus, even when no document is set on the document table, the power-saving mode is restored from the power-saving mode when the opening of the pressure plate is detected. Even when there is no need to read an image, for example, when the user opens the platen to remove a document that the user has left behind on the document table, the system will return from the power saving mode and consume unnecessary power. There was a problem of doing. In addition, even if it is configured to detect that the pressure plate is closed and return from the power saving mode, if the pressure plate is opened and the mode is changed to the power saving mode, the pressure plate is simply closed. There is also a problem that wasteful power is consumed in the same manner because the power saving mode is restored.
[0005]
In view of the above-described conventional problems, an object of the present invention is an image provided with a power saving mode control means that can accurately determine when it is necessary to truly return from the power saving mode and suppress wasteful power consumption. It is in providing a forming apparatus.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the characteristic configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is as follows.
As described in claim 1 of the column of claims, the image reading device includes power saving mode control means for reducing power consumption during standby, and an openable / closable pressure plate for pressing the document placed on the document table. An image forming apparatus having an apparatus, comprising: a pressure plate open / close detection unit that detects an open / closed state of the pressure plate; and a document detection unit that detects presence / absence of a document on the document table, wherein the power saving mode control unit includes: The power saving mode is configured to return from the power saving mode when a document is detected by the document detection unit after the pressure plate open / close detection unit detects a state transition from the open state to the closed state during execution of the power mode. Has been
The power saving mode control means includes a first control unit having a main CPU that executes at least input / output conversion processing for image data, and a second control unit that includes a system CPU that performs key input and image formation process processing. At the time of return from the power saving mode, the first control unit is started after the second control unit is started and when the key input operation is performed. .
[0007]
In other words, when the user operates the platen in anticipation of some job with respect to the image forming apparatus, the document is usually placed on the document table. Therefore, the user's intention is clearly determined when the original is detected by the original detection means, provided that the state transition from the open state of the pressure plate to the closed state is detected by the pressure plate open / close detection means. . The power saving mode control means controls to return from the power saving mode to the normal operable mode when such a determination is made.
[0009]
The second control unit having a system CPU to perform a key input and the image forming process processing, paper feeding process, the photoreceptor process, which controls the complex image formation process as a fixing process, from the power saving mode However, the first control unit having the main CPU that executes the input / output conversion process for the image data does not require much rise time. However, the image processing memory, which is a constituent element of the first control unit, consumes power. In addition, even if the user places a document and closes the pressure plate, the user is not required to start any job immediately. For example, the user has operated an input key for an operation on the operation unit. Sometimes the start of job execution is required. Therefore, the power saving mode control means starts the first control unit after starting up the second control unit at the time of return from the power saving mode and when any key input operation is performed. Thus, it is possible to suppress the useless power consumption as much as possible without giving unnecessary discomfort to the user.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus includes an illumination optical system and an image sensor for reading a document image below a document cover unit 3 in which a document table 1 made of transparent glass and a document scale 2 are installed on the top surface of a casing. And an image forming process such as charging, exposure, and development for the photosensitive member and the sheet feeding cassette 5 inside the housing and below the image reading apparatus 4. An image forming process processing unit and an image forming unit including a fixing processing unit that fixes a sheet transferred from the paper feeding cassette 5 and formed by the image forming process processing unit. The printer is configured as a multi-function printer that realizes a FAX function.
[0011]
A pressure plate 6 for pressing the document placed on the document table 1 is attached to the document cover portion 3 so as to be opened and closed by a hinge mechanism 6a, and a pressure plate opening / closing detection switch for detecting whether the pressure plate 6 is open or closed. 7 and a photoelectric document detection sensor 8 for detecting the size of the document placed on the document table 1 and detecting the presence or absence of the document.
[0012]
On the front of the image reading device 4, a mode selection key for selecting the type of job such as printing, copying, and fax, a process condition selection key for selecting image forming process conditions such as paper size, exposure level, and number of sheets, and a job A key input unit 9 on which various keys such as a print key for instructing the start of power supply, and a power saving mode permission setting key for setting whether to allow control by a power saving mode control means to be described later, An operation panel 11 including a display unit 10 including a liquid crystal panel for displaying an input state of the input unit 9 is installed.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 20 of the image forming apparatus performs a main CPU 21 that performs input / output conversion processing on image data read by the image reading device 4 and image data input from a communication line (not shown). And a second control unit 20b having a system CPU 25 that executes key input and image forming process processing.
[0014]
The first control unit 20a inputs a ROM 22 storing an execution program of the main CPU 21, a RAM 23 storing image data for image processing, document image data read by the image reading device 4, and the like. An image input / output buffer 24 for outputting output image data processed by the CPU 21 to an image forming process processing unit is connected by an internal bus 21a.
[0015]
The second control unit 20b includes a ROM 26 storing an execution program of the system CPU 25, a RAM 27 storing various process control data, a first input / output buffer 28, a second input / output buffer 29, and the like through an internal bus 25a. Connected and configured. The first input / output buffer 28 has an input port for inputting operation key data from the key input unit 9 provided on the operation panel 11, the pressure plate open / close detection switch 7, the document detection switch 8, and the like, and a display unit 10. An output port for outputting display data is provided. The second input / output buffer 29 includes a feed / discharge system driving element for the image forming unit, an image forming process processing element such as an exposure laser / charging / polygon motor, a fixing processing element such as a heater, and a drive. An output port for outputting a driving signal for each element such as a system element and an input port for inputting process data from each element are provided.
[0016]
The image forming apparatus described above is provided with a power saving mode control unit that reduces power consumption during standby. More specifically, the power saving control means is composed of the system CPU 25 and a part of the ROM 26 in which the execution program is stored, and when the power saving allowable mode is set by the power saving mode allowable setting key described above. It is configured to operate.
[0017]
The power saving control unit is configured to perform the above-described first control unit when the image forming apparatus is not operated for a predetermined time after completion of an arbitrary job such as print processing or copying processing in the power saving allowable mode. The power supply to the load such as the RAM 23 and the image input / output buffer 24 connected to 20a is stopped, and the power supply to the load connected to the second input / output buffer 29 of the second control unit 20b is stopped. In this state, the main CPU 21 enters a power saving mode in which functions are stopped except for the data input port of the image input / output buffer 24 and the communication port of the system CPU 25, and the system CPU 25 receives the data via the first input / output buffer 28. Only input / output can be accepted, thereby suppressing unnecessary unnecessary power consumption.
[0018]
Hereinafter, the return operation from the power saving mode by the power saving control means will be described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The signal input from the pressure plate open / close detection switch 7 to the first input / output buffer 28 is configured to have a high level when the pressure plate 6 is open and low level when the pressure plate 6 is closed. Whether the system CPU 25 is in the open state in which the pressure plate 6 is opened based on the signal level of the pressure plate open / close detection switch 7 input via the first input / output buffer 28 during execution of the power saving mode (S101). Then, it is determined whether or not the closed state is changed to the opened state (S102).
[0019]
When it is determined in step S102 that the pressure plate 6 is in an open state or has shifted from a closed state to an open state, it is then determined whether or not the pressure plate 6 has been closed (S103). When the system CPU 25 detects an edge at which the signal from the pressure plate open / close detection switch 7 changes from a high level to a low level, the system CPU 25 determines that the pressure plate 6 is closed, turns on the document detection sensor 8, and the document is placed on the document table. 3 is detected (S104).
[0020]
If a document is not detected in step S104, the power saving mode is continued as it is. If a document is detected, power supply control for the load connected to the second input / output buffer 29 is started to return from the power saving mode. (S105). Thereafter, when a key input from the operation panel 11 is detected (S105), the system CPU 25 sends a power saving mode release signal to the main CPU 21 to return the main CPU 21 (S107).
[0021]
As described above, when it is detected that the original is placed when the pressure plate 6 is shifted from the open state to the closed state, the power saving mode returns to the normal standby mode, and the original is not detected at that time. In this case, the power saving mode is continued, but a condition for returning from the power saving mode is also set as shown in FIG. That is, even in the power saving mode (S201), if there is a key input to the operation panel 11 regardless of the presence or absence of a document (S202), the system CPU 25 detects it and stores it in the second input / output buffer 29. Control for the connected load is started (S203), and a power saving mode release signal is sent to the main CPU 21 to return the main CPU 21 (S204).
[0022]
That is, the pressure plate open / close detection means for detecting the open / close state of the pressure plate 7 is constituted by the pressure plate open / close detection switch 7 and the system CPU 25 for detecting the state thereof. The document detection sensor 8 and the system CPU 25 for detecting the state of the pressure plate 7 An original detection unit configured to detect the presence or absence of an original is configured, and the power saving mode control unit is configured to detect the original by the original detection unit after detecting the state transition from the open state of the pressure plate to the closed state by the pressure plate opening / closing detection unit during execution of the power saving mode Is detected, power is restored from the power saving mode.
[0023]
Another embodiment will be described below. In the above-described embodiment, the document detection sensor 8 that detects the presence or absence of the document on the document table 1 has been described as having the function of determining the document size. However, the sensor that detects the document size and the sensor that detects the presence or absence of the document. May be configured separately.
[0024]
The above-described embodiment includes the first control unit having a main CPU that executes input / output conversion processing on image data, and the second control unit having a system CPU that executes key input and image forming process processing, and The mode control means is configured to start up the first control unit when the key input operation is performed after the second control unit is started up when returning from the power saving mode. However, the configuration of the CPU is not limited to that described in the above-described embodiment. For example, the CPU operates as a slave of the system CPU and controls the operation panel exclusively. The CPU may be provided, or a CPU that executes image processing may be provided depending on the main CPU.
[0025]
In the above-described embodiment, the printer, the copying machine, and the multifunction printer that realizes the FAX function are described as the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the copying machine and the FAX function as a single function. The same applies to an image forming apparatus equipped with the above.
[0026]
It should be noted that the shapes, types, relative arrangements, and the like of the component parts described in the above-described embodiment do not limit the scope of the present invention to that unless otherwise specified, and are merely illustrative examples. Not too much.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, an image provided with a power saving mode control means capable of accurately determining when it is necessary to truly return from the power saving mode and suppressing wasteful power consumption. A forming apparatus can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a control block illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. 4. Flowchart for explaining an embodiment of the present invention
1: Document stage 2: Document scale 3: Document cover unit 4: Image reading device 5: Paper feed cassette 6: Pressure plate 6a: Hinge mechanism 7: Pressure plate open / close detection switch 8: Document detection sensor 9: Key input unit 10: Display unit 20: Control unit 20a: First control unit 20b: Second control unit 21: Main CPU
25: System CPU

Claims (1)

An image forming apparatus having an image reading apparatus having a power saving mode control means for reducing power consumption during standby and an openable / closable pressure plate for pressing a document placed on a document table,
A pressure plate open / close detecting means for detecting an open / closed state of the pressure plate; and a document detecting means for detecting presence / absence of a document on the document table, wherein the power saving mode control means is configured to perform the pressure plate opening / closing during execution of the power saving mode. When a document is detected by the document detection means after detecting a state transition from the open state to the closed state of the pressure plate by the detection means, the power saving mode is restored .
The power saving mode control means includes a first control unit having a main CPU that executes at least input / output conversion processing for image data, and a second control unit that includes a system CPU that performs key input and image formation process processing. An image forming apparatus configured to start up the first control unit when the key input operation is performed after the second control unit is started up when returning from the power saving mode. .

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