JP4543977B2 - Image forming apparatus and activation control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having standby processing means for executing a standby process for making a standby state capable of printing, and a startup control method thereof, and more specifically, according to a time when a main power supply is turned off. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that controls whether or not standby processing is performed immediately after a main power supply is turned on, and a startup control method thereof.

  Many image forming apparatuses such as current printers, copiers, and multifunction machines set the internal state to a standby state so that printing can be performed immediately after the main power is turned on. For example, in the case of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the main power supply is turned on and energization of the heater is started to raise the temperature of the fixing unit above a certain level.

  Such an image forming apparatus is equipped with a power saving mode that can reduce power consumption compared to normal operation in order to suppress unnecessary energy consumption. Printing can be performed immediately if printing is not performed for a certain period of time. It shifts from a standby state to a power saving state (power saving mode).

  By the way, in an office, a school, or the like where a plurality of users perform printing, the image forming apparatus is shared by a plurality of users. When the image forming apparatus is shared and used in this way, it is customary for the person who first entered the office to turn on the main power immediately after leaving the office regardless of whether the image forming apparatus is used or not. Yes.

  If a certain time has passed without printing even though the main power is turned on, the image forming apparatus shifts to a power saving state without printing even one sheet from the standby state due to the main power on. Will be. In this case, the power for shifting to the standby state is wasted along with the main power ON.

As a technique for dealing with such a problem, a technique described in Patent Document 1 is known. Whether the invention of Patent Document 1 is started in a standby state or a power saving state immediately after the main power is turned on. Can be set. Also, count the number of times the printer has switched from the standby state to the power-saving state without printing even after the main power is turned on, and the number of times the printer has printed without entering the power-saving state once after the main power is turned on, and compare these times. Thus, a technique for performing such setting automatically is also mentioned.
JP 2004-230605 A

  However, in the invention of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, it can be set to start in the power saving state when the main power source is turned on, but the activation state after the main power source can be changed corresponding to the time when the main power source is in the OFF state. It was not a thing.

  For this reason, when the main power is turned on, it starts in the standby state, and after the power is turned off for a long time, for example, it is started in the power saving state only when the main power is turned on for the first time after going to work in the morning. When ON, it was not possible to set it to start in the standby state.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an image forming apparatus that controls whether or not standby processing is performed immediately after the main power supply is turned on according to the time when the main power supply is turned off. It is an object to provide a startup control method.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to an image forming apparatus having standby processing means for executing a standby process for setting a standby state in which printing is possible. A main power OFF time detecting means for detecting an OFF time; and when the main power OFF time detected by the main power OFF time detecting means is longer than a predetermined time set in advance, the standby processing is performed when the main power is turned on. If the main power supply OFF time detected by the main power supply OFF time detection means is shorter than a predetermined time set in advance, the standby processing means standby when the main power supply is turned on. And a start control means for performing a start process for starting by executing the process.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the main power OFF time detecting means includes a power OFF time holding means for holding a time when the main power is turned OFF, and a power OFF time holding means. And a power OFF time calculating means for calculating the main power OFF time based on the held time and the time when the main power is turned on.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the power OFF time detecting means includes a time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time from the time when the main power is turned OFF, and the time measuring means. The main power OFF time measured by the above is output.

  The invention according to claim 4 further comprises start setting means for setting whether or not to execute standby processing of the standby processing means when the main power is turned on, according to claims 1 to 3, wherein the standby processing is performed. In the case where the start setting unit is set to execute the standby processing, the unit is configured to execute the main power OFF time detected by the main power OFF time detection unit even if the main power OFF time is longer than a predetermined time set in advance. The standby process is executed when the main power is turned on.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the start-up control method for an image forming apparatus having standby processing means for executing a standby process for setting a standby state in which printing is possible, the main power OFF time during which the main power is OFF. Is detected by the main power OFF time detecting means, and when the main power OFF time detected by the main power OFF time detecting means is longer than a predetermined time set in advance, the standby processing means When the main power OFF time detected by the main power OFF time detection means is shorter than a predetermined time set in advance, the standby processing means by the standby processing means when the main power is turned ON. The startup process is executed and started by the startup control means.

  According to the present invention, when the main power supply OFF time is detected and the main power supply OFF time is longer than a preset time, the main power supply is turned on without performing standby processing. However, when the main power supply OFF time is shorter than a predetermined time set in advance, standby processing is executed when the main power supply is turned on to start up, so that useless power consumption can be suppressed.

  For example, it can be started in the power-saving state when the main power is turned on for the first time after going to work in the morning, etc., and it can be started in the standby state when the main power is turned on other than that. Thus, useless power consumption due to the main power ON can be suppressed.

  Embodiments of an image forming apparatus and a startup control method thereof according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an example of a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 10 is broadly classified into a processing unit that operates with power supplied from the sub power supply unit 11 and a processing unit that operates with power supplied from the main power supply unit 12a.

  The clock unit 21 is a processing unit that operates by power supply from the sub power supply unit 11, and the other processing units operate by power supply from the main power supply unit 12 a. The power supply to each unit by the main power supply unit 12a is controlled to start or stop the power supply corresponding to ON / OFF of the main power supply 12, whereas the power supply by the sub power supply unit 11 is Regardless of whether the main power supply 12 is turned on or off, the power is always supplied, so that the clock unit 21 can always keep accurate time.

  On the other hand, the processing unit that operates by supplying power from the main power supply unit 12a includes a power ON time holding unit 31, a power OFF time holding unit 32, a power OFF time calculation unit 33, a time comparison unit 34, and an activation. There are a control unit 35, an activation setting unit 36, a threshold setting unit 37, and an input unit 38.

  The power ON time holding unit 31 is a processing unit that acquires and holds time information (current time) immediately after the main power is turned on from the clock unit 21, and the power OFF time holding unit 32 is a clock that is periodically updated when the main power is turned on. It is a processing unit that acquires and holds time information (current time) from the unit 21. The power-on time holding unit 31 and the power-off time holding unit 32 correspond to memories for holding time information. In particular, the power-off time holding unit 32 is not erased even when the main power supply 12 is turned off. The memory contents are stored in a non-volatile memory.

  Since the power OFF time holding unit 32 periodically acquires and holds time information from the clock unit 21 when the main power is turned on, when the main power 12 is turned off, the time information acquired immediately before is held. To do. As a result, the time information when the main power supply 12 was previously turned off is held at the next startup.

  The power OFF time calculation unit 33 receives time information from the power ON time holding unit 31 and the power OFF time holding unit 32, and the time during which the main power supply 12 is in the OFF state from the received time information (hereinafter referred to as main power supply). (Referred to as OFF time).

  The time comparison unit 34 is a processing unit that compares the main power OFF time calculated by the power OFF time calculation unit 33 with the threshold set in the threshold setting unit 37 and sends the comparison result to the activation control unit 35. .

  The activation control unit 35 receives the activation setting information set in the activation setting unit 36 in addition to the comparison result from the time comparison unit 34 described above, determines these information, and if standby processing is necessary, Standby processing by the processing unit 35a is executed. Specifically, energization of the heater or the like is started to raise the temperature of the fixing unit to a certain level or more, and the image forming apparatus 10 is activated in a state where printing can be performed immediately. On the other hand, when the standby process is unnecessary, the process is not performed. That is, since the standby process is not performed at the time of activation, the image forming apparatus 10 is activated in a power saving state.

  The threshold setting unit 37 is a processing unit that sets a threshold for the main power OFF time. Here, a threshold value is set by an input operation from the user, and the time comparison unit 34 compares the threshold value set here with the main power OFF time calculated by the power OFF time calculation unit 33. The When the main power OFF time of the image forming apparatus 10 calculated by the power OFF time calculation unit 33 exceeds the threshold set in the threshold setting unit 37, the standby processing unit 35a performs standby after the main power is turned on. It is started in a power saving state (a state where no power is supplied to the heater or the like) without performing the process. However, when a setting value that always activates in the standby state is set in the activation setting unit 36 described later, the image forming apparatus 10 is always activated in the standby state, not in the power saving state.

  The activation setting unit 36 is a processing unit that sets the operation state of the image forming apparatus 10 after the main power is turned on. That is, after the main power is turned on, a setting value (startup setting information) relating to a start-up operation for starting the image forming apparatus 10 in a standby state or a power-saving state is held. The activation setting information held here has priority over other processing. For example, even if the activation setting information is activated in the power saving state based on the comparison result in the time comparison unit 34, the activation setting unit 36 is in the standby state. If the setting value for starting is set, the image forming apparatus 10 is started in a standby state.

  The threshold value and activation setting information set in the threshold setting unit 37 and the activation setting unit 36 can be set by the user operation from the input unit 38 installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus 10 or the host terminal 40.

  The host terminal 40 is a personal computer or the like handled by the user. From here, a print request is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 and various setting values (threshold value, activation setting information,...) Related to the operation of the image forming apparatus 10. ) Can be set.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 10 stands by until the main power supply 12 is turned on by the user (NO in step S101). When the main power supply 12 is turned on by the user (YES in step S101), the main power supply unit 12a. Thus, the power supply starts and this process is started.

  When this process is started, first, time information immediately after the main power is turned on is transmitted from the clock unit 21 to the power-on time holding unit 31, and the time information is held in the power-on time holding unit 31 (step S102). ).

  Subsequently, the time when the main power supply 12 is in the OFF state (main power supply OFF time) from the time information held by the power supply ON time holding unit 31 and the power supply OFF time holding unit 32 is calculated by the power supply OFF time calculation unit 33. Calculate (step S103).

  The main power OFF time calculated in this manner is output to the time comparison unit 34, and the time comparison unit 34 compares the main power OFF time with the threshold set in the threshold setting unit 37 (step S104). ). The comparison result is sent to the activation control unit 35.

  As a result of the comparison by the time comparison unit 34, if it is determined that the main power OFF time exceeds the threshold value (YES in step S105), the activation control unit 35 determines whether to activate the image forming apparatus 10 in the standby state. Then, a setting value (starting setting information) for starting in the power saving state is acquired from the starting setting unit 36, and it is determined whether or not standby processing is to be executed (step S106). As described above, the activation setting information held in the activation setting unit 36 has priority over other processing, and if a setting value for activation in the standby state is set here, the image forming apparatus 10. Always starts in a standby state.

  Here, when the set value for starting in the standby state is set in the start setting unit 36 (YES in step S106), the standby processing unit 35a executes the standby process, and the standby state in which printing can be performed immediately. On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 10 is activated (step S110). On the other hand, when the activation setting unit 36 is activated in a power saving state, or when no set value is set (NO in step S106), the standby processing unit 35a. Does not perform standby processing. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 is activated in a power saving state (a state where no power is supplied to the heater or the like).

  When the image forming apparatus 10 is started in the power saving state in this way, time information is periodically transmitted from the clock unit 21, and the time information is held in the power-off time holding unit 32 (step S107). As described above, when the main power supply 12 is turned off, the time information transmitted from the clock unit 21 immediately before that is held in the power supply OFF time holding unit 32. As a result, the time information when the main power supply 12 was previously turned off is held at the next startup.

  The image forming apparatus 10 continues the power saving state until a print request is received from the host terminal 40 or the like (NO in step S108), but if a print request is received from the host terminal 40 or the like (YES in step S108). Then, standby processing is executed by the standby processing unit 35a (step S109), and the image forming apparatus 10 shifts to the standby state and executes printing processing based on the request (step S114). Then, the power saving transition time is started (step S115), and the image forming apparatus 10 is in a standby state in a standby state.

  By the way, as a result of the comparison in step S105, if it is determined that the main power OFF time does not exceed the threshold value (NO in step S105), standby processing is executed by the standby processing unit 35a, and printing can be performed immediately. The image forming apparatus 10 is activated in the standby state (step S110).

  When the image forming apparatus 10 is activated in the standby state in this way, the power saving transition time is started (step S111), and time information is periodically received from the clock unit 21 as in the power saving state described above. The time information is transmitted and held in the power OFF time holding unit 32 (step S112).

  Then, the image forming apparatus 10 continues the standby state until a print request is received from the host terminal 40 or the like or until a predetermined time has elapsed and the power saving state is entered (NO in step S113 and then in step S116). NO).

  Here, when a print request is received from the host terminal 40 or the like (YES in step S113), the image forming apparatus 10 executes print processing based on the request (step S114) and re-saves the power saving transition time. The time is counted (step S115), and the standby state is entered again.

  When a predetermined time has elapsed during standby in the standby state, that is, when the power saving transition time has elapsed (YES in step S116), the image forming apparatus 10 stops energizing the heater and the like (step S117). Transition to power saving mode.

  As described above, in the present invention, the main power supply OFF time that has elapsed after the main power supply is turned off is compared with a predetermined threshold value, and if the main power supply 12 is in the OFF state exceeding the predetermined threshold value, Since the image forming apparatus 10 is activated without performing processing, wasteful power consumption can be suppressed.

  For example, it can be started in the power-saving state when the main power is turned on for the first time after going to work in the morning, etc., and it can be started in the standby state when the main power is turned on other than that. Thus, useless power consumption due to the main power ON can be suppressed.

  Next, a modification of the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This figure shows the image forming apparatus 10 described with reference to FIG. In addition, what attached | subjected the code | symbol same as the said FIG. 1 operate | moves substantially the same.

  The image forming apparatus 10 shown in the figure is provided with a power OFF time output unit 22 instead of the clock unit 21 that operates by supplying power from the sub power supply unit 11 described in FIG. The power ON time holding unit 31, the power OFF time holding unit 32, and the power OFF time calculating unit 33 that operate when the power is supplied are excluded. Further, an ON / OFF notification unit 12b is provided inside the main power supply 12.

  The power OFF time output unit 22 is a processing unit that outputs the main power OFF time to the time comparison unit 34. That is, the power OFF time output unit 22 has the functions realized by the clock unit 21, the power ON time holding unit 31, the power OFF time holding unit 32, and the power OFF time calculating unit 33 described in FIG. It will be provided.

  Specifically, when the main power supply 12 is turned on or off and the ON / OFF information is notified from the ON / OFF notification unit 12b and the OFF information is notified to the power supply OFF time output unit 22, The measurement of the main power OFF time is started by the time measuring unit 22a provided inside. On the other hand, when ON information is input, the time measured by the time measuring unit 22a is output to the time comparing unit 34 as the main power supply OFF time.

  The time comparison unit 34 compares the main power OFF time output from the power OFF time output unit 22 with the threshold set in the threshold setting unit 37, and sends the comparison result to the activation control unit 35. Thereafter, the same processing as in the above embodiment is performed, and the image forming apparatus 10 is activated in a standby state or a power saving state.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the above and the drawings, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within a range not changing the gist thereof.

  The image forming apparatus and its activation control method according to the present invention can be applied to all image forming apparatuses such as printers, copiers, and multi-function machines. It can be used effectively in offices, schools, etc.

1 is an example of a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the modification of the image forming apparatus 10 concerning this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Sub power supply part 12 Main power supply 12a Main power supply part 12b ON / OFF notification part 21 Clock part 22 Power supply OFF time output part 22a Time measurement part 31 Power supply ON time holding part 32 Power supply OFF time holding part 33 Power supply OFF time calculation unit 34 Time comparison unit 35 Startup control unit 35a Standby processing unit 36 Input unit 37 Threshold setting unit 38 Startup setting unit 40 Host terminal

Claims (5)

In an image forming apparatus having a standby processing unit for performing a standby process for setting a standby state in which printing is possible,
A main power OFF time detecting means for detecting a main power OFF time when the main power is OFF;
When the main power OFF time detected by the main power OFF time detection means is longer than a predetermined time set in advance, the main power OFF time is started without performing standby processing by the standby processing means when the main power is ON, Start-up control for performing start-up processing for starting by executing standby processing by the standby processing means when the main power is on when the main power-off time detected by the power-off time detecting means is shorter than a predetermined time set in advance And an image forming apparatus. The main power OFF time detecting means is
Power off time holding means for holding the time when the main power is turned off;
2. The power OFF time calculating means for calculating the main power OFF time based on the time held in the power OFF time holding means and the time when the main power is turned on. Image forming apparatus. The power OFF time detecting means is
Comprising time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time from the time when the main power supply is turned off,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main power-off time measured by the time measuring unit is output. A startup setting means for setting whether or not to perform standby processing of the standby processing means when the main power is on;
The standby processing means includes
In the case where the standby setting is set to be executed by the activation setting means, the main power supply even when the main power supply OFF time detected by the main power supply OFF time detection means is longer than a predetermined time set in advance. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the standby process is executed when the power is on. In a startup control method of an image forming apparatus having a standby processing unit for executing a standby process for setting a standby state in which printing is possible,
The main power supply OFF time detection means for detecting the main power supply OFF time when the main power supply is turned off,
When the main power OFF time detected by the main power OFF time detection means is longer than a predetermined time set in advance, the main power OFF time is started without performing standby processing by the standby processing means when the main power is ON, When the main power OFF time detected by the power OFF time detecting means is shorter than a predetermined time set in advance, a start control means for starting the standby process by the standby processing means when the main power is turned on is started. An activation control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising:

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