JP4920947B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that controls transition to a power saving mode according to a use state.

  In recent years, there has been a strong demand for energy saving in image forming apparatuses, and there is a demand for reducing the power consumption of the image forming apparatus in a standby state other than during an image forming operation. Therefore, in recent image forming apparatuses, in order to reduce the power consumption in the standby state, the standby state has a power saving mode in which the power supply to each unit is stopped or reduced in the standby state and does not perform the printing operation. When a predetermined power-saving mode transition factor occurs, such as when the predetermined power-saving mode transition time elapses, the power-saving mode is entered to reduce power consumption, and when a predetermined recovery factor occurs in the power-saving mode, Return to normal standby from mode.

  In particular, so-called electrophotographic image forming apparatuses have recently been used as image forming apparatuses because of their good print quality. In such electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, Since the power consumption of the fixing unit for fixing by heating and pressurizing the recording paper to which the toner image is transferred is large, in the power saving mode, the energization to the fixing unit is stopped or is lower by a predetermined temperature than the fixable temperature. Power is saved by controlling the temperature to the standby temperature.

  In the image forming apparatus having such a power saving mode, when a predetermined return factor, for example, generation of print data, a predetermined key operation, or the like occurs in the power saving mode, energization of each unit is resumed, Return to normal standby state.

  Then, the applicant assigns a plurality of image forming apparatuses as a master unit and a slave unit, shares printing as a linked job and performs parallel processing, and at least the slave unit has an energy saving state to respond to a return request from the master unit. Accordingly, when returning from the energy-saving normal state, if the recovery time of the slave unit from the energy-saving state is longer than the print data transfer time, it is transferred when the slave unit returns to the printable state. If the transfer time of print data is longer than the return time of the slave unit, returning the slave unit from the energy-saving state at the end of the transfer of the print data can improve the printing process performance. An image forming system that improves the energy-saving effect in the slave unit has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-241863 A

  However, in the above prior art, the return from the power saving mode is considered, but the shift to the power saving mode is not considered, and in the standby state, for example, the power saving mode transition time elapses, etc. When a predetermined power-saving mode transition factor occurs, the power-saving mode has been entered. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the power-saving efficiency while improving the usability.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that efficiently controls power consumption while improving the usability by controlling the transition to a power saving mode in accordance with usage conditions.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a print job processing means for processing a print job; a time counting means for measuring an elapsed time during which no operation request factor has occurred; the shifts to the power saving mode, the image forming apparatus Tsu der and a mode control means shifts to the normal mode when said operating request sources during nodal electrostatic mode occurs, is processed by the print job processing unit When there is no print job, a timing start control unit that starts timing by the timing unit, a print job confirmation unit that checks the presence or absence of the print job when the timing unit measures time, and the printing When it is confirmed by the job confirmation means that there is a print job, the time measurement by the time measurement means is temporarily stopped, and the time measurement is resumed after the processing of the print job. And control means, if a print job is confirmed that there by the print job confirmation unit, by processing the number of the print job by the print job processing unit from the processing proceeds to the normal mode it is checked whether a predetermined number and a processing number confirmation means for confirming that the frequency of the processing speed of the print job is high, the time counter controller, the processing speed of the printing job by the processing number confirmation means Ri predetermined number der, the print job If the frequency of the number of processings is confirmed to be high , reset the time measured by the time measuring means to reset the time measured for the predetermined time for judging the transition to the power saving mode, and achieve the above object. ing.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when a print job is received while the power saving transition time, which is a waiting time until the power saving mode is changed by the time measuring means, is received, the print job is preliminarily kept while the time measuring means continues. The print job is executed until the specified number of specified print jobs is reached, and when the time measuring means measures the power saving transition time, the mode shifts to the power saving mode, and the print job received during the time measurement is the specified number of print jobs. Since the time measured by the clock means is reset, it is possible to control the transition to the power saving mode according to the usage situation and to efficiently save power while improving the usability of the image forming apparatus. .

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The scope of the present invention limits this invention especially in the following description. As long as there is no description of the effect, it is not restricted to these aspects.

  1 and 2 are views showing a first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a laser printer 1 to which the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied. is there.

  In FIG. 1, a laser printer 1 includes a controller 2, an operation panel 3, a printer engine 4, and the like, and is connected to a network NW and to a host device 30.

  The controller 2 receives the print data received from the host device 30 or the host device of the network NW according to the control mode set at that time and the control code from the host device 30 or another host device connected to the network NW. The image data is converted into video data and output to the printer engine 4 to be controlled. The host I / F 11, the program ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, the network I / F 13, the panel I / F 14, the font ROM 15, A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 16, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 17, an NVRAM (Nonvolatile Random Access Memory: non-volatile RAM) 18, an engine I / F 19, an option RAM 20, an HDD (hard disk drive) 21, and the like are provided.

  A host device 30 is connected to the host I / F 11, and the host I / F 11 performs processing for receiving a control signal and data from the host device 30 and processing for transmitting a status signal from the laser printer 1 to the host device 3. Do.

  A network NW to which a host device or the like (not shown) is connected is connected to the network I / F 13, and the network I / F 13 receives control signals and data from the host device of the network NW to the laser printer 1, and Processing for transmitting a status signal from the laser printer 1 to the host device of the network NW is performed.

  The program ROM 12 is a program for processing and managing data in the controller 2 and controlling peripheral modules, in particular, various programs such as a basic processing program of the laser printer 1 and a power saving transition control processing program described later, and these various programs. The CPU 16 stores data and the like necessary for executing the processing, and the CPU 16 processes data (print data, control data) from the host device 30 in accordance with a program in the program ROM 12.

  The RAM 17 is a work memory of the CPU 16, a buffer that manages data from the host device in units of pages and temporarily stores the data, a bitmap memory that stores the video data by converting the data stored in the buffer into an actual print pattern, and the like. used.

  The HDD 21 stores a large amount of data under the control of the CPU 16, and the NVRAM 18 stores data to be retained even when the laser printer 1 is turned off.

  The font ROM 15 stores various fonts used for printing (printing), and is read and used under the control of the CPU 16.

  The engine I / F 19 is an interface for control signals and video signals from the controller 2 to the printer engine 4, and an interface for status signals from the printer engine 4 to the controller 2.

  The printer engine 4 performs image formation (printing process) by a predetermined image forming method, for example, an electrophotographic method, based on the video signal and control signal received from the controller 2 via the engine I / F 19. That is, when an image is formed by an electrophotographic method, the printer engine 4 is a component necessary for recording and outputting print data on recording paper by an electrophotographic method, such as a photoconductor, an optical writing unit, a developing unit, and a charging unit. And a cleaning unit and the like. The optical writing unit is operated by a video signal and a control signal to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member, and the developing unit supplies toner to the photosensitive member for development. A toner image is formed. The printer engine 4 feeds the recording sheet from the sheet feeding unit between the photosensitive member and the transfer unit, transfers the toner image on the photosensitive member to the recording sheet, and transfers the recording sheet on which the toner image is transferred. The image is formed by conveying to the fixing unit and fixing the toner image on the recording paper by heating and pressing in the fixing unit.

  An operation panel 3 is connected to the panel I / F 14, and the operation panel 3 includes a display unit that indicates the state of the laser printer 1, a switch unit that switches the mode, font, and the like of the laser diode 1. The panel I / F 14 performs an interface process between the controller 2 and the operation panel 3.

  The laser printer 1 has a power saving mode transition factor such as a predetermined power saving mode transition time (power saving transition time) has elapsed or a power saving mode transition switch on the operation panel 3 is turned on in a standby state where no print job is generated. When the power generation occurs, the power supply mode is provided to stop the supply of power to the main parts (predetermined parts) of the laser printer 1 such as the fixing part of the printer engine 20 or reduce the power consumption. In this power saving mode, when a return factor such as the occurrence of a print job or the ON operation of the power saving mode return switch of the operation panel 3 occurs, the supply of power to the main parts is resumed to return to a printable standby state. .

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The laser printer 1 of this embodiment has a predetermined number of print jobs even if the print job is sent from the host device 30 or the like via the host I / F 11 or the network I / F 13 during counting of the shift time to the power saving mode (power saving mode shift time). Until the number of jobs occurs, the power saving mode transition time is continuously counted. When the number of printing places reaches a predetermined number (n jobs), the time counting is stopped and reset without resetting the time counting. When the power saving mode transition time is counted up, the power saving mode is entered.

  That is, the laser printer 1 executes the power saving mode transition process and the return process with the power saving mode transition time counting control process shown in FIG. 1 at predetermined short intervals. First, the CPU 16 checks whether or not a print job has occurred in the standby state (step S101), and when no print job has occurred, counts up a power saving timer (time measuring means) that times the power saving mode transition time. (Step S102) The time-measurement time of the counted power saving timer is checked to check whether the power saving mode transition time (power saving transition time) has elapsed (Step S103).

  If it is determined in step S103 that the power saving mode transition time has not elapsed, the CPU 16 returns to step S101 and performs the same processing as described above (steps S101 to S103). The power supply mode is stopped or the power supply mode is reduced to reduce power consumption (step S104), and whether or not a return factor such as a job has occurred is checked. (Step S105) When a return factor occurs, the power saving mode is canceled (Step S106).

  When the CPU 16 cancels the power saving mode, the CPU 16 resets the power saving timer (step S107), waits for the print job to end (step S108), and executes the power saving mode transition processing and return processing with the power saving mode transition time counting control processing. To exit to standby mode.

  In step S101, if there is a print job, the number of print jobs as a standby job including the execution and standby of the print job is acquired, and the standby job of this print job is set in advance as a power saving timer. It is checked whether it has reached the nth job, which is the specified number of print jobs to reset (step S109), and when the waiting job up to this time has not reached the nth job (specified print job), the power saving timer is counted up (Step S110), it is checked whether or not the power saving mode transition time has elapsed based on the counted time of the power saving timer (step S111).

  If it is determined in step S111 that the power saving mode transition time has not elapsed, the CPU 16 checks whether the standby job print job has ended (step S112). If the print job has not ended, the CPU 16 returns to step S110 to save power. From the timer count-up, the same processing is performed (steps S110 to S112). When the processing of the print job is completed in step S112, the process returns to step S101 and the same processing is performed (steps S101 to S112).

  In step S111, when the power saving mode transition time has elapsed since the occurrence of the print job, the CPU 16 proceeds to step S104, transitions to the power saving mode (step S104), and thereafter performs the same processing as described above (steps S104 to S104). S108).

  In step S109, when the standby job up to this time has reached the nth job, the CPU 16 resets the power saving timer (step S107) and waits for the print job of the standby job to end (step S108). Then, the power saving mode transition processing and the return processing accompanied by the power saving mode transition time counting control process are terminated, and the process shifts to the standby state.

  That is, the laser printer 1 waits until the power saving mode is shifted from the time when the print job disappears, for example, when five print jobs are continuously executed to the power saving mode, for example, 5 The power-saving timer starts counting up for minutes (300 seconds), and while the power-saving timer is counting up, if the standby print job does not become n jobs even if a print job is received, Continue to count up the power saving timer without resetting the count. Further, when a print job is received and the number of standby jobs reaches n jobs (for example, 2 jobs), the power saving timer counts up and is reset. For example, when the power saving timer is counting up, the first print job is received, and this print job is one page data. After 10 seconds from the start of print data reception, printing and paper discharge are finished, and the print job is completed. It is assumed that 190 seconds have elapsed before If the second print job is received 20 seconds after the completion of the first print job (210 seconds from the beginning), n jobs are now 2 jobs. When the second print job is received, the power saving timer is stopped and reset. If this second print job is a 5 page data print job and the discharge of the 5th page is completed 30 seconds after the start of receiving the second print job, the print job ends. At that time, a new power saving timer starts counting up.

  Note that the specified number of print jobs (the number of n jobs) for resetting the power saving timer can be arbitrarily set by the user according to the usage status of the laser printer 1 and the like, for example, by a switch operation on the operation panel 3. can do. For example, in the above description, n jobs are described as 2 jobs. However, when the user sets 3 jobs, for example, when printing of the second job is completed (240 seconds after the power saving timer starts counting up). 30 seconds after the elapsed time), the third print job was received, and after 15 seconds (285 seconds after the power-saving timer started counting up), paper was discharged and the print job was completed. Then, when the third print job is received, the power saving timer is stopped and reset.

  As described above, when the laser printer 1 according to the present embodiment receives a print job during the power saving mode transition time measured by the power saving timer, the print job is set in advance while continuing the count up by the power saving timer. The print job is executed until the predetermined number of print jobs, n, is reached, and when the power saving timer counts up the power saving mode transition time, the power saving mode is entered and received during counting up of the power saving timer. When the number of print jobs reaches n, the power saving timer count is reset.

  Therefore, the shift to the power saving mode can be controlled according to the use situation, and the power can be efficiently saved while improving the usability of the laser printer 1.

  Further, the laser printer 1 of this embodiment can set the number of n jobs, which is the specified number of print jobs, to an arbitrary number.

  Therefore, it is possible to control the transition to the power saving mode according to the usage status, and to efficiently save power while further improving the usability of the laser printer 1.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a power saving mode transition process and a return process accompanied by a power saving mode transition time counting control process by a laser printer to which the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied.

  The present embodiment is applied to a laser printer similar to the laser printer 1 of the first embodiment. In the description of the present embodiment, the reference numerals used in the first embodiment are used as they are. At the same time, the same step numbers are assigned to the same processing steps as those in the power saving mode transition process and the return process accompanied by the power saving mode transition time counting control process in FIG.

  When the laser printer 1 of this embodiment receives a print job while the power saving timer is counting up, the power saving mode transition time keeping control process for temporarily stopping the power saving timer count up is executed during execution of the print job. A mode transition process and a return process are executed.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the laser printer 1 checks whether a print job has occurred in the standby state (step S101). If no print job has occurred, the laser printer 1 is the same as in the first embodiment. Then, the power saving timer for counting the power saving mode transition time is counted up (step S102), and it is checked whether the power saving mode transition time has elapsed (step S103).

  If it is determined in step S103 that the power saving mode transition time has not elapsed, the CPU 16 returns to step S101 and performs the same processing as above (steps S101 to S103). When the power saving mode transition time has elapsed, the CPU 16 shifts to the power saving mode ( In step S104, it is checked whether a print job has occurred as a return factor (step S105). When the return factor occurs, the power saving mode is canceled (step S106).

  When the CPU 16 cancels the power saving mode, the CPU 16 resets the power saving timer (step S107), waits for the print job to end (step S108), and executes the power saving mode transition processing and return processing with the power saving mode transition time counting control processing. To exit to standby mode.

  If there is a print job in step S101, the CPU 16 checks whether the current print job has reached the specified print job (hereinafter referred to as n job) (step S201), and the standby job up to this time is n jobs. If the eye has not reached, it is checked whether the print job of the standby job has ended without counting up the power saving timer (step S202).

  If the print job has not ended in step S202, the CPU 16 waits for the print job to end, returns to step S101, and performs the same processing as described above (steps S101 to S108, S201, S202).

  In step S201, if the standby job up to this time has reached the nth job, the CPU 16 resets the power saving timer (step S107), and waits for the print job of the standby job to end (step S108). Then, the power saving mode transition processing and the return processing accompanied by the power saving mode transition time counting control process are terminated, and the process shifts to the standby state.

  As described above, when the laser printer 1 according to this embodiment receives a print job while the power saving mode transition time is being measured by the power saving timer, the laser printer 1 temporarily counts up the power saving timer until the printing process of the print job is completed. It has stopped.

  Therefore, it is possible to efficiently save power while further improving the usability.

  In other words, n jobs are set to 4 jobs, and in the same way as in the first embodiment, the first one-page data print job is received while the power saving timer is counted, and the print data reception starts. After 10 seconds, the printing and discharging of this print job are completed, and 190 seconds elapse until the print job is completed, and 20 seconds after the completion of the first print job (210 seconds elapses from the beginning). After), the second 5 page data print job is received, the discharge of the 5th page is completed 30 seconds after the start of receiving the second print job, the print job is terminated, Further, assume that the third print job is received 30 seconds after the completion of printing of the second job (240 seconds after the start of counting up the power saving timer).

  If this third print job has a large amount of data, 10 pages, and it takes 60 seconds (330 seconds have passed since the power-saving timer starts counting up) from reception to paper discharge, the print job is being executed. If the power saving timer continues to count up and the power saving mode transition time measured by the power saving timer is set to 5 minutes (300 seconds) as described above, the third print job is being executed. In addition, the power saving timer must count up 5 minutes to perform transition processing to power saving mode and recovery processing, and power-off and restart processing of each part that shuts off the power will occur. There is a concern that an operation must be performed, and a wasteful processing time is generated, or normal printing is hindered.

  However, as described above, when the power saving timer is temporarily stopped during the execution of the print job and the power saving timer is counted up again when the print job is completed, the power saving timer is stopped during the print job. Counts up the mode transition time to prevent forced transition processing and return processing to power saving mode, and wasteful control and operation due to the occurrence of power shutdown or restart processing of each part that shuts off the power Can be prevented, and it is possible to prevent useless processing time from occurring, and to ensure normal printing appropriately.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a power saving mode transition process and a return process accompanied by a power saving mode transition time counting control process by a laser printer to which the third embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied.

  The present embodiment is applied to a laser printer similar to the laser printer 1 of the first embodiment. In the description of the present embodiment, the reference numerals used in the first embodiment are used as they are. At the same time, the same step numbers are assigned to the same processing steps as those in the power saving mode transition process and the return process accompanied by the power saving mode transition time counting control process in FIG.

  When the power saving timer counts up the power saving mode transition time during execution of a print job received while the power saving timer is counting up, the laser printer 1 of the present embodiment waits for the end of the print job and waits for the power saving mode. A power saving mode transition process and a return process accompanied by a power saving mode transition timekeeping control process to be shifted to are executed.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the laser printer 1 checks whether or not a print job has occurred in the standby state (step S101). If no print job has occurred, the laser printer 1 is the same as in the first embodiment. Then, the power saving timer for counting the power saving mode transition time is counted up (step S102), and it is checked whether the power saving mode transition time has elapsed (step S103).

  If it is determined in step S103 that the power saving mode transition time has not elapsed, the CPU 16 returns to step S101 and performs the same processing as above (steps S101 to S103). When the power saving mode transition time has elapsed, the CPU 16 shifts to the power saving mode ( In step S104), it is checked whether a job has occurred as a return factor (step S105). When the return factor occurs, the power saving mode is canceled (step S106).

  When the CPU 16 cancels the power saving mode, the CPU 16 resets the power saving timer (step S107), waits for the print job to end (step S108), and executes the power saving mode transition processing and return processing with the power saving mode transition time counting control processing. To exit to standby mode.

  In step S101, if there is a print job, the CPU 16 checks whether the current print job has reached the specified print job (hereinafter referred to as n job) (step S301), and the standby job up to this time is n jobs. If the eye has not reached the eyes, the power saving timer is counted up (step S302), and it is checked whether the power saving mode transition time has elapsed based on the counted time of the power saving timer (step S303).

  If the power saving mode transition time has not elapsed in step S303, the CPU 16 checks whether the print job of the standby job has been completed (step S304). If the print job has not ended, the CPU 16 returns to step S302 to save power. After the count-up of the timer, the same processing is performed (steps S302 to S304). When the print job processing is completed in step S304, the process returns to step S101 and the same processing is performed (steps S101 to S108, S301 to S304). ).

  In step S303, when the power saving mode transition time has elapsed since the occurrence of the print job, the CPU 16 checks whether the print job being executed has ended (step S305), and if the print job has not ended, the print job is completed. After waiting for the job to end, the process proceeds to step S104 to shift to the power saving mode (step S104). Thereafter, the same processing as described above is performed (steps S104 to S108).

  In step S301, when the standby job up to this time has reached the nth job, the CPU 16 resets the power saving timer (step S107) and waits for the print job of the standby job to end (step S108). Then, the power saving mode transition processing and the return processing accompanied by the power saving mode transition time counting control process are terminated, and the process shifts to the standby state.

  As described above, when the power saving timer counts up the power saving mode transition time during the execution of the print job generated while the power saving mode transition time is counted up by the power saving timer, the laser printer 1 according to the present embodiment is in progress. After the print job printing process is completed, the printer has shifted to the power saving mode.

  Therefore, it is possible to appropriately prevent the shift to the power saving mode during execution of the print job, and it is possible to efficiently save power while further improving the usability.

  FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are flowcharts showing a power saving mode transition process and a return process accompanied by a power saving mode transition time counting control process by a laser printer to which the fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied.

  The present embodiment is applied to a laser printer similar to the laser printer 1 of the first embodiment. In the description of the present embodiment, the reference numerals used in the first embodiment are used as they are. At the same time, the same step numbers are assigned to the same processing steps as those in the power saving mode transition process and the return process accompanied by the power saving mode transition time counting control process in FIG.

  The laser printer 1 of this embodiment executes the print job to the end when the power saving timer counts up the power saving mode transition time during execution of the print job received while the power saving timer is counting up. If a subsequent print job equal to or less than the specified number of print jobs (hereinafter referred to as “n jobs”), which is the number of print jobs for resetting the power saving timer, is received during the execution of the process, the subsequent print job is terminated. After waiting, a power saving mode transition process and a recovery process accompanied by a power saving mode transition timekeeping control process for shifting to the power saving mode are executed.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the laser printer 1 checks whether a print job has occurred in the standby state (step S101). If no print job has occurred, the laser printer 1 is the same as in the first embodiment. Then, the power saving timer for counting the power saving mode transition time is counted up (step S102), and it is checked whether the power saving mode transition time has elapsed (step S103).

  If it is determined in step S103 that the power saving mode transition time has not elapsed, the CPU 16 returns to step S101 and performs the same processing as above (steps S101 to S103). When the power saving mode transition time has elapsed, the CPU 16 shifts to the power saving mode ( In step S104), it is checked whether a job has occurred as a return factor (step S105). When the return factor occurs, the power saving mode is canceled (step S106).

  When the CPU 16 cancels the power saving mode, the CPU 16 resets the power saving timer (step S107), waits for the print job to end (step S108), and executes the power saving mode transition processing and return processing with the power saving mode transition time counting control processing. To exit to standby mode.

  If there is a print job in step S101, the CPU 16 checks whether or not the current print job has reached the specified print job (hereinafter referred to as n job) as shown in FIG. 6 (step S401). If the waiting job until the nth job has not reached the nth job, the power saving timer is counted up (step S402), and it is checked whether the power saving mode transition time has elapsed based on the counted time of the power saving timer (step S402). Step S403).

  If it is determined in step S403 that the power saving mode transition time has not elapsed, the CPU 16 checks whether the standby job print job has ended (step S404). If the print job has not ended, the CPU 16 returns to step S402 to save power. After the timer counts up (steps S402 to S404), when the print job processing is completed in step S404, the process returns to step S101 in FIG. 5 to perform the same processing (steps S101 to S108, S401 to S404).

  In step S403, when the power saving mode transition time has elapsed since the occurrence of the print job, the CPU 16 checks whether the print job being executed has ended (step S405), and if the print job has not ended, the print job is completed. After waiting for the job to end, it is checked whether there is a subsequent print job (step S406).

  If there is no subsequent print job in step S406, the CPU 16 proceeds to step S104 in FIG. 5 and proceeds to the power saving mode (step S104), and thereafter performs the same processing as above (steps S104 to S108).

  If there is a subsequent print job in step S406, the CPU 16 checks whether the subsequent print job has reached the specified print job (n job) (step S407), and the standby job up to this time is the nth job. If not, the process proceeds to step S405 to execute the print job, wait for the print job to end (step S405), and further check whether there is a subsequent print job (step S405). S406). If there is a subsequent print job in step S406, the CPU 16 checks whether the print job has reached the nth job (step S407). In step S406, the process for executing the print job is similarly performed until there is no subsequent print job or the subsequent print job reaches the nth job in step S407 (steps S405 to S407).

  In step S407, when the subsequent print job reaches the nth job, the CPU 16 proceeds to step S107 in FIG. 5, resets the power saving timer (step S107), and the print job of the standby job ends. (Step S108), the power-saving mode transition process and the return process accompanied by the power-saving mode transition time counting control process are terminated, and the process shifts to a standby state.

  As described above, in the laser printer 1 according to the present embodiment, when a print job is being executed even when the power saving timer counts up the power saving mode transition time, a subsequent print job is executed while the print job is being executed. Until the number of received print jobs reaches the number of n jobs, the print processing of the subsequent print jobs is sequentially executed and then the mode is shifted to the power saving mode.

  Therefore, it is possible to appropriately prevent the shift to the power saving mode during execution of the print job, and it is possible to efficiently save power while further improving the usability.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

  The present invention can be applied to general image forming apparatuses that have a power saving mode for reducing power consumption and that shift to the power saving mode by measuring a predetermined power saving mode transition time.

1 is a block diagram of a laser printer to which a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a power saving mode transition process and a return process accompanied by a power saving mode transition time counting control process by the laser printer of FIG. 1. 9 is a flowchart showing a power saving mode transition process and a return process accompanied by a power saving mode transition time counting control process by a laser printer to which a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied. 10 is a flowchart showing a power saving mode transition process and a return process accompanied by a power saving mode transition time counting control process by a laser printer to which a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied. 10 is a flowchart showing a power saving mode transition process and a return process accompanied by a power saving mode transition time counting control process by a laser printer to which a fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied. 6 is a flowchart showing processing subsequent to the power saving mode transition processing and the return processing accompanied by the power saving mode transition time counting control processing of FIG. 5.

Explanation of symbols

1 Laser printer 2 Controller 3 Operation panel 4 Printer engine 11 Host I / F
12 Program ROM
13 Network I / F
14 Panel I / F
15 Font ROM
16 CPU
17 RAM
18 NVRAM
19 Engine I / F
20 Optional RAM
21 HDD
30 Host device NW network

Claims (1)

A print job processing means for processing a print job, a time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time when no operation request factor has occurred, and when the time measured by the time measuring means reaches a predetermined time, the power saving mode is entered. the image forming apparatus Tsu der and a mode control means shifts to the normal mode when said operating requests factor occurs,
When there is no print job to be processed by the print job processing means, a timing start control means for starting timing by the timing means;
Print job confirmation means for confirming the presence or absence of the print job when the time measurement is timed by the time measurement means;
When the print job confirmation means confirms that there is a print job, the timekeeping control means for temporarily stopping the timekeeping time by the timekeeping means and restarting the timekeeping after the processing of the print job;
When the print job confirmation unit confirms that there is a print job, the image forming apparatus confirms whether the number of processing of the print job by the print job processing unit after shifting to the normal mode is a predetermined number And a processing number confirmation means for confirming that the frequency of use status is high ,
The timing control means, Ri processing speed is a predetermined number der print job by the processing number checking means, when said frequency of usage of the image forming apparatus has been confirmed to be high, it clocking is clocked by the clock means An image forming apparatus characterized in that a time is reset for a predetermined time for determining the shift to the power saving mode by resetting the time.

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