JP5033706B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention belongs to the technical field of an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium.

  As a power saving technique in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and facsimile machines, in addition to the normal mode in which power is supplied to each part of the image forming apparatus, power is supplied to only a part of the parts. A so-called sleep mode (power saving mode) is provided, and the mode of the image forming apparatus is changed when no operation is performed on the image forming apparatus for a predetermined time or when an instruction to switch to the sleep mode is input to the image forming apparatus. A technique for switching from the normal mode to the sleep mode is widely adopted.

In addition, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, for the purpose of further power saving, a sub-control unit including a CPU having a lower speed than the main control unit and a small-capacity memory separately from the main control unit that controls each unit of the apparatus In the power saving mode, a technique has been proposed in which the main control unit is stopped and only the sub control unit is operated.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-101609

  By the way, in this type of image forming apparatus, the environment of the image forming apparatus changes during the setting of the sleep mode or during the period when the main power supply of the image forming apparatus is turned off. There is a possibility that the state of each part including a motor mounted on the image forming apparatus and various rollers driven by the motor may change. When such state changes occur, the rollers do not rotate and the paper is not properly conveyed, or a post-processing device that performs so-called post-processing such as stapling or sorting on the paper after image formation In, the stapler is not hit properly.

  Therefore, conventionally, the so-called initial operation for confirming the operation of the drive unit and the driven body is always performed when the sleep mode is changed to the normal mode or when the main power supply is turned on.

  However, since this initial operation is a confirmation of the operation of the drive unit and the driven body, a relatively loud operation sound is generated due to vibration generated in the members, sliding contact or collision between the members, and in particular, In the processing apparatus, a large number of motors, rollers, and the like are mounted, and a relatively loud operation sound is generated during the initial operation. Since this operation sound may make the user feel uncomfortable, it is preferable to avoid the initial operation as much as possible.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides an image forming apparatus that can suppress the generation of operation sound due to the execution of an initial operation as much as possible while achieving power saving. The purpose is to provide.

  The invention according to claim 1 is configured such that one or a plurality of optional devices having functions different from the functions of the respective units in the apparatus main body provided with an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium are detachable from the apparatus main body. A main control unit that controls the operation of each part of the image forming apparatus including an optional device mounted on the apparatus main body, a sub-control unit having a smaller circuit scale than the main control unit, A normal mode for supplying power to each unit of the image forming apparatus, and a power saving mode for cutting off power supply to each unit of the image forming apparatus including only the main control unit among the main control unit and the sub control unit The main control unit is volatile and stores a history of use of the optional device as history information. When the information storage unit shifts from the normal mode to the power saving mode, the history information stored in the history information storage unit during the normal mode setting period set immediately before the mode shift is performed A history information transmitting unit that transmits to the sub-control unit, the sub-control unit receiving history information from the history information transmitting unit, and history information received by the history information receiving unit A history information storage unit that stores the mode information, a detection unit that detects switching of the mode by the mode switching unit, and the history information stored in the history information storage unit when the mode is switched from the power saving mode to the normal mode. A history information transmitting unit for transmitting to the main control unit, the main control unit receiving the history information from the history information transmitting unit of the sub-control unit, Based on the history information received by the history information receiving unit, an option device having a history of use in the normal mode setting period is extracted from the option devices currently installed in the apparatus main body, and the extracted option device Only, there is an initial operation instructing unit for executing an initial operation for confirming the operation of a drive unit that generates power and a driven unit that is driven by the power generated by the drive unit.

  In the present invention, when an optional device attached to the apparatus main body is used in the main control unit when the normal mode is set, the history is stored in the volatile history information storage unit. Then, when shifting from the normal mode to the power saving mode, the history information stored in the history information storage unit during the normal mode setting period set immediately before the mode shift is performed by the history information transmission unit Sent to the sub-control unit. When the normal mode is shifted to the power saving mode, the history disappears from the history information storage unit.

  In the sub-control unit, the history information is received from the main control unit by the history information receiving unit, and the history information is stored by the history information storage unit. Thereafter, when switching from the power saving mode to the normal mode is detected by the mode detection unit, the history information stored in the history information storage unit is transmitted to the main control unit by the history information transmission unit.

  In the main control unit, the history information is received by the history information receiving unit from the history information transmitting unit of the sub-control unit, and the optional device currently attached to the apparatus main body based on the history information by the initial operation instruction unit Option devices having a history of use during the normal mode setting period are extracted from the list, and only the extracted option devices are driven by the drive unit that generates power and the power generated by the drive unit. An instruction to perform an initial operation for confirming the operation of the driven unit (the driving unit and the driven unit mounted on the extracted optional device) is issued.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in addition to the normal mode in which power is supplied to each unit, each unit of the image forming apparatus including only the main control unit among the main control unit and the sub control unit. Since the power saving mode for cutting off the power supply is provided, the power saving of the image forming apparatus can be achieved.

  In addition, for optional equipment that has a usage history during the previous normal mode setting period, there is a possibility that a state change or malfunction has occurred in the drive unit or driven unit, so this mode was set to normal mode this time Since the initial operation is sometimes performed to check whether there is a state change or an operation failure, it is possible to prevent or reduce various operations such as an image forming operation without operation failure.

  Furthermore, for optional devices that have no usage history during the previous normal mode setting period, there is no or little risk of state changes or malfunctions occurring in the drive unit or driven unit, so this mode is set to normal mode this time. However, since the initial operation is not performed, the opportunity to perform the initial operation (frequency of the initial operation) compared to the conventional technology that always performs the initial operation when returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode. Can be reduced.

  The optional device is a device that is arbitrarily selected and connected to the apparatus main body in order to add various functions.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the recording medium is a sheet, and the optional device performs processing on the sheet on which an image forming operation is performed by the image forming unit. The initial operation includes an operation for confirming the operation of the drive unit and the driven unit provided in the post-processing device.

  According to the present invention, in a post-processing device that performs processing on a sheet on which an image forming operation has been performed by the image forming unit, for example, the stapling processing or sorting processing, the operation sound generated particularly during the initial operation is large. In the case where the initial operation includes an operation for confirming the operation of the drive unit and the driven unit provided in the post-processing device, the invention according to claim 1 is particularly effective, and the initial operation is performed. It is possible to reduce the generation opportunity of the operation sound due to the noise as much as possible.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve power saving by providing the sub-control unit and the power saving mode, and to prevent or suppress various operations such as an image forming operation while the operation is defective. However, it is possible to avoid making the user feel uncomfortable as much as possible due to the operation sound resulting from the execution of the initial operation in the optional device.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing an example of the internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 has functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 2 including an image forming unit 100, an original reading unit 4, and a paper feeding unit 5, and an original conveying mechanism that serves as an original presser installed on the upper part of the apparatus main body 2 (in the present invention) An example of such an optional device) 3 and a finisher (an example of an optional device according to the present invention, an example of the post-processing device) 6 installed on one side of the apparatus main body 2.

  The document transport mechanism 3 includes a document placement unit 301, a carry-in drive unit 302 including a pair of carry-in rollers, a transport roller pair 303, a discharge roller pair 304, a paper discharge table 305, and a document that detects the presence or absence of a document. A detection switch 306 is provided, and the originals placed on the original placement unit 301 are automatically conveyed one by one in contact with the contact glass 402, and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 305 after exposure scanning of the originals. .

  The document reading unit 4 includes a scanner unit (not shown) that generates image data from an optically acquired document image, and includes a contact glass 401 and a contact glass 402 on an upper surface thereof. Then, the document reading unit 4 reads image data obtained from a document placed on the contact glass 401 or a document transported so as to be in contact with the contact glass 402 by the document transport mechanism 3 with a scanner unit. It outputs to the main control part 10 (refer FIG. 2) mentioned later.

  The paper supply unit 5 includes paper supply cassettes 501 and 502 that store paper of each size and vertical and horizontal types, and a manual insertion paper supply unit 503. The paper feeding unit 5 includes a conveyance path 504 that conveys paper from the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 to the image forming unit 100, and a conveyance path 505 that conveys paper from the manual insertion paper feeding unit 503 to the image forming unit 100. Prepare. Each of the paper feeding cassettes 501 and 502 and the manual paper feeding unit 503 includes pickup rollers 506, 507, and 508 for taking out the stored paper (recording paper), and a paper feeding roller that feeds the paper one by one to the conveyance path. A pair 509, 510, 511.

  The conveyance path 504 includes a conveyance roller pair 512 and 513 that conveys a sheet, and a registration roller pair 514 that makes the sheet conveyed in front of the image forming unit 100 stand by at a predetermined position. Further, the transport path 505 joins the transport path 504 on the upstream side of the registration roller pair 514.

  The image forming unit 100 includes a drum-shaped photosensitive member 101 that is rotatably supported, a charging unit 102 disposed around the photosensitive member 101, a developing unit 103, a cleaning unit 104, and a laser scanning unit 105. A transfer roller 106 and a fixing roller pair 107. The charging unit 102 uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor 101 to a predetermined potential. The laser scanning unit 105 irradiates the surface of the photosensitive member 101 with a laser beam based on image data transmitted from the main control unit 10 (see FIG. 2), and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive member 101. is there.

  The developing unit 103 attaches toner to the electrostatic latent image to make the image appear. The transfer roller 106 transfers the exposed toner image to a sheet. The fixing roller pair 107 The toner image transferred to the paper is fixed. The cleaning unit 104 cleans toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 101 after image transfer.

  In addition, a paper discharge unit 108 is provided in the upper part of the apparatus main body 2, and the paper conveyed from the fixing roller pair 107 is conveyed by the discharge roller pair 109 and discharged to the paper discharge unit 108. The discharge roller pair 110 discharges the sheet conveyed from the fixing roller pair 107 to the finisher 6, and discharges the sheet by a discharge branch guide 111 driven in accordance with a control signal from the main control unit 10. The direction can be switched between the discharge roller pair 109 side and the discharge roller pair 110 side.

  When forming images on both sides of the recording paper, the image forming unit 100 forms an image on one side of the recording paper, and then the recording paper is nipped by the discharge roller pair 109. In this state, the pair of discharge rollers 109 is reversed to switch back the recording paper, and the recording paper is sent to the paper transport path L and transported again to the upstream area of the image forming unit 100. Then, the recording paper is discharged to the paper discharge unit 108 or conveyed to the finisher 6.

  The recording paper discharged from the apparatus main body 2 is subjected to punch processing, stapling processing, sorting processing, and the like in the finisher 6. The recording paper that has undergone these processes is discharged to a discharge tray (discharge section) 61. On the upper portion of the discharge tray 61, an insert tray (mounting portion) 62 on which recording paper (insert paper) to be inserted in the upper, lower, or middle of the recording paper bundle is placed, and the insert tray 62 is placed. A recording paper bundle mounting tray (mounting unit) 63 on which a recording paper bundle as a recording paper insertion destination is placed, and a recording paper bundle placed on the recording paper bundle placing tray 63 are extracted and discarded. And a waste paper tray (discharge unit) 64 for storing the recording paper to be the target.

  To the carry-in port 601 of the finisher 6, the recording paper conveyed by the discharge roller pair 110 of the apparatus body 2, the recording paper conveyed from the insert tray 62, and the recording paper bundle loading tray 63 have been conveyed. Recording paper is carried in.

  The insert paper placed on the insert tray 62 is conveyed to the carry-in port 601 by the paper feed rollers 621 to 624. The recording sheets constituting the recording sheet bundle placed on the recording sheet bundle placing tray 63 are conveyed to the carry-in port 601 by the paper feed rollers 625, 623, and 624.

  In the finisher 6, the recording paper discharged from the apparatus main body 2 and the insert paper placed on the insert tray 62 are controlled by controlling the rotational driving of the discharge roller pair 110 and the paper supply rollers 621 to 625. And the recording paper forming the recording paper bundle placed on the recording paper bundle placement tray 63 can be selectively conveyed to the carry-in port 601. The recording paper that has passed through the carry-in port 601 is conveyed by the conveyance roller 680.

  A transport path switching mechanism 602 is provided on the downstream side of the transport inlet 601 in the recording paper transport direction. The transport path switching mechanism 602 is driven by a solenoid or the like, and branches the paper transport path continuing from the carry-in entrance 601 into either a paper transport path 640 connected to the waste paper tray 64 or a paper transport path 610 connected to the discharge tray 61. To do. Note that the recording paper conveyed to the paper conveyance path 640 connected to the waste paper tray 64 is discharged to the waste paper tray 64 by the conveyance roller 631, and the recording paper conveyed to the paper conveyance path 610 connected to the discharge tray 61 is conveyed. A roller 611 discharges the discharge tray 61.

  The transport path switching mechanism 603 branches the paper transport path continuing from the carry-in entrance 601 into either a paper transport path 610 connected to the discharge tray 61 or a paper transport path 612 following the mechanism 650 for performing stapling processing or the like. Is.

  When the recording paper that has passed through the carry-in port 601 is discharged to the discharge tray 61, the transport path switching mechanism 602 blocks the paper transport path 640 side, and the transport path switching mechanism 603 blocks the paper transport path 612, Is guided to the discharge tray 61 side. When the recording paper that has passed through the carry-in port 601 is discharged to the waste paper tray 64, the transport path switching mechanism 602 blocks the paper transport path 610 and guides the recording paper to the waste paper tray 64. When the recording paper that has passed through the carry-in port 601 is transported to the mechanism 650 side, the transport path switching mechanism 602 blocks the paper transport path 640 side, and the transport path switching mechanism 603 blocks the paper transport path 610. The recording paper is guided to the mechanism 650 side.

  The recording paper conveyed from the apparatus main body 2 by the rotational drive control of the discharge roller pair 110, the paper feed rollers 621 to 625, the conveyance rollers 680 and 611, and the switching control of the conveyance path switching mechanisms 602 and 603, The insert paper placed on the insert tray 62 and the recording paper forming the recording paper bundle placed on the recording paper bundle placement tray 63 can be freely distributed to the discharge tray 61 or the waste paper tray 64. It is like that.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus body 2 includes a main control unit 10 that controls operation of the entire apparatus. The main control unit 10 has an unillustrated CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores a program that defines the operation of the CPU, a function that temporarily stores data, A manuscript image composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory) having a function as a work area and a peripheral device such as a storage unit such as a RAM for temporarily storing data, and comprising an exposure lamp 41, a CCD 42, etc. The document reading unit 4 capable of reading the image and the image forming unit 100 are connected. Further, the main control unit 10 is connected to a storage unit 71 used as a work area for temporarily storing document data read by the document reading unit 4. The storage unit 71 is a so-called main memory, and is configured using a low-cost volatile storage element such as a DRAM.

  When the document reading unit 4 reads a document, the image processing unit 73 converts an analog image signal output from the document reading unit 4 into a digital image, performs image processing for improving image quality, and then converts the image into a compressed image. Further, when the file data (compressed image) to be printed out is written in the storage unit 71 from each computer on the network, the image processing unit 73 decompresses the compressed file data and responds to the output state. For example, in the case of laser exposure, analog modulation is performed on the laser signal. The image forming unit 100 prints out based on the analog-modulated signal.

  The document transport mechanism 3 includes a transport roller provided in a paper transport path in the apparatus main body 2 and a driving unit thereof, and transports the recording paper fed from the paper feed unit 5 to the image forming unit 100 to form an image. The recording paper that has been finished is conveyed to the paper discharge unit 108 or the finisher 6.

  The main control unit 10 functions as a scanner controller, a facsimile controller, a printer controller, a copy controller, a network controller, and a finisher controller that control each function that can be executed by the apparatus main body 2.

  The scanner controller controls the operation of each unit necessary for the operation of the document reading unit 4. The facsimile controller controls the operation of each unit necessary for the facsimile operation, and controls the facsimile communication unit 74 that adjusts data necessary for facsimile communication. The facsimile communication unit 74 includes an NCU (Network Control Unit) that controls connection of a telephone line with a destination facsimile that is a data transmission / reception partner. The copy controller controls the operation of each unit necessary for the copy operation.

  The printer controller controls the operation of each unit necessary for printer operation. This printer controller includes a parallel I / F unit 75 that is connected to an external device by parallel transmission that sends several bits at once using a plurality of signal lines, and sequentially transmits data one bit at a time using a single signal line. A serial I / F unit 76 connected to an external device is connected by serial transmission.

  The network controller controls data transmission / reception performed between the image forming apparatus 1 and a computer on the network. The network controller transmits / receives data to / from the outside via the network I / F unit 77.

  The finisher controller 17 sends a control instruction to the finisher control section 60 of the finisher 6 in accordance with an instruction input to the operation key section 781 of the operation panel section 78, to the recording paper discharged from the apparatus main body 2 and the insert tray 62. The inserted insert paper and the recording paper forming the recording paper bundle placed on the recording paper bundle placement tray 63 (see FIG. 1) are freely distributed and conveyed to the discharge tray 61 or the waste paper tray 64. To control.

  Further, an operation panel unit 78 for inputting various operation instructions from the operator is provided in the apparatus main body 2, and this operation panel unit 78 is also controlled by the main control unit 10. The operation key unit 781 includes a start key for inputting a print execution instruction by the operator, a numeric keypad for inputting the number of copies, and the like. When the user operates the operation key unit 781, the number of recording sheet bundles, the number of pages of each recording sheet bundle, and the deleted pages in each recording sheet bundle, which are necessary for the reconfiguration processing of the recording sheet bundle described later. Alternatively, a numerical value such as a replacement page is input. The display unit 782 displays operation guide information and the like for various copying operations, and includes a liquid crystal display having a touch panel function for inputting various settings.

  The finisher 6 is also controlled by the main control unit 10. In the finisher 6, operation of each unit of the finisher 6 is controlled according to the control signal received from the main control unit 10 by the finisher control unit 60. The finisher control unit 60 receives the recording paper from the conveyance roller driving unit 6800 that drives the conveyance roller 680 that conveys the recording paper near the carry-in port 601, and the insert paper from the insert tray 62 or the recording paper bundle tray 63. A paper feed roller driving unit 6220 for driving the paper feed rollers 622 to 624 for feeding, a paper feed roller driving unit 6200 for driving the paper feed roller 621 for feeding the insert paper from the insert tray 62, and a bundle of recording paper A recording sheet bundle conveying roller driving unit 6300 that drives a sheet feeding roller 625 that conveys the recording sheet placed on the loading tray 63, and a discharging conveying roller that drives a conveying roller 611 that conveys the recording sheet to the discharging tray 61. A drive unit 6100 and a waste paper transport roller drive unit that drives a transport roller 631 that transports the recording paper to the waste paper tray 64 400 and are connected. Each of these drive units is controlled by a finisher control unit 60 on the finisher 6 side based on a control signal from a finisher controller of the apparatus main body 2.

  The switching mechanism driving unit 6020 for driving the transport path switching mechanisms 602 and 603 is also controlled by the finisher control unit 60 on the finisher 6 side based on a control signal from the finisher controller of the apparatus body 2.

  An operation unit is provided on the finisher 6 side, and from the operation unit on the finisher 6 side, the number of recording sheet bundles required for the reconstruction process of the recording sheet bundle, the number of pages of each recording sheet bundle, A numerical value such as a deleted page or a replacement page in each recording paper bundle may be input, and the finisher control unit 60 may control based on the input content.

  The sub-control unit 90 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) not shown in the figure, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores a program that defines the operation of the CPU, and a function or operation for temporarily storing data. It is configured to include peripheral devices such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) having a function as an area and a storage unit such as a RAM for temporarily storing data.

  The sub control unit 90 has a smaller circuit scale than the main control unit 10 and is configured to be able to communicate with the main control unit 10. The sub-control unit 90 mainly performs necessary processing even when a sleep mode described later is set.

  The controller 80 functions as an interface between the image forming apparatus 1 and an external device, and the image such as the document reading unit 4, the image forming unit 100, the main control unit 10, the sub control unit 90, and the operation panel unit 78. It has a function of switching on and off the power supply to each part of the forming apparatus 1. The controller 80 has a function as the mode switching unit as will be described later.

  Next, the characteristic part of this embodiment is demonstrated.

  The multifunction device 1 according to the present embodiment enters a standby state in which an operation can be performed promptly when image data is input to the multifunction device 1 from an external device or an image formation instruction is given by the operation panel unit 78. In addition, a sleep mode is provided in addition to a normal mode in which predetermined power is supplied to each unit of the multifunction device 1. The sleep mode is normally set when, for example, a sleep mode setting button 7811 (see FIG. 2) provided on the operation panel unit 78 is operated or when no operation is performed on the multi-function device 1 for a predetermined time. This mode is a mode that can be switched from the mode, in which the number of targets to which power is supplied is smaller than that in the normal mode, and power is supplied to only a part of each part of the multifunction device 1. . In the sleep mode, power supply to the sub control unit 90 and the operation panel unit 78 is continued, and power supply to each unit belonging to the area surrounded by the broken line shown in FIG. 2 such as the main control unit 10 and the image forming unit 100 is performed. Blocked.

  In this embodiment, the finisher 6 and the document transport mechanism 3 as optional devices are used in the current transition from the sleep mode to the normal mode according to whether or not the finisher 6 and the document transport mechanism 3 are used in the previous normal mode setting period. It is determined whether or not the initial operation of the document conveying mechanism 3 is necessary.

  The operations performed as the initial operation of the finisher 6 include rotation operations of the paper feed rollers 621 to 625, the conveyance rollers 680, 611 and 631, switching operations of the conveyance path switching mechanisms 602 and 603, and the like. Operations performed as the initial operation of the mechanism 3 include rotation operations of the carry-in drive unit 302, the conveyance roller pair 303, and the discharge roller pair 304.

  In order to achieve such a function, the storage unit 71 functionally includes a history information storage unit 711, the controller 80 functionally includes a mode switching unit 81, and the sub-control unit 90 includes a mode detection unit. 91, a history information communication unit 92, a history information R / W unit 93, and a history information storage unit 94. The main control unit 10 includes a history information R / W unit 11 and a history information communication. Unit 12 and an initial operation instruction unit 13 functionally.

  The mode switching unit 81 switches the mode of the MFP 1 between the normal mode and the sleep mode. That is, the mode switching unit 81 operates when a sleep mode setting button 7811 (not shown) provided on the operation panel unit 78 is operated or when no operation is performed on the image forming apparatus 1 for a predetermined time. While the power supply mode of the multifunction device 1 is switched from the normal mode to the sleep mode, while the sleep mode is set, some operations are performed on the document feeding unit 5 or the operation panel unit 78, for example, personal When image data is transmitted from an external device such as a computer or a facsimile machine, the power supply mode of the multifunction device 1 is switched from the sleep mode to the normal mode.

  The history information R / W unit 11 detects an optional device attached to the apparatus main body 1 when the main power is turned on or the power supply mode of the image forming apparatus 1 is switched from the sleep mode to the normal mode. To create a list of the optional devices. Further, when an optional device is used, the history information R / W unit 11 writes information indicating a use history (whether or not used) for the optional device in the history information storage unit 711 of the storage unit 71. Further, the history information R / W unit 11 sets the normal mode setting period set immediately before the switching when the mode switching unit 81 switches the power supply mode of the MFP 1 from the normal mode to the sleep mode. The information stored in the history information storage unit 711 is read from the history information storage unit 711 as history information.

  The history information storage unit 711 is a target for writing and reading information by the history information R / W unit 11. Here, since the history information storage unit 711 is composed of a volatile storage unit, the history information storage unit 711 stores the data until then when the mode is shifted to the sleep mode where the power supply to the main control unit 10 is cut off or the main power is turned off. The information that was stored disappears.

  The mode detection unit 91 detects the current power supply mode of the multifunction device 1 by monitoring the voltage of the power terminal to which the power supply voltage supplied to the main control unit 10 is applied at a predetermined cycle. That is, when the voltage at the power terminal is greater than a predetermined threshold, the mode detection unit 91 supplies power to the main control unit 10 and sets the power supply mode of the multifunction device 1 to the normal mode. On the other hand, when the voltage at the power terminal is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value, the power supply to the main control unit 10 is interrupted, and the power supply mode of the multifunction device 1 is set to the sleep mode. Detect what is.

  The history information communication unit 12 of the main control unit 12 and the history information communication unit 92 of the sub control unit 90 mutually transmit and receive the history information. That is, when the history information is read from the history information storage unit 711 by the history information R / W unit 11, the history information communication unit 12 transmits the history information to the history information communication unit 92, and the history information communication unit 92 Receive history information.

  When the history information is received by the history information communication unit 92, the history information R / W unit 93 of the sub-control unit 90 writes the history information into the history information storage unit 94, and then the mode detection unit 91 When switching from the sleep mode to the normal mode is detected, the history information stored in the history information storage unit 94 is read.

  When the history information is read from the history information storage unit 94 by the history information R / W unit 93 in the sub-control unit 90, the history information communication unit 92 transmits the history information to the history information communication unit 12 of the main control unit 10. To do. The history information communication unit 12 receives the history information, and the history information R / W unit 11 of the main control unit 10 receives the history information by the history information communication unit 12 and stores the history information in the history information storage. Part 711.

  The initial operation instruction unit 13 outputs an instruction to execute the initial operation to each unit of the image forming apparatus 1. In particular, in the present embodiment, the initial operation instruction unit 13 receives from the sub control unit 90 and receives a history information storage unit 711. Based on the history information stored in, the necessity of the initial operation of the optional device is determined, and when it is determined that the initial operation is necessary, an instruction to execute the initial operation is output to the optional device.

  Specifically, when there is an optional device having a usage history based on the history information, the initial operation instructing unit 13 causes the optional device having the usage history to execute an initial operation while the optional device having no usage history. Does not execute the initial operation.

  The above operations will be described together. As shown in FIG. 3, at time T1, the main power supply of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on or switched from the sleep mode to the normal mode, and then at normal time T2, It is assumed that the mode is switched to the sleep mode, and the sleep mode is switched to the normal mode at time T3 thereafter.

  At this time, when the normal mode is switched to the sleep mode at time T2, the history information R / W unit 11 of the main control unit 10 stores the history information in the history information storage unit 711 in the period A from time T1 to time T2. Information is read as history information and transmitted to the sub-control unit 90. The history information communication unit 92 of the sub-control unit 90 receives the history information and stores it in the history information storage unit 94 until time T3 when the sleep mode is switched to the normal mode again.

  At time T3, the history information R / W unit 93 of the sub-control unit 90 reads the history information from the history information storage unit 94, and the history information communication unit 92 transmits the history information to the main control unit 10 (that is, The history information is returned to the main control unit 10).

  The history information communication unit 12 of the main control unit 10 receives the history information, and the initial operation instructing unit 13 executes an initial operation for the used option device during the period A based on the history information, and In the period A, the initial operation is not executed for optional devices that are not used.

  Since the initial operation instruction unit 13 is frequently used for each unit other than the optional device, whether or not there is a usage history when the mode is changed from the sleep mode to the normal mode and when the main power is turned on. Regardless of whether the initial operation execution instruction is output. The initial operation of each unit other than the optional device is, for example, the rotation operation of the pickup rollers 506 to 508 and the pair of paper feed rollers 509 to 511 of the paper feed unit 5, the pair of conveyance rollers 512 and 513 of the conveyance path 504, and the pair of registration rollers. 514 rotation operation, photosensitive member 101 of image forming unit 100, transfer roller 106 and fixing roller pair 107 rotation operation, discharge roller pair 109 and 110 rotation operation, carry-in drive unit 302, transport roller pair 303 and discharge roller pair 304 Rotation operation and the like.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the main control unit 10 and the sub control unit 90 in accordance with the mode switching. It is assumed that the image forming apparatus 1 is set in the normal mode in advance when executing the processing shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the history information R / W unit 11 of the main control unit 10 indicates that when an optional device is used (YES in step # 1), the used optional device is used. Is stored in the history information storage unit 711 of the storage unit 71 (step # 2), and the process proceeds to step # 3. If the history information R / W unit 11 determines that the optional device is not used (NO in step # 1), it skips step # 2 and proceeds to step # 3.

  In step # 3, the main control unit 10 determines whether or not a notification of switching to the sleep mode has been received from the mode switching unit 81 of the controller 80. If the notification has not been received (NO in step # 3). On the other hand, if the notification is received (YES in step # 3), the history information R / W unit 11 returns to the normal mode (when shifting from the normal mode to the sleep mode). The information stored in the history information storage unit 711 during the setting of the normal mode set immediately before the mode transition is performed is transmitted as history information to the sub-control unit 90 (step # 4). After this transmission, the sub-control unit 90 transmits to the controller 80 that the switching to the sleep mode has been accepted.

  The mode detection unit 91 of the sub control unit 90 detects that the controller 80 has switched the power supply mode of the multifunction device 1 from the normal mode to the sleep mode by the voltage change of the power terminal in the main control unit 10 ( In step # 11, the history information communication unit 92 of the sub-control unit 90 determines whether or not the history information has been received from the main control unit 10 (step # 12). When the history information communication unit 92 receives the history information from the main control unit 10 (YES in step # 12), the history information storage unit 94 stores the history information (step # 13).

  Thereby, even after the power supply mode of the multifunction device 1 shifts from the normal mode to the sleep mode and the history information stored in the history information storage unit 711 of the main control unit 10 disappears, the sub control unit 90 The history information can be stored in the history information storage unit 94. Further, since the history information storage unit 711 of the main control unit 10 can be configured with a low-cost storage element, it is not necessary to separately provide a non-volatile memory in addition to the storage unit 71.

  After that, the mode detection unit 91 detects that the controller 80 has switched the power supply mode of the MFP 1 from the sleep mode to the normal mode based on the voltage change of the power terminal in the main control unit 10 (step # 14). The history information R / W unit 93 reads the history information from the history information storage unit 94, and the history information communication unit 92 transmits the read history information to the main control unit 10 (step # 15). ).

  When main control unit 10 is activated (YES in step # 5), history information communication unit 12 waits until it receives the history information from sub-control unit 90 (NO in step # 6). When the history information communication unit 12 receives the history information from the sub-control unit 90 (YES in step # 6), the initial operation instruction unit 13 is currently attached to the apparatus main body 2 based on the history information. It is determined whether or not there is a history of use for all optional devices (step # 7).

  As a result, if there is an optional device that has no history of use (NO in step # 7), the initial operation instruction unit 13 instructs the execution of the initial operation of each unit excluding the optional device that has no history of use. On the other hand (step # 8), if there is a history of use for all the optional devices (YES in step # 7), the execution of the initial operation of each unit including all the optional devices is instructed (step # 9).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when switching (returning) from the sleep mode to the normal mode, for the optional devices used in the previous normal mode setting period, the operation of each driving unit and driven unit is performed. Since the initial operation is performed in consideration of the possibility of a failure, it is possible to prevent or suppress various operations such as an image forming operation while the operation is defective.

  Furthermore, when switching from the sleep mode to the normal mode (returning), it is unlikely that the above-mentioned malfunctions are occurring in the unused optional devices during the previous normal mode setting period. Since the initial operation is not performed, the frequency of performing the initial operation can be reduced as compared with the configuration in which the initial operation is always performed when the mode is changed from the sleep mode to the normal mode. Thereby, it is possible to avoid as much as possible that the user feels uncomfortable with the operation sound generated due to the execution of the initial operation.

  Since the sub-control unit 90 and the sleep mode are provided, power saving of the image forming apparatus 1 can be achieved.

  In this case, the following modifications may be employed instead of or in addition to the embodiment.

  [1] In the above-described embodiment, the sub-control unit 90 detects the switching of the power supply mode based on the voltage change of the power terminal of the main control unit 10, but this is not a limitation, and the normal mode is changed to the sleep mode. When shifting, the main control unit 10 may notify the sub control unit 90 to that effect. Alternatively, the power supply mode may be detected by monitoring the mode signal of the mode switching unit 81.

  [2] In the above embodiment, when the mode is shifted from the normal mode to the sleep mode, information indicating the use status (whether or not used) of each option device is transmitted to the sub-control unit 90 as history information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and information on only the optional devices used at the time of setting the normal mode may be transmitted to the sub-control unit 90, or information on only unused option devices at the time of setting of the normal mode may be sent. You may make it transmit to the sub-control part 90. FIG. In short, the main control unit 10 may temporarily store information that can identify whether or not each option device is used as history information in the sub control unit 90.

  [3] The optional device that is the subject of the present invention is not limited to the finisher 6 and the document transport mechanism 3, and may be other devices.

2 is a side view illustrating an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of a characteristic part. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed with a main control part and a sub control part in connection with electric power supply mode switching.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Apparatus main body 3 Document conveying mechanism 6 Finisher 10 Main control part 11 History information R / W part 12 History information communication part 13 Initial operation instruction part 100 Image forming parts 602, 603 Conveyance path switching mechanisms 611, 631, 680 Conveyance rollers 621, 622, 625 Paper feed roller 6020 Switching mechanism drive unit 71 Storage unit 711 History information storage unit 80 Controller 81 Mode switching unit 90 Sub control unit 91 Mode detection unit 92 History information communication unit 93 History information R / W unit 94 History information storage

Claims (2)

An image forming apparatus in which one or a plurality of optional devices having functions different from the functions of each unit in an apparatus main body provided with an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium is detachable from the apparatus main body,
A main control unit that controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus including an optional device mounted on the apparatus body;
A sub-control unit having a smaller circuit scale than the main control unit;
A normal mode for supplying power to each unit of the image forming apparatus, and a power saving mode for cutting off power supply to each unit of the image forming apparatus including only the main control unit among the main control unit and the sub control unit And a mode switching unit that selectively switches between
The main control unit
A history information storage unit that has volatility and stores history regarding use of the optional device as history information;
When shifting from the normal mode to the power saving mode, the history information stored in the history information storage unit is transmitted to the sub-control unit during the normal mode setting period that was set immediately before the mode shift is performed. A history information transmission unit to
The sub-control unit
A history information receiving unit for receiving the history information from the history information transmitting unit;
A history information storage unit for storing history information received by the history information receiving unit;
A detection unit for detecting mode switching by the mode switching unit;
A history information transmission unit that transmits history information stored in the history information storage unit to the main control unit when switched from the power saving mode to the normal mode;
The main control unit
A history information receiving unit that receives the history information from a history information transmitting unit of the sub-control unit;
Based on the history information received by the history information receiving unit, an option device having a history of use in the normal mode setting period is extracted from the option devices currently mounted on the apparatus main body, and the extracted option An image forming apparatus having an initial operation instruction unit that executes an initial operation for confirming the operation of a drive unit that generates power and a driven unit that is driven by the power generated by the drive unit only for the device. The recording medium is paper;
The optional device includes a post-processing device that performs processing on a sheet on which an image forming operation has been performed by the image forming unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the initial operation includes an operation for confirming an operation of a driving unit and a driven unit provided in the post-processing device.

Images