JP5414329B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention belongs to the technical field of image forming apparatuses, and particularly relates to a technique for reducing standby power.

  As a power-saving technique for image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and facsimile machines, in addition to the normal power supply mode for supplying power 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 to supply the image forming apparatus 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 the mode from the normal power supply mode to the sleep mode is widely adopted.

  By the way, in an image forming apparatus having a communication function, even in the sleep mode, it is usually determined whether data transmitted on the network is destined for the own apparatus or not. In order to make it possible to communicate with other communication devices, such as receiving the data or sending status information of the own device to other devices via the network, It is necessary to supply power to the part related to reception. Here, if the power can be reduced without stopping the function related to data reception, it is possible to further reduce the power consumption of the image forming apparatus having the communication function.

  As a technical document regarding this power saving, there is Patent Document 1 below. In Patent Document 1 below, it is determined whether or not the protocol of a packet received via a network is a protocol type packet corresponding to a predetermined return condition. If so, the normal operation mode is changed from the power saving mode. A technique for returning to the above is disclosed.

JP 2006-309731 A

  An image forming apparatus having a communication function has a power supply control unit that controls the operation of the power supply circuit in order to make the generated power variable as described above, and the function of the power supply control unit is changed to each part of the image forming apparatus. May be provided in an overall control unit that performs overall control.

  In this case, in order to allow the power supply control unit to switch from the sleep mode power supply state to the normal mode power supply state at any time, power is supplied to the overall control unit during the sleep mode period. Need to continue.

  However, since the overall control unit consumes a relatively large amount of power, there is room for power saving. In addition, the said patent document 1 has no description regarding this point.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of further reducing power consumption while maintaining a communication state even in a sleep mode. And

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a communication function, and includes a communication interface unit for communicating with another communication device via a communication network, and the communication interface unit. An image forming unit that performs an image forming operation based on the received data, a first power supply mode that supplies power to each unit of the image forming apparatus, power to the communication interface unit, and power to the image forming unit A power supply unit that switches a power supply mode that is a mode for supplying power to a second power supply mode that does not supply power, and the communication interface unit is a protocol related to data received by the communication interface unit recognizing the protocol recognition unit of the type of the can be recognized by the protocol recognition unit 3 or more protocol A first storage unit that stores a predetermined correspondence relationship with the type of the power supply mode in advance, and a power supply mode that is associated with a protocol related to data received by the communication interface unit. derived from parts, and generates an operation command signal for operating the power supply unit in the derived power supply mode and a operation command signal output unit that outputs to the power supply unit, the power supply unit, the power magnitude One power supply circuit whose generated power is variable by changing a parameter value for a predetermined parameter for determining the length, and a predetermined correspondence relationship between the type of the power supply mode and the parameter value for the parameter are stored A second storage unit, and when receiving the operation command signal from the operation command signal output unit, the power supply indicated by the operation command signal is provided. The one power supply circuit performs a power supply operation with the parameter value stored in the second storage unit corresponding to the mode, and the image forming apparatus includes no power supply circuit other than the one power supply circuit. Forming device.

  According to this invention, the predetermined correspondence between the protocol type that can be recognized by the protocol recognition unit and the type of the power supply mode is stored in the first storage unit in advance. Then, when data is received by the communication interface unit, a protocol related to the received data is recognized by the protocol recognition unit, and the power supply mode associated with the protocol is set by the operation command signal output unit in the first memory. And an operation command signal for operating the power supply unit in the derived power supply mode is output to the power supply unit.

  Then, according to the operation command signal received from the operation command signal output unit by the power supply unit, a first power supply mode for supplying power to each unit of the image forming apparatus or power to the communication interface unit And a power supply operation is performed in the second power supply mode in which power is not supplied to the image forming unit.

  As described above, in any of the first power supply mode and the second power supply mode, since power is supplied to the communication interface unit, data from the communication network can always be received. Can be kept.

  In addition, since the protocol recognition unit and the operation command signal output unit are provided, it is possible to determine whether or not it is necessary to switch from the second power supply mode to the first power supply mode according to the type of protocol. . Therefore, power saving can be achieved by the amount of protocol that does not switch from the second power supply mode to the first power supply mode.

  Further, since the protocol recognizing unit and the operation command signal output unit are mounted on the interface unit, it is always possible to supply power to the communication interface unit from the second power supply mode during the second power supply mode. It can be set as the state which can be switched to 1st electric power supply mode.

  In the configuration in which the protocol recognizing unit and the operation command signal output unit are mounted on the above-described general control unit that consumes relatively large power, it is necessary to supply power to the general control unit. As a result, the protocol recognizing unit and the operation command signal output unit can be configured with a small-scale circuit with limited processing contents. As a result, further power saving can be achieved.

Further, by changing the parameter values for the parameters can be performed finely supply control power.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus capable of further reducing power consumption while maintaining a state in which communication with other communication devices can be performed even in the second power supply mode.

1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral as an embodiment of an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is an example of the front view of a user interface part. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine. It is a figure which shows the content of the table memorize | stored in the memory | storage part. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a main body control part and a NIC side control part. 6 is a flowchart showing processing of a power supply unit that is performed in response to the processing of steps # 6 and # 7 shown in FIG.

  Embodiments of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, a multi-function machine that collectively includes functions such as a color copy, a scanner, a facsimile, and a printer will be described. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the internal configuration of the multifunction machine.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 1 includes an image reading unit 2 and an apparatus main body 3. The image reading unit 2 includes a document feeding unit 21, a scanner unit 22, a CIS 231, a user interface unit 5, and a reversing mechanism described later. The document feeder 21 includes an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder), and the document placed on the document tray 211 is sequentially conveyed to the platen 213 one by one through the gap by the pickup roller 212, and the document that has passed through the platen 213. Are sequentially discharged to the paper discharge tray 215 by the paper discharge roller 214.

  Among the positions facing the peripheral surface of the platen 213, a timing sensor (for example, a photo interrupter) for detecting a sheet is provided at a predetermined position before the reading position P in the document conveyance direction. (Not shown) is installed, and the conveyance timing of the original to the reading position P is achieved based on the output signal of the timing sensor.

  The scanner unit 22 optically reads an image of a document to generate image data, and includes a glass 221, a light source 222, a first mirror 223, a second mirror 224, a third mirror 225, a first carriage 226, a first carriage 226. 2 carriage 227, imaging lens 228, and CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 229.

  For example, a white fluorescent lamp such as a cold cathode fluorescent tube is used as the light source 222, and the scanner unit 22 includes the first mirror 223, the second mirror 224, the third mirror 225, the first carriage 226, and the second carriage. The light from the original is guided to the CCD 229 by the 227 and the imaging lens 228.

  A document is manually placed on the glass 221 by a user's manual operation when reading the document without using the document feeder 21. The light source 222 and the first mirror 223 are supported by the first carriage 226, and the second mirror 224 and the third mirror 225 are supported by the second carriage 227.

  Although not described in detail as the document reading method of the image reading unit 2, the scanner unit 22 reads a document placed on the glass 221 and the document is captured by the document feeding unit 21 (ADF). There is an ADF reading mode for reading a document in the middle of the conveyance.

  Furthermore, the ADF reading mode is divided into a double-sided reverse reading mode and a double-sided simultaneous reading mode. That is, the document feeder 21 of the multifunction device 1 has a document reversing mechanism including a switching guide 216, a reversing roller 217, a reversing conveyance path 218, and a temporary discharge unit 219. However, the original whose surface (the surface corresponding to one page of the original) has been read by the first ADF reading is reversed and conveyed again to the reading window 230, so that the back side (the other page of the original) is read again by the CCD 229. This is a reading mode for reading the surface corresponding to (1).

  In the double-sided simultaneous reading mode, the originals fed from the original tray 211 are read by the CCD 229 when the front side passes over the reading window 230, and read by the CIS 231 when the back side passes through the CIS 231. This is a reading mode in which the front and back sides of a document are read by a single document transport operation (one pass) from the document tray 211 to the paper discharge tray 215 by the paper unit 21.

  The multifunction device 1 includes an apparatus main body 3 and a stack tray 6 disposed on the left side of the apparatus main body 3. The apparatus main body 3 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 461, a paper feed roller 462 that feeds paper one by one from the paper feed cassette 461 and transports the paper to the image forming unit 40, and an image on the paper transported from the paper feed cassette 461. And an image forming unit 40 for forming the image. The apparatus body 3 also includes a paper feed tray 471 and a feed roller 472 that feeds the originals placed on the paper feed tray 471 one by one toward the image forming unit 40.

  The image forming unit 40 includes a charge eliminating device 421 that removes residual charges from the surface of the photosensitive drum 43, a charging device 422 that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 43 after charge removal, and image data acquired by the scanner unit 22. An exposure device 423 that outputs a laser beam to expose the surface of the photosensitive drum 43 to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 43, and on the photosensitive drum 43 based on the electrostatic latent image. Furthermore, developing devices 44K, 44Y, 44M, and 44C that form toner images of each color of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), and each color formed on the photosensitive drum 43, respectively. A transfer drum 49 on which the toner image is transferred and overlaid, a transfer device 41 for transferring the toner image on the transfer drum 49 to a sheet, and a sheet on which the toner image is transferred are heated to form a toner image. And a fixing device 45 for fixing to the paper.

  Note that toner is supplied to each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black from a toner supply container (toner cartridge) (not shown). Further, conveyance rollers 463, 464 and the like for conveying the sheet that has passed through the image forming unit 40 to the stack tray 6 or the discharge tray 48 are provided.

  When images are formed on both sides of a sheet, the image is formed on one side of the sheet by the image forming unit 40 and then the sheet is nipped by the conveyance roller 463 on the discharge tray 48 side. In this state, the conveying roller 463 is reversed to switch back the sheet, and the sheet is sent to the sheet conveying path L to be conveyed again to the upstream area of the image forming unit 40, and an image is formed on the other surface by the image forming unit 40. Thereafter, the paper is discharged to the stack tray 6 or the discharge tray 48.

  Further, in front of the apparatus main body 3, a display unit 51 that allows a user to visually recognize an operation screen, various messages, and the like, and a user interface unit 5 having operation buttons for inputting various operation commands are provided. ing. FIG. 2 is an example of a front view of the user interface unit 5.

  The user interface unit 5 includes a display unit 51, a touch panel 52, a numeric key group 53, various operation buttons 54 to 57, a function selection button 58, and the like. The display unit 51 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an ELD (Electronic Luminescent Display), or the like, and displays an operation guidance screen for the user such as paper size selection, magnification selection, density selection, and the like. The display unit 51 is formed integrally with the touch panel 52. The touch panel 52 detects the touch position when the user performs a touch operation, and outputs a detection signal indicating the touch position to a main body control unit 304 (see FIG. 3) described later.

  The numeric key group 53 is for inputting, for example, the number of copies when operating the copy function of the multifunction machine 1 and the telephone number of the transmission destination when operating the facsimile function. The power saving button 54 is a button for setting the multifunction device 1 to a sleep mode (low power mode). The start button 55 is a button for starting a copy operation or a scanner operation, and the stop / clear button 56 is a button for stopping the copy operation or the scanner operation or canceling an input operation. The reset button 57 is a button for setting the display of the display unit 51 and various settings to an initial state or a standard operation state. The function selection button 58 is a button for setting a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

  Note that the MFP 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a sleep mode (power saving mode) as a mode for supplying power, in addition to the normal power supply mode for supplying power to each unit in the MFP 1. In the sleep mode, for example, normal power is supplied not only when the power saving button 54 (see FIG. 2) provided in the user interface unit 5 is operated but also when the multifunction device 1 is not used for a predetermined time. This mode can be switched from the mode.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration that realizes the communication function and the power saving function of the multifunction device 1. The multifunction device 1 includes an image forming unit 40, a NIC (Network Interface Controller) unit 300, and a power supply unit 301.

  In FIG. 3, the image forming unit 40 corresponds to the image forming unit 40 shown in FIG. 1, and includes an image processing unit 302, a main body side interface unit 303, and a main body control unit 304. . The image processing unit 302 performs predetermined image processing on the received image data, and outputs the image data after the image processing to the exposure device 423.

  The main body side interface unit 303 is a buffer device for the image forming unit 40 to communicate various data including image data with the NIC unit 300.

  The main body control unit 304 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing a program for defining the operation of the CPU, a function for temporarily storing data, and a work area. It has peripheral devices such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) having a function and a storage unit such as a RAM for temporarily storing data, and comprehensively controls the operation of each unit of the image forming unit. .

  The main body control unit 304 has a function of causing the image forming unit 40 to perform an image forming operation based on a print job received via the NIC unit 300. In addition, the main body control unit 304 has a timing to switch from the normal power supply mode to the sleep mode when the power saving button 54 (see FIG. 2) is operated or the multifunction device 1 is not used for a predetermined time. The NIC unit 300 is notified of this.

  The main body control unit 304 needs to perform image processing on image data having a large data size and to control the operation of each mechanism unit at high speed in real time, so a high-performance microprocessor or a large-capacity memory is used. It is configured.

  The power supply unit 301 includes a power supply circuit unit 305 and a power supply control unit 306. The power supply circuit unit 305 is connected to a power plug 320 provided in the multi-function device 1, generates necessary power based on the commercial power source taken in via the power plug 320, and each unit in the multi-function device 1. To supply.

  Specifically, the power supply circuit unit 305 generates a required power in the normal power supply mode and does not operate in the sleep mode, and a required power in the sleep mode. And a power saving power supply circuit 308 that does not operate in the normal power supply mode.

  In this case, since the power consumption is small in the sleep mode, a power supply circuit having a power capacity smaller than that of the normal power supply circuit 307 can be used as the power saving power supply circuit 308. A power supply circuit with a small power capacity can use components with small power ratings for switching elements, coils, and the like. In general, a component with a large power rating has a large power loss, so that the power-saving power supply circuit 308 is a power supply circuit with a small power capacity, so that the power consumption of the normal power supply circuit 307 is higher than that in the case of using the power supply in the sleep mode. Loss can be reduced.

  The power supply control unit 306 includes a normal power supply control unit 309 that controls the operation of the normal power supply circuit 307, and a power saving power supply control unit 310 that controls the operation of the power saving power supply circuit 308. The normal power power source control unit 309 and the power saving power source control unit 310 are based on the operation command signal output from the NIC control unit 313 (operation command signal output unit 314) of the NIC unit 300. The operation of the circuit 307 and the power saving power supply circuit 308 is controlled. This control content will be described together with the description of the operation of the NIC unit 300.

  The NIC unit 300 is connected to other electronic devices such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 317 and a server (indicated as “Server” in FIG. 1) 318, for example, the Internet or LAN conforming to the standard IEEE 802.3. The multi-function device 1 is connected to the other electronic device with various data such as image data as a hub (concentrator; “HUB” in FIG. 1). Notation) This is an interface for communicating via 319, and comprises a MAC (Media Access Control) controller 311, a NIC side interface unit 312, and a NIC control unit 313.

  The MAC controller 311 corresponds to a part of the second layer (data link layer) of the seven layers represented by the OSI basic reference model, and a method for transmitting / receiving frames reliably between communication devices, a frame format, and the like. An operation based on a defined protocol called MAC (medium access control) is executed.

  For example, the MAC controller 311 determines whether or not the data transmitted on the communication network is destined for its own device, and the MAC address included in the data is the same destination as the MAC address assigned to itself. Judgment is made based on whether or not the address is a MAC address, and when this is the case, the data is fetched and notified to the main body control unit 304 of the image forming unit 40, or in communication with data transmitted from other electronic devices. The transmission timing is controlled according to the MAC so as not to cause a collision.

  The NIC side interface unit 312 is a buffer device for the NIC unit 300 to communicate various data including image data with the image forming unit 40.

  The NIC control unit 313 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing a program for defining the operation of the CPU, a function for temporarily storing data, and a work area. A peripheral device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) having a function and a storage unit such as a RAM for temporarily storing data is provided, and the operation of each unit of the NIC unit 300 is comprehensively controlled.

  In this embodiment, the NIC control unit 313 generates an operation command signal for controlling the power supply operation of the power supply unit 301 and outputs the operation command signal to the power supply unit 301. The point that functionally includes a protocol recognition unit 315 that recognizes a protocol related to data received as data addressed to the own device by the MAC controller 311 and a storage unit 316 described later is different from the conventional technology.

  The operation command signal output unit 314 provides a notification that the timing to switch from the normal power supply mode to the sleep mode is reached because the power saving button 54 is operated or the multifunction device 1 is not used for a predetermined time. When received from the control unit 304, it generates an operation command signal indicating an instruction to turn off the normal power supply circuit 307 and turn on the power saving power supply circuit 308, and outputs the operation command signal to the power supply unit 301.

  As a result, in the power supply unit 301, the power control unit for normal power 309 turns off the power circuit for normal power 307, and the power control unit for power saving 310 turns on the power saving power circuit 308, Of the image forming unit 40 and the NIC unit 300, power is supplied only to the NIC unit 300. At this time, power consumption can be reduced by not supplying power to the image forming unit 40, and the communicable state of the multifunction device 1 is maintained.

  When the MAC controller 311 receives data, the protocol recognition unit 315 recognizes a protocol related to the data.

  In the sleep mode, the operation command signal output unit 314, when the protocol related to the data received by the MAC controller 311 is recognized by the protocol recognition unit 315, according to the recognized protocol type, An operation command signal indicating on / off operation of the normal power supply circuit 307 and the power saving power supply circuit 308 (whether to cancel the sleep mode and switch to the normal power supply mode) is generated.

  As the protocol, in addition to a protocol related to a print job (print job protocol), for example, a maintenance protocol for performing maintenance and inspection of the MFP 1 such as a toner amount, and an Ethernet (registered trademark) MAC address from an IP address. As an example, there is a protocol called ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) that is used for the determination.

  In this embodiment, the on / off operation of the normal power supply circuit 307 and the power saving power supply circuit 308 during the sleep mode is determined in advance for each of these protocols. As shown in FIG. 4, the operation command signal output unit 314 has a table showing the correspondence between the type of protocol and the operation command contents (ON or OFF) of the normal power supply circuit 307 and the power saving power supply circuit 308. It has a storage unit 316 (corresponding to the first storage unit) that stores in advance, and derives the operation command content corresponding to the protocol related to the data received by the MAC controller 311 from the table, and stores the operation command content The operation command signal shown is generated and output to the power supply unit 301.

  For example, with respect to the print job protocol or the maintenance protocol, the operation command contents for turning on the normal power supply circuit 307 and turning off the power saving power supply circuit 308 are associated with each other in advance. The storage unit 316 stores in advance a table in which operation command contents for turning off the normal power supply circuit 307 and turning on the power saving power supply circuit 308 are associated in advance.

  When the protocol related to the data received by the MAC controller 311 during the sleep mode is a print job protocol or a maintenance protocol, the operation command signal output unit 314 turns on the power supply circuit 307 for normal power, and An operation command signal indicating an operation command content for turning off the power saving power supply circuit 308 is generated and output to the power supply circuit unit 305.

  On the other hand, when the protocol related to the data received by the MAC controller 311 during the sleep mode is the ARP, the operation command signal output unit 314 turns off the normal power power supply circuit 307 and the power saving power supply. An operation command signal indicating an operation command content for turning on the circuit 308 is generated and output to the power supply circuit unit 305. This is because when the operation based on the data related to the ARP is performed, since the image forming unit 40 is not involved in the operation, the operation content set based on the fact that it is not necessary to supply power to the image forming unit 40. It is.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing operations of the main body control unit 304 and the NIC control unit 313.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the main body control unit 304 determines whether or not it is time to shift to the sleep mode (step # 1), and determines that it is time to shift to the sleep mode (step # 1). YES), the NIC control unit 313 is notified of this, and the NIC control unit 313 that has received the notification sends an operation command signal indicating an instruction to turn off the normal power supply circuit 307 and turn on the power saving power supply circuit 308. Is output.

  As a result, the normal power supply control unit 309 of the power supply unit 301 turns off the normal power supply circuit 307, and the power saving power supply control unit 310 turns on the power saving power supply circuit 308, and the multifunction device 1 shifts from the normal power supply mode to the sleep mode.

  Next, when the MAC controller 311 receives data from another electronic device via the network during this sleep mode (YES in step # 3), the protocol recognition unit 315 of the NIC control unit 313 causes the protocol related to the data to be received. Is recognized (step # 4). Then, the operation command signal output unit 314 of the NIC control unit 313 associates the recognized protocol with an operation command content indicating an instruction to turn on the normal power supply circuit 307 and turn off the power saving power supply circuit 308. (Yes in step # 5), for example, if the protocol related to the received data is a print job protocol (YES in step # 5), the normal power supply circuit 307 is turned on. Then, an operation command signal for instructing to turn off the power saving power supply circuit 308 is generated and output to the power supply unit 301 (step # 6).

  On the other hand, in step # 5, the NIC control unit 313 does not associate an operation command content indicating an instruction to turn off the normal power supply circuit 307 and turn on the power saving power supply circuit 308 with the recognized protocol. For example, when the protocol related to the received data is the ARP (NO in step # 5), an operation command signal indicating an instruction to turn off the normal power supply circuit 307 and turn on the power saving power supply circuit 308 is generated. To the power supply unit 301 (step # 7).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing of the power supply unit 301 performed in response to the processing of steps # 6 and # 7 by the NIC control unit 313.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the power supply unit 301 determines whether or not an operation command signal has been received from the NIC control unit 313 (step # 11), and determines that an operation command signal has been received (step # 11). YES), it is determined whether or not the operation command signal indicates an instruction to turn on the normal power supply circuit 307 and turn off the power saving power supply circuit 308 (step # 12).

  If power supply unit 301 determines that this is the case (YES in step # 12), normal power supply control unit 309 turns on normal power supply circuit 307, and power saving power supply control unit 310 saves power. Power supply circuit 308 is turned off (step # 13). As a result, power is supplied to each unit of the multifunction device 1.

  On the other hand, when the power supply unit 301 determines in step # 12 that the received operation command signal indicates an instruction to turn off the normal power supply circuit 307 and turn on the power saving power supply circuit 308. (NO in step # 12), the normal power supply control unit 309 turns off the normal power supply circuit 307, and the power saving power supply control unit 310 maintains the state in which the power saving power supply circuit 308 is turned on (step). # 14).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, power is supplied to the NIC unit 300 in any of the normal power supply mode and the sleep mode. It is possible to set to a state in which communication can be performed with other electronic devices.

  In addition, since the protocol recognition unit 315 and the operation command signal output unit 14 are provided, it is possible to determine whether or not it is necessary to switch from the sleep mode to the normal power supply mode according to the protocol type. Therefore, it is not necessary to turn on the normal power supply circuit 307 until a protocol that does not require the normal power supply circuit 307 to be turned on, and power is saved by the amount of protocol that does not switch from the sleep mode to the normal power supply mode. Can be achieved.

  Further, since the protocol recognizing unit 315 and the operation command signal output unit 314 are mounted on the NIC unit 300, it is possible to change from the sleep mode to the normal power supply mode at any time only by supplying power to the NIC unit 300 during the sleep mode. It can be in a state where it can be switched.

  Therefore, in the configuration in which the functions of the protocol recognition unit 315 and the operation command signal output unit 314 are mounted on the main body control unit 304 with relatively large power consumption, it is necessary to supply power to the main body control unit 304. Then, it becomes unnecessary, and further power saving can be achieved.

  In addition, this case includes the following forms in place of or in addition to the above-described embodiment.

  (1) In the above embodiment, as a power supply circuit that generates power to be generated in the normal power supply mode and power to be generated in the sleep mode, a separate power supply circuit (the normal power supply circuit 307 and the power saving power supply) Circuit 308), and when the sleep mode is set, only the power-saving power supply circuit 308 is operated. However, instead of this form, for example, parameters for determining the magnitude of power, such as the oscillation frequency and the duty A storage unit (not shown) showing a predetermined correspondence relationship between one power supply circuit whose output voltage is variable by increasing / decreasing the parameter value and a parameter value for the type of the power supply mode and the parameter (the second memory) The power required for each power supply mode (normal power supply mode and sleep mode) is read from the storage unit and guided. And, and it supplied to said power by the power supply circuit can be adopted.

  (2) In the first embodiment, the power supplied to the NIC unit 300 is constant. For example, the third layer of the OSI reference model (communication path selection and communication is determined according to the specifications of the LAN (Local Area Network). There is a case in which a mode for periodically exchanging IP addresses of a layer (network layer) corresponding to a function related to address management in a route is provided. In this mode, the power consumption of the NIC unit 300 is larger than in a mode in which IP address exchange is not performed periodically. That is, when the above-described mode is installed, a plurality of levels are generated in the power consumption of the NIC unit 300.

  As described above, when there are a plurality of levels of power consumption of the NIC unit 300, the configuration of the modification (1) is used, and the parameter values for the parameters are set according to the required power consumption level of the NIC unit 300. By setting as described above, it is possible to generate as much power consumption as necessary, and thus it is possible to reduce wasteful power consumption as much as possible.

  (3) In the description of each of the above embodiments, only the NIC unit 300 is considered as a target to which power is supplied when the sleep mode is set, but an instruction from the user to the MFP 1 can be accepted even in the sleep mode. Since the state needs to be kept, it is preferable to include not only the NIC unit 300 but also the input operation unit as a target to which power is supplied when the sleep mode is set. In addition to the NIC unit 300 and the input operation unit, a portion that needs to be supplied with power even when the sleep mode is set is included as a power supply target when the sleep mode is set. Good.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 MFP 2 Image reading part 3 Apparatus main body 40 Image forming part 61 Control part 300 NIC part 301 Power supply part 302 Image processing part 303 Main body side interface part 304 Main body control part 305 Power supply circuit part 306 Power supply control part 307 Power supply for normal power Circuit 308 Power saving power supply circuit 309 Normal power supply power control unit 310 Power saving power supply control unit 311 MAC controller 312 NIC side interface unit 313 NIC control unit 314 Operation command signal output unit 315 Protocol recognition unit 315
316 Storage unit 317 PC
318 server 319 hub

Claims (1)

An image forming apparatus having a communication function,
A communication interface unit for communicating with other communication devices via a communication network;
An image forming unit that performs an image forming operation based on data received via the communication interface unit;
The first and the power supply mode for supplying power to each unit of the image forming apparatus, the supply power to the communication interface unit, between the second power supply mode where no electric power is supplied to the image forming unit, the power A power supply unit that switches a power supply mode that is a mode for supplying
The communication interface unit
A protocol recognition unit for recognizing a protocol related to data received by the communication interface unit;
A first storage unit that stores in advance a predetermined correspondence relationship between three or more types of protocols that can be recognized by the protocol recognition unit and the type of the power supply mode;
A power supply mode associated with a protocol related to data received by the communication interface unit is derived from the first storage unit, and an operation command signal for operating the power supply unit in the derived power supply mode is generated. An operation command signal output unit for outputting to the power supply unit,
The power supply unit
Predetermined correspondence between one power supply circuit in which generated power is variable by changing a parameter value for a predetermined parameter for determining the magnitude of power, and a parameter value for the type and parameter of the power supply mode Is stored in the second storage unit corresponding to the power supply mode indicated by the operation command signal when the operation command signal is received from the operation command signal output unit. The one power supply circuit performs power supply operation with a parameter value,
The image forming apparatus includes no power supply circuit other than the one power supply circuit.

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