JP5609572B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of taking an energy saving state.

In recent years, there has been a social demand for lower power consumption of electronic devices from the viewpoint of reducing CO ₂ emissions. For example, in a printer (image forming apparatus), when there is no job request such as a print job for a predetermined time, the apparatus can be saved by shifting to an energy saving state (low power consumption state) in which energization to a printer controller, a printer engine, etc. is stopped. The thing which aimed at electric power generation is known.

  By the way, in the printer, for example, when an error such as running out of toner occurs, the error content is displayed (error display) on the display panel of the device in order to notify the user of the occurrence of the error. In addition, in order to make the user more surely recognize the occurrence of an error, for example, a warning sound or a flashing warning light is also flashed together with the error display. Here, when the power supply to the memory storing the error information is stopped during the energy saving state, the error information may disappear, and the error may not be notified when the energy saving state is restored. In particular, it becomes a problem due to a FAX communication error that occurs before the transition to the energy saving state and does not occur at the time of return from the energy saving state.

  In order to cope with such a problem, Patent Document 1 describes that error contents are written in a nonvolatile memory when shifting to the energy saving mode, and the error contents are read from the memory and displayed again when returning from the energy saving mode. An image forming apparatus is disclosed. In this image forming apparatus, when a predetermined time elapses after the printer engine enters an error state, the main CPU writes the error content in an EEPROM (nonvolatile ROM) and then enters an energy saving mode. When data is transmitted from the host computer or when the printer engine 3 is directly operated, the mode returns from the energy saving mode to the normal mode. At that time, the main CPU looks at the error information written in the EEPROM and displays the error content on the operation panel again.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-20047

  According to the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, even if the printer engine enters the energy saving mode in an error state, it can be restarted in the same error state as before entering the energy saving mode when returning. However, for example, if a warning sound is sounded or a warning light is turned on every time the energy saving mode is restored, there is a risk of annoying the user.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and when returning from the energy saving mode, it is possible to re-notify an error that occurred before the transition to the energy saving mode, and accompanying the error re-notification An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing the troublesomeness of the user.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an error detection unit that detects an error, an error detection unit that can notify an error detected by the error detection unit in a plurality of notification modes, and a power supply mode that shifts to an energy saving mode. Or, when the power supply mode is shifted to the energy saving mode by the power control means for returning from the energy saving mode, the storage means capable of storing error information for notifying an error even during the energy saving mode, and the power control means. Control means for storing the error information in the storage means, and when the power supply mode is returned from the energy saving mode, the notification means is configured based on the error information stored in the storage means. A notification form to be executed is selected from the inside, and an error is notified in the selected notification form.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the error information is stored in the storage unit capable of storing the error information even during the energy saving mode when shifting to the energy saving mode. Then, when returning from the energy saving mode, an error is notified based on the error information stored in the storage means. Therefore, when returning from the energy saving mode, it is possible to report an error that occurred before the transition to the energy saving mode. Further, when returning from the energy saving mode, based on the error information stored in the storage unit, a notification form to be executed is selected from a plurality of notification forms, and an error is notified in the selected notification form. Therefore, for example, an error notification before the transition to the energy saving mode is taken into consideration, and an error can be notified by selecting a notification form that does not bother the user. As a result, when returning from the energy saving mode, an error that has occurred before the transition to the energy saving mode can be re-notified, and the troublesomeness of the user that accompanies the re-notification of the error can be reduced.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the notification means includes a display means for displaying an error, a warning sound generating means for generating a warning sound, and / or a warning light. It is preferable to notify the error by selectively using sound generation means and / or a warning light.

  In this case, when returning from the energy saving mode, an error can be notified by selectively using the display means, the warning sound generating means, and / or the warning lamp. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the user's troublesomeness caused by re-notification of an error when returning from the energy saving mode.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the error information includes status information indicating whether a warning sound is emitted before the energy saving mode shift and / or whether the warning lamp is turned on before the energy saving mode shift. For the error that the warning means emits a warning sound before shifting to the energy saving mode based on the status information, for the error that does not emit a warning sound when returning to the energy saving mode and lights the warning light before shifting to the energy saving mode, It is preferable not to turn on the warning lamp when returning from the energy saving mode.

  In this way, when the warning sound is sounded before the transition to the energy saving mode, the warning sound is not sounded when returning to the energy saving mode. Further, when the warning light is turned on (including blinking) before shifting to the energy saving mode, the warning light is not turned on when the energy saving mode is restored. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the user's troublesomeness caused by re-notification of an error when returning from the energy saving mode.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the notification unit emits a warning sound and / or turns on a warning lamp when returning from the energy saving mode for an error detected after the transition to the energy saving mode.

  In this way, an error detected after shifting to the energy saving mode can be surely recognized by the user.

  As the storage means, an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) backed up by a battery or a non-volatile flash memory is preferably used.

  According to the present invention, when returning from the energy saving mode, it is possible to re-notify an error that occurred before the transition to the energy saving mode, and to reduce the troublesomeness of the user that accompanies the error re-notification. Become.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state transition of the electric power supply mode which the multifunctional device which concerns on embodiment can take. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of error information by the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of error information storage processing when shifting to a super sleep mode by the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of error notification processing when the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment is returned to the super sleep mode.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same element and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. Here, a multifunction peripheral (MFP) will be described as an example of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. Note that the image forming apparatus may be a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine having these functions. First, the overall configuration of the multifunction machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the multifunction machine 1.

  The multi function device 1 has a print function for recording print data on paper, a scanner function for reading an original and generating image data, a copy function for recording image data read and generated on paper, and a FAX for transmitting and receiving image data by facsimile communication. It has a function. The multifunction device 1 also has an Internet FAX (IFAX) function for transmitting and receiving image data via an IP network using electronic mail.

  The multifunction device 1 has three power supply modes: a ready mode in which power is supplied to all the components and all functions can be executed; a deep sleep mode in which power supply to the scanner unit 20 and the printer unit 21 is stopped And, for example, a super sleep mode (corresponding to the energy saving mode described in the claims) in which power supply is stopped except for a part of the network board (NW board) 22 or NCU 17 that waits for an external processing request. Multifunction machine to get.

  In addition, when an error such as a FAX communication error occurs, the multifunction device 1 displays the error content in order to notify the user of the occurrence of the error. Further, in addition to the error display, the multi-function device 1 can sound a buzzer 15b to emit a warning sound and turn on (or blink) the warning lamp 15c. In the multi function device 1, error information is stored in the SRAM 13 to which power is supplied even during the super sleep mode when shifting to the super sleep mode. Then, when returning from the super sleep mode, the error information stored in the SRAM 13 is read, and an error display is performed based on the error information. At that time, the multifunction device 1 is prohibited from sounding the buzzer 15b when returning to the super sleep mode for an error that has already sounded before the transition to the super sleep mode. Similarly, with respect to an error in which the warning lamp 15c has already been turned on before the transition to the super sleep mode, it is prohibited to turn on the warning lamp 15c when returning from the super sleep mode.

  In order to realize the functions described above, the multi-function device 1 includes a CPU 10, a flash ROM 11, a main memory 12, an SRAM 13, and an RTC (Real Time Clock) 14. The multifunction machine 1 also includes an operation panel 15, a modem 16, an NCU 17, an integrated chip set 18, an SDRAM 19, a scanner unit 20, a printer unit 21, a network board 22, and the like. The CPU 10, the flash ROM 11, the main memory 12, the SRAM 13, the RTC 14, the operation panel 15, the modem 16, and the integrated chipset 18 are connected via a system bus 40 so that they can communicate with each other. The integrated chip set 18 and the network board 22 are connected via a local bus 41 (for example, a PCI bus). Further, the integrated chipset 18 and each of the scanner unit 20 and the printer unit 21 are connected via a serial bus 42. Hereinafter, each component constituting the multifunction machine 1 will be described in detail.

  The CPU 10 performs arithmetic and processing in accordance with a program loaded and stored in the main memory 12, thereby controlling the multifunction device 1 in an integrated manner, and as an error detection unit 10a, a control unit 10b, and a power control unit 10c. Realize the function.

  The error detection unit 10a detects an error of the multifunction device 1 when the multifunction device 1 is in the ready mode or the deep sleep mode. That is, the error detection unit 10a functions as an error detection unit described in the claims. More specifically, a plurality of sensors (details will be described later) for detecting an error are connected to the error detection unit 10a, and the occurrence of an error is detected based on a signal input from the sensor. Here, examples of the error of the MFP 1 include a FAX communication error, an IFAX communication error, a toner out, a paper out, a paper jam (paper jam), a cover open, and a paper cassette open. Information on errors detected by the error detection unit 10 a is output to the operation panel 15 and the main memory 12.

  When the power supply mode is shifted to the super sleep mode, the control unit 10b copies and stores the error information temporarily stored in the main memory 12 to the SRAM 13 to which power is supplied even in the super sleep mode. . That is, the control unit 10b functions as a control unit described in the claims. In addition to the information indicating the error item / content, the stored error information instructs whether the buzzer 15b is sounded to generate a warning sound and whether the warning lamp 15c is lit / flashed. Status information and the like are included. The control unit 10b sets this status information. For example, when an error occurs and the buzzer 15b is sounded (when a warning sound is emitted), the control unit 10b sets status information indicating that a warning sound has been emitted. Similarly, when an error occurs and the warning light 15c is turned on, the control unit 10b sets status information indicating that the warning light 15c is turned on. It should be noted that status information may be set to prohibit subsequent warning sounds when a warning sound is generated. Similarly, status information for prohibiting the subsequent lighting of the warning lamp 15c when the warning lamp 15c is turned on may be set. In addition, when the power supply mode returns from the super sleep mode to the deep sleep mode or the ready mode, the control unit 10b reads out error information (including status information) stored in the SRAM 13 and copies it to the main memory 12. To do.

  The power control unit 10c selectively disconnects a plurality of power supply lines output from the main power supply, and switches the three power supply modes described above. In other words, the power control unit 10c functions as a power control unit according to the claims that shifts the power supply mode to the super sleep mode or returns from the super sleep mode.

  Here, the three power supply modes switched by the power control unit 10c, that is, the ready mode, the deep sleep mode, and the super sleep mode will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

  The ready mode is a mode in which power is supplied from the main power source to all the components of the multifunction device 1, and all functions including printing, copying, and FAX can be used. When the main power supply is turned on, the multi-function device 1 enters the ready mode after the initialization process. On the other hand, the multifunction device 1 shifts from the ready mode to the deep sleep mode when a FAX reception, a PC print job request, or the like does not continue for a certain time (for example, 5 minutes). In the ready mode, power is also supplied to the operation panel 15 (display device 15a, buzzer 15b, warning lamp 15c).

  The deep sleep mode is a mode in which power supply to the scanner unit 20 and the printer unit 21 is stopped. In the deep sleep mode, power is supplied to components other than the scanner unit 20 and the printer unit 21, and power is also supplied to the operation panel 15. In the deep sleep mode, functions that do not use the scanner unit 20 and the printer unit 21, such as a time designation FAX transmission function, an IFAX function, and a Web function including network packet analysis can be used. The multifunction device 1 shifts from the deep sleep mode to the ready mode, for example, when receiving FAX data and a PC print job request. On the other hand, the multifunction device 1 shifts from the deep sleep mode to the super sleep mode when, for example, the job request and the reception of the network packet do not continue for a certain time (for example, 5 minutes). Further, when receiving a request for transition from the RTC 14 to the super sleep mode by specifying the time, the multifunction device 1 transitions from the deep sleep mode to the super sleep mode.

  In the super sleep mode, in addition to the scanner unit 20 and the printer unit 21, the main memory 12, the operation panel 15 (display device 15 a, buzzer 15 b, warning light 15 c), modem 16, integrated chipset 18, SDRAM 19, etc. Is turned off. In the super sleep mode, the clock of the CPU 10 is stopped. Further, the network board 22 stops energization to other than the PHY circuit and the sub CPU that detect the specific packet, and the NCU 17 stops energization to other than the call signal detection circuit that detects the call signal.

  The multifunction device 1 shifts from the super sleep mode to the ready mode when an operation for returning to the ready mode is performed by the user (when the energy saving mode key is pressed). Further, the multifunction device 1 receives the return request (interrupt request signal) by the time designation output from the RTC 14, and shifts from the super sleep mode to the ready mode. On the other hand, when a specific packet is detected by the PHY circuit of the network board 22 and the sub CPU, a return request (interrupt request signal) is output from the sub CPU to the CPU 10, and the multi-function device 1 goes deep from the super sleep mode. Enter sleep mode. Also, when a call signal is detected by the call signal detection circuit of the NCU 17, a return request (interrupt request signal) is output from the call signal detection circuit to the CPU 10, and the multi-function device 1 goes from the super sleep mode to the deep sleep mode. Enter mode.

  Returning to FIG. 1 and continuing the description, the flash ROM 11 is a non-volatile memory that stores a program, data, and the like for causing the CPU 10 to execute each process. The flash ROM 11 stores a program for each process (details will be described later) shown in FIGS. Programs and the like stored in the flash ROM 11 are loaded into the main memory 12 at startup. The CPU 10 executes each process according to a program loaded in the main memory 12.

  The main memory 12 is composed of a volatile memory such as SDRAM, and temporarily stores error information (error contents and status information) in addition to the loaded program. Since the main memory 12 is a volatile memory, it can retain data such as programs and error information in the ready mode and deep sleep mode, but retains data in the super sleep mode in which the power supply is stopped. I can't.

  The SRAM 13 stores various data such as error information for notifying an error, super sleep mode transition / return time, and the like. In the ready mode, deep sleep mode, and super sleep mode, power is supplied from the main power supply to the SRAM 13. On the other hand, when the power supply from the main power supply is stopped, the power is supplied from the battery to the SRAM 13 and the data is backed up. The SRAM 13 corresponds to storage means described in the claims. As described above, the error information stored in the main memory 12 is copied and stored in the SRAM 13 when shifting to the super sleep mode.

  The RTC 14 always operates and keeps time. The RTC 14 is supplied with power from the main power supply in the ready mode, deep sleep mode, and super sleep mode. On the other hand, when the power supply from the main power supply is stopped, power is supplied from the battery to the RTC 14. Here, when the transition time to the super sleep mode (for example, 22:00) is set in advance, the RTC 14 supervises the CPU 10 (power control unit 10c) described above when the transition time is reached. Outputs a request to enter sleep mode. On the other hand, the RTC 14 operates even in the super sleep mode, measures the time, and when the time for returning from the preset super sleep mode (for example, 8:00) is reached, the CPU 10 (the power control unit 10c) described above. ), A request for returning from the super sleep mode (interrupt request signal) is output.

  The operation panel 15 has a display device 15a composed of an LCD or the like for displaying the operation state of the multifunction device 1 including errors and various setting contents. The display device 15a displays the error detected by the error detection unit 10a described above. An example of error display is shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a display example when a FAX communication error occurs. In the ready mode and deep sleep mode, power is supplied to the operation panel 15 (display device 15a) to display an error, but in the super sleep mode, the power supply to the operation panel 15 (display device 15a) is stopped. The display disappears. The operation panel 15 also has a buzzer 15b that emits a warning sound when an error is detected, and a warning light 15c that lights or blinks when an error is detected. The operation panel 15 corresponds to notifying means described in the claims, and the buzzer 15b corresponds to warning sound generating means described in the claims. A speaker or the like may be used instead of the buzzer. Further, an LED or the like is used as the warning lamp 15.

  The operation panel 15 is detected by selectively using the display device 15a, the buzzer 15b, and the warning lamp 15c by a plurality of notification forms, that is, display display, ringing of the buzzer 15b, and lighting (flashing) of the warning lamp 15c. Announce errors When an error is detected for the first time, the operation panel 15 displays the error content on the display device 15a, sounds the buzzer 15b, and turns on the warning lamp 15c. As described above, when an error occurs and the buzzer 15b is sounded (when a warning sound is generated), status information indicating that a warning sound is generated is set. When an error occurs and the warning lamp 15c is turned on, status information indicating that the warning lamp 15c is turned on is set.

  On the other hand, when the power supply mode is returned from the super sleep mode, the operation panel 15 has a plurality of notification forms, that is, display display, buzzer 15b, based on the status information included in the error information stored in the SRAM 13. The notification form to be executed is selected from the ringing of the warning light and the lighting (flashing) of the warning lamp 15c, and the error is notified in the selected notification form. More specifically, the operation panel 15 displays the error content based on the error information. Further, the operation panel 15 does not sound the buzzer 15b when returning to the super sleep mode when the status information indicates that a warning sound has already been generated before the transition to the super sleep mode. Similarly, if the status indicating that the warning lamp 15c has already been turned on before the transition to the super sleep mode is set in the status information, the operation panel 15 does not turn on the warning lamp 15c when returning from the super sleep mode. However, the operation panel 15 recovers from the super sleep mode for errors detected after the transition to the super sleep mode, that is, errors for which no warning sound has been emitted or errors for which the warning light 15c has not been lit. At that time, the buzzer 15b is sounded and the warning lamp 15c is turned on.

  In addition, the operation panel 15 is provided with a plurality of keys used for using each function of the multifunction machine 1, such as a numeric keypad, a shortened key, a start key, a stop key, and various function keys. The operation panel 15 is also provided with an energy saving mode key for switching to / returning to the super sleep mode, a main power switch for turning on / off the main power, and the like.

  A modem (modem / demodulator) 16 performs modulation / demodulation of facsimile data. An NCU (Network Control Unit) 17 is connected to the modem 16 and controls the connection between the modem 16 and the public switched telephone network (PSTN) 51. The NCU 17 has a function of sending a call signal corresponding to a destination facsimile number and detecting the incoming call.

  The integrated chip set 18 includes a dedicated LSI that specially executes image processing and the like, a memory controller that executes DMA transfer, and the like. The integrated chipset 18 is connected to the scanner unit 20, the printer unit 21, and the like via a serial bus 42. For example, after performing predetermined image processing on image data read by the scanner unit 20, The data is output to the printer unit 21.

  An SDRAM 19 is connected to the integrated chip set 18. The SDRAM 19 is composed of a DDR (Double Data Rate) SDRAM, which is a volatile memory, and receives image data encoded and compressed by a codec, image data received by FAX, and an external personal computer or the like. The image data that has been encoded and compressed is stored. The SDRAM 19 is supplied with power from the main power supply in the ready mode and the deep sleep mode. On the other hand, the power supply is stopped when the main power is off and in the super sleep mode.

  The scanner unit 20 includes a light source, a CCD, and the like, and reads an original such as a paper document for each line in accordance with a set sub-scanning line density, and generates image data. The image data read and generated is output to the printer unit 21 or the SDRAM 19 via the integrated chipset 18.

  The printer unit 21 is an electrophotographic printer, and prints out image data on a sheet by executing an image forming process such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing. For example, the printer unit 21 prints out, on a sheet, PC print data received from an external PC, image data read and generated by the scanner unit 20, image data received by FAX, and the like.

  The printer unit 21 is provided with a plurality of sensors (not shown) that detect errors. Here, as an error detection sensor, for example, a toner out sensor for detecting toner out, a jam sensor for detecting paper jam (paper jam), a paper out sensor for detecting paper out, and a main body cover are open. A cover sensor for detecting the paper cassette and a cassette sensor for detecting that the paper cassette is pulled out. As described above, these sensors are connected to the CPU 10, and detection signals from the sensors are output to the CPU 10.

  The network board 22 is a network interface that performs transmission / reception control processing of various communication protocols, data analysis processing and data creation processing on various communication protocols. The network board 22 is connected to the integrated chipset 18 via the local bus 41. Even in the super sleep mode, power is supplied to the PHY circuit, sub CPU, and the like of the network board 22 in order to wait for packet data from the LAN 50, for example.

  Next, the operation of the multifunction machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of error information storage processing when the multifunction device 1 shifts to the super sleep mode. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the error notification processing when the multifunction device 1 returns to the super sleep mode. First, with reference to FIG. 4, an error information storage process when the multifunction device 1 is shifted to the super sleep mode will be described. This process is executed by the CPU 10 at a predetermined timing.

  In step S100, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to shift to the super sleep mode. If there is an instruction to shift to the super sleep mode, the process proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, when there is no instruction to shift to the super sleep mode, this step is repeatedly executed until there is an instruction to shift to the super sleep mode.

  In step S102, it is determined whether or not the transition to the super sleep mode is possible, that is, whether or not a fatal error is detected. If the transition to the super sleep mode is possible, that is, if a fatal error is not detected, the process proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, when the transition to the super sleep mode is not possible, that is, when a fatal error is detected, the process is temporarily exited without shifting to the super sleep mode.

  In step S104, the error information temporarily stored in the main memory 12 is copied and stored in the SRAM 13 to which power is supplied even in the super sleep mode. As described above, the error information includes status information indicating whether the buzzer 15b has already been sounded (whether a warning sound has been generated) and whether the warning light 15c has been turned on (flashing). .

  Subsequently, in step S106, the power supply mode is shifted to the super sleep mode. In the super sleep mode, power supply to the display device 15a is stopped and the error display disappears. Further, the power supply to the main memory 12 is stopped, and the error information stored in the main memory 12 is also erased. Thereafter, this process ends.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, an error notification process at the time of returning to the super sleep mode by the multifunction machine 1 will be described. This process is executed by the CPU 10 at a predetermined timing.

  In step S200, a determination is made as to whether or not there is a return request from the super sleep mode. If there is a return request from the super sleep mode, the process proceeds to step S202. On the other hand, when there is no return request from the super sleep mode, this step is repeatedly executed until there is a return request.

  In step S202, the power supply mode is shifted from the super sleep mode to the deep sleep mode (or ready mode).

  Subsequently, in step S204, it is determined whether or not error information is stored in the SRAM 13, that is, whether or not an error has occurred before shifting to the super sleep mode. If the error information is stored, the error content is displayed on the display device 15a in step S206. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S208. On the other hand, when error information is not stored, no error display is performed and the process proceeds to step S208.

  In step S208, a determination is made as to whether or not the error information stored in the SRAM 13 includes status information indicating that a warning sound has already been generated. If status information indicating that a warning sound has already been generated is included, the process proceeds to step S212 without the buzzer 15b being sounded. On the other hand, when the status information indicating that the warning sound has already been generated is not included, after the buzzer 15b is sounded in step S210, the process proceeds to step S212.

  In step S212, it is determined whether or not the error information stored in the SRAM 13 already includes status information indicating that the warning lamp 15c has been turned on (flashing). Here, when the status information indicating that the warning lamp 15c has already been turned on is included, the present process ends without the warning lamp 15c being turned on. On the other hand, if the status information indicating that the warning lamp 15c has already been turned on is not included, the process ends after the warning lamp 15c is turned on in step S214.

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, error information is stored in the SRAM 13 when the power supply mode is shifted to the super sleep mode. When returning from the super sleep mode, an error is notified based on the error information stored in the SRAM 13. Therefore, when returning from the super sleep mode, an error that has occurred before the transition to the super sleep mode can be notified. Also, when returning from the super sleep mode, based on the error information (status information) stored in the SRAM 13, it is executed from a plurality of notification forms (error display, buzzer 15b ringing, warning lamp 15c lighting). The notification form to be selected is selected, and an error is notified in the selected notification form. Therefore, for example, in consideration of the error notification results before the transition to the super sleep mode (whether the buzzer 15b has been sounded or whether the warning lamp 15c has been turned on) or the like, a notification mode that does not bother the user is selected. An error can be notified. As a result, when returning from the super sleep mode, it is possible to re-notify an error that has occurred before the transition to the super sleep mode, and it is possible to reduce the troublesomeness of the user that accompanies the re-notification of the error. .

  More specifically, according to the present embodiment, the operation panel 15 includes a display unit 15a that displays an error, a buzzer 15b that emits a warning sound, and a warning lamp 15c. Then, when returning from the super sleep mode, based on the status information, the display means 15a, buzzer 15b, and warning lamp 15c are selectively used to notify an error. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the user's troublesomeness caused by re-notification of an error when returning from the super sleep mode.

  In particular, according to the present embodiment, when a warning sound is emitted before the transition to the super sleep mode, the buzzer 15b is not sounded when returning to the super sleep mode. If the warning lamp 15c is lit before the transition to the super sleep mode, the warning lamp 15c is not lit when returning to the super sleep mode. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the user's troublesomeness caused by re-notification of an error when returning from the super sleep mode.

  On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, for the error detected after the transition to the super sleep mode, the error content is displayed and the buzzer 15b is sounded and the warning lamp 15c is displayed when returning from the super sleep mode. Lights up. Therefore, it is possible to make the user surely recognize errors detected after the transition to the super sleep mode.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the MFP 1 is configured to be able to take three power supply modes (ready mode, deep sleep mode, and super sleep mode). Not limited. Further, the target to which power is supplied in each power supply mode is not limited to the above embodiment.

  Further, the error information stored in the SRAM 13 when shifting to the super sleep mode may be limited to information that cannot be detected after the return if the error information is cleared during the super sleep mode, such as a FAX communication error or an IFAX communication error. In this way, since the amount of information stored in the SRAM 13 can be reduced, the SRAM 13 can be used effectively.

  In the above embodiment, the SRAM 13 backed up by the battery is used to store the error information during the super sleep mode. However, a nonvolatile flash memory or the like may be used.

  In the above embodiment, in order to notify the user of the occurrence of an error, in addition to the error display, the buzzer 15b is sounded and the warning light 15c is lit (flashing). However, only one of the buzzer 15b or the warning light 15c is used. It is good also as a structure which drives.

1 MFP 10 CPU
10a Error detection unit 10b Control unit 10c Power control unit 11 Flash ROM
12 Main memory 13 SRAM
14 RTC
15 Operation panel 15a Display device 15b Buzzer 15c Warning light 16 Modem 17 NCU
18 Integrated chipset 19 SDRAM
20 Scanner unit 21 Printer unit 22 Network board 40 System bus 41 Local bus 42 Serial bus

Claims (4)

An error detection means for detecting an error;
A display means for displaying an error, a warning sound generating means for emitting a warning sound, and / or a warning light, and a notification means capable of notifying the error detected by the error detection means in a plurality of notification forms;
Power control means for shifting the power supply mode to the energy saving mode or returning from the energy saving mode;
It includes status information indicating whether or not a warning sound has been emitted before transition to the energy saving mode and / or whether or not the warning lamp has been turned on before transition to the energy saving mode, and error information for notifying the error, Storage means that can be stored even during energy saving mode,
Control means for storing error information in the storage means when the power supply mode is shifted to the energy saving mode by the power control means,
Said notification means, when the power supply mode is restored from the power saving mode, based on the error information stored in the storage unit, from among the plurality of notification forms, selects a notification mode of execution, the An error is notified in the selected notification form by selectively using a display means, a warning sound generation means, and / or a warning light ,
In addition, the notification means, based on the status information, for an error that emits a warning sound before the transition to the energy saving mode, an error that does not emit a warning sound when returning to the energy saving mode and the warning lamp is lit before the transition to the energy saving mode For the image forming apparatus , the warning light is not turned on when returning from the energy saving mode . The notification means, and errors that are detected after the power saving mode transition, a warning sound when it is returned from the power saving mode, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the warning lamp is lit, characterized in that . Wherein the storage unit, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a SRAM backed up by a battery. Wherein the storage unit, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a non-volatile flash memory.

Images