JP5664057B2 - Print control apparatus, image forming apparatus, print control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, an image forming apparatus, a print control method, and a program.

  Conventionally, there is a facsimile apparatus including an illuminance sensor that detects ambient illuminance (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This facsimile apparatus shifts to an energy saving mode in which a print job is stored when the surroundings of the installation place are dark due to the absence of an attendant. As a result, in a situation where there is no person nearby, execution of a print job received by facsimile is suppressed, so that a more efficient energy saving mode can be realized.

  However, with the above-mentioned conventional facsimile machine, the accumulated print even if the lighting of the installation location is turned on regardless of the work, such as patrol of the security guard or when the employee comes to pick up forgotten things There was a problem that the job was executed and the energy efficiency was reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and even if there is a case where lighting of an installation place is turned on regardless of business, a printing control apparatus and image formation capable of suppressing a decrease in energy saving efficiency An object is to illustrate an apparatus, a printing control method, and a program.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a print control apparatus having a facsimile function, a print request reception unit that receives a print request received by the facsimile function, and the print control apparatus In response to a print request received by the print request accepting unit, an input accepting unit that accepts an operation input from a user for an image forming apparatus equipped with a memory, a memory unit that accumulates print requests, an illuminance sensor that detects ambient illuminance Te a first control mode for executing normal printing, and a second control mode and a control unit for managing for storing print request received by the print request receiving unit to the memory unit, wherein the control unit, the current During the period when the control mode is the second control mode, the value detected by the illuminance sensor continues for a first time or longer and is equal to or higher than the first threshold value, and the input acceptance In the case where operating input has been accepted, the control to allow a transition from the second control mode to said first control mode, when the current operation mode is the first control mode, the detected by the illuminance sensor value Control for shifting from the first control mode to the second control mode when the second threshold value is less than or equal to the second threshold value continuously for a second time or longer, the current operation mode is changed from the second control mode. When shifting to the first control mode, the control for printing the image data stored in the memory unit, and when the current operation mode is the second control mode, the image data stored in the memory unit is stored. When the possible amount is reached, control for printing image data stored in the memory unit is executed .

  In addition, the present invention is characterized by including the above-described print control device and a print engine that executes a print request.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control method for an image forming apparatus including a facsimile function and an input receiving unit that receives an operation input from a user, a print request receiving step for receiving a print request received by the facsimile function; An illuminance detection step for detecting ambient illuminance, a first control mode for executing normal printing in response to a print request received by the print request reception unit, and a print request received by the print request reception unit to the memory unit During the period in which the second control mode to be stored is managed and the current control mode is the second control mode, the value detected in the illuminance detection step continues for the first time or more and is the first threshold or more. when accepting an operation input by the input receiving unit in the case is, first control that permits the transition from the second control mode to said first control mode And step, when the current operation mode when it is the first control mode, the detected value by the illuminance detecting step was continued to below the first threshold value smaller than the second threshold value a second time or more, A second control step for shifting from the first control mode to the second control mode; and when the current operation mode shifts from the second control mode to the first control mode, the image data stored in the memory unit is stored. A third control step for printing;
A fourth control step of printing the image data stored in the memory unit when the current operation mode is the second control mode and the image data stored in the memory unit reaches a storable amount; , Including.

Further, the present invention is a program for causing a computer having a facsimile function and an input receiving unit that receives an operation input from a user to execute the print request receiving process for receiving a print request received by the facsimile function; Illuminance detection processing for detecting ambient illuminance, a first control mode for executing normal printing in response to a print request received by the print request reception unit, and a print request received by the print request reception unit to the memory unit During the period in which the second control mode to be stored is managed and the current control mode is the second control mode, the value detected in the illuminance detection process continues for the first time or more and is the first threshold or more. when accepting an operation input by the input receiving unit in the case is, first control processing that allows a transition from the second control mode to said first control mode If, when the current operation mode when it is the first control mode, the detected value by the illumination detection process was continued to below the first threshold value smaller than the second threshold value a second time or more, the Second control processing for shifting from the first control mode to the second control mode, and printing of image data stored in the memory unit when the current operation mode shifts from the second control mode to the first control mode And when the current operation mode is the second control mode, the image data stored in the memory unit is stored when the image data stored in the memory unit reaches a storable amount. And causing the computer to execute a fourth control process for printing .

  According to the present invention, a printing control apparatus, an image forming apparatus, a printing control method, and a program capable of suppressing a decrease in energy-saving efficiency even when there is a case where lighting of an installation place is turned on regardless of work. There is an effect that can be done.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the control unit according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print control operation executed by the print control apparatus including the control unit after the power is turned on in the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart showing an example of the human detection process according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the transition of the control mode to the transition of the event when one threshold is provided. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining control mode transition with respect to event transition when two threshold values are provided. FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart showing an example of print acceptance processing during the first control mode according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart showing an example of print acceptance processing during the second control mode according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the print control apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a print control apparatus, an image forming apparatus, a print control method, and a program according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In the present embodiment, the presence or absence of a person is detected using an illuminance sensor, and if there is a person, printing is performed immediately upon receipt of a facsimile, and if it is determined that there is no person, a facsimile job is stored. Also, by executing the accumulated jobs when it is determined that there is a person, the number of start-up processes to a state where printing can be performed is reduced, thereby reducing toner consumption and power consumption. . However, in the presence / absence detection of the person by the illuminance sensor, there is a possibility that it is judged that there is a person by detecting the patrol of the guard at night or the sunrise. Therefore, it is configured to accept a print job other than a facsimile or to determine that there is a person when an operation from the panel is performed. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. An image forming apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 1 has a configuration in which image forming units of respective colors are arranged along a conveyor belt 5 that is an endless moving unit, and is called a so-called tandem type. That is, along the transport belt 5 that transports the paper (recording paper) 4 separated and fed from the paper feed tray 1 by the paper feed roller 2 and the separation roller 3, the transport belt 5 is sequentially transported from the upstream side in the transport direction. A plurality of image forming units (electrophotographic process units) 6BK, 6Y, 6M, and 6C are arranged.

  The plurality of image forming units 6BK, 6Y, 6M, and 6C have the same internal configuration except that the color of the toner image to be formed is different. The image forming unit 6BK forms a black image, the image forming unit 6Y forms a yellow image, the image forming unit 6C forms a cyan image, and the image forming unit 6M forms a magenta image.

  Therefore, in the following description, the description will be given focusing on the image forming unit 6BK, but the other image forming units 6Y, 6M, and 6C are the same as the image forming unit 6BK, and therefore the image forming units 6Y, 6M, and 6C About each component, it replaces with BK attached | subjected to each component of image forming part 6BK, and the code | symbol distinguished by Y, M, and C is displayed on a figure, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The conveyor belt 5 is an endless belt wound around a driving roller 7 and a driven roller 8 that are rotationally driven. The drive roller 7 is rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown). The drive motor, the drive roller 7 and the driven roller 8 function as drive means for moving the conveyor belt 5 which is endless movement means.

  At the time of image formation, the sheets 4 stored in the sheet feeding tray 1 are sent out in order from the uppermost one, and the first image forming unit 6BK is conveyed by the conveying belt 5 that is adsorbed to the conveying belt 5 by electrostatic attraction and rotated. Where the black toner image is transferred.

  The image forming unit 6BK includes a photoconductor drum 9BK as a photoconductor, a charger 10BK disposed around the photoconductor drum 9BK, an exposure device 11, a developing device 12BK, a photoconductor cleaner (not shown), and a static eliminator 13BK. Etc. In this configuration, the developing device 12BK does not have a separation mechanism from the photosensitive drum 9BK. The exposure device 11 is configured to irradiate laser beams 14BK, 14Y, 14C, and 14M that are exposure beams corresponding to image colors formed by the image forming units 6BK, 6Y, 6M, and 6C.

  At the time of image formation, the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 9BK is uniformly charged by the charger 10BK in the dark, and then exposed by the laser beam 14BK corresponding to the black image from the exposure unit 11, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image. It is formed. The developing device 12BK visualizes the electrostatic latent image with black toner, thereby forming a black toner image on the photosensitive drum 9BK.

  This toner image is transferred onto the sheet 4 by the action of the transfer unit 15BK at a position (transfer position) where the photosensitive drum 9BK and the sheet 4 on the conveying belt 5 are in contact with each other. By this transfer, an image of black toner is formed on the paper 4. After the transfer of the toner image is completed, unnecessary toner remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor drum 9BK is wiped off by the photoreceptor cleaner, and then the charge is removed by the charge eliminator 13BK and stands by for the next image formation.

  As described above, the sheet 4 on which the black toner image is transferred by the image forming unit 6BK is conveyed to the next image forming unit 6Y by the conveying belt 5. In the image forming unit 6Y, a yellow toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 9Y by a process similar to the image forming process in the image forming unit 6BK, and the toner image is superimposed on the black image formed on the paper 4. And is transcribed.

  The sheet 4 is further transported to the next image forming units 6M and 6C, and a magenta toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 9M and a cyan toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 9C by the same operation. Are superimposed on the paper 4 and transferred. Thus, a full-color image is formed on the paper 4. The sheet 4 on which the full-color superimposed image is formed is peeled off from the conveying belt 5 and fixed on the image by the fixing device 16, and then discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 20.

  In the color image forming apparatus 20 having the above-described configuration, it is necessary to wait for the temperature of the fixing device 16 to rise in order to shift to a state in which printing can be performed, so that printing can be started immediately after the temperature rise. Photoreceptors 9BK, 9Y, 9M, 9C related to the image, chargers 10BK, 10Y, 10M, 10C, exposure unit 11, developing units 12BK, 12Y, 12M, 12C, transfer machines 15BK, 15Y, 15M, 15C start-up And the conveyor belt 5 is cleaned. At this time, the photoconductors 9BK, 9Y, 9M, and 9C and the developing devices 12BK, 12Y, 12M, and 12C are in contact with each color, so that the developing devices 12BK, 12Y are rotated when the photoconductors 9BK, 9Y, 9M, and 9C are rotated. , 12M, and 12C also rotate. When the rollers of the developing units 12BK, 12Y, 12M, and 12C are rotated, a phenomenon that the filled toner leaks occurs even if the printing operation is not performed. Therefore, toner consumption increases by performing image formation.

  Next, a controller that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the control unit according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit has a configuration in which a control board 23 that performs image development, user interface control, and the like and a control board 33 that performs printing based on the developed image information are connected via a data bus 24. It has become. Information input to the I / O port 26/36 is sent to the CPU 25/35 and the RAM 28/38 via the data bus 27/37. The CPU 25/35 sends output information to the I / O port 26/36 through the data bus 27/37. Similar control is performed for the control board 33. The data bus 24 is an interface for exchanging data between the control board 23 and the control board 33. These control programs are stored in the ROMs 29 and 39, respectively.

  Furthermore, the control unit according to the present embodiment includes an illuminance sensor 30 connected to the control board 23. A value (illuminance sensor value) detected by the illuminance sensor 30 is sent to the CPU 25/35 via the I / O port 26/36, and is used by the CPU 25/35 to detect the presence or absence of a person.

  Further, the control unit detects the presence or absence of a person using the illuminance sensor 30, operation of the operation panel, print request information, and the like, and if it is determined that there is no person, the facsimile print request is stored in the RAM. Further, since printing is not executed when it is detected that there is no person, the control board 33 may be powered off to reduce power consumption.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print control operation executed by the print control apparatus including the control unit after the power is turned on in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, when the power is turned on, the control unit sets the first control mode as an initial setting (step S101). The first control mode is a so-called normal control mode in which normal printing is executed in response to a print request received using facsimile communication, a network, a copy function, or the like. On the other hand, the second control mode is a so-called energy-saving control mode in which the received print request is stored in a predetermined memory, and then the stored print job is executed when a predetermined condition is satisfied. (Energy saving mode).

  Next, based on the illuminance sensor value detected by the illuminance sensor 30, the control unit executes a human detection process for detecting the presence or absence of a person in the installation room of the image forming apparatus 20 or in the vicinity of the installation position (step S102). ). An example of the human detection process will be described later.

  Next, the control unit determines whether or not the current control mode is the first control mode (step S103). If it is the first control mode (YES in step S103), the received print job is displayed on the spot. The first control mode print acceptance process executed in step S104 is executed (step S104). On the other hand, in the second control mode (NO in step S103), the control unit stores the received print job in a predetermined memory, and then stores the print that has been stored when a predetermined condition is satisfied. A print acceptance process in the second control mode for executing the job is executed (step S105). Note that examples of the first control mode print acceptance process and the second control mode print acceptance process will be described later.

  Thereafter, the control unit determines whether or not an end instruction has been input from the user via an input unit (not shown) or a network, for example (step S106). If the input has been input, the main operation illustrated in FIG. 3 is ended. . On the other hand, if an end instruction has not been input (NO in step S106), the control unit returns to step S102 and executes subsequent processing.

  Next, the human detection process shown in step S102 of FIG. 3 will be described with an example. FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart showing an example of the human detection process according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, in the human detection process, the control unit first acquires an illuminance sensor value from the illuminance sensor 30 (step S201), and stores the illuminance sensor value in a predetermined memory or the like (step S202). ).

  Subsequently, the control unit determines whether or not the current control mode is the first control mode (step S203). If the current control mode is the first control mode (YES in step S203), the current time is formed in advance. It is determined whether or not it is within the time zone set in the apparatus 20 (step S204). It should be noted that the time zone set in advance in the image processing apparatus may be set to a time expected to have a person in advance, such as a working time zone such as 9:00 to 17:00. By providing this determination step, the transition from the first control mode to the second control mode is practically not permitted within the set time period.

  If the result of this determination is that it is within the set time zone (YES in step S204), the control unit ends the human detection process and returns to the operation shown in FIG. On the other hand, when it is not within the set time period (NO in step S204), the control unit determines whether or not the illuminance sensor value acquired from the illuminance sensor 30 is equal to or less than a preset threshold value (m) (step). S205). As a result of this determination, when the illuminance sensor value is larger than the threshold value (m) (NO in step S205), the control unit ends the human detection process and returns to the operation shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the illuminance sensor value is less than or equal to the threshold value (m) (YES in step S205), the illuminance sensor value is acquired a predetermined number of times at the time interval (s) (step S206), and the time ( t) It is determined whether or not the illuminance sensor value is continuously equal to or less than the threshold value (m) (step S207). As a result of this determination, if the illuminance sensor value is not less than or equal to the threshold value (m) for a time (t) or longer (NO in step S207), the control unit ends the human detection process and proceeds to the operation shown in FIG. Return. On the other hand, when the illuminance sensor value is continuously equal to or less than the threshold value (m) for time (t) or more (YES in step S207), the control unit determines that there is no person around and sets the second control mode. (Step S208). Thereafter, the control unit ends the human detection process and returns to the operation shown in FIG.

  Moreover, when the current control mode is the second control mode as a result of the determination in step S203 (NO in step S203), the control unit sets the threshold value set in advance by the illuminance sensor value acquired from the illuminance sensor 30. (N) It is determined whether or not it is greater than or equal to (step S209). As a result of this determination, if it is less than the threshold value (n) (NO in step S209), the control unit ends the human detection process and returns to the operation shown in FIG. On the other hand, if it is equal to or greater than the threshold value (n) (YES in step S209), the control unit acquires the illuminance sensor value a predetermined number of times at the time interval (u) (step S210), and from the value obtained thereby, It is determined whether or not the illuminance sensor value is equal to or greater than the threshold value (n) for a time (v) or longer (step S211). As a result of this determination, if the illuminance sensor value is not equal to or greater than the threshold value (n) for a time (v) or longer (NO in step S211), the control unit ends the human detection process and proceeds to the operation illustrated in FIG. Return. On the other hand, when the illuminance sensor value is continuously equal to or greater than the threshold value (n) for time (v) or more (YES in step S211), the control unit determines that the surrounding is bright and changes from the second control mode to the first control mode. Next, it is determined whether or not there has been an operation from the operation panel by the user (step S212) and whether or not there has been a print instruction other than facsimile (step S213). If there is neither an operation from the operation panel nor a printing instruction other than facsimile (NO in step S212 and NO in step S213), the control unit ends the human detection process and returns to the operation shown in FIG. On the other hand, when there is either an operation from the operation panel or a printing instruction other than facsimile (YES in step S212 or YES in step S213), the control unit determines that there is a person and sets the first control mode. (Step S214). Thereafter, the control unit ends the human detection process and returns to the operation shown in FIG.

  Note that, when the control unit shifts to the first control mode in step S214, the control unit may operate so as to immediately execute the print preparation and then execute the print request stored in the memory.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the presence or absence of a person is determined by monitoring whether an event exists above or below a certain threshold. The reason for monitoring whether the illuminance sensor value is equal to or greater than the threshold value for a certain time (t or v) is to prevent erroneous detection of the presence or absence of a person due to the noise of the illuminance sensor. Here, the threshold value (n) used for the determination when returning from the second control mode to the first control mode is larger than the threshold value (m) used for the determination when shifting from the first control mode to the second control mode. (N> m) is preferred. Thus, by making the threshold value (n) larger than the threshold value (m), for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the illuminance sensor value changes finely in the vicinity of the threshold value and the event A (situation brighter than the threshold value (m)). And event B (situation darker than the threshold (m)) frequently change, even after transitioning to event A, until transitioning to event C, as shown in FIG. Since the transition of the control mode from the second control mode to the first control mode is not permitted, it is possible to prevent the control mode from changing drastically. That is, when the illuminance sensor value less than the threshold value (m) exceeds the time (t), the control mode shifts to the first control mode. After that, the threshold value (n) is compared with the illuminance sensor value. Disappears. Similarly, even after transitioning to event C, even if transitioning to event B, until the transition to event A, the control mode is not shifted from the first control mode to the second control mode. Can be prevented.

  Next, the print acceptance process during the first control mode shown in step S104 of FIG. 3 will be described with an example. FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart showing an example of print acceptance processing during the first control mode according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, in the print acceptance process during the first control mode, the control unit determines whether or not there is a print request via a facsimile (step S301), and if there is a print request (YES in step S301). ), Printing preparation such as drum heating is executed (step S302), then the requested print job is executed (step S303), and the process returns to the operation shown in FIG. On the other hand, if there is no print request (NO in step S301), the control unit directly returns to the operation shown in FIG. Since the first control mode is a control mode when it is determined that there is a person, the occurrence of downtime is reduced by executing printing immediately in response to the print request.

  Next, the print request reception process during the second control mode shown in step S105 of FIG. 3 will be described with an example. FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart showing an example of print acceptance processing during the second control mode according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, in the print acceptance process during the second control mode, the control unit determines whether or not there is a print request via a facsimile (step S311), and if there is a print request (YES in step S311). The print request is stored in a predetermined memory (step S312). Thereafter, the control unit determines whether or not the memory is full, that is, for example, whether or not the print request to be stored could be stored in the memory (step S313), and if the memory is full (step S313). YES), preparation for printing is executed (step S314), printing of the accumulated print request is executed (step S315), and the process returns to the operation of FIG. Note that whether or not the memory is full may be determined based on, for example, a preset threshold value for the free space in the memory and whether or not the free space remains below this threshold value.

  On the other hand, if there is no print request in step S311 (NO in step S311), or if the memory is not full in step S313 (NO in step S313), the control unit directly returns to the operation shown in FIG. . In this way, in the second control mode, if there is no person, even if there is a print request, printing is not performed immediately, but the print requests are accumulated. By executing the print requests that have been accumulated together when the memory such as the RAM is full due to the print request, the number of times of start-up to the printable state (the number of executions of print preparation) is reduced. By doing so, it is possible to reduce power consumption when there is no person and to reduce toner consumption.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the illuminance sensor 30 detects the darkness around the installation location, and when there is no person such as midnight, the process shifts to the second control mode for accumulating facsimile printing. It becomes energy saving state. In this state, even if sufficient brightness is detected by the illuminance sensor 30, it does not stand up, and the trigger is triggered by the operation of the printer operation panel or the reception of a printout instruction for the printer function. Detect that When it is detected that there is a person, the facsimile storage mode is canceled and the stored print job is executed.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the print control apparatus according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the print control apparatus includes a main processing unit 400 corresponding to the control unit, an input device 410, a display device 420, a scanner 430, a plotter 440, a NIC 460, a drive device 480, a hard disk device (hereinafter, “ HDD ”)) 490, input I / F 419, display I / F 429, scanner I / F 439, plotter I / F 449, drive I / F 489, and HDD I / F 499.

  The main processing unit 400 implements each function by executing a computer program. The main processing unit 400 includes, for example, a CPU 401, a ROM 408, and a RAM 409. The CPU 401 controls each device included in the image forming apparatus 20 by executing a computer program. The ROM 408 stores, for example, computer programs and parameters, and these are provided to the CPU 401. The RAM 409 is provided as a work memory when the CPU 401 executes a computer program, for example.

  The input device 410 is configured as an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse, for example, and inputs an instruction to the image forming apparatus 20. The display device 420 displays the status of the image forming apparatus 20 and the like. The scanner 430 optically reads an image and generates image data. The plotter 440 forms an image on a medium and outputs it.

  The NIC 460 realizes an interface function when the image forming apparatus and the outside are connected via a network, and controls the interface function. The drive device 480 inserts a recording medium, reads information recorded on the recording medium, and records information on the recording medium. The HDD 490 is a storage unit that stores a large amount of data.

  The input I / F 419, display I / F 429, scanner I / F 439, plotter I / F 449, drive I / F 489, and HDD I / F 499 are the input device 410, display device 420, scanner 430, plotter 440, and drive, respectively. This is an interface when the device 480 and the HDD 490 are connected to the main processing unit 400 via a bus.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus is described as an example in which the image forming apparatus is applied to a multifunction machine having at least one of a copy function, a printer function, and a scanner function in addition to a facsimile function. The present invention can be applied to any image forming apparatus such as a printer, a scanner apparatus, and a facsimile apparatus.

20 Image forming apparatus 23, 33 Control board 25, 35 CPU
26, 36 I / O port 27, 37 Data bus 28, 38 RAM
29, 39 ROM
30 Illuminance sensor

JP 2004-274667 A

Claims (7)

A printing control apparatus having a facsimile function,
A print request receiving unit for receiving a print request received by the facsimile function;
An input receiving unit that receives an operation input from a user for an image forming apparatus equipped with the print control apparatus;
A memory unit for storing print requests;
An illuminance sensor that detects ambient illuminance;
Control for managing a first control mode for executing normal printing in response to a print request received by the print request receiving unit and a second control mode for storing the print request received by the print request receiving unit in the memory unit The department and
The controller is
When the current control mode is the second control mode, the value detected by the illuminance sensor continues for a first time or longer and is equal to or higher than the first threshold value, and the operation input is received by the input receiving unit. A control for permitting transition from the second control mode to the first control mode ,
When the current operation mode is the first control mode, the first control is performed when the value detected by the illuminance sensor continues for a second time or more and is equal to or less than a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value. Control for shifting from the mode to the second control mode;
Control for printing the image data stored in the memory unit when the current operation mode is shifted from the second control mode to the first control mode; and
A control for printing the image data stored in the memory unit when the image data stored in the memory unit reaches a storable amount when the current operation mode is the second control mode;
The printing control apparatus characterized by performing . 2. The print control according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit does not permit the transition from the first control mode to the second control mode when the current time is included in a preset time zone. apparatus. A user-operable operation unit is provided.
The control unit shifts from the second control mode to the first control mode when an operation is input to the operation unit in a state where the shift from the second control mode to the first control mode is permitted. The print control apparatus according to claim 1. Having at least one function other than the facsimile function,
When the execution of a function other than the facsimile function is requested in a state where the transition from the second control mode to the first control mode is permitted, the control unit changes from the second control mode to the first control mode. The printing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing control apparatus shifts to The print control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
A print engine that executes the print request; and
An image forming apparatus comprising: A printing control method for an image forming apparatus including a facsimile function and an input receiving unit that receives an operation input from a user,
A print request accepting step for accepting a print request received by the facsimile function;
Illuminance detection step for detecting ambient illuminance;
Management for managing a first control mode for executing normal printing in response to a print request received by the print request receiving unit and a second control mode for storing the print request received by the print request receiving unit in the memory unit Steps,
During the period in which the current control mode is the second control mode, the value detected in the illuminance detection step continues for a first time or more and is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, and an operation input is performed at the input reception unit. A first control step for permitting transition from the second control mode to the first control mode, if accepted;
When the current operation mode is the first control mode, the first detection mode is used when the value detected in the illuminance detection step continues for a second time or more and is equal to or less than a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value. A second control step for shifting from the control mode to the second control mode;
A third control step for printing the image data stored in the memory unit when the current operation mode is shifted from the second control mode to the first control mode;
A fourth control step of printing the image data stored in the memory unit when the current operation mode is the second control mode and the image data stored in the memory unit reaches a storable amount; ,
A printing control method comprising: A program for causing a computer having a facsimile function and an input receiving unit to receive an operation input from a user to execute the program,
A print request acceptance process for accepting a print request received by the facsimile function;
Illuminance detection processing for detecting ambient illuminance,
Management for managing a first control mode for executing normal printing in response to a print request received by the print request receiving unit and a second control mode for storing the print request received by the print request receiving unit in the memory unit Processing,
During the period in which the current control mode is the second control mode, the value detected in the illuminance detection process continues for a first time or more and is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, and an operation input is performed at the input reception unit. A first control process for permitting a transition from the second control mode to the first control mode;
When the current operation mode is the first control mode, when the value detected in the illuminance detection process continues for a second time or more and is equal to or less than a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value, A second control process for shifting from the control mode to the second control mode;
A third control process for printing the image data stored in the memory unit when the current operation mode is shifted from the second control mode to the first control mode;
A fourth control process for printing the image data stored in the memory unit when the current operation mode is the second control mode and the image data stored in the memory unit reaches a storable amount; ,
For causing the computer to execute.

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