JP6274087B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for acquiring status information indicating a status (for example, toner remaining amount of a toner cartridge) at a predetermined location of an image forming apparatus.

  In an image forming system in which an image forming apparatus (for example, a multifunction peripheral or a printer) and a PC are connected via a network, there is a technique for displaying a status of a predetermined portion of the image forming apparatus on a PC screen.

  When a status request is issued from the PC, the image forming apparatus acquires status information indicating the status of a predetermined location and transmits it to the PC. The user can know the status of a predetermined part of the image forming apparatus on the screen of the PC without going to the place where the image forming apparatus is installed.

  When the image forming apparatus receives a status request from the PC in a power saving mode (for example, sleep mode) in which the power consumption is lower than that in the standby mode, the image forming apparatus has a circuit necessary for acquiring the status information. Energize. There has been proposed an image forming apparatus that can reduce the amount of power consumed by energization.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus in which a sub CPU transmits status information to an external device instead of a main CPU when a status of a copying machine is requested from a network in a sleep mode.

JP 2004-130526 A (paragraph 0179)

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing power consumption when a status request is made in a power saving mode.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention that achieves the above object is an image forming apparatus that can be connected to a network and that can execute a power saving mode that consumes less power than a standby mode. A first detector that detects the status of the predetermined location and outputs status information indicating the status of the predetermined location; a memory that stores the status information output from the first detector; and the predetermined location A second detection unit that outputs a detection signal when a user operation, which is a premise to change the status of the device, is performed, a holding circuit that holds the detection signal output from the second detection unit, and the power saving In the mode, when a status request is issued from the external device via the network, the holding circuit determines whether the detection signal is in a holding state. In the power saving mode, control is performed so that power is supplied to the second detection unit and the holding circuit and power is not supplied to the first detection unit. A power control unit that switches from a control in which power is not supplied to a control in which power is supplied to the first detection unit, and the first detection in the power saving mode The first acquisition unit that acquires the status information from the first detection unit when the control is switched from the control in which power is not supplied to the control in which power is supplied to the unit, and is stored in the memory When the reading unit that reads the status information and the first determination unit determine the holding state, the status information acquired by the first acquisition unit is transmitted to the external device, and the first determination is performed. When There it is judged not to be the holding state, and a communication unit that transmits the status information to the reading unit has read from said memory to said external device.

  The first detection unit detects a status (for example, the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge) of a predetermined portion of the image forming apparatus, and outputs status information (for example, information indicating the remaining amount of toner). If a user operation that is a precondition for changing the status of a predetermined location is performed, the status information may change. For example, when a user operation for pulling out the toner cartridge from the image forming apparatus is performed, a new toner cartridge in which the toner is full may be attached to the image forming apparatus. The second detection unit outputs a detection signal when a user operation is performed.

  In the power saving mode, when a detection signal is output from the second detection unit, the detection signal is held by the holding circuit, and when a status request is issued from an external device, whether or not the detection signal is held by the holding circuit. To be judged. When it is determined not to be in the holding state, the status information stored in the memory is transmitted to the external device that has requested the status. When it is determined that the state is the holding state, power is supplied to the first detection unit, and the status information output from the first detection unit is transmitted to the external device that has requested the status.

  In the power saving mode, if there is a status request, consider a mode in which power is uniformly supplied to the first detection unit and status information is acquired from the first detection unit. According to this aspect, if there is a status request even though no user operation is performed, power is supplied to the first detection unit, so that the circuit that does not need to supply power (first detection unit) Power will be supplied.

  In contrast, as described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the power saving mode, when the detection signal is output or when the status request is made, the first detection unit is uniform. Is not supplied with power. Therefore, the number of times of supplying power to the first detection unit in the power saving mode can be reduced, so that the power consumption in the power saving mode can be reduced.

  In the above configuration, when the image forming apparatus switches from the power saving mode to the standby mode, the second determination unit that determines whether or not the holding state is set, and the second determination unit determines that the holding state is set. A second acquisition unit that acquires the status information from the first detection unit and does not acquire the status information from the first detection unit when the second determination unit determines that the status is not in the holding state. And a first update unit that updates the status information by storing the status information acquired by the second acquisition unit in the memory.

  If a user operation that is a precondition for changing the status of the predetermined location is not performed, the status of the predetermined location does not change. For example, a new toner cartridge cannot be mounted on the image forming apparatus unless a user operation is performed to pull out the toner cartridge from the image forming apparatus. Therefore, according to this configuration, when switching from the power saving mode to the standby mode, if the detection signal is not in the holding state in the holding circuit, that is, if no user operation is performed in the power saving mode, it is stored in the memory. On the other hand, the status information is not updated, and if it is in the holding state, the status information is updated.

  In the standby mode, the configuration includes a third acquisition unit that acquires the status information from the first detection unit when the second detection unit outputs the detection signal, and the third acquisition unit. And storing the status information acquired by the second update unit for updating the status information by storing the status information in the memory, wherein the reading unit is in the standby mode when the status request is made, The status information is read from the memory, and the communication unit transmits the status information read from the memory by the reading unit to the external device in the standby mode.

  This configuration is defined for the standby mode. When a detection signal is output from the second detection unit, status information is acquired from the first detection unit and stored in the memory. When a status request is made, the status information stored in the memory is transmitted to the external device that made the status request.

  In the above configuration, a plurality of first detection units that detect the status of each of the plurality of predetermined locations located at different locations of the image forming apparatus and output the status information of each of the plurality of predetermined locations; The plurality of second detection units provided corresponding to each of the plurality of predetermined locations and outputting the detection signals when the user operation is performed on the assumption that the status of the corresponding predetermined location is changed. And a plurality of holding circuits that respectively hold the detection signals output from the plurality of second detection units, and the memory outputs from each of the plurality of first detection units. The status information is stored, and the power control unit is configured to store the plurality of second detection units and the plurality of holding circuits in the power saving mode. The control is performed so that power is supplied, and power is not supplied to the plurality of first detection units, and the first determination unit among the plurality of holding circuits is determined to be in the holding state. Control that does not supply power to the first detection unit that detects the status of the predetermined location corresponding to the second detection unit that has output the detection signal held by the holding circuit with respect to the holding circuit. The communication unit switches the control unit to the power supply from the control unit, and the communication unit transmits the acquired status information to the external device with respect to the predetermined unit from which the first acquisition unit has acquired the status information. And the status information of the remaining predetermined location stored in the memory is transmitted to the external device with respect to the remaining predetermined location.

  In this configuration, in the power saving mode, the first detection that detects the status of a predetermined location corresponding to the second detection unit that outputs the detection signal held by the holding circuit among the plurality of first detection units. Control is performed to supply power to the unit, and control is performed not to supply power to the remaining first detection units. Therefore, power consumption can be reduced as compared with a mode in which power is supplied to all of the plurality of first detection units.

  According to the present invention, when a status request is made in the power saving mode, power consumption can be reduced.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of part of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is a first flowchart for explaining an operation in which an image forming apparatus transmits status information to a PC when a status request is made from the PC to the image forming apparatus in the present embodiment. It is a 2nd flowchart same as the above. It is a 3rd flowchart same as the above. It is the same 4th flowchart.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As an example of the image forming apparatus 1, a digital multi-function machine having a copy, printer, scanner, and facsimile function will be described. The image forming apparatus 1 may be an apparatus having a function of printing an image, and is not limited to a digital multifunction peripheral. For example, the printer may be the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a printing unit 100, a document reading unit 200, a document feeding unit 300, an operation unit 400, a control unit 500, and a communication unit 600.

  When a single document is placed on the document placement unit provided in the document feed unit 300, the document feed unit 300 sends the document to the document reading unit 200, and a plurality of documents are placed on the document placement unit. When an original is placed, a plurality of originals are continuously sent to the original reading unit 200.

  The document reading unit 200 reads a document placed on a document table or a document fed from the document feeding unit 300 and outputs image data of the document.

  The printing unit 100 executes a print job. A print job is an image indicated by data indicating data (for example, image data output from the document reading unit 200, print data transmitted from a terminal device such as a PC, or image data received by facsimile). Is a job for generating a printed matter on which is printed.

  The operation unit 400 includes an operation key unit 401 and a display unit 403. The display unit 403 has a touch panel function, and displays a screen including soft keys. The user operates the soft key while viewing the screen to make settings necessary for executing functions such as copying.

  The operation key unit 401 is provided with operation keys including hard keys. The operation key is, for example, a function switching key for switching between a start key, a numeric keypad, a reset key, a copy, a printer, a scanner, and a facsimile.

  The control unit 500 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU executes control necessary for operating the image forming apparatus 1 on the above-described components (for example, the printing unit 100) of the image forming apparatus 1. The ROM stores software necessary for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The RAM is used for temporary storage of data generated during execution of software, storage of application software, and the like.

  The control unit 500 includes, as functional blocks, a mode control unit 501, a first determination unit 503, a first acquisition unit 505, a second determination unit 507, a second acquisition unit 509, a first update unit 511, a read Unit 513, third acquisition unit 515, second update unit 517, and power control unit 519. Details of these blocks will be described later.

  The communication unit 600 includes a facsimile communication unit 601 and a network I / F unit 603. The facsimile communication unit 601 includes an NCU (Network Control Unit) that controls connection of a telephone line with a destination facsimile and a modulation / demodulation circuit that modulates / demodulates a signal for facsimile communication. The facsimile communication unit 601 is connected to the telephone line 605.

  A network I / F unit 603 is connected to the LAN 607. A network I / F unit 603 is a communication interface circuit for executing communication with a terminal device such as a PC connected to the LAN 607.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of part of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a first detection unit 3, a second detection unit 5, a holding circuit 7, a mask circuit 9, a power supply unit 40, a control unit 500, and a communication unit 600.

  The first detection unit 3 detects the status of a predetermined location of the image forming apparatus 1 and outputs status information indicating the status of the predetermined location. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a plurality of first detection units 3. In the present embodiment, four first detection units 3a to 3d will be described as an example. When these are not distinguished, they are referred to as the first detection unit 3.

  The first detection unit 3 a is a module that detects the size and amount of paper set in the paper feed cassette of the image forming apparatus 1 and outputs information indicating the size and amount of paper.

  The first detection unit 3 b is a module that detects the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge of the image forming apparatus 1 and outputs information indicating the remaining amount of toner.

  The first detection unit 3c is a module that detects the amount of waste toner in the waste toner bottle of the image forming apparatus 1 and outputs information indicating the amount of waste toner.

  The first detection unit 3d is a module that detects the types of options attached to the image forming apparatus 1 and outputs information indicating these. The option is, for example, a finisher.

  As described above, the plurality of first detection units 3 detect the status of each of a plurality of predetermined locations located at different locations of the image forming apparatus 1 and output the status information of each of the plurality of predetermined locations.

  The second detection unit 5 outputs a detection signal serving as an interrupt signal to be input to the interrupt input unit 23 of the CPU 20 when a user operation that is a precondition for changing the status of a predetermined location is performed. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a plurality of second detection units 5. In the present embodiment, four second detection units 5a to 5d will be described as an example. When these are not distinguished, they are described as the second detection unit 5.

  The second detection unit 5 a is a sensor that outputs a detection signal when the user performs an operation of pulling out the paper feed cassette from the image forming apparatus 1.

  The second detection unit 5 b is a sensor that outputs a detection signal when the user performs an operation of pulling out the toner cartridge from the image forming apparatus 1.

  The second detection unit 5 c is a sensor that outputs a detection signal when the user performs an operation of pulling out the waste toner bottle from the image forming apparatus 1.

  The second detection unit 5d is a circuit board that detects a connection between the option and the image forming apparatus 1 and outputs a detection signal when the option is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 by the user.

  As described above, the plurality of second detection units 5 are provided corresponding to each of a plurality of predetermined locations, and when a user operation that is a premise to change the status of the corresponding predetermined location is performed, Output.

  The holding circuit 7 is a circuit (for example, a latch circuit) that holds the detection signal output from the second detection unit 5. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a plurality of holding circuits 7. In this embodiment, four holding circuits 7a to 7d will be described as an example. When these are not distinguished, they are described as holding circuits 7.

  The holding circuit 7a holds the detection signal output from the second detection unit 5a. The holding circuit 7b holds the detection signal output from the second detection unit 5b. The holding circuit 7c holds the detection signal output from the second detection unit 5c. The holding circuit 7d holds the detection signal output from the second detection unit 5d.

  The mask circuit 9 includes four gates 9a to 9d. When the mask circuit 9 is disabled, the gate 9a passes the detection signal output from the second detection unit 5a, the gate 9b passes the detection signal output from the second detection unit 5b, and the gate 9c passes through the second detection unit 5b. The detection signal output from the detection unit 5c is passed through, and the gate 9d passes the detection signal output from the second detection unit 5d. When the mask circuit 9 is enabled, the gates 9a to 9d output a signal having a level opposite to that of the detection signal. The mask circuit 9 is disabled or enabled by a control signal sent from the CPU 20.

  The control unit 500 includes a CPU 20 and a memory 30.

  The CPU 20 includes a general-purpose input unit 21, an interrupt input unit 23, and a general-purpose input / output unit 25. The signal output from the holding circuit 7 is input to the general-purpose input unit 21. The signal output from the mask circuit 9 is input to the interrupt input unit 23. The status information output from the first detection unit 3 is input to the general-purpose input / output unit 25. The first detection unit 3 performs an operation of detecting the status of the assigned predetermined location by the control signal output by the CPU 20 via the general-purpose input / output unit 25.

  The memory 30 is, for example, a main memory of the image forming apparatus 1 and is realized by a DRAM. The memory 30 stores status information output from each of the plurality of first detection units 3.

  The communication unit 600 is connected to the PC 10 via a LAN 607. In this embodiment, a LAN 607 is described as an example of a network to which the image forming apparatus 1 can be connected, and a PC 10 is described as an example of an external device that can be connected to the network.

  The power supply unit 40 generates power to be supplied to the control unit 500, the first detection unit 3, the second detection unit 5, the holding circuit 7, the mask circuit 9, and the communication unit 600.

  Next, blocks constituting the control unit 500 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The mode control unit 501 controls execution and switching of the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1. As operation modes, there are a standby mode and a power saving mode. The standby mode is also called a ready mode, and is a mode in which the image forming apparatus 1 can start printing with a minimum waiting time when the image forming apparatus 1 receives a command to execute a print job. The power saving mode is also called a sleep mode, and is a mode that consumes less power than the standby mode.

  The first determination unit 503 determines whether or not the detection signal is in the holding state for each of the four holding circuits 7 when a status request is made from the PC 10 via the LAN 607 in the power saving mode.

  In the power saving mode, the first acquisition unit 505 selects the first detection unit 3 among the four first detection units 3 that has been switched from control not supplied with power to control supplied with power. The status information is acquired from the first detection unit 3.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 switches from the power saving mode to the standby mode, the second determination unit 507 determines whether the detection signal is in the holding state for each of the four holding circuits 7.

  The second acquisition unit 509 acquires status information from the first detection unit 3 when the second determination unit 507 determines that it is in the holding state, and determines that the second determination unit 507 is not in the holding state. At this time, the status information is not acquired from the first detection unit 3. Specifically, when the detection signal is held in the holding circuit 7a and the detection signal is not held in the holding circuits 7b to 7d, status information is acquired from the first detection unit 3a, and the first detection is performed. Status information is not acquired from the units 3b to 3d. As described above, when the detection signal is held in the holding circuit 7, the second acquisition unit 509 detects the status of a predetermined location corresponding to the second detection unit 5 that has output the detection signal. Status information is acquired from part 3.

  The first update unit 511 updates the status information by causing the memory 30 to store the status information acquired by the second acquisition unit 509.

  The reading unit 513 reads status information stored in the memory 30. For example, the reading unit 513 reads status information from the memory 30 when a status request is made in the standby mode.

  The third acquisition unit 515 acquires status information from the first detection unit 3a when the second detection unit 5a outputs a detection signal in the standby mode, and the second detection unit 5b outputs the detection signal. The status information is acquired from the first detection unit 3b, and when the second detection unit 5c outputs a detection signal, the status information is acquired from the first detection unit 3c, and the second detection unit 5d When the detection signal is output, status information is acquired from the first detection unit 3d. As described above, the third acquisition unit 515 detects the status of a predetermined location corresponding to the second detection unit 5 that has output the detection signal when the second detection unit 5 outputs the detection signal in the standby mode. Status information is acquired from the first detection unit 3 that performs the operation.

  The second update unit 517 updates the status information by storing the status information acquired by the third acquisition unit 515 in the memory 30.

  The power control unit 519 performs control to supply power to the four (plural) second detection units 5 and the four (plurality) holding circuits 7 in the power saving mode, and the four (plurality). In the holding circuit 7, the detection signal held in the holding circuit 7 is controlled for the holding circuit 7 that is determined to be in the holding state. For the first detection unit 3 that detects the status of a predetermined location corresponding to the second detection unit 5 that outputs the power, the control is switched from the control in which power is not supplied to the control in which power is supplied.

  The first detection unit 3 that detects the status of a predetermined location corresponding to the second detection unit 5 that has output the detection signal held by the holding circuit 7 is when the detection signal is held by the holding circuit 7a. When the detection signal is held by the holding circuit 7b, the first detection unit 3a is the first detection unit 3b, and when the detection signal is held by the holding circuit 7c, the first detection unit 3c, and when the detection signal is held by the holding circuit 7d, the first detection unit 3d.

  The communication unit 600 transmits the acquired status information to the PC 10 via the LAN 607 with respect to the predetermined location where the first acquisition unit 505 has acquired the status information among a plurality of predetermined locations (four predetermined locations in the present embodiment). Then, regarding the remaining predetermined portion, the status information of the remaining predetermined portion stored in the memory 30 is transmitted to the PC 10 via the LAN 607.

  Further, in the standby mode, the communication unit 600 transmits the status information read from the memory 30 by the reading unit 513 to the PC 10 via the LAN 607.

  In this embodiment, an operation in which the image forming apparatus 1 transmits status information to the PC 10 via the LAN 607 when the PC 10 issues a status request to the image forming apparatus 1 via the LAN 607 will be described. 3 to 6 are flowcharts for explaining the operation.

  1 to 3, when the user turns on the power switch of the image forming apparatus 1, power is supplied to the main board on which the control unit 500 is formed, and the main board is activated (step S <b> 1). ). After the main board is activated, the main board is reset, and hardware such as the CPU 20 arranged on the main board is initialized (step S2).

  The mode control unit 501 sets the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1 to the standby mode (step S3). Thereby, the power control unit 519 controls the power supply unit 40 to supply power to the first detection unit 3, the second detection unit 5, and the holding circuit 7, and the mode control unit 501 controls the mask circuit 9. Disable. When the mask circuit 9 is disabled, the mask circuit 9 passes the output from the second detection unit 5. Therefore, when the second detection unit 5 outputs a detection signal, the detection signal is input to the interrupt input unit 23.

  The mode control unit 501 starts a sleep timer (step S4). As will be described later, this timer is used to determine whether or not a transition condition for the power saving mode (sleep mode) is satisfied.

  The mode control unit 501 determines whether or not the power saving mode transition condition is satisfied (step S5). Satisfying the power saving mode transition condition means that the operation unit 400 is not operated before the time measured by the sleep timer reaches a predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes) or the image forming apparatus 1 Is when the print job is not executed.

  When the mode control unit 501 determines that the power saving mode transition condition is satisfied (Yes in step S5), the mode control unit 501 switches the image forming apparatus 1 from the standby mode to the power saving mode (step S6).

  At this time, the mode control unit 501 enables the mask circuit 9. Thereby, even if the 2nd detection part 5 outputs a detection signal in a power saving mode, it prevents that a detection signal (interrupt signal) is input into the interrupt input part 23. FIG. When the detection signal output from the second detection unit 5 is input to the interrupt input unit 23, the first detection unit 3 detects the status of a predetermined location corresponding to the second detection unit 5 that has output the detection signal. The status information is acquired from. This is processing in the standby mode, and the mask circuit 9 is enabled in order to prevent such processing from being performed in the power saving mode.

  When the mask circuit 9 is enabled, the gates 9a to 9d output a signal having a level opposite to the level of the detection signal. If the detection signal is H level, the gates 9a to 9d output L level signals when the mask circuit 9 is enabled, and if the detection signal is L level, the gates 9a to 9d are output when the mask circuit 9 is enabled. 9d outputs an H level signal.

  Each of the second detection units 5 outputs a detection signal when detecting an assigned user operation. When the second detection unit 5 outputs a detection signal (Yes in step S7), the detection signal is held in the holding circuit 7 corresponding to the second detection unit 5 that has output the detection signal (step S8). For example, when the user pulls out the toner cartridge from the image forming apparatus 1, the second detection unit 5b outputs a detection signal. This detection signal is held by the holding circuit 7b. After that, when the user again performs an operation of pulling out the toner cartridge from the image forming apparatus 1, the second detection unit 5b outputs a detection signal. However, since the detection signal is already held in the holding circuit 7b, the newly output detection signal is not accepted by the holding circuit 7b and is discarded.

  After step S8 or when all the second detection units 5 do not output a detection signal (No in step S7), the mode control unit 501 determines whether or not the power saving has been canceled (step S9). . The power saving cancellation is when the operation unit is operated or when a command for causing the image forming apparatus 1 to execute a print job is generated.

  When the mode control unit 501 determines that the power saving is not canceled (No in step S9), the communication unit 600 determines whether a status request is made from the PC 10 (step S10).

  When the communication unit 600 determines that a status request is not made (No in step S10), the process returns to step S7.

  When the communication unit 600 determines that a status request has been made (Yes in step S10), referring to FIG. 4, the first determination unit 503 determines whether the detection signal is in the holding state by the holding circuit 7. (Step S11).

  When the first determination unit 503 determines that the detection signal is held in the holding circuit 7 (Yes in step S11), the power control unit 519 outputs the second detection signal held in the holding circuit 7. The first detection unit 3 that detects the status of a predetermined location corresponding to the detection unit 5 is switched from control in which power is not supplied to control in which power is supplied (step S12). For example, when the first determination unit 503 determines that the detection signal is held in the holding circuit 7b, the power control unit 519 outputs the detection signal held in the holding circuit 7b to the second detection unit 5b. For the first detection unit 3b that detects the status of the corresponding predetermined location, the control is switched from the control that does not supply power to the control that supplies power.

  The first acquisition unit 505 acquires status information output from the first detection unit 3 to which power is supplied (step S13). For example, the first acquisition unit 505 acquires the status information output from the first detection unit 3b when power is supplied to the first detection unit 3b.

  The reading unit 513 reads the status information of the remaining predetermined location other than the status information of the predetermined location acquired in step S <b> 13 from the memory 30. For example, the reading unit 513 reads status information detected by the first detection units 3a, 3c, and 3d from the memory 30. The communication unit 600 transmits the status information and the status information acquired in step S13 to the PC 10 (step S14). The transmitted status information is displayed on the display unit of the PC 10.

  The first updating unit 511 updates the status information by storing the status information acquired in step S13 in the memory 30 (step S15). Further, the first determination unit 503 resets the holding circuit 7. As a result, the detection signal held in the holding circuit 7 is erased.

  When the first determination unit 503 determines that the detection signals are not in the holding state in all the holding circuits 7a to 7d (No in step S11), the reading unit 513 reads the status information of all the predetermined locations from the memory 30. Read (step S16). As described above, in the power saving mode, when no user operation is performed on all of the four (plural) predetermined locations, the reading unit 513 stores the status information on the four (plural) predetermined locations in the memory. Read from 30.

  The communication unit 600 transmits the status information read in step S16 to the PC 10 (step S17). The transmitted status information is displayed on the display unit of the PC 10.

  After step S15 or after step S17, the process returns to step S7.

  When the mode control unit 501 determines that the power saving mode transition condition is not satisfied (No in step S5), that is, until the time measured by the sleep timer reaches a predetermined time, the operation unit 400 Is operated, or when the image forming apparatus 1 executes a print job, the mode control unit 501 resets the timer described in step S4 and continues the standby mode (step S18).

  1, 2, and 5, each of the second detection units 5 outputs a detection signal when it detects an assigned user operation. When the second detection unit 5 outputs a detection signal (Yes in step S19), the detection signal is input to the interrupt input unit 23. The 3rd acquisition part 515 acquires status information from the 1st detection part 3 which detects the status of the predetermined location corresponding to the 2nd detection part 5 which output the detection signal (step S20). For example, when the user pulls out the toner cartridge from the image forming apparatus 1, the second detection unit 5b outputs a detection signal, and the third acquisition unit 515 acquires status information from the first detection unit 3b.

  Since the holding circuit 7 is enabled, it is held by the holding circuit 7 when a detection signal is output. However, in the standby mode, the first determination unit 503 does not make the determination in step S8, so the detection signal held in the holding circuit 7 is not used and is left unattended.

  The second updating unit 517 updates the status information by storing the status information acquired in step S20 in the memory 30 (step S21).

  After step S21 or when all the second detection units 5 have not output detection signals (No in step S19), the communication unit 600 determines whether a status request has been made from the PC 10 (step S21). S22).

  When the communication unit 600 determines that a status request has been made (Yes in step S22), the reading unit 513 reads status information of all predetermined locations from the memory 30 (step S23).

  The communication unit 600 transmits the status information read in step 23 to the PC 10 (step S24). The transmitted status information is displayed on the display unit of the PC 10.

  After step S24 or when the communication unit 600 determines that a status request is not made (No in step S22), the process returns to step S5.

  When the mode control unit 501 determines that the power saving has been canceled (Yes in step S9 in FIG. 3), the second determination unit 507 is the holding circuit 7 with reference to FIGS. It is determined whether or not the detection signal is in a holding state (step S25).

  When the second determination unit 507 determines that the detection signal is held in the holding circuit 7 (Yes in step S25), the power control unit 519 outputs the second detection signal held in the holding circuit 7. The first detection unit 3 that detects the status of a predetermined location corresponding to the detection unit 5 is switched from control in which power is not supplied to control in which power is supplied. For example, when the second determination unit 507 determines that the detection signal is held in the holding circuit 7b, the power control unit 519 outputs the detection signal held in the holding circuit 7b to the second detection unit 5b. For the first detection unit 3b that detects the status of the corresponding predetermined location, the control is switched from the control that does not supply power to the control that supplies power.

  The second acquisition unit 509 acquires status information output from the first detection unit 3 to which power is supplied (step S26). For example, the second acquisition unit 509 acquires the status information output from the first detection unit 3b when power is supplied to the first detection unit 3b.

  The first updating unit 511 updates the status information by storing the status information acquired in step S26 in the memory 30 (step S27).

  After step S27 or when the second determination unit 507 determines that the detection signal is not in the holding state in the holding circuit 7 (No in step S25), the process returns to step S3.

  The main effects of this embodiment will be described. Referring to FIG. 2, the first detection unit 3 detects the status (for example, the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge) of a predetermined location of the image forming apparatus 1, and status information (for example, information indicating the remaining amount of toner). Is output. If a user operation that is a precondition for changing the status of a predetermined location is performed, the status information may change. For example, when a user operation for pulling out the toner cartridge from the image forming apparatus 1 is performed, there is a possibility that a new toner cartridge full of toner is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1. The second detection unit 5 outputs a detection signal when a user operation is performed.

  Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, in the power saving mode, when a detection signal is output from second detection unit 5 (Yes in step S7), the detection signal is held in holding circuit 7 (step S7). S8) When a status request is made from the PC 10 (Yes in Step S10), it is determined whether or not the detection signal is held in the holding circuit 7 (Step S11). When it is determined that it is not in the holding state (No in step S11), the status information stored in the memory 30 is transmitted to the PC 10 that has requested the status (step S16, step S17). When it is determined that the state is the holding state (Yes in Step S11), power is supplied to the first detection unit 3 (Step S12), and the status information output from the first detection unit 3 makes a status request. It is transmitted to the PC 10 (step S13, step S14).

  If there is a status request in the power saving mode, consider a mode in which power is uniformly supplied to the first detection unit 3 and status information is acquired from the first detection unit 3. According to this aspect, if there is a status request even though no user operation has been performed, the power is supplied to the first detection unit 3, so the circuit that does not need to supply power (the first detection unit 3 ).

  On the other hand, as described above, according to the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, in the power saving mode, when the detection signal is output or when the status is requested, the first Electric power is not supplied to the detector 3. Therefore, since the number of times of supplying power to the first detection unit 3 can be reduced in the power saving mode, power consumption in the power saving mode can be reduced.

  Moreover, according to this embodiment, the following effects arise. If a user operation that is a precondition for changing the status of the predetermined location is not performed, the status of the predetermined location does not change. For example, a new toner cartridge cannot be mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 unless a user operation for pulling out the toner cartridge from the image forming apparatus 1 is performed. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, when the power saving mode is switched to the standby mode (Yes in step S9), the holding circuit 7 is not in the holding state (step S25). No), that is, in the power saving mode, if there is no user operation, the status information stored in the memory 30 is not updated, but if it is in the holding state (Yes in step S25), Status information is updated (step S26, step S27).

  In the case of the standby mode, it is as follows. Referring to FIG. 5, when a detection signal is output from second detection unit 5 (Yes in step S19), status information is acquired from first detection unit 3 (step S20) and stored in memory 30. (Step S21). When a status request is made (Yes in step S22), the status information stored in the memory 30 is transmitted to the PC 10 that made the status request (step S23, step S24).

  Furthermore, in this implementation failure, with reference to FIG. 4, in the power saving mode, the detection signals held by the holding circuits 7a to 7d among the four (plural) first detection units 3a to 3d are output. Control is performed to supply power to a first detection unit (for example, the first detection unit 3b) that detects the status of a predetermined location corresponding to the second detection units 5a to 5d, and the remaining first Control for not supplying power to the detection units (for example, the first detection units 3a, 3c, 3d) (step S12). Therefore, power consumption can be reduced as compared with an aspect in which power is supplied to all of the four (plural) first detection units 3a to 3d.

1 Image forming apparatus 10 PC (an example of an external apparatus)
607 LAN (an example of a network)

Claims (4)

An image forming apparatus that can be connected to a network and that can execute a power saving mode that consumes less power than a standby mode,
A first detection unit that detects a status of a predetermined location of the image forming apparatus and outputs status information indicating the status of the predetermined location;
A memory for storing the status information output from the first detection unit;
A second detection unit that outputs a detection signal when a user operation which is a precondition for changing the status of the predetermined portion is performed;
A holding circuit for holding the detection signal output from the second detection unit;
A first determination unit configured to determine whether the detection signal is in a holding state in the holding circuit when a status request is made from the external device via the network in the power saving mode;
In the power saving mode, control is performed such that power is supplied to the second detection unit and the holding circuit and power is not supplied to the first detection unit, and the first determination unit is set to the holding state. A power control unit that switches from a control in which power is not supplied to a control in which power is supplied to the first detection unit when determined;
In the power saving mode, the first detection unit obtains the status information from the first detection unit when the first detection unit is switched from the control in which power is not supplied to the control in which power is supplied. An acquisition unit;
A reading unit for reading the status information stored in the memory;
When the first determination unit determines to be in the holding state, the status information acquired by the first acquisition unit is transmitted to the external device, and when the first determination unit determines not to be in the holding state A communication unit that transmits the status information read from the memory by the reading unit to the external device;
Interrupt input section,
It is disabled in the standby mode, and is input to the interrupt input unit through the detection signal output from the second detection unit, and is enabled in the power saving mode, and the detection signal is input to the interrupt input unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a mask circuit that outputs a signal having a level opposite to the level of the detection signal output from the second detection unit . A second determination unit configured to determine whether the image forming apparatus is in the holding state when the image forming apparatus is switched from the power saving mode to the standby mode;
When the second determination unit determines the holding state, the status information is acquired from the first detection unit, and when the second determination unit determines that the holding state is not set, the first detection is performed. A second acquisition unit that does not acquire the status information from the unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a first update unit that updates the status information by storing the status information acquired by the second acquisition unit in the memory. A third acquisition unit that acquires the status information from the first detection unit when the second detection unit outputs the detection signal in the standby mode;
A second update unit that updates the status information by storing the status information acquired by the third acquisition unit in the memory;
The reading unit reads the status information from the memory when the status request is made in the standby mode,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit transmits the status information read from the memory by the reading unit to the external device in the standby mode. A plurality of first detection units that detect the status of each of the plurality of predetermined locations located at different locations of the image forming apparatus and output the status information of each of the plurality of predetermined locations;
A plurality of second detection units that are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of predetermined locations, and that output the detection signals when the user operation is performed to change the status of the corresponding predetermined location; ,
A plurality of holding circuits that respectively hold the detection signals output from each of the plurality of second detection units; and
The memory stores the status information output from each of the plurality of first detection units,
The power control unit performs control to supply power to the plurality of second detection units and the plurality of holding circuits in the power saving mode, and supplies power to the plurality of first detection units. The second detection that outputs the detection signal held in the holding circuit for the holding circuit that is determined to be in the holding state by the first determination unit among the plurality of holding circuits. For the first detection unit that detects the status of the predetermined location corresponding to the unit, switching from the control that does not supply power to the control that supplies power,
The communication unit transmits the acquired status information to the external device regarding the predetermined location where the first acquisition unit has acquired the status information among the plurality of predetermined locations, and regarding the remaining predetermined locations. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the status information of the remaining predetermined portion stored in the memory is transmitted to the external apparatus.

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