JP6478074B2 - Image forming apparatus and optional device control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus to which an optional device used for printing can be connected and an optional device control program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an image forming apparatus that includes a printer and that can be connected to optional equipment used for printing by the printer (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 can at least shift to a normal mode and a sleep mode that consumes less power than the normal mode. When the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 returns from the sleep mode to the normal mode, the initial operation of the optional device is not executed when there is no use history of the optional device during the previous normal mode, and the previous normal mode is not executed. Executes the optional device initial operation when there is a history of using the optional device during the mode. With this configuration, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 can suppress the execution of the initial operation of the optional device, and can reduce power consumption.

Japanese Patent No. 5033706

  However, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when returning from the sleep mode to the normal mode, when there is a use history of the optional device during the previous normal mode, after returning from the sleep mode to the normal mode Even if the possibility of using the optional device is low, the initial operation of the optional device is executed, so that the effect of reducing the power consumption is not sufficient.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus and an optional device control program capable of reducing power consumption as compared with the related art.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage device that stores information and a printing device that executes printing on a recording medium, to which an optional device that is used for printing by the printing device can be connected. An image forming apparatus capable of at least shifting to a low-power state that consumes less power than the normal state, and instructing the optional device to perform an initial operation when transitioning from the low-power state to the normal state And an optional device control means for storing the control status for the optional device by the optional device control means in the storage device. The optional device control means is a period during which the optional device is not used. Is cut off the supply of power to the optional equipment when The control state storage means stores the cutoff state in the storage device as the control state when the supply of power to the optional equipment is cut off by the optional equipment control means, and the optional equipment control means When the state is shifted from the power state to the normal state, the instruction for the initial operation to the option device is stopped when the shut-off state is stored in the storage device as the control state.

  With this configuration, the image forming apparatus of the present invention stores the cutoff state in the storage device as the control state when the supply of power to the optional device is cut off, and the control state when the low power state shifts to the normal state Since the instruction of the initial operation to the option device is canceled when the shut-off state is stored in the storage device as, when the transition from the normal state to the low power state in the state where the power supply to the option device is shut off, that is, When it is unlikely that the optional device will be used after returning from the low power state to the normal state, compared to when the normal device is switched to the low power state without shutting off the power supply to the optional device In addition, power consumption due to the initial operation of the optional device can be prevented. Therefore, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can reduce the power consumption compared to the prior art.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention may further include a period receiving unit that receives designation of the specific period.

  With this configuration, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention accepts designation of a period from when the optional device is no longer used until the supply of power to the optional device is cut off. The user's preference is a balance between the convenience of having the optional device execute the initial operation and the reduction in power consumption by not having the optional device perform the initial operation when the low-power state shifts to the normal state. Can be adapted to.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, when the optional device control unit is instructed to execute printing in which the optional device is designated, the cutoff state is stored in the storage device as the control state. The initial operation may be instructed to the optional device.

  With this configuration, the image forming apparatus of the present invention does not instruct the optional device to perform the initial operation until the execution of the designated printing is instructed when the cutoff state is stored in the storage device as the control state. Therefore, power consumption due to the initial operation of the optional device can be suppressed.

  The optional device control program of the present invention comprises a storage device for storing information and a printing device for executing printing on a recording medium, and an optional device used for printing by the printing device is connectable, An optional device control program that is executed by an image forming apparatus capable of shifting at least between a normal state and a low power state that consumes less power than the normal state, and has shifted from the low power state to the normal state The image forming apparatus functions as an optional device control unit that instructs the optional device to perform an initial operation, and a control state storage unit that stores a control state of the optional device by the optional device control unit in the storage device, The optional device control means is used by the optional device. When the non-performing period exceeds a specific period, the supply of power to the option device is cut off, and the control state storage means is turned off by the option device control means. In this case, a shut-off state is stored in the storage device as the control state, and the optional device control unit stores the shut-off state in the storage device as the control state when the low-power state shifts to the normal state. In this case, the instruction of the initial operation to the optional device is stopped.

  With this configuration, the option device control program of the present invention stores the shut-off state in the storage device as the control state when the power supply to the option device is shut off, and controls when the low-power state shifts to the normal state. When the shutdown state is stored in the storage device as the state, the instruction for the initial operation to the optional device is canceled, so when the power supply to the optional device is cut off and the normal state is changed to the low power state, that is, Compared to the case where the power supply to the optional device is not cut off and the normal state is changed to the low power state, the option device is less likely to be used after returning from the low power state to the normal state. In this case, power consumption due to the initial operation of the optional device can be prevented. Therefore, the option device control program of the present invention can reduce the power consumption as compared with the prior art.

  The image forming apparatus and the optional device control program of the present invention can reduce the power consumption compared to the prior art.

1 is a block diagram of an MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 1 when returning from a sleep state or a power-off state to a normal state. 2 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 1 when execution of printing is instructed.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) as an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of MFP 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the MFP 10 includes an operation unit 11 that is an input device such as buttons for inputting various operations, and a display unit 12 that is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information. And a scanner 13 that reads an image from a document, a printer 14 that performs printing on a recording medium such as paper, and an external facsimile apparatus (not shown) and a communication line such as a public telephone line Various types of information are received, such as a fax communication unit 15 that is a fax device that performs fax communication with a network communication unit 16 that is a network communication device that communicates with an external device via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. NVRA to remember (Non Volatile Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) non-volatile storage device is a storage unit 17 such as, and a control unit 18 which controls the entire MFP 10.

  The MFP 10 can transition to a normal state, a power-off state as a low-power state that consumes less power than the normal state, and a sleep state as a low-power state that consumes less power than the normal state.

  The normal state is a state in which printing by the printer 14 can be executed. For example, in the normal state, the MFP 10 performs printing by the printer 14 based on the copy function executed by the printer 14 based on the image data read from the document by the scanner 13 and the print data received by the network communication unit 16. And a print function for executing.

  The power-off state is a state in which power supply to the MFP 10 is stopped, and printing by the printer 14 cannot be executed.

  The sleep state is a state where power supply to a part of the MFP 10 is stopped, and printing by the printer 14 cannot be executed. The sleep state is less effective in reducing power consumption than the power-off state, but the speed of returning to the normal state is faster.

  The printer 14 includes a printing unit 14a that performs printing on a recording medium, a medium supply unit 14b that supplies the recording medium to the printing unit 14a, and a medium discharge unit 14c that discharges the recording medium that has been printed by the printing unit 14a. It has.

  As an optional device used for printing by the printer 14, the MFP 10 includes a supply option 21 for supplying a recording medium from a medium other than the medium supply unit 14b to the printing unit 14a, and a recording medium on which printing has been executed by the printing unit 14a. Can be connected to a discharge option 22 for discharging the medium other than the medium discharge unit 14c.

  The discharge option 22 can execute a finishing process on the recording medium on which printing has been executed by the printing unit 14a. For example, as the finishing process, a sorting process that sorts and discharges recording media by page or by number of copies, a stapling process that binds a plurality of recording media, and a punching process that punches holes in the recording medium may be employed. it can.

  The supply option 21 and the discharge option 22 can each execute an initial operation for confirming the operation of its own drive unit.

  The operation unit 11 is a device for operating the MFP 10, the supply option 21 and the discharge option 22. The display unit 12 is a device for displaying the status of the MFP 10, the supply option 21 and the discharge option 22. For example, in order to execute the copy function, the user performs various settings such as setting of image quality in the copy function, setting of the size of a recording medium used in the copy function, and setting of finishing processing used in the copy function. The operation unit 11 and the display unit 12 can be used. In addition, the display unit 12 can execute an error display according to an instruction from the control unit 18 when any of the MFP 10, the supply option 21, and the discharge option 22 is abnormal. When the display unit 12 displays an error, the user can input an operation for canceling the error to the operation unit 11.

  The network communication unit 16 can receive print data from a computer (not shown) such as a PC (Personal Computer). Further, the network communication unit 16 does not show error information for notifying a user of a computer (not shown) of the occurrence of an abnormality in the MFP 10 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 18 when an abnormality occurs in the MFP 10. Can be sent to a computer. Since the MFP 10 can communicate with a computer (not shown), the MFP 10 may be directly connected to a computer (not shown) via a cable such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable instead of via a network. .

  The storage unit 17 stores an optional device control program 17 a for controlling the supply option 21 and the discharge option 22. The optional device control program 17a may be installed in the MFP 10 at the manufacturing stage of the MFP 10, may be additionally installed in the MFP 10 from a storage medium such as an SD card or a USB memory, or may be added to the MFP 10 from the network. May be installed.

  The storage unit 17 stores control state information 17b indicating a control state for the option device for each option device. The control state information 17b indicates one of a “energized state” indicating that power is supplied to the optional device and a “cut-off state” indicating that power supply to the optional device is interrupted. Is possible.

  The storage unit 17 optionally includes interruption execution period information 17c indicating a specific period (hereinafter referred to as “interrupt execution period”) from when the option apparatus is no longer used until the supply of power to the option apparatus is interrupted. It is stored for each device. For example, an arbitrary period between 1 hour and 1 week can be set as the period for executing the interruption.

  The storage unit 17 can store use date / time information 17d indicating the use date / time of the option device for each option device.

  The control unit 18 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing programs and various data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area of the CPU. Yes. The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 17.

  The control unit 18 executes an optional device control program 17a stored in the storage unit 17 to execute an optional device control means 18a for instructing the optional device to perform an initial operation when shifting from the low power state to the normal state. It functions as a control state storage unit 18b for storing the control state for the optional device by the device control unit 18a in the storage unit 17, and a period reception unit 18c for receiving designation of the period for executing the cutoff.

  When the MFP 10 is in the normal state, the control unit 18 causes the MFP 10 to transition to the sleep state when a specific time for transitioning to the sleep state has elapsed since the MFP 10 is no longer used. In addition, when the MFP 10 is in the normal state, the control unit 18 causes the MFP 10 to shift to the sleep state when a specific instruction for shifting to the sleep state is input via the operation unit 11 or the network communication unit 16. . When the MFP 10 shifts to the sleep state, the control unit 18 stops the supply of power to the option device when the supply of power to the option device is not stopped.

  In addition, when the MFP 10 is in the normal state, the control unit 18 puts the MFP 10 in the power-off state when a specific instruction for shifting to the power-off state is input via the operation unit 11 or the network communication unit 16. Transition. In addition, when the MFP 10 is in the sleep state, the control unit 18 shifts the MFP 10 to the power-off state when a specific time for shifting to the power-off state has elapsed since the MFP 10 entered the sleep state. When the MFP 10 is shifted to the power-off state, the control unit 18 stops the supply of power to the optional device when the supply of power to the optional device is not stopped.

  In addition, when the MFP 10 is in the sleep state or the power-off state, the control unit 18 switches the MFP 10 to the normal state when a specific instruction for shifting to the normal state is input via the operation unit 11 or the network communication unit 16. Transition to the state.

  Next, the operation of the MFP 10 will be described.

  First, the operation of the MFP 10 when accepting the designation of the cutoff execution period will be described.

  When the designation of the cutoff execution period specifying the optional device is input via the operation unit 11 or the network communication unit 16, the period receiving unit 18c of the control unit 18 inputs the cutoff execution period in the input specification. The information is stored in the storage unit 17 as the cutoff execution period information 17c of the optional device in the designated designation.

  Next, the operation of the MFP 10 when the supply of power to the optional device is interrupted will be described.

  The control unit 18 performs the operation shown in FIG. 2 for each option device. Specifically, when the MFP 10 is in the normal state, the control unit 18 uses the control option information 17b of the target option device when the target option device is used for the first time after the MFP 10 is in the normal state. When the “blocking state” is changed to the “energized state”, the operation shown in FIG. 2 is performed on the target optional device.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP 10 when the supply of power to the optional device is shut off.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the option device control means 18a stores the date and time when the target option device is used in the use date and time information 17d of the target option device (S51). Here, when the date and time is already stored in the use date and time information 17 d of the target option device, the option device control unit 18 a overwrites the date and time already stored in the storage unit 17.

  Next, the option device control means 18a determines whether or not the block execution period indicated by the block execution period information 17c of the target option device has passed from the date and time indicated by the use date and time information 17d of the target option device ( S52).

  If the optional device control means 18a determines in S52 that the period for executing the shutdown has not elapsed, it determines whether or not the target optional device has been used (S53).

  When the option device control means 18a determines in S53 that the target option device has been used, it stores the newly used date and time in the use date and time information 17d of the target option device (S51).

  If the option device control unit 18a determines in S53 that the target option device is not used, the option device control unit 18a executes the process of S52.

  When the option device control means 18a determines in S52 that the shut-off execution period has elapsed, it instructs the target option device to shut off the power (S54). Therefore, the control unit of the target option device cuts off the power of the target option device. That is, the option device control means 18a shuts off the supply of power to the target option device when the target option device is not being used exceeds the cutoff execution period.

  Next, the control state storage unit 18b stores the “blocking state” in the control state information 17b of the target option device as the control state for the target option device by the option device control unit 18a (S55), as shown in FIG. End the operation.

  Next, the operation of the MFP 10 when returning from the sleep state or the power-off state to the normal state will be described.

  When returning from the sleep state or the power-off state to the normal state, the control unit 18 performs the operation shown in FIG. 3 for each option device.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP 10 when returning from the sleep state or the power-off state to the normal state.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the option device control means 18a determines whether or not the control state for the target option device is “blocking state” based on the control state information 17b of the target option device (S61). .

  If the option device control means 18a determines in S61 that the control state for the target option device is not the "shut-off state", that is, the "energized state", it instructs the target option device to perform an initial operation (S62). Therefore, the control unit of the target option device executes the initial operation of the target option device. If the supply of power to the target option device is stopped at the stage immediately before the process of S62, the option device control unit 18a executes the process of S62 after supplying power to the target option device. To do.

  When the process of S62 ends, the option device control means 18a ends the operation shown in FIG.

  If the option device control means 18a determines in S61 that the control state for the target option device is “blocking state”, the operation shown in FIG. 3 is terminated. That is, when the control state for the target option device is “blocking state”, the option device control unit 18a stops the instruction (S62) of the initial operation to the target option device.

  Next, the operation of the MFP 10 when the execution of printing is instructed will be described.

  When the execution of printing is instructed, the control unit 18 performs the operation shown in FIG.

  Here, the user can instruct the MFP 10 to perform a copy function via the operation unit 11. That is, the control unit 18 can instruct execution of printing by instructing the copy function via the operation unit 11. The user can designate an optional device when instructing the MFP 10 to perform a copy function.

  In addition, the user can instruct the MFP 10 to perform a print function by transmitting print data to the MFP 10 from a computer (not shown). That is, the control unit 18 can be instructed to execute printing by the print data received via the network communication unit 16. The user can designate an optional device when generating print data by a printer driver of a computer (not shown).

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP 10 when the execution of printing is instructed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the option device control means 18a determines whether or not an option device is specified in the print instructed to be executed (S71).

  When the option device control unit 18a determines in S71 that the option device is designated, the option device control unit 18a determines whether the control state for the designated option device, that is, the target option device is “blocking state”. A determination is made based on the control status information 17b of the optional device (S72).

  If the option device control means 18a determines in S72 that the control state for the target option device is "blocking state", it instructs the target option device to perform an initial operation (S73). Therefore, the control unit of the target option device executes the initial operation of the target option device. If the supply of power to the target option device is stopped at the stage immediately before the process of S73, the option device control means 18a executes the process of S73 after supplying power to the target option device. To do.

  Next, the control state storage unit 18b stores “energized state” in the control state information 17b of the target option device as the control state for the target option device by the option device control unit 18a (S74).

  Next, the control unit 18 executes printing with the printer 14 and the target optional device (S75), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

  When it is determined in S71 that the optional device is not designated, the control unit 18 performs printing by the printer 14 (S75) without instructing the optional device to perform an initial operation (S73), as shown in FIG. End the operation.

  If the control unit 18 determines in S72 that the control state for the target option device is not the “blocking state”, that is, the “energized state”, the target option device has already been instructed to perform an initial operation in S62. Therefore, without instructing the target option device to perform an initial operation (S73), printing is executed by the printer 14 and the target option device (S75), and the operation shown in FIG.

  Note that the processing of S72 to S74 is executed for each option device specified in the print instructed to execute when a plurality of option devices are specified in the print instructed to execute. In this case, when there is a target optional device for which the processing of S72 to S74 has not yet been performed, it is determined in S72 that the control state for the target optional device is not “blocking state”, that is, “energized state”. Then, the process of S72 is executed for the new target option device for which the processes of S72 to S74 have not been executed yet without executing the process of S75.

  As described above, when the power supply to the optional device is cut off (S54), the MFP 10 stores “cut off state” in the storage unit 17 as the control state (S55), and enters the sleep state or the power off state. When “transition state” is stored in the storage unit 17 as the control state when the state is shifted from the normal state to the normal state (YES in S61), the instruction of the initial operation to the optional device (S62) is stopped. Therefore, when the MFP 10 shifts from the normal state to the sleep state or the power-off state in a state where the power supply to the optional device is cut off (S54), that is, in a state where the power supply to the optional device is not cut off. Depending on the initial operation of the optional device when it is unlikely that the optional device will be used after returning from the sleep or power-off state to the normal state, compared to when the normal state is changed to the sleep state or the power-off state. Electric power consumption can be prevented. That is, the MFP 10 can reduce the amount of activation power consumed by the optional device. Therefore, the MFP 10 can reduce power consumption as compared with the prior art.

  Since the MFP 10 accepts designation of a period from when the optional device is no longer used until the power supply to the optional device is cut off, that is, a cutoff execution period, the MFP 10 shifts from the sleep state or the power-off state to the normal state. The initial operation of the optional device (NO in S61 and S62), and the initial operation is not performed in the optional device when the sleep device or the power-off state is changed to the normal state (YES in S61). The balance with the reduction of power consumption due to can be matched to the user's preference.

  When the execution of printing in which the optional device is designated is instructed (YES in S71), the MFP 10 stores the “blocking state” as the control state in the storage unit 17 (YES in S72). An initial operation is instructed (S73). That is, when “blocking state” is stored in the storage unit 17 as the control state, the MFP 10 does not instruct the optional device to perform the initial operation until the execution of printing with the designated option device is instructed. Therefore, the MFP 10 can suppress power consumption due to the initial operation of the optional device.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an MFP in the present embodiment, but may be an image forming apparatus other than the MFP, such as a printer dedicated machine or a copy dedicated machine, as long as the image forming apparatus includes a printing device. .

10 MFP (image forming apparatus)
14 Printer (printing device)
17 Storage unit (storage device)
17a Optional device control program 17b Control status information (information indicating control status)
17c Blocking execution period information (information indicating a specific period)
18a Optional equipment control means 18b Control state storage means 18c Period acceptance means 21 Supply option (optional equipment)
22 Discharge option (optional equipment)

Claims (3)

A storage device that stores information; and a printing device that executes printing on a recording medium. An optional device that is used for printing by the printing device is connectable, and is in a normal state and more power than the normal state. An image forming apparatus capable of at least shifting to a low power state with low consumption of
Optional device control means for instructing the optional device to perform an initial operation when transitioning from the low power state to the normal state;
Control state storage means for storing in the storage device the control state for the option equipment by the option equipment control means,
The optional device control means shuts off the supply of power to the optional device when the period during which the optional device is not used exceeds a specific period,
The control state storage means causes the storage device to store the cutoff state as the control state when the supply of power to the optional equipment is shut off by the optional equipment control means,
The optional device control means cancels the instruction of the initial operation to the optional device when a transition state is stored in the storage device as the control state when the low power state shifts to the normal state. ,
The optional device control means may direct the initial operation to the optional device in which the shut-off state is stored in the storage device as the control state, except when the low-power state shifts to the normal state. Yes,
The control state storage means, when an initial operation is instructed by the option equipment control means to the option equipment whose cutoff state is stored in the storage device as the control state, the control state of the option equipment An image forming apparatus that stores an energized state in the storage device instead of a cut-off state.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a period reception unit that receives designation of the specific period. A storage device that stores information; and a printing device that executes printing on a recording medium. An optional device that is used for printing by the printing device is connectable, and is in a normal state and more power than the normal state. An optional device control program executed by an image forming apparatus capable of at least shifting to a low power state with low consumption of
Optional device control means for instructing the optional device to perform an initial operation when the low power state shifts to the normal state; and
Causing the image forming apparatus to function as a control state storage unit that stores in the storage device a control state of the option device by the option device control unit;
The optional device control means shuts off the supply of power to the optional device when the period during which the optional device is not used exceeds a specific period,
The control state storage means causes the storage device to store the cutoff state as the control state when the supply of power to the optional equipment is shut off by the optional equipment control means,
The optional device control means cancels the instruction of the initial operation to the optional device when a transition state is stored in the storage device as the control state when the low power state shifts to the normal state. ,
The optional device control means may direct the initial operation to the optional device in which the shut-off state is stored in the storage device as the control state, except when the low-power state shifts to the normal state. Yes,
The control state storage means, when an initial operation is instructed by the option equipment control means to the option equipment whose cutoff state is stored in the storage device as the control state, the control state of the option equipment As an option device control program, an energized state is stored in the storage device instead of a cut-off state.

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