JP6815714B2 - Image forming apparatus and its control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

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

Some image forming devices have a connection terminal for connecting an external device and not only communicate with the connected external device but also supply electric power to the external device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ). Some connection terminals conform to standards such as the USB standard, and can be connected to various devices that conform to the standards for communication and power supply.

In the USB standard, there is a mechanism for a device that supplies electric power to communicate with a device to which electric power is supplied and to manage the maximum amount of electric power to be supplied. In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, a technique for checking current consumption from configuration information transmitted by an external device is proposed.

In recent years, the USB-PD standard has been established as an extension of the power supply standard in the USB standard. This is a standard in which power supply control by communication using a power line, a change in the power supply direction, an increase in the maximum power amount, and the like are added to the conventional USB standard. According to this standard, the image forming apparatus dynamically allocates the amount of power supplied according to the connection destination, and also supplies power to the USB host without being fixed to the relationship between the host and the device in USB communication. It is possible.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-74945

However, the user who uses the image forming apparatus cannot know how much power the image forming apparatus supplies to the external device, and the amount of electric power supplied by the image forming apparatus to the external device. It can not be changed. Therefore, even if the power required for the operation of the image forming apparatus becomes insufficient due to the power supply to the external device and printing cannot be started or an unexpected printing waiting time occurs, the user can know in advance. Can not.

In addition, when there is a risk that the power required for the operation of the image forming apparatus may be insufficient due to the power supply to the external device, the user must disconnect from the external device in order to stop the power supply to the external device. It takes time and effort.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique that can easily change the power supply to the external equipment.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to one external device provided with a power supply, a connecting means, a display means, a setting receiving means, and a control means, which is connected to an image forming apparatus via the connecting means. in, in the data communication and the data communication images forming apparatus capable of supplying power to said one external device based on the supplied main Motomejo report of the one external device obtained by said one external device The image forming apparatus conforms to the USB-PD standard, the display means displays the power supply state via the connection means, and the control means uses the power to supply power to the one external device and the image forming. When the total power required for the operation of the device exceeds the amount of power that can be supplied by the power supply unit of the image forming device, the display means is displayed to the effect that the power is insufficient, and the one external device is used. Of the amount of power based on the supply request information notified to the image forming apparatus by the data communication in accordance with the USB-PD standard, the amount of power that can be supplied to the one external device by the power supply unit of the image forming apparatus. The amount of power that can be selected by the user and the power supply stop under the above limitation are displayed on the display means as candidates that can be selected by the user, and the setting receiving means can be selected by the user. among such candidates, accepting one candidate selected by the user as a set, the control means, on the basis of the accepted candidate set, changing the power supply to the connected external device to the connection means that characterized the Turkey was performed to the connection means.

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily change the power supply to the external equipment.

It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A) It is a figure which shows an example of the kind of electric power which a power supply part supplies to a power supply destination, (b) is a figure which shows an example of the total maximum electric energy which a power supply part supplies to an image printing part and an external device. A diagram showing an example of (a) a copy screen displayed on the display / operation unit of the image forming apparatus, (b) a diagram showing an example of the current status display screen of USB power supply, and (c) supplying to an external device. It is a figure which shows an example of the window for selecting the electric energy to be performed. (A) A diagram showing an example of a setting screen during printing operation of USB power supply displayed on the display / operation unit of the image forming apparatus, (b) To select the amount of power supplied to an external device during printing operation. It is a figure which shows an example of the window of. (A) A diagram showing another example of the setting screen during the printing operation of the USB power supply displayed on the display / operation unit of the image forming apparatus, (b) Copying starts with the power shortage notice display displayed as "power shortage". It is a figure which shows an example of the confirmation screen which is displayed when a button is touched. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the copy operation in an image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the USB power supply setting process executed in step S403 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the USB power supply setting process executed in step S403 of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows (a) an example of a print window displayed on the display part of a PC, (b) is a figure which shows the display example of a printer list in a print window. A diagram showing an example of a window for displaying the current status of USB power supply displayed on the display unit of a PC, and a diagram showing an example of a window for selecting the amount of power to be supplied to an external device. is there. A diagram showing (a) an example of a setting window for USB power supply during printing operation, and (b) an example of a window for selecting the amount of power supplied to an external device during printing operation, which is displayed on the display of a PC. It is a figure which shows. (A) A diagram showing another example of the setting window during the printing operation of the USB power supply displayed on the display unit of the PC, (b) The print start button is pressed with the power shortage notice display displayed as "power shortage". It is a figure which shows an example of the confirmation window which is displayed in the case of. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the print request operation in PC6. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the printing operation in the image forming apparatus 1. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the USB power supply setting process executed in step S703 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the USB power supply setting process executed in step S703 of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes the configuration described below.

The image reading unit 101 operates under the control of the CPU 105, scans a document set by the user on a platen (not shown), generates image data, and transmits the image data to the memory 106 via the data bus 109.

The display / operation unit 102 is a display unit with a touch panel, operates under the control of the CPU 105, and displays information received from the CPU 105 via the data bus 109. Further, the display / operation unit 102 detects the operation information operated by the user on the touch panel and transmits it to the CPU 105.

The power supply unit 103 is connected to an external AC power outlet (not shown), converts AC power supplied from the outside into DC, and is required by each processing unit of the image forming apparatus 1 other than the image printing unit 108. Stable supply of voltage power. Further, the power supply unit 103 has an image printing unit 108, a host 2, a device A3, and a device B4 connected to the external device connection unit 104 under the control of the CPU 105 (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as "external devices"). Power to.

The image printing unit 108 operates under the control of the CPU 105, and prints out the image data received via the data bus 109 for transferring the image data and information on the printing paper by using an electrophotographic process. The image printing unit 108 has a large difference in power consumption between when it is not operating and when it is operating. Further, the power consumption of each external device connected to the external device connection unit 104 changes according to the request from the external device. Therefore, the CPU 105 supplies the image printing unit 108 and each external device so that the total electric energy supplied by the power supply unit 103 does not exceed the maximum electric energy supplied by the power supply unit 103 (hereinafter referred to as "maximum electric energy"). Manage and control the amount of power supplied.

The external device connection unit 104 operates under the control of the CPU 105, and connects to the host 2, the device A3, and the device B4 conforming to the USB-PD standard to perform communication and power supply.

The CPU 105 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1 according to a program stored in the memory 106. The memory 106 is a memory for storing a program of the CPU 105 and temporarily storing image data.

The network I / F unit 107 operates under the control of the CPU 105 and communicates with a device such as a personal computer (PC) 6 connected to an external LAN 5.

The printer driver software is running on the PC 6, and information can be exchanged with the image forming apparatus 1 via the LAN 5 by a predetermined communication method. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 performs a printing operation in response to the request of the PC 6.

Next, the types of electric power supplied by the power supply unit 103 to the image printing unit 108, the host 2, the device A3, and the device B4, and the total maximum electric energy that can be supplied are shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). Will be described with reference to.

FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an example of the type of electric power supplied by the power supply unit 103 to the power supply destination (image printing unit 108, host 2, devices A3, B4, etc.).

The amount of electric power supplied by the power supply unit 103 to the image printing unit 108 is switched between 0W off and 300W on by the control of the CPU 105. On the other hand, the amount of power supplied by the power supply unit 103 to the host 2, the device A3, and the device B4, which are external devices, is independently switched to 0W, 10W, 18W, 36W, 60W, or 100W by the control of the CPU 105, respectively. Be done.

The amount of power supplied to the external device is determined after the CPU 105 obtains information on the required power amount of the external device by communicating with the external device via the power supply unit 103. The CPU 105 communicates with the external device when the external device is connected or when the external device or the image forming apparatus 1 needs to change the power supply state. The CPU 105 supplies 0 W when the connection between the external device and the external device connection unit 104 is disconnected.

FIG. 2B is a diagram showing an example of the total maximum power amount supplied by the power supply unit 103 to the image printing unit 108 and the external device.

The CPU 105 controls so that the total amount of electric power supplied to the image printing unit 108, the host 2, the device A3, and the device B4 does not exceed 350 W.

Next, the screen displayed on the display / operation unit 102 of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an example of a copy screen.

In the copy screen D31, 311 is a color mode setting button, 312 is a paper size setting button, 313 is an output number of copies setting button, 314 is a finishing setting button, 315 is a print surface setting button, and 316 is a page aggregation setting button. By touching these buttons, the user can display an individual setting screen for making various settings for the image forming apparatus 1. At the bottom of each button, the current settings are displayed.

Reference numeral 317 is a USB power supply setting button, and the user can change the display screen to the current state display screen D32 of the USB power supply described later by touching this button.

Reference numeral 318 denotes a copy start button, and the user can start the copy operation of the image forming apparatus 1 by touching this button.

FIG. 3B is a diagram showing an example of the current status display screen D32 of the USB power supply.

In FIG. 3B, 321 is the current state tab, 322 is the setting tab button during printing operation, 323 is the device A connected device display area, 324 is the device B connected device display area, and 325 is the host connected device display area. is there. By touching the setting tab button 322 during the printing operation, the user can shift the display screen to the setting screen D34 during the printing operation of USB power supply, which will be described later.

326 is a power supply state change button for device A, 327 is a power supply state change button for device B, and 328 is a power supply state change button for the host. If you are currently supplying power to each external device, the amount of power being supplied is displayed at the top of the button, and the button has the word "Powering" indicating that it is currently supplying power. Is displayed. By touching the power supply status change buttons 326, 327, and 328 for each external device, the user can display the window D33 for selecting the amount of power to be supplied to the external device, which will be described later.

329 is an OK button. The user can return the display screen to the copy screen D31 by touching the OK button 329.

FIG. 3C is a diagram showing an example of the window D33 for selecting the amount of electric power to be supplied to the external device.

In FIG. 3C, 331 is a power supply selection button. The currently selected power supply selection button is displayed in a thick line frame, the power supply selection button that can be selected is displayed in a solid line frame, and the power supply selection button that cannot be selected is displayed in a dotted line frame. By touching these buttons, the user can select the amount of power to be supplied to the external device, the button with the thick line frame changes to the solid line frame, and the button with the newly selected power amount is displayed with the thick line frame. To.

332 is a cancel button and 333 is an OK button. By touching the cancel button 332, the user can return the display to the original screen and the current status display screen D32 of the USB power supply without changing the amount of power supplied to the external device. In addition, the user touches the OK button 333 to change the amount of power supplied to the external device to the selected amount of power and return the display to the original screen or the current status display screen D32 of the USB power supply. Can be done.

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of the setting screen D34 during the printing operation of the USB power supply.

In FIG. 4A, 341 is a current state tab button, and 342 is a setting tab at the time of printing operation. By touching the current status tab button 341, the user can transition the display screen to the current status display screen D32 of the USB power supply described above.

343 displays whether or not the total maximum power amount that can be supplied by the power supply unit 103 is exceeded when power is supplied to the image printing unit 108 for the copy operation while maintaining the current power supply state to the external device. It is a notice display. If the maximum power amount is exceeded and the power supply to the external device is not set to be automatically changed during the printing operation described later, "Power shortage" is displayed. At the top of the power shortage notice display, the amount of power exceeding the maximum amount of power is displayed as a negative number.

As described above, the CPU 105 controls so that the total amount of electric power supplied to the image printing unit 108, the host 2, the device A3, and the device B4 does not exceed the maximum amount of electric power that can be supplied by the power supply unit 103. It also applies when the copy operation is started according to the user's instruction. Specifically, when the user touches the copy start button 318 of the copy screen D31, the CPU 105 determines the total amount of power supplied by the power supply unit 103 to the image printing unit 108, the host 2, the device A3, and the device B4. Compare with the maximum amount of power that can be supplied by the power supply unit 103. Then, when the total amount of electric power to be supplied exceeds the maximum amount of electric power, the CPU 105 asks the user whether the electric power supply to the external device may be stopped. Then, the CPU 105 stops or reduces the power supply to the external device after obtaining the confirmation of the user, and supplies the power to the image printing unit 108. By confirming the "power shortage" display of the power shortage notice display 343, the user can easily grasp the cause even if the copy operation is not started immediately during the copy operation.

344 is a power supply state automatic change setting button during printing operation for device A, 345 is a power supply state automatic change setting button during printing operation for device B, and 346 is a power supply state automatic change setting button during printing operation for the host. When power is being supplied to each external device, the amount of power being supplied is displayed at the top of each button. Furthermore, the setting state of whether to continue power supply during printing, reduce the power supply during the printing operation, or pause during the printing operation for each button is set to "supply" and "reduction". , Or the character string "stop" is displayed.

The user touches the automatic change setting buttons 344, 345, and 346 of the power supply state during printing operation for each external device, and the window D35 for selecting the amount of power supplied to the external device described later during printing operation. Can be displayed.

347 is a user confirmation presence / absence display before the start of the printing operation. When the display of the power shortage notice display 343 is "power shortage", this display becomes "yes".

348 is an OK button. The user can return the display screen to the copy screen D31 by touching the OK button 348.

The illustrated setting screen D34 is a display in which 18 W is supplied to the device A, 10 W is supplied to the device B, and 60 W is supplied to the host. Therefore, if power is supplied to the image printing unit 108 for the copy operation as it is, the total amount of power supplied to the external device is calculated to exceed the total maximum power amount that can be supplied by the power supply unit 103. .. Furthermore, since the setting to automatically change the power supply to the external device during the printing operation is not set, the power shortage notice display 343 is displayed as "power shortage", and the presence / absence display 347 of user confirmation before the printing operation is started is "present". It is displayed.

FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of the window D35 for selecting the amount of electric power supplied to the external device during the printing operation.

In FIG. 4B, 351 is a power supply selection button. The currently selected print power supply button is displayed in a thick line frame, the selectable print power supply button is displayed in a solid line frame, and the unselectable print power supply button is displayed in a dotted frame. There is. By touching these buttons, the user can select the amount of power to be supplied to the external device at the time of printing, the button with the thick line frame changes to the solid line frame, and the button with the newly selected power amount is the thick line frame. Is displayed.

352 is a cancel button and 353 is an OK button. By touching the cancel button 352, the user can return the display to the original screen and the setting screen D34 during the printing operation of USB power supply without changing the amount of power supplied to the external device during the printing operation. it can. When the user touches the OK button 353, the amount of power supplied to the external device during printing is changed to the selected amount of power, and the display returns to the original screen and the setting screen D34 during the printing operation of USB power supply. ..

FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example of the setting screen D36 during the printing operation of the USB power supply. This screen is the setting screen D34 at the time of printing operation of USB power supply, the user touches the power supply state automatic change setting button 346 at the time of printing operation to the host, selects "stop supply" in the window D35, and OK button 353. It is a transition by touching.

The differences from the above-mentioned setting screen D34 are the power shortage notice display 361, the power supply state automatic change setting button 362 during the printing operation for the host, and the presence / absence display 363 of user confirmation before the start of the printing operation.

In the illustrated setting screen D36, 18 W is supplied to the device A, 10 W is supplied to the device B, and 60 W is supplied to the host. Therefore, if power is supplied to the image printing unit 108 for the copy operation as it is, the total amount of power supplied to the external device is calculated to exceed the total maximum power amount that can be supplied by the power supply unit 103. ..

However, although the device A3 and the device B4 are set to continue supplying power even during printing, the host 2 is set to stop supplying power during printing.

Therefore, since the power shortage can be avoided by supplying the power to the image printing unit 108 after stopping the power supply to the host 2, the power shortage notice display 361 is a “secure” display. Further, the presence / absence display 363 of the user confirmation before the start of the printing operation is a “none” display.

FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen D37 displayed when the copy start button 318 of the copy screen D31 is touched while the power shortage notice display remains the “power shortage” display.

In FIG. 5B, 371 is a print stop button and 372 is an OK button. By touching the print stop button 371, the user can stop the copy operation and return the display screen to the copy screen D31. Further, the user can touch the print OK button 372 to stop the power supply to all the external devices and then continue the copy operation. The stopped power supply is restarted after the copy operation is completed.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the copy operation in the image forming apparatus 1. The illustrated process is realized by the control of the CPU 105 in the image forming apparatus 1.

In step S401, the CPU 105 displays the copy screen D31 shown in FIG. 3A on the display / operation unit 102, and proceeds to step S402.

In step S402, if the CPU 105 detects the touch of the setting button on the copy screen D31 shown in FIG. 3A, it proceeds to step S403, but if it does not detect it, it proceeds to step S405. Here, the setting button is various buttons other than the copy start button 318 on the copy screen D31.

In step S403, the CPU 105 performs a process corresponding to the setting button touched in step S402, and returns to step S401. The process executed in step S403 differs depending on the type of the setting button detected in step S402. For example, when the USB power supply setting button 317 is touched in step S402, the processes of FIGS. 7A and 7B described later are performed. The description will be omitted when other setting buttons are touched.

In step S404, if the CPU 105 detects the touch of the copy start button 318 on the copy screen D31 shown in FIG. 3A, it proceeds to step S405, but if it does not detect it, it proceeds to step S402.

In step S405, the CPU 105 proceeds to step S406 when the presence / absence display of the user confirmation before the start of the printing operation is "Yes", and proceeds to step S410 when "No". The content of the user confirmation presence / absence display before the start of the printing operation determines the character string to be displayed on the user confirmation presence / absence display 347 and 363 before the start of the printing operation on the setting screens D34 and D36 during the printing operation of the USB power supply described above. The CPU 105 is determined by the same method as the method.

In step S406, the CPU 105 displays the confirmation screen D37 shown in FIG. 5B on the display / operation unit 102, and proceeds to step S407.

In step S407, if the CPU 105 detects the touch of the print stop button 371 on the confirmation screen D37 shown in FIG. 5B, the CPU 105 proceeds to step S401, and if not, proceeds to step S408.

In step S408, if the CPU 105 detects the touch of the print OK button 372 on the confirmation screen D37 shown in FIG. 5B, the process proceeds to step S409, and if not, returns to step S407.

In step S409, the CPU 105 controls the power supply unit 103 to stop the power supplied to the external device, and proceeds to step S411. At this time, the CPU 105 stores the original power supply state in the memory 106 so that it can be read later.

In step S410, the CPU 105 controls the power supply unit 103 to change the power supplied to the external device, and proceeds to step S411. At this time, the CPU 105 stores the original power supply state in the memory 106 so that it can be read later. Further, the content of changing the power supplied to the external device is the content of automatically supplying the power to the external device during the printing operation, which is set by the user on the setting screens D34 and D36 during the printing operation of the USB power supply described above. Follow the settings to change.

In step S411, the CPU 105 controls the power supply unit 103 to start supplying power to the image printing unit 108. Further, a copy operation is performed in which the image data read by the image reading unit 101 is printed by the image printing unit 108, and the process proceeds to step S412. A detailed description of the copy operation will be omitted.

In step S412, the CPU 105 controls the power supply unit 103 to stop the power supply to the image printing unit 108. Then, the CPU 105 reads the contents stored in the memory 106 in steps S409 and S410, returns the power supply state changed in steps S409 and S410 to the original state, and returns to step S401.

Next, the USB power supply setting process executed in step S403 when the USB power supply setting button 317 is touched in step S402 of FIG. 6 will be described.

7A and 7B are flowcharts showing the flow of the USB power supply setting process executed in step S403 of FIG.

In FIG. 7A, in step S501, the CPU 105 displays the current status display screen D32 of the USB power supply shown in FIG. 3B on the display / operation unit 102, and proceeds to step S502. The CPU 105 stores and manages the connection state with the external device and the amount of electric power supplied to the external device in the memory 106, and displays the information here. The amount of power supplied to each external device and the appearance image were obtained by the CPU 105 via the power supply unit 103 and the external device connection unit 104 when each external device was connected to the external device connection unit 104 in advance. It was decided using supply request information and model information.

In step S502, when the CPU 105 detects the touch of the setting tab button 322 during the printing operation on the current status display screen D32 of the USB power supply shown in FIG. 3B, the process proceeds to step S511 of FIG. 7B. If not detected, the process proceeds to step S503.

In step S503, when the CPU 105 detects the touch of the power supply status change button 326, 327, or 328 to the external device on the current status display screen D32 of the USB power supply shown in FIG. 3B, step S505 Proceed to. On the other hand, if it is not detected, the process proceeds to step S504.

In step S504, when the CPU 105 detects the touch of the OK button 329 on the current status display screen D32 of the USB power supply shown in FIG. 3B, the CPU 105 ends this process and returns, but has not detected it. Then, the process returns to step S502.

In step S505, the CPU 105 displays the window D33 for selecting the amount of power to be supplied to the external device shown in FIG. 3C on the display / operation unit 102, and proceeds to step S506. The CPU 105 stores and manages the amount of power that can be supplied to the external device in the memory 106, and here, using that information, determines whether or not to enable or disable the power supply selection button 331 and displays it. The amount of electric power that can be supplied to each external device is determined by the CPU 105 via the power supply unit 103 or the external device connection unit 104 when the external device is connected to the external device connection unit 104 in advance, in addition to stopping the supply. What is determined using the obtained supply request information is activated.

In step S506, if the CPU 105 detects the touch of the power supply selection button 331 in the window D33 shown in FIG. 3C, the CPU 105 proceeds to step S507, and if not, proceeds to step S508.

In step S507, the CPU 105 stores the electric energy of the power supply selection button 331 whose touch is detected in step S506 in the memory 106, moves the thick frame display to the electric energy button, and proceeds to step S508.

In step S508, when the CPU 105 detects the touch of the cancel button 332 in the window D33 shown in FIG. 3C, it returns to step S501, but if it does not detect it, it proceeds to step S509.

In step S509, if the CPU 105 detects the touch of the OK button 333 in the window D33 shown in FIG. 3C, the process proceeds to step S510, and if not, the CPU 105 returns to step S506.

In step S510, the CPU 105 stores the amount of power stored in the memory 106 in step S507 as a new power supply amount, and returns to step S501. The amount of power supplied is changed by the CPU 105 controlling the power supply unit 103.

In FIG. 7B, in step S511, the CPU 105 displays the setting screen D34 during the printing operation of the USB power supply shown in FIG. 4A on the display / operation unit 102, and proceeds to step S512. The CPU 105 has a connection state with an external device, an amount of power supplied to the external device, an amount of power supplied to the image printing unit 108, and the power supply unit 103 shown in FIG. 2B is the image printing unit 108. The maximum amount of electric power that can be supplied to an external device is stored and managed in the memory 106. The CPU 105 displays the information, a power shortage notice display 343 obtained by calculating from the information, a power amount exceeding the maximum power amount, and a user confirmation presence / absence display 347 before the start of the printing operation.

In step S512, when the CPU 105 detects the touch of the current state tab button 341 on the setting screen D34 during the printing operation of the USB power supply shown in FIG. 4A, the CPU 105 returns to step S501 in FIG. 7A, while returning to step S501. If not detected, the process proceeds to step S513.

In step S513, the CPU 105 detects the touch of the power supply state automatic change setting button 344, 345, or 346 during the printing operation for the external device on the setting screen D34 during the printing operation of the USB power supply shown in FIG. 4A. If so, the process proceeds to step S515. On the other hand, if it is not detected, the process proceeds to step S514.

In step S514, when the CPU 105 detects the touch of the OK button 348 on the setting screen D34 during the printing operation of the USB power supply shown in FIG. 4A, the CPU 105 ends this process and returns, but has not detected it. Then, the process returns to step S512.

In step S515, the CPU 105 displays a window D35 for selecting the amount of power to be supplied to the external device shown in FIG. 4B during the printing operation, and proceeds to step S516. The CPU 105 stores and manages the amount of power that can be supplied to the external device in the memory 106, and here, using that information, determines whether or not to enable or disable the power supply selection button 351 and displays it. The amount of electric power that can be supplied to each external device is determined by the CPU 105 via the power supply unit 103 or the external device connection unit 104 when the external device is connected to the external device connection unit 104 in advance, in addition to stopping the supply. What is determined using the obtained supply request information is activated. However, the amount of power that is larger than the amount of power currently being supplied is invalidated. Here, when the GiveBack enable flag is enabled in the external device corresponding to the USB-PD standard, the CPU 105 calculates the electric power amount using the minimum operating current value information notified by the external device in accordance with the USB-PD standard. Enable and display the power supply selection button.

In step S516, when the CPU 105 detects the touch of the power supply selection button 351 in the window D35 shown in FIG. 4B, it proceeds to step S517, and if it does not detect it, it proceeds to step S518.

In step S517, the CPU 105 stores the power amount of the power supply selection button 351 whose touch was detected in step S516 in the memory 106, moves the thick frame display to the button of the power amount, and proceeds to step S518.

In step S518, if the CPU 105 detects the touch of the cancel button 352 in the window D35 shown in FIG. 4B, the CPU 105 returns to step S511, and if not, proceeds to step S519.

In step S519, if the CPU 105 detects the touch of the OK button 353 in the window D35 shown in FIG. 4B, the CPU 105 proceeds to step S520, and if not, returns to step S516.

In step S520, the CPU 105 stores the amount of power stored in the memory 106 in step S517 as a new power supply amount, and returns to step S511. The amount of power supplied is changed by the CPU 105 controlling the power supply unit 103. Here, when the GiveBack enable flag is enabled in the external device corresponding to the USB-PD standard, the CPU 105 sends a GotoMin message to the external device via the power supply unit 103 to notify the external device of the change in the supplied power. To do. Here, the GotoMin message is one of the information notification commands specified in the USB-PD standard, and is for notifying the device in which the GiveBack enable flag is valid to immediately reduce the power supply.

Next, a procedure for the user to make a copy using the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

A confirmation screen at the start of the copy operation by allowing the user to know in advance that the power required for the copy operation is insufficient by looking at the display screen of the USB power supply and by changing the setting of the amount of power supplied by the user during the print operation. It is a content explaining that it is changed so that is not displayed. Although the user's operation is mainly described for the purpose of explaining the series of operations, the image forming apparatus 1 operates under the control of the CPU 105 as described above.

First, the copy screen D31 is displayed on the display / operation unit 102 of the image forming apparatus 1, and when the user touches the USB power supply setting button 317, the display screen changes to the current status display screen D32 of the USB power supply. Transition.

The user sees the display on the current status display screen D32 of the USB power supply, confirms the amount of power currently being supplied to each external device, and touches the setting tab button 322 during printing operation to display the display screen. Transitions to the setting screen D34 at the time of printing operation of USB power supply.

The user sees that the power shortage notice display 343 on the setting screen D34 during the print operation of the USB power supply and the user confirmation presence / absence display 347 before the start of the print operation are "power shortage" and "yes", respectively. Know that the confirmation to stop the power supply is made before the printing operation. Here, the intention of the user is that there is no problem even if the power supply to the host is stopped during printing, and it is more troublesome that the work is interrupted when the confirmation screen is displayed when the copy operation is performed. Since the current state does not meet the user's intention, the user touches the power supply state automatic change setting button 346 during the printing operation to the host to display the window D35 for selecting the amount of power to be supplied during the printing operation.

When the user touches "Stop supply" in the power supply selection button 351 of the window D35 for selecting the amount of power to be supplied during the printing operation and touches the OK button 353, the display screen prints the USB power supply. Transition to the setting screen D36 at the time of operation.

The user sees that the power shortage notice display 361 on the setting screen D36 during the printing operation of the USB power supply and the user confirmation presence / absence display 363 before the start of the printing operation have changed to "secured" and "none", respectively. Know that the printing operation is started without confirming that the supply is stopped. Then, the user touches the OK button to transition the display screen to the copy screen D31. When the user touches the copy start button 318 in this state, the copy operation is started as the user intended without displaying the confirmation screen regarding the stop of the power supply.

With the above configuration, the user who uses the image forming apparatus can easily know the power supply state from the image forming apparatus to the external device, and the electric power required for the operation of the image forming apparatus becomes insufficient due to the power supply to the external device. You can know in advance. In addition, the user can easily change the power supply to the external device.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment of the present invention, the configurations shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as those in the first embodiment. The explanation is omitted. Only the points different from the first embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing device (PC6) according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 8, 601 is an operation unit, 602 is a display unit, 603 is a power supply unit, 604 is an HDD, 605 is a CPU, 606 is a memory, 607 is a network I / F unit, and 608 is a data bus.

The operation unit 601 is composed of a keyboard and a touch pad, operates under the control of the CPU 605, detects operation information operated by the user, and transmits the operation information to the CPU 605.

The display unit 602 operates under the control of the CPU 605 and displays the information received from the CPU 605 via the data bus 608. Here, the CPU 605 displays on the display unit 602 in a window manner. The CPU 605 displays a plurality of windows in an overlapping manner, rewrites and displays the contents of the already displayed windows, and presents information to the user by displaying the new windows in an overlapping manner as if they were arranged in the foreground. .. The user operates on the window displayed in the foreground.

By closing the window displayed in the foreground, the CPU 605 presents the contents of another window hidden behind to the user again. Further, the CPU 605 recognizes the user operation by the graphical UI method in which the operation unit 601 and the display unit 602 are operated in cooperation with each other.

Further, the CPU 605 moves the cursor on the display unit 602 to display according to the content of the user sliding the touch pad of the operation unit 601 to display the display, and the CPU 605 displays the cursor on the display unit 602 according to the operation of pressing the touch pad of the user. Detects the selection of buttons, etc. with the same coordinates as the cursor.

The power supply unit 603 is connected to an external AC power outlet (not shown), converts AC power supplied from the outside into DC, and stably supplies the voltage of the voltage required by each processing unit of the PC 6. ..

The HDD 604 is an auxiliary storage device that stores a program of the CPU 605 and stores data. The CPU 605 controls the entire PC 6 according to the program stored in the memory 606. The memory 606 is a memory for storing a program of the CPU 605 and temporarily storing data.

The network I / F unit 607 operates under the control of the CPU 605 and communicates with an external device such as an image forming apparatus 1 connected to the external LAN 5.

As described above, the printer driver software is operating in the PC 6, and information can be exchanged with the image forming apparatus 1 via the LAN 5 by a predetermined communication method. Further, the PC 6 can request the image forming apparatus 1 to perform a printing operation.

In addition to the image forming apparatus 1, a plurality of image forming apparatus 7s are connected to the LAN 5, and it is possible to request communication and a print operation via the LAN 5 as in the image forming apparatus 1. The data bus 608 transfers data.

Next, the window displayed on the display unit 602 of the PC 6 will be described.

FIG. 9A is a diagram showing an example of a print window.

In the print window D61, 611 is a printer selection button. By pressing this button, the user can see a list of image forming devices connected via LAN 5 and select an image forming device to communicate with. The button displays the printer name of the currently selected image forming apparatus and the total value of the amount of power supplied by the image forming apparatus to the external device. In addition, whether or not the confirmation window for stopping the power supply to the external device is displayed when the print request is made is indicated by "confirmation" if it is displayed, and "immediately" if it is not displayed.

Reference numeral 612 is a USB power supply setting button, and the user can shift the window display to the current state display window D63 of the USB power supply described later by pressing this button. Reference numeral 614 is a print start button, and when the user presses this button, the CPU 605 transmits a print request to the image forming apparatus selected by the printer selection button 611 via the LAN 5. Reference numeral 615 is a cancel button, and when the user presses this button, the print window D61 is closed.

FIG. 9B is a diagram showing a display example of a printer list displayed when the printer selection button 611 is pressed in the print window D61 shown in FIG. 9A.

In the print window D62, 621 is a printer selection button, and the printer names of the image forming devices that can communicate via LAN 5 are displayed in a list. The user presses the printer name of the desired image forming apparatus to select the image forming apparatus and closes the printer list. In the following description, it is assumed that the printer name of the image forming apparatus 1 is "printer A" and the printer A is selected.

FIG. 10A is a diagram showing an example of the current status display window D63 of the USB power supply. In order to display this window, the CPU 605 communicates with the image forming apparatus 1 via the LAN 5, and the information of the external device connected to the external device connection unit 104 and the power supply unit 103 are supplied to the external device. Get information on electric energy.

In FIG. 10A, 631 is the current state tab, 632 is the setting tab button during printing operation, 633 is the device A connected device display area, 634 is the device B connected device display area, and 635 is the host connected device display area. is there. By pressing the setting tab button 632 during the printing operation, the user can shift the window display to the setting window D65 during the printing operation of USB power supply, which will be described later.

636 is a power supply state change button for device A, 637 is a power supply state change button for device B, and 638 is a power supply state change button for the host. When the image forming device is currently supplying power to each external device, the amount of power being supplied is displayed at the top of the button, and the button is indicated by "power supply" indicating that power is currently being supplied. "Medium" characters are displayed. By pressing the power supply state change buttons 636, 637, and 638 to the external device, the user can display the window D64 for selecting the amount of power to be supplied to the external device, which will be described later.

639 is an OK button. The user can return the window display to the print window D61 by pressing the OK button 639.

FIG. 10B is a diagram showing an example of the window D64 for selecting the amount of electric power to be supplied to the external device.

641 is a power supply selection button. The currently selected power supply buttons are displayed as black circles, the selectable power supply buttons are displayed in a solid line frame, and the unselectable power supply buttons are displayed in a dotted frame. By pressing these buttons, the user can select the amount of power to be supplied to the external device, the black circle button changes to a solid line frame, and the newly selected power amount button is displayed as a black circle.

642 is a cancel button and 643 is an OK button. By pressing the cancel button 642, the user can close the window without changing the amount of power supplied to the external device and return to the current status display window D63 of the USB power supply. In addition, the user can press the OK button 643 to change the amount of power supplied to the external device to the selected amount of power, close the window, and return to the current status display window D63 of USB power supply. it can.

FIG. 11A is a diagram showing an example of the setting window D65 during the printing operation of the USB power supply. In order to display this window, the CPU 605 communicates with the image forming apparatus 1 via the LAN 5, and the information of the external device connected to the external device connection unit 104 and the power supply unit 103 are supplied to the external device. Get information on electric energy. Similarly, the CPU 605 includes information to be displayed on the power shortage notice display, power amount exceeding the maximum power amount, setting information of the power amount to be supplied to each external device at the time of printing operation, and presence / absence of user confirmation before starting printing operation. Get information about.

651 is the current state tab button, and 652 is the setting tab at the time of printing operation. By pressing the current status tab button 651, the user can shift the window display to the current status display window D63 of the USB power supply described above.

653 is a power shortage that indicates whether or not the total maximum power amount that can be supplied by the power supply unit 103 is exceeded when power is supplied to the image printing unit 108 for printing operation while maintaining the current power supply state to the external device. It is a notice display. If the maximum power amount is exceeded and the power supply to the external device is not set to be automatically changed during the printing operation described later, "Power shortage" is displayed. At the top of the power shortage notice display, the amount of power exceeding the maximum amount of power is displayed as a negative number.

As described above, the CPU 105 controls so that the total amount of electric power supplied to the image printing unit 108, the host 2, the device A3, and the device B4 does not exceed the maximum amount of electric power that can be supplied by the power supply unit 103. This also applies when the print operation is started by a print request from the PC 6 via the LAN 5. Specifically, when a print request is received from the PC 6, if the total amount of power supplied by the power supply unit 103 exceeds the maximum amount of power, the CPU 105 confirms whether the power supply to the external device may be stopped. Is performed on the PC 6 via the LAN 5. Then, the CPU 605 of the PC 6 confirms with the user, and returns the result to the image forming apparatus 1 via the LAN 5. Then, the CPU 105 stops or reduces the power supply to the external device after obtaining the confirmation of the user, and supplies the power to the image printing unit 108. By confirming the "power shortage" display of the power shortage notice display 343, the user can easily grasp the cause even if the copy operation is not started immediately during the printing operation.

Reference numeral 654 is an automatic change setting button for the power supply state during printing operation for device A, 655 is an automatic change setting button for power supply state during printing operation for device B, and 656 is an automatic change setting button for power supply state during printing operation for the host. When power is being supplied to each external device, the amount of power being supplied is displayed at the top of each button. Furthermore, the setting state of whether to continue power supply during printing, reduce the power supply during the printing operation, or pause during the printing operation for each button is set to "supply" and "reduction". , Or the character string "stop" is displayed.

The user presses the automatic change setting buttons 654, 655, and 656 of the power supply state during printing operation for each external device, and the window D66 for selecting the amount of power supplied to the external device described later during printing operation. Can be displayed.

Reference numeral 657 is an indication of the presence / absence of user confirmation before the start of the printing operation. When the display of the power shortage notice display 653 is "power shortage", this display becomes "yes".

658 is an OK button. The user can return the window display to the print window D61 by pressing the OK button 658.

In the illustrated setting window D65, 18 W is supplied to the device A, 10 W is supplied to the device B, and 60 W is supplied to the host. Therefore, if power is supplied to the image printing unit 108 for printing operation as it is, the total amount of power supplied to the external device is calculated to exceed the total maximum power amount that can be supplied by the power supply unit 103. .. Furthermore, since the setting to automatically change the power supply to the external device during the printing operation is not set, the power shortage notice display 653 is displayed as "power shortage", and the presence / absence display 657 of user confirmation before the printing operation is started is "present". It is displayed. It should be noted that these display information are information calculated and determined by the CPU 105 of the image forming apparatus 1, and the CPU 605 receives and displays the information from the image forming apparatus 1 via the LAN 5 as described above. ..

FIG. 11B is a diagram showing an example of the window D66 for selecting the amount of electric power supplied to the external device during the printing operation.

In FIG. 11B, 661 is a power supply selection button. The currently selected print power supply button is displayed as a black circle, the selectable print power supply button is displayed as a solid line frame, and the non-selectable print power supply button is displayed as a dotted frame. .. By pressing these buttons, the user can select the amount of power to be supplied to the external device during printing, the black circle button changes to a solid line frame, and the newly selected power amount button is displayed as a black circle. To.

662 is a cancel button and 663 is an OK button. By pressing the cancel button 662, the user can close the window without changing the amount of power supplied to the external device during the printing operation and return to the setting window D65 during the printing operation of the USB power supply. .. When the user presses the OK button 663, the amount of power supplied to the external device at the time of printing is changed to the selected amount of power, the window is closed, and the window returns to the setting window D65 at the time of printing operation of USB power supply.

FIG. 12A is a diagram showing an example of the setting window D67 during the printing operation of the USB power supply. This window is the setting window D65 at the time of printing operation of USB power supply, the user presses the power supply state automatic change setting button 656 at the time of printing operation to the host, selects "stop supply" in window D66, and OK button 663. The transition is made by pressing.

The difference from the setting window D65 described above is the power shortage notice display 671, the power supply state automatic change setting button 672 during the printing operation for the host, and the presence / absence display 673 of user confirmation before the start of the printing operation.

In the illustrated setting window D67, 18 W is supplied to the device A, 10 W is supplied to the device B, and 60 W is supplied to the host. Therefore, if power is supplied to the image printing unit 108 for printing operation as it is, the total amount of power supplied to the external device is calculated to exceed the total maximum power amount that can be supplied by the power supply unit 103. ..

However, although the device A3 and the device B4 are set to continue supplying power even during printing, the host 2 is set to stop supplying power during printing.

Therefore, since the power shortage can be avoided by supplying the power to the image printing unit 108 after stopping the power supply to the host 2, the power shortage notice display 671 is set to "secure". Further, the presence / absence display 673 of the user confirmation before the start of the printing operation is a “none” display.

FIG. 12B is a diagram showing an example of the confirmation window D68 displayed when the print start button 614 of the print window D61 is pressed while the power shortage notice display remains the “power shortage” display.

In FIG. 12B, 681 is a print stop button and 682 is a print OK button. By pressing the print stop button 681, the user can stop the print operation and return the window display to the print window D61. Further, by pressing the print OK button 682, the user can start the print operation after stopping the power supply to all the external devices. The stopped power supply is restarted after the print operation is completed.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the print request operation in the PC 6. This processing is realized by the control of the CPU 605.

In step S701, the CPU 605 displays the print window D61 shown in FIG. 9A on the display unit 602, and proceeds to step S702.

In step S702, when the CPU 605 detects that the setting button is pressed on the print window D61 shown in FIG. 9A, the CPU 605 proceeds to step S703, and if not, proceeds to step S705. Here, the setting buttons are the USB power supply setting button 612 and the property setting button 613 in the print window D61.

In step S703, the CPU 605 performs a process corresponding to the setting button pressed in step S702, and returns to step S701. The process executed in step S703 differs depending on the type of the setting button detected in step S702. For example, when the USB power supply setting button 612 is pressed in step S702, the processes of FIGS. 15A and 15B described later are performed. The description will be omitted when other setting buttons are pressed.

In step S704, if the CPU 605 detects that the cancel button 615 is pressed on the print window D61 shown in FIG. 9A, the CPU 605 proceeds to step S713, but if not, the CPU 605 proceeds to step S705.

In step S705, when the CPU 605 detects that the print start button 614 is pressed on the print window D61 shown in FIG. 9A, the CPU 605 proceeds to step S706, and if not, proceeds to step S702.

In step S706, the CPU 605 transmits a print request to the image forming apparatus 1 via the LAN 5, and proceeds to step S707.

In step S707, if the CPU 605 receives the print start signal from the image forming apparatus 1 via the LAN 5, the process proceeds to step S713, and if not, the CPU 605 proceeds to step S708.

In step S708, the CPU 605 proceeds to step S709 if it receives the confirmation request from the image forming apparatus 1 via LAN 5, while it proceeds to step S707 if it does not receive it.

In step S709, the CPU 605 displays the confirmation window D68 shown in FIG. 12B on the display unit 602, and proceeds to step S710.

In step S710, if the CPU 605 detects that the print stop button 681 or the print OK button 682 is pressed on the confirmation window D68 shown in FIG. 12B, the CPU 605 proceeds to step S711, and if not, proceeds to step S710.

In step S711, the CPU 605 transmits the button information detected in step S710 to the image forming apparatus 1 via the LAN 5, and proceeds to step S712.

In step S712, the CPU 605 closes the confirmation window D68 of the display unit 602 and proceeds to step S713.

In step S713, the CPU 605 closes the print window D61 of the display unit 602 and ends the print operation.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of the printing operation in the image forming apparatus 1. The illustrated process is realized by the control of the CPU 105 in the image forming apparatus 1.

In step S714, when the CPU 105 receives a print request from the PC 6 via the LAN 5, the CPU 105 proceeds to step S715.

In step S715, the CPU 105 proceeds to step S716 when the presence / absence display of the user confirmation before the start of the printing operation is "Yes", while the CPU 105 proceeds to step S720 when "No". The content of the user confirmation presence / absence display before the start of the print operation is a method of determining the character string to be displayed in the user confirmation presence / absence display 657,673 before the start of the print operation in the setting windows D65 and D67 during the print operation of the USB power supply. The CPU 105 of the image forming apparatus 1 is determined by the same method.

In step S716, the CPU 105 transmits a confirmation request to the PC 6 via the LAN 5, and proceeds to step S717.

In step S717, when the CPU 105 receives the pressing information of the print stop button 681 from the PC 6 via the LAN 5, it returns to step S714, but if it does not detect it, it proceeds to step S718.

In step S718, when the CPU 105 receives the pressing information of the print OK button 682 from the PC 6 via the LAN 5, it proceeds to step S719, but if it does not detect it, it returns to step S717.

In step S719, the CPU 105 controls the power supply unit 103 to stop the power supplied to the external device, and proceeds to step S722. At this time, the CPU 105 stores the original power supply state in the memory 106 so that it can be read later.

In step S720, the CPU 105 transmits a print start signal to the PC 6 via the LAN 5, and proceeds to step S721.

In step S721, the CPU 105 controls the power supply unit 103 to change the power supplied to the external device, and proceeds to step S722. At this time, the CPU 105 stores the original power supply state in the memory 106 so that it can be read later. Further, the content of changing the power supplied to the external device is the content of automatically supplying the power to the external device during the printing operation, which is set by the user in the setting windows D65 and D67 during the printing operation of the USB power supply described above. Follow the settings to change.

In step S722, the CPU 105 controls the power supply unit 103 to start supplying power to the image printing unit 108. Further, the image printing unit 108 prints the image data received from the PC 6 via the LAN 5, and the process proceeds to step S723. A detailed description of the print operation will be omitted.

In step S723, the CPU 105 controls the power supply unit 103 to stop the power supply to the image printing unit 108. Then, the CPU 105 reads out the contents stored in the memory 106 in steps S719 and S721, returns the power supply state changed in steps S719 and S721 to the original state, and proceeds to step S714.

15A and 15B are flowcharts showing the flow of the USB power supply setting process executed in step S703 of FIG.

In FIG. 15A, in step S801, the CPU 605 displays the current status display window D63 of the USB power supply shown in FIG. 10A on the display unit 602, and proceeds to step S802. The CPU 105 of the image forming apparatus 1 stores and manages the connection state with the external device and the amount of electric power supplied to the external device in the memory 106. The CPU 605 receives the information from the image forming apparatus 1 via the LAN 5 and displays the information. The amount of electric power supplied to each external device and the appearance image are obtained by the CPU 105 via the power supply unit 103 and the external device connection unit 104 when each external device is connected to the external device connection unit 104 in advance. It was decided using the supply request information and model information.

In step S802, when the CPU 605 detects that the setting tab button 632 is pressed during the printing operation on the current status display window D63 of the USB power supply shown in FIG. 10A, the CPU 605 proceeds to step S811 in FIG. 15B. If not detected, the process proceeds to step S803.

In step S803, when the CPU 605 detects that the power supply status change button 636, 637, or 638 is pressed for the external device on the current status display window D63 of the USB power supply shown in FIG. 10A, step S805 is performed. Proceed to. On the other hand, if it is not detected, the process proceeds to step S804.

In step S804, when the CPU 605 detects that the OK button 639 is pressed on the current status display window D63 of the USB power supply shown in FIG. 10A, the CPU 605 ends this process and returns, but has not detected it. If so, the process proceeds to step S802.

In step S805, the CPU 605 displays a window D64 for selecting the amount of power to be supplied to the external device shown in FIG. 10B on the display unit 602, and proceeds to step S806. The CPU 105 of the image forming apparatus 1 stores and manages the amount of electric power that can be supplied to the external device in the memory 106. The CPU 605 receives the information from the image forming apparatus 1 via the LAN 5, determines whether the power supply selection button 641 is valid or invalid using the information, and displays the information. The amount of electric power that can be supplied to each external device is determined by the CPU 105 via the power supply unit 103 or the external device connection unit 104 when the external device is connected to the external device connection unit 104 in advance, in addition to stopping the supply. What is determined using the obtained supply request information is activated.

In step S806, when the CPU 605 detects that the power supply selection button 641 is pressed in the window D64 for selecting the amount of power to be supplied to the external device shown in FIG. 10B, the CPU 605 proceeds to step S807 to detect the pressing. If not, the process proceeds to step S808.

In step S807, the CPU 605 stores the electric energy of the power supply selection button 641 detected to be pressed in step S806 in the memory 606, moves the black circle display to the electric energy button, and proceeds to step S808.

In step S808, if the CPU 605 detects that the cancel button 642 is pressed in the window D64 shown in FIG. 10B, the process proceeds to step S801, and if not, the CPU 605 proceeds to step S809.

In step S809, if the CPU 605 detects that the OK button 643 is pressed in the window D64 shown in FIG. 10B, the CPU 605 proceeds to step S810, and if not, returns to step S806.

In step S810, the CPU 605 stores the amount of power stored in the memory 606 in step S807 as a new power supply amount, and returns to step S801. The power supply amount is changed by the CPU 605 transmitting a new power supply amount to the image forming apparatus 1 via the LAN 5, and the CPU 105 controlling the power supply unit 103 using the information.

In FIG. 15B, in step S811, the CPU 605 displays the setting window D65 during the printing operation of the USB power supply shown in FIG. 11A on the display unit 602, and proceeds to step S812. The CPU 105 of the image forming apparatus 1 has a connection state with an external device, an amount of power supplied to the external device, an amount of power supplied to the image printing unit 108, and a power supply unit 103 to the image printing unit 108 and the external device. The maximum amount of power that can be supplied is stored and managed in the memory 106. The CPU 605 displays the information via the LAN 5, a power shortage notice display 653 calculated by the CPU 105 from the information, a power amount exceeding the maximum power amount, and a user confirmation presence / absence display 657 before the start of the printing operation. Is received and displayed.

In step S812, when the CPU 605 detects that the current state tab button 651 is pressed in the setting window D65 during the printing operation of the USB power supply shown in FIG. 11A, the process returns to step S801 in FIG. 15A. On the other hand, if it is not detected, the process proceeds to step S813.

In step S813, when the CPU 605 detects that the power supply state automatic change setting button 654, 655, or 656 during the printing operation for the external device in the setting window D65 shown in FIG. 11A is pressed, the process proceeds to step S815. On the other hand, if it is not detected, the process proceeds to step S814.

In step S814, when the CPU 605 detects that the OK button 658 is pressed in the setting window D65 during the printing operation of the USB power supply shown in FIG. 11A, the CPU 605 ends this process and returns, but has not detected it. Then, the process returns to step S812.

In step S815, the CPU 605 displays a window D66 for selecting the amount of power to be supplied to the external device shown in FIG. 11B during the printing operation, and proceeds to step S816. The CPU 105 of the image forming apparatus 1 stores and manages the amount of electric power that can be supplied to the external device in the memory 106. The CPU 605 receives the information from the image forming apparatus 1 via the LAN 5, uses the information to determine whether the power supply selection button 661 is valid or invalid, and displays the information. The amount of electric power that can be supplied to each external device is determined by the CPU 105 via the power supply unit 103 or the external device connection unit 104 when the external device is connected to the external device connection unit 104 in advance, in addition to stopping the supply. What is determined using the obtained supply request information is activated. However, the amount of power that is larger than the amount of power currently being supplied is invalidated. Here, the USB-PD standard stipulates a mechanism for notifying at the time of connection if the device on the power receiving side can immediately reduce the supplied power in response to a request from the device on the power supply side. Has been done. Specifically, the device that receives the power that can meet the request enables the GiveBack enable flag specified in the USB-PD standard, and when connected together with the information of the minimum operating current value. Notify the device on the power supply side. When the GiveBack enable flag specified in the USB-PD standard of the external device that changes the power supply is enabled, the CPU 105 uses the minimum operating current value information notified by the external device in accordance with the USB-PD standard to determine the amount of power. calculate. Then, the information is transmitted to the CPU 605 so that the supply power selection button is enabled and displayed.

In step S816, if the CPU 605 detects that the power supply selection button 661 is pressed in the window D66 shown in FIG. 11B, the CPU 605 proceeds to step S817, and if not, proceeds to step S818.

In step S817, the CPU 605 stores the electric energy of the power supply selection button 661 whose pressing is detected in step S816 in the memory 606, moves the black circle display to the button of the electric energy, and proceeds to step S818.

In step S818, when the CPU 605 detects that the cancel button 662 is pressed in the window D66 shown in FIG. 11B, the CPU 605 returns to step S811, and if not, proceeds to step S819.

In step S819, if the CPU 605 detects that the OK button 663 is pressed in the window D66 shown in FIG. 11B, the CPU 605 proceeds to step S820, and if not, returns to step S816.

In step S820, the CPU 605 stores the amount of power stored in the memory 606 in step S817 as a new power supply amount, and returns to step S811. The power supply amount is changed by the CPU 605 transmitting a new power supply amount to the image forming apparatus 1 via the LAN 5, and the CPU 105 controlling the power supply unit 103 using the information. Here, when the GiveBack enable flag is enabled in the external device corresponding to the USB-PD standard, the CPU 105 sends a GotoMin message to the external device via the power supply unit 103 to notify the external device of the change in the supplied power. To do. Here, the GotoMin message is one of the information notification commands specified in the USB-PD standard, and is for notifying the device in which the GiveBack enable flag is valid to immediately reduce the power supply.

Next, a procedure for the user to print using the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

A confirmation window at the start of the print operation by allowing the user to know in advance that the power required for the print operation is insufficient by looking at the display screen of the USB power supply and by changing the setting of the amount of power supplied by the user during the print operation. It is a content explaining that it is changed so that is not displayed. The user's operation is mainly described for the purpose of explaining the series of operations, but as described above, the PC 6 operates under the control of the CPU 605.

First, when the user selects print from the application, the print window D61 is displayed on the display unit 602. From that state, when the user presses the USB power supply setting button 612, the display screen of the display unit 602 transitions to the current status display window D63 of the USB power supply.

The user confirms the amount of power currently being supplied to each external device by looking at the display of the current status display window D63 of the USB power supply. Then, when the setting tab button 632 during the printing operation is pressed, the display screen of the display unit 602 transitions to the setting window D65 during the printing operation of USB power supply.

The user sees that the power shortage notice display 653 in the setting window D65 during the print operation of the USB power supply and the user confirmation presence / absence display 657 before the start of the print operation are "power shortage" and "yes", respectively. Know that the confirmation to stop the power supply is made before the printing operation. Here, the intention of the user is that there is no problem even if the power supply to the host is stopped during printing, and it is more troublesome that the work is interrupted when the confirmation window is displayed when the printing operation is performed. Since the current state does not match the user's intention, the user presses the power supply state automatic change setting button 656 during the printing operation for the host, and causes the display unit 602 to display the window D66 for selecting the amount of power to be supplied during the printing operation. ..

When the user presses "stop supply" in the power supply selection button 661 of the window D66 for selecting the amount of power to be supplied during the printing operation and presses the OK button 663, the display screen of the display unit 602 is displayed by USB. Transition to the setting window D67 at the time of printing operation of power supply.

The user sees that the power shortage notice display 671 in the setting window D67 during the printing operation of the USB power supply and the presence / absence display 673 of the user confirmation before the start of the printing operation have changed to "secured" and "none", and the power is supplied. Know that the printing operation is started without confirming to stop. Then, the user presses the OK button to shift the display screen of the display unit 602 to the print window D61. When the user presses the print start button 614 in this state, the print operation is started as the user intended, without displaying the confirmation window regarding the stop of the power supply.

With the above configuration, the user who uses the PC can easily know the power supply state from the image forming apparatus to the external device, and when the power supply to the external device causes insufficient power for the operation of the image forming apparatus, it is possible in advance. You can know. In addition, the user can easily change the power supply to the external device.

The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied to the system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads the program. This is the process to be executed.

1 Image forming device 2 Host 3 Device A
4 Device B
6 PC
102 Display / operation unit 103 Power supply unit 104 External device connection unit 105 CPU
106 Memory 108 Image printing unit

Claims (5)

Obtained by data communication and the data communication with one external device connected to the image forming apparatus via the connection means, which includes a power supply, a connection means, a display means, a setting reception means, and a control means . in images forming apparatus capable based on the supplied main Motomejo report of the one external equipment to supply power to said one external device,
The one external device and the image forming apparatus conform to the USB-PD standard.
The display means displays the power supply state via the connection means, and displays the power supply state.
The control means powers the user when the total power of the power supplied to the one external device and the power required for the operation of the image forming device exceeds the amount of power that can be supplied by the power supply unit of the image forming device. Among the magnitudes of electric power based on the supply request information notified by the one external device to the image forming apparatus by the data communication in accordance with the USB-PD standard while causing the display means to indicate that the power is insufficient, the above 1 The amount of power that can be selected by the user and the power supply stop are selected as candidates that can be selected by the user under the limitation of the amount of power that can be supplied to the external device by the power supply unit of the image forming apparatus . Display on the display means
The setting receiving means accepts one candidate selected by the user from the candidates that can be selected by the user as a setting.
It said control means, based on the accepted candidate as the setting, the image formation to change the power supply to the connected external device to the connection means and the Turkey was performed to the connection means apparatus. The setting receiving means displays a setting screen regarding the magnitude of electric power supplied to the one external device via the connecting means on the display unit, and receives the setting for limiting through the setting screen. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the connecting means is a USB interface. Obtained by data communication and the data communication with one external device connected to the image forming apparatus via the connection means, which includes a power supply, a connection means, a display means, a setting reception means, and a control means . the control method of the single external device supply main Motomejo images forming apparatus capable of supplying power to said one external device based on the report,
The one external device and the image forming apparatus conform to the USB-PD standard.
The control method of the image forming apparatus is
Total said control means, a first display step of feeding state through the connection means Ru is displayed on the display unit, the power required for the operation of power and the image forming apparatus for supplying power to said one external device When the generated power exceeds the amount of power that can be supplied by the power supply unit of the image forming apparatus, the display means is displayed to the effect that the power is insufficient, and the one external device performs the image according to the USB-PD standard. Of the amount of electric power based on the supply request information notified to the forming apparatus by the data communication, the user is limited in the amount of electric power that can be supplied to the one external device by the power supply unit of the image forming apparatus. A second display step of displaying the selectable electric energy and the power supply stop as candidates that can be selected by the user on the display means.
A setting reception process in which the setting reception means accepts one candidate selected by the user as a setting from the candidates that can be selected by the user .
Said control means, on the basis of the accepted candidate as set in said setting accepting step, to change the power supply to the connected external device to the connection means, and a control step for causing said connection means, A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, which comprises. Obtained by data communication and the data communication with one external device provided with a power supply, a connecting means, a display means, a setting receiving means, and a control means, which is connected to the image forming apparatus via the connecting means . a program for executing a control method of the single external device supply main Motomejo based have been the one images forming apparatus capable of supplying power to the external device to report to the computer,
The one external device and the image forming apparatus conform to the USB-PD standard.
The program that causes the computer to execute the control method of the image forming apparatus is
Total said control means, a first display step of feeding state through the connection means Ru is displayed on the display unit, the power required for the operation of power and the image forming apparatus for supplying power to said one external device When the generated power exceeds the amount of power that can be supplied by the power supply unit of the image forming apparatus, the display means is displayed to the effect that the power is insufficient, and the one external device performs the image according to the USB-PD standard. Of the amount of electric power based on the supply request information notified to the forming apparatus by the data communication, the user is limited in the amount of electric power that can be supplied to the one external device by the power supply unit of the image forming apparatus. A second display step of displaying the selectable electric energy and the power supply stop as candidates that can be selected by the user on the display means.
A setting reception process in which the setting reception means accepts one candidate selected by the user as a setting from the candidates that can be selected by the user .
Said control means, based on the accepted candidate as the setting in the setting receiving step, altering the power supply to the connected external device to said connecting means, and thereby Ru control process performed to the connection means , the program characterized in that it comprises a.