JPH01133069A - Power saving function control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To more effectively obtain a power saving effect by executing the control to decrease the electrical load of a mechanical device after ending of the prescribed operation of the mechanical device or when the prescribed time elapses after a prescribed input operation to the mechanical device in a power saving mode. CONSTITUTION:This control device has a setting operation means which sets the power saving mode, an operation means for putting the mechanical device into a power saving state and a control means which executes the control to decrease the electrical load of the mechanical device after ending of the prescribed operation of the mechanical device or when the prescribed time elapses after the prescribed input operation to the mechanical device or when the operation means is operated during the lapse of the prescribed time in the power saving mode. Then, the control means puts the mechanical device into the power saving state by decreasing the electrical load of the mechanical device upon lapse of the prescribed time after the end of the prescribed mechanical operation or the prescribed input operation when the mechanical device is set in the power saving mode by the setting operation means. The power saving effect is thus more effectively obtd.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control device for a mechanical device having a power saving function that prevents unnecessary power consumption when not in operation.

BACKGROUND ART In general, mechanical devices that require a certain amount of preparation time from turning on the power until they are ready for use, such as copying machines, which require a certain waiting time until the temperature of the fixing heat roller reaches a certain temperature. Machines are left powered on even when not in use, so that users can use them whenever they wish.

For this reason, in such mechanical devices, the time during which mechanical operations such as copying operations are actually performed during the period when the power is turned on is short, and the remaining time is when the power is turned on even though it is not used. During this time,
For example, in the case of a copying machine, power is unnecessarily consumed for various displays such as lighting of light emitting diodes and for maintaining the temperature of a fixing heat roller.

In this regard, if the mechanical device is set to power saving mode, which is a mode that prevents unnecessary power consumption when it is not in operation, when the mechanical device satisfies predetermined conditions,
Automatically save power by turning off some of the above displays or lowering the temperature control level of the fixing roller (
JP-A-59-153203) has been proposed.

This is because, for example, once an administrator of a mechanical device has set the machine to power saving mode, the general user can automatically obtain the power saving effect without having to think about power saving.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, with such conventional power-saving state setting methods, even if the power-saving state is entered too frequently, it is not usable.

For a fairly long predetermined period of time, such as several minutes, after a specified operation of the mechanical device, a specified input operation to the mechanical device, or after the mechanical device is powered on and ready for operation. Since the power saving state will not be entered until the specified time has elapsed, power will still be wasted, and if it is known that it is okay to enter the power saving state immediately, it is inefficient. Met.

The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a power saving function control device that can more effectively achieve power saving effects.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a setting operation means for setting a power saving mode, an operation means for putting a mechanical device into a power saving state, and the above setting operation. In the power saving mode set by the means, after a predetermined operation of the mechanical device or after a predetermined input operation to the mechanical device,
The present invention is characterized by comprising a control means that performs control to reduce the electrical load on the mechanical device when a predetermined time has elapsed or when the operating means is operated during the elapse of the predetermined time.

Operation In the above configuration, when the power saving mode is set by the setting operation means, when a predetermined time elapses after a predetermined machine operation or a predetermined input operation, the control means:
For example, in the case of a copying machine, the electrical load on the mechanical device is reduced by turning off part of the display due to lighting of light emitting diodes, or lowering the temperature control level of the fixing roller, thereby reducing the electrical load on the machine and putting it into a power-saving state. In this case, when the operating means is operated by the user's will during the elapse of the predetermined time, the control means forcibly puts the mechanical device into a power saving state.

Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the power saving function control device of the present invention is applied to a copying machine will be described. In this embodiment, in the power saving mode, after the copying operation is completed, after the input operation to the copying machine, or after the heating of the fixing device is completed, the
This shows a case in which the power saving state is automatically entered after minutes have elapsed.

FIG. 1 shows an example of an electrophotographic copying machine equipped with a magnification setting device according to the present invention. A photoreceptor drum 1 that can be rotated in a counterclockwise direction is disposed approximately in the center of the copying machine body, and a main eraser lamp 2. Sub charger 3. Sub eraser lamp 4. Main charger 5
．． A developing device 6°, a transfer charger 7, a copy paper separation charger 8°, and a blade type cleaning device 9 are provided. The photoreceptor drum 1 has a photoreceptor layer provided on its surface, and this photoreceptor is sensitized and charged by passing through the eraser lamps 2 and 4 and chargers 3 and 5, and receives image exposure from an optical system 10. .

The optical system 10 is installed below the original glass 16 so as to be able to scan the original image, and includes a light source (not shown) and a movable mirror 1.
1, 12, 13, a lens 14, and a mirror 15. The light source, the movable mirror 11, moves to the left at a speed of (v/n) (where n: copying magnification) with respect to the peripheral speed (V) of the photosensitive drum 1 (constant regardless of whether the magnification is the same or variable magnification). , and the movable mirror 12.13 is driven by the DC motor M3 so as to move to the left at a speed of (V/2n). Note that changing the copying magnification involves moving the lens 14 on the optical axis and moving and swinging the mirror 15, but such a magnification changing device will not be described in detail.

On the other hand, there are paper feed rows 221 on the left side of the copying machine body.
, 23 are installed, and the copy paper transport path includes a pair of rollers 24, 25, a pair of timing rollers 26, a transport belt 27, a fixing device 28 . Ejection roller pair 2
It consists of 9 parts.

The switch 74 is an automatic power saving switch for setting the copying machine to a power saving mode which will be described later.

FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of each operation key and display device on the operation panel section of the copying machine. The operation panel 70 includes a print key 71 for starting the copying operation, a 7-segment display device 72 capable of displaying 4-digit numerical values. As will be described later, the emergency power-saving key 73 is used to immediately put the copying machine into a power-saving state, and the numeric keys 80-89° correspond to the numbers 1, 2, . . . , 9, and 0, respectively. Interrupt to specify copying key 90. Clear stop key 91. Vapor selection key 92 for specifying copy paper loaded in multiple stages by size Paper size display section 92 that displays the size of the copy paper selected by pressing this paper selection key 92
2 to 92d, up and down keys 93 and 94 for changing and specifying the copy image density in steps; copy image density for displaying the selected copy image density in steps by pressing the up and down keys 93 and 94; Display section 932
-93g, a group of keys 100-1o3° related to copy magnification setting, copy magnification display sections 100a-1031 for displaying the copy magnification selected by the key group 100-103, and the like are arranged.

FIG. 3 shows a control circuit used in the copying machine of FIG. 1, in which 201 is a first CPU, and 202 is a second CPU.

203 is a battery-backed RAM, 204 is a switchmarker, 205 is a drive circuit for a DC motor M3 for document scanning, 206 is a drive circuit for a stepping motor M4 for zooming, and 207 is a decoder.

Note that output terminals AI to A7 are each connected to main motor M.
l, developing motor M3. timing roller clutch CLl
, top paper feed clutch CL2, bottom paper clutch CL3,
Charger 5. It is connected to each drive switching transistor (not shown) of the transfer charger 7.

Flowcharts of the processing executed in the first CPU 201 are shown in FIGS. 4 to 10. The present invention will be specifically explained below based on this.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart schematically and comprehensively showing the processing procedure in the first CPU 201. When the program starts, the first CPU is initialized (
Step #1), a subroutine for initializing the copying machine is executed (step #2). Next, a switch-on control routine (step #3), a power saving control routine (step #4), a temperature control routine (step #5), a display control routine (step #6), and a copy operation routine (step #6), which will be described later, are executed. #7) are executed in sequence, and then other processes (step #8) necessary for controlling the copying machine are executed. After that, the time-up of the internal timer that controls the processing time of one routine of the first CPU is determined (step #
9) When the first routine is completed, the process returns to step #3, the switch-on cultin.

2nd C that controls the scanning system and variable magnification system such as lenses of the copying machine
The PU and the first CPU communicate necessary data using interrupts. For example, data such as scaling codes and scan commands are sent from the first CPU to the second CPU;
Scanning system timing signals, return signals, fixed position signals, etc. are sent from the CPU to the first CPU.

As shown in FIG. 6, the switch-on calchin in step #3 inputs all switches if, (step #11). Next, determine whether there is a switch input using the keys on the operation panel (Step #12)
, If there is a switch input, determine the power saving flag (Step #13), the power saving flag is 0 instead of the power saving state.
”, the information of the switch input on the operation panel is stored in the memory (step #14).Then, the state of the automatic power saving switch is determined (step #15).If it is ON, the timer is set (step #14). #16) This timer counts the elapsed time from the operation panel input in order to put the copying machine into a power-saving state after a predetermined time has elapsed.As mentioned above, in this embodiment, this power-saving The time to reach the state is set to 5 minutes.Also,
In step #13, if the power saving state is in effect and the power saving flag is "1", the switch input on the operation panel is not stored. Next, information on switch inputs other than the operation panel, such as switch data for detecting the passage of copy paper on the copy paper conveyance path and temperature adjustment data for the fixing device, is stored in the memory (step #17). . In this switch-on calculator, for example, if you input "5" on the numeric keypad, this input information will be stored and 7
Processing such as displaying "5" on the segment display device is performed, but when a signal is input by operating an operation key such as "5" on the numeric keypad in the power saving state, this input information is set to "5". It is determined that the key was not entered because the user wanted to do so, but rather to cancel the power saving state, and the content of this input information is not stored or displayed yet.

As shown in Figure 6, the power saving control routine in step #4 starts when the 5-minute timer finishes counting (
If the automatic power saving switch is ON in step #21) and the power saving mode is set (step #22)
Set the power saving flag to "1" (step #23). Next, when the power saving flag is “1n” (step #24)
) Turn off the automatic power saving switch (Step #25)
Or if there is a key on the operation panel (Step #2)
6) Set the power saving flag to “O” (Step #27)
) Execute the initial setting subroutine to be described later (step #28). At this point, the copying machine returns to its initial state. As described above, in this embodiment, the power saving state can be canceled by operating not only the emergency power saving key but also any key on the operation panel. If the power saving flag is "0" in step #24, the process advances to step #29, where it is determined whether the copier is copying or not, and the automatic power saving switch is in the ON state to save power. When the emergency power saving key is turned on (step #31) while the mode is set (step #30), the power saving flag is set to "1" (step #32). In other words, even if the automatic power saving switch is in the ON state, it will not automatically go into the power saving state for 5 minutes from the end of the copying operation, the input operation, and the completion of the wait for the fuser to heat up after the power is turned on. If you turn on the emergency power saving key at this time, you can immediately enter the power saving state without waiting for the timer to time up. Also, if the automatic power saving switch is turned on while the power is on, the emergency power saving key will be activated.
When you turn it on, it immediately goes into power saving mode.

The temperature control routine of step #5 is a routine for adjusting the temperature of the fixing device. As shown in FIG. 7, this temperature adjustment control routine starts when the power is turned on (step #41) and when the heating of the fixing device is completed, that is, the wait is completed (step #42).
, and set a 5-minute timer (step #43). When the 5-minute timer times up and the power saving flag becomes "1" (step #44), the temperature is adjusted at the power saving and power temperature control level (step #45), and the power saving flag becomes "0". Then, temperature control is performed at the normal temperature control level (step #46). In temperature control, as shown in Figure 11, a wait is displayed from when the power is turned on until the temperature of the fixing device reaches the normal temperature control level. A wait display is performed from the time when the power saving state in which the temperature is adjusted at a low power saving temperature control level is canceled until the temperature rises to the normal temperature control level.

In the display control routine of step #6, as shown in FIG.
51), 7-segment display device 72 on the operation panel, vapor size display sections 921 to 92d, copy image density display section 9
31-93g1 The copying magnification display units 100a-103a each make the required display (step #52), and if copying is possible at this time (step #53), the illuminated print key 71. The blue backlight of the print key 71 is turned on, and if copying is not possible due to temperature control wait, vapor empty, power saving state, etc., the orange backlight of the print key 71 is turned on. (Step #56).

If the power saving flag is still "1", all displays on the operation panel will disappear (step #55), and the print key 7 will disappear.
1 turns on the orange backlight. This is because if all the displays are turned off, the user cannot distinguish between the power-off state and the power-saving state. If a display device is provided to indicate the power saving or power status, there is no need to backlight the print key.

The copy operation routine of step #7 will be briefly explained based on the flowchart of FIG. 9 and the timing chart of FIG. 12.

In block 10, when the print key 71 is turned on, the main motor M1 that drives the photosensitive drum 1, the developing motor M2 that drives the developing device 6, etc. Charger for obi T 3.5. Each of the transfer chargers 7 is activated, a copy flag indicating that a copy operation is in progress is set to "1", and control timers T-A and T- are activated.
Start B and turn on the clutch of the paper feed roller on the selected side.

In block 11, the end of the timer TA is determined and the paper feed clutch is turned off.

In block 12, the end of timer T-B is determined, and
The scan motor M3 that drives the scan system is turned on to start the scan operation.

In block 13, when a timing signal is output during the scanning operation, processing is executed to turn on the clutch of the timing roller and set the timer TC. The copy paper is conveyed by the timing roller 26 in synchronization with the image on the photosensitive drum 1.

In block 14, it is determined that the timer TC has ended, and the charging, scan motor, and timing roller clutch are turned off. Note that the timer TC may be set variably depending on the size of the copy paper used.

In block 15, when the optical system returns to the home position due to the return operation and the home position switch is turned on, the developing motor M2. Processing is executed in which the transfer charges 7 are respectively turned off, the copy flag is set to 0'', and the timer TD is set.

In block 16, it is determined that the timer TD has ended, the main motor M1 is turned off, and if the automatic power saving switch is on, a 5 minute timer is set.

Block 17 executes processing for various outputs.

Note that the timers TA and TD explained in the above flowcharts and time charts are one routine of processing executed within the time specified by the internal timer.
This is a digital timer programmed to count up to 1", and the time-up time is stored as numerical data. The initial setting routine of step #2 and step #5 sets the copier to a preset standard state. In this routine, set the number of copies to "1" (step #61), set the copy magnification to 1x (step #62), set the low paper feed slot to the lower paper feed slot (step #63), and set the copy image density to the standard value. (Step #64), respectively.

In this embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a copying machine has been explained, but image forming devices such as printers and other devices require a certain amount of time from turning on the power to becoming ready for use due to heating of heaters, etc. Applicable to mechanical devices that have to wait for a period of time.

As described in detail of the invention, in the present invention, when the power saving mode is set, after a predetermined operation of the mechanical device is completed or after a predetermined input operation to the mechanical device, the power saving state is automatically entered. Since the power saving state can be immediately set at the user's will in the meantime, the power saving effect can be obtained more effectively.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the structure of a copying machine, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the structure of an operation panel of the copying machine, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. The figure shows the 1st CP.
FIG. 11 is a graph showing the temperature control operation of the fixing device, and FIG. 12 is a timing chart of the copying operation of the copying machine. 71...Print key, 72...7 segment display device, 73...Emergency power saving key-174...Auto power saving switch, 80-89...Numeric keypad, 90...Interrupt key, 91 ...Clear stop, 92...Paper selection key, 92a-921)...Paper size display section, 93.94...Up/down key, 93a
~93g...Copy image density display section, 100~103...
・Copy magnification setting keys, 100a to 103a... Copy magnification display section, 201... 1st CPU, 203... RAM
. 204...Switch matrix. Applicant: Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. Figure 4 Figure jlF6

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A setting operation means for setting a power saving mode which is a mode for preventing unnecessary power consumption when a mechanical device is not in an operating state; and an operating means for putting the mechanical device into a power saving state. In the power saving mode set by the above setting operation means,
When a predetermined time has elapsed after the end of a predetermined operation of the mechanical device, or after a predetermined input operation to the mechanical device, or when the operating means is operated during the elapse of the predetermined time, the electrical load of the mechanical device is reduced. 1. A power saving function control device, comprising: a control means for performing power reduction control.