JPH0784486A - Image forming device and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable a user to select the most preferable mode and to immediately use on supplying a power without caring about the set up time of a heat generating part by providing the mode changeover mechanism capable of selecting in correspondence to the using condition of the user. CONSTITUTION:The mode selected by the mode input part 15a is judged whether it is in a time mode or in a continuous mode by the mode decision/instruction part 18. When it is judged in the time mode by the mode decision/instruction part 18, the starting time of the power supply inputted by the mode input part 15a is set to the heat generating part timer 12, etc. Furthermore, when it comes to the starting time of the power supply after the power source is turned off, the electric power supply to the heat generating part 14i is begun by the power source control part 13, the heat generating part 14i comes in the heat generating state and the power source is turned on by the instruction of the operator and so on. On the other hand, when it is judged in the continuous mode by the mode decision/instruction part 18 and when the power source is turned off, the heat generating part 14i is kept in the energized state by the power source control part 13.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a control method thereof, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having a heat generating portion such as a photosensitive drum heater and a heat roller heater and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 7 designates a power switch 96 for instructing power-on or power-off, a heat generating portion 94 such as a heater for a photosensitive drum or a heater for a heat roller that needs to be energized before printing, a recording paper conveyance system, and a photosensitive drum. Alternatively, the power supply is turned on or off based on a mechanism unit 99 provided with various mechanisms used for a heat roller or printing and an instruction to turn the power on or off by a power switch 96 (power off switch). In addition, when a power-off instruction is issued, a power supply control unit 93 is provided, which does not energize the parts other than the heat-generating unit 94, that is, the mechanical unit 99 such as the transport system, but continues energizing the heat-generating unit 94. It is a thing.

[0003]

As described above, in the printing apparatus according to the conventional example, as described above, the power supply (energization) to the heat generating section 94 is cut off by the power switch 96. After that, it continues all night (all day). This is because the object to which heat is applied by the heat generating part has a large heat capacity like a drum, and once the heat is cooled, it takes time to warm it up to a usable temperature, and the device is operated immediately. This is because printing cannot be performed and it is inconvenient.

Therefore, it is necessary to energize all night, but there is a problem in that the heat generation part is energized all night, so that fire safety and energy consumption are high. On the other hand, if the power supply to or the power supply to the heat generating unit is linked with the power supply to or from the power supply to the entire device, the time required for the photosensitive drums to warm up by the heat generating unit is taken into consideration from a certain time before the start of printing. It is necessary to turn on the power of the entire device. In this case, the power-on and the start of use do not match in time, which is inconvenient to use (the user generally tends to equate the time when the power is turned on with the time when the use can be started),
When warming up, electric power is supplied to the entire device including the heat generating portion, and the power consumption is larger than that in the case of supplying electric power only to the heat generating portion.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the power supply (energization) to the heat generating portion can be independently performed without interlocking with the power supply of the entire image forming apparatus, and can be selected according to the usage situation of the user. By providing a mode switching function, the user can select the most suitable mode according to the operating time zone of the computer connected to the image forming apparatus and the operating conditions such as the user's operating plan, and the heat generating unit preparation time is set. It is an object of the present invention to provide a convenient image forming apparatus that can be used immediately when the power is turned on without being aware of the above, and a control method thereof. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus with high safety and low energy consumption by enabling power saving during warming up and a control method thereof.

[0006]

In order to solve the above technical problems, the first invention is, as shown in FIG. 1, an image forming section 18 having a plurality of process sections 17 _{1 to} 17 _n , and a plurality of image forming sections 18 a. A heat generating portion 14 _i (i = 1, 2, ..., Natural number) provided in at least one of the process portions 17 _{1 to} 17 _n
The heating unit 14 _i continuous mode information to continuously perform heating operations, and the information of the timed mode instructing a heating time of the heating unit, and a mode input unit 15a for inputting one of said timed A time input section 15b for inputting information indicating the time to start energizing the heat generating section in the mode,
When the mode information input from the mode input unit 15a is continuous mode information, power is continuously supplied to the heat generating unit 14 _i , and when the mode information is timed mode information, the time input unit is Power supply control means 10 for supplying / disconnecting electric power to / from the heat generating portion 14 _i based on the information indicating the energization start time input from 15b is provided.

Here, the "heat generating portion" is, for example, a photosensitive drum heater used for heating a photosensitive drum having a large heat capacity. In order to operate the apparatus having such a drum having a large heat capacity immediately after the power is turned on, it is necessary to energize the drum and warm the drum in advance before printing. In addition to the photosensitive drum, the heating unit heats the fixing device. The "timed mode" refers to a mode for instructing the heat generation time of the heat generating portion, that is, a mode for instructing to start energization to the heat generating portion at a set time after the power is cut off. Since "energization is started", it is premised that the power supply to the heat-generating unit 14 _i is temporarily cut off in the timed mode, and the power supply to the heat-generating unit 14 _i is not cut off "continuously". This is different from "mode".

The "continuous mode" refers to a mode in which the heat generating operation is continuously performed, that is, a mode in which the heat generating portion 14 _i is continuously energized even after the power supply to the entire apparatus is cut off.

A second aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, in an image forming apparatus having a heat generating portion, either the timed mode or the continuous mode is selected, and energization of the heat generating portion is started when the timed mode is selected. When time is entered (S1),
The selected mode is determined (S2), and when the timed mode is selected, the time until the start of energization is measured (S2).
3) When the energization start time is reached after the power is turned off, the energization to the heat generating part is started (S4), and when the continuous mode is selected, the power is turned on to the heat generating part even if the power to the device is cut off. Is to be continued (S5).

Further, as a first embodiment of the first invention, as shown in FIG. 2, in the first invention, the power supply control means 20 judges the input mode and selects the timed mode. Is a mode determination / instruction for setting the energization start time for the heat-generating part timer 12 and for instructing the power-supply control part 13 to continue energizing the heat-generating part 14 _i when the power is shut off when the continuous mode is selected. A unit 18, a heat generation unit timer 12 for measuring the set energization start time, and for instructing the power supply control unit 13 to start energization when the energization start time is reached, and an instruction to turn on or turn off the power source. If there is, energize or cut off power to each circuit,
If there is an instruction to start the energization from the heat generation unit timer 12, the energization to the heat generation unit 14 _i is started, or if there is an instruction to continue the energization from the mode determination / instruction unit 18, even after the power is turned off. The power supply control unit 13 for continuing the energization of the heat generating unit 14 _i is provided. It should be noted that, when the same power source as the other circuits of the image forming apparatus is used for the heat generating unit timer 12, the power source control means 20 is used even after the power source is cut off.
To energize.

As a second embodiment of the first invention, FIG.
As shown in (1), the first invention is provided with a power supply on / off unit 15c for instructing to turn on or off the power, or to instruct to turn on or off the power at a set time.
In addition, the power supply control means 30 determines the selected mode,
When the timed mode is selected, the energization start time is set in the timer 22, and when the continuous mode is selected, the power generation unit 14 _i when the power is shut off to the power control unit 13 _i.
A mode determination / instruction unit 28 is provided for instructing to continue energization to.

Further, the power supply control means 30 has a setting
Measured the energization start time and reached the energization start time
When the power supply controller 23 is instructed to start energization,
In addition, the time set by the power on / off unit 15c is measured.
And for the power supply control unit 23 when the time is reached
A timer 22 for instructing power-on or power-off and a timer
Turn on the power by the machine 22 or the power on / off unit 15c
Or, if there is an instruction to shut off, energize each circuit.
Or, the power is cut off, and the timer 22 instructs the start of energization
If there is a heat generation unit 14_iTo start energizing, or
The mode determination / instruction unit 28 gives an instruction to continue energization.
If the power is turned off, the heat generating unit 14 _iEnergization to
And a power supply control unit 23 for performing a row.

The power-on / off unit 15c turns on / off the power of the entire apparatus, and is different from the timed mode or continuous mode in which power is supplied (energized) and disconnected only for the heat generating unit 14 _i. .

Further, as a third embodiment of the first invention, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of process parts 27 _{1 to} 27 _{1 are used.}
an image forming unit 26 having _n and a plurality of the process units 2
At least one of 7 _{1 to} 27 _n is provided with a warm-up heating unit 24 _i used during warm-up and a printing heating unit 34 _i used during printing, and an instruction to turn on or turn off the power, or at a set time Information on a continuous mode for continuously performing the heat generation operation of the power supply on / off unit 25c for instructing power on or off, and the warm-up heat generation unit 24 _i , and a time limit for instructing the heat generation time of the heat generation unit. A warm-up mode input section 25a for inputting either one of the mode information, a time input section 25b for inputting information indicating a power-on start time to the heat generating section in the timed mode, and a power supply control means 40. It is provided.

The power control means 40 determines the selected mode, sets the energization start time for the timer 32 when the timed mode is selected, and controls the power supply when the continuous mode is selected. A warm-up mode determination / instruction unit 38 for instructing to continue energization of the warm-up heat generating unit 24 _i when the power supply to 33 is shut off;
Measurement of the set energization start time, and an instruction to start energization to the power supply control unit 33 when the energization start time is reached,
In addition, a timer 32 is provided for measuring the time set by the power supply on / off unit 25c and for instructing the power supply control unit 33 to turn on or off the power when the time is reached.

Further, the power supply control means 40 includes a tie.
Turn on the power by the machine 32 or the power on / off unit 15c
If there is an instruction from the_i
To printing heat generating unit 34_iSwitching of energization to and other circuits
Energization to the timer 32 or the power supply on / off unit 1
If there is a power-off instruction from 5c,
If there is an instruction to turn off the power or start energization by the timer 32.
In the case of warm-up heat generating part 24_iEnergization to
Continuation of energization by the warm-up mode determination / instruction unit 38
When instructed to do so, warm up even after turning off the power.
Heat generating part 24 _iControl unit 33 for continuing energization to
Is provided.

Here, the warm-up heating section 24
_i is warmed up during warm-up, and the printing heat generating section 34 _i is warmed up during actual printing. Since the temperature of the warm-up heating unit 24 _i generally needs to be lower than the temperature required for printing, the printing heating unit 34 _{i is used.}
Setting the temperature lower than the temperature can help reduce power consumption.

[0018]

The operation of the first invention and the second invention will be described. In step S1, the mode input unit 15a inputs information indicating either the continuous mode or the timed mode. When the information indicating the timed mode is input through the mode input unit 15a, the time input unit 15 is further added.
From b, the time for supplying electric power to the heat generating unit 14 _i (starting energization) is input. Then, in step S2, the power supply control means 10 determines the input mode, and if it is the continuous mode, energizes only the heat generating portion even after the power is cut off in step S5, and in the timed mode. Is
The energization start time is measured in step S3, and step S4
Then, when the energization start time is reached, energization is started to the heat generating portion. Here, the timed mode or the continuous mode relates to cutting off or energizing the electric power to the heat generating portion 14 _i , and is different from turning on or turning off the power of the entire apparatus.

In the first embodiment of the first invention, the mode determination / instruction unit 18 determines whether the mode selected by the mode input unit 15a is the timed mode or the continuous mode. When the mode determination / instruction unit 18 determines that the timed mode is set, the energization start time input by the mode input unit 15a is set in the heat generation unit timer 12 and the like.
Incidentally, after interruption of the power supply, when said energizing start time has come, the power supply control unit 13 starts the supply of power to the heating unit 14 _i, the heating portion 14 _i becomes exothermic state. After this state, the power is turned on by an instruction from an operator, a host computer, a floppy disk device, or the like.

On the other hand, when the mode determining / instructing unit 18 determines that the mode is the continuous mode and the power is cut off, the power source control unit 13 supplies the heat to the heat generating unit 14 _i . The state is maintained.

The second embodiment of the first invention is provided with a power-on / off unit 15c for turning on / off the power of the entire apparatus, and the timer 22 sets the energization start time for the heat-generating unit 14 _i. The time when the power of the entire device is turned on or off can be set. As a result, not only the case of the heat generating portion 14 _i but also the turning on / off of the power source can be automatically set.

Furthermore, a third embodiment of the first invention is
A heat generating part 24 _i for warm-up and a heat generating part 34 _i for printing are provided, and the amounts of heat at the time of warm-up and at the time of printing are made different. As a result, the amount of heat consumed during warm-up can be further reduced.

[0023]

EXAMPLES Next, examples of the image forming apparatus and the control method thereof according to the present invention will be described. In each embodiment, a case where a printing device is used as the image forming device will be described.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram corresponding to the printing mechanism section 71 of the color printer apparatus as the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, in this apparatus, four drums 7a for printing three primary colors (Y; yellow, M; magenta, C; cyan) and black (B; black) for colors to be heated _{1 to} 7a ₄ , a fixing device 7c which is also an object of heat generation and includes a heat roller and a backup roller, and the four types of drums 7a ₁ to ₁ for color
Tray Add a 7a ₄ and four kinds of optical systems 7b ₁ ~7b ₄ provided for each color in the same manner, as in the four developing units 7d ₁ ~7d ₄ provided for each color, the recording sheet 7e
And a hopper 7f, an electrostatic adsorption belt 7g for conveying the recording paper, and a power supply 3 for supplying electric power to each device of the printing device.
a and a control unit 8 that performs various controls related to the printing apparatus
Indicates.

The printer has four colors (Y: yellow, M: magenta, C: cyan, B: black).
It has various process units such as process units for fixing and fixing process units. In FIG. 7, among the process parts,
Drum 7a ₁ provided in the process section for one color
And the heat generating portion 4 for the fixing device 7c of the fixing process portion.

The heat-generating part 4 is provided for the drum 7a ₁ (drums 7a _2-
7a ₄ ) to prevent the print quality from deteriorating and to obtain stable printing. The heat generating portion 4 is provided for the fixing device 7c in order to fix the transferer transferred to the paper.
This is because it is necessary to heat the heat-melting toner.
A predetermined length of rising time is required to heat the drum 7a ₁ having a large heat capacity and the like to reach a desired temperature by the heat generating portion 4.

The heat generating section 4 includes a temperature control section 4a and various types of
Heater 4b₁~ 4b_Five, And as shown in FIG.
Data 4b₁~ 4b_FourIs for the fixing device 7c that is to be heated.
It is a gen lamp and heater 4b_FiveIs the drum to be heated
7a₁Heater for. As shown in the figure,
Mu 7a₁The surface of the
Heater 4b that generates more heat_FiveThe drum surface is
To the thermistor 4c ₃Is provided. Also, the current line 64
Is connected to the drum surface to provide the current to the surface.
Signal line 65 is the thermistor 4c.₃From
Of the drum shaft 61.
Through, place the electrical circuit switching part of the relay on the semiconductor element.
Replaced with contactless SSR (Solid State Relay)
4d ₁~ 4d_FiveVia the power supply control unit 3 or the temperature control unit 4
It is connected to a.

Further, the fixing device 7c includes heaters 4b ₁ to 4b.
b ₄ and thermistors 4c _{1 to} 4c ₂ are provided, the heaters 4b _{1 to} 4b ₄ are connected to the power supply control unit 3 via the SSR 4d, and the thermistors 4c _{1 to} 4c ₂ are connected to the temperature control unit 4a. In the case of the fixing device 7c, each heater 4b
Halogen lamps are used for _{1 to} 4b ₄ .

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment is capable of inputting either power-on or power-off instruction, information indicating a timed mode or continuous mode, or input of energization start time or power-on / off time. Switch unit 5 provided on the operator panel 9a and the floppy disk device 9b.
Is provided.

Further, this printing apparatus is connected to a host computer 9c via an interface circuit (not shown), and forms an image on a sheet in accordance with image information to be printed given from the host computer 9c. The switch unit 5 is provided for the operator to input the mode information, the time, the power is turned on or off, and the floppy disk device 9b and the host computer 9c do not depend on the operator to input the mode by the program and the time. It is used to automatically perform input, power-on or power-off. Here, the "timed mode" and the "continuous mode" are as described above.

Further, the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment has the configuration shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, a CPU 8a for performing various controls on the printing apparatus and a memory 8b in which programs and the like are stored.
As described above, the drums 7a ₁ to 7a ₄ and the optical system 7b
_{1 to} 7b _{4 and the} like, a mechanism unit 71 provided with various mechanisms for printing, and a heat generating unit 4 that needs to be energized before printing.
And a timer 2 for a heat-generating part for measuring the power-supply start time set for the heat-generating part 4 and for instructing the power-supply control part 3 to start power-supply when the power-supply start time is reached, and a time set for the power supply of the device. And a power source timer 42 for instructing the power source control unit 3 to turn on or turn off the power source when the time is reached, and a power source control unit 3 for performing various controls regarding the power source.

Here, the CPU 8a and the memory 8b judge whether the selected mode is the timed mode or the continuous mode, and when the timed mode is selected, the time for starting the energization of the heat generating part timer 2 is set. When the setting or continuous mode is selected, the heat generating unit 4 is used when the power is cut off.
It has a portion corresponding to the mode determination / instruction unit 18 for instructing the power supply control unit 3 to continue energizing the power supply.

Further, the timer 2 for the heat generating portion is provided with the C
According to the instruction from the PU 8a, the power supply control unit 3 is instructed to measure the set energization start time and to start the energization of the heat generating unit 4 when the energization start time is reached, and the power supply timer 42 switches Measurement of the time set by the part 5,
And, when the time is reached, the power supply control unit 3 is instructed to power on or power off.

The power supply control section 3 energizes or cuts off power to each circuit when at least the power-on timer 42 or the switch section 5 instructs to turn on or off the power, and the power-on timer 2 turns on the power. If there is an instruction to start, the energization of the heat generating part 4 is started (timed mode), or if there is an instruction to continue energization by the CPU 8a, the energization of the heat generating part 4 is continued even after the power is turned off. It is performed (continuous mode). In addition, in FIG.
1 and the heating unit 4 correspond to the image forming unit 36, and the CPU 8
a, memory 8b, heat generating timer 2, power supply timer 4
2. The power supply control unit 3 corresponds to the power supply control unit 10 and also corresponds to the control unit 8 in FIG. 7.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, step SO1
Then, when there is a power-on instruction from the switch unit 5 provided on the operator panel 9a, the CPU 8a and the memory 8b start to start, and step SJ1 (when the timed mode is selected) or step SS1 (the continuous mode is selected). In this case), the power source control unit 3 energizes the entire printing apparatus. As a result, in step SJ2 or step SS2, the printing apparatus becomes ready for printing.

In step SO2, the operator selects the timed mode or the continuous mode by the switch section 5 of the operator panel. When the timed mode is selected, the operator is further prompted by a display or the like to input the time for starting energization for supplying power to the heat generating unit 4. For example, if the operator sets the next day at 6 am,
To enter the appropriate numbers from the switch unit 5 as the 6 o'clock 00 minutes after one day. In this way, the operator inputs the energization start time from the switch section 5 of the operator panel. Thus, the information selected or set by the operator is sent to the CPU 8a and received in step SC2.

A program stored in the CPU 8a and the memory 8b is used to determine the selected mode in step SC3. If it is determined that the selected mode is the timed mode, the process proceeds to step SC4 and the CP
The U8a sets the input energization start time to the heat generating unit timer 2. When the energization start time is set by the CPU 8a, the heat generating unit timer 2 starts measuring time in step SJ3.

After that, when the switch section 5 of the operator panel 9a gives a power-off instruction in step SO3, the power-source control section 3 measures the heat-generating timer 2 in step SJ4 if necessary. The power to all circuits of the image forming apparatus including the heat generating unit 4 is cut off except the supply of power. Therefore, the activation of the CPU 8a and the memory 8b is also stopped in step SC6.

After the end of energization, in step SJ5, when the set time of the heat generation timer 2 is measured, the heat generation part timer 2 energizes only the heat generation part 4 to the power supply control part 3 in step SJ6. Give instructions to. As a result, warm-up of the printing apparatus is started.
Then, in step SO4, the operator panel 9a
When there is an instruction to turn on the power from the switch unit 5, the power supply control unit 3 supplies the power not only to the heat generating unit 4 but also to all the circuits of the device in step SJ7.
After returning to the stage of J1, the printing operation becomes possible.

On the other hand, the case where the continuous mode is selected by the switch section 5 in step SO2 will be described.
Also in this case, the selected information is received in step SC2, fetched by the CPU 8a, and step SC3.
The mode is determined by. In the case of the continuous mode, thereafter, when the switch section 5 of the operator panel 9a gives an instruction to turn off the power in step SO3, the CPU 8a sends the power source control section 3 to the heat generating section 4 in step SC5. Instruct to continue energizing only.

Then, the power source control section 3 executes the step S
In step S3, the power supply to the other circuits is terminated except the power supply to the heat generating unit 4. After that, when the switch unit 5 gives an instruction to turn on the power in step SO4, step SS
In step 4, the power supply control unit 3 energizes the entire apparatus, and the process returns to step SS1. Then, the printing operation becomes possible.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
According to the user's request, the timed mode or the continuous mode is selected according to the situation to supply the electric power to the heat generating portion. Therefore, it is possible to reduce energy consumption as compared with the case where electric power is constantly supplied to the heat generating portion.

The case where the continuous mode is selected may be, for example, when the operating time of the apparatus is indefinite and the timer cannot be set. In particular, the printing apparatus as an output device connected to the host computer requires an overnight mode when the host computer is operated overnight, and the host computer has various operating modes. It is necessary to deal with. In this embodiment,
It is possible to provide a printing apparatus that can support various operating modes of a host computer.

Next, the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, unlike the first embodiment, instead of the heat generating section 4, a warming-up heating section 44 used during warm-up and a printing heating section 54 used for printing are separately provided. In this way, the warm-up heat generating portion 44 and the printing heat generating portion 54 are separated from each other because, in the case of warm-up, the set temperature is generally lower than that at the time of printing.

Also, due to the difference described above, unlike the first embodiment, instead of the CPU 8a and the memory 8b, a CPU
48a and a memory 48b are provided, a heat generating unit timer 52 is provided in place of the heat generating unit timer 2, and a power supply control unit 43 is provided in place of the power supply control unit 3. Further, the selected mode is determined, and in the case of the timed mode, the time for starting energization to the warm-up heat generating portion 44 is set in the heat generating portion timer 52, and in the case of the continuous mode, The CPU 48a and the memory 48, which are a warm-up mode determination / instruction unit, instructing the power supply control unit 43 to continue energization of the warm-up heat generation unit 44 when the power of the apparatus is shut off.
b, a timer 52 for a heat generating part that measures a time set by an instruction from the CPU 48a, and instructs the power supply control part 43 to supply the power to the warm-up heat generating part 44 when the power supply start time is reached. Have.

Further, the time set by the instruction from the switch unit 5 is measured, and when the time is reached, the power supply timer 62 for instructing to turn on or off the power supply, the heat generating unit timer 52 or the CPU 48a. Based on the instructions from
While energizing the warm-up heating portion 44,
The power supply timer 62 or the power supply timer switches the supply of electric power from the warm-up heat generating portion 44 to the printing heat generating portion 54 based on an instruction to turn on the power from the switch portion 5 and energizes other circuits. 62 or switch unit 5
And a power supply control unit 43 that cuts off power to all circuits except the heat generation timer 52 or the warm-up heat generation unit 44 based on the instruction to shut off the power.

In the case of the present example, when the timed mode or the continuous mode is selected, the warm-up heat generating section 44 is energized from the set time or overnight, while the switch section 5 is used. When the power is turned on, the power source control unit 43 switches the warm-up heat generating unit 44 to the printing heat generating unit 54 to supply electricity. Therefore, according to the present example, in the case of warm-up, the amount of heat can be made smaller than that at the time of printing, so that it is possible to further reduce energy consumption as compared with the first example. .

In the second embodiment, the warm-up heating section and the printing heating section are used as the heating section, but instead, a plurality of equivalent heating sections are provided and the number thereof is designated. By doing so, heat may be generated for warming up or printing. In this case, when warming up, the specified number is smaller than when printing. Further, when printing is performed in a hurry, it is possible to deal with it by increasing the designated number as compared with the normal case. Further, in the above embodiment, the timer for the heat generating portion and the timer for the power source are separately provided, but both may be shared. Also, it is possible to dispense with a timer for the power supply.

Further, in the above embodiment, the operator mainly selects the mode and inputs the energization start time and the like. However, for example, the timer setting is managed on a daily basis, that is, on a day-by-day basis. To make it easier,
If you set the set number of days, for example, one week or one month according to the instruction from the host computer or write it to a floppy disk and instruct it from the floppy disk device, you can set the power off in advance. It is possible to give instructions automatically without performing.

The "image forming apparatus" of the present invention can be applied not only to a color printer but also to a monochrome printer, a color copying machine, a monochrome copying machine or a facsimile machine. Further, in the above example, the heat generating portion provided in a part of the plurality of process portions provided in the image forming portion of the printing apparatus has been described, but other process portions including the heat generating portion are described. The same applies to the above.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention, power is constantly supplied to the heat generating portion of the image forming apparatus,
Rather than interlocking the power supply to the entire device and the power supply to the heat generating part, the power supply to the heat generating part is performed independently of the power supply to the entire device, and the power supply to the heat generating part is timed mode or continuous mode. Can be selected according to the situation of the user. It also enables power saving during warming up. Therefore, as compared with the case where the heat generating section is always energized or the case where the power is energized to the heat generating section is interlocked with the turning on of the power of the entire apparatus, the user is required to operate in the operating time zone of the computer connected to the image forming apparatus and the user. Image forming apparatus and its control method which can be used immediately by turning on the power without being aware of the preparation time of the heat generating section by selecting the optimum mode according to the usage situation such as the usage plan Can be provided. Further, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus with high safety and low energy consumption and a control method thereof by performing power saving during warming up.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the principle of the first invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the first invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the first invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the first invention.

FIG. 5 is a principle flowchart according to the second invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a color printer device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a heat generating unit and a heat generating target according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 20, 30, 40 ... Power supply control means 18, 8 (28, 38) ... Mode determination / instruction unit (warm-up mode determination / instruction unit) 12, 2 (22, 32) ... Heat generation unit timer (timer) ) 42, 62 ... Power supply timer 13, 3, 23, 33, 43 ... Power supply control section 14 _i , 4 (44, 54) (i represents a natural number) ... Heating section (warming-up heating section, printing heating) Part) 15a, (5) ... mode input part (switch part) 15b, (5) ... time input part (switch part) 15c, (5) ... power-on / interruption part (switch part) 16, 26, 36, 46 ... Image forming unit

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of the process section image forming unit having a (17 ₁ to 17 _n) and (18), a plurality of said process portion heating part provided in at least one (17 ₁ to 17 _n) (14 _i ; i = 1, 2, ..., N), information on a continuous mode for continuously performing the heat generating operation of the heat generating unit (14 _i ), and information on a timed mode for instructing the heat generating time of the heat generating unit. From the mode input unit (15a), a mode input unit (15a) for inputting any one of the following items, a time input unit (15b) for inputting information indicating the energization start time to the heat generating unit in the timed mode, When the input mode information is continuous mode information, the heat generating part (14 _i )
When the mode information is timed mode information, the power is continuously supplied to the heat generating unit (14 _i ) based on the information indicating the energization start time input from the time input unit (15b). An image forming apparatus, comprising: a power supply control means (10) for supplying / disconnecting electric power. 2. The power supply control means (20) judges the input mode, sets the energization start time for the heat generating part timer (12) when the timed mode is selected, and selects the continuous mode. In the case where the power supply control unit (13) is turned off, a mode determination / instruction unit (18) for instructing to continue energizing the heat generating unit (14 _i ) when the power is cut off, and measurement of the set energization start time, Also, a heat generation part timer (12) for instructing the power supply control part (13) to start energization when the energization start time is reached, and energizing each circuit when there is an instruction to turn the power on or off. Alternatively, the power is cut off, and the timer for the heating unit (
When there is an instruction to start energization from 2), the heating unit (1
4 _i ), or if there is an instruction from the mode determination / instruction section (18) to continue energization, the power supply control section continues energization to the heat generating section (14 _i ) even after the power is turned off. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising (13). 3. A power supply on / off unit (15c) for instructing to turn on or off the power supply or to instruct to turn on or off the power supply at a set time, and the power supply control means (30) selects The selected mode, the setting of the energization start time for the timer (22) when the timed mode is selected, and the heat generation unit (when the power is cut off for the power control unit (13) when the continuous mode is selected ( 14 _i ) a mode determination / instruction unit (28) for instructing continuation of energization, measurement of the set energization start time, and energization start of the power supply control unit (23) when the energization start time is reached. A timer (instruction, measurement of time set by the power-on / off unit (15c), and instruction to power-on or power-off to the power control unit (23) when the time is reached ( 22), and when there is an instruction to turn on or turn off the power by the timer (22) or the power-on / off unit (15c), an instruction to turn on or turn off the power to each circuit, or an instruction to start turning-on by the timer (22) is given. If there is, the start of energization to the heat generating portion (14 _i ) or the mode determination / instruction portion (28)
If there is an instruction to continue energization by the power supply control unit (2), the power generation unit (14 _i ) continues energization even after the power is cut off.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Wherein the image forming unit having a plurality of process unit (27 ₁ ~ 27 _n) and (26), at least one of the plurality of said process unit (27 ₁ ~ 27 _n), the warm-up used during the warm-up Heating unit (24 _i ) and a printing heating unit (34 _i used for printing
_i ) is provided, and the power-on / off unit (25c) for instructing to turn on / off the power or for instructing to turn on / off the power at a set time and the heat generation part for warm-up (24 _i ) A warm-up mode input section (25a) for inputting either one of the information on the continuous mode for continuously performing the operation and the information on the timed mode for instructing the heat generation time of the heat generation section, and in the timed mode. A time input unit (25b) for inputting information indicating the time to start energizing the heat generating unit and a power supply control unit (40) are provided, and the power supply control unit (40) determines the selected mode and sets the time limit. When the mode is selected, the energization start time is set in the timer (32), and when the continuous mode is selected, the power control unit (33) is shut down when the power is turned off. Up for the heat generating portion (2
4 _i ) Warm-up mode determination / instruction unit (38) for instructing to continue energization, measurement of the set energization start time, and power supply control unit (33) when the energization start time is reached. A timer (32) that gives an instruction to start energization, measures the time set by the power supply on / off unit (25c), and instructs the power supply control unit (33) to turn on or off the power when the time is reached. ), And when there is an instruction to turn on the power from the timer (32) or the power-on / off unit (15c), switching from the warm-up heat-generating unit (24 _i ) to the printing heat-generating unit (34 _i ). And to the other circuits, when the timer (32) or the power-on / interruption unit (15c) instructs the power-off, the power to each circuit is turned off, and the timer (3
2) when there is an instruction to start energization, the energization of the warm-up heat generating portion (24 _i ) is started, and when there is an instruction to continue energization from the warm-up mode determination / instruction portion (38). A power supply control unit (33) that continues energizing the warm-up heat generation unit (24 _i ) even after the power supply is cut off.
An image forming apparatus comprising: 5. An image forming apparatus having a heat generating portion,
Either timed mode or continuous mode is selected,
When the energization start time of the heat generating portion when the timed mode is selected is input (S1), the selected mode is determined (S2), and when the timed mode is selected, the time until the energization start is measured. (S3), when the energization start time is reached after the power is turned off, the energization to the heat generating part is started (S4), and if the continuous mode is selected, the power is turned on to the heat generating part even if the power to the device is cut off. The method for controlling an image forming apparatus is characterized in that energization is continued (S5).