JPH09109515A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To save effectively energy by preventing loss of time by an energy saving mode. SOLUTION: When an instruction for setting energy saving mode transfer time comes through a panel device 8 from a user, CPU(central processing unit) 2 makes the user set the energy saving transfer time through panel device 8 on each emulation stored in a program ROM (program read-only memory) 5, and stores its content in NVRAM(nonvolatile random access memory) 4. A controller 1 transfers to an energy saving mode wherein temperature of a fixing unit of an energy 9 is lowered only for the energy saving mode transfer time corresponding to the started emulation when receiving a data and an operation from the panel device 8 do not exist.

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 such as a printing device, page printer, dot printer and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus, in order to save energy, a mode in which a temperature of a fixing unit of an engine for printing is lowered when data is not received or operation from a panel is performed for a certain time (hereinafter referred to as an energy saving mode). There is one that has. In the conventional image forming apparatus having the energy saving mode and capable of switching between a plurality of emulations, the system of the image forming apparatus sets the energy saving mode, and which emulation is activated on the system. However, the time required to shift to the energy saving mode was the same. In addition, the actual Kaihei 3-101
Japanese Patent No. 650 discloses a printing apparatus in which the power is turned on when data is input to the Centronics port and the power is turned off when there is no more data.

[0003]

By the way, when the system of the image forming apparatus manages the transition time to the energy saving mode, the transition time of all the emulations currently activated on the image forming apparatus is changed. The setting is reflected. However, if the transition time to the energy saving mode is set to 15 minutes and there is an image forming apparatus that can use three types of emulations of A, B, and C, data is received about every 5 minutes in the emulation of A. However, in the environment where the data is received every 30 minutes in the emulation of B and the data is received every 20 minutes in the emulation of C, in the case of A, there is no waiting time to return from the energy saving mode. Can be printed every time, but 1 for B
Five minutes is wasted. Further, in the case of C, the warm-up for returning from the energy saving mode is troubled every time.

As described above, conventionally, when there are a plurality of emulations that can be switched and activated on one image forming apparatus, emulation in which data is frequently transmitted from the host device and data that is rarely transmitted from the host device. Since there are emulations that are not sent,
If the transition time to the energy saving mode is constant, there is a problem that emulation causes a print wait in the energy saving mode and energy loss.

Further, when the image forming apparatus has a parallel port and a serial port as communication ports, the parallel port is used by many host devices and is transmitted a lot when it is active, but the serial port is It is rarely used, and the number of transmissions is not so large. Therefore, if the transition time to the energy saving mode is constant, there is a problem in that the communication port causes waiting for printing in the energy saving mode and energy loss.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing time loss due to the energy saving mode and efficiently saving energy.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a printing unit including a fixing unit for printing, an operation unit for performing an operation, and data from a plurality of host devices can be received. The host device has an energy saving mode in which the emulation is switched and activated for each host device, the printing unit is controlled to perform printing, and the temperature of the fixing unit is lowered when data is not received or operation from the operation unit is not performed for a predetermined time. The image forming apparatus is equipped with a control unit capable of setting the time until the transition to the energy saving mode for each emulation to achieve the above object. In this image forming apparatus, the control unit can efficiently save energy by setting the time until the transition to the energy saving mode for each emulation.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the control means calculates the transmission frequency for the emulations activated in the past for each emulation, and for each emulation, the transmission frequency is calculated for each emulation. It is configured to set the time until the shift to the energy saving mode. In this image forming apparatus, the control unit calculates the frequency of transmission to the emulation started in the past for each emulation, and sets the time until the energy saving mode is changed for each emulation according to the transmission frequency. , Reduce the burden on the user.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a printing unit including a fixing unit for printing, an operation unit for performing an operation, a plurality of communication ports, and a plurality of host devices via these communication ports. Data can be received, the emulation is switched for each host device and activated, the printing unit is controlled to perform printing, and the temperature of the fixing unit is lowered when there is no data reception or operation from the operating unit for a predetermined time. The object is achieved by providing the image forming apparatus with a control unit having an energy saving mode and capable of setting a time until transition to the energy saving mode for each communication port. In this image forming apparatus, the control unit sets the time until the shift to the energy saving mode for each communication port, whereby the energy can be efficiently saved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the control means calculates the transmission frequency to the communication ports which have become active in the past, for each communication port, and uses this transmission frequency as the transmission frequency. Accordingly, the time until the shift to the energy saving mode is set for each communication port. In this image forming apparatus, the control unit calculates, for each communication port, the frequency of transmission to the communication port that has been activated in the past, and the time until the energy saving mode is changed for each communication port according to the transmission frequency. By setting, the burden on the user is reduced.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus includes a controller 1 as a control unit, a panel device 8 as an operation unit connected to the controller 1, and an engine 9 as a printing unit connected to the controller 1.

A controller 1 as a control means of the image forming apparatus includes a CPU (central processing unit) 2, a RAM (random access memory) 3, an NVRAM (nonvolatile RAM) 4 and a program ROM (program read only memory). Memory) 5, which are connected to each other by a bus. Further, the controller 1 is provided with a parallel port 6 and a serial port 7 as communication ports. In addition, the CPU 2
A parallel port 6, a serial port 7, a panel device 8 and an engine 9 are connected to each other.

The CPU 2 controls the entire controller 1 according to a program in the ROM 4, a mode instruction from the panel device 8 and a command from the host device. The RAM 3 is used as a work memory of the CPU 2, an input buffer for input data, a page buffer for print data, a memory for download fonts, and the like. The NVRAM 4 stores the contents of the mode instruction from the panel device 8 and the like.

The program ROM 5 includes a controller 1
The control program and emulation program of are stored. The parallel port 6 uses, for example, a Centronics interface, and communicates with the host device. The serial port 7 is, for example, RS2.
A 32C interface is used to communicate with the host device. The panel device 8 is also used to inform the user of the current state of the image forming apparatus and to give a mode instruction. The engine 9 is a device that actually prints an image on a sheet, and has a fixing unit that fixes the image on the sheet.

The controller 1 can receive data from a plurality of host devices via the parallel port 6 or the serial port 7. The emulation is switched and activated for each host device, and the engine 9 is controlled to perform printing. To perform. In addition to this, when there is no data reception or operation from the panel device 8 for a predetermined time, an energy saving mode (hereinafter referred to as an energy saving mode) for lowering the temperature of the fixing unit of the engine 9 is provided, and the energy saving mode is entered. It is possible to set the time until (hereinafter referred to as the energy saving mode transition time) for each emulation.

Next, the operation of setting the energy saving mode transition time in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this operation, when the user gives an instruction for setting (changing) the energy-saving mode transition time through the panel device 8, the energy-saving mode transition time setting mode is entered (step 101), and the CPU 2 is the first one stored in the program ROM 5. Regarding emulation, the user is made to set the energy saving mode transition time through the panel device 8 (step 102). Then, the contents are stored in the NVRAM 4 (step 103).

Subsequently, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the next emulation is set (that is, whether or not there is another emulation) (step 104), and when the next emulation is set (step 104). ;
In Y), the process returns to step 102 and the energy saving mode transition time is set for the next emulation. When the next emulation setting is not performed (step 104;
N) ends the operation of setting the energy saving mode transition time.
When the energy saving mode transition time is set for each emulation by the above operation, the controller 1 fixes the engine 9 when there is no data reception or operation from the panel device 8 for the energy saving mode transition time corresponding to the activated emulation. Move to energy saving mode to lower the temperature of the unit.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the energy saving mode transition time can be set for each emulation, so that it is possible to prevent the loss of waiting time for printing due to the energy saving mode. In addition, energy can be saved efficiently.

Next, an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, the setting of the energy saving mode transition time for each emulation depends on the frequency of data transmission from the host device to the emulation. However, in order to measure the transmission frequency, the image forming apparatus must be observed all the time, and it cannot be done overnight. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus itself automatically sets statistics of the transmission frequency for each emulation to automatically set the energy saving mode transition time for each emulation.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of setting the energy saving mode transition time in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. In this operation, when the energy saving mode transition time automatic setting mode is started, the CPU 2 uses the program stored in the program ROM 5 to calculate the transmission frequency for the first emulation from the past activation time and the number of data receptions. (Step 11
1) The energy saving mode transition time is calculated from the transmission frequency using a program stored in the program ROM 5 (step 112), and the content is stored in the NVRAM 4 (step 113).

Subsequently, the CPU 2 determines whether or not to set the next emulation (step 114), and when the next emulation is set (step 11).
4; Y) returns to step 111, and when the next emulation setting is not performed (step 114; N), the operation of the energy saving mode transition time automatic setting mode ends.
According to the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment, the image forming apparatus itself automatically sets the energy saving mode transition time for each emulation, so that the user does not have to perform a complicated operation of the panel device 8. It will be opened. The other configurations, operations and effects are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Next, an image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the energy saving mode transition time is set not for each emulation but for each communication port. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of setting the energy saving mode transition time in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. In this operation, when the user gives an instruction for setting (changing) the energy saving mode transition time through the panel device 8, the energy saving mode transition time setting mode is entered (step 121), and the CPU 2
Causes the panel device 8 to set the energy saving mode transition time for the first communication port among the usable communication ports (step 122), and sets the content to NVRA.
It is stored in M4 (step 123).

Next, the CPU 2 determines whether or not to set the next port (that is, whether or not there is another available port) (step 124), and sets the next port. (Step 124; Y) returns to Step 122 to set the energy saving mode transition time for the next port. If the next port is not set (Step 1)
24; N) ends the operation of setting the energy saving mode transition time. When the energy saving mode transition time is set for each communication port by the above operation, the controller 1 determines whether the engine 1 is to be operated when there is no data reception or operation from the panel device 8 for the energy saving mode transition time corresponding to the activated port. 9 shifts to the energy saving mode for lowering the temperature of the fixing unit.

According to the image forming apparatus of the third embodiment, since the energy saving mode transition time can be set for each communication port, it is possible to prevent loss of waiting time for printing due to the energy saving mode and to save energy. Can be efficiently saved. Note that other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Next, an image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, the setting of the energy saving mode transition time for each communication port depends on the frequency of data transmission from the host device to the communication port. However, in order to measure the transmission frequency, the image forming apparatus must be observed all the time and cannot be performed overnight. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus itself automatically sets statistics of the transmission frequency for each communication port to automatically set the energy saving mode transition time for each communication port.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of setting the energy saving mode transition time in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. In this operation, when the energy saving mode transition time automatic setting mode is started, the CPU 2 uses the program stored in the program ROM 5 to determine the time when the first usable communication port has been active in the past and The transmission frequency is calculated from the number of times the data is received (step 131), and the energy saving mode transition time is calculated from the transmission frequency using the program stored in the program ROM 5 (step 13).
2) Store the contents in NVRAM 4 (step 1)
33).

Next, the CPU 2 determines whether or not to set the next communication port (step 134). If the next communication port is set (step 134; Y), the process returns to step 131, and If the communication port is not set (step 134; N), the operation of the energy saving mode transition time automatic setting mode ends. According to the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, the image forming apparatus itself automatically sets the energy saving mode transition time for each communication port, so that the user does not perform the complicated operation of the panel device 8. Is released from. The other configurations, operations and effects are the third.
This is the same as the embodiment.

[0028]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the time until the transition to the energy saving mode can be set for each emulation, so that the time loss due to the energy saving mode is lost. Can be prevented, and energy can be saved efficiently.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect, the transmission frequency to the emulation started in the past is calculated for each emulation, and the energy saving mode for each emulation is changed according to the transmission frequency. Since the time is set, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user in addition to the above effects.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, since it is possible to set the time until shifting to the energy saving mode for each communication port, it is possible to prevent the time loss due to the energy saving mode, and It becomes possible to efficiently save energy.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, the transmission frequency to the communication port which has been activated in the past is calculated for each communication port, and the energy saving for each communication port is performed according to the transmission frequency. Since the time until shifting to the mode is set, in addition to the above effects, the burden on the user can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Controller 2 CPU 3 RAM 4 NVRAM 5 Program ROM 6 Parallel Port 7 Serial Port 8 Panel Device 9 Engine

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A printing unit including a fixing unit for performing printing, an operation unit for performing an operation, data that can be received from a plurality of host devices, and emulation is switched for each host device and activated. The time until the energy saving mode is reached and the temperature is shifted to the energy saving mode while controlling the printing means to perform printing and for a predetermined period of time receiving no data or operating the operation means to lower the temperature of the fixing unit. An image forming apparatus, comprising: 2. The control means calculates a transmission frequency for emulations activated in the past for each emulation, and sets a time until the energy saving mode is changed for each emulation according to the transmission frequency. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. 3. A printing unit including a fixing unit for printing, an operation unit for performing an operation, a plurality of communication ports, and capable of receiving data from a plurality of host devices via these communication ports, An energy-saving mode in which the emulation is switched for each host device and activated, the printing unit is controlled to perform printing, and the temperature of the fixing unit is lowered when data is not received for a predetermined time or when there is no operation from the operating unit. And an control unit capable of setting a time until shifting to the energy saving mode for each communication port. 4. The control unit calculates a transmission frequency to a communication port that has been activated in the past for each communication port, and according to the transmission frequency, a time until a transition to an energy saving mode for each communication port is made. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: