JPH10308833A - Digital copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow the digital composite machine to form an excellent image even at the rising of the digital composite machine driven in the power-saving mode under a low temperature environment. SOLUTION: In the digital composite machine that has a plurality of functions including a copy function and a facsimile function and has the power-saving mode where only part of circuits are energized at all times and the usual power supply state is restored in the case of using the functions above, a power-saving control section 107 discriminates a restoration cause to be restored from the power-saving state into the usual power supply state that is set respectively to a plurality of functions and a main control section 104 decides the wait time till the power-saving state is restored to the usual power supply state depending on the restoration cause discriminated by the power-saving control section 107. Furthermore, there are main SW ON and facsimile reception or the like as the restoration factors.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a digital multifunction peripheral having a plurality of functions, such as a copying function, a printing function, and a facsimile function, in one apparatus for performing electrophotographic image formation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus for forming an image in an electrophotographic system, with the conversion of an image processing system from an analog system to a digital system, in addition to an original copying function, resources of a copying machine, that is, a scanner and an electronic device are used. 2. Description of the Related Art A digital multifunction peripheral that uses a photo plotter and also has a fax function in combination with a communication function has become widespread. In a digital multifunction peripheral having such a function, the fax function is in a state of being receivable for 24 hours and cannot function as a communication device unless an image can be output. However, if the entire device is always energized, power is wasted.In a standby state such as at night, only the minimum necessary control unit is energized to monitor startup factors such as fax reception. The so-called power saving control for energizing the entire apparatus and operating the apparatus only when the factor is established has been performed. Note that such power saving control is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-129658.
The inventions disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2-168290 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2-90180 are known.

[0003]

When the rising operation is performed at the time of receiving a fax at night as described above, good image output may not be obtained in winter. This is because image formation by the electrophotographic method strongly depends on the ambient temperature, and is usually optimized so that a good image can be obtained in a temperature range of about 10 to 30 ° C. as an installation environment temperature of the device. It is. Therefore, during a time when no one is active, such as at midnight in winter, the installation environment temperature drops to 10 ° C. or less, and the normal warm-up operation cannot sufficiently warm the device, which is a disadvantageous condition for image formation. As a result, image formation is performed as it is.

[0004] In the winter season when the temperature decreases, there is also known an image forming apparatus in which the preheater is always energized to heat the inside of the apparatus to satisfy the temperature condition. With this configuration, power is supplied even when not in use, and wasteful power is consumed, and it cannot be said that the device is a power saving device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances of the prior art, and a first object of the present invention is to form a good image even when a digital multifunction peripheral that performs power-saving operation starts up in a low-temperature environment. Is to be able to do that.

It is a second object of the present invention to set an optimal warm-up time in accordance with environmental factors such as a location where equipment is installed and a time of use.

It is a third object of the present invention to set an optimum internal temperature for image formation at the time of start-up in a low-temperature environment in accordance with environmental factors such as a device installation area and a use period. .

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a first means has a plurality of functions including a copy function and a facsimile function, and a power saving state in which only some circuits are always energized. In the set digital MFP,
Means for determining a return factor for returning from the power saving state set for each of the plurality of functions to the normal energized state; and a return factor determined from the power saving state to the normal mode in accordance with the return factor determined by the determining means. Means for controlling the waiting time before returning to the energized state.

The second means is characterized by further comprising means for setting a waiting time controlled by the controlling means in the first means on the user side.

[0010] The third means is the second means, wherein the waiting time set by the setting means is a non-volatile RA.
M is stored in M.

The fourth means is characterized in that the return operation in the first means includes an ON operation of a main switch and a fax reception operation.

The fifth means has a plurality of functions including a copy function and a facsimile function, and always energizes only some of the circuits, and returns to a normal energized state when using the functions. Means for determining a return factor for returning from a power saving state set for each of the plurality of functions to a normal energizing state, and a preset function after the fixing heater reaches a set temperature. Means for controlling the fixing idling time for maintaining the fixed fixing temperature, means for controlling the time until the internal cooling fan is started, and the time for starting the fixing idling time and the internal cooling fan for each return factor. Means for performing warm-up control at the time of return in consideration of the above.

The sixth means is characterized in that, in the fifth means, an operator can arbitrarily set the fixing idling time and the time until the cooling fan is started.

In a digital multifunction peripheral having the same premise as the fifth means, the seventh means determines a return factor for returning from the power saving state set for each of the plurality of functions to the normal energized state. Means, a means for changing the set temperature of the fixing heater at the time of warm-up, a means for controlling the warm-up time, and a resetting factor in consideration of the set temperature of the fixing heater at the time of the warm-up and the warm-up time for each return factor. Means for performing the warm-up control described above.

The eighth means is characterized in that, in the seventh means, an operator can arbitrarily set a set temperature of the fixing heater at the time of the warm-up.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1. 1. First Embodiment 1.1 Configuration 1.1.1 Schematic Configuration FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this digital multi-function peripheral, an operation unit 101, a scanner unit 102, and a plotter unit 103 are connected to a main control unit 104, and a fax control unit 105, a main PSU 108, and a sub PS
U109 is connected. The fax control unit 105 is connected to the line control unit 106, and the main PSU 108
The sub PSU 109 is connected to a power saving control unit 107. The power saving control unit 107 has a main switch 11
0 is connected, and the power is turned on and off.

1.1.2 Configuration of Each Unit The operation unit 101 is composed of operation keys and a display element. From this operation unit 101, an operator sets an operation mode and inputs data. The scanner unit 102 includes a light source, a CCD,
It has a known structure including a solid-state image sensor such as a scanning mechanism and a mechanical element such as a scanning mechanism, and converts a read optical signal into an electric signal to generate an image signal, which is output to the main control unit 104 side. The plotter unit 103 is of an electrophotographic type, visualizes an image signal output from the scanner 102 or an image signal transferred from the fax control unit 105, and outputs the visualized image onto transfer paper.

The main control unit 104 has a configuration as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2. The main control unit 104 controls the operations of the operation unit 101, the scanner unit 102, and the plotter unit 103, and performs a predetermined operation or operation. To shift the entire system to the power saving state, the main control unit 104 issues a command to the power saving control unit 107 to turn off the main PSU 108, and the supply of Vcc is stopped.

The facsimile control unit 105 executes control related to the facsimile function. The power of the facsimile control unit 105 is also supplied by Vcc of the main PSU 107, and is not energized in the power saving state. The line control unit 106 is connected to a public line, and is capable of transmitting and receiving a fax via the public line. The power saving control unit 107 is configured by a one-chip CPU with extremely low power consumption, and operates even when the device is in a power saving state.
Supplies a voltage indicated by VccA, and monitors a press signal of the main SW 110 and a read signal from a public line, in this case, a facsimile reception signal in the power saving state. When detecting any one of the above-mentioned signals that is a cause of return from the power saving state, the main CPU 10
8 to turn on the power to the entire device and output a status indicating a return factor to a predetermined signal line so that the main control unit 104 can confirm the status, thereby returning from the power saving state. When the entire device is energized, the main controller 1
04 is programmed to follow the command. The main PSU 108 supplies power Vcc to almost all circuits of this device, and is turned on / off by a signal from the power saving control unit 107. As mentioned before, the sub-PSU always supplies VccA only to the power saving unit 107.

1.1.3 Detailed Configuration of Main Control Unit FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the main control unit 104 described above. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the main control unit 104 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203,
Non-volatile RAM 204, I / O port 205, UART2
06 and the timer 207.
A CPU 201 is an element for actually controlling the digital multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment, and a ROM 202 stores a program for controlling the entire digital multifunction peripheral and data necessary for control. The RAM 203 is used by the CPU 201 to temporarily store data, the state of each unit, or the state of data processing for control. Non-volatile RAM
Reference numeral 204 denotes a nonvolatile memory which can hold data even when the power supply Vcc of the main control unit 104 is turned off.
In this embodiment, a battery-backed RAM
You are using The non-volatile memory stores setting data input by the user.

The I / O port 205 is used by the CPU 201 to drive a control target and to detect a sensor signal. Through the I / O port 205, the CPU 201 operates the operation unit 102, the scanner unit 102, and the plotter unit. 10
Control such as 3 is performed. Further, on / off control of the fixing heater is also performed via the I / O port 205. Also,
A port for exchanging commands and status with the power saving control unit 107 is allocated, and when starting up from the power saving state, the return factor can be determined by checking the port state.

A serial communication unit (UART) 206 exchanges command and status information with the fax control unit 105. In this embodiment, the transfer of information between the main control unit 104 and the facsimile control unit 105 is not directly related to the energy saving operation, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
Although not shown in FIG. 2, the fax control unit 1
The exchange of image data with the image data 05 is performed by a separate image bus.

The timer 207 periodically generates an interrupt for processing performed by the CPU 201 at regular intervals, and further counts periodicity and is used for time measurement.

1.2. Operation Hereinafter, the power saving operation of the digital multifunction peripheral configured as described above will be described.

FIG. 3 shows the main control unit 104 when the digital multifunction peripheral according to this embodiment is started from a power saving state.
6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment. In this process, the main PSU 108 is turned on by the power saving control unit 107, and Vcc is supplied to the main control unit 104. Therefore, for the main control unit 104, the return from the power saving state is the same as that of power-on. (Step 301), and the fixing heater is turned on (step 302).
Then, the fixing temperature is monitored (Step 303), and when the temperature falls within a predetermined temperature range, the status from the power saving control unit 107 is confirmed, and a factor for returning from the power saving state to the normal operation state is determined (Step 304). . Return factor is main S
If it is due to the pressing of W110, the waiting time A is set to K1 (step 305), and if it is due to fax reception, the waiting time A is set to K2 (step 30).
6). Then, the count value C is reset (step 307), and the process waits until the count value becomes equal to or more than the set value. When the count value becomes equal to or more than the set value (step 308), the process proceeds to the next preset processing such as image formation. Transition.

On the other hand, in the timer interrupt processing which occurs periodically, the temperature of the fixing heater is monitored to maintain the fixing temperature as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 (step 4).
01), when the temperature of the fixing heater becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the heater is turned off (step 402), and when the temperature falls below the predetermined value, the heater is turned on (step 403). The count value C for measurement is incremented (step 404).

As described above, in this embodiment, the warm-up time of the entire apparatus is determined by the warm-up time until the fixing temperature reaches the predetermined temperature and the waiting time provided for each return factor such as turning on the main SW 110 or receiving a fax. Is determined. As the control when the main switch 110 is turned on as a return factor, if the waiting time after the main switch 110 is turned on is set to be short, it is possible to quickly shift to an image forming operation such as a copy operation or a print operation. And the operability can be improved. The reason why the waiting time is set to be short when the main SW 110 is turned on is that it is considered that the temperature of the device installation environment has risen to a temperature at which a good image can be obtained to a certain degree because the operation is performed by a person.

On the other hand, when a fax is received as another return factor, if the waiting time is set longer, the whole apparatus can be heated by the heat of the fixing heater when a low environmental temperature condition such as midnight in winter starts up. It is warmed and a good fax reception image can be obtained.

The waiting time for each return factor, specifically, K in steps 5 and 6 in the flowchart of FIG.
If the user can appropriately set the values of 1, K2 in accordance with the installation environment and season of the device, finer control with higher power saving effect becomes possible. Therefore, in this embodiment, the user or the operator can appropriately set the waiting time from the operation unit 101. For this setting,
The input mode of the waiting time is selected by the operation unit 101, and the return time K1 after the main SW 110 is turned on is selected according to the return factor.
And a recovery time K2 after receiving a fax are set using the numeric keypad.
It is stored in M204. Thereby, the main control unit 10
4 are the set K1 and K when the power saving mode is set.
2 to control the waiting time. Of course, this waiting time
The setting can be appropriately changed according to various factors such as the season, the installation environment, and the installation area. As a result, it is possible to obtain a good image optimized for each device in accordance with a different use environment and use time for each user.

2. 2. Second Embodiment 2.1 Configuration The overall configuration, each component configuration, and each configuration of a main control unit of this embodiment are as described in 1.1.1, 1.1.2, and 1 ..
1.3 is the same as that of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and
Duplicate description will be omitted.

2.2 Operation 2.2.1 Setting of Fixing Idling Time and Cooling Fan Start Waiting Time According to Return Factors FIGS. 5 and 6 show the digital multifunction peripheral in the second embodiment from the power saving state. Main control unit 1 when raising
12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure in a warm-up process of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the main PSU is turned on by the power saving control unit, and Vcc is supplied to the main control unit, and the control program is disclosed. When this program is started, first, initialization is performed (step 501), and subsequently, the status from the power saving control unit is confirmed, and a return factor is determined (step 502). This return factor is the main S
If it is due to the depression of W, the idling waiting time A of the fixing heater is set to the K1 value (step 503), and the cooling fan waiting time B is set to the L1 value (step 504). If the fax is received, the idle waiting time A is set to K2 (step 505), and the cooling fan waiting time B is set to L2 (step 506). Then, the count value C is reset (step 507), and the warm-up flag is turned on for cooling fan control in an interrupt routine described later (step 508). Subsequently, timer interrupt processing is permitted (step 509), and the fixing heater is turned on to turn on the heater (step 510). Thereafter, a monitoring operation is performed until the temperature of the fixing heater falls within a preset temperature range (step 511).
Further, the idling time is determined by waiting until the count value C becomes equal to or greater than the set value A (step 512). Thereafter, the process proceeds to the next stage such as image formation.

On the other hand, in the timer interrupt processing that occurs periodically, processing for maintaining the fixing temperature as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is executed.

That is, in this timer interrupt processing,
The temperature of the fixing heater is checked (step 60).
1) If the temperature is equal to or higher than the preset temperature, the fixing heater is turned off (step 602). If the temperature has not reached the preset temperature, the fixing heater is turned on (step 603).
Further, when the warm-up flag is on (step 604), the count value C is compared with the cooling fan waiting time B (step 605), and if the count value C is longer than the cooling fan waiting time B, that is, the waiting time If has elapsed, the cooling fan is turned on (step 606), the warm-up flag is turned off (step 607), then the count value C is incremented by 1 (step 608), and the process returns from the interrupt. If the warm-up flag is OFF in step 604, the count value C is incremented by 1 (step 608), and the process returns from the interrupt.
If the count C value has not reached the waiting time in step 5, the count value C is similarly incremented by 1 (step 608), and the process returns from the interrupt.

With this control, the warm-up time of the entire apparatus is determined by the warm-up time until the fixing temperature reaches the preset temperature and the idling time provided for each return factor, and the time for starting the cooling fan is determined. Is determined only by the set value.

FIG. 7 shows the temperature rise characteristics of the image forming section when the apparatus is started up under the above-described control. From this figure, the longer the waiting time for starting the cooling fan, the more the heat generated by the fixing is not exhausted to the outside.
It can be seen that it takes time to stabilize the temperature after the rise. on the other hand,
The longer the idling time, the more stable the temperature, which is advantageous for image forming conditions.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when returning by fax reception, if the idling time is set to be long and the cooling fan activation waiting time is set to be short, the time until image formation is established at the time of start-up at midnight in winter. However, the temperature in the machine can be set to a stable value, whereby a good fax reception image can be obtained.

Further, when returning by pressing down the main switch, if the idling time is set to be short and the cooling fan activation waiting time is set to be long, it is possible to promptly shift to an image forming operation such as a copying operation. Will be improved.

2.2.2 Setting of Fixing Temperature and Fixing Idling Time for Each Return Factor By setting the fixing idling time and the cooling fan startup waiting time as described above, it is possible to set the inside temperature of the apparatus to a desired temperature. However, it is also possible to control the internal temperature by setting the fixing heater temperature and the fixing idling time. This example is shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the main PSU is turned on by the power saving control unit, and Vcc is supplied to the main control unit.
And a control program is disclosed. When this program is started, first, initialization is performed (step 80).
1) Then, confirm the status from the power saving control unit,
The return factor is determined (step 802). If the return factor is due to the depression of the main switch, the idling waiting time A of the fixing heater is set to the K1 value (step 80).
3) Set the fixing temperature D to the T1 value (step 804). If the fax is received, the idling waiting time A is set to K2 (step 8).
05), the fixing set temperature D is set to T2 (step 806). Then, the count value C is reset (step 807), the timer interrupt process is permitted (step 808), and the fixing heater is turned on to turn on the heater (step 809).

On the other hand, in the timer interrupt processing which occurs periodically, the current fixing temperature is confirmed (step 901) as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 and the fixing heater is turned on / off for maintaining the set fixing temperature. An off process is performed (steps 902 and 903), the count value C is incremented by 1, and the process returns to the main routine.

In the main routine, after the fixing heater is turned on in step 809, the count value C is compared with the idling waiting time A. When the count value C becomes larger than the set value, the fixing temperature set value D becomes the standard value Lstd. Return to the next processing.

When the internal temperature is controlled according to the above procedure, it is possible to control the apparatus with the warm-up fixing temperature and the warm-up time set for each recovery factor when returning from the power saving state. By the warm-up operation, the temperature inside the apparatus can be efficiently set to a temperature suitable for image formation.

The operator waits beforehand from the operation unit 101 of the digital copier shown in FIG. 1 for each return factor, the idle times K1 and K2 and the cooling fan activation wait times L1 and L2 described with reference to FIGS. Are stored in the non-volatile memory 204, and the warm-up operation shown in FIG. 5 is stored in the non-volatile memory 204. The idling times K1 and K2 and the cooling fan activation waiting times L1 and L2 are set. In addition, if the fixing temperature setting values T1 and T2 at the time of warm-up are used, it is possible to obtain a good image that is optimized for the use environment and use time of the device different for each user.

[0046]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, means for judging a return factor for returning from a power saving state set for each of a plurality of functions to a normal energizing state is provided. Means for controlling a waiting time until returning from the power saving state to the normal energizing state according to the return factor determined by the means for performing the fixing. The warm-up time can be controlled so that the temperature inside the device can be sufficiently warmed up to a temperature suitable for image formation, thereby assuring good image formation even when receiving a fax at midnight in a severe winter. be able to.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the waiting time can be arbitrarily set by the user, so that the climate and season of the area where the equipment is installed, the environment of the room where the equipment is installed, etc. In addition, a digital multifunction peripheral having an optimal warm-up time according to individual environmental factors can be provided.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the set waiting time is stored in the non-volatile RAM, so that the set waiting time can be reliably maintained unless the user changes the setting. Certainty can be guaranteed.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the return factor includes the ON operation of the main switch and the fax reception operation, at least when the main switch is turned ON and when a fax is received, it is ensured. A desired warm-up operation can be performed.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the means for judging the cause of the return from the power saving state set for each of the plurality of functions to the normal energized state and the fixing heater at the set temperature are set. A means for controlling a fixing idling time for maintaining a preset fixing temperature, a means for controlling a time until the internal cooling fan is started, and starting the fixing idling time and the internal cooling fan for each return factor. Means to perform warm-up control when returning in consideration of the time required for power-saving digital multi-function peripherals. In addition, it is possible to set an optimum internal temperature for image formation at the time of startup in a low-temperature environment.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the fixing idling time and the time until the cooling fan is started are provided by the operator, the means can be arbitrarily set. It is possible for the user to adjust the optimal warm-up condition according to the factor.

According to the present invention, a means for judging a return factor for returning from a power saving state set for each of the plurality of functions to a normal energized state, and a fixing heater at the time of warm-up are provided. Means for changing the set temperature, means for controlling the warm-up time, and means for performing the warm-up control at the time of recovery in consideration of the set temperature of the fixing heater and the warm-up time at the time of the warm-up for each recovery factor. Since it is provided, the same effect as the invention of claim 5 can be obtained.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the means for allowing the operator to arbitrarily set the set temperature of the fixing heater at the time of warm-up is provided, the same effect as the sixth aspect of the invention can be obtained. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a main control unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a warm-up process performed by a main control unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a timer interrupt process;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating another processing procedure of the warm-up processing executed by the main control unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a timer interrupt process in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram illustrating a temperature rise characteristic in an image forming unit.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating still another processing procedure of the warm-up processing executed by the main control unit.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a timer interrupt process in FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 operation part 102 scanner part 103 plotter part 104 main control part 105 fax control part 106 line control part 107 power saving control part 108 main PSU 109 sub-PSU 110 main switch

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A digital device having a plurality of functions including a copy function and a facsimile function, and having a power saving mode in which only a part of circuits is always energized and a normal energized state is restored when the functions are used. In the multifunction peripheral, means for determining a return factor for returning from the power saving state set for each of the plurality of functions to the normal energized state; and power saving in accordance with the return factor determined by the determining means. Means for controlling a waiting time until the state returns to the normal energized state. 2. The digital multi-function peripheral according to claim 1, further comprising means for setting a waiting time controlled by said control means on a user side. 3. The digital multi-function peripheral according to claim 2, wherein the waiting time set by said setting means is stored in a nonvolatile RAM. 4. The digital multi-function peripheral according to claim 1, wherein the return factor includes an operation of turning on a main switch and an operation of receiving a fax. 5. A digital device having a plurality of functions including a copy function and a facsimile function, and having a power saving mode in which only a part of the circuits is always energized and returns to a normal energized state when the functions are used. In the multifunction peripheral, a means for determining a return factor for returning from the power saving state set for each of the plurality of functions to the normal energized state, and a fixing temperature previously set after the fixing heater reaches the set temperature. Means for controlling the fixing idling time to be maintained, means for controlling the time until the internal cooling fan is started, and return in consideration of the fixing idling time and the time until the internal cooling fan is started for each return factor. Means for performing warm-up control at the time of operation. 6. The digital multi-function peripheral according to claim 5, further comprising means for allowing an operator to arbitrarily set the fixing idling time and the time until the cooling fan is started. 7. A digital device having a plurality of functions including a copy function and a facsimile function, and having a power saving mode in which only a part of the circuits are always energized and a normal energized state is restored when the functions are used. In the multifunction peripheral, a means for determining a return factor for returning from the power saving state set for each of the plurality of functions to a normal energized state; a means for changing a set temperature of the fixing heater at the time of warm-up; Means for controlling an up time, and means for performing a warm-up control at the time of recovery in consideration of a set temperature of the fixing heater at the time of the warm-up and a warm-up time for each recovery factor. Multifunction machine. 8. The digital multi-function peripheral according to claim 7, further comprising means for allowing an operator to arbitrarily set a set temperature of the fixing heater during the warm-up.