JPH1091044A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To judge whether a set time up to the interruption of a power source is good or not by informing an operator of the number of the interruption times of the power source in an image forming device provided with a power source interruption function. SOLUTION: When data is not inputted from an operation part, after a main switch is turned on and a device is used, a timer starts to count the nonuse state time of the device from the time when the data is not inputted. When the nonuse state time of the device becomes the set time or above stored in a nonvolatile RAM (S1), the number of automatic interruption times stored in the nonvolatile RAM is counted up by 'one' (S2) and then, the main switch is turned off to interrupt the power source (S3). Then, the number of the automatic interruption times of the power source is displayed on a display screen for setting a power source interruption time in a user program mode. Whether the set time up to the interruption of the power source is good or not is easily judged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, and more particularly, to a power supply cutoff control of the image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines,
If the device is not used for a certain period of time due to resource saving, if the fixing temperature is lowered or the load power is cut off,
There is known a device that realizes power saving. Further, there is also known a copying machine in which, when the apparatus is not used for a certain period of time, a switch of a main power supply is automatically cut off to completely eliminate power consumption (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-817).
No. 74). In general, in a system in which the main power supply is automatically shut off by itself when the apparatus is not used for a certain period of time, the operation is performed based on input conditions such as operation of an operation panel, termination of a copy operation, and detection of an operator by human body detection. A non-use state of the apparatus is detected, and when the non-use state continues for a predetermined time, the main power supply is cut off. The predetermined time is set (designated) in advance for each device, for example, 120 minutes, and the set time is fixedly used without being changed. According to this method, there is an advantage that the energy can be saved without the operator having to be conscious of switching off the main power supply when the apparatus is not used.

On the other hand, if the time for determining the non-use state of the apparatus (for example, 120 minutes) is set to be extremely short, for example, one minute or several minutes, the operability will be worsened. There is. For example, if the user wants to perform two jobs and leaves the apparatus during the execution of the first job, the first job has already been completed and the main power switch is shut off when returning to the apparatus. In some cases, the copy condition is cleared. Further, if a long time has passed since the main power switch was turned off, a rise time of the apparatus is required. Therefore, there is a problem that the usability is deteriorated.

[0004]

However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, it is not possible to determine the degree of power-off automatically during continuous use. There is no method for knowing whether or not the time is appropriate, and there is a problem in that there is no other way but to rely on the sense of the operator. For example, if the power is automatically cut off to a large extent and the time for determining the non-use state of the device is set to be long, wasteful power is consumed, and the set time is used. It is desirable to shorten
Conventionally, there has been a problem that such determination cannot be easily performed.

Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which the number of times of power-off is notified as information for judging whether the time until power-off is appropriate. A second object of the present invention is to determine whether or not the time until the power is turned off is determined as the number of times of turning on the power,
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which the number of power cutoffs is notified. A third object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that informs the degree of power shutdown as information for determining whether or not the time until power is shut off. A fourth object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which the number of times of power-on and the number of times of power-off are accurately notified when the setting of the time until power-off is changed. Is to do.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
After turning on the main power, in an image forming apparatus provided with a power shut-off means for shutting off the main power when the apparatus is not used for a predetermined time, a power shut-off for counting the number of times the power shut-off means shuts off the main power. The first object is achieved by providing a number-of-times counting means and a number-of-times-of-power-offs display means for displaying a count value of the number of times of power-off number counting means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, after the main power supply is turned on,
In a case where the apparatus is not used for a certain period of time, in an image forming apparatus provided with a power cutoff means for cutting off the main power, a power-on count means for counting the number of times the main power is turned on, and the power cutoff means By providing a power-off frequency counting means for counting the number of times the main power is turned off, a count value of the power-on frequency count means, and a display means for displaying a count value of the power-off frequency count means, Achieve the second objective.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, after the main power is turned on,
In a case where the apparatus is not used for a certain period of time, in an image forming apparatus provided with a power cutoff means for cutting off the main power, a power-on count means for counting the number of times the main power is turned on, and the power cutoff means Power supply cutoff number counting means for counting the number of times the main power supply is cut off, and display means for calculating and displaying a ratio of the count value of the power supply cutoff number counting means to the count value of the power supply count number counting means. Thereby, the third object is achieved.

According to the present invention, after the main power supply is turned on,
When the unused state of the apparatus has passed the set time set by the power-off time setting means, in the image forming apparatus including the power-off means for shutting off the main power, the main power is turned on. Power-on frequency counting means for counting the number of times, power-off frequency counting means for counting the number of times the power-off means has cut off the main power, and power-on time when the power-off time setting means changes the set time. The fourth object is achieved by providing initialization means for resetting the count values of the number-of-turns counting means and the number of power-off times counting means.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus has a main control unit 1 for controlling the entire apparatus.
The main control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12,
RAM (random access memory) 13, non-volatile R
AM14, serial interface 15, timer 16
Etc. are built-in.

A motor for driving the photosensitive member, various AC loads 30 such as a paper feed motor and a clutch in the paper feed unit 50 and the duplex unit 60, and various DC loads 31 are connected to the main control unit 10 as control objects. Have been. In addition, various sensors 40 such as a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the fixing roller are connected to the main control unit 10,
The detection signals of the various sensors 40 are input. Further, the main controller 10 has an automatic document feeder (AD) via a serial interface 15.
F) 80, a post-processing device 70 such as a sorter, and an operation unit 20 including a display and the like are connected.

As a power supply for this control system, a commercial power supply 90
This commercial power supply 90 is, as shown in FIG.
It is connected to a power supply unit (PSU) 92 via a main switch 91 of the apparatus main body. Power supply unit 92
Are configured to generate a constant voltage Vcc for a logic load, a constant voltage V _L for a light load, and a constant voltage V _H for a heavy load to be supplied to each unit when power is supplied from the commercial power supply 90.

Among the generated voltages, the constant voltage Vcc for logic load is supplied to each part of the main control unit 10 and various sensors, and the constant voltage _VL for light load is supplied to a display and the like via a relay 93. The heavy load constant voltage _VH is configured to be supplied to a motor, a clutch, a heater, and the like via a relay 94. Each switching contact of the relay 93 and the relay 94 is configured to open and close respective by driving the driver 95, by which its output is a light load for a constant voltage V _L and the heavy load constant voltage V _H is controlled It has become so.

The main switch 91 electrically connects or disconnects the commercial power supply 90 and the power supply unit 92.
A solenoid 96 that automatically opens the main switch 91 is connected to the main switch 91, and the solenoid 96 is configured to be driven by a driver 97. Accordingly, when the main switch 91 is manually connected and the main control unit 10 is operating and the suction output to the solenoid 96 is performed via the driver 97 in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 10, the main switch 9
1 is turned off, and the main switch 91 is turned off.
Thus, a light load for a constant voltage V _L, a heavy load constant voltage V _H
Not only stops, but also the supply of power to all loads is cut off. The main control unit 10 counts (counts) the time during which data is not input from the operation unit 20 by the timer 16, and, when the set time stored in the nonvolatile RAM 14 or more has elapsed, as shown in FIG. Then, the main switch 91 is opened to shut off the power.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the external configuration of the operation unit 20 according to this embodiment. The operation unit 20 includes hard keys such as numeric keys, and touch panel keys arranged on a liquid crystal display. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 20 includes a numeric keypad 21 for setting the number of copies and the like, a clear / stop key 22 for clearing the input number of copies and the like, and for temporarily stopping the copy operation. , A liquid crystal display screen 23 composed of a touch panel for displaying operation states and messages, a guidance key 24 for use in shifting to a mode for displaying descriptions of functions and operation methods, and registration and recall of frequently used settings. A program key 25 used for performing the operation is arranged.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a brightness adjustment knob 26 used to adjust the brightness of the liquid crystal display screen 23 is provided on the operation unit 20.
A mode clear / preheat key 27 used to make a setting to be brought into a preheat state when pressed continuously for a predetermined time or more, an interrupt key 28 used to interrupt during a copy operation and to copy another original, and a copy operation And a start key 29 used to instruct the start of the operation.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the liquid crystal display screen 23 of the operation unit 20. 3 is displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 23.
As shown in, a message area 231 for displaying a message such as "You can copy" or "Please wait" is displayed.
And a copy number display section 232 for displaying the number of sheets set in the upper row and the number of copies made in the lower row, an automatic density key 233 for automatically adjusting the image density, and an automatic paper selection key 234 for automatically selecting the transfer paper. And a paper designation scaling key 23 for automatically performing enlargement / reduction processing according to the transfer paper size.
5 are arranged.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal display screen 23 has a sort key 236 for designating a process of arranging copies one by one in a page order, and a stack key 237 for designating a process of sorting copies for each page. A staple key 238 for specifying a process of binding the sorted items one by one, a special document feed key 239, and a scaling key 2
40, a double-sided / page continuous shooting key 241, an erase / move key 242, and a cover / insert sheet key 243 are arranged. Various keys in the liquid crystal display screen 23 have a touch panel configuration, and the displayed item is input by touching the displayed screen with a finger or the like.

In this embodiment, in FIG. 2, after the mode clear / preheat key 27 is depressed, the clear / stop key 22 is depressed for three seconds or more to enter a user program mode in which the user can change a specific memory switch. It is configured to migrate. FIG. 4 shows the table of contents in the user program mode. In FIG. 4, when the end key 250 is pressed, the screen returns to the normal copy condition setting screen (FIG. 3). The number key 25
By pressing 1 to 255, the screen shifts to the corresponding function setting screen.

In FIG. 4, when the number key 251 is depressed, the screen shifts to a screen (FIG. 5) for setting the power-off time of the apparatus. FIG. 5 shows the current power-off time stored in the nonvolatile RAM 14, and the setting can be changed using the numeric keypad 21. Then, # key 2 on the screen of FIG.
The content of the nonvolatile RAM 14 is changed when the button 61 is pressed. Without pressing the # key 261, the contents key 26
When the user presses 2, the set time is not changed and the screen returns to the table of contents (FIG. 4).

Next, a first operation of the embodiment having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first operation, for example, the main switch 91
When data is no longer input from the operation unit 20 after the device is used after inputting the command, the timer 16 starts counting the time when the device is not in use from that time. Main control unit 10
Determines whether the time of the non-use state of the apparatus has passed the set time stored in the nonvolatile RAM 14 (step 1). As a result of this determination, when the non-use state time of the apparatus becomes equal to or longer than the set time (step 1; Y), the number of automatic shutdowns stored in the nonvolatile RAM 14 is counted up by “1” (step 2), and the main control The unit 10 outputs a drive signal to the driver 97 to operate the solenoid 96, and opens the main switch 91 as shown in FIG. 1 to shut off the power (step 3). Then, as shown in FIG. 6, an "automatic power-off frequency (automatic power-off frequency)" indicating the number of times the power is automatically turned off is displayed on a display screen for setting the power-off time in the user program mode.

Next, a second operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second operation, when the main switch 91 is turned on (when the power is turned on).
Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the number of power-on times stored in the nonvolatile RAM 14 is counted up by "1" (step 11). Next, the main control unit 10 determines whether or not the time of the non-use state of the device has passed the set time stored in the nonvolatile RAM 14 (Step 1).
2). As a result of this determination, when the non-use state time of the apparatus becomes longer than the set time (step 12; Y), the nonvolatile RAM 1
After incrementing the number of automatic cutoffs stored in No. 4 by “1” (step 13), the main control unit 10
Outputs a driving signal to the driver 97 to output the solenoid 96
Is operated to open the main switch 91 and cut off the power (step 14).

As shown in FIG. 9, the screen for setting the power-off time in the user program mode includes "automatic power-off times (automatic power-off times)" and "power-on frequency (power-on times)", respectively. indicate. Here, the display of the number of power-on times is a value obtained by subtracting “1” from the actual value of the nonvolatile RAM in order to display an accurate value.

Next, a third operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this third operation,
Similarly to the second operation, when the power is turned on, the nonvolatile RAM 14
The power-on count stored in is incremented by "1". Next, the non-use time of the device
When the time exceeds the set time stored in M14, the number of automatic shutoffs stored in the nonvolatile RAM 14 is counted up by "1", and the main switch 91 is opened to shut off the power. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, a screen for setting the power-off time in the user program mode is displayed.
Displays the ratio of the number of automatic power-off times to the number of power-on times. Here, the displayed value is obtained by the number of times of automatic power-off / (the number of times of power-on-1) × 100, and this calculation is performed by the main processing unit 10.

Next, a fourth operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this fourth operation,
As shown in FIG. 11, the main control unit 10 determines whether the setting of the power-off time has been changed (step 2).
1). When the setting of the power-off time is changed, the contents of “the number of times of automatic power-off” and “the number of times of power-on” stored in the nonvolatile RAM 14 are reset. Here, the initial value of the number of automatic power-offs is “0”, and the initial value of the number of power-ons is “1”. After that, the operation as shown in FIG. 8 is performed as described in the second operation.

As described above, in this embodiment, the number of times the power is turned on and the number of times the power is turned off are displayed to notify the operator, so that the operator can determine whether the time until the power is turned off is good or bad. Can be obtained. Therefore, in this embodiment, the operator can automatically determine whether or not the degree to which the power is cut off is large. For example, when the degree is large and the time until the power is cut off is set to be long. In this case, wasteful power is consumed, and the set time may be shortened, but the determination at that time becomes easy.

[0027]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the number of times the power is turned off is counted, and the result of the counting is notified by a display. Therefore, the operator can determine whether or not the time until the power is turned off is appropriate. It will be easier. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the number of times of turning on the power and the number of times of turning off of the power are counted, and the result of each count is notified by a display. It will be easier.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the number of times the power is turned on and the number of times the power is turned off are counted, the degree to which the power is turned off is obtained from these results, and the obtained degree is notified by display. This makes it easier for the operator to determine whether the time until the power is turned off is appropriate. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the setting of the time until the power is turned off is changed, the number of times the power is turned on and the number of times the power is turned off are accurately notified. Even afterwards, the operator can know the exact number of power-offs and power-ons.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a preferred embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an external configuration of an operation unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of an operation unit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display screen in a user program mode.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display screen for setting a power-off time of the apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a first operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example of a display screen in the first operation.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a second operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a display screen in the second operation.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a display screen in a third operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth operation of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 Main control unit 11 CPU 12 ROM 13 RAM 14 Non-volatile RAM 16 Timer 20 Operation unit 23 Display screen 90 Commercial power supply 91 Main switch 92 Power supply unit 93, 94 Relay 96 Solenoid

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a power supply shutoff unit for shutting off the main power supply when the apparatus is not used for a predetermined time after the main power supply is turned on. An image forming apparatus comprising: a power cutoff frequency counting means for counting the number of power cutoffs; and a power cutoff frequency display means for displaying a count value of the power cutoff frequency counting means. 2. An image forming apparatus provided with a power shutoff means for shutting off the main power when the apparatus is not used for a predetermined time after the main power is turned on, wherein a power source for counting the number of times the main power is turned on is provided. A power-on frequency counting means, a power-off frequency count means for counting the number of times the main power is interrupted by the power-off means, a count value of the power-on frequency count means, and a count value of the power-off frequency count means. An image forming apparatus comprising: display means for displaying. 3. An image forming apparatus provided with a power shutoff means for shutting off the main power when the apparatus is not used for a certain time after the main power is turned on, wherein the power source counts the number of times the main power is turned on. Power-on frequency counting means, power-off frequency counting means for counting the number of times the power-off means has cut off the main power, and a ratio of the count value of the power-off frequency counting means to the count value of the power-on frequency counting means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a display unit that calculates and displays the calculated value. 4. An image comprising a power supply shutoff means for shutting off the main power supply when an unused state of the apparatus has passed a set time set by the power supply cutoff time setting means after the main power supply is turned on. In the forming apparatus, power-on number counting means for counting the number of times the main power is turned on; power-off count means for counting the number of times the main power is turned off by the power-off means; and the power-off time setting means An image forming apparatus, comprising: an initialization unit that resets each count value of the power-on count unit and the power-off count unit when the set time is changed.