JPH11146103A - Composite device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To promote saving of energy by independently controlling power supply with respect to each processing means of a composite device so as to prevent the consumption of unnecessary power. SOLUTION: According to the operation state, the waiting state, the sleeping state and the disconnecting state of the composite device consisting of respective processing means such as an operation part 10, a display part 11, a hard disk HDD 12, a laser printer engine 13, a scanner 17, facsimile equipment 19, a control means 20 individually controls power supply from a power source circuit 30 to the respective processing means. In addition each of the means 10 to 19 is independently provided with a weekly timer function, an auto-sleep function and auto-power function and each set time, period, etc., are stored in RAM 23 of the means 20. Thereby, a user sets the operating state of each processing means and a prescribed period and time by the operating part 10 and respectively and independently supplies power to each processing means to prevent power from being supplied meaninglessly.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a printer engine, a fax machine, a network interface,
A multifunction peripheral having at least two processing units (first processing unit and second processing unit) among a formatter and a scanner, particularly those which suitably function a weekly timer function, an auto sleep function, an auto power off function, and the like. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, for example, a multifunction machine which can be used as a copier, a printer, and a facsimile machine by connecting a fax machine, a network interface, a formatter, and the like to a digital copier has been developed. Etc. are used. In order to reduce power consumption when the MFP is not in use, if the MFP is not used for a predetermined period of time, an auto sleep function for automatically reducing power supply or automatically shutting off power supply is provided. An auto power-off function and a weekly timer function for turning on and off the power of the multifunction peripheral according to the time are provided because the office is busy depending on the time of day, month, day, time and the like when used in the office.

[0003]

In general, the frequency of use of printers and copiers is high on weekdays and almost zero on holidays, whereas the use frequency of fax machines is high on weekdays and holidays. However, although the number is small, the reception is moderate, and each processing means (printer engine, fax machine, network interface,
Formatter, scanner, etc.). However, in the conventional MFP, the weekly timer function can be set only for the entire MFP. Therefore, even when it is a holiday, the MFP can be operated (standby state) or can be operated immediately (sleep state).
Power is always supplied to processing means that is not frequently used (for example, a printer engine).

In a conventional multifunction peripheral, even the sleep function and the auto power off function can be set only for the entire multifunction peripheral. Therefore, even if a processing unit having a fast rise time is provided, wasteful power consumption is caused by increasing (setting) the elapsed time until sleep or auto power-off according to the processing means having a slow rise time. Will be. Conversely, if the elapsed time is set in accordance with the processing means having a fast rise time, frequent auto sleep or auto power off will be performed, the number of times of return will increase, the starting power will be consumed drastically, and the usability will be poor.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to prevent useless power consumption and promote energy saving by performing independent power supply control for each processing means of a multifunction peripheral.

[0006]

The above object can be attained by the following constitution.

(1) In a multifunction peripheral having at least two processing means (first processing means, second processing means) among a printer engine, a fax machine, a network interface, a formatter, and a scanner, a weekly timer function and / or To make the auto sleep function and / or the auto power off function work,
Setting means for setting a predetermined time and / or a predetermined time independently for the first processing means and the second processing means, and the first processing based on the setting by the setting means. And a control unit for independently controlling the state of power supply to the second processing unit.

(2) When an execution instruction for operating the processing means in which the power supply state by the control means is in a cut-off state is received, a storage means for storing the execution instruction is provided (1). The multifunction peripheral according to the above.

[0009]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an entire configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It will be described based on. The multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment includes processing units such as an operation unit 10, a display unit 11, a hard disk (hereinafter abbreviated as HDD) 12, a laser printer engine 13, an inkjet printer engine 14, a formatter 15, a sorter 16, a scanner, and the like. 17, a network interface (hereinafter abbreviated as a network I / F) 18, a facsimile device 19, and a control means 20 for individually controlling each of these processing means.

The operation unit 10 instructs various operations, for example, start of copying, fax transmission, etc., and various settings of the multifunction machine, for example, selection of density when copying, paper size selection, and sorter collation. Input means is provided as setting means for setting a weekly timer function, an auto sleep function, and an auto power off function, which will be described later, as well as setting the manner. Display 1
Reference numeral 1 denotes a display unit that displays various set values, the state of each processing unit, and the like. The display unit 11 may be configured by a touch panel or the like, and may be integrated with the operation unit 10. HDD1
Numeral 2 is storage means for storing the execution instruction when the execution instruction for operating the processing means is received.

The laser printer engine 13 is a printer engine for forming an image by an electrophotographic system, and the ink jet printer engine 14 is a printer engine for forming an image by an ink jet system. The formatter 15 is a local area network (hereinafter abbreviated as LAN) via a network I / F 18 described later.
This is means for expanding command data transmitted from a computer (not shown) into image data via an external device. The expanded data is transferred to the laser printer engine 13 or the inkjet printer engine 14 to form an image. The sorter 16 is a unit for collating sheets on which images have been formed by the laser printer engine 13. The scanner 17 is means for converting image information of a document into an electric signal (image signal).
An image is formed by the laser printer engine 13 or the ink jet printer engine 14, or transmitted to another computer via the network I / F 18 or to another fax device via the fax device 19.

The network I / F 18 is a means for connecting the multifunction peripheral to a LAN and communicating with other computers and peripheral devices via the LAN. Fax machine 19
Is directly connected to a telephone line, and exchanges information with another fax machine connected to the telephone line by a predetermined procedure. That is, it is means for transmitting an encoded signal on a telephone line or receiving and decoding an encoded signal transmitted from the telephone line.

The control means 20 is a means for controlling each of the processing means indicated by numerals 10 to 19 and a power supply circuit 30 to be described later. The control means 20 is provided so as to be capable of bidirectional communication with each of the processing means 10 to 19.
Processing means 10 to 19 are driven (power is supplied from the power supply circuit 30) on the basis of a control signal from the printer, and copy, printout, image reading, facsimile transmission, facsimile reception, data transmission and reception via the LAN, and the like are performed. Done.

The control means 20 comprises a central processing unit (hereinafter abbreviated as CPU) 21, a read-only memory (hereinafter abbreviated as ROM) 22 storing various programs executed by the control means 20, and a CPU 21 comprising a program. , A random access memory (hereinafter abbreviated as RAM) 23 and a timer 24 serving as a time measuring means (having a calendar function) for measuring the time such as day, month, day, and time.

The power supply circuit 30 converts an alternating current (AC) power input from a power plug 40 into a direct current (DC),
The voltage is converted into a voltage (high voltage or low voltage) required by each of the processing units 10 to 19 and the control unit 20 and power is supplied to each of the processing units 10 to 19 and the control unit 20 (in FIG. 1, the power supply line is doubled). (Represented by a line). This power supply circuit 30
Based on the control signal from the control means 20, each processing means 1
A switch is provided on a power supply line to each of the processing units 10 to 19 so that the supply state of the power to the units 0 to 19 can be controlled independently. As an example of the switch means, a switch 31 provided on a line for supplying power to the inkjet printer engine 14 is shown in a broken line frame. The switch 31 switches between a state in which power can be supplied to the inkjet printer engine 14 and a cutoff state based on a control signal from the control unit 20.

The power supply to the laser printer engine 13 requires a high DC or AC voltage for charging, development, transfer, and the like. Further, a switching means is provided in the boosting circuit for boosting the voltage so that the supply state and the cutoff state are established by switching the switching means. This cutoff state includes a sleep state of the laser printer engine 13.

The power supply circuit 30 always supplies power to at least the control means 20 (further, in this embodiment, the operation unit 10 and the display unit 11) with a main switch (not shown) turned on. It is configured.

Here, each processing means 1 by the control means 20
Control of the state of supply of power to 0 to 19 will be described.
As described above, the control unit 20 outputs the control signal to the power supply circuit 30 and each of the processing units 10 to 19,
The power supply state from 0 is controlled independently for each of the processing units 10 to 19. This controlled power supply state is:
It takes one of the following four states.

The first is an operation state in which the processing means supplies power for performing an operation based on the execution instruction.
In this state, the processing unit is driven (operated) based on an execution command from the control unit 20, and thus consumes the most power. For example, a laser printer engine 1
3 is a power supply state when image formation is actually performed.

The second is a standby state in which power can be supplied so that processing means required for execution based on an execution instruction can be immediately operated. In this state, although the processing unit is not actually driven, it can be immediately driven (operated) based on an execution command from the control unit 20, and consumes less power than the operation state. . For example, the laser printer engine 13 is in a standby state (ready state) so that an image can be formed immediately at any time, that is, power is supplied to a fixing unit or the like. Is supplied to the heat source in order to maintain the temperature at which the image can be fixed).

The third state is a sleep state in which processing means necessary for execution based on the execution instruction are supplied with power capable of shifting to the standby state. In this state, it is not possible to drive (operate) immediately based on the execution command from the control means 20.
This is a state in which driving based on an execution command can be performed after temporarily shifting to the standby state, and power consumption is lower than in the standby state. For example, the laser printer engine 13 does not supply electric power to the fixing unit or the like as in the standby state, but immediately supplies necessary electric power based on an execution command (image forming command) from the control unit 20. It is in a state where it can be supplied.

The fourth is a cutoff state in which the supply of power is cut off. This state is a state in which the supply of power is cut off by the switch means of the power supply circuit 30 based on a control signal from the control means 20, and the processing means does not consume power at all. For example, no power is supplied to the laser printer engine 13. In addition,
When the supply of power is started from this state, the processing units are initialized.

Each processing means 10 to 19 by the control means 20
The control of the power supply state to the power supply is performed in any one of the above-described four states of the operation state, the standby state, the sleep state, and the cutoff state. Since they are different, they are actually any one of the above four states in any combination.

More specifically, the display unit 11 is controlled to one of an operating state (high-brightness display), a sleep state (low-brightness display), and a cutoff state. The HDD 12 is controlled to one of an operating state, a standby state, a sleep state, and a cutoff state. The laser printer engine 13 has one of an operation state (image formation), a standby state (stop of the photosensitive drum and the paper transport system), a sleep state (a large amount of power is not supplied to the fixing unit as described above), and a cutoff state. Controlled to one state. The inkjet printer engine 14
The state is controlled to one of an operation state (image formation), a standby state, a sleep state, and a cutoff state. Formatter 15
Is controlled to one of an operation state (data development), a standby state, and a cutoff state. Sorter 16 is controlled to one of an operating state (collating operation), a standby state (stop of the drive system), and a cutoff state. The scanner 17 is in an operating state (image reading), a standby state (stop of the driving system),
The state is controlled to one of the cutoff states. The network I / F 18 includes an operation state (data transfer), a standby state,
The state is controlled to one of the cutoff states. The fax device 19 is controlled to one of an operation state (fax transmission / reception), a standby state, and a cutoff state. However, the operation unit 10 is always in a standby state in which power is supplied as described above, and the control unit 20 determines whether the operation unit 10 is operated.
Is constantly monitoring.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the control means 20 outputs a control signal to the power supply circuit 30 and each of the processing means 10 to 19, and changes the power supply state from the power supply circuit 30 to each processing means. Since control is performed independently for each of the means 10 to 19, power is not supplied to the processing means in a meaningless manner, and unnecessary power is not consumed.

Further, the multifunction peripheral of this embodiment has a weekly timer function, an auto sleep function, and an auto power off function.

The weekly timer function includes a day of the week,
Set the time such as month, day, time, etc., and when the set time comes, set the operation (supply and cut off power)
This is the function to shift to. In the present embodiment, the setting of the time and the operation is performed independently from the operation unit 10 for each of the processing units 10 to 19. The set time and operation for each processing means are stored in the RAM 23 of the control means 20.
Then, when the time measured by the timer 24 matches the set time, the control unit 20 supplies power in a standby state to the processing unit in which the matched time is set, or
Perform cutoff.

The auto sleep function is a function for shifting to the sleep state after a predetermined time has elapsed from the end of the operation of the processing means (the standby state is entered when the operation is completed). In the present embodiment, the predetermined time is independently performed from the operation unit 10 for each of the processing units 10 to 19. The set predetermined time for each processing means is stored in the RAM 23 of the control means 20. Then, when the time measured by the timer 24 started after the operation of the processing unit is completed coincides with the set predetermined time, the control unit 20 shifts the power supply state of the processing unit to the sleep state. Let it.

The auto power-off function is provided after a predetermined period of time has passed since the operation of the processing means is completed (it enters a standby state when the operation is completed) (may be through a sleep state).
This is a function to shift to the cutoff state. In the present embodiment, the predetermined time is independently performed from the operation unit 10 for each of the processing units 10 to 19. The set predetermined time for each processing means is stored in the RAM 23 of the control means 20. Then, when the time measured by the timer 24 started after the operation of the processing unit is completed matches the set predetermined time, the control unit 20 shifts the power supply state of the processing unit to the cutoff state. Let it. In the present embodiment, the predetermined time set by the auto power-off function is set to a time after the operation of the processing unit is ended. However, the predetermined time may be set to a time after shifting to the sleep state.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the user sets (inputs) a predetermined time or a predetermined time from the operation unit 10 for each of the processing units 10 to 19, and this input is made. Based on the setting (specifically, by reading from the RAM 23 in which the set value is stored), the control unit 20 controls the electrode supply state of each of the processing units 10 to 19,
A weekly timer function, an auto sleep function, and an auto power off function can be made to function for each processing means, so that unnecessary power consumption can be prevented and energy saving can be promoted.

In the present embodiment, the user makes settings from the operation unit 10, but the settings may be made from a computer or the like connected to the LAN. Further, the predetermined time and the predetermined time can be arbitrarily set by the user. Therefore, the weekly timer function, the auto sleep function, and the auto power off function can be finely functioned in accordance with the use situation of the user (office), and further energy saving can be promoted.

In order to set the processing means in the cut-off state by the weekly timer function or the automatic power-off function or the processing means in the sleep state by the automatic sleep function to the standby state or the operating state, the operating unit 10 Based on the operation of the provided operation button (not shown),
The control means 20 controls. Further, in the present embodiment,
Even if a processing means necessary to execute the execution instruction when a certain execution instruction is issued is in a shut-off state by the weekly timer function or the auto power-off function or in a sleep state by the auto sleep function, the control means 20
Analyzes the execution instruction and shifts necessary processing means to a standby state or an operation state.

Table 1 shows specific examples of these settings.

[0034]

[Table 1]

The table 1 will be described by taking the laser printer engine 13 as an example. A weekly timer function for shifting to a standby state on Monday and a shutoff state on Saturday, and the image forming operation of the laser printer engine 13 is completed. An auto sleep function that shifts to a sleep state 10 minutes after (operation state), and a signal for the next image formation does not come within two hours after the laser printer engine 13 completes the image formation operation (operation state). In this case, the automatic power-off function for shifting to the cutoff state is set to function.

Further, since the network I / F 18 does not set the set time, the sleep transition time and the auto power off transition time, none of the weekly timer function, the auto sleep function and the auto power off function are functioning. .

The "intermittent standby state" of the fax machine 19 is described as "intermittent standby state" during Saturday and Sunday at predetermined intervals (for example, several times a day, about four hours). If an execution instruction to use the fax device 19 is stored in the HDD 12 at that time, the operation is performed based on the execution instruction, and if there is no execution instruction, the operation shifts to the cutoff state. As described above, in the present embodiment, when the HDD 12 receives the execution instruction for operating the processing unit in the cutoff state, the HDD 12 is a storage unit that stores the execution instruction, so that the HDD 12 is Monday to Friday (weekday). Is in a cutoff state, and on Saturday and Sunday, it is in a standby state or a sleep state. Therefore, the network I / F1
When the fax machine 19 is in the cut-off state, this execution command is temporarily stored in the HDD 12, and the fax machine can be operated when the fax machine 19 is in the standby state. Further, a recent fax machine has a redial function (when a call is not connected to another party, attempts to transmit a fax again after a predetermined time), so that a predetermined interval may be set according to the redial function. Furthermore, in the case of fax machines having a function of setting the intermittent standby state, communication can be performed at a predetermined time, and energy saving can be achieved.

In this embodiment, the laser printer engine 13 and the ink jet printer engine 14 are provided as processing means for executing a printout execution command.
Is used to prioritize immediacy, and on Saturdays and Sundays, the inkjet printer 14 is used to save energy.
However, only one of these may be provided, and this may function as a weekly timer function similar to the laser printer engine 13 in Table 1. In this case, when the printout execution instruction is received, even if the processing unit for performing the printout is in the cutoff state, the execution instruction is transmitted to the HDD 1.
2, the printout may be performed after the processing unit for performing the printout enters a standby state. That is, faxes and the like transmitted on weekends and the like do not need to be printed out since there is no viewer, and can be temporarily stored in the HDD 12 and printed out on Mondays.

In the example of Table 1, the set times of the weekly timer function are the display unit 11, HDD 12, laser printer engine 13, inkjet printer engine 14, formatter 15, sorter 16, scanner 1
7. Each processing means of the fax machine 19 is Monday and Saturday, but can be set freely as described above.

[0040]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
An object of the present invention is to prevent a wasteful consumption of power and promote energy saving by making a weekly timer function, an auto sleep function, and an auto power off function function independently for each processing means of the multifunction peripheral. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a multifunction peripheral.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Operation part 11 Display part 12 Hard disk 13 Laser printer engine 14 Inkjet printer engine 15 Formatter 16 Sorter 17 Scanner 18 Network interface 19 Fax device 20 Control means 21 CPU 22 ROM 23 RAM 24 Timer 30 Power supply circuit

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI G06F 1/00 334G

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A printer engine, a facsimile device, a network interface, a formatter, and a scanner.
In the multifunction peripheral having the processing means), the first processing means and the second processing means are provided so that a weekly timer function and / or an auto sleep function and / or an auto power off function are functioned. A setting unit for setting a predetermined time and / or a predetermined time independently of each other; and a power supply state to the first processing unit and the second processing unit based on the setting by the setting unit. And a control means for controlling each independently. 2. A storage unit for storing an execution instruction when the control unit receives an execution instruction for operating a processing unit in a state where power supply is cut off. 2. The multifunction peripheral according to 1.