KR20020060531A - Method for power saving of Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A power saving method of an image forming device is provided to allow a system to recognize an operation requested at a power saving mode and perform the operation, so that a user does not need to operate an additional switch to start the system, and to return to the power saving mode again after performing the operation. CONSTITUTION: If a printing or scanning operation requesting signal is received from a PC(Personal Computer)(S1), whether a current mode is a power saving mode is detected(S2). If so, the power saving mode is notified to the PC(S3-1), and whether a power saving mode releasing signal is received from the PC is monitored(S3-2). If received, the system is turned to a normal mode(S3-3). If a mode is turned to the normal mode, the controller processes the requested operation(S3-4). If the operation is completed, the system is returned to the power saving mode(S4). If the current mode is a normal mode in the S2 step, the requested operation is promptly processed(S5-1). An if the operation is completed(S5-2), the normal mode is maintained.

Description

Power saving method of image forming device {Method for power saving of Image forming device}

The present invention relates to a control method of an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a power saving method for reducing power consumption of an image forming apparatus.

In general, printers or image forming apparatuses such as facsimile machines, copiers, scanners, and combination printers in which they are combined to provide power to some parts of the system when a power saving switch is provided to reduce power consumption or when a job request signal is not detected for a certain period of time. It is configured to block.

In the image forming apparatus having a power saving function as described above, a system in which a power switch is attached may be used to artificially enter a power saving mode using a switch. In addition, in the case of a system that cuts off the power supply to a part of the system, the controller checks the time to enter the power saving mode.

However, when the power switch is used to enter the power saving mode, it is cumbersome to operate the switch again to use the system.

In addition, if the user automatically enters the power saving mode after a certain period of time, when a work request occurs in the power saving mode, after performing the work, the user waits for a certain time and returns to the power saving mode. do.

An object of the present invention is to reduce the power consumed during the standby time to return to the power saving mode while the user can perform the operation command without a separate operation in order to solve the above problems in the power saving mode It is to provide a power saving method of the image forming apparatus that can be.

1 is a block diagram of a power saving image forming apparatus according to the present invention;

2 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of FIG.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

10: key input unit 10a, 10b: operation keys

20: mode switching unit 30: interface

30a: ECP port 30b: USB port

40: system memory 50: display unit

60: work performing unit 60a: printing unit

60b: scanning unit 70: control unit

The power saving method of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object is part of the system load if the operation request signal is not detected from the external device for a predetermined time in the normal mode to process the request operation when the operation request signal is transmitted from the external device A power saving method of an image forming apparatus which cuts or lowers power supplied to a power saving mode to perform a power saving mode, the method comprising: determining a current setting mode when a job request signal is received from an external device; If it is determined that the switch to the normal mode, and if the system is switched to the normal mode through the switching step includes the step of processing the requested task and the process of returning to the power saving mode with the completion of the processing of the request.

The step of switching to the normal mode includes the step of outputting the power saving mode set in the system to the external device requesting the work, and switching the system to the normal mode when the power saving mode release signal is transmitted from the external device.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram of a printer and scanner hybrid device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the printer and scanner composite image forming apparatus includes a key input unit 10, a mode switching unit 20, an interface 30, a memory 40, a display unit 50, a task performing unit 60, and a control unit. 70 is provided. The work execution section 60 includes a print section 60a and a scan section 60b.

The key input unit 10 generates a key signal according to the user's operation, and is provided with mode selection keys 10a and 10b so that the user can set one of the power saving mode and the normal mode.

The mode switching unit 20 supplies power to the system in a power saving mode or a printing or scanning state in which a power supply to a part of the system is lowered or cut off in response to the mode switching command output from the control unit 70. The mode is switched. For example, in the power saving mode, the heat generation temperature of the heat generating elements such as the fixing roller for fixing the toner image to the paper at a high temperature among the elements constituting the printing unit 60a is lower than the heat generation temperature required for printing or the power supply is cut off. To be possible.

The interface 30 handles the transmission and reception of data with a personal computer (PC). Preferably, the interface 30 is provided with an Enhanced Capability Port (ECP) 30a for bidirectional parallel communication with an external device and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port 30b for serial communication. do.

The memory 40 stores a program for operating the system.

The display unit 50 displays the state of the system and the content corresponding to the signal transmitted through the interface with the key input unit under the control of the control unit 70.

The print unit 60a is driven to print on the paper the print data transmitted from the PC by the printing command output from the control unit 70.

The scan unit 60b scans the mounted document or photo according to a scan signal output from the key input unit 10 or a scan control command transmitted from the PC and transmitted through the control unit 70.

The controller 70 controls the overall system in response to the signals transmitted through the key input unit 10 and the interface 30 according to the program contents recorded in the memory 40. In particular, when the power saving mode is selected through the key input unit 10, the mode switching unit 20 is controlled to perform the power saving mode of the system. When the operation request signal is transmitted from the PC through the interface 30 in the state where the system enters the power saving mode, the mode switching unit 20 is controlled so that the requested operation can be performed. That is, when a print job is requested from the PC in the power saving mode, the printer switches the mode to the normal mode so that the data transmitted from the PC can be printed on the paper by the printing unit 60a, and scans when the scan job is requested. The image data of the scanned document is processed so as to be transmitted to the PC through the unit 60b. When the processing for the requested job is completed in the power saving mode, the controller 70 outputs a power saving mode switching command to the mode switching unit 20 so as to return to the power saving mode again.

Looking at the power saving method of the printer and scanner hybrid device according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

First, when a printing or scanning job request signal is received from the PC through the interface 30 (S1), it is determined whether the current mode set is the power saving mode (S2). Thus, if the identified setting mode is the normal mode, the requested operation can be immediately processed (S5). If the determined setting mode is the power saving mode, the system returns to the normal mode to process the requested operation (S3) and immediately returns to the power saving mode (S4).

The step S3 of performing the requested operation when the set mode determined in the power saving mode is the power saving mode indicates that the current mode is the power saving mode (S3-1), and then the power saving mode cancel signal is transmitted from the PC. Monitor (S3-2). Therefore, when the power saving mode release signal is received, the system is switched to the normal mode (S3-3). In the mode switching operation, when the power saving mode release signal is received from the control unit 70 (S3-2), the system switches to the power saving mode by outputting a mode switching command control signal so that the mode switching unit 20 can switch to the normal mode in which the operation is possible. It can be switched to the normal mode at (S3-3).

Here, steps S3-1 and S3-2 may be omitted, and if it is determined that the power saving mode is determined in the mode determining step S2, the operation of the controller 70 may be programmed to immediately switch to the normal mode (S3-3). .

When the mode is switched to the normal mode (S3-3), the controller 70 processes the requested job from the PC (S3-4). That is, when the print request signal is received, the image processing corresponding to the print data received from the PC can be printed on the paper. If a scanning signal is input, the scanning unit 65 is controlled to perform scanning of the mounted document or photo so that the image data can be transmitted to the PC requesting a work.

When the processing of the requested job from the PC is completed as described above (S3-5), the system returns to the power saving mode (S4).

On the other hand, if it is determined in the non-power saving mode (normal mode) in the mode determination step (S2), immediately perform the request operation as described above in step S3-4 (S5-1). After that, if it is determined that the requested work is completed (S5-2), the next work is maintained in the normal mode.

As a result, when the user selects the power saving mode and the work request occurs while the system enters the power saving mode, the present invention switches to the workable mode and performs the requested operation. Will return to.

As described above, in the present invention, when the operation is requested in the power saving mode, the system recognizes the operation and can perform the requested operation. Therefore, the user does not need to operate a switch separately to start the system. Resuming from sleep mode significantly reduces power consumption compared to systems that are always on standby.

Claims (2)

When the work request signal is transmitted from an external device, if the work request signal is not detected from the external device for a certain time in the normal mode of processing the request work, the power saving mode is executed by cutting off or lowering the power supplied to a part of the system load. In the power saving method of the device, Determining a current setting mode when a work request signal is received from an external device; Switching to a normal mode when the setting mode is determined to be a power saving mode; Processing the requested task when the system is converted to the normal mode through the switching step; And And returning to the power saving mode upon completion of the processing of the request operation. The method of claim 1, The step of switching from the power saving mode to the normal mode may include: outputting a power saving mode set in a system to an external device requesting a work; And And switching the system to a normal mode when a power saving mode release signal is transmitted from the external device.