JP2001111742A - Image forming apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) An image forming apparatus having a separable image reading unit and an image recording unit, and supplying power for operating the image reading unit from the image recording unit. Compatibility with the image recording unit is increased at low cost. SOLUTION: After power is turned on, information on a power supply system of an interface of a reader unit (A side) is transmitted to a printer unit via a data bus 301. If the power supply system is the same as the power supply system of the printer unit (B side), a normal power consumption mode is set. Drives the leader unit. If they are not the same, information on the capacity that can be supplied by the power supply system from the printer side is transmitted to the reader unit via the data bus 301 to the reader unit, and the current consumption of the power supply system on the reader side is reduced by the capacity that the power supply system on the printer side can supply. If it exceeds, the reader unit is driven in the low power consumption mode.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power supply structure in which an image reading section (reader section) and an image recording section (printer section) are separable (exchangeable) and supplied from the image recording section to the image reading section. And an image forming apparatus having the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus in which a reader unit and a printer unit are separable (replaceable), the reader unit is supplied with power from the printer unit via an interface connected to the printer unit. Has been adopted.

The specifications of the power supply included in this interface are as follows. The power supply is mainly performed by a single power supply system like a power supply line 303 shown in FIG. 1A, and a reader unit (A side shown in FIG. 3) 1 and a configuration for transmitting necessary systems, such as a control power supply line 302 and a power supply line 303 shown in FIG. 1 (b).

[0004]

However, since such a configuration is adopted, when a user considers replacement of either the printer unit or the reader unit due to a situation such as an increase in performance, FIG. As shown in b), the power system becomes inconsistent, and the required power is
Side) and cannot operate normally because the model is limited and cannot satisfy the user's request, or the replacement of both the reader and the printer has to be replaced, which imposes an extra burden on the user. It could be. Or, in order to completely meet the demand, a large development cost is required.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the printer (B side) that supplies power has a plurality of power systems (control power line 302 and power power line 303), and a reader (A side) that receives power. ) Is a single power supply system (power supply line 303), the combination can be made by simply adjusting the interface to the printer side. However, in general, a single power supply is received and the power supply is converted. The current consumption of the system that produces multiple power supplies (in this case, the reader side) has multiple systems (the printer side)
It may be larger than the capacity on the supply side, leading to the operation of the protection circuit or the protection element, and the predetermined performance may not be exhibited.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is not limited to the regular combinations shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), but also as shown in FIG. 2 (a). It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus having an abundant product lineup for a user and a control method thereof with high compatibility, high compatibility and low development cost.

[0007]

The image forming apparatus and the control method thereof according to the present invention are configured as follows.

(1) In an image forming apparatus having a separable image reading section and an image recording section and supplying power for operating the image reading section from the image recording section, the image reading section includes at least the image reading section. The printing unit has one power supply system for receiving power supply from the recording unit, the printing unit has a power supply system for supplying power to at least one image reading unit, and the image reading unit has the image reading unit. Information transmitting means for transmitting the power supply information of the image recording unit, and information receiving means for receiving the transmitted power supply information to the image reading unit, and according to the received power supply information. A control unit for controlling the image reading unit to change power consumption.

(2) In the image forming apparatus of (1), the image recording section is provided with storage means for storing power supply information of the image recording section.

(3) In the image forming apparatus of (1) or (2), the number of power supply systems of the image reading unit is equal to or less than the number of power supply systems of the image recording unit.

(4) In any one of the image forming apparatuses (1) to (3), the power supply information includes information on a power supply capacity that can be supplied to the image reading unit.

(5) A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: a separable image reading unit and an image recording unit, wherein power for operating the image reading unit is supplied from the image recording unit. A power supply system for receiving power supply from at least the image recording unit in the unit, and a power supply system for supplying power to at least one image reading unit in the printing unit; The power supply information of the image recording unit is transmitted to the image reading unit by the information transmission unit to the image reading unit, the transmitted power supply information is transmitted to the image reading unit by the information receiving unit, and the received power supply is received. The power consumption of the image reading unit is controlled to be changed according to the supply information.

[0013]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1A shows a configuration in which power is supplied by a single power supply system, and FIG. It shows a configuration in which power supply is divided into multiple power supply systems,
Each is the same power supply system (regular combination).

In FIG. 1, arrow A indicates a reader unit (image reading unit), and arrow B indicates a printer unit (image recording unit).
And has a separable (exchangeable) configuration.

Reference numeral 118 denotes a CCD, and image data which has been photoelectrically converted in the CCD 118 and appropriately subjected to analog amplification and A / D conversion is sent to a reader controller 120 (hereinafter abbreviated as R-con) via a line 121. R-con 12
0, the received image data is subjected to shading correction,
Send to 1. Also, the CCD 1 generated in the R-con 120
Various timing pulses for driving 18 are sent to the CCD 118 via the line 122.

Further, a stepping motor 123 is connected to the R-con 120, and the scanner unit moves forward / backward by the forward / reverse rotation of the stepping motor 123 under the control of the R-con 120, so that the scanner unit moves on the platen glass. Originals can be scanned.

The controller 201 is a unit that comprehensively controls the printer unit and the reader unit, and exchanges various control data with the R-con 120 via the data bus 301.

A user interface unit 205 (hereinafter abbreviated as Ui) comprises a display unit such as a key and an LCD, and sends key input information to the controller 201, receives display data output from the controller 201, and displays the display data. Display is performed according to.

A low-voltage power supply unit 203 (hereinafter abbreviated as LVT) receives an AC voltage from a commercial power supply (not shown) and generates a low-voltage power supply according to an instruction from the controller 201. As a low-voltage power supply, a control power supply (3.3 V or the like) for supplying power to a control unit such as a CPU or a power supply (24 V or the like) for driving a motor or a solenoid is generated.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the control power is converted by a DC / DC converter 305 provided in the reader unit via a power power line 303 and supplied to the R-con 120 by the control power line 302. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1B, the R
0 and to necessary units in the printer unit (not shown). Power power is supplied to the R-con 120 via the power power supply line 303 and also to necessary units in the printer unit (not shown).

The image data received from the R-con 120 is subjected to image processing such as scaling, edge emphasis, and binarization in the controller 201, and then to a line (image data bus) 2.
, And is sent to the printer controller 202 (hereinafter abbreviated as P-controller) via the PC 07. A P-con 202 is a unit that controls a paper feed system of the printer unit and controls a charging system necessary for image formation. The P-con 202 exchanges various control data with the controller 201 via the control data bus 208.

The image data received via the line 207 is added with various timings necessary for printing and output to the line 207.

Reference numeral 151 denotes an exposure control unit.
A laser (not shown) emits light with a predetermined light amount in accordance with image data and a timing signal received through the, and irradiates the photoreceptor to form a latent image on the photoreceptor.

The external interface 304 is an interface for communicating with a device other than the image forming apparatus, for example, a personal computer.
1 connected.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.
The configuration is such that the reader section of FIG. 1A and the printer section of FIG. 1B are connected. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the image forming apparatus having the above structure, the data bus 301 transmits information (power supply information) of capacity (power) that can be supplied by the power supply system from the controller 201 of the printer unit to the reader unit, and its transmission. Information receiving means for receiving information on the capacity that can be supplied by the supplied power supply system.

The controller 201 constitutes control means for controlling the power consumption of the reader unit to be changed in accordance with the information on the capacity that can be supplied by the power supply system received by the reader unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the power setting processing operation (power setting sequence) according to this embodiment.
This operation is performed based on a program stored in the ROM in the controller 201, based on the CPU in the controller 201.
It is executed according to the instruction.

First, after the power is turned on, information on the power supply system of the reader unit interface is transmitted to the printer (S1).
01). Then, it is determined whether the power supply system of the interface of the reader unit is the same as the power supply system of the printer (S102). If they are the same (the configuration of FIGS. 1A and 1B), the driving of the reader unit is set to the normal power consumption mode (S103).

If they are not the same (the configuration of FIG. 2A), information on the capacity that can be supplied by the power supply system of the printer unit is transmitted to the reader unit (S104), and the capacity of the power supply system supplied by the printer unit is transmitted. And the current consumed by the power supply system of the reader unit is compared (S105). If the capacity of the printer unit is large, the reader drive is set to the normal power consumption mode (S106). If the current consumption of the reader unit is large, the reader drive is set to the low power consumption mode (S107).

As a result, it is possible to drive the reader unit even when the power supply system shown in FIG.

Here, an image forming apparatus having the above-described control configuration will be described.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of an image processing apparatus (image forming apparatus) of a copying apparatus suitable for the present invention. 1 and 2 having the same functions as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described using the same reference numerals. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 100 denotes an image processing apparatus, which includes a reader unit 110 as a separable (replaceable) image reading unit and a printer unit 150 as an image recording unit.

The reader unit 110 includes the document feeder 14
0, platen glass 111, scanner lamp 112,
Scanner unit 113, mirrors 114, 115, 1
16, a lens 117, and a CCD image sensor unit (hereinafter, referred to as a CCD) 118.

The printer unit 150 includes an exposure control unit 151,
Photoreceptor 152, developing unit 153, recording paper (transfer paper) loading units 154, 155, transfer unit 156, fixing unit 157, paper discharge unit 158, transport direction switching member 159, recording paper (transfer paper) loading for re-feeding A unit 160 and a sorter 170 are provided.

The operation of the image processing apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 4 will be described.

A plurality of originals stacked on the original feeding device 140 of the reader unit 110 are sequentially conveyed one by one onto the original platen glass 111. When the document is conveyed to a predetermined position on the platen glass 111, the lamp 112 of the scanner unit is turned on, the scanner unit 113 moves, and the document is irradiated by the lamp 112. The reflected light of the original is transmitted through mirrors 114, 115, 116 and lens 117 to C
It is input to the CD 118. The reflected light of the document irradiated on the CCD 118 is photoelectrically converted and output as an image signal.

The image signal output from the CCD 118 is sent to the printer unit 150, where the image signal is appropriately processed (not shown), and then sent to the exposure control unit 151. Exposure controller 1
The light signal is converted into a modulated optical signal at 51, and this optical signal irradiates the photoconductor 152 to form a latent image on the photoconductor 152. Then, the latent image formed on the photoconductor 152 is developed by the developing device 153.

The recording paper stacking unit 154 or the recording paper stacking unit 155 is adjusted in timing with the developed image tip.
The recording paper is further conveyed, and the developed image is transferred to the recording paper in the transfer unit 156.

The image transferred to the recording paper is fixed on the recording paper by a fixing unit 157, and then discharged outside the apparatus from a paper discharge unit 158. The recording paper discharged from the paper discharge unit 158 is
When the sort function is working in the sorter 170, it is discharged to each bin 172 and the like, and when the sort function is not working, it is discharged to the top bin 171 of the sorter 170.

Next, a case in which sequentially read images are output on both sides of one recording sheet will be described.

After the recording paper on which the image is fixed by the fixing unit 157 is once conveyed to the paper discharge unit 158, the conveyance direction of the recording paper is reversed, and the recording paper for re-feeding is loaded via the conveyance direction switching member 159. It is transported to the unit 160. Then, when the next original is prepared, the original image is read in the same manner as in the above-described process, but the recording paper is fed from the re-feeding recording paper stacking unit 160. Two original images can be output on the front and back sides.

Hereinafter, the main components described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described in detail.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the structure of the R-con 120 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 124 denotes a leader unit 110.
Is a CPU that controls the operation of the local data bus 1
The setting and operation timing of the pulse generator (pulse generator) 125 and the initial image processor 126 are given via 30. In addition, information is exchanged with the controller 201 via the data bus 301.

The CPU 124 further includes a motor control signal line 1
33, controlling the stepping motor 123 via the motor driver 128;

The motor driver 128 drives the stepping motor 123 by the motor drive line 134 according to the motor clock signal indicating the rotation speed of the stepping motor included in the motor control signal, the rotation direction signal, and the drive enable signal. The power supplied from the power supply line 303 is used to drive the stepping motor 123.

The pulse generator 125 receives a clock signal from the oscillator 127, generates a CCD timing signal in accordance with the setting by the CPU 124, outputs the CCD timing signal to the CCD 118 via the line 122, drives the CCD 118, and simultaneously outputs the CCD timing signal. CCD11
8 generates an image clock synchronized with the image data sent via the line 121 and outputs it to the initial image processing unit 126 via the line 132. The speed of the image clock signal can be selectively switched by the CPU 124 while maintaining the correlation with the CCD timing signal.

The initial image processor 126 performs shading processing on the image data 121 sent from the CCD 118 and sends out the image data 121 to the image transfer bus 300 in synchronization with the image clock signal from the pulse generator 125. Data bus 30
1 is directly connected to the initial image processor 126 to transfer a critical timing signal related to the image data.

In this configuration, since the operation clock signal of the CPU 124 and the image clock signal do not need to be synchronized, they can be arbitrarily selected from each other even in a state where they are synchronized.

FIG. 6 shows a Ui (operation unit) 20 shown in FIGS.
5 is a plan view showing the configuration of FIG. As shown in the figure, the operation unit 205 includes various keys and a display unit 205a composed of a dot matrix composed of a liquid crystal display device.

The display unit 205a displays the state of the image processing apparatus,
The number of copies, magnification, selection paper, and various operation mode screens are displayed, and are operated by various control keys described later.

A start key 205b is a key for starting a copy operation. A return (reset) key 205c is used to return (reset) the setting mode to the standard state. 205d is a key group for inputting the number of copies, zoom magnification, and the like.
And a clear key for clearing the input.

Reference numerals 205e and 205f denote density adjustment keys for increasing / decreasing the density. The state of the density adjusted by the density adjustment keys 205e and 205f is displayed on a bar scale density display section 205g. Reference numeral 205h denotes a key for turning on / off the automatic density adjustment function and a display unit thereof.

Reference numeral 205i denotes a key for selecting a paper feed stage and an automatic paper selection mode, and the selected state is displayed on the display unit 205a. 205j, 205k, 205l
Are keys for setting a fixed reduction mode, a normal magnification mode, and an enlargement mode, respectively. 205 m is a key for setting the auto zoom mode, and the setting state is displayed on the display unit 20.
5a is displayed.

FIG. 7 shows the controller 201 shown in FIGS.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG. In FIG.
Is a CPU, which performs overall control based on a program in the ROM 702. The RAM 703 is also used for storing a work area of the CPU 701 and an image read by the reader unit 110.

Reference numeral 713 denotes a serial communication interface (SCi) through which the CP
U701 transmits and receives information to and from the aforementioned R-con 120, LVT 203 and P-con 202. Reference numeral 710 denotes a PCI / F interface, such as Vicentro, which receives print data from a personal computer,
Or notify the computer of the status of.

Reference numeral 709 denotes a compression / decompression unit for compressing and decompressing image data at high speed. It supports formats such as JBIG and MMR. Reference numeral 708 denotes an interface unit (NIC) with a network such as 10 base,
The CPU 701 receives print data from a computer on the network, and notifies the computer of the status of the image processing apparatus 100.

A fax unit 707 includes a modem and a line processing circuit. Communication data (hereinafter abbreviated as PSTN) of image data compressed in a predetermined format
To send and receive via. Reference numeral 712 denotes an interface unit with the aforementioned Ui 205 and includes an LCD controller. The CPU 701 transmits the display data to U
i205 and key input data.

Reference numeral 720 denotes an image processing unit,
The image data is received from the reader unit 110 via an image processing unit 0, subjected to image processing (described later), and then output to the video input I / F unit 705. The video input I / F unit 705 converts the timing and stores the data in the RAM 703.
On the other hand, the image data stored in the RAM 703 is converted in timing by the video output I / F unit 706, and is subjected to image processing (described later) by the image processing unit 720.
07 to the P-con 202.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing section 720 shown in FIG. The video input I / F unit 705 converts the 8-bit image data into 8-bit b data as it is.
And the following image processing is performed.

A scaling unit 1304 performs scaling processing for enlargement and reduction,
A filter 1303 performs filter processing, and a log conversion / γ compensation unit 1302 performs log conversion according to the characteristics of the printer or the like.
Binarization is performed by a binarization unit 1301 using an algorithm such as error diffusion to reduce the information amount.

600d from video output I / F section 706
The pi image data is pseudo-converted into 2400 dpi data by the smoothing unit 1305.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the P-con 202 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the figure, reference numeral 801 denotes a CPU for mechanically controlling the printer unit.
The control is performed according to the program stored in Step 2. 803
Is a RAM used by the CPU 801. Reference numeral 804 denotes an input / output port, through which various sensors 806 are connected through CPs.
It is read into U801.

The various sensors 806 include, for example, a paper sensor for detecting the presence or absence of transfer paper. Reference numeral 804 denotes an output of the output port, which is connected to a driver 805, where the output is converted into a required drive voltage and connected to various loads 807. The various loads 807 include a fixing heater, a motor for feeding paper, a clutch, a solenoid, and the like.

Reference numeral 809 denotes a real communication interface (SCi) through which the CPU
801 transmits and receives information to and from the controller 201 described above.

A temperature sensor 808 for detecting the temperature of the fixing unit 157 is connected to an A / D input of the CPU
Reference numeral 801 controls the fixing heater according to the temperature detected here.

An image processing unit 810 transfers the image data sent from the controller 201 to the exposure control unit 151 at the same timing in the main scanning direction.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the LVT 203 shown in FIGS. In the figure, 901 is L
It is a one-chip CPU including a ROM and a RAM for controlling the operation of the VT. The CPU 901 exchanges information with the controller 201 via the line 204.

The commercial power supply 907 is smoothed by a smoothing circuit 902, and its output is supplied to a DC / DC converter section 903 to 903.
906 (hereinafter abbreviated as CNV (1) to (4), respectively)
Connected to.

The CNV (1) 903 operates at all times and generates a control power supply (A) (3.3 V). This 3.
3V is supplied to the CPU 901.

CNV (2) 904 is a control power source (B)
(3.3V). This power supply can be turned on / off by the CPU 901.

The CNV (3) 905 is a power supply (24
V). This power supply can be turned on / off by the CPU 901.

The CNV (4) 906 creates a power supply (two variable). The power supply can be turned on / off by the CPU 901, and the output voltage can be set, and the power supply to the reader unit 110 can be changed. Also, CN
A current limiter circuit is provided in V (4) 906,
The CPU 901 can also set a current value for applying a limit.

As described above, in the present embodiment, compatibility can be improved by changing the control of the reader according to the power supply specification of the printer to be connected. An image forming apparatus having a lineup can be provided.

[0077]

As described above, according to the present invention,
An image forming apparatus having a separable image reading unit and an image recording unit, and supplying power for operating the image reading unit from the image recording unit, wherein power is supplied to the image reading unit from at least the image recording unit. And a power supply system for supplying power to at least one of the image reading units in the printing unit, and the image recording unit includes a power supply system for supplying power to the image reading unit. The image reading unit further includes information transmitting means for transmitting power supply information of the unit, and the image reading unit includes information receiving means for receiving the transmitted power supply information, and the image reading unit consumes power in accordance with the received power supply information. Equipped with control means for controlling power to be changed, it is possible to improve compatibility, and abundant lineup for users at low development cost There is an effect that it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a power setting processing operation according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus suitable for the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an R-container in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the configuration of the user interface shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the controller shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing unit in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the P-con of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the LVT shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Image processing apparatus (image forming apparatus) 110 Leader section 120 Reader controller (R-con) 123 Stepping motor 150 Printer section 151 Exposure control section 201 Controller (control means) 202 Printer controller (P-con) 203 Low-voltage power supply unit (LVT) 300 Image transfer bus 301 Data bus (information transmitting means, information receiving means) 302 Control power supply line 303 Power supply line 305 DC / DC converter 902 Smoothing circuit 903 to 906 DC / DC converter section

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Satoru Sugano 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. Inside (72) Inventor Takeharu Uchizono 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Masahiro Kurahashi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hiroaki Takeda 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term within Canon Inc. AB33 AB46 AB49 AD06 AE14 AF00

Claims (5)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus, comprising: a separable image reading unit and an image recording unit, wherein power for operating the image reading unit is supplied from the image recording unit; The printing unit has one power supply system for receiving power supply from the image recording unit, the printing unit has at least one power supply system for supplying power to the image reading unit, and the image recording unit has the power reading system. An information transmitting unit that transmits power supply information of the image recording unit to the unit; and an information receiving unit that receives the transmitted power supply information to the image reading unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the power consumption of the image reading unit to change. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording unit includes a storage unit for storing power supply information of the image recording unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of power supply systems of the image reading unit is equal to or less than the number of power supply systems of the image recording unit. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power supply information includes information on a power supply capacity that can be supplied to the image reading unit. 5. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: a separable image reading unit and an image recording unit, wherein power for operating the image reading unit is supplied from the image recording unit.
The image reading unit is provided with at least one power supply system for receiving power supply from the image recording unit, and the printing unit is provided with a power supply system for supplying power to at least one image reading unit. Transmitting the power supply information of the image recording unit to the image reading unit by the information transmitting unit to the image reading unit, receiving the power supply information transmitted to the image reading unit by the information receiving unit, A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising controlling to change power consumption of the image reading unit according to received power supply information.