JP5847494B2 - Image forming apparatus, power supply control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that communicates with an external apparatus via a network, a power supply control method, and a program.

  In recent years, attention to the environment has been increasing year by year, and the installation of technology for energy saving has become important in any device. Various devices are equipped with various energy saving modes suitable for use by the user.

For example, in an image forming apparatus, for example, a so-called suspend method in which an unnecessary power supply unit is disconnected by performing self-refresh while energizing a main memory so that a print instruction from a network can always be received during standby. There are energy saving states.
In this case, when there is a print instruction from the network, the image forming apparatus is in an energy saving mode in which the image forming apparatus immediately shifts to the state before shifting to the energy saving mode stored in the main memory and can immediately execute the printing process.

On the other hand, there is also known a remote operation method in which all the functions of the image forming apparatus cannot be used, and the power is turned on from the external network next time while the power consumption is reduced to the maximum by almost turning it off. This method is also an energy saving state.
As for the power-on method by remote operation, a technology for starting up to a standby state in which all functions of the apparatus can be used has been established.
In such a background, in a power-on system by remote operation, a technique is known in which a signal from the remote operation is received by an auxiliary power source and the apparatus is turned on (see Patent Document 1).

JP 10-243043 A

An object of the present invention is to Switching between whether to perform a first power supply to the communication unit or the second communication means for communicating with external devices properly.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.
An image forming apparatus capable of communicating with an external device via a network, a CPU, and a first communication unit that executes communication with the external device when the image forming apparatus is in a first power mode; A second communication unit configured to perform communication with the external device when the image forming apparatus is in the second power mode; and a power control unit. The CPU, the first communication unit, and the second The communication means and the power supply control means are connected via a bus bridge, and the power supply control means supplies power to the second communication means when the image forming apparatus operates in the first power mode. Power is supplied to the CPU and the first communication unit without supplying the power, and the power control unit is configured to supply the CPU and the first communication unit when the image forming apparatus operates in the second power mode. Do not supply power to Power is supplied to the second communication unit, and the image forming apparatus starts from the second power mode when the second communication unit receives an instruction to shift to the first power mode. It shifts to said 1st electric power mode, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

According to the present invention, whether to perform the first power supply to the communication unit or the second communication means for communicating with external apparatus can appropriately switch Rukoto.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a control unit of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a power supply unit of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the controller control part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the power supply system of the controller control part shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an operation unit illustrated in FIG. 2. 3 is a flowchart for controlling the image forming apparatus. 3 is a flowchart for controlling the image forming apparatus.

Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Description of system configuration>
[First Embodiment]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. This example shows an example of an image forming apparatus having a print function, a scanner function, a copy function, a data communication function, and the like, but can also be applied to a printing apparatus that executes a print function. The image forming apparatus shown in this example includes a first communication unit and a second communication unit corresponding to the power saving mode as communication units for communicating with an external device via a network. It will be described later.
In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus main body including an image reader 200 and a printer unit 300, a folding device 500, and a finisher 600. The document feeder 100 is mounted on the upper part of the image reader 200, and the inserter 700 is mounted on the upper part of the finisher 600.

  The document conveying device 100 feeds documents set on the document tray 105 one by one from the first page in order, and conveys them onto the document table glass 205 through a curved path. As a method for the image reader 200 to read a one-sided document, the document is read by conveying and stopping the trailing edge of the document to a reading position R1 on the document table glass 205 and moving the scanner unit 206 from left to right. A document fixed reading mode is provided. Further, as a method for the image reader 200 to read a single-sided original, there is an original flow reading mode in which the original is conveyed to the reading position R1 at a certain reading speed and the original is read while the scanner unit 206 is fixed at the reading position R1. Thereafter, in any reading mode, the read original is discharged to the paper discharge tray 106.

  Further, as a method of reading the double-sided original by the image reader 200, there is a method of reading the front side by the scanner unit 206 and reading the back side by using the optical unit 110 disposed in the original conveying apparatus 100. Detailed description will be given later. An image sensor, a light source, and the like (not shown) are arranged in the optical unit 110.

  An image of the original read by the image sensor 208 via the lens 207 is sent to the exposure control unit 305 via the printer control unit 301. The exposure control unit 305 outputs laser light corresponding to the image signal. When this laser light is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 306, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 306. The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 306 is developed by the developing unit 307, and the developer on the photosensitive drum 306 is applied to the sheet fed from any of the cassettes 308 and 309, the manual sheet feeding unit 310, and the duplex conveyance path 311. Transferred by the transfer unit 312.

  When the sheet onto which the developer has been transferred by the transfer unit 312 is guided to the fixing unit 313, a fixing process for the developer is performed. The sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 313 is once guided from the path 315 to the path 314 by a flapper (not shown), and after the trailing end of the sheet has passed through the path 315, the sheet is switched back and guided from the path 316 to the discharge roller 317. . As a result, the surface onto which the developer has been transferred can be turned downward (face down) and discharged from the printer unit 300 by the discharge roller 317. This is called reverse paper discharge. Thus, by discharging face down, it is possible to form an image in the correct page order from the first page, such as when printing an image obtained by reading a plurality of documents using the document feeder 100.

  When an image is formed on the hard sheet such as an OHP sheet from the manual sheet feeding unit 310, the surface onto which the developer has been transferred is faced up (face-up) without being guided to the pass 315, and is discharged from the discharge roller 317. Discharge.

  In addition, when forming an image on both sides of a sheet, the sheet is guided from the fixing unit 313 to pass 315 and pass 314, the sheet is switched back immediately after the rear end of the sheet passes through the path 315, and is conveyed by a flapper (not shown). Guide to path 311. The electrostatic latent image is transferred again to the sheet guided to the duplex conveyance path 311 by the transfer unit 312 and subjected to fixing processing by the fixing unit 313.

  In this way, the transfer unit 312 can be transported even in a state where five half-size sheets such as A4 and B5 are included in a single pass that returns to the transfer unit 312 via the duplex transport path 311. The path length, roller arrangement, and drive system are divided. Note that the discharge page order by these processes is discharged so that the odd-numbered pages face down, so that the page order during double-sided copying can be matched.

The sheet discharged from the discharge roller 317 is sent to the folding device 500. The folding device 500 performs a process of folding the sheet into Z-folds. When the folding process is specified for the A3 size sheet or the B4 size sheet, the folding apparatus 500 performs the folding process, and then the sheet is sent to the finisher 600. The other size sheets are sent to the finisher 600 as they are. The finisher 600 performs bookbinding processing, binding processing, punching processing, and the like. In addition, an inserter 700 is provided on the upper portion of the finisher 600 and feeds a cover sheet, a slip sheet, and the like to the finisher 600.
The power supply unit 350 supplies power for the entire image forming apparatus. The controller control unit 400 communicates with the image reader 200, the printer unit 300 folding apparatus 500, and the finisher 600 to control the entire image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the control unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. In this example, a controller control unit 400 that controls the entire image forming apparatus is mainly configured.
In FIG. 2, the controller control unit 400 controls the document conveyance device control unit 101 that controls the document conveyance device 100 and the image reader 200 based on the setting of the operation unit 800 and instructions from the computer 453. Further, the controller control unit 400 communicates with the image reader control unit 201 to acquire input image data of the document.
The controller control unit 400 communicates with the printer control unit 301 that controls the printer unit 300 to print image data on a sheet. The controller control unit 400 communicates with the folding device control unit 501 that controls the folding device 500 and the finisher control unit 601 that controls the finisher 600, and realizes a desired output such as stapling or punching on the printed sheet. .

  The external network 451 is an interface connected to the computer 453 via the network 452, and for example, print data from the computer 453 is developed into an image and output. The external network 451 transmits image data in a hard disk 407 (hereinafter referred to as HDD), which will be described later, to the computer 453 via the network 452.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the power supply unit 350 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
In FIG. 3, a power supply unit 350 generates DC power from a commercial (AC) power supply 351 and supplies power to each control unit. The power supply unit 350 of the present embodiment includes an energy saving power source 352 that supplies power to the controller control unit in the energy saving mode. Further, the power supply unit 350 includes a controller control unit 400, a document conveyance device control unit 101, an image reader control unit 201, a printer control unit 301, a folding device control unit 501, a finisher control unit 601, and a control unit in the operation unit 800. A main power supply 353 is provided to supply power to a CPU, RAM, and the like that control the control. Furthermore, the power supply unit 350 includes a drive system power supply 354 that supplies power to a motor, a solenoid, a fixing unit 313 necessary for image formation, and the like of each control unit.

  Here, the main power supply 353 and the drive system power supply 354 have a relay 356 so that the power supply in the energy saving mode can be cut off, and can be controlled ON / OFF by the power supply control unit 410 in the controller control unit 400. It is configured as follows.

  The main switch (main SW) 355 is configured such that the switch can be switched even by electricity by driving a solenoid (not shown) inside the main switch from the power supply control unit 410 in the controller control unit 400 of the present embodiment. It is also possible to monitor whether the main switch 355 is in an ON state or an OFF state by the power supply control unit 410.

The energy-saving power switch 357 is a switch that causes all image forming apparatuses to be in a power-off state. When the energy-saving power switch 357 is turned off, the state is the same as a state in which the commercial (AC) power supply 351 is not applied.
The energy saving power switch 357 is for cutting off the energy saving power source 352. When the power-on state of the image forming apparatus is all set to OFF without making the energy saving mode, the power control unit 410 is set in advance from the operation unit 800. Turns off the energy-saving power switch 357. Further, the energy saving power switch 357 is also a mechanical switch, and is configured such that the user can intentionally shift all the power states to the OFF state regardless of the state (standby, energy saving state) of the image forming apparatus. ing.
When the power supply state of the image forming apparatus is turned off, the energy saving power switch 357 is turned on in conjunction with the main switch 355 being turned on by the user.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the controller control unit 400 shown in FIG. Note that the controller control unit 400 shown in the present example includes a first power saving mode in which power is supplied to a first communication unit that communicates with the external device via the network 452 in a state in which an image forming operation is performed. Furthermore, the controller control unit 400 includes a second power saving mode in which power is supplied to a second communication unit that communicates with an external device (computer 453) via the network 452 in a state where no image forming operation is performed. Here, various communication protocols can be used for communication with the computer 453, and for example, UDP, TCP / IP, or the like can be used. In particular, in the state of shifting to the second power saving mode, it is possible to receive an instruction packet (wakeup command) for returning from the power saving mode from the computer 453 using UDP (User Datagram Protocol). It is configured. In this embodiment, the instruction to shift to the second power saving mode is a power saving mode switching instruction received from the computer 453 as an external device. This switching instruction is instructed by the instruction packet.
In the present embodiment, the first power saving mode has a higher power consumption level than the second power saving mode.
In FIG. 4, the CPU 401 of the controller control unit 400 comprehensively controls each unit under the control of an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS). The bus bridge 404 is connected to a ROM 402 that stores an initial startup program for the CPU 401 and a RAM 403 that temporarily stores control data for the CPU 401 and is used as a work area for operations associated with the control.
The HDD 407 stores a main program including the OS of the CPU 401. It is also used for image data acquired by the user and for saving when an image is edited with the operation unit 800 described later.
An operation unit control unit 406 that controls the operation unit 800 is connected to the bus bridge 404.

A network control unit 405 that communicates with the external network 451 and an external reception module 408 that receives an instruction to turn on the power of the image forming apparatus from the external network 451 according to the present exemplary embodiment. Here, the network control unit 405 functions as a first communication unit.
The network control unit 405 and the external reception module 408 are switched by the external I / F switching unit 412 according to the state of the energy saving mode between the suspend method of this embodiment and the power-on method by remote operation, and are connected to the external network 451. .
The network control unit 405 performs main network control of the image forming apparatus. For example, the network control unit 405 communicates with the external network 451 using a plurality of communication protocols represented by DHCP, TCP, ARP, and the like.

  On the other hand, the external receiving module 408 has only a function of receiving an instruction for powering on the image forming apparatus from the external network 451. The external receiving module 408 employs, for example, a UDP (User Datagram Protocol) protocol. The external receiving module 408 uses UDP to hold the minimum necessary MAC address, server IP, local IP, gateway address, and the like in the address storage unit 413 and receive the fixed IP. The external receiving module 408 is used as a second communication unit, and receives a packet corresponding to a wakeup command from the computer 453 in the second power saving mode applied to the power-on method by history operation.

  The address storage unit 413 can be read from the external reception module 408 and read / written from the CPU 401. When the image forming apparatus is in a standby state, its own fixed address can be set from an operation unit 800 described later.

  The CPU 401 performs communication between the device control units 409 via the bus bridge 404. The device control unit 409 is connected to the document conveying device control unit 101, the image reader control unit 201, the printer control unit 301, the folding device control unit 501, and the finisher control unit 601, and performs control.

  The power control unit 410 controls the power of the entire image forming apparatus, detects the state of the main switch 355, or controls the relay 356 that shifts to the energy saving mode, and shifts / returns to the energy saving mode. Controls the power supply of the entire forming apparatus.

  The controller control unit 400 includes a power saving mode return factor detection unit 411 that detects a return factor from the suspend type power saving mode. When the image forming apparatus is in the suspend mode power saving mode, the power saving mode return factor detection unit 411 notifies the power control mode 410 of the power saving mode return factor detection unit 411 from the suspend mode power saving mode to the standby state. Return. Specifically, when the energy saving key 804 of the operation unit 800 is pressed or a print job is input from the external network 451, the power saving mode return factor detection unit 411 notifies the power control unit 410 to save the suspend method. Return from power mode to standby mode.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a power supply system of the controller control unit 400 shown in FIG.
In FIG. 5, the external I / F switching unit 412 and the power control unit 410 always supply power from the energy saving power source 352.

  Further, the address storage unit 413 is configured to be energized in the energy-saving mode of the power-on method by remote operation according to the present embodiment, and energized as necessary when the image forming apparatus is in a standby state. When the setting of the power-on IP address or the like by remote operation is changed by the user, the CPU 401 energizes the disconnect switch 414 via the power control unit 410 and writes necessary information in the address storage unit 413.

  In order to realize the energy saving mode of the suspend method and the power-on method by remote operation from the energy saving power source 352 in this embodiment, the mode switching selector 450 is set from the power supply control unit 410 when transitioning to each state.

  In the suspend mode energy saving mode, the mode switching selector 450 is switched so that the RAM 403, the network control unit 405, and the power saving mode return factor detection unit 411 are powered on. The power in this case is executing self-refresh in the RAM 403, and the network control unit 405 is also waiting in a state where it can receive wake-up packet (wake-up packet) instructions of various image forming apparatuses.

In the case of the power-on method by remote operation, the mode switch selector 450 and the disconnect switch 414 are switched so that only the power of the external receiving module 408 and the address storage unit 413 is turned on. The power in this case is configured so that the external reception module 408 can stand by in a state where it can receive a specific wake-up packet. Therefore, the power-on method by remote operation is smaller than the energy-saving mode of the suspend method.

In addition, the CPU 401, the ROM 402, the bus bridge 404, the operation unit control unit 406, the HDD 407, and the device control unit 409 are always supplied with power from the main power supply 353. In the energy saving mode, the relay 356 in the power supply unit 350 is disconnected. you.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the configuration of the operation unit 800 shown in FIG.
In FIG. 6, the LCD display unit 900 has a touch panel sheet pasted on the LCD, displays a system operation screen, and transmits the position information to the controller control unit 400 when a displayed key is pressed. A numeric keypad 801 is used to input numbers such as the number of copies. A start key 802 is used to start a copying operation and a document reading operation after setting user-desired conditions. A stop key 803 is used to stop an operation in operation. The energy saving key 804 is used by the user to shift to and return to the suspend mode power saving mode.

Reference numeral 805 denotes a guide key. When the key is not understood, an explanation of the key is displayed. A copy mode key 806 is pressed when copying. Reference numeral 807 denotes a fax key which is pressed to make settings related to fax. A file key 808 is pressed to output file data. Reference numeral 809 denotes a printer key, which is used to make settings relating to print output from an external device such as a computer.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for controlling the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. This example is a processing example for transitioning to an energy saving state. Each step is realized by the CPU 401 loading a control program stored in the ROM 402 and HDD 407 into the RAM 403 and executing it. Hereinafter, the power supply control based on the power saving mode state transition instruction according to the present embodiment will be described.

  When the image forming apparatus is in the standby state, all of the energy saving power switch 357, the main switch 355, and the relay 356 are all in the ON state. The mode switching selector 450 is energized to the RAM 403, the network control unit 405, and the power saving mode return factor detection unit 411. The external receiving module 408 is not energized.

  First, the CPU 401 waits for an instruction whether or not to shift to the energy saving state (S101). For example, when the user presses the energy saving key 804 in the operation unit 800 and instructs to shift to the power saving mode state, the CPU 401 starts preparation for shifting to the power saving state. Alternatively, when the state in which the image forming apparatus is not used for a certain period of time continues or when an instruction to shift to the energy saving mode of the image forming apparatus from the external network 451 is received, the CPU 401 starts preparations for shifting to the power saving state.

  Note that the setting of which energy saving mode to shift to by the user is stored in the ROM 402. For example, in the case of supporting both the power saving mode of the suspend method and the energy saving mode of the power-on method by remote operation, the power saving mode is switched depending on conditions.

  In addition, when the user presses the energy saving key 804 in the operation unit 800 to instruct to enter the power saving mode state, the user enters the suspend mode power saving mode, and the shutdown instruction enters the power on mode state by remote operation. Combinations such as transition can be freely set.

  Next, the CPU 401 determines whether or not the energy saving state transition instruction is a transition to the suspend type power saving mode (S102). If the CPU 401 determines that the instruction is to shift to the suspend mode power saving mode, the process advances to step S103. Then, the CPU 401 creates, as a memory image, the CPU status, the status of the connected electronic device, and the operating status of the OS and applications in the RAM 403 (S103). This data structure is generally a memory area managed by the OS, and includes save areas for system memory and video memory.

When the storage of the memory image is completed in this way, the CPU 401 disconnects the relay 356 via the power control unit 410 (S104), the RAM 403 executes self-refresh, and shifts to the suspend type power saving mode ( S105).
On the other hand, when the CPU 401 determines in S102 that the energy saving state transition instruction is not a transition to the suspend method power saving mode, the CPU 401 determines whether the energy saving state transition instruction is a transition to the power-on method by remote operation (S106). ).

  Here, when the CPU 401 determines that the transition to the power-on method by remote operation is made, the CPU 401 notifies the power control unit 410 that the power is switched on by remote operation, and disconnects the relay 356 (S107). The power control unit 410 switches the mode switching selector 450 so that the external reception module 408 is energized. At the same time, the power control unit 410 turns on the disconnect switch 414 so that the address storage unit 413 is energized. (S108).

Then, power is turned on to the external reception module 408 and the address storage unit 413, and the external reception module 408 acquires a necessary address from the address storage unit 413, and instructs to turn on the image forming apparatus from the external network 451. It will be in the standby state.
Next, the power control unit 410 turns off the main switch 355 for the next return processing (S109), and shifts to a power-on energy saving state by remote operation (S110).

On the other hand, if the CPU 401 determines in S106 that it is not a shift to the power-on method by remote operation, a shutdown process for turning off all the power of the image forming apparatus is executed.
Specifically, the CPU 401 turns off the main switch 355 and the energy-saving power switch 357 via the power control unit 410 (S111), and shifts all to the OFF state (S112).
According to the present embodiment, when it is determined that the instruction is a state transition instruction to the first power saving mode, power supply to the external reception module 408 is limited, and the network control unit 405 is supplied with power. Further, when it is determined that the instruction is a state transition instruction to the second power saving mode, power supply to the network control unit 405 is restricted and power is supplied to the external reception module 408. Thereby, appropriate power saving control can be realized in an environment in which the first power saving mode and the second power saving mode coexist.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for controlling the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. This example is a processing example of returning by a power-on method by remote operation. Each step is realized by the CPU 401 loading a control program stored in the ROM 402 and HDD 407 into the RAM 403 and executing it. Hereinafter, the power supply control based on the power saving mode state transition instruction according to the present embodiment will be described. Currently, the image forming apparatus is in an energy saving state by a power-on method by remote control.
First, the power control unit 410 is here, or the power control unit 410 is pressed by the user to press the main switch 355 (S201), or the external reception module 408 instructs the image forming apparatus to power on from the external network 451. (S202) is waited for.
Here, when the power supply control unit 410 determines that there is an instruction to turn on the image forming apparatus from the external network 451, the external reception module 408 turns on the main switch 355 via the power supply control unit 410 (S203). ).

Next, the power supply control unit 410 turns on the relay 356 and switches the mode switching selector 450 to a state where the RAM 403, the network control unit 405, and the power saving mode return factor detection unit 411 are energized (S204). At the same time, the power control unit 410 turns off the disconnect switch 414 and disconnects the address storage unit 413 (S205). Then, the CPU 401 executes a startup process (S206), and the image forming apparatus returns to the standby state (S207).
Note that the return from the suspend mode power saving mode (not shown) is restored when the power saving mode return factor detection unit 411 detects the return factor and the power supply control unit 410 turns on the relay 356.
According to the present embodiment, power saving control with a higher power saving effect can be performed in an environment in which the first power saving mode and the second power saving mode coexist.

  Note that, in accordance with the gist of the present invention, a series of processes obtained by combining some of the steps shown in each flowchart are also included in the process of the present invention.

  The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. To be executed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

  Although various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will not limit the spirit and scope of the present invention to the specific description in the present specification.

  Each process of the present invention can also be realized by executing software (program) acquired via a network or various storage media by a processing device (CPU, processor) such as a personal computer (computer).

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

350 Power supply unit 352 Energy saving power supply 400 Power supply control unit

Claims (2)

An image forming apparatus capable of communicating with an external device via a network,
CPU,
First communication means for performing communication with the external device when the image forming apparatus is in a first power mode;
Second communication means for executing communication with the external device when the image forming apparatus is in the second power mode;
Power control means,
The CPU, the first communication means, the second communication means, and the power control means are connected via a bus bridge,
The power control unit supplies power to the CPU and the first communication unit without supplying power to the second communication unit when the image forming apparatus operates in the first power mode.
The power control unit supplies power to the second communication unit without supplying power to the CPU and the first communication unit when the image forming apparatus operates in the second power mode.
The image forming apparatus shifts from the second power mode to the first power mode when the second communication unit receives an instruction to shift to the first power mode. Image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus shifts from the first power mode to the second power mode when the first communication unit receives an instruction to shift to the second power mode. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

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