JPH0916027A - Drive controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To rapidly start processing and to reduce a load of a user by providing a means, etc., selecting a device optimally compromised according to a prescribed condition based on a calculated required time of work and energy consumption. CONSTITUTION: A drive controller 2 is provided with respective means such as mode setting, work input, efficiency calculation and device selection. First, the work data of the copy data executed by digital copying machines 3, 4 are inputted by the work input means having a key board 9 and a RAM 8. Then, the efficiency calculation means calculates the required time and the energy consumption from start to end of work of respective fixing devices 38, 57 of the digital copying machines 3, 4. Finally, the device selection means selects one of the digital copying machines 3, 4 based on the calculated required time and energy consumption. At this time, when an automatic transmission mode is set in by the mode setting means, the copying machine is selected automatically.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a drive control device for controlling a plurality of electrophotographic devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, electrophotographic devices such as copying machines and laser printers are in widespread use, and there are cases where a plurality of electrophotographic devices are installed in an office. For example, when a plurality of copiers are installed at one place, the user can perform the work on any of the copiers.

Although a general electrophotographic apparatus has a fixing device, this fixing device consumes a large amount of power because it generates high heat. Therefore, at present, there is an electrophotographic apparatus in which the energy consumption of the fixing device is reduced in the standby state to prevent unnecessary power consumption. In order to reduce the energy consumption of the fixing device as described above, there are a method of lowering the electric power supplied to the fixing device than usual and a method of completely stopping the power supply to the fixing device.

Since the fixing device requires a long time for warming up because it generates a high temperature, in the electrophotographic apparatus which reduces the energy consumption of the fixing device in the standby state as described above, it is necessary to start the work from the standby state. There is a drawback that the start-up time to reach increases.

[0005]

When a plurality of electrophotographic apparatuses are present at one place as described above, the user can perform work on any of the plurality of electrophotographic apparatuses. However, when the characteristics of a plurality of electrophotographic apparatuses are different, it is preferable to execute the work with the optimum one.

For example, when the reduction of power consumption is a problem at the site, it is necessary to consider the work contents and the characteristics of the electrophotographic apparatus and execute the work with the electrophotographic apparatus having the minimum power consumption. . Further, when the work is urgent, it is necessary to consider the work content and the characteristics of the electrophotographic apparatus and execute the work with the electrophotographic apparatus having the shortest required time. Furthermore, if the work is urgent and the power consumption cannot be ignored, it is necessary to consider the work content and the characteristics of the electrophotographic device and perform the work with the optimal electrophotographic device that can compromise the required time and power consumption. There is.

However, in the case where the electrophotographic apparatus is a system in which the energy consumption of the fixing device is reduced in the standby state, the required time is the sum of the warming time of the fixing device and the working time, and the power consumption is the warming power of the fixing device. And the working power.
That is, it is not possible to simply calculate the required time and the power consumption from the work contents, and at present, it is left to the user to make an appropriate judgment.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In the standby state, work input means for inputting work data of a plurality of electrophotographic devices for reducing energy consumption of the fixing device, and completion of work from warming of the fixing device in each of the plurality of electrophotographic devices according to the input work data. Efficiency calculation means for calculating the required time and energy consumption, and one of the electrophotography in which the required time and energy consumption are optimally compromised in accordance with conditions preset based on the calculated required time and energy consumption It has an apparatus selection means for selecting an apparatus and a work transmission means for transmitting work data to the selected electrophotographic apparatus.

The work data is data to be input when the work is executed by the electrophotographic apparatus, and is, for example, instruction data to be input to the operation panel of the copying machine,
It corresponds to print data transmitted from the host computer to the laser printer.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, there is provided a user setting means for selectively setting the processing target of the efficiency calculating means and the device selecting means to one of the required time and the energy consumption. It was

According to a third aspect of the present invention, work input means for inputting work data of a plurality of electrophotographic devices for reducing the energy consumption of the fixing device in a standby state, and a plurality of the electrophotographic devices according to the input work data. The efficiency calculation means for calculating the required time and energy consumption from the warming up of the fixing device to the completion of the work, the result display means for displaying the calculated required time and energy consumption, and the required time and energy consumption It has selection input means for inputting the displayed selection result of the electrophotographic apparatus, and work transmission means for transmitting work data to the selected electrophotographic apparatus.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the third aspect of the invention, there is provided a user setting means for selectively setting the processing target of the efficiency calculation means and the result display means to one of the required time and the energy consumption. It was

According to the invention of claim 5, claim 1 or 3
In the invention described above, the device display means for displaying the identification data of the electrophotographic device for transmitting the work data is provided.

The identification data is data that can identify the electrophotographic apparatus, and corresponds to, for example, serial numbers of a plurality of electrophotographic apparatuses or icons that can identify a plurality of electrophotographic apparatuses.

[0015]

According to the first aspect of the invention, when the work data of the plurality of electrophotographic devices for reducing the energy consumption of the fixing device in the standby state is input to the work input means, each of the plurality of electrophotographic devices follows the work data. The efficiency calculating means calculates the time required from the warming up of the fixing device to the completion of the work and the energy consumption. On the basis of the calculated required time and energy consumption, the apparatus selection means selects one electrophotographic apparatus in which the required time and energy consumption are optimally compromised according to preset conditions. The work transmission means transmits work data to the device. In other words, if you input the work data of the electrophotographic device to the work input means,
This work data is automatically transmitted to the electrophotographic device in which the required time and energy consumption are optimally compromised.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the user setting means selectively sets the required time and energy consumption to be processed by the efficiency calculation means and the device selection means, the user can set the required time and energy consumption. If one is selected, the other process is omitted.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the work data of a plurality of electrophotographic devices for reducing the energy consumption of the fixing device in the standby state is input to the work input means, each of the plurality of electrophotographic devices follows the work data. The efficiency calculating means calculates the time required from the warming up of the fixing device to the completion of the work and the energy consumption. Since the result display means displays the calculated required time and consumed energy, when the selection result of the electrophotographic apparatus displaying the required time and consumed energy is input to the selection input means, the selected electrophotographic apparatus is displayed. The work transmission means transmits work data. In other words, if the work data of the electrophotographic apparatus is input to the work input means, the required time and energy consumption of each of the electrophotographic apparatus are displayed. Therefore, if the user selects the electrophotographic apparatus as desired,
It is automatically transmitted to the electrophotographic device.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the user setting means selectively sets the processing time of the efficiency calculation means and the result display means to one of the required time and the energy consumption. If one is selected, the other process is omitted.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the device display means displays the identification data of the electrophotographic apparatus which transmits the work data, the user is notified of the electrophotographic apparatus which executes the work.

[0020]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the copying system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a centralized control unit 2 which is a drive control device and two digital copying machines 3 which are electrophotographic devices.
4 and these are connected to each other by a dedicated communication line 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, the central control unit 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 6, a ROM (Re
ad Only Memory) 7, RAM (Random Access Memory)
8, keyboard 9, display 10, I / F (Interfa
ce) 11), which are connected by a data bus 12.

As shown in FIG. 3, the keyboard 9 and the display 10 are integrated as an operation panel 13, and the operation panel 13 is combined with the operation panels 14 and 15 of the digital copying machines 3 and 4. It has a similar structure. That is, the keyboard 9 is the numeric keypad 16
The display 10 has a dot matrix LCD (Liquid Crystal).
Display) 18 and various warning lamps 19 are included.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first digital copying machine 3 includes a CPU 2 similar to the central control unit 2.
0, ROM 21, RAM 22, keyboard 23, display 24, I / F 25, and the like. In addition to these, the image reading unit 26 and the image printing unit 2 which is an electrophotographic apparatus.
7 and are connected by a data bus 28. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image reading section 26 has an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) 29 and a scanner section 30, and the image printing section 27 is
Paper transport mechanism 31, exposure device 32, OPC (Organic Photo
A conductive conductor unit 33, a charging device 34, a developing device 35, a transfer device 36, a cleaning device 37, and a fixing device 38.

The second digital copying machine 4 also has a CPU 39 to a fixing device 57. Since the digital copying machines 3 and 4 are formed in a power saving type on the entire surface,
As shown in FIG. 4, when the standby state exceeds the reference time “t”, the energization of the fixing devices 38 and 57 and the displays 24 and 43 is completely stopped to save the entire power. After warming up 57, the copying operation is started.

In the central control unit 2, as will be described later in detail, when various kinds of data are input and operated by the keyboard 9, the CPU 6 uses various kinds of data stored in the ROM 7 or the RAM 8 to store various data. Data processing of, for example, the display 10 or the I /
Various data are output to F11. The output data of the I / F 11 is transmitted to the desired I / F 25, 44 of the digital copying machine 3, 4 through the communication line 5, so that the CPU 20, 39 stores the data stored in the ROM 21, 40 or the like. The image reading units 26 and 45 are executed by executing various data processing using the storage areas of the RAMs 22 and 41.
And drive control of the image printing units 27 and 46.

The centralized control unit 2 which realizes the processing operation as described above has a mode setting means, a work input means, an efficiency calculation means, a device selection means, a result display means, a selection input means, a work transmission means, a device display means. , User setting means. The mode setting means has the keyboard 9 and the CPU 6 as hardware, and has an automatic selection mode for operating the device selection means and a manual selection mode for operating the result display means and selection input means. , The operation mode is set to be switchable. The work input means has the keyboard 9 and the RAM 8 as hardware, and inputs work data of a copying operation executed by the digital copying machines 3 and 4.

The efficiency calculating means has the CPU 6, the ROM 7, and the RAM 8 as hardware, and from the activation of the fixing devices 38 and 57 in each of the digital copying machines 3 and 4 according to the input work data. The time required to complete the work and the energy consumption are calculated. More specifically, an arithmetic expression for calculating the required time and energy consumption is preset in the ROM 7, and the RAM 8
In this, various parameters of the digital copying machines 3 and 4 are preset. When the work data of the digital copying machines 3 and 4 is inputted, the CPU 6 receives the RAM 8 from the RAM 8.
The corresponding parameters are read out from and are set in the arithmetic expression of the ROM 7 to calculate the required time and the energy consumption.

The device selecting means has the CPU 6 and the ROM 7 as hardware, and when the automatic transmission mode is set by the mode setting means, based on the calculated required time and energy consumption. One of the digital copying machines 3 and 4 is selected. As will be described in more detail later, an arithmetic expression for integrating the required time and the consumed energy to evaluate the digital copying machines 3 and 4 is preset in the ROM 7, and the CPU 6 is configured to operate the digital copying machine. When the required times and energy consumption of 3 and 4 are calculated, the optimum digital copying machines 3 and 4 are evaluated and selected by the arithmetic expression of the ROM 7.

The result display means has the CPU 6 and the display 10 as hardware, and when the manual transmission mode is set by the mode setting means, the calculated required time and energy consumption are displayed. It is displayed together with the identification symbols of the digital copying machines 3 and 4. The selection input means has the CPU 6 and the keyboard 9 as hardware, and inputs the selection result of the digital copying machines 3 and 4 displaying the required time and energy consumption.

The work transmission means has the I / F 11 as hardware, and the digital copying machine 3 selected by the device selection means or the selection input means.
4 to transmit the work data. The device display means has the CPU 6 and the display 10 as hardware, and displays the identification data of the digital copying machines 3 and 4 that transmit work data.

The user setting means has the keyboard 9 and the CPU 6 as hardware, and sets one of the integrated processing mode, the time processing mode and the energy processing mode as the operation mode. In the integrated processing mode, the processing targets of the efficiency calculation means, the device selection means, and the result display means are set to both the required time and the energy consumption as described above, but only the required time is set in the time processing mode. In the energy processing mode, only the consumed energy is set.

In such a construction, in the copying system 1 of the present embodiment, two digital copying machines 3 and 4 are arranged in parallel at one place, and these copy copying operations are carried out individually like the conventional copying machines. Can be run to. Since these digital copying machines 3 and 4 are of the power saving type on the whole surface, the energization of the fixing devices 38 and 57 is stopped in a standby state for a long time to save energy consumption, and when executing copying work, the fixing devices 38 and 57 are used. Warm up and then work. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the energy consumption and the required time are different in the warming-up of the fixing devices 38 and 57 and the copying operation, but these are different in the digital copying machines 3 and 4 of different models. .

That is, in the first digital copying machine 3, the consumed energy of warm air is low, but the consumed energy of copy is high, and the required time for warm air is long but the required time for copying is short. On the other hand, in the second digital copying machine 4, the consumed energy of warm air is high, but the consumed energy of copy is low, and the required time for warm air is short but the required time for copying is long. Therefore, when the number of copying is small, the energy consumption is low in the first digital copying machine 3 but the required time is short in the second digital copying machine 4. When there are many copies, the energy consumption of the second digital copying machine 4 is low, but
The time required for the first digital copying machine is short.

That is, in the copying system 1 of the present embodiment, the optimum digital copying machines 3 and 4 for the work are selected depending on which of the energy consumption and the required time is important, the number of the copied sheets is small or large. fluctuate. Therefore, by inputting the work data of the copying operation executed by the digital copying machines 3 and 4 to the central control unit 2, the optimum digital copying machines 3 and 4 can be selected by the central control unit 2.

The processing operation of the centralized control unit 2 will be described in detail below. First, when the digital copying machines 3 and 4 are connected to the central control unit 2, the parameters of these digital copying machines 3 and 4 are set in the central control unit 2. Such parameters can be set manually by the user using the keyboard 9 in the RAM 8 of the centralized control unit 2 after confirming the manuals of the digital copying machines 3 and 4. RAM8 by calling from digital copying machines 3 and 4 by 5
Can also be set to Such parameters include the time required for warming up the fixing devices 38 and 57, energy consumption, the maximum number of copies per minute, and the like.

Further, according to the user's request, one of the automatic selection mode and the manual selection mode is selectively initialized in the central control unit 2, and the integrated processing mode, the time processing mode and the energy processing mode are selected. One is selectively initialized. In the automatic selection mode, the optimum digital copying machines 3 and 4 are automatically selected, and in the manual selection mode, it is possible to manually select the digital copying machines 3 and 4 by checking the energy consumption and the required time. In the integrated processing mode, various types of processing are executed with both required time and energy consumption. In the time processing mode, only the required time is the processing target, and in the energy processing mode, only the consumed energy is the processing target.

Therefore, here, the processing operation in the state where the integrated processing mode is initialized is described in detail below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Since the centralized control unit 2 is on standby for an input operation of work data (step S1),
When the work data is input through the keyboard 9, the required time and energy consumption are calculated (steps S2 and S3).
At this time, the number of copies, the number of copies, the size, the magnification, the direction, and the like can be assumed as the work data for copying, but only the number is used to calculate the required time and the energy consumption.

First, since the energy consumption of the digital copying machines 3 and 4 is calculated, the energy consumption corresponding to the number of sheets is JI.
It is calculated by a quadratic regression equation of S (Japan Industrial Standard), and the consumed energy of the warm air of the fixing devices 38 and 57 and the consumed energy of the reference time "t" until total power saving are added to this. For this reason, the quadratic regression equation is preset in the ROM 7, and the warm air consumption energy e _W of the fixing devices 38 and 57 and the reference time “t” until full power saving are set as parameters of the digital copying machines 3 and 4. The energy consumption e _t is
It is preset in the RAM 8.

In the quadratic regression equation showing the energy consumption efficiency Y (Wh / W) of the digital copying machines 3 and 4, the maximum number of copies is X.
In the case of (CPM), “Y = aX ² + bX + c”. This "a-c" is a coefficient, and in the 1992 quadratic regression equation, "a-c"
= 0.0429, b = 1.333, c = 97,893 " is. Energy consumption e ₁ a sheet of copying" Since _{e 1 = Y / 60X ",} N
The energy consumption e _{N of a} sheet is “e _N = NY / 60X”.
Therefore, the total energy consumption E _N of the digital copying machines 3 and 4 starting from the full power saving state and executing the copying of N sheets to returning to the full power saving state is E _N = e _N + e _W + e It is calculated as ^{_{t = N (aX 2 + bX}} + c) / 60X + e W + e t.

Next, in order to calculate the required time of the digital copying machines 3 and 4, the required time corresponding to the number of sheets is calculated by a predetermined arithmetic expression, and the required time for warming up the fixing devices 38 and 57 and the entire surface are calculated. The reference time “t” until power saving is added. Therefore, the required time arithmetic expression is preset in the ROM 7, and the required time t _W for warming up the fixing devices 38 and 57 and the reference time “t” until full power saving are set as parameters of the digital copying machines 3 and 4. Is preset in the RAM 8.

The maximum number of copies of the digital copying machines 3 and 4 is X.
In the case of (CPM), the required time t _{N for} N sheets is “t _N = N /
Since it is X ″, the total required time T _N from starting from the full power saving state to executing N copies and returning to the full power saving state is T _N = t _N + t _W + t _t = N / X + t _W It is calculated as + t _t .

When the required time and the energy consumption are calculated as described above, it is judged whether the operation mode is the automatic selection mode or the manual selection mode (step S4), and if the automatic selection mode is set, it is necessary. Evaluation values of the digital copying machines 3 and 4 are calculated from time and energy consumption (step S5). More specifically, as shown in Table 1 below, a table for grading the required time and energy consumption of the digital copying machines 3 and 4 in each of 10 levels is set in advance, so that the digital copying is performed based on this table. The required time and energy consumption of the machines 3 and 4 are each scored in 10 levels.

[0043]

[Table 1]

Next, the score of the required time and the score of the consumed energy are added to calculate the evaluation value of the digital copying machines 3 and 4, so that the digital copying machines 3 and 4 having the highest evaluation value. Is selected (step S6).

For example, for a certain work data, the time required for the digital copying machine 3 is 32 (sec) and the energy consumption is 62 (W).
In the case of, since the required time is 4 points and the energy consumption is 4 points, the evaluation value is “4 + 5 = 9”. On the other hand, when the required time of the digital copying machine 4 is 42 (sec) and the energy consumption is 59 (W), the required time is 2 points and the energy consumption is 5 points, so the evaluation value is "2 + 5 = 7". That is, the required time is short for the digital copying machine 3 and the energy consumption is small for the digital copying machine 4, but here the digital copying machine 3 is selected based on the evaluation value.

It is possible to assume that the evaluation values of a plurality of such digital copying machines 2 and 3 are the same. In such a case, a method such as selecting one vehicle according to a preset priority, randomly selecting one vehicle, selecting one vehicle according to the required time, and selecting one vehicle according to energy consumption is applied. To be done.

Further, here, as an example of the condition for selecting the optimum one of the digital copying machines 3 and 4, it is exemplified that the required time and the energy consumption are individually scored and the evaluation value to be added is calculated. The conditions for proper selection allow various modifications.

When the manual selection mode is set as the operation mode, the required time and energy consumption are displayed together with the identification symbols of the digital copying machines 3 and 4 on the display 10.
Is displayed (step S7), the digital copying machine 3,
It waits for the input of the selection result of No. 4 (step S8). In this case, since the user confirms the displayed required time and energy consumption, the user manually operates the keyboard 9 to input the selection result of the digital copying machines 3 and 4, if desired. The identification symbols of the digital copying machines 3 and 4 are serial numbers and icons that can identify the digital copying machines 3 and 4, and the selection result of the digital copying machines 3 and 4 refers to the digital copying machines 3 and 4. Selectable serial number and Yes / N
such as o.

When the digital copying machines 3, 4 are selected as described above (step S9), the digital copying machines 3, 4 are selected.
Is displayed on the display 10 (steps S10 and S11), and the work data is transmitted to the corresponding digital copying machines 3 and 4 (steps S12 and S13). The digital copying machines 3 and 4 to which the work data is transmitted in this way
Performs a copying operation according to the work data, as in the case where the work data is input using the keyboards 23 and 42. The identification data of the digital copying machines 3 and 4 is a serial number or the like that can identify the digital copying machines 3 and 4, but here, a message such as "I will perform work" is displayed together with the message.

In the copying system 1 of the present embodiment, even if there are a plurality of digital copying machines 3 and 4 for which it is difficult to judge the required time and energy consumption as described above, it is possible to input work data to the central control unit 2. For example, the required time and energy consumption of the digital copying machines 3 and 4 are automatically calculated. At this time,
If the automatic selection mode is set, the digital copying machines 3 and 4 with which the required time and the energy consumption are optimally compromised are automatically selected, and the selected digital copying machines 3 and 4 are selected.
Since the work data is automatically transmitted, the processing can be started quickly and the burden on the user is reduced. Further, if the manual selection mode is set, the calculated required time and energy consumption of the digital copying machines 3, 4 are displayed on the display 10, so that the user selects the digital copying machines 3, 4 as desired. Since the work data can be transmitted to the selected digital copying machines 3 and 4, the processing can be started according to the user's request.

At this time, when the work is copying, the image data read and input from the read document by the image reading units 26 and 45 is printed out on the print paper by the image printing units 27 and 46, so that the read document is read by the image reading unit. It must be set to 26,45. However, in the copying system 1 of the present embodiment, the identification data of the selected digital copying machines 3 and 4 is displayed on the display 10 of the centralized control unit 2, so that the user selects the digital copying machines 3 and 4 to execute the work. It is possible to surely recognize it, and it is possible to easily confirm the set destination of the read original and the recipient of the copied original.

In the copying system 1 of this embodiment, since the digital copying machines 3 and 4 are also connected to each other by the communication line 5, these digital copying machines 3 and 4 can mutually transmit the image data. You can also For example, even if the central control unit 2 selects the second digital copying machine 4 as the execution device of the copying operation in a state where the read original is set on the image reading unit 26 of the first digital copying machine 3, The image data read and input from the read original by the image reading unit 26 of the digital copying machine 3 is transmitted to the second digital copying machine 4 through the communication line 5, and printed by the image printing unit 46 of the second digital copying machine 4. Image data is printed out on paper.

In this embodiment, the processing operation when the integrated processing mode is initially set in the centralized control unit 2 has been described, but it is also possible to initially set the time processing mode and the energy processing mode in the centralized control unit 2. Is. For example, when the time processing mode is initialized, only the required time of the digital copying machines 3 and 4 is processed, and the energy consumption is not processed. When the energy processing mode is initialized, the digital copying machine is processed. Only the energy consumption of 3 and 4 is the processing target, and the required time is not the processing target.

In other words, if the user desires only one of the required time and the energy consumption, the useless processing operation can be omitted by setting the processing mode as described above.
The processing load on the centralized control unit 2 is reduced. When the time processing mode and the energy processing mode are set in this way, the calculation of the evaluation value as described above is omitted in the automatic selection mode, and the digital copying machine is subjected to a simple comparison of the required time to be processed and energy consumption. Since 3 and 4 are selected, the processing load is further reduced.

In the copying system 1 of this embodiment, one independent centralized control unit 2 is illustrated as the drive control device and two digital copying machines 3 and 4 are illustrated as the plurality of electrophotographic devices. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the electrophotographic apparatus can be applied to various apparatuses that reduce energy consumption of the fixing device in the standby state, and specifically, a laser printer, an analog copying machine, a laser facsimile, etc. can be assumed. The drive control device does not have to be one independent centralized control unit 2 either, and it may be built in one electrophotographic device, or built in all or some of a plurality of electrophotographic devices to be connected. Further, it is possible to disperse and install all or a part of the electrophotographic apparatus to be connected, disperse and provide one centralized control unit and a plurality of electrophotographic apparatuses.

Further, in the copying system 1 of this embodiment, one independent central control unit 2 which is a drive control device is used.
Exemplifies that the parameters of the two digital copying machines 3 and 4 which are electrophotographic devices are held in advance, and the energy consumption and the required time are calculated based on these parameters, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. Not even a thing. For example, when the drive control device is distributed to one drive control device and a plurality of electrophotographic devices, the work data input to the drive control device is transmitted to the plurality of electrophotographic devices, and It is also possible to cause each of them to calculate their own energy consumption and required time, and return this to the drive control device.

Since the centralized control unit 2 of this embodiment is a single independent device, it can be optionally connected to a plurality of digital copying machines 3, 4, ... It is practical because it can be controlled in one place. Further, although the central control unit 2 and the digital copying machines 3 and 4 are connected by the dedicated communication line 5 in the present embodiment, it is possible to connect them by a wireless line or a telephone line.

Further, the centralized control unit 2 of this embodiment is used.
Exemplifies that the energy consumption of the digital copying machines 3 and 4 is calculated from the maximum number of copies by a quadratic regression equation, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment.
It is also possible to preset the power consumption for copying of the electrophotographic apparatus as a parameter and calculate the energy consumption based on this.

[0059]

According to the invention described in claim 1, work input means for inputting work data of a plurality of electrophotographic devices for reducing energy consumption of the fixing device in a standby state, and a plurality of electrophotographic devices according to the input work data. Efficiency calculation means for calculating the required time and energy consumption from the warming up of the fixing device to the completion of the work, and the required time and energy consumption in accordance with the preset conditions based on the calculated required time and energy consumption. By having a device selecting means for selecting one of the electrophotographic devices which is optimally compromised with and a work transmitting means for transmitting work data to the selected electrophotographic device, it is possible to judge the required time and energy consumption. Even if there are several difficult electrophotographic devices, if the work data is input to the drive control device, the required time and energy consumption are optimally compromised. Since the work data location is transmitted automatically, it is possible to start processing quickly, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the user can set the processing time by the efficiency calculation means and the device selection means by selectively setting the processing target to one of the required time and energy consumption. In the case where one of the energy consumption and the energy consumption is emphasized, the other processing can be omitted, so that the processing load on the drive control device can be reduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, work input means for inputting work data of a plurality of electrophotographic apparatuses for reducing the energy consumption of the fixing device in the standby state, and each of the plurality of electrophotographic apparatuses according to the input work data. Efficiency calculation means for calculating the required time and energy consumption from the warming up of the fixing device to the completion of the work, result display means for displaying the calculated required time and energy consumption, and the required time and energy consumption The selection input means for inputting the selection result of the electrophotographic apparatus and the work transmission means for transmitting the work data to the selected electrophotographic apparatus are provided, so that it is difficult to judge the required time and energy consumption. Even if a photographic device exists, if the work data is input to the drive control device, the required time and energy consumption of each of the electrophotographic devices are displayed. If desired it is possible to select an electrophotographic apparatus, since the work data to the selected electronic photographic device are transmitted, it is possible to start the desired processing of the user.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the user can set the processing time by the efficiency calculation means and the result display means by selectively setting the processing target to one of the required time and energy consumption. In the case where one of the energy consumption and the energy consumption is emphasized, the other processing can be omitted, so that the processing load on the drive control device can be reduced.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the apparatus display means for displaying the identification data of the electrophotographic apparatus for transmitting the work data is provided, so that the user can easily and surely recognize the electrophotographic apparatus for executing the work. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit structure of a copying system in which two digital copying machines which are electrophotographic devices are connected to a centralized control unit which is a drive control device of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a mechanical structure of a copying system.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an appearance of an operation panel of the centralized control unit.

FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram showing operating characteristics of a digital copying machine.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of a centralized control unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Drive control device 27,46 Electrophotographic device 38,57 Fixing device

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Toshiyuki Kikuchi 1-3-3 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Masateru Kimura 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Shares Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Furuya Politics 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stock Company Ricoh Company

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A work input means for inputting work data of a plurality of electrophotographic devices for reducing energy consumption of the fixing device in a standby state, and a fixing device of each of the plurality of electrophotographic devices according to the input work data. The efficiency calculation means for calculating the required time from the warming up to the completion of the work and the consumed energy, and the required time and the consumed energy are optimally compromised according to a preset condition based on the calculated required time and the consumed energy. A drive control device comprising: a device selection unit that selects one electrophotographic device; and a work transmission unit that transmits work data to the selected electrophotographic device. 2. The drive control device according to claim 1, further comprising user setting means for selectively setting a processing target of the efficiency calculation means and the device selection means to one of a required time and energy consumption. . 3. A work input means for inputting work data of a plurality of electrophotographic devices for reducing energy consumption of the fixing device in a standby state, and a fixing device of each of the plurality of electrophotographic devices according to the input work data. Efficiency calculating means for calculating the required time and energy consumption from warming up to the completion of work, result display means for displaying the calculated required time and energy consumption, and the electrophotographic apparatus displaying the required time and energy consumption 2. A drive control device comprising: a selection input means for inputting the selection result of 1. and a work transmission means for transmitting work data to the selected electrophotographic apparatus. 4. The drive control device according to claim 3, further comprising user setting means for selectively setting a processing target of the efficiency calculation means and the result display means to one of required time and energy consumption. . 5. The drive control device according to claim 1, further comprising a device display means for displaying identification data of the electrophotographic device for transmitting the work data.