JP2004333956A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem of an image forming apparatus having a power-saving key in which even when the operation of the power-saving key is performed erroneously, shift to the power-saving mode takes place at once, with the result that copying cannot be resumed in a short time although the power-saving mode is canceled. <P>SOLUTION: When the power-saving key is operated for shift to a preheat mode, an all-clear operation is securely performed before the shift to the preheat mode. In this case, the shift to the preheat mode is canceled by performing some operation. Therefore, even in a case where the power-saving key is erroneously operated, the preheat mode is rendered invalid by performing some operation at once. Accordingly, the subsequent job can be carried out immediately. This solves the problem of the image forming apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a power saving mode for an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine, a facsimile, and a multifunction peripheral having a copy function, in which, when there is no image output or operation for a predetermined time, the operation display unit is turned off to save power consumption. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For a long time, image forming apparatuses such as copiers have adopted a mode in which the screen of the operation display section is turned off by operating the power saving key, and the fixing temperature shifts to the preheat mode (one of the power saving modes) in which the preheating temperature stands by at the preheat temperature. ing. Further, in recent years, the management of power consumption has become strict, and users who want to suppress power consumption as much as possible have a habit of operating the power saving key and waiting in a preheat mode as soon as a job is completed.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the habit of operating the power-saving key when the job is completed is preferable to save power consumption above all, even though there are users waiting for the next copy or the like. In some cases, the user may operate the power saving key to put the image forming apparatus in a power saving state. The next user can operate the power saving key again to recover the image, and then copy the image again. However, once the preheat mode is set, the fixing is turned off, so that the image cannot be copied immediately. An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem as much as possible.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the first invention of the present application switches between a plurality of display screens for setting a job, and displays the plurality of display screens, the plurality of display screens being a basic screen and a plurality of functional screens switchable from the basic screen. In the image forming apparatus having an operation display unit comprising: an all clear key for returning the job setting to a default setting state and displaying the basic screen; and shifting to a power saving mode in which nothing is displayed on the operation display unit by operating. Operating the power-saving key, the job setting is returned to the default setting state and the basic screen is displayed when the power-saving key is operated, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the display screen displayed on the operation display section is erased and nothing is displayed. The automatic power saving mode shifting means for shifting to the power saving mode which does not perform the power saving mode. Using an image forming apparatus characterized by having a power-saving mode shift stop means to stop the execution of the power saving mode by clearing the timer for counting a constant time.
[0005]
A second invention of the present application is characterized in that, when the power saving key is operated in the power saving mode when nothing is displayed on the operation display unit, the basic screen is displayed on the operation unit. Is used.
[0006]
The third invention of the present application is characterized in that there is provided a power-saving mode display means which blinks when a power-saving key is operated during a stable standby state, and which is turned on when the mode shifts to a power-saving mode. An image forming apparatus is used.
[0007]
[Action]
According to the first invention of the present application, when shifting to the preheat mode by operating the power saving key, all clear is always performed before shifting to the preheat mode. If any operation is performed at this time, the process shifts to the preheat mode. Is stopped, even if the power saving key is operated by mistake, if any operation is performed immediately, the system does not enter the preheat mode, so that the next job can be performed immediately.
[0008]
The second invention of the present application is convenient because the power-saving key also has a power-saving mode canceling function.
[0009]
In the third invention of the present application, if there is a display means for operating the power saving key and blinking the display until the mode is shifted to the power saving mode, it is possible to know that the mode will be shifted to the power saving mode soon.
[0010]
【Example】
A composite device employing the present invention will be described based on the schematic diagram of FIG. In FIG. 1, the multifunction device 1 is a multifunction device having copy, printer, facsimile, and scanner functions, and includes a CPU 2, a ROM 3, a RAM 4, a mail creating unit 5, a printer controller 6, a printer unit 7, an I / F 8 for a post-processing device, From the post-processing device 9, operation panel 10, scanner I / F 11, scanner unit 12, DF 13, buffer memory 14, bit map memory 15, CODEC 16, modem 17, NCU 18, public line 19, network I / F 20, bus 21, etc. It is configured. The multifunction device 1 is connected to PCs (24, 25) and a printer 23 via a network cable 22.
[0011]
More specifically, the CPU 2 controls each component of the image forming apparatus 1 and is connected to the ROM 3 storing various programs and the RAM 4 storing user choice data, setting information, total count data, various font data, and the like. Have been.
[0012]
The mail creating means 5 is a means for creating an e-mail when the image data read by the scanner unit 12 is attached to an e-mail and transmitted to a pre-registered destination.
[0013]
The printer controller 6 analyzes print commands (PDL) and job information transmitted from a connected personal computer and stored in a reception area of the buffer memory 14, and generates intermediate language information. This intermediate language information is stored in the intermediate language information storage area of the buffer memory 14.
[0014]
The printer unit 7 sequentially sends the image data developed in the bitmap memory 15 to an optical device for writing a latent image such as an LSU or LPH of an image forming unit of the printer unit 7, and the image forming unit Is transferred to a sheet that is sequentially fed and conveyed from a sheet feeding cassette, and is fixed and discharged.
[0015]
The post-processing device I / F 8 and the post-processing device 9 perform post-processing such as stapling and punching, sorting, sorting of groups, and the like on printed matter printed and discharged from the multifunction device 1. 9 and an interface and a cable for connecting this to the multifunction device 1 main body.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 10 includes an LCD display unit 101 which is a large LCD device, a plurality of operation keys such as a reset key 102 (all clear key), a power saving key 103, and the like. Inside the power saving key 103, there are built-in LEDs that are turned off in the stable standby state and turned on in the power saving mode. Since this image forming apparatus is a composite apparatus, the operation display unit can be switched between a copy function screen, a printer function screen, a facsimile function screen, and a scanner function screen by a selection key on the left side of the operation panel 10.
[0017]
The screen displayed on the LCD display unit 101 includes a basic screen shown in FIG. 3 and a “user function screen” (function screen) shown in FIG. 4 when “user function” is selected from a plurality of tabs below the screen. Is displayed. Further, when the “function list” tab is selected, a “function list screen” (one of the function screens) shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. Also, for example, when an “aggregate” key in the function list is selected, an “aggregate function screen” (one of the function screens) is displayed. The basic screen described in the claims of the present invention is the basic screen of FIG. 3, and the plurality of functional screens are the respective screens shown in FIGS.
[0018]
The scanner I / F 11 is an interface for connecting the scanner unit 12 placed on the multifunction device 1 via a cable and controlling the scanner unit 12 and the DF 13.
[0019]
The scanner unit 12 irradiates a document which is fed one by one by the DF 13 or illuminates a document placed on a contact glass with a halogen lamp or a fluorescent lamp, reads the reflected light with a CCD sensor, and converts the analog signal into an analog signal. The digital signal is converted into a digital signal by the / D conversion, the image is processed by the image processing unit, and is developed in the bit map memory 15 at the subsequent stage. The bitmap memory 15 stores, in addition to the image data from the scanner section 12, print commands transmitted from a personal computer connected via a network or the like, the printer controller 7 analyzes and generates intermediate language information, Image data transmitted from the facsimile 26 via the public line 19, the NCU 18, and the modem 17 is expanded by the CODEC 16 as required, and is expanded and held as full bitmap image data. The CODEC 16 is also used for decoding encoded image data included in print data.
[0020]
The buffer memory 14 encodes image data read by the scanner unit 12 using the CODEC 16 and stores the image data when performing normal memory copy, facsimile memory transmission, or reserved transmission, in addition to the above-described received image area and intermediate language area. . When the scanner function is used, the image data read by the scanner unit 12 may be coded by the CODEC 16 and stored and read from an external personal computer. Is also possible. In recent years, image forming apparatuses often use a hard disk for storing image data having a relatively large capacity as an image memory.
[0021]
The modem 17 converts an analog signal transmitted from the public line 19 into a digital signal, and converts a digital signal into an analog signal and transmits the analog signal through the public line, and performs modulation and demodulation. Or receive only the HDLC frame. The NCU 18 performs connection to a public line, switching between facsimile and telephone, transmission of an on-hook signal to the line, ring detection, and the like.
[0022]
The network I / F 20 is an interface that connects the multifunction device 1 to a network. Here, personal computers (24, 25), a printer 23, and other connected devices (not shown) are connected via a network cable 22.
[0023]
The bus 21 is a bus for exchanging data and signals of the respective components described above. There are a bus for image data and a bus for control signals, respectively, but here, they are simply represented by one.
[0024]
With reference to FIG. 8, a processing flow up to the shift to the auto clear and the auto plate in the multifunction device employing the present invention will be described. First, in a start state, when the power switch is turned on (S102) in a state where the power is turned off (S101) shown in FIG. 7A (S102), an initial setting operation is performed (S103), and the fixing temperature can be copied. Then, the process flow of FIG. 8 is started in the state of being in the stable standby state (S104). At this time, the multifunction peripheral is in an initial setting state, a basic screen is displayed on the screen, and job settings such as the number of copies, density, and magnification are in a default setting state. As in the fourth invention of the present application, the play heat mode is canceled by operating the power saving key 103 (S202) while the play heat mode shown in FIG. 7B is being executed (S201) (S203), and the fixing temperature is fixed. Enters a stable standby state in which copying can be performed (S204), and the multifunction peripheral enters the same initial setting state as described above and starts the processing flow of FIG. Also, as shown in FIG. 7C, when the printing operation is being executed (S301) while the printing operation is being performed (S301), the processing flow of FIG. 8 starts with the set job state and screen set. If the print job is interrupted during copying and the print job ends, the state of the multifunction peripheral may be set to the initial setting state and the processing in FIG. 8 may be started.
[0025]
The description starts from the start of the processing in FIG. First, in the initial setting state or the state after the end of the printing operation, it is determined whether or not the power saving key has been operated (S401). If the power saving key has been operated, the power saving LED starts blinking (S402). Is set to the initial setting state (S403), the timer for counting the time to shift to the preheating after the power saving key is pressed is cleared, and the timer is started (S404). Subsequently, it is determined whether there is any operation or print command (S405), and if so, the power saving LED is turned off (S406), and then it is determined whether the all clear key (reset key 102 in FIG. 2) is operated (S407). , The state of the multifunction peripheral is set to the initial setting state (S408), and the process returns to S401. If the all clear key has not been operated in S407, it is determined whether or not the power saving key has been operated (S409). If it has been operated, it is determined that the shift to the preheat mode has been canceled, and the process returns to S401.
If the power saving key has not been operated in S409, it is determined whether there has been a print key operation or a job execution command such as input of a print job, scanner reading, facsimile output (S410), and if there is, execute the job. If it is determined in S410 that there is nothing, the operation in S405 is an operation for setting, so the screen is switched or the setting is changed according to this operation, and the process returns to S401.
[0026]
If it is determined in S405 that no operation has been performed, if not, t ≧ T1 (the time from when the power saving key is operated to when the auto preheat is executed) is compared (S412). If this time has not yet elapsed, the process returns to S405, and if it is determined that this time has elapsed, the mode shifts to the preheat mode (S413), the screen is turned off, and the fixing temperature setting becomes the preheat temperature setting. Subsequently, the power saving LED is turned on (S414), and the process ends.
[0027]
Note that T1 is a specified value at the time of shipment from the factory and may be a fixed value of about 3 seconds, but a value that can be changed is often stored in the nonvolatile memory. This set value is maintained until it is changed, regardless of whether the power is turned on or off. The set time in the case of further change is a set value which does not change until a new setting is changed.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the power saving key is operated to shift to the preheat mode, all clear is always performed before shifting to the preheat mode. If any operation is performed at this time, the mode shifts to the preheat mode. Therefore, even if the power saving key is operated by mistake, if any operation is performed immediately, the system does not enter the preheat mode, so that the next job can be performed immediately.
[0029]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the power saving key is convenient because it also has a power saving mode canceling function.
[0030]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, if there is a display means for operating the power saving key and blinking the display until shifting to the power saving mode, it is possible to know that the mode will be shifted to the power saving mode soon.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multifunction peripheral and peripheral devices that employ the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an operation panel of the multifunction peripheral employing the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a basic screen displayed on an LCD display unit of an operation panel of the multifunction peripheral employing the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a user function screen (one of the function screens) displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation panel of the multifunction peripheral employing the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a function list screen (one of the function screens) displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation panel of the multifunction peripheral employing the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an aggregate screen (one of the function screens) displayed by operating an aggregate key on the function list screen displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation panel of the multifunction peripheral employing the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a processing flow until the multi-function device employing the present invention clears the timers for the auto clear time and the auto preheat time.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process flow of the multifunction device adopting the present invention, which is performed up to a transition to an automatic clear and an auto plate;
3: ROM
4: RAM
5; mail creation means 6; printer controller 7; printer unit 8; I / F for post-processing device
9; post-processing device 10; operation panel 11; scanner interface 12; scanner unit 13; automatic document feeder (DF)
14; buffer memory 15; bitmap memory 16; CODEC
17; Modem 18; NCU
19; public line 20; network I / F
21; bus 22; network cable 23; printers 24 and 25;
26; other party facsimile

Claims (3)

A plurality of display screens for performing job setting are switched and displayed, and the plurality of display screens is an image forming apparatus having an operation display unit including a basic screen and a plurality of function screens that can be switched from the basic screen.
An all clear key for returning the job setting to the default setting state and displaying the basic screen, a power saving key for shifting to a power saving mode in which nothing is displayed on the operation display unit by operating the same, and a job setting for operating the power saving key. Returning to the default setting state and displaying the basic screen, and furthermore, after a predetermined time elapses, the display screen displayed on the operation display unit is erased, and an automatic power saving mode transition unit that transitions to a power saving mode in which nothing is displayed, An image forming apparatus comprising: a power saving mode shift stop means for clearing a timer for counting the predetermined time and stopping the execution of the power saving mode when an operation is performed during the counting of the predetermined time. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the power saving key is operated in the power saving mode when nothing is displayed on the operation display unit, the basic screen is displayed on the operation unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a power saving mode display unit that blinks when a power saving key is operated during standby in a stable state and turns on when the power saving mode is entered.

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