JP2015214113A - Image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation apparatus that switches between a high-speed start standby state and a power-OFF state so as to reduce power consumption in the power-OFF state without sacrificing user's usability.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus includes a main power supply ON/OFF control part, a start factor monitoring part, and a USB bus power detection part, and operates so as to switch from a fast start standby state to a power-OFF state according to conditions when a user presses a power switch for a long time or the apparatus is left in the fast start standby state for a long time. A factor of switching to the power-OFF state is held in the start factor monitoring part, and once USB bus power is detected in the power-OFF state, the apparatus switches from the power-OFF state to the fast start standby state according to the factor of switching to the power-OFF state and other conditions.

Description

  The present invention relates to a low power consumption and high-speed start-up control method in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a multifunction machine, and a facsimile machine.

  In recent years, environmental issues have been emphasized, and it has been demanded to reduce power consumption when information devices in an office or home are on standby. In an image processing apparatus such as an MFP (Multi Function Printer), in order to reduce power consumption during standby, an operation to switch to a sleep state with low power consumption after a predetermined time has elapsed and to return to a normal operation mode when the image processing apparatus is used. It is common.

  On the other hand, the time required for startup at power-on tends to be longer, and a reduction in startup time is also required. One of the factors that increase the time required for activation is that the amount of data to be expanded from ROM to RAM at the time of activation increases with the increase in the number of functions of image forming apparatuses. On the other hand, when the user turns off the power switch, the RAM data is kept as it is, and when the user turns on the power switch next time, the development of data from the ROM to the RAM is omitted. There is a technique for shortening the time required for startup.

  As such a technique, there is a technique called suspend that retains RAM data by continuing energization to the RAM (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-34578). Further, as such a technique, there is a technique called hibernation in which data in the RAM is held by temporarily saving the data in the RAM to the HDD (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-82014). With such a technique, although it seems to the user that the apparatus is turned off, on the other hand, it is possible to reduce the time required for startup.

  In the present specification, a state as described above, that is, a state in which the program is expanded on the RAM and power for data retention is consumed, but it appears to the user that the power of the apparatus is turned off. It is defined as a fast start standby state. Also, returning from the fast startup standby state to the standby state is defined as fast startup.

  In order to reduce power consumption, there is a technique for switching between the sleep state and the fast startup standby state by driving with power supplied from an AC power supply or driving with power supplied from another supply source. For example, if the USB bus power of the PC can be received in the sleep state, the activation factor monitoring unit and the sleep power supply control unit are driven by the USB bus power. If the USB bus power cannot be received, the power from the main power source is used. There is a technique for switching the activation factor monitoring unit and the sleep power supply control unit to drive (Patent Document 1).

  In this technique, the sleep power supply control unit controls the power supply to the main power on / off control unit and the power supply to the activation factor monitoring unit. When the activation factor monitoring unit detects a return factor from the sleep state to the normal operation state, the state shifts to a normal state in which the image processing apparatus is driven by power from the main power supply.

  Also, the main power is turned on by detecting the USB bus power from the PC, and the main power is turned off when the printing process has not been performed for a predetermined time, and a print job is received by the bus power supplied from the PC. An apparatus that shifts to a standby state is known (Patent Document 2). In this conventional example, when the print job is received, the main power is turned on to execute printing. In this way, power consumption during standby is reduced.

  A typical image forming apparatus includes a connector for connecting to an AC power source and a power switch for turning on / off power supply to the image forming apparatus. Typical power switches include a seesaw switch and a tact switch. The seesaw switch is a switch that can switch the contact point by turning it on or off and maintain the state. On the other hand, the tact switch is a switch that does not switch contacts and connects the contacts only while the switch is pressed. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of image forming apparatuses that employ tact switches in order to remotely turn on and off the power of image forming apparatuses via a network.

  In an image forming apparatus provided with a tact switch, the power is turned on and off by firmware so that the power is turned on when the switch is pressed when the power is off and turned off when the power is turned on.

  In an apparatus having a normal startup mode and a fast startup mode as startup modes when the power switch is on, the power off state includes a normal off state and a fast startup standby state. The user sets the normal start mode or the fast start mode. Depending on the set startup mode, the power-off state is determined to be the normal OFF state or the fast startup standby state.

Japanese Patent No. 4444710 JP 2003-118204 A

  In an apparatus having a normal startup mode and a fast startup mode as startup modes when the power is turned on, the power-off state is determined as a normal off state or a fast startup standby state according to the startup mode set by the user. Since the high-speed start-up standby state cannot be shifted to the normal off state, there is a problem that when the high-speed start-up mode is set, it is not possible to shift to the normal off state even if a long time elapses without any function being executed. The power consumption in the fast start-up standby state is not zero and is larger than the power consumption in the normal off state.

  If the high-speed start-up standby state is shifted to the normal off state, the start-up time becomes longer at the next start-up, not normal start-up but normal start-up. One of the reasons why it is not possible to shift from the fast start standby state to the normal off state is that the power for shifting to the high speed start standby state again cannot be obtained once the transition to the normal off state occurs. This is because it cannot be detected.

  In the method proposed in Patent Document 1, the activation factor monitoring unit and the sleep power supply control unit are driven by the USB bus power of the PC in the sleep state, so that the USB bus power is always consumed. Also, there is no transition to a fast start standby state or a normal off state.

  Similarly, in the method proposed in Patent Document 2, the activation factor monitoring unit and the sleep power supply control unit are driven by the USB bus power of the PC in the sleep state, so that the USB bus power is always consumed. End up. Further, when detecting the USB bus power of the PC and turning on the main power supply of the apparatus, the apparatus enters the standby state regardless of whether or not a print job is present. Further, it may be contrary to the user's intention to turn on the main power of the apparatus by detecting the USB bus power of the PC.

  In view of the above, the present invention has an object to reduce power consumption when the power is turned off without sacrificing user-friendliness. In order to achieve the object, a method for transitioning between the fast startup standby state and the power-off state is proposed.

The configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is as follows.
A main power on / off control unit that turns on and off the main power according to the operation of the device in response to the start factor, and detects the operation of the power switch and other start factors and transmits them to the main power on / off control unit An activation factor monitoring unit that supplies power to the activation factor monitoring unit, a USB bus power detection unit that detects USB bus power from a USB cable connected to the PC,
It operates to shift from the fast startup standby state to the power off state according to the conditions when the user presses and holds the power switch for a long time or when a long time has passed in the fast startup standby state. The cause of the transition to the off state is held in the activation factor monitoring unit, and when USB bus power is detected in the power off state, the power off state is quickly activated from the power off state according to the cause of the transition to the power off state and other conditions. It is characterized by shifting to the standby state.

  According to the present invention, the PC connected to the image forming apparatus can be started up at high speed even from a normal power-off state. Even if it is set to the fast startup mode, it can be switched to the normal startup mode and turned off according to conditions such as when it is not used for a long time at night. Contrary to the user's intention, there is no transition from the normal OFF state to the fast startup standby state.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a state transition diagram showing an operation state of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a power supply state of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an image processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a control unit 101 controls the overall operation of the image processing apparatus 100. The ROM 102 stores programs executed by the control unit 101, various data, and the like. A program executed by the control unit 101 is expanded in the RAM 103 under the control of the control unit 101. Further, the RAM 103 is also used as a work area of the control means 101, a first image memory area used for the copying function, and a second image memory area used for the facsimile function.

  The clock circuit 112 is for outputting time information, and is driven by the primary battery 114. The operation unit 105 includes various keys for the user to operate the image processing apparatus, and the display unit 104 displays various information for operating the image processing apparatus. The FAX communication means 106 performs FAX communication via an analog telephone line. Further, the FAX communication means 106 has a memory receiving function for temporarily storing the received image in the RAM 103 without directly recording it on the recording paper and recording it on the recording paper.

  Further, the FAX communication means 106 has a timer transmission function for transmitting a transmission image at a set time after temporarily storing it in the RAM 103 without transmitting the transmission image immediately. Further, even when the main body power is turned off, the secondary battery 113 holds the FAX image memory area stored in the RAM 103 for a certain period of time. The image reading unit 108 is a document reading unit that reads a document. The image processing unit 109 performs conversion processing of the read image and image data to be recorded and output.

  The image forming unit 110 is an image forming unit that records and outputs image data on recording paper. In the case of a copying operation, the image forming unit 110 records and outputs the image data read by the image reading unit 108, and in the case of a printing operation, an image transferred from a PC. Data is recorded and output. The network communication unit 107 is a network communication unit that receives image data from a PC for printing and transfers image data read by the image reading unit 108 to the PC. The network communication means is also used for a remote user interface function for operating the apparatus by making an HTTP connection with a browser from a PC.

  The encoding / decoding unit 111 encodes the image data read by the image reading unit 108 by a predetermined method in advance when transmitting the image data by the FAX communication unit, or pre-prints the image data received by the FAX communication unit. It has a function of decoding by a predetermined method. Further, the encoding / decoding unit 111 has a function of encoding for temporarily storing image information of a plurality of pages when performing a copying operation, and decoding when outputting a print.

  The CPU bus 120 includes a control unit 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, an operation unit 105, a display unit 104, a FAX communication unit 106, a network communication unit 107, an image reading unit 108, an image processing unit 109, an image forming unit 110, and an encoding complex. CPU 111 for connecting means 111. The CPU bus 120 is a general term for an address bus for transferring address signals, a control bus for transferring control signals, and a data bus for transferring various data. The USB communication unit 115 is a USB communication unit that receives image data from the PC 1011 for printing and transfers image data read by the image reading unit 108 to the PC 1011.

  The USB bus power detection unit 1151 is means for detecting the bus power of the USB cable connected to the PC 1011 and also has a function of receiving the bus power from the host PC to the image processing apparatus. The USB activation factor monitoring unit 1152 is means for monitoring the activation factor from the signal data of the USB cable connected to the PC 1011.

  The power supply unit 130 includes a power supply circuit unit 1301 that converts power supplied from the commercial AC power supply line 1120 into a DC power supply and supplies power to the electronic circuit unit. The main power on / off control unit 1302 receives a signal from the activation factor monitoring unit 1303 and controls on / off of the power according to the operation of the apparatus. The activation factor monitoring unit 1303 detects an operation of the power switch 1305, a signal from the USB bus power detection unit 1151, and other factors, and transmits them to the main power on / off control unit 1302. The activation factor monitoring unit power supply unit 1304 supplies power for the activation factor monitoring unit 1303 to operate by detecting the activation factor.

  FIG. 2 is a state transition diagram showing an operation state of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Reference numeral 200 denotes a standby state in which a print operation can be started as soon as a print job is received. Reference numeral 201 denotes a state in which a print job is received and printed. Reference numeral 202 denotes a sleep state in which power consumption is reduced by stopping energization of the image forming unit and the display unit when a predetermined time has elapsed in the standby state. Reference numeral 203 denotes a deep sleep state in which when a predetermined time elapses in the standby state, the image forming unit, the display unit, and the like are turned off and the RAM is set in a self-refresh mode to further reduce power consumption.

  Reference numeral 204 denotes a fast start standby state that shifts when the power switch is pressed in the power on state when the fast start mode is set. When the fast start mode is set, the fast start standby state 204 and the standby state 200 are switched by pressing the power switch. (S22).

  Reference numeral 205 denotes a power-off state that shifts when the power switch is pressed in the power-on state when the normal startup mode is set. If the normal startup mode is set, pressing the power switch switches between the power-off state 205 and the standby state 200 (S21).

  The system shifts from the fast startup standby state 204 to the power-off state 205 depending on predetermined conditions such as a long press of the power switch or a long time without using any function (S23). When transitioning from the fast startup standby state 204 to the power-off state 205, the standby state 200 is temporarily passed.

  When the USB bus power is detected in the power-off state when the high-speed activation mode is set, the power-off state shifts to the high-speed start-up standby state according to the factor that has shifted to the power-off state (S24). When shifting from the power-off state to the fast startup standby state, the standby state 200 is temporarily passed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a power supply state (power mode) of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.
In the following description, the term “power supply is stopped” includes not only the case where the power supply is zero, but also the case where a small amount of power is supplied to the extent that the power supply destination does not operate normally. Shall be.

  FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a power-on state. Here, the power-on state is an example of a first power mode. In this state, power is supplied to each component of the image processing apparatus 100. When a predetermined time elapses without any function being executed in the power-on state, the state shifts to the sleep state of FIG. 3C or the deep sleep state of FIG.

  In addition, when a power-off operation is performed by pressing the power button in the power-on state, the power-off state shown in FIG. As a case of shifting to the power-off state in FIG. 3B, a long-press operation of the power button that causes the power button to be pressed for a predetermined time or more may be targeted. When the power is turned off by pressing the power button in the power-on state, the state shifts to the high-speed startup standby state shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a power-off state. In this state, power supply to each component of the image forming apparatus 100 is stopped. When a power-on operation is performed by pressing the power button in the power-off state, the power-on state shown in FIG. At this time, since the main program of the control means 101 is read from the ROM 102 and developed in the RAM 103, the time until the start is completed is longer than the start from the fast start standby state of FIG.

  FIG. 3C shows the sleep state. In this state, power supply to the control unit 101, the RAM 103, the network communication unit 107, and the power supply unit 130 is maintained, and power supply to other components is stopped. In the power saving state, when data is input to the network communication means 107 or when the user presses the power saving release button of the operation means 105, the power supply is turned on in FIG. In the sleep state, when a power-off operation is performed by pressing the power button, the power-off state shown in FIG.

  As a case of shifting to the power-off state in FIG. 3B, a long-press operation of the power button that causes the power button to be pressed for a predetermined time or more may be targeted. In the deep sleep state, when a power-off operation is performed by pressing the power button, the state shifts to a high-speed startup standby state shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3D is a diagram illustrating a deep sleep state. In this state, power supply to the control unit 101, the RAM 103, the network communication unit 107, and the power supply unit 130 is maintained, and power supply to other components is stopped. In the power saving state, when data is input to the network communication means 107 or when the user presses the power saving release button of the operation means 105, the power supply is turned on in FIG. In the deep sleep state, when a power-off operation is performed by pressing the power button, the power-off state in FIG. As a case of shifting to the power-off state in FIG. 3B, a long-press operation of the power button that causes the power button to be pressed for a predetermined time or more may be targeted. In the deep sleep state, when a power-off operation is performed by pressing the power button, the state shifts to a high-speed startup standby state shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 (e) is a diagram showing a fast start standby state. Here, the fast startup standby state is an example of the second power mode. In this state, power supply to the control unit 101 and the RAM 103 is maintained, and power supply to other components is stopped. When a power-on operation is performed by pressing the power button in the high-speed startup standby state, the state shifts to the power-on state shown in FIG. At this time, since the control means 101 uses the main program developed in the RAM 103, the time until the start is completed is shorter than the start from the power-off state in FIG. The power consumption is higher than that in the power-off state in FIG. 3B and lower than that in the sleep state in FIG. 3C and the deep sleep state in FIG.

  3A to 3E are arranged in descending order of power consumption, FIG. 3A> FIG. 3C> FIG. 3D> FIG. 3E> FIG. )

  Further, when FIG. 3B to FIG. 3D are arranged in the order of fast transition to FIG. 3A, FIG. 3C> FIG. 3D> FIG. 3E> FIG. )

  In the high-speed startup standby state, when the power button is pressed for a predetermined time or longer, the power button may be switched to the power OFF state shown in FIG.

<Operation of the device>
Next, the operation of the apparatus according to the present invention will be described using the state transition diagram of FIG. 2 and the block diagram of FIG. 1 according to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating control for shifting from the fast startup standby state to the power-off state of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. This corresponds to the state transition indicated by S23 in FIG. The operation shown in the flowchart is realized by the control unit 101 executing each main program developed in the RAM 103.

  Also, some of the steps shown in the flowchart are realized by the activation factor monitoring unit 1303 and the main power on / off control unit 1302 being executed under the control of the control unit 101. Also, some of the steps shown in the flowchart are realized by the activation factor monitoring unit 1303 and the main power on / off control unit 1302 independently of each other regardless of the control unit 101.

  When the high speed start mode is set (S401), the power switch is pressed (S403) to shift to the high speed start standby state (S404) to start the timer count (S405).

  When a short press of the power switch 1305 is detected in S406 in the high-speed startup standby state, the system starts up and shifts to the standby state (S402). If a long press of the power switch is detected in S406 in the fast start standby state, the start factor monitoring unit 1303 holds information that the power switch off factor is the long press of the power switch in S409, and the power off state The process proceeds to (S410). If the pressing of the power switch is not detected in S406 in the fast start standby state, if the elapsed time of the timer does not exceed the preset time in S407, the fast start standby state is continued and the power switch is pressed in S406. Monitor.

  If the elapsed time of the timer exceeds the preset time in S407, when the USB bus power is detected in S408, the fast startup standby state is continued and the depression of the power switch is monitored in S406. If the USB bus power is not detected in S408, the activation factor monitoring unit 1303 holds information indicating that the cause of the power-off transition is a long time in S409, and the power-off state (S410) is entered. .

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating control for shifting from the power-off state to the fast startup standby state of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. This corresponds to the state transition indicated by S24 in FIG. The operation shown in the flowchart is realized by the control unit 101 executing each main program developed in the RAM 103. Also, some of the steps shown in the flowchart are realized by the activation factor monitoring unit 1303 and the main power on / off control unit 1302 being executed under the control of the control unit 101. Also, some of the steps shown in the flowchart are realized by the activation factor monitoring unit 1303 and the main power on / off control unit 1302 independently of each other regardless of the control unit 101.

  In the power-off state (S501), the USB bus power detection unit 1151 monitors the USB bus power (S502). When the USB bus power detection unit 1151 detects the USB bus power, it is detected from the value held by the activation factor monitoring unit 1303 whether the high-speed activation mode is set (S503). If the normal activation mode is set in S503, the power-off state is continued. If the fast startup mode is set in S503, the power-off transition factor held by the activation factor monitoring unit 1303 is detected in S504. In S504, when the power-off transition factor is a long press of the power switch, the power-off state is continued.

  If the power-off transition factor is not used for a long time in S504, USB bus power is supplied to the activation factor monitoring unit power supply unit 1304, and the activation factor monitoring unit 1303 drives the main power on / off control unit 1302. To do. The main power supply on / off control unit 1302 turns on the power supply circuit unit 1301 to start the system and goes through the standby state (S506) to shift to the high-speed startup standby state (S507).

  If the power-off switch factor is the long press of the power switch in S504, it is clear that the user wants to turn off the power for the user's intention, so the power-off state is continued without shifting to the fast startup standby state. If the power-off factor in S504 is not used for a long time, the power is not forcibly turned off at the user's will, and it can be determined that high-speed startup is expected, so the system enters a high-speed startup standby state. To do.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the PC connected to the image forming apparatus with the USB cable is activated, the image forming apparatus is activated at a high speed by changing from the normal power-off state to the high-speed activation standby state. Can do. As a result, even if the high-speed start-up mode is set, the power can be turned off by shifting to the normal start-up mode depending on conditions such as when the device is not used for a long time at night. In addition, contrary to the user's intention, there is no transition from the normal OFF state to the fast startup standby state.

101 Control Unit, 1302 Main Power On / Off Control Unit, 1303 Activation Factor Monitoring Unit 1304 Activation Factor Monitoring Unit Power Supply Unit, 1151 USB Bus Power Detection Unit

Claims (4)

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a normal startup mode and a fast startup mode as startup modes when the power is turned on. Depending on the activation mode set by the user, the power-off state is determined to be the normal off state or the fast activation standby state.
A main power on / off control unit 1302 for turning on / off the main power according to the activation factor and the operation of the device is provided.
An activation factor monitoring unit 1303 that detects operation of the power switch and other activation factors and transmits the detected factors to the main power on / off control unit 1302;
An activation factor monitoring unit power supply unit 1304 for supplying power to the activation factor monitoring unit 1303;
A USB bus power detection unit 1151 for detecting USB bus power supplied from a USB cable connected to a PC;
According to the conditions when the user presses and holds the power switch for a long time or when a long time has elapsed in the fast startup standby state, it operates to shift from the fast startup standby state to the power off state,
In addition, if the factor that has shifted to the power-off state is held in the power-off factor holding unit included in the activation factor monitoring unit 1303 and the USB bus power is detected in the power-off state, the factors that cause the power-off state to be transferred and other factors An image forming apparatus that shifts from a power-off state to a high-speed start-up standby state in accordance with the above conditions. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein even if the high speed start mode is set, the image forming apparatus operates so as to shift from the high speed start standby state to the power-off state when a long time elapses in the high speed start standby state. . Even if a long time elapses in the fast startup standby state, if USB bus power is supplied from the USB cable connected to the PC, it operates to maintain the fast startup standby state without shifting to the power-off state. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. When the USB bus power is detected in the power off state, if the power off factor is a long press of the power switch, the power off state is continued and the power off factor is not used for a long time. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if there is, the image forming apparatus shifts to a high-speed start standby state.