JP7173449B2 - IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM, CONTROLLER AND PROGRAM FOR CONTROLLER - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming system including an image forming apparatus, a control apparatus for controlling the image forming apparatus, a control apparatus, and a program for the control apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a control apparatus for controlling the image forming apparatus (see, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-100003). The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 switches between a normal mode and a power saving mode that consumes less power than the normal mode as power modes of the image forming apparatus itself. The control device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200002, when the image forming device is in the power saving mode and transmits a print request to the image forming device, before the control device itself accepts the specification of the conditions for printing by the image forming device. Then, the image forming apparatus is shifted to the normal mode.

JP-A-2002-182885

However, in the conventional image forming system, even if the control device accepts the designation of printing conditions by the image forming device after the control device shifts the image forming device to the normal mode, the image forming device is When a specific time elapses before a print request is received, the image forming apparatus automatically shifts from normal mode to power saving mode. Since it is necessary to shift to the normal mode, there is a problem that the standby time of the user is lengthened by the time required for the image forming apparatus to shift from the power saving mode to the normal mode.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming system, a control device, and a program for the control device that can reduce the waiting time of a user when executing a service using an image forming device.

An image forming system of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus and a control apparatus that controls the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus has a normal mode and a power saving mode that consumes less power than the normal mode. A power mode switching unit for switching at least a power mode of the image forming apparatus is provided, and the power mode switching unit switches the image forming apparatus to the normal mode when a specific state continues for a specific period of time. When the power saving mode setting indicating whether the power saving mode is enabled or disabled is set to be enabled, the image forming apparatus is shifted to the power saving mode, and the power mode switching means switches the image forming apparatus to the power saving mode. Even if the specific state continues for the specific time in the normal mode, if the power saving mode setting is disabled, the image forming apparatus is switched to the power saving mode. The control device includes an operation device, service providing means for providing a service whose execution is instructed via the operation device, and power mode control means for controlling the power mode of the image forming apparatus. and the power mode control means controls the transition to the normal mode and the disabling of the power saving mode in response to an instruction to execute a service using the image forming apparatus via the operation device. When the image forming apparatus is in the power saving mode, the power mode switching means switches the image forming apparatus to the normal mode when instructed by the control apparatus to switch to the normal mode. mode, and the power mode switching means sets the power saving mode setting to invalid when invalidation of the power saving mode is instructed by the control device.

With this configuration, in the image forming system of the present invention, when execution of a service using the image forming apparatus is instructed via the operation device of the control apparatus, the control apparatus simply shifts the image forming apparatus to the normal mode. However, since the control device disables the power saving mode of the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus receives from the control device a specific instruction regarding the service whose execution is instructed via the operation device of the control device. To execute a service using an image forming device without automatically shifting the image forming device from the normal mode to the power saving mode even if a specific time has passed since the device shifts the image forming device to the normal mode. It is possible to reduce the waiting time of the user at times.

In the image forming system of the present invention, the power mode control means instructs the image forming apparatus to activate the power saving mode when the service providing means terminates the execution of the service using the image forming apparatus. The power mode switching means may set the power saving mode setting to valid when the control device instructs to enable the power saving mode.

With this configuration, in the image forming system of the present invention, when the execution of the service using the image forming apparatus ends, the control apparatus enables the power saving mode of the image forming apparatus. After enabling the power saving mode, the image forming apparatus shifts to the power saving mode when a specific state continues for a specific time. Therefore, the image forming system of the present invention can appropriately reduce power consumption.

In the image forming system of the present invention, when the power mode switching unit disables communication between the image forming apparatus and the control apparatus when the power saving mode setting is disabled. , the power saving mode setting may be set to effective.

With this configuration, in the image forming system of the present invention, the image forming apparatus enables the power saving mode by itself when communication between the image forming apparatus and the control apparatus is impossible. After enabling the power saving mode by itself, the image forming apparatus shifts to the power saving mode when a specific state continues for a specific time. Therefore, in the image forming system of the present invention, when communication between the image forming apparatus and the control apparatus becomes impossible after the control apparatus disables the power saving mode of the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus Since it is possible to prevent the power saving mode of the device from remaining disabled, it is possible to appropriately reduce power consumption.

In the image forming system of the present invention, the power mode switching means disables the power saving mode setting when the image forming apparatus is powered on from a state in which the image forming apparatus is not powered on. When it is set, the power saving mode setting may be set to effective.

With this configuration, in the image forming system of the present invention, when the image forming apparatus is powered on from a state in which the image forming apparatus is not powered on, the image forming apparatus enables the power saving mode by itself. After the image forming apparatus activates the power saving mode by itself, the image forming apparatus shifts to the power saving mode when a specific state continues for a specific time. Therefore, in the image forming system of the present invention, even if an abnormal situation occurs in which the power of the image forming apparatus is turned off after the power saving mode of the image forming apparatus is disabled by the control device, the power of the image forming apparatus is turned on after that. Power consumption can be appropriately suppressed when it is turned on.

A control device according to the present invention is a control device for controlling an image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus has a normal mode and a power saving mode that consumes less power than the normal mode as power modes of the image forming apparatus. At least the switching control device includes an operation device, service providing means for providing a service whose execution is instructed via the operation device, and power mode control means for controlling the power mode of the image forming apparatus. and the power mode control means controls the transition to the normal mode and the disabling of the power saving mode in response to an instruction to execute a service using the image forming apparatus via the operation device. It is characterized by instructing a forming device.

With this configuration, the control apparatus according to the present invention not only shifts the image forming apparatus to the normal mode when execution of a service using the image forming apparatus is instructed via the operation device, but also saves the image forming apparatus. Since the power mode is disabled, it takes a specific amount of time after the image forming apparatus is shifted to the normal mode until the image forming apparatus receives from the control device a specific instruction regarding the service whose execution is instructed via the operation device. Even if this period has elapsed, the image forming apparatus does not automatically shift from the normal mode to the power saving mode, and the user's waiting time during execution of services using the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

A control device program of the present invention is a control device program that is executed by a control device that controls an image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus operates in a normal mode and a power saving mode that consumes less power than the normal mode. as a power mode of the image forming apparatus, the control device includes an operation device, and the program for the control device provides a service whose execution is instructed via the operation device; a power mode control means for controlling the power mode of the image forming apparatus is implemented in the control apparatus, and the power mode control means is instructed via the operation device to execute a service using the image forming apparatus. In this case, the image forming apparatus is instructed to switch to the normal mode and to disable the power saving mode.

With this configuration, the control device that executes the control device program of the present invention only shifts the image forming device to the normal mode when execution of a service using the image forming device is instructed via the operation device. Since the power saving mode of the image forming apparatus is disabled, the image forming apparatus can be switched to the normal mode by the time the image forming apparatus receives from the control device a specific instruction regarding the service whose execution is instructed via the operation device. To reduce the waiting time of a user when executing a service using an image forming device by preventing the image forming device from automatically shifting from the normal mode to the power saving mode even if a specific time has passed since the shift. can do.

The image forming system, the control device, and the program for the control device of the present invention can reduce the waiting time of the user when executing the service using the image forming device.

1 is a front view of a multi-copier according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the MFP shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the kiosk terminal shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is an example of a main screen displayed on the display unit shown in FIG. 3; 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 2 when power is turned on; 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 2 when changing power saving mode settings based on the state of communication with a kiosk terminal; 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 2 regarding power mode switching when the power mode is the normal mode; 2 is a sequence diagram of operations of the multi-copier shown in FIG. 1 when execution of a service is instructed via the operation unit; FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of operations of the multi-copier shown in FIG. 1 when execution of a service ends; FIG.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the configuration of a multi-copier as an image forming system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a multi-copier 10 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-copier 10 includes an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) 20 as an image forming device, and a kiosk terminal 30 as a control device connected to the MFP 20 to control the MFP 20 . The MFP 20 and the kiosk terminal 30 are communicably connected to each other via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The multi-copier 10 is installed, for example, in a retail store such as a convenience store.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the MFP 20. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 20 includes an operation unit 21, which is an operation device such as a button for inputting various operations, and a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for displaying various information. A unit 22, a printer 23 that is a printing device that prints an image on a recording medium such as paper, a scanner 24 that is a reading device that reads an image from a document, and communication with an external facsimile device (not shown) and a public telephone line. A facsimile communication unit 25, which is a facsimile device that performs facsimile communication via a line, and a communication device that communicates with an external device via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly by wire or wirelessly without a network. A communication unit 26, a storage unit 27 which is a non-volatile storage device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD (Hard Disk Drive) for storing various information, and a control unit 28 for controlling the MFP 20 as a whole.

The MFP 20 can at least switch between a normal mode and a power saving mode that consumes less power than the normal mode as power modes of the MFP 20 .

At least part of the operation unit 21 constitutes a touch panel together with the display unit 22 .

The storage unit 27 stores an image forming apparatus program 27a. For example, the image forming apparatus program 27a may be installed in the MFP 20 at the manufacturing stage of the MFP 20, or may be additionally installed in the MFP 20 from an external storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. It may be additionally installed in the MFP 20 from the network.

The storage unit 27 stores a power saving mode setting 27b indicating whether the power saving mode is enabled or disabled.

The control unit 28 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing programs and various data, and a RAM (Random Memory) as a memory used as a work area for the CPU of the control unit 28. Access Memory). The CPU of the control unit 28 executes programs stored in the storage unit 27 or the ROM of the control unit 28 .

The control unit 28 implements a power mode switching unit 28a that switches at least the power mode of the MFP 20 between the normal mode and the power saving mode by executing the image forming apparatus program 27a.

When the MFP 20 connects to the kiosk terminal 30 (see FIG. 1), the control unit 28 basically does not accept any operation through the operation unit 21 and does not display information on the display unit 22 .

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the kiosk terminal 30. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the kiosk terminal 30 includes an operation unit 31, which is an operation device such as a button for inputting various operations, and a display unit 32, which is a display device such as an LCD for displaying various information. , a photo printer 33 that is a printing device for printing photos, a media reader/writer 34 that communicates with an external storage medium such as a USB memory, and a billing device that collects usage fees for the multi-copier 10 (see FIG. 1). 35, a receipt printer 36, which is a printing device for printing a receipt for the usage fee of the multi-copier 10, and an external printer via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly by wire or wirelessly without a network. A communication unit 37 that is a communication device that communicates with the apparatus, a storage unit 38 that is a non-volatile storage device such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD that stores various information, and a control unit 39 that controls the entire kiosk terminal 30. It has

At least part of the operation unit 31 constitutes a touch panel together with the display unit 32 .

The storage unit 38 stores a control device program 38a. For example, the control device program 38a may be installed in the kiosk terminal 30 at the manufacturing stage of the kiosk terminal 30, or may be additionally installed in the kiosk terminal 30 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, It may be additionally installed in the kiosk terminal 30 from the network.

The control unit 39 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM that serves as a work area for the CPU of the control unit 39 . The CPU of the control unit 39 executes programs stored in the storage unit 38 or the ROM of the control unit 39 .

The control unit 39 executes a control device program 38a to provide service providing means 39a for providing a service whose execution is instructed via the operation unit 31, and power mode control means 39b for controlling the power mode of the MFP 20. Realize

The multi-copier 10 shown in FIG. 1 can provide various services according to operations from the operation unit 31 (see FIG. 3). For example, the multi-copier 10 is a copy service that prints an image read from a document by a scanner 24 (see FIG. 2) using a printer 23 (see FIG. 2), a fax service for sending faxes via a scanner 24, a scan service for storing an image read from a document by a scanner 24 in an external storage medium via a media reader/writer 34 (see FIG. 3), an external data management system (not shown) A network print service that prints a document obtained via the communication unit 37 (see FIG. 3) from the printer 23, a document obtained from an external storage medium via the media reader/writer 34, or an external mobile terminal, etc. A document print service that prints a document obtained from a computer via the communication unit 37 by the printer 23, a photograph obtained from an external storage medium via the media reader/writer 34, or a computer such as an external mobile terminal to the communication unit 37 It is possible to provide a photo print service or the like for printing a photo acquired via a photo printer 33 (see FIG. 3).

FIG. 4 is an example of a main screen 40 displayed on the display unit 32. As shown in FIG.

The main screen 40 shown in FIG. 4 includes a copy button 41 for providing a copy service, a fax button 42 for providing a fax service, a scan button 43 for providing a scan service, and a network print service. a network print button 44 for providing document print services, a document print button 45 for providing document print services, and a photo print button 46 for providing photo print services.

Next, the operation of the multi-copier 10 will be described.

First, the operation of the MFP 20 when the power is turned on will be described.

When the power of the MFP 20 is turned on from a state in which the power of the MFP 20 is not turned on, the power mode switching unit 28a of the MFP 20 performs the operation shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the operation of the MFP 20 when the power is turned on.

As shown in FIG. 5, the power mode switching unit 28a determines whether or not the power saving mode setting 27b is set to be valid (S101).

When the power mode switching means 28a determines in S101 that the power saving mode setting 27b is not set to be valid, that is, that the power saving mode setting 27b is set to be invalid, it sets the power saving mode setting 27b to be valid. (S102).

When the power mode switching unit 28a determines in S101 that the power saving mode setting 27b is set to be effective, or when the process of S102 is executed, the operation shown in FIG. 5 ends.

Next, the operation of the MFP 20 when changing the setting of the power saving mode setting 27b based on the communication state with the kiosk terminal 30 will be described.

The power mode switching means 28a of the MFP 20 periodically performs the operation shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP 20 when changing the setting of the power saving mode setting 27b based on the communication state with the kiosk terminal 30. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the power mode switching means 28a determines whether communication between the MFP 20 and the kiosk terminal 30 is possible (S121). Here, the power mode switching means 28a, after transmitting the signal for confirming the connection to the kiosk terminal 30, if it receives a response from the kiosk terminal 30 within a specific time, switches between the MFP 20 and the kiosk terminal 30. communication is possible. On the other hand, if the power mode switching means 28a does not receive a response from the kiosk terminal 30 within a specific time after transmitting the connection confirmation signal to the kiosk terminal 30, the power mode switching means 28a switches between the MFP 20 and the kiosk terminal 30. determine that communication between

When the power mode switching unit 28a determines in S121 that the communication between the MFP 20 and the kiosk terminal 30 is possible, the operation shown in FIG. 6 ends.

When the power mode switching means 28a determines in S121 that communication between the MFP 20 and the kiosk terminal 30 is not possible, that is, is impossible, the power mode switching means 28a checks whether or not the power saving mode setting 27b is set to be enabled. It judges (S122).

When the power mode switching means 28a determines in S122 that the power saving mode setting 27b is not set to be valid, that is, that the power saving mode setting 27b is set to be invalid, the power mode switching means 28a sets the power saving mode setting 27b to be valid. (S123).

When the power mode switching unit 28a determines in S122 that the power saving mode setting 27b is set to be effective, or when the process of S123 is executed, the operation shown in FIG. 6 ends.

Next, the operation of the MFP 20 regarding power mode switching when the power mode is the normal mode will be described.

The power mode switching unit 28a of the MFP 20 performs the operation shown in FIG. 7 when the power mode of the MFP 20 is the normal mode.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP 20 regarding power mode switching when the power mode is the normal mode.

As shown in FIG. 7, the power mode switching unit 28a determines whether or not the power saving mode setting 27b is set to be valid (S141).

When the power mode switching unit 28a determines in S141 that the power saving mode setting 27b is set to be effective, it determines whether the state of the MFP 20 is a specific state (S142). Here, the specific state is a state in which the MFP 20 is not executing a job for copy service, facsimile service, scan service, network print service, or document print service.

When the power mode switching unit 28a determines in S141 that the power saving mode setting 27b is set to be disabled, or determines in S142 that the state of the MFP 20 is not a specific state, the power mode switching unit 28a executes the process of S141.

When the power mode switching unit 28a determines in S142 that the MFP 20 is in the specific state, the power mode switching unit 28a starts timing by a power saving timer for use in determining whether or not to shift to the power saving mode (S143). Here, the power saving timer is a timer that starts counting from 0 seconds and measures the elapsed time.

After the process of S143, the power mode switching means 28a determines whether or not the power saving mode setting 27b is set to be valid (S144).

When the power mode switching unit 28a determines in S144 that the power saving mode setting 27b is set to be effective, it determines whether the state of the MFP 20 is a specific state (S145). Here, the specific state is a state in which the MFP 20 is not executing a job for copy service, facsimile service, scan service, network print service, or document print service, as in the processing of S142.

When the power mode switching unit 28a determines in S145 that the MFP 20 is in the specific state, it determines whether or not the time measured by the power saving timer has exceeded the specific time (S146).

When the power mode switching means 28a determines in S146 that the time measured by the power saving timer is not equal to or longer than the specific time, it executes the process of S144.

When the power mode switching unit 28a determines in S144 that the power saving mode setting 27b is set to be disabled or determines in S145 that the state of the MFP 20 is not in a specific state, the power saving timer stops counting. (S147), the process of S141 is executed.

When the power mode switching unit 28a determines in S146 that the time measured by the power saving timer has exceeded the specific time, it shifts the MFP 20 to the power saving mode (S148) and ends the operation shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the MFP 20 is in the normal mode and the specific state continues for a specific time (YES in S146), the power mode switching unit 28a sets the power saving mode setting 27b to be enabled. (YES in S141 and YES in S144), the MFP 20 shifts to the power saving mode (S148). On the other hand, even when the MFP 20 is in the normal mode and the specific state continues for a specific period of time, the power mode switching unit 28a sets the power saving mode setting 27b to be disabled (in S141). If NO (or NO in S144), the MFP 20 is not shifted to the power saving mode.

Next, the operation of the multi-copier 10 when an instruction to execute a service is given via the operation unit 31 will be described.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of operations of the multi-copier 10 when an instruction to execute a service is given via the operation unit 31. As shown in FIG.

The power mode control means 39b of the kiosk terminal 30 performs the operation shown in FIG. Here, when the copy button 41, the fax button 42, the scan button 43, the network print button 44, the document print button 45, or the photo print button 46 is pressed via the operation unit 31, the service providing means 39a 41, among the fax button 42, the scan button 43, the network print button 44, the document print button 45, and the photo print button 46, it is determined that the execution of the service corresponding to the button pressed via the operation unit 31 has been instructed. Also good. Further, after any one of copy button 41, fax button 42, scan button 43, network print button 44, document print button 45, and photo print button 46 is pressed via operation unit 31, service providing means 39a displays When an operation to agree with the specific message displayed on the unit 32 is input via the operation unit 31, the copy button 41, the fax button 42, the scan button 43, the network print button 44, the document print button 45 and the photo print button are pressed. It may be determined that execution of the service corresponding to the button pressed via the operation unit 31 among the buttons 46 has been instructed. For example, after the scan button 43 is pressed via the operation unit 31, the service providing unit 39a displays "After the scan service is started, remove the storage medium from the media reader/writer until instructed." displayed on the display unit 32. Please do not." is input via the operation unit 31, the execution of the service corresponding to the scan button 43 pressed via the operation unit 31, that is, the scan service is instructed. You can judge that.

As shown in FIG. 8, the power mode control unit 39b determines whether or not the service instructed to be executed via the operation unit 31 is a service that uses the MFP 20 (S161). Here, the power mode control unit 39b determines that the copy service, fax service, scan service, network print service, and document print service are services that use the MFP 20, and that the photo print service is a service that does not use the MFP 20. .

When the power mode control unit 39b determines in S161 that the service whose execution is instructed via the operation unit 31 is a service that uses the MFP 20, the power mode control unit 39b instructs the MFP 20 to switch to the normal mode and disable the power saving mode. instruct (S162).

The power mode switching unit 28a of the MFP 20, upon receiving the instruction in S162, sets the power saving mode setting 27b to disabled (S163).

Next, when the power mode of the MFP 20 is the power saving mode, the power mode switching means 28a switches the power mode of the MFP 20 to the normal mode (S164).

Then, the power mode switching unit 28a notifies the kiosk terminal 30 that the transition to the normal mode and the invalidation of the power saving mode have been executed (S165).

The service providing unit 39a of the kiosk terminal 30 determines in S161 that the service instructed to be executed via the operation unit 31 is not a service using the MFP 20, or the power mode control unit 39b receives the notification in S165. Then, the provision of the service whose execution is instructed via the operation unit 31 is started (S166). Here, the service providing unit 39a provides the service in cooperation with the MFP 20 when the service instructed to be executed via the operation unit 31 is a service using the MFP 20. FIG.

Next, the operation of the multi-copier 10 when execution of the service ends will be described.

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram of operations of the multi-copier 10 when execution of the service ends.

The power mode control means 39b of the kiosk terminal 30 performs the operation shown in FIG. 9 when the service providing means 39a determines that the execution of the service is finished. Here, the service providing means 39a judges that the service execution is finished not only when the service is executed to the end, but also when the service is finished halfway. For example, the service providing means 39a terminates the service if no operation is input via the operation unit 31 for a specific time after the execution of the service is instructed via the operation unit 31. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, the power mode control unit 39b determines whether or not the service determined by the service providing unit 39a is a service that uses the MFP 20 (S181). Here, the power mode control unit 39b determines that the copy service, fax service, scan service, network print service, and document print service are services that use the MFP 20, and that the photo print service is a service that does not use the MFP 20. .

When the power mode control unit 39b determines in S181 that the service determined by the service providing unit 39a is a service that uses the MFP 20 when the execution ends, the power mode control unit 39b instructs the MFP 20 to activate the power saving mode (S182).

When the power mode switching unit 28a of the MFP 20 receives the instruction in S182, it sets the power saving mode setting 27b to valid (S183).

Then, the power mode switching unit 28a notifies the kiosk terminal 30 that the power saving mode has been activated (S184).

As described above, the multi-copier 10 can be operated simply by the kiosk terminal 30 switching the MFP 20 to the normal mode when execution of a service using the MFP 20 is instructed via the operation unit 31 of the kiosk terminal 30 . Since the kiosk terminal 30 disables the power saving mode of the MFP 20 (S162), the MFP 20 receives from the kiosk terminal 30 a specific instruction regarding the service whose execution is instructed via the operation unit 31 of the kiosk terminal 30. In addition, even if a specific time has passed since the kiosk terminal 30 shifted the MFP 20 to the normal mode, the MFP 20 does not automatically shift from the normal mode to the power saving mode, and the service using the MFP 20 is executed. A user's waiting time can be reduced. For example, after receiving an instruction to execute a copy service via the operation unit 31 of the kiosk terminal 30, the multi-copier 10 may cause the MFP 20 to start executing copying if the copy setting via the operation unit 31 is prolonged. The MFP 20 automatically shifts from the normal mode to the power saving mode even if a specific time has passed since the kiosk terminal 30 shifted the MFP 20 to the normal mode by the time the MFP 20 receives the instruction to switch from the kiosk terminal 30. I have nothing to do.

When the multi-copy machine 10 ends the execution of the service using the MFP 20, the kiosk terminal 30 activates the power saving mode of the MFP 20 (S183). After that, when the specific state continues for a specific time, the MFP 20 shifts to the power saving mode (S148). Therefore, the multi-copier 10 can appropriately reduce power consumption.

In the multi-copy machine 10, when communication between the MFP 20 and the kiosk terminal 30 is impossible (NO in S121), the MFP 20 activates the power saving mode by itself (S123). After activating the mode, the MFP 20 shifts to the power saving mode when a specific state continues for a specific time (S148). Therefore, after kiosk terminal 30 disables the power saving mode of MFP 20 (S162), multi-copy machine 10 saves MFP 20 when communication between MFP 20 and kiosk terminal 30 becomes impossible. Since it is possible to prevent the power mode from remaining disabled, it is possible to appropriately reduce power consumption.

In the multi-copy machine 10, when the power of the MFP 20 is turned on from a state in which the power of the MFP 20 is not turned on, the MFP 20 enables the power saving mode by itself (S102). After that, the MFP 20 shifts to the power saving mode when a specific state continues for a specific time (S148). Therefore, after the kiosk terminal 30 disables the power saving mode of the MFP 20 (S162), even if an abnormal situation occurs in which the power of the MFP 20 is turned off due to, for example, a power failure, the multi-copy machine 10 will keep the MFP 20 powered on. Power consumption can be appropriately suppressed when the is turned on.

Although the image forming apparatus of the present invention is an MFP in this embodiment, it may be an image forming apparatus other than an MFP, such as a dedicated printer, a dedicated copy machine, a dedicated fax machine, or a dedicated scanner.

10 multi-copier (image forming system)
20 MFP (image forming device)
27b Power saving mode setting 28a Power mode switching means 30 Kiosk terminal (control device)
31 operation unit (operation device)
38a Control device program 39a Service providing means 39b Power mode control means

Claims (8)

an image forming apparatus;
a control device that controls the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus comprises power mode switching means for switching at least a normal mode and a power saving mode that consumes less power than the normal mode as power modes of the image forming apparatus,
The power mode switching unit switches to a power saving mode setting indicating whether the power saving mode is enabled or disabled when a specific state continues for a specific time while the image forming apparatus is in the normal mode. when enabled, shifting the image forming apparatus to the power saving mode;
In the power mode switching unit, even when the image forming apparatus is in the normal mode and the specific state continues for the specific time, the power saving mode setting is set to be disabled. Sometimes, without shifting the image forming apparatus to the power saving mode,
The control device is
an operating device;
service providing means for providing a service whose execution is instructed via the operation device;
a power mode control means for controlling the power mode of the image forming apparatus;
When execution of a service using the image forming apparatus is instructed via the operation device, the power mode control means controls transition to the normal mode and invalidation of the power saving mode. instruct the device,
the power mode switching means, when the image forming apparatus is in the power saving mode and the controller instructs to switch to the normal mode, switches the image forming apparatus to the normal mode;
The image forming system, wherein the power mode switching unit sets the power saving mode setting to disabled when the controller instructs to disable the power saving mode. wherein the power mode control means instructs the image forming apparatus to activate the power saving mode when the service providing means terminates execution of a service using the image forming apparatus;
2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the power mode switching unit sets the power saving mode setting to enabled when the control device instructs to enable the power saving mode. When the image forming apparatus is powered on from a state where the image forming apparatus is not powered on, and the power saving mode setting is set to be disabled, the power mode switching means switches the power saving mode. 3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the power mode setting is set to valid. The image forming apparatus is
a reading device for reading an image from an original;
a printing device for printing an image on a recording medium;
The service using the image forming apparatus includes a service of printing an image read from a document by the reading device with the printing device,
The power mode control means shifts to the normal mode and saves power when an instruction is given via the operation device to execute a service in which an image read from a document by the reading device is printed by the printing device. 4. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is instructed to invalidate the mode. The image forming apparatus includes a facsimile device that performs facsimile communication with a facsimile machine external to the image forming apparatus,
The service using the image forming apparatus includes a service of faxing an image via the fax device,
The power mode control means switches to the normal mode and disables the power saving mode when execution of a service for facsimile transmission of images via the facsimile device is instructed via the operation device. 4. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an instruction is given to said image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a reading device for reading an image from a document,
The service using the image forming apparatus includes a service for storing an image read from a document by the reading device,
The power mode control means shifts to the normal mode and disables the power saving mode when execution of a service for storing an image read from a document by the reading device is instructed via the operation device. 4. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is instructed to. The image forming apparatus includes a printing device that prints an image on a recording medium,
the service using the image forming apparatus includes a service for printing a document by the printing device;
The power mode control means controls the transition to the normal mode and the disabling of the power saving mode in the image, when execution of a service for printing a document by the printing device is instructed via the operation device. 4. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an instruction is given to a forming apparatus. The power mode switching unit enables the power saving mode setting when communication between the image forming apparatus and the control device is impossible when the power saving mode setting is disabled. 8. The image forming system according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein .

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