Image formation apparatus

Abstract

To complete printing in short time.SOLUTION: A printer 2 is provided with: a main CPU 10 which operates in a standby mode and executes control of an NIC 30, analyzes reception data and transmits a warm-up start instruction if warm-up is required, and which is set to an energy saving state in a sleep mode; and a sub CPU 22 which executes control of an image formation part 18 in a standby mode, and executes control of the NIC 30 in a sleep mode. If a transmission source of reception data is included in an exclusion MAC address list 68, the sub CPU 22 starts the warm-up after receiving a warm-up start instruction from the main CPU 10. If a transmission source of reception data is not included in the exclusion MAC address list 68, the sub CPU starts the warm-up without waiting for the warm-up start instruction from the main CPU 10, after returning to the standby mode from the sleep mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and is suitable for use in, for example, an image forming apparatus having a sleep mode. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been an image forming apparatus that has a sleep mode and achieves power saving by monitoring a network using a sub-processor during the sleep mode (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-852 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in such an image forming apparatus, when returning from the sleep mode to the standby mode and printing is to be performed, it takes time for the image forming unit to start warming up, and therefore there is a problem in that it takes time to complete printing.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to propose an image forming apparatus that can complete printing in a short time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve this problem, in the image forming device of the present invention, which can transition between a standby mode and a sleep mode which is more power-saving than the standby mode, the image forming device is provided with a network control unit which controls communication with the outside, an image forming unit which forms print data on a medium, a first control unit which operates in the standby mode and controls the network control unit, and which analyzes received data received by the network control unit and sends a warm-up start instruction if warm-up is necessary, so that in the sleep mode it is in a more power-saving state than the standby mode, and a second control unit which controls the image forming unit in the standby mode and controls the network control unit in the sleep mode, and if the sender of the received data is included in predetermined excluded sender identification information, the second control unit starts warm-up after receiving a warm-up start instruction from the first control unit, and if the sender of the received data is not included in the excluded sender identification information, starts warm-up without waiting for a warm-up start instruction from the first control unit after returning from the sleep mode to the standby mode.

[0007] The present invention enables the second control unit to start warming up the image forming unit without receiving a warm-up start instruction for received data from a sender that is not included in the excluded sender identification information, thereby accelerating the start of warm-up and shortening the time required to complete printing. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the second control unit starts warming up the image forming unit for received data received from a sender that is not included in the excluded sender identification information without receiving a warm-up start instruction, thereby advancing the start of warm-up and shortening the time required to complete printing, thereby realizing an image forming device that can complete printing in a short time. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a main FLASH memory and the functional configuration of a main FW. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a sub-FLASH memory and the functional configurations of a first sub-FW and a second sub-FW. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a main RAM. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a sub-RAM. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing network setting information. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a printing port list. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an excluded MAC address list. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an excluded MAC address registration screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a TCP header. [Figure 12] 11 is a sequence chart showing a procedure of a sleep mode transition process. [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a standby mode return process. [Figure 14] 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a warm-up execution selection process. [Figure 15] 11 is a sequence chart showing a print process procedure when an excluded MAC address is not registered. [Figure 16] 11 is a sequence chart showing a print process procedure when an excluded MAC address is registered. [Figure 17] 13 is a sequence chart showing a response process procedure when an excluded MAC address is registered. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings. [1. Image formation system configuration] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 is composed of a printer 2 and a group of PCs 3. The printer 2 is a page printer that prints on paper and has a sleep mode function. The sleep mode is a mode in which power supply to specific parts in the printer 2 is cut off or reduced below standby mode, thereby saving power. The group of PCs 3 is composed of a plurality of personal computers (PCs) 4a, 4b, and 4c (hereinafter collectively referred to as PC4). In the image forming system 1, the printer 2 and PC4 are connected to a local area network (LAN) 5 via a switching hub 5. The PC4 inputs a print job to the printer 2 via the LAN 6, causing the printer 2 to print.

[0011] [2. Printer configuration] [2-1. Overall printer configuration] The printer 2 receives a print job from the PC 4 and executes printing of print data according to the print job. As shown in Fig. 2, the printer 2 has a main CPU 10, a main RAM 12, a main FLASH memory 14, an image processing unit 16, an image forming unit 18, a power supply control unit 20, a sub-CPU 22, a sub-RAM 24, a sub-FLASH memory 26, an inter-CPU communication control unit 28, a NIC 30, and an operation display unit 32.

[0012] The main CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10 is made up of a microprocessor, and realizes each function of the printer 2 by executing a main FW 40 (FIG. 3) stored in a main FLASH memory 14. This main CPU 10 controls each section according to its function, and reduces power consumption by cutting off the power supply in sleep mode (i.e., achieves power saving).

[0013] The main RAM 12 as the first memory is composed of a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and provides the calculation area required when the main CPU 10 executes the control program. For this reason, the main RAM 12 has a sufficiently large storage capacity. This main RAM 12 is set to a self-refresh mode during the sleep mode to reduce power consumption.

[0014] The main flash memory 14 is made up of a non-volatile memory that retains its stored contents even if the power to the printer 2 is cut off, and stores predetermined setting values ​​for controlling the printer 2, the main FW 40 (FIG. 3), and the like.

[0015] The image processing unit 16 is a circuit that performs certain processing on the print job sent from the PC 4 in response to instructions from the main CPU 10, converts it into print data, which is data in a printable format, and supplies it to the image forming unit 18 via the sub-CPU 22. The image forming unit 18 is made up of a mechanical unit including a motor etc., and an image formation process unit that forms an image from an electric signal, and forms an image indicated by the print data supplied from the sub-CPU 22 on paper.

[0016] The power supply control unit 20 is a circuit that controls all power sources within the printer 2. In Fig. 2, apart from the power supply to the entire printer 2, thick arrows indicate connections between the power supply control unit 20 and parts to which power can be individually supplied or stopped by the power supply control unit 20. Also, parts surrounded by a sleep mode power saving area 34 shown by a dashed line in Fig. 2 are parts to which power supply is cut off or reduced in the sleep mode.

[0017] The sub-CPU 22 is configured with a CPU that consumes less power than the main CPU 10, and controls the image forming unit 18 in the standby mode, while controlling the NIC 30 in the sleep mode.

[0018] The sub-RAM 24 as the second memory is composed of a static random access memory (SRAM) and is a memory that provides a calculation area required when the sub-CPU 22 executes a control program. The sub-RAM 24 is required to have a small storage capacity in order to reduce power consumption in the sleep mode.

[0019] The sub-FLASH memory 26 is made up of a non-volatile memory that retains its contents even if the power of the printer 2 is cut off, and stores a first sub-FW 42 (FIG. 4) which is a control command in the standby mode of the sub-CPU 22, and a second sub-FW 44 (FIG. 4) which is a control command in the sleep mode. The control command in the sleep mode includes a control command for the NIC 30 and a program for transmitting and receiving data over the network.

[0020] The inter-CPU communication control unit 28 is a circuit that controls the transmission and reception of commands and data between the main CPU 10 and the sub-CPU 22.

[0021] The NIC (Network Interface Card) 30 is a circuit that controls the network connection with the LAN 6 (FIG. 1). This NIC 30 is controlled by the main CPU 10 in the standby mode, and is controlled by the sub-CPU 22 in the sleep mode. The operation display unit 32 is configured with, for example, a touch panel, and outputs information to the user by displaying a setting screen, etc., and also acquires operation input from the user.

[0022] [2-2. Main FLASH memory configuration] As shown in Fig. 3, main FW (firmware) 40 is stored in the main FLASH memory 14. The main CPU 10 reads and executes the main FW 40 from the main FLASH memory 14 to execute an image processing function 71, a network printing function 72, and a sleep mode transition function 73 in standby mode. The image processing function 71 is a function that analyzes a print packet included in a print job and forms print data using the image processing unit 16. The network printing function 72 is a function that processes a print request received via the LAN 6. The sleep mode transition function 73 is a function that controls the transition to sleep mode.

[0023] [2-3. Sub-FLASH memory configuration] As shown in FIG. 4, the sub-FLASH memory 26 stores the first sub-FW 42 and the second sub-FW 44. The sub-CPU 22 executes an image forming function 76 and an engine warm-up function 77 in the standby mode by reading and executing the first sub-FW 42 as standby firmware from the sub-FLASH memory 26. The image forming function 76 is a function of forming an image of print data transmitted from the main FW 40 on a sheet of paper using the image forming unit 18 in the standby mode. The engine warm-up function 77 is a function of warming up a fixing unit included in the image forming unit 18 in order to form an image. The sub-CPU 22 also executes a packet monitoring function 74 and a standby mode return function 75 in the sleep mode by reading and executing the second sub-FW 44 as sleep firmware from the sub-FLASH memory 26. The packet monitoring function 74 is a function of monitoring packets of connection requests to a TCP port waiting in the sleep mode. The standby mode return function 75 is a function of controlling the return to the standby mode.

[0024] [2-4. Main RAM configuration] 5, in standby mode, the main RAM 12 stores network setting information 46, printing port list 52, and excluded MAC address list 68. The network setting information 46, printing port list 52, and excluded MAC address list 68 are stored in the main RAM 12 in standby mode, and when transitioning to sleep mode, the main CPU 10 reads them out of the main RAM 12 and transmits them to the sub-CPU 22 executing the second sub-FW 44 via the inter-CPU communication control unit 28. The sub-CPU 22 stores the acquired network setting information 46, printing port list 52, and excluded MAC address list 68 in the sub-RAM 24.

[0025] [2-5. Configuring network settings information] 7, the network setting information 46 has an IP address 47, a subnet mask 48, a MAC address 49, and a gateway address 50. The IP address 47 indicates the IP address of the printer 2. The subnet mask 48 indicates the subnet mask of the printer 2. The MAC address 49 indicates the MAC address of the printer 2. The gateway address 50 indicates the gateway address of the printer 2.

[0026] [2-6. Configuring the Print Port List] 8, the printing port list 52 has TCP port number 515 53, TCP port number 631 54, and TCP port number 9100 55. TCP port number 515 53 is the port number of the LPR (Line PRinter daemon) protocol, which is a type of printing protocol. TCP port number 631 54 is the port number of the IPP (Internet Printing) protocol, which is a type of printing protocol. TCP port number 9100 55 is the port number of the RAW protocol, which is a type of printing protocol.

[0027] [2-7. Configuring the excluded MAC address list] As shown in an example in FIG. 9, the excluded MAC address list 68 has excluded MAC addresses 69a, 69b, 69c, 69d, and 69e. Hereinafter, the excluded MAC addresses 69a, 69b, 69c, 69d, and 69e are collectively referred to as excluded MAC addresses 69. These excluded MAC addresses 69 are designated by the user on an excluded MAC address registration screen 82 (FIG. 10) described later. The excluded MAC addresses 69 indicate the MAC addresses of devices to be excluded from targets for performing the advance warm-up process (described later). That is, when the printer 2 receives a TCP SYN packet, which is a print packet addressed to the TCP port 515 53, the TCP port 631 54, or the TCP port 9100 55 in the print port list 52 (FIG. 8) from a device with the excluded MAC address 69 during the sleep mode, the printer 2 performs the normal warm-up process. The normal warm-up process is a process in which the sub-CPU 22 starts warming up the fixing unit of the image forming unit 18 after receiving a warm-up instruction from the main CPU 10 after returning from the sleep mode to the standby mode.

[0028] On the other hand, when the printer 2 receives a TCP SYN packet, which is a print packet addressed to TCP port 515 53, TCP port 631 54, or TCP port 9100 55 in the print port list 52 (FIG. 8) from a device with a MAC address other than the excluded MAC address (i.e., a device not assigned the excluded MAC address 69) during sleep mode, the printer 2 performs advance warm-up processing. Advance warm-up processing is processing in which the sub-CPU 22 immediately starts warming up the fixing unit of the image forming unit 18 after returning from sleep mode to standby mode, without waiting for a warm-up instruction from the main CPU 10.

[0029] In response to an operation by a user who wishes to register an excluded MAC address, the main CPU 10 displays an excluded MAC address registration screen 82 shown in Fig. 10 on the operation display unit 32 (Fig. 2). The excluded MAC address registration screen 82 has an excluded MAC address input section 83, a confirm button 84, and a cancel button 85. The excluded MAC address to be registered is input by the user into the excluded MAC address input section 83. When the confirm button 84 is selected by the user, the main CPU 10 adds the MAC address input into the excluded MAC address input section 83 to the excluded MAC addresses 69 in the excluded MAC address list 68 (Fig. 9) and registers it. When the cancel button 85 is selected by the user, the main CPU 10 cancels the registration process of the excluded MAC address and closes the excluded MAC address registration screen 82.

[0030] [2-8. Sub-RAM configuration] As shown in FIG. 6, the sub-RAM 24 stores a print packet reception flag 70, network setting information 46, a print port list 52, and an excluded MAC address list 68.

[0031] The print packet reception flag 70 is set to "1" by the sub-CPU 22 when the sub-CPU 22 executing the second sub-FW 44 receives a TCP SYN packet, which is a print packet addressed to TCP port 515 53, TCP port 631 54, or TCP port 9100 55 in the print port list 52 (Figure 8), during sleep mode and the source MAC address of the print packet is not included in the excluded MAC address list 68.

[0032] On the other hand, even if the sub-CPU 22 executing the second sub-FW 44 receives a TCP SYN packet, which is a print packet addressed to TCP port 515 53, TCP port 631 54, or TCP port 9100 55 in the print port list 52 (Figure 8), during sleep mode, the print packet reception flag 70 is cleared to "0" by the sub-CPU 22 if the source MAC address of the print packet is included in the excluded MAC address list 68.

[0033] As described above, the sub-RAM 24 stores the network setting information 46, the print port list 52, and the excluded MAC address list 68 transmitted from the main CPU 10 when the system transitions to the sleep mode.

[0034] [2-9. TCP header structure] As shown in an example in FIG. 11, the TCP header 78 included in the print packet is composed of a source port number 79, a destination port number 80, a control flag 81, etc. The source port number 79 is the value of the port number of the sender of the print packet. The destination port number 80 is the value of the port number of the destination of the print packet, and since TCP port 9100 is specified in this embodiment, the print packet is sent using the RAW protocol. The control flag 81 is a TCP control flag and is composed of 9 bits. In this embodiment, the control flag 81 is specified as 0x002, indicating that the bit one digit above the least significant bit is "1", indicating that the print packet is a SYN packet (TCP SYN packet) requesting the establishment of a connection.

[0035] [3. Sleep mode transition process] Next, a sleep mode transition procedure RT1, which is a specific processing procedure of the sleep mode transition process in which the printer 2 transitions from standby mode to sleep mode, will be described with reference to the sequence chart shown in Fig. 12. In the sleep mode transition procedure RT1, the main CPU 10 executes the main FW 40. Also, in the sleep mode transition procedure RT1, the sub-CPU 22 executes the second sub-FW 44, since the firmware operating on the sub-CPU 22 has been switched from the first sub-FW 42 to the second sub-FW 44 by the main CPU 10.

[0036] In step SP1, the main CPU 10 stops network transmission / reception for the NIC 30, and proceeds to step SP2. In step SP2, the main CPU 10 transmits the network setting information 46, the print port list 52, and the excluded MAC address list 68 to the sub CPU 22 via the inter-CPU communication control unit 28, and proceeds to step SP3. In step SP3, the main CPU 10 sets the main RAM 12 to a self-refresh mode, and prepares for the possibility that the power supply to the main CPU 10 may be cut off.

[0037] In step SP4, the sub CPU 22 cuts off the power supply to the main CPU 10 by controlling the power supply control unit 20, and proceeds to step SP5. In step SP5, the sub CPU 22 causes the NIC 30 to resume network transmission and reception.

[0038] [4. Standby mode recovery process] Next, using the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, we will explain the standby mode return processing procedure RT2, which is a specific processing procedure of the standby mode return processing, which is a process in which when the sub-CPU 22 executing the second sub-FW 44 during sleep mode receives a TCP SYN packet among print packets, the sub-CPU 22 sets or clears the print packet reception flag 70 (FIG. 6) and then returns to standby mode.

[0039] In step SP11, the sub CPU 22 receives a TCP SYN packet from PC 4, and proceeds to step SP12. In step SP12, the sub CPU 22 determines whether the destination port number 80 in the TCP header 78 (FIG. 11) of the TCP SYN packet is TCP port 53, TCP port 631, or TCP port 55 in the print port list 52 (FIG. 8) (i.e., the destination port number 80 is included in the print port list 52). If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that the destination port number 80 of the TCP SYN packet is included in the print port list 52 and is a packet of a protocol supported by the printer 2, and in this case the sub CPU 22 proceeds to step SP13.

[0040] On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP12, this indicates that the destination port number 80 of the TCP SYN packet is not included in the print port list 52 and the packet is of a protocol that is not supported by the printer 2, in which case the sub-CPU 22 proceeds to step SP17 and ends the standby mode return processing procedure RT2.

[0041] In step SP13, the sub CPU 22 determines whether the source MAC address of the received TCP SYN packet is included in the MAC exclusion list 68 (FIG. 9). If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that the TCP SYN packet was sent from a device with the MAC exclusion address 69, and the sub CPU 22 proceeds to step SP14. In step SP14, the sub CPU 22 clears the print packet reception flag 70 (FIG. 6) in the sub RAM 24 to "0" and proceeds to step SP16.

[0042] On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP13, this indicates that the TCP SYN packet was sent from a device with a MAC address other than the excluded MAC address, and in this case the sub-CPU 22 proceeds to step SP15. In step SP15, the sub-CPU 22 sets the print packet reception flag 70 (FIG. 6) in the sub-RAM 24 to "1" and proceeds to step SP16.

[0043] In step SP16, the sub-CPU 22 starts the standby mode return process, moves to step SP17, and ends the standby mode return process procedure RT2.

[0044] [5. Warm-up execution selection process] Next, using the flowchart shown in FIG. 14, we will explain the warm-up execution selection processing procedure RT3, which is a specific processing procedure of the warm-up execution selection processing, in which the sub-CPU 22 executing the first sub-FW42 selects whether or not to perform engine warm-up in accordance with the print packet reception flag 70 (FIG. 6) after returning from sleep mode to standby mode.

[0045] In step SP21, the sub CPU 22 determines whether or not the print packet reception flag 70 (FIG. 6) in the sub RAM 24 is set. If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that engine warm-up (i.e., advance warm-up processing) should be executed, and the sub CPU 22 then proceeds to step SP22. In step SP22, the sub CPU 22 executes engine warm-up to warm up the fixing unit included in the image forming unit 18, and proceeds to step SP23, where the warm-up execution selection processing procedure RT3 is ended.

[0046] On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP21, this indicates that there is no need to execute advance engine warm-up processing, and the sub-CPU 22 will start engine warm-up after receiving a warm-up instruction from the main CPU 10. In this case, the sub-CPU 22 skips step SP22 and proceeds to step SP23, thereby terminating the warm-up execution selection processing procedure RT3.

[0047] [6. Printing process when excluded MAC address is not registered] Next, a print processing procedure RT4 when an excluded MAC address is not registered, which is a process for returning to standby mode and executing printing when the sub-CPU22 executing the second sub-FW44 in sleep mode receives a print packet (TCP SYN packet) and the sender MAC address of the print packet is not registered in the excluded MAC address list 68, will be described using the sequence chart shown in Fig. 15. In the print processing procedure RT4 when an excluded MAC address is not registered, power is not supplied to the main CPU10 since the device is in sleep mode, and the sub-CPU22 is executing the second sub-FW44.

[0048] As described in step SP13 of the standby mode return procedure RT2 (FIG. 13), if the source MAC address of the received print packet is not included in the excluded MAC address list 68, the sub-CPU 22 executes the second sub-FW 44 in step SP31 to set the print packet reception flag 70 (FIG. 6) in the sub-RAM 24 as described in step SP15 of the standby mode return procedure RT2 (FIG. 13), and proceeds to step SP32. In step SP32, the sub-CPU 22 executes the second sub-FW 44 to stop network transmission / reception for the NIC 30, and proceeds to step SP33. In step SP33, the sub-CPU 22 executes the second sub-FW 44 to control the power supply control unit 20 to resume power supply to the main CPU 10 and start up the main CPU 10.

[0049] In step SP34, the main CPU 10 releases the self-refresh mode of the main RAM 12. In step SP35, the sub CPU 22 executes the second sub FW 44 to transmit the TCP SYN packet received in step SP11 of the standby mode return processing procedure RT2 (FIG. 13) to the main CPU 10 via the inter-CPU communication control unit 28.

[0050] After the self-refresh mode of the main RAM 12 is released, in step SP36 the main CPU 10 switches the firmware operating on the sub CPU 22 from the second sub firmware 44 to the first sub firmware 42, and proceeds to step SP37. At this time, the sub CPU 22 is reset once, then starts up and reads the first sub firmware 42. In step SP37, the main CPU 10 performs standby mode return processing.

[0051] When the firmware operating on the sub-CPU 22 is switched from the second sub-FW 44 to the first sub-FW 42, in step SP38 the sub-CPU 22 executes the first sub-FW 42 to perform standby mode return processing as described in step SP16 of the standby mode return processing procedure RT2 (FIG. 13), and proceeds to step SP39. In step SP39, the sub-CPU 22 executes the first sub-FW 42 to determine whether the print packet reception flag 70 (FIG. 6) of the sub-RAM 24 is set, as described in step SP21 of the warm-up execution selection processing procedure RT3 (FIG. 14). In the case of the print processing procedure RT4 when an excluded MAC address is not registered, the print packet reception flag 70 is set, so the sub-CPU 22 obtains a determination result that the print packet reception flag 70 (FIG. 6) is set, and proceeds to step SP40. In step SP40, the sub-CPU 22 executes the first sub-FW 42 to execute engine warm-up as described in step SP22 of the warm-up execution selection processing procedure RT3 (FIG. 14), and then proceeds to step SP41. In step SP41, the sub-CPU 22 executes the first sub-FW 42 to transmit a warm-up start notification to the main CPU 10.

[0052] When returning to standby mode, in step SP42, the main CPU 10 causes the NIC 30 to resume network transmission and reception to receive subsequent TCP packets, and then proceeds to step SP43. In step SP43, the main CPU 10 analyzes the print packet, forms print data using the image processing unit 16, and then proceeds to step SP44. Here, since the main CPU 10 has already received a warm-up start notification from the sub CPU 22, it does not instruct the sub CPU 22 to perform engine warm-up. In step SP44, the main CPU 10 transmits print data to the sub CPU 22.

[0053] Upon receiving the print data, the sub-CPU 22 executes the first sub-FW 42 in step SP45, thereby causing the image forming unit 18 to perform image formation processing of the print data.

[0054] [7. Printing process when registering an excluded MAC address] Next, a printing process procedure RT5 when an excluded MAC address is registered will be described using the sequence chart in Fig. 16 in which the same steps as in the printing process procedure RT4 when an excluded MAC address is not registered (Fig. 15) are given the same reference numerals as in the printing process procedure RT4 when an excluded MAC address is not registered, which is a process of returning to standby mode and executing printing when the sub-CPU22 executing the second sub-FW44 in sleep mode receives a print packet (TCP SYN packet) and the sender MAC address of the print packet is registered in the excluded MAC address list 68. In the printing process procedure RT5 when an excluded MAC address is registered, power is not supplied to the main CPU10 since the device is in sleep mode, and the sub-CPU22 is executing the second sub-FW44.

[0055] As described in step SP13 of the standby mode return processing procedure RT2 (FIG. 13), if the source MAC address of the received print packet is included in the MAC address exclusion list 68, the sub-CPU 22 executes the second sub-FW 44 in step SP52 to clear the print packet reception flag 70 (FIG. 6) in the sub-RAM 24 as described in step SP14 of the standby mode return processing procedure RT2 (FIG. 13), and proceeds to step SP32. Steps SP32 to SP38 are the same as the print processing procedure RT4 when an excluded MAC address is not registered (FIG. 15).

[0056] In step SP39, the sub CPU 22 executes the first sub FW 42 to determine whether or not the print packet reception flag 70 (FIG. 6) in the sub RAM 24 is set, as described in step SP21 in the warm-up execution selection processing procedure RT3 (FIG. 14). In the case of the print processing procedure RT5 when an excluded MAC address is registered, the print packet reception flag 70 is cleared, so the sub CPU 22 obtains a determination result that the print packet reception flag 70 (FIG. 6) is cleared. At this point, the sub CPU 22 does not execute engine warm-up as in step SP40 of the print processing procedure RT4 when an excluded MAC address is not registered, as it skipped step SP22 in the warm-up execution selection processing procedure RT3 (FIG. 14). Steps SP42 to SP43 are the same as those in the print processing procedure RT4 when an excluded MAC address is not registered.

[0057] When the print data is formed, in step SP53 the main CPU 10 instructs the sub CPU 22 to warm up the engine. When the engine warm-up is instructed, in step SP54 the sub CPU 22 executes the first sub FW 42 to perform engine warm-up, and the process proceeds to step SP41. In step SP41 the sub CPU 22 executes the first sub FW 42 to transmit a warm-up start notification to the main CPU 10. Steps SP44 to SP45 are the same as the print processing procedure RT4 when an excluded MAC address is not registered (FIG. 15).

[0058] [8. Response process when registering an excluded MAC address] Next, a response processing procedure RT6 when an excluded MAC address is registered will be described with reference to the sequence chart in Fig. 17, in which steps corresponding to those in the print processing procedure RT5 when an excluded MAC address is registered (Fig. 16) are given the same reference numerals as in the print processing procedure RT5 when an excluded MAC address is registered. Steps SP52 and SP32 to SP42 are the same as those in the print processing procedure RT5 when an excluded MAC address is registered.

[0059] When network transmission and reception is resumed, the main CPU 10 analyzes the toner information request packet in step SP61 and proceeds to step SP62. In step SP62, the main CPU 10 obtains the remaining toner amount from the sub CPU 22 and proceeds to step SP63. In step SP63, the main CPU 10 responds with the remaining toner amount via the NIC 30 to the device identified by the source MAC address of the toner information request packet.

[0060] [9. Effects, etc.] In the above configuration, when the sub-CPU 22 executing the second sub-FW 44 receives a print packet in sleep mode, if the destination port number 80 of the print packet (TCP SYN packet) is included in the print port list 52 and the source MAC address of the print packet is not included in the excluded MAC address list 68, the sub-CPU 22 sets the print packet reception flag 70. Subsequently, after returning from sleep mode to standby mode, if the sub-CPU 22 executing the first sub-FW 42 determines that the print packet reception flag 70 is set, it immediately starts engine warm-up without waiting for a warm-up instruction from the main CPU 10.

[0061] Therefore, the sub-CPU 22 can start engine warm-up without waiting for a warm-up instruction (step SP53 (FIG. 16)) from the main CPU 10, which has analyzed the print packet and performed image processing (i.e., print data formation) (step SP43 (FIG. 16)). Therefore, the printer 2 can reduce the time it takes from when the main CPU 10 receives the print packet until the sub-CPU 22 starts printing on paper, compared to when the sub-CPU 22 starts engine warm-up after receiving a warm-up instruction (step SP53 (FIG. 16)) from the main CPU 10. This allows the printer 2 to reduce the time it takes to complete printing.

[0062] Here, in the sleep mode, the sub-CPU 22 executing the second sub-FW 44 judges print packets by the TCP port number, so even if a packet that is a port number for printing but does not involve printing, such as a toner information request packet, is received from, for example, an administrator terminal, the packet is judged to be a print packet. In this case, if the sub-CPU 22 sets the print packet reception flag 70, after returning from the sleep mode to the standby mode, the sub-CPU 22 immediately starts engine warm-up without waiting for a warm-up instruction from the main CPU 10 because the print packet reception flag 70 is set. In such a case, the printer 2 unnecessarily executes engine warm-up, even though it is not necessary to start engine warm-up since the packet received during the sleep mode was not a print packet.

[0063] In response to this, the printer 2 registers the MAC address of the administrator terminal that transmits a packet to check the status of the printer 2, such as a toner information request packet, in the excluded MAC address list 68. In addition, the sub-CPU 22 that executes the second sub-FW 44 in the sleep mode clears the print packet reception flag 70 without setting it, if the source MAC address of the packet is included in the excluded MAC address list 68, even if the destination port number 80 of the received packet is included in the print port list 52. Therefore, the printer 2 performs normal warm-up processing without performing advance warm-up processing for packets received from an administrator terminal or the like that is more likely to transmit a packet to check the status of the printer 2 than a print packet, and the sub-CPU 22 can be prevented from immediately starting engine warm-up without waiting for a warm-up instruction from the main CPU 10, thereby reducing power consumption. In this way, the printer 2 excludes packets received from an administrator terminal or the like that is more likely to transmit a packet to check the status of the printer 2 than a print packet, from the targets of advance warm-up processing.

[0064] According to the above configuration, the printer 2 is capable of transitioning between a standby mode and a sleep mode which is more power-saving than the standby mode, and includes a NIC 30 which controls communication with the outside, an image forming unit 18 which forms print data on paper as a medium, a main CPU 10 which operates in the standby mode and controls the NIC 30, while also analyzing data received by the NIC 30 and sending a warm-up start instruction if warm-up is necessary, and which is in a more power-saving state in the sleep mode than the standby mode, and a sub-CPU 22 which controls the image forming unit 18 in the standby mode and also controls the NIC 30 in the sleep mode, and if the sender of the received data is included in the excluded MAC address list 68 as predetermined excluded sender identification information, the sub-CPU 22 starts warm-up after receiving the warm-up start instruction from the main CPU 10, and if the sender of the received data is not included in the excluded MAC address list 68, starts warm-up without waiting for the warm-up start instruction from the main CPU 10 after returning from the sleep mode to the standby mode.

[0065] As a result, the printer 2 can start warming up the image forming unit 18 for a print job received from a sender not included in the excluded MAC address list 68 without the sub-CPU 22 receiving a warm-up start instruction, thereby accelerating the start of warm-up and shortening the time required to complete printing.

[0066] [10. Other embodiments] In the above embodiment, the printer 2 has been described as cutting off the power supply to the main CPU 10 in sleep mode. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient for the printer 2 to reduce the power supply to the main CPU 10 in sleep mode at least more than in standby mode.

[0067] Also, in the above embodiment, the printer 2 transmits a warm-up start notification to the main CPU 10 when the sub CPU 22 executes warm-up. The present invention is not limited to this, and the printer 2 does not have to transmit a warm-up start notification to the main CPU 10 even when the sub CPU 22 executes warm-up. In that case, when the main CPU 10 forms print data in step SP43 of the print processing procedure RT4 when an excluded MAC address is not registered (FIG. 15), it instructs the sub CPU 22 to perform engine warm-up, and even if the sub CPU 22 receives the engine warm-up instruction, it can ignore it because it is already executing engine warm-up.

[0068] Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the printer 2 uses the excluded MAC address input by the user in the excluded MAC address input section 83 on the excluded MAC address registration screen 82 (FIG. 10) in the standby mode return procedure RT2 (FIG. 13). The present invention is not limited to this, and the printer 2 may use a preset excluded MAC address in the standby mode return procedure RT2 (FIG. 13) without allowing the user to select it. Furthermore, when the printer 2 receives a packet other than a print packet, such as a packet for checking the status of the printer 2, from an external device and does not receive a print packet from the device within a predetermined time, the printer 2 may display on the operation display section 32 whether or not to add the MAC address of the device to the excluded MAC address list 68 as the excluded MAC address 69 and allow the user to select. Also, for example, when installing a printer monitoring tool in the administrator PC, the MAC address of the administrator PC as the sender information may be transmitted from the administrator PC to the printer 2, and the printer 2 may determine whether or not to add the MAC address to the excluded MAC address list 68 as the excluded MAC address 69.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the printer 2 has been described as saving the print packet reception flag 70 in the sub RAM 24 in sleep mode, and checking the print packet reception flag 70 in the sub RAM 24 after returning to standby mode. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the printer 2 may save the print packet reception flag 70 in various storage units other than the sub RAM 24, such as an area in the sub CPU 22 where data is held upon reset.

[0070] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to the printer 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to various devices that perform various types of image-related processing, such as a facsimile, an MFP (Multifunction Printer), or a copier.

[0071] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and other embodiments. That is, the scope of application of the present invention extends to an embodiment in which the above-mentioned embodiment and the other embodiments are combined in part or in whole in any manner. The scope of application of the present invention also extends to an embodiment in which a part of the configuration described in any of the above-mentioned embodiment and other embodiments is extracted and replaced or diverted with a part of the configuration of any of the above-mentioned embodiment and other embodiments, or an embodiment in which a part of the extracted configuration is added to any of the embodiments.

[0072] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the printer 2 as an image forming apparatus is configured by the NIC 30 as a network control unit, the image forming unit 18 as an image forming unit, the main CPU 10 as a first control unit, and the sub-CPU 22 as a second control unit. The present invention is not limited to this, and the image forming apparatus may be configured by a network control unit, an image forming unit, a first control unit, and a second control unit having various other configurations. [Industrial Applicability]

[0073] The present invention can be used, for example, in an image forming apparatus that goes into a sleep mode to save power. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1...image forming system, 2...printer, 3...PCs, 4...PC, 5...switching hub, 6...LAN, 10...main CPU, 12...main RAM, 14...main FLASH memory, 16...image processing section, 18...image forming section, 20...power supply control section, 22...sub CPU, 24...sub RAM, 26...sub FLASH memory, 28...inter-CPU communication control section, 30...NIC, 32...operation display section, 34...power saving area during sleep mode, 40...main firewall, 42...first sub firewall, 44...second sub firewall, 46...network setting information, 47...IP address, 48...subnet mask, 49...MAC address, 50...gateway address, 52...printing print port list, 53...TCP port 515, 54...TCP port 631, 55...TCP port 9100, 68...Excluded MAC address list, 69...Excluded MAC address, 70...Print packet reception flag, 71...Image processing function, 72...Network printing function, 73...Sleep mode transition function, 74...Packet monitoring function, 75...Standby mode return function, 76...Image formation function, 77...Engine warm-up function, 78...TCP header, 79...Source port number, 80...Destination port number, 81...Control flag, 82...Excluded MAC address registration screen, 83...Excluded MAC address input section, 84...Confirm button, 85...Cancel button.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus capable of transitioning between a standby mode and a sleep mode which is more power-saving than the standby mode, a network control unit that controls communication with the outside; an image forming unit that forms the print data on a medium; a first control unit that operates in the standby mode, controls the network control unit, analyzes data received by the network control unit, and transmits a warm-up start instruction if warm-up is required, and is in a lower power consumption state in the sleep mode than in the standby mode; a second control unit that controls the image forming unit in the standby mode and controls the network control unit in the sleep mode; having The second control unit is When a transmission source of the received data is included in predetermined excluded transmission source identification information, the warm-up is started after receiving the warm-up start instruction from the first control unit, and when a transmission source of the received data is not included in the excluded transmission source identification information, the warm-up is started after returning from the sleep mode to the standby mode without waiting for the warm-up start instruction from the first control unit. Image forming device.

2. The second control unit is receiving the received data by the network control unit in the sleep mode, and setting a flag if a transmission source of the received data is not included in the excluded transmission source identification information, and clearing the flag if a transmission source of the received data is included in the excluded transmission source identification information; After returning from the sleep mode to the standby mode, the flag is checked, and if the flag is set, the warm-up is started without waiting for the warm-up start instruction from the first control unit, and if the flag is cleared, the warm-up is started after the warm-up start instruction is received from the first control unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. The second control unit is The network control unit receives the received data in the sleep mode, and if a source of the received data is not included in the excluded source identification information, the flag in a second memory accessible by the second control unit is set, whereas if a source of the received data is included in the excluded source identification information, the flag in the second memory is cleared. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 .

4. The second control unit is executes a sleep-time firmware in the sleep mode, receives the received data, and sets a flag if a source of the received data is not included in the excluded transmission source identification information, while clearing the flag if the source of the received data is included in the excluded transmission source identification information, and returns the first control unit from the power saving state; when firmware to be executed is switched from the sleep-time firmware to the standby-time firmware by the first control unit, executes the standby-time firmware and returns from the sleep mode to the standby mode, and then checks the flag; and if the flag is set, starts the warm-up without waiting for the warm-up start instruction from the first control unit, while starts the warm-up after receiving the warm-up start instruction from the first control unit, when the flag is cleared. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

5. a first memory accessible by the first control unit, storing the excluded transmission source identification information in the standby mode, and being in a power saving state in the sleep mode; a second memory accessible by the second control unit; and The first control unit is When transitioning from the standby mode to the sleep mode, the excluded transmission source identification information is read from the first memory and transferred to the second control unit; The second control unit is The excluded transmission source identification information acquired from the first control unit is stored in the second memory. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 .

6. An operation display section for allowing the user to set the excluded sender identification information The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

7. The first control unit is In the standby mode, the received data from a predetermined sender received by the network control unit during the sleep mode is analyzed, and if the received data is a packet for confirming the state of the image forming apparatus, when no print packet is received from the sender within a predetermined time thereafter, the user is prompted to select whether to set the sender as the excluded sender identification information.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The first control unit is Setting predetermined sender information received from outside as the excluded sender identification information The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

9. An image processing unit that processes the received data in the standby mode and forms the print data and the image processing unit and the image forming unit are in a power saving state in the sleep mode, which is lower than the power saving state in the standby mode; The first control unit is powered off in the sleep mode. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

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