Image processing device

Abstract

To solve the problem that history regarding whether an adjustment function has been performed normally or not is not retained, because the power source of a storage, such as SSD, being a nonvolatile memory in an image processing device is in an off-state, since the adjustment function of the image processing device is conducted in a sleep state.SOLUTION: An image processing device comprises: means for performing request notification of power supply to a power source control part according to timer control in a sleep mode; means for performing image quality adjustments using a printer part; means for storing history regarding processing executed by the image adjustment means, in DRA; means for transmitting information on the basis of data stored in DRAM in response to an inquiry from an external network in a sleep-state; and means for storing data on the DRAM in a nonvolatile storage such as SSD, after returning to the normal operation mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the operation of an image quality adjustment function automatically performed by an image processing apparatus during the sleep state and the management of its history information.

Background Art

[0002] In a conventional information processing apparatus connected to a communication line, there is a technology that reduces the power consumed when processing a signal transmitted from the communication line (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] An image processing apparatus is provided with an automatic adjustment function that periodically performs image quality adjustment to maintain the image quality at a certain level. Specifically, as a mechanism in the apparatus, a transfer roller is provided for a heater unit that is a heat source for fixing an image on a printing paper, and a pressure roller is provided for a fixing unit. On the other hand, in order to save power while not in operation, the power supply of the roller unit, which is the above-mentioned mechanical mechanism, and heat sources such as heaters is cut off during the sleep state. However, if the state where pressure is applied to the transfer roller and the pressure roller is maintained for a long time, the members may be deformed, which may cause image defects. For this reason, an adjustment function for periodically operating the roller is required.

[0004] Since the above adjustment function is performed by the image processing apparatus during the sleep state, the power supply of a storage such as an SSD, which is a non-volatile memory in the image processing apparatus, is in the off state. For this reason, the history of whether the adjustment function has been normally performed is not retained, and it has not been possible to extract it as history information regarding the implementation of the past adjustment function during the failure analysis by a service technician.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the present invention, the purpose is to store on a RAM that is powered on even during the sleep state, so that history data indicating that the image quality adjustment function of the image processing apparatus performed during the sleep state has been executed normally is retained. When there is an inquiry from the print server during the sleep state, by transferring the data stored in the RAM without sequentially powering on the storage in the image processing apparatus, it becomes possible to shorten the response time and save power.

[0007] Also, the data on the RAM is prevented from disappearing by writing the data to a non-volatile storage after returning from the sleep state to the normal power mode.

[0008] That is, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of replying with the latest method in real time to a status inquiry from a print server by storing the history of processing by the image adjustment means in the RAM in the image processing apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] To achieve the above object, the image processing apparatus of the present invention includes means (108) for performing power control for power saving of the image forming apparatus, means for performing image adjustment during the sleep mode, means (130) for notifying the power control unit of a power supply request by timer control during the sleep mode, means (505) for the printer unit (109) to perform image adjustment, means for storing the history of processing by the above image adjustment means in the DRAM (104), means (509) for transmitting information based on the data stored in the DRAM in response to an inquiry from an external network during the sleep state, and means (605) for storing the data on the DRAM (104) in a non-volatile storage (111) such as an SSD after returning to the normal operation mode, and is characterized by comprising the above.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, the image quality adjustment function of the image processing apparatus is performed while the main body is in the sleep state. By storing it in the RAM in the image processing apparatus, it becomes possible to return the latest method in real time in response to a status inquiry from the print server. Further, by transferring the data stored on the RAM to a non-volatile storage such as an SSD after returning to the standby state, even when an image defect occurs, it can be extracted as past history information during failure analysis by a service technician.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1a

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] The image processing apparatus of the present invention will be described. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a single device or a system composed of a plurality of devices as long as the functions of the present invention are executed.

[0014] FIG. 1a is a diagram showing the configuration of the image processing apparatus. The main CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 controls the entire image processing apparatus. The DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 104 stores programs executed by the main CPU 101 and functions as a work area for temporary data.

[0015] The operation unit 105 notifies the main CPU 101 of the operations by the user. The network I / F 107 is connected to the LAN 120 to communicate with external devices. The printer unit 109 prints the image data on paper. The scanner unit 110 optically reads the image on paper and converts it into an electrical signal to generate a scanned image. The SSD (Solid State Drive) 111 stores the programs executed by the main CPU 101 and is also used as a data spool area for print jobs, scan jobs, etc. It is also used as an area for storing and reusing scanned images. The signal bus 121 connects the respective modules to communicate with each other. The image processing unit 106 performs conversion processing on the print data received from the LAN 120 via the network I / F 107 into an image suitable for printing by the printer unit 109. It also executes image processing such as noise removal, color space conversion, rotation, compression, etc. of the scanned image read by the scanner unit 110. The ROM 103 stores the programs including the FW executed by the main CPU 101 and stores the default setting values of the image processing apparatus 101. 108 is a power control unit. 131 is a signal for notifying that an inquiry has been received from a print server connected to the LAN 120 when the image processing apparatus is in the power-saving sleep state. 131 is a timer interrupt signal transmitted from the printer unit when the image processing apparatus is in the power-saving sleep state.

[0016] The image processing apparatus can take on a power state of a normal operation standby state and a sleep state with less power consumption.

[0017] Figure 2a is a diagram showing the power connection configuration of the image processing apparatus. 201 is the commercial power input, and 203 and 204 are signals for turning on / off the power supplied to each module of the image processing apparatus by the FET SW. In the standby state of normal operation, the 203 signal becomes High, the FET SW is turned on, and power is supplied to SSD111, the image processing unit 106, the operation unit 105, and the scanner unit 110. In the sleep state, the 203 signal becomes Low, the FET SW is turned off, and power is not supplied to SSD111, the image processing unit 106, the operation unit 105, and the scanner unit 110. The above signals are controlled by the power control unit 108.

[0018] When the power control unit 108 detects that the interrupt signal 130 has become active from the printer unit 108 in the sleep state, it sets the 204 signal to High and supplies power to the printer unit 108. Then, when the power control unit 108 detects that the interrupt signal has become inactive, it sets the 204 signal to Low and stops the power supply to the printer unit 108.

[0019] Figure 2b is a diagram showing the power connection configuration of the image processing apparatus in the sleep state. The units shown in gray out indicate that the power supply has been stopped.

[0020] Figure 7 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the printer unit 109.

[0021] The transfer high voltage unit 701 controls the transfer roller 702. The fixing control unit controls the heater driving unit 704, and the heater driving unit 704 performs temperature control of the fixing heater 705.

[0022] The motor control unit 706 controls the fixing drive motor 708 within the fixing drive unit 707, which is the load unit to be controlled. The motor control unit 706 includes a driver IC (Integrated Circuit) for driving the fixing drive motor 708 within the fixing drive unit 707. The driver IC controls the rotation of the fixing drive motor 708 based on a motor control signal for driving the fixing drive motor 708. The motor control signal includes information such as the rotation direction, speed, and drive mode of the fixing drive motor 708. When the fixing drive motor 708 is controlled to rotate forward as described above, the pressure roller 710 rotates. The laser driver unit 709 controls the laser irradiation of the print image generated by the image processing unit 107 onto the transfer belt.

[0023] In the adjustment process of S505, a process of operating for a certain period of time is performed to reduce the pressure applied to the image transfer roller 702 shown in FIG. 7 and the pressure roller 710 for fixing the image on the paper.

[0024] FIG. 3 shows, as a conventional example, the transition of the power supply states of each module when the image quality adjustment function of the image forming apparatus operates during the sleep state. In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the time axis, and the state change points are shown at T1 to T5.

[0025] When the condition for transitioning from the standby state to the sleep state is satisfied, the transition to the sleep state occurs at T1. When the interrupt signal 130 is asserted from the printer unit 109 at T2, the power control unit 108 sets the 204 signal to High and turns on the FET SW to supply power to the printer unit 109 for a certain period of time. Receiving the power supply, the printer unit 109 operates the image adjustment function.

[0026] Specifically, image quality adjustment is performed by reducing the pressure applied to the image transfer roller 702 shown in FIG. 7 and the pressure roller 710 for fixing the image on the paper and operating for a certain period of time. In this case, the history information indicating that the above adjustment function has been implemented is not retained in the DRAM 104 or the SSD 111.

[0027] When a certain period of time has elapsed, the power control unit 108 sets the 204 signal to Low at T3, turns off the FET SW, and stops the power supply to the printer unit 109.

[0028] After that, when a device status inquiry 131 is received from a print server (not shown) connected to LAN 120 at T4 via the network I / F 107, the 204 signal is set to High and the FET SW is turned on. At Ts1, the CPU 102 transfers the status of the image processing device and the history information stored in the SSD 111 to the print server. When the CPU 102 notifies the power control unit 108 that the above processing has been completed, the 204 signal is set to Low, the FET SW is turned off, and the device transitions to the sleep state.

[0029] FIG. 4 shows the transition of the power states of each module when the image quality adjustment function operates in the present invention. FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the flow of the processing.

[0030] When the condition for transitioning from the standby state (501) to the sleep state is satisfied, the device transitions to the sleep state at T1 (502). When entering the sleep state, the timer in the printer unit 109 starts (503). When the timer counts up at T2 (504), an interrupt signal 130 is asserted from the printer unit 109. In response to this, the power control unit 108 sets the 204 signal to High, turns on the FET SW, and supplies power to the printer unit 109 for a certain period of time. Receiving the power supply, the printer unit 109 performs adjustment processing (505). Specifically, the pressure applied to the image transfer roller 702 and the pressure roller 710 for fixing the image to the paper shown in FIG. 7 is reduced, and image quality adjustment is performed for a certain period of time.

[0031] When the adjustment processing is completed, the history information is transferred to the DRAM 104 (406).

[0032] When a certain period of time has elapsed, the power control unit 108 sets the 204 signal to Low at T3, turns off the FET SW, stops the power supply to the printer unit 109, and returns to the sleep state (407).

[0033] After that, when an inquiry 131 about the device state is received from a print server (not shown) that is LAN-connected by T4 via the network I / F 107 (408), the 204 signal is set to High to turn on the FET SW. At Ts1, the CPU 102 transfers the status information stored in the DRAM 104 to the print server (409). In this way, even when the print server is in the sleep state, it is possible to obtain the latest status information of the image processing apparatus 101.

[0034] When a sleep return factor is detected at T5 (603), the image processing apparatus 101 returns to the standby state (604), and at the same time, the power control unit 108 sets the 203 and 204 signals to High to turn on the FET SW. At Ts2, the CPU 101 transfers the status information stored in the DRAM 104 to the SSD 111 (605).

[0035] FIG. 10 shows an example of an analysis flow when an image defect occurs. At 1001, it is confirmed whether there is an image defect. If there is a defect, the implementation history of the image adjustment function stored in the SSD 111 is examined at 1002. At 1003, it is confirmed whether the adjustment was performed normally. If it is confirmed that the adjustment was performed normally, at 1004, since there may be a defect in the transfer roller 702 or the pressure roller 710, an inspection is performed. On the other hand, if it is confirmed at 1003 that the adjustment was not performed normally, there may be a defect in the timer (141), or the transfer high-voltage unit 701 that controls the adjustment function, or the fixing drive unit 707, or the fixing drive motor 708. Based on the above diagnostic results, the service technician can perform an inspection at an appropriate location or replace the unit.

Example

[0036] In the first embodiment, the status information was stored in the DRAM 104, but it is also possible to store it in the RAM 140 within the network I / F 107.

[0037] Figs. 8 and 9 show flowcharts indicating the flow of the processing.

[0038] The difference between Fig. 8 and Fig. 5 described in Example 1 is that the destination for writing the status information of the printer unit 109 at (809) is changed from the DRAM 104 to the network I / F 107. Also, the difference between Fig. 9 and Fig. 6 described in Example 1 is that the reference destination for the engine status information written to the SSD 111, which is a storage device, is changed from the DRAM 104 to the network I / F 107.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0039] 102 CPU 103 ROM 104 DRAM 105 Operation unit 106 Image processing unit 107 Network I / F 108 Power control unit 109 Printer unit 111 SSD

Claims

1. Means for performing power control for power saving of the image forming apparatus, Means for performing image adjustment during the sleep mode, Means for sending a request notification for power supply to the power control unit by timer control during the sleep mode, Means for the printer unit to perform image adjustment, Means for storing the history of the processing performed by the above image adjustment means in the DRAM, Means for sending information based on the data stored in the DRAM in response to an inquiry from an external network during the sleep state, An image processing apparatus characterized by comprising means for storing the data on the DRAM in a non-volatile storage such as an SSD after returning to the normal operation mode.

2. In the configuration of Claim 1, means for storing the history of the processing performed by the above image adjustment means in the memory in the network I / F, Means for sending information based on the data stored in the DRAM in response to an inquiry from an external network during the sleep state, An image processing apparatus characterized by comprising means for storing the data on the memory in the network I / F in a non-volatile storage such as an SSD after returning to the normal operation mode.

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