Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that improves usability in returning from an energy saving mode.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: a scanner control system 2; a plotter control system 3; a relay system 4 that controls the foregoing systems and relays a request from an external device; an operation unit 5 that has a panel; detection means (detection unit 10) that detects a predetermined trigger generated in one of the scanner control system 2, plotter control system 3, and operation unit 5; energy saving control means (energy saving control unit 20) that, when receiving an instruction, makes a transition of an operating state to an energy saving mode; start-up control means (start-up control unit 30) that, when execution of the predetermined trigger is detected, controls the start-up of the system linked in advance to the trigger and return from the energy saving mode; and display control means (display control unit 40) that, when execution of the predetermined trigger is detected, displays an application linked in advance to the trigger on the panel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] In image forming devices, there is a technology that determines which parts of the device should be restored from energy-saving operation based on triggers such as opening and closing a cover or setting an original or printing paper. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that reduces the user's operational burden by continuing the energy-saving mode even if the user opens the cover of the document tray to remove the document that was left there after the user has instructed the device to switch to the energy-saving mode while the document is still set on the document tray. However, there was a problem in that the application displayed on the operation panel was not changed accordingly. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that is easy to use when returning from an energy saving mode. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a scanner control system for controlling the scanner; a plotter control system for controlling the plotter; a relay system that controls the scanner control system and the plotter control system and relays requests from external devices; an operation unit having a panel; a detection means for detecting a predetermined trigger generated in at least one of the scanner control system, the plotter control system, and the operation unit; an energy-saving control means for transitioning the operating state to the energy-saving mode when receiving an instruction to transition to the energy-saving mode; a start-up control means for controlling the start-up of a system associated with the predetermined trigger in advance and the return from an energy-saving mode when the detection means detects the execution of the predetermined trigger; a display control means for displaying an application associated with the predetermined trigger on the panel when the detection means detects the execution of the predetermined trigger; It shall be equipped with the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0005] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that is easy to use when returning from an energy saving mode. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing an example of a user interface displayed on a panel of an operation unit, in which (A) shows an example of a home screen display, and (B) shows an example of a display when a copy application is selected. [Figure 3] 10 is a table showing an example of a combination of triggers and applications to be displayed on the panel when the device starts up or returns from power saving mode. [Figure 4] 10 is a table showing another example of a combination of triggers and applications to be displayed on the panel when the device is started up or returns from power saving mode. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the startup and energy saving recovery operation of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each of the drawings for explaining the embodiments of the present invention, components such as members and components having the same function or shape are designated by the same reference numerals as far as they can be distinguished, and descriptions thereof will be omitted once they have been described.

[0008] The present invention improves the ease of use of startup and recovery from energy saving mode for each system in an image forming apparatus having multiple systems. Hereinafter, "startup and recovery from energy saving mode for each system" will also be referred to as "startup and recovery from energy saving mode" as appropriate. The image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a scanner control system, a plotter control system, and a relay system that relays the respective systems, and communication with external devices is performed by the relay system. The scanner control system has an operation unit where a panel operated by a user is arranged. When the image forming device starts up or returns from energy saving mode, it determines the startup application (mode) based on a specified trigger, and not only starts up each system but also switches the application displayed on the panel. The image forming apparatus according to each embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0009] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 is composed of a scanner control system 2 that controls the scanner, a plotter control system 3 that controls the plotter, and a relay system 4 that controls the scanner control system 2 and the plotter control system 3 and relays requests from external devices, and is equipped with an operation unit 5 that has a panel. The operation unit 5 is connected to the scanner control system 2, and the panel is controlled by the scanner control system 2.

[0010] The scanner control system 2 and the relay system 4 are connected via a scanner interface (SCN I / F). The plotter control system 3 and the relay system 4 are connected via a printer interface (PRN I / F). The relay system 4 can be connected to external devices such as information processing terminals, recording media, etc. via interfaces such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface (USB I / F) and a Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) interface (WiFi I / F).

[0011] The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a detection unit (also referred to as "detection unit") 10, an energy saving control unit (also referred to as "energy saving control unit") 20, a startup control unit (also referred to as "startup control unit") 30, and a display control unit (also referred to as "display control unit") 40 as control units for switching between normal mode and energy saving mode, starting up each system, and the like, for each of the above-mentioned systems and the operation unit 5, which are surrounded by dashed lines in FIG. 1. Here, the energy saving mode (also referred to as "energy saving mode") is a state in which the image forming apparatus 1 operates so as to consume less power than in the normal mode, for example.

[0012] The detection unit 10 detects a predetermined trigger (also referred to as a "predetermined process") that occurs in at least one of the scanner control system 2, the plotter control system 3, and the operation unit 5. The detection unit 10 notifies the start control unit 30 and the display control unit 40 of the predetermined trigger as a result of the detection. The predetermined trigger may be, for example, at least one of the following processes. Opening and closing the scanner cover of the scanner control system 2 Opening and closing the printer cover of the plotter control system 3 - Installation of a recording medium such as a manuscript or printing paper in either the scanner control system 2 or the plotter control system 3 Operation of the panel of the operation unit 5

[0013] The detection unit 10 may be configured to include, for example, a cover open / close detection unit 11, a document set detection unit 12, and a panel operation detection unit 13. The cover open / close detection unit 11 detects whether a cover provided in the scanner control system 2 or the plotter control system 3 has been opened or closed. The original / medium setting detection unit 12 detects that an original has been set on the surface where an original is to be set or that printing paper has been set in the scanner control system 2 or the plotter control system 3. The panel operation detection unit 13 detects that the panel of the operation unit 5 has been operated.

[0014] When receiving an instruction to transition to the energy saving mode, the energy saving control unit 20 transitions the operating state from the normal mode to the energy saving mode. The image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment is configured to operate in either a normal mode that uses normal power or an energy-saving mode that reduces power consumption. A detailed description of the process of transitioning from the normal mode to the energy-saving mode will be omitted here. Whether the image forming apparatus 1 is operating in the normal mode or the energy saving mode may be stored in, for example, a storage area accessible by a control unit or the like included in the image forming apparatus 1. The accessible storage area may be, for example, the system memory (MEM-P) 302 or the local memory (MEM-C) 306 in Fig. 8, which will be described later.

[0015] In the following description, the memory area that can be referenced by the control means, etc. is a memory area that can be read or written by the control means, etc., and may be, for example, the system memory (MEM-P) 302, local memory (MEM-C) 306, or HDD 308 in Figure 8 described below, or a removable memory that can be read or written via an interface with the outside.

[0016] When the detection unit 10 detects the execution of a predetermined trigger, the start-up control unit 30 receives the detection result and controls the start-up of a system previously associated with the predetermined trigger and the return from the energy-saving mode. The system associated with the predetermined trigger may be stored in advance in a storage area accessible by the activation control unit 30. The system may be, for example, at least one of the scanner control system 2, the plotter control system 3, and the relay system 4.

[0017] For example, when the image forming device 1 is operating in the energy saving mode, the startup control unit 30 controls the image forming device 1 to return from the energy saving mode and transition to the normal mode, and when the image forming device 1 is operating in the normal mode, the startup control unit 30 controls the image forming device 1 not to return from the energy saving mode.

[0018] When the detection unit 10 detects the execution of a predetermined trigger, the display control unit 40 receives the detection result and displays, on the panel, an application to be displayed on the panel of the operation unit 5, which is linked in advance to the predetermined trigger. Applications that are pre-associated with predetermined triggers may be stored in advance in a storage area that can be referenced by the display control unit 40. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is configured to include a recording unit 50 that records one or more combinations of predetermined triggers and applications. In this manner, the display control unit 40 can refer to the recording unit 50 to select an application to display on the panel.

[0019] Next, the applications that the display control unit 40 displays on the panel will be described. FIG. 2 shows an example of a user interface displayed on the panel of the operation unit, where (A) shows an example of the home screen display, and (B) shows an example of the display when the copy application is selected. The home screen (HOME screen) is a screen that displays a list of applications. Fig. 2A shows an example in which three applications, a copy application, a scanner application, and a printer application, are displayed on a panel 501. When any application is selected on the panel 501, the corresponding application screen is displayed. Fig. 2(B) shows an example of the display when the copy application is selected.

[0020] Fig. 3 is a table showing an example of a combination of triggers and applications (also called "apps") to be displayed on the panel when starting up or returning from energy saving mode. Fig. 3 shows an example of a combination of a start-up or return from energy saving mode trigger and an application to be displayed on the user interface when the trigger is detected. When starting up or returning from energy saving mode, the panel 501 of the operation unit 5 is also powered on and displays the panel.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a table showing another example of combinations of triggers and applications to be displayed on the panel when the device is started up or returns from power saving mode. Depending on the user's settings, it is also possible to set the application that is displayed when the cover is opened or when the original or printing paper is set as a copy application, since the copy application can be used for many triggers.

[0022] Next, an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 from when it receives an instruction to save energy until it returns to normal operation will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the startup and energy saving recovery operation of the image forming apparatus. The energy saving control unit 20 waits until it receives a request to switch to the energy saving mode (NO in S11), and when it receives a request to switch from the normal mode to the energy saving mode (YES in S11), it performs processing to switch to the energy saving mode (S12). After transitioning to the energy saving mode, the detection unit 10 waits until it detects the occurrence of a predetermined trigger (NO in S13). When the detection unit 10 detects the predetermined trigger (YES in S13), it notifies the start-up control unit 30 and the display control unit 40 of the detection result. The start-up control unit 30 starts up the system linked to the detected trigger and returns from the energy saving mode to the normal mode (S14). The display control unit 40 displays the application associated with the detected trigger on the panel 501 (S15).

[0023] As described above, upon detecting a trigger, the image forming apparatus 1 starts up and returns from the energy saving mode, and displays an application linked to the trigger on the panel 501 of the operation unit 5. This reduces the user's effort when returning from the energy saving mode, and improves usability.

[0024] Embodiment 2. In this embodiment, an example of a configuration will be described in which the user can select the priority of the combination of the trigger and the application to be displayed when starting up or returning from energy saving mode. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1a includes a selection unit (also referred to as "selection means") 60 in addition to the exemplary configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. The selection unit 60 receives information from the outside that selects the order of priority between power consumption reduction and the time until the start of system startup initiated by the startup control unit 30. The selection unit 60 may be configured to receive information input by the user via a panel, information input from the outside via communication, etc. The selection unit 60 notifies the display control unit 40 of the information that selects the order of priority.

[0025] The recording unit 50a stores multiple combinations of triggers and applications linked to the triggers. The multiple combinations are associated with information for selecting a priority order, and are configured to selectively read out an application to be linked to a specific trigger based on the information for selecting the priority order. The recording unit 50a may, for example, record the tables shown in FIGS. 3-4, and enable selection of which table to use based on the information for selecting the priority order. Alternatively, the recording unit 50a may store information in which multiple applications are set to be linked to one trigger according to the information for selecting the priority order. The display control unit 40 uses the information for selecting the priority order to read out a combination of a predetermined trigger and an application from the recording unit 50a and displays it on the panel.

[0026] According to this embodiment, applications according to the user's usage status based on each trigger can be displayed on panel 501. In this way, the user can select whether to prioritize power (prioritize reduction of power consumption) or time to start use (prioritize the time until the start of system startup by startup control unit 30).

[0027] Embodiment 3. In this embodiment, an example of a configuration will be described in which the image forming apparatus includes a unit for determining an application to be displayed on a panel based on information from a recording unit. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1b includes a determination unit (also referred to as a "determination means") 70 that receives the detection result and determines the application combined with the trigger indicated by the detection result. The detector 10b notifies the determination unit 70 of the detection result. The display control unit 40b receives the information about the application determined by the determination unit 70 and displays it on the panel.

[0028] In the configuration example of Figure 7, when the detection unit 10b notifies the judgment unit 70 of the detection result, the judgment unit 70 may determine the system and application linked to the trigger, notify the start control unit 30 of the system linked to the trigger, and notify the display control unit 40 of the application linked to the trigger. 7 shows an example of a configuration in which the determination unit 70 is added to the image forming apparatus 1 in FIG. 1, but the determination unit 70 may be added to the image forming apparatus 1a in FIG. 6. In this case, the determination unit 70 receives information for selecting the order of priority from the selection unit 60, and reads out an application to be displayed from the recording unit 50a using the information for selecting the order of priority.

[0029] Other embodiments. In the above-described embodiments, a configuration example has been described in which a system to be activated linked to a predetermined trigger is stored in advance in a storage area accessible by the activation control unit 30, but this is not limiting. When the activation control unit 30 is realized by a program, the activation control unit 30 may, for example, set the predetermined trigger and the system to be activated linked to the trigger within the program.

[0030] In the above-described embodiments, a configuration example has been described in which a combination of a trigger and an application is stored in advance in a storage area (for example, recording unit 50, 50a) that can be referenced by display control unit 40, but this is not limiting. When display control unit 40 is realized by a program, display control unit 40 may set a combination of a predetermined trigger and an application linked to the trigger within the program. This provides a configuration example in which a recording unit is not provided in the image forming apparatus.

[0031] In each of the above-described embodiments, the control means may be realized, for example, by a program or by a combination of a program and hardware.

[0032] Next, with reference to Fig. 8, an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus described in each of the above embodiments will be described using image forming apparatus 300. Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus.

[0033] The image forming apparatus 300 is constructed by an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral / Product / Printer) etc. The image forming apparatus 300 includes a controller 310, a short-range communication circuit 320, an engine control unit 330, an operation panel 340, and a network I / F 350.

[0034] The controller 310 controls the entire image forming apparatus 300, for example, controlling drawing, communication, and input from the operation panel 340. Specifically, the controller 310 has a CPU 301, which is the main part of the computer, a system memory (MEM-P) 302, a north bridge (NB) 303, a south bridge (SB) 304, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 305, a local memory (MEM-C) 306, which is a storage unit, an HDD controller 307, and an HDD 308, which is also a storage unit, and is configured such that the NB 303 and the ASIC 305 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 309.

[0035] The CPU 301 is a control unit that performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 300 .

[0036] The NB 303 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 301 with the MEM-P 302, the SB 304, and the AGP bus 309, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 302, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target.

[0037] The MEM-P 302 comprises a ROM 302a, which is a memory for storing programs and data that realize the functions of the controller 310, and a RAM 302b, which is used as a memory for expanding programs and data and for drawing when printing from memory.

[0038] The programs stored in the ROM 302a may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD.

[0039] The SB304 is a bridge for connecting the NB303 to PCI devices and peripheral devices.

[0040] The ASIC 305 is an integrated circuit (IC) for image processing purposes that has hardware elements for image processing, and serves as a bridge that connects the AGP bus 309, PCI bus 311, HDD 308, and MEM-C 306, respectively.

[0041] ASIC305 consists of a PCI target and AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of ASIC305, a memory controller that controls MEM-C306, multiple DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that perform image data rotation using hardware logic, and a PCI unit that transfers data between scanner unit 331 and printer unit 332 via PCI bus 311.

[0042] The ASIC 305 may be connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or an IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface.

[0043] The MEM-C 306 is a local memory used as an image buffer for copying and a code buffer.

[0044] The HDD 308 is a storage for storing image data, font data used during printing, and forms. The HDD controller 307 controls reading and writing of data from and to the HDD 308 under the control of the CPU 301.

[0045] The AGP bus 309 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed to speed up graphics processing, and by directly accessing the MEM-P 302 at high throughput, the graphics accelerator card can be made faster.

[0046] Further, the short-range communication circuit 320 includes a short-range communication circuit 920a. The short-range communication circuit 320 is a communication circuit such as NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0047] The engine control unit 330 is made up of a scanner unit 331 and a printer unit 332. The scanner unit 331 or the printer unit 332 includes an image processing unit such as error diffusion and gamma conversion.

[0048] The operation panel 340 includes a panel display unit 340a such as a touch panel that displays the current setting values ​​and selection screens, etc., and accepts input from the operator, and an operation panel 340b that includes a numeric keypad that accepts setting values ​​for image formation conditions such as density setting conditions, and a start key that accepts a copy start instruction. The operation panel 340 can be used as the panel 501 of the operation unit 5 shown in FIG. 2, and for example, the operation panel 340 may be configured to be managed by the scanner control system 2 as in FIG.

[0049] Image forming apparatus 300 allows the user to sequentially switch between document box function, copy function, printer function, and facsimile function using the application switching key on operation panel 340. When the document box function is selected, the device enters document box mode, when the copy function is selected, the device enters copy mode, when the printer function is selected, the device enters printer mode, and when the facsimile mode is selected, the device enters facsimile mode.

[0050] The network I / F 350 is an interface for performing data communication using the communication network NT. The short-range communication circuit 320 and the network I / F 350 are electrically connected to the ASIC 305 via the PCI bus 311.

[0051] For example, aspects of the present invention are as follows. <1> a scanner control system for controlling the scanner; a plotter control system for controlling the plotter; a relay system that controls the scanner control system and the plotter control system and relays requests from external devices; an operation unit having a panel; a detection means for detecting a predetermined trigger generated in at least one of the scanner control system, the plotter control system, and the operation unit; an energy-saving control means for transitioning the operating state to the energy-saving mode when receiving an instruction to transition to the energy-saving mode; a start-up control means for controlling the start-up of a system associated with the predetermined trigger in advance and the return from an energy-saving mode when the detection means detects the execution of the predetermined trigger; a display control means for displaying an application associated with the predetermined trigger on the panel when the detection means detects the execution of the predetermined trigger; The image forming apparatus includes: <2> The predetermined trigger is at least one of opening and closing a scanner cover of the scanner control system, opening and closing a printer cover of the plotter control system, placing a recording medium or an original in either the scanner control system or the plotter control system, and operating a panel of the operation unit. The above-mentioned <1> 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: <3> a recording unit that records a plurality of combinations of the predetermined trigger and the application; The display control means refers to the recording unit to select an application to be displayed on the panel. The above-mentioned <1> or <2> 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: <4> Further, the system is provided with a selection means for receiving information for selecting a priority order between reduction in power consumption and a time until the start of startup of the system started by the startup control means, The recording unit can change the application associated with the predetermined trigger based on the information for selecting the priority order. The above-mentioned <3> 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

[0052] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Within the scope of the present invention, the elements of the above-described embodiments can be modified, added, or converted into content that would be easily conceivable by a person skilled in the art. Furthermore, two or more of the above-described embodiments can be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1, 1a, 1b, 300 Image forming device 2. Scanner Control System 3 Plotter control system 4. Relay System 5 Control section 10, 10b Detection unit (detection means) 11 Cover open / close detector 13 Document set detector 15 Panel operation detector 20 Energy saving control unit (energy saving control means) 30 Start control unit (start control means) 40, 40b Display control unit (display control means) 50, 50a Recording section 60 Selection unit (selection means) 70 Judgment part (judgment means) 501 Panel [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0054] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-314727

Claims

1. a scanner control system for controlling the scanner; a plotter control system for controlling the plotter; a relay system that controls the scanner control system and the plotter control system and relays requests from external devices; an operation unit having a panel; a detection means for detecting a predetermined trigger generated in at least one of the scanner control system, the plotter control system, and the operation unit; an energy-saving control means for transitioning the operating state to the energy-saving mode when receiving an instruction to transition to the energy-saving mode; a start-up control means for controlling the start-up of a system associated with the predetermined trigger in advance and the return from an energy-saving mode when the detection means detects the execution of the predetermined trigger; a display control means for displaying an application associated with the predetermined trigger on the panel when the detection means detects the execution of the predetermined trigger; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined trigger is at least one of opening and closing a scanner cover of the scanner control system, opening and closing a printer cover of the plotter control system, placing a recording medium or an original in either the scanner control system or the plotter control system, and operating a panel of the operation unit.

3. a recording unit that records a plurality of combinations of the predetermined trigger and the application; The display control means refers to the recording unit to select an application to be displayed on the panel.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

4. Further, the system is provided with a selection means for receiving information for selecting a priority order between reduction in power consumption and a time until the start of startup of the system started by the startup control means, 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the recording unit is capable of changing the application linked to the predetermined trigger based on the information for selecting the priority order.

Images