Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a function of returning from an energy-saving state that meets the needs of a user.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: a scanner control system; a plotter control system; a relay system that controls the systems and relays a request from an external device; an operation panel; a plurality of covers; a cover opening / closing detection unit that detects opening / closing of the covers; a loading detection unit that detects loading of a document on a scanner and loading of a print sheet on a plotter; a first determination unit that determines which one of the systems is to be started up or returned from an energy-saving state on the basis of the date on which the print sheet is loaded; a second determination unit that determines which one of the systems is to be started up or returned from the energy-saving state on the basis of the history of use of an application; and a start-up or returning unit that, when detecting a touch on the operation panel, opening / closing of the covers, loading of the document, or loading of the print sheet, causes the system to start up or return from the energy-saving state on the basis of results of determinations made by the determination units.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] An image forming device has been developed that has multiple covers such as a scanner cover and a printer cover, and starts up or transitions back from an energy-saving state depending on whether the covers are open or closed, and has a mechanism for detecting whether a document or print paper is set in the scanner, thereby achieving energy savings by starting up or transitioning back from an energy-saving state depending on whether a document or print paper is set.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration of an image forming device that restores only operating units related to specific functions based on user input during power saving mode, with the aim of improving user convenience while also improving the effect of reducing power consumption. Patent Document 2 also discloses a configuration that changes the power state of each unit by referring to job input and the status of related units of the device, with the aim of improving energy saving performance. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the image forming device described above, the part to be restored from the energy saving mode is determined based on triggers such as opening and closing the cover, or setting a document or print paper. However, with the conventional method, if a certain number of days have passed since the last document or print paper was set, the most recent application usage history of the machine used by the user is not referenced, which can lead to the problem of the user using the wrong function when the device is restored from the energy saving mode. For example, if the copy operation is performed when the device is restored from the energy saving mode even though print paper was set many days ago, it is highly likely that this is not the function the user wants to use.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has an object to provide an image forming apparatus that can provide a function for returning from an energy-saving state in accordance with user needs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a scanner control system that controls a scanner, a plotter control system that controls a plotter, a relay system that controls the scanner control system and the plotter control system and relays requests from external devices, an operation panel, a plurality of covers including a cover for the scanner and a cover for the plotter, a cover open / close detection unit that detects opening and closing of the covers, a set detection unit that detects the setting of an original on the scanner and the setting of print paper on the plotter, and a control unit that controls the scanner control system and the plotter when a touch on the operation panel, the opening / closing of the cover, the setting of the original or the setting of the print paper is detected. The system comprises a startup / return unit that starts up the plotter control system or returns it from an energy-saving state, a first judgment unit that determines which of the scanner control system and the plotter control system to start up or return it from an energy-saving state based on the date and time of the printing paper set, and a second judgment unit that determines which of the scanner control system and the plotter control system to start up or return it from an energy-saving state based on the application usage history, and the startup / return unit starts up the scanner control system and the plotter control system or returns it from an energy-saving state based on the judgment results of the first judgment unit and the second judgment unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The present invention has the effect of providing a function for returning from an energy-saving state that meets the needs of users. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus included in an image forming system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a relay system of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram relating to the start-up and recovery of each control system in response to detection of the date and time when printing paper is set in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a use case diagram showing how the scanner control system, plotter control system, and relay system are started by user operation when the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment returns from an energy saving state. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the start-up and recovery operation based on the date and time of detection of the print paper set in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the start-up and recovery operation based on the usage history of an application in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a restoration process based on detection of a print paper set and application usage history in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an image forming apparatus will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] The hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus included in an image forming system according to this embodiment.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 3 is constructed by an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral / Product / Printer) etc. The image forming apparatus 3 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.

[0012] The controller 310 controls the entire image forming apparatus 3, for example, 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.

[0013] The CPU 301 is a control unit that performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 3 .

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] The SB304 is a bridge for connecting the NB303 to PCI devices and peripheral devices.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] The ASIC 305 may be connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or an IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface.

[0021] The MEM-C 306 is a local memory used as an image buffer for copying and a code buffer.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] Further, the short-distance communication circuit 320 includes a short-distance communication circuit 320a. The short-distance communication circuit 320 is a communication circuit such as NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] The image forming apparatus 3 can be switched between the document box function, copy function, printer function, and facsimile function in sequence using the application switching key on the operation panel 340. When the document box function is selected, the image forming apparatus 3 enters document box mode, when the copy function is selected, the image forming apparatus 3 enters copy mode, when the printer function is selected, the image forming apparatus 3 enters printer mode, and when the facsimile mode is selected, the image forming apparatus 3 enters facsimile mode.

[0028] 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.

[0029] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the image forming apparatus 3 according to this embodiment has three systems: a scanner control system that controls a scanner unit 331 (an example of a scanner), a plotter control system that controls a printer unit 332 (an example of a plotter), and a relay system that controls each system and relays requests from external devices. An operation panel 340 is connected to the scanner control system and is controlled by the scanner control system.

[0030] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a relay system for an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. In the relay system according to this embodiment, a CPU 301 executes a program stored in a ROM 302a using a RAM 302b as a work area, thereby realizing a cover open / close detection unit 301a, a set detection unit 301b, a start / return unit 301c, a first determination unit 301d, a second determination unit 301e, a number-of-days setting unit 301f, and a switching unit 301g.

[0031] Cover open / close detection unit 301a is an example of a cover open / close detection unit that detects the opening and closing of a plurality of covers including the cover of scanner unit 331 (an example of a scanner) and the cover of printer unit 332 (an example of a plotter).

[0032] The set detection unit 301b is an example of a set detection unit that detects the setting of an original on the scanner unit 331 (original set) and the setting of printing paper on the printer unit 332 (printing paper set).

[0033] The startup / recovery unit 301c is an example of a startup / recovery unit that starts up the scanner control system and the plotter control system or recovers them from an energy-saving state when it detects a touch on the operation panel 340, the opening or closing of the cover, or the setting of a document or printing paper. The startup / recovery unit 301c also starts up the scanner control system and the plotter control system or recovers them from an energy-saving state based on the determination results of the first determination unit 301d and the second determination unit 301e, which will be described later.

[0034] This allows the system to provide a return function from energy-saving mode that meets the user's needs when waking up from the energy-saving mode based on triggers such as opening and closing the cover or loading a document or print paper, by referencing the date and time of loading print paper and the most recent application usage history. This also improves work efficiency by allowing users to quickly access functions they actually use frequently. Furthermore, it is possible to achieve power savings by waking up from the optimal energy-saving mode based on the user's application usage history.

[0035] The first determination unit 301d is an example of a first determination unit that determines which of the scanner control system and the plotter control system to start or return from the energy-saving state based on the date and time of the print paper setting. For example, if a predetermined number of days or more have passed since the print paper setting, the first determination unit 301d determines that the plotter control system should start or return from the energy-saving state even if the power is turned on due to a scanner factor related to the scanner unit 331. Here, the predetermined number of days is a preset number of days, and may be, for example, 60 days. This makes it possible to detect the period when print paper was last set, and to return the machine from the energy-saving state in consideration of the user's use of the printer unit 332, thereby reducing the user's waiting time before using the printer unit 332 and improving convenience.

[0036] The second determination unit 301e is an example of a second determination unit that determines which of the scanner control system and the plotter control system to start or return from the energy-saving state based on the application usage history. For example, the second determination unit 301e refers to the application usage history and, if only the scanner unit 331 has been used, determines that the scanner control system should be started or returned from the energy-saving state regardless of the return trigger. Furthermore, the second determination unit 301e refers to the application usage history and, if only the copy unit has been used, determines that the plotter control system should be started or returned from the energy-saving state regardless of the return trigger. This allows the control system for executing apps that the user is likely to use to be started preferentially by referring to the application usage history, thereby achieving power savings.

[0037] The number-of-days setting unit 301f is an example of a number-of-days setting unit that sets a predetermined number of days. The switching unit 301g is an example of a switching unit that switches between enabling and disabling the judgment function of the second judgment unit 301e. This makes it possible to adjust the period for detecting the date and time of print paper set to any number of days and to switch the priority setting for application usage history, allowing adjustments to suit each user's work style.

[0038] 4 is a sequence diagram showing the start-up and recovery of each control system in response to detection of the date and time when print paper is set in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. This sequence shows how the three systems recover when the user opens the scanner cover (opens the cover of the scanner unit 331) as a trigger for the energy saving recovery operation (recovery operation from the energy saving state).

[0039] The process goes as follows: after the scanner cover is opened (step S401), the relay system starts up (step S402), which triggers a return due to a scanner-related (scanner factor), so the relay system issues a power-on request to the scanner control system, turning it on (steps S403 and S404). Conventionally, system return is triggered only by a user's operational setting. However, in this embodiment, the relay system determines whether to return the plotter control system by detecting the date and time when the print paper was set (the date and time the print paper was set).

[0040] In FIG. 4, if it has been less than a predetermined number of days (e.g., 60 days) since the last time print paper was loaded, the relay system determines based on that information that the user has been using a printer or copy operation until recently, and also activates the plotter control system (steps S405 and S406). This allows printer-related operations to be immediately executed even in the case of a return due to a scanner error, reducing user waiting time and improving convenience. Also, while FIG. 4 shows a specific number of days (60 days as an example of the predetermined number of days), the setting of the predetermined number of days (days setting unit 301f) can be turned on or off by user operation, and the trigger number of days can be changed to any value. This allows the image forming device 3 to reflect user usage trends, leading to further improvements in convenience.

[0041] Table 1 below shows the trigger factors for conventional system recovery and the system recovery caused by those triggers when the application usage history is not referenced. Table 2 below shows the triggers for each system recovery and the system recovery caused by those triggers when the application usage history is referenced. For simplicity, Table 2 shows the case where a scanner app (scanner application) is set as the application to be used preferentially. [Table 1] [Table 2]

[0042] FIG. 5 is a use case diagram illustrating how the scanner control system, plotter control system, and relay system are activated by user operations when the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment returns from an energy-saving state. When a user of the image forming apparatus 3 performs five activation / energy-saving recovery operations on the image forming apparatus 3 in an energy-saving state (e.g., pressing the operation panel 340, opening the scanner unit 331 cover, placing a document for the scanner, opening the printer unit 332 cover, and placing print paper), the image forming apparatus 3 first powers on the relay systems to activate each system. Then, the relay systems (activation / recovery unit 301c, first determination unit 301d, and second determination unit 301e) appropriately activate the system desired by the user by detecting the date and time of the print paper placement and referencing the application usage history. Detailed conditional branching for determining which system to activate will be described in the processing flowcharts following FIG. 6.

[0043] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the startup / recovery operation based on the detected date and time of print paper setting in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. To simplify the process flow, Fig. 6 explains the process when the detection setting of the date and time of print paper setting is functioning. The case where the trigger is job execution is excluded from the following process flow diagram.

[0044] When the image forming apparatus 3 is operated to return from the energy-saving state (start-up energy saving mode return operation) (step S601), the relay system is first powered on (step S602). After the relay system is started, the system that is powered on next changes depending on the type of startup energy saving mode return operation (operation trigger).

[0045] If the operation trigger for the startup energy saving mode recovery operation is pressing the operation panel 340 or a scanner factor (for example, opening the cover of the scanner unit 331 or placing a document on the scanner unit 331) (step S603: pressing the operation panel, scanner factor), the startup recovery unit 301c turns on the power to the scanner control system (step S604). Conversely, if the operation trigger is a printer factor recovery method (for example, opening the printer cover and placing print paper) (step S603: printer factor), the startup recovery unit 301c turns on the power to the plotter control system (step S605).

[0046] After the scanner control system is started due to a scanner factor (step S604), if the number of days that have passed since the date and time of the last detected printing paper setting has already exceeded the predetermined number of days (e.g., 60 days) set by the user (step S606: No), the startup / recovery unit 301c proceeds directly to the operation unit screen display (step S607).If the number of days that have passed since the date and time of the last detected printing paper setting is less than the predetermined number of days (step S606: Yes), the startup / recovery unit 301c predicts that the user has been operating the printer until recently, and also turns on the power to the plotter control system (step S605).

[0047] Even if the power is turned on due to a scanner factor, the plotter control system can be started based on the number of days that have passed since the date and time of the last print paper set detected by the set detection unit 301b, thereby reducing the waiting time before using the printer unit 332 and improving user convenience.

[0048] If all the paper that was set is used up by printing and no paper is set in the print paper set, the first judgment unit 301d resets the print paper set detection period to 0 days in the set of days (detection period) that have passed since the date and time the print paper set was detected. If print paper of a different size is set in the print paper set during copying, the first judgment unit 301d determines that the print paper has been reset and resets the print paper set detection period to 0 days. In exceptional cases, such as when the print paper is removed and reset to remove slack from the set print paper, the first judgment unit 301d continues the print paper set detection period without resetting it, because the print paper is set again in a short time (for example, less than 5 minutes) after it was removed.

[0049] 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the startup and recovery operation based on the application usage history in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. In order to simplify the flow of the process, the process when the priority setting of the application usage history is functioning is described in FIG.

[0050] First, the relay system is powered on (step S702) by the startup energy saving mode recovery operation (step S701). After the relay system is started, the system to be powered on next changes depending on the type of recovery operation (operation trigger) from the energy saving mode. Furthermore, if the application usage history priority setting is ON, the system to be powered on next changes.

[0051] When the system is restored by pressing the operation panel 340 or by a scanner factor (step S703: pressing the operation panel, scanner factor), the system refers to the most recent application usage history and if the printer application usage history is set as the priority (step S704: Yes), the startup / recovery unit 301c turns on the power of the plotter control system rather than the scanner control system (step S705).On the other hand, when the system is restored by opening the printer cover (step S703: printer factor), the system refers to the most recent application usage history and if the scanner application usage history is set as the priority (step S706: Yes), the startup / recovery unit 301c turns on the power of the scanner control system rather than the plotter control system (step S707).

[0052] Although this is a printer factor (step S703: printer factor), if new printing paper has been loaded, it is highly likely that a printer application will be used, so the startup / recovery unit 301c does not refer to the application usage history and turns on the power to the plotter control system (step S705). In this way, when the application usage history is referred to, a control system different from the cause of the return is started and the original control system is not restored. This reflects the user's usage needs and achieves power savings. After turning on the power to the scanner control system (step S707) and the power to the plotter control system (step S705), the startup / recovery unit 301c transitions to the operation unit screen display (step S708).

[0053] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a restoration process based on detection of a print paper set and application usage history in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[0054] First, the relay system is powered on (step S802) by the startup energy saving mode recovery operation (step S801). After the relay system is started, the system to be powered on next changes depending on the type of recovery operation (operation trigger) from the energy saving mode. Furthermore, if the application usage history priority setting is ON, the system to be powered on next changes.

[0055] If the system is restored due to a scanner factor (step S803: pressing the operation panel, scanner factor), and if the printer application usage history is set as the priority setting by referring to the most recent application usage history (step S804: Yes), the startup / restore unit 301c turns on the power of the plotter control system instead of the scanner control system (step S805).

[0056] On the other hand, if the recovery is due to a printer factor (step S803: printer cover open), and if the most recent application usage history is referenced and the scanner application usage history is set as the priority (step S806: Yes), the startup recovery unit 301c turns on the power of the scanner control system instead of the plotter control system (step S807).

[0057] Setting the printing paper is a printer factor, but if new printing paper is set (step S803: Setting printing paper), there is a very high possibility that the printer application will be used, so the application usage history reference does not function, and the startup / recovery unit 301c turns on the power to the plotter control system (step S805).

[0058] When the scanner control system is started (step S807), if the number of days that have passed since the last time print paper was detected has already exceeded the predetermined number of days set by the user (step S808: No), the startup / recovery unit 301c proceeds directly to the operation unit screen display (step S809).If the predetermined number of days has not been reached (step S808: Yes), the startup / recovery unit 301c predicts that the user has been operating the printer until recently, and turns on the power to the plotter control system (step S805).

[0059] In this way, according to the image forming device 3 of this embodiment, when returning from an energy-saving state based on a trigger such as opening or closing the cover or setting a document or printing paper, the date and time when the printing paper was set and the most recent application usage history can be referenced, and a function for returning from an energy-saving state that meets the user's needs can be provided.

[0060] The program executed by the image forming apparatus 3 of this embodiment is provided by being pre-installed in the ROM 302a, etc. The program executed by the image forming apparatus 3 of this embodiment may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a digital versatile disk (DVD).

[0061] Furthermore, the program executed by the image forming apparatus 3 of the present embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Also, the program executed by the image forming apparatus 3 of the present embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0062] The program executed by the image forming apparatus 3 of this embodiment has a modular configuration including the above-mentioned units (cover opening / closing detection unit 301a, set detection unit 301b, startup / recovery unit 301c, first judgment unit 301d, second judgment unit 301e, number of days setting unit 301f, and switching unit 301g), and in actual hardware, an example of a processor such as CPU 301 reads and executes the program from the above-mentioned ROM 302a, thereby loading the above-mentioned units onto the main memory, and the cover opening / closing detection unit 301a, set detection unit 301b, startup / recovery unit 301c, first judgment unit 301d, second judgment unit 301e, number of days setting unit 301f, and switching unit 301g are generated on the main memory.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is described as being applied to a multifunction peripheral having at least two of the functions of a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function, but the present invention can be applied to any image forming apparatus such as a copier, printer, scanner device, or facsimile device.

[0064] 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 panel, a plurality of covers including the scanner cover and the plotter cover; a cover open / close detection unit that detects whether the cover is open or closed; a set detection unit that detects the setting of an original on the scanner and the setting of printing paper on the plotter; a start-up / recovery unit that starts up the scanner control system and the plotter control system or recovers them from an energy-saving state when it detects that the operation panel is touched, that the cover is opened or closed, or that the document or the print paper is set; a first determination unit that determines which of the scanner control system and the plotter control system should be started up or restored from an energy saving state based on the date and time of the printing paper set; a second determination unit that determines which of the scanner control system and the plotter control system should be started up or restored from an energy-saving state based on a usage history of the application; The startup / recovery unit starts up the scanner control system and the plotter control system or recovers them from an energy-saving state based on the determination results of the first determination unit and the second determination unit. <2> the first determination unit determines that the plotter control system should be started up or restored from an energy-saving state even if the power is turned on due to a scanner factor related to the scanner if a predetermined number of days or more have passed since the printing paper was set; <1> 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . <3> the second determination unit refers to the application usage history, and if only the scanner has been used, determines to start up the scanner control system or to return from the energy saving state; and refers to the application usage history, and if only the copy has been used, determines to start up the plotter control system or to return from the energy saving state; <1> or <2> 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . <4> a number-of-days setting unit that sets the predetermined number of days; a switching unit that switches between enabling and disabling the determination function of the second determination unit; Equipped with <2> 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 3. Image forming device 301 CPU 301a Cover open / close detector 301b Set detection unit 301c Startup and recovery section 301d First Judgment Division 301e 2nd Judgment Department 301f Days setting section 301g Switching part 302a ROM 302b RAM 331 Scanner 332 Printer Department 340 Operation Panel [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0066] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-049827 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-049955

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 panel, a plurality of covers including the scanner cover and the plotter cover; a cover open / close detection unit that detects whether the cover is open or closed; a set detection unit that detects the setting of an original on the scanner and the setting of printing paper on the plotter; a start-up / recovery unit that starts up the scanner control system and the plotter control system or recovers them from an energy-saving state when it detects that the operation panel is touched, that the cover is opened or closed, or that the document or the print paper is set; a first determination unit that determines which of the scanner control system and the plotter control system should be started up or restored from an energy-saving state based on the date and time of the printing paper set; a second determination unit that determines which of the scanner control system and the plotter control system should be started up or restored from an energy-saving state based on a usage history of the application; The startup / recovery unit starts up the scanner control system and the plotter control system or recovers them from an energy-saving state based on the determination results of the first determination unit and the second determination unit.

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first judgment unit judges that the plotter control system should be started or restored from an energy-saving state even if the power is turned on due to a scanner factor related to the scanner if a predetermined number of days or more have passed since the printing paper was set.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second judgment unit refers to the application usage history and, if only the scanner is being used, judges to start up the scanner control system or return it from an energy-saving state, and refers to the application usage history and, if only the copy is being used, judges to start up the plotter control system or return it from an energy-saving state.

4. a number-of-days setting unit that sets the predetermined number of days; a switching unit that switches between enabling and disabling a determination function of the second determination unit; The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , comprising:

Images