Image forming system

Abstract

There was a risk that starting the image forming machine when the power was turned on would not improve usability. [Solution] An image forming apparatus comprising an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet and a control means for controlling the operation of the image forming means, and an information processing device that can communicate with the image forming apparatus, is connected to one or more devices different from the image forming apparatus, and acquires the integrated power value of the one or more devices, wherein the control means controls whether or not to start the image forming apparatus based on the integrated power value acquired from the information processing device when power is supplied to the image forming apparatus.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system including an image forming apparatus that employs an electrophotographic method, an electrostatic recording method, or the like, such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile machine.

Background Art

[0002] Some conventional image forming apparatuses have a function of automatically returning to the state before a power failure when the power supply is resumed after the power failure state is resolved when the apparatus is forced to turn off due to a sudden power failure. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses the following. That is, an electronic device has an AC / DC converter that generates a DC voltage from a commercial power supply, and a transistor Tr1 that switches between an on state in which the DC voltage from the AC / DC converter is output and an off state in which the output of the DC voltage is cut off. Further, it has a Tr1 control circuit that is connected to the AC / DC converter and holds Tr1 in the on state for a predetermined time when power is supplied from the commercial power supply, and turns it off after the predetermined time has elapsed, and a CPU that controls the power supply switching means to be in the on state / off state. The CPU controls the transistor Tr1 to be in the on state or the off state according to the operating state before the power supply from the commercial power supply is cut off when power is supplied from the power supply unit, so as to return to the state before the power failure.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the image forming apparatus may be turned off not only due to a power failure, and there is a possibility that starting the image forming apparatus when it is necessarily turned on may not improve user convenience.

[0005] This application was made in view of the above circumstances and aims to provide a system that can control whether or not to start an image forming apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, an image forming system is provided, comprising: an image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet; a control means for controlling the operation of the image forming means; and an information processing device that can communicate with the image forming apparatus, is connected to one or more devices different from the image forming apparatus, and acquires the integrated power values ​​of the one or more devices, wherein the control means controls whether or not to start the image forming apparatus based on the integrated power values ​​acquired from the information processing device when power is supplied to the image forming apparatus. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] A system can be provided that can control whether or not to start an image forming apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus [Figure 2] Diagram showing an image forming system [Figure 3] Block diagram of an image forming apparatus [Figure 4] Block diagram of an image forming apparatus [Figure 5] Timing chart showing power state transitions [Figure 6] Timing chart showing power state transitions [Figure 7] Timing chart showing power state transitions [Figure 8] Timing chart showing power state transitions [Figure 9] A flowchart illustrating the operation when power is supplied from a power outlet. [Figure 10]Flowchart for when the power switch is pressed while the power is off [Figure 11] Flowchart for when the power switch is pressed while in standby mode [Figure 12] Graph showing cumulative power values [Figure 13] Graph showing cumulative power values [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the invention as defined in the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention. [Examples]

[0010] (Image forming apparatus) Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the image forming apparatus 1100. The operation of the image forming apparatus 1100 will be explained using Figure 1. The image forming apparatus 1100 is a digital full-color printer that forms images using multiple colors of toner. Here, an intermediate transfer type printer is explained as an example, but a direct transfer type color printer or a monochrome printer may also be used. The first station is a station for forming yellow (Y) toner images, and the second station is a station for forming magenta (M) toner images. The third station is a station for forming cyan (C) toner images, and the fourth station is a station for forming black (Bk) toner images. In the following explanation, the letters Y, M, C, and Bk at the end of the reference numerals indicate that the component is related to the formation of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk) toner images, respectively. In the following explanation, if it is not necessary to distinguish colors, the reference numerals without the letters Y, M, C, and Bk at the end may be used.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 1100 is provided with four image forming units (image forming means) 1101Y, 1101M, 1101C, and 1101Bk that form images by color. The image forming units 1101Y, 1101M, 1101C, and 1101Bk respectively perform image formation using yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner. The image forming unit 1101 is provided with a photosensitive drum 1102. Around the photosensitive drum 1102, a charging device 1103 that charges the photosensitive drum 1102, an optical scanning device 1104 that exposes the charged photosensitive drum 1102 to form an electrostatic latent image, and a developing device 1105 that develops the electrostatic latent image are respectively provided. Further, a drum cleaning device 1106 that cleans the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 1102 is arranged.

[0012] Below the photosensitive drum 1102, an endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer belt 1107 is arranged. The intermediate transfer belt 1107 is stretched by a driving roller 1108 and driven rollers 1109 and 1110 and rotates in the direction of arrow B in the figure. Further, a primary transfer device 1111 is provided at a position facing the photosensitive drum 1102 via the intermediate transfer belt 1107. Also, a secondary transfer device 1112 for transferring the image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 1107 to the sheet P and a fixing device 1113 for fixing the image secondarily transferred onto the sheet P are provided.

[0013] Next, the image forming process from the charging process to the developing process in the image forming apparatus 1100 will be described. Note that the image forming process in each image forming unit is the same.

[0014] First, the charging device 1103 of the image forming unit 1101 charges the photosensitive drum 1102 that is rotationally driven. The charged photosensitive drum 1102 is exposed by the laser light emitted from the optical scanning device 1104. The controller and the optical scanning device 1104Y are connected by an FFC (not shown). The laser light is controlled to be lit based on the video signal VDO created by the controller. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the rotating photosensitive drum 1102. The electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image by the developing device 1105. The power supply supplies the power input from the commercial power supply outside the image forming apparatus 1100 to the controller.

[0015] Hereinafter, the image forming process after the transfer process will be described. The primary transfer device 1111 applies a primary transfer bias to the intermediate transfer belt 1107 to primarily transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1102. As a result, the toner images of each color are overlapped on the intermediate transfer belt 1107, and a color image is formed. The image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 1107 is secondarily transferred onto the sheet P by the secondary transfer device 1112. The sheet P onto which the image has been secondarily transferred is heat-fixed by the fixing device 1113 and discharged to the paper discharge unit 1116.

[0016] (Image forming system) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an image forming system. The smart meter 1 is connected to an external power grid 6. Also, the smart meter 1 is connected to the power management device 2. The power management device 2 as an information processing device capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus is hereinafter also referred to as HEMS (Home Energy Management System). The HEMS 2 acquires the amount of electric power (instantaneous power value, integrated power value, etc.) measured by the smart meter 1 via B-route communication. The distribution board 3 is connected to the power grid 6 via the smart meter 1 and distributes power to each home appliance 4 which is one or more devices installed indoors. The HEMS 2 can communicate with the image forming apparatus 1100 and the home appliances 4 via wireless LAN, and can acquire information on the instantaneous value of power and the integrated power from the smart meter 1 via the HEMS 2.

[0017] (Block diagram of an image forming apparatus) Figures 3 and 4 are block diagrams of an image forming apparatus. First, let's explain the conventional configuration using Figure 3. In the conventional configuration, there were cases where the system would automatically perform a power recovery operation even when the power was not turned off due to a power outage.

[0018] The power supply board 21 is supplied with commercial power by being connected to a power outlet 20 via a power cord. A large-capacity electrolytic capacitor 22 is connected to the power supply board 21.

[0019] The DC controller board 23 controls various aspects of the image forming apparatus. The CPU 24 is connected to an accessible non-volatile memory 25. The power switch 26 is connected to the CPU 24 so that it can detect when the power switch is operated.

[0020] First, let's explain the normal power-on and power-off operations. When commercial power is supplied from the power outlet 20, the power supply board 21 generates and outputs a DC voltage (3.3V). The DC voltage is supplied to the DC controller board 23, and the CPU 24 starts up. When the CPU 24 detects that the power switch 26 has been pressed, it starts up each part of the image forming apparatus and writes information indicating that the power has been turned on, a "power-on flag," to the non-volatile memory 25. Once the power is turned on, the image forming apparatus enters standby mode.

[0021] Next, when the CPU 24 detects that the power switch 26 has been pressed while in standby mode, it performs a predetermined shutdown process and then clears the "power ON flag" written to the non-volatile memory 25. When the power is turned off, the image forming machine switches to the off state. After this, if the power cord is unplugged and then plugged back in, the CPU 24 on the DC controller board 23 starts up. Since the "power ON flag" in the non-volatile memory 25 has been cleared, the image forming machine remains in the power-off state without starting up. Also, if the power switch 26 is pressed in this state, the image forming machine starts up as described above and switches to the standby state.

[0022] Next, the power outage recovery operation will be explained. If a power outage occurs while the image forming apparatus is running, such as in standby mode, the power supply from the power outlet 20 is stopped, and the DC controller board 23 is also powered off. If the power is momentarily interrupted due to a power outage, the "power ON flag" written to the non-volatile memory 25 is not cleared and is retained. Then, when power is restored from the power outage state and the power supply from the power outlet 20 is resumed, the DC controller board 23 restarts. The DC controller board 23 then determines whether or not the "power ON flag" has been written, and if the "power ON flag" has been written, it restarts the image forming apparatus to standby mode and performs the power outage recovery operation. If the "power ON flag" has not been written, the power outage recovery operation is not performed.

[0023] Next, we will explain a situation in which the system performs a power recovery operation even when the power is not turned off due to a power outage. For example, when the image forming apparatus is running, pressing the power switch 26 by the user will normally turn it off. If the power cord is unplugged in this state and the power supply from the power outlet 20 is stopped, the electrolytic capacitor 22 in the power supply board 21 will retain some charge for a while, and a DC voltage (3.3V) will continue to be output. Since the power consumption of the image forming apparatus in the power-off state is very small, the electrolytic capacitor 22 will not discharge, and the DC voltage will continue to be output for several minutes (5 to 10 minutes).

[0024] If the user presses the power switch 26 again while the electrolytic capacitor 22 has not yet discharged, the CPU 24 starts the startup process of the image forming apparatus and writes a "power ON flag" to the non-volatile memory 25. On the other hand, as the power consumption increases when the image forming apparatus starts up, the electrolytic capacitor 22 discharges in a short time (about several hundred msec), and is unable to maintain the DC voltage output, so the image forming apparatus is forcibly returned to the power-off state.

[0025] In this case, the "power ON flag" stored in the non-volatile memory 25 remains written and is not cleared. Subsequently, when the power outlet 20 is connected again and power supply is restored, a DC voltage (3.3V) is supplied from the power supply unit 21 to the DC controller board 23, and the CPU 24 starts up. The CPU 24 then accesses the non-volatile memory 25 and determines whether or not the "power ON flag" has been written. Since the "power ON flag" has been written to the non-volatile memory 25, the CPU 24 performs a power outage recovery operation. However, if the power outage recovery operation is performed in this state, the image forming machine will restart even though the power switch 26 has not been pressed by the user, which may result in unintended operation by the user and a decrease in usability.

[0026] Next, the configuration of this embodiment will be described using Figure 4. The power supply board 121 generates a DC voltage for use within the image forming apparatus 1100 by connecting to a commercial power outlet 120 via a power cord. The commercial power supply (AC100V) supplied to the power supply board 121 is input to the first AC / DC converter circuit 130. In the first AC / DC converter circuit 130, the voltage is rectified by the rectifier circuit 125 and smoothed by the smoothing electrolytic capacitor 126. Furthermore, a DC voltage (3.3V) is generated via the switching FET 127, isolation transformer 128, and rectifier-smoothing circuit 129.

[0027] The DC voltage is stably controlled to 3.3V by switching the switching FET 127 using the frequency and duty cycle fed back by the comparator circuit 131 and the control IC 132. Furthermore, the configuration ensures that 3.3V is always output when the power cord is plugged into the power outlet 120.

[0028] The second AC / DC converter 123 is a circuit that generates a DC voltage (24V) to supply a relatively large amount of power to drive the drive motors and high-voltage power supply used for image formation within the image forming apparatus. The internal circuit configuration is the same as that of the first AC / DC converter 130, so it is omitted from the description. Here, the supply of commercial power to the second AC / DC converter 123 is controlled by relay 124. Relay 124 has a function to cut off the supply of commercial power to prevent unnecessary power consumption when the image forming apparatus is in power-saving mode or in a shutdown state.

[0029] The DC controller board 101 controls the various operations in the image forming apparatus 1100. The CPU 102 is responsible for controlling the operation of each load within the image forming apparatus. A non-volatile memory 103, such as an EEPROM, is connected to the CPU 102, and arbitrary data can be read from and written to the memory. The power switch 104 is mounted on the exterior of the image forming apparatus and is electrically connected to the CPU 102 so that the CPU 102 can detect when the power switch is turned on or off by the user.

[0030] The motor driver IC 105 drives the motor 106 for operating the image forming apparatus. The motor driver IC 105 can drive the motor 106 when supplied with 24V by the CPU 102. The high-voltage board 107 generates the high-voltage power supply voltage necessary for the image forming operation. The high-voltage board 107 is controlled by the CPU 102 when supplied with 24V by the CPU 102.

[0031] The control unit 108 has operation keys and a liquid crystal display for the user to operate the image forming apparatus. The control unit 108 is controlled by the CPU 102 when supplied with 24V by the CPU 24. The sensor 109 detects the presence or absence of sheet P inside the image forming apparatus. Although multiple motors, sensors, and other circuit boards are connected to the DC controller 101, only some of the loads connected to the DC controller circuit board 101 are shown in Figure 4 for the sake of simplicity.

[0032] The wireless LAN unit 150 communicates with the HEMS2. The control IC 151 within the wireless LAN unit is connected to the CPU 102 in the DC controller board 101. The control IC 151 can request power information from the HEMS2 via the DC controller 101 and obtain power information from the HEMS2 in response to that request. The acquired power information is stored in the non-volatile memory 103, and the accumulated power values ​​acquired up to that point can be referenced in chronological order at any time.

[0033] Figure 5 is a timing chart showing the transition of the power state when the power cord is plugged into the outlet and the power switch 104 is turned on and off. At T1, when the power cord is plugged into the outlet, a 3.3V voltage is generated and output by the power supply unit 121. This 3.3V is supplied to the CPU 102 in the DC controller 101, causing the CPU 102 to start up.

[0034] At T2, the CPU 102 detects that the power switch 104 has been pressed. At T3, a 24V_ON signal is output in response to the power switch 104 being pressed, and the relay 124 is turned on. At T4, when the relay 124 is turned on, a 24V voltage is generated. Also, a power ON flag is written to the non-volatile memory 103, and the acquisition of the cumulative power value from HEMS2 begins. The cumulative power value is acquired at predetermined intervals (approximately 1 minute) and continues until the power is turned off. In addition, 24V is supplied to each board and load, and the entire image forming apparatus starts up.

[0035] Next, at T5, when the CPU 102 detects that the power switch 104 has been pressed again, it performs the power-off process for each board and load. Then, at T6, the CPU 102 inverts the 24V_ON signal to turn off the relay 124, stopping the output of the 24V voltage and putting the image forming apparatus into a power-off state. The CPU 102 also clears the power-on flag of the non-volatile memory 103 and stops the power data acquisition operation from HEMS2. Meanwhile, 3.3V continues to be output normally, and the CPU 102 continues to operate.

[0036] Figure 6 is a timing chart showing the power state transitions when the power cord is unplugged from a power-off state where the image forming apparatus has been properly shut down. At T7, when the power cord is unplugged from the outlet, the power supply from commercial power 120 stops, but because the electrolytic capacitor 126 has a large capacity, a voltage of 3.3V continues to be output for several minutes (5-10 minutes). At the timing when the electrolytic capacitor 126 has discharged to a certain extent (T8), the 3.3V output stops, and the CPU 102 also shuts down.

[0037] Figure 7 is a timing chart showing the power state transitions when an image forming apparatus experiences a power outage while in standby mode and then recovers. At T15, when a power outage occurs, the power data acquisition operation from HEMS2 also stops due to the power outage. At T16, the power output stops and the CPU 102 enters a stopped state. At T17, when the power outage is recovered, the power supply voltage of 3.3V is resumed from the power supply board 121 to the DC controller 101. At T18, the CPU 102 starts up. If the power ON flag is written to the CPU 102, the CPU 102 starts the image forming apparatus into standby mode.

[0038] Figure 8 is a timing chart showing the power state transitions when the power cord is unplugged while the image forming apparatus is powered off and the power switch is pressed immediately afterward. At T7, when the power cord is unplugged from the outlet, the power supply from the commercial power supply 120 stops, but because the electrolytic capacitor 126 has a large capacity, a voltage of 3.3V continues to be output for several minutes (5-10 minutes). In this state, at T9, when the power switch 104 is pressed, the CPU 102 is still operating and therefore detects that the power switch 104 has been pressed.

[0039] At T10, the 24V_ON signal is turned on. At T11, 24V is output and the startup operation of the image forming apparatus begins. In parallel, the power ON flag is written to the non-volatile memory 103. However, as power consumption increases once the startup operation of the image forming apparatus begins, the charge of the electrolytic capacitor 126 is quickly discharged, and both 3.3V and 24V outputs stop after a short time (approximately 100-200 msec). At this point, the image forming apparatus itself shuts down and enters a power-off state.

[0040] Period Td represents the time from when the power switch 104 is pressed while the power cord is unplugged until the power is turned off, and is approximately 100-200 msec. Although the power is turned off, the power ON flag written in T11 is not cleared and remains retained. This state is the same as when a power outage occurs and the image forming apparatus is forcibly turned off (T16 in Figure 7).

[0041] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation when power is supplied from the power outlet 120. In S101, when power is supplied, a voltage of 3.3V is supplied to the CPU 102, and the CPU 102 starts up. In S102, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the power ON flag has been written. If it has not been written, the process proceeds to S109 without starting the image forming apparatus. In S109, the CPU 102 transitions the image forming apparatus to a shutdown state (power off state).

[0042] In S102, if the CPU 102 determines that the power-on flag has been written, it proceeds to S103. In S103, the CPU 102 communicates with HEMS2 and obtains the cumulative power value measured by smart meter 1. In S104, the CPU 102 determines whether or not a power outage has occurred based on the history data of the cumulative power value. The specific method for determining a power outage will be described later.

[0043] In S104, if the CPU 102 determines that no power outage has occurred, it proceeds to S108. In S108, the CPU 102 clears the power-on flag and proceeds to S109. In S104, if the CPU 102 determines that a power outage has occurred, it proceeds to S105. In S105, the CPU 102 starts the startup process for the image forming apparatus. In S106, the CPU 102 waits until the startup process is complete. In S107, the CPU 102 puts the image forming apparatus into standby mode.

[0044] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation when the power switch 104 is pressed while the power is off. In S201, the CPU 102 detects that the power switch 104 has been pressed and proceeds to S202. In S202, the CPU 102 turns on the 24V_ON signal and outputs a 24V voltage from the power supply. In S203, the CPU 102 writes the power ON flag to a predetermined address in the non-volatile memory 103. In S204, the CPU 102 starts the startup process of the image forming apparatus. In S2055, the CPU 102 waits until the startup process of the image forming apparatus is completed. In S206, the CPU 102 puts the image forming apparatus into standby mode.

[0045] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating the operation when the power switch 104 is pressed while the system is in standby mode. In S301, the CPU 102 detects that the power switch 104 has been pressed and proceeds to S302. In S302, the CPU 102 executes the shutdown process and waits until it is complete. In S303, the CPU 102 turns off the 24V_ON signal after the shutdown process is complete. In S304, the CPU 102 clears the power ON flag. In S305, the CPU 102 transitions the image forming apparatus to the shutdown state (power off state).

[0046] Next, we will explain how to determine whether or not a power outage has occurred based on the cumulative power value, using Figures 12 and 13. Figure 12 shows a case where a power outage has occurred, and Figure 13 shows a case where a power outage has not occurred.

[0047] First, let's explain Figure 12. As mentioned above, the CPU 102 acquires the cumulative power value from HEMS2 at predetermined intervals (approximately 1 minute) while in standby mode. Section A is the section in which the cumulative power value is acquired, and the cumulative power value increases over time. Section B is the section in which a power outage occurred, and power acquisition from HEMS2 is no longer possible after the data acquired at timing T1 immediately before the power outage. Subsequently, when the power outage is resolved in section C, the CPU 102 resumes acquiring the cumulative power value from HEMS(2).

[0048] If a power outage occurs, the cumulative power value does not increase in section B, where the power is off, because a power outage has occurred. In other words, the CPU 102 can determine that a power outage has occurred if the difference between the first cumulative power value P1 obtained in T1 and the second cumulative power value P2 obtained in T2 is below the threshold.

[0049] Next, Figure 13 will be explained. Figure 13 shows the accumulated power value when the power cord is unplugged while the power is off, the power switch is pressed, and then the power cord is plugged back in. Section A is the section in which the accumulated power value is acquired, and the accumulated power value increases over time. In section B, the power switch 104 is pressed at timing T3, and the image forming apparatus is powered off. After acquiring the accumulated power value P3 from HEMS(2) at T3, CPU 102 is no longer able to acquire the accumulated power value. Subsequently, when the power cord is plugged in, CPU 102 acquires the accumulated power value P4 from HEMS2 at T4.

[0050] If no power outage has occurred, power consumption by other household appliances besides the image forming apparatus continues in section B, where the power is off. Therefore, the cumulative power value continues to increase, and the difference between the first cumulative power value P3 and the second cumulative power value P4 becomes greater than the threshold. As a result, the CPU 102 can determine that no power outage has occurred.

[0051] In this way, by using the cumulative power value obtained from the HEMS to determine the occurrence of a power outage, it is possible to appropriately decide whether or not to perform a power recovery operation. This prevents the image forming apparatus from unintentionally starting up when the power cord is plugged into a power outlet, even though the power switch has not been pressed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 2 HEMS 102 CPU

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet; and a control means for controlling the operation of the image forming means; An image forming system comprising: an information processing device that can communicate with the image forming apparatus, is connected to one or more devices different from the image forming apparatus, and acquires the integrated power values ​​of the one or more devices, The image forming system is characterized in that the control means controls whether or not to start the image forming apparatus based on the accumulated power value obtained from the information processing device when power is supplied to the image forming apparatus.

2. The image forming system according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means calculates the difference between a first integrated power value when the power to the image forming apparatus is cut off and a second integrated power value when power is supplied to the image forming apparatus again, and controls whether or not to start the image forming apparatus.

3. The image forming system according to claim 2, characterized in that the control means starts the image forming apparatus if the difference value is less than or equal to a threshold, and does not start the image forming apparatus if the difference value is greater than the threshold.

4. The image forming system according to claim 3, characterized in that when the power is interrupted due to a momentary power outage, the difference value becomes less than or equal to the threshold value.

5. The image forming system according to claim 4, characterized in that the control means restores the state when power is supplied again to the state before the power was cut off by starting the image forming apparatus.

Images