Image forming device

Abstract

This image forming apparatus (1) comprises: a detection unit (101) that detects a trigger for returning an operation unit (operation panel, scanner, print engine, etc.) from a power saving state to a normal state; a control unit (100) that returns the operation unit from the power saving state to the normal state when the detection unit (101) detects the trigger during a power saving mode; an operation unit (47) that receives an input of an instruction from a user; and a setting unit (102) that sets the type of the operation unit, returned from the power saving state to the normal state, for each type of trigger according to the instruction from the user received by the operation unit (47). On the basis of the contents of the settings set by the setting unit (102), the control unit (100) returns the operation unit of the type set for each type from the power saving state to the normal state according to the type of the trigger detected by the detection unit (101).

Description

Image forming device

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a power saving mode for reducing power consumption.

[0002] Some image forming devices, such as copiers and multifunction devices, have a power-saving mode that switches multiple operating parts that require power (such as an operation panel, scanner, and print engine) from a normal state to a power-saving state that consumes less power than the normal state.

[0003] Conventionally, when an image forming device detects any operation from the user (for example, touching the operation panel, placing a document on the document tray, or sending print data via a computer) while in power saving mode, it cancels the power saving mode and returns all operating parts that were in power saving mode to their normal state, which is very convenient for the user.

[0004] Patent No. 5678016

[0005] However, in the case of a multifunction device that combines multiple functions such as copying, printing, scanning, and faxing, it is not necessarily necessary to return all operating parts to their normal state just by detecting some operation from the user.

[0006] For example, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 describes that in an image forming device, when a user places a document on the document tray while in power saving mode, the scanner returns to normal operation, but the print engine remains in the power saving state.

[0007] However, if the operating parts to be returned to their normal state are uniquely determined, it may be inconvenient for the user. For example, for a user who places a document on the document tray for copying, it would be more convenient if not only the scanner but also the operation panel and print engine were quickly returned to their normal state.

[0008] The present invention has been developed in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to quickly return a device from a power-saving state to a normal state while simultaneously reducing power consumption and further improving user convenience.

[0009] An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of operating units that require power; a control unit that executes a power saving mode that changes the operating units from a normal state to a predetermined power saving state that consumes less power than the normal state; a detection unit that detects a predetermined trigger for returning the operating units from the power saving state to the normal state; an operation unit that accepts input instructions from a user; and a setting unit that sets the type of operating unit to be returned from the power saving state to the normal state for each type of trigger in accordance with the user instructions accepted by the operation unit.When the detection unit detects a trigger during the power saving mode, the control unit causes the operating units to return from the power saving state to the normal state, and based on the setting contents set by the setting unit, returns the operating units of the type set for the type of trigger detected by the detection unit from the power saving state to the normal state in accordance with the type of trigger detected by the detection unit.

[0010] According to the present invention, the user can freely set the type of operating unit that returns the device from the power-saving state to the normal state for each type of trigger, thereby enabling the device to quickly return to the normal state from the power-saving state while simultaneously reducing power consumption and further improving user convenience.

[0011] It is a perspective view showing the appearance of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram showing an outline of the main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a diagram showing an example of a return table. It is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by a control unit of the image forming apparatus. It is a diagram showing an example of a rule table.

[0012] An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction device that combines multiple functions, such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function, and is configured to include a control unit 10, a document feed unit 6, a document reading unit 5, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feed unit 14, an operation unit 47, a facsimile communication unit 7, a network interface unit 9, and a storage unit 8.

[0014] The document feeder 6 is configured to be openable and closable by a hinge or the like (not shown) on the top surface of the document reading unit 5, and functions as a document pressing cover when reading a document placed on a platen glass (not shown). The document feeder 6 is also called an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), and includes a document loading tray 61 on which documents are placed, and a document ejection tray 62 provided below the document loading tray 61. The document feeder 6 supplies documents placed on the document loading tray 61 to the document reading unit 5 one by one, and ejects the documents to the document ejection tray 62.

[0015] The document reading unit 5 includes a scanner and reads documents fed from the document feeding unit 6 or documents placed on the platen glass. The document reading unit 5 can also sequentially read multiple document images sent from the document feeding unit 6.

[0016] The following describes the case where a document reading operation is performed in the image forming apparatus 1. The document reading unit 5 optically reads an image of a document supplied to the document reading unit 5 by the document feeding unit 6 or a document placed on the platen glass, and generates image data. The image data generated by the document reading unit 5 is stored in an image memory (not shown) or the like.

[0017] The following describes an image forming operation performed by the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming unit 12 is a mechanism that includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, and a primary transfer device for each color, and forms an image on recording paper as a recording medium by secondary transfer via an intermediate transfer belt. The image forming unit 12 forms a toner image on recording paper fed from the paper feed unit 14 based on image data generated by a document scanning operation, image data stored in an image memory, etc., and image data received from a computer connected via a network, to create a printed product.

[0018] The fixing unit 13 is a fixing device equipped with a heat roller, a pressure roller, and a drive mechanism for rotating these rollers. The fixing unit 13 heats and presses the recording paper on which a toner image has been formed by the image forming unit 12 at the nip between the two rollers, fixing the toner image to the recording paper. The recording paper that has been fixed is then discharged to the discharge tray 151.

[0019] The paper feed unit 14 includes a paper feed cassette 141, a pickup roller that picks up recording paper from the paper feed cassette and feeds it to the image forming unit 12, a transport roller, a transport path, and a rotation drive mechanism for each roller.

[0020] The operation unit 47 has various hard keys that are operated by the user, and receives instructions from the user, such as instructions to execute an image forming operation, regarding various operations and processes that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1, in response to the operation of the hard keys.

[0021] The operation unit 47 includes a display unit 473 that displays operation guides and the like to the operator. The operation unit 47 also receives input of instructions from the user via a touch panel included in the display unit 473, based on the user's operation (touch operation) on the screen displayed on the display unit 473.

[0022] The display unit 473 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like. When the operator touches a button or key displayed on the screen, the touch panel receives an instruction associated with the touched position. In this case, the touch panel functions as an operation unit.

[0023] The facsimile communication section 7 includes an encoding / decoding section, a modulation / demodulation section, and an NCU (Network Control Unit), not shown, and transmits and receives facsimiles using a public telephone line network or the like.

[0024] The network interface unit 9 is a communication interface that transmits and receives various data to and from external devices (for example, personal computers) within a local area or on the Internet.

[0025] The storage unit 8 is a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores various control programs, etc. The storage unit 8 also includes a recovery table storage unit 81, which will be described later.

[0026] The control unit 10 includes a processor, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), and a dedicated hardware circuit. The processor may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a micro processing unit (MPU). The control unit 10 includes a control unit 100, a detection unit 101, and a setting unit 102.

[0027] The control unit 10 functions as a control unit 100, a detection unit 101, and a setting unit 102 through operation by the processor in accordance with a control program stored in the storage unit 8. However, the control unit 100 and the like can also be configured by hardware circuits, without relying on operation in accordance with a control program by the control unit 10. Unless otherwise stated below, the same applies to each embodiment.

[0028] The control unit 100 is responsible for overall operational control of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 100 is connected to the document feed unit 6, the document reading unit 5, the image forming unit 12, the fixing unit 13, the paper feed unit 14, the operation unit 47, the facsimile communication unit 7, the network interface unit 9, and the storage unit 8, and controls the driving of these units and executes various processes required for image formation by the image forming apparatus 1.

[0029] The image forming apparatus 1 has a power-saving mode that switches multiple operating units WP that require power from a normal state to a power-saving state that consumes less power than the normal state. For example, the control unit 100 switches the image forming apparatus 1 from the normal mode to the power-saving mode when a certain amount of time has passed since the last use of the image forming apparatus 1. The types of operating units WP include the operation panel that constitutes the operation unit 47, the scanner that constitutes the document reading unit 5, the print engine (such as a photosensitive drum) that constitutes the image forming unit 12, and the heat roller that constitutes the fixing unit 13.

[0030] The detection unit 101 detects a predetermined trigger for returning the operating unit WP from the power saving state to the normal state. The predetermined triggers include (1) detection of a touch operation on the operation panel detected by various sensors (mechanical, optical, and magnetic), not shown, (2) detection of the placement of an original on the original tray 61 (FIG. 1), (3) detection of the opening of the original feeding unit 6 (FIG. 1) that functions as an original pressing cover, (4) reception of facsimile data via the facsimile communication unit 7, and (5) reception of print data from an external device via the network interface unit 9.

[0031] When the detection unit 101 detects a trigger during the power saving mode, the control unit 100 returns the operating unit WP from the power saving state to the normal state.

[0032] The setting unit 102 sets the type of operating unit WP that returns from the power-saving state to the normal state for each type of trigger in accordance with instructions from the user received by the operation unit 47, and updates the return table TL1 ( FIG. 3 ) stored in the return table storage unit 81 in accordance with the settings. In other words, the user can freely set the return table TL1. In other words, the operation unit 47 receives instructions from the user specifying the type of trigger and the type of operating unit WP that returns from the power-saving state to the normal state and that is associated with that type of trigger.

[0033] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the return table TL1 stored in the return table storage unit 81. The return table TL1 is a table that indicates, in association with a type of trigger, the type of operating unit WP that returns from the power saving state to the normal state when the trigger of that type is detected.

[0034] The recovery table TL1 stores, for example, (i) when a touch operation on the operation panel (display unit 473) is detected, the operation panel is returned to the normal state from the power saving state, and (ii) when a document is detected to have been placed on the document placement tray 61, the operation panel, scanner, print engine, and heat roller are returned to the normal state from the power saving state. Note that the detection of the touch operation on the operation panel (display unit 473) is detected by the control unit 100 based on a signal output from a touch panel provided on the display unit 473, and the detection of the placement of a document on the document placement tray 61 is detected by the control unit 100 based on, for example, a signal output from a known mechanical switch or optical sensor provided on the document placement tray 61.

[0035] The control unit 100 restores the operating unit WP of the type set for each type of trigger detected by the detection unit 101 from the power saving state to the normal state based on the setting contents set by the setting unit 102 (i.e., the restoration table TL1 stored in the restoration table memory unit 81).

[0036] Next, an example of processing performed by the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 4. This processing is performed when the detection unit 101 detects a trigger.

[0037] When the detection unit 101 detects a trigger, the control unit 100 determines whether the image forming apparatus 1 is in a power saving mode (S1).

[0038] When the control unit 100 determines that the image forming apparatus 1 is set to the power saving mode (YES in S1), it refers to the recovery table TL1 stored in the recovery table storage unit 81 and identifies the type of operating unit WP to be restored from the power saving state to the normal state according to the type of trigger detected by the detection unit 101 (S2). The control unit 100 restores the identified type of operating unit WP from the power saving state to the normal state (S3). Then, the process ends.

[0039] On the other hand, if the control unit 100 determines that the image forming apparatus 1 is not set to the power saving mode (NO in S1), the process ends because the above-mentioned return is not necessary.

[0040] According to the above embodiment, the user can freely set the type of operating unit WP that returns the image forming device 1 from the power saving state to the normal state for each type of trigger, thereby achieving both reduced power consumption and further improved user convenience, and enabling the image forming device 1 to quickly return to the normal state from the power saving state.

[0041] In a further embodiment, whether the print data is a monochrome print or a color print may be used as an additional trigger for returning the operating unit WP to the normal state from the power-saving state. In this case, the print data is distinguished as a monochrome print or a color print. The setting unit 102 accepts different setting contents for monochrome print and color print. For example, in the case of monochrome print, the control unit 100 performs control such that only the print engine corresponding to black is returned to the normal state, while the print engines corresponding to colors (magenta, yellow, and cyan) remain in the power-saving state.

[0042] In yet another embodiment, the setting unit 102 sets the type of the operating unit WP according to a predetermined rule. As the rule, the type of operating unit WP that must be restored from the power-saving state to the normal state is predetermined for each type of trigger. As another rule, the type of operating unit WP that must not be restored from the power-saving state to the normal state is predetermined for each type of trigger.

[0043] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a rule table TL2 showing the above rules. The rule table TL2 is a table showing, in association with a trigger type, the type of operating unit WP that must be returned from the power saving state to the normal state when the trigger of that type is detected, and the type of operating unit WP that must not be returned.

[0044] The rule table TL2 stores, for example, the following: (a) when a touch operation on the operation panel is detected, the operation panel must be returned to the normal state from the power saving state, and (b) when a document is detected to have been placed on the document tray 61, the scanner must be returned to the normal state from the power saving state. The rule table TL2 also stores, for example, the following: (c) when a document is detected to have been placed on the document tray 61, (d) when the document cover is detected to have been opened, (e) when print data is received, or (f) when facsimile data is received, the operation panel (display unit 473) of the operation unit 47 must not be returned to the normal state from the power saving state. The setting unit 102 sets the type of operating unit WP that will return from the power saving state to the normal state for each type of trigger in accordance with instructions from the user received by the operation unit 47, and updates the recovery table TL1 in accordance with the set contents. However, at this time, the setting unit 102 does not follow instructions that specify setting contents that violate the above rules, and does not set the type of operating unit WP for each type of trigger or change the recovery table TL1 based on such instructions.

[0045] Generally, returning the operation panel from the power saving state to the normal state simply involves changing the operation panel from an off state to an on state, and the return from the power saving state to the normal state is completed instantaneously, so it is considered that there is little need to return the operation panel to the normal state with a trigger other than touching the operation panel.As described above, by imposing restrictions on the user's settings in the return table TL1 according to the above rules, it is possible to prevent the settings in the return table TL1 from becoming inappropriate.

[0046] In addition, the setting unit 102 may set the type of operating unit WP that returns the system from the power-saving state to the normal state for each type of trigger, for each user, based on instructions input by each user to the operation unit 47 together with the user's identification information (e.g., the user ID of the logged-in user, etc.).

[0047] In yet another embodiment, the setting unit 102 may set the type of operating unit WP that returns the device to the normal state from the power saving state for a certain type of trigger for each user based on an instruction input by each user together with the user's identification information to the operation unit 47. This enables the control unit 100 to control the type of operating unit WP that returns the device to a different state for each user.

[0048] The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. In addition, in the above embodiment, the configuration and processing shown in the above embodiment using Figures 1 to 5 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and it is not intended that the present invention be limited to these configurations and processing.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of operating units that require power; a control unit that executes a power saving mode that changes the operating units from a normal state to a predetermined power saving state that consumes less power than the normal state; a detection unit that detects a predetermined trigger for returning the operating units from the power saving state to the normal state; an operation unit that accepts input of instructions from a user; and a setting unit that sets the type of the operating units to be returned from the power saving state to the normal state for each type of trigger in accordance with the user instructions accepted by the operation unit, wherein when the detection unit detects the trigger during the power saving mode, the control unit returns the operating units from the power saving state to the normal state, and depending on the type of trigger detected by the detection unit, returns the operating units of the type set for the type of trigger from the power saving state to the normal state based on the settings set by the setting unit.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets the type of the operating unit in accordance with predetermined rules, and the rules include a predetermined type of operating unit that will always return from the power saving state to the normal state for each type of trigger.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets the type of the operating unit in accordance with predetermined rules, and the rules include a predetermined type of operating unit that will not return from the power saving state to the normal state for each type of trigger.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting section sets the type of the operating section that is to be restored from the power saving state to the normal state for each user.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting section sets the type of trigger that causes the apparatus to return from the power saving state to the normal state for each user.

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