Image forming apparatus

Abstract

An image forming apparatus (1) comprises: a detection section (101) that detects a trigger for returning operation sections (an operation panel, a scanner, a print engine, etc.) from a power saving state to a normal state; a human detection sensor (21) that detects a human around the image forming apparatus (1); and a control section (100) that returns the operation sections from the power saving state to the normal state when the detection section (101) detects the trigger in a state in which a human has been detected by the human detection sensor (21) when in a power saving mode. Further, in accordance with a type of the trigger detected by the detection section (101), the control section (100) sequentially returns predetermined types of the operation sections to the normal state in a predetermined order.

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] When the 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 states, making it 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, as mentioned above, simply returning only the minimum necessary operating parts to their normal state may result in poor usability for the user. For example, for a user who places a document on the document tray for a copy operation, it is more convenient if not only the scanner but also the operation panel and print engine are quickly returned to their normal state.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to restore an apparatus from a power-saving state to a normal state while achieving both reduced power consumption and further improved user convenience. An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a plurality of operating units that require power; a control unit that executes a power-saving mode that switches the operating units from the normal state to a predetermined power-saving state that consumes less power than the normal state; and a detection unit that detects a trigger for restoring the operating units from the power-saving state to the normal state, wherein, when the detection unit detects the trigger and restores the operating units from the power-saving state to the normal state during the power-saving mode, the control unit executes a sequential restoration process that sequentially restores the operating units of predetermined types to the normal state in a predetermined order in accordance with the type of trigger detected by the detection unit, the order being predetermined for each type of trigger. According to the present invention, it is possible to return the device from the power saving state to the normal state while simultaneously suppressing power consumption and further improving user convenience.

[0009] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments and is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0010] 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.

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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 and a detection unit 101.

[0025] The control unit 10 functions as a control unit 100 and a detection unit 101 through operation by the processor in accordance with a control program, etc. stored in the storage unit 8. However, the control unit 100, etc. may also be configured by hardware circuits, without relying on operation in accordance with a control program by the control unit 10. Unless otherwise specified below, this applies to each embodiment.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] When the detection unit 101 detects a trigger while the motion sensor 21 detects a human being during the power saving mode, the control unit 100 causes the operating unit WP to return from the power saving state to the normal state. Furthermore, the type of operating unit WP to be returned from the power saving state to the normal state when a trigger is detected and the order in which the operating units WP are returned to the normal state are determined in advance for each type of trigger.

[0030] Therefore, the control unit 100 executes a sequential return process for sequentially returning predetermined types of operating units WP to the normal state in a predetermined order according to the type of trigger detected by the detection unit 101. The control unit 100 also executes the sequential return process by sequentially returning the operating units WP at predetermined time intervals (for example, every 10 seconds).

[0031] 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 the type of trigger, the type of operating unit WP that is to return from the power saving state to the normal state when the trigger of that type is detected, and the order in which the operating units WP are to be returned.

[0032] The recovery table TL1 stores, for example, the following: (i) when a touch operation on the operation panel (display unit 473) is detected, the operation panel is returned from the power saving state to the normal state first, the scanner is returned second, the print engine is returned third, and the heat roller is returned fourth; (ii) when it is detected that an original has been placed on the original placement tray 61, the scanner is returned from the power saving state to the normal state first, the operation panel is returned second, the print engine is returned third, and the heat roller is returned fourth. The recovery table TL1 also stores (iii) when it is detected that the original cover has been opened, the scanner is returned from the power saving state to the normal state first, the print engine is returned second, and the heat roller is returned third. Note that (i) the detection of a touch operation on the operation panel (display unit 473) is detected by the control unit 100 using a signal output from a touch panel provided on the display unit 473, (ii) the detection of a document being set on the document loading tray 61 is detected by the control unit 100 using a signal output from a known mechanical switch or optical sensor provided on the document loading tray 61, for example, and (iii) the detection of the opening of the document pressing cover is detected by the control unit 100 using a signal output from a mechanical switch that is pressed when the document pressing cover is closed and is released when the document pressing cover is opened, thereby detecting the opening of the document pressing cover.

[0033] Based on the recovery table TL1 stored in the recovery table memory unit 81, the control unit 100 recovers the operating units 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 in a predetermined order according to the type of trigger detected by the detection unit 101.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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). If the control unit 100 determines that the image forming apparatus 1 is in a power saving mode (YES in S1), the control unit 100 determines whether a human is detected by the human presence sensor 21 (S2).

[0036] When the control unit 100 determines that a human has been detected by the human presence sensor 21 (YES in S2), it refers to the return table TL1 stored in the return table storage unit 81 and identifies the type of the next operating unit WP to be used to return from the power saving state to the normal state (S3) in accordance with the type of trigger detected by the detection unit 101. When the control unit 100 performs S3 for the first time, it identifies the type of the first operating unit WP to be used to return to the normal state, and when the control unit 100 performs S3 for the second time, it identifies the type of the second operating unit WP to be used to return to the normal state.

[0037] The control unit 100 restores the specified type of operating unit WP from the power saving state to the normal state (S4). Next, the control unit 100 determines whether all operating units WP that need to be restored to the normal state have been restored (S5). For example, the control unit 100 determines that all operating units WP have been restored when the last operating unit WP to be restored to the normal state, the "heat roller," has been restored to the normal state.

[0038] If the control unit 100 determines that all of the operating units WP that need to be returned to the normal state have been returned (YES in S5), it ends this process. On the other hand, if the control unit 100 determines that there are still operating units WP that need to be returned to the normal state (NO in S5), it resets the measurement time T to 0 and starts measuring time using a timer built into the control unit 10 (S6).

[0039] The control unit 100 determines whether the measured time T has reached a predetermined fixed time T1 (S7), and if it determines that the measured time T has reached the fixed time T1 (YES in S7), it returns to S3 and identifies the type of the next operating unit WP to be returned to the normal state from the power saving state (S3). For example, when the control unit 100 performs S3 for the second time, it identifies the type of the second operating unit WP to be returned to the normal state, and then performs the processes from S4 onwards again.

[0040] On the other hand, if the control unit 100 determines that the measurement time T has not reached the fixed time T1 (NO in S7), it determines whether or not a human has been detected by the human presence sensor 21 (S8). If the control unit 100 determines that a human has been detected by the human presence sensor 21 (YES in S8), it returns the process to S7. On the other hand, if the control unit 100 determines that a human has not been detected by the human presence sensor 21 (NO in S8), this process ends. In other words, the sequential return process is stopped.

[0041] If the control unit 100 determines in S1 that the image forming apparatus 1 is not in the power saving mode (NO in S1), and if the control unit 100 determines in S2 that the motion sensor 21 has not detected a human being (NO in S2), the process ends because the sequential recovery process is not necessary.

[0042] According to the above embodiment, the user can 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 enabling the image forming device 1 to return from the power saving state to the normal state while simultaneously reducing power consumption and further improving user convenience.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the case where the sequential return process is stopped when the human presence sensor 21 no longer detects a human being during the sequential return process has been described, but in another embodiment, the control unit 100 may interrupt the sequential return process when the human presence sensor 21 no longer detects a human being during the sequential return process, and then resume the sequential return process when the human presence sensor 21 detects a human being. Specifically, the control unit 100 interrupts time measurement by the timer, and resumes time measurement when the human presence sensor 21 detects a human being.

[0044] In yet another embodiment, if the detection unit 101 detects another trigger before the sequential return process is completed, the control unit 100 returns a predetermined type of operating unit WP corresponding to the type of the further detected trigger to the normal state, separately from the sequential return process. For example, if a user touches the operation panel and then immediately places a document on the document tray 61, the control unit 100 returns the scanner from the power-saving state to the normal state even if the measured time T has not yet reached the predetermined time T1. This further improves the usability of the image forming apparatus 1 for the user.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, the control unit 100 performs the above recovery process when the motion sensor 21 detects a human and the detection unit 101 detects a trigger. However, the image forming apparatus 1 may not include the motion sensor 21 and may sequentially perform the recovery process when the detection unit 101 detects a trigger.

[0046] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the configuration and processing shown in the above embodiment using FIGS. 1 to 4 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not intended to 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; and a detection unit that detects a trigger for returning the operating units from the power saving state to the normal state, wherein, during the power saving mode, when the detection unit detects the trigger and returns the operating units from the power saving state to the normal state, the control unit executes a sequential return process that sequentially returns the operating units of predetermined types to the normal state in a predetermined order depending on the type of trigger detected by the detection unit, in accordance with the type of operating unit that is returned from the power saving state to the normal state when the trigger is detected and the order in which the operating units are returned to the normal state when the trigger is detected.

2. An image forming device as described in claim 1, further comprising a human presence sensor that detects humans around the image forming device, and wherein the control unit executes the sequential return process when, during the power saving mode, a human is detected by the human presence sensor and the detection unit detects the trigger to return the operating unit from the power saving state to the normal state.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes the sequential recovery process by sequentially recovering the operating units at predetermined time intervals.

4. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein when the detection unit further detects the trigger before the sequential return process is completed, the control unit returns a predetermined type of operating unit corresponding to the type of the further detected trigger to the normal state, separately from the sequential return process.

5. An image forming device as described in claim 1, further comprising a human presence sensor that detects humans around the image forming device, wherein when the detection unit detects the trigger while the human presence sensor detects a human during the power saving mode, the control unit sequentially returns the plurality of operating units from the power saving state to the normal state, and when the human presence sensor no longer detects a human, the control unit stops the sequential return process.

6. An image forming device as described in claim 1, further comprising a human presence sensor that detects humans around the image forming device, wherein when the detection unit detects the trigger while the human presence sensor detects a human during the power saving mode, the control unit sequentially returns the plurality of operating units from the power saving state to the normal state, and when the human presence sensor no longer detects a human, the control unit suspends the sequential return process, and when the human presence sensor detects a human after the suspension, the control unit resumes the sequential return process.

7. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 1, further comprising a human presence sensor that detects humans around the image forming apparatus, wherein the control unit, when sequentially returning the operating units of a predetermined type to the normal state during execution of the sequential return process, starts measuring a measurement time if it determines that there are other operating units that need to be returned to the normal state after returning one operating unit to the normal state, returns the other operating units to the normal state when the measured time reaches a predetermined fixed time while a human is detected by the human presence sensor, and stops the sequential return process without returning the other operating units to the normal state when the measured time has not reached the predetermined fixed time and the human presence sensor is no longer detecting a human.

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