JP2002029117A - Imaging apparatus and power supply control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus in which power consumption can be reduced as compared with a conventional one at the time of operation for detecting the state of the imaging apparatus in sleep mode. SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus in which a transition can be made to a sleep mode for interrupting power supply in order to perform operation comprises a member for detecting the state of the imaging apparatus, a member for supplying power to each part of the imaging apparatus, and means for controlling the power supply member to supply power only to the state detecting member and a member required for the state detecting member to detect the state when the state detecting member detects the state in sleep mode.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a power supply control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, there has been a strong demand for energy saving in image forming apparatuses such as copiers and printers in order to protect the environment and reduce use costs. Therefore, in a state where the image forming operation is not performed, it is general to stop the power supply to the engine part (sleep mode) to save power (power saving function).

[0003]

However, a sensor for detecting a state of the image forming apparatus such as a jam or a remaining amount of toner generally supplies power even when the engine unit is in a sleep mode. Therefore, the sensor is supplied with power even when operation is not required, and wastes power.

Further, in a stand-alone image forming apparatus, when there is an input operation for state detection in the sleep mode, the engine unit generally shifts from the sleep mode to a standby mode in which an image can be formed at any time. Met. Therefore, even when the user only wants to know the state of the image forming apparatus and does not intend to form an image, power is supplied to the engine unit and wasteful power is consumed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing power consumption as compared with a conventional image forming apparatus when performing an operation of detecting a state of the image forming apparatus in a sleep mode. It is an issue.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided:
In an image forming apparatus capable of shifting to a sleep mode in which power supply is stopped to perform an operation, a state detecting member for detecting a state of the image forming apparatus, a power supply member for supplying power to each part of the image forming apparatus, When the state detection member performs the state detection, the state detection member includes a control unit that controls the power supply member such that the state detection member supplies power only to a member that needs to operate for the state detection.

According to a second configuration of the present invention, when there are a plurality of the state detecting members, and when the state detecting members detect a state in a sleep mode, the control means controls the specific state detecting member and the specific state. The image forming apparatus according to the first configuration, wherein the power supply member is controlled such that the detection member supplies power only to a member that needs to operate to detect a state.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the image forming apparatus further includes a display unit for displaying a result detected by the state detecting member, and the image forming apparatus operates in a sleep mode. The image forming apparatus according to the first configuration, wherein when detecting the state, the control unit controls the power supply member so as to also supply power to the display unit.

A fourth configuration of the present invention further includes a selection unit that allows a user to select detection of a specific state among the states related to the image forming apparatus, and the control unit detects the state selected by the user. A second state control unit that controls the power supply member so as to supply power only to the state detection member and a member that needs to operate for the state detection member to perform the state detection.
An image forming apparatus according to the above configuration.

[0010] In a fifth configuration of the present invention, the control means includes:
The image forming apparatus according to the second configuration, wherein the state detection members are classified into a plurality of groups, and the power supply members are controlled so as to supply power for each group.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus connected to an external device via a network, a state detecting member for detecting a state of the image forming apparatus in response to a command from the external device; When the power supply member that supplies power to each unit and the state detection member that has stopped supplying power receive a state detection command, power is supplied only to the state detection member and the members that need to operate to perform state detection. Control means for controlling the power supply member to perform the control.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus which is connected to an external device via a network and is capable of shifting to a sleep mode in which power supply is stopped to perform an operation. A state detection member for detecting the state of the forming apparatus, a power supply member for supplying power to each part of the image forming apparatus, and a state detection member and a state detection member when the state detection member receives a state detection command in the sleep mode. And a control unit that controls the power supply member so as to supply power only to members that need to operate to detect the state.

An eighth configuration of the present invention is characterized in that the state of the image forming apparatus detected by the state detecting member is a state of paper supply and discharge in the image forming apparatus.
Or the image forming apparatus according to the seventh configuration.

A ninth configuration of the present invention is characterized in that the state of the image forming apparatus detected by the state detecting member is the remaining amount of consumables in the image forming apparatus.
Or the image forming apparatus according to the seventh configuration.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the sixth or seventh aspect, wherein a result detected by the state detecting member can be displayed on an external device.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, a first step in which power supply to the state detecting means is stopped when a predetermined time has elapsed from a predetermined operation, and an operator instructs the state detecting means to detect a state. It has a second step and a third step of supplying power only to members necessary for the state detecting means to detect the state.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment of the Invention) A network printer connected to a network according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

First, a schematic configuration and functions of the entire network will be described with reference to FIG.

The network printer 100 includes a plurality of personal computers (hereinafter, PCs) which are external device terminals.
1) and an Ethernet (registered trademark) 2.

Then, the network printer 100
Through an interface (not shown) provided therein, image data indicating characters, figures, and the like and control data for controlling the network printer are received from the PC 1. The control data includes, in addition to a signal for instructing a print instruction, command data such as an identification signal for each PC1, a signal for notifying that the power of the PC1 has been turned on or off, and an instruction signal for a paper cassette to be used. Then, when receiving the signal instructing the print instruction, the network printer 100 performs printing according to the received image data.

On the other hand, data indicating the status of the network printer 100, such as the remaining amount of paper, is transmitted from the network printer 100 to the PC1, and the status of the network printer 100 can be confirmed on the screen of the PC1. That is, the printer driver software of the network printer 100 is started, and a printer driver setting screen is opened on the screen of the PC 1 as shown in FIG. Then, three items of the remaining amount of paper, the detection of jam, and the remaining amount of toner are displayed on the setting screen, and the user selects an item to be checked from the displayed items. When the item is selected, PC
1 transmits a status detection instruction command relating to the selected item to the network printer 100. Then, the data relating to the item is stored in the network printer 1.
00 and is displayed on the screen of the PC1. Note that a plurality of items can be selected. In this case, a page for each selected item is displayed on the screen of the PC 1.

Next, the configuration and operation of the network printer 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

The network printer 100 is roughly composed of a controller, an engine, and a power supply unit.

As shown in FIG. 3, the controller section includes a ROM
3, a RAM 4, a CPU 5, and a timer 6.

The ROM 3 stores a control program for the engine unit, a program for executing a sleep mode described later, and the like.

The RAM 4 provides a work area for storing an operator's instruction at the time of executing the program, an operation state of each unit of the apparatus, and the like.

The timer 6 starts counting a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as an APO time for abbreviated auto power off time) after the printing process or when the main switch is turned on, and is reset when the user performs any input operation. .

The CPU 5 controls the operation of the engine unit based on the control data transmitted from the PC 1 in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 3. The image data received from the PC 1 is converted into drive data for driving a print head, which will be described later, and transmitted to the print head. It also controls the operation of the power supply unit and the timer 6.

Next, referring to FIG. 4, the configuration of the engine section, which is roughly divided into an image forming section and a sheet feeding section, will be described.

At the top of the image forming section, a print head 8 having a laser diode 7 is provided. The print head 8 is connected to the controller and receives image data. A photoconductor 9 is arranged below the print head 8. Around the photoreceptor 9, the photoreceptor 9 is sequentially arranged from the top of the photoreceptor 9 along the rotation direction (illustration) of the photoreceptor 9.
A charger 10 for charging the photosensitive member 9 to a set potential, the laser diode 7 for irradiating a laser toward the photosensitive member 9 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 9, and charging the toner,
A developing device 11 for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed by the laser diode 7 with toner; a transfer device 12 for transferring the image visualized by the developing device 11 to a sheet material; Charger 13 for separating the sheet material from the photoreceptor 9, a separation claw 14 for separating the photoreceptor 9 from the sheet material, a cleaning device 15 for collecting the toner remaining on the photoreceptor 9, and a residual charge on the photoreceptor 9. An eraser lamp 16 to be removed is arranged.

The developing device 11 includes a housing 17 for storing toner, a toner supply roller 18 for carrying the toner in the housing 17 on the surface thereof and supplying the toner to the photosensitive member 9, and a stirring screw 1 for stirring the toner in the housing 17.
9, a toner detection sensor 20 for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the housing.

A suction belt 22 for conveying the sheet material extends from the vicinity of the separation claw 14 to a fixing roller 21 for fixing the toner on the sheet material. Further, the fixing roller 21 may be disposed in the conveying direction of the sheet material.
Is provided with a post-fixing sensor 23. The post-fixing sensor 23 detects the presence or absence of the sheet material immediately below it and the presence or absence of passage.

The paper supply unit is provided below the image forming unit, and includes a first paper supply cassette 24, a second paper supply cassette 25, a paper supply roller 26, a cassette sensor 27, a pulse sensor 28,
D sensor 29, CD sensor 30, paper lifting lever 31,
Lift-up motor 32, lift-up sensor 33,
It comprises a first transport roller 34, a second transport roller 35, an intermediate roller 36, a timing roller 37, a first paper feed sensor 38, a second paper feed sensor 39, a vertical transport sensor 40, and a timing roller front sensor 41.

The first sheet cassette 24 and the second sheet cassette 25 have the same size, and can store sheet materials of A3 size or less. The paper feed roller 26 is
The sheet material is sent out from each sheet cassette. The sheet material sent out by the paper feed roller 26 is conveyed to the timing roller 37 by the first conveyance roller 34, the second conveyance roller 35, and the intermediate roller 36, and thereafter, between the photoconductor 9 and the transfer device 12 by the timing roller 37. Will be sent out.

As shown in FIG. 5, the paper lifting lever 31 is installed at the bottom of each paper cassette. And it is rotated by the connected lift-up motor 32 (not shown),
The bottom plate in the sheet cassette is lifted, and the sheet material placed on the bottom plate is pressed against the sheet feeding roller 26.

The lift-up sensor is installed above each paper feed cassette. When the paper lifting lever 31 pushes up the paper by driving the lift-up motor 32, the lever holding the paper feed roller 26 abutting on the paper is also pushed up. Then, when the lift-up sensor is shielded from light by the lever, the drive of the lift-up motor 32 is stopped, and the lift-up is completed.

As shown in FIG. 4, a cassette sensor 27 is provided in each paper feed cassette.
Send to Each paper cassette has a pulse sensor 2
8 is provided, and the number of pulses when the lift-up motor 32 is turned on is counted. The number of counted pulses is CP
It is transmitted to U5 and converted into the remaining amount of paper. Furthermore, FD
A sensor 29 and a CD sensor 30 are also provided. The FD sensor 29 detects the width of the sheet material placed in the sheet cassette in a direction parallel to the conveying direction, and the CD sensor 30 detects the sheet placed in the sheet cassette. The width in the vertical direction is detected for the material transport direction.

The first paper feed sensor 38 is installed near the first transport roller 34, and the second paper feed sensor 39 is
It is installed near the transport roller 35. The vertical conveyance sensor 40 is installed before the intermediate roller 36 in the sheet material conveyance direction, and the timing roller front sensor 41 is mounted on the timing roller 3 in the sheet conveyance direction.
It is installed before 7. Each of these sensors detects the presence or absence of a sheet material near the installation position of each sensor, and the presence or absence of passage of the sheet material.

The power supply unit converts electric power from an external commercial power supply into stable DC power and supplies a predetermined voltage required by each of the engine unit and the control unit. FIG.
When the main switch is turned on, power supply to each unit of the apparatus is started in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 5.

In the network printer 100 having the above configuration, when the main switch is turned on, power is supplied from the power supply unit to each unit of the apparatus, and a state where the image input can be received and the printing operation can be performed at any time (standby). Mode). When the CPU 5 receives a print instruction from the PC 1, the CPU 5 converts the image data received from the PC 1 into drive data and outputs the drive data to the print head 8.

Then, a laser beam is emitted from the laser diode 7 to the surface of the photoconductor 9 charged by the charging charger 10 based on the driving data, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor 9. Next, the charged toner in the developing device 11 adheres to the portion of the photoconductor 9 where the electrostatic latent image is formed, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized.

On the other hand, the sheet material of the paper feed cassette selected by the user is fed by the paper lifting lever 31 to the paper feed roller 2.
6 and is sent out by the paper feed roller 26. Then, the toner is conveyed to the timing roller 37 by the first conveyance roller 34, the second conveyance roller 35, and the intermediate roller 36, and then the timing roller 37 is placed on the sheet material in a timely manner.
Is fed by When the sheet material is fed by the timing roller 37, corona discharge is performed from the back surface of the sheet material in the transfer device 12, and the toner image on the photoconductor 9 is transferred onto the sheet material.

The sheet material after the transfer is separated charger 1
After being easily separated from the photoconductor 9 by 3, the photoconductor 9 is separated from the photoconductor 9 by the separation claw 14. The separated sheet material is fixed to the fixing roller 2 by the suction belt 22.
1 and the toner image is fixed on the sheet material by the fixing roller 21.

On the other hand, the toner remaining on the photoreceptor 9 is completely collected by the cleaning device 15. The photoreceptor 9 from which the toner has been collected is irradiated with light by an eraser lamp 16 to remove residual charges on the photoreceptor 9.

Next, the power saving control by the controller will be described in detail with reference to flowcharts of FIGS.

First, when the main switch is turned on and the power is turned on, the CPU 5 reads an initialization program stored in the ROM 3 and performs initialization such as initialization of a work area of the RAM 4. After resetting the timer 6, the timer is started, and the power supply to the engine unit is started, so that the warm-up is performed until the printing operation can be performed at any time (step S1). Then, after the above initialization is performed, the network printer 100 is maintained in a state (standby mode) in which the input of image data can be accepted and a printing operation can be performed at any time (step S3). In the standby mode, power is supplied from the power supply unit to each unit of the engine unit in response to an instruction from the CPU 5. The power supply to each sensor installed in the engine unit is stopped not only in the sleep mode but also in the standby mode, and the power supply to the sensors is performed only when the user instructs the state detection on the screen of the PC 1 shown in FIG. It does not matter.

Next, when image data is input from the PC 1 ("Yes" in step S5), the image is printed out (step S7). When there is no input of image data ("No" in step S5) and the timer 6 measures the lapse of the APO time from the start of the time measurement ("Yes" in step S9), the power supply unit receives an instruction from the CPU 5 and the engine unit operates. Is stopped (sleep mode step S11). At this time, the power supply to the controller is continued.

Then, in the sleep mode, FIG.
The user selects an item on the PC1 screen shown in
When the status detection instruction is transmitted from the CPU 1 ("Yes" in step S15), the CPU 5 controls the power supply unit to supply power to the members of the engine unit as long as necessary for executing the command (step S17). That is, for example, when the user wants to know the remaining amount of toner and selects the item of the remaining amount of toner on the screen of the PC 1, as shown in FIG. 7, power is supplied to the toner detection sensor 20 and the stirring screw 19. And these are activated. Toner detection sensor 20
Not only the stirring screw 19 is operated, but also because the stirring screw 19 must be operated to correct the bias of the toner in the housing in order to accurately detect the remaining amount of toner. In this case, only the toner detection sensor 20 and the stirring screw 19 are supplied with power by the engine unit, and the other units of the engine unit maintain the sleep mode. Therefore, compared to the conventional case where power supply to the sensor is continued even in the sleep mode, the power consumption of the network printer according to the present embodiment can be suppressed.

When a state detection instruction is issued, power may be supplied only to the toner detection sensor 20 without supplying power to the stirring screw 19. In this case, the accuracy of the state detection is somewhat impaired, but the power saving effect is greater. Also,
Power may be supplied to all the sensors in addition to the toner detection sensor 20 and the stirring screw 19. In this case, power is supplied to the sensor in a short time, and the power consumption of the sensor is not so large. Therefore, a relatively power saving effect can be maintained, and the control structure for the sensor can be simplified.

When the toner detection sensor 20 detects the remaining amount of toner, the data is transmitted to the PC 1 via the CPU 5.
Is displayed on the screen of the PC 1 (step S19). When the data is transmitted to the PC 1, the toner detection sensor 20 and the stirring screw 19
The power supply is stopped (step S21) and the sleep mode is set again.

On the other hand, in the sleep mode, if there is any input operation other than the state detection operation or the insertion / removal of the paper feed cassette ("Yes" in step S13), power supply to the engine unit is started, and the printing operation is performed at any time. The warm-up is performed until it can be performed (step S1).
4) The mode shifts to the standby mode again.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the user selects the item of jam detection, the first sheet feed sensor 3
8, power is supplied to the second paper feed sensor 39, the vertical transport sensor 40, the timing roller front sensor 41, and the post-fixing sensor 23. Then, the detection data is transmitted to the CPU 5 from the sensor that detects the sheet material among these sensors. The CPU 5 further outputs the data to the PC 1 and outputs
On the screen of C1, whether or not a jam has occurred in any part of the network printer 100 is displayed.

When the user selects the item of the remaining amount of paper, the cassette sensor 27, the pulse sensor 28,
Power is supplied to the FD sensor 29, the CD sensor 30, the lift-up motor 32, and the lift-up sensor 33, and these are operated. In this case, only the above members are supplied with power, and other members of the engine unit remain in the sleep mode. Then, data detected by these sensors is displayed on the screen of the PC 1 via the CPU 5 (Embodiment 2 of the invention). Next, refer to FIGS. 3, 5 to 6, and 8 to 10. The configuration and operation of the entire digital copying machine 200 according to the second embodiment will be described.

An operation panel 42 is provided on the upper surface of the digital copying machine 200 (not shown), and a main switch is provided on the side surface of the digital copying machine 200 for switching on and off the power supply to the digital copying machine body (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 9, the operation panel 42 has a liquid crystal touch panel 43 for displaying various modes, a numeric keypad 44 for inputting the number of copies and a copy magnification, a start key 45 for starting a copy operation, A clear key 46 for returning the set number of copies to the standard value "1", a reset key 47 for returning various conditions set in the copying machine to the standard value, and a stop key 48 for stopping the image forming operation. A state detection key 49 for detecting the state of the copying machine is provided. When the state detection key 49 is pressed,
As shown in FIG. 10, items related to the state of the digital copying machine are displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 43. When the user touches an item to be known from the displayed items, information on the item is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 43 as shown in FIG. The number of the item to be known may be input using the numeric keypad.

The inside of the digital copying machine 200 is roughly divided into a controller section, an engine section, and a power supply unit.

The controller section includes a ROM 203 and a RAM
204, a CPU 205, and a timer 206.
Note that the configuration of the controller unit is the same as that of the controller unit described in the first embodiment, and thus the description will be given with reference to FIG. 3 as in the first embodiment.

The ROM 203 stores a control program for the engine unit, a program for executing a sleep mode described later, and the like.

The RAM 204 provides a work area for storing an operator's instruction at the time of executing the program, an operation state of each unit of the apparatus, and the like.

The timer 206 is provided for a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as APO time) after the copying process or when the main switch is turned on.
Is started, and is reset when there is any input operation from the user.

The CPU 205 controls the operation of the engine unit in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 203. Also, a power supply unit and a timer 206
Is also controlled.

Next, the configuration of the engine section, which is roughly divided into an image forming section and a paper feed section, will be described with reference to FIG.

At the top of the image forming section, a document table glass 50 is provided.
Is provided, and below it, an exposure lamp 51, a mirror 52 and a lens 53 for forming an image of light emitted from the exposure lamp 51 are arranged.

The CCD 54 is located near the lens 53.
Below this, a memory unit 55 is arranged, and a print head 208 having a laser diode 207 is arranged near the memory unit 55.

The photoconductor 2 is located below the print head 208.
09 is arranged. Around the photoconductor 209, the rotation direction of the photoconductor 209 from the top of the photoconductor 209 (illustration)
A charging charger 210 for charging the photoconductor 209 to a set potential, a laser diode 207 for irradiating a laser toward the photoconductor 209 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 209, and a toner are charged in this order. A developing device 211 for visualizing an electrostatic latent image formed by the laser diode 207 with toner,
A transfer device 212 for transferring the image visualized by 11 to the sheet material; a separation charger 213 for facilitating separation of the sheet material from the photoconductor 209; a separation claw 214 for separating the photoconductor 209 and the sheet material; A cleaning device 215 for collecting the toner remaining on the body 209, and an eraser lamp 21 for removing the residual charge on the photoconductor 209
6 are arranged.

A suction belt 222 for conveying the sheet material extends from the vicinity of the separation claw 214 to the fixing roller 221 for fixing the toner on the sheet material.

The paper supply unit is installed immediately below the image forming unit, and includes a first paper supply cassette 56, a second paper supply cassette 57, a third paper supply cassette 58, a paper supply roller 59, and a cassette sensor 6.
0, pulse sensor 61, FD sensor 62, CD sensor 6
3, paper lifting lever 64, lift-up motor 65,
It is composed of a lift-up sensor 66. Note that the configuration of the paper feeding unit is almost the same as in the first embodiment,
This will be described with reference to FIG.

Each paper cassette has the same size and can store sheet materials of A3 size or less. The paper feed roller 59 feeds the sheet material between the photoconductor 209 and the transfer device 212.

As shown in FIG. 5, the paper lifting lever 64 is installed at the bottom of each paper feed cassette. Then, it is rotated by a connected lift-up motor 65 (not shown),
Lift the bottom plate in the paper cassette and press the sheet material placed on the bottom plate against the paper feed roller 59;
The lift-up sensor 66 is installed above each sheet cassette. When the sheet lifting lever 64 pushes up the sheet by driving the lift-up motor 65, the lever holding the sheet feeding roller 59 abutting on the sheet is also pushed up.
Then, when the lift-up sensor 66 is shielded from light by the lever, the drive of the lift-up motor 65 is stopped, and the lift-up is completed.

As shown in FIG. 8, a cassette sensor 60 is provided in each paper feed cassette, detects the mounting of the installed paper feed cassette, and transmits the data to the CPU 205. In addition, a pulse sensor 61 is installed in each paper feed cassette, and counts the number of pulses when the lift-up motor 65 is turned on. The number of counted pulses is determined by the CPU 205
And is converted to the remaining amount of paper. Further, an FD sensor 62 and a CD sensor 63 are provided, and the FD sensor 62
Is a power supply unit that detects a width in a parallel direction with respect to a transport direction of the sheet material placed in the paper feed cassette, and a CD sensor 63 detects a width in a vertical direction with respect to the transport direction of the sheet material placed in the paper feed cassette. Converts electric power from an external commercial power supply into DC power and stably supplies a required predetermined voltage to the engine unit and the control unit. When the main switch is turned on, the power supply unit
In accordance with the instruction from 5, power is supplied to each unit of the apparatus.

Digital copier 200 having the above configuration
First, when the main switch is turned on, power is supplied from the power supply unit to each unit of the apparatus, and an image input can be received at any time and a printing operation can be performed (standby mode).
become. Then, the start key 45 on the operation panel 42
When the button is pressed, the exposure lamp 51 irradiates light to the original set on the original table glass 50, and the reflected light is imaged on the CCD 54 via the mirror 52 and the lens 53.

The CCD 54 converts the incident reflected light into an electric signal and outputs it as an image signal to the memory unit 55.
The memory unit 55 stores this image signal.

Next, the image signal is output from the memory unit 55 to the print head 208, and a laser beam is irradiated from the laser diode 207 toward the surface of the photoconductor 209 charged by the charging charger 210 based on the driving data. Then, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor 209. Next, the toner charged in the developing device 211 adheres to the portion of the photoconductor 209 where the electrostatic latent image is formed, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized.

On the other hand, the sheet material of the paper feed cassette selected by the user is fed by the paper lifting lever 64 to the paper feed roller 5.
9 and is fed out by a paper feed roller 59. At this time, the sheet material is fed so that the toner image is placed on the sheet material in a timely manner. When the sheet material is fed, corona discharge is performed from the back surface of the sheet material in the transfer device 212, and the toner image on the surface of the photoconductor 209 is transferred onto the sheet material.

The sheet material after the transfer is separated charger 2
After being easily separated from the photoconductor 209 by 13, the photoconductor 209 is separated from the photoconductor 209 by the separation claw 214. The separated sheet material is conveyed to the fixing roller 221 by the suction belt 222, and the toner image is fixed on the sheet material by the fixing roller 221.

On the other hand, the toner remaining on the photosensitive member 209 is completely collected by the cleaning device 215. The photoreceptor 209 from which the toner has been collected is the eraser lamp 216.
Irradiates light to remove residual charges on the photoconductor 209.

Next, the power saving control by the controller will be described in detail. Since the power saving control by the controller unit is the same as the power saving control of the network printer in the first embodiment, it will be described with reference to FIG. 6 similarly to the first embodiment.

First, when the main switch is turned on and the power is turned on, the CPU 205 reads an initialization program stored in the ROM 203 and performs initialization such as initialization of a work area of the RAM 204. After resetting the timer 206, the timer is started, and the power supply to the engine unit is started, so that the warm-up is performed until the copying operation can be performed at any time (step S1). Then, after the above initialization is performed, the digital copying machine 200 is maintained in a state (standby mode) where the digital copying machine 200 can always receive a copy start instruction and perform a copy operation (step S3). In the standby mode, the CPU 20
In response to the instruction of No. 5, power is supplied from the power supply unit to each unit of the engine unit. In the standby mode, power supply to each sensor installed in the engine unit may be stopped, and power may be supplied to the sensor only when the state detection button 49 is pressed to operate the sensor.

Next, when there is an instruction to start copying ("Yes" in step S5), the image is copied (step S7).
There is no instruction to start copying ("No" in step S5),
When the timer 206 measures the elapse of the APO time from the start of the time measurement (“Yes” in step S9), the CPU 20
In response to the instruction of 5, the power supply unit stops supplying power to the engine unit (sleep mode step S11). At this time, the power supply to the controller is continued.

Then, in the sleep mode, when the user presses the state detection button 49 on the operation panel 42, power is supplied to the liquid crystal panel 43, and an item of state detection is displayed. When an item to be known is selected from the displayed items (“Yes” in step S15), the CPU 205
, The power supply unit supplies power to the members of the engine unit as long as it is necessary to execute the command (step S17). That is, for example, the user wants to know the remaining amount of paper. In this case, when the status detection button 49 is pressed on the operation panel 42, the status items are displayed as shown in FIG. 10, and the user selects the item of the remaining amount of paper from the displayed items. Then, power is supplied to the cassette sensor 60, the pulse sensor 61, the FD sensor 62, the CD sensor 63, the lift-up motor 65, and the lift-up sensor 66 installed in each paper feed cassette, and these are operated. In this case, power is supplied only to the cassette sensor 60, the pulse sensor 61, the FD sensor 62, the CD sensor 63, the lift-up motor 65, and the lift-up sensor 66, and other engine members are kept in the sleep mode. is there. Therefore, the digital copying machine 200 in this embodiment can reduce power consumption as compared with the related art in which the entire copying machine shifts from the sleep mode to the standby mode when any state detection operation is performed. It should be noted that the item of the remaining amount of paper can be subdivided and any one of the remaining amount of paper in the first paper supply cassette 56, the remaining amount of paper in the second paper supply cassette 57, and the remaining amount of paper in the third paper supply cassette 58 can be selected. It does not matter. In this case, the cassette sensor 60 installed in the selected paper cassette,
Pulse sensor 61, FD sensor 62, CD sensor 63,
Power is supplied only to the lift-up motor 65 and the lift-up sensor 66.

The data detected by the cassette sensor 60, the pulse sensor 61, the FD sensor 62, and the CD sensor 63 are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 43 via the CPU 205. That is, as shown in FIG.
0, the FD sensor 62
On the liquid crystal panel 43, data obtained by converting the sheet size and sheet placement direction detected by the CD sensor 63 and the number of pulses detected by the pulse sensor 61 into the remaining amount of paper are respectively associated with each other. Once the data is displayed,
Cassette sensor 60, pulse sensor 61, FD sensor 6
2. The power supply to the CD sensor 63, the lift-up motor 65, and the lift-up sensor 66 is stopped, and the sleep mode is set again. Even when each sensor enters the sleep mode, the power supply to the liquid crystal panel 43 is continued, and after the APO time has elapsed since the user pressed the state detection button 49, the sleep mode is resumed.

On the other hand, in the sleep mode, if there is any input operation other than the operation of the state detection button 49 or the insertion / removal of the paper feed cassette, power supply to the engine unit is started, and the warm operation is performed until the print operation can be performed at any time. Up is performed (step S14), and the process returns to the standby mode.

[0083]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing power consumption when performing an operation of detecting the state of the image forming apparatus in a sleep mode of the image forming apparatus as compared with a conventional image forming apparatus. can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a state detection screen on PC 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a controller unit of the network printer 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention and a second embodiment of the present invention;
1 is a schematic diagram of a controller unit of a digital copying machine 200 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the network printer 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a sheet feeding unit according to Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a controller of the network printer 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention and a second embodiment of the present invention;
5 is a flowchart of power saving control of a controller unit of the digital copying machine 200 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic connection diagram of the power supply unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention and members required for state detection.

FIG. 8 is a digital copying machine 2 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
FIG.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an operation panel 42 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a display screen of a liquid crystal panel 43 when a state detection button 49 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is pressed.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: PC, 2: Ethernet, 3.203; ROM, 4
· 204; RAM, 5 · 205; CPU, 6 · 206;
Timer, 7.207; Laser diode, 8.20
8; print head, 9.209; photoconductor, 10.21
0; charging charger, 11 · 211; developing device, 12
・ 212; transfer device, 13 ・ 213; separation charger, 14 ・ 214; separation claw, 15 ・ 215;
16.216; eraser lamp, 17; housing,
18; toner supply roller, 19; stirring screw, 2
0: toner detection sensor, 21 · 221; fixing roller,
22, 222; suction belt, 23; sensor after fixing, 24; first sheet cassette, 25; second sheet cassette, 26; sheet roller, 27; cassette sensor, 2
8; pulse sensor 29; FD sensor 30; CD sensor 31; paper lifting lever 32; lift-up motor 33; lift-up sensor 34; first transport roller 35; second transport roller 36; Roller, 3
7; timing roller, 38; first paper feed sensor, 3
9; 2nd paper feed sensor, 40; vertical transport sensor, 41; timing roller front sensor, 42; operation panel, 43; liquid crystal touch panel, 44; numeric keypad, 45; start key, 46; 48; stop key, 49; state detection button, 50; platen glass, 51; exposure lamp, 52; mirror, 53;
54; CCD, 55; memory unit, 56; first paper cassette 57, second paper cassette 58, third paper cassette 59, paper roller 60, cassette sensor 61, pulse sensor 62 FD sensor, 63; C
D sensor, 64; paper lifting lever, 65; lift-up motor, 66; lift-up sensor

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/00 H04N 1/00 C (72) Inventor Takashi Ito 2-3 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka No. 13 Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masayoshi Nakayama 2-13-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka F-term in Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. 2C061 AP01 AP04 AQ06 HH11 HJ03 HJ04 HJ07 HK06 HK11 HK19 HK20 HN04 HN05 HN15 HT03 HT07 HT13 HV09 HV13 HV14 HV32 2H027 DC03 DC11 DD02 EF16 EF18 EJ15 EJ19 FA30 FA35 GB03 GB05 ZA01 5B021 AA01 BB01 BB10 AC02 AF05

Claims (11)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus capable of shifting to a sleep mode in which power supply required for performing an operation is stopped, a state detecting member for detecting a state of the image forming apparatus, and a power supply for supplying power to each unit of the image forming apparatus A member, and a control unit that controls a power supply member such that when the state detection member performs state detection in the sleep mode, the state detection member and the state detection member supply power only to a member that needs to operate to perform state detection. An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the state detecting member includes a plurality of the state detecting members, and
When the state detection member performs state detection in the sleep mode, the control unit controls the power supply member to supply power only to a specific state detection member and members that need to operate for the state detection member to perform state detection. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The image forming apparatus further includes a display unit for displaying a result detected by the state detection member, and
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when detecting a state of the image forming apparatus in a sleep mode, the control unit controls a power supply member to also supply power to the display unit. 4. The image forming apparatus further includes a selection unit that allows a user to select detection of a specific state from among states related to the image forming apparatus, and the control unit detects a state selected by the user. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the power supply member is controlled so as to supply power only to the state detection member and a member that needs to operate for the state detection member to perform the state detection. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit classifies the state detection members into a plurality of groups and controls the power supply members so as to supply power to each group. . 6. An image forming apparatus connected to an external device via a network, wherein a state detecting member for detecting a state of the image forming device in response to a command from the external device, and a power supply member for supplying power to each part of the image forming apparatus And controlling the power supply member such that, when the state detection member to which power supply has been stopped receives a state detection command, the state detection member and the state detection member supply power only to the members that need to operate to perform state detection. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit. 7. An image forming apparatus connected to an external device via a network and capable of shifting to a sleep mode in which power supply is stopped to perform an operation, wherein a state of the image forming apparatus is detected in response to a command from the external device. A state detection member, a power supply member for supplying power to each part of the image forming apparatus, and, when the state detection member receives a state detection command in the sleep mode, the state detection member and the state detection member operate to perform state detection. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls a power supply member so as to supply power only to a member that requires the power supply. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the state of the image forming apparatus detected by the state detecting member is a state of paper supply and discharge in the image forming apparatus. apparatus. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the state of the image forming apparatus detected by the state detecting member is a remaining amount of consumables in the image forming apparatus. apparatus. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a result detected by the state detecting member can be displayed on an external device. 11. A first step in which power supply to the state detecting means is stopped when a predetermined time has elapsed from a predetermined operation, a second step in which an operator instructs the state detecting means to detect a state, A third step of supplying power only to members necessary for the means to detect the state.