JP2007143361A - Load controller, load control method, and load control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a load controller, a load control method and a load control program, with which a plurality of loads are controlled by a single timer interrupt processing. <P>SOLUTION: When an end notification is received from a timer task 601, a motor control task 602 reads the counter value of a motor 25b from a memory 28. Then the motor control task 602 decides whether the read counter value is one or more. When the counter value is one or larger, the read counter value is decremented and the task 602 decides whether the decremented counter value is one or more. When the counter value is one or larger, a paper feed motor control task 603 is instructed to turn on the motor 25b, and the counter value, after decrement, is recorded on the memory 28. When the counter value is 0, however, the paper feed motor control task 603 is instructed to turn off the motor 25b, and the motor 25b is stopped by the paper feed motor control task 603. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a load control device, a load control method, and a load control program, and in particular, a load control device, a load control method, and a load control program that control a plurality of loads (for example, a motor) by one timer interrupt process. About.

  In printers, an automatic document feeder (ADF) uses a stepping motor to convey a document to a reading unit, to convey a sheet to a developing unit, and to rotate a roller of a fixing unit. ing. A roller or the like is rotated by the rotational drive of the stepping motor, and the sheet is conveyed from the storage unit to the print head or the like.

  For example, in a printer provided with a plurality of print heads such as a color printer, a stepping motor is provided corresponding to each print head in order to transport the paper in accordance with the printing operation by each print head.

  In Patent Document 1, a timer that outputs a timer interrupt signal, an acceleration / deceleration control table that stores the acceleration / deceleration pattern of the stepping motor by the number of steps and the number of interruptions, a first stepping motor, and a second stepping motor On the other hand, a first interrupt counter and a second interrupt counter for counting the number of interrupts of the timer interrupt signal after the shift processing, and a first step counter and a second step counter for counting the number of steps, respectively. Each time the control signal of the stepping motor is shifted, the counter value of the corresponding step counter is incremented by +1 when accelerating and decremented by -1 when decelerating. It is possible to control the motor drive, configure the drive circuit at low cost, and use the timer interrupt signal effectively. Printer has been proposed.

  In Patent Document 2, a timer activation request is issued from a certain task among n tasks in the timer task TMTK. When the timer task is activated, the timer interrupt processing TMIR is performed at regular intervals by a timer interrupt, and the value of the timer counter TMCR is set. Increment, calculate the time-up invalid range using the current value of the timer counter, set the task number, timer number, time-up invalid range and active status in the empty area of the timer management table TMMT, TMTK sets the running status and checks whether the timer counter value of the timer task TMTK running is out of the time-up invalid range. When a timer task issues a time-up event Normally be an application program is running, and the processing method of the timer tasks that can be implemented more soft timer can reduce the timer interrupt processing time is proposed.

In Patent Document 3, one of a plurality of clocks each having a different generation cycle is selected, and the basic clock is counted as a basic clock. The count value and a counter corresponding to the motor stepping pulse speed stored in the register are counted. When the two values match, a motor stepping pulse is generated, and the motor stepping pulse generates a different excitation phase pulse for driving the stepping motor. A stepping motor control method capable of arbitrarily changing the pulse rate of the generated motor stepping pulse according to the selection of the basic clock and the counter value stored in the register by outputting the pulse according to the designation of the excitation phase; and An electronic device having a control circuit and a stepping motor has been proposed.
JP 05-278279 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-293237 JP 2002-223593 A

  However, the above invention has the following problems.

  In a conventional image forming apparatus, a motor that rotates a roller for conveying a document to a developing unit or the like is controlled by a CPU to rotate the motor for a predetermined time or to change the rotation speed of the motor for a predetermined time. The operation time of each operation is measured by a plurality of timers to control the motor.

  In recent years, various functions have been added to image forming apparatuses, and motors equipped with the functions have increased. For this reason, the number of operations for which time must be measured has increased, and the number of timers used has also increased. On the other hand, since the control of each motor and timer is performed by one CPU, the processing speed is reduced. Furthermore, as the number of timers provided in the image forming apparatus increases, the cost is also increased.

  The present invention relates to a load control method for controlling ON / OFF of a plurality of loads (for example, motors), when receiving a time-up notification from a timer for measuring a predetermined time, all the loads set when the load is turned on. When the counter value reaches a predetermined value, the load corresponding to the counter value is turned off, and only the load whose counter value is not the predetermined value is continuously operated to An object of the present invention is to propose a load control device, a load control method, and a load control program that can control the load of a single timer.

  The invention according to claim 1 stores a plurality of loads, a control unit for controlling the plurality of loads, a timer for notifying the control unit of a timeout at a constant time interval, and a notification count of the timeout for each load. In the load control device having the memory to perform, when the load is turned on, the control unit sets the timeout notification count of the load stored in the memory, and receives the timeout notification from the timer. At this time, the number of notifications of all loads stored in the memory is subtracted, and when the number of notifications reaches a predetermined value, the load for which the number of notifications is set is turned off.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the load control device according to the first aspect, when the number of notifications of all the loads stored in the memory is subtracted, the control unit determines that the number of notifications of all the loads is It is determined whether or not a predetermined value is reached, and when the number of notifications of any one load is not a predetermined value, the timer continues the notification of the timeout.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the load control device according to the first or second aspect, when the load is turned on, the control means determines whether or not the number of notifications of all the loads is a predetermined value. When the number of notifications for all loads is a predetermined value, the timer starts notification of the timeout.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the load control device according to the second or third aspect, in the process of determining whether or not the number of notifications of all loads is a predetermined value, the notification of any one of the loads is performed. When it is detected that the number of times is not a predetermined value, the control means does not determine whether or not the number of notifications of the remaining load is a predetermined value.

  The invention according to claim 5 stores, for each load, a plurality of loads, a control means for controlling the plurality of loads, a timer for notifying the control means of a timeout at regular time intervals, and the number of times of notification of the timeout. In the load control method of a load control device having a memory to perform, when the load is turned on, the control means sets the number of times of notification of the timeout stored in the memory, and from the timer When receiving a time-out notification, the step of subtracting the number of notifications of all loads stored in the memory, and when the notification number reaches a predetermined value, turn off the load for which the number of notifications is set And a process.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the load control method according to the fifth aspect, when the number of notifications of all loads stored in the memory is subtracted, the control means determines that the number of notifications of all loads is Determining whether or not a predetermined value is reached, and when the number of notifications of any one load is not a predetermined value, the timer continues the time-out notification. And

  A seventh aspect of the invention is the load control method according to the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein when the load is turned on, the control means determines whether or not the number of notifications of all the loads is a predetermined value. And when the number of notifications of all loads reaches a predetermined value, the timer starts the notification of the timeout.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the load control method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein in the process of determining whether or not the number of times of notification of all loads is a predetermined value, the notification of any one load is performed. A step of ending without determining whether or not the number of notifications of the remaining load is a predetermined value when it is detected that the number of times is not a predetermined value. To do.

  The invention according to claim 9 stores a plurality of loads, a control means for controlling the plurality of loads, a timer for notifying the control means of a timeout at regular time intervals, and the number of times of notification of the timeout for each load. In the load control program of the load control device having the memory to perform, when the load is turned on, the control means sets the number of times of notification of the timeout stored in the memory, and from the timer When a notification of timeout is received, a process of subtracting the number of notifications of all loads stored in the memory, and when the number of notifications reaches a predetermined value, the load for which the number of notifications is set is turned off. And processing.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the load control program according to the ninth aspect, when the number of notifications of all loads stored in the memory is subtracted, the control means A process for determining whether or not a predetermined value is reached, and a process for continuing the notification of the timeout when the number of notifications of any one load is not a predetermined value. And

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the load control program according to the ninth or tenth aspect, when the load is turned on, the control means determines whether or not the number of notifications of all the loads is a predetermined value. And when the number of notifications of all loads is a predetermined value, the timer has a process of starting notification of the timeout.

  The invention according to claim 12 is the load control program according to claim 10 or 11, wherein in the process of determining whether or not the number of notifications of all loads is a predetermined value, the notification of any one of the loads is performed. The control means has a process of ending without determining whether or not the number of notifications of the remaining load is a predetermined value when it is detected that the number of times is not a predetermined value. To do.

  The present invention relates to a load control method for controlling ON / OFF of a plurality of loads (for example, motors), when receiving a time-up notification from a timer for measuring a predetermined time, all the loads set when the load is turned on. When the counter value reaches a predetermined value, the load corresponding to the counter value is turned off, and only the load whose counter value is not the predetermined value is continuously operated to Can be controlled by one timer.

  The configuration and operation of an image forming apparatus to which a load control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described below.

  First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  An image forming apparatus according to this embodiment includes an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 1, a document table 2, a feed roller 3, a feed roller 4, a discharge roller 5, a contact glass 6, and a document set detection 7. , First tray 8, second tray 9, third tray 10, first paper feed unit 11, second paper feed unit 12, third paper feed unit 13, vertical transport unit 14, photoconductor 15, transport belt 16, Fixing unit 17, paper discharge unit 18, paper discharge tray 19, reading unit 50, exposure lamp 51, first mirror 52, lens 53, CCD image sensor 54, second mirror 55, third mirror 56, writing unit 57, laser Output unit 58, imaging lens 59, mirror 60, traveling body 61, double-sided conveyance unit 111, reversing unit 112, double-sided paper conveyance path 113, and reverse paper ejection conveyance 114 configured to have a.

  A specific operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  When a start key 34 on the operation unit 30 shown in FIG. 2 is pressed, a bundle of documents placed on the document table 2 of the ADF 1 is fed from the bottom document by the feed roller 4. It is fed to the reading position. Note that the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment has a counting function for counting up the number of documents when a single document is fed. The fed original is conveyed to a reading position, and the image data of the original is read by the reading unit 50. The image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment can correct a decrease in image quality that occurs when dust adheres to the reading position of the reading unit 50 and the reading position is changed.

  The document that has been read is discharged by the feed roller 4 and the discharge roller 5. Further, when it is detected by the document set detection 7 that the next document is present on the document table 2, it is fed to the reading position in the same manner as the previous document. The feed rollers (3, 4) and the discharge roller 5 are driven by a transport motor.

  The transfer sheets stacked on the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 are fed by the first sheet feeding unit 11, the second sheet feeding unit 12, and the third sheet feeding unit 13, respectively, and are vertically conveyed. The unit 14 is transported to a position where it abuts on the photoreceptor 15. The image data read by the reading unit 50 is written on the photoconductor 15 by the laser from the writing unit 57 and passes through the developing unit 27 to form a toner image. Then, the transfer paper is transported by the transport belt 16 at the same speed as the rotation of the photoconductor 15, and the toner image on the photoconductor 15 is transferred. Thereafter, the image is fixed by the fixing unit 17 and discharged to the paper discharge tray 19 by the paper discharge unit 18.

  When forming an image on both sides of the transfer paper, the transfer paper fed from each of the paper feed trays 8 to 10 and formed on the transfer paper is not guided to the discharge tray 19 side, but is transported to the double-sided paper feed transport path 113. Then, the switchback is reversed by the reversing unit 112 and sent to the duplex conveying unit 111. The paper sent to the duplex conveyance unit is sent again to the vertical conveyance unit 14 and printed after an image is printed on the back surface, and then discharged. Further, when the transfer paper is reversed and discharged, the paper that has been switched back by the reversing unit 112 is sent to the reverse discharge conveyance path 114 and discharged without being sent to the duplex unit.

  The photoconductor 15, the transport belt 16, the fixing unit 17, the paper discharge unit 18, and the development unit 27 are driven by a motor 25a. Each of the sheet feeding devices 11 to 13 is driven to transmit the driving of the motor 25b by the sheet feeding clutches 21 to 24, respectively. The vertical conveyance unit 14 is driven to transmit the drive of the main motor 25b by the intermediate clutch 21.

  Next, operations from reading a document to writing an image will be described.

  The reading unit 50 includes a contact glass 6 on which an original is placed and an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 51, a first mirror 52, a lens 53, a CCD image sensor 54, and the like. The exposure lamp 51 is fixed on the traveling body 61. The first mirror 52 is fixed on the first carriage, and the second mirror 55 and the third mirror 56 are fixed on the second carriage. When reading a document image, the traveling body 61, the first carriage, and the second carriage are mechanically operated so that the optical path length does not change. This optical scanning system is driven by a scanner drive motor. The document image is read by the CCD image sensor 54, converted into an electrical signal, and processed.

  The writing unit 57 includes a laser output unit 58, an imaging lens 59, and a mirror 60. Inside the laser output unit 58, there are provided a polygonal mirror (polygon mirror) that rotates at a constant high speed by a laser diode as a laser light source and a motor.

  The laser beam output from the writing unit 57 is applied to the image forming photoconductor 15. A beam sensor for generating a main scanning synchronization signal is disposed at a position where a laser beam near one end of the photoconductor 15 is irradiated.

  FIG. 3 is a display example of the liquid crystal touch panel 31 of the operation unit 30.

  When the operator touches a key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31, the key indicating the selected function is inverted in black. In addition, when specifying the details of a function (for example, a scaling value for zooming), a detailed function setting screen is displayed by touching the key. As described above, since the liquid crystal touch panel uses a dot display, it is possible to graphically perform an optimal display at that time.

  Next, the configuration of the control device centered on the main controller of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The main controller 20 controls the entire image forming apparatus. The main controller 20 includes an operation unit 30 that performs display for an operator and function setting input control from the operator, scanner control, control for writing a document image in an image memory, control for image formation from the image memory, and the like. A distributed control device such as a processing unit (IPU) 49 and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 1 is connected.

  The main controller 20 is connected to a connection I / F 48 that is connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses and transmits and receives apparatus configuration and function information and information related to operation control. The main controller 20 acquires information of the image forming apparatuses connected via the connection I / F 48 and controls the connection operation by setting the operation, or receives a request from another connected image forming apparatus. Acquire and control the operation of your aircraft.

  Each distributed control device and the main controller 20 exchange machine states and operation commands as necessary. In addition, a motor 25a necessary for starting the photosensitive member 15, the conveyance belt 16, the fixing unit 17, the paper discharge unit 18, and the developing unit 27, a main motor 25b necessary for paper conveyance, various clutches 21 to 24, and ADF1 originals. Requested by the motor 26 that operates the feeding roller 4 that conveys the document placed on the table 2 to the reading position, the document set detection sensor 7 that detects that the document is placed on the document table 2, and the main controller 20. A timer unit 29 for measuring a predetermined time and a memory 28 for recording the number of operations (hereinafter referred to as a counter value) of each motor (25a, 25b, 26) requested from the main controller 20 are connected. The main controller 20 sets the cycle and activates the timer unit 29. After the activation, the main controller 20 generates an interrupt at regular intervals and stores the counter value of each motor (25a, 25b, 26) recorded in the memory 28. The motor is updated and ON / OFF control of each motor (25a, 25b, 26) is performed based on the timer counter value.

  Next, the configuration and operation of the image processing unit (IPU) 49 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The image processing unit 49 includes a CCD 54, an A / D converter 61, a shading correction unit 62, an image processing unit 63, a scaling processing unit 72, a selector 64, a writing γ correction unit 71, a writing unit 57, a CPU 68, a ROM 69, a RAM 70, and a memory. A controller 65, a color conversion processing unit 100, an I / O port 67, an image memory 66, a connected I / F 48, and image data 73 are configured.

  First, the CCD image sensor 54 photoelectrically converts the reflection of light emitted from the exposure lamp 51 and converts it into a digital signal by the A / D converter 61. The image signal converted into the digital signal is subjected to shading correction by the shading correction unit 62 and then subjected to MTF correction, γ correction and the like by the image processing unit 63. The image signal that has passed through the scaling unit 72 is enlarged / reduced in accordance with the scaling factor and transferred to the selector 64. In the selector 64, the destination of the image signal is switched to the writing γ correction unit 71 or the image memory controller 65. The image signal that has passed through the writing γ correction unit 71 is corrected for writing γ according to the image forming conditions, and is sent to the writing unit 57.

  Between the image memory controller 65 and the selector 64, an image signal can be input and output bidirectionally. Further, a CPU 68 for setting the image memory controller 65 and the like and controlling the writing unit 57, and a ROM 69 and a RAM 70 for storing programs and data thereof are provided. Further, the CPU 68 can write and read data in the image memory 66 via the memory controller 65.

  The connection I / F 48 is connected to the data bus of the memory controller for transmitting and receiving image information, and can input and output data. The image information is transferred via the image memory 66 according to the data transfer speed between the image forming apparatuses. That is, at the time of image output, after image data is stored in the pixel memory 66 from the memory controller 65, the data is sequentially read out from the image memory 66 according to the data transfer speed between the image forming apparatuses, and the data is transferred to the connected I / F 48. . When outputting an image, the image data transferred from the connection I / F 48 is stored in the image memory 66, and then the image data is processed from the image memory 66 through the memory controller 65 inside the apparatus. With the above-described configuration, it is possible to realize the connecting operation without being restricted by the function of the image forming apparatus.

  The image sent to the image memory controller 65 as a document image is sent to the image memory 66 after the image data is compressed by an image compression device in the image memory controller 65. The image compression can be performed by directly writing 256 gradation data corresponding to the maximum image size into the image memory 66, but the image memory is very much used for one original image. Therefore, the limited image memory 66 can be used effectively by performing image compression. In addition, since a large amount of original image data can be stored at one time by compressing the image, the stored original image data can be output in page order as a sorting function. In this case, when the image is output, the data in the image memory 66 is output while being sequentially expanded by the expansion device in the memory controller 65. This function is generally called “electronic sort”.

  Further, by utilizing the function of the image memory, it is possible to sequentially read a plurality of document images into an area obtained by dividing the image memory 66 into an area for one transfer sheet. For example, four original images are sequentially written in an area divided into four equal parts for one transfer paper in the image memory 66, whereby the four originals are combined into one transfer paper image to obtain an integrated output. be able to. This function is generally called “aggregate copy”.

  The image in the image memory 66 is configured to be accessible from the CPU 68. Therefore, the contents of the image memory 66 can be processed. For example, image thinning processing, image clipping processing, and the like can be performed. For processing, the image memory 66 can be processed by writing data to the register of the memory controller 65. The processed image is held in the image memory 66 again.

  Further, the contents of the image memory 66 can be read by the CPU 68 and transferred to the operation unit 30 as the image data 73 via the I / O port 67. Generally, since the screen display resolution of the operation unit 30 is low, the original image in the image memory 66 is subjected to image thinning and sent to the operation unit 30. Since the image memory 66 stores a large amount of image data, a hard disk can also be used. By using a hard disk, an external power source is unnecessary and images can be retained permanently. In order to read and hold a plurality of standard originals (format originals) with a scanner, this hard disk is generally used.

  Next, control for turning on / off the power supply to each motor (25a, 25b, 26) upon receiving a time-up notification from the timer unit 29 by the main controller 20 will be described. In the present embodiment, a control operation of the main controller 20 when power from the motors (25a, 25b) is supplied to the paper feeding units 11 to 13 and the fixing unit 17 will be described.

  First, each task in the main controller 20 that controls activation of the timer unit 29 and the motors (25a, 25b) will be described with reference to FIG.

  The tasks in the main controller 20 that controls the activation of the timer unit 27 and the motors (25a, 25b) include a timer task 601, a motor control task 602, a paper feed motor control task 603, and a fixing motor control task 604. Is done.

  The timer task 601 starts / stops from other tasks such as the motor control task 602, measures the designated time, and transmits a time-up notification to the motor control task 602 when the time is up. The motor control task 602 requests the timer task 601 to measure time, receives a time-up notification from the timer task 601, and controls ON / OFF of the motors (25a, 25b). The paper feed motor control task 603 receives an ON / OFF command from the motor control task 602 and turns ON / OFF the motor 25b. The fixing motor control task 604 receives an ON / OFF command from the motor control task 602 and turns ON / OFF the motor 25a.

  Next, the operation of the motor control task 602 when a time-up notification is received from the timer task 601 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When receiving the time-up notification from the timer task 601, the motor control task 602 reads the counter value of the motor 25b from the memory 28 (step S701). Next, the motor control task 602 determines whether or not the read counter value is 1 or more (step S702). When the counter value is 0 (step S702 / NO), since the motor 25b is not turned on, the process proceeds to reading the counter value of the motor 25a. On the other hand, if the counter value is 1 or more (step 702 / YES), 1 is subtracted from the read counter value (step S703), and it is determined whether or not the subtracted counter value is 1 or more (step S704). . When the counter value is 1 or more (step S704 / YES), the sheet feeding motor control task 603 is instructed to turn on the motor 25b, and the counter value after the subtraction is recorded in the memory 28 (step S706). . On the other hand, if the counter value is 0 (step S705 / NO), the paper feed motor control task 603 is instructed to turn off the motor 25b, and the paper feed motor control task 603 stops the motor 25b (step S705). After instructing the paper feed motor control task 603 to turn off the motor 25b, the motor control task 602 records the counter value (0) of the motor 25b in the memory 28 (step S706).

  Next, the motor control task 602 reads the counter value of the motor 25a from the memory 28 (step S707). Then, the motor control task 602 determines whether or not the read counter value is 1 or more (step S708). If the counter value is 0 (step S708 / NO), since the motor 25a is not turned on, the process proceeds to check the counter values of all the motors (step S713). On the other hand, when the counter value is 1 or more (step 708 / YES), 1 is subtracted from the read counter value (step S709), and it is determined whether or not the subtracted counter value is 1 or more (step S710). . If the counter value is 1 or more (step S710 / YES), the fixing motor control task 604 is instructed to turn on the motor 25a, and the subtracted counter value is recorded in the memory 28 (step S712). On the other hand, when the counter value is 0 (step S710 / NO), the fixing motor control task 604 is instructed to turn off the motor 25a, and the fixing motor control task 604 stops the motor 25a (step S711). After instructing the fixing motor control task 604 to turn off the motor 25a, the motor control task 602 records the counter value (0) of the motor 25a in the memory 28 (step S712). When the recording of the counter value of the motor 25a in the memory 28 is completed (step S712), the motor control task 602 sets the counter values of all the motors in order to determine whether or not it is necessary to start the timer unit 29 anew. A check is made (step S713).

  According to the above configuration, in a load control method for controlling ON / OFF of a plurality of loads (for example, motors), when a time-up notification is received from a timer for measuring a predetermined time, it is set when turned on. When the counter value of all the loads is subtracted and the counter value reaches a predetermined value (for example, 0), the load corresponding to the counter value is turned off and only the load whose counter value is not the predetermined value is continued. By operating in this manner, a plurality of loads can be controlled by a single timer.

  Next, a process of checking the counter values of all the motors in step S713 in FIG. 7 and determining whether or not to newly start the timer unit 29 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The motor control task 602 resets an index indicating a motor whose counter value is checked (step S801). Next, the motor control task 602 reads the counter value of any one motor recorded in the memory 28 (step S802), and determines whether the counter value is 1 or more (step S803). If the counter value is 1 or more (step S803 / YES), it is determined that there is a motor in the ON state, and the timer task 601 is requested to start the timer unit 29 (step S805). On the other hand, when the counter value is 0 (step S803 / NO), the index of the motor whose counter value is checked in step 803 is updated to the index of the motor whose counter value has not been checked yet (step S804). ). When the index update is completed, it is determined whether or not the counter values of all the motors have been checked (step S806). If the counter values of all the motors are checked (step S806 / YES), the timer task 601 is not requested to start the timer unit 29, and the process ends. On the other hand, when the counter values of all the motors are not checked (step S806 / NO), the counter values are newly checked based on the updated index (step S802).

  According to the above configuration, when it is determined whether or not to newly start the timer, the counter value of the full load is checked, and the timer is started only when any one of the counter values is not a predetermined value. Thus, the timer can be stopped when the full load is OFF. Further, in the process of checking the counter value of all loads, if any one of the counter values is not a predetermined value, it is determined that the timer needs to be started without checking the other counter values. Thus, it is possible to reduce the time required for determining the necessity of starting the timer.

  Next, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process for receiving a motor ON request from the motor control task 602 and requesting a paper ON (or fixing) motor control task (603, 604) to turn on the motor.

  First, the motor control task 601 checks the counter values of all the motors recorded in the memory unit 29, and determines whether or not to newly start the timer unit 29 (step S901). Next, the motor control task 602 requests the paper feed (or fixing) motor control task (603, 604) to turn on the motor (25a, 25b) (step S902). When the motor (25a, 25b) is turned on, the motor control task 602 adds the number of counters corresponding to the required operation time to the counter value of the motor that is turned on among the counter values of each motor recorded in the memory 28. (Step S903).

  According to the above-described configuration, in the load control method for controlling ON / OFF of a plurality of loads (for example, motors), when adding the counter value of each load, the counter value of all loads is checked, and the counter of all loads is checked. The timer is started only when the value is the predetermined value, and the counter value is added without stopping the time measurement by the already started timer, thereby preventing errors in the timer measurement time. it can.

  Next, a process for checking the counter values of all the motors in order to determine whether or not to newly start the timer unit 29 shown in step S901 in FIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the motor control task 602 resets an index indicating a motor whose counter value is to be checked (step S1001). Next, the motor control task 602 reads the counter value of any one of the motors recorded in the memory 28 (step S1002), and determines whether the counter value is 1 or more (step S1003). If the counter value is 1 or more (step S1003 / YES), it is determined that the timer unit 29 has already been activated, and the process ends. On the other hand, if the counter value is 0 (NO in step S1003), the index of the motor whose counter value is checked in step 1003 is updated to the index of the motor whose counter value has not yet been checked (step S1004). ). When the index update is completed, it is determined whether or not the counter values of all the motors have been checked (step S1005). Then, the counter values of all the motors are checked, and if the counter values of all the motors are 0 (step S1005 / YES), the motor control task 601 requests the timer task 601 to start the timer unit 29. (Step S1006). If the check of the counter values of all the motors has not been completed (step S1005 / NO), the counter values are read based on the updated index (step S1002).

  According to the above configuration, when it is determined whether or not to newly start the timer, the counter value of the full load is checked, and the timer is started only when all the counter values are not the predetermined value. In the process of checking the counter value of the load, if any one of the counter values has not reached the predetermined value, the timer is started by determining that the timer needs to be started without checking the other counter values. It is possible to reduce the time required to determine the necessity of

  In this embodiment, an example in which two loads (motors) are controlled based on a time-up notification from one timer has been described, but the same processing can be performed even when there are two or more motors to be controlled. It is.

1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is the schematic of an operation part. It is an example of a display of a liquid crystal display part. It is a figure which shows the structure of the control apparatus centering on a main controller. It is a figure which shows the structure of an image processing unit (IPU). It is a figure which shows each task of the main controller which controls starting of a timer and a motor. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the motor control task when the time-up notification is received from the timer task. It is a figure which shows the process which checks the counter value of all the motors and judges whether to start a timer newly. It is a figure which shows the process which receives the motor ON request | requirement from a motor control task, and requests | requires a motor ON to a paper feed (or fixing) motor control task. It is a figure which shows the process which checks the counter value of all the motors in order to judge whether a timer is started anew.

Explanation of symbols

1 ADF
2 Document platen 3, 4 Feed roller 5 Discharge roller 6 Contact glass 7 Document set detection 8 1st tray 9 2nd tray 10 3rd tray 11 1st sheet feed unit 12 2nd sheet feed unit 13 3rd sheet feed unit DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Vertical conveyance unit 15 Photoconductor 16 Conveyor belt 17 Fixing unit 18 Paper discharge unit 19 Paper discharge tray 50 Reading unit 51 Exposure lamp 52 First mirror 53 Lens 54 CCD image sensor 55 Second mirror 56 Third mirror 57 Writing unit 58 Laser Output unit 59 Imaging lens 60 Mirror 61 Traveling body 111 Double-sided conveyance unit 112 Reverse unit 113 Double-sided paper conveyance path 114 Reversed paper conveyance path

Claims (12)

A load control device comprising: a plurality of loads; a control means for controlling the plurality of loads; a timer for notifying the control means of a timeout at regular time intervals; and a memory for storing the number of times of notification of the timeout for each load. In
The control means includes
When turning on the load, set the number of notifications of the timeout of the load stored in the memory,
When receiving the timeout notification from the timer, subtract the notification count of all loads stored in the memory,
When the notification count reaches a predetermined value, the load control device is configured to turn off the load for which the notification count is set. When the notification count for all loads stored in the memory is subtracted, the control means determines whether the notification count for all loads is a predetermined value,
2. The load control device according to claim 1, wherein when the number of notifications of any one of the loads is not a predetermined value, the timer continues the notification of the timeout. When turning on the load, the control means determines whether or not the number of notifications of all loads is a predetermined value,
3. The load control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the number of notifications of all loads is a predetermined value, the timer starts notification of the timeout.   In the process of determining whether or not the number of notifications for all loads is a predetermined value, when it is detected that the number of notifications for any one load is not a predetermined value, the control means 4. The load control device according to claim 2, wherein it is not determined whether or not the number of times of notification of the load is a predetermined value. A load control device comprising: a plurality of loads; a control means for controlling the plurality of loads; a timer for notifying the control means of a timeout at regular time intervals; and a memory for storing the number of times of notification of the timeout for each load. In the load control method of
The control means includes
When turning on the load, setting the number of times of notification of the timeout stored in the memory;
Subtracting the number of notifications for all loads stored in the memory when receiving the timeout notification from the timer;
And a step of turning off the load for which the number of notifications is set when the number of notifications reaches a predetermined value. When the notification count of all loads stored in the memory is subtracted, the control means determines whether the notification count of all loads is a predetermined value;
6. The load control method according to claim 5, further comprising a step of continuing the notification of the timeout when the number of notifications of any one of the loads is not a predetermined value. When turning on the load, the control means determines whether or not the number of notifications of all loads is a predetermined value;
The load control method according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a step of starting the notification of the timeout when the number of notifications of all loads is a predetermined value.   In the process of determining whether or not the number of notifications for all loads is a predetermined value, when it is detected that the number of notifications for any one load is not a predetermined value, the control means The load control method according to claim 6, further comprising a step of ending without determining whether or not the number of times of notification of the load is a predetermined value. A load control device comprising: a plurality of loads; a control means for controlling the plurality of loads; a timer for notifying the control means of a timeout at regular time intervals; and a memory for storing the number of times of notification of the timeout for each load. In the load control program of
The control means includes
A process of setting the number of notifications of the timeout of the load stored in the memory when turning on the load;
When receiving notification of the timeout from the timer, a process of subtracting the notification count of all loads stored in the memory;
And a process for turning off the load for which the notification count is set when the notification count reaches a predetermined value. When the notification count of all loads stored in the memory is subtracted, the control means determines whether the notification count of all loads is a predetermined value;
The load control program according to claim 9, wherein the timer includes a process of continuing the notification of the timeout when the number of notifications of any one load is not a predetermined value. When turning on the load, the control means determines whether or not the number of notifications of all loads is a predetermined value;
The load control program according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the timer includes a process of starting notification of the timeout when the number of notifications of all loads is a predetermined value.   In the process of determining whether or not the number of notifications for all loads is a predetermined value, when it is detected that the number of notifications for any one load is not a predetermined value, the control means The load control program according to claim 10, further comprising a process that terminates without determining whether or not the number of times of notification of the load is a predetermined value.

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