JPH1026907A - Power source control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power source control system controlling the power sources of plural image forming devices so that a user may not feel inconvenient while saving power. SOLUTION: Plural copying machines 2 to 5 are connected to a power source judging processing device 1 by using communication lines 6a to 6d, and the device 1 judges whether the state of the power source of each copying machine is an on-state or an off-state or a standby-state. Based on the judgement, the device 1 controls the power source of the copying machines 2 to 5 so that one of the copying machines 2 to 5 may be always in the standby state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power management system for managing the power of an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a power management system for managing the power of a copying machine having an automatic power-off function for saving power.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art To control the power supply of a copying machine that consumes a small amount of power, the following Japanese Patent Publication No.
A copying machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 39886 is known.

The copying machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-39886 is a stand-alone copying machine, which does not perform auto power-off (automatically turn off the power) within a predetermined time, but outputs the power outside a predetermined time. When the power is turned on, the auto power off is performed after a lapse of a predetermined time after the copy operation is completed.

[0004]

In a general office, a plurality of copiers are installed. However, the conventional copier controls the power on and off independently in a stand-alone manner. Therefore, the power of many copying machines may be turned on even if the copying machines have not been used for a long time, or the power of all the copying machines may be turned off. If there are many copying machines that have not been used for a long time, a large amount of power is wasted. However, if all the copiers are turned off, it takes a long time until the power is turned on and the copier can be used, so the operator feels very inconvenient.

An object of the present invention is to provide a power management system that manages the power of a plurality of image forming apparatuses so that a user does not feel inconvenience while saving power.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power supply management system for managing power supplies of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, wherein a power supply state is a used ON state and a non-used state. One of an on state and an off state. The power management system includes: an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating whether each power supply of the image forming apparatus is in one of the three states; and a predetermined number of units based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit. Setting means for setting the image forming apparatus to be in the non-use ON state; and control for switching each power supply state of the image forming apparatus to the non-use ON state or the OFF state based on the setting by the setting means. Control means for performing the control.

According to the power supply management system of the first aspect, the power supplies of a predetermined number of image forming apparatuses are kept in the non-use ON state. As a result, while saving power
The power supply of the image forming apparatus can be managed so that the user does not feel inconvenience.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the power supply management system according to the first aspect, wherein a predetermined number of image forming apparatuses are switched from an on-state in an unused state to an off-state by a setting unit. Cannot be set. The power management system includes instruction means for instructing a predetermined number of copiers to always be in a non-use ON state, and the control means is provided by setting means and instruction means, respectively. Based on the settings and instructions given, control is performed to switch the state of each power supply of the image forming apparatus to an on state or an off state when not in use.

According to the power supply management system of the present invention, the power supplies of a predetermined number of image forming apparatuses are always kept in the non-use ON state. This makes it possible to manage the power supply of the image forming apparatus while saving power so that the user does not feel inconvenience.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power management system for managing the power supply of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, wherein the power supply includes an ON state during use, an ON state during nonuse, and power saving. One of the medium quasi-off states. An acquisition unit configured to acquire information indicating whether each power supply of the image forming apparatus is in one of three states,
A setting unit configured to set a predetermined number of image forming apparatuses to an on state in which the image forming apparatuses are not in use based on the information acquired by the acquiring unit; and a setting unit configured to set each of the image forming apparatuses based on the setting by the setting unit. And control means for controlling the state of the power supply to a non-use ON state or a quasi-OFF state.

According to the power supply management system of the present invention, the power supplies of a predetermined number of image forming apparatuses are always kept in the non-use ON state. This makes it possible to manage the power supply of the image forming apparatus while saving power so that the user does not feel inconvenience.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power supply management system for managing the power supply of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, wherein a power supply state is an ON state during use, an ON state during nonuse, and an OFF state. State, and each of the image forming apparatuses has a priority indicating which image forming apparatus is to be turned on from the off state to the on state when not in use. The power management system includes an obtaining unit that obtains information indicating whether each power supply of the image forming apparatus is in one of three states, a first control unit, and a second control unit. . The first control unit changes the state of the power supply of one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses from the non-use ON state to the use ON state based on the information obtained by the acquisition unit. When this is detected, control is performed such that the state of the power supply of one of the image forming apparatuses is switched from the off state to the on state when not in use, according to the priority. The second control unit changes the state of the power supply of one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses from the ON state in use to the ON state in non-use based on the information obtained by the acquisition unit. When this is detected, control is performed such that the state of the power supply of one of the image forming apparatuses is switched from the ON state when not in use to the OFF state according to the reverse order of the priority order.

According to the power supply management system of the fourth aspect, the state of the power supply of one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is
Upon detecting a change from the non-use ON state to the use ON state, the power supply state of one of the image forming apparatuses in the power OFF state is changed from the OFF state to the ON state according to the priority order. Upon detecting that the state of the power supply of one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses has changed from the ON state in use to the ON state in non-use, the non-use ON state is determined in the reverse order of priority. The state of the power supply of one of the image forming apparatuses in the state is switched from the on state to the off state. This makes it possible to manage the power supply of the image forming apparatus while saving power so that the user does not feel inconvenience.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A power management system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a power management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The power management system includes a power determination processing device 1 and copying machines 2 to
5 and communication lines 6a to 6d. The copying machines 2 to 5 are connected in a star configuration through communication lines 6a to 6d centering on the power supply determination processing device 1 for controlling the power supply.

First, the copier will be described, and then the power supply determination processing device will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a schematic configuration of the copying machines 2 to 5 of FIG. The copier is mainly composed of an image reading device, a printer device, and an operation panel 10.
0 (installed on the upper surface of the copying machine in a direction perpendicular to the paper) and a control unit 200.

The copying operation is performed as follows. An operation input via the operation panel 100 starts reading a document image set on the image reading device. The image reading device generates image data according to a document image. Subsequently, the printer device receives the image data from the image reading device and prints the image on copy paper. These operations are controlled by the control unit 200.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a part included in the printer apparatus and particularly related to the present invention. The copier body includes automatic paper cassettes 11a to 11d, a conveyance path 12, a timing roller 13, a photosensitive drum 14, a conveyance belt 1
5, a fixing device 16, a paper discharge tray 17, and the like. Although not shown, a main eraser lamp, a charging charger, an inter-image eraser lamp, a developing device, a transfer charger,
A copy paper separation charger, a cleaner, and the like are provided.

The automatic paper feed cassettes 11a to 11d are installed at respective paper feed ports of the copying machine main body. The copy paper in the automatic paper feed cassettes 11a to 11d is selectively supplied into the main body of the copier by respective paper feed rollers. Subsequently, the copy sheet is conveyed to a timing roller 13 in a pressure-bonded state through a conveyance path 12 and a pair of conveyance rollers appropriately provided. The copy paper temporarily waits at the timing roller 13 to match the timing with the processing on the photosensitive drum 14.

The photosensitive drum 14 rotates, and the residual charge is removed by light irradiation of a main eraser lamp for each copy. Subsequently, the surface of the photosensitive drum 14 is uniformly charged by the charging charger. Next, the leading and trailing ends of the image area are neutralized by the inter-image eraser lamp, and the image area is exposed to an image.

Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure is developed by a developing device to become a toner image. The toner image on the surface of the photoconductor drum 14 is transferred to a copy sheet fed by the timing roller 13 in a transfer section. At this time, the copy sheet comes into close contact with the photosensitive drum 14, and the toner image is transferred by corona discharge of the transfer charger.

Next, the copy sheet is separated from the photosensitive drum 14 by the corona discharge of the separation charger and the resistance of the copy sheet itself to bending. Subsequently, the copy sheet is conveyed to the left while being sucked onto the conveyer belt 15 having the air suction. The transported copy paper is
The toner image is fixed by passing through the fixing device 16. After that, the copy paper on which copying has been completed is discharged onto the discharge tray 17.

In the fixing device 16, a hot roll fixing is performed.
The resin of the toner is melted by heat and fixed on the copy paper. Since heat is used to melt the toner resin, the copier requires a warm-up time after power is turned on until a necessary portion in the fixing device 16 is heated and copying can be performed.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of the operation panel 100. The operation panel 100 includes an LCD 101, a numeric keypad 102, a clear key 103, a panel reset key 104, a stop key 105, and a start key 1
06 and an LED 107. LCD101
Is used to set and display various modes, and the numeric keypad 102 is used to input numerical values such as the number of copies. The clear key 103 clears the input numerical value, and the panel reset key 104 initializes the set mode. The stop key 105 interrupts the copying operation, and the start key 106 starts the copying operation. The LED 107 displays a numerical value such as the number of copies set at the time of copying.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of the control unit 200. The control unit 200 includes a first CPU 201 and a second CPU
PU 202, RAM 203, switch matrix circuit 204, M3 drive circuit 205, M4 drive circuit 20
6, a decoder 207, and a communication interface 208
And an LCD control circuit 209.

The first CPU 201 includes a switch matrix circuit 20 formed by keys on the operation panel 100 or the like.
4 and the decoder 207 are connected to the LED 107. Further, the first CPU 201 includes output terminals A1 to A8.
Output terminals A1 to A7 are provided for switching the main motor M1, the developing motor M2, the timing roller clutch CL1, the upper paper feed clutch CL2, the lower paper feed clutch CL3, the main charging charger 25, and the transfer charger 27. An output for operating each of the transistors is performed. The output terminal A8 is connected to a power supply circuit of the copying machine main body. From this output terminal A8, a signal for turning on / off the power of the copying machine is output according to the instruction from the power supply determination processing device 1 received by the communication interface 208.

Further, the LCD drive circuit 209, the RAM 203, and the communication interface 208 are connected to the first CPU 201. The first CPU 201 outputs to the LCD drive circuit 209, thereby
The LCD 101 is driven to output various data to the LCD 101 and input various data from the LCD 101. RAM
In 203, various data for controlling the copying operation are written and stored. The communication interface 208 connects the power determination processing device 1 and the first CPU 201, and enables data transmission and reception between them.

The first CPU 201 has a second CPU
202 is connected. The second CPU 202 is connected to the M3 drive circuit 205 and the M4 drive circuit 206, and via each circuit, the original scanning motor M3, which is a DC motor,
The variable magnification motor M4, which is a stepping motor, is driven.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the first C of the present invention.
3 shows a control procedure executed by the PU 201.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a main routine showing a control procedure executed by the first CPU 201.
When the power is turned on and the program starts, the first CPU
In step 201, first, an initial setting is performed (hereinafter, step is abbreviated as S). In the initial setting, initialization of the CPU such as clearing of the RAM 203, setting of various registers, and the like, and processing for setting the copying machine to the initial mode are performed. Next, in S2, an internal timer used to adjust the time during which one of the main routines is executed is started. The internal timer is the first CPU 201
And its value is set in the initial setting (S1). Subsequently, in S3, S4, and S5, subroutines for performing display processing, input processing, and copy control are executed, respectively. The copy control includes data transfer with the second CPU 202.

Thereafter, an auto power-off process (described later) is performed in S6, and other processes including transmission and reception of data using the connected communication line are performed in S7. In S8, the end of the internal timer started in S2 is waited, and one routine ends.

Using the length of time of this one routine, various timers appearing in the subroutine are counted.
(The various timers determine the end of the timer by measuring how many times this one routine is repeated.)
When the routine ends, the process moves to S2.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the automatic power-off processing routine of S6 shown in FIG. First, in S61, it is determined whether or not there is a command from the power supply determination processing device 1. If there is a command (Y in S61)
ES), In S62, a command to turn off the power is transmitted to the power supply circuit, and the process returns to the main routine. If there is no command (NO in S61), the process returns to the main routine.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the control of the power supply determination processing device 1. The power supply determination processing device 1 includes a CPU 50
1, a communication interface 502, and a memory 503. A plurality of copying machines can be connected to the communication interface 502 in parallel. Symbols A to D attached to the copying machine indicate machine numbers unique to the copying machine.

The CPU 501 mainly performs a determination process for specifying a copying machine for controlling the power supply and a communication process with each copying machine. The communication interface 502
Data is transmitted and received between each copying machine and the CPU 501.
Further, the memory 503 stores the state of the connected copier and various judgment data necessary for the judgment processing.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an image of the stored contents stored in the memory 503. In the memory 503,
For the fixed priority, a unique number (machine number) of the connected copying machine and the state of the copying machine corresponding to the number are stored. If there is no standby copier connected, the power of the copier is turned on in accordance with the priority order, and at least one copier is always in standby. If a plurality of copiers are on standby, the power of the connected copiers is automatically turned off according to the reverse order of priority, and one copier is always on standby. Here, "standby" means a state of the copying machine that is powered on but is not performing a copying operation.

The power supply determination processing device 1 manages the power supply of the copying machine based on the correspondence between the priority and the machine number given to the copying machine stored in the memory 503. Therefore, by changing the correspondence between the priority and the number given to the copying machine, it is possible to control the power on / off of the copying machine in a different order.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a main routine showing a control procedure executed by the CPU 501. When the power is turned on and the program starts, the CPU 501
First, an initial setting is performed in S11. By default, R
CPU for clearing AM503 and setting various registers
An internal initialization and a process for setting the power supply determination processing device 1 to the initial mode are performed. Next, in S12, an internal timer used to adjust the time during which one of the main routines is executed is started. The internal timer is built in the CPU 501, and its value is set in the initial setting (S11). Subsequently, S13
Then, data representing the state of power-off, standby, and operation, data representing the reception state of a key input to each copying machine, and the like are received from the copying machines A to D.

Next, in S14, it is determined whether the copying machines A to D are in a power-off state, a standby state, or an operating state, and if necessary, the copying machine is turned on. You. In S15, if there are two or more copiers on standby, a timer count process for counting a timer for automatic power-off is performed. Further, in S16, data transmission processing of an auto power-off command is performed through the communication line. In S17, the end of the internal timer started in S12 is waited, and one routine ends.
Using the length of time of this one routine, the timer that appears in the subroutine is counted. When one routine ends, the process moves to S12.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure in the power source determination processing routine of S14 shown in FIG.
Here, the power supply of the copying machine of the priority order 1 is always on. First, in S141, it is determined whether or not the copying machine of the priority order 1 is on standby. If it is determined that the apparatus is on standby (YES in S141), the present subroutine ends. If it is determined that the copying machine is not on standby (NO in S141), it is determined in S142 whether or not the power of the copying machine of priority 2 is on. If the power is off (NO in S142), the power of the copier of priority 2 is turned on in S143. If the power is on (YES in S142), the process in S143 is skipped.

Next, in S144, it is determined whether or not the copying machine of priority 2 is on standby. If it is determined that the apparatus is on standby (YES in S144), this subroutine ends. If it is determined that it is not waiting (in S144,
NO), in S145, it is determined whether or not the power of the copying machine of priority 3 is on. If the power is off (NO in S145), the power of the copying machine of priority 3 is turned on in S146. If the power is on (YES in S145), the process in S146 is skipped.

Subsequently, similarly, next, in S147, it is determined whether or not the copying machine of priority 3 is on standby. If it is determined that the apparatus is on standby (YES in S147), this subroutine ends. If it is determined that the copying machine is not on standby (NO in S147), it is determined in S148 whether or not the power of the copying machine of the priority order 4 is turned on. If the power is off (NO in S148), S149
Then, the power of the copying machine of the priority order 4 is turned on. If the power is on (YES in S148), the process in S149 is skipped.

According to the above-described processing, at least one of the plurality of copying machines connected to the power supply determination processing device is put on standby according to the priority order.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure in the timer counter processing routine of S15 shown in FIG. First, in S151, based on the data indicating the power-off state, the standby state and the operating state (received in S13), and the data indicating the reception state of the key input to each copying machine, It is determined whether there are two or more standby copying machines among the connected copying machines. If there are two or more copying machines in standby (YES in S151), S
At 152, it is determined whether all of the keys of the plurality of standby copying machines are turned off. If all keys have been turned off (YES in S152), in S154, the timer value TIME (initial value T
(SET is set in the initial setting) is counted down by one.

Next, in S155, it is determined whether or not the value of the counted down timer is "0". If the value of the timer is "0", the process enters an auto power off command processing routine in S156. If the value of the timer is not '0', this routine ends as it is.

If it is determined in S151 that only one copier is on standby (NO in S151), or
If any key is input to the standby copier at 52 (NO at S152), the process proceeds to S153, where the timer value TIME for auto power off is set.
Is reset to TSET, and then this routine ends.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure in the auto power-off command processing routine of S156 shown in FIG. First, in S1561, it is determined whether or not the copying machine of the priority order 1 is on standby. If the copying machine of the first priority is on standby (YES in S1561),
In S1562, it is determined whether the copying machine of the priority order 2 is on standby. If the copying machine with the priority 1 is on standby and the copying machine with the priority 2 is on standby (S
YES at 1562), and at S1563, the power of the copying machine of priority 2 is to be turned off. If the copying machine of the priority 2 is not waiting (NO in S1562),
S1563 is skipped.

Next, in S1565, it is determined whether or not the copying machine of priority 3 is on standby. If the copying machine of the first priority is waiting and the copying machine of the third priority is waiting (YES in S1565), S1566.
Thus, the power of the copying machine of the priority order 2 is to be turned off. If the copying machine of the priority 2 is not waiting (S156
(5, NO), S1566 is skipped.

Subsequently, similarly, in S1568, it is determined whether or not the copying machine of the priority order 4 is on standby. If the copying machine of priority 1 is on standby and the copying machine of priority 4 is on standby (YES in S1568),
In S1569, the power of the copying machine of the priority order 4 is to be turned off. If the copying machine of the priority order 4 is not waiting (NO in S1568), S1569 is skipped, and this routine ends thereafter.

If it is determined in S1561 that the copying machine of the first priority is on standby (NO in S1561), S1564 is executed.
Thus, it is determined whether or not the copying machine of priority 2 is on standby. If the copying machine of the priority 2 is on standby (S156
At this point, the number of copying machines in standby is 1
Since it is determined that there is only one table, the next step is S1565.
Thus, it is determined whether or not the copying machine of priority 3 is on standby. The processing after S1565 is the same as above.

If it is determined in S1564 that the copying machine of priority 2 is on standby (NO in S1564), S1567
Thus, it is determined whether or not the copying machine of priority 3 is on standby. If the copying machine of the priority 3 is on standby (S156
7; YES), at this time,
Since it is determined that there is only one table, the next step is S1568.
Thus, it is determined whether or not the copying machine of the priority order 4 is on standby. The processing after S1568 is the same as above.

In S1567, if the copying machine of priority 3 is not waiting (YES in S1567), this routine ends.

By the above-described processing, the power of the other standby copying machines, except for one standby copying machine among the plurality of copying machines connected to the power supply determination processing device, is set in the reverse order of priority. Turned off.

In the above embodiment, the power status of the copying machine is on / off / standby, but the power status of the copier may be on / power saving / standby. What is power saving?
This is the state in the power saving mode. The power saving mode is a mode in which a preheating state (a state in which power is saved) in which a fixing unit in a printer device of a copying machine is preheated and raised to a predetermined temperature without being turned off is selected. The predetermined temperature is set to a temperature slightly lower than a temperature at which fixing can be performed. With this setting, it is possible to save power as compared with the case where the temperature is set such that the fixing can be performed (standby state). Also, compared to turning off the power, the time required to raise the temperature of the fixing device to a temperature at which fixing can be performed is small.

Thus, the power supplies of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are managed so that the user does not feel inconvenience while saving power.

In this embodiment, only one copying machine is on standby, but a plurality of copying machines may be on standby.

In this embodiment, a copying machine has been described as an image forming apparatus, but a printer connected to a computer or the like may be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a power management system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a schematic configuration of a main part of the copying machines 2 to 5 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of an operation panel 100.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a control unit 200.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a main routine showing a control procedure executed by a first CPU 201;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure in an initialization routine of S6 shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating control of the power supply determination processing device 1.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an image of storage contents stored in a memory 503.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a main routine showing a control procedure executed by a CPU 501.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure in a power supply determination processing routine of S14 shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure in a timer counter processing routine of S15 shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure in an auto power-off command processing routine of S156 shown in FIG. 11;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power supply determination processing device 2-5 Copier 6a-6b Communication line

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A power management system for managing a power supply of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, wherein the state of the power supply is any one of an ON state during use, an ON state during non-use, and an OFF state. An acquisition unit that acquires information indicating whether each of the power supplies of the image forming apparatus is in one of the three states; and a predetermined number of images based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit. Setting means for setting the forming apparatus to be in the non-use ON state; and setting the power supply state of each of the image forming apparatuses to the non-use ON state or the OFF state based on the setting by the setting means. Control means for performing control for switching to
Power management system. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined number of the image forming apparatuses cannot be set from the non-used ON state to the OFF state by the setting unit. Instruction means for instructing the power of the machine to be always in the non-use ON state; andthe control means, based on the setting and instruction obtained by the setting means and the instruction means, respectively, 2. The power management system according to claim 1, wherein control is performed to switch the state of each power supply of the image forming apparatus to the non-use ON state or the OFF state. 3. A power management system for managing the power of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, wherein the power status includes an on-state during use, an on-state during non-use, and a quasi-off state during power saving. An acquisition unit for acquiring information indicating whether each of the power supplies of the image forming apparatus is in one of the three states, and a predetermined value based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit. Setting means for setting the number of image forming apparatuses to be in the non-use ON state; and setting the power supply state of each of the image forming apparatuses to the non-use ON state based on the setting by the setting means. Alternatively, a control unit for performing control for switching to the quasi-off state. 4. A power management system for managing power of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, wherein the state of the power is one of an ON state during use, an ON state during non-use, and an OFF state. Each of the image forming apparatuses has a priority indicating which image forming apparatus is to be given priority to switch the power supply from the off state to the non-use on state, and the power supply of each of the image forming apparatuses is An acquisition unit that acquires information indicating any one of the three states; and a state of a power supply of one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit. Upon detecting a change from the non-use ON state to the use ON state, the power supply state of one of the image forming apparatuses is changed from the OFF state to the non-use state according to the priority order. Switch to on state A first control unit that controls the power supply to change the power supply state of one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses from the on state in use to the non-operation state based on the information obtained by the acquisition unit. Upon detecting the change to the ON state during use, control is performed such that the state of the power supply of one of the image forming apparatuses is switched from the ON state when not in use to the OFF state according to the reverse order of the priority order. And a second control means.