JP4974979B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a facsimile function, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that operates in both a normal operation mode and a power saving mode.

  In the past, facsimile machines, copiers, and printers were mainly manufactured as separate devices. However, so-called multi-function devices having all these functions have become widespread due to the high performance of CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the spread of networks.

  By the way, functions such as copying machines and printers are often not used outside business hours of a company, for example. Therefore, for example, when the multifunction device is not used for a predetermined time or at a predetermined time zone such as midnight, the power of most of the apparatus is turned off, for example, power saving for operating only the portion necessary for facsimile reception Has the ability to operate in mode. Needless to say, it is desirable to reduce power consumption as much as possible when the MFP is operating in the power saving mode.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a multi-function machine having a facsimile function and a printer function using electronic paper. In general, electronic paper does not consume power to maintain the screen contents, and thus power consumption during power saving can be reduced as compared with, for example, liquid crystal.

  Image data stored in an external device, a storage medium, or the like connected to the multifunction device is displayed on the electronic paper of the multifunction device described in Patent Document 1. Even in the power saving mode, it is possible to maintain the state in which the image data is displayed on the electronic paper, the image data stored in the storage medium can be confirmed, and power is not consumed for the display.

By the way, when the image data is received when the multifunction peripheral is in the power saving mode, it is desirable not to print an image on the printing paper from the viewpoint of power saving. Patent Document 2 discloses a facsimile apparatus that displays a thumbnail image of received image data on a touch panel without printing the image on printing paper when image data is received by the facsimile function in the power saving mode. If the combined size of all thumbnail images exceeds the size of the display area of the touch panel of the facsimile apparatus, a part of thumbnail images and a scroll bar are displayed on the touch panel. The user can refer to another thumbnail image by operating the scroll bar.
JP2007-306046 JP 2000-232542

  Normally, a facsimile machine used in an office is set to a power saving mode after working hours. It is conceivable that image data is received from a plurality of other facsimile apparatuses even during the power saving mode. In such a case, it is desirable that the user can recognize what image data is received from whom without operating a touch panel installed in the facsimile apparatus. This is because operating the touch panel consumes power.

  The technique described in Patent Document 1 only shows the concept of displaying image data on electronic paper, and does not disclose how to use it when receiving a FAX in the power saving mode.

  In the technique described in Patent Literature 2, the user can browse thumbnail images of all received images by operating the scroll bar displayed on the touch panel. However, in order to operate the touch panel, it is necessary to energize the touch panel as described above, and further improvement is necessary for the purpose of power saving. In addition, there is a time during which the touch panel cannot be used when the machine is started up, and the method of using the touch panel cannot quickly confirm the contents of the received fax in the power saving mode.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible for the user to easily recognize what kind of data has been received in the power saving mode by minimizing the power consumption in the power saving mode. A forming apparatus is provided.

  An image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that operates in both a power saving mode and a normal operation mode. The image forming apparatus includes a non-volatile display device, a receiving unit for receiving an image from another device, and an image is received by the receiving unit while the image forming device is operating in the power saving mode. In response, the image processing apparatus includes display control means for selectively displaying, on the nonvolatile display device, a reduced image obtained by reducing the image and a first mark related to the image according to the size of the image.

  The receiving means receives an image from another device, and the display control means nonvolatilely displays an image obtained by reducing the image and a first mark related to the image according to the size of the image received by the receiving means. Selectively displayed on the sex display device.

  While the image forming apparatus is operating in the power saving mode, it is usually unnecessary to supply power to the nonvolatile display device. When the image forming apparatus receives an image from another apparatus in the power saving mode, power is supplied to the non-volatile display apparatus, and the display control means displays the reduced image and the first mark on the non-volatile display apparatus. Execute the process. After the processing of the display control means is completed, the power supply to the nonvolatile display device may be turned off. This is because the nonvolatile display device can maintain the display even when the power supply is turned off. Therefore, if the image forming apparatus is used with the above-described configuration, extra power consumption to the nonvolatile display device can be reduced in the power saving mode.

  Further, the display control means selectively displays an image obtained by reducing the image and a mark related to the image on the nonvolatile display device according to the size of the received image. Therefore, information of many images can be displayed on the nonvolatile display device, and the user can easily grasp what image is received. When the user confirms the reduced image, it can be determined whether or not the image should be printed, so that printing paper can be saved. As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that allows a user to easily recognize what kind of data has been received in the power saving mode by minimizing power consumption in the power saving mode. be able to.

  Preferably, the display control unit responds to the reception unit receiving an image while the image forming apparatus is operating in the power saving mode, and the reduced image and the first image are received in the order received by the reception unit. Means for selectively displaying the marks on the non-volatile display device.

  The means for displaying selectively displays the reduced image and the first mark side by side on the non-volatile display device in the order received by the receiving means. Therefore, the user can easily manage which image is received and in what order.

  More preferably, the receiving means can further receive an incoming call. The display control unit displays the reduced image and the first mark in a non-volatile manner in response to the reception unit receiving either the image or the incoming call while the image forming apparatus is operating in the power saving mode. Means for selectively executing a process of selectively displaying on the display device and a process of displaying a second mark indicating that the incoming call has been received on the non-volatile display device.

  The receiving means can further receive an incoming call in the power saving mode, and the means for executing includes a second mark indicating that the incoming call has been received in addition to the reduced image and the first mark. Is further displayed on the nonvolatile display device. Therefore, the user can confirm not only the received image but also incoming calls.

  More preferably, the means for executing displays the reduced image, the first mark, and the second mark side by side on the nonvolatile display device in the order received by the receiving means.

  The means for executing displays the reduced image, the first mark, and the second mark side by side on the non-volatile display device in the order received by the receiving means, so that the user can receive an incoming call as well as an image. Also, it becomes easier to check and manage when it is received.

  More preferably, the display image includes a reduced image and a first mark. The display control means displays the time at which the receiving means receives the image corresponding to the display image on the non-volatile display device adjacent to the display image.

  Since the display control means displays not only the reduced image and the first mark but also the received time on the nonvolatile display device, the user manages and grasps when the image is received by the image forming apparatus. be able to.

  More preferably, the display image includes a reduced image and a first mark. The means for executing includes the time at which the receiving unit receives the image corresponding to the display image and the time at which the receiving unit receives the incoming call corresponding to the second mark. It is possible to display at a location adjacent to the image and the second mark.

  The means for executing displays not only the reduced image, the first mark, and the second mark, but also the received time on the nonvolatile display device. Therefore, the user can confirm both when the image is received and when the incoming call is received.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce extra power consumption to the nonvolatile display device in the power saving mode. In addition, since information on many images received in the power saving mode is displayed on the nonvolatile display device, the user can easily grasp what image is received without operating the nonvolatile display device. be able to. When the user confirms the reduced image, it can be determined whether or not the image should be printed, so that printing paper can be saved. As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that allows a user to easily recognize what kind of data has been received in the power saving mode by minimizing power consumption in the power saving mode. be able to.

  In the following description of the embodiments, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their functions and names are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of an image forming apparatus 20 that is an electrophotographic multifunction machine that functions as a facsimile, a copying machine, and a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus 20.

  1 and 2, an image forming apparatus 20 reads a document image and outputs a document reading unit 22 for outputting RGB (R: Red, G: Green, B: Blue) analog image signals, and a document. Installed below the reading unit 22 and installed in front of the document reading unit 22 and a printing unit 24 for forming an image on recording paper, and used when a user operates the image forming apparatus 20. A non-volatile display member attached to the operation panel 36 including the display unit 38 and the operation unit 40 and the top plate of the document reading unit 22 and capable of continuing the display even when the power is cut off. And electronic paper 30 that functions as an auxiliary display unit of the display unit 38.

  Referring to FIG. 2, image forming apparatus 20 is further connected to telephone line 94, a facsimile function for transmitting / receiving image data to / from a facsimile apparatus (not shown) connected to telephone line 94, and telephone calls. A FAX unit 70 which is a control circuit for realizing the functions, and a power control unit 92 for controlling power supply to the document reading unit 22 and the printing unit 24 according to the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 20. Connected to the document reading unit 22, the printing unit 24, the operation panel 36, the electronic paper 30, the FAX unit 70, and the power supply control unit 92, an MCU (control circuit for realizing general functions as an image forming apparatus. Memory Control Unit) 60.

  It is assumed that the display area of the electronic paper 30 is rectangular.

  The MCU 60 is connected to the document reading unit 22, the printing unit 24, the operation panel 36, the electronic paper 30, the FAX unit 70, and the power supply control unit 92, and controls these to realize a general function as an image forming apparatus. A control unit 62 for executing the program, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 64 for storing a program executed by the control unit 62, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 66 for providing various program storage areas, And an image processing unit 68 for compressing and encoding image data received from another facsimile apparatus by the FAX unit 70.

  The control unit 62 governs overall control of the image forming apparatus 20 and includes a CPU and the like.

  The ROM 64 stores a program and data necessary for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 20. The control unit 62 controls the image forming apparatus 20 according to the program and data stored in the ROM 64 and executes control related to each function of the image forming apparatus 20.

  The RAM 66 functions as a working memory that temporarily stores the calculation and processing results by the control unit 62, and as a backup memory that stores various count values, JAM and service error history information, consumable part information, and the like. And a function as a frame memory for storing image data.

  The FAX unit 70 includes a modem 80 having an interface with a telephone line 94 connected to a facsimile apparatus and a telephone (not shown), an NCU (Network Control Unit) 78 for controlling the operation of the modem 80, and a control unit of the MCU 60. An image for compressing and encoding an image to be transmitted to another facsimile apparatus via the telephone line 94 and an interface control unit 74 having an interface with 62, and restoring and decompressing an image received from the other facsimile apparatus A processing unit 76 and an image memory 82 for storing an image received from another facsimile apparatus are included.

  The FAX unit 70 further includes a night FAX control unit 90 that communicates with the control unit 62 of the MCU 60 through the interface control unit 74 when there is an incoming call and FAX reception in the power saving mode, an NCU 78, and an interface control unit. 74, the image processing unit 76, the image memory 82, and the night FAX control unit 90, all of which are connected to the FAX control unit 72 for realizing the facsimile function, the program for realizing the function of the FAX control unit 72, and the like are stored. ROM 86 for storing, a ROM 88 for storing subprograms for realizing the functions of the FAX control unit 72, and a RAM 84 for providing storage areas for various programs executed by the FAX unit 70.

  The control unit 62 controls the NCU 78, the interface control unit 74, the image processing unit 76, the image memory 82, the nighttime FAX control unit 90, the FAX control unit 72, the ROMs 86 and 88, and the RAM 84.

  In the present embodiment, the power supply control unit 92 is configured to switch the document reading unit 22 at the time of transition from the normal operation mode to the power saving mode that restricts power consumption and at the time of transition from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode. Further, energization control of a drive power source (not shown) to the printing unit 24, the operation panel 36, the electronic paper 30, the MCU 60, and the FAX unit 70 is performed.

  In the power saving mode, the power control unit 92 normally controls energization so that power is supplied only to the MCU 60 and the FAX unit 70.

  When the FAX unit 70 receives a FAX reception and an incoming call in the power saving mode, the night FAX control unit 90 communicates with the control unit 62 via the interface control unit 74. While the nighttime FAX control unit 90 communicates with the control unit 62, the power supply control unit 92 energizes the electronic paper 30. The control unit 62 displays the contents of FAX reception and incoming call on the electronic paper 30. When the display ends, the power control unit 92 stops energization of the electronic paper 30. Communication between the nighttime FAX control unit 90 and the control unit 62 ends. How the contents of FAX reception and incoming calls are displayed on the electronic paper 30 will be described later.

  For the electronic paper 30, the control unit 62 executes control for creating display data based on data in the RAM 66 and displaying the display data.

(Software configuration)
3, 4, and 7 are flowcharts illustrating a control structure of a program executed by the image forming apparatus 20.

  FIG. 3 shows a control structure of a program executed by the control unit 62 while the image forming apparatus 20 is activated. Referring to FIG. 3, this program determines whether or not the image forming apparatus 20 is powered on. Step 122 for branching the control flow according to the determination result, and the determination result at step 122 is NO. In this case, a message indicating that the power is off is displayed on the electronic paper 30 and the program is terminated.

  This program further includes step 124 for confirming whether the normal mode or the power saving mode is selected when the determination result in step 122 is YES, and after step 124, the confirmation result in step 124 is the power saving mode. And step 126 for branching the control flow according to the judgment result.

  The program further displays a message indicating that the electronic paper 30 is operating in the power saving mode when the determination result in step 126 is YES, and after step 128, the MCU 60, the FAX unit 70, And step 130 for turning off the supply of power to other than the power supply control unit 92.

  In addition, when the determination result in step 126 is NO, the program further displays a message indicating that the normal mode is displayed on the electronic paper 30, such as an advertisement screen, and the image after step 132. And a step 134 of displaying a message for an operation guide of the forming apparatus 20 on the display unit 38.

  The program further executes a history display process for displaying the contents on the electronic paper 30 when receiving an incoming telephone call or receiving a FAX from another facsimile machine after step 130 or 134. Step 136 includes returning control to Step 122.

  FIG. 4 is a detailed flow of the history display process executed in step 136 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 4, this routine confirms whether a FAX reception or an incoming call has been received, and after step 150, as a result of the confirmation in step 150, it is determined whether the reception is a FAX reception. Then, in step 152 for branching the control flow according to the determination result, and when the determination result in step 152 is NO, there is an icon indicating that the incoming call has been received, the telephone number of the other party, and the incoming call Step 164 of displaying the incoming call history including the date and time on the electronic paper 30 and terminating this routine. Details of the icons displayed on the electronic paper 30 in step 164 will be described later.

  The routine further determines whether the image data received by FAX is one page data when the determination result in step 152 is YES, and branches the control flow according to the determination result to step 154. If the determination result in step 154 is YES, it is determined whether or not the size of the thumbnail image obtained by reducing the FAX received image is within the display area of the electronic paper 30, and the flow of control is performed according to the determination result. In the case where the branching step 156 and the determination result in step 156 are YES, it is determined whether or not a black pixel ratio described later, which is an index for evaluating the complexity of the image, is equal to or less than a predetermined value, And step 158 for branching the flow of control according to the determination result.

  Note that the thumbnailing process for converting the image data into a thumbnail image in step 156 is a known technique, and details of the process will not be described here.

  A method for determining whether the size of the thumbnail image fits in the display area of the electronic paper 30 in step 156 will be described. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that an image received by FAX is rectangular. When the vertical length and the horizontal length of the thumbnail image obtained by reducing the FAX-received image are smaller than the vertical length and the horizontal length of the display area of the electronic paper 30, respectively, It is determined that it fits in the display area of the paper 30.

  The black pixel ratio that is an index for evaluating the complexity of the image in step 158 will be described. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that an image received by FAX is a black and white image, and each pixel of the image is either white or black. When a fairly large number of small characters are drawn on the received image or a complicated figure such as a mechanical drawing is drawn, when the image is reduced and displayed, the user reduces the reduced size. You may not understand what the image is. Therefore, a thumbnail image of a complex image should not be displayed on the electronic paper 30.

  Comparing such a complex image with a non-complex image, the complex image has a larger number of black pixels than the number of white pixels. Therefore, the black pixel ratio is determined as a value obtained by dividing the number of black pixels among all pixels by the number of white pixels among all pixels. In step 158, when the black pixel ratio is equal to or less than a predetermined value, it is determined that the image is not complicated. The index for evaluating the complexity of the image is not limited to the black pixel ratio described above, and any index may be used. For example, a value obtained by dividing the number of black pixels among all the pixels by the total number of pixels may be used as the evaluation index.

  This routine further displays a thumbnail image of the received image on the electronic paper 30 when the determination result of step 158 is YES, and ends the routine when the determination result of step 160 and step 154 is NO. When the determination result of 156 is NO or when the determination result of step 158 is NO, an icon indicating that the FAX has been received, and the FAX image information including the number of pages of the received image data and the received date and time are electronically displayed. And step 162 for displaying on the paper 30 and terminating this routine. Details of thumbnail images and icons displayed on the electronic paper 30 in steps 160 and 162 will be described below.

  5A to 5C are diagrams showing examples of images displayed on the electronic paper 30 in steps 164, 160, and 162 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 5A, in step 164 shown in FIG. 4, an icon 200 indicating that a call has been received and wording 202 indicating a call history are displayed on electronic paper 30.

  In FIG. 5A, the icon 200 is a rectangular mark. However, in addition to the icon 200, any mark may be used as long as the user can recall that a call has been received. You may display. For example, an icon in the shape of a dial telephone may be used.

  Referring to FIG. 5B, in step 160 shown in FIG. 4, the electronic paper 30 receives the thumbnail image 204 in which the area of the FAX-received image is reduced, the number of pages of the received image, and at what date and time the FAX is received. A message 206 indicating whether or not it has been displayed is displayed.

  In step 162 shown in FIG. 4, the electronic paper 30 displays an icon indicating the state of the image data received by FAX, and the wording indicating the number of pages of the received image and at which date and time the FAX is received. In step 162, it is assumed that the number of pages of image data received by FAX is 3. Referring to FIG. 5C, in that case, the electronic paper 30 has an icon 208 indicating that the received image data is 3 pages, and a wording 210 indicating the number of pages and the date and time of FAX reception. Is displayed.

  In addition to the icon 208, the icon displayed on the electronic paper 30 in step 162 is an icon (not shown) indicating that the number of pages of the image data is 2 or 4, and the thumbnail image of the image data is the electronic paper 30. An icon indicating that the image does not fit in the display area or an icon indicating that the image is complicated may be used.

  For example, if the determination result in step 154 is NO, an icon indicating that the number of pages of image data is plural may be displayed on the electronic paper 30 in step 162. If the determination result in step 156 is NO, an icon indicating that the thumbnail image does not fit in the display area of the electronic paper 30 may be displayed on the electronic paper 30 in step 162. Furthermore, if the determination result in step 158 is NO, an icon indicating that the image is complicated may be displayed on the electronic paper 30 in step 162.

  The following describes how thumbnail images, icons, and words are displayed on the electronic paper 30 in Step 160, Step 162, and Step 164 when a plurality of incoming calls and FAX receptions are received.

  In each of step 160, step 162, and step 164, if a thumbnail image and an icon indicating that a call has already been received and a fax has been received are displayed on the electronic paper 30, the electronic paper 30 is currently received. A thumbnail image and an icon indicating that the image is displayed, and a thumbnail image and an icon that are already displayed are displayed in the order received.

  FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a display example of the electronic paper 30 when an incoming call and a plurality of FAX receptions are received. 6B and 6C are similar views. For example, an incoming call, a first FAX reception in which the image is a plurality of pages, and an image is one page, and a thumbnail image of the image fits in the display area of the electronic paper 30, and the black pixel ratio of the image Are received in the order of the second FAX reception in which is less than or equal to a predetermined value.

  Referring to FIG. 6A, first, when there is an incoming call, in step 164, icon 200 and wording 202 are displayed on the upper end of electronic paper 30. Referring to FIG. 6B, when there is a first FAX reception thereafter, in step 160, icon 208 and wording 210 are displayed on the upper end of electronic paper 30, and icon 200 and wording 202 are displayed as icons. 208 and the wording 210 are displayed below. Referring to FIG. 6C, when there is a second FAX reception thereafter, in step 162, the thumbnail image 204 and the wording 206 are displayed at the upper end of the electronic paper 30, and the icon 208, the wording 210, and the icon 200 are displayed. And the wording 202 are displayed side by side in order below the thumbnail image 204 and the wording 206.

  FIG. 7 shows a control structure of a program executed by the control unit 62 when the power of the image forming apparatus 20 is turned on. Referring to FIG. 7, this program includes a step 250 for starting various programs for realizing a general function as an image forming apparatus, and a FAX reception received while the power is turned off after step 250. It includes a step 252 for displaying the contents of the incoming call on the electronic paper 30 and a step 254 for waiting after the step 252 until the warm-up of the image forming apparatus 20 is completed.

  The program further includes step 256 for displaying the operation screen on the display unit 38 when the warm-up is completed in step 254, and after the step 256, which FAX reception is displayed among the FAX receptions displayed on the electronic paper 30. And step 258 for allowing the user to select whether or not to print the image on the document and terminating the program.

(Operation)
1 to 7, image forming apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration operates as follows.

  It is assumed that the user has activated the image forming apparatus 20.

  The image forming apparatus 20 starts various programs that realize general functions as the image forming apparatus (step 250 shown in FIG. 7), and waits until the warm-up is completed (step 254 shown in FIG. 7). When the warm-up is completed, the image forming apparatus 20 displays an operation screen on the display unit 38 (step 258 shown in FIG. 7).

<Operation in power saving mode>
It is assumed that the user has set the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 20 to the power saving mode.

  After confirming that the power is turned on (YES in step 122 shown in FIG. 3), the image forming apparatus 20 determines whether it is currently operating in the normal mode or the power saving mode (see FIG. 3). Step 124). After confirming that the image forming apparatus 20 is operating in the power saving mode (YES in step 126 shown in FIG. 3), the image forming apparatus 20 displays a message indicating that the image forming apparatus 20 is operating in the power saving mode on the electronic paper 30 ( Step 128 shown in FIG. 3), the power supply to other than the MCU 60, the FAX unit 70, and the power supply control unit 92 is turned off (Step 130 shown in FIG. 3).

  The image forming apparatus 20 confirms whether there is an incoming call or FAX reception (step 150 shown in FIG. 4).

  Assume that the image forming apparatus 20 has received a FAX reception of a plurality of image pages from another facsimile apparatus. In this case, when the image forming apparatus 20 confirms that the received image data has a plurality of pages (NO in step 154 shown in FIG. 4), a plurality of pages of images are displayed at the upper end of the display area of the electronic paper 30. An icon indicating that the data has been received and a word indicating the number of pages and the date and time when the FAX reception was received are displayed (step 162 shown in FIG. 4). The image forming apparatus 20 displays the icon and wording that have been displayed on the electronic paper 30 until now under the new icon and wording.

  It is assumed that the number of pages of image data is 1, and there is a FAX reception in which the size of the thumbnail image of the image data does not fit in the display area of the electronic paper 30. In this case, the image forming apparatus 20 executes the processes of steps 124 to 130 and steps 150 to 154. After confirming that the thumbnail image of the received image data does not fit in the display area of the electronic paper 30 (NO in step 156 shown in FIG. 4), the image forming apparatus 20 displays an icon indicating that and the number of pages of the image. In addition, a word indicating the date and time when the FAX reception is received is displayed at the upper end of the display area of the electronic paper 30. The image forming apparatus 20 displays the icon and wording that have been displayed on the electronic paper 30 until now under the new icon and wording.

  Assume that the number of pages of the image data is 1, the size of the thumbnail image of the image data is within the display area of the electronic paper 30, and the FAX reception has the black pixel ratio of the image larger than a predetermined value. . In this case, the image forming apparatus 20 executes the processes of steps 124 to 130 and steps 150 to 156. After confirming that the black pixel ratio of the received image is greater than a predetermined value (step 158 shown in FIG. 4), the image forming apparatus 20 displays an icon indicating that the image is complex, and the date and time when FAX reception is received. Is displayed at the upper end of the display area of the electronic paper 30. The image forming apparatus 20 displays the icon and wording that have been displayed on the electronic paper 30 until now under the new icon and wording.

  FAX reception in which the number of pages of image data is 1, the size of the thumbnail image of the image data is within the display area of the electronic paper 30, and the black pixel ratio of the image is equal to or less than a predetermined value And In this case, the image forming apparatus 20 displays a thumbnail image of the received image and a word indicating the reception date and time on the upper end of the electronic paper 30. The image forming apparatus 20 displays the icons and the words that have been displayed so far, in the order received, below the thumbnail images and the new words.

  Assume that there is an incoming call. In this case, the image forming apparatus 20 executes the processes of steps 124 to 130 and step 150. When the image forming apparatus 20 confirms that there is an incoming call (NO in step 152 shown in FIG. 4), the electronic paper 30 displays an icon indicating that the incoming call has been received and a wording indicating the date and time of the incoming call. Is displayed at the top of the display area, and the icons and the words that have been displayed so far are displayed below the icons and the words indicating the incoming call (step 164 shown in FIG. 4).

<Operation in normal mode>
It is assumed that the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 20 has shifted to the normal mode.

  The image forming apparatus 20 checks whether the current operation mode is the normal mode or the power saving mode. When the image forming apparatus 20 confirms that the current operation mode is the normal mode (NO in step 126 in FIG. 3), the image forming apparatus 20 displays a message indicating that the current mode is the normal mode on the electronic paper 30. (Step 132 shown in FIG. 3), a message for the operation guide is displayed on the display unit 38 (Step 134 shown in FIG. 3).

  It is assumed that the user has turned off the image forming apparatus 20.

  When confirming that the power is turned off (NO in step 122 shown in FIG. 3), the image forming apparatus 20 displays a message indicating that the power is turned off on the electronic paper 30 and ends the processing ( Step 138) shown in FIG.

(Effect of this embodiment)
As is clear from the above description, in the image forming apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment, the power supply to other than the MCU 60, the FAX unit 70, and the power supply control unit 92 is turned off in the power saving mode. Therefore, power consumption in the power saving mode can be minimized.

  Further, when FAX reception is performed in the power saving mode, the number of pages of the image data is 1, the size of the thumbnail image is within the display area of the electronic paper 30, and the black pixel ratio of the image is predetermined. When the value is equal to or smaller than the value of the thumbnail, the thumbnail image of the data is displayed on the electronic paper 30. When the image data is data other than the above, icons that match the properties of the image are displayed side by side on the electronic paper 30. Further, when there is an incoming call, icons indicating that are displayed in the order of the incoming call. By displaying the icons side by side in the order of arrival, many icons are displayed on the electronic paper 30 at a time. As a result, the user can grasp what kind of FAX has been received in the power saving mode by looking at the electronic paper 30 at a glance. Therefore, it is possible to confirm the contents of many FAX receptions while continuing the power saving mode, and to suppress unnecessary power consumption.

[Second Embodiment]
The appearance configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the image forming apparatus 20 according to the first embodiment.

  The functional configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as that of the image forming apparatus 20 according to the first embodiment, but the first embodiment is different in that the program executed by the MCU 60 is different. This is different from the image forming apparatus 20 according to the embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the program executed by the MCU 60 performs processing to emphasize to the user that there is an incoming call by changing the display color of the electronic paper 30 when an incoming call is received in the power saving mode. The execution is different from that executed by the MCU 60 according to the first embodiment.

(Software configuration)
The software configuration executed by the control unit 62 according to the present embodiment is almost the same as the software configuration according to the first embodiment, but will be described below instead of the program executed by the flowchart shown in FIG. It differs from the first embodiment in that a program having a control structure is executed.

FIG. 8 shows a control structure of a program executed by the control unit 62 according to the present embodiment while the image forming apparatus 20 is activated. Referring to FIG. 8, in place of steps 126 to 134 shown in FIG. 3, this program executes step 270 for executing a reception notification process for notifying receipt of a FAX reception and an incoming call after step 124. It differs from the flowchart shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a detailed flow of the reception notification process executed in step 270 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 9, this routine determines whether or not currently operating in the power saving mode, and branches step 280 according to the determination result, and the determination result in step 280 is NO. In this case, for example, a message indicating the normal mode, such as an advertisement screen, is displayed on the electronic paper 30, and the routine is terminated.

  This routine further confirms whether a fax reception or a telephone call is received when the determination result in step 280 is YES, and after step 282, in step 282, it is confirmed that a telephone call has been received. In step 284 for branching the flow of control according to the determination result and a determination result in step 284 is NO, a message indicating that the FAX has been received is displayed on the electronic paper 30. And step 294 which ends this routine.

  This routine further displays a message indicating that the incoming call has been received on the electronic paper 30 when the determination result in step 284 is YES, and after step 286, a pseudo ringer sound is generated. Step 288 for changing the background color of the electronic paper 30 and Step 290 for determining whether or not the line is disconnected after Step 288 and branching the control flow according to the determination result are included. If the determination result of step 290 is NO, the control returns to step 286.

  Note that changing the background color of the electronic paper 30 in step 288 means changing the background color from white to red, for example.

  The program further includes a step 292 in which the incoming call history is stored in the RAM 66 and the routine is terminated if the decision result in the step 290 is YES.

(Operation)
With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration operates as follows.

  When the user activates the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus performs steps 250 to 258 shown in FIG.

<Operation in power saving mode>
A case where the operation mode of the image forming apparatus is set to the power saving mode will be described.

  Assume that the image communication apparatus has received FAX reception. When the image forming apparatus confirms that the current operation mode is the power saving mode (YES in step 280 in FIG. 9), the image forming apparatus confirms whether a FAX reception or an incoming call is received (step 282 shown in FIG. 9). ). The determination result in step 284 is YES, and the image forming apparatus displays a message indicating that the FAX has been received on the electronic paper 30 (step 294 shown in FIG. 9). In response to the received image, the image forming apparatus displays either the thumbnail image or an icon indicating the feature of the image and the wording indicating the reception date and time on the electronic paper 30 (step 136 shown in FIG. 8).

  Thereafter, each time a plurality of FAX receptions are received, the image forming apparatus performs the processing of steps 280 to 284, 294, and 136, and depending on the received image data, either the thumbnail image or the icon and the reception date and time. Are displayed in order on the electronic paper 30.

  Assume that the image communication apparatus receives an incoming call. The image forming apparatus displays a message indicating that the incoming call has been received on the electronic paper 30 (step 286 shown in FIG. 9).

  The image forming apparatus performs the process of step 286 and the process of changing the background color of the electronic paper 30 while sounding the pseudo ringer until the line is disconnected from another telephone (step shown in FIG. 8). 288) is repeated.

  When the line is disconnected, the image forming apparatus stores the incoming call history in the RAM 66 (step 292 shown in FIG. 9). The image forming apparatus displays on the electronic paper 30 a telephone incoming call icon indicating that the incoming telephone call has been received, and a word indicating the destination telephone number and the incoming date and time (step 136 shown in FIG. 8).

<Operation in normal mode>
Assume that the operation mode of the image forming apparatus has shifted from the power saving mode to the normal mode.

  The image forming apparatus starts supplying power to other than the MCU 60, the FAX unit 70, and the power supply control unit 92. The image forming apparatus displays a message indicating that it is in the normal mode on the electronic paper 30 (step 296 shown in FIG. 9).

(Effect of this embodiment)
As is clear from the above description, when the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment receives FAX reception in the power saving mode, it receives either the thumbnail image or the icon according to the received image data. Display them in the order they were selected. Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, the user can grasp to some extent what FAX reception has occurred in the power saving mode by looking at the electronic paper 30 at a glance.

  When receiving an incoming call in the power saving mode, the image forming apparatus generates a pseudo ringer sound and changes the background color of the electronic paper 30. Therefore, if a user is on the image forming apparatus side when an incoming call is received in the power saving mode, the user can easily notice the incoming call.

[Modification]
In the embodiment described above, an icon is displayed on the electronic paper 30 when there is a FAX reception or an incoming call in the power saving mode. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The image forming apparatus is connected to a network, and may have a printer function for receiving a print instruction from another terminal connected to the network and printing an image on printing paper. In this case, when there is a print instruction from a terminal in the power saving mode, an icon indicating that there is a print instruction and the date and time when the print instruction is received may be displayed on the electronic paper 30.

  In the above-described embodiment, in the power saving mode, when there are a plurality of FAX receptions and incoming calls, the icons and the words indicating the reception date are displayed in order from the top of the electronic paper 30. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and icons and words may be arranged in any direction. For example, they may be displayed in order of arrival from left to right and from top to bottom.

  In the embodiment described above, when FAX reception is performed in the power saving mode, the number of pages of the image data is 1, the area of the thumbnail image is smaller than the display area of the electronic paper 30, and the resolution of the image data When the value is smaller than the predetermined value, the thumbnail image is displayed on the electronic paper 30. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and even if there are a plurality of pages of image data, the combined area of all thumbnail images of those images is larger than the display area of the electronic paper 30. If it is small, the thumbnail image may be displayed on the electronic paper 30.

  In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the display area of the electronic paper 30 and the image received by FAX are rectangular. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and they may have any shape.

  In the above-described embodiment, the vertical length and the horizontal length are compared in order to determine whether or not the size of the thumbnail image obtained by reducing the FAX received image fits in the display area of the electronic paper 30. It was. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and any determination method may be used.

  The embodiment disclosed herein is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The scope of the present invention is indicated by each claim of the claims after taking into account the description of the detailed description of the invention, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the wording described therein are included. Including.

1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of an image forming apparatus 50 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart of the computer program which implement | achieves the function of the control part 62 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the detailed flow of step 136 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the computer program which implement | achieves the function of the control part 62 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the image displayed on the electronic paper 30 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the transition of the image displayed on the electronic paper 30 shown in FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a computer program that realizes a function of a control unit 62 included in an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the detailed flow of step 270 shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Image forming apparatus 22 Original reading part 24 Printing part 30 Electronic paper 36 Operation panel 38 Display part 40 Operation part 60 MCU
62 Control section 64, 86, 88 ROM
66,84 RAM
68, 76 Image processing unit 70 FAX unit 72 FAX control unit 74 Interface control unit 78 NCU
80 Modem 82 Image Memory 90 Night Fax Control Unit 92 Power Supply Control Unit 94 Telephone Line

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus that operates in both a power saving mode and a normal operation mode,
A non-volatile display device;
Receiving means for receiving an image from another device;
While the image forming apparatus is operating in the power saving mode, in response to receiving an image by the receiving unit, a reduced image obtained by reducing the image according to the size of the image and the image are displayed. An image forming apparatus comprising: display control means for selectively displaying a related first mark on the nonvolatile display device.   The display control means, in response to the reception of the image by the reception means while the image forming apparatus is operating in the power saving mode, in the order received by the reception means and the reduced images. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for selectively displaying the first mark on the nonvolatile display device. The receiving means can further receive an incoming call;
The display control means responds to the reception means receiving either an image or an incoming call while the image forming apparatus is operating in the power saving mode, and the reduced image and the first For selectively displaying the mark on the non-volatile display device and the process for selectively displaying the second mark on the non-volatile display device indicating that the incoming call has been received. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, comprising means. The display image includes the reduced image and the first mark,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays a time at which the reception unit receives an image corresponding to the display image on the nonvolatile display device adjacent to the display image. . The display image includes the reduced image and the first mark,
The means for executing the non-volatile display indicates a time at which the reception unit receives an image corresponding to the display image and a time at which the reception unit receives an incoming call corresponding to the second mark. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus displays the image at a position adjacent to the display image and the second mark, respectively.

Images