JP7472679B2 - Image forming apparatus and method for controlling the image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus and a method for controlling the image forming apparatus.

Patent document 1 discloses an image forming device that has an operating mode that reduces power consumption in addition to a normal operating mode.

JP 2009-301045 A

In a power-saving operation mode in which power consumption is reduced compared to the normal operation, the supply of power to the sensor output receiver may be stopped. Under such settings, if the cover is opened or closed during operation in the power-saving operation to replace consumable parts in the image forming unit, etc., the signal from the cover sensor cannot be received, so the control unit cannot detect the cover opening or closing, and the opening or closing of the cover cannot be used as a condition for returning from the power-saving operation. Although it is possible to know that the cover has been opened or closed when returning to the normal operation due to the occurrence of a print job, etc., when returning to the normal operation, it is necessary to wait for the completion of corrections according to the purpose of the opening and closing, such as replacing a toner cartridge, before starting printing, which causes another problem in that the user has to wait before obtaining printed material.

The present disclosure aims to provide an image forming apparatus and a method for controlling an image forming apparatus that take the above problems into consideration.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an image forming device configured to be switchable between a first operating mode and a second operating mode having lower power consumption than the first operating mode, the image forming device comprising: a communication unit that communicates with an external device; a controller unit that receives and processes image data from the external device via the communication unit in the first operating mode and stops the receiving process in the second operating mode; a detection unit configured to be capable of outputting a signal corresponding to the opening and closing of a cover provided on the image forming device; a receiving unit configured to operate a control program for printing and receive a signal from the detection unit, a first control unit configured to be capable of notifying the controller unit of information regarding the opening and closing of the cover; and a second control unit configured to be capable of controlling the supply of power to the image forming device.
In this embodiment, the second control unit is configured to receive a signal from the detection unit , set a cover latch indicating a transition of the cover from a closed state to an open state in response to the signal from the detection unit , and return the cover latch to the state before the transition when a specified correction process is performed with the cover in the closed state .
The first control unit is configured such that when it transitions from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, the control program for printing stops, the receiving unit stops, and it switches to a program for communication monitoring, and it acquires a latch variable indicating the state of the cover latch from the signal line connected to the second control unit, and is capable of detecting the state of the cover based on the latch variable ; and when it transitions to the second operating mode and receives image data via the communication unit while the program for communication monitoring is running, it transitions from the second operating mode to the first operating mode, switches the program for communication monitoring to the control program for printing, and detects the state of the cover by receiving a signal from the detection unit using the receiving unit .

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for controlling an image forming apparatus configured to be switchable between a first operating mode and a second operating mode having lower power consumption than the first operating mode, the method including: communicating with an external apparatus via a communication unit; receiving and processing image data from the external apparatus via the communication unit in the first operating mode by a controller unit and stopping the receiving process in the second operating mode; outputting a signal corresponding to opening and closing of a cover provided in the image forming apparatus by a detection unit; notifying the controller unit of information regarding the opening and closing of the cover by a first control unit having a receiving unit configured to operate a printing control program and receive a signal from the detection unit; and indicating a transition of the cover from a closed state to an open state by a second control unit configured to control the supply of power to the image forming apparatus in response to the signal from the detection unit. a control unit for controlling an image forming apparatus that detects the state of the cover based on the latch variable, and a control program for printing is set to a state where a predetermined correction process is performed with the cover closed, and the cover latch is returned to a state before the transition; when the first control unit transitions from the first operation mode to the second operation mode, a control program for printing is stopped, the receiving unit is stopped, and the control unit switches to a program for communication monitoring, a latch variable indicating the state of the cover latch is obtained from a signal line connected to the second control unit, and the state of the cover is detected based on the latch variable; and when the first control unit transitions to the second operation mode and receives image data via the communication unit while the program for communication monitoring is running, the control program for communication monitoring is transitioned from the second operation mode to the first operation mode, and the program for communication monitoring is switched to the control program for printing, and the state of the cover is detected by receiving a signal from the detection unit using the receiving unit .

According to the image forming device and the control method for the image forming device disclosed herein, in the second operation mode in which power consumption is reduced more than in the first operation mode, the state of the cover can be detected based on the latch variable acquired from the second control unit, making it possible to detect the state of the cover not only in the first operation mode but also in the second operation mode.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the print engine unit, the printing section, and the power supply controller according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram that illustrates a procedure for switching between operation modes according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of each part according to the operation mode according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an overall flow of the cover open determination process according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of a return process to the normal state under normal power saving cancellation conditions according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the process of returning to the normal state by opening the cover according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of changes in the output of the cover sensor, the cover sensor state variable, and the cover latch state variable according to the embodiment.

The following describes in detail the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings.

(overall structure)
1 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of a printing device 1, which is an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The printing device 1 according to the present embodiment is not limited to a specific type, and may be any type of device, such as a printer (e.g., an electrophotographic printer), a copier, a multifunction peripheral (MFP), or a facsimile. Furthermore, the following description will be given of an example in which a color image is formed by the printing device 1, but the printing device 1 can also form a monochrome image by modifying the configuration of the image forming unit 12, etc.

The printing device 1 can be roughly divided into a media storage section 11, an image forming section 12, an image fixing section 13, and an ejected paper stacking section 14. In this embodiment, paper (hereafter referred to as "recording paper") is used as the recording medium M on which an image is formed by the printing device 1. The recording paper M travels from the media storage section 11 through the paper transport path P to circulate through the above sections.

The media storage unit 11 includes a paper feed cassette 111, and recording paper M is stored in the paper feed cassette 111.

Based on printing instructions from the user, the recording paper M is separated one sheet at a time from the paper feed cassette 111 and sent out to the paper transport path P. The media storage unit 11 is equipped with a paper feed transport roller 112, which sends the recording paper M stacked in the paper feed cassette 111 out to the paper transport path P one sheet at a time.

The recording paper M sent out from the paper feed cassette 111 passes between a registration roller 113 that corrects the skew (i.e., inclination or distortion) of the recording paper M and a pressure roller 114 that presses the recording paper M against the registration roller 113, and is supplied to the image forming unit 12 in accordance with the timing of development.

The image forming section 12 includes image forming units 121 (121a to 121d) and a transfer device 122.

In this embodiment, the image forming unit 121 is made up of a number of single-color units 121a-121d corresponding to the types of primary colors. The image forming unit 121a develops a first color (e.g., yellow), the image forming unit 121b develops a second color (e.g., magenta), the image forming unit 121c develops a third color (e.g., cyan), and the image forming unit 121d develops a fourth color (e.g., black). The first to fourth color image forming units 121a-121d are all similar in configuration except for the color they develop, and in the following explanation, the black image forming unit 121d (referenced 121 for convenience) located at the most upstream side of the paper transport path P will be used as a representative.

Figure 2 shows a schematic configuration of the image forming section (image forming unit 121) of the printing device 1 according to this embodiment.

The image forming unit 121 includes a photoconductor drum 1211, which is an electrostatic latent image carrier. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 1211 by irradiation with exposure light according to image data. The image forming unit 121 further includes a developer roller 1212 and a supply roller 1213. The developer roller 1212 is disposed with their outer peripheral surfaces in contact with the photoconductor drum 1211, and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 1211 with toner, which is a developer. The supply roller 1213 is disposed between the toner container 1214 and the developer roller 1212, with their outer peripheral surfaces in contact with the developer roller 1212, receives a supply of toner from the toner container 1214, and adheres the supplied toner to the outer peripheral surface of the developer roller 1212. In this embodiment, a cartridge-type toner container 1214 is used. The toner container or toner cartridge 1214 can be replaced by opening the front cover C1, which will be described later, and exposing the inside of the housing.

Returning to FIG. 1, the transfer device 122 is disposed opposite the image forming unit 121 and transfers the developer image formed by the image forming unit 121 to the recording paper M in a transfer area defined for the recording paper M.

The transfer device 122 includes a pair of guide rollers 1221, 1222, and an endless transfer belt 1223 stretched between the pair of guide rollers 1221, 1222. The area where the photoconductor drum 1211 of the image forming unit 121 and the transfer belt 1223 of the transfer device 122 face each other is the transfer area.

When the recording paper M is supplied to the image forming section 12, the image forming unit 121 charges the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 1211 with the charging roller 1215 (FIG. 2). After the photosensitive drum 1211 is charged, the outer surface is irradiated with light from the exposure device 1216, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed on the outer surface. This electrostatic latent image is then developed with a developer to form a developer image (sometimes called a toner image). The developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 1211 is transferred to the recording paper M transported on the transfer belt 1223. The above process is performed for each color other than black, that is, cyan, magenta, and yellow, and after the transfer of all the developers required to form the desired image is completed, the recording paper M leaves the transfer device 122 and is transported to the image fixing section 13.

The image fixing section 13 is equipped with a fixing device 131, and fixes the developer image transferred to the recording paper M using a high-temperature, high-pressure fixing process.

After fixing, the recording paper M is further transported via the first discharge roller 115a and its paired first slave roller 116a, and is then discharged from the discharge opening by the second discharge roller 115b and second slave roller 116b to the discharge stacking section 14 formed in the upper cover. The discharge stacking section 14 is a place where the recording paper M on which the desired image has been formed is temporarily stacked.

In this embodiment, the printing device 1 has a plurality of covers, including a front cover C1 and a side cover C2, on its housing. The front cover C1 has a control panel for printing instructions on the top surface, and can rotate around a horizontal axis. The user can replace the toner container 1214 inside by pulling the front cover C1 toward himself/herself and opening the inside of the housing. The side cover C2 is provided on the side of the housing, and can rotate around a horizontal axis like the front cover C1. The user can open the inside of the housing by pulling the side cover C2 toward himself/herself and laying it down horizontally, and can replace consumable parts of the image forming unit 12, such as the photosensitive drum 1211. The front cover C1 and the side cover C2 correspond to the "covers" according to this embodiment. FIG. 1 shows the front cover C1' and the side cover C2' in the process of being opened, respectively, in a schematic manner using two-dot chain lines.

(Control System Configuration)
FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of a control system S1 of the printing device 1 according to this embodiment.

The control system S1 includes a controller unit 201, a print engine unit 202, and a power supply controller 203.

The controller unit 201 is positioned as the main control unit of the control system S1, and is equipped with a CPU (central processing unit), as well as ROM and RAM. The controller unit 201 communicates with external devices via a network, etc., and analyzes and processes signals received from the external devices, etc., and outputs a command signal to the print engine unit 202 according to the analysis results. An example of an external device with which the controller unit 201 can communicate is a personal computer 401, and the signal received from the external device, etc. is, for example, a signal including image data or print data.

The print engine unit 202 is positioned as a subordinate control unit to the controller unit 201, and in addition to a CPU, includes a ROM, a RAM, and a sensor reading unit 221, which will be described later. The print engine unit 202 is connected to the controller unit 201 via a communication line, and is connected to the power supply controller 203 via a communication line and a signal line. The print engine unit 202 is further connected to the printing unit 301 of the printing device 1 via a control line and a signal line. The print engine unit 202 controls the operation of the printing unit 301 of the printing device 1 based on a command signal from the controller unit 201. The objects controlled by the print engine unit 202 are electric components such as motors and heaters provided in the image forming unit 12, the fixing device 13, and the conveying mechanism for the recording paper M. The print engine unit 202 corresponds to the "first control unit" in this embodiment, and the sensor reading unit 221 corresponds to the "receiving unit" in this embodiment.

The power supply controller 203 controls the supply of power to the printing device 1. Specifically, the power supply to the printing device 1 is turned on or off as a whole, and the power supply to the printing device 1 is turned off only partially to reduce power consumption. The power supply controller 203 further has a cover latch. In this embodiment, the cover latch is pseudo-configured by a program as a variable that can be switched by the power supply controller 203, and is switched between a value indicating a state before the transition (e.g., 0) and a value indicating a state after the transition (e.g., 1). The cover latch is set so that a state transition occurs in response to a signal from the cover sensors 311 and 312 described later. In this embodiment, when a signal indicating that either the cover C1 or C2 has been opened is input from the cover sensors 311 and 312, a state transition from 0 to 1 occurs, and the cover is set so as to indicate a transition to an open state of the cover C1 or C2. Here, the transition to an open state of the cover is, in principle, a transition from a closed state of the cover to an open state of the cover. Furthermore, under the control of the power supply controller 203, the cover latch can clear the state after the transition at any timing and return to the value indicating the state before the transition. The power supply controller 203 corresponds to the "second control unit" in this embodiment, and can be embodied by a microcomputer that includes a processor capable of executing programs as well as various types of memory such as ROM and RAM.

In addition to the above, the control system S1 includes a communication unit 204, a switching unit 205, and a power switch 206.

The communication unit 204 forms an interface with an external environment such as a network, and is connected to the controller unit 201 and the print engine unit 202 via the switching unit 205.

The switching unit 205 switches the entity that executes control of the communication unit 204 between the controller unit 201 and the print engine unit 202. This switching can be performed by a signal from the controller unit 201.

The power switch 206 detects a user's instruction to turn the power on or off, and can be embodied, for example, by a push button type switch. The power switch 206 is connected to the power controller 203, and when the power switch 206 is pressed, it outputs a power on signal to the power controller 203, and when the power switch 206 is pressed again after the power is turned on, it outputs a power off signal to the power controller 203.

Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of the relationship between the print engine unit 202, the printing unit 301, and the power supply controller 203.

In this embodiment, the print engine unit 202 includes a sensor reading unit 221, and the printing unit 301 includes cover sensors 311 and 312. The cover sensors 311 and 312 can output signals corresponding to the opening and closing of covers that open and close the housing of the printing device 1, specifically, the front cover C1 and the side cover C2. In this embodiment, two cover sensors 311 and 312 are illustrated, but the number of covers and cover sensors is not limited to this. The cover sensors 311 and 312 correspond to the "detection unit" according to this embodiment.

The print engine unit 202 can send print control signals to the printing unit 301 via a control line, and can receive cover sensor signals from the cover sensors 311 and 312 of the printing unit 301 via a signal line. The cover sensor signals are sent to the power supply controller 203 as well as to the print engine unit 202.

The print engine unit 202 can also send a latch state inquiry signal to the power supply controller 203 via a signal line, and can also receive a latch signal from the power supply controller 203 via a signal line. The power supply controller 203 transitions the state of the cover latch in response to the cover sensor signal, and when a state transition occurs, notifies the print engine unit 202 of the state of the cover latch after the transition as a latch signal. In this embodiment, as described above, when a signal indicating that the front cover C1 or side cover C2 is open is input from the cover sensors 311, 312, a transition of the state of the cover latch from 0 to 1 occurs.

(basic action)
FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of an operation mode switching procedure according to this embodiment.

The printing device 1 has three operating modes: a power-off state (i.e., a stopped state) ST1, a normal state ST2, a first power saving state ST3, and a second power saving state ST4. The state of the printing device 1 in each of the operating modes will be explained in more detail later.

In the power-off state ST1, when the user presses the power switch 206, the power controller 203 starts supplying power to each part of the printing device 1, and the state of the printing device 1 transitions to the normal state ST2.

In the normal state ST2, if the controller unit 201 determines that a predetermined first power saving condition is met, the state of the printing device 1 transitions to the first power saving state ST3. The first power saving condition includes, for example, a predetermined time having passed without any print instruction following the most recent print instruction from the user.

When the first power saving condition is satisfied, the controller unit 201 transmits a transition instruction to the print engine unit 202 to the first power saving state ST3. When the print engine unit 202 receives the transition instruction from the controller unit 201, it determines whether transition to the first power saving state ST3 is possible, and if transition to the first power saving state ST3 is possible, it performs a predetermined transition process to set the state to the first power saving state ST3, such as stopping the sensor reading unit 221. Then, after the transition process is completed, it transmits a transition preparation completion notification to the controller unit 201. When the controller unit 201 receives the transition preparation completion notification, it transmits a power saving transition request to the power controller 203. When the power controller 203 receives the power saving transition request, it cuts off a portion of the power supply to the printing device 1. On the other hand, if transition to the first power saving state ST3 is not possible, the print engine unit 202 transmits a transition impossible notification to the controller unit 201. When the controller unit 201 receives the transition impossible notification, it waits for a predetermined time, and then transmits again to the print engine unit 202 an instruction to transition to the first power saving state ST3. A case in which transition to the first power saving state ST3 is impossible is, for example, when both covers C1 and C2 are not closed, in other words, when either cover C1 or C2 is open.

In the first power saving state ST3, if the controller unit 201 determines that a specific second power saving condition has been met, such as a specific time having passed since the transition to the first power saving state ST3 without the conditions for recovery being met, the state of the printing device 1 transitions to the second power saving state ST4.

When the second power saving condition is satisfied, the controller unit 201 transmits a transition instruction to the print engine unit 202 to the second power saving state ST4. When the print engine unit 202 receives the transition instruction from the controller unit 201, it determines whether transition to the second power saving state ST4 is possible, and if transition to the second power saving state ST4 is possible, it stops the control program for printing and stops control over the operation of the printing unit 301 as a transition process to set the second power saving state ST4. Here, the print engine unit 202 sets and stores an identifier indicating that the next return will be from the second power saving state ST4, and retains this identifier while in the second power saving state ST4. After completing the transition process, the print engine unit 202 transmits a transition preparation completion notification to the controller unit 201. When the controller unit 201 receives the transition preparation completion notification, it stops the print engine unit 202, sets the program of the print engine unit 202 to switch to a program for monitoring communications, sets the switching unit 205 so that the print engine unit 202 controls the communication unit 204, and then restarts the print engine unit 202. On the other hand, if transition to the second power saving state ST4 is not possible, the print engine unit 202 sends a transition impossible notification to the controller unit 201. When the controller unit 201 receives the transition impossible notification, it waits for a predetermined time and then again sends an instruction to the print engine unit 202 to transition to the second power saving state ST4.

After the first power saving condition is met, in the first power saving state ST3, if the controller unit 201 determines that a specific first power saving release condition is met, the state of the printing device 1 returns to the normal state ST2. The first power saving release condition includes that a signal received via the communication unit 204 contains image data or the like, or that a cover open notification has been received from the print engine unit 202.

When the first power saving cancellation condition is met, the controller unit 201 starts the operation of returning to the normal state ST2. Then, the controller unit 201 sends a power saving cancellation request to both the print engine unit 202 and the power supply controller 203. When the power supply controller 203 receives the power saving cancellation request, it turns on some of the power supplies that were cut off, and the print engine unit 202 starts the operation of returning to the normal state ST2. The return operation performed by the print engine unit 202 includes control of the printing unit 301 to put the printing device 1 into the normal state ST2. When the return operation is completed, the print engine unit 202 sends a return completion notification to the controller unit 201.

After the second power saving condition is met, in the second power saving state ST4, if the print engine unit 202 determines that a specific second power saving release condition is met, the state of the printing device 1 returns to the first power saving state ST3.

When the second power saving release condition is satisfied, the print engine unit 202 transmits a power saving release request to the controller unit 201. When the controller unit 201 (including the RAM in the refresh state) receives the power saving release request, it resumes from the hibernation state, confirms the requirements for the return by communicating with the print engine unit 202, and stores them. The controller unit 201 then stops the print engine unit 202, sets the program of the print engine unit 202 to switch to a printing program, and sets the switching unit 205 so that the controller unit 201 controls the communication unit 204, and then restarts the print engine unit 202. Here, when starting up, the print engine unit 202 refers to the identifier stored when it transitioned to the second power saving state ST4, and confirms that this return is from the second power saving state ST4. When the print engine unit 202 confirms that it is from the second power saving state ST4, it avoids access to the part to which the power supply is cut off.

On the other hand, in the normal state ST2, the first power saving state ST3, and the second power saving state ST4, when the user presses the power switch 206, the power controller 203 cuts off the supply of power to each part of the printing device 1 (except for the power controller 203, the cover sensors 311, 312, and the power switch 206, as described later), and the state of the printing device 1 transitions to the power off state ST1.

Figure 6 is a table showing the state of each part according to the operation mode according to this embodiment. In the figure, ◯ indicates that the power supply is on, and × indicates that the current is cut off and the power supply is turned off. Furthermore, △ indicates that the device is in a hibernation state. In this embodiment, the hibernation state refers to a standby state in which the program remains in memory (e.g., RAM).

In the power-off state ST1, the power supply to the printing device 1 is turned off as a whole, except for the power controller 203, the cover sensor, and the power switch. In other words, the power controller 203, the cover sensor, and the power switch are always supplied with power, regardless of whether the power switch is on or off.

In normal state ST2, the power supply to the printing device 1 as a whole, including the controller unit 201 and the print engine unit 202, is turned on.

In contrast to the above, in the power saving states ST3 and ST4 described below, the power supply to the printing device 1 is partially turned off to reduce power consumption.

In this embodiment, two power saving states are set: a first power saving state ST3 and a second power saving state ST4, which consumes less power than the first power saving state ST3. The second power saving state ST4 provides a greater power consumption reduction effect than the first power saving state ST3.

In the first power saving state ST3, the power supply to the parts of the printing device 1 that are involved in control during printing is turned off. Specifically, the power supply to the sensor reading unit 221 of the print engine unit 202 and the printing unit 301 (e.g., the image forming unit 12) is turned off.

In the second power saving state ST4, power is cut off to the ROM of the controller unit 201 in addition to the sensor reading unit 221 and the printing unit 301, the controller unit 201 goes into a pause state, and the RAM goes into a self-refresh state. As a result, in the second power saving state ST4, the controller unit 201 essentially stops its operation. The print engine unit 202 stops the control that the print engine unit 202 performs in the normal state ST2 and monitors communication with external devices, etc. In this way, in the second power saving state ST4, communication is monitored, but even if there is a received signal, it cannot be analyzed or processed, and it takes a considerable amount of time to switch to the program for communication monitoring. Therefore, when reducing power consumption is prioritized, it is preferable to use the second power saving state ST4, and when processing efficiency is prioritized, it is preferable to use the first power saving state ST3 without transitioning to the second power saving state ST4.

(Flow chart explanation)
7 is a flowchart showing the overall flow of the cover open determination process according to the present embodiment. The cover open determination process is a process for determining whether the covers C1 and C2 are open or not, and is executed by the print engine unit 202 at a predetermined cycle.

In S101, the status of the printing device 1 is obtained.

In S102, it is determined whether the state of the printing device 1 is the normal state ST2. If the state of the printing device 1 is the normal state ST2, proceed to S103, and if the state is not the normal state ST2, proceed to S107. Here, immediately after the transition from the normal state ST2 to the first power saving state ST3 or the second power saving state ST4, the cover sensor state variable Xi is a value indicating that both the front cover C1 and the side cover C2 are in a closed state, and the cover latch state variable Yi is a value indicating the state before the transition (for example, 0). The cover latch state variable Yi corresponds to the "latch variable" according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, one cover latch state variable Yi is a value indicating the state before the transition, indicating that both the front cover C1 and the side cover C2 are in a closed state, but this is not limited to this, and a cover latch state variable may be provided for each of the front cover C1 and the side cover C2, making it possible to detect the closed state of each cover C1, C2 for each cover latch.

In S103, the sensor reading unit 221 reads the values of the sensor ports in the print engine unit 202, i.e., the outputs of the cover sensors 311 and 312.

In S104, the sensor port value (port reading value) is set to the cover sensor state variable Xi.

In S105, it is determined whether the cover sensor state variable Xi is a value a, which indicates that the covers C1 and C2 are open. If either the front cover C1 or the side cover C2 is open and the cover sensor state variable Xi is a value a, the process proceeds to S106, and if it is not a, the process in this routine ends.

In S106, it is determined that covers C1 and C2 are open. Processing for this routine then ends.

In S107, it is determined whether the printing device 1 is in the first power saving state ST3. If the printing device 1 is in the first power saving state ST3, the process proceeds to S108. If the printing device 1 is not in the first power saving state ST3, that is, if the printing device 1 is in the second power saving state ST4, the process from S108 onwards is not performed and the next process is executed.

In the second power saving state ST4, when the power supply controller 203 receives a signal from the cover sensors 311, 312 of the printing unit 301 indicating that either the front cover C1 or the side cover C2 is open, it transitions the state of the cover latch and changes it to a value indicating the state after the transition, in other words, a value indicating that the covers C1, C2 are open. Then, the power supply controller 203 sends a status change notification to the print engine unit 202. When the print engine unit 202 receives the status change notification, it reads the cover latch state variable Yi from the power supply controller 203. If the cover latch is in the state after the transition and the cover latch state variable Yi is a value indicating that the covers C1, C2 are open, the print engine unit 202 changes the cover sensor state variable Xi to a value indicating that the covers C1, C2 are open.

In this manner, in this embodiment, the method of reading the cover latch state variable Yi is switched between the first power saving state ST3 and the second power saving state ST4. In the first power saving state ST3, the print engine unit 202 periodically queries the power controller 203. In the second power saving state ST4, when the print engine unit 202 receives a status change notification from the power controller 203, the cover latch state variable Yi is read. In this embodiment, the print engine unit 202 queries the power controller 203 in the first power saving state ST3 at the calculation execution cycle. The inquiry cycle is not limited to the calculation execution cycle, and can be exemplified as a cycle of 50 ms to 300 ms. If the cycle exceeds 300 ms, it is not possible to timely grasp that the covers C1 and C2 have been opened by the print engine unit 202. As a result, the waiting time until printing cannot be shortened, and there is a possibility that the user may be delayed in obtaining the printed matter. On the other hand, if the cycle is less than 50 ms, inquiries will be repeated excessively, which may result in wasted power consumption.

In S108, a notification is sent to the power supply controller 203 inquiring about the state of the cover latch.

In S109, the cover latch state variable Yi is received from the power supply controller 203 as a response to the inquiry.

In S110, it is determined whether or not a cover has been opened, that is, whether or not covers C1 and C2 have been opened, based on the cover latch state variable Yi. If either the front cover C1 or the side cover C2 has been opened and the cover latch state variable Yi is a value indicating that covers C1 and C2 have been opened (e.g., 1), proceed to S111; if not (e.g., 0), proceed to S105.

In S111, the cover sensor state variable Xi is changed to a value (i.e., 1) indicating that the cover is open.

Figures 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the process of returning the state of the printing device 1 from the first power saving state ST3 to the normal state ST2. Figure 8 shows the process of returning when the normal power saving cancellation condition is met, and Figure 9 shows the process of returning to the normal state when the cover is opened.

In the flowchart of FIG. 8, in S201, it is determined whether a predetermined first power saving cancellation condition is met. If the first power saving cancellation condition is met, the process proceeds to S202, and if the first power saving cancellation condition is not met, the process waits until the first power saving cancellation condition is met before proceeding to the next process.

In S202, a cover open notification is sent to the controller unit 201.

In S203, the state of the printing device 1 is returned to the normal state ST2.

In S204, the initial operation is performed.

In the flowchart of FIG. 9, in S301, it is determined whether the covers C1 and C2 are open based on the cover sensor state variable Xi. If either the front cover C1 or the side cover C2 is open and the covers C1 and C2 are open, the process proceeds to S302, and if the covers C1 and C2 are not open, the process waits until the covers C1 and C2 are open before proceeding to the next process.

In S302, a cover open notification is sent to the controller unit 201.

In S303, the print state 1 is returned to the normal state ST2.

In S304, it is determined whether the covers C1 and C2 are closed. Since the supply of power to the sensor reading unit 221 is resumed upon return to the normal state ST2, this determination can be made based on the signals from the cover sensors 311 and 312. If the covers C1 and C2 are closed, that is, if both the front cover C1 and the side cover C2 are closed, the process proceeds to S305, and if they are not closed, the process waits until the covers C1 and C2 are closed before proceeding to the next process.

In S305, the initial operation is performed.

In S306, the necessary correction is made. For example, if the cover C1, C2 is opened to replace the toner cartridge 1214, the correction is to supply toner to a specified portion of the image forming unit 12, and if the photoconductor drum 1211 is replaced, the correction is to adjust the amount of toner adhering to the photoconductor drum 1211.

In S307, the cover latch state variable Yi is returned to the value indicating the state before the transition, and the cover latch is reset.

Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of changes in the outputs of the cover sensors 311 and 312, the cover sensor state variable Xi, and the cover latch state variable Yi.

The output of the cover sensors 311, 312 changes depending on whether the covers C1, C2 are open or closed. In contrast, the cover latch state variable Yi transitions from the state before the transition when either the front cover C1 or the side cover C2 is opened (time t2), and after the transition, it holds a value indicating that the covers C1, C2 have been opened until the cover latch is reset (time t3). The cover sensor state variable Xi is linked to the cover latch state variable Yi (times t1, t2) immediately after the transition to the first power saving state ST3, and is linked to the output of the cover sensors 311, 312 after the supply of power to the sensor reading unit 221 is resumed (time t3).

(Action and Effects)
In this embodiment, in the operation mode of the normal state ST2, the states of the covers C1 and C2 are detected based on signals from the cover sensors 311 and 312, which are detectors, while in the operation mode of a power saving state (specifically, a first power saving state ST3) with lower power consumption than the normal state ST2, the states of the covers C1 and C2 can be detected based on the cover latch state variable Yi acquired from the power controller 203. That is, in this embodiment, by switching the method of detecting the states of the covers C1 and C2 between the operation mode of the normal state ST2 and the operation mode of the first power saving state ST3, the print engine unit 202 can grasp the states of the covers C1 and C2 not only in the operation mode of the normal state ST2, but also in the operation mode of the first power saving state ST3 in which the supply of power to the sensor reading unit 221 is cut off. This makes it possible to cancel the operation mode of the first power saving state ST3 early and switch to the operation mode after cancellation (the operation mode of the normal state ST2 in this embodiment).

Furthermore, by using a cover latch that can retain information that covers C1, C2 are open, it is possible to detect that covers C1, C2 are open, and when covers C1, C2 are subsequently closed, it is possible to execute the initial operation related to recovery and make corrections at the same time. This makes it possible to complete the necessary corrections before printing begins, eliminating the need to make corrections during printing and shortening the wait time before printing.

In the above description, the print engine unit 202 and the power controller 203 each have a processor, and the functions related to the "first control unit" and the functions related to the "second control unit" are embodied by separate processors, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and it is also possible to consolidate the functions related to the "first control unit" and the functions related to the "second control unit" into a single processor, or to embody them as an integrated circuit having multiple calculation units. The same is true for storage units such as ROM and RAM, and it is possible for multiple control units to share a storage unit, or to embody the program storage area in a shared storage unit while individually setting the program deployment area.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, these embodiments merely show some examples to which the present disclosure is applied, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present disclosure to the configurations shown as specific examples. Various changes and modifications can be made to the disclosed embodiments within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Printing device 11 Medium storage section 12 Image forming section 13 Image fixing section 14 Paper discharge stacking section 201 Controller unit 202 Print engine unit 221 Sensor reading section 203 Power supply controller 204 Communication section 205 Switching section 206 Power switch 301 Printing section 311, 312 Cover sensor 401 Personal computer

Claims (9)

An image forming apparatus configured to be switchable between a first operation mode and a second operation mode having a lower power consumption than the first operation mode,
A communication unit that communicates with an external device;
a controller unit that receives and processes image data from the external device via the communication unit in the first operation mode, and stops the receiving process in the second operation mode;
A detection unit configured to be able to output a signal corresponding to opening and closing of a cover provided in the image forming apparatus;
a first control unit including a receiving unit configured to operate a control program for printing and to be capable of receiving a signal from the detection unit , and configured to be capable of notifying the controller unit of information regarding opening and closing of the cover ;
a second control unit configured to be able to control the supply of power to the image forming apparatus, the second control unit configured to receive a signal from the detection unit , set a cover latch indicating a transition of the cover from a closed state to an open state in response to the signal from the detection unit, and return the cover latch to a state before the transition when a predetermined correction process is performed with the cover in the closed state ;
Equipped with
The first control unit is
when the operation mode is changed from the first operation mode to the second operation mode, the printing control program is stopped, the receiving unit is stopped, and a program for monitoring communication is started. A latch variable indicating a state of the cover latch is obtained from a signal line connected to the second control unit, and the state of the cover is detected based on the latch variable .
When image data is received via the communication unit while the program for communication monitoring is operating in the second operation mode, the program for communication monitoring is switched to the control program for printing, and the state of the cover is detected by receiving a signal from the detection unit using the receiving unit.
Image forming device. the first control unit acquires the latch variable at a predetermined timing after transition to the second operation mode;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . The first control unit, after transitioning to the second operation mode, executes an inquiry to the second control unit at a predetermined cycle;
the second control unit notifies the first control unit of the latch variable in response to the inquiry when the cover latch is in the post-transition state;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 . the second control unit is configured such that, when the cover is opened after the transition to the second operating mode, the cover latch indicates a transition of the cover to an open state;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . The second control unit stops supplying power to the receiving unit in response to the transition to the second operation mode.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . The first control unit is
instructing the second control unit to resume power supply to the receiving unit when detecting that the cover has been opened in the second operation mode;
and a predetermined correction is made to an operation of the image forming apparatus when the receiving unit detects that the cover is closed.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 . 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a plurality of covers as the cover,
The detection unit is configured to be able to output a signal corresponding to opening and closing of each of the plurality of covers,
the second control unit has a plurality of cover latches configured to individually indicate a transition of the cover to an open state for each of the signals;
the first control unit, in the second operation mode, acquires a latch variable indicating a state of a cover latch after the transition, and when detecting that a cover associated with the latch variable has been closed by the receiving unit after the supply of power to the receiving unit is resumed, performs a correction according to the cover.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6. A printing unit configured to be capable of forming an image on a medium,
The first control unit is further configured to be able to control the operation of the printing unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 . 1. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus configured to be able to switch between a first operation mode and a second operation mode having lower power consumption than the first operation mode, comprising:
Communicating with an external device by a communication unit;
receiving image data from the external device via the communication unit in the first operation mode by a controller unit, and stopping the receiving process in the second operation mode;
outputting a signal corresponding to opening and closing of a cover provided in the image forming apparatus by a detection unit;
notifying the controller unit of information regarding opening and closing of the cover by a first control unit having a receiving unit configured to operate a control program for printing and to be able to receive a signal from the detection unit;
a second control unit configured to be capable of controlling the supply of power to the image forming apparatus receives a signal from the detection unit, and sets a cover latch indicating a transition of the cover from a closed state to an open state in response to the signal from the detection unit, and returns the cover latch to a state before the transition when a predetermined correction process is performed with the cover in the closed state;
in the first control unit, when the first operation mode is transitioned to the second operation mode, the control program for printing is stopped, the receiving unit is stopped, and a program for monitoring communication is switched to, a latch variable indicating a state of the cover latch is acquired from a signal line connected to the second control unit, and the state of the cover is detected based on the latch variable;
in the first control unit, when image data is received via the communication unit while the operation mode has been transitioned to the second operation mode and the program for communication monitoring is running, the first control unit transitions from the second operation mode to the first operation mode, switches the program for communication monitoring to the control program for printing, and detects the state of the cover by receiving a signal from the detection unit using the receiving unit;
A control method for an image forming apparatus comprising :

Images