JP2006039443A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus where a user is made conscious of saving resources and saving energy or individual user's consciousness level of the acceleration of saving resources and saving energy is improved by individually displaying and outputting consumed electric energy in every operation condition of the image forming apparatus or consumed electric energy of every printing operation performed once. <P>SOLUTION: The consumed electric energy in every operation condition of the image forming apparatus actuated in a plurality of operation conditions is measured, and the measured consumed electric energy in every operation condition and/or related information (electricity charges or the like) related to the consumed electric energy is classified by every operation condition and displayed and outputted. Thus, the user recognizes the consumed electric energy consumed by the user's own using, and easily compares it with the consumed electric energy in another operation condition, whereby the consciousness level of the acceleration of the saving resources and the saving energy is improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for displaying and outputting power consumption consumed in an image forming apparatus, and in particular, to reduce power consumption consumed in an image forming apparatus that operates in a plurality of different operation states such as a power saving mode and a standby mode. The present invention relates to a display output technology.

The operating state of image forming devices such as copiers, facsimiles, and printers is a so-called standby state (standby mode) that waits for the input of original image data or the input of print data from an externally connected personal computer. There are a power saving state (power saving mode) for performing printing, a printing execution state (print mode) for performing a printing operation, and the like.
The operation states of these image forming apparatuses are switched and controlled by a control unit that is provided inside the apparatus and comprehensively controls the image forming apparatus. For example, when the image forming apparatus is activated, the standby state is controlled to be held. When the standby state is maintained without input of document image data or print data for a predetermined time or more, the power saving state is entered. Then, from the time when the user performs a copy operation (such as opening / closing operation of the document cover or pressing operation of copy start) to the end of copying, the printing execution state is controlled. A function for performing such switching control is generally called a mode switching function.

Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for the purpose of consciously promoting resource saving, energy saving, and the like for notifying the user of the power consumption actually consumed in the image forming apparatus. There has been proposed a technique for calculating individual power consumption for each operation state, and displaying and outputting the result of totaling the individual power consumption as the actual power consumption in the entire apparatus.
JP 2002-304092 A

However, the conventional image forming apparatus displays the amount of power consumed in the apparatus regardless of the operating state of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, by grasping the power consumption displayed in this way, it is considered that the level of awareness of the image forming apparatus manager regarding energy saving is improved. On the other hand, not only large-scale devices such as copiers, but also facsimiles and printers may be shared and used by multiple users. It is necessary to improve the level of consciousness. However, the power consumption amount displayed and output in the conventional image forming apparatus is not limited to the power consumption amount consumed by the use of the user, but the amount of power consumed when the user is not using it ( That is, the power consumption amount for maintaining the standby state or the power saving state) is summed up, and thus it is difficult for the user to recognize the displayed power consumption amount as the power consumption amount due to his / her own use. For this reason, it is difficult to increase the user's level of awareness about energy saving, and the conventional image forming apparatus has a problem that it cannot be expected to have a significant effect in promoting resource saving and energy saving.
Further, as described above, the power consumption displayed and output on the conventional image forming apparatus is an accumulation of power consumption due to the use of a plurality of users. In other words, the power consumption for each printing operation is not displayed. Accordingly, the individual user cannot grasp the power consumption consumed by the individual user. Therefore, there is a problem that the level of individual consciousness of the actual user is not improved, and resource saving and energy saving cannot be promoted.
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to individually display and output the power consumption for each operation state or the power consumption for each printing operation. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving the level of consciousness of a user or individual for promoting resource saving and energy saving.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention measures the power consumption for each operation state of the image forming apparatus operating in a plurality of operation states, and measures the measured power consumption for each operation state and / or The related information related to the power consumption is sorted and displayed for each operation state.
With this configuration, the user can recognize the amount of power consumed by his / her use and can easily compare with the power consumption of other operating states. It becomes possible to improve the user's level of consciousness about resource saving and energy saving. As a result, resource saving and promotion of energy saving can be achieved.
Specific examples of the operation state include, for example, a print execution state from when an image formation operation such as a press operation of a copy start button is detected until the completion of the image formation process is detected, and development in the print execution state. A toner save printing execution state in which the amount of toner adhering is suppressed by adjusting the bias, a standby state in which the heat roller of the fixing device that fixes the toner image on the recording paper is maintained at a preheating temperature lower than a temperature at which image formation is possible, It is conceivable that any one or a plurality of power saving states for cutting off the power supply to the drive system equipment of the image forming apparatus and reducing the power consumption can be considered. Further, as specific examples of the related information, for example, an electricity charge corresponding to the power consumption for each operation state, the number of copies to be printed for each of the print execution state and the toner save print execution state, and the like can be considered.

Here, as a display mode of the power consumption for each operation state, a display mode for constantly displaying the power consumption is considered, but the operation state is switched from the operation state other than the print execution state to the print execution state. In other words, when the user uses the image forming apparatus to display and output the power consumption amount, it is more preferable because the user's attention is drawn.
Further, when the printing execution state is switched to another operation state, that is, when the user ends the use of the image forming apparatus, the power consumption amount for each operation state may be displayed and output. . Even in such a case, since the display contents change when the user leaves the image forming apparatus, the user's attention can be drawn. This makes it possible to raise the level of awareness of resource saving and energy saving by recognizing the amount of power consumption.

Furthermore, it is desirable not to display and output the accumulated power consumption amount, but to display and output the power consumption amount and / or the related information corresponding to one printing operation in the print execution state. As a result, the power consumption and / or the related information for each printing operation in the printing execution state is displayed and output. Therefore, for example, even when the image forming apparatus is shared and used by a plurality of users, the amount of power consumed in the copy printing is displayed each time a user performs a single copy printing. Therefore, it is possible to improve the level of consciousness of individual users for resource saving and energy saving.
In this case, it is desirable that the power consumption corresponding to one printing operation in the printing execution state and / or the related information is highlighted and displayed and output. As this enhancement processing, for example, various processing such as display color change, enlarged display, pop-up display, stereoscopic display, or a combination of these and display sound can be considered. By displaying and outputting information that has been subjected to such enhancement processing, the user's attention can be drawn and power consumption due to the user's use can be strongly recognized.

In addition, even if the power supply is cut off by storing and storing the measured power consumption for each operation state and the related information in a predetermined storage medium such as an HDD (hard disk) or a semiconductor memory, It is possible to refer to accumulated data related to the power consumption.
Further, based on the measured power consumption for each operation state, an electricity charge for each operation state is calculated, and the calculated electricity charge is displayed together with the power consumption for each operation state as the related information. It is also possible to output. As a result, it is possible to improve the user's consciousness level regarding resource saving and energy saving not only from the power consumption but also from the financial viewpoint. Of course, it is also possible to promote reduction of waste of electricity charges by displaying the electricity charges.

As described above, the present invention measures the power consumption for each operation state of the image forming apparatus that operates in a plurality of operation states, and measures the power consumption for each operation state and / or the measured power consumption. Since related information related to power consumption is configured to be displayed separately for each operation state, the user can easily recognize the power consumption consumed by himself / herself. In addition, since it becomes easy to compare with the power consumption of other operating states, it becomes possible to improve the user's level of awareness of resource saving and energy saving. As a result, effective resource saving and promotion of energy saving can be achieved.
Further, the present invention is configured to display and output the power consumption and / or the related information corresponding to one printing operation in the printing execution state, so that one copy printing can be performed by the individual user. Each time, that is, for each copy printing, the power consumption consumed in the copy printing is displayed. As a result, even when the image forming apparatus is shared by a plurality of users, it is possible to improve the level of awareness of the individual users for resource saving and energy saving.

In the following, an embodiment and an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. The embodiments and examples described below are examples embodying the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral X according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a panel schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the operation display panel 30 of the digital multifunction peripheral X. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the control unit 15 of the digital multi-function peripheral X, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a schematic procedure of power amount display processing executed by the CPU 151 of the control unit 15 of the digital multi-function peripheral X. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a detailed procedure of the electric energy display process executed by the CPU 151 of the control unit 15 of the digital multifunction machine X. FIG. 6 is information displayed on the operation display panel of the digital multifunction machine X. FIG. 7 is a table for explaining the storage area of the data memory 153.
First, a schematic configuration of a digital multi-function peripheral X (hereinafter abbreviated as “multi-function peripheral X”) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1A is a schematic side view of the multifunction machine X, and FIG. 1B is a front view taken along the line AA in FIG. The multi-function apparatus X according to the embodiment of the present invention is capable of printing according to job data input from a terminal device such as a personal computer connected via a network such as a copy function (copy function), a facsimile function, or a LAN. Although described as having a printer function or the like for performing output, the multifunction machine X is merely an example of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention can also be applied to a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer machine, and the like.
As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-function machine X is roughly classified into an image reading device 20 that reads a document image, and an automatic document feeder 10 (hereinafter referred to as “ADF 10”) disposed above the image reading device 20. The operation display panel 30 disposed on the front side surface of the image reading device 20, the image forming device 16 disposed at the lower portion of the image reading device 20, and the lower portion of the image forming device 16. And a sheet feeding cassette 17 disposed in the space.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, an AC / DC converter 41 that converts AC power (for example, AC 100V) from an external power source into DC power (for example, DC 24V), and the amount of power (Wh) supplied to the multifunction device X ), That is, an integrated watt-hour meter 42 that measures the amount of power consumed by the multifunction device X, and a control unit 15 that controls the multifunction device X in an integrated manner. In this embodiment, the integrated watt-hour meter 42 measures the power (average power at a predetermined time) supplied every predetermined time (for example, 1 ms), and continuously calculates the power amount at the predetermined time. In the following, an example in which the accumulated energy is stored in an internal memory provided in the integrated wattmeter 42 or sequentially output to the outside will be described. However, the integrated wattmeter is not particularly limited.

  The ADF 10 sequentially conveys the document S set on the document setting unit 11 one by one through a plurality of conveyance rollers R. The document S transported by the ADF 10 is transported in the sub-scanning direction through a predetermined reading position on the contact glass 26 and then transported to the document discharge unit 13. Since the ADF 10 also serves as a document cover that covers the contact glass 26, the surface 14 of the ADF 10 that covers the contact glass 26 reads in the main scanning direction in order to obtain stable reflected light from the document. It is white throughout the width.

  The contact glass 26 is disposed on the upper surface of the image reading device 20. Further, in the image reading device 20, an exposure device 21 for irradiating light to the document S moving in a sub-scanning direction at a predetermined reading position on the contact glass 26, and reflected light from the document S are contacted. A carriage 22 composed of a mirror or the like that receives light through the glass 26, light guide mirrors 23a and 23b that guides reflected light received by the carriage 22 to the optical lens 24, and the light guide mirrors 23a and 23b. An optical lens 24 that collects the guided reflected light and a CCD 25 that converts image information contained in the reflected light collected by the optical lens 24 into an electrical signal are provided as appropriate. Note that the image data recognized based on the electrical signal converted by the CCD 25 is irradiated to a later-described photosensitive drum 161 as a laser beam after predetermined image processing is executed by the control unit 15.

  The image forming apparatus 16 includes a photosensitive drum 161 carrying an electrostatic latent image generated by laser light irradiation, a charging device 162 for uniformly charging the photosensitive drum 161, and the photosensitive drum 161. A developing device 163 for developing toner by attaching the toner to the electrostatic latent image on the upper surface, a transfer device 164 for transferring the developed toner image to the recording paper conveyed from the paper feeding cassette 17, and the photosensitive drum 161 remain. The image forming apparatus includes a known image forming device such as a cleaning device 165 for removing toner and a fixing device 166 for fixing an image on a recording sheet on which a toner image is transferred.

On the front side surface of the image reading device 20, the operation display panel 30 for displaying the print setting input or the print setting information in the multifunction machine X is provided. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation display panel 30 instructs a start of reading of a liquid crystal display unit 32 such as a liquid crystal display constituted by a touch panel capable of touch key input, a numeric keypad 311, and starts a copy. Power to be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 32, a stop / clear push button 313 for clearing setting information such as a copy start push button 312 for printing, print settings inputted in advance, and interrupting or stopping a copy output operation A display content switching push button 314 for switching the display content of information relating to the amount, and an operation unit 31 having a power saving mode switching push button 315 for shifting the operation state (operation mode) of the multifunction machine X to a power saving mode to be described later. It is configured.
In the liquid crystal display unit 32, in addition to information such as print settings and print states in the multifunction device X, the power consumption for each operation state of the multifunction device X and the electricity bill corresponding to the power consumption (the multifunction device) Information of an example of related information related to the amount of power consumption for each operation state of X is displayed in a display form like the table data 60 shown in FIG. Such display of information such as the amount of power consumption is realized by executing a power amount display process (a process according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5) described later by the control unit 15.
Here, as the operation state, for example, a heating roller (not shown) of the fixing device 166 is maintained at a preheating temperature lower than a temperature at which image formation is possible, and image data of an original is input or from an externally connected personal computer or the like. Standby mode for waiting for input of print data (corresponding to standby state), power saving mode (corresponding to power saving state) for cutting power supply to drive system devices other than the control unit 15 and reducing power consumption, A printing mode (printing) from when a copy operation (corresponding to an image forming operation) such as a placement state of a document on the document setting unit 11 or a pressing operation of the copy start button 312 is detected until completion of copy printing is detected. (Corresponding to the execution state), a toner save mode (toner save mode) for adjusting the developing bias in this print mode to suppress the amount of toner adhering to the photosensitive drum 161 Equivalent), and the like on the printing execution status. The switching of the operation states is achieved based on a mode switching condition (corresponding to the operation state switching condition) set in advance by a mode switching function (corresponding to the operation state switching function) provided in the multifunction machine X. Since this mode switching function is a conventionally well-known function, description thereof is omitted here.

Next, the schematic configuration of the control unit 15 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, a CPU 151 as an example of a central processing unit, a RAM 152 used in a calculation work area as a main memory (main storage device) of the CPU 151, and the present composite displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 32. A data memory 153 (an example of an electric energy storage means) for storing information (data) such as an electric energy consumption and an electricity charge for each operation state of the machine X, and a program ROM 154 for storing a control program used for the copying machine X , By connecting to the differential counter 155 that counts the amount of data and the amount of change in the specified time, the operation display panel 30, the integrated watt-hour meter 42, etc., enabling communication and transmission / reception of data and control signals, etc. An interface (I / F) 156 is connected to each other via an internal bus 157.
The data memory 153 is composed of a rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as an EEPROM. As shown in FIG. 7, the memory area includes a storage area 153D for accumulating and storing daily power consumption and a weekly unit. It is divided into a storage area 153W for accumulating and storing power consumption and a storage area 153M for accumulating and storing monthly power consumption. Further, each of these storage areas 153D, 153W, and 153M is an area for storing information (data) such as a power consumption amount and an electric charge for each of the operation states (standby mode, power saving mode, print mode, toner save mode). Has been classified.
The CPU 151 reads out a control program stored in the program ROM 154 and executes predetermined arithmetic processing according to the read control program. When the CPU 151 executes an electric energy display process (described later) as one of the arithmetic processes, the MFP X is connected to the liquid crystal display unit 32 of the operation display panel 30 connected via the I / F 156. Information such as the power consumption and the electricity bill for each operation state is displayed and output. The control unit 15 is not limited to the one configured as described above, and may be, for example, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) in which each component of the control unit 30 is integrated.

Next, an example of the power amount display process executed by the CPU 151 of the control unit 15 of the multifunction machine X according to a predetermined control program will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5. First, an outline procedure of the power amount display process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the power consumption display and the electricity bill for each day are initially set to be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 32 by the above power amount display processing. Here, S10, S20,... In the figure indicate processing procedure (step) numbers. The process starts from step S10.
When a main power switch (not shown) of the multifunction device X is switched and power is supplied to the multifunction device X, the power consumption for each operation state of the multifunction device X is measured by following the procedure of steps S10 to S60. Processing is executed.
First, in step S10, measurement of the amount of electric power supplied to the multifunction device X is started by the integrated watt-hour meter 42 (FIG. 3). As described above, the integrated watt-hour meter 42 is provided inside the integrated watt-hour meter 42 by, for example, measuring the power supplied every 1 ms and continuously calculating the power amount per 1 ms. The calculated power amount is stored in the internal memory, and the calculated power amount per 1 ms is sequentially output to the external control unit 15.
Subsequently, in step S20, the CPU 151 executes a mode determination process for determining the operation state of the multifunction machine X. Since the operation state of the multi-function machine X after the multi-function machine X is started and when the user does not perform a copy operation or the like is handled as the standby mode described above, in this step S20, the multi-function machine X Is determined to be in the standby mode. This determination is made, for example, by detecting whether a bit flag set for each mode is set, that is, which bit flag of each mode is “1”. Therefore, the bit flag of the standby mode is set at the present time immediately after the multifunction device X is activated.

Thereafter, in step S30, it is determined whether or not the date has been changed. This determination is made by the CPU 151 confirming the current date and time using a well-known clock function provided as a standard in the multifunction machine X. If it is determined that the date has been changed, the process proceeds to step S40. If it is determined that the date has not been changed, the process proceeds to step S50.
When the process proceeds to step S40, here, the storage area 153D (FIG. 7) of the data memory 153 is initialized (reset), and the data in the storage area 153D is erased. For the storage areas 153W and 153M (FIG. 7), the storage areas 153W and 153M are initialized when it is determined that the week or month is changed. Such processing is performed to read out data in the storage areas 153D, 153W, and 153M and to display and output the power consumption for each day, week, and month by display processing described later. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S50.

  On the other hand, when the process proceeds to step S50, here, the CPU 151 sequentially stores and stores the electric energy input from the integrated watt-hour meter 42 via the I / F 156 in the RAM 152 and each storage area of the data memory 153. Processing to transfer to 153D, 153W, and 153M is performed. At this time, the transfer destination of the electric energy is an area in the storage area 153D corresponding to the standby mode determined in step S20 (hereinafter referred to as a standby mode storage area). In addition, based on the amount of power stored and stored in the standby mode storage area, the electricity charge corresponding to the amount of power is calculated by the CPU 151 (S60). This calculation process is calculated by multiplying the amount of power by a charging rate relating to a preset electricity bill. In addition, when the charging rate varies depending on time (for example, day and night) and season (for example, summer and winter), the electricity rate is calculated based on the charging rate corresponding to each time and season. The calculated electricity charge is stored in the standby mode storage area in association with the amount of power in the standby mode storage area. By performing the processing of steps S10 to S60 in this way, the power consumption for each operation state of the multifunction device X and the electricity bill corresponding to the power consumption are measured.

Subsequently, in step S70, the CPU 151 reads out the data in the storage area 153D, so that the information (power amount, electricity bill) for each operation state of the multifunction device X stored in the storage area 153D is displayed on the liquid crystal display. A process of displaying and outputting to the unit 32 (FIG. 2) (sorted display process) is executed. The detailed procedure of this classification display process will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The processing after the classification display processing in step S70 is returned to step S20, and the above-described processing is repeatedly executed according to the procedure after step S20. For example, when the standby mode, which is the current operation state, is maintained for a predetermined time or more, or when the user enters the power saving mode by pressing the power saving mode switching push button 315 (FIG. 2). The bit flag in the standby mode becomes “0”, and the bit flag in the power saving mode becomes “1”. In such a case, based on the state of the bit flag, in step S20, it is determined that the operation state of the multifunction device X is the power saving mode. In this case, in step S50, a process of transferring the amount of power to a storage area in the storage area 153D corresponding to the power saving mode (hereinafter referred to as a power saving mode storage area) is performed. In step S60, the power saving mode storage is performed. An electricity bill corresponding to the amount of power in the area is calculated and stored in the power saving mode storage area. Note that the same processing as described above is also performed when the operation state of the multifunction device X is switched to the print mode or the toner save mode.
Although not shown and described, when the display content switching push button 314 (FIG. 2) is pressed by the user, the content of data displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 32 by the CPU 151 is consumed daily. It is sequentially switched between power consumption, weekly power consumption, and monthly power consumption. This switching is performed, for example, by a known method such as changing the memory address of data read out by the CPU 151 during the sorting display process in step S70.

Next, the detailed procedure of the sorting display process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that the flowcharts of FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C each show an example of the sorting display process.
First, an example of the sorting display process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In step S111, it is determined whether or not a key operation has been performed on the multifunction device X by the user. This determination is made when the CPU 151 detects whether or not a key input signal has been received. Here, if it is determined that a key operation has been performed, the CPU 151 reads the data in the storage area 153D, and the read data is output to the liquid crystal display unit 32 so that the entire area of the screen is displayed. Processing for displaying the table data 60 shown in FIG. 6 (full screen display processing) is executed (S112). Examples of the key operation include operation of various keys of the operation unit 31. When such a key operation is performed, the user is in the vicinity of the multi-function device X. Therefore, if the table data 60 is displayed on the full screen, the user's attention can be drawn, and the power consumption is given to the user. It becomes possible to make the amount strongly recognized.
Thereafter, in step S113, it is determined by a timer or the like whether or not the time T for maintaining the full screen display of the table data 60 has elapsed. Here, if it is determined that the time T has elapsed, then, in step S114, the table data 60 displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 32 is reduced or not displayed.

Next, an example of the sorting display process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In step S211, it is determined whether a document has been set on the document setting unit 13 (FIG. 1) or whether a copy operation such as a pressing operation of the copy start push button 312 (FIG. 1) has been performed. In the multi-function machine X, when the copying operation is performed, the operation state of the multi-function machine X is switched to the print mode. Therefore, the determination process in step S211 is performed as follows. It is determined whether or not the mode has been switched.
If it is determined in step S211 that a copy operation has been performed, the table data 60 (FIG. 6) is displayed on the full screen by the CPU 151 (S212). That is, the table data 60 is displayed when the print mode is switched from another operation state.
Substantially simultaneously with the full screen display in step S212, the difference counter 155 starts counting the amount of change in power (S213). Specifically, the CPU 151 counts the amount of power from when the key operation is detected by transferring and storing it in an internal memory (not shown) built in the differential counter 155. When the copy operation is performed, the operation state of the multifunction device X is switched to the print mode. The difference counter 155 is used to count the power consumption corresponding to one copy print operation in the print mode. . Accordingly, the counting by the difference counter 155 is performed until the copy printing operation is completed (S217). Thereafter, in steps S214 and S215, the same processing as in steps S113 and S114 described above is executed.
In step S216, it is determined whether the copy printing operation has been interrupted. If it is determined that the process is interrupted, the process ends after the difference counter 155 is reset in step S221. When copy printing is executed without interruption, for example, when it is determined that the copy printing is detected that all the number of copies set by the user has been printed (Yes in S217), then, The CPU 151 displays the table data 60 on the full screen and changes the amount of power counted by the difference counter 155, that is, the amount of power consumed by one printing operation and the amount of electricity corresponding to the amount of power. The charge is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 32. When the copy printing is completed, the operation state of the multifunction device X is switched from the print mode to another operation state different from the print mode (for example, standby mode), so that the table data and the amount of change in the electric energy are displayed. Is performed when the print mode is switched to another operation state (for example, standby mode). At this time, the amount of change in the electric energy is, for example, a display process using a display color different from the display color of the table data 60, an enlarged display process, a pop-up display process, or a stereoscopic display process (all of which are examples of an emphasis process). Made and displayed. Of course, these display processes may be combined and displayed. Thus, by highlighting the amount of change in the power amount different from the table data 60, the user's attention can be drawn and the power consumption due to the individual use of the user can be strongly conscious. . After that, in steps S219 and S220, the same processing as in steps S113 and S114 described above is executed, and then the difference counter 155 is reset and the processing ends.

Next, an example of the sorting display process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The embodiment described here is a printer in which the multi-function device X performs print output according to print data (job data) input from a terminal device such as a personal computer connected via a network such as a LAN. As an example when functioning as:
In step S231, it is detected whether print data is received from an external information processing apparatus or the like. When the MFP X confirms that the print data has been received, the CPU 151 normally outputs a reception completion notification to the information processing apparatus or the like. In this embodiment, in step S232, the table data 60 including the amount of electric power and the electricity bill when the print data is received is transmitted (output) to the information processing apparatus together with the reception completion notification.
Subsequently, in step S233, it is determined whether the print output corresponding to the received print data is completed. Even when the print output is completed, the CPU 151 normally outputs a print completion notification to the information processing apparatus or the like. Therefore, in step S234, the table data 60 including the amount of electric power and the electricity charge at the completion of the print output is transmitted (output) to the information processing apparatus together with the print completion notification. Of course, in this case as well, the amount of change in the amount of power counted by the difference counter 155 may be notified. As described above, even when the multifunction device X functions as a printer, the user who gives the print instruction is notified of the power consumption before and after printing, so that the user's level of consciousness about resource saving and energy saving is improved. Can do.

1 is an overall schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital multifunction machine X according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a panel schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an operation display panel 30 of the digital multifunction peripheral X. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control unit 15 of the digital multi-function peripheral X. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a schematic procedure of power amount display processing executed by the CPU 151 of the control unit 15 of the digital multi-function peripheral X. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a detailed procedure of power amount display processing executed by the CPU 151 of the control unit 15 of the digital multi-function peripheral X. FIG. 3 is a table showing an example of information displayed on the operation display panel of the digital multi-function peripheral X. The figure explaining the storage area of the data memory.

Explanation of symbols

X ... MFP 10 ... Automatic document feeder 15 ... Control unit 16 ... Image forming device 17 ... Paper feed cassette 20 ... Image reading device 30 ... Operation display panel 31 ... Operation unit 32 ... Liquid crystal display unit 41 ... AC / DC converter 42 ... Integrated power meter 151 ... CPU
152 ... RAM
153... Data memory (an example of power storage means)
154 ... Program ROM
155 ... Difference counter 156 ... Interface (I / F)
157 ... Internal bus

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus that operates in a plurality of different operation states that are switched based on preset operation state switching conditions,
Power consumption measuring means for each operation state for measuring the power consumption for each operation state;
Based on the measurement result by the power consumption measuring means for each operation state, the measured power consumption for each operation state and / or related information related to the power consumption for each operation state is displayed for each operation state. A classification display output means for outputting;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The operation state is a print execution state from when an image forming operation is detected until the completion of the image forming process is detected, and toner save print execution for adjusting the developing bias in the print execution state to suppress the toner adhesion amount State, standby state in which the heat roller of the fixing device is maintained at a preheating temperature lower than the temperature at which image formation is possible, power saving for cutting power supply to the drive system equipment of the image forming device and reducing power consumption The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is in any one or a plurality of states.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the classification display output unit is configured to display and output when the operation state other than the print execution state is switched to the print execution state.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the classification display output unit outputs a display when the print execution state is switched from the print execution state to an operation state other than the print execution state.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the classification display output unit is configured to display and output a power consumption and / or the related information corresponding to one printing operation in the printing execution state. .   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the classification display output means emphasizes the power consumption amount corresponding to one printing operation in the print execution state and / or the related information for display output.   It further comprises power amount storage means for accumulating and storing power consumption for each operation state measured by the power consumption measurement means for each operation state and / or related information related to the power consumption for each operation state. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. And further comprising an electric charge calculation unit for each operation state for calculating an electric charge for each operation state based on a measurement result by the power consumption measurement unit for each operation state,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the related information is an electricity bill for each of the operation states calculated by the electricity bill for each operation state.

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