JP2008011319A - Information notification apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information notification apparatus capable of providing present equipment information inside an image forming apparatus while suppressing the power consumption when receiving an acquisition request of the equipment information in a sleep mode. <P>SOLUTION: The information notification apparatus 1 of an image forming apparatus 101 provided with a printer engine 113 and a power supply 114 includes a storage section 3, a request receiving section 42, and a communication section 2. The storage section 3 is stored with first equipment information denoting a state inside the printer engine 113, and the request receiving section 42 receives a request of present second equipment information of the printer engine 113 in the sleep mode of the image forming apparatus 101. When the time from update of the first equipment information until the reception of the request is a prescribed time or below, the communication section 2 transmits the first equipment information to a request destination. When the time until the reception of the request is a prescribed time or over, the power supply 114 supplies power to the printer engine 113, and the communication section 2 acquires the second equipment information from the printer engine 113 and transmits the information to a request destination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information notification apparatus, and more particularly to an information notification apparatus for an image forming apparatus including a printer engine capable of forming an image on a recording medium and a power supply unit capable of supplying power to the printer engine.

  Many image forming apparatuses in recent years are equipped with a so-called sleep mode that supplies power to only the minimum necessary units among the units constituting the apparatus in order to reduce power consumption. It is done.

  Furthermore, some image forming apparatuses of this type employ an information notification apparatus that notifies the user of device information indicating the current state inside the image forming apparatus, such as the number of sheets and the remaining amount of toner. For example, when the image forming apparatus is connected to an external apparatus such as a PC and can communicate with the image forming apparatus, the user requests the image forming apparatus to acquire current device information using the external apparatus. The desired device information about can be obtained.

  As such a device, upon receiving a device information acquisition request in the sleep mode, a device that further supplies power to a unit necessary for obtaining device information related to the current state inside the device (Patent Document 1), A device that stores device information in a storage unit immediately before the image forming apparatus is turned off and transmits the device information in the storage unit to a request destination when a device information acquisition request is received when the image forming device is in the sleep mode is known. (Patent Document 2).

As a technique related to the above, when the image forming apparatus receives a plurality of execution instructions for image forming processing in the sleep mode, the processing is collectively performed when a predetermined time is reached (Patent Document 3). .
JP 2004-130526 A JP-A-9-214659 JP 2005-88499 A

  However, the apparatus of Patent Document 1 supplies power to a printer engine that forms an image on recording paper every time a device information acquisition request is received, starts the printer engine, and acquires current device information from the printer engine. There is a need. When the printer engine is started, noise is generated and power is consumed.

  In the device of Patent Document 2, the device information output to the request destination is not necessarily the latest information, that is, the information at the time when the device information acquisition request is received. Therefore, there is a risk that device information that is significantly different from the current state of the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the request destination.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, when a device information acquisition request is received in the sleep mode, the power consumed by the image forming apparatus is suppressed, and information about the state of the image forming apparatus with high accuracy can be provided to the request destination. The purpose is to provide a device.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an invention 1 is an information notification apparatus for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a printer engine capable of forming an image on a recording medium; and a power supply unit capable of supplying power to the printer engine. Storage means, request reception means, and notification means. The storage means indicates the internal state of the printer engine and stores first device information that is periodically updated. The request accepting unit accepts an acquisition request from the outside of the second device information indicating the current status of the printer engine while the power supply unit is not supplying power to the printer engine. When the waiting time from when the first device information is updated to when the request accepting unit accepts the acquisition request has not passed a predetermined time, the notifying unit stores the first device information stored in the storing unit. Is notified. The power supply means supplies power to the printer engine when the standby time has exceeded the predetermined time, and the notification means is supplied from the printer engine supplied with power by the power supply means. The second device information is acquired and notified.

  The device information includes information such as the remaining amount of toner and the number of remaining sheets. For example, consider a case where the information notification apparatus receives a device information acquisition request when the image forming apparatus is in a so-called sleep mode in which power is supplied to only a minimum number of units. The information notification device notifies the first device information in the storage unit while the image forming device remains in the sleep mode when the standby time when the device information acquisition request is received does not elapse. In addition, when the standby time has exceeded a predetermined time, the information notification device supplies power to the printer engine, and newly acquires the second device information from the printer engine and notifies it. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the printer engine device information without degrading the accuracy of the information and suppressing the power consumption of the image forming apparatus.

  A second aspect of the present invention is the information of the first aspect, further comprising an updating unit that updates the first device information stored in the storage unit to the second device information when the standby time has exceeded the predetermined time. A notification device is provided.

  As a result, the storage unit can store the latest device information acquired from the printer engine. Therefore, even when the device information in the storage means is notified in a short waiting time until the next device information acquisition request is received after the device information has been updated last time, the device information in the storage means to be notified And the current state of the printer engine are minimized.

  A third aspect of the present invention provides the information notification apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the notification unit is a communication unit capable of transmitting the first or second device information to an external device via a network.

  Examples of the image forming apparatus in this case include a printer and a multifunction peripheral connected to a terminal. As described above, the information notification apparatus can also be applied to an image forming apparatus that can communicate with an external apparatus.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention provides the information notification apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the notification unit is a display unit capable of displaying the first or second device information.

  Thereby, the user of this apparatus can know the present apparatus information directly via the screen of an information alerting | reporting apparatus.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention provides the information notification apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising time setting means capable of changing the predetermined time to a time designated from outside.

  Thereby, for example, the user often obtains a request for device information during the daytime when the image forming apparatus is frequently used, for example, from 9:00 to 17:00, so the predetermined time is set as every hour, A predetermined time can be set every 3 hours during a time period in which the image forming apparatus is used less frequently, for example, from 17:00 to 9:00. That is, the predetermined time is set to a time desired by the user.

  According to the present invention, when a device information acquisition request is received in the sleep mode, the power consumption of the image forming apparatus is reduced, and the device information in the current image forming apparatus is provided to the request destination without impairing the accuracy of the device information. can do.

<Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus 101 in which the information notification apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is employed. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment is communicably connected to other terminals 151, 152, and 153 such as PCs via a network.

(1) Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus FIG. 3 is an external view of the image forming apparatus 101. The image forming apparatus 101 is a model of a multifunction machine having functions as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a scanner, and is equipped with a sleep mode.

  The image forming apparatus 101 includes a document cover 103, a main body unit 104, an operation panel 105, a manual feed tray 106, a finisher 107, and a paper discharge tray 108.

  A document placing table 102 is provided at a portion of the main body 104 facing the document cover 103. The document cover 103 holds the document placed on the document placement table 102 and is mounted on the main body 104 so as to be openable and closable with respect to the document placement table 102.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the main body unit 104 includes a communication unit 2, a document reading unit 112, a printer engine 113, a power source 114, and a control unit 4.

  The communication unit 2 communicates with other terminals 151 to 153.

  The document reading unit 112 is for acquiring image data by reading image information recorded on a document, and has an optical system (not shown).

  The printer engine 113 is for forming and outputting an image on recording paper, and includes an image forming unit 131, a transfer unit 132, a fixing unit 133, a paper feeding unit 134 including a paper feeding cassette, and a discharging unit 135.

  The power source 114 supplies power to the units of the image forming apparatus 101 such as the printer engine 113 and the communication unit 2 and stops the supply. For example, the power supply 114 instructs the communication unit 2, the operation panel 105, and the control unit 4 to start the image forming process when a predetermined time has elapsed when the image forming apparatus 101 does not acquire an image forming process start instruction from the outside. The power is supplied only to the minimum unit necessary for acquiring the image (line A in FIG. 1), and the image forming apparatus 101 is shifted to the sleep mode. When the image forming apparatus 101 receives an instruction to start image forming processing, the power source 114 supplies power to all other units (line B in FIG. 1).

  The control unit 4 is configured by a computer including a CPU, and controls each connected unit. For example, the control unit 4 functions as an engine control unit 41 for controlling the printer engine 113 or performs control as the information notification device 1 (described later).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel 105 is provided on the front side of the document table 102 in the main body 104, and has operation keys 105a and a touch panel 105b as shown in FIG. The operation key 105a includes a start key for instructing start of image forming processing such as printing, a setting key for various settings, a numeric keypad, and the like. The touch panel 105b includes a liquid crystal display and displays a setting screen and the like.

  The manual feed tray 106 is a plate-like member that is provided on the side of the main body 104 so as to protrude sideways and can be opened and closed, and on which recording paper and a document can be placed.

  The finisher 107 is provided on the side surface of the image forming apparatus 101 opposite to the manual feed tray 106, and performs sort processing, stapling processing, and the like using the recording paper discharged by the discharge unit 135.

  The paper discharge tray 108 is provided on the side surface of the finisher 107 so as to protrude sideways, and the recording paper processed by the finisher 107 is stacked thereon.

(2) Configuration of Information Notification Device Next, the configuration of the information notification device 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the information notification device 1 includes the communication unit 2, the storage unit 3, and the control unit 4 that have already been described.

  The storage unit 3 is an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD, and stores first device information indicating the internal state of the printer engine 113. Examples of the first stored information include the remaining amount of toner and paper and their replenishment information, the temperature and humidity inside the printer engine, and the like. The first stored information is updated by an update unit 45 (described later) of the control unit 4. Updated regularly.

  When the control unit 4 receives an external request for device information indicating the current status of the printer engine 113 when the image forming apparatus 101 is in the sleep mode, the control unit 4 acquires the device information from the storage unit 3 or the printer engine 113. To inform. In order to perform such an operation, the control unit 4 functions as a request receiving unit 42, a timer 43, an information output unit 44, an updating unit 45, and a time setting unit 46 in addition to the engine control unit 41.

  When the image forming apparatus 101 is in the sleep mode, the request reception unit 42 receives a request for acquiring device information indicating the current state inside the printer engine 113 from the other terminals 151 to 153 via the communication unit 2.

  The timer 43 measures a waiting time from when the first device information stored in the storage unit 3 is updated by the update unit 45 to when the request reception unit 42 receives an external acquisition request for device information. When the first device information stored in the storage unit 3 is updated by the updating unit 45, the timer 43 resets the waiting time that has been measured and starts measurement again.

  When the request reception unit 42 receives an external request for device information, the information output unit 44 compares the standby time measured by the timer 43 with a predetermined time, and based on the comparison result, the storage unit 3 The first device information is output to the communication unit 2 or the printer engine 113 is activated, and the second device information is newly acquired from the printer engine 113 and output to the communication unit 2. Specifically, the information output unit 44 outputs the first device information stored in the storage unit 3 to the communication unit 2 when the standby time measured by the timer 43 has not passed the predetermined time. When the standby time measured by the timer 43 has exceeded a predetermined time, the information output unit 44 instructs the power supply 114 to supply power to the printer engine 113, and the printer to which power is supplied. The second device information indicating the current state is acquired from the engine 113 and output to the communication unit 2.

  When the standby time measured by the timer 43 has exceeded a predetermined time, the update unit 45 stores the second device information acquired from the printer engine 113 by the information output unit 44 in the first device information in the storage unit 3. Is overwritten. That is, the update unit 45 updates the device information in the storage unit 3 in a timely manner.

  For example, when a predetermined time is designated by the user from a setting screen for a predetermined time displayed on the operation panel 105, the time setting unit 46 newly sets a predetermined time for comparison with the standby time measured by the timer 43. Change to the specified time. For example, the user often receives an acquisition request from the outside of the device information between 9:00 and 17:00 when the image forming apparatus 101 is frequently used. For example, the user sets the predetermined time as every hour. The predetermined time can be set every 3 hours between 17:00 and 9:00 when the image forming apparatus 101 is used less frequently. That is, the predetermined time is set to a time desired by the user.

(3) Operation Next, the operation of the information notification apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. It is assumed that the image forming apparatus 101 is in the sleep mode and no power is supplied to the printer engine 113.

  Step S1-2: When the request receiving unit 42 of the control unit 4 receives an acquisition request for current device information from another device via the communication unit 2 (S1), the information output unit 44 is measured by the timer 43. The waiting time is compared with a predetermined time (S2).

  Step S3: In step S2, if the standby time has not passed the predetermined time, the information output unit 44 outputs the first device information in the storage unit 3 to the communication unit 2, and the communication unit 2 transmits this to the request destination. It transmits to other terminals 151-153.

  Step S4: In step S2, if the standby time has exceeded a predetermined time, the information output unit 44 outputs a power supply instruction to the printer engine 113 to the power source 114. As a result, the printer engine 113 is activated by power supplied from the power source 114.

  Step S5: The information output unit 44 acquires the second device information indicating the current state inside the printer engine 113 from the activated printer engine 113, and outputs the second device information to the communication unit 2. The update unit 45 updates the first device information in the storage unit 3 to the second device information.

  Steps S6-7: The timer 43 resets the measured waiting time and starts measuring the waiting time again (S6). The power supply 114 stops supplying power to the printer engine 113 (S7).

  Step S8: The communication unit 2 transmits the second device information output by the information output unit 44 to the other terminals 151 to 153 of the request destination.

(4) Effect The information notification device 1 is configured so that the image forming apparatus 101 remains in the sleep mode in the first storage unit 3 when a predetermined time has not elapsed when a request from outside the device information is received. When the device information is transmitted to the request destination and the standby time has exceeded a predetermined time, power is supplied to the printer engine 113, and second device information is newly acquired from the printer engine 113 and transmitted to the request destination. . Accordingly, the power consumption of the image forming apparatus can be reduced, and the device information of the printer engine 113 can be provided to the request destination without impairing the accuracy of information.

  Further, when the information notification device 1 acquires the latest device information from the printer engine 113, the information notification device 1 overwrites the storage unit 3. Therefore, even when the device information in the storage unit 3 is transmitted to the request destination because the waiting time from when the device information is last updated to when the next request for the device information is received is short is short. The difference between the device information in the storage unit 3 and the current state of the printer engine 113 can be minimized.

  Moreover, the convenience for the user is further improved by making it possible to change the predetermined time to be compared with the time measured by the timer 43.

<Other embodiments>
(A) The predetermined time to be compared with the standby time measured by the timer is changed in addition to the example described in “(2) Time setting unit” of the above embodiment. For example, by providing the information notification device with a calendar function, the predetermined time can be changed according to the schedule, or by providing the information notification device with a weekly timer function, the predetermined time can be set at a specific time from Monday to Friday. It is possible to change automatically.

  (B) In the above embodiment, when the information notification device acquires a device information acquisition request from another terminal on the network, the information notification device transmits the current device information to the other terminal of the request destination via the communication unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 6, the information notification apparatus 201 can directly obtain a request for device information from the screen of the operation panel 205. In this case, the information notification device 201 displays the current device information on the screen of the operation panel 205. As a result, the user can directly know the current device information via the screen of the information notification device 201.

  The information notification apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus for providing device information indicating the current state inside these apparatuses in a copier, a printer, and a facsimile machine, and in a multi-function machine having both of these functions and a scanner function. Can be applied as

1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus that employs an information notification apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system using an image forming apparatus. 1 is an external view of an image forming apparatus. An example of the operation panel. The operation | movement flowchart of an information alerting | reporting apparatus. The block diagram which shows typically the structure of the image forming apparatus as which the information alerting | reporting apparatus which concerns on other embodiment (b) was employ | adopted.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information notification apparatus 2 Communication part 3 Storage part 4 Control part 42 Request reception part 45 Update part 46 Time setting part 101 Image forming apparatus 113 Printer engine 114 Power supply 205 Operation panel

Claims (5)

An information notification apparatus for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a printer engine capable of forming an image on a recording medium; and a power supply unit capable of supplying power to the printer engine.
Storage means for indicating the internal state of the printer engine and storing first device information that is periodically updated;
Request accepting means for accepting an acquisition request from the outside of second device information indicating the current status of the printer engine while the power supply means is not supplying power to the printer engine;
A notification for informing the first device information stored in the storage means when a waiting time from when the first device information is updated to when the request accepting means accepts the acquisition request has not passed. Means,
The power supply means supplies power to the printer engine when the standby time has passed the predetermined time or more;
The notification unit is an information notification unit that acquires and notifies the second device information from the printer engine supplied with power by the power supply unit.   The information notification apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an updating unit that updates the first device information stored in the storage unit to the second device information when the standby time has exceeded the predetermined time. .   The information notification device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification unit is a communication unit capable of transmitting the first or second device information to an external device via a network.   The information notification apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit is a display unit capable of displaying the first or second device information.   The information notification apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising time setting means capable of changing the predetermined time to a time designated from outside.

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