Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and computer program

An image and equipment technology, which is applied in the fields of image forming equipment, image forming and computer programs, and can solve problems such as inability to complete output

Inactive Publication Date: 2012-03-21
RICOH KK
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0005] In the technology disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2008-103837 as described above, there is a problem that if a new print job is generated during the time period when the nighttime electricity price is about to end, it cannot be done during the time period when the low electricity price is implemented. Finish outputting jobs that need to be printed

Method used

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  • Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and computer program
  • Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and computer program
  • Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and computer program

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

no. 1 example

[0021] figure 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a multifunction printer (MFP)) according to the present embodiment. The MFP can send / receive image data to / from a facsimile device (FAX) 1 externally connected to the MFP through a telephone line and a line interface (I / F) device 2 . In addition, the MFP can input / output various control commands and image data from / to a personal computer (PC) 3 externally connected to the MFP via a network and an external I / F device 4 .

[0022] The CPU 5 is a microprocessor that controls the entire MFP. The CPU 5 performs management such as switching between the standard printing mode and the low-cost printing (low-speed printing) mode, calculating the processing time of print jobs, determining the order of print jobs, scheduling low-power time periods scheduled at night, obtaining the current time, etc. Wait.

[0023] The bus control device 6 communicates various dat...

no. 2 example

[0047] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing print mode switching processing according to the second embodiment. exist Figure 5 In the processing sequence shown, the print mode switching is performed by comparing the processing time of the job in the low-cost print mode with the remaining time to elapse before the end time of the night electricity price when additional print jobs are printed during printing in the low-cost print mode . Then, based on the comparison result, the determination unit 102 determines whether the process is to be switched between the low-cost printing mode and the standard printing mode. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, when an additional print job is added to the print job being executed, the determination process ( Figure 5 (step S13)).

[0048] According to the present embodiment, a switching method is explained by which the print job is executed in the low-cost printing mode just before the end time of the nighttime electricity pric...

no. 3 example

[0057] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where the order of the print jobs is not changed when all the stored print jobs are output just before the end time of the nighttime electricity rate.

[0058] Such as Figure 7 As shown, the monochrome document [1] was received at 1:00 am, the full color document [2] was received at 2:15 am, and the monochrome document [3] was received at 3:30 am. If the processing time of each received monochrome document calculated by the printing time estimating unit 103 is 1 minute, and the processing time of the received color document calculated by the printing time estimating unit 103 is 2 minutes, then exactly at 6:56 AM Before heating the heating roller, the print jobs are processed in the order in which the print jobs were stored, that is, in the order of [1], [2], and then [3], and at 7:00 am at the end of the time period in which the nighttime electricity price is applied before completing the print job.

[0059] Assume ...

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Abstract

The invention discloses an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a computer program. The image forming apparatus includes a print-job storing unit that stores therein a print job of a print target; a print control unit that switches between a normal print mode and a low-cost print mode; a print-time estimation unit that estimates a processing time to output all stored print jobs in the low-cost print mode; a time management unit that calculates a remaining time remaining within time period of a night-time electric power rate; and a determination unit that determines whether a time difference between the remaining time calculated by the time management unit and the processing time estimated by the print-time estimation unit is shorter than a predetermined time. When the time difference is determined to be shorter than the predetermined time, the print control unit outputs all print jobs in the low-cost print mode by the end time of the night-time electric power rate.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related patent applications [0002] This patent application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-192862 filed in Japan on August 30, 2010 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-173183 filed in Japan on August 8, 2011, and their entire contents Included herein by reference. technical field [0003] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a computer program that reduce electricity costs at the time of printing. Background technique [0004] A conventional image forming apparatus generally employs a thermal fixing device having a heating roller with a built-in halogen heater generating heat using alternating current as an efficient practical unit of a system for fixing toner images. In the multifunction peripheral, when an image is printed on the transfer paper, the thermal fixing device fixes the toner on the transfer paper at a high fixing temperature of, for example, 180 de...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(China)
IPC IPC(8): G03G15/00G03G21/14H04N1/00
CPCG03G15/5004H04N1/00954H04N1/00885G03G15/205H04N1/2369H04N2201/0082H04N1/00896
Inventor 鱼住贵史
Owner RICOH KK
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