Power conservation device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

A power conservation device includes a detection unit for detecting a status of the power conservation device; a detection unit power source for supplying power to the detection unit; an operation control unit for controlling an operation of the power conservation device according to output information from the detection unit; an operation unit power source for supplying power to the operation control unit; an information processing unit for processing specific information and controlling the operation unit power source; and a monitoring unit for monitoring a change in the output information of the detection unit. The detection unit power source supplies power to the detection unit intermittently when the operation unit power source stops supplying power to the operation control unit. The information processing unit controls the operation unit power source to supply power to the operation unit when the monitoring unit detects the change in the output information of the detection unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a photo sensor power supply circuit according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an operation of printing and standby according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an operation of a power save mode according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a time chart of power supply control according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control system according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of a photo sensor power supply circuit according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a time chart of power supply control according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. An power conservation device comprising: a first detection unit for detecting a first status of the power conservation device;an operation control unit for controlling an operation of the power conservation device according to an output of the first detection unit;an operation unit power source for supplying power to the operation control unit;a detection unit power source for supplying power to the first detection unit, said detection unit power source supplying power to the detection unit intermittently when the operation unit power source stops supplying power to the operation control unit;a monitoring unit for monitoring a change in the output of the detection unit; andan information processing unit for controlling the operation unit power source to supply power to the operation unit when the monitoring unit detects the change in the output of the first detection unit.

2. The power conservation device according to claim 1, wherein said information processing unit controls the operation unit power source to stop supplying power to the operation control unit.

3. The power conservation device according to claim 1, wherein said detection unit is arranged to detect an operation of an operator.

4. The power conservation device according to claim 1, further comprising a second detection unit for detecting a second status of the power conservation device.

5. The power conservation device according to claim 4, wherein said detection unit power source is arranged to intermittently supply power to the first detection unit and the second detection unit at different timings.

6. The power conservation device according to claim 1, wherein said first detection unit includes a light emitting element and a light reception element, said first detection unit detecting a member moving in and out of a light path between the light emitting element and the light reception element.

7. An image forming apparatus comprising the power conservation device according to claim 1.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said information processing unit controls the operation unit power source to stop supplying power to the operation control unit.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said detection unit is arranged to detect an operation of an operator.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a second detection unit for detecting a second status of the power conservation device.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said detection unit power source is arranged to intermittently supply power to the first detection unit and the second detection unit at different timings.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said first detection unit includes a light emitting element and a light reception element, said first detection unit detecting a member moving in and out of a light path between the light emitting element and the light reception element.