IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,547,567
Granted Patent B2
US 8,547,567 · App. 13/008,677 · Granted Oct 1, 2013

Image formation apparatus capable of reducing power consumption, method of controlling image formation apparatus, and storage medium

Inventor: Kenji Manabe (Toyokawa, JP)
Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,547,567
App. No.
13/008,677
Granted
Oct 1, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

An image formation apparatus having a plurality of function units includes: a first power management unit configured to perform power management; a plurality of components under the power management, provided in each function unit and each supplied with power to implement a corresponding function; and a second power management unit provided for each function unit. The second power management unit is configured to determine whether each component has an operational status satisfying a first predetermined condition, to stop supplying power to the component satisfying the first predetermined condition, if the component satisfies the first predetermined condition, to determine whether the plurality of components have a power supply status satisfying a second predetermined condition, and to change the first predetermined condition in content, if the second predetermined condition is satisfied. The first power management unit sets to a power saving mode the function unit of which components are all unsupplied with power.

Claims (100)

1. An image formation apparatus having a plurality of function units, comprising:

a first power management unit configured to perform power management for supplying power for each of said function units;

a plurality of components under the power management, provided in each said function unit and each supplied with power to implement a corresponding function; and

a second power management unit provided for each said function unit and managing supplying power for each of said components, wherein said second power management unit is configured to:

determine whether each said component has an operational status satisfying a first predetermined condition, wherein said first predetermined condition is whether how frequently said component is used is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value or not,

stop supplying power to said component satisfying said first predetermined condition, if said component satisfies said first predetermined condition,

determine whether said plurality of components have a power supply status satisfying a second predetermined condition, wherein said second predetermined condition is whether how many of said components is/are supplied with power is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value or not,

change said first predetermined condition in content, if said second predetermined condition is satisfied, wherein said first power management unit sets to a power saving mode said function unit of which components are all unsupplied with power.

2. The image formation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein when said second power management unit determines that said second predetermined condition is satisfied, said second power management unit changes said predetermined value of said first predetermined condition to a larger value.

3. An image formation apparatus having a plurality of function units, comprising:

a first power management unit configured to perform power management for supplying power for each of said function units;

a plurality of components under the power management, provided in each said function unit and each supplied with power to implement a corresponding function; and

a second power management unit provided for each said function unit and managing supplying power for each of said components, wherein said second power management unit is configured to:

determine whether each said component has an operational status satisfying a first predetermined condition, wherein said first predetermined condition is whether how frequently said component is used is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value or not,

stop supplying power to said component satisfying said first predetermined condition, if said component satisfies said first predetermined condition,

determine whether said plurality of components have a power supply status satisfying a second predetermined condition, wherein said second predetermined condition is whether that/those of said components which is/are supplied with power consumes/together consume a total of power equal to or smaller than a predetermined value or not,

change said first predetermined condition in content, if said second predetermined condition is satisfied, wherein said first power management unit sets to a power saving mode said function unit of which components are all unsupplied with power.

4. The image formation apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein when said second power management unit determines that said second predetermined condition is satisfied, said second power management unit changes said predetermined value of said first predetermined condition to a larger value.

5. An image formation apparatus having a plurality of function units, comprising:

a first power management unit configured to perform power management for supplying power for each of said function units;

a plurality of components under the power management, provided in each said function unit and each supplied with power to implement a corresponding function; and

a second power management unit provided for each said function unit and managing supplying power for each of said components, wherein said second power management unit is configured to:

determine whether each said component has an operational status satisfying a first predetermined condition, wherein said first predetermined condition is whether how long period of time said component has been unused for since said component was immediately previously used is equal to or larger than a predetermined value or not,

stop supplying power to said component satisfying said first predetermined condition, if said component satisfies said first predetermined condition,

determine whether said plurality of components have a power supply status satisfying a second predetermined condition, wherein said second predetermined condition is whether how many of said components is/are supplied with power is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value or not,

change said first predetermined condition in content, if said second predetermined condition is satisfied, wherein said first power management unit sets to a power saving mode said function unit of which components are all unsupplied with power.

6. The image formation apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein when said second power management unit determines that said second predetermined condition is satisfied, said second power management unit changes said predetermined value of said first predetermined condition to a smaller value.

7. An image formation apparatus having a plurality of function units, comprising:

a first power management unit configured to perform power management for supplying power for each of said function units;

a plurality of components under the power management, provided in each said function unit and each supplied with power to implement a corresponding function; and

a second power management unit provided for each said function unit and managing supplying power for each of said components, wherein said second power management unit is configured to:

determine whether each said component has an operational status satisfying a first predetermined condition, wherein said first predetermined condition is whether how long period of time said component has been unused for since said component was immediately previously used is equal to or larger than a predetermined value or not,

stop supplying power to said component satisfying said first predetermined condition, if said component satisfies said first predetermined condition,

determine whether said plurality of components have a power supply status satisfying a second predetermined condition, wherein said second predetermined condition is whether that/those of said components which is/are supplied with power consumes/together consume a total of power equal to or smaller than a predetermined value or not,

change said first predetermined condition in content, if said second predetermined condition is satisfied, wherein said first power management unit sets to a power saving mode said function unit of which components are all unsupplied with power.

8. The image formation apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein when said second power management unit determines that said second predetermined condition is satisfied, said second power management unit changes said predetermined value of said first predetermined condition to a smaller value.

9. A method for controlling an image formation apparatus having a plurality of function units, and provided with a plurality of components under power management provided in each said function unit and each supplied with power to implement a corresponding function, comprising the steps of:

managing supplying power for each of said function units; and

managing supplying power for each of said components for each said function unit, the step of managing supplying power for each of said components for each said function unit including the steps of:

determining whether each said component has an operational status satisfying a first predetermined condition, wherein said first predetermined condition is whether how frequently said component is used is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value or not,

if in the step of determining whether each said component has the operational status satisfying the first predetermined condition it is determined that said component satisfies said first predetermined condition, then stopping supplying power to said component satisfying said first predetermined condition,

determining whether said plurality of components have a power supply status satisfying a second predetermined condition, wherein said second predetermined condition is whether how many of said components is/are supplied with power is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value or not,

if in the step of determining whether said plurality of components have the power supply status satisfying the second predetermined condition it is determined that said second predetermined condition is satisfied, then changing said first predetermined condition in content, the step of managing supplying power for each of said function units including the step of setting to a power saving mode said function unit of which components are all unsupplied with power.

10. The method for controlling an image formation apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein if it is determined that said second predetermined condition is satisfied, then, in the step of changing, said predetermined value of said first predetermined condition is changed to a larger value.

11. A method for controlling an image formation apparatus having a plurality of function units, and provided with a plurality of components under power management provided in each said function unit and each supplied with power to implement a corresponding function, comprising the steps of:

managing supplying power for each of said function units; and

managing supplying power for each of said components for each said function unit, the step of managing supplying power for each of said components for each said function unit including the steps of:

determining whether each said component has an operational status satisfying a first predetermined condition, wherein said first predetermined condition is whether how frequently said component is used is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value or not,

if in the step of determining whether each said component has the operational status satisfying the first predetermined condition it is determined that said component satisfies said first predetermined condition, then stopping supplying power to said component satisfying said first predetermined condition,

determining whether said plurality of components have a power supply status satisfying a second predetermined condition, wherein said second predetermined condition is whether that/those of said components which is/are supplied with power consumes/together consume a total of power equal to or smaller than a predetermined value or not,

if in the step of determining whether said plurality of components have the power supply status satisfying the second predetermined condition it is determined that said second predetermined condition is satisfied, then changing said first predetermined condition in content, the step of managing supplying power for each of said function units including the step of setting to a power saving mode said function unit of which components are all unsupplied with power.

12. The method for controlling an image formation apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein if it is determined that said second predetermined condition is satisfied, then, in the step of changing, said predetermined value of said first predetermined condition is changed to a larger value.

13. A method for controlling an image formation apparatus having a plurality of function units, and provided with a plurality of components under power management provided in each said function unit and each supplied with power to implement a corresponding function, comprising the steps of:

managing supplying power for each of said function units; and

managing supplying power for each of said components for each said function unit, the step of managing supplying power for each of said components for each said function unit including the steps of:

determining whether each said component has an operational status satisfying a first predetermined condition, wherein said first predetermined condition is whether how long period of time said component has been unused for since said component was immediately previously used is equal to or larger than a predetermined value or not,

if in the step of determining whether each said component has the operational status satisfying the first predetermined condition it is determined that said component satisfies said first predetermined condition, then stopping supplying power to said component satisfying said first predetermined condition,

determining whether said plurality of components have a power supply status satisfying a second predetermined condition, wherein said second predetermined condition is whether how many of said components is/are supplied with power is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value or not,

if in the step of determining whether said plurality of components have the power supply status satisfying the second predetermined condition it is determined that said second predetermined condition is satisfied, then changing said first predetermined condition in content, the step of managing supplying power for each of said function units including the step of setting to a power saving mode said function unit of which components are all unsupplied with power.

14. The method for controlling an image formation apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein if it is determined that said second predetermined condition is satisfied, then, in the step of changing, said predetermined value of said first predetermined condition is changed to a smaller value.

15. A method for controlling an image formation apparatus having a plurality of function units, and provided with a plurality of components under power management provided in each said function unit and each supplied with power to implement a corresponding function, comprising the steps of:

managing supplying power for each of said function units; and

managing supplying power for each of said components for each said function unit, the step of managing supplying power for each of said components for each said function unit including the steps of:

determining whether each said component has an operational status satisfying a first predetermined condition, wherein said first predetermined condition is whether how long period of time said component has been unused for since said component was immediately previously used is equal to or larger than a predetermined value or not,

if in the step of determining whether each said component has the operational status satisfying the first predetermined condition it is determined that said component satisfies said first predetermined condition, then stopping supplying power to said component satisfying said first predetermined condition,

determining whether said plurality of components have a power supply status satisfying a second predetermined condition, wherein said second predetermined condition is whether that/those of said components which is/are supplied with power consumes/together consume a total of power equal to or smaller than a predetermined value or not,

if in the step of determining whether said plurality of components have the power supply status satisfying the second predetermined condition it is determined that said second predetermined condition is satisfied, then changing said first predetermined condition in content, the step of managing supplying power for each of said function units including the step of setting to a power saving mode said function unit of which components are all unsupplied with power.

16. The method for controlling an image formation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein if it is determined that said second predetermined condition is satisfied, then, in the step of changing, said predetermined value of said first predetermined condition is changed to a smaller value.

17. A non-transitory storage medium having stored therein a control program readable by a computer of an image formation apparatus having a plurality of function units, and provided with a plurality of components under power management provided in each said function unit and each supplied with power to implement a corresponding function, said control program causing said computer to perform a process including the steps of:

managing supplying power for each of said function units; and

managing supplying power for each of said components for each said function unit, the step of managing supplying power for each of said components for each said function unit including the steps of:

determining whether each said component has an operational status satisfying a first predetermined condition, wherein said first predetermined condition is whether how frequently said component is used is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value or not,

if in the step of determining whether each said component has the operational status satisfying the first predetermined condition it is determined that said component satisfies said first predetermined condition, then stopping supplying power to said component satisfying said first predetermined condition,

determining whether said plurality of components have a power supply status satisfying a second predetermined condition, wherein said second predetermined condition is whether how many of said components is/are supplied with power is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value or not,

if in the step of determining whether said plurality of components have the power supply status satisfying the second predetermined condition it is determined that said second predetermined condition is satisfied, then changing said first predetermined condition in content, the step of managing supplying power for each of said function units including the step of setting to a power saving mode said function unit of which components are all unsupplied with power.

18. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 17 , wherein if it is determined that said second predetermined condition is satisfied, then, in the step of changing, said predetermined value of said first predetermined condition is changed to a larger value.

19. A non-transitory storage medium having stored therein a control program readable by a computer of an image formation apparatus having a plurality of function units, and provided with a plurality of components under power management provided in each said function unit and each supplied with power to implement a corresponding function, said control program causing said computer to perform a process including the steps of:

managing supplying power for each of said function units; and

managing supplying power for each of said components for each said function unit, the step of managing supplying power for each of said components for each said function unit including the steps of:

determining whether each said component has an operational status satisfying a first predetermined condition, wherein said first predetermined condition is whether how frequently said component is used is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value or not,

if in the step of determining whether each said component has the operational status satisfying the first predetermined condition it is determined that said component satisfies said first predetermined condition, then stopping supplying power to said component satisfying said first predetermined condition,

determining whether said plurality of components have a power supply status satisfying a second predetermined condition, wherein said second predetermined condition is whether that/those of said components which is/are supplied with power consumes/together consume a total of power equal to or smaller than a predetermined value or not,

if in the step of determining whether said plurality of components have the power supply status satisfying the second predetermined condition it is determined that said second predetermined condition is satisfied, then changing said first predetermined condition in content, the step of managing supplying power for each of said function units including the step of setting to a power saving mode said function unit of which components are all unsupplied with power.

20. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 19 , wherein if it is determined that said second predetermined condition is satisfied, then, in the step of changing, said predetermined value of said first predetermined condition is changed to a larger value.

21. A non-transitory storage medium having stored therein a control program readable by a computer of an image formation apparatus having a plurality of function units, and provided with a plurality of components under power management provided in each said function unit and each supplied with power to implement a corresponding function, said control program causing said computer to perform a process including the steps of:

managing supplying power for each of said function units; and

managing supplying power for each of said components for each said function unit, the step of managing supplying power for each of said components for each said function unit including the steps of:

determining whether each said component has an operational status satisfying a first predetermined condition, wherein said first predetermined condition is whether how long period of time said component has been unused for since said component was immediately previously used is equal to or larger than a predetermined value or not,

if in the step of determining whether each said component has the operational status satisfying the first predetermined condition it is determined that said component satisfies said first predetermined condition, then stopping supplying power to said component satisfying said first predetermined condition,

determining whether said plurality of components have a power supply status satisfying a second predetermined condition, wherein said second predetermined condition is whether how many of said components is/are supplied with power is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value or not,

if in the step of determining whether said plurality of components have the power supply status satisfying the second predetermined condition it is determined that said second predetermined condition is satisfied, then changing said first predetermined condition in content, the step of managing supplying power for each of said function units including the step of setting to a power saving mode said function unit of which components are all unsupplied with power.

22. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 21 , wherein if it is determined that said second predetermined condition is satisfied, then, in the step of changing, said predetermined value of said first predetermined condition is changed to a smaller value.

23. A non-transitory storage medium having stored therein a control program readable by a computer of an image formation apparatus having a plurality of function units, and provided with a plurality of components under power management provided in each said function unit and each supplied with power to implement a corresponding function, said control program causing said computer to perform a process including the steps of:

managing supplying power for each of said function units; and

managing supplying power for each of said components for each said function unit, the step of managing supplying power for each of said components for each said function unit including the steps of:

determining whether each said component has an operational status satisfying a first predetermined condition, wherein said first predetermined condition is whether how long period of time said component has been unused for since said component was immediately previously used is equal to or larger than a predetermined value or not,

if in the step of determining whether each said component has the operational status satisfying the first predetermined condition it is determined that said component satisfies said first predetermined condition, then stopping supplying power to said component satisfying said first predetermined condition,

determining whether said plurality of components have a power supply status satisfying a second predetermined condition, wherein said second predetermined condition is whether that/those of said components which is/are supplied with power consumes/together consume a total of power equal to or smaller than a predetermined value or not,

if in the step of determining whether said plurality of components have the power supply status satisfying the second predetermined condition it is determined that said second predetermined condition is satisfied, then changing said first predetermined condition in content, the step of managing supplying power for each of said function units including the step of setting to a power saving mode said function unit of which components are all unsupplied with power.

24. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 23 , wherein if it is determined that said second predetermined condition is satisfied, then, in the step of changing, said predetermined value of said first predetermined condition is changed to a smaller value.

Assignments (3)
MERGER Recorded Mar 5, 2014
From: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: KONICA MINOLTA HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 032388/0987 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 5, 2014
From: KONICA MINOLTA HOLDINGS, INC.
To: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
Reel/Frame 032390/0651 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 28, 2011
From: MANABE, KENJI
To: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 025714/0346 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2010-008172 · Jan 18, 2010 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110176160A1 · Jul 21, 2011