阅读说明：本技术 图像形成装置及控制方法 (Image forming apparatus and control method ) 是由 铃木崇明 荻野昇 张替诚 于 2020-09-01 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供一种能够进一步降低电力消耗的图像形成装置及控制方法。通信装置具有与其它装置进行通信并控制通信的处理器。控制部将图像形成装置控制为至少三种状态：第一省电状态、第二省电状态和常规状态。图像形成装置在所述第一省电状态下,控制为至少将所述图像形成单元、所述图像读取部及所述控制部未启动的状态,且控制为所述通信装置启动的状态。图像形成装置在所述第二省电状态下,控制为至少所述图像形成单元和所述图像读取部中任一者或两者未启动的状态,且控制为所述通信装置和所述控制部启动的状态。图像形成装置在所述常规状态下,控制为至少所述图像形成单元、所述图像读取部、所述通信装置及所述控制部启动的状态。(Provided are an image forming apparatus and a control method capable of further reducing power consumption. The communication device has a processor that communicates with and controls communication with other devices. The control section controls the image forming apparatus to at least three states: a first power saving state, a second power saving state, and a normal state. In the first power saving state, the image forming apparatus is controlled such that at least the image forming unit, the image reading unit, and the control unit are not activated and the communication device is activated. In the second power saving state, the image forming apparatus is controlled to a state in which at least either or both of the image forming unit and the image reading unit are not activated, and is controlled to a state in which the communication apparatus and the control unit are activated. The image forming apparatus is controlled to be in a state where at least the image forming unit, the image reading section, the communication device, and the control section are activated in the normal state.)

1. An image forming apparatus includes:

an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet using a developing material;

an image reading section that reads an image on a sheet;

a communication device having a processor that communicates with other devices and controls communication; and

a control section that controls the image forming apparatus to at least three states: a first power saving state, a second power saving state and a normal state,

in the first power saving state, the control is performed such that at least the image forming unit, the image reading unit, and the control unit are not activated and the control is performed such that the communication device is activated,

in the second power saving state, control is made to a state in which at least either one or both of the image forming unit and the image reading section are not activated, and control is made to a state in which the communication device and the control section are activated,

in the normal state, control is made to a state in which at least the image forming unit, the image reading section, the communication device, and the control section are activated.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

the control section shifts the image forming apparatus from the second power saving state to the normal state when receiving instruction data as an instruction to execute successive image formation scheduled to execute image formation immediately when the image forming apparatus is in the second power saving state.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,

the control unit maintains an original state of the second power saving state without shifting to the normal state when receiving instruction data as an execution instruction of image formation at any time when the image forming apparatus is in the second power saving state and image formation is not scheduled to be immediately executed.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,

the processor of the communication apparatus outputs an activation signal as a signal to activate the control section when receiving data of a first communication as a predetermined type of communication and when receiving data of a second communication as a different type of communication from the first communication,

the control section controls the image forming apparatus to the second power saving state or the normal state when receiving the activation signal from the processor.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3,

the processor of the communication apparatus outputs an activation signal as a signal to activate the control section when receiving data of a first communication as a predetermined type of communication and when receiving data of a second communication as a different type of communication from the first communication,

the control section controls the image forming apparatus to the second power saving state or the normal state when receiving the activation signal from the processor.

6. A control method for an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus including: an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet using a developing material; an image reading section that reads an image on a sheet; a communication device having a processor that communicates with other devices and controls communication; and a control unit that controls the image forming apparatus to at least three states: a first power saving state, a second power saving state, and a normal state, wherein,

in the first power saving state, the image forming apparatus is controlled to a state in which at least the image forming unit, the image reading section, and the control section are not activated, and to a state in which the communication apparatus is activated,

in the second power saving state, the image forming apparatus is controlled to a state in which at least either or both of the image forming unit and the image reading section are not activated, and to a state in which the communication apparatus and the control section are activated,

in the normal state, control is made to a state in which at least the image forming unit, the image reading section, the communication device, and the control section are activated.

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an image forming apparatus and a control method.

Background

In the past, reduction of power consumption has been a major problem of image forming apparatuses. Therefore, various techniques for reducing power consumption in the image forming apparatus have been proposed. However, a need to reduce power consumption still persists.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a control method that can further reduce power consumption in the image forming apparatus.

An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes: an image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, an image reading unit, a communication device, and a control unit. The image forming unit forms an image on a sheet using a developing material. The image reading section reads an image on a sheet. The communication device has a processor that communicates with and controls communication with other devices. The control unit controls the apparatus to at least three states: a first power saving state, a second power saving state, and a normal state. In the first power saving state, the image forming apparatus is controlled to a state in which at least the image forming unit, the image reading unit, and the control unit are not activated, and to a state in which the communication device is activated. In the second power saving state, the image forming apparatus is controlled to a state in which at least either or both of the image forming unit and the image reading unit are not activated, and is controlled to a state in which the communication apparatus and the control unit are activated. The image forming apparatus is controlled to be in a state where at least the image forming unit, the image reading section, the communication device, and the control section are activated in the normal state.

A control method for an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus including: an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet using a developing material; an image reading section that reads an image on a sheet; a communication device having a processor that communicates with other devices and controls communication; and a control unit that controls the image forming apparatus to at least three states: a first power saving state in which the image forming apparatus is controlled to a state in which at least the image forming unit, the image reading section, and the control section are not activated and to a state in which the communication apparatus is activated, a second power saving state in which the image forming apparatus is controlled to a state in which at least either or both of the image forming unit and the image reading section are not activated and to a state in which the communication apparatus and the control section are activated, and a normal state in which at least the image forming unit, the image reading section, the communication apparatus, and the control section are activated.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming system 500 according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a hardware block diagram of image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a hardware block diagram of the communication apparatus 200.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a specific example of the overall operation flow of the image forming system 500.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a specific example of processing in the normal state.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a specific example of processing in the second power saving state.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a specific example of processing in the first power saving state.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of processing of the communication apparatus 200.

Description of reference numerals:

10 … image reading section, 110 … display, 120 … control panel, 130 … image forming unit, 140 … sheet accommodating section, 150 … storage section, 160 … communication section, 170 … external interface, 180 … control section, 200 … communication device, 210 … power interface, 220 … communication module, 230 … external interface, 240 … processor.

Detailed Description

Next, an image forming apparatus and a control method according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming system 500 according to an embodiment. Image forming system 500 includes image forming apparatus 100 and user terminal 300. The image forming apparatus 100 is an apparatus that forms an image on a sheet. The image forming apparatus 100 is, for example, a multifunction apparatus. The user terminal 300 is an information processing apparatus that transmits a request for image formation to the image forming apparatus 100. The communication device 200 of the image forming apparatus 100 communicates with the user terminal 300 by wire or wirelessly. User terminal 300 transmits various instructions to image forming apparatus 100 via communication apparatus 200. For example, the user terminal 300 sometimes transmits search data, a beacon. As a specific example of such search data and beacons, there is a signal defined by Bluetooth (registered trademark, the same applies hereinafter). Further, the user terminal 300 may transmit an instruction to form an image or an instruction to read an image. The respective apparatuses are explained in detail below.

Fig. 2 is a hardware block diagram of image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. First, the image forming apparatus 100 will be described in detail with reference to fig. 1 and 2. The image forming apparatus 100 includes: the image reading unit 10, the display 110, the control panel 120, the image forming unit 130, the sheet housing unit 140, the storage unit 150, the communication unit 160, the external interface 170, and the control unit 180.

The image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on a sheet using a developer such as toner, ink, or the like. In the case where the developer is a toner, the developer is fixed on the sheet by heating. In the case where the developer is ink, the developer forms an image on a sheet by dropping onto the sheet. The sheet material is, for example, paper, label paper. The sheet may be any object as long as the image forming apparatus 100 can form an image on its surface.

The image reading unit 10 is, for example, a scanner. The image reading unit 10 reads image information of a reading target in light and shade. The image reading section 10 records the read image information. The recorded image information may be stored in the storage unit 150 of the image forming apparatus 100 or may be transmitted to another information processing apparatus via a network. The recorded image information may form an image on a sheet by the image forming unit 130.

The display 110 is an image display device such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, or the like. The display 110 displays various information related to the image forming apparatus 100.

The control panel 120 has a plurality of buttons. The control panel 120 accepts an operation by a user. The control panel 120 outputs a signal corresponding to an operation performed by the user to a control section (control section 180 described later) of the image forming apparatus 100. The display 110 and the control panel 120 may be configured as an integrated touch panel.

The image forming unit 130 forms an image on a sheet based on image information generated by the image reading portion 10 or received image information. The image forming unit 130 includes, for example, a developing unit, a transferring unit, and a fixing unit. A conveying path of the sheet is formed in the image forming unit 130. The sheet to be processed is conveyed by rollers provided in the conveying path. An image is formed on the sheet during conveyance.

The image forming unit 130 forms an image by, for example, the following processing. The developer of the image forming unit 130 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum based on the image information. The developer of the image forming unit 130 forms a visible image by causing the developer to adhere to the electrostatic latent image.

The transferor of the image forming unit 130 transfers the visible image onto a sheet. The fixer of the image forming unit 130 fixes the visible image on the sheet by applying heat and pressure to the sheet. Note that the sheet on which the image is formed may be a sheet accommodated in the sheet accommodating portion 140 or a sheet manually inserted.

The sheet accommodating portion 140 accommodates sheets used for image formation in the image forming unit 130.

The storage unit 150 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 150 stores data necessary for the operation of the image forming apparatus 100. The storage unit 150 may temporarily store or save data of an image formed in the image forming apparatus 100.

The communication unit 160 is configured using a communication interface. The communication unit 160 communicates with another device (for example, an information terminal such as a personal computer) via a network such as a lan (local Area network).

The external interface 170 communicates with another device by connecting to an interface provided in the other device. The external Interface 170 may be configured by using, for example, a usb (universal Serial bus), an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) (registered trademark, the same applies hereinafter), or another technique. The image forming apparatus 100 and the communication apparatus 200 are connected via an external interface 170.

The control unit 180 (controller) is configured using a processor such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and a memory. The control unit 180 reads and executes a program stored in the storage unit 150 in advance. The control unit 180 controls the operation of each device provided in the image forming apparatus 100. The control section 180 may control the present apparatus to form an image corresponding to the received instruction on the sheet, for example, when receiving the instruction of image formation from the communication apparatus 200. For example, when receiving an instruction to form an image from the communication device 200, the controller 180 may control the apparatus to transmit the image data read by the image reading unit 10 to the communication device 200 as the transmission source of the instruction.

As the control states, the image forming apparatus 100 has at least a first power saving state, a second power saving state, and a normal state. In the first power saving state, control is performed such that at least the image forming unit 130 and the control section 180 are not activated, and control is performed such that the communication apparatus 200 is activated. As a specific example of the first power saving state, there is so-called deep sleep.

In the second power saving state, control is made to a state in which at least the image reading section 10 and/or the image forming unit 130 are not activated, and control is made to a state in which the communication device 200 and the control section 180 are activated. As a specific example of the second power saving state, there are a power saving mode and a standby mode of a normal image forming apparatus.

In the normal state, control is such that at least the image reading section 10 and/or the image forming unit 130, the control section 180, and the communication device 200 are activated. As a specific example of the normal state, there is a state in which an image can be formed in a general image forming apparatus.

Next, image formation in the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. There are at least two types of image forming processes performed in the image forming apparatus 100. For sequential image formation and for occasional image formation. Successive image formation is a specific example of successive operations. The successive image formation refers to image formation scheduled to immediately perform image formation. For example, the processing such as the following is sequential image formation: image data, document data, and instruction data of an image forming object are transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100, image formation is immediately performed in the image forming apparatus 100, and sheets are output to a paper discharge tray. For example, the normal print instruction is an instruction to form images one by one.

The image formation at any time means image formation in which image formation is not scheduled to be performed immediately. For example, the processing such as the following is image formation at any time: the image data, the file data, and the instruction data of the image forming object are transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100, but the image formation is not performed until the execution condition is satisfied, and the execution of the image formation is waited. As a specific example of the execution condition, for example, there are the following conditions: the user who has transmitted the instruction data instructs execution of image formation through the control panel 120 of the image forming apparatus 100. As a specific example of the execution condition, for example, there are the following conditions: a wireless signal including the user ID of the user who has transmitted the instruction data is received in the image forming apparatus 100. The execution condition may be designed to be any other condition.

Next, image reading in the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. There are at least two types of image reading processes performed in the image forming apparatus 100. For image-by-image reading and for image-by-image reading at any time. Successive image reading is one specific example of successive actions. The successive image reading refers to image reading in which image reading is scheduled to be performed immediately. For example, the processing like the following is sequential image reading: the sheet to be image-read is set in the image reading unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 100, the instruction data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100, and the image reading is immediately executed in the image forming apparatus 100. In this case, the read image may be recorded in storage unit 150 of image forming apparatus 100, or may be transmitted to another apparatus via communication unit 160 or communication apparatus 200. For example, the normal image reading instruction is an instruction for image-by-image reading.

The image reading at any time means image reading for which image reading is not scheduled to be performed. For example, the process of transmitting image data already stored in the storage section 150 of the image forming apparatus 100 to the communication apparatus 200 or other designated information processing apparatus is image reading at any time. In addition, any processing may be defined as image reading whenever necessary as long as the image reading section 10 does not perform any processing.

Fig. 3 is a hardware block diagram of the communication apparatus 200. Next, details of the communication device 200 will be described. The communication device 200 includes: a power interface 210, a communication module 220, an external interface 230, and a processor 240.

The power interface 210 supplies power to the present apparatus (the communication apparatus 200) by being connected to a power source. For example, the power interface 210 supplies power to the communication module 220 and the processor 240 of the present apparatus (communication apparatus 200). The power supply to which the power interface 210 is connected is a power supply that can supply power even if the image forming apparatus 100 is in the first power saving state or the second power saving state. Therefore, the communication apparatus 200 can operate by receiving power even when the image forming apparatus 100 is in the first power saving state or the second power saving state.

The communication module 220 is a module that communicates with other devices. The communication module 220 may be, for example, a wireless communication module or a wired communication module. For example, when the communication module 220 is configured as a wireless communication module, communication using Bluetooth (Bluetooth) is possible. For example, when the communication module 220 is a wired communication module, communication using USB is possible.

The communication module 220 is constructed using a communication interface. The communication unit 160 communicates with another device (for example, an information terminal such as a personal computer) via a network such as a lan (local Area network).

The external interface 230 communicates with another device by connecting to an interface provided in the other device. The external interface 230 may be configured using USB, HDMI, or another technique, for example. The image forming apparatus 100 and the communication apparatus 200 are connected via an external interface 230.

The processor 240 is a processor such as a CPU. Processor 240 acts in accordance with data received via communications module 220. When data of a first communication, which is a predetermined type of communication, is received, the processor 240 responds to the data of the first communication. On the other hand, when data of a second communication of a different type of communication from the first communication is received, the processor 240 does not respond to the data of the second communication. Alternatively, the processor 240 outputs an activation signal, which is a signal to activate the control section 180 of the image forming apparatus 100, via the external interface 230. Control unit 180 of image forming apparatus 100 is activated in response to receiving the activation signal. The power up signal may include a signal indicating to act in the second power saving state after power up. The activation signal may also include a signal indicating that action is to be taken in a normal state after activation.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a specific example of the overall operation flow of the image forming system 500. First, when the power of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on (ACT101), the control section 180 is activated (ACT 102). Then, an activation signal is output from the control section 180, and the communication device 200 is activated according to the activation signal (ACT 103). Further, the control section 180 activates the image reading section 10 and the image forming unit 130(ACT 104). Then, the control section 180 controls the present apparatus to a normal state.

Thereafter, the control section 180 controls the apparatus to the normal state until a predetermined second predetermined time elapses without performing a predetermined operation (ACT105 — no). On the other hand, when the second predetermined time has elapsed without performing the predetermined operation (ACT105 — yes), the control section 180 controls the apparatus to be in the second power saving state. For example, the control section 180 turns off the image reading section 10, the image forming unit 130(ACT 106). By this control, the image forming apparatus 100 is in the second power saving state. Note that the predetermined operation is, for example, an operation on the control panel 120 or an operation of receiving an instruction for image formation via a network.

Thereafter, the control unit 180 controls the apparatus to the second power saving state until a predetermined first predetermined time elapses without performing a predetermined operation (ACT107 — no). On the other hand, when the first predetermined time has elapsed without performing the predetermined operation (ACT107 — yes), the control section 180 controls the own apparatus to be in the first power saving state. For example, the control section 180 turns off the control section 180(ACT 108). By this control, the image forming apparatus 100 is in the first power saving state. More power consumption can be saved in the first power saving state than in the second power saving state.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a specific example of processing in the normal state. When a communication is transmitted to the communication apparatus 200 (ACT201 — yes), the communication apparatus 200 receives data (ACT 202). The communication apparatus 200 transmits the received data to the control section 180(ACT 203). Then, the control section 180 performs processing based on the received data (ACT 204). The processing at this time also includes image forming processing and image reading processing. Further, when there is a change in the processing (information update) performed by the communication apparatus 200 in the first power saving state (ACT205 — yes), the processor 240 of the communication apparatus 200 records the updated information in the storage device (ACT 206). Further, the control unit 180 of the image forming apparatus 100 also records the updated information in the storage unit 150. Thereafter, if a predetermined second predetermined time elapses without performing a predetermined operation (ACT207 — yes), the control section 180 controls the apparatus to be in the second power saving state.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a specific example of processing in the second power saving state. When a communication is transmitted to the communication apparatus 200 (ACT301 — yes), the communication apparatus 200 receives data (ACT 302). The communication apparatus 200 transmits the received data to the control section 180(ACT 303). Then, the control section 180 performs processing based on the received data (ACT 304). When the executed process includes a process using the image reading section 10 or the image forming unit 130(ACT 305 — yes), the control section 180 activates the device (the image reading section 10 or the image forming unit 130) as the object of use (ACT 306). As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 shifts to the normal state.

When the executed processing includes neither processing using the image reading section 10 nor processing using the image forming unit 130(ACT 305-no), the control section 180 does not activate the image reading section 10 and the image forming unit 130. As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 remains in the second power saving state. When there is a change in the processing (information update) performed by the communication apparatus 200 in the first power saving state (ACT307 — yes), the processor 240 of the communication apparatus 200 records the updated information in the storage device (ACT 308). Further, the control unit 180 of the image forming apparatus 100 also records the updated information in the storage unit 150. Thereafter, if a predetermined first predetermined time elapses without performing a predetermined operation (ACT309 — yes), the control section 180 controls the apparatus to be in the first power saving state.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a specific example of processing in the first power saving state. When a communication is transmitted to the communication apparatus 200 (ACT401 — yes), the communication apparatus 200 receives data (ACT 402). When the received data is content to which the communication apparatus 200 can respond (ACT403 — yes), the processor 240 of the communication apparatus 200 performs response processing (ACT 404).

As specific examples of the content that can be responded to by the communication apparatus 200, there are a save mode of search data, a beacon. When the searched content is a content in which response content is previously stored in the communication apparatus 200 (hereinafter referred to as "storage mode"), the communication apparatus 200 can respond. Further, the response content of the beacon is predetermined, and therefore the communication apparatus 200 can respond by holding the response content in advance.

When the received data is not content that can be responded to by the communication apparatus 200 (ACT403 — no), the processor 240 determines whether or not the processing indicated by the received data is a successive action (ACT 405). When the processing indicated by the received data is sequential operation (ACT405 — yes), the processor 24 activates the control section 180, the image reading section 10, and the image forming unit 130 of the image forming apparatus 100 (ACT 406). As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 shifts to the normal state. When the processing indicated by the received data is not sequential operation (ACT405 — no), the processor 240 activates the control section 180 of the image forming apparatus 100 (ACT 407). As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 shifts to the second power saving state.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a specific example of the processing of the communication apparatus 200. When the communication apparatus 200 receives the search response of the save mode (ACT 501-yes, ACT 502-yes), it responds with the content of the predetermined response (ACT 504). The communication apparatus 200 also responds with predetermined response contents (ACT504) when receiving the beacon (ACT 501-no, ACT 503-yes).

On the other hand, when the communication apparatus 200 receives a search response which is not the save mode (ACT 501-yes, ACT 502-no), the control section 180 of the image forming apparatus 100 is activated (ACT 505). As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 shifts to the second power saving state.

Further, when receiving data that is neither a search response nor a beacon (ACT 501-no, ACT 503-no), the communication apparatus 200 determines whether the data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100 connected thereto (hereinafter, simply referred to as "transmission to the present apparatus") (ACT 506). When the data is not transmitted to the present apparatus (ACT 506-NO), the process for the received data is terminated. On the other hand, if it is a transmission source to the own device (yes in ACT506), it is determined whether or not the transmission source of the received data is a trusted connection destination (ACT 507). The trusted connection destination refers to, for example, a device registered as a connection destination in the communication device 200 in advance. As a specific example of such a trusted connection destination, there is a device that completes bluetooth pairing. When it is not a trusted connection destination (ACT 507-no), the processor 240 activates the control section 180 of the image forming apparatus 100 (ACT 505). As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 shifts to the second power saving state.

On the other hand, when the connection destination is a trusted connection destination, the processor 240 determines whether or not the processing indicated by the received data is a successive action (ACT 508). When the processing indicated by the received data is sequential operation (ACT508 — yes), the processor 240 activates the control section 180, the image reading section 10, and the image forming unit 130 of the image forming apparatus 100 (ACT 509). As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 shifts to the normal state. When the processing indicated by the received data is not sequential operation (ACT 508-no), the processor 240 activates the control section 180 of the image forming apparatus 100 (ACT 505). As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 shifts to the second power saving state.

In the image forming system 500 thus configured, control is performed in at least three states of a first power saving state, a second power saving state, and a normal state, wherein the second power saving state is larger in power consumption than the first power saving state but smaller in power consumption than the normal state. Therefore, power consumption in the image forming apparatus 100 can be further reduced. For example, power consumption can be further reduced as compared with the case where control is performed in both the first power saving state and the normal state. The reason for this is that even when the image forming system 500 is controlled to the normal state in the case of performing control in the above two states, the image forming system can be controlled to the second power saving state, and as a result, power consumption can be suppressed.

In the image forming system 500 configured as described above, when an instruction for image formation is received, different control is performed depending on the type of image formation. That is, the control is made to the normal state when an instruction to execute successive image formation is received, and the control is made to the second power saving state when an instruction to execute the provisional image formation is received. In this way, even when an instruction for image formation is received, the second power saving state in which power consumption is lower is controlled not always in the normal state but in the execution of the image formation as needed. Therefore, as described above, even when an instruction for image formation is received, power consumption can be further reduced by performing different control depending on the type of image formation.

In the image forming system 500 configured as described above, when an instruction to read an image is received, different control is performed depending on the type of image reading. That is, the control is made to the normal state when an instruction to execute the successive image reading is received, and the control is made to the second power saving state when an instruction to execute the through image reading is received. In this way, even when an instruction for image reading is received, the second power saving state in which power consumption is lower is controlled when image reading is performed as needed, instead of being always in the normal state. Therefore, as described above, even when an instruction for image reading is received, power consumption can be further reduced by performing different control depending on the type of image reading.

(modification example)

The control section 180 of the image forming apparatus 100 may control the image reading section 10 and the image forming unit 130 to be always in the activated state when the apparatus is controlled to be in the normal state. When the present apparatus is controlled to be in the normal state, the control unit 180 may control the apparatus to be operated only to be in the activated state. For example, as the sequential operation, when an instruction for sequential image formation is input but no instruction for sequential image reading is input, the control section 180 may perform control so as to activate the image forming unit 130 and not activate the image reading section 10. For example, as the sequential operation, when an instruction for sequential image reading is input but no instruction for sequential image formation is input, the control section 180 may perform control so as to activate the image reading section 10 and not activate the image forming unit 130. Further, as the sequential operation, when an instruction for sequential image formation and sequential image reading are input, the control section 180 may perform control to activate the image forming unit 130 and the image reading section 10, respectively.

While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.