# US 2013/0155431 A1 · Image forming apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0155431 A1 - Document ID: US20130155431A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/718,231 - Filed: 2012-12-18 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-20 - Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Young Hwa SONG - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130155431A1 ## CPC - G06F 3/1201: {Dedicated interfaces to print systems} - H04N 1/00896: {using a low-power mode, e.g. standby} - G06K 15/002: {Interacting with the operator} - G06K 15/4055: {Managing power consumption, e.g. standby mode (computer driven power saving management for a printer G06F3/1221; power saving in a data processing device in general G06F1/32)} - H04N 1/0035: {User-machine interface; Control console (input or output arrangements for computers G06F3/00)} - H04N 1/00496: {Constructional details of the interface or console not otherwise provided for, e.g. rotating or tilting means} - H04N 2201/0082: Image hardcopy reproducer (H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence) - H04N 2201/0094: Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS ## Abstract An image forming apparatus to effectively reduce power consumption of an image forming apparatus in a sleep mode by reducing current consumed in an operating panel microcomputer by operating parts by constituting the parts so that a power voltage is continually supplied to the parts to indicate that the image forming apparatus is in a power-on state while stopping the operation of the operating panel microcomputer of an operating panel part in a sleep mode. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming apparatus having an operating panel part to display a screen for input of a command from a user and to receive the command from the user, the image forming apparatus comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) to control an operation of the image forming apparatus; and an operating panel microcomputer provided in the operating panel part, the microcomputer receiving a reset signal input from the CPU, wherein the CPU changes a voltage level of the reset signal input to the operating panel microcomputer to stop an operation of the operating panel microcomputer in a sleep mode. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operating panel part includes an element to indicate that the image forming apparatus is powered on, and a switching unit to be turned on or off to supply an operating voltage to the element, wherein the switching unit is turned off by a switching signal, the switching signal being output when the operation of the operating panel microcomputer is stopped. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the switching unit includes a pull-down resistor unit connected to a ground terminal, and a PNP-type transistor having a base connected to the pull-down resistor, a collector connected to one side of the element, and an emitter connected to the operating voltage. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the element is a power light-emitting diode (LED). ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according claim 1, wherein the operating panel part includes a display unit to display the screen for the input of the command from the user, and a switching unit to be turned on or off to supply an operating voltage to the display unit and the operating panel microcomputer, wherein the switching unit is turned off by the reset signal, the reset signal being input to the operating panel microcomputer such that the CPU stops the operation of the operating panel microcomputer in the sleep mode. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operating panel part includes a display unit to display a screen to receive a command from the user, a first switching unit turned on or off to supply an operating voltage to the display unit, and a second switching unit turned on or off to supply the operating voltage to the operating panel microcomputer, wherein the first switching unit and the second switching unit are turned off by the reset signal, the reset signal being input to the operating panel microcomputer such that the CPU stops the operation of the operating panel microcomputer in the sleep mode. ### Claim 7 An image forming apparatus having an operating panel part to display a screen for input of a command from a user and receives the command from the user, the image forming apparatus comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) to control an operation of the image forming apparatus; an operating panel microcomputer provided in the operating panel part, the microcomputer to receive a reset signal from the CPU; a display unit to display a screen to receive a command from the user; and a first switching unit to be turned on or off to supply an operating voltage to the display unit and the operating panel microcomputer, wherein the CPU changes a voltage level of the reset signal, the reset signal being input in the operating panel microcomputer to stop an operation of the operating panel microcomputer in a sleep mode, and wherein the first switching unit is turned off by the reset signal of the changed voltage level. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the operating panel part includes an element to indicate that the image forming apparatus is powered on, and a second switching unit turned on or off to supply an operating voltage to the element, wherein the second switching unit is turned off by a switching signal, the switching signal being output when the operation of the operating panel microcomputer is stopped. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second switching unit includes a pull-down resistor connected to a ground terminal, and a PNP-type transistor having a base connected to the pull-down resistor, a collector connected to one side of the element, and an emitter connected to the operating voltage. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the element is a power light-emitting diode (LED). ### Claim 11 A power control circuit to control power supply to an operating panel part of an image forming apparatus, the power control circuit comprising: an input unit to receive an input of various sets of information to execute tasks of the image forming apparatus and to transmit information to an operating panel (OPE) microcomputer of the operating panel part; a first switching unit to be turned on and off by a switching signal of the OPE microcomputer; and a power LED to indicate that power of the image forming apparatus is at a power-on state to distinguish between a sleep mode and a power-off mode, wherein a VCC power is supplied to the power LED when the first switching unit is at a power-on state and the VCC power supply to the power LED is blocked when the first switching unit is at a power-off state. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The power control circuit according to claim 11, wherein the first switching unit is turned on when the OPE microcomputer is not operated. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The power control circuit according to claim 12, further comprising: a second switching unit to be turned on when the voltage level of a reset signal received from a main CPU of the image forming apparatus is high and to be turned off when the voltage level of the reset signal is low; and an LCD to display an operation state of the image forming apparatus, the LCD to be controlled by a control signal of the OPE microcomputer, wherein when the second switching unit is turned on, the VCC is supplied to the OPE microcomputer, the input unit and the LCD, and wherein when the second switching unit is turned off, the VCC being supplied to the OPE microcomputer, the input unit and the LCD is blocked. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The power control circuit according to claim 11, wherein the OPE microcomputer determines whether the operation mode of the image forming apparatus is a normal mode or a sleep mode according to the information input through the input unit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The power control circuit according to claim 12, further comprising: a second switching unit to be turned on when the voltage level of a reset signal received from a main CPU of the image forming apparatus is high and to be turned off when the voltage level of the reset signal is low; a third switching unit to be turned on when the voltage level of a reset signal received from a main CPU of the image forming apparatus is high and to be turned off when the voltage level of the reset signal is low; and an LCD to display an operation state of the image forming apparatus, the LCD to be controlled by a control signal of the OPE microcomputer, wherein when the second switching unit is turned on, the VCC is supplied to the LCD and when the second switching unit is turned off, the VCC supplied to the LCD is blocked, and wherein when the third switching unit is turned on a branching operating voltage branched from the VCC is supplied to the OPE microcomputer and the input unit, and if the third switching unit is turned off, the branching operating voltage branched from the VCC and being supplied to the OPE microcomputer and the input unit is blocked.