BACKGROUND

[0001] An image forming apparatus may control power usage thereof by controlling power supplied to an accessory device in the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus may switch the power supply to the accessory device in the image forming apparatus to an off state in a case where an input of a user or a request for an image forming operation is not received.

[0002] In addition, in a case where the image forming apparatus switches from a power saving mode, in which a minimum supply of power for receiving the input of the user or the request for the image forming operation is maintained, to an operation mode, in which the image forming operation is performed, the image forming apparatus may supply power to the accessory device in the image forming apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a process in which a power amount supplied to a plurality of accessory devices is controlled according to an example.

[0004] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a power amount supplied to a plurality of accessory devices in a case where power usage exceeds a reference power usage according to an example.

[0005] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing a control operation of adjusting a power amount supplied to an accessory device according to an example.

[0006] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing a control operation of adjusting a power amount supplied to an accessory device according to an example.

[0007] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of adjusting a power amount supplied to an accessory device according to an example.

[0008] FIG. 6 is a table illustrating information about an accessory device in an image forming apparatus according to an example.

[0009] FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a process of calculating power usage consumed by an image forming apparatus according to an image forming operation according to an example.

[0010] FIGS. 7B to 7D are diagrams illustrating a process of calculating power usage consumed by an image forming apparatus while a control operation of adjusting a power amount supplied to an accessory device is performed according to an example.

[0011] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of a server to control reference power usage of a plurality of image forming apparatuses in a group according to an example.

[0012] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an operation of controlling reference power usage of a plurality of image forming apparatuses in a group by a server according to an example.

[0013] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an example.

[0014] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a server according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES

[0015] Examples will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings so as to be easily implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. However, various examples of the present disclosure may be in many different forms and are not limited to the examples set forth herein.

[0016] The term "image forming apparatus" may refer to any type of apparatus, such as a printer, a scanner, a fax machine, a multi-function peripheral (MFP), or a display apparatus, which may perform an image forming operation. In addition, an image forming apparatus may be a two-dimensional (2D) image forming apparatus or a three-dimensional (3D) image forming apparatus. An "image forming operation” may be an operation related to printing, copying, scanning, faxing, saving, transmission, coating, or the like, and may be a combination of two or more of the above operations.

[0017] The "image forming apparatus" may include a plurality of accessory devices. Power supply may be required for the plurality of accessory devices to operate normally. For example, the accessory devices may include a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU), a user interface unit, a finisher, a scanner, an engine (i.e. , a motor), a Wi-Fi module, a network module, and other accessory devices.

[0018] A "reference power usage" refers to a power amount usable in the image forming apparatus, and may be a maximum power usage in a case where the image forming apparatus performs a certain operation. The image forming apparatus may control the power usage supplied to the accessory device within an allowable range of the reference power usage.

[0019] A "server" may refer to an apparatus that manages the power of the image forming apparatus. For example, the server may manage the reference power usage of the image forming apparatus. In addition, the server may set the plurality of image forming apparatuses as one group, and set and reset the reference power usage of the plurality of image forming apparatuses within the range of a group reference power usage set in the group.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a process in which a power amount supplied to a plurality of accessory devices is controlled according to an example.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 1 , an image forming apparatus 10 may include a plurality of accessory devices that may include devices that require power supply. For example, the plurality of accessory devices may include a CPU 1 , a user interface unit 2, a finisher 3, a scanner 4, an engine 5, a Wi-Fi 6 module, and a network module 7. In various examples, the image forming apparatus 10 may include other accessory devices.

[0022] A reference power usage may be set in the image forming apparatus 10. The reference power usage may be a maximum usable power usage in a case where the image forming apparatus 10 performs a certain operation. The image forming apparatus 10 may monitor the power of the plurality of accessory devices and identify a power usage used by the plurality of accessory devices. The image forming apparatus 10 may control the power usage supplied to the plurality of accessory devices within an allowable range of the reference power usage.

[0023] For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may receive an input for setting the reference power usage through the user interface unit 2. The user interface unit 2 may display information about a range of the reference power usage that may be set as the reference power usage.

[0024] For example, the maximum value of the reference power usage may be a value obtained by summing the maximum power usage of each accessory device in the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the maximum value of the reference power usage may be 400W

[0025] For example, the minimum value of the reference power usage may be a maximum value among the maximum power usage consumed for each operation that may be performed by the image forming apparatus 10. For example, in a case where a scanning operation consumes OW, a copying operation consumes 200W, and a printing operation consumes 190W, the maximum power usage of 200W may be the minimum value of the reference power usage. The above operations are examples and may include other operations and values.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1 , the user interface unit 2 may display range information indicating that the reference power usage may be set from 200W to 400W. For example, the user interface unit 2 may receive an input for setting 400W as the reference power usage.

[0027] In a case where the reference power usage is set to a certain value (e.g., 300W), the image forming apparatus 10 may adjust the power amount supplied to the accessory devices within the allowable range of the reference power usage and control operations between the accessory devices.

[0028] For example, in a case where the image forming operation is a scan-to-email operation, the image forming apparatus 10 may supply power to the user interface unit 2 to receive input information related to the scan-to-email operation. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 may supply power to the scanner 4 to scan a certain document and may supply power to the network module 7 to transmit a scanned image. In this case, in a case where the power usage of the user interface unit 2, the scanner 4, and the network module 7 exceeds 300W, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform the scan-to-email operation within the allowable range of the standard power usage through a control operation of reducing a power supply amount of the user interface unit 2 or, after completing a scanning operation, switching power of the scanner 4 to an off state and switching the power of the network module 7 to an on state.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a power amount supplied to a plurality of accessory devices in a case where power usage exceeds a reference power usage according to an example.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 may receive a request for an image forming operation in operation 210. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may receive the request for the image forming operation from an external apparatus through a communication unit in the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may receive the request for the image forming operation through a user interface unit in the image forming apparatus 10.

[0031] In operation 220, the image forming apparatus 10 may identify the power usage consumed by the image forming apparatus 10 based on information about the accessory devices used in the image forming operation.

[0032] For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may identify the existing power usage being used by the image forming apparatus 10 in a case where the image forming operation is requested. The image forming apparatus 10 may determine an additional power usage based on the power usage set in the accessory devices used in the image forming operation. The image forming apparatus 10 may determine the power usage by summing the existing power usage and the additional power usage.

[0033] In operation 230, in a case where the power usage exceeds the previously set reference power usage of the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform the image forming operation within an allowable range of the reference power usage by performing at least one control operation of blocking or reducing the power usage supplied to at least one accessory device in the image forming apparatus.

[0034] For example, the reference power usage of the image forming apparatus 10 may be previously set based on a user input or an administrator input. Further, information about the reference power usage of the image forming apparatus 10 may be received from a server 20 that monitors the power of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0035] As an example, the image forming apparatus 10 may set a range of the reference power usage of the image forming apparatus 10 from the reference power usage of each of the accessory devices in the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the maximum value of the reference power usage of the image forming apparatus 10 may be a value obtained by summing the reference power usage of each accessory device in the image forming apparatus 10. Also, the minimum value of the reference usage of the image forming apparatus 10 may be the maximum value of the reference power usage of each image forming operation that may be performed by the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 10 may set the reference power usage of the image forming apparatus 10 based on the range of the reference power usage and a user input that is input from the user interface unit.

[0036] For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may select at least one control operation from among a plurality of control operations based on a difference value between the power usage and the reference power usage. The image forming apparatus 10 may block or reduce the power amount supplied to at least one accessory device according to the at least one control operation, and perform the image forming operation within an allowable range of the reference power usage.

[0037] For example, the plurality of control operations may include a first control operation of adjusting the power amount supplied to the at least one accessory device for which power supply amount is adjustable among the accessory devices.

[0038] In addition, the plurality of control operations may include a second control operation of controlling power of an accessory device that is not used in the image forming operation to an off state.

[0039] In addition, according to the progress of a first sub-operation among sub-operations constituting the image forming operation, the plurality of control operations may include a third control operation of switching power of an accessory device used in the first sub-operation among the accessory devices to an on state and switching power of an accessory device used for a sub-operation other than the first sub-operation to the off state.

[0040] For example, in a case where a difference value between the power usage and the reference power usage is less than or equal to a first threshold value, the image forming apparatus 10 may select the first control operation from among the plurality of control operations. In a case where the difference value exceeds the first threshold value and is less than or equal to a second threshold value greater than the first threshold value, the image forming apparatus 10 may select the second control operation from among the plurality of control operations. In a case where the difference value exceeds the second threshold value, the image forming apparatus 10 may select the third control operation from among the plurality of control operations.

[0041] For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may calculate a corrected power usage of the image forming apparatus 10 which changes by performing a certain control operation according to a priority of the plurality of control operations. In a case where the corrected power usage does not exceed the reference power usage, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform the image forming operation based on the corrected power usage. In a case where the corrected power usage exceeds the reference power usage, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform a posterior control operation of the certain control operation.

[0042] The image forming apparatus 10 may store information about the reference power usage of each accessory device in the image forming apparatus 10 and information about accessory devices used for each image forming operation that may be performed by the image forming apparatus 10.

[0043] In addition, as the image forming apparatus 10 performs at least one image forming operation, the image forming apparatus 10 may obtain ratio information indicating the actual power usage of the image forming apparatus 10 compared to the reference power usage of the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 10 may transmit the ratio information to the server 20 that manages the power of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing a control operation of adjusting a power amount supplied to an accessory device according to an example.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 10 may determine whether the power usage exceeds a reference power usage in operation 310. In a case where the power usage exceeds the reference power usage, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform operation 320. In a case where the power usage does not exceed the reference power usage, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform the image forming operation within an allowable range of the reference power usage according to operation 330.

[0046] In operation 320, the image forming apparatus 10 may select at least one control operation from among a plurality of control operations based on a difference value between the power usage and the reference power usage.

[0047] In operation 340, the image forming apparatus 10 may block or reduce the power amount supplied to at least one accessory device according to the at least one control operation, and perform the image forming operation within the allowable range of the reference power usage.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing a control operation of adjusting a power amount supplied to an accessory device according to an example.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 10 may determine whether the power usage exceeds a reference power usage in operation 410. In a case where the power usage exceeds the reference power usage, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform operation 420. In a case where the power usage does not exceed the reference power usage, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform the image forming operation within an allowable range of the reference power usage according to operation 450.

[0050] In operation 420, the image forming apparatus 10 may calculate a corrected power usage of the image forming apparatus 10 that changes by performing a certain control operation according to the priority of a plurality of control operations.

[0051] In operation 430, the image forming apparatus 10 may determine whether the corrected power usage exceeds the reference power usage. In a case where the corrected power usage exceeds the reference power usage, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform operation 440. In a case where the corrected power usage does not exceed the reference power usage, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform the image forming operation within the allowable range of the reference power usage according to operation 450.

[0052] In operation 440, in a case where the corrected power usage exceeds the reference power usage, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform a posterior control operation of the certain control operation.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of adjusting a power amount supplied to an accessory device according to an example.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 10 may determine whether the power usage exceeds a reference power usage in operation 510. In a case where the power usage exceeds the reference power usage, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform operation 520. In a case where the power usage does not exceed the reference power usage, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform an image forming operation according to operation 570.

[0055] In operation 520, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform a first control operation of adjusting the power amount supplied to at least one accessory device for which power supply amount is adjustable among accessory devices.

[0056] In operation 530, the image forming apparatus 10 may calculate a first power usage consumed by the image forming apparatus 10 due to the first control operation. The image forming apparatus 10 may determine whether the first power usage exceeds the reference power usage. In a case where the first power usage exceeds the reference power usage, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform operation 540. In a case where the first power usage does not exceed the reference power usage, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform the image forming operation according to operation 570.

[0057] In operation 540, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform a second control operation of controlling power to an accessory device that is not used in the image forming operation to an off state.

[0058] In operation 550, the image forming apparatus 10 may calculate a second power usage consumed by the image forming apparatus 10 due to the second control operation. The image forming apparatus 10 may determine whether the second power usage exceeds the reference power usage. In a case where the second power usage exceeds the reference power usage, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform operation 560. In a case where the second power usage does not exceed the reference power usage, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform the image forming operation according to operation 570.

[0059] In operation 560, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform the image forming operation by performing a third control operation of sequentially proceeding operations according to sub-operations constituting the image forming operation.

[0060] As an example, according to the proceeding of a first sub-operation among the sub-operations constituting the image forming operation, the image forming apparatus 10 may switch power of an accessory device used for the first sub-operation among accessory devices to an on state and switching power of accessory devices used for the sub-operations other than the first sub-operation to an off state. Thereafter, according to the proceeding of a second sub-operation which is a subsequent operation of the first sub-operation, the image forming apparatus 10 may switch power of an accessory device used for the second suboperation among the accessory devices to an on state and switching power of accessory devices used for the sub-operations other than the second suboperation to an off state.

[0061] FIG. 6 is a table illustrating information about an accessory device in an image forming apparatus according to an example.

[0062] In various examples, the image forming apparatus 10 may store information about an accessory device supplied with power from a power supply of the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the accessory device may be an apparatus that performs a certain function in the image forming apparatus 10. [0063] Accessory devices may be classified into a plurality of types according to a power supply method. For example, the accessory devices may be classified into a first type device for which power supply is controllable, a second type device for which power supply amount is adjustable and power on/off is controllable, a third type device for which power supply amount is adjustable, and a fourth type device for which power on/off is controllable.

[0064] The first type device may be a device to which power needs to be continuously supplied in a case where the image forming apparatus 10 is powered on. For example, the first type device may be a front cover open sensor and may include other devices.

[0065] The second type device may be a device in which an amount of power supplied to the device may be adjusted. For example, the second type device may be a user interface unit and may include other devices. As an example, the brightness of a backlight in the user interface unit may be adjusted based on the power supply amount of the image forming apparatus 10 or a user input. In addition, in a case where the user interface unit does not perform an operation of displaying certain information or an operation of receiving input information, the power of the user interface unit may be controlled to an off state.

[0066] The third type device may be a device in which an amount of power supplied to the device may be adjusted. For example, the third type device may be a CPU and may include other devices. As an example, because the CPU needs to be continuously driven for the operation of the image forming apparatus 10, power on/off is uncontrollable and the power supply amount is adjustable through clock adjustment, on/off control of core power, etc.

[0067] The fourth type device may be a device in which power on/off of the device is controllable. For example, the fourth type device may be a finisher and may include other devices. As an example, the finisher may use power for discharging papers, but in a case where a printing operation is not performed, the power of the finisher may be controlled to the off state.

[0068] Referring to a table 610 of FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus 10 may store information about whether power of an accessory device in the image forming apparatus 10 is used for various operations. For example, in a case where the image forming apparatus 10 is in a standby mode, the image forming apparatus 10 may supply power to the CPU, the user interface unit, a Wi-Fi module, and a network module. The image forming apparatus 10 may set the CPU, the user interface unit, the Wi-Fi module, and the network module as accessory devices that are supplied power in a case where the image forming apparatus 10 operates in the standby mode.

[0069] For another example, in a case where the image forming apparatus 10 performs a copying operation, the image forming apparatus 10 may supply power to the CPU, the finisher, a scanner, and an engine. The image forming apparatus 10 may store the CPU, the finisher, the scanner, and the engine as accessory devices that are supplied power during the copying operation.

[0070] For another example, in a case where the image forming apparatus 10 performs the printing operation, the image forming apparatus 10 may supply power to the CPU, the finisher, and the engine. The image forming apparatus 10 may store the CPU, the finisher, and the engine as accessory devices that are supplied power during the printing operation.

[0071] For another example, in a case where the image forming apparatus 10 performs a network printing operation, the image forming apparatus 10 may supply power to the CPU, the finisher, the engine, and the network module. The image forming apparatus 10 may store the CPU, the finisher, the engine, and the network module as accessory devices that are supplied power during the network printing operation.

[0072] Referring to a table 620 of FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus 10 may store power information of an accessory device. For example, the power information of the accessory device may include at least one piece of information about a power usage used by the accessory device, a power supply amount that is adjustable by the accessory device, and whether power on/off is controllable during a certain operation.

[0073] For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may store power usage consumed in a case where each of the CPU, the user interface unit, the finisher, the scanner, the engine, the Wi-Fi module, and the network module is used. The power usage of the accessory device may be previously set in a case where the accessory device is produced.

[0074] The image forming apparatus 10 may store information about an adjustable power supply amount with respect to an accessory device for which power supply amount is adjustable. For example, the CPU may be adjusted from 10W to 5W, and the user interface unit may be adjusted from 10W to 5W. The image forming apparatus 10 may store information indicating that the adjustable power supply amount with respect to the CPU and the user interface unit is 5W. [0075] Each of the user interface unit, the finisher, the scanner, the engine, the Wi-Fi module, and the network module may control on/off power during a certain operation. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may store information about an accessory device for which power on/off is controllable during the certain operation.

[0076] FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a process of calculating a power usage consumed by an image forming apparatus according to an image forming operation according to an example.

[0077] Referring to block 711 of FIG. 7A, the image forming apparatus 10 may receive a request for an image forming operation. For example, the image forming operation may be a copying operation. The image forming apparatus 10 may calculate the power usage that is being used by the image forming apparatus 10 at the time of the request for the copying operation. In an example in which the image forming apparatus 10 operates in the standby mode, a CPU, a user interface unit, a Wi-Fi module, and a network module may be in operation at the time of the request for the copying operation. The image forming apparatus 10 may calculate the existing power usage consumed by the operations of the CPU, the user interface unit, the Wi-Fi module, and the network module according to the table 620 of FIG. 6. For example, the existing power usage may be 25W.

[0078] Referring to block 712 of FIG. 7A, the image forming apparatus 10 may identify an accessory device used for the copying operation. For example, the accessory device used for the copying operation may be the CPU, a scanner, an engine, and a finisher. The image forming apparatus 10 may calculate an additional power usage based on the power usage set in the accessory device used for the copying operation. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may calculate the additional power usage while excluding accessory devices that overlap with the accessory devices used to calculate the existing power usage among accessory devices used for the copying operation. As an example, because the CPU is already being used by the image forming apparatus 10 at the time of the request for the copying operation, the CPU may be excluded from a calculation target of the additional power usage. For example, the additional power usage may be 25W.

[0079] Referring to block 713 of FIG. 7A, the image forming apparatus 10 may calculate the power usage consumed by the image forming apparatus 10 by summing the existing power usage and the additional power usage. For example, the power usage consumed by the image forming apparatus 10 may be 50W.

[0080] In a case where a reference power usage is set to be equal to or more than 50W, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform the copying operation. In a case where the reference power usage is set to be less than 50W, the image forming apparatus 10 may detect that the power is insufficient and perform a control operation of adjusting a power amount supplied to at least one accessory device in the image forming apparatus 10.

[0081] FIGS. 7B to 7D are diagrams illustrating a process of calculating a power usage consumed by an image forming apparatus as a control operation of adjusting a power amount supplied to an accessory device is performed according to an example.

[0082] FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a process in which the image forming apparatus 10 controls to perform a copying operation by performing the control operation of adjusting the power supply amount of the accessory device for which power supply amount is adjustable among accessory devices.

[0083] In a case where the power usage is 50W whereas the reference power usage is less than 50W, referring to block 721 of FIG. 7B, the image forming apparatus 10 may identify the accessory device for which power supply amount is adjustable among accessory devices. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may detect the accessory device for which power supply amount is adjustable among accessory devices that are being used at the time of a request for the copying operation and accessory devices used during the copying operation.

[0084] For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may detect a CPU and a user interface unit as devices for which power supply amount is adjustable among accessory devices. The image forming apparatus 10 may obtain information about the adjustable power supply amount of the CPU and the user interface unit based on power information of the accessory device stored in the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the adjustable power supply amount of the CPU may be 5W to 10W, and the adjustable power supply amount of the user interface unit may also be 5W to 10W.

[0085] Referring to block 722 of FIG. 7B, the image forming apparatus 10 may adjust the power usage of the CPU and the user interface unit for which power supply amount is adjustable from 10W to 5W. The image forming apparatus 10 may calculate the power usage consumed by the image forming apparatus 10 after adjusting the power supply amount of the CPU and the user interface unit. For example, the power usage consumed by the image forming apparatus 10 may be 40W.

[0086] In a case where the reference power usage is set to be equal to or more than 40W and less than 50W, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform the copying operation. In a case where the reference power usage is set to less than 40W, the image forming apparatus 10 may detect that the power is insufficient and perform the control operation of adjusting the power amount supplied to at least one accessory device in the image forming apparatus 10.

[0087] FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating a process in which the image forming apparatus 10 controls to perform the copying operation by performing the control operation of controlling power of an accessory device not used for the copying operation to an off state.

[0088] In a case where the power usage is 40W, whereas the reference power usage is less than 40W, referring to block 731 of FIG. 7C, the image forming apparatus 10 may identify an accessory device that needs to be used simultaneously during the copying operation among the accessory devices. For example, in the copying operation, an engine and a finisher may be used simultaneously during a printing operation after a scanning operation. The image forming apparatus 10 may detect the engine and the finisher that are required to be used simultaneously among accessory devices.

[0089] Referring to block 732 of FIG. 7C, the image forming apparatus 10 may identify accessory devices for which power on/off is controllable among accessory devices. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may detect a user interface unit, a Wi-Fi module, a network module, a scanner, an engine, and a finisher among accessory devices.

[0090] Referring to block 733 of FIG. 7C, the image forming apparatus 10 may switch the power of the user interface unit, the Wi-Fi module, and the network module which are not used for the copying operation to the off state, among accessory devices, and calculate the power usage consumed by the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the power usage consumed by the image forming apparatus 10 may be 30W.

[0091] In a case where the reference power usage is set to be equal to or more than 30W and less than 40W, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform the copying operation. In a case where the reference power usage is set to less than 30W, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform the control operation of adjusting the power amount supplied to at least one accessory device in the image forming apparatus 10 by detecting that the power is insufficient and sequentially proceeding sub-operations constituting the copying operation.

[0092] FIG. 7D is a diagram illustrating a process in which the image forming apparatus 10 controls to perform the copying operation by separately performing a scanning operation and a printing operation constituting the copying operation.

[0093] In a case where the power usage is 30W, whereas the reference power usage is less than 30W, referring to block 741 in FIG. 7D, the image forming apparatus 10 may calculate the power usage consumed by the image forming apparatus 10 during the scanning operation which is a first sub-operation constituting the copying operation. For example, because the CPU and the scanner operate during the scanning operation, the power usage during the scanning operation may be calculated as 15W. During the scanning operation, the power of the CPU and the scanner may be switched to an on state, and the power of the remaining accessory devices may be switched to an off state.

[0094] Referring to block 742 of FIG. 7D, after the scanning operation, the image forming apparatus 10 may switch the power of the scanner to the off state. [0095] Referring to block 743 of FIG. 7D, the image forming apparatus 10 may calculate the power usage consumed by the image forming apparatus 10 during the printing operation which is a second sub-operation constituting the copying operation. The image forming apparatus 10 may switch the power of the engine and the finisher to the on state and perform the printing operation. For example, the power usage during the printing operation may be calculated as 20W.

[0096] In an example, a value at which the reference power usage may be set to the minimum may be a maximum value among the maximum power usage consumed for each operation that may be performed by the image forming apparatus 10. Here, the unit of an operation may be an operation that may be performed as one operation. Accordingly, even though the reference power usage is set to the minimum value, because a certain sub-operation may be performed at the minimum value, the image forming apparatus 10 may complete the copying operation.

[0097] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of a server that controls a reference power usage of a plurality of image forming apparatuses in a group according to an example.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 8, the server 20 may set the plurality of image forming apparatuses as one group in operation 810. For example, in a case where power usable in a certain space is limited, the server 20 may set the plurality of image forming apparatuses as one group to collectively control power supplied to the plurality of image forming apparatuses located in the certain space. For example, the server 20 may set image forming apparatuses located for each floor in a building as one group.

[0099] In operation 820, the server 20 may set a reference power usage of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, based on the range of a group reference power usage set for the group and the reference power usage set for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses.

[00100] For example, the server 20 may set the group reference power usage within a range of the maximum power usage usable in the group. For example, the maximum power usage usable in the group may be preset by an administrator.

[00101] The server 20 may obtain information about the range of the reference power usage set for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. For example, the server 20 may obtain information about the range of the reference power usage of a first image forming apparatus. The information about the range of the reference power usage of the first image forming apparatus may be information indicating a range of a minimum value to a maximum value for driving the first image forming apparatus.

[00102] As an example, the maximum value of the reference power usage of the first image forming apparatus may be a sum of the maximum power usage of accessory devices in the first image forming apparatus. In addition, the minimum value of the reference power usage of the first image forming apparatus may be a maximum value of the maximum power usage consumed for each operation that may be performed by the first image forming apparatus.

[00103] For example, the server 20 may calculate a power allocation ratio of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the size of an average value within the range of the reference power usage of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The server 20 may set the reference power usage of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the range of the maximum power usage usable in the group and the power allocation ratio of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses.

[00104] For example, in a case where the maximum power usage usable in the group is 100W, the power allocation ratio of the first image forming apparatus is 50%, the power allocation ratio of a second image forming apparatus is 30%, and the power allocation ratio of a third image forming apparatus is 20%, the server 20 may set the reference power usage of the first image forming apparatus to 50 W, set the reference power usage of the second image forming apparatus to 30 W, and set the reference power usage of the third image forming apparatus to 20W.

[00105] Further, the server 20 may allocate the same reference power usage by setting the same power allocation ratio to each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses.

[00106] In operation 830, the server 20 may obtain ratio information indicating the actual power usage relative to the reference power usage for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses according to a preset period.

[00107] The server 20 may collect information about the actual power usage indicating power actually used by each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses at each preset period. For example, the server 20 may receive the information about the actual power usage from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The server 20 may obtain information about power accumulation usage in which the actual power usage is accumulated, based on the information about the actual power usage. Further, the server 20 may receive history information of an image forming operation from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The server 20 may obtain the ratio information indicating the actual power usage relative to the reference power usage for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses.

[00108] In operation 840, the server 20 may adjust the reference power usage of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the ratio information.

[00109] For example, the server 20 may increase the reference power usage as the ratio indicating the actual power usage relative to the reference power usage approaches 1 , based on the ratio information. Also, the server 20 may reduce the reference power usage as the ratio indicating the actual power usage relative to the reference power usage approaches 0, based on the ratio information.

[00110] In addition, the server 20 may adjust the reference power usage based on the ratio information and the history information of the image forming operation. For example, the history information of the image forming operation may include information about a control operation of adjusting the power of an accessory device in the image forming apparatus. For example, the server 20 may increase the reference power usage as the frequency of the control operation of adjusting the power of the accessory device is higher in the history information of the image forming operation.

[00111] For example, the control operation may include a first control operation of adjusting a power amount supplied to at least one accessory device for which power supply amount is adjustable, a second control operation of controlling the power of an accessory device not used in the image forming operation to an off state, and a third control operation of, according to the progress of a first sub-operation among sub-operations constituting the image forming operation, switching the power of an accessory device used for the first suboperation among accessory devices to an on state, and switching the power of an accessory device used for a sub-operation other than the first sub-operation to an off state.

[00112] The server 20 may obtain the ratio information at each preset period and adjust the reference power usage of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the ratio information, thereby increasing power use efficiency within the group.

[00113] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an operation of controlling reference power usage of a plurality of image forming apparatuses in a group by a server according to an example.

[00114] Referring to FIG. 9, in operation 910, the server 20 may set the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10-1 , 10-2 and 10-3 as one group. In addition, the server 20 may set a group reference power usage usable in the group.

[00115] In operation 920, each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10-1 , 10-2, and 10-3 may transmit information about the range of a reference power usage of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10-1 , 10-2, and 10-3 to the server 20. For example, the maximum value within the range of the reference power usage in each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10-1 , 10-2, and 10-3 may be a sum of the maximum power usage of accessory devices in each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10-1 , 10-2, and 10- 3. Also, the minimum value within the range of the reference power usage in each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10-1 , 10-2, and 10-3 may be a maximum value among the maximum power usage consumed for each operation that may be performed by each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10- 1 , 10-2, and 10-3.

[00116] In operation 930, the server 20 may set the reference power usage of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10-1 , 10-2, and 10-3, based on the range of a group reference power usage set for the group and the reference power usage set for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10-1 , 10-2, and 10-3.

[00117] In operation 940, each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10-1 , 10-2, and 10-3 may transmit history information of the actual power usage according to a preset period.

[00118] In operation 950, the server 20 may obtain ratio information indicating the actual power usage relative to the reference power usage with respect to each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10-1 , 10-2, and 10- 3 according to the preset period.

[00119] In operation 960, the server 20 may adjust the reference power usage of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10-1 , 10-2 and 10-3 based on the ratio information.

[00120] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an example.

[00121] Referring to FIG. 10, the image forming apparatus 10 may include a communication unit 1010, a user interface unit 1020, a memory 1030, and a processor 1040. The illustrated components are not indispensable components. The image forming apparatus 10 may be embodied with more components than the illustrated components, or the image forming apparatus 10 may be embodied with fewer components than the illustrated components. Hereinafter, examples of the components will be described.

[00122] The communication unit 1010 may perform communication with an external apparatus. As an example, the communication unit 1010 may be connected to a network by wire or wirelessly to perform communication with the external apparatus. Here, the external apparatus may be an electronic apparatus, a server, etc.

[00123] The user interface unit 1020 may include an input unit for receiving an input for controlling an operation of the image forming apparatus 10 from a user, and an output unit for displaying information such as a result of the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 or a state of the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the user interface unit 1020 may include an operation panel for receiving a user input, a display panel for displaying a screen, etc. In an example, the user interface unit 2 shown in FIG. 1 may correspond to the user interface unit 1020 shown in FIG. 10.

[00124] The memory 1030 may store software or a program. For example, the memory 1130 may store at least one program related to the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.

[00125] The processor 1040 may execute the program stored in the memory 1030, read data or a file stored in the memory 1030, store a new file in the memory 1030, or the like. The processor 1040 may execute instructions stored in the memory 1030.

[00126] The processor 1040 may obtain a request for an image forming operation. For example, the processor 1040 may receive the request for the image forming operation from an external apparatus through the communication unit 1010. For example, the processor 1040 may receive the request for the image forming operation through the user interface unit 1020.

[00127] The processor 1040 may identify a power usage consumed by the image forming apparatus 10 based on information about accessory devices used in the image forming operation.

[00128] For example, the processor 1040 may identify the existing power usage being used by the image forming apparatus 10 at the time of the request for the image forming operation. The processor 1040 may check an additional power usage based on the power usage set in the accessory devices used for the image forming operation. The processor 1040 may identify the power usage by summing the existing power usage and the additional power usage.

[00129] In a case where the power usage exceeds a previously set reference power usage of the image forming apparatus 10, the processor 1040 may perform the image forming operation within an allowable range of the reference power usage by performing at least one control operation of blocking or reducing the power usage supplied to at least one accessory device in the image forming apparatus 10.

[00130] For example, the reference power usage of the image forming apparatus 10 may be previously set based on a user input or an administrator input. Also, information about the reference power usage of the image forming apparatus 10 may be received from a server that monitors the power of the image forming apparatus 10.

[00131] The processor 1040 may set a range of the reference power usage of the image forming apparatus 10 from a reference power usage of each accessory device in the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the maximum value of the reference power usage of the image forming apparatus 10 may be a value obtained by summing the reference power usage of each accessory device in the image forming apparatus 10. Also, the minimum value of the reference amount of use of the image forming apparatus 10 may be a maximum value of the reference power usage of each image forming operation that may be performed by the image forming apparatus 10. The processor 1040 may set the reference power usage of the image forming apparatus 10 based on a range of the reference power usage and a user input that is input from the user interface unit 1020.

[00132] For example, the processor 1040 may select at least one control operation from among a plurality of control operations based on a difference value between the power usage and the reference power usage. The processor 1040 may block or reduce the power amount supplied to the at least one accessory device according to the at least one control operation, and perform the image forming operation within an allowable range of the reference power usage.

[00133] For example, the plurality of control operations may include a first control operation of adjusting the power amount supplied to at least one accessory device for which power supply amount is adjustable among the accessory devices. [00134] In addition, the plurality of control operations may include a second control operation of controlling power to an accessory device that is not used in the image forming operation to an off state.

[00135] In addition, according to the progress of a first sub-operation among sub-operations constituting the image forming operation, the plurality of control operations may include a third control operation of switching power of an accessory device used in the first sub-operation among the accessory devices to an on state and switching power of an accessory device used for a sub-operation other than the first sub-operation to the off stat.

[00136] For example, in a case where a difference value between the power usage and the reference power usage is less than or equal to a first threshold value, the processor 1040 may select the first control operation from among the plurality of control operations. In a case where the difference value exceeds the first threshold value and is less than or equal to a second threshold value greater than the first threshold value, the processor 1040 may select the second control operation from among the plurality of control operations. In a case where the difference value exceeds the second threshold value, the processor 1040 may select the third control operation from among the plurality of control operations.

[00137] For example, the processor 1040 may calculate a corrected power usage of the image forming apparatus 10 which is changed by performing a certain control operation according to the priority of the plurality of control operations. In a case where the corrected power usage does not exceed the reference power usage, the processor 1040 may perform the image forming operation based on the corrected power usage. In a case where the corrected power usage exceeds the reference power usage, the processor 1040 may perform a posterior control operation of the certain control operation.

[00138] The processor 1040 may store information about the reference power usage of each accessory device in the image forming apparatus 10 and information about accessory devices used for each image forming operation that may be performed by the image forming apparatus 10 in the memory 1030.

[00139] In addition, as the processor 1040 performs at least one image forming operation, the image forming apparatus 10 may obtain ratio information indicating the actual power usage of the image forming apparatus 10 compared to the reference power usage of the image forming apparatus 10. The processor 1040 may transmit the ratio information to the server that manages the power of the image forming apparatus 10 through the communication unit 1010.

[00140] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a server according to an example.

[00141] Referring to FIG. 11 , the server 20 may include a communication unit 1110, a storage 1120, a memory 1130, and a processor 1140. However, the illustrated components are not indispensable components. The server 20 may be embodied with more components than the illustrated components, or the server 20 may be embodied with fewer components than the illustrated components. Hereinafter, examples of the components will be described.

[00142] The communication unit 1110 may perform communication with an external apparatus. As an example, the communication unit 1110 may be connected to a network by wire or wirelessly to perform communication with the external apparatus. Here, the external apparatus may be an electronic apparatus, an image forming apparatus, etc.

[00143] The storage 1120 may store information about reference power usage of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, history information of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, information of an accessory device constituting each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and the like.

[00144] The memory 1130 may store software or a program. For example, the memory 1130 may store at least one program related to the operation of the server 20 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.

[00145] The processor 1140 may execute the program stored in the memory 1130, read data or a file stored in the memory 1130, store a new file in the memory 1130, or the like. The processor 1140 may execute instructions stored in the memory 1130.

[00146] The processor 1140 may set the plurality of image forming apparatuses as one group. For example, in a case where power usable in a certain space is limited, the processor 1140 may set the plurality of image forming apparatuses as one group to collectively control power supplied to the plurality of image forming apparatuses located in the certain space. For example, the processor 1140 may set image forming apparatuses located for each floor in a building as one group.

[00147] The processor 1140 may set a reference power usage of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the range of a group reference power usage set for the group and the reference power usage set for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses.

[00148] The processor 1140 may set the group reference power usage within a range of the maximum power usage usable in the group. For example, the maximum power usage usable in the group may be preset by an administrator. [00149] The processor 1140 may obtain information about the range of the reference power usage set for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. For example, the processor 1140 may obtain information about the range of the reference power usage of a first image forming apparatus. The information about the range of the reference power usage of the first image forming apparatus may be information indicating a range of a minimum value to a maximum value for driving the first image forming apparatus.

[00150] The maximum value of the reference power usage of the first image forming apparatus may be a sum of the maximum power usage of accessory devices in the first image forming apparatus. In addition, the minimum value of the reference power usage of the first image forming apparatus may be a maximum value of the maximum power usage consumed for each operation that may be performed by the first image forming apparatus.

[00151] For example, the processor 1140 may calculate a power allocation ratio of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the size of an average value within the range of the reference power usage of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The processor 1140 may set the reference power usage of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the range of the maximum power usage usable in the group and the power allocation ratio of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses.

[00152] Further, the processor 1140 may allocate the same reference power usage by setting the same power allocation ratio to each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. [00153] The processor 1140 may obtain ratio information indicating the actual power usage relative to the reference power usage for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses according to a preset period.

[00154] The processor 1140 may collect information about the actual power usage indicating power actually used by each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses at each preset period. For example, the processor 1140 may receive the information about the actual power usage from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The processor 1140 may obtain information about power accumulation usage in which the actual power usage is accumulated, based on the information about the actual power usage. Further, the processor 1140 may receive history information of an image forming operation from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The processor 1140 may obtain the ratio information indicating the actual power usage relative to the reference power usage for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses.

[00155] The processor 1140 may adjust the reference power usage of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the ratio information.

[00156] For example, the processor 1140 may increase the reference power usage as the ratio indicating the actual power usage relative to the reference power usage approaches 1 , based on the ratio information. Also, the processor 1140 may reduce the reference power usage as the ratio indicating the actual power usage relative to the reference power usage approaches 0, based on the ratio information.

[00157] In addition, the processor 1140 may adjust the reference power usage based on the ratio information and the history information of the image forming operation. For example, the history information of the image forming operation may include information about a control operation of adjusting the power of an accessory device in the image forming apparatus. For example, the processor 1140 may increase the reference power usage as the frequency of the control operation of adjusting the power of the accessory device is higher in the history information of the image forming operation.

[00158] For example, the control operation may include a first control operation of adjusting a power amount supplied to at least one accessory device for which power supply amount is adjustable, a second control operation of controlling the power of an accessory device not used in the image forming operation to an off state, and a third control operation of, according to the progress of a first sub-operation among sub-operations constituting the image forming operation, switching the power of an accessory device used for the first suboperation among accessory devices to an on state, and switching the power of an accessory device used for a sub-operation other than the first sub-operation to an off state.

[00159] The processor 1140 may obtain the ratio information at each preset period and adjust the reference power usage of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the ratio information, thereby increasing power use efficiency within the group.

[00160] The example operation methods of the image forming apparatus 10 and the server 20 may be implemented in the form of non-transitory computer- readable storage media having stored therein instructions or data that may be executed by a computer or processor. The example operation methods may be recorded in programs that may be executed on a computer and be implemented through general-purpose digital computers which may run the programs using non-transitory computer-readable storage media. Examples of the non-transitory computer-readable storage media may include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), flash memory, compact disk (CD)-ROMs, CD- recordables (CD-Rs), CD+Rs, CD-rewritables (CD-RWs), CD+RWs, digital video disk-ROMs (DVD-ROMs), DVD-Rs, DVD+Rs, DVD-RWs, DVD+RWs, DVD- RAMs, Blu-ray disk-ROMs (BD-ROMs), BD-Rs, BD-R low to high (BD-R LTHs), BD-rewritables (BD-REs), magnetic tapes, floppy disks, magneto-optical data storage devices, optical data storage devices, hard disks, solid-state disks (SSDs), and any device capable of storing instructions or software, associated data, data files, and data structures and providing the instructions or software, the associated data, the data files, and the data structures to a processor or computer such that the processor or computer may execute the instructions.

[00161] Although examples have been described above, various modifications and variations are possible from the above description as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the described techniques may be performed in a different order from the described method, the described components such as a system, a structure, an apparatus, a circuit, etc. may be coupled or combined in a form different from the described devices, or the described components such as a system, a structure, an apparatus, a circuit, etc. may be replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents.

[00162] It should be understood that examples described herein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each example should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other examples. While one or more examples have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope as defined by the following claims.