JP2006181907A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer capable of carrying out operations as many as possible by effectively combining power supply means mounted on the printer to which a plurality of external devices can be connected. <P>SOLUTION: In the printer to which a plurality of external devices can be connected, when a maximum value of the power to be necessarily supplied to the external device actually connected thereto exceeds an amount of the power that can be supplied from the printer, the power supply means for supplying the power to each of the external devices are selectively turned on or off. As a result, the printer controls the power such that the sum of the supply amount of the power to be supplied to the connected external devices is not greater than the amount of power that can be supplied from the printer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

The present invention relates to a printer apparatus having an interface with a plurality of external devices.

  In recent years, a printer apparatus has not only printing from a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) but also an interface with a plurality of external devices (hereinafter referred to as “I / F”). An increasing number of multifunction printers are capable of direct printing.

  For example, if a digital camera is connected directly and a printer capable of printing and various memory card I / Fs can be printed directly from the memory card and connected to a PC, the card reader / writer function is provided. There is a combined printer.

  When printing from a PC or digital camera, I / F based on the USB standard is common. When printing from the PC using the USB standard, the PC side becomes the host and the printer side becomes the device, so power is supplied from the printer side. Although it is not necessary, when printing from a digital camera, the printer side becomes a host and the digital camera becomes a device, so power supply is required depending on the type of digital camera to be connected.

  In addition, a printer having a memory card I / F requires power supply in order to access the memory card. The required maximum amount of power supply varies depending on the type of memory card.

  When designing a power source on the printer side having the plurality of I / Fs, it is conceivable that any device is connected to all the I / Fs, but it is possible to equip a power source that does not have any problem. Since the cost of the equipment such as the rating and thermal design of the corresponding circuit becomes enormous, it is normal to limit the number and type of devices to be connected to some extent and to limit the operation / function after being connected. .

  Also, recent multi-function printers have a display unit such as an LCD, and may display a message such as “A non-standard external device has been connected” or a recovery method procedure.

When starting a job by key operation, if the key is pressed, it is determined whether the power has exceeded. If not, the job is executed. If it has exceeded, the job may not be executed. It is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). This content is such that a job intended to be newly operated is not executed.
JP 2000-21112 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a printer apparatus capable of performing as much operation as possible by effectively combining the power of the printer apparatus in a printer apparatus capable of connecting a plurality of external devices.

In the printer apparatus capable of connecting a plurality of external devices, when the maximum value of power that needs to be supplied to the actually connected external device exceeds the amount of power that can be supplied by the printer apparatus, By selectively turning on / off the power supply means for supplying power to the external device, the total amount of power supplied to the connected external device falls within the amount of power that can be supplied by the printer apparatus. This is a printer device that controls the printer.

According to the present invention, in a printer apparatus that can connect a plurality of external devices, it is possible to perform as much operation as possible by effectively combining the power of the printer apparatus.

  The best mode for carrying out the invention is the following embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a printer apparatus 100 that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 shows only the characteristic part of the printer device 100.

  The printer apparatus 100 includes a CPU 1, a memory 2, a power supply unit 3, a power management unit 4, I / F units 5 and 6, a motor control unit 7, a head control unit 8, an operation unit 9, and a display. Part 10.

  The CPU 1 is a main control unit composed of an ASIC and the like, and controls the entire operation of the printer apparatus 100. The memory 2 is composed of a ROM, a RAM, and the like, stores a CPU program for controlling the operation of the printer apparatus 100 in the ROM, and uses a RAM as a memory for storing a work area for various operations and stored data. .

  The power supply unit 3 converts an external commercial power supply into power supply power necessary for the operation of the printer apparatus 100 and supplies the power to the device.

  The power management unit 4 includes a regulator, a power control IC, and the like, distributes necessary power to each unit in the apparatus, has a microcomputer, etc., and each unit in the printer apparatus 100 according to an instruction from the main control unit 1. Control of ON / OFF of power supply to

  The first I / F unit 5 and the second I / F 6 communicate with a connected external device. Transmission / reception of various data and image data printed by the printer apparatus 100, and transmission / reception of power are also performed via the I / F units 5 and 6. In other words, the I / F units 5 and 6 can directly access a parallel I / F provided separately from a USB connector for connecting to a PC or the like, an I / F that can be directly connected to a digital camera, or a PC card. This is an I / F that can be connected to a simple card connector, an external storage device, or the like.

  The motor control unit 7 conveys the recording paper or the like of the printer apparatus 100 and performs various types of driving such as movement of the recording head and cap operation of the head. The head controller 8 performs recording data transfer and printing operation. The operation unit 9 includes a key SW and a touch panel. The display unit 10 is a display unit of the printer device 100 that includes an LED, an LCD, and the like.

  That is, the I / F units 5 and 6 are examples of I / F means for connecting an external device, and the I / F means is an I / F means compliant with the USB standard or the IEEE 1394 standard. The main control unit 1 is an example of a type detection unit that detects the type of an external device connected to the printer apparatus.

  The power supply unit 3 is an example of power supply means for supplying power to an external device connected to the printer apparatus. The power management unit 4 is an example of switch means for turning on / off the power supply means.

  The main control unit 1 is an example of a power maximum value calculation unit that estimates or measures a maximum value of power that needs to be supplied to an external device, and the maximum value of power estimated or measured by the power maximum value calculation unit, It is an example of power comparison means for comparing the power value that can be supplied by the printer apparatus, and when the maximum power value estimated or measured by the power maximum value calculation means exceeds the power value that can be supplied by the printer apparatus. An example of control means for controlling the total amount of power supplied to the connected external device within a power value that can be supplied by the printer device by selectively turning on / off the power supply means It is.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a power supply operation when an external device is connected to the I / Fs 5 and 6 of the printer apparatus 100 according to the first exemplary embodiment.

  In the printer apparatus 100, a memory card is used as the type of external device to be connected, and a card connector into which several types of memory cards can be inserted is used as the I / Fs 5 and 6 of the printer apparatus 100.

  In S1, it is determined whether or not a memory card is newly inserted into the I / F units 5 and 6. When detecting the insertion of a memory card, contact / separation of contacts is determined by physical insertion of the memory card. At this time, the power for driving the memory card remains off, The system power supply of the printer apparatus 100 is used, but it is weak power and can be ignored as power consumption. When a card is inserted, the type of the card can be determined and the maximum power consumption of the card can be estimated.

  If the maximum power consumption is defined by the standard for each type of memory card and the inserted card conforms to the standard, the maximum power consumption does not exceed the standard value. The printer device 100 stores the maximum power consumption for each card type in a memory 2 such as a RAM.

  In S3, it is determined whether or not it is possible to supply power to the card connected this time including the I / F units 5 and 6 already used. At this point, power may already be supplied to other I / Fs.

  If power can be supplied, the drive power supply for the newly connected card is turned on in S4.

  Depending on the system configuration, it may be necessary to turn on the power for driving the card in order to determine the type of the inserted card. However, even in this case, if the card is not accessed, it is consumed. There is no problem because the power is not so large.

  If it is determined in S3 that it is impossible to supply power to the card connected this time, the process proceeds to S6 in S5 without turning off the drive power of the connected card or turning it on from the beginning. Only devices that are connected to the printer apparatus 100 and that can be supplied with power and can be used are displayed on the display unit 10 of the printer apparatus 100.

  This display may be temporarily displayed when connected to the I / F units 5 and 6, or may be continuously displayed. Moreover, you may make it display according to operator's operation.

According to the first embodiment, by having a memory unit that stores the maximum power amount of a device that may be externally connected, the maximum power value can be easily calculated. For example, if the device to be connected is a memory card, the maximum power consumption is about 100 mA except for special ones, and if a normal power supply design is used, multiple cards can be accessed simultaneously.

  The second embodiment of the present invention is an embodiment in which an external device having a USB-compliant I / F unit is connected to the I / F units 5 and 6.

  The configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when an external device having an I / F unit compliant with USB is connected to the I / F units 5 and 6 in the second embodiment.

  In S1, it is determined whether or not an external device having a USB-compliant I / F unit is connected to the USB I / F units 5 and 6. If the I / F unit of the external device is a USB, the printer apparatus 100 side becomes a USB host, so a determination is periodically made.

  If it is determined in S1 that an external device having a USB-compliant I / F unit has been connected, communication is established in S12 and USB initial settings are performed. That is, basic settings necessary for data communication such as determination of communication speed and data transfer direction, and information setting of connected devices are performed. In USB communication, there are device request processing, device descriptor processing, configuration descriptor processing, and the like, and the power consumption of the connected device can be determined. In S3, it is determined whether power can be supplied to the connected external device.

  If power can be supplied, in S4, the external device is started to supply power as requested. If it is determined that power cannot be supplied, in S5, power is supplied through a predetermined disconnection protocol. Disconnect.

  When the power is disconnected in S5, the information of the disconnected device, guidance for the operator regarding the subsequent processing, and the like are displayed on the display unit 10 of the printer apparatus 100 in S6. If the power can be supplied, the connected device information and the like are displayed on the display unit 10 of the printer apparatus 100 in S6.

According to the second embodiment, the I / F units 5 and 6 comply with USB or IEEE 1394, so that the power required for the connected external device can be known by the communication.

  In the third embodiment of the present invention, if it is impossible to supply power to all the external devices connected to the printer apparatus 100, the maximum power consumption of each connected device is estimated or measured, and the power can be supplied. This is an embodiment in which a combination of devices is searched and power is selectively supplied to an external device according to the combination.

  The configuration of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the power control operation of the printer apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In S <b> 1, it is determined whether an external device is connected to the I / F units 5 and 6. In S22, the power consumption of the connected external device is calculated. That is, if the connected external device is a memory card, for example, the maximum power consumption corresponding to the type of each card stored in the memory 2 of the printer apparatus 100 is referred to, and the connected external device is For example, if the communication I / F unit conforms to USB, the power consumption of the external device is determined by the initial communication operation.

  In S3, it is determined whether power can be supplied to all connected devices including external devices already connected. That is, the maximum value of power that needs to be supplied to the connected external device is estimated or measured. If power can be supplied to all connected devices, power supply is started in S4.

  If power cannot be supplied to all the connected devices, in S27, the maximum power consumption of each device already connected is estimated or measured, and a combination of external devices capable of supplying power is searched, and S28 is searched. Then, according to the combination, power is selectively supplied to the external device. If a combination capable of supplying power including a newly connected device is not found, the power supply to the newly connected device is cut off in S5.

  In S6, only devices that can supply power are displayed. Of course, it is also possible to display a device that cannot be connected, guidance to the operator thereafter, and the like.

According to the third embodiment, the status of the connected external device can be displayed to the operator, that is, the information regarding the external device that could not be connected due to overpower supply, and the operator related to the processing when the connection could not be made. Guidance etc. can also be displayed.

  In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, it is impossible to supply power to all connected devices, and if the operator has previously registered the power supply priority order of the external device, each device is assigned according to the priority order. In this embodiment, power is supplied and power is supplied in order of priority within a range in which the printer apparatus 100 can supply power.

  The configuration of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation related to power control of the printer apparatus 100 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

  In S <b> 1, it is determined whether an external device is connected to the I / F units 5 and 6 of the printer apparatus 100. In S22, the power consumption of the connected external device is counted. In other words, if the connected external device is, for example, a memory card, the maximum power consumption corresponding to the type of each card stored in the memory 2 of the printer apparatus 100 is referred to, and the communication of the connected external device is performed. If the I / F unit conforms to USB, the power consumption of the external device is determined by the initial communication operation. In S3, it is determined whether it is possible to supply power to all connected devices including external devices that are already connected. If power can be supplied to all connected devices, power supply is started in S4.

  If it is impossible to supply power to all the connected devices, it is determined in S37 whether or not the operator has previously registered the power supply priority order of the external device. That is, using the keys of the operation unit of the printer apparatus 100, for example, the priority order with respect to the external device is set such that the USB I / F unit is given priority over the memory card connector.

  If the operator has set priorities, power is supplied to each device according to the priorities in S28, and power is supplied in order of priority within a range in which the printer apparatus 100 can supply power. If the operator does not register the priority order of power supply to the external device, the process proceeds to S6 without supplying power in S5. In S6, as in the other embodiments, the display unit 10 of the printer apparatus 100 displays the external device that is supplying power.

According to the fourth embodiment, an operator can select an external device to be energized among a plurality of connected external devices, an operation to be performed by each device, and the like. As a result, in the printer apparatus 100 to which a plurality of external devices can be connected, the operator can set a priority order regarding the operations of the external devices.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a printer apparatus 100 that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a power supply operation when an external device is connected to the I / Fs 5 and 6 of the printer apparatus 100 according to the first exemplary embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when an external device having an I / F unit conforming to USB is connected to the I / F units 5 and 6 in the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the power control operation of the printer apparatus 100 according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation related to power control of the printer apparatus 100 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

100: Printer section,
1 ... CPU,
2 ... Memory,
3 ... Power supply unit,
4 ... Power Management Department
5, 6 ... I / F section,
7: Motor control unit,
8: Head controller,
9 ... operation part,
10: Display unit.

Claims (5)

In a printer device capable of connecting a plurality of external devices,
Type detection means for detecting the type of the external device connected to the printer;
Power supply means for supplying power to the external device connected to the printer apparatus;
Switch means for turning on / off the power supply means;
Power maximum value calculation means for estimating or measuring the maximum value of power that needs to be supplied to the external device;
Power comparison means for comparing the maximum power value estimated or measured by the power maximum value calculation means with the power value that can be supplied by the printer;
When the maximum power value estimated or measured by the power maximum value calculation means exceeds the power value that can be supplied by the printer device, the power supply means is selectively turned ON / OFF to connect the external Control means for controlling so that the total amount of power supplied to the device falls within a power value that can be supplied by the printer;
A printer apparatus comprising: In claim 1,
The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the maximum power value calculation means is memory means for storing power consumption corresponding to the external device. In claim 1,
A printer apparatus, comprising: an I / F unit for connecting the external device, wherein the I / F unit is an I / F unit conforming to a USB standard or an IEEE 1394 standard. In a printer device capable of connecting a plurality of external devices,
Type detection means for detecting the type of the external device connected to the printer;
Power supply means for supplying power to the external device connected to the printer apparatus;
Switch means for turning on / off the power supply means;
Power maximum value calculation means for estimating or measuring the maximum value of power that needs to be supplied to the external device;
Power comparison means for comparing the maximum power value estimated or measured by the power maximum value calculation means with the power value that can be supplied by the printer;
Operation means for setting the priority order of external devices connected to the I / F;
According to the priority set by the operation means, the power supply means is selectively turned on when the maximum power value estimated or measured by the power maximum value calculation means exceeds the power value that can be supplied by the printer device. By turning off / off, the total amount of power supplied to the connected external device is controlled to be within the power value that can be supplied by the printer, and the power supply status to the external device is controlled by the operator. Control means to notify;
A printer apparatus comprising: In claim 4,
The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switch means is means for selectively turning on / off the power supply means in response to an operation by an operator performed via the operation means.

Images