JP2007160711A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that controls power supply of a sub-control unit to reduce power consumption, and more particularly, to provide a printing apparatus that can acquire necessary apparatus information even during sleep.
For example, the present invention provides a printing apparatus capable of detecting an apparatus state such as presence / absence of a sheet and remaining sheet information.
A detection signal of a sensor 8a shared by a sub-control unit 2 is switched in output to a timing signal input unit by a switching circuit 10 provided in the sub-control unit 2, and the main control is performed via a main logic circuit 5. It is supplied to the CPU 4 of the unit 1. That is, even when the CPU 9 of the sub control unit 2 is set to the power saving mode, the detection signal such as the presence or absence of paper detected by the sensor 8a can be reliably transmitted to the CPU 4 of the main control unit 1. .
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that controls power supply of a sub-control unit to reduce power consumption.

  Today, not only ordinary printer apparatuses but also MFPs having multiple functions such as a scanner function and a copying function are widely used. Also, various types of printing apparatuses such as an ink jet method and an electrophotographic recording method are used. The control circuit of such a printing apparatus is often mounted by dividing the circuit board of the control circuit into a plurality of units in order to complicate the mechanism unit, increase the mounting density, and support various types. However, on the other hand, there is a strong demand for power saving of the entire printing apparatus, and a sleep mode is implemented in which the operation of a unit not used during non-printing is stopped to reduce power consumption.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional engine control circuit. FIG. 10A shows a control circuit in a state where the entire engine is operating, and FIG. 10B shows a case where the engine is in a sleep state. . The engine control circuit is composed of two units, a main control unit 40 and a sub-control unit 41. The main control unit 40 controls the entire engine, and controls a plurality of loads 42 and a plurality of sensors 43 of motors and actuators. The sub control unit 41 is responsible for controlling the load 44 and the plurality of sensors 45.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the CPU 46 of the main control unit 40 uses the main / sub communication signal a to issue an instruction to the CPU 47 of the sub control unit 41, and also uses the main / sub communication signal a to output the sub control unit 41. Read the status.

As the timing signal b, a signal requiring strict timing, such as a pulse cycle signal of a pulse motor, is output from the main logic circuit 48 to the sub logic circuit 49.
On the other hand, FIG. 5B shows a case where the shared part of the sub-control unit 41 is set to a non-operation state, so-called sleep state, according to an instruction from the CPU 46. The stitch portion shown in FIG. 6B shows a circuit in a stopped state, and the CPU 47 and the sub logic circuit 49 are set in a stopped state to suppress power consumption. Further, since the CPU 47 is in a stopped state, the state of the sensor 45 cannot be read by the CPU 47.

  FIG. 11 is a detailed circuit block diagram of the sub-control unit 41. The timing signal b supplied from the main control unit 40 (main logic circuit 48) is supplied to the sub logic circuit 49. Further, drive signals 50a to 50d are output from the CPU 47, and the drive signals 50a to 50d are supplied to loads 44a to 44d via control logic circuits 49a to 49d and driver circuits 51a to 51d constituting the sub logic circuit 49. .

The detection signals 52 a to 52 d detected by the sensors 45 are supplied to the CPU 47 and transmitted from the CPU 47 to the CPU 46 of the main control unit 40.
Incidentally, as an image recording apparatus using a main power source and a sub power source, for example, Patent Document 1 is disclosed in which energization to a light emitting element of a photosensor is stopped to save power.
JP 2003-339983 A (paragraphs 0042-0059)

  In the above conventional example, even when the printing apparatus is in the power saving mode, the paper feed cassette or the like may be operated by the user for paper supply. For this reason, the presence / absence of paper and the remaining amount of paper must be detected even in the power saving mode, and information such as the presence / absence of paper must be displayed on the operation panel, for example.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a printing apparatus that employs a power saving mode to reduce power consumption, and that can accurately acquire and display, for example, information such as the presence or absence of paper and the remaining amount of paper.

  According to the printing apparatus of the present invention, the above-described problem includes first and second control units that share the load of the apparatus and the state detection of the apparatus, and the second control unit supplies power in the power saving mode. In the printing apparatus to be stopped, the second control unit is supplied from an input unit that inputs a control signal supplied from the first control unit and a detection unit that performs the state detection in the power saving mode. A first switching means for switching the detection signal to be output to the input means, and an output for outputting the detection signal switched by the first switching means to the first control means via the input means. And a printing apparatus having the means.

  Here, the control signal is, for example, a timing signal of a load controlled by the second control unit, and an input portion of such a timing signal is used as a detection signal of a sensor that performs state detection in the power saving mode. Even when the power supply to the second control unit is not performed by using as the input unit, the detection signal of the sensor controlled by the second control unit can be guided to the first control unit.

With this configuration, it is possible to reliably perform power saving of the printing apparatus and necessary apparatus state detection even in the power saving mode.
The first control unit includes a second switching unit that switches, for example, an input of a detection signal supplied from the second control unit and an output of a control signal output to the second control unit. It is.

  With this configuration, the control signal supplied from the first control means to the second control means and the detection signal supplied from the second control means to the first control means are transmitted to the first control means. For example, the detection signal input to the first control means can be supplied to the CPU.

  The detection means for detecting the state is, for example, a sensor that detects the presence or absence of paper or the remaining amount of paper. With this configuration, it is possible to reliably know the replenishment of paper to the paper cassette even in the power saving mode.

  Further, according to the printing apparatus of the present invention, in the printing apparatus including the detection unit that detects the state of the apparatus, in the power saving mode, the power stop unit that stops the power supply to the detection unit; In the power mode, the switching means is switched by an operation of the device portion provided with the switching means, and the power supply means for temporarily supplying power to the detection means, and during the power supply, the detection output of the detection means This can be achieved by providing a printing apparatus having confirmation means for confirming the state.

With this configuration, it is possible to reliably perform power saving of the printing apparatus and necessary apparatus state detection.
The detection means for detecting the state is, for example, a sensor that detects the presence or absence of paper or the remaining amount of paper. With this configuration, it is possible to reliably know the replenishment of paper to the paper feed cassette even in the power saving mode.

According to the present invention, the power consumption of the printing apparatus can be suppressed, and the necessary apparatus state detection can be reliably performed even in the power saving mode.
In addition, when a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of paper or the remaining amount of paper is used as the detection means, information such as the presence or absence of the paper can be reliably obtained even in the power saving mode.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an engine control circuit for realizing the present embodiment. FIG. 1A shows a control circuit in a state where the entire engine is operating, and FIG. 1B shows an engine control circuit. Shows the case of the sleep state. The engine control circuit is disposed in a printing apparatus (not shown). For example, in the case of an electrophotographic recording printer, the engine control circuit includes a photosensitive drum, a print head, a charger, a developing device, a transfer device, and the like. Drive control is performed.

  The engine control circuit of this example is composed of two units, a main control unit 1 and a sub control unit 2. The main control unit 1 controls the entire engine, and a drive signal is supplied from the CPU 4 to the load 3 via the main logic circuit 5. Further, the CPU 4 inputs a detection signal supplied from the sensor 6 via the main logic circuit 5 and uses it for driving control of the CPU 4.

  On the other hand, the sub control unit 2 connects the load 7 and the sensors 8a and 8b similarly to the main control unit 1, but the load 7 stops driving in the sleep mode. The sensor 8b also stops driving in the sleep mode. On the other hand, the sensor 8a does not stop driving even in the sleep mode, and detects, for example, the presence or absence of paper and the remaining amount of paper. The shaded portion shown in FIG. 1B indicates a circuit that stops driving in the sleep mode. However, during printing, the CPU 9 supplies a drive signal to the load 7 via the sub-logic circuit 10 in order to control the load 7. Further, the CPU 9 inputs detection signals supplied from the sensors 8 a and 8 b via the sub logic circuit 10 and uses them for driving control of the CPU 9.

  Further, the main / sub communication signal a and the timing signal t are transmitted / received between the main control unit 1 and the sub control unit 2, the main / sub communication signal a is transmitted / received between the CPU 4 and the CPU 9, and the timing signal t is the main logic. The signal is output from the circuit 5 to the sub logic circuit 10.

  In the above configuration, FIG. 2 is a diagram for specifically explaining the internal configuration of the sub-control unit 2. As shown in the figure, the sub logic circuit 10 arranged in the sub control unit 2 is composed of drive logic circuits 10 a to 10 d, and a switching circuit 11 is arranged in the sub logic circuit 10. The outputs of the drive logic circuits 10a to 10d are output to the loads 7a to 7d via the corresponding driver circuits 12a to 12d. On the other hand, the output of the sensor 8a is output to the CPU 9 via the switching circuit 11, and is output to the main control unit 1 side via the switching circuit 11 when the sub control unit 2 is in the sleep mode. The detection signal from the sensor 8b is directly output to the CPU 9.

  A selection signal C is supplied from the CPU 9 to the switching circuit 11, and detection signals d1 to d4 supplied from the sensor 8a according to the selection signal C are output to the CPU 9 or the main control unit 1 side. The timing signals t1 to t4 supplied from the main control unit 1 are switched by the switching circuit 11, and are supplied to the drive logic circuits 10a to 10d via the switching circuit 11 during the printing process.

  FIG. 3 shows a circuit diagram of the switching circuit 11. The switching circuit 11 is composed of a pair of three-state gates (hereinafter referred to as three-state circuits) 15 and 16, and four pairs of three-state circuits are arranged in parallel. For example, the timing signal t1 supplied from the main control unit 1 and the detection signal d1 from the sensor 8a are switched and controlled by the three-state circuits 15a and 16a. The timing signal t2 supplied from the main control unit 1 and the detection signal d2 from the sensor 8a are controlled to be switched by the three-state circuits 15b and 16c. The same applies to the timing signals t3 and t4 supplied from the main control unit 1 and the detection signals d3 and d4 from the sensor 8a, and the switching is controlled by the corresponding three-state circuits 15c and 16c or 15d and 16d. .

  On the other hand, FIG. 4 is a specific circuit diagram of the main control unit 1, and the main logic circuit 5 includes a timing generation circuit 20 and a switching circuit 21. The timing generation circuit 20 is a circuit that generates the above-described timing signals t1 to t4, and outputs the timing signals t1 to t4 generated according to the control of the CPU 4 to the switching circuit 21. The switching circuit 21 supplies the timing signals t <b> 1 to t <b> 4 to the sub control unit 2 in accordance with the select signal S supplied from the CPU 4.

  Further, when the detection signal d1 to d4 from the sensor 8a is input in the sleep mode, the switching circuit 21 outputs the detection signals d1 to d4 to the CPU 4 according to the select signal S. FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating a specific circuit of the switching circuit 21. The switching circuit 21 is also composed of a pair of three-state circuits 23 and 24, and four pairs of three-state circuits are arranged in parallel. For example, the timing signals t1 to t4 output from the timing generation circuit 20 are controlled to be switched by the three-state circuits 23a to 23d. The detection signals d1 to d4 supplied from the sub control unit 2 are controlled to be switched by the three-state circuits 24a to 24d.

In the above configuration, the processing operation of this example will be described below.
During the printing process, the main control unit 1 and the sub-control unit 2 are driven to supply drive signals to the loads 3 and 7 as shown in FIG. 1, and receive various detection signals from the sensors 6, 8a and 8b. . In the printing state, the select signal S is output from the CPU 4 of the main control unit 1 to the switching circuit 21, and the timing signals t1 to t4 generated by the timing generation circuit 20 are output to the sub control unit 2 side. That is, the select signal S ("L") is supplied from the CPU 4 to the switching circuit 21, the outputs of the three-state circuits 23a to 23d are set to low impedance, and the timing signals t1 to t4 are set to the switching circuit 21 (three-state circuits 23a to 23a). 23d) to supply to the sub-control unit 2.

  The CPU 9 on the sub-control unit 2 side supplies the select signal C during the printing process to the switching circuit 11, and performs the switching process of the timing signals t1 to t4 input from the main control unit 1. That is, at this time, the select signal C is “L”, the three-state circuits 15a to 15d shown in FIG. 3 are set to low impedance, and the timing signals t1 to t4 are guided to the drive logic circuits 10a to 10d.

  In this way, the timing signals t1 to t4 supplied to the drive logic circuits 10a to 10d are used for timing control of various drive signals output from the CPU 9. Various drive signals controlled by the timing signals t1 to t4 are output to the corresponding loads 7a to 7d via the driver circuits 12a to 12d.

  Further, information such as the presence / absence of paper detected by the sensor 8 a is input to the switching circuit 11 and supplied to the CPU 9 via the switching circuit 11. At this time, as described above, the select signal C is “L”, the outputs of the 3-state circuits 16a to 16d shown in FIG. 3 are high-in-piece, and the detection signals d1 to d4 supplied from the sensor 8a are 3 It is supplied to the CPU 9 without flowing through the state circuits 16a to 16d. In this case, the CPU 9 (sub control unit 2) is in a driving state, and the detection signals d1 to d4 supplied to the CPU 9 are further sent to the CPU 4 on the main control unit 1 side as the main / sub communication signal a.

  On the other hand, when the printing apparatus of this example is not used for a certain period of time, the sleep mode is set. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the transition to the sleep mode. First, the CPU 4 of the main control unit 1 switches the select signal S to “H” (step (hereinafter referred to as ST) 1), and transmits a sleep command to the CPU 9 of the sub control unit 2 (ST2). The transmission of the sleep command is one mode of the main / sub communication signal a described above.

  The CPU 9 of the sub-control unit 2 waits for reception of the sleep command (ST3), and when receiving the command (there is ST3), determines whether the command is a sleep command (ST4). If the command is not a sleep command (ST4 is No), the corresponding command processing is performed. If the command is a sleep command (ST4 is Yes), output not used during sleep is stopped (ST5). Then, the select signal C is switched to “H” (ST6), and the CPU 9 is switched to the sleep mode (ST7).

  By the above processing, first, the select signal S output from the CPU 4 becomes “H” and is supplied to the switching circuit 21. For this reason, the outputs of the three-state circuits 23a to 23d shown in FIG. 5 become high impedance, and the outputs of the timing signals t1 to t4 to the drive logic circuits 10a to 10d are cut off.

  Next, in the sleep mode, the drive of the CPU 9 of the sub-control unit 2 is stopped as described above. Therefore, it is necessary to send the detection signals d1 to d4 detected by the sensor 8a to the main control unit 1 without being output to the CPU 9.

  First, the detection signals d1 to d4 output from the sensor 8a are supplied to the switching circuit 11 described above. At this time, the select signal C is set to “H”, the outputs of the three-state circuits 16 a to 16 d shown in FIG. 3 are set to low impedance, and the detection signals d 1 to d 4 input to the switching circuit 11 are the switching circuit 11. It is sent to the main control unit 1 through (3-state circuits 16a to 16d).

  The detection signals d1 to d4 sent to the main control unit 1 are input to the switching circuit 21. At this time, an “H” select signal S is supplied from the CPU 4 to the switching circuit 21, and the outputs of the three-state circuits 24a to 24d are low impedance. Therefore, the detection signals d1 to d4 are sent to the CPU 4 through the switching circuit 21 (3-state circuits 24a to 24d). Therefore, even in the sleep mode in which the sub-control unit 2 is not driven, the detection signals d1 to d4 from the sensor 8a can be transmitted to the CPU 4 of the main control unit 1 via the switching circuit 11 and the switching circuit 21.

  Therefore, according to this example, it is possible to detect and notify the CPU 4 of information such as the presence / absence information of a sheet that needs to be detected even during sleep and the remaining sheet information. Moreover, according to this example, it can implement | achieve by addition of the switching circuits 11 and 21, and can implement | achieve invention by little cost increase.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for canceling the sleep mode, and a sleep cancel signal is transmitted from the CPU 4 of the main control unit 1 to the CPU 9 of the sub control unit 2 (ST8). The sub-control unit 2 performs initialization processing after releasing the sleeve (ST9), switches the select signal C to "L" (ST10), and transmits a sleep release completion signal to the CPU 4 (ST11). On the other hand, the main control unit 1 waits for the input of the sleep release completion signal, and receives the sleep release completion signal transmitted from the CPU 9 (Yes in ST12 and ST13), switches the select signal S to “L” (ST14), Exit sleep mode.

In the description of the above embodiment, one sub control unit 2 is connected to one main control unit 1, but a plurality of sub control units 2 are connected to one main control unit 1. It is good also as a structure.
(Embodiment 2)
Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described.

  In this example, it is wasteful power consumption to keep the LED lit even during sleep, so that the lighting of the LED is confirmed as necessary. Here, as an LED, for example, it is used for a photo sensor, and power supply to the photo sensor during sleep is stopped to reduce power consumption, and a detection signal from the photo sensor can be received as necessary. is there. This will be specifically described below.

  FIG. 8 is a system configuration diagram illustrating this example, and includes a CPU 30, a photo sensor LED control circuit 31, a paper presence / absence detection photo sensor 32, a paper remaining amount detection photo sensor 33, and a paper size detection switch 34. The paper presence / absence detection photosensor 32, the remaining paper amount detection photosensor 33, and the paper size detection switch 34 are disposed in the vicinity of a paper feed cassette (not shown), and detection signals from the photosensors are supplied to the CPU 30. The photosensor LED control circuit 31 performs on / off control of the LEDs in the paper presence / absence detection photosensor 32 or the LEDs in the paper remaining amount detection photosensor 33 in accordance with the control of the CPU 30.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation of this example. In the figure, when the printing apparatus is set to the sleep mode, a control signal is output from the CPU 30, and the photo sensor LED control circuit 31 outputs an LED off signal to the paper presence / absence detection photo sensor 32 (step (hereinafter referred to as "step"). , S) 1). Due to this OFF signal, the LED in the paper presence / absence detection photosensor 32 is turned off, and thereafter, the paper presence / absence detection photosensor 32 stops the paper presence / absence detection processing. At the same time, the photosensor LED control circuit 31 outputs an LED OFF signal to the remaining paper amount detection photosensor 33, turns off the LED in the paper presence / absence detection photosensor 32, and thereafter the remaining paper amount detection photosensor 33 The remaining paper amount detection process is stopped (S2). Therefore, the above processing eliminates the power consumption for causing the LED to emit light, thereby realizing power saving.

  Thereafter, the sleep mode continues, but the paper cassette may be pulled out to replenish paper, for example. In this case, the paper size detection switch 34 is turned on when the paper is replenished and the paper feed cassette is installed in the printing apparatus. The paper size detection switch 34 can be driven even during the power sleep mode. When the paper is replenished and the paper feed cassette is mounted on the printing apparatus, the paper size detection switch 34 is turned on.

  Therefore, even when the printing apparatus is in the sleep mode, when the paper cassette is attached or detached, the paper size detection switch 34 changes from off to on (S2 is Yes), and the photo sensor LED control circuit 31 outputs an LED on signal. (S3). By this ON signal, the LED in the paper presence / absence detection photosensor 32 and the LED in the paper remaining amount detection photosensor 33 are lit, and the detection operation of the paper presence / absence detection photosensor 32 and the paper remaining amount detection photosensor 33 is started. (S4).

  Thereafter, the CPU 30 knows the completion of the detection operation based on the detection signals output from the paper presence / absence detection photosensor 32 and the remaining paper amount detection photosensor 33 (S5 is Yes), and completes the processing of this example. That is, even when the printing apparatus is in the sleep mode, the paper presence / absence detection photosensor 32 and the remaining paper amount detection photosensor 33 can be driven as necessary, and the presence / absence and remaining amount of paper can be known.

  In this example, the LED is turned on / off based on the driving of the paper size detection switch 34. However, the LED is turned on by driving the switch that detects opening / closing of the front cover and side cover of the printing apparatus. Alternatively, the off control may be performed.

It is a figure which shows an example of the engine control circuit for implement | achieving this embodiment, (a) shows the control circuit of the state in which the whole engine is operating, (b) is the book which shows the case where an engine is a sleep state It is a system configuration figure of an embodiment. It is a figure explaining the internal structure of a sub control unit concretely. It is a figure which shows the circuit diagram of the switching circuit in a sub control unit. FIG. 3 is a specific circuit diagram on the main control unit 1 side. It is a circuit diagram explaining the specific circuit structure of the switching circuit in a main control unit. It is a flowchart explaining the transfer process to sleep mode. It is a flowchart explaining the cancellation | release process of sleep mode. 6 is a system configuration diagram for realizing Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation of the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the engine control circuit of a prior art example, (a) shows the control circuit of the state in which the whole engine is operating, (b) is the system configuration of this embodiment which shows the case where an engine is a sleep state FIG. It is a figure explaining the internal structure of the sub-control unit of a prior art example concretely.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main control unit 2 ... Sub control unit 3 ... Load 4 ... CPU
5 ... main logic circuit 6 ... sensor 7 ... load 8a, 8b ... sensor 9 ... CPU
10. Sub logic circuits 10a to 10d Drive logic circuit 11 Switching circuits 12a to 12d Drive logic circuits 15, 16, 15a to 15d, 16a to 16d Three state circuit 20 Timing generation circuit 21 ..Switching circuits 23, 24, 23a-23d, 24a-24d..3-state circuit 30..CPU
31 .. Photo sensor LED control circuit 32.. Paper presence detection photo sensor 33.. Paper remaining amount detection photo sensor 34... Paper size detection switch

Claims (6)

First and second control means for sharing the apparatus load and apparatus state detection, the second control means is a printing apparatus in which power supply is stopped in the power saving mode.
The second control means includes an input means for inputting a control signal supplied from the first control means;
A first switching means for switching a detection signal output from the detection means for detecting the state to an output to the input means in the power saving mode;
Output means for outputting the detection signal switched by the first switching means to the first control means via the input means;
A printing apparatus comprising:   The first control means includes second switching means for switching an input of a detection signal supplied from the second control means and an output of a control signal output to the second control means. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit that detects the state is a sensor that detects the presence or absence of paper or the remaining amount of paper.   4. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second switching means are three-state circuits. In a printing apparatus provided with detection means for detecting the state of the apparatus
In the power saving mode, power stop means for stopping power supply to the detection means,
During the power saving mode, the switching means is switched by the operation of the device portion provided with the switching means, and the power supply means for temporarily supplying power to the detection means,
Confirmation means for confirming the state of the apparatus by the detection output of the detection means during the power supply;
A printing apparatus comprising:   6. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the detecting means for detecting the state is a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of paper or the remaining amount of paper.