JP5083017B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having a basic configuration including a main body system and a subsystem that receives control commands from the outside and transmits them to the main body system.

  An example of the image processing apparatus having the basic configuration as described above is described in, for example, the following Patent Document 1. That is, in order to be able to return from the power saving mode by a key operation, power is supplied to the operation unit even in the power saving mode. However, the power saving effect is not sufficient for that purpose.

On the other hand, Patent Document 2 discloses an image processing apparatus including a system main body and an operation panel subsystem. When the power saving mode is set, the power supply of the system main body and the power supply of the operation panel subsystem are It is described to turn off both.
JP 2000-056869 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-007343

By the way, when a dedicated key for accepting an operation for returning from the power saving mode is provided, it is desirable to notify the user, for example, by generating a buzzer sound or the like when the image processing apparatus accepts the operation. However, conventionally, the sound output unit that emits such a buzzer sound is configured as a part that is constantly supplied with power in the main system , and has a problem that power is consumed even in the power saving mode.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the problem and propose an image processing apparatus having a novel configuration that suppresses power consumption of an audio output unit that notifies acceptance of an operation for canceling a power saving mode.

That is, the present invention controls a power supply unit, a main system, a subsystem that receives a control command from the outside and transmits it to the main system, and a power saving function that interrupts power supply from the power supply unit to the subsystem. Detecting a state of a power saving mode canceling key and the power saving mode canceling key, and starting the supply of power to the subsystem when the power saving mode canceling key is operated. A detection unit that outputs a detection signal when the operation of the power mode release key is continued for a predetermined time or more, wherein the subsystem includes an audio output unit that notifies the cancellation of the power saving mode; When the power supply to the subsystem is started by operating the power saving mode release key, the subsystem is initialized, and then the detection unit is referred to. Then, the level of the detection signal is judged, and if the detection signal is valid, the sound output unit is operated to notify, while if the detection signal is not valid, the power supply to the subsystem is prohibited. And a controller for returning to the power saving mode.

In the present invention, since the audio output unit for notifying the cancellation of the power saving mode is provided in the subsystem unit, and the power supply to the subsystem is interrupted during the power saving mode, the power consumption of the audio output unit is reduced. It can be suppressed. Further, since the audio output unit mainly outputs the audio by guiding the operation of the subsystem, the circuit configuration is simpler than the conventional configuration in which the audio output unit is provided in the main system .

  The configuration including the detection unit that constantly supplies power and detects the state of the power saving mode cancel key is convenient because the power saving mode can be canceled by a user operation.

  In addition, the time during which the power saving mode release key is continuously operated is determined, and if it is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the voice output unit is activated and notified. In the configuration in which the supply is prohibited and returned to the power saving mode, for example, in the case of an erroneous operation such as the user unintentionally touching the power saving mode release key, the image processing apparatus returns to the power saving mode. It will not be consumed unnecessarily.

  The present invention can be applied to various image processing apparatuses, such as a printer apparatus, a scanner apparatus, a copying apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, and a multifunction apparatus that integrates these functions, and there is no particular limitation on the type of image processing apparatus. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image processing apparatus abstracted to explain the idea of the present invention. That is, the image processing apparatus having a specific function is not illustrated, but various image processing apparatuses are generalized and simplified in a form consistent with the inventive concept.

  The image processing apparatus 1 basically includes a power supply unit 11 that supplies power to each unit of the apparatus, a main body system 12, and a subsystem 13 that receives control commands from the outside and transmits them to the main body system 12. .

  As a power saving function as a precondition of the invention, the image processing apparatus 1 has a function of interrupting at least the power supply to the subsystem 13 by the power supply unit 11, but the power supply to the main system 12 is also the same. You may make it interrupt. Further, in order to restart the power supply interrupted by the power saving function, the image processing apparatus 1 further includes a detection unit 14 to which power is always supplied. The detection unit 14 is provided with a power saving mode cancel key 15 for accepting an operation for setting or canceling the power saving mode.

  The detection unit 14 resumes the supply of power to the main system 12 or the subsystem 13 when the power saving mode release key 15 is operated.

  The power supply unit 11 always supplies power to the detection unit 14, but supplies power to the main system 12 or subsystem 13 according to the control of the detection unit 14 and interrupts the supply. It has become. However, in a facsimile apparatus or the like, it is necessary to receive a facsimile and hold the received image data even in the power saving mode. Always supply power.

The main system 12 includes a control unit 12a and an image processing unit 12b.
The control unit 12 a controls the image processing unit 12 b to execute predetermined image processing, while receiving data control communications from the subsystem 13 and receiving various control commands from the subsystem 13. The control command includes, for example, a command for setting operating conditions and a command for executing a predetermined job.

  The image processing unit 12b includes a mechanism unit that executes a predetermined job and an electronic circuit associated therewith. For example, in the case of a printer device, an image memory for holding an image to be printed, a transport mechanism for transporting recording paper, a print mechanism for printing an image on recording paper, a transport control circuit, a print control circuit, and the like.

  The subsystem 13 includes a control unit 13a, an operation unit 13b made of, for example, a keypad, a display unit 13c made of a liquid crystal panel, and an audio output unit 13d. The main purpose of the voice output unit 13d is to output a voice according to the operation of the operation unit 13b, but it is also used to notify the cancellation of the power saving mode by a buzzer sound or the like. The power saving mode release key 15 may be provided along with the operation unit 13b.

  The control unit 13a controls the operation unit 13b and the display unit 13c, receives key operations of the operation unit 13b, displays information corresponding to the key operations on the display unit 13c, and performs data communication with the main body system 12. The information obtained by decoding the key operation of the operation unit 13b is transmitted to the main system 12. In addition, when the supply of power to the subsystem 13 is resumed by operating the power saving mode release key 15, the control unit 13a initializes each part of the subsystem 13 and then operates the audio output unit 13d to notify. To do. Alternatively, the control unit 13a initializes each unit of the subsystem 13, and then refers to the detection unit 14 to determine the time during which the power saving mode release key 15 is continuously operated. If so, the audio output unit 13d is activated to notify, while if it is less than the predetermined time, the power supply to the subsystem 13 is prohibited and the power saving mode is restored.

  The power supply to the main system 12 or the subsystem 13 may be resumed by an event such as a preset time or receiving a predetermined signal from an external device.

  The control unit 12a of the main body system 12 and the control unit 13a of the subsystem 13 can be configured by, for example, a microcontroller in which a CPU, a freely rewritable memory, a serial communication circuit, and the like are integrated on a single chip. Can easily realize data communication between the main system 12 and the subsystem 13 by serial communication.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a basic procedure of control by the control unit 13a of the subsystem 13 when returning from the power saving mode.

In this procedure, when the power supply to the subsystem 13 is resumed, the control unit 13a first initializes the entire subsystem 13 (step 101).
After the initialization is completed, the control unit 13a refers to the detection unit 14 to determine a time during which the power saving mode release key 15 is continuously operated. Here, when the control unit 13a determines that the operation time of the power saving mode release key 15 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the voice output unit 13d and the display unit 13c are operated to notify the user of the release of the power saving mode. Thereafter, the process proceeds to normal processing (steps 102 to 106).
On the other hand, when the control unit 13a determines that the operation time of the power saving mode release key 15 is less than the predetermined time, the power supply to the subsystem 13 is interrupted again to return to the power saving mode (step 107).

FIG. 3 is a time chart showing state changes of the power saving control key 15, the detection unit 14, the power supply unit 11, and the subsystem 13.
In the figure, at time T1, the operation of the power saving control key is started.
At time T2, the detection unit 14 detects the operation of the power saving control key and outputs a control signal (p_con) to the power supply unit 11. The power supply unit 11 receives the control signal (p_con) and receives the control signal (p_con). Power supply (vcc_panel) has started. Thereby, the initialization of the subsystem 13 is started, and at time T3, the completion of the initialization is notified to the main system 12 by the control signal (init_done).
At time T4, the control unit 13a of the subsystem 13 determines the level of the detection signal (wakeup) from the detection unit 14. In this case, since the power saving control key is continuously operated for a predetermined time or more and the detection signal (wakeup) is valid, the audio output unit 13d and the display unit 13c are operated to save the user. The cancellation of the power mode is informed.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. It is the flowchart which showed the basic procedure of the control of a subsystem at the time of returning from a power saving mode. It is the time chart which showed the state change of a power saving control key, a detection part, a power supply part, and a subsystem.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing apparatus 11 Power supply part 12 Main body system 13 Subsystem 13a Control part 13d Audio | voice output part 14 Detection part 15 Power saving mode cancellation | release key

Claims (1)

A power supply unit, the main system and the power-saving mode for controlling the subsystem, to suspend power saving function power supply to the sub-system from the power supply unit to be transmitted to the body system accepts a control command from the outside A release key,
When the state of the power saving mode release key is detected and the power saving mode release key is operated, supply of power to the subsystem is started, and the operation of the power saving mode release key is performed for a predetermined time or more. A detection unit that outputs a detection signal when it is continued ,
The subsystem is
An audio output unit for informing the cancellation of the power saving mode;
When supply of power to the subsystem is started by operating the power saving mode release key, the subsystem is initialized, and then the level of the detection signal is determined by referring to the detection unit. If the signal is valid, the voice output unit is activated to notify, while if the detection signal is not valid, a control unit is provided to prohibit power supply to the subsystem and return to the power saving mode. Image processing apparatus.

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