JP2011051238A - Working device - Google Patents

Abstract

To save power of an operating device.
When connected to a user PC via a USB cable, a polling time timer is started (S170), and a confirmation process is executed to check whether a command from the user PC is stored in a reception buffer. However, when not connected to the user PC via the USB cable (S190), the timer is stopped and the confirmation process is not executed (S130). As a result, it is possible to suppress power consumption due to the execution of useless confirmation processing, and to save power.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation device that can be connected to an operation instruction device via a cable and operates in accordance with an operation instruction from the operation instruction device.

  Conventionally, as this type of operating device, one that alternatively executes a plurality of operation modes with different power consumptions has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This device is configured as a laser printer that has a print job execution mode, start mode, and standby mode (power saving mode) as operation modes. When the power supply timer is turned on, only the controller and interface are powered. When the print job can be received in the power saving mode and the print job is received, the power supply to the output engine unit is started in the start mode, the print job is executed in the print job execution mode, and the execution of the print job is completed. The power supply to the output engine unit is stopped.

JP 2006-272636 A

  Thus, in recent years, demands for power saving of devices are increasing, and it is considered as an extremely important issue to further save power while ensuring proper operation of the devices.

  The main purpose of the operating device of the present invention is to save power while ensuring proper operation of the device.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned main object, the operating device of the present invention employs the following means.

The operating device of the present invention is
An operation device that can be connected to an operation instruction device via a cable and operates according to an operation instruction from the operation instruction device,
Storage means for receiving and storing an operation instruction from the operation instruction device via the cable;
Connection detection means for detecting the presence or absence of connection of the cable;
When the connection of the cable is detected by the connection detection unit, a confirmation process for confirming whether an operation instruction is stored in the storage unit is repeatedly executed, and the connection of the cable is detected by the connection detection unit. If not, a gist is provided with confirmation means for stopping the confirmation processing.

  In the operating device according to the present invention, the operation instruction from the operation instruction device is received via the cable and stored in the storage means. If the connection of the cable is detected, is the operation instruction stored in the storage means? Confirmation process is repeatedly executed, and if the cable connection is not detected, the confirmation process is stopped. As a result, when the cable is connected, it is possible to accept the operation instruction by repeatedly executing the confirmation process, and when the cable is not connected, wasteful power is prevented from being consumed. be able to. As a result, power saving can be achieved while ensuring proper operation of the device. The operation device is connected to the print instruction device as the operation instruction device via the cable, and can perform printing according to a print job from the print instruction device. Image data can be transmitted without using the print instruction device. The printing apparatus may be configured as a printing apparatus that can read the image data from an image storage medium to be stored and directly print the image data. Alternatively, the operation instruction apparatus may be connected to a printing instruction apparatus via the cable to perform the printing. Printing may be performed in accordance with a print job from the instruction device, and the image forming apparatus may be configured as a multi-function device that can optically read a document and input image data. In these cases, since the use as a single operating device is assumed without connecting the cable, the power saving effect by stopping the confirmation process when the connection of the cable is not detected becomes more remarkable. .

  In such an operating device of the present invention, when the connection detection unit detects the connection of the cable, the confirmation unit repeatedly executes the confirmation process with a first polling time until a predetermined time elapses. And means for repeatedly executing the confirmation process with a second polling time longer than the first polling time when storage of the operation instruction in the storage means is not confirmed for the predetermined time or more. It can also be. In this way, it is possible to further suppress power consumption associated with execution of the confirmation process.

  Further, in the operating device of the present invention, a timer for measuring a polling time is provided, and the confirmation unit activates the timer when the connection of the cable is detected, and the connection of the cable is detected. If not, it can be a means for stopping the timer.

  Further, in the operating device of the present invention, when the connection detection unit has not detected the connection of the cable, it is set to a standby state, and when the connection detection unit has detected the connection of the cable, It is provided with a state control means that is set in a standby state until the storage of the operation instruction in the storage means is confirmed by confirmation processing, and shifts to an idle state when the storage of the operation instruction in the storage means is confirmed. It can also be.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a print system 10 according to an embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of a confirmation process routine. The flowchart which shows an example of a confirmation process time setting routine. Explanatory drawing of a time change of polling time, data input, and a printer state.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a print system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The print system 10 of this embodiment is configured such that a user computer (hereinafter referred to as user PC) 20 and a printer 30 are connected by a USB cable 50 as shown in the figure.

  The printer 30 optically reads a document placed on a document table, a main controller 31 that controls the entire apparatus, a printer unit 40 that performs printing by discharging ink as a colorant onto the recording paper S, and the like. A memory card controller 37 that controls input / output of data between the scanner unit 45 that generates image data and the memory card MC inserted in the memory card slot 37a, and a mode selection button for selecting a power button and an operation mode. , An operation unit 38 including a start button and the like, and a power supply unit 49 for supplying power from a commercial power source to each unit of the apparatus, which are electrically connected via a bus 39. The operation mode that can be selected by the mode selection button includes a scan mode for reading a document on the platen, a copy mode for reading a document on the platen for printing, and scanning by reading image data stored in the memory card MC. There are memory card modes to perform.

  The printer unit 40 includes a printer ASIC 42 and a printer engine 44. The printer ASIC 42 is an integrated circuit that controls the printer engine 44. Upon receiving a print command from the main controller 31, the printer ASIC 42 controls the printer engine 44 to print on a sheet based on an image file that is a target of the print command. The printer engine 44 is configured as a well-known inkjet color printer mechanism that performs printing by discharging ink from a print head onto paper. Note that ASIC is an abbreviation for Application Specific Integrated Circuit.

  The scanner unit 45 includes a scanner ASIC 46 and a scanner engine 48. The scanner ASIC 46 is an integrated circuit that controls the scanner engine 48. Upon receiving a scan command from the main controller 31, the scanner ASIC 46 controls the scanner engine 48 so as to read a document placed on a document table as image data. The scanner engine 48 is configured as a well-known image scanner, and the reflected light after being emitted toward the document is separated into red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors to obtain scan data. A known color image sensor is provided.

  The memory card controller 37 exchanges data with the memory card MC inserted into the memory card slot 37a, thereby reading out the file stored in the memory card 44 and transmitting it to the main controller 31 or the main controller 31. Data is written to the memory card MC in response to a command from 31.

  The USB controller 36 is a controller that controls the exchange of data with the user PC 20 via the USB cable 50 by connecting the USB cable 50 to the connection terminal 36 a. The connection terminal 36a is configured as a standard B receptacle that can connect two power system lines, a VBUS line and a GND line, and two signal system lines, a D + line and a D- line. The USB cable 50 has a standard A plug at one end and a standard B plug at the other end, two power supply lines, a VBUS line and a GND line, a D + line, and a D- line. It is configured as a cable having two signal system lines.

  The main controller 31 is configured as a microprocessor centered on the CPU 32, and includes a ROM 33 that stores various processing programs, a RAM 34 that temporarily stores data, and a timer 35. The RAM 34 is provided with a reception buffer for storing a command received from the user PC 20. The present embodiment has a power saving mode in which power supply to sensors and motors provided in the printer unit 40 and the scanner unit 45 is stopped and waits. For example, the operation of the printer 20 (operation unit 38) is performed for a predetermined time or more. When a predetermined condition such as not being performed is satisfied, the power saving mode is entered.

  The user PC 20 is a general-purpose personal computer including a controller 21, a display unit 25 as a display, a USB controller 26, and an interface (I / F) 28, and a program (printer driver) installed in an HDD (not shown). Thus, various commands are transmitted to the printer 30 and responses from the printer 30 are received. Examples of various commands transmitted to the printer 30 include a printing command for performing printing, and a cleaning command for cleaning the print head provided in the printer engine 44 of the printer 30. The USB controller 26 is a controller that controls the exchange of data with the printer 30 via the USB cable 50 by connecting the USB cable 50 to the connection terminal 26 a. The connection terminal 26a is configured as a standard A receptacle that can connect two power supply system lines of the VBUS line and the GND line and two signal system lines of the D + line and the D− line.

  Next, the operation of the printer 30 of the present embodiment configured as described above, particularly the operation when receiving a command from the user PC 20 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a confirmation processing routine executed by the CPU 32 of the main controller 31. This routine is repeatedly executed every predetermined time (for example, every several msec).

  When the confirmation processing routine is executed, the CPU 32 of the main controller 31 first inputs cable connection information (step S100). Here, the cable connection information includes, for example, information regarding the presence / absence of power supply from the VBUS. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the user PC 20 is connected via the USB cable 50 based on the input cable connection information (step S110). When the user PC 20 is not connected, a value 0 is set in the connection state flag F. (Step S120) The timer 35 is stopped (Step S130), the power saving state is set (Step S140), and this routine is terminated. The power saving state is set by stopping the power supply to the sensors and motors provided in the printer unit 40 and the scanner unit 45, but the power supply to the main controller 31 is maintained.

  On the other hand, when the user PC 20 is connected, the connection status flag F is checked (step S150). When the connection status flag F is 0, the connection status flag F is set to 1 (step S160) and the timer 35 is set. Is activated (step S170). After starting the timer 35 or when the connection state flag F is determined to be 1 in step S150, it is determined whether or not the polling time has arrived (step S180). When this routine is finished and the polling time has come, a confirmation process is executed to confirm whether or not the command from the user PC 20 is stored in the reception buffer of the RAM 34 (step S190), and the command is not stored. Sometimes (step S200), the power saving state is maintained (step S140), and this routine is terminated. When a command is stored (step S200), the routine shifts to an idle state (step S210), and this routine is executed. finish. In the transition to the idle state, preparation for executing an operation in accordance with the command is made by starting power supply to a sensor, a motor, or the like included in the printer unit 40 or the scanner unit 45.

  The polling time is set by executing the confirmation processing time setting routine shown in FIG. In the confirmation processing time setting routine, first, confirmation processing information is input (step S300), whether or not a command from the user PC 20 is stored in the reception buffer (step S310), and the command is stored in the reception buffer. If not, it is determined whether or not the state continues for a predetermined time or more (step S320). Here, the confirmation processing information includes the presence / absence of a command in the reception buffer and the history of the confirmation processing. When the command is stored in the reception buffer or when the command is not stored in the reception buffer, the default value A is set as the execution polling time when the command is not continued for a predetermined time or longer (step S330), this routine is finished. On the other hand, when the state in which no instruction is stored in the reception buffer continues for a predetermined time or longer, the polling time is extended to set the execution polling time (step S340), and this routine is terminated. . As described above, when the state in which no command is stored in the reception buffer continues for a predetermined time or longer, the polling time is extended by reducing the frequency of execution of the confirmation process and the operation of the main controller 31. This is to further save power by suppressing the power consumption.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a time change state of the confirmation processing execution timing, the command input, and the printer state. As shown in the figure, the confirmation process is executed at the polling time of the predetermined time A in the normal time, and when the command is not input from the user PC 20 for a predetermined time or more (time t1), the predetermined time B longer than the predetermined time A Confirmation process is executed at the polling time. When a command is input from the user PC 20 (time t2) and confirmed by the confirmation process, the printer state is changed from the power saving state to the idle state so that the command can be executed and the polling time is set to the predetermined time A. Return (time t3).

  As described above, when the user PC 20 is not connected by the USB cable 50, the confirmation process is stopped to save power. In this embodiment, the copy mode and the memory card mode can be used without using the user PC 20. For this reason, the power saving effect becomes more remarkable for users who mainly use the copy mode or the memory card mode without connecting the user PC 20.

  Here, the correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and the components of the present invention will be clarified. The USB cable 50 of the present embodiment corresponds to the “cable” of the present invention, the RAM 34 of the present embodiment corresponds to the “storage means” of the present invention, and step S300 of the confirmation processing time setting routine of FIG. 3 of the present embodiment. , S310 that executes the processing of S310 corresponds to the “connection detecting means” of the present invention, and the main controller 31 that executes the confirmation processing routine of FIG. 2 of the present embodiment corresponds to the “confirming means” of the present invention. To do.

  According to the printer 30 of the present embodiment described above, when connected to the user PC 20 by the USB cable 50, the polling time timer 35 is activated and whether or not the command from the user PC 20 is stored in the reception buffer. Since the timer 35 is stopped and the confirmation process is not performed when the USB cable 50 is not connected to the user PC 20, the power consumption due to the execution of the unnecessary confirmation process can be suppressed. As a result, power saving can be achieved. In addition, when the USB cable 50 is connected to the user PC 20 and the command storage is not confirmed in the reception buffer for a predetermined time or longer, the polling time is extended. In addition, further power saving can be achieved.

  In the printer 30 of the present embodiment, the polling time is extended when the storage of the command is not confirmed in the reception buffer for a predetermined time or more when connected to the user PC 20 by the USB cable 50. It does not matter if the time is always constant.

  In the printer 30 of the present embodiment, whether or not the confirmation process is performed is determined by determining whether or not the user PC 20 is connected by the USB cable 50, but the present invention is not limited to this. In a print system in which a PC and a printer are connected to a network such as a LAN, it may be determined whether or not the confirmation process is executed by determining whether or not the user PC is connected by a network cable.

  In this embodiment, the printer is configured as a multi-function printer including the printer unit 40 and the scanner unit 45. However, the printer unit 40 may be provided alone, or the scanner unit 45 may be provided alone. The operating device of the present invention is not limited to a printer or a scanner, and may be applied to other devices such as a FAX device and a viewer.

  It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

  10 system, 20 user computer (user PC), 21 controller, 22 CPU, 23 ROM, 24 RAM, 25 display unit, 26 USB controller, 26a connection terminal, 28 interface (I / F), 30 printer, 31 main controller, 32 CPU, 33 ROM, 34 RAM, 35 timer, 36 USB controller, 36a connection terminal, 37 memory card controller, 37a memory card slot, 38 operation unit, 39 bus, 40 printer unit, 42 printer ASIC, 44 printer engine, 45 Scanner unit, 46 Scanner ASIC, 48 Scanner engine, 49 Power supply unit, 50 USB cable.

Claims (6)

An operation device that can be connected to an operation instruction device via a cable and operates according to an operation instruction from the operation instruction device,
Storage means for receiving and storing an operation instruction from the operation instruction device via the cable;
Connection detection means for detecting the presence or absence of connection of the cable;
When the connection of the cable is detected by the connection detection unit, a confirmation process for confirming whether an operation instruction is stored in the storage unit is repeatedly executed, and the connection of the cable is detected by the connection detection unit. And a confirmation means for stopping the confirmation process if not.   When the connection detecting unit detects the connection of the cable, the checking unit repeatedly executes the checking process with a first polling time until a predetermined time elapses, 2. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein when the storage of the operation instruction in the storage unit is not confirmed, the confirmation process is repeatedly performed with a second polling time longer than the first polling time. The actuating device according to claim 1 or 2,
It has a timer to measure the polling time,
The confirmation means is means for starting the timer when the connection of the cable is detected, and stopping the timer when the connection of the cable is not detected.   When connection of the cable is not detected by the connection detection means, the standby state is set, and when connection of the cable is detected by the connection detection means, the confirmation process performs the confirmation to the storage means. 4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a state control unit that sets the standby state until the storage of the operation instruction is confirmed, and shifts to an idle state when the storage of the operation instruction to the storage unit is confirmed. Actuating equipment as described.   From the image storage medium that is connected to the print instruction device as the operation instruction device via the cable and can print according to a print job from the print instruction device and stores image data without going through the print instruction device The operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operating device is configured as a printing device capable of reading the image data and directly printing the image data.   As a multifunction device that is connected to a print instruction device as the operation instruction device via the cable and can print according to a print job from the print instruction device, and can optically read a document and input it as image data The actuating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the actuating device is configured.

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