CN1284062C - Image forming device having low power consumption mode and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided an image forming apparatus which is capable of responding to a status request with the minimum possible energy consumption even when the image forming apparatus is in a sleep state, to thereby achieve energy conservation. A main-chip microcomputer Q701 responds to an externally input status request when the image forming apparatus is in a normal standby mode, and enters an inoperative state where it does not respond to the externally input status request when the image forming apparatus is in a reduced power consumption mode. A 1-chip microcomputer Q702 responds to the externally input status request on behalf of the main-chip microcomputer Q701 when the image forming apparatus is in the reduced power consumption mode.

Description

Image processing system and control method thereof with low power consumption mode

Technical field

The image processing system and the control method thereof of the low power consumption mode of little power consumption when the present invention relates to have than common standby.

Background technology

In the past, exist network and connect image processing system and system for computer such as printer, duplicating machine, compounding machine.

Figure 24 is the block diagram of an example of the formation of the original network system that comprises image processing system of expression, the constituting of the network system that expression is for example used by a plurality of users under network environment.

The network system of Figure 24 is that network connects a plurality of personal computer PC 1103a, the structure of PC1103b and duplicating machine 1101a, duplicating machine 1101b, server 1102.Duplicating machine (comprising duplicating machine 1101a, duplicating machine 1101b) is made of printer unit 1201, reader unit 1216, controller unit 1202, DC power supply 1203.Controller unit 1202 carries out control with on/off control, reader unit 1216 and the printer unit 1201 of the message exchange of external device (ED) and DC power supply 1203 through network.

Duplicating machine 1101a, duplicating machine 1101b are not duplicating action, when printing action, for energy-conservation, are transferring to park mode (energy saver mode, low power consumption mode) through the schedule time.

Be installed to PC1103a by the application software with supervising the network, PC1103b can be known the duplicating machine 1101a that is connected network, the state of duplicating machine 1101b.By this software, there is not under the situation of paper the last state that shows this duplicating machine of PC for example having produced duplicating machine.Even if duplicating machine 1101a, duplicating machine 1101b are dormant state, as from the PC1103a that is connected network, when the printing of PC1103b requires, there is the controller unit 1202 of printing the duplicating machine inside that requires to detect this situation and start DC power supply 1203, start whole duplicating machine, print output.

But there is following problems in the network system of above-mentioned prior art.

When the image processing system that is connected network when for example duplicating machine is dormant state, under the situation of the inquiry of this last state of renewal at any time that duplicating machine is arranged from PC, controller unit 1202 starts DC power supply 1203, make and power to all engines of duplicating machine, in order to detect the state of inquiry, communicate with reader unit 1216, printer unit 1201, its result is turned back to PC through network.

Therefore, although duplicating machine has been in the realization that is called dormant state energy-conservation state, when inquiring the state of duplicating machine at every turn, all to whole duplicating machine power supply, perhaps all need all engines are placed "on" position in advance and duplicating machine is not transferred to park mode, run in the opposite direction with in recent years energy-conservation requirement.

Summary of the invention

First purpose of the present invention provides the image processing system with low power consumption mode and the control method thereof of the improper situation of having removed above-mentioned original image processing system.

Second purpose of the present invention provides a kind of image processing system and control method thereof, in the dormant state of image processing system, even if the state requirement is arranged, also can respond by the MIN power supply of necessity, realizes energy-conservation.

For reaching above-mentioned first and second purposes, according to a first aspect of the invention, a kind of image processing system is provided, has common standby mode and than this common standby mode power consumption low power consumption mode still less, comprising: control and image form the first control circuit of relevant processing; The second control circuit of the part action of the above-mentioned first control circuit when when the low power consumption mode of above-mentioned image processing system, carrying out above-mentioned common standby mode; With the status detection device that detects above-mentioned image processing system, wherein above-mentioned first control circuit is when the above-mentioned common standby mode of above-mentioned image processing system, response is from the state requirement of outside, when the above-mentioned low power consumption mode of above-mentioned image processing system, become the action halted state, do not respond state requirement from the outside, and above-mentioned second control circuit substitutes the state requirement of above-mentioned first control circuit response from the outside when the above-mentioned low power consumption mode of above-mentioned image processing system.

According to said structure, can remove the improper situation of original image processing system, when image processing system dormant state (low power consumption mode), even if the state requirement is arranged, also available required MIN power supply responds, thereby realizes energy-conservation simultaneously.

The status information that is more preferably above-mentioned first control circuit state of general's above-mentioned image processing system this moment when the above-mentioned low power consumption mode to above-mentioned image processing system shifts is transported to above-mentioned second control circuit.

Be more preferably the little power consumption of the power consumption of above-mentioned second control circuit than above-mentioned first control circuit.

Be more preferably and comprise: when the common standby mode of above-mentioned image processing system, to the 3rd control circuit of above-mentioned first control circuit transmission by the status information of the state of the detected above-mentioned image processing system of above-mentioned detection device; With the switching device shifter that when the above-mentioned low power consumption mode to above-mentioned image processing system shifts, the transmission destination of above-mentioned status information is switched to above-mentioned second control circuit from above-mentioned first control circuit.

Be more preferably when the above-mentioned low power consumption mode of above-mentioned image processing system from the outside receive start require or the situation of task under, above-mentioned second control circuit is to above-mentioned first control circuit output initiation indicator signal.

Be more preferably that above-mentioned second control circuit is preserved above-mentioned second control circuit after above-mentioned first control circuit output initiation indicator signal, be transported to above-mentioned first control circuit by the status information of the state of the detected above-mentioned image processing system of above-mentioned detection device.

Whether perhaps, be more preferably the above-mentioned image processing system of above-mentioned second control circuit input expression is the sleep status signal that is in the low power consumption mode state.

Be more preferably above-mentioned second control circuit at above-mentioned image processing system when above-mentioned low power consumption mode shifts, carry out following control: keep connection to first power supply of above-mentioned second control circuit supply capability, and, disconnect the second source beyond above-mentioned first power supply or this second source switched on and off.

Be more preferably above-mentioned detection device and have second sensor groups that the state that detects above-mentioned image processing system has had first sensor group that changes and the content that detects the detected state variation of above-mentioned first sensor group, above-mentioned second control circuit, when the low power consumption mode of above-mentioned image processing system, keep energising to above-mentioned first sensor group, when above-mentioned first sensor group detects the state variation of above-mentioned image processing system, make above-mentioned second sensor groups energising that has been de-energized.

For reaching above-mentioned first and second purposes, according to a second aspect of the invention, a kind of control method of image processing system is provided, this image processing system has common standby mode and than this common standby mode power consumption low power consumption mode still less, comprises that control and image form the first control circuit of relevant processing; The second control circuit of the part action of the above-mentioned first control circuit when when the low power consumption mode of above-mentioned image processing system, carrying out above-mentioned common standby mode; With the status detection device that detects above-mentioned image processing system, this control method comprises following step: when the above-mentioned common standby mode of above-mentioned image processing system, make the state requirement of above-mentioned first control circuit response from the outside; Thereby when the low power consumption mode of above-mentioned image processing system, make above-mentioned first control circuit become the action halted state and do not respond state requirement, and make above-mentioned second control circuit substitute the state requirement of above-mentioned first control circuit response from the outside from the outside.

Other purposes of the present invention, feature and advantage can from reference to below obtain the description of the drawings and the claim clear and definite.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the block diagram of an example of structure of the network system of the expression image processing system that adopts the first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 A-2B is the block diagram of the structure of expression each digit apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 3 A-3C is the block diagram of the structure of the printer unit shown in the presentation graphs 2A-2B (DCON) 201 and its relevant factor;

Fig. 4 is the figure of the interface actions between controller 202 shown in the key diagram 2A-2B and the DCON201;

Fig. 5 is the circuit diagram of the relation of the part of IF circuit 2 in the interface circuit 301 of the part of the sensors A group 208 shown in the presentation graphs 3A-3C and Fig. 3 A-3C;

Fig. 6 A-6B is the circuit diagram of relation of the part of the IF circuit 3 in the interface circuit 301 of the part of the sensor B group 209 shown in the presentation graphs 2A-2B and Fig. 3 A-3C;

Fig. 7 is the block diagram of the structure of controller 202 shown in the presentation graphs 2A-2B and relevant factor thereof;

Fig. 8 A-8C is the block diagram of the structure of RCON216 shown in the presentation graphs 2A-2B and relevant factor thereof;

Fig. 9 is that the paper supply shown in the presentation graphs 3A-3C is selected the IF circuit 2 of setting in the equipment 214 and the circuit diagram of the relation of sensors A group;

Figure 10 A-10B is that the paper supply shown in the presentation graphs 3A-3C is selected the IF circuit 3 of setting in the equipment 214 and the circuit diagram of the relation of sensor B group 209;

Figure 11 is the process flow diagram of an example of the control program that carries out of vice CPU;

Figure 12 A-12B is the process flow diagram of an example of the control program that carries out of expression host CPU;

Figure 13 A-13B is the process flow diagram that the state of the step S217 of Figure 11 is obtained processing;

Figure 14 A-14B is the process flow diagram that the state of the step S217 of expression Figure 11 is obtained the order of processing;

Figure 15 is the block diagram of the structure of the controller of image processing system of the expression second embodiment of the present invention and relevant factor thereof;

Figure 16 represents as the PC103a on the Ethernet 104 of network the figure of the exchange of the command response between 103b and digit apparatus 101a, the 101b;

Figure 17 is the process flow diagram of an example of the control program that carries out of secondary CPU of expression second embodiment;

Figure 18 is that the host CPU of step S1215～S1218 of expression Figure 17 starts the process flow diagram of handling;

Figure 19 A-19B is the process flow diagram of an example of the control program that carries out of host CPU of expression second embodiment;

Figure 20 A-20B is the process flow diagram that the state of the step S1213 of expression Figure 17 is obtained processing;

Figure 21 A-21C is the process flow diagram that the state of the step S1213 of expression Figure 17 is obtained processing;

Figure 22 is the process flow diagram of switch determination processing of step S1429～S1436 of presentation graphs 21B;

Figure 23 is the figure of storage chart of the storage medium of expression store various kinds of data handling procedure;

Figure 24 is the block diagram of an example of the structure of the existing network system of expression.

Embodiment

Describe the image processing system of embodiments of the invention in detail below with reference to accompanying drawing.

Fig. 1 is the block diagram of an example of structure of the network system of the expression image processing system that adopts the first embodiment of the present invention.In the formation device of the present invention, comprise printing equipment (printer), the facsimile unit that adopts electric photographic type and ink-jetting style and other mode of printings certainly or comprise the digit apparatus that combination picture that print processing, fax handle is handled.Be that example describes below with the digit apparatus.

Among Fig. 1,101a and 101b are digit apparatus, as described later, and by moving to printer unit (DCON) 201 and reader unit (RCON) 216 and controller 202 power supplies from the DC power supply 203 shown in Fig. 2 A-2B.

The 102nd, server, 103a and 103b are personal computer (PC), through Ethernet (registered trademark) 104 connection digit apparatus 101a, the 101b of local network.Can be through Ethernet 104 from PC103a, 103b receives print out task, or at from PC103a, the status enquiry output state information of 103b.

State described here is that the memory state, treatment situation of current task, the set size with carton are set, have or not in this usefulness carton paper, selection equipment connection state, have or not toner etc.Have facsimile function in the digit apparatus, can be connected communicatedly with external device (ED) through predetermined communication line (for example telephone wire).

Duplicating mechanism about these digit apparatus carries out simple declaration.The components of photo-electric conversion that use is called CCD or feeler read original image, are transformed to numerical data and carry out reading of original copy.And, according to the data-modulated laser instrument that reads, on the photoreceptor that has carried out electrification in high voltage, forming the sub-image image, the toner that is used as developer looks like this image development to be transferred on the transfer paper with toner.

On digit apparatus 101a, the 101b as the image processing system of present embodiment 2 standby modes are arranged respectively, promptly standby (standby) pattern, park mode are the patterns of not carrying out copy, printing any action in action, facsimile transmission action, facsimile reception action, the scanning motion etc.

Here standby mode is the pattern that can get started above-mentioned action, park mode be can not get started above-mentioned action but than standby mode power consumption still less pattern.

Fig. 2 A-2B is the block diagram of the structure of expression each digit apparatus 101a, 101b shown in Figure 1.

In Fig. 2 A-2B, DCON201 is responsible for receiving and printing through interface IF-1 from controller 202 described later the printing control of video data.DCON201 interface IF-2, IF-3, IF-4 connects the sensor groups 208 of various printing control needs, 209,210, connect the printer DC load group 211 that prints usefulness with interface IF-5, connect the exposure mechanism 212 relevant with interface IF-6, and control them with the laser instrument that on photoreceptor, exposes.

DCON201 connects the paper delivery of classifying with interface IF-7 and selects equipment 213, and the paper supply that connects the box number of plies of setting up paper supply with interface IF-8 is selected equipment 214, selects equipment 213,214 by various information being carried out serial communication controlling.

Sensor is divided into following three groups.

First group be in the copy/in printing/standby in/the sensors A group 208 that all regularly detects under any one state in the dormancy, second group be in the copy/in printing/standby in/all carry out the sensor B group 209 of more detailed detection (state variation of the image processing system that sensors A group 208 detects) under any one state in the dormancy according to the testing result of sensors A group 208, the 3rd group be only in copy/in printing/detect action under each state in standby, do not carry out the sensor C group 210 of any detection action in the dormancy.

DCON201 connects AC driver 205 described later with interface IF-7, and control linkage is in the AC of AC driver 205 load group 215.Comprise heating fusion toner in this AC load group 215 and photographic fixing is used on paper no illustrated well heater.The power supply that DCON201 is supplied with only has when action and power supply of supplying with when standby and the power supply also supplied with during in dormancy.Only the power supply of supplying with in when action with when standby is supplied with from DC power supply 203 through PW-DC-2, and the power supply of also supplying with when dormancy is supplied with through interface IF-1 slave controller 202.

AC driver 205, by the on/off signal through interface IF-7 from DCON201, with the on-off element that is called three terminal bidirectional thyristor switch element or SSR, warp PW-AC-3 switches the energising outage of AC100V to AC load group 215.

RCON216 is responsible for the control of scanning system, uses interface IF-12,13,14 be used to carry out sensor groups 217,218,219 connections that image reads transports etc. with imageing sensor 221 and interface IF-16 control original copy, connect DC load group 220 with interface IF-15, control them.

The sensor groups that is connected with RCON216 also is divided into following three groups.

First group be in the copy/in printing/standby in/the sensor D group 217 that all regularly detects under any one state in the dormancy, second group be in the copy/in printing/standby in/sensor E group 218 that the detected state of any one state lower sensor D group 217 in the dormancy all carries out more detailed detection when changing, the 3rd group be only in copy/in printing/detect in standby, do not carry out the sensor F group 219 of any detection in the dormancy.

Imageing sensor 221 is transformed into electric signal with view data, and this electric signal is pressed the predetermined format conversion, and through interface IF-16, IF-19 carries video datas to controller 202.

Controller 202 usefulness interface IF-1 connect DCON201, on the other hand, connect RCON216 with interface IF-9.Connect by these, represent during copy that the video data of original image is delivered to controller 202 from RCON216, handle this video data after, slave controller 202 is delivered to DCON201.At this moment, the form of controller 202 conversion video datas or processing video data make the conveying of video data be fit to the processing of the timing etc. of printer action.Controller 202 usefulness interface IF-19 attended operation unit 222 carry out from the input detection of operating unit 222 and the demonstration of operating unit 222.223 are arranged on the power switch on the operating unit 222, also become from the input of power switch 223 and transfer to park mode and from the trigger that return of park mode to standby mode.

Controller 202 usefulness interface IF-8 connect DC power supply 203, and may command is passed through line PW-DC-1, the on/off of 2,3 part DC power supply output.Controller 202 is connected telephone wire through interface IF-11 with FAX-UNIT206.Controller 202 is connected Ethernet through interface IF-10 with LAN-UNIT207.Here, LAN-UNIT207 is not limited to the connection Ethernet, can be the communication unit of deferring to predetermined protocol.Certainly can adopt Wireless/wired both.

The 204th, the AC input block, input is from the AC100V of the warp PW-AC-1 input of outlet, and by detecting the circuit of circuit, the capacitor of removing noise that leaks electricity, the discharge resistance that comprises this capacitor etc., warp PW-AC-2 supplies to DC power supply 203 and AC driver 205.

Fig. 3 A-3C is the block diagram of the structure of the DCON201 shown in the presentation graphs 2A-2B and its relevant factor, and the textural element corresponding with Fig. 2 A-2B adds same numeral.

Among Fig. 3 A-3C, P5VB and P5VC are respectively the 5V power supplys.Power supply P5VB is the power supply of supplying with from DC power supply 203, in copy/and in printing/standby middle the supply.301～309th, interface circuit (IF circuit).Controller 202 comes on/off power supply P5VB by control DC power supply 203.Power supply P5VC is the power supply of supplying with through interface IF-1 slave controller 202, in copy/in printing/standby in always for connection in dormancy only where necessary for connecting.

In the so-called dormancy is that controller 202 is when using parallel/serial converted unit Q302 and serial converter unit Q303 detecting sensor A group 208 and sensor B group 209 in case of necessity.Power supply P5VC carries out on/off control by controller 202.

Q301 is a microcomputer, and inside has ROM at least, and RAM moves according to the program that writes among this ROM.In one of effect of microcomputer Q301 status surveillance is arranged, detect sensors A described later by input port, B group 208,209 signal, with the on off state of the switching of door, carton, paper size, have or not a part, get in touch with by serial communication and the controller 202 (host CPU or secondary CPU) of interface IF-1 as state with paper.

Other effects of microcomputer Q301 are that action is printed in control, carry out sensors A, B, C group 208,209, the state-detection of the input port that connects on 210 is controlled printer DC load group 211 and AC driver 205 with the output port through being connected printer DC load group 211 with the output port on/off that is connected AC driver 205 and is used the transport control, high voltage control, photographic fixing of paper to add heat control etc.

Q309 is a gate array, from interface IF-1 receiving video data, through IF circuit 308 and interface IF-6 control exposure mechanism 212, according to video data at exposure laser on the photoreceptor and on photoreceptor, form the sub-image image.Microcomputer Q301 writes the setting value of gate array Q309 action through bus.

As signal from the serial communication of interface IF-1, the serial data signal SDATA C2D of slave controller 202 to DCON201 is arranged, from DCON201 to the controller 202 serial data signal SDATA D2C and serial data conveying clock signal SCLK ↓.In these signals, signal SDATA C2D and signal SDATA D2C are by switching the signal switching circuit Q304 that is connected the destination under the sleep signal state, and Q305, Q306, Q308 are connected in the serial communication terminal of microcomputer Q301.Sleep signal is low in the time of beyond the dormancy.

During the communication of time, can carry out the exchange of the multiple information of order and state etc. beyond this dormancy.Do not supply with and carry clock, do not communicate by letter with carrying the asynchronous of clock between the controller 202 to microcomputer Q301.

Then, sleep signal is high in the time of in the dormancy.Signal switching circuit Q304, Q305, Q306, Q308 is with signal SDATA_C2D and signal SDATA_D2C, SCLK ↓ optionally be connected on parallel/serial converted unit Q302 and the serial converter unit Q303.During dormancy, unlike the time beyond the dormancy, can carry out the exchange of multiple information.Serial communication between this controller 202, DCON201 is a state contact usefulness.Like this, depend in dormancy (in the energy saver mode) and be not in the dormancy, the notification of information destination of variable state etc.

Serial converter unit Q303 goes up to connect and loads (LOAD) signal wire, serial converter unit Q303 in the impact damper of the serial converter unit Q303 inside of the lead-out terminal Q0～Q15 that is connected in series, keeps the data of impact damper with the Data Loading (LOAD) of the serial register of inside in the time of in the non-loading (LOAD) in loading (LOAD).

Begin the SO terminal output by serial converter unit Q303 from the data of the serial register of serial converter unit Q303 inside with least significant bit (LSB) LSB with clock signal SCLK ↓ synchronously.Store the data of the SI terminal of serial converter unit Q303 in the highest significant position of the shift register of serial converter unit Q303 with clock synchronization.The signal SDATA_D2C that delivers to controller from the SO terminal of serial converter unit Q303 exports dormancy.The SI terminal of serial converter unit Q303 is connected in paper supply in the dormancy cascade and selects equipment 214.

Parallel/serial converted unit Q302 connects the LOAD signal wire, loads in (LOAD) Data Loading with input terminal D0～D15 in the serial register of parallel/Q302 inside, serial converted unit.The serial register of parallel/Q302 inside, serial converted unit begins the SO terminal output by parallel/serial converted unit Q302 with signal SCLK ↓ synchronously with LSB.Among the MSB of the shift register of parallel/serial converted unit Q302 with the data of the SI terminal of clock synchronization memory parallel/serial converted unit Q302.The signal SDATA_C2D that the input slave controller receives in dormancy in the SI terminal of parallel/serial converted unit Q302.The SO terminal of parallel/serial converted unit Q302 is connected in paper supply in the dormancy cascade and selects equipment 214.In Fig. 3 A-3C, S-OUT2 represents R-IN16～R-IN31 described later.

Like this according to the structure of Fig. 3 A-3C, when being high, disconnect supply power P5VB to microcomputer Q301 from the sleep signal of main-chip microcomputer Q701 shown in Figure 7 described later, save power supply to microcomputer Q301, realize energy-conservation.Drive signal commutation circuit Q304, Q305, Q306, therefore Q308 substitutes microcomputer Q301, can realize the minimizing power consumption, and also can proceed the information communication with the state of controller 202 etc.

Fig. 4 is the figure of the interface actions between controller 202 shown in the key diagram 2A-2B and the DCON201.

Among Fig. 4, C_P_READY is used for the signal that DCON201 confirms the communication preparation OK of controller 202.P_P_READY is the signal that controller 202 is confirmed the communication preparation OK of DCON201.

SCLK ↓ be the clock signal of serial communication.SDATA_C2D is the data-signal from the controller 202 to DCON201 of serial communication.SDATA_D2C is the data-signal from the DCON201 of serial communication to controller 202.

PSTART is that controller 202 is printed the signal of beginning to the DCON201 contact.VREQ is the signal that DCON201 receives above-mentioned PSTART signal and requires the video data of beginning subscan to export to controller 202.VSYNC is the signal that the advisory that will begin the data output of effective main scanning line by controller 202 behind the main scanning line of predetermined number is given DCON201, is the signal according to signal VREQ output.

HREQ is that DCON201 is by the signal of each main sweep to the output of the video data of controller 202 requirements beginning main sweep.HSYNC is that controller 202 will be exported the signal that the effective video data conditions is notified to DCON201 by each main sweep after producing a predetermined number signal VIDEO_CLK, is the signal according to signal HREQ output.VIDEO_CLK is the conveying clock signal of signal VIDEO_DATA.

Signal VIDEO_DATA is the video data signal of 8 bits.Sleep signal is to be high signal in the dormancy, and slave controller 202 is exported to DCON201.The LOAD signal is the signal that loads the data of serial conversion and parallel/serial converted, is the signal of the power supply of a part of sensor of control.But P5VC is the 5V power supply of slave controller 202 to the on/off of DCON201 supply.

Fig. 5 is the circuit diagram of the relation of the part of IF circuit 2 in the interface circuit 301 of the part of the sensors A group 208 shown in the presentation graphs 3A-3C and Fig. 3 A-3C.

Sensors A group 208 is groups of the sensor that is made of the mechanical type microswitch shown in Fig. 3 A-3C.Inscape identical with Fig. 3 A-3C and signal add same numeral.

Among Fig. 5, door switching detector switch SW501 detects the switching of the door that the user opens near the disposal system of fuser or drum box etc. the time.Upper tray opens and closes the switching that detector switch SW502 detects upper tray.

MP tray opens and closes the switching that detector switch SW503 detects MP tray.Paper delivery selects equipment joint detection switch SW 504 to detect the connection that equipment 213 is selected in paper delivery.Paper supply selects equipment joint detection switch SW 505 to detect the connection that paper supply is selected equipment 214.Among Fig. 5, P5VC is a power supply.

The on/off of switch SW 501 to the power supply of switch SW 505 supplied with in PNP transistor Q501 and Q502 control.

R501, R502, R503, R504, R505 are that the resistor from above-mentioned switch SW 501 to the current value of switch SW 505 is supplied with in restriction.

R-IN0～4 are respectively the signals that detects the on/off of SW501～505.Sleep signal and device signal are the signal supplied of control power supply P5VC.

In such structure,, when PNP transistor Q501 and PNP transistor Q502 become on-state, can detect from switch SW 501 to switch SW 505 on/off at IF circuit 2.

When not needing to detect from switch SW 501 to switch SW 505 on/off, transistor Q501 and transistor Q502 are controlled to be off-state,, thereby can suppress energy consumption not to switch SW501～switch SW 505 supplying electric currents.

Fig. 6 A-6B is the circuit diagram of relation of the part of the IF-3 in the interface circuit 301 of the part of the sensor B group 209 shown in the key diagram 2A-2B and Fig. 3 A-3C.Sensor B group 209 is the sensor groups that the photoelectricity interrupter constitutes of passing through shown in Fig. 3 A-3C.

Among Fig. 6 A-6B, casket module detecting sensor Q607 detects and has or not casket module.Sensor Q608, Q609, Q610 are the paper sizes that detects upper tray, are respectively upper paper size 0 sensor, upper paper size 1 sensor, upper paper size 2 sensors, and upper paper has or not sensor Q611 to detect upper tray and have or not paper.

Sensor Q612, Q613, Q614 are the paper sizes that detects MP tray, are respectively lower floor's paper size 0 sensor, lower floor's paper size 1 sensor, lower floor's paper size 2 sensors, and upper paper has or not sensor Q615 to detect MP tray and have or not paper.

IF circuit 3 is to organize 209 interface circuit with the sensor B shown in Fig. 3 A-3C.P5VC is the power supply shown in Fig. 3 A-3C.Sleep signal, signal R-OUT0 are the input signals of the IF circuit 3 shown in Fig. 3 A-3C.By these signals, control is supplied with the power supply of each photoelectricity interrupt sensors.It from R-IN5 to RIN-13 output signal according to the IF circuit 3 of the output of each sensor.Like this, organize 209 supply powers to sensor B efficiently where necessary, therefore can obtain sensor information efficiently, realize economize on electricity simultaneously.

PNP transistor Q602, Q604, Q606 carry out on/off control by sleep signal, and control is supplied with the power supply of photoelectricity interrupt sensors.PNP transistor Q601, Q603, Q605 carry out on/off control by signal R-OUT0, R-OUT1, R-OUT2 respectively, and control is supplied with the power supply of photoelectricity interrupt sensors.Resistance R 601 to R609 restrictions are to the electric current of photoelectricity interrupter.

In this structure, sensor B group 209 disconnects the energising to photoelectricity interrupter sensor for select to have the formation of non-transformer supply according to the state that sends data beyond therefore can waiting where necessary.Therefore, the power consumption in the time of can reducing dormancy.

Fig. 7 is the block diagram of the formation of controller 202 shown in the key diagram 2A-2B and relevant factor thereof.

Among Fig. 7, interface circuit (IF circuit) 701～708 is responsible for specific equipment and the interface of single chip microcomputer Q702 or main-chip microcomputer Q701 respectively.

Among Fig. 7, P5VA, P5VB and P5VC are respectively the 5V power supplys, and power supply P5VA, P5VB supply with from DC power supply 203, and power supply P5VA supplies with in order to drive secondary CPU etc. always.Power supply P5VB only provides in image formation action neutralization is standby.Power supply P5VC realizes based on power supply PV5A, carries out on/off control by the transistor Q705 in the controller 202, can be controlled to off and on to DCON201, RCON216 supply power.By with the power-supply saving beyond the power supply P5VA, can reduce unnecessary power consumption during energy saver mode (dormancy), especially power supply P5VB stops power circuit in this power supply, thereby aspect the minimizing power consumption very big effect is being arranged.

Power supply P5VA, P5VB, P5VC are not only in Fig. 7, and be also shared in Fig. 3 A-3C, 4,5,6,8,9,10, and power supply P5VA, the P5VB among these figure, P5VC carry out power supply control according to Figure 11,12,13,14 process flow diagram.

Main-chip microcomputer Q701 is a microprocessor of carrying out the control program of storing among the ROMQ703, comprise interrupt control circuit, dma control circuit, various timer, image processing circuit, resolution conversion circuit, input/output port interface circuit of the control of carrying out various look-at-mes etc., entire controller is controlled.Main-chip microcomputer Q701 utilizes the power of battery BT701 that the RAMQ704 that backs up is used as the workspace.

In addition, main-chip microcomputer Q701 also connects the cpu clock X701 that quartz (controlled) oscillator constitutes, the phase-locked loop circuit (PLL circuit) that comprises the inner Action clock of output, this PLL circuit have becoming and stop clock output when microprocessor is realized the dormant state of economize on electricity, the power consumption of entire chip is suppressed to very low function.

Have the structures same such as CPU, RAM, ROM on single chip microcomputer (the secondary chip microcomputer) Q702 with general microcomputer, owing to adopt complicated logic circuits unlike main-chip microcomputer, the storer that the clock frequency of CPU is low, the capacity that has is little etc. are former thereby adopt the microcomputer of little power consumption.Utilize this single chip microcomputer, even if controller 202 is a dormant state, the also part action of the main-chip microcomputer of the driving of the executable state LAN-UNIT207 that upgrades, use to the external unit announcement information etc.Describe the power supply control when also carrying out dormancy, status surveillance, the order supervision that comes automatic network and response etc. in detail as the back.

In master controller (main-chip microcomputer) Q701, look-at-me 709 from single chip microcomputer (secondary chip microcomputer) Q702 is input to NMI (not maskable interruption) terminal, or when microprocessor is in dormant state signal 709 input terminals behind NMI, the breaking dormancy state, above-mentioned PLL circuit is energized, clock is supplied with whole main-chip microcomputer Q701, and main-chip microcomputer Q701 begins action once more.

Single chip microcomputer Q702 monitors the RCON216 of dormant state and the sensor signal of DCON201, monitors the dormancy restoring signal of FAX-UNIT206.In addition, during dormancy, substitute main-chip microcomputer Q701, send command response and status information to LAN-UNIT207.

Carry out order, exchanges data by null modem cable 710 between single chip microcomputer Q702 and the main-chip microcomputer Q701, main-chip microcomputer Q701 is to the ACTIVE signal 711 of single chip microcomputer Q702 input expression dormant state or operating state.

Power switch 223 is located on the operating unit 222, and by the operation of this power switch 223, the digit apparatus of present embodiment is transferred to dormant state, or returns to stand-by state from dormant state.

But not only by the making operation of power switch 223, also digit apparatus is transferred to dormant state automatically when being continuously holding state in the schedule time of setting from operating unit 222 to the transfer of dormant state.

The making operation of also being not only by power switch 223 from the recovery of dormant state carries out, also as described later, and by carrying out from the order of LAN and the call signal of telephone line etc.

Expression is the H level state to the sleep signal 712 of the transfer of dormant state during in dormancy, delivers to RCON216, delivers to DCON201 through IF circuit 701 through IF circuit 706 from main-chip microcomputer Q701.

During dormancy,,, also connect deenergization P5VC off and on, reduce power consumption by transistor Q705 by cut off the electricity supply power supply beyond the P5VA of DC power supply 203 according to control signal from single chip microcomputer Q702.

RCON216 AD conversion is from the picture signal of the components of photo-electric conversion such as CCD (imageing sensor 221), its reading images of carrying out stain processing etc. handled, to the vision signal of controller 202 outputs 8 bits.

RCON216 also outputs to controller 202 with the state that original size detects the various sensors use etc., also carries out the control of reader DC load group 220 of the motor etc. of reading unit.There are vertical synchronizing signal (output), horizontal-drive signal (output), vertical synchronization to require signal (input), horizontal synchronization to require signal (input), clock (output), vision signal 8 bits (input), vision signal to get the signal wire of signal (input), sleep signal 712 (output), LOAD signal (output) etc. ready on the interface IF-9, also by the sensor information of serial communication input from RCON216.

In the IF circuit 706, each signal of interface IF-9 is delivered to main-chip microcomputer Q701.But during dormancy, main-chip microcomputer Q701 can not received signal, so each signal of interface IF-9 is delivered to single chip microcomputer Q702.This switching is undertaken by the sleep signal 712 from main-chip microcomputer Q701.

DCON201 carries out image recording as Fig. 3 A-3C explanation.The signal wire that interface IF-1 has Fig. 4 to illustrate, the sensor signal of DCON201 is utilized the serial communication input with the coomand mode signal.

In IF circuit 701, will deliver to main-chip microcomputer Q701 from each signal of interface IF-1.But during dormancy, main-chip microcomputer Q701 can not received signal, therefore delivers to single chip microcomputer Q702, and this switching is undertaken by the sleep signal 712 from main-chip microcomputer Q701.

In interface IF-1, when common, use 8 VIDEO_DATA signals in the conveying of picture signal, during dormancy, utilize sleep signal, switch and use 7 sensor signals and LOAD signal, can save the signal wire radical of interface IF-1.

When image reads, main-chip microcomputer Q701 will be transported to inner graphics processing unit through the vision signal of interface IF-9 input from RCON216, carry out Flame Image Process, and the vision signal that will carry out Flame Image Process stores among the RAMQ704.

During image recording, main-chip microcomputer Q701 reads the view data of RAMQ704, carries out Flame Image Process, resolution conversion according to recording chart size and various setting, and IF-1 outputs to DCON201 to view data through interface.

The LAN control module of the Control on Communication that LAN-UNIT207 comprises the Physical layer (PHY), Ethernet (registered trademark) connecting circuit of carrying out the control of MAC layer that connect Ethernet (registered trademark), carry out IEEE802.3 etc.

LAN-UNIT IF circuit 702 is USB or IEEE1284 interface circuit, and the information transmission that will receive through interface IF-10 from LAN-UNIT207 is to main-chip microcomputer Q701, will be from the information transmission of master chip microcomputer Q701 to LAN-UNIT207.

For example, when LAN-UNIT207 detects the order of state of the digit apparatus that requires present embodiment, the order that state requires is transferred to main-chip microcomputer Q701 from LAN-UNIT IF circuit 702, to LAN-UNIT IF circuit 702, LAN-UNIT IF circuit 702 is delivered to LAN-UNIT207 with this information through interface IF-10 to main-chip microcomputer Q701 with the state transfer of the necessity of preserving in the storage unit (RAMQ704).

In addition, when the PC from network transmits print out task, the order that requires to print is transferred to main-chip microcomputer Q701 from LAN-UNIT IF circuit 702, during for printable state, the response of printing OK is transferred to LAN-UNIT IF circuit 702 from main-chip microcomputer Q701, and LAN-UNIT IF circuit 702 should respond through interface IF-10 and be sent to LAN-UNIT207.

After PC on the network accepts this response, then send print data (view data), therefore, print data is with signal flow same as described above, be input to main-chip microcomputer Q701, temporarily be stored among the RAMQ704 after main-chip microcomputer Q701 air exercise printing is executed necessary image processing factually.And the processing during with image recording is identical, and view data is delivered to DCON201 through interface IF-1, carries out record in image formation unit.

More than be the situation that main-chip microcomputer Q701 moves usually, action during dormancy and above-mentioned action are slightly different.

During dormancy, undertaken by single chip microcomputer Q702 with the order exchange of network.LAN-UNIT IF circuit 702 will be given single chip microcomputer Q702 from the information transmission that LAN-UNIT207 receives through interface IF-10, will give LAN-UNIT207 from the information transmission of single chip microcomputer Q702.

During dormancy, main-chip microcomputer Q701 is a dormant state, be can not receiving and transmitting signal state, so single chip microcomputer Q702 receives status information separately and monitors through IF circuit 701 through IF circuit 706 and from DCON201 from RCON206.What illustrate in the process flow diagram as described later is such, and after requiring to order from the LAN-UNIT207 accepting state, single chip microcomputer Q702 delivers to LAN-UNIT207 in response with status information.

In dormancy, owing to the reasons such as print out task that produced the digit apparatus of present embodiment, during this digital compounding machine breaking dormancy state, at first, single chip microcomputer Q702 judges whether the order that receives from LAN-UNIT207 is if the content of not recovering just can not handle from dormancy.Receive and print when requiring such order that recovery just can not handled from dormancy, single chip microcomputer Q702 sends to power supply control IF circuit 705 and promotes the indication of reducing to the power supply in the dormancy, and power supply control IF circuit is sent power throughing signal to DC power supply 203.

Simultaneously, single chip microcomputer Q702 is to the terminal NMI output look-at-me (NMI) 709 of main-chip microcomputer Q701, the main-chip microcomputer Q701 that receives look-at-me 709 from terminal NMI transfers to common state from dormant state as using flowchart text described later.After single chip microcomputer Q702 confirmed that by ACTIVE signal 711 main-chip microcomputer Q701 is common state, single chip microcomputer Q702 gave main-chip microcomputer Q701 by the content delivery of the order that null modem cable 710 will receive.Judge that by main-chip microcomputer Q701 this digital compounding machine is in (to print command, after confirming to rise to recordable state) behind the state of the order that can handle reception, main-chip microcomputer Q701 sends necessary response to LAN-UNIT207.

FAX-UNIT206 comprise with the CODEC of coded image data and compoundization, for FAX send data behind the modulating-coding or demodulate reception to the FAX signal MODEM, carry out the agreement of FAX the FAX control module, detect exhalation signal CI and export the CI detection signal the CI testing circuit, detect off-hook and export the off-hook detection circuit etc. of off-hook detection signal.

FAX-UNIT IF circuit 703 carries out the interface with FAX-UNIT206, is the IEEE1284 interface circuit, through interface IF-11 and FAX-UNIT206 between carry out the exchange of order, view data.And IF circuit 703 receives CI detection signal (input), off-hook detection signal (input).

The view data that main-chip microcomputer Q701 will be present among the RAMQ704 when FAX posts a letter is delivered to FAX-UNIT206, carries out FAX and posts a letter, and when FAX collects mail, receives view data from FAX-UNIT206, temporarily is stored among the RAMQ704.And the processing during with image recording is identical, and view data is delivered to DCON201 through interface IF-1, carries out record in image formation unit.

FAX-UNIT IF circuit 703 is CI detection signal among the monitoring interface IF-11 and off-hook detection signal when dormancy, after detecting arrival of CI information or off-hook, send out from the FAX of FAX-UNIT206 enabling signal 713 to single chip microcomputer Q702 and main-chip microcomputer Q701.Receive that single chip microcomputer Q702 from the FAX enabling signal 713 of FAX-UNIT206 when promoting DC power supply 203, recovers main-chip microcomputer Q701 from dormancy, become the state that can respond from the order of FAX-UNIT206.

In the above description, be to be input to single chip microcomputer Q702 and main-chip microcomputer Q701 from the FAX enabling signal 713 of FAX-UNIT206, but also FAX enabling signal 713 only can be input to single chip microcomputer Q702, single chip microcomputer Q702 starts according to the FAX enabling signal from FAX-UNIT206 by null modem cable 710.

Fig. 8 A-8C is the block diagram of the structure of RCON216 shown in the detailed presentation graphs 2A-2B and relevant factor thereof, to adding identical label with corresponding textural element and the signal of Fig. 2 A-2B.

In Fig. 8 A-8C, the DCON201 shown in RCON216 and Fig. 3 A-3C is the structure that printer DC load group 211 is replaced into reader DC load group 220 among Fig. 2 A-2B relatively.The 901～904,908, the 909th, interface circuit (IF circuit), IF circuit 901 is made of IF circuit 2 and IF circuit 3.IF circuit 902 is made up of IF circuit DC-3.

IF circuit 903,904,908,909 is made of IF circuit 4,5,6,1 respectively.

RCON216 does not exist AC driver 205, IF circuit 305, the paper delivery among Fig. 3 A-3C to select equipment 213, IF circuit 306, paper supply to select equipment 214, IF circuit 307, exposure mechanism 212, IF circuit 308.Nor there is connected signal wire.

PW-DC-3 is the line that connects RCON216 and DC power supply 203.Q901 is a microcomputer.Q902 is parallel/serial converted unit.Q903 is parallel/serial converted unit.Q904, Q906 are 3 attitude impact dampers (tri-state buffers).

Fig. 9 is the circuit diagram that the paper supply shown in the presentation graphs 3A-3C is selected the relation of equipment 214 interior IF circuit 2 that are provided with and sensors A group, and basic structure is identical with the IF circuit 2 of setting in RCON216 and the DCON201 with action.And, the paper supply of Fig. 9 and the related explanation of Figure 10 A-10B described later is selected the IF circuit 2,3 of setting in the equipment 214, and the IF circuit 2,3 that are provided with in the interface circuit 301 shown in sensors A group, the sensor B group, Fig. 3 A-3C, and all be different assemblies with sensors A group 208, sensor B group 209 that DCON201 connects.

In Fig. 9, the sensors A groups that paper supply is selected to be provided with in the equipment 214 are groups of the sensor that is made of micro switch.In this sensors A group, SW1002 carries out upper tray to open and close the carton switching detection upper strata switch that detects.SW1003 carries out MP tray to open and close the carton switching detection lower floor switch that detects.P5VC is the power supply shown in Fig. 3 A-3C.

Select in the IF circuit 2 of equipment 214 at paper supply, Q1001, Q1002 are the PNP transistors, and control offers the on/off of switch SW 1002 to the power supply of the switch of switch SW 1003.R1002, R1003 are that restriction offers the resistance of switch SW 1002 to the electric current of switch SW 1003.

R-IN17 is the signal that is used for the on/off of detector switch SW1002.R-IN18 is the signal that is used for the on/off of detector switch SW1003.SLEEP signal and LOAD signal are the signals that provides that is used to control power supply P5VC.

In such structure, in the IF circuit 2 in the paper supply selection equipment 214, when transistor Q1001 and Q1002 are conducting state, but the on/off of detector switch SW1002 and switch SW 1003.

When not needing the on/off of detector switch SW1002 and switch SW 1003, oxide-semiconductor control transistors Q1001 and transistor Q1002 are off-state, do not provide electric current to switch SW1002 and switch SW 1003, thereby can suppress energy consumption.

Paper supply selects the IF circuit 2 in the equipment 214 to communicate by letter with the IF circuit 307 in the DCON201 through the interface IF-18 shown in Fig. 3 A-3C.And, adopt following structure: will be input among parallel/serial converted unit Q302 from the signal S-OUT2 of IF circuit 307, provide signal S-IN2 toward IF circuit 307 from serial converter unit Q303, toward LOAD, the dormancy SLEEP of IF circuit 307 ↓ each signal from 309 outputs of IF circuit.In Fig. 8 A-8C, S-OUT2 represents R-IN16～R-IN31 described later.

Figure 10 A-10B is the circuit diagram that the paper supply shown in the presentation graphs 3A-3C is selected the relation of the IF circuit 3 that are provided with in the equipment 214 and sensor B group, basically, is the structure identical with the IF circuit that is provided with 3 in RCON216 and the DCON201, carries out same action.

In Figure 10 A-10B, the sensor B group that paper supply is selected to be provided with in the equipment 214 is the sensor groups that is made of the photoelectricity interrupter.In this sensor B group, Q1108 is upper paper size 0 sensor that detects the paper size of upper tray.Q1109 is upper paper size 1 sensor that detects the paper size of upper tray.Q1110 is upper paper size 2 sensors that detect the paper size of upper tray.Q1111 is that the upper paper that the paper of detection upper tray has or not has or not sensor.

Q1112 is lower floor's paper size 0 sensor that detects the paper size of MP tray.Q1113 is lower floor's paper size 1 sensor that detects the paper size of MP tray.Q1114 is lower floor's paper size 2 sensors that detect the paper size of MP tray.Q1115 is that lower floor's paper that the paper of detection MP tray has or not has or not sensor.

P5VC is a power supply shown in Fig. 3 A-3C.SLEEP signal, R-OUT17～18th, the input signal of IF circuit 3.By these signals, control provides the power supply of photoelectricity interrupt sensors.

R-IN22～RIN-29 is the output signal from IF circuit 3.

Q1104, Q1106 are the PNP transistors, carry out on/off control by the SLEEP signal, and control provides the power supply of photoelectricity interrupt sensors.

Q1103, Q1105 are the PNP transistors, carry out on/off control by signal R-OUT17, signal R-OUT18 respectively, and control provides the power supply of photoelectricity interrupt sensors.R1102～R1109 is the current-limiting resistance of control toward the electric current of photoelectricity interrupter.

Paper supply selects the IF circuit 3 in the equipment 214 can communicate by letter with the IF circuit 307 in the DCON201 through the interface IF-18 shown in Fig. 3 A-3C.And, adopt following structure: the signal S-OUT2 from IF circuit 307 is input to parallel/serial converted unit Q302, provide signal S-IN2 toward IF circuit 307 from serial converter unit Q303, each signal LOAD, the SLEEP from 309 outputs of IF circuit toward IF circuit 307, SCLK ↓.

In this structure, the time separated energising beyond can be where necessary to photoelectricity interrupter sensor.

In said structure, to the transfer of dormant state, and monitor and post a letter to the state of LAN-UNIT207 to the status surveillance of the recovery of common state and the DCON201 under dormant state, RCON216 and from the order of LAN-UNIT207, control by single chip microcomputer Q702 (below be called secondary CPU) and main-chip microcomputer 701 (below be called host CPU).

Use the process flow diagram of Figure 11 to 14 below, the action of above-mentioned each textural element is described.

Figure 11 is the process flow diagram of an example of the control sequence carried out of vice CPU, carries out according to program stored in no illustrated ROM or other storage mediums.

In addition, secondary CPU is connected on the power supply P5VA of DC power supply 203 and moves all the time, and its action roughly is divided into the action and the host CPU action of the common state of action usually of the dormant state of the HALT state that host CPU stops to move.Common state at first is described.

Whether judgement is on-state (step S201) from the ACTIVE signal 711 of host CPU, if be on-state, be exactly usually state, therefore receive the state (step S202) of DCON201 and RCON216, monitor the action (step S203) of power switch 223 repeatedly from host CPU.

Here, judge when power switch 223 is pressed,, stop requirement SYSTEM DOWN (step S204) to the host CPU transmitting system for whole native system being transferred to the dormant state of economize on electricity.Here, the reception of state, system stop requirement and use the null modem cable 710 between the secondary CPU-host CPU to carry out.

On the other hand, in step S201, when being off-state, transfer to dormant state from the ACTIVE signal of host CPU.After becoming dormant state, at first, 705 indications disconnect the power supply P5VB (step S205) to DCON201, RCON216 to power supply control IF circuit.

Then, start the status surveillance timer (step S206) of DCON201, RCON216.This timer is to obtaining the interval of state, and for example 100msec carries out timing.

And during the 100msec, monitor repeatedly whether FAX mission requirements (step S207) is arranged, whether print out task requirement (step S208) is arranged, whether depress power switch 223 (step S209), whether external unit has state requirement (step S210) in timing.(one of step S207, S208 are Yes) arranged under the situation of mission requirements or depress under the situation of power switch (step S209 is Yes), to the power supply P5VB (step S211) of power supply control IF circuit 705 indication connections to DCON201, RCON216, connection is used for look-at-me 709 backs (step S212) that host CPU starts, and waits for the startup (connection of ACTIVE signal) (step S213) of host CPU.If host CPU starts, then carry expression step S209 to start the information of reason or the information (step S214) of the order that receives from the LAN-UNIT of step S207 and step S208 etc. to host CPU, turn back to step S201, transfer to common state.

The judgement that the FAX task of step S207 has or not is judged by CI detection signal or the off-hook detection signal supplied with from above-mentioned FAX-UNIT-IF circuit 703.Having or not by the order that provides from above-mentioned LAN-UNIT-IF circuit 702 of print out task judges that this order is transported to host CPU.

On the other hand, when external unit has the state requirement (step S210), send the condition responsive (step S215) of the up-to-date state of DCON201, RCON216 that secondary CPU preserves to external unit through LAN-UNIT207.The status information that sends (notice) to external unit is presented at as status information in the display unit that is provided with on the external unit, and the user can confirm up-to-date state.

Here the state of DCON201 of Fa Songing and RCON216 is the state that receives from host CPU in step S202, or a certain up-to-date state in the state of obtaining in step S217 described later.

The timing of status surveillance timer is (step S216) before the 100msec, carrying out the supervision of step S207～S210 repeatedly handles, the timing of status surveillance timer is (step S216 is YES) behind 100msec, obtain up-to-date state (step S217) from DCON201 and RCON216, carry out step S206 processing afterwards repeatedly.Obtain the details of action about the state of step S217, use Figure 31 to describe in the back.

Like this, according to the process flow diagram of Figure 11, only otherwise carry out the detection of mission requirements and the detection that power switch 223 is depressed, power supply P5VB is in electricity-saving state.In addition,, the state from external unit is required (step S210) even host CPU is in electricity-saving state, can be by the secondary CPU responsive state of little power consumption.The state of response external equipment has been updated according to the processing of step S217, but the state of step S217 is obtained in the processing and also can be economized on electricity.

Then use the action of the flowchart text host CPU of Figure 12 A-12B.

Figure 12 A-12B is the process flow diagram of an example of the control sequence carried out of expression host CPU, carries out according to program stored in no illustrated ROM or other storage mediums.

In addition, host CPU and secondary CPU are same, be connected on the power supply P5VA of DC power supply 203, all the time move, but its action roughly be divided into the HALT state that stops as cpu clock X701 dormant state action and can carry out the FAX transceiver, print action, the common state of whole actions of native system such as the state of scanning motion, response external equipment requires.

After host CPU (from the HALT state) becomes common state, at first, connect ACTIVE signal 711 (step S301).With above-mentioned same, by this action, secondary CPU becomes common state.Then receive and start reason and order (step S302) from secondary CPU.At this moment, the order of reception and above-mentioned same is the order that secondary CPU receives from LAN-UNIT, and it is processed after step S207.

Then disconnect SLEEP signal 712 (step S303).With above-mentioned same,, in controller 202, in IF circuit 701, the IF circuit 706, switch to host CPU from secondary CPU with the serial communication IF of DCON201, RCON216 by this action.

In DCON201, RCON216, serial communication IF constitutes to switch to by microcomputer Q301, microcomputer Q901 from hardware and constitutes, and removes the dormant state of microcomputer Q301, microcomputer Q901 simultaneously.

Then start dormancy and shift timer (step S304).This timer calculates the time from common state transitions to dormant state, and for example timing is 1 hour.During the timing to 1 hour, monitor repeatedly whether to have and collect mail (step S305) and stop requirement (step S306), whether FAX mission requirements (step S307) is arranged, whether have the microcomputer Q301 of print out task requirement (step S308), DCON201 whether to have the microcomputer Q901 of mission requirements (step S309), RCON216 whether to have mission requirements (step S310), external unit whether state requirement (condition responsive task) (step S311) is arranged from the system of secondary CPU from the state of DCON201, RCON216.

And, when having system to stop requirement (step S306), carry out later processing to the dormant state transfer at step S315 described later.

When mission requirements is arranged, carry out corresponding task (step S312), shift in the timer in dormancy once more and set 1 hour, start (step S313) once more, return step S305.

The CI detection signal that the FAX-UNIT-IF circuit 703 that the having of FAX task had no way of above-mentioned provides, off-hook detection signal or the order that receives from secondary CPU in step S302 are judged.Having or not by order that provides from above-mentioned LAN-UNIT-IF circuit 702 or the order that receives from secondary CPU among step S302 of print out task judged.Mission requirements from DCON201, RCON216 is received by each serial communication IF.

Have or not state requirement, judge by the order that provides from above-mentioned LAN-UNIT-IF circuit 702 from external unit.The task executions method can realize with general any method, omits its detailed description.

On the other hand, timer timing 1 hour is shifted in dormancy, that is, do not carry out the state continuance 1 hour (step S314) of any task after, host CPU carries out the later transfer processing to dormant state of step S315 in order to transfer to dormant state automatically.

Follow the later transfer processing of description of step S315 to dormant state.To the transfer processing (step S306) when secondary CPU has system to stop requirement of this dormant state, or by dormancy transfer timer, (step S314) carried out when host CPU self was transferred to dormant state.At first, to DCON201, RCON216 sends outage advance notice (step S315) through serial communication IF, waits for the reception (step S316) of the outage permission response of DCON201, RCON216.

Microcomputer Q301, Q901 adopt following structure: after receiving the outage advance notice, the power down process of being scheduled to after finishing, sends the outage permission to host CPU.

Slave microcomputer Q301, both receive (step S316) after the outage permission response Q901, send the state (step S317) of DCON201, RCON216 to secondary CPU.Here the state of the DCON201 of Fa Songing, RCON216 is the last state that slave microcomputer Q301, microcomputer Q901 receive in step S305.

Then connect SLEEP signal 712 (step S318).As described above, by this action, in the IF of controller 202 circuit 701 and IF circuit 706, switch to secondary CPU from host CPU with the serial communication IF of DCON201, RCON216.In addition, in DCON201, RCON216, serial communication IF slave microcomputer Q301, microcomputer Q901 switches to hardware configuration, and microcomputer Q301, microcomputer Q901 are dormant state.

Then disconnect ACTIVE signal 711 (step S319).As described above, by this action, secondary CPU carries out the control that dormant state is used.

Then, host CPU self is in the HALT state that stops cpu clock X701, finishes the transfer (step S320) to dormant state.This state proceeds to the look-at-me 709 generation interruptions that usefulness is provided by the host CPU that provides from secondary CPU, then, have no progeny in the generation (step S321 is YES), the HALT state of host CPU is disengaged (step S322), transfers to the step S301 of common state.

Then use Figure 13 A-13B, secondary CPU obtains the action of state in the flowchart text dormancy of 14A-14B from DCON201.

Figure 13 A-13B, the 14th, the process flow diagram of an example of the sequence of movement of vice CPU (state of step S217 shown in Figure 11 is obtained the detailed sequence of handling procedure) is carried out according to program stored in no illustrated ROM or other storage mediums.

At first, for the hardware serial communication block that makes DCON201 and paper supply unit can move, energized P5VC (step S401).By this power supply P5VC, shown in Fig. 5,6, to IF circuit 2 and 3 energisings, the sensors A group, B group 208,209 is the detectable signal state.This control is equivalent to also carry out state and upgrades needed power supply (to the energising of sensor groups) when energy saver mode, notify external device (ED) through LAN-UNIT207 according to the state that this control is updated in the condition responsive of the step S215 of Figure 11.

Then make the LOAD signal become Low (step S402), before the input data stabilization in parallel/serial converted unit Q302, after waiting for 100 μ sec (step S403), the LOAD signal is made as High, determines the input data (step S404) of parallel/serial converted unit.

Then, send data 0000 (Hex) (step S405) in order to disconnect the energising of sensor B group 209, to be provided with, by 32 clock signal clk of signal wire output with SCLK, thus the data (step S406) of transmitting-receiving 32bit.Thus, but the state of receiving sensor A group 208.And this moment, what follow is that also receiving sensor B organizes 209 information, but because power supply is provided as disconnection, therefore controls and make it to become invalid data.

If be elaborated, send transmission data " 0000 (hex) " through data-signal SDATA C2D to serial converter unit Q303, the data by parallel/serial converted unit Q302 receives R-IN31～R-IN0 become data-signal SDATA_D2C.Yet the data of R-IN5～R-IN16, the R-IN19～R-IN31 that receive this moment are invalid.In addition, do not connect under the situation of paper supply unit, the upper 16bit of transceive data is an invalid data.

Then making the LOAD signal is Low (step S407), waits for (step S408) behind the 100 μ sec, and the LOAD signal is made as High, determines the output data (step S409) of serial converter unit Q303., send data zero clearing here, remove communication buffer, carry out initialization (step S410) by in the register that is used to check state variation next.

Relatively follow the state and the acquired last state of the sensors A group 208 that receives.

The bit0 (R-IN0) that receives data is the bit of the state of expression door switching detector switch SW501, opening and closing detector switch SW501 at door is (step S412 is YES) under the situation about opening, it is 1 (following so-called the setting that next bit0 value that sends data is set, refer to from 0 to 1), when next data sends, make the testing result of casket module detecting sensor Q607 export (step S413) as signal R-IN5.

The bit1 (R-IN1) that receives data is the bit that the expression upper tray opens and closes the state of detector switch SW502, open and close detector switch SW502 (step S414 is YES) when open mode is changed to closed condition at upper tray, the value that next sends the bit1 of data is set, has or not the testing result of detecting sensor Q611 to export (step S415) as signal R-IN6～R-IN9 upper tray size 0 sensor Q608, upper tray size 1 sensor Q609, upper tray size 2 sensor Q610, upper paper when next data sends.

The bit2 (R-IN2) that receives data is the bit that the expression MP tray opens and closes the state of detector switch SW503, MP tray opens and closes detector switch SW503 (step S416) when open mode is changed to closed condition, the value that next sends the bit2 of data is set, when next data sends, has or not the testing result of detecting sensor Q615 to export (step S417) as R-IN10～R-IN13 on MP tray size 0 sensor Q612, MP tray size 1 sensor Q613, MP tray size 2 sensor Q614, lower floor's paper.

The bit4 (R-IN4) that receives data is the bit that the expression paper supply is selected the state of equipment joint detection switch SW 505, when detecting paper supply and selecting equipment joint detection switch SW 505 that connection is arranged (step S418 is YES), after step S419 described later, judgement is as the variation of the open and-shut mode of the upper and lower carton of paper supply selection equipment, detecting does not have when connection, carries out the later processing of step S423 described later.

The bit17 (R-IN17) that receives data is the bit that the state of upper tray open-close detection sensor is selected in expression, the output of selecting the upper tray open-close detection sensor (step S419 is YES) when open mode is changed to closed condition, the bit17 that next sends data is set, will selects upper tray size 0 sensor Q1108 when next data sends, select upper tray size 1 sensor Q1109, select upper tray size 2 sensor Q1110, the paper of selecting upper tray to use has or not the testing result of detecting sensor Q1111 to export (step S420) as R-IN22～R-IN25.

The bit18 (R-IN18) that receives data is the bit that the state of MP tray open-close detection sensor is selected in expression, the output of selecting the MP tray open-close detection sensor (step S421) when open mode is changed to closed condition, the bit18 that next sends data is set, will selects MP tray size 0 sensor Q1112 when next data sends, select MP tray size 1 sensor Q1113, select MP tray size 2 sensor Q1114, the paper of selecting MP tray to use has or not the testing result of detecting sensor Q1115 to export (step S422) as R-IN26～R-IN29.

Here, when next sends data for " 0 " (step S423 is YES), be the situation that does not need the state of detecting sensor B group 209, only upgrade the data of vicissitudinous sensors A group 208, deenergization P5VC (step S424), done state obtain determination processing.By the processing of this step S424, after done state upgraded, the realization state upgraded the economize on electricity control of needed power supply, can further reduce power consumption.

Next sends data under " 0 " situation in addition (step S423 is NO), is the situation that needs the state of detecting sensor B group 209, carries out the secondary of state and obtain determination processing after step S425.Like this,, detect in step S412 that door is opened or carton when opening and closing vicissitudinous situation, owing to be inconjunction with the data of collecting sensor B group 209, so collection status data efficiently by the determination processing of step S423.On the contrary, under the high situation of the unnecessary possibility of the data of sensor B group 209, need not carry out collecting, can record further economize on electricity based on the state of sensor B group 209.

At first by through 32 clock signal clk of SCLK signal wire output, above-mentioned next sent data send (step S425) as the data of 32 bits.(at this moment, the data of reception are invalid datas, and it is abandoned).Then the LOAD signal is made as Low (step S426), waits for (step S427) behind the 100 μ sec, the LOAD signal is made as High (step S428).By this action, determine the output data of serial converter unit, the state of sensor B group 209 is defined as walking abreast/the input data of serial converted unit.And,,, obtain the state of sensor B group 209 by receiving the data (step S429) of 32bit again through 32 clock signal clk of SCLK signal wire output.

At this moment, the data of transmission are not carried out the on/off of LOAD signal, so be invalid data.

In the data of next reception, only upgrade effective status data (step S430), carry out the later processing of step S424, done state obtain determination processing.

So-called valid data are meant that the bit0 of the data that send is at 1 o'clock in step S429, be to receive data b it5, bit1 in the data that send is 1 o'clock, be receive data b it6～9, be 1 o'clock at the bit2 of the data that send, be receive data b it10～13, be 1 o'clock at the bit17 of the data that send, be receive data b it22～25, be 1 o'clock at the bit18 of the data that send, be to receive data b it26～29, be invalid data in addition entirely.

In addition, in this process flow diagram, be illustrated obtaining determination processing from the state of DCON201, paper supply unit, but also have for RCON216, the function of the state of obtaining determine sensor D group 217, sensor E group 218 uses the same method, carry out state from DCON201, paper supply unit and obtain when judging, carry out simultaneously from the state of RCON216 and obtain judgement.

Like this, according to Figure 13 A-13B, 14 process flow diagram, needed power supply P5VA energisings such as prearranged signals detection to the external unit that comes self-contained secondary CPU, simultaneously, image forms (exposure mechanism 212 etc.) and paper supply drives (paper supply is selected equipment 214 etc.) in order to drive, and can migrate to the necessary state that makes power supply (P5VB) economize on electricity.

As described above, compared with the past in the image processing system of the digit apparatus of network-connectable, duplicating machine, printer etc. according to present embodiment, when realizing further economize on electricity, can respond the state that renewal requires from the state of external unit.

In addition, in image processing system, compare, can carry out condition responsive to external unit by the secondary CPU of little power consumption with host CPU with the digit apparatus of a plurality of various sensors, duplicating machine, printer etc.

The following describes the second embodiment of the present invention.

In above-mentioned first embodiment, illustrated when dormancy through network when external unit requires the state of image processing system ( digit apparatus 101a, 101b), secondary CPU (single chip microcomputer Q702) substitutes the structure of host CPU (main-chip microcomputer Q701) to the external unit send state information, but in the present embodiment, only when dormancy under the vicissitudinous situation of state, secondary CPU is to alternative server (server 102) send state information, when the state of network requirement image processing system, secondary CPU does not respond, alternative server 102 responses.

Figure 15 is a block diagram of representing the structure of the controller of image processing system of the second embodiment of the present invention and its relevant factor in detail, and key element corresponding with Fig. 7 and signal add same numeral.Textural element and the signal different with above-mentioned first embodiment only are described below, omit explanation about identical inscape.

In Figure 15, wakeup signal 714 makes the IP address of LAN-UNIT207 discriminating digit compounding machine, understands the IP bag, also exports to main-chip microcomputer Q701 from LAN-UNIT207 when identification wakeup order.

In the present embodiment, adopt following structure: single chip microcomputer Q702 does not substitute main-chip microcomputer Q701 when dormancy, send command response and status information to LAN-UNIT207, only monitor the sensor signal of the RCON216 and the DCON201 of dormant state, or monitor the dormancy restoring signal of FAX-UNIT206 and LAN-UNIT207.

In addition, in the present embodiment, (P5VA, P5VB P5VC) carry out power supply control according to Figure 17～Figure 22 described later to the power supply among Fig. 3 A-3C～Figure 10 A-10B.

Main-chip microcomputer Q701 when common action and above-mentioned first embodiment same, the order of the state of requirement digit apparatus is when LAN-UNIT207 is detected, the order that state requires is transferred to main-chip microcomputer Q701 from LAN-UNIT IF circuit 702, main-chip microcomputer Q701 gives LAN-UNIT IF circuit 702 with state transfer necessary in the status data of preserving in the storage unit (RAMQ704), and LAN-UNIT IF circuit 702 is delivered to LAN-UNIT207 with this information through interface IF-10.

PC103a from the network, when one of 103b transmits print out task, the order that requires to print is transferred to main-chip microcomputer Q701 from LAN-UNIT IF circuit 702, after printer unit becomes printable state, the response of printing OK is transferred to LAN-UNIT IF circuit 702 from main-chip microcomputer Q701, and LAN-UNIT IF circuit 702 is delivered to LAN-UNIT207 with this information through interface IF-10.

After PC on the network accepts this response, then send print data (view data), therefore by with above-mentioned same signal flow, print data is input to main-chip microcomputer Q701, after executing necessary image processing factually with main-chip microcomputer Q701 air exercise printing, print data temporarily is stored among the RAMQ704.And the processing during with image recording is same, and view data is sent to DCON201 as the picture signal of interface IF-1, carries out record in image formation unit.

More than be the situation that main-chip microcomputer Q701 moves usually, action during dormancy and above-mentioned action are slightly different.

During dormancy, shown in Figure 16 as described later, undertaken by alternative server 102 with the order exchange of network.This alternative server 102 is identical with the server 102 that is connected on the network shown in Figure 1, is positioned on the workstation as network system.Alternative server 102 is by receiving " substitute and entrust order " from digit apparatus 101a, 101b, to from PC103a, and 103 orders that send to digit apparatus 101a, 101b, Alternative digital compounding machine 101a, 101b respond.

The address information of digit apparatus 101a, 101b and status information are delivered to alternative server 102 with above-mentioned alternative trust order.But, when the state condition of digit apparatus 101a, 101b changes, the state notifying alternative server 102 after digit apparatus 101a, 101b will change.

When main-chip microcomputer Q701 is in dormant state, be can not receiving and transmitting signal state, so single chip microcomputer Q702 receives status information separately and monitors through IF circuit 701 through IF circuit 706 and from DCON201 from RCON216.

When the state of digit apparatus 101a, 101b changed, single chip microcomputer Q702 outputed to main-chip microcomputer Q701 with look-at-me (NMI) 709 as described above, and main-chip microcomputer Q701 is recovered from dormant state.

After single chip microcomputer Q702 confirmed that by ACTIVE signal 711 main-chip microcomputer Q701 recovers from dormant state, single chip microcomputer Q702 passed through null modem cable 710 with status messages main-chip microcomputer Q701.After main-chip microcomputer Q701 receives status information, state is sent to alternative server 102, also send to LAN-UNIT IF circuit 702 simultaneously.After LAN-UNIT IF circuit 702 was delivered to LAN-UNIT207 with the status information that receives, LAN-UNIT207 sent new state to alternative server 102.Thus, be positioned at the digit apparatus 101a of alternative server 102 inside, the status information of 101b is updated.When digit apparatus 101a, 101b recover from dormancy according to state variation in dormancy,, return dormant state once more after the state update command passed out to alternative server 102 with status information.

In dormancy,, when digit apparatus 101a, 101b recover, send the wakeup order to LAN-UNIT207 from dormancy from alternative server 102 owing to the reasons such as print out task that produce to digit apparatus 101a, 101b.After the LAN-UNIT207 identification wakeup order, wakeup signal 714 is sent to LAN-UNIT IF circuit 702, and the LAN-UNIT IF circuit 702 that receives this wakeup signal 714 is sent to main-chip microcomputer Q701 and single chip microcomputer Q702 with wakeup signal 714.

And, after single chip microcomputer Q702 receives wakeup signal 714, same when receiving FAX enabling signal 713 with FAX-UNIT IF circuit 703 from FAX-UNIT206, when promoting power supply master chip controller Q701 is recovered from dormancy, become the state that can respond from the order of FAX-UNIT206.Specifically, in single chip microcomputer Q702,705 outputs promote the indication of the power supply of having closed in dormancy to power supply control IF circuit.This power supply control IF circuit 705 is sent power throughing signal to DC power supply 203.On the other hand, to main-chip microcomputer Q701 output look-at-me (NMI) 709, the main-chip microcomputer Q701 that receives this look-at-me 709 transfers to common state from dormant state.

The situation that wakeup signal 714 is inputed to single chip microcomputer Q702 and main-chip microcomputer Q701 has been described here, but also can adopt wakeup signal 714 is only inputed to single chip microcomputer Q702, thereby the structure that single chip microcomputer Q702 is started by the wakeup signal 714 from LAN-UNIT207 to main-chip microcomputer Q701 transmission by null modem cable 710.

Below with reference to Figure 16 illustrate in the present embodiment, digit apparatus 101a, 101b during dormancy and alternative server 102 and the order that between the PC103a on the network, 103b, exchanges, response.

Figure 16 is the figure of expression as the exchange of PC103a, 103b on the Ethernet 104 of the network that also comprises alternative server 102 and the command response between digit apparatus 101a, the 101b.

Usually the time, require order 1501 that the order of state of digit apparatus 101a, 101b and print out task require etc. to digit apparatus 101a, 101b output from PC103a, 103b after, to this, digit apparatus 101a, 101b return response 1502.

In the present embodiment, digit apparatus 101a, when 101b transfers to dormant state, digit apparatus be basically to Ethernet 104, substitutes to alternative server 102 outputs and entrust order 1503.At this moment, with order 1503, also send the status data (sensor information etc.) of digit apparatus 101a, 101b to alternative server 102.

After alternative server 102 receives that this substitute to entrust order 1503, the status information of digit apparatus 101a, 101b is kept in the inner memory storage, carries out the preparation of server 102 actions as an alternative.After being ready to complete, alternative server 102 returns to substitute to digit apparatus 101a, 101b and receives response 1504.In digit apparatus 101a, 101b one side, after receiving alternative reception response 1504, become dormant state, afterwards, this digit apparatus 101a, 101b do not respond the order 1505 at self, on the contrary, 1506 pairs of orders of being sent to digit apparatus 101a, 101b of alternative server 102 usefulness response respond.

If digit apparatus 101a, 101b internal state change in the dormancy, then digit apparatus 101a, 101b temporarily recover from dormancy, and new state is delivered to alternative server 102 with state update command 1507.The alternative server 102 of receiving these upgrades the status information that is kept at the digit apparatus in the inner memory storage, if finished the renewal of this state, then state is upgraded response 1508 and returns to digit apparatus 101a, 101b.Digit apparatus 101a, 101b that the state that receives upgrades response become dormant state once more.

In addition, in dormancy, for example digit apparatus 101a, 101b move necessary order, and for example alternative server 102 receives to print and requires order 1509 o'clock, and alternative server 102 is sent wakeup order 1510 to digit apparatus 101a, 101b.

The digit apparatus 101a, the 101b that receive wakeup order 1510 recover from dormant state by this order, become the state that can receive from the order of Ethernet 104 after, return wakeup to alternative server 102 and respond 1511.The alternative server 102 of receiving wakeup response 1511 requires to respond 1512 to the transmission again that the PC that gives an order returns this order.This is because the order of digit apparatus 101a, 101b reception printing requirement etc.

The transmission again of the PC103a that gives an order, 103b response command requires to respond 1512, requires order 1513 to digit apparatus 101a, 101b output print once more.Digit apparatus 101a, 101b response is printed and is required order 1513, printing is received response 1514 return to PC103a, the 103b that gives an order, and this PC103a, 103b deliver to digit apparatus 101a, 101b with print data 1515.Carry out the exchange of common print out task later on.

This Figure 16 is that example is illustrated for the action of simple declaration present embodiment with the general orders, but the timing and the content of order and response are not limited thereto.

In said structure, to the transfer of dormant state with to the recovery of common state, and the status surveillance of the DCON201 under the dormant state, RCON216, post a letter by single chip microcomputer Q702 (below be called secondary CPU) and main-chip microcomputer Q701 (below be called host CPU) control to the state of alternative server 102.Use their action of flowchart text of Figure 17～Figure 22 below.

Figure 17, Figure 18 are the process flow diagrams of an example of the control program that carries out of the secondary CPU of expression in the present embodiment, according to program stored execution on no illustrated ROM or other storage mediums.

In addition, secondary CPU is connected on the power supply P5VA of DC power supply 203, moves all the time, and its action roughly is divided into the action of the dormant state under the HALT state that the host CPU action stops and the action of the common state that host CPU moves usually.Common state at first is described.For the action identical, omit explanation with the process flow diagram of Figure 11.

Step S1201～S1209, S1210, S1211, the processing of S1219 is identical with the processing of the step S201 of Figure 11～S209, S211～S213.In step S1219, the ACTIVE signal returns step S1201 after connecting, and transfers to common state.

In addition, in step S1209, when not depressing power switch 223, the decision state watchdog timer whether timing 100msec (step S1212), to timing before the 100msec, carry out the supervision of step S1207～S1209 repeatedly and handle.The timing of status surveillance timer behind the 100msec (step S1212 is YES), from DCON201, RCON216 obtains state (step S1213).Obtain the details of action about this state, use Figure 20 A-20B to illustrate in the back to Figure 22.

Compare state of in this step S1213, obtaining and the state that in step S1202, receives (transferring to the preceding state of dormant state), judge to have or not state variation (step S1214) from host CPU.(step S1214 is NO) turns back to step S1206 when this is judged as no change, carries out the supervision of regular state reception, mission requirements, power switch repeatedly.

On the other hand, when the state of being judged as changes in step S1214 (step S1214 is YES), carry out host CPU by following step S1215～S1218 and start processing.(Figure 18).

At first, host CPU starts the look-at-me 709 of usefulness and connects back (step S1215), wait for that host CPU starts (connection of ACTIVE signal) (step S1216), will be from DCON201 in step S1213, the state that RCON216 receives is delivered to host CPU (step S1217), simultaneously transfer to HALT state (step S1218), return step S1201, wait for that once more host CPU transfers to dormant state (disconnection of ACTIVE signal) to the host CPU indication.The transmission of state, use the null modem cable 710 between secondary CPU and the host CPU to carry out to posting a letter of requiring of the transfer of HALT state.

Like this, according to the process flow diagram of Figure 17, Figure 18, only otherwise the detection of carrying out that the processing relevant with Flame Image Process and power switch 223 are depressed etc. just can make power supply P5VB economize on electricity.In addition, the state that sends to alternative server 102 is updated according to the processing of step S1217, also can economize on electricity but obtain in the processing at the state of step S1217.

Figure 19 A-19B is the process flow diagram of an example of the control sequence carried out of the host CPU of expression in the present embodiment, according to program stored execution in no illustrated ROM or other storage mediums.

Host CPU and secondary CPU are same, be connected on the power supply P5VA of DC power supply 203, all the time move, but its action roughly be divided into the HALT state that stops at cpu clock X701 dormant state action and can carry out the action of common state of whole actions that FAX send to receive, printed the status enquiry native systems such as (requirements) of action, scanning motion, response external equipment.Omission to the explanation of the same processing of the processing of the process flow diagram of Figure 12 A-12B.

After host CPU (from the HALT state) becomes common state, at first, connect ACTIVE signal 711 (step S1301).As described above, by this action, secondary CPU becomes common state.DCON201 during then from secondary CPU reception HALT state, the state of RCON216 (step S1302).At this, judge that whether secondary CPU has HALT to require (step S1303), when secondary CPU has HALT to require, carries out the later transfer processing to dormant state of step S1318 described later.

On the other hand, in step S1303, when not having HALT to require, as described above, depressed or FAX/ printing requirement by secondary CPU detection power switch 223, being judged to be has the startup requirement to host CPU, the common processing that execution in step S1304 is later.

The processing of step S1304～S1317 is identical with the processing of step S303～S316 of Figure 12 A-12B.

Follow the later transfer processing of description of step S1318 to dormant state.To the transfer processing of this dormant state when secondary CPU has HALT to require (step S1303 is YES), or secondary CPU is when having system to stop requirement (step S1307 is YES) or shift timer by dormancy and add up the schedule time, and (step S1315 is YES) carried out when host CPU self was transferred to the economize on electricity dormant state.At first, carry out sending processing (step S1318) to the state of alternative server 102.Send in the processing at state, by the reception, the DCON201 that send, substitute reception response 1504 of a series of processing execution to the alternative trust order 1503 (Figure 16) of alternative server 102, the state of RCON216 sends.Here the DCON201 that will send, the state of RCON216 be by HALT require to cause the time, be the state that receives from secondary CPU in step S1302, under the situation that the reason outside thus causes, among the step S1306 slave microcomputer Q301, the last state that Q302 receives.

Then with same DCON201, the state of RCON216 is delivered to secondary CPU (step S1319).As described above, in secondary CPU, after this, host CPU becomes the state whether decision state the benchmark of the digit apparatus that changes has taken place after transferring to dormant state.

Step S1320 is identical to the processing of S322 with the step S318 of Figure 12 A-12B to the processing of S1324.

Use Figure 20 A-20B secondary CPU in the flowchart text dormancy of Figure 22 to obtain the action of state from DCON201 below.

Figure 20 A-20B carries out according to program stored in no illustrated ROM or other storage mediums to the process flow diagram that Figure 22 is an example of the control program (state of step S1213 shown in Figure 17 is obtained the concrete order of handling procedure) that carries out of vice CPU.Explanation is omitted in the processing identical with the process flow diagram of Figure 13 A-13B.

Step S1401 is identical to the processing of S410 with the step S401 of Figure 13 A to the processing of S1410.In the present embodiment, after step S1410 sent data zero clearing to next, disconnecting the expression state had the unconverted sign and carry out initialization (S1411) of changing.

The then state of the sensors A group 208 that relatively receives and the last state obtained.

The bit0 (R-IN0) that receives data is the bit of the state of expression door switching detector switch SW501, opens and closes under the situation that detector switch SW501 changed (step S1412 is for being) at door, will change to indicate and be made as connection (step S1413).When door switching detector switch SW501 is open mode (step S1414 is for being), it is 1 that next bit0 value that sends data is set, and the testing result of casket module detecting sensor Q607 outputed to R-IN5 (step S1415) when next data sent.

The bit1 (R-IN1) that receives data is the bit that the expression upper tray opens and closes the state of detector switch SW502, and when upper tray switching detector switch SW502 has changed (step S1416 is for being), the sign that will change is made as connection (step S1417).In addition, upper tray opens and closes detector switch SW502 (step S1418 is for being) when open mode is changed to closed condition, the value that next sends the bit1 of data is set, has or not the testing result of detecting sensor Q611 to export (step S1419) upper tray size 0 sensor Q608, upper tray size 1 sensor Q609, upper tray size 2 sensor Q610, upper paper when next data sends as signal R-IN6～R-IN9.

The bit2 (R-IN2) that receives data is the bit that the expression MP tray opens and closes the state of detector switch SW503, and under the situation that MP tray switching detector switch SW503 changes (step S1420 is for being), the sign that will change is made as connection (step S1421).MP tray opens and closes detector switch SW503 (step S1422 is for being) when open mode is changed to closed condition, the value that next sends the bit2 of data is set, has or not the testing result of detecting sensor Q615 to export (step S1423) on MP tray size 0 sensor Q612, MP tray size 1 sensor Q613, MP tray size 2 sensor Q614, lower floor's paper when next data sends as signal R-IN10～R-IN13.

Then, the bit3 (R-IN3) that receives data is the bit that the state of equipment joint detection switch SW 504 is selected in the expression paper delivery, when paper delivery selects equipment joint detection switch SW 504 to change (step S1424 is for being), change flag is made as connection (step S1425).

Then, the bit4 (R-IN4) that receives data is the bit that the expression paper supply is selected the state of equipment joint detection switch SW 505, when paper supply selects equipment joint detection switch SW 505 to change (step S1426 is for being), change flag is made as connection (step S1427).

And then, when detecting paper supply and selecting equipment joint detection switch SW 505 that connection is arranged (step S1428 is for being), at step S1429 described later in S1436, judge the open and-shut mode (Figure 22) of the upper and lower carton of selecting, on the other hand, detecting does not have when connection (step S1428 is for denying), carries out the later processing of step S1437 described later.

The bit17 (R-IN17) that receives data is the bit that the state of upper tray open-close detection sensor is selected in expression, in the determination step S1429 of the open and-shut mode of the layer carton open-close detection sensor of selecting, when the output of selection upper tray open-close detection sensor has changed (step S1429 is YES), the sign that will change is made as connection (step S1430).The output of selecting the upper tray open-close detection sensor (step S1431 is YES) when open mode is changed to closed condition, the value that next sends the bit17 of data is set, and the paper of will select upper tray size 0 sensor Q1108 when next data sends, select upper tray size 1 sensor Q1109, select upper tray size 2 sensor Q1110, selecting upper tray to use has or not the testing result of detecting sensor Q1111 to export (step S1432) as signal R-IN22～R-IN25.

Then, the bit18 (R-IN18) that receives data is the bit that the state of MP tray open-close detection sensor is selected in expression, when the output of MP tray open-close detection sensor has changed (step S1433 is for being), the sign that will change is made as connection (step S1434).The output of selecting the MP tray open-close detection sensor (step S1435) when open mode is changed to closed condition, the value that next sends the bit18 of data is set, the paper of to select MP tray size 0 sensor Q1112 when next data sends, select MP tray size 1 sensor Q1113, select MP tray size 2 sensor Q1114, selecting MP tray to use has or not the testing result of detecting sensor Q1115 to export (step S1436) as signal R-IN26～R-IN29, returns the later processing of step S1437.

Step S1437 is identical to the processing of S430 with the step S423 of Figure 14 B to the processing of S1444.

The sign that changes of this flowchart text be used for above-mentioned Figure 17 step S1214 secondary CPU state variation have or not judgement.

In addition, in this process flow diagram, illustrated from the state of DCON201, paper supply unit and obtained processing, but secondary CPU is for RCON216, having uses the same method obtains the function of the state of determine sensor D group 217, sensor E group 218, carry out state from DCON201, paper supply unit and obtain when judging, obtain judgement from the state of RCON216 and also carry out simultaneously.

In addition, when door switching detector switch SW501 is open mode in step S1414, step S1418 at the middle and upper levels carton open and close detector switch SW502 MP tray when open mode is changed to closed condition and among step S1422 and open and close detector switch SW503 when open mode is changed to closed condition, the bit that next sends data is set, be controlled to the power supply of connecting sensor B group 209, but door switching detector switch SW501, upper tray opens and closes detector switch SW502, MP tray opens and closes the open mode of detector switch SW503 etc., during time of certain state continuance essence, next of breaking part or whole correspondence sends the bit of data, is controlled to the part or all of power supply that disconnects sensor B group 209.

As described above, according to present embodiment, during from the state of network challenge image processing system, alternative server 102 substitutes the answer states to image processing system in energy saver mode.On the other hand, the image processing system in the energy saver mode only when the state of image processing system changes to alternative server 102 notification status information.Thus, even if image processing system is under the energy saver mode of dormant state etc., also available few energy consumption and realize answer to the state of network requirement with lower cost.

Whether network side was owing to can not detect the state of the image processing system of duplicating machine etc. and changed in the past, frequently require the state of image processing system, each image processing system is in dormant state during by the inquiry state, must form the device power supply to entire image, can not realize energy-conservation fully.And comprise in the network system of image processing system of present embodiment, only when the state of image processing system changes with the MIN power consumption of necessity to the network side notification status information.Thus, network side does not need frequently to inquire the action of the state of image processing system, all forms the device power supply to entire image when consequently not needing to inquire state at every turn.Thereby can obtain reducing the effect of power consumption.

In the present embodiment, in energy saver mode, make the big host CPU of power consumption be the dormant state of response to network not, when the state of image processing system changes, start host CPU, and the status information that secondary CPU receives is delivered to host CPU, host CPU can be with the state information notification network that has changed, and can realize low power consumption.

In addition, when the startup that has automatic network in energy saver mode required, host CPU started, and image processing system is placed common state, can recover common state and answer printing requirement etc. from energy saver mode, can realize low power consumption simultaneously.

Therefore, even if image processing system is in dormant state, when answering the state from network challenge, can realize with few energy consumption and low cost.

According to present embodiment, under the situation of low power consumption mode, by with state group switch to secondary CPU from host CPU communication objectively, even if image processing system is in dormant state, answer can realize with few energy consumption and low cost during from the state of network challenge.

In addition, according to present embodiment, when normal mode is transferred to low power consumption mode, the status information that host CPU is had is transported to secondary CPU, and when low power consumption mode was transferred to normal mode, the status information that secondary CPU is had was transported to host CPU, can preserve the rapid mode shifts of correct status information, even and if image processing system is in dormant state, when answering the state from network challenge, can realize with few energy consumption and low cost.

In the time of beyond dormant state, press and original identical mode, DCON201 means the order of the status enquiry of 202 couples of DCON201 of slave controller by the serial communication response, state is delivered to controller 202 from DCON201, but during dormancy, do not carry out the order exchange between DCON201 and the controller 202, serial communication is that the state contact is special-purpose, therefore the order of the order of controller 202 generation and DCON201 judges that operation has not just needed, and has saved the not electric power of part of this order generation and order judgement.Like this, even if image processing system is in dormant state, when answering the state from network challenge, can realize with few energy consumption and low cost.

In the time of beyond dormant state, the asynchronous communication of communication between DCON201 and the controller 202 for not needing to carry clock causes the saving of shot noise reduction and IC terminal, but this moment, for cooperating the phase place of communication, the internal actions clock need be the frequency about the several times of carrying clock.On the other hand, during dormancy, move by the Action clock of the frequency identical with the conveying clock that produces by making the synchronous communication of the conveying clock that this communication produces for one of DCON201 and controller 202, do not produce the opposing party of carrying clock.This structure generally is that energy consumption and Action clock are proportional, the economize on electricity in the time of therefore can realizing dormancy.Like this, even if image processing system is in dormant state, when answering the state from network challenge, can realize with few energy consumption and low cost.

The following describes the 3rd embodiment of this aspect.

Among above-mentioned first embodiment and second embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, physically distinguishing secondary CPU (single chip microcomputer Q702) and main-chip microcomputer Q701 is illustrated, but be not limited thereto, in the present embodiment, also can suppose in a chip (CPU), press the high frequency clock action usually, in energy saver mode, press the low-frequency clock action.During energy saver mode, make locally supplied power source's economize on electricity of a chip, drive said chip with few power consumption.

The structure of combination the various embodiments described above also all comprises in the present invention.

The formation of the storage medium of the data processor that can read below with reference to the image processing system of storage caption shown in Figure 23 storage the various embodiments described above.

Figure 23 is the figure of storage chart of the storage medium of the various data processors that can read of the image processing system of explanation storage the various embodiments described above.

Though there is not diagram among the figure, the also information of program stored group on the storage administration storage medium sometimes, for example version information, author etc., and also storage depends on the information that program is read the operating system of side (OS) etc., for example discerns the icon of display routine etc.

Above-mentioned first or Figure 11 of second embodiment, 12,13,14 or Figure 17～18,19, the function shown in 20～22 can be carried out by principal computer by the program of installing from the outside.And, at this moment,, or when output unit is supplied with the message block that comprises program, also can be suitable for the present invention from the storage medium of external unit through network by the storage medium of CD-ROM, flash memory, floppy disk (FD) etc.

As mentioned above, the storage medium of procedure code that will write down the software of the function that realizes one of each embodiment certainly offers system or device, read procedure code and the execution that is stored in the storage medium by the computing machine (or CPU, MPU) of this system or device, also can realize purpose of the present invention.

At this moment, realize new function of the present invention from the procedure code self that storage medium is read, the storage medium of storing this procedure code constitutes the present invention.

As the storage medium that is used to supply with procedure code, for example can use RAM, floppy disk (floppy registered trademark), FD, hard disk, CD (registered trademark), photomagneto disk, CD-ROM, MO, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, tape, Nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM etc.

Certainly also comprise the procedure code of reading by object computer, not only realize one of them function of the above embodiments, also according to the indication of this procedure code, by execution actual treatment such as the OS that turns round on the computing machine (operating system) part or all, handle the situation of one of them function that realizes the foregoing description by this.

The present invention is applicable in the system of a plurality of equipment formations, also is applicable in the device of an equipment formation.The present invention is applicable to certainly by program being offered the situation that system or device are realized.At this moment, be read into this system or device by storing by the storage medium of realizing the program that software of the present invention is represented, this system or device can be enjoyed effect of the present invention.

In addition, the program of software that realizes one of them function of the various embodiments described above downloaded from the database on the network read, this system or device can be enjoyed effect of the present invention.

The invention is not restricted to the foregoing description,, can carry out various distortion, it should not got rid of from scope of the present invention according to aim of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. image processing system has common standby mode and than this common standby mode power consumption low power consumption mode still less, comprising:

Control the first control circuit that forms relevant processing with image;

The second control circuit of the part action of the above-mentioned first control circuit when when the low power consumption mode of above-mentioned image processing system, carrying out above-mentioned common standby mode; With

Detect the status detection device of above-mentioned image processing system,

Wherein, above-mentioned first control circuit is when the above-mentioned common standby mode of above-mentioned image processing system, and response is from the state requirement of outside, when the above-mentioned low power consumption mode of above-mentioned image processing system, become the action halted state, do not respond state requirement from the outside, and

Above-mentioned second control circuit substitutes the state requirement of above-mentioned first control circuit response from the outside when the above-mentioned low power consumption mode of above-mentioned image processing system.

2. image processing system according to claim 1, it is characterized in that above-mentioned first control circuit is incited somebody to action the state of above-mentioned image processing system this moment when the above-mentioned low power consumption mode to above-mentioned image processing system shifts status information is transported to above-mentioned second control circuit.

3. image processing system according to claim 1 is characterized in that the power consumption of above-mentioned second control circuit is than the little power consumption of above-mentioned first control circuit.

4. image processing system according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, comprise: when the common standby mode of above-mentioned image processing system, to the 3rd control circuit of above-mentioned first control circuit transmission by the status information of the state of the detected above-mentioned image processing system of above-mentioned detection device; With the switching device shifter that when the above-mentioned low power consumption mode to above-mentioned image processing system shifts, the transmission destination of above-mentioned status information is switched to above-mentioned second control circuit from above-mentioned first control circuit.

5. image processing system according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, received from the outside when the above-mentioned low power consumption mode of above-mentioned image processing system under the situation of startup requirement or task, above-mentioned second control circuit is to above-mentioned first control circuit output initiation indicator signal.

6. image processing system according to claim 5, it is characterized in that, that above-mentioned second control circuit is preserved above-mentioned second control circuit after above-mentioned first control circuit output initiation indicator signal, be transported to above-mentioned first control circuit by the status information of the state of the detected above-mentioned image processing system of above-mentioned detection device.

7. image processing system according to claim 1 is characterized in that, whether the above-mentioned image processing system of above-mentioned second control circuit input expression is the sleep status signal that is in the low power consumption mode state.

8. image processing system according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, above-mentioned second control circuit at above-mentioned image processing system when above-mentioned low power consumption mode shifts, carry out following control: keep connection to first power supply of above-mentioned second control circuit supply capability, and, disconnect the second source beyond above-mentioned first power supply or this second source switched on and off.

9. image processing system according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, above-mentioned detection device has the state that detects above-mentioned image processing system first sensor group that changes and second sensor groups that detects the content of the detected state variation of above-mentioned first sensor group has been arranged, above-mentioned second control circuit, when the low power consumption mode of above-mentioned image processing system, keep energising to above-mentioned first sensor group, when above-mentioned first sensor group detects the state variation of above-mentioned image processing system, make above-mentioned second sensor groups energising that has been de-energized.

10. the control method of an image processing system, described image processing system have common standby mode and than this common standby mode power consumption low power consumption mode still less, comprise that control and image form the first control circuit of relevant processing; The second control circuit of the part action of the above-mentioned first control circuit when when the low power consumption mode of above-mentioned image processing system, carrying out above-mentioned common standby mode; With the status detection device that detects above-mentioned image processing system, this control method may further comprise the steps:

When the above-mentioned common standby mode of above-mentioned image processing system, make the state requirement of above-mentioned first control circuit response from the outside;

Thereby when the low power consumption mode of above-mentioned image processing system, make above-mentioned first control circuit become the action halted state and do not respond state requirement, and make above-mentioned second control circuit substitute the state requirement of above-mentioned first control circuit response from the outside from the outside.

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