JP2001045678A - Printer and charger for backup power source thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a charging apparatus for back-up power source supplying power for required back-up operation to a printer with a simple circuit structure, thereby reducing the use of parts, such as a primary battery unfavorable for environment, and provide a printer which attains cost reduction and power savings. SOLUTION: A power source 6B is shifted from an on condition to a sleep mode, when a panel switch 5 is turned off. RTC 34 has a timer 34b and a comparator 34C, and when the comparator 34C monitors the output voltage of a secondary battery 36a and detects that the output voltage is below its reference voltage RefV, power source on signal 34d is outputted for three minutes until the timer 34B is up. A second switch 38 is turned on by the power source on signal 34d, and the power source 6B is returned to the on condition for three minutes, thus it is possible to charge the secondary battery 36a by the power supplied from the power source 6B.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer and a charging device for a backup power supply for a printer, and more particularly to an RT built into the printer when the main power supply of the printer is turned off.
The present invention relates to a charging method of a backup power supply such as a secondary battery that supplies power to C and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some electronic devices such as printers perform a predetermined backup operation using power supplied from a secondary battery or the like which has been charged in advance when a main power supply is cut off. For example, in an inkjet printer, in order to prevent the ink from hardening, the print head is moved to the home position regardless of the state of the main power supply being turned off by the user or the outlet being disconnected. The power supply cannot be cut off immediately because it needs to be capped. That is, in many inkjet printers having a switching power supply, the power switch is controlled on the secondary side,
Unless the outlet is removed, it will not be completely turned off. The power supply (switching regulator) performs intermittent oscillation with a low duty ratio voltage waveform while the power switch is turned off, and the state of the power switch on the secondary side is continuously monitored by a CPU or the like. When the power switch is turned off, the CPU performs a capping operation of the print head and then sends a predetermined signal to the power supply. Upon receiving this signal, the power supply shifts to the above-described intermittent oscillation state.

Further, in a printer or the like, when the main power is turned off, an EEP is stored in order to save the data until the next power-on.
Writing control information during printer operation to ROM, etc.
It is also necessary to perform a memory backup operation.

Further, in the ink-jet printer, when the power is turned on, several kinds of pumping operations in which the amount of ink suction is changed according to the length of the unused time are performed, or the ink jet printer is used independently or from the host computer. In order to print the printing time on the edge of the printing paper according to the command, a real-time clock (RealT
im Clock (hereinafter referred to as RTC). The RTC is a digital IC device that outputs a current time when a predetermined signal is input, for example, month, day, hour, minute, and second in 1999.
Must be operated even when the main power supply of the printer is turned off.

Conventionally, an electronic device such as a printer incorporates an electric double layer capacitor and a secondary battery described later as a backup power supply, and these are charged while the power supply is ON, and the power supply is turned on. When the power switch is turned off, the RTC is continuously operated with the charged power, or the memory is backed up.

A specific description will be given of a case where the RTC in the printer is continuously operated. In the first example, a secondary battery such as a Li battery or a Ni-Cd battery is built in the printer, and the RTC is operated by the power discharged from the secondary battery. That is, in the first example, a Li battery 81 is provided in the printer, for example, as shown in FIG.
RTC is carried out by the power constantly supplied from the Li battery 81.
83 is operating. When a predetermined signal 86 is input from the CPU 85, the RTC 83 outputs a digital signal 87 representing the current time to the CPU 85.

In a second example, a high-performance capacitor called a super capacitor, a gold capacitor, an electric double layer capacitor, or the like is built in a printer, and the capacitor is charged while the power of the printer is turned on. When the power is turned off, the charge
Is operated continuously. That is, the second conventional example includes such a capacitor 91 as shown in FIG. 5, for example. The RTC 93 operates with power supplied from the main power supply 98, and the capacitor 91 is charged with power supplied from the main power supply 98 while the power of the printer is turned on. When the power of the printer is turned off, the RTC 93
Works continuously. Note that the RTC 93 outputs a digital signal 97 representing the current time to the CPU 95 when a predetermined signal 96 is input from the CPU 95, as in the first example.

[0008]

However, the power is normally turned off for a long time, such as a printer, and the power is turned on.
In the case of a device having a short time, a charging time for a secondary battery or the like cannot be sufficiently obtained, and a high-capacity secondary battery or the like is required in order to prevent functional problems, resulting in an increase in cost.
Alternatively, the use of a secondary battery or the like is abandoned, and a primary battery that is a component that is dirty for the environment is used.
As a solution, it is conceivable to use the power generated from the above-mentioned intermittent oscillation of the power supply for charging a secondary battery or the like when the main switch is turned off by the user but the outlet is turned on. However, in such a charging method, charging is performed from an unstable low voltage as it is, so that it is necessary to provide a boosting means in the charging circuit.
In addition, a switching circuit for charging from such an intermittent oscillation state and charging from a voltage when the power is normally turned on is also required. As a result, it is inevitable that the circuit configuration becomes complicated. Even if a charging circuit including a booster is used, the charging efficiency is reduced by an amount corresponding to the charging after boosting, so that the power consumption when the main switch is turned off is increased, and as a result, the power saving of the printer is reduced. It will hinder you.

A first object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art described above and to provide a simple circuit configuration of a backup power supply charging device for supplying power for performing a required backup operation to a printer. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a printer which can reduce the use of components such as a primary battery which is not preferable for the environment, and can reduce the power consumption at low cost.

A second object of the present invention is to further reduce power consumption by enabling sufficient charging in a minimum necessary time in such a charging device for a backup power supply.

[0011]

According to the present invention, the main power supply is O
In the printer which charges the backup power supply with the power of the main power supply in the N state, the ON time of the main power supply is secured only for the time required for charging the backup power supply.

As described above, in many ink-jet printers, as long as the outlet is not disconnected, the power supply intermittently oscillates at a low duty ratio voltage waveform even when the power switch is turned off. The status of the power switch on the side is continuously monitored. Therefore, for example, when the power switch is turned on again by the user, a signal notifying the power ON is transmitted to the power supply, and upon receiving this signal, the power supply returns from the intermittent oscillation state to the state of outputting the normal voltage. In view of such a power control method, the inventor can electrically create the same state as when the user turns on the power switch, thereby automatically turning on the power. I focused on being able to bring it to.

That is, in order to achieve the first object, according to the present invention, a so-called sleep mode (energy saving mode) in which the ink jet printer is in the intermittent oscillation state described above.
When the CPU or the like detects that the battery has entered the battery, the clock or timer means is used at regular intervals, or when the output voltage of the secondary battery or the like is detected to decrease using the voltage monitoring means, By automatically returning the power supply to the ON state only for the time required for charging the battery, the secondary battery and the like are charged while in the sleep mode.

Thus, according to a first aspect of the present invention,
The following printer is obtained. That is, in the printer according to the second aspect, a printer mechanism, a printer controller that controls the printer mechanism, a main power supply that supplies power to the printer mechanism and the printer controller, and charging and discharging can be repeated. A backup power supply for supplying power for performing a predetermined backup operation to the printer mechanism unit and the printer control unit by the discharge; and wherein the main power supply has at least two states: an ON state and a predetermined sleep state. The main power supply is turned on for a predetermined charging time when the main power supply is in the sleep state, and the backup power supply is charged by the power of the main power supply.

The printer according to claim 3, further comprising a real-time clock, wherein when the main power supply enters the sleep state, the main power supply is periodically turned on at predetermined intervals by the real-time clock. The backup power supply is charged. Further, in the printer according to the fourth aspect, when the main power supply enters the sleep state, the CPU periodically transmits a signal for changing the main power supply to an ON state at predetermined intervals. And

On the other hand, the printer according to the present invention has voltage monitoring means for monitoring the output voltage of the backup power supply, and the voltage monitoring means determines that the output voltage of the backup power supply is lower than a predetermined reference voltage. When it is determined, the main power supply is turned on and the backup power supply is charged with the power of the main power supply. In the above, the backup power supply can be constituted by a secondary battery or a capacitor.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the following charging device can be obtained. That is, the charging device for a backup power supply for a printer according to the present invention has at least O
A printer backup power supply for supplying power for performing a predetermined backup operation to a printer including a main power supply that can take two states of an N state and a predetermined sleep state when the main power supply is not in an ON state, A charging device for a printer backup power supply that can repeat charging and discharging and supplies power for performing the backup operation by the discharging, automatically when the main power supply is in the sleep state for a predetermined charging time. Turn on the main power
And charging the backup power supply with the power of the main power supply. The charging device may be configured to be externally attached to a printer.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a charging device for a backup power source for a printer, comprising: a CPU;
A real-time clock for outputting a time to the main power supply, and switch means for switching the main power supply to the ON state when the main power supply is in the sleep state, wherein the real-time clock is output for a predetermined time at predetermined intervals. The main power supply is automatically turned on via the switch means in response to a signal. Claim 11
In the charging device for a backup power supply for a printer according to the present invention, a CPU, a real-time clock that outputs time to the CPU, and switch means for changing the main power supply to the ON state when the main power supply is in the sleep state. Wherein the CPU automatically changes the main power supply to the ON state via the switch means by a signal output from the CPU at predetermined intervals for a predetermined time.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a charging device for a backup power supply for a printer, wherein the CPU, a real-time clock for outputting a time to the CPU, and the main power supply being in the ON state when the main power supply is in the sleep state. The real-time clock further comprises voltage monitoring means for monitoring the output voltage of the backup power supply, wherein the output voltage of the backup power supply is lower than a predetermined reference voltage by the voltage monitoring means. When the main power supply is detected, the main power supply is turned on and the backup power supply is charged with the power of the main power supply.

In order to achieve the second object, according to the present invention, when a user turns on a power switch, or when the user automatically brings the power on as described above, a backup power supply is provided. By managing the past history of charging, a required and sufficient shortest charging time is obtained.

Thus, according to a third aspect of the present invention,
The following printer is obtained. That is, in the printer according to the thirteenth aspect, a printer mechanism, a printer controller that controls the printer mechanism, a main power supply that supplies power to the printer mechanism and the printer controller, and charging and discharging can be repeated. A backup power supply for supplying power for performing a predetermined backup operation to the printer control unit by the discharge, and charging the backup power supply with the power of the main power supply when the main power supply is in an ON state. In the printer to be performed, the backup power supply has history management means for managing a past history of charging, and by referring to the past charging time for the backup power supply managed by the history management means, Is characterized by calculating the time during which is turned on.

Further, in the printer according to the present invention, the history management means includes at least a CPU and the CP.
U is a real-time clock that outputs time to U. When the main power is turned on, the CPU refers to the state of the real-time clock to calculate the time for which the main power is kept on. And the printer.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, the backup power source comprises an electric double-layer capacitor.

[0024] On the other hand, in the printer according to the twenty-fourth aspect, when the main power supply is once turned on, the turning off of the main power supply is limited only for a time during which the electric double-layer capacitor is completely charged.

[0025]

First, first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
These embodiments relate to a charging device of a backup power supply for continuously operating the above-described RTC when the power supply is turned off, and an ink jet printer including the charging device. First, an overall configuration of an inkjet printer common to these embodiments will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet printer according to these embodiments has a printer controller 2
, Print engine 4, main power supply unit 6, RT
It has a C unit 8. Printer controller 2
Are CPU 10, ROM 12, RAM 14, EEPRO
M16, a mechanical interface (I / F) 18, and a host interface (I / F) 20.
2 are interconnected. Print engine 4
Has a carriage mechanism including a print head 42, a carriage 43 and the like, and a paper feed mechanism including a paper feed (PF) motor 44 and the like. The paper feed mechanism is a PF motor 4
4 and a paper feed roller (not shown).
5 is sequentially sent out to perform sub-scanning. The carriage mechanism includes a carriage 43 on which the print head 42 is mounted, a carriage (CR) motor 43a for moving the carriage 43 via a timing belt 46, and the like, and causes the print head 42 to perform main scanning. The print head 42 discharges minute ink droplets using a piezoelectric element. The carriage 43 returns to the home position 43b in a predetermined case in order to perform various maintenances on the print head 42. For example, when the power is turned off,
After the carriage 43 returns to the home position 43b, the above-described capping operation of capping the ink ejecting unit of the print head 42 is performed to prevent the ink from drying.

The main power supply unit 6 includes a switching regulator (not shown) therein and a power supply cable 30,
AC power is supplied from a commercial power supply (not shown) via the power plug 32. For example, 42V power is supplied to the print head 42 and the like of the print engine 4 and 5.0V or 3.3V power is supplied to the printer controller 2 and the like. Supply. The main power supply unit 6 is connected to a panel switch 5 provided on a printer panel, as shown in FIG. For example, the panel switch 5 is turned on when pressed by the user, and turned off when pressed again. The main power supply unit 6 also receives a signal from the panel switch 5 and is turned on similarly.
/ OFF, even if the panel switch 5 is turned off, as long as the power plug 32 is not removed from the outlet.
Enter a predetermined sleep state. Here, the predetermined sleep state means that the power switch is turned off and the power supply to the printer mechanism such as the print engine 4 is cut off.
This means a case where the power is still supplied to the PU 10 and the like even though it is very small, and typically corresponds to the above-described intermittent oscillation state.

The RTC unit 8 has an RTC 34 and a backup power supply 36. Backup power supply 36
Includes a rechargeable battery 36a, a diode 36b, etc., and operates when the power of the printer is turned off.
4 can operate continuously. When a predetermined signal 10a is input from the CPU 10, the RTC 34 outputs a digital signal 34a representing the current time to the CPU 10 as in the above-described conventional example.

There are roughly two types of events that trigger the main power supply for charging the backup power supply 36. The first event is a voltage drop of the backup power supply 36, and the second event is the above-described event. That is, a predetermined time has passed since the sleep state was entered.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the charging device for the RTC backup power supply will be described with reference to FIG. The charging device according to the present embodiment uses the first event described above as a trigger to set R
The main power is turned on by a signal from the TC 34 and the secondary battery 36
a minimum supplementary charge time until the charge to a expires, ON
Continue charging, then intermittent oscillation state (sleep mode)
It is characterized by returning to.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2, this charging device includes a power supply (Power Supply, hereinafter referred to as PS) 6B, a CPU 10, an RTC 34, and first and second switches 37 and 38. ing. PS6B
Is supplied with a primary voltage, for example, the print engine 4
And the like, and a secondary voltage of 5.0 V or 3.3 V to logic circuits such as the printer controller 2. As described later, the CPU 10
The state of the panel switch 5 of the printer is monitored, and when the power is turned on from the sleep mode, various control operations are performed depending on whether the power is turned on by the panel switch or by the RTC.

In this embodiment, the RTC 34 has a timer 34B and a comparator 34C inside.
The comparator 34C is for monitoring the output voltage of the secondary battery 36a, and constantly outputs the output voltage of the secondary battery 36a to a predetermined reference voltage RefV (for example, 1.5V + α).
Is compared with the reference voltage Re by the comparator 34C.
When it is detected that the voltage has dropped below fV, the RTC 34 outputs a power ON signal 34d and turns on the second switch 38.
By doing so, the PS6B is returned to the ON state. The power ON signal 34d is output, for example, for 3 minutes, and the PS 6B is ON only for 3 minutes. Timer 34B
Counts 3 minutes as the predetermined auxiliary charging time.

The first switch 37 has the panel switch 5 of the printer shown in FIG. 1 and another switch 37a that opens and closes simultaneously with the operation of the panel switch 5. When the panel switch 5 is turned off, the PS 6B shifts to the intermittent oscillation state (unless the outlet is unplugged).
Return to the state where the next voltage is output. When the panel switch 5 is turned ON / OFF, the switch 37a opens and closes simultaneously in conjunction with each other. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, a signal 37b for transmitting ON or OFF of the panel switch is output to the CPU 10, Is transmitted.

Next, the operation of the charging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3 in addition to FIGS. First, for example, when the panel switch 5 of the printer is turned off by the user, unless the power cable 30 is pulled out, the printer enters a sleep mode as shown in FIG.
The above-mentioned intermittent oscillation state is established. In the sleep mode, for example, the panel switch 5 is turned on by the user, or the power ON signal 3 from the RTC 34 is output.
When the PS 6B is turned on by 4d (S302), it is determined whether the power is turned on by the RTC 34 or by a panel switch (S303). In the case of ON by the RTC 34, this ON state is continued for 3 minutes (S3
04), the secondary battery 36a is charged during the three minutes. After 3 minutes, the ON state is terminated,
Although the panel switch is in the original OFF state, whether or not the panel switch is turned on is always monitored (S305).
If the panel switch remains OFF, the process returns to S301 to continue the sleep mode described above.

On the other hand, when the panel switch is turned on, the power is turned on in S303 as described below.
It is monitored whether or not the panel switch is turned off in the same manner as in the case where it is determined that the
306), if it is turned off (Yes in S306), it waits until it can be turned off in a safe state on the printer mechanism such as completion of capping (S307), and if it completes capping (Yes in S307), it turns on the power.
It is determined whether three minutes or more have passed since (S308).
If more than one minute has elapsed (Yes in S308), S
Returning to 301, the sleep mode described above is continued. Three
If the minutes have not elapsed (No in S308), the process waits while monitoring the panel switch until the remaining time up to three minutes elapses (S309). That is, it is monitored whether or not the panel switch is turned off (S310). Unless the panel switch is turned off (No in S310), the process proceeds to S30.
Return to 6. When the panel switch is turned off (S
(Yes in 310), returning to S301 to continue the sleep mode described above.

As described above, if the charging apparatus of this embodiment is used, the so-called sleep mode (energy saving mode) in which the PS6B of the printer is in the intermittent oscillation state described above.
Sometimes, even if the voltage of the secondary battery 36a decreases, P
It is possible to shift S6B to the power-on state and perform desired charging of the secondary battery 36a with the power supplied by the PS6B.

Next, the configuration of the second embodiment of the charging device for the RTC backup power supply will be described with reference to FIG. 2 again. The charging apparatus according to the second embodiment is triggered by the above-described second event. When the above-described intermittent oscillation state occurs due to the power-off, the charging apparatus performs a certain period of time (a supplementary charging interval time) for a certain period of time. A function of generating a signal of (supplementary charging time) is provided in the CPU 10,
The power (PS6B) is turned on by the signal from PU10
/ OFF.

That is, the charging device includes a third switch 39 as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 2, and the third switch 39 is turned on by a predetermined auxiliary charging signal 10h from the CPU 10. When the third switch 39 is turned on, the PS 6B returns from the intermittent oscillation state to a state in which a normal secondary voltage is output. When the auxiliary charging signal 10h enters the intermittent oscillation state, the auxiliary charging signal 10h is transmitted for only 3 minutes, for example, every 24 hours or every 100 hours. The operation of the charging apparatus according to the second embodiment will be easily understood by replacing the processing of S303 and S304 in the flowchart of FIG.

In practice, a predetermined control command group (program) stored in the ROM 12 (see FIG. 1) while referring to time information from an RTC or a timer [a timer (not shown) in the CPU may be used). ), The CPU 10 can have a function of generating such a signal.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. This embodiment employs an electric double layer capacitor as a backup power supply for continuously operating the above-described RTC when the power is turned off, and manages and refers to the history of the voltage between the terminals of the electric double layer capacitor, thereby making the electric double layer capacitor available. This aims at optimizing the charging time for the capacitor.

The RTC and the electric double layer capacitor of this embodiment are mounted on an ink jet printer, as in the first and second embodiments. The overall structure of the ink jet printer is shown in FIG. Since they are substantially the same as those of the first and second embodiments, description thereof will be omitted.

First, the control method 1 based on the history used in this embodiment will be described.

[Control Method by History 1] FIG. 4 (a)
The vertical axis indicates the voltage V between the terminals of the electric double layer capacitor, and the horizontal axis indicates the time t, and shows the change in the voltage between the terminals due to charging and discharging of the electric double layer capacitor.

When charging is performed while the power is on (see 401), the main power is turned off as an event.
(See 402), the voltage decreases as shown in FIG. Note that the minimum voltage is a voltage at which the RTC stops when the voltage drops below that voltage. In the control based on the history, as the simplest example, when the power is turned on in a state where the voltage is reduced to the minimum voltage or less (see 403), information (history) that the RTC is stopped is obtained.
Then, this is set to 0, that is, Tch (charge time) is set to 0 for a timer (CPU timer or the like), and the battery is fully charged after 3 minutes. Actually, the voltage between terminals is shown by a solid line (404) in FIG. As shown by, rise linearly. The dashed-dotted curve (see 405) shows how much energy has entered. After three minutes have elapsed, when the power is turned off and discharge starts (see 406), the voltage decreases as shown in the figure (see 407). However,
As shown in FIG. 4B, when charging is stopped for one minute (see 411), the voltage does not drop as indicated by the dotted line (see 412) but first drops sharply ( 41
1a), and the voltage decreases from here (4
11b).

When the printer is operated as it is and the main power is turned off as an event somewhere (see 412), there is no need to charge for another 3 minutes from here. As shown in the figure, that is, when an event of OFF occurs when Tch ≧ 3 min, it means that it is not necessary to turn ON any more. Therefore, the discharge starts from here (41
3).

On the other hand, unlike the above, when the OFF command is received at the time of charging for one minute (see 414), the ON is continued without the OFF until three minutes elapse (see 415). This is also control based on one history of keeping the ON time.

[History Control Method 2] In FIG. 5, similarly to FIG. 4, the vertical axis represents the voltage V between the terminals of the electric double layer capacitor and the horizontal axis represents time t. This shows a change in the voltage between terminals.

As shown in the figure, when it is turned on, when it has fallen (see 501), when 200 hours have passed so far, if it is turned on here, it is usually turned on for 3 minutes. If the battery was originally charged for 400 hours, it would be all right in one and a half minutes this time. Therefore, if an OFF command was received one minute after being turned on, charging would be performed for only 30 seconds. Therefore, power is saved for the remaining one and a half minutes. The fact that the above 200 hours have elapsed can be known from this because the RTC is operating.

[Circuit Configuration to be Realized] FIG. 6 shows a circuit configuration for realizing the above method. Power supply (Power
Supply) 601 is ON / O by CPU 602
FF is performed. The electric double layer capacitor 603 is connected to a power supply (Power Supply) 6 through a diode 609.
01 is charged. The power supply (Power Supply) 601 is ON / OFF even with the signal from the RTC 604.
Is done. The power supply (Powe) is output by a signal from the RTC 604.
When the “r Supply” 601 is turned on, the power supply (PowerSupply) 601 is turned on, and the CPU 602 returns from the power supply (Power Supply) 601. The CPU 602 uses int
The errupt signal and the like are received from the RTC 604, and it is known in what state the switch is turned on. Power supply (Power
Supply) 601 includes a switch 601a and a small power supply (Power Supply) for monitoring the switch 601a.
607.

As is clear from the above circuit configuration, the state of the electric double-layer capacitor 603 is viewed by time. However, exceptionally, the above-described detection of the minimum voltage and the uneasiness of the stop (the state where the RTC is stopped) are performed by the CPU 602. It needs to have the function of knowing later.

As described above, the present invention has been described with respect to the specific embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and is applicable to other embodiments within the scope described in the claims.

For example, in the first embodiment, when the voltage of the backup power supply drops (triggered by the first event), the power supply is turned on by the signal from the RTC to perform the supplementary charge. In the embodiment, the example has been described in which, when a predetermined time has elapsed after entering the sleep state (with the second event as a trigger), the power is turned on by a signal from the CPU to perform the supplementary charging. As a third embodiment, an example is conceivable in which when a predetermined time has elapsed after entering the sleep state (triggered by the second event), the power is turned on by the signal from the RTC to perform the supplementary charging. Further, a mode in which both the power-on by the signal from the RTC in the first or third embodiment and the power-on by the signal from the CPU in the second embodiment are used is also conceivable. For the adjustment of both, a simple OR means may be added.

In the above embodiment, the main power supply is turned on.
The charging method of the secondary battery for continuously operating the RTC when not in the state has been described. However, an object to which the secondary battery or the like supplies power, such as a backup operation of a memory, is not limited to the RTC. Furthermore, charge and discharge can be repeated,
The backup power supply may be other than a secondary battery or an electric double layer capacitor as long as it supplies power for performing a predetermined backup operation when the main power supply is not in the ON state by the discharge.

On the other hand, in the above embodiment, the printer has a built-in charging device, that is, the CPU in the printer, the R,
Although the example in which the charging device is configured by the timer and the comparator in the TC has been described, the charging device may be configured as an external unit.

In the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described by taking an ink-jet printer for performing capping as an example.
A backup power supply that includes a main power supply that can take two states, a state and a sleep state, and that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, and that supplies power for performing a predetermined backup operation when the main power supply is not in an ON state by the discharge. It goes without saying that the present invention can be widely applied to a printer having the following.

[0056]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, for example, even if the power switch is cut off by the user, the required backup operation can be performed safely,
It is possible to provide a printer that can reduce the use of components such as primary batteries that are not preferable for the environment, and that can reduce power consumption at low cost.

Further, since a charging device for a backup power supply for supplying electric power for performing a required backup operation to the printer can be realized with a simple circuit configuration, its industrial value is extremely large.

Further, since the ON time is controlled based on the history, further power saving can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a charging device of a backup power supply in the printer illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the charging device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a control method 1 based on a history.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a control method 2 based on history.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration for realizing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a first conventional example.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a second conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Printer Controller 4 Print Engine 6 Main Power Unit 6B Power (PS) 8 RTC Unit 10 CPU 12 ROM 14 RAM 16 EEPROM 18 (Mechanical) Interface 20 (Host) Interface 22 Bus 30 Power Cable 32 Power Plug 34 RTC 34B Timer 34C Comparator 36 Backup power supply

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A printer mechanism, a printer controller for controlling the printer mechanism, a main power supply for supplying power to the printer mechanism and the printer controller, and charge / discharge can be repeated. A backup power supply for supplying power for performing a predetermined backup operation to the printer control unit, wherein the printer that charges the backup power supply with the power of the main power supply when the main power supply is in an ON state; A printer characterized in that an ON time of the main power supply is secured for a time required for charging a backup power supply. 2. A printer mechanism, a printer controller for controlling the printer mechanism, a main power supply for supplying power to the printer mechanism and the printer controller, and charge / discharge can be repeated. A backup power supply for supplying power for performing a predetermined backup operation to the printer control unit, wherein the main power supply can take at least two states of an ON state and a predetermined sleep state; Is in the sleep state,
A printer characterized in that the main power supply is turned on for a predetermined charging time, and the backup power supply is charged with the power of the main power supply. 3. The printer according to claim 2, further comprising a real-time clock, wherein when the main power supply enters the sleep state, the main power supply is periodically changed to an ON state at predetermined intervals by the real-time clock, and the backup is performed. A printer for charging a power supply. 4. The printer according to claim 2, wherein when the main power supply enters the sleep state, a CPU periodically sends a signal for changing the main power supply to an ON state at predetermined intervals. A printer. 5. The printer according to claim 2, further comprising voltage monitoring means for monitoring an output voltage of said backup power supply, said voltage monitoring means determining that the output voltage of said backup power supply is lower than a predetermined reference voltage. Wherein the main power supply is turned on and the backup power supply is charged with the power of the main power supply. 6. The printer according to claim 2, wherein said backup power supply comprises a secondary battery. 7. The printer according to claim 2, wherein said backup power supply comprises a capacitor. 8. A printer for supplying a power for performing a predetermined backup operation when a main power supply is not in an ON state, to a printer having a main power supply that can take at least two states of an ON state and a predetermined sleep state. A backup power supply, which is capable of repeating charge and discharge, and a printer backup power supply charging device that supplies power for performing the backup operation by the discharge, wherein when the main power supply is in the sleep state, a predetermined power supply is supplied. A backup power supply charging device for a printer, wherein the main power supply is automatically turned on for a charging time, and the backup power supply is charged by the power of the main power supply. 9. The charging device for a backup power supply for a printer according to claim 8, wherein the charging device can be externally attached to the printer. 10. The charging device for a backup power supply for a printer according to claim 8, wherein the CPU, a real-time clock for outputting a time to the CPU, and the main power supply being in the ON state when the main power supply is in the sleep state. Switch means for automatically turning on the main power supply via the switch means by a signal output from the real-time clock at a predetermined interval for a predetermined time. Backup power supply charger. 11. The charging device for a backup power supply for a printer according to claim 8, wherein the CPU, a real-time clock for outputting a time to the CPU, and the main power supply being in the ON state when the main power supply is in the sleep state. Switch means for changing the main power supply to the ON state automatically through the switch means by a signal output by the CPU at a predetermined interval for a predetermined time. Backup power supply charger. 12. The charging device for a backup power supply for a printer according to claim 8, wherein the CPU, a real-time clock for outputting a time to the CPU, and the main power supply being in the ON state when the main power supply is in the sleep state. The real-time clock further comprises voltage monitoring means for monitoring the output voltage of the backup power supply, wherein the output voltage of the backup power supply is lower than a predetermined reference voltage by the voltage monitoring means. A main power supply that is turned on, and charges the backup power supply with the power of the main power supply. 13. A printer mechanism, a printer controller for controlling the printer mechanism, a main power supply for supplying power to the printer mechanism and the printer controller, and charge / discharge can be repeated. A backup power supply for supplying power for performing a predetermined backup operation to the printer control unit, wherein the printer that charges the backup power supply with the power of the main power supply when the main power supply is in an ON state; It has history management means for managing the past history of charging to the backup power supply, and turns on the main power supply thereafter by referring to the past charging time for the backup power supply managed by the history management means. A printer for calculating time. 14. The printer according to claim 13, wherein
The history management means includes at least a CPU and a real-time clock that outputs time to the CPU. When the main power is turned on, the CPU refers to the state of the real-time clock to switch the main power thereafter. A printer characterized in that it calculates a time period in which it is turned on. 15. A printer according to claim 13, wherein said backup power supply comprises an electric double-layer capacitor. 16. The printer according to claim 15, wherein
Once the main power supply is turned ON, the OF of the main power supply is only for a time when the electric double layer capacitor is fully charged.
A printer, wherein F is limited. 17. The printer according to claim 13, wherein
Voltage detecting means for detecting a voltage between terminals of the electric double-layer capacitor, and comparing the voltage between the terminals detected by the voltage detecting means with a predetermined threshold voltage, the voltage between the terminals has dropped below the threshold voltage. And a charge instructing means for instructing charging of the backup power supply when it is determined that the inter-terminal voltage has dropped below the threshold voltage. Characterized printer. 18. A backup power supply for supplying power for performing a predetermined backup operation to a printer having a main power supply when the main power supply is not in an ON state is provided by a power supply of the main power supply when the main power supply is in an ON state. A charging device for a backup power supply for a printer to be charged, comprising: history management means for managing a past history of charging to the backup power supply; and a past charging time to the backup power supply managed by the history management means. A charging device for a backup power supply for a printer, which calculates a time for which the main power supply is turned on thereafter by referring to the main power supply. 19. The charging device for a backup power supply for a printer according to claim 18, wherein said history management means comprises at least a CPU and a real-time clock for outputting a time to said CPU, and when said main power supply is turned on,
A charging device for a backup power supply for a printer, wherein the CPU calculates a time period during which the main power supply is turned on by referring to a state of the real-time clock. 20. The charging device for a backup power supply for a printer according to claim 18, wherein the backup power supply comprises an electric double layer capacitor. 21. The charging device for a backup power supply for a printer according to claim 20, wherein the main power supply is once turned on.
When N, the main power supply is limited to be turned off for a time period when the electric double-layer capacitor is completely charged.