JP2001268281A - Image input/output device, image input/output method, image input/output system, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image input/output system that can save power consumption of an image input/output device to the utmost. SOLUTION: The image input/output system applies power saving control individually to an input means, that receives image data and an output means that records the received image data onto a recording medium and outputs the data, and releases only the power saving state of the output means, when both the input means and the output means are in the power-saving state and an output request is made to image data supplied from the outside of the system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image input / output device such as a digital copying machine and a facsimile for inputting / outputting an image, and more particularly to a power supply control technique.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in image input / output devices such as copying machines,
Multifunctionalization has progressed, and for example, there is known an apparatus having a function of printing out image data input via a network or image data received by facsimile.

In this type of image input / output apparatus, a central processing unit (CPU) is usually provided separately for an image scanner section as an image input section and a printer section as an image output section, and these CPUs are provided separately. It is configured to execute a job.

The sleep state / active state of the image scanner unit and the printer unit are controlled in an interlocked manner. If one of them is active, the other is simultaneously activated.

[0005]

However, for example, when printing out image data input via a network or image data received by facsimile,
At least only the printer unit needs to be in the active state, and the image scanner unit and the operation unit do not necessarily have to be in the active state. Therefore, as in the prior art, the sleep state of the image scanner unit and the printer unit /
Controlling the active state in conjunction was insufficient as a power saving measure.

The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the power consumption of a device as much as possible.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides input means for inputting image data, and records and outputs the image data input by the input means on a recording medium. In an image input / output device including an output unit, a control unit that individually performs power saving control on the input unit and the output unit is provided.

In the present invention, the control means may be arranged such that, when the input means and the output means are both in a power saving state, when image data is supplied from outside the apparatus and an output request for the image data is made, Only the power saving state for the output means is released.

In the present invention, the output request from the outside of the apparatus is made via a network.

[0010] In the present invention, the network may include:
It is a local area network.

Further, according to the present invention, the network comprises:
It is a public network.

In the present invention, the control means shifts the input means and the output means to a power saving state when the input means and the output means are not operated for a predetermined time or more.

In the present invention, the input means and the output means have a control system and a controlled system, respectively, and the control means includes a control system and a controlled system of the input means and the output means. Power supply to and power supply stop for the individual.

In the present invention, when the power switch is operated in a power saving state in which only the power supply to each controlled system of the input means and the output means is stopped, the control means further comprises: Power supply to each control system of the input means and the output means is also stopped.

Further, in the present invention, the control means is configured such that both the input means and the output means have a predetermined time under a power saving state in which only the power supply to each controlled system of the input means and the output means is stopped. If the above operation is not performed, the power supply to each control system of the input means and the output means is also stopped.

In the present invention, the control means stops supplying power to the control system and the controlled system of the input means, and supplies power to the control system and the controlled system of the output means. When the power switch is operated in this state, the suspension of power supply to the control system of the input means is released.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an installation environment of an image input / output device to which the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a network using a known technique for connecting various devices. In this embodiment, an Ethernet (LAN) using the TCP / IP protocol is assumed. . The network 101 includes a digital copying machine 2 to which the present invention is applied.
095, the management server 103, the network scanner 102, the personal computer 104, the network printers 2902, 2903, the facsimile machine 29
04 etc. are connected.

The management server 103 includes a network 101
It manages data transmission and reception between the devices connected to the above. The personal computer 104 executes various application programs,
Various text data and image data are generated, and the data is supplied as print data to the digital copying machine 2095 and the network printers 2902 and 2903, and is supplied to the facsimile apparatus 2904 as facsimile transmission data. It should be noted that the function of the management server 103 can be mounted on the personal computer 104.

The network scanner 102 optically reads a document printed on paper or the like and converts it into electronic image data. The network scanner 102 has a network interface, and has a digital copier 2095, Computer 104, network printers 2902, 2903, facsimile machine 29
04 and the like are supplied with the read image data. Note that the network scanner 102 is configured by a color scanner for three colors of RGB.

The digital copier 2095 and the network printers 2902 and 2903 are provided with a network interface, receive print data and image data transmitted via the network 101, and form paper using a known printing technique such as an electrophotographic system. Is actually printed on a recording medium such as

The digital copier 2095 is configured as a black-and-white digital multifunction peripheral. In addition to a normal black-and-white copying function, a facsimile function and image data received from external devices such as the personal computer 104 and the network scanner 102 are used. Is printed.
The network printer 2902 is configured as a color laser printer, and the network printer 2903 is configured as a black and white laser printer. Reference numeral 501 shown in FIG. 1 denotes a scanner unit of the digital copying machine 2095.

A facsimile apparatus 2904 has a network interface and transmits and receives image data via a public line 2905. At this time, the network 10
Image data supplied from the network scanner 102, the personal computer 104, and the like on the public line 2
It also functions as an interface for transferring image data transmitted via the network 905 or received via the public line 2905 to the digital copier 2095 and the network printers 2902 and 2903 for printing.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that image data transmitted from the network scanner 102 or the like can be immediately printed by a network printer (2095, 2902, 2903). No mention is made of the conversion of.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the network scanner 102. The scanner unit 501 of the digital copying machine 2095 has almost the same functions as the network scanner 102 except that the scanner unit 501 is exclusively used for black and white.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a scanner unit using a known optical reading technique. Although not shown, the scanner unit 201 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM.
And a scanner engine (controlled portion) controlled by this control system and actually performing an image reading operation.

Reference numeral 220 denotes a synchronous / asynchronous conversion buffer module for transferring image data 222 read by the scanner unit 201 and synchronized with the scanner clock to the CPU bus 221. 202 is the network scanner 102
CPU for controlling the entire operation of the scanner unit 203
01 is a RAM for temporarily storing the image data read in step 01, and for storing storage information for work;
02 with a preset program for controlling the operation of
OM and 223 are bus arbiters that give a bus right to a device to be a bus master on the CPU bus 221.

Reference numeral 205 denotes a network interface for connecting to the network 101; 206, a device profile supply unit for transmitting device information of the network scanner 102 to the management server 103; 207, a transfer path profile from the management server 103;
3, the transfer path profile acquisition unit 208 is provided with an LCD, LE, and the like to provide a user interface.
An operation panel including a display such as D and a plurality of operation buttons.

Reference numeral 209 denotes a job status notification unit.
A notification of error information generated when the image data read by the scanner 102 is transmitted or job end information is transmitted to a predetermined mail address using an electronic mail. Reference numeral 210 denotes a remote operation management unit which enables setting of the scanner 102 directly from the personal computer 103 on the network 101, and enables the personal computer 103 to have exactly the same operability as the operation panel 208. ing. Specifically, the remote management unit 210 has a WWW home page to implement mote operation management.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the network printer 2903. The digital copier 2095 and the network printer 2903 have almost the same functions.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a printer unit using a known printing technique such as an electrophotographic system or an inkjet system. Although not shown, the printer unit 301 includes a control system including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like.
A printer engine which is controlled by this control system and actually performs a printing operation.

Reference numeral 302 denotes a CPU for controlling the entire operation of the network printer 2903; 320, an asynchronous / synchronous conversion buffer module which converts image data on an asynchronous bus 321 handled by the CPU 302 into synchronous data 322 synchronized with a printer clock. To the printer unit 301.

Reference numeral 303 denotes a RAM for temporarily storing image data to be printed on the printer unit 301 and storage of work storage information; 304, a ROM in which a program for controlling the operation of the CPU 302 is preset;
This is a bus arbiter that gives a bus right to a device to be a bus master on the bus 321.

Reference numeral 305 denotes a network interface for connecting to the network 101. Reference numeral 306 denotes device information of the network printer 2903.
A device profile supply unit 307 obtains a transfer path profile from the management server 103 and sends it to the RAM
Transfer path profile acquisition unit 308 stored in 303
LCD, to provide the user interface
The operation panel includes a display such as an LED and a plurality of operation buttons.

Reference numeral 309 denotes a job status notification unit.
A notification of error information generated when image data is received from the outside or job end information is transmitted to a predetermined mail address using electronic mail. 310
Reference numeral denotes a remote operation management unit which enables setting of the network printer 2903 directly from the personal computer 103 on the network 101, and enables the personal computer 103 to have exactly the same operability as the operation panel 308. ing. Specifically, the WWW home page is stored in the remote management unit 310.
By having it inside, the mote operation management is realized.

The network printer 2902 connected to the same network 101 has the same basic configuration as the network printer 2903.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the management server 103.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 401 denotes the management server 103
, A RAM for storing working storage information and a program for controlling the operation of the CPU 401, and a device profile 404 for storing a device profile of a device connected to the network 101. A database 405 is a transfer path profile database for storing a transfer path profile generated from the device profile, 406 is a network I / F for connecting the management server 103 to the network 101, and 407 is connected to the network 101. A device profile acquisition unit 408 acquires a device profile from the device that has been acquired, and stores the device profile in the device profile database 404. Read transfer path profile supply unit for supplying via the network 101 to another apparatus,
409 generates a transfer path profile based on the device information stored in the device profile database 404, and generates a transfer path profile database 405.
Is a transfer path profile generation unit to be stored in the.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the digital copying machine 2095. The main components are almost the same as the network scanner 102 and the network printer 2903. However, the scanner unit 501, the scanner buffer module 520 for transferring the scanner read image data to the asynchronous system handled by the CPU 502, the printer unit 525, and the RAM 503
This is different from the first embodiment in that both printer buffer modules 520 for transferring the printer output image data from the asynchronous system to the synchronous system for transferring the printer clock are provided.

The scanner unit 501 includes a CPU, an RO,
A control system 671 including an M, a RAM, and the like;
1 and a scanner engine 672 that actually performs an image reading operation under the control of the scanner engine 1 (see FIG. 8). Similarly, the printer unit 526 has a control system 673 including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and a scanner engine 674 controlled by the control system 673 to actually perform a printing operation (see FIG. 8). Also, the operation panel 508
Is a backlight 675 (see FIG. 8) and the LCD 300
1 (see FIG. 6).

[Operation Panel] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the configuration of the operation panel 208 of the network scanner 102. The operation panel 508 of the digital copying machine 2095
Are configured in substantially the same manner.

In FIG. 6, an LCD 3001 displays an operation screen, and a touch panel sheet is attached on the LCD 3001. When a key displayed on the operation screen is pressed, the position information is transmitted to the CPU 202. Have been. A start key 3002 is used to start a reading operation of a document image. Start key 3
In the center of the LED 002, LEDs of two colors, green and red, are buried.
2 indicates whether it is ready for use.
A stop key 3003 functions to stop the operation during operation. The ID key 3004 is used when inputting the user 1D. The reset key 3005 is used for the operation panel 2
08 is used to initialize the setting contents by default.

[Operation Screen] FIG. 7 shows a copy main operation screen 3100 displayed on the LCD 3001.
On the copy main operation screen 3100, all functions that can be realized by a combination of devices on the current network 101 are displayed.

That is, copy main operation screen 3100
Includes an image quality selection button 3105 for selecting a character mode, a photo mode, and the like, and an image quality display area 3 for displaying the selected image quality.
104, status of the network printer 102,
A copy parameter display portion 3101 for displaying a copy magnification, a paper size, the number of copies, and the like; an enlargement setting button 31
06, reduction setting button 3107, paper selection button 310
8, sorter setting button 3110, double-sided copy setting button 3112, density indicator and density setting button 310
9. Ten key 3114 is displayed.

[Power Control] In the power control according to the present embodiment, the power supply is controlled for each unit in the device in accordance with the use condition and demand of the device, so that power consumption is not wasted.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a power supply configuration of the digital copying machine 2095. Reference numeral 670 denotes a controller for controlling the entirety of the digital copying machine 2095. The controller 670 is energized for 24 hours to control the system (CPU 502, ROM 504, RAM 503 in FIG. 5).
Is provided with a controller power supply 663 that supplies power to the controller. This controller 670 is the CPU shown in FIG.
Control is performed with 502 as the core.

The scanner unit 501 includes a controller 67
The scanner power supply 660 and the printer unit 526 whose ON / OFF is controlled by 0 are also turned on by the controller 670.
Similarly, the controller 670 also turns on / off the printer power supply 661 and the operation panel 508 whose on / off is controlled.
, An operation panel power supply 662 is provided.

When the scanner power supply 660 is turned off, the power supply to the scanner engine 672 and its control system 671 are both turned off, and the printer power supply 661 is turned off.
Is turned off, the printer engine 674
And the power supply to the control system 673 is turned off. When the operation panel power supply 508 is turned off, the power supply to the backlight 675 and the LCD 3001 is both turned off. The state in which the power supply to the control system, the engine, and the like of each unit is stopped is called a sleep state.

On the other hand, when the scanner power supply 660 and the printer power supply 661 are turned on, power is supplied to both the control system and the engine (called a completely active state), and power is supplied only to the control system. There is a case where power is not supplied to the engine (corresponding to a standby state described later, also called an incomplete active state). Also,
When the operation panel power supply 662 is turned on, the LCD 30
01 and the backlight 675 (when the power is supplied to both) (called a completely active state).
Only when power is supplied to only the backlight 675 and no power is supplied to the backlight 675 (corresponding to a standby state described later,
Incomplete active state).

The power switch 666 is monitored by the CPU 502 via an input port.
60, printer power supply 661, operation panel power supply 662, scanner unit 501, printer unit 526, operation panel 5
08 is used for turning on / off the power supply to the user. The power switch 666 is configured by a switch of a type in which an ON / OFF signal is alternately switched every time a pressing operation is performed.

As described above, the controller 670
In some cases, power is not supplied to the scanner unit 501, the printer unit 526, and the operation panel 508. Therefore, a signal that is present between these units is not supplied to the unit that is not supplied with power. One-sided measures are taken to prevent current from flowing into the device.

Next, power control in the digital copying machine 2095 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

FIG. 9 shows a standby mode in which the digital copying machine 2095 can operate at any time, that is, power is supplied only to the control system to the scanner unit 501 and the printer unit 526, and power is supplied to the engine. The power control flow in a state where power is supplied only to the LCD 3001 to the operation panel 508 and power is not supplied to the backlight 675 is shown. However, the same processing can be performed during the operation.
The transition from the completely active state to the standby mode is made when the time during which the apparatus does not perform any processing is longer than a predetermined time. However, as the predetermined time, a time shorter than a sleep transition time described later is set.

In the standby mode, first, it is determined whether or not the power switch 666 has been pressed (step S71).
1) If pressed, the process immediately proceeds to step S719, where the scanner power supply 660, printer power supply 661, and operation panel power supply 662 are turned off. In other words, for the scanner unit 501 and the printer unit 526, power supply to all components including the control system is stopped, and for the operation panel 508, the backlight 675 and the L
The power supply to the CD 3001 is stopped.

If the power switch 666 has not been pressed, it is checked whether the scanner unit 501 and the printer unit 526 have been used for a predetermined time or more. That is, in step S712, it is determined whether or not the printer unit 526 is in use. If the printer unit 526 is not in use, the printer non-use time counter is counted up (step S713), and the process proceeds to step S715. move on.
In the actual control, the non-use time measurement counter inserts a timer interrupt every 2 ms and counts up during the interrupt, but here, it is shown collectively in one step. If the printer unit 526 is busy, the printer non-use time measurement counter is cleared in step S714, and the process returns to step S711.

Similarly, in order to measure the non-use time of the scanner unit 501, in step S715, the scanner unit 50 is used.
It is determined whether or not 1 is in use. As a result, if not in use, the scanner non-use time measurement counter is counted up in step S716, and the process proceeds to step S718. On the other hand, if it is used,
In step S717, the unused time measurement counter is cleared, and the process returns to step S711.

In step S718, the printer unit 52
6. It is determined whether the non-use time of the scanner unit 501 has exceeded a predetermined time. As a result, the printer unit 5
26, if the non-use time of the scanner unit 501 is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the scanner power supply 660, the printer power supply 661, and the operation panel power supply 6 are determined in step S719.
62 is turned off, and the mode shifts to the sleep mode in step S720. In this sleep mode, the controller 6
Only 70 is supplied with power, and enters a processing wait state with minimum power consumption. If the unused state has not reached the predetermined time, the process returns to step S711.

The above-mentioned predetermined time is a time previously set as a sleep transition time by the user.
This sleep transition time is determined based on the LCD 3 of the operation panel 508.
The user can select 30 minutes, 1 hour, 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours on the operation screen 3200 shown in FIG. The default value is one hour. The operation screen for setting the sleep transition time is 31 on the main copy operation screen 3100 shown in FIG.
It can be displayed using 17 special feature buttons.

Next, power control in the sleep mode will be described with reference to FIG. In the sleep mode, first, it is determined whether or not the power switch 666 has been pressed in step S751. As a result, when the power switch 666 is pressed, the scanner power supply 66 is turned on in step S752.
0, printer power supply 661 and operation panel power supply 662 are turned on
I do. Then, the scanner power supply 660 and the printer power supply 66
1. The operation panel power supply 662 activates the above-mentioned incompletely active state, thereby shifting to the standby mode (step S755).

On the other hand, if the power switch 666 has not been pressed, it is determined whether or not a print request has been issued from outside the apparatus (step S753). As a result, if a print request has not been issued from outside the apparatus, the process returns to step S751. When a print request is issued from outside the apparatus, the printer power supply 661 is turned on, the printer unit 526 is completely activated (step S754), and the printer shifts to the scanner sleep mode (step S756).

The scanner sleep mode is a state in which the scanner unit 501 and the operation panel 508 are in a sleep state, and the LCD 3001 is not bright. Only 526 is a fully active state. A print request from the outside of the apparatus is transmitted to the personal computer 1 on the network 101.
03, a print request of a similar PDL file via a print server (not shown), facsimile data received via a public line 2905, or a print request generated by data reception. is there.

Next, power control in the scanner sleep mode will be described with reference to FIG. In the scanner sleep mode, first, in step S771, the power switch 66 is turned off.
It is determined whether or not 6 has been pressed. As a result, when the power switch 666 is pressed, the scanner power 660,
The power supply of the operation panel is turned on (step S777), and the scanner unit 501 and the operation panel 508 are brought into an incompletely active state, thereby shifting to a standby mode (step S778).

On the other hand, if the power switch 666 has not been pressed, it is determined in step S772 whether the printer unit 526 has been used. As a result, if it is not in use, the printer non-use time counter is counted up (step S77).
4), proceed to step S776. If the printer is busy, the printer non-use time counter is cleared in step S775, and the flow returns to step S771.

In step S776, it is determined whether the printer non-use time has passed a predetermined time. As a result, when the printer non-use time has passed the predetermined time, the printer power supply 661 is turned off (step S779), and the printer shifts to the sleep state (step S780). Here, the predetermined time is in accordance with the value of the sleep non-use time setting described above. If the printer non-use time has not passed the predetermined time, the process returns to step S771.

As described above, the power supply control to the operation panel 508 is always performed in conjunction with the scanner unit 501 because the user sets the original to be read when the user uses the scanner unit 501. This is because it is necessary to come to the device once in order to perform the operation, and in that case, it is considered that the possibility of operating the operation panel 508 is very high.

As described above, by separately performing power saving control on the scanner unit 501 (operation panel 508) and the printer unit 526, the usage status of the apparatus and the scanner unit 5 are controlled.
01 (operation panel 508), the required minimum power can be supplied in accordance with the usage of the printer unit 526, and the like, and power consumption can be reduced as much as possible.

[Image Input Operation] Digital Copier 2095
The image scanner 102 optically reads an image of a document and changes the image into electronic image data 222. This reading operation will be described with reference to FIG. 2 which is a block diagram of the network scanner 102.

The image data 222 is synchronous data synchronized with the video clock of the scanner unit 201. This is CP
A buffer module 220 that performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion is used to transfer the data to an environment that U can handle.

The inside of the buffer module 220 is shown in FIG.
3 will be described. The buffer module 220
Serial / parallel converter 2106, buffer memory 2
103, write address counter 2104 for writing to buffer memory 2103, buffer memory 2
Read address counter 2 for reading from 103
105, a buffer control unit 2102 for controlling the read / write timing, and a bus control unit 2101 for controlling an interface with the CPU bus 221.

Synchronous data 222 having a depth of 1 bit transferred from the scanner unit 201 is converted into a 32-bit data having 32 pixels as one data by the serial / parallel conversion unit 2106.
Converted to data. The converted 32-bit data is
According to the address of the write address counter 2104,
Written in buffer 2103. This buffer 2103
Is written at an interval of scanner clock / 32. Reading is performed from the buffer 2103 at the timing of the CPU according to the address of the read address counter 2105.

The bus control unit 2101 includes a CPU bus 221
When the bus right is acquired, four data (32 bits each) are continuously read from the buffer to be read.
Here, the data transfer to the CPU bus 221 side is 4 × 3.
It is set so that DMA transfer of 2-bit data is performed. Therefore, when the synchronous image data 222 output from the scanner unit 201 has been written into the buffer 2103 by 128 pixels (4 × 32 bit data), read preparation for transfer to the CPU bus 221 is started.

The bus control unit 2101 checks the bus state,
If the PU bus 221 is vacant, the bus right is acquired and 32b
The four image data are DMA-transferred onto the bus 221 of "it". By continuing this cycle, image data for one surface is transferred to the RAM 203 controlled by the CPU 202.

The buffer control unit 2102 includes a write address counter 2104 and a read address counter 2105
To ensure that reads do not always overwrite writes,
If the write address−read address ≧ 0 and the amount of data in the buffer satisfies the condition of one DMA transfer (16 bytes) on the CPU bus 221 and the condition of write address−read address ≧ 16, the CPU bus 221
A request signal is sent to the bus control unit 2101 to start the DMA for transferring data to the bus control unit 2101. In the case of a scanner, the transfer is basically performed while holding the necessary minimum amount of data in the buffer 2203.

The buffer control unit 2101 constantly monitors the above two conditions, and when the buffer 2103 overflows, the write address−read address> 128 bytes.
Is constantly monitored, and an error notification is sent to the CPU 202 when this state is reached. Upon receiving the error notification, the CPU 202 stops the operation of the scanner unit 201.

The state of data transfer will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 2201 denotes a state in which 128 pixels of the synchronous system image data 222 output from the scanner unit 201 have appeared on the CPU bus 221. Various data flows on the CPU bus 221, and image data transfer (S mark) and other data transfer (A mark) from the scanner 201 appear on the non-image data flow.

[Image Print Output Operation] The digital copying machine 2095 and the printer 2903 change electronic data into an image on paper. As in the printer of FIG. 3, the image data on the RAM 303 is transferred on the CPU bus 321 to the printer buffer module 320, and is converted into synchronous data synchronized with the video clock of the printer unit 301. Is executed.

The inside of the buffer module 320 will be described with reference to FIG. The internal configuration of the buffer module 320 includes a parallel / serial conversion unit 2306, a buffer memory unit 2303, a write address counter 2305 for performing writing to the buffer 2303, a read address counter 2304 for performing reading, and the read / write timing. Buffer control unit 2 to control
302, a bus control unit 2301 for controlling an interface with the CPU bus 321.

The image data transfer on the CPU bus 321 is 4
It is set so that DMA transfer of × 32 bits data is performed. When a start command for image data transfer is issued from the CPU 302, the transfer starts, and when the printer unit 301 is ready, an actual printing operation is performed. When the transfer is started, the buffer control unit 2303 determines that the buffer control unit 2303 has no free space in the buffer 2303 for one DMA or more.
A request is issued to 301 to read data from RAM 303. The buffer control unit 2303 includes a write address counter 2305 and a read address counter 2
From 304, the data amount for one DMA transfer is monitored.

The transfer request from the buffer control unit 2303 is issued under the condition that 128 bytes− (write address−read address) ≧ 16 bytes. 128 bytes in this condition is the capacity of the buffer 2303, 16 bytes.
Byte indicates the amount of data transferred by one DMA. When the buffer 2303 is in the full state, the transfer on the CPU bus 321 is not performed and the printer unit 301 waits for activation.

When the printer unit 301 is started, data is read from the buffer 2303 according to the address of the read address counter 2304. Buffer 23
03 is the same as the CPU bus 321, 32 bi
It has a depth of t. The data read from the buffer 2303 is converted by the parallel / serial conversion unit 2306 into 1-bit data.
And sent to the printer unit 301. In the case of a printer, the buffer 2 is basically used until the transfer of one page is completed.
In 303, data close to the Full state is always stored.

[Acquisition of Bus Right on CPU Bus] First, the acquisition of the bus right will be described using the network scanner 102 as an example. The CPU bus 221 in this case is assumed to be a PCI bus, and transfer on the CPU bus 221 can be performed only when a bus right can be acquired. Bus arbiter 2 for managing bus rights
In order to give the bus master to the CPU master on the CPU bus 221, the bus monitor 23 monitors the request of each bus master and transfers the bus mastership based on a predetermined priority.

The bus master here is the CPU 202, the buffer module 220 for transferring image data from the scanner to the RAM 203, and the network interface 205. The priority of the bus right is set to the highest priority for the buffer module 220 which must transfer the image data read in real time. Other CPU
For the network 202 and the network 205, the priorities are transferred by rotation. In other words, control is performed such that the priority of the last access is lower. In this example, the bus right acquisition control is performed between two devices, but the same control can be performed between more devices.

Similarly, a digital copying machine 2095 shown in FIG.
However, four bus master devices are connected to the CPU bus 521, and the bus arbiter 523 manages the bus right and its priority. Here, the four devices that become the bus masters are the CPU 502, the network interface 505, the scanner buffer module 520, and the printer buffer module 524. Note that the scanner 501 and the printer 526 both have a configuration in which image data is transferred in real time and transfer is not stopped freely. Therefore, these priorities must be set high. Here, it is divided into two groups. The scanner buffer module 520, the first priority group of the printer buffer module, and the CPU 50
2. The second priority group of the network interface 505. Further, within these groups, the priority order for acquiring the bus right is configured to rotate.

In the network scanner 102, when a device with a higher priority needs a bus right, it cannot always access the CPU bus 221. As shown in FIG. 14, the transfer of the scanner image data on the CPU bus 221 is performed at substantially equal intervals as shown by the S mark. However, as shown by reference numeral 2202 in FIG. You can't access the bus while you are. Bus arbiter 223
When the buffer module 220, which has the highest priority, issues a request to acquire the bus right, the bus right is immediately granted. However, the buffer module 220 monitors the access status on the CPU bus 221 and Only after confirming that the device is not in use can access be made on the bus.

At this time, a problem is that if there is a device that occupies the bus for a long time, image data transfer of an unstoppable scanner or printer is obstructed. If there is a device that occupies the bus for a long enough time to stop the scanner or printer from transferring image data, the image read from the scanner will lose data and the printer output image will be The data will be output, and the image will be defective.

FIG. 1 shows a method for determining the buffer module capacity.
4 will be described. Buffer module capacity (Cb)
Are the maximum bus occupation time (Ta) of devices on the bus, and the bus occupation time (Tr
1) The amount of transfer of scanner and printer image data transferred by one DMA is occupied in the clock synchronous system (Tr2), and is determined by the relationship of the amount of image data transferred by one DMA (Cr). .

The minimum N (constant) that satisfies the relationship of Ta <N × (Tr2−Tr1) is obtained, and the minimum capacity (cb) of the buffer module is obtained by the following equation.

Cb = N × Cr [Remote Copy Operation] When performing remote copy,
For example, a document is set on the network scanner 102,
When a predetermined item such as a transmission destination is input and a predetermined transmission start key 3002 is pressed, document reading is started. The reading of the document image is performed only once since it is stored in the RAM 203. After one set has been read, the data is transmitted over the network to, for example, the digital copying machine 2095. When the document is read, the user waits for the document and waits for the end of the copy job in front of the personal computer 103. The network scanner 102 that has received the print end information from the digital copier 2095 uses the job status notification unit 209 to send “cl
event103 @ YYYYY. com ”in FIG.
Notice the contents shown in.

The contents described in the e-mail shown in FIG. 16 are the sender “scannerXXX@YYYYY.co”.
m, job No. "job022304" ended normally, end time, used user name "clie"
nt103 ", the image transfer destination" PrinterXXX ",
18 pages of original images, 50 copies, copy size A
It is 4.

If an error occurs during the execution of the copy job, an e-mail message as shown in FIG. 17 is sent. The contents are sent by the sender "scann
erXXX @ YYYYY. com ”, job No.“ j ”
that a printer jam occurred during the execution of “ob022304”, the time when the error occurred, and the user name “cli”
ent103 ”, image transfer destination“ PrinterXX ”
X ", the number of document images is 18 pages, the number of copies is 50, and the copy size is A4.

Similarly, notification of electronic mail such as communication error information which occurs when a document jam on the scanner side, printer paper is empty, printer toner is exhausted, or an image transfer destination designation error is made, and the like is performed.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the apparatus may include an operation unit, a scanner unit, a printer unit, or a control system (eg, CPU) and a control system (engine). It is also possible to perform power saving control individually for each of these subdivided units without subdividing them in this way.

[0094]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since power saving control is separately performed for input means for inputting image data and output means for recording and outputting the image data input by the input means on a recording medium,
Only necessary minimum power can be supplied according to the usage status of the device, the use of the input means, the output main stage, and the like, so that power consumption can be reduced as much as possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an installation environment of an image input / output device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a network scanner.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a network printer.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a management server.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a configuration of an operation panel.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a copy main operation screen.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a power supply system of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating power control in a standby mode in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating power control in a sleep mode in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating power control in a scanner sleep mode in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an operation screen for setting a sleep transition time.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a buffer module of the network scanner.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state of data transfer in the network scanner.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a buffer module of the network printer.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing job end notification data transmitted by the network scanner in a remote copy operation.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating error notification data transmitted when an error occurs in the network scanner during the remote copy operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 network 501 scanner unit 502 CPU 503 RAM 508 ROM 508 operation panel 526 printer unit 660 scanner power supply 661 printer power supply 662 operation panel power supply 671, 673 control system 672 scanner engine 674 printer Engine 675 ... Backlight 2095 ... Digital copier 2905 ... Public line

Claims (40)

[Claims] 1. An image input / output device comprising: input means for inputting image data; and output means for recording and outputting the image data input by the input means on a recording medium, wherein the input means and the output means An image input / output apparatus characterized by comprising control means for individually performing power saving control on the image input / output device. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the input unit and the output unit are both in the power saving state, the image data is supplied from the outside of the apparatus and an output request for the image data is issued. 2. The image input / output device according to claim 1, wherein only the power saving state is released. 3. The image input / output device according to claim 2, wherein the output request from outside the device is made via a network. 4. The image input / output device according to claim 3, wherein the network is a local area network. 5. The image input / output apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the network is a public line network. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means shifts said input means and output means to a power saving state when said input means and output means are not operated for a predetermined time or more. The image input / output device according to any one of the above. 7. The input means and the output means each have a control system and a controlled system, and the control means supplies power to each control system and the controlled system of the input means and the output means. The power supply is individually stopped.
6. The image input / output device according to any one of 6. 8. When the power switch is operated in a power saving state in which only power supply to each controlled system of the input means and the output means is stopped, the control means further controls the input means and the input means. 8. The image input / output apparatus according to claim 7, wherein power supply to each control system of the output unit is also stopped. 9. The control means, wherein only the power supply to each controlled system of the input means and the output means is stopped, and both the input means and the output means are not operated for a predetermined time or more in a power saving state. 9. The image input / output apparatus according to claim 7, wherein power supply to each control system of said input means and output means is also stopped. 10. A power switch in a state where power supply to a control system and a controlled system of said input means is stopped and power is supplied to a control system and a controlled system of said output means. The image input / output apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein, when is operated, the stop of power supply to the control system of the input means is released. 11. An image input / output method for performing image input / output using input means for inputting image data, and output means for recording and outputting the image data input by the input means on a recording medium, An image input / output method comprising a control step of individually performing power saving control on an input unit and an output unit. 12. The control step includes: when the input means and the output means are both in a power saving state, when image data is supplied from outside the apparatus and an output request for the image data is made, The image input / output method according to claim 11, wherein only the power saving state is released. 13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the output request from outside the device is made via a network.
Image input / output method described. 14. The image input / output method according to claim 13, wherein the network is a local area network. 15. The image input / output method according to claim 13, wherein the network is a public line network. 16. The control method according to claim 11, wherein said input means and said output means are shifted to a power saving state when both said input means and said output means are not operated for a predetermined time or more. The image input / output method according to any one of the above. 17. The input means and the output means have a control system and a controlled system, respectively, and the control step comprises: supplying power to each control system and the controlled system of the input means and the output means;
2. The power supply is stopped individually.
The image input / output method according to any one of claims 1 to 16. 18. The control step, further comprising: when a power switch is operated in a power saving state in which only power supply to each controlled system of the input means and the output means is stopped, the input means and the input means are further connected. 18. The image input / output method according to claim 17, wherein power supply to each control system of the output unit is also stopped. 19. The method according to claim 19, wherein the input step and the output section are not operated for a predetermined time or more in a power saving state in which only the power supply to each controlled system of the input section and the output section is stopped. 19. The image input / output method according to claim 17, further comprising stopping power supply to each control system of said input means and output means. 20. The control step, comprising: stopping power supply to a control system and a controlled system of the input means, and supplying power to the control system and the controlled system of the output means. 20. The image input / output method according to claim 17, wherein the stop of power supply to the control system of the input unit is released when is operated. 21. An input unit for inputting image data, a request unit for supplying image data from outside the apparatus and requesting output of the image data, and a recording medium for the image data from the input unit and the request unit. An image input / output system comprising output means for recording and outputting, wherein control means for individually performing power saving control on the input means and the output means is provided. 22. The control unit, when the output request is made by the request unit when both the input unit and the output unit are in the power saving state, cancels only the power saving state for the output unit. 22. The method according to claim 21, wherein
2. The image input / output system according to 1. 23. The image input / output system according to claim 22, wherein said request means makes said output request via a network. 24. The image input / output system according to claim 23, wherein said network is a local area network. 25. The image input / output system according to claim 23, wherein said network is a public line network. 26. The method according to claim 21, wherein said control means shifts said input means and output means to a power saving state when both said input means and output means have not been operated for a predetermined time or more. The image input / output system according to any one of the above. 27. The input means and the output means each include a control system and a controlled system, wherein the control means supplies power to each control system and the controlled system of the input means and the output means.
3. The power supply is stopped individually.
27. The image input / output system according to any one of 1 to 26. 28. When a power switch is operated in a power saving state in which only power supply to each controlled system of the input means and the output means is stopped, the control means further controls the input means and the input means. The image input / output system according to claim 27, wherein the power supply to each control system of the output unit is also stopped. 29. When the input means and the output means are not operated for a predetermined time or more in a power saving state in which only the power supply to each controlled system of the input means and the output means is stopped. 29. The image input / output system according to claim 27, wherein power supply to each control system of said input means and output means is further stopped. 30. A power switch in a state where power supply to a control system and a controlled system of said input means is stopped and power is supplied to a control system and a controlled system of said output means. The image input / output system according to any one of claims 27 to 29, wherein, when is operated, the stop of power supply to the control system of the input unit is released. 31. A program executed by an image input / output device comprising: input means for inputting image data; and output means for recording and outputting the image data input by the input means on a recording medium. A storage medium,
The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the program includes a control routine for individually performing power saving control on the input unit and the output unit. 32. The control routine, when image data is supplied from outside the apparatus and an output request for the image data is made when both the input means and the output means are in the power saving state, the control routine is executed for the output means. The storage medium according to claim 31, wherein only the power saving state is released. 33. The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the output request from outside the apparatus is made via a network.
The storage medium according to the above. 34. The storage medium according to claim 33, wherein said network is a local area network. 35. The storage medium according to claim 33, wherein said network is a public line network. 36. The control routine according to claim 31, wherein said control means shifts said input means and output means to a power saving state when said input means and output means are not operated for a predetermined time or more. The storage medium according to any one of the above. 37. The input means and the output means have a control system and a controlled system, respectively, and the control routine includes a step of supplying power to each control system and the controlled system of the input means and the output means. The image input / output storage medium according to any one of claims 31 to 36, wherein the power supply is stopped individually. 38. When the power switch is operated in a power saving state in which only the power supply to each controlled system of the input means and the output means is stopped, the control routine further includes the input means and the input means. The storage medium according to claim 37, wherein power supply to each control system of the output unit is also stopped. 39. The control routine according to claim 27, wherein the input means and the output means are not operated for more than a predetermined time in a power saving state in which only the power supply to each controlled system of the input means and the output means is stopped. 39. The storage medium according to claim 37, further comprising stopping power supply to each control system of said input means and output means. 40. The control routine, wherein the power supply to the control system and the controlled system of the input means is stopped, and the power supply switch is supplied to the control system and the controlled system of the output means. The storage medium according to any one of claims 37 to 39, wherein, when is operated, suspension of power supply to the control system of the input unit is released.