JP2002354165A - Image copying device, system controller, system control method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image copying device and system controller/system control method that can interrupt supply of unnecessary power depending on an operating mode so as to save energy and save unnecessary initializing operation checks at restart of supply of power so as to reduce the rise time. SOLUTION: The image copying device is provided with a communication means between a reader section 213 and a printer section 236, and a power supply stop means. The reader section 213 is provided with an EEPROM 405. When the printer section 236 uses the power supply stop means to stop supply of power to the reader section 213, the printer section 236 uses the communication means to transmit, before the stop of power supply, one information item or more including at least stop of power supply to the reader section 213. The reader section 213 performs the processing corresponding to the information, allows the EEPROM 405 to store the information if necessary, and transmits to the printer section 236 one information item or more including at least information denoting that stop of power supply is possible after the end of processing. The printer section 236 stops supply of power to the reader section 213 after receiving the information from the reader section 213.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image copying apparatus having an energy saving function and a system control apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A schematic configuration of an image copying apparatus is shown in FIG.

First, the operation of the reader unit 213 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 7, an image of a document 204 placed on a platen glass 203 illuminated by a document illuminating lamp 201 placed on a reading unit 200 and closely attached to the platen glass 203 by a pressure plate 210 is After the shading correction is performed by the shading plate 211, the first mirror 205, the second mirror 206, and the third mirror 20
7. An image is formed on the CCD 209 via the lens 208, and a line image of the document 204 is read. The document illumination lamp 201 and the first mirror 205 move in the direction of arrow A, and sequentially read line images. At this time, the second mirror 206
The third mirror 207 also moves in the direction of arrow A, and is driven by a drive system (not shown) so that the distance (optical path length) from the document surface to the CCD 209 is constant. The image of the document 204 read by the CCD 209 is
The analog image signal is converted into an 8-bit digital image signal, subjected to image processing such as shading correction and background removal, and sent to the controller board 220.

Next, the operation of the printer section 236 will be described.

[0006] The image signal sent from the reader unit 213 is input to the controller board 220. In the controller board 220, log conversion, edge enhancement, γ conversion,
Image processing such as binarization is performed, and the binary data is sent to the printer board 237. The printer board controls the drive system for driving the mechanical system of the printer, and also controls the laser unit 2.
Control 21 is also performed. The laser unit 221 turns on / off the laser according to the binary image data input from the controller board, and the emitted laser forms a latent image on the developing drum 223 via the mirror 222. On the other hand, the printer substrate 237 stores the print paper 22 from the paper tray 224.
5 are picked up one by one, and the paper feed rollers 226 to 22 are picked up.
9, the print paper 225 is transported to the transfer unit 231. The latent image formed on the developing drum 223 is
The image is transferred by the transfer unit 231 to the print paper 225 that has been developed and transported by the developing unit 230. The print paper 225 to which the image has been transferred is transported to the fixing unit 233 via the transport belt 232, and the image is fixed. The print paper 225 on which the fixing process has been completed is discharged to a tray 235 via a discharge roller 234.

The above is the description of the image signal processing system for copying the image of the document 204.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a related configuration of each substrate of the image copying apparatus.

Next, control of the power supply system will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 8, the same members as those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The arrows in the figure indicate the connection relationship between the leader board 212, the controller board 220, the printer board 237, and the power supply unit 32 mounted on the copying apparatus. The signal 34-1 is an image signal transmitted from the reader board 212 to the controller board 220.
-2 is the controller board 220 to the printer board 23
7 is an image signal to be transmitted. The flow of these image signals has already been described.

The signal 35-1 is a communication signal between the reader board 212 and the controller board 220. The reader board 212 and the controller board 220 communicate with each other by the signal 35-1, and can know both operating states. Similarly, the signal 35-2 is a communication system signal between the controller board 220 and the printer board 237, and the controller board 220 and the printer board 237 communicate with each other by the signal 35-2, so that both operating states can be known.

The power supply lines 37-1 to 37-3 are DC power supply lines supplied to the reader board, the controller board, and the printer unit, respectively. Of these, power supply line 3
Each of 7-1 and 37-3 has a configuration in which power supply ON / OFF can be independently controlled by a control signal 36 sent from the controller board 220.

Reference numeral 33 denotes an AC cable, which connects a commercial power supply to the power supply unit 32. The power supply unit 32 generates a DC voltage required for each substrate from the supplied commercial power supply.

In the image copying apparatus having such a configuration, for example, an optional LAN board or the like may be added to the controller board 220 to be used as a printer. At this time, when it is found that only the printer function is used for a long time, the controller board 220
Controls the power supply unit 32 by the control signal 36, turns off the power supply of the power supply line 37-1,
Control to cut off the power supply to the When the printing operation is completed, the power supply of the power supply line 37-1 is turned on, and the system returns to the standby state.

Alternatively, if there is no operation by a user within a preset time by using a timer function (not shown) of the controller board 220, the controller board 220 sends a control signal 36 to the power supply unit 32.
And the power supply lines 37-1 and 37-3 are turned off.
F, the power supply to the leader board 212 and the printer board 237 is controlled to be cut off, and the mode shifts to the sleep mode.
If there is an action from the user to cancel the sleep mode, the power supply lines 37-1 and 37-3 are turned on to return the system to the standby state.

By using such a power supply control sequence, unnecessary power consumption can be suppressed, and energy saving can be realized.

As an application of such a conventional control method,
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-146103 proposes a system that promotes optimal energy saving by providing a weekly timer function, an auto sleep function, and an auto power off function in each unit of a multifunction device including a plurality of units. . Further, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-134380, when the energy saving mode is released, it is checked whether or not the communication information stored in the communication information storage unit is abnormal. A proposal has been made.

[0018]

However, consider the case where, for example, the reader unit returns from the sleep mode in the configuration shown in FIG. 8, for example.

Taking an example in which the power is turned on again after the power of the power line 37-1 is turned off by the controller board 220, the reader unit 213 is no different from the fact that the system has been turned on. Take the initial setting sequence after power-on reset.

That is, after the reset of the reader unit 213 is released, the lamp 201 shown in FIG. 7 is turned on, the data read from the shading plate 211 is checked, and it is determined whether or not the lamp is correctly turned on. Alternatively, the reading unit 200 is driven to check whether a signal from a home position sensor (not shown) operates, and to determine whether a driving system (not shown) is operating correctly. Further, an operation check of the semiconductor device, such as a register operation check of the image processing circuit mounted on the reader substrate 212 or a read / write check of the work RAM, was performed, and all operation checks were completed. Later, the controller board 220 is notified of the operable state by the signal 35-1 in FIG. 8, and the reader section 213 becomes operable for the first time.

If the power of the image copying apparatus itself has not been turned on for a long period of time, it is necessary to check these initial operations, but if the power is turned off for an extremely short period of time, these processes are performed in a useless sequence. There is a problem that the performance of the apparatus is significantly reduced.

As an example of solving this problem, a control signal 35 is sent from the controller board 220 to the reader board.
Although a system that transmits a sleep signal via -1 is also conceivable, the controller board 220 is responsible for enormous control, and the capacity of a normal ROM is insufficient. Take. For this reason, it takes time until the sleep signal is determined, and during this time, the leader board 212 ends the initial check sequence, and cannot be a fundamental solution.

The specification of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-146103 described above only describes a control method for turning off the power, but does not mention a sequence when the power is turned on. Also, JP-A-2000-134
In the example of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 380, the system control is described with respect to a device of one system, the overall control in a configuration of a plurality of systems having a control function for each system is not mentioned, and the above problem is solved. It cannot be a means to do it.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described situation. In accordance with the operation mode, the power supply to unnecessary components is turned off, energy saving is realized, and the power supply is restarted. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image copying apparatus and a system control device / method that can reduce a rise time required for shifting a component to an operable state by omitting an initial operation check determined to be unnecessary in such a case. .

[0025]

The present invention can solve the above-mentioned problems by providing the following constitution.

(1) A reader unit for reading an image of a document placed on a document table and a printer unit for printing image information read by the reader unit on print paper are supplied to the reader unit and the printer unit. An image copying apparatus in which power supply can be controlled separately from each other, a communication unit that enables the reader unit and the printer unit to communicate with each other, and a power supply that stops supplying power to the reader unit from the printer unit. A stopping unit, and a non-volatile storage unit provided in the reader unit, wherein when the printer unit stops supplying power to the reader unit by the power supply stopping unit, the communication unit before the power supply is stopped. The reader unit that has transmitted at least one piece of information including at least information indicating that power supply is stopped from the unit to the reader unit, and received the information. Executes a process corresponding to the information and stores the information in the non-volatile storage unit as necessary, and transmits at least one or more pieces of information including at least information indicating that power supply can be stopped after the execution of the process is completed. An image copying apparatus, wherein the power supply to the reader unit is stopped by the power supply stop means of the printer unit after receiving information from the reader unit.

(2) When the power supply to the reader unit is stopped, the information transmitted from the printer unit to the reader unit includes one of at least two or more initial operation modes executed when the reader unit is turned on. The image copying apparatus according to (1), wherein the information includes information for designating one of the image data and the information is stored in a nonvolatile storage unit of the reader unit.

(3) After the power supply of the reader unit is stopped, when the power supply of the reader unit is supplied again by the printer unit, the reader unit changes the initial operation mode stored in the nonvolatile storage means. (2) The image copying apparatus as described in (2) above, wherein the image copying apparatus checks and performs an initial operation according to the stored initial operation mode.

(4) A copying apparatus section for copying an image of a document placed on a document table, a paper deck section connected to the copying apparatus section for supplying manuscript paper, a finisher section for sorting copied print paper, and the like. Communication means for controlling the supply of power to the copying apparatus section and the application section separately from each other, wherein the copying apparatus section and the application section can communicate with each other. When,
Power supply stopping means for stopping supply of power supplied from the copying apparatus section to the application section; and non-volatile storage means provided in the application section. When the supply is stopped, before the power supply is stopped, the communication unit transmits one or more pieces of information including at least information indicating that the power supply is stopped from the copying apparatus unit to the application unit. Executes a process corresponding to the information and stores the information in the non-volatile storage unit as necessary, and transmits at least one or more pieces of information including at least information indicating that power supply can be stopped after the execution of the process is completed. After receiving the information from the application section, the power supply stopping means of the copying apparatus section controls the application. Image copying apparatus characterized by stopping the power supply to ® emission portion.

(5) When the power supply to the application section is stopped, information transmitted from the copying apparatus section to the application section includes one of at least two or more initial operation modes executed when the application is turned on. The image copying apparatus according to the above item (4), wherein information for designating one of the images is included, and the information is stored in nonvolatile storage means of the application.

(6) After the power supply to the application unit is stopped, when the power supply to the application unit is supplied again by the copying apparatus unit, the application changes the initial operation mode stored in the nonvolatile storage means. (5) The image copying apparatus according to the above (5), wherein the initial operation is checked and the initial operation is executed in accordance with the stored initial operation mode.

(7) Control means for controlling the power supply of the system, detection means for detecting whether the power supply of the system has been turned off by normal means, and power supply of the system being turned off
Even if the power of the system is turned off normally or abnormally, it has a holding unit for holding information on whether the system is turned off, and the detecting unit detects and acquires the information held in the holding unit when the system is turned on. By doing so, it is detected that the system power is turned off by abnormal means.
When it is determined, the start-up sequence of the system component controlled by the control means is forcibly changed or added to a predetermined start-up sequence regardless of the expected start-up sequence of the system component. Control device for image copying system.

(8) The step of controlling the power supply of the system, the step of detecting whether the power supply of the system has been turned off in a normal manner, and the step of turning off the power of the system
A control method having a step of retaining information on whether the power of the system has been normally turned off or abnormally turned off, and the information retained in the holding step is detected and acquired when the power of the system is turned on. By doing so, when it is detected and found that the power of the system is turned off in an abnormal manner, the startup sequence of the system components controlled by the control method is changed to the startup sequence scheduled by the system components. A method for controlling an image copying system, comprising a step of forcibly changing or adding to a predetermined startup sequence regardless of the start sequence.

(9) A storage medium storing a program for realizing the control method of the image copying system described in (8) above.

That is, for example, a nonvolatile memory EEPROM is provided on the reader board 212 and the controller board 2
Before the power is turned off by the power supply 20, the controller board 220 transmits a power cut permission request to the reader board 212, and also transmits information that does not require an initial operation check after the power is turned on. After receiving the information, the leader board 212 writes a flag indicating that the initial operation check is unnecessary in the EEPROM, and then outputs a reply indicating that the power can be shut off to the controller board 220.

The controller board 22 having received this reply
0 controls so as to cut off the power supply to the leader board 212 of the power supply unit 32.

Thereafter, when the controller substrate 220 is controlled to turn on the power to the reader substrate 212 again, the leader substrate 212
Is read out, and it is detected that it rises in the sleep recovery mode.

After the detection is completed, the reader board 212 cancels all the initial operations, executes only the initial settings around the CPU, and informs the controller board 220 that it is in an operable state.
Notify.

By controlling in this manner, the rise time of the reader unit at the time of returning from sleep can be shortened, so that the operable time of the system after returning from sleep can be shortened.

[0040]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a control apparatus and method for an image copying apparatus and a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an operation sequence when the system power supply is turned off in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a control board mounted on the image copying apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system power supply according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation sequence at the time, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration from the back side of an image copying apparatus to which an application is connected in a second embodiment according to the present invention,
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation sequence when the system power is turned off of a controller unit that controls the entire system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a controller unit that controls the entire system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Is a flowchart showing an operation sequence when the system power supply is turned on, FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing a main part configuration of the image copying apparatus, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a related configuration of each substrate of the image copying apparatus.

Embodiment 1 Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows a leader board 2 as a control board mounted on the image copying apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a twelfth embodiment. In the figure, 401 is a CP
U, which controls the control system of the reader unit 213. 402
Is a ROM in which a control system program is stored, and 403 is an R for temporarily storing / reading data in a control process.
AM. A gate array 404 performs image processing such as shading correction on the read image signal. Reference numeral 405 denotes an EEPROM which is a non-volatile memory which stores different adjustment values for each reader lot and which is electrically readable / writable and retains its contents even when the power is turned off. A power supply circuit 406 supplies power to each electric member of the reader unit 213. The power supply circuit 406 is supplied with a 24V power supply 410 from the power supply unit 32 on the printer unit 236 side.
A low voltage such as 5 V or 3.3 V is generated to supply power to a plurality of electric devices. 407 is an internal bus, CP
A ROM 402, a RAM 403, a gate array 404, and an EEPROM 405 are connected around the U401, and each device receives control from the CPU 401 and executes a predetermined operation. 408 is transmission data transmitted from the controller board 220. 409 is transmission data to be transmitted to the controller board 220. The leader board 212 and the controller board 220 transmit the transmission data 408 and the reception data 4
09, the communication protocol is determined in advance so that the operation states of each other can be grasped. The protocol is based on receiving a command from the reception data 408 and returning a status by the transmission data 409.

A case where the main power is turned off in the image copying apparatus equipped with the reader unit having the configuration shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

FIG. 1 is an algorithm for explaining the operation sequence when the system power supply is turned off.

The state of the power supply SW is determined by the controller board 22
A description will be given of a soft power supply SW system in which the power supply unit 32 is controlled by the controller board 220 and detected by the controller board 220.

In step S1, the controller board 220 detects whether the power switch has been turned off. OFF
If not, the process proceeds to step S2, and if it is turned off, the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S2, the controller determines whether or not the reader unit 213 should enter the sleep mode as the image copying apparatus system. If it is not determined, the process returns to step S1, and if it is determined, step S3
Move to

In step S3, the controller notifies the reader unit 213 that the power is to be turned off.

In step S4, if there is a job being processed, the reader unit 213 continues the job until the job ends.
When OB ends, the process moves to step S5.

In step S5, the reader unit 213 notifies the controller that the job has been completed.

In step S6, the controller notifies the reader unit 213 of a startup mode (either normal or sleep) when the power is turned on next time.

In step S7, the reader unit 213 determines whether the notified start-up mode is normal or sleep. When the normal startup is notified, the process proceeds to step S8,
When the sleep startup is notified, the process proceeds to step S9.

In step S8, a normal start flag is written in the EEPROM 405, and the flow advances to step S10.

In step S9, a sleep start flag is written in the EEPROM 405, and the flow advances to step S10.

In step S8 or S9, for example, the specification may be such that normal startup is performed when data 0 is written to address 0 of EEPROM 405, and sleep startup is performed when data 1 is written.

In step S10, the reader 213
When the writing to the EPROM 405 and the job are completed, the process proceeds to step S11.

In step S11, the reader unit 213 sends the write J to the controller 405 to the controller.
The OB end is notified, and the process proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, the controller notifies the power supply unit 32 to turn off the power supply of the reader unit, and then proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, the power supply unit 32 turns off the power supply of the reader unit, and the sequence ends.

After this sequence is completed, if the power supply switch is turned off, the controller
2 to turn off the main power supply of all units including the controller, and
2 turns off all main power supplies. However, the power switch is ON
The circuit for detecting the state does not turn off the power.

When the power of the reader unit 213 is turned off to shift to the sleep mode, the controller does nothing.

Next, the power supplied to the reader unit 213 is
The sequence in the case of N will be described using the algorithm of FIG. As the sequence, a sequence including a state in which the power of the system, that is, the power SW is turned off will be described.

In step S301, the controller checks whether the power switch is off. If it is ON, the process moves to step S302.

In step S302, the controller itself checks whether the power of the controller is ON. Power SWO after system power is turned off
If the answer is N, the controller power is off, and the process proceeds to step S303. If the sequence is in this sequence while the system power is on, the controller power is of course on and the process proceeds to step S304.

In step S303, the controller controls the power supply unit 32 to turn on the controller power.

In step S304, the controller notifies the power supply unit 32 to turn on the reader unit power.

In step S305, the power supply unit 32 that has received the notification turns on the reader unit power supply.

In step S306, the reader unit is
After setting the surroundings, the flag of the EEPROM 405 is checked.

If it is determined in step S307 that the checked flag is the normal mode, the process proceeds to step S308. If the flag is sleep, the process proceeds to step S309.

In the example described above, if the data at the address 0 of the EEPROM 405 is 0, step S3
08, and when the data is 1, step S30
Move to 9.

In step S308, a lamp lighting check, a rotation check of a drive motor for driving an optical system, a RA
A read / write check of M, a read / write check of a register built in the gate array, and the like are performed to determine whether or not the operation is possible.

In step S309, the reader unit 213 notifies the controller that it is in an operable state, and ends the sequence.

As described above, if the reader unit has risen from the sleep state, step S308 in FIG. 3 is canceled, so that the leader unit 213 rises (required from START to END in FIG. 3). Time) can be restored earlier than when the system power is turned on, and the operable time of the device can be shortened.

In the description of the first embodiment, the device for storing the flag is described as the EEPROM 405. However, as long as the device is a non-volatile memory, for example, an SRAM connected to a backup battery may be used. Absent.

(Embodiment 2) In the description of Embodiment 1,
Although the control of whether the leader unit starts up in the normal mode or the sleep mode has been described, the gist of the present invention is not limited to the control of the leader unit. FIG. 4 shows a state in which a device as an application unit is added to the image copying apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the image copying apparatus to which an application unit is added. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 61 denotes a paper deck, 62 denotes a finisher, and 63-1 to 63-4.
Is a bin. The paper deck 61 is supplied with power and a communication control line from a cable 64 drawn out of the main body, and is controlled by a controller board 220 inside the printer unit 236. Similarly, the power supply and the communication control line are supplied to the finisher 62 from the cable 65 drawn from the main body, and the finisher 62 is controlled by the controller board 220 inside the printer unit 236.

The paper deck 61 includes a printer unit 236
This is an optional deck that can store a larger amount of print paper than the paper cassette (paper tray) provided in it, and has a built-in drive system for paper transport and a lifter that moves up and down depending on the amount of print paper remaining. is there.

On the other hand, the finisher 62 has a stapling function for sorting output print sheets and stapling for each number of copies, and has a drive system for paper conveyance therein, bins 63-1 to 63-4. Has a drive system for moving up and down.

The bins 63-1 to 63-4 are trays on which print papers are sorted according to the printing situation. For example, the copied print papers are stacked in the bin 63-1 and the print papers are stored in the bin 63-1. When the capacity is exceeded, 63-2 is loaded. The printer unit 2
The FAX print paper received by the FAX controller added to 36 is stored in bin 63-3, and the network print received by network print is stored in bin 6
If the sort control described in 3-4 is performed, it is easy to sort the output print paper.

When such an application section is added, it is necessary to check the operation of the drive system built in the application section when the system is turned on.

That is, for example, in the paper deck 61, it is necessary to detect the remaining amount of print paper and the driving state of the motor for driving the lifter.

In the finisher 62, similarly, when the system power is turned on, the operation of the internal drive system must be checked.

However, even in such a system configuration, when a large amount of document reading operation by the reader unit 213 is performed for a long time by selecting the network scan mode, the printer unit 236 is used.
Not only the main body but also the paper deck 61 and the finisher 62 enter the energy saving mode, and even if the power is turned off, they do not affect the functions of the system at all.

Accordingly, the reader unit 213 described in the first embodiment
If the same configuration / sequence as that of the above control is adopted, it is possible to save energy of the system, and at the time of returning from the sleep mode to the operation mode, it is controlled so as to omit an unnecessary initial operation sequence. The time required to do so can be reduced.

Paper deck 61, finisher 62
The configuration of the control board mounted on the device is exactly the same as that of FIG. 2, the operation sequence when the power is off is FIG. 1, and the operation sequence when the power is on is the same as FIG.
If the "leader unit" in FIGS. 1 and 3 is replaced with a "paper deck" or a "finisher", there is no difference from the control sequence of the leader unit, and the description is omitted here.

In this embodiment, the application section includes a paper deck and a finisher. However, the present invention is not limited to the paper deck or the finisher. For example, a facsimile controller having a facsimile function or a reader It is needless to say that the proposal is also effective for an automatic document feeder (auto document feeder: ADF) mounted on the unit.

(Embodiment 3) In the description of the first and second embodiments, the power supply S normally provided in the main body is used by the user.
Although the description has been made on the assumption that the ON / OFF operation is performed by W, it is also necessary to consider that the power outlet is disconnected by the power failure or the user.

For example, in the first embodiment, the power supply of the reader unit is turned off in the sleep startup mode at the next startup.
If the outlet is removed by the user after the FF is performed, the reader unit will start up in the sleep start-up mode despite the necessity of an initial operation check at the next power ON.

In view of this problem, in the third embodiment, the controller board 220 is provided with a non-volatile storage means and a judgment means for judging whether or not the system power was normally turned on by the power supply SW. If necessary, a command prompting the reader unit 213 to perform an initialization operation is issued, and the reader unit 213 executes the initialization operation at the same time as receiving the command so as to check whether each member is operating normally. Is what you do.

An operation example will be described with reference to the drawings.

Since the schematic configuration of the controller board 220 is the same as that of FIG. 2, the description of FIG. 2 will be omitted here, and the sequence algorithm will be mainly described.

FIG. 5 is an algorithm for explaining the operation sequence when the power is turned off.

As in the first embodiment, the state of the power supply SW is detected by the controller board 220, and the power supply unit 32 is controlled by the controller board 220. The soft power supply SW will be described below.

In step S501, the controller board 220 detects whether the power switch has been turned off. O
If the FF has been performed, the process proceeds to step S502.

In step S502, the controller sends a command to the reader unit 213 to ask the reader unit 213 whether there is a job being processed. Reader unit 2
If no job is being processed in S13, the process proceeds to step S503.

In step S503, the controller sets a flag 1 in the EEPROM 405 provided in the controller. This flag means that the flag 1 is normally turned off by the power switch. If step S
If the power failure or the outlet disconnection by the user has been performed before 503, the processing of step S503 is not performed, so that the flag is not rewritten and the EEPROM 40
The flag of 5 remains at 0. The reason why the power-off sequence flag has the initial value 0 will be described later.

In step S504, the controller sends a command to the power supply unit 32 to turn off the system power.

In step S505, the power supply unit 32
Means that all power supplies other than the power supply for detecting the power supply SW
FF is performed and the sequence ends.

Next, a sequence when the power switch is turned on by the user will be described with reference to the algorithm of FIG. The sequence includes system power,
That is, the sequence including the state where the power switch is turned off will be described.

In step S601, the controller checks whether the power switch is on. If it is ON, the process moves to step S602.

In step S602, the flag of the EEPROM 405 provided in the controller is checked, and the flow shifts to step S603.

If the value of the flag is 0 in step S603, the flow shifts to step S604, where the value of the flag is 1
If so, the process moves to step S607.

In step S604, the controller transmits an initialization execution command to the reader unit 213.

At step S605, the reader unit 213
Determine whether the initialization has already been performed. If so, the process moves to step S607; otherwise, the process moves to step S606. Whether the initialization is performed or not is based on the value of the rising mode flag stored in the EEPROM 405 of the reader unit 213.

At step S606, the reader unit 213
A lamp lighting check, a drive check of a drive motor for driving an optical system, a read / write check of a RAM, a read / write check of a register built in a gate array, and the like are performed to determine whether or not the operation is possible.

In step S607, the reader unit 213 notifies the controller that it is in an operable state, and proceeds to step S608.

At step S608, the controller sets E
The flag 0 is written in the EPROM 405, and the sequence ends.

As described above, the controller board 2
20 is provided with a non-volatile storage means and a judgment means for judging whether or not the system power is normally turned on by the power switch, and issues a command prompting the reader unit to perform an initialization operation if necessary according to the judgment contents. However, since the reader unit executes the initialization operation at the same time as receiving the command, and controls to check whether each member is operating normally,
Even if the system power is abnormally turned off, regardless of the setting of the startup mode of the reader unit, control is performed so that the initial operation check is always performed when the power is turned on next time. Since a failure message can be output without entering an operation sequence, an operationally inconvenient state of the system is not caused.

If the abnormal system power supply is turned off while the reader unit is set to the sleep start-up mode, the control of the third embodiment controls the normal system power supply OF.
Although the initial operation timing of the reader unit is momentarily delayed from the time of F, the power supply is irregularly off from the beginning, and the rise time of the reader unit is relatively short compared to the rise of the controller. No effect.

In the description of the third embodiment, the device that stores the flag provided in the controller is EEP.
Although described as a ROM, if it is a non-volatile memory,
For example, an SRAM to which a backup battery is connected may be used, and the device is not particularly limited. Further, the case where the configuration of the partner to which the initialization operation command is transmitted is the reader unit has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the case where the command transmission partner is the reader unit, but the paper deck, finisher, etc. described in the second embodiment. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to the application device of (1).

[0112]

As described above, according to the present invention,
For example, by storing a startup mode (either a normal startup mode or a sleep startup mode) at the time of next power ON in a nonvolatile memory EEPROM on a reader board for controlling the reader unit, a minimum memory is provided when the reader unit starts up. Since the control is performed so that only the operation check is performed, there is an effect that the operation of minimizing the rise time can be performed while performing the energy saving operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an operation sequence when a system power is turned off in a first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control board mounted on the image copying apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation sequence when the system power is turned on according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration from the back side of the image copying apparatus to which an application unit is connected according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation sequence when a system power is turned off in a controller unit that controls the entire system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation sequence when a system power is turned on of a controller unit that controls the entire system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a main part of the image copying apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a related configuration of each board of the image copying apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 32 Power Supply Unit 61 Paper Deck 62 Finisher 212 Leader Board 213 Reader Unit 220 Controller Board 236 Printer Unit 237 Printer Board 401 CPU 402 ROM 403 RAM 404 Gate Array 405 EEPROM 406 Power Supply Circuit 407 Internal Bus

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Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A reader unit for reading an image of a document placed on a platen, and a printer unit for printing image information read by the reader unit on print paper are supplied to the reader unit and the printer unit. An image copying apparatus in which power can be separately supplied and controlled, a communication unit that enables the reader unit and the printer unit to communicate with each other, and a power supply stop that stops supplying power to the reader unit from the printer unit. Means, having a non-volatile storage means provided in the reader unit, when the printer unit stops power supply of the reader unit by the power supply stop means, by the communication means before power supply stop,
One or more pieces of information including at least information indicating that power supply is stopped from the printer unit to the reader unit are transmitted, and the reader unit that has received the information executes a process corresponding to the information and, if necessary, stores the nonvolatile storage. Storing the information in the means,
After the execution of the process is completed, at least one or more pieces of information including information indicating that power supply can be stopped are transmitted, and after receiving information from the reader section, power supply to the reader section is performed by the power supply stopping means of the printer section. An image copying apparatus characterized in that supply is stopped. 2. The information transmitted from the printer unit to the reader unit when the power supply to the reader unit is stopped includes one of at least two or more initial operation modes executed when the reader unit is turned on. Contains information that specifies
2. The image copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is stored in a nonvolatile storage unit of the reader unit. 3. After the power supply to the reader unit is stopped, when the power supply to the reader unit is supplied again by the printer unit, the reader unit checks the initial operation mode stored in the nonvolatile storage unit. 3. The image copying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the initial operation is performed in accordance with the stored initial operation mode. A copy unit for copying an image of a document placed on a platen; a paper deck connected to the copy unit for supplying document sheets; and a finisher unit for sorting copied print paper. An image copying apparatus comprising an application section, wherein the power supplied to the copying apparatus section and the power supplied to the application section can be separately controlled, and a communication means by which the copying apparatus section and the application section can communicate with each other. A power supply stop unit for stopping supply of power supplied to the application unit by the copying apparatus unit; and a non-volatile storage unit provided in the application unit. When the power supply is stopped, before the power supply is stopped, the communication unit may use the communication unit. The application unit transmits at least one or more pieces of information including information indicating that power supply is stopped to the application unit, and the application unit that has received the information executes a process corresponding to the information and stores the information in the nonvolatile storage unit as necessary. The power supply stopping means of the copier unit after storing information, transmitting at least one or more information including information indicating that power supply can be stopped at least after execution of the process, and receiving information from the application unit. An image copying apparatus characterized in that the power supply to an application unit is stopped by the power supply. 5. The information transmitted from the copying apparatus unit to the application unit when the power supply to the application unit is stopped includes at least one of at least two or more initial operation modes executed when the application is turned on. 5. The image copying apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising information for designating an application, wherein the information is stored in a nonvolatile storage unit of the application. 6. When the power of the application unit is again supplied by the copying apparatus after the power supply of the application unit is stopped, the application checks the initial operation mode stored in the nonvolatile storage unit. And performing an initial operation in accordance with the stored initial operation mode.
An image copying apparatus as described in the above. 7. A control means for controlling a power supply of the system, a detection means for detecting whether or not the power supply of the system is turned off by normal means, and a normal power supply of the system even when the power of the system is turned off. Holding means for holding information of whether it has been turned off or turned off by abnormal means,
When the information held in the holding unit is detected and acquired by the detecting unit when the power of the system is turned on, when it is detected and found that the power of the system is turned off by the abnormal unit, the information is controlled by the control unit. A control apparatus for an image copying system, wherein a startup sequence of a system component to be performed is forcibly changed or added to a predetermined startup sequence regardless of a startup sequence scheduled by the system component. 8. A step of controlling a power supply of the system, a step of detecting whether or not the power supply of the system is turned off in a normal manner, and a step of normally turning off the power of the system even if the power of the system is turned off. A control method comprising the step of holding information as to whether the system has been turned off in an abnormal manner or not, by detecting / acquiring the information held in the holding step when the system is powered on, and controlling the power of the system in an abnormal manner. Is turned off, the startup sequence of the system component controlled by the control method is forcibly set to the predetermined startup sequence regardless of the expected startup sequence of the system component. Modifying or adding to a sequence. Control method. 9. A storage medium storing a program for implementing the method of controlling an image copying system according to claim 8.