JP2003067171A - Image processor, management unit, and power saving control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor capable of holding down the power consumption as much as possible caused by restarting after reloading of firmware and return process from a power saving mode. SOLUTION: In the case where a reload job for a firmware is received during the execution of a print job, the image processor executes a reload job for the received firmware (time A) when the print job is ended. When the reload job for the firmware is ended (time B), in the case where the next print job to be executed does not exist, the transition to the power saving mode occurs. When a new print job is received in the course of the power saving mode (time C), the power supply is intercepted and the power is again applied, initialization process as restarting and warming-up are performed. When it enters ready-state (time D), the print job is executed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing device, a management unit, a power saving control method and a program, and more particularly to a technique for suppressing power consumed by restarting after rewriting firmware.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various methods for updating (rewriting) the firmware for controlling the operation of a printer have been conventionally proposed. For example, the printer is connected to a center device at a remote place via a network such as the Internet, the center device transmits firmware to the printer, and the flash RO built in the printer is connected.
There is a method of rewriting the contents of M.

When rewriting the firmware, it is necessary to restart the printer after the rewriting is completed so that malfunction of control of the firmware does not occur. This restart is normally performed by the CPU in the control unit resetting itself. By this reset, power shutdown,
The power is restarted and restarted, and the same control as the power-on control of the device by the start switch is executed.

Upon restarting, the CPU loads a program (firmware), executes a startup program,
The memory is initialized, the control data is initialized, and a series of these startup control operations are executed, so that normal control operations can be executed, and hardware initialization is started. In the initialization of this hardware, drive control relating to image processing is performed by a control unit such as a CPU such as a fixing device,
The power supply to the members whose power is controlled (hereinafter collectively referred to as "driving load") is restarted and the operation of each driving load is controlled to shift to a state (ready state) in which image formation can be properly performed. Let Specifically, for example, initialization control such as raising the fixing device to the fixing temperature and resetting the charging potential of the photosensitive drum, starting control, and the like (hereinafter referred to as "warming up") are performed. Conventional printers uniformly execute this restart immediately after rewriting the firmware.

In the ready state, for example, when a print job or the like is not executed for a certain period of time in response to a request for energy saving, power supply to a drive load such as a fixing device is cut off and power consumption during standby is consumed. When a new print job is accepted during the power saving mode, the power saving mode is canceled and the print job is executed when the recovery process is started and the ready state is reached. . Since the power supply to the drive load is cut off even during the power saving mode as during the firmware rewriting, it is necessary to raise the temperature of the fixing device to the fixing temperature after releasing the power saving mode. Therefore, as the return process,
The same processing as the above warm-up is performed.

A printer having such a configuration operates as shown in FIG. 22, for example, when the firmware is rewritten. That is, after the firmware is rewritten (at time V), power-off, power-on, processing such as initialization as a restart, and warm-up are sequentially performed, and when a ready state is reached (at time W), a new print job is requested. Waits for, and if a print job is not accepted even after a certain period of time, the power saving mode is entered (at time X). When a print job is accepted during the power saving mode (Y
At the time point), the return processing from the power saving mode, that is, warming up is performed, and when the ready state is reached (time point Z), the print job is executed.

[0007]

However, in the conventional printer, in order to execute one print job as shown in the example of FIG. 22, warming up is performed twice at the time of restart and recovery processing. Therefore, there is a problem that unnecessary power is actually consumed rather than energy saving.

Such a problem is not limited to the printer,
An image processing apparatus that executes an image processing job, such as a scanner, can be generated as long as it has a function of rewriting firmware and executes a power saving mode. The present invention is
In view of such a problem, an image processing apparatus capable of suppressing power consumption as much as possible by performing a restart after rewriting firmware and a process of returning from a power saving mode, and An object is to provide a management unit that manages the device, a power saving control method, and a program.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is an image processing apparatus provided with a power saving means for executing a power saving mode in which power supply to a driving load is restricted to reduce power consumption. A drive load control unit that controls the operation of the drive load to execute an image processing job, a firmware rewriting unit that rewrites firmware in the drive load control unit, and a power saving mode by controlling the power saving unit. Power saving control means for shifting and restarting means for executing restarting of the drive load control means after rewriting the firmware after releasing the power saving mode are provided.

Further, the power saving control means shifts to a power saving mode when the firmware rewriting by the firmware rewriting means is completed. Also,
The power saving control means, when there is no unprocessed image processing job at the end of rewriting the firmware,
It is characterized by shifting to the power saving mode.

Further, the firmware rewriting means rewrites the firmware when the power saving mode is released, and the restarting means restarts the drive load control means after the rewriting of the firmware after the rewriting of the firmware. It is characterized by doing. In addition, when a new image processing job is received during the power saving mode, a power saving mode canceling unit that cancels the power saving mode is provided.

Further, it is characterized by comprising an operation panel for receiving an input by a user operation and a power saving mode canceling means for canceling the power saving mode when the input by the user operation is received during the power saving mode. The present invention includes a power saving unit that limits a power supply to a driving load to execute a power saving mode that reduces power consumption, and a driving load control unit that controls an operation of the driving load to execute an image processing job. A management unit connected to an image processing apparatus provided, the first instruction means for instructing rewriting of firmware in the drive load control means, and the second instruction means for instructing transition to the power saving mode by the power saving means. And a third instructing means for instructing execution of restart of the drive load control means after rewriting the firmware after the power saving mode is released.

According to the present invention, the power supply to the driving load is limited to execute a power saving mode for reducing the power consumption, and the driving load control means for controlling the operation of the driving load to execute the image processing job. A power saving control method in an image processing apparatus, comprising: a firmware rewriting step for executing firmware rewriting in the drive load control means; a power saving control step for controlling the power saving means to shift to a power saving mode; And a step of restarting the drive load control means after the firmware is rewritten.

According to the present invention, a power saving means for limiting power supply to a drive load to execute a power saving mode for reducing power consumption, and a drive load control for controlling an operation of the drive load to execute an image processing job. And a firmware rewriting process for rewriting firmware in the drive load control means, and a power saving control for controlling the power saving means to shift to a power saving mode. Processing, and a restart processing for executing the restart of the drive load control means after rewriting the firmware after releasing the power saving mode,
Is executed by a computer.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (1. Overall Configuration) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system 60 (hereinafter, simply referred to as “system”) including an image processing device according to the present invention.

As shown in the figure, this system is a P for managing firmware, which is arranged in the service center 9.
A C (personal computer) 90 and a device group 10 composed of image processing devices 1, 2 ... And client devices 31, 32, ... Arranged in a user's office or the like via a network, here the Internet 50 or the like. Connected and configured. A device group 20 owned by another user is also connected to the Internet 50, and various data such as image data can be transmitted and received between the devices via the Internet 50 and the like.

Here, the firmware of this embodiment is built in each module (described later) of the image processing apparatus,
It shows basic software and control data such as a start-up program executed by each module, an input / output program, a control program for image processing and driving members, and the like. This firmware is attached to an electronic mail in the PC 90 and distributed to each image processing apparatus.

The client devices 31, 32, ... And the image processing devices 1, 2, ... Are LAN (Local Area Network) 5
1 is connected. The client device 31
The image processing apparatus 1, 2, ... Processes for printing (printing) a document or an image created by application software for creating a document or graphics on a sheet (hereinafter referred to as “print job”) · Can be requested to Note that this configuration is the same for the other client devices 32.

The image processing apparatus 1 includes an image forming apparatus 11 and
A printer controller 12 as a management unit that manages the image forming apparatus 11 is connected. The printer controller 12 accepts print job requests from the client devices 31, 32, ... Via the LAN 51 and causes the image forming apparatus 11 to execute them.
Also, as will be described later, the mail server 4 is set at predetermined time intervals.
The electronic mail (hereinafter, simply referred to as “mail”) from 3 is downloaded, and the firmware is acquired from the mail attached with the firmware. Then, the image forming apparatus 11
In response to this, an instruction to execute a job for rewriting the built-in firmware with the acquired new firmware (hereinafter referred to as "firmware rewriting job") is issued.

As will be described later, the printer controller 12 instructs the image forming apparatus 11 to shift to the power saving mode in which the power supply to the heater of the fixing device 185 is stopped and the power consumption is reduced according to predetermined conditions. I do. Also,
When a request for a print job is received from the client device during the power saving mode, the image forming apparatus 11 is instructed to cancel the power saving mode and the print job is executed. It should be noted that this configuration is used in another image processing apparatus 2
The same applies to.

A router 42 is arranged at a connecting portion between the LAN 51 and the Internet 50. This router 42
Connects the LAN 51 and the Internet 50 to each other and controls the route. Further, a firewall 41 is arranged between the router 42 and each of the image processing apparatuses 1, 2 ... The firewall 41 has functions as a packet filtering function, a proxy server, and the like, and a source IP address (host name), a destination IP address (host name), a source port number, a destination port number, data, etc. are predetermined conditions. Only packets that satisfy the condition are allowed to pass. Here, SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
The communication in is allowed to pass.

The mail server 43 is connected to the LAN 51.
Is connected and provides email collection and distribution services. On the other hand, the service center 9 is provided with a firewall 81, a router 82, and a mail server 83 in addition to the PC 90, and these are connected to the LAN 84. These firewall 81, router 82, mail server 83
Has the same functions as the firewall 41, the router 42, and the mail server 43.

The device group 20 is basically the device group 10.
Since it is composed of a device having the same function as the above, the same symbols are given to those having the same function, and the description thereof will be omitted. Each device will be described in detail below. However, since the image processing devices 1, 2, ... Are the same, the configuration of the image processing device 1 will be described here, and similarly, for the client device, the client device 3 will be described.
The configuration of No. 1 will be described, and the description of other components will be omitted.

(2. Configuration of Client Device 31) FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the client device 31. As shown in FIG.
PC body 310, display 320, keyboard 33
0 and mouse 340. PC body 310
Includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303 for providing a work area, and a fixed storage device 304, a display control unit 305 for controlling display of a display 320, an input control unit 306 for receiving input of signals from a keyboard 330 and a mouse 340, and A NIC (Network Interface Crad) 307 for transmitting / receiving various data to / from the image processing apparatus 1 or the like via the LAN 51 is provided.

The ROM 302 stores application programs for document editing and image editing, a printer driver, etc., and the CPU 301 executes the programs and the like. The printer driver creates data (print job data) in which job control information and page control information as control information necessary for printing are added as a header to data (print data) of a document or image to be printed. To do.

Here, the job control information includes a sender name,
When the image processing apparatus that should execute the job is designated by the user, information such as the designated destination name and the number of print copies is included. The page control information includes paper size at the time of printing, print color information indicating whether to print in color or monochrome, paper feed port information indicating from which paper feed port the paper is fed.

The print data is data created by various application programs and converted into data (page description language) that can be understood by the printer controllers 12, 22 ... When the CPU 301 receives a print instruction input by the user operating the keyboard 330 or the like, the CPU 301 transmits the data of the print job to the designated image processing apparatus in order to execute the print job. Hereinafter, the process of transmitting the data of the print job in order to execute the print job is referred to as a "print job transmission" process, and the process of receiving the transmitted print job data is referred to as a "print job reception" process.

The fixed storage device 304 is a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk, and stores various kinds of information including created document data and mail addresses of the image processing devices 1, 2 ... (3. Configuration of Image Processing Device 1) The image processing device 1 has a function of executing a print job requested by the client devices 31, 32, ... It has various functions such as a copy job for printing on top, a function of executing an image information transmission job of attaching image information of a read document to an email and transmitting the image information to a destination designated by a user. Multiple Function Peripheral) is a device called.

The configurations of the image forming apparatus 11 and the printer controller 12 included in the image processing apparatus 1 will be described below. (3-1. Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 11) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 11. The image forming apparatus 11 is
A device that forms an image by a known electrophotographic method,
Image readers (I
R) section 160 and the image data read by the IR section 160, or the client device 3 via the LAN 51.
The printer unit 180 prints on paper based on the image data sent from the printers 1, 32, ...

The IR section 160 is a scanner 16 which irradiates and scans a document set on the platen glass 161.
2 and a CCD sensor 163 that receives reflected light from the document and photoelectrically converts it. CCD sensor 1
The signal photoelectrically converted by 63 is sent to the control unit 100 as image data. The printer unit 180 includes a print head 181, a photosensitive drum 182, a developing unit 183, a transfer drum 184, a fixing device 185, a paper feeding unit 186, and the like.

The print head 181 emits a laser beam based on a drive signal from the control unit 100 to expose the photosensitive drum 182. By this exposure, the photosensitive drum 1
An electrostatic latent image is formed on 82. The electrostatic latent image is
The cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) developing units arranged in the developing unit 183 are sequentially developed for each color to form a toner image. On the other hand, the paper is fed from the paper feed unit 186 toward the transfer drum 184, and the paper is transferred to the transfer drum 184.
Wrapped around. The toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drum 182 are sequentially transferred so as to be superposed on the paper wound around the transfer drum 184, and when the transfer is completed, the paper is peeled from the transfer drum 184. And sent to the fixing device 185. The toner image on the paper is
The sheet is fixed on the sheet by a heater (not shown) of the fixing device 185, and the sheet passing through the fixing device 185 is discharged to a sheet discharge tray 187 outside the apparatus. The operation control of the IR unit 160 and the printer unit 180 is performed by the control unit 100.

(3-2. Configuration of Control Unit 100) FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a control unit 100. FIG. As shown in the figure, the control unit 100 includes a multi-CPU (Centra).
4 processing modules 110 to 140 corresponding to individual CPUs.
Equipped with. Here, the module is a CPU or CP
3 shows functional blocks including a control circuit including U to execute its control function.

The control module 110 includes a CPU 111,
Flash ROM 112, S- forming the work area
RAM113, NV-RAM114, serial I / F1
15, 116, 117, a video I / F 118, and an operation panel 119. The CPU 111 transmits / receives control commands and the like to / from the control modules 120 to 140,
The overall control of the image forming apparatus 11 is performed.

The flash ROM 112 is a nonvolatile memory whose contents can be electrically rewritten, and stores firmware for the operation of the CPU 111. NV-R
The AM 114 is a memory that stores various setting values. The serial I / F 115 is an interface for transmitting / receiving control commands and the like to / from the control module 120 and the serial I / F 116.

The serial I / F 117 is an interface for transmitting / receiving control commands and the like to / from the printer controller 12. The operation panel 119 includes keys for accepting selection inputs of copy jobs and image information transmission jobs, a ten-key pad, a print key, and a display unit for displaying input contents, and is arranged at a position where the user can easily operate. Has been done.

When the video I / F 118 receives image data for executing a print job from the printer controller 12, the video I / F 118 outputs it to the control module 140. The CPU 111 sends a "busy signal" to the printer controller 12 while the job such as a print job is being executed and a "ready signal" when the job can be executed, as will be described later.

When executing the image information transmission job,
The image data of the read document is the control module 130.
When the image data is sent from the video I / F 118 to the printer controller 12, the image data is attached to a mail designated by the user, and the mail is sent from the video I / F 118 to the printer controller 12. Control module 120
Is a CPU 121, a flash ROM 122, an S-RAM 123 that constitutes a work area, an NV-RAM 124 that saves various setting values, and a serial I / F 125, 12.
6 and a print driving unit 127.

The serial I / F 125 is the control module 110, and the serial I / F 126 is the control module 1.
40 is an interface for transmitting and receiving control commands and the like. The print drive unit 127 is a drive control circuit that controls the drive of members related to the image forming operation such as the photosensitive drum 182.

The CPU 121 instructs the print drive unit 127 to perform an image forming operation, and controls the entire printing process. The flash ROM 122 is the above flash ROM
It is a non-volatile memory similar to 122, and stores firmware for the operation of the CPU 121. The control module 130 includes a CPU 131 and a flash ROM 13.
2. S-RAM 133 that constitutes the work area, NV-RAM 134 that saves various setting values, serial I / F 1
35, an IR drive unit 136, an image processing ASIC 137, and an image input unit 138.

The serial I / F 135 is an interface for transmitting / receiving control commands and the like to / from the control module 110. The IR drive unit 136 is a drive control circuit that controls the drive of members related to the document reading operation such as the scanner 162 of the IR unit 160. Image input unit 138
Drives the CCD sensor 163 of the IR section 160 to perform photoelectric processing on the image data of the original document, which is processed by the image processing ASIC 13.
Output to 7.

The CPU 131 instructs the IR drive unit 136 to perform the scanning operation of the scanner 162 and the like, and controls the entire reading process of the original image. Flash ROM 132
Is a nonvolatile memory similar to the flash ROM 122 and stores firmware for the operation of the CPU 131. The image processing ASIC 137 performs various types of image processing such as known shading correction, MTF correction, density correction, and binarization processing such as error diffusion on the image data from the image input unit 138. Then, the image data is output to the control module 140 in the case of a copy job, and is output to the control module 110 in the case of an image information transmission job.

The control module 140 includes a CPU 141,
Flash ROM 142, S- which constitutes the work area
RAM143, NV-RAM14 for storing various setting values
4, a serial I / F 145, an image quality correction control unit 146, and an image output unit 147. Image quality correction control unit 146
Performs image quality correction processing such as smoothing and halftone gradation reproduction on the image data from the control modules 110 and 130, and outputs the image data to the image output unit 147.

The image output unit 147 includes an image quality correction control unit 14
A member such as the print head 181 is driven based on the image data from 6 to expose and scan the photosensitive drum. CPU
The image processing unit 141 instructs the image quality correction control unit 146 and the like to perform image quality correction processing and the like, and performs overall control of image correction and output processing of corrected image data. The flash ROM 142 is a non-volatile memory similar to the flash ROM 122, and has a C
The firmware for the operation of the PU 141 is stored.

The serial I / F 145 is an interface for transmitting and receiving control commands and the like to and from the control module 120. (3-3. Configuration of Printer Controller 12) FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a control unit 200 arranged in the printer controller 12. FIG.

As shown in the figure, the control unit 200 controls the CP
U201, EP-ROM202, S-RAM203 which provides a work area, NV-RAM204, fixed storage device 205, serial I / F206, video I / F20
7, image development unit 208, operation panel 209 and NIC
210 is provided. The CPU 201 receives the print job from the client device 31 and the like, and the image forming apparatus 1 for the print job and the firmware rewriting job.
1 manages the execution order, controls transmission / reception of mails, manages firmware extracted from received mails, and controls image processing of print images. In addition, power saving processing and power saving mode transition processing described later are performed.

The EP-ROM 202 is a non-volatile memory, and stores a control program for the operation of the CPU 201. The NIC 210 receives a print job from the client device 31 or the like via the LAN 51. The fixed storage device 205 is a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk, and includes a print job received by the NIC 210, firmware extracted from an email, and an email sent from the image forming apparatus 11 by executing an image information transmission job. To save temporarily. The print job is sent by the CPU 201 to the image development unit 208 at the execution timing.
Further, the firmware does not go through the image expansion unit 208,
It is sent to the image forming apparatus 11 via the serial I / F 206. Also, the mail for the image information transmission job is
It is transmitted to the designated destination device via C210.

The image expanding unit 208 expands the print data described in the page description language included in the received print job into bitmap data (image data), and forms the image through the video I / F 207. Device 1
Send to 1. The serial I / F 206 is connected to the serial I / F 117 of the image forming apparatus 11 and is used as an interface for transmitting / receiving control commands and transmitting firmware with the control module 110.

The video I / F 207 is used by the image forming apparatus 11
Connected to the video I / F 118, and is used as an interface for transmitting and receiving image data and the like to and from the control module 110. The operation panel 209 includes an F1 key for making communication settings, which will be described later, and a display section for displaying the set contents and the like.

The NV-RAM 204 stores various set values, the job management table 211 (FIG. 13) and the like. Further, in addition to the mail address of the own device, the printer controller 12 sends mail addressed to the own device to the mail server 4
3 stores the mail address of the mail server 43 required for downloading from the server 3, the mail addresses of the other image processing apparatuses 2 ... Further, a power saving flag for determining whether the image forming apparatus 11 is in the power saving mode is stored. Here, when the power saving flag is "1",
When the power saving mode is "0", it indicates that the power saving mode is not set. The power saving flag setting processing will be described later.

In such a configuration, the control modules 110 to 140 normally use the serial I / O between the CPUs.
Control commands and the like are transmitted and received via / F. On the other hand, when an instruction to execute a firmware rewriting job is issued from the printer controller 12, the firmware data is transmitted and received via each serial I / F. In this way, the large-capacity firmware is communicated by using the serial I / F that has a small amount of data that can be communicated per unit time because the dedicated transmission line for rewriting the firmware is provided on the control board. This is because if the new line is installed, the cost will increase significantly, and it is practically impossible to provide such a line. Therefore, when the firmware is communicated, the larger the amount of data, the longer the communication time.

The flash ROM 112 for storing the firmware is arranged at a position close to the CPU 111, which speeds up the program loading to the CPU when the power is turned on and reduces the influence of noise during loading. I am trying to do it. This is the same between the CPUs of the other control modules 120 to 140 and the flash ROM.

On the other hand, a communication line of image data when the image processing apparatus 1 executes a print job from the client apparatus 31 or the like, that is, the NIC 210 to the image expansion section 2
08-Video I / F 207-Video I / F 118 of control module 110-Image quality correction control unit 146-Image output unit 147 of control module 140 are connected by a high-speed data bus in order to transfer image data quickly. ing. This means that the image input unit 1 of the control module 130
38-Image Processing ASIC 137-Image Quality Correction Control Unit 146
The same applies to the communication line between them.

In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1
No. 1 does not accept the selection input of the copy job and the image information transmission job from the operation panel 119 by the user during the execution of a print job or the like. Therefore, the printer controller 12 executes these jobs. It is not necessary to manage the order and is not registered in the job management table 211.

(3-4. Circuit Configuration of Power Supply Line of Image Processing Apparatus 1) FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the power supply line of the image processing apparatus 1. As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus 11 includes a main power supply 101 and a switch 102 as power supply units, and the printer controller 12 includes a sub power supply 1
03 and a power switch 104.

The main power supply 101 is a unit that supplies electric power to various control loads such as the control modules 110 to 140 in the control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 11 and the drive motor of the photosensitive drum 182 and the heater of the fixing device 185. is there.
The switch 102 is arranged on a circuit between the main power supply 101 and various driving loads, and the on / off control thereof is performed by the control unit 10.
It is performed by 0.

The sub power supply 103 is a unit for supplying electric power to the CPU 201 and the like in the control unit 200 of the printer controller 12. The power switch 104 is arranged on a circuit between the commercial power supply and the main power supply 101 and the sub power supply 103 to open and close the circuit. In such a configuration, when the CPU 111 of the control unit 100 receives an instruction to shift to the power saving mode from the CPU 201 of the printer controller 12, the switch 102 is turned off (non-energized) (state shown in the figure) and various drive loads are set. To stop the power supply to. On the other hand, when the instruction to cancel the power saving mode is received, the switch 102 is turned on (energized) to resume power supply, and power supply control and drive control to various drive loads are performed.

That is, the power saving mode of this embodiment is
This is a mode in which only power supply to various drive loads is stopped, and power is supplied to the control units 100 and 200 regardless of whether the power saving mode is on or off, unless the power switch 104 is turned off. Will be seen. Therefore, even in the power saving mode, the printer controller 12 can receive the firmware and the print job, and the control unit 100 can communicate with the CPU 201 of the printer controller 12 to receive the power saving mode cancel instruction. The operation of turning on the switch 102 can be performed. When the main power supply 101 receives a restart instruction from the CPU 111 of the control unit 100,
A process of temporarily stopping the power supply to the control unit 100 and various drive loads and then restarting the power supply is performed.

(4. Device Configuration of Service Center 9) FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the PC 90 installed in the service center 9. As shown in FIG.
0 is a PC main body 91, a display 92, a keyboard 9
3 and a mouse 94.

The PC main body 91 includes a CPU 901 and a ROM 9
02, a RAM 903 that provides a work area and a fixed storage device 904, and a display control unit 905 that controls the display of the display 92, an input control unit 906 that receives input of signals from the keyboard 93 and the mouse 94.
And a NIC 907 for transmitting firmware to the image processing apparatus 1 and the like via the LAN 84.

The fixed storage device 904 is a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk, and stores various information including the model name and mail address of the image processing devices 1, 2, ... And the firmware of each image processing device. This firmware is stored in a separate folder (directory) for each device and each control module. CPU9
Reference numeral 01 executes firmware management, mail transmission / reception control, processing for attaching the firmware to each image processing apparatus 1, 2, ...

The ROM 902 stores a control program for the CPU 901 to perform processing such as firmware transmission. The keyboard 93 has F1 to F3 keys for performing various settings and registration such as communication settings. The contents of this setting / registration will be described later.
(5. Processing contents of PC 90 of service center 9) FIG.
3 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing executed by the CPU 901 of the PC 90.

As shown in the figure, first, the CPU 901
When the power is turned on, initialization processing of the RAM 903 and other internal memories and various parameters is performed (step S1).
1). Then, the following processing is executed according to the operation of the F1 to F3 keys. That is, when it is determined that the F1 key has been pressed (“Yes” in step S12), communication setting is performed (step S13).

This communication setting is for setting the parameters for sending mail. Specifically, F1
When the key is pressed, an input screen for communication setting is displayed on the display 92, and when the administrator inputs the mail address of itself (PC 90) and the mail server 83, the input information is stored in the fixed storage device 904. To memorize. When the communication setting is completed, the process proceeds to step S14.

When the CPU 901 determines that the F2 key has been pressed ("Yes" in step S14), it performs the registration process of the image processing apparatus (step S15). Specifically, when the F2 key is pressed, the input screen for registration is displayed, and the model name of the image processing device to which the firmware should be transmitted, the mail address, the user name of the device owning the device, the address, and the telephone number. When the information such as the above is input by the administrator, the input information is stored in the registration information table 96 in the fixed storage device 904.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the registration information table 96. As shown in the figure, the registration information table 96 is provided with information fields such as the model name and the mail address of the device, and the input information is stored in association therewith, and the CPU 901 transmits the firmware. At this time, the mail address of the image processing apparatus as the destination is acquired by referring to the registration information table 96.

Returning to FIG. 8, when the registration process of step S15 is completed, the process proceeds to step S16. CPU901
Determines that the F3 key has been pressed (step S
If “Yes” in 16), the firmware transmission process is performed (step S17), and the process returns to step S12.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the contents of the subroutine of the firmware transmission process. As shown in the figure, the CPU 901 causes the display 92 to display an input screen for inputting the model name to which the firmware is to be transmitted and the control module number to be rewritten,
Accept those inputs by the administrator (step S2)
1).

Then, the total number n of registered image processing apparatuses registered in the registration information table 96 is counted (step S22), and the loop counter i is set to "1" (step S23). Then, in step S24, the value of "i" is compared with the size of the total number of registered vehicles "n". here,
If i = 1, it is determined that i ≦ n (step S24
"Yes"), the model name registered in the i-th record, here the first record, of the registration information table 96 is read (step S25). The read model name is step S
If it is the same as the model name entered in step 21 (step S2)
6, "Yes"), the mail address of the image processing apparatus is read from the registration information table 96 (step S2).
7). Then, the firmware to be transmitted is specified from the model name and control module number input in step S21, the directory in the fixed storage device 904 in which the firmware is stored is specified, the firmware is read, and the read mail is read. An e-mail is created in which the address is the destination and the firmware is attached as an attached file (step S28).

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the contents of the created mail message. As shown in the figure, the email message has IETF (Internet Engineering TaskFo
rce) standard e-mail message RFC (Requ
According to the regulations of (est For Comments), it is divided into a header part and a body part.
Firmware is written in the body part.

Here, in the "Subject" column of the header part,
A character string (here, model1_1) in which the model name indicating the firmware to be transmitted and the number of the control module, which are input by the administrator, are connected by an underscore is described. In the "Content-Description" column, "Firmware" is described to indicate that the firmware is attached.

In RFC, it is prohibited to describe binary data directly in a mail message.
The CPU 901 converts the firmware, which is originally composed of binary data, into a US-ASCII code by the known "base64" system, and the converted firmware is "Content-Transfer-Encoding" indicating the conversion system of the binary data.
I try to write in the bottom part of the column.

Returning to FIG. 10, in step S29, the created mail is transmitted. The CPU 901 is a TCP / IP (Tra
nsmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol is used to connect to the mail server 83, and SMTP (Simple Mail Tra
nsfer Protocol) to send the mail to the mail server 83
Send to. The mail sent to the mail server 83 is
It is distributed via the Internet 50 to the destination read in step S27.

If the model name read in step S25 is not the same as the model name input in step S21 ("No" in step S26), there is no need to transmit the firmware, so the process proceeds to step S30. In step S30, the current loop counter value, here "i = 1" is incremented by "1", and
Return to 24.

In step S24, it is determined whether or not 2 ≦ n, and if 2 ≦ n, 2 of the registration information table 96 is determined.
The processes in steps S25 to S30 are executed for the device registered in the second record. CPU901
In step S24, the processes of steps S25 to S30 are repeated until i ≦ n is not satisfied, and the mails are sequentially transmitted. When it is determined that i ≦ n is not satisfied (“No” in step S24), the process returns to the main routine. As a result, regarding the image processing devices registered in the registration information table 96, the firmware of the module numbers designated by all devices having the same model name is transmitted.

(6. Contents of Processing of Printer Controller 12) FIG. 12 shows the CPU 2 of the printer controller 12.
It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process which 01 performs. As shown in the figure, first, when the power is turned on, the CPU 201 initializes the S-RAM 203 and other internal memories and various parameters (step S10).
1).

Then, it is determined whether or not the F1 key on the operation panel 209 has been pressed, and if it is determined that the F1 key has not been pressed ("No" in step S102), step S104.
Move on to. On the other hand, if it is determined that the button has been pressed (step S
In step 102, "Yes"), and communication setting for sending and receiving mail is performed (step S103). Here, CPU2
01 displays an input screen for communication setting on the display unit of the operation panel 209, and displays the mail server 43, the mail addresses of the image processing apparatuses 1, 2, ..., And the image processing apparatus 1
When a user inputs a time interval (hereinafter, referred to as “interval T”) for regularly checking whether or not a new mail addressed to the user has arrived, the input information is NV-
It is stored in the RAM 204. When this communication setting is completed, the process proceeds to step S104.

In step S104, it is determined whether a print job has been received from the client devices 31, 32, .... If it is determined that it has not been received (step S1)
"No" at 04), and proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, if the reception is judged (“Yes” in step S104).
s ”), the data is spooled, here temporarily stored in the fixed storage device 205 (step S105), and information indicating the content of the print job is registered in the job management table by referring to the job control information and the like. Is performed (step S106).

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the job management table 211. As shown in the figure, the job management table 211 includes columns for job number, job type, supplementary information, and memory address.
Each time a new job is received, a record indicating the contents of the job is sequentially added below the current record at the bottom. Therefore, the "job number" indicates the order of job acceptance.

Information indicating the type of job is written in the "job type" column. That is, when the print job is received from the client devices 31, 32, ..., When the “print job” receives the firmware from the service center 9, the step S13 described below is performed.
By 1, the "firmware rewriting job" is written.

In the case of a print job, various information such as the job sender name and the paper size at the time of printing included in the job control information and page control information are written in the "Attached information" column (in the figure, the job is shown). The identification number of the client device is described as the sender name.). Further, in the case of a firmware rewriting job, the model name and the module number of the rewriting target are respectively written.

In the "memory address" column, the storage address of the received print job or the received firmware on the fixed storage device 205 is written. The job management table 211 is used to manage the execution order of jobs, and the CPU 201 instructs the image forming apparatus 11 to execute the jobs in ascending order of the job numbers, and each time the execution instruction is given, the execution is executed. Jobs are deleted from the table 211. Therefore, a job that has not been executed yet, that is, an unprocessed job that is waiting is left in the table 211.

Returning to FIG. 12, in step S107,
Determine whether it has reached the time to check for incoming mail addressed to itself. Here, the incoming mail is checked by communicating with the mail server 43 at the interval T set in the communication setting of step S103, and whether or not the time T has passed since the last checked time. By determining whether or not it is determined whether or not the check time has been reached.

If it is determined that the time has not yet been reached (“No” in step S107), step S1
Move to 09. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number has reached (“Yes” in step S107), the electronic mail download process is executed (step S108). As will be described later, this processing is to register the contents of the firmware in the job management table 211 when the downloaded mail has the firmware attached thereto.

In step S109, it is determined whether there is an unprocessed job, that is, whether there is a job registered in the job management table 211. If it is determined that there is an unprocessed job (“Yes” in step S109).
s "), the image forming apparatus 11 determines whether or not the image forming operation is possible (ready state) (step S110). This judgment is made as follows. That is, as described above, the CPU 111 of the image forming apparatus 11
Will send a ready signal to indicate that
When a job is currently being executed and another job cannot be executed, a busy signal is transmitted to the printer controller 12.
When the ready signal is received, 01 sets the ready flag to "1", and when the busy signal is received, the ready flag is set to "0" to determine which state the image forming apparatus 11 is currently in.

When the CPU 201 determines that the image forming apparatus 11 is in the ready state ("Y" in step S110).
es "), the job transmission process is executed (step S11).
1). As will be described later, the job transmission process is a process of instructing the image forming apparatus 11 to execute the job registered at the beginning of the job management table 211. On the other hand, there is no unprocessed job, that is, the job management table 21.
When it is determined that nothing is registered in 1 ("No" in step S109), the process proceeds to step S112. When it is determined in step S110 that the image forming apparatus 11 is not in the ready state, that is, busy, the process proceeds to step S112. In this case, the routine goes round, and in step S110, the image forming apparatus 1
When it is determined that 1 is in the ready state, the job transmission process of step S111 is performed.

In step S112, power saving processing for shifting to and canceling the power saving mode is performed in step S113.
Then, if a print job or the like is not executed and there is no input from the operation panel 209 or the like for a predetermined time, a power saving mode shift process for automatically shifting to the power save mode is executed, and the process returns to the main routine. . Details of the power saving process and the power saving mode transition process will be described later.

Hereinafter, the electronic mail download process of step S108, the job transmission process of S111, and S112.
The contents of the subroutines of the power saving process of step S113 and the power saving mode transition process of step S113 will be described in order. FIG. 14 is a subroutine showing the contents of the process of downloading the electronic mail.

As shown in FIG.
Connect to the mail server 43 using TCP / IP (step S
121), if it is confirmed that a new mail has arrived (“Yes” in step S122), the mail is downloaded (step S123). POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3) is used for this download process.
If multiple emails have arrived, only one of them is downloaded.

Then, the downloaded mail is deleted from the mail server 43 (step S12).
4), disconnect from the mail server 43 (step S1)
25). Next, it is determined whether or not new firmware for rewriting is attached to the downloaded mail (step S126). This judgment is made by judging whether or not the "Content-Description" field is described in the header part of the mail message and "Firmware" is described in that field.

When it is determined that the firmware is attached (“Yes” in step S126), the body portion corresponds to the firmware portion,
The character string converted into the US-ASCII code by the "base64" method is taken out (step S127), and the character string is "reverse".
"base64" conversion and return to binary data (step S1
28) and stores it in the fixed storage device 205 (step S129).

[Subjec] in the header of the message
From the value of the "t" field, the model name and control module number for which the firmware is to be rewritten is read (step S130). Next, the contents of the attached firmware are displayed in the job management table 21.
1 is registered (step S131). That is, in FIG.
As shown in, the "Job type" column shows the firmware rewriting job, the "Attachment information" column shows the model name and its module number of the rewriting, and the "Memory address" column shows Firmware fixed storage device 205
Write the storage address above. When the process of registration in the job management table 211 is completed, step S1
Return to 21.

When it is determined in step S126 that the firmware is not attached to the downloaded mail, the process proceeds to step S132, the process when the message for the purpose other than the firmware rewriting is received is executed, and the process proceeds to step S121. Return. Then, in steps S121 and S122, a process for confirming whether the mail has arrived again is performed, and the processes in steps S123 to S132 are repeated until it is determined that there is no new mail, and it is determined that there is no new mail. (“No” in step S122), disconnects from the mail server 43 (step S133), and returns to the main routine.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the contents of the subroutine of the job transmission process. As shown in the figure, the CPU 201 first reads the job type of the head (job number 1) of the job management table 211 (step S181). When it is determined that the type of the read job is a print job (“Yes” in step S182), the “memory address” column of the job management table 211 is referred to and the print data of the print job is stored in the fixed storage device 205. After the image data is generated by developing the image data by reading out the image data from the image forming apparatus 208 (step S183) and instructing the image forming apparatus 11 to execute the print job (step S184). Specifically, the contents such as the number of print copies and the paper size included in the page control information and the like written in the “additional information” column are read, and the image data generated together with the information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 11, and the Submit a print job.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the type of job read in step S181 is a firmware rewriting job (“No” in step S182),
The firmware is read from the fixed storage device 205 with reference to the "memory address" column of the job management table 211 (step S185). And "Attached information"
The control module number to be rewritten is read from the column (step S186), and execution of the firmware rewriting job is instructed (step S187). Specifically, the read firmware and the information indicating the module number to be rewritten are transmitted to the image forming apparatus 11 via the serial I / F 206, and the rewriting job is executed.

In step S188, the job instructed to be executed is deleted from the job management table 211, and the process returns to the main routine. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the contents of the power saving processing subroutine. As shown in the figure, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the image forming apparatus 11 is in the power saving mode (step S14).
1). This determination is made by referring to the value of the power saving flag stored in the NV-RAM 204, and this power saving flag is set in steps S146 and S153 described later.

When it is determined that the power saving flag is not "1", that is, the power saving mode is not set ("N" in step S141).
o ”), the process proceeds to step S149. In step S149, it is determined whether or not the rewriting of the firmware is completed in the image forming apparatus 11. This determination is made based on whether or not the notification of the completion of the firmware rewriting from the image forming apparatus 11 is received. This notification is a signal transmitted to the printer controller 12 only when the rewriting of the firmware is completed in the image forming apparatus 11, as will be described later.

When it is determined that the firmware rewriting is completed ("Yes" in step S149), whether or not the print job to be executed next is registered in the job management table 211 at that time, that is, the firmware rewriting is performed. When the printing job is finished, it is determined whether or not there is a print job to be executed next (whether there is a print job waiting) (step S150).

When it is determined that there is no print job to be executed next ("No" in step S150), the image forming apparatus 11 is instructed to shift to the power saving mode and stop the power supply to various driving loads (step). S151, S15
2). Upon receiving these instructions, the CPU 111 of the image forming apparatus 11 turns off the switch 102 and shifts to the power saving mode as described later.

CPU 201 of printer controller 12
Sets the power saving flag to "1" (step S15
3) Return to the main routine. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S150 that there is a print job to be executed next, it is necessary to execute the print job, so the instruction to shift to the power saving mode is not issued, and the process directly returns to the main routine. In step S149, it is determined that the rewriting of the firmware has not been completed (the rewriting completion signal has not been received), that is, the firmware is being rewritten, or the rewriting itself has not been performed (in step S149, “ N
o ”), the process of shifting to the power saving mode is not performed, and the process directly returns to the main routine. In other words, in the power saving process, an instruction to enter the power saving mode is issued only when there is no print job to be executed next when the firmware rewriting is completed (when the firmware rewriting job is the last job). It is something to do.

When it is determined in step S141 that the power saving mode is set, that is, the power saving flag is "1", the operation panel 2 is operated in step S142.
It is determined whether there is an input from 09 or the like. When it is determined that there is no input, it is determined in step S143 whether a new print job has been received. This determination is made by determining whether or not a new print job is registered in the job management table 211 in step S106 during the power saving mode.

If it is determined that a new print job has not been received ("No" in step S143), the process returns to the main routine. In this case, the power saving mode will be continued. On the other hand, in step S142, the input is accepted, or
If it is determined in 143 that a new print job is received, the process proceeds to step S144.

In step S144, the image forming apparatus 11
To the power saving mode, and in step S145,
Instruct to restart power supply to various drive loads. Upon receiving these instructions, the CPU 111 of the image forming apparatus 11 turns on the switch 102 to cancel the power saving mode as described later. CPU 201 of printer controller 12
Sets the power saving flag to "0" (step S14
6) It is determined whether or not a new firmware rewriting job is received during the power saving mode (step S14).
7). This determination is made by determining whether or not the firmware rewriting job is registered in the job management table 211.

When it is determined that the firmware rewriting job has been received ("Yes" in step S147),
The image forming apparatus 11 is instructed to rewrite the firmware (step S148), and the process returns to the main routine. The content of the process of step S148 is the same as that of step S187. On the other hand, if it is determined that the firmware rewriting job has not been received (“No” in step S147), it is not necessary to issue the rewriting instruction, and the process directly returns to the main routine.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the contents of the subroutine of the power saving mode shift processing. As shown in the figure, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the power saving flag is "1" (step S161). The content of this process is the same as that in step S141. If it is determined that the power saving flag is not “1”, that is, “0” (“No” in step S161), step S16.
Move to 2.

In step S162, it is determined whether or not it is time to shift to the power saving mode. In the present embodiment, the print job is not executed as described above,
In addition, when there is no input from the operation panel 209 or the like for a predetermined period of time, the mode automatically shifts to the power saving mode. When it is determined by the internal timer that the state has continued for the predetermined period of time, the power saving mode is set. Judge that it is time to move to. The value of the predetermined time is stored in the EP-ROM 202 in advance.

When it is determined that the timing for shifting to the power saving mode has been reached ("Yes" in step S162), steps S163 to S1 are performed to instruct the shifting to the power saving mode.
The process of 65 is sequentially executed, and the process returns to the main routine. The contents of the processing of S163, S164, and S165 are the same as those of the above S151, S152, and S153.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the timing has not been reached yet (“No” in step S162), the process returns to the main routine. If it is determined in step S161 that the power saving flag is "1", it means that the power saving mode has already been entered, and therefore the process directly returns to the main routine.

Although not shown in FIG. 12, the CPU
When an email is sent from the image forming apparatus 11 to execute the image information transmission job, the 201 executes a process of delivering the email to a designated destination. (7. Contents of Processing of Image Forming Apparatus 11) FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing executed by the CPU 111 and the like of the image forming apparatus 11.

As shown in the figure, when the power switch 104 is turned on and the power is supplied from the main power supply 101, the CPU 111 receives SR from its own control module 110.
The AM 113 and other internal memories and various parameters are initialized, and C of the control modules 120 to 140 is set.
The PUs 121 to 141 are made to execute the same initialization processing (step S191).

Then, warming up is performed (step S192). That is, the CPU 121 to 141 are instructed to initialize the drive load, more specifically, the fixing device 18
The heater of No. 5 is energized to raise the temperature of the fixing device 185 to the fixing temperature, the operation of the drive motor of the photosensitive drum 182 is confirmed, and the charging potential of the photosensitive drum 182 is set to an optimum value. Performs various processes and puts it in the ready state. When in the ready state, the printer controller 1 sends a ready signal indicating that the job can be executed.
2 to the CPU 201.

Then, the input of various signals is accepted (step S193). Here, the various signals and the like include an input signal by a key operation of the operation panel 119 and a signal indicating an execution instruction of a print job or a firmware rewriting job from the printer controller 12. As for the copy job and the image information transmission job, input is not accepted during execution of the print job or the like as described above.

In step S194, it is determined whether or not there is a print job execution instruction from the printer controller 12. When it is determined that there is a print job execution instruction (the instruction in step S184 above) (“Yes” in step S194), the CPU 111 determines that another C
The PU 121 or the like is instructed to execute a print process based on the image data sent from the printer controller 12 (step S195), and the C of the printer controller 12 is executed.
A busy signal indicating that the job is being executed is transmitted to the PU 201 (step S196), and the process returns to step S193.

On the other hand, in the input receiving process, when it is determined that the execution of the copy job is instructed by the key operation on the operation panel 119 ("N" in step S194).
o ”,“ Yes ”in S197), copy processing is executed, that is, the original image is read, and print processing based on the read image data of the original is executed (step S).
198), and proceeds to step S196.

In the input acceptance process, when it is determined that the execution of the image information transmission job is instructed by the key operation on the operation panel 119 (“No” in step S197, “Yes” in step S199), the original image is displayed. A mail having the image information of the read original attached thereto is read and a process of transmitting the mail to the printer controller 12 is executed (step S200), and then step S19.
Go to 6.

On the other hand, if it is determined that there is an instruction to execute the firmware rewriting job (the instruction in step S187 above) ("No" in step S199, S20).
After 1 (“Yes”), the busy signal is transmitted to the CPU 201 of the printer controller 12 (step S20).
2) The firmware rewriting process is executed (step S203). This process is performed by the printer controller 12
This is the process of overwriting the flash ROM of the designated control module with the firmware sent from the.
The details of the content will be described later. In this firmware rewriting process, the CPU 111 executes a program for executing the processes of steps S204 to S210, which will be described later (currently stored in the flash ROM 112 and hereinafter referred to as a "power saving program").
Are saved in the S-RAM 113 before the rewriting process is started, and when the rewriting process is completed, the saved power saving program is used to execute the steps S204 to S2.
10 processes are performed.

In step S204, the printer controller 12 is notified that the rewriting of the firmware is completed. Here, as described above, when the printer controller 12 receives this notification (“Yes” in step S149), it determines whether or not there is a print job to be executed next, and determines that there is no print job (step S150). "No"), and gives a power saving transition instruction (step S15).
1) If it is determined that there is (Yes in step S150)
s "), no power saving transition instruction is given.

After the completion of rewriting, the CPU 111 of the image forming apparatus 11 determines that there is no power saving transition instruction (instruction in step S151) from the printer controller 12 ("No" in step S205), and the next print to be executed. Since the job exists (that is, it is determined to be “Yes” in step S150), the process proceeds to step S210 to restart, and the power-off / power-on process is performed, and then step S191. Return to. This processing is performed by the CPU 111 issuing a restart instruction to the main power supply 101. As described above, when the main power supply 101 receives a restart instruction from the CPU 111, the main power supply 101 is configured to temporarily stop and restart the power supply to the control unit 100 and various drive loads, which allows the power to be turned off / on again. Is done. Note that, for example, when the printer controller 12 receives an instruction from the CPU 111, the printer controller 12 controls the main power supply 101 to temporarily stop and then restart the power supply to the control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 11 and various drive loads. It is also possible to It is also possible to simply perform the reset process by the CPU itself and shift to the restart.

When the power is turned on again, a restart,
When a process such as initialization (step S191) and warming up (step S192) are performed and a print instruction is received from the printer controller 12 in the ready state (step S194), the print process is started (step S195). ). On the other hand, the CPU 111
If it is determined in step S205 that there is a power saving shift instruction (no print job to be executed next remains), the power supply stop instruction is issued (step S1).
52) and then accepts the instruction,
The switch 102 is turned off to shift to the power saving mode (step S206). That is, since there is no print job to be executed next, it is not necessary to restart immediately, and the power supply to the heater of the fixing device 185 is stopped to reduce the power consumption.

When the power saving mode is entered in step S206, the state is maintained until the next power saving cancellation instruction (the instruction in step S144) is received from the printer controller 12. When the power saving cancellation instruction is accepted (“Yes” in step S207), the power supply restart instruction (instruction in step S145) is awaited,
When the instruction is received, the switch 102 is turned on to cancel the power saving mode, and the following processing is performed. That is, it is determined whether or not there is a firmware rewriting instruction (instruction in step S148 above) from the printer controller 12 (step S208). This rewrite instruction is
As described above, the instruction is issued only when executing the firmware rewriting job received during the power saving mode. The explanation when this instruction is given will be described later,
Here, an example in which the instruction is not given will be described. If it is determined that there is no rewriting instruction (“N” in step S208).
o ”), it is determined whether or not the firmware has been rewritten before shifting to the power saving mode (step S209). This judgment is made by the following method. That is, when the firmware is rewritten before shifting to the power saving mode (“Yes” in steps S203, S204, and S205).
s ”, S206), a flag indicating that fact is stored in the S-RAM 113 before shifting to the power saving mode, and the presence or absence of the flag is checked to rewrite the firmware. Determine whether or not.

When it is judged that the rewriting has been performed (step S
If “Yes” at 209), the process proceeds to step S210. This is because after the firmware was rewritten, the power saving mode was entered without restarting, and it was necessary to restart before executing a print job or the like. On the other hand, if it is determined that rewriting has not been performed (step S20
No in 9), and the process returns to step S192. Here, the case where the rewriting is not performed means that there is a power saving shift instruction from the printer controller 12 in step S211 (the instruction here is the instruction in step S163), and the power saving mode is shifted to (step S211). S
206). As described above, the power saving transition instruction in step S163 is an instruction to transition to the power saving mode after a predetermined time has elapsed, and therefore has nothing to do with firmware rewriting, and it is not necessary to restart. Therefore, if rewriting has not been performed, the process returns to step S192 to start warming up, and when the ready state is reached, a print job or the like is executed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S211 that there is no power saving transition instruction, it is determined in step S212 whether a job such as a print job is being executed. When the CPU 111 gives an instruction to execute a print job or the like, this determination is made after the instruction.
It is performed depending on whether or not a signal indicating that the job has been completed is received from the first or the like. That is, it is determined that the job is being executed between the time the job execution instruction is given and the time when the signal indicating that the job completion is received, and the other states (before the job execution instruction and the job execution If it is after receiving a signal indicating that the job is completed, it is determined that the job is not being executed.

When it is determined that the job is not being executed (“No” in step S212), the job can be executed, and the printer controller 12 sends a ready signal.
To the CPU 201 (step S213) and the process proceeds to step S214. In step S214, other processing, for example, communication processing such as various commands between control modules is performed, and the process returns to step S193. On the other hand, when it is determined that the job is being executed (“Y” in step S212).
es "), without sending a ready signal, step S
Moving to 214.

The CPU 111 also executes step S208.
When it is determined that there is a firmware rewriting instruction (instruction in step S148) from the printer controller 12 (“Yes” in step S208), the process returns to step S202, the busy signal is transmitted, and then the reception in the power saving mode is performed in step S203. Rewrite the firmware that you selected. For example, if the power saving cancellation instruction in S144 is issued by receiving a print job, it means that there is a print job to be executed next. Therefore, a rewriting end notification (S204) is issued when the rewriting is completed. Even if it is transmitted to the printer controller 12, "Yes" is obtained in S150, and the printer controller 12 does not receive the power saving shift instruction of S151. Therefore, in this case, “No” is obtained in S205, the power is turned off and then turned on again in S210, the process proceeds to step S191, the processes of S192 to S196 are performed, and the print job is executed.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing the contents of the subroutine of the firmware rewriting process in step S203. As shown in FIG.
The control module to which the firmware received for rewriting corresponds is determined from the information indicating the received module number, and the firmware is written to the flash ROM in the determined control module. That is, the firmware for rewriting is the control module 110.
Is determined to correspond to (step S221
“Yes”), the input / output program including the firmware rewriting program (hereinafter, simply referred to as “input / output program”) and the power saving program currently stored in the flash ROM 112 are saved in the S-RAM 113 (step S222). ), The firmware is overwritten in the flash ROM 112 using the input / output program (step S223), and the process returns to the main routine.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the received firmware corresponds to the control module 120 (“No” in step S221, “Yes” in step S224), C
The PU 111 controls the firmware by the control module 1
20 (step S225). CPU121
Is the input / output program in the flash ROM 122
-Save it in the RAM 123 (step S226) and overwrite the firmware in the flash ROM 122 using the input / output program (step S22).
7) Return to the main routine.

When it is judged that the received firmware corresponds to the control module 130 (step S
224: "No", S228: "Yes"), CPU1
11 transfers the firmware to the control module 130 (step S229). The CPU 131 stores the input / output program in the flash ROM 132 in the S-RAM.
It is saved in 133 (step S230), the firmware is overwritten in the flash ROM 132 using the input / output program (step S231), and the process returns to the main routine.

When it is determined that the received firmware corresponds to the control module 140 (step S
228: "No", S232: "Yes"), CPU1
11 transfers the firmware to the control module 140 via the control module 130 (step S2).
33). The CPU 141 saves the input / output program in the flash ROM 142 to the S-RAM 143 (step S234), uses the input / output program to overwrite the firmware in the flash ROM 142 (step S235), and returns to the main routine. When the CPU 111 determines that the received firmware is not one of the control modules 110 to 140 (“No” in step S232), the CPU 111 returns to the main routine as it is. In this case, although the rewriting process is not performed, the firmware may be received from the printer controller 12 and temporarily stored in the S-RAM or the like. Therefore, the restart is performed here. There is.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing, in a time series manner, the contents of each process in the case where the power saving mode is executed after rewriting the firmware according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, when a firmware rewriting job is received during execution of a print job, when the print job ends, the received firmware rewriting job is executed (time A). When there is no print job to be executed next when the firmware rewriting job is completed (time B), the power saving mode is entered.

This is "Yes" in the above step S205.
s ”corresponds to the processing of S206. Then, when a new print job is received during the power saving mode (time C), warm-up is performed after processing such as initialization, and when the ready state is reached (time D), the print job is executed. This is “Yes” in step S207, S2
08: "No", S209: "Yes", S210, S
This corresponds to the processing of 191 to S195.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the warm-up in the "restart (between V and W)" and the warm-up in the "recovery process (between Y and Z)" shown in FIG. When restarted after cancellation (between C and D)
Therefore, it is necessary to perform fixing once for each print job as compared to the conventional configuration in which one warm-up is performed at the time of restarting and once at the time of returning processing to execute one print job. The power required to energize the drive load such as the heater of the container can be reduced, and the power saving effect is great. Since the number of times is small, the driving time of the photosensitive drum and the developing device due to warming up is shorter than before, so that the consumption of the motor and the like, the deterioration of the toner in the developing device, etc. caused by the driving are also reduced. There is also the effect that less is required.

When the firmware is received in the power saving mode, the firmware is not directly rewritten, but is rewritten when the power saving mode is released, and then restarted, so that the number of warm-ups is 1 It only needs to be done once. Therefore, in order to reboot uniformly after rewriting the firmware, when the firmware is received during the power saving mode, for example, once returning from the power saving mode, rewriting the firmware, and then restarting, returns to the power saving mode, Compared to a configuration example in which a recovery process is performed when the power saving mode is canceled (a configuration in which warm-up is performed in each case), the number of warm-ups is smaller, so that the same power-saving effect and reduction of toner deterioration and the like are achieved. Can be obtained.

(Modifications) The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and the following modifications are possible. . (1) In the above-described embodiment, when the power saving mode is entered, the power supply to the driving load including the heater of the fixing device 185 is stopped.
It is also possible to stop all the power supplied to 1 (including the power to the control unit 100). in this case,
When the printer controller 12 receives the firmware rewrite end notification (notification in S204) from the image forming apparatus 11 (“Yes” in step S149), if there is no print job to be executed next (step S15).
If 0, “No”), the power saving shift instruction is issued to the image forming apparatus 11 (step S151). Then, step S15
Instead of the process of 2, the main power supply 101 is controlled to stop all power supply to the image forming apparatus 11, and then the power saving flag is set to "1" (step S15).
3) Return to the main routine. As a result, the image forming apparatus 11 is completely turned off.
This is substantially the same as entering the power saving mode.

When the power saving mode release timing comes (“Yes” in step S142 or “Yes” in step S143).
s ”), the CPU 201 of the printer controller 12
Instead of performing the processes of steps S144 and S145, a process of controlling the main power supply 101 to restart the power supply is performed, and then the processes of step S146 and subsequent steps are executed. As a result, the image forming apparatus 11 is powered on again.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing the contents of processing of the CPU 111 and the like of the image forming apparatus 11 in the case of the modification. The contents of the figure are similar to those of the processing contents (FIG. 18) of the above embodiment in steps S191 and S.
Since it is the same except that S301 is added during 192 and that S207 to S209 in FIG. 18 are deleted, the difference will be mainly described here.
Description of the same contents will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 21, the CPU 111 executes step S301 after the initialization process of step S191.
At, it is determined whether or not there is a firmware rewriting instruction from the printer controller 12. That is, it is determined whether or not there is a firmware rewrite instruction (instruction in step S148) received from the printer controller 12 during the power saving mode when the power is turned on again. If it is determined that there is no firmware rewriting instruction (“No” in step S301), the process moves to step S192 to start warming up.

When the routine proceeds to step S201 and it is determined that there is an instruction to rewrite the firmware ("Yes" in step S201), after the busy signal is transmitted (step S202), the rewriting process is performed (step S203), When the rewriting ends, the rewriting end is notified (step S204). Then, when it is determined that there is a power saving shift instruction (the instruction in step S151) from the printer controller 12 (“Y” in step S205).
es "), in step S206, necessary data such as various setting data and flags for shifting to the power saving mode is saved in the NV-RAM 114 or the like. Then, when the power supply is stopped, the power saving mode is substantially entered.

After the power supply is stopped, when the printer controller 12 restarts the power supply, step S191.
The processing such as the restart of S193 to S193 is executed, and when the print job is sent from the printer controller 12, it is executed. Even with this configuration, if there is an instruction to switch to the power saving mode after rewriting the firmware, the system will not restart.If the power supply is stopped and the power supply is resumed after restarting the power saving mode, the system will restart. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the same power saving effect as in the above embodiment.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S301 that the rewriting instruction has been issued, the process proceeds to step S202,
After sending a busy signal to the printer controller 12,
In step S203, the firmware rewriting process is executed. Then, after notifying the end of rewriting (step S204), it is determined that there is no power saving shift instruction from the printer controller 12 (step S20).
5, “No”), power-off in step S210,
Re-input is performed, the process proceeds to step S191, and the subsequent processes are performed.

Therefore, even when the firmware received during the power saving mode is rewritten when the power saving mode is canceled, warm-up is set to 1 after the power saving mode is canceled and before the print job is executed.
It only needs to be performed once, and the same power saving effect as above can be obtained. (2) In the above-described embodiment, when the firmware rewriting job is downloaded during the power saving mode, the printer controller 12 issues an instruction to execute the job after canceling the power saving mode in steps S144 to S148. For example, even in the power saving mode,
It is also possible to configure such that only the rewriting process is performed, and the restart by the rewriting is executed after the power saving mode is released. As mentioned above, since the serial interface is used for the firmware communication, and the capacity of the firmware has become very large in mega units in recent years, it may take several tens of minutes to rewrite the firmware. In such a case, if you finish rewriting in the power saving mode, you can execute the next print job earlier than starting the rewriting process after canceling the power saving mode, The user who requests the job has an effect that the waiting time is short.

When the present modification is applied to the "configuration in which the power supply to the image forming apparatus 11 is completely stopped during the power saving mode" shown in the modification (1), the firmware is rewritten. Then, the power supply to the control unit 100 is restarted (the power supply to the various drive loads is stopped), and after the firmware rewriting is completed, the control unit 10 is restarted.
If the power supply to 0 is stopped (that is, without restarting), the power saving mode is entered, and when the power saving mode is released, power supply to the control unit 100 and the driving load is restarted and restarted. As a result, when the power saving mode is released, the firmware is rewritten only once to restart the system, and the power saving effect can be obtained.

(3) In the above embodiment, when the firmware rewriting is completed, the power saving mode is entered when there is no print job to be executed next. However, for example, it is the timing to enter the power saving mode. sometimes,
The firmware may be rewritten when an unprocessed firmware rewrite job (such as one whose time is specified to be executed at night) is executed. For example, in the office, there are times when print jobs are rarely executed, such as during lunch breaks.Therefore, when entering that time, the power saving mode is set, and at the same time, the firmware rewrite job that is waiting If you do so, the print job is rarely issued, so the rewrite process will not delay the print job, and it will be rewritten faster. Therefore, the user can use the image processing apparatus whose image quality and the like after the firmware rewriting is improved more quickly.

(4) In the above embodiment, when the power saving mode is entered, the power supply to the driving load including the heater of the fixing device 185 is completely stopped. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to reduce the power supply to the power supply to half that in the ready state to save power. (5) In the case where the firmware transmission source (PC 90 of the service center 9) of the above embodiment is a device that issues a restart request after firmware rewriting to the image processing devices 1, 2, ... Has
Even if the image processing apparatus receives the request, if the request is suspended, the mode is shifted to the power saving mode, and when the power saving mode is released, the restart is performed according to the request, and the same effect as described above can be obtained.

(6) In the above embodiment, when the firmware is received in the power saving mode, the firmware is rewritten when the power saving mode is canceled (“Yes” in steps S148 and S208). When the firmware is received in the canceled state, the rewrite job of the firmware is put in the standby state (without executing it directly), and the rewrite job is executed when the power save mode is released. It is also possible to do so.

In the above embodiment, when there is no print job to be executed next at the end of firmware rewriting, the power saving mode is entered (step S).
If “No” in step S <b> 151, S <b> 151), for example, in order to obtain a greater power saving effect, even if there is a print job in standby, the power saving mode may be entered and the print job may be executed after the power saving mode is released. It will be possible.

(7) In the above embodiment, an example of the case where the firmware is sent as an attachment to the mail has been described.
The method is not limited to this. For example, a CD-ROM or the like in which firmware is recorded may be directly read by the printer controller 12 to obtain it. (8) In the above-described embodiment, the firmware indicates basic software and control data such as a startup program executed by each module of the image processing apparatus 1, an input / output program, a control program for image processing and a driving member, and the like. However, for example, the types of programs and data that are not dynamically modified by the computer during computer processing,
Programs and data that are not changed by the user, such as an OS, an interpreter, a compiler,
A boot program such as BIOS or an input / output program may be used as firmware.

(9) In the above embodiment, the image forming device 11 and the printer controller 12 are separate devices.
A printer controller may be built in the image forming apparatus. In the above embodiment, the MF
Although the image forming apparatus having the function of P is taken as an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and is applied to an image processing apparatus having a function of executing an image processing job such as a printer or a facsimile and shifting to a power saving mode in general. it can.

(10) In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to an image processing apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is for making a computer execute the above processing. It may be a program. The present invention also provides a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, a DVD, a DVD-RO.
It may be recorded in M, DVD-RAM, semiconductor memory, or the like. The above-mentioned program of the present invention does not need to include all the modules for causing the computer to execute the above-described processing. For example, a communication program or a program included in an OS (Operating System) is separately provided. You may make it a computer perform each process of this invention using the various general purpose programs which can be installed.

[0147]

As described above, according to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, after the power saving mode is released, the drive load control means is restarted after the firmware is rewritten. After restarting with and after entering the power saving mode, it is possible to perform the warming-up that was being executed once when the power saving mode was released once by restarting, and the warming-up is consumed accordingly. Electric power is reduced, and a large power saving effect can be obtained.

At the end of rewriting the firmware,
If the power saving mode is entered, the power saving mode is immediately entered when the rewriting is completed, and a power saving effect can be obtained more than in the case where the power saving mode is not immediately entered. further,
If there is no unprocessed image processing job at the end of the firmware rewrite, and if you switch to power saving mode, if there is an unprocessed image processing job, it will not switch to power saving mode. Is executed immediately, and the waiting time of the user who requested the job is short.

If the firmware is rewritten when the power saving mode is released and the drive load control means is restarted after the rewriting of the firmware, for example, the firmware is received during the power saving mode. Even in such a case, the rewriting can be performed when the power saving mode is released, and the restart can be executed after the rewriting. Therefore, for example, compared to a configuration in which the power saving mode is canceled once the firmware is received, the rewriting is performed, the system is restarted after the rewriting is completed, the mode is returned to the power saving mode, and then the recovery process is performed again when the power saving mode is canceled. As a result, the number of warm-ups can be reduced and the power saving effect can be increased.

If a new image processing job is received during the power saving mode, the power saving mode is canceled. The power saving mode is automatically canceled each time the image processing job is received. Therefore, there is an effect that the received image processing job can be executed without delay. Furthermore, if an input by a user operation is accepted during the power saving mode, if the power saving mode is canceled, there is a case where the warming up ends and the image processing job can be executed during the operation input. In that case, The user can immediately execute the image processing job.

According to the management unit of the present invention, the drive load control means of the image processing apparatus is instructed to rewrite the firmware, and the power saving means of the image processing apparatus is instructed to shift to the power saving mode. Since the instruction to restart the drive load control means after the rewriting of the firmware is issued after the cancellation, conventionally, for example, once after the rebooting by rewriting the firmware and then when the power saving mode is entered, once when the power saving mode is released. It is possible to perform the warming-up that has been executed each time only once at the time of restarting, and the power consumed by the warming-up is reduced accordingly, and a large power saving effect can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system 60 including an image processing apparatus 1.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a client device 31.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus 11.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 11.

5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a control unit 200 of the printer controller 12. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a power supply line of the image processing apparatus 1.

7 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a PC 90 installed in a service center 9. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing contents of processing executed by a CPU 901 of a PC 90.

9 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a registration information table 96. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the content of a subroutine of firmware transmission processing.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of contents of a created electronic mail message.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing executed by the CPU 201 of the printer controller 12.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a job management table 211.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of processing for downloading an electronic mail.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the content of a subroutine of job transmission processing.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the contents of a power-saving process subroutine.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the content of a subroutine of power saving mode shift processing.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing executed by the CPU 111 or the like of the image forming apparatus 11.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the content of a subroutine of firmware rewriting processing.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing in chronological order the contents of each process when the power saving mode is executed after rewriting the firmware of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a CPU 1 of the image forming apparatus 11 according to a modification.
11 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing executed by 11 or the like.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing the contents of each process in a time series when executing the power saving mode after rewriting the conventional firmware.

[Explanation of symbols] 1 and 2 image processing device 11, 21 image forming apparatus 12, 22 Printer controller 100, 200 Control unit 101 Main power supply 102 switch 103 Sub power supply 104 power switch 110, 120, 130, 140 Control module 111, 121, 131, 141, 201 CPU 112, 122, 132, 142 Flash ROM 119, 209 Operation panel 160 image reader section 180 Printer section 185 fuser 202 EP-ROM

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Goro Mae             2-3-3 Azuchi-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Prefecture               Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AQ06 HH11 HT01 HT03                       HT07 HT09                 5B021 AA01 BB01 BB10 CC05 MM02                 5B076 EB02                 5C062 AA05 AB42 AB49 AB51 AE13                       AF00 BA00

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus, comprising: a power saving unit that limits a power supply to a driving load to execute a power saving mode for reducing power consumption. Drive load control means to be executed, firmware rewriting means for executing firmware rewrite in the drive load control means, power saving control means for controlling the power saving means to shift to the power saving mode, and firmware after releasing the power saving mode And a restarting unit that restarts the drive load control unit after the rewriting. 2. The power saving control means, when the firmware rewriting by the firmware rewriting means is completed,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus shifts to a power saving mode. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the power saving control unit shifts to a power saving mode when there is no unprocessed image processing job at the end of rewriting the firmware. . 4. The firmware rewriting unit executes rewriting of the firmware when the power saving mode is released, and the restarting unit restarts the drive load control unit after the rewriting of the firmware after the rewriting of the firmware is completed. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The power saving mode canceling means for canceling the power saving mode when a new image processing job is received during the power saving mode.
The image processing device according to any one of 1. 6. An operation panel for receiving an input by a user operation, and a power saving mode canceling unit for canceling the power saving mode when the input by the user operation is received during the power saving mode. The image processing device according to any one of 1. 7. A power saving means for limiting power supply to the driving load to execute a power saving mode for reducing power consumption, and a driving load control means for controlling the operation of the driving load to execute an image processing job. A management unit connected to an image processing apparatus including: a first instruction unit for instructing rewriting of firmware in the drive load control unit; and a second instruction unit for instructing a shift to a power saving mode by the power saving unit.
And an instruction means for instructing to restart the drive load control means after the firmware is rewritten after the power saving mode is released.
And a management unit comprising: 8. A power saving means for limiting a power supply to the driving load to execute a power saving mode for reducing power consumption, and a driving load control means for controlling an operation of the driving load to execute an image processing job. A power saving control method in an image processing apparatus, comprising: a firmware rewriting step of executing firmware rewriting in the drive load control means; a power saving control step of controlling the power saving means to shift to a power saving mode; and canceling the power saving mode. After that, a restart step for executing restart of the drive load control means after rewriting the firmware, and a power saving control method. 9. A power saving means for limiting power supply to the drive load to execute a power saving mode for reducing power consumption, and a drive load control means for controlling the operation of the drive load to execute an image processing job. A program for causing a computer to realize the function of an image processing apparatus including: a firmware rewriting process for executing firmware rewriting in the drive load control unit; and a power saving control process for controlling the power saving unit to shift to a power saving mode. A program characterized by causing a computer to execute a restart process for executing a restart of the drive load control means after rewriting the firmware after the power saving mode is released.