JP2004135215A - Electronic apparatus and remote control system for the electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus having an energy saving mode for limiting power supply including a network connection control part during stand by, in an electronic apparatus having a function for connections to a telephone line and a network. <P>SOLUTION: In an electronic apparatus 10 having a telephone line connection control part 30 for controlling the connection with the telephone line, a network connection control part 24 for controlling the connection with the network, a function part and a function control part 26, a power feeding control part 23 for controlling the power supply to the respective parts and a power source part 23, the power feeding control part 23 has a first energy saving mode for cutting off the power supply to the function part and the function control part 26 and a second energy saving mode for cutting off the power supply to the network connection control part 24 in addition to the function part and the function control part 26. A ringer tone is sent to the telephone line connection control part 30 for recovery from the second energy saving mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an energy saving function of an electronic device such as a facsimile device having a function of connecting to a telephone line and a network and a composite peripheral device integrating a facsimile function, a scanner function, a printer function, and the like, and in particular, reduces energy consumption during standby. The present invention relates to an electronic device having an energy saving mode and a remote control method of an electronic device for remotely controlling a return from a standby state.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, electronic devices such as a facsimile device or a composite peripheral device integrating a facsimile function, a scanner function, a printer function, and the like are well known, and due to energy problems and environmental problems, the device performs a normal processing operation. When there is no standby state, it is widely practiced to apply a so-called energy saving function that restricts power supply to parts other than the minimum necessary parts and saves power consumption of the electronic device.
[0003]
On the other hand, recently, the use of the Internet network has become commonplace, and the above-described electronic devices have been connected to a local area network (LAN) inside a company. More and more electronic devices are used.
[0004]
Usually, in an electronic device connected to such a network, whether or not information (a command such as a processing request) has arrived at the own device from the network is determined by analyzing a protocol of information flowing through the network by the electronic device. You can't know unless you do. Therefore, the power supply of the network connection control unit of the electronic device cannot be cut off even in the standby state. Therefore, there is no choice but to operate the energy saving mode at the time of network connection, or to adopt a power saving configuration in which only the power supply to parts other than the network connection control unit is cut off, and the power saving effect is limited.
[0005]
For example, in a facsimile apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-257818, a transition prohibition condition to an energy saving mode is determined, and when the transition prohibition condition is satisfied, the mode is not shifted to the energy saving mode. A configuration is shown in which the mode is shifted to the energy saving mode only when the condition is not satisfied. A specific example of the shift prohibition condition is a setting for an external interface unit for network connection with an external device such as a personal computer, and detects a network connection setting such as a constant connection mode or a network printer mode as an energy saving mode shift prohibition condition. Therefore, when the network is connected, the facsimile machine is prohibited from shifting to the energy saving mode.
[0006]
Further, the facsimile apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-148615 is connected to a network and has an e-mail communication function. In an energy saving mode, the energy saving mode is forcibly released at predetermined time intervals. It is disclosed that a mail server is accessed to check whether there is an e-mail addressed to the user.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In this manner, the reason for prohibiting the transition to the energy saving mode, prohibiting the transition to the energy saving mode, or forcibly canceling the energy saving mode at a predetermined interval is as described above, when connecting to the network, If the power supply to the network connection unit is cut off, the information transmitted via the network, that is, the electronic device cannot detect the communication addressed to the own device or the instruction to return from the energy saving mode.
[0008]
For this reason, in the network connection device, the disconnection of the power supply in the energy saving mode needs to be configured by excluding the network connection control unit, or to forcibly return the device from the energy saving mode at regular intervals. There is a problem that the effect is reduced.
[0009]
Therefore, the present invention provides an electronic device having a function of connecting to a telephone line and a network, which has an energy saving mode for restricting power supply including a network connection control unit during standby, and has an improved energy saving effect. Another object of the present invention is to provide a remote control method for controlling the return of the device from the energy saving mode without passing through a network connection control unit.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a telephone line connection control unit that controls connection with a telephone line, a network connection control unit that controls connection with a network, a functional unit, An electronic device including a function control unit, a power supply control unit that controls power supply to the units, and a power supply unit, wherein the power supply control unit disconnects power supply to the function unit and the function control unit. And a second energy saving mode in which power supply to the network connection control unit is cut off in addition to the function unit and the function control unit.
[0011]
According to this electronic device, when the network connection is made and when the network connection is turned off, the operation of the energy saving mode is performed in two stages, that is, in the network connection state, the power supply of the network connection control unit is continued, In the mode in which the power supply to the other parts is cut off and the network connection function is turned off, the power supply including the network connection control part can be cut off. On holidays, a large power saving effect can be obtained by operating the device in a mode in which the network connection function is turned off.
[0012]
Further, the remote control method for an electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured such that, when the electronic device is in the second energy saving mode, another electronic device connected to a network instructing the electronic device to return from the energy saving mode. Stores a script file describing device operations to be performed after the electronic device returns from the energy saving mode in a predetermined storage location on a predetermined network, and plays a ringer sound to the electronic device via a telephone line. When the telephone line connection control unit detects a ringer sound from the telephone line, the power supply control unit returns the power supply to the network connection control unit and the function unit and the function control unit, and the function control unit Requesting transfer of a script file stored in a predetermined storage location on the network; And it features.
[0013]
According to this embodiment, a return instruction from the second energy saving mode can be issued without using the network connection control unit, and a script file describing an operation to be performed after the return by the electronic device is obtained from the electronic device. Can be controlled.
[0014]
Still further, in a remote control method for an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device is connected to a network that instructs the electronic device to return from the energy saving mode when the electronic device is in the second energy saving mode. The other electronic device sends a ringer sound to the electronic device via the telephone line, issues a remote control command, and transmits a storage location of a script file describing device operations to be performed by the restored electronic device. When the telephone line connection control unit detects a ringer sound from the telephone line, the power supply control unit returns the power supply to the network connection control unit and the function unit and the function control unit, and the network connection control unit It is characterized by requesting a script file transfer from the notified storage location.
[0015]
According to this embodiment, since the electronic device can know the storage location of the script file by the remote control command, the electronic device can acquire the script file from the location.
[0016]
Still further, in a remote control method for an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device is connected to a network that instructs the electronic device to return from the energy saving mode when the electronic device is in the second energy saving mode. The other electronic device sends a ringer sound to the electronic device via the telephone line, sends a push button tone signal (DTMF signal) indicating a request to return from the energy saving mode, and outputs a telephone line connection control unit. When a ringer sound from the telephone line is detected, the power supply control unit returns the power supply to the network connection control unit, the function unit, and the function control unit, and stores the power in the storage unit in advance in response to the reception of the DTMF signal. The operation is performed according to the operation procedure after the return.
[0017]
According to this embodiment, the telephone line connection control unit detects a ringer sound from the telephone line, and restores the power supply to the network connection control unit, the function unit, and the function control unit by the power supply control unit. In response to the reception of the signal, it is possible to read out and execute the operation procedure after the return stored in the device control unit in advance.
[0018]
Hereinafter, an electronic device and a remote control method of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic device and a remote control method of the electronic device according to the present invention. An electronic device 10 according to the present invention is a multi-functional peripheral device (MFP) integrating a facsimile function, a scanner function, a printer function, and the like, and includes an MFP device main body 20, a telephone line connection control unit (FAX connection control unit) 30, and an MFP main unit. And a power supply 22.
[0020]
The MFP device main body 20 includes a power supply control unit 23 connected to a power supply line from the MFP main power supply 22, a network connection control unit 24, and a function unit and a function control unit (MFP function) that perform original functions of the device such as image formation. Unit) 26 and a storage unit 28. The telephone line control unit 30 includes a line control unit 32, a modem 34, and a ringer monitoring unit 36. The power supply control unit 23 includes a telephone line connection control unit 30, The power supply lines a to c to the connection control unit 24 and the function unit / function control unit 26 are controlled, and power supply to each unit is controlled.
[0021]
On the other hand, the telephone line connection control unit 30 is connected to a telephone network 45 via a private branch exchange (PBX) 43 and a public telephone line network (PSTN) 58, and performs facsimile reception and transmission. It is connected to a local area network (LAN) 44 and receives a processing request from a personal computer (PC), a workstation (WS), a server 40, or the like connected to the LAN 44 and performs processing such as printing. Processing of image data such as facsimile transmission / reception and printing is performed by the function unit / function control unit (MFP function unit / function control unit) 26 of the MFP device main body 20.
[0022]
The LAN 44 is connected to an Internet 48 via a firewall (router or the like) 46, and a storage server 50 used for various purposes is connected to the Internet 48. The personal computer (PC), the workstation (WS), the server 40, and the storage server 50 have modem cards 42 and 52, respectively, and are configured to enable communication via the telephone network 45.
[0023]
When the electronic device 10 is performing a normal operation, the power supply control unit 23 turns on all the power supply lines a to c, and sets the telephone line connection control unit 30, the network connection control unit 24, and the function unit / function control. Power is supplied to the unit 26. On the other hand, when there is no processing request to the electronic device 10 for a certain period of time, the electronic device 10 enters a standby state and shifts to the energy saving mode.
[0024]
In this case, the power supply control unit 23 operates in the first energy saving mode in which the power supply line c is turned off and the power supply to the MFP function unit / function control unit 26 is cut off. That is, power supply is continued to the network connection control unit 24 and the telephone line connection control unit 30, and the electronic device 10 is in a state of waiting for a connection request from the LAN 44 or the telephone network 45. When a connection request is received from the LAN 44 or the telephone network 45 via the network connection control unit 24 and the telephone line connection control unit 30, the power supply control unit 23 restarts power supply to the MFP function unit / function control unit 26, The device 10 returns from the state of the first energy saving mode.
[0025]
On the other hand, at night or on holidays when the use of devices via the network is not performed for a long time, the power supply control unit 23 turns off the power supply lines b and c, and in addition to the MFP function unit / function control unit 26, The power supply to the network connection control unit 24 is cut off, and the operation is performed in the second energy saving mode. In this state, the electronic device 10 can detect a connection request to the telephone line connection control unit 30, but cannot detect a connection request to the network connection control unit 24.
[0026]
The transition to the first or second energy saving mode can be performed by a time monitoring function and a calendar function. That is, during normal operation on weekday daytime, a fixed time is set in advance and monitored by the time monitoring function, and the connection to the network connection control unit 24 and the telephone line connection control unit 30 is performed during the set time. If there is no request, the mode shifts to the first energy saving mode. In the case of a weekday night or a holiday, a predetermined time, a predetermined holiday, and a holiday are set in advance by a calendar function, and the mode shifts to the second energy saving mode. What is necessary is just to comprise.
[0027]
During the night or holiday when the electronic device 10 is operated in the second energy saving mode, the personal computer (PC), the workstation (WS), the server 40, and the like connected to the LAN 44 make settings for the electronic device 10. May be changed or control such as collection of device status information may be performed. For example, there is a case where control is performed such as changing a setting condition for shifting to the second energy saving mode, or collecting data of a used amount and a remaining amount of toner and paper. For this purpose, it is necessary to instruct the electronic device 10 to return from the second energy saving mode by giving an instruction from a personal computer (PC), a workstation (WS), a server 40, or the like connected to the LAN 44.
[0028]
In this case, as described above, the power supply to the network connection control unit 24 is turned off and a connection request to the network connection control unit 24 cannot be detected, but the power supply to the telephone line connection control unit 30 is on. Yes, a connection request to the telephone line connection control unit 30 can be detected. Therefore, according to the present invention, a connection request (ringer) is sent from the modem card 42 of the personal computer (PC), workstation (WS), server 40 or the like connected to the LAN 44 to the telephone line connection control unit 30 of the electronic device 10. It is configured to send out and return from the second energy saving mode.
[0029]
The connection request to the telephone line connection control unit 30 is usually an incoming call to a facsimile, and the electronic device 10 is transmitted from a personal computer (PC), workstation (WS), server 40, or the like connected to the LAN 44. In the case of receiving a ringer signal for returning from the energy saving mode of No. 2, the telephone line connection control unit 30 identifies this, and issues an operation instruction after the return, which is the reason for the return, that is, a personal computer (PC), a workstation ( WS), it is necessary to obtain an operation instruction for the electronic device 10 from the server 40 or the like.
[0030]
Therefore, in the present invention, the electronic device 10 can further acquire a script file in which an operation instruction (operation instruction after return) from the personal computer (PC), workstation (WS), server 40, or the like to the electronic device 10 is described. Remote control. Some procedures for this are described below.
[0031]
"Procedure 1"
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the remote control procedure of the present invention. For the electronic device 10 operated in the second energy saving mode, the personal computer (PC), the workstation (WS), the server 40, and the like connected to the LAN 44 can change the setting and the device status information. First, in step S11, at step S11, the personal computer (PC), the workstation (WS), the server 40, and the like describe an operation instruction that the electronic device 10 performs after returning from the second energy saving mode. Generate a script file.
[0032]
Next, the personal computer (PC), the workstation (WS), the server 40, etc., store the script file at a predetermined position (storage position) of the storage server 50 connected to the Internet 48 (step S12). The storage server 50 need not be connected to the Internet 48, but may be connected to the LAN 44.
[0033]
When the storage server 50 is connected to the Internet 48, the electronic device 10 needs an account, a password, and the like for connecting to the storage server 50 in addition to the storage location (address) of the script file. The information may be stored in the storage unit 28 in advance.
[0034]
In step S13, the personal computer (PC), workstation (WS), server 40, and the like dial from the built-in modem card 42 to the telephone line connection control unit 30 of the electronic device 10, and transmit a ringer sound. When the telephone line connection control unit 30 detects this ringer sound (step S14), in step S15, the power supply control unit 23 of the electronic device 10 turns on the power supply lines b and c to turn on the network connection control unit 24, The power supply to the function unit / function control unit 26 is restarted, and the operation returns from the second energy saving mode.
[0035]
Next, the electronic device 10 requests the storage server 50 to transfer the script file from the predetermined storage location via the network connection control unit 24 (Step S16). Upon acquiring the script file in step S17, the electronic device 10 stores the script file in the storage unit 28, reads the script file from the storage unit 28, and executes the written instruction. If there is an instruction in the script file, in step S18, transmission / reception of data instructed in the script file via the network connection control unit 24 is performed.
[0036]
As described above, in the procedure 1, the predetermined storage location on the network is set as the storage location of the script file, and the electronic device 10 acquires the script file from the storage location.
[0037]
"Procedure 2"
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing another example of the remote control procedure of the present invention. First, in step S21, the personal computer (PC), the workstation (WS), the server 40, and the like generate a script file in which an operation instruction to be performed after the electronic device 10 returns from the second energy saving mode is described.
[0038]
Next, the personal computer (PC), the workstation (WS), the server 40, and the like are connected to a location specified by a path name of a server having an arbitrary URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the Internet network 48, for example, the Internet network 48. The script file is stored at an arbitrary position (storage position) of the connected storage server 50 (step S22). The storage server 50 need not be connected to the Internet 48, but may be connected to the LAN 44.
[0039]
In step S23, the personal computer (PC), workstation (WS), server 40, and the like dial from the built-in modem card 42 to the telephone line connection control unit 30 of the electronic device 10 to transmit a ringer sound. When the telephone line connection control unit 30 detects this ringer sound (step S24), in step S25, the power supply control unit 23 of the electronic device 10 turns on the power supply lines b and c to set the network connection control unit 24, The power supply to the function unit / function control unit 26 is restarted, and the operation returns from the second energy saving mode.
[0040]
Next, in step S26, the personal computer (PC), the workstation (WS), the server 40, and the like notify the URL of the location where the script file is stored to the electronic device 10 via the network connection control unit 24. Accordingly, the electronic device 10 makes a request to transfer the script file from the notified URL, that is, the storage server 50, via the network connection control unit 24 (step S27).
[0041]
Upon acquiring the script file, the electronic device 10 stores the script file in the storage unit 28, executes the instruction described in the script file stored in the storage unit 28 in step S28, and if there is an instruction in the script file, in step S29, Data transmission and reception are performed via the network connection control unit 24.
[0042]
As described above, in the procedure 2, the script file is stored in a location having an arbitrary URL on the network, the URL is notified to the electronic device 10, and the electronic device 10 acquires the script file from the notified URL. It was made.
[0043]
"Procedure 3"
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing still another example of the remote control procedure of the present invention. First, in step S31, the personal computer (PC), workstation (WS), server 40, and the like dial from the built-in modem card 42 to the telephone line connection control unit 30 of the electronic device 10, and transmit a ringer sound. When the telephone line connection control unit 30 detects this ringer sound (step S32), in step S33, the power supply control unit 23 of the electronic device 10 turns on the power supply lines b and c to set the network connection control unit 24, The power supply to the function unit / function control unit 26 is restarted, and the operation returns from the second energy saving mode.
[0044]
Next, in step S34, the personal computer (PC), the workstation (WS), the server 40, and the like transmit a DTMF (Dual Tone Multi Frequency) signal from the built-in modem card 42 to the telephone line connection control unit 30 of the electronic device 10. Send the sign of
[0045]
The storage unit 28 of the electronic device 10 stores a script file corresponding to the code of the received DTMF signal, and the function control unit 26 reads the corresponding script file from the storage unit 28 (Step S35). Next, the electronic device 10 executes the script file in step S36, and if there is an instruction in the script file, sends and receives data via the network connection control unit 24 in step S37.
[0046]
Here, the script file stored in the storage unit 28 describes an operation procedure of the electronic device 10 (secondly a procedure to be performed by the electronic device 10 after returning from the energy saving mode), and is transmitted as a DTMF signal. By preliminarily determining each procedure corresponding to some codes and storing the procedure in the storage unit 28, for example, the time setting until re-transition to the second energy saving mode is changed, or a prohibition instruction is issued. Or remote control such as instructing data transmission such as the amount of toner or paper used or the remaining amount.
[0047]
As described above, in the procedure 3, the script file describing the predetermined operation procedure of the electronic device 10 corresponding to the code to be transmitted as the DTMF signal is stored in the storage unit 28, and the personal computer (PC) The station (WS), the server 40, and the like transmit a DTMF code corresponding to an operation procedure to be instructed, and the electronic device 10 acquires a corresponding script file from the storage unit 28.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the electronic device and the remote control method of the electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention include a telephone line connection control unit that controls connection with a telephone line, and a network connection control unit that controls connection with a network. An electronic device having a power supply control unit that controls power supply to each of the units, and a power supply control unit that controls power supply to each unit, wherein the power supply control unit supplies power to the function unit and the function control unit. And a second energy saving mode for cutting off power supply to the network connection control unit in addition to the function unit and the function control unit.
[0049]
Therefore, the operation of the energy saving mode is controlled in two stages depending on whether the network connection is made or the network connection is turned off. By operating the device in a mode in which the network connection function is turned off, a large power saving effect can be obtained. Generally, the power consumption of the network connection control unit is 3 to 5 watts / unit, and this power consumption can be saved while operating in the second energy saving mode.
[0050]
Also, the remote control method of the electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention may be configured such that when the electronic device is in the second energy saving mode, another electronic device connected to the network instructs the electronic device to return from the energy saving mode. Sends a ringer sound to the electronic device via the telephone line, and the telephone line connection control unit, when detecting the ringer sound from the telephone line, uses the power supply control unit to control the network connection control unit, the function unit, and the function control unit. The power supply to the unit can be restored, and a script file describing an operation instruction to the electronic device after the restoration can be obtained and controlled by the electronic device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system that implements an electronic device and a remote control method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a remote control method according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a remote control method according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a remote control method according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Electronic device 20 MFP body
30: telephone line connection control unit 40: PC / WS / server
50: Storage server 22: MFP main power supply
23: power supply control unit 24: network connection control unit
26: MFP function unit / function control unit 28: telephone line connection control unit
32: Line controller 34: Modem
36 ... Linga monitoring unit 43 ... PBX
44… LAN 45… Phone network
46: Proxy server 48: Internet network
58 ... PSTN 42, 52 ... Modem card
a, b, c ... power supply line

Claims (8)

A telephone line connection control unit that controls connection with a telephone line, a network connection control unit that controls connection with a network, a function unit and a function control unit, and a power supply control unit that controls power supply to each unit. An electronic device having a power supply unit, wherein the power supply control unit includes a first energy saving mode for cutting off power supply to a function unit and a function control unit, and the network connection control in addition to the function unit and the function control unit. An electronic device having a second energy saving mode for cutting off power supply to the unit. When the electronic device is in the first energy saving mode, when the network connection control unit receives a predetermined start signal from a network, the power supply control unit transmits the start signal to the function unit and the function control unit. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply of the electronic device is restored. When the electronic device is in the first energy saving mode, when the telephone line connection control unit detects a ringer sound from the telephone line, the power supply control unit uses the ringer sound detection signal to generate the function unit and the function control unit. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein power supply to the unit is restored. When the electronic device is in the second energy saving mode, when the telephone line connection control unit detects a ringer sound from the telephone line, the power supply control unit uses the ringer sound detection signal to generate a network connection control unit, The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein power supply to the function unit and the function control unit is restored. A telephone line connection control unit that controls connection with a telephone line, a network connection control unit that controls connection with a network, a function unit and a function control unit, and a power supply control unit that controls power supply to each unit. An electronic device having a power supply unit, wherein the power supply control unit includes a first energy saving mode for cutting off power supply to a function unit and a function control unit, and the network connection control in addition to the function unit and the function control unit. An electronic device having a second energy saving mode for cutting off power supply to the unit, the electronic device being connected to a network instructing the electronic device to return from the energy saving mode when the electronic device is in the second energy saving mode. The other electronic device transmits a ringer sound to the electronic device via the telephone line, and the telephone line connection control unit controls the ringer sound from the telephone line. Upon detection, the power supply control unit remote control system of the electronic device, characterized in that to return the power supply to the functional unit and function control unit network connection control section. When the electronic device is in the second energy saving mode, the other electronic device stores, in a predetermined storage location on a predetermined network, a script file describing device operations to be performed after the electronic device returns from the energy saving mode. When the telephone line connection control unit detects a ringer sound from a telephone line, the function control unit requests transfer of a script file stored in a predetermined storage location on the network. 6. The remote control method for an electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the remote control method is performed. When the electronic device is in the second energy saving mode, the other electronic device transmits, as a remote control command, a storage location of a script file describing device operations to be performed by the electronic device after the return, and connects to the telephone line. 6. The system according to claim 5, wherein when the control unit detects a ringer sound from a telephone line, the network connection control unit requests a script file transfer from the notified storage location. A remote control method for an electronic device according to claim 1. When the electronic device is in the second energy saving mode, the other electronic device sends out a push button tone signal (DTMF signal) indicating a request to return from the energy saving mode, and the telephone line connection control unit sets the telephone 6. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein, upon detecting a ringer sound from a line, the electronic device operates in accordance with an operation procedure after restoration stored in a storage unit in advance in response to reception of the DTMF signal. Remote control method.

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