JP2006159808A - Power saving control method for printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power saving control method for a printer in which all mechanisms return from a power saving state only when there is a following input within a fixed time, after only a part of the mechanism returns from the power saving control state when a user inputs from a control panel relative to the equipment in the power saving state, while all the mechanisms return to the power saving state again when there is no following input within a fixed time. <P>SOLUTION: When the key of a control panel is depressed, in the printer in a power saving mode, a part of the mechanism in the power saving state is released instead of all the mechanisms in the power saving state. Afterward, if the following key depression is not performed within a fixed time, the printer returns back to the power saving mode again. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a power saving control method for a printer having a power saving function and an operation panel.

  As one of the problems in electronic devices in recent years, power saving associated with resource saving measures is required. Several guidelines have been established as power saving standards, and power saving is achieved by complying with the standards. In these standards, standard values of hardware are defined, and countermeasures are implemented mainly by implementing hardware based on the standard values. However, a part of the standard has a time restriction item that results in power consumption within a certain time within a certain time, and measures are taken for this by control by software. In general, devices have processing operation status and instruction standby status, and switch to a power control method that reduces power consumption compared to processing operation when the standby status continues for a certain period of time. Thus, a low power consumption state is realized, and the state is canceled and returned to the normal power state according to the operation of the device by the user. There are various conventional techniques regarding the timing of shifting the device to the low power consumption state and the timing of releasing the low power consumption state depending on the respective operating environment.

  Regarding the timing to cancel the low power consumption state, the key input during that time is taken into consideration that it takes time to recover from the power saving state as a technology to prevent unintended operation by the user. Is configured to be invalidated (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, there is a configuration in which input from two different input means is required in order not to return from the power saving state by mistake (for example, see Patent Document 2).

Further, regarding processing after returning from the low power consumption state, there is a configuration in which only a necessary device is released from the power saving state (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
JP-A-8-272494 JP-A-9-282854 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-125057

  Patent Document 1 is characterized in that the user's input is not erroneously input due to the convenience of the device, and the operation to be conscious by the user is related to returning from the power saving state. For this reason, no consideration is given to a case where a return operation from an unintended power saving state such as when the user accidentally presses a button is started.

  Patent Document 2 considers this case, but in this example, it is possible to prevent an unintended return operation from the power saving state, but it is intended to return from the power saving state intentionally. In this case, there is a problem that the operation becomes complicated and the operational feeling is impaired. In general, when the power saving state is erroneously restored, it is often necessary to perform a button operation to immediately shift to the power saving state again. However, in some large devices, it may take time to return and re-migrate. In such a case, the user will have to wait for a certain period of time, and must spend wasted time with wasted power consumption. .

  For this reason, it is desirable to apply the processing as shown in Patent Document 3 for the part of the device that takes time to return and re-transfer, but the processing is not performed after determining whether the return is an erroneous operation or not. The meaning of is lost.

  In the present invention, in view of the situation as described above, when a user inputs from the operation panel to a device in a power saving state, only a part of the mechanism is returned from the power saving state for a certain period of time. The power saving of the printer is configured so that all the mechanisms are restored from the power saving state only when the next input is in, and all the mechanisms are returned to the power saving state again if there is no next input within a certain time. An object is to provide a control method.

  The present invention can solve the above problems by providing the following configuration.

  (1) An operation unit that performs input operations for executing various functions of the device, a display unit that displays various states of the device, a communication unit that communicates operation instructions and print data from an external device, and printing It has a printing unit that prints data, a volatile storage unit that stores variables for device control, and a control unit that controls device operation, and changes the device state from the normal power state under specific transition conditions. When there is a power saving function to transition to the low power consumption state and a power saving cancellation function to return from the low power consumption state to the normal power state under a specific return condition, and the return condition is an operation instruction from the communication unit A printer power saving control method characterized in that the printer fully returns to the normal power state and partially returns to the normal power state when the return condition is an input operation from the operation unit.

  According to the present invention, even when the input device of the operation panel is accidentally touched when the device is in the power saving state, the device automatically returns to the power saving state again after a short time unless operated again. It becomes possible to increase power saving efficiency.

  It is configured so that power control of each mechanism that constitutes the device can be controlled individually, and some mechanisms generate a signal for returning from the power saving state according to the user's operation by a single power saving function. Is configured to be possible. In devices with these electrical characteristics, in addition to the normal power state and the power saving state, a semi-power saving state in which only a part of the mechanisms is in a power saving state is provided, and the user operates the device in the power saving state. When an input is made from the panel, the mode changes to a semi-power-saving state, and only when there is a next input within a certain time, the entire mechanism is restored to the normal power state. When there is no input, it is configured to return all the mechanisms to the power saving state again. In addition, it is desirable that the mechanism that takes time to return from the power saving state and re-transition is set to be in the power saving state in the semi-power saving state.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the target device will be described as a printer. The normal power state of the printer is set to “normal power mode”, the power saving state is set to “power saving mode”, and when the entire power saving mode is shifted to the power saving state, “all power saving mode” is set. The case where only the printing mechanism is shifted to the power saving state is defined as “semi-power saving mode”.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a device for implementing the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes an operation unit for instructing execution of various functions of the device such as a print instruction. The operation unit 1 includes a plurality of keys, buttons, switches, and the like. Reference numeral 2 denotes a display unit for notifying the user of the state of the device and various operation results. The display unit 2 includes a liquid crystal panel, an LED, and the like.

  A communication unit 3 performs communication with the host device. The communication unit 3 includes one or more of various interfaces such as a serial port, a LAN, and a USB. This is used when printing data sent from the host device is input to the peripheral device or when a response to an inquiry from the host device is made. Reference numeral 4 denotes a control unit that executes each function of the device. The control unit 4 controls various output operations corresponding to various input operations from the operation unit 1 and the communication unit 3 and performs various controls for power saving of the device. Various control procedures are stored in a control program included in the ROM 5.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes a ROM which is a kind of storage device. The ROM 5 is a read-only storage device that cannot be written, and stores a program for controlling the control unit 4. Reference numeral 6 denotes a RAM which is a kind of storage device. The RAM 6 is a rewritable storage device that is used for variables necessary for the control unit 4 to perform various controls, or for temporarily storing print data sent from the host device. .

  7 is a timer for measuring the elapsed time. The timer 7 is used for adjusting the timing of device control, and is used for measuring the switching time between various power saving modes and the normal power mode. Reference numeral 8 denotes a printing unit that executes printing. The printing unit 8 includes a print head, ink, a paper feeding device, and the like, and performs printing processing such as print data sent from the host device.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the state of the device according to the present invention in the all power saving mode. Each block of 11 to 18 means the same block as that of 1 to 8 in FIG. 1 and shows the state in the all power saving mode as compared with the case where FIG. 1 is in the normal power mode. FIG. The background color of each block indicates the state in power saving mode. Blocks with a white background are in the full power state with the supplied power, and blocks with a light gray background are partially or entirely power saving. The power saving state, which is a state, and the block whose background is dark gray indicate a power off state in which no power is supplied.

  In the normal power mode, all blocks are in a full power state as shown in FIG. In the all power saving mode, as shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 11 and the timer 17 are in the full power state, the display unit 12, the communication unit 13, the control unit 14 and the RAM 16 are in the power saving state, and the ROM 15 and the printing unit 18 are in the power off state. It has become. The reason why the operation unit 11 and the timer 17 are in the full power state and the communication unit 13 is in the power saving state is to detect the occurrence of an event that ends the power saving mode. The reason why the control unit 14 and the RAM 16 are in the power saving state is to promptly execute the return processing to the normal power mode when the power saving mode ends. The reason why the display unit 12 is in the power saving state is to indicate the current state of the device to the user. The reason why the ROM 15 and the printing unit 18 are in the power-off state is that they are not used in the full power saving mode.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a state of the device according to the present invention in the semi-power saving mode. As in FIG. 2, the background color of each block indicates the state in the power saving mode, and the states other than the printing unit shown in 19 are the same as in the normal power mode in FIG. The reason why only the printing unit 19 is in the power-off state is that the power consumption of the printing unit is the highest among the mechanisms of the device and that it takes the longest to start up.

  FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of the operation panel of the device according to the present invention. The operation panel includes a display unit 2 composed of 21 to 23 and an operation unit 1 composed of 24 to 28. Reference numeral 21 denotes a liquid crystal panel that displays the current state of the device, menus, and the like with characters and symbols. Reference numeral 22 denotes a message LED that blinks when a warning to the user is displayed. This LED is lit when the device is in the power saving mode, and also has a role of indicating that it is in the power saving mode. Reference numeral 23 denotes a data LED that blinks during reception of print data. Reference numeral 24 denotes a cancel button that is pressed when the printing is forcibly stopped or when the menu operation is canceled halfway. Reference numeral 25 denotes a four-way button that is pressed to switch item selection when a menu operation is performed.

  Reference numeral 26 denotes a determination button that is pressed to determine an item or setting when a menu operation is performed. Reference numeral 27 denotes an online button that is pressed when switching between an online state in which data is waiting to be received and an offline state in which other operations are performed. The online button is provided with an LED, which is turned on when online and turned off when offline. Reference numeral 28 denotes a power button that is pressed when the device is turned on. When this button is pressed when the power is on and in the normal power mode, the mode is forcibly shifted to the all power saving mode. In order to put the device into a complete power off state that is not in the power saving mode, it is assumed that the power button is kept pressed for several seconds to shift to the power off state. When attempting to return to the normal power mode from the full power saving mode, the user can return to the normal power mode via the semi-power saving mode by pressing any of the buttons 24 to 27 as well as the power button 28. And

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of the control procedure of the device according to the present invention. When the user turns on the power switch of the printer device, the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 5 starts. In step S101, various initializations of the device are performed. The initialization processing includes software processing such as a control program and hardware processing of various devices in the device, and performs processing so that a mechanism such as the communication unit 3 and the printing unit 8 can be used. At the same time, the counter value in the timer 7 is initialized and then counting is started. In step S102, the communication unit 3 tries to connect a communication line with the host device according to the setting of the user. If the host device does not respond here, the next process is continued in the offline state.

  In step S103, it is checked whether there is an instruction from the user for the device. Specifically, the communication unit 3 checks whether data is received on the communication line with the host device or checks whether an input operation is performed from the operation unit 1. As a result of the examination, the received data information and pressed button information are held in a buffer in the RAM 6. In step S104, the processing result in step S103 is checked. If there is an instruction from the user, the process proceeds to step S105, and if not, the process proceeds to step S109. In step S105, the processing result in step S103 is checked, and if the instruction from the user is pressing the power button, the process proceeds to step S110, and if not, the process proceeds to step S106. When the instruction from the user is pressing the power button, the mode is forcibly shifted to the all power saving mode.

  In step S106, the data or button input held in the buffer in the RAM 6 in step S103 is checked, and various processes of the printer are executed according to the requested contents. In step S107, the processing content in step S106 is checked, and if the printing process is to be performed, the process proceeds to step S108, and if not, the process proceeds to step S109. In step S108, the counter value in the timer 7 is set to the initial value 0, and then the process returns to step S103 to repeat the processing. Since this counter measures the time from when the printing process of the printer is stopped, the value is reset because it is determined that the printing process has been performed in step S106 and step S107. In step S109, it is checked whether or not the counter value in the timer 7 exceeds a certain value. If it exceeds, the process proceeds to step S110. If not, the process returns to step S103 and the process is repeated.

  In the apparatus of this embodiment, it is assumed that the normal power mode shifts to the all power saving mode when there is no printing process for a certain period of time. The unit of the fixed time is often several tens of minutes, and the value is a fixed value depending on the device, or is set to an arbitrary value by the user. In step S110, the power supply to the printing unit 8 is shut off and a stop process is performed. In this equipment, power supply to the printing unit with the highest power consumption is stopped in order to increase the power saving efficiency. At this stage, the state is the semi-power-saving mode shown in FIG.

  In step S111, the state of the device is controlled to shift from the normal power mode to the all power saving mode. In terms of content, control is performed so that the state shown in FIG. 3 is changed to the state shown in FIG. As a result, since the control unit 4 is also in the sleep state, the control by the CPU is stopped. When an event such as reception of data from the host device via the communication unit 3 or an operation of the operation unit 1 by the user occurs, an interrupt signal is generated and the process proceeds to step S112 and subsequent steps. In step S112, control is performed so that the state of the device shifts from the full power saving mode to the semi-power saving mode. In terms of content, control is performed so that the state shown in FIG. 2 is changed to the state shown in FIG.

  In step S113, the contents of the event generated from the interrupt signal generated in step S111 are checked, and various processes of the printer are executed according to the requested contents. In step S114, the content of the event generated from the interrupt signal generated in step S111 is checked. If it is an operation of the operation unit 1 by the user, the process proceeds to step S115, and if it is an exception, the process proceeds to step S117. In step S115, the generation of the next event from the communication unit 3 or the operation unit 1 is waited for a predetermined time. The unit of this fixed time is a unit of several seconds, and the value is a fixed value depending on the device, or is set to an arbitrary value by the user.

  In step S116, it is checked whether or not the next event has occurred in step S115. If it has occurred, the process proceeds to step S117, and if not, the process returns to step S111. In step S117, power supply to the printing unit 8 is started and activated. As a result, the state of the device shifts from the semi-power saving mode to the normal power mode. In terms of content, the state shown in FIG. 3 is changed to the state shown in FIG. In step S118, the counter value in the timer 7 is set to the initial value 0, and then the process returns to step S103 to repeat the processing. The counter value is initialized and time measurement is started until the power saving mode is entered again.

It is a block diagram which shows the basic composition of the apparatus concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the state at the time of all the power saving modes of the apparatus concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows an example in the state at the time of the semi power saving mode of the apparatus concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation panel of the apparatus concerning this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the control procedure of the apparatus concerning this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Operation unit 2 Display unit 3 Communication unit 4 Control unit 5 ROM
6 RAM
7 Timer 8 Print section

Claims (3)

  An operation unit that performs input operations for executing various functions of the device, a display unit that displays various states of the device, a communication unit that communicates operation instructions and print data from an external device, and print data printing Printing unit, a volatile storage unit that stores variables for device control, and a control unit that controls the operation of the device, and changes the device state from the normal power state to low power consumption under specific transition conditions It has a power saving function for transitioning to a state and a power saving cancellation function for returning from a low power consumption state to a normal power state under a specific return condition, and when the return condition is an operation instruction from the communication unit A printer power saving control method, wherein when the return condition is an input operation from the operation unit, the printer is partially returned to the normal power state.   After partially returning to the normal power state when the return condition is an input operation from the operation unit, if the input operation is performed again within a predetermined time, the entire state returns to the normal power state. 2. The printer power saving control method according to claim 1, wherein when the input operation is not performed again, the printer is shifted to the low power consumption state again.   2. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein, when the return condition is an input operation from the operation unit, only the mechanism that does not require time is returned when partially returning to the normal power state. Printer power-saving control method.