JP2006217647A - Data communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data communication apparatus with an energy saving function provided with further more power saving effects in the data communication apparatus capable of selectively setting a plurality of receiving modes such as the changeover of a facsimile mode and a telephone mode. <P>SOLUTION: A facsimile machine with the energy saving function for reducing power consumption in a standby state includes an receiving mode setting part 2 for setting the receiving mode and a power saving control part 3 for deciding whether or not a predetermined signal is to be considered as a energy saving reset signal for resetting an energy saving state in accordance with the kind of the set receiving mode, thus, for instance, the control is performed so as to cancel the energy saving state by calling signals when the facsimile mode is set and so as not to reset the energy saving state by the calling signal when the receiving mode is the telephone mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a data communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus with an energy saving function that improves the power saving effect by saving power consumption in a standby state when switching between a facsimile function and a telephone function.

  Not only portable facsimile apparatuses but also installed facsimile apparatuses, facsimile apparatuses having an energy saving function are becoming popular in response to the demands of the times. In such a data communication apparatus of a facsimile machine, in a standby state in which neither transmission nor reception is performed, power is supplied by supplying power only to the minimum necessary parts and circuits and cutting off power to other circuits. To save money.

For example, the facsimile apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is in the energy saving state as described above in the standby state, and is released from the energy saving state by detecting a call signal at the time of an incoming call or a transmission command signal at the time of transmission. I have to.
Conventionally, there existed (for example, refer patent document 1, nonpatent literature 1).
JP-A-5-260229

However, in the conventional facsimile apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the facsimile apparatus has a facsimile mode and a telephone mode as reception modes, and selectively uses one of the reception modes, a call signal is output. If it is received, the energy-saving state is canceled even in the telephone mode, so power is also applied to circuits that consume large power, such as image forming apparatuses that are not used in the telephone mode, and unnecessary power is consumed. There was a problem that.
In addition, if unnecessary power input is repeated frequently, the exposure lamp and the heating element are consumed quickly, which causes the life of the apparatus to be shortened.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a data communication device with an energy saving function having a further power saving effect in a data communication device in which a plurality of incoming modes are selectively set. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in a data communication apparatus that reduces power consumption in a standby state, an incoming mode setting unit for setting an incoming mode and a type of incoming mode set by the incoming mode setting unit. A data communication apparatus including a power saving control unit that determines whether or not to use a predetermined signal as an energy saving cancel signal for canceling an energy saving state is provided.

  Further, the power saving control unit is configured to determine that the call signal is an energy saving release signal when the incoming mode is the facsimile mode, and that the call signal is not determined to be an energy saving release signal when the incoming mode is the telephone mode. It is good to provide.

Further, the power saving control unit may be provided with means for prohibiting the image reading unit from releasing the energy saving state in the case of facsimile reception.
The power saving control unit may be provided with means for determining whether or not the memory can be received in the case of facsimile reception, and for receiving the memory and receiving the memory and prohibiting the release of the energy saving state for the image printing unit. .
Further, the power saving control unit may be provided with means for returning to the energy saving state when switching to the telephone mode after canceling the energy saving state.

  According to the data communication device of the present invention, when a predetermined signal determined as the energy saving state release signal is detected, the energy saving state is canceled only when necessary for the mode set at that time, and there is no need for it. Can be maintained without releasing the energy saving state.

Also, when the ringing signal is set as an energy saving release signal and the signal is received, if the incoming mode is the facsimile mode, the energy saving state in which the power supply to the portion related to the facsimile reception is cut off is released, and if the incoming mode is the telephone mode, the above energy saving is applied. By controlling so as not to release the state, it is possible to prevent power from being wasted by preventing power-on to the image forming apparatus block and the like related to facsimile reception that does not require activation in the telephone mode.
Furthermore, in the case of facsimile reception, if it is prohibited to release the energy saving state for the image reading unit, power supply is resumed only for the part related to facsimile reception, and power is turned on to other parts such as the image reading unit that does not require activation. Can be prevented, and the power saving effect can be further enhanced.

  In the case of facsimile reception, it is determined whether or not memory reception is possible depending on whether or not the memory for receiving the memory is available. When the memory is available and the memory can be received, the memory is received and the image is received. If the release of the energy saving state for the printing unit is prohibited, it is not necessary to start up the image printing unit each time a facsimile is received to waste power, and the power saving effect can be further enhanced.

  Furthermore, after canceling the energy-saving state for the part related to facsimile reception when there is an incoming call in the facsimile mode, if the handset is switched off to the telephone mode due to off-hook or the like, it is possible to return to the energy-saving state again. The power saving effect can be further enhanced because the power saving state can be resumed by interrupting the power supply to the portion related to facsimile reception immediately at the time of a telephone call from the destination.

The data communication apparatus according to the present invention can be controlled so that, for example, when a ringing signal is received from a line, the energy saving state is canceled when the incoming mode is the facsimile mode, and the above state is not canceled when the incoming mode is the telephone mode. Therefore, when switching between the facsimile mode and the telephone mode, the energy saving state is not canceled by the calling signal in the telephone mode, so the exposure lamp, the heating element necessary for image formation, etc. Since power is not supplied to a portion that requires relatively large power, an unnecessary increase in power consumption can be prevented and a further power saving effect can be achieved.
In addition, the operation of the apparatus due to unnecessary power input is eliminated, and the apparatus is consumed, in particular, the consumption of the exposure lamp and the heating element is reduced.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus which is an embodiment of a data communication apparatus of the present invention.
The facsimile apparatus includes a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and controls and controls the entire apparatus according to a program stored in the ROM, and also performs a control process of the energy saving function according to the present invention. It has.

  The control unit 1 sets and stores an incoming mode of the energy saving function according to the present invention, and determines whether or not to determine a predetermined signal as an energy saving release signal corresponding to the incoming mode. The power saving control unit 3 that controls the energy saving function according to the present invention, and a functional unit such as a memory 15 that is an image memory for storing image information to be transmitted and received by facsimile.

Further, an operation display unit 7 is provided which includes a keyboard for an operator to give an instruction to the facsimile apparatus, a display means such as an LCD for giving a message to the operator from the facsimile apparatus, and the like.
The operation display unit 7 has a power saving operation unit 8, and the power saving operation unit 8 is a key input unit for canceling the energy saving state by the operator. When the input is detected, a detection signal is transmitted to the control unit 1. To the power saving control unit 3.

  Furthermore, a reading unit 9 that is an image reading device such as a scanner that optically reads an image of a document, and a recording unit 11 that is a printing device such as a laser printer or an ink jet printer that outputs facsimile reception image information or the like to a recording sheet are provided. ing.

A network control unit (NCU) 4 for setting a call with a remote facsimile apparatus via a public telephone (line) network is provided.
The network control unit 4 has a call signal detection unit 5, which detects the reception of the call signal from the line and notifies the power saving control unit 3 of the control unit 1.

  Furthermore, an electrical unit 12 including a communication control unit and a coding / decoding unit (DCR) for performing facsimile transmission / reception according to the G3 transmission procedure, and a modem 6 for modulating and demodulating a signal during facsimile transmission / reception are also provided.

Furthermore, the input side of the power supply unit 13 is connected to a commercial power supply or the like. The power supply unit 13 receives power from the power supply such as the commercial power supply and serves as a power supply source to each part of the facsimile apparatus. A power supply switching unit that supplies power to the network control unit 4, the modem 6, the operation display unit 7, the reading unit 9, the recording unit 11, and the electrical unit 12 by the control unit 3 or cuts off the supply thereof. 14 and so on.
After the power of the facsimile apparatus is turned on, power is always supplied from the power supply unit 13 to the call signal detection unit 5, the power saving operation unit 8, and the document detection unit 10.

  That is, the power saving control unit 3 determines whether or not to use a predetermined signal as an energy saving cancel signal for canceling the energy saving state in accordance with the type of the incoming mode set by the incoming mode setting unit 2. .

  Further, the power saving control unit 3 determines the call signal as an energy saving cancel signal when the incoming mode is the facsimile mode, and functions as means for operating so as not to determine the call signal as the energy saving cancel signal when the incoming mode is the telephone mode. Also fulfills.

  Further, the power saving control unit 3 determines the function of means for prohibiting the release of the energy saving state for the reading unit 9 which is an image reading unit in the case of facsimile reception, and whether or not the memory can be received in the case of facsimile reception, Means for receiving the memory when the memory can be received and prohibiting the release of the energy saving state for the recording unit 11 which is the image printing unit; and means for returning to the energy saving state when the telephone mode is switched after the energy saving state is released. Also fulfills each function.

  In the case of facsimile transmission in this facsimile apparatus, first, image information such as a document is read into the memory 15 through the reading unit 9 under the control of the control unit 1, and the image information is compressed by the DCR of the electrical unit 12 and again stored in the memory 15. Stored.

  Further, call control designation information such as a destination designated by the operation display unit 7 is acquired by the control unit 1, and the NCU 4 to which the destination information is passed sets a call with the designated destination. Subsequently, after the phase B is executed by the communication control unit of the electrical unit 12 via the modem 6, the phase shifts to the phase C, and the compressed image information data in the memory 15 is modulated by the modem 6 and the NCU 4 is changed. Sent out.

During normal reception, the call is set by the NCU 4 and then the process proceeds to phase B, where predetermined communication is performed via the modem 6 and the image information data compressed in phase C is received.
The image information data is stored in the memory 15 via the NCU 4 and the communication control unit of the electrical unit 12, further decompressed by the DCR of the electrical unit 12, and output to the recording unit 11 via the memory 15.

At the time of memory reception, the call is set by the NCU 4 and then the process proceeds to the phase B, predetermined communication is performed via the modem 6, and the image information data compressed in the phase C is received. The data is stored in the memory 15 via the communication control unit of the electrical unit 12.
Then, the image information data stored in the memory 15 is read by an instruction input from the operation display unit 7, decompressed by the DCR of the electrical unit 12, and output to the recording unit 11 via the memory 15.

  When the control unit 1 is in a standby state in which facsimile transmission or facsimile reception is not being executed, the power saving control unit 3 disconnects the power supply switching unit 14, and the power supply unit 13 is connected to the control unit 1 by the power saving power line b. Power is supplied only to the call signal detection unit 5 in the network control unit 4, the power saving operation unit 8 in the operation display unit 7, and the document detection unit 10 in the reading unit 9.

  When a predetermined signal set as an energy saving release signal is received, the main power line a, the power saving power line c, or the power saving power line d of the power supply switching unit 14 is connected according to the signal and the main power line a is connected. Power is supplied to the network control unit 4, the modem 6, the operation display unit 7 and the electrical unit 12 through the power line a, and to the reading unit 9 through the power saving power line c through the power saving power line d. Supply power is supplied to each of the recording units 11.

  That is, in the standby state, in addition to the control unit 1, power is supplied only to the minimum necessary components and circuits for canceling the standby state (energy saving state). Control to supply power to parts and circuits.

Examples of the incoming mode set / stored by the incoming mode setting unit 2 include a facsimile mode and a telephone mode.
In the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment, the case where it can be used as both a facsimile apparatus and a telephone by mode switching is illustrated.

For example, the facsimile mode is automatically set when the power is turned on, and the telephone mode is set when the user gives an instruction via the operation display unit 7.
Alternatively, it is possible to automatically set a certain time zone in the day to the facsimile mode and set the other time zone to the telephone mode when the power is turned on.

Next, processing in this facsimile apparatus will be described.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation related to the energy saving process of the main part of the facsimile apparatus. In the figure, “S” indicates a step.
The operation of the above embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. It is assumed that this facsimile apparatus is set in an energy saving state (S1).
In this state, it is determined whether or not the energy saving release trigger signal is detected by the power saving control unit 3 in the control unit 1 and the presence or absence of the energy saving release trigger signal is monitored to determine whether or not the energy saving release trigger signal is detected. (S2).

The energy saving release trigger signal is, for example, a signal transmitted when the call signal detection unit 5 in the network control unit 4 receives the call signal from the line, or a signal generated by the power saving operation unit 8 by pressing a key or the like. Or a signal sent by the document detection unit 10 of the reading unit 9 upon detecting the placement of the document.
When the power saving control unit 3 detects any one of the energy saving release trigger signals in the received signal, it first determines whether or not it is a trigger signal based on a paging signal (S3).

  As a result, if it is not a call signal, the main power line a and the power-saving power lines c and d of the power switching unit 14 that have been disconnected by the power saving control unit 3 are connected to each other, and the network control unit 4, modem 6, The power supply to the operation display unit 7, the reading unit 9, the recording unit 11, and the electrical unit 12 is resumed, and the energy saving state is canceled (S7).

  On the other hand, when the determination result is the ringing signal in step 3, the power saving control unit 3 refers to the incoming mode stored in the incoming mode setting unit 2 in the control unit 1, and the incoming mode is TEL mode (telephone mode). (S4), if it is not the TEL mode, the main power line a and the power-saving power line d of the power switching unit 14 that has been disconnected by the power saving control unit 3 are connected to each other, and the network The power supply to the control unit 4, the modem 6, the operation display unit 7, the recording unit 11, and the electrical unit 12 is resumed, and the power supply to the reading unit 9 is stopped while the power-saving power line c of the power supply switching unit 14 is disconnected. Is prohibited and the energy saving state other than the reading unit 9 is canceled (S6).

  If the incoming mode is the TEL mode in step S4, the trigger signal detection flag set in the RAM in the control unit 1 is reset (S5), the energy saving state is continued, and the energy saving release trigger signal is continuously monitored. Perform (S2). That is, in the telephone mode, the call signal is not determined as the energy saving release signal.

When the energy saving state is canceled (S7), the state is shifted to the normal state (S8), and image forming processing such as facsimile transmission, reception, or copying is executed.
When the execution of these processes is completed, a completion notification is given to the power saving control unit 3 at the end of each execution program, whereby the power saving control unit 3 turns off the power supply switching unit 14 and again saves energy ( Return to S1).

Also, this facsimile apparatus can save power consumption by receiving image information received by facsimile in the energy saving state by memory. Next, the process will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing operation in the main part of the facsimile apparatus.

This process is performed in the energy saving state (S11) by determining whether or not the energy saving release trigger signal is detected by the power saving control unit 3 in the control unit 1 and monitoring the presence or absence of the energy saving release trigger signal. Is detected (S12), and it is determined whether or not it is a trigger signal by a calling signal (S13).
If the determination result is not a call signal, the main power line a and the power-saving power lines c and d of the power switching unit 14 that have been disconnected by the power saving control unit 3 are connected to each other, and the network control unit 4 and the modem are connected. 6, the power supply to the operation display unit 7, the reading unit 9, the recording unit 11, and the electrical unit 12 is resumed, and the energy saving state is canceled (S17).

  On the other hand, if the determination result is a call signal in step 13, the power saving control unit 3 refers to the incoming mode stored in the incoming mode setting unit 2 in the control unit 1, and the incoming mode is TEL mode (telephone mode). (S14), if it is not the TEL mode, it is checked whether or not there is a free memory capacity in the memory 15 in the memory 15 (S16), and the free memory capacity is set in advance. It is determined whether or not it is greater than the threshold value (S18).

  If the free memory capacity is equal to or less than the threshold value in step 18, the main power line a and the power-saving power line d of the power switching unit 14 that has been disconnected by the power saving control unit 3 are connected to each other, and the network control unit 4, modem 6, the power supply to the operation display unit 7, the recording unit 11, and the electrical unit 12 is resumed, and the power-saving power line c of the power switching unit 14 is disconnected and the release of the power supply stop to the reading unit 9 is prohibited. Then, the energy saving state other than the reading unit 9 is canceled (S21).

  If the free memory capacity is larger than the threshold value in step 18, the main power line a of the power switching unit 14 which has been disconnected by the power saving control unit 3 is connected, and the network control unit 4, modem 6, operation display unit 7 is connected. , And the power supply unit 12 are restarted, the power-saving power lines c and d of the power supply switching unit 14 are disconnected, and the release of the power supply stop to the reading unit 9 and the recording unit 11 is prohibited, and the reading unit 9 And the energy saving state other than the recording unit 11 is canceled (S19), and the memory reception is set (S20).

  On the other hand, when the incoming mode is the TEL mode in the determination of step 14, the trigger signal detection flag set in the RAM in the control unit 1 is reset (S15), the energy saving state is continued, and the energy saving release trigger signal is continuously continued. Monitoring is performed to determine whether or not an energy saving release trigger signal has been detected (S12). That is, in the telephone mode, the call signal is not determined as the energy saving release signal.

When the energy saving state is canceled (S17, S19, S21), the process shifts to the normal state (S22), and processing such as facsimile transmission, reception, copy, and memory reception is executed.
When the execution of these processes is completed, a notification of completion is given to the power saving control unit 3 at the end of each execution program, whereby the power saving control unit 3 turns off the power supply switching unit 14 and again saves energy ( Return to S11).

Further, in this facsimile apparatus, when an incoming call is canceled in the facsimile mode and the energy saving state is canceled, when a telephone call is made from the other party, power supply for the facsimile reception is stopped again to return to the energy saving state, thereby saving power consumption. You can also. Next, the process will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing operation in the main part of the facsimile apparatus.

This process is performed in the energy saving state (S31) by determining whether or not the energy saving release trigger signal is detected by the power saving control unit 3 in the control unit 1 and monitoring the presence or absence of the energy saving release trigger signal. Is detected (S32), and it is determined whether or not it is a trigger signal by a calling signal (S33).
If the determination result is not a call signal, the main power line a and the power-saving power lines c and d of the power switching unit 14 that have been disconnected by the power saving control unit 3 are connected to the network control unit 4 and the modem 6. , The power supply to the operation display unit 7, the reading unit 9, the recording unit 11, and the electrical unit 12 is resumed, and the energy saving state is canceled (S37).

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step 33 is a call signal, the power saving control unit 3 refers to the incoming mode stored in the incoming mode setting unit 2 in the control unit 1, and the incoming mode is TEL mode (telephone mode). (S34), the main power line a and the power-saving power line d of the power source switching unit 14 that are in the disconnected state by the power saving control unit 3 if not in the TEL mode are respectively connected to the network control unit. 4. Power supply to the modem 6, the operation display unit 7, the recording unit 11, and the electrical unit 12 is resumed, and the power-saving power line c of the power switching unit 14 is disconnected and the power supply to the reading unit 9 is canceled. And the energy saving state other than the reading unit 9 is canceled (S36).

  Then, it is determined whether or not there is a switch to the TEL mode (telephone mode) depending on whether or not the handset (handset) is hooked off by the operator (S38). If there is a switch, the main power line a and the power-saving power line d of the power switching unit 14 connected by the power saving control unit 3 are disconnected, and the network control unit 4, modem 6, operation display unit 7, and recording unit 11. , And the power supply to the electrical unit 12 is stopped, the state is returned to the energy saving state again (S39), the energy saving release trigger signal is continuously monitored, and it is determined whether or not the energy saving release trigger signal is detected (S32).

  If the incoming mode is the TEL mode as determined in step S34, the trigger signal detection flag set in the RAM in the control unit 1 is reset (S35), the energy saving state is continued, and the energy saving release trigger signal continues. Monitoring is performed (S32).

  In the above description, when a call signal is set as an energy saving release signal, and when this signal is received, the call signal is determined to be an energy saving release signal according to the reception mode set at that time, and Although the case of processing without determination is illustrated, an example of changing whether or not the same signal is determined as an energy saving cancellation signal depending on the reception mode is not limited to the call signal described above.

  For example, if you set the answering mode as the reception mode, and based on the signal from the line that indicates whether you want to make an answering record, if you do not do the answering record, keep the energy saving state, It is also possible to cancel the energy saving state or enter a semi-energy saving state in which only some peripheral devices (not shown) such as an external recording device are released from the energy saving state.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus which is an embodiment of a data communication apparatus of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation related to energy saving processing of a main part of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart showing another operation related to the energy saving process of the main part of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart showing still another operation related to the energy saving process of the main part of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

1: Control unit 2: Incoming mode setting unit 3: Power saving control unit 4: Network control unit 5: Call signal detection unit 6: Modem 7: Operation display unit 8: Power saving operation unit 9: Reading unit 10: Document detection unit 11 : Recording unit 12: Electrical unit 13: Power source unit 14: Power source switching unit 15: Memory

Claims (5)

In a data communication device that saves power consumption in a standby state,
An incoming mode setting unit for setting an incoming mode, and whether or not a predetermined signal determined in advance according to the type of incoming mode set by the incoming mode setting unit is used as an energy saving release signal for releasing an energy saving state. A data communication apparatus comprising: a power saving control unit for determining. The data communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The power saving control unit is provided with means for determining that the call signal is an energy saving cancel signal when the incoming mode is the facsimile mode, and not determining that the call signal is an energy saving cancel signal when the incoming mode is the telephone mode. A data communication device. The data communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
A data communication apparatus, wherein the power saving control unit is provided with means for prohibiting the image reading unit from canceling the energy saving state in the case of facsimile reception. The data communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
The power saving control unit is provided with means for determining whether or not the memory can be received in the case of facsimile reception, and for receiving the memory when the memory can be received and prohibiting the release of the energy saving state for the image printing unit. A data communication device. The data communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
A data communication apparatus, wherein the power-saving control unit is provided with means for returning to the energy-saving state when switching to the telephone mode after canceling the energy-saving state.

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