JP2007102419A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor capable of restoring a faulty circuit, without providing a reset instruction circuit for instructing resetting after detecting that the circuit connected to a USB interface has failed. <P>SOLUTION: A main system control unit 11, if a CARDDET signal is output, transmits access instruction information to a mounted memory card 3. The main system control unit 11, upon receipt of reply information indicating access failure from a subsystem control unit 31, determines that a circuit block 30 has failed, and instructs a suspend mode for a predetermined period. The subsystem control unit 31, if the suspend mode is instructed, reduces power supply from a VBUS of the USB interface to the circuit block 30, and resets the circuit block 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that processes information, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus that uses a USB interface for information transfer between circuit blocks in the apparatus.

  In recent years, the number of apparatuses having many functions, such as a facsimile multifunction peripheral, has increased, and the functions of the apparatuses tend to be added. As a circuit that realizes the function to be added, a circuit that has been conventionally used is used in order to utilize conventional assets. Conventionally used circuits tend to be connected to the apparatus using a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or the like and incorporated into the apparatus as an independent circuit.

  A circuit incorporated in the device may malfunction due to external noise, for example, electromagnetic waves such as static electricity, and may fall into an abnormal state that cannot be restored to a normal operating state unless the circuit is reset. If a circuit connected to the apparatus via a USB interface or the like also enters an abnormal state, it is necessary to reset the circuit and restore it to a normal state.

  As a first conventional technique, there is a keyboard that can automatically restore a normal operation state even when an MCU (Main Control Unit) that is a main processing control unit hangs up. This keyboard has a reset circuit that resets the MCU when the power is turned on, and is provided with a reset instruction circuit that detects a hang-up of the MCU and instructs the reset circuit to reset. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  As a second conventional technique, there is a computer system that reduces power consumption by turning off a USB controller in a suspend mode. When this computer system enters the suspend mode, that is, the state of low power consumption, it saves the system status necessary to restore the working state before the transition, and then turns off the USB controller, resumes, That is, when a restart is requested, the USB controller is supplied with power and reset, and then the saved system status is restored to restore the original working state (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  As a third prior art, there is a USB transmission control device that can stop the clock in the suspend mode even if a clock generator that requires a long time to start oscillation is used. This USB transmission control device is provided with a low-speed clock generation circuit that oscillates at a low frequency and consumes less power than the clock generation circuit, separately from the clock generation device that takes a long time to start oscillation, and outputs the event as an event. By supplying to the monitoring device, it is possible to respond to the occurrence of an event within a specified time. By providing the low-speed clock generation circuit, the clock of the clock generation device that takes a long time to start oscillation can be stopped at the time of idling, so that power consumption can be reduced (see, for example, Patent Document 3). .

  As a fourth conventional technique, there is a data processing apparatus that can restore a data transferable state from a suspend mode in which a CPU clock is stopped when a predetermined signal is received by cascade connection of IEEE 1934 interfaces. This data processing device shifts to the suspend mode to reduce power consumption when the standby time without data transfer continues for a certain time or more, and relays in the suspend mode by the power supplied through the IEEE 1934 interface. In addition to the operation, an interface unit is provided that restores a state in which data transfer is possible when a predetermined signal is received (see, for example, Patent Document 4).

JP 2003-99179 A JP 11-194847 A JP 2000-183894 A JP 2003-44184 A

  The first conventional technique has a problem that it is necessary to newly provide a reset instruction circuit for detecting that the MCU has hung up and instructing the reset.

  The second conventional technique is a computer system that can reduce the power consumption of the USB controller in the suspend mode, and the third conventional technique uses the clock of the clock generator that requires a long time to start oscillation, This is a transmission control device that can be stopped in the suspend mode to reduce power consumption. The fourth prior art is an IEEE 1934 interface, which is a data processing device that reduces the power consumption by stopping the CPU clock in the suspend mode. However, none of the conventional patent documents describes a method for detecting and restoring an abnormal state of a circuit connected to an interface.

  An object of the present invention is to recover a circuit in an abnormal state without providing a reset instruction circuit for detecting that a circuit connected to the USB interface has entered an abnormal state and instructing a reset. An information processing apparatus is provided.

The present invention includes a main processing unit including a main operation unit and a main control unit that controls the main operation unit;
A sub-processing unit including a sub-operation unit and a sub-control unit that controls the sub-operation unit;
A connection interface for connecting the main processing unit and the sub-processing unit, the sub-processing unit receiving power from the main processing unit and command information representing the command from the main control unit to the sub-control unit Low power for operating the sub processor by reducing the power received from the power line to a predetermined power or less, and transmitting response information representing a response to the command information from the sub controller to the main controller. Including a connection interface including a signal line for transmitting mode instruction information from the main control unit to the sub-control unit,
The main control unit determines whether or not the sub-processing unit is in an abnormal state based on response information from the sub-control unit to the command information transmitted to the sub-control unit, and determines that the sub-processing unit is in an abnormal state Then, the low power mode instruction information is transmitted to the sub-control unit,
When receiving the low power mode instruction information from the main control unit, the sub control unit reduces the power received from the power line to a predetermined power or less and initializes the sub processing unit to a predetermined state. It is a processing device.

  According to the present invention, an information processing apparatus includes a main processing unit including a main operation unit and a main control unit that controls the main operation unit, and a sub processing unit including a sub operation unit and a sub control unit that controls the sub operation unit. A connection interface for connecting the main processing unit and the sub processing unit, the sub processing unit receiving power from the main processing unit, and command information representing the command from the main control unit Response information indicating a response to the command information is transmitted from the sub-control unit to the main control unit, and the power received from the power supply line is reduced below a predetermined power to operate the sub-processing unit. A connection interface including a signal line for transmitting power mode instruction information from the main control unit to the sub control unit, and the main control unit provides response information from the sub control unit to the command information transmitted to the sub control unit. Based on the sub-processing section If the sub-processing unit is determined to be in an abnormal state, the low-power mode instruction information is transmitted to the sub-control unit, and the sub-control unit instructs the low-power mode instruction from the main control unit. When the information is received, the power received from the power line is reduced to a predetermined power or less, and the sub-processing unit is initialized to a predetermined state.

  In this way, the main control unit detects whether or not the sub processing unit is in an abnormal state based on the response information from the sub control unit with respect to the command information transmitted to the sub control unit, and the sub processing unit is abnormal. When it is detected that the state has fallen into the state, the sub-control unit is instructed in the low power mode, the sub-processing unit is set to the low-power mode, and the sub-processing unit is initialized to a predetermined state. When in an abnormal state, the sub-processing unit can be caused to perform a reset operation by instructing the sub-control unit to enter the low power mode.

  According to the present invention, after the main control unit transmits low power mode instruction information to the sub-control unit, command information corresponding to response information in which an abnormal state is detected is newly transmitted to the sub-control unit. Determining whether or not the sub-processing unit is no longer in an abnormal state based on response information from the sub-control unit to the newly transmitted command information, and determining that the sub-processing unit is in an abnormal state; The power mode instruction information is newly transmitted to the sub-control unit.

  According to the present invention, after instructing the low power mode, the main control unit checks whether or not the sub-processing unit has been restored to a normal state, and if not, newly instructs the low power mode. Since the sub-processing unit is restored to the normal state, even if static electricity or the like is intermittently generated and the sub-processing unit falls into an abnormal state again, the sub-processing unit can be restored to the normal state.

  Further, according to the present invention, the main control unit displays confirmation command information indicating a confirmation command for confirming whether or not the sub-processing unit is operating normally every time a predetermined time elapses. And determining whether or not the sub-processing unit is in an abnormal state based on response information from the sub-control unit to the confirmation command information, and determining that the sub-processing unit is in an abnormal state, Low power mode instruction information is transmitted to the sub-control unit.

  According to the present invention, every time a predetermined time elapses, a confirmation command is transmitted to check whether or not the sub-processing unit is in an abnormal state, so that the abnormal state of the sub-processing unit can be detected early. it can.

In the present invention, the connection interface includes a USB interface,
The low power mode instruction information transmitted from the main control unit to the sub control unit is information indicating a suspend mode of a USB interface.

  According to the present invention, by instructing the suspend mode of the USB interface that is the connection interface, the sub processing unit is set to the low power mode and the sub processing unit is initialized to a predetermined state, so the suspend mode is instructed. As a result, the sub-processing unit can be reset.

Further, according to the present invention, the sub-processing unit can attach a removable recording medium for storing information and can access the attached recording medium,
The connection interface further includes a mounting notification signal line that outputs a mounting signal indicating that a removable recording medium is mounted on the sub-processing unit,
The sub-control unit outputs a mounting signal to a mounting notification signal line of the connection interface when a removable storage medium is mounted,
When the main control unit receives the mounting signal output to the mounting notification signal line of the connection interface, the main control unit transmits access command information representing an access command for accessing the mounted recording medium to the sub-control unit, Based on the response information from the sub-control unit to the access command information, it is determined whether or not the sub-processing unit is in an abnormal state, and if it is determined that the sub-processing unit is in an abnormal state, the low power mode instruction information Is transmitted to the sub-control unit.

  According to the present invention, when the main control unit is notified that a detachable recording medium is loaded, the sub-processing unit transmits the access command information for accessing the loaded recording medium. Since it is detected whether or not an abnormal state has occurred, it is possible to detect an abnormality in the sub-processing unit before writing information to the recording medium or reading information from the recording medium.

  In the invention, it is preferable that the removable recording medium includes at least one of an SD card, a compact flash (registered trademark), a memory stick, an xD picture card, and a smart card.

  According to the present invention, the detachable recording medium includes a memory card such as an SD card, a compact flash, a memory stick, an xD picture card, and a smart media. Therefore, the information processing apparatus uses the detachable recording medium. Information can be exchanged with other devices, and information can be backed up to a removable recording medium.

  According to the present invention, when detecting that the sub-processing unit is in an abnormal state, the sub-processing unit is caused to perform a reset operation by instructing the low power mode, so that it is connected to the USB interface which is a connection interface. It is possible to recover a circuit that has entered an abnormal state without providing a reset instruction circuit that detects that the sub-processing unit, for example, a circuit has entered an abnormal state and instructs resetting. Further, the sub processing unit reduces the power received and resets according to the low power mode instruction, so that the reset can be performed in a state where the request for the low power mode is satisfied.

  Further, according to the present invention, even when static electricity or the like is intermittently generated and the sub-processing unit falls into an abnormal state again, the sub-processing unit can be restored to a normal state. Can be improved.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the abnormal state of the sub-processing unit can be detected early, the reliability of the information processing apparatus can be improved.

  According to the present invention, since the sub-processing unit is reset by instructing the suspend mode, the sub-processing unit can be reset without adding a signal line for resetting to the connection interface.

  Further, according to the present invention, the abnormality of the sub-processing unit can be detected before information is written to or read from the removable recording medium, so that the recording medium can be detected by the sub-processing unit in a normal state. Information can be written to and read from the recording medium.

  According to the present invention, the information processing apparatus can exchange information with another apparatus using a removable recording medium, and can further back up information to the removable recording medium. Information exchange and backup of information handled by the processing device can be performed using a recording medium that is easy to handle.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile multifunction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 that is an information processing apparatus includes a system control unit 10 that is a main body of the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 and a circuit block 30 that is connected to the system control unit 10 via a connection interface 40. The system control unit 10 includes a main system control unit 11, a photoelectric conversion quantization circuit unit 12, an image data A / D conversion circuit unit 13, an image processing unit 14, a system memory unit 15, a recording unit 16, a network control unit 17, a communication A control unit 18, an audio output control unit 19, an audio output unit 20, and a display unit 21 are included.

  The main system control unit 11 is configured by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 by causing the CPU to execute a program stored in the system memory unit 15. The photoelectric conversion quantization circuit unit 12 optically scans and reads an image of the document 2, quantizes the read image information, and outputs image analog data. The image data A / D conversion circuit unit 13 digitizes the image analog data output from the photoelectric conversion quantization circuit unit 12 and outputs the image data. The image processing unit 14 performs image processing on the image data digitized by the image data A / D conversion circuit unit 13.

  The system memory unit 15 is configured by a storage device such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk device, for example, and displays the image data processed by the image processing unit 14, the image data and audio data from the communication control unit 18, and the display unit 21. Display data, and a program executed by a CPU included in the main system control unit 11 are stored. The recording unit 16 is configured by a printing device such as a printer, for example, and outputs the image data stored in the system memory unit 15 to a recording sheet or the like. The network control unit 17 is connected to the transmission line 4 which is a communication line, and transmits and receives facsimile signals and voice signals to and from the transmission line 4. The communication control unit 18 formats the compressed image data as communication information when transmitting the image data, and deformats the communication information when receiving the image data. Further, the communication control unit 18 performs transmission / reception processing of facsimile procedure signals and transmission / reception processing of voice data.

  The audio output control unit 19 reads out audio data stored in the system memory unit 15 and performs a series of data processing. The audio output unit 20 is configured by a sound output device such as a speaker, for example, and outputs audio based on audio data transmitted from the audio output control unit 19. The display unit 21 is composed of a display device such as a liquid crystal display, for example, and reads and displays the display data stored in the memory system unit 15.

  The circuit block 30 is a circuit having a function independent of the system control unit 10. For example, a plurality of detachable recording media such as the memory card 3 are mounted, and information is written to and read from the mounted memory card 3. It is a recording control device. The circuit block 30 includes a subsystem control unit 31 and a card control unit 32.

  The subsystem control unit 31 communicates with the main system control unit 11 via the connection interface 40, receives information to the memory card 3, and further transmits information from the memory card 3. The card control unit 32 writes the information received from the main system control unit 11 by the subsystem control unit 31 to the attached memory card 3 and reads the information stored in the memory card 3. To the main system control unit 11.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating signals of a connection interface according to the prior art. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the main system control unit 11 and the subsystem control unit 31 are connected by a connection interface according to the prior art. The connection interface according to the prior art includes a VBUS signal, a D + signal, a D− signal, and a GND. Signal, RESET signal, and CARDDET signal. An input / output unit including a connector for connecting to the connection interface, a driver for driving a signal, and a receiver for receiving a signal is included in the main system control unit 11 and the subsystem control unit 31, respectively. In the description, these input / output units are included in the connection interface.

  The connection interface according to the prior art includes a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, and the VBUS signal, the D + signal, the D− signal, and the GND signal are signals used in the USB interface. The signal line of the VBUS signal is a power supply line for supplying power from the system control unit 10 to the circuit block 30. The signal lines for the D + signal and the D− signal are signal lines for transmitting signals in both directions. The D + signal and the D− signal can transmit and receive data, command information representing a command, and information including response information representing a response to the command. Further, the consumption of power supplied by the power supply line is determined in advance. It is possible to indicate a low power mode to operate by reducing the amount below the amount. The signal line for the GND signal is a ground line for connection to the ground potential.

  The connection interface according to the prior art includes two signals not included in the USB interface, a RESET signal and a CARDDET signal. The RESET signal is a signal line for the system control unit 10 to instruct the circuit block 30 to reset. The RESET signal is a signal that can cause the circuit block 30 to execute a reset that sets the circuit block 30 to an initialized state, for example, a reset that is performed when power supply is started. When the control unit 11 detects an abnormal state such as a hang-up of the circuit block 30, an instruction is given to restore the hung-up circuit block 30 to a normal state. This RESET signal may be omitted when the circuit block 30 has a function of automatically resetting by stopping the supply of power from the VBUS signal or instructing the suspend mode. Hereinafter, making the circuit block 30 in an abnormal state a normal operating state is referred to as recovery.

  The CARDDET signal is a mounting notification signal for outputting a mounting signal indicating that a memory card is mounted from the circuit block 30 to the system control unit 10 when at least one memory card that can be mounted is mounted. Is a line. These six signals are summarized in Table 1.

  In the general VBUS signal, a switch for turning on and off the power to be supplied is provided in the system control unit 10, and the power supply by the VBUS signal is turned on and off by turning on and off the switch.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the system control unit 10 of the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 shown in FIG. 1 instructs the suspend mode of the USB interface via the signal line of the connection interface, that is, the power consumption is preliminarily determined. By instructing a low power mode to operate at a predetermined consumption or less, the power reception of the circuit block 30 is reduced to a predetermined power or less, and the circuit block 30 is initialized or reset to a predetermined state. The suspend mode can be instructed by setting the bus state of the USB interface to an idle state for a time longer than 3 ms. Therefore, the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 does not need to be provided with a switch in the system control unit 10. When the system control unit 10 cancels the suspend mode instruction, the circuit block 30 resumes receiving the original power from the VBUS of the USB interface.

  That is, the system control unit 10 can reduce the power consumption of the circuit block 30 and reset the circuit block 30 by instructing the suspend mode. Therefore, it is not necessary to use the RESET signal used in the connection interface according to the prior art. The connection interface 40 shown in FIG. 1 uses the VBUS signal among the signals included in the connection interface according to the prior art shown in FIG. , D + signal, D− signal, GND signal, and CARDDET signal, and the RESET signal may not be used. Alternatively, in combination with the RESET signal, a portion that cannot be reset by the RESET signal may be reset by an instruction in the suspend mode.

  When at least one memory card 3 is installed, the card control unit 32 notifies the subsystem control unit 31 that the memory card 3 is installed. When notified from the card control unit 32 that the memory card 3 is installed, the subsystem control unit 31 outputs a CARDDET signal indicating that the memory card 3 is installed to the main system control unit 11.

  When the CARDDET signal is output, the main system control unit 11 transmits access command information representing an access command for accessing the attached memory card 3 to the subsystem control unit 31. When the subsystem control unit 31 receives the access command information, the subsystem control unit 31 instructs the card control unit 32 to access the attached memory card 3. Access is to read information from the card memory 3 or write information to the card memory 3. In this case, for example, management information such as directory information stored in the card memory 3 is read.

  When the access to the loaded memory card 3 is successful, the card control unit 32 notifies the subsystem control unit 31 that the access is successful. When the card control unit 32 is notified that the access is successful, the subsystem control unit 31 transmits response information indicating that the access is successful to the main system control unit 11. When the main system control unit 11 receives the response information indicating that the access has been successful, the main system control unit 11 can know that the circuit block 30 is operating normally.

  If the card control unit 32 erroneously detects that the memory card 3 is installed even though the memory card 3 is not installed due to malfunction due to external noise such as electromagnetic waves such as static electricity, the card control unit 32 notifies the subsystem control unit 31 that the memory card 3 is mounted. The subsystem control unit 31 outputs a CARDDET signal to notify the main system control unit 11 that the memory card 3 is installed.

  The main system control unit 11 transmits access command information to the subsystem control unit 31 in order to access the mounted memory card 3. The subsystem control unit 31 instructs the card control unit 32 to access the attached memory card 3, but the card control unit 32 accesses the memory card 3 because the memory card 3 is not attached. The subsystem controller 31 is notified that the access has failed because the memory card 3 is not loaded. When notified from the card control unit 32 that the access has failed because the memory card 3 is not attached, the subsystem control unit 31 indicates that the access has failed because the memory card 3 is not attached. The response information is transmitted to the main system control unit 11.

  In response to receiving the CARDDET signal indicating that the memory card 3 is mounted, the response information indicating that the access has failed because the memory card 3 is not mounted is indicated in the circuit block 30. Indicates that it has fallen into an abnormal state due to malfunction. Therefore, when the main system control unit 11 receives response information indicating that access has failed because the memory card 3 is not attached, the main system control unit 11 determines that the circuit block 30 is in an abnormal state. The abnormal state of the circuit block 30 is a state in which the circuit block 30 cannot be restored to a normal state unless the circuit block 30 is reset, for example.

  When the main system control unit 11 determines that the circuit block 30 is in an abnormal state, the main system control unit 11 instructs the subsystem control unit 31 to set the suspend mode for a predetermined period. When the suspend mode is instructed, the subsystem control unit 31 reduces the receipt of power from the VBUS of the USB interface to a predetermined power or less and resets the circuit block 30. When the instruction of the suspend mode is canceled, the subsystem control unit 31 resumes receiving the original power from the USB interface VBUS to the circuit block 30.

  The main processing unit is, for example, the system control unit 10, the main control unit is, for example, the main system control unit 11, and the main operation unit is, for example, the photoelectric conversion quantization circuit unit 12, the image data A / D conversion circuit unit 13. The image processing unit 14, the recording unit 16, the network control unit 17, the communication control unit 18, the audio output control unit 19, the audio output unit 20, and the display unit 21, and the sub-processing unit is, for example, a circuit block 30. The sub control unit is, for example, the subsystem control unit 31, and the sub operation unit is, for example, the card control unit 32.

As described above, the main system control unit 11 that is the main control unit, based on the response information from the sub control unit to the command information transmitted to the subsystem control unit 31 that is the sub control unit, is a circuit block that is the sub processing unit. 30 detects whether or not it is in an abnormal state, and if it is detected that the sub-processing unit is in an abnormal state, the sub-control unit is instructed to enter a suspend mode, which is a low power mode, and the sub-processing unit is lowered. In addition to the power mode, the sub-processing unit is initialized to a predetermined state. If the sub-processing unit is in an abnormal state, the sub-processing unit is instructed to enter the low-power mode to reset the sub-processing unit. Can be performed. Therefore, a sub-processing unit connected to the USB interface as a connection interface, for example, a circuit that has entered an abnormal state without providing a reset instruction circuit that detects that the circuit has entered an abnormal state and instructs resetting. Can be recovered. Further, since the power supply is reduced and reset by an instruction in the low power mode, the reset can be performed in a state where the request for the low power mode is satisfied. Further, the main system control unit 11 as the main control unit is attached and detached. When it is notified that the memory card 3 that is a possible recording medium is attached, the circuit block 30 that is the sub-processing unit is in an abnormal state by transmitting access command information for accessing the attached recording medium. Therefore, it is possible to detect an abnormality of the sub-processing unit before writing information to or reading information from the removable recording medium. Accordingly, information can be written to and read from the recording medium by the sub-processing unit in a normal state.

  After canceling the suspend mode, the main system control unit 11 confirms the presence or absence of the CARDDET signal. If the CARDDET signal is not present, the main system control unit 11 determines that the circuit block 30 has been restored to a normal state. If there is a CARDDET signal, there is a possibility that the circuit block 30 is still in an abnormal state, so access command information is transmitted to the subsystem control unit 31 in order to confirm whether or not it is in an abnormal state.

  When the main system control unit 11 receives the response information indicating that the access has been successful from the subsystem control unit 31, the CARDDET signal is output because the memory card 3 is mounted. It is determined that the memory card 3 can be normally accessed after the normal state is restored. When the main system control unit 11 receives response information from the subsystem control unit 31 indicating that the access has not been successful, the circuit block 30 determines that the normal state has not been recovered, and newly The suspend mode is instructed to reduce the power reception of the circuit block 30 and reset the circuit block 30.

  Thus, after instructing the suspend mode that is the low power mode, the main system control unit 11 that is the main control unit checks whether or not the circuit block 30 that is the sub-processing unit has been restored to a normal state, When not recovering, newly instruct the low power mode and restore the sub-processing unit to the normal state, so even if static electricity etc. occur intermittently and the sub-processing unit falls into an abnormal state again, The sub-processing unit can be restored to a normal state. Therefore, it is possible to improve the reliability of the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 that is an information processing apparatus.

  In the embodiment described above, whether or not the circuit block 30 is in an abnormal state is performed when the CARDDET signal is detected, but it may be confirmed periodically. Specifically, the system control unit 10 sends confirmation command information representing a confirmation command for confirming whether or not the circuit block 30 is in a normal state to the circuit block 30 every time a predetermined time elapses. Based on the response information sent from the circuit block 30 to the confirmation command information, for example, when the response information is not to be responded to the confirmation command, it is determined that the circuit block 30 is in an abnormal state. When it is determined that the circuit block 30 is in an abnormal state, the circuit block 30 is instructed to enter the suspend mode, and the abnormal state of the circuit block 30 is released. Whether or not the abnormal state of the circuit block 30 has been canceled is confirmed by newly transmitting confirmation command information to the circuit block 30.

  In this way, every time a predetermined time elapses, a confirmation command is transmitted to check whether or not the circuit block 30 that is a sub-processing unit is in an abnormal state, so the abnormal state of the sub-processing unit is detected early. can do. Therefore, it is possible to improve the reliability of the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 that is an information processing apparatus.

  Further, by instructing the suspend mode of the USB interface that is the connection interface, the circuit block 30 that is the sub-processing unit is set to the low power mode, and the sub-processing unit is initialized to a predetermined state, so the suspend mode is instructed. By doing so, the sub-processing unit can be reset. Therefore, the sub-processing unit can be reset without adding a signal line for resetting to the connection interface.

  The memory card 3 includes an SD (Secure Digital) card, a compact flash, a memory stick, an xD (eXtreme Digital) picture card, and smart media.

  As described above, the memory card 3 that is a removable recording medium includes a memory card such as an SD card, a compact flash, a memory stick, an xD picture card, and a smart media. In addition, information can be exchanged with other apparatuses using a detachable recording medium, and information can be backed up to a detachable recording medium. Therefore, information exchange and backup of information handled by the information processing apparatus can be performed using a recording medium that is easy to handle.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a recovery procedure processed by the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 shown in FIG. This flowchart confirms whether or not the circuit block 30 is in an abnormal state, and when the circuit block 30 is in an abnormal state, the restoration process is performed to restore the circuit block 30 to a normal state. Show the procedure. When monitoring whether or not the circuit block 30 is in an abnormal state, the process proceeds to step A1.

  In step A1, the main system control unit 11 performs command control, that is, transmission / reception of command information representing a command and response information representing a response to the command, according to the command communication procedure of the USB interface, It is confirmed whether or not a CARDDET signal indicating that the memory card 3 is mounted is output from the subsystem control unit 31.

  In step A2, when the CARDDET signal is output, the main system control unit 11 transmits access command information for accessing the mounted memory card 3 to the subsystem control unit 31, and the memory card 3 Check if it is installed. When the subsystem control unit 31 receives the access command information from the main system control unit 11, it instructs the card control unit 32 to access the memory card 3.

  When the access to the memory card 3 is successful, the card control unit 32 notifies the subsystem control unit 31 that the access is successful. When the access to the memory card 3 fails, the card control unit 32 indicates that the access has failed. Notify the subsystem control unit 31. The subsystem control unit 31 transmits the access result notified from the card control unit 32 to the main system control unit 11 as response information. The main system control unit 11 determines whether or not the circuit block 30 is in a normal state based on the received response information. If the response information with respect to the access command information is normal, that is, if the memory card 3 is mounted and the circuit block 30 is in a normal state, the process ends. If the response information is not normal, that is, if the memory card 3 is not inserted and the circuit block 30 is in an abnormal state, the process proceeds to step A3.

  In step A3, the main system control unit 11 instructs the circuit block 30 to enter the suspend mode by setting the USB interface bus to an idle state for a time longer than the time defined by the USB interface specification.

  In step A4, when the suspend mode is instructed, the subsystem control unit 31 reduces the reception of power supplied from the VBUS of the USB interface to the circuit block 30 to a predetermined power or less and resets the circuit block 30. . When the instruction of the suspend mode is canceled, the subsystem control unit 31 resumes receiving the original power from the USB interface VBUS to the circuit block 30.

  In step A5, the main system control unit 11 performs command control and confirms whether the CARDDET signal is output. When the CARDDET signal is output from the subsystem control unit 31, new access command information is transmitted to the subsystem control unit 31 to check whether or not the circuit block 30 is in a normal state. If the response information from the subsystem control unit 31 is normal, the circuit block 30 is in a normal state and ends. If the response information from the subsystem control unit 31 is not normal, the circuit block 30 is still in an abnormal state, the process returns to step A3, and the main system control unit 11 instructs the subsystem control unit 31 to enter the suspend mode again. .

  In the above-described flowchart, in step A2 and step A5, when the CARDDET signal is output, it is confirmed whether or not the circuit block 30 is in a normal state, but whether or not the circuit block 30 is in a normal state. Confirmation information may be confirmed by transmitting confirmation command information representing a confirmation command for confirming to the subsystem control unit 31. Specifically, the main system control unit 11 transmits confirmation instruction information to the subsystem control unit 31 in step A2 and step A5. The main system control unit 11 confirms whether or not the circuit block 30 is normal based on response information indicating a response to the transmitted confirmation command information. When the response information is not response information to be responded to the confirmation command information, the circuit block 30 determines that it is in an abnormal state, and when the response information is response information to be responded to the confirmation command information, It is determined that the circuit block 30 is in a normal state.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile multifunction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the signal of the connection interface 40 by a prior art. 3 is a flowchart showing a recovery procedure processed by the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 shown in FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Facsimile compound machine 2 Original document 3 Memory card 4 Transmission path 10 System control part 11 Main system control part 12 Photoelectric conversion quantization circuit part 13 Image data A / D conversion circuit part 14 Image processing part 15 System memory part 16 Recording part 17 Network Control unit 18 Communication control unit 19 Audio output control unit 20 Audio output unit 21 Display unit 30 Circuit block 31 Subsystem control unit 32 Card control unit 40 Connection interface

Claims (6)

A main processing unit including a main control unit and a main control unit for controlling the main operation unit;
A sub-processing unit including a sub-operation unit and a sub-control unit that controls the sub-operation unit;
A connection interface for connecting the main processing unit and the sub-processing unit, the sub-processing unit receiving power from the main processing unit and command information representing the command from the main control unit to the sub-control unit Low power for operating the sub processor by reducing the power received from the power line to a predetermined power or less, and transmitting response information representing a response to the command information from the sub controller to the main controller. Including a connection interface including a signal line for transmitting mode instruction information from the main control unit to the sub-control unit,
The main control unit determines whether or not the sub-processing unit is in an abnormal state based on response information from the sub-control unit to the command information transmitted to the sub-control unit, and determines that the sub-processing unit is in an abnormal state Then, the low power mode instruction information is transmitted to the sub-control unit,
When receiving the low power mode instruction information from the main control unit, the sub control unit reduces the power received from the power line to a predetermined power or less and initializes the sub processing unit to a predetermined state. Processing equipment.   After transmitting the low power mode instruction information to the sub-control unit, the main control unit newly transmits command information corresponding to response information in which an abnormal state is detected to the sub-control unit, and newly transmits the command information. Based on the response information from the sub-control unit to the command information, it is determined whether or not the sub-processing unit is no longer in an abnormal state, and if it is determined that the sub-processing unit is in an abnormal state, the low power mode instruction information is The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus newly transmits to the sub-control unit.   The main control unit transmits confirmation command information representing a confirmation command for confirming whether or not the sub-processing unit is operating normally every time a predetermined time elapses, to the sub-control unit, Based on the response information from the sub control unit to the confirmation command information, it is determined whether or not the sub processing unit is in an abnormal state, and if it is determined that the sub processing unit is in an abnormal state, the low power mode instruction information The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device is transmitted to the sub-control unit. The connection interface includes a USB interface;
The information processing according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the low power mode instruction information transmitted from the main control unit to the sub control unit is information indicating a suspend mode of a USB interface. apparatus. The sub-processing unit can attach a removable recording medium for storing information, and can access the attached recording medium,
The connection interface further includes a mounting notification signal line that outputs a mounting signal indicating that a removable recording medium is mounted on the sub-processing unit,
The sub-control unit outputs a mounting signal to a mounting notification signal line of the connection interface when a removable storage medium is mounted,
When the main control unit receives the mounting signal output to the mounting notification signal line of the connection interface, the main control unit transmits access command information representing an access command for accessing the mounted recording medium to the sub-control unit, Based on the response information from the sub-control unit to the access command information, it is determined whether or not the sub-processing unit is in an abnormal state, and if it is determined that the sub-processing unit is in an abnormal state, the low power mode instruction information The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information processing apparatus is transmitted to the sub-control unit.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the removable recording medium includes at least one of an SD card, a compact flash, a memory stick, an xD picture card, and a smart card.

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