JP2007109081A - Peripheral device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a peripheral device, which is capable of charging its secondary battery by means of an interface from a PC, to charge the secondary battery only when charging by use of the interface does not affect the drive time of the PC. <P>SOLUTION: A determination as to whether or not power is supplied from the PC interface is made depending on whether the PC is driven by the secondary battery or a commercial power supply. When the PC is driven by the secondary battery, the power needed for operation is supplied only when the secondary battery of the peripheral device runs out, whereby the secondary battery of the peripheral device can be maximally used while hardly affecting the drive time of the PC. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an AC adapter connected to a personal computer through an interface or a peripheral device driven by a secondary battery.

A peripheral device driven by a secondary battery may become inoperable due to battery consumption. In order not to make the operation impossible, the image reading apparatus and the information processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-111919 and the control method thereof are provided by supplying power from a cable connected to the information processing apparatus. The method of charging the secondary battery is described. Further, in the recording apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-322599, means for detecting the remaining battery level and comparing the relationship between the remaining battery level and the power required for printing so that the battery does not run out during recording. Have come to have.
JP 2002-111919 A JP 2004-322599 A

  However, the peripheral device having the secondary battery described in the above-mentioned published patent publication has the following problems. That is, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-111919, power is taken from the information processing device regardless of the state of the information processing device. Therefore, when the information processing device is driven by a secondary battery. Eliminates the capacity of the secondary battery of the information processing apparatus and shortens the operation time on the information processing apparatus side. In addition, the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-322599 is a method for calculating the consumed power by counting the number of recording dots on the host side for data from the information processing apparatus. Since the power used depending on the temperature condition also changes, the condition for determining that recording is impossible must be made the maximum load condition, and there is a problem that it is difficult to use the secondary battery until the end. The present invention is intended to improve the above-described problems. The object of the present invention is to reduce the power load of the information processing device driven by the secondary battery and reduce the secondary battery of the peripheral device. It is to be able to use until the end.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in a peripheral device having an interface portion connectable to a personal computer, power supplied from a battery to various circuits built in the peripheral device A power supply unit that stores power, a charging unit that is both a unit that charges from an AC power source and a unit that charges from the interface unit, a configuration information receiving unit that receives configuration information of the personal computer, and the configuration Analyzing means for analyzing the information received by the information receiving means, and when the AC power source is not connected to the power supply unit, the result of analysis by the analyzing means is that the personal computer is connected to the peripheral device through the interface. It is in a state where power can be supplied, and the operation mode of the personal computer is driven by a secondary battery. If not, charging from the interface unit is performed, and the information received by the form information receiving unit is analyzed by the analyzing unit. As a result, the personal computer is connected to the peripheral device through the interface. In a state where power can be supplied and the operation mode of the personal computer is a battery, charging from the interface unit is not normally performed, but the remaining amount is not more than a certain level while the peripheral device is operating. If it is determined that power is supplied from the interface unit until the operation of the peripheral device is completed, charging is performed by the charging unit, and charging from the interface unit is terminated when the operation of the peripheral device is completed. The peripheral device is turned off by the shutdown means. .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a peripheral device having an interface unit connectable to a personal computer, a power supply unit that stores power to be supplied to various circuits that are made of a battery and built in the peripheral device; The power supply unit analyzes both the charging means of both the means for charging from the AC power source and the means for charging from the interface section, the form information receiving means for receiving the form information of the personal computer, and the information received by the form information receiving means When the AC power source is not connected to the analysis means and the power supply unit, as a result of analysis by the analysis means, the personal computer can supply power to the peripheral device through the interface, If the operation mode of the personal computer is not driven by a secondary battery, the interface It is characterized in that charging is performed from the face part, and the personal computer can supply power to the peripheral device through the interface as a result of analyzing the information received by the form information receiving unit by the analyzing unit. In the case where the operation mode of the personal computer is a battery, charging from the interface unit is not normally performed, but when the peripheral device is determined to be below a certain level by the remaining amount checking means during operation , Receiving power supply from the interface unit, charging by the charging unit, immediately ending the operation of the peripheral device and returning to the standby state, ending charging from the interface unit, and the peripheral unit of the peripheral device by the shutdown unit It is characterized by turning off the power.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in a peripheral device having an interface unit connectable with a personal computer, a power supply unit that stores power supplied from a battery to various circuits built in the peripheral device; and The power supply unit analyzes both the charging means of both the means for charging from the AC power source and the means for charging from the interface section, the form information receiving means for receiving the form information of the personal computer, and the information received by the form information receiving means When the AC power source is not connected to the analysis means and the power supply unit, as a result of analysis by the analysis means, the personal computer can supply power to the peripheral device through the interface, If the operation mode of the personal computer is not driven by a secondary battery, the interface It is characterized in that charging is performed from the face part, and the personal computer can supply power to the peripheral device through the interface as a result of analyzing the information received by the form information receiving unit by the analyzing unit. In the case where the operation mode of the personal computer is a battery, charging from the interface unit is not normally performed, but when the peripheral device is determined to be below a certain level by the remaining amount checking means during operation , Receives power supply from the interface unit, shifts to a low voltage operation mode that operates with power from the interface unit, immediately terminates the operation of the peripheral device and returns to the standby state, and powers the peripheral device by the shutdown means. Turn off the power and end the power supply from the interface unit. It is characterized.

  According to the peripheral device of the present invention, there is provided means capable of receiving power supply from the interface with the personal computer. However, depending on the power drive mode of the personal computer, whether or not to receive power supply from the interface is determined. Because it is determined by the peripheral device, the secondary battery of the peripheral device can be used as much as possible even when the personal computer is operated by the secondary battery drive, and the drive time of the personal computer is hardly affected. Is the method.

Example 1
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

  Reference numeral 1 denotes the entire recording apparatus, and the control unit 2 is for controlling the entire recording system. The control unit 2 includes a CPU 3 that is the brain of the control unit, a ROM 4 that stores a program for operating the system, a RAM 5 that temporarily stores information such as images, a timer 6 that measures time, a printing dot There is a counter 7 that counts the number and sensor ON / OFF count. The printer I / F is for connecting to a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as PC) such as USB or IEEE1394. The operation unit 9 is equipped with keys for starting / stopping and changing the number of recordings, etc., and the state is changed by the operator's operation, and the display unit 10 is composed of an LED, LCD, etc. Displays status and status. The printer control unit 11 performs control of a motor, control of heat pulses for printing, and the like, and the power supply control unit 12 performs charge control to the secondary battery and detection of the remaining amount.

  Next, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the power control unit 12 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The charging control unit 21 controls switching between charging / discharging in the power supply control unit, charging from the AC adapter or charging from the USB I / F VBus, and the like. The AC adapter 28 supplies a voltage of 12 V to the recording apparatus via a power line 33, and a commercial power supply (100 V) and the AC adapter 28 are connected via an AC cord 29. USB I / F 30 represents a USB connector, and is connected to a PC using a USB cable 31. A line 32 connecting the USB I / F and the power supply control unit 12 represents VBus in the USB, and can supply 5V power. The connection detection unit 22 detects whether the AC adapter 28 is connected to the recording device 1, and the switching unit 23 charges the secondary battery with power from the AC adapter or connects to the USB I / F. Switch whether to charge the secondary battery from the VBus that is running, and do not connect both when fully charged. The booster circuit 24 is a circuit for converting 5V of VBus to 12V. The charger 25 cuts overvoltage and overcurrent to the secondary battery, and the secondary battery 26 is for supplying power to the recording device even when the AC adapter 28 is not connected to the recording device. The remaining amount detection unit 27 detects the remaining amount of the secondary battery 26, and the rectifier circuit 34 is a backflow prevention circuit using a diode.

  Next, changes in the state of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S101, the remaining amount detection unit 27 detects the remaining amount of the secondary battery 26, and checks whether the remaining amount of the secondary battery 26 is fully charged. If it is fully charged, the process proceeds to step S102. Whether the secondary battery 26 is being charged is controlled by the charge control unit 21, so the above operation is repeated if the secondary battery 26 is not charged. If the secondary battery 26 is being charged in step S102, the charging of the secondary battery 26 is terminated in step S103, and the process returns to step S101. If the remaining amount of the secondary battery 26 is not fully charged in step S101, the connection detection unit 22 checks whether the printer is connected to the AC adapter in step S104. If connected, the process proceeds to step S105, where the secondary battery is connected. Charge to 26 using the power from the AC adapter 28. If it is not connected to the AC adapter in step S104, the control unit 2 checks whether the printer is connected to the PC in step S106. If not connected, the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 26 is level 1 in step S107. The remaining amount detection unit 27 checks whether the level is equal to or lower than the level, and if the level is equal to or higher than level 1, the process returns to step S104. If the remaining amount is less than level 1 in step S107, it is confirmed in step S108 whether the printer is operating. If the printer is operating as a result of the confirmation, the operation is immediately terminated in step S109, the ink cartridge is capped and returned to the standby state, and the printer is turned off and shut down in step S110. If the printer is not operating in step S108, the ink cartridge has already been capped, and in step S110, the printer is turned off and shutdown is performed. If the printer is connected to the PC in step S106, the process proceeds to step S111, and the printer driver is used to send to the printer whether the host connected via the USB I / F can supply power. If the information indicates that the power can be supplied in a part of the information and the information cannot be supplied (such as wireless connection), the process proceeds to step S107. If it can be supplied in step S111, the process proceeds to step S112, and information on whether the PC is supplied with power from the commercial power supply (100V) is included in the information sent from the printer driver. 100V), the process proceeds to step S113, and the secondary battery 26 is charged using the power from the VBus of the line 32. If the PC is not connected to the commercial power supply (100 V) in step S112, the remaining amount detection unit 27 checks whether the remaining amount of the secondary battery 26 is level 2 or less in step S114. Here, level 2 and level 1 have a relationship of level 2 <level 1. If it is equal to or higher than level 2 in step S114, the process returns to step S104. If it is equal to or lower than level 2 in step S114, the process proceeds to step S115 to check whether the printer is operating. If it is not in operation, the ink cartridge has already been capped, and in step S116, the printer is turned off and shutdown is performed. If the printer is operating in step S115, the process proceeds to step S117, and the secondary battery 26 is charged using the power from the VBus of the line 32. In step S118, it is confirmed whether the printer operation has been completed. If it has not been completed, the connection detection unit 22 confirms whether the printer is connected to the AC adapter 28 in step S119, and this operation is continued until the printing operation is completed. If the AC adapter is connected in step S119, charging of the secondary battery 26 using the power from the VBus on line 32 is terminated in step S120, and the process returns to step S104. When the operation of the printer is completed in step S118, the charging of the secondary battery 26 using the power from the VBus of the line 32 is completed in step S121, and the process proceeds to step S116 to turn off the printer. Shut down.

(Example 2)
Next, changes in the state of the recording apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S201, the remaining amount detection unit 27 detects the remaining amount of the secondary battery 26, and checks whether the remaining amount of the secondary battery 26 is fully charged. If it is fully charged, the process proceeds to step S202. Whether the secondary battery 26 is being charged is controlled by the charge control unit 21, so the above operation is repeated if the secondary battery 26 is not charged. If the secondary battery 26 is being charged in step S202, the charging of the secondary battery 26 is terminated in step S203, and the process returns to step S201. If the remaining amount of the secondary battery 26 is not fully charged in step S201, the connection detection unit 22 checks whether the printer is connected to the AC adapter in step S204. If connected, the process proceeds to step S205. Charge to 26 using the power from the AC adapter 28. If it is not connected to the AC adapter in step S204, the control unit 2 checks whether the printer is connected to the PC in step S206. If not connected, the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 26 is level 1 in step S207. The remaining amount detection unit 27 checks whether or not the level is equal to or lower than level 1 and returns to step S204. If the remaining amount is less than level 1 in step S207, it is confirmed in step S208 whether the printer is operating. If the printer is operating as a result of the confirmation, the operation is immediately terminated in step S209, the ink cartridge is capped and returned to the standby state, and the printer is turned off in step S210 for shutdown. If the printer is not operating in step S208, the ink cartridge has already been capped, and in step S210, the printer is turned off and shutdown is performed. If the printer is connected to the PC in step S206, the process proceeds to step S211 to send the printer driver using the printer driver to the printer whether the host connected by the USB I / F 30 can supply power. If the information indicates that the power can be supplied in a part of the information and the information cannot be supplied (such as wireless connection), the process proceeds to step S207. If it can be supplied in step S21, the process proceeds to step S212, and information on whether the PC is supplied with power from the commercial power supply (100V) is included in the information sent from the printer driver. 100V), the process proceeds to step S213, and the secondary battery 26 is charged using the power from the VBus on the line 32. If the PC is not connected to the commercial power supply (100 V) in step S212, the remaining amount detection unit 27 checks whether the remaining amount of the secondary battery 26 is level 2 or less in step S214. Here, level 2 and level 1 have a relationship of level 2 <level 1. If it is at level 2 or higher in step S214, the process returns to step S204. If the level is equal to or lower than level 2 in step S214, the process proceeds to step S215 to check whether the printer is operating. If it is not in operation, the ink cartridge has already been capped, and in step S216, the printer is turned off and shutdown is performed. If the printer is operating in step S215, the process proceeds to step S217, and the secondary battery 26 is charged using the power from the VBus of the line 32. In step S218, the operation is immediately terminated, the ink cartridge is capped and returned to the standby state, and in step S219, charging of the secondary battery 26 using the power from the VBus of the line 32 is terminated, and step S216 is completed. Proceed to, and shut down by turning off the printer.

(Example 3)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the power control unit 12 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The charging control unit 51 controls switching between charging / discharging in the power supply control unit, charging from the AC adapter or charging from the VBus of the USB I / F, and the like. The AC adapter 58 supplies a voltage of 12 V to the recording apparatus via the power line 64, and a commercial power supply (100 V) and the AC adapter 58 are connected via the AC cord 59. The USB I / F 60 represents a USB connector and is connected to a PC using a USB cable 61. A line 63 connecting the USB I / F and the power supply control unit 12 represents VBus in the USB, and can supply 5V power. The connection detection unit 52 detects whether the AC adapter 58 is connected to the recording device 1, and the switching unit 53 charges the secondary battery with the power from the AC adapter 58 or connects to the USB I / F. Switch whether to charge the secondary battery from the VBus that is running, and both do not connect when fully charged. The booster circuit 54 is a circuit for converting 5V of VBus to 12V. The charger 55 cuts off the overvoltage and overcurrent to the secondary battery, and the secondary battery 56 is for supplying power to the recording device even when the AC adapter 58 is not connected to the recording device. The remaining amount detection unit 57 detects the remaining amount of the secondary battery 56, and the rectifier circuit 62 is a backflow prevention circuit using a diode.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer control unit 11 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  Among the printer control units, there are a motor control unit 100 and a sensor control unit 110. Although not shown here, there is a heat control unit that controls the ejection of ink from the ink cartridge. The motor control unit 100 includes a motor power control unit 101 that controls the power of the motor, a motor operation control unit 102 that controls the operation of the motor, a carriage motor 104 that moves the ink tank, and a paper feed that feeds the recording paper. There is a motor driver 103 for each of the motor 105, the pump cap motor 106 for capping the ink tank, and the motor. The sensor control unit 110 includes a sensor power supply control unit 111, a sensor detection unit 112 that detects a change in the sensor signal, a paper presence / absence sensor 113 that detects the presence / absence of recording paper, and whether the ink cartridge is in the home position. Home position sensor 114, paper feed sensor 115 for detecting whether the recording paper can be picked up, carriage position sensor 116 for detecting the position of the ink cartridge, roller position sensor for detecting the progress of the recording paper transport roller There are 117 etc. Among these, power is supplied to all the motors and sensors in the normal state, but in the low power consumption mode, power is supplied only to what is necessary. It supplies power to the carriage motor 104 and the pump cap motor, and stops supplying power to the paper feed motor. In the sensor, electric power is supplied only to the home position sensor 114 and the carriage position sensor 116, and supply of electric power is stopped otherwise.

  Next, changes in the state of the recording apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S301, the remaining amount detection unit 57 detects the remaining amount of the secondary battery 56, and checks whether the remaining amount of the secondary battery 56 is fully charged. If it is fully charged, the process proceeds to step S302. Whether or not the secondary battery 56 is being charged is controlled by the charge control unit 51. Therefore, if the secondary battery 56 is not charged, the above operation is repeated. If the secondary battery 56 is being charged in step S302, charging of the secondary battery 56 is terminated in step S303, and the process returns to step S301. If the remaining amount of the secondary battery 56 is not fully charged in step S301, the connection detection unit 52 checks whether the printer is connected to the AC adapter in step S304. If it is connected, the process proceeds to step S305, where the secondary battery is connected. Charge to 56 using the power from the AC adapter 58. If it is not connected to the AC adapter in step S304, the control unit 2 checks whether the printer is connected to the PC in step S306. If not connected, the remaining amount of the secondary battery 56 is level 1 in step S307. The remaining amount detection unit 57 checks whether the level is less than or equal to level 1 and returns to step S304 if level 1 or higher. If the remaining amount is not more than level 1 in step S307, it is confirmed in step S308 whether the printer is operating. As a result of the confirmation, if the printer is operating, the printer operation is stopped in step S309, and in step S310, a transition is made to a low consumption mode for reducing power consumption in order to reliably cap the ink cartridge. In step S311, the ink cartridge is capped and returned to the standby state, and in step S312, the printer is turned off to perform shutdown. If the printer is not operating in step S308, the ink cartridge has already been capped, and in step S312, the printer is turned off to perform shutdown. If the printer is connected to the PC in step S306, the process proceeds to step S313, and the printer driver is used to send information from the PC to the printer whether the host connected via the USB I / F can supply power. If the information indicates that the power can be supplied in a part of the information and the power cannot be supplied (such as wireless connection), the process proceeds to step S307. If it can be supplied in step S313, the process proceeds to step S314, and information on whether the PC is supplied with power from the commercial power supply (100V) is in the information sent from the printer driver. 100V), the process proceeds to step S315, and the secondary battery 56 is charged using the power from the VBus on the line 63. If the PC is not connected to the commercial power source (100 V) in step S314, the remaining amount detection unit 57 checks whether the remaining amount of the secondary battery 56 is level 2 or less in step S316. Here, level 2 and level 1 have a relationship of level 2 <level 1. If it is at level 2 or higher in step S316, the process returns to step S304. If it is below level 2 in step S316, the process proceeds to step S317 to check whether the printer is operating. If it is not in operation, the ink cartridge has already been capped, and in step S318, the printer is turned off and shutdown is performed. If the printer is operating in step S317, the process proceeds to step S319, and the printer operation is stopped. In step S320, the printer shifts to a low consumption mode for reducing power consumption in order to reliably cap the ink cartridge. In step S321, the secondary battery 56 is charged using power from the VBus on the line 63. In step S322, the printer operation is stopped and the ink cartridge is capped to return to the standby state. In step S323, the secondary battery 56 is stopped from being charged using the power from the VBus on the line 63. In step S318, the printer power is turned on. To shut down.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power supply control unit 12 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing a change in the state of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention. 9 is a flowchart showing a change in the state of the recording apparatus according to the second embodiment of the invention. The block diagram shown about the structure of the power supply control part 12 concerning Example 3 of this invention. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printer control unit 11 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart showing a change in the state of the recording apparatus according to the third embodiment of the invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Recording device (printer)
2 Control unit
11 Printer controller
12 Power control unit
21, 51 Charge control unit
22, 52 Connection detector
23, 53 selector
26, 56 Secondary battery
27, 57 Remaining amount detection unit
28, 58 adapter
30, 60 USB I / F
100 Motor controller
110 Sensor controller

Claims (6)

  In a peripheral device having an interface unit connectable with a personal computer, a power supply unit that is made of a battery and stores power to be supplied to various circuits built in the peripheral device, and the power supply unit is charged by an AC power source; Both charging means as means for charging from the interface part, form information receiving means for receiving form information of the personal computer, analysis means for analyzing information received by the form information receiving means, and AC to the power supply part When the power source is not connected, the result of analysis by the analysis means is that the personal computer can supply power to the peripheral device through the interface, and the operation mode of the personal computer is driven by a secondary battery. If not, charge from the interface. A peripheral device characterized by the above.   2. The power supply unit according to claim 1, wherein when the peripheral device is connected to an AC power supply, the power supply unit receives power supply from the AC power supply and does not receive power supply from the interface unit. Peripheral device.   When charging is not performed by the charging unit and it is determined that the level is equal to or lower than the remaining amount checking unit for checking the remaining amount of the power supply unit, and the peripheral device is not in operation, the 3. The peripheral device according to claim 1, further comprising power shutdown means for turning off the power of the peripheral device.   As a result of analyzing the information received by the form information receiving means by the analyzing means, the personal computer can supply power to the peripheral device through the interface, and the operation form of the personal computer is a battery. Normally, charging from the interface unit is not performed, but when the remaining amount is determined to be below a certain level by the remaining amount checking means while the peripheral device is operating, the interface unit continues until the operation of the peripheral device is completed. The power supply is performed, charging is performed by the charging unit, charging from the interface unit is terminated when the operation of the peripheral device is finished, and the power of the peripheral device is turned off by the shutdown unit. The peripheral device according to claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3.   As a result of analyzing the information received by the form information receiving means by the analyzing means, the personal computer can supply power to the peripheral device through the interface, and the operation form of the personal computer is a battery. Normally, charging from the interface unit is not performed, but when the remaining amount is determined to be below a certain level by the remaining amount checking unit while the peripheral device is operating, the charging unit receives power supply from the interface unit. The charging is performed by the above, the operation of the peripheral device is immediately terminated and returned to the standby state, the charging from the interface unit is terminated, and the power of the peripheral device is turned off by the shutdown unit. 4. The peripheral device according to claim 2, or claim 3.   As a result of analyzing the information received by the form information receiving means by the analyzing means, the personal computer can supply power to the peripheral device through the interface, and the operation form of the personal computer is a battery. Normally, charging from the interface unit is not performed, but if the remaining amount is determined to be below a certain level by the remaining amount checking means during operation of the peripheral device, the interface unit receives power supply, and the interface unit Transition to the low voltage operation mode that operates with the power from the peripheral device, immediately terminate the operation of the peripheral device and return to the standby state, turn off the peripheral device power by the shutdown means, and supply power from the interface unit Claim 1, Claim 2, or Claim 3 Peripheral devices.

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