JP2007149001A - Controller and power control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stably perform transition processing to a power saving mode and return processing from a power saving mode condition to an ordinary mode condition in a short time. <P>SOLUTION: In transition to the power saving mode, a first task performing power control and a second task prohibiting interruption of a request for another task in association with the first task are generated by a program executed by a CPU 2001. When the second task is carried out, information loaded by the CPU is kept in an SDRAM 2002 and then transition to the power saving mode is carried out. A request for recovery to the ordinary power mode is received, and the information kept in the SDRAM 2002 is restored to be operable by the CPU 2001. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to power control of a control device that performs power saving control by switching a power supply source for a CPU to an overnight power system or an emergency power system.

  In recent years, energy saving (energy saving) requirements for electronic devices have become more severe. In order to comply with energy saving standards, means for shutting down the CPU power supply provided in the control device in the power saving mode has already been put into practical use.

  However, on the other hand, there is an increasing need to return from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode at high speed, such as a printer or a multifunction device compatible with the network.

  In recent multifunction devices, etc., the scale of the program has increased, and if all programs are stored in ROM, there is a concern about cost increase, so the hard disk is also used as an image storage means and the program is stored in a part of the area. Sometimes.

  However, in this case, after the program is downloaded from the hard disk to the DRAM after startup, the program is executed on the DRAM, and there is an element that conflicts with the necessity of the above-mentioned fast return.

  Therefore, when shifting to the power saving mode, the main program of the CPU is held on the DRAM, and when returning from the power saving mode, the main program held on the DRAM is started at high speed, so the following judgment is made. A system has been proposed. In the system, the main program writes a flag intended for the power saving mode in the memory. The system holds the flag even when the power saving mode is executed, and the main program refers to the state of the flag when the power saving mode is restored. Thereby, it is determined that the main program of the system has returned from the power saving mode.

  A technique is known in which the transition time for shifting an image processing apparatus including a control device from a power saving state to an operating state is shortened to the minimum necessary time to increase the speed (for example, see Patent Document 1). .

  The image processing apparatus (facsimile apparatus) in Patent Document 1 performs a transition operation including cleaning of the photosensitive member when the toner cartridge is replaced in the power saving state. In addition, it is disclosed that when the toner cartridge is not replaced in the power saving state, a transition operation that does not include cleaning of the photosensitive member is performed.

  In the image processing apparatus (facsimile apparatus) in Patent Document 1, when the toner cartridge is not replaced in the power saving state, the image processing apparatus (facsimile apparatus) starts from the power saving state faster than when the toner cartridge is replaced in the power saving state. It is possible to shift to the operating state.

Note that the image processing apparatus (facsimile apparatus) disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of reception units (modem 7, NCU (Network Control Unit), PCI / F 6) that receive data transmitted from an external apparatus. When a data reception request is input to any of the plurality of receiving units when the image processing apparatus is in the power saving state, the image processing apparatus starts a transition process from the power saving state to the operating state.
JP 2000-196789 A

  The main program of the CPU provided in the control device operates on an operating system (OS) capable of multitasking, and a large number of tasks are processed virtually simultaneously in parallel.

  There are many types of such OS, but if you roughly divide by the method of accessing the hardware, there are two modes: kernel mode that can access the hardware and user mode that cannot be accessed, and those that operate only in the kernel mode There is.

  In an OS that operates only in kernel mode, all tasks can access the hardware at any time. For this reason, when trying to maintain the state of a certain hardware in order to shift to the power saving mode, if another task using that hardware operates, it will operate unexpectedly. there is a possibility. As described above, in various control devices that perform the conventional power saving control, information for allowing the CPU to return to the normal mode in response to some interrupt request at the time of shifting to the power saving mode can be reliably held in the storage unit that backs up. become unable. As a result, there is a problem that the CPU cannot normally restore the system state.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to stably perform the transition process to the power saving mode and the return process from the power saving mode state to the normal mode state in a short time. It is to provide a mechanism that can be done.

  The control device of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.

  A control device for performing power saving control by switching a power supply source for a CPU to a night-night power system or an emergency night power system, and loads information from an external storage means and executes information necessary for data processing executed by the CPU Storage means for storing with the power supplied from the nighttime power supply system, a first task for performing power control at the time of shifting to the power saving mode, and interrupting a request for another task accompanying the first task Generation means for generating a second task to be prohibited; and transition means for executing the second task and causing the information loaded by the CPU to be held in the storage means to shift to a power saving mode state; Receiving a request for returning the power saving mode state to the normal power mode state, and returning means for returning the information held in the storage means to a state executable by the CPU. I am characterized in.

  The power control method of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.

  Storage means for storing information necessary for data processing executed by the CPU loaded from the external storage means with the power supplied from the night-time power supply system, and the power supply source for the CPU as the night-time power supply system or emergency night A power control method in a control device that performs power saving control by switching control to a power supply system, wherein a first task for performing power control at the time of transition to the power saving mode, and another task accompanying the first task Generating a second task for prohibiting the interruption of the request, and executing the second task so that the information loaded by the CPU is held in the storage means to enter the power saving mode state. The CPU is capable of executing the transition step for transitioning, the request for returning the power saving mode state to the normal power mode state, and the information held in the storage means And having a return step for returning to the state.

  According to the present invention, when the CPU included in the control device shifts to the power saving mode, the shift processing to the power saving mode and the return processing from the power saving mode state to the normal mode state are stably performed in a short time. Yes.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Description of system configuration>
Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an image processing apparatus to which the control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be applied. In the present embodiment, an example of an image processing apparatus is shown as an apparatus to which the control apparatus is applied. Therefore, the control device is such that the CPU loads and executes the program from the external storage device, and the OS executed by the CPU is an OS that operates only in the kernel mode, or an electronic device including the control device. The present invention can be applied.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2000 denotes a controller unit (CU), and the CU 2000 is connected to a scanner 2070 as an image input device and a printer 2095 as an image output device. On the other hand, the CU 2000 inputs and outputs image information and device information by connecting to the LAN 2011 and the public line (WAN) 2051.

  The controller unit 2000 includes a power control unit 2052, and performs power control for shifting from the print mode to the power saving mode or from the power saving mode to the print mode.

  Reference numeral 2001 denotes a CPU, which is a controller that controls the CU2000. An SDRAM 2002 is a system work memory for the CPU 2001 to operate, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. Reference numeral 2003 denotes a ROM which functions as a boot ROM, and stores a boot program (initialization program) for the CPU 2001 to execute initialization processing on each unit of the CU2000.

  A hard disk drive (HDD) 2004 stores system software and image data. An operation unit I / F 2006 functions as an interface unit with the operation unit 2012 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 2012 to the operation unit 2012. Also, it plays a role of transmitting information input by the user of the system from the operation unit 2012 to the CPU 2001.

  A network unit 2010 is connected to the LAN 2011 and performs a reception process of data received from an external apparatus via the LAN 2011 and a transmission process of transmitting data to the external apparatus via the LAN 2011.

  Reference numeral 2050 denotes a modem unit which is connected to the public line 2051 and performs processing for receiving facsimile data received from an external device via the public line 2051 and transmission processing for transmitting facsimile data to the external device via the public line 2051. Do. The above units are connected to each other via a system bus 2007.

  Reference numeral 2005 denotes an image bus I / F (Image Bus I / F), which is a bus bridge that connects a system bus 2007 and an image bus 2008 that transfers image data at high speed, and converts a data structure.

  Reference numeral 2008 denotes an image bus, which is composed of a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 2008.

  A raster image processor (RIP) unit 2060 performs image processing for expanding a PDL code included in print data input from an external apparatus via a network 2010 into a bitmap image. A device I / F unit 2020 connects the scanner 2070 and the printer 2095, which are image input / output devices, to the CU 2001, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  A scanner image processing unit 2080 performs image processing such as correction, processing, and editing on the image data input from the scanner 2070. A printer image processing unit 2090 performs image processing such as correction and resolution conversion for printing by the printer 2095 on image data input via the image bus I / F unit 2005.

  Reference numeral 2030 denotes an image rotation unit that performs image data rotation processing. Reference numeral 2040 denotes an image compression unit, which performs JPEG for multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, and MH for binary image data.

  2 is a diagram showing an example of the image input / output device shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 2070 denotes a scanner which is an image input device, which illuminates an image on a sheet serving as a document and scans a CCD line sensor (not shown) to convert it into an electrical signal as raster image data.

  The original paper is set on the tray 2073 of the original feeder 2072, and when the apparatus user issues a reading start instruction from the operation unit 2012, the CPU 2001 gives an instruction to the scanner 2070. As a result, the document feeder 2072 feeds document sheets one by one and performs a document image reading operation.

  A printer 2095 is an image forming unit that forms raster image data 2096 as an image on a sheet. The image forming method includes an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and an ink jet method in which an image is directly printed on paper by ejecting ink from a minute nozzle array. It does not matter if it is a method.

  A printing operation by the printer 2095 is started by an instruction from the CPU 2001. The printer 2095 has a plurality of paper feed units (paper cassettes 2101, 2102, 2103, 2104) so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected. A paper discharge tray 2111 is used to stack sheets on which images are formed by the printer 2095.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view for explaining the configuration of the operation unit 2012 shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 2013 denotes an LCD display unit, which has a touch panel sheet pasted on the LCD, displays a system operation screen, and transmits the position information to the CPU 2001 when a displayed key is pressed.

  A start key 2014 is used when starting a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key 2014, there is an LED 2018 capable of displaying two colors of green and red, and the color indicates whether the start key 2014 is ready for use.

  Reference numeral 2015 denotes a stop key, which stops a job operation in progress based on the set image processing conditions. An ID key 2016 is used to input a user ID of the user. Reference numeral 2017 denotes a reset key, which is used when initializing settings from the operation unit 2012.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network system to which an image processing apparatus to which the control apparatus according to this embodiment can be applied.

  In FIG. 4, reference numerals 1001 and 1020 denote multifunction devices (digital multifunction devices), each of which includes a scanner and a printer described later. The image data read from the scanner can be transmitted to an external device via a local area network 1010 (hereinafter referred to as LAN), and the image data received from the LAN 1010 can be printed out by a printer.

  Further, image data read from the scanner can be transmitted to a public line 1030 such as PSTN or ISDN by a FAX transmission means (not shown), or image data received from PSTN or ISDN can be printed out by a printer.

  A database server 1002 manages binary images and multi-valued images read by the image processing apparatus l001 as a database. A database client 1003 can browse and search image data stored in a database server (DS) 1002.

  An e-mail server 1004 can receive an image read by the multifunction apparatus 1001 as an e-mail attachment. An e-mail client 1005 can receive and browse mail received by the e-mail server 1004 and send e-mail.

  Reference numeral 1006 denotes a WWW server that provides an HTML document to the LAN 1010, and an HTML document provided by the WWW server 1006 can be printed out by the composite apparatus 1001.

  A router 1011 connects the LAN 1010 to the Internet / intranet 1012.

  Devices similar to the DS 1002, WWW server 1006, electronic mail server 1004, and composite device 1001 described above are connected to the Internet / intranet 1012 as a DS 1021, WWW server 1022, and electronic mail server 1023, respectively.

  On the other hand, the composite apparatus 1001 can transmit and receive with the FAX apparatus 1031 via a public line 1030 such as PSTN or ISDN. A printer 1040 is also connected to the LAN 1010 so that an image read by the composite apparatus 1001 can be printed out.

  Reference numeral 1050 denotes a user host, which is a so-called personal computer or the like, and is configured to be able to communicate with peripheral devices (including the composite device 1001) on the local area network 1010 via a network card or the like using a predetermined bidirectional protocol.

  Note that the user host 1050 includes a control board including a so-called CPU, RAM, ROM, and the like, and data processing is controlled by a predetermined OS.

  Further, since the scanner function, printer function, and other composite functions of the composite devices 1001 and 1020 are known, the details are omitted.

  Hereinafter, the rapid return processing from the power saving mode in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  Here, the multifunction peripherals 1001 and 1020 operate in a plurality of power modes with different power consumption, and operate in at least a power saving mode with low power consumption and a print mode with higher power consumption than the power saving mode. To do. In the power saving mode, the multifunction apparatuses 1001 and 1020 partially (or entirely) cut off power supply to the scanner 2071 and the printer 2095.

  In the power saving mode, the multifunction peripherals 1001 and 1020 partially (or entirely) block the power supply to the operation unit I / F 2006, the network 2010, and the modem 2050 in the CPU 2001. Similarly, power supply to the HDD 2004, the RIP unit 2060, the device I / F 2020, the scanner image processing unit 2080, the image rotation unit 2030, and the image compression unit 2040 is partially (or entirely) cut off.

  In the print mode, the multifunction peripherals 1001 and 1020 supply power to each unit that has been cut off from the power supply in the power saving mode.

  Also, the composite apparatuses 1001 and 1020 receive image data from the external apparatus via the network 2010 or the modem 2050 in the print mode. Then, the composite apparatuses 1001 and 1020 are in an operating state in which image processing of the received image data and image formation processing by the printer 2095 of the image data subjected to the image processing can be executed.

  In the power saving mode described above, the power supply other than the CPU 2001 is partially (or entirely) cut off. However, the power consumption may be further reduced by cutting off the power supply to the CPU 2001. Good.

  However, when the power supply to the CPU 2001 is interrupted in the power saving mode, the power supply to the CPU 2001 is resumed in order to shift the multifunction peripherals 1001 and 1020 from the power saving mode to the print mode. Then, after that, the CPU 2001 needs to execute initialization processing on each part of the CU2000.

  Hereinafter, a case will be described in which the multifunction devices 1001 and 1020 also cut off the power supply to the CPU 2001 in the power saving mode.

[Quick recovery from power saving mode]
Next, a quick return means from the power saving mode will be described.

  5, 6, and 7 are circuit diagrams showing the configuration of the power control unit 2052 of the controller unit 2000 shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. FIG. 5 corresponds to an operation in which the system of the composite apparatus 1001 and the composite apparatus 1020 shifts from the normal mode to the power saving mode.

  FIG. 6 corresponds to the operation of returning from the power saving mode to the print mode. FIG. 7 corresponds to the operation after a main power switch (not shown) for turning on power from the commercial power source to the composite apparatuses 1001 and 1020 is turned on.

  In the drawing, a broken line portion is a portion belonging to an emergency night power supply system in which power is supplied from the power supply control unit 2052 in the print mode but power is not supplied in the power saving mode. Also, the solid line portion is a portion belonging to the night-time power supply system to which power is supplied in both the print mode and the power saving mode.

  In this embodiment, the night power system refers to a power supply system that is supplied with power even when the power saving mode is entered, and the emergency night power system is the night power when the power saving mode is entered. A power supply system that is disconnected from the power supply system and is not supplied with power.

  5 to 7, reference numeral 11001 denotes an FET, to which the Q output of the FF 11002 is applied to the gate side, and plays a role of separating the emergency night power system from the night power system based on the state of the Q output. In this way, the emergency power system is disconnected from the night power system. Thereby, when the mode is shifted to the power saving mode, the power supply to other than the main part of the controller unit 2000 (the part necessary for the combined devices 1001 and 1020 to operate in the power saving mode) is cut off. It is possible to suppress useless standby power.

  Further, the SDRAM 2002 and the ROM 2003 shown in FIG. 1 belong to the night-time power system, and the CPU 2001 and HDD 2004 belong to the non-night power system. Similarly, the image bus I / F unit 2005, RIP unit 2060, device I / F unit 2020, scanner image processing unit 2080, printer image processing unit 2090, image rotation unit 2030, and image compression unit 2040 belong to the non-night power system.

  Note that a part of the operation unit I / F unit 2006, the network 2010, and the modem 2050 belong to the night-time power system, and the other part belongs to the emergency night power system. Then, the network 2010 and the modem 2050 are in a state incapable of receiving image data input from the LAN or WAN when the multifunction apparatus 1001 (1020) operates in the power saving mode. Here, the image data is, for example, PDL data or facsimile data.

  On the other hand, the network 2010 and the modem 2050 can receive a reception request input from the LAN or WAN for returning the multifunction peripheral 1001 (1020) from the power saving mode to the print mode.

  Note that the first to third request instructions that are factors for returning the multifunction peripherals 1001 and 1020 from the power saving mode to the print mode are input to the CPU 2001 via the Buffer 11008.

  In the present embodiment, the first request instruction corresponds to a power-on instruction by the user of the multifunction machine that is input from the operation unit 2012 via the operation unit I / F 2006. The power-on instruction is an instruction for shifting the operation state of the multifunction peripherals 1001 and 1020 operating in the power saving mode to the normal mode (operation state). Note that the normal mode may also serve as the print mode.

  The second request instruction corresponds to a power-on instruction when a reception request for image data (PDL data (Page Description Language data)) is input from an external device via the network 2010.

  The third request instruction corresponds to a power-on instruction when an image data (facsimile data) reception request is input from an external device via the modem 2050. In addition to this, as the fourth request instruction, a request instruction by a time step by a timer or the like may be included.

  The FF 11005 belongs to the night-time power supply system, and the composite apparatuses 1001 and 1020 shift from the print mode to the power saving mode. After that, the contents of the flag generated by changing the general-purpose output port GPO <1> of the CPU 2001 from the “L” state to the “H” state are retained.

  In addition, the FF 11005 receives a reset signal from the reset IC 11003 belonging to the all-night power supply system to the clear terminal (CLR), and outputs a signal indicating that from the Q output to the input GPI <0> of the CPU 2001 via the Buffer 11006. .

  11003 is a reset IC that belongs to the night-time power system and outputs a reset signal to the FF 11002 that belongs to the night-time power system. Reference numeral 11007 denotes a buffer that outputs a power-off signal to the FF 11002.

  The Buffer 11008, the buffer 11007, and the Buffer 11006 belong to a non-night power supply system, and prevent current from flowing into the CPU 2001 when shifting from the print mode to the power saving mode.

  Further, the reset IC 11003 monitors the night-time power supply system, and plays a role of clearing the flag of the FF 11005 and the latch data of the holding circuit 11009 at the start-up after the main power supply which will be described later. The logic OR gate 11004 summarizes factors for returning from the power saving mode.

  A characteristic feature of this embodiment is that the CPU 2001 having a large power consumption in the controller unit 2000 is generally configured to belong to the non-night power system, and power is not supplied to the CPU 2001 in the power saving mode. It is a point to make.

  In addition, since this system controls a large number of functions as described above and the software has a very large capacity, the ROM 2003 contains only information necessary for booting (initialization) in order to reduce the total cost of the system. Remember. The software describing the actual main operation is stored in the HDD 2004 used mainly for the purpose of storing image information.

  Therefore, when a normal main power supply is activated, a large-capacity main program on the HDD 2004 is downloaded to the SDRAM 2002 (which uses SDRAM in this embodiment). After that, the main program is executed. However, in this case, since it takes time until the execution of the main program is started, there is a possibility that communication may be interrupted due to a time-out depending on an external activation factor such as a network or a FAX.

  In recent years, the startup time itself is often the selling point of the specifications of multifunction devices and the like, and from this aspect, it is necessary to devise a way to shorten the startup time as much as possible. In the present embodiment, in order to solve this problem, the following control is performed using an inexpensive logic circuit (FF11002, 11005, etc.).

  Although not shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the ROM 2003 is supplied by the nightly power system, and the HDD 2004 is supplied by the emergency night power system.

  In addition, what is characteristic in the present embodiment is that the power of the CPU 2001, which generally has a large power consumption in the controller unit, is supplied by an emergency night power supply system. In the power saving mode, the system is in a standby state in which power is not supplied, and has a mechanism necessary for the system to restore power by itself due to external factors.

  In addition, since this system controls a large number of functions as described above and the software has a very large capacity, the ROM 2003 stores only information necessary for booting in order to reduce the total cost of the system. The software describing the actual main operation is stored in the HDD 2004 used mainly for the purpose of storing image information.

  Therefore, at the time of normal main power activation, the main program is executed after downloading a large-capacity main program on the HDD 2004 to the SDRAM 2002 (which uses SDRAM in this embodiment).

  However, in this case, since it takes time until the main program starts to be executed, communication may be interrupted due to time-out depending on external activation factors such as a network or a FAX.

  In recent years, the startup time itself is often the selling point of the specifications of multifunction devices and the like, and from this aspect, it is necessary to devise a way to shorten the startup time as much as possible.

  The control device in the present embodiment performs power saving control by switching the power supply source for the CPU 2001 to an overnight power system or an emergency power system as shown in FIGS.

  Then, an external storage means, for example, an SDRAM 2002 that stores information necessary for data processing that is loaded from the HDD 2004 and executed by the CPU 2001 with the power supplied from the power supply system all night.

  In the program executed by the CPU 2001, a first task for performing power control and a second task for prohibiting interruption of requests for other tasks are generated along with the first task when shifting to the power saving mode. A generation function is included. The first task corresponds to a power saving task described later, and the second task corresponds to a loop task described later.

  In addition, a transition function for executing the second task and causing the SDRAM 2002 to hold the information loaded by the CPU 2001 to shift to the power saving mode state is provided.

  In addition, a request function for returning the power saving mode state to the normal power mode state is received, and a return function for returning the information held in the SDRAM 2002 to a state in which the CPU 2001 can be executed is provided. Here, details of the return function will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  Note that the transition function shuts off the power supply to the CPU 2001 after the information loaded by the CPU 2001 is held in the SDRAM 2002 to shift to the power saving mode state.

  This prohibits other task requests from being interrupted after execution of the first task, so that the information necessary for returning to the normal mode can be reliably held in the SDRAM 2002 in the first task. .

  In the present embodiment, the SDRAM 2002 has an access speed higher than that of the HDD 22004. Therefore, the high-speed return process can be completed when returning to the normal mode.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the information includes a program executed by the CPU 2001 and hardware resource information for executing the program.

  In this embodiment, the priority order is set to the first task and the second task as will be described later when shifting to the power saving mode.

  At that time, the second task can be set higher than the first task. The second task may be configured so that it can be set higher than the other tasks by agreeing with the first task.

  The other tasks are tasks based on image processing requests having different attributes. Therefore, by incorporating the control device according to the present embodiment into an image processing device, it can be applied to power saving control in an image processing device with various image processing requests.

  Furthermore, image processing requests having different attributes include a print request, a copy request, and a facsimile transmission / reception request. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to power saving control in an image processing apparatus accompanied by a print request, a copy request, and a facsimile transmission / reception request.

  Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, as a processing example for solving the above-described problem, a case will be described in which the following control is performed using an inexpensive logic storage stage as shown in FIGS.

[When shifting to power saving mode]
Hereinafter, the flow of control when shifting to the power saving mode will be described.

[Control of transition to power saving mode]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the first power saving mode process in the control device according to the present embodiment. Note that (11101) to (11108) indicate each step. Each step is realized by the CPU 2001 reading and executing a control program from the ROM.

  First, when the user designates shifting to the power saving mode on the operation unit 2012 included in the image processing apparatus, or when the system is not used for a certain period of time, the software of the present system is required to enter the power saving mode. Is determined to be satisfied. Then, the shift to the power saving mode shown in FIG. 8 is started.

  First, interrupts are prohibited (11101), and the task priority of the invoking task is set to the highest value (in this case, “0”) (11102). Then, a loop task (RB shown in FIG. 11 to be described later) having a priority “1” is generated so that the process does not transition to a task having a priority lower than that (11103).

  Subsequently, the setting values of various hardware are held in the SDRAM 2002 (11104). After that, the CPU 2001 changes the general-purpose output port GPO <1> from L to H with respect to the FlipFrop 11005 as a means for storing the transition to the power saving mode. As a result, the flag is set (FlipFrop 11005 output = '1'), that is, the sleep flag is set (11105).

  Note that since the FlipFrop 11005 is driven by a power supply system at night, this flag holds a value even when shifting to the power saving mode.

  Next, after setting values (registers and the like) of the CPU 2001 are held in the SDRAM 2002 (11106), a self-refresh command is issued to the SDRAM 2002 to hold data of the main program (11107).

  Next, the CPU 2001 changes the general-purpose output port GPO <0> to the FlipFrop 11002, and presets the output of the FlipFrop 11002 to “H”. As a result, the FET 10001 is turned off, the emergency night power supply system including the CPU 2001 is shut off, the mode is shifted to the power saving mode (11108), and this processing is terminated. The above is the flow of control until shifting to the power saving mode.

  5 to 7 are driven by an emergency night power supply system, and play a role of preventing current flow from the nighttime power supply system when shifting to the power saving mode.

  The RESET IC 1103 monitors the power supply system all night, and plays a role of clearing the sleep flag of the FlipFrop 11005 at the start-up after the main power supply which will be described later.

  The logic OR gate 11004 summarizes the factors for returning from the power saving mode, and causes the CPU 2001 to generate an interrupt when an event that causes any factor occurs.

[Control to return from power saving mode]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the second power saving mode process in the control device according to the present embodiment. This process is an example of control when returning from the power saving mode. In addition, (11101)-(11108) show each step. Each step is realized by the CPU 2001 reading and executing a control program from the ROM.

  In the present embodiment, a power on signal from a means that can be a factor for returning from the power saving mode when the system is waiting in the power saving mode is input to the interrupt terminal of the CPU 2001 via the logic OR gate 11004. Is done. In this embodiment, UI (operation unit 2012), Network 2010, and FAX (modem 2050) can be factors.

  The power on signal is also connected to the FlipFrop 11002, and a factor for returning from the power saving mode is generated. In this case, a clock edge is given to the FlipFrop 11002, the FET 10001 is turned on, the emergency night power supply system starts up, and recovery starts from the power saving mode.

  In FIG. 5 and the like, when the emergency night power supply system starts up, the CPU 2001 boots and executes the boot program on the ROM 2003. First, the boot program initializes the SDRAM 2002 (11201), and determines whether the value of the sleep flag stored in the FlipFrop 11005 is “1” from the general-purpose output port GPI <0> of the CPU 2001 (11202).

  Here, since the read value of the sleep flag is “1”, the boot program is interpreted as being in a state of returning from the power saving mode. Then, after resetting the setting values (registers and the like) of the CPU 2001 held on the SDRAM 2002 to the CPU 2001 (11203), the main program held on the SDRAM 2002 starts to be executed.

  Among them, a sleep recovery process for restoring setting values of various hardware is performed (11204), and after the loop task is deleted (11205), the task priority of the own task is returned to the original priority (11206). Then, the interruption is permitted (11207), and this process is terminated. Note that the process of resetting the setting values (registers and the like) of the CPU 2001 held on the SDRAM 2002 to the CPU 2001 is completed at a higher speed than when a program is loaded from the HDD 2004.

  Thereafter, the main program receives a signal input to the interrupt terminal of the CPU 2001 and recognizes that some external activation factor has occurred. Then, a power on factor on the UI (operation unit 2012), Network 2010, and FAX (modem 2050), which are considered to be factors, is searched to determine what the activation factor is, and control after activation is executed.

[Normal start-up control after main power ON]
FIG. 10 is a timing chart for explaining the first operation timing of the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment. This example shows the flow of control at the normal start-up after the user turns off the main power supply of this system and then starts up by turning on the main power supply. Will be described.

  In this system, since the main power supply is turned off and on, a reset signal for the night-time power supply system is output from the RESET IC 1103, and the flag held by the FlipFrop 11005 is cleared to “0” when the power supply is activated.

  When the night-time power supply system reset from the RESET IC 1103 occurs, the output of the FlipFrop 11002 is cleared to L, thereby turning on the FET 10001, and the CPU 2001 boots and executes the boot program on the ROM 2003.

  At this time, since the read value of the flag is “0”, the boot program interprets that the main power supply is turned off and on, and after downloading the large-capacity main program on the HDD 2004 to the SDRAM 2002, Run the program.

  The above is the description of the system operation and the task operation when shifting to the power saving mode and returning to the normal mode in the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment.

  Next, an example of task transition when the task control of the present invention is not applied will be described with reference to FIG. 10 and the timing chart shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a timing chart for explaining the second operation timing of the control device according to this embodiment.

  In FIG. 11, task A is a task for shifting to the power saving mode. The task RB is a loop task generated when the present invention is applied. Task Z is one of the other tasks. The interrupt INT indicates that a hardware interrupt has occurred.

  First, in the task transition before application of the present invention, the task A waits for a hardware reaction from time t1 to t4 after starting processing at time t0. During this time, the task A releases the CPU 2001, so that the process shifts to the task Z that can be executed with a higher priority.

  Task A is in an interrupt disabled state, but task Z is not disabled in an interrupt. Therefore, when an interrupt is generated from another hardware at time t2, the processing is performed.

  When the interrupt process ends at time t3, the process returns to the original task Z, and at time t4, the process returns to task A.

  At this time, if the hardware that generated the interrupt is the hardware that has already held the set value in the SDRAM 2002 in task A, the normal operation cannot be continued after returning to the normal state.

  On the other hand, in the task transition shown in FIG. 11 after application of the present invention, processing is started at time t0, task B is generated therein, and hardware response is waited from time t1 to time t4. .

  During this time, the process transits to the loop task RB having the next highest task priority, and this task operates with the interrupt INT disabled (step (11101 in FIG. 8)). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, even if an interrupt occurs at time t2, as shown in FIG. 11, no response is made to it and processing of the loop task RB is continued until time t4. Thereafter, task A continues processing.

  As a result, the task A can reliably perform the process of holding all the hardware setting values in the SDRAM 2002, and therefore, the main program is not loaded from the HDD 2004 even when the power saving mode state returns to the normal mode. That is, by executing the main program from the SDRAM 2002, the hardware can be reconfigured normally at high speed.

[Second Embodiment]
The configuration of the data processing program that can be read by the control device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs readable by the control device according to the present invention.

  Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIG. 6 in this embodiment may be performed by the host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, the storage medium storing the software program code for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Therefore, as long as it has the function of the program, the form of the program such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS is not limited.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD, etc. Can be used.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As another program supply method, a browser on a client computer is used to connect to an Internet home page. Then, the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function can be downloaded from the homepage by downloading it to a recording medium such as a hard disk. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server, an ftp server, and the like that allow a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer are also included in the claims of the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. Let It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  In addition, the functions of the above-described embodiments are not only realized by executing the program code read by the computer. For example, based on an instruction of the program code, an OS (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing. Needless to say, the process includes the case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized.

  Further, the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. After that, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing. Needless to say.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

  Although various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will not limit the spirit and scope of the present invention to the specific description in the present specification.

It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the image processing apparatus which can apply the control apparatus which shows 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the image input / output device shown in FIG. It is a schematic plan view explaining the structure of the operation part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the network system which can apply the image processing apparatus containing the control apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of the power supply control part of the controller unit shown in FIG. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of the power supply control part of the controller unit shown in FIG. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of the power supply control part of the controller unit shown in FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the 1st power saving mode process in the control apparatus in this embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the 2nd power saving mode process in the control apparatus in this embodiment. It is a timing chart explaining the 1st operation timing of the control device in this embodiment. It is a timing chart explaining the 2nd operation timing of the control device in this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the storage medium which stores the various data processing program which can be read by the control apparatus which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

2000 Controller unit 2001 CPU
2002 SDRAM
2003 ROM
2004 HDD
2012 Operation unit

Claims (20)

A control device that performs power saving control by switching a power supply source for a CPU to an overnight power system or an emergency power system,
Storage means for storing information necessary for data processing that is loaded from an external storage means and executed by the CPU, with a power source supplied from the night-time power supply system;
Generating means for generating a first task for performing power control at the time of transition to the power saving mode, and a second task for prohibiting interruption of a request of another task accompanying the first task;
A transition unit that executes the second task and causes the storage unit to hold the information loaded by the CPU and shift to a power saving mode state;
A return means for accepting a request for returning the power saving mode state to the normal power mode state, and returning the information held in the storage means to a state executable by the CPU;
A control device comprising:   The power supply to the CPU is cut off after the shift means retains the information loaded by the CPU in the storage means and shifts to the power saving mode state. Control device.   The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit has an access speed higher than that of the external storage unit.   The control device according to claim 1, wherein the external storage unit is a hard disk.   The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information includes a program executed by the CPU and hardware resource information for executing the program.   The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein priorities are set for the first task and the second task at the time of transition to the power saving mode.   The control device according to claim 1, wherein the second task can be set higher than the first task.   The control device according to claim 1, wherein the second task can be set higher than the other tasks by consenting to the first task.   The control device according to claim 1, wherein the other task is a task based on an image processing request having a different attribute.   The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing requests having different attributes include a print request, a copy request, and a facsimile transmission / reception request. Storage means for storing information necessary for data processing executed by the CPU loaded from the external storage means with the power supplied from the night-time power supply system, and the power supply source for the CPU as the night-time power supply system or emergency night A power control method in a control device that performs power saving control by switching to a power supply system,
A generation step of generating a first task for performing power control at the time of transition to the power saving mode, and a second task for prohibiting interruption of a request of another task accompanying the first task;
A transition step of executing the second task and causing the storage means to retain the information loaded by the CPU and shifting to a power saving mode state;
A return step of receiving a request to return the power saving mode state to the normal power mode state and returning the information held in the storage means to a state executable by the CPU;
A power control method comprising:   The power supply to the CPU is cut off after the shift means holds the information loaded by the CPU in the storage means and shifts to the power saving mode state. Power control method.   13. The power control method according to claim 11, wherein the storage unit has an access speed higher than that of the external storage unit.   The power control method according to claim 11, wherein the external storage unit is a hard disk.   The power control method according to claim 11, wherein the information includes a program executed by the CPU and hardware resource information for executing the program.   The power control method according to claim 11, wherein priorities are set for the first task and the second task at the time of transition to the power saving mode.   The power control method according to claim 11, wherein the second task can be set higher than the first task.   The power control method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the second task can be set higher than the other tasks by consenting to the first task.   The power control method according to claim 11, wherein the other task is a task based on an image processing request having a different attribute.   20. The power control method according to claim 11, wherein the image processing requests having different attributes include a print request, a copy request, and a facsimile transmission / reception request.

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