JP2008194962A - Motion controller, electronic equipment, operation control method and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately control a shift to a power saving mode according to a pattern of the occurrence of a motion error when performing the control for the shift to the power saving mode even in a state that the motion error has occurred. <P>SOLUTION: A control part 20 for controlling the movement of a printer 1 equipped with a drive part which contains a recording head 41, a carriage drive motor 42 and a paper feed drive motor 43 detects the error which has occurred at the time of the movement of the drive part performs the control for shifting the drive part to the power save mode by stopping or reducing the supply of power to a part of the drive part at least, and changes shifting conditions to the power saving mode based on the kind of the detected error and a detection history at each category of the errors detected by an abnormality detecting part in the past when a standby state continues longer than a predetermined standard time period and a state that the error has been detected occurs. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation control device, an electronic apparatus, an operation control method, and a program for controlling the operation of a drive unit.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an apparatus having a drive unit such as a printer is known that shifts to a power saving mode in which power consumption is reduced by stopping or suppressing energization of the drive unit when a standby state continues.
In general, when an operation error of the drive unit occurs, the power saving mode is often not shifted. This is because when an operation error occurs, it is most desirable to eliminate the cause of the error and return to the normal operation state. However, if an error of a specific type occurs frequently, It may be more beneficial to transition to the power saving mode even if it occurs. Thus, there has been proposed an apparatus that shifts to a power saving mode after a predetermined time has elapsed when an error of a type designated in advance by operating the operation panel has occurred (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-232906 A

  However, it is very cumbersome and burdensome for the user himself to investigate and grasp the number of occurrences and the frequency of occurrence for each error type and to make settings for each type of error. In addition, it is difficult to verify whether or not the user's setting is valid, and there is a possibility that the burden on the user may be increased by leaving such setting to the user.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention has an object to appropriately control the transition to the power saving mode according to the tendency of the occurrence of the operation error when performing the control to shift to the power saving mode even when the operation error has occurred. And

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an operation control device that controls the operation of a drive unit, wherein an abnormality detection unit that detects an error that occurs during operation of the drive unit and a standby state in which the drive unit is not driven are predetermined. And a control unit that shifts the drive unit to a power saving mode by stopping or reducing power supply to at least a part of the drive unit when continuing for a time or more, and the control unit is in the standby state. The type of error that has been detected and the type of error that has been detected in the past by the anomaly detector when an error has been detected by the anomaly detector that has continued for a predetermined reference time or longer Provided is an operation control device characterized by changing a transition condition to a power saving mode based on each detection history.
According to this configuration, since the transition condition when shifting to the power saving mode is changed based on the detection history for each type of error, the power saving mode can be selected according to the error occurrence tendency without giving a burden to the user. You can optimize the transition conditions.

In the above configuration, the control unit counts the number of consecutive detections in which the same type of error is continuously detected by the abnormality detection unit, the standby state continues for a predetermined reference time and the abnormality When the number of continuous detections of the detected error exceeds a predetermined number due to the detection of an error by the detection unit, the condition for shifting to the power saving mode may be changed.
In this case, when the number of times that the same type of error is continuously detected exceeds a predetermined number, the transition condition for shifting to the power saving mode is changed. Transition conditions can be changed in response to the type of error that occupies. Thereby, the conditions for shifting to the power saving mode can be optimized more efficiently and effectively.

In the above configuration, the control unit counts the cumulative number of detections for each type of error detected by the abnormality detection unit, the standby state continues for a predetermined reference time and the abnormality detection unit When the error is detected by the above, and the cumulative number of detected errors exceeds a predetermined number, the condition for shifting to the power saving mode may be changed.
In this case, when the number of times errors are accumulated and detected exceeds the predetermined number, the transition condition for shifting to the power saving mode is changed, so the difference in the occurrence tendency for each type of error is small. However, the transition condition can be changed to accurately reflect this tendency. Thereby, the conditions for shifting to the power saving mode can be optimized more effectively.

In the above-described configuration, when the state where the standby state continues for a predetermined reference time and an error is detected by the abnormality detection unit occurs, the control unit sets a condition for shifting to the power saving mode, It is good also as what changes to different conditions for every kind of detected error.
In this case, since the condition for shifting to the power saving mode is changed for each type of error, it is possible to shift to the power saving mode under optimum conditions corresponding to the type of error without burdening the user. Thereby, for example, the user enters a power saving mode after a sufficient time to notice the occurrence of an error, or the user enters a power saving mode without worrying about the occurrence of an error. By optimizing the conditions for shifting to the power saving mode, convenience can be greatly improved.

The said structure WHEREIN: The said control part is good also as what changes the said predetermined | prescribed reference | standard time as conditions for transfer to power saving mode.
In this case, among the conditions for shifting to the power saving mode, the conditions that greatly affect the user's feeling of use and convenience, that is, the time from the standby state to the transition to the power saving mode is changed. By optimizing the transition conditions to the user, it is possible to improve the user experience and convenience.

In the above configuration, a recording apparatus including an image recording unit that records an image on a recording medium and a transport unit that transports the recording medium may be controlled as the driving unit.
In this case, in a recording apparatus including an image recording unit that records an image on a recording medium as the driving unit and a conveyance unit that conveys the recording medium, for example, an error in an operation of recording an image or an operation of conveying a recording medium. The transition condition for shifting to the power saving mode is changed according to the occurrence tendency. As a result, in a recording apparatus that is prone to mechanical errors depending on the user's usage method, the conditions for shifting to the power saving mode are optimized without imposing a burden on the user, and the user's feeling of use and convenience are improved. Can be planned.

Further, the present invention includes a drive unit and an operation control device that controls the drive unit. The operation control device includes an abnormality detection unit that detects an error that occurs during operation of the drive unit, and the drive unit includes: A control unit that shifts the drive unit to a power saving mode by stopping or reducing power supply to at least a part of the drive unit when a standby state that is not driven continues for a predetermined time or more, and the control unit When the state where the standby state continues for a predetermined reference time and an error is detected by the abnormality detection unit occurs, the type of error detected and the abnormality detection unit in the past Provided is an electronic device characterized by changing a transition condition to a power saving mode based on a detection history for each type of detected error.
According to this configuration, since the transition condition when the electronic device is shifted to the power saving mode is changed based on the detection history for each type of error, it is possible to respond to the error occurrence tendency without burdening the user. The conditions for shifting to the power saving mode can be optimized.

Further, the present invention is an operation control method for controlling the operation of the drive unit, wherein control for detecting an error occurring during operation of the drive unit and a standby state in which the drive unit is not driven continue for a predetermined time or more. In addition, when executing the control to shift the drive unit to the power saving mode by stopping or reducing the power supply to at least a part of the drive unit, the standby state continues for a predetermined reference time or more, And, when a state where the error is detected occurs, the power saving mode based on the type of error detected and the detection history for each type of error detected by the abnormality detection unit in the past The operation control method is characterized by changing the transition condition to.
According to this method, since the transition condition when shifting to the power saving mode is changed based on the detection history for each type of error, the power saving mode can be selected according to the tendency of error occurrence without giving a burden to the user. You can optimize the transition conditions.

Further, the present invention provides a computer that controls the operation of the drive unit, when an abnormality detection unit that detects an error that occurs during the operation of the drive unit and a standby state in which the drive unit is not driven continue for a predetermined time or more, The control unit causes the drive unit to shift to a power saving mode by stopping or reducing power supply to at least a part of the drive unit, and the standby state is a predetermined reference time as the control unit. When a state in which an error has been detected by the abnormality detection unit has continued, the type of error detected and the detection history for each type of error detected by the abnormality detection unit in the past Based on the above, a program for executing a function of changing a condition for shifting to the power saving mode is provided.
When this program is read and executed by the computer, the transition conditions when transitioning to the power saving mode are changed based on the detection history for each type of error, so there is a tendency for error occurrence without burdening the user. The conditions for shifting to the power saving mode can be optimized according to the conditions.

Further, the present invention can be realized as a recording medium on which the above program is recorded so as to be readable by a computer. According to this recording medium, when the program is read from the recording medium by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the operations and effects described for the program are obtained.
Here, the recording medium is a semiconductor storage device, a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, a magnetic recording / optical reading type recording medium, etc., and any recording medium can be used as long as it can be read by a computer. It may be a recording medium.

  Here, an error refers to an operational abnormality detected during the operation of the drive unit. The normal operation cannot be continued with this abnormality left unattended, and the normal operation can be continued with this abnormality left unattended. including. Specific examples of errors include an abnormality relating to the conveyance of the recording medium and an abnormality relating to the type and size of the recording medium in a recording apparatus that records an image including characters on the recording medium. It is.

  According to the present invention, since the transition condition when shifting to the power saving mode is changed based on the detection history for each type of error, the power saving mode can be selected according to the tendency of error occurrence without giving a burden to the user. You can optimize the transition conditions.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a case where the present invention is applied to a dot impact printer apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as “printer”) which is an aspect of an electronic apparatus will be exemplified.
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration of a printer 1 according to the present embodiment.
The printer 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a control unit 20 as an operation control device that controls each unit of the printer 1, each drive unit of a recording head 41, a carriage drive motor 42, and a paper feed drive motor 43, and each of these drive units. A display unit 52 for displaying an operation state of the printer 1 and a communication interface 53 connected to the external host computer 10. These units are connected to each other via a bus 50.

  The printer 1 is a device that records (prints) an image including characters on a recording medium by driving the recording head 41, the carriage driving motor 42, the paper feed driving motor 43, and the like under the control of the control unit 20. In the present embodiment, the printer 1 will be described as a dot impact printer in which ink of an ink ribbon is attached to a recording medium by a serial impact dot matrix (SIDM) printer head and an image is printed on the recording medium. Here, examples of the recording medium usable in the printer 1 include a cut sheet cut to a predetermined length, a continuous sheet in which a plurality of sheets are connected, and the like. These cut sheets and continuous sheets may be made of paper such as plain paper, copy paper, cardboard, or the like, or a sheet made of synthetic resin, and these sheets may be processed by coating or infiltration. In addition, as a form of the cut sheet, for example, in addition to a standard size cut paper (PPC paper, a postcard, etc.), a booklet form in which a plurality of sheets are bound (passbook etc.) or a bag-shaped form (envelope) Etc.). Examples of the form of the continuous sheet include continuous paper in which sprocket holes are formed at both ends in the width direction and folded at a predetermined length, and roll paper wound in a roll shape. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which recording paper such as cut paper or roll paper is used as the recording medium.

  The control unit 20 functions as a work area of the CPU 21 and the CPU 21, and stores various data such as various programs including the control program 24 executed by the CPU 21, a RAM 25 that temporarily stores calculation results and various data, and various data such as setting values. The microcomputer includes a rewritable flash ROM 24. The CPU 21 has a function of a timer 22 that counts at a designated timing. The RAM 25 includes a power saving mode transition determination unit 26 and an error count management unit 27 as program and data storage areas. The power saving mode shift determination unit 26 stores a program for determining whether or not the CPU 21 can shift to the power saving mode, and various data such as a setting condition referred to in the determination. The error count management unit 27 stores the number of occurrences for each type of error in a power saving mode transition time control process (FIG. 3) described later.

The recording head 41 is connected to a core around which the electromagnet coil is wound, a plurality of wire levers that are attracted to the core by energizing the electromagnet coil with a predetermined energization width (energization time), and a tip of each wire lever. And a plurality of recording wires that project when the wire lever is attracted to the core. These recording wires are projected and applied to the ink ribbon, and the ink of the ink ribbon adheres to the recording paper. The image is printed on the recording paper.
The carriage drive motor 42 is a motor that drives a carriage on which the recording head 41 is mounted and scans the recording paper. The paper feed drive motor 43 is a motor that drives a transport mechanism including a transport roller that transports recording paper in the printer 1. By these drive units, the recording paper set in the stacker or paper feed tray is transported in the printer 1, the carriage on which the recording head 41 is mounted is moved, and an image is printed on the recording surface of the recording paper by the recording head 41. .

The gate array 30 is a hardware circuit configured separately from the above-described control unit 20, and is connected to the control unit 20 via the bus 50, and according to the control of the control unit 20, the recording head 41 and the carriage drive motor. 42 and a drive unit including a paper feed drive motor 43 are driven.
The gate array 30 drives the carriage drive motor 42 by outputting a motor drive current to a head driver circuit 31 that generates and outputs a printhead drive current that drives the printhead 41, and a carriage drive motor 42 and a paper feed drive motor 43. A sensor (not shown) for detecting the operating state of the motor driver circuit 32, the recording head 41, the carriage drive motor 42, and the paper feed drive motor 43, and a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of recording paper in the paper feed path ( And a logic circuit 33 connected to various sensors (not shown).

The operation unit 51 includes a plurality of operation elements such as operation buttons. When these operation elements are operated by a user, the operation unit 51 generates an operation signal and outputs the operation signal to the control unit 20 via the bus 50. The display unit 52 includes a display body such as an LCD panel or an LED, and displays various information under the control of the control unit 20 using the display body. The display unit 52 displays, for example, information related to the print job being executed, an error message, and the like on the LCD panel, and displays the operation state of the printer 1 by lighting / flashing the LED. The operation unit 51 and the display unit 52 are disposed, for example, on the front portion of the printer 1.
The communication I / F (interface) 53 is an interface connected to other electronic devices such as the host computer 10 so as to be able to perform data communication by wire or wireless. The communication interface 53 is connected to the control unit 20 via the bus 50, receives a print command or print data from the host computer 10 or from another electronic device under the control of the control unit 20, and print results and operations. The status such as the status is transmitted to the host computer 10 and other electronic devices.

  The host computer 10 is a personal computer or the like operated by a user, and outputs print data including information indicating image data to be printed, recording paper size, and the like to the printer 1.

Next, the operation of the printer 1 will be described. In the operation described below, the CPU 21 functions as an abnormality detection unit and a control unit.
The printer 1 has two operation modes, a normal operation mode and a power saving mode.
The normal operation mode is an operation mode for performing printing on recording paper according to print data input from the host computer 10 and an operation mode for waiting for input of print data. In the normal operation mode, a drive current is supplied from the gate array 30 to each drive unit including the recording head 41, the carriage drive motor 42, and the paper feed drive motor 43.
On the other hand, in the power saving mode, in order to suppress power consumption, drive currents that flow through the drive units of the recording head 41, the carriage drive motor 42, and the paper feed drive motor 43, and supply of current from the logic circuit 33 to various sensors are supplied. Is an operation mode in which is temporarily stopped. In the power saving mode, since the printer 1 is not in a completely stopped state, when print data is input from the host computer 10 again, the printer 1 can quickly shift to the normal operation mode.
For example, in the normal operation mode, the printer 1 executes the power saving mode transition process, and when there is no input of print data from the host computer 10 and each drive unit is not driven for a predetermined time, the power saving is performed. Enter mode.
Further, in the power saving mode transition process, the printer 1 shifts to the power saving mode if an error relating to the recording paper has occurred and the drive unit has not been driven for a predetermined time or longer. In this case, the printer 1 executes a power saving mode transition time control process for changing a reference time for shifting to the power saving mode based on the occurrence history for each type of error.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer 1, and particularly shows a power saving mode transition process for controlling the transition to the power saving mode.
In the processing shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 21 first saves power consumption mode transition time, the reference number of times of transition from a paper feed error to the power saving mode, the reference number of times of transition from a paper out error to the power saving mode, and the discharge error. The reference number of times of transition to the power mode is set to T1, TC1 _max , TC2 _max , and TC3 _max , respectively (step S11). Initial values of T1, TC1 _max , TC2 _max , and TC3 _max are set in advance and stored in the flash ROM 23. Specifically, for example, T1 is 5 minutes, TC1 _max , TC2 _max , and TC3 _max are 5 (times).

Subsequently, the CPU 21 waits while the drive units of the recording head 41, the carriage drive motor 42, and the paper feed drive motor 43 are driven (step S12; Yes), and when the drive unit is not driven. (Step S12; No), it is determined whether or not an error relating to the recording paper has occurred (step S13). Here, errors relating to the recording paper include a paper feeding error such as the recording paper not being properly fed or the size of the recording paper does not match the size specified in the print data, or the recording paper from the stacker or paper feed tray. There is a paper out error that is not supplied and a paper discharge error in which the recording paper on which an image is recorded by the recording head 41 is not normally discharged.
If no recording paper error has occurred (step S13; No), the CPU 21 determines whether there is print data that has been input from the host computer 10 and has not yet been printed (step S14). If there is print data, the CPU 21 returns to step S12.
When there is no print data (step S14; No) and when an error relating to recording paper has occurred (step S13; Yes), the CPU 21 starts counting by the timer 22 (step S15), and step S11. The count value is monitored until the power saving mode transition time T1 set in step elapses (step S16).

Here, until the power saving mode transition time T1 elapses, the CPU 21 detects whether the print data is input from the host computer 10 or the operation unit 51 is operated (step S17), and the print data is input or the operation unit. The counting is continued while 51 is not operated (step S17; No), and when the print data is input or the operation unit 51 is operated (step S17; Yes), the count value of the timer 22 is cleared and the step is performed. Return to S12.
When the power saving mode transition time T1 has elapsed (step S16; Yes), the CPU 21 executes a power saving mode transition time control process described later (step S18), and the power saving mode set to T1 in step S11. Change the transition time.
Thereafter, the CPU 21 shifts the printer 1 to the power saving mode (step S19). When shifting to the power saving mode, supply of drive signals from the head driver circuit 31 of the gate array 30 to the recording head 41 and drive current from the motor driver circuit 32 to the carriage drive motor 42 and the logic circuit 33 are stopped. Further, the function of the logic circuit 33 is stopped.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing in detail the power saving mode transition time control process shown in step S18 of FIG.
In this power saving mode transition time control process, the CPU 21 first determines whether or not an error has occurred (step S21). If no error has occurred, the CPU 21 ends this process as it is. 2 moves to step S19.
On the other hand, if an error has occurred (step S21; Yes), the CPU 21 determines whether or not the error is a paper feed error (step S22). If a paper feed error has occurred (step S22; Yes), the CPU 21 increments (+1) the value of the parameter TC1, clears the values of the parameters TC2 and TC3 to zero (step S23), and will be described later. Control goes to step S27.
Here, the parameter TC1 is a parameter indicating the number of times that a paper feed error has occurred continuously, the parameter TC2 is a parameter indicating the number of times that a paper-out error has occurred continuously, and the parameter TC3 is a continuous discharge error. Is a parameter indicating the number of occurrences.

If the generated error is not a paper feed error (step S22; No), the CPU 21 determines whether or not the error is a paper out error (step S24). If a paper out error has occurred (step S24; Yes), the CPU 21 increments (+1) the value of the parameter TC2, clears the values of the parameters TC1 and TC3 to zero (step S23), and will be described later. Control goes to step S27.
Furthermore, if the error that has occurred is not a paper out error (step S24; No), the CPU 21 considers that a paper discharge error has occurred, increments the value of parameter TC3 (+1), and sets the values of parameters TC1 and TC2. Is cleared to zero (step S23), and the process proceeds to step S27 described later.

In step S27, the CPU 21 compares the values of the parameters TC1, TC2, and TC3 with TC1 _max , TC2 _max , and TC3 _max , respectively.
_{Then, TC1> TC1 max, TC2>} TC2 max, TC3> TC3 If any of _max is satisfied (step S27; Yes), CPU 21, the step S11 (FIG. 2) in the power-saving mode transition time set in the T1 Is changed to T2 (step S28), and this process is terminated.
Also, if _{TC1> TC1 max, TC2> TC2} max, TC3> none of TC3 _max not satisfied, the process ends.

In the power saving mode transition time control process shown in FIG. 3, the number of consecutive occurrences of the same type of error among paper feed error, paper out error, and paper discharge error is a predetermined number of times (TC1 _max , TC2 _max , TC3 _max ) Exceeds the power saving mode transition time is changed from T1 to T2.

Thus, according to the printer 1 according to the embodiment to which the present invention is applied, the power saving mode transition time, which is the transition condition when shifting to the power saving mode, is changed based on the detection history for each type of error. Therefore, the conditions for shifting to the power saving mode can be optimized according to the tendency of error occurrence without imposing a burden on the user.
In addition, when the number of consecutively detected errors of the same type exceeds the predetermined number, the power saving mode transition time is changed. Correspondingly, the transition condition to the power saving mode can be optimized more efficiently and effectively.
Furthermore, since the time for shifting to the power saving mode is changed as a condition for shifting to the power saving mode, the time for shifting to the power saving mode, which greatly affects the user's feeling of use and convenience, can be improved.
For example, in the processing shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, when T1 <T2, if a specific error occurs continuously, it takes a long time to shift to the power saving mode. The possibility that the user notices the error and the error is eliminated increases. For this reason, when an error occurs, it is particularly useful when it is desired that the error be eliminated before shifting to the power saving mode. In addition, when returning to the normal operation mode after shifting to the power saving mode, it is necessary to initialize the position and operation of each drive unit in order to prevent misalignment of each drive unit, which takes time. There is a case. In such a case, according to the error occurrence tendency, the power saving mode shift time is lengthened to decrease the frequency of shifting to the power saving mode, so that printing is performed quickly when print data is output from the host computer 10. be able to. Thereby, it is possible to achieve both saving of power consumption and improvement of convenience.

Furthermore, since TC1 _max , TC2 _max , and TC3 _max can be set for each type of error as conditions for changing the power saving mode transition time, different conditions can be set for each type of error. As a result, the degree to which the tendency of occurrence is reflected in the power saving mode transition time can be changed according to the type of error, so that the transition to the power saving mode can be controlled more appropriately.

  In addition, a recording apparatus such as the printer 1 is likely to generate mechanical and mechanical errors depending on the user's usage method and usage environment, and the type of error that occurs also reflects the user's usage method and has a specific tendency. Is likely to appear. For example, a paper out error is likely to occur when only one type of recording paper is used in the printer 1, and a paper out error is likely to occur even when the recording paper is fed every time printing is performed. Also, when a paper out error occurs, the user may be left without noticing the error, but the paper out error can be resolved by feeding the recording paper, so even if the power saving mode is entered as it is, it will fail. Etc. On the other hand, when various types of recording paper are exchanged in the printer 1, an error due to the size mismatch of the recording paper is likely to occur. Furthermore, when the printer 1 is connected to a large number of host computers 10 via, for example, a network, it is considered that an error is likely to occur. As described above, if the above-described control is applied to the printer 1 in which the frequency and the tendency of occurrence of errors vary depending on the usage method and usage environment, the conditions for shifting to the power saving mode are optimized, so that the use of the user The feeling and convenience can be improved.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the power saving mode transition time is changed based on the number of times that the same type of error has continuously occurred has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, an error may occur. The power saving mode transition time may be changed based on the cumulative number of occurrences for each type. That is, TC2 and TC3 are not cleared to zero in step S23 of FIG. 3, and similarly, the process of clearing TC1, TC2, and TC3 to zero in steps S25 and S26 may not be performed. In this case, the power saving mode transition time is changed based on the cumulative number of errors, so even if there is no significant difference in the tendency of occurrence for each error type, the occurrence tendency is changed to the power saving mode transition time. It can be reflected accurately, and the transition condition to the power saving mode can be optimized more effectively.

  In the above embodiment, the case has been described in which the power saving mode transition time is uniformly changed to T2 based on the number of consecutive occurrences of any of a paper feed error, a paper out error, and a paper discharge error. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the power saving mode transition time may be changed to a different time for each type of error. Hereinafter, this case will be described as a modified example.

[Modification]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a power saving mode transition time control process in a modification of the embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 4 is a process executed instead of the power saving mode transition time control process shown in FIG. 3, and corresponds to step S18 in FIG.
The CPU 21 determines whether or not an error has occurred (step S31). If no error has occurred, the CPU 21 ends the process.
On the other hand, if an error has occurred (step S31; Yes), the CPU 21 determines whether or not the error is a paper feed error (step S32). If a paper feed error has occurred (step S32; Yes), the CPU 21 increments (+1) the value of the parameter TC1 and clears the values of the parameters TC2 and TC3 to zero (step S33). Subsequently, the CPU 21 compares the parameters TC1 and TC1 _max (step S34). When TC1 exceeds TC1 _max , the CPU 21 performs processing for changing the power saving mode transition time to T3 (step S35). And the process proceeds to step S19 in FIG. When TC1 is equal to or less than TC1 _max (step S34; No), this process is terminated as it is.

If the error that has occurred is not a paper feed error (step S32; No), the CPU 21 determines whether the error is a paper out error (step S36). If a paper out error has occurred (step S36; Yes), the CPU 21 increments (+1) the value of the parameter TC2 and clears the values of the parameters TC1 and TC3 to zero (step S37). Subsequently, the CPU 21 compares the parameters TC2 and TC2 _max (step S38). If TC2 exceeds TC2 _max , the CPU 21 performs processing for changing the power saving mode transition time to T4 (step S39). And the process proceeds to step S19 in FIG. Further, when TC2 is equal to or less than TC2 _max (step S38; No), this process is terminated as it is.
Furthermore, when the error that has occurred is not a paper out error (step S36; No), the CPU 21 considers that a paper discharge error has occurred, increments the value of parameter TC3 (+1), and sets the values of parameters TC1 and TC2. Is cleared to zero (step S40). Subsequently, the CPU 21 compares the parameters TC3 and TC3 _max (step S41). If TC3 exceeds TC3 _max , the CPU 21 performs processing for changing the power saving mode transition time to T4 (step S42). And the process proceeds to step S19 in FIG. Further, when TC3 is equal to or less than TC3 _max (step S41; No), this process is ended as it is.

  According to the processing shown in FIG. 4, when the number of consecutive occurrences of the same type of errors among paper feed errors, paper out errors, and paper discharge errors exceeds a predetermined number, The value is changed to a different value for each error type, that is, T3, T4, or T5. For this reason, when a paper feed error occurs continuously a predetermined number of times or more, the power saving mode transition time can be changed according to the type of error. Thus, for example, when a paper feed error occurs continuously a predetermined number of times, the power saving mode transition time is shortened, and when a paper discharge error occurs continuously a predetermined number of times, the power saving mode transition time is lengthened. It is possible to realize fine control according to the type of error. In other words, it is convenient for the user to enter the power saving mode after a sufficient time to notice the occurrence of the error, or to make the user enter the power saving mode without worrying about the occurrence of the error. Can be greatly improved.

The above-described embodiments merely show one aspect of the present invention, and can be arbitrarily modified and applied within the scope of the present invention.
For example, in the above embodiment, the values of T1 and T2 set as the power saving mode transition time are set to T1 <T2, but may be T1> T2. In this case, when a specific error occurs continuously, the time until the shift to the power saving mode is shortened, so that the shift to the power saving mode is promptly performed regardless of the occurrence of the error. For example, an error that can be easily eliminated by an operation of supplying recording paper, such as a paper out error, can be eliminated if the user confirms the recording paper when printing data is input from the host computer 10 and printing is started. Is done. For this reason, it is more efficient to expect the error to be resolved when returning to normal operation promptly by entering the power saving mode rather than going to the power saving mode in the hope of eliminating the error. It is. In the modification of the above embodiment, T3, T4, and T5 may be larger or smaller than T1, respectively.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a dot impact printer which is an aspect of an electronic device is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention is also applied to an inkjet printer, a sublimation printer, and the like. Can do. In addition to a printer having a recording head mounted on a carriage, for example, a thermal head printer provided with a fixedly arranged recording head, a paper transport motor for transporting recording paper, and a motor driving device for driving the paper transport motor The present invention can also be applied to a printer apparatus or a laser printer that transfers toner adhered to a rotatable photosensitive drum onto a recording medium.
Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to electronic devices such as a copier, a facsimile machine, and a scanner as long as they are electronic devices provided with a microcomputer in addition to a printer.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the control program 24 executed by the CPU 21 is stored in the flash ROM 23 in advance has been described. However, the control program 24 may be downloaded via a communication network. The control program 24 is recorded on a recording medium such as a semiconductor storage device, a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, a magnetic recording / optical reading type recording medium, and the CPU 21 reads the control program 24 from the recording medium. It is good also as a structure to execute.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer according to an embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a power saving mode transfer process in detail. It is a flowchart which shows a power saving mode transition time control process. It is a flowchart which shows another example of a power saving mode transition time control process.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer (electronic device), 10 ... Host computer, 20 ... Control part (operation control apparatus), 21 ... CPU (control part, abnormality detection part), 22 ... Timer, 23 ... Flash ROM, 24 ... Control program, 25 ... RAM, 26 ... Power saving mode transition determination unit, 27 ... Error frequency management unit, 30 ... Gate array, 31 ... Head driver circuit, 32 ... Motor driver circuit, 33 ... Logic circuit, 41 ... Recording head (drive unit), 42 ... Carriage drive motor (drive unit), 43 ... Paper feed drive motor (drive unit), 51 ... Operation unit, 52 ... Display unit, 53 ... Communication interface 53.

Claims (9)

In the operation control device that controls the operation of the drive unit,
An anomaly detector that detects an error that occurs during operation of the drive unit;
A control unit that shifts the driving unit to a power saving mode by stopping or reducing power supply to at least a part of the driving unit when a standby state in which the driving unit is not driven continues for a predetermined time or longer. ,
The control unit, when the standby state continues for a predetermined reference time or more and an error is detected by the abnormality detection unit, the type of error detected and the abnormality in the past Changing the transition condition to the power saving mode based on the detection history for each type of error detected by the detection unit;
An operation control device. The control unit counts the number of continuous detections in which the same type of errors are continuously detected by the abnormality detection unit,
When the standby state continues for a predetermined reference time and an error is detected by the abnormality detection unit, the number of continuous detection times of the detected error exceeds a predetermined number of times. Changing the migration conditions,
The operation control apparatus according to claim 1. The control unit counts the cumulative number of detections for each type of error detected by the abnormality detection unit,
When the standby state continues for a predetermined reference time and an error is detected by the abnormality detection unit, and the cumulative number of detected errors exceeds a predetermined number, the power saving mode is entered. Changing the migration conditions,
The operation control apparatus according to claim 1. The control unit detects the condition for shifting to the power saving mode when the standby state continues for a predetermined reference time or more and an error is detected by the abnormality detection unit. Change to different conditions for each error type,
The operation control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The control unit changes the predetermined reference time as a transition condition to the power saving mode,
The operation control device according to claim 1, wherein: Controlling a recording apparatus including an image recording unit that records an image on a recording medium and a transport unit that transports the recording medium as the drive unit;
The operation control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: A drive unit and an operation control device for controlling the drive unit;
The operation control device includes:
An anomaly detector that detects an error that occurs during operation of the drive unit;
A control unit that shifts the driving unit to a power saving mode by stopping or reducing power supply to at least a part of the driving unit when a standby state in which the driving unit is not driven continues for a predetermined time or longer. ,
The control unit, when the standby state continues for a predetermined reference time or more and an error is detected by the abnormality detection unit, the type of error detected and the abnormality in the past Changing the transition condition to the power saving mode based on the detection history for each type of error detected by the detection unit;
Electronic equipment characterized by An operation control method for controlling the operation of the drive unit,
Control for detecting an error occurring during operation of the drive unit;
Executing a control to shift the drive unit to a power saving mode by stopping or reducing power supply to at least a part of the drive unit when a standby state in which the drive unit is not driven continues for a predetermined time or more. When
The type of error detected when the standby state continues for a predetermined reference time and the error is detected, and the type of error detected by the abnormality detection unit in the past Changing the transition condition to the power saving mode based on the detection history of each,
An operation control method characterized by the above. A computer that controls the operation of the drive,
An anomaly detecting means for detecting an error occurring during operation of the drive unit;
Control means for causing the drive unit to shift to a power saving mode by stopping or reducing power supply to at least a part of the drive unit when a standby state in which the drive unit is not driven continues for a predetermined time or longer. Make it work,
As the control means, when the standby state continues for a predetermined reference time or longer and an error is detected by the abnormality detection unit, the type of error detected and the abnormality in the past Based on the detection history for each type of error detected by the detection unit, causing a function to change the transition condition to the power saving mode,
A program characterized by

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