JP2008228269A - Multi-functional device and method of controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multi-functional device that reduces the start-up time of a device having a portion requiring a lot of time for start-up and that requiring not so long time therefor while improving the operability. <P>SOLUTION: The digital multi-functional device 1 having a first component portion 2 to start the device in a first start time and second component 4 to start the device in a second start time shorter than that of the first component portion 1, obtains information related to the operation start forecast of the digital multifunctional device 1 and starts the first component portion 2 independently of the second component portion 4 based on the forecast information obtained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a so-called MFP that combines a copy function, a facsimile (FAX) function, a print function, and a scanner function, and in particular, a part that takes a relatively long time to start up. The present invention relates to a digital multi-function peripheral that can improve the operability by shortening the startup time of the device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Nowadays, an image processing apparatus such as a so-called MFP that combines a copy function, a facsimile (FAX) function, a print function, and a scanner function is provided. Such a digital multi-function peripheral is activated and used by many users at unspecified time. Therefore, when trying to use, there is a case where it cannot be used unless the main power supply is turned on and after waiting for the total startup time.

For example, a conventional device has a part that uses a general-purpose OS in addition to the original functions of an image processing apparatus of a multifunction peripheral, and each has a startup process. As illustrated in FIG. 14, consider a start-up process of a multi-function peripheral having a first component that uses a general-purpose OS and a second component that assumes the original functions of the image processing apparatus. The second component portion completes activation in a period T ₄ from timing t ₁₁ to timing t ₁₂ , while the activation completion of the first component portion requires a period T ₅ from timing t ₁₁ to timing t _13. For this reason, the total startup time is a period T ₅ which is a late startup time (Patent Document 1).

  That is, the part with a fast start-up time is not ready for use unless the part with a slow start-up time is waited for, which is a factor that increases the time until the user becomes usable. In other conventional devices, the startup process can be speeded up. However, the power used during the startup process must be kept in the same state as the operating state, and it is expensive to prepare for startup. (Patent Document 2).

  In another conventional apparatus, the activation time is shortened by using the hibernation function. However, some embedded OSs do not support the hibernation function itself, and it is impossible to reduce the startup time using the hibernation function in a device equipped with such an OS (Patent Document 3). 4, and 5).

  In addition, in other conventional devices, it is possible to speed up the startup process of the part related to the user operation, but it does not necessarily improve the speed to the completion of the process, considering the startup time and execution processing time of the entire system, The time is not shortened. In addition, it is necessary to store the dependency relations of the entire system modules, and there is a problem that this information creation and management is costly (Patent Document 6).

Also, with other conventional devices, the startup time of a specific function (copy function) can be shortened. However, if you want to use other functions, the normal startup time will not be substituted, and the entire system functions will be replaced. Considering the startup time to be used, it does not necessarily improve (Patent Document 7).
JP 2004-356822 A WO2004 / 092934 JP 2004-38545 A JP 2004-38546 A JP-A-10-207588 JP 2006-268377 A JP 2006-259873 A

  In other words, a multifunctional MFP starts up from a storage device such as a hard disk that incorporates a multifunctional operating system in order to realize its functions. There is a possibility that it takes more time to start up the operating system than the MFP.

  In particular, if the multi-function operating system part takes more time than the part that realizes the conventional function, for example, the printing apparatus part or the image reading apparatus part, the multi-function MFP can be used after the power is turned on. There is a problem that the time is longer than that of the MFP having the conventional function.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and its purpose is to shorten the startup time of a device having a portion that takes a relatively long time to start and a portion that takes a relatively long time. An object of the present invention is to provide a multifunction machine that can improve operability.

  In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a first component that starts at a first startup time and a second startup time that is shorter than the first startup time. An operation start prediction information acquisition unit that acquires information related to an operation start prediction of the multifunction device, and the first component part independent of the second component part. It has a starting processing part to start, and a power supply part which drives the starting processing part based on the information about the acquired operation start prediction.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the multifunction peripheral according to the first aspect, the first component includes an operable operating state and a power saving state in which power consumption is reduced compared to the operating state. And the activation processing unit drives the first component by being driven based on information related to the operation start prediction, and activates the first component so as to be in the power saving state. It is characterized by starting.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the multifunction device according to the first or second aspect, the operation start prediction information acquisition unit acquires time information as information related to the operation start prediction of the multifunction device. The power supply unit drives the activation processing unit based on the acquired time information and information on a predetermined time corresponding to the time information.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the multifunction device according to the third aspect, the predetermined time is a time set based on a predicted operation start time of the multifunction device. To do.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the multifunction device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the start of power supply to at least one of the first component and the second component. It further has a power supply start history accumulation unit that accumulates information related to time, the operation start prediction information acquisition unit acquires time information as information about operation start prediction of the multifunction peripheral, and the power supply unit acquires the acquisition The activation processing unit is driven based on the time information obtained and the stored information on the start time of power supply.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the multi-function device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the supply of power to at least one of the first component and the second component is stopped. The operation start prediction information acquisition unit further includes a start timer that transmits a start count completion signal by counting according to a predetermined period and counting the predetermined period, and the operation start prediction information acquisition unit includes the start as information related to the operation start prediction of the multifunction peripheral A count completion signal is acquired.

  The invention according to claim 7 further includes a human body detection unit that detects a human body around the multi-function peripheral and transmits a human body detection signal in the multi-function machine according to any one of the first to sixth aspects. The operation start prediction information acquisition unit acquires the human body detection signal as information related to operation start prediction of the multifunction machine.

  The invention according to claim 8 further includes a sound detection unit that detects sound around the multifunction device and transmits a sound detection signal in the multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The operation start prediction information acquisition unit acquires the voice detection signal as information related to operation start prediction of the multifunction machine.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the multi-function device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, a network detection unit that detects a communication state of a network to which the multi-function device belongs and transmits a network detection signal. The operation start prediction information acquisition unit further includes the network detection signal as information related to operation start prediction of the multifunction peripheral.

  The invention described in claim 10 is the multifunction device according to claim 9, wherein the multifunction device is an image forming apparatus that executes image formation by receiving a print job, A network detection signal is transmitted by detecting an input of a print job to the multifunction peripheral.

  An eleventh aspect of the invention is the multifunction device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein an illuminance detection unit that detects an illuminance change around the multifunction device and transmits an illuminance change detection signal. In addition, the operation start prediction information acquisition unit acquires the illuminance change detection signal as information related to operation start prediction of the multifunction peripheral.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the multifunction device according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, a power change detection signal is generated by detecting conversion of power of an external power source that supplies power to the multifunction device. It further has a power detection unit for transmitting, and the operation start prediction information acquisition unit acquires the output change detection signal as information related to operation start prediction of the multifunction peripheral.

  The invention according to claim 13 is the multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a temperature detection unit that detects a temperature change around the multifunction device and transmits a temperature change detection signal. And the operation start prediction information acquisition unit acquires the temperature change detection signal as information related to operation start prediction of the multifunction peripheral.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the multi-function device according to the first to thirteenth aspects, the second component is non-displayed until a predetermined timing after the activation processing unit activates the first component. The apparatus further includes a stop processing unit that stops the first component when the system is in operation.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the multi-function device according to the fourteenth aspect, the stop processing unit acquires time information as information for determining the predetermined timing, and the acquired time information and The first component is stopped based on information of a predetermined time corresponding to the time information.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the multi-function device according to the fourteenth aspect, information relating to a start time of power supply to at least one of the first component and the second component is accumulated. A power supply start history storage unit, and the stop processing unit acquires time information as information for determining the predetermined timing;
The first component is stopped based on the acquired time information and the stored information on the start time of power supply.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the multi-function device according to the fourteenth aspect, the counting starts in response to the activation of the first component by the activation processing unit, and stops by counting a predetermined period. A stop timer for transmitting a count completion signal is further provided, and the stop processing unit stops the first component based on the stop count completion signal.

  The invention according to claim 18 has a first component that starts at a first startup time and a second component that starts at a second startup time shorter than the first startup time. A method for controlling a multifunction device, comprising: acquiring information related to an operation start prediction of the multifunction device, and determining the first component portion independently of the second component portion based on the acquired information related to operation start prediction. It is characterized by starting.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of improving the operability by shortening the startup time of a device having a portion that takes a relatively long time to start up. Become.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an embodiment of a digital multi-function peripheral as an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG.

  Note that, here, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a so-called MFP that combines a copy function, a facsimile (FAX) function, a print function, a scanner function, and the like is described as an example. The apparatus is not limited to the MFP, and can be applied to a startup method for all devices having components that do not take a long time to start and components that take a relatively long time to start.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 includes a printing unit 3 that forms an image, an image reading unit 5 that reads an image, an operation unit 7 that inputs an operation, and document information. And a storage unit 9. The operation unit 7 has an information display 11 equipped with a touch panel for input. There may also be a slot for inserting external media.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the internal configuration of the digital multi-function peripheral includes a first component 2 having a long activation time and a second component 4 having a shorter activation time than the first component 2. The first component 2 and the second component 4 have separate power supply control systems and can be activated by either one.

  The first component 2 that takes a relatively long time to start up includes a CPU 15 for overall control, a first power supply device 17, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) via the first internal bus 13. ) 19, the memory 21, and the first network interface 23 are connected to each other, and the second internal bus 25 is a second component 4 that takes relatively little time to start. The control unit 27, the second power supply device 29, the image processing unit 31, the image input device 33, the image output device 35, the fax device 37, and the second network interface 39 are mutually connected. It is a connected configuration. In addition, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment includes a power control unit 50 that controls the first power supply device 17 and the second power supply device 29.

  Due to the function of the power supply control unit 50, the first power supply device 17 and the second power supply device 29 operate in conjunction with each other. The first component 2 and the second component 4 can be activated individually. The first network interface 23 and the second network interface 39 are connected to a client PC (Personal Computer) 43 via a LAN (Local Area Network) 41.

  Next, the power supply control unit 50 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the power control unit 50 includes a first switch 51, a power supply detection unit 52, a second switch 53, a timer 54, and an RTC (Real Time Clock) 55. The first switch 51 switches whether external power is supplied to the first power supply device 17. The power supply detection unit 52 detects the start or stop of the supply of external power to the second power supply device 29.

  The second switch 53 switches whether external power is supplied to the second power supply device 29. The second switch 53 is switched when a mechanical switch provided in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is turned on or off by an operator. That is, the second switch 53 also functions as a main power source of the digital multi-function peripheral 1. The power supply detection unit 52 detects the start of supply of external power to the second power supply device 29 and inputs a supply start detection signal indicating the start of power supply to the first switch 51. The switch circuit 51 switches connection so as to supply external power to the first power supply device 17 in accordance with a supply start detection signal from the power supply detection unit 52. Further, when the power supply detection unit 52 detects the supply stop of the external power supply to the second power supply device 29, the power supply detection unit 52 inputs a supply stop detection signal indicating the power supply stop to the first switch 51 and the timer 54. The switch circuit 51 switches connection so as to stop the external power supply to the first power supply device 17 in response to the supply stop signal from the power supply detection unit 52.

  The timer 54 starts counting in response to the stop of external power supply to the second power supply device 29. When the second power supply device 29 starts counting and counts a predetermined period, the second power supply device 29 inputs a count completion signal indicating completion of counting to the first switch 51. The first switch 51 switches connection so as to supply external power to the first power supply device 17 in accordance with a signal from the timer 54. That is, the timer 54 functions as an activation timer that counts the period until the activation of the first component. The RTC 55 inputs real time information to the first switch 51. The first switch 51 acquires real time information from the RTC 55 and switches the connection so that external power is supplied to the first power supply device 17 when a predetermined time is reached.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the timer 54 and the RTC 55 are supplied with external power regardless of the state of the first switch 51 and the second switch 53. Note that the timer 54 and the RTC 55 can operate based on a built-in battery power supply in addition to an external power supply. Thus, in the power supply control unit 50 according to the present embodiment, the first switch 51 starts the first supply based on the signal input from the timer 54 or the RTC 55 in addition to the start of power supply to the second power supply device 29. The external power supply to the power supply device 17 is started.

  Next, the starting operation of the digital multifunction peripheral according to the present invention will be described.

  First, the digital MFP shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is provided with a function for setting the device in a power saving mode with the operating system activated, and this can be used to shorten the activation time. Yes. Specifically, the first power supply unit 17 sets the individually activated first component 2 to the power saving mode or restores it.

  The power saving mode referred to here is called a suspend mode or the like in a general personal computer, and the power consumption mode is a large amount of power consumption while storing information in the memory 21 in order to keep the device activated. The power supply to the first component 2 (in FIG. 2, the CPU 15, the HDD 19, the first network interface 23, etc.) can be stopped to reduce the power consumption compared to the normal time. Since the memory 21 holds information during activation, it can be restored in a much shorter time than normal activation in order to make it usable again.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing a power supply state of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the starting operation of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. When the mechanical switch of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is operated by the operator, the second switch is turned on at timing t ₁ (S401), and the supply of external power to the second power supply device 29 is started. When the supply of external power to the second power supply device 29 is started, the power supply detection unit 52 inputs a detection signal to the first switch 51, and the first switch 51 is turned on at timing t ₁ '. (S402). Here, since the first switch 51 is turned on in response to the second switch 53 being turned on, the timing t ₁ and the timing t ₁ ′ are accurately different, but the difference between both timings is extremely high. A short interval.

When the second switch is turned on, the second component 4 starts to be activated at timing t ₁ , and the activation of the second component 4 is completed at timing t ₂ after the period T ₃ has elapsed. . On the other hand, when the first switch is turned on, the first component 2 starts to be activated at the timing t ₁ ′. In the first component 2, the BIOS and the OS are first activated by operating the CPU 15, the memory 21, and the like (S 403). The activation of the BIOS and the OS is completed by loading the BIOS program and the OS program stored in the HDD 19 shown in FIG. 2 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) (not shown) into the memory 21 and starting the operation under the control of the CPU 15.

When the activation of the BIOS and the OS is completed at the timing t ₃ , the first component 2 next activates an application that operates each unit of the apparatus (S 404). The application activation is also completed by loading an application program stored in a recording medium such as the HDD 19 into the memory 21 and starting the operation under the control of the CPU 15 as in the case of the BIOS or OS. When the activation of the application is completed at the timing t _4, at a timing t ₄ when the period T ₁ is passed from the timing t _1, the digital multifunction peripheral 1, the operating state (S405).

As shown in FIG. 5, the period T ₁ is longer than the period T ₃ . This is because it takes time to start the BIOS and OS, and the application. The general period T ₁ is about 3 minutes, for example, while the period T ₃ is about 1 minute. Therefore, even at the second timing t ₂ the second component 4 we have completed startup, because the first component 2 is not completed startup, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is not a usable state. The gist of the present embodiment is to solve such a problem.

Digital MFP 1, after a running state at time t _4, the mechanical switch is operated by the operator, the second switch is running until the OFF (S406 / NO). In the operation of the digital multi-function peripheral 1, the power saving control is performed as described above, and the operation state and the power saving state are switched according to the operation state of the apparatus.

Is an operator operated mechanical switch of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 by the second switch is turned OFF at the timing t ₅ (S406 / YES), the power supply detection section 52 outage to the first switch 51 and the timer 54 Input the detection signal. The timer 54 starts counting according to the supply stop detection signal input from the power supply detection unit 52 (S407). Further, the first switch 51 is turned OFF at timing t ₅ ′ in response to the supply stop detection signal input from the power supply detection unit 52 (S408). Here, since the first switch 51 is turned off in response to the second switch 53 being turned off, the timing t ₅ and the timing t ₅ ′ are accurately different, but the difference between both timings is extremely high. A short interval.

  When the first switch 51 is turned off, the supply of external power to the first power supply device 17 is stopped, and the function of the first component 2 is stopped. Further, when the second switch 53 is turned off, the supply of the external power to the second power supply device 29 is stopped, and the function of the second component 4 is stopped. As a result, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 stops functioning (S409). As described above, the timer 54 is supplied with power independently from the first power supply device 17 and the second power supply device 29, and continues counting even when the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is stopped. Yes. Also. Power is also supplied to the RTC 55, and information regarding the actual time is input to the first switch 51.

When the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is stopped, the timer 54 finishes counting for a predetermined period (S410 / YES), or when the count completion signal is input to the first switch 51, or the timer 54 finishes counting. (S410 / NO) before, when the time notified from RTC55 the first switch 51 becomes a predetermined time (S411 / YES), the first switch 51, in response to these signals at the timing t ₆ The connection is switched to supply external power to the first power supply device 17 (S412). When the first switch 51 is turned on (S412), external power is supplied to the first power supply device 17 and the first component 2 starts to start. In addition, when the first switch 51 turns on in response to the count completion signal input from the timer 54 or the time signal input from the RTC 55, the first switch 51 resets the timer 54 and starts counting again (S413). ).

When starting up, the first component 2 starts up the BIOS and the OS in the same manner as described above (S414). When the startup of the BIOS and the OS is completed, the first component 2 does not start all applications as in normal startup processing, but starts some applications and starts as a power saving state at timing t ₇ . (S415). That is, the first power supply device 17, the CPU 15, the memory 21, and the like function as a startup processing unit. As activation of the power saving state, initial setting of an application, service start processing, and the like are performed. After the first component 2 is activated as a power-saving state, it is operated mechanical switch of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 by the operator, when the second switch is ON (S416 / YES), the second power supply at a timing t ₈ An external power supply is supplied to the apparatus and the second component 4 starts to start, and at the timing t ₈ ′, the first component 2 starts a transition from the power saving state to the operating state.

  Note that the transition from the power saving state to the operating state is generally controlled by processing of an OS or application that operates in the first component 2. The trigger for the OS or application to start the state transition may be when the power supply detection unit 52 detects the start of external power supply to the second power supply device 29, or the second component has started to start. This may be the case when the OS or application detects this.

In the transition from the power saving state to the operating state, the first component 2 only needs to start the application (S404). On the other hand, the second component 4 is usually the start as well as activation processing is executed, the digital MFP 1 is operating state at a timing t ₁₀ (S405). As shown in FIG. 5, the operator operates the mechanical switch of the digital multifunction peripheral 1, after the digital MFP at timing t ₈ starts the start processing, similarly activation process and the second component is usually performed for, it completes the starting process at the timing t ₁₀ to the time T ₃ has elapsed from the timing t _8. On the other hand, the first component 2 is different from the normal start-up, since it is only the application starts as shown in FIG. 5, the startup process at the timing t ₉ the period T ₂ has elapsed from the timing t ₈ is completed To do. Here, in the present embodiment, the period T ₂ is a period shorter than the period T ₃ . This is because, unlike normal startup processing, BIOS and OS startup processing, application initialization, and startup processing of already started applications are not required.

By such an operation, the operator operates the mechanical switch of the digital multifunction peripheral 1, when the timing t ₈ device starts the startup process, the apparatus in a short period T ₃ than the period T ₁ is a normal start-up time Startup is complete. Therefore, after the operator operates the main power supply of the apparatus, it is possible to shorten the period until the apparatus is ready for use after completing the startup process.

On the other hand, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is the power-saving start (S414) at the timing t _7, after the timer 54 starts counting (S415), before the second switch ON (S416 / NO) the timer 54 is a predetermined time period When the count is finished (S417 / YES), the timer 54 inputs a count completion signal to the first switch 51, the first switch 51 is turned off (S418), and the operation is finished. That is, the first switch 51 functions as a stop processing unit that stops the first component. Further, the timer 54 functions as a stop timer that counts a period until the first component 2 is stopped. With such an operation, it is possible to prevent the first component 2 from maintaining the power saving state even when the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is not used, and wasteful power consumption.

  As described above, the power control unit 50 of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment is configured so that the timer 54 is activated for a predetermined period after the main power (second switch 53) is turned off and the digital multi-function peripheral 1 stops operating. Is completed, the first component 2 controlled by the OS is activated. Further, even before the timer 54 completes counting for a predetermined period, the first component 2 is similarly activated when it is detected that a predetermined time has come. This can be said to be a preparation start in anticipation that the main power supply of the apparatus will be turned on soon. In other words, the first switch 51 acquires signals from the timer 54 and the RTC 55 as information related to the prediction of the start of operation of the digital multifunction device 1, and activates the first component prior to activation of the second component. It can be said that this is standby processing for waiting. That is, in the above example, the first switch 51 functions as an operation start prediction information acquisition unit and also functions as a power supply unit that supplies external power to the first power supply device 17.

  A specific operation example of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. For example, in a digital multi-function peripheral used in an office, the main power is turned off when one day of work is completed, and the main power is turned on when the next day's work starts. In such a case, the period from when the main power supply is turned off to when it is turned on is substantially the same. Therefore, by setting the period counted by the timer 54 to be shorter than the period predicted as the period from when the main power supply of the apparatus is turned off on the current day until the main power supply of the apparatus is turned on the next day, FIG. As shown in a), the next day, the first component is prepared and activated before the main power supply of the apparatus is turned on, so that the period from when the main power supply is turned on until the apparatus can be used can be shortened. It becomes possible.

  In the office or the like, the time when the main power supply of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is turned on is in accordance with the time when the business is started. Therefore, it is preferable that the time when the first switch 51 receives the time notification signal from the RTC 55 to turn on the first switch is set before the business start time in the office. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6B, the first component is prepared and activated before the main power of the apparatus is turned on after the work is started, and the apparatus can be used after the main power is turned on. It becomes possible to shorten the period until it becomes. Such a mode is particularly effective when the start of counting is delayed, for example, when the end time of the previous day is exceptionally late. The time when the first switch 51 receives the time notification signal from the RTC 55 and turns on the first switch is preferably set arbitrarily. As a result, it is possible to set the time for the digital multifunction device 1 to be ready for activation in accordance with the office working hours and the like, and to reduce wasteful standby power.

  On the other hand, there may be a case where the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is not used in an office such as a holiday. In such a case, continuing the pre-started state increases wasteful power consumption. As shown in FIG. 6C, the power supply control unit 50 according to the present embodiment is ready to start (S414 in FIG. 4) upon completion of counting (S410 in FIG. 4) or reaching a predetermined time (S411 in FIG. 4). The timer 54 again starts (restarts) counting (S415 in FIG. 4). When the timer 54 completes counting for a predetermined period (S417 / YES in FIG. 4) before the main power is turned on (S416 / NO in FIG. 4), the preparation start-up is finished (S416 in FIG. 4). Is completely stopped. By such processing, it is possible to determine the valid period of the preparation activation by the digital multifunction peripheral 1, and it is possible to prevent the useless preparation activation state from continuing and increasing the power consumption.

  As described above, according to the power supply control unit 50 according to the present embodiment, the startup time of a device having a portion that takes a relatively long time compared with a portion that does not take a long time to start is shortened, and the operability is improved. be able to.

  Note that the activation and power saving control of the first component 2 described above are performed by the first and second power supply devices 17 and 29 via the power supply control unit 50 under the control of the CPU 15. The CPU 15, the power control unit 50, and the first and second power devices 17 and 29 constitute a power control means.

  In the above description, the power saving state is used as a preparation start mode in which only the first component is started. As a result, it is possible to reduce standby power from when the apparatus is prepared and activated until the main power is turned on. In addition, the first component 2 may be completely activated as a preparation activation. In this case, the apparatus can be activated only by the activation process of the second component 4 regardless of the time required for the first component 2 to transition from the power saving state to the operating state. Further, after the first component 2 is completely activated, it may be shifted to the power saving state.

  In the above description, as described in S407 of FIG. 4, when the power of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is turned off, the timer 54 always starts (S407), and the timer 54 finishes counting for a predetermined period. Alternatively, an example has been described in which the above-described preparation activation is performed when the predetermined time comes. In addition, the power supply control unit 50 may be provided with a setting unit for determining whether or not to perform preparation activation. The power supply control unit 50 performs the above-described preparation activation only when it is set to perform preparation activation. As a result, it is possible to prevent wasteful standby power from being consumed due to wasteful preparatory activation during office holidays or the like.

  Further, in the above description, the effective period of the start-up, that is, the period during which the first component waits in the power saving state in preparation for the activation of the second component is determined by the count of the timer 54 (FIG. 4 S415 to S417) have been described. In addition, the effective period of the preparation activation may be set to the first switch 51 in real time. That is, after the first switch 51 prepares and activates the first component in response to a signal notified from the timer 54 or the RTC 55, the time when the second component is not input and the RTC 55 receives an input notification time. When the predetermined time comes, the connection is switched so that the supply of external power to the first power supply device 17 is stopped. As a result, it is possible to directly specify the time for performing the above-described preparation activation in real time.

  Further, the above-described preparation activation time or preparation activation validity period may be scheduled. For example, the time when the first component is prepared and activated and the time when the preparation activation is completed are set for each day of the week or each date, and are stored in the first switch 51. Thereby, a holiday etc. can also be considered and the space | interval of a power saving state can be shortened efficiently. Therefore, power consumption can be further reduced.

  The count period of the timer 54 described above and the time notified from the RTC 55 can be set via the operation unit 7 described in FIG. Thereby, the start time and start timing of the preparatory activation and the valid period of the preparatory activation can be arbitrarily set. As a result, it is possible to shorten the period of the preparation start-up state, and it is possible to reduce power consumption. In addition, it may be set from the client PC 43 via the LAN 41. As described above, since the start start time and the standby end time of the first component can be set via the network, they can be set from the outside without moving to the front of the main body.

  In the above description, the example in which the switch 51 performs the determination based on the actual time by providing the RTC 55 has been described. In addition, it is possible to perform processing based on time information unique to the inside of the apparatus instead of the actual time. This also makes it possible to obtain the same effect as described above.

Other embodiments.
In the above description, the example in which the preparation activation of the first component 2 is controlled based on the signal of the timer 54 or the RTC 55 has been described. As described above, this process predicts the timing at which the main power of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is turned on, and the main power of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is turned on by preparing and starting the first component 2 before that. This is intended to shorten the start-up time after being applied. That is, there are various modes for preparing and starting the first power supply device 17 as long as the main power supply to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is predicted to be turned on regardless of the signal from the timer 54 or the RTC 55. It becomes possible. Hereinafter, another example of the timing at which the first component is prepared and activated will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example in which a history accumulation unit 56 that accumulates the ON / OFF history of the second switch 53 by the power supply detection unit 52 is provided as another example of the power control unit 50. The history storage unit 56 receives the detection signal from the power supply detection unit 52 and stores the time when the main power of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 was last turned on. Then, the history storage unit 56 calculates the time at which the first component is to be prepared and activated from the time stored as the main power-on time of the digital multifunction device 1 and notifies the first switch 51 of it. When the time notified from the RTC 55 becomes the time notified from the history storage unit 56, the first switch 51 starts supplying external power to the first power supply device 17. Prepare and start the components. Such an aspect is effective when the time when the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is activated is approximately the same time every day.

  Further, as described above, the history storage unit 56 may hold not only the time when the main power supply of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 was last turned on, but also a history of a past predetermined period. This makes it possible to determine the time at which the first component is prepared and activated based on the earliest time in the history, for example. It is also possible to determine the effective period during which the first component is ready and activated based on the latest time in the history. That is, when the latest time in the history has elapsed, it can be determined that the digital multifunction device 1 is not activated on the current day, and the end of the preparation activation of the first component 1 can be determined.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example in which a human body detection sensor 57 that detects a human body around the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is provided as another example of the power supply control unit 50. The human body detection sensor 57 inputs a human body detection signal to the first switch 51 when detecting a human body around the digital multi-function peripheral 1. The first switch 51 starts supplying external power to the first power supply device 17 in response to the human body detection signal, and prepares and activates the first component. When the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is used in an office, etc., the main power is turned on to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 after an employee goes to work. By using the mode shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to detect the employee's attendance by the human body detection sensor 57 and to predict the timing of turning on the main power to the digital multifunction device 1.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example in which a sound detection sensor 58 that detects sound around the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is provided as another example of the power control unit 50. The voice detection sensor 58 inputs a voice detection signal to the first switch 51 when the voice around the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is detected. The first switch 51 starts supplying external power to the first power supply device 17 in response to the sound detection signal, and prepares and activates the first component. Similarly to the example of FIG. 8, the example of FIG. 9 can also detect the employee's attendance based on voice detection and predict the timing of turning on the main power to the digital multifunction device 1.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example in which a network detection sensor 59 that detects the communication state of the LAN 41 is provided as another example of the power supply control unit 50. The client PC 43 shown in FIG. 2 generally attempts to communicate with a device connected to the network 41 by broadcast or the like in order to obtain information on the device connected to the network 41 after activation. The network detection sensor 59 detects a signal accompanying activation of the client PC 43 and transmits a network detection signal to the first switch 51. The first switch 51 starts supplying external power to the first power supply device 17 in response to the network detection signal, and prepares and activates the first component. Also in this case, similarly to the other examples, it is possible to detect the employee's attendance based on the detection of the client PC 43 and to predict the timing of turning on the main power to the digital multifunction device 1.

  In the example of FIG. 10, the network detection sensor 59 may detect a print job input to the digital multi-function peripheral 1. The network detection sensor 59 detects a print job input to the digital multifunction peripheral 1 and inputs a print job detection signal to the first switch 51. The first switch 51 starts supplying external power to the first power supply device 17 in response to the network detection signal, and prepares and activates the first component. As an operation mode of the digital multi-function peripheral 1, a main power may be turned on after a print job is transmitted from the terminal such as the client PC 43 to the digital multi-function peripheral 1. In such a case, if the activation of the first component is started when the print job is received, a period until the apparatus becomes usable after the main power of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is turned on is set. It can be shortened.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example in which an illuminance sensor 60 that detects the illuminance around the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is provided as another example of the power control unit 50. The illuminance sensor 60 inputs an illuminance change detection signal to the first switch 51 when detecting an illuminance change around the digital multifunction peripheral 1. The first switch 51 starts supplying external power to the first power supply device 17 according to the illuminance change detection signal, and prepares and activates the first component. Also in this case, as in the other examples, it is possible to detect the employee's attendance in response to the lighting of the office room being turned on, and to predict the timing of turning on the main power supply to the digital multifunction device 1.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example in which a power sensor 61 that detects the power supply state of an external power source to which the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is connected is provided as another example of the power control unit 50. The power sensor 61 detects a power change when another device is activated in the external power source to which the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is connected, and inputs a power change detection signal to the first switch 51. The first switch 51 starts supplying external power to the first power supply device 17 in response to the power change detection signal, and prepares and activates the first component. In this case as well, as in other examples, it is possible to detect the employee's attendance in response to activation of other devices in the office and predict the timing of turning on the main power to the digital multifunction device 1. Become.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an example in which a temperature sensor 62 that detects the temperature around the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is provided as another example of the power control unit 50. The temperature sensor 62 detects the temperature around the digital multifunction peripheral 1 and inputs a temperature detection signal to the first switch 51. The first switch 51 starts supplying external power to the first power supply device 17 in response to the temperature detection signal, and prepares and activates the first component. In an office or the like, air conditioning equipment or the like may start operating due to the start of business, and the temperature of the office may change. Therefore, when the temperature sensor 62 detects the temperature change in the office room, it is possible to predict the timing of turning on the main power to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 as in the other examples.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing a digital multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the power supply control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a start-up operation of the digital multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a timing chart showing a start-up operation of the digital multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of an operation | movement aspect of the digital multifunctional device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the power supply control part which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the power supply control part which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the power supply control part which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the power supply control part which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the power supply control part which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the power supply control part which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the power supply control part which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. 6 is a timing chart showing a start-up operation of a conventional digital multifunction peripheral.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital multifunction device 2 1st component 3 Printing part 4 2nd component 5 Reading part 7 Operation part 9 Memory | storage part 11 Information display 13 First internal bus 15 CPU
17 First power supply device 19 HDD
21 Memory 23 First network I / F
25 Second Internal Bus 27 Control Unit 29 Second Power Supply Device 31 Image Processing Unit 33 Image Input Device 35 Image Output Device 37 Fax Device 39 Second Network I / F
41 LAN
43 Client PC
50 Power Control Unit 51 First Switch 52 Power Supply Detection Unit 53 Second Switch 54 Timer 55 RTC
56 History Accumulating Unit 57 Human Body Detection Sensor 58 Voice Detection Sensor 59 Network Detection Sensor 60 Illuminance Sensor 61 Power Sensor 62 Temperature Sensor

Claims (18)

A multi-function machine having a first component that starts at a first startup time and a second component that starts at a second startup time shorter than the first startup time,
An operation start prediction information acquisition unit for acquiring information related to the operation start prediction of the MFP;
An activation processing unit that activates the first component independently of the second component;
A multifunction device comprising: a power supply unit that drives the activation processing unit based on the acquired information related to operation start prediction. The first component has an operable operating state and a power saving state in which power consumption is reduced compared to the operating state,
When starting the first component by being driven based on information related to the operation start prediction, the activation processing unit activates the first component so as to be in the power saving state. The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the multifunction device is characterized in that The operation start prediction information acquisition unit acquires time information as information related to the operation start prediction of the MFP,
The power supply unit drives the activation processing unit based on the acquired time information and information on a predetermined time corresponding to the time information. The multifunction device according to item 1.   The multifunction device according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined time is a time set based on a predicted operation start time of the multifunction device. A power supply start history storage unit for storing information on a start time of power supply to at least one of the first component and the second component;
The operation start prediction information acquisition unit acquires time information as information related to the operation start prediction of the MFP,
The said power supply part drives the said starting process part based on the acquired said time information and the information regarding the accumulated start time of the power supply, The any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. The multifunction device described. There is further provided an activation timer that starts counting in response to the stop of power supply to at least one of the first component and the second component, and transmits an activation count completion signal by counting a predetermined period. And
The multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the operation start prediction information acquisition unit acquires the activation count completion signal as information related to operation start prediction of the multifunction device. Further comprising a human body detection unit for detecting a human body around the multifunction device and transmitting a human body detection signal;
The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the operation start prediction information acquisition unit acquires the human body detection signal as information related to operation start prediction of the multifunction device. A voice detection unit that detects a voice around the multifunction peripheral and transmits a voice detection signal;
The multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the operation start prediction information acquisition unit acquires the voice detection signal as information related to operation start prediction of the multifunction device. A network detection unit that detects a communication state of the network to which the multifunction peripheral belongs and transmits a network detection signal;
The multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the operation start prediction information acquisition unit acquires the network detection signal as information related to operation start prediction of the multifunction device. The multifunction device is an image forming apparatus that performs image formation by receiving a print job,
The multifunction device according to claim 9, wherein the network detection unit detects a print job input to the multifunction device and transmits a network detection signal. An illuminance detection unit that detects an illuminance change around the multifunction peripheral and transmits an illuminance change detection signal;
The multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the operation start prediction information acquisition unit acquires the illuminance change detection signal as information related to an operation start prediction of the multifunction device. A power detection unit that detects a conversion of power from an external power source that supplies power to the multifunction peripheral and transmits a power change detection signal;
The multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the operation start prediction information acquisition unit acquires the output change detection signal as information related to an operation start prediction of the multifunction device. A temperature detection unit that detects a temperature change around the multifunction peripheral and transmits a temperature change detection signal;
The multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the operation start prediction information acquisition unit acquires the temperature change detection signal as information related to operation start prediction of the multifunction device.   It further has a stop processing unit that stops the first component when the second component is inactive until a predetermined timing after the activation processor activates the first component. The multifunction device according to claim 1. The stop processing unit
Obtaining time information as information for determining the predetermined timing;
The multifunction device according to claim 14, wherein the first component is stopped based on the acquired time information and information of a predetermined time corresponding to the time information. A power supply start history storage unit for storing information on a start time of power supply to at least one of the first component and the second component;
The stop processing unit
Obtaining time information as information for determining the predetermined timing;
15. The multifunction device according to claim 14, wherein the first component is stopped based on the acquired time information and the stored information on the start time of power supply. The timer further starts counting in response to the activation of the first component by the activation processing unit, and transmits a stop count completion signal by counting a predetermined period,
The multifunction device according to claim 14, wherein the stop processing unit stops the first component based on a stop count completion signal. A control method for a multifunction machine having a first component that starts at a first startup time and a second component that starts at a second startup time shorter than the first startup time,
Obtain information related to the operation start prediction of the MFP,
A multifunction device control method, wherein the first component part is activated independently of the second component part based on the acquired information related to operation start prediction.

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