JP2009213042A - Image processing apparatus, method of controlling the same, and its program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the occurrence of breakage of an apparatus if abnormal conditions of power supply are caused. <P>SOLUTION: A FAX machine 20 performs automatic reset processing when automatic reset conditions including power supply recovery conditions are fulfilled after malfunction of power supply. When an opening 72 is opened during a period as a regulation period before execution of mechanism initialization processing, the machine controls a power supply unit 60 to stop supply of power, so as to stop drive of a printer section 40 which functions as a drive section. Thus, while the opening 72 provided with the drive section is opened when mechanism initialization processing is to be executed independent of operation by an operator, drive of the drive section is stopped taking a precaution against any incidents such as existence of an obstacle in the vicinity of the drive section or erroneous drop of something into the opening 72 by the operator as a result of unexpected drive of the drive section. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program thereof.

Conventionally, as an image processing device, the state at the time of the previous stop is stored, and power is supplied from an AC power source such as when the main power switch is turned off and the device stops after a power failure, etc. When the sub power supply is started, the sub power supply is activated to supply power to the control means, and the control means is activated to read the state of the device before the stop, and the job transmission process that was scheduled to be transmitted before the stop Has been proposed that automatically recovers from an unexpected situation such as a power failure and more reliably executes a scheduled job (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-289451 A

  By the way, when an unforeseen situation such as a power failure occurs, the inside of the apparatus may be examined by opening a cover member from which a driving unit related to printing is exposed, for example, to investigate the cause. In this case, when the power supply recovers from the power failure, the image processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 performs an unexpected start-up operation for the operator. The device could be damaged, such as dropping objects.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and provides an image processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program thereof that can further suppress the occurrence of damage to the apparatus when an abnormality in power supply occurs. The main purpose is to do.

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to achieve at least one of the above objects.

The image processing apparatus of the present invention
An opening detection means for detecting whether or not a lid member that closes / opens an opening in which a drive unit related to image formation processing is opened;
An abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality in power supply from an external power source;
When a predetermined automatic return condition including a condition that the power supply is restored after the abnormality of the power supply is satisfied, the initialization process related to the image processing is performed regardless of the operator's operation with the driving of the drive unit by the power supply. Control means for stopping the drive of the drive unit when the opening is opened during a predetermined regulation period until the end of the automatic return process.
It is equipped with.

  In this image processing apparatus, when a predetermined automatic return condition is satisfied, an automatic return process is executed in which an initialization process related to image processing is performed regardless of an operator's operation with driving of the drive unit by power supply. When the opening in which the drive unit related to the image forming process is opened during a predetermined regulation period until the end of the automatic return process, the drive of the drive unit is stopped. As described above, in the state in which the opening portion provided with the drive unit is opened when the initialization process is executed regardless of the operation of the operator, there is some member in the vicinity of the drive unit or the operator is mistaken. The drive of the drive unit is stopped in consideration of dropping the object. Therefore, when an abnormality in power supply occurs, the occurrence of damage to the device can be further suppressed.

  The image processing apparatus of the present invention includes a power supply unit that is connected to an external power source and supplies power to at least the driving unit, and the control unit receives power from the external power source when stopping the driving of the driving unit. The power supply means may be controlled to stop the supply. In this way, it is possible to stop the driving of the drive unit with a relatively simple process of stopping the power supply, and thus it is possible to more easily suppress the occurrence of damage to the apparatus. Further, since the power supply is stopped, the operator can perform the subsequent work more safely.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, when the opening is opened during the period from when the power supply is restored to when the initialization process starts to be performed, It is good also as what stops the driving | operation. If the initialization process is executed when the opening is open, the occurrence of damage to the apparatus is high. Thus, the occurrence of damage to the apparatus can be more effectively suppressed.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a FAX communication unit capable of exchanging FAX data via an electric communication line, and the driving unit is configured to read at least one of the document reading and the FAX data printing on a printing medium. An image forming process may be performed. Since the FAX apparatus needs to always wait for reception of FAX data from the transmission source and needs to be automatically restored after an abnormality in power supply, the significance of applying the present invention is high.

The control method of the image processing apparatus of the present invention includes:
A control method for an image processing apparatus including a lid member that closes and opens an opening in which a driving unit related to image formation processing is disposed,
(A) determining whether or not a predetermined automatic return condition including a condition in which power supply is restored after detecting an abnormality in power supply from an external power source is satisfied;
(B) When the automatic return condition is satisfied in step (a), an automatic return process for executing an initialization process related to image processing without driving an operator with driving of the drive unit by the power supply. A step of performing
(C) stopping the driving of the driving unit when the opening is open during a predetermined regulation period until the end of the automatic return processing executed in the step (b);
Is included.

  In this image processing apparatus control method, as in the case of the image processing apparatus, when an abnormality occurs in power supply, the occurrence of damage to the apparatus can be further suppressed. In this image processing apparatus control method, various aspects of the above-described image processing apparatus may be employed, and steps for realizing the functions of the above-described image processing apparatus may be added. .

  The program of the present invention is for causing one or a plurality of computers to realize each step of the above-described control method of the image processing apparatus. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (for example, hard disk, ROM, FD, CD, DVD, etc.), or from a computer via a transmission medium (communication network such as the Internet or LAN). It may be distributed to another computer, or may be exchanged in any other form. If this program is executed by one computer or if each computer is caused to share and execute each step, each step of the above-described control method of the image processing apparatus is executed. An effect is obtained.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a FAX apparatus 20 which is an embodiment embodying the present invention. The FAX apparatus 20 is configured as a multi-function printer having a scanner function, a printer function, and a copy function, and is between a controller 21 that controls the entire apparatus and a device connected to a telephone line as an electric communication line. A scanner unit including a FAX interface (I / F) 26 that can transmit and receive signals via a telephone line cable 27 and a scanner ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 32 that is an IC chip that controls the scanner mechanism 31. 30, a printer unit 40 that includes a printer ASIC 42 that is an IC chip that controls the printer mechanism 41, an operation panel 50 that can display information to the operator and can input instructions from the operator, Plug 66 and power cord 64 connected to a commercial AC power source (external power source) A power supply unit 60 supplies the entire apparatus power inputted to, and a. The controller 21, FAX-I / F 26, scanner unit 30, printer unit 40, and operation panel 50 are electrically connected by a bus 29.

  The controller 21 is configured as a microprocessor centered on the CPU 22, and includes a ROM 23 that stores various processing programs, a RAM 24 that temporarily stores data, and a flash memory 25 that can store and erase information. ing. The flash memory 25 stores an automatic return permission flag 25a and an automatic return counter 25b described later in detail. The scanner mechanism 31 is a so-called flatbed type, and includes a glass surface 33 on which an original M for reading an image is placed, a reading sensor 34 that separates and reads reflected light after being emitted toward the original M into each color, and an original M And a moving unit 36 that scans the reading sensor 34 at the time of reading. The printer mechanism 41 includes an ink tank 44 that individually stores ink of each color, a print head 45 that applies pressure to each ink supplied from the ink tank 44, and ink that is pressurized by the print head 45 on the recording paper S. The nozzle 46 which discharges and the conveyance roller 48 which conveys the recording paper S are provided. The ink tank 44 may be a so-called on-carriage type that is a removable cartridge, or an off-carriage type that supplies ink from a cartridge provided on the housing side by a tube. The print head 45 may pressurize the ink by deformation of the piezoelectric element or pressurize the ink by bubbles generated by the heat of the heater. The operation panel 50 is a device for an operator to input various instructions to the FAX apparatus 20, and includes a display unit 52 configured by a color liquid crystal panel on which characters and images corresponding to the various instructions are displayed. An operation unit 54 for performing various operations is provided. The operation unit 54 is provided with a power switch 56 that is pressed when the operator turns on the FAX apparatus 20. The power switch 56 is electrically connected to the controller 21 and the power supply unit 60 and is configured as an electronic button that outputs a signal to the controller 21 and the power supply unit 60 when pressed by the operator. The power supply unit 60 has a function of converting input AC to DC, a function of cutting power input from a commercial AC power supply, and a function of holding a voltage for a predetermined short time (several seconds) when a power supply is abnormal by a capacitor (not shown). And have. The power supply unit 60 is connected to a power supply monitoring unit 62 that detects an abnormal state of power supply such as a power failure based on a decrease in input voltage. The power supply monitoring unit 62 is configured as an electric circuit that outputs a signal to the controller 21 when the input voltage falls below a predetermined threshold.

  In the FAX apparatus 20, an opening 72 is provided in a central portion of a grounded casing 70, and a printer unit 40 as a driving unit related to image forming processing is disposed below the opening 72. ing. A lid member 74 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 70 so as to be pivotable upward with the upper rear end of the housing 70 as a fulcrum, and closes and opens the opening 74. As described above, the FAX apparatus 20 is configured such that when the lid member 74 is rotated upward, the printer unit 40 provided therein can be confirmed from the opening 72. The scanner member 30 is disposed on the lid member 74. Further, a cover sensor 76 that detects whether or not the lid member 74 opens the opening 72 is disposed on the upper surface of the housing 70. The cover sensor 76 is configured as a contact sensor that outputs a signal to the controller 21 when the lid member 74 is separated from the upper surface of the housing 70.

  Next, the operation of the FAX apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described particularly regarding the operation relating to power management. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a FAX power management process routine. This routine is stored in the ROM 23 and executed when the plug 66 is connected to a commercial AC power source. When the plug 66 is connected to a commercial AC power supply, a mode for monitoring the pressing of the power switch 56 with extremely low power consumption is set. When this routine is started, the CPU 22 first determines whether or not the operating system (OS) has been started (step S100). When the OS is not activated, OS activation processing is executed (step S110), and the values of the automatic return permission flag F and the automatic return counter C stored in the flash memory 25 are read (step S120). Here, the automatic return permission flag F is used to execute an automatic return process that automatically executes initialization processing of a mechanical mechanism such as the scanner unit 30 or the printer unit 40 regardless of an operator's operation after a power failure or the like. This flag is set to a value “1” when permitted, and set to a value “0” when automatic return processing should not be executed. The initial value is set to a value “0”. The automatic return counter C is a counter that counts the number of times the initialization process is executed, and the initial value is a value “0”.

  Next, the CPU 22 determines whether or not a predetermined automatic return condition is satisfied (step S130). Here, this predetermined automatic return condition is satisfied when the automatic return permission flag F is the value “1” and the automatic return counter C is less than the value “N” times. Here, the value “N” is such that no inconvenience occurs in the mechanical mechanism (scanner unit 30 or printer unit 40) when a mechanical mechanism initialization process described later is repeatedly executed in a short time by the automatic return process. The number of times (for example, 5 times) is determined empirically. When the automatic return condition is not satisfied, it is determined whether or not the power switch 56 is pressed and turned on (step S140). When the power switch 56 is not turned on, the processes after step S100 are executed. On the other hand, when the power switch 56 is turned on, a value “0” is set to the automatic return permission flag F and the automatic return counter C is cleared (step S150). This clears the power-off state due to a power failure described later. Next, mechanical mechanism initialization processing is executed (step S160). This process is, for example, a process for detecting whether or not the scanner unit 30 and the printer unit 40 operate normally, and is a process involving driving of the print head 45, the conveyance roller 48, and the like.

  Subsequently, the CPU 22 determines whether or not an inoperable error such as a paper jam or a paper out has occurred, based on a signal from a paper sensor (not shown) or the like (step S170). For example, it is determined based on a signal from the power supply monitoring unit 62 whether or not a power supply abnormality such as a power failure has occurred (step S180). When the power supply abnormality has not occurred, it is determined whether or not the mechanical mechanism initialization process has been completed (step S190). When the mechanical mechanism initialization process has not been completed, the processes after step S170 are executed. When the mechanical mechanism initialization process is completed, the value of the automatic return counter C is cleared (step S200). After the mechanical mechanism initialization processing is completed, normal processing of the FAX apparatus 20 such as transmission / reception of FAX information via the FAX-I / F 26, reading processing of the original M by the scanner unit 30, printing processing by the printer unit 40, and the like. Execute. At this time, it is determined whether or not an error has occurred as in step S170 described above (step S210), and whether or not a power supply abnormality has occurred as in S180 is determined (step S220). When no power supply abnormality has occurred in step S220, it is determined based on a signal from the power switch 56 whether the power switch 56 has been pressed and turned off (step S230). When the power switch 56 has not been turned off. Then, the processing after step S210 is executed.

  When the power switch 56 is turned off in step S230 or when an error occurs in step S170 and step S210, the CPU 22 sets a value “0” in the automatic return permission flag F (step S240). The processing after S100 is executed. Here, since it is not necessary to automatically return when the power switch 56 is turned off, and there is a possibility that the drive unit may be damaged by the drive in the automatic return when an error occurs, the value in the automatic return permission flag F is set. “0” is set to prohibit automatic return processing. After step S240, when the plug 66 is supplied with power from the commercial AC power source and the power switch 56 is in the OFF state, as described above, the mode is such that the pressing of the power switch 56 with extremely low power consumption is monitored.

  On the other hand, when a power supply abnormality occurs in step S180 and step S220, the CPU 22 sets a value “1” to the automatic return permission flag F before the voltage drops (step S250), and if possible, step S100. The subsequent processing is executed. When such power supply abnormality occurs, for example, the power supply can be cut off, that is, the plug 66 can be disconnected from the commercial AC power supply. In this case, when the power supply abnormality state is recovered, the power supply to the power supply unit 60 is resumed, and the CPU 22 executes the processes after step S100. Then, it is determined in step S130 that the automatic return condition is satisfied, the value “1” is added to the automatic return counter C (step S260), and the processing after step S160, that is, mechanical mechanism initialization processing is executed. Here, if the power supply is unstable and the mechanical mechanism initialization process is repeatedly executed in the automatic return process, the automatic return counter C is added in step S260, and when the value “N” is reached, the automatic return condition is satisfied. The automatic return process is prohibited. Note that once the mechanical mechanism initialization process is completed, the value of the automatic return counter C is cleared in step S200. In this way, power management is performed so as to protect each component of the FAX machine 20.

  Next, power supply monitoring processing executed in parallel with this FAX power management processing routine will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the initialization power supply monitoring routine. This routine is stored in the ROM 23 and is repeatedly executed by the CPU 22 at a predetermined timing (for example, several msec) after the plug 66 is connected to the commercial AC power supply. When this routine is started, the CPU 22 determines whether or not the automatic return permission flag F is a value “1” (step S300). When the automatic return permission flag F is “1”, it is determined whether or not it is before the mechanical mechanism initialization process is started (also referred to as a regulation period) (step S310). If it is before the mechanical mechanism initialization process is started, it is determined based on a signal from the cover sensor 76 whether or not the lid member 74 is opened (step S320). When the lid member 74 is opened, a value “0” is set to the automatic return permission flag F (step S330), and the power supply unit 60 is controlled to forcibly cut off the power supply, thereby controlling the scanner unit 30 and the printer. The drive unit such as the unit 40 is stopped (step S340), and this routine is terminated. Here, when the lid member 74 is opened in step S320, that is, when the automatic return process is executed and when the lid member 74 is opened before the mechanical mechanism initialization process, the FAX apparatus is in an abnormal power supply. After the operation 20 is stopped, it is highly probable that the operator has confirmed the inside of the opening 72, and if the mechanical mechanism initialization process is executed as it is, something will come into contact with the drive unit of the printer unit 40 or the like. Probability is high. Here, in such a state, the drive of the drive unit such as the printer unit 40 is stopped by stopping the power supply. In this way, the operator can recognize that the lid member 74 should not be opened in this situation.

  On the other hand, when the automatic return permission flag F is not “1” in step S300, that is, when the automatic return process is not executed, the mechanical mechanism initialization process is not started before the mechanical mechanism initialization process is started in step S310. At a later time, if the lid member 74 is not opened in step S320, this routine is ended as it is. Here, when the automatic return process is not executed and when the lid member 74 is not opened, the above problem is unlikely to occur, and after the mechanical mechanism initialization process is started, the operator performs some operation of the FAX apparatus 20. In many cases, the drive in the mechanical mechanism initialization process is not stopped.

  Here, the correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and the components of the present invention will be clarified. The cover sensor 76 of this embodiment corresponds to the opening detection means of the present invention, the power monitoring unit 62 corresponds to the abnormality detection means, the CPU 22 corresponds to the control means, the power supply unit 60 corresponds to the power supply means, and the FAX The I / F 26 corresponds to a FAX communication unit, and the recording paper S corresponds to a print medium. In the present embodiment, an example of the control method of the image processing apparatus of the present invention is also clarified by describing the operation of the FAX apparatus 20.

  According to the FAX apparatus 20 of the present embodiment described in detail above, when the automatic return condition is satisfied, the automatic return process is executed, and the opening 72 is opened during the period before the mechanical mechanism initialization process is executed as the regulation period. In this case, since the driving of the printer unit 40 as the driving unit is stopped by stopping the power supply, the occurrence of damage to the apparatus can be further suppressed. Further, the drive of the drive unit can be stopped by a relatively simple process of stopping power supply, and as a result, the occurrence of damage to the apparatus can be more easily suppressed. Further, since the power supply is stopped, the operator can perform the subsequent work more safely. Furthermore, if the opening 72 is opened during the period until the start of the mechanical mechanism initialization process, which is in an unexpected state by the operator, the driving of the driving unit is stopped. Generation | occurrence | production can be suppressed more. Furthermore, since it is necessary for the FAX apparatus to always wait for reception of FAX data from the transmission source and it is highly necessary to automatically return after the abnormality of power supply, the significance of applying the present invention is high.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, when the opening 72 is opened during the period before the mechanical mechanism initialization process is performed as the regulation period, the driving of the driving unit is stopped (step S310). When the opening 72 is opened during the period until the execution of the initialization process is completed, the driving of the driving unit may be stopped. Even in this case, the occurrence of damage to the apparatus can be further suppressed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the driving of the driving unit is stopped by stopping the power supply (step S340), but the driving of the driving unit is prohibited by prohibiting the driving of the driving unit without stopping the power supply. It may be stopped. Even in this case, the occurrence of damage to the apparatus can be further suppressed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the value “0” is set to the automatic return permission flag F so that the automatic return process is not executed after the drive of the drive unit is stopped (step S330). After the opening is stopped and the driving of the driving unit is stopped, the automatic return processing may be resumed when the opening 72 is closed by the lid member 74. By doing so, the return process can be resumed more smoothly by closing the lid member 74 without bothering the operator.

  In the above-described embodiment, the FAX apparatus 20 has been described as the image processing apparatus of the present invention. However, a multifunction printer that includes the scanner unit 30 or a printer that does not include the scanner unit 30 may be used. The printer mechanism 41 is an ink jet type mechanism, but may be an electrophotographic type, thermal transfer type, dot impact type color printer, or a monochrome printer of these. Further, the case where the operation of the drive unit is stopped when the cover member 74 exposed by the printer mechanism 41 is opened has been described. However, the case where the cover member exposed by the drive unit is opened is not particularly limited. The operation of the driving unit may be stopped when the exposed lid member is opened. Furthermore, although the embodiment of the FAX apparatus 20 has been described, it may be an aspect of a control method of the image processing apparatus or an aspect of a program of this method.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a FAX apparatus 20. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a FAX power management process routine. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the power supply monitoring routine at the time of initialization.

Explanation of symbols

  20 FAX machine, 21 Controller, 22 CPU, 23 ROM, 24 RAM, 25 Flash memory, 25a Automatic return permission flag, 25b Automatic return counter, 26 FAX interface (I / F), 27 Telephone line cable, 29 Bus, 30 Scanner Part 31, scanner mechanism 32 scanner ASIC 33 glass surface 34 reading sensor 36 moving part 40 printer part 41 printer mechanism 42 printer ASIC 44 ink tank 45 print head 46 nozzle 48 transport roller 50 Operation panel, 52 display unit, 54 operation unit, 56 power switch, 60 power supply unit, 62 power supply monitoring unit, 64 power cord, 66 plug, 70 housing, 72 opening, 74 lid member, 76 cover sensor, M document, S Recording paper.

Claims (6)

An opening detection means for detecting whether or not a lid member that closes / opens an opening in which a drive unit related to image formation processing is opened;
An abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality in power supply from an external power source;
When a predetermined automatic return condition including a condition that the power supply is restored after the abnormality of the power supply is satisfied, the initialization process related to the image processing is performed regardless of the operator's operation with the driving of the drive unit by the power supply. Control means for stopping the drive of the drive unit when the opening is opened during a predetermined regulation period until the end of the automatic return process.
An image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1,
Power supply means connected to an external power source and supplying power to at least the drive unit,
The image processing apparatus, wherein the control unit controls the power supply unit to stop the power supply from the external power source when the drive of the drive unit is stopped.   The said control means stops the drive of the said drive part, when the said opening part is open | released as the said regulation period in the period from the time of the said electric power supply recovery | restoration to the start of the said initialization process. The image processing apparatus according to 1 or 2. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A FAX communication means capable of exchanging FAX data via an electric communication line;
The drive unit is an image processing apparatus that performs at least one image forming process of reading a document and printing the FAX data on a print medium. A control method for an image processing apparatus including a lid member that closes and opens an opening in which a driving unit related to image formation processing is disposed,
(A) determining whether or not a predetermined automatic return condition including a condition in which power supply is restored after detecting an abnormality in power supply from an external power source is satisfied;
(B) When the automatic return condition is satisfied in step (a), an automatic return process for executing an initialization process related to image processing without driving an operator with driving of the drive unit by the power supply. A step of performing
(C) stopping the driving of the driving unit when the opening is open during a predetermined regulation period until the end of the automatic return processing executed in the step (b);
A method for controlling an image processing apparatus.   6. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing one or more computers to realize each step of the control method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 5.

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