JP2009288971A - Electronic apparatus and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an authentication-enabled electronic apparatus that can make a recovery from a power saving mode triggered by an authentication input even if the power saving mode powers off a CPU. <P>SOLUTION: Hatched parts are powered off in a power saving mode. A microcomputer 13 in a personal authentication device 12 monitors input data from an input part 14 and, if determining that there is authentication data (there is user access), outputs a power saving mode recovery signal. The power saving mode recovery signal output from the microcomputer 13 is input into a power saving I/F 26, which in turn starts the sequence of recovering on each power supply system of a power supply part 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device having an authentication function and a control method therefor, and more particularly, an electronic device capable of returning from a power saving mode triggered by an authentication input even in a power saving mode in which a CPU is turned off. And a control method thereof.

  In recent years, personal authentication functions have been increasingly installed in LP (laser printers) and MFPs (multifunction printers) due to reasons such as security enhancement and total cost of ownership (TCO) reduction. In particular, IC card solutions are provided by various manufacturers, and there are cases where human body authentication systems are provided. In LPs and MFPs equipped with such a personal authentication function, a case where a controller is currently connected to an authentication device such as an IC card reader via a USB interface (hereinafter, this interface is referred to as I / F). There are many.

  By the way, from the viewpoint of energy saving (hereinafter referred to as energy saving), LP and MFP generally shift to a power saving mode when a user operation or input of print data from an external device is not performed for a certain period of time. However, LPs and MFPs equipped with a personal authentication function can realize quick personal authentication and return from the power saving mode to the normal mode during user access. Only the power mode has been transferred.

  Although not described in the literature, FIGS. 8 and 9 show the power supply state in the power saving mode of the image processing apparatus. Here, FIG. 8 shows a power saving mode (hereinafter referred to as a first power saving mode) with slightly higher power consumption, and FIG. 9 shows a power saving mode (hereinafter referred to as a second power saving mode) with low power consumption. Mode). In these figures, the shaded area indicates a portion where the power is on. In general, the first power saving mode shown in FIG. 8 is taken.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the controller 201 includes a CPU 201 and an ASIC 203. The ASIC 203 includes a USB_I / F 221, an external I / F (network I / F 222, USB_I / F 223), a panel I / F 224, an engine I / F 225, and a power save I / F 226.

  In the first power saving mode, the power save I / F 226 outputs a control signal to the power supply unit 216 and turns off the power supply system such as the engine controller 210 and the image reading / forming unit 215 to realize low power consumption. To return from the power saving mode to the normal mode, an instruction to turn on the power from the controller 201 to the power supply unit 216 is triggered by operation of the power key SW (switch) 211 on the operation panel 204 or data reception from the external I / F. Execute by doing. The personal authentication device 212 is always accessible to the controller 201 via the USB_I / F 221 on the ASIC 203.

  In recent years, with the aim of further reducing power consumption, the second power saving mode is established. As shown in FIG. 9, the controller 201 turns on only the ASIC 203 and operates only the external I / F (network I / F 222, USB_I / F 223) and the power save I / F 226 which are triggers for returning from the power saving mode. Let As for print data from the external I / F, in the case of USB_I / F 223, when the USB cable is detected, the printer returns from the power saving mode and receives print data. In the case of the network I / F 222, it reacts to the packet to the own device, returns from the power saving mode, and receives print data. When the USB cable is connected, the first power saving mode may be maintained. Both the USB_I / F 223 and the network I / F 222 temporarily buffer the print data in the ASIC 203 or the like until the CPU 202 receives the print data after returning from the power saving mode.

  In the engine controller 210 and the image reading / forming unit 215, the power supply system of the power supply unit 216 is controlled to be turned off by the power save I / F 226, as in the first power saving mode. In addition, the controller 201 that receives the power supply in the power-on state even in the power saving mode also turns off the power supply to unnecessary devices (such as the CPU 202).

  The personal authentication device 212 is in a state where the power is turned off or communication with the ASIC 203 is interrupted. For this reason, when the personal authentication device 212 is connected to the USB_I / F 221, only the state of the first power saving mode is entered, as is the case when the USB cable is connected to the USB_I / F 223 of the external I / F. That is, when the personal authentication device 212 is connected, it does not shift to the second power saving mode that consumes less power than the first power saving mode.

  Further, in the second power saving mode, even if the user tries to access with the personal authentication device 212, the user cannot return from the second power saving mode and thus cannot be accessed. Therefore, in order to enable access by the personal authentication device 212 in the power saving mode, it is necessary to wait in the first power saving mode, so that the power saving effect is not sufficient.

  There is also an electronic device that performs a return from the power saving mode by a personal authentication device including an IC card reader (see Patent Document 1). FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a power supply state of the electronic apparatus.

  This electronic device includes a CPU 301, an energy saving control circuit 302, a system power supply operation block 303, a first SW 304, a second SW 305, and a card I / F circuit 306. In the normal mode, power is supplied to all circuits from the power source. In the power saving mode, power is supplied to the CPU 301 and the energy saving control circuit 302, but the power supply from the power supply is turned off by the first SW 304 for the system power supply operation block 303. Further, the card I / F circuit 306 is repeatedly turned on / off by the first SW 305 within a range where data of the non-contact IC card 307 can be received. In this way, power saving is realized. Here, the on / off of the first SW 304 and the second SW 305 is executed by the energy saving control circuit 302 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 301.

  The return control from the power saving mode is performed when the card I / F circuit 306 receives data from the non-contact IC card 307, and the CPU 301 analyzing the data determines that the return from the power saving mode is necessary. This is executed by instructing the energy saving control circuit 302 to control on / off of the first SW 304 and the second SW 305.

  However, since the CPU 301 is kept on in the power saving mode of this electronic device, this power saving mode does not correspond to the second power saving mode of FIG. 9, and the CPU 301 can operate. Only the low power consumption can be achieved by adding the power on / off control of the card I / F circuit 306 to the state of the first power saving mode.

As described above, in the conventional image processing apparatus and electronic device, since the CPU of the controller controls the authentication device, the power of the controller CPU cannot be turned off, and a sufficient power saving effect cannot be obtained. There's a problem. Further, when the controller CPU is switched to the power saving mode in which the CPU is turned off, there is a problem that it is not possible to return from the power saving mode triggered by the authentication input.
JP 2003-195986 A

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to trigger authentication input even in a power saving mode in which the power of a CPU for performing authentication processing is turned off in an electronic device having an authentication function. It is possible to return from the power saving mode.

The present invention includes a CPU, a power supply unit, power supply control means for performing on / off control of power supply from the power supply unit to the CPU, and an authentication device for inputting authentication data. An electronic device having a function of processing authentication data input from an authentication device, wherein the authentication device outputs a return signal to the power control means based on the input of authentication data, and the power control means When the power supply to the CPU is controlled to be turned off in the power saving mode state, the power supply to the CPU is turned on based on the input of the return signal output from the authentication device. It is an electronic device.
The present invention also includes a CPU, a power supply unit, power supply control means for performing on / off control of power supply from the power supply unit to the CPU, and an authentication device for inputting authentication data. A method for controlling an electronic device having a function of processing authentication data input from the authentication device, wherein the authentication for the authentication device is performed in a power saving mode in which power supply to the CPU is controlled to be turned off by a power control unit A step of detecting presence / absence of data input; a step of outputting a return signal to the power supply control means by the authentication device when the input of the authentication data is detected; And a step of returning the power supply to the CPU from OFF to ON based on the input of the electronic device A.

[Action]
According to the present invention, when the authentication data is input to the authentication device in the power saving mode state in which the power supply to the CPU having the authentication processing function is controlled to be turned off by the power control unit, the authentication device receives the power control unit. The power supply control means returns the power supply to the CPU from off to on based on the input of the return signal.

  According to the present invention, in an electronic device having an authentication function, it is possible to return from a power saving mode triggered by an authentication input even in a power saving mode in which the power of a CPU that performs authentication processing is turned off.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus which is an electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, shaded portions are portions where the power is turned off in the power saving mode.

  The image processing apparatus includes a controller 1, an operation panel 4, an engine controller 10, an image reading / forming unit 15, a power supply unit 16, and a personal authentication device 12.

  The controller 1 includes a CPU 2 and an ASIC 3. The ASIC 3 is an USB_I / F 21 that is an I / F for the personal authentication device 12, a network I / F 22 and a USB_I / F 23 that are external I / Fs that receive print data and the like. A panel I / F 24 that is an I / F for the panel 4, an engine I / F 25 that is an I / F for the engine controller 10, and a power save I / F 26 are incorporated.

  The personal authentication device 12 is an IC card reader, a fingerprint authentication device or the like, and includes a user operation input unit 14 and a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 13. For example, the user input unit 14 corresponds to a receiving unit if it is a non-contact IC card reader, and corresponds to a sensor if it is a fingerprint authentication device. The microcomputer 13 is connected to the USB_I / F 21 of the ASIC 3. The microcomputer 13 is also connected to the power save I / F 26 by a cable.

  The power supply unit 16 supplies a power supply system that is turned on even in the power saving mode to the controller 1 and a power supply system that is turned off in the power saving mode to the engine controller 10 and the image reading / forming unit 15. The controller 1 turns on only the ASIC 3 and operates only the external I / F and the power save I / F 26 that are triggers for returning from the power saving mode. An instruction from the power save I / F 26 is received to turn off the power in the power saving mode. By returning to the power key SW11 provided on the operation panel 4, it is possible to return from the power saving mode.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing when the image processing apparatus of FIG. 1 returns from the power saving mode to the normal mode with the authentication input from the personal authentication apparatus 12 as a trigger.
As the authentication operation, for example, the personal authentication device 12 acquires authentication data when the user holds the IC card, for example. The microcomputer 13 in the personal authentication device 12 monitors the input data from the input unit 14 (step S1). If it is determined that there is access (authentication data) from the user (S1: YES), a power saving return signal is sent. Generate and output (step S2). The power saving mode return signal output from the microcomputer 13 is input to the power save I / F 26, and the power save I / F 26 starts a sequence for turning on each power supply system of the power supply unit 16 (step S3). 1 is turned on, the microcomputer 13 can communicate with the USB_I / F 21 and the authentication data input from the input unit 14 is sent to the CPU 2 through the USB_I / F 21. It is done.

  The CPU 2 acquires authentication data (step S4), and determines whether the ID is authentication or non-authentication (step S5). If it is authentication (step S5: YES), the normal mode is maintained as it is (step S6), and if it is non-authentication (step S5: NO), the operation panel 4 notifies the user that it is non-authentication. At the same time, the power save I / F 26 is instructed to shift to the power saving mode (step S7).

  In this way, the microcomputer 13 generates a power saving mode return signal for returning the image processing apparatus from the power saving mode to the normal mode, triggered by the input of the authentication data from the input unit 14 in the personal authentication device 12. Since the power save I / F 26 starts a sequence for returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode in response to reception of the return signal, it is possible to return from the power saving mode triggered by the authentication input.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing when returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode using the authentication input as a trigger when the microcomputer 13 in the personal authentication device 12 has an authentication function.

  The microcomputer 13 in the personal authentication device 12 monitors the input data from the input unit 14 (step S11), and if it is determined that there is access (authentication data) from the user, it determines whether the ID is authentication or non-authentication (Step S12). And if it is non-authentication (step S12: NO), a power saving mode will be maintained as it is, and if it is authentication (step S12: YES), a power saving mode return signal will be produced | generated and output (step S13). The power saving mode return signal output from the microcomputer 13 is input to the power save I / F 26, and the power save I / F 26 starts a sequence for turning on each power supply system of the power supply unit 16 (step S14). .

  According to the process of this figure, compared with the process of FIG. 2, the extra power consumption in the process of returning from the power saving mode triggered by the authentication input ⇒ authentication judgment by the CPU ⇒ non-authentication ⇒ returning to the power saving mode. Can be reduced.

  By the way, in the flow shown in FIG. 3, when it is non-authenticated (S12: NO), it stays in the loop of S12: NO → S11: YES, and cannot enter the power saving mode. Although there is no problem in the case of an erroneous authentication operation, for example, there may be a case where an IC card using an IC card and storing an originally usable ID cannot transmit a correct ID due to an internal failure or the like. In such a case, it is desirable to return from the power saving mode and notify the user of the situation.

  FIG. 4 is a process for realizing this, and a process for returning to the power saving mode by operating the power key SW11 provided on the operation panel 4 and notifying the user of the status is added to FIG. It is a flowchart of.

  S21 to S24 in this figure correspond to S11 to S14 in FIG. S25 to S28 are added processes. As described above, in FIG. 3, in the case of non-authentication, the power saving mode cannot be exited. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, in the case of non-authentication (S22: NO), the power save I / F 26 monitors the pressing of the power key SW11 (step S25), and returns to step S21 if not pressed. If it has been pressed (S25: YES), a sequence for turning on each power supply system of the power supply unit 16 is started (step S26).

  Execution of step S26 turns on the power supply to the shaded portion in FIG. 1, so that the microcomputer 13 can communicate with the USB_I / F 21 and the authentication data input from the input unit 14 is the USB_I / F 21. And sent to the CPU 2. The CPU 2 acquires information that is not authenticated (step S27).

  Next, the CPU 2 instructs the operation panel 4 through the panel I / F 24 to display that it is non-authenticated and display that instructs another authentication operation or another authentication operation. Is displayed (step S28).

  According to the process of FIG. 4, it is determined that the device is not authenticated due to a device failure (for example, a failure of the personal authentication device 12 or a stored content of the IC card) regardless of the authentication target. Even when the power cannot be restored, it is possible to return from the power saving mode by operating the power key SW11 so that the user can recognize the situation.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the shaded portions are portions where the power is turned off in the power saving mode.

  The image processing apparatus includes a controller 101, an operation panel 4, an engine controller 10, and a personal authentication device 12. The image reading / forming unit and the power supply unit are not shown.

  The controller 101 includes a CPU 20, an ASIC 30, and an energy saving controller 40. The ASIC 30 includes a USB_I / F 31 that is an I / F for the personal authentication device 12, a panel I / F 32 that is an I / F for the operation panel 4, and an engine I / F 33 that is an I / F for the engine controller 10. The energy saving controller 40 includes a USB_I / F 41 that is an I / F for the personal authentication device 12, a network I / F 42 and a USB_I / F 43 that are external I / Fs, and a power save I / F 44.

  As indicated by the shaded area in the figure, in the power saving mode, the power is basically turned off except for the energy saving controller 40. In this state, when authentication data is input from the input unit 14 of the personal authentication device 12, the microcomputer 13 outputs the authentication data to the USB_I / F 41. This authentication data is sent from the USB_I / F 41 to the power save I / F 44. When the power save I / F 44 receives the authentication data, the power save I / F 44 starts a sequence for turning on each power supply system of the power supply unit.

  As a result, the power supply to the shaded portion of FIG. 5 is turned on, so that the USB_I / F 41 can communicate with the CPU 20 and the authentication data input from the input unit 14 is sent to the CPU 20 through the USB_I / F 41. CPU 20 performs authentication.

  According to the present embodiment, a low power consumption power saving control controller 40 (corresponding to a sub CPU) for power saving mode control is mounted, and even in a system in which the CPU 2 (main CPU) is powered off or deactivated, Authentication data can be collected from the personal authentication device 12 by the power saving control controller 40 corresponding to the CPU, and it is possible to return from the power saving mode by the authentication operation.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 5 are assigned to the same blocks as those in FIG.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the recovery from the power saving mode can be triggered by the input of the authentication data as a trigger, but the return sequence is up to the reference / confirmation of the authentication ID information and the use restriction / condition data. Yes, it can only be restored with a certain pattern. That is, after returning from the power saving mode, after all the power is turned on, after the use restriction / conditions are determined, for example, for the user who is restricted to use the plotter unit (image forming unit), the fixing unit is turned off. Shifts to the correct operation. For this reason, there is a disadvantage that wasteful power is consumed in the return sequence from the power saving mode.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the usage condition / restriction data for each personal authentication ID is stored in the nonvolatile memory in advance, and when the authentication data is input, it corresponds to the ID information in the authentication data from the nonvolatile memory. By reading out the usage restriction / condition data to be used, it is possible to quickly start up a state suitable for the usage conditions without consuming unnecessary power.

  The image processing apparatus of this embodiment has a configuration in which a nonvolatile memory 18 is connected to the energy saving controller 40 of the image processing apparatus of FIG. The nonvolatile memory 18 stores use condition / restriction data for each personal authentication ID.

  According to the present embodiment, for example, for the personal authentication from the user who reads a certain document with a scanner and saves it in a folder and the user has a use restriction, the energy saving controller 40 receives the ID information received from the personal authentication device 12. The user knows that the scanner is to be used by reading the data in the non-volatile memory 18, and executes the return sequence from the power saving mode with a pattern that does not turn on the image forming unit, especially the fixing unit. can do.

[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing USB_I / F data transfer and power consumption of the image processing apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. Since the block diagram of this image processing apparatus is the same as FIG. 5, the following description of the operation will refer to FIG.

  The personal authentication device 12 is connected to the USB_I / F 41 of the energy saving control controller 40. The energy saving controller 40 instructs a device in the USB_I / F 41, for example, a PHY (physical layer) chip or a hub to shift to the suspend mode. As a result, the power consumption P1 in the suspended state is reduced. After a certain period of time has elapsed, the energy-saving controller 40 returns the USB_I / F 41 device from the suspend mode to the normal mode, and causes the personal authentication device 12 to check for the presence of an authentication operation.

  The microcomputer 13 in the personal authentication device 12 monitors the presence / absence of an authentication operation, that is, the presence / absence of data input from the input unit 14, and outputs data indicating the result to the USB_I / F 41. Sent to save I / F44.

  When the received data is “authentication operation”, the power save I / F 44 prepares for recovery from the power saving mode (start of the recovery sequence), and when “no authentication operation”, the device in the USB_I / F 41 is connected. Move to the suspended state again.

  According to the present embodiment, the connection between the power saving controller 40 and the personal authentication device 12 is set to USB_I / F 41, and in the power saving mode, the USB_I / F 41 is suspended in a certain period and returned from the state. By repeating, it is possible to reduce power consumption in the power saving mode without adding a dedicated line for returning from the USB_I / F 41.

1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus which is an electronic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a flowchart showing processing when the image processing apparatus of FIG. 1 returns from a power saving mode to a normal mode with an authentication input as a trigger. 2 is a flowchart showing processing when returning from a power saving mode to a normal mode using an authentication input as a trigger when the microcomputer in the personal authentication device of FIG. 1 has an authentication function. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process in which a process of returning from the power saving mode and notifying the user of the situation by operating a power key SW provided on the operation panel is added to FIG. It is a block diagram of the image processing apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the image processing apparatus of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 16 is a timing chart illustrating USB_I / F data transfer and power consumption of the image processing apparatus according to the seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st power saving mode of the conventional image processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the 2nd power saving mode of the conventional image processing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the power supply state of the conventional electronic device which returns from the power saving mode by the personal authentication device which consists of an IC card.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,101 ... Controller, 2,20 ... CPU, 3, 30 ... ASIC, 4 ... Operation panel, 11 ... Power key SW, 12 ... Personal authentication device, 16 ... -Power supply unit, 18 ... non-volatile memory, 26, 44 ... power save I / F.

Claims (7)

A CPU, a power supply unit, power supply control means for performing on / off control of power supply from the power supply unit to the CPU, and an authentication device for inputting authentication data, wherein the CPU inputs from the authentication device An electronic device having a function of processing the authenticated authentication data,
The authentication device outputs a return signal to the power control unit based on the input of authentication data, and the power control unit controls the power supply to the CPU to be turned off in the power saving mode state. In addition, the electronic apparatus is configured to return the power supply to the CPU to ON based on the input of the return signal output from the authentication device. The electronic device according to claim 1,
The electronic device has a function of authenticating input authentication data and outputs the return signal only when the input authentication data can be authenticated. The electronic device according to claim 1,
The power control unit is configured to return the power supply to the CPU to ON according to a predetermined key operation when the power supply to the CPU is controlled to be turned off in the power saving mode state. Electronics. The electronic device according to claim 1,
A controller having a function of processing authentication data input from the authentication device is provided separately from the CPU, and the power control unit controls the power supply to the CPU to be turned off in the power saving mode state. An electronic apparatus, wherein power supply to the controller is controlled to be on. The electronic device according to claim 4,
An electronic apparatus comprising: a non-volatile memory in which usage condition information for each authentication ID of the authentication device that can be accessed by the controller in the power saving mode state is stored. The electronic device according to claim 4,
An interface for connecting the controller and the authentication device; and a control unit that repeats a suspend state and a return state from the state every predetermined time when the interface is in the power saving mode state. An electronic device comprising: A CPU, a power supply unit, power supply control means for performing on / off control of power supply from the power supply unit to the CPU, and an authentication device for inputting authentication data, wherein the CPU inputs from the authentication device A method for controlling an electronic device having a function of processing authentication data,
Detecting whether or not authentication data is input to an authentication device in a power saving mode in which power supply to the CPU is controlled to be turned off by a power supply control unit; and when the authentication data is detected, the authentication device However, the power supply control means includes a step of outputting a return signal to the power supply control means, and the power supply control means returns the power supply to the CPU from OFF to ON based on the input of the return signal. A control method for electronic equipment.

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