JP2010157789A - Multifunctional device and operation panel unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multifunctional device (MFP) for reducing standby power. <P>SOLUTION: The MFP 10 includes: an image processing unit 50; an operation panel unit 60 including a second CPU 61 for controlling an operation panel 20; and a switching unit 71 for turning on power supply to an image processing control unit 59 from a main power supply unit 70 by a restart request from the second CPU 61. The operation panel unit 60 includes a human body sensor 31 for detecting a human close to the operation panel 20, and also includes a function for output of a restart request caused by the operation of the operation panel 20, the reception of input data, or the detection of the human body sensor 31. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a multifunction peripheral (multifunctional device) having a plurality of functions as a copying machine, a printer, a scanner, and the like.

  Cited Document 1 describes that power in the apparatus is not consumed in order to monitor an event that prompts a transition to a power saving state or an event that prompts a return from a power saving state. The image processing apparatus of Cited Document 1 processes a main power supply that outputs power of a predetermined voltage upon receiving power from a commercial power supply, an input image read by the image reading unit, and an output image output to the image forming unit. Controls input / output of information between the image processing unit, a power switch for switching on / off of power supply from the main power to the image processing unit, and an operation panel, and shifts to a power saving mode or a power saving mode. A UI control unit that monitors the occurrence of an event that prompts the user to return from the system. The UI control unit is supplied with power from the hub, and turns off the power switch when an event that prompts a transition occurs, and turns on the power switch when an event that prompts a return occurs.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a device called a digital multifunction peripheral (hereinafter simply referred to as a multifunction peripheral) including a scanner and a printer. In this multifunction peripheral, a scanner function for reading a document image by a scanner and a printing function for printing by a printer. In addition, it is described that a printer has a copy function for printing a document image read by a scanner, and in recent years, a multifunction machine having a facsimile transmission / reception function has appeared.

Patent Document 2 further describes that image processing apparatuses such as copiers and printers are known to have a power saving standby mode such as a power saving mode and a sleep mode. Attempts have been made to provide such a mode in a multi-function peripheral. Regarding a power saving mode (sleep mode) in a multi-function peripheral having a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, and a facsimile function, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-167484. In the composite apparatus having a copying function, a printer function, a facsimile function, and a scanner function, the first automatic operation is automatically performed when a first predetermined time elapses from the end of the operation included in the first operation group. A first auto power saving means that shifts to a power saving state; a first timer that times the first predetermined time; and a first timer that clears the first timer when there is an operation of the first operation group. Timer clearing means and a second auto power-saving hand that automatically enters the second power-saving state when a second predetermined time has elapsed since the end of the operation included in the second operation group And a second timer for measuring the second predetermined time, and a second timer clear means for clearing the second timer when there is an operation of the second operation group. A composite device is disclosed.
JP 2008-258895 A JP 2008-278104 A (paragraph numbers 0002-0003)

  Multifunctional printers (MFP, Multi Functional Printer) with printer functions, scanner functions, copy functions, and facsimile functions have been developed one after another as image processing speed and printer functions have improved. Has been put on the market. The improvement in image processing speed is realized by a circuit (processor, ASIC) composed of high-performance and high-speed semiconductors manufactured by a miniaturization process of 1 micron or less due to recent advances in semiconductor technology, and put into the market. In order to increase the speed, it is necessary to urgently develop an image processing system equipped with a high-performance processor.

  An MFP requires an operation panel for local operation, and development including an operation panel is required to supply a high-function MFP. Developing separately an image processing system equipped with a high-function processor and an operation panel system compatible with a low-function processor is effective for shortening the time to bring a new MFP to the market. Furthermore, by performing power control of the image processing unit on the operation panel system side, there is a possibility that standby power of the MFP can be significantly reduced.

  That is, not only a single-function printer but also a multi-function device including a multi-function printer, a copier, a copier, and the like is required to save energy. In particular, there has been a strong demand for suppressing power consumption in the standby state that occupies most of the operating time, and official standards and regulations have been enacted to regulate the power consumption to a certain level.

  In the standby state, in an apparatus that does not require the high-speed operation of the control unit as much as the operation state, the operation speed of the main control unit, that is, the property that the power consumption of the control unit (processor, computer system) is proportional to the operation speed, Some devices have been devised to reduce standby power consumption by slowing down the clock of the system that operates the main controller. However, in recent years, high-performance and high-performance processors have been miniaturized, and semiconductors manufactured by the miniaturization process have the effect of reducing power consumption during standby due to leakage current between electrodes of circuit components regardless of the clock speed. It is not enough for the required standards and standards. Therefore, if a further power consumption reduction effect is desired, it is advantageous to cut off the power supply to such a high function processor. If a low-function processor with low power consumption is used in the operation panel system and power supply to the high-function processor can be resumed with the low-function processor, power supply to the high-function processor can be performed under appropriate conditions such as standby time. Can be blocked.

  However, an operation panel system including an operation panel and a low-function processor for controlling the operation panel is developed as a unit or module independently of an image processing module, that is, a printer module and a scanner module. When trying to control the power, it becomes difficult to grasp the cause of restart (return) from the conventional power saving mode. For example, the MFP preferably has a function of detecting opening / closing of a scanner cover and turning on a scanner lamp, or detecting that a document is set on a document feeder and restarting a printing function. A sensor for detecting these operations is generally associated with a processor of an image processing system.

  One embodiment of the present invention includes an image processing unit that includes a first processor that operates by supplying power from a first power supply, and performs image processing related to at least one of copying, printing, and scanning by the first processor. It is a multi-function device. The multi-function device includes an operation panel unit that includes an operation panel of the multi-function device and a second processor that operates by supplying power from a first power source or a different second power source and controls the operation panel; And a switching unit that turns on power supply from the first power source to the first processor in response to a restart request (return instruction) from the processor. The operation panel unit includes an input / output interface function for transmitting / receiving input / output data to / from the multi-function device, and a human sensor for detecting a person in the vicinity of the operation panel. And a function for outputting a restart request due to input operation, reception of input data, or detection of a human sensor.

  In this multi-function device, the power supply to the first processor can be resumed by the second processor that requires low function and low power consumption of the operation panel unit. Therefore, it is possible to determine a suitable condition for entering the power saving mode, for example, a standby time using a timer or the like, and to cut off the power supply to the first processor with high function and high power consumption by the switching unit. Furthermore, the operation panel unit includes a human sensor, so that the user's operation on the multi-function device such as a person approaching the operation panel can be predicted, the power supply to the first processor can be resumed, and the image processing system can be restarted. . Therefore, even if the operation panel unit is developed separately and independently from the image processing unit, it is possible to detect or foresee user operations related to the image processing system on the operation panel side, and it is easy to use and has a low standby power. Can be provided.

  The human sensor includes a motion sensor function capable of detecting an operation motion of an operator for performing at least one of copying, printing, and scanning in the multi-function device, and the second processor is restarted by detecting the operation motion. Includes a function to output a request. In a multi-function device, the user's actions that are preferable to automatically start the image processing system locally are limited to operation motions such as setting a document, opening a cover for scanning, and touching the operation panel. ing. Furthermore, since the operation panel is installed at a predetermined location of the multi-function device, the user motion that the motion sensor function should grasp is also limited. Therefore, by providing a motion sensor function, it is possible to detect or foresee a user operation related to the image processing system on the operation panel side, and it is possible to provide a multi-function device that is easy to use and has low standby power. The human sensor may be an infrared sensor that detects infrared rays from the human body. Another typical human sensor is a digital camera, which can include a function as a motion sensor.

  The multi-function device may include a motion sensor separately from the human sensor using an infrared sensor or the like. The motion sensor is activated by the detection result of the motion sensor, and the second processor has a function for outputting a restart request by detecting operation motion of the motion sensor in addition to operation of the operation panel and reception of input data. Including.

  Another aspect of the present invention is the operation panel unit described above. That is, the operation panel unit includes an operation panel of a multi-function device having an image processing unit. The image processing unit includes a first processor that operates by supplying power from a first power source, and performs image processing related to at least one of copying, printing, and scanning by the first processor. The operation panel further includes a second processor that operates by supplying power from the first power supply or a different second power supply, and a restart request from the second processor to the first processor from the first power supply. A switching unit that turns on the power supply; an input / output interface function for transmitting / receiving input / output data to / from the multi-function device; and a human sensor for detecting a person near the operation panel. And a function for outputting a restart request due to operation of the operation panel, reception of input data, or detection of a human sensor. The human sensor may also serve as a motion sensor, and a motion sensor may be provided separately from the human sensor. One of the human sensor and / or motion sensor is a digital camera.

  One of the different aspects of the present invention includes a first processor that operates by supplying power from a first power supply, and performs image processing related to at least one of copying, printing, and scanning by the first processor. It is a control method of a multi-function device having an image processing unit. The multi-function device includes an operation panel unit that includes an operation panel of the multi-function device and a second processor that operates by supplying power from a first power source or a different second power source and controls the operation panel, and a second processor And a switching unit that turns on the power supply from the first power supply to the first processor in response to a restart request from. The operation panel unit includes an input / output interface function for transmitting / receiving input / output data to / from the multi-function device, and a human sensor for detecting a person near the operation panel. Then, the control method includes that the second processor outputs a restart request due to operation of the operation panel, reception of input data, or detection of a human sensor.

  Further, when the operation panel includes a motion sensor function capable of detecting an operation motion of an operator for performing at least one of copying, printing, and scanning in the multi-function device, the control method includes: It is desirable to include outputting a restart request upon detection.

  This control method can be provided by being recorded in a suitable recording medium such as a ROM as a program (program product) for controlling the second processor.

  FIG. 1 shows an outline of a multifunction device (multifunction printer, MFP) according to the present invention. The MFP 10 includes a scanner mechanism (scanner mechanism) 11 for inputting image data and a printer mechanism (printer mechanism) 12 for outputting an image. The MFP 10 copies a document (copy function) and scan function. And a print function and a facsimile function. The scanner mechanism 11 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) 13 for reading while automatically feeding a document, and a device 14 for opening and closing the cover 14a and setting and reading the document on the scanner surface. The MFP 10 further includes an operation panel 20 including a touch panel 21 and a keyboard 22 such as a numeric keypad.

  The MFP 10 is connected to an information processing apparatus 4 such as a plurality of personal computers and servers installed in an appropriate range by a LAN (local area network) 1. Further, it is possible to connect to a terminal 3 such as an individual personal computer or a digital camera by connection of an appropriate serial or parallel interface standard such as USB connection 2. Therefore, the MFP 10 can be operated remotely via the data input / output means 9 corresponding to the LAN connection 1 or the USB connection 2. The MFP 10 can also be operated locally using the operation panel 20. One of the local operations is to set a document on the ADF 13 and copy or convert it into data. Another local operation is to open the cover 14a and set a document. Furthermore, another one of the different local operations is to operate the operation panel 20, thereby using a copy function, a scan function, a printer function, a facsimile function, and the like.

  Therefore, the operation panel 20 of the MFP 10 is provided with an infrared sensor (human sensor) 31 that detects the approach of the operator (user) by infrared rays and a motion sensor 32 that can identify some motions (actions) of the operator. It has been. The motion sensor 32 can detect a motion (operation motion) 90 corresponding to the above-described local operation, for example, a motion 91 for setting a document on the ADF 13, a motion 92 for opening the cover 14a, and a motion 93 for operating the operation panel 20.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic function of the MFP 10 in a block diagram. The MFP 10 includes an image processing system (image processing unit) 50 that performs image processing, and an operation panel system (operation panel unit) 60 that takes charge of a user interface (UI). The image processing unit 50 includes a control unit 59, a scanner mechanism 11, a printer mechanism 12, and a facsimile module 80.

  A control unit (image processing control unit) 59 of the image processing unit 50 stores a first CPU 51 that performs image processing, a memory 52 that stores a program for image processing, and the like, a work area in image processing, and a scanner mechanism 11. A scanner mechanism controller 53 for controlling the printer mechanism, a printer mechanism controller 54 for controlling the printer mechanism 12, and a data bus 55 for connecting them. A facsimile module 80 is connected to the data bus 55. The facsimile module 80 supplies a facsimile communication unit 82 for inputting / outputting facsimile data via the public telephone line 89 and supplies the facsimile data obtained via the scanner mechanism 11 to the facsimile communication unit 82 or a facsimile communication unit. And a facsimile control unit 81 for outputting the facsimile data obtained from 82 via the printer mechanism 12.

  The memory 52 stores a program executed by the first CPU 51. The programs include a program 56a for realizing a copy function, a program 56b for realizing a scan function, a program 56c for realizing a print function, a program 56d for realizing a facsimile function, and the like. In the copy function, an image of a document read by the scanner mechanism 11 is output by the printer mechanism 12. The scan function outputs image data read by the scanner mechanism 11 to the outside via the LAN connection 1 or the USB connection 2. The print function outputs image data input from the outside via the LAN connection 1 or the USB connection 2 by the printer mechanism 12. The facsimile function processes facsimile data to be input / output via the facsimile module 80 described above.

  The first CPU 51 loads these programs at an appropriate timing, reads a document by the scanner mechanism 11 to generate image data, and performs some image processing to print the image data by the printer mechanism 12. For example, color conversion, binarization, error diffusion processing, and the like are performed. Further, the first CPU 51 controls the scanner mechanism 11 via the scanner mechanism control unit 53 and controls the printer mechanism 12 via the printer mechanism control unit 54.

  The operation panel unit 60 includes a user interface (UI) control unit 69, input / output means (input / output connector group) 9 for inputting / outputting data to / from the outside, an operation panel 20, and a sensor group 30. The input / output connector group 9 includes connectors for connecting cables corresponding to the USB connection 2 and the LAN connection 1. The operation panel 20 includes a touch panel 21 that also serves as a display and data input, and a keyboard 22 for key operations including a copy button, numeric keys, and function keys.

  The sensor group 30 includes a human sensor 31 and a motion sensor 32. A typical human sensor 31 detects infrared rays having an appropriate frequency. The motion sensor 32 is, for example, a digital camera, and can determine the presence or absence of an operation motion by pattern matching an image acquired by the digital camera and an image indicating the operation motions 91 to 93 given in advance. The operation motion of the operator with respect to the ADF 13 of the MFP 10 may have several variations depending on the position where the operator stands, the height of the operator, the hand used for the operation among the left and right hands, and the like. However, the mounting position of the motion sensor 32 is determined depending on the model of the MFP 10, and the positional relationship between the position of the ADF 13, the position of the cover 14a, the touch panel 21, and the like is determined. For this reason, the number of reference images to be pattern-matched is limited, and the second CPU 61, which has not so high processing capability, can easily and accurately determine whether a predetermined operation motion is performed at high speed. . A digital camera for the motion sensor 32 can be used as a human sensor.

  The UI control unit 69 stores a second CPU 61 for performing overall control of the operation panel unit 60, a program 68 for the CPU 61, and a memory 62 serving as a temporary work area (buffer). A data input / output interface 63 for transmitting and receiving data through the USB connection 2 and the LAN connection 1 and the like, and an operation panel interface for receiving an operator's operation via the operation panel 20 and providing information to the operator 64, a sensor interface 65 for receiving the detection results of the sensors 31 and 32, and an internal bus 66 for connecting them. The UI control unit 69 and the image processing control unit 59 are connected by a communication bus 67, and image data handled by the image processing unit 50 is sent to the external devices 3 and 4 via the UI control unit 69. Input / output is possible.

  The MFP 10 further receives power from a home or office power supply, and turns on / off the power supply to the main power supply unit 70 for supplying power to each device constituting the MFP 10 and the image processing control unit 59. A switching unit 71 for Power is directly supplied to the UI control unit 69 from the main power supply unit 70, and the UI control unit 69 can be normally operated as long as power is supplied to the main power supply unit 70. The switching unit 71 is turned on by a restart request RS1 from the second CPU 61 of the UI control unit 69 and a restart request RS2 from the facsimile module 80. The switching unit 71 is turned off by a stop command from the second CPU 61 of the UI control unit 69 or a stop command from the first CPU 51 of the image processing control unit 59. Therefore, when the power is cut off by the switching unit 71, in principle, the image processing control unit 59 can completely stop its operation and reduce the consumed power to zero. For this reason, power consumption can be further reduced with respect to power saving control such as reducing the operating speed (CPU clock) of the first CPU 51. Further, since the first CPU 51 can be restarted at an appropriate timing by the second CPU 61, it is possible to prevent the function of the MFP 10 from being impaired.

  In the image processing unit 50, the first CPU 51 finely controls power supply to the scanner mechanism 11, the printer mechanism 12, the facsimile module 80, and the like according to a predetermined schedule and / or conditions. Further, the first CPU 51 itself shifts to a predetermined power saving mode such as a standby mode according to a predetermined schedule and / or conditions. Further, when a job that the image processing unit 50 is in charge of for a predetermined time is not generated by a timer built in the first CPU 51 or included in the image processing control unit 59, the switching unit 71 is turned off. Thus, power supply to the image processing unit 50 including the image processing control unit 59 is stopped. The minimum power for shortening the restart time of the printer mechanism 12 or the like may be held by the user setting. The power control function 51a realized by the first CPU 51 is provided as an OS or a power saving program 56x, and is loaded from the memory 52 to the CPU 51 at an appropriate timing and executed. The power saving program (program product) 56x can be provided by being recorded on an appropriate recording medium such as a ROM, or can be provided via a computer network such as the Internet, and can be updated by an appropriate method.

  The power control function 61a of the second CPU 61 of the UI control unit 69 is also provided as an OS or a power saving program 68, and is loaded from the memory 62 to the CPU 61 at an appropriate timing and executed. This program (program product) 68 can also be provided by being recorded on an appropriate recording medium such as a ROM, or can be provided via a computer network such as the Internet, and can be updated by an appropriate method. When the switching unit 71 is off and the image processing unit 50 is stopped, the power control function 61a of the second CPU 61 first outputs the data input / output interface 63 via the USB connection 2 or the LAN connection 1 ( When data to be printed is received, a restart request RS is output, the switching unit 71 is turned on, and the image processing unit 50 is restarted. The memory 62 of the UI control unit 69 is used as a memory for storing initial setting information when the image processing unit 50 is restarted.

  The power control function 61a of the second CPU 61 turns on the motion sensor 32 when the human sensor 31 detects the approach of a person. When the motion sensor 32 detects predetermined operation motions 91 to 93, the power control function 61a turns on the illumination of the touch panel 21 of the operation panel 20, outputs a restart request RS, and turns on the switching unit 71. The image processing unit 50 is restarted. The power control function 61a is configured so that the touch panel 21 or the keyboard 22 of the operation panel 20 is used even when the human sensor 31 does not detect the approach of a person and when the motion sensor 32 does not detect the predetermined operation motions 91 to 93. Is detected, the restart request RS is output, the switching unit 71 is turned on, and the image processing unit 50 is restarted.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation relating to the power control of the second CPU 61 of the operation panel unit 60, particularly the output of the restart request RS. First, when input data is detected in the data input / output interface 63 in step 101, a restart request RS is output in step 105 to restart the image processing control unit 59. In step 102, when the human sensor 31 senses a person, the motion sensor 32 is activated in step 103. When the motion sensor detects a predetermined operation motion in step 104, a restart request RS is output in step 105. Further, when an operation on the operation panel 20 is detected in step 106, a restart request RS is output in step 105.

  The MFP 10 supplies power to the image processing control unit 59 including the first CPU 51 for multi-function / high power consumption image processing by the second CPU 61 that requires low function / low power consumption of the operation panel unit 60. You can resume. Therefore, the first CPU 51 and / or the second CPU 61 determine an appropriate condition for entering the power saving mode, for example, the length of the standby time, and the like. The power supply can be cut off by the switching unit 71. Therefore, the power consumption of the image processing control unit 59 including the first CPU 51 can be basically reduced to zero, and the power consumption in the standby state of the MFP 10 can be greatly reduced.

  In the operation panel unit 60, it is possible to always operate the operation panel 20 and restart the image processing control unit 59 only when the operation panel 20 is operated. In this case, for example, even if a document is set on the ADF 13, the MFP 10 does not restart, and the image processing unit 50 restarts after the user presses the copy button. If the image processing unit 50 does not stop during standby and continues to operate in the power saving mode, the scanner mechanism 11 and the printer mechanism 12 are automatically warmed up when a document such as a paper sensor of the ADF 13 is detected. Be started. Therefore, there is a possibility that the user may feel that the activation of the MFP 10 is slow, and the product value of the MFP 10 may be reduced.

  On the other hand, in the MFP 10 of this example, the operation panel unit 60 includes the human sensor 31 and can detect that a person approaches the operation panel 20 and / or the MFP 10. Therefore, on the operation panel unit 60 side, the user (operator) operation on the MFP 10 can be predicted, and the power supply to the image processing control unit 59 including the first CPU 51 can be resumed. For this reason, the restart of the MFP 10 can be accelerated, and a reduction in the commercial value of the MFP 10 can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the operation panel unit 60 can be restarted prior to an actual copy or scan job, the operation panel unit 60 can be developed separately from the image processing unit 50. In this way, by detecting or foreseeing a user operation related to the image processing unit 50 with the operation panel unit 60, it is possible to provide the MFP 10 that is easy to use and has low standby power.

  Further, in the MFP 10, the image processing control unit 59 is restarted due to the human sensor 31, but instead of restarting the power supply to the image processing control unit 59 directly by the human sensor 31, the motion sensor 32 is started, and power supply to the image processing control unit 59 is resumed when the operation motions 91 to 93 are detected. The human sensor 31 is suitable for predicting a user operation on the MFP 10 such as when a person approaches the operation panel 20. On the other hand, the approach of a user who does not intend to operate the MFP 10 is also detected. The MFP 10 may be used as a device used by a large number of users. In this case, the MFP 10 is often installed facing a passage that is easy for a large number of users to approach. Therefore, depending on the installation location of the MFP 10, there may be a case where it is difficult to obtain an effect of reducing standby power when the image processing unit 50 is restarted by the approach of a user who does not intend to operate the MFP 10.

  By detecting the operation motions 91 to 93 by the motion sensor 32 and restarting the supply of power to the image processing control unit 59, the possibility of restarting due to the approach of a user who does not intend to operate the MFP 10 can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reliably obtain the standby power reduction effect. Further, since the operation is restarted by detecting the operation motions 91 to 93 on the operation panel unit 60 side, there is little possibility of reducing the product value of the MFP 10, and the image processing unit 50 and the operation panel unit 60 are separated. It is also easy to develop.

  By activating the motion sensor 32 by the human sensor 31, power consumption related to motion sensing during standby can be reduced. In recent years, a motion sensor 32 using a digital camera that has been installed in most portable terminals is suitable for the motion sensor 32 because of its low cost and high motion identification capability. Furthermore, when the power consumption during standby of the motion sensor 32 can be reduced, the motion sensor 32 is always operated, the function as the human sensor 31 is assigned to the motion sensor 32, and the operation motions 91 to 93 are detected directly. You may do it.

  The configuration of the control system of the MFP 10 as described above can be divided into several blocks, and each block may be configured by an independent microcomputer system, but a microcomputer system that handles a single microcomputer system or a plurality of blocks You may comprise by the set of. In recent years, with the improvement of semiconductor performance, there is a tendency to integrate and unify microcomputer systems as much as possible with the aim of reducing costs. With recent advances in semiconductor technology, it is possible to construct a plurality of microcomputer systems on a single chip, and an environment in which parallelization, high speed, and cost reduction of microcomputer processing are being born.

  There is a problem of coexistence between such an environment where integration is progressing and a demand for energy saving for products such as MFPs in recent years. That is, a device such as an MFP has a larger time ratio in the standby state than the actual printing time, and a strict regulation is imposed on the power consumption in the standby state. In the standby state, it is desirable that all the control systems can be restarted in preparation for restart. Therefore, it is best in terms of restart operation that all the microcomputer systems are operating in the same manner as in the operation. On the other hand, if the microcomputer system is operating at the maximum speed, the power consumption becomes equal to or greater than the energy saving prescribed value. Therefore, some power saving measures are required in the standby state.

  A typical method for power saving is a method of reducing the operation speed (CPU clock) of the microcomputer system. In general, operations that are performed in a standby state and that lead to restart are data input via the interface and panel operation by the operator. These operations do not necessarily require a high-speed operating environment. . Therefore, it is an effective method to suppress the power consumption by reducing the operating speed of the microcomputer system (CPU).

  However, to the extent that the operating speed is reduced, it may not be possible to satisfy recent regulations on the power consumption of the microcomputer system (CPU) that limit the standby power suppression. That is, in recent years, due to the high-speed operation required by the equipment and the accompanying improvement in processing capacity, it has become necessary to increase the processing capacity required for the control unit and to perform complicated processing. Microcomputer systems using high-performance and highly integrated chips created by rules have come to be used. In particular, semiconductors made by the latest miniaturization process of 1 micron or less are in line with demands in terms of high speed and high integration, but on the other hand, power consumption due to leakage between electrodes inside the semiconductor, which is leakage current, increases. The value has exceeded the regulation value. The power consumption due to the leakage current cannot be solved by reducing the operating speed (reducing the clock speed), and it is difficult to obtain the effect of reducing standby power by the conventional method of reducing the operating speed.

  On the other hand, in the MFP 10 described above, power saving is essentially performed by shutting off the power supplied to the microcomputer system (chip, CPU). Although the microcomputer system that has been cut off cannot be restarted by itself, the restart state is detected by using the operation panel unit 60 as a subsystem having a function for restarting externally. The power supply to the shut-off high-performance microcomputer system (semiconductor chip, first CPU 51) is turned on again to restart. Further, the operation panel unit 60 also includes a function for interface control, and also covers a restart by receiving data from the outside. This operation panel unit 60 is one of the subsystems, and the microcomputer system (second CPU 61) constituting this system has specifications (performance) that can perform sufficient power saving operation during standby, that is, operation The speed is not so fast, but the one with low consumption due to leakage current can be used.

  The operation panel unit 60 cuts off the power supply by a switch circuit 71 that can connect or cut off the power supply to the image processing unit 50 as the main control unit. Thereafter, the operation panel unit 60 operates with sufficiently low power, detects the restart requirement of the image processing unit 50, and further, the image processing unit 50 as the main control unit initializes or continues the operation upon restarting. Reboot information necessary for The restart information may be held on the image processing unit 50 side, or the restart information may be adjusted on the operation panel unit 60 side according to the detected restart condition.

  Further, the required operation performance speed of the processor (CPU) 61 of the operation panel unit 60 is slower than that of the processor (CPU) 51 of the image processing unit 50. For this reason, with respect to the second CPU 61, there are various methods for suppressing power consumption required for interface control and operation panel control, such as lowering the clock and reducing power consumption by using a semiconductor braked in a process with little leakage. Over. Accordingly, there are many options for power saving required by regulations compared to the image processing unit 50 that is the main control unit, and it is not difficult to suppress standby power consumption (standby power).

  As described above, in the MFP 10 described above, contrary to the recent design policy of integrating (integrating) functions into one microcomputer system, the functions are distributed to at least one system and one of the systems is operated. It is provided as a panel unit to reduce power consumption and maintain or improve functions as the MFP 10. In the above description, the system is divided into the image processing unit 50 and the operation panel unit 60 so that the power supply to the image processing unit 50 can be cut off during standby. It is also possible to perform power control separately, and it is possible to more appropriately perform power control including power cutoff of a plurality of systems by the operation panel unit 60.

  In the MFP 10, the image processing control unit 59 may include the first CPU 51 or the like as a chip or a separate circuit, and a circuit including the CPU 51 is integrated on one or a plurality of chips. It may be realized by an ASIC. The UI control unit 69 is the same, and may be provided with the second CPU 61 or the like as a chip or a separate circuit, and is realized by an ASIC in which a circuit including the CPU 61 is integrated on one or a plurality of chips. It may be. The UI control unit 69 is supplied with power from the main power supply unit 70, but is supplied with power from a power supply different from the main power supply unit 70, for example, power supplied via the LAN connection 1 or the USB connection 2. It may be operated. The MFP 10 includes the facsimile module 80, but a facsimile function can be provided as an option. An example of the printer mechanism 12 is an ink jet method, and may be a laser printer method, a thermal transfer method, or the like.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an MFP. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing functions of the MFP. 6 is a flowchart showing power control of the MFP.

Explanation of symbols

10 MFP, 11 Scanner mechanism, 12 Printer mechanism 20 Operation panel, 31 Human sensor, 32 Motion sensor 50 Image processing unit, 59 Image processing control unit 60 Operation panel unit, 69 UI control unit

Claims (12)

A multi-function device that includes a first processor that operates by supplying power from a first power supply, and that has an image processing unit that performs image processing related to at least one of copying, printing, and scanning with the first processor. And
An operation panel unit including an operation panel of the multi-function device and a second processor which operates by supplying power from the first power source or a different second power source and controls the operation panel;
A switching unit that turns on power supply from the first power source to the first processor in response to a restart request from the second processor;
The operation panel unit is
An input / output interface function for transmitting / receiving input / output data to / from the multifunction device;
A human sensor for detecting a person in the vicinity of the operation panel,
The second processor includes a function for outputting the restart request due to operation of the operation panel, reception of input data, or detection of the human sensor. In Claim 1, the human sensor includes a motion sensor function capable of detecting an operation motion of an operator for performing at least one of copying, printing, and scanning in the multi-function device,
The multi-functional device, wherein the second processor includes a function for outputting the restart request by detecting the operation motion.   The multi-function device according to claim 2, wherein the human sensor includes a digital camera. 3. The motion sensor according to claim 1, wherein the operation panel unit is a motion sensor capable of detecting an operation motion of an operator for performing at least one of copying, printing, and scanning in the multi-function device, and the detection result of the human sensor Including a motion sensor activated by
The second processor includes a function for outputting the restart request by operating the operation panel, receiving the input data, or detecting the operation motion.   5. The multi-function device according to claim 4, wherein the motion sensor includes a digital camera. Operation of a multi-function device including a first processor that operates by supplying power from a first power supply, and having an image processing unit that performs image processing related to at least one of copying, printing, and scanning by the first processor A panel,
A second processor that operates by supplying power from the first power source or a different second power source;
A switching unit that turns on power supply from the first power source to the first processor in response to a restart request from the second processor;
An input / output interface function for transmitting / receiving input / output data to / from the multi-function device; and
A human sensor for detecting a person in the vicinity of the operation panel;
The operation panel unit, wherein the second processor includes a function for outputting the restart request due to operation of the operation panel, reception of input data, or detection of the human sensor. In Claim 6, the human sensor includes a motion sensor function capable of detecting an operation motion of an operator for performing at least one of copying, printing, and scanning in the multi-function device,
The operation panel unit, wherein the second processor includes a function for outputting the restart request upon detection of the operation motion.   8. The operation panel unit according to claim 7, wherein the human sensor includes a digital camera. The motion sensor according to claim 6, wherein the motion sensor is capable of detecting an operation motion of an operator for performing at least one of copying, printing, and scanning in the multi-function device, and is activated by a detection result of the human sensor. In addition,
The operation panel unit, wherein the second processor includes a function for outputting the restart request by operating the operation panel, receiving the input data, or detecting the operation motion.   The operation panel unit according to claim 9, wherein the motion sensor includes a digital camera. Control of a multi-function device including an image processing unit including an image processing unit that includes an image processor related to at least one of copying, printing, and scanning, and includes an image processor associated with at least one of copying, printing, and scanning. A method,
The multi-function device includes an operation panel unit including an operation panel of the multi-function device and a second processor that operates by power supply from the first power source or a different second power source and controls the operation panel; A switching unit that turns on power supply from the first power supply to the first processor in response to a restart request from the second processor;
The operation panel unit includes an input / output interface function for transmitting / receiving input / output data to / from the multifunction device, and a human sensor for detecting a person near the operation panel,
The control method is
The control method, wherein the second processor outputs the restart request due to operation of the operation panel, reception of input data, or detection of the human sensor. In Claim 11, the operation panel includes a motion sensor function capable of detecting an operation motion of an operator for performing at least one of copying, printing, and scanning in the multi-function device,
The control method includes the second processor outputting the restart request upon detection of the operation motion.

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