JP2011139273A - Control device of electronic equipment, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control device of electronic equipment and an image forming apparatus, achieving power saving at least with respect to an operation portion (including an operation panel) in a power saving operation mode. <P>SOLUTION: The control device of the electronic equipment 1 can switch between a normal operation mode and the power saving operation mode in which the control device operates with power consumption lower than that in the normal operation mode, restores to the normal operation mode by an operation of an operation key in the power saving operation mode, wherein an operation control portion 15 controls a signal generation portion 9 and an operation related portion 11 by power supply from a power supply 19 for operation in the normal operation mode, and in the power saving operation mode, a main control portion 17 stops the power supply from the power supply for operation, starts an auxiliary supply portion to supply power smaller than that in the normal operation mode to the signal generation portion 9, and allows reception of an operation signal from the signal generation portion. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control apparatus and an image forming apparatus for an electronic device that can be shifted from a normal operation mode to a power saving operation mode.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to save power consumption, an image forming apparatus capable of shifting from a normal operation mode to a power saving operation mode that operates with lower power consumption than the normal operation mode is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ). The image forming apparatus includes an operation panel that can be operated by keys, a main power supply unit, and an auxiliary power supply unit. In the normal operation mode, the main power supply unit can be activated to execute all functions of the image forming apparatus, thereby saving power. In the operation mode, the auxiliary power supply unit is activated instead of the main power supply unit, the power is supplied from the auxiliary power supply unit to the operation panel, and the normal operation mode is restored on the condition that the key operation is performed on the operation panel. It has become.

JP 2005-275155 A

  By the way, in addition to the key operation function, some operation panels are provided with a display function for displaying a predetermined display on the display unit and having a multi-function. In such an image forming apparatus having a multifunctional operation panel, an operation control unit for collectively controlling functions on the operation panel is a main control unit for controlling the entire image forming apparatus. May be provided separately.

Here, in the power saving operation mode, it is possible to return to the normal operation mode as long as the key operation function is valid among the functions on the operation panel. However, conventionally, since this type of image forming apparatus supplies power to the operation control unit not only in the normal operation mode but also in the power saving operation mode, the operation control unit executes functions other than the key operation function. For this reason, there is a problem that power for use is consumed wastefully.
Such a problem is not limited to the image forming apparatus, and can similarly occur in any electronic device that can be shifted from the normal operation mode to the power saving operation mode and can return to the normal operation mode by a key operation.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and its object is to improve power saving at least on the operation unit (including the operation panel) side in the power saving operation mode. An electronic apparatus control device and an image forming apparatus are provided.

As means for achieving the above object, the control device for an electronic device according to the first invention can be switched between a normal operation mode and a power saving operation mode that operates with lower power consumption than the normal operation mode. A control device for an electronic device that returns to the normal operation mode when an operation key is operated during the power saving operation mode,
An operation unit having the operation key, a signal generation unit that outputs an operation signal according to an operation of the operation key by a user, an operation-related unit that executes a function related to the operation by the operation key, and power from the power supply unit An operation control unit that controls the signal generation unit and the operation-related unit, a main control unit that controls the electronic device to operate based on the operation signal from the signal generation unit,
An auxiliary supply unit that supplies power to the signal generation unit from the main control unit or the power supply unit,
During the normal operation mode, the operation control unit controls the signal generation unit and the operation-related unit by supplying power from the power supply unit,
In the power saving operation mode, the main control unit can receive the operation signal from the signal generation unit by stopping power supply from the power supply unit to the operation control unit and starting the auxiliary supply unit And

  According to the present invention, since power is supplied from the power supply unit to the operation control unit in the normal operation mode, the operation control unit can control not only the signal generation unit but also the operation related unit. On the other hand, when shifting to the power saving operation mode, power supply from the power supply unit to the operation control unit is stopped, but power is supplied to the signal generation unit by the auxiliary supply unit. Accordingly, it is possible to improve power saving at least on the operation unit side as compared with the conventional configuration in which power is supplied to the operation control unit even in the power saving operation mode.

  A second invention is a control device for an electronic device according to the first invention, comprising a communication line for transmitting a control signal from the main control unit to the operation control unit in the normal operation mode, and the auxiliary supply The unit is configured to cause the signal generation unit to receive the control signal from the communication line and supply power to the signal generation unit according to the control signal level in the power saving operation mode.

  According to the present invention, in the power saving operation mode, power can be supplied to the signal generation unit using the communication line used in the normal operation mode. Therefore, it is possible to improve power saving on the operation unit side without providing a dedicated power supply line.

  3rd invention is a control apparatus of the electronic device of 2nd invention, Comprising: The said communication line is a reset signal line for transmitting the reset signal for resetting the said operation control part as said control signal. The main control unit is configured to stop power supply from the power supply unit to the operation control unit by outputting the reset signal.

  According to the present invention, in the power saving operation mode, the start of power supply to the signal generation unit and the stop of power supply from the power supply unit to the operation control unit are realized using the common reset signal, and the operation is performed. It is possible to improve power saving on the part side.

  A fourth invention is a control device for an electronic device according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the signal generation unit is a key matrix, and the auxiliary supply unit is in the power saving operation mode. In this configuration, only a part of the scan rows of the key matrix is energized.

  According to the present invention, since the scan sequence of the key matrix is in the energized state, a plurality of operation keys can be energized with a simple configuration by using the key matrix configuration, and the power saving mode It becomes easier for the user to perform the return operation from.

  A fifth aspect of the invention is a control device for an electronic device according to the fourth aspect of the invention, wherein only an operation signal from a switch element corresponding to one operation key in the scan row is validated.

  According to the present invention, the configuration for outputting the operation signal can be simplified as compared with the configuration for enabling the operation signals from the plurality of switch elements respectively corresponding to the plurality of operation keys.

  An image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention includes the control device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, and an image forming unit controlled by the main control unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve power saving at least on the operation unit (including the operation panel) side in the power saving operation mode.

1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a multifunction machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Block diagram showing the specific configuration of the control unit Internal configuration diagram of signal generation circuit The figure for demonstrating the operation | movement content of the control part in each mode FIG. 3 is an internal configuration diagram of a signal generation circuit according to the second embodiment. The internal block diagram of the signal generation circuit of other embodiment

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a multifunction device 1 (an example of an electronic apparatus and an image forming apparatus). The multi-function device 1 can execute a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a scan function, and a facsimile function, and can execute a plurality of functions in parallel. The multifunction device 1 can be switched between a “normal operation mode” and a “power saving operation mode” that operates with lower power consumption than the normal operation mode. As a result, the normal operation mode is restored.

  The multifunction device 1 includes a scanner unit 3, a printer unit 5 (an example of an image forming unit), a key operation unit 7 (an example of an operation unit), a signal generation circuit 9 (an example of a signal generation unit), a display unit 11, and a control unit 13. A power supply circuit 19 (an example of a power supply unit) and a communication unit 21. The key operation unit 7, the signal generation circuit 9, the control unit 13, and the power supply circuit 19 are examples of the “control device” of the present invention.

  The scanner unit 3 reads an image of a document (not shown) and generates read data corresponding to the read image. The printer unit 5 prints an image (monochrome image, color image) based on the image data on a sheet (not shown) by, for example, an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. Note that the image data includes read data generated by the scanner unit 3, print data (including facsimile data) from an external device (not shown) such as a personal computer, a facsimile device, and a storage device. .

  The key operation unit 7 has a plurality of operation keys (not shown) that can be pressed by the user. The key operation unit 7 is not limited to a single key input device (such as a button), and may be a device (touch panel) that combines a display device and a position input device. The signal generation circuit 9 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation key by the user, and adopts a key matrix scan method in this embodiment.

  The display unit 11 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display, a lamp, and the like, and can display various setting screens and operation states of the apparatus. Since the key operation unit 7 and the display unit 11 are arranged on an operation panel (not shown) provided in the multifunction machine 1 and the display unit 11 performs display related to the key operation, the present invention. Is an example of the “operation-related portion”.

  The control unit 13 includes an operation control circuit 15 (an example of an operation control unit) and a main control circuit 17 (an example of a main control unit). The operation control circuit 15 is a control circuit dedicated to the operation panel that collectively controls functions on the operation panel (for example, key operation function, display function, and transmission / reception function with the main control circuit 17). The operation control circuit 15 controls the signal generation circuit 9, the display unit 11, and the transmission / reception circuit 37 (see FIG. 2).

  The main control circuit 17 is a control circuit for controlling the entire multifunction machine 1 and controls the scanner unit 3, printer unit 5, operation control circuit 15, power supply circuit 19, and communication unit 21. Note that the control circuits 15 and 17 are not limited to those composed of general-purpose CPUs, and may be composed of, for example, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

  The power supply circuit 19 outputs power supplied to the operation control circuit 15 and the main control circuit 17 respectively. The communication unit 21 is connected to an external device via a communication line (not shown), and enables mutual data communication with the external device.

2. Specific Configuration of Control Unit FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of the control unit 13. In the figure, only a part of the configuration of each circuit is shown, and other parts (for example, CPU, RAM, ROM, etc.) may be omitted. As shown in the figure, the control unit 13 includes a panel circuit board and a main circuit board. Both circuit boards are connected to a ground line.

(1) Configuration on the Panel Circuit Board Side The above-described signal generation circuit 9, display unit 11, and operation control circuit 15 are mounted on the panel circuit board side. The signal generation circuit 9 includes a key matrix 31. The detailed configuration of the signal generation circuit 9 will be described later.

  The operation control circuit 15 includes a display interface 33 and a key matrix interface 35, and a built-in transmission / reception circuit 37 that performs bidirectional communication with the transmission / reception circuit 47 of the main control circuit 17 in the normal operation mode. . Since the transmission / reception circuit 37 performs bidirectional communication with the transmission / reception circuit 47 of the main control circuit 17 in association with the key operation, it is an example of the “operation-related unit” in the present invention. The operation control circuit 15 transmits and receives display data and the like to and from the display unit 11 via the display interface 33 and controls the display operation of the display unit 11.

  The operation control circuit 15 transmits an initialization signal or the like to the key matrix 31 via the key matrix interface 33, receives the operation signal from the key matrix 31, and controls the key matrix 31. Further, the operation control circuit 15 is connected to the main control circuit 17 via a reset signal line W1 (an example of a communication line), and can receive an RST signal from the main control circuit 17. When the operation control circuit 15 receives a high-level RST signal (an example of a control signal and a reset signal), the operation control circuit 15 transmits the initialization signal to the key matrix 31 so that the key matrix 31 is in an initial state (any operation key is Return to the state where it was not pressed. In the present embodiment, the reset signal line W1 branches in the middle and is also connected to the signal generation circuit 9, and the RST signal is transmitted not only to the operation control circuit 15 but also to the signal generation circuit 9. ing.

(2) Configuration on the main circuit board side A switch circuit 41 is mounted on the main circuit board side together with the main control circuit 17 described above. The main control circuit 17 includes a CPU 43, an interrupt circuit 45 and a transmission / reception circuit 47. The CPU 43 stores each processing result in the RAM (not shown) in accordance with a program (a program for executing various operations of the MFP 1) read from the ROM (not shown) while storing the processing results in the RAM (not shown). Control).

  The transmission / reception circuit 47 is connected to the transmission / reception circuit 37 on the panel circuit board side via, for example, the reception line W2 and the transmission line W3, and thereby, between the operation control circuit 15 and the main control circuit 17 in the normal operation mode. Two-way communication is possible. Specifically, the main control circuit 17 receives the RXD signal (including the operation signal) from the operation control circuit 15 via the reception line W2, while receiving the TXD signal (initial setting information, display control information, etc.). Are transmitted to the operation control circuit 15 via the transmission line W3.

  In the present embodiment, the reception line W <b> 2 is connected from the transmission / reception circuit 37 to the transmission / reception circuit 47 via the signal generation circuit 9. Therefore, in the normal operation mode, the operation signal from the operation control circuit 15 is received by the main control circuit 17 via the signal generation circuit 9. Further, the reception line W2 branches in the middle and is also connected to the interrupt circuit 45. The interrupt circuit 45 outputs an interrupt signal to the CPU 43 when receiving the operation signal. Further, the transmission line W3 branches in the middle and is also connected to the signal generation circuit 9, and the TXD signal from the transmission / reception circuit 47 is transmitted not only to the transmission / reception circuit 37 but also to the signal generation circuit 9.

  The switch circuit 41 turns on and off the power supply from the power supply circuit 19 to the operation control circuit 15. Specifically, the switch circuit 41 includes, for example, a switch element 41A such as a transistor. The switch element 41A includes the power supply circuit 19 (shown as “VDD” in FIG. 2) and the power supply terminal 39 on the panel circuit board side. Connected between and.

  The switch element 41A is turned on when receiving a low-level RST signal at its control input terminal, and supplies power to the operation control circuit 15 from the power supply circuit 19 (VDD) via the power supply terminal 39 (for example, 3.3 [v], 100 [mA]), thereby enabling the operation control circuit 15 to execute control for each function on the operation panel. On the other hand, when the switch element 41A receives a high-level RST signal (reset signal) at the control input terminal, the switch element 41A is turned off, and the power supply from the power supply circuit 19 to the operation control circuit 15 is stopped. It becomes impossible to control each function on the operation panel.

(3) Configuration of Signal Generation Circuit FIG. 3 is an internal configuration diagram of the signal generation circuit 9. As described above, the signal generation circuit 9 has the key matrix 31 and is configured to output operation signals for key operations by the key matrix scan method. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the key matrix 31 has a plurality of scan columns (columns in the vertical direction of the drawing in the figure), and each scan column includes an operation key of the key operation unit 7. A plurality of corresponding switch elements 51 are arranged.

  One ends of the switch elements 51 belonging to the same scan column are commonly connected to one of the plurality of output terminals OUT1 to OUTn of the operation control circuit 15. On the other hand, the switch elements 51 having the same rank in each scan row are connected at other ends to one of the plurality of input terminals IN1 to INm of the operation control circuit 15 and a predetermined reference potential line via the resistor 53. (In this embodiment, it is commonly connected to the ground line).

  Each switch element 51 is switched from an off state (open state) to an on state (closed state) by pressing a corresponding operation key, and in response to this, an operation signal (high level signal in the present embodiment) The input signal IN is connected to the other end of the switch element 51. In the normal operation mode, the operation control circuit 15 scans the plurality of scan rows in a time-sharing manner to detect a pressed state of the key operation unit 7.

  Specifically, the operation control circuit 15 outputs a high level signal from the plurality of output terminals OUT1 to OUTn in a time-sharing manner, and detects the signal level of the plurality of input terminals IN1 to INm in synchronization with each output timing. (Hereinafter, this operation is referred to as “scan operation”). Then, the operation control circuit 15 can detect the pressed state of each operation key of the key operation unit 7 by performing this scan operation for all the scan rows. With such a key matrix scanning method, the number of signal lines between the operation control circuit 15 and the key matrix 31 can be made much smaller than the number of operation keys of the key operation unit 7.

  Further, the signal generation circuit 9 includes a switch circuit 55 and an OR circuit 57. The switch circuit 55 turns on and off the power supply from the power supply circuit 19 to the key matrix 31. Specifically, the switch circuit 55 includes, for example, a switch element 55A such as a transistor, the input side of the switch element 55A is connected to the reset signal line W1, and the output side is one of the plurality of output terminals OUT1 to OUTn. (In this embodiment, it is connected to the output terminal OUTn), and the control input terminal is connected to the transmission line W3.

  The switch element 55A is in an off state when receiving a high level TXD signal at its control input terminal. On the other hand, the switch element 55A is turned on when a low-level TXD signal is received at the control input terminal. Therefore, only the scan matrix connected to the key matrix 31 (more specifically, the output terminal OUTn is shown in FIG. 3). A scan column surrounded by a chain line (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an “effective scan column”) is connected to the power corresponding to the high level of the RST signal (eg, 3.3 [v]) from the main control circuit 17 via the reset signal line W1. 10 [mA]) can be supplied. As a result, the signal generation circuit 9 can output an operation signal corresponding to switching of the on / off state of each switch element 51 belonging to the valid scan row.

  The input side of the OR circuit 57 is connected to all the input terminals IN1 to INm, and can receive operation signals from all the switch elements 51 belonging to the effective scan row. Further, the output side of the OR circuit 57 is connected in the middle of the receiving line W2, and the output signal of the OR circuit 57 can be transmitted to the main control circuit 17 as an RXD signal. Further, the OR circuit 57 is connected to the reset signal line W1, and when the RST signal is at a high level, the power corresponding to that level is supplied to be in an energized state and can output the output signal. On the other hand, when the RST signal is at a low level, the output signal cannot be output due to a stop state (non-energized state).

(4) Operation | movement of a control part FIG. 4: is a figure for demonstrating the operation content of the control part 13 in each mode.

(4-1) Normal Operation Mode In the normal operation mode, the main control circuit 17 normally outputs a low-level RST signal, and the operation control circuit 15 is energized by supplying power from the power supply circuit 19. It has become. Therefore, the operation control circuit 15 performs bidirectional communication of communication data (RXD signal, TXD signal) with the main control circuit 17 by the transmission / reception circuit 37 while controlling the signal generation circuit 9 and the display unit 11. can do.

  For example, when the user performs a reset (clear) operation using the key operation unit 7, the main control circuit 17 temporarily outputs a high-level RST signal. As a result, the operation control circuit 15 is in a reset state in which the setting information regarding the signal generation circuit 9 and the display unit 11 is initialized.

  In the normal operation mode, since the RST signal is at a low level, the power supply from the reset signal line W1 to the effective scan column is almost zero, and the OR circuit 57 is in a stopped state. Therefore, the operation signal from the effective scan row is transmitted to the main control circuit 17 through the transmission / reception circuit 37 and the transmission / reception lines W2 and W3 of the operation control circuit 15 as with the operation signals from the other scan rows.

(4-2) When switching to the power saving operation mode For example, when the key operation unit 7 is not operated for a predetermined time or when print data is not received from an external device, the predetermined power saving switching is performed. When the condition is satisfied, the main control circuit 17 switches from the normal operation mode to the power saving operation mode. Specifically, the main control circuit 17 activates only a specific function (for example, a function related to the transmission / reception circuit 47 or the communication unit 21) by reducing the amount of power supplied from the power supply circuit 19 to itself. That is, the main control circuit 17 itself enters a power saving state that suppresses power consumption.

  Further, the main control circuit 17 switches the RST signal from the low level to the high level. As a result, the operation control circuit 15 stops supplying power from the power supply circuit 19 and enters a non-energized state. Accordingly, the power supply from the operation control circuit 15 is stopped for each scan row of the key matrix 31. On the other hand, the key matrix 31 (the switch circuit 55 and the OR circuit 57) of the signal generation circuit 9 is energized when power supply is started from the main control circuit 17 via the reset signal line W1. Therefore, the RST signal output circuit portion (buffer and the like), the reset signal line W1 and the switch circuit 55 in the main control circuit 17 constitute an “auxiliary supply unit” of the present invention.

  Furthermore, the main control circuit 17 stops transmission of communication data from the transmission line W3 and maintains the TXD signal at a low level. As a result, the switch element 55A of the switch circuit 55 is turned on, and only the effective scan row is supplied with power and becomes energized. For this reason, when the user presses the operation key corresponding to the valid scan row, an operation signal corresponding to the operation key is transmitted to the main control circuit 17 via the reception line W2.

(4-3) Power Saving Operation Mode In the power saving operation mode, the main control circuit 17 (CPU 43) waits for an interrupt signal from the interrupt circuit 45. In this power saving operation mode, in addition to the configuration in which the TXD signal is always kept at a low level, for example, the switch element 55A is turned on / off by appropriately inverting the high / low level of the TXD signal, so that The power control (for example, pulse width modulation (PWM) control) may be performed so that the power supply amount becomes a predetermined amount.

(4-4) Switching to the normal operation mode When the user presses the operation key corresponding to the valid scan row during the power saving operation mode, the output signal from the OR circuit 57 is transmitted to the interrupt circuit 45, An interrupt signal from the interrupt circuit 45 is given to the CPU 43. Thereby, the main control circuit 17 switches from the power saving operation mode to the normal operation mode. Specifically, the main control circuit 17 activates all functions by increasing the amount of power supplied from the power supply circuit 19 to itself, for example.

  The main control circuit 17 switches the RST signal from the high level to the low level. Thereby, the operation control circuit 15 resumes the power supply from the power supply circuit 19 and returns to the energized state. In addition, power supply from the main control circuit 17 to the key matrix 31 via the reset signal line W1 is stopped. Further, the OR circuit 57 returns to the stopped state. The operation control circuit 15 resumes bidirectional communication with the main control circuit 17 by the transmission / reception circuit 37 while controlling the signal generation circuit 9 and the display unit 11.

3. Effects of this Embodiment According to this embodiment, power is supplied from the power supply circuit 19 to the operation control circuit 15 in the normal operation mode, so that the operation control circuit 15 not only displays the signal generation circuit 9 but also the display unit 11 and The transmission / reception circuit 37 can also be controlled, and the power consumption is increased accordingly. On the other hand, when the mode is shifted to the power saving operation mode, power supply from the power supply circuit 19 to the operation control circuit 15 is stopped, but power is directly supplied from the main control circuit 17 to the signal generation circuit 9 via the reset signal line W1. The Since power is supplied only to the signal generation circuit 9 on the panel circuit board side, power consumption is smaller than in the normal operation mode. Accordingly, it is possible to improve power saving at least on the panel circuit board side as compared with the conventional configuration in which power is supplied to the operation control circuit 15 even in the power saving operation mode.

  In addition, in the power saving operation mode, power can be supplied to the signal generation circuit 9 using the communication line (reset signal line W1) used in the normal operation mode. Therefore, it is possible to improve power saving on the panel circuit board side without providing a dedicated power supply line.

  Further, in the power saving operation mode, the stop of power supply to the operation control circuit 15 and the start of power supply to the signal generation circuit 9 are realized by using a common reset signal, and on the panel circuit board side. It is possible to improve power saving.

  Further, in the power saving operation mode, only one scan row in the key matrix 31 is energized, so that power saving on the panel circuit board side is further improved as compared with the configuration in which all the scan rows are energized. It is possible.

  Further, since the scan matrix of the key matrix 31 is energized in the power saving operation mode, the switch elements 51 can be energized with a simple configuration by using the configuration of the key matrix 31. This makes it easier for the user to perform a return operation from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode.

<Embodiment 2>
FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment. The difference from the above embodiment lies in the range of the switch element 51 that is enabled in the power saving operation mode, and the other points are the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are given and the redundant description is omitted, and only different points will be described next.

  In the first embodiment, the operation signals from all the switch elements 51 belonging to one scan row are validated in the power saving operation mode. In contrast, in this embodiment, only the operation signal from one switch element 51 belonging to one scan row is validated.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, a switch circuit 61 is provided instead of the OR circuit 57 in FIG. The switch circuit 61 includes a switch element 61A. The switch element 61A has an input side connected to the reset signal line W1, an output side connected to the reception line W2, and a control input terminal serving as a plurality of input terminals IN1. To INm (in this embodiment, the input terminal INm).

  With such a configuration, in the power saving operation mode, only the operation signal of one switch element 51 (enclosed by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 5) in the key matrix 31 is validated and transmitted to the main control circuit 17. can do. Thereby, compared with the structure which validates the operation signal from the several switch element 51 respectively corresponding to a some operation key, the structure for outputting an operation signal can be simplified. Specifically, the OR circuit 57 shown in FIG. 3 can be omitted.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and the drawings, and for example, the following various aspects are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. In particular, among the constituent elements of each embodiment, constituent elements other than the constituent elements of the top-level invention can be omitted as appropriate because they are additional elements.
(1) In the above embodiment, the multifunction device 1 has been described as an example. However, the “electronic device” to which the present invention can be applied is not limited thereto. For example, a printing device alone, a scanner device unit, a facsimile device alone, or a sewing machine may be used. In short, any electronic device that can be switched between the normal operation mode and the power saving operation mode and returns to the normal operation mode when the operation key is operated in the power saving operation mode may be used.

  (2) In the above embodiment, the key operation unit 7, the signal generation circuit 9, the control unit 13, and the power supply circuit 19 are included as a “control device”, and are configured to be built in or integrated with the multifunction device 1. However, the “control device” of the present invention is not limited to this. A part of the control device (for example, the key operation unit 7, the signal generation circuit 9, and the display unit 11) or all of them may be provided separately from the multi-function device 1, and both may be connected by the communication lines W1 to W3. .

  (3) In the above embodiment, the signal generation circuit 9 adopting the key matrix scan method is taken as an example, but the “signal generation unit” of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which one operation signal transmission line is provided for each operation key may be employed. In addition, a transmission circuit may be built in the signal generation circuit 9 and an operation signal may be directly output from the signal generation circuit 9 to the main control circuit 17 even in the normal operation mode. In this case, the transmission / reception circuit 37 can be replaced with a reception circuit, and the transmission line W3 connecting the transmission / reception circuits 37 and 47 can be omitted.

  (4) In the above embodiment, the display unit 11 and the transmission / reception circuit 37 have been described as examples of the control target of the operation control circuit 15 in addition to the signal generation circuit 9. Not limited to. In short, any function that performs a function related to the operation by the operation key may be used, and for example, a sounding device (such as a buzzer) may be used. Moreover, what is necessary is just to include at least one thing which is an example of an operation related part other than a signal generation part as a control object of an operation control part.

  (5) In the above embodiment, power is supplied from the common power supply circuit 19 to the operation control circuit 15 and the main control circuit 17 in the normal operation mode, but the present invention is not limited to this. A dedicated power supply circuit may be provided for each of the operation control circuit 15 and the main control circuit 17. For example, a main power supply circuit (an example of a main power supply unit) and an auxiliary power supply circuit (an example of a power supply circuit operation power supply unit whose supply power is smaller than that of the main power supply circuit) are provided in the multi-function device 1. The power may be supplied from the circuit, and the operation control circuit 15 may be supplied from the auxiliary power supply circuit.

  (6) In the above embodiment, power is supplied to the signal generation circuit 9 through the reset signal line W1, but the “auxiliary supply unit” of the present invention is not limited to this. A configuration may be adopted in which power is supplied via a communication line (for example, transmission line W3) other than the reset signal line W1. Furthermore, not only the communication line but also a configuration in which a dedicated power supply line connected from the power supply circuit 19 to the signal generation circuit 9 is provided and power is supplied via the power supply line may be used.

  (7) In the above embodiment, the main control circuit 17 itself is also in the power saving state during the power saving operation mode. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the main control circuit 17 is in the same power supply state as in the normal operation mode. It may be configured to maintain the above. Even with such a configuration, at least power saving on the panel circuit board side can be achieved.

  (8) In the first embodiment, the operation signals from all the switch elements 51 belonging to one scan row are validated in the power saving operation mode, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of scan columns such as two columns and three columns may be validated. In the second embodiment, only the operation signal from one switch element 51 in one scan row is validated. However, for example, the operation signals from a plurality of switch elements 51 such as two or three are validated. Also good.

  (9) In the above embodiment, the configuration returns to the normal operation mode by pressing the operation key corresponding to the key matrix 31 in the power saving operation mode, but the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 6, the normal operation mode may be restored by pressing an operation key corresponding to a single switch element 63 different from the key matrix 31.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... MFP 5 ... Printer part 7 ... Key operation part 9 ... Signal generation circuit 11 ... Display part 15 ... Operation control circuit 17 ... Main control circuit 19 ... Power circuit 31 ... Key matrix 55 ... Switch circuit W1 ... Reset signal line

Claims (6)

An electronic device that can be switched between a normal operation mode and a power saving operation mode that operates with lower power consumption than the normal operation mode, and that returns to the normal operation mode when an operation key is operated in the power saving operation mode. A control device of
An operation unit having the operation keys;
A signal generation unit that outputs an operation signal according to an operation of the operation key by a user;
An operation-related unit that executes a function related to an operation by the operation key;
An operation control unit that is supplied with power from a power supply unit and controls the signal generation unit and the operation-related unit;
A main control unit that controls the electronic device to operate based on the operation signal from the signal generation unit;
An auxiliary supply unit that supplies power to the signal generation unit from the main control unit or the power supply unit,
During the normal operation mode, the operation control unit controls the signal generation unit and the operation-related unit by supplying power from the power supply unit,
In the power saving operation mode, the main control unit can receive the operation signal from the signal generation unit by stopping power supply from the power supply unit to the operation control unit and starting the auxiliary supply unit A control device for electronic equipment. A control device for an electronic device according to claim 1,
A communication line for transmitting a control signal from the main control unit to the operation control unit during the normal operation mode;
The auxiliary supply unit is configured to cause the signal generation unit to receive the control signal from the communication line and supply power to the signal generation unit by the control signal in the power saving operation mode. Control device. The electronic device control device according to claim 2,
The communication line is a reset signal line for transmitting a reset signal for resetting the operation control unit as the control signal,
The main control unit is an electronic device control device configured to stop power supply from the power supply unit to the operation control unit by outputting the reset signal. It is a control apparatus of the electronic device as described in any one of Claims 1-3, Comprising:
The signal generator is a key matrix,
The control device for an electronic device, wherein the auxiliary supply unit is configured to turn on the scan row of the key matrix in the power saving operation mode. The electronic device control device according to claim 4,
An electronic device control device configured to validate only the operation signal from a switch element corresponding to one of the operation keys in the scan row. A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
An image forming unit controlled by the main control unit;

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