JP2011205787A - Power supply controller, image processor, and power supply control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To monitor the state of connection with a commercial power supply established when commercial power is not used.SOLUTION: In transition from a second mode to a first mode, power from a commercial power supply 14 cannot be supplied under the following circumstances: a plug 18 is disconnected from a power supply plate 16 because power from the commercial power supply 14 has been unnecessary so far or the plug 18 was intentionally disconnected and lelft intact. Consequently, the output voltage on the secondary side of LVPSs (Low Voltage Power Supplies) 1, 2 is monitored by a power switching controller 12 with attention focused on the following: if there is not any anomaly after the operation of the transitions from the second mode to the first mode in the power switching controller 12, the voltage of the commercial power supply 14 is inputted to the primary side of the LVPSs 1, 2 and a required voltage value (for example, 5 V) is outputted to the secondary side. If a normal voltage is not detected by this monitoring, an alarm is given to prompt a user to check whether or not such a problem as plug disconnection has occurred and solve this problem.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply control device, an image processing device, and a power supply control program.

  In an image processing apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral, it has been proposed to use a power source by a solar cell in an energy saving mode.

  In Patent Document 1, energy saving is achieved by turning off a main power supply that supplies a power supply voltage of a main circuit unit using a commercial power supply voltage as an input source in an energy saving mode, and supplying a power supply by a solar cell circuit to the main circuit. It is described.

  In Patent Document 2, when the host is turned off by the host power detection means, the energy saving mode is shifted, and in that case, the main power (24 V, ± 12 V, etc.) supplied to the engine load is stopped and the standby power is used as the host. It describes that power is supplied only to the power detection means / energy saving control means. In Patent Document 2, a standby power source is configured by a solar cell, a secondary battery, and a power saving power source, and energy saving is achieved by using the solar battery, the secondary battery, and the power saving power source in the priority order in the energy saving mode. I am trying.

JP 2002-78196 JP JP 2002-63011 A

  An object of the present invention is to obtain a power supply control device, an image processing device, and a power supply control program that can monitor a connection state with a commercial power source that is generated when commercial power is not used.

  The first aspect of the present invention is the first mode in which power is supplied from a commercial power source and enters the full operating state. The power supply is supplied from a power source other than the commercial power source and at least reception of processing is permitted and the minimum necessary operation is performed. Selecting means for selecting one of the second modes to be in a state; power supply means for supplying power in the mode selected by the selecting means; and when transitioning from the second mode to the first mode And determining means for determining whether or not power supply from the commercial power supply has been normally resumed, and determination result notifying means for notifying the determination result of the determining means.

  The invention according to claim 2 is a first mode in which power is supplied from a commercial power supply to be in a full operation state, and at least the reception of processing is permitted by receiving power supply from other than the commercial power supply and the minimum necessary operation Selection means for selecting one of the second modes to be in a state, power supply means for supplying power in the mode selected by the selection means, and an electrical connection unit for receiving power supply from the commercial power supply Monitoring means for monitoring the state; and monitoring information notification means for reporting the monitoring information of the monitoring means during the second mode.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the electrical connection portion is an outlet plug for drawing commercial power into the apparatus, and the monitoring means is closer to the apparatus side than the outlet plug. A detecting means is provided on the wiring and detects a current or a voltage flowing through the wiring.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein power from other than the commercial power source is power from an electricity storage device, and the electricity storage device includes at least Electricity is supplied from an energy generating means including any one of a solar battery charging device and a regenerative energy charging device attached to the apparatus to be charged.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the power supply control device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention is provided, and an image reading unit that reads a document image and image data as a device for executing the processing. The image processing apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet based on the above and a facsimile communication unit that transmits and receives an image to and from the outside.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is a power supply control program that causes a computer to be executed as the power supply control device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.

  According to the first, second, fifth, and sixth aspects of the invention, it is possible to monitor a connection state with a commercial power source that is generated when commercial power is not used.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reliably monitor the supply state of the commercial power supply as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.

  According to invention of Claim 4, electric power can be produced | generated and accumulate | stored.

1 is a schematic diagram of an image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the main controller and power supply device which concern on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the electric power supply system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram for commercial power supply monitoring control in the power switching controller according to the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the electric power supply control routine in the main controller which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the electric power supply control routine in the electric power switching controller which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the electric power supply system which concerns on a modification. It is a flowchart which shows the electric power supply control routine in the electric power switching controller which concerns on a modification.

  FIG. 1 shows an image processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The image processing apparatus 10 includes an image forming unit 240 that forms an image on recording paper, an image reading unit 238 that reads an original image, and a facsimile communication control circuit 236. The image processing apparatus 10 includes a main controller 200, and controls the image forming unit 240, the image reading unit 238, and the facsimile communication control circuit 236 to temporarily store image data of a document image read by the image reading unit 238. The stored image data or the read image data is sent to the image forming unit 240 or the facsimile communication control circuit 236.

  The main controller 200 is connected to a network communication network such as the Internet (not shown), and the facsimile communication control circuit 236 is connected to a telephone network (not shown). The main controller 200 is connected to a host computer via, for example, a network communication line network, and receives image data or performs facsimile reception and facsimile transmission using the telephone line network via the facsimile communication control circuit 236. have.

  The image forming unit 240 includes a photoconductor. Around the photoconductor, a charging device that uniformly charges the photoconductor, a scanning exposure unit that scans a light beam based on image data, and the scanning exposure unit. An image developing unit that develops an electrostatic latent image formed by scanning exposure, a transfer unit that transfers a visualized image on a photoreceptor to a recording sheet, and a surface of the photoreceptor after transfer And a cleaning unit to perform. A fixing unit for fixing the image on the recording paper after transfer is provided on the recording paper conveyance path.

  The image reading unit 238 receives a document table for positioning a document, a scan drive system that scans an image of the document placed on the document table and irradiates light, and light reflected or transmitted by scanning of the scan drive system. And a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD for converting into an electrical signal.

(Main controller 200)
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the main controller 200.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the main controller 200 includes a CPU 204, a RAM 206, a ROM 208, an I / O (input / output unit) 210, and a bus 212 such as a data bus and a control bus for connecting them. A UI touch panel 216 is connected to the I / O 210 via a UI control circuit 214. In addition, a hard disk (HDD) 218 and a power saving button 219 are connected to the I / O 210. The functions of the main controller 200 are realized by the CPU 204 operating based on programs recorded in the ROM 208, the hard disk 218, and the like. Note that the image processing function may be realized by installing the program from a recording medium (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc.) storing the program and operating the CPU 204 based on the program.

  The power saving button 219 is a so-called hard switch (physically operated switch), and each time it is pressed, the device is alternately instructed to save power and cancel power saving.

  The main controller 200 according to the present embodiment instructs the image processing device to enter a standby mode and a sleep mode. The standby mode is a power supply state, and the sleep mode is a power cutoff state. In the present embodiment, the main controller 200 itself may be in a power cut-off state (sleep 0 state).

  A timer circuit 220 and a communication line I / F 222 are connected to the I / O 210. Further, the I / O 210 is connected to a device selection I / F 234.

  The device selection I / F 234 is connected to each device of the facsimile communication control circuit (modem) 236, the image reading unit 238, and the image forming unit 240.

  The timer circuit 220 measures the initial set time as an opportunity to put the facsimile communication control circuit 236, the image reading unit 238, and the image forming unit 240 into a power saving state (power supply non-supply state). .

  The main controller 200 and each image processing device (facsimile communication control circuit 236, image reading unit 238, image forming unit 240) are supplied with power from the power switching controller 12 (see FIG. 3).

(Power supply system)
FIG. 3 shows a system diagram for supplying power to the main controller 200 and each image processing device as shown in the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, the power supply line is shown by one dotted line, but in reality it is two to three wires.

  The image processing apparatus 10 is supplied with electric power by inserting an outlet 18 into a wiring plate 16 of a commercial power source 14 wired to a wall surface W as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the outlet 18 is connected to one end of the main power switch 20. Further, the other end of the main power switch 20 is connected to a fixing unit voltage supply unit 24, a first low voltage supply unit 26 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “LVPS1”), a second low voltage via a triac 22. Each is connected to a supply unit 28 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “LVPS2”). The fixing unit voltage supply unit 28 is mainly applied to heating a heater (such as a halogen lamp or an IH heater) applied to the fixing unit of the image forming unit 240. The LVPS 1 is mainly applied to the operation system of the image forming unit 240, the image reading unit 238, and the facsimile (FAX) communication control circuit 236. Further, the LVPS 2 is mainly applied as a power source for the main controller 200.

  Here, the LVPS 2 is not directly connected to the main controller 200 and is connected to the power switching controller 12.

  A power storage device 30 is connected to the power switching controller 12. That is, in this embodiment, a first mode for supplying commercial power to the main controller 200 and a second mode for supplying power from the power storage device 30 are set.

  A predetermined amount of power is stored in the power storage device 30, and power from the commercial power source, power from the internal battery 32, and power generated by the solar panel 34 are supplied as power sources. Will be charged. Although illustration is omitted, for example, a power generator is attached to the drive shaft of a drive source (such as a motor) applied in the image reading unit 238 and the image forming unit 240 to generate electric power, Regenerative energy during braking of a motor or the like may be used as a power source for the power storage device.

  For example, the power storage device 30 is set so that 70% of power is charged with power from a commercial power source, and the remaining 30% is charged with power from the internal battery 32 and the solar panel 34. This setting is only an example, and all the settings may be performed by charging with the internal battery 32 or the solar panel 34.

  In the main controller 200, when the reception of processing (hereinafter may be referred to as “job”) is not continued for a predetermined time or when the power saving button 219 is operated, the image processing device (image forming unit 240). Then, control is performed to cut off the power supply to the image reading unit 238 and the facsimile (FAX) communication control circuit 236).

  At this time, the power switching controller 12 also cuts off the supply of power from the commercial power supply 14 to the main controller 200 when the power amount of the power storage device 30 is equal to or greater than a predetermined power amount. This power interruption is realized by cutting off the power supply to the triac 22 from the main controller 200 via the power switching controller 12. For this reason, the main controller 200 loses most of its functions.

  However, in a part of the main controller 200, it is necessary to supply power only to an IC chip (for example, boot ROM) that receives a start signal such as job acceptance and restores the function. The power stored in is supplied. This power is, for example, about 1 W to 1.5 W.

  Since the image processing apparatus 10 in this state does not receive any power from the commercial power supply 14, the power consumption is 0 (“sleep 0” state).

  In this state, for example, when a remote job is accepted (that is, when a print instruction or the like is accepted from the network communication line), the main controller 200 is activated by the activation program. This activation is realized when the power switching controller 12 energizes the triac 22.

  When the supply of power from the commercial power supply 14 is restored, the main controller 200 controls the power supply to each image processing device and executes the received job.

  By the way, at the time of the transition operation from the second mode to the first mode, that is, when the supply of power from the commercial power source 14 is to be restored, the power of the commercial power source 14 is unnecessary until then. For example, power cannot be supplied from the commercial power supply 14 under conditions such as the outlet 18 falling off the power supply plate 16 or being intentionally forgotten with the outlet 18 unplugged. Therefore, in the present embodiment, if the power switching controller 12 is normal after the transition operation from the second mode to the first mode, the voltage of the commercial power supply 14 is input to the primary side of the LVPS1 and LVPS2, Focusing on the fact that a necessary voltage value (for example, 5 V) is output on the secondary side, the power switching controller 12 monitors the output voltage on the secondary side of LVPS1 and LVPS2.

  If a normal voltage is not detected by this monitoring, an abnormality notification is given to prompt the user whether there is a problem such as disconnection from the outlet and to solve the problem.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram for commercial power supply monitoring control in the power switching controller 12.

  The second mode transition information accepting unit 70 is connected to the mode transition control unit 72, and when the second mode transition information accepting unit 70 receives the second mode transition information, the second mode transition information accepting unit 70 receives the second mode transition information in place of the main controller 200. The power management control in the mode is activated.

  The mode transition control unit 72 is connected to a power saving button operation signal receiving unit 74 and a job reception information receiving unit 76. The power saving button operation signal receiving unit 74 receives a power saving return instruction, and the job reception information receiving unit 76 executes a job. When the reception information is input, transition control from the second mode to the first mode is executed. When this transition is completed, the mode transition control unit 72 outputs a transition completion notification to the first mode to the main controller 200.

  A secondary voltage determination unit 78 is connected to the mode transition control unit 72, and it is determined whether or not the voltages of the LVPS1 and LVPS2 are normal voltages (about 5V). An abnormal signal is output to 80. The abnormality processing unit 80 includes a device that notifies the user of the abnormality. For example, a display unit, a speaker, a mail notification function, a print driver notification function, and the like.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

  5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the flow of power supply control.

  FIG. 5 shows power supply control in the main controller 200. In step 100, it is determined whether or not a job has been accepted. If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 102 to perform job execution processing. Ends.

  Further, if a negative determination is made in step 100, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has passed after moving to step 104. If a negative determination is made in step 104, the process proceeds to step 106 to determine whether or not the power saving button 219 has been operated. If a negative determination is made in step 106, this routine ends.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step 104, the process proceeds to step 110, the image processing device is shifted to the sleep mode, then the process proceeds to step 112, the power for the power storage device 30 is read, and the process proceeds to step 114. In step 114, it is determined whether or not a sufficient amount of electric power has been accumulated even if the commercial power source 14 is shut off (whether the commercial power source is OK). Transition to mode. The second mode is a mode in which power is supplied from the power storage device 30.

  In the next step 118, the control subject is transferred to the power switching controller 12, and this routine ends. Further, if the determination in step 114 is negative, that is, it is determined that the commercial power supply 14 cannot be shut off (determined that the power consumption of the storage device 30 is insufficient), the main controller 200 is supplied with power from the commercial power supply 14. This routine ends. Although not described in this flowchart, for example, when charging from the commercial power supply 14 or the solar panel 34 proceeds and the power storage device 30 has a sufficient amount of power, the transition to the second mode may be performed. Good.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step 106, that is, if the power saving button 219 is operated, the control is the same as the affirmative determination (when a predetermined time has elapsed) in step 104. Execute.

  Next, FIG. 6 shows power supply control in the power switching controller 200. In step 152, it is determined whether or not the power saving button 219 has been operated. If a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 154, where It is determined whether there is job reception information from the controller 200. If a negative determination is made in step 154, the process returns to step 152 and is repeated until an affirmative determination is made in any of steps 152 and 154.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step 152 or step 154, the process proceeds to step 156, and a transition is made to the first mode. The first mode is a mode in which electric power is supplied from the commercial power source 14, and specifically, an operation for turning on the triac 22.

  In the next step 158, it is determined whether or not the main controller 200 has risen to a controllable state. This “rising up to a controllable state” determines whether or not the power of the commercial power supply 14 is supplied to the primary side of the LVPS1 and LVPS2 and a normal voltage (for example, 5V) is output from the secondary side.

If an affirmative determination is made in step 158, the process proceeds to step 166. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 158, that is, if the vehicle does not stand up normally, the process proceeds to step 160, and abnormality notification is started. Specific examples of abnormality notification include the following.
(Abnormality notification 1) Message (“There is a possibility that the outlet has been disconnected. Please check.”)
(Abnormality notification 2) At least one of a warning sound and a warning lamp (Abnormality notification 3) Notification (for example, email transmission, notification to the printer driver)
The user recognizes the abnormality notification and reinserts it if, for example, the outlet is disconnected.

  In step 162, it is determined whether or not abnormality repair has been completed. In other words, when a normal voltage (for example, 5 V) is output to the secondary side of the LVPS1 and LVPS2, step 162 is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 164.

In step 164, the abnormality notification is terminated, and then the process proceeds to step 166, the control subject is shifted to the main controller 200, and the power supply control in the power switching controller 12 is terminated.
(Modification)
In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not a normal voltage (for example, 5 V) is output to the secondary side of LVPS1 and LVPS2 at the time of transition from the second mode to the first mode. However, in this case, the determination is made after there is a return factor (job reception, operation of the power saving button 219, etc.).

  Therefore, in the modified example, the voltage on the downstream side of the main switch 20 is monitored in combination with this embodiment or instead, specializing in the disconnection of the outlet 14.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a power supply system according to a modification. Note that description of the same components as those of the above-described embodiment (FIG. 3) is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, a voltage detection circuit 50 is provided between the main switch 20 and the triac 22. The detection signal line 52 of the voltage detection circuit 50 is connected to the power switching controller 12.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, in the voltage detection circuit 50, branch lines 54 and 56 are connected to two lines 54 and 56, respectively, which are original power supply lines, and a resistor is connected between the branch lines 54 and 56. 58 is interposed, and both ends of the resistor 58 are detected by the voltage sensor 60. The output line of the voltage sensor 60 is connected to the power switching controller 12 as the detection signal line 52.

  Hereinafter, a power supply control routine in the power switching controller 12 according to the modification will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. For the same control as in FIG. 6, “A” is added to the end of the same reference numeral.

  In step 152A, it is determined whether or not the power saving button 219 has been operated. If a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 154A to determine whether or not there is job reception information from the main controller 200. If a negative determination is made in step 154A, the process proceeds to step 159.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step 152A or step 154A, the process proceeds to step 156A, and transition is made to the first mode. The first mode is a mode in which electric power is supplied from the commercial power source 14, and specifically, an operation for turning on the triac 22.

  In the next step 166A, the control subject is transferred to the main controller 200, and the power supply control in the power switching controller 12 is terminated.

  In step 159, the voltage is detected from the voltage detection circuit 50, and the process proceeds to step 158A.

  In the next step 158A, it is determined whether or not the voltage from the voltage detection circuit 50 is a normal voltage.

When a negative determination is made in step 158A, that is, when the vehicle does not stand up normally, the process proceeds to step 160A, and the abnormality processing unit 80 starts abnormality notification. Specific examples of abnormality notification include the following.
(Abnormality notification 1) Message (“There is a possibility that the outlet has been disconnected. Please check.”)
(Abnormality notification 2) At least one of a warning sound and a warning lamp (Abnormality notification 3) Notification (for example, email transmission, notification to the printer driver)
The user recognizes the abnormality notification and reinserts it if, for example, the outlet is disconnected.

  In step 162A, it is determined whether or not abnormality repair has been completed. If a positive determination is made in step 162A, the process proceeds to step 164A, the abnormality notification is terminated, and the process returns to step 152A.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image processing apparatus W Wall surface 14 Commercial power supply 16 Wiring plate 18 Outlet 20 Main power switch 22 Triac 24 High voltage supply part 26 1st low voltage supply part 28 2nd low voltage supply part 30 Power storage device 32 Internal battery 34 Solar panel 70 Mode Transition Information Accepting Unit 72 Mode Transition Control Unit 74 Power Saving Button Operation Signal Accepting Unit 76 Job Accepting Information Accepting Unit 78 Secondary Voltage Determination Unit 80 Abnormal Processing Unit 200 Main Controller 204 CPU
206 RAM
208 ROM
210 I / O (input / output unit)
212 Bus 214 UI Control Circuit 216 UI Touch Panel 218 Hard Disk 219 Power Saving Button 220 Timer Circuit 222 Communication Line I / F
234 Device selection I / F
236 Facsimile communication control circuit 238 Image reading unit 240 Image forming unit

Claims (6)

Either the first mode in which power is supplied from a commercial power source to enter the full operating state, or the second mode in which power is supplied from a source other than the commercial power source and at least acceptance of processing is permitted to enter the minimum required operating state. A selection means for selecting
Power supply means for supplying power in the mode selected by the selection means;
Determining means for determining whether or not power supply from the commercial power supply has been normally resumed when transitioning from the second mode to the first mode;
Determination result notifying means for notifying the determination result of the determination means;
A power supply control device. Either the first mode in which power is supplied from a commercial power source to enter the full operating state, or the second mode in which power is supplied from a source other than the commercial power source and at least acceptance of processing is permitted to enter the minimum required operating state. A selection means for selecting
Power supply means for supplying power in the mode selected by the selection means;
Monitoring means for monitoring the state of the electrical connection for receiving power from the commercial power source;
Monitoring information notification means for notifying monitoring information of the monitoring means during the second mode;
A power supply control device.   The electrical connection part is an outlet plug for drawing commercial power into the apparatus, and the monitoring means is provided in a wiring on the apparatus side of the outlet plug, and includes a detecting means for detecting a current or a voltage flowing through the wiring. The power supply control device according to claim 2.   The electric power from other than the commercial power source is the electric power from the electric storage device, and electric power is supplied to the electric storage device from energy generating means including at least one of a solar battery charging device and a regenerative energy charging device attached to the apparatus. The power supply control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power supply control device is charged by being charged.   5. A power supply control device according to claim 1, comprising: an image reading unit that reads an original image as a device for executing the process; and an image is formed on a recording sheet based on the image data. An image processing apparatus comprising: an image forming unit configured to perform transmission; and a facsimile communication unit configured to transmit / receive an image to / from the outside.   The power supply control program which makes a computer perform as a power supply control apparatus of any one of the said Claims 1-4.

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