JP2012187827A - Recording apparatus and power consumption control method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such the problem that though a communication device has a function for registering a packet which is responsible during a power saving mode, only a packet of a specific protocol is registered as the number of registerable packets is limited, and thus the communication device can not shift to a power saving state in an environment where another protocol is used, and a power saving level is low.SOLUTION: The use state of the protocol in equipment is observed and when the use state lies in an environment where only the specific protocol is used, the contents of the packet registered on the communication device are replaced with the packet of the protocol under use and then, shift to the power saving mode is performed including the communication device.

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a power consumption control method therefor, and more particularly, to a recording apparatus connected to a network and a power consumption control method therefor.

  As one of the problems in recent electronic devices, power saving associated with resource saving measures is required. Several guidelines have been established as power saving standards, and power saving is achieved by complying with the standards.

  Peripheral devices that operate by being connected to a host computer (hereinafter referred to as a host), such as a printer device, do not always operate, and thus power saving processing is particularly required. As a matter to be taken into consideration at this time, even if the device is in a power saving state, if the user wants to use the device, it is necessary to be able to react immediately to the instruction. As a specific instruction method, an instruction may be given by operating the operation unit of the device. However, in recent years, an instruction is generally given from a host via a network such as a LAN. There is a demand for power saving processing in the communication unit.

  Even now, some communication devices take these circumstances into consideration, and some are configured to be able to react to external signal input even when the apparatus is in a power saving state. Such a device has a function of generating an interrupt signal when a specific input signal pattern is registered in the apparatus and the same signal as the registered pattern is input even if the apparatus is in a power saving state. .

  However, there is a restriction that the number of patterns that can be registered in such a device is limited. Normally, only a few patterns can be registered, so some input signal patterns are selected and registered for use. Therefore, if the device is desired to react to an input signal pattern that is not registered, the communication device must be used without shifting to the power saving state. In order to improve such a situation, there is a configuration in which a user can specify communication contents that do not require a response when the device is in a power saving state, and try to limit a pattern to be registered ( For example, see Patent Document 1). Conversely, there is a configuration in which a user can specify communication contents that can be responded when the apparatus is in a power saving state, thereby limiting the pattern to be registered (for example, see Patent Document 2). ).

  With this technology, it is possible to limit the communication contents that can be responded when the apparatus is in the power saving state, so that depending on the setting contents, the communication device can be shifted to the power saving state. As a result, power saving effect can be expected.

JP 2003-191570 A JP 2006-309731 A

  However, the conventional example has a problem that the setting condition must be reviewed when the use environment of the device changes, and the power saving effect cannot be obtained unless the setting is updated each time. In addition, this requires a user operation, and thus requires a certain degree of specialized knowledge regarding communication technology and equipment. Therefore, there is a problem that an appropriate response cannot be taken for a user who does not have such technology and knowledge.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional example, and a recording apparatus capable of reducing power consumption according to the network usage environment without causing the user to be bothered by changes in the usage environment of the device, and a method for controlling the power consumption thereof Is intended to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, the recording apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration.

  That is, recording to a recording medium is performed based on a packet received via a communication unit that communicates with other devices by packet communication via a network, and a transition to a power saving state is performed according to the communication status. A recording device capable of returning from the power saving state to the normal power state, the storage unit storing packets that can respond to communication from the other device even in the power saving state, and the communication unit. The determining means for determining the type of protocol used for communication of the received packet, and the number of protocols used for communication by the communication means is one, and the protocol determined by the determining means is stored in the storage means. If the protocol corresponds to the stored packet, the recording apparatus is shifted to the power saving mode if the condition for shifting to the power saving state is satisfied. If the protocol determined by the determination unit is not a protocol corresponding to the packet registered in the storage unit, the contents of the storage unit are replaced with a respondable packet corresponding to the determined protocol, and then the recording And control means for controlling the apparatus to shift to the power saving mode.

  In another aspect of the present invention, recording on a recording medium is performed based on a packet received via a communication unit that communicates with another device via packet communication via a network, and A method for controlling power consumption of a recording apparatus that can shift to a power saving state and return from the power saving state to a normal power state in response to communication from the other device even in the power saving state. A storage step of storing a packet that can be responded in a storage unit, a determination step of determining the type of protocol used for communication of the packet received by the communication unit, and the number of protocols used for communication by the communication unit If the protocol is one type and the protocol determined in the determination step is a protocol corresponding to the packet stored in the storage unit, the transition condition to the power saving state is If the recording apparatus is shifted to the power saving mode, and the protocol determined in the determination step is not a protocol corresponding to the packet registered in the storage unit, the content of the storage unit is determined. And a control step of controlling the recording apparatus to shift to a power saving mode after replacing it with a responsive packet corresponding to the protocol, and a method for controlling the power consumption of the recording apparatus.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, there is an effect that the apparatus can be shifted to the power saving state in accordance with the use environment, particularly the protocol used, without the user being particularly aware of the network state of the use environment. In addition, since setting processing by the user is not required, there is an advantage that the apparatus can be shifted to the power saving state even if the user has no special knowledge.

It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the network environment to which the recording device which is a typical Example of this invention is connected. 1 is an external perspective view showing an outline of a configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the communication function corresponding to the network interface with which each apparatus connected to the network shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the control procedure at the time of the packet reception which each apparatus connected to the network shown in FIG. 1 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the control procedure at the time of transfer to power saving mode in the apparatus according to this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the control procedure at the time of the return from the power saving mode in the apparatus concerning this invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described more specifically and in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the relative arrangement and the like of the constituent elements described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to those unless otherwise specified.

  In this specification, “recording” (sometimes referred to as “printing”) is not limited to the case of forming significant information such as characters and graphics, but may be significant. Furthermore, it also represents a case where an image, a pattern, a pattern, or the like is widely formed on a recording medium or a medium is processed regardless of whether or not it is manifested so that a human can perceive it visually.

  “Recording medium” refers not only to paper used in general recording apparatuses but also widely to cloth, plastic film, metal plate, glass, ceramics, wood, leather, and the like that can accept ink. Shall.

  Further, “ink” (sometimes referred to as “liquid”) should be interpreted widely as in the definition of “recording (printing)”. Therefore, by being applied on the recording medium, it is used for formation of images, patterns, patterns, etc., processing of the recording medium, or ink processing (for example, solidification or insolubilization of the colorant in the ink applied to the recording medium). It shall represent a liquid that can be made.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a network environment to which a recording apparatus according to a typical embodiment of the present invention is connected.

  In the system 100 shown in FIG. 1, host computers (hereinafter referred to as hosts) 110, 120, and 130 such as N PCs and M printers 140 and MFPs 150 are connected to each other via a LAN 160 to form a network system. ing.

  For example, Ethernet (registered trademark), APPLETALK (registered trademark), and networkware (registered trademark) that employ TCP / IP are used for the LAN 160, but it goes without saying that other networks may be used. . Each device connected to the LAN 160 is provided with a network interface. This network interface is capable of packet communication corresponding to a plurality of protocols. The printer 140 receives data from the host and records images and characters on a recording medium. On the other hand, in addition to performing the same function as the printer 140, the MFP 150 can transmit image data obtained by reading an image original to the host or record the image on the printer 140 or its own printer unit. Each device connected to these networks has a function of shifting to a power saving mode and saving power consumption when conditions defined for each device are satisfied.

  The printer 140 and the MFP 150 incorporate recording apparatuses according to various recording systems (for example, an electrophotographic system, an inkjet recording system, a thermal transfer system, etc.).

  FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing an outline of the configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a recording apparatus) 1 has an ink jet recording head (hereinafter referred to as a recording head) 3 that performs recording by discharging ink in accordance with an ink jet method. Recording is performed by reciprocating in the direction. A recording medium P such as recording paper is fed through the paper feeding mechanism 5 and conveyed to a recording position, and recording is performed by discharging ink from the recording head 3 to the recording medium P at the recording position.

  In addition to mounting the recording head 3 on the carriage 2 of the recording apparatus 1, an ink cartridge 6 for storing ink to be supplied to the recording head 3 is mounted. The ink cartridge 6 is detachable from the carriage 2.

  The recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 is capable of color recording. For this reason, the carriage 2 contains four inks containing magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (K) inks, respectively. An ink cartridge is installed. These four ink cartridges are detachable independently.

  The recording head 3 of this embodiment employs an ink jet system that ejects ink using thermal energy. For this reason, an electrothermal converter is provided. The electrothermal transducer is provided corresponding to each of the ejection ports, and ink is ejected from the corresponding ejection port by applying a pulse voltage to the corresponding electrothermal transducer in accordance with the recording signal.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the recording apparatus shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 600 includes an MPU 601, a ROM 602, a special purpose integrated circuit (ASIC) 603, a RAM 604, a system bus 605, an A / D converter 606, and the like. Here, the ROM 602 stores a program corresponding to a control sequence to be described later, a required table, and other fixed data. The ASIC 603 generates control signals for controlling the carriage motor M1, the transport motor M2, and the recording head 3. The RAM 604 is used as a development area for image data, a work area for program execution, and the like. A system bus 605 connects the MPU 601, the ASIC 603, and the RAM 604 to each other to exchange data. The A / D converter 606 inputs analog signals from the sensor group described below, performs A / D conversion, and supplies a digital signal to the MPU 601.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 610 denotes a host device corresponding to the host or MFP shown in FIG. Image data, commands, status, and the like are transmitted and received by packet communication between the host device 610 and the recording device 1 via an interface (I / F) 611. This packet communication will be described later. Note that a USB interface may be further provided as the interface 611 separately from the network interface so that bit data and raster data transferred serially from the host can be received.

  Reference numeral 620 denotes a switch group, which includes a power switch 621, a print switch 622, a recovery switch 623, and the like.

  Reference numeral 630 denotes a sensor group for detecting the apparatus state, and includes a position sensor 631, a temperature sensor 632, and the like.

  Further, 640 is a carriage motor driver that drives a carriage motor M1 for reciprocating scanning of the carriage 2 in the direction of arrow A, and 642 is a conveyance motor driver that drives a conveyance motor M2 for conveying the recording medium P.

  The ASIC 603 transfers data for driving a recording element (ejection heater) to the recording head while directly accessing the storage area of the RAM 604 during recording scanning by the recording head 3. In addition, this recording apparatus is provided with a display unit composed of an LCD or LED as a user interface.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a communication function corresponding to a network interface provided in each device connected to the network shown in FIG.

  The communication unit 501 configuring the network interface includes one or more of various interfaces. The communication unit 501 includes a unit of data to be communicated, which is expressed as a packet, and includes a packet communication unit 511 that performs transmission / reception processing of the packet. In addition, a response possible packet registration unit 512 that can register a specific packet that can detect data reception is provided so that data reception from the outside can be detected even when the communication unit 501 is in a power saving state.

  The number of packets that can be registered in the respondable packet registration unit 512 is not unlimited, but is limited by hardware limitations. It is possible to register up to five devices in this embodiment.

  The control unit 502 controls the execution of each function of the device. For example, the controller 600 corresponds to the recording apparatus 1 described above. The control unit 502 includes control blocks 521 to 523 that control various processes corresponding to various input operations from the communication unit 501. The packet processing control unit 521 performs processing on the packet input from the communication unit 501 and returns the result to the communication unit 501 if necessary. The protocol determination control unit 522 determines the protocol type of the packet processed by the packet processing control unit 521. The result of the determination is stored in the communication status storage unit 531. The power saving control unit 523 performs power saving control of the entire device. For example, in a device such as a recording apparatus, the transition from the normal power state to the power saving state is controlled when a specific transition condition is satisfied such that there is no print instruction input from the user for a certain period of time. The portion and the content that are the targets of power saving control vary depending on the content in the communication status storage unit 531.

  The storage unit 503 performs various types of storage. For example, in the case of the recording apparatus 1 described above, the RAM 604 and the ROM 602 correspond to this. The storage unit 503 includes various storage units such as a communication status storage unit 531 and a power saving setting storage unit 532. Depending on the specifications of each device, the storage unit 503 is rewritable such as FeRAM and EEPROM in addition to RAM and ROM. A non-volatile memory may be provided.

  The communication status storage unit 531 stores the state of a packet to be communicated. The stored content is based on the determination result in the protocol determination control unit 522, and the number of transmitted packets is added for each protocol, and the cumulative number is stored. The power saving setting storage unit 532 defines and stores the types of protocols that can be responded even in the power saving state and the packets that are desired to respond in the power saving state in various protocols. Examples of the types of packets to be stored include ARP packets and broadcast packets when the protocol is TCP / IP.

  As described above, the display unit 514 includes an LCD and an LED, and is used to notify the user of the state of the device and various processing results.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of a control procedure at the time of packet reception executed by each device connected to the network shown in FIG. When an external device accesses the device via the communication unit 501 and receives a data packet, the control unit 502 starts processing according to this flowchart.

  In step S201, the received packet is processed. The packet processing control unit 521 acquires received data via the packet communication unit 511, and executes processing according to the content. If it is necessary to return the processing result, processing for transmitting the return data to the external device via the packet communication unit 511 is performed.

  In step S202, the protocol type of the received packet is determined. The packet processing control unit 521 transfers the received data to the protocol determination control unit 522, and the protocol determination control unit 522 determines the type of communication protocol from the data.

  In step S203, the contents of the communication status storage unit 531 are updated. The protocol determination control unit 522 reads the contents of the communication status storage unit 531, adds the current number of received packets to the cumulative number of packets of the corresponding protocol based on the determination result in step S 202, and stores the result in the communication status storage unit 531. Store the data and finish the process.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an outline of a control procedure when shifting to the power saving mode executed by each device connected to the network shown in FIG. Each device has a function to shift from the normal power state to the power saving state when a specific condition such as no input from the user for a certain time is satisfied, and when the condition is satisfied, the control unit In 502, processing is started.

  In step S301, it is checked whether the device is connected to the network. The power saving control unit 523 checks the state of the communication unit 501, and if connected to the network, the process proceeds to step S302, otherwise proceeds to step S306.

  In step S302, it is checked whether or not a plurality of types of protocols are used. By examining the stored contents of the communication status storage unit 531, the number of received packets up to the present time for various protocols can be determined. By looking at these values, it is checked whether there are a plurality of values other than “0”. If there are a plurality of values, it can be determined that a plurality of types of protocols are used. If it is determined that a plurality of types of protocols are used, the process proceeds to step S309; otherwise (that is, if one protocol is used), the process proceeds to step S303.

  When a plurality of types of protocols are used, the number of packet types to be responded in the power saving state is too large, so that all of them cannot be registered in the respondable packet registration unit 512. Therefore, in this case, the communication unit 501, the control unit 502, and the storage unit 503 are processed without being set in the power saving state so as to be able to respond to packets of all protocols in use.

  In step S303, it is further checked whether or not a protocol that can be responded in the current power saving state is used. The types of protocols that can be responded in the current power saving state are stored as variables in the power saving setting storage unit 532, and the contents are compared with the only protocol determined to be currently used in step S302. To do. As a result, if both types of protocol are the same, the process proceeds to step S306; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S304.

  If the types of both protocols are the same, there is no need to change the setting of the respondable packet registration unit 512, and the process (ie, steps S304 to S305) is skipped.

  In step S304, the currently used protocol type is set as the response target protocol. This is done by the power saving control unit 523 changing the variable stored in the power saving setting storage unit 532 to a value indicating the type of protocol determined to be currently used in step S302. Next, in step S305, the registration of the replyable packet is changed for a new protocol. That is, the power saving control unit 523 replaces the content of the packet registered in the responsive packet registration unit 512 with a packet corresponding to the protocol determined to be currently used in step S302. Information of a packet to be responded at the time of power saving corresponding to each protocol is stored in the power saving setting storage unit 532, and the power saving control unit 523 refers to the contents.

  In step S306, the communication unit 501 is shifted to the power saving state. The power saving control unit 523 sets the communication unit 501 in the power saving state by controlling various hardware.

  In step S307, parts other than the communication unit 501, the control unit 502, and the storage unit 503 are shifted to the power saving state. In the example of FIG. 4, the display unit 514 is set to a power saving state by hardware control.

  In step S308, the storage unit 503 and the control unit 502 are shifted to the power saving state. The power saving control unit 523 first sets the storage unit 503 to a power saving state and then sets the control unit 502 to a power saving state by controlling various hardware. As a result, the operation of the control unit 502 stops. Thereafter, when an external event occurs, it is detected by hardware and the processing is continued. The processing contents will be described later with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Note that a part of the control unit 502 and the storage unit 503 holds a state where normal power supply is performed so that the process can be resumed from the power saving state and the process can be resumed.

  In step S309, as in step S307, parts other than the communication unit 501, the control unit 502, and the storage unit 503 are shifted to the power saving state, and the process ends. In this case, since the communication unit 501, the control unit 502, and the storage unit 503 do not shift to the power saving state, the power consumption increases compared to the processing in steps S303 to S308.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of a control procedure at the time of returning from the power saving mode executed by each device connected to the network shown in FIG. When the apparatus is in a power saving state, for example, when a data packet that can be responded even during power saving is received from an external device via the communication unit 501, processing according to this flowchart is started in the control unit 502. Note that a part of the control unit 502 and the storage unit 503 of each device is in a state where normal power supply is held so that processing in the power saving state is possible.

  In step S401, it is checked whether the control unit 502 is in a power saving state. If it is in the power saving state, the process proceeds to step S402; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S405.

  In step S402, the control unit 502 and the storage unit 503 are returned from the power saving state to the normal power state. The power saving control unit 523 first sets the control unit 502 to the normal power state and then sets the storage unit 503 to the normal power state under various hardware controls. Next, in step S403, the storage contents of the communication status storage unit 531 are initialized. Specifically, all the received packet counts of various protocols stored in the communication status storage 331 are set to “0”. With this processing, even if the network usage state changes until the next time the device shifts to the power saving state, the effect of the present invention can be maintained according to the state. In step S404, the communication unit 501 is returned from the power saving state to the normal power state. The power saving control unit 523 sets the communication unit 501 to the normal power state by controlling various hardware.

  In step S405, parts other than the communication unit 501, the control unit 502, and the storage unit 503 are returned from the power saving state to the normal power state. In the example of FIG. 4, the state of the display unit 514 is set to the normal power state by hardware control.

  Finally, in step S406, the event that has become the return trigger from the power saving mode is processed, and the return processing ends. For example, if the event is reception of a packet from an external device and this is a return trigger, processing for the packet is performed. The processing content follows the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Therefore, according to the embodiment described above, when packet communication is performed with one protocol via a network, if a certain condition is satisfied, the apparatus can be automatically shifted to a power saving state. . In particular, in this transition, even when a packet that can respond in the power saving state registered in the communication unit is not a packet that conforms to the one protocol, the registration may be automatically replaced with a packet that conforms to the one protocol. it can. As a result, even when the usage environment in the network, particularly, the protocol to be used is changed, it is possible to cope with the automatically changed protocol without performing a user operation.

  In the embodiment described above, the apparatus connected to the LAN has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The network to be connected is not limited to a LAN, and may be a WLAN, a WAN, or a LAN-WAN as long as information can be communicated by a packet, and is not limited to a specific type of network.

Claims (5)

Recording to a recording medium is performed based on a packet received via a communication unit that performs communication with another device via packet communication via a network, and the transition to the power saving state and the saving are performed according to the communication status. A recording device capable of returning from a power state to a normal power state,
Storage means for storing a packet capable of responding to communication from the other device even in the power saving state;
Discriminating means for discriminating the type of protocol used for communication of the packet received by the communication means;
If the number of protocols used for communication by the communication means is one and the protocol determined by the determination means is a protocol corresponding to a packet stored in the storage means, the condition for shifting to the power saving state If the condition is satisfied, the recording apparatus is shifted to the power saving mode, while if the protocol determined by the determination unit is not a protocol corresponding to the packet registered in the storage unit, the content of the storage unit is determined. And a control unit for controlling the recording apparatus to shift to a power saving mode after replacing the packet with a responsive packet corresponding to the protocol.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transition condition includes that a print instruction is not input through the network for a predetermined time.   3. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit does not shift to the power saving state when the determination unit determines that there are a plurality of protocols used for packet communication. 4. The recording device described.   4. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit can respond when the packet stored in the storage unit is received even in the power saving state. 5. The recording device described. Recording to a recording medium is performed based on a packet received via a communication unit that performs communication with another device via packet communication via a network, and the transition to the power saving state and the saving are performed according to the communication status. A method for controlling power consumption of a recording apparatus capable of returning from a power state to a normal power state,
A storage step of storing in the storage unit a packet that can respond to communication from the other device even in the power saving state;
A determining step of determining a type of protocol used for communication of the packet received by the communication means;
If the number of protocols used for communication by the communication means is one and the protocol determined in the determination step is a protocol corresponding to a packet stored in the storage unit, the condition for shifting to the power saving state If the condition is satisfied, the recording apparatus is shifted to the power saving mode. On the other hand, if the protocol determined in the determination step is not a protocol corresponding to the packet registered in the storage unit, the content of the storage unit is determined. And a control step of controlling the recording apparatus to shift to a power saving mode after replacing with a responsive packet corresponding to the protocol.

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