JP2013111854A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control so that a CPU is not stopped until a processing purpose is achieved when the CPU is resumed for the processing purpose of a network.SOLUTION: The packet communication is performed by the PHY 1 via a network 50, and the power supply to a main processing block B having a CPU 9 is stopped. Control is performed so that the power supply to the main processing block B is resumed when the specified packet is received by the PHY 1 via the network 50, and the power supply to the main processing block B is stopped when the packet is not received for the predetermined time by the PHY 1. The information on the energy-saving resumption factor forming the factor of resuming the power supply to the main processing block B is stored, it is controlled whether or not the processing corresponding to the information on the energy-saving resumption factor is performed, and it is also controlled to enter the energy-saving mode after checking that the processing corresponding to the information on the energy-saving resumption factor is performed.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that can be set in a low power consumption mode, for example, an image forming apparatus that performs control so as to restore power supply to a main processing block having a CPU.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an information processing apparatus such as an image forming apparatus, a scanner, a printer, or a multifunction peripheral that provides a service to the network or receives a service from the network, it is also called a low power consumption mode (“energy saving mode” or “sleep mode”). ) A function that enables communication with a network is also proposed.
For example, in Patent Document 1, for the purpose of improving the energy saving performance and maintaining the convenience of the network function, when the packet needs to be automatically transmitted, the packet is returned from the energy saving when the packet needs to be automatically transmitted, and the packet is processed even after a certain time elapses. A configuration and control for entering energy saving again when there are no more packets to be disclosed are disclosed.

Specifically, in Patent Document 1, even if the TIMER activated at a predetermined timing in the normal mode by the power management unit (PM) passes a specified time, the packet filter unit (PF) is within the specified time. When there is no received data addressed to the own station and all the applications running on the CPU are in the idle state, the CPU notifies the PM of this state.
Upon receiving this notification, the PM performs control of shifting to the power supply state in the energy saving mode. At the same time, the CPU switches the setting of the selector unit (SEL) to select the output from the packet engine processing unit (PE), sends it to the media access control unit (MAC), and transmits the DHCP REQUEST packet to the network. Prepare for.

As described above, in order to improve the energy saving performance, a process for stopping the CPU in a standby state is known. And in order to improve further energy-saving performance, the control method which made the following conditions for stopping CPU is already known.
General CPU shutdown conditions include "no packet received for a specific protocol for a certain period (such as 1 minute)", or "no communication has occurred" as a CPU stop condition for further energy savings. Etc. are assumed.

As described above, it is known that it is determined whether energy can be saved after a predetermined time has elapsed. However, it has not been possible to solve the problem that the CPU enters the energy saving mode before the processing operation newly generated when the predetermined time is shortened.
However, if it is determined whether or not the CPU can be stopped at a short interval (100 msec, etc.), there has been a problem that a CPU stop determination request is generated before it is determined that communication is in progress, and network processing cannot be performed.

For example, the CPU is restored by a timer for lease renewal of the DHCP IP address, but a CPU stop determination request is generated before the DHCP lease renewal processing starts. That is, a print request is received from the personal computer PC and the CPU is restored, but a CPU stop determination request is generated before the connection process with the PC, and there is a problem that the network cannot be processed.
The present invention has been made in view of the above, and as its purpose, when the CPU is restored for the purpose of network processing, image processing for controlling the CPU not to be stopped until the processing purpose is achieved. To provide an apparatus.

  The present invention receives a specific packet by a communication unit that performs packet communication via a network, a power supply stop unit that stops power supply to a main processing block having a CPU, and the communication unit via the network. The power supply returning means for returning the power supply to the main processing block, and the power supply so as to stop the power supply to the main processing block when the communication unit has not received a packet for a certain period of time. An image forming apparatus comprising: a first control unit that controls a supply stop unit; a storage unit that stores energy-saving return factor information that causes a return of power supply to the main processing block; and the energy-saving return Management means for managing whether or not processing corresponding to the factor information has been executed, and processing corresponding to the energy saving return factor information are executed. An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a second control means for controlling so as to enter the energy saving over verify that it is.

  According to the present invention, the energy saving return factor information that causes the power supply to the main processing block to be restored is stored, whether or not the processing corresponding to the energy saving return factor information has been executed is managed, and the energy saving return is performed. After confirming that the processing corresponding to the factor information has been executed, control is performed so that energy saving is entered. As a result, when the CPU recovers for the purpose of network processing, control is performed so that the CPU is not stopped until the processing purpose is achieved, so that energy can be saved in the shortest time after the processing is performed. Therefore, it is possible to improve the energy saving performance of the image forming apparatus while ensuring the convenience of the network function.

It is a block diagram for demonstrating the whole structure of the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the software module used for the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the software module of the communication control 207 in the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of software modules of a MAC driver SM301 shown in FIG. It is a table | surface which shows the example of a setting of the pattern matching with respect to the filter 3 shown in FIG. It is an example of the designated range of the matching data shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement by the communication control part 17 at the time of operate | moving only with the block A shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the MAC device driver SM301 after returning from the energy saving mode shown in FIG. 3; It is a flowchart which shows the error determination process of step S802 shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is another flowchart showing an error determination process in step S802 shown in FIG. 8. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement by timer SM307 shown in FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation from an energy saving return to an energy saving in by the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. This is a detail of the power OFF processing of block B in step S1104 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the management table of return timer SM310 shown in FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing details of a power OFF process of block B in S1104 shown in FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The present invention is characterized in that, when entering the energy saving mode, it is managed whether or not processing to be processed after energy saving recovery has been performed, and energy saving is performed after confirming that the processing has been performed. In particular, when the CPU returns for the purpose of network processing, control is performed so that the CPU is not stopped until the processing purpose is achieved, so energy saving can be entered in the shortest time after the processing is performed. The energy saving performance of the image forming apparatus can be improved while ensuring the convenience of the network function.

The features of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
A PHY (physical layer) 1 is a network physical layer that transmits and receives various types of packet data (hereinafter also simply referred to as “packets”) to and from the network 50, and performs mutual conversion between data and electrical signals. . Since power is always supplied to PHY1, packets can be exchanged with the network even in the low power consumption mode.
The power management unit 2 performs power management of the devices provided in the blocks B to D. The power management unit 2 has a timer counter function, and has a function of turning on the block B after a predetermined time. Further, energy saving return factor information (received packet or timer data) for the power source of the block B is stored.

The filter 3 performs packet pattern matching, and returns the block B when it matches the pattern of the specific condition. The filter 3 operates by outputting a selection signal to the gates 4a and 4b, and operates the data flow. Further, the size of the packet that causes the energy saving return is written in the register 5.
The gates 4a and 4b block the data flow. When operating only in the block A, only the gate 4 a is open, and data can be exchanged between the PHY 1 and the buffer 6. On the other hand, when the block B is operating, only the gate 4b is open, and data can be exchanged between PHY1 and MAC7.

The register 5 stores the size of the packet that causes the energy saving return. The register 5 can read and write data from the CPU 9.
The buffer 6 stores a packet that causes an energy saving return. A size (for example, 256 octets) that can store a packet that cannot be expected to be retransmitted from the transmission source is preferable, rather than a size that can store the entire packet (1518 octets).
A MAC (Media Access Control) 7 performs frame transmission / reception control and error detection.

The memory 8 stores a program and application software for controlling the image forming apparatus. The CPU 9 is provided in the main processing block B and controls the image forming apparatus. Further, when the power supply is stopped, the CPU 9 shifts to a low power consumption mode and enters a sleep state.
The plotter 10 prints image data on a recording medium. The scanner 11 optically reads an image written on a recording medium and outputs image data. The communication control unit 17 performs data communication with the network 50.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a software module (hereinafter referred to as SM) used in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The printer SM201 is an SM that performs control related to the printer function. The copy SM 202 is an SM that performs control related to the copy function. The scanner SM203 is an SM that performs control related to the scanner function. The memory management SM 204 is an SM that manages the memory 8.

The image processing SM 205 performs image processing necessary for each function. This SM also performs data conversion to TIFF, JPEG, etc., which have different image data recording formats. The printer language SM206 is an SM that analyzes the printer job data received from the communication control SM207 and performs imaging.
The communication control SM 207 is an SM that controls the communication control unit 17. The plotter control SM 208 is an SM that controls the plotter 10. The scanner control SM 209 is an SM that controls the scanner 11.

FIG. 3A is a block diagram showing a software module (SM) of the communication control SM 207 in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The MAC driver SM301 is an SM that controls the communication control unit 17. The network stack SM302 is an SM that controls the IP layer and the transport layer.
The network application SM303 is an SM that performs network control for each function. The port 9100 / SM 304 is an SM that receives print data from a PC and passes the data to a printer application.

The lpd / SM 305 is an SM that receives print data from the personal computer PC and passes the data to the printer application in accordance with a procedure defined by RFC1179. An SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) SM 306 is an SM used for monitoring, such as obtaining the status of a network device.
The timer SM307 is an SM that instructs the power management unit 2 to stop the power supply of the block B when a certain time elapses. The timer count value is operated from the packet determination unit.

The packet determination SM 308 is an SM that determines whether the packet can be automatically answered. The energy-saving in determination SM309 is an SM that determines whether energy-saving in is possible.
In the present embodiment, a packet determination SM308 and an energy saving in determination SM309 are provided independently.
The return timer SM310 is an SM that manages a return time registered from a network application or a network stack.

  FIG. 3B is a block diagram of a software module showing the communication control SM 207 in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3 (b), in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 3 (a), the energy saving in determination SM309a, 309b, 309c, 309d is distributed to the network stack SM302, port9100 / SM304, lpd / SM305, and SNMP / SM306, respectively. It is provided.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the software module (SM) of the MAC driver SM301.
The reception buffer SM401 is an SM that stores data received from the MAC7. The transmission buffer SM402 is an SM that stores data received from the network stack SM302.
The buffer check SM403 is an SM that checks the buffer 6. The MAC control SM 404 is an SM that controls the MAC 7. The data received from the MAC 7 is stored in the reception buffer SM401 and transferred to the network stack SM302. Further, the data stored in the transmission buffer SM402 by the network stack SM302 is transferred to the MAC7.

FIG. 5 is a table showing a setting example of pattern matching for the filter 3.
An operation when matching with a combination of a source MAC address and matching data can be specified. Matching data can be set with matching data and mask data for the portion after the source MAC address.

FIG. 6 is an example of the designated range of the matching data shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 shows, as an example, a destination MAC address consisting of 6 octets, a source MAC address consisting of 6 octets, a type consisting of 2 octets, payload data consisting of 46 to 1500 octets, and an FCS consisting of 4 octets.
The pattern match data may be specified up to the last part of the payload data part, but may be up to the minimum required size. For example, the size can specify the IPv6 port number.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the communication control unit 17 when operating only in the block A.
In step S701, a packet is received from the network 50 via PHY1. When operating only in the block A, the received packet is written into the buffer 6 because the gate 4 a is opened by the selection signal output from the filter 3.
In step S <b> 702, the filter 3 performs pattern matching determination on the received packet stored in the buffer 6. If they match, the process proceeds to S703. If not matched, the process proceeds to S708.

In step S703, if even one of the matched settings has a Sleep setting, it is determined to be a Sleep. In the case of Wakeup, the process proceeds to S704. In the case of Sleep, the process proceeds to S708.
In step S <b> 704, the filter 3 writes the size of the packet that has caused the energy saving return factor in the register 5. In step S705, the filter 3 closes the gate 4a and opens the gate 4b.
In step S706, the filter 3 operates the power management unit 2 to turn on the power of the block B. In step S707, the CPU 9 returns.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the MAC device driver SM301 after returning from the energy saving mode.
In step S801, the size of the packet stored in the register 5 (energy saving return factor) is checked. If the value of register 5 is greater than 0, the process proceeds to S802. On the other hand, if the value of the register 5 is 0, the process proceeds to S805.
In step S802, data stored in the buffer 6 is checked as an error determination process. If there is no error, the process proceeds to S803. On the other hand, in the case of an error, the process proceeds to S804.

In step S803, the packet stored in the buffer 6 is read out, stored in the reception buffer SM401, and notified to the network stack SM302.
In step S804, the value 0 is written in the register 5. In step S805, a MAC initialization process is performed.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the error determination processing in step S802 shown in FIG. 8 by the MAC device driver SM301.
In step S901, if the size of the packet stored in the register 5 (energy saving return factor) is equal to or smaller than the value stored in the buffer 6, the process proceeds to S902. On the other hand, if larger, the process proceeds to S904.
In step S902, the FCS is checked by software processing. If there is no error, the process proceeds to S903. If there is an error, the process proceeds to S904. In step S903, it is determined that there is no error. On the other hand, in step S904, it is determined that there is an error.

FIG. 10 is another flowchart showing the error determination processing in step S802 shown in FIG. 8 by the MAC device driver SM301.
In step S1001, if the size of the packet stored in the register 5 (energy saving return factor) is equal to or smaller than the value stored in the buffer 6, the process proceeds to S1002. On the other hand, if larger, the process proceeds to S1003.
In step S1002, FCS is checked by software processing. If there is no error, the process proceeds to S1004. On the other hand, in the case of an error, the process proceeds to S1005.

In step S1003, it is determined whether the packet is a fixed packet. If it is a fixed packet (YES), the process proceeds to S1004. On the other hand, if it is not a fixed packet (No), the process proceeds to S1005.
In step S1004, it is determined that there is no error. On the other hand, in step S1005, it is determined that there is an error.

Here, the process “Is it a fixed packet?” Shown in step S1003 will be described.
An OS of a personal computer PC (not shown) connected to the network 50, such as a periodic MIB (Management Information Base) inquiry from Windows (registered trademark), which can infer subsequent packets from the top packet. . In that case, even if the packet is not completely stored, the processing of S803 shown in FIG. 8 (packet storage in the reception buffer) can be performed.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the timer SM307 when the predetermined time is 10 seconds.
In step S1101, when the count value of the timer SM307 is 10,000, the process proceeds to S1103. On the other hand, if they are different, the process proceeds to S1102.
In step S1102, the value 1 is added to the count value of the timer SM307, and the process proceeds to S1101. In step S1103, the count value of the timer SM307 is set to 0.

In step S1104, the power management unit 2 is instructed to stop power supply to the block B. Thereby, when the packet is not received for a certain period, it is possible to control to stop the power supply of the block B that performs the main processing.
The count value of the timer SM307 in step S1101 may be changed by predicting the time until the next packet is received from the ether type, TCP / UDP, port number, etc. of the received packet.

Here, characteristic matters in the present embodiment will be described.
First, the case where the software module (SM) of the communication control SM 207 shown in FIG.
When it is determined that the received packet is an error, an error message indicating that the received packet is an error is notified to the network stack SM302.
That is, as the error notification location, the packet received to the network stack SM302 when the packet is stored after determining the error in S802 shown in FIG. 8, S904 shown in FIG. 9, or S1005 shown in FIG. Notify that it has been saved.

Next, a case where the software module (SM) of the communication control SM 207 shown in FIG. The energy-saving in determining units SM309a, 309b, 309c, and 309d are distributed in the network stack SM302, port9100 / SM304, lpd / SM305, and SNMP / SM306, respectively.
The processing of S802 shown in FIG. 8 is eliminated, and not only the packet data is stored in the reception buffer SM401 in S803, but also the value of the register 5 is stored in the memory and passed to the network stack SM302.

When the passed packet is a packet stored in the buffer 6, the network stack SM302 performs the same determination as in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 to check whether the packet is an error, Determine whether to process.
The network stack SM302 predicts the time from receiving the received packet's Ethertype, TCP / UDP, port number, etc. until the next packet is received, even if the packet is in error, and timer Change the count value.
In this way, when managing whether or not the processing corresponding to the energy saving return factor has been executed, it is possible to easily remove the function by distributing and managing each module.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation from energy saving return to energy saving in by the energy saving in determination SM309.
In step S <b> 1201, the energy saving in determination SM <b> 309 reads the energy saving return factor from the power management unit 2. In step S1202, 1 is set in the flag.
In step S1203, if the return is due to packet reception, the process proceeds to S1204. If it is a return by the timer SM307, the process proceeds to step S120.

In step S1204, the packet-processed network application notifies the energy saving in determination SM309 of the completion of processing. In step S1205, a value of 0 is set in the flag.
In step S1206, the energy saving in determination SM309 acquires the target application requested to return from the return timer. In step S1207, the network application notifies the energy saving in determination SM309 of the completion of processing.

In step S1208, if the notified network application matches the network application acquired from the return timer, the process advances to step S1205. If not, the process proceeds to S1207.
Thereby, it is possible to manage whether or not the processing corresponding to the energy saving return factor information has been executed. Further, after confirming that the processing corresponding to the energy saving return factor information has been executed, it is possible to control to enter the energy saving.

  As described above, packet communication is performed by the PHY 1 via the network 50, and the power supply to the main processing block B having the CPU 9 is stopped. When a specific packet is received by the PHY 1 via the network 50, the power supply to the main processing block B is restored, and when the packet is not received by the PHY 1 for a certain period, the power supply to the main processing block B is Control to stop. The energy saving return factor information that causes the power supply to the main processing block B to be restored is stored, whether or not the processing corresponding to the energy saving return factor information is executed, and the processing corresponding to the energy saving return factor information is performed. After confirming that it has been executed, control is performed so as to enter energy saving.

  As a result, when the CPU recovers for the purpose of network processing, control is performed so that the CPU is not stopped until the processing purpose is achieved, so that energy can be saved in the shortest time after the processing is performed. Therefore, it is possible to improve the energy saving performance of the image forming apparatus while ensuring the convenience of the network function.

FIG. 13 shows details of the power OFF processing of block B in step S1104 shown in FIG. 11 by the timer SM307.
In step S1301, when the flag set by the energy saving in determination SM309 is 0, the process proceeds to S1303. On the other hand, if not, the process proceeds to S1302.
In step S1302, the process waits for 500 ms. The waiting time is an example, and may be shorter than 500 ms according to the system configuration.
In step S1303, the closest time is selected from the return timer management, and the difference from the current time is set in the return timer of the power management 2. In step S1304, the power management 2 is instructed to stop power supply to the block B.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the management table of the return timer SM310. In FIG. 14, DHCP is stored as requested application software, and “September 10, 2011, 13:12:10” is stored as the return time.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of the power-off processing of the block B in S1104 shown in FIG. 11 by the timer SM307.
In step S1501, when the flag set by the energy saving in determination SM309 is 0, the process proceeds to S1503. On the other hand, if not, the process proceeds to S1502.
In step S1502, the process waits for 500 ms. In step S1503, if the closest time from the return timer management is within 5 seconds, the process proceeds to S1501. If not, the process proceeds to S1504.

In step S1504, the closest time is selected from the return timer management, and the difference from the current time is set in the return timer of the power management unit 2.
In step S1505, the power management unit 2 is instructed to stop power supply to the block B.
In this way, by controlling so that it does not enter the energy-saving in at a certain time before the next return time, there is no loss from the energy-saving in to the energy-saving return, so there is a delay in processing when returning immediately. Less. Since the packet can be processed quickly, the response of the network can be made faster.

1 PHY
2 Power management unit 3 Filter 4a, 4b Gate 5 Register 6 Buffer 7 MAC
8 Memory 9 CPU
10 Plotter 11 Scanner 17 Communication Control Unit 50 Network 201 Printer SM
202 copy SM
203 Scanner SM
204 Memory management SM
205 Image processing SM
206 Printer language SM
207 Communication control SM
208 Plotter control SM
209 Scanner Control SM
301 MAC driver SM
302 Network stack SM
303 Network application SM
304 port9100 ・ SM
305 lpd ・ SM
306 SNMP ・ SM
307 Timer SM
308 Packet decision SM
309 Energy Saving Inn Judgment SM
310 Return timer SM
401 Receive buffer SM
402 Transmission buffer SM
403 Buffer check SM
404 MAC control S

JP 2009-119849 A

Claims (4)

A communication unit that performs packet communication via a network;
Power supply stopping means for stopping power supply to a main processing block having a CPU;
Power supply return means for returning power supply to the main processing block when a specific packet is received by the communication unit via the network;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a first control unit that controls the power supply stop unit so as to stop power supply to the main processing block when the communication unit has not received a packet for a certain period of time. ,
Storage means for storing energy-saving return factor information that is a factor for returning power supply to the main processing block;
Management means for managing whether or not processing corresponding to the energy saving return factor information has been executed;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a second control unit that controls to enter energy saving after confirming that processing corresponding to the energy saving return factor information has been executed.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third control unit configured to perform control so as not to enter the energy saving in case a predetermined time before the next return time.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the management unit performs centralized management using a single module.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the management unit performs management in a distributed manner in each module.

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