JP2013239025A - Electrical apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrical apparatus that opens and closes power supply to another apparatus connected to a host side that supplies power according to the host side's needs so that generation of unnecessary power consumption by the other apparatus can be prevented, for example, after the host side shifted to a power saving mode; and an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: The electrical apparatus includes a USB connector 80 to connect with another apparatus, and transmits and receives data to and from the other apparatus by using the USB connector 80. The electrical apparatus further includes a power source V that supplies power to the other apparatus via the USB connector 80, and an FET 6 that opens and closes the power supply.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrical device and an image forming apparatus that include a connector for connecting to another device, and that transmits and receives data to and from the other device using the connector.

  In recent years, many electrical devices are configured so that a user can additionally connect other devices as needed.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, an electronic apparatus including a power supply unit and a USB controller for functioning as a USB peripheral device, the USB controller is not supplied with power from the power supply unit, An electronic device that operates using a VBUS signal from a USB host as an operating voltage when connected to the host is disclosed.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, an electronic apparatus including a communication connector that inputs a data signal and a signal indicating an active state from an external device, and a communication controller that is supplied with power and controls data communication with the external device. An electronic device including switch means for stopping power supply to the communication controller in response to a signal indicating the active state is disclosed.

JP 2007-094659 A JP 2007-034803 A

  On the other hand, as described above, many devices connected by USB operate with power supplied from the host via the USB interface. Therefore, even if the connection is released from the host side in software, as long as the connection is made in hardware, a certain amount of power is consumed. Here, some devices operating in USB have a so-called power saving mode, but the hardware remains connected to the host-side power supply, and the power consumption is completely “0”. Can not be.

  In other words, the transition to the “energy saving mode” using the USB interface must be performed using the USB interface even when returning to the normal mode, and power supply is continued to at least the circuit portion that performs such control. Therefore, even after the host side shifts to the power saving mode, wasteful power consumption occurs in such a circuit portion. However, the electronic device of Patent Document 1 cannot cope with such a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to include a connector for connecting to another device, and to transmit / receive data to / from the other device using the connector. By providing a switch unit that opens and closes the power supply between the power source that supplies power to the other device via the connector and the connector, the host device that supplies power can be connected to the other device as necessary. Since the power supply can be opened and closed, for example, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can prevent wasteful power consumption from occurring as described above after the host side has shifted to the power saving mode.

  An electrical device according to the present invention includes a connector for connecting to another device, and in the electrical device that transmits and receives data to and from the other device using the connector, a power source that supplies power to the other device via the connector And a switch part which is interposed between the connector and the power source and opens and closes the power supply.

  In the present invention, the switch unit interposed between the connector and the power source opens and closes power supply to the other device via the connector under a predetermined condition.

  The electric device according to the present invention has a power saving state in which power consumption is restricted and an operation state in a normal state without the restriction, and the switch unit is instructed to open or close according to the operation state. An instructing unit for performing the above is provided.

  In the present invention, the instruction unit instructs the switch unit to open or close the power supply to the other device depending on whether the current operation state is a power saving state or a normal state. In response to the instruction, the switch unit opens and closes the power supply to the other device.

  The electrical device according to the present invention is characterized in that the switch section includes a field effect transistor.

  In this invention, the said switch part opens and closes the electric power supply to the said other apparatus using a field effect transistor.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the electrical device according to any one of the above-described inventions, and an image forming unit that performs image formation based on data received from another device via the connector. Features.

  In the present invention, the image forming unit forms an image based on data received from another device via the connector on a sheet-like recording medium.

  According to the present invention, since the power supply to the other device can be opened and closed as required by the electric device that supplies power, the electric device can be used regardless of whether or not the other device has an energy saving function. After the transition to the power saving mode, it is possible to prevent wasteful power consumption from occurring by the other device, and enhance the energy saving effect.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic circuit diagram explaining the structure of the control part and USB connector in embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating FET control performed when the MFP according to the embodiment of the present invention transits to a power saving mode. 6 is a flowchart illustrating FET control performed when returning to the normal mode in the multi-function peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, an electrical apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, taking as an example a case where the apparatus is applied to a multifunction machine having a so-called energy saving function.

  The multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention has an operation mode of a power saving mode (power saving state) and a standby mode (normal state). In the power saving mode, power supply to a part of the multifunction device is restricted to reduce power consumption in the entire multifunction device. Further, in the standby mode, power is supplied to a portion where power supply is restricted, an instruction from the user is accepted, and any job can be executed immediately.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a main configuration of a multifunction peripheral 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The multifunction device 100 is a digital multifunction device that can execute a color copy job, a color scanner job, and the like. The multifunction device 100 includes an image input unit 20 that optically reads an image from a document. The image input unit 20 is connected to an image processing unit 30 that generates image data corresponding to the read image. The image processing unit 30 transmits the image output unit 40 that outputs an image based on the image data generated by the image processing unit 30 and the image data generated by the image processing unit 30 to the outside, and receives the image data from the outside. A receiving transceiver 50 is connected.

  In addition, an operation panel 60 that receives an operation from a user is connected to the image input unit 20, the image processing unit 30, the image output unit 40, and the transmission / reception unit 50. These hardware units are configured to be controlled by the control unit 10.

  Next, the configuration of each part of the multifunction peripheral 100 will be described. The operation panel 60 includes an operation unit 61 having a power saving key for receiving an instruction for setting the operation mode of the multifunction peripheral 100, a touch panel for receiving an instruction for controlling a job of the multifunction peripheral 100 by a user operation, a numeric keypad, and the like. And a display unit 62 such as a liquid crystal display for displaying information necessary for operation. The display unit 62 includes, for example, an LCD or an EL (Electroluminescence) panel.

  The image input unit 20 is configured using a color scanner including an optical sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and a reflected light image from an original on which an image is recorded on a recording medium such as paper is converted into RGB (R : Red, G: green, B: blue) and are read by the optical sensor, converted into RGB analog signals, and output to the image processing unit 30.

  The image processing unit 30 performs image processing on the RGB analog signals input from the image input unit 20 to generate image data including RGB digital signals (hereinafter referred to as RGB signals). The image processing unit 30 further performs image processing on the RGB signals to generate image data composed of CMYK (C: cyan, M: magenta, Y: yellow, K: black) digital signals. And output to the image output unit 40 as a stream. The image processing unit 30 may be configured to temporarily store the image data in the storage unit 70 before outputting the image data to the image output unit 40.

  The image output unit 40 outputs an image by forming an image on a recording medium such as paper based on the image data input from the image processing unit 30 by a method such as thermal transfer, electrophotography, or inkjet.

  The transmission / reception unit 50 is configured using a network card, a modem, or the like, and can be connected to a communication network such as a public network, a LAN (Local Area Network), or the Internet (not shown), and a communication method such as facsimile or e-mail Transmits / receives data to / from the outside via the communication network.

  The storage unit 70 is configured by a nonvolatile storage medium such as flash memory, EEPROM, HDD, MRAM (magnetoresistance memory), FeRAM (ferroelectric memory), or OUM, for example.

  Further, the multi-function device 100 includes a USB connector 80 and connects to an external device (so-called USB device) via the USB connector 80.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating the configuration of the control unit 10 and the USB connector 80 in the embodiment of the present invention.

  The USB connector 80 has four connector pins 81 to 84 for connecting to a USB device (for example, a flash memory). The connector pin 81 is known as a so-called VBUS pin, and is connected to a signal line (hereinafter referred to as a VBUS line) to which DC5V is supplied from the power supply V. The connector pin 82 and the connector pin 83 are known as so-called D + pin and D− pin, and are used for data transmission / reception with a connected USB device (hereinafter referred to as a connected USB device). The connector pin 84 is known as a so-called GND pin and is connected to the GND. The USB connector 80 may be an A-type or B-type USB female connector or a mini-B type female USB connector.

  On the other hand, the control unit 10 controls the above-described hardware in various processes executed by the multifunction peripheral 100. The control unit 10 includes a CPU 1 (Central Processing Unit), a ROM 2, and a RAM 3.

  The ROM 2 stores in advance basic data, etc., among various control programs and calculation parameters. The RAM 3 temporarily stores the data and reads it regardless of the storage order, storage position, etc. Is possible. The RAM 3 stores, for example, a program read from the ROM 2, various data generated by executing the program, parameters that change as appropriate during the execution, and the like.

  The CPU 1 loads the control program stored in advance in the ROM 2 onto the RAM 3 and executes it, thereby controlling the various hardware described above and operating the entire apparatus as the multifunction peripheral 100 of the present invention.

  Further, for example, the CPU 1 writes data to the connected USB device via the USB interface 42 described later, accesses a predetermined area of the connected USB device, and reads data stored in the area. Further, the CPU 1 controls power supply to the connected USB device based on the operation mode of the own device.

  The control unit 10 further includes a chip set 4, a digital transistor 5, and an FET (Field Effect Transistor) 6.

  The chip set 4 controls the flow of signals in the control unit 10 and is formed of, for example, a so-called south bridge. The chip set 4 includes a GPIO (General Purpose Input / Output Terminal) 41 that outputs a signal to the digital transistor 5 and a USB interface 42.

  The chip set 4 outputs a “VBUS_ON_N” signal to the digital transistor 5 via the GPIO 41 in response to an instruction from the CPU 1. The digital transistor 5 is turned on / off in response to the “VBUS_ON_N” signal.

  The digital transistor 5 is interposed between the GPIO 41 and the FET 6. More specifically, the collector of the digital transistor 5 is connected to the FET 6, and the base of the digital transistor 5 is connected to the GPIO 41 of the chipset 4 via the resistor 51. A biasing resistor 52 is connected between the base and emitter of the digital transistor 5, and the emitter of the digital transistor 5 is connected to the GND level.

  For example, the digital transistor 5 is turned off when the “VBUS_ON_N” signal is “High”, and turned on when the “VBUS_ON_N” signal is “Low”.

  The FET 6 is an N-ch FET, for example, and serves as a switch for opening and closing power supply from the power supply V to the USB connector 80 (connected USB device) via the VBUS line.

  Specifically, the gate of the FET 6 is connected to the digital transistor 5 (collector) via the resistor R, the drain is connected to the power supply V, and the source is connected to the connector pin 81 of the USB connector 80 via the VBUS line. Yes. That is, the power from the power supply V is supplied to the connected USB device via the FET 6, the VBUS line and the connector pin 81.

  Such an FET 6 is configured to be turned on / off in response to the on / off of the digital transistor 5 in accordance with the “VBUS_ON_N” signal output from the chipset 4. For example, when the digital transistor 5 is on, the FET 6 is off and the power supply to the connector pin 81 (connected USB device) is cut off. On the other hand, when the digital transistor 5 is off, the FET 6 is on and power supply to the connector pin 81 (connected USB device) is started.

  The multifunction peripheral 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and a pull-up resistor and a pull-up power source may be connected between the resistor R and the digital transistor 5.

  The USB interface 42 controls data transmission / reception between the CPU 1 and the connected USB device. That is, the USB interface 42 is connected to the connector pins 82 and 83 of the USB connector 80, and performs data transmission / reception with the connected USB device via the connector pins 82 and 83.

  Hereinafter, the control of the FET 6 by the CPU 1 performed in the multifunction peripheral 100 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the control of the FET 6 performed when the MFP 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention shifts to the power saving mode. In the following, for convenience of explanation, control of the FET 6 at the time of transition from the normal mode to the power saving mode will be described. In the normal mode, it is assumed that the “VBUS_ON_N” signal output from the chipset 4 (GPIO 41) is “Low”. Further, it is assumed that a predetermined connection USB device is connected to the USB connector 80.

  For example, the CPU 1 monitors the operation of the operation unit 61 by the user for a predetermined time based on the time measurement result by the time measurement unit (not shown), or monitors the operation of the power saving key provided in the operation unit 61. Thus, it is determined whether or not the mode is changed from the normal mode to the power saving mode (step S101).

  For example, when the operation of the operation unit 61 by the user is performed before a predetermined time elapses, or when the power saving key of the operation unit 61 is not operated, the CPU 1 determines that the mode does not shift to the power saving mode (step S101: NO), this determination is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the user does not operate the operation unit 61 for a predetermined time or when the power saving key of the operation unit 61 is operated, the CPU 1 determines that the normal mode is changed to the power saving mode (step S101). : YES), this is notified to the chipset 4 (step S102).

  In response to such notification, the chipset 4 (USB interface 42) releases the connection with the connected USB device on the software (step S103).

  At this time, the chip set 4 outputs a “High” “VBUS_ON_N” signal (hereinafter referred to as “VBUS_ON_N” = H) via the GPIO 41 (step S104).

  When “VBUS_ON_N” = H output from the chipset 4 is received, the digital transistor 5 is turned on (step S105).

  In response to the digital transistor 5 being turned on, the FET 6 is turned off (step S106), and the power supply from the power source V to the connected USB device via the USB connector 80 (connector pin 81) is cut off (step S106). Step S107).

  Therefore, in the multi-function device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the power supply to the connected USB device via the USB connector 80 is cut off after the multi-function device 100 transitions to the power saving mode. Even when the USB device is not equipped with a so-called energy saving function, wasteful power consumption by the connected USB device can be prevented in advance, and the energy saving effect can be enhanced.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the control of the FET 6 performed when the MFP 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention returns to the normal mode. In the following, for convenience of explanation, control of the FET 6 when returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode will be described. During the power saving mode, as described above, the “VBUS_ON_N” signal of “High” is output from the chip set 4 (GPIO 41).

  For example, whether the CPU 1 returns from the power saving mode to the normal mode by monitoring the operation of the touch panel of the operation unit 61 by the user or by monitoring the operation of any of the hard keys provided in the operation unit 61. It is determined whether or not (step S201).

  For example, when the user does not operate the touch panel of the operation unit 61 or when any hard key provided in the operation unit 61 is not operated, the CPU 1 determines that the normal mode is not restored ( Step S201: NO), such a determination is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the user operates the touch panel of the operation unit 61 or when any hard key provided in the operation unit 61 is operated, the CPU 1 determines to return to the normal mode (step S201). : YES), this is notified to the chipset 4 (step S202).

  In response to such notification, the chipset 4 outputs a “Low” “VBUS_ON_N” signal (hereinafter referred to as “VBUS_ON_N” = L) via the GPIO 41 (step S203).

  At this time, the digital transistor 5 that has received “VBUS_ON_N” = L output from the chipset 4 is switched from on to off (step S204).

  In response to the digital transistor 5 being switched from on to off, the FET 6 is switched from off to on (step S205), and power is supplied from the power source V to the connected USB device via the USB connector 80 (connector pin 81). Start (step S206).

  The multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present invention is not limited to the above description. For example, a P-chFET may be used as the FET 6 and the digital transistor 5 may be omitted.

  In the above description, the case where the connector in the claims is a USB connector has been described as an example, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is applicable to any configuration that supplies power to another connected device.

  Furthermore, in the above description, the multifunction device has been described as an example, but the electric device according to the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the electrical device according to the present invention may be a notebook personal computer, a tablet-type mobile terminal, or the like.

10 control unit 1 CPU (instruction unit)
40 Image output unit (image forming means)
6 FET (Switch part)
80 USB connector
100 MFP V power supply

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to have a power saving state in which power consumption is restricted and an operating state in a normal state without the restriction. A connector for connecting to the device, and transmitting and receiving data to and from the other device using the connector, the power supply between the power source for supplying power to the other device via the connector and the connector In the power saving state , the power supply to the other device can be opened and closed as necessary on the host side for supplying power by instructing the switch unit to close . For example, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can prevent wasteful power consumption as described above after the host side shifts to the power saving mode.

An electrical device according to the present invention has a power saving state in which power consumption is limited and an operating state in a normal state without the limitation, and includes a connector for connecting to other devices, and the connector is used to In an electrical device that transmits / receives data to / from another device, a power source that supplies power to the other device via the connector, and a switch unit that is interposed between the connector and the power source to open and close the power supply , And an instruction unit for instructing the switch unit to close in the power saving state .

In the present invention, in the power saving state , the instruction unit instructs the switch unit interposed between the connector and the power source to close, and the power to the other device via the connector is provided. Open and close the supply.

According to the present invention, when the power saving state, the closed indication is performed in the switch section Runode without involving whether the another device has the energy-saving function, the electric device is the power-saving After the transition to the mode, it is possible to prevent unnecessary power consumption from being generated by the other device, and to enhance the energy saving effect.

Claims (4)

In an electrical device comprising a connector for connection with another device, and transmitting and receiving data to and from the other device using the connector,
A power source for supplying power to the other device via the connector;
An electrical apparatus comprising: a switch unit that is interposed between the connector and a power source and opens and closes the power supply. It has a power saving state in which power consumption is limited and a normal operating state without the limitation,
The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an instruction unit that instructs the switch unit to open or close according to the operation state.   The electric device according to claim 1, wherein the switch unit includes a field effect transistor. An electrical device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image based on data received from another device via the connector.

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