JP2014007614A - Electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To confirm the presence/absence, the content, the internal situation, and the like, of various types of information acquired during energy saving mode, smoothly while suppressing power consumption.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus (MFP 1) including one or a plurality of devices comprises: power supply control means 101 for limiting power supply to some or all devices including a print engine 50 and a touch panel (LCD) 20; information output means 103 for controlling the print engine 50 to output the information by releasing limitation, only if the information corresponding to an output request has been acquired, when output is requested during limitation; and an operation panel (Key) 30. Output is requested by operating the operation panel (Key) 30.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus capable of controlling power supply to a device, and more particularly to an electronic apparatus capable of confirming various information acquired while power supply is restricted while suppressing power consumption.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in electronic devices such as printers, MFPs (Multifunction Peripherals), and personal computers, power consumption is controlled by power supply control called an energy saving mode (see Patent Document 1).
As an energy saving mode, it is generally known to temporarily stop these devices by shutting off the power supply or standby power to each installed device when it detects inoperability for a certain period of time. .
Some energy-saving modes are characterized by device return control (see Patent Documents 2 and 3).
For example, Patent Document 3 discloses an image forming apparatus that activates only necessary functions when returning from an energy saving state.
In this way, useless power consumption for unnecessary functions can be suppressed.

JP 2001-14089 A JP 2000-196789 A JP 2004-222234 A

However, when only a part of the functions is activated during the energy saving mode, power may be consumed more than necessary depending on the nature of the functions and the usage mode of the user.
For example, an example in which the night output prohibition of the FAX reception function is set as one aspect of the energy saving mode will be described.
In this case, in order to confirm whether or not FAX information is received at night, a method for confirming the presence or absence of a FAX reception standby document via a display device such as a display panel is generally known.
However, with this method, it is necessary to activate and confirm the display panel even when there is no standby document. For this reason, not only is the power consumed wastefully, but the operation of starting / stopping the display device is also troublesome.

In addition, since such a display device originally provides an operation means to the user, it has been excluded from the power supply restriction target even in the conventional energy saving mode.
That is, in order to perform any instruction, it is necessary to always start up the display device, and accordingly, power is consumed wastefully.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and information obtained while a power supply is restricted, such as during an energy saving mode, is based on a request using a hardware key, and there is information to be requested. It is an object to provide an electronic device that activates an output device only to perform output.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electronic apparatus according to the present invention is an electronic apparatus including one or a plurality of devices, and power supply control is performed to limit power supply for some or all devices including an output device and a display device And information that causes the output device to output the information by releasing the restriction only when information corresponding to the output request is acquired when there is an output request while the restriction is being performed. An output control means and a hardware key that does not require power supply are provided, and an output request is made by operating the hardware key.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to smoothly check the presence / absence of various information acquired during power supply restriction, such as during the energy saving mode, the contents thereof, the internal situation, and the like while suppressing power consumption.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the electronic device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of a control part concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the key operation at the time of performing mode switching and an output request. It is a flowchart which shows the control action according to key operation.

Embodiments of an electronic apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
Here, an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) 1 having a printing function, a scanner function, a FAX function, and a data communication function will be described as an example of an electronic apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 1 mainly includes a main controller 10 and a sub controller 11 having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for controlling the entire apparatus and various arithmetic processes, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing programs and data. 12) The control unit 100 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13 that temporarily stores programs and data as a work area.
The control unit 100 can switch the MFP 1 between a normal mode in which all devices are activated and an energy saving mode that restricts power supply to the devices.

The control unit 100 is mainly activated only during the normal mode and controls the overall operation of the device. The controller 100 also activates during the energy saving mode and controls the operation of some devices activated during the mode. The sub controller 11 that mainly performs various controls during the energy saving mode is provided.
These independent controllers exchange information between each other regularly or irregularly so as to smoothly switch between the normal mode and the energy saving mode.
Specifically, when a job of various functions controlled by the main controller 10 starts or ends, the main controller 10 notifies the sub-controller 11 of the job execution information (the presence or absence and type of the job being executed). . Also, the job result is notified at the end of the job.
In this way, the job execution status and error occurrence status can be managed also on the sub-controller 11 side.
For this reason, even if the mode is shifted to the energy saving mode and the power supply to the main controller 10 is cut off, only the sub-controller 11 can perform the necessary control and control is possible.

The MFP 1 also includes devices for executing various functions.
Specifically, a touch panel (LCD) 20 having an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) used for displaying various information and inputting various instructions, an operation panel (Key) 30 having a numeric keypad and other hardware keys, A scanner 40 for reading a document set on a document plate not to be printed, a print engine 50 for printing on a recording medium using a known electrophotographic process, etc., and an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) 60 capable of storing documents and other data , A communication interface 70 that receives print data transmitted from a personal computer (not shown), and a FAX interface (FAX communication device) 80 that transmits and receives FAX information.

In MFP 1, when there is an output request during the energy saving mode, only when specific information (FAX reception standby document, transmission / reception error occurrence history, etc.) corresponding to the output request is acquired during the energy saving mode. The output device is activated to output.
For this reason, output is not performed when information corresponding to the output request is not acquired. That is, the fact that the requested information does not exist is notified by not outputting the output request.
The control unit 100 according to the present embodiment performs unique control based on the functional blocks shown below in order to realize the above-described operation during energy saving.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the control unit according to the present embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the control unit 100 includes a power supply control unit 101, an acquired information storage unit 102, and an information output control unit 103 as functional blocks.

The power supply control unit 101 limits power supply for a part or all of the devices including the output device and the display device.
Specifically, when the energy saving mode is set, the power supply to the target devices such as the print engine 50 and the touch panel (LCD) is restricted.
The energy saving mode can be set automatically or manually, for example, when a non-operation state continues for a certain time or when the user presses the power button.
In the present embodiment, when the energy saving mode is set, the power supply control unit 101 stops power supply to the touch panel (LCD) 20, the scanner 40, the print engine 50, the HDD 60, and the main controller 10.
However, the communication interface 70, the FAX interface 80, and the sub-controller 11 that controls them have a variety of operational problems such as being unable to receive data from the outside if they are stopped. ing.

The state information storage unit 102 stores various information regarding the MFP 1 acquired during the energy saving mode.
For example, the FAX information received during the energy saving mode and the error information regarding the FAX function acquired during the energy saving mode are stored in the RAM 13 as a FAX reception standby document and transmission / reception error occurrence history information.

When there is an output request while the power supply restriction for the target device is being performed, the information output control unit 103 restricts the power supply to the output device only when the information corresponding to the output request is acquired. Release and output the information.
Specifically, when the user wants to know the internal information of the device during energy saving, etc., when the operation to output the internal information is performed, if the required internal information exists, the output device is activated and output However, the output device is not activated when the required information does not exist.

A print engine 50 (printing apparatus) is assumed as the output device.
For example, when there is a request for outputting FAX information during the energy saving mode, only when the FAX information is received (that is, when the received FAX information (FAX reception standby document) is stored in the RAM 13 or the like), The power supply restriction on the print engine 50 is canceled, and the print engine 50 is activated to perform FAX information print processing.
Also, when there is a request to output error information during the energy saving mode, only when the error information is updated (that is, when the stored error information is different from the content stored as the original error information, etc.) ), The print engine 50 is activated to print the error information.
This is to output information by printing instead of the conventional touch panel display.
For this reason, the power supply control means 101 maintains the power supply restriction on the touch panel (LCD) 20 even when there is an output request during the energy saving mode.

In this way, if specific information is not acquired during the energy saving mode, the user can be informed that there is no information by omitting the output. For this reason, the power consumption in the output device corresponding to the omitted amount can be reduced.
Further, the FAX reception standby document that is originally scheduled to be printed is omitted, and the requested information is confirmed based on the print result. For this reason, the power consumption in the display device corresponding to the omitted amount can be reduced.

Next, operations related to the output request will be described.
The output request is made by operating a hardware key such as a numeric keypad or a button that does not require power supply arranged on the operation panel (Key) 30.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a key operation when performing mode switching and an output request.
As shown in FIG. 3, on the operation panel (Key) 30, a power button 31 that instructs to turn on / off the entire MFP 1 when pressed, a FAX function button 32 that is selected when using the FAX, and “0” to “9”. , “*”, And “#”.
Specific examples using these keys will be described below.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the mode is switched from the energy saving mode to the normal mode, the power button 31 is pressed (for example, a short press).
In addition, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the FAX reception standby document print request is made during the energy saving mode, both the FAX function button 32 and the numeric keypad “1” are pressed.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, when a transmission error occurrence history print request is made during the energy saving mode, both the FAX function button 32 and the numeric keypad “2” are pressed.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3D, when a print request for the reception error occurrence history is made during the energy saving mode, both the FAX function button 32 and the numeric keypad “3” are pressed.
In this way, the output request is made by operating a hardware key that does not require power supply.
This is an operation method that replaces the conventional touch panel operation.
For this reason, even when an output request is made during the energy saving mode, power is not consumed for that purpose, and waste of power supply that has been conventionally performed for the touch panel (LCD) 20 only for the output request can be eliminated. it can.
Hereinafter, specific control operations corresponding to these key operations will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control operation corresponding to a key operation.
As shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the device is in the energy saving mode and the power supply control unit 101 performs power supply limitation on the target device.
Further, it is assumed that only the sub-controller 11 is being activated and the main controller 10 has not been activated.
Here, the sub-controller 11 checks the activation mode (S1). Specifically, it is always monitored whether there is a request for returning to the normal mode, whether there is a request for printing a FAX reception standby document, and whether there is a request for printing a transmission / reception error occurrence history.

When there is a request for returning to the normal mode, the main controller 10 is activated (S2).
Specifically, when a request for returning to the normal mode is made by pressing the power button 31, the sub controller 11 detects this and activates the main controller 10. The sub-controller 11 makes a request for switching the normal mode to the main controller 10, and the main controller 10 switches from the energy saving mode to the normal mode in response to the request. Specifically, the power supply restriction is released and each device is activated.

When there is a print request for a FAX reception standby document, the FAX reception standby document is confirmed (S3).
Specifically, when the FAX function button 32 and the numeric keypad “1” are pressed to make a print request for a FAX reception standby document, the sub-controller 11 detects this, and the FAX reception standby document is stored in the RAM 13. Check if it exists.

If there is a FAX reception standby document, the sub-controller 11 activates the main controller 10 (S4). The sub-controller 11 makes a print request for the standby document to the main controller 10, and the main controller 10 activates the print engine 50 in response to the request. Then, the main controller 10 takes out the FAX reception standby document stored in the RAM 13 and causes the print engine 50 to print it.
If it is confirmed in S3 that there is no FAX reception standby document, the main controller 10 and the print engine 50 are not activated.

When there is a print request for transmission / reception error occurrence history, transmission / reception error occurrence history information is confirmed (S4).
Specifically, when a print request for a transmission / reception error occurrence history is made by pressing the FAX function button 32 and the numeric keypad “2” (in the case of a reception error, numeric keypad “3”), the sub-controller 11 detects this. Then, it is confirmed whether or not the content of the transmission / reception error occurrence history has been updated. The presence / absence of update can be determined, for example, by comparing the date / time of the previous output or by checking the presence / absence of an output flag attached at the time of output.

If the transmission / reception error occurrence history has been updated, the sub-controller 11 activates the main controller 10 (S4). The sub controller 11 makes a print request for the transmission / reception error occurrence history to the main controller 10, and the main controller 10 activates the print engine 50 in response to the request. Then, the main controller 10 takes out the transmission / reception error occurrence history information stored in the RAM 13 and causes the print engine 50 to print it.
If it is confirmed in S4 that the transmission / reception error occurrence history has not been updated, the main controller 10 and the print engine 50 are not activated.

  In this way, when there is an output request during the energy saving mode, the sub controller 11 causes the main controller 10 to release the power supply restriction on the print engine 50 only when information corresponding to the output request is acquired. While the information is output, restrictions on devices other than the print engine 50 are maintained.

As described above, according to the electronic apparatus (MFP 1) of the present embodiment, the power supply control unit 101 performs power supply restriction on a target device, and the acquired information storage unit 102 performs power supply restriction. Only when the information output control means 103 has acquired information corresponding to the output request, the power supply restriction on the output device is canceled and the information acquired during the power supply restriction is output. I am doing so.
That is, even when there is an output request during power supply restriction, if information corresponding to the request is not acquired, the power supply restriction for the target device is maintained including the output device. Yes.
For this reason, it is possible to check the presence / absence and contents of various information such as a FAX reception standby document and transmission / reception error history information acquired during power supply restriction such as in an energy saving mode while suppressing power consumption.

In addition, an output request is made using a hardware key that does not require power supply, and information corresponding to the output request is output by print processing via the print engine 50.
That is, even when there is an output request during the energy saving mode, the power supply restriction for the display device is maintained by not providing information by display.
For this reason, it is not necessary to activate the display device only for the operation related to the output request or for the output as in the conventional case, so that the power consumption can be reduced accordingly.

Furthermore, the electronic device of the present embodiment includes a main controller 10 that performs operation control of a device that is subject to power supply restriction, and a sub-controller 11 that performs operation control of a device that is not subject to power supply restriction.
For this reason, the sub-controller that has received the output request while the power supply is restricted can cause the main controller 10 that is subject to the power supply restriction to smoothly return the output device.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

For example, as an output device that performs power supply control in response to an output request, in addition to the print engine 50, a display device such as a touch panel (LCD) 20 is conceivable. This is because the touch panel (LCD) 20 is not only a display device but also an output device that outputs information by display.
Specifically, when there is an output request during the energy saving mode, the information output control means 103 cancels the power supply restriction on the touch panel (LCD) 20 only when acquiring information corresponding to the output request. To display the corresponding information.
In this case, power is supplied to the touch panel (LCD) 20 only when the requested information is acquired, and the power supply limitation is maintained when the required information is not acquired.
For this reason, even when the display device is an output device, power consumption can be effectively suppressed.
In this respect, the energy saving effect can be improved also in personal computers, portable terminals, information home appliances, and the like that include only a display device as an output device.

Further, the information related to the output request is not limited to the FAX reception standby document or the transmission / reception error occurrence history. For example, it may be print data storage information associated with each user who makes an output request.
Moreover, the aspect controlled collectively by a single controller may be sufficient.

  The present invention can be applied to an electronic apparatus such as an MFP including an output device such as a display panel or a printing apparatus.

1 MFP
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Control part 10 Main controller 11 Sub controller 101 Power supply control means 102 Acquisition information storage means 103 Information output control means 20 Touch panel (LCD)
30 Operation panel (Key)
50 Print engine 80 FAX interface

Claims (8)

An electronic device comprising one or more devices,
Power supply control means for restricting power supply to some or all devices including an output device and a display device; and
When there is an output request while the restriction is being performed, only when information corresponding to the output request is acquired, the information for releasing the restriction on the output device and outputting the information Output control means;
A hardware key that does not require power supply, and
The electronic device is characterized in that the output request is made by operating the hardware key. A FAX communication device that can send and receive FAX information
The power supply control means includes
Limit power supply to devices other than the FAX communication device,
The information output control means includes
When there is a request to output the FAX information while the restriction is being performed, the restriction on the output device is canceled and the FAX information is output only when the FAX information is received. The electronic device according to claim 1. Storing acquisition information storage means for storing error information related to transmission / reception of the FAX information acquired while the restriction is performed;
The information output control means includes
When there is a request for outputting the error information while the restriction is being performed, the error information is output by releasing the restriction on the output device only when the error information is updated. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is an electronic device. A printing apparatus as the output device;
The information output control means includes
When the output request is made while the restriction is being performed, the restriction on the printing apparatus is canceled and the information is printed only when information corresponding to the output request is acquired. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply control unit maintains the restriction on the display device when the output request is made. The display device also serves as the output device,
The information output control means includes
When the output request is made while the restriction is being performed, the restriction on the display device is canceled and the information is displayed only when the information corresponding to the output request is acquired. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein A main controller for controlling the operation of the device subject to the restriction;
A sub controller and a roller for controlling the operation of the device not subject to the restriction,
The sub-controller
When there is an output request while the restriction is being performed, the information for the output device is released by causing the main controller to release the restriction only when information corresponding to the output request is acquired. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the electronic device is made to output. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the sub controller causes the main controller to maintain the restriction on devices other than the output device when the output request is made.

Images