JP2014027629A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify connection of a control system in an image formation device while reducing its power consumption.SOLUTION: A multi-function copying machine 1 comprises: a scan controller 60 for controlling operation of a scanner 10; a print controller 70 for controlling operation of a print engine 20; a UI controller 80 for controlling operation of a touch panel display 30; and a main controller 50 for controlling these three controllers. The controllers are connected in a daisy chain by using Thunderbolt(R) interfaces (controller and cable). After making the Thunderbolt interfaces be in a communicable state by power feeding using the Thunderbolt interfaces, the main controller 50 controls feeding/non-feeding of the scanner 10, print engine 20, and touch panel display 30.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  As a prior art described in the publication, a scanner control unit for reading an image of a document, a writing control unit for writing an image on an image carrier, and a main control unit for controlling the entire apparatus are provided. Some digital copying machines use a high-speed serial interface as an internal interface (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-16382 A

  An object of the present invention is to simplify the connection of a control system in an image forming apparatus and to reduce power consumption.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a reading control means for controlling an image reading operation for reading an image, a formation control means for controlling an image forming operation for forming an image, and a display control means for controlling an image display operation for displaying an image. Between the reading control means, the formation control means, and the display control means, and the overall control means, the overall control means, the reading control means, the formation control means, and the display control means. In order to exchange data, the overall control means, the reading control means, the formation control means, and a connection means for daisy chain connecting the display control means, the overall control means, the connection means and the display In a state where power is supplied to the control means, power supply / non-power supply to the reading control means and the formation control means is controlled according to the received instruction. It is an image forming apparatus according to claim.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the connection means includes a read connection section connected to the read control means, a formation connection section connected to the formation control means, and a display connection section connected to the display control means. And a general connection part connected to the general control means in a daisy chain connection so that power can be supplied from the general connection part to the reading connection part, the forming connection part and the display connection part. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the connection means includes first image data obtained by serializing read image data obtained in the image reading operation and formation image data used in the image forming operation with a first protocol, and the image. 3. The image according to claim 1, wherein the second serial data obtained by serializing the display image data used in the display operation by the second protocol is transmitted as third serial data obtained by protocol conversion by the third protocol. Forming device.
The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the first protocol is PCIExpress (registered trademark), the second protocol is DisplayPort (trademark), and the third protocol is Thunderbolt (registered trademark). The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, a reading control unit that controls an image reading operation for reading an image, a formation control unit that controls an image forming operation for forming an image, and a display control unit that controls an image display operation for displaying an image And an overall control unit that controls the reading control unit, the formation control unit, and the display control unit, and the reading control unit, the formation control unit, the display control unit, and the overall control unit are configured using a Thunderbolt interface. Daisy-chain connection, and the overall control unit is capable of transferring data through the Thunderbolt interface when power is supplied through the Thunderbolt interface, and the reading control unit, the formation control unit, and the display control unit The image forming apparatus is characterized in that power supply / non-power supply is controlled.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the overall control unit receives an instruction relating to the image reading operation, the overall control unit performs control to supply power to the reading control unit and not to supply power to the formation control unit. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when an instruction relating to the image forming operation is received, control is performed to supply power to the formation control unit and not to supply power to the reading control unit. It is.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the connection of the control system in the image forming apparatus can be simplified and the power consumption can be reduced as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the connection between the control system and the power feeding system in the image forming apparatus can be simplified as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of different types of data can be transmitted together as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.
According to invention of Claim 4, compared with the case where it does not have this structure, a connection means is realizable by a general purpose product.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the connection of the control system in the image forming apparatus can be simplified and the power consumption can be reduced as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to perform an appropriate power supply setting according to the content of the requested job, as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a multi-function copying machine according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a power supply system of each controller constituting the multi-function copying machine according to the first embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the internal structure of a Thunderbolt controller. It is a figure for demonstrating transmission / reception of the data by several Thunderbolt controllers. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a power supply setting procedure in the multi-function copying machine. 6 is a diagram for explaining a power supply target and a data flow in the wait mode according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a power supply target and a data flow in the print mode according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a power supply target and a data flow in the scan mode according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a power supply target and a data flow in the copy mode according to the first embodiment. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure which displays the image data used as the object of a job on a touchscreen display. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a multi-function copying machine according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a power supply system of each controller constituting the multi-function copying machine of Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a power supply target and a data flow in the wait mode according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a power supply target and a data flow in a print mode according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a power supply target and a data flow in a scan mode according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a power supply target and a data flow in the copy mode according to the second embodiment. FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the multi-function copying machine 1 according to the first embodiment.
A multi-function copying machine 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus has a scanning function, a printing function, and a facsimile function (facsimile transmission function and facsimile reception function) in addition to a copying function (copying function). And connected to various devices (not shown) provided outside. Here, examples of the network 2 include a LAN (Local Area Network), an Internet line, a telephone line, and the like.

  The multi-function copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a scanner 10 that reads an image recorded on a document, a print engine 20 that forms an image on a recording material such as paper, and a scan function, print function, and copy function from a user. And a touch panel display 30 for receiving instructions related to operations using the facsimile function and displaying video information such as messages to the user. The multi-function copying machine 1 includes a main controller 50 that controls the entire operation of the multi-function copying machine 1, a scan controller 60 that controls the operation of the scanner 10 under the control of the main controller 50, and a control performed by the main controller 50. Are further provided with a print controller 70 that controls the operation of the print engine 20 and a UI controller 80 that controls the operation of the touch panel display 30 under the control of the main controller 50.

  In the present embodiment, the main controller 50, the scan controller 60, the print controller 70, and the UI controller 80 constituting the multi-function copying machine 1 are replaced with Thunderbolt (Thunderbolt: registered trademark, hereinafter referred to as “high-speed general-purpose data transmission technology”. It is indicated by “TB”. That is, in the multi-function copying machine 1, the main controller 50 and the UI controller 80 are connected by a thunderbolt cable (referred to as a TB cable) 40, the UI controller 80 and the print controller 70 are connected by a TB cable 40, and printing is performed. The controller 70 and the scan controller 60 are connected by a TB cable 40. Therefore, in the multi-function copying machine 1, the main controller 50, the UI controller 80, the print controller 70, and the scan controller 60 are daisy chain-connected using the three TB cables 40 in this order.

Here, Thunderbolt (TB) will be briefly described.
TB is one of bus standards for connecting various peripheral devices to a host device.

  In TB, data packetized using an embedded clock method is transmitted point-to-point by a serial transfer method and a full-duplex line communication method using balanced transmission paths. Also, in TB, a plurality of data defined by different protocols (bus standards) is converted into a TB protocol, and transmission between devices is performed using the converted data (data defined by the TB protocol). Do. At present, the protocols that can be used in TB are PCI Express (registered trademark, hereinafter referred to as “PCIe”), which is one of high-speed general-purpose bus standards, and Display Port (trademark), which is one of video output standards. In the following, it is expressed as “DP”). As described above, in the TB, general-purpose data to be transmitted by PCIe and video data to be transmitted by DP can be mixed and transmitted. However, theoretically, in addition to PCIe and DP, USB (Universal Serial Bus), SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment), and HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) can also be transmitted by TB.

In addition, TB supports star connection and daisy chain connection as well as IEEE 1394, which is one of known high-speed serial bus standards, and also supports plug and play and hot plug.
Further, in the TB, there are a cable using a copper wire and a cable using an optical fiber as the TB cable 40, but when a copper wire is used as the TB cable 40, power is supplied via the TB cable 40. Can be done. In the present embodiment, the TB cable 40 having a copper wire is used. The power supply capability in TB (maximum 10 W at present) is stronger than the power supply capability in USB (for example, maximum 4.5 W in USB 3.0). As described above, the TB according to the present embodiment includes a power feeding unit for performing power feeding and a transmission unit for performing data transmission.

  Next, each configuration of the main controller 50, the scan controller 60, the print controller 70, and the UI controller 80 will be described in order.

  First, a main controller 50 as an example of an overall control unit is connected to an MCU (Micro Control Unit) 51 that controls each part of the multi-function copying machine 1 by executing various calculations, and is connected to other controllers. An M-TBC (Thunderbolt Controller) 52 that controls transmission / reception of data conforming to the TB standard is provided with the (scan controller 60, print controller 70, UI controller 80). The MCU 51 is connected to an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 53 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 54, and is also connected to the network 2 described above. Therefore, the multi-function copying machine 1 of the present embodiment is connected to the external network 2 via the main controller 50.

  The MCU 51 provided in the main controller 50 includes control data for controlling the operation of each unit constituting the multi-function copying machine 1, image data read from the document by the scanner 10 (referred to as scan data: corresponding to read image data), and print. Image data to be formed on a recording material using the engine 20 (referred to as print data: corresponding to formed image data), image data to be displayed on the touch panel display 30 via the UI controller 80 (referred to as display data: corresponding to display image data) ) And the network 2 provided outside the main controller 50, the HDD 53, and the RAM 54, and the data is sent to and received from the main controller 50. With M-TBC52 In incorporates various input and output circuits for exchanging data. Here, the MCU 51 as an example of the overall control means is connected to the network 2 by, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark), connected to the HDD 53 by, for example, SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment), and, for example, by DDR3 (Double-Data-Rate 3). Connected to the RAM 54. The MCU 51 is connected to the M-TBC 52 by both PCIe and DP.

  In addition, the M-TBC 52 as an example of the general connection unit provided in the main controller 50 is data transmitted from the MCU 51 that conforms to the PCIe standard (referred to as PCIe data) and data that conforms to the DP standard. (Referred to as DP data) is converted into data conforming to the TB standard (referred to as TB data) and output to the UI controller 80. Further, the M-TBC 52 converts TB data input from the UI controller 80 with the MCU 51 as a target (destination) into PCIe data and DP data, and outputs the data to the MCU 51.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the above-described control data, scan data, and print data are transmitted as PCIe data (or TB data based on PCIe data). On the other hand, the display data described above is transmitted as DP data (or TB data based on DP data).

  The main controller 50 according to the present embodiment is configured by a mounting board formed by mounting the MCU 51 and the M-TBC 52 on a wiring board (not shown). In this example, the HDD 53 and the RAM 54 are arranged outside the main controller 50, but they may be mounted on the main controller 50 together with the MCU 51 and the M-TBC 52.

  Next, a scan controller 60 as an example of an image reading control unit is connected to the scanner 10 to control the operation of the scanner 10 and performs various processes on image data (scan data) input from the scanner 10 S. An application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 61 and an S-TBC 62 that is connected to the S-ASIC 61 and exchanges TB data with other controllers (main controller 50, print controller 70, UI controller 80). I have.

  The S-ASIC 61 provided in the scan controller 60 transmits and receives data to and from the scanner 10 provided outside the scan controller 60 and also transmits data to and from the S-TBC 62 provided in the scan controller 60. Various input / output circuits (not shown) for transmitting / receiving are provided. Here, the S-ASIC 61 as an example of the image reading control unit is connected to the scanner 10 by PCIe, for example, and is connected to the S-TBC 62 by PCIe.

  An S-TBC 62 provided as an example of a reading connection unit provided in the scan controller 60 converts PCIe data sent from the S-ASIC 61 into TB data and outputs the TB data to the print controller 70. Further, the S-TBC 62 converts TB data input from the print controller 70 with the S-ASIC 61 as a target (destination) into PCIe data, and outputs the PCIe data to the S-ASIC 61.

  In this embodiment, since it is not necessary to use DP data in the S-ASIC 61, the S-ASIC 61 and the S-TBC 62 are connected only by PCIe. However, if necessary, the S-ASIC 61 and the S-TBC 62 may be further connected by DP.

  The scan controller 60 of the present embodiment is configured by a mounting board in which an S-ASIC 61 and an S-TBC 62 are mounted on a wiring board (not shown). The scan controller 60 may be built in the scanner 10.

  Further, a print controller 70 as an example of an image formation control unit is connected to the print engine 20 to control the operation of the print engine 20 and perform various processes on image data (print data) input from the main controller 50. P-ASIC 71 to be applied, and P-TBC 72 connected to P-ASIC 71 and transferring TB data to and from other controllers (main controller 50, scan controller 60, UI controller 80).

  A P-ASIC 71 provided in the print controller 70 exchanges data with the print engine 20 provided outside the print controller 70, and also exchanges data with the P-TBC 72 provided inside the print controller 70. Various input / output circuits (not shown) for exchanging data are incorporated. Here, the P-ASIC 71 as an example of the image formation control unit is connected to the print engine 20 by PCIe, for example, and is connected to the P-TBC 72 by PCIe.

  A P-TBC 72 provided as an example of the formation connection unit provided in the print controller 70 converts PCIe data sent from the P-ASIC 71 into TB data and outputs the TB data to the UI controller 80 or the scan controller 60. . Further, the P-TBC 72 converts TB data input from the UI controller 80 or the scan controller 60 with the P-ASIC 71 as a target (destination) into PCIe data, and outputs the PCIe data to the P-ASIC 71. Furthermore, the P-TBC 72 directs the TB data input from the scan controller 60 (or the UI controller 80) as a target (destination) other than the P-ASIC 71 to the UI controller 80 (or the scan controller 60) as it is. Output (transfer).

  In this embodiment, since it is not necessary to use DP data in the P-ASIC 71, the P-ASIC 71 and the P-TBC 72 are connected only by PCIe. However, if necessary, the P-ASIC 71 and the P-TBC 72 may be further connected by DP.

  The print controller 70 of the present embodiment is configured by a mounting board in which a P-ASIC 71 and a P-TBC 72 are mounted on a wiring board (not shown). Note that the print controller 70 may be incorporated in the print engine 20.

  Subsequently, the UI controller 80 as an example of the image display control unit is connected to the touch panel display 30 to control the operation of the touch panel display 30 and perform various processes on the image data (display data) input from the main controller 50. The U-ASIC 81 is provided, and the U-TBC 82 is connected to the U-ASIC 81 and exchanges TB data with other controllers (the main controller 50, the scan controller 60, and the print controller 70).

  A U-ASIC 81 provided in the UI controller 80 transmits and receives data to and from the touch panel display 30 provided outside the UI controller 80, and also communicates with a U-TBC 82 provided in the UI controller 80. Various input / output circuits (not shown) for exchanging data are incorporated. Here, the U-ASIC 81 as an example of the image display control unit is connected to the touch panel display 30 by, for example, both PCIe and DP, and is connected to the U-TBC 82 by both PCIe and DP. At this time, the control signal or the like of the touch panel display 30 may be transmitted using the DP sideband CH instead of PCIe.

  A U-TBC 82 provided as an example of a display connection unit provided in the UI controller 80 converts PCIe data and DP data sent from the U-ASIC 81 into TB data, and sends it to the main controller 50 or the print controller 70. Output. Further, the U-TBC 82 converts TB data input from the main controller 50 or the print controller 70 with the U-ASIC 81 as a target (destination) into PCIe data and DP data, and outputs the data to the U-ASIC 81. Furthermore, the U-TBC 82 directs the TB data input from the main controller 50 (or the print controller 70) as a target (destination) other than the U-ASIC 81 to the print controller 70 (or the main controller 50) as it is. Output (transfer).

  The UI controller 80 according to the present embodiment is configured by a mounting board in which a U-ASIC 81 and a U-TBC 82 are mounted on a wiring board (not shown). Note that the UI controller 80 may be built in the touch panel display 30.

  From the viewpoint of TB, the main controller 50 is a “host device”, and the scan controller 60, the print controller 70, and the UI controller 80 are “peripheral devices”. From the viewpoint of PCIe, the main controller 50 is a “root complex”, and the scan controller 60, the print controller 70, and the UI controller 80 are “endpoints”. Further, from the viewpoint of DP, the main controller 50 is a “source device”, and the UI controller 80 (touch panel display 30) is a “sink device”.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the power supply system of each controller constituting the multi-function copying machine 1 according to the first embodiment.
The multi-function copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment further includes a power supply unit 100 that supplies power to each unit constituting the multi-function copying machine 1, and a power switch 101 that sets power supply / non-power supply to each unit.

  The power switch 101 includes a first switch 101 a for setting power supply / non-power supply to the main controller 50 (MCU 51, M-TBC 52, HDD 53, and RAM 54), and power supply / non-power supply to the U-ASIC 81 in the touch panel display 30 and UI controller 80. The second switch 101b for setting the power supply, the third switch 101c for setting the power supply / non-power supply to the P-ASIC 71 in the print engine 20 and the print controller 70, and the power supply / non-power supply to the S-ASIC 61 in the scanner 10 and the scan controller 60. A fourth switch 101d for setting power supply. The MCU 51 provided in the main controller 50 controls ON / OFF of the first switch 101 a to the fourth switch 101 d provided in the power switch 101.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the M-TBC 52 in the main controller 50 is directly supplied with power from the power supply unit 100. On the other hand, the U-TBC 82 in the UI controller 80, the P-TBC 72 in the print controller 70, and the S-TBC 62 in the scan controller 60 use the TB power supply function, and indirectly through the M-TBC 52 and the TB cable 40. Is receiving power supply. More specifically, the U-TBC 82 is supplied with power from the M-TBC 52, the P-TBC 72 is supplied with power from the M-TBC 52 via the U-TBC 82, and the S-TBC 62 is connected to the U-TBC 82 and the P-TBC 82. The power supply is received from the M-TBC 52 via the -TBC 72. Therefore, the MCU 51 and the M-TBC 52 are collectively controlled by the main controller 50, whereas the U-ASIC 81 and the U-TBC 82 are independently controlled by the UI controller 80, and the P- is controlled by the print controller 70. The ASIC 71 and the P-TBC 72 are independently controlled for power supply. In the scan controller 60, the S-ASIC 61 and the S-TBC 62 are independently controlled for power supply.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an internal configuration of a Thunderbolt controller (TBC) provided in each of the main controller 50, the scan controller 60, the print controller 70, and the UI controller 80. Here, FIG. 3A shows an internal configuration of the S-TBC 62 provided in the scan controller 60 (see FIG. 1), and FIG. 3B is provided in the UI controller 80 (see FIG. 1). The internal structure of U-TBC82 is shown.

  First, the S-TBC 62 shown in FIG. 3A includes a PCIe interface (hereinafter, referred to as “PCIeIF”) 91 that exchanges PCIe data, and a DP interface (hereinafter, “DPIF”) that exchanges DP data. 92), a TB interface (hereinafter referred to as “TBIF”) 93 for transmitting / receiving TB data, and PCIe IF 91, DPIF 92, and TBIF 93, respectively, are subjected to protocol conversion on PCIe data and DP data, and TB data. And a protocol conversion / power supply setting unit 94 that performs the protocol conversion on the TB data to generate PCIe data and DP data, and performs power supply settings via the TBIF 93.

  On the other hand, the U-TBC 82 shown in FIG. 3B includes, in addition to the PCIe IF 91, DPIF 92, TBIF 93, and protocol conversion / power supply setting unit 94 described above, another TBIF 95 that exchanges TB data separately from the TBIF 93. Yes. Here, in the U-TBC 82, in addition to the PCIe IF 91, DPIF 92, and TBIF 93, other TBIF 95 is also connected to the protocol conversion / power supply setting unit 94. Then, the protocol conversion / power supply setting unit 94 in the U-TBC 82 performs power supply setting via the TBIF 93 and other TBIF 95.

  That is, in the S-TBC 62 shown in FIG. 3A, the input / output of the TB is one system (1 port: TBIF93), whereas in the U-TBC 82 shown in FIG. The difference is that there are two systems (2 ports: TBIF93 and other TBIF95). In this embodiment, the S-TBC 62 shown in FIG. 3A and the M-TBC 52 (see FIG. 1) provided in the main controller 50 have a common internal configuration (1 port). The U-TBC 82 shown in FIG. 3B and the P-TBC 72 (see FIG. 1) provided in the print controller 70 have a common internal configuration (2 ports).

  Here, the S-TBC 62 shown in FIG. 3A includes the PCIe IF 91 and the DPIF 92, but as described above, the S-ASIC 61 does not need to use DP data. Therefore, in the S-TBC 62, the PCIe IF 91 is used for connection to the S-ASIC 61, while the DPIF 92 is not used for connection to the S-ASIC 61.

  On the other hand, the P-TBC 72 having the same configuration as the U-TBC 82 shown in FIG. 3B has the PCIe IF 91 and the DPIF 92. However, as described above, the P-ASIC 71 needs to use DP data. Absent. For this reason, in the P-TBC 72, the PCIe IF 91 is used for connection to the P-ASIC 71, while the DPIF 92 is not used for connection to the P-ASIC 71.

  Further, in the U-TBC 82 (P-TBC 72) shown in FIG. 3B, the TB data input via the TBIF 93 is passed through the protocol conversion / power supply setting unit 94 as described with reference to FIG. Thus, the data can be output (transferred) to the outside via the other TBIF 95 as it is, and the TB data inputted through the other TBIF 95 is passed through the protocol conversion / power supply setting unit 94. The data can be output (transferred) to the outside via the TBIF 93 as it is. That is, the U-TBC 82 and the P-TBC 72 also have a function as a repeater.

  In this example, as the S-TBC 62 and the M-TBC 52, the one-port structure shown in FIG. 3A is used, but the two-port structure shown in FIG. 3B may be used. Absent.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining data exchange by a plurality of Thunderbolt controllers (TBCs). Here, FIG. 4A shows data transfer by two Thunderbolt controllers (TBC-A201 and TBC-B202), and FIG.4B shows three Thunderbolt controllers (TBC-A201, TBC-). B202 and TBC-C203). 4A shows an example of sending data from TBC-A 201 to TBC-B 202, and FIG. 4B shows data sent from TBC-A 201 to TBC-C 203 via TBC-B 202. The case of sending is illustrated.

  Here, in the example shown in FIG. 4A, both TBC-A 201 and TBC-B 202 are replaced with one-port TBC (see FIG. 3A) or two-port TBC (see FIG. 3B). Can be configured. In the example shown in FIG. 4 (b), both TBC-A201 and TBC-C203 are replaced with 1-port TBC (see FIG. 3 (a)) or 2-port TBC (see FIG. 3 (b)). The TBC-B 202 can be configured with a two-port TBC (see FIG. 3B).

First, a case where data is transmitted from TBC-A 201 to TBC-B 202 as a destination will be described with reference to FIG.
To the TBC-A 201, PCIe data D (PCIe) is input by PCIe as an example of the first protocol, and DP data D (DP) is input by DP as an example of the second protocol. Here, the PCIe data D (PCIe) as an example of the first serial data is composed of serial data packetized using the embedded clock method, and the DP data D (DP) as an example of the second serial data. Is also composed of serial data packetized using the embedded clock method.

  Next, in the TBC-A 201, the input PCIe data D (PCIe) and DP data D (DP) are subjected to protocol conversion by TB as an example of the third protocol, and an example of third serial data including both TB data D (TB) is created. Here, the TB data D (TB) is composed of serial data in which the original PCIe data D (PCIe) and DP data D (DP) are mixed. At this time, the TBC-A 201 adds destination information to each packet constituting the TB data D (TB). In this example, information indicating that the destination is the TBC-B 202 is added to each packet constituting the TB data D (TB).

  Then, the TBC-A 201 outputs the created TB data D (TB) toward the TBC-B 202 via the TB cable 40.

  Subsequently, the TBC-B 202 receives TB data D (TB) input from the TBC-A 201 via the TB cable 40. Next, the TBC-B 202 refers to each packet of the received TB data D (TB) and determines whether or not the destination is itself (TBC-B 202). The TBC-B 202 extracts the packet sent to itself from the received TB data D (TB), performs protocol conversion, and restores the PCIe data D (PCIe) and DP data D (DP). To do. In this example, since all the destinations of the TB data D (TB) sent from the TBC-A 201 are TBC-B 202, the TBC-B 202 constitutes the received TB data D (TB). Protocol conversion is applied to all packets.

Then, the TBC-B 202 outputs PCIe data D (PCIe) obtained by the restoration by PCIe, and outputs DP data D (DP) obtained by the restoration by DP.
As described above, the delivery of data destined for TBC-B 202 from TBC-A 201 is completed.

Next, a case where data is transmitted from the TBC-A 201 to the TBC-C 203 as a destination will be described with reference to FIG.
To the TBC-A 201, PCIe data D (PCIe) is input by PCIe, and DP data D (DP) is input by DP.

  Next, the TBC-A 201 performs protocol conversion on the input PCIe data D (PCIe) and DP data D (DP), and creates TB data D (TB) including both. At this time, the TBC-A 201 adds destination information to each packet constituting the TB data D (TB). In this example, information indicating that the destination is TBC-C203 is added to each packet constituting the TB data D (TB).

  Then, the TBC-A 201 outputs the created TB data D (TB) toward the TBC-B 202 via the TB cable 40.

  Subsequently, the TBC-B 202 receives TB data D (TB) input from the TBC-A 201 via the TB cable 40. Next, the TBC-B 202 refers to each packet of the received TB data D (TB) and determines whether or not the destination is itself (TBC-B 202). The TBC-B 202 extracts the packet sent to itself from the received TB data D (TB), performs protocol conversion, and restores the PCIe data D (PCIe) and DP data D (DP). To do. In this example, since all the destinations of the TB data D (TB) sent from the TBC-A 201 are TBC-C 203, the TBC-B 202 constitutes the received TB data D (TB). All packets are output (transferred) to the TBC-C 203 via the TB cable 40 without being subjected to protocol conversion.

  Subsequently, the TBC-C 203 receives TB data D (TB) input from the TBC-B 202 via the TB cable 40. Next, the TBC-C 203 refers to each packet of the received TB data D (TB) and determines whether or not the destination is itself (TBC-C 203). The TBC-C 203 extracts the packet sent to itself from the received TB data D (TB), performs protocol conversion, and restores the PCIe data D (PCIe) and DP data D (DP). To do. In this example, since all the destinations of the TB data D (TB) sent from the TBC-A 201 are TBC-C 203, the TBC-C 203 constitutes the received TB data D (TB). Protocol conversion is applied to all packets.

Then, the TBC-C 203 outputs PCIe data D (PCIe) obtained by the restoration by PCIe, and outputs DP data D (DP) obtained by the restoration by DP.
Thus, the delivery of data destined for TBC-C203 from TBC-A201 is completed.

Next, power supply control in the multifunction copier 1 shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a power supply setting procedure in the multi-function copying machine 1 of the present embodiment.

  When the main power source provided in the multi-function copying machine 1 is turned on (step 10), all of the first switch 101a to the fourth switch 101d provided in the power switch 101 are turned on. Accordingly, power supply from the power supply unit 100 to the main controller 50 (MCU 51, M-TBC 52, HDD 53, and RAM 54) is started via the first switch 101a, and the touch panel display 30 and UI controller 80 are started via the second switch 101b. Power supply to the U-ASIC 81 is started, power supply to the P-ASIC 71 of the print engine 20 and the print controller 70 is started via the third switch 101c, and S-- of the scanner 10 and the scan controller 60 is started via the fourth switch 101d. Power supply to the ASIC 61 is started. In addition, as power supply to the M-TBC 52 provided in the main controller 50 is started, power supply to the U-TBC 82 of the UI controller 80 is started via the TB cable 40, and the U-TBC 82 via the TB cable 40 is started. Then, power supply to the P-TBC 72 of the print controller 70 is started, and power supply to the S-TBC 62 of the scan controller 60 is started from the P-TBC 72 via the TB cable 40.

  Subsequently, the main controller 50, the scan controller 60, the print controller 70, and the UI controller 80 each perform initialization (step 20). After the initialization of each controller is completed, the main controller 50 initializes the thunderbolt (TB) (step 30), the M-TBC 52 provided in the main controller 50, and the S provided in the scan controller 60. Communication between the TBC 62, the P-TBC 72 provided in the print controller 70, and the U-TBC 82 provided in the UI controller 80 is established. In addition, communication between the U-ASIC 81 and the touch panel display 30, communication between the P-ASIC 71 and the print engine 20, and communication between the S-ASIC 61 and the scanner 10 are established. As a result, the multi-function copying machine 1 is set to a state in which a copying operation, a scanning operation, a printing operation, and a facsimile transmission / reception operation can be performed.

  Next, the MCU 51 provided in the main controller 50 switches both the third switch 101c and the fourth switch 101d provided in the power switch 101 from on to off, thereby causing a P-ASIC 71 provided in the print controller 70. The power supply to the S-ASIC 61 provided in the scan controller 60 is stopped (step 40). In step 40, power supply to the print engine 20 and the scanner 10 is also stopped.

  Accordingly, among the controllers constituting the multi-function copying machine 1, the main controller 50 (MCU 51, M-TBC 52, HDD 53 and RAM 54), UI controller 80 (U-ASIC 81, U-TBC 82), P in the print controller 70. Power is supplied to the TBC 72 and the S-TBC 62 in the scan controller 60, while the P-ASIC 71 in the print controller 70 and the S-ASIC 61 in the scan controller 60 are not supplied with power. This state is referred to as “wait mode WM (corresponding to standby mode)”. Here, in the wait mode WM, it is impossible to immediately execute a copy operation, a scan operation, a print operation, a facsimile transmission / reception operation, etc., but the M-TBC 52, U-TBC 82, P-TBC 72 and S-TBC 62 are used. Communication between the controllers is possible.

  Thereafter, the MCU 51 provided in the main controller 50 includes, for example, a job including a print instruction (or facsimile reception instruction) via the network 2 and a copy instruction (or scan instruction or facsimile transmission instruction) via the touch panel display 30. It is determined whether a start instruction has been accepted (step 50). At this time, since the multifunction copier 1 continues to supply power to the main controller 50 and the UI controller 80, these job start instructions can be received even in the wait mode WM. Yes.

  If a negative determination (NO) is made in step 50, the main controller 50 continues to wait for acceptance of a job start instruction. On the other hand, if a positive determination (YES) is made in step 50, the main controller 50 determines whether or not the content of the accepted job start instruction is a print instruction or a facsimile reception instruction (step 60).

  When an affirmative determination (YES) is made in step 60, the main controller 50 switches the third switch 101 c provided in the power switch 101 from OFF to ON, thereby allowing the P-ASIC 71 provided in the print controller 70 to be turned on. The power supply is resumed (step 70), and then the communication between the P-ASIC 71 and the print engine 20 is reestablished (step 80). In step 70, power supply to the print engine 20 is also resumed.

  Along with this, the main controller 50 (MCU 51, M-TBC 52, HDD 53 and RAM 54), UI controller 80 (U-ASIC 81, U-TBC 82), print controller 70 (P The ASIC 71 and the P-TBC 72) and the S-TBC 62 in the scan controller 60 are supplied with power, while the S-ASIC 61 in the scan controller 60 is not supplied with power. This state is referred to as “print mode PM (corresponding to image forming mode)”.

  Then, after the transition from the wait mode WM to the print mode PM is completed, the main controller 50 starts the job accepted in step 50 (in this case, printing or facsimile reception) (step 140).

  On the other hand, if a negative determination (NO) is made in step 60, the main controller 50 next determines whether the content of the accepted job start instruction is a scan instruction or a facsimile transmission instruction (step 90). .

  When an affirmative determination (YES) is made in step 90, the main controller 50 switches the fourth switch 101 d provided in the power switch 101 from off to on, so that the S-ASIC 61 provided in the scan controller 60 is switched. The power supply is resumed (step 100), and then the communication between the S-ASIC 61 and the scanner 10 is reestablished (step 110). In step 100, power supply to the scanner 10 is also resumed.

  Accordingly, among the controllers constituting the multi-function copying machine 1, the main controller 50 (MCU 51, M-TBC 52, HDD 53 and RAM 54), UI controller 80 (U-ASIC 81, U-TBC 82), scan controller 60 (S The ASIC 61 and the S-TBC 62) and the P-TBC 72 in the print controller 70 are supplied with power, while the P-ASIC 71 in the print controller 70 is not supplied with power. This state is referred to as “scan mode SM (corresponding to image reading mode)”.

  Then, after the transition from the wait mode WM to the scan mode SM is completed, the main controller 50 starts the job (in this case, scan or facsimile transmission) received in step 50 (step 140).

  On the other hand, if a negative determination (NO) is made in step 90, that is, if the content of the job start instruction is a copy instruction, the main controller 50 sets the third switch 101c and the fourth switch 101d provided in the power switch 101. Are switched from off to on, power supply to the S-ASIC 61 provided in the scan controller 60 and the P-ASIC 71 provided in the print controller 70 is resumed (step 120). Subsequently, the S-ASIC 61 and the scanner are resumed. 10 and the communication between the P-ASIC 71 and the print engine 20 are reestablished (step 130). In step 120, power supply to the scanner 10 and the print engine 20 is also resumed.

  Accordingly, among the controllers constituting the multi-function copying machine 1, the main controller 50 (MCU 51, M-TBC 52, HDD 53 and RAM 54), UI controller 80 (U-ASIC 81, U-TBC 82), scan controller 60 (S Power is supplied to the ASIC 61 and the S-TBC 62) and the print controller 70 (P-ASIC 71 and P-TBC 72). This state is called “copy mode CM (corresponding to copy mode)”.

  Then, after the transition from the wait mode WM to the copy mode CM is completed, the main controller 50 starts the job (copy in this case) received in step 50 (step 140).

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a power supply target and a data flow in the wait mode WM.
In the wait mode WM that does not execute a job, power is supplied to the hatched portion in the figure. In the wait mode WM, display data (indicated by a two-dot chain line in the figure) used for displaying an image on the touch panel display 30 flows. The display data is created by the MCU 51 in the main controller 50, passes through the M-TBC 52, and is output toward the UI controller 80. Display data input to the UI controller 80 passes through the U-TBC 82 and the U-ASIC 81 in the UI controller 80 and is output to the touch panel display 30. At this time, the U-ASIC 81 performs various processes on the display data that passes through.

  As described above, in the wait mode WM, data does not flow to the P-ASIC 71 provided in the print controller 70 and the S-ASIC 61 provided in the scan controller 60. Therefore, power supply to the P-ASIC 71 and S-ASIC 61 is unnecessary. It becomes.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a power supply target and a data flow in the print mode PM.
In the print mode PM that executes printing or facsimile reception as a job, power is supplied to the hatched portions in the figure. In the print mode PM, in addition to the display data described above (indicated by a two-dot chain line in the figure), print data (indicated by a one-dot chain line in the figure) flows. The print data is input from the network 2 to the main controller 50, passes through the MCU 51 and the M-TBC 52 in the main controller 50, and is output toward the UI controller 80. At this time, the MCU 51 performs various processes on the print data that passes. The print data input to the UI controller 80 passes through the U-TBC 82 in the UI controller 80 and is output to the print controller 70 as it is. The print data input to the print controller 70 passes through the P-TBC 72 and the P-ASIC 71 in the print controller 70 and is output to the print engine 20. At this time, the P-ASIC 71 performs various processes on the print data passing therethrough.

  As described above, in the print mode PM, data does not flow to the S-ASIC 61 provided in the scan controller 60, and thus power supply to the S-ASIC 61 is not necessary.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a power supply target and a data flow in the scan mode SM.
In the scan mode SM in which scanning or facsimile transmission is performed as a job, power is supplied to the hatched portions in the drawing. In the scan mode SM, in addition to the display data described above (indicated by a two-dot chain line in the figure), scan data (indicated by a broken line in the figure) flows. The scan data is input from the scanner 10 to the scan controller 60, passes through the S-ASIC 61 and S-TBC 62 in the scan controller 60, and is output toward the print controller 70. At this time, the S-ASIC 61 performs various processes on the scan data that passes. The scan data input to the print controller 70 passes through the P-TBC 72 in the print controller 70 and is output to the UI controller 80 as it is. The scan data input to the UI controller 80 passes through the U-TBC 82 in the UI controller 80 and is output to the main controller 50 as it is. The scan data input to the main controller 50 passes through the M-TBC 52 and the MCU 51 in the main controller 50 and is output to the network 2. At this time, the MCU 51 performs various processes on the scan data that passes therethrough.

  As described above, in the scan mode SM, data does not flow to the P-ASIC 71 provided in the print controller 70, and thus power supply to the P-ASIC 71 is not necessary.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a power supply target and a data flow in the copy mode CM.
In the copy mode CM that executes copying as a job, power is supplied to the hatched portion in the figure. In the copy mode CM, in addition to the display data (shown by a two-dot chain line in the drawing), copy data (shown by a solid line in the drawing) flows. The copy data is input from the scanner 10 to the scan controller 60, passes through the S-ASIC 61 and S-TBC 62 in the scan controller 60, and is output toward the print controller 70. At this time, the S-ASIC 61 performs various processes on the copy data that passes. The copy data input to the print controller 70 passes through the P-TBC 72 in the print controller 70 and is output to the UI controller 80 as it is. The copy data input to the UI controller 80 passes through the U-TBC 82 in the UI controller 80 and is output to the main controller 50 as it is. The copy data input to the main controller 50 passes through the M-TBC 52 and MCU 51 in the main controller 50, passes through the M-TBC 52 again, and is output toward the UI controller 80. At this time, the MCU 51 performs various processes on the copy data that passes. The copy data input to the UI controller 80 passes through the U-TBC 82 in the UI controller 80 and is output to the print controller 70 as it is. The copy data input to the print controller 70 passes through the P-TBC 72 and the P-ASIC 71 in the print controller 70 and is output to the print engine 20. At this time, the P-ASIC 71 performs various processes on the copy data that passes.

  As described above, in the copy mode CM, since data flows to the P-ASIC 71 provided in the print controller 70 and the S-ASIC 61 provided in the scan controller 60, power supply to the P-ASIC 71 and S-ASIC 61 is required. Become.

  In this embodiment, the print data, the scan data, and the copy data always pass through the UI controller 80, and the image data (print data, the scan data, and the copy data) that is the object of the job is changed. The touch panel display 30 connected to the UI controller 80 can be displayed.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for displaying image data to be processed on the touch panel display 30.
When the job is started (corresponding to step 210 shown in FIG. 5 and step 140 shown in FIG. 5), the main controller 50 determines whether or not there is a display request for image data to be processed through the touch panel display 30 or the like ( Step 220). If a negative determination (NO) is made in step 220, this process ends.

  On the other hand, if a positive determination (YES) is made in step 220, the main controller 50 determines whether or not the current mode is the scan mode SM (step 230). If a positive determination (YES) is made in step 230, the main controller 50 causes the U-TBC 82 of the UI controller 80 to acquire scan data that passes through the U-TBC 82 (step 240), and the acquired scan data is transferred to the U-TBC 82. -By causing the ASIC 81 to process, a scan image based on the acquired scan data is displayed on the touch panel display 30 (step 250).

  On the other hand, if a negative determination (NO) is made in step 230, the main controller 50 determines whether or not the current mode is the print mode PM (step 260). When a positive determination is made in step 260 (YES), the main controller 50 causes the U-TBC 82 of the UI controller 80 to acquire print data that passes through the U-TBC 82 (step 270). -By causing the ASIC 81 to perform processing, a print image based on the acquired print data is displayed on the touch panel display 30 (step 280).

  On the other hand, when a negative determination (NO) is made in step 260, that is, when the current mode is the copy mode CM, the main controller 50 sends the U-TBC 82 of the UI controller 80 to the copy data passing through the U-TBC 82. (Scan data and / or) is acquired (step 290), and the acquired copy data is processed by the U-ASIC 81, thereby causing the touch panel display 30 to generate a scan image and / or acquired print data based on the acquired scan data. A print image based on the image is displayed (step 300).

  Note that after the scan image or the copy image is displayed on the touch panel display 30, the scan data may be output or the image formation based on the print data may be performed as it is. For example, confirmation by the user via the touch panel display 30 may be performed. After the reception, the scan data output or the image formation based on the print data may be performed.

<Embodiment 2>
Although the present embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment, the connection order of the main controller 50, the scan controller 60, the print controller 70, and the UI controller 80 is different from that of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the multi-function copying machine 1 according to the second embodiment.
The multi-function copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment also includes a scanner 10, a print engine 20, a touch panel display 30, a main controller 50, a scan controller 60, a print controller 70, and a UI controller 80. However, in the multi-function copying machine 1 of the present embodiment, the main controller 50 and the scan controller 60 are connected by a thunderbolt cable (referred to as a TB cable) 40, and the main controller 50 and the UI controller 80 are connected by a TB cable 40. This is different from the first embodiment in that the UI controller 80 and the print controller 70 are connected by the TB cable 40. Therefore, in the multi-function copying machine 1, the scan controller 60, the main controller 50, the UI controller 80, and the print controller 70 are daisy chain connected using the three TB cables 40 in this order. With this connection order, the M-TBC 52 provided in the main controller 50 has a 2-port configuration (see FIG. 3B), and the P-TBC 72 in the print controller 70 has 1 port. The configuration (see FIG. 3A) is also different from the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the power supply system of each controller constituting the multi-function copying machine 1 according to the first embodiment.
In the present embodiment, both the S-TBC 62 and the U-TBC 82 receive power supply from the M-TBC 52 (by the power feeding function of the TB), and the P-TBC 72 receives power from the M-TBC 52 via the U-TBC 82. Supply (by the power supply function of TB) is received.

  Also in the multi-function copying machine 1 of the present embodiment, the power supply state (wait mode WM, print mode PM, scan mode SM, and copy mode CM) is set according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a power supply target and a data flow in the wait mode WM.
In the wait mode WM that does not execute a job, power is supplied to the hatched portion in the figure. In the wait mode WM, display data (indicated by a two-dot chain line in the figure) used for displaying an image on the touch panel display 30 flows. The display data is created by the MCU 51 in the main controller 50, passes through the M-TBC 52, and is output toward the UI controller 80. Display data input to the UI controller 80 passes through the U-TBC 82 and the U-ASIC 81 in the UI controller 80 and is output to the touch panel display 30. At this time, the U-ASIC 81 performs various processes on the display data that passes through.

  As described above, in the wait mode WM, since data does not flow to the P-ASIC 71 provided in the print controller 70 and the S-ASIC 61 provided in the scan controller 60, power is supplied to the P-ASIC 71 and S-ASIC 61. It becomes unnecessary.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a power supply target and a data flow in the print mode PM.
In the print mode PM that executes printing or facsimile reception as a job, power is supplied to the hatched portions in the figure. In the print mode PM, in addition to the display data described above (indicated by a two-dot chain line in the figure), print data (indicated by a one-dot chain line in the figure) flows. The print data is input from the network 2 to the main controller 50, passes through the MCU 51 and the M-TBC 52 in the main controller 50, and is output toward the UI controller 80. At this time, the MCU 51 performs various processes on the print data that passes. The print data input to the UI controller 80 passes through the U-TBC 82 in the UI controller 80 and is output to the print controller 70 as it is. The print data input to the print controller 70 passes through the P-TBC 72 and the P-ASIC 71 in the print controller 70 and is output to the print engine 20. At this time, the P-ASIC 71 performs various processes on the print data passing therethrough.

  As described above, in the print mode PM, data does not flow to the S-ASIC 61 provided in the scan controller 60, and thus power supply to the S-ASIC 61 is not necessary.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a power supply target and a data flow in the scan mode SM.
In the scan mode SM in which scanning or facsimile transmission is performed as a job, power is supplied to the hatched portions in the drawing. In the scan mode SM, in addition to the display data described above (indicated by a two-dot chain line in the figure), scan data (indicated by a broken line in the figure) flows. The scan data is input from the scanner 10 to the scan controller 60, passes through the S-ASIC 61 and S-TBC 62 in the scan controller 60, and is output toward the main controller 50. At this time, the S-ASIC 61 performs various processes on the scan data that passes. The scan data input to the main controller 50 passes through the M-TBC 52 and the MCU 51 in the main controller 50 and is output to the network 2. At this time, the MCU 51 performs various processes on the scan data that passes therethrough.

  As described above, in the scan mode SM, data does not flow to the P-ASIC 71 provided in the print controller 70, and thus power supply to the P-ASIC 71 is not necessary.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a power supply target and a data flow in the copy mode CM.
In the copy mode CM that executes copying as a job, power is supplied to the hatched portion in the figure. In the copy mode CM, in addition to the display data (shown by a two-dot chain line in the drawing), copy data (shown by a solid line in the drawing) flows. Copy data is input from the scanner 10 to the scan controller 60, passes through the S-ASIC 61 and S-TBC 62 in the scan controller 60, and is output toward the main controller 50. At this time, the S-ASIC 61 performs various processes on the copy data that passes. The copy data input to the main controller 50 passes through the M-TBC 52 and MCU 51 in the main controller 50, passes through the M-TBC 52 again, and is output toward the UI controller 80. At this time, the MCU 51 performs various processes on the copy data that passes. The copy data input to the UI controller 80 passes through the U-TBC 82 in the UI controller 80 and is output to the print controller 70 as it is. The copy data input to the print controller 70 passes through the P-TBC 72 and the P-ASIC 71 in the print controller 70 and is output to the print engine 20. At this time, the print controller 70 performs various processes on the copy data that passes.

  As described above, in the copy mode CM, since data flows to the P-ASIC 71 provided in the print controller 70 and the S-ASIC 61 provided in the scan controller 60, power supply to the P-ASIC 71 and S-ASIC 61 is required. Become.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Multifunctional copier, 2 ... Network, 10 ... Scanner, 20 ... Print engine, 30 ... Touch panel display, 40 ... TB cable, 50 ... Main controller, 51 ... MCU, 52 ... M-TBC, 53 ... HDD, 54 ... RAM, 60 ... Scan controller, 61 ... S-ASIC, 62 ... S-TBC, 70 ... Print controller, 71 ... P-ASIC, 72 ... P-TBC, 80 ... UI controller, 81 ... U-ASIC, 82 ... U-TBC, 91... PCIeIF, 92... DPIF, 93... TBIF, 94... Protocol conversion / power supply setting unit, 95. (DP) ... DP data, D (TB) ... TB data, WM ... wait mode, PM ... Print mode, SM ... scan mode, CM ... copy mode

Claims (6)

A reading control means for controlling an image reading operation for reading an image;
Formation control means for controlling an image forming operation for forming an image;
Display control means for controlling an image display operation for displaying an image;
Overall control means for overall control of the reading control means, the formation control means and the display control means;
In order to exchange data between the overall control means and the reading control means, the formation control means, and the display control means, the overall control means, the reading control means, the formation control means, and the display control means And connecting means for daisy chain connection,
The overall control unit controls power supply / non-power supply to the reading control unit and the formation control unit in accordance with an accepted instruction in a state where power is supplied to the connection unit and the display control unit. An image forming apparatus.   The connection means is connected to the reading connection section connected to the reading control means, the formation connection section connected to the formation control means, the display connection section connected to the display control means, and the overall control means The general connection unit is configured to be daisy chain connected so that power can be supplied from the general connection unit to the reading connection unit, the forming connection unit, and the display connection unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The connecting means includes read image data obtained by the image reading operation, first serial data obtained by serializing formed image data used in the image forming operation by a first protocol, and display image data used in the image display operation. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second serial data serialized by the second protocol is transmitted as third serial data obtained by protocol conversion by the third protocol.   The first protocol is PCIExpress (registered trademark), the second protocol is DisplayPort (trademark), and the third protocol is Thunderbolt (registered trademark). The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A reading control unit for controlling an image reading operation for reading an image;
A formation control unit for controlling an image forming operation for forming an image;
A display control unit for controlling an image display operation for displaying an image;
An overall control unit that controls the reading control unit, the formation control unit, and the display control unit,
The reading control unit, the formation control unit, the display control unit and the overall control unit are daisy chain connected by a Thunderbolt interface,
The overall control unit is configured to supply / de-energize power to the reading control unit, the formation control unit, and the display control unit in a state in which data can be exchanged through the Thunderbolt interface by performing power supply through the Thunderbolt interface. An image forming apparatus that controls the image forming apparatus.   When the overall control unit receives an instruction regarding the image reading operation, the overall control unit performs control to supply power to the reading control unit and not to supply power to the formation control unit, and to issue an instruction about the image forming operation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when received, the image forming apparatus executes control for supplying power to the formation control unit and not supplying power to the reading control unit.

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