JP2014232383A - Electronic apparatus, receptacle adapter, and power source control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus capable of being started by remote control.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus 2 having a processing unit 21 which operates by receiving power supply comprises: a control information detection unit 26 for detecting control information included in a wave form of power supplied to the electronic apparatus 2; a control information determination unit 24 for determining whether the control information detected by the control information detection unit 26 is information for instructing the electronic apparatus 2 to be started and, when the control information is information for instructing the electronic apparatus 2 to be started, outputting a start signal; a power source circuit 14 for, when receiving the start signal, starting power supply to the processing unit 21.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device, and more particularly to a technique for remotely controlling a power source of the electronic device.

  In electronic devices and the like, reduction of power consumption is required for power saving, and a technique for reducing power consumption other than when in use has been proposed. As one of the techniques, a technique for installing an outlet adapter having a communication function in an electronic device in order to reduce standby power of the electronic device has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). The invention described in Patent Document 1 attempts to reduce power consumption during standby of an electronic device by remotely controlling power supply to the electronic device.

JP 2002-185628 A

  However, some electronic devices include a non-latch type power switch to prevent unintentional activation of the electronic device when power supply is resumed after a power failure. Here, the non-latch type power switch means a power switch of a type that does not hold an on or off state by itself. In an electronic device including a non-latch type power switch, the power switch itself is not held in the on state after the power switch is turned on and the electronic device is activated. Therefore, when the power supply is temporarily stopped when the electronic device is in the activated state, there is a problem that the electronic device does not return to the activated state because the power switch is not turned on even when the power supply is resumed.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic device that can be activated by remote control.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention is an electronic device having a processing unit that operates by receiving power supply, and is included in the waveform of the power supplied to the electronic device. A control information detecting unit for detecting the control information to be detected, and determining whether the control information detected by the control information detecting unit is information for instructing activation of the electronic device, and the control information orders activation of the electronic device A control information determination unit that outputs a start signal when the information is information, and a power supply circuit that starts supplying power to the processing unit when the start signal is received.

  According to this, since the electronic device can detect the control information included in the waveform of the supplied power and generate an activation signal for activating the electronic device, the electronic device has a waveform including the control information. By supplying the electric power, the electronic device can be activated by remote control.

  The electronic device may further include a non-latch switch that outputs the activation signal to the power supply circuit in response to a switch operation by an operator.

  According to this, since the electronic device includes the non-latch type switch for the operator to directly operate, the electronic device is activated not only by remote control but also by directly operating the power switch manually. Since the switch is a non-latch type, it is possible to prevent unintentional activation of the electronic device when power supply is resumed after a power failure.

  The control information may be expressed by power supply interruption.

  According to this, since the control information is expressed by intermittent supply of power, the control information detection unit for detecting the control information included in the power waveform can be realized with a simple configuration such as a comparator.

  Moreover, in order to solve the said subject, the outlet adapter which concerns on 1 aspect of this invention connects the input part to which electric power is input, the output part from which electric power is output, the said input part, and the said output part. A power line, an energization switch provided on the power line, for turning on / off the power line, a communication unit for receiving an energization command from the outside, and controlling the energization switch based on the energization command received by the communication unit. And an energization control unit that superimposes control information on the power waveform.

  According to this, since the outlet adapter can receive an energization command from the outside and control the energization switch, it is possible to generate a power waveform for starting the electronic device by remote control.

  Further, the energization switch of the outlet adapter may be maintained in an on state after the control information is superimposed.

  According to this, after the power waveform including the control information is input to the electronic device, the energization switch is maintained in the on state, so that it is possible to supply the electronic device with the power necessary for starting the electronic device.

  Moreover, in order to solve the said subject, the power supply control system which concerns on 1 aspect of this invention is equipped with the said outlet adapter and the said electronic device into which the electric power output from the said output part of the said outlet adapter is input. .

  According to this, since the electronic device and the outlet adapter for supplying control information to the electronic device are provided, a system for starting the electronic device by remote control can be provided.

  The present invention can be realized not only as an apparatus but also as a method using processing means constituting the apparatus as steps. Further, the steps can be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute the program, or can be realized as a recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM in which the program is recorded. It can also be realized as information, data, or a signal indicating the program. These programs, information, data, and signals may be distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.

  According to the present invention, an electronic device that can be activated by remote control can be realized.

The figure which shows the outline | summary of the power supply control system which concerns on embodiment The figure which shows the apparatus structure of the power supply control system which concerns on embodiment The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the power supply control system which concerns on embodiment Diagram showing an example of a pattern for verification The figure which shows an example of the electric power waveform input into an outlet adapter from AC power supply Diagram showing an example of power waveform Diagram showing another example of power waveform

  Each of the embodiments described below shows a preferred specific example of the present invention. The numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, arrangement positions and connecting forms of the constituent elements, steps, order of steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims indicating the highest concept of the present invention are described as optional constituent elements that constitute a more preferable embodiment.

  In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and description may be abbreviate | omitted.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a power supply control system 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply control system 1 mainly includes an electronic device 2 and an outlet adapter 3. Here, the electronic device 2 is a device having a processing unit (here, meaning the main system 21 in FIG. 2 described later) that operates upon receiving power supply. For example, the electronic device 2 is an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) or PC (Personal Computer).

  The outlet adapter 3 is an adapter that receives power from the AC power supply 4 and outputs power to the electronic device 2, and includes an input unit 8, an output unit 9, and the like. The input unit 8 is a terminal to which power is input from the AC power source 4, and the output unit 9 is a terminal for outputting power to the electronic device 2, and the power plug 5 of the electronic device 2 is connected to the input unit 8. The outlet adapter 3 superimposes the control information on the power waveform input from the input unit 8 and outputs it from the output unit 9.

  The external devices 6 and 7 are devices for transmitting an energization command to the outlet adapter 3, and are configured from a PC or the like. The energization command transmitted from the external devices 6 and 7 determines the control information superimposed by the outlet adapter 3. As a means for transmitting an energization command from the external devices 6 and 7 to the outlet adapter 3, any means such as wireless communication and power line communication can be adopted.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed device configuration of the power supply control system 1 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic device 2 mainly includes a power supply circuit 14, a control information circuit 15, and a main circuit 16.

  The power supply circuit 14 is a switching power supply that starts supplying DC power to the processing unit (main system 21) of the electronic device 2 when it receives an activation signal, and includes a rectifier circuit 17, 18 and a controller 19.

  The rectifier circuits 17 and 18 are each composed of a transformer and a circuit that rectifies and smoothes the secondary side of the transformer.

  The controller 19 is a switching element or the like that turns on or off a current flowing through the primary side of the transformer included in the rectifier circuit 17 at a predetermined frequency, and includes an oscillation element that defines a switching frequency.

  The rectifier circuit 17 and the controller 19 in the power supply circuit 14 are circuits that supply power to the processing unit (main system 21) of the electronic device 2, and the rectifier circuit 18 is a circuit that supplies power to the subsystem 23. Note that the power used by the subsystem 23 may not be supplied from the rectifier circuit 18 of the power supply circuit 14. For example, it may be supplied from an external power source such as a battery.

  The control information circuit 15 is a circuit that detects and records control information included in the waveform of power supplied to the electronic device 2, and includes a control information detection unit 26 and a control information recording unit 27.

  The control information detection unit 26 is a detection unit that detects control information included in the waveform of power supplied to the electronic device 2 and includes a comparator or the like for binarizing the power waveform.

  The control information recording unit 27 is a recording unit that records the control information detected by the control information detection unit 26, and includes a register that records a binarized data string (signal pattern).

  The main circuit 16 is a circuit that controls main operations of the electronic device 2, and includes a DC / DC converter 20, a main system 21, a switch 22, a subsystem 23, a control information determination unit 24, and a verification pattern memory 25. The

  The main system 21 is a processing unit for obtaining the original function of the electronic device 2. For example, when the electronic device 2 is an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral), the main system 21 has functions such as printing, facsimile transmission, and copying.

  The switch 22 is a non-latch type switch that outputs a start signal to the power supply circuit 14 in response to a switch operation by the operator, and outputs the start signal by making the rectifier circuit 18 and the controller 19 conductive.

  The subsystem 23 is a system for controlling power supply to the main system 21.

  The control information discriminating unit 24 discriminates whether or not the control information detected by the control information recording unit 27 is information for instructing activation of the electronic device 2. When the control information is information for instructing activation of the electronic device 2, It is the discrimination | determination processing part which outputs a starting signal.

  The verification pattern memory 25 is a memory in which a verification pattern for verifying the signal pattern recorded in the control information recording unit 27 is recorded.

  The outlet adapter 3 includes an input unit 8, an output unit 9, a communication unit 10, an energization control unit 11, a power line 12, and an energization switch 13.

  The communication unit 10 is a communication processing unit that receives an energization command transmitted from the external devices 6 and 7 and transmits a signal to the energization control unit 11.

  The energization control unit 11 is a control unit that controls the energization switch 13 in response to a signal from the communication unit 10.

  The power line 12 is a conductive member that connects the input unit 8 and the output unit 9.

  The energization switch 13 is a switch for turning on or off the conduction of the power line 12, and is controlled by the energization control unit 11. The energization switch 13 superimposes an activation signal on the power waveform by switching conduction between the AC power supply 4 and the electronic device 2. The power output from the outlet adapter 3 is supplied to the power supply circuit 14 and the control information circuit 15 of the electronic device 2.

  Next, the processing procedure of the power supply control system 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the power supply control system 1.

  First, the start of power supply from the AC power supply 4 is confirmed in the energization control unit 11 of the outlet adapter 3 (S10).

  When the energization control unit 11 detects the start of power supply, the energization control unit 11 determines whether or not the communication unit 10 of the outlet adapter 3 has received control information indicating that the electronic device 2 is activated from the external device 6 or 7 or the like. (S11).

  When the communication unit 10 receives control information indicating that the electronic device 2 is to be activated, the outlet adapter 3 superimposes the control information on the power waveform and outputs it to the electronic device 2 by the energization switch 13 (S12). Further, when the communication unit 10 has not received control information indicating that the electronic device 2 is to be activated, the outlet adapter 3 outputs the control information to the electronic device 2 without superimposing it on the power waveform (S13). The outlet adapter 3 may superimpose control information different from the case of starting the electronic device 2 on the power waveform when the communication unit 10 has not received the control information indicating that the electronic device 2 is started.

  If the power waveform output from the outlet adapter 3 is input to the electronic device 2, the control information detection unit 26 in the electronic device 2 detects the control information. The control information recording unit 27 records the signal pattern of the control information detected by the control information detection unit 26 (S14).

  The control information determination unit 24 compares the signal pattern of the control information recorded by the control information recording unit 27 with the verification pattern (S15).

  When the signal pattern of the control information recorded in the control information recording unit 27 matches the verification pattern, the control information determination unit 24 activates the main system 21 (S16). When the control information signal pattern recorded in the control information recording unit 27 does not match the verification pattern, the control information determination unit 24 does not activate the main system 21 and matches the control information signal pattern and the verification information pattern. Return to the step of comparing the pattern.

  Here, a process in which the control information determination unit 24 activates the main system 21 will be described. First, the control information determination unit 24 outputs a start signal to the controller 19 of the power supply circuit 14. When the controller 19 receives the activation signal, the controller 19 starts oscillation of the oscillation element in the controller 19 and starts switching of the rectifier circuit 17. When the controller 19 starts switching of the rectifier circuit 17, the rectifier circuit 17 starts outputting DC power to the DC / DC converter 20. The DC / DC converter 20 converts the voltage of the input DC power and outputs the DC power to the main system 21. The main system 21 is activated when the power output from the DC / DC converter 20 is supplied.

  In addition, although the aspect of the remote control of the electronic device 2 according to the present embodiment has been described above, the control of the electronic device 2 is not limited to this. The electronic device 2 according to the present embodiment includes a non-latching switch 22 that can be manually operated by an operator, as in a general MFP, so that the electronic device 2 is not only remotely controlled. It is also activated by the operation of the operator. Moreover, since the switch 22 is a non-latch type, the electronic device 2 can be prevented from starting unintentionally when the power supply is resumed after a power failure or the like.

  Next, an example of a method for generating a power waveform corresponding to the verification pattern recorded in the verification pattern memory 25 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a matching pattern. The matching pattern shown in FIG. 4 is an example using a digital signal, and is composed of an array of 0 and 1 values. An example of a procedure for superimposing a signal pattern that matches the verification pattern shown in FIG. 4 on the power waveform is shown below.

  First, the AC power supply 4 starts supplying power to the outlet adapter 3. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a power waveform input to the outlet adapter 3. When the energization control unit 11 of the outlet adapter 3 detects that the supply of power is started, it determines whether or not to superimpose the control information on the power waveform based on the presence or absence of the control information received by the communication unit 10. To do. When superimposing the control information on the power waveform, the energization control unit 11 superimposes the control information on the power waveform by turning on or off the energization switch 13. After superimposing the control information on the power waveform, the energization control unit 11 maintains the energization switch in the on state and continues supplying power to the electronic device 2.

  6 and 7 are diagrams showing examples of power waveforms on which a signal pattern that matches the verification pattern shown in FIG. 4 is superimposed.

  The power waveform shown in FIG. 6 detects a zero cross point where the voltage of the AC power input to the outlet adapter 3 changes from negative to positive, and repeats turning off the energizing switch 13 before the voltage reaches the maximum. Or the like.

  The power waveform shown in FIG. 7 is generated by turning on / off the energizing switch 13 at a cycle equal to or longer than the alternating cycle of the AC power input to the outlet adapter 3.

  Here, the operation of the electronic device 2 when the power waveform as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is supplied will be described. When the power waveform as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is supplied to the electronic device 2, a part of the power is supplied to the control information detection unit 26. Then, the voltage value of the power supplied to the control information detection unit 26 is compared with a predetermined threshold value by the comparator, thereby detecting a binarized digital signal pattern from the power waveform. The digital signal pattern detected by the control information detection unit 26 is transmitted to the control information recording unit 27 and recorded in a register in the control information recording unit 27. The control information discriminating unit 24 compares the signal pattern recorded in the control information 27 with the collation pattern recorded in the collation pattern memory 25 and discriminates whether or not they match each other. The subsequent operation of the electronic device 2 is as described above.

  When electric power having a waveform as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is supplied to the electronic device 2, the power supply to the electronic device 2 is momentarily interrupted, but control is also performed at the moment when the power supply is interrupted. It is necessary to operate the information circuit 15, the subsystem 23, and the like. At this time, the power used by the control information circuit 15 and the like can be supplied by any means. For example, means for rectifying a power waveform including control information to convert it into DC power and supplying it to the control information circuit 15 or the like, means using a power source other than the AC power source 4, or the like may be employed.

  In the power waveform generation method described above, the configuration in which the control information is superimposed on the power waveform at the timing when the power supply from the AC power supply 4 is started is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. . For example, the energization control unit 11 may superimpose the control information while the power supply from the AC power supply 4 is continued.

  As described above, the electronic device according to the present embodiment can detect the control information included in the waveform of the supplied power and generate the start signal for starting the electronic device. By supplying power having a waveform including information, the electronic device can be activated by remote control.

  In addition, according to the electronic device according to the present embodiment, since the operator has a non-latch type switch for direct operation, the electronic device can be operated not only by remote control but also by directly operating the power switch directly. It is activated. Furthermore, since the switch is a non-latch type, it is possible to prevent unintentional activation of the electronic device when power supply is resumed after a power failure.

  Further, according to the electronic apparatus according to the present embodiment, since the control information is expressed by intermittent power supply, the control information detection unit that detects the control information included in the power waveform has a simple configuration such as a comparator. Can be offered at.

  In addition, according to the outlet adapter according to the present embodiment, it is possible to receive an energization command from the outside and control the energization switch, so that a power waveform for starting the electronic device is generated by remote control. be able to.

  In addition, according to the outlet adapter according to the present embodiment, the power switch with the control information superimposed is input to the electronic device, and then the energization switch is maintained in the on state. Can be supplied to electronic equipment.

  Further, according to the power supply control system according to the present embodiment, since the electronic device and the outlet adapter for supplying control information to the electronic device are provided, a system for starting the electronic device by remote control is provided. be able to.

  While the information processing apparatus of the present invention has been described based on the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention, the form which carried out the various deformation | transformation which those skilled in the art can think to this embodiment, and the structure constructed | assembled combining the component in different embodiment is also contained in the scope of the present invention. .

  For example, in the above embodiment, the power supply to the main system 21 is controlled by the controller 19, but the control mode of the power supply to the main system 21 is not limited to this. For example, a configuration is adopted in which a switch that constantly outputs power from the rectifier circuit 17 and turns on or off the continuity between the rectifier circuit 17 and the main system 21 is used. The power supply to 21 can also be controlled.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the control information detection part 26 has employ | adopted the structure which detects the control information produced | generated by turning ON or OFF the energization switch 13, the control information detection part 26 detects. The control information obtained is not limited to this. For example, when the power supply from the AC power supply 4 is momentarily interrupted due to an instantaneous power failure or the like, the control information detection unit 26 can also detect the control information from the power waveform output from the AC power supply 4. If the signal pattern corresponding to the power waveform output from the AC power source 4 at the moment of power failure is recorded as one of the patterns for verification in the verification pattern memory 25, the electronic device 2 is automatically activated after the instantaneous power failure occurs. Can be activated automatically.

  The present invention can be used for an electronic device to be activated by remote control.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power supply control system 2 Electronic device 3 Outlet adapter 4 AC power supply 5 Power plug 6 External device 7 External device 8 Input part 9 Output part 10 Communication part 11 Power supply control part 12 Power line 13 Power supply switch 14 Power supply circuit 15 Control information circuit 16 Main circuit DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 17 Rectifier circuit 18 Rectifier circuit 19 Controller 20 DC / DC converter 21 Main system 22 Switch 23 Subsystem 24 Control information discrimination | determination part 25 Matching pattern memory 26 Control information detection part 27 Control information recording part

Claims (6)

An electronic device having a processing unit that operates upon receiving power supply,
A control information detection unit for detecting control information included in the waveform of the power supplied to the electronic device;
Control that determines whether or not the control information detected by the control information detection unit is information for instructing activation of the electronic device, and outputs the activation signal when the control information is information for instructing activation of the electronic device An information discriminator;
A power supply circuit that starts supplying power to the processing unit when receiving the activation signal;
Electronic equipment comprising. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a non-latching switch that outputs the activation signal to the power supply circuit in response to a switch operation by an operator. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control information is expressed by intermittent supply of the power. An input unit to which power is input;
An output unit for outputting power;
A power line connecting the input unit and the output unit;
An energization switch provided on the power line, for turning on or off the conduction of the power line;
A communication unit that receives an energization command from the outside;
An energization control unit that controls the energization switch based on an energization command received by the communication unit and superimposes control information on a power waveform;
Outlet adapter with. The outlet adapter according to claim 4, wherein the energization switch is maintained in an on state after the control information is superimposed. A power control system,
The outlet adapter according to claim 4 or 5,
The electronic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein electric power output from the output unit of the outlet adapter is input.
A power supply control system comprising:

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