JP2015020313A - Image forming apparatus, information processing device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress power consumption in processing received data in an information processing device that includes readable-writable nonvolatile memory and readable-writable volatile memory.SOLUTION: In a power-save mode shown in (a), a transmission-reception control module 40-4 of a control part 1 and a transmission-reception part 104 are supplied with power, while other parts are supplied with no power. Further, nonvolatile RAM 22 retains a control program enabled for execution. In a partial drive mode shown in (b), a CPU 10, the nonvolatile RAM 22 of main memory 20, and a memory controller 30 are supplied with power so that the CPU 10 is started, in the control part 1. In a case where received packet data is a target of processing at the nonvolatile RAM 22, the processing is performed without starting volatile RAM 21.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an information processing apparatus, and a program.

  As the prior art described in the publication, the condition storage unit excludes the reception target protocol information indicating the type of communication protocol to be received from various communication protocols belonging to the transport layer and the various communication protocols belonging to the application layer. When non-reception target protocol information indicating the type of communication protocol is stored, and the type of communication protocol of a predetermined layer of packet data coming from the network is the type indicated by the non-reception target protocol information by the filter unit Extracting the packet data as a reception target and performing a control not to be a reception target when the type of communication protocol in a layer higher than the predetermined layer is the type of packet data indicated by the non-reception target protocol information, As a result of control by the device control unit, If the target packet data is extracted, the information processing apparatus is present to control the return to the normal drive mode (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-52544 A

  An object of the present invention is to suppress power consumption in processing received data in an information processing apparatus or the like including a readable / writable nonvolatile memory and a readable / writable volatile memory.

The invention described in claim 1 includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, and a control unit that controls the operation of the image forming unit, and the control unit controls the image forming unit. And execution means for executing the control program, and is nonvolatile, capable of holding the stored information without being supplied with power, and stores the control program in an operable state. Volatile, which is readable and writable with the first storage means, and cannot store the stored information unless power is supplied, and is used by the execution means along with the execution of the control program The second storage means, the reception means for receiving data from the outside, and the data received by the reception means in a state where power is not supplied to the first storage means and the second storage means. Based on the determination means for determining whether to start the first storage means and the second storage means, or to start the first storage means, and based on the determination of the determination means, An image forming apparatus comprising: a first storage unit, the second storage unit, or an activation unit that activates the first storage unit.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the execution means for executing the control program for realizing the predetermined function and the readable / writable means can hold the stored information without supplying power. A first storage means that is capable of storing the control program in an operable state, and is readable and writable and can store the stored information if power is not supplied. A second storage means that is volatile and is used by the execution means in association with the execution of the control program, a reception means for receiving data from the outside, the first storage means, and the second storage In a state in which power is not supplied to the means, the first storage means and the second storage means are activated based on the data received by the reception means, or the first storage Determination means for determining whether to activate the stage, and based on the determination of the determination means, the first storage means and the second storage means, or an activation means for activating the first storage means. Information processing apparatus.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the determination means activates the first storage means and the second storage means or activates the first storage means based on the processing requested by the data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus determines whether to perform the process.
A fourth aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the second or third aspect, wherein the first storage unit is any one of MRAM, FeRAM, PRAM, and ReRAM.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a function for causing a computer to execute a control program for realizing a predetermined function, and reading and writing, and stored information without supplying power. A function for storing the control program in the nonvolatile first storage means that can be held, and a volatile first that is readable and writable and cannot hold the stored information unless power is supplied. In a state in which power is not supplied to the first storage unit and the second storage unit, the function of using the two storage units in accordance with the execution of the control program, the function of receiving data from the outside, Based on the received data, a function for determining whether to activate the first storage means and the second storage means or to activate the first storage means, and based on the determination , Which is the first storing means and said second storage means, or a program for realizing a function to start the first storage means.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the power consumption in processing received data is suppressed in an image forming apparatus including a readable / writable non-volatile memory and a readable / writable volatile memory, compared to a case where this configuration is not provided. it can.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided, the power consumption in the processing of the received data is suppressed in the information processing device including the readable / writable nonvolatile memory and the readable / writable volatile memory. it can.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, processing delay can be suppressed as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.
According to the invention of claim 4, the processing can be speeded up as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress power consumption in processing received data, compared to a case where this configuration is not provided.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming system to which a first exemplary embodiment is applied. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of a transmission / reception part control module and a reference table. (A) shows a transmission / reception unit control module, and (b) shows a reference table. 3 is a diagram illustrating a power saving (energy saving) mode and a partial drive mode of the image forming apparatus. FIG. (A) shows a power saving (energy saving) mode, and (b) shows a partial drive mode. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the control part in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the control part in 2nd Embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[First Embodiment]
(Image forming system)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming system to which the first exemplary embodiment is applied.
The image forming system includes an image forming apparatus 100 that operates as a so-called multi-function machine having a scan function, a print function, a copy function, and a facsimile function, a communication line 110 connected to the image forming apparatus 100, and a connection to the communication line 110. Terminal device 120, a facsimile device 130 connected to the communication line 110, and a server device 140 connected to the communication line 110.

  Here, the communication line 110 is configured by an Internet line, a telephone line, or the like. The terminal device 120 instructs the image forming apparatus 100 to form an image via the communication line 110, and is composed of, for example, a PC (Personal Computer). Further, the facsimile apparatus 130 transmits and receives a facsimile to and from the image forming apparatus 100 via the communication line 110. Furthermore, the server device 140 transmits / receives data (including a program) to / from the image forming apparatus 100 via the communication line 110.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an image reading unit 103 that reads an image recorded on a recording medium such as paper, an image forming unit 102 that forms an image on a recording medium, a power on / off, a scan function, A user interface (UI) unit 101 that receives instructions related to operations using the print function, copy function, and facsimile function and displays a message to the user, and the terminal device 120 and the facsimile device 130 via the communication line 110. And a transmission / reception unit 104 that transmits / receives data to / from the server device 140, and a control unit as an example of an information processing device that controls operations of the image reading unit 103, the image forming unit 102, the UI unit 101, and the transmission / reception unit 104 1 is provided.

In this image forming apparatus 100, the image reading unit 103 realizes a scanning function, the image forming unit 102 realizes a printing function, and the image reading unit 103 and the image forming unit 102 realize a copying function. 103, the image forming unit 102 and the transmission / reception unit 104 realize a facsimile function.
Note that the transmitter / receiver 104 may be provided separately for the Internet line and the telephone line, for example.

Here, description will be made assuming that the communication line 110 is an Internet line and packet data based on various protocols such as TCP / IP and UDP / IP is transmitted.
The transmission / reception unit 104 is a physical layer conversion unit (PHY (Physical Layer Device)) that performs mutual conversion between an electrical signal transmitted to the communication line 110 and a digital signal used inside the image forming apparatus 100. .

The image forming apparatus 100 prints an image read from the image reading unit 103 on a recording medium by the image forming unit 102.
The image forming apparatus 100 also receives an image transmitted as packet data from the terminal device 120, the facsimile apparatus 130, or the server apparatus 140 placed outside the image forming apparatus 100 via the communication line 110. To print on a recording medium.
On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 100 packets an image read by the image reading unit 103 from the transmission / reception unit 104 to the terminal device 120 and / or the facsimile device 130 placed outside the image forming apparatus 100 via the communication line 110. Send as data.

(Image forming apparatus 100)
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100.
As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 includes the control unit 1, the UI unit 101, the image forming unit 102, the image reading unit 103, and the transmission / reception unit 104.

The control unit 1 is a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) 10 as an example of execution means including an ALU (Arithmetic Logical Unit) that executes logical operations and arithmetic operations. And a main memory (main memory) 20 for holding control programs, image data, and the like.
Here, the main memory 20 has a volatile RAM (Random Access Memory) 21 as an example of a second storage unit that holds image data and the like, and a first program that holds a control program that controls the image forming apparatus 100. And a nonvolatile RAM 22 as an example of a storage unit.
As will be described later, the volatile RAM 21 is readable and writable, but has a volatile property that cannot store stored information unless power (power) is supplied. On the other hand, the non-volatile RAM 22 is readable and writable and has non-volatility capable of holding stored information without supplying power (power).
Hereinafter, “supplying power” is referred to as “supplying power”.

  The control unit 1 includes a memory controller 30 that controls reading and writing of control programs and image data between the CPU 10 and the main memory 20 between the CPU 10 and the main memory 20.

The control unit 1 also includes a UI unit control module 40-1 that controls each of the UI unit 101, the image forming unit 102, the image reading unit 103, and the transmission / reception unit 104 based on the calculation result of the CPU 10, and an image forming unit control module. 40-2, an image reading unit control module 40-3, and a transmission / reception unit control module 40-4. The UI unit control module 40-1, the image forming unit control module 40-2, the image reading unit control module 40-3, and the transmission / reception unit control module 40-4 are respectively a UI unit 101, an image forming unit 102, and an image reading unit. Unit 103 and transmission / reception unit 104 are connected.
When the UI unit control module 40-1, the image forming unit control module 40-2, the image reading unit control module 40-3, and the transmission / reception unit control module 40-4 are not distinguished from each other, they are referred to as the control module 40.
Note that the control module 40 is configured by, for example, an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit). Each control module 40 may be configured as an individual ASIC, or a plurality of control modules 40 may be configured as one ASIC.

Furthermore, the control unit 1 includes a bus 50 that connects the CPU 10 and the control module 40 and can transmit and receive data and the like.
Furthermore, the control unit 1 includes a CPU 10, a memory controller 30, a volatile RAM 21, a nonvolatile RAM 22, a UI unit control module 40-1, an image forming unit control module 40-2, and an image reading unit control module 40 included in the control unit 1. -3, a power supply control module 60 as an example of an activation unit that controls supply or stop of power supply to the transmission / reception unit control module 40-4.
The transmission / reception unit 104 in the image forming apparatus 100 is connected to the communication line 110 as shown in FIG.
Note that the transmission / reception unit control module 40-4 may include the transmission / reception unit 104. That is, the transmission / reception unit 104 may be a part of the control unit 1.

  Next, the volatile RAM 21 and the nonvolatile RAM 22 included in the main memory 20 will be described.

(Volatile RAM 21)
The volatile RAM 21 is, for example, a DRAM (Dynamic RAM) or SRAM (Static RAM), and is readable and writable. However, the volatile RAM 21 has a volatile property that cannot store stored information unless power is supplied. Yes.
The DRAM is configured to shorten the time required for reading and writing information (access time), and the area occupied per bit is small. For this reason, it is used when large capacity and high speed reading and writing are required. Recently, a DDR (Double SDRAM) synchronous DRAM (DDR SDRAM) capable of reading and writing information at a rising timing and a falling timing of an external clock signal (external clock signal) of the DRAM has come to be used. Yes. Furthermore, a DDR3 SDRAM is used in which the access time is shortened (speeded up) by increasing the frequency of the external clock compared to the internal clock.
The speeding up of DRAM is expected to continue.
Here, as an example, it is assumed that the volatile RAM 21 is a DDR3 SDRAM.

(Nonvolatile RAM 22)
The non-volatile RAM 22 is, for example, magnetic memory (represented as magnetoresistive RAM: MRAM), ferroelectric memory (represented as ferroelectric RAM: FeRAM), phase change memory (represented as phase change RAM: PRAM), resistor. A memory (resistivity RAM: ReRAM) is readable and writable, and can store stored information (“1” / “0”) without supplying power. It has non-volatility.
MRAM uses a phenomenon in which the magnetoresistance (MR) of a tunnel magnetoresistive film changes depending on the relative magnetization direction of the two magnetic multilayer films, with the tunnel magnetoresistive film sandwiched between two magnetic multilayer films. Hold. The FeRAM retains information by utilizing the polarization of a ferroelectric such as PZT (Pb (Zr, Ti) O ₃ ). The PRAM retains information by using a resistance change accompanying a chalcogenide phase change. The ReRAM retains information by utilizing a large change in electrical resistance (CER (Collective Electro-Resistance) effect) due to voltage application.

MRAM, FeRAM, PRAM, ReRAM, etc., like DRAM and SRAM, can arrange memory cells (area that holds 1-bit information) on a semiconductor substrate at high density in a matrix form, and by an integrated drive circuit Reading and writing can be performed in the same manner as DRAM. Further, there is no theoretical limit on the number of times information can be rewritten (the number of times of rewriting), or the number of times that information can be rewritten is extremely large (hereinafter, the limitation on the number of rewriting times is small).
For this reason, MRAM, FeRAM, PRAM, ReRAM, etc. are easy to apply to the nonvolatile RAM 22.
Here, as an example, it is assumed that the nonvolatile RAM 22 is an MRAM.

Since the volatile RAM 21 cannot hold stored information unless power is supplied, it is necessary to write information when power is supplied.
That is, an OS (Operating System) that is a basic program or a control program such as an application that is executed on the OS and controls the UI unit 101, the image forming unit 102, the image reading unit 103, and the transmission / reception unit 104, Is supplied from a separately provided HDD (Hard Disk Drive), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc., and stored in the volatile RAM 21. For this reason, it takes time to start the image forming apparatus 100 or the control unit 1 in an operable state.
On the other hand, the nonvolatile RAM 22 can hold the stored information without supplying power. Thus, if information is stored, it is not necessary to write information when power is supplied.
Therefore, if the control program is stored in the nonvolatile RAM 22 and operated, when the power is supplied again after the supply of power is stopped, the startup time until the control unit 1 becomes operable can be shortened, The operation can be continued from the state when the operation is stopped.

However, when the time (access time) required for reading and writing to the nonvolatile RAM 22 is slower than that of the volatile RAM 21 or when the capacity of the nonvolatile RAM 22 is limited due to cost, the volatile RAM 21 and the nonvolatile RAM 22 are used together. It is preferable to do.
For example, the control program can be stored in the non-volatile RAM 22 and operated, and the volatile RAM 21 can be used as a work area (work area). When the information stored in the volatile RAM 21 is temporary information and may be lost when the supply of power is stopped, the operation becomes possible in the same manner as when only the nonvolatile RAM 22 is used. The startup time until the time is shortened, and the operation can be continued from the state when the power supply is stopped.

(Transceiver control module 40-4)
Here, the transmission / reception unit control module 40-4 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the transmission / reception unit control module 40-4 and the reference table 43. FIG. 3A shows the transmission / reception unit control module 40-4, and FIG. 3B shows the reference table 43.
As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the transmission / reception unit control module 40-4 is a filter unit 41 as an example of a reception unit that extracts packet data transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100 from packet data received by the transmission / reception unit 104. The determination unit 42 as an example of a determination unit that determines whether or not the extracted packet data is a target that can be processed by the nonvolatile RAM 22 (processing target in the nonvolatile RAM 22), and a reference table that is determined by referring to the determination unit 42 43. A communication control unit 44 for separating transmission and reception is provided.

The input of the filter unit 41 is connected to the transmission / reception unit 104 connected to the communication line 110 and receives packet data from the transmission / reception unit 104. The input of the determination unit 42 is connected to the output of the filter unit 41 and receives the packet data extracted by the filter unit 41. The input of the communication control unit 44 is connected to the output of the filter unit 41 and receives the packet data determined by the determination unit 42. The communication control unit 44 is connected to the bus 50 and transmits the packet data received from the determination unit 42 to the bus 50.
The communication control unit 44 is connected to the transmission / reception unit 104 and transmits packet data received from the bus 50 to the transmission / reception unit 104.
The packet data and determination unit 42 will be described later.

Packet data based on various protocols is transmitted to the communication line 110 between the terminal apparatus 120, the facsimile apparatus 130, and the server apparatus 140 connected to the communication line 110. Packet data that does not need to be received by the image forming apparatus 100 is also transmitted to the packet data.
Therefore, the filter unit 41 in the transmission / reception unit control module 40-4 identifies the packet data to be received, extracts the packet data (to be received) that needs to be received by the image forming apparatus 100, and otherwise (not to be received) ) Packet data is not captured.

In the Internet TCP / IP, a plurality of protocols are used, which are divided into a network interface layer, an Internet layer, a transport layer, and an application layer.
Therefore, the filter unit 41 identifies a physical address (MAC (Media Access Control) address) in the network interface layer, extracts packet data that matches the MAC address assigned to the image forming apparatus 100 as a reception target, Other packet data is not subject to reception.
In addition, when protocol data is identified and packet data of a protocol that cannot be processed by the image forming apparatus 100 is received, the packet data may not be received. For example, the transport layer protocol is TCP, and the application layer protocol is SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), RCP (SUN Remote Procedure Call), LPR (Line Printer Interprotocol Protocol), IPP (Internet Print Protocol packet). It may be set as a reception target.
These application layer protocols are accompanied by image data that the image forming apparatus 100 performs processing such as image formation.

On the other hand, the packet data is one of ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) that inquires about a MAC address corresponding to an IP address as a protocol in the Internet layer, and ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) that confirms message arrival. Some of them do not accompany image data, such as Ping.
In IP, packet data is transmitted and received by an IP address, but it is necessary to acquire a MAC address corresponding to the IP address. That is, communication is possible by knowing both the IP address and the MAC address.

These packet data are required to be answered by the CPU 10. For example, in the case of ARP, the terminal device 120 (see FIG. 1) transmits an ARP request in which the IP address of the image forming apparatus 100 is set in order to know the MAC address of the image forming apparatus 100. In response to this, the image forming apparatus 100 responds by transmitting an ARP response in which the MAC address is set.
This response by the CPU 10 does not involve processing such as image formation, and does not require a large work area on the main memory 20. In addition, high-speed processing is not required.
Therefore, it is sufficient to respond to these packet data by supplying power to the CPU 10, the memory controller 30, and the nonvolatile RAM 22 without supplying power to the volatile RAM 21 (not starting up).
Further, packet data that includes image data and requires a work area on the volatile RAM 21 to process the image data is processed by supplying power to the volatile RAM 21 and the nonvolatile RAM 22. You can do it.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, a target for processing packet data to be received by the nonvolatile RAM 22 (processing target by the nonvolatile RAM 22), and a target for processing by the volatile RAM 21 and the nonvolatile RAM 22 (not processing target). In the packet data to be processed in the nonvolatile RAM 22, power is not supplied to the volatile RAM 21 and power consumption is suppressed.
The determination unit 42 in the transmission / reception unit control module 40-4 shown in FIG. 3A refers to the reference table 43 to determine whether or not the packet data to be received is a processing target in the nonvolatile RAM 22.

  The reference table 43 shown in FIG. 3B shows a case where the determination by the determination unit 42 is performed by the packet data protocol as an example. Here, the processing target in the non-volatile RAM 22 is packet data whose protocol is ARP, Ping, etc., and the target to be processed in the volatile RAM 21 and the non-volatile RAM 22 (non-processing target) is the protocol is SMTP, RCP, LPR, Packet data such as IPP is used.

In addition to the protocol, the processing speed (processing time), the capacity of the work area, and the like may be used to determine whether or not the processing target is in the nonvolatile RAM 22.
For example, when the access time of the nonvolatile RAM 22 is longer than that of the volatile RAM 21, packet data that does not require a short processing time is processed in the nonvolatile RAM 22, and packet data that requires a short processing time is processed. It may be outside.
Further, when the capacity of the nonvolatile RAM 22 mounted on the control unit 1 is less than the capacity of the volatile RAM 21 due to cost or the like, and the capacity that can be used as a work area in the nonvolatile RAM 22 is limited, the required work area is Small packet data may be processed in the nonvolatile RAM 22, and packet data having a large work area may be excluded.
Further, by combining these requirements, the received packet data may be divided into a processing target and non-target in the nonvolatile RAM 22.
By doing in this way, the delay of the process which generate | occur | produces by giving priority to the process in non-volatile RAM22 can be suppressed.

(mode)
Next, three modes representing the state of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, that is, a normal drive mode, a power saving (energy saving) mode, and a partial drive mode will be described.
In the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2, the normal drive mode includes the control unit 1, UI unit control module 40-1, image forming unit control module 40-2, image reading unit control module 40-3, and transmission / reception unit control module. 40-4, the UI unit 101, the image forming unit 102, the image reading unit 103, and the transmission / reception unit 104 are supplied with power, and the image forming apparatus 100 can execute the scan function, print function, copy function, and facsimile function. .

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a power saving (energy saving) mode and a partial drive mode of the image forming apparatus 100. 4A shows the power saving mode, and FIG. 4B shows the partial drive mode. 2, the CPU 10, the main memory 20, the memory controller 30, the transmission / reception unit control module 40-4, and the transmission / reception unit 104 in the control unit 1 are illustrated. In these figures, a portion to which power is supplied is indicated by halftone dots.

The power saving mode illustrated in FIG. 4A refers to a state in which power is supplied to the transmission / reception unit control module 40-4 and the transmission / reception unit 104 in the control unit 1 and power supply is stopped in the other portions. In the image forming apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 2, the UI unit control module 40-1, the image forming unit control module 40-2, the image reading unit control module 40-3, the UI unit 101, the image forming unit 102, and the image reading unit 103. Also no power is supplied.
In the power saving mode, it is possible to receive instructions from the terminal device 120, the facsimile device 130, and the server device 140 connected to the communication line 110.

On the other hand, the partial drive mode shown in FIG. 4B is a state in which power is supplied to the CPU 10, the nonvolatile RAM 22 in the main memory 20, and the memory controller 30 in the control unit 1 and the CPU 10 is activated. .
The partial drive mode is used when the CPU 10 is started to process a response to received packet data such as ARP and Ping. Since processing such as image formation is not involved, the UI unit control module 40-1, the image forming unit control module 40-2, the image reading unit control module 40-3, the UI unit 101, the image forming unit 102, and the image reading unit 103 There is no need to supply power.

Furthermore, since a large work area is not required on the main memory 20, it can be executed even if the capacity of the nonvolatile RAM 22 is small. Furthermore, since high-speed processing is not required, even if the access time of the nonvolatile RAM 22 is longer than the access time of the volatile RAM 21, processing in the nonvolatile RAM 22 is possible.
Since power is not supplied to the volatile RAM 21, initialization time such as parameter setting (configuration for setting read / write timing, etc.) is not required, and power consumption is suppressed.

(Operation of control unit 1)
Next, in the first embodiment, an operation of the control unit 1 in the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to a flowchart. The control unit 1 is an example of an information processing device and functions as an information processing device.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control unit 1 according to the first embodiment. Here, the operation of the control unit 1 will be described focusing on the CPU 10, the main memory 20, and the memory controller 30 in the control unit 1 shown in FIG.

It is assumed that the control unit 1 is in the power saving mode.
First, the transition to the power saving mode will be described. In a state where the control program is not loaded in the nonvolatile RAM 22, power is supplied to the CPU 10, the main memory 20, and the memory controller 30 of the control unit 1. Then, a control program such as an OS and an application is loaded into the nonvolatile RAM 22 of the main memory 20 from an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) (not shown) and executed. Thereafter, the supply of power to the CPU 10, the main memory 20, and the memory controller 30 is stopped, and the mode is shifted to the power saving mode.
Note that the control program is held on the nonvolatile RAM 22 in a state in which the control program shifts to the power saving mode. Therefore, if the power is supplied again, it can be executed continuously from the state when the mode is shifted to the power saving mode.
That is, in the power saving mode, the control program is held in the non-volatile RAM 22 in an executable state.

  It is assumed that the volatile RAM 21 has a short access time and a large capacity as compared with the nonvolatile RAM 22. Therefore, it is used as a work area in processing for rotating an image. That is, it is assumed that the volatile RAM 21 holds image data that can be discarded after image formation is completed.

  Further, as an example, it is assumed that whether or not to be processed in the nonvolatile RAM 22 without using the volatile RAM 21 is determined by the packet data protocol (see FIG. 3B).

In FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not the packet data to be received has been received by the filter unit 41 of the transmission / reception unit control module 40-4 (step 101; referred to as S101 in FIG. 5, the same applies hereinafter). When a negative (No) determination is made, that is, when the packet data to be received is not received, the power saving mode is maintained. That is, the control unit 1 maintains the power saving mode until reception target packet data is received.
Note that packet data not subject to reception is blocked by the filter unit 41 of the transmission / reception unit control module 40-4.

If the determination in step 101 is affirmative (Yes), that is, if the packet data to be received is received, the determination unit 42 of the transmission / reception unit control module 40-4 determines whether or not the data is to be processed in the nonvolatile RAM 22. Is determined (step 102). For example, if the protocol of packet data is ARP, Ping, etc., it is determined that it is a processing target in the nonvolatile RAM 22. On the other hand, if the protocol of the packet data is SMTP, RCP, LPR, IPP, etc., it is determined that it is not subject to processing.
The case where a negative (No) determination is made in step 102 will be described later.

If the determination in step 102 is affirmative (Yes), that is, if the protocol of the packet data is ARP, Ping, or the like and is a processing target in the nonvolatile RAM 22, the transceiver control module 40-4 As a result, the power control module 60 is activated, and power is supplied to the CPU 10 and the memory controller 30 (CPU / memory controller ON) (step 103). Then, initialization of the CPU 10, such as clearing the register of the CPU 10, is executed (CPU initialization) (step 104). Then, the memory controller 30 is set to a state in which data can be transmitted / received to / from the main memory 20 (memory controller setting) (step 105). Thereafter, power is supplied to the nonvolatile RAM 22 (nonvolatile RAM ON) (step 106).
Thereby, it shifts to the partial drive mode.

The nonvolatile RAM 22 holds a control program that can be executed when shifting to the power saving mode. Therefore, when power is supplied to the nonvolatile RAM 22, the CPU 10 executes a process on packet data that is a protocol such as ARP or Ping and is processed in the nonvolatile RAM 22 (CPU processing) (steps). 107).
When the processing by the CPU 10 is completed, the supply of power to the nonvolatile RAM 22 is stopped (nonvolatile RAM OFF) (step 108). Then, the supply of power to the CPU 10 and the memory controller 30 is stopped (CPU / memory controller OFF) (step 109).
Then, the state shifts to the power saving mode and waits for packet data to be received.

On the other hand, if a negative (No) determination is made in step 102, that is, if the protocol of the packet data to be received is SMTP, RCP, LPR, IPP, etc. and is not the target, the transceiver control The power control module is activated by the module 40-4, and power is supplied to the CPU 10 and the memory controller 30 (CPU / memory controller ON) (step 111). Then, initialization of the CPU 10 is executed (CPU initialization) (step 112). The memory controller 30 is set in a state where data can be transmitted and received (memory controller setting) (step 113). Next, parameters such as the read / write timing for the volatile RAM 21 are set (volatile RAM parameter setting) (step 114).
Thereafter, power is supplied to the volatile RAM 21 and the nonvolatile RAM 22 (volatile RAM / nonvolatile RAM ON) (step 115).

The nonvolatile RAM 22 holds a control program that can be executed when shifting to the power saving mode. Therefore, when the CPU 10 and the memory controller 30 become operable and power is supplied to the volatile RAM 21 and the nonvolatile RAM 22, the mode is shifted to the normal drive mode.
Then, the CPU 10 executes processing such as image formation (CPU processing) (step 116).
When the processing by the CPU 10 is completed, the supply of power to the volatile RAM 21 and the nonvolatile RAM 22 is stopped (volatile RAM / nonvolatile RAM OFF) (step 117). Then, the supply of power to the CPU 10 and the memory controller 30 is stopped (CPU / memory controller OFF) (step 118).
As a result, the process shifts to the power saving mode and returns to Step 101. That is, the control unit 1 waits for packet data to be received.

After step 116 processed by the CPU 10, the supply of power to the volatile RAM 21 and the nonvolatile RAM 22 is stopped in step 117, and further, the supply of power to the CPU 10 and the memory controller 30 is stopped in step 118.
Since continuous packet data including image data may be transmitted, the timing of executing step 117 is instructed from the UI unit 101 after elapse of a predetermined time after no longer receiving packet data or by the user. You may set it when you receive.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not it is a processing target in the nonvolatile RAM 22 according to the protocol of the received packet data. If the data is to be processed in the nonvolatile RAM 22, the packet data is processed in the nonvolatile RAM 22 without supplying power to the volatile RAM 21 (without starting up). That is, since power is not supplied to the volatile RAM 21, time and power consumption for initializing the volatile RAM 21 such as setting parameters are suppressed.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, as shown in steps 107 to 109 in FIG. 5, when the packet data to be received is a processing target in the nonvolatile RAM 22, The supply of power to the non-volatile RAM 22, the CPU 10, and the memory controller 30 was stopped, and the power saving mode was restored.
However, when the packet data protocol is ARP, Ping, or the like, packet data that is subjected to processing such as image formation, such as SMTP, RCP, LPR, or IPP, may be received following the packet data. possible.
In such a case, it is necessary to stop the supply of power to the nonvolatile RAM 22 (step 108) and stop the supply of power to the CPU 10 and the memory controller 30 (step 109) following step 107 in FIG. do not do.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, two continuous packet data (first packet data and second packet data) are received.
Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

(Operation of control unit 1)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control unit 1 according to the second embodiment. Here, the operation of the CPU 10, the main memory 20, and the memory controller 30 in the control unit 1 shown in FIG. 3 will be mainly described.
In addition, it is assumed that whether or not to be processed by the nonvolatile RAM 22 is determined by a packet data protocol as an example.

Again, it is assumed that the control unit 1 is in the power saving mode.
It is determined by the filter unit 41 of the transceiver control module 40-4 whether or not the first packet data to be received has been received (step 201). When a negative (No) determination is made, that is, when the first packet data is not received, the power saving mode is maintained.

If the determination in step 201 is affirmative (Yes), that is, if the first packet data to be received is received, the processing unit in the nonvolatile RAM 22 is processed by the determination unit 42 of the transmission / reception unit control module 40-4. Is determined (step 202). For example, if the protocol of the first packet data is ARP, Ping, or the like, it is determined that processing in the nonvolatile RAM 22 is possible. On the other hand, if the protocol of the first packet data is SMTP, RCP, LPR, IPP, etc., it is determined that it is not subject to processing.
The case where a negative (No) determination is made in step 202 will be described later.

If the determination in step 202 is affirmative (Yes), that is, if the protocol of the first packet data is ARP, Ping, or the like and is a processing target in the nonvolatile RAM 22, the transceiver control module 40 -4 starts the power control module 60, supplies power to the CPU 10 and the memory controller 30 (CPU / memory controller ON), executes initialization of the CPU 10 (CPU initialization), and further sets the memory controller 30. (Memory controller setting) (step 203). Thereafter, power is supplied to the nonvolatile RAM 22 (nonvolatile RAM ON) (step 204).
Thereby, it shifts to the partial drive mode.

  The nonvolatile RAM 22 holds a control program that can be executed when shifting to the power saving mode. Therefore, when power is supplied to the nonvolatile RAM 22, the CPU 10 executes a process on the first packet data which is a protocol such as ARP or Ping and is a processing target in the nonvolatile RAM 22 (CPU processing). (Step 205).

Even when the processing by the CPU 10 is completed, the control unit 1 maintains the partial drive mode.
Then, it is determined whether or not the second packet data is received by the filter unit 41 of the transmission / reception unit control module 40-4 (step 206). If a negative (No) determination is made, the partial drive mode is maintained.

If the determination in step 206 is affirmative (Yes), that is, if the second packet data to be received is received, the processing in the nonvolatile RAM 22 is performed by the determination unit 42 of the transmission / reception unit control module 40-4. It is determined whether or not it is a target (step 207). If the determination in step 207 is affirmative (Yes), the processing of the second packet data is executed by the CPU 10 (step 208). Then, the supply of power to the nonvolatile RAM 22 is stopped (nonvolatile RAM OFF) (step 209). Then, the supply of power to the CPU 10 and the memory controller 30 is stopped (CPU / memory controller OFF) (step 210).
Then, the mode shifts to the power saving mode and waits for the first packet data to be received.
Note that if a negative (No) determination is made in step 207, it will be described later.

On the other hand, if a negative (No) determination is made in step 202, that is, if the protocol of the first packet data is SMTP, RCP, LPR, IPP, etc. and is not a target, the transceiver control module The power control module 60 is activated by 40-4, power is supplied to the CPU 10 and the memory controller 30 (CPU / memory controller ON), the CPU 10 is initialized (CPU initialization), and the memory controller 30 is set. (Memory controller setting) (step 211).
Next, parameters such as read / write timing for the volatile RAM 21 are set (volatile RAM parameter setting) (step 212).

  Thereafter, the memory controller 30 determines whether power is supplied to the nonvolatile RAM 22 (nonvolatile RAM ON?) (Step 213). Since power is not supplied to the nonvolatile RAM 22, a negative (No) determination is made. Then, power is supplied to the volatile RAM 21 and the nonvolatile RAM 22 (volatile RAM / nonvolatile RAM ON) (step 214).

The nonvolatile RAM 22 holds a control program that can be executed when shifting to the power saving mode. Therefore, the CPU 10 and the memory controller 30 become operable, and the power is supplied to the volatile RAM 21 and the nonvolatile RAM 22 to shift to the normal drive mode.
Then, the CPU 10 executes processing of the first packet data (CPU processing) (step 215).
When the processing by the CPU 10 is completed, the supply of power to the volatile RAM 21 and the nonvolatile RAM 22 is stopped (volatile RAM / nonvolatile RAM OFF) (step 216). Then, the supply of power to the CPU 10 and the memory controller 30 is stopped (CPU / memory controller OFF) (step 217).
As a result, the mode shifts to the power saving mode and waits for the first packet data to be received.

  If a negative (No) determination is made in step 207, that is, if the protocol of the first packet data is SMTP, RCP, LPR, IPP, etc., and is not a target, the process proceeds to step 213. To do. That is, the memory controller 30 determines whether power is supplied to the nonvolatile RAM 22 (nonvolatile RAM ON?) (Step 213). Since power has already been supplied to the nonvolatile RAM 22 (see step 204), an affirmative (Yes) determination is made. Then, the parameters of the volatile RAM 21 are set (volatile RAM parameter setting) (step 218). Then, power is supplied to the volatile RAM 21 (volatile RAM ON) (step 219).

Thereafter, the process shifts to the normal drive mode, and the processing of the second packet data is executed by the CPU 10 (step 215).
When the processing by the CPU 10 is completed, the supply of power to the volatile RAM 21 and the nonvolatile RAM 22 is stopped (volatile RAM / nonvolatile RAM OFF) (step 216). Then, the supply of power to the CPU 10 and the memory controller 30 is stopped (CPU / memory controller OFF) (step 217).
This shifts to the power saving mode and waits for packet data to be received.

As described above, when packet data that is two consecutive reception targets are received, the first packet data is a processing target in the nonvolatile RAM 22, and the subsequent second packet data is not a target, When the two-packet data is received, there is no need to repeatedly supply power to the CPU 10 and the memory controller 30, initialize the CPU 10, and set the memory controller 30.
Therefore, it is possible to suppress the time for shifting the control unit 1 from the power saving mode to the normal driving mode.

In the above, whether or not the packet data is subject to processing in the nonvolatile RAM 22 is determined according to the protocol. However, as in the first embodiment, it is determined based on the required processing speed (processing time), capacity, and the like. Also good.
Further, the control unit 1 that is the image forming apparatus 100 or the information processing apparatus receives the packet data. However, the packet data may not be based on a predetermined standard, and may not be received in units of packets. That is, it may be data.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the control unit 1 as the information processing apparatus controls the image forming apparatus 100. However, the control unit 1 is an information processing apparatus that controls an apparatus having other functions. There may be.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control part, 10 ... CPU, 20 ... Main memory, 21 ... Volatile RAM, 22 ... Non-volatile RAM, 30 ... Memory controller, 40 ... Control module, 40-1 ... UI part control module, 40-2 ... Image Formation unit control module, 40-3... Image reading unit control module, 40-4... Transmission / reception unit control module, 50... Bus, 100. Image forming apparatus, 101. UI unit, 102. Image forming unit, 103. Image reading unit , 104 ... transmission / reception unit, 110 ... communication line, 120 ... terminal device, 130 ... facsimile device, 140 ... server device

Claims (5)

An image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium;
A control unit for controlling the operation of the image forming unit,
The control unit is
Execution means for executing a control program for controlling the image forming unit;
A first storage means that is readable and writable and is non-volatile capable of retaining stored information without supplying power, and stores the control program in an operable state;
A second storage means that is readable and writable and is volatile and cannot hold stored information unless power is supplied, and is used by the execution means along with the execution of the control program;
Receiving means for receiving data from outside;
The first storage unit and the second storage unit are activated based on the data received by the reception unit in a state where power is not supplied to the first storage unit and the second storage unit. Determining means for determining whether to activate the first storage means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: the first storage unit, the second storage unit, or an activation unit that activates the first storage unit based on the determination of the determination unit. Execution means for executing a control program for realizing a predetermined function;
A first storage means that is readable and writable and is non-volatile capable of retaining stored information without supplying power, and stores the control program in an operable state;
A second storage means that is readable and writable and is volatile and cannot hold stored information unless power is supplied, and is used by the execution means along with the execution of the control program;
Receiving means for receiving data from outside;
The first storage unit and the second storage unit are activated based on the data received by the reception unit in a state where power is not supplied to the first storage unit and the second storage unit. Determining means for determining whether to activate the first storage means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: the first storage unit, the second storage unit, or an activation unit that activates the first storage unit based on the determination of the determination unit.   The determining means determines whether to start the first storage means and the second storage means or to start the first storage means based on processing requested by the data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first storage unit is one of MRAM, FeRAM, PRAM, and ReRAM. On the computer,
A function for executing a control program for realizing a predetermined function;
A function of storing a control program in a nonvolatile first storage means that is readable and writable and capable of holding stored information without supplying power;
A function that uses volatile second storage means that is readable and writable and that cannot store stored information unless power is supplied;
The ability to receive data from outside,
In the state where power is not supplied to the first storage unit and the second storage unit, the first storage unit and the second storage unit are activated based on the received data, or the A function of determining whether to activate the first storage means;
A program for realizing the first storage unit and the second storage unit or a function of starting the first storage unit based on the determination.

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