JP2016082544A - Information processing apparatus, control method of the same, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus that can improve convenience for a user while achieving low power consumption.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 101 as an information processing apparatus supplies a power to open/close detection sensors 107 and 112 to 115 on the basis of vibration detected in a power-saving mode, and after the open/close detection sensors 107 and 112 to 115 supplied with power detect operations of respective opening/closing means, makes a transition from a power-saving mode to a normal mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5B

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program, and more particularly, to an information processing apparatus having a power saving mode in which power supply is suppressed as compared with a normal mode, a control method thereof, and a program.

  The information processing apparatus has a normal mode in which various processes are executed, and a power saving mode in which supply of power to main components of the information processing apparatus is suppressed from the normal mode. In the information processing apparatus in the normal mode, for example, when the mode transition button for instructing the transition to the power saving mode is pressed, or when the information processing apparatus is not operated for a predetermined period by the user, the transition to the power saving mode is performed. Done. In the power saving mode, for example, power supply to main components provided in the information processing apparatus is stopped, and low power consumption in the information processing apparatus is realized.

  By the way, in the information processing apparatus, the mode transition button is pressed even when shifting from the power saving mode to the normal mode. However, in order to improve convenience for the user, the mode transition button may not be pressed. A technique has also been proposed in which a transition from the power saving mode to the normal mode is performed when a specific operation is performed by a user. For example, in such a technique, when an information processing apparatus such as a printer that performs scanner processing is in a power saving mode, when a user lifts a reader cover provided in the information processing apparatus, an open / close sensor provided in the reader cover is An operation on the reader cover is detected. The information processing apparatus shifts from the power saving mode to the normal mode in accordance with the detected operation on the reader cover (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the technique of Patent Document 1, for example, a photo interrupter having a red LED light emitting unit is used as the open / close sensor, and power for emitting the red LED in the power saving mode is constantly supplied to the open / close sensor.

JP2012-008245A

  However, when the red LED emits light in the open / close sensor, for example, it is necessary to supply power of several hundred mW to the open / close sensor. Therefore, in the information processing apparatus in the power saving mode, for example, when the supply of power to the open / close sensor is stopped in order to realize low power consumption, the open / close sensor cannot detect an operation on the reader cover. The transition from the power saving mode to the normal mode cannot be performed according to the operation on the cover. In this case, for example, the user needs to press the mode transition button to instruct the transition from the power saving mode to the normal mode, which deteriorates the convenience for the user.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program that can improve user convenience while realizing low power consumption.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an opening / closing means and an operation detection means for detecting an operation on the opening / closing means, and the supply of power is suppressed as compared with the normal mode and the normal mode. An information processing apparatus having a power saving mode, a vibration detecting means for detecting vibration, a power supply means for supplying power to the operation detecting means based on the vibration detected in the power saving mode, and the power saving Control means for controlling to switch from the power saving mode to the normal mode when an operation on the opening / closing means is detected by the operation detecting means supplied with the power in a mode. To do.

  According to the present invention, when power is supplied to the operation detection unit based on the vibration detected in the power saving mode, and the operation of the opening / closing unit is detected by the operation detection unit supplied with power, Transition to mode. As a result, the power supplied to the operation detection means in the power saving mode can be minimized, and the user can move from the power saving mode to the normal mode according to the operation of the opening / closing means. There is no need to perform an operation corresponding to the transition to the normal mode, and thus it is possible to improve user convenience while realizing low power consumption in the power saving mode.

1 is a side view for explaining an appearance of an image forming apparatus as an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the open / close detection sensor in FIG. 1. FIG. 3A shows a case where the ADF is closed, and FIG. 3B shows a case where the ADF is opened. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the vibration detection part in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the mode transfer process performed by CPU in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the mode transfer process performed by CPU in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematically the structure of the 1st modification of the vibration detection part of FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a first modification of the mode transition process of FIGS. 5A and 5B. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the modification provided with a some vibration detection part. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a second modification of the mode transition process of FIGS. 5A and 5B.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In this embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus as an information processing apparatus will be described. However, the application destination of the present invention is not limited to an image forming apparatus, and any information processing apparatus having a power saving mode may be used. The present invention can be applied.

  FIG. 1 is a side view for explaining the appearance of an image forming apparatus 101 as an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, in FIG. 1, in order to understand easily, an internal component is drawn so that it may show through.

  In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 101 includes a reading unit 102 and a printing unit 103. The reading unit 102 includes an ADF 104, a document reading unit 105, a hinge unit 106, and an open / close detection sensor 107 (operation detection unit). The printing unit 103 includes a paper feed cassette 108, a manual feed tray 109, a front cover 110, a rear cover 111, open / close detection sensors 112 to 115 (operation detection means), and a vibration detection unit 116 (vibration detection means).

  The image forming apparatus 101 suppresses the supply of power to the normal mode in which various processes such as a printing process and the above-described components, specifically the reading unit 102 and the printing unit 103, are performed as the power state. Power saving mode. The reading unit 102 performs a scanning process to read a document, and generates image data based on the read data. The ADF 104 is a pressure plate-like object for pressing a document against a document table glass (not shown) provided on the upper surface of the document reading unit 105, and is configured to be rotatable upward by a hinge unit 106. The hinge unit 106 is provided with an open / close detection sensor 107 that detects an open / close operation of the ADF 104.

  For example, the printing unit 103 prints an image on a sheet based on the image data generated by the reading unit 102. The paper feed cassette 108 is configured to be drawable and stores paper used for printing. The manual feed tray 109, the front cover 110, and the rear cover 111 are configured to be rotatable by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The manual feed tray 109 is opened and closed when the manual feed paper is placed for printing on the manual feed paper. For example, the front cover 110 is provided on the front surface of the image forming apparatus 101 and is opened and closed when the image forming apparatus 101 is maintained and when a toner cassette is attached or detached. The rear cover 111 is provided on the back surface of the image forming apparatus 101, for example, and is opened and closed when performing maintenance or jam processing of the image forming apparatus 101. Each of the paper feed cassette 108, the manual feed tray 109, the front cover 110, and the rear cover 111 is provided with open / close detection sensors 112 to 115 for detecting an open / close operation. The vibration detection unit 116 detects vibration in the image forming apparatus 101. In the present embodiment, the vibration detection unit 116 detects vibration caused by each opening / closing operation of the ADF 104, the paper feed cassette 108, the manual feed tray 109, the front cover 110, and the rear cover 111 (hereinafter referred to as “opening / closing means”). To do.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 101 of FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 101 includes a control unit 201, a power supply unit 202 (power supply unit), and an operation unit 203 in addition to the reading unit 102, the printing unit 103, and the vibration detection unit 116 in FIG. 1. The control unit 201 includes a CPU 204, a RAM 205, a ROM 206, a storage device 207, an image processing unit 208, a printing unit I / F 209, a reading unit I / F 210, a USB I / F 211, a network I / F 212, and a FAX I / F 213. The above-described components provided in the control unit 201 are connected to each other via a bus 214. The reading unit 102 includes a reading control unit 215 and an open / close detection sensor 107. The printing unit 103 includes a printing control unit 216 and open / close detection sensors 112 to 115. The operation unit 203 includes a display unit 222 and key buttons 223.

  The power supply unit 202 supplies power to the reading unit 102, the printing unit 103, the vibration detection unit 116, the control unit 201, and the operation unit 203, respectively. In addition, the power supply unit 202 stops supplying power to the reading unit 102 and the printing unit 103 based on a control signal transmitted from the CPU 204 in the power saving mode. In this embodiment, when the supply of power to the reading unit 102 and the printing unit 103 is stopped, the reading control unit 215, the open / close detection sensor 107, the print control unit 216, and the open / close detection provided in the reading unit 102 and the printing unit 103. The supply of power to the sensors 112 to 115 is also stopped. The operation unit 203 transmits setting information for executing various processes set by the user using the operation unit 203 to the control unit 201.

  The CPU 204 executes a control program stored in the ROM 206 to control the above-described constituent elements provided in the control unit 201 as a whole. The RAM 205 is used as a work area when the CPU 204 executes a control program stored in the ROM 206. The RAM 205 temporarily stores, for example, image data that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 208 during print processing. The storage device 207 stores a large amount of data and programs. An image processing unit 208 performs image processing on the image data generated by the reading unit 102. A printing unit I / F 209 performs data communication with the printing unit 103. The reading unit I / F 210 performs data communication with the reading unit 102. The USB I / F 211 performs data communication with an information processing apparatus 217 connected via a USB connector (not shown). The network I / F 212 performs data communication with the information processing apparatus 219 connected to the LAN 218. The FAX I / F 213 performs data communication with the FAX apparatus 221 connected to the public line network 220.

  The reading control unit 215 performs data communication with the open / close detection sensor 107 in FIG. When the reading control unit 215 receives a signal indicating that the opening / closing operation transmitted from the opening / closing detection sensor 107 has been detected, the reading control unit 215 transmits an opening / closing detection signal to the CPU 204 according to the received signal. The print control unit 216 performs data communication with the open / close detection sensors 112 to 115 in FIG. When the print control unit 216 receives a signal indicating that the open / close operation transmitted from the open / close detection sensors 112 to 115 is detected, the print control unit 216 transmits an open / close detection signal to the CPU 204 according to the received signal. For example, a touch panel is used on the display unit 222, and a setting menu for setting setting information for executing various processes is displayed. The key button 223 includes, for example, a numeric keypad used when setting setting information and a mode transition button for instructing transition to a power saving mode. The mode transition button is also used to instruct a transition from the power saving mode to the normal mode.

  3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the open / close detection sensor 107 in FIG. 1, FIG. 3A shows a case where the ADF 104 is closed, and FIG. 3B shows a case where the ADF 104 is opened.

  In the present embodiment, since the open / close detection sensors 107 and 112 to 115 have the same configuration, the configuration of the open / close detection sensor 107 will be described below as an example.

  In FIG. 3, the open / close detection sensor 107 includes a movable flag 301 and a photo interrupter 302. The photo interrupter 302 includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit (not shown). When the ADF 104 is closed as shown in FIG. 3A, the light emitted from the light emitting unit of the photo interrupter 302 is blocked by the movable flag 301, and the light emitted from the light emitting unit is received at the light receiving unit of the photo interrupter 302. Not detected. On the other hand, when the ADF 104 is opened as shown in FIG. 3B, the light emitted from the light emitting unit of the photo interrupter 302 is not blocked by the movable flag 301 and is detected by the light receiving unit of the photo interrupter 302. . That is, the open / close detection sensor 107 detects opening / closing of the ADF 104 in response to detection of light in the light receiving unit of the photo interrupter 302.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the vibration detection unit 116 in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, the vibration detection unit 116 includes a vibration sensor 401, an amplifier 402, a comparator 403 having two input terminals, a latch 404 having two input terminals, and a constant voltage supply circuit 405. The CPU 204 includes an output terminal 406 and an interrupt terminal 407.

  The output terminal of the vibration sensor 401 is connected to the input terminal of the amplifier 402, the output terminal of the amplifier 402 is connected to one input terminal of the comparator 403, and the other input terminal of the comparator 403 is the output terminal of the constant voltage supply circuit 405. Is connected. The output terminal of the comparator 403 is connected to one input terminal of the latch 404, and the output terminal 406 of the CPU 204 is connected to the other input terminal of the latch 404. The output terminal of the latch 404 is connected to the interrupt terminal 407 of the CPU 204.

  When the vibration sensor 401 detects vibration, it transmits a vibration detection signal to the amplifier 402. The amplifier 402 amplifies the amplitude of the received vibration detection signal to generate a vibration amplification signal. The amplifier 402 transmits the generated vibration amplification signal to the comparator 403. The comparator 403 determines whether or not the voltage indicated by the amplitude of the received vibration amplification signal is equal to or higher than the output voltage of the constant voltage supply circuit 405, for example, 2.0V. In this embodiment mode, the output voltage of the constant voltage supply circuit 405 is a voltage that serves as a reference value for determining whether or not to supply power to the reading unit 102 and the printing unit 103. Accordingly, it is determined whether to supply power to the reading unit 102 and the printing unit 103. Next, when the voltage indicated by the amplitude of the received vibration amplification signal is equal to or higher than the output voltage of the constant voltage supply circuit 405, for example, 2.0 V, the comparator 403 has a high-level vibration indicating that the latch 404 has detected vibration. A discrimination signal is transmitted. The comparator 403 has a low level indicating that the latch 404 does not detect vibration when the voltage indicated by the amplitude of the received vibration amplification signal is smaller than the output voltage of the constant voltage supply circuit 405, for example, 2.0V. A vibration discrimination signal is transmitted. The latch 404 includes a D flip-flop and the like, and transmits a vibration notification signal to the interrupt terminal 407 of the CPU 204 in response to a latch clear signal transmitted from the output terminal 406 of the CPU 204. In the present embodiment, whether to detect vibration by the vibration detection unit 116 is set by a latch clear signal. Specifically, when vibration detection is performed by the vibration detection unit 116, a high level latch clear signal is transmitted from the CPU 204 to the vibration detection unit 116, detection of the vibration sensor 401 is set to be effective, and the latch 404 is output from the comparator 403. A vibration notification signal is transmitted to the CPU 204 in accordance with the transmitted vibration determination signal. On the other hand, when vibration detection by the vibration detection unit 116 is not performed, a low level latch clear signal is transmitted from the CPU 204 to the vibration detection unit 116, detection of the vibration sensor 401 is set to invalid, and the latch 404 is a low level signal. Is transmitted to the CPU 204.

  5A and 5B are flowcharts for explaining mode transition processing executed by the CPU 204 in FIG.

  The processing in FIGS. 5A and 5B is performed by the CPU 204 executing a control program stored in the ROM 206.

  In the image forming apparatus 101 in the power saving mode, in order to realize low power consumption, for example, when the supply of power to the open / close detection sensors 107 and 112 to 115 is stopped, the open / close detection sensors 107 and 112 to 115 are opened and closed. Since the opening / closing operation for the means (ADF 104, paper feed cassette 108, manual feed tray 109, front cover 110, rear cover 111) cannot be detected, the transition from the power saving mode to the normal mode according to the opening / closing operation for each opening / closing means. Can not do. In this case, for example, the user needs to instruct the transition from the power saving mode to the normal mode by pressing the mode transition button on the operation unit 203, which deteriorates the convenience for the user.

  Correspondingly, in the processing of FIGS. 5A and 5B, electric power is supplied to the open / close detection sensors 107 and 112 to 115 based on the vibration detected in the power saving mode, and the open / close detection sensors 107, When an opening / closing operation with respect to each opening / closing means is detected by 112 to 115, the mode is shifted from the power saving mode to the normal mode.

  Specifically, first, when the image forming apparatus 101 is activated, the CPU 204 shifts the mode of the image forming apparatus 101 to the normal mode (step S501). Next, the CPU 204 determines whether or not the condition for the image forming apparatus 101 to shift to the power saving mode is satisfied (step S502). In the present embodiment, for example, when the button after the mode in the operation unit 203 is pressed, or when the image forming apparatus 101 is not operated for a predetermined period or more by the user, the mode is shifted to the power saving mode. Thereafter, when the condition for shifting the image forming apparatus 101 to the power saving mode is satisfied (YES in step S502), the CPU 204 vibrates a high-level latch clear signal as a setting for detecting vibration by the vibration detection unit 116. It transmits to the detection part 116 (step S503), and the detection of the vibration sensor 401 is set to effective. Next, the CPU 204 transmits a control signal to the power supply unit 202 to stop the supply of power to the reading unit 102 and the printing unit 103 (step S504). When the supply of power to the reading unit 102 and the printing unit 103 is stopped, power is not supplied to the open / close detection sensors 107 and 112 to 115 provided in the reading unit 102 and the printing unit 103. The opening / closing operation for the means is not detected. Next, the CPU 204 shifts the mode of the image forming apparatus 101 from the normal mode to the power saving mode (step S505). Next, when the CPU 204 receives the interrupt signal (YES in step S506), the CPU 204 starts preparation for shifting the mode of the image forming apparatus 101 from the power saving mode to the normal mode (step S507). Next, the CPU 204 analyzes the received interrupt signal (step S508), and determines whether or not the received interrupt signal is a vibration notification signal transmitted from the vibration detection unit 116 (step S509).

  When the received interrupt signal is not the vibration notification signal transmitted from the vibration detection unit 116 as a result of the determination in step S509, the CPU 204 determines that the received interrupt signal is based on other factors rather than the vibration detection by the vibration detection unit 116. The interrupt signal is specified (step S514), and the process proceeds to step S515.

  As a result of the determination in step S509, when the received interrupt signal is a vibration notification signal transmitted from the vibration detection unit 116, the CPU 204 determines that vibration is detected by the vibration detection unit 116, and the reading unit 102 and the printing unit 103. Decides to supply power. Thereafter, the CPU 204 transmits a control signal to the power supply unit 202 to supply power to the reading unit 102 and the printing unit 103 (step S510). Thereby, electric power is supplied to the open / close detection sensors 107 and 112 to 115, and the open / close detection sensors 107 and 112 to 115 can detect the open / close operations for the respective open / close means. Next, the CPU 204 receives an open / close detection signal transmitted based on the detection of the open / close detection sensors 107 and 112 to 115 to which power is supplied (step S511), and based on the received open / close detection signal, either of the open / close means is selected. It is determined whether or not an opening / closing operation has been performed on (step S512).

  As a result of the determination in step S512, when an opening / closing operation is performed on any of the opening / closing means, the CPU 204 shifts the mode of the image forming apparatus 101 from the power saving mode to the normal mode (step S515) (control means). Returning to the processing of 502.

  As a result of the determination in step S512, when no opening / closing operation is performed on any of the opening / closing means, the CPU 204 transmits a control signal to the power supply unit 202 and stops supplying power to the reading unit 102 and the printing unit 103. The power saving mode is continued (step S513), and the process returns to step S506.

  5A and 5B, power is supplied to the open / close detection sensors 107 and 112 to 115 based on the vibration detected in the power saving mode, and the open / close detection sensors 107 and 112 to 115 to which power is supplied. When an opening / closing operation on any of the opening / closing means is detected, the power saving mode is shifted to the normal mode. As a result, in the power saving mode, power is not supplied to the open / close detection sensors 107 and 112 to 115 until vibration is detected. Therefore, power to be supplied to the open and close detection sensors 107 and 112 to 115 in the power saving mode is required. Can be minimized. Further, since the power saving mode is shifted to the normal mode in response to the opening / closing operation for any of the opening / closing means, for example, the user presses the mode transition button on the operation unit 203 to instruct to shift from the power saving mode to the normal mode Therefore, it is possible to improve user convenience while realizing low power consumption in the power saving mode.

  5A and 5B, if no opening / closing operation is detected for any of the opening / closing means by the opening / closing detection sensors 107 and 112 to 115 to which power is supplied in the power saving mode, the reading unit 102 and The supply of power to the printing unit 103 is stopped, and as a result, the supply of power to the open / close detection sensors 107 and 112 to 115 is stopped. Thereby, it can suppress that electric power is supplied to the open / close detection sensors 107 and 112 to 115 more than necessary in the power saving mode.

  Although the present invention has been described above by using the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

  For example, in the above-described processing of FIGS. 5A and 5B, the case where the opening / closing means to be detected by the opening / closing operation is the ADF 104, the paper feed cassette 108, the manual feed tray 109, the front cover 110, and the rear cover 111 is described. However, the opening / closing means is not limited to the above components, and may be, for example, a paper feed cassette, a tray, a cover, or the like that is not provided in advance in the image forming apparatus 101 and is newly added as an option. Note that even in the image forming apparatus 101 to which the above-described components are added, by executing the processing of FIGS. 5A and 5B, it is possible to realize low power consumption in the power saving mode without impairing the convenience for the user. .

  5A and 5B described above, an operation that triggers a transition from the power saving mode to the normal mode when a handset (not shown) is lifted from a stand or a card reader (not shown) is inserted. May be detected. Thus, even when an operation other than the opening / closing operation on the ADF 104 or the like is performed, the transition from the power saving mode to the normal mode is performed by executing the processing of FIG. 5A and FIG. Can be improved.

  5A and 5B described above, when an opening / closing operation on any of the opening / closing detection sensors 107 and 112 to 115 is detected, the power saving mode is shifted to the normal mode. For example, the power saving mode may be shifted to the normal mode only when the opening / closing operation for the opening / closing detection sensor 104 corresponding to the ADF 104 that is assumed to perform the scanning process after the opening / closing operation is performed. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the shift from the power saving mode to the normal mode, for example, other than when the scan processing is desired, more than necessary.

  In the processing of FIGS. 5A and 5B described above, the power supply unit 202 may supply power only to the open / close detection sensors 107 and 112 to 115 instead of the reading unit 102 and the printing unit 103. This also reduces power supply destinations and suppresses power consumption.

  5A and 5B described above, based on the magnitude of vibration detected by the modification of the vibration detection unit 116, specifically, one of the reading unit 102 and the printing unit 103. And power may be supplied only to the identified component, for example, the reading unit 102.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the first modification of the vibration detection unit 116 of FIG.

  Since the present modification is basically the same in configuration and operation as the above-described embodiment, the description of the overlapping configuration and operation will be omitted, and only the configuration and operation different from the above-described embodiment will be described below. This will be described in detail.

  In FIG. 6, the vibration detection unit 600 includes a comparator 403, a latch 404, and a constant voltage supply circuit 405 (hereinafter referred to as the vibration sensor 401, an amplifier 402, a comparator 403, a latch 404, and a constant voltage supply circuit 405). , A comparator 601, a latch 602, and a constant voltage supply circuit 603 (hereinafter referred to as “comparison detection unit 605”). The CPU 204 ′ includes an interrupt terminal 606 in addition to the output terminal 406 and the interrupt terminal 407.

  The output terminal of the vibration sensor 401 is connected to the input terminal of the amplifier 402, and the output terminal of the amplifier 402 is connected to one input terminal of the comparator 403 and one input terminal of the comparator 601. The output terminal of the constant voltage supply circuit 405 is connected to the other input terminal of the comparator 403, the output terminal of the comparator 403 is connected to one input terminal of the latch 404, and the output terminal of the latch 404 is the interrupt terminal 407 of the CPU 204 ′. Connected to. The output terminal of the constant voltage supply circuit 603 is connected to the other input terminal of the comparator 601, the output terminal of the comparator 601 is connected to one input terminal of the latch 602, and the output terminal of the latch 602 is the interrupt terminal 606 of the CPU 204 ′. Connected to. The output terminal 406 of the CPU 204 ′ is connected to the other input terminal of the latch 404 and the other input terminal of the latch 602, respectively.

  The vibration detection unit 600 uses two comparison detection units 604 and 605 in order to detect the magnitude of vibration step by step. Here, the output voltage of the constant voltage supply circuit 603 is set to a voltage smaller than the output voltage of the constant voltage supply circuit 405. The comparison detection unit 604 detects a case where the vibration is large based on the output voltage of the constant voltage supply circuit 405, for example, 2.0V. On the other hand, the comparison detection unit 605 detects a case where the vibration is small based on the output voltage of the constant voltage supply circuit 603, for example, 1.0V. That is, when the voltage corresponding to the amplitude of the received vibration amplification signal is 2.0 V or more, the comparison detection unit 604 transmits a vibration notification signal to the interrupt terminal 407 of the CPU 204 ′, and the comparison detection unit 605 receives the vibration amplification. When the voltage corresponding to the amplitude of the signal is 1.0 V or more, a vibration notification signal is transmitted to the interrupt terminal 606 of the CPU 204 ′. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, when the vibration corresponding to the amplitude of the received vibration amplification signal is large such that the voltage is 2.0 V or more, vibration is applied from the comparison detection units 604 and 605 to the interrupt terminals 407 and 606 of the CPU 204 ′. Notification signals are transmitted respectively. When the vibration corresponding to the amplitude of the received vibration amplification signal is small such that the voltage is about 1.5 V, the vibration notification signal is transmitted only from the comparison detection unit 605 to the interrupt terminal 606 of the CPU 204 ′. Further, when there is almost no vibration such that the voltage corresponding to the amplitude of the received vibration amplification signal is 1.0 V or less, none of the comparison detection units 604 and 605 transmits a vibration notification signal. Thereby, the CPU 204 ′ specifies the magnitude of vibration detected by the vibration detection unit 600 based on the vibration notification signal received at each of the interrupt terminals 407 and 606. In the present embodiment, assuming that the vibration detection unit 600 is provided in the printing unit 103, based on the magnitude of vibration, for example, when vibration is large, the vicinity of the vibration detection unit 600, that is, the printing unit 103 is When the vibration is identified as a vibration generation source and the vibration is small, the reading unit 102 provided at a position away from the vibration detection unit 600 is identified as the vibration generation source.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a first modification of the mode transition process of FIGS. 5A and 5B.

  The processing in FIG. 7 is performed by the CPU 204 ′ executing a control program stored in the ROM 206. Note that this processing also assumes that the vibration detection unit 600 is provided in the printing unit 103.

  In the processing of FIGS. 5A and 5B described above, when vibration is detected by the vibration detection unit 116, the reading unit 102 and the printing unit regardless of whether the vibration is generated from the reading unit 102 or the printing unit 103. Since power is supplied to each of the 103, power may be supplied more than necessary in the power saving mode.

  Correspondingly, in the process of FIG. 7, which of the reading unit 102 and the printing unit 103 is to be supplied with power is determined based on the magnitude of vibration detected by the vibration detection unit 600.

  In the process of FIG. 7, first, the same process as steps S501 to S508 of FIG. 5A is performed, and the CPU 204 ′ determines whether or not the received interrupt signal is a vibration notification signal transmitted from the vibration detection unit 600. (Step S701).

  As a result of the determination in step S701, when the received interrupt signal is the vibration notification signal transmitted from the vibration detection unit 600, the CPU 204 ′ determines whether or not the terminal that has received the vibration notification signal is the interrupt terminal 407. (Step S702).

  As a result of the determination in step S702, when the terminal that has received the vibration notification signal is the interrupt terminal 407, the CPU 204 ′ indicates that a large vibration has been detected, that is, the printing unit 103 provided with the vibration detection unit 600. Is identified as the source of vibration. Thereafter, the CPU 204 'transmits a control signal to the power supply unit 202 to supply power to the printing unit 103 (step S703). As a result, power is supplied to the open / close detection sensors 112 to 115 provided in the printing unit 103, and the open / close detection sensors 112 to 115 provide each open / close means, specifically, a paper feed cassette 108, a manual feed tray 109, a front cover 110, The opening / closing operation for the rear cover 111 can be detected.

  Next, the CPU 204 ′ receives the open / close detection signal transmitted based on the detection of the open / close detection sensors 112 to 115 to which power is supplied (step S704), and performs the same processing as steps S512, S513, and S515 of FIG. 5B. Do.

  As a result of the determination in step S702, when the terminal that has received the vibration notification signal is not the interrupt terminal 407, the CPU 204 ′ is in a case where a small vibration is detected, that is, provided at a position away from the vibration detection unit 600. The reading unit 102 is identified as a vibration generation source. Thereafter, the CPU 204 'transmits a control signal to the power supply unit 202 to supply power to the reading unit 102 (step S705). As a result, power is supplied to the open / close detection sensor 107 provided in the reading unit 102, and the open / close detection sensor 107 can detect the open / close operation on the ADF 104. Next, the CPU 204 'receives an open / close detection signal transmitted based on the detection of the open / close detection sensor 107 to which power is supplied (step S706), and performs the same processing as steps S512, S513, and S515 of FIG. 5B.

  As a result of the determination in step S701, when the received interrupt signal is not the vibration notification signal transmitted from the vibration detection unit 600, the CPU 204 'performs the same process as steps S514 and S515 in FIG. 5B.

  According to the processing of FIG. 7 described above, power is supplied to any of the reading unit 102 and the printing unit 103 provided with the open / close detection sensors 107 and 112 to 115 based on the magnitude of vibration detected by the vibration detection unit 600. It is decided whether to do. As a result, even if vibration is detected, power is supplied only to either the reading unit 102 or the printing unit 103, so that the power supply destination can be minimized.

  Further, according to the processing of FIG. 7 described above, the voltage corresponding to the amplitude of the vibration amplification signal and the output voltages of the constant voltage supply circuits 405 and 603 are compared. Here, a voltage corresponding to a vibration reference value for determining whether to supply power to each of the reading unit 102 and the printing unit 103 provided with the open / close detection sensors 107 and 112 to 115 is a constant voltage supply circuit 405. 603, respectively, supplies power to either the reading unit 102 or the printing unit 103 based on a comparison between the voltage corresponding to the amplitude of the vibration amplification signal and the output voltage of each of the constant voltage supply circuits 405, 603. It is possible to reliably specify what should be done.

  In the processing of FIG. 7 described above, the vibration detection unit 600 is preferably provided at a place where an opening / closing operation with respect to each opening / closing means can be detected according to the magnitude of vibration, for example, a component other than the printing unit 103 May be provided in the reading unit 102. Further, the vibration detection unit 600 may be provided on the exterior of the image forming apparatus 101. In this case, since the vibration detection unit 600 is exposed, it is not necessary to open and close the front cover 110 and the rear cover 111 for maintenance of the vibration detection unit 600, and the vibration detection unit 600 can be easily maintained.

  In addition, as a premise for executing the processing of FIGS. 5A and 5B described above, a vibration detection unit 116 may be provided in the reading unit 102 and the printing unit 103, respectively, as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a modified example including a plurality of vibration detection units.

  In this modification, it is assumed that the vibration detection unit 116 illustrated in FIG. 4 is provided in the printing unit 103 and the vibration detection unit 116 ′ having the same configuration as the vibration detection unit 116 is provided in the reading unit 102.

  In FIG. 8, the output terminal of the latch 404 of the vibration detector 116 and the output terminal of the latch 404 'of the vibration detector 116' are connected to interrupt terminals 407 and 606 of the CPU 204 ', respectively.

  In the present embodiment, since the vibration detection unit 116 is provided in the printing unit 103 and the vibration detection unit 116 ′ is provided in the reading unit 102, the vibration detection unit 116 detects vibration in the printing unit 103, and the interrupt terminal 407 receives the vibration. Transmits a vibration notification signal for specifying that vibration in the printing unit 103 has been detected. On the other hand, the vibration detection unit 116 ′ detects vibration of the reading unit 102, and a vibration notification signal that specifies that vibration has been detected in the reading unit 102 is transmitted to the interrupt terminal 606.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a second modification of the mode transition process of FIGS. 5A and 5B. In this process, it is assumed that the vibration detection unit 116 is provided in the printing unit 103 and the vibration detection unit 116 ′ is provided in the reading unit 102.

  In the process of FIG. 9, first, the same process as in steps S501 to S508 of FIG. 5A is performed, and the CPU 204 ′ determines whether or not the received interrupt signal is a vibration notification signal transmitted from the vibration detection units 116 and 116 ′. Is determined (step S901).

  As a result of the determination in step S901, when the received interrupt signal is the vibration notification signal transmitted from the vibration detection unit 116, 116 ′, the CPU 204 ′ determines whether the terminal that received the vibration notification signal is the interrupt terminal 606. Is discriminated (step S902).

  As a result of the determination in step S902, when the terminal that has received the vibration notification signal is not the interrupt terminal 606, the CPU 204 ′ uses the vibration notification signal transmitted from the vibration detection unit 116 provided in the printing unit 103 as the received interrupt signal. That is, it is determined that the printing unit 103 is a vibration generation source, and it is determined to supply power to the printing unit 103 (decision unit). Thereafter, the CPU 204 ′ transmits a control signal to the power supply unit 202 to supply power to the printing unit 103 (step S <b> 904). Next, the CPU 204 ′ receives the open / close detection signal transmitted based on the detection of the open / close detection sensors 112 to 115 to which power is supplied (step S905), and performs the same processing as steps S512, S513, and S515 of FIG. 5B. Do.

  As a result of the determination in step S902, when the terminal that has received the vibration notification signal is the interrupt terminal 606, the CPU 204 'determines whether or not the terminal that has received the vibration notification signal is the interrupt terminal 407 (step S903).

  As a result of the determination in step S903, when the terminal that has received the vibration notification signal is not the interrupt terminal 407, the CPU 204 ′ uses the vibration notification signal transmitted from the vibration detection unit 116 ′ provided in the reading unit 102 as the received interrupt signal. That is, it is determined that the reading unit 102 is the source of vibration, and it is determined to supply power to the reading unit 102 (decision unit). Thereafter, the CPU 204 'transmits a control signal to the power supply unit 202 to supply power to the reading unit 102 (step S906). Next, the CPU 204 'receives the open / close detection signal transmitted based on the detection of the open / close detection sensor 107 to which power is supplied (step S907), and performs the same processing as steps S512, S513, and S515 of FIG. 5B.

  As a result of the determination in step S903, when the terminal that has received the vibration notification signal is the interrupt terminal 407, the CPU 204 ′ detects the vibration detection unit 116 ′ provided in the reading unit 102 and the vibration detection unit 116 provided in the printing unit 103. That the vibration notification signal is transmitted from both of them, that is, both the reading unit 102 and the printing unit 103 are identified as the vibration generation sources, and power is supplied to each of the reading unit 102 and the printing unit 103. decide. Thereafter, the CPU 204 'transmits a control signal to the power supply unit 202 to supply power to each of the reading unit 102 and the printing unit 103 (step S908). Next, the CPU 204 ′ receives an open / close detection signal transmitted based on the detection of the open / close detection sensors 107 and 112 to 115 to which power is supplied (step S909), and is similar to steps S512, S513, and S515 of FIG. 5B. Process.

  As a result of the determination in step S901, when the received interrupt signal is not the vibration notification signal transmitted from the vibration detectors 116 and 116 ', the CPU 204' performs the same processing as steps S514 and S515 in FIG. 5B.

  According to the processing of FIG. 9 described above, any of the reading unit 102 and the printing unit 103 is powered according to the vibration detected by the vibration detection units 116 ′ and 116 provided in the reading unit 102 and the printing unit 103, respectively. It is determined whether or not to supply. As a result, power can be supplied only to, for example, the printing unit 103 provided with the vibration detection unit 116 that has detected a large vibration, among the vibration detection units 116 ′ and 116, and the power supply destination can be more reliably determined. To the minimum necessary.

  7 and 9 described above, the comparison detection units 607 and 608 and the vibration detection units 116 and 116 'are not limited to two, and five comparisons corresponding to each of the open / close detection sensors 107 and 112 to 115 are performed. You may provide a detection part and five vibration detection parts. Thereby, for example, it can be determined whether or not power is supplied to each of the open / close detection sensors 107 and 112 to 115, and the power supply destination can be surely reduced to the necessary minimum.

  In the constant voltage supply circuits 405 and 405 ′ of FIG. 8 described above, the output voltage may be any voltage that can detect the vibrations of the reading unit 102 and the printing unit 103, and different voltages may be output. . Thus, the output voltages of the constant voltage supply circuits 405 and 405 'can be set to optimum voltages according to the cases of the vibration detectors 116 and 116', respectively.

  5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 7 and FIG. 9 described above, from the power saving mode based on the detection of vibrations of the vibration detection units 116 and 116 ′, not the detection of the opening / closing operations of the open / close detection sensors 112 to 115. You may transfer to normal mode. Thereby, since it is possible to eliminate the need to provide the open / close detection sensors 112 to 115, it is possible to realize low power consumption with a simple configuration.

  The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read the program. It can also be realized by processing executed in the above. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

101 Image forming apparatus 104 ADF
107, 112 to 115 Open / close detection sensor 108 Paper feed cassette 109 Manual tray 110 Front cover 111 Rear cover 116, 600, 116 'Vibration detection unit 202 Power supply unit 204, 204' CPU

Claims (10)

An information processing apparatus comprising an opening / closing means and an operation detection means for detecting an operation on the opening / closing means, and having a power saving mode in which supply of electric power is suppressed compared to a normal mode and the normal mode,
Vibration detecting means for detecting vibration;
Power supply means for supplying power to the operation detection means based on the vibration detected in the power saving mode;
Control means for controlling to switch from the power saving mode to the normal mode when an operation on the opening / closing means is detected by the operation detecting means supplied with the power in the power saving mode. An information processing apparatus characterized by the above.   The power supply means stops supplying power to the operation detection means when an operation on the opening / closing means is not detected by the operation detection means supplied with the power in the power saving mode. Item 6. The information processing apparatus according to Item 1. A plurality of the operation detecting means corresponding to each of the plurality of opening and closing means and the plurality of opening and closing means;
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines which of the plurality of operation detection units is to be supplied with power based on a magnitude of vibration detected in the power saving mode. Information processing device.   The determination means compares the detected magnitude of vibration and at least one predetermined value when determining which of the plurality of operation detection means is to be supplied with electric power. Item 4. The information processing device according to Item 3. A plurality of vibration detection means corresponding to each of the plurality of operation detection means;
5. The information according to claim 3, wherein the determination unit determines which of the plurality of operation detection units is to be supplied with power according to the vibration detected by each of the vibration detection units. Processing equipment.   The control means performs control so as to shift from the power saving mode to the normal mode when an operation on a specific opening / closing means among the plurality of opening / closing means is detected in the power saving mode. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing means is a cover of the information processing apparatus.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing means is a paper feed cassette and a tray. An information processing apparatus control method comprising an opening / closing means and an operation detection means for detecting an operation on the opening / closing means, and having a power saving mode in which power supply is suppressed compared to a normal mode and the normal mode,
A vibration detection step for detecting vibration;
A power supply step of supplying power to the operation detection means based on the vibration detected in the power saving mode;
And a control step for controlling to switch from the power saving mode to the normal mode when an operation on the opening / closing means is detected by the operation detecting means supplied with the power in the power saving mode. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus. An opening / closing means and an operation detection means for detecting an operation on the opening / closing means, and causing a computer to execute a control method of an information processing apparatus having a normal mode and a power saving mode in which power supply is suppressed compared to the normal mode. A program,
The control method of the information processing apparatus includes:
A vibration detection step for detecting vibration;
A power supply step of supplying power to the operation detection means based on the vibration detected in the power saving mode;
And a control step for controlling to switch from the power saving mode to the normal mode when an operation on the opening / closing means is detected by the operation detecting means supplied with the power in the power saving mode. A program characterized by

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