JP2017094577A - Image formation apparatus, notification method of disaster prevention information, computer program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation apparatus which suppresses wasteful power consumption when receiving disaster prevention information at the time of being in the sleep state.SOLUTION: An MFP includes: a wireless reception part 202 which receives disaster prevention information set with the degree of urgency; a UI part 206 which notifies of the disaster prevention information; an MFP control part 401 which causes the UI part 206 to notify of the disaster prevention information; and a power control part 207 which controls the power supply to each part of the MFP. When the degree of urgency of the disaster prevention information is higher than a prescribed value in a case of receiving the disaster prevention information in the sleep state, the power control part 207 performs power supply to the MFP control part 401. The MFP control part 401 causes the power control part 207 to perform power supply to the UI part 206 if the disaster prevention information is related to an earthquake when the MFP becomes operable from the sleep state with supply of the power. The MFP control part 401 causes the UI part 206 to notify of the disaster prevention information when the UI part 206 becomes operable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral having a disaster prevention radio reception function.

There is a disaster prevention radio system using a digital broadcast radio system. In the digital broadcast radio system, disaster prevention information is distributed using radio waves of 280 [MHz] by transmitters arranged in various places. Residents carry disaster prevention radio radio with a channel dedicated to radio waves of 280 [MHz]. The disaster prevention radio radio receives the disaster prevention information and notifies the residents of the content of the disaster prevention information received by blinking sound or light.
A disaster prevention radio receiver such as a disaster prevention radio radio is considered to be installed and used in a private house. However, since many people work in the office during the day, a receiver for notifying people in the office of disaster prevention information is required. Also, since the digital broadcast radio system uses 280 [MHz] radio waves, it is suitable for notification of disaster prevention information in a building such as an office.

  The use of a high-function image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “MFP: Multi Function Peripheral”) as a disaster prevention radio receiver is being studied. This is because the penetration rate of MFPs in offices is high. In addition, the MFP is equipped as standard with notification means such as a speaker for notifying disaster prevention information by sound, a light emitting unit for blinking light, and a display unit for displaying disaster prevention information in characters as a user interface. . For this reason, the MFP is more suitable as a disaster prevention radio receiver in terms of introduction cost and installation location than when a dedicated receiver is introduced.

  When a disaster occurs, it is required to ensure the safety of the MFP. The image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 1 performs energization control according to the contents when receiving an earthquake early warning.

JP 2007-72917 A

  In order to reduce power consumption during standby, the MFP may enter a so-called sleep state that restricts unnecessary power supply. In the sleep state, the MFP restricts energization to a configuration that performs high-power consumption, for example, image formation. When the MFP receives disaster prevention information in the sleep state, the MFP returns from the sleep state to the normal operation state. Therefore, power consumption becomes larger than that in the sleep state.

  If the urgency of the received disaster prevention information is high, the MFP needs to promptly notify the disaster prevention information, so it is necessary to quickly return to the normal operation state. However, the MFP returns to the normal operation state even when the emergency level of the disaster prevention information is low. For this reason, when the emergency level of the disaster prevention information is low, the power consumption of the MFP becomes uselessly large.

  In order to solve the above problems, it is a main object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that suppresses unnecessary power consumption when disaster prevention information is received in a sleep state.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a wireless reception unit that receives disaster prevention information in which an emergency level is set, a notification unit that notifies the disaster prevention information, a control unit that causes the notification unit to notify the disaster prevention information, and the notification Power control means for controlling power supply to the control means and the control means, and when the disaster prevention information is acquired from the wireless reception means, the power control means restricts power supply to the notification means and the control means. If the emergency level set in the acquired disaster prevention information is higher than a predetermined value, an interrupt control unit that causes the power control unit to supply power to the control unit, the control When power is supplied from a state in which power supply is restricted and the operation becomes possible, the power supply means supplies power to the notification means according to the content of the disaster prevention information, and thereby the notification When stage is operational, characterized in that for informing the disaster prevention information to the notifying means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress an increase in useless power consumption by selecting a portion where power supply is resumed in the image forming apparatus according to the urgency of the disaster prevention information received in the sleep state.

The block diagram of a disaster prevention radio system. 1 is a configuration diagram of an MFP. The specific structural illustration figure of UI part. (A)-(e) is explanatory drawing of a controller part. Detailed configuration example diagram of MFP control unit and interrupt control unit (A)-(b) is explanatory drawing of received data. The flowchart showing an interruption routine process. The flowchart showing the alerting | reporting process of disaster prevention information.

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

(Constitution)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a disaster prevention radio system including an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. This disaster prevention radio system uses a digital broadcast radio system, and includes a plurality of information source terminals 110 to 112, an information distribution server 130, a transmission station 140, and an MFP 100 that is a high-function image forming apparatus. The information source terminals 110 to 112 and the information distribution server 130 are connected to each other via a public communication line 120 such as the Internet so that they can communicate with each other. The information distribution server 130 and the transmission station 140 are communicably connected via a dedicated line 150 using an optical line, a satellite line, or the like.

  The information transmission source terminals 110 to 112 serve as a transmission source of information such as disaster prevention information in the disaster prevention wireless system. Although only three information source terminals 110 to 112 are shown in FIG. 1, a large number are actually provided. Each information source terminal 110 to 112 transmits information such as disaster prevention information to the information distribution server 130 via the public communication line 120. The information distribution server 130 transmits information such as disaster prevention information received from the information transmission source terminals 110 to 112 via the public communication line 120 to the transmission station 140 via the dedicated line 150. The transmitting station 140 distributes information such as disaster prevention information received from the information distribution server 130 via the dedicated line 150 to the MFP 100 by wireless communication using, for example, 280 [MHz] radio waves.

  Although only one MFP 100 is shown in FIG. 1, a large number of MFPs 100 are actually provided. Each MFP 100 receives disaster prevention information distributed from the transmission station 140. The MFP 100 notifies the user of the received disaster prevention information. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the MFP 100. The MFP 100 includes an antenna 201, a wireless reception unit 202, a controller unit 203, a scanning unit 204, a printing unit 205, a UI (User Interface) unit 206, a power supply control unit 207, and a network IF unit 208.

  The antenna 201 receives radio communication radio waves transmitted from the transmission station 140 and inputs the radio communication radio waves to the radio reception unit 202. The wireless reception unit 202 receives disaster prevention information distributed from the transmission station 140 by radio waves input from the antenna 201. The wireless reception unit 202 generates reception data that is digital data representing disaster prevention information based on radio waves input from the antenna 201. The received data is input to the controller unit 203. Unlike other configurations of MFP 100, wireless receiving unit 202 is always supplied with power by a power source such as a battery, and always receives disaster prevention information even when power is not supplied to other configurations of MFP 100. Is possible. In addition, the wireless reception unit 202 of this embodiment includes a simple speaker and a display device in order to notify disaster prevention information. Therefore, even if the controller unit 203 is in a sleep state in which power supply is restricted, the radio reception unit 202 alone can notify disaster prevention information.

  The controller unit 203 controls operations of the scan unit 204, the print unit 205, the UI unit 206, the power supply control unit 207, and the network IF unit 208. The controller unit 203 is constituted by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), for example. In addition, the controller unit 203 may be configured by an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like. The controller unit 203 implements various functions and processes related to notification of disaster prevention information, for example, when the CPU reads and executes a computer program. The controller unit 203 acquires the reception data from the wireless reception unit 202 and notifies the UI unit 206 of the content of the disaster prevention information represented by the reception data.

  The scan unit 204 is an image input device, optically reads a document image from a document, and generates an image signal that is a digital signal representing the read document image. The scan unit 204 inputs the generated image signal to the controller unit 203. The operation of the scan unit 204 is controlled by a scanner control signal input from the controller unit 203.

  A print unit 205 is an image forming device, and prints an image on paper using ink, toner, or the like based on an image signal input from the controller unit 203. The operation of the printing unit 205 is controlled by a printer control signal input from the controller unit 203.

  The UI unit 206 is an interface with a user, and includes an input unit and an output unit. The input unit is a button, switch, numeric keypad, or the like that allows the user to make various settings for MFP 100. The output unit is a display unit that displays the state of the MFP 100 or a setting screen, a light emitting unit such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), a speaker, and the like. Note that the display unit has a transparent touch pad formed on the display surface to constitute a touch panel that is an input / output device. The operation of the UI unit 206 is controlled by a UI control signal input from the controller unit 203.

  A power control unit 207 controls power supply to each unit in the MFP 100 such as the controller unit 203, the scan unit 204, the print unit 205, the UI unit 206, and the network IF unit 208. The power supply control unit 207 performs power supply control to each unit in accordance with control signals such as a sleep control signal and a power supply control signal input from the controller unit 203.

  The network IF unit 208 is a network interface that controls communication with an external device via an external network (not shown). The controller unit 203 communicates with an external device via the network IF unit 208. The controller unit 203 receives a print instruction from an external device via the network IF unit 208, for example, and transmits the image signal generated by the scan unit 204 to the external device.

  In the MFP 100 having such a configuration, for example, when performing a copy operation, the controller unit 203 performs various image processing settings based on an input from the UI unit 206. After the setting is completed, the controller unit 203 controls the scanning unit 204 to acquire an image signal representing a document image. The controller unit 203 performs image processing according to the setting and generates an image signal for image formation. The controller unit 203 inputs the generated image signal for image formation and the printer control signal to the print unit 205. The print unit 205 performs image forming processing based on the input image signal, and outputs a sheet on which an image is formed.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of the UI unit 206 of the MFP 100. The UI unit 206 includes a display unit 301, a key input unit 302 such as a button, a switch, and a numeric keypad, a speaker 303, a light emitting unit 304, a controller IF unit 305, and a UI control unit 306.

  The display unit 301 is configured by a display such as a liquid crystal panel, and displays characters and images. The key input unit 302 uses a push button type switch or the like, and performs input using a power switch, mode selection, numeric keypad, or the like. A part of the function of the key input unit 302 can be replaced by a touch panel. The speaker 303 is a sound output device that emits a beep sound when a key is touched or an error occurs. The light emitting unit 304 is turned on when power is turned on, blinking when shutting off, jamming or out of paper, and the like, and includes a light emitting element such as an LED. In addition to the light emitting element, the light emitting unit 304 may include a warning indicator lamp or the like in which lamps such as red / yellow / green are integrally formed in a tower shape for notification of disaster prevention information.

  The controller IF unit 305 is an interface that acquires a UI control signal from the controller unit 203. The UI control unit 306 controls the operations of the display unit 301, the speaker 303, and the light emitting unit 304 in accordance with the UI control signal acquired via the controller IF unit 305. In the present embodiment, the UI control unit 306 notifies the disaster prevention information through the display unit 301, the speaker 303, and the light emitting unit 304 in accordance with the UI control signal. In addition, the UI control unit 306 inputs setting signals representing various settings input from the key input unit 302 or the touch panel to the controller unit 203 via the controller IF unit 305.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the controller unit 203 of the MFP 100. When the controller unit 203 receives the disaster prevention information, the controller unit 203 performs processing such as storage and notification of the content of the disaster prevention information and printing of related information registered in advance. For that purpose, the controller unit 203 analyzes the received disaster prevention information, and determines the selection of the notification form based on the analysis result, the presence / absence of execution of content storage, and the presence / absence of print output. In addition, the controller unit 203 performs power supply control and operation control according to the analysis result of the disaster prevention information when the MFP 100 is in a sleep state in which only a minimum configuration is energized in order to reduce power consumption during standby. Do.

  FIG. 4A is a configuration example diagram of the controller unit 203 for performing such processing. The controller unit 203 includes an MFP control unit 401, a scan image processing unit 402, a scanner IF unit 403, a print image processing unit 404, a printer IF unit 405, an input / output IF unit 406, a communication control unit 407, and an interrupt control unit 408. Prepare.

  The MFP control unit 401 controls the overall operation of the MFP 100. For this purpose, the MFP control unit 401 communicates with each unit of the controller unit 203. A detailed configuration of the MFP control unit 401 will be described later.

  A scanner IF unit 403 is an interface that controls communication between the scan unit 204 and the MFP control unit 401. The scanner IF unit 403 receives a scanner control signal for controlling the operation of the scan unit 204 from the MFP control unit 401 and transmits it to the scan unit 204. The scanner IF unit 403 receives the image signal generated by the scan unit 204 from the scan unit 204 and transmits it to the scan image processing unit 402. The scan image processing unit 402 performs predetermined image processing on the image signal acquired from the scan unit 204 via the scanner IF unit 403. The scan image processing unit 402 inputs the image signal after image processing to the MFP control unit 401.

  A printer IF unit 405 is an interface that controls communication between the print unit 205 and the MFP control unit 401. The printer IF unit 405 receives a printer control signal for controlling the operation of the print unit 205 from the MFP control unit 401 and transmits it to the print unit 205. The printer IF unit 405 acquires an image signal representing an image to be printed by the print unit 205 from the print image processing unit 404 and transmits the image signal to the print unit 205. A print image processing unit 404 performs predetermined image processing on the image signal input from the MFP control unit 401.

The input / output IF unit 406 is an interface that controls communication between the UI unit 206 and the MFP control unit 401. The input / output IF unit 406 receives various signals from the UI unit 206 and transmits them to the MFP control unit 401. The input / output IF unit 406 receives a UI control signal for controlling the operation of the UI unit 206 from the MFP control unit 401 and transmits the UI control signal to the UI unit 206.
When receiving the disaster prevention information, a UI control signal for causing the UI unit 206 to notify the disaster prevention information in a notification form corresponding to the emergency level of the disaster prevention information is transmitted from the MFP control unit 401 via the input / output IF unit 406. . In response to the UI control signal, the UI unit 206 displays the content of the disaster prevention information on the display unit 301, outputs the warning sound or the content of the disaster prevention information on the speaker 303, adjusts the volume of the speaker 303, and controls the blinking of the light emitting unit 304. Do.

  A communication control unit 407 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data between the network IF unit 208 and the MFP control unit 401. In the present embodiment, the communication control unit 407 is used for transmitting disaster prevention information to an external device, for example.

  The interrupt control unit 408 receives reception data generated based on the disaster prevention information from the wireless reception unit 202. Since the interrupt control unit 408 is configured to be supplied with power even when the MFP 100 is in the sleep state, the interrupt control unit 408 can receive the reception data even in the sleep state. The received data becomes an interrupt factor of the interrupt control unit 408. Therefore, the interrupt control unit 408 can execute an interrupt routine process by receiving the received data. Details of the interrupt routine processing will be described later.

  In the MFP 100, the energization state is controlled by the power supply control unit 207 as shown in FIGS. 4 (b) to 4 (e). In the sleep state with the lowest power consumption, the MFP 100 is in an energized state as shown in FIG. Depending on the urgency of the received disaster prevention information, the MFP 100 is in a state where power is supplied to FIG. 4C, FIG. 4D, FIG. 4E, or all components.

  FIG. 5 is a detailed configuration example diagram of the MFP control unit 401 and the interrupt control unit 408. The MFP control unit 401 includes a CPU 501, ROM 502, RAM 503, scanner control unit 504, printer control unit 505, input / output control unit 506, and network control unit 507. The interrupt control unit 408 includes a CPU 510, a ROM 511, a RAM 512, and an interrupt controller 513. The MFP control unit 401 and the interrupt control unit 408 are connected to a common system bus 508 so that they can communicate with each other.

  The CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 reads and executes a computer program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 502. By executing the computer program, the CPU 501 controls the operation of the MFP control unit 401. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 503 is used as a work area when the CPU 501 executes a computer program. The CPU 501 generates a power control signal that controls the operation of the power control unit 207 and transmits the power control signal to the power control unit 207. CPU 501 controls energization of each unit of MFP 100 by a power control signal. In addition to being used for the work area, the RAM 503 has a memory area for storing image signals used for image formation. CPU 501 stores in RAM 503 status display information that indicates an energized state such as a sleep state of each unit in MFP 100.

  The scanner control unit 504 acquires an image signal from the scan image processing unit 402 and stores it in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 503. The scanner control unit 504 controls the operation of the scanning unit 204 by transmitting / receiving a scanner control signal to / from the scanner IF unit 403. The printer control unit 505 transmits an image signal stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 503 to the print image processing unit 404. A printer control unit 505 controls the operation of the printing unit 205 by transmitting and receiving a printer control signal to and from the printer IF unit 405.

  The input / output control unit 506 controls the operation of the UI unit 206 by transmitting and receiving UI control signals to and from the input / output IF unit 406. The network control unit 507 controls the operation of the network IF unit 208 by transmitting and receiving communication control signals to and from the communication control unit 407. The network control unit 507 stores the data received by the network IF unit 208 in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 503.

  The CPU 510 of the interrupt control unit 408 reads the computer program stored in the ROM 511 and executes the read computer program using the RAM 512 as a work area. By executing the computer program, the CPU 510 controls the operation of the interrupt control unit 408. CPU 510 generates a sleep control signal for controlling the operation of MFP 100 in the sleep state, and transmits the sleep control signal to power supply control unit 207.

  The interrupt controller 513 transmits an interrupt notification to the CPU 510 when the reception data is acquired from the wireless reception unit 202. The interrupt controller 513 temporarily stores the received data received in the RAM 512 and transfers it to a predetermined memory area in the RAM 503 of the MFP control unit 401 at a predetermined timing according to an instruction from the CPU 510.

(Data structure of disaster prevention information)
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of reception data generated by the wireless reception unit 202 based on disaster prevention information. The wireless reception unit 202 generates reception data based on contents (emergency level and text) included in the disaster prevention information. FIG. 6A illustrates the format of received data. The received data is composed of a 2-bit header portion 701 and a 1-kilobyte body portion 702. The header portion 701 is composed of binary data, and the body portion 702 is composed of coded data such as a shift JIS code. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating an example of the value of the header part 701, the urgency level, the contents, and the text example of the text part 702. The header part 701 represents the degree of urgency set according to the importance of disaster prevention information and the scale when damage occurs. Since the header part 701 is 2 bits, the urgency is set in four stages in this embodiment. The body part 702 includes a sentence representing specific contents of the disaster prevention information.

  When the value of the header portion 701 is “00”, it indicates “emergency 1” and indicates that the content of the disaster prevention information is regional information / notification level. Specifically, the disaster prevention information has the content “Tomorrow is the voting day for constituency elections tomorrow” as in the text example. When the value of the header portion 701 is “01”, it is “emergency 2”, and the content of the disaster prevention information is the warning level. Specifically, disaster prevention information includes the contents such as “A heavy rain warning has been published in the southern part of Ibaraki Prefecture. There is a risk of flood damage.” When the value of the header part 701 is “10”, it is “emergency 3”, and the content of the disaster prevention information is an alarm level. Specifically, the disaster prevention information includes the contents such as “A heavy rain flood warning has been announced in the 23 wards of Tokyo. When the value of the header part 701 is “11”, it is “emergency 4”, and the content of the disaster prevention information is the emergency early warning / special warning level. Specifically, the disaster prevention information has contents such as “There is a possibility that an earthquake with a seismic intensity of 5 or more may occur in the southern part of Ibaraki Prefecture” as in the text example.

(Operation of interrupt control unit 408)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an interrupt routine process by the interrupt control unit 408. The interrupt control unit 408 starts the interrupt routine process by acquiring the reception data from the wireless reception unit 202.

  When the interrupt controller 513 of the interrupt control unit 408 acquires the received data, the interrupt controller 513 transmits an interrupt notification to the CPU 510. When CPU 510 receives the interrupt notification, CPU 510 determines whether MFP 100 is in a sleep state or not (S601). The CPU 510 of the interrupt control unit 408 can determine whether the MFP 100 is in the sleep state by checking the status display information stored in the RAM 503 of the MFP control unit 401.

  When the sleep state is set (S601: Y), the CPU 510 of the interrupt control unit 408 causes the interrupt controller 513 to store the acquired received data in the RAM 512 (S602). In the sleep state, in the MFP 100, as shown in FIG. 4B, the interrupt control unit 408 and the power supply control unit 207 are energized. The wireless reception unit 202 is provided with a separate power source as described above, and is always supplied with power and operates.

  The CPU 510 of the interrupt control unit 408 analyzes the received data and confirms the emergency level of the disaster prevention information based on the value of the header unit 701 (S603). When the confirmed urgency level is higher than a predetermined value and is “4”, which is the highest value in this embodiment (S604: Y), the MFP 100 immediately returns from the sleep state to the normal operation state, and the disaster prevention information Need to be notified. For this purpose, the CPU 510 of the interrupt control unit 408 transmits a sleep control signal instructing return from the sleep state to the power supply control unit 207 (S605). The power supply control unit 207 receives the sleep control signal and restarts power supply to the MFP control unit 401.

  The CPU 510 of the interrupt control unit 408 confirms the status display information stored in the RAM 503 of the MFP control unit 401, thereby determining whether the MFP control unit 401 has become operable (S606). The CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 updates the status display information to information indicating that the MFP control unit 401 is in an operable state by completing initialization processing and the like after the MFP control unit 401 is energized. FIG. 4C shows the energization state of the MFP 100 when the MFP control unit 401 becomes operable. In MFP 100, MFP controller 401, interrupt controller 408, and power controller 207 are energized.

  When the MFP control unit 401 becomes operable (S606: Y), the CPU 510 of the interrupt control unit 408 stores the received data stored in the RAM 512 in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 503 of the MFP control unit 401 ( S607). At this time, the CPU 510 of the interrupt control unit 408 causes the interrupt controller 513 to transfer the received data from the RAM 512 to the RAM 503 via the system bus 508.

  The CPU 510 of the interrupt control unit 408 notifies the CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 of the area (location) where the received data is stored in the RAM 503 of the MFP control unit 401 (S608). In the present embodiment, the CPU 510 of the interrupt control unit 408 issues a system call (for example, mailbox communication) used as, for example, inter-CPU communication, and notifies memory address information indicating a location where received data is stored. .

  When the emergency level of the disaster prevention information confirmed in the process of S603 is not “4” (S604: N), the MFP 100 notifies the disaster prevention information by the wireless reception unit 202 because the emergency level of the disaster prevention information is equal to or less than a predetermined value. I do. In this case, the CPU 510 of the interrupt control unit 408 instructs the wireless reception unit 202 to notify the disaster prevention information. Therefore, the MFP 100 does not need to return from the sleep state immediately. The CPU 510 of the interrupt control unit 408 transmits a sleep control signal for instructing the continuation of the sleep state to the power supply control unit 207 (S609). The power supply control unit 207 receives the sleep control signal and continues the sleep state shown in FIG.

  If the MFP 100 is not in the sleep state in the process of S601 (S601: N), the MFP control unit 401 is in an energized state and performs a normal operation. In this case, the CPU 510 of the interrupt control unit 408 causes the interrupt controller 513 to store the received data in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 503 of the MFP control unit 401 via the system bus 508 (S610). The CPU 510 of the interrupt control unit 408 notifies the CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 of the area (location) where the received data is stored in the RAM 503 of the MFP control unit 401 (S611). In response to this notification, the MFP control unit 401 acquires received data from the RAM 503 and notifies the disaster prevention information.

  As described above, the interrupt control unit 408 stores the received data in the RAM 503 of the MFP control unit 401 and notifies the CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 of the storage location, thereby ending the interrupt routine process.

(Operation of MFP control unit 401)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the disaster prevention information notification process by the MFP control unit 401 that has returned from the sleep state by the interrupt routine process of the interrupt control unit 408. The MFP control unit 401 stores the disaster prevention information reception data in the RAM 503 by the interrupt routine processing by the interrupt control unit 408, and the CPU 501 receives the notification of the storage location. The MFP control unit 401 returns from the sleep state by the processing of S605 and S606 in FIG. Therefore, the urgency level of the received data stored in the RAM 503 is “4”, and it is necessary to notify immediately.

  The CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 acquires received data from the RAM 503 (S801). The CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 analyzes the body part 702 of the acquired received data (S802). In the present embodiment, the CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 determines whether the disaster prevention information is information related to an earthquake. For this purpose, the CPU 501 analyzes the text portion 702 and determines whether or not the text portion 702 includes characters relating to an earthquake (S803). For example, the character strings “earth” and “shake” are shift JIS codes, and are represented by hexadecimal numbers “0x926e” and “0x906b”, respectively. When the CPU 501 searches the character string in the body part 702 of the received data from the top and continuously detects “0x926e” and “0x906b”, the CPU 501 determines that the disaster prevention information is information related to an earthquake.

  When the disaster prevention information is information related to an earthquake (S803: Y), since the urgency is high, the MFP 100 needs to immediately notify the disaster prevention information. For this purpose, the MFP 100 energizes the UI unit 206 and the communication control unit 407. The CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 transmits a power control signal for energizing the UI unit 206 and the communication control unit 407 to the power control unit 207. The power supply control unit 207 receives this power supply control signal and resumes power supply to the UI unit 206 and the communication control unit 407 (S805).

  The CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 determines whether the UI unit 206 and the network IF unit 208 are in an operable state by checking the status display information stored in the RAM 503 (S805). The UI unit 206 updates the status display information to information indicating that the UI unit 206 is in an operable state by completing initialization processing and the like after energization. Similarly, the network IF unit 208 updates the status display information to information indicating that the network IF unit 208 has become operable by completing initialization processing and the like after energization. FIG. 4D shows an energization state of the MFP 100 when the UI unit 206 and the network IF unit 208 are in an operable state. In the MFP 100, the MFP control unit 401, the interrupt control unit 408, the power supply control unit 207, the input / output IF unit 406, the UI unit 206, the communication control unit 407, and the network IF unit 208 are energized.

  When the UI unit 206 and the network IF unit 208 are operable (S805: Y), the CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 notifies the disaster prevention information through the UI unit 206 (S806). The MFP 100 notifies the disaster prevention information by displaying the text string and related images of the text part 702 of the disaster prevention information on the display unit 301 of the UI unit 206, outputting sound from the speaker 303, and emitting light from the light emitting unit 304. The related image is stored in advance in a non-volatile storage device (not shown). When a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is embedded in the text part 702 of disaster prevention information, the display unit 301 may display an image of a web page with the URL. In addition, the CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 transmits the reception data of the disaster prevention information to a predetermined external device via the network IF unit 208 (S807).

  The CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 determines whether or not a power-off instruction has been input by the user after notification of disaster prevention information (S808). The user can input a power-off instruction using the UI unit 206 or the power button. When a power shutdown instruction is input (S808: Y), the CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 transmits a power control signal to the power control unit 207 so as to shut off all power. The power control unit 207 shuts off the power of the MFP 100 in response to the power control signal (S809).

  If no instruction to shut off the power is input (S808: N), the CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 determines whether the MFP 100 has detected an earthquake motion (S810). The MFP 100 includes a vibration sensor (not shown) and the like for detecting earthquake motion. The MFP control unit 401 is connected to this vibration sensor. The CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 can determine whether earthquake motion has been detected based on the detection result of the vibration sensor.

  When the earthquake motion is detected (S810: Y), the CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 transmits a power control signal to the power control unit 207 so as to shut off all power. The power control unit 207 shuts off the power of the MFP 100 in response to the power control signal (S809). When the earthquake motion is not detected (S810: N), the CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 performs the process of S808 for determining whether the user has instructed to turn off the power.

  If the disaster prevention information is not information related to an earthquake in the process of S803 (S803: N), the MFP 100 notifies disaster prevention information with a high degree of emergency other than an earthquake. The CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 analyzes the text portion 702 of the received data in the processing of S802. It is judged whether it is included in. For example, the character strings of “special”, “other”, “war”, and “report” are shift JIS codes and are represented by hexadecimal numbers “0x93c1,” “0x95ca,” “0x8c78,” and “0x95f1,” respectively. . When the CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 searches for the character string in the body portion 702 of the received data from the top and continuously detects “0x93c1”, “0x95ca”, “0x8c78”, “0x95f1”, the disaster prevention Judge that the information is a special warning with high urgency.

  The CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 transmits a power control signal for energizing the entire MFP 100 to the power control unit 207. The power control unit 207 receives this power control signal and resumes power supply to the entire MFP 100 (S811). Disasters classified as special alarms often take longer to actually suffer than earthquakes. Therefore, in addition to the notification by the UI unit 206, it is considered that there is time to print out images such as evacuation routes related to the disaster prevention information from the printing unit 205. Therefore, the CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 energizes the entire MFP 100.

  The CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 confirms the status display information stored in the RAM 503 to determine whether the MFP 100 is in an operable state (S812). Each unit of the MFP 100 updates the status display information to information indicating that the operation is enabled by completing initialization processing and the like after energization. FIG. 4E shows an energization state of the MFP 100 when a portion necessary for notification of disaster prevention information becomes operable. The MFP 100 includes an MFP control unit 401, an interrupt control unit 408, a power control unit 207, an input / output IF unit 406, a UI unit 206, a communication control unit 407, a network IF unit 208, a print image processing unit 404, a printer IF unit 405, The printing unit 205 is energized.

  When the MFP 100 becomes operable (S812: Y), the CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 notifies the disaster prevention information through the UI unit 206 (S813). The MFP 100 notifies the disaster prevention information through the UI unit 206 in the same manner as the processing of S806.

  The CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 causes the print unit 205 to print out a related image such as a character string or an evacuation route in the text portion 702 of the disaster prevention information (S814). When the URL is embedded in the text part 702 of the disaster prevention information, the print unit 205 may print out an image of the web page of the URL. The print unit 205 outputs a predetermined number of prints.

  After completion of the print output, the CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 determines whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 1 hour) has elapsed since the MFP 100 became operable (S815). The MFP control unit 401 includes a timer (not shown), and measures the time after which the MFP 100 becomes operable. Here, the timer measures the time after MFP controller 401 is operable as the time after MFP 100 is operable. When the predetermined time has elapsed (S815: Y), the CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 transmits a power control signal to the power control unit 207 so as to shut off all power. The power control unit 207 shuts off the power of the MFP 100 in response to the power control signal (S809).

If the predetermined time has not elapsed (S815: N), the CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 determines whether or not a power-off instruction has been input by the user (S816). When a power shutdown instruction is input (S816: Y), the CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 transmits a power control signal to the power control unit 207 so as to shut off all power. The power control unit 207 shuts off the power of the MFP 100 in response to the power control signal (S809). When the power-off instruction is not input (S816: N), the CPU 501 of the MFP control unit 401 performs the process of S815 to determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed.
In step S809, the MFP 100 is turned off after the disaster prevention information is notified, thereby preventing the MFP 100 from causing a secondary disaster when the disaster occurs.

  As described above, when the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment receives the disaster prevention information in the sleep state, the MFP 100 determines whether to return from the sleep state according to the urgency of the disaster prevention information. When there is no need to return, the MFP 100 can reduce power consumption in order to maintain the sleep state. When the degree of urgency is high and it is necessary to return immediately, the MFP 100 quickly returns from the sleep state. In this case, the MFP 100 prevents unnecessary increase in power consumption by supplying power to the part corresponding to the disaster content from the content of the disaster prevention information. In addition, by promptly supplying power to a portion necessary for notification, it is possible to promptly notify the user of disaster prevention information.

  In the present embodiment, the MFP 100 determines that the emergency level is the highest when the disaster prevention information is an earthquake, and performs processing, but the determination of the emergency level is not limited to this. For example, when the disaster prevention information is a special alert and a large tsunami and the height of the tsunami is high, or the arrival time of the tsunami is within a predetermined time, it is determined that the degree of urgency is higher. In other words, the urgency level determination becomes more appropriate by analyzing the text in the text part 702 of the disaster prevention information in more detail.

(Other examples)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

Claims (12)

Radio receiving means for receiving disaster prevention information set with urgency,
Informing means for informing the disaster prevention information,
Control means for causing the notification means to notify the disaster prevention information;
Power supply control means for controlling power supply to the notification means and the control means;
If the power supply control means restricts power supply to the notification means and the control means when the disaster prevention information is acquired from the wireless reception means, the urgency level set in the acquired disaster prevention information is predetermined. An interrupt control means for causing the power supply control means to supply power to the control means when higher than a value,
When power is supplied from a state in which power supply is restricted and the control means becomes operable, the control means causes the power supply control means to supply power to the notification means according to the content of the disaster prevention information, thereby When the informing means is operable, the informing means is informed of the disaster prevention information,
Image forming apparatus. The interrupt control means, when the emergency level set in the disaster prevention information is the highest value, the power control means causes the power supply to the control means,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The wireless reception means includes second notification means for notifying the disaster prevention information,
The interrupt control means, when the power control means restricts power supply to the notification means and the control means, and the emergency level set in the disaster prevention information is less than or equal to the predetermined value, the wireless reception means Instructing the notification of the disaster prevention information by the second notification means,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The interrupt control means stores the disaster prevention information in a predetermined memory area provided in the control means and notifies the control means of the storage location,
The control means acquires the disaster prevention information from a storage location corresponding to a notification from the interrupt control means, and causes the notification means to notify the information.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A network interface that communicates with an external device is provided. The power control means controls power supply to the network interface,
The control means, when power is supplied from a state where power supply is restricted and becomes operable, causes the power supply control means to supply power to the network interface according to the content of the disaster prevention information, thereby When the network interface becomes operable, the disaster prevention information is transmitted to the external device through the network interface,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. If the content of the disaster prevention information is information relating to an earthquake, the control means causes the power supply control means to supply power to the notification means and the network interface,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5. It has a sensor to detect earthquake motion,
The control means is characterized in that when the sensor detects the earthquake motion, the power supply control means cuts off all power supply.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Comprising printing means for printing out images related to the disaster prevention information;
The power control means controls power supply to the printing means;
When the power is supplied from a state in which the power supply is restricted and the control unit becomes operable, the control unit supplies power to the printing unit to the power control unit unless the content of the disaster prevention information is information related to an earthquake. When the printing unit becomes operable by this, the printing unit prints the image.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A timer for measuring the time from when the control means becomes operable;
The control means is characterized in that, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the control means became operable, the power supply control means is configured to cut off all power supply.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8. Radio receiving means for receiving disaster prevention information set with urgency, notifying means for notifying the disaster prevention information, control means for causing the notifying means to notify the disaster prevention information, power for the notifying means and the control means A power control means for controlling supply, and a method executed by an apparatus comprising:
When the wireless receiving unit acquires the disaster prevention information, if the power control unit restricts power supply to the notification unit and the control unit, the urgency level set in the acquired disaster prevention information is predetermined. If the value is higher than the value, the power control means supplies power to the control means,
When power is supplied from the state where the power supply is limited, the control means performs power supply to the notification means according to the content of the disaster prevention information,
When the notification means becomes operable, the disaster prevention information is notified,
Notification method of disaster prevention information. Radio receiving means for receiving disaster prevention information set with urgency, notifying means for notifying the disaster prevention information, control means for causing the notifying means to notify the disaster prevention information, power for the notifying means and the control means A computer having power supply control means for controlling supply;
When the wireless receiving unit acquires the disaster prevention information, if the power control unit restricts power supply to the notification unit and the control unit, the urgency level set in the acquired disaster prevention information is predetermined. A process for causing the power supply control means to supply power to the control means when higher than the value;
When power is supplied from a state in which the power supply is restricted, the control means allows the power control means to supply power to the notification means according to the content of the disaster prevention information.
When the notification means becomes operable, the notification means notifies the disaster prevention information,
A computer program for running.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program according to claim 11.

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