JP2022064895A - Information processing apparatus and control unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus and a control unit that solve the problem in which: in an apparatus including a plurality of control means, even when one of the control means does not require power supply, power is supplied to both of the control means.

SOLUTION: In an image forming apparatus 10 being an information processing apparatus, in a state in which power supply to first control means (device control unit 16) controlling an image input device 26 and second control means (system control unit 14) including a processor is restricted or stopped, when a return factor occurs on the first control means, first power control means (device power source control unit 20) controlling a power source of the first control means starts up the first control means and generates a start-up signal for second power control means (system power source control unit 18) controlling a power source of the second control means to start up the second control means. When a return factor occurs on the second control means, in accordance with the return factor, the second control means switches whether to transmit the start-up signal to the first power control means.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

COPYRIGHT: (C)2022,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device and a control device.

Devices such as image forming devices control a system control device that controls common parts that do not depend on each hardware included in the device, and parts that depend on each hardware included in the device (parts that are unique to each hardware). May have a device control device.

As a technique for controlling the electric power of an apparatus, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for controlling power consumption by controlling a bias voltage in a solid-state imaging device. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which a master microcomputer and a slave microcomputer cooperate to shift to or return to a low power consumption mode.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-10471 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-351436

By the way, the power supply to the device control device and the power supply to the system control device may be controlled by the power control device common to the device control device and the system control device. In this case, the power supply to the device control device and the power supply to the system control device are not controlled individually. For example, even if the power supply to one control device is unnecessary, the power is supplied to both. To.

An object of the present invention is to solve a problem that power is supplied to both control means when one of the control means does not need to be supplied with power in a device including a plurality of control means.

The invention according to claim 1 comprises a first control means for controlling an image input device, a second control means provided with a processor, a first power control means for controlling a power source of the first control means, and the first power control means. 2. The first power control means and the second power control means have a second power control means for controlling the power supply of the control means, and the first power control means and the second power control means send and receive start signals to each other, and the first control means and the second control means. When a return factor occurs on the first control means side while the power supply to the means is restricted or stopped, the first power control means activates the first control means and the second control means. The second control means is activated by transmitting an activation signal to the power control means, and the power supply to the first control means and the second control means is restricted or stopped, and the second control means side. The second power control means is an information processing apparatus characterized in that when a return factor occurs, the second power control means switches between transmitting and not transmitting an activation signal to the first power control means. be.

The invention according to claim 1, wherein the first power control means and the second power control means transmit and receive status information of the first control means and the second control means, respectively. It is an information processing device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the first power control means transmits an activation signal to the second power means based on the status information of the second control means sent from the second power control means. Item 2. The information processing apparatus according to item 2.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the image input device is predicted to be used as the return factor, the first power control means transmits an activation signal to the second power control means. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

The invention according to claim 5 is claimed 1 to 4, wherein when a manuscript is detected as the return factor, the first power control means transmits an activation signal to the second power control means. It is an information processing apparatus according to any one of.

The invention according to claim 6 is a power source of a first control means that performs processing that depends on each hardware having a function, a second control means that performs processing that does not depend on each hardware, and the first control means. The first power control means and the second power control means for controlling the power supply of the second control means are provided, and the first power control means and the second power control means send and receive start signals to each other. Then, when a return factor occurs on the first control means side in a state where the power supply to the first control means and the second control means is restricted or stopped, the first power control means is said to be the same. The first control means is activated, and an activation signal is transmitted to the second power control means to activate the second control means, so that the power supply to the first control means and the second control means is restricted or stopped. When a return factor occurs on the second control means side in the state of being set, the second power control means transmits or does not transmit an activation signal to the first power control means according to the return factor. It is a control device characterized by switching between.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a device including a plurality of control means, when power supply is not required for one of the control means, the problem that power is supplied to both control means is solved. Can be done.

According to the invention of claim 2, the status of the other control means can be identified.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the activation signal can be transmitted based on the status information.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the second control means can be activated when the image input device is predicted to be used.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the second control means can be activated when the manuscript is detected.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in a device including a plurality of control means, when one of the control means does not need to be supplied with power, the problem that power is supplied to both control means is solved. Can be done.

It is a block diagram which shows the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation when the return factor occurs on the system control part side. It is a flowchart which shows the operation when the return factor occurs on the device control part side.

An image forming apparatus as an example of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is not limited to the image forming apparatus, and includes, for example, a video recorder, an image reproducing apparatus (a moving image reproducing apparatus, a still image reproducing apparatus, and the like) as devices other than the image forming apparatus. ), A voice reproduction device (including a music player, etc.), other digital devices, and the like. Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus will be described as an example of the information processing apparatus.

The image forming apparatus 10 is an apparatus having an image forming function. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 10 is an apparatus having at least one of a scanning function (image reading function), a printing function (printing function), a copying function (copying function), and a facsimile function. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 may have a function of communicating with another apparatus.

Hereinafter, each part included in the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

The image forming apparatus 10 includes one or a plurality of functional hardware and a controller 12 for controlling each hardware.

The controller 12 includes a system control unit 14, a device control unit 16, a system power supply control unit 18, and a device power supply control unit 20. The system control unit 14 corresponds to an example of the second control means, and the device control unit 16 corresponds to an example of the first control means. Further, the system power supply control unit 18 corresponds to an example of the second power control means, the device power supply control unit 20 corresponds to an example of the first power control means, and the combination of the system power supply control unit 18 and the device power supply control unit 20. Corresponds to an example of power control means.

The system control unit 14 has a function of performing processing that does not depend on each hardware included in the image forming apparatus 10, that is, a common part that does not depend on the type of each hardware, the individual difference of each hardware, the difference between products, and the like. It has a function to control. Specifically, the system control unit 14 displays and inputs in the UI unit 22 (user interface unit) as hardware, communication by the communication unit 24 (for example, communication with an external device via a communication path such as a network), It performs image data and device information processing, image processing, user authentication processing, memory management (for example, reading an SD card, etc.), and the like. The system control unit 14 is composed of, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory.

The device control unit 16 has a function of performing processing depending on each hardware included in the image forming apparatus 10, that is, a function of controlling a portion unique to each hardware. The device control unit 16 is composed of, for example, a circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and a memory. Specifically, the device control unit 16 controls an image input device 26 such as a scanner, controls an image output device 28 such as a printer, controls a fan 30, controls a post-processing device such as a stapler, and various other sensors. Controls motors, heaters, lamps, etc. based on the information obtained by. The device control unit 16 individually controls the power supply to each hardware by using, for example, a register.

The system control unit 14 and the device control unit 16 are connected by, for example, a bus (for example, a high-speed bus such as PCI Express), and transmit and receive information such as various control data and image data to and from each other. Further, the system control unit 14 and the device control unit 16 may be connected by a dedicated line to send and receive information or the like for synchronizing with each other.

The system power supply control unit 18 has a function of receiving power supply from the power supply 32 and controlling the power supply to the system control unit 14. For example, when a limiting factor or a stopping factor of the power supply to the system control unit 14 occurs, the system power supply control unit 18 limits or stops the power supply to the system control unit 14. Limiting factors or stoppages when each hardware to be controlled by the system control unit 14 is not performing processing, is not being operated, or is not performing the processing or the operation for a predetermined time or longer. Factors occur. For example, when the UI unit 22 is not operated by the user for a predetermined time or longer, or when the communication unit 24 is not communicating, a limiting factor or a stopping factor occurs.

Further, when the power supply to the system control unit 14 is restricted or stopped and a factor for returning the power supply to the system control unit 14 occurs, the system power supply control unit 18 transfers the power to the system control unit 14. By supplying the system control unit 14, the system control unit 14 is activated. For example, when the UI unit 22 is operated by the user, or when the communication unit 24 receives a process execution command (for example, a job such as a print job) or data, a return factor occurs. A job such as a print job for printing corresponds to an example of processing.

The activation state of the system control unit 14 is a state in which power is supplied to each unit (processor such as CPU, memory, etc.) included in the system control unit 14. The state in which the power supply is stopped is a state in which the power supply to each unit (processor such as CPU, memory, etc.) included in the system control unit 14 is stopped and the power is not supplied. The state in which the power supply is restricted is a state in which less power than in the start-up state is supplied to the system control unit 14, for example, a state in which the CPU is clocked off, a state in which power supply to the CPU is stopped, and a state in which power supply to the CPU is stopped. The power supply is stopped, etc. The so-called sleep state corresponds to an example of a state in which the power supply is limited.

The device power supply control unit 20 has a function of receiving power from the power supply 32 and controlling the power supply of the device control unit 16. For example, when a limiting factor or a stopping factor of the power supply to the device control unit 16 occurs, the device power supply control unit 20 limits or stops the power supply to the device control unit 16. Limiting factors or stoppages when each hardware to be controlled by the device control unit 16 is not performing processing, is not being operated, or is not performing the processing or the operation for a predetermined time or longer. Factors occur. For example, when the hardware such as the image input device 26 and the image output device 28 does not execute the process for a predetermined time or longer, a limiting factor or a stopping factor occurs.

Further, when the power supply to the device control unit 16 is restricted or stopped and a factor for returning the power supply to the device control unit 16 occurs, the device power supply control unit 20 supplies power to the device control unit 16. By supplying the device, the device control unit 16 is activated. For example, when an operation or process for using the image input device 26, the image output device 28, or the like occurs, a recovery factor occurs. To give a specific example, when a document is placed in the automatic document feeder and the document is detected, it is predicted that the image input device 26 will be used, so that a return factor occurs.

The activation state of the device control unit 16 is a state in which power is supplied to each unit (circuit such as ASIC, memory, etc.) included in the device control unit 16. The state in which the power supply is stopped is a state in which the power supply to each unit (circuit such as ASIC, memory, etc.) included in the device control unit 16 is stopped and the power is not supplied. The state in which the power supply is restricted is a state in which less power than in the activated state is supplied to the device control unit 16, for example, a state in which the power supply to the ASIC is stopped, a state in which the power supply to the memory is stopped, and the state in which the power supply to the memory is stopped. And so on. The so-called sleep state corresponds to an example of a state in which the power supply is limited.

Further, the system power supply control unit 18 and the device power supply control unit 20 transmit and receive status information (signals STS1 and 2 in FIG. 1) and start signals (signals walks 1 and 2 in FIG. 1) of the control unit controlled by themselves. do.

For example, the system power supply control unit 18 outputs information (signal STS1) indicating the status of the system control unit 14 (for example, starting, power limiting, power stop, etc.) to the device power supply control unit 20. The device power supply control unit 20 outputs information (signal STS2) indicating the status of the device control unit 16 (for example, starting, power limiting, power stop, etc.) to the system power supply control unit 18. By doing so, the system power supply control unit 18 identifies the status of the device control unit 16, and the device power supply control unit 20 identifies the status of the system control unit 14. The system power supply control unit 18 and the device power supply control unit 20 may each send status information to the other party at predetermined time intervals, or may send status information to the other party when a request is received from the other party.

Further, the activation signal work1 is a signal output from the system power supply control unit 18 to the device power supply control unit 20, and is output, for example, when the device control unit 16 needs to be activated. The activation signal work2 is a signal output from the device power supply control unit 20 to the system power supply control unit 18, and is output, for example, when the system control unit 14 needs to be activated.

Hereinafter, each hardware included in the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. The UI unit 22 includes a display unit and an operation unit. The display unit is a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The operation unit is, for example, an input device such as a touch panel or a keyboard. The UI unit 22 may be a user interface (for example, an operation panel or the like) that also serves as a display unit and an operation unit. The communication unit 24 is a communication interface, and has a function of transmitting data to another device and a function of receiving data from another device via a communication path such as a network. The communication unit 24 may be a communication interface having a wireless communication function or a communication interface having a wired communication function. The image input device 26 is, for example, a scanner, which is a device that generates image data representing the original by reading the original. The image output device 28 is, for example, a printer, which is a device that receives image data or document data and forms an image or a document on a recording medium such as paper. The fan 30 is a device for cooling the inside of the image forming apparatus 10. In addition, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a storage device such as a hard disk and a memory. The storage device stores, for example, image data, various data (for example, processing execution commands for print jobs, control data, etc.), various programs, and the like. Of course, hardware other than these may be included in the image forming apparatus 10.

Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when a power supply restoring factor occurs on the system control unit 14 side will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

When a power supply recovery factor occurs on the system control unit 14 side while the power to the system control unit 14 is limited or stopped (step S01), the system power supply control unit 18 receives the recovery factor. , The power from the power supply 32 is supplied to the system control unit 14 (step S02). As a result, electric power is supplied to each unit of the system control unit 14, and the system control unit 14 is activated (for example, wakes up from the sleep state) (step S03). For example, when the communication unit 24 receives a job such as a print job via a communication path such as a network, or when the user gives a log (history information) display instruction using the UI unit 22, the reception or the reception The display instruction corresponds to the return factor, and the system power supply control unit 18 activates the system control unit 14.

Next, the system control unit 14 analyzes the content of the job that caused the occurrence of the return factor (step S04). This analysis may be performed by the system power supply control unit 18.

When the job does not correspond to a job that uses the device control unit 16 (step S05, No), the system control unit 14 causes the hardware controlled by itself to execute the job (step S06). That is, if the job does not correspond to a job executed using the hardware controlled by the device control unit 16, in other words, the job is executed using only the hardware controlled by the system control unit 14. When the job is applicable, the system control unit 14 causes the hardware controlled by the system control unit 14 to execute the job. When the power supply to the device control unit 16 is restricted or stopped, the job is executed without starting the device control unit 16. For example, when the content of the job corresponds to the log display instruction, the display is realized only by the hardware controlled by the system control unit 14, so that the hardware is used to display the log. When the execution of the job by the system control unit 14 is completed, the system power supply control unit 18 limits or stops the power to the system control unit 14. Specifically, the system power supply control unit 18 monitors the status of the system control unit 14, and when the processing by the system control unit 14 is completed, the system power supply control unit 18 limits or stops the power to the system control unit 14. As a result, the system control unit 14 shifts to, for example, a sleep state when the process assigned to itself is completed. For example, when the log is displayed for a predetermined time or when an instruction to hide the log is given, it corresponds to the end of the log display process, and the system power control unit 18 detects the end. If so, the power to the system control unit 14 is limited or stopped. By doing so, the power consumption is reduced as compared with the case where the system control unit 14 is started even after the processing by the system control unit 14 is completed.

On the other hand, when the job corresponds to a job using the device control unit 16 (step S05, Yes), the system power supply control unit 18 receives information indicating that fact from the system control unit 14 and sends it from the device power supply control unit 20. The status of the device control unit 16 is confirmed based on the status information (signal STS2) of the device control unit 16.

When the status of the device control unit 16 does not correspond to the sleep state (step S07, No), that is, when the device control unit 16 is running, the device control unit 16 controls the job assigned to itself by itself. The ware is made to execute, and the system control unit 14 causes the hardware under its control to execute the job assigned to itself (step S11). For example, when the content of the job corresponds to a print job (print job), the device control unit 16 causes the image output device 28 to execute the print job, and the system control unit 14 controls the display related to the print job. ..

When the status of the device control unit 16 corresponds to the sleep state (step S07, Yes), that is, when the power supply to the device control unit 16 is restricted, the system power supply control unit 18 returns the device control unit 16. The start signal work1 as a request is output to the device power supply control unit 20 (step S08). Similarly, when the power to the device control unit 16 is stopped, the start signal work1 is output from the system power supply control unit 18 to the device power supply control unit 20.

Upon receiving the start signal work1 as a return request from the system power supply control unit 18, the device power supply control unit 20 supplies the power from the power supply 32 to the device control unit 16 (step S09). As a result, electric power is supplied to each unit of the device control unit 16, and the device control unit 16 is activated (for example, wakes up from the sleep state) (step S10).

After the device control unit 16 is started, the device control unit 16 causes the hardware controlled by itself to execute the job assigned to itself, and the system control unit 14 causes the hardware assigned to itself to control the job assigned to itself. Let the hardware execute (step S11).

As described above, when a return factor occurs on the system control unit 14 side while the power supply to the system control unit 14 and the device control unit 16 is restricted or stopped, the return factor is determined according to the return factor (of the job). (Depending on the content), the case of activating the system control unit 14 and the device control unit 16 and the case of activating only the system control unit 14 can be switched. If the device control unit 16 is not required depending on the content of the job, the job is executed without starting the device control unit 16. Therefore, the device control unit 16 is started even if the device control unit 16 is not required. Power consumption is reduced compared to the case. Further, when the device control unit 16 is not required, the device control unit 16 is not started, so that the job is executed without taking the time required to start the device control unit 16. Therefore, even when the device control unit 16 is not required, the time required to complete the job is shortened by the amount of time required to start the job, as compared with the case where the device control unit 16 is started and then the job is executed.

Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when a power supply restoring factor occurs on the device control unit 16 side will be described with reference to FIG.

When a power supply recovery factor occurs on the device control unit 16 side while the power to the device control unit 16 is limited or stopped (step S20), the device power supply control unit 20 receives the recovery factor. , The power from the power supply 32 is supplied to the device control unit 16 (step S21). As a result, electric power is supplied to each unit of the device control unit 16, and the device control unit 16 is activated (for example, wakes up from the sleep state) (step S22). For example, when a document is arranged in an automatic document feeder and the document is detected, the detection of the document corresponds to a recovery factor, and the device power supply control unit 20 activates the device control unit 16.

Next, the device power supply control unit 20 confirms the status of the system control unit 14 based on the status information (signal STS1) of the system control unit 14 sent from the system power supply control unit 18.

When the status of the system control unit 14 does not correspond to the sleep state (step S23, No), that is, when the system control unit 14 is running, the device control unit 16 controls the job assigned to itself by itself. The ware is made to execute, and the system control unit 14 causes the hardware under its control to execute the job assigned to itself (step S27). For example, when the content of the job corresponds to an image reading job (scan job), the device control unit 16 causes the image input device 26 to execute the image reading job, and the system control unit 14 displays the image reading job and the like. To control.

When the status of the system control unit 14 corresponds to the sleep state (step S23, Yes), that is, when the power supply to the system control unit 14 is restricted, the device power supply control unit 20 returns the system control unit 14. The start signal work2 as a request is output to the system power supply control unit 18 (step S24). Similarly, when the power to the system control unit 14 is stopped, the start signal work2 is output from the device power supply control unit 20 to the system power supply control unit 18.

Upon receiving the start signal work2 as a return request from the device power supply control unit 20, the system power supply control unit 18 supplies the power from the power supply 32 to the system control unit 14 (step S25). As a result, electric power is supplied to each unit of the system control unit 14, and the system control unit 14 is activated (for example, wakes up from the sleep state) (step S26).

After the system control unit 14 is started, the device control unit 16 causes the hardware assigned to itself to execute the job assigned to itself, and the system control unit 14 causes the hardware assigned to itself to control the job assigned to itself. Let the hardware execute (step S27).

As described above, when a recovery factor occurs on the device control unit 16 side while the power supply to the device control unit 16 is restricted or stopped, the device control unit 16 is activated and the system control unit 14 is activated. If the power supply is also restricted or stopped, the system control unit 14 is also activated.

The process of step S23 may not be executed. In this case, regardless of whether or not the system control unit 14 is activated, the device power supply control unit 20 outputs the activation signal work2 as a return request to the system power supply control unit 18. The system power supply control unit 18 that has received the start signal walk2 maintains its activation if the system control unit 14 is activated, and activates the system control unit 14 if the system control unit 14 is not activated. By doing so, the same state as when the process of step S23 is executed is realized.

The system control unit 14 and the device control unit 16 receive and drive electric power of, for example, several watts (W) to several tens of watts (W), respectively. For example, the system control unit 14 and the device control unit 16 receive and drive electric power of 10 W to 20 W, respectively. On the other hand, since the main function of the system power supply control unit 18 is a function of controlling the power supply to the system control unit 14, the power required to drive the system power supply control unit 18 is required to drive the system control unit 14. It is smaller than the electric power. Similarly, since the main function of the device power supply control unit 20 is a function of controlling the power supply to the device control unit 16, the power required to drive the device power supply control unit 20 is used to drive the device control unit 16. Less than the required power. For example, the electric power required to drive each of the system power supply control unit 18 and the device power supply control unit 20 is several mW. Therefore, even if the system power supply control unit 18 and the device power supply control unit 20 are provided to individually control the power supply to the system control unit 14 and the device control unit 16, it is necessary due to that. The electric power is only a few mW.

When the control by the system control unit 14 becomes unnecessary while each hardware controlled by the device control unit 16 is executing a job (process), that is, each hardware controlled by the system control unit 14. When the operation of the wear becomes unnecessary, the system power supply control unit 18 may limit or stop the power supply to the system control unit 14. For example, when the device control unit 16 causes the image output device 28 to execute a print job and the control by the system control unit 14 becomes unnecessary, the system power supply control unit 18 supplies power to the system control unit 14. To limit or stop. By doing so, even when the control by the system control unit 14 becomes unnecessary, the power consumption is reduced as compared with the case where the system control unit 14 is activated.

If multiple hardware are required to execute a job, each hardware may be started individually at the required timing. For example, when each hardware is required in the order of the image input device 26 and the image output device 28, the device control unit 16 may start each hardware in the order of the image input device 26 and the image output device 28. ..

10 image forming device, 12 controller, 14 system control unit, 16 device control unit, 18 system power supply control unit, 20 device power supply control unit, 32 power supply.

Claims (6)

The first control means for controlling the image input device and
A second control means equipped with a processor,
The first power control means for controlling the power supply of the first control means,
A second power control means for controlling the power supply of the second control means, and
Have,
The first power control means and the second power control means send and receive start signals to each other.
When a return factor occurs on the first control means side in a state where the power supply to the first control means and the second control means is restricted or stopped, the first power control means is the first. The control means is activated, and an activation signal is transmitted to the second power control means to activate the second control means.
When a return factor occurs on the second control means side while the power supply to the first control means and the second control means is restricted or stopped, the second power is increased according to the return factor. The control means switches between transmitting and not transmitting the start signal to the first power control means.
An information processing device characterized by this. The first power control means and the second power control means transmit and receive status information of the first control means and the second control means, respectively.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The first power control means transmits a start signal to the second power means based on the status information of the second control means sent from the second power control means.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2. When it is predicted that the image input device will be used as the return factor, the first power control means transmits a start signal to the second power control means.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. When a document is detected as the return factor, the first power control means transmits an activation signal to the second power control means.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A first control means that performs processing depending on each hardware having a function,
A second control means that performs processing independent of each hardware, and
The first power control means for controlling the power supply of the first control means,
A second power control means for controlling the power supply of the second control means, and
Have,
The first power control means and the second power control means send and receive start signals to each other.
When a return factor occurs on the first control means side in a state where the power supply to the first control means and the second control means is restricted or stopped, the first power control means is the first. The control means is activated, and an activation signal is transmitted to the second power control means to activate the second control means.
When a return factor occurs on the second control means side while the power supply to the first control means and the second control means is restricted or stopped, the second power is increased according to the return factor. The control means switches between transmitting and not transmitting the start signal to the first power control means.
A control device characterized by that.

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