JP3659165B2 - Printer control device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printer control device having a printer power saving function .
[0002]
[Prior art]
The printer consumes a considerable amount of power in order to maintain a standby state even when printing is not performed for a long time with the power turned on. Therefore, the following power saving modes are added to recent printers. That is, the power saving mode automatically saves power consumption to a state below a predetermined value when printing is not performed for a set time.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the power saving mode of the conventional printer has the following problems.
[0004]
The first problem is that the latest status cannot be notified because the stored information is returned in the status monitoring status request sent from the connected network or computer. The reason is that the state of the printer is also stopped during the power saving mode, and the latest state is unknown.
[0005]
The second problem is that the cancellation of the power saving mode is only an operation instruction included in the data from the interface, so that the recovery from the self-generated event in the printer, the state change to the connected network or computer, etc. Notification, abnormality processing, etc. cannot be executed. The reason is that during the power saving mode, the status in the printer is also stopped, so that these processes cannot be executed.
[0006]
In summary, all functions are stopped during the power saving mode, and the return is determined only by operation from the operation panel or incoming data. For this reason, there is a problem in that it is impossible to respond to communication from the host device or correct information is not transmitted to the host device. In addition, since it is impossible to recover from various events that occur in the printer, there is a problem in improving operability and overall system reliability.
[0007]
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a printer control apparatus that can improve operability and reliability while realizing power saving by enabling monitoring of the printer status with minimum power consumption even during the power saving mode. It is to provide.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The printer control device according to the present invention includes an interface unit that transmits and receives commands and data to the host device, an overall control unit that shifts the entire printer to either the power saving mode or the normal mode, and the status of each unit of the printer. A status monitoring unit for grasping; and a return processing unit for returning power supply to the interface unit and the status monitoring unit at regular intervals during the power saving mode. The interface unit includes a communication device that sends data to the printer, a logical stack processing unit that performs header processing for data communication, and a data type determination unit that determines the type of the data body from which the header is removed. The recovery processing unit includes a timer that generates an interrupt when a specified time elapses, a memory auto-refresh mechanism that refreshes the memory at a fixed period to retain data in the volatile memory, and power supply is recovered by the interrupt. And a power supply return mechanism. The status monitoring unit includes an engine monitoring unit that monitors the status of the engine of the printer, a scanner monitoring unit that monitors the status of the scanner of the printer, and an interface monitoring unit that monitors the status of the interface unit. The printer control apparatus according to the present invention has the following operations (1) to (3).
Printer control device.
[0009]
(1). Even if commands are sent from the network or computer during the power saving mode, this can be handled. In addition, since this operation is executed intermittently during the power saving mode, the influence on the power saving effect is small.
[ 0010 ]
(2). Even in the power saving mode, the status of each part of the printer can be grasped, so that it is possible to deal with printer abnormalities. In addition, since this operation is executed intermittently during the power saving mode, the influence on the power saving effect is small.
[ 0011 ]
(3). During the power saving mode, for example, it is possible to cope with occurrence of an interrupt factor by data reception, operation panel operation, printer engine, scanner unit, or the like. In addition, since this operation requires only the power consumption of the state monitoring unit, that is, the minimum power consumption, the influence on the power saving effect is small.
[ 0012 ]
In other words, a printer using the printer control device according to the present invention includes an interface unit that receives print data and commands via an interface, and an analysis unit that generates image data based on the print data and commands received by the interface unit. And a printing unit that controls the printing operation on the paper by the printer engine based on the image data generated by the analysis unit, and the control unit controls each control unit and shifts to the power saving mode while the printing operation is not performed. It has an overall control unit that stops itself while leaving a function, and a return processing unit. The recovery processing unit consists of a timer or interrupt monitoring unit that exists as a minimum function, a memory auto refresh mechanism, a power recovery mechanism that recovers power supply by an interrupt generated from a timer or other events, etc. The device status is grasped using the minimum functions necessary for grasping, responding to status acquisition communication, error handling is appropriately performed when an error occurs, and normal depending on whether an event requiring power supply to the entire printer has occurred Determine whether to return to mode or continue power saving mode.
[ 0013 ]
As a result, the internal status of the printer can be ascertained with the minimum necessary power consumption by the recovery processing unit activated by a timer or interrupt and the status monitoring unit that operates after the recovery. Determine whether to return to normal mode.
[ 0014 ]
In summary, the printer control device according to the present invention allows the state monitoring process to function even during the power saving mode. Starts the state monitoring process that starts in the power saving mode according to a certain period or event of state change, and judges whether it is necessary to return to the normal mode, whether there is a communication response from the system, whether there is an error in the printer, etc. The processing is performed as appropriate.
[ 0015 ]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, an embodiment of a printer control apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Since the printer power saving method according to the present invention is used in the printer control apparatus according to the present invention, it will be described simultaneously with the description of this embodiment.
[ 0016 ]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a printer control apparatus according to the present invention. Hereinafter, description will be given based on this drawing.
[ 0017 ]
The printer control device 9 of the present embodiment includes an interface unit 2 that transmits and receives commands and data to and from a host device, a status monitoring unit 4 that grasps the status of each unit of the printer 10, and the entire printer 10 in a power saving mode or a normal mode. The overall control unit 1 that shifts to one of the above and the return processing unit 3 that returns the power supply to the interface unit 2 and the state monitoring unit 4 at regular intervals during the power saving mode. More specifically, the printer control device 9 controls the start and stop of the entire printer 10 and communicates with the host computer (not shown) and the overall control unit 1 that controls the entire process from data reception to printing. The interface unit 2 that performs print data reception and status communication control, the return processing unit 3 that has the minimum functions necessary for returning from the power saving mode and performs the return processing from the power saving mode, and the status of the printer 10 And a state monitoring unit 4 for providing a status in response to an inquiry from each module.
[ 0018 ]
The printer 10 is generated by the printer control device 9 , the analysis unit 5 that analyzes the print data received from the host device or analyzes the data sent from the scanner unit 8, and generates image data. Print unit 6 that controls print output while receiving engine data and controlling engine (printer engine) 7, and original power saving that prints on paper and uses internal power to detect internal state changes An engine 7 having a mode, and a scanner unit 8 having a unique power saving mode that reads an image by scan processing to generate scan data and detects an internal state change using a minimum power. .
[ 0019 ]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the interface unit 2, the state monitoring unit 4, and the return processing unit 3. Hereinafter, a description will be given based on FIG. 1 and FIG.
[ 0020 ]
As shown in FIG. 2 [1], the interface unit 2 includes a communication device 21, a logical stack processing unit 22, a data type determination unit 23, and the like. The communication device 21 is a hardware circuit that sends data to the printer 10, and is, for example, EtherNet for a network (LAN) connection, Centronics, RS232C, or the like for a one-to-one connection with a host computer. The logic stack processing unit 22 is a logic circuit that performs header (packet) processing for data communication. For example, TCP / IP is used for network connection, and a manufacturer is prepared for one-to-one connection with a host computer. Header processing is performed. The data type determination unit 23 is a logic circuit that determines the type of the data body from which the header (packet) has been removed. The data type determination unit 23 sets print data to be printed, command data for acquiring the status of the printer 10, and setting of the printer 10. It is a discriminating circuit for command data and the like.
[ 0021 ]
As shown in FIG. 2 [2], the return processing unit 3 includes a timer 31 that generates an interrupt when a specified time elapses, a memory auto refresh mechanism 32, a power supply return mechanism 33 that returns power supply by an interrupt , and the like. The memory auto-refresh mechanism 32 refreshes the memory at a constant cycle in order to retain data in the volatile memory. This process requires several seconds to several tens of seconds depending on the memory capacity. If the contents of the memory are discarded during the power saving mode, this time is required when returning. Therefore, by executing the memory refresh even during the power saving mode, the recovery processing time is greatly reduced. The time for the return process is the time from the return to the time when the printing process becomes possible, or the time from the return to the time when the status inquiry of the printer 10 can be handled. The power supply return mechanism 33 determines and increases the number of usable circuits by increasing power consumption from the power saving mode in which the supply of power is suppressed and the state is maintained with only a minimum number of circuits.
[ 0022 ]
As shown in FIG. 2 [3], the state monitoring unit 4 includes an engine monitoring unit 41, a scanner monitoring unit 42, an interface monitoring unit 43, and the like.
[ 0023 ]
3 to 7 are flowcharts showing the operation of the printer control device 9. Hereinafter, a description will be given based on FIGS. 1 to 7.
[ 0024 ]
In the printer 10, the generation of print data received by the interface unit 2 or the generation of print data generated by performing a scan by the scanner unit 8 is notified to the overall control unit 1. Then, the overall control unit 1 activates the analysis unit 5 and instructs acquisition of print data and generation of an image. Upon receiving the instruction, the analysis unit 5 receives the print data, performs analysis, generates image data, and notifies the overall control unit 1 of the print data. The overall control unit 1 that has confirmed the generation of the image data activates the printing unit 6 and instructs the acquisition of the image data from the analysis unit 5 and the printing thereof. In response to the instruction, the printing unit 6 acquires an image from the analysis unit 5 and activates the engine 7 to perform printing processing.
[ 0025 ]
Next, the transition of the printer 10 to the power saving mode will be described with reference to FIG.
[ 0026 ]
The overall control unit 1 passes the time since the last printing (steps 101 and 104), the data reception status at the interface unit 2 (steps 102 and 105), and the status change detection status at the status monitoring unit 4 (steps 103 and 106). ) And the engine 7 and the scanner unit 8 (step 107), the analysis unit 5 and the printing unit 6 (step 108) are stopped, respectively. After that, the stop process of the return processing unit 3 is started (step 109), and the overall control unit 1 also shifts to the self-stop state (step 110).
[ 0027 ]
Next, the stop process of the return process part 3 is demonstrated centering on FIG.
[ 0028 ]
In the start-up or return process from the overall control unit 1, when it is determined that the power saving mode is continued, the return processing unit 3 executes a stop process. The stop process is a process for shifting the module managed by the return processing unit 3 to the power saving mode. The memory auto-refresh mechanism 32 is activated from the return processing unit 3 (step 111), a predetermined time is set, and the timer 31 is started (step 112). After that, the power supply return mechanism 33 stops the power supply of the interface unit 2, the state monitoring unit 7 and the return processing unit 3 except for the communication device 21, and shifts to the power saving mode (step 113).
[ 0029 ]
Next, the return processing of the return processing unit 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
[ 0030 ]
The timer 31 generates an interrupt when the designated time has elapsed (step 121). Then, the power supply mechanism 33 is activated by the interruption , and returns the power supply to the return processing unit 3, the interface unit 2, and the state monitoring unit 7 (step 122). The return processing unit 3 that has returned stops the operation of the memory auto-refresh mechanism 32 (step 123) and checks the state in the printer 10. That is, the state monitoring unit 4 confirms whether or not an event that requires the entire printer 10 to return has occurred (step 124). If there is an event, the overall control unit 1 is activated to shift to the normal mode (step 127). Subsequently, the presence or absence of a status acquisition notification from the higher-level device is confirmed from the interface unit 2 (step 125). If there is, the latest state is acquired from the state monitoring unit 4, and the interface unit 2 is instructed to return the status. (Step 128). Subsequently, whether or not an abnormal event has occurred in the printer 10 is confirmed from the state monitoring unit 4 (step 126). If yes, the interface unit 2 is instructed to send an error notification to the host device (step 129). On the other hand, when the state change is not detected from the interface unit 2 and the state monitoring unit 4, the stop processing of the return processing unit 3 is executed again, and the power saving mode is continued.
[ 0031 ]
The “all-return necessary event” in step 124 is a process involving the printing operation after the engine 7 is started, for example. The “status acquisition notification” in step 125 is a status acquisition command from the host computer to the printer 10, commands locally defined between the host computer and the printer 10, MIB used in the network monitoring protocol SNMP. Commands, status acquisition commands defined by IPP (Internet Printing Protocol), and the like. The “abnormal state” in step 125 is a state in which the printer 10 does not operate correctly, and is mainly an abnormality of the engine 7 such as a cover open, no hopper paper, a stacker abnormality, etc., otherwise printing by operation panel operation is impossible. The setting status and invalid connection status of the interface are also targeted.
[ 0032 ]
Next, the return process of the interface unit 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[ 0033 ]
The interface unit 2 whose power supply has been restored by the power supply mechanism 33 confirms the state of the communication device 21 and detects the presence or absence of incoming data (step 131). If there is an incoming data, the logical stack processing unit 22 processes it and takes out the data (step 132). The extracted data is analyzed by the data type determination unit 23 (step 133), the latest information in the interface unit 2 is generated (step 134), and information is provided in response to the inquiry from the return processing unit 3 or the state monitoring unit 4. Do.
[ 0034 ]
Next, the return process of the state monitoring unit 4 will be described with a focus on the flowchart of FIG.
[ 0035 ]
The state monitoring unit 4 whose power supply has been restored by the power supply mechanism 33 acquires the latest information on the status of the engine 7 by the engine monitoring unit 41 (step 141), and the latest information on the status of the scanner unit 8 by the scanner monitoring unit 42. (Step 142), and the interface unit 2 acquires the latest information on the communication status with the host device (step 143). Then, these pieces of information are organized to create the latest printer status information (step 144), and information is provided in response to an inquiry from the return processing unit 3 or the status monitoring unit 4.
[ 0036 ]
The printer 10 may be configured as follows. That is, when the engine 9 alone has a power saving mode for detecting a change in the state of the engine 9 using a minimum amount of power, and a change in the state is detected, the state monitoring unit 4 is notified of this by using an interrupt. The engine 7 for notification and the power saving mode of the scanner unit 8 for detecting the state change in the scanner unit 8 using the minimum power in the power saving mode are provided. When the state change is detected, an interrupt to that effect is given. It may be provided with a scanner unit 8 that notifies the state monitoring unit 4 by using it. At this time, the state monitoring unit 4 is always supplied with power even in the power saving mode.
[ 0037 ]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the power supply to the interface unit is restored at regular intervals during the power saving mode, and commands and data are transmitted to and received from the host device via the interface unit. it is sent commands from the computer or may correspond to this. In addition, the power supply to the status monitoring unit is restored at regular intervals during the power saving mode, and the status of each part of the printer is grasped via the status monitoring unit, thereby grasping the status of each part of the printer even in the power saving mode. Because it can, it can cope with printer abnormalities. Moreover, since these operations are executed intermittently during the power saving mode, the influence on the power saving effect is small.
[ 0038 ]
In addition, according to the present invention, the power supply to the state monitoring unit is always continued during the power saving mode, and an interrupt signal is received through the state monitoring unit, thereby responding to an interrupt request even during the power saving mode. can do. In addition, since this operation requires a minimum power consumption, the influence on the power saving effect is small.
[ 0039 ]
In other words, the first effect is that the internal state of the printer can be grasped with the minimum power consumption even in the power saving mode, so that the notification to the user by the status notification to the connected network or computer or the display on the operation panel is possible. This makes it possible to improve operability and reliability. This is because there is a state monitoring mode between the power saving mode and the normal mode in which power consumption is suppressed as compared with the normal mode.
[ 0040 ]
The second effect is not only the data instruction acquired from the interface during the power saving mode but also the self-occurrence event in the printer, thereby returning to the normal mode from the power saving mode, abnormal event occurrence processing, and event change notification. Since processing etc. are attained, operativity and reliability can be improved. This is because there is a state monitoring mode between the power saving mode and the normal mode that consumes less power than in the normal mode, so that it is possible to grasp the self-generated event in the printer.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a printer control apparatus according to the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an interface unit, a return processing unit, and a status monitoring unit in the printer control apparatus of FIG. 1, FIG. 2 [1] is an interface unit, FIG. 2 [2] is a return processing unit, 2 [3] is a state monitoring unit.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing power saving mode transition processing of the overall control unit in the printer control apparatus of FIG. 1;
4 is a flowchart showing stop processing of a return processing unit in the printer control apparatus of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing return processing of a return processing unit in the printer control apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing return processing of an interface unit in the printer control apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a return process of a state monitoring unit in the printer control apparatus of FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Overall control part 2 Interface part 3 Restoration process part 4 Status monitoring part 5 Analysis part 6 Printing part 7 Engine 8 Scanner part 9 Printer control apparatus 10 Printer 21 Communication device 22 Logic stack processing part 23 Data type judgment part 31 Timer 32 Memory auto Refresh mechanism 33 Power supply return mechanism 41 Engine monitoring unit 42 Scanner monitoring unit 43 Interface monitoring unit

Claims (1)

An interface unit that transmits and receives commands and data to and from a host device, an overall control unit that shifts the entire printer to either the power saving mode or the normal mode, a status monitoring unit that grasps the status of each unit of the printer, and the power saving unit A restoration processing unit that restores power supply to the interface unit and the state monitoring unit at regular intervals during the mode,
Wherein the interface unit, possess a communication device for sending data to the printer, the logical stack processing unit that performs header processing for data communication, and a data type determination unit to determine the type of data body to remove the header,
The recovery processing unit includes a timer that generates an interrupt when a specified time elapses, a memory auto-refresh mechanism that refreshes the memory at a fixed period to retain data in the volatile memory, and power supply is recovered by the interrupt. Power supply return mechanism to
The status monitoring unit includes an engine monitoring unit that monitors the status of the engine of the printer, a scanner monitoring unit that monitors the status of the scanner of the printer, and an interface monitoring unit that monitors the status of the interface unit.
Printer control device.

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