JP4438030B2 - Optional equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optional device , and more particularly to an optional device capable of controlling the power supply of another connected device .
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, as another apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an optional apparatus) connected to an image processing apparatus such as a printer that forms an image, a paper feeding apparatus that stores a large amount of paper and sends it to the main body of the image forming apparatus, or an image forming apparatus 2. Description of the Related Art A paper discharge device or the like that receives a discharged paper and performs sorting, stapling, and the like is known.
[0003]
This type of optional device has a power supply unit, but is remotely controlled from the image forming apparatus. That is, the image forming apparatus and the optional apparatus are connected by a cable, and the optional apparatus turns on the power by transmitting a signal (hereinafter referred to as a PWRON signal) for controlling the power supply to the optional apparatus. And
[0004]
After the image forming apparatus turns on its own power, it turns on the power of each option device, recognizes the type and number of connected option devices, and issues a command (hereinafter referred to as a command) to each option device. To do. In many cases, the image forming apparatus and each optional apparatus are serially connected. Hereinafter, the side that is electrically close to the image forming apparatus is referred to as a downstream side, and the far side is referred to as an upstream side.
[0005]
Conventionally, when the image forming apparatus confirms the connection of the option device, the CPU of the control unit in the image forming apparatus turns on the PWRON signal, and each option device turns on its own power accordingly. Hereinafter, it is referred to as a TERM signal). Based on this TERM signal, the CPU of the image forming apparatus has confirmed that the power supply of each option device has been turned on.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in order to connect an optional device to a conventional image forming apparatus, a signal line for confirming communication by the above-described TERM signal is required.
[0007]
In recent years, a system that realizes multi-function by adding an optional device to an image forming apparatus is often configured by connecting a large number of optional devices to the image forming apparatus main body. In such a system, it is desirable that the connection between the image forming apparatus and the optional apparatus, or between the upstream optional apparatus and the downstream optional apparatus is as simple as possible. Therefore, it is also necessary to reduce the signal lines.
[0008]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and provides an option device that can reduce the number of communication lines to be connected when a plurality of option devices are connected to an image forming apparatus. With the goal.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a means for achieving the above object, an option processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration.
[0010]
That is, an optional device connected to an image forming apparatus, and an optional device to which another optional device can be connected, a first communication line for communicating with the image forming device and the other optional device, a second communication line for receiving an indication of a power-on from the image forming apparatus, a communication control unit for controlling communication with the first of the image formation by the communication line device and the other optional devices, the Optional device control means for controlling the operation of the optional device and connected to the second communication line, and in response to a power-on instruction from the image forming apparatus, power is supplied to each means provided in the optional device. Connected to the other optional device based on a signal from the power unit of the other optional device Comprising a connection detecting means for detecting whether, and in accordance with an instruction of the power-on, power is supplied from the power supply to said connection detection means and the option device control means and said communication control means, said When the connection detection means receives a signal from the power supply unit of the other option device and detects that the connection is made with the other option device based on the received signal, the communication control means When the communication line is placed in a connection state communicable with the other optional device and is not connected to the other optional device based on the received signal, the communication control means characterized in that the communications line connection state indicating that the option device is optional device connected terminations to the image forming apparatus To.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 1A is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image processing system in the present embodiment. In the figure, 101 is an image forming apparatus, 402 is an optional apparatus for paper feed, and 403 is an optional apparatus for paper discharge. Reference numeral 404 denotes a sort bin for sorting the discharged paper in the optional device 403 for paper discharge. Needless to say, the optional device that can be connected to the image forming apparatus 101 is not limited to this example. For example, other optional paper feeding devices can be connected.
[0015]
FIG. 1B is a block diagram schematically showing a connection form of the image processing system shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, a paper feed option device 402 and a paper discharge option device 403 are sequentially connected to the image forming apparatus 101 via a signal communication line L1 and a power supply communication line L2. As described above, other optional devices can be sequentially connected to the system. Here, in the present embodiment, among the optional devices connected to the image forming apparatus 101, the side that is electrically close to the image forming apparatus 101 is defined as the downstream side, and the far side is defined as the upstream side. Upstream.
[0016]
In the present embodiment, each of a plurality of option devices connected to the image forming apparatus is characterized in that a TERM signal communication line for confirming power-on, which is conventionally required, is unnecessary. Hereinafter, communication control in each option device of the present embodiment will be described in detail. Since this control is common to each option device, the configuration in the option device 402 will be described below as an example.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit in the option device 402. In the figure, L1 is a signal communication line for connecting the image forming apparatus 101 and the optional apparatus 402 to perform various communications, and L2 is for the optional apparatus 402 to receive a PWRON signal for instructing power-on from the image forming apparatus 101. It is a communication line for power supply. These communication lines L1 and L2 can be connected to an optional device further upstream as L1 ′ and L2 ′.
[0018]
Reference numeral 102 denotes a control unit (hereinafter referred to as a system controller) that controls the entire option device 402, reference numeral 103 denotes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) mounted on the system controller 102, and reference numeral 104 denotes a signal communication line L1. , A communication control unit 105 for communicating with the image forming apparatus 101 or another optional device (403) via a current detection unit. Reference numeral 106 denotes a power supply unit that is remotely controlled.
[0019]
2 has been described as the configuration of the option device 402 connected to the image forming apparatus 101. For example, FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the control unit in the option device 403 connected upstream of the option device 402. If there is, the option device 403 performs various communications with the option device 402 through the signal communication line L1 (L1 ′), and receives the PWRON signal from the option device 402 as the downstream device through the power supply communication line L2 (L2 ′). To do. In this case, as will be described in detail later, the signal communication line L1 (L1 ′) is terminated in the option device 403.
[0020]
In FIG. 2, one communication line L1, L2 is shown for the sake of convenience, but actually there are a plurality corresponding to the number of bits of the signal.
[0021]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the communication control unit 104. In the figure, 201 is a communication control IC for controlling communication between the signal communication line L1 and the CPU 103, 202 is a switch for switching the connection of the signal communication line L1, and 203 is a termination resistor that serves as a termination for the communication line L1. It is. In this embodiment, the signal communication line L1 is terminated by controlling the on / off of the switch 202 in the communication control unit 104 according to whether or not the optional device 402 is located upstream. Whether or not is controlled. The switch 202 is connected to the termination resistor 203 side in the on state, and continues the signal communication line L1 to L1 ′ in the off state.
[0022]
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a detailed configuration of the current detection unit 105. In the figure, C1, C2, and C3 are terminals for inputting and outputting signals, C1 and C2 are connected to the CPU 103, and C3 is connected to the power supply unit of the upstream option device. The terminal C2 monitors the potential difference between both ends of the resistor R1, and when an upstream option device is connected to the terminal C3, the voltage detected at the terminal C2 changes accordingly. In other words, in the present embodiment, the CPU 103 turns on the terminal C1, monitors the voltage at the terminal C2, and converts the analog voltage value input to the terminal C2 into a digital value. ) Can be determined. Specifically, if an optional device is connected upstream, a current flows from the terminal C3 to the optional device, so the voltage applied to the terminal C2 drops and a value lower than the power supply voltage Vcc is detected. On the other hand, if the optional device is not connected upstream, the power supply voltage Vcc is detected at the terminal C2.
[0023]
Hereinafter, connection control in the optional device 402, which is a feature of the present embodiment, will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The processing control program is stored in a ROM (not shown) or the like in the system controller 102, and the CPU 103 reads the control program on a RAM (not shown) and executes it. Processing is realized.
[0024]
Step S501 indicates a waiting state for receiving a PWRON signal that instructs the power supply unit 106 to turn on the power from the image forming apparatus 101 (downstream apparatus). When the PWRON signal is received from the downstream device via the power communication line L2, the power supply unit 106 turns on the power and supplies power to the system controller 102 (S502).
[0025]
When the system controller 102 is powered, the CPU 103 initializes itself (S503), and then initializes the option device 402 (S504). Here, since the optional device 402 is a paper discharge device, its initialization operation includes checking whether paper is loaded in the discharge bin, checking residual paper, checking functions such as failure, etc. In the case of the optional device 401, as an initialization operation, a remaining sheet check, a remaining sheet check for whether or not a sheet being conveyed remains, and a function check for whether a motor, a sensor, or the like has failed are performed.
[0026]
After that, the communication control unit 104 turns off the switch 202 to continue the signal communication line L1 (S505). The switch 202 is turned on / off by the CPU 103 controlling a relay circuit (not shown).
[0027]
Then, the CPU 103 checks the input voltage of the terminal C2 in the current detection unit 105 (S506), and whether or not another option device (403) is connected upstream of the option device 402, that is, It is determined whether or not the device (402) is the most upstream device in the system (S507). As described above, this determination is made by comparing the voltage at the terminal C2 with the power supply voltage Vcc.
[0028]
When another optional device is connected upstream, that is, when the own device is not the final device, the power supply of the upstream device is turned on (S509). On the other hand, when no other optional device is connected upstream, that is, when the own device is the final device, the switch 202 in the communication control unit 104 is turned on and connected to the terminal resistor 203 side, whereby the communication line L1 is terminated by a termination resistor 203, and a communication line between the image forming apparatus 101 and the optional apparatus 402 is determined (S508).
[0029]
When all the optional devices connected to the image forming apparatus 101 are turned on by the connection control process shown in FIG. 5 and the communication line in the system is determined, the image forming apparatus 101 is connected to each optional device connected to itself. Confirm the connection position and number of units. Hereinafter, the connection confirmation process of the optional device in the present embodiment will be described.
[0030]
In the image forming apparatus 101, a system controller (not shown) issues a connection confirmation command to the option device 402, for example, and starts a timer at the same time. When the option device 402 receives the connection confirmation command, the option device 402 issues a connection confirmation response command to the image forming apparatus 101 informing that the connection is normally made.
[0031]
The system controller of the image forming apparatus 101 receives the connection confirmation response command from the option apparatus 402 to confirm that the option apparatus 402 is connected, but starts a timer and confirms the connection for a certain period of time. If the response command cannot be received, it is confirmed that the optional device 402 is not connected.
[0032]
Note that the maximum number of connectable optional devices is issued as the confirmation command, and the image forming apparatus 101 can confirm the number of connected optional devices based on the number of returned connection confirmation response commands.
[0033]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the image processing system including the image forming apparatus and the optional apparatus, the connection of the signal communication line and the termination process thereof are performed without providing a signal line for connection confirmation. It becomes possible.
[0034]
In this embodiment, an example in which various optional devices are connected to the image forming apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such an image forming system, and a plurality of apparatuses are included. The present invention can be applied to the case where one system is configured by connecting sequentially.
[0035]
[Other Embodiments]
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, and a printer), and a device (for example, a copying machine and a facsimile device) including a single device. You may apply to.
[0036]
Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or recording medium) in which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or CPU) of the system or apparatus Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.
[0037]
Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is determined based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0038]
When the present invention is applied to the above-described storage medium, the program code corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 described above is stored in the storage medium.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when a plurality of data processing devices are connected to each other, the number of communication lines to be connected can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit in an optional device;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a communication control unit;
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a detailed configuration of a current detection unit;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing connection control in the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Image forming apparatus 102 System controller 104 Communication control part 105 Current detection part 106 Power supply unit 201 Communication control IC
202 Switch 203 Termination resistor 402 Paper feed option device 403 Paper discharge option device

Claims (3)

An optional device connected to the image forming apparatus, and an optional device to which another optional device can be connected.
A first communication line for communicating with the image forming apparatus and the other optional device;
A second communication line for receiving a power-on instruction from the image forming apparatus;
Communication control means for controlling communication with the image forming apparatus and the other optional device via the first communication line ;
Optional device control means for controlling the operation of the optional device;
A power supply unit connected to the second communication line for supplying power to each means provided in the option device in response to a power-on instruction from the image forming apparatus;
Connection detecting means for detecting whether or not the other optional device is connected based on a signal from a power supply unit of the other optional device, and
In response to the power-on instruction, power is supplied from the power supply unit to the communication control unit, the option device control unit, and the connection detection unit, and the connection detection unit supplies power to the other option device. When the signal from the unit is received and it is detected that the other optional device is connected based on the received signal, the communication control means can communicate with the other optional device through the first communication line. When the connection control unit detects that the other optional device is not connected based on the received signal, the communication control unit causes the optional device to connect the first communication line to the image forming device. An optional device that is in a connected state indicating that it is a terminal optional device connected to the terminal. And switching means for switching the connection of the first communication line,
Termination means connected to the first communication line,
When the switching means detects that it is connected to the other option device, it switches to connect the first communication line to the communication control means of the other option device, and connects to the other option device. 2. The switch according to claim 1, wherein when it is detected that the first communication line is not connected, the first communication line is switched to be connected to the termination unit without being connected to the communication control unit of the other optional device. Optional equipment. Said connection detection means, to claim 1 or 2, wherein said other option apparatus detects whether or not connected based on the signal indicating the change in the current amount of the power supply units of the other optional devices Optional equipment as described.

Images