JP5157223B2 - Image processing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a program.

  In general, image processing apparatuses such as printers and copiers have a CPU capable of high-speed data processing for performing image processing in a short time and a large-scale image processing circuit for improving the quality of input / output images. . However, since such a CPU and image processing circuit consumes a large amount of power, the power to the CPU and image processing circuit is turned off during the power saving mode for reducing power consumption. In addition, during the power saving mode, the display of the image reading unit such as a scanner, the image forming unit such as a printer, and the operation panel are also turned off, and only the part necessary for detecting the return trigger, which is an event prompting the return from the power saving mode. The electric power is reduced by energizing. Here, the return trigger includes packet reception from a network or USB (Universal Serial Bus), arrival of a specified time, pressing of a switch on the operation panel, and the like.

In general, when a device receives a packet from the network, for example, the device in the power saving mode uses the same as a return trigger to start energization of the CPU, and after returning the CPU, analyzes the received packet. If the content does not require printing, a response packet is returned to the received packet. Thereafter, the return trigger is monitored for a certain time, and if the return trigger is not detected, the mode shifts to the power saving mode.
Further, when information requesting printing, such as a copy instruction on the operation panel, is received as a return trigger, energization to the CPU is started and the CPU is returned to the output image processing circuit or image forming circuit. Energization is started in the parts necessary for printing such as the parts. At the same time, a screen is displayed on the operation panel, and a copy is output when printing is possible.

  In addition, regarding the return from the power saving mode, the return factor can be determined on the operation unit side, and the operation unit can appropriately select whether to start with the display unit turned on or off. An image forming apparatus that does not cause unnecessary increase in power consumption is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-20271 A

Here, conventionally, there has been a problem that power in the apparatus has been consumed in order to monitor an event that prompts the transition to the power saving state or an event that prompts the return from the power saving state.
An object of the present invention is to prevent power consumption in the apparatus from being consumed in order to monitor an event prompting a transition to a power saving state or an event prompting a return from a power saving state.

The invention according to claim 1 is a hub that transmits image information and power via a communication line, and an image processing device that performs image processing based on the image information transmitted via the communication line by the hub. The image processing apparatus includes: an image processing unit that performs image processing based on predetermined image information; and a power output that receives power from a commercial power supply and outputs a predetermined voltage of power to the image processing unit Means, receiving means for receiving the image information and the power transmitted by the hub via the communication line, and the passage of time in the absence of external input or external When it is determined that an event that prompts the transition to the power saving state has occurred based on an instruction from the device, the specific information held by the image processing unit is acquired from the image processing unit, and the specific information is stored. It means to the storage And then, the control is such that power is not supplied from the power output means to said image processing means, then, in a state of receiving a supply of the received power by the receiving unit does not perform the power saving from the power saving state If the occurrence of an event prompting the return to the normal state is monitored and the event prompting the return occurs, if the event requires the display of the specific information on the operation screen of the image processing apparatus The specific information stored in the storage means is displayed on the operation screen without making an inquiry to the image processing means, and the event requests printing based on the image information, and includes the image information. as long as, after controlling such electric power is supplied to the image processing unit from the power output device, predetermined image processing by the image processing means based on the image information is performed An image processing system, characterized in that printed by the image forming section and a control means for controlling to be performed.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the image processing means prepares for the image processing in parallel with the information display and reception control by the control means when an event prompting the return occurs. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein:
The invention according to claim 3, wherein the control unit monitors the occurrence of events from the power saving state prompts the return to the normal state, when an event prompting the return occurs, the event is the Ministry If it is based on the return instruction from the power state to the normal state and the information of the instructor who has issued the return instruction satisfies a predetermined condition, the power output means supplies power to the image processing means. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image processing system is controlled so as to be supplied.

The invention of claim 1 has an effect that power in the apparatus can be prevented from being consumed in order to monitor an event that prompts a transition to a power saving state.
The invention of claim 2 has an effect that information can be displayed on the operation screen and information can be received from the operation screen without waiting for completion of the preparation processing for image processing.
The invention of claim 3 has an effect that it can return from the power saving state when an instruction to return from the power saving state is made by an instructor that satisfies a predetermined condition.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment”) will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First, a communication system to which the present embodiment is applied will be described.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of such a communication system 1. As illustrated, the communication system 1 includes, for example, a terminal device 2 installed in a user's work space (for example, a desk), and image processing that performs image processing based on image data generated by the terminal device 2. Devices 4A to 4C (hereinafter also referred to as “image processing device 4” as representative) relay the hub 3 and use a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a communication line or a cable, It is configured to be communicably connected via a network 5 such as the Internet.
The communication line may include a telephone line and a satellite communication line (for example, a spatial transmission line in digital satellite broadcasting). Here, in the communication system 1 to which this exemplary embodiment is applied, a plurality of terminal devices 2 and a plurality of image processing devices 4 can be connected on the network 5, but the configuration shown in FIG. 1 shows a case where one terminal device 2 and three image processing devices 4A to 4C are connected to each other.

  The terminal device 2 has a function of creating and saving image data composed of documents, figures, photographs, and the like. Then, when printing the created image data or stored image data, the terminal device 2 converts the image data or the like into a print command for the image processing device 4 and generates print data as a print job. To do. This print data includes, in addition to image data, attribute data for setting various printing functions and specifying the image processing apparatus 4 that performs printing. Here, for example, a personal computer (PC) is used as the terminal device 2.

The hub 3 has a function of distributing image data generated by the terminal device 2 to the image processing device 4 designated by the terminal device 2. In the present embodiment, power is also supplied to the image processing apparatus 4 via the network 5. The detailed functional configuration of the hub 3 will be described later.
The image processing apparatus 4 is, for example, a multi-function machine that is provided with a composite of a print function, a facsimile function, a copy function, a scanner function, and the like. For example, printing of image data generated by the terminal device 2 or facsimile transmission, printing of image data received by facsimile, printing or saving of an image input by a scanner, and the like are performed. In the present embodiment, power is supplied from the hub 3 via the network 5. The detailed functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 4 will also be described later.

Next, the functional configuration of the hub 3 will be described in detail.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the hub 3. As illustrated, the hub 3 includes a plurality of input ports 31A and 31B (hereinafter also referred to as “input ports 31”), a switching unit 32, a hub control unit 33, and a plurality of output ports 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D and 34E (hereinafter also referred to as “output port 34” as a representative), an address management table storage unit 35, a buffer memory 36, and an internal power source 37. In FIG. 2, signal lines for transmitting signals such as data signals and control signals are indicated by broken lines, and power lines for supplying power to each functional unit are indicated by solid lines.
The input ports 31A and 31B are connected to the network 5 through a signal cable (communication line) such as a LAN cable. Then, print data from the terminal device 2 is received, and the received print data is transmitted to the hub control unit 33 via the switching unit 32.
The switching unit 32 transmits the print data received at the input port 31 to the hub control unit 33. Further, under the control of the hub control unit 33, the print data is transmitted to the output port 34 to which the image processing apparatus 4 designated in the print data is connected.
Further, the internal power supply 37 converts 100V supplied from the commercial power supply into 5V, for example, and supplies it to the output ports 34A to 34E. In addition, driving power is supplied to each functional unit in the hub 3 through a power line (not shown).

  The hub control unit 33 acquires the print data received at the input port 31 via the switching unit 32. Then, the print data is stored in the buffer memory 36. Further, the hub control unit 33 analyzes the acquired print data and determines an output port 34 that is a distribution destination of the print data. Then, the switching unit 32 is instructed to set the output port 34, and the switching unit 32 sets the output port 34 that is the distribution destination. Then, the hub control unit 33 transmits the print data stored in the buffer memory 36 to the set output port 34 via the switching unit 32.

  Here, the hub controller 33 distributes the output ports 34 based on, for example, the MAC address of Ethernet (registered trademark). In other words, the address management table storage unit 35 stores an address management table indicating the correspondence between the MAC address and the output port 34, and which MAC address of the image processing apparatus 4 is connected to which output port 34. It is managed. Then, the hub control unit 33 refers to the address management table in the address management table storage unit 35 and determines an output port 34 that is a distribution destination based on the MAC address at the head of the received print data. When the print data is received, the address management table is automatically set based on the input port 31 that has received the print data and the MAC address of the terminal device 2 that is the transmission source included in the print data. Created. Further, the administrator of the communication system 1 may add the correspondence between the specific output port 34 and the specific MAC address to the address management table. If the correct entry is not yet registered in the address management table, the received print data is transmitted to all the output ports 34 (34A to 34E). However, when the print data is received even once, the MAC address is automatically set. Learn and update the address management table.

  Further, the hub control unit 33 determines whether each of the output ports 34A to 34E is connected to the image processing apparatus 4 having a power receiving function compliant with a specific standard (for example, IEEE802.3af). That is, a network interface (hereinafter referred to as “network I / F”) that simultaneously receives a data signal and power provided in the image processing apparatus 4 connected to the output ports 34A to 34E is specified by a specific standard (for example, IEEE 802. It is determined whether or not it conforms to 3af). Then, as will be described later, when it is determined that the image processing apparatus 4 is provided with a network I / F compliant with a specific standard, the power from the internal power source 37 is processed via the output port 34. It controls to supply to the apparatus 4.

Here, the hub control unit 33 determines whether or not it is connected to the image processing apparatus 4 having a network I / F conforming to a specific standard as follows. That is, for example, a voltage having a predetermined value is supplied to the image processing apparatus 4 from the output port 34 to which the image processing apparatus 4 is connected, and the current value flowing at that time is detected. Then, based on the supplied voltage value and the detected current value, it is checked whether or not the network I / F of the image processing apparatus 4 has a predetermined resistance value (for example, 25 kΩ). As a result, when the network I / F of the image processing apparatus 4 has a resistance value of a predetermined magnitude, the hub control unit 33 uses the network I / F whose output port 34 conforms to a specific standard. It is determined that the image processing apparatus 4 is connected to the image processing apparatus 4.
The hub control unit 33 receives power from the internal power source 37 from the output port 34 connected to the image processing apparatus 4 having a network I / F compliant with a specific standard. Control to supply.

The output ports 34A to 34E are connected to the image processing device 4 via a signal cable (communication line) such as a LAN cable. The print data received at the input port 31 is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 4 under the control of the hub control unit 33 described above.
The output ports 34 </ b> A to 34 </ b> E are, for example, 5 V from the internal power supply 37 when it is determined by the hub control unit 33 that the output ports 34 </ b> A to 34 </ b> E are connected to the image processing apparatus 4 having a network I / F compliant with a specific standard. Is supplied to the image processing apparatus 4 via the output port 34.
In the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment, the image processing device 4A is connected to the output port 34A, the image processing device 4B is connected to the output port 34B, and the image processing device 4C is connected to the output port 34C. All are provided with a network I / F conforming to a specific standard (for example, IEEE802.3af).

Next, the image processing apparatus 4 in the present embodiment will be described in detail.
The image processing apparatus 4 may shift to a power saving mode (power saving state) in order to reduce power consumption. Conventionally, regarding the return from the power saving mode to the normal state in which power saving is not performed, There was a problem.
Problem 1 is waste of power in the CPU recovery state.
As already described, some return triggers simply energize the CPU to perform simple processing. Even when such a return trigger (hereinafter referred to as “return trigger 1”) is detected, the power consumption of the apparatus has increased in the past because power is supplied to the CPU capable of high-speed data processing. In addition, for example, in a network environment in which multiple terminal devices are connected, various packets flow, so the number of packet receptions increases, and as a result, the number of return from power saving mode increases and average power consumption also increases. Was.

Problem 2 is the delay in accepting UI operations when returning from the power saving mode.
For example, when a return trigger with print processing such as a copy instruction (hereinafter referred to as “return trigger 2”) is detected, from the start of energization to the CPU until the image forming unit becomes ready and a copy operation is possible, that is, In the case of copying, the UI operation is not accepted until “Can be copied” is displayed. This is a dissatisfaction with the usability of the device. This waiting time is the warm-up process of the fixing unit and the warm-up process of the CPU after returning (confirming the status of each part of the apparatus by the sensor of each part of the apparatus, establishing communication with the image forming part, monitoring the status of the image forming part, etc.) Is what you need to do. However, even in the operation of confirming or changing internal setting information or confirming stored document information, which is unrelated to the printing process, the start of accepting UI operations is delayed similarly to the copy instruction, which is a problem. ing.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the following configuration is adopted to solve these problems.
As a means for solving Problem 1, a configuration in which the power supply is separated by using the internal power supply and the external power supply is adopted.
The power necessary for detecting the return trigger from the power saving mode, such as the display system (operation panel, drawing controller) and detection system (USB controller, network I / F, timer, detection circuit), is supplied from outside the device. However, power is supplied to an image processing system that requires high power by using a power source in the apparatus. Since a display system and a detection system that use a power supply outside the apparatus do not require a large amount of power, for example, power from a network to which power is supplied is used regardless of the power supply state in the apparatus. As this power, for example, there is PoE (Power over Ethernet) compliant with IEEE 802.3af.
By adopting such a configuration, in the power saving mode, the display system and the detection system are supplied with power from the outside of the device, and the power supply on the device side can be turned off, so that the power of the device body is not consumed. .

As a means for solving the problem 2, a configuration in which UI control and image processing are separated is adopted.
UI control and image processing are made independent, and the image processing unit performs warm-up processing of the image processing unit when returning from the power saving mode. Also, internal setting information of the apparatus and stored document information (described later) are provided on the UI control unit side.
By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to accept a UI operation regardless of the state of the image forming unit.

Next, a hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus 4 adopting such a configuration will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the image processing apparatus 4 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the image processing apparatus 4 includes a main power supply 41 that is a power supply in the apparatus, a power switch 42 that switches between supply and stop of power, an image reading unit 43 that includes a scanner, and an image that includes a printer. A forming portion 44 is provided. Also, an operation panel 45 that displays various information and receives an instruction input from a user (instructor), an image processing unit 46 that performs image processing according to a predetermined processing program, and controls a UI according to a predetermined processing program. A UI control unit 47 is provided. In FIG. 3, as in FIG. 2, signal lines for transmitting signals such as data signals and control signals are indicated by broken lines, and power lines for supplying power to each functional unit are indicated by solid lines.

The main power supply 41 supplies, for example, 100 V power from a commercial power supply to the image processing unit 46 through the illustrated power line. In addition, power is supplied to the image reading unit 43 and the image forming unit 44 through a power line (not shown). At that time, 100V electric power is converted into, for example, 24V, 12V, 5V, etc. corresponding to each component and supplied to each component. In the present embodiment, a main power supply 41 is provided as an example of power output means.
The power switch 42 selectively sets between the main power supply 41 and the image processing unit 46 in a connected state and a disconnected state based on control from the UI control unit 47. In the following description, turning on the power switch 42 to bring the main power supply 41 and the image processing unit 46 into a connected state is also referred to as “turning on the main power supply 41”. Switching between 41 and the image processing unit 46 is also referred to as “turning off the main power supply 41”.
The image reading unit 43 reads an image printed on a sheet by, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) method or a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) method.
The image forming unit 44 prints an image on a sheet by, for example, an electrophotographic method.
The operation panel 45 has a liquid crystal screen with a backlight, for example, and displays information on this liquid crystal screen. In addition, an operation switch is provided, and the user inputs information by operating the operation switch. Alternatively, instead of the operation switch, a touch panel function that enables information input by touching the liquid crystal screen may be provided.

The image processing unit 46 includes a CPU 61, a memory 62, an input image processing circuit 63, and an output image processing circuit 64.
The CPU 61 controls the image forming unit 44 (including warm-up processing) and controls the input image processing circuit 63 and the output image processing circuit 64. Also, the printer language is interpreted and converted into an image.
The memory 62 stores a program executed by the CPU 61 or functions as a data buffer at the time of image processing. In addition, an electronic document stored by the image processing apparatus 4 may be stored.
The input image processing circuit 63 is a circuit that processes an image input from the image reading unit 43. The output image processing circuit 64 is a circuit that processes an image output to the image forming unit 44.
In the present embodiment, an image processing unit 46 is provided as an example of an image processing unit. Here, the image processing unit 46 normally receives power supply from the main power supply 41, but the power supply from the main power supply 41 is turned on / off under the control of the UI control unit 47. Since the main power supply 41 is turned off by the UI control unit 47 during the power saving mode, the power consumption of the image processing unit 46 becomes zero.

The UI control unit 47 includes a CPU 71, a memory 72, a USB controller 73, a network I / F 74, a timer 75, a detection circuit 76, and a drawing controller 77.
The CPU 71 controls the USB controller 73, the network I / F 74, the timer 75, the detection circuit 76, and the drawing controller 77, and has low power but not high processing performance like the CPU 61 of the image processing unit 46. It also has a sleep function.
The memory 72 stores a program executed by the CPU 71 and stores internal setting information and saved document information of the image processing apparatus 4. Here, the internal setting information is information held by the image processing unit 46 regarding the state of the image reading unit 43 and the image forming unit 44. For example, there is out-of-paper information and out-of-toner information. The saved document information is attribute information of a document that is input from the image reading unit 43 or the like and saved by the image processing unit 46. The attribute information may be, for example, the file name of the document, owner information, and acquisition date / time, or may be a thumbnail image that is a reduced image with which the content of the document can be confirmed. The memory 72 has a self-refresh function in order to reduce power consumption.
The USB controller 73 controls information exchange with an external device by USB. Here, as an external device, for example, there is a card reader that reads information from an IC card, and controls reading of an instructor ID (for example, an employee number) from the IC card.

The network I / F 74 is configured based on a specific standard (for example, IEEE 802.3af), and receives a data signal (print data) and power from the hub 3. Then, the received print data is transferred to a program executed by the CPU 71. In addition, the power supplied from the hub 3 is constantly supplied to the CPU 71, the memory 72, the USB controller 73, the timer 75, the detection circuit 76, and the drawing controller 77 in the UI control unit 47.
The timer 75 counts the time and outputs a signal to the CPU 71 when the designated time comes.
The detection circuit 76 detects which operation switch on the operation panel 45 is pressed. Alternatively, when the operation panel 45 has a touch panel function, it is detected which position on the operation panel 45 is touched.
The drawing controller 77 controls drawing on the liquid crystal screen, that is, display of information.

  The UI control unit 47 is constantly supplied with power from the hub 3. Then, the main power supply 41 is turned off during the power saving mode. That is, in the present embodiment, the UI control unit 47 is provided as an example of a control unit that performs control so that power is not supplied from the power output unit to the image processing unit. During the power saving mode, the CPU 71 uses the sleep function to reduce power in a standby state. The memory 72 uses the self-refresh function to reduce power while retaining data. The operation panel 45 is in a non-display state with the backlight of the liquid crystal screen turned off.

Next, the schematic operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the transition of power consumption shown in FIG.
First, the operation when the return trigger 1 is detected will be described.
When, for example, reception of a network packet is detected as the return trigger 1 during the power saving mode, the network I / F 74 notifies the CPU 71 of reception of the packet. The CPU 71 cancels the self-refresh of the memory 72 and returns from the sleep mode to the normal mode to start processing. Here, the received packet is interpreted, and if it is not a print request, a response packet to the received packet is returned. Thereafter, if there is no return trigger for a certain time, the memory 72 is set to self-refresh and the CPU 71 shifts to the sleep mode.
As described above, when the return trigger 1 is detected, all processing can be performed with the power of PoE, and the power source in the apparatus is not used. Therefore, the power consumption of the apparatus by the return trigger 1 is zero as shown in T1 to T2 of FIG. It becomes.

Next, the operation when the return trigger 2 is detected will be described.
If an operation such as a button press on the operation panel 45 is detected during the power saving mode, the detection circuit 76 notifies the CPU 71 of the button press. The CPU 71 cancels the self-refresh of the memory 72 and returns from the sleep mode to the normal mode to start processing. At this time, the backlight of the liquid crystal screen of the operation panel 45 is turned on to display the initial screen on the liquid crystal screen. When the user operates the operation panel 45 and designates a copy mode (monochrome / color, number of copies, etc.), the display of the corresponding portion of the liquid crystal screen is changed.
The UI controller 47 turns on the backlight of the liquid crystal screen and displays the initial screen on the liquid crystal screen, and simultaneously turns on the main power supply 41 of the apparatus main body. As a result, the CPU 61 of the image processing unit 46 turns on the power and starts the start-up process, confirms the state of each part of the apparatus by the sensor of each part of the apparatus, establishes communication with the image forming part 44, and monitors the state of the image forming part 44. Etc. When the image forming unit 44 becomes ready, a return completion signal is sent to the UI control unit 47.
When the return completion signal is received from the image processing unit 46, the UI control unit 47 notifies the image processing unit 46 of the copy mode designated by the user and instructs the start of copying.
As described above, the UI control unit 47 can execute UI control independently of the warm-up process of the image processing unit 46. Therefore, in T3 to T4 in FIG. 4, the UI operation reception start delay when returning from the power saving mode is performed. The problem is solved.

In the above operation, the main power supply 41 on the apparatus side is turned on by the first operation on the operation panel 45, but display of internal setting information and stored document information of the apparatus, for example, which does not require printing processing such as copying, is performed. In the case of an operation to instruct, the main power supply 41 may not be turned on, and information specified by the user may be read from the memory 72 of the UI control unit 47 and displayed on the liquid crystal screen.
In this way, the user can view the internal setting information and the stored document information on the liquid crystal screen while the power consumption of the apparatus main body remains zero.

Next, the operation of the UI control unit 47 that realizes such a schematic operation will be described in detail.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation example when shifting from the normal mode to the power saving mode. Here, as an example of an event that prompts the transition to the power saving mode, “the operation on the operation panel 45 is not performed for a certain period of time” is considered. There are other events that prompt the transition to the power saving mode, such as “no packet reception by the network I / F 74 for a certain period of time” or “an explicit transition instruction from the user”. Is not considered.

The UI control unit 47 first determines whether a signal indicating that the set timer value has elapsed has been received from the timer 75 (step 701).
As a result, if it is determined that a signal indicating that the timer value has elapsed has not been received, it is determined whether or not there has been a user operation on the operation panel 45 (step 702). Here, if there is no operation, the process returns to step 701 to repeatedly determine whether or not a signal indicating that the timer value has elapsed has been received. If there is an operation, processing corresponding to the operation is performed (step 703). The processing here includes image processing by the image processing unit 46, processing for inquiring the state of the image processing apparatus 4, and the like. When such processing is completed, the UI control unit 47 sets a timer value in the timer 75 in order to monitor the passage of time thereafter (step 704). Then, the process returns to step 701 to determine whether a signal indicating that the timer value has elapsed has been received. Thereafter, the UI control unit 47 repeats the processing in steps 702 to 704 until a signal indicating that the timer value has elapsed is received.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 701 that a signal indicating that the timer value has elapsed is received, the UI control unit 47 can present information without making an inquiry to the image processing unit 46 even after the main power supply 41 is turned off. Therefore, the internal setting information and the stored document information are acquired from the image processing unit 46 and stored in the memory 72 (step 705). Here, as already described, the internal setting information is information held by the image processing unit 46 regarding the state of the image reading unit 43 and the image forming unit 44. The saved document information is attribute information of a document that is input from the image reading unit 43 or the like and saved by the image processing unit 46. The UI control unit 47 turns off the main power supply 41 in the apparatus after the acquisition of these pieces of information is completed (step 706). Thereafter, although not shown, if there is no operation for a certain period of time, the CPU 71 shifts to the sleep mode. At that time, the memory 72 uses the self-refresh function to reduce power, and the operation panel 45 turns off the backlight of the liquid crystal screen.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation example when returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode. Here, “an operation on the operation panel 45 has been considered” is considered as an example of an event that prompts the user to return from the power saving mode. Other events that prompt the return from the power saving mode include “the reception of a packet by the network I / F 74” and “the user has given an explicit return instruction”. Do not think. In the above schematic operation, an example is also assumed in which the main power supply 41 is turned on at the same time as the first operation on the operation panel 45. Here, however, the main power supply 41 is turned on after it is determined that the print processing is requested. Assume an example.

  The UI control unit 47 first determines whether or not a user operation has been performed on the operation panel 45 (step 711). Here, if there is no operation, the determination in step 711 is repeated. If there is an operation, the self-refresh of the memory 72 is canceled to return to the normal mode (step 712), and the backlight of the liquid crystal screen of the operation panel 45 is turned on (step 713). Then, the UI control unit 47 determines whether the operation is a request for printing (step 714).

As a result, when it is determined that the operation does not require printing, that is, when the information is requested to be inquired, the internal setting information and the stored document acquired in step 705 of FIG. Among the information, the instructed information is read and displayed on the liquid crystal screen of the operation panel 45 (step 715). Then, in order to monitor the passage of time since this display, the UI control unit 47 sets a timer value in the timer 75 (step 716). Thereafter, the UI control unit 47 determines whether a signal indicating that the set timer value has elapsed is received from the timer 75 (step 717). At this time, if it is determined that a signal indicating that the timer value has elapsed has not been received, it is determined whether or not there has been a user operation on the operation panel 45 (step 718). If there is no operation, the process returns to step 717 to repeat the determination of whether or not the signal indicating that the timer value has elapsed has been received. If there is an operation, the process returns to step 714 to determine whether the operation requests printing. Determine. If it is determined in step 717 that the signal indicating that the timer value has elapsed has been received, the CPU 71 shifts to the sleep mode (step 719). At that time, the memory 72 uses the self-refresh function to reduce power, and the operation panel 45 turns off the backlight of the liquid crystal screen.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step 714 that the operation is a request for printing, the main power supply 41 is turned on (step 720).

In the present embodiment, the following security function may be realized.
A security card compatible card reader is connected to the USB controller 73. Then, the user inserts the security card into the card reader and inputs a password from the operation panel 45, for example. Then, the UI control unit 47 receives the security card ID recognized by the USB controller 73 and the personal identification number recognized by the detection circuit 76, and determines whether or not the ID and personal identification number stored in the memory 72 match. To do. If they match, the main power supply 41 of the apparatus main body is turned on to permit use of the apparatus main body. If they do not match, the main power supply 41 is not turned on and the use of the apparatus main body is completely prohibited.
In this way, use of the device by a user who is not registered in advance in the device can be prohibited, so that unauthorized use of the device can be prevented.

Next, the operation of the UI control unit 47 that realizes such a schematic operation will be described in detail. Note that the operation of the UI control unit 47 when shifting to the power saving mode is the same as that shown in FIG. 5, and thus description thereof will be omitted. Only the operation when returning from the power saving mode will be described.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation example when returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode. Among these, Steps 721 to 729 are the same as Steps 711 to 719 in FIG.
In this case, if it is determined in step 724 that the operation is a request for printing, it is determined whether the user authentication is successful, that is, whether the security card ID and the password are the same as registered (step 730). Here, the security card ID is information obtained from, for example, a card reader connected to the USB controller 73, and the password is information that is input from the operation panel 45 and recognized by the detection circuit 76, for example. Also, the correspondence between the security card ID and the password is registered in the memory 72 in advance.
As a result, the UI control unit 47 turns on the main power supply 41 if the user authentication is successful, that is, if the security card ID and the personal identification number coincide with those registered (step 731). On the other hand, if the user authentication is not successful, that is, if the security card ID and password do not match the registered one, the main power supply 41 is not turned on and the process is terminated.

  In the above operation example, user authentication is performed based on whether or not the security card ID and personal identification number match those registered, but the user authentication method is not limited to this. For example, it may be performed depending on whether the ID of the security card belongs to a certain group registered in advance. In other words, it is only necessary to authenticate the instructor by determining whether the information of the instructor satisfies a predetermined condition, and user authentication based on whether or not the security card ID and personal identification number match those registered. Is just one example.

  It should be noted that the program for realizing the present embodiment may be provided by being stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, as well as provided by communication means.

It is the figure which showed the structural example of the communication system with which embodiment of this invention is applied. It is the block diagram which showed the function structural example of the hub in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the hardware structural example of the image processing apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed transition of the power consumption at the time of applying embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the operation example of the UI control part in embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the operation example of the UI control part in embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the operation example of the UI control part in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication system, 2 ... Terminal device, 3 ... Hub, 4 ... Image processing apparatus, 41 ... Main power supply, 42 ... Power switch, 43 ... Image reading part, 44 ... Image forming part, 45 ... Operation panel, 46 ... Image Processing unit, 47... UI control unit

Claims (3)

A hub that transmits image information and power via a communication line;
An image processing device that performs image processing based on the image information transmitted by the hub via the communication line;
The image processing apparatus includes:
Image processing means for performing image processing based on predetermined image information;
Power output means for receiving power from a commercial power source and outputting power of a predetermined voltage to the image processing means;
Receiving means for receiving the image information and the power transmitted by the hub via the communication line connected to the communication line;
The specific information held by the image processing means is stored when it is determined that an event that prompts the transition to the power saving state has occurred based on the passage of time in the absence of external input or an instruction from the outside. After obtaining from the image processing means and storing the specific information in the storage means , control is performed so that power is not supplied from the power output means to the image processing means, and then the power received by the receiving means In the state of being supplied, the occurrence of an event that prompts the user to return to the normal state in which the power saving state is not performed from the power saving state is monitored . as long as it requires the display of specific information on the operation screen, without querying the image processing means, and display the specific information stored in the storage unit on the operation screen, the events As long as but including those in a by the image information for requesting printing based on the image information, after controlling such electric power is supplied to the image processing unit from the power output unit, based on the image information And a control unit that controls the image forming unit to perform printing after predetermined image processing is performed by the image processing unit.   The image processing means performs preparation processing for the image processing in parallel with information display and reception control by the control means when an event for prompting the return occurs. 1. The image processing system according to 1. The control means monitors the occurrence of an event prompting the return from the power saving state to the normal state, and when the event prompting the return occurs , the event returns from the power saving state to the normal state. If the information of the instructor who issued the return instruction satisfies a predetermined condition based on the instruction, control is performed so that power is supplied from the power output means to the image processing means. The image processing system according to claim 1.

Images