JP5938913B2 - Electronic device and control method of electronic device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device and a method for controlling the electronic device.

  In recent years, some electronic devices such as printers have a power saving function (so-called “power saving mode”) (for example, Patent Document 1).

  Some of such electronic devices turn on a specific light emitting element (for example, LED: Light Emitting Diode) to notify the user that the device is operating in the power saving mode. Of course, if the power is turned off during the operation in the power saving mode, it is preferable to stop the lighting of the light emitting element.

JP 2005-217980 A

  However, actually, even after the power is turned off (off), the light-emitting element described above may continue to be lit until the electric charge accumulated in the capacitor (capacitor) provided in the power supply circuit is consumed. This makes the user worried about whether the power is properly disconnected.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that operates so as not to cause anxiety to the user as much as possible when the power is turned off.

  The present application includes a plurality of means for solving the above-described problems, and examples thereof are as follows.

A first aspect of the present invention to solve the aforementioned problem, an electronic device, a light emitting element for emitting the power saving mode, the control panel stops the operation in the power saving mode, the lighting of the light emitting element Control means for controlling the operation panel; a power supply circuit for supplying power to the control means; a switch for switching on / off power supply to the power supply circuit;
And a state detection means for detecting a state of said switch, said depending especially off state of said switch by said state detecting means is detected in the power-saving mode, the light emitting device stops the light emission, the control means Shifts to a normal operation state in which power consumption is larger than that of the power saving operation state, and the operation panel remains stopped .

According to said structure, after the said switch is turned off, lighting of the said light emitting element can be stopped immediately. Therefore, the user can surely recognize that the power supply has been correctly disconnected. Further, according to the above configuration, after the switch is turned off, the power (voltage) supplied from the power supply circuit is rapidly reduced, so that the lighting of the light emitting element can be stopped quickly. Thus, when the switch is turned on again, complicated start-up control with reset can be avoided as much as possible.

Further, the electronic device includes a reset means for resetting the settings in the electronic device, said reset means, during operation in the power saving mode, the OFF state of the switch is detected by the state detecting means, said power supply When the voltage supplied from the circuit falls below a predetermined threshold, the setting in the electronic device is reset, the off state of the switch is detected, and the voltage supplied from the power supply circuit is below the predetermined threshold If the switch is turned on before the resetting, a reset may be performed prior to the activation process.

  According to the above configuration, even if the switch is turned on again immediately after the switch is turned off, normal startup (for example, PowerOn reset) can be performed without starting in the power saving mode. .

  Further, the control means does not perform resetting when the switch is turned on after the switch off state is detected and the voltage supplied from the power supply circuit is below a predetermined threshold value. The activation process may be performed.

  According to the above configuration, even if the switch is turned on again immediately after the switch is turned off, normal startup (for example, PowerOn reset) can be performed without starting in the power saving mode. .

  In addition, the electronic device includes a reset unit that resets a setting in the electronic device, and the reset unit is configured to perform a predetermined operation after the switch detection state is detected by the state detection unit during the operation in the power saving mode. When time elapses, the setting of the electronic device is reset, and the switch is turned on before the voltage supplied from the power supply circuit falls below a predetermined threshold when the switch is turned off. In such a case, resetting may be performed prior to the startup process.

  According to the above configuration, immediately after the switch is turned off, even if the switch is turned on again, a device for measuring the power (voltage) supplied from the power supply circuit is not installed. Normal startup (for example, PowerOn reset) can be performed without starting in the power saving mode.

A second aspect of the present invention to solve the aforementioned problem, an electronic device, a main controller for stopping the operation in the power saving mode, the sub-controllers operating in the power saving mode, the sub-controller includes a power supply circuit for supplying electric power, on the power supply to the power supply circuit, a switch for switching off a light emitting element which emits light in the power saving mode, and a control panel for stopping the operation in the power saving mode, the in response to the off-state of the switch by the sub-controller is detected in the power-saving mode, the light emitting device stops the light emission, the sub-controller shifts to a normal operation state is larger power consumption than the energy-saving operating condition, said The operation panel remains stopped .

According to said structure, even if it is a case where only a subcontroller is operated independently at the time of a power saving mode, after the said switch is turned off, the lighting of the said light emitting element can be stopped immediately. Therefore, the user can surely recognize that the power supply has been correctly disconnected. Further, according to the above configuration, even when only the sub-controller is operated alone in the power saving mode, the power (voltage) supplied from the power supply circuit is rapidly reduced after the switch is turned off. Can be made. Thus, when the switch is turned on again, complicated start-up control with reset can be avoided as much as possible.

Further, the sub-controller, during operation in the power saving mode, detects the off state of the switch, when the voltage supplied from the power supply circuit is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the setting in the sub-controllers Reset is performed to detect the off state of the switch, and when the switch is turned on before the voltage supplied from the power supply circuit becomes a predetermined threshold or less, the reset is performed prior to the start-up process. You may do it.

  According to the above configuration, only the sub-controller is operated independently in the power saving mode. Immediately after the switch is turned off, even if the switch is turned on again, it starts in the power saving mode. Normal startup (for example, PowerOn reset) can be performed without doing so.

  Further, the sub-controller resets the setting in the electronic device when a predetermined time has elapsed since the switch-off state was detected by the state detection unit during the operation in the power saving mode. If the switch is turned on before an off state is detected and the voltage supplied from the power supply circuit falls below a predetermined threshold value, a reset may be performed prior to the startup process.

  According to the above configuration, only the sub-controller is operated independently in the power saving mode. Immediately after the switch is turned off, even if the switch is turned on again, it starts in the power saving mode. Normal startup (for example, PowerOn reset) can be performed without doing so.

A third aspect of the present invention for solving the above problem is a method for controlling an electronic device, wherein the electronic device stops a light emitting element that emits light in a power saving mode and the operation in the power saving mode. An operation panel, control means for controlling lighting of the light emitting element and the operation panel , a power supply circuit for supplying power to the control means, a switch for switching on / off of power supply to the power supply circuit, State detecting means for detecting the state of the switch, the light emitting element stops emitting light when the state detecting means detects the off state of the switch in the power saving mode, and the control means The operation panel shifts to a normal operation state in which power consumption is larger than that in the power saving operation state, and the operation panel remains stopped .

According to said structure, after the said switch is turned off, lighting of the said light emitting element can be stopped immediately. Therefore, the user can surely recognize that the power supply has been correctly disconnected. Moreover, according to said structure, after the said switch is turned off, the electric power (voltage) supplied from the said power supply circuit can be reduced rapidly. Thus, when the switch is turned on again, complicated start-up control with reset can be avoided as much as possible.

  Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the following description of embodiments.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system 100 according to a first embodiment. (A) It is a figure for demonstrating the cause by which lighting of power saving LED is continued. (B) This is an example of a change in voltage supplied to the sub-control unit 22 when the lighting of the power saving LED 32 is stopped by the solution 1-1. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the controller 20 concerning 1st Embodiment. (A) It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of OFF control concerning 1st Embodiment. (B) It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of ON control concerning 1st Embodiment. This is an example of a change in voltage supplied to the sub-control unit 22 when the lighting of the power saving LED 32 is stopped by the solution 1-2. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of OFF control concerning the modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the printing system 100 concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the controller 20 concerning 2nd Embodiment. (A) It is an example which shows the voltage change supplied to the sub-control part 22 when stopping lighting of power saving LED32 by the solution 2-1. (B) This is an example of a change in voltage supplied to the sub-control unit 22 when the lighting of the power saving LED 32 is stopped by the solution 2-2.

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

<First Embodiment>
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1st Embodiment is an example in the case of operating a part of main control part (main system) 21 of the controller 20 at the time of power saving. Hereinafter, the power saving mode implemented in the first embodiment is referred to as a first power saving mode (or a deep sleep mode).

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system 100 according to the first embodiment. The printing system 100 is, for example, a printer, and includes an engine 10 and a controller 20 as illustrated. The engine 10 and the controller 20 are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other. For example, various data necessary for the printing process are exchanged. Further, the printing system 100 is provided with a power plug or the like for taking in electric power. The electric power taken in here is first supplied to the engine 10 and then supplied to the controller 20. Here, the dotted line in the figure indicates the flow of data, and the solid line in the figure indicates the flow of power supply.

  The engine 10 is a unit that performs printing on a print medium based on print data sent from the controller 20. For example, the engine 10 includes a mechanical control unit 11 (for example, a controller that controls a cartridge filled with toner, a photosensitive drum, a laser light irradiation mechanism, a paper feed mechanism, a paper supply / discharge mechanism, and the like) and supplies toner to printing paper. It is a laser type unit that performs printing by transferring it to a printing medium such as. Of course, other methods such as an ink jet method may be used.

  Further, the engine 10 includes a power supply unit 12 (for example, a transformer circuit, a rectifier circuit, a smoothing circuit, a stabilization circuit, etc.), and power in a format (voltage, current, frequency, etc.) necessary for the operation of the printing system 100. Convert to In the present embodiment, the power supply unit 12 includes a first conversion unit 13 and converts an AC voltage (for example, AC 100V) supplied from a power source into a first DC voltage (for example, DC 5V). Along with this, the power supply unit 12 includes a second conversion unit 14 and converts the AC voltage supplied from the power source into a second DC voltage (for example, DC 3.3 V) different from the first DC voltage.

  Here, the 1st DC voltage converted by the 1st conversion part 13 is supplied to the mechanism control part 11 and the main control part (main system) 21 mentioned later, for example. The second DC voltage converted by the second conversion unit 14 is supplied to, for example, a part of the main control unit 21 (for example, a sub control unit 22 described later).

  Note that a circuit including at least one capacitor (for example, the primary capacitor 15) is connected to the power source side of the second conversion unit 14 (that is, the primary side of the transformer circuit), A circuit including at least one or more capacitors (for example, the secondary capacitor 16) is connected to the output side of the conversion unit 14 (that is, the secondary side of the transformer circuit).

  Further, as illustrated, the engine 10 includes a main switch 17. The main switch 17 switches on / off the power supply from the external power source to the power supply unit 12. Further, the main switch 17 is provided with a signal line for notifying the controller 20 side of the state (on state, off state) of the main switch 17.

  On the other hand, the controller 20 includes a main control unit (main system) 21 that controls the entire printing system 100 as illustrated.

  The main control unit 21 performs, for example, control for generating print data and causing the engine 10 to print, control of the panel 31 (display on the display, input reception on the touch panel, lighting of the backlight, turning off), and the like.

  The panel 31 is a general operation panel installed in a printer or the like. For example, a liquid crystal display panel (for example, LCD: Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various screens (images), a position touched by the user. A touch panel for specifying (coordinates) is included.

  The main control unit 21 as described above is supplied with the first DC voltage (for example, DC 5 V) from the first conversion unit 13 of the power supply unit 12 in the normal mode (that is, when not operating in the power saving mode). And operate (normal operation state: first operation state).

  On the other hand, in the first power saving mode (Deep Sleep mode), the power supply (first DC voltage: 5 V) to the entire main control unit 21 is cut off (OFF). Then, a second DC voltage (for example, 3.3 V) is supplied from the second conversion unit 14 of the power supply unit 12 to the sub control unit 22 that is a part of the main control unit 21.

  Accordingly, in the first power saving mode, only the units (units surrounded by a dotted line) included in the sub control unit 22 of the main control unit 21 operate (power saving operation state: second operation state).

  Such a sub-control unit 22 includes, for example, a network monitoring unit 23, a power saving LED control unit 24, and a power saving SW monitoring unit 25.

  The network monitoring unit 23 monitors a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet regardless of the normal mode or the power saving mode. For example, upon receiving a Wake On LAN return request packet or the like in the power saving mode, the network monitoring unit 23 returns the main control unit 21 from the power saving mode to the normal mode.

  The power saving LED control unit 24 lights a predetermined light emitting element (for example, LED) in a specific manner in order to notify the user that the power saving LED control unit 24 is operating in the power saving mode. For example, the power saving LED control unit 24 turns on a predetermined light emitting element while operating in the first power saving mode. In addition, the light emitting element for notifying the user that it is operating in the power saving mode is hereinafter referred to as a power saving LED 32. The power saving LED 32 is disposed at a predetermined position of the printing system 100 (for example, next to the panel 31).

  Further, as shown in the figure, the sub control unit 22 is notified of the state (on state, off state) of the main switch 17 from the engine 10 side. Based on this notification, the power saving LED control unit 24 detects the state of the main switch 17.

  Incidentally, when the main switch 17 is turned off while the controller 20 is operating in the power saving mode (for example, the first power saving mode), the power supply to the controller 20 is naturally stopped. Nevertheless, in the conventional printing system, the power-saving LED 32 may continue to be lit even after the power supply is stopped.

  FIG. 2A is a diagram for explaining the cause of continued lighting of the power saving LED 32 in the conventional printing system. As shown in the figure, the power saving LED 32 continues to be lit even after the main switch 17 is turned off because the power supplied to the sub-control unit 22 (second state) immediately after the main switch 17 is turned off. This is because the direct-current voltage (DC 3.3 V) does not fall below a predetermined threshold value (for example, a voltage to which a hard reset is applied by a reset IC 2 described later: 2.9 V). For example, as shown in the illustrated example, after the main switch 17 is turned off, the power supplied to the sub-control unit 22 gradually decreases. This is because the electric charge accumulated in the battery (for example, the primary side capacitor 15) provided in the power supply unit 12 on the engine 10 side is slowly discharged. When such a discharge is performed, as shown in the figure, the power saving LED 32 is lit until the power supplied to the sub-control unit 22 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold after the main switch 17 is turned off ( Lighting time Ta). This makes the user worried that the power supply may not have been cut off correctly.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, for example, when the power saving LED control unit 24 detects that the main switch 17 is turned off during operation in the power saving mode (for example, the first power saving mode), the power saving LED 32 is turned on. (Including the blinking state) is forcibly stopped (solution 1-1). In order to forcibly stop turning on the power saving LED 32, for example, a switch may be provided between the sub-control unit 22 and the power saving LED 32 and the switch may be turned off.

  By such control (solution 1-1), the lighting of the power saving LED 32 can be stopped immediately after the main switch 17 is turned off.

  FIG. 2B is an example showing a change in voltage supplied from the second conversion unit 14 to the sub-control unit 22 when the lighting of the power saving LED 32 is stopped by the above-described Solution 1-1. As described above, if the above solution 1-1 is used, the lighting of the power saving LED 32 can be stopped immediately after the main switch 17 is turned off.

  However, as shown in the figure, even when the lighting of the power saving LED 32 is stopped by the solution 1-1, it is supplied from the second conversion unit 14 to the sub-control unit 22 as in FIG. The direct voltage (DC 3.3V) gradually decreases. Therefore, if the main switch 17 is turned on again immediately after the main switch 17 is turned off, the controller 20 cannot interpret it as a restart (hard reset) instruction, and the power saving mode (for example, the first power saving mode). Mode).

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the sub-control unit 22 starts the operation when the restart is instructed after the main switch 17 is turned off and before the reset (hard reset) by the reset IC 2 is executed. Prior to this, settings in the printing system 10 are forcibly reset (hard reset). In this way, even if the main switch 17 is turned on again immediately after the main switch 17 is turned off, the main switch 17 is not activated in the power saving mode (for example, the first power saving mode), and is normally activated. (PowerOn reset).

  As shown in the figure, the reset by the reset IC is a timing at which the second DC voltage supplied from the second conversion unit 14 to the sub-control unit 22 becomes a predetermined threshold value (for example, 2.9 V) or less. Done in

  Here, whether or not the second DC voltage supplied from the second conversion unit 14 to the sub-control unit 22 is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold (for example, 2.9 V) is determined by the reset IC 2. The sub-control unit 22 only needs to monitor whether or not there is a restart instruction (that is, the main switch 17 is turned on) until the reset IC 2 performs a reset (hard reset).

  Of course, the reset IC 2 does not measure the second DC voltage supplied to the sub-control unit 22, and when the predetermined time (pre-reset period Xa) has passed since the main switch 17 was turned off, the printing system The setting in 10 may be reset.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the power saving SW monitoring unit 25 monitors a switch (hereinafter referred to as “power saving SW 33”) for switching the power saving mode on and off. For example, when an operation to turn on the power saving SW 33 in the normal mode is detected by the power saving SW monitoring unit 25, the sub control unit 22 shifts the main control unit 21 from the normal mode to the power saving mode. On the other hand, when an operation to turn off the power saving SW 33 in the power saving mode is detected by the power saving SW monitoring unit 25, the sub control unit 22 returns the main control unit 21 from the power saving mode to the normal mode. The power saving SW 33 is disposed at a predetermined position of the printing system 100 (for example, next to the panel 31).

  The main components of the mechanical control unit 11 and the controller 20 of the engine 10 are a CPU that is an arithmetic unit, a ROM that stores programs and the like, a RAM that temporarily stores data and the like as a main memory, This can be achieved by a general computer having an interface for controlling input / output of data and a system bus serving as a communication path between each component. Further, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) designed to perform a specific process exclusively may be included, or the ASIC may be configured.

  The controller 20 may be realized by a hardware configuration as shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the controller 20.

  For example, the main control unit 21 includes a chip (SoC: System On Chip) 1 on which the main functions of the controller 20 are mounted. The sub control unit 22 is realized by the sub CPU 5 that operates even in the first power saving mode. The controller 20 may be provided with a reset IC 2, a network PHY 3, a sub switch 4, and the like separately from the SoC 1 and the sub CPU 5.

  Here, the reset IC 2 monitors the power supply to the SoC 1 (first DC voltage or second DC voltage), and suppresses the operation of the SoC 1 until normal power is supplied to the SoC 1 (so-called “ Reset IC ") etc. For example, the reset IC 2 continues to supply a reset signal to the SoC 1 when the operation of the SoC 1 is stopped. On the other hand, when SoC1 is to be operated, a signal for releasing the reset is supplied to SoC1. Further, upon receiving a forced reset instruction from the main control unit 21, the reset IC 2 supplies a reset signal to the SoC 1.

  The network PHY 3 is realized by a PHY (Physical Layer) chip that functions as an interface for connecting the controller 20 to the network.

  The sub switch 4 is realized by an FET (Field Effect Transistor) or the like that functions as a switch for controlling (on / off) power supply to the SoC 1 and the reset IC 2. For example, the sub switch 4 is turned on based on an instruction from the sub control unit 22 when the power is turned on or when returning from the power saving mode. The sub switch 4 is turned off based on an instruction from the sub control unit 22 when shifting to the power saving mode.

  The printing system 100 to which this embodiment is applied has the above-described configuration. However, this configuration is not limited to the above configuration because the main configuration has been described in describing the features of the present invention. In addition, other configurations included in a general printing system are not excluded. In addition, the printing system 100 may be another device (for example, a multifunction device, a scanner device, or a facsimile device) as long as it is an electronic device including a power supply circuit (power supply unit 12).

  In addition, each of the above-described components is classified according to main processing contents in order to facilitate understanding of the configuration of the printing system 100. The present invention is not limited by the way of classification and names of the constituent elements. The configuration of the printing system 100 can be classified into more components depending on the processing content. Moreover, it can also classify | categorize so that one component may perform more processes. Further, the processing of each component may be executed by one hardware or may be executed by a plurality of hardware.

  Next, a characteristic operation of the printing system 100 configured as described above in the first embodiment will be described.

<OFF control according to the first embodiment>
FIG. 4A is a flowchart for explaining an example of control (hereinafter referred to as “OFF control”) executed when the main switch 17 is turned off, which is executed in the printing system 100 of the first embodiment. FIG.

  At the start of this flow, it is assumed that the controller 20 is operating in the first power saving mode (Deep Sleep mode). At this time, the main control unit 21 (excluding the sub control unit 22) is not operating, and the power saving LED 32 is lit.

  In such an operation state, the power saving LED control unit 24 of the sub-control unit 22 continues to monitor the state of the main switch 17 until the main switch 17 is switched from the on state to the off state (step S101; No).

  And the power saving LED control part 24 will transfer a process to step S102, when the main switch 17 is switched to an OFF state (step S101; Yes). In step S <b> 101, the power saving LED control unit 24 determines that the main switch 17 is switched to the off state when a signal for notifying the off state is supplied from the main switch 17.

  When the process proceeds to step S102, the power saving LED control unit 24 stops (turns off) lighting of the power saving LED 32 (step S102).

  In parallel with this flow, the reset IC 2 monitors the second DC voltage supplied from the second conversion unit 14. Then, when the second DC voltage supplied from the second conversion unit 14 is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value (for example, 2.9 V), the reset IC 2 is configured so that the next activation is a normal activation (PowerOn reset). The settings in the printing system 100 are reset (initialized).

  Instead of monitoring the second DC voltage, the reset IC 2 measures the elapsed time since the main switch 17 is turned off, and in step S103, the measured elapsed time is a predetermined time (before reset). Register settings and the like may be initialized at a timing that is equal to or greater than the period Xa).

  The control in steps S101 to S103 described above is the OFF control according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Thus, in the OFF control according to the first embodiment, when the main switch 17 is turned off during operation in the first power saving mode (Deep Sleep mode), the lighting of the power saving LED 32 is immediately stopped (turned off). Can do.

  In addition, after the main switch 17 is turned off, the setting in the printing system 100 is automatically reset (initialized) at a timing when the second DC voltage supplied to the sub-control unit 22 becomes a predetermined threshold value or less. Therefore, the next activation is a normal activation (PowerOn reset).

<ON control according to the first embodiment>
FIG. 4B is a flowchart for explaining an example of control (hereinafter referred to as “ON control”) executed when the main switch 17 is turned on, which is executed in the printing system 100 of the first embodiment. FIG.

  As a matter of course, the printing system 100 cannot be operated until the first DC voltage is supplied after the power is turned on (step S201; No).

  Then, this flow starts at the timing when the printing system 100 is turned on (that is, the timing when the start start instruction is received) (step S201; Yes). In step S <b> 201, for example, the sub-control unit 22 determines that the printing system 100 has been turned on when a signal notifying the ON state is supplied from the main switch 17.

  When this flow is started, the sub control unit 22 shifts the processing to step S202, and at the timing when the main switch 17 is turned on, whether or not it is before reset (initialization), that is, the reset in step S103 has already been performed. It is determined whether or not it is being performed (step S202).

  Specifically, if the sub-control unit 22 has been operating before the power is turned on, it is determined that it is before resetting. On the other hand, if the sub-control unit 22 is not operating until the power is turned on, it is determined that the reset has already been performed.

  Further, the sub-control unit 22 may determine that it is before resetting (initialization) when the elapsed time from the turn-off of the main switch 17 is within a predetermined time (pre-reset period Xa).

  If it is determined that it is before reset (step S202; Yes), the sub control unit 22 resets (initializes) the setting in the sub control unit 22. Then, the main control unit 21 performs normal startup (PowerOn reset) (step S203).

  As a result, even if the main switch 17 is turned on again immediately after the main switch 17 is turned off, the normal startup (PowerOn) does not start in the power saving mode (for example, the first power saving mode). Reset).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S202 that the timing at which the main switch 17 is turned on is not before resetting (that is, already reset) (step S202; No), the main control unit 21 does not change as it is. Then, normal activation is performed (step S204).

  The control in steps S201 to S204 described above is the ON control according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Thus, in the ON control according to the first embodiment, the main switch 17 is turned off during operation in the first power saving mode (Deep Sleep mode), and immediately after that, the main switch 17 is turned on again. However, normal activation (PowerOn reset) can be performed.

  Note that each processing unit of each flow described above is divided according to main processing contents in order to make the printing system 100 easy to understand. The invention of the present application is not limited by the method of classification of the processing steps and the names thereof. The processing performed by the printing system 100 can be divided into more processing steps. One processing step may execute more processes.

<Modification of First Embodiment>
By the way, in said 1st Embodiment, even if lighting of power saving LED32 is stopped forcibly, the electric charge accumulate | stored in the electrical storage device (for example, primary side capacitor | condenser 15) with which the power supply part 12 by the side of the engine 10 is discharged is discharged. In order to continue, the 2nd DC voltage supplied to the sub control part 22 from the 2nd conversion part 14 falls gradually (FIG. 2).

  Therefore, assuming that the main switch 17 is turned off during operation in the first power saving mode (Deep Sleep mode), and immediately after that, the main switch 17 is turned on again, a different startup method (step S203 and step S203). A plurality of activation methods of S204) were prepared.

  However, in order to avoid the complicated start-up control as in step S203 as much as possible, in the modification of the first embodiment, after the main switch 17 is turned off, the battery (for example, the primary side) provided in the power supply unit 12 is turned off. The charge accumulated in the capacitor 15) is rapidly discharged (consumed) (solution 1-2).

  By such control (solution 1-2), after the main switch 17 is turned off, the power-saving LED 32 can be turned off immediately and supplied from the second conversion unit 14 to the sub-control unit 22. The DC voltage can be rapidly reduced.

  FIG. 5 is an example illustrating a change in the second DC voltage supplied from the second conversion unit 14 to the sub-control unit 22 when the lighting of the power saving LED 32 is stopped by the above-described Solution 1-2. As described above, if the above solution 1-2 is used, lighting of the power saving LED 32 can be stopped immediately after the main switch 17 is turned off. At the same time, the second DC voltage supplied from the second conversion unit 14 to the sub-control unit 22 can be rapidly reduced (“Ta” shown in FIG. 2A is changed to “Tb” shown in FIG. 5). ”).

  Accordingly, after the main switch 17 is turned off, the timing for resetting (initializing) the settings in the printing system 100 is also advanced (“Xa” shown in FIG. 2B is changed to “ Xb "). Therefore, the possibility that the main switch 17 is turned on again is reduced before the reset is executed. In this way, in the above-described ON control, complicated start-up control with reset (start-up control in step S203) can be avoided as much as possible.

<OFF control according to a modification of the first embodiment>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of OFF control executed in the modification of the first embodiment.

  The processes in steps S301, S302, and S304 in this flow correspond to steps S101, S102, and S103 in FIG. 4A, respectively. The difference between this flow and the flow shown in FIG. 4A is that the electric charge accumulated in the battery (for example, the primary side capacitor 15) provided in the power supply unit 12 is forced between step S302 and step S304. This is a point that a process (step S303) for discharging (consumption) is added.

  Accordingly, only the added processing in step S303 will be described below.

  When the process proceeds to step S303, the sub control unit 22 activates the main control unit 21 and consumes the electric power stored in the battery (for example, the primary capacitor 15) provided in the power supply unit 12 (step S303). . For example, the main control unit 21 simultaneously operates the functional units that can operate with the electric power stored in the battery provided in the power supply unit 12.

  In other words, in step S303, the sub-control unit 22 shifts to a higher power consumption (normal operation state (first operation state) than the power saving operation state (second operation state)).

  However, in step S303, an operation inappropriate as an operation when the power is turned off is not performed. For example, the main control unit 21 does not perform lighting of the panel 31 or the like.

  In this way, in the OFF control according to the modification of the first embodiment, the DC voltage supplied from the second conversion unit 14 to the sub-control unit 22 can be rapidly reduced (FIG. 5), which is complicated with a reset. Start-up control is also difficult to perform.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Since the printing system 100 according to the second embodiment has basically the same configuration as the printing system 100 according to the first embodiment, the following description will be focused on the differences.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system 100 according to the second embodiment. The printing system 100 according to the second embodiment is different from the printing system 100 according to the first embodiment in that the main control unit 21 and the sub control unit 22 of the controller 20 are provided independently.

  The controller 20 according to the second embodiment is designed for the purpose of realizing further power saving as compared with the controller 20 according to the first embodiment.

  For example, the controller 20 according to the second embodiment can operate in a second power saving mode (OFF mode) that realizes further power saving in addition to the first power saving mode (Deep Sleep mode).

  Here, in order to enable operation with lower power consumption than in the first power saving mode, the controller 20 is realized by a hardware configuration as shown in FIG. 8, for example. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the controller 20.

  For example, the main control unit 21 according to the second embodiment includes a chip (SoC) 1 on which the main functions of the controller 20 are mounted. The sub-control unit 22 according to the second embodiment is realized by the microcomputer 6 and its peripheral devices (for example, RTC (Real Time Clock) 7). Further, the controller 20 may be provided with a reset IC 2, a network PHY 3, a sub switch 4, and the like separately from the SoC 1, the microcomputer 6, and the RTC 7.

  Here, the SoC 1 has the same function as the network monitoring unit 23 in addition to the function of the main control unit 21 according to the first embodiment. In addition, while operating in the first power saving mode (Deep Sleep mode), the SoC 1 can control the turning on / off of the power saving LED 32, monitoring the power saving SW 33, and the like through the microcomputer 6.

  On the other hand, the microcomputer 6 is a microcomputer that operates in the second power saving mode (OFF mode). The microcomputer 6 has the same function as the power saving LED control unit 24 and the power saving SW monitoring unit 25 described above. During operation in the second power saving mode, the microcomputer 6 controls turning on / off of the power saving LED 32 and monitoring the power saving SW 33. , Etc.

  However, as illustrated, the microcomputer 6 does not have the same function as the network monitoring unit 23 described above. Accordingly, the microcomputer 6 can operate with less power than the sub CPU 5 according to the first embodiment.

  The RTC 7 is a chip dedicated to timekeeping mounted on the controller 20. The RTC 7 has a timer function that can measure time independently of the main control unit 21. For example, the RTC 7 can set a power-on time for the printing system 100.

  The other reset IC 2, network PHY 3, and sub switch 4 operate in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  In the controller 20 according to the second embodiment as described above, in the second power saving mode (OFF mode), only the microcomputer 6 and its peripheral devices (for example, the sub switch 4 and the RTC 7) are operated, and the SoC 1, the reset IC 2, The operation of the network PHY3 is stopped.

  Thereby, the controller 20 according to the second embodiment can be operated in the second power saving mode (OFF mode) that realizes power saving as compared with the first power saving mode (Deep Sleep mode).

  By the way, the controller 20 according to the second embodiment, while operating in the power saving mode (the first power saving mode or the second power saving mode), like the solution 1-1 of the first embodiment, When it is detected that the switch 17 is turned off, the lighting of the power saving LED 32 is forcibly stopped (Solution 2-1).

  By such control (solution 2-1), the lighting of the power saving LED 32 can be stopped immediately after the main switch 17 is turned off.

  FIG. 9A is an example showing a change in the second DC voltage supplied from the second conversion unit 14 to the sub-control unit 22 when the lighting of the power saving LED 32 is stopped by the above-described Solution 2-1. is there. As described above, if the above solution 2-1 is used, the lighting of the power saving LED 32 can be stopped immediately after the main switch 17 is turned off.

  However, as shown in the figure, even when the lighting of the power saving LED 32 is stopped by the solution 2-1, the second DC voltage supplied from the second conversion unit 14 to the sub-control unit 22 is gradually reduced. descend. In particular, when the main switch 17 is turned off in the second power saving mode (OFF mode), the power consumed by the sub control unit 22 (microcomputer 6) (power per time) is the first power saving mode ( Compared with the case where the main switch 17 is turned off in the Deep Sleep mode), the amount is small. Therefore, as shown by the solid line in the figure, when the main switch 17 is turned off during operation in the second power saving mode, it is compared with the case where the main switch 17 is turned off during operation in the first power saving mode. Thus, the second DC voltage supplied from the second conversion unit 14 to the sub-control unit 22 further gradually decreases.

  Accordingly, after the main switch 17 is turned off, the timing for resetting (initializing) the settings in the printing system 100 is delayed from the first embodiment (“Xa” to “Xc” shown in the figure). ) Therefore, there is a high possibility that the main switch 17 is turned on again before the reset is executed.

  If so, complicated start-up control with reset (start-up control in step S203) is performed more frequently than in the first embodiment.

  Therefore, in order to avoid such complicated start-up control as much as possible, in the second embodiment, after the main switch 17 is turned off, not only the power-saving LED 32 is turned off (turns off) but also the power supply unit. 12 quickly discharges (consumes) the electric charge stored in the battery (for example, the primary capacitor 15) (solution 2-2).

  By such control (solution 2-2), after the main switch 17 is turned off, the power-saving LED 32 can be turned off immediately and supplied from the second conversion unit 14 to the sub-control unit 22. The second DC voltage can be rapidly reduced.

  FIG. 9B is an example showing a change in the second DC voltage supplied from the second conversion unit 14 to the sub-control unit 22 when the lighting of the power saving LED 32 is stopped by the above-described solution 2-2. is there. As described above, if the above solution 2-2 is used, lighting of the power saving LED 32 can be stopped immediately after the main switch 17 is turned off. At the same time, the second DC voltage supplied from the second conversion unit 14 to the sub-control unit 22 can be rapidly reduced (“Tb” shown in FIG. 5 is replaced with “Tc” shown in FIG. 9B). ”).

  Accordingly, after the main switch 17 is turned off, the timing for resetting (initializing) the settings in the printing system 100 is advanced ("Xb" shown in FIG. 5 is replaced with "" shown in FIG. 9B). Xd "). Therefore, the possibility that the main switch 17 is turned on again is reduced before the reset is executed. In this way, even in the ON control according to the second embodiment, it is possible to minimize the complicated start-up control with the reset (start-up control in step S203).

  Note that the relationship of “Tc <Tb” and “Xd <Xb” is established because the controller 20 according to the first embodiment activates only SoC1, whereas the controller according to the second embodiment. This is because 20 activates both the SoC 1 and the microcomputer 6.

  The printing system 100 to which the second embodiment is applied has the above-described configuration. However, this configuration is not limited to the above configuration because the main configuration has been described in describing the features of the present invention. In addition, other configurations included in a general printing system are not excluded. In addition, the printing system 100 according to the second embodiment may be another device (for example, a multifunction device, a scanner device, or a facsimile device) as long as the electronic device includes a power supply circuit (power supply unit 12).

  In addition, each of the above-described components is classified according to main processing contents in order to facilitate understanding of the configuration of the printing system 100 according to the second embodiment. The present invention is not limited by the way of classification and names of the constituent elements. The configuration of the printing system 100 according to the second embodiment can be classified into more components according to the processing content. Moreover, it can also classify | categorize so that one component may perform more processes. Further, the processing of each component may be executed by one hardware or may be executed by a plurality of hardware.

  Moreover, each said embodiment intends to illustrate the summary of this invention, and does not limit this invention. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  For example, in the ON control of each of the above embodiments, the flow (control) is started at the timing when the power is turned on. At this time, power is supplied to the main control unit 21 when the sub switch 4 is turned on. Here, the sub switch 4 may be turned on based on an instruction from the sub control unit 22 such as the microcomputer 6 or may be turned on without an instruction from the sub control unit 22 by providing a pull-up resistor or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... SoC, 2 ... Reset IC, 3 ... Network PHY, 4 ... Sub switch, 5 ... Sub CPU, 6 ... Microcomputer, 7 ... RTC, 10 ... Engine, 11 ... Mechanical control unit, 12 ... Power supply unit, 13 ... First conversion unit, 14 ... Second conversion unit, 15 .... Primary side capacitor, 16 ... Secondary side Capacitor, 17 ... main switch, 20 ... controller, 21 ... main control unit (main system), 22 ... sub-control unit, 23 ... network monitoring unit, 24 ... power-saving LED control , 25 ... power saving SW monitoring unit, 31 ... panel, 32 ... power saving LED, 33 ... power saving SW, 100 ... printing system.

Claims (7)

A light emitting element that emits light in a power saving mode ;
An operation panel for stopping operation in the power saving mode;
Control means for controlling lighting of the light emitting element and the operation panel ;
A power supply circuit for supplying power to the control means;
A switch for switching on and off power supply to the power supply circuit;
A state detecting means for detecting the state of the switch ,
Wherein in response the power saving mode especially off state of said switch by said state detecting means is detected, the light emitting device stops the light emission, the control means shifts to the normal operating state the power consumption larger than the energy-saving operating condition , The operation panel remains stopped,
An electronic device characterized by that. The electronic device according to claim 1 ,
Comprising reset means for resetting the setting in the electronic device,
The reset means includes
During operation in the power saving mode, the are state detection OFF state of said switch by the detecting means, when the voltage supplied from the power supply circuit is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, resetting the settings in the electronic device Done
If the switch is turned on before the voltage supplied from the power supply circuit falls below a predetermined threshold when the switch is turned off, a reset is performed prior to the startup process.
An electronic device characterized by that. The electronic device according to claim 2 ,
The control means includes
When the switch is turned on after the off state of the switch is detected and the voltage supplied from the power supply circuit is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the activation process is performed without performing a reset.
An electronic device characterized by that. And the main controller to stop the operation in the power-saving mode,
A sub controller which operates in the power saving mode,
A power supply circuit for supplying power to the sub-controller;
A switch for switching on and off power supply to the power supply circuit;
A light emitting element that emits light in the power saving mode ;
An operation panel for stopping operation in the power saving mode ,
In response to the off-state of the switch by the sub-controller in the power saving mode is detected, the light emitting device stops the light emission, the sub-controller shifts to a normal operation state is larger power consumption than the energy-saving operating condition, The operation panel remains stopped.
An electronic device characterized by that. The electronic device according to claim 4 ,
The sub-controller
During operation in the power saving mode, detects the off state of the switch, when the voltage supplied from the power supply circuit is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, it resets the settings in the sub-controllers,
When the switch is turned on before the voltage supplied from the power supply circuit falls below a predetermined threshold by detecting the off state of the switch, a reset is performed prior to the startup process.
An electronic device characterized by that. The electronic device according to claim 5 ,
The sub-controller
When the switch is turned on after the off state of the switch is detected and the voltage supplied from the power supply circuit is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the activation process is performed without performing a reset.
An electronic device characterized by that. An electronic device control method comprising:
The electronic device is
A light emitting element that emits light in a power saving mode ;
An operation panel for stopping operation in the power saving mode;
Control means for controlling lighting of the light emitting element and the operation panel ;
A power supply circuit for supplying power to the control means;
A switch for switching on and off power supply to the power supply circuit;
A state detecting means for detecting the state of the switch ,
In response to the detection of the switch off state by the state detection means in the power saving mode, the light emitting element stops emitting light, and the control means shifts to a normal operation state where power consumption is greater than the power saving operation state. , The operation panel remains stopped,
A method for controlling an electronic device.

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