JP6039753B2 - Information processing apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a control method thereof .

  Some information processing apparatuses shut down the apparatus and stop supplying power to the apparatus when the power switch of the apparatus is turned off.

  Patent Document 1 describes an invention in which a shutdown is started when a power switch is turned off and the state of the power switch is confirmed when the shutdown process is completed. In the invention described in Patent Document 1, if the power switch is turned off as a result of the confirmation, the power supply to the device is stopped, and if the power switch is turned on, the device is restarted. To do.

JP 2002-073220 A

  On the other hand, there is a technique for turning off the power of the information processing apparatus according to a command from an external apparatus connected via a network or the like.

  However, when the above technique is applied to the invention of Patent Document 1, the following problems occur. That is, when the information processing apparatus is turned off by a command from the external apparatus, the switch remains in the on state.

The present invention provides an information processing apparatus capable of turning off a switch in an information processing apparatus capable of receiving an instruction to turn off the power of the information processing apparatus from an external device, and a control method thereof. For the purpose.

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an external device, a switch that is turned on or turned off according to a user operation, and the switch that is turned on. The information processing device based on receiving an instruction to turn off the power of the information processing device from the external device, a driving unit for turning off the information processing device, a relay arranged in parallel with the switch, An execution means for executing a shutdown process; and after the execution means starts executing the shutdown process , the drive means is controlled to change the switch from an on state to an off state, and the relay is changed from an on state to an off state. Power supply control means.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, in the information processing apparatus which can receive the instruction | indication for turning off the power supply of an information processing apparatus from an external device, it becomes possible to make a switch into an OFF state.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a power supply control part. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a shutdown control part. It is a timing chart of a control signal which shows a state when a power switch is turned off and it is not turned on again in a power-off process. It is a timing chart of a control signal showing a state when the power switch is turned on again after being turned off in the power-off process. It is a timing chart which shows the state of a control signal when power-off is instruct | indicated by remote control in a power-off process. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of a power-off process.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  In the following description, a printer will be described as an example of the information processing apparatus, and a PC will be described as an example of the external apparatus. However, the information processing apparatus and the external apparatus are not limited to these examples.

  In the following description, the power-off process is a process for turning off the power of the apparatus, and includes shutting down the apparatus and stopping power supply to the apparatus.

  Further, in the following description, shutdown means execution of processing such as file closing, application program termination, communication disconnection with various input / output devices, OS termination, and the like.

  Further, in the following description, “restart” means that after shutdown is completed, processing such as BIOS and OS startup is executed.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer according to the present embodiment.

  The printer 1 is communicably connected to the PC 2 via a network by an external I / F. The printer 1 can receive a command for turning off the power of the printer 1 from the PC 2.

  The printer 1 includes a power switch unit 10, a power relay unit 11, an AC / DC power unit 12, a controller unit 13, and a print unit 19.

  The power switch unit 10 has a power switch for instructing on / off of power supply from an alternating current (AC) power supply. This power switch is a solenoid switch. The solenoid switch includes a switch and an actuator, and can be turned on or off manually or automatically. The actuator (driving means) is composed of a solenoid and an iron core (arranged in the solenoid), and by passing an electric current through the solenoid, the iron core can be operated and the switch can be automatically turned on / off. Yes. The power switch unit 10 also has a function of notifying the power control unit 14 of the on / off state of the power switch.

  The power supply relay unit 11 is provided to supply AC power from the outside to the AC / DC power supply unit 12 based on a signal from the power supply control unit 14 even when the power switch is in an OFF state.

  The AC / DC power supply unit 12 converts AC power supplied from the outside of the apparatus into DC power and supplies it to each device such as the controller unit 13 and the printing unit 19.

  The controller unit 13 includes a power control unit 14, a reset unit 15, an HDD 16, a CPU 17, and a memory 18.

  The power control unit 14 detects the on / off state of the power switch, and outputs a signal instructing processing such as power off processing, reset processing, and power off processing.

  The reset unit 15 performs reset processing on the entire hardware of the controller unit 13 based on a reset instruction signal from the power supply control unit 14 when the computer system is restarted.

  The HDD 16 stores various software and data executed by the computer system. Note that the HDD 16 stores various application programs (control programs) for performing information processing and the like peculiar to the OS and the apparatus, and these various control programs include a control program related to power-off processing. Yes.

  The CPU 17 performs a power-off process, a reset process, and the like based on an instruction signal from the power control unit 14 and controls the entire system related to the printer 1.

  The memory 18 is composed of a volatile memory such as DDR SDRAM, and is used as a work area for the CPU 17.

  The print unit 19 executes print processing based on the control of the CPU.

  The operation unit 20 has a display screen and input buttons, and accepts various operations from the operator.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the power supply control unit 14 according to the present embodiment.

  The power supply control unit 14 includes a shutdown control unit 140, an interrupt control unit 141, and a relay control unit 142.

  The shutdown control unit 140 receives a switch state signal from the power switch unit 10 and a relay disconnection instruction signal from the relay control unit 142. When the shutdown control unit 140 determines that the power-off instruction operation is a remote operation based on the switch state signal and the relay-off instruction signal, the power-off switch control signal is transmitted to the power switch unit. 10 is output. In addition, when the switch state signal changes from the on state to the off state and then turns on again, the shutdown control unit 140 outputs a reset instruction signal to the reset unit 15 to reset the hardware. As a result, the CPU 17 can restart the computer system with the hardware reset.

  The interrupt control unit 141 receives the switch state signal of the power switch from the power switch unit 10 to monitor the on / off state of the power switch. Then, when the power switch changes from the on state to the off state, the interrupt control unit 141 notifies the CPU 17 that the power switch has been turned off by asserting an interrupt signal to the CPU 17.

  The relay control unit 142 outputs a power relay disconnection (off) instruction signal to the power relay unit 11 based on the instruction signal from the CPU 17.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of shutdown controller 140 according to the present embodiment.

  The shutdown control unit 140 includes AND circuits 1400, 1403, 1405, NOT circuits 1401, 1404, and a flip-flop (FF) circuit 1402.

  The AND circuit 1400 outputs a logical product value of the relay disconnection instruction signal and the switch state signal as the signal 2 to the AND circuits 1403 and 1405.

  The NOT circuit 1401 inverts the switch state signal and inputs it to the flip-flop circuit 1402.

  The flip-flop circuit 1402 holds the ON / OFF change state of the switch state signal, and outputs the change state as the signal 1 to the AND circuits 1403 and 1405. However, the signal 1 is output to the AND circuit 1405 via the NOT circuit 1404.

  The AND circuit 1403 causes the reset unit 15 to output the output signal as a reset instruction signal. The AND circuit 1405 outputs the output signal to the power switch unit 10 as a power switch control signal.

  When the power source controller 14 performs the power off process under the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the control signal is as shown in the timing charts of FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the state of the control signal when the power switch is turned off and not turned on again in the power-off process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Here, during normal operation, the relay control unit 142 outputs a relay disconnection signal so that AC power can be supplied to the AC / DC power supply unit 12 even when the power switch is turned off against the user's will. At the L level, the power supply relay unit 11 is set to the on state.

  The interrupt control unit 141 monitors the on / off change status of the switch state signal output from the power switch unit 10.

  When the switch state signal changes from on (H level) to off (L level), the interrupt control unit 141 asserts an interrupt signal to the CPU 17, indicating that the power switch has been turned off to the CPU 17. To be notified.

  When the switch state signal changes from on to off, the signal 1 that is the output signal of the flip-flop circuit 1402 changes to H level as shown in FIG.

  When the interrupt signal is asserted, the CPU 17 executes shutdown software.

  When the shutdown of the HDD 16 or the like is completed, the CPU 17 notifies the relay control unit 142 of the completion of the shutdown.

  When the relay control unit 142 receives the shutdown completion notification, the relay control unit 142 changes the relay disconnection signal to the H level as shown in FIG. 4 and sets the power supply relay unit 11 to the off state.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the switch state signal of the power switch is merely changed from on to off, the following occurs. The signal 2 that is the output signal of the AND circuit 1400, the reset instruction signal that is the output signal of the AND circuit 1403, and the power switch control signal that is the output signal of the AND circuit 1405 remain at the L level and do not change. .

  Shutdown is started by a series of changes in the control signal, and after the shutdown is completed, both the power switch of the power switch unit 10 and the power relay unit 11 are turned off, and the power is cut off (power off). Complete.

  FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the state of the control signal when the power switch is turned on again after being turned off in the power-off process according to the present embodiment.

  As described above, when the power switch changes from on to off, the CPU 17 starts a shutdown by software.

  When the power switch changes from on to off, as shown in FIG. 5, the signal 1 that is the output signal of the flip-flop circuit 1402 changes to the H level.

  At a stage before the shutdown process is completed or before the shutdown process is completed and the relay control unit 142 sets the power supply relay unit 11 to OFF, the following is performed. When the power switch changes from off to on, that is, when the user instructs a restart, both the relay disconnection instruction signal and the switch state signal become H level.

  As a result, the signal 2 that is the output signal of the AND circuit 1400 changes from the L level to the H level.

  Furthermore, when both signal 1 and signal 2 are at the H level, the reset instruction signal that is the output signal of the AND circuit 1403 changes from the L level to the H level.

  When the reset instruction signal changes to the H level, the reset unit 15 asserts the hardware reset line for a necessary time, and resets the CPU 17 and surrounding hardware.

  Then, the CPU 17 performs a system restart process based on predetermined restart software.

  FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the state of the control signal when power-off is instructed by remote operation in the power-off processing according to the present embodiment.

  A power-off operation signal by remote operation from the PC 2 is directly input to the CPU 17 from a network I / F (not shown) connected to the CPU 17.

  When the power-off operation signal is input by the remote operation, the CPU 17 executes the shutdown software.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, since the power switch remains in the ON state and the switch state signal maintains the H level, the L level is output as the signal 1 that is the output signal of the flip-flop circuit 1402. The

  When the shutdown is completed and the relay control unit 142 sets the power relay unit 11 to OFF, the power switch is in the ON state. Therefore, as shown in FIG. Both are at the H level.

  As a result, the signal 2 that is the output signal of the AND circuit 1400 changes to the H level.

  Further, the signal 1 is logically inverted by the NOT circuit 1404 and becomes H level, and the signal 2 also becomes H level, so that the power switch control signal which is the output signal of the AND circuit 1405 becomes H level as shown in FIG. Change.

  When the power switch control signal changes to the H level, the power switch unit 10 turns off the power switch configured by the solenoid switch.

  Through such a series of processes, both the power switch unit 10 and the power relay unit 11 are turned off, and the power supply of the printer 1 is completed.

  Note that the output processing of the reset instruction signal and the power switch control signal can be performed by software that executes the control shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 without using the logic circuit as described above.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the power-off process according to the present embodiment.

  First, the CPU 17 receives an interrupt signal from the interrupt control unit 141 when the power switch is turned on or off, or receives a power-off signal by remote operation from the PC 2, thereby inputting a power-off instruction (S701). ).

  Next, the CPU 17 stores the information to that effect (information indicating whether the power-off instruction in S701 is from the printer power switch or the power-off command from the PC) in the memory 18 ( S702).

  Next, the CPU 17 executes shutdown of the printer 1 by software (S703). When the shutdown in S703 is completed, the process proceeds to S704.

  Next, the CPU 17 confirms the state of the power switch of the power switch unit 10 and determines whether the power switch is on or off (first determination) (S704). ). In S704, when it is determined that the power switch is turned on, the power switch is turned on directly after being turned off, or the power off is instructed by a command from an external device. This is the case. Further, the case where it is determined in S704 that the power switch is turned off corresponds to the case where the power switch is not turned on directly after being turned off directly. If it is determined in S704 that the power switch is on, the process proceeds to S705. If it is determined in S704 that the power switch is off, the process proceeds to S710.

  If it is determined in S704 that the power switch is turned on, the CPU 17 executes the following processing.

  First, based on the information stored in S702, the CPU 17 determines whether the power-off instruction in S701 is from a printer power switch or a power-off command from the PC (second operation). (Determination) (S705). If it is determined in S705 that the power-off instruction in S701 is based on a power-off instruction from the PC, the process proceeds to S706. If it is determined in S705 that the power-off instruction in S701 is from the printer power switch, the process proceeds to S708.

  If it is determined in S705 that the power-off instruction in S701 is based on a power-off instruction from the PC, the CPU 17 executes the following processing.

  First, the CPU 17 turns off the power supply relay unit 11 via the relay control unit 142 (S706).

  Next, the CPU 17 displays a message for prompting the power switch to be turned off on the display screen of the operation unit 20, and waits for the power switch of the power switch unit 10 to be turned off by the operator of the printer 1 (S707). . For example, the message “Shutdown is complete. Turn off the power switch.” May be displayed. By doing so, the operator does not have to wait in front of the printer after the power switch is turned off until the shutdown process is completed.

  In step S707, the power switch of the power switch unit 10 may be automatically turned off instead of displaying a message and waiting for the operator to turn off the power switch. In this case, for example, the power switch may be forcibly turned off by applying a voltage to the actuator of the power switch. In this way, the operator does not have to go to the location of the printer to turn off the printer.

  As a result, the relay and the power switch are turned off, so that the power supply to the printer 1 is stopped.

  If it is determined in step S705 that the power-off instruction in step S701 is from the printer power switch, the CPU 17 executes the following processing.

  First, the CPU 17 turns off the power supply relay unit 11 via the relay control unit 142 (S708). Note that, since the switch is on at this time, the power supply to the printer 1 is continued even if the relay is turned off. If the process of turning on the relay is not included in the restart of the system in S709, S708 may be omitted (the relay is kept on).

  Next, the CPU 17 executes system restart (S709). Note that the system restart includes processing for turning on the relay when the relay is turned on in S708.

  As described above, the apparatus is restarted and the power supply to the printer 1 is continued.

  If it is determined in step S704 that the power switch is turned off, the CPU 17 executes the following processing.

  First, the CPU 17 turns off the power supply relay unit 11 via the relay control unit 142 (S710).

  As a result, the relay and the power switch are turned off, so that the power supply to the printer 1 is stopped.

  According to this embodiment, in a printer that can be turned off by a command from the power switch and the PC, the printer can be appropriately turned off.

[Other Embodiments]
The object of the present invention can also be achieved by executing the following processing.

  That is, a process of supplying a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and a computer of the system or apparatus reading out the program codes stored in the storage medium. .

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program code and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

10 Power switch 10
14 Power supply control unit 14
17 CPU 17
20 Operation unit 20

Claims (41)

An information processing device capable of communicating with an external device,
A switch that is turned on or off according to a user operation;
Drive means for turning the switch from an on state to an off state;
A relay arranged in parallel with the switch;
Execution means for executing a shutdown process of the information processing device based on receiving an instruction to turn off the power of the information processing device from the external device;
Power control means for controlling the drive means to turn the switch from an on state to an off state and to turn the relay from an on state to an off state after the execution means starts executing the shutdown process. Information processing device.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shutdown process includes an OS termination process.   The information processing according to claim 1, wherein the shutdown process includes at least one of a file close process, an application program end process, and a communication disconnection process with various input / output devices. apparatus. Said power supply control means, after the pre-Symbol shutdown processing is completed, while the off state of the switch from the ON state by controlling the driving means, to turn off the relay from ON state, characterized in that The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . Said power supply control means, after the OFF state of the relay from the ON state to the OFF state the switch by controlling the drive means from the on state, any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that 1 The information processing apparatus according to item. The said execution means further performs the said shutdown process based on the said switch having turned off according to a user's operation, The any one of Claim 1 thru | or 5 characterized by the above-mentioned. Information processing device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the power control unit changes the relay from an on state to an off state based on the switch being turned off in response to a user operation. . The power control means outputs an interrupt signal to the execution means based on the switch being turned off in response to a user operation,
The execution means executes the shutdown process based on the input of the interrupt signal,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the power supply control unit changes the relay from an on state to an off state after the shutdown process is completed. The switch, the power plug and the AC power of an AC is input is disposed between the conversion means for converting the DC power, it to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in The information processing apparatus described. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the DC power converted by the conversion unit is supplied to the execution unit. The driving means includes a solenoid,
It said power control means from said external device based on the receipt of the instruction for turning off the power of the information processing apparatus, to supply power to the solenoid of claim 1 to 10, characterized in that The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims. The driving means includes a conductor that operates when electric power is supplied to the solenoid;
The power control means supplies power to the solenoid to operate the conductor based on receiving an instruction to turn off the power of the information processing device from the external device, and powers the solenoid. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the conductor operates when the power is supplied to switch the switch from an on state to an off state. Further comprising printing means for printing information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that. A switch that is turned on or off according to a user's operation, a drive unit that turns the switch from an on state to an off state, and a relay that is arranged in parallel with the switch, and can communicate with an external device A method for controlling an information processing apparatus,
A first execution step of executing a shutdown process of the information processing device based on receiving an instruction to turn off the power of the information processing device from the external device;
After execution of the shutdown processing is started, while the OFF state from the ON state to the switch by controlling the driving means, having a, a power control step to turn off said relay from ON state Turkey And a method of controlling the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus control method according to claim 14 , wherein the shutdown process includes an OS termination process. 16. The information processing according to claim 14 , wherein the shutdown process includes at least one of a file close process, an application program end process, and a communication disconnection process with various input / output devices. Control method of the device. The information processing apparatus control method according to claim 14 , wherein the power control step is executed after the execution of the first execution step is completed. In the power control step, after the OFF state of the relay from the ON state to the OFF state the switch by controlling the drive means from the on state, one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that 1 A method for controlling the information processing apparatus according to item. 19. The method according to claim 14 , further comprising a second execution step of executing a shutdown process of the information processing apparatus based on the switch being turned off in response to a user operation. 2. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus according to item 1. The information processing apparatus according to claim 19 , further comprising a relay control step of setting the relay from an on state to an off state based on the switch being turned off in response to a user operation. Control method. A signal output step of outputting an interrupt signal based on the switch being turned off in response to a user operation;
It said second executing step, and particularly on the basis of the interrupt signal is input, are executed,
The information processing apparatus control method according to claim 20 , wherein the relay control step is executed after the second execution step is executed. The switch according to any one of claims 14 to 21 , wherein the switch is disposed between a plug into which alternating current power is input and a conversion unit that converts the alternating current power into direct current power. A control method of the information processing apparatus described. 23. The method of controlling an information processing apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein the DC power converted by the conversion unit is supplied to an execution unit that executes the shutdown process. The driving means includes a solenoid,
In the power control step, either from the external device based on the receipt of the instruction for turning off the power of the information processing apparatus, according to claim 14 or 23 and supplying power to the solenoid A method for controlling the information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The driving means includes a conductor that operates when electric power is supplied to the solenoid;
In the power control step, based on receiving an instruction to turn off the power of the information processing device from the external device, power is supplied to the solenoid to operate the conductor.
25. The method of controlling an information processing apparatus according to claim 24 , wherein when the power is supplied to the solenoid, the conductor operates to turn the switch from an on state to an off state. 26. The method of controlling an information processing apparatus according to claim 14 , further comprising a printing step for performing printing. An information processing device capable of communicating with an external device,
A switch that can be operated by a user and that operates between an on state and an off state;
Drive means for turning the switch from an on state to an off state;
A relay circuit connected in parallel with the switch;
Receiving means for receiving an instruction to turn off the information processing apparatus from the external apparatus;
Based on the reception of the instruction by the receiving unit, the information processing apparatus performs a shutdown process, and after the execution of the shutdown process is started, the drive unit is controlled to switch the switch from an on state to an off state. And an information processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that switches the relay circuit from an on state to an off state. 28. The information processing apparatus according to claim 27 , wherein the control means includes execution means for executing a shutdown process of the information processing apparatus. 29. The control means according to claim 27 or 28 , further comprising power control means for controlling the drive means to change the switch from an on state to an off state and to turn the relay circuit from an on state to an off state. The information processing apparatus described. 30. The information processing apparatus according to claim 27 , wherein the shutdown process includes an OS termination process. 31. The shutdown process according to claim 27 , wherein the shutdown process includes at least one of a file close process, an application program end process, and a communication disconnection process with the input / output device. The information processing apparatus described. 32. The information processing apparatus according to claim 27 , further comprising a printing unit that executes printing. The control means, after the execution of the shutdown process is completed, controls the driving means to change the switch from an on state to an off state and to change the relay circuit from an on state to an off state. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 27 to 32 . 34. The control unit according to claim 27 , wherein the control unit controls the driving unit to change the switch from an on state to an off state after the relay circuit is switched from an on state to an off state. The information processing apparatus according to item. The control unit according to any one of claims 27 to 34 , wherein the control unit further executes the shutdown processing based on the switch being turned off in response to a user operation. Information processing device. 36. The information processing apparatus according to claim 35 , wherein the control unit changes the relay circuit from an on state to an off state based on the switch being turned off in response to a user operation. . It said control means, wherein after the shutdown process the switch is performed based on the turned off state in response to operation of the user is completed, to turn off the relay circuit from the on state, that The information processing apparatus according to claim 35 or 36 . 38. The switch according to any one of claims 27 to 37 , wherein the switch is disposed between a plug into which alternating current power is input and a conversion unit that converts the alternating current power into direct current power. The information processing apparatus described. 39. The information processing apparatus according to claim 38 , wherein the DC power converted by the conversion unit is supplied to the control unit. The driving means includes a solenoid,
40. The information processing according to claim 27 , wherein the control means controls to supply power to the solenoid based on the reception of the instruction from the external device. apparatus. The drive means includes a conductor that operates when the power is supplied to the solenoid, and the control means supplies the power to the solenoid based on receiving the instruction from the external device. Control to operate the conductor,
41. The information processing apparatus according to claim 40 , wherein the conductor turns the switch from an on state to an off state.

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