JP6102553B2 - Sub-control device, image processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sub-control device and an image processing device.

  In the image processing apparatus, an energy saving mode (which may be referred to as “power saving mode”, “sleep mode”, or the like) is set in which power consumption when processing is not executed is reduced compared to power consumption during processing.

  Patent Document 1 describes an image processing apparatus including a control unit that controls switching between a normal mode and a power saving mode as power control for an image input unit and an image output unit.

  In Patent Document 1, the control unit acquires statistics of an idle period from the end of one job to the start of the next job, and controls switching between the normal mode and the power saving mode based on the statistics, In addition to displaying and displaying the ratio of power consumption in the power saving mode to the total power on the UI panel, it is printed out as a report from the image output unit, or referred to from an external computer etc. via the network Has been.

  As a reference, Patent Document 2 describes an operation display that can recognize from the display that the user has actually reduced power consumption during the energy saving mode while maintaining the energy saving function as much as possible. An apparatus is disclosed. More specifically, the sub LCD 109 of the sub board 104 is notified of the power consumption information and the power mode information acquired by the CPU 103 of the main board 101 that controls the entire apparatus, and displays the power consumption and the power mode.

JP 2006-272596 A JP 2011-075988 A

  An object of the present invention is to obtain a sub-control device and an image processing device capable of answering a remote inquiry about a plurality of forms of power supply status.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the main controller that controls the processing unit in the power saving state has a first state in which all the controls can be executed, a second state in which some controls are stopped, and A storage unit that stores a characteristic pattern that can be identified as to which of the third states the power supply is cut off every time the state changes, and information on the state based on a predetermined communication procedure A communication unit that specifies and responds to the characteristic pattern stored in the storage unit by a pattern matching process when there is a request.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic pattern is generated by predicting a state after the transition before the transition of the state.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the storage unit includes a buffer that packetizes and stores the characteristic pattern.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, when at least the main control device is in the third power saving state, it receives power from the sub power supply unit, This corresponds to a request operation for information on the state in the communication unit.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the communication unit performs UDP in the transport layer with a requesting device that requests a power saving state. In response to a request signal received from a responding device, three types of power value specifying patterns and a power value specifying pattern stored in the storage unit are subjected to pattern matching processing. The identification code corresponding to the matched power value specific pattern is returned as a result of the verification.

  The invention according to claim 6 is one of a plurality of types of processing forms in which power consumption is different when the power supply state from the main power supply unit to the processing unit and the main control device that controls the processing unit is a normal state. And when the processing unit is in a power saving state, the main control device that controls the processing unit has a relatively high power consumption and a first state in which at least all control can be performed, or a relative consumption When there is a request for information regarding power consumption including the identification unit for identifying which state is the second state where the power is low and some functions are stopped, and the processing unit and the main control device And a communication unit that controls the identification unit to identify the processing mode, or identifies the state, and responds with information on power consumption based on the identification result.

  A seventh aspect of the invention includes the sub-control device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the processing unit includes an image reading unit for reading a document image, and received information. Including an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet based on the communication circuit unit that transmits and receives image information via a communication network, and includes scanning, copying, printing, facsimile transmission, and facsimile reception The image processing apparatus executes processing using at least one of the image reading unit, the image forming unit, and the facsimile communication circuit unit based on the type of processing mode selected from the processing modes.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of forms of power supply states during the energy saving mode can be answered to a remote inquiry.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the storage operation can be terminated while there is power from the main power supply unit.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the power consumption for the storage operation as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, in the third state, the power of the main power supply unit can be made unnecessary.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce power consumption in the sub power supply unit as compared with a case where a communication protocol using UDP is not established.

According to the invention described in claim 6, it is possible to answer a remote inquiry about a plurality of forms of power supply status. According to the invention described in claim 7, Can answer remote inquiries.

1 is a schematic diagram of an image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view around a UI in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is a block diagram of the control system of the image processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is the block diagram which blocked the function constructed | assembled for the specific use in the IC chip of ASIC which concerns on this Embodiment. FIG. 5A is a perspective view illustrating a state in which information regarding a power supply state is being requested from the mobile terminal to the image processing apparatus 10 by wireless communication, and FIG. 5B is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control mode of the mobile terminal. FIG. It is an expanded view which shows the communication protocol hierarchy (UDP specification) applied to this Embodiment. It is an expanded view which shows typically the physical structure of transmission side UDP and reception side UDP. The operation | movement in the UDP communication protocol which concerns on this Embodiment is shown, (A) is a failure example, (B) is a success example. FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing an operation state of the image processing apparatus in the ASIC based on the UDP communication protocol described in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a state transition diagram of an image processing apparatus according to a first modification. FIG. 10 is a control block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to Modification 3.

  FIG. 1 shows an image processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

  The image processing apparatus 10 includes an image forming unit 12 that forms an image on a recording sheet, an image reading unit 14 that reads an original image, and a facsimile communication control circuit 16. The image processing apparatus 10 includes a main controller 18. The image processing apparatus 10 controls the image forming unit 12, the image reading unit 14, and the facsimile communication control circuit 16. For example, image data of a document image read by the image reading unit 14 is primary. Or the read image data is sent to the image forming unit 12 or the facsimile communication control circuit 16. The image reading unit 14 is covered with the upper housing 10A, and the image forming unit 12, the facsimile communication control circuit 16, and the main controller 18 are covered with the lower housing 10B. A lower stage of the lower housing 10B is provided with a plurality of tray units 50 for storing recording paper.

  In addition, on the upper surface and the front of the upper casing 10A covering the image reading unit 14, processing operation (service) items including image reading processing, copying processing, image forming processing, and transmission / reception processing are instructed. A user interface 52 (hereinafter also referred to as “UI 52”) for instructing detailed setting of the operation and displaying the state of the image processing apparatus 10 is disposed. The UI 52 is provided with a touch panel unit 40 that can be instructed by touching an operator's finger or the like on the display screen, and a plurality of hard keys 54 that can be instructed by mechanical operation (for example, pressing operation).

  A network communication network 20 such as the Internet is connected to the main controller 18, and a telephone network 22 is connected to the facsimile communication control circuit 16. The main controller 18 is connected to a host computer via, for example, a network communication line network 20 and receives image data or performs facsimile reception and facsimile transmission using the telephone line network 22 via the facsimile communication control circuit 16. Has a role to play.

  The image reading unit 14 receives a document table for positioning the document, a scanning drive system that scans an image of the document placed on the document table and emits light, and light reflected or transmitted by scanning of the scan drive system. And a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD for converting into an electrical signal.

  The image forming unit 12 includes a photoconductor. Around the photoconductor, a charging device that uniformly charges the photoconductor, a scanning exposure unit that scans a light beam based on image data, and the scanning exposure unit. An image developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image formed by scanning exposure, a transfer unit that transfers the developed image on the photoreceptor to a recording sheet, and a surface of the photoreceptor after the transfer are cleaned. And a cleaning unit. A fixing unit for fixing the image on the recording sheet after transfer is provided on the recording sheet conveyance path.

  In the present embodiment, scanning, copying, printing, facsimile transmission, facsimile using the image forming unit 12, the image reading unit 14, and the facsimile communication control circuit 16 (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as “device”). Services (processing forms) including reception and printing after reception can be executed.

  An outlet 26 is attached to the tip of the input power line 24 in the image processing apparatus 10, and the image processing apparatus 10 is inserted into the wiring plate 32 of the commercial power supply 31 wired up to the wall surface W. The power supply is supplied from the commercial power source 31.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the UI 52 installed in the upper housing 10A is provided on a plate 56 that is a separate member from the upper housing 10A. A touch panel unit 40 is disposed at the center of the plate 56. A plurality of hard keys 54A to 54E (generically referred to as hard keys 54 in FIG. 1) are exposed on the surfaces of the left and right plates 56 of FIG.

  The hard keys 54A to 54E are used to determine predetermined instruction information by a pressing operation, for example, a menu key 54A for transitioning the display screen of the touch panel unit 40 to a basic screen, and a copy key. A copy key 54B, a ten key 54C for designating the number of copies, inputting a recitation number, a power saving key 54D for instructing or canceling power saving, and a start key 54E for instructing execution of processing.

  Further, in the lower right of FIG. 2 of the plate 56, in the vicinity of the start key 54E, as an LED for monitoring, an LED 72A for displaying data transmission, an LED 72B for notifying an error occurrence, and an LED 72C for notifying the power-on. Is provided.

(Control system of image processing device)
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the hardware configuration of the control system of the image processing apparatus 10.

  The network line network 20 is connected to the main controller 18 of the image processing apparatus 10. The network communication network 20 is connected with a PC (terminal device) 29 that can be a transmission source of image data, and a base station 27 that can be connected by wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). Yes.

  The main controller 18 is connected to the facsimile communication control circuit 16, the image reading unit 14, the image forming unit 12, and the UI 52 via buses 33A to 33D such as a data bus and a control bus. That is, each processing unit of the image processing apparatus 10 is controlled mainly by the main controller 18.

  The image processing apparatus 10 includes a power supply device 42 and is connected to the main controller 18 by a signal harness 43.

  The power supply device 42 is supplied with electric power from the commercial power supply 31 via the input power supply line 24.

  In the power supply device 42, power supply lines 35 </ b> A to 35 </ b> D that supply power independently to the main controller 18, the facsimile communication control circuit 16, the image reading unit 14, the image forming unit 12, and the UI 52 are provided. For this reason, the main controller 18 individually supplies power to each processing unit (device) (power supply mode) or restricts power supply (energy saving mode) to enable so-called partial power saving control.

  In a general energy saving mode, the power supply to devices other than the main controller 18 is cut off, and the main controller 18 also has a function of waiting to receive information from the outside (network communication line network 20 or telephone line network 22). Power other than necessary power is cut off. In this case, about 1.5 to 5 w is consumed as electric power.

  In this case, a “sleep CPU on” mode (first power saving state) in which all of the CPUs of the main controller 18 can operate, and a “sleep CPU off” mode (second power saving in which a part of the CPU can operate). Status). The power consumption in the “sleep CPU on” mode is about 5 w, and the power consumption in the “sleep CPU off” mode is about 1.5 w, resulting in a difference in power consumption.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as the energy saving mode, a mode (“sleep 0” mode (third power saving state) that basically cuts off the power supply is also set for the main controller 18.

  “Basically cut off power supply” means that the main controller 18 does not receive any power from the commercial power supply 31 (power supply device 42), but from the external information reception standby function and the third power saving state. , In order to return to the “sleep CPU on” mode, the “sleep CPU off” mode, or the normal mode state, it means that power is supplied from a sub power supply unit that is different from the power supply device 42 that is the main power supply unit. . The power consumption in the third power saving state is about 0.5 w compared to the power consumption (1.5 w to 5 w) in the “sleep CPU on” mode and the “sleep CPU off” mode, and the energy saving performance is expanded. .

  In the present embodiment, a power supply system using photovoltaic power generation is applied as a sub power supply unit for supplying power to the main controller 18 during the “sleep 0” mode period.

  In other words, the solar panel 92 is installed in the image processing apparatus 10. For example, the solar panel 92 may be attached to all or part of the surface of the upper housing 10A or the lower housing 10B (see FIG. 1), or may be disposed away from the image processing apparatus 10. .

  The solar panel 92 is connected to the power storage device 96 via a dedicated wiring 94. The power charged in the power storage device 96 can be sent to the main controller 18 via the power supply line 98.

  The main controller 18 is provided with a power switching unit 18A and a sub controller 18S. In the power supply switching unit 18A, the power supply source is switched to the power supply device 42 (main power supply unit) in the “sleep CPU on” mode and the “sleep CPU off” mode in the normal mode and in the power saving mode. When switching to the power storage device 96 (sub power supply unit).

  The sub-controller 18S has a part of the function of the main controller 18 and is activated during the “sleep 0” mode period. The sub-controller 18S monitors the operation state of the power saving key 54D, waits for information reception from the outside, and “ The program for returning from the “sleep 0” mode state to the normal mode state is executed.

  In addition, the sub controller 18S incorporates an ASIC 100 having a communication function that responds to a request for mode information of an external power supply state.

  Similar to the sub-controller 18S, the ASIC 100 is supplied with power from the commercial power supply 31 during the normal mode, the “sleep CPU on” mode, and the “sleep CPU off” mode in the power saving mode, and the “sleep 0” mode. Inside, power is supplied from the electricity storage device 96.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the ASIC 100 is an IC chip for a specific application, and wirings having functions of a CPU 102, a RAM 104, a ROM 106, an I / O 108, and a bus 110 are provided. A communication I / F 112 is connected to the I / O 108.

  The storage area belonging to the RAM 104 stores a program for executing a pattern matching process to be described later.

  A buffer (memory) 114 is connected to the I / O 108. The buffer 114 is non-volatile, and stored data is saved regardless of the power supplied to the ASIC 100.

  The sub controller 18S and the ASIC 100 may be provided separately from the main controller 18. Further, the sub controller 18S and the ASIC 100 may be provided separately.

  In the processing area belonging to the CPU 102, as modes indicating the power supply state of the image processing apparatus based on the pattern matching processing program, the “sleep CPU on” mode, the “sleep CPU off” mode, The identification with the power value specifying pattern that is different depending on the transition between the states is performed to indicate any of the “0” modes.

  Further, the power value specifying pattern as the identification result is updated and stored in the buffer 114 for each mode transition instruction to the main controller 18. In other words, identification information (power value specifying pattern) corresponding to the latest mode is always stored in the buffer 114.

  The time when the power value specifying pattern is stored in the buffer 114 is set before the mode shift is actually executed after the mode shift instruction is issued.

  That is, when the transition destination is the “sleep 0” mode, the power supply from the commercial power supply 31 is cut off. Therefore, before the commercial power supply 31 is cut off, the next mode destination is predicted and the power value specifying pattern is set. Generate and store in buffer 114.

  By the way, when there is a request for information related to the mode of the image processing apparatus 10 from a remote location via the communication I / F 112, the CPU 102 executes a response processing program stored in the RAM 104.

  Such a request for information can be received from an information processing terminal device (for example, PC 29 (see FIG. 3), portable terminal 116 (see FIG. 5)).

  FIG. 5A shows a request for information regarding the power supply state from the mobile terminal 116 (smart phone, mobile phone, tablet, PDA, etc.) to the image processing apparatus 10 by wireless communication (wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.). FIG. 5B is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control mode of the mobile terminal 116. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the portable terminal 116 is covered with a casing 118, and the interface unit 120 is fitted into a rectangular frame 118 </ b> A provided on the surface of the casing 118.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the interface unit 120 includes a liquid crystal display unit 120A and a pointing device 120B, and the liquid crystal display unit 120A and the pointing input unit 120B are arranged so as to overlap each other. It functions as a so-called touch panel unit.

  The interface unit 120 selectively displays a handwritten panel and a keyboard on the liquid crystal display unit 120A. Each segmented input element of the pointing input unit 120B is assigned so as to correspond to the displayed handwritten panel or keyboard, and input is executed in response to a user's touch operation.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the portable terminal 116 includes a microcomputer including a CPU 122, a RAM 124, a ROM 126, an I / O 128, and a bus 130 such as a data bus and a control bus that interconnect these components.

  An interface unit 120 and a communication I / F 132 are connected to the I / O 128.

  In the communication I / F 132, as one of its functions, communication with the image processing apparatus 10 is executed in accordance with a pre-registered application software program.

  When the portable terminal 116 makes a request regarding the state of the image processing apparatus 10 and receives a response to the request, the portable terminal 116 displays information on the liquid crystal display unit 120A according to the response.

  For example, when the image processing apparatus 10 is in the “sleep 0” mode, the name and model number of the inquired image processing apparatus 10 (“MFP ▽ Δ □ ○” in FIG. 5A) and the power value (FIG. 5 (A) is “0w”).

  Here, when there is a request for information about the state of the image processing apparatus 10 from the portable terminal 116, if the image processing apparatus 10 is in the normal mode, the response process is processed by the main controller 18 (see FIG. 3). Is possible.

  On the other hand, when the image processing apparatus 10 is in the power saving mode, the power supply from the commercial power supply 31 may be cut off (particularly, the “sleep 0” mode). However, it is against energy saving to shift the main controller 18 to the normal mode for each request. In particular, it is not returned that the mode is the “sleep 0” mode.

  Therefore, the response process in the power saving mode is executed by the ASIC 100 that can supply power from the power storage device 96 in the “sleep 0” mode. Note that the ASIC 100 may handle the normal mode.

  Specifically, the power value specifying pattern stored in the buffer 114 is specified by pattern matching processing, and identification information corresponding to the specified power value specifying pattern is returned.

  That is, when the response signal A is received, pattern matching processing is executed and stored in the buffer 114 and typical power value specifying patterns in the “sleep CPU on” mode, the “sleep CPU off” mode, and the “sleep 0” mode. The matched power value specifying pattern is checked, and the matched pattern is specified. Identification information is given in advance to the specified power value specifying pattern. The “sleep CPU on” mode is identification information B, the “sleep CPU on” mode is identification information C, and the “sleep 0” mode is identification information D.

  For this reason, identification information B, C, D is selected based on the identified power value identification pattern, and any one of identification information B, C, D is returned to the request source.

  In the present embodiment, communication is performed between the portable terminal 116 that is the request side and the ASIC 100 of the image processing apparatus 10 that is the response side.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the communication protocol layer is classified into an application layer 150, a transport layer 152, a network layer 154, a data link layer 156, and a physical layer 158.

  In the present embodiment, FTP (File Transfer Protocol) as the application layer 150, UDP (User Datagram Protocol) as the transport layer 152, IP (Internet Protocol) as the network layer 154, Bluetooth (registered trademark) as the data link layer 156, or Wireless is applied as the Ethernet (registered trademark) and the physical layer 158.

  By applying UDP, data certainty is low compared to TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), but real-time performance is high, and it is advantageous when the amount of data is small and certainty is not important as in this embodiment. Become.

  FIG. 7 schematically shows a physical configuration of the transmission side and the reception side UDP.

  The transmission-side UDP 152S and the reception-side UDP 152R include header layers 160S and 160R and data layers 162S and 162R, respectively.

  The header layers 160S and 160R include a transmission side port number frame, a reception side port number frame, a data length frame, and a checksum frame.

  The data layers 162S and 162R include data frames.

  In the transmission side port number frame, the transmission side port number is input in 16 bits.

  In the receiving side port number frame, the receiving side port number is input in 16 bits.

  In the data length frame, the total data length of the header layers 160S and 160R and the data layers 162S and 162R is input in 16 bits.

  The checksum frame is input with 16-bit data status confirmation information.

  In this embodiment, the request signal A is input to the data frame in the transmission side UDP 152S. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, any one of identification information B, C, and D is input as a response signal to the data frame in receiving side UDP 152R.

  The request signal A indicates a request for information on the power saving state. In the present embodiment, the request signal A is a single request signal A. However, if the information on the image processing apparatus 10 is requested remotely, What is necessary is just to add as an application each time.

  The identification information B is in the “sleep CPU on” mode (first power saving state), and indicates that all the functions of the main controller 18 (see FIG. 3) are operating with the power of the commercial power supply 31. The portable terminal 116 (see FIG. 5) receives this identification information B and displays, for example, “5w” on the liquid crystal display unit 120A.

  The identification information C is in the “sleep CPU off” mode (second power saving state) and indicates that a part of the function of the main controller 18 is operating with the power of the commercial power supply 31. In response to the identification information C, the portable terminal 116 displays, for example, “1.5w” on the liquid crystal display unit 120A.

  The identification information is in the “sleep 0” mode (third power saving state), and indicates that all functions of the main controller 18 are cut off and receives power from the power storage device 96 as necessary. In response to the identification information D, the portable terminal 116 displays, for example, “0w” on the liquid crystal display unit 120A.

  Also, in UDP, the mobile terminal 116 that is the transmission side sends the message without checking whether the ASIC 100 of the image processing apparatus 10 that is the reception side can receive it, and does not retransmit anything.

  On the other hand, the ASIC 100 on the receiving side does not issue a confirmation response even when a request signal is received, and discards the data if the request signal is corrupted.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 8 shows operations in the UDP communication protocol, where (A) is a failure example and (B) is a success example.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the portable terminal 116 unilaterally transmits the request signal A to the image processing apparatus 10 (ASIC 100) without checking whether the image processing apparatus 10 can receive the request signal A. Send.

  The image processing apparatus 10 (ASIC 100) receives this request signal A, but may be partially damaged depending on the radio wave condition. At this time, the image processing apparatus 10 (ASIC 100) discards the request signal A that cannot be read without requesting retransmission.

  If there is no response within a predetermined time, the portable terminal 116 ends without resending.

  If the radio wave condition is not improved, if the request signal A is repeatedly sent many times, for example, when the image processing apparatus 10 is in the “sleep 0” mode, the power of the power storage device 96 is consumed each time. However, if the request fails, the portable terminal 116 does not retransmit the request signal A, and the image processing apparatus 10 (ASIC 100) discards the request signal A, thereby suppressing wasteful consumption of the power storage device 96. It becomes possible.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, the portable terminal 116 unilaterally sends the request signal A to the image processing apparatus 10 (ASIC 100) without checking whether the image processing apparatus 10 can receive the request signal A. ).

  When the image processing apparatus 10 (ASIC 100) receives the request signal A with certainty and recognizes the request, the image processing apparatus 10 (ASIC 100) recognizes the power value specific pattern stored in the buffer 114 by the pattern matching process, and the identification information B, C, D is specified.

  Thereafter, any one of the identified identification information B, C, and D is returned to the portable terminal 116 as a response signal.

  In the portable terminal 116 that has received the return, character information corresponding to the identification information is extracted.

  That is, the character information in the case of the identification information B is “5w”, the identification information C is “1.5w”, and the identification information C is “0w”.

  In the portable terminal 116, the power value (FIG. 5) is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 120 </ b> A of the user interface unit 120 together with the name and model number of the image processing apparatus 10 (“MFP ▽ Δ □ ○” in FIG. 5A). In (A), “0w”) is displayed.

  FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing an operation state of the image processing apparatus 10 in the ASIC 100 based on the UDP communication protocol described in FIG.

  In the image processing apparatus 10, the mode state transitions to a standby mode, a “sleep CPU on” mode, a “sleep CPU off” mode, and a “sleep 0” mode according to the processing status. In FIG. 9, the running mode in which the device actually operates is omitted.

  In the standby mode, “sleep CPU on” mode, and “sleep CPU off” mode, power from the commercial power supply 31 is supplied, but in the “sleep 0” mode, power from the commercial power supply 31 is not supplied, and as necessary. Electric power from the power storage device 96 is supplied.

  Here, when the request signal A is received from the portable terminal 116 at the time indicated by the arrow X1 in FIG. 9, a response process (pattern matching process) is executed.

  In the pattern matching process, the power value characteristic pattern corresponding to the mode is collated with the power value characteristic pattern stored in the buffer 114. As a result, at time X1, a power value characteristic pattern indicating the “sleep CPU on” mode is specified, and identification information B is transmitted to the request source.

  When the request signal A is received from the portable terminal 116 at the time indicated by the arrow X2 in FIG. 9, a response process (pattern matching process) is executed.

  In the pattern matching process, the power value characteristic pattern corresponding to the mode is collated with the power value characteristic pattern stored in the buffer 114. As a result, at time X2, a power value characteristic pattern indicating the “sleep CPU off” mode is specified, and identification information C is transmitted to the request source.

  Furthermore, when the request signal A is received from the portable terminal 116 at the time indicated by the arrow X3 in FIG. 9, a response process (pattern matching process) is executed.

  In the pattern matching process, the power value characteristic pattern corresponding to the mode is collated with the power value characteristic pattern stored in the buffer 114. As a result, at time X3, the power value characteristic pattern indicating the “sleep 0” mode is specified, and the identification information D is transmitted to the request source.

(Modification 1)
In the present embodiment, power is applied remotely using the portable terminal 116 or the PC 29 for the power saving mode of the image processing apparatus 10 (“sleep CPU on” mode, “sleep CPU off” mode, “sleep 0” mode). Although the state is confirmed, the power state may be requested from the portable terminal 116 or the PC 29 including the normal mode, and the power consumption in each mode may be displayed.

  FIG. 10 shows power consumption values in the image processing apparatus 10. In FIG. 10, when a job is received from the network communication network 20 or the telephone network 22 in addition to the power saving mode of the image processing apparatus 10 indicated by the arrow S, the power consumption becomes 10 w depending on the type of the job, It may be 80-1200w.

  When the power saving key 54D is operated, the power consumption is 30w and the processing type (service) can be selected. After that, the selected service has a power consumption of 110 to 1300w in the copying process and is selected. In the image reading process, the power consumption is 50 to 100 w, and in the image forming process for the selected service, the power consumption is 100 to 1220 w.

  In these states, the current (real-time) power consumption of the image processing apparatus 10 can be remotely grasped by always notifying the power consumption in response to a request from the portable terminal 116.

  Note that the power consumption values shown above are examples, and an error may occur, or may vary greatly due to design or specification changes.

(Modification 2)
In the present embodiment, power is applied remotely using the portable terminal 116 or the PC 29 for the power saving mode of the image processing apparatus 10 (“sleep CPU on” mode, “sleep CPU off” mode, “sleep 0” mode). Although the state is checked, the ASIC 100 operates with the power from the power storage device 96 and executes the pattern matching process so as to correspond to the “0w” display in the “sleep 0” mode. However, “0w” display in the “sleep 0” mode is not necessarily performed.

  That is, only when the power from the commercial power supply 31 is supplied, the identification information may be returned in response to the response signal A from the portable terminal 116. In this case, it is preferable that requests in the normal mode can be handled as in the first modification.

  According to the second modification, in response to a request for power consumption from the mobile terminal 116, even when the power consumption is much lower than in the normal mode, such as in the “sleep CPU on” mode and the “sleep CPU off” mode, for example. The response by the pattern matching process by the ASIC 100 can suppress the consumed power, rather than operating the CPU of the main controller 18 to respond.

(Modification 3)
Further, even in the image processing apparatus 10A (see FIG. 11) that does not have the “sleep 0” mode originally, if the power consumption for the correspondence from the portable terminal 116 is allowed, a request for information regarding the power value from the portable terminal 116 is made. The main controller 18 or the sub-controller 18S may be used, and the power consumption may be calculated and returned to the request source each time. In this case, it is preferable that requests in the normal mode can be handled as in the first modification.

  FIG. 11 is a control block diagram of an image processing apparatus 10A according to the third modification. The same components as those of the image processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description of the configuration is omitted.

  The image processing apparatus 10A in FIG. 11 is different from the image processing apparatus 10 in FIG. 3 in that the power storage device 96, the solar panel 92, and the power supply switching unit 18A (and connection wiring) are not present, and the main controller 18 is in the power saving mode. In the “sleep CPU off” mode, only the sub controller 18S (a part of the main controller 18) operates to monitor job notifications from the outside and the operation of the power saving key 54. In the “sleep CPU on” mode, the main controller 18 itself can perform all operations, and device selection, energization control, and the like are executed in accordance with the job type and service type.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the main controller 18 and the sub-controller 18S are each supplied with power from the commercial power supply 31, and even in the power saving mode, the necessary minimum power is supplied as power from the commercial power supply 31. Since it is consumed, the power saving mode transitions between the “sleep CPU on” mode and the “sleep CPU off” mode.

  In the power saving mode and the normal mode as necessary, when a request for information on the power value is received from the portable terminal 116, the current power value is appropriately calculated and notified to the requesting portable terminal 116. The user can remotely confirm the power consumption of the desired image processing apparatus 10A.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image processing apparatus 10A Upper housing | casing 10B Lower housing 12 Image forming part 14 Image reading part 16 Facsimile communication control circuit 18 Main controller 18A Power supply switching part 18S Subcontroller 20 Network communication line network 22 Telephone line network 24 Input power line 26 Outlet 27 Base station 29 PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 31 Commercial power supply 32 Wiring plate 33A-33D Bus | bath 35A-35E Power supply line 40 Touch panel part 42 Power supply device 43 Harness 52 User interface (UI)
56 Plate 54 Hard key 54A Menu key 54B Copy key 54C Numeric keypad 54D Power saving key 54E Start key 92 Solar panel (for sub controller)
94 Dedicated wiring 96 Power storage device 98 Power supply line 100 ASIC
102 CPU
104 RAM
106 ROM
108 I / O
110 Bus 112 Communication I / F
114 Buffer 116 Mobile terminal 118 Case 118A Rectangular frame 120 Interface unit 120A Liquid crystal display unit 120B Pointing device 122 CPU
124 RAM
126 ROM
128 I / O
130 Bus 132 Communication I / F
150 Application layer 152 Transport layer 154 Network layer 156 Data link layer 158 Physical layer 152S Sender UDP
152R Receiver UDP
160S, 160R Header layer 162S, 162R Data layer

Claims (7)

The main control device that controls the processing unit in the power saving state has a first state in which all control can be performed, a second state in which some control is stopped, and a third state in which power supply is cut off. A storage unit that stores a characteristic pattern that can be identified as to which of the states each time the state changes;
When there is a request for information on the state based on a predetermined communication procedure, a communication unit that identifies and responds to a characteristic pattern stored in the storage unit by a pattern matching process;
Sub-control unit including.   The sub-control device according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic pattern is generated by predicting a state after transition before transition of the state.   The sub-control device according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit includes a buffer that stores the characteristic pattern in a packetized form.   4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least when the main control device is in a third power saving state, it receives power from a sub power supply unit and corresponds to a request operation for information related to the state in the communication unit. Secondary control unit. The communication unit is
A communication protocol using UDP is established in the transport layer with the requesting device that requests the power saving state,
In response to the request signal received from the responding device, the three types of power value specifying patterns and the power value specifying patterns stored in the storage unit are collated by pattern matching processing,
The sub-control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an identification code corresponding to the matched power value specifying pattern is returned as a result of collation. When the power supply state from the main power supply unit to the processing unit and the main control device that controls the processing unit is a normal state, the processing unit identifies which of a plurality of types of processing forms with different power consumption, and the processing unit In the power saving state, the main controller that controls the processing unit is in a first state in which power consumption is relatively high and at least all control can be executed, or some functions are stopped with relatively low power consumption An identification unit for identifying which of the second states is being performed;
When there is a request for information on power consumption including the processing unit and the main control device, the identification unit is controlled to identify the processing mode, or the state is identified, and the power consumption is based on the identification result. A communication unit that responds with information;
Sub-control unit including. The sub-control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The processing unit is
An image reading unit for reading a document image, an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet based on received information, and a communication circuit unit that transmits and receives image information via a communication network. At least one of the image reading unit, the image forming unit, and the facsimile communication circuit unit is used based on the type of processing mode selected from processing modes including scanning, copying, printing, facsimile transmission, and facsimile reception An image processing apparatus that executes processing.