JPH02162415A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent such an inconvenient case where a power supply is cut and a recording action is impossible by checking the working state of a recording device and stopping the automatic power supply cutting function of an information processor as long as the recording device is working. CONSTITUTION:A word processor 3 is electrically connected to a hand printer 14 via a data line D and a control signal line DR. Then it is checked whether the printer 14 is working or not. If so, a clocking counter which automatically turns off a power supply is cleared in the same way as a case where the key input is applied. As a result, the power supply of a word processor 13 is never automatically cut off by an auto-power OFF function as long as the printer 14 is working. Then a fault caused by the auto-power OFF function actuated in an active mode of the printer 14 is also prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an information processing device equipped with an auto power-off function that automatically shuts off the power when there is no key power for a predetermined period of time.

[Prior Art] Today, data processing devices such as word processors and personal computers are widely used. Recording devices such as printers that are connected to these data processing devices have a recording head mounted on a movable carriage.
Printing is performed by moving the carriage in the main scanning direction with a motor and driving and controlling the print head in response to image signals. However, such a printer has a carriage feeding mechanism, a recording paper feeding mechanism, etc., making the overall structure complicated, and there are restrictions on the thickness and size of the recording paper that can be recorded. That is, there are restrictions such as not being able to record on paper that is thicker than a window or larger than a predetermined size, and not being able to record on booklet-like items such as notebooks.

Therefore, a recording device (hand printer) whose main body can be manually operated has been proposed (Special Publication Publication 1973-
No. 40289, Tokukai No. 62-62480, etc.), these record by manually running a recording device placed on recording paper and driving the recording head in synchronization with the running pulses. . According to such a manual scanning type recording apparatus, printing can be performed without being limited by the thickness or size of the recording medium to be recorded. Furthermore, even if the recording medium is in the form of a book such as a book, recording can be performed, and the recording apparatus itself can be made smaller.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In general, these hand printers often use batteries as their driving power source in order to meet the demands for portability and miniaturization. However, when batteries are used as power sources, the energy capacity that can be stored is limited, so devices using these batteries have taken various measures to effectively utilize the battery energy. The most typical example of this innovation is the auto power off function. This means that if the operator does not press any keys on the keyboard connected to the device for a predetermined period of time, such as 10 or 15 minutes, the device will automatically turn off the power to the device. It is a function. By doing so, it is possible to reduce wasteful consumption of the electric power charged in the battery.

Let us consider a case where the aforementioned hand printer is connected to a device having such an auto power-off function and a recording operation is performed continuously for a long period of time. In this case, even though the information processing equipment is actually performing a recording operation by outputting recorded data to a hand printer, if the key to the equipment is not operated for a long time during the recording operation, the hand The auto power off function of the main unit may function regardless of the printer's operation. For this reason, power is not supplied to the hand printer and the information processing equipment also stops outputting recording data, so there is a risk that the hand printer will not be able to perform a recording operation. For this reason, when a recording device such as a hand printer is connected and a recording operation is started, the auto power off function of the main device is often stopped.

However, with this method, if the user leaves the recording device in the operating state for some reason, the power of the main device remains on, and the power of the power supply battery is wasted. become.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and has a purpose of checking the operating state of a recording device connected to an information processing device, and suppressing the automatic power-off function of the information processing device if the recording device is operating. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus that prevents the power of the information processing apparatus from being cut off and the recording operation to become impossible while the recording apparatus is performing the recording operation.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, an information processing device of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, the information processing apparatus has an automatic power cutoff function and is capable of outputting recorded data to a connected printer for printing, and includes a detection means for detecting whether or not the printer is in operation; A power cutoff means automatically shuts off the power to the information processing apparatus when it is detected that the information processing apparatus is not operated for a predetermined period of time; and control means for controlling the operation of the cutoff means.

[Operation] In the above configuration, it is detected whether or not the printer is in operation, and when it is detected that the information processing apparatus is not operated continuously for a predetermined period of time, the power supply cutoff means automatically cuts off the power to the information processing apparatus. If it is detected that the printer connected to the information processing device is currently operating, control is performed to suppress the operation of the power cutoff means.

[Embodiments] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Description of Recording Device (FIG. 1)] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration and connections of a word processor 13 and a manual scanning recording device (hand printer) 14 of the embodiment.

In the figure, the part 13 surrounded by the two-dot chain line on the left is a word processor, which is a typical example of information processing equipment, and the part 13 on the right is a word processor.
A portion 14 surrounded by a dashed dotted line corresponds to a hand printer. Both are electrically connected to each other by a data line and a control signal line DR.

First, the configuration of the word processor 13 will be explained. The microcomputer (CPU) 1 reads programs from a read-only memory (ROM) 7 sequentially and proceeds with the processing. 4 is a keyboard (KBD), which has various character keys such as letters and symbols, and the CPU 1 Various function keys are provided to give instructions. Then, a code corresponding to the key pressed by the operator is output to the CPU 1. Further, this key code is stored in random access memory (RAM) 5 as necessary. 2
is a display device (DSP) made of liquid crystal or the like, which displays characters, symbols, etc. in a dot pattern according to commands from the CPUI. 3 is an interval timer (TIMER), and the CPU
1 or outputs a signal to the CPU 1 at predetermined time intervals. 31 is a rechargeable battery that is a power source for the word processor 13; 32 is a switch circuit that cuts off power output from the battery 31 to various circuits of the word processor 13 and the hand printer 14; 33
is a power line that supplies power from the word processor 13 to the hand printer 14. Note that the counter 6 secured at an address on the RAM 5 will be explained later.

Next, the configuration of the hand printer 14 will be explained.

8 is a control unit (CTRL) of the hand printer 14;
Print data sent from the CPU via the data line is input. The control signal line DR is a signal line controlled by the control unit 8, and becomes active when the control unit 8 is able to receive data, and notifies the CPU 1 that data can be received. A switch (SW) 9 is a recording start switch provided on the main body of the hand printer, and a recording operation is performed by an operator manually scanning the hand printer 14 while pressing the recording start switch 9.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a photosensor, which is connected to a roller 1 shown in FIG. 2, which will be described later.
The rotation of the disc rotated by the rotation of 6 is optically detected and a synchronization signal 34 is output to the control unit 8. The control unit 8 is
Using this synchronization signal 34, the moving speed of the hand printer 14, etc. can be determined, and the output timing of print data to the recording head 12 can be obtained. This recording operation is performed by the control unit 8 outputting recording data composed of a dot pattern to the driver (DRIVER) 11 in synchronization with the synchronization signal 34. 12 is a recording head (HEA)
D) 12 is composed of, for example, a thermal head or an inkjet head. For example, in the case of a thermal head, a heating element in the head is driven to generate heat by a driver 11 in accordance with recording data from the CPUI, thereby performing recording. Implemented. As described above, power to the hand printer 14 is supplied from the main body of the word processor 13 via the power line 33.

[Description of Hand Printer (FIGS. 2 and 3) FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the hand printer 14 of the embodiment.

In FIG. 2, 15 is a main body case, and an ink ribbon cassette 19 can be accommodated in this case 15.

A roller 16 rotates due to friction with a recording medium such as recording paper as the hand printer 14 moves.

This rotation is transmitted to the ink ribbon 2 through an intermediate gear (not shown).
0 is transmitted to the winding shaft 17 that winds up. The take-up reel 18 of the ink ribbon cassette 19 is connected to this take-up shaft 17.
Since the ink ribbon 20 is rotationally driven by the ink ribbon 20, the ink ribbon 20 can be sequentially wound up in synchronization with recording. Further, the rotation of the roller 16 is simultaneously transmitted to the winding shaft 17 and an encode plate (not shown) provided with a slit, and this rotation is detected by the photosensor 10 consisting of a light emitting section and a light receiving section. The output signal of the photosensor IQ is input to the control section 8 as the synchronization signal 34, as described above. This allows the control unit 8 to know the moving speed and moving distance of the main body of the hand printer 14.

12 is a thermal recording head, and this recording head 12
Heating elements 12a that individually generate heat are arranged in a row. The individual heating elements 12a are energized to generate heat by the driver 11 according to recorded data. As a result, the ink on the ink ribbon 20 is melted, and an image is recorded on a recording medium such as paper or OHP film by thermal transfer. 9
21 is a recording start switch that instructs manual scanning to perform recording; 21 is a connection cable that houses a data line, a control signal line DR, a power line 33, and the like;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing how the hand printer 14 of the embodiment is used.

Here, a word processor 13 and a hand printer 14 are used.
The controller 8 is electrically connected to the controller 8 by a connecting cable 21.

Then, document data is input from the keyboard 4 of the word processor 13. Next, input from the keyboard 4,
The document information stored in the RAM 5 of the word processor 13 is recorded on the recording paper 22. To do this, first, when the data transfer key 4a on the keyboard 4 is pressed, the word processor 13 transfers image data to the control unit 8 of the hand printer 14 via the connection cable 21.

Next, the operator holds the hand printer 14 at a desired position on the recording paper 22, which is a recording medium, and manually scans the hand printer 14 in the direction of the arrow while pressing the recording start switch 9. Image recording can be performed on 22.

[Description of Auto Power Off (FIG. 4)] Next, the auto power off operation performed by the word processor 13 of the embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the key scan processing operation by the CPU 1 when the hand printer 14 is not operated in the word processor 13 of the embodiment. A control program for executing this processing is stored in the ROM 7.

This key scan operation is activated by a timer signal output from the interval timer 3 at fixed time intervals, for example, at 5 ms intervals.

First, in step S1, it is checked whether or not any key on the keyboard 4 is pressed. If no key is pressed, the process proceeds to step S2, and the auto power
The counter 6 that measures the time for turning off is incremented by 1. Next, the process proceeds to step S3, and it is checked whether the value of the counter 6 matches a preset value. If they match, it is determined that there has been no key input for a certain period of time, for example 10 minutes, and the process proceeds to step S6, where an off signal 35 is sent to the switch circuit 32.
is output to perform auto power off processing to cut off power from the battery 31.

If the value of the counter 6 does not match the set value in step S3, the key scan process is ended, the process returns to the main routine, and the process waits until the timer 3 starts the key scan process.

Further, when a key on the keyboard 4 is pressed in step S1, the process advances to step S4, and the contents of the counter 6 in the RAM 5 are cleared. Next, in step S5, a key manual process corresponding to the pressed key is performed, and the process returns to the main routine.

[Explanation of Operation of Hand Printer (FIG. 5) FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control section 8 of the hand printer 14 of the embodiment. A control program for executing this process is stored in the control section 8.

First, the control unit 8 activates the DR signal in step S8. This notifies the CPU 1 of the word processor 13 via the control signal line DR that the hand printer 14 is capable of receiving recording data. When the CPU 1 of the word processor 13 confirms that this DR multiplication signal is active, it starts transmitting the recording data to the hand printer 14. In step S9, the controller 8 of the hand printer 14 sequentially receives the print data sent from the CPU 1, and in step S10 checks whether it has received, for example, one line of print data.

In step SIO, if that amount of data has not been received, the process returns to step S9, but if one line of recording data has been received, the process advances to step Sll, and enters a standby state for a recording operation. Then, in step Sll, it is repeatedly checked whether the recording start switch 9 has been pressed. Here, in order to perform a recording operation, the operator presses the recording start switch 9, the process advances to step S12, and the photo sensor 10
Wait for the next synchronization signal 34 to be input manually. Sync signal 3
4 is input and it is detected that the hand printer 14 has been manually scanned, the process proceeds to step S13, and the DR double signal is immediately made non-active. And step S
At step 14, one column of recording data is output to the driver 11, and the thermal head 12 is instructed to be energized to execute a recording operation.

Next, in step S15, it is checked whether recording of all recorded data has been completed, and if not, step S1
Step S6 waits for the next synchronizing signal 34 to be input, and when the synchronizing signal 34 is input, the process returns to step S14 to record the next recording data. In this way, in step S15,
When it is determined that all of the input recording data has been recorded, the process proceeds to step S17, where it is determined whether a command to stop the recording operation has been sent from the word processor 13. If a stop command is sent in step S17, the recording process ends; if there is no stop command, the process returns to step S8 and the DR
Activate the signal twice.

[Explanation of Word Processor Processing (Fig. 6) Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the word processor 13 in the embodiment when the connected hand printer 14 is operating, and this processing is executed. The control program is stored in ROM7.

First, in step S20, a specific key on the keyboard 4,
For example, it is checked whether the data transfer key 4a has been pressed, and if it has been pressed, the process advances to step S21, and the signal line D
Check the status of R. If the DR multiplication signal is active in step S21, it is determined that the hand printer 14 is in a data reception standby state, and the process proceeds to step S22, where the transfer of recorded data to the hand printer 14 is started. Then, in step S23, it is checked whether the recording data transfer has been completed, and if the recording data transfer has been completed, step S2
4, a key scan operation activated by a timer signal at constant time intervals from the interval timer 3 is started, as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

If no key is pressed in step S24, the process advances to step S25 and the state of the control signal line DR is checked. If the DR double signal is not active here (if the recording start switch 9 is pressed), the operator
4 is used to perform the recording operation, the process proceeds to step S26, and the auto power-off counter 6 is cleared in the same way as in step S4 of FIG. 4 when there was a key input. Then, it enters a standby state until it is activated by the timer 3 next time.

On the other hand, if the DR signal is active (recording start switch 9 is off) in step S25, the process advances to step S27;
Counter 6 is incremented by 1. Then, the process proceeds to step S28, where a preset value and the value of the counter 6 are compared. If the value of the counter 6 matches the set value, the process advances to step S29, and auto power-off processing is performed to turn off the power of the word processor 13 using the off signal 35. On the other hand, if it does not match the set value in step S28, the process returns to the standby state.

Further, if any key has been input in step S24, the process advances to step S30 and the counter 6 is cleared. Then, in step S31, it is checked whether the pressed key is the recording operation stop key 4b.

If the recording operation stop key 4b is pressed, step S3
2, a stop command is sent to the control unit 8 of the hand printer 14, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the recording operation stop key 4b is not pressed in step S31, the process advances to step S33, and a key manual process corresponding to the input key code is executed.

As explained above, according to this embodiment, the timer checks whether the hand printer 14 is in operation, and if it is in operation, it is treated in the same way as when there is key human power and the timer performs auto power-off. By clearing the counter, when the hand printer 14 is operating, the word processor 13
The power to the main unit will no longer be automatically shut off by auto power off.

In the embodiment described above, as a method of confirming that the hand printer 14 is in the recording operation, the current signal line DR is
For example, if the state of the signal line DR is R
AM and C by interval timer 3.
Every time the interrupt routine of PU1 is activated, the current state of the signal line DR is compared with the previous state of the signal line DR stored in the RAM, and if the two are different, the operator may be determined to be in use.

Alternatively, a manual scanning signal from the photosensor 10 may be input to the word processor 13, and it may be determined whether the hand printer 14 is in operation based on whether the photosensor signal is turned on or off.

Further, in this embodiment, the information processing device is a word processor, and the recording device is a hand printer, but the information processing device is not limited to this. For example, the information processing device may be a personal computer, and the recording device is not a manual scanning type. It may be a normal blink.

As explained above, according to this embodiment, information processing equipment treats the fact that the printer is in recording operation as an event equivalent to the input of any key from the keyboard. If either one is activated, you can prevent auto power off from working. In addition, auto power off is activated if neither the key nor the printer is operated for a certain period of time, so power sources such as batteries can be used efficiently, and auto power off is activated while the printer is operating. It also has the effect of preventing problems caused by overuse.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the operating state of the recording device connected to the information processing device is checked, and if the recording device is operating, the automatic power-off function of the information processing device is suppressed. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the information processing apparatus from being powered off and unable to perform the recording operation while the recording apparatus is performing the recording operation.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration and connections of a word processor and hand printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an external perspective view of the hand printer according to the embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a hand printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the key scan operation in the word processor of the embodiment, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the recording operation of the hand printer 14 of the embodiment, and FIG. 6 is the embodiment. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the word processor when a hand printer is connected. In the figure, 1...CPU, 2...Display unit, 3...Timer, 4...Keyboard, 4a...Transfer key, 4b...
...End key 5...RAM, 6...Counter, 7
...ROM. 8...Control unit, 9...Recording start switch, 10...
- Photo sensor, 11... Driver, 12... Recording head, 13... Word processor, 14... Hand printer, 15... Hand printer body case,
16... Roller, 17... Take-up shaft, 18... Take-up reel, 19... Ink ribbon cassette, 20...
Ink ribbon, 21... Connection cable, 22... Recording paper, 31... Battery, 32... Power cutoff switch,
33... Power line, 34... Synchronization signal, 35... Off signal. Figure 3

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) An information processing device that has an automatic power cutoff function and is capable of outputting recorded data to a connected printer for printing, and includes a detection means for detecting whether or not the printer is in operation. , power cutoff means for automatically cutting off power to the information processing apparatus when it is detected that the information processing apparatus has not been operated for a predetermined period of time; and when the detection means detects that the printer is in operation; An information processing apparatus comprising: a control means for controlling the operation of the power cutoff means. (2) The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the printer is supplied with power from a power source of the information processing device. (3) The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power cutoff means determines that the printer is in operation based on a data input enable signal from the printer.