JPH0591226A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce wear of a backup power supply to the utmost till the facsimile equipment is installed from factory shipping. CONSTITUTION:A switch circuit 17 is interposed between a storage memory 15 comprising a RAM and a backup power supply 16 and ON/OFF data of the switch circuit 17 are written in an EEPROM 18. When power is applied to the facsimile equipment, the on/off data are checked and when power is applied at first after the installation of the facsimile equipment, the switch circuit 17 is closed to start backup and the on/off data written in the EEPROM 18 are rewritten to represent it that the data are not for 'first power application'.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine, and more particularly to a battery backed up RAM.
The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus which has a battery and reduces the battery consumption.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Facsimile apparatuses are widely used not only in offices but also in homes. Many products are also provided with convenient functions such as a function of making a call using a speed dial and a function of receiving a jam (paper jam) even if it occurs.

Of these, the function of making a call by speed dial is performed by registering a telephone number as a pair with a speed dial number in a memory (nonvolatile memory) backed up by a battery. Further, in a facsimile apparatus having a so-called substitute reception function, the image signal can be recorded later by storing the image signal in such a memory. Here, the proxy reception means that the recording paper causes a jam in the recording unit of the facsimile device,
Alternatively, it is possible to temporarily store the image signal in the memory when the image cannot be recorded at that time, as in the case where the facsimile device having the copy function and the facsimile communication function starts receiving the facsimile during copying. Say.

By the way, the content of a dynamic RAM (dynamic random access memory) is erased unless it is refreshed regularly. Therefore, even when the power (main switch) of the main body of the facsimile machine is turned off or the outlet is unplugged,
A backup power supply is provided for a predetermined dynamic RAM, and a refresh operation is continuously performed to prevent data loss. As the backup power source, a secondary battery such as nickel cadmium or a primary battery such as a lithium battery is used. When a secondary battery is used, charge control is performed so as to maintain full charge while the commercial power supply is operating.

[0005]

By the way, the battery for backing up the memory is normally fully charged when the facsimile apparatus is shipped. However, if it is stored in a warehouse for a certain period of time or exported to a foreign country, it may take a considerable amount of time to install it in the target office, etc., and most of its electric energy has been consumed. There are cases. It is assumed that the device is installed in such a state, and an engineer writes various data such as a shortened telephone number and starts the operation of the device. At this time, since the facsimile apparatus is connected to the commercial power source, charging of the backup power source of the memory is started, and the data stored in the memory can be refreshed without any problem. However, at this point when charging of the backup power source is finally started, the power source of the device may be turned off again. Immediately after the device is installed and initial settings are made, for example, a weekly holiday or consecutive holidays is encountered.

The backup power supply has a capacity enough to supply power to the memory even in such a period, for example, if the backup power supply is fully charged over a few days. However, in the case of installation of the device as described as an example, only the discharge is performed again in a state where the power supply is hardly recovered. Data could be lost from memory. In such a case, even if the power of the facsimile apparatus is turned on after the holidays, the necessary data does not remain in the memory, and it is necessary to call an engineer and perform operations such as initial setting again.

The problem with the memory having a relatively small capacity for storing the setting data such as the abbreviated telephone number inputted from the operation panel has been described above. I had a similar problem.
That is, when image data is stored in the image memory by proxy reception, if the power supply for backing up this memory is not sufficient, even if the power of the facsimile machine is turned off for a relatively short period of time, the reception is possible. There is also a problem that image data is lost.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to reduce consumption of a backup power source as much as possible even when the power source of the apparatus is turned off for a relatively long period of time, such as from factory shipment to installation of the apparatus. To provide a device.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a RAM, a backup power source including a primary battery or a secondary battery for backing up the RAM, and a power supply from the backup power source to the RAM are provided. A switch to control and an on / off that stores on or off data to turn this switch on or off.
OFF data storage means, OFF data writing means for writing OFF data to the ON / OFF data storage means, and OFF data being written in the ON / OFF data storage means when the power of the apparatus is turned on. As a result, the facsimile apparatus is provided with a data rewriting means for rewriting this into ON data and turning on the switch.

That is, according to the first aspect of the invention, for example, the off data is written in the on / off data storage means at the time of factory shipment, and the power of the entire apparatus is turned off. In this state, the backup power supply does not supply power to the RAM, so there is no consumption of the backup power supply other than the naturally occurring discharge. When the power of the device is turned on, the data rewriting means operates to rewrite the off data written in the on / off data storage means into on data. As a result, the switch for supplying power from the backup power supply to the RAM is turned on, and the backup to the RAM is started. In this way, consumption of the backup power supply until the device is in use is minimized.

According to the second aspect of the invention, a RAM for storing data for storage and a backup for this RAM are provided.
Facsimile with a backup power source composed of a secondary battery or a secondary battery, a switch for controlling power supply from the backup power source to the RAM, and an operation panel for inputting an instruction for turning the switch on or off. Prepare for the device.

That is, according to the second aspect of the present invention, for example, at the time of factory shipment, the operation panel is operated to turn off the switch for controlling on / off of backup from the backup power source to the RAM. As a result, the backup of the RAM is stopped, and the backup power supply is not consumed other than the naturally occurring discharge. When the device is installed and the power is turned on, the operation of turning on this switch is performed from the operation panel. As a result, the backup to the RAM is started. In this way, consumption of the backup power supply until the device is in use is minimized.

[0013]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples.

FIG. 1 shows an outline of a circuit configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The facsimile machine 10 includes a CPU which is the center of various controls.
(Central processing unit) 11 is provided. The CPU 11 is connected to various circuit devices via a bus 12 such as a data bus. Of these, the ROM 13 is a read-only memory that stores a control program for this device. The working memory 14 is a memory for temporarily holding data required for controlling the apparatus, and is a random access memory in this embodiment. The working memory 14 is not backed up by a battery. The storage memory 15 is also composed of a random access memory, but is backed up by a backup power supply 16. The backup power supply 16 is composed of, for example, a nickel-cadmium battery and a refresh circuit (when the RAM is a dynamic RAM). A switch circuit 17 is connected between the storage memory 15 and the backup memory 16 so that backup is performed only when the switch circuit 17 is turned on.

The EEP-ROM 18 is a writable ROM, and is prepared for writing or rewriting ON data or OFF data for instructing ON / OFF of the switch circuit 17. This EEP ROM18
Is a non-volatile memory, it does not require a backup power source for storing data. However, since a large amount of data cannot be stored in the EEP-ROM 18 used in the present embodiment, here, in addition to the above-mentioned on-data and off-data, there is data such as data for setting the timing of sheet conveyance. Each device stores a small amount of data that must be individually input at the time of factory shipment. And like the list of phone abbreviated numbers,
Of the data input after the device is installed, the data to be stored is stored in the storage memory 15.

In addition to this, the bus 12 also has an input / output control circuit 2
1, recording control unit 22, reading control unit 23, communication control unit 24
And the main power supply control unit 25 is connected. Here, an operation panel 27 is connected to the input / output control circuit 21. Although not shown, a plurality of keys and a liquid crystal display are arranged on the operation panel 27 to input and output data. The recording control unit 22 is a circuit for controlling the image printout, and is connected to the recording unit 28. The recording unit 28 records an image by, for example, a thermal transfer recording method or an electrostatic recording method. The reading control unit 23 is connected to the image reading unit 29, and controls reading of a document. The communication control unit 24 is connected to the line 31 and receives data sent from another device. The main power supply controller 25 controls the disconnection of the main switch 32. That is, when the operator turns on, the main switch 32 used in this apparatus starts supplying power from a commercial power source (not shown) to the apparatus main body, but when the operator turns off, it is turned off by the control operation of the main power source control unit 25. It has become. In the circuit shown in FIG. 1, illustration of circuit portions not directly related to the present invention is omitted. Also, I
Illustration of the / O port is also omitted.

FIG. 2 shows in detail the switch circuit and its peripheral circuits in the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment. The anode of the diode 41 is + 5V (volt)
Of the backup power supply 16, the cathode is connected to the power supply terminal of the flip-flop circuit 44 and the emitter of the first transistor 45. This first transistor 45
The collector of is connected to the power supply terminal of the storage required memory 15. The base of the first transistor 45 is connected to the collector of the second transistor 46, and the emitter is grounded. The base of the second transistor 46 is connected to the output terminal of the flip-flop circuit 44. The first and second transistors 45 and 46 form the switch circuit 17 shown in FIG. The set terminal (S) and the reset terminal (R) of the flip-flop circuit 44 are connected to the I / O port 48, respectively.
The set signal 51 and the reset signal 52 are supplied to these at predetermined timings via the bus 12. The bus 12 is also connected to the storage memory 15 so that data can be written in or read from the storage memory 15.

In the facsimile machine having such a structure, when the flip-flop circuit 44 is powered on and the power is supplied from the power supply line 41 of + 5V, the power is off. Power is supplied from the backup power supply 16. When the flip-flop circuit 44 is set by receiving the supply of the set signal 51, both transistors 45,
46 is turned on, power is supplied to the storage memory 15, and data can be held. Also, reset signal 5
When the flip-flop circuit 44 is reset by receiving the supply of 2, the transistors 45 and 46 are turned off, and the power supply to the storage memory 15 is turned on.

FIG. 3 shows an essential part of control of this facsimile apparatus immediately before factory shipment. When the factory worker sets the facsimile apparatus to the backup control mode in a predetermined procedure (step S101;
Y), CPU 11 (FIG. 1) is “1” on the operation panel 27.
If the key is pressed (step S10
2; Y), the signal "1" is written in a predetermined part of the EEP-ROM 18 (step S103). And I /
The reset signal 52 is output to the flip-flop circuit 44 via the O port 48 (step S10).
4). As a result, the flip-flop circuit 44 is reset and the power supply to the storage memory 15 is cut off. However, this is the factory default, so save memory 1
No data is stored in 5. In this state, the worker turns off the main switch 32 of the facsimile machine to carry out shipping.

FIG. 4 shows an essential part of control when the facsimile apparatus is installed. In this facsimile apparatus, when the main switch 32 shown in FIG. 1 is turned on, the CPU 11 starts the control operation according to the program stored in the ROM 13, and first, the EEP-ROM 1
The signal at the above-mentioned predetermined location of 8 is read out. Then, if this is the signal "1" (Y), the set signal 51 is output as the first power-on after shipment from the factory (step S202). As a result, the flip-flop circuit 4
4 is set and the switch circuit 17 is turned on. Therefore, after that, various data can be stored in the storage memory 15 and stored.

After outputting the set signal 51, the CPU 11 subsequently writes the signal "0" in the above-mentioned predetermined portion of the EEP-ROM 18 (step S203). And
After that, normal processing as a facsimile machine is performed (step S204). That is, in addition to the normal transmission operation and reception operation being possible, it is also possible to write predetermined data such as an abbreviated telephone number in the storage memory 15.

On the other hand, when the signal "0" is written as a result of reading the above-mentioned predetermined portion of the EEP-ROM 18 when the power of the facsimile apparatus is turned on (step S201; N), the flip-flop Circuit 44
The normal processing is immediately performed by omitting the operation for (step S204). That is, after the apparatus is turned on once after installation, the storage memory 15 retains the turned-on state, so that the control as a normal facsimile is performed without particularly controlling the switch circuit 17. Become.

In the embodiment described above, the power is supplied to the storage memory when the power is first turned on at the installation stage of the facsimile apparatus, but the operator or the operator connects or disconnects the backup power supply. You may make it based on the message displayed on the operation panel 27.

(Modification)

FIG. 5 shows a control state when the power supply to the backup power source is stopped using such a message. In the case of this modification, when the CPU 11 shown in FIG. 1 is set in the backup control mode (step S301; Y), it is determined whether the flip-flop circuit 44 shown in FIG. 2 is set (step S302). ). When this is set, that is, when the switch circuit 17 shown in FIG. 1 is backing up the storage memory 15 (Y), the liquid crystal display (not shown) of the operation panel 27 shown in FIG. 1 is displayed. A message "Do you want to disconnect (backup memory 16)?" Is displayed (step S30).
3). On the other hand, when the operator presses the key "Y" (not shown) (step S304; Y), the switch circuit 17 is turned off and the backup power source (battery) 16 is disconnected (step S305).
When the operator presses the key "N" (not shown) (step S306; Y), the backup mode itself ends (end).

On the other hand, if the flip-flop circuit 44 is off in step S302 (N), the CPU 1
1 causes the liquid crystal display to display "Do you want to connect (for backup memory 16)?" (Step S307). When the operator presses the "Y" key in response to this (step S308; Y),
The switch circuit 17 is turned on, and the backup power supply (battery) 16 is connected (step S30).
9). When the operator presses the key "N" (step S310; Y), the backup mode itself ends (end).

In the facsimile apparatus of this modification, the backup power supply 16 may be connected or disconnected as in steps S103, S104 or S203, S204 of FIGS. 3 and 4 in the embodiment, or EE.
Without using the P-ROM 18 (see FIG. 1), for example, the switch circuit 17 is turned on directly from the operation panel 27.
Off control may be performed.

[0028]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the on / off data of the switch is written in the on / off data storage means such as the EEP-ROM and the backup power source for the RAM by the switch. The ON / OFF control is performed, and when the power of the device is turned on, the contents stored in the ON / OFF data storage means are checked, and when the switch is not turned on, this is turned on to start the backup. Therefore, there is an advantage that the RAM backup control can be performed without imposing a special burden on the operator only by performing a predetermined operation at the time of factory shipment.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the RA
Since the instruction for turning on or off the switch connecting M to the backup power supply is input from the operation panel, there is an advantage that the power supply to the RAM can be controlled by a simple operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of a circuit configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a switch circuit and its periphery in this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main part of control of a facsimile apparatus in this embodiment immediately before factory shipment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a main part of control after installation of the facsimile apparatus in this embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a state of connection control of a backup power supply in a modified example of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... CPU, 13 ... ROM, 14 ... Work memory, 1
5 ... Storage memory, 16 ... Backup power supply, 17 ...
Switch circuit, 18 ... EEP-ROM, 27 ... Operation panel, 32 ... Main switch, 44 ... Flip-flop circuit, 45 ... First transistor, 46 ... Second transistor

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A RAM, a backup power supply for backing up the RAM, a switch for controlling power supply from the backup power supply to the RAM, and on-data for turning the switch on or off. On / off data storage means for storing off data, off data writing means for writing off data to the on / off data storage means, and off data for the on / off data storage means when the device is powered on. And a data rewriting unit for turning on the switch, the data rewriting unit rewriting the data into ON data on condition that the data has been written. 2. A RAM for storing data for storage, a backup power supply for backing up this RAM, a switch for controlling power supply from the backup power supply to the RAM, and an ON or OFF switch. A facsimile apparatus comprising: an operation panel for inputting an instruction to perform the operation.