JPH07237338A - Power conserving device for printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To achieve power saving by providing a means of turning the power supply of a printer OFF after a predetermined time is elapsed from a point of time when the data sending-out signal from a host computer is stopped. CONSTITUTION:A control device 2 receives the data sent from a host computer until the ready signal (b) from a printer becomes effective when the power supply of the printer is turned ON to store the same in a memory 4. The stored data is sent to the data signal line 18 of the printer and a data sending-out signal a' is outputted to the printer. When the data of the memory 4 is exhausted by the sending-out of the data, the data signal line 14 and control signal line 16 of the host computer are connected to data signal line 18 and control signal line 20 of the printer via buffers 6, 10, 8, 12. A data sending-out signal (a) is monitored and, when the signal (a) does not come for a definite time, the power supply of the printer is turned OFF.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power saving apparatus for a printer, and more particularly to a power saving apparatus for a printer for saving power when the printer is not in use.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printer is often turned on even when it is not used, and wastes several tens to hundreds of tens of watts of wasted power. In particular, since the laser printer consumes a large amount of power, it is not possible to ignore unnecessary power consumption when not in use.

As a method of saving power in the printer, there is a method of partially saving power in the standby mode. The printer enters the standby mode after performing initialization processing by turning on the power, and when the personal computer starts sending data for printing, the printer exits the standby mode and enters the print mode. When printing is completed and no print data is received from the personal computer for a certain period of time, the standby mode is set again. In such a standby mode, power supply to unnecessary parts is stopped.

[0004]

In the conventional power saving method of stopping the power supply to unnecessary portions in the standby mode, several tens to hundreds of tens of watts are required even in the standby mode. As described above, a large amount of power is consumed in the standby mode because a considerable part of the control circuit that controls the printer is operating.

The printer may be manually turned off each time the printer is not in use, but the operation of turning off the power manually is as follows.
Quite annoying and troublesome.

An object of the present invention is to turn off all power to the printer when the printer is not printing.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a power saving device for a printer that enables further power saving.

Another object of the present invention has been widely carried out as a power saving measure in the past in order to eliminate useless power consumption.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a power saving apparatus for a printer, which automatically turns off the power when the printer is not in use without any manual operation.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided a power saving device for a printer for saving power of a printer, which means for turning on the power of the printer when a data transmission signal is sent from a host computer, Storage means for receiving and storing print data sent from the host computer until the printer starts up, means for sending the print data stored in the storage means to the printer when the printer starts up, and the storage means After sending the print data stored in the printer to the printer, a means for connecting the host computer and the printer to send the print data from the host computer to the printer, and a data sending signal from the host computer are sent. Turn off the printer power after the specified time has passed
And means for doing so.

The printer power saving apparatus of the present invention receives the print data sent from the host computer and stores the print data in the storage means until the printer starts up. It further comprises means for prohibiting the computer from sending the next print data for a predetermined time, permitting the print data to be sent after the predetermined time has elapsed, and repeatedly performing the operation of receiving the print data. .

Alternatively, the power saving apparatus for a printer of the present invention, when the print data sent from the host computer is received and stored in the storage means until the printer is started up, the remaining power of the storage means remains unchanged. When the capacity reaches a predetermined number of bytes or less, the host computer is further provided with means for prohibiting sending of print data for a predetermined time.

Further, the present invention is a power saving apparatus for a printer in a system for transmitting print data from a host computer to a printer by light or wireless, wherein a data transmission signal from the host computer is sent to a transmitter connected to the host computer. When it is sent, a means for sending a printer power ON signal, a storage means for receiving and storing print data sent from the host computer until the printer starts up, and a storage means for storing the print data when the printer starts up And a means for transmitting the print data that has been transmitted, and when the receiving unit connected to the printer receives the printer power ON signal, the means for turning on the power of the printer and the transmission of the transmitted print data to the printer. Means for storing print data in the storage means. And Kunar, comprising means for delivering the printer power OFF signal, the receiving unit further receives the printer power OFF signal, the power of the printer OF
It is characterized by comprising means for performing F.

[0012]

1 is a block diagram showing the basic construction of a printer power saving apparatus according to the present invention. This power saving device includes a control device 2, a memory 4, a host computer side buffer 6 and a printer side buffer 8 provided on a data signal line, and a host computer side buffer provided on a control signal line. It is composed of a buffer 10 and a printer-side buffer 12.

The buffers 6 and 10 are connected to the data signal line 1
4. A control signal line 16 connects to a host computer (not shown). The buffers 8 and 12 are connected to a printer (not shown) by a data signal line 18 and a control signal line 20.

The buffers 6, 8, 10, 12 are connected to the control device 2, and the control device 2 outputs POW to the printer.
The ER ON signal line 22 extends.

Such a power saving device 30 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), it may be built in the printer 40 connected to the host computer 50 by the printer signal cable 24, or, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), between the host computer 50 and the printer 40. To the printer signal cable 24. Figure 2 (b)
In this case, the power to the power saving device 30 is supplied separately from the printer 40.

The power saving apparatus for a printer controls power ON / OFF of the printer and turns off the power of the printer when the printer is not in use to save power.

An outline of the operation of the printer power saving apparatus having the above configuration will be described.

The power saving device 30 is powered on while the printer 40 is not powered on. When the data transmission signal a is output from the host computer 50, the control device 2 turns on the POWER ON signal line 22 to turn on the power of the printer 40, and the data signal line 14
The print data of 1 is received by the control device 2 and stored in the memory 4. Subsequently, the valid ready signal b issued by the control device 2 to the host computer 50 is invalidated for a time period such that the printer driver software of the host computer 50 does not detect the timeout. This prohibits the host computer 50 from sending the next print data. After that, the control device 2 validates the ready signal b and returns the data reception signal c at the same time. When the response is returned, the printer driver software of the host computer 50 prepares the next print data.

The reason why the print data is received at a low speed in this manner is that it takes about 30 seconds to several minutes from the time the printer is powered on until the printer starts up.

In this way, the data sent from the host computer 50 until the printer is turned on and the ready signal b'from the printer becomes valid is as follows.
The control device 2 receives and stores it in the memory 4.

After the power of the printer 40 is turned on, the printer starts up, and when the ready signal b'from the printer becomes effective, the control device 2 reads the data stored in the memory 4 until then and sends it to the data signal line 18 of the printer. , Data transmission signal a'is output to the printer. When the data reception signal c'is returned from the printer 40, the control device 2 prepares the next data.

In this way, the control device 2 sends the data to the printer 40 until the data stored in the memory 4 is exhausted. When the data in the memory 4 runs out, the data signal line 1 of the host computer 50 is passed through the buffers 6 and 10 and the buffers 8 and 12 under the control of the controller 2.
4 and the control signal line 16 are connected to the data signal line 18 and the control signal line 20 of the printer 40. Then, the data is directly sent from the host computer to the printer.

During this time, the control device 2 monitors the data transmission signal a of the host computer 50, and if the data transmission signal of the host computer is not received for a certain period of time, the POWER
The ON signal line 22 is turned off, and the power of the printer 40 is turned off. When the data transmission signal comes, the printer 40
Turn on the power again.

In this way, by monitoring the data sent from the host computer 50 to the printer 40 and automatically turning off the power of the printer when the printer is not in use, it is possible to save the power of the printer. it can.

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

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing an embodiment of a power saving apparatus for a printer. This power saving device includes a CPU 32 as a control device, a memory 34, a host interface 36, a printer interface 38, a multiplexer 42, a CPU port latch 44, and a C.
The input buffer 46 of PU and the latches 52, 54 and 56 are provided.

The host interface 36 is composed of a host connector 58, an OR circuit 60, a host data latch 62, and an output buffer 64.

Further, the printer interface 38 is
It comprises a printer output buffer 66, an output buffer 68, and a printer connector 70.

The power saving apparatus for a printer having such a configuration can be integrated in electronic components of several chips. Such an electronic component can operate at several tens of μA, and power consumption can be extremely reduced. In addition, the CPU is preferably operated at a low speed such as 32 kHz in order to reduce power consumption.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the state transition diagram of FIG. The signal names used in the following description are defined as follows.

STB signal: A strobe signal of data output from the host computer. Data is received on this signal.

STBQ signal: A signal obtained by latching the STB signal.

STBCL signal ... A signal for clearing the STBQ signal.

ACKO signal: a signal indicating that the power saving device or printer has finished receiving data.

BUSY signal: A signal indicating that the power saving device or the printer is busy.

INIT signal --- A printer initialization signal from the host computer.

INITQ signal ... A signal obtained by latching the printer initialization signal from the host computer.

HSTDE signal ... Output control signal of a data latch that holds data from the host computer.

STBO signal: Data output strobe signal to the printer.

PRTACK signal: Data reception end signal from the printer.

PACKQ signal ... A signal obtained by latching the PRTACK signal.

PACKCL signal ... A signal for clearing the PACKQ signal.

PRTDE signal ... A signal for controlling the output of the output buffer for outputting to the printer.

PRTBUSY signal A signal indicating that the printer is busy.

CNCT signal: A signal for turning the host data latch through to connect the printer to the host computer and switching the multiplexer.

POWER signal ... A signal for turning on / off the power of the printer.

In FIG. 3, the power of the power saving device is turned on.
When done (Fig. 4, POWER ON reset), CPU
32 performs port initialization and memory initialization (FIG. 4, port memory initialization), sets the CNCT signal to “0”, and monitors the start of printing by the host computer (hereinafter also referred to as a personal computer). (FIG. 4, print start monitoring).

When the INIT signal is sent from the personal computer, it is latched by the INIT latch 56 and outputs the INITQ signal. When the CPU 32 detects the INITQ signal, it clears the memory 34 (FIG. 4, memory clear).

Printing from the personal computer starts with S from the personal computer.
Whether data is sent by the TB signal, ST
The BQ signal (0 → 1) is monitored by the CPU 32. Timings of the STB signal and the STBQ signal are shown in FIG.

The CPU 32 confirms that the STBQ signal has become "1", reads the print data latched by the host data latch 62 through the input buffer 46, and stores it in the memory 34 (FIG. 4, data storage). , Turn on the printer power (FIG. 4, printer power ON). To turn on the power of the printer, POWER 32 output by the CPU 32
The signal may be changed from 1 to 0.

Print data is sent from the personal computer at the timing shown in FIG. HST output by CPU 32
When the STB signal changes from 1 → 0 → 1 while the DE signal and the CNCT signal are “0”, the host data latch 62 latches the data.

When the STB signal changes from 1 to 0, the output STBQ signal of the STB latch 54 changes from "0" to "1" and the STB signal is latched. CPU32
By monitoring this STBQ signal, can know that the host computer has transmitted data. The STBQ signal simultaneously becomes a BUSY signal to the host computer, and this BUSY signal is sent to the host computer via the multiplexer 42 and the buffer 64 (FIG. 4, BUSY output). The sending of the next 1-byte data is prohibited. It

After that, the CPU 32 monitors the timer (FIG. 4, timer monitoring), and when the fixed time (for example, 9 seconds) elapses, the ACKO signal becomes 1 → 0 → 1 as shown in FIG.

After that, in order to set the BUSY signal to "0" (FIG. 4, BUSY OFF), ST from the CPU 32 is set.
The BCL signal is set to 1 → 0 → 1. This waits for the next data.

This series of operations is performed very slowly to secure a sufficient time for the printer to start up (FIG. 4, waiting for storage data output).

When the printer starts up (PRTBUSY
When the signal becomes "0"), the CPU 32 immediately sends the data stored in the memory 34 to the printer (FIG. 4, data output).

In order to send the data read from the personal computer to the printer, after confirming that the PRTBUSY signal is "0", the HSTDE signal from the CPU 32 is set to "1" and the data is output to the port latch 44. The PRTDE signal of the printer output buffer 66 is set to "0".

After that, the STBO signal of the CPU 32 is set to 1 →
When 0 → 1 is set, the PACKQ signal, which is a latch signal of the printer's PRTACK signal, is monitored by the CPU 32, and when it becomes “1”, it is assumed that the printer has completed the reception of data and thus data can be output.

If it is not necessary to output data continuously,
Set the PRTDE signal of the printer output buffer 66 to 1 and H
The STDE signal is returned to "0".

Further, the PACKCL signal is set to 1 → 0 → 1 in order to clear the PACKQ signal.

When all the stored data have been sent, the computer waits for a connection between the personal computer and the printer (FIG. 4).

In order to connect the printer to the host computer, the host data latch 62 is turned through (HS
TDE = 0) and output from the printer output buffer 66 is permitted (PRTDE = 0). Further, the multiplexer 42 is switched to the B side (CNCT = 1).

As a result, all the signals from the personal computer are output to the printer as they are, and the signals from the printer are output to the personal computer (FIG. 4, connection between the personal computer and the printer).

When the connection between the personal computer and the printer is completed in this way, the completion of printing is monitored thereafter (FIG. 4, waiting for completion of printing).

To monitor the completion of printing, the CPU 32 uses STBQ.
Every time the signal is monitored and becomes "1", as shown in FIG.
The BCL signal is set to 1 → 0 → 1 and the STBQ signal is monitored. If the STBQ signal does not become "1" for a certain period of time by this method, it is considered that printing is completed. However, when the PRTBUSY signal of the printer is "1", it is considered that the printer is out of paper or the printer is off line. Therefore, the time measurement is preset.

When it is judged that the printing is completed, the POWER signal is set to "1" to turn off the printer power (FIG. 4, printer power OFF), initialize each output state, and monitor the data transmission from the personal computer again (FIG. 4). , Print start monitoring).

The above operation will be described in more detail with reference to the operation flowcharts of the CPU 32 shown in FIGS.

As shown in the flow chart of FIG. 6, when the power saving device is turned on (step S1),
The port 44 is initialized (step S2), and then the memory 34 is cleared (step S3). The CNCT signal output from the CPU 32 is "0" (step S4), and the multiplexer 42 is switched to the A side, that is, the CPU side.

When the INIT signal is received from the host computer (step S5), the memory 34 is cleared (step S40).

When the memory clear is completed, the host computer is monitored to start printing. First, it is determined whether the ACK timer is operating (step S6). ACK
The timer is a timer for measuring the time for returning the ACK signal after storing the print data from the host computer in the memory 34, and this time is 9 seconds as described above. At this point, the ACK timer is not running. If the STB signal does not come from the host computer, STBQ
Is "0" (step S7), the process waits for data output (step S18). Since the POWER signal is not "0" (step S19), the process returns to the main loop.

When the STB signal comes from the host computer, the STB latch 54 sets the STBQ signal to "1".
The CPU 32 determines that the STB signal has been sent from the host computer (step S7) and receives, for example, 1-byte data (step S8). Since the memory 34 is not full (step S9), 1-byte data is read and stored in the memory 34 (step S10). After updating the read pointer (step S11), ACK
The timer is started (step S12). CPU3
In step 2, the POWER signal is set to "0", the printer is powered on (step S13), and the process returns to the main loop.

Since the ACK timer is operating (step S6), the ACK timer is monitored (step S1).
4). If the ACK timer has not timed out (step S15), the process proceeds to data output waiting (step S18). The POWER signal is "0" (step S1)
9), it is determined whether or not PRTBUSY = 0 (step S20). In this case, since PRTBUSY is not "0", the process returns to the main loop.

Monitor the ACK timer (step S1
4) When the ACK timer times out after 9 seconds (step S15), the CPU 32 outputs the ACKO signal (step S16), and subsequently, the CPU outputs the STBCL signal to the STB latch 54 and sets the BUSY signal to "0". Yes (step S17). In step S20, P
If the RTBUSY signal is not "0", the printer determines that the printer is busy and returns to the main loop to receive the next 1-byte data. Until the printer is ready
The 1-byte data is sequentially received and stored in the memory 34. When the PRTBUSY signal becomes "0" (step S20), it is determined that the printer is ready, and the printer data output shown in FIG. 7 is started.

Since there is data in the memory 34 (step S21), 1-byte stored data is output from the memory (step S22), the data output pointer is updated (step S23), and then the process returns to the main loop to proceed to the next step. Output 1 byte of stored data.

When all the stored data has been sent to the printer (step S21), whether the ACK timer is operating, that is, whether the data has been sent from the host computer while sending the data to the printer. (Step S24), and if so, so that the host computer can send the next data,
The ACKO signal is output (step S25).

Then, the HSTDE signal is set to "0",
The host data latch 62 is turned through (step S2
6), the PRTDE signal is set to "0" to permit the output of the printer output buffer 66 (step S27). CN
The CT signal is set to "1" (step S28), and the multiplexer 42 is switched to the B side, that is, the printer side.
Then, the STBCL signal is output and the BUSY signal is set to "0" to be ready (step S29). As described above, the host computer and the printer are connected.

After that, the end of printing is monitored, but a timer for turning off the power supply, that is, a timer waiting for the end of printing is started (step S30), and the process returns to the main loop.

At step S4, since the CNCT signal is "1", the process advances to the waiting for printing completion shown in FIG. STB
It is determined whether the Q signal is "1", that is, whether data is sent from the host computer (step S3).
1). If the data has arrived, the STBCL signal is output (step S32). The OFF timer is preset and restarted (step S33), and the process returns to the memory loop. As long as data is sent from the host computer, the above operation is repeated.

In step S31, if the STBQ signal is "0", no data has been sent.
It is determined whether the F timer has timed out (step S
34) After a while, printing on the printer was completed,
When the OFF timer times out, it is determined whether the PRTBUSY signal is "0" (step S3).
5). If the PRTBUSY signal is "0", it is determined that the printing is completed, the POWER signal is set to "1" (step S36), and the power of the printer is turned off. continue,
The CNCT signal is set to "0" (step S37), and FIG.
Return to the main loop of. PR in step S35
If the TBUSY signal is "1", it is possible that the paper is out or the printer is offline, so the OFF timer is preset (step S38).

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the basic arrangement of a printer power saving apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. This power saving device includes a control device 2, a memory 4 having a capacity of several hundred kilobytes to several megabytes, a host computer buffer 6 and a printer buffer 8 provided on a data signal line, and a control device. It comprises a buffer 10 on the host computer side and a buffer 12 on the printer side provided on the signal line.

The buffers 6 and 10 are connected to the data signal line 1
4. A control signal line 16 connects to a host computer (not shown). The buffers 8 and 12 are connected to a printer (not shown) by a data signal line 18 and a control signal line 20.

The buffers 6, 8, 10, 12 are connected to the control device 2, and the control device 2 outputs POW to the printer.
The ER ON signal line 22 extends.

Such a power saving device 30 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), a printer signal cable 24 is connected between the host computer 50 and the printer 40. In addition, the power source for the power saving device 30 is the printer 4
It is supplied separately from 0.

This power saving apparatus for a printer controls power ON / OFF of the printer, and powers off the printer when the printer is not in use.

An outline of the operation of the printer power saving apparatus having the above configuration will be described.

The power saving device 30 is turned on. In this state, the printer is powered off by the POWER ON signal. When the data transmission signal a is output from the host computer 50, the control device 2 causes the power
The RON signal line 22 is turned ON and the printer 40 is powered on, the control device 2 receives the print data of the data signal line 14 and stores it in the memory 4, and the ready signal b
And at the same time, the data reception signal c is returned. When the response is returned, the printer driver software of the host computer 50 prepares the next print data.

In this way, the print data from the host computer is stored in the memory 4, and when the remaining capacity of the memory 4 reaches the predetermined number of bytes or less, the controller 2
Invalidates the valid ready signal b issued to the host computer 50 for a time period such that the printer driver software of the host computer 50 does not detect a time-out. This prohibits the host computer 50 from sending the next print data. After that, the control device 2 validates the ready signal b and, at the same time, returns the data reception signal c. When the response is returned, the printer driver software of the host computer 50 prepares the next print data.

When the power of the printer 40 is turned on and the ready signal b'from the printer becomes valid, the control device 2 reads the data stored in the memory 4 up to then and sends it to the data signal line 18 of the printer, The output signal a'is output to the printer. When the data reception signal c'is returned from the printer, the control device 2 prepares the next data.

In this way, the control device 2 sends the data to the printer 40 until the data stored in the memory 4 is used up.

After that, the controller 2 keeps the memory 4 for a certain period of time.
Monitor that there is no data in the
The ON signal line 22 is turned off, and the power of the printer 40 is turned off. When the data transmission signal comes, the printer 4 again
Turn on the power of 0.

As described above, by storing the data sent from the host computer 50 to the printer 40 in the memory, sending the data to the printer, and monitoring the end of printing of the printer, it is possible to turn off the power of the printer when not in use. By performing automatically, the power saving of the printer can be achieved.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2C, a host computer 50 and a printer 40 are connected to each other by light (or wirelessly), and print data is sent. This power saving device is provided in a transmitter 72 installed on the host computer side and a receiver 74 installed on the printer side.

The transmitter 72 includes a controller 76 and a memory 78.
And the buffer 6 on the host computer side provided on the data signal line 14, the buffer 10 on the host computer side provided on the control signal line 16, and data to the receiving unit 74 as optical (wireless) serial data. Transmitting / receiving device 8 for transmitting and receiving a response signal from the receiving unit 74
It consists of zero.

The buffers 6 and 10 are connected to the data signal line 1
4. Connected to the host computer (not shown) by the control signal line 16. The buffers 6 and 10 are connected to the control device 76, and the transmission / reception device 80 is connected to the control device 76.
It is connected to the.

The receiving section 74 includes a control unit 82 and a printer-side buffer 8 provided on the data signal line 18.
And a buffer 12 on the printer side provided on the control signal line 20, and a transmission / reception device 84 for receiving data transmitted as optical (wireless) serial data from the transmission unit 72 and transmitting a response signal. ing.

The buffers 8 and 12 are the data signal line 1
8. Connected to the printer (not shown) by the control signal line 20. The buffers 8 and 12 are connected to the control device 82.
The transmitter / receiver 84 is connected to the controller 82. From the control device 82 to the printer
The ON signal line 22 extends.

The control device 76 and the control device 82 can transmit / receive serial data by light (radio) by the transmission / reception device 80 and the transmission / reception device 84.

Such a power saving device is provided in the transmitting section 72 and the receiving section 74, as shown in FIG. 2 (c). The transmitter 72 is connected to the host computer 50 by the cable 24, and the receiver 74 is connected to the printer 40 by the cable 24. Power to the transmitter 72 and the receiver 74 is supplied separately.

The printer power saving apparatus of this embodiment controls power ON / OFF of the printer, and powers off the printer when it is not in use.

An outline of the operation of the printer power saving apparatus having the above configuration will be described.

The power saving apparatus of the transmitting unit 72 and the receiving unit 74 is turned on. In this state, the printer 40 is POW
The power is turned off by the ER ON signal.

When the data transmission signal a is output from the host computer 50, the control device 76 of the transmission unit 72 transmits the printer power ON signal to the control device 82 of the reception unit 74 by the transmission / reception device 80. When the control device 82 receives the printer power-on signal from the transmission / reception device 84, it turns on the POWER ON signal to power on the printer 40.

The controller 76 of the transmitter 72 receives the print data of the data signal line 14 and stores it in the memory 78, and outputs the valid ready signal b issued to the host computer 50 to the printer driver of the host computer 50. Disable the software until it detects a timeout. This prohibits the host computer 50 from sending the next print data. The control device 76 of the transmitter 72 sends a printer status inquiry signal to the receiver 74 by the transmitter / receiver 80. Control device 82
When the transmitter / receiver 84 receives an inquiry signal for the printer status, the transmitter / receiver 84 reads the printer ready signal b ′ and sends the status to the transmitter 72.

After that, the control device 76 of the transmitter 72 validates the ready signal b and, at the same time, receives the data reception signal c.
Is returned to the host computer 50. When the response is returned, the printer driver software of the host computer 50 prepares the next print data.

The controller 76 of the transmitter 72 controls the controller 8 of the receiver 74 by the transmitter / receiver 80 at regular intervals.
A printer status inquiry signal is sent to the printer 2, and a response is received by the transceiver 80.

When the printer 40 is turned on and the ready signal b'from the printer becomes valid, the response of the controller 82 to the printer status inquiry signal becomes ready, and the controller 76 has stored in the memory 78 until then. The transmission / reception device 80 reads the data, converts the data into serial data, and sends the serial data to the reception unit 74. The controller 82 of the receiver 74 converts the serial data received by the transmitter / receiver 84 into parallel data and sends it to the data signal line 18 of the printer, and outputs the data sending signal a'to the printer. When the data reception signal c'is returned from the printer, the control device 82 makes the response to the printer status inquiry signal from the control device 76 ready, and the control device 76 prepares the next data.

In this way, the memory 78 of the transmitter 72 is
The control device 76 sends out the data to the control device 82 of the receiving section 74 by the transmission / reception device 80 until the data stored in the storage device is lost. The control device 82 sends the data received by the transmission / reception device 84 to the printer 40.

After that, the controller 76 of the transmitter 72 monitors the absence of data in the memory 78 for a certain period of time, and sends a printer power OFF signal to the controller 82 of the receiver 74 by the transmitter / receiver 80. Send out. When the control device 82 receives the power-off signal of the printer by the transmission / reception device 84, the power-on signal line 22 is turned on
The FF is performed, and the power of the printer 40 is turned off. When the data transmission signal comes, the power of the printer 40 is turned on again by the same procedure.

As described above, by storing the data sent from the host computer 50 to the printer 40 in the memory, sending the data to the printer, and monitoring the completion of printing of the printer, it is possible to turn off the power of the printer when the printer is not in use. By performing automatically by optical (wireless) communication,
The trouble of going to the printer and turning the switch on and off is saved, and the power consumption of the printer can be saved.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an application example in which the power saving apparatus of the present invention is incorporated in a printer server arranged on a computer network. The power saving device 90 built in the printer server monitors print data output from a plurality of host computers on the network, turns on the power of the connected printer 40 when the print data is received, and then prints the print data to the printer. Is sent, the completion of printing is monitored, and the power of the printer 40 is turned off.

As a result, when the printer is not in use on the network, it is possible to automatically determine what cannot be done manually, and it is possible to save the power of the printer when the printer is not in use.

[0112]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When the printer is not in use, the power of the printer is turned off, so that the power consumption during standby of the printer is drastically reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a power saving apparatus for a printer of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a connection of a power saving apparatus for a printer of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of a printer power saving apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a state transition diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a signal timing diagram.

6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the power saving apparatus for a printer of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of the printer power saving apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an application example in which the printer power saving apparatus of the present invention is incorporated in a printer server.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2,76,82 Control device 4,78 Memory 6,8,10,12 Buffer 14,18 Data signal line 16,20 Control signal line 22 POWER ON signal line 24 Printer signal cable 30,90 Power saving device 32 CPU 34 Memory 36 Host Interface 38 Printer Interface 40 Printer 42 Multiplexer 44 Port Latch 46 Input Buffer 50 Host Computer 52, 54, 56 Latch 58 Host Connection Connector 60 OR Circuit 62 Host Data Latch 64, 68 Output Buffer 66 Printer Output Buffer 70 Printer Connector 72 Transmitter 74 Receiver 80, 84 Transmitter / receiver a, a'Data transmission signal b, b'Ready signal c, c'Data reception signal

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A power-saving device for a printer, which is designed to reduce the power consumption of a printer, has a means for turning on the power of the printer when a data transmission signal is sent from the host computer, and a host computer until the printer starts up. Storage means for receiving and storing print data sent from the storage means, means for sending the print data stored in the storage means to the printer when the printer starts up, and print data stored in the storage means. After sending to the printer, a means to connect the host computer to the printer and send the print data from the host computer to the printer, and after the lapse of a predetermined time after the data sending signal from the host computer is not sent , Turn off the printer power
A power saving apparatus for a printer, comprising: FF means. 2. When the printer receives the print data sent from the host computer and stores it in the storage means until the printer starts up, when the print data is received, the next printing is performed for a predetermined time to the host computer. 2. The power saving apparatus for a printer according to claim 1, further comprising means for prohibiting the sending of the data, permitting the sending of the print data after the lapse of the predetermined time, and repeating the operation of receiving the print data. Device. 3. When the print data sent from the host computer is received and stored in the storage means until the printer starts up, when the remaining capacity of the storage means reaches a predetermined number of bytes or less, 2. The power saving apparatus for a printer according to claim 1, further comprising means for prohibiting sending of print data to the host computer for a predetermined time. 4. The cable according to claim 2, wherein the printer and the host computer are connected by a cable.
Power saving device for the printer described. 5. The power saving apparatus for a printer according to claim 2, wherein the power saving apparatus is built in the printer. 6. A power saving apparatus for a printer in a system for sending print data from a host computer to a printer by light or wirelessly, wherein a data sending signal is sent from the host computer to a sending unit connected to the host computer. When the printer comes up, the means for sending the printer power ON signal, the storage means for receiving and storing the print data sent from the host computer until the printer starts up, and the storage means for storing the print data when the printer starts up The printer power supply is turned on to a receiving unit connected to the printer, which is provided with means for transmitting print data.
Means for turning on the power of the printer when the signal is received,
Means for sending the sent print data to the printer, the transmitter further comprises means for sending a printer power OFF signal when there is no print data in the storage means, and the receiver further has A power saving apparatus for a printer, comprising means for turning off the power of the printer when receiving the printer power off signal.