JPH09128177A - Printer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely turn off a power supply even when a printer device is arranged at a position separated far from a host computer. SOLUTION: At the time of receiving a power supply OFF command from the host computer, an OFF signal is transmitted to a power supply switch 12 having an electromagnetic reset function, and when a power supply 5 is not turned off, an OFF signal is sent to the switch 12 again. When the power supply 5 is not turned off even after repeating power supply OFF processing by previously determined frequency, an alarm signal is sent to the host computer and the drive of a fixing unit or the like to be driven at high voltage is stopped. When the waiting time (in a waiting state without executing printing operation because of no input of printing information from the host) of the printer device is continued for previously set time (e.g. one hour) at the time other than a period (e.g. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) previously set in the device even when a power supply OFF command is not transmitted from the host computer, the device itself outputs an OFF signal to the switch 12 to turn off the power supply for the device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer device which can be turned off based on information from a host device (for example, a host computer).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A host device (host computer),
When the printer device to which the host device is connected is installed in a remote place, when the operator of the host device tries to turn off the power of the printer device, he / she goes to the remote installation place of the printer device and turns on the power switch. I have to cut it. Conventionally, in order to solve this complexity, a remote operation has been performed in which the host device sends power-off information (power-off command) to the printer via a cable between the host device and the printer device to turn off the printer device power. It was

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining the above process. First, the printer device determines whether or not it has received a power-off command from the host device (step (hereinafter referred to as S) 1). If not received (No in S1), a normal operation process of the printer device such as a standby operation or a print operation is performed (S1).
2) and returns to the above-mentioned processing (S1).

On the other hand, in the judgment (S1), when it is confirmed that the power-off command is received (Yes in S1),
It is determined whether the printer is currently in a standby state (a state in which there is no print information input from the host device and is waiting for a command without performing a printing operation) or is in a printing operation (S3). If the printer is currently in the standby state (Yes in S3), the power switch is reset and driven (S4), and the power of the printer is turned off. On the other hand, when the printer device is performing the printing operation (No in S3),
The print operation process is executed as it is, the print operation process is completed (S5), the standby operation process is performed (S6), the power switch is reset driven (S4), and the power of the printer apparatus is turned off.

[0005]

The operation of shutting off the power supply of the above-mentioned printer is required to be extremely reliable in terms of safety. However, when the power of the printer is turned off by remote control by the above method, when the power is not turned off due to a trouble of the power switch function of the printer, etc., the printer is placed in a place distant from the host device operating. As a result, it remains unmanned.

For this reason, a printer device that consumes a large amount of power is unnecessarily left in the power-on state, resulting in wasted power consumption, resulting in power consumption. In addition, it is not safe to operate the printer device for a long time unattended.

According to the present invention, even when the host device and the printer device are installed apart from each other, the power of the printer device can be surely turned off, and in the event that the power of the printer device fails to be turned off. However, it is possible to notify the host device of the failure of the power-off operation and prevent an accident or the like from occurring, and to provide a printer device with extremely high safety.

[0008]

The present invention is applied to a printing apparatus that performs a printing process in accordance with print information input from a host device, and has the following means. That is, the decoding means decodes the power-off command input from the host device.

The power cutoff control means executes a power cutoff process for cutting off the power supply of the printing apparatus when the decoding means judges the power cutoff command from the host device. Then, if the power of the printing apparatus is not shut off by the power shutoff process performed by the power shutoff control unit, the power shutoff process is repeatedly performed a predetermined number of times.

With this configuration, for example, when a power-off command is input to the printing apparatus of the present invention from a higher-level device, it is decoded by the decoding means and the power-off control means performs the power-off processing. If the power is not shut off, the power shutoff process is repeated a predetermined number of times, so that the power shutoff can be reliably performed.

Further, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, for example, when the power shutoff control means does not shut off the power of the printing apparatus even after the power shutoff processing has been performed a predetermined number of times, a device status transmission means for notifying an upper level device of an abnormal state. Is further provided.

With this configuration, the fact that the printer device will not be shut down even if the above power shutoff process is repeated is transmitted to the host device, so that the host device will not shut down the printer device power. Can be surely known, and the safety of the device is increased.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the circuits in the range indicated by the dotted line are the circuits in the printer device 1,
The printer device 1 is provided with a plurality of host computers 3a, 3a via an interface controller (hereinafter referred to as I / F controller) 2 through a bidirectional network.
b, 3c, ...

The printer device 1 has a printer controller 4 in addition to the I / F controller 2 described above, and controls the drive of drive components 6 such as a motor and a clutch disposed in the device, and the drive control of the fixing unit 7. , (Cooling) fan 8 drive control and the like. Also, the printer controller 4 is LE
Print data is sent to the D head 9, and a control signal is sent to the high voltage power supply 10. Further, from various sensors 11 for paper detection,
Various sensor signals for informing the information on the sheet conveyance position and the states of various parts of the mechanism are input to the printer controller 4. still,
The printer controller 4 is driven according to a control signal output from a CPU (not shown), and a timer 4'used for count processing at the time of driving is also provided.

The power supply 5 supplies electric power to the printer controller 4, various driving components 6, the fixing unit 7, and the like. Further, the power source 5 is provided with a power source switch 12 having an electromagnetic reset function, and is turned on / off according to a control signal described later. A commercial power source is supplied to the power source 5 via the plug 13.

On the other hand, the I / F controller 2 has a plurality of host computers 3 via the network as described above.
are connected bidirectionally to a, 3b, 3c, ..., Data transmitted from the host computers 3a, 3b, 3c, ... Are analyzed by the I / F controller 2 and transmitted to the printer controller 4. . Also, the printer 1
Various status information of the host computer 3a, 3b, 3 from the I / F controller 2 via the network.
c,...

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the system described above. The reception controller 15 is a host computer 3a,
The print data transmitted from 3b, 3c, ... Is received and sent to the print information analysis unit 16. The print information analysis unit 16 analyzes whether the print data sent from the reception control unit 15 is print information or control information of the printer device 1, and if it is print information, it is sent to the print information processing unit 17, and if it is control information. It is sent to the control information processing unit 18. The print information processing unit 17 sends the print data sent from the print information analysis unit 16 to the printer controller 4 as print information. The control information processing unit 18 transmits the print data sent from the print information analysis unit 16 to the printer controller 4 as a control signal of the printer device 1, and receives the status information of the printer device 1 sent from the printer controller 4, and the transmission control unit Then, the printer apparatus 1 is shifted to the printing operation. The transmission control unit 19 sends the status information sent from the control information processing unit 18 to the host computer 3 via the network.
a, 3b, 3c, ...

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining in detail the specific circuit of the printer controller 4, the specific circuit of the power supply 5, and the connection relationship between both circuits. In FIG. 1, a power supply 5 includes a power supply circuit 20 and the above-described power supply switch 12 with an electromagnetic reset function, rectifies and transforms the power supplied from a commercial power supply (AC 100 V), and supplies the power to each unit in the printer device 1. Further, the power switch 12 with the electromagnetic reset function described above is composed of switches 22 and 23 and a solenoid 24, the switch 22 includes terminals 22a and 22b, and the switch 23 includes terminals 23a and 23b. Then, the solenoid 24 is driven according to a control signal (described later) output from the printer controller 4, and the switch 22,
23 is turned on and off.

The printer controller 4 includes a CPU 25, an inverter 26, dividing resistors R1 and R2, and a transistor 30.
It is composed of The output port P of the CPU 25 outputs a control signal for driving the power switch 12 with the electromagnetic reset function, and when the CPU 25 outputs a low signal, the transistor 30 is turned on to turn on the transistor 3.
Apply current to 0. That is, at this time, a current flows through the circuit configured by the power supply circuit 20 → solenoid 24 → transistor 30 → ground, and drives the solenoid 24.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for driving the solenoid 24 arranged in the power switch 12 having the electromagnetic reset function.
As shown in the figure, the solenoid 24 is composed of a dielectric 24b around which a coil 24a is wound and a permanent magnet 24c, and a spring 24d is interposed between the dielectric 24b and the permanent magnet 24c. Further, the permanent magnet 24c is configured to be rotatable about the fulcrum 24c 'by a predetermined angle.
It is a pole. When the coil 24a is not excited, that is, when no current flows through the coil 24a of the solenoid 24,
Since the part c of the dielectric 24b is not excited, the permanent magnet 24c
The contact b'of the contact b'and the contact c'of the dielectric 24b are separated (OFF).

In this state, when the permanent magnet 24c is pushed down manually (manually), the permanent magnet 24c rotates in the direction of the arrow around the fulcrum 24c ', and the permanent magnet 24c.
The b portion of is the N pole, the c portion of the dielectric 24b is excited to the S pole, and the dielectric 24b and the permanent magnet 24c are joined (set to the ON state) by the magnetic force.

On the other hand, when the coil 24a is excited, that is, when a current is applied to the coil 24a of the solenoid 24, the c portion of the dielectric 24b is excited to the N pole, and the contact b'of the permanent magnet 24c and the contact of the dielectric 24b are contacted. c'leaves (is off). That is, when the transistor 30 is turned on by the output signal from the CPU 25, a current flows through the coil 24a of the solenoid 24, and the c portion of the dielectric 24b becomes the N pole. The repulsive force acts on the dielectric 24b and the permanent magnet 24c as shown in FIG.
The contacts 2 of the switches 22 and 23 are separated by this drive.
2a and 22b are separated from each other, and 23a and 23b are separated from each other, and the power switch 12 with the electromagnetic reset function is turned off. That is, the power source 5
To stop commercial power supply to.

Next, in the printer device having the above configuration,
Three examples of the processing operation will be described below. First Example In the first example, when the printer apparatus 1 is powered off by a command from the host computer 3a, for example, if the command from the host computer 3a is received, the power is turned off a plurality of times, and if the power cannot be turned off, Host computer 3
This is sent to a as an alarm signal (status information).

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the above operation. In the figure, first, it is determined whether the printer device 1 has received a power-off command from the host computer 3a (step (hereinafter referred to as ST) 1). here,
When the power off command is not received (ST1 is N
o), normal processing (standby operation and print operation) of the printer device 1 is performed (ST2). This process continues until the printer device 1 receives the power off command.

On the other hand, when the printer device 1 receives the power-off command (Yes in ST1), the process shifts to the power-off process, and it is determined whether the current operating condition of the printer device 1 is the waiting state (ST3). Here, when the printing operation is in progress (not ST3),
The printer device 1 completes the print operation process (S
T4), the standby operation process is performed (ST5), and the printer device 1 is set in the standby state. After that, the printer controller 4
Power switch 12 with electromagnetic reset function in power supply 5
A reset drive signal is sent to reset the power switch of the printer device 1 (ST6), and an attempt is made to turn off the power.

Incidentally, in this attempt to turn off the power supply, a low signal is output from the output port P of the CPU 25 as described above.
The transistor 30 is turned on, a current is passed through the solenoid 24, and the terminals 22a and 22 of the switches 22 and 23, respectively.
b, 23a and 23b are electrically separated.

Further, in the above-mentioned judgment (ST3), if it is judged that the printer device 1 is already in the standby state (S3).
Yes), the above-mentioned processing (ST6) is immediately executed.
Next, in the above determination (ST6), the printer device 1
After the power switch is reset, it is determined whether the printer device 1 is powered off (ST7).
If the power source is off (Yes in ST7), the process ends. However, the power switch 12 with the electromagnetic reset function
If it does not turn off due to a defect in (ST7 is No),
Since the power switch is tried to be turned off a plurality of times, for example, the counter is incremented by 1 (ST8), and this count value is a set value (normally 2
It is determined whether the number of times exceeds (ST9). When the set value is not exceeded (NO in ST9), the process returns to the process (ST6) and the power is turned off again.

On the other hand, if the power is not turned off even after the reset process of the power switch is repeated a predetermined number of times (Yes in ST9).
s), an alarm signal indicating that the power of the printer device 1 cannot be turned off is transmitted to the host computer 3a (ST10), and safety processing such as driving stop of the fixing unit 7 operating at high temperature is performed as alarm processing (ST1).
1).

In the above example, when the power of the printer device 1 cannot be turned off, the power switch is tried to be turned off a predetermined number of times in the process (ST8) and the alarm signal is sent to the host computer 3a. Instead of measuring the "time" from the time when the power switch reset process is attempted, an alarm signal is output to the host computer 3a if the power does not turn off even if the power switch reset process is repeated within a certain time. Is also good. Second Example Next, as a second operation example, an example in which the power of the printer device 1 is not turned off by an instruction from the host computer 3a but is turned off by the printer device 1 itself is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of.

First, it is determined whether the printer device 1 has received a power supply power-off command output from, for example, the host computer 3a (step (hereinafter, indicated by V)).
1). Here, when the power off command is received (V
1 is Yes), power off processing is performed. This power-off process is similar to that of the above-described embodiment, and specifically, the process (ST3) and subsequent steps in FIG. 5 are performed.

On the other hand, when the auto power-off command is not received (V1 is No), the current time is checked by the timer of the printer device 1 and it is compared whether it is within the current set time. The time zone in which the printer device 1 is normally used (for example, 8 am to 6 pm) is preset at this set time, and it is determined in the above determination (V2) whether the current time is within this time zone. Here, if it is within the set time (V2 is Yes), the operation shifts to the normal operation (standby operation, print operation) of the printer device 1 (V3).
This process continues until a power-off command is received from the host computer 3a (V1 is Yes) or the time is outside the set time (V2 is No). Here, the judgment (V
In 2), when it is determined that it is outside the set time (V2 is No), it is determined whether the current operating state of the printer device 1 is the waiting state (V4). If the printer is not in the standby state at present, the printing operation is in progress (V4 is No), so the timer 4'is stopped and the standby time (after the printer device 1 counted by the timer 4'enters the operation standby state). Time) is reset (V5), and the normal operation process (V3) of the printer device 1 is performed.

On the other hand, in the judgment (V4), if the printer device 1 is in the waiting state (V4 is Yes), then it is judged whether or not the timer 4'is currently operated to count the waiting time (V6). If the counting process is not performed (V6 is No), the timer 4'is activated to count the waiting time (V7) and the counting process is started. After that, the counted waiting time is compared with a set value (for example, 1 hour) (V8), and if the waiting time counted by the timer 4'is less than the set value (V8 is No), the printer device 1 still uses it. Since there is a possibility that it will be done, the count of the waiting time is added (V9), and if it exceeds the set value (V8
Yes), the power-off process is performed in the same manner as described above (V
10).

By the above processing, the printer device 1 can be automatically turned off by the printer device itself when it is not used for a predetermined time outside the normal use time.
The power is turned off by outputting a low signal from the output port P of the CPU 25 and turning on the transistor 30 as described above.
This is performed by passing a current through the solenoid 24 and turning off the switches 22 and 23.

The previously set time zone information for using the printer may be set from the operation panel of the printer, or may be set to the printer from the host computer through the bidirectional interface. Further, the information to be set may be information that directly specifies the time when the power of the printer should be shut down, instead of the usage time zone of the printer. In addition, it is possible to transfer the instruction command information from the host computer to turn off the printer power after hours and minutes to the printer controller via the bidirectional interface, and the printer controller shuts off the power according to this instruction. Is. Third Example Finally, a third operation example will be described. In this example, a bidirectional bus is used by the printer device 1 to turn off the power of the printer device 1 by confirming whether the host computer 3a is operating, for example, and this is shown in FIG. 7 using a flowchart.

First, the printer device 1 determines whether the host computer 3a is powered on and is operating by the bidirectional bus (step (hereinafter, W)).
1). As the determination method, for example, a method is used in which a signal is sent from the printer device 1 to the host computer 3a at regular intervals, and the response from the host computer 1 is checked.

If the host computer 3a is powered on (W1 is Yes), the printer 1 may be used later, so the timer 4'is reset (W2) and the normal printer is used. The first operation process (standby operation, print operation) is performed (W3). On the other hand, when the power supply of the host computer 1 is off (W1 is No), the printer device 1 is unlikely to be used thereafter. Therefore, first, the timer 4'is started (W4) and the elapsed time after the power of the host computer 1 is turned off is counted.

After that, the counting process is continued until the value of the timer 4'becomes a set value (for example, one hour). That is, while the power of the host computer 1 remains off, the timer 4 ′ is counted up until the timer 4 ′ reaches the set value (W6), and when the timer 4 ′ reaches the set value (W5 is Yes.
s), power off processing is executed (W7). In addition, the host computer 1 may be turned on again during the above-described count-up process, and in this case (W8 is Yes.
s), shift to processing (W2), reset the timer 4 ', and return to normal operation processing (W3) of the printer device 1.

With the above processing, the printer device 1 can automatically turn off the power by the printer device 1 itself, as in the second operation example described above. In the description of the above embodiment, the example of FIG. 3 was described as a specific circuit of the printer controller 4 described above, but the configuration shown in FIG. 8 may be used. That is, the printer controller 4 is connected to the power supply circuit 2
0, inverters 26a to 26d, AND gate 27, gate circuits 28a to 28c, inverter 29, and transistor 30. For example, the information output from the host computer 3a is received via the I / F controller 2, and the printer device 1 The control signal is output to each of the driving units.

When the CPU 25 outputs a drive signal to the fixing unit 7 described above, for example, "00000".
001 "signal is output from the output ports P0 to P7 of the CPU 25, and corresponding drive signals are output from the gate circuits 28a to 28c to the fixing unit 7. Further, for example, the CPU
When 25 outputs a drive signal to the motor, for example, "000
000 ”signal to CPU 25 output ports P0-P
7 and outputs corresponding drive signals from the AND gates 28a to 28c to the motor.

Further, for example, the CPU 25 causes the "010101"
When the 01 ″ signal is output to the AND gate 27, the AND gate 27 outputs a high signal (H) to the transistor 30 via the resistor R1 to turn on the transistor 30 and supply a current to the transistor 30. That is, At this time, current flows through the circuit configured by the power supply circuit 20 → solenoid 24 → transistor 30 → ground, and drives the solenoid 24.

With this configuration, the CPU 25
Since the control signal output from is encoded, the power switch 12 with the electromagnetic reset function can be reliably driven without being affected by noise or the like.

Further, as a method of utilizing the auto power off switch, there are the following methods. For example, for a cooling fan to prevent overheating in the device, a motor for driving the device, a heating heater for fixing, etc., an abnormality detection circuit for identifying a failure for a load that is dangerous or damaged if power is continued when a failure occurs Is provided, and when this detection circuit generates an abnormality detection signal for those loads, the printer controller 4
The CPU 25 can output a control signal to the output port P to drive the power switch 12 with the electromagnetic reset function to shut off the power and prevent the damage from spreading to the device.

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention, even when the power of the printer apparatus is turned off by an instruction from the host computer, if the power off processing is not completed, the power off operation processing is performed a plurality of times. Since the host computer is notified if it is tried and still cannot be turned off, the printer device can be surely turned off.

Therefore, since the printer device is not wastefully driven, power is not wasted, and since the printer device is not driven unattended for a long time, safety can be surely ensured.

Further, even if the host computer forgets to issue a power-off command to the printer, the power can be turned off by the printer itself, so that, for example, careless mistake of the operator can be dealt with, and further energy saving effect can be achieved. Will also be higher.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a printer device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of an interface controller.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a power switch unit and a printer controller of the printer device.

FIG. 4 is a functional schematic diagram of a power switch with an electromagnetic reset function.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a first operation example.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a second operation example.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a third operation example.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing a modified example of the circuit of the power supply unit of the printer device and the printer controller.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Printer Device 2 I / F Controllers 3a to 3c Host Computer 4 Printer Controller 4'Timer 5 Power Supply 6 Driving Parts 7 Fixing Unit 8 Fan 9 LED Head 10 High Voltage Power Supply 11 Paper Detection Sensor 12 Power Switch with Electromagnetic Reset Function 13 Plug 15 Reception control unit 16 Print information analysis unit 17 Print information processing unit 18 Control information processing unit 19 Transmission control unit 20 Power supply circuit 22, 23 Switches 22a, 22b, 23a, 23b Terminal 24 Coil 25 CPU 26a to 26d Inverter 27 AND gate 28a to 28d AND gate 29 inverter 30 transistor

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus for performing a printing process according to print information input from a higher-level device, wherein the decoding unit decodes a power-off control command input from the higher-level device, and the decoding unit decodes the power-off command. A power cutoff control unit that executes a process of cutting off the power supply of the printing apparatus, wherein the power cutoff control unit repeatedly executes the power cutoff process a predetermined number of times when the power supply is not cut off. . 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a device status transmission means for notifying an upper level device of an abnormal condition when the power shutoff control means does not shut off the power even after the power shutoff processing is executed a predetermined number of times. Printing device.