JPH10190898A - Composite image-forming device by option and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To securely execute a saving operation at the time of power interrupt by supplying saving power to a non-volatile memory for prescribed times required for saving data in a system control circuit and an option board at the time of power-off, with respect to the option board which is connected to a system control circuit so as to execute an option function. SOLUTION: At the time of power interrupt or power-off by a user, an AC power detecting signal from a power unit 407 becomes Low, interruption is executed with respect to a system CPU 446 of a system part 406, and a saving operation for recording information required for the saving operation in an NVRAM 453 is started. A power voltage monitoring circuit 458 permits a reset signal to be Low by a voltage being higher than a lower limit in the operationable range of the system part 406 by a prescribed value. In the midst of writing sequence to the NVRAM 453, the reset signal is not transmitted to the system CPU 446 but transmitted after the completion of writing sequence, so that writing is completed normally without interruption.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital camera having an optional printer function, facsimile transmission / reception function, image processing function, and an image communication function for communicating image information connected to an external device in addition to a copying function. The present invention relates to a composite image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, in addition to a copying function as described above as a kind of a composite image forming apparatus, an optional
It has a composite function with a printer function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, an image processing function, and an image communication function for communicating image information by being connected to an external device, and executes these composite functions based on digital signal processing. A so-called digital copying machine has been developed.

In the case of a composite image forming apparatus having a reading means (scanner) and an image forming means (printer) such as a digital copying machine, the reading means and the image forming means can operate at independent timings. .

A copying function of such a digital copying machine is to convert a document image optically read by a reading unit into an electric signal and perform various image processing and digital signal processing on the image to obtain image data. The image data is stored in the memory or read out of the memory, processed as needed, and the image is formed on a recording medium such as paper again using a laser electrophotographic process (laser engine) as an image forming means (laser engine). Printing).

Since the digital copying machine has the above-described configuration and functions, in addition to a copying function equivalent to that of a conventional analog copying machine, an image can be transmitted by connecting to a public line as an option, or By providing a facsimile function for printing a received image and an image communication means with a host computer, a printer function for receiving and printing print data can be realized by one laser engine.

In other words, a digital copying machine can use a common laser engine to provide various functions (image transmission, reception printing, etc.) in addition to a copying function in one machine.

Further, in the digital copying machine, it is not necessary to operate the image reading section and the laser engine section in synchronization with each other as in a conventional analog copying machine. It is also possible to perform a "parallel operation" in which separate jobs such as printing of print data received from a host computer by a laser engine are simultaneously performed while converting the image into an electric signal and transmitting the image over a public line.

At this time, the reading and facsimile transmission of the image and the printing of the print data are each processed as if the requests for those jobs were issued alone.

By the way, in a conventional image forming apparatus, when the power is cut off due to a power failure or a user turning off a power switch, information such as the time of the power cut and the operation state of the apparatus is recorded in a nonvolatile memory. The evacuation operation is being performed.

At this time, a power failure or user power OFF
Thereafter, power supply to the control circuit of the image forming apparatus is based on backup power supplied from a backup capacitor in the power supply unit.

In this case, the backup power supplied from the backup capacitor in the power supply unit during the period when the information is saved to the nonvolatile memory is:
It is necessary to maintain a voltage within a range in which the control circuit of the image forming apparatus normally operates.

[0012]

In this case, unlike the above-described conventional composite type image forming apparatus with the option, the hardware configuration is determined in a normal image forming apparatus having no expandable function. Because
The amount of information to be saved when the power is turned off and the upper limit of the power required for the saving operation are determined.

However, in addition to the copying function and the scanning function, the printer function, the facsimile transmission / reception function, the image processing function, and the image communication function for communicating image information by being connected to an external device in addition to the copying function and the scanning function by the above-mentioned optional expansion. In the composite image forming apparatus capable of combining the functions with the functions described above, the amount of information required to be saved when the power is turned off differs depending on the option expansion mode, and the time required for saving the information differs.

The required power consumption of the composite image forming apparatus differs depending on the operation state of each option when the power is turned off. For this reason, designing the power supply unit as the composite image forming apparatus in consideration of the time when all the options are mounted and anticipating the state where the power consumption after the AC power supply is cut off is the largest increases the cost.

Further, when the supply of backup power from the backup capacitor is reduced and the write operation is interrupted during the operation of writing information to the nonvolatile memory,
Wrong data will be recorded, and if it is started based on the wrong data at the next start-up, a malfunction may occur in the operation of the composite image forming apparatus.

As described above, in the conventional composite image forming apparatus with the option, there is uncertainty in the evacuation operation when the power is turned off, and a malfunction may occur in the operation of the composite image forming apparatus when restarting. Had a problem.

In view of the above, the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has been made an option to make it possible to more reliably perform the evacuation operation when the power is cut off and to prevent a malfunction from occurring at the time of restart. And a control method therefor.

[0018]

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a system control circuit is provided, in addition to a copying function, an optional printer function, facsimile transmission / reception function, image processing function, and In a composite image forming apparatus having at least one or more optional functions among image communication functions and the like for communicating image information by being connected to an external device, the system control circuit and the system control circuit The system control circuit and the option board each have a voltage within a range in which the system control circuit and the option board can operate for a predetermined time necessary to save data to be saved to the nonvolatile memory when the power is turned off, with respect to the option board that executes the optional function. A composite image forming apparatus comprising an evacuation power supply unit for supplying evacuation power. There is provided.

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a system control circuit is provided, and in addition to a copying function, an optional printer function, facsimile transmission / reception function, image processing function, and connection with an external device. A combined image forming apparatus having at least one optional function among image communication functions for communicating image information, the system control circuit, and the optional function connected to the system control circuit. With the option board that executes the operation, when the power supply is turned off, the system control circuit and the option board each provide evacuation power having a voltage within a range that can operate for a predetermined time necessary to save data to be saved in the nonvolatile memory. An evacuation power supply unit for supplying the data to be saved in the nonvolatile memory into predetermined units; It said control means for writing into the nonvolatile memory, a composite type image forming apparatus having, characterized by comprising a are provided with reference numerals Te.

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a system control circuit is provided, in addition to a copying function, an optional printer function, facsimile transmission / reception function, image processing function, and connection to an external device. A combined image forming apparatus having at least one optional function among image communication functions for communicating image information, the system control circuit, and the optional function connected to the system control circuit. With the option board that executes the operation, when the power supply is turned off, the system control circuit and the option board each provide evacuation power having a voltage within a range that can operate for a predetermined time necessary to save data to be saved in the nonvolatile memory. Evacuation power supply means for supplying the data to be saved in the nonvolatile memory to a predetermined priority order It said control means for writing into the nonvolatile memory, a composite type image forming apparatus having, characterized by comprising a are provided with.

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a system control circuit is provided, in addition to a copying function, an optional printer function, facsimile transmission / reception function, image processing function, and connection to an external device. A combined image forming apparatus having at least one optional function among image communication functions for communicating image information, the system control circuit, and the optional function connected to the system control circuit. With the option board that executes the operation, when the power supply is turned off, the system control circuit and the option board each provide evacuation power having a voltage within a range that can operate for a predetermined time necessary to save data to be saved in the nonvolatile memory. Evacuation power supply means for supplying, a monitoring means for monitoring a power supply voltage after the power supply is turned off, and Wherein the output from the means and control means for controlling by the chip select signal to the non-volatile memory, a composite type image forming apparatus having, characterized by comprising a are provided.

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a system control circuit is provided, in addition to a copying function, an optional printer function, facsimile transmission / reception function, image processing function, and connection to an external device. In a composite image forming apparatus provided with at least one optional function among image communication functions for communicating image information and the like, the power supply of the composite image forming apparatus is transmitted to the system control circuit. A transmission unit, and a predetermined backup power after the power supply of the composite image forming apparatus is turned off, to the system control circuit, and to an option board connected to the system control circuit and performing the optional function, when the power supply is turned off. Each of the system control circuit and the option board stores data to be saved in the nonvolatile memory. Power supply means for supplying evacuation power having a voltage in a range operable for a predetermined time necessary for power supply, and a power supply voltage of predetermined backup power supplied by the power supply means after the power of the composite image forming apparatus is turned off Power supply voltage monitoring means for notifying the system control circuit that the power supply voltage has dropped from a predetermined voltage range, and a signal from the power supply voltage monitoring means for notifying that the power supply voltage has dropped to the nonvolatile memory. And a control means for controlling with a signal indicating that the writing sequence is being performed.

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a system control circuit is provided, in addition to a copying function, an optional printer function, facsimile transmission / reception function, image processing function, and connection to an external device. In a composite image forming apparatus provided with at least one optional function among image communication functions for communicating image information and the like, the power supply of the composite image forming apparatus is transmitted to the system control circuit. Transmission means, a predetermined backup power after the composite image forming apparatus is turned off, the system control circuit, and an option board connected to the system control circuit for executing the optional function. Each of the control circuit and option board saves data to be saved to nonvolatile memory. A power supply means for supplying as the save power having a main, predetermined voltage time operable range,
A power supply voltage monitor that monitors a power supply voltage of a predetermined backup power supplied by the power supply unit after the power supply of the composite image forming apparatus is turned off, and notifies the system control circuit that the power supply voltage has dropped from a predetermined voltage range. Means, control means for controlling a signal indicating that the power supply voltage from the power supply voltage monitoring means has dropped, with a signal indicating that a write sequence to the nonvolatile memory is in progress, and ranking data to be saved to the nonvolatile memory. Recording means for recording which order of data has been saved, and a composite image forming apparatus comprising:

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a system control circuit is provided, in addition to a copying function, an optional printer function, facsimile transmission / reception function, image processing function, and connection to an external device. A combined image forming apparatus having at least one optional function among image communication functions for communicating image information, the system control circuit, and the optional function connected to the system control circuit. With the option board that executes the operation, when the power supply is turned off, the system control circuit and the option board each provide evacuation power having a voltage within a range that can operate for a predetermined time necessary to save data to be saved in the nonvolatile memory. A method for controlling a composite image forming apparatus, comprising: That.

[0025]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 schematically shows an overall configuration of a digital copying machine applied as an optional composite image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

The digital copying machine 1 includes a scanner 2 and a printer (laser engine) 3, and has an automatic document feeder (ADF) 4 mounted thereon. In this automatic document feeder 4, the rear edge of the cover body 21 as a housing is
The automatic document feeder 4 is mounted on the rear edge of the upper surface of the apparatus main body via a hinge device (not shown) so as to be openable and closable. Has become.

A document feed table 22 capable of holding a plurality of documents collectively is provided on the upper surface of the cover main body 21 and slightly to the right. At one end of the apparatus, there is provided a feeding means 23 for sequentially taking out the originals one by one and supplying the originals to one end (the left end in the figure) of the original table 5.

The feeding means 23 includes a pickup roller 27 for taking out a document,
A weight plate 28 for pressing the document 7, an empty sensor 29 as a document detection sensor for detecting a setting state of the document on the document feeder plate 22, and the like are provided.

Further, a paper feed roller 32 is arranged in the direction of taking out the original by the pickup roller 27, so that the original can be reliably fed one by one. On the upper surface of the document table 5, a document conveying belt 37 that covers the document table 5 is stretched.

The original conveying belt 37 is a wide endless belt having a white outer surface extending over a pair of belt rollers 40, 40, and can be driven in both forward and reverse directions by a belt driving mechanism (not shown). ing.

A plurality of belt pressing rollers 41 for pressing the belt surface onto the document table 5 and a set for detecting the open / close state of the automatic document feeder are provided on the back side of the inner peripheral portion of the document conveying belt 37. A switch (not shown) is provided.

The original fed by the feeding means 23 is transported from one end (left end) of the original table 5 to the other end (right end). The paper discharge means 38 is provided on the right side
Paper discharge means 38 includes a transport roller 44, a pinch roller 45 for pressing a document against the transport roller 44,
A paper discharge sensor 46 or the like is provided as document detection means for detecting the rear end of the document sent in the paper discharge direction.

At the downstream side of the document discharge path, a discharge roller 48
Are arranged. A gate 49 is provided in the document discharge path to turn the document upside down and guide it to the document table 5.
Originals can be copied on both sides.

The scanner 2 as a reading means has an exposure lamp 6 as a light source, a first carriage 7 provided with a mirror 15, and a second carriage 7 provided with mirrors 8a and 8b for bending the optical path.
A carriage 9, a lens 10, a CCD sensor 11 for receiving reflected light, a drive system (not shown) for changing the positions of these components, and an output of the CCD sensor 11, that is, image data (information) is converted from analog data to digital data. And an A / D converter (not shown).

The first and second carriages 7, 9 are connected to each other by a timing belt (not shown), and the second carriage 9 moves in the same direction at half the speed of the first carriage 7. It has become.

Thus, scanning can be performed so that the optical path length to the lens 10 is constant. The lens 10 has a fixed focal length and is moved in the optical axis direction during zooming.

In the CCD sensor 11, one pixel of a document is CC
It corresponds to one element of the D sensor. The output of the CCD sensor 11 is output to an A / D converter.

First and second carriages 7, 9 and mirror 12
The movements of a and 12b are each performed by a stepping motor (not shown). The first and second carriages 7 and 9 are used for the operation of a timing belt (not shown) suspended between a drive pulley (not shown) and an idle pulley (not shown) connected to the rotation shaft of the stepping motor. It will be moved accordingly.

A spiral shaft (not shown) of the lens 10 is rotated by a corresponding stepping motor (not shown), and is moved in the optical axis direction by the movement of the spiral.

Reference numeral 60 denotes a laser diode constituting the laser optical system 2a, and a collimator lens 62 and a polygon mirror (polyhedral mirror) 6 corresponding to the laser diode 60.
4, a lens 66, reflecting mirrors 68 and 70, and a lens 72 are arranged, and a laser beam is irradiated from the exposure device 52 to the photosensitive drum 50.

The image forming section 2A, that is, the printer 3 as an image forming means combines, for example, a laser optical system and an electrophotographic system capable of forming an image on transfer paper. That is, the printer 3 has a photosensitive drum 50 as an image carrier rotatably supported at a substantially central portion in the apparatus, and around the photosensitive drum 50, an exposure device 52 and a developing device 54 are provided. , A transfer charger 55, a peeling charger 56, a pre-cleaning charge removing charger 57, a cleaner 58, a charge removing lamp 59, and a charging charger 61.

The photosensitive drum 50 includes a charging charger 61.
Is uniformly charged by
A laser beam is output from the scanner 2 to the photosensitive drum 5.
An image of the document is formed on the image 0, and an electrostatic latent image is formed.

The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 50 is developed by a developing device 54, and is fed from a sheet feeding cassette 30 as a sheet feeding means to be described later to a sheet feeding roller 2.
0, the developed image is transferred by the transfer charger 55 onto a copy sheet (image forming medium) P fed through the aligning roller 25.

The copy paper P transferred by the transfer charger 55 is peeled off by the AC corona discharge of the peeling charger 56, and is conveyed to the fixing device 71 via the conveying belt, and the developed image is fused and fixed by the fixing device 71. The copied copy sheet P is discharged by a discharge roller pair 73 to a unit 74 having a discharge tray 74a.

The unit 74 includes a pair of rollers 74 that face down the copy sheet P discharged from the pair of discharge rollers 73.
b, and a stapler 74c for stapling one copy at a time in the staple sort mode above the unit 74.
have.

On the other hand, the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 50 after the transfer and peeling of the developed image onto the copy paper P is
After the charge is removed by the pre-cleaning charge removal charger 57 in advance, the charge is removed by the cleaner 58, and the potential on the photosensitive drum 50 is reduced to a certain level or less by the charge removal lamp 59, thereby enabling the next copy operation.

In the case of double-sided copying in which printing is performed on both sides of the copy sheet P, the copy sheet P on which the developed image has been fused and fixed by the above-described fixing device 71 is transported through the transport path 75a, and then the tray 75b. Is accumulated in

The single-sided printed paper P stored in the tray 75b is conveyed to the above-described transfer charger 55 via the conveyance path 75c, and the developed image is transferred to the other unprinted surface.

A light reflection type paper sensor 75d is provided below the tray 75b to detect the presence or absence of sheets stacked on the tray 75b. Also, the transport path 75
a, tray 75b, transport path 75c, and paper sensor 75d
Automatic double-sided device (AD
D) 75 is constituted.

In the drawing, reference numeral 30 denotes a paper feed cassette as a paper feed means which is detachably mounted on a plurality of upper and lower stages from the front side of the apparatus main body 1. This paper cassette 30
Cassette case 3 which is a housing in which copy paper P is stored
1, the take-out end of the cassette case 31
It has a configuration in which it is inclined toward the paper take-out direction.

The copy paper P stored in the cassette case 31 of the paper feed cassette 30 is picked up by the pickup roller 81 from the uppermost layer and taken out.

The copy paper P taken out by the pickup roller 81 and fed to the take-out end of the cassette case 31 is fed to a paper feed roller 84 installed inside the take-up end of the cassette case 31 and above. The sheet is separated one by one by a sheet separation unit including a separation roller (or separation pad) 85 and is conveyed toward the printer 3.

On the right side of the apparatus main body, a sheet cassette 43 detachably mounted and a large-capacity sheet feeding device (L
CF) 47 are provided. The copy sheet P stored in the sheet cassette 43 is picked up from the uppermost layer by a pickup roller 43a and taken out.

The copy paper P taken out by the pickup roller 43a and fed to the take-out end of the paper feed cassette 43 is fed to the feed roller 43b installed above the take-out end of the paper feed cassette 43. Separation roller 43c
The paper is separated one by one by a paper separating unit consisting of

The copy paper P stored in the LCF 47 is
The pickup roller 47a picks up and takes out the uppermost layer. The copy sheet P taken out by the pickup roller 47a and sent to the take-out end of the LCF 47 is separated into a sheet separating section composed of a feed roller 47b and a separation roller 47c installed inside the take-out end of the LCF 47. Are separated one by one and transported toward the printer 3.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, a digital copying machine 1 as a composite type image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a scanner 2 for reading a document and an image forming section 2A. 2 is AD
A document taken in by an F (auto document feeder) 4 or the like is optically scanned by using an exposure lamp 6 as a light source, and the reflected light is radiated to a CCD sensor 11 so that an A / D
After conversion, it is read as a digital image signal.

The image forming section 2A includes a photosensitive drum 50, a laser optical system 2a, an LCF 47 as a paper feed tray, a printer 3 including a developing device 54, a fixing device 5, and a paper discharge tray 74.
a.

The semiconductor laser in the laser optical system 2a is turned on / off by an image signal read by the scanner 2.
The laser light is reflected and scanned by a polygon mirror to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 50.

After the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 3, the electrostatic latent image is transferred onto the fed paper by the paper feed tray 47 and fixed by the fixing device 71. The sheet on which the image has been formed in this way is thereafter discharged onto the discharge tray 47a.

Next, a control system of the digital copying machine configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. First, Figure 2 shows the optional facsimile function,
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a control system of the digital copying machine 1 having a printer function.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are block diagrams showing the configurations of the scanner 2, the basic unit CPU 311, the printer 3, and the facsimile 312, respectively. The control system of the digital copier 1 is generally composed of two blocks. The digital copier 1 has a facsimile (FAX) 312 as a facsimile function, connecting the scanner 2 and the printer 3 with an image processing unit 314. And a page memory unit 302 as storage means for receiving and storing image data from the basic unit 301 and transferring the stored image data to the basic unit 301 again to implement memory copy. Consists of

The basic unit 301 and page memory unit 302 are connected by a basic unit system interface 316 for exchanging control data and a basic unit image interface 317 for exchanging image data.

Next, the basic unit 301 includes a scanner 2 as an input unit, a printer 3 as an output unit, an image processing unit (image processing unit) 314, a facsimile 312, and a control unit (basic unit CPU) 311 for controlling these units. Consists of

As shown in FIG. 4, the control means (basic unit CP
U) The system CPU 100 of 311 has a ROM 10
2, RAM 104, image memory 106, timer memory 1
08, a password code memory 110, a timer 112, an internal interface 122, and an external interface 124.

The operation panel 114 is connected to the internal interface 122, the unit 74 is connected to the external interface 124, and the message display 93, the ten keys 105, the start key 101 and the like are arranged on the operation panel 114.

Further, an external device (such as a personal computer) is further connected to the external interface 124. The system CPU 100 includes an engine CPU 190 and a facsimile (FA).
X) 312 are connected.

The engine CPU 190 is connected to the scanner 2
And the printer 3. Next, a detailed configuration of the scanner 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

The engine CPU 190 drives the lamp control unit 164 for controlling the exposure lamp 6 of the scanner 2, the motor driver 168 for controlling the scanning motor 166, the sensors including the document size detection sensor 169, the switches, and the solenoids 170. An A / A for connecting to and controlling them, and for performing image processing on image information from the CCD sensor 11 as a photoelectric element.
It is connected to the D conversion circuit 176, the resolution conversion circuit 178, the shading correction circuit 179, the image quality improvement circuit 180, and the binarization circuit 182 to control them.

Next, the printer 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The engine CPU 190 controls a main motor driver 194 for driving the main motor 192 of the printer 3, a sensor including a paper size detection sensor 195, a switch, a driving unit 198 for driving and controlling solenoids 196, and a fixing lamp 200 of the fixing unit 71. Lamp controller 202, charging charger 59, transfer charger 55, peeling charger 56, PCC charger 5
7, a high-voltage output control unit 212 for controlling the discharge roller 58, a discharge lamp control unit 216 for controlling the discharge lamp 58, a feed control unit 224 for controlling the feed roller 222, a feed motor 222 for the pickup roller 81, the laser diode 60, and A modulation circuit 232 for controlling the laser drive circuit 230 for the polygon motor 228 is connected.

The engine CPU 190 controls each connected unit. High-voltage transformers 59a, 55a, 56a, and 57a are provided between the high-voltage output control unit 212 and the charging charger 59, the transfer charger 55, the peeling charger 56, and the PCC charger 57, respectively.

Next, the page memory unit 302 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The page memory unit 302 controls access to the page memory 323 from the basic unit 301, and includes a system control unit 30 having a built-in communication memory 305.
4. Storage means for temporarily storing image data (P
M: page memory) 323, an address control unit 306 for generating an address of the page memory 323, and an image bus 3 for transferring data between devices in the page memory unit 302.
20, a control bus 321 for transferring a control signal between each device in the page memory unit 302 and the system control unit 304, and a data transfer between the page memory 323 and another device via the image bus 320. Data control means 307 for controlling data transfer; image data I for interfacing image data when transferring image data with basic unit 301 via basic unit image interface 317
/ F means 308, when transmitting image data to a device with a different resolution, converts the image data to a resolution of another device, or converts image data received from a device with a different resolution to the resolution of printer 3 of basic unit 301 Resolution conversion / binary rotation means 325 for performing 90-degree rotation processing of binary image data, for devices that compress and transmit or store image data such as facsimile transmission and optical disk storage A compression / expansion means 324 for expanding input image data or expanding image data in a compressed form for visualization printing, and image data I / F means 3
08, a multi-value rotation memory 309 used when outputting image data from the printer 3 by rotating the image data by 90 degrees or -90 degrees.

Next, the facsimile 312 as a facsimile transmitting means and a facsimile receiving means will be described with reference to FIG. The facsimile 312 is connected to a public line,
Modem 24 as a modem for analog line connection
COD which is an encoding / decoding device for binary image data
EC244, 246, EPRO for communication control program
M248, a storage unit for image data,
Pseudo SRAM 252 backed up to 0, work RAM 25 used when performing various processing of image data
4, an additional memory 256, and an ASI for an interface for outputting facsimile reception data to the image processing unit 314
C258.

FIG. 7 shows the structure of an operation panel (control panel) 114 as operation means. That is, the operation panel 114 includes a finisher key 82, a status display 83, a cassette selection key 86 as a means for selecting the sheet cassette 30, a HELP key 87, an automatic paper selection key 88, an automatic magnification selection key 89, a zoom / 100% Key 90, original size key 91, paper size key 92, message display 93, automatic density key 94, manual density key 95, preheat key 96, interrupt key 97, all clear key 98, clear / stop key 99, start key 101 , A timer key 103, a numeric keypad 105, and a function switching key 120.

The finisher key 82 is used to select a sort mode, a group mode, or a staple mode. The display panel 83 blinks and displays various pictograms to indicate the state of the copying machine.

When the selected cassette is not the desired size, the cassette selection key 86 can be pressed to select another cassette. HELP key 87
When pressed as an operation guide key, a message indicating the operation procedure is displayed, and when pressed after setting the function, the settings can be confirmed.

The automatic paper selection key 88 is normally in the automatic paper selection mode, and automatically detects the size of the original set on the original platen (glass) 5 and automatically selects the paper of the same size. Select (only 1: 1 copy).

When the automatic magnification selection key 89 is pressed to select an automatic magnification selection mode and specify a desired paper size, the size of the original set on the original platen (glass) 5 is detected and the automatic copy is performed. Calculate the magnification.

The zoom / 100% key 90 indicates "25%
When the <> key is pressed, the copy magnification is reduced to 25% in increments of 1%. When the “> 800%” key is pressed, the copy magnification increases to 800% in increments of 1%.

When the “100%” key is pressed, the same magnification (100%)
%). The document size key 91 is used when setting a document size. That is, when the paper size is selected and the original size is designated by the original size key 91,
The copy magnification is set automatically.

The paper size key 92 is used to select a paper size. The message display 93 displays the state of the digital copying machine 1, the operation procedure, and various instructions to the user in characters and pictures.

Message display 93 as display means
Has a built-in touch panel and can set functions. When the automatic density key 94 is selected, the digital copying machine 1 automatically detects the density of the document and selects the optimum copy density.

The manual density key 95 allows the user to select a desired copy density in the manual density. By pressing the "light" key, the copy density can be reduced in five steps, and by pressing the "dark" key, the copy density can be reduced in five steps.

When this key is pressed, the preheating key 96 enters a preheating (power saving) state, and all the display lamps are turned off. To make another copy, press this button again.

The interrupt key 97 is used to make an interrupt copy during continuous copying. When the all clear key 98 is pressed, all the selected modes are cleared and the mode returns to the standard state.

The clear / stop key 99 is used to correct the number of copies or to stop the copying operation. A start key 101 is pressed to start copying.

When this key is pressed, the timer key 103
At what time the digital copier 1 is turned on and off is displayed (when a weekly timer is set).
The numeric keypad 105 is used to set the number of copies to be made. The number of copies can be set from 1 to 999.

The function switching key 120 is a key for switching functions such as a facsimile function and a printer function of the digital copying machine 1. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a main part of a control configuration of the composite image forming apparatus according to the above-described options.

This device is mainly composed of the control panel unit 4
01, scanner unit 402, main controller unit 40
3, printer engine unit 404, memory editing unit 405,
It comprises a system unit 406 and a power supply unit 407.

The control panel section 401 includes a control panel CPU 408 for controlling the entire control panel section 401, a RAM 409, a ROM 410, a control panel 411, and a priority card input port 452.
It is composed of

The scanner section 402 includes a scanner CPU 412 for controlling the entire scanner section 402, a CCD 413 for reading analog image data from the scanner, an A / D conversion circuit 414 for performing A / D conversion, an SHD circuit 415 for performing shading correction, and a timing. , A ROM 417, a RAM 418, a mechanic controller 419, an ADF 420, and an editor 421 of a coordinate input device.

The main controller 403 is a main CPU 42 for controlling the entire main controller 403.
2, ROM 423, RAM 424, printer FONT
ROM 425, display ROM 426, data switch / data buffer memory circuit 427 for switching and buffering where data read by scanner unit 402 is sent or how data is sent to the printer engine, compression and decompression, etc. And an image processing unit 428 that performs image editing.

The main CPU 422 controls each unit CPU in addition to the above control. Printer engine 40
4 includes an LCF (Large Cassette Feeder) 432, a laser modulation circuit 433, a laser drive circuit 434, a laser 435, a ROM 436, a RAM 437, a multi-stage paper feed tray 438, and the like.

The memory editing unit 405 includes an image processing unit 428
An image editing unit 439 that edits the image data edited in step 1 and the image data sent from the system unit 406, a compression / expansion unit 440 that performs data compression and expansion, enlargement, reduction,
And an enlargement / reduction / rotation unit 441 for performing rotation, a page memory 444 for storing image data processed by these for each page, an address control unit 442 for managing memory addresses, and a memory management control unit 443 for managing data in the memory. , A CPU control unit 445 that mediates between the system CPU 446 and the main CPU 422 of the system unit 406 and an interrupt control unit 451.

With the above-described configuration, it is possible to combine pages. A system unit 406 is a system CPU 446 that controls the entire system unit and the memory editing unit 405, and is optionally connected to the printer controller unit 4 that converts data from a personal computer or the like into image data.
47, a facsimile unit (FAX) 448, a local area network unit (LAN) 449, a hard disk drive unit (HDD) 450, and the like.

The composite type image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a nonvolatile memory (substantially NVRAM) 453 for storing information necessary for the composite type image forming apparatus, and a signal input from the power supply unit 407 and the voltage monitoring circuit 458.
A system unit 406 that controls recording of information in the 53;
A signal a for notifying the system unit 406 that the AC power has been turned off;
Power supply unit 407 for supplying power to the
A voltage monitoring circuit 458 monitors the power supply voltage supplied to the power supply circuit 06 and outputs a reset signal to the system CPU 446 when the power supply voltage falls from a predetermined voltage range.

Next, the evacuation operation when the power is turned off in the composite image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing a control operation for recording information necessary for the composite image forming apparatus when the power is turned off.

First, when the power of the composite image forming apparatus is turned off due to a power failure or the user turning off the power switch, the AC power detection signal a from the power supply unit 407 becomes low.
ow.

The AC power detection signal a causes an interrupt to the system CPU 446 of the system unit 406, and the system unit 406 saves information necessary for the save operation of the composite image forming apparatus in the NVRAM 453. Start operation.

At this point, the power supply voltage supplied to the system unit 406 starts to decrease, and the operable range of the system unit 406 is soon reached. Power supply voltage monitoring circuit 458
Sets the reset signal to Low when the voltage becomes higher by a predetermined value than the lower limit of the operable range.

The system CPU 446 of this reset signal
Is controlled by a chip select signal (CS) to the NVRAM 453. That is, NVRAM
During the write sequence to the 453, the reset signal is not transmitted to the system CPU 446.
It is transmitted to U446.

As a result, the writing of information necessary for the save operation of the composite image forming apparatus into the NVRAM 453 is completed normally without interruption. At this time, as described above,
The set voltage of the power supply voltage monitoring circuit 458 is set to a voltage higher than the lower limit voltage of the operable range by a predetermined value, and one time N
Although the reset signal output timing is advanced so as to secure the time of the write sequence to the VRAM 453, the power supply voltage holding time is not significantly reduced.

That is, it is possible that one NVRAM 45
This is because the reduction in the power supply voltage due to the backup capacitor is normally sufficiently slow as compared with the time of the write sequence to No. 3, and the time to be secured for this single write sequence to the NVRAM 453 is sufficiently short. .

In the composite image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the system CPU 446 has a 32-bit CP.
An 8-bit access memory is used for the U and NVRAM 453.

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9, the memory access operation in one write sequence to the NVRAM 453 requires 8 bits as shown in FIG.
The access is divided into four accesses for each bit.

Therefore, the memory access operation in the write sequence to the NVRAM 453 is one out of four times.
If normal operation is not performed even in the first operation, the entire 32-bit data becomes erroneous.

Therefore, the system CPU 446 sets the NVR
The data to be saved is written into the AM 453 in such a form that the data to be saved is divided into blocks and up to which block has been normally written can be referred to at the next startup.

In this case, since the data priority level required at the next start-up as the composite image forming apparatus differs for each data, the system CPU 446 sets the NVR.
Data to be saved is written to the AM 453 in such a manner that the order in which data blocks are numbered and saved according to the priority order can be managed.

It is assumed that the numbers indicating the priority order of this block are recorded in a predetermined register in the NVRAM 453 immediately after the recording of the block is completed. Thus, at the next start-up of the composite type image forming apparatus, the user operates the control panel unit 401 to refer to and display a predetermined register in the NVRAM 453, so that the user can determine how far the data has been saved. Can be grasped.

Next, a specific example of the above save operation will be described. In this case, the evacuation operation includes the evacuation operation of the system board and each option board (printer controller 447, FAX 448, LAN 449, HDD 4
50 etc.).

Examples of the contents having the contents to be saved include a facsimile function and a copy function. FIG.
Shows the concept of the evacuation operation in the basic configuration.

In other words, in this basic configuration, the system CPU evacuation unit from the power supply (however, in this case, the evacuation operation of only the copy data) and the copy CPU evacuation unit are performed. Power is supplied.

FIG. 11 shows the concept of a retreat operation when an option board is added. That is, when the option board is added, the system CPU evacuation operation unit (in this case, copy data, FAX
Save operation with the backup data), and save power is supplied to the FAX board save operation unit and the copy CPU save operation unit.

When the option board is added, the evacuation time in the system CPU evacuation unit increases and the power required for evacuation of data supplied from the power supply increases as compared with the basic configuration.

FIG. 12 shows the relationship between the priority of the evacuation operation and the processing required at the time of restarting, using the FAX function as an example. That is, this is an example of the contents executed by the system CPU.

The data to be saved are shown in the order of higher priority. (1) Job type (for example, memory transmission, reception, polling transmission, reception, direct transmission , Reception, etc.),
(2) dial time, (3) call record, end of current communication,
(4) Protocol information, recording of the stage of communication (information on the number of communication sheets), and the like.

Based on the result of the saving operation of the data to be saved, necessary processing at the time of restarting includes:
For the job type (1), it is determined which job is to be performed again.

Further, for the dial time of (2),
If there is no data, the time is not displayed. Also,
For the call record of (3) and the end of the current communication, the interruption of the job is determined, and if there is no data, re-execution is requested.

For the recording of the protocol information and the communication stage in (4), the operation at the time when the job was interrupted is determined, and if there is no data, the re-execution of all processes is requested. .

As described above, according to the present invention, in order to record information necessary for the composite image forming apparatus in the non-volatile memory as reliably as possible when the power supply is cut off, A
The earliest timing (when the AC power is off) by a signal indicating that the C power has been turned off and a power supply that can maintain a voltage that allows the board to operate for a certain period of time after the AC power is turned off
, Writing to the nonvolatile memory is started.

That is, according to the present invention, a signal for detecting the AC power supply OFF and notifying the circuit for controlling the system and a voltage within a range in which the substrate can be operated for a certain period of time after the AC is turned OFF can be supplied to the substrate. Depending on the power supply, necessary data such as the state and time of the composite image forming apparatus at that time is started to be saved in the nonvolatile memory from the earliest timing (AC power supply OFF).

In the present invention, in order to prevent erroneous data recording, the power supply voltage after the AC power supply is turned off is monitored.
When the power supply voltage falls below a voltage required for a normal write operation, the information saving operation is stopped, and information is recorded on which information has been normally saved.

That is, according to the present invention, the evacuation operation is stopped in the middle of the write sequence of the non-volatile memory, so that the evacuation operation to the non-volatile memory is performed normally so that incorrect data is not recorded in the non-volatile memory. The voltage is set, the power supply voltage after the AC power supply is turned off is monitored, and if the voltage deviates from the set value, the operation is stopped when the write sequence of the nonvolatile memory at that time ends, and In a series of save operations, a number or name is added for each content to be saved, and the number or name is written to the memory when the writing of the content is completed. Can be determined.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the recording of information necessary for the composite image forming apparatus, which is started by turning off the power supply, from being interrupted in the middle of the writing sequence and erroneous data being recorded in the memory. In addition to this, it is possible to prevent erroneous operation due to erroneous data at the next startup of the composite image forming apparatus.

Further, according to the present invention, if writing of information necessary for the composite image forming apparatus which is started by turning off the power is not completed to the end, the extent to which the data has been updated is referred to at the next startup. be able to.

Accordingly, the present invention can be summarized as follows. (1) After the AC power supply is turned off, the output from the circuit that monitors the power supply voltage is controlled by the chip select signal to the nonvolatile memory, thereby preventing erroneous data writing to the nonvolatile memory.

(2) If all the data savings have not been completed, it is recorded which data has been written,
The result can be referenced at the next startup. (3) In the composite image forming apparatus of the present invention, the AC power is turned off.
For transmitting the power to the system control circuit;
Power supply means for supplying the power after the FF to the system control circuit, power supply voltage monitoring means for monitoring the power supply voltage after the AC power supply is turned off and notifying that the power supply voltage has dropped from a voltage range necessary for the system control circuit; Control means for controlling a signal indicating that the power supply voltage has dropped from the voltage monitoring means with a signal indicating that a write sequence to the nonvolatile memory is in progress; Recording means for recording.

[0127]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, a combined type with an option which can more reliably perform the evacuation operation when the power is cut off and does not cause a malfunction at the time of restarting. An image forming apparatus and a control method thereof can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a digital copying machine according to a combined image forming apparatus according to an option of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system configuration of the composite image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a scanner unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a basic unit CPU of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a facsimile unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation panel unit of the composite image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a main part of a control configuration of the composite image forming apparatus according to an option of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the operation of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital copying machine 2 ... Scanner 3 ... Printer 4 ... Automatic document feeder 405 ... Memory edit part, 447 ... Printer controller part, 448 ... FAX, 449 ... LAN, 450 ... HDD, 446 ... System CPU, 407 ... Power supply unit 403, a main controller unit, 407, a power supply unit, 453, a nonvolatile memory (NVRAM), 458, a voltage monitoring circuit, 406, a system unit.

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A system control circuit, which includes, in addition to a copying function, an optional printer function, facsimile transmission / reception function, image processing function, and image communication function for communicating image information by being connected to an external device. A composite image forming apparatus having at least one or more optional functions, wherein the system control circuit and an optional board connected to the system control circuit and executing the optional functions are provided with the system when power is turned off. The control circuit and the option board each include an evacuation power supply unit that supplies evacuation power having a voltage in a range operable for a predetermined time necessary for evacuation of data to be evacuated in the nonvolatile memory. Composite image forming apparatus. 2. It has a system control circuit, and includes, in addition to a copying function, an optional printer function, facsimile transmission / reception function, image processing function, and image communication function for communicating image information by being connected to an external device. A composite image forming apparatus having at least one or more optional functions, wherein the system control circuit and an optional board connected to the system control circuit and executing the optional functions are provided with the system when power is turned off. Evacuation power supply means for supplying evacuation power having a voltage in a range within which the control circuit and the option board can operate for a predetermined time necessary for evacuation of data to be evacuated in the non-volatile memory; Data to be evacuated is divided into predetermined units and written to the nonvolatile memory together with a reference code. Composite type image forming apparatus having, characterized by comprising a control means, a. 3. A system control circuit, in addition to a copying function, an optional printer function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, an image processing function, and an image communication function for communicating image information when connected to an external device. A composite image forming apparatus having at least one or more optional functions, wherein the system control circuit and an optional board connected to the system control circuit and executing the optional functions are provided with the system when power is turned off. Evacuation power supply means for supplying evacuation power having a voltage in a range within which the control circuit and the option board can operate for a predetermined time necessary for evacuation of data to be evacuated in the non-volatile memory; Control means for writing data to be saved to the nonvolatile memory with a predetermined priority; A composite image forming apparatus comprising: 4. A system control circuit, which includes an optional printer function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, an image processing function, and an image communication function for communicating image information connected to an external device in addition to a copying function. A composite image forming apparatus having at least one or more optional functions, wherein the system control circuit and an optional board connected to the system control circuit and executing the optional functions are provided with the system when power is turned off. Evacuation power supply means for supplying evacuation power having a voltage in a range within which the control circuit and the option board can operate for a predetermined time necessary for evacuation of data to be evacuated in the nonvolatile memory; Monitoring means for monitoring a power supply voltage; and an output from the monitoring means for chip selection to the nonvolatile memory. A composite type image forming apparatus, comprising: control means for controlling the image forming apparatus according to an image signal. 5. A system control circuit, which includes an optional printer function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, an image processing function, and an image communication function for communicating image information connected to an external device in addition to a copying function. A composite image forming apparatus having at least one or more optional functions, comprising: a transmitting unit configured to transmit a power OFF of the composite image forming apparatus to the system control circuit; and after a power OFF of the composite image forming apparatus. The predetermined backup power is supplied to the system control circuit and an option board connected to the system control circuit to execute the optional function. A voltage having a voltage within a range operable for a predetermined time necessary for saving data to be saved. A power supply unit for supplying power as power for use; a power supply voltage of a predetermined backup power supplied by the power supply unit after the power supply of the composite image forming apparatus is turned off; and a power supply from a predetermined voltage range to the system control circuit. Power supply voltage monitoring means for notifying that the voltage has dropped, and control means for controlling a signal from the power supply voltage monitoring means for notifying that the power supply voltage has dropped with a signal indicating that a write sequence to the nonvolatile memory is in progress. A composite image forming apparatus comprising: 6. A system control circuit, in addition to a copying function, an optional printer function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, an image processing function, and an image communication function for communicating image information by being connected to an external device. A composite image forming apparatus having at least one or more optional functions, comprising: a transmitting unit configured to transmit a power OFF of the composite image forming apparatus to the system control circuit; and after a power OFF of the composite image forming apparatus. When a predetermined backup power is supplied to the system control circuit and an option board that is connected to the system control circuit and executes the optional function, when the power is turned off, each of the system control circuit and the option board is stored in the nonvolatile memory. A voltage having a voltage within a range operable for a predetermined time necessary for saving data to be saved. Power supply means for supplying power for use; monitoring a power supply voltage of a predetermined backup power supplied by the power supply means after turning off the power of the composite image forming apparatus; Power supply voltage monitoring means for notifying that the voltage has dropped; control means for controlling a signal from the power supply voltage monitoring means for notifying that the power supply voltage has dropped with a signal indicating that a write sequence to the nonvolatile memory is in progress; Recording means for ranking data to be saved to a memory and recording which order of data has been saved, a composite image forming apparatus comprising: 7. A system control circuit, in addition to a copying function, an optional printer function, facsimile transmission / reception function, image processing function, and image communication function for communicating image information connected to an external device. A composite image forming apparatus having at least one or more optional functions, wherein the system control circuit and an optional board connected to the system control circuit and executing the optional functions are provided with the system when power is turned off. The control circuit and the option board each include a step of supplying a save power having a voltage within a range operable for a predetermined time necessary for saving data to be saved in the nonvolatile memory. Control method of the image forming apparatus. 8. A system control circuit, in addition to a copying function, an optional printer function, facsimile transmission / reception function, image processing function, and image communication function for communicating image information by being connected to an external device. A composite image forming apparatus having at least one or more optional functions, wherein the system control circuit and an optional board connected to the system control circuit and executing the optional functions are provided with the system when power is turned off. Supplying a save power having a voltage in a range within which the control circuit and the option board can operate for a predetermined time necessary for saving data to be saved to the nonvolatile memory; and data to be saved to the nonvolatile memory. And writing in the nonvolatile memory together with a reference code in a predetermined unit, Control method of a composite type image forming apparatus having, characterized by comprising a. 9. A system control circuit having an optional printer function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, an image processing function, and an image communication function for communicating image information connected to an external device in addition to a copying function. A composite image forming apparatus having at least one or more optional functions, wherein the system control circuit and an optional board connected to the system control circuit and executing the optional functions are provided with the system when power is turned off. Supplying a save power having a voltage in a range within which the control circuit and the option board can operate for a predetermined time necessary for saving data to be saved to the nonvolatile memory; and data to be saved to the nonvolatile memory. Assigning a predetermined priority to the data and writing the data to the nonvolatile memory. A method for controlling a composite image forming apparatus, comprising: 10. A system control circuit, which includes an optional printer function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, an image processing function, and an image communication function for communicating image information connected to an external device in addition to a copying function. A composite image forming apparatus having at least one or more optional functions, wherein the system control circuit and an optional board connected to the system control circuit and executing the optional functions are provided with the system when power is turned off. Supplying a save power having a voltage within a range in which the control circuit and the option board can operate for a predetermined time necessary for saving data to be saved in the nonvolatile memory; and monitoring a power supply voltage after the power is turned off. And a chip select signal to the nonvolatile memory based on the monitoring result of the power supply voltage. Controlling the composite image forming apparatus. 11. A system control circuit, which includes an optional printer function, facsimile transmission / reception function, image processing function, and image communication function for communicating image information connected to an external device in addition to a copying function. Transmitting, to the system control circuit, a power-off of the composite-type image forming apparatus; and a predetermined method after power-off of the composite-type image forming apparatus. When the power is turned off, the system control circuit and the option board save the backup power to the nonvolatile memory for the system control circuit and the option board connected to the system control circuit to execute the optional function. It has a voltage that can operate for a predetermined time necessary to save data to be stored. Supplying the power as evasive power; and monitoring a power supply voltage of the predetermined backup power after the power supply of the composite image forming apparatus is turned off, and informing the system control circuit that the power supply voltage has dropped from a predetermined voltage range. And controlling a signal notifying that the power supply voltage has decreased with a signal indicating that a write sequence to the nonvolatile memory is in progress. Control method. 12. A system control circuit, in addition to a copying function, an optional printer function, facsimile transmission / reception function, image processing function, and image communication function of communicating image information connected to an external device. Transmitting, to the system control circuit, a power-off of the composite-type image forming apparatus; and a predetermined method after power-off of the composite-type image forming apparatus. When the power is turned off, the system control circuit and the option board save the backup power to the nonvolatile memory for the system control circuit and the option board connected to the system control circuit to execute the optional function. It has a voltage that can operate for a predetermined time necessary to save data to be stored. Supplying the power as evasive power; and monitoring a power supply voltage of the predetermined backup power after the power supply of the composite image forming apparatus is turned off, and informing the system control circuit that the power supply voltage has dropped from a predetermined voltage range. And controlling a signal indicating that the power supply voltage has dropped with a signal indicating that a write sequence to the non-volatile memory is in progress. Recording whether or not the image forming apparatus has been retracted.