KR20060082330A - Image forming device and method of controlling power supply - Google Patents

Abstract

An image forming apparatus and a power supply control method are disclosed. The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that receives data from a host device through a USB terminal and receives a predetermined voltage, and converts external power to supply driving power to each component of the image forming apparatus. The power supply unit includes a power supply unit, a switching unit to select whether to supply driving power, and a controller to control the switching unit according to whether the state of the image forming apparatus is an operation mode or a power saving mode by a voltage supplied from the host device. This can improve the problem of wasting power in a power saving mode.

USB power, sleep mode, switching unit

Description

Image forming device and method of controlling power supply

1 is a block diagram showing a USB system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a configuration diagram for describing a power supply control by the switching unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

3 is a configuration diagram using the power supply and the USB power shown in Figure 1, and,

4 is a flowchart illustrating a power control method of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

100: printer 110: USB interface unit

120: storage 130: power supply

140: print engine 150: operation panel

155: sub-control unit 160: main control unit

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a power control method, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus and a power control method for receiving data from a host device through a USB terminal and receiving a predetermined voltage.

Recently, an image forming apparatus having a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection terminal has been gradually increasing. USB is a serial bus designed to easily connect personal computers and peripherals, and adds on peripherals such as printers, modems, scanners, digital cameras, and camcorders directly when the personal computer is turned on. To be immediately available. In the case of a photo printer or a multifunction device, it is being developed to perform a printing function by directly connecting to a peripheral device such as a digital camera. In addition, it is being developed to print print data through various storage media.

On the other hand, when the multifunction apparatus does not perform a print operation or the like for a predetermined time, the multifunction apparatus shifts to a sleep mode in order to save energy. Here, the sleep mode means a power saving mode which is an energy saving mode.

In addition, application software for managing the network is known. By installing such software on a computer, it becomes possible to know the status of the multifunction apparatus connected to the network. For example, when paper out occurs, the state of paper out can be displayed on the monitor of the computer.

In particular, in the case of a multifunction device using a switching mode power supply (SMPS), the DC power supply of the SMPS is simultaneously supplied to the main control unit (sub CPU) and the sub micom. Therefore, even if the DC power supply for each component is cut off when the multifunction device is in the power saving mode, its power consumption of about 2W is maintained as it is by the SMPS efficiency.

Therefore, despite the state of achieving energy saving mode called power saving mode, whenever the state of the multifunction device is inquired, it is necessary to supply power to the entire multifunction device or to always power on the multifunction device. Contrary to energy savings. In particular, since 2006, there is a problem that power consumption requirements of the MFP (Multifunctional Peripheral) model prescribed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cannot be satisfied.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a power control method using a USB power source in a power saving mode.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention for solving the above problems is an image forming apparatus that receives data from a host device through a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal, and receives a predetermined voltage, by converting an external power source A power supply unit supplying driving power to each component of the image forming apparatus; A switching unit for selecting whether to supply the driving power; And a controller configured to control the switching unit according to whether the state of the image forming apparatus is an operation mode or a power saving mode by the voltage supplied from the host device.

Preferably, the sensing unit for detecting the state change request; further includes.

The control unit controls the switching unit so that the state is changed to the power saving mode and the driving power is cut off and a predetermined voltage is supplied from the USB power supply when the state where the respective components are not driven continues for a predetermined time or more. do.

When the state in which the data is not received continues for a predetermined time or more, the control unit changes the state to the power saving mode so that the driving power is cut off and the switching unit is supplied so that a predetermined voltage is supplied from the USB power source. To control.

On the other hand, the power control method of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is a power control method of the image forming apparatus that receives data from a host device via a USB terminal, and receives a predetermined voltage, the method of detecting the state of the image forming apparatus step; Supplying driving power to each component of the image forming apparatus when the state is an operation mode; When the parts are not driven or the state in which the data is not received continues for a predetermined time or more, the state is changed to a power saving mode so that the driving power is cut off and a predetermined voltage is supplied from the USB power supply; It includes.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail an embodiment of the present invention. However, in the following description of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the following description, for convenience of description, a computer will be described as a host device and a printer as an image forming device, for example, but the scope of the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a USB system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the USB system includes a computer 200 as a USB host and a printer 100 as a USB device.

The printer 100 includes a USB interface unit 110, a storage unit 120, a power supply unit 130, a print engine unit 140, an operation panel 150, and a main control unit 160.

The USB interface unit 110 has data lines D + and D- through which print data is transmitted, a power supply line VBUS to which + 5V power is supplied, and the like.

The storage unit 120 includes a ROM for storing a program for overall driving and control of the printer 100, and a RAM for temporarily storing print data received from the computer 200.

The power supply unit 130 supplies power for driving each component of the printer 100 by converting external power, and has a switching unit 135 for selecting whether to supply driving power.

The print engine 140 has a print head and a motor (not shown) that substantially performs a printing operation, and a drive voltage for operating the print engine 140 is approximately + 30V.

The operation panel 150 is a sensing unit, and an operation button (not shown) for inputting a user's selection command to the printer 100 is provided, and a selection switch for turning on / off (a touch switch: S / W). Is also provided.

In particular, the operation panel 150 detects the case where the operation button is selected by the user as a signal for requesting a state change.

In this embodiment, the case of selection input of the operation button is described as a state change request signal, but the state change request signal may include a ring signal received from the outside and driving of the computer 200, and the like. Is not limited only to the selection input of the operation button.

The main controller 160 controls all operations of the printer 100 according to a program stored in the storage 120, and transmits information according to a state change to the sub-control unit 155.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a power supply control by the switching unit illustrated in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a combination of the power supply unit shown in FIG. 1 and a USB power source.

1 to 3, the control of the power supplied to the printer 100 will be described in detail.

The power supply unit 130 is a transformer (137) to the first primary side that receives the AC power input directly from the AC power cord, and the second secondary side for converting the power of the first primary side to the DC power for the printer It is composed.

The switching unit 135 is provided on the first vehicle side of the power supply unit 130 to select and switch the supply of power under the control of the main controller 160, and receive the switching control signal transmitted from the sub-control unit 155. And a signal receiver 135a and a switch 135b.

The main controller 160 allows the state of the printer 100 to be changed to a power saving mode when the state where each component of the printer 100 is not driven continues for a predetermined time or more. Here, the predetermined time refers to a time preset by the application program in the main controller 160.

In addition, the "state" refers to the accumulation status of the current job, the processing status, the size setting of the present paper cassette, the presence or absence of paper in the paper cassette, the connection status of the option, the presence of toner, and the like.

When the information according to the state change received from the main control unit 160 is information on the power saving mode, the sub-control unit 155 transmits a power supply signal to the signal receiving unit 135a provided in the switching unit 135.

According to the power supply signal received by the signal receiver 135a, the switch 135b of the switching unit 135 is turned on or turned off to determine the operation of the main controller 160 again.

That is, when the state of the printer 100 is the normal operation mode, when the switching signal for receiving the driving power from the power supply unit 130 is transmitted to the signal receiving unit 135a, the power supply unit under the control of the main control unit 160 The driving power is supplied from 130 to each component of the printer 100.

On the other hand, when the state of the printer 100 is changed to the power saving mode, a switching signal that prevents the driving power from being supplied from the power supply unit 130 is transmitted to the signal receiving unit 135a, and under the control of the main control unit 160, the power supply unit Supply of driving power is cut off from 130.

In particular, when the state of the printer 100 is changed to the power saving mode, when the driving power supplied from the power supply unit 130 is cut off, the USB power is supplied through the USB interface unit 110.

As shown in FIG. 3, when a diode 137 is provided between the USB interface 110 and the power supply 130, the driving power supplied from the power supply 130 is cut off. Only the current flowing in the direction from 110 flows.

Therefore, when the printer 100 is in the power saving mode, the driving power supplied from the power supply unit 130 may be cut off, and the USB power through the USB interface unit 110 may be used. As a result, the sub-control unit 155 in the operation panel 150 can detect the change of state even under low power supplied by the USB power supply, thereby satisfying the problem of energy saving.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a power control method of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 4, the state of the printer 100 is sensed through whether or not each component of the printer 100 is driven (S310).

When the user selects and inputs an operation button provided in the operation panel 150, the operation panel 150 detects the signal as a request for changing the state of the printer 100. Of course, not only the selection input of the operation button but also a ring signal received from the outside and the driving of the computer 200 are signals for requesting a change of state.

When the state of the printer 100 is not the operation mode (S320, NO), when each component of the printer 100 is not being driven, the main controller 160 is changed to the power saving mode (S330). Then, under the control of the main controller 160, the sub-control unit 155 transmits a power supply cutoff signal to the signal receiver 135a, and the switch 135b is turned off according to the received power supply cutoff signal.

Subsequently, the driving power supplied from the power supply unit 130 is cut off, and the USB power is supplied from the USB interface unit 110 (S340).

On the other hand, when the state of the printer 100 is in the operation mode (S320, YES), each component of the printer 100 is being driven. In this case, driving power is supplied to each component of the printer 100 from the power supply unit 130 (S350).

As described above, when the state of the printer is changed to the power saving mode, it is possible to detect the state change of the printer under low power using the USB power. Therefore, it is possible to improve the problem of waste of power when using the driving power supplied in the printer regardless of the state change.

 While the above has been shown and described with respect to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, it is usually in the technical field to which the invention belongs without departing from the spirit of the invention claimed in the claims. Various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or the prospect of the present invention.

Claims (5)

In an image forming apparatus that receives data from a host device through a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal and receives a predetermined voltage, A power supply unit converting external power to supply driving power to each component of the image forming apparatus; A switching unit for selecting whether to supply the driving power; And And a controller configured to control the switching unit according to whether the state of the image forming apparatus is an operation mode or a power saving mode by the voltage supplied from the host device. According to claim 1, And a sensing unit for sensing the state change request. According to claim 1, The control unit, If the state in which each component is not driven for a predetermined time or more, the state is changed to the power saving mode, the driving power is cut off, and the switching unit is controlled to supply a predetermined voltage from the USB power source An image forming apparatus. According to claim 1, The control unit, When the state in which the data is not received continues for a predetermined time or more, the state is changed to the power saving mode, the driving power is cut off, and controlling the switching unit to supply a predetermined voltage from the USB power source Image forming apparatus. In the power control method of an image forming apparatus that receives data from a host device through a USB terminal, and receives a predetermined voltage, Detecting a state of the image forming apparatus; Supplying driving power to each component of the image forming apparatus when the state is an operation mode; And When the parts are not driven or the state in which the data is not received continues for a predetermined time or more, the state is changed to a power saving mode so that the driving power is cut off and a predetermined voltage is supplied from the USB power supply; Power control method of the image forming apparatus comprising a.

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