JP2002132389A - Electronics - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to practically execute securing of important data in a memory and power control of a main power supply or a device including a backup power supply system. A backup power supply is supplied from a battery to a memory for storing important data when a power failure occurs. Using one circuit of a contact of a main switch 18 for turning on or off a main power supply of the apparatus, the main switch 18 operates in conjunction with the main switch 18 to supply backup power from the battery 14 to the memory 113 when the main power supply is cut off. Stop and battery 1
4, the number of charge / discharge cycles is reduced, the deterioration of the battery 14 is prevented, and the life of the battery 14 is extended. On the other hand, a soft switch 18a for controlling the main switch 18 is provided.
The main power supply cutoff operation is controlled according to the presence or absence of important data in the main power supply.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus, and more particularly to an electronic apparatus having a main switch for controlling turning on and off a main power supply of an apparatus, and a soft switch for controlling mechanical opening and closing of the main switch.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in various electronic devices, unexpected power supply troubles, that is, power failures, breaker cutoffs,
In the case where a trouble such as the main power supply of the apparatus is stopped due to a disconnection of a power supply line or the like, a technique for backing up data stored in a memory of the apparatus is used.

For example, in a device such as a facsimile machine or a so-called digital multifunction peripheral that integrates a facsimile function and a printer function (or the like), it is necessary to prevent data of a received image or a transmission reservation image from being lost in the event of a power failure. The data stored in the image memory is backed up. Devices that perform this type of communication include telephone number data, communication record logs (so-called communication management data such as communication time, required time, and communication results).
Data for controlling and managing communication is also backed up.

As a backup means, there is a method of storing data to be backed up in a hard disk. However, in terms of cost and mounting space, a secondary battery (NiCd battery, lead battery, vanadium lithium battery,
A configuration in which a memory such as a DRAM is backed up by another rechargeable battery is widely used.

Although a similar backup power supply is used for driving a real-time clock, it is considered that this configuration also backs up the clock data of the real-time clock, and can be regarded as a backup system having the same meaning as described above. it can.

[0006]

In the above-described configuration using the secondary battery for memory backup, the deterioration of the secondary battery is a serious problem. Generally, the deterioration of a rechargeable battery used as a secondary battery of this type is accelerated when the temperature is high, and is accelerated by repeating a cycle of charge and complete discharge. In this sense, it is considered important to reduce the number of repetitions of the cycle from charge to complete discharge in order to prevent deterioration of the secondary battery.

On the other hand, there is a demand that some users want to shut off the main power supply at night or the like and save power as much as possible. In such a usage form where the main power supply is turned on / off every day, the above-mentioned backup battery is consumed. It becomes a problem.

[0008] The data in the memory whose contents should be backed up by the backup system must be important data such that erasure of the data will hinder the operation of the device. If the secondary battery is exhausted and important data cannot be backed up when it is important, it is overkill.

Therefore, in conjunction with a main switch for controlling the turning on and off of the main power supply of the apparatus, the power supply from the backup battery to the memory (ie, the discharge of the backup battery) is stopped to reduce the cycle of charging and discharging the backup battery. Such a configuration is also conceivable.

Alternatively, the assumption that the data stored in the memory is always important and should always be backed up is stopped, and the user can use the main power supply of the apparatus or the backup power supply system as necessary. There may be a case in which a configuration that can block the traffic may be more realistic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to make it possible to effectively secure important data in a memory and to perform power control of a main power supply or a device including a backup power supply system. is there.

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided, in accordance with the present invention, a memory powered by a main power supply of an apparatus, a main switch for controlling the turning on and off of the main power supply of the apparatus, and In an electronic device having a soft switch for controlling mechanical opening and closing of a main switch, when the main switch is instructed to be turned off by the main switch by the soft switch, important data such that the operation of the device is hindered by erasure thereof is stored in the electronic device. A configuration is employed in which it is determined whether or not the data is stored in the memory, and control means for controlling the main power cutoff operation by the main switch according to the result of the determination is provided.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, first, a first embodiment having a direction to prevent the consumption of the backup battery is shown.
Next, a second embodiment will be described in which the user can shut off the main power supply as necessary even in a state where there is no backup of memory data.

<First Embodiment> In the present embodiment,
In the event of a power failure such as an unexpected power outage, the backup power supply function that ensures that important data is backed up and retained as the most important thing. For that purpose, 1) The cycle of charging to complete discharge of the battery constituting the secondary battery Reducing the number of repetitions 2) Sudden power troubles are distinguished from normal main power cut-offs, and the main power cut-off routinely performed uses a configuration in which the discharge of the battery constituting the secondary battery is stopped. .

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a main part of a backup system for electronic equipment employing the above-described technical concept.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 14 denotes a battery constituting a secondary battery. The electronic apparatus according to the present embodiment is a facsimile apparatus or a digital multifunction peripheral, and the battery 14 only needs to be able to forcibly record and output image data received from an image memory (not shown) or input from a scanner or the like as in an unexpected power failure. If the operation for data security cannot be performed, for example, recording is not possible due to running out of recording paper, etc.
It is necessary to prevent interruption of the main power supply by the main switch 18 and stop of the backup linked thereto, or to warn the user at least. In addition, when information on a transmission reservation remains and it is necessary to transmit at a fixed time by a timer transmission or the like, the interruption of the main power supply must be prohibited.

Reference numerals 11 and 12 denote resistors for dividing the power supply voltage of the 5 V power supply of the present apparatus.
Charge. The diode 13 is for preventing backflow.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a diode for preventing backflow. Via this diode 15, backup power is supplied to the memory 113. A switch 114 is inserted between the diode 15 and the memory 113, and the function of the switch 114 will be described later.

The memory 113 is composed of an inexpensive DRAM in terms of the memory capacity and cost. Symbol 112
Is a DRAM controller for controlling the DRAM constituting the memory 113. Controller 112,
The configuration around the memory 113 will be described later in more detail.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a main switch of the present apparatus, which has two built-in contacts as shown in the figure. One of the two circuits of the main switch 18 controls turning on / off of the main power of the apparatus, and determines whether to supply the commercial AC power input from the AC plug 17 to the AC input unit 19 as the main power. Control.

Although the main switch 18 is a mechanical switch here, it may be constituted by an analog switch or the like.

The AC input unit 19 controls power supply to a main power supply circuit (not shown), and functions to turn on / off the power of the entire system according to connection / disconnection on the hot side by the main switch 18. In the present embodiment, the AC input unit 1
Reference numeral 9 denotes a filter which is a measure against line noise, an earth leakage breaker which is a safety circuit, and a door switch which is a safety circuit at the time of jam clearance of a copying machine.

In the latter part of the AC input section 19, the switching power supply for supplying the above-mentioned 5V power supply and other various power supply voltages, a fixing heater necessary for an electrophotographic copying machine, and the like are included. Are not directly related to the above and are not shown. Further, since the configuration necessary for actually configuring the digital multifunction peripheral is not a new technology, the illustration and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Hereinafter, the control of the battery constituting the memory and the secondary battery which are the core of the present invention will be described in more detail.

Blocks indicated by reference numerals 110 and 111 are provided around the memory 113 and the controller 112.

First, reference numeral 110 denotes a power supply voltage detecting section for detecting shutdown of the 5V power supply. The power supply voltage detection unit 110 detects shutdown of the 5V power supply with a threshold value of about 4.7V.

Normally, in the main power supply state (power supply via the AC input unit 19), the memory 113 operates by the main power supply. However, if the power supply is shut down due to a sudden power failure or the like, the memory 113 operates. Of the DRAM constituting the battery 14
To enter a self-refresh mode in which backup is performed with a low current. That is, the controller 112 shifts to the self-refresh mode based on the detection result of the power supply voltage detector 110. Naturally, the threshold voltage is set to about 4.7 V because the controller 112 needs to enter the self-refresh mode before the power supply voltage (5 V) falls below the logic operation guarantee level.

On the other hand, the voltage detection unit 111
The deterioration is detected by detecting the output voltage.
In the present embodiment, when detecting that the output voltage of the battery 14 is 2.5 V or less, the CPU 121 that controls the entire apparatus via the controller 112 determines that the battery 14 has deteriorated, and necessity of replacing the battery is required. Is displayed as a warning using the display unit 123 of the operation unit 122.

The battery 1 is detected by the voltage detecting unit 111.
It is not necessary to always perform the output voltage detection of No. 4 and, in this embodiment, monitor once about when the power supply voltage of 110 becomes 4.5 V or more after turning on the main power supply. May be displayed.

The operating section 122 is provided with operating means necessary for operating the apparatus, such as a keyboard (not shown). The above-described main switch 18 and switch 114 are also arranged on the operating section 122 if necessary.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a circuit for switching the power supplied to the memory 113 between a 5 V system supplied from the main power supply circuit and a battery, and includes a diode and a resistor. When the supply of 5 V from the main power supply is cut off, backup power is supplied from the battery 14 to the memory 113 via the diode 15 and the main switch 18 (or the switch 114).

The discharge of the battery 14 (that is, the supply of the backup current to the memory 113) can be stopped in conjunction with the interruption of the main switch 18 described later.
The operation is prohibited in response to the closing of.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. Here, it is assumed that the switch 114 is open. In this state, the operation of stopping the discharge of the battery 14 in conjunction with the interruption of the main switch 18 is effective (FIG. 1).
State).

When the main switch 18 is closed (two circuits are closed at the same time), the main power of the apparatus is turned on via the AC input section 19, whereby each section of the apparatus becomes operable. At this time, the battery 14 is charged via the diode 13, and (if the 5 V output exceeds the threshold value of the power supply voltage detection unit 110), the controller 112
3 is operated in the normal mode.

In this state, if the main power supply output is reduced due to an unexpected power failure or the like while the main switch 18 is closed, the power supply voltage detection unit 110 detects the 5 V system output reduction as described above. Then, under the control of the controller 112, the self-refresh mode is entered to back up the contents of the memory 113 with a low current using the battery 14. In this state, backup power is supplied from the battery 14 to the memory 113 via the diode 15 and the main switch 18 (the lower circuit in the figure).

On the other hand, when the user manually shuts off the main switch 18 at night or the like, one lower circuit in the figure of the main switch 18 is opened (simultaneously, one upper circuit in the figure is also opened). If the switch 114 is open at this time, the battery 1
4 is disconnected from the power supply path of the backup system, and discharging of the battery 14 (power supply to the memory 113 side) is stopped.
Thus, the number of charge / discharge cycles of the battery 14 can be reduced, and deterioration of the battery 14 can be prevented.

When the switch 114 is open, the image data and the like stored in the memory 113 are not backed up. What is necessary is just to make the AC input unit 19 output before the main power supply is completely turned off by using the forced recording output function provided in the kind of equipment.

The memory storing the telephone number data, the communication management data, and other important data may use a non-volatile memory different from the memory 113, or may be separately provided by a backup power supply of another system (not shown). Just backup it.

In this manner, the number of charge / discharge cycles of the battery 14 can be reduced, the deterioration of the battery 14 can be prevented, and the life of the battery 14 can be prolonged. The original backup function can be reliably performed in the event of a power failure such as disconnection.

In this embodiment, the main switch 18 is constituted by a mechanical switch, and
The power supply line is mechanically linked to the main power supply cutoff operation and physically disconnected to discharge the battery, that is, to stop the backup power supply. The effect can be obtained.

Further, since a switch 114 for short-circuiting a portion of the backup power supply line cut off by the main switch 18 is provided by the battery 14, the user can switch the main switch 18 according to demand.
, The operation of stopping the supply of the backup power can be selected as valid / invalid.

For example, a user who does not turn off the main power supply can select a mode in which the switch 114 is short-circuited, and can protect the contents of the memory 113 when the main switch is turned off by mistake. Conversely, a user who does not need the FAX function at midnight and wants to turn off the main power of the apparatus every night may use the mode in which the switch 114 is opened to protect information only in the event of a power failure such as a power failure or momentary interruption. it can. Switch 1
Various names are conceivable as the name of the switch 14, depending on which part of the function of the switch 114 is important, such as a "backup battery protection mode switch" or a "memory backup emphasis mode switch".

<Second Embodiment> The structure of the first embodiment shows the basic structure of the present invention. In the present invention, the battery 14 is for an unexpected power supply trouble.
This is based on the idea that when the main switch 18 is turned off, less important data need not be backed up. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not intended to completely stop backup of important data.

In the following, the user is required to prohibit the cutoff of the backup power supply in conjunction with the main power cutoff operation by the main switch, prohibit the main switch cutoff, or delete the important data as required. A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

For example, in the case of a facsimile apparatus, for image data received in memory but not yet recorded,
As described above, it is only necessary to be able to perform forced recording output. However, in the case where an operation for data security cannot be performed, for example, recording is not possible due to running out of recording paper, etc. You need to prevent outages or at least warn users. In addition, when information on a transmission reservation remains and it is necessary to transmit at a fixed time by a timer transmission or the like, the interruption of the main power supply must be prohibited.

That is, important data (the above-mentioned unrecorded received data, control data for timer transmission, and image data) that may cause serious damage by erasing exist in the memory 113, and The CPU 121 detects whether or not there is a condition that cannot shut down and stop the backup in conjunction therewith, and prevents the main switch 18 from shutting off the main power supply or warns the user. Conceivable.

FIG. 2 shows the circuit configuration of this embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 1 shows an external view of a facsimile apparatus (or digital multifunction peripheral) as an example of an apparatus in which the circuit configuration of FIG. 2 is implemented.

In this embodiment, the main switch 18
The circuit is configured by a switch with a shutdown function (or an analog switch) or the like, and is not disposed on the operation unit 122 but is disposed on the side of the apparatus as shown in FIG.

The switch with the shutdown function which constitutes the main switch 18 has the appearance of a seesaw switch as shown enlarged on the right side of FIG. 3, and is a switch for turning the power on and off mechanically. A signal line for shutting down is provided, and a mechanical switch mechanism controlled by a suitable internal driving means (solenoid or the like) by inputting a shutdown signal (121b in FIG. 2) can shut off the circuit. It was done.

That is, when a switch shutdown signal with a shutdown function constituting the main switch 18 is input, the mechanical contact of the switch is opened. To turn on the power again, the user manually pushes the switch to close the mechanical contacts.

This switch is used in a copying machine or the like having a function of automatically turning off the power supply at night, and it is necessary for the CPU to output a shutdown signal at the set time and shut off the switch. Often used in cases.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a software switch 18a for the user to input an instruction to turn off the power is provided on the operation unit 122 (the main switch 18 is provided on the operation unit 122). Not placed).

The switch 114 is constituted by an analog switch or the like so that the CPU 121 can keep the switch 114 closed by the signal 121c. That is, in the case of the present embodiment, the switch 114
It is used as switch means for forcibly securing power supply from the battery 14 to the memory 113.

When using the main switch 18 and the soft switch 18a as described above, the CPU 121
Alternatively, control as shown in FIG. 5 is performed. 4 or 5 is stored in the ROM 121a or the like as a control program of the CPU 121 in advance.

First, the control shown in FIG. 4 will be described.

When turning off the power, the user inputs an instruction to turn off the power using the soft switch 18a. And
When power-off is instructed by the soft switch 18a (step S11), the CPU 121 stores important data that may cause serious damage by erasure due to suspension of backup power supply to the memory 113.
It is determined whether the state is such that the main power supply cannot be cut off and the backup stopped in conjunction therewith (step S12). Such a determination can be made by checking the state of various flags and control parameters stored in a control memory (not shown) for controlling the operation of the apparatus.

If the CPU 121 detects an operation state in which backup cannot be stopped,
The PU 121 may prohibit the interruption of the two circuits of the main switch 18 (do not output the shutdown signal) and end the processing, but it is kind to perform the control as in steps S13 to S15 in FIG.

That is, first, a warning that important data in the memory 113 is likely to be erased and a prompt for a user response to the warning are displayed on the display unit 123 of the operation unit 122 (step S13). Further, a user response to this is obtained (step S14). The user's response of YES or NO is made by an appropriate key operation of the operation unit 122.

If the user has answered "YES", that is, has responded to the effect that the main switch 18 may be turned off, the process proceeds to step S15, in which the two circuits of the main switch 18 are turned off. If a response to stop the shutoff of the switch 18 is made, no further power-off control is executed.

In step S12 of FIG. 4, the state of the switch 114 composed of an analog switch is further checked. Only when the switch 114 is open, the process proceeds to step S13, and when the switch 114 is closed. Since there is no risk of damage to important data, the process may directly proceed to step S15.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, when power-off is instructed by the soft switch 18a, the memory 11 is turned off.
If important data exists in the switch 3, the switch 114 constituted by an analog switch may be forcibly closed in order to prevent damage to the important data.

That is, when power-off is instructed by the soft switch 18a (step S21), the CPU 12
1 determines whether or not important data is stored in the memory 113 (step S22), and when detecting a condition that the main power supply cannot be shut down and the backup stopped in conjunction therewith is detected, the analog switch is activated by a signal 121c. The configured switch 114 is forcibly closed (step S23), and the backup of the memory 113 by the battery 14 is enabled. If important data is not stored in the memory 113, the main switch 18 is turned off (step S24).

According to the present embodiment, with the above-described configuration, important data (the above-mentioned unrecorded received data, control data for timer transmission, and image data) that can cause serious damage by erasure can be reliably obtained. Can be protected.

In particular, according to the control of FIG. 4, when the user instructs the main power supply to be turned off by the soft switch 18a,
If important data is stored in the memory 113, a warning to that effect can be received. Therefore, the user can forcibly shut down the main power supply without backing up important data in the memory as necessary. If the data in the memory is considered to be important, the main power shutdown once instructed can be stopped.

Further, according to the control of FIG. 5, when the main power supply is instructed by the soft switch 18a, if important data is stored in the memory 113, the switch 114 is used to output the data from the backup battery 14. Since the power supply can be forcibly secured, the loss of important data in the memory can be prevented.

In the above, the backup power supply system in a facsimile apparatus or a digital multifunction peripheral has been described as an embodiment. Such)
Needless to say, it is applicable to

[0067]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a memory powered by the main power supply of the apparatus, a main switch for controlling turning on and off the main power supply of the apparatus, In an electronic device having a soft switch for controlling mechanical opening and closing, when the main switch is commanded to be turned off by the main switch by the soft switch, important data that is erased and hinders the operation of the device is stored in the memory. It is determined whether or not important data is stored in the memory, because a configuration having control means for controlling the main power cutoff operation by the main switch according to the determination result is adopted. And controlling the main power cutoff operation by the main switch according to the result of the determination, for example,
When the important data is stored in the memory, mechanical opening of the main switch is prohibited, or when the important data is stored in the memory, the important data is erased. A backup battery that warns the user or supplies power to the memory while the main power is shut off, and a switch that controls power supply to the memory from the backup battery is provided, and the important data is stored in the memory. Can control the power supply from the backup battery to the memory forcibly through the switch means, and can secure important data in the memory and a main power supply, or further include a backup power supply system. Power supply control of the device can be executed realistically,
There is an excellent effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an electronic device employing the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an electronic device employing the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external view of an electronic device employing the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure executed by a CPU 121 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a different control procedure executed by a CPU 121 of FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 13 Diode 14 Battery 15 Diode 17 AC Plug 18 Main Switch 18a Soft Switch 19 AC Input Unit 111 Voltage Detector 112 Controller 113 Memory 114 Switch 121 CPU 122 Operating Unit 123 Display

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An electronic apparatus comprising: a memory powered by a main power supply of an apparatus, a main switch for controlling turning on and off of a main power supply of the apparatus, and a soft switch for controlling mechanical opening and closing of the main switch. When the main switch is commanded to be turned off by the main switch by the soft switch, it is determined whether or not important data that causes a problem with the operation of the device due to the erasure is stored in the memory. An electronic apparatus, comprising: a control unit that controls a main power cutoff operation by the main switch. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit prohibits the mechanical opening of the main switch when the important data is stored in the memory in the determination. machine. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control unit warns a user that the important data is deleted when the important data is stored in the memory in the determination. Electronic device as described. 4. A backup battery for supplying power to the memory while the main power supply is shut off, and switch means for controlling power supply to the memory from the backup battery, wherein the control means determines that the important data is 2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when stored in a memory, power supply from the backup battery to the memory is forcibly secured through the switch means.