JP2009048548A - Image processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

Even when a USB device is provided on an operation panel, it is possible to return from a power saving mode by a key touch from an operation unit.
An image processing apparatus has a plurality of power saving modes, and includes an operation panel 4 equipped with a microcomputer for displaying a device status and detecting a key, and a controller 1, both of which include at least two interfaces 15. , 16 and when the image processing apparatus is in the power saving mode, at least one interface 16 is not subject to power saving control, and the other interface 15 is subject to power saving control. The interface 15 is a USB interface, and the interface 15 transmits a return signal from the power saving mode by key detection of the operation panel 4 to the controller 1 via the interface 16 in the power saving mode.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and in particular, an image forming apparatus capable of easily transmitting information from an operation unit to a control unit for returning from a power saving mode by key touch of the operation unit. About.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image processing apparatuses in MFPs and the like have been improved in operation panels (operation screens, display screens, animations / moving images, memory I / F, etc.). Data transfer amount between the control unit and the controller (control unit) is increasing, and it is indispensable to adopt a high-speed interface. In addition, a wide variety of products, from those equipped with a color high-function operation panel to those that can display only a few lines of monochrome characters, are easy to make common in order to develop and bring a wide variety of products to the market. Adoption of an interface such as a high-speed serial interface USB is demanded.

  On the other hand, there is a further demand for power saving of devices, and power saving is achieved by utilizing the energy saving mode etc. of each device, but further lower power consumption is required, and general-purpose interfaces are image processed. New challenges have also arisen when applied to devices.

  1 and 2 are block diagrams showing a configuration example of an image processing apparatus according to the prior art. The image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is an example of an image processing apparatus having an expensive operation panel. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation panel 4, an engine controller 10 such as a printer and a scanner, and a control unit for controlling these. It is comprised by the controller 1 as follows.

  As described above, the controller 1 includes the ASIC 3 including the network I / F unit, the Panel I / F unit, the USB I / F unit, the Engine I / F unit, and the Power Save unit, and the CPU 2. The operation panel 4 includes an LCD 7 as a display unit of the operation panel, an LCD controller 5 that controls the LCD 7, an LED 8 as a display lamp, various keys SW (including soft switches) 9, and a sub power key SW17. And the microcomputer 6. The microcomputer 6 exchanges information with the controller 1 to control the lighting of the LED 8, controls the display on the LCD 7 via the LCD controller 5, captures the state of the key SW 9, and transmits it to the controller 1. . The image processing apparatus having an expensive operation panel as described above is provided with the sub power key SW17, and normally the LCD 7, the engine controller 10, and other power supplies are turned off in the energy saving mode. .

  On the other hand, the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is an example of an image processing apparatus having an inexpensive operation panel, and the configuration thereof is a configuration in which the sub power key SW17 of the operation panel 4 is eliminated from the configuration of the example shown in FIG. It becomes the same. However, in the case of an example of such an image processing apparatus having an inexpensive operation panel, the LCD 7 itself is generally an inexpensive one such as a monochrome STN type LCD. For this reason, an image processing apparatus having such an inexpensive operation panel consumes less power than the operation panel. Therefore, the power control function is eliminated and the engine controller 10 is turned off in the energy saving mode. In some cases, the LCD 7 is kept displayed while the power is supplied.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an image processing apparatus according to the prior art when a USB interface and a memory card slot are arranged on the front surface of the apparatus. As described above, in recent years, there has been a request to arrange a USB interface and a memory card slot on the front surface of the device, and the example shown in FIG. 3 is an example of an image processing apparatus configured according to such a request.

  The image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 3 controls the memory card by connecting the USB Hub 11, the USB-I / F 12 connected to the Hub 11, the memory card I / F 14, the memory card I / F 14 and the USB Hub 11 to the operation panel 4. A memory card controller 13 is provided, and the USB Hub 11 and the USB-I / F provided in the ASIC 3 of the controller 1 are connected by a USB interface 15 that is a high-speed serial interface to exchange information. In other respects, the configuration is the same as that described with reference to FIGS. According to the image processing apparatus configured as described above, the user can connect and use another device from the front side via the USB-I / F 12 to the image processing apparatus, and the memory card I / F 14 can be used. Various memory cards can be connected to and used. Also in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 3, the LCD 7, the engine controller 10, and other power sources can be turned off in the energy saving mode. Further, the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 3 shifts the USB Hub 11 in the operation panel 4 and the USB-I / F portion of the ASIC 3 in the controller 1 to the energy saving state when the clock is stopped or the power is turned off in the energy saving mode. Can do.

For example, a technique described in Patent Document 1 is known as a conventional technique related to an energy saving technique of an image processing apparatus. In this prior art, a CPU provided in an operation unit has an energy saving controller function, and controls the shift to and release of an apparatus from an energy saving mode.
JP 2004-255658 A

  When the image processing apparatus according to the related art shown in FIG. 3 described above is in the energy saving mode, it notifies the controller side that there has been a key input from the USB device side of the operation panel to the controller side. It is something that cannot be done. For this reason, it is necessary for this prior art to release the energy-saving mode by transmitting and receiving data to and from the microcomputer on the operation panel at regular time intervals from the controller side to check whether or not key input has been performed. There is a problem that the Suspend function (power saving mode) peculiar to the USB cannot be used well and a power loss occurs.

  The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and to return from the power saving mode by a key touch from the operation unit even when the operation panel is provided with a USB device. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that can easily transmit information from an operation unit to a control unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first means of the present invention is an image processing apparatus having a plurality of power saving modes, comprising: an operation unit equipped with a microcomputer for displaying device status and key detection; and a control unit. The operation unit and the control unit are connected by at least two interfaces, and when the image processing apparatus is in the power saving mode, at least one interface is not subject to power saving control, and the other interfaces are subject to power saving control. It is characterized by.

  According to a second means of the present invention, in the first means, the interface to be subjected to power saving control is a USB interface.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus having a plurality of power saving modes, comprising: an operation unit equipped with a microcomputer for displaying device status and key detection; and a control unit. The control unit and the control unit are connected by a USB interface and an interface other than the USB interface that is not controlled for power saving, and display data and key data are transmitted and received between the operation unit and the control unit via the USB interface. When the image processing apparatus is in the power saving mode, a return signal from the power saving mode by key detection of the operation unit is transmitted to the control unit via an interface other than the USB interface.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus having a plurality of power saving modes, comprising: an operation unit equipped with a microcomputer for displaying device status and key detection; and a control unit, The control unit and the control unit are connected by a USB interface, and when the image processing apparatus is in the power saving mode, the device that configures the USB interface is returned from the power saving state at regular intervals, and the control unit It is characterized by key detection.

  The fifth means of the present invention is characterized in that, in the third or fourth means, the power supply to the devices constituting the USB interface is turned off when the image processing apparatus is in the power saving mode.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus having a plurality of power saving modes, an operation including a microcomputer for displaying device status and key detection, a USB-Host interface and a memory card slot. And a control unit, wherein the operation unit and the control unit are connected by a USB interface and an interface other than the USB interface that is not controlled for power saving, and display data and keys between the operation unit and the control unit Sending and receiving data and sending and receiving data of the USB device connected to the USB-Host interface between the operation unit and the control unit and the memory card connected to the memory card slot via the USB interface, USB connected to USB-Host interface when image processing device is in power saving mode Detection signal of the presence or absence of devices, a detection signal of the presence or absence of the memory card, and transmits to the control unit via an interface other than the USB interface.

  According to a seventh means of the present invention, in the sixth means, the microcomputer of the operation unit is in a power saving state, a USB device is connected to the USB-Host interface, or a memory card is connected to a memory card slot. When this is done, a warning indicating that the device is returning from the power saving state and that the USB device or the memory card is not removable is displayed on the LCD screen.

  According to a seventh means of the present invention, in the means according to any one of the first to seventh means, the operation section includes an LED for display, the lighting duty of the LED is variable, and power saving is achieved. In a state, the lighting duty of the LED is reduced.

  According to the present invention, the controller side can detect the level of a dedicated return signal other than the USB interface even when the PHY and HUB devices constituting the USB interface are in the Suspend state. Recognizing the presence or absence of detection, the image processing apparatus can be returned from the energy saving state.

  Embodiments of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4 has basically the same configuration as that described with reference to FIG. 3, and includes the microcomputer 6 on the operation panel 4 and the ASIC 3 in the controller 1. However, it is different from that described with reference to FIG. 3 in that it is connected by a signal line 16 which is an interface different from the USB interface 15. And the microcomputer 6 of the operation panel 4 connected by the signal line 16 which is another interface and the power saving part of the ASIC 3 in the controller 1 are not targeted for energy saving even after the apparatus enters the energy saving state. 6 to transmit information via the signal line 16.

  FIG. 4A is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation when shifting to the energy saving mode and when returning from the energy saving mode according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the flow at the time of shifting to the energy saving mode shown in FIG. 4A, it is monitored whether or not the image processing apparatus such as copying and printing has not been used for a predetermined time, and the image processing apparatus If it has not been used for a certain time (step 201), the USB Hub 11 in the operation panel 4 sets the Suspend (energy saving mode) bit and shifts to the energy saving mode (step 202). The ASIC 3 in the controller 1 sets the clock stop bit in the internal register of the ASIC 3, and stops the clock of the USB-I / F unit in the ASIC 3 (step 203). As a result, the image processing apparatus enters an energy saving state, and power consumption is reduced.

  Next, the processing operation at the time of return from the energy saving mode according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flow shown in FIG.

(1) The microcomputer 6 in the operation panel 4 performs display refresh (data retransmission) on the LCD 7 and performs key scan to detect whether or not the key SW 9 is operated even during the energy saving mode ( Steps 211 and 212).

(2) It is determined whether or not the key SW9 has been operated by the key scan in step 212. If the key operation has not been performed, the process returns to the process from step 211 and continues (step 213).

(3) If it is determined in step 213 that the key SW9 has been pressed, the microcomputer 6 changes the energy saving return signal of the signal line 16 different from the USB interface 15 and causes the controller 1 to perform the energy saving return operation. Is notified (step 214).

(4) The controller 1 receives the energy saving return request from the microcomputer 6 in the operation panel 4, and the ASIC 3 in the controller 1 cancels the clock stop bit in the internal register of the ASIC 3, and turns on the power, supplies the clock, and suspends. The state (energy saving mode) is canceled (step 215).

(5) On the other hand, the USB Hub 11 in the operation panel 4 also releases the Suspend (energy saving mode) bit and initializes the USB interface in response to a notification from the microcomputer 6 (steps 216 and 217).

(6) After that, the controller 1 acquires key data obtained by operating the key SW 9 from the microcomputer 6 in the operation panel 4 and controls execution of processing such as copying and printing requested according to the key data (step 218). .

  According to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, even when the PHY and HUB devices constituting the USB interface are shifted to the Suspend state, the controller side has a level of a dedicated return signal other than the USB interface, etc. The image processing apparatus can be returned from the energy saving state by recognizing the presence or absence of key detection.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the image processing apparatus, data transfer, and power consumption according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5A has the same configuration as that described with reference to FIG. As already described, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the controller 1 cannot detect the operation of the key SW on the operation panel in the energy saving mode. Therefore, in the second embodiment of the present invention, The controller 1 restarts the clock and cancels the suspension of the USB Hub, and reads the key SW data from the microcomputer 6 of the operation panel 4.

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, the controller 1 resumes the clock and cancels the suspension of the USB Hub at a certain time interval in the energy saving mode, and reads the key SW data from the microcomputer 6 of the operation panel 4. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5B, data transfer via the USB interface 15 occurs at regular time intervals, and only during the period during which the data transfer is performed is shown in FIG. 5C. As shown, power consumption is increasing. In this example, a sufficient energy saving effect can be obtained as compared with that described in FIG.

  FIG. 5A is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation at the time of shifting to the energy saving mode and returning from the energy saving mode according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

(1) It is monitored whether or not an image processing apparatus such as copying and printing has not been used for a predetermined time. If the image processing apparatus has not been used for a certain time, the apparatus shifts to an energy saving mode. Is started (steps 401 and 402).

(2) The USB Hub 11 in the operation panel 4 sets the Suspend (energy saving mode) bit and shifts to the energy saving mode, and the ASIC 3 in the controller 1 sets the clock stop bit in the internal register of the ASIC 3, The clock of the USB-I / F unit in the ASIC 3 is stopped. As a result, the image processing apparatus shifts to the energy saving mode (steps 403 and 404).

(3) Thereafter, when the controller 1 detects the elapse of a certain time, the controller 1 cancels the clock stop bit of the internal register of the ASIC 3 in the controller 1 and starts the clock supply. Also, the USB Hub 11 in the operation panel 4 In response to the notification from the microcomputer 6, the Suspend (energy saving mode) bit is canceled and the USB interface is initialized (steps 405 to 408).

(4) The CPU 2 of the controller 1 acquires key data indicating whether or not the operation of the key SW9 has been performed from the microcomputer 6 of the operation panel 4 via the USB interface 15, and indicates that the key operation has been performed. It is determined whether or not there is a change in the key data. If there is no change, the process returns to the process from step 403 to start the process of shifting to the energy saving mode again (steps 409 and 410).

(5) If it is determined in step 410 that there is a change in the key data, the apparatus returns from the energy saving mode and starts a transition process to the standby mode. This return processing may be the same processing as step 215 and subsequent steps in the flow described with reference to FIG. 4A (step 411).

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, in the energy saving mode, the device constituting the USB interface repeats the Suspend (energy saving) state and the return state from the energy saving state at certain intervals. Even if it is not possible to provide a dedicated signal to notify the return from energy saving between the controller and the operation panel, the controller acquires the presence / absence of key detection via the USB interface and performs image processing. The device can be returned from the energy saving state.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIG. The third embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that, when the image processing apparatus is in the energy saving mode, the controller 1 operates the clock of the USB-I / F unit of the ASIC 3 in the controller 1. This is the point to stop and turn off the power supply of the USB Hub in the operation panel 4. Thereby, it is possible to further reduce power consumption.

  FIG. 6A is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation when shifting to the energy saving mode and when returning from the energy saving mode according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In the flow at the time of shifting to the energy saving mode shown in FIG. 6A, it is monitored whether or not the image processing apparatus such as copying and printing has not been used for a predetermined time, and the image processing apparatus If it has not been used for a certain time (step 601), the USB Hub 11 in the operation panel 4 sets the Suspend (energy saving mode) bit and shifts to the energy saving mode (step 602). The ASIC 3 in the controller 1 sets the clock stop bit in the internal register of the ASIC 3, and stops the clock of the USB-I / F unit in the ASIC 3 (step 603). Further, the USB Hub 11 in the operation panel 4 connected via the USB interface 15 is turned off (step 604). As a result, the image processing apparatus enters a deeper energy saving state, and power consumption is greatly reduced.

  Next, the processing operation at the time of return from the energy saving mode according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flow shown in FIG.

(1) The microcomputer 6 in the operation panel 4 performs display refresh (data retransmission) on the LCD 7 and performs key scan to detect whether or not the key SW 9 is operated even during the energy saving mode ( Steps 611 and 612).

(2) It is determined whether or not the key SW9 has been operated by the key scan in step 612. If no key operation has been performed, the process returns to the process from step 611 to continue the process (step 613).

(3) If it is determined in step 613 that the key SW9 has been pressed, the microcomputer 6 changes the energy saving return signal of the signal line 16 different from the USB interface 15 and causes the controller 1 to perform the energy saving return operation. And the power supply of the USB Hub 11 is turned on (steps 614 and 615).

(4) The controller 1 receives the energy saving return request from the microcomputer 6 in the operation panel 4, and the ASIC 3 in the controller 1 cancels the clock stop bit in the internal register of the ASIC 3, and turns on the power, supplies the clock, and suspends. The state (energy saving mode) is canceled (step 616).

(5) On the other hand, the USB Hub 11 in the operation panel 4 also releases the Suspend (energy saving mode) bit and initializes the USB interface in response to a notification from the microcomputer 6 (steps 617 and 618).

(6) After that, the controller 1 acquires key data by operating the key SW9 from the microcomputer 6 in the operation panel 4, and controls execution of processing such as copying and printing requested according to the key data (step 619). .

  According to the above-described third embodiment of the present invention, the power supply to the device configuring the USB interface can be turned off in the energy saving mode, so that the PHY and HUB devices configuring the USB interface are consumed in the Suspend state. It is possible to reduce the amount of power that is generated.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The image processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 7 has the same configuration as that of the first and third embodiments of the present invention described with reference to FIGS. The fourth embodiment of the present invention differs from the third embodiment in that the power supply of the memory card controller 13 is turned off together with the power off of the USB Hub 11 in the operation panel 4 when the image processing apparatus is in the energy saving mode. This is also the point of turning off. Thereby, it is possible to further reduce power consumption.

  FIG. 7A is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation when shifting to the energy saving mode and when returning from the energy saving mode according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  In the flow at the time of shifting to the energy saving mode shown in FIG. 7-1 (a), the image processing apparatus monitors whether or not the image processing apparatus such as copying and printing has not been used for a predetermined time. If it has not been used for a certain time (step 901), the USB Hub 11 in the operation panel 4 sets the Suspend (energy saving mode) bit and shifts to the energy saving mode (step 902). The ASIC 3 in the controller 1 sets the clock stop bit of the internal register of the ASIC 3, and stops the clock of the USB-I / F unit in the ASIC 3 (step 903). Further, the USB Hub 11 and the memory card controller 13 in the operation panel 4 connected via the USB interface 15 are turned off (step 904). As a result, the image processing apparatus enters a deeper energy saving state, and power consumption is greatly reduced.

  Next, the processing operation at the time of return from the energy saving mode according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flow shown in FIG.

(1) The microcomputer 6 in the operation panel 4 performs a display refresh (data retransmission) on the LCD 7 even during the energy saving mode, and also performs a key scan and a device for detecting whether or not the key SW 9 is operated. Whether or not another device, USB-Host, is connected via the USB-I / F 12 and whether a memory card is connected to the memory card I / F 14 is monitored (step 911). 912).

(2) Based on the key scan and monitoring in step 912, it is determined whether or not the key SW9 is operated, whether or not the USB-Host is connected, and whether or not the memory card is connected to the memory card I / F 14. If no key operation is performed and neither the USB device nor the memory card is connected, the process returns to step 911 and continues (step 913).

(3) If it is determined in step 913 that at least one of the USB device and the memory card being connected that the key SW9 is pressed is detected, the microcomputer 6 saves energy of the signal line 16 different from the USB interface 15. The return signal is changed to notify the controller 1 that an energy saving return event has occurred, and the power supply of the USB Hub 11 is turned on (steps 914 and 915).

(4) The controller 1 receives the energy saving return request from the microcomputer 6 in the operation panel 4, and the ASIC 3 in the controller 1 cancels the clock stop bit in the internal register of the ASIC 3, and turns on the power, supplies the clock, and suspends. The state (energy saving mode) is canceled (step 916).

(5) On the other hand, the USB Hub 11 in the operation panel 4 also cancels the Suspend (energy saving mode) bit and initializes the USB interface in response to a notification from the microcomputer 6 (steps 917 and 918).

(6) Thereafter, the controller 1 acquires the data of the return factor from the microcomputer 6 in the operation panel 4, and controls the execution of the requested processing such as copying and printing according to the acquired data (step 919).

  In the process of step 912 described above, the microcomputer 6 in the operation panel 4 detects that the USB-Host is connected and the memory card is connected as follows.

  That is, when a USB device is attached to the USB-I / F 12, the power supply current supplied to the USB device changes. When the current value exceeds a certain level, the USB-I / F 12 determines that the USB device is connected to the USB-I / F unit 12 and changes the signal connected to the microcomputer 6. When an SD card is inserted into the memory card I / F, the SD card detection signal in the SD card socket changes. The memory card controller 13 transmits this signal change as a signal connected to the microcomputer 6. In this way, the microcomputer 6 can detect that the USB-Host is connected and that the memory card is connected.

  According to the above-described fourth embodiment of the present invention, in the energy saving mode, the detection signal for the presence / absence of the device connected to the USB-Host interface and the detection signal for the presence / absence of the memory card are connected to the microcomputer that displays the device status. Therefore, even if the power of the USB interface unit is turned off in the energy saving mode, the controller side is notified that a USB device is connected to the USB-Host interface or a memory card is installed in the memory card slot. Can be recovered from the energy-saving state.

  In the fourth embodiment of the present invention described above, when the image processing apparatus is in the energy saving mode, the controller 1 stops the clock of the USB-I / F unit of the ASIC 3 of the controller 1 and turns off the power of the USB Hub 11 of the operation panel 4. The microcomputer 6 of the operation panel 4 performs display refresh (retransmission of data) of the LCD 7 and detection of the operation of the key SW 9 as well as the USB-I / F and the memory even during the energy saving mode. A return signal from the card I / F is also detected.

  And after the controller 1 receives the return request from the energy saving state, it takes a certain time for the controller 1 to shift to a state equivalent to standby, such as ON of each power supply, clock supply, and initialization. This time becomes longer as the system is highly functional and the power in the energy saving mode is lower.

  As a result, it takes a long time to return from the energy saving mode, and the user is confused when the display guidance during the energy saving mode return is long, and there is a case where the attached USB device and memory card are inserted and removed. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, when the recovery from the energy saving mode is performed by inserting a memory card, the microcomputer 6 of the operation panel 4 is connected to the mounted USB device and memory before the completion of the recovery of the controller 1. A warning prohibiting card insertion / removal can be displayed on the screen of the LCD 7.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining display control of the screen of the LCD 7 when returning from the energy saving mode. Now, assume that the memory card is inserted into the memory card I / F 14 at time t0 while the image processing apparatus is in the energy saving mode. At this time, as described above, the card detection signal is notified to the microcomputer 6 and to the controller 1 via the microcomputer 6. In response to this, the controller 1 turns each power source from OFF to ON, performs return control from the energy saving mode, initializes, and generates LCD display data.

  On the other hand, when the microcomputer 6 of the operation panel 4 is notified of the card detection signal, the controller 1 switches each power source from OFF to ON, performs return control from the energy saving mode, initializes, and generates LCD display data. Until the time t1 at which the display data generated by the controller 1 can be displayed on the LCD 7, the guidance notifying that the operation is returning from the energy saving mode and the warning not to remove the memory card, etc. Display guidance. By performing such display, the user can wait until returning from the energy saving mode without removing the memory card or the like even when it takes time to return from the energy saving mode.

  According to the above-described example, the warning on the USB device or the memory card is simply displayed by the microcomputer on the operation panel before the main controller is started. When there is a time lag from when the device enters the recovery operation due to the insertion of the memory card until the main controller returns, the energy saving recovery screen does not change for a while, and the user standing in front of the device is confused Depending on the situation, the possibility of removing the attached USB device or memory card can be eliminated.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention and the power consumption of the LED during standby in the energy saving mode. The configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 9A is that of the first, third, and fourth embodiments of the present invention described with reference to FIGS. Is the same. The fifth embodiment of the present invention is suitable for the case where the LCD 7 of the operation panel 4 is a monochrome STN type LCD. In the energy saving mode, the duty ratio of the lit LED is set. The power consumption can be reduced by lowering. The fifth embodiment of the present invention can be used in combination with each of the embodiments described above.

  Normally, when the LCD 7 of the operation panel 4 is a monochrome STN type LCD, the power consumed by the operation panel 4 in the energy saving mode is mostly the power consumption of the LED 8. Therefore, in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, in the energy saving mode, the microcomputer 6 of the operation panel 4 controls the LED 8 so as to reduce the duty ratio of the LED 8 that is lit, thereby reducing the power consumption of the LED 8. I have to. Since the LED lighting duty ratio affects the luminance of the LED, the user can select and set it as variable. The setting of the duty ratio is recorded in the nonvolatile memory of the controller 1 and may be transferred to the microcomputer 6 of the operation panel 4 when the image processing apparatus is turned on.

  FIG. 9B shows the relationship between the LED lighting duty ratio and the power consumption of the LED in the energy saving mode, and the LED power consumption when returning from the energy saving mode to the standby state. As can be seen from FIG. 9B, when the LED lighting duty ratio is increased, the power consumption of the LED increases accordingly. At this time, the brightness of the LED also changes. Accordingly, if the LED lighting duty ratio is reduced, the brightness of the LED is reduced, but the power consumption can be suppressed. In addition, when shifting to the standby state, the LED lighting duty ratio can be set to 100%, and the LED can be lit at the maximum luminance.

  According to the fifth embodiment of the present invention described above, it is possible to reduce the power consumption when the LED is turned on by lowering the lighting duty of the LED. The required brightness of the LED becomes a problem due to the power reduction, but by making it variable according to the user's setting, a flexible response becomes possible.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example (the 1) of the image processing apparatus by a prior art. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example (the 2) of the image processing apparatus by a prior art. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the image processing apparatus by a prior art at the time of arrange | positioning a USB interface and a memory card slot in the apparatus front. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart explaining the processing operation at the time of the shift to the energy saving mode and the return from the energy saving mode in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the image processing apparatus by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and the condition of data transfer and power consumption. It is a flowchart explaining the processing operation at the time of the shift to the energy saving mode and the return from the energy saving mode in the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image processing apparatus by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the processing operation | movement at the time of transfer to the energy saving mode in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and the return from energy saving mode. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image processing apparatus by the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the processing operation at the time of the shift to the energy saving mode and return from the energy saving mode in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the display control of the screen of LCD at the time of return from an energy saving mode. It is a figure explaining the structure of the image processing apparatus by the 5th Embodiment of this invention, and the power consumption of LED at the time of standby at the time of energy saving mode.

Explanation of symbols

1 Controller 2 CPU
3 ASIC
4 Operation panel 5 LCD controller 6 Microcomputer 7 LCD
8 LED
9 Key SW
10 Engine controller 11 USB-Hub
12 USB-I / F
13 Memory Card Controller 15 USB Interface 16 Signal Line 17 Sub Power Key SW

Claims (8)

An image processing apparatus having a plurality of power saving modes,
It is equipped with an operation unit equipped with a microcomputer that performs device status display and key detection, and a control unit.
The operation unit and the control unit are connected by at least two interfaces, and when the image processing apparatus is in the power saving mode, at least one interface is not a target for power saving control and another interface is a target for power saving control. An image processing apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interface targeted for power saving control is a USB interface. An image processing apparatus having a plurality of power saving modes,
It is equipped with an operation unit equipped with a microcomputer that performs device status display and key detection, and a control unit.
The operation unit and the control unit are connected by a USB interface and an interface other than the USB interface that is not controlled for power saving,
Transmission / reception of display data and key data between the operation unit and the control unit is performed via the USB interface, and when the image processing apparatus is in the power saving mode, a return signal from the power saving mode by the key detection of the operation unit, An image processing apparatus that transmits to the control unit via an interface other than the USB interface. An image processing apparatus having a plurality of power saving modes,
It is equipped with an operation unit equipped with a microcomputer that performs device status display and key detection, and a control unit.
The operation unit and the control unit are connected by a USB interface,
An image processing apparatus characterized in that, when the image processing apparatus is in a power saving mode, the device constituting the USB interface is returned from a power saving state at regular intervals, and the control unit performs key detection of the operation unit.   5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the image processing apparatus is in a power saving mode, the power supply to devices constituting the USB interface is turned off. An image processing apparatus having a plurality of power saving modes,
It includes a microcomputer for displaying device status and key detection, an operation unit equipped with a USB-Host interface and a memory card slot, and a control unit.
The operation unit and the control unit are connected by a USB interface and an interface other than the USB interface that is not controlled for power saving.
Display data and key data transmission / reception between the operation unit and the control unit, and a USB device connected to the USB-Host interface between the operation unit and the control unit and a memory connected to the memory card slot Data transmission / reception of the card is performed via the USB interface, and when the image processing apparatus is in the power saving mode, a detection signal indicating the presence / absence of a USB device connected to the USB-Host interface and a detection signal indicating the presence / absence of a memory card are used. An image processing apparatus that transmits to the control unit via an interface other than an interface.   The microcomputer of the operation unit is in a power saving state, and when the USB device is connected to the USB-Host interface, or when a memory card is connected to the memory card slot, the microcomputer is being restored from the power saving state. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a warning indicating that the memory card is not removable is displayed on the LCD screen.   The said operation part is equipped with LED for a display, makes the lighting duty of LED variable, and makes the lighting duty of said LED small in a power-saving state, The one of Claim 1 thru | or 7 characterized by the above-mentioned. Image processing device.

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