JP2009075911A - Electronic device and control method of electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

Even if frequent inquiries from a host computer occur, the power saving effect on the peripheral device side is not diminished, and even a general user with little hardware knowledge can save on the peripheral device side. An object is to provide an electronic device capable of enhancing the power effect.
A peripheral device having a function of partially shifting to a power saving state, a host computer connected to the peripheral device and instructing an operation of the peripheral device, operating on the host computer, and the peripheral device And a peripheral device control unit that controls the operation of the electronic device. Further, the electronic device includes a request issuing unit that is provided in the peripheral device control unit and issues a periodic request to the peripheral device, and a request frequency changing unit that changes the frequency of the periodic request.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic device in a system configured by a peripheral device connected to a host computer.

  In recent electronic devices, there is a demand for power saving associated with resource saving measures. Several guidelines have been established as power saving standards, and power saving is achieved by complying with this standard.

  In these standards, a standard value of hardware is defined, and countermeasures by mounting hardware based on this standard are mainly taken. However, a part of the standard includes a time restriction item such that power consumption is within a certain time within a certain time, and measures are taken for this by control by software.

  Generally, there are the following two types of power control methods for hardware executed by software. One method is a method for measuring power saving by performing optimal setting for a portion where power saving setting is possible among the component parts of the device.

  The other method is a method for measuring power saving by stopping the power supply to the component part when the operation is unnecessary at a certain point in the other power saving setting part. The power saving process of the target device is executed by maximally executing these two methods.

  A peripheral device that operates by connecting to a host computer, such as a printer device, does not always operate, and thus power saving processing is particularly necessary. In this case, in order to know the status of the connected printer on the host computer, it is necessary to obtain information from the target printer. At this time, in order to return information from the printer, there is a problem that some power is consumed. In response to this problem, it is known that the printer side is provided with a response mode for inquiries about the device status from the host computer, and the power consumption is kept low by this response mode (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Another example is a power saving processing technique in a peripheral device that can display the remaining amount of power, such as a music player. These portable devices require more precise power saving control. For this reason, there is known a device that enables detailed setting of the power saving control contents of the device and can select the degree of power saving by the user by visually displaying the driveable time in this setting to the user. (For example, see Patent Document 2).
JP 2005-262586 A JP-A-10-268987

  Among the above-described conventional techniques, in the first technical example, a power saving effect can be obtained by providing a response mode for an inquiry about the device status. However, if inquiries from the host computer occur frequently, even if the device is in power saving mode, it is necessary to respond to the status acquisition request communication. There is a problem that fades.

  In the second technical example, the power saving effect desired by the user can be obtained by making it possible to set the power saving control in detail. However, in this setting, since the user is required to have knowledge of hardware such as which part should be controlled, there is a problem that it is difficult for a general user to set.

The present invention does not reduce the power saving effect on the peripheral device side even if inquiries from the host computer occur frequently, and even a general user with little hardware knowledge can An object is to provide an electronic device capable of enhancing the power saving effect.

The present invention includes a peripheral device having a function of partially shifting to a power saving state, a host computer connected to the peripheral device and instructing an operation of the peripheral device, operating on the host computer, and the peripheral device And a peripheral device control unit that controls the operation of the electronic device. In addition, the present invention is an electronic device provided in the peripheral device control unit, comprising request issuing means for issuing a periodic request to the peripheral device, and request frequency changing means for changing the frequency of the periodic request. It is.

According to the present invention, when the peripheral device and the host computer are connected, when the host computer periodically acquires the status of the peripheral device, the power consumption required for the response in the peripheral device is determined by the user. There is an effect that can be reduced.

  The best mode for carrying out the invention is the following embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a host computer 100 that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The host computer 100 is an example of an electronic device and is connected to the printer 200. The printer 200 is an example of a peripheral device.

  The host computer 100 includes an operation unit 1, a display unit 2, a control unit 3, a RAM 4, and a communication unit 5.

  The normal power state of the printer 200 is expressed as “normal power mode”, and the power saving state is expressed as “power saving mode”.

  The operation unit 1 instructs execution of various functions of the host computer 100, and includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. The display unit 2 displays processing contents for user operations, displays the status of the printer 200, and the like, and includes a CRT, a liquid crystal monitor, and the like.

  The control unit 3 executes each function of the device and performs various controls corresponding to various input operations from the operation unit 1 and the communication unit 5. The RAM 4 is a kind of storage device and is a rewritable storage device. The RAM 4 is used for variables and the like necessary for the control unit 3 to perform various controls, and device information sent from the printer 200 is temporarily stored. To store.

  The communication unit 5 is a communication unit that performs communication with the printer 200. The communication unit 5 includes one or more of various interfaces such as a serial port, a LAN, and a USB. This is used when requesting printing processing to the printer 200 and acquiring device information. The printer 200 performs a printing process and is configured by an ink jet printer, a laser beam printer, or the like.

  That is, the host computer 100 is connected to a peripheral device partially having a function of transitioning to a power saving state, instructs the operation of the peripheral device, operates on the host computer 100, and controls the operation of the peripheral device. It has a peripheral device control unit.

  The control unit 3 is an example of a request issuing unit that is provided in the peripheral device control unit and issues a periodic request to the peripheral device. The control unit 3 is an example of request frequency changing means for changing the frequency of the periodic request.

  In this case, the request frequency changing means is means for changing the frequency of issuing the periodic request according to the setting of the operator. The peripheral device control unit includes power information acquisition means for acquiring power consumption information from the peripheral device, and power setting means for the operator to specify maximum power consumption. Furthermore, when the peripheral device transitions to a power saving state, a request frequency that does not exceed the maximum power consumption specified by the operator is calculated and reflected in the control contents of the host computer.

  In addition, the peripheral device control unit includes a power information acquisition unit that acquires power consumption information from the peripheral device, a power setting unit that specifies the maximum power consumption by the operator, and a device that changes the control content of the peripheral device. Control means. The peripheral device control unit is a unit that calculates a response time so as not to exceed the power specified by the operator when the peripheral device transitions to a power saving state, and changes the control content of the peripheral device.

  In addition, the designation of the operator is a designation of the number of requests issued per unit time. In addition, the designation of the operator is a designation of a request issue frequency ratio.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating power consumption on the printer 200 side in the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 2, the vertical axis represents current consumption, the horizontal axis represents elapsed time, and the units are amperes and seconds, respectively. Since the power consumption is obtained by the product of the current consumption and the elapsed time, the power consumption is shown as an area in FIG.

  When the printer 200 is in the power saving mode, it is assumed that the current consumption is A1 amperes and the power consumption is A1 watts.

  In FIG. 2, blocks indicated by halftone dots regularly appear in addition to the power in the power saving mode (current consumption value A1 ampere). When the host computer 100 transmits a status acquisition request to the printer 200, the printer 200 cancels the power saving mode of some functional blocks in order to respond to the status acquisition request. However, this is the power consumption required for response processing.

The increase in the current consumption is A2 amperes, and the response processing time and the time until the transition to the power saving mode again is T2 seconds. The status acquisition request issuance interval T1 seconds from this computer is maintained. From these values, the power consumption during the power saving mode of the printer 200 shown in FIG.
A1 + A2 × T2 / T1
It is expressed by

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

  In the first embodiment, when the printer 200 is in the power saving mode, the object is achieved by controlling the interval at which the host computer 100 issues a status acquisition request. Specifically, the value of the status acquisition request issue interval T1 shown in FIG. 2 is controlled.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the value of the state acquisition request issuance interval T1 is changed to the state acquisition request issuance interval T1 ′ in the situation illustrated in FIG.

In order to reduce the power consumption, it is necessary to set the state acquisition request issue interval T1 ′ to a value larger than the state acquisition request issue interval T1, which is the case in the example of FIG. At this time, the power consumption amount of the printer 200 during the power saving mode is
A1 + A2 × T2 / T1 '
It is. This is compared to the example shown in FIG.
State acquisition request issue interval T1 <state acquisition request issue interval T1 ′
Therefore, the power consumption is reduced as compared with the case shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a control procedure by the application program on the host computer 100 side in the first embodiment.

  When the operator activates an application for monitoring the status of the printer 200 among the programs on the host computer 100, the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 starts. In S1, information on the printer 200 connected to the host computer 100 is acquired. If a plurality of printers 200 are connected, the operator determines the printer 200 to be monitored. In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the connection between the printer 200 and the host computer 100 is a one-to-one connection.

  The information on the printer 200 acquired in the first embodiment includes power consumption information on the printer 200. The power consumption information includes a plurality of information such as power consumption in the normal power mode and power consumption in the power saving mode, and these pieces of information are stored in the device information storage area in the RAM 4. Of the information obtained here, the amount of power consumed in the power saving mode does not include an increase due to periodic acquisition of the device status. Further, as other information, time information that the printer 200 is returning to respond is also acquired. This time information corresponds to the response time T2 shown in FIG.

  In S2, status information of the printer 200 to be monitored is acquired. A status information request command is issued to the target printer 200 via the communication unit 5, the response result is acquired, and the result is stored in the device status storage area in the RAM 4.

  The state of power control in the printer 200 of the first embodiment includes two modes, a normal power mode and a power saving mode, and this state information includes the state of power control of the printer 200.

  In S3, the state information acquired in S2 is visually displayed to the operator through the display unit 2.

  In S4, it is checked from the state information acquired in S2 whether or not there has been a change in the state of power control. If there is a change in state, the process proceeds to S9, and if there is no change, the process proceeds to S5. Based on whether the normal power mode or the power saving mode has changed even in the previous state, it is determined whether there has been a change to the state of power control from the state information acquired in S2.

  In S5, various operations by the operator are accepted. The application program has various functions in addition to displaying information of the printer 200, and the operator can perform operations via the operation unit 1, and the generated input event is processed here. Event processing may be performed in parallel as separate threads. Here, if an operation by the operator does not occur, the process proceeds to S6 after an appropriate time has elapsed.

  In S6, it is checked whether or not an operation by the operator has occurred in S5. If the operation by the operator has occurred, the process proceeds to S7, and if the operation by the operator has not occurred, the process proceeds to S15.

  In S7, it is checked whether or not the event generated in S5 is a change in power setting. If the power setting is changed, the process proceeds to S9, and if not, the process proceeds to S8.

  In S8, various processes associated with the event that occurred in S5 are executed. This event is for all events except for power setting changes. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S15.

  In S9, it is checked from the status information acquired in S2 whether the printer 200 is in the power saving mode. If it is in the power saving mode, the process proceeds to S10, and if not, the process proceeds to S14.

  In S10, the power setting value set by the event generated in S5 is acquired and set in the power setting variable P1. The power setting variable P1 exists in a temporary storage area in the RAM 4. Since it is determined in S7 that the power setting is changed, the set value is obtained. The power setting changing unit in the printer 200 according to the first embodiment has a format in which the power consumption amount in the power saving mode can be designated by a number. For example, it is assumed that the power consumption amount in the power saving mode is designated as 6 watts. In this case, the power setting variable P1 = 6. In S11, it is checked whether the setting is the minimum setting from the setting value acquired in S10. If it is the minimum setting, the process proceeds to S13, and if not, the process proceeds to S12. In S12, the value of the status acquisition request issue interval T1 is calculated. The status acquisition request issue interval T1 exists in the temporary storage area in the RAM 4 and is an interval at which a status acquisition request is issued to the printer 200 as shown in FIG. An example of calculation for this will be described. The power setting variable P1 is represented by the following equation as described in FIG.

Power setting variable P1 = A1 + A2 × T2 / T1
Therefore, (P1-A1) = A2 × T2 / T1
From this equation, state acquisition request issue interval T1 = (A2 × T2) / (P1-A1)
It is. Among these, the information obtained by the power setting variable P1 includes the current consumption value A1 in the power saving mode, the current value A2 consumed for response, and the response time T2.

Current consumption value A1 = 5 (W) in power saving mode
Current value A2 = 5 (A) consumed for response
Response time T2 = 10 (seconds)
Suppose that Since the power setting variable P1 is 6 watts in S10, 50 seconds is obtained as the value of the state acquisition request issuance interval T1 as follows.

Status acquisition request issue interval T1 = (5 × 10) / (6-5) = 50 (seconds)
In S13, the value of the status acquisition request issue interval T1 is set to zero. This value has a special meaning. When this value is set, control is performed so that a status acquisition request is not issued from the host computer 100 to the printer 200. In this case, the power consumption is minimum and the maximum power saving effect can be obtained.

  In S14, the value of the status acquisition request issuance interval T1 is set to 20. This value indicates 20 seconds, which is the default setting value in the application program of the first embodiment. If the printer 200 is not in the power saving mode but in the normal power mode, control is performed to issue a status acquisition request to the printer 200 at this interval.

  In S15, the value of the status acquisition request issuance interval T1 is checked. If the value is not 0, the process proceeds to S16. If the value is 0, the process returns to S5 so as not to issue a status acquisition request to the printer 200, and the process of only accepting the user's operation is continued.

  In S16, the elapsed time from the previous state acquisition is compared with the value of the state acquisition request issuance interval T1.

  In S2, the current time is stored in the temporary storage area in the RAM 4, and thereafter, the elapsed time is obtained by comparing with the time measured by the timer device existing in the host computer 100. If the time equal to or longer than the status acquisition request issuance interval T1 has elapsed since the previous time, the process returns to S2, and the processing after the status acquisition of the printer 200 is executed again. On the other hand, if the time equal to or longer than the state acquisition request issuance interval T1 has not elapsed since the previous time, the process returns to S5 to continue the process of accepting the user's operation.

  As another method for obtaining the same effect, the power consumption amount in the power saving mode may not be designated by a number in S5. For example, the number of request issuances per unit time may be specifically specified, and the power consumption can be controlled in the same manner as described above by increasing or decreasing the number of request issuances per unit time.

  As another example, the degree of increase or decrease with respect to the request frequency in the normal power mode may be designated by “%”.

In the first embodiment, the printer 200 is limited to the power saving mode. However, when the power saving process is performed in a form in which the power of a necessary portion is appropriately controlled without the power saving mode, the above-described case is described. The first embodiment may be applied.

  The second embodiment of the present invention is an embodiment that controls the response time T2 of the status acquisition request from the host computer 100 when the printer 200 is in the power saving mode. Specifically, the value of the response time T2 for the status acquisition request shown in FIG. 2 is controlled.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a situation in which the value of the response time T2 for the status acquisition request is changed to the response time T2 'for the status acquisition request with respect to the status of FIG.

In order to reduce the power consumption, the response time T2 ′ for the state acquisition request needs to be a value smaller than T2, which is the case in the example shown in FIG. At this time, the power consumption during the power saving mode of the printer 200 shown in FIG.
A1 + A2 × T2 '/ T1
It is. This is compared to FIG.
T2> T2 '
Therefore, the power consumption is reduced as compared with the case shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a control procedure in the application program on the host computer 100 side in the second embodiment.

  When the operator activates an application that monitors the status of the printer 200 in the program on the host computer 100, this flowchart starts. In S21, information on the printer 200 connected to the host computer 100 is acquired. When a plurality of printers 200 are connected, the operator determines the printer 200 to be monitored.

  In the second embodiment, it is assumed that the connection between the printer 200 and the host computer 100 is a one-to-one connection. The information on the printer 200 acquired in the second embodiment includes power consumption information on the printer 200.

  The power consumption information includes a plurality of information such as power consumption in the normal power mode and power consumption in the power saving mode, and these pieces of information are stored in the device information storage area in the RAM 4. Among the information obtained here, the amount of power consumed in the power saving mode does not include an increase due to periodic acquisition of the device state. Further, as other information, time information that the printer 200 is returning to respond is also acquired. This corresponds to T2 shown in FIG. In S22, status information of the printer 200 to be monitored is acquired.

  A status information request command is issued to the target printer 200 via the communication unit 5, a response result is acquired, and the result is stored in a device status storage area in the RAM 4. The power control state in the printer 200 according to the second embodiment includes two modes, a normal power mode and a power saving mode. This state information includes the information of the printer 200.

  In S23, the status information acquired in S22 is visually displayed to the operator through the display unit 2. In S24, various operations by the operator are accepted. The application program has various functions other than the display of information of the printer 200, and the operator can operate through the operation unit 1, and the input event that has occurred is processed here. Event processing may be performed in parallel as separate threads.

  Here, if the operation by the operator does not occur, the process proceeds to the next S25 after an appropriate time has elapsed. In S25, it is checked whether or not an operation by the operator has occurred in S24. If it has occurred, the process proceeds to S26, and if not, the process proceeds to S31.

  In S26, it is checked whether or not the event generated in S24 is a change in power setting. If the power setting is changed, the process proceeds to S27, and if not, the process proceeds to S30. In S27, the set value of power set by the event generated in S24 is acquired and set in the power setting variable P1. The power setting variable P1 exists in a temporary storage area in the RAM 4. Since it is determined in S26 that the power setting is changed, the set value is obtained.

  The power setting changing unit in the printer 200 according to the second embodiment has a format in which the power consumption amount in the power saving mode can be designated by a number. For example, it is assumed that the power consumption amount in the power saving mode is designated as 6 watts. In this case, the power setting variable P1 = 6. In S28, the value of response time T2 is calculated. The response time T2 exists in the temporary storage area in the RAM 4, and is the length of time for responding to the status acquisition request to the printer 200 as shown in FIG.

  Next, an example of this calculation will be described.

  The power setting variable P1 is represented by the following equation as described in FIG.

Power setting variable P1 = A1 + A2 × T2 / T1
From this equation, the value of T2 is obtained by the following equation.

T2 = T1 × (P1-A1) / A2
Among these, the information obtained in S1 includes a current consumption value A1 in the power saving mode and a current value A2 consumed to respond, and these values are respectively
A1 = 5 (W)
A2 = 5 (A)
Suppose that In addition, when the status acquisition request issuance interval T1 is 20 seconds which is a default setting value in the application program of the second embodiment, and the power setting variable P1 is designated as 6 watts in S27, the value of T2 is It is calculated as 4 seconds as follows.

T2 = 20 × (6-5) / 5 = 4
In S29, the value of the response time T2 is reflected in the control of the printer 200. Specifically, a device setting request command is issued to the target printer 200 via the communication unit 5 so that the length of time for responding to the status acquisition request in the power saving mode is T2 seconds. Upon receiving the command, the printer 200 receives the request, changes the control, and returns the processing result to the host computer 100. The host computer 100 side receives the return result and confirms that the processing has been completed normally.

  In S30, various processes associated with the event that occurred in S24 are executed. This event is for all events except for power setting changes. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S31. In S31, the elapsed time from the previous state acquisition is compared with the value of the state acquisition request issue interval T1. Upon execution of S22, the current time is stored in the temporary storage area in the RAM 4, and thereafter, the elapsed time is obtained by comparing with the time measured by the timer device existing in the host computer 100. Can do.

  If the time equal to or longer than the status acquisition request issuance interval T1 has elapsed since the previous time, the process returns to S22, and the process after acquiring the status of the printer 200 is executed again. On the other hand, if not, the process returns to S24, and the user operation acceptance process is continued.

  As another method for obtaining the same effect as described above, the setting format in S24 may not be a format in which the power consumption amount in the power saving mode is designated by a number. As an example, a specific response processing time may be designated. By increasing or decreasing this numerical value, the power consumption can be controlled in the same manner as described above.

  As another example, the degree of increase or decrease with respect to the response processing time at the time of default setting may be designated by “%”. Further, the second embodiment is an embodiment in the case where the printer 200 is in the power saving mode. However, the power saving processing in a form in which necessary power is appropriately controlled without having the power saving mode. Can also be applied.

The above embodiment can be grasped as a method invention. That is, in the above embodiment, a peripheral device having a function of partially shifting to a power saving state, a host computer connected to the peripheral device and instructing an operation of the peripheral device, and operating on the host computer, A peripheral device control unit for controlling the operation of the peripheral device. In the embodiment, the peripheral device control unit issues a periodic request to the peripheral device, and a request frequency change in which the peripheral device control unit changes the frequency of the periodic request. It is an example of the control method of the electronic device which has a process.

It is a block diagram which shows the host computer 100 which is Example 1 of this invention. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating power consumption on the printer 200 side in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the value of a state acquisition request issuance interval T1 is changed to a state acquisition request issuance interval T1 ′ in the situation illustrated in FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a control procedure by an application program on the host computer 100 side in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a situation in which a response time T2 for a status acquisition request is changed to a response time T2 ′ for a status acquisition request with respect to the status of FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a control procedure in an application program on the host computer 100 side in the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

100: Host computer as an electronic device,
1 ... operation part,
2 ... display part,
3 ... control part,
4 ... RAM,
5 ... Communication department,
200: Printer as a peripheral device,
P1: Power setting variable,
T1 ... Status acquisition request issuance interval,
T2: Response time for the status acquisition request,
A1 ... Power consumption value in power saving mode,
A2: Current value consumed to respond.

Claims (7)

Peripheral devices that have the function of partially transitioning to a power saving state, a host computer that is connected to the peripheral devices and directs the operation of the peripheral devices, operates on the host computer, and controls the operations of the peripheral devices In an electronic device comprising a peripheral device control unit
Request issuing means provided in the peripheral device control unit, for issuing a periodic request to the peripheral device;
Request frequency changing means for changing the frequency of the periodic request;
An electronic device comprising: In claim 1,
The request frequency changing means is means for changing the frequency at which the periodic request is issued according to an operator setting. In claim 2,
The peripheral device control unit
Power information acquisition means for acquiring power consumption information from peripheral devices;
Power setting means for the operator to specify the maximum power consumption;
And when the peripheral device transitions to a power saving state, a request frequency that does not exceed the maximum power consumption specified by the operator is calculated and reflected in the control contents of the host computer. Electronic equipment. In claim 2,
The peripheral device control unit
Power information acquisition means for acquiring power consumption information from the peripheral device;
Power setting means for specifying the maximum power consumption by the operator;
Device control means for changing the control content of the peripheral device;
The electronic device is characterized in that when the peripheral device transitions to a power saving state, the response time is calculated so as not to exceed the power specified by the operator, and the control content of the peripheral device is changed. machine. In claim 2,
The electronic device is characterized in that the designation of the operator is designation of the number of requests issued per unit time. In claim 2,
The electronic device is characterized in that the designation of the operator is a designation of a ratio of request issue frequency. Peripheral devices that have the function of partially transitioning to a power saving state, a host computer that is connected to the peripheral devices and directs the operation of the peripheral devices, operates on the host computer, and controls the operations of the peripheral devices In a method for controlling an electronic device comprising a peripheral device control unit,
A request issuing step in which the peripheral device control unit issues a periodic request to the peripheral device;
A request frequency changing step in which the peripheral device control unit changes the frequency of the periodic request;
A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising:

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