JP2014059631A - Power source control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control power supply to a plurality of interfaces for connecting to an external device.
A power control unit 111 controls power supplied to a SoC 100 including a USB control unit 102 and a network control unit 109. The power supply control unit 111 can detect that a USB device has been connected to the USB control unit 102 and that data has been received via the network control unit 109 even when the SoC power supply 126 is OFF. The power control unit 111 controls the SoC power supply 126 and the network power supply 124 according to these detection results.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply control device that can be connected to an external device via a plurality of interfaces.

  Conventionally, when an external device is connected via an interface, a device that supplies power to the interface is known. In Patent Document 1, in an image processing apparatus capable of connecting an external device via a USB interface, when the external device is not connected to the USB interface, the power supply to the USB control circuit is cut off and connected. In some cases, power supply is shown. Thereby, power consumption when an external device is not connected can be reduced.

JP 2006-43947 A

  By the way, there are a plurality of types of interfaces for connecting external devices, such as a network interface other than USB as described above. In a device that supports a plurality of interfaces, as in Patent Document 1, if on / off of power supply to a circuit for connecting to an external device is switched depending on whether or not a connection is made via USB, the other interfaces are connected. Communication cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a power control device capable of controlling power supply to a plurality of interfaces for connection to an external device.

  In order to solve the above problems, a power supply control device according to the present invention includes a main control unit including a first interface for connecting to an external device, a second interface for connecting to the external device, the main control unit, Power control means for controlling the power supplied to the second interface, and the main control unit performs processing of data received from an external device via the first interface and the second interface. The power control means detects the fact that an external device is connected via the first interface even when power is not supplied to the main control unit. And second detection means for detecting that predetermined data has been received via the second interface even when power is not supplied to the main control unit. Has, to control the power supply to the main control unit and the second interface according to the detection result by the first detecting means and the second detecting means.

  According to the present invention, even when power is not supplied to the main control unit including the first interface, the connection of the external device via the first interface and the predetermined data via the second interface Can be detected. Then, power supply to the main power supply and the second interface can be controlled according to the detection result. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately perform data communication through a plurality of interfaces while reducing power consumption.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the transition of a power state.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the present invention. .

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer including a power control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an ink jet printer that applies ink as a recording material onto a recording medium such as paper will be described as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to printers of other recording methods and apparatuses other than printers. The printer of this embodiment takes the form of a SoC (System on a Chip) in which a CPU and its peripheral circuits are integrated on one chip, and power is supplied from a common power source.

  The Soc 100 is equipped with a CPU 101, a USB control unit 102, bus bridges 103 and 104, a panel control unit 105, a band memory control block 106, and an input / output port 107. Therefore, the processing using the above components can be processed at a high speed with low power consumption by a common power source. It also contributes to downsizing and cost reduction of the device.

  The CPU 101 loads the program stored in the EEPROM 110 and the flash ROM 112 into the RAM 108 and executes the program to control the entire printer. The USB control unit 102 is a USB interface that controls communication performed with an external device (USB device) via a USB cable. The USB control unit 102 detects that the USB device has been connected and that the connected USB device has been removed. An example of the USB device is a PC that can send a print job to the printer. A printer driver for the printer is installed in the PC and can communicate with the printer through the printer driver.

  The bus bridge 103 interconnects the CPU 101 and the network control unit 109 so that they can communicate with each other. The bus bridge 104 interconnects the CPU 101 and the power supply control unit 111 so that they can communicate with each other. The panel control unit 105 notifies the CPU 101 of the operation content performed via the operation panel 113, or controls the content displayed on the operation panel 113 in response to an instruction from the CPU 101.

  The band memory control block 106 controls reading and writing of the memory 114 used when recording an image in band units using the recording head 117. The input / output port 107 communicates with the print engine unit 115 when recording an image. The input / output port 107 also inputs a signal from the network control unit 109, a signal from the power supply control unit 111, a signal indicating the operation content from the operation panel 113, and the like.

  The RAM 108 is used as a work area of the CPU 101, and stores commands received from an external device, image information, and various information necessary for printer operation. The RAM 108 can be operated by refresh with a short refresh cycle by an external refresh circuit and self refresh with a long refresh cycle but reduced power consumption. The network control unit 109 is a network interface that controls communication performed with an external device via a network cable. The network control unit 109 can perform communication according to TCP / IP, and controls communication via the network according to the IP address and MAC address set in itself. An external device that communicates via the network control unit 109 is a device that includes a printer driver for the printer and a communication module for communicating with the printer. The EEPROM 110 stores various setting values necessary for the operation of the printer. The flash ROM 112 stores a program for initial operation necessary for starting up the printer.

  The operation panel 113 accepts an operation from the user or displays information to be notified to the user. The operation panel 113 includes a hard key such as a power switch, and a touch panel that combines display of information to be notified to the user and display of a key for receiving an operation from the user. The operation panel 113 includes a display for notifying the printer status by turning on or off the lamp.

  The memory 114 stores image data to be supplied to the print engine unit 115. This image data is distinguished for each recording color for each band (for each scanning of the recording head 117).

  The print engine unit 115 includes a configuration for performing an image recording operation on a recording medium. The recording head controller 116 reads the image data stored in the memory 114, and controls the ejection of ink by the recording head 117 according to this, and records an image on the recording medium. The recording head 117 has a plurality of nozzles and is mounted on a carriage for scanning the recording medium, thereby recording an image by ejecting or non-ejecting ink while scanning the recording medium. A color image can be recorded by discharging a plurality of colors of ink. The print engine unit 115 also performs various sensors for detecting the presence / absence of a recording medium and ink ejection state, various motors for scanning the carriage, transporting the recording medium, and the operation of the motor. Includes a motor control circuit for controlling.

  The main power supply 118 generates a logic power supply 122, an engine power supply 123, a network power supply 124, a RAM power supply 125, and a SoC power supply 126, which are power supplies for operating the printer, from a commercial power supply. The logic power supply 122 continues to be generated while commercial power is supplied to the main power supply 118. The logic power supply 122 is supplied to the power supply control unit 111 and the operation panel 113. In addition, the logic power supply 122 is supplied after being converted into predetermined voltages by the power supply ICs 119 to 121 to the network control unit 109, the RAM 108, the SoC 100, and peripheral circuits. The power supply ICs 119 to 121 are controlled to be turned ON / OFF by a network power supply control signal, a RAM power supply control signal, and a SoC power supply control signal output from the power supply control unit 111. The network power supply 124, the RAM power supply 125, and the SoC power supply 126 can be controlled independently by each power control signal.

  The engine power supply 123 is controlled to be output / stopped by an engine power supply control signal output from the input / output port 107 of the SoC 100. The engine power supply 123 is supplied to the recording head controller 116, the recording head 117, various sensors, various motor control circuits, and various motors after being converted into voltages necessary for each component by a power IC (not shown).

  Each of the above power supplies is controlled to be turned ON / OFF by the power supply control unit 111 according to the power state of the printer. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration relating to a power state transition event (power ON, sleep return) of the printer. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  This printer has a power OFF mode, a normal mode, a power saving mode 1, a power saving mode 2, and a power saving mode 3 as power states (operation modes related to power consumption).

  The power supply OFF mode is a state in which the commercial power supply is connected and the logic power supply 122 is being output. A state in which the printer is not connected to the commercial power source is excluded from the power state because the printer cannot operate.

  In the normal mode, power is supplied to the SoC 100, the RAM 108, the network control unit 109, the operation panel 113, the power control unit 111, and the print engine unit 115, and is in a standby state in which a normal print operation can be performed immediately. is there. The RAM 108 is refreshed by an external refresh circuit. The operation panel 113 is also displayed (however, it is erased if there is no operation for a predetermined period).

  In the power saving mode 1, the supply of the engine power supply 123 is stopped and the network power supply 124, the RAM power supply 125, and the SoC power supply 126 are supplied, and communication from an external device without a print operation by the print engine unit 115 is performed. It is in a state where response is possible. The RAM 108 is refreshed by an external refresh circuit. The display on the operation panel 113 is turned off. The power saving mode 1 consumes less power than the normal mode.

  In the power saving mode 2, the supply of the engine power supply 123 is stopped, and the network power supply 124, the RAM power supply 125, and the SoC power supply 126 are supplied. However, the operation of the CPU 101 is set to a stopped state, and the RAM 108 is set to self-refresh. The network power supply 124 is supplied but supplied with lower power than in the normal mode. At this time, the network control unit 109 enters the power saving mode, and only other specific functions (packets for returning from sleep) can be detected while other functions are turned off. The display on the operation panel 113 is turned off. The power saving mode 2 consumes less power than the power saving mode 1.

  In the power saving mode 3, the supply of the engine power supply 123 and the SoC power supply 126 is stopped. The RAM power supply 125 is supplied, but the RAM 108 is set to self-refresh to suppress power consumption. Further, the network power supply 124 is supplied, but the power is supplied at a lower power than in the normal mode, and the network control unit 109 is set in the power saving mode. The display on the operation panel 113 is turned off. The power saving mode 3 consumes less power than the power saving mode 2.

  The power switch of the operation panel 113 is connected to the power control unit 111 and the input / output port 107 of the SoC 100, and the state of the power switch is notified to the power control unit 111 and the input / output port 107. Transition from the power-off mode to a state where the printer can operate (startup event) is detection of pressing of the power switch on the operation panel 113 by the power control unit 111.

  The Vbus of the USB connector 201 is connected to the power control unit 111 and the SoC USB control unit 102. By detecting a change in Vbus that occurs when a USB device is connected to the USB connector 201, the power supply control unit 111 and the USB control unit 102 are notified of the connection of the USB device.

  A PME (Power Management Event) signal is notified to the power supply control unit 111 and the input / output port 107 as an event from the network via the network control unit 109. When the network control unit 109 receives a specific packet from the network during the power saving mode, the network control unit 109 outputs a PME signal.

  The power control unit 111 performs I / O control, power state / return factor retention, and the like in accordance with instructions from the CPU 101 and the like. In addition, the power control unit 111 can detect a factor for returning from the power saving mode in a state where power is not supplied to the SoC 100. The power supply control unit 111 has a power state holding unit that holds the current power state state. When the SoC power supply 126 is turned on when a transition event is detected, the power state determination signal at the time of startup according to the contents of the power state holding unit Is output.

  The recovery event from the power saving mode is USB device connection, data (print job, status response command, etc.) received via USB, data (print job, status response command, etc.) received via network, power switch pressed It is detection.

  As a start-up power state determination signal corresponding to the contents of the power state holding unit, there is a start-up power state determination signal indicating whether the shift is from the power saving mode 2 or the power-off mode. The CPU 101 of the SoC 100 can determine whether to start from the power-off mode or from the power saving mode 2 based on the power state determination signal. The transition from the power saving mode 1 to the power saving mode 3 or the power OFF mode is instructed from the CPU 101 to the power control unit 111 by a power saving mode / OFF mode shift instruction signal. Further, when returning from the power saving mode 3, the return factor is held by a return factor holding unit provided in the power supply control unit 111. It takes a certain amount of time from when the SoC power supply 126 is supplied by the power supply control unit 111 and the CPU 101 is activated to determine the content of the signal from the input / output port 107. For this reason, for example, when a self-return tact switch is used as the power switch, if the user releases the switch immediately after the power switch is pressed, the return factor may not be detected. However, in the present embodiment, the power source control unit 111 is provided with a return factor holding unit, and information indicating the content of the return factor is held therein, so that the CPU 101 can specify the return factor by referring to this information. is there.

  Next, details of power state transition will be described with reference to FIG. Unless otherwise instructed by the user, the printer according to the present embodiment shifts the power state so that the power consumption is as small as possible within a range that does not hinder the operation.

(1) Pressing the power switch from the power OFF mode:
When the user presses the power switch on the operation panel 113 while the printer is in the power OFF mode (S301), the power control unit 111 detects this and turns on the network power 124, the RAM power 125, and the SoC power 126. To. When the initialization of the SoC 100, the RAM 108, and the network control unit 109 is completed, the transition to the power saving mode 1 is completed. Here, the CPU 101 refers to the start-up power state determination signal from the power supply control unit 111 and recognizes the start-up from the power-off mode. In the case of startup from the power OFF mode, the mode is further shifted to the normal mode. Therefore, the CPU 101 subsequently turns on the engine power supply 123 by the engine power supply control signal. Then, the print engine unit 115 performs necessary initialization processing in the standby state, and the transition to the normal mode is completed (S302).

(2) Transition from normal mode to power saving mode (with USB connection: power saving mode 2):
When the printer is in the normal mode (S302) and no print job is received for a predetermined period and when there is no operation on the operation panel 113 for a predetermined period, the shift to the power saving mode is performed. When these conditions are satisfied, the CPU 101 first performs end processing such as stop processing of various motors of the print engine unit 115 and movement of the carriage on which the recording head 117 is mounted to the end position. When this termination process is completed, the CPU 101 turns off the engine power supply 123 by the engine power control signal, and the transition to the power saving mode 1 is completed (S303). Here, when a USB device is connected to the USB connector 201, the mode is further shifted to the power saving mode 2. This is because when the mode is shifted to the power saving mode 3, the SoC power supply 126 is turned off, and data cannot be received from the USB device. Therefore, when it is determined that the USB device is not connected even when the print job is not received for a predetermined period and the operation panel 113 is not operated for a predetermined period, the power saving mode 1 is shifted as described above. Subsequently, the mode is shifted to the power saving mode 2. After shifting to the power saving mode 1 as described above, the CPU 101 sets the RAM 108 to self-refresh, shifts the network control unit 109 to the power saving mode, and then stops itself (a state in which only an interrupt request can be detected). ). Thereby, the transition to the power saving mode 2 is completed (S304).

(3) Transition from normal mode to power saving mode (no USB connection: power saving mode 3):
As in (2) above, when a print job is not received for a predetermined period and the operation panel 113 is not operated for a predetermined period, first, the mode is shifted to the power saving mode 1 (S303). Here, when the USB device is not connected to the USB connector 201, the mode is shifted to the power saving mode 3 in order to further reduce the power consumption. First, the CPU 101 sets the RAM 108 to self-refresh, and shifts the network control unit 109 to the power saving mode. Then, the CPU 101 instructs the power supply control unit 111 to shift to the power saving mode 3 by a power saving mode / OFF mode transition instruction signal. Receiving this instruction, the power supply control unit 111 turns off the SoC power supply 126 and completes the transition to the power saving mode 3 (S305).

(4) Return from power saving mode 3:
A case will be described in which the network control unit 109 receives data via the network while the printer is in the power saving mode 3 (S305). The network control unit 109 outputs a PME signal when receiving a specific packet (a packet instructing return from sleep) whose destination is its own IP address or MAC address. The power supply control unit 111 that has received the PME signal turns on the SoC power supply 126. When the SoC power supply 126 is supplied to the SoC 100, the CPU 101 is first initialized. Thereafter, the CPU 101 cancels the self-refresh of the RAM 108, returns the network control unit 109 from the power saving mode to the normal power mode, and shifts to the power saving mode 1 (S303). Here, the network control unit 109 can receive data (such as a print job) via the network.

  The CPU 101 can recognize the return from the power saving mode 3 based on the power state determination signal at the time of startup, and the recovery triggered by the data reception via the network based on the information held in the return factor holding unit of the power control unit 111. It can be recognized that. Based on these recognitions, the CPU 101 determines to shift to the normal mode when the data received via the network control unit 109 is a print job. Therefore, the mode is shifted from the power saving mode 1 to the normal mode. Transition from the power saving mode 1 to the normal mode is performed according to the procedure described in the above (1). When the transition to the normal mode is completed (S302), the CPU 101 causes the print engine unit 115 to record an image based on the print job received via the network control unit 109. On the other hand, if the data received via the network control unit 109 is a status response command for inquiring the printer status, the response can be made in the power saving mode 1, so that the response in the power saving mode 1 is made without shifting to the normal mode. To do. That is, the status response is executed after shifting from the power saving mode 3 (S305) to the power saving mode 1 as described above (S303), and after the status response is completed, the mode is shifted again to the power saving mode 3 (S305).

  Next, a case where a USB device is connected to the USB connector 201 when the printer is in the power saving mode 3 (S305) will be described. When the USB device is connected to the USB connector 201 in the power saving mode 3, Vbus is supplied from the USB device, so that the power supply control unit 111 can detect that the USB device is connected. When the power supply control unit 111 detects Vbus, the power supply control unit 111 turns on the SoC power supply 126. When power is supplied to the SoC 100 by the SoC power supply 126, the mode is shifted to the power saving mode 1 as described above (S303). Here, the CPU 101 can recognize that the power is restored from the power saving mode 3 based on the startup power state determination signal, and can recognize that the recovery is based on the USB connection based on the information held in the return factor holding unit of the power control unit 111. . Here, since the CPU 101 recognizes that the recovery is based on the USB connection, the CPU 101 performs the USB connection process, and then shifts to the power saving mode 2 (S304). In addition, although it transfers to the power saving mode 2 after shifting to the power saving mode 1 here, if it can transfer to the power saving mode 2 directly from the power saving mode 3, you may do so. Absent.

(5) Return from power saving mode 2:
A case where data is received via a network or USB in a state where the printer is in the power saving mode 2 (S304) will be described. When data is received via the network, the CPU 101 returns from the stopped state to the operating state by the PME signal from the network control unit 109, and when data is received via the USB, the internal signal of the SoC 100, and detection of these data can be detected. It is. When receiving the PME signal or the internal signal of the SoC 100 indicating the USB connection, the SoC 100 releases the CPU 101 from the stopped state. The CPU 101 in the operating state undergoes initialization processing, cancels the self-refresh of the RAM 108, cancels the power saving mode of the network control unit 109, and shifts to the power saving mode 1 (S303). Here, the CPU 101 recognizes whether the data is received via the network or the data via the USB by the PME signal or the internal signal described above. If the received data is a print job, the CPU 101 shifts to the normal mode (S302) and causes the print engine unit 115 to record an image in accordance with the print job received from either of them. When the received data is a status response command, in the power saving mode 1 (S303), the status response is executed, and after the status response is completed, the mode is shifted again to the power saving mode 2 (S304).

(6) Transition to power-off mode:
When the printer is in the power saving mode 3 (S305) or the power saving mode 2 (S304) and the power switch of the operation panel 113 is pressed, the printer shifts to the power saving mode 1 (S303). Further, when the CPU 101 detects that the power switch has been pressed for a long time (ie, has been kept pressed for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds)) in the power saving mode 1 (S303), necessary termination processing is performed. Then, the power control unit 111 is instructed to shift to the power OFF mode using the power saving mode / OFF shift instruction signal. The power control unit 111 instructed to shift to the power OFF mode turns off the network power 124, the RAM power 125, and the SoC power 126 and shifts to the power OFF mode (S301).

  In the state where the printer is in the normal mode (S302), it is detected that the power switch is pressed, and if it is confirmed that it is a long press, the mode is shifted to the power saving mode 1 (S303). When the shift to the power saving mode 1 is completed, the shift to the power OFF mode is performed as it is (S301).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the SoC 100 mounted on the same chip as the control circuit related to the overall control of the printer including the CPU 101 is the main control unit, the USB control unit 102 is a common power source. It can be operated and power consumption can be reduced. At this time, since the method of supplying power is changed according to whether or not the USB device is connected, power saving according to each state can be achieved. In addition, since the connection of the USB device can be detected by the power control unit 111, communication via the USB can be appropriately performed even when the power supply to the SoC 100 is stopped. Since the power supply to the network control unit 109, which is an interface different from the USB control unit 102, is performed separately from the SoC 100, communication via the network can be performed appropriately. In addition, since the PME signal for returning from sleep received via the network can be detected by the power supply control unit 111, data can be properly received via the network even when the power supply to the SoC 100 is OFF. It can be carried out.

  Moreover, this embodiment is implement | achieved also by performing the following processes. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program. It is processing to do. Further, the program may be executed by one computer or may be executed in conjunction with a plurality of computers. Moreover, it is not necessary to implement all of the above-described processing by software, and part or all of the processing may be implemented by hardware.

Claims (7)

A main control unit including a first interface for connecting to an external device;
A second interface for connecting to an external device;
Power control means for controlling power supplied to the main control unit and the second interface;
The main control unit performs processing of data received from an external device via the first interface and the second interface while power is supplied;
The power control means includes
First detecting means for detecting that an external device is connected via the first interface even when power is not supplied to the main control unit;
A second detecting means for detecting that predetermined data has been received via the second interface even when power is not supplied to the main control unit;
A power supply control apparatus that controls power supply to the main control unit and the second interface according to detection results of the first detection means and the second detection means.   The power control means, when an external device is connected via the first interface, does not receive data via the first interface and the second interface for a predetermined period of time. The power supply control device according to claim 1, wherein a process for reducing power consumption is performed in a state where power is supplied to the unit.   The power control means supplies power to the main control unit when no data is received via the second interface for a predetermined period in a state where no external device is connected via the first interface. The power supply control device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply control device is stopped.   When the power control means does not receive data via the second interface for a predetermined period, the power control means reduces the power of the power supplied to the second interface and receives the data via the second interface. The power supply control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reduction is canceled.   The said power supply control means hold | maintains the information which specifies the operation mode in connection with electric power consumption, and controls the power supply supplied according to the said hold | maintained information. The power supply control device according to item.   The power control means holds information for specifying a return factor when returning from an operation mode in which power consumption is reduced, and controls the power supplied in accordance with the held information. The power supply control apparatus of any one of Claims 1-5.   The power control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first interface is a USB interface, and the second interface is a network interface.

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