JPH03111919A - Interface device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention is based on the X3.131-1986 “Small Compute
r System Inter-face” (commonly known as s)
The present invention relates to a host computer, a device controller, and an interface device built into the device that are interconnected according to the CSR interface.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, data transfer between interconnected host computers, device controllers, and devices (e.g., printers) that support the SCS I interface is based on control commands, status, and messages using control signals of the SC3I bus. Techniques are known that are implemented using communication protocols that define the following.

Further, the information transferred between the devices is not just print data, but also the current printer setting mode, error information, etc. Such information transfer can only be used when the power switch of each device set on the SC3I bus is manually turned on and each device becomes ready.

Furthermore, when turning off the power switch, it is customary to turn it off manually.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above conventional example, even if the host computer attempts to access a device (printer) whose power switch is not turned on, the printer side is not in a ready state, so the data transfer request is not made. There was no response, and the host computer had to keep issuing data transfer requests over and over again until a human turned on the printer.

In addition, in order to avoid such inconveniences, if you use the device with the power on all the time, it will consume power unnecessarily, and you will end up having to turn the power on and off every time you use it, which is extremely expensive. It was bothering humans.

The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and
An object of the present invention is to provide an interface device that can manage turning on and off of power supplied to a device.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, an apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, it is an interface device that controls turning on or off of power supplied to a terminal device connected to a host computer, and includes a transmitting/receiving means for transmitting and receiving information to and from the host computer, and according to control information received by the transmitting/receiving means. and power control means for turning on or turning off the power.

Preferably, the power supply control means cuts off the power supply when an idle state is detected for a predetermined period of time.

More preferably, the power supply control means includes a timer activated by control information from the transmitter/receiver, and turns on or off the power by comparing the time measured by the timer.

[Operation] In the above configuration, power supplied to the terminal device is turned on or off according to control information received from the host computer.

Further, when an idle state is detected for a predetermined period of time, the power is cut off.

Furthermore, the time in the clock means activated by the control information received from the host computer is compared, and the power is turned on or off.

[Embodiment] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an interconnected host computer, device controller, and printer that support the SC3I interface in an embodiment. In the figure, the hardware and software of the host computer 10, device controller 2, and printer 3 are each represented as several blocks.

In the figure, 1 is a printer device, which is composed of a recording section 3, a device controller 2, and a power supply device 5. In this explanation, the processing unit related to the scsr interface processing will be referred to as the device controller, 5C3I
A print processing section that is not related to interface processing is called a recording section, and both are collectively called a printer device.

The recording unit 3 includes a printer engine and the like for performing print processing. The power supply device 5 is supplied with power from the external power source 4 and supplies power to the device controller 2, and the power is supplied to the printer main body 3 via the device controller 2.

The device controller 2 includes a printer power switch 6.
5. Memory 7 for storing the CSI interface processing program, I10 system 8. It is composed of a CPU 9.

The I10 system 8 receives commands, messages, and data from the host computer 10 via the SC3I interface cable 16, and the SC3I interface processing program manages the SCSI bus and processes the received commands, messages, and data. . Here, the received command is e.g.
If the command is "Printer power switch on command", the printer power switch 6 is turned on by software, and power is supplied to the recording section 3, thereby starting the recording section 3.

All of the processing of the device controller 2 described above is controlled by a CPU 9 composed of a microprocessor or the like.

On the other hand, the host computer 10 includes a memory 11 storing an SCS I interface processing program, an O5 (operating system) 12, and a BIOS 13,5CS.
It is composed of an SCS I adapter 15 that receives and receives data via an I interface cable 16, and a CPU 14 that controls all of them.

Although FIG. 1 only illustrates the configuration necessary for turning on and off the printer power switch 6, which will be described later, the host computer 10 may be connected to other control devices or peripheral devices (such as a keyboard). It doesn't matter if it is done. Further, although the printer device 10 shows a configuration in which the recording section 3 and the device controller 2 are integrated into one, each may be independent.

Next, the operation of this embodiment with the above configuration will be explained.

First, the power supply 4 is connected to the printer device 1, and in order to turn on and cut off the power to the recording section 3, the CPU 9
Start the I-interface processing program. and,
When the initialization process is completed, the host computer 10 remains in a state of waiting for a command. At this time, the printer power switch 6 is set to the off state by default.

On the other hand, the host computer 10 starts the SC3I interface processing program by the CPU 14, and
812, printer device 1 via SC3I adapter 15
Send commands, etc. to

Next, the processing procedure of the printer device 1 in this embodiment will be explained below according to the flowchart of the scsr interface processing program shown in FIG.

First, by the power supplied by the power supply device 5,
The CPU 9 starts executing the SCS I interface processing program.

In step S1, initialization processing such as setting the operation mode of the CPU 9 and the I10 system 8 and default values of various parameters is performed. Next, in step S2, the printer power switch 6 for supplying power to the recording section 3 is set to the off state. After completing the above settings, the process advances to step S3 and waits until a 5C8I bus connection is detected.

Thereafter, if the SC3I bus is detected by the I10 system 8, the process advances to step S4 and shifts to a state of waiting for a command from the host computer IO.

Next, when a command is received from the host computer 10, the process advances to step S5, and it is determined whether the received command is a command to turn on the printer power switch. If it is a printer power-on command, the process advances to step S7 and the printer power switch 6 is turned on.
Switch to on state. When the process is completed, the process advances to step S10, and the command execution result status is returned.

On the other hand, in step S5 described above, if it is not a printer power-on command, the process advances to step s6,
Determine whether the received command is a printer power-off command. As a result, if it is a printer power-off command, the process advances to step S8, and the printer power switch 6 is turned off. However, if the received command is neither, the process advances to step s9 and the process corresponding to the command is executed.

When the process is completed, the process advances to step SIO, and the result of executing the command is returned to the host computer 1o as a status.

When the process is completed, the process returns to step S3 and the process of checking the SC6I bus connection status is repeated.

In addition, the printer power switch on command is
It may be newly defined as a special command on the I protocol, or a command that actually uses the recording section 3, in the case of this embodiment, a print command, may be assigned to it from among the existing command set.

Note that the printer power switch disconnection command is preferably newly defined as a special command since no command that causes the switch to be turned off is found in the existing command set.

Next, the processing procedure in the host computer 10 will be explained below according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in step Sll, the 5CSI interface program is started and initialization processing is executed to set default values for the SC3I adapter and various parameters. Next, the process advances to step S12, and the user selects SC5.
Wait for instructions to the I interface. The user here refers to an application program, etc. located above the 5CSI interface program.

If an instruction is received from the user, the process advances to step S13, where the connection of the SC3I bus with the printer device fl is checked, and if the connection of the 5C3I bus is not set, the process proceeds to step S14. Make settings.

However, if the SC8I bus is connected, step S1
The process advances to 5, a test unit ready command is issued, and it is checked from the execution result whether the printer 1 is in the ready state. As a result, if the printer is not in the ready state, it is determined in step S16 whether it is necessary to turn on the printer power, and if YES, step S17
Proceed to the process to turn on the printer power switch.

However, if the printer 1 is already in the ready state or if there is no need to turn on the power of the printer 1, the process advances from step 816 to step S18.

Next, in step S18, commands, messages, and data are transmitted in accordance with instructions from the user, and in subsequent step S19, a status that is the result of executing the command is received. After completing the series of processes, the process advances to step S20, and it is checked whether there is an instruction to turn off the power to the printer 1. As a result, if an instruction to turn off the power is included, the process advances to step S21,
Sends a command to turn off the printer power switch.

When the above processing is completed, the process returns to step S12 and waits for the next instruction from the user.

As described above, according to this embodiment, unnecessary power consumption can be reduced by turning on the power switch only when using the printer.

Furthermore, since all operations related to the printer's power switch can be performed remotely, the user can perform processing without worrying about the current on/off state of the printer's power switch.

E Other Embodiments] Next, as another embodiment according to the present invention, after the printer power switch 6 is turned on, the host computer 1 is turned on for a certain period of time.
If the command reception from 0 is not detected, the device controller 2 automatically turns on the printer power switch 6.
The process of cutting the will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the SC3I interface processing program in which a timer function is added to the SCSI bus connection waiting state from the host computer in step S3 of FIG. 2 described above. and,
The same step numbers are given to the same processes as in FIG. 2, and the description thereof will be omitted.

If the SC3I bus connection from the host computer 1o is not detected in step S3, the process advances to step S30, and the state of the printer power switch 6 is checked. If the printer power switch 6 is currently on, the process advances to step S31, and it is checked whether the command reception wait time has expired. Here, if the timeout occurs, the printer power switch 6 is disconnected in step S32, and the process returns to step S3. However, if the timeout does not occur, the process advances to step S3.

On the other hand, in step S30, if the printer power switch 6 is in the OFF state, the process directly advances to step S3, and it is checked again whether the SCSI bus connection is detected. Thereby, even if the host computer 10 side forgets to issue the printer power switch disconnection command, the printer power switch 6 will not remain on, which is effective in reducing power consumption of the printer.

In addition, if the recording unit 3 (printer) that takes time to become operational after the power source 4 is turned on is connected to the device controller 2, the power switch 6 of the printer 3 is turned on at a predetermined time. It is also possible to improve the usage efficiency of the printer 3 by providing a timer function for disconnecting the printer 3.

FIG. 5 shows the SCS from the host computer 10 mentioned above.
12 is a flowchart of an SC3I interface processing program in which automatic printer power switch on/off timer functions are added to the I bus connection waiting state. Note that the times at which the printer power switch 6 is turned on and off are programmable and are set in advance by commands from the host computer 10.

In step S36, it is determined whether the automatic on/off function of the printer power switch 6 is in operation, and if it is not in operation, the process advances to step S41 and waits for 5C3I bus connection. However, if it is in operation, it is determined in step S37 whether the current time is the power-on time, and if they match, the process advances to step S38 to perform power-on processing. However, if they do not match,
The process advances to step S39, and it is determined whether the current time and the power-off time match. If they match, the process advances to step S40, and power-off processing is performed.

On the other hand, in step S39, if they do not match, if the connection of the SC3I bus is not confirmed in step S41, the process returns to step 336, and if confirmed, the process proceeds to step S42, where the command is received. Then, in step S43, the process according to the command and the status that is the command execution result are returned, and in step S43,
The process returns to step 41.

As a result, even when using a printer with a relatively long warm-up time, you can use the printer from the host computer without having to worry about the time it takes for the printer to become ready after receiving a command to turn on the printer power switch. be able to. Furthermore, since the printer power is automatically turned off at a predetermined time, it is also effective in preventing forgetting to turn off the printer power switch.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the power consumption of the entire device can be reduced by managing the power switch of the device on the host computer side and turning off the power switch according to the command issued by the host computer. can be reduced.

In addition, since all operations related to the power supply of the device can be performed remotely, the user can perform processing without worrying about whether the power switch is currently on or off.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an interconnected host computer, device controller, and printer that support the SC8I interface in this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the device controller in this embodiment, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the host computer in this embodiment, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure in other embodiments. In the figure, 1... printer device, 2... device controller, 3... recording unit, 4... power supply, 5... power supply device, 6... printer power switch, 7... S
CS I interface processing program, 8...I1
0 system, 9...CPU, 10...host computer, 11...SC3I interface processing program, 12...O3, 13...BIO3, 14...
・CPU, 15...SCS I adapter, 16...
SCSR interface cable. Patent applicant Canon Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) An interface device that controls turning on or off power supplied to a terminal device connected to a host computer, comprising a transmitting/receiving means for transmitting and receiving information to and from the host computer, and a control information received by the transmitting/receiving means. Accordingly, an interface device characterized by comprising a power control means for turning on or cutting off the power. (2) The interface device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply control means cuts off the power supply when an idle state is detected for a predetermined period of time. (3) The power supply control means includes a timekeeping means activated by control information from the transmitting/receiving means, and turns on or off the power by comparing the time measured by the timekeeping means. The interface device according to paragraph 1.