Electronic device

Abstract

An electronic device includes: a detection means for detecting a state of the electronic device; a control unit for acquiring a detection result of the detection unit and performing control based on the detection result; and a holding member for holding the detection result of the detection member as detection information. The power state of the control part includes a first state and a second state whose power consumption is higher than that of the first state. The control section acquires the detection result in the second state and does not acquire the detection result in the first state, and in a case where the power state transitions from the first state to the second state, the control section acquires the detection information stored in the holding section in the first state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to power saving technology for electronic devices. Background Art

[0002] In order to reduce the power consumption of an electronic device, a technology is known that enables the power state of the electronic device to be switched between a normal state and a power saving state in which the power consumption is lower than that in the normal state. In the power saving state, the power consumption is reduced by not supplying power to at least some components of the electronic device or by limiting at least some functions of the components. Patent document 1 discloses a first control unit provided with a receiving unit, which receives a detection result from a sensor that detects the state of the electronic device, and discloses a technology in which the first control unit obtains the detection result from a second control unit in the power saving state. According to this technology, the power consumption of the first control unit is reduced by limiting the function of the receiving unit in the power saving state, but the first control unit can recognize the detection result of the sensor even in the power saving state.

[0003] Citation List

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-10638 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, with the technology of Patent Document 1, the first control unit communicates with the second control unit to obtain the detection result of the sensor even in the power saving state, and there is room for improvement in reducing the power consumption of the first control unit.

[0008] The present invention provides a technique that makes it possible to identify the state of an electronic device while reducing power consumption.

[0009] Solutions for solving problems

[0010] According to the present invention, there is provided an electronic device, comprising:

[0011] A detection component, used for detecting the state of the electronic device;

[0012] a control component configured to obtain a detection result of the detection component and perform control based on the detection result; and

[0013] a holding component, used for holding the detection result of the detection component as detection information,

[0014] wherein the power state of the control component includes a first state and a second state in which the power consumption is higher than the first state, and

[0015] The control component acquires the detection result in the second state but does not acquire the detection result in the first state, and when the power state changes from the first state to the second state, the control component acquires the detection information stored in the holding component in the first state.

[0016] Effects of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique that makes it possible to identify the state of an electronic device while reducing power consumption. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is an appearance diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the internal mechanism of an electronic device.

[0020] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Block diagram of a control unit of an electronic device.

[0021] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the operation when the power is turned on.

[0022] Figure 5 is a diagram of the operation when the power key is operated.

[0023] Figure 6 is a diagram of the operation when the power key is operated.

[0024] Figure 7 is a block diagram of the processing circuit.

[0025] Fig. 8A is a flowchart showing an example of control related to the processing circuit.

[0026] Figure 8B is a flowchart showing an example of control related to the processing circuit.

[0027] Fig. 9 is a timing chart showing an example of changes in detection results, detection information, input information, and the like. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. A plurality of features are described in the embodiments, but are not limited to inventions requiring all such features, and a plurality of such features may be appropriately combined. In addition, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar configurations, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0029] <Overview of Electronic Devices>

[0030] Figure 1 1 is an appearance diagram of an electronic device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front side. The electronic device 1 of the present embodiment is an inkjet printing device that ejects liquid ink to print on a print medium, but the present invention can also be applied to various electronic devices other than inkjet printing devices. In the figure, arrows X and Y indicate horizontal directions orthogonal to each other, and arrow Z indicates the up and down direction (gravity direction). The X direction is the width direction (left and right direction) of the electronic device 1. The Y direction is the depth direction of the electronic device 1.

[0031] Note that "printing" includes not only forming important information such as characters or graphic patterns on a print medium in a broader sense, but also includes forming an image, design or pattern and processing of the print medium, whether the information is important or unimportant or has become obvious to allow human visual perception. In addition, in this embodiment, the "print medium" is assumed to be a sheet of paper, but it may also be a fabric, a plastic film, etc.

[0032] The electronic device 1 is in the shape of a flat rectangular parallelepiped as a whole, and includes an apparatus body 2, a cover 3, and a box-type stacking portion 4. The cover 3 is provided to cover the upper portion of the apparatus body 2, and constitutes the top of the electronic device 1. The cover 3 is a movable portion that can be operated by a user, and can be opened and closed in the direction of an arrow D1. Figure 1 The cover 3 is shown in a closed state. When the cover 3 is changed to an open state, the internal mechanism of the device body 2 can be exposed to the outside for maintenance, etc. The stacking section 4 is a tray for stacking print media, and is a movable section that can be operated by a user, and can be pulled out of the device body 2 and installed (pushed into) into the device body 2 in the direction of arrow D2. A discharge section 6 for discharging printed print media is formed in front of the electronic device 1. An operation unit 8 that accepts operations performed by the user is also provided in front of the electronic device 1. The operation unit 8 has a touch panel type display unit and a power key 8a. In the present embodiment, the power key 8a is a button type switch. By operating the power key 8a, the user can issue a power-on instruction and a power-off instruction to the electronic device 1.

[0033] The shell forming the outer wall of the device body 2 has a plurality of windows 2a to 2d. The user can visually check the internal configuration of the device body 2 through the windows 2a to 2d. In the present embodiment, the user can visually check the remaining amount of liquid contained in the containers 5Bk, 5C, 5M and 5Y (hereinafter, when collectively referred to or when there is no distinction between them, referred to as the container 5) through the windows 2a to 2d. The container 5 is an ink tank containing liquid ink, and different types of ink are contained in the four containers 5. In the case of the present embodiment, the container 5Bk contains black ink, the container 5C contains cyan ink, the container 5M contains magenta ink, and the container 5Y contains yellow ink. In addition, the number of types of ink is not limited to four in the present embodiment, and can be one type or a plurality of types other than four types, and the number of containers 5 only needs to be greater than or equal to the number of types of liquid ink.

[0034] Figure 2 1 is a schematic diagram showing the internal mechanism of the electronic device 1. The electronic device 1 includes ejection heads 12a and 12b (hereinafter, when collectively referred to or when there is no distinction between them, referred to as the container 5 for short) that eject liquid. In the present embodiment, the ejection head 12a is a print head that prints by ejecting ink supplied from the container 5Bk onto a print medium, and the ejection head 12b is a print head that prints by ejecting ink supplied from the containers 5C to 5Y onto a print medium. The ejection heads 12 each have an ejection face formed with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink. Each nozzle is provided with, for example, an electrothermal conversion element (heater), which is heated when supplied with electricity so that bubbles are formed in the ink, and the generated bubbling energy causes the ink to be ejected.

[0035] The ejection head 12 is mounted on the carriage 11. The carriage 11 moves back and forth in the X direction (main scanning direction) by the driving unit 13. The driving unit 13 includes a driving pulley and a driven pulley ( Figure 2 1 and 2 , only the driven pulley 13b is shown, the endless belt 13c wound around the pulley, and the carriage motor 13a serving as a driving source for rotating the driving pulley. The carriage 11 is coupled to the endless belt 13c, and when the endless belt 13c moves, the carriage 11 moves in the X direction. As the carriage 11 moves, ink is ejected from the ejection head 12 onto the print medium, thereby printing an image. This operation is sometimes referred to as print scanning.

[0036] As described above, the electronic device 1 of the present embodiment is a tandem inkjet printing apparatus in which the ejection head 12 is mounted on a carriage 11 that moves back and forth. However, the present invention can also be applied to other printing apparatuses such as an inkjet printing apparatus including a "full-line" head ejection head (print head) provided with a plurality of nozzles that eject liquid over an area corresponding to the width of a print medium.

[0037] The electronic device 1 includes a feeding unit 9 and a conveying unit 10 for conveying a print medium. The feeding unit 9 includes a feeding mechanism (not shown) that feeds the print medium from the stacking portion 4 or the tray 7 on which the print medium is stacked. The feeding mechanism includes, for example, a feeding roller that feeds the print medium and a feeding motor that serves as a driving source for rotating the feeding roller. The conveying unit 10 is a mechanism for conveying the print medium fed from the feeding unit 9 in the Y direction (sub-scanning direction). The conveying unit 10 includes a conveying roller 10a and a conveying motor that serves as a driving source for rotating the conveying roller 10a. A pinch roller (not shown) is in pressure contact with the conveying roller 10a, and the print medium is clamped in a roller gap area therebetween. By the rotation of the conveying roller 10a, the print medium is intermittently conveyed toward the ejection head 12. The printing operation is performed by alternately repeating the print medium conveying operation and the print scanning performed by the conveying unit 10.

[0038] <Control Unit>

[0039] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a control unit provided in the electronic device 1. The control unit is a circuit that controls the electronic device 1. The control unit includes a power supply unit 20, a system control unit 30, and a power control unit 40.

[0040] The system control unit 30 is a control circuit (e.g., ASIC) that performs overall control of the electronic device 1. The CPU 31 is a processor that controls the operation of the electronic device 1 and controls data processing, for example. The CPU 31 executes a program stored in the storage unit 32 to perform overall control of the electronic device 1. The storage unit 32 is composed of a semiconductor memory (e.g., ROM or RAM). The storage unit 32 stores the program executed by the CPU 31 and various data required for processing such as data received from the host computer 100. The engine controller 34 includes, for example, a driver that controls the engine 50. The engine 50 includes components related to printing operations (e.g., the ejection head 12, the feed unit 9, the conveying unit 10, and various sensors).

[0041] The host computer 100 is, for example, a personal computer or a mobile terminal (such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal) used by a user. A printer driver for performing communication between the host computer 100 and the electronic device 1 is installed in the host computer 100. The electronic device 1 includes a communication interface (communication I / F) 33, and communication between the host computer 100 and the CPU 31 is performed via the communication I / F 33.

[0042] The input interface (input I / F) 36 has an input port to which a signal from the power control unit 41 is input, and in particular, a signal indicating a detection result related to a user operation on the power key 8a is input. The communication interface (communication I / F) 35 performs data communication with the communication interface (communication I / F) 42 of the power control unit 41.

[0043] The input interface (input I / F) 37 has an input port to which the detection result from the cover sensor 15 is input and an input port to which the detection result from the box sensor 16 is input. These detection results are input to the input I / F 37 via the processing circuit 45 provided for each sensor, and the processing circuit 45 is provided in the power control unit 40. The cover sensor 15 and the box sensor 16 are examples of sensors that detect the state of the electronic device 1, and the cover sensor 15 is a sensor that detects whether the cover 3 is in an open state or a closed state. The box sensor 16 is a sensor that detects the position state (pulled out or installed) of the stacking section 4.

[0044] When the plug 14a is inserted into the power outlet, the power supply unit (PSU) 14 converts the commercial AC voltage into a DC voltage such as 32V or 24V used by the electronic device 1, and outputs the DC voltage to the power supply unit 20. The state in which the plug 14a has been inserted into the outlet and the PSU 14 has started supplying power is also called a hard-on state.

[0045] The power supply unit 20 is a circuit that supplies power to the system control unit 30, and includes a DC / DC converter 21, a regulator 22, and a reset control circuit 23. The DC / DC converter 21 converts the DC voltage output from the PSU 14 into a predetermined DC voltage V1, and supplies the converted DC voltage to the system control unit 30. The regulator 22 converts the DC voltage output from the PSU 14 into a predetermined DC voltage V2, and supplies the converted DC voltage to the power control unit 40 and the reset control circuit 23.

[0046] The reset control circuit 23 is a circuit for switching the output and stop of the voltage V1 by the DC / DC converter 21. When receiving a stop output instruction (referred to as a reset instruction) from the power saving control circuit 41, the reset control circuit 23 stops the output of the voltage V1 from the DC / DC converter 21 (referred to as a reset state). In addition, when the power saving control circuit 41 receives an instruction to cancel the reset state, the reset control circuit 23 causes the DC / DC converter 21 to output the voltage V1.

[0047] The power control unit 40 operates while receiving power from the regulator 22, and controls the supply and interruption of power to the system control unit 30 through the power supply unit 20. The power saving control circuit 41 controls the transmission of the reset instruction to the reset control circuit 23 and the cancellation of the reset instruction. In other words, the power state of the system control unit 30 is controlled by the power saving control circuit 41 of the power control unit 40, enters the power saving state when the reset instruction is output, and enters the power supply state when the reset state is canceled.

[0048] In the present embodiment, the power saving state is a standby state in which the power supply to the system control unit 30 is interrupted and the power consumption of the system control unit 30 is zero. In the present embodiment, the power saving state is also referred to as a soft-off state, and the power supply state in which the printing operation can be performed is also referred to as a soft-on state. Note that as long as power is being supplied from the PSU 14, the regulator 22 always outputs the voltage V2 regardless of whether the regulator 22 is in the reset state or the reset state has been canceled.

[0049] The power saving control circuit 41 receives the operation detection result related to the power key 8a. The power saving control circuit 41 inputs the operation detection result related to the power key 8a to the input I / F 36 of the system control unit 30. Therefore, in the soft-on state, the system control unit 30 can also recognize the operation state of the power key 8a.

[0050] During hard-on (when the regulator 22 starts supplying the voltage V2 ), the power saving control circuit 41 controls output of a reset instruction and cancellation of a reset state based on operation detection results associated with the power key 8 a and signals received from the system control unit 30 via the communication I / F 42 .

[0051] The power control unit 40 also includes a counter 43, a storage unit 44, and a processing circuit 45. The counter 43 is capable of counting time. The counter 43 has a slow clock that can count once every 50 milliseconds, for example, and by counting the clock signal, time can be measured with low power consumption, for example, in a soft-off state. The storage unit 44 can hold a specific value according to the operation of the electronic device 1. The storage unit 44 is configured with a circuit having a minimum necessary storage area such as a trigger. For example, this allows the value to be held with low power consumption in a soft-off state. The system control unit 30 can acquire the count value of the counter 43 and the value held in the storage unit 44 via the communication I / F 42.

[0052] The processing circuit 45 is a circuit having a function of outputting the detection result of the corresponding sensor (the cover sensor 15 or the box sensor 16) to the system control unit 30, and also having a function of retaining the detection result. For example, in the soft-off state, the detection result is retained in the processing circuit 45, and in the soft-on state, the system control unit 30 acquires the retained detection information. Therefore, the state of the electronic device 1 in the soft-off state can be recognized by the system control unit 30 in the soft-on state. In the present embodiment, a plurality of processing circuits 45 and sensors are provided.

[0053] In the present embodiment, power consumption is reduced by cutting off the power supply to the system control unit 30 in the soft-off state. On the other hand, the power state of the system control unit 30 can be controlled by the power control unit 40 configured with a relatively small-scale circuit. This allows the electronic device 1 to achieve necessary functions while significantly reducing power consumption.

[0054] In this embodiment, even in the soft off state, power is supplied to the communication I / F 42, but power is not supplied to the system control unit 30 as a communication partner, so communication is not performed. Therefore, a configuration in which power is not supplied to the communication I / F 42 in the soft off state may be adopted.

[0055] <Power state transition example>

[0056] The following will refer to Figures 4 to 6 An example of power state transition and operation of the system control unit 30 is described. Figure 4 1 shows an example of the operation (start-up sequence) of the PSU 14, the power supply unit 20, the power control unit 40, and the system control unit 30 during hard-on. When commercial power is restored after a power outage, a similar operation is also performed. Figure 4 The operations shown are as follows.

[0057] The PSU 14 starts to generate a power supply voltage used by the electronic device 1 (step S1). The DC voltage generated by the PSU 14 is supplied to the power supply unit 20 (power on). The power supply unit 20 is initialized, and the regulator 22 starts to output a DC voltage V2 (step S2). The DC voltage V2 is supplied to the power control unit 40 (power on (V2)). The power control unit 40 starts to operate (step S3), and an internal reset of the power control unit 40 is performed. The power saving control circuit 41 cancels the reset state of the reset control circuit 23 of the power supply unit 20.

[0058] When the reset state is canceled, the reset control circuit 23 causes the DC / DC converter 21 to start operating (step S4). The DC voltage V1 is supplied from the DC / DC converter 21 to the system control unit 30 (power supply ON (V1)). The CPU 31 of the system control unit 30 performs a startup process according to a program stored in the storage unit 32 (step S5). When the startup is completed, the system control unit 30 transmits a startup notification to the power control unit 40. In the power control unit 40, a process related to the startup of the system control unit 30 is performed.

[0059] Thereafter, when the system control unit 30 detects a power-on operation associated with, for example, the power key 8a, the system control unit 30 transitions to the soft-on state. The period from when the DC voltage V1 is supplied to the system control unit 30 until the transition to the soft-on state is sometimes referred to as a standby state. As another example of processing, for example, information previously set by the user and stored in the storage unit 32 may be read out, and whether the soft-on state or the soft-off state is set may be selected.

[0060] Next, we will refer to Figure 5 A case where the user performs a power-off operation on the power key 8a in the soft-on state is described.

[0061] When it is detected that the power off operation of the power key 8a is performed in the soft-on state, it is determined that the user has requested to shut down the electronic device 1, and the system control unit 30 starts the shutdown process (step S11). The shutdown process is a process in which the system control unit 30 prepares for power interruption. When the shutdown process is completed, the system control unit 30 transmits a shutdown notification to the electronic control unit 40 via the communication I / F 35.

[0062] When the stop control unit 40 receives the shutdown notification, the power saving control circuit 41 issues a reset instruction to the power supply unit 20 as a state transition process (step S12). In response to the reset instruction, the reset control circuit 23 of the power supply unit 20 performs a reset process to stop the operation of the DC / DC converter 21 (step S13). The supply of the DC voltage V1 from the DC / DC converter 21 to the system control unit 30 is stopped (power off (V1)). The system control unit 30 transitions to the soft off state.

[0063] Note that in the illustrated example, the system control unit 30 is caused to transition to the soft-off state under the condition that the power-off operation is performed on the power key 8a. However, similar operations can be performed when other conditions are satisfied. For example, a configuration is possible in which a soft-off time is set, and when the set time is reached, the system control unit 30 switches to the soft-off state by Figure 5 The operation in is transferred to the soft disconnect state. As another example, the condition may be that no processing request is received from the user for a certain period of time.

[0064] Next, we will refer to Figure 6 A case where the user performs a power-on operation on the power key 8a in the soft-off state is described. Since the system control unit 30 is stopped, the power-on operation is recognized by the power control unit 40 (power saving control circuit 42) (step S21). The power control unit 40 instructs the reset control circuit 23 to cancel the reset state as a state transition process (step S22). The reset control circuit 23 of the power supply unit 20 performs a reset cancel process and causes the DC / DC converter 21 to start operating. Power is supplied from the DC / DC converter 21 to the system control unit 30 (power-on (V1)).

[0065] When power is supplied, the CPU 31 of the system control unit 30 performs a startup process according to the program stored in the storage unit 32 (step S24). When the startup is completed, the system control unit 30 transmits a startup notification to the power control unit 40. The system control unit 30 transitions to the soft-on state. In the power control unit 40, a process related to the startup of the system control unit 30 is performed (step S25).

[0066] <Sensor signal processing>

[0067] When the stacking portion 4 is pulled out or pushed in, the type of the print medium may be changed. For example, the type of the print medium may be changed from plain paper to glossy paper. When the type of the print medium is changed, it may be necessary to change the printing conditions such as inkjet or the conveyance of the print medium. Therefore, when the box sensor 16 detects that the stacking portion 4 has been operated, the system control unit 30 inquires the user about the new type of the print medium and performs processing to set the type of the print medium specified by the user. In addition, when the cover 3 is opened and closed, the user may perform operations such as replenishing ink inside the device body 2. In this case, the remaining amount of ink changes, so when the cover sensor 15 detects that the stacking portion 4 has been operated, the system control unit 30 performs processing to detect the remaining amount of ink.

[0068] However, if such user operation is performed during the soft-off state, the system control unit 30 cannot recognize the operation in real time. In the present embodiment, by providing the processing circuit 45, when there is a transition from the soft-off state to the soft-on state, the system control unit 30 can obtain the detection results obtained by the cover sensor 15 and the cassette sensor 16 in the soft-off state.

[0069] Figure 7 is a block diagram of the processing circuit 45. Although the illustrated example shows the processing circuit 45 corresponding to the cartridge sensor 16, the processing circuit 45 corresponding to the cover sensor 15 also has a similar configuration.

[0070] The box sensor 16 is a switch type sensor to which the DC voltage V2 output from the regulator 22 is applied via the pull-up resistor R1. When the stacking section 4 is installed in the device body 2 and the print medium can be fed, the box sensor 16 outputs a high level voltage (V2) as a signal indicating a detection result (also referred to as a detection signal). In addition, when the stacking section 4 has been pulled out of the device body 2, the box sensor 16 outputs a low level voltage (0V) as a detection signal. Even in the soft disconnection state, the regulator 22 outputs the DC voltage V2, so the box sensor 16 operates.

[0071] The processing circuit 45 includes a filter 450, a latch circuit 451, a switch circuit 452, and an open drain buffer 453. Noise in the detection signal of the cartridge sensor 16 is removed by the filter 450, and then the resulting signal is input to the latch circuit 451 and the switch circuit 452.

[0072] Latch circuit 451 is a holding circuit (data latch circuit) for holding the detection result of box sensor 16, and the detection result held will be referred to as detection information. The output of latch circuit 451 is at a high level as an initial value, and when a low-level detection signal is input as a detection signal, the input is latched, and the output changes to a low level. The output is then maintained at a low level until reset. For example, when box sensor 16 detects that stacking portion 4 has been pulled out, a low-level signal is input to latch circuit 451, and the output of latch circuit 451 changes to a low level. When stacking portion 4 is installed in device body 2, the detection signal of box sensor 16 changes to a high level, but the output of latch circuit 451 is maintained at a low level until reset. Note that the logical relationship between the high level and the low level can be reversed and can be determined according to the characteristics of the detection object.

[0073] The switching circuit 452 is a selector that switches input information to be input to the system control unit 30 between the detection result output from the cartridge sensor 16 (in other words, the real-time detection result) and the detection information held in the latch circuit 451. The switching circuit 452 has two input terminals C2 and C3 and one output terminal C1. The connection state of the switching circuit 452 is switched between a state in which the output terminal C1 and the input terminal C2 are connected and a state in which the output terminal C1 and the input terminal C3 are connected. Figure 7 The state where the output terminal C1 and the input terminal C3 are connected is shown.

[0074] The detection result of the cartridge sensor 16 is input to the input terminal C2 without passing through the latch circuit 451. The detection information held in the latch circuit 451 is input to the input terminal C3.

[0075] The output terminal C1 is connected to a predetermined input port of the input I / F 37 via a buffer 453. The DC voltage V1 is applied to the wiring between the buffer 453 and the input I / F 37 via a pull-up resistor R2. When the signal output from the buffer 453 is at a high level, the input information input to the input I / F 37 changes to a high level, and when the signal is at a low level, the input information changes to a low level. In this configuration, the input information is at a high level only in the power state in which the DC voltage V1 is supplied to the system control unit 30 in the soft-on state.

[0076] The clearing of the latch circuit 451 and the switching of the connection state of the switching circuit 452 are controlled by the startup notification and the shutdown notification output from the communication I / F 35 of the system control unit 30. The startup notification and the shutdown notification may be in the form of a status signal that changes between a high level and a low level, for example. The communication I / F 42 recognizes the timing when the status signal rises to a high level as the startup notification, and switches the connection state of the switching circuit 452 to a state in which the output terminal C1 and the input terminal C2 are connected. In addition, the communication I / F 42 recognizes the timing when the status signal falls to a low level as the shutdown notification, and switches the connection state of the switching circuit 452 to a state in which the output terminal C1 and the input terminal C3 are connected, and also clears the latch circuit 451.

[0077] Fig. 8A Shows Figure 5 14, and an example of the processing during shutdown in step S14 of the present invention is shown, and an example of the processing performed by the communication I / F 42 that has received the shutdown notification from the system control unit 30 is shown. In step S141, the communication I / F 42 outputs a clear signal to the latch circuit 451 of each processing circuit 45, and the detection information held in the latch circuit 451 is cleared. The detection information is in a high level as an initial value. In step S142, the communication I / F 42 outputs a switching signal to the switching circuit 452 of each processing circuit 45, and the connection state of the switching circuit 452 is set to a state in which the output terminal C1 and the input terminal C3 are connected. In other words, the detection information is selected as the input information to be input to the input I / F 37. According to this processing, during the soft-off state, the detection results of the cover sensor 15 and the box sensor 16 are held in the latch circuit 451 of the corresponding processing circuit 45, and the output terminal C1 of the switching circuit 452 is in a state for outputting the detection information.

[0078] Figure 8B Show Figure 63 and the example of the processing performed during the startup of step S24 and step S25 in the system control unit 30. The startup processing in step S24 will now be described. In step S241, the CPU 31 of the system control unit 30 performs a predetermined initialization process. In step S242, the detection information of the cover sensor 15 and the box sensor 16 is obtained from the input I / F 37. In step S243, other processing defined as being performed at startup is performed, and the startup is completed. In step S244, the startup notification is transmitted to the power control unit 40 via the communication I / F 35. In step S245, based on the detection information obtained in step S242, it is determined whether a state change (opening the cover 3, pulling out the stacking portion 4) has occurred in the electronic device 1 in the soft disconnection state. If it is determined that a state change has occurred, a check process is performed in step S246. In the check process, for example, if the cover 3 is opened, the remaining ink amount is detected, and if the stacking portion 4 is pulled out, the user is asked about the type of the loaded print medium. If it is determined that no status change has occurred, the process moves to step S247 where normal processing is started and a printing operation can be performed.

[0079] The processing during the startup of step S25 will now be described. In the power control unit 40, in step S251, the communication I / F 42 that has received the startup notification outputs a switching signal to the switching circuit 452 of each processing circuit 45, and the connection state of the switching circuit 452 is set to a state in which the output terminal C1 and the input terminal C2 are connected. In other words, instead of selecting detection information, the real-time detection results of the cover sensor 15 and the box sensor 16 are selected as input information to be input to the input I / F 37. According to this processing, during the soft-on state, the system control unit 30 can obtain the real-time detection results from the cover sensor 15 and the box sensor 16. For example, if a state change occurs, a process similar to the check process of step S246 is performed. In step S252, other processes defined to be performed when the system control unit 30 is started are performed.

[0080] Fig. 9 It is a timing diagram showing changes in detection results, detection information, and input information. "Power state" indicates the power state of the system control unit 30, and indicates the transition between the soft-on state and the soft-off state. "Selection state" indicates the connection state of the switching circuit 452, and in particular indicates whether the output of the output terminal C1 is detection information or a detection result. "State signal" is a state signal output from the system control unit 30 to the power control unit 40, and indicates a startup notification (rising edge) or a shutdown notification (falling edge). "Detection result" indicates the detection result of the sensor (cover sensor 15 or box sensor 16), and "detection information" indicates the detection result held in the latch circuit 451. "Input information" indicates information input to the input I / F.

[0081] At time T1, the power state is the soft-off state. The selection state is the detection information. The detection information is at a high level corresponding to the detection result. At time T2, the detection result changes to a low level in the soft-off state. The detection information changes to a low level, and then the detection result returns to a high level, but the detection information is maintained at a low level. At time T3, power is supplied to the system control unit 30, and the power state changes to the soft-on state. At this time, the system control unit 30 acquires the detection information as input information, and then the selection state switches to the detection result. The input information changes to the detection result, and the input information also changes according to the change of the detection result.

[0082] At time T4, the power state of the system control unit 30 is switched to the soft-off state. At this time, the selection state is changed to the detection state, and the detection information is reset to a high level. However, since the detection result is at a low level, the detection information is also immediately set to a low level. At time T5, the detection result is changed to a high level, but the detection information is maintained at a low level. At time T6, power is supplied to the system control unit 30, and the power state is changed to a soft-on state. At this time, the system control unit 30 acquires the detection information as input information, and then the selection state is switched to the detection result. The input information is changed to the detection result, and the input information is also changed according to the change of the detection result. The same applies to the future.

[0083] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the system control unit 30 is configured to acquire the detection result obtained by the sensor in the soft-off state when the power state is transitioned to the soft-on state. In the soft-off state, the system control unit 30 does not consume the power required to monitor the detection result of the sensor, so it is possible to reduce power consumption while allowing the detection result of the sensor to be reflected.

[0084] <Other embodiments>

[0085] In the above embodiment, the cover sensor 15 and the box sensor 16 are shown as examples of components that maintain detection results in the soft off state, but the type of sensor (monitoring object) is not limited to this. In addition, the number of sensors is not limited to two, and can be one, three or more.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the inkjet printing device is illustrated as an example of an electronic device, but the present invention can also be applied to other electronic devices. For example, in the case of an air purifier, the sensor can be set on the cover for holding the filter, and the detection result of the sensor can be maintained in the soft disconnection state. If it is detected that the cover has been opened in the soft disconnection state, when the state is changed to the soft on state, a notification message can be given to the user to confirm whether the filter has been replaced.

[0087] In the above-described embodiment, the power supply unit 20 and the power control unit 40 are configured as separate ICs, but they may also be configured as a single IC.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the power supply to the system control unit 30 is interrupted in the soft-off state, but power can be supplied within a range with lower power consumption than in the soft-on state. In addition, in the above embodiment, there is one type of soft-on state, but the soft-on state can also have two types, namely, a normal power supply state and a power saving state.

[0089] The present invention can be implemented by the following process: supplying a program for implementing one or more functions of the above-mentioned embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and causing one or more processors in a computer of the system or device to read and execute the program. The present invention can also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) for implementing one or more functions.

[0090] Although the embodiments have been described, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, and various changes / alterations are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, in order to apprise the public of the scope of the present invention, the following claims are made.

[0091] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-147210, filed on September 15, 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0092] Reference numerals list

[0093] 1 Electronic Devices

[0094] 12a Injection head

[0095] 12b Injection Head

[0096] 15 Cover Sensor

[0097] 16 boxes of sensors

[0098] 30 System Control Unit

[0099] 451 latch circuit

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising: A detection component, used for detecting the state of the electronic device; a control component, configured to obtain a detection result of the detection component and perform control based on the detection result; as well as a holding component, used for holding the detection result of the detection component as detection information, wherein the power state of the control component includes a first state and a second state in which the power consumption is higher than the first state, and The control component acquires the detection result in the second state but does not acquire the detection result in the first state, and when the power state changes from the first state to the second state, the control component acquires the detection information stored in the holding component in the first state.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: When the power state transitions from the second state to the first state, detection information of the holding component is cleared.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising: a switching component for switching input information to be input to the input port of the control component between the detection result of the detection component and the detection information of the holding component, wherein, when the power state changes from the second state to the first state, the switching component switches the input information to the detection information, and In a case where the power state transitions from the first state to the second state, after the control section acquires the detection information held in the holding section, the switching section switches the input information to the detection result.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The detection result indicates the first detection result or the second detection result as the state, and In a case where the detection result becomes the second detection result, the holding section holds the second detection result as the detection information even if the detection result subsequently becomes the first detection result. The electronic device according to claim 1 , comprising a plurality of detection members and a plurality of holding members.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The first state is a state in which power is not supplied to the control component.

7. The electronic device according to claim 6, further comprising: A power supply component, used for supplying power to the control component; as well as The power control part receives power from the power supply part and controls the supply and interruption of power from the power supply part to the control part.

8. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein: The power control means causes the power supply means to supply power to the control means based on a power-on instruction from a user, and The power control means interrupts the supply of power from the power supply means to the control means based on a power off instruction from a user.

9. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The detection means detects a state of a movable portion operable by a user.

10. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The electronic device is a printing apparatus configured to perform printing by ejecting liquid onto a printing medium.

11. The electronic device according to claim 10, wherein: The printing device comprises: the subject; and a cover configured to be openable and closable and configured to cover the main body, and The detection part detects an open / closed state of the cover.

12. The electronic device according to claim 10, wherein: The printing device comprises: the subject; and a stacking portion on which the print media are stacked, the stacking portion being configured to be pulled out from the main body, and The detection member detects the pulling out of the stacking portion.

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