Printing device, printing device control method and program

Abstract

To properly perform transition of a power state.SOLUTION: A printing device, which is operated by electric power supplied from a wired interface terminal or electric power charged into a power storage part, comprises confirming means that confirms amounts of charge in the power storage part, and transiting means that transits a power state into a power state where a function is restricted, in accordance with whether the device is in a supply state where the electric power is supplied from the wired interface terminal or not and the amounts of charge.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Among printing apparatuses, there are portable small-sized machines. In such small-sized machines, an internal battery that can be charged by receiving power supply from a wired interface terminal is used as a driving power source, corresponding to use outdoors and the like.

[0003] Conventionally, various proposals have been made regarding the control of an inkjet recording apparatus that has an internal battery and operates by receiving power supply from a wired interface terminal.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a printing apparatus is transitioned to a low power state (a state in which power consumption is suppressed) according to whether power is supplied from an external device via a USB cable.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in Patent Document 1, even when the functions of the printing apparatus can be continued, there is a possibility that the printing apparatus may transition to a low power state and suppress the functions of the printing apparatus due to the absence of power supply from the USB cable. In addition, when the charge amount of the internal battery is small, there is a possibility that the printing apparatus may shut down by consuming the power required to transition to the low power state.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to appropriately perform the transition of the power state.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] A printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a printing apparatus that operates with power supplied from a wired interface terminal or power charged in a power storage unit, and includes confirmation means for confirming the charge amount of the power storage unit, and transition means for transitioning to a power state with restricted functions according to whether it is a supply state in which power is being supplied from the wired interface terminal and the charge amount. It is characterized by comprising.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, the transition of the power state can be appropriately performed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail. Note that the components described in this embodiment show a form as an example of the present disclosure, and the scope of this disclosure is not limited only to them.

[0012] <Embodiment 1> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the system 100 of this embodiment. This system is composed of a printer 300 and a smartphone 500 connected via a local area network 102. The printer 300 and the smartphone 500 are each connected to the local area network 102 by wirelessly connecting to a wireless LAN access point 101. Here, a wireless LAN infrastructure connection 103 is used between the printer 300 and the smartphone 500 and the wireless LAN access point 101.

[0013] The printer 300 has a mode in which it operates as a wireless LAN access point. When the printer 300 is operating as an access point, the smartphone 500 can directly connect to the printer 300 access point. This is referred to as a direct connection 104. Other terminals, such as a personal computer (PC) PC terminal 400, can be connected to the local area network 102. Further, the local area network 102 is connected to the Internet 106 via a router 105. The printer 300, the smartphone 500, and other devices can communicate with a cloud server 200 on the Internet 106 via the router 105. The smartphone 500 is also connected to a mobile phone line network 107.

[0014] The smartphone 500 can also be connected to a cloud server on the Internet 106 via a mobile phone network 107. The printer 300 is equipped with a USB connection terminal and can be USB-connected to various devices. In this figure, the printer 300 is shown connected to the PC terminal 400 by a USB cable 108 and operating with power supplied from the PC terminal 400 via the USB cable 108. As shown by the dashed line in this figure, it can also be connected to the smartphone 500 by the USB cable 108 and operate with power supplied from the smartphone 500. Also, by connecting a USB power adapter 109 to the printer 300, the printer 300 can operate with power supplied from the USB power adapter 109. Additionally, power can also be supplied from a mobile battery via the USB cable 108. When the printer 300 is connected to the PC terminal 400 or the smartphone 500 by the USB cable 108, data communication between the terminal device and the printer 300 can use USB, but it is not limited to this. It can also operate with power supplied from the PC terminal 400 or the smartphone 500 connected by the USB cable 108, and data communication can be performed using a wireless LAN or short-range wireless communication.

[0015] Note that the above shows an example of this embodiment, and even if a different configuration is adopted, the effects of this embodiment remain the same. For example, in this figure, the wireless LAN access point 101 and the router 105 are configured as different devices, but it may also be configured with a single router device having an access point function.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the printer 300. The printer 300 includes various units such as a main board 210 that controls the entire apparatus, a wireless LAN unit 204, and a short-range wireless communication unit 205. A CPU 211 in the form of a microprocessor arranged on the main board 210 operates according to a control program stored in a program memory 213 in the form of a ROM and the content of a data memory 214 in the form of a RAM, which are connected via an internal bus 212. In addition, a nonvolatile memory 215 capable of retaining the content even when the power supply is cut off is provided. The CPU 211 writes various set values or data, etc. into the nonvolatile memory 215. Thereby, when the power supply is received again after the power has been turned off once and the apparatus operates, it becomes possible to continue the operation based on the same set values or data. Examples of such a nonvolatile memory 215 include semiconductor memory devices such as flash memories. In a flash memory, it is possible to maintain the stored content even when the power supply is stopped, but there are often limitations on the number of times each memory element can be rewritten. For this reason, it is necessary to design while considering at what timing the nonvolatile memory is written during the product life of the apparatus. Generally, it is assumed that the higher the guaranteed number of rewrites of a memory device, the higher the component unit price. The CPU 211 controls the reading mechanism 202 via the reading mechanism control circuit 217, reads the document, and can store it as image data information in the data memory 214. Also, the CPU 311 controls the printing mechanism 201 via the printing mechanism control circuit 216 to print the image data in the data memory 214 on a recording medium. The CPU 211 controls the wireless LAN unit 204 via the wireless LAN communication control unit 219 to perform wireless LAN communication with other communication terminal devices. Also, the CPU 211 controls the short-range wireless communication unit 205 via the short-range wireless communication control circuit 220 to detect connection with other short-range wireless communication terminals or to perform data transmission and reception with other short-range wireless communication terminals. The CPU 211 can control the operation panel 203 to display the status of the printer 300 or the function selection menu, or to accept operations from the user, by controlling the operation unit control circuit 218. The CPU 211 operates the USB interface 206 via the USB communication control circuit 221 to perform USB communication with other terminal devices connected by the USB cable 108. The CPU 211 can grasp or control the power supply amount from the USB interface 206 by controlling the power control circuit 322, and can also grasp or control the power storage amount in the power control circuit.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the power supply system of the printer 300. The printer 300 can be driven by inputting the power supply V from the electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) 606, which is a power storage unit, into the Charger IC 601. Also, the power supply control of the printer electric system of the printer 300 is performed by the power supply system via the Charger IC 601. The power supply V from the USB 607 BAT BUS ​The ChargerIC601 charges the EDLC606 with the current supplied. At the same time, the ChargerIC601 outputs from the EDLC606 to the DC-DC (boost) 602. Details of the ChargerIC601 and the EDLC606 at this time will be described later. The DC-DC (boost) 602 is a boost circuit for boosting the voltage from the ChargerIC601. The boosted voltage is used by the MotorDriver604 to drive the motors of the reading mechanism and the printing mechanism, and is also used as the driving power source for the head by the HeadDriver605, and is responsible for driving a relatively large load. The boosted power supply is further connected to the DC-DC (buck) 603 circuit to generate the logic power supply voltage used in the ASIC611, the Flash ROM613, or the DDR614. Here, the ASIC611 is a custom IC including the CPU211 and peripheral circuits. The ChargerIC601 is an IC having functions for input current control of the USB607, charge control of the EDLC606, or abnormal operation protection. The ChargerIC601 communicates with the ASIC611 connected by the Control serial Bus612. Here, the Control serial Bus612 constitutes a part of the internal bus 312. In this embodiment, communication is performed in the UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) method. The ChargerIC601 determines the input current according to the external device (PC terminal 400) as the supply source. In this embodiment, determination according to the USB-BC (USB Battery Charge) standard (hereinafter referred to as BC determination) and determination according to the USB-PD (USB Power Delivery) standard (hereinafter referred to as CC determination) are performed. The ASIC611 that has received the results of the BC determination and the CC determination from the ChargerIC601 determines the charging current, full charge, and over-discharge voltage thresholds of the ChargerIC601, and sets the thresholds in the ChargerIC601. The EDLC606 is an electric double layer capacitor and performs charge control from the ChargerIC601 according to the instruction of the ASIC611.Also, the EDLC 606 supplies power V to the DC-DC (step-up) 602, the Motor Driver 604, and the Head Driver 605. BAT The power supply by BAT . The power supply V of the EDLC 606 BAT voltage can be transmitted from the Charger IC 601 to the ASIC 611. In addition, various pieces of information related to power supply can be transmitted from the Charger IC 601 to the ASIC 611. Using these pieces of information, various controls of the printer 300 can be performed. For example, during the printing operation of the printer 300, when the power supply V of the EDLC 606 BAT voltage drops, the ASIC 611 stops the printing operation and instructs the Charger IC 601 to perform charge control until the power supply V of the EDLC 606 BAT voltage reaches a predetermined threshold value. The ASIC 611 that has received that the power supply V BAT voltage has reached a certain threshold value can perform control to resume the printing operation. Also, when the cable of the USB 607 is unplugged during operation or the power supply from the USB 607 is stopped while being powered from the USB 607, an operation corresponding to the power supply stop can be immediately started. This can start the operation when a notification is transmitted from the Charger IC 601 to the ASIC 611.

[0018] Furthermore, the ASIC 611 can acquire information on the charge amount of the EDLC 606 from the Charger IC 601 and perform control according to the charge amount. For example, when the cable of the USB 607 is unplugged and it is being driven by the power supply V from the EDLC 606 BAT and the charge amount of the EDLC 606 decreases to a predetermined threshold value, the ASIC 611 can immediately start an operation corresponding to the state where the charge amount is low.

[0019] Figure 4 is a table showing the power supply amount for each connection standard. BC1.2 is based on the USB-BC (Battery Charge) standard, and as a method for determining the charging USB port (CDP), a method of electrically determining using the D+ and D- signal lines for USB data communication is defined. Also, in the case of a standard USB port that is not a charging port, after this detection is completed, communication based on the USB standard is performed, and it is possible to discriminate the USB version therein. On the other hand, in USB Type-C, the PowerDelivery standard is defined, and the power supply amount can be notified by communication at the CC pin. Note that in the PowerDelivery standard, the supply power voltage can also be controlled from 5V to 48V, but in this figure, the maximum power is described as the value when 5V is supplied.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a decision table for determining whether connection change is necessary. It shows whether it is executable in combination with the type of operation to be executed on the vertical axis and the type of power supply standard on the horizontal axis. The content of the decision table in this figure may be held as table data in the program memory 213, or may be implemented as discrimination code as program code. Examples of the operation type on the vertical axis include a copy operation, a print operation, a read operation, etc. The recovery operation is a maintenance operation for keeping the print quality of the inkjet print head good. For example, it is an operation of performing a suction operation with a pump to eliminate clogging of the ink ejection nozzles, or performing an ink ejection operation of a predetermined amount into the cap of the head. When performing the recovery operation, power is consumed to drive a motor for causing the pump to perform a suction operation or to perform an ink ejection operation. The capping operation is a maintenance operation for protecting the inkjet print head from damage and drying. By fixing the surface with the ejection nozzles of the head with a cap, drying or sticking of the ink ejection nozzles can be prevented, and the head can also be fixed at a predetermined position so that the head does not move and get damaged inside the apparatus when the printer 300 is carried. During the capping operation, power is consumed for motor driving to move the head to the cap position or to press the cap against the ejection nozzle surface of the head, but if it is only the capping operation, the consumption amount can be kept less than that of the recovery operation.

[0021] The operation panel display, wireless LAN communication, and USB communication are executed in parallel with other operations, but they consume power even when there are no other operations. Regarding the operation types on the vertical axis, the power consumption of each is generally higher for those higher up in the table. In the decision table, those marked with "○" are combinations of the power supply specifications on the horizontal axis and the operations on the vertical axis, where the power required for each operation is less than the power supply capacity, so they can be continuously executed. Those marked with "△" have a power requirement for the operation that exceeds the power supply capacity, so when executed, they will consume the power charged in the EDLC606 while running. These operations cannot be continuously executed, but can be conditionally executed by methods such as reducing the speed to lower the power consumption or appropriately inserting a pause period for charging to perform intermittent operations. Those marked with "×" have a significantly higher power requirement than the power supply capacity, and cannot be executed even with restrictions such as being unable to reduce the speed or insert a pause period for charging during operation.

[0022] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the CPU 211 of the printer 300. Figure 6 is the main routine performed by the CPU 211 of the printer 300. This processing is executed by the CPU 211 of the printer 300 when the logic power supply to the ASIC 611 is supplied and the power-on operation is performed. The series of processes shown in this flowchart are performed by the CPU 211 of the printer 300 by expanding and executing the program code stored in the program memory 213 into the data memory 214. Incidentally, in the explanations of each of the following processes, "S" means a step in the flowchart, and the same applies in the following embodiments.

[0023] In this process, the loop from S601 to S609 is repeatedly executed until the printer 300 transitions to the power-off state or the AC-off state, or the logic power supply to the ASIC 611 is cut off. During the repeated loop, in S602, the CPU 211 waits for the occurrence of an event to be processed. In S603, the CPU 211 determines the type of the occurred event. And in the subsequent processing, it performs processing according to the determined type, which is a so-called event-driven process.

[0024] If the event determined in S603 is one that detects that a power-off operation has been performed, the CPU 211 proceeds to S604 and transitions the power state to any of the power-off states. In this embodiment, the power-off state refers to any one of the power-off state (701), the low-power power-off state 1 (705), and the low-power power-off state 2 (706). By entering any of the power-off states, the CPU 211 exits the repeated loop and ends the processing of this figure. The details of the processing for transitioning to the power-off state will be described with reference to FIG. 10 below. Also, power is consumed to transition the power state. Therefore, the required charge amount for transitioning to each power state is determined. The details will be described later with reference to FIG. 8. At this stage of this process, if there is no required charge amount for transitioning to any of the three power-off states, the process may be configured to proceed to S609 without performing this process.

[0025] If the event determined in S603 is one that detects that the USB cable 108 has been inserted, the CPU 211 proceeds to S605 and executes the USB insertion process after the USB insertion. Specifically, the CPU 211 refers to the results of the BC determination and the CC determination detected by the power control circuit, obtains the type and current value of the USB power supply, and executes the communication connection establishment process.

[0026] If the event determined in S603 is that a job has been received from the PC terminal 400 or the smartphone 500 via USB or Wi-Fi, the CPU 211 proceeds to S606 and performs job execution processing. The processing during job execution is determined by the content notified in the job, and appropriate printing jobs, scanning jobs, or other processing are performed. In addition, if the charge level of the EDLC 606 has not reached the charge level at which various jobs can be executed, the execution of the job may be stopped, and the remaining time until the job can be executed may be displayed on the operation panel 203. When the charge level reaches the level at which execution is possible, the execution of the job is resumed. Note that the content displayed on the operation panel 203 may be the progress status displayed as a percentage, or may be displayed by a GUI (Graphical User Interface) such as a progress bar.

[0027] If the event determined in S603 is a low power transition determination, the CPU 211 proceeds to S607 and performs control to transition to the low power state. The details of the processing for the control to transition to the low power state will be described with reference to FIG. 9 below. Note that the event of the low power transition determination may be an event that is periodically executed, or may be an instruction from the ChargerIC 601. Also, at this stage of the processing, if there is no charge level required to transition to any low power state, the processing may be configured to proceed to S609 without performing this processing. When the event determined in S603 is something else, the CPU 211 performs processing according to the event that occurred in S608. For example, when receiving an event notification indicating that although it is USB-connected, the charge amount is insufficient, a screen indicating that it is charging may be displayed on the operation panel 203 until the minimum necessary power is charged. Note that, as information to be displayed on the operation panel 203, a two-dimensional code may be displayed, and the user can obtain information regarding the printer by reading the two-dimensional code with the smartphone 500. Also, when an event notification indicates that it is the first power-on, special operations or information to be performed at the first power-on may be displayed on the operation panel 203. In addition, when receiving the above event notification, if a dedicated application is installed at the USB connection destination, the application may be launched and information regarding the printer may be displayed on the operation panel of the USB connection destination. As described above, the printer 300 repeats S601 to 609 while the power is on.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a state transition diagram of the power state of the printer 300. In the present embodiment, there are seven power states to which the printer 300 transitions. They are the AC off state (700), the power off state (701), the power on state (702), the low power state 1 (703), the low power state 2 (704), the low power supply off state 1 (705), and the low power supply off state 2 (706).

[0029] The printer 300 receives the power V from the EDLC 606 BAT input and the power V from the USB 607 BUSWhen there is no supply and the ChargerIC601 is not fully powered, it is in the AC off state (700). When the power of the ChargerIC601 is shared and the logic power supply to the ASIC611 is provided, the CPU211 transitions the power state from the AC off state (700) to the power off state (701). In the power off state (701), the clock count of the CPU211 is lower compared to other power states, the power of the operation panel 203 is turned off, and operations other than the power key operation cannot be performed. In addition, the power of the printing mechanism control circuit 216 or the reading mechanism control circuit 217 is turned off, and the printing mechanism 201 and the reading mechanism 202 cannot operate. When the CPU211 detects a power key operation included in the operation panel 203, it transitions the power state from the power off state (701) to the power on state (702). When transitioning to the power on state (702), the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is executed, and the CPU211 waits for the occurrence of an event to be processed and executes processing according to the type of the occurred event. According to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, when the CPU211 receives an event of low power transition determination, it executes control to transition to the low power state of S607. By the process of S607, the CPU211 continues the power on state (702) or transitions the power state to the low power state 1 (703) or the low power state 2 (704).

[0030] The low power state 1 (703) and the low power state 2 (704) are states in which the power consumption is reduced compared to the power on state (702) by restricting the execution of the functions of the printer 300. Specifically, it is a state in which the power of the printing mechanism control circuit 216 or the reading mechanism control circuit 217 is turned off and the operations of the printing mechanism 201 and the reading mechanism 202 are restricted. Also, in this embodiment, since the low power state 2 (704) restricts the execution of functions more than the low power state 1 (703), it can be said that the power consumption is small. The functions executable in each power state will be described later with reference to FIG. 8.

[0031] In the power state of low power state 1 (703) or low power state 2 (704), when the CPU 211 detects an operation of the operation panel 203 or an event of job execution, it transitions to the power-on state (702). In the power-on state (702), the CPU 211 can execute all functions of the printer 300. Note that in this embodiment, two low power states are defined, but the number of states is not limited.

[0032] According to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, when the CPU 211 receives a power-off event, it executes control to transition to the power-off state of S604. By the process of S604, the CPU 211 transitions the power state to the low power-off state 1 (705), the low power-off state 2 (706), or the power-off state (701). The low power-off state 1 (705) and the low power-off state 2 (706) are power-off states in which a part of the functions of the printer 300 are valid. Since a part of the functions of the low power-off state 1 (705) and the low power-off state 2 (706) are valid, the power consumption is higher than that of the power-off state (701). On the other hand, since the low power-off state 1 (705) and the low power-off state 2 (706) restrict the execution of functions compared to the low power state 1 (703) and the low power state 2 (704), the power consumption is lower. Also, since the low power-off state 2 (706) restricts the execution of functions compared to the low power-off state 1 (705), the power consumption is lower. In the low power state 1 (703) and the low power state 2 (704), when detecting a power key operation included in the operation panel 203 or receiving a job, it transitions to the power-on state (702), and it becomes possible to execute all functions of the printer 300. Note that in this embodiment, three power-off states are defined, but the number of states is not limited.

[0033] FIG. 8 is a table showing the details of the power state of the printer 300. The vertical axis indicates the power state, and the horizontal axis indicates the effective functions and the charge amount of the EDLC 606 that can transition to the power state. The content of this figure may be held as table data in the program memory 213, or may be implemented as discrimination code as program code.

[0034] The power consumption in each power state is larger for the states higher in the table. Five functions are shown as examples of the effective functions on the horizontal axis, and the functions marked with "○" in the table are the functions executable in each power state. On the other hand, the functions marked with "×" in the table are the functions that cannot be executed in each power state. For example, in the case of the power-on state (702), it can be said that the CPU 211 of the printer 300 can execute all the functions shown in the table as effective functions. The more executable functions there are, the greater the power consumption.

[0035] The "automatic power-on function" listed as an example of the effective function is a function that enables job reception without the user performing a power-on operation in the power-off state. At this time, the job is received from an external device via USB communication or wireless LAN communication. By receiving the job, the printer 300 enters the power-on state (702). This automatic power-on function is effective when the power state is other than the power-off state (701) and the AC-off state (700).

[0036] In the low-power power-off state 1 (705), the operation panel display and panel operations are invalid, but wireless LAN communication and USB communication are effective. Therefore, the CPU 211 can receive jobs via USB or wireless LAN from the PC terminal 400 or the smartphone 500. In the low-power power-off state 2 (706), compared with the low-power power-off state 1 (705), wireless LAN communication is invalid, so the CPU 211 can receive jobs via USB.

[0037] In addition, a function may be provided to enable or disable the wireless LAN communication function or the automatic power-on function for the user. The user can change the setting by operating the operation panel 203, and the CPU 211 stores the set value in the non-volatile memory 215. Thereafter, the CPU 211 refers to the set value stored in the non-volatile memory 215 and executes control according to the set value. In the wireless LAN communication function, not only enabling and disabling, but also output limitation such as gradually weakening the communication intensity may be performed.

[0038] In addition, the horizontal axis shows the charge amount that can transition to each power state. When the CPU 211 is not supplied with power from the USB, when transitioning to the corresponding power state, it checks whether the charge amount of the EDLC 606 is greater than (or equal to the threshold) the charge amount described in the table. If the charge amount of the EDLC 606 is less than the charge amount described in the table (less than the threshold), when transitioning to the corresponding power state, by consuming the power charged in the EDLC 606, the logic power supply to the ASIC 611 may not be supplied early, and there is a possibility of shutdown. Therefore, when the charge amount of the EDLC 606 is less than the charge amount described in the table, the CPU 211 does not transition to the corresponding power state but transitions to a power state with lower power consumption.

[0039] In this embodiment, six functions are defined as effective functions, but the number of functions to be defined may be increased or decreased. In this embodiment, a voltage value is shown as the charge amount that can transition to the power state, but other information such as a power value may be used, or a combination of multiple pieces of information may be used. Also, since the numerical value of the charge amount is only a guide, it may be changed as appropriate.

[0040] Hereinafter, a method of transitioning to an appropriate power state according to whether power is being supplied from an external device via a USB cable and the charge amount charged in the EDLC 606 will be described. By transitioning to an appropriate low power state, power consumption can be suppressed. In addition, by suppressing power consumption, it is possible to make it less likely for the printing device to shut down.

[0041] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing in detail the processing content of the transition to the low power state of S607 in FIG. 6. By the processing of this flowchart, the CPU 211 performs control to transition to any one of three power states: the power-on state (702), the low power state 1 (703), and the low power state 2 (704).

[0042] In S901, the CPU 211 determines whether it is possible to transition to the low power state. If it is determined that the transition to the low power state is possible, the CPU 211 proceeds to S903. If it is determined that the transition is impossible, the CPU 211 proceeds to S902. For the determination in S901, the CPU 211 checks whether the transition conditions are satisfied. In this embodiment, the transition conditions are "not executing a job", "the liquid crystal backlight is turned off (backlight off) without an operation on the operation panel 203 for a certain period of time", or "the surface having the ejection nozzles of the recording head provided in the printing apparatus is fixed with a cap (cap closed)". When at least one of these conditions is satisfied, the CPU 211 determines YES in S901. Note that the above is an example, and other contents may be used as the transition conditions. For example, the transition conditions may be changed step by step according to the amount of charge stored in the EDLC 606. Specifically, when the charge amount at which it is possible to transition to the power state shown in FIG. 8 when power is not supplied is confirmed and it is determined that it is possible to transition to either the low power state 1 or the low power state 2, the CPU 211 may proceed to S903.

[0043] In S902, the CPU 211 transitions the power state to the power-on state (702) and ends the process. If the original power state is the power-on state (702), the CPU 211 continues the power-on state (702) and ends the process. In S903, the CPU 211 checks whether the wireless LAN communication function of the printer 300 is enabled. As shown in FIG. 8, in the low power state 1 (703), the wireless LAN communication function is enabled, and in the low power state 2 (704), the wireless LAN communication function is disabled. Therefore, checking whether the wireless LAN communication function is enabled can be said to be determining which low power state can be transitioned to. If it is determined that the wireless LAN communication function is enabled, the CPU 211 proceeds to S905. If it is determined that the wireless LAN communication function is disabled, the CPU 211 proceeds to S904.

[0044] In S904, the CPU 211 transitions the power state to the low power state 2 (704). Then, it disables the enabled wireless LAN communication function. After that, the CPU 211 ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0045] In S905, the CPU 211 checks whether it is currently in a state where power is being supplied from the USB (supply state). Specifically, the CPU 211 can check the USB connection state and the power supply amount by querying the Charger IC 601 through the ASIC 611. If it is determined that power is being supplied from the USB, the CPU 211 proceeds to S907. If it is determined that power is not being supplied from the USB, the CPU 211 proceeds to S906.

[0046] In S906, the CPU 211 checks the charge amount of the EDLC 606. Specifically, the CPU 211 can check the charge amount of the EDLC 606 by querying the Charger IC 601 through the ASIC 611. The CPU 211 refers to the charge amount at which the power state can be transitioned. If there is a charge amount (6V or more) at which the low power state 1 (703) can be transitioned to, the CPU 211 proceeds to S907 and transitions the power state to the low power state 1 (703). After that, the CPU 211 ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0047] If it is determined in S906 that there is no charge amount (less than 6V) that can transition to the low power state 1 (703), the CPU 211 proceeds to S904 and transitions the power state to the low power state 2 (704). Then, the enabled wireless LAN communication function is disabled. That is, even if the wireless LAN communication function is enabled at the time of S903, if there is no charge amount to transition to the low power state 1 (703) in S906, the CPU 211 disables the wireless LAN communication function and transitions to the low power state 2 (704). After that, the CPU 211 ends the processing of this flowchart. The above is the flowchart for transitioning to the low power state.

[0048] In addition, as described above, this flowchart (that is, the flowchart in FIG. 6) is a process that is performed every time an event of low power transition determination is received at S603 while the power is on. Therefore, for example, when transitioning to the low power state 1 (703), if the processing of this flowchart is performed again, cases where it transitions to the low power state 2 (704) or cases where it transitions to the power-on state may occur. Therefore, the power-on state, the low power state 1 (703), and the low power state 2 (704) can move back and forth according to the situation by repeatedly performing the processing of this flowchart.

[0049] In addition, in S903, whether the wireless LAN communication function is enabled or disabled may be preset by the user. Also, even if the wireless LAN communication function is set to be enabled, the wireless LAN communication function may become disabled due to a communication failure or the like. In such a case, it transitions to the low power state 2 where the wireless LAN function is disabled, but when the wireless LAN communication function becomes enabled again due to the recovery of the communication failure, it may transition to the low power state 1 through the processing of S905 and S906. Also, if the wireless LAN communication function becomes disabled due to a communication failure or the like while in the low power state 1, it may transition to the low power state 2, and when the communication failure is recovered, it may immediately transition to the low power state 1 (703). This is the same in the description of the low power power-off state described later.

[0050] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing in detail the processing content of the transition to the power-off state in step S604 of FIG. 6. That is, this process starts when it is detected in S603 that the user has performed a power-off operation. Also, by the process of this flowchart, the CPU 211 performs control to transition to any one of the three power states: the power-off state (701), the low-power power-off state 1 (705), and the low-power power-off state 2 (706).

[0051] In S1001, the CPU 211 checks whether the automatic power-on function of the printer 300 is enabled. As shown in FIG. 8, the automatic power-on function is invalid in the power-off state (701), and the automatic power-on function is valid in the low-power power-off state 1 (705) and the low-power power-off state 2 (706). Therefore, checking whether the automatic power-on function is enabled can be said to be determining whether to transition to the power-off state (701). If it is determined that the automatic power-on function is invalid, the CPU 211 proceeds to SS1002. If it is determined that the automatic power-on function is valid, the CPU 211 proceeds to S1003.

[0052] In S1002, the CPU 211 transitions the power state to the power-off state (701). After that, the CPU 211 ends the process of this flowchart. Note that when power is not supplied from the USB after transitioning to the power-off state (701), the Charger IC 601 continues to consume the power of the EDLC 606. As a result, the Charger IC 601 cannot supply the logic power to the ASIC 611, and the CPU 211 transitions the power state to the AC-off state (700).

[0053] In S1003, the CPU 211 checks whether the wireless LAN communication function of the printer 300 is enabled. As shown in FIG. 8, in the low power supply off state 1 (705), the wireless LAN communication function is enabled, and in the low power supply off state 2 (706), it is a power state in which the wireless LAN communication function is disabled. Therefore, checking whether the wireless LAN communication function is enabled can be said to be determining which low power supply off state can be transitioned to. If the wireless LAN communication function is enabled, the CPU 211 proceeds to S1004. If the wireless LAN communication function is disabled, the CPU 211 proceeds to S1008.

[0054] In S1004, similar to S905 in FIG. 9, the CPU 211 checks whether it is currently being powered by USB (the supply state). If it is determined that power is being supplied from USB, the CPU 211 proceeds to S1005 and transitions the power state to the low power supply off state 1 (705). Then, the processing of this flowchart ends. If it is determined that power is not being supplied from USB, the CPU 211 proceeds to S1006.

[0055] In S1006, similar to S906 in FIG. 9, the CPU 211 checks the charge level of the EDLC 606. If it is determined that there is a charge level (5V or more) that allows transition to the low power supply off state 1 (705), the CPU 211 proceeds to S1005. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no charge level (less than 5V) that allows transition to the low power supply off state 1 (705), the CPU 211 proceeds to S1007.

[0056] In S1007, the CPU 211 transitions the power state to the low power supply off state 2 (706). And it disables the enabled wireless LAN communication function. That is, even if the CPU 211 determines that the wireless LAN communication function is enabled at the time of S1003, if there is no charge level for transitioning to the low power supply off state 1 (705) in S1006, it disables the wireless LAN communication function and transitions to the low power supply off state 2 (706). Then, the CPU 211 ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0057] Return to the explanation when it is determined that the wireless LAN communication is not valid in S1003. In S1008, the CPU 211 checks, in the same manner as in S1004, whether power is currently being supplied from the USB. If it is determined that power is being supplied from the USB, the CPU 211 proceeds to S1007. If it is determined that power is not being supplied from the USB, the CPU 211 proceeds to S1009.

[0058] In S1009, the CPU 211 checks the charge level of the EDLC 606 in the same manner as in S1006. If it is determined that there is a charge level (4.5 V or higher) that allows transition to the low-power-off state 2 (706), the CPU 211 proceeds to S1007 and transitions the power state to the low-power-off state 2 (706). Thereafter, the CPU 211 ends the processing of this flowchart. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no charge level (less than 4.5 V) that allows transition to the low-power-off state 2 (706), the CPU 211 proceeds to S1002 and transitions the power state to the power-off state (701). Thereafter, the CPU 211 ends the processing of this flowchart. The above is the flowchart for transitioning to the power-off state in this embodiment.

[0059] As described above, according to this embodiment, the transition of the power state can be appropriately performed. Specifically, when transitioning the power state to the low-power state or the power-off state, the transition of the power state is performed taking into account both the power supply from the USB 607 and the charge level of the EDLC 606. Thereby, the power consumption can be suppressed, and an unintended shutdown of the printing apparatus can be prevented.

[0060] <Other Embodiments> The state transition diagram of the power state of the printer shown in FIG. 7 is an example. Therefore, for example, there may be a form of directly transitioning from the low power state to the low power supply off state. By transitioning to the low power supply off state 1 when no user operation is detected for a certain period of time in the low power state, power for displaying the operation panel can be saved. Note that since a certain amount of charge is required to transition from the low power state to the low power supply off state, it is desirable to determine whether it is better to appropriately transition the state based on the charge amount and the merit of transitioning the power state.

[0061] This disclosure can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0062] Furthermore, this disclosure includes the following configurations. (Configuration 1) A printing device that operates by power supplied from a wired interface terminal or power charged in a power storage unit, confirmation means for confirming the charge amount of the power storage unit; transition means for transitioning to a power state with restricted functions according to whether it is a supply state in which power is being supplied from the wired interface terminal and the charge amount; A printing device comprising the same. (Configuration 2) The printing device according to Configuration 1, wherein the transition means transitions to the power state in which the wireless LAN communication function is enabled when it is in the supply state or when the charge amount is equal to or greater than a first threshold value. (Configuration 3) The printing device according to Configuration 2, wherein the transition means transitions to the power state in which the wireless LAN communication function is restricted when it is not in the supply state and the charge amount is less than the first threshold value. (Configuration 4) The printing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, wherein the transition means controls to transition to the power state when a specific condition is satisfied. (Configuration 5) The printing apparatus according to Configuration 4, wherein the specific condition is that a surface having ejection nozzles of a recording head included in the printing apparatus is covered with a cap, a backlight of an operation panel included in the printing apparatus is off, or a power storage unit has a charge amount necessary for the transition to the power state. (Configuration 6) The printing apparatus according to Configuration 4, wherein when the wireless LAN communication function is set to be effective at the time when the specific condition is satisfied, and the supply state is not established and the charge amount is less than a first threshold value, the transition means transitions to the power state in which the wireless LAN communication function is restricted. (Configuration 7) The printing apparatus according to Configuration 1, wherein when an operation of turning off the power is detected, the transition means further controls to transition to any one of a first power-off state, a second power-off state, or a third power-off state based on whether the wireless LAN communication function is effective. (Configuration 8) The first power-off state is a state in which it is possible to transition to the power-on state by receiving a job from an external device via USB communication or wireless LAN communication. The second power-off state is a state in which it is possible to transition to the power-on state by receiving a job from an external device via the USB communication. The printing apparatus according to Configuration 7, wherein the third power-off state is a state in which operations other than a power key operation are not accepted. (Configuration 9) The printing apparatus according to Configuration 8, wherein when the wireless LAN communication function is effective and the supply state is established, the transition means transitions the power state to the first power-off state. (Configuration 10) When the wireless LAN communication function is enabled, not in the supply state, and the charge amount is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, the transition means transitions the power state to the first power-off state, according to Configuration 8 of the printing apparatus. (Configuration 11) When the wireless LAN communication function is enabled, not in the supply state, and the charge amount is less than the second threshold value, the transition means transitions the power state to the second power-off state, according to Configuration 10 of the printing apparatus. (Configuration 12) When the wireless LAN communication function is set to disabled and in the supply state, the transition means transitions the power state to the second power-off state, according to Configuration 8 of the printing apparatus. (Configuration 13) When the wireless LAN communication function is set to disabled, not in the supply state, and the charge amount is equal to or greater than the third threshold value, the transition means transitions the power state to the second power-off state, according to Configuration 8 of the printing apparatus. (Configuration 14) When the wireless LAN communication function is set to disabled, not in the supply state, and the charge amount is less than the third threshold value, the transition means transitions the power state to the third power-off state, according to Configuration 13 of the printing apparatus. (Configuration 15) A control method for a printing apparatus that operates by power supplied from a wired interface terminal or power charged in a power storage unit, comprising: A confirmation step of confirming the charge amount of the power storage unit; A transition step of transitioning to a power state with restricted functions according to whether it is in a supply state where power is supplied from the wired interface terminal and according to the charge amount; A control method for a printing apparatus, characterized by comprising the above. (Configuration 16) A program for a printing apparatus that operates by power supplied from a wired interface terminal or power charged in a power storage unit, causing the printing apparatus to: A confirmation means for confirming the charge amount of the power storage unit; Transition means for transitioning to a power state with restricted functions according to whether it is in a supply state where power is being supplied from the wired interface terminal and according to the charge amount, A program characterized by functioning as such.

Claims

1. A printing device that operates by power supplied from a wired interface terminal or power charged in a power storage unit, confirmation means for confirming the charge amount of the power storage unit; transition means for transitioning to a power state with restricted functions according to whether it is a supply state in which power is being supplied from the wired interface terminal and according to the charge amount; A printing device comprising the above.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the transition means transitions to the power state in which the wireless LAN communication function is enabled when it is in the supply state or when the charge amount is equal to or greater than a first threshold value.

3. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein the transition means transitions to the power state in which the wireless LAN communication function is restricted when it is not in the supply state and the charge amount is less than the first threshold value.

4. The printing device according to claim 3, wherein the transition means controls the transition to the power state when a specific condition is satisfied.

5. The specific condition is that the surface having the ejection nozzles of the recording head of the printing device is covered with a cap, the backlight of the operation panel of the printing device is off, or the power storage unit has the charge amount necessary for the transition to the power state. The printing device according to claim 4, characterized by this.

6. Even when the wireless LAN communication function is enabled at the time when the specific condition is satisfied, when it is not in the supply state and the charge amount is less than the first threshold value, the transition means transitions to the power state in which the wireless LAN communication function is restricted. The printing device according to claim 4, characterized by this.

7. When detecting an operation to turn off the power, the transition means further controls the transition to any one of a first power-off state, a second power-off state, or a third power-off state of the power state based on whether the wireless LAN communication function is enabled. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized by this.

8. The first power-off state is a state in which it is possible to transition to the power-on state by receiving a job from an external device via USB communication or wireless LAN communication. The second power-off state is a state in which it is possible to transition to the power-on state by receiving a job from an external device via the USB communication. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the third power-off state is a state that does not accept operations other than power key operations.

9. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that when the wireless LAN communication function is valid and in the supply state, the transition means transitions the power state to the first power-off state.

10. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that when the wireless LAN communication function is valid, not in the supply state, and the charge amount is equal to or more than a second threshold value, the transition means transitions the power state to the first power-off state.

11. The printing apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that when the wireless LAN communication function is valid, not in the supply state, and the charge amount is less than the second threshold value, the transition means transitions the power state to the second power-off state.

12. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that when the wireless LAN communication function is set to invalid and in the supply state, the transition means transitions the power state to the second power-off state.

13. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that when the wireless LAN communication function is set to invalid, not in the supply state, and the charge amount is equal to or more than a third threshold value, the transition means transitions the power state to the second power-off state.

14. The printing apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that when the wireless LAN communication function is set to invalid, not in the supply state, and the charge amount is less than the third threshold value, the transition means transitions the power state to the third power-off state.

15. A control method for a printing apparatus that operates by power supplied from a wired interface terminal or power charged in a power storage unit, comprising: a confirmation step of confirming the charge amount of the power storage unit; a transition step of transitioning to a power state with restricted functions according to whether it is a supply state in which power is being supplied from the wired interface terminal and according to the charge amount; The control method for a printing apparatus, characterized by comprising the above.

16. A program for a printing apparatus that operates by power supplied from a wired interface terminal or power charged in a power storage unit, causing the printing apparatus to: a confirmation means for confirming the charge amount of the power storage unit; Transition means for transitioning to a power state with restricted functions according to whether it is in a supply state where power is being supplied from the wired interface terminal and according to the charge amount; A program characterized by functioning as such.

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