Information processing apparatus and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus which can properly switch a mode from an energy-saving mode to a normal mode in response to data received from an external apparatus as a switching factor.SOLUTION: When receiving switch data from an external device through a connection interface in an energy-saving mode of a power supply circuit (S401: Yes), an information processing apparatus stores the switch data received from the external device in a memory (S402), stops power supply to the external device through the connection interface (S403), switches the power supply circuit from the energy-saving mode to a normal mode (S404), and transmits the switch data stored in the memory to a main controller (S405). The main controller, in response to reception of the switch data from a sub controller, starts power supply to the external device through the connection interface (S406).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an information processing apparatus that can be switched between a normal mode in which power is supplied to the entire apparatus and an energy saving mode in which power is supplied only to the minimum necessary parts in order to reduce power consumption when not in use.

[0003] In such information processing devices, there are various factors that cause the power supply mode (the normal mode and the energy saving mode) to be switched. For example, there is a configuration in which the power supply mode is switched by attaching or detaching an external device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the information processing device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it cannot return from the energy saving mode to the normal mode when specific data (for example, login data) is received from an external device.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and aims to provide an information processing device that can appropriately switch from energy saving mode to normal mode using data received from an external device as a switching trigger. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is an information processing device comprising a main controller, a subcontroller having a memory, a power supply circuit switchable between a normal mode in which power is supplied to the main controller and a power saving mode in which power supply to the main controller is cut off and power is supplied to the subcontroller, and a connection interface to which a cable capable of sending and receiving data with an external device and supplying power to the external device is attached and detached, wherein when the power supply circuit is in the power saving mode and the subcontroller receives switching data from the external device through the connection interface that is a switching trigger from the power saving mode to the normal mode, the subcontroller stores the switching data received from the external device in the memory, stops the supply of power to the external device through the connection interface, switches the power supply circuit from the power saving mode to the normal mode, and transmits the switching data stored in the memory to the main controller, and the main controller starts supplying power to the external device through the connection interface in response to receiving the switching data from the subcontroller. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately switch from the energy saving mode to the normal mode using data received from an external device as a switching trigger. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus showing components to which power is supplied in a normal mode. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus showing components to which power is supplied in an energy saving mode. [Figure 4] 13 is a flowchart of a recovery process. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart of a sleep process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 (information processing apparatus) is an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral / Product / Printer) equipped with a printer 11 and a scanner 12.

[0010] The printer 11 forms an image indicated by image data on paper (medium). The scanner 12 reads an image recorded on an original to form image data. The configurations of the printer 11 and the scanner 12 are already well known, so detailed explanations will be omitted. The printer 11 and the scanner 12 are an example of an image forming unit 10 (see FIG. 2) that forms an image under the control of a main controller 20 described later. However, the image forming device 1 may include only either the printer 11 or the scanner 12.

[0011] A card reader 2 (external device) can be connected to the image forming apparatus 1 via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable 3. The card reader 2 reads data stored on a magnetic tape or IC chip of a card 4, and transmits the read data to the image forming apparatus 1 via the USB cable 3.

[0012] However, specific examples of the external device are not limited to the card reader 2. As another example, the external device may transmit data input by a user via an operation unit to the image forming device 1 via the USB cable 3. As another example, the external device may be a card slot into which a portable storage medium (e.g., an SD card) is attached and detached. As yet another example, the external device may be a device that performs wireless communication in accordance with 3G, 4G, or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0013] The USB cable 3 includes power lines (VBUS, GND) for supplying power from the image forming apparatus 1 to the external device, and data lines (D-, D+) for transmitting and receiving data between the image forming apparatus 1 and the external device. However, the cable connecting the image forming apparatus 1 and the external device is not limited to a USB cable, and may be any cable that can transmit and receive data between the image forming apparatus 1 and the external device and supply power to the external device. The external device according to this embodiment receives power from the image forming apparatus 1 and transmits data to the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 functions as a USB host, and the external device functions as a USB device.

[0014] The data stored in the card 4 is, for example, login data (e.g., a corresponding ID and password) indicating that the user has the authority to access the image forming apparatus 1. As one example, the login data is data indicating that the user has the authority to operate the image forming unit 10. As another example, the login data is data indicating that the user has the authority to remove paper output by the printer 11. However, the data stored in the card 4 is not limited to the above examples.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 1 showing components to which power is supplied in normal mode. Fig. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 1 showing components to which power is supplied in energy saving mode. In Figs. 2 and 3, components to which power is supplied are shown in white, and components to which power is not supplied are shown in dot hatching.

[0016] 2 and 3, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 10, a main controller 20, a sub-controller 30, a USB interface 40 (connection interface), and a power supply circuit 50. The image forming unit 10, the main controller 20, the sub-controller 30, the USB interface 40, and the power supply circuit 50 are connected to each other by signal lines or power lines.

[0017] The main controller 20 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 (particularly, the image forming unit 10). The main controller 20 includes, for example, a main CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a main ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 22, and a main memory 23.

[0018] The main CPU 21 is a computing means and controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The main ASIC 22 has, for example, integrated circuits for controlling the image forming unit 10, the sub-controller 30, and the power supply circuit 50. The main memory 23 stores firmware, control programs such as an OS (Operating System), application programs, etc., and is used as a working area when the main CPU 21 processes information. The main memory 23 is, for example, configured of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or a combination of these.

[0019] The image forming apparatus 1 processes control programs, information processing programs (application programs), and the like stored in the main memory 23 using the arithmetic functions of the main CPU 21. This processing constitutes a software control unit including various functional modules of the image forming apparatus 1. The combination of the software control unit thus constituted and the hardware resources mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 constitutes a functional block that realizes the functions of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0020] The sub-controller 30 assists the main controller 20. The sub-controller 30 includes, for example, a sub-CPU 31, a sub-ASIC 32, and a sub-memory 33. Note that the specific configurations of the sub-CPU 31, the sub-ASIC 32, and the sub-memory 33 are common to the main CPU 21, the main ASIC 22, and the main memory 23, and therefore will not be described again.

[0021] One end of the USB cable 3 is attached to and detached from the USB interface 40. The USB interface 40 according to this embodiment is connected to the sub-ASIC 32. The main controller 20 accesses the USB interface 40 (in other words, the card reader 2) through the sub-ASIC 32. However, the connection between the main controller 20 and the sub-controller 30 and the USB interface 40 is not limited to the above example. As another example, the image forming apparatus 1 may include a switch for switching whether the USB interface 40 is connected to the main ASIC 22 or the sub-ASIC 32.

[0022] The power supply circuit 50 supplies power to the image forming unit 10, the main controller 20, and the sub-controller 30. That is, the image forming unit 10, the main controller 20, and the sub-controller 30 operate using the power supplied from the power supply circuit 50.

[0023] The power supply circuit 50 is configured to be able to switch between power supply modes (normal mode and energy saving mode) according to the control of the main controller 20 and the sub-controller 30. The normal mode is a power supply mode in which power is supplied to at least the main controller 20. On the other hand, the energy saving mode is a power supply mode in which the supply of power to at least the main controller 20 is cut off and power is supplied to the sub-controller 30.

[0024] 2, the power supply circuit 50 in the normal mode supplies power to the image forming unit 10 and the main controller 20. At this time, the image forming unit 10 can operate under the control of the main controller 20. The main controller 20 can also supply power to the card reader 2 connected to the USB interface 40 and receive login data from the card reader 2. More specifically, the main CPU 21 realizes the supply of power to the card reader 2 and the transmission and reception of data to and from the card reader 2 by reading and executing a USB device driver stored in the main memory 23.

[0025] On the other hand, the power supply circuit 50 in the normal mode may supply power to the sub-controller 30. At this time, the sub-controller 30 is in a sleep state. As another example, the power supply circuit 50 in the normal mode may not supply power to the sub-controller 30. In either case, when the power supply circuit 50 is in the normal mode, the sub-controller 30 does not operate. However, the sub-ASIC 32 relays the supply of power and the transmission and reception of data between the main controller 20 and the card reader 2.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 3, the power supply circuit 50 in the energy saving mode does not supply power to the image forming unit 10 and the main controller 20, but supplies power to the sub-controller 30. At this time, the image forming unit 10 and the main controller 20 do not operate. However, the power supply circuit 50 in the energy saving mode may selectively supply power to the volatile memory in the main memory 23. Also, the power supply circuit 50 in the energy saving mode may selectively supply power to a circuit in the main ASIC 22 that controls the power supply circuit 50. That is, the power supply circuit 50 in the energy saving mode does not supply power to at least the main CPU 21 among the components of the main controller 20.

[0027] On the other hand, when the power supply circuit 50 is in the energy saving mode, the sub-controller 30 can supply power to the card reader 2 connected to the USB interface 40 and receive login data from the card reader 2. More specifically, the sub-CPU 31 reads out and executes a USB device driver stored in the sub-memory 33, thereby realizing the supply of power to the card reader 2 and the transmission and reception of data to and from the card reader 2.

[0028] 4 is a flowchart of the return process. The return process is a process for switching the power supply mode of the power supply circuit 50 from the energy saving mode to the normal mode (returning to the normal mode). At the start of the return process, it is assumed that the card reader 2 is connected to the USB interface 40 via the USB cable 3. It is also assumed that the sub-controller 30 is supplying power to the card reader 2 via the USB cable 3.

[0029] The sub-controller 30 waits to execute the processes in and after step S402 until login data is received from the card reader 2 through the USB interface 40 (S401: No). The login data is an example of switching data that causes switching from the energy saving mode to the normal mode. Next, when the sub-controller 30 receives login data from the card reader 2 through the USB interface 40 (S401: Yes), the sub-controller 30 stores the received login data in the sub-memory 33 (S402).

[0030] Next, the sub-controller 30 stops the power supply to the card reader 2 through the USB interface 40 and executes a detach process for the card reader 2 (S403). The detach process is already well known, so a detailed description will be omitted. Next, the sub-controller 30 switches the power supply mode of the power supply circuit 50 from the energy saving mode to the normal mode (S404). This starts the power supply from the power supply circuit 50 to the image forming unit 10 and the main controller 20. Also, the power supply from the power supply circuit 50 to the sub-controller 30 is stopped, or the sub-controller 30 goes into a sleep state. Next, the sub-controller 30 transmits the login data stored in the sub-memory 33 to the main controller 20 (S405).

[0031] Next, in response to receiving the login data from the sub-controller 30, the main controller 20 starts supplying power to the card reader 2 through the USB interface 40 and executes an attachment process for the card reader 2 (S406). The attachment process is already well known, so a detailed description will be omitted. Then, the main controller 20 executes predetermined processes (permission to operate the image forming unit 10, permission to remove paper output from the printer 11) using the login data received in step S405.

[0032] 5 is a flowchart of the sleep process. The sleep process is a process for switching the power supply mode of the power supply circuit 50 from the normal mode to the energy saving mode. At the start of the sleep process, it is assumed that the card reader 2 is connected to the USB interface 40 via the USB cable 3. It is also assumed that the main controller 20 is supplying power to the card reader 2 via the USB cable 3.

[0033] The main controller 20 waits to execute the processes in and after step S502 until it detects a predetermined sleep cause (S501: No). Examples of sleep causes include no operation of the operation panel for a predetermined continuous time, no communication with an external device through the communication interface for a predetermined continuous time, etc. Next, when the main controller 20 detects a sleep cause (S501: Yes), it stops the power supply to the card reader 2 through the USB interface 40 and executes a detach process for the card reader 2 (S502).

[0034] Next, the main controller 20 switches the power supply mode of the power supply circuit 50 from the normal mode to the energy saving mode (S503). This stops the power supply from the power supply circuit 50 to the image forming unit 10 and the main controller 20. Also, the power supply from the power supply circuit 50 to the sub-controller 30 is started, or the sub-controller 30 returns from the sleep state. Next, the sub-controller 30 starts the power supply to the card reader 2 through the USB interface 40, and executes the attachment process of the card reader 2 (S504).

[0035] According to the above embodiment, for example, the following advantageous effects are achieved.

[0036] According to the above embodiment, the power supply circuit 50 can be switched from the energy saving mode to the normal mode by using the reception of login data from the card reader 2 as a switching trigger (return trigger). At this time, the power supply from the sub-controller 30 to the card reader 2 is stopped, the login data received by the sub-controller 30 is handed over to the main controller 20, and the power supply from the main controller 20 to the card reader 2 is started. This allows the control of the card reader 2 to be appropriately transferred from the sub-controller 30 to the main controller 20.

[0037] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, when the power supply circuit 50 is switched from the normal mode to the energy saving mode, the power supply from the main controller 20 to the card reader 2 is stopped, and the power supply from the sub-controller 30 to the card reader 2 is started. This allows the control of the card reader 2 to be appropriately transferred from the main controller 20 to the sub-controller 30. In this case, it is not necessary to pass the login data from the main controller 20 to the sub-controller 30.

[0038] Note that a specific example of the information processing device is not limited to the image forming device 1. The information processing device according to this embodiment includes any device that includes a main controller 20 and a sub-controller 30 and can switch between power supply modes (normal mode and energy saving mode). A specific example of the switching data is not limited to login data. As another example, when the external device is a wireless communication device, the switching data includes a packet received from the wireless communication device.

[0039] Each function of the above-described embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, and a device such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (digital signal processor), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or a conventional circuit module designed to execute each function described above.

[0040] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the technical gist of the present invention. The present invention covers all technical matters included in the technical ideas described in the claims. The above-described embodiment shows a preferred example, but a person skilled in the art can realize various modifications from the disclosed contents. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1: Image forming device 2: Card reader 3: USB cable 4: Cards 10: Image forming section 11: Printer 12: Scanner 20: Main controller 21: Main CPU 22: Main ASIC 23: Main memory 30: Sub-controller 31: Sub CPU 32: Sub ASIC 33: Sub memory 40: USB interface 50: Power supply circuit [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0042] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-286792 A

Claims

1. A main controller; a sub-controller having a memory; a power supply circuit that is switchable between a normal mode in which power is supplied to the main controller and an energy saving mode in which power supply to the main controller is cut off and power is supplied to the sub-controller; An information processing device including a connection interface to which a cable capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device and supplying power to the external device is detachably connected, When the sub-controller receives switching data, which is a switching factor from the energy saving mode to the normal mode, from an external device via the connection interface while the power supply circuit is in the energy saving mode, storing the switching data received from the external device in the memory; Stopping the supply of power to the external device through the connection interface; switching the power supply circuit from the energy saving mode to the normal mode; Transmitting the switching data stored in the memory to the main controller; The information processing apparatus, wherein the main controller starts supplying power to an external device through the connection interface in response to receiving the switching data from the sub-controller.

2. When the main controller detects a factor for switching from the normal mode to the energy saving mode, Stopping the supply of power to the external device through the connection interface; switching the power supply circuit from the normal mode to the energy saving mode; 2 . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the sub-controller starts supplying power to an external device through the connection interface in response to the power supply circuit being switched to the energy saving mode.

3. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switching data is login data indicating that the user has authority to access the information processing apparatus.

4. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection interface is a USB interface to which a USB cable is detachably connected.

5. An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, an image forming unit that forms an image under the control of the main controller;

Images