Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, information processing apparatus, and power supply control method

Abstract

To shorten a recovery time from a power saving mode and a transition time to the power saving mode.SOLUTION: An image processing device includes: a first controller including a first control part for controlling an image formation part to stop power supply for a power saving mode, and a first power source control part for controlling supply of a power source to the first control part; and a second controller including a second control for controlling an external interface part for receiving operation from the outside to stop power supply for the power saving mode, and a second power source control part for controlling supply of the power source to the second control part. The second power source control part turns on the power source of the second control part by using a general-purpose input-output port, and notifies the first power source control part of recovery from the power saving mode by using the general-purpose input-output port in the case of detecting a recovery factor from the power saving mode, and the first power source control part turns on the power source of the first control part by using the general-purpose input-output port in the case of receiving recovery notification from the second power source control part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an information processing apparatus, and a power supply control method. [Background technology]

[0002] An image processing device comprising multiple modules having predetermined functions may have a communication interface for communicating data and control signals between modules in order to realize its function as an image processing device. For example, this type of image processing device may have an I interface that connects the modules to each other, separate from the above communication interface. 2 It has a C (Inter Integrated Circuit) bus (registered trademark). And, I 2 Management information for the image processing device, such as abnormal information, is transmitted between the master module and the slave module via the C bus (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0003] However, 2 In C-bus communication, the master must establish a connection with the slave by sending the start condition bit and the address assigned to the slave before transmitting data. This leads to a problem where, for example, when the device recovers from power-saving mode, a connection establishment sequence using the address is required each time management information is transmitted between modules, resulting in a longer recovery time from power-saving mode.

[0004] In view of the above issues, the present invention aims to shorten at least one of the recovery time from power saving mode and the transition time to power saving mode. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] To solve the above technical problems, one embodiment of the present invention provides an image processing apparatus comprising: a first controller including a first control unit that controls an image forming unit that forms an image and whose power supply is stopped during power saving mode, and a first power supply control unit that controls the supply of power to the first control unit; and a second controller including a second control unit that controls an external interface unit that accepts operations from the outside and whose power supply is stopped during power saving mode, and a second power supply control unit that controls the supply of power to the second control unit, wherein the first power supply control unit and the first control unit, the first power supply control unit and the second power supply control unit and the second control unit are connected via a general-purpose input / output port, the first control unit and the second control unit are connected via a general-purpose input / output port, power supply to the first control unit other than the general-purpose input / output port is stopped during power saving mode, the second power supply control unit turns on the power to the second control unit using the general-purpose input / output port when it detects a reason for returning from power saving mode, and notifies the first power supply control unit of the return from power saving mode using the general-purpose input / output port, and the first power supply control unit turns on the power to the first control unit using the general-purpose input / output port when it receives notification from the second power supply control unit of the return from power saving mode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] This makes it possible to shorten at least one of the time it takes to recover from power-saving mode and the time it takes to transition to power-saving mode. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is an overall configuration diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an overview of the hardware configuration of the main parts of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] This is a state transition diagram showing an example of the transitions in the operating modes of the image forming apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image processing unit when the image forming apparatus is started up. [Figure 5]This figure shows an example of the change in the power supply state of the image processing device during the first energy-saving mode. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the change in the power supply state of the image processing device during the second energy-saving mode. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of how the power supply status of the image processing device changes when it returns from the second energy-saving mode to standby mode, etc. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of an operation sequence when the cause of recovery from the second energy-saving mode is the control unit. [Figure 9] This figure shows examples of recovery factors that are notified from the microcontroller to the energy-saving subsystem. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of the operation sequence when the main controller is the cause of recovery from the second energy-saving mode. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following, the symbols indicating ports will also be used to indicate signal lines connected to the ports.

[0009] Figure 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1 is, for example, a digital multifunction printer (MFP: Multi-Function Printer) having copy, print, scanner, and facsimile functions. The image forming apparatus 1 can switch between operating modes that realize the copy, print, scanner, and facsimile functions, respectively, using application switching keys on an operation unit (not shown). When the copy function is selected, the image forming apparatus 1 is in copy mode; when the print function is selected, it is in print mode; when the scanner function is selected, it is in scanner mode; and when the facsimile function is selected, it is in facsimile mode. Note that the image forming apparatus 1 may also be a copier with only a copy function, a printer with only a print function, or a facsimile with only a facsimile function.

[0010] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 switches its internal state to an operating mode (operating state), a standby mode (standby state), or an energy-saving mode (power-saving mode), depending on the state of its internal circuitry. Hereafter, the energy-saving mode will also be referred to as the energy-saving mode. As will be described later, the image forming apparatus 1 has multiple energy-saving modes.

[0011] For example, the operating mode includes copy mode or print mode for printing images or text data onto paper media. Print mode includes the operation of printing received data onto paper media in facsimile mode. The operating mode also includes scanner mode for scanning documents or transmission / reception operations in facsimile mode. The state of the internal circuitry is switched by user operation of the control panel or control within the image forming apparatus 1.

[0012] For example, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) 2, an image reading device 3, a writing unit 4, a printer unit 5, a power supply unit 20, and a control device 21. The printer unit 5 includes a photoreceptor drum 6, a developing device 7, a transport belt 8, a fixing device 9, and a storage space in which a paper tray 10 is housed. The printer unit 5 creates a toner image to be transferred to a paper medium or the like based on image information. The printer unit 5 is an example of an image forming unit that forms an image. Below, an example of the image formation process in the image forming apparatus 1 will be briefly described, assuming the operation mode is set to copy mode.

[0013] In copy mode, multiple originals to be copied are placed in the automatic document feeder 2. When the start button on the control panel (not shown) is pressed, the automatic document feeder 2 feeds the originals one by one to the image scanning device 3. The image scanning device 3 reads the image information of each original sent sequentially from the automatic document feeder 2. The image information read by the image scanning device 3 is processed, for example, by the image processing unit installed in the control device 21.

[0014] The writing unit 4 converts the image information processed by the image processing unit into optical information. The photosensitive drum 6 is uniformly charged by a charger (not shown), and then exposed by a laser beam containing the optical information converted by the writing unit 4. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 6 by the exposure. The developing device 7 develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 6 to form a toner image on the photosensitive drum 6. The transfer belt 8 transfers the toner image onto a paper medium or the like. The fixing device 9 fixes the toner image onto a paper medium or the like. Then, the transfer paper on which the image of the original document is copied is discharged from the discharge unit.

[0015] For example, the above-described standby mode is the state until the start button is pressed in the copy mode, and the operating mode is the state from when the start button is pressed until a paper medium or the like is discharged, and it is a state in which a load such as a motor is operating. After the end of the operating mode, the state of the image forming apparatus 1 returns to the standby mode, and when the standby mode continues for a predetermined time, it enters the energy-saving mode. Then, when the operation unit is operated during the energy-saving mode, the state of the image forming apparatus 1 returns to the standby mode.

[0016] The power supply device 20 converts an AC voltage supplied from an AC power supply 30 such as a commercial power supply into a plurality of types of DC voltages (for example, a first DC voltage and a second DC voltage). The power supply device 20 supplies the converted first DC voltage to various loads such as the printer unit 5 of the image forming apparatus 1. For example, as loads, there are various motors, a charger for charging the photosensitive drum 6, and a developing roller of the developing device 7. The power supply device 20 supplies the converted second DC voltage to the control device 21.

[0017] The second DC voltage supplied to the control device 21 is used as an operating power supply for a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory etc. mounted on the control device 21. The control device 21 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1 by causing a controller such as a built-in CPU to execute a control program. Then, the control device 21 performs image processing or data processing by executing an image processing program or a data processing program, and forms an image to be transferred onto a paper medium or the like.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the hardware configuration of the main part of the image forming apparatus 1 in FIG. 1. Hereinafter, the configuration shown in FIG. 2 is referred to as an image processing apparatus 500 for convenience. The image processing apparatus 500 also has a function as an information processing apparatus that performs data processing to generate image data.

[0019] The image processing apparatus 500 includes a main controller 100, an operation unit 200, and a wired communication interface 300. For example, the wired communication interface 300 is a LAN (Local Area Network) interface 300. The main controller 100 is mounted on, for example, the control device 21 in FIG. 1. The operation unit 200 is provided near the image reading apparatus 3 in FIG. 1 together with an operation panel, for example, and controls the operation panel.

[0020] FIG. 2 shows a standby mode state in which both the SoC 110 and the SoC 210 are powered and the printer unit 5 is waiting for operation. The power saving subsystem 120 and the microcomputer 220 are always powered while power is supplied to the image forming apparatus 1, and continue to operate.

[0021] The main controller 100 includes a SoC (System on Chip) 110 and a power saving subsystem 120. The SoC 110 and the power saving subsystem 120 are connected via a general-purpose input / output port GIO(1). For example, the power saving subsystem 120 includes a CPU not shown. The main controller 100 is an example of a first controller. The SoC 110 is an example of a first control unit. The power saving subsystem 120 is an example of a first power control unit.

[0022] In the following, general-purpose input / output ports and the signal lines connecting them to each other will also be simply referred to as GIO. Each GIO signal line consists of at least one line (1 bit). The data source sends data to the receiver by setting each bit of the GIO to a high level (logical value 1) or a low level (logical value 0). Here, sending data from the sender to the receiver via GIO corresponds to writing data to the receiver. Receiving data at the receiver via GIO corresponds to reading data by the receiver.

[0023] For example, each GIO is assigned for one-way communication from the sender to the receiver. Therefore, for example, when sending and receiving 1 bit of data between the SoC110 and the energy-saving subsystem 120, 2 bits of GIO are used. Each GIO pin is defined as one of the various factors to be transmitted. When communicating using GIO, I 2 Unlike communication using the C bus, there is no need for master-slave switching, nor is there any need to send the slave address before data transmission. This allows for rapid handshake of various states of elements connected to each other via GIO.

[0024] During startup, SoC110 performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 1, including the control of the image forming section described above. SoC110 is connected to SoC210 via the USB bus and GIO(4), and transmits and receives data with SoC210. ​​SoC110 is also connected to the energy-saving subsystem 120 via GIO(1).

[0025] The energy-saving subsystem 120 controls the power supply of the SoC 110 via GIO(1) during energy-saving mode. The energy-saving subsystem 120 is connected to the microcontroller 220 via GIO(5) and transmits and receives data with the microcontroller 220. Furthermore, the SoC 110 is connected to the microcontroller 220 via GIO(6). In addition, the energy-saving subsystem 120 is connected to the wired communication interface 300 and can perform network communication with the outside of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0026] The operation unit 200 includes an SoC 210 and a microcontroller 220, and a wireless communication unit 230 that performs communication using, for example, a wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi. The operation unit 200 is an example of a second controller. The SoC 210 is an example of a second control unit. The microcontroller 220 is an example of a second power supply control unit.

[0027] The SoC210 and the microcontroller 220 are connected via GIO(2). The SoC210 and the wireless communication unit 230 are connected via SDIO (Secure Digital Input / Output). The microcontroller 220 and the wireless communication unit 230 are connected via GIO(3).

[0028] The SoC210 controls the entire operation unit 200 and the wireless communication unit 230. The microcontroller 220 controls the operation panel, such as detecting the coordinates of the touched position on the operation panel, and manages the power supply. For example, the microcontroller 220 uses GIO(3) to notify the wireless communication unit 230 of a recovery event.

[0029] The image processing device 500 has a function to transition the image forming apparatus 1 to one of several operating modes, such as standby mode, first energy-saving mode, or second energy-saving mode. The image processing device 500 then changes the power supply state of SoC110 and SoC210 according to the operating mode.

[0030] Figure 3 is a state transition diagram showing an example of the transition of operating modes of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1. As described above, the transition of operating modes of the image forming apparatus 1 is controlled by the image processing device 500 shown in Figure 2. When the image forming apparatus 1 is started by turning on the power switch, it is set to standby mode.

[0031] When the image forming apparatus 1 receives a command from the user via the control panel to copy or scan while in standby mode, it transitions to active mode and performs a copy operation (i.e., a print operation) or a scan operation (Figure 3(a)). After the copy operation or scan operation is completed, the image forming apparatus 1 returns to standby mode (Figure 3(b)).

[0032] On the other hand, if the image forming apparatus 1 remains idle for a predetermined period of time while in standby mode, it transitions from standby mode to first energy-saving mode (Figure 3(c)). If the image forming apparatus 1 remains idle for a further predetermined period of time while in first energy-saving mode, it transitions from first energy-saving mode to second energy-saving mode (Figure 3(d)). If the control panel is operated, the automatic document feeder 2 is opened, or a document for scanning is placed in the automatic document feeder 2 while in first or second energy-saving mode, the image forming apparatus 1 returns to standby mode (Figure 3(e), (f)).

[0033] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image processing device 500 when the image forming apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1 is started up. In other words, Figure 4 shows an example of the power control method for the image processing device 500. The flow shown in Figure 4 starts up when the power switch of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on.

[0034] When the power switch is turned on, the energy-saving subsystem 120 and the microcontroller 220 are started up and begin operation. The started-up energy-saving subsystem 120 turns on the power to the SoC 110. The started-up microcontroller 220 turns on the power to the SoC 210. Note that the power-on of the SoC 110 by the energy-saving subsystem 120 may be performed in step S10. The power-on of the SoC 210 by the microcontroller 220 may be performed in step S20.

[0035] Then, in step S10, the main controller 100 in Figure 2 issues a connection request to the operation unit 200 using GIO. For example, in step S10, the energy-saving subsystem 120 issues a connection request to the microcontroller 220 using GIO(5).

[0036] Next, in step S20, the operation unit 200 (microcontroller 220 and SoC 210), having received a connection request from the main controller 100, performs initialization processing for the operation unit 200. Once the initialization processing of the operation unit 200 is complete, communication using the USB interface becomes possible between the main controller 100 and the operation unit 200.

[0037] Then, in step S30, the main controller 100 confirms the successful communication with the control unit 200 using the USB bus, and confirms the connection with the control unit 200 and the completion of the initialization process of the control unit 200. This completes the startup process shown in Figure 3.

[0038] Figure 5 shows an example of the change in the power supply state of the image processing device 500 during the first energy-saving mode. In other words, Figure 5 shows an example of a power control method for the image processing device 500. During standby mode, when the SoC 110 detects a trigger for transitioning to the first energy-saving mode, it uses GIO(4) to issue a request to transition to the first energy-saving mode (energy-saving request) to the SoC 210 of the operation unit 200.

[0039] The operation unit 200 stops supplying power to the SoC 210 based on a request from the SoC 210 to transition to the first energy-saving mode. The image forming apparatus 1 then transitions from standby mode to the first energy-saving mode. As a result, the image processing apparatus 500, for example, 2 Compared to stopping power supply using the C bus, the transition time to the first energy-saving mode can be shortened. During the first energy-saving mode, the main controller 100 (SoC 110 and energy-saving subsystem 120) and the microcontroller 220 of the operation unit 200 maintain power supply and continue to operate.

[0040] Figure 6 shows an example of the change in the power supply state of the image processing device 500 during the second energy-saving mode. In other words, Figure 6 shows an example of a power control method for the image processing device 500. During the first energy-saving mode, when the SoC 110 detects a trigger for transitioning to the second energy-saving mode, it uses GIO(1) to issue a notification to the energy-saving subsystem 120 to transition to the second energy-saving mode.

[0041] The energy-saving subsystem 120 stops supplying power to the SoC 110 based on the notification of transition to the second energy-saving mode. Then, the image forming apparatus 1 transitions from the first energy-saving mode to the second energy-saving mode. As a result, the image processing apparatus 500, for example, 2 Compared to stopping power supply using the C bus, the transition time to the second energy-saving mode can be shortened. During the second energy-saving mode, the energy-saving subsystem 120 of the main controller 100 and the microcontroller 220 of the operation unit 200 maintain power supply and continue to operate. Based on the notification of transition to the second energy-saving mode, the energy-saving subsystem 120 starts monitoring for a return event to return to standby mode.

[0042] Figure 7 shows an example of the change in the power supply state of the image processing device 500 when it returns from the second energy-saving mode to standby mode, etc. In other words, Figure 7 shows an example of a power control method for the image processing device 500. The cause of returning to standby mode, etc., occurs in the operation unit 200 or the main controller 100.

[0043] If an event triggering a return to standby mode or the like occurs in the operation unit 200, the microcontroller 220 uses GIO(2) to power on the SoC210. ​​The microcontroller 220 also uses GIO(5) to notify the energy-saving subsystem 120 of the return to standby mode or the like event. Note that during the first energy-saving mode or the second energy-saving mode, power to SoC210 is stopped for all but the GIOs. Therefore, SoC210 can receive data indicating a power-on instruction via the powered GIOs and can power on.

[0044] Upon receiving notification of a recovery event, the energy-saving subsystem 120 uses GIO(1) to power on the SoC110. Note that during the second energy-saving mode, power to the SoC110 is stopped for all ports except the GIO port. Therefore, the SoC110 can receive power-on instruction data via the GIO port through the powered GIO, and thus power on.

[0045] Then, the transition process from the second energy-saving mode to standby mode, etc., is completed. As a result, the image processing device 500, for example, 2 Compared to stopping power supply using the C bus, the transition time from the second energy-saving mode to standby mode can be shortened. Note that the GIO(1) bit used to turn on the power of the SoC110 is different from the GIO(1) bit used to notify the SoC110 to the energy-saving subsystem 120 of the transition to the second energy-saving mode, as shown in Figure 6.

[0046] Figure 8 shows an example of an operation sequence when the cause of recovery from the second energy-saving mode is the operation unit 200. In other words, Figure 8 shows an example of a power control method for the image processing device 500. When the microcontroller 220 of the operation unit 200 detects a cause of recovery to standby mode, etc., it decides whether to restore the SoC 210 and SoC 110 (i.e., turn on the power).

[0047] For example, the recovery factors in the operation unit 200 include operation of the operation panel or receiving operation by the wireless communication unit 230. The microcontroller 220 makes a decision such as whether to restore the system if the recovery factor is operation of the operation panel, but not to restore it if the recovery factor is receiving operation by the wireless communication unit 230.

[0048] When the microcontroller 220 restores the SoC210 and SoC110, it uses GIO(2) to power on the SoC210. ​​The microcontroller 220 also uses two GIO(5) pins to notify the energy-saving subsystem 120 of a return event to standby mode, etc. (wakeup1, wakeup2). This allows the energy-saving subsystem 120 to be notified of any of several factors that trigger a return from energy-saving mode.

[0049] Upon receiving notification of a recovery event, the energy-saving subsystem 120 uses a different GIO(5) than the one that received wakeup1 and wakeup2 to return an ACK, which is a response to the recovery event, to the microcontroller 220. This prevents the recovery event notification and the response to the recovery event notification from conflicting at GIO(5), thereby preventing malfunction of the image processing device 500.

[0050] Furthermore, upon receiving notification of the recovery event, the energy-saving subsystem 120 uses GIO(1) to power on the SoC 110. Power is then supplied to the SoC 210 and SoC 110, and the image forming apparatus 1 returns from the second energy-saving mode to standby mode or the like.

[0051] Figure 9 shows an example of a recovery factor notified from the microcontroller 220 to the energy-saving subsystem 120. The recovery factor from the microcontroller 220 to the energy-saving subsystem 120 is notified by wakeup1 and wakeup2, which are 2-bit GIO(5).

[0052] The example shown in Figure 9 illustrates a case where there are three recovery factors. In this embodiment, the state of the main controller 100 after recovering from the second energy-saving mode can be one of several states, such as active mode, standby mode, or first energy-saving mode. Therefore, if the recovery factor is the operation unit 200, the microcontroller 220 notifies the main controller 100 which state to recover from the second energy-saving mode. In other words, the microcontroller 220 can detect multiple recovery factors from the energy-saving mode.

[0053] Note that if there is only one recovery factor, one bit of GIO(5) is sufficient for notification. If there are four or more recovery factors, three or more bits of GIO(5) are required for notification.

[0054] For example, in the default state where no recovery event has occurred, the microcontroller 220 sets wakeup1 and wakeup2 to a logical value of 1. When the microcontroller 220 detects recovery event 1, it sets wakeup1 to a logical value of 1 and wakeup2 to a logical value of 0.

[0055] If microcontroller 220 detects recovery factor 2, it sets wakeup1 to a logical value of 0 and wakeup2 to a logical value of 1. If microcontroller 220 detects recovery factor 3, it sets wakeup1 and wakeup2 to logical values ​​of 0.

[0056] The energy-saving subsystem 120 detects recovery factor 1 when wakeup1 and wakeup2 change from "1" and "1" to "1" and "0". The energy-saving subsystem 120 detects recovery factor 2 when wakeup1 and wakeup2 change from "1" and "1" to "0" and "1". The energy-saving subsystem 120 detects recovery factor 3 when wakeup1 and wakeup2 change from "1" and "1" to "0" and "0". Note that the relationship between the recovery factors and the logical values ​​of wakeup1 and wakeup2 shown in Figure 9 is just one example, and other combinations are also possible.

[0057] Note that since wakeup1 and wakeup2 are notified using different signal lines, their logical values ​​do not necessarily change simultaneously. For this reason, the energy-saving subsystem 12 may, for example, detect the recovery cause and turn on the power to the SoC110 only if the pattern of change in the logical values ​​of wakeup1 and wakeup2 is the same multiple times (for example, three times) in a row. This ensures that the recovery cause detection process using GIO is reliably performed.

[0058] Figure 10 shows an example of an operation sequence when the main controller 100 is the cause of recovery from the second energy-saving mode. In other words, Figure 10 shows an example of a power control method for the image processing device 500. When the energy-saving subsystem 120 of the main controller 100 detects a cause of recovery to standby mode, etc., it restores the SoC 210 and SoC 110. For example, the cause of recovery in the main controller 100 is a network packet received via the wired communication interface 300.

[0059] First, the energy-saving subsystem 120 uses GIO(1) to power on the SoC110. Once powered on, the SoC110 uses GIO(6) to notify the microcontroller 220 that it has returned to operation. Upon receiving the return notification, the microcontroller 220 uses GIO(2) to power on the SoC210. ​​Power is then supplied to the SoC210 and SoC110, and the image forming apparatus 1 returns from the second energy-saving mode to standby mode or the like.

[0060] In this embodiment, when the microcontroller 220 detects a reason for returning to standby mode, etc., it uses GIO(2) to turn on the power to the SoC 210 and uses GIO(5) to notify the energy-saving subsystem 120 of the return event. Upon receiving notification of the return event, the energy-saving subsystem 120 uses GIO(1) to turn on the power to the SoC 110.

[0061] Similarly, when the energy-saving subsystem 120 detects a factor for returning to the standby mode or the like, it turns on the power of the SoC 110 using GIO(1). The SoC 110 whose power is turned on notifies the microcomputer 220 of a return event using GIO(6). The microcomputer 220 that has received the notification of the return event turns on the power of the SoC 210 using GIO(2).

[0062] Thereby, the image processing apparatus 500 can shorten the return time from the energy-saving mode as compared with the case of turning on the power using, for example, the I 2 C bus to establish a connection with the slave by transmitting a slave address.

[0063] Also, when the SoC 110 detects a transition trigger to the first energy-saving mode during the standby mode, it issues a transition request to the first energy-saving mode to the SoC 210 using GIO(4). The SoC 210 that has received the transition request stops the power supply to the SoC 210. Further, when the SoC 110 detects a transition trigger to the second energy-saving mode during the first energy-saving mode, it issues a transition notification to the second energy-saving mode to the energy-saving subsystem 120 using GIO(1). The energy-saving subsystem 120 stops the power supply to the SoC 110 based on the transition notification to the second energy-saving mode.

[0064] Thereby, the image processing apparatus 500 can shorten the transition time to the energy-saving mode as compared with the case of stopping the power supply using, for example, the I 2 C bus.

[0065] When the microcomputer 220 detects a factor for returning to the standby mode or the like, it notifies the energy-saving subsystem 120 of a return event using, for example, two GIO(5)s. Thereby, any of a plurality of factors for returning from the energy-saving mode can be notified to the energy-saving subsystem 120.

[0066] Upon receiving notification of a recovery event, the energy-saving subsystem 120 uses a different GIO(5) than the one that received the recovery event notification to return a response to the recovery event to the microcontroller 220. This prevents a conflict between the recovery event notification and the response to the recovery event notification at GIO(5), thereby preventing malfunction of the image processing device 500.

[0067] Furthermore, if the recovery cause is the operation unit 200, the energy-saving subsystem 120 detects the recovery cause and turns on the power to the SoC 110 only if it receives multiple consecutive notifications of recovery events from the microcontroller 220. This ensures that the recovery cause detection process using GIO can be reliably performed, for example, even if the logical values ​​of multiple bits of GIO(5) do not change simultaneously.

[0068] Although the present invention has been described above based on various embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the requirements shown in the above embodiments. These points can be modified as long as they do not impair the spirit of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to their application. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0069] 1. Image forming apparatus 2. Automatic document feeder 3. Image reading device 4 Writing Unit 5. Printer Unit 6. Photoconductor drum 7. Developing device 8. Conveyor belt 9. Fixing device 10 Paper feed trays 10 20, 20A power supply 30 AC power supply 100 Main Controller 110 SoC 120 Energy-Saving Subsystems 200 Operation section 210 SoC 220 Microcontrollers 230 Wireless Communication Section 300 Wired Communication Interfaces 500 Image Processing Devices GIO General Purpose Input / Output Port [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0070] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-197677

Claims

1. A first controller includes an image forming unit that forms an image and whose power supply is stopped during power saving mode, and a first power supply control unit that controls the supply of power to the first control unit. A second controller includes an external interface unit that accepts external operations and a second control unit from which power is stopped during power saving mode, and a second power supply control unit that controls the supply of power to the second control unit, It has, The first power control unit and the first control unit, the first power control unit and the second power control unit, and the second power control unit and the second control unit are connected to each other via general-purpose input / output ports. The first control unit and the second control unit are configured such that power supply to ports other than the general-purpose input / output ports is stopped during power saving mode. When the second power control unit detects a reason for returning from power saving mode, it uses the general-purpose input / output port to turn on the power to the second control unit and uses the general-purpose input / output port to notify the first power control unit of the return from power saving mode. When the first power control unit receives notification from the second power control unit to return from power saving mode, it turns on the power to the first control unit using the general-purpose input / output port. An image processing device characterized by the following.

2. When the first power control unit detects a reason for returning from power saving mode, it uses the general-purpose input / output port to turn on the power to the first control unit and uses the general-purpose input / output port to notify the second power control unit of the return from power saving mode. When the second power control unit receives notification from the first power control unit to return from power saving mode, it uses a general-purpose input / output port to turn on the power to the second control unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that

3. The power saving mode includes a first power saving mode in which the power supply to the second control unit is stopped, and a second power saving mode in which the power supply to both the second control unit and the first control unit is stopped. The first control unit and the second control unit are connected via a general-purpose input / output port. When the first control unit detects a trigger for transitioning to the first power saving mode, it issues a request to the second control unit to transition to the first power saving mode using a general-purpose input / output port. The second control unit shall stop supplying power based on the transition request. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. If the first control unit detects a trigger for transitioning to the second power saving mode while in the first power saving mode, it will use a general-purpose input / output port to issue a notification to the first power supply control unit regarding the transition to the second power saving mode and will stop supplying power to the first control unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized by the following:

5. Multiple input / output ports of the first power control unit and multiple general-purpose input / output ports of the second power control unit are connected to each other. The second power control unit is capable of detecting multiple recovery factors from power saving mode and notifies the first power control unit of one of the detected recovery factors using multiple general-purpose input / output ports. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the above.

6. When the first power control unit receives one of the plurality of recovery factors from the second power control unit, it notifies the second power control unit of the response to the recovery factor using a general-purpose input / output port different from the general-purpose input / output port that received the recovery factor. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized by the following:

7. The second power control unit notifies the first power control unit multiple times of one of the multiple recovery factors it has detected using multiple general-purpose input / output ports. The first power control unit turns on the power to the first control unit if all of the multiple notifications indicate the same recovery cause. An image processing apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized by the above.

8. An image forming unit that forms an image, A first controller includes a first control unit that controls the image forming unit and whose power supply is stopped during power saving mode, and a first power supply control unit that controls the supply of power to the first control unit, A second controller includes an external interface unit that accepts external operations and a second control unit from which power is stopped during power saving mode, and a second power supply control unit that controls the supply of power to the second control unit, It has, The first power control unit and the first control unit, the first power control unit and the second power control unit, and the second power control unit and the second control unit are connected to each other via general-purpose input / output ports. The first control unit and the second control unit are configured such that power supply to ports other than the general-purpose input / output ports is stopped during power saving mode. When the second power control unit detects a reason for returning from power saving mode, it uses the general-purpose input / output port to turn on the power to the second control unit and uses the general-purpose input / output port to notify the first power control unit of the return from power saving mode. When the first power control unit receives notification from the second power control unit to return from power saving mode, it turns on the power to the first control unit using the general-purpose input / output port. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following.

9. A first controller includes a data processing unit that performs data processing and whose power supply is stopped during power saving mode, and a first power supply control unit that controls the supply of power to the first control unit, A second controller includes an external interface unit that accepts external operations and a second control unit from which power is stopped during power saving mode, and a second power supply control unit that controls the supply of power to the second control unit, It has, The first power control unit and the first control unit, the first power control unit and the second power control unit, and the second power control unit and the second control unit are connected to each other via general-purpose input / output ports. The first control unit and the second control unit are configured such that power supply to ports other than the general-purpose input / output ports is stopped during power saving mode. When the second power control unit detects a reason for returning from power saving mode, it uses the general-purpose input / output port to turn on the power to the second control unit and uses the general-purpose input / output port to notify the first power control unit of the return from power saving mode. When the first power control unit receives notification from the second power control unit to return from power saving mode, it turns on the power to the first control unit using the general-purpose input / output port. An information processing device characterized by the following.

10. A power control method for an image processing apparatus, comprising: a first controller including a first control unit that controls an image forming unit that forms an image and whose power supply is stopped during power saving mode, and a first power supply control unit that controls the supply of power to the first control unit; and a second controller including a second control unit that controls an external interface unit that accepts operations from the outside and whose power supply is stopped during power saving mode, and a second power supply control unit that controls the supply of power to the second control unit; The first power control unit and the first control unit, the first power control unit and the second power control unit, and the second power control unit and the second control unit are connected to each other via general-purpose input / output ports. The first control unit and the second control unit are configured such that power supply to ports other than the general-purpose input / output ports is stopped during power saving mode. When the second power control unit detects a reason for returning from power saving mode, it uses the general-purpose input / output port to turn on the power to the second control unit and uses the general-purpose input / output port to notify the first power control unit of the return from power saving mode. When the first power control unit receives notification from the second power control unit to return from power saving mode, it turns on the power to the first control unit using the general-purpose input / output port. A power control method characterized by the following.

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