JP3406171B2 - Terminal control system and terminal device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a personal computer (PC) and a terminal control system and a terminal device connected to the personal computer (PC) and having a power saving mode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a device having a facsimile function, a scanner function, a printer function, etc. has been put into practical use as a composite terminal device. In such a composite terminal device, a main power supply and a sub power supply are provided as power supplies and the above-mentioned functions are provided. If you want to work, use the main power supply, and if you can not work the above functions, there is a sub-power supply that operates only the operation panel. The main power is turned on by pressing the key on the operation panel,
This makes it possible to operate the above functions,
A device equipped with a so-called power saving mode has been put into practical use, which automatically switches to the sub power supply if no operation is performed for several minutes while the main power supply is on.

The composite terminal device is connected to a PC (personal computer), and the composite terminal device may be operated by operating the operation panel or may be operated by operating the PC.

[0004]

When there is no operation on the operation panel for a certain period of time, the composite terminal device shifts to the power saving mode as described above. If the composite terminal device enters the power saving mode when doing so, there is a problem that a signal cannot be sent from the PC to the composite terminal device. Also PC
The same problem occurs when data such as a command is automatically sent from the device to the composite terminal device.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems, a terminal control system of the present invention is a terminal control system comprising a terminal device connected to a control device and having a power saving mode. a first sending means for sending from the terminal device to the mode transition conditions are satisfied the request to shift to the power saving mode to the controller, the terminal from the controller in response to the power-saving mode shift request by the first delivery means Second transmitting means for transmitting a report indicating that the power saving mode can be transferred to the device, and the first transmitting means
The second transmission after the stage has transmitted the power saving mode transition request
Until receiving a report that power saving mode can be entered by means
The conditions for enabling the power saving mode of the terminal device are satisfied.
It is characterized by reconfirming whether or not it is. The terminal device of the present invention, which can be connected to a control device, a terminal device having a power saving mode, when the power-saving mode transition condition when connected to the control device is satisfied, the power saving mode to the controller a first sending means for sending a request to shift, and control means for shifting from the control device in response to power-saving mode shift request by the first delivery means in the power-saving mode after receiving the power-saving mode shift possible report Have
Then, the first sending means sends a power saving mode shift request.
After that, the report of the power saving mode shift from the control device
The condition for enabling the power saving mode to be met is met
It is characterized by reconfirming whether or not there is .

According to the present invention having the above structure, when the condition for shifting to the power saving mode is satisfied in the terminal device, the request for shifting to the power saving mode is sent to the control device by the first sending means. When the control device receives this request, the second sending means sends a report to the terminal device to the effect that the power saving mode can be entered. As a result, it can be seen that the terminal device shifts to the power saving mode on the control device side.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a terminal system of an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a composite terminal device of an embodiment.

In FIG. 1, a composite terminal device 1 as a terminal device in this embodiment is connected to a PC (personal computer) 3 by a Centronics cable 2. The composite terminal device 1 is provided with an operation panel 4 and a composite function terminal main operation unit 5. The multi-function terminal main operation unit 5 includes a facsimile subsystem 6,
A printer subsystem 7, a scanner subsystem 8 and a memory subsystem 9 are provided respectively. These subsystems 6 to 9 are connected to the Centronics cable 2
It is controlled by transmitting and receiving commands, responses, etc. from the PC 3 via the PC 3, and also operates independently of the control of the PC 3 to operate each function as a single unit.

In FIG. 2, the operation panel 4 of the composite terminal device 1 is provided with a key group 10, an operation panel CPU 11 and a sub power supply 12.
The operation panel 4 receives power supply from the sub power supply 12, and controls the man-machine interface of the key group 10 and a display unit (not shown) under the control of the CPU 11. Although not shown in the figure, the key group 10 is provided with keys for instructing to operate each function of the multi-function terminal main operation unit 5.

The operation panel CPU 11 receives an input signal to the operation panel 4, a hookup signal of an external telephone connected to the facsimile subsystem 6 and an incoming signal from the public line, and an original document for reading in the scanner subsystem 8. The power saving mode is controlled by detecting a signal indicating whether or not the document has been set in the document hopper.

Outside the operation panel 4, in addition to the above-mentioned multi-function terminal main operation section 5, a main CPU 13 for controlling the overall operation of the multi-function terminal device 1 and a main power supply 1 are provided.
4 are provided. The multi-function terminal main operation unit 5 operates by being supplied with power from the main power supply 14 under the control of the main CPU 13. The CPU 13 has a built-in timer for measuring the time required for the composite terminal device 1 to shift to the power saving mode, and controls transmission / reception of information to / from the PC 3.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a PC. In the figure, a display unit 1 for displaying information is displayed on the PC 3.
6 and a sending unit 17 for sending information about the power saving mode to the composite terminal device 1.

Next, the operation at the time of shifting to the power saving mode in the embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5 and FIGS.
A description will be given according to the sequence diagram of FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a power saving mode transition operation of the composite terminal device, and FIG.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the PC in the power saving mode, FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram when shifting to the power saving mode, and FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram when the power saving mode shifting condition is broken.

Multi-function terminal main operation unit 5 of the multi-function terminal device 1
When each of the resources, namely, the facsimile subsystem 6, the printer subsystem 7, the scanner subsystem 8, and the memory subsystem 9 is not operating as a single unit for several minutes, the power saving mode transition condition is satisfied (step 41). The timer of the CPU 13 measures the time.
When the power saving mode shift condition is satisfied, the CPU 13 sends a power save mode shift request to the PC 3 via the Centronics cable 2 (step 42). If the power saving mode transition condition is not satisfied, the timer of the CPU 13 is restarted (step 43).

When the PC 3 receives the power saving mode shift request from the composite terminal device 1 (step 51), it releases each acquired resource (step 52). Each subsystem of the composite terminal device 1 performs various settings while acquiring resources from the PC 3, and then activates the operation of the composite terminal device 1. Since the composite terminal device 1 does not issue a power saving mode shift request during operation, when the power saving mode shift request is received, the PC 3 promptly releases the acquired resources. When all the resources are released (step 53), the sending unit 1
The power saving mode shiftable report is sent from 7 (step 5).
4). After sending the power saving mode transition report, PC3
Does not accept any operation on the composite terminal device 1.

When the composite terminal device 1 receives the power saving mode shiftable report from the PC 3 (step 44), it sends a power saving mode shift request (step 43) to the power saving mode shiftable report until it receives the power saving mode shiftable report. Since each resource of the terminal main operating unit 5 may be used as a single unit, the power saving mode transition condition is reconfirmed (step 4).
5). As described above, the operation panel CPU 1
1 saves power by detecting an input signal to the operation panel 4, a hookup signal from an external telephone, an incoming signal from a public line, a signal indicating whether or not a document for reading is set in the document hopper, and the like. Since the mode is canceled, it is not possible to switch to the power saving mode if these signals are detected between the sending of the power saving mode transfer request and the receipt of the power saving mode transfer enable report. The power saving mode transition condition is reconfirmed.

As a result of the reconfirmation, if the power saving mode shift condition is broken, the CPU 13 sends a power save mode shift cancel request to the PC 3 as shown in FIG. 7 (step 4).
6). If the power saving mode is still established as a result of the reconfirmation, the CPU 13 sends a power saving mode shift report to the PC 3 (step 47) and shifts to the power saving mode (step 48), as shown in FIG.

When the PC 3 receives the power saving mode shift report from the composite terminal device 1 (step 55), the PC 3 determines that the power saving mode is entered from the composite terminal device 1, and the display unit 16
If the composite terminal device 1 is currently in the power saving mode and the user wants to use the composite terminal device 1, the operation panel 4
A message to the effect that the predetermined key of is pressed is displayed (step 56). When it is determined that the composite terminal device 1 is in the power saving mode, the PC 3 prevents the composite terminal device 1 from using the Centronics cable 2. Therefore, the terminal device has shifted to the power saving mode.
In this case, since the display indicating that the terminal device is in the power saving mode is displayed on the display unit of the control device, activation from the control device in the power saving mode can be prevented and the user interface can be improved.

When there is no power saving mode shift report from the composite terminal device 1 and there is a power saving mode cancellation request (step 57), the PC 3 judges that the composite terminal device 1 has not shifted to the power saving mode, The normal operation from the PC 3 is accepted (step 58).

Further, the PC 3 retains the resources of the composite terminal device 1 from the time the power saving mode transfer possible report is sent to the time when the response (power saving mode transfer report or power saving mode transfer release report) is received from the composite terminal device 1. Since it cannot be used, the display section 16 displays “P
If you want to use the composite terminal device 1 from C3, please cancel the power saving mode of the composite terminal device 1 ".

[0021]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in the system having the terminal device which is connected to the control device and can perform both the operation under the control of the control device and the operation as a single unit, the power saving mode is provided. When the shift condition is satisfied, the terminal device sends a power saving mode shift request to the control device, and the control device sends a power saving mode shift enable report to the control device.
Since the terminal device shifts to the power saving mode after receiving this power saving mode shiftable report, there is a physical or sequence interface error such as the terminal device entering the power saving mode while the control device is transmitting data. It can be prevented.

Further, if the resource of the terminal device is operated and the power saving mode shift condition is broken between the time when the terminal device sends the power saving mode shift request and the control device sends the power saving mode shift enable report, By transmitting the power saving mode shift cancellation report to the control device, the device can prevent the time-dependent passing when the control device and the terminal device shift to the power saving mode. That is, for example, the control device determines that the power saving mode is in effect, but the terminal device can prevent a passing operation in which the terminal device is operating in the normal mode.

[0023]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a terminal control system of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a composite terminal device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a PC.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a power saving mode transition operation of the composite terminal device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the PC when shifting to a power saving mode.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram when shifting to a power saving mode.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram when the power saving mode transition condition is broken.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 compound terminal 3 PC 11 CPU 16 Display 17 Sending section

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Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A power-saving mode connected to a control device
In a terminal control system including a terminal device,
Request from the terminal device to the control device to shift to the power saving mode
In response to a power saving mode shift request from the first sending means,
Power saving mode can be switched from the control device to the terminal device
And a second sending means for sending a report of, and the first sending means sends a power saving mode shift request .
And wherein the power-saving mode shift enable condition of the terminal device until receiving the power-saving mode shift possible report by al the second delivery means to re-verify that satisfied
The terminal control system. 2. The power saving mode can be changed by the reconfirmation.
If the matter is not satisfied, the third sending a request to release the transition from the terminal device to the power-saving mode to the controller
The terminal control system according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. A power saving mode that can be connected to a control device is provided.
In the terminal device to be used, when it is connected to the control device,
When the conditions are met, the control device switches to the power saving mode.
A first sending means for sending a request that, in response to the power-saving mode shift request by the first delivery means
Received a report from the control device that the power saving mode can be entered.
After that, the first sending means sends the power saving mode transfer request .
The terminal device is configured to reconfirm whether a power saving mode shiftable condition is satisfied until a power saving mode shiftable report is received from the control device. 4. The power saving mode shiftable item by the reconfirmation.
When the condition is not established, it does not shift to the power saving mode,
4. The terminal device according to claim 3, wherein the control device is provided with second sending means for sending a request for canceling the transition to the power saving mode.