JP4064161B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a printer, a copying machine, an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral), etc. Image processing device About.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, energy saving of image forming apparatuses such as printers, copiers, and MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) has become a major issue due to environmental problems, international energy star standards, and the like. In view of this, in an image forming apparatus such as a printer or MFP, when a processing command is not received within a certain period of time, the mode is shifted to an energy saving mode to suppress power consumption. As a transition to such an energy saving mode, for example, when there is no data input from the host PC for a certain period of time, a sleep mode is entered in which the power supply to the circuit is partially stopped, and a new network I / F is entered. A printer having means for returning to a normal operation mode when data is input is known.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional method, the energy saving mode is switched when an image forming apparatus such as a printer or MFP does not access within a predetermined time. However, under this condition, it is understood that there is no access for a while. In such a situation, useless power is consumed before switching.
[0004]
An object of the present invention is to prevent wasteful power consumption and to increase the speed of switching between power supply modes. Image processing device Is to provide.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 Mode acquisition means for acquiring switching to either the normal operation mode or the energy saving mode; An image forming unit; an image processing control unit that converts print information into output image data and outputs the output image data; and a PLL that is provided in the image processing control unit and adjusts a phase difference between an input clock and an output clock. Circuit, Switching means provided between the PLL circuit and the circuit element of the image processing control means, and for connecting or disconnecting the PLL circuit and the circuit element of the image processing control means; A power supply device for supplying power to the image forming means and the image processing control means; When switching from the energy saving mode to the normal operation mode is acquired by the mode acquisition unit, by connecting the switching unit, Clock for circuit elements of the image processing control means Clock supply means for supplying It is characterized by providing.
[0006]
Therefore, by arbitrarily turning on / off the clock supply to the circuit elements of the printer controller, the power supply mode related to the power supply from the power supply device to the circuit elements of the printer controller can be switched. As a result, in a situation where it is known that access has not been made for a while, the power supply mode can be switched immediately, and wasteful power consumption can be prevented. In addition, since the clock supply to the circuit elements of the printer controller after passing through the PLL circuit is turned on / off, the clock is supplied to the PLL circuit even when the clock supply to the circuit elements of the printer controller is once interrupted. When restarting the clock supply to the circuit elements of the printer controller, the adjusted clock can be supplied immediately. As a result, it is possible to increase the switching speed of the power feeding mode.
[0007]
The invention according to claim 2 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, The clock supply means supplies a clock to the circuit elements of the image processing control means by shutting off the switching means when the mode acquisition means acquires a switch from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode. Not to do, It is characterized by.
[0008]
Therefore, it is possible to arbitrarily switch the power supply mode related to the power supply from the power supply device to the circuit elements of the printer controller with a simple operation.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 3 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein The supply mode switch was acquired by the mode acquisition means. In this case, it is characterized by comprising notifying means for notifying that the power supply mode is switched, and confirmation means for accepting confirmation about the switching of the power supply mode notified by the notifying means.
[0010]
Therefore, since the user can check the power supply mode switching operation, it is possible to prevent malfunction.
[0011]
Invention of Claim 4 is as described in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 3. Image processing device The operating frequency of the supply clock in the energy saving mode can be switched.
[0012]
Therefore, when it is not necessary to operate the circuit at high speed as in the energy saving mode, it is possible to supply a clock with a low operating frequency to the circuit, which improves the operational efficiency and durability of the circuit. Improvements can be made.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 4. Image processing device In the energy saving mode, at the time of switching the operating frequency of the supply clock, frequency switching notification means for performing notification that the operating frequency of the supply clock is switched, Said Frequency switching confirmation means for accepting confirmation about the switching of the operating frequency of the supplied clock notified by the frequency switching notification means.
[0014]
Therefore, the user can confirm the switching operation of the operating frequency of the supplied clock, and thus it is possible to prevent malfunction.
[0015]
The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Image processing device An image reading unit that reads an image and outputs image data; Said An image based on the image data read by the image reading unit is formed on a recording medium.
[0016]
Therefore, a copier or MFP having the same operation as that of any one of claims 1 to 5 can be obtained.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The present embodiment is an example in which an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) is applied as an image forming apparatus. The MFP of the present embodiment has a composite function such as a digital color copying function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.
[0018]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the MFP 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 1 includes a color printer 2, a scanner that is an image reading unit 3, an automatic document feeder (ADF: Auto Document Feeder) 4, an operation panel that performs display for an operator and control of function setting input from the operator. P and a post-processing device (sorter) 5 are provided. The MFP 1 is connected to a PC 6 such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) via a communication line 7 such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a parallel I / F, or an IEEE 1284 I / F. The MFP 1 has a system configuration in which when the print data as print information is given from the PC 6 through the communication line 7, an image based on the print data can be printed out (image output) by the color printer 2. Further, the MFP 1 is connected to a public telephone network via a private branch exchange (PBX) 8 and can communicate with a remote facsimile machine via the public telephone network.
[0019]
Since the scanner 3 is a well-known technique, it is not particularly shown, but the reflected light of the lamp irradiation on the surface of the original is condensed on the light receiving element by a mirror and a lens. A light receiving element (for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device)) is provided in a sensor board unit (SBU) in the scanner 3, and an image signal converted into an electric signal in the CCD is a digital signal, that is, a read signal. After being converted into the image data, it is output to a printer controller 30 (see FIG. 3) described later. The automatic document feeder 4 mounted on the scanner 3 feeds and discharges the document to the scanner 3.
[0020]
Next, the color printer 2 will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the color printer 2 constituting a part of the MFP 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the color printer 2 is an electrophotographic laser scanning color printer, and includes a printer engine 9, a paper feeding device (bank) 10, a double-sided paper feeding device 11, and a post-processing device (sorter) 5. It is constituted by.
[0021]
The printer engine 9 will be briefly described. The laser scanner 12 of the printer engine 9 is supplied with image data separated into Bk (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) color components for each color unit. Each color unit is one image forming unit.
[0022]
At the time of monochrome recording, image data of one of the four colors is given to the laser scanner 12. The photosensitive member 13 is rotationally driven at a constant speed, charged by the main charger 14, and the charged position is adjusted to an appropriate potential by a quenching lamp (not shown). The laser scanner 12 scans and projects the laser modulated by the image data on the charging surface. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed on the photoreceptor 13. This electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing device (Bk) having a developing toner of a color corresponding to an image formation designated color (for example, Bk) of the rotational positioning type developing device 15 to become a visible image, that is, a toner image. . The toner image is transferred to the transfer belt 17 by the transfer charger 16, and then transferred to the transfer paper fed by the registration roller 19 by the transfer separation charger 18. The transfer paper carrying the toner image is transferred by the conveyor belt 20. It is sent to the fixing device 21. The fixing device 21 fixes the toner image on the transfer paper to the transfer paper by heating and pressing. The transfer paper that has been fixed is discharged to the sorter 5.
[0023]
The surface of the photoconductor 13 after the transfer of the toner image is cleaned by the cleaning device 22. The surface of the transfer belt 17 that has been transferred is wiped with a cleaning blade 23. Reference numeral 24 denotes a reflection type optical sensor called a P sensor that detects the toner density on the surface of the photosensitive member 13, reference numeral 25 denotes a reflection type optical sensor that detects a mark indicating the reference position of the transfer belt 17, and reference numeral 26 denotes a fixing device. The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the fixing roller 21a.
[0024]
When two or more colors are overlaid (most typical is full-color recording), the toner image formation on the photoreceptor 13 and the transfer onto the transfer belt 17 are repeated for each color, thereby transferring the image. The toner images of the respective colors are transferred on the belt 17 and transferred onto the transfer paper after completing the transfer of the required colors.
[0025]
Next, an internal circuit 30a that is a circuit element built in the printer controller 30 that is built in the MFP 1 and controls each unit of the color printer 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The internal circuit 30a of the printer controller 30 includes a controller ASIC (Application Specific IC) 42 that performs system bus control, image processing, and the like. The controller ASIC 42 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31 that is a main processor, an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) 32 that temporarily stores image data read from the scanner 3, and image data stored in the SDRAM 32. An engine controller 33 for controlling the printer engine 9 for image formation, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 34 serving as a storage device for storing a large amount of image data and job history, and a read-only memory storing a BIOS and the like. Program devices for controlling the entire system including printers, fax machines, and scanners such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) 35, CARD 36, and FONT 37, and system log / system settings / log information etc. even when the power is turned off NVRA that can hold data 38, an NIC (Network Interface Card) 39 for connecting the MFP 1 to the communication line 7, an FCU 40 which is a unit for performing FAX control, an IEEE1284 41 for transferring data using a plurality of signal lines simultaneously, An operation panel controller 43 for controlling the panel P is connected. The engine controller 33, the FCU 40, and the IEEE1284 41 are connected to the controller ASIC 42 via the PCI bus 44.
[0026]
With such a configuration, the printer controller 30 analyzes the print data that is image information from the outside (PC 6, FCU 40) and a command that instructs printing, and develops the bitmap into a state in which the print data can be printed as output image data. The operation is determined by analyzing the print mode from the command. The print data and commands are received through the NIC 39 or IEEE1284 41 and operated. Further, the printer controller 30 externally (PC6, FCU40) print data, document read data, output image data obtained by processing these data for output, and compressed data obtained by compressing them. Can be transferred.
[0027]
Also, the printer controller 30 transfers the read image data of the scanner 3 to the controller ASIC 42, and the signal degradation accompanying the quantization to the optical system and the digital signal (scanner signal degradation: distortion of the read image data due to the scanner characteristics). ) And the image data is written into the SDRAM 32. The image data stored in the SDRAM 32 in this way is converted into output image data by the engine controller 33 and output to the color printer 2.
[0028]
In such MFP 1, there is a power supply device (not shown) that generates DC power from AC commercial power, and the DC power generated here is supplied to each unit built in MFP 1. When such a MFP 1 does not receive a processing command within a certain period of time, the MFP 1 shifts to an energy saving mode (hereinafter referred to as an energy saving mode) in order to reduce power consumption. In general, the energy saving mode classifies supply power, and does not supply power to circuits that are not necessary during standby, and supplies power only to necessary circuits. As a result, the power consumption is considerably reduced. However, normally, the energy saving mode is switched when access to the MFP 1 does not occur within a predetermined time. Under this condition, however, before the switch is made in a situation where it is known that there is no access for a while. Wasteful power will be consumed. Therefore, the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment realizes a mode switching unit that can directly switch to the energy saving mode separately from the power supply mode switching from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode due to normal inactivity for a certain period of time. ing. Hereinafter, the mode switching means will be described in detail.
[0029]
A clock (hereinafter referred to as CLK1) for operating the internal circuit 30a is input from the outside to the internal circuit 30a which is a circuit element built in the printer controller 30 as described above. As shown in FIG. 4, the input CLK1 passes through the PLL circuit 51 and is adjusted so that the clock phase of the external input matches the internal clock output from the PLL circuit 51 (hereinafter, CLK2). The phase-adjusted CLK2 is branched into two, one of which is output to the frequency dividing circuit 52 and divided to a frequency suitable for the use of various devices (hereinafter referred to as CLK3), and the other is output to the selector 53. Is done. In addition, CLK3 divided by the frequency dividing circuit 52 is also output to the selector 53. That is, in the present embodiment, the selector 53 selects either CLK2 or CLK3 (hereinafter, CLK4).
[0030]
More specifically, the selector 53 can arbitrarily switch the operating frequency of the clock to the internal circuit 30a. For example, when it is desired to move the internal circuit 30a at high speed in the normal operation mode, the output CLK2 from the PLL circuit 51 is selected and CLK2 is supplied to the internal circuit 30a. Conversely, when it is not necessary to operate the internal circuit 30a at high speed, such as in the energy saving mode, the operation efficiency of the circuit can be improved and durability can be improved by setting CLK3 through the frequency dividing circuit 52 to a sufficiently low operating frequency. Can be improved.
[0031]
In this embodiment, the case where there is one clock supply source has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When there are multiple clock supply sources, prepare a selector for each PLL circuit and divider circuit of each clock, and connect each output from this selector to another selector to arbitrarily select CLK2 and CLK3 for each clock I just want to be able to do that. Thereby, the selection range of the clock frequency used for the internal circuit 30a is widened, and a more appropriate clock can be supplied to the internal circuit 30a.
[0032]
In addition, a switch 54 that can turn on / off the connection between the selector 53 and the internal circuit 30a is provided between the selector 53 and the internal circuit 30a. That is, when the switch 54 is turned off, the clock supply to the internal circuit 30a can be cut off while the clock is supplied to the PLL circuit 51 and the frequency dividing circuit 52. Therefore, the adjusted clock (CLK4) can be immediately supplied to the internal circuit 30a when returning from the energy saving mode. As a result, there is no need to create a new circuit for cutting off the clock supply, and the cost of the circuit can be suppressed. That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to arbitrarily and easily cut off the clock supply to the internal circuit 30a without consuming unnecessary power.
[0033]
In particular, the speed of image processing in recent years has been increasing, and the operating frequency of the clock inside the circuit has been dramatically increased accordingly. The PLL circuit 51 requires an adjustment period because the external clock and the rising edge of the clock after circuit through are matched as described above. However, as the clock frequency increases, the phase adjustment becomes difficult and the adjustment period is inevitably longer. Therefore, the power supply mode can be switched at high speed by interrupting the clock supply to the internal circuit 30a while the clock is supplied to the PLL circuit 51.
[0034]
As described above, the power consumption can be suppressed by using the switch 54. However, when the user actually switches, a means for switching is required. Therefore, in the MFP 1 of the present embodiment, a mode switching process that realizes switching of the power supply mode is performed as one of the processes that the CPU 31 provided in the printer controller 30 executes based on the control program.
[0035]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart schematically showing the flow of the mode switching process. As shown in FIG. 5, when an energy saving mode switching key prepared in advance on the operation panel P is operated to set the energy saving mode (step S1), the process proceeds to step S2 and whether or not the mode switching is performed. Is displayed on the operation panel P to allow the user to confirm switching to the energy saving mode. In this way, when the user sets the energy saving mode, the confirmation message is displayed again so that the setting can be canceled if the mode switching key for energy saving switching is operated by mistake. It is to do. Accordingly, when the mode switching key for energy saving switching is operated by mistake (N in Step S2), the normal operation mode is set without switching to the energy saving mode (Step S3).
[0036]
On the other hand, when the user confirms switching to the energy saving mode by operating the operation panel P (Y in step S2), the setting mode is displayed on the operation panel P (step S4: notification means), and the user is in the energy saving mode. The setting is confirmed (step S5: confirmation means).
[0037]
Here, the setting mode displayed on the operation panel P will be described. As described above, when a plurality of clocks are supplied, a notice for confirming whether to switch the supply clock, a notice for selecting which clock, and a notice for confirming that the clock is being implemented are provided. There is a need to do. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, an operation mode for each clock is prepared as a setting mode displayed on the operation panel P, and the user is prompted to set which operation mode to operate (step S21). When the user determines that the setting is not changed (N in Step S22), a normal operation clock is supplied (Step S23), and when the user determines to change the setting (Step S22). Y), the user is notified of whether there is a problem with the setting (step S24: frequency switching notification means). If there is no problem (Y in step S25: frequency switching confirmation means), a clock for the setting is supplied. Switching to the setting mode display (step S26). If there is a problem (N in step S25, Y in step S27: frequency switching confirmation means), it prompts the user to set the operating clock again (step S21).
[0038]
As a result, when it is not necessary to operate the circuit at high speed as in the energy saving mode, a clock with a low operating frequency can be supplied to the circuit, which improves the operation efficiency and durability of the circuit. Can be achieved.
[0039]
After that, when the setting of the energy saving mode is confirmed by the user's operation on the operation panel P (Y in Step S5), the switch 54 is turned OFF and it is confirmed that the clock is not supplied to the internal circuit 30a ( In step S6), a switching completion message is displayed on the operation panel P (step S7) so that the user can confirm the completion of the mode switching.
[0040]
As a result of confirming the setting of the energy saving mode, if resetting is necessary (N in step S5, Y in step S8), the process returns to step S4, and if switching of the mode is not necessary (step S5) N, N in step S8), the normal operation mode is set without switching to the energy saving mode (step S3).
[0041]
Further, after switching to the energy saving mode as described above, when the mode cancel key for energy saving switching prepared in advance on the operation panel P is operated to set the normal operation mode (step S9), the process proceeds to step S10. Proceeding, a message telling whether or not to cancel the mode is displayed on the operation panel P, and the user is confirmed to cancel the energy saving mode. In this way, the confirmation message is displayed again when the user performs the energy-saving mode cancellation setting so that the setting can be canceled if the mode cancellation key is operated by mistake. is there. Therefore, if the mode release key is operated by mistake (N in step S10), the energy saving mode is not released.
[0042]
On the other hand, when the user confirms that the energy saving mode is canceled by operating the operation panel P (Y in step S10), the energy saving mode is canceled (step S11), and the normal operation mode is set (step S3).
[0043]
Here, since the clock supply to the internal circuit 30a of the printer controller 30 can be arbitrarily turned ON / OFF, in a situation where it is known that access is not made for a while, the power supply mode can be switched immediately and useless power consumption Can be prevented. Further, since the clock supply to the internal circuit 30a of the printer controller 30 after passing through the PLL circuit 51 is turned ON / OFF, even when the clock supply to the internal circuit 30a of the printer controller 30 is once interrupted, the clock is supplied to the PLL circuit 51. Therefore, when the clock supply is resumed to the internal circuit 30a of the printer controller 30, the adjusted clock can be supplied immediately, so that the power supply mode can be switched at high speed. .
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
According to invention of Claim 1, Mode acquisition means for acquiring switching to either the normal operation mode or the energy saving mode; An image forming unit; an image processing control unit that converts print information into output image data and outputs the output image data; and a PLL that is provided in the image processing control unit and adjusts a phase difference between an input clock and an output clock. Circuit, Switching means provided between the PLL circuit and the circuit element of the image processing control means, and for connecting or disconnecting the PLL circuit and the circuit element of the image processing control means; A power supply device for supplying power to the image forming means and the image processing control means; When switching from the energy saving mode to the normal operation mode is acquired by the mode acquisition unit, by connecting the switching unit, Clock for circuit elements of the image processing control means Clock supply means for supplying Since it is possible to arbitrarily turn on / off the clock supply to the circuit elements of the image processing control means, the power supply mode can be switched immediately in situations where it is known that access is not made for a while, which is useless. Power consumption can be prevented. In addition, since the clock supply to the circuit elements of the image processing control means after passing through the PLL circuit is turned on / off, the clock is supplied to the PLL circuit even if the clock supply to the circuit elements of the image processing control means is once cut off. Therefore, when the clock supply is resumed to the circuit elements of the image processing control means, the adjusted clock can be supplied immediately, so that the switching of the power supply mode can be speeded up.
[0045]
According to invention of Claim 2, in the image processing apparatus of Claim 1, The clock supply means supplies a clock to the circuit elements of the image processing control means by shutting off the switching means when the mode acquisition means acquires a switch from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode. Not to do By means of a simple operation, the circuit elements of the image processing control means from the power supply can be arbitrarily Shut off clock supply be able to.
[0046]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the The supply mode switch was acquired by the mode acquisition means. A notification unit that notifies that the power supply mode is switched, and a confirmation unit that receives confirmation about switching of the power supply mode notified by the notification unit, so that the user can confirm the operation of switching the power supply mode. Therefore, malfunction can be prevented.
[0047]
According to invention of Claim 4, as described in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 3 Image processing device In this case, it is possible to switch the operating frequency of the supply clock in the energy saving mode so that a clock having a low operating frequency can be supplied to the circuit when it is not necessary to operate the circuit at a high speed as in the energy saving mode. Therefore, it is possible to improve the operation efficiency and durability of the circuit.
[0048]
According to the invention of claim 5, the invention of claim 4 Image processing device In the energy saving mode, at the time of switching the operating frequency of the supply clock, frequency switching notification means for performing notification that the operating frequency of the supply clock is switched, Said Since the user can check the switching operation of the operating frequency of the supply clock by providing the frequency switching confirming unit that receives confirmation about the switching of the operating frequency of the supplied clock notified by the frequency switching notifying unit, Malfunctions can be prevented.
[0049]
According to the invention of claim 6, according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Image processing device An image reading unit that reads an image and outputs image data; Said By forming an image based on the image data read by the image reading unit on a recording medium, a copier or MFP having the same effect as the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5 can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a color printer that constitutes a part of the MFP.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an internal circuit of the printer controller.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating clock supply to an internal circuit of the printer controller.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart schematically showing a flow of mode switching processing.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart schematically showing a flow of an operation clock setting process.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Image forming device
3 Image reader
9 Printer engine
30 Printer controller
30a Circuit elements of the printer controller
51 PLL circuit
54 switches

Claims (6)

Mode acquisition means for acquiring switching to either the normal operation mode or the energy saving mode;
Image forming means;
Image processing control means for converting print information into output image data and outputting it to the image forming means;
A PLL circuit provided in the image processing control means for adjusting a phase difference between an input clock and an output clock;
Switching means provided between the PLL circuit and the circuit element of the image processing control means, and for connecting or disconnecting the PLL circuit and the circuit element of the image processing control means;
A power supply device for supplying power to the image forming means and the image processing control means;
A clock supply unit that supplies a clock to the circuit elements of the image processing control unit by connecting the switching unit when the mode acquisition unit acquires a switch from the energy saving mode to the normal operation mode ;
An image processing apparatus comprising: The clock supply means supplies a clock to the circuit elements of the image processing control means by shutting off the switching means when the mode acquisition means acquires a switch from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode. do not, the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein. Informing means for informing that the power supply mode is switched when the switching of the supply mode is obtained by the mode obtaining means ;
Confirmation means for accepting confirmation about the switching of the power supply mode notified by the notification means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:   4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operating frequency of the supply clock in the energy saving mode can be switched. Frequency switching notification means for performing notification that the operating frequency of the supply clock is switched when switching the operating frequency of the supply clock in the energy saving mode;
Frequency switching confirmation means for accepting confirmation about the switching of the operating frequency of the supplied clock notified by the frequency switching notification means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising:   6. An image reading unit that reads an image and outputs image data, and forms an image based on the image data read by the image reading unit on a recording medium. Image processing device.

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