JP2001309092A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor that can execute prescribed operations by releasing the low power mode when a designated time comes without the need for provision of a timer even in the case that the image processor is operating in a low power mode. SOLUTION: The image processor is provided with a control means 1 that selects a simple low power mode where time is at least monitored when an operation is set in cross-reference with the time when the operation is to be executed or releases the simple low power mode when the preset time comes and shifts to a normal power mode to execute the operation set in cross- reference with the time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus capable of executing a low power mode and suppressing power consumption.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, in many image processing apparatuses such as facsimile apparatuses widely used in offices and the like, when the apparatus is not used for a predetermined time, a low power mode is executed to reduce power consumption. In such a state, the CPU or the like as the control means is stopped, and the sub-C which monitors a key operation, a call from the other party, and the like is stopped.
When only the PU is operated, and when the sub CPU detects a key operation, a call from the other party, or the like, the stopped state of the CPU and other circuits is released, and a transition is made to a normal operation mode.

[0003]

In the above-described conventional image processing apparatus, the sub CPU does not execute the time monitoring function. Even if the operation is set to perform the operation described above, if the low power mode is being executed, the set operation cannot be performed at that time.

In order to solve such a problem,
There has been proposed a timer that monitors the time, and when the set time comes, the timer releases the CPU from the stop state. However, it is necessary to separately provide the timer, which increases the manufacturing cost. There was a problem to do. The present invention has been proposed to solve the above problems.

[0005]

Therefore, in claim 1 of the present invention, when an operation to be executed and a time at which the operation is to be executed are set in advance in association with each other, at least the time is monitored. A control unit that executes the simple low-power mode and, when a preset time comes, cancels the execution of the simple low-power mode, shifts to the normal power mode, and executes an operation set according to the time; Has been proposed. Here, the simple low-power mode refers to a mode that can quickly return to a normal use state.

According to the second aspect, an operation to be executed is specified in advance.
When the time at which the operation is to be performed is set in association with the time, at least the time is monitored without executing the low power mode, and when the time reaches a preset time, the time is set in accordance with the time. An image processing apparatus has been proposed that includes a control unit that executes the operation described above and shifts to the enhanced low power mode after the operation is completed. Here, the enhanced low-power mode refers to a mode in which power consumption can be suppressed more than in the simple low-power mode.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the control means shifts to a normal power mode and executes an operation set according to time. Is characterized by executing an enhanced low power mode.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

Although the configuration of the facsimile apparatus F is shown here as an image processing apparatus, the present invention is not limited to this example, and a personal computer capable of executing a low power mode and having a data transmission function via a telephone line is provided. And so on.

The facsimile apparatus F constitutes a control means of the present invention, and comprises a main control section 1 comprising a CPU and the like.
NCU 2 for controlling connection to telephone line L, modem 3 for modulating and demodulating various signals necessary for facsimile communication,
It is composed of an image memory 4 for storing encoded image data, a RAM 5 for storing speed dial numbers and the like, a ROM 6 for storing various programs necessary for operating the facsimile apparatus F, and a liquid crystal screen. A display unit 7, an operation unit 8 including various operation keys, a reading unit 9 for reading a set document, a recording unit 10 for recording image data on a pre-set recording sheet, and a facsimile apparatus. PC interface 11 for connecting the F to a personal computer PC, and a power supply unit 1 for supplying power required for the operation of the facsimile machine F
2 is provided.

Next, the operation of the facsimile machine F will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. That is, if the facsimile apparatus F is set to perform a predetermined operation at a certain time, such as time-specified transmission and time-specified polling (100), the facsimile apparatus F executes the simple low power mode ( 101), a reset signal is sent to each unit other than the main control unit 1 to initialize and
The transmission of the clock signal is stopped (102). Then, the main control unit 1 monitors the time by setting the operation level to a low state by lowering its own operation clock (103), and when the set time is reached (104), executes the simple low power mode. The job is released, the mode is shifted to the normal power mode, and the set job is executed (105). When the job is completed, its own operation clock is completely stopped, the operation level is set to 0, and the state is completely stopped. (106), the power supply from the power supply unit 12 to each unit is cut off (10).
7) The enhanced low power mode is set. In order to return from the enhanced low power mode to the normal power mode, for example, a sub CPU (not shown) monitors key operations and incoming calls,
When these events are detected by the sub CPU, the sub CPU restarts power supply.

As described above, if the main control unit 1 is set to perform a predetermined operation at a certain time,
When executing the low power mode, the simple low power mode is executed and the time is monitored.
When the designated time comes without providing a separate timer, the execution of the low power mode can be canceled and the predetermined operation can be executed.

The facsimile machine F may perform an operation as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, which will be described below. That is, if a predetermined operation such as time-specified transmission or time-specified polling is set to be performed at a certain time (200), the main control unit 1 controls the normal power until the set time is reached. It waits in the mode (201), and when the set time comes (20
2) Execute the set job (203), and when the job is completed, set its operation level to 0 by completely stopping its own operation clock, for example, and bring it to a complete stop state (204). The power supply to each unit by the unit 12 is interrupted (205) to set the enhanced low power mode.

As described above, if the main control unit 1 is set to perform a predetermined operation at a certain time,
The system waits until the set time is reached in the normal power mode without executing the low power mode.When the set time comes, the time is set immediately without initializing each part. Operation can be performed.

[0015]

As can be understood from the above description, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the control means determines in advance the operation to be executed and the time to execute the operation. When set in association, the simple low power mode for monitoring at least the time is executed, and when the preset time comes, the execution of the simple low power mode is canceled and the mode is shifted to the normal power mode, Since the operation set in accordance with the time is executed, even when the low power mode is executed, the specified operation is canceled when the specified time is reached without a separate timer. Can be performed.

According to the second aspect, when the operation to be executed and the time at which the operation is to be executed are set in advance in association with each other, the control means does not execute the low power mode.
At least the time is monitored, and when the preset time is reached, the operation set in accordance with the time is executed, and after the operation is completed, the mode shifts to the enhanced low power mode. For example, it is possible to execute the set operation immediately without requiring time such as initialization of each unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control means shifts to the normal power mode, executes the operation set according to the time, and then executes the enhanced low power mode.
After the operation is completed, the power consumption can be suppressed to the maximum.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a basic operation of the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the basic operation of the image processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 F: facsimile device (image processing device) 1: main control unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] When an operation to be executed and a time at which the operation is to be executed are set in advance, a simple low power mode for monitoring at least the time is executed. When it becomes, an image processing apparatus comprising control means for canceling the execution of the simple low power mode, shifting to the normal power mode, and executing an operation set corresponding to the time. 2. When an operation to be executed and a time at which the operation is to be executed are set in advance in correspondence with each other, at least the time is monitored without executing the low power mode, and the predetermined time is set. When the time has come, the image processing apparatus includes a control unit that executes an operation set in accordance with the time and shifts to the enhanced low power mode after the operation is completed. 3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control means shifts to the normal power mode, executes an operation set corresponding to the time, and then executes an enhanced low power mode. Image processing apparatus.