JP2003094770A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recorder in which power consumption can be reduced in waiting mode (power off state). SOLUTION: A capacitor C1 provided at an interface section 3 is charged with a voltage being applied from a host computer. At the time of waiting mode, waiting power stored in the capacitor C1 is supplied to a CPU or various memories required for receiving a command from the host computer thus conducting them constantly. Furthermore, a solar cell is provided and the power therefrom is utilized as the waiting power.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, and more specifically, it performs so-called automatic power-on control in which the recording apparatus itself is started by receiving data from a host computer in a power-off state to start a recording operation. The present invention relates to a recording device capable of performing the above.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording apparatus is often connected to a host computer such as a personal computer via a cable or the like. Then, normally, the print data created by the host computer is sent to the printing apparatus side, and the printing operation is performed based on the sent print data.

As described above, the recording apparatus mainly operates when receiving a recording command and recording data from the host computer, and is in a standby state for other time except for performing recovery processing. In this standby state, each operating unit in the recording apparatus stands by in a power-off state, and when recording data is received from the host computer, the recording apparatus itself starts up and starts recording operation. Equipment is also provided. With this automatic power-on control,
This is very convenient because the user does not have to press the power key of the recording device to start it up each time he or she uses it, just by connecting the recording device and the host computer. Further, recently, there are recording apparatuses that do not have a power key or a lamp indicating power-on that requires a user operation.

However, the recording apparatus having such automatic power-on control does not consume power at all in the power-off state, but actually consumes a little power even in the power-off state. There is. In other words, detecting the reception of data from the host computer,
It is necessary to always activate a part of the control logic in order to judge whether or not it is valid data and further judge whether or not the data should be recorded. Therefore, electric power is constantly supplied to a portion required for data reception and basic control of the apparatus, and this electric power is extracted from the power source of the recording apparatus itself, though it is very small.

[0005]

However, the time during which the recording apparatus is actually performing the recording operation is very short as a whole, and most of the time is in the standby or power-off state. Therefore, the amount of power used in the power-off state cannot be ignored even if the numerical value itself is small, and thus wasteful power is consumed.

The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus that reduces power consumption in a standby state.

[0007]

A recording apparatus according to the present invention is a recording apparatus for recording with image data transmitted from a host computer, and a recording mode capable of executing a recording operation and a standby mode in which power consumption is suppressed. In a recording apparatus having a mode, in standby mode, standby mode switching means for cutting off the power supply from the recording power supply source and standby voltage are applied by using the voltage applied to the connection part with the host computer. With a standby power generation means to create,
In the standby mode, power generated by the standby power generation means is supplied to a portion that needs to be energized.

Further, in a recording apparatus for recording with image data transmitted from a host computer, when the image data from the host computer is received in a standby mode with reduced power consumption, the recording operation is executed from the standby mode. In a recording apparatus that changes to a possible recording mode, in a standby mode, a standby mode switching unit that cuts off power supply from an external power supply source, and a standby power generation unit that generates standby power by using a solar cell. In the standby mode, the power generated by the standby power generation means is supplied to the portion that needs to be energized in the standby mode.

According to the above construction, in the standby mode,
By using the voltage applied from the host computer or the standby power generated by using the solar cell, the CPU and various memories necessary for receiving the command from the host computer can be always energized.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a recording apparatus.

The recording device is connected to a host computer such as a personal computer, and records on a recording medium based on image data sent from the host computer.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a microcontroller unit (hereinafter abbreviated as MCU), which includes a CPU, a ROM containing control programs for various controls executed by the CPU, a RAM used in a work area, a timer, an I / O, and the like. I am. Performs basic control of the recording device.

Reference numeral 2 is a control unit, which is connected to the MCU 1,
It includes functional blocks such as DMA, DRAM controller, and I / O.

Reference numeral 3 is an interface unit for transmitting / receiving various data to / from the host computer.

An interface controller unit 4 is included in the control unit 2 and controls transmission and reception of signals with the interface unit 3.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a power supply unit, and the MCU 1 controls the power supply ON / OFF.

The recording unit and the recording medium conveying unit (not shown) may be of any existing form. For example, an inkjet recording system or a laser system may be used.
Further, in the case of the inkjet recording method, the ink ejection method may be a bubble jet (registered trademark) method, a piezo method, or any other method. The recording head may be of the serial type or the full line type. Further, the recording medium carrying unit may use any existing form.

When the recording apparatus is powered on, it enters a power-on state. When a recording command and image data are input from the host computer through the interface unit 3, the MCU 1 issues a driving command to each drive unit (not shown), and the recording operation is performed.

On the other hand, when there is no recording command or image data from the host computer, it must be in a standby state. When the recording command and the image data are not sent from the host computer to the recording device for a certain time or longer, the timer is activated and the elapsed time is counted. Then, the elapsed time is sent to the MCU1 at any time, and when the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time, the MCU1 determines that the recording command is not input for the time being, and stops the oscillation of the power supply unit 5 via the I / O port. Let When the oscillation of the power supply unit 5 is stopped, the voltage output is stopped, so that the entire recording apparatus is turned off. As described above, in the standby state, the entire apparatus is in the power-off state and stands by.

However, even when the entire recording apparatus is in the power-off state, a part of the recording apparatus must be energized at all times. That is, when the recording command and the image data are transmitted from the host computer in the power off state, the functions of the interface controller unit 4 and the MCU 1 in addition to the interface unit 3 are activated so that the signal can be surely received. It has to be converted. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the power is supplied to the portion that must be energized even in the power-off state, not from the power source of the conventional recording apparatus itself, but in the present embodiment.

As described above, the recording apparatus is in a state of being connected to the powered-on host computer. Therefore, a certain amount of voltage on the host computer side is always applied to the signal terminal of the interface unit 3 of the recording apparatus via the interface cable.
For example, when the recording device and the host computer are connected by a typical parallel interface, a voltage close to 5 V is continuously applied to the signal terminal of the interface unit 3. This is logically considered high level. In the present embodiment, the applied voltage is used to supply power in the power-off state.

First, the circuit in the interface section 3 creates a predetermined amount of electric power by using the voltage applied from the host computer side, and stores it. Then, by supplying the electric power created and accumulated in the interface unit 3 only to the interface controller unit 4 and the MCU 1, even if the voltage of other parts in the recording apparatus is dropped, the function of that part is activated. To be done.

However, in order to further reduce the power consumption, it is assumed that the MCU 1 at this time is programmed in advance to shift to the sleep state. In the sleep state, the power consumption is remarkably reduced, and it is possible to operate with a very small amount of power. Further, since the interface controller unit 4 is arranged in the control unit 2, in the power off state, the clock supply to the control unit 2 and other parts is stopped. By thus suppressing the power consumption extremely, the sum of the power consumptions of the interface unit 3, the MCU 1, and the interface controller unit 4 in the power-off state is sufficient as the power generated from the interface signal from the host computer. It can be driven.

Next, an example of creating a predetermined amount of electric power from the voltage applied to the signal terminal of the interface section 3 from the host computer will be specifically described.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an electric circuit of the interface section.

When a signal from the host computer which becomes high level when the recording device is in a standby state, that is, a data strobe signal in this example, is input, the capacitor C1 is supplied to the capacitor C1 via the backflow prevention diode D1 and the current limiting resistor R2. Charged. The voltage stored in the capacitor C1 is reduced by the regulator 21 and supplied to the MCU 1 and the interface controller unit 4 as power for powering off.

When a recording command and image data are input from the host computer while waiting in such a power-off state, the interface controller section 4
Holds the content of the received data or command and, at the same time, generates an interrupt signal to the MCU 1. MC
When the U1 receives the interrupt signal from the interface controller unit 4, the U1 shifts from the sleep state to the normal operation state, and at the same time, transmits a signal output from the I / O port to the power source unit 5 to prompt activation. Upon receiving the start signal, the power supply unit 5 starts switching operation and starts supplying sufficient power for recording operation. When power is supplied from the power supply unit 5, the MCU 1 supplies power to all parts in the printing apparatus, and supplies power to the clock to all parts of the control unit 2 to perform normal recording operation. Make it possible.

The interface controller section 4
The data or command stored in the interface controller unit 4 is recorded together with the data received from the host computer by the interface controller unit 4 thereafter.

As described above, the power consumption in the power-off state is not supplied from the AC power source of the recording apparatus itself, but by using the voltage from the host computer, the power consumption of the recording apparatus itself is infinitely zero. Can be approached to.

In the present embodiment, an example using a parallel interface has been described, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a device such as a USB which has a power supply in the interface itself and can supply power.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the power for energizing the MCU 1, the interface section 3, and the interface controller section 4 is supplied from the host computer at the time of power off, but in the present embodiment, at the time of power off. The required power shall be supplied from solar cells.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical construction of the recording apparatus of this embodiment.

The MCU 1, control unit 2, interface unit 3, interface controller unit 4 and power supply unit 5 are the same as those in the first embodiment. In addition to these, the present embodiment further includes a solar cell unit 6.

The solar cell unit 6 has wiring so that power can be supplied only to the MCU 1, the interface unit 3 and the interface controller unit 4. Normally, an electromotive force is generated from a light source existing around the recording device, and electric power is generated from the voltage and stored. Then, the stored electric power is supplied to the MCU 1, the interface unit 3, and the interface controller unit 4 when the power is turned off.

Switching from the power-on state to the power-off state of the recording apparatus is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed since no command or data was transmitted from the host computer.

When switched to the power-off state, power is supplied from the solar cell, and only the functions of the MCU 1, the interface section 3, and the interface controller section 4 are activated. In the power-off state, the MCU 1 shifts to the sleep state as in the first embodiment. Further, the interface controller unit 4 also stops the power supply to the clocks of other parts, as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the total power consumption of the MCU 1, the interface unit 3, and the interface controller unit 4 in the power-off state is extremely small, and the power generated by the solar cell unit 6 can be sufficiently operated.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a portion for generating electric power from the solar cell.

Reference numeral 41 is a solar cell, D1 is a backflow prevention diode, R1 is a limiting resistor for current drawn from the solar cell, C1
Is a capacitor that stores the current from the solar cell, and 42 is a regulator that converts the voltage stored in the capacitor C1 into a constant voltage.

The electric power thus supplied from the solar cell is supplied to the MCU 1, the interface section 3 and the interface controller section 4 in the power off state.

Then, as in the first embodiment, when a recording command and image data are input from the host computer,
The interface controller unit 4 holds the content of the received data or command, and at the same time, generates an interrupt signal to the MCU 1. Upon receiving the interrupt signal from the interface controller unit 4, the MCU 1 shifts from the sleep state to the normal operation state, and at the same time transmits a signal output from the I / O port to the power source unit 5 to prompt activation. Upon receiving the start signal, the power supply unit 5 starts switching operation and starts supplying sufficient power for recording operation. When power is supplied from the power supply unit 5, MC
U1 supplies electric power to all parts in the recording apparatus and supplies electric power to clocks to all parts of the control unit 2 so that normal recording operation can be performed.

Although the electromotive force of the solar cell, which is the power source, depends on the amount of light in the surroundings, the environment in which the recording device is used is usually a bright environment, so the light source is not inconvenient. Furthermore, since the power consumption in the power-off state is extremely small, the current value drawn from the solar cell can be suppressed to a very small value, and sufficient power can be supplied even if the light source is a fluorescent lamp. Becomes

[0043]

As described above, by using the present invention, it is possible to extremely reduce the power consumption in the power-off state in a recording apparatus having an automatic power-on function. Power consumption can be reduced.

Also, for the host computer and the solar cell which are the power source, only the minimum necessary part in the recording device is activated and the current value taken out is suppressed to a very small value, so that the load can be lightened. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a recording device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electric circuit of an interface unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another example of the electrical configuration of the recording apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a portion for generating electric power from a solar cell.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 MCU 2 control unit 3 Interface section 4 Interface controller section 5 power supply 6 solar cell section

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus for recording according to image data transmitted from a host computer, the recording apparatus including a standby mode in which power consumption is suppressed and a recording mode in which a recording operation can be executed. At times, a standby mode switching means for cutting off the power supply from the recording power supply source, and a standby power generation means for generating standby power by using the voltage applied to the connection part with the host computer are provided. The recording apparatus, wherein the power generated by the standby power generation means is supplied to a portion that needs to be energized in the standby mode. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the standby power generating means generates standby power by using a voltage applied to a connection terminal for connecting a cable to a host computer. apparatus. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the interface with the host computer is a parallel interface. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the interface with the host computer is a USB. 5. The standby mode switching means determines that the standby mode has been set when a predetermined time has elapsed since the data was received from the host computer, and shuts off the power supply from the recording power supply source. The recording device according to 1. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording power supply source is an AC power source. 7. A recording apparatus for recording with image data transmitted from a host computer, wherein the recording operation is executed from the standby mode when the image data from the host computer is received in the standby mode with reduced power consumption. In a recording apparatus that changes to a possible recording mode, in standby mode, standby mode switching means for cutting off power supply from an external power supply source, standby power generation means for generating standby power using solar cells, and The recording apparatus, wherein the power generated by the standby power generation means is supplied to a portion that needs to be energized in the standby mode.