JPH0437615B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a facsimile control method that enables sufficient monitoring of the system status during standby and reduces power consumption during standby, and particularly relates to a facsimile control method that reduces power consumption during standby. To provide a facsimile control method in which a low-cost facsimile device can be obtained without increasing the number of parts used or the mounting space thereof by configuring a system control unit using a facsimile unit.

In facsimile machines, it is necessary to monitor the status of the system during standby.

However, if all power is turned on during standby, power consumption increases, and if all power is turned off, detailed monitoring of the system status during standby cannot be performed, which is disadvantageous.

Therefore, conventional facsimile equipment uses a so-called automatic power-on method, in which only the sub-power is turned on during standby, and the entire system is turned on when transmitting or receiving, and transmits data using simple hardware logic. Alternatively, a command signal to start reception or a telephone call signal was detected and all power was turned on.

However, with this automatic power-on method, monitoring of the system status during standby is insufficient. For example, when the power switch is turned on and only the sub power is supplied to the standby state, there is a possibility that the system may be in the middle of the reading section or the recording section. Even if paper is present in the middle, it cannot be detected, and it is detected after the main power is turned on at the start of the transmission or reception operation to eject or display a jam. Therefore, the operator cannot discover such an abnormality until the transmission or reception operation starts, and the processing for it is delayed.

In order to solve these difficulties, it is necessary to sufficiently monitor the status of the system during standby. However, in order to perform sufficient status monitoring, the amount of hardware and power consumption during standby must increase, which is a disadvantage.

Therefore, the facsimile control method of the present invention solves these inconveniences in conventional facsimile devices, enables sufficient system status monitoring during standby with a simple configuration, and reduces power consumption during standby. It also makes it possible to save
Another object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost facsimile device.

To this end, in the facsimile control method of the present invention, two CPUs are used to configure the system control unit, and one of them is used as the master CPU, which is supplied with power from the main power supply during transmitting or receiving operations. The other CPU is used as a slave CPU that is constantly supplied with power from the sub power supply unit while the other is on standby. The control functions are divided between the two CPUs used (master CPU and slave CPU), and firstly, by reversing the master-slave relationship between standby and operation, power consumption can be reduced. At the same time, the status of the entire system during standby is sufficiently monitored, and the main power can be turned on reliably when necessary. Second, when the slave CPU detects a main power-on cause, it turns on the main power and notifies the master CPU of the main power-on cause, so that the master CPU can take measures against the operating cause. and then slave the slave CPU to the master CPU.

In other words, during standby, the slave CPU monitors the system status, and when it detects a predetermined cause for turning on the main power, such as a command signal to start transmitting or receiving, or a telephone call signal, the slave CPU switches on the main power supply. In addition to performing the input operation,
After the main power is turned on, the slave CPU is slaved to the master CPU, and the slave CPU operates according to commands from the master CPU.Furthermore, after the transmission or reception operation is completed, the slave CPU turns on the main power according to the master CPU's command. In addition to shutting it off, we are monitoring the status of the system again.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of a facsimile device. In the drawing, 100 is a reading unit, 200 is a VPU (video processing unit), 300 is a TTI/RTI (transmitting terminal identification information generating unit/receiving terminal identification information generating unit), and 400 is a
WE (write drive unit), 500 is main/sub scanning device, 6
00 is DCR (data encoding/decoding unit), 700 is
EDU (two-dimensional encoding/decoding unit), 800 is a recording unit,
900 is the mechanism control unit, 1000 is the SCU (system control unit), and 1100 is the G
-CU (compatible unit for G machine), 12
00 is CCU (communication control unit), 1300 is operation unit (OP-PORT), 1400 is modem (modem/demodulator), 1500 is ADF (automatic document feeder), 160
0 is the power supply unit, 1700 is the NCU (network control unit),
1801 is the transmitted original, 1802 is the received copy, 1
Reference numeral 803 indicates a telephone, solid lines indicate a data signal system, and white lines indicate a control signal system.

The reading unit 100 is a unit that converts the calligraphic information of the original 1801 into an image signal, and is composed of an optical system and an illumination system, and outputs it to the next VPU 200 as a black and white image signal.

In the case of the stylus recording method, the main/sub scanning device 500 is composed of only a paper feeding mechanism.

The recording section 800 is a unit that converts an image signal into a visible image, and develops and fixes the image signal provided from the WE 400.

TTI・RI1300, when transmitting,
This is a unit that generates identification information on the receiver side at the time of reception, such as the transmitter number, transmission time, communication end time, etc.

The DCR 600 is a unit that removes the redundancy of calligraphic information, converts it into compressed data by one-dimensional encoding such as the MH method, and decodes the received compressed data.

The EDU 700 is also a unit that performs two-dimensional encoding and decoding.

CCU 1200 is a line control unit and executes facsimile control procedures in accordance with instructions from SCU 1000.

The modem 1400 converts coded binary image information into a signal suitable for line transmission, and also demodulates the received image information.

The NCU 1700 has a line interface function, and performs line maintenance, ring tone detection, and the like.

The G-CU 1100 has a G motem that complies with the CCITT standard, and modulates and demodulates ternary data.

The mechanism control device 900 is a control unit for the mechanism section, and controls the reading section 100, main/sub scanning device 500, etc. according to instructions from the SCU 1000.
The mechanism section of the recording section 800 is driven.

The SCU 1000 is a unit that controls the system made up of these various parts, and controls the sequence of the facsimile machine.

The operation unit 1300 transmits the operator's switch operations to the SCU 1000, and also notifies the operator of the machine's operating mode and status.

By the way, in the facsimile control method of the present invention, as already explained, the SCU 1000 that controls the system is composed of two CPUs.

FIG. 2 shows the SCU 1000 and power supply unit 1600 when implementing the facsimile control method of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main parts. Reference numerals in the drawing are the same as in FIG. 1, and 1001 is a slave CPU, 1002 is a master CPU, 1601 is a sub power supply section, 1602 is a main power supply section, and SW is a power switch.

During standby when the power switch SW is turned on,
Only the sub power supply unit 1601 is turned on and the slave
The CPU 1001 becomes operational.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the facsimile control method of the present invention.

The slave CPU 1001 checks the presence or absence of a document in the reading device and the presence or absence of recording paper in the developing section. These checks are performed in order to eject the document or recording paper when the power is turned on again if there is a document or recording paper present due to a power outage while the facsimile is in operation or the power is turned off inadvertently.

Next, check whether the start switch is on. When the start switch is turned on, if there is a document, it will be sent, and if there is no document, it will be received. Also, when the start switch is off, proceed to the next step.

When the start switch is on, it is checked whether the telephone is off-hook, that is, the handset is lifted from the telephone. This check is performed to prevent the line from being closed due to an operational error when the line is not connected to the other party.

If not off-hook, check whether the copy switch is on. When the copy switch is turned on, it checks whether there is an original or whether the original is jammed.

If there is a document and a document jam has occurred, the process returns to the step of checking whether the start switch is on.

If no document jam occurs or if there is no document, the presence or absence of a paper jam and the presence or absence of roll paper are checked.

If the copy switch is off, proceed to the next step and check whether ringing is detected. This ringing is the ringing tone from the switch.

When communication is started due to ringing detection,
Transmission and reception conditions are determined during a communication control procedure based on instructions from the partner station.

In the next step, as in the previous case, the presence or absence of a document, paper jam, etc. is checked.

The slave CPU 1001 constantly monitors the system status through this flow.
When a predetermined main power-on factor is detected, the main power-on operation is performed and the master CPU
1002 is operated.

When the master CPU 1002 operates, the slave CPU 1001 is slaved to the master CPU 1002 and operates according to its commands. That is, the process proceeds to the flow shown in the lower right corner of FIG.

The master CPU 1002 outputs a command to postpone the cause of turning on the main power.

In response to the inquiry command, the slave CPU 1001 outputs an identification response to notify the cause.

The identification responses include a start switch response, a ringing response, a copy response, a reading section paper ejection response, a developing section paper ejection response, and the like.

These identification responses allow the master
The CPU 1002 performs operations similar to those of a conventional facsimile machine.

And when that operation is finished, the master
The CPU 1002 outputs a power off command and
Turn off the main power to the slave CPU 1001.

This power-off command causes the slave to
The CPU 1001 is released from the master CPU 1002 and continues monitoring the standby state again.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are block diagrams showing an example of a facsimile apparatus for implementing the facsimile control method of the present invention. The number in the drawing is 1st
It is the same as the figure, 101 is a pulse motor, 102
103 is a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD, 104 is a sensor, 201 is a peak detection unit,
202 is a sampling section, 203 is a binary converter,
204 is a CCD drive clock generator, 205 is a D/A converter, 206 is a ROM, 207 is an address counter, 301 is a CPU, 302 is a video memory, 303 is a crystal clock, 304 is a display memory, 305 is a serial interface circuit, 3
06 is a journal printer, 307 is a fluorescent display, 401 is an S-P converter, 402 is a level converter, 403 is a stylus high voltage switching circuit,
404 is a write timing control circuit, 405 is a segment selection circuit, 406 is a level converter, 407
is a segment high voltage switching circuit, 601 is a line buffer control section, 602 is a line buffer,
603 is an input data switching unit, 604 is a color discrimination unit
RL counter, 605 is a switching unit, 606 is a message buffer, 607 is a 1-chip μ-CPU, 6
08 is a command decoder, 701 is μ-CPU,
702 is an RL generation section, 703 is a mode detection section, 7
04 is a message buffer, 801 is a high voltage power supply,
802 is a stylus segment electrode, 803 is a fixing section, 804 is a developing section, 805 is a cutter, 8
06 is a pulse motor, 807 is a recording paper, 901 is a step speed control circuit, 902 is a switching circuit, 903 is a step speed control circuit, 904 is a switching circuit, 1001 is a slave CPU, 1
002 is the master CPU, 1003 is the ROM, 10
04 is a handshake interface circuit, 1
005 is an address latch circuit, 1006 is an address latch circuit, and 1006 is an address latch circuit.
ROM, 1007 is address latch circuit, 100
8 is a handshake controller, 1009 is a clock generator, 1010 and 1011 are I/O ports, 1101 is an I/O port, 1102 is a data control section, 1103 is a data memory, 1104 is an I/O port, 1105 is a total signal generator,
1106 is a modulation section, 1107 is a signal selection circuit, 1
108 is a synchronization signal generator, 1109 is a demodulator, 1
110 is a data sampling section, 1111 is a tonal signal detection section, 1301 is an operation section, 1302 is a control section, 1303 is a display section, 1304 is an operation section,
1305 is a control unit, 1306 is a display unit, 1401
is M48 type modem, 1402 is V96P type modem, 1
403 data selector, 1404 and 1405 are
LPF, 1406 is attenuator, 1407 is V21
type modem, 1408 is LPF, 1409 is HYB,
1410 is carrier detector, 1411 is limiter, 1412 is BPF, 1413 is HPF, 141
4 is 462Hz detector, 1415 is limiter, 141
6 is BPF, 1417-1420 is amplifier, 15
01 is a document separation fan motor, 1502 is a document transport motor, 1503 is a sensor, 1603 is a zero cross AC switch, 1701 is an off-hook detection relay, 1702 is a rectifier, 1703 is a ring detection relay, 1704 is a DC circuit closing relay, and P1 to P6 and Q1 and Q2 respectively indicate connection points with corresponding code positions.

The dashed-dotted line A-A shown in FIG. 4 A and B
1 and 2 are separated for convenience because the circuit is complicated and it is necessary to enlarge the diagram; in reality, corresponding connection points in both diagrams are connected to each other to form one circuit.

The following Figure 5 A and B are SCU100 of Figure 4 A.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of 0. Reference numerals in the drawings are the same as in FIG. 4, and when the circuits in FIGS. 5A and 5B have a plurality of elements, they are indicated by an alphanumeric character.

The dashed-dotted line B-B shown in FIG. 5 A and B
This is just a matter of convenience because the circuit has been enlarged.

As explained in detail above, in the facsimile control method of the present invention, two CPUs, a master CPU and a slave CPU, are used as the CPUs of the SCU, and only the slave CPU is operated in the standby state to monitor the system status. I try to do it. When a predetermined cause for turning on the main power is detected, the slave CPU turns on the main power, and after turning on the main power, the slave CPU becomes a slave to the master CPU and operates according to commands from the master CPU. do. Also, when the main power is shut off, the slave CPU is released from the master CPU and starts monitoring the status again.

In other words, the master CPU and slave CPU
The master-slave relationship with the two CPUs is reversed between standby and operation;
By only operating the CPU and monitoring the status of the entire system, it is possible to reduce power consumption and ensure that the main power can be turned on when necessary. Furthermore, during operation,
When the slave CPU detects the main power-on factor,
By turning on the main power and notifying the cause of the main power on, the master CPU can take countermeasures against the cause of operation, and after operation, the slave CPU is configured to be slaved to the master CPU. .

In this way, functions are shared between two CPUs,
By reversing the master-slave relationship between standby and operation, it is possible to reduce power consumption, and also to ensure that the status of the entire system can be adequately monitored during standby. In addition to being able to turn on the power, it also notifies the main power source of the cause, so that countermeasures can be taken against the cause of the operation.

Note that the slave CPU not only simply monitors the status of the system, but also can share specific control, such as control of the system's mechanical parts, if it has the capacity.

As described above, according to the facsimile control method of the present invention, two CPUs of the SCU are used, and only one of the CPUs is operated in the standby state, so that the system status can be sufficiently monitored and power consumption is also reduced. Many excellent effects can be obtained, such as:

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of a facsimile device, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the main parts of the SCU and power supply section when implementing the facsimile control method of the present invention, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the facsimile control method of the present invention. A time chart for explaining the operation of the method, FIGS. 4A and 4B are block diagrams showing an example of a facsimile apparatus for implementing the facsimile control method of the present invention, and FIGS. 5A and B are the same as those in FIG. 4A.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the SCU. In the drawing, 1000 is SCU, 1001 is slave CPU, 1002 is master CPU, 16
00 indicates a power supply section, 1601 indicates a sub-power supply section, and 1602 indicates a main power supply section.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a facsimile machine, there is a main power supply section, a sub power supply section, a first CPU which is supplied with power from the main power supply section during transmission or reception operation, and a first CPU which is constantly supplied with power from the sub power supply section during operation. The second
During standby, the second CPU monitors the state of the entire system, and when a cause for turning on the main power is detected, the second CPU turns on the main power supply. , said first
The CPU is notified of the main power supply cause, and after the main power supply is turned on, the second CPU is switched to the first CPU.
The first CPU executes a predetermined operation according to the cause notification, and after the predetermined operation is completed, the second CPU turns off the main power according to a command from the first CPU. Along with blocking the
A facsimile control method characterized by monitoring the status of the entire system again.