JPH0955812A - Data communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: In a data communication device capable of selectively setting a plurality of incoming call modes such as switching between a facsimile mode and a telephone mode, there is provided a data communication device with an energy saving function, which has a further power saving effect. To do. In a facsimile apparatus with an energy saving function that saves power consumption in a standby state, an incoming call mode setting unit (2) that sets an incoming call mode, and a predetermined signal that is preset according to the type of the incoming call mode that has been set By providing the power saving control unit 3 for determining whether to use the energy saving cancellation signal for canceling the energy saving state,
For example, when the facsimile mode is set as the incoming call mode, the energy saving state is released by the calling signal, and when the incoming mode is the telephone mode, the energy saving state is not released by the calling signal.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to, for example, a facsimile apparatus with an energy saving function, which has an improved power consumption saving effect by saving power consumption in a standby state when switching between a facsimile function and a telephone function. Data communication device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Not only portable type facsimile machines, but also installed type facsimile machines, facsimile machines having an energy saving function are becoming popular due to the demand of the times. In such a data communication device of a facsimile device, in a standby state where neither transmission nor reception is performed,
By supplying electric power only to the minimum necessary parts and circuits and cutting off electric power to other circuits, power consumption is reduced.

For example, in the facsimile apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-260229, in the standby state,
In the energy saving state as described above, the energy saving state is released by detecting the ringing signal at the time of incoming call and the transmission command signal at the time of transmission.

[0004]

However, in the conventional facsimile machine disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-260229, the facsimile machine has a facsimile mode and a telephone mode as a reception mode, and either one of the reception modes is used. When a call signal is received, the energy saving state is canceled even in the telephone mode, so that even in a circuit that consumes a large amount of power such as an image forming apparatus that is not used in the telephone mode. There was a problem that power was turned on and unnecessary power was consumed. Further, if unnecessary power supply is frequently repeated, the exposure lamp and the heating element will be consumed more quickly, and the life of the apparatus will be shortened.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and in a data communication apparatus in which a plurality of incoming call modes are selectively set, data communication with an energy saving function having a further power saving effect. The purpose is to provide a device.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a data communication apparatus which saves power consumption in a standby state, in which an incoming mode is set by an incoming mode setting section and the incoming mode setting section. There is provided a data communication device including a power saving control unit that determines whether or not a predetermined signal is an energy saving cancellation signal for canceling an energy saving state according to the type of the incoming call mode.

Further, the power saving control section operates so as to judge that the calling signal is the energy saving cancellation signal when the incoming call mode is the facsimile mode and does not judge the calling signal as the energy saving cancellation signal when the incoming call mode is the telephone mode. It is advisable to provide a means for doing so.

Further, the power saving control section may be provided with means for prohibiting cancellation of the energy saving state for the image reading section in the case of facsimile reception. Further, the power saving control unit may be provided with means for judging whether or not the memory reception is possible in the case of facsimile reception, and when the memory reception is possible, performing the memory reception and prohibiting the release of the energy saving state for the image printing unit. . Furthermore, in the power saving control unit,
It is advisable to provide means for returning to the energy saving state when the telephone mode is switched after the energy saving state is released.

According to the data communication apparatus of the present invention, when the predetermined signal defined as the energy saving state cancellation signal is detected, the energy saving state is canceled only when the mode set at that time is necessary, If there is not, it is possible to maintain without saving the energy saving state.

Further, when the ringing signal is set as the energy saving canceling signal and the signal is received, if the incoming call mode is the facsimile mode, the energy saving state in which the power supply to the portion related to the facsimile reception is cut off is canceled, and in the telephone mode. Is controlled so as not to release the energy saving state, the power supply to the image forming apparatus block related to the facsimile reception which does not need to be started in the telephone mode is prevented from being turned on, and the power is not wastefully consumed. You can

Further, in the case of facsimile reception, if the release of the energy-saving state to the image reading unit is prohibited, the power supply is restarted only to the portion related to the facsimile reception and the other parts such as the image reading unit which do not need to be started. It is possible to prevent the power from being turned on and further improve the power saving effect.

Further, in the case of facsimile reception, it is judged whether or not the memory reception is possible depending on whether or not the memory reception memory has a free space. If the free space is available and the memory reception is possible, the memory reception is performed. In addition, by prohibiting the image printing unit from canceling the energy-saving state, it is not necessary to start up the image printing unit every time a facsimile is received and to waste electric power, thereby further improving the power saving effect.

Further, after canceling the energy-saving state for the portion related to the facsimile reception when there is an incoming call in the facsimile mode, when the telephone mode is switched due to the handset being off-hook, the energy-saving state may be restored again. For example, when you make a telephone call from the other party, you can immediately cut off the power supply to the part related to facsimile reception and restart the energy saving state.
The power saving effect can be further enhanced.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus which is an embodiment of the data communication apparatus of the present invention. This facsimile machine
A microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and the like is built-in, and the control unit 1 is provided for managing and controlling the entire apparatus according to a program built in the ROM and also for controlling the energy-saving function according to the present invention.

The control unit 1 sets and stores the incoming mode of the energy saving function according to the present invention, and whether or not the predetermined signal corresponding to the incoming mode is judged as the energy saving cancellation signal. Power saving control unit 3 for controlling the energy saving function according to the present invention
And a functional unit such as a memory 15 which is an image memory for storing image information to be transmitted / received by facsimile.

Further, there is provided an operation display section 7 including a keyboard for an operator to give an instruction to the facsimile machine and a display means such as an LCD for giving a message etc. to the operator from the facsimile machine. The operation display unit 7 has a power saving operation unit 8, and the power saving operation unit 8 is a key input unit for canceling the energy saving state by an operator. When the input is detected, a detection signal is sent to the control unit 1. To the power saving control unit 3.

Further, a reading unit 9 which is an image reading device such as a scanner for optically reading an image of an original, a laser printer for outputting facsimile received image information and the like on recording paper,
Recording unit 11 which is a printing device such as an inkjet printer
It has.

Further, a network control unit (NCU) 4 for setting up a call with a remote facsimile machine via a public telephone (line) network is provided. The network control unit 4 has a call signal detection unit 5, and the call signal detection unit 5 detects reception of a call signal from a line and notifies the power saving control unit 3 of the control unit 1 of the reception.

Further, a communication control unit and an encoding / decoding unit (D) for performing facsimile transmission / reception according to the G3 transmission procedure.
It also includes an electrical component section 12 including a CR) and a modem 6 that modulates and demodulates signals during facsimile transmission and reception.

Furthermore, the input side of the power source unit 13 is connected to a commercial power source or the like, and is supplied with power from the power source such as the commercial power source or the like, and serves as a power supply source to each unit of the facsimile apparatus. Then, under the control of the power saving control unit 3, the power supply unit 13 supplies power to the network control unit 4, the modem 6, the operation display unit 7, the reading unit 9, the recording unit 11, and the electrical component unit 12 or cuts off the supply thereof. The power switching unit 14 and the like are provided. After the power of the facsimile apparatus is turned on, power is constantly supplied from the power supply unit 13 to the calling signal detection unit 5, the power saving operation unit 8 and the document detection unit 10.

That is, whether or not the power saving control section 3 uses a predetermined signal determined in advance according to the type of the incoming mode set by the incoming mode setting section 2 as an energy saving release signal for releasing the energy saving state. To decide.

Further, the power saving control section 3 operates so as to judge the calling signal as the energy saving canceling signal when the incoming call mode is the facsimile mode and not to judge the calling signal as the energy saving cancel signal when the incoming call mode is the telephone mode. It also functions as a means.

Further, the power saving control section 3 has a function of means for prohibiting cancellation of the energy saving state for the reading section 9 which is an image reading section in the case of facsimile reception, and judges whether or not memory reception is possible in the case of facsimile reception. Then, when the memory reception is possible, the memory reception is performed and a means for prohibiting the release of the energy saving state for the recording unit 11 which is the image printing unit, and an energy saving state when the telephone mode is switched after the energy saving state is released. Each function of the returning means is also fulfilled.

In the case of facsimile transmission in this facsimile apparatus, first, image information of an original or the like is read into the memory 15 via the reading unit 9 under the control of the control unit 1, and the image information is compressed by the DCR of the electrical component unit 12 and is re-compressed. It is stored in the memory 15.

Also, the calling designation information such as the destination designated by the operation display unit 7 is acquired by the control unit 1,
The NCU 4 to which the destination information has been passed sets up a call with the designated destination. After that, the communication control unit of the electrical component unit 12 executes the phase B via the modem 6 and then shifts to the phase C, where the compressed image information data in the memory 15 is modulated by the modem 6 and the NCU 4 is transmitted. Sent through.

At the time of normal reception, after the call is set up by the NCU 4, the phase shifts to phase B, predetermined communication is performed via the modem 6, and the image information data compressed in phase C is received. The image information data is stored in the memory 15 via the NCU 4 and the communication control unit of the electrical component unit 12, further expanded by the DCR of the electrical component unit 12, and output to the recording unit 11 via the memory 15.

At the time of receiving the memory, after the call is set up by the NCU 4, the process shifts to the phase B, predetermined communication is performed via the modem 6, the image information data compressed in the phase C is received, and the image information data is received. Are stored in the memory 15 via the NCU 4 and the communication control unit of the electrical component unit 12. Then, the image information data stored in the memory 15 is read by inputting an instruction from the operation display unit 7, or the like,
The data is expanded by the DCR of the electrical component unit 12 and output to the recording unit 11 via the memory 15.

When the control unit 1 is in a standby state in which it does not perform facsimile transmission or facsimile reception, the power saving control unit 3 turns off the power source switching unit 14, and the power source unit 13 is controlled by the power saving power line b. 1, a call signal detection unit in the network control unit 5, a power saving operation unit 8 in the operation display unit 7,
Power is supplied only to the document detection unit 10 in the reading unit 9.

When a predetermined signal set as the energy saving canceling signal is received, the main power supply line a, the power saving power supply line c, or the power saving power supply line d of the power supply switching unit 14 is connected according to the signal. And the network control unit 4, via the main power line a.
Power is supplied to the modem 6, the operation display unit 7, and the electrical component unit 12, and the power is supplied to the reading unit 9 via the power saving power line c and to the recording unit 11 via the power saving power line d.

That is, in the standby state, in addition to the control unit 1, power is supplied only to the minimum necessary parts and circuits for releasing the standby state (energy saving state), and power is required to release the standby state. Control to supply power to all the parts and circuits to be used.

The incoming call mode set and stored by the incoming call mode setting unit 2 includes, for example, a facsimile mode and a telephone mode. The facsimile apparatus of this embodiment exemplifies a case in which it can be used as a facsimile apparatus or a telephone by mode switching.

For example, when the power is turned on, the facsimile mode is automatically set, and when the user gives an instruction through the operation display unit 7, the telephone mode or the like is set. Alternatively, when the power is turned on, it is possible to automatically set a certain time zone of the day to the facsimile mode and another time zone to the telephone mode.

Next, the processing in this facsimile will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation relating to the energy saving processing of the main part of the facsimile apparatus. In addition, "S" in the figure indicates a step. The operation of the above embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. It is assumed that this facsimile apparatus is set to the energy saving state (S1). In that state, the power saving control unit 3 in the control unit 1 determines whether or not the energy saving cancellation trigger signal is detected, monitors the presence or absence of the energy saving cancellation trigger signal, and determines whether or not the energy saving cancellation trigger signal is detected. Yes (S2).

The energy-saving canceling trigger signal is, for example, a signal transmitted when the ringing signal detecting section 5 in the network control section 4 receives a ringing signal from the line, or is generated when the power saving operation section 8 presses a key or the like. The signal is a signal sent by detecting a signal or a signal sent by the document detecting unit 10 of the reading unit 9 after detecting the placement of a document. The power saving control unit 3
When detecting any of the above energy saving cancellation trigger signals in the received signal, first determines whether or not it is a trigger signal by a calling signal (S3).

As a result, if the signal is not the calling signal, the power saving control unit 3 brings the main power supply line a and the power saving power supply lines c and d of the power supply switching unit 14 into the connected state, respectively, and the network control unit 4, The power supply to the modem 6, the operation display unit 7, the reading unit 9, the recording unit 11, and the electrical component unit 12 is restarted to cancel the energy saving state (S7).

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step 3 is a ringing signal, the power saving control section 3 refers to the incoming call mode stored in the incoming call mode setting section 2 in the control section 1, and the incoming call mode is the TEL mode. If it is not in the telephone mode (S4), and if it is not in the TEL mode, the power saving control unit 3 connects the main power supply line a and the power saving power supply line d of the power supply switching unit 14 which are in the disconnected state, respectively. Then, the power supply to the network control unit 4, the modem 6, the operation display unit 7, the recording unit 11, and the electrical component unit 12 is restarted, and the power saving power line c of the power source switching unit 14 is disconnected to the reading unit 9. The release of the power supply stop is prohibited, and the energy saving states other than the reading unit 9 are released (S6).

In step S4, the incoming mode is set to T.
In the EL mode, the trigger signal detection flag set in the RAM in the control unit 1 is reset (S5), the energy saving state is continued, and the energy saving cancellation trigger signal is continuously monitored (S2). That is, in the telephone mode, the calling signal is not determined to be the energy saving cancellation signal.

When the energy saving state is released (S7), the normal state is entered (S8), and image forming processing such as facsimile transmission, reception, or copying is executed. Then, when the execution of those processes is completed, a notification of completion is given to the power saving control unit 3 at the end of each execution program, whereby the power saving control unit 3 causes the power supply switching unit 14 to be in the disconnection state, and the energy saving state ( Return to S1).

Further, in this facsimile apparatus, the image information received by the facsimile in the energy saving state can be received by the memory to save the power consumption. Next, the processing will be described. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the processing operation in the main part of this facsimile apparatus.

This processing is performed in the energy saving state (S1
1), the power saving control unit 3 in the control unit 1 determines whether or not an energy saving cancellation trigger signal is detected, monitors the presence or absence of an energy saving cancellation trigger signal, and determines whether or not an energy saving cancellation trigger signal is detected. Then, (S12), it is determined whether or not it is a trigger signal by a calling signal (S13). If the determination result is not a call signal, the power saving control unit 3 sets the main power supply line a and the power saving power supply lines c and d of the power supply switching unit 14 which are in the disconnected state to the connection state, and the network control unit 4 and the modem. 6, power supply to the operation display unit 7, the reading unit 9, the recording unit 11, and the electrical component unit 12 is restarted, and the energy saving state is released (S17).

On the other hand, when the result of determination in step 13 is a call signal, the power saving control unit 3 causes the control unit 1
Of the incoming call mode stored in the incoming call mode setting unit 2 inside the memory 15 to determine whether the incoming call mode is the TEL mode (telephone mode) (S14). It is checked whether or not there is a free memory capacity (S16), and it is determined whether or not the free memory capacity is larger than a preset threshold value (S18).

If the free memory capacity is equal to or less than the threshold value in step 18, the power saving control unit 3 sets the main power supply line a and the power saving power supply line d of the power supply switching unit 14 which are in the disconnected state to the connection state, and the network control unit. 4, power supply to the modem 6, the operation display unit 7, the recording unit 11, and the electrical component unit 12 is restarted, and the stop of power supply to the reading unit 9 is released while the power-saving power supply line c of the power source switching unit 14 remains disconnected. Is prohibited and the energy saving states other than the reading unit 9 are canceled (S21).

If the free memory capacity is larger than the threshold value in step 18, the power saving control section 3 brings the main power supply line a of the power supply switching section 14 into the connected state, and the network control section 4, the modem 6 and the operation are performed. The power supply to the display unit 7 and the electrical component unit 12 is restarted, and the release of the power supply to the reading unit 9 and the recording unit 11 is prohibited while the power-saving power source lines c and d of the power source switching unit 14 remain disconnected. The energy saving states other than the reading unit 9 and the recording unit 11 are canceled (S19), and memory reception is set (S20).

On the other hand, when the incoming mode is the TEL mode in the judgment of the above step 14, the trigger signal detection flag set in the RAM in the control section 1 is reset (S1).
5) Then, the energy saving state is continued and the energy saving cancellation trigger signal is continuously monitored to determine whether the energy saving cancellation trigger signal is detected (S12). That is, in the telephone mode, the calling signal is not determined to be the energy saving cancellation signal.

Then, when the energy saving state is released (S17, S19, S21), a transition is made to the normal state (S2
2) Processing such as facsimile transmission, reception, copying, and memory reception is executed. Then, when the execution of those processes is completed, a notification of completion is given to the power saving control unit 3 at the end of each execution program, whereby the power saving control unit 3 causes the power supply switching unit 14 to be in the disconnection state, and the energy saving state ( Return to S11).

Further, in this facsimile apparatus, when an energy-saving state is canceled by receiving a call in the facsimile mode, when a telephone call is made from the other party, the power supply for the portion related to facsimile reception is stopped again to return to the energy-saving state, and power consumption is reduced. Can also be saved. next,
The processing will be described. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the processing operation in the main part of this facsimile apparatus.

This processing is performed in the energy saving state (S3
1), the power saving control unit 3 in the control unit 1 determines whether or not an energy saving cancellation trigger signal is detected, monitors the presence or absence of an energy saving cancellation trigger signal, and determines whether or not an energy saving cancellation trigger signal is detected. Then (S32), it is determined whether or not it is a trigger signal by a calling signal (S33). If the determination result is not a call signal, the power saving control unit 3 connects the main power supply line a and the power saving power supply lines c and d of the power supply switching unit 14 which are in the disconnected state to the network control unit 4 and the modem 6 respectively. The power supply to the operation display unit 7, the reading unit 9, the recording unit 11, and the electrical component unit 12 is restarted to cancel the energy saving state (S37).

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step 33 is a ringing signal, the power saving control section 3 refers to the incoming call mode stored in the incoming call mode setting section 2 in the control section 1,
It is determined whether or not the incoming call mode is the TEL mode (telephone mode) (S34), and if it is not the TEL mode, the power saving control unit 3
The main power supply line a of the power supply switching unit 14 which has been disconnected due to
And the power saving power line d are connected to each other, and the network control unit 4,
Modem 6, operation display unit 7, recording unit 11, and electrical component unit 12
Power is resumed, the power-saving power supply line c of the power source switching unit 14 remains disconnected, and the release of the power supply stop to the reading unit 9 is prohibited, and the energy-saving state other than the reading unit 9 is released (S3).
6).

Then, it is judged whether or not the TEL mode (telephone mode) is switched depending on whether or not the handset is hooked off by the operator (S38). S4
0), if there is switching, the power saving control unit 3 disconnects the main power supply line a and the power saving power supply line d of the power supply switching unit 14 respectively, and the network control unit 4, the modem 6, the operation display unit 7, The power supply to the recording unit 11 and the electrical component unit 12 is stopped, the energy saving state is restored again (S39), the energy saving cancellation trigger signal is continuously monitored, and it is determined whether the energy saving cancellation trigger signal is detected (S32). .

If it is determined in step S34 that the incoming mode is the TEL mode, the trigger signal detection flag set in the RAM in the controller 1 is reset (S3).
5) The energy saving state is continued and the energy saving cancellation trigger signal is continuously monitored (S32).

In the above description, the ringing signal is set as the energy saving canceling signal, and when this signal is received, the ringing signal is judged to be the energy saving canceling signal depending on the reception mode set at that time, and the energy saving canceling signal. An example of processing without deciding the release signal was given,
The example of changing the handling of whether or not to judge the same signal as the energy saving cancellation signal depending on the reception mode is not limited to the above-mentioned calling signal.

For example, if the answering machine mode is set as the receiving mode, and based on the signal from the line indicating whether or not to carry out the answering machine, the energy saving state is maintained and the answering machine is carried out if the answering machine is not carried out. In this case, it is also possible to cancel the energy saving state, or set a semi-energy saving state in which only some peripheral devices (not shown) such as an external recording device are released from the energy saving state.

[0053]

As described above, according to the data communication apparatus of the present invention, for example, when a call signal is received from the line, the energy saving state is canceled when the incoming mode is the facsimile mode, and the telephone mode is set. In this case, it is possible to control so that the above state is not released. Therefore, when switching between the facsimile mode and the telephone mode, when using the telephone mode, the call signal
Since the energy-saving state is not released, power is not supplied to the parts that require relatively high power, such as the exposure lamp and the heating element required for image formation, preventing unnecessary power consumption from increasing. The power saving effect can be further improved. Further, the operation of the apparatus due to unnecessary power supply is eliminated, the consumption of the apparatus, particularly the consumption of the exposure lamp and the heating element is reduced, and the effect of prolonging the service life of the apparatus can be expected.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus which is an embodiment of a data communication apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation related to energy saving processing of a main part of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing another operation relating to energy saving processing of the main part of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing still another operation relating to energy saving processing of the main part of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: control unit 2: incoming call mode setting unit 3: power saving control unit 4: network control unit 5: call signal detection unit 6: modem 7: operation display unit 8: power saving operation unit 9: reading unit 10: document detection unit 11 : Recording unit 12: electrical component unit 13: power source unit 14: power source switching unit 15: memory

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A data communication device that saves power consumption in a standby state, wherein a predetermined predetermined value is set according to an incoming call mode setting unit for setting an incoming call mode and the type of incoming call mode set by the incoming call mode setting unit. A power saving control unit that determines whether or not the signal is a power saving cancel signal for canceling a power saving state. 2. The data communication device according to claim 1, wherein the power saving control unit determines that the calling signal is an energy saving cancellation signal when the incoming mode is the facsimile mode, and the calling signal when the incoming mode is the telephone mode. A data communication device, characterized in that means for operating so as not to judge that is an energy saving release signal is provided. 3. The data communication device according to claim 2, wherein the power saving control unit is provided with means for prohibiting cancellation of the energy saving state for the image reading unit in the case of facsimile reception. 4. The data communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the power saving control unit determines whether or not memory reception is possible in the case of facsimile reception, and when the memory reception is possible, memory reception and image printing unit are performed. A data communication device comprising means for prohibiting cancellation of the energy-saving state with respect to. 5. The data communication device according to claim 2, wherein the power saving control unit is provided with means for returning to the energy saving state when the telephone mode is switched after the energy saving state is released. Data communication device.