JP2002218099A - Communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system through which both a main communication unit, e.g. a facsimile, and a network interface card(NIC) being connected therewith can utilize an energy saving function effectively. SOLUTION: As an energy saving system, a perfect energy saving mode for interrupting power supply from a communication unit to the NIC based on specified conditions, and a sleep energy saving mode for realizing energy saving by utilizing the sleep function of the NIC without interrupting power supply, are prepared in addition to a main energy saving mode for interrupting main power supply to respective main sections including the main control section in an apparatus based on a decision at the main control section and a request therefrom, making a transition to waiting power, monitoring the operating state of each main section by the waiting power, and resuming main power supply when the operating state satisfies specified conditions to reset a normal state. The energy saving modes are used selectively according to the circumstances.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system having a communication device such as a facsimile device having an energy saving function and an NIC (network interface card, communication line connection device) connected to the communication device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a prior art, there is a facsimile apparatus having an energy saving function of controlling power supply to various parts in the apparatus according to various states to reduce power consumption and realize energy saving. For example, JP-A-8-214096
Publication No. "Facsimile machine with energy saving function"
An energy saving function is realized by providing an energy saving control unit for controlling the energy saving state in addition to the main control unit for monitoring the entire facsimile apparatus and controlling the normal state. Further, since the two control units share control in synchronization with each other, power supply can be controlled in accordance with detection of various signals such as a key press, a document set, a ringing signal, and a hook-off signal. .

A facsimile apparatus connects to a network such as a LAN (local area network) in addition to a connection to a public line network for performing normal facsimile data communication, and thereby is connected via a mail server on the LAN. Data communication using e-mail communication can be performed (e.g., receiving data in e-mail format and converting the data to facsimile format for printing / converting original data to e-mail format and transmitting).

When a facsimile apparatus has a function of communicating with a network such as a LAN, a communication line connection device (NIC: network interface card; hereinafter, the communication line connection device as a whole is generally referred to as NIC) corresponding to the network standard. )Is required. The NIC needs to be constantly supplied with power because it needs to respond to an incoming call from the line.

In this case, even if the facsimile apparatus has the above-described energy saving function, the
Is connected, it is necessary to always supply power to the NIC, and this is a bottleneck when energy saving of the entire system is desired.

As a prior art relating to a facsimile apparatus which realizes an energy saving function and a communication function with a network such as a LAN, for example, JP-A-2000-1354
There is Japanese Patent Publication No. 3 “communication system”. This is a communication system including a main body facsimile apparatus and a communication line connection device (LAN / I / F board) connected to the main body apparatus. The main body facsimile apparatus saves energy of the main body apparatus according to predetermined conditions. The communication line connection device outputs a return command for returning the main unit from the energy saving mode to the normal mode according to predetermined conditions (mainly when there is an incoming call from the LAN). A communication system that can use the energy saving function even when a communication line connection device is connected is provided by providing a control unit that performs the control.

[0007]

However, the above-mentioned "communication system" has a configuration in which only the main body facsimile device can shift to the energy saving mode, and the communication line connecting device does not shift to the energy saving mode.

In the case where both the main unit and the communication line connection device have a configuration capable of shifting to the energy saving state, in the case of shifting to the energy saving mode by the software handshake method via the shared memory, the other device is used. However, in this method, when the partner device is in the energy saving mode, it is necessary to restore the partner device, so that the energy saving efficiency is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and a communication system having an appropriate energy-saving control method in which both a main body communication device such as a facsimile device and a communication line connection device can use an energy-saving function. The primary purpose is to provide.

[0010] More specifically, as the energy saving function relating to the communication line connection device, there are an energy saving mode (hereinafter referred to as "complete energy saving mode") in which the power supply from the main body communication device to the communication line connection device is stopped. Energy saving mode (hereinafter referred to as “sleep energy saving mode”) using the sleep function (low power consumption function) of the device on the communication line connection device without stopping the power supply to the device. It is a second object of the present invention to provide a communication system in which the two methods are selected and used depending on the case.

It is a third object of the present invention to provide a communication system in which the main body communication device and the communication line connection device can shift to the energy saving mode (and return from the energy saving mode) at independent timings.

It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide a communication system which realizes the "complete energy saving mode" of the communication line connection device with a simpler configuration.

A sub CPU for controlling energy saving control
It is a fifth object of the present invention to provide a communication system having a simpler configuration and reducing costs.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to the first aspect of the present invention is directed to an energy-saving system in which each main unit including a main control unit in the apparatus is determined based on a judgment and a request by the main control unit. The main power to the units is cut off, the system shifts to standby power, and the operation status of each main unit is monitored by the standby power. A communication device having an energy saving control means for controlling the main body energy saving mode to be restored, and a communication line connection device connected between the communication device and the communication line and operated by receiving power supply from the communication device. As an energy saving method, a complete energy saving mode in which the energy saving control means stops the power supply from the communication device to the communication line connection device under a predetermined condition, and a communication line connection without stopping the power supply. Utilizing the sleep functions of the apparatus is characterized by selectively used depending on the case of two energy-saving mode of the sleep energy saving mode to realize energy saving.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the communication line connection device includes a communication device and mode information management means for managing and sharing information on the mode of the communication line connection device, The decision to shift to the energy saving mode is made by itself, and when shifting to the sleep energy saving mode, the mode information indicating the mode to be shifted is set in the mode information management means before shifting, and when returning, the communication device is restored. If the communication device returns to its original state and it becomes necessary to perform data communication with the communication device, access the mode information management means and refer to the mode information to confirm the current mode of the communication device. If so, the communication device is returned to the normal state to perform data communication, and the communication device makes its own decision to shift to the main unit energy saving mode, When shifting to the mode, the mode information management means is set to the mode information indicating the mode to be shifted, and then shifting, and when returning, the communication line connecting device is returned without being restored. When it is necessary to perform data communication, access the mode information management means and refer to the mode information to check the current mode of the communication line connection device. If the communication line connection device is in the energy saving mode, connect to the communication line. Data communication is performed by returning the device to a normal state.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the communication line connection device determines to shift to the complete energy saving mode, and when shifting to the complete energy saving mode, the communication line connecting device determines the energy saving control means of the communication device. On the other hand, a transition request is transmitted, and the energy saving control means receives the transition request, stops power supply to the communication line connection device, shifts to the complete energy saving mode, and returns from the complete energy saving mode to the energy saving control means. It is characterized by judgment.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the third aspect of the present invention, the determination to shift to the complete energy saving mode is made by the communication device.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 3 or 4.
In the described invention, the transfer request issued from the communication line connection device to the energy saving control means of the communication device,
It is characterized in that it is performed by a hardware signal.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the communication apparatus further includes a communication unit for performing facsimile data communication via a public line network. And

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the communication line connecting device is connected via a communication line and between the communication device and the communication line connecting device. The communication line connection device further includes an e-mail transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving an e-mail, and the communication line connection device detects an incoming e-mail from the communication line. , An e-mail is transmitted and received by outputting a return instruction to the e-mail.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration example of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Although the present embodiment is an example of a configuration in which the concept of the present invention is applied to an Internet FAX in particular, various other embodiments are envisioned without departing from the gist of the present invention.

The facsimile apparatus 100 has an energy saving function in accordance with the prior art in addition to various basic configurations for realizing a facsimile function (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
00-13543). This mode of energy saving for the main body of the facsimile apparatus 100 is hereinafter referred to as “main body energy saving mode”.

The facsimile apparatus 100 is connected to a NIC 200 (communication line connection apparatus) for connecting to a network such as a LAN, in addition to a public line network for performing facsimile communication. The facsimile apparatus 100
By connecting to an AN or the like, electronic mail can be sent and received via a mail server on the LAN.

The networks connected via the NIC 200 are LAN, ISDN, PSTN (Public).
Switched Telephone Network, public telephone line network, etc. are conceivable. In this embodiment, a LAN will be described as an example. (In the following description, “NIC” will be used as a generic name for communication line connection devices in general.)

As a first embodiment, a facsimile machine 1
In addition to the “body energy saving mode” as its own energy saving function, the NIC200 energy saving function
Two types of energy saving modes are prepared. One is a “complete energy saving mode” in which the external power supply from the main body device 100 to the NIC 200 is completely stopped, and the other is energy saving using the sleep function of the NIC 200 itself without stopping the external power supply. This is the “sleep energy saving mode” that realizes the energy saving. These are used properly depending on the case.

Hereinafter, each component will be described. In the facsimile apparatus 100, the power supply 1 supplies the power of the entire system including the NIC 200. In the normal mode, the switch sw1 is ON, and main power is supplied to the main CPU 2, the operation unit 3, the reading unit 4, the NCU 5, the sub CPU 6, and the like. When the switch sw1 is turned off, the main power to each unit is shut off, the power shifts to standby power (power in the energy saving mode), and the power is mainly supplied to the sub CPU 6.

The CPU 2 is a main CPU of the facsimile machine 100. The CPU 2 causes the sub CPU 6 to shift to the energy saving mode when a predetermined time has elapsed, when a shift instruction is input from the operation unit 4, or when a shift request signal is received from the NIC 200. To instruct.

The operation unit 3 includes various operation keys and a display, receives various operations by the user, and displays various information for the user. Reading unit 4
Is a portion composed of a scanner or the like for reading a document.
The NCU 5 is a network control device that performs various processes such as line connection for performing data communication with a facsimile machine via a public telephone line network such as the PSTN.

The sub-CPU 6 is a sub-control unit that performs overall energy saving mode control. The sub CPU 6 has a main C
When a request to shift to each energy saving mode is received from the CPU 7 of the PU 2 or the NIC 200, the switch sw1
And control for shifting to the energy saving mode by switching sw2 (the details of each energy saving mode and shifting to the energy saving mode will be described later).

The condition for returning from the energy saving mode is described in “Main unit energy saving mode” of the facsimile machine 100.
The key detection (input of a return instruction, etc.) in the operation unit 3, the document set detection in the reading unit 4, the incoming call detection in the NCU 5 connected to the PTSN line, and the NI
There is a data transmission request from C200. NIC20
0 “complete energy saving mode”, the main unit 100
As for the “sleep energy saving mode” only for the return request from the server, there is an incoming call detection in the line I / F 11 and a data transmission request from the main device 100.

Although not shown, an image memory,
It has various processing units such as an image processing unit, an encoding / decoding unit, and a print control unit.

The NIC 200 is a main body facsimile machine 1
It operates by receiving external power supply from 00 (sw2 is O
N). In the NIC 200, the CPU 7 (hereinafter, NIC 7)
The CPU 7 is also a main control unit of the NIC 200, and performs various processes including determination of transition to the energy saving mode, issuance of a transition request, and the like.

The shared memory and shared memory control unit 8
In addition to storing data to be received and transmitted via the LAN, a shared memory for holding and sharing status information of the main unit 100 and the NIC 200 and a timing control of access to the shared memory from the main unit 100 are performed. And a shared memory control unit.
The CPU 2 and the NIC / CPU 7 transmit various kinds of information such as commands, responses, and operation state confirmations via the shared memory and the shared memory control unit 8.

The ROM 9 stores a basic program and various control programs. The RAM 10 is used for storing various control programs and a working area for various processes. Line I / F11 is LAN / ISDN
An interface with a communication line, such as / PTSN, performs communication control processing in a predetermined protocol and performs data communication. In particular, e-mail communication is performed via a mail server on a network.

Each component is connected to an internal bus and exchanges data via the internal bus. Also, the sub CPU
6 performs a process of ON / OFF-controlling the switches sw1 and sw2. sw1 is a switch for switching between main power and standby power (power for the energy saving mode).
Sw2 turns ON / OFF the power supplied to the NIC 200.
This is an external supply power control switch that is turned off.

The facsimile apparatus (main unit) 100
According to the prior art, a configuration capable of shifting to an energy saving state (“main body energy saving mode”) is provided. Second
In the embodiment, the determination that the main device 100 shifts to the energy saving mode is determined by the main device 100 itself. Further, in the second embodiment, the sub CPU 6 of the main device 100
The process shifts after writing “energy saving shift information” indicating that shifting to the “main unit energy saving mode” is performed at a predetermined position in the shared memory 8.

The NIC 200 has two energy saving modes, a “complete energy saving mode” in which power supply to itself is stopped, and a “sleep energy saving mode” in which the low power consumption function of the LSI on the board is used while power is being supplied. 2
It is possible to select and shift to a desired mode at any time (first embodiment). The determination that the NIC 200 shifts to the energy saving mode is determined by the NIC 200 itself (second embodiment).

When the NIC 200 satisfies a predetermined condition and shifts to the “complete energy saving mode”, it issues a power-off request to the sub CPU 6 by a hardware signal (fifth embodiment), and the sub CPU 6 receives the request. To turn off the external power supply switch sw2 to complete energy saving mode
Move to.

In the second embodiment, when the NIC 200 satisfies a predetermined condition and shifts to the “sleep energy saving mode”, the NIC 200 stores “energy saving shift information” indicating the shift to the “sleep energy saving mode” in the shared memory 8. Write and shift to “Sleep energy saving mode”.

When returning from the “complete energy saving mode”, the NIC 200 returns only in response to a return determination of the main device 100 and a return request.

When returning from the "sleep energy saving mode", the NIC 200 detects an incoming call from the LAN or a return request by a hardware signal from the main unit 100 (for example, connects to an interrupt request terminal of the NIC CPU 7). The process is restored by the expiration of a timer held by the NIC 200 itself (for example, using a timer for receiving mail periodically) or by other conditions.

The first embodiment provides a configuration in which a "complete energy saving mode" and a "sleep energy saving mode" can be selectively used.

In the second embodiment, the main unit 100 and the NI
Provided is a configuration in which the C200 can shift to the energy saving mode (and return from the energy saving mode) at an independent timing without returning each other from the energy saving mode.

In the third embodiment, a simple configuration for realizing the “complete energy saving mode” of the NIC 200 is provided. The decision to shift to the "complete energy saving mode" is made by NIC200
Issues a transfer request (power-off request) to the sub CPU 6 of the main device 100, and the sub CPU 6 sets sw2 to O
The power supply is stopped by setting to FF. Return judgment is main unit 1.
The 00 side does it.

In the fourth embodiment, in the third embodiment, it is determined whether to shift to the “complete energy saving mode” by the main unit 1.
The configuration is performed by the 00 side.

In the fifth embodiment, a configuration for lowering the cost of the sub CPU 6 is provided. The NIC 200 requests the sub CPU 6 to shift to the “complete energy saving mode” (power cutoff request) by a hardware signal.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a transition sequence of the NIC 200 to the “complete energy saving mode”. NIC200
When the communication function is limited to outgoing calls (for example, when dialing up using an ISDN / PTSN line), the “complete energy saving mode”
Select

First, "energy saving trigger generation" in step S201 indicates that the conditions for shifting the NIC 200 to the "complete energy saving mode" have been met. For example, when there is no incoming call from a line (LAN) for a certain period of time, or when a predetermined time comes. In response to the “energy saving trigger generation”, the NIC / CPU 7 sends “N” to the sub CPU 6.
An "IC power-off request" (a request for transition to a complete energy saving mode) is issued (step S202).

Upon receiving the "NIC power-off request", the sub CPU 6 turns off sw2 to stop power supply to the NIC 200 (step S203). The sub CPU 6 has turned off sw2 for the main CPU 2 (NI
(Power supply to C200 is stopped) ("NIC
Power-off notification signal "). At this time, the main CPU 2 keeps asserting the signal regardless of whether the mode is the “main unit energy saving mode” or the normal mode (step S204).

"NIC activation trigger" in step S205
Indicates that it is necessary to perform data transfer from the main device 100 to the NIC 200. For example, there is a case where an electronic mail transmission request is made. Step S2
When the facsimile apparatus 100 is in the "body saving mode" when the "NIC start trigger" is generated at 06, a facsimile start (return) command is first issued to the sub CPU 6 (however, the "NIC start trigger" is generated). In some cases, the facsimile apparatus 100 is not necessarily required to be activated.)

When accessing the NIC 200, the main unit 100 first samples a “NIC power-off notification signal” from the sub CPU 6. The main CPU 2 identifies this signal and determines whether the power supply to the NIC 200 is stopped (during the “complete energy saving mode”) or whether the power is being supplied (step S207).

When the main CPU 2 detects that the NIC 200 is in the “complete energy saving mode”, the main CPU 2
A "NIC start instruction" is issued to U6. NIC2
If 00 is not the “complete energy saving mode”, a handshake is performed via the shared memory 8 to determine whether the NIC 200 is in the “sleep energy saving mode” or the normal mode (in the case of the “sleep energy saving mode”, FIG. 3 described later). Step S208).

The sub CPU 6 receives the “NIC” from the CPU 2.
In response to the “start command”, the switch sw2 is turned ON, and power supply to the NIC 200 is started. Step S210, sw2 is O
When N is performed, the NIC 200 executes a power-on sequence.
“Activated information” indicating that the initialization of the C200 has been completed and the handshake with the main body can be performed is written (step S209).

The NIC CPU 7 immediately generates an interrupt to the main CPU 2 and requests reading of the shared memory 8 (step S211). Main CPU2
Can access the shared memory 8 so that the NIC 2
00 is activated, the normal shared memory 8 is activated.
The data transfer is performed while performing the handshake via (step S212).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a transition sequence of the NIC 200 to the “sleep energy saving mode”.

First, the "energy saving trigger" in step S301 indicates that the condition for shifting to the "sleep energy saving mode" has been satisfied. In step S302, the NIC
-Before shifting to the "sleep energy saving mode", the CPU 7 writes "energy saving shift information" indicating a shift to the "sleep energy saving mode" to a predetermined position of the shared memory 8.

Although the configuration of the shared memory 8 is not limited here, for example, "1" is set in a predetermined bit of a predetermined address.
NIC200 is "sleep energy saving mode" by writing
It is possible to use a method to indicate that the Main device 10
A feature is that information is not notified to the main unit 100 by interruption or the like in order not to return even if 0 is the "main unit energy saving mode".

The NIC CPU 7 executes the sleep command and shifts to the “sleep energy saving mode” (step S).
303). The “sleep energy saving mode” is not limited here, but, for example, executes a sleep command to the line I / F 11, executes a sleep command of the NIC / CPU 7 itself, and stops / slows down the main clock of the NIC 200. The method of suppressing the power consumption of the NIC 200 by the method described above can be considered. However, the shared memory control unit 8 needs to be kept in a state where it can respond to access from the main device 100.

Step S304, "NIC activation trigger"
Occurrence (described above). In step S305, when the "NIC start trigger" occurs, if the main device 100 is in the "main unit energy saving mode", a FAX start (return) command is issued to the sub CPU 6 (described above).

Step S306: The "NIC power-off notification signal" is sampled. In this case, since the NIC 200 is in the “sleep energy saving mode”, the “NIC power-off notification signal” is not detected (it detects that the “NIC power-off notification signal” is not asserted).

The CPU 2 reads the “energy saving information” (mode information) of the NIC 200 from a predetermined position in the shared memory 8 and sets the NIC 200 to the “sleep energy saving mode”.
It is determined whether the mode is the medium mode or the normal mode (step S307). N
If the IC 200 is not in the “sleep energy saving mode”, the process proceeds to the data transfer phase of step S311. FIG.
Since the NIC 200 is in the “sleep energy saving mode”, the CPU 2 recognizes that the NIC 200 is in the “sleep energy saving mode”.

When the CPU 2 confirms that the NIC 200 is in the “sleep energy saving mode”, the CPU 2 returns the NIC 200 from the “sleep energy saving mode” by asserting a “start request signal”. This signal is input to, for example, an interrupt request terminal of the NIC CPU 7 (a start request must be notified even when the NIC CPU 7 is in the sleep state). The NIC CPU 7
Upon recognizing the "start request signal", a return process from sleep is performed (step S308).

When the NIC / CPU 7 has completed the process of returning from sleep, it writes “started information” (returned information) indicating that the NIC 200 has been recovered from sleep in the shared memory 8 (step S30).
9).

The NIC CPU 7 immediately generates an interrupt to the main CPU 2 and requests the main CPU 2 to read the shared memory 8. Step S311, the main CPU 2
When the access to the shared memory 8 is identified and the return of the NIC 200 is identified, data transfer is performed while performing a handshake through the common shared memory 8 (step S310).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a sequence of shifting the facsimile machine 100 to the “main unit energy saving mode”.

First, step S401 indicates that an "energy saving trigger" indicating that the condition for shifting to the "main unit energy saving mode" has been satisfied has occurred. Next, in step S402, the main CPU 2 determines that the main device 100 shifts to the “main unit energy saving mode” at a predetermined position in the shared memory 8 before shifting to the “main unit energy saving mode”. Write "information". Even when the NIC 200 is in the energy saving mode, information is not notified by interruption or the like so that the NIC 200 is not restored.

Step S403, the main unit 100
Move to “Main unit energy saving mode”. The sequence between the main CPU 2 and the sub CPU 6 in the main body device 100 is the same as that of the related art, and thus will not be described. The feature is that the state of sw2 is not changed (that is, the state of power supply to the NIC 200 is not changed).

"FAX start trigger" in step S404
Indicates that the main unit 100 needs to be started (returned) in order to transfer data from the NIC 200 to the main unit 100. For example, there is a case where an e-mail is received from a LAN.

Step S405, the NIC / CPU 7
The “energy saving information” (mode information) of the main device 100 is read from a predetermined position in the shared memory 8 to identify the mode of the main device 100. If the main unit 100 is not in the “main unit energy saving mode” (in the case of the normal mode), step S4
Shift to the data transfer phase of No. 10. NIC / CPU
When the main unit 100 recognizes that the main unit 100 is in the “main unit energy saving mode”, it asserts a “FAX start request signal” (hardware signal) (step S406).

In step S407, the sub CPU 6 sets "F
Upon recognizing the "AX start request signal", sw1 is turned ON, and the main power supply to the main unit 100 is restarted. Main unit 100
Is turned on, and executes an energy-saving return sequence. In step S408, the main CPU 2 writes “started information” (energy saving return information) in the shared memory 8 after finishing the energy saving returning sequence.

Step S409, the main CPU 2 determines that N
An interrupt is immediately generated to the IC / CPU 7 to request reading of the shared memory 8. Step S410,
When the NIC CPU 7 accesses the shared memory 8 and recognizes that the main device 100 has been started (returned), the NIC CPU 7 performs data transfer while performing handshaking through the common shared memory 8.

The operation for shifting to and returning from various modes has been described above. In this embodiment, the facsimile apparatus and the Internet FAX have been described as examples of the communication apparatus, but the present invention is also applied to a personal computer, a printer, a copier, a telephone, and a multifunction machine thereof as the communication apparatus. It is possible.

[0074]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when it is necessary to return from the energy saving mode due to an incoming call from the line, or immediately, the return is required. In such cases, the “sleep energy saving mode” is applied, and when only the return request from the main unit is used as the condition for returning from the energy saving mode, or when the immediacy of the return is not required, the “complete energy saving mode” is used. Can be applied, so that an appropriate and effective energy saving effect can be obtained.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible for the main body communication device and the communication line connection device (NIC) to shift to the energy saving mode at independent timing irrespective of the state of each other. Is improved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, upon receiving the shift request from the communication line connection device (NIC), the power supply to the communication line connection device is stopped (shift to the “complete energy saving mode”). Energy saving control unit of communication device (sub CP
Controlled by U), the "complete energy saving mode" is realized without providing a special power control circuit (power switch, sub CPU that always starts for power control, etc.) on the communication line connection device. Is simplified and the cost is reduced. Further, even when the main body communication device is in the energy saving mode, the communication line connection device can shift to the complete energy saving mode.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the same effect as that of the third aspect of the invention can be obtained, and the shift to the “complete energy saving mode” can be managed by the main unit.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the communication line connection device (NIC) transmits the energy saving control unit (sub CP
U), a hardware signal can be used for a power supply stop request issued to U), so that the sub CPU can be configured by a low-function CPU that cannot access the shared memory, thereby simplifying the configuration of the sub CPU and reducing costs. Is reduced.

According to the invention described in claim 6, it is possible to have the function of the conventional facsimile data communication.

According to the present invention, facsimile data can be exchanged in an electronic mail format via a communication line. Also, data in an electronic mail format can be output as facsimile data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a transition sequence of the NIC 200 to a “complete energy saving mode”.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a transition sequence of the NIC 200 to a “sleep energy saving mode”.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a transition sequence of the main body facsimile apparatus 100 to a “main body energy saving mode”.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 facsimile apparatus (main body apparatus) 200 NIC 1 power supply 2 CPU (main CPU) 3 operation unit 4 reading unit 5 NCU 6 sub CPU 7 CPU (NIC / CPU) 8 shared memory and shared memory control unit 9 ROM 10 RAM 11 line I / F

Claims (7)

[Claims] As an energy saving method, based on a judgment and a request by a main control unit, main electric power to each main unit including the main control unit in the apparatus is cut off, and a transition is made to standby electric power.
The standby state monitors the operation state of each of the main parts, and when the operation state satisfies a predetermined condition, energy saving control for controlling a main body energy saving mode for restarting the supply of the main power and returning to a normal state. Means, a communication line connection device connected between the communication device and a communication line, and operated by receiving power supply from the communication device;
As an energy saving method, a complete energy saving mode in which the energy saving control means stops power supply from the communication device to the communication line connection device according to predetermined conditions, and the communication line without stopping the power supply. A communication system characterized by selectively using two types of energy saving modes, a sleep energy saving mode for realizing energy saving by using a sleep function of a connection device, depending on the case. 2. The communication line connection device has mode information management means for managing and sharing information on the mode of the communication device and the communication line connection device, and the determination to shift to the sleep energy saving mode is made by itself. Performing, when transitioning to the sleep energy saving mode, to the mode information management means, set the mode information indicating the mode to be transitioned, then transition, when returning, return without returning the communication device, When it is necessary to perform data communication with the communication device, the mode information management unit is accessed to refer to the mode information, and the current mode of the communication device is confirmed. If so, the communication device is returned to the normal state to perform the data communication, and the communication device determines whether to shift to the main body energy saving mode. Shutdown is performed by yourself, and when shifting to the main unit energy saving mode,
The mode information management means is set with mode information indicating a mode to be shifted to, and then shifts. When returning, the mode is returned without returning the communication line connection device, and data communication is performed with the communication line connection device. When the necessity arises, access the mode information management means, refer to the mode information, check the current mode of the communication line connection device, and if the communication line connection device is in the energy saving mode, The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the data communication is performed by returning the connection device to a normal state. 3. The communication line connection device determines to shift to the complete energy saving mode, and when shifting to the complete energy saving mode, transmits a shift request to the energy saving control means of the communication device. The energy saving control unit of the communication device receives the shift request, stops power supply to the communication line connection device, shifts to the complete energy saving mode, and returns from the complete energy saving mode to the communication device side. 3. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the judgment is made. 4. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the determination to shift to the complete energy saving mode is made by the communication device. 5. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the transfer request issued from the communication line connection device to the energy saving control unit of the communication device is performed by a hardware signal. 6. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein said communication device further comprises communication means for performing facsimile data communication via a public line network. 7. An electronic mail transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving an electronic mail via the communication line and between the communication device and the communication line connection device, wherein the communication line connection device includes: When an incoming e-mail is detected from a line, if the communication device is in the main body energy saving mode, a return command is output to the energy saving control means of the communication device to cause the communication device to return and transmit and receive the e-mail. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: