JP2010152709A - Network control device, image forming apparatus, image forming system, energy saving control method, energy saving control program, and recoding medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress useless power consumption at restoration from an energy saving mode when turning off the power from an external device connected to a network. <P>SOLUTION: The network control device includes a main CPU for controlling an entire system, and a sub CPU for performing control set in advance. When a power-off request is received in a ready state (S402) in which both a packet type filter and a pattern filter for detecting a power-off factor packet transferred through the network are in an off state, the main CPU outputs a power-off transition request (S409) to the sub CPU to enter a shut-down state (S412). When a power-off request (S410 and S411) is generated in an energy-saving standby mode (S404) or an energy-saving mode (S406) where both the packet type filter and the pattern filter are in an on state, matching determination of the pattern filter causes a power-off state (S412). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to energy saving control of a network interface such as a printer, a copy, and an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral), and more particularly, a network control device that performs energy saving control, an image of a printer, a copy, an MFP, and the like provided with the network control device. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a forming apparatus, an image forming system including the image forming apparatus, an energy saving control method executed by the network control apparatus, a computer program for executing the energy saving control method by a computer, and a recording medium storing the computer program.

  As a system considering energy saving, for example, the inventions disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4 are known. Among them, in Patent Document 1, in an image forming apparatus capable of operating in a normal operation mode and an energy saving mode in which power supply is restricted, the main CPU executes various controls in the normal operation mode, The CPU consumes less power than the main CPU, and in the energy saving mode, the power supply to the emergency night power supply system including the main CPU is cut off, and the power supply to the night power supply system related to the sub CPU is maintained, When a cancellation instruction is issued from the sub CPU in response to data reception from the network interface, FAX interface, predetermined operation input from the operation unit, etc., the power supply control unit cancels the energy saving mode and includes the main CPU. An invention is described in which power supply to the night power supply system is resumed.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, when the power control mode is the energy saving mode, a one-chip microcomputer to which power is supplied instead of the main chip responds to a status acquisition request via the network connection means and returns a detected status. An invention is described in which when there is a job processing request, the main chip is operated by returning to the normal standby mode and the job processing request received by the one-chip microcomputer is delivered.

  Further, Patent Literature 3 includes a main CPU that controls the entire system and a sub CPU that controls preset control of the system, and a network control device in which a normal mode and an energy saving mode are set. And a return factor detecting means for detecting a return factor packet for returning from the normal mode to the energy saving mode included in a packet transferred via the network, and the sub CPU until the return factor detecting means detects the return factor packet Describes an invention in which a received packet is processed, and the main CPU detects a return factor packet and then processes a packet received after the detection including the return factor packet.

  In addition, in Patent Document 4, a client device collectively creates a request for power supply for a plurality of network devices connected to a network, and transmits a request for power supply to each network device. Each network device receives a request relating to the power supply from the client device via the network, analyzes the request relating to the power supply, performs processing relating to the power supply according to the analyzed request content, and sends the processing result to the client device The invention to be transmitted to is described.

In any case, in Patent Documents 1 to 3, a device that can operate in the normal mode and the energy saving mode is composed of two CPUs, and operates in one energy saving mode and is connected via a network or the like. When data is received from an external device, the energy saving mode is canceled, or when data other than an inquiry about status is received from an external device connected via a network or the like, the energy saving mode is canceled. The invention describes that it is possible to easily perform power management of a plurality of network devices connected to the network on the client side.
JP 2004-005029 A JP 2004-034488 A JP 2005-267100 A JP 2007-310832 A

  By the way, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, in the energy saving mode, when a request to turn off the power of the apparatus is received from an external device connected via a network or the like, the energy saving mode is canceled and more energy is consumed. After entering the mode and interpreting the off request, the device is turned off. Also in the invention described in Patent Document 2, when a request to turn off the power of the device is received from an external device connected via a network or the like in the energy saving mode, the energy saving mode is canceled because it is not an inquiry about the status. After entering the normal mode in which more energy is consumed and interpreting the off request, the apparatus is turned off.

  Such an operation interprets the power-off request when shifting from the energy-saving mode to a power-off that does not require any energy. Therefore, the power is turned off after shifting to the normal mode that consumes more energy than the energy-saving mode. For this reason, energy saving efficiency is deteriorated. Further, in the energy saving mode, the control unit including the CPU that has been turned off is turned on in order to interpret the power-off request, and is turned off after executing the power-off request. Such an operation increases the number of on / off operations, and is a factor for shortening the lifetime of the device. This operation will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 18, reference numeral 1001 denotes a timing when the main power switch is turned on, reference numeral 1002 denotes a system start-up time including warm-up such as fixing, reference numeral 1003 denotes a standby state in which a printing operation is possible, reference numeral 1004 denotes a printing operation, A standby state in which a printing operation is possible, reference numeral 1006 denotes an energy saving mode that transitions after a predetermined time has elapsed after completion of the printing operation, and reference numeral 1007 denotes a command analysis time after warm-up.

  In the energy saving mode shown in FIG. 18, when a power-off request is received from an external device connected to a network or the like, the power-off request analysis is performed after warm-up is completed at 1007, and the main power is turned off. Ideally, it is desirable to turn off the main power supply from the energy saving mode indicated by reference numeral 1006 that consumes less power. However, in the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, power is wasted in the period indicated by reference numeral 1007. There was a problem that. In addition, since the number of power on / off times of the data analysis unit increases, there is a problem that the life is shortened.

  In the inventions described in Patent Documents 3 and 4, the energy saving mode can be returned to the normal mode, but the power saving mode cannot be shut down. Is included.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to suppress wasteful power consumption such as returning from the energy saving mode when the power is turned off from an external device connected to the network.

  In order to achieve the object, the first means includes a main control unit that controls the entire system, and a sub-control unit that controls preset control of the system, and includes a normal mode and an energy saving mode. Is set in the network control device, and includes means for detecting a power-off factor packet transferred via the network, and the sub-control unit starts from the energy saving mode when the power-off factor packet is detected. The whole is shifted to a power-off state.

  The second means is characterized in that, in the first means, the sub-control unit performs packet processing necessary for maintaining the network connection in the energy saving mode.

  According to a third means, in the first or second means, the means for detecting the power-off factor packet includes a packet filter, and the packet filter includes the data set in the pattern filter and the packet transmitted. Pattern matching with data written in a predetermined area is taken to detect the power-off factor packet.

  In a fourth means, in the first or second means, the means for detecting the power-off factor packet comprises a packet type filter, and the packet type filter has been transmitted with the data set in the pattern filter. Pattern matching with data written in a predetermined area of the packet is taken to detect the power-off factor packet.

  A fifth means is a network control apparatus according to any one of the first to third means, wherein the means for detecting the power-off factor packet includes a packet type filter, and the sub-control unit includes a power-off factor When the packet is detected by the packet filter or the packet type filter, the entire system is shifted from the energy saving mode to the power-off state.

  A sixth means includes an image forming apparatus comprising: a network control apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth means; and an image forming means for forming a visible image on a recording medium based on input data. Features.

  According to a seventh means, the image forming apparatus according to the sixth means and a plurality of client computers are connected via a network, and the image forming apparatus is operated by an operation command from the client computer to perform image formation. The image forming system to perform is characterized.

  The eighth means includes a main control unit that controls the entire system, and a sub-control unit that controls preset control in the system, and the network control device in which the normal mode and the energy saving mode are set In the energy saving control method, when the power-off factor packet transferred via the network is detected, the sub-control unit shifts the entire system from the energy-saving mode state to the power-off state. To do.

  A ninth means includes a main control unit that controls the entire system, and a sub-control unit that controls preset control in the system, and a network control device in which the normal mode and the energy saving mode are set An energy-saving control program for executing the energy-saving control of the computer by the computer, the procedure for detecting the power-off factor packet transferred via the network, and the sub-control unit when the power-off factor packet is detected, the entire system And a procedure for shifting the power from the energy saving mode to the power off state.

  A tenth means is characterized in that the energy-saving control program according to the ninth means is read by a computer and recorded on a recording medium so as to be executable.

  In the embodiment described later, the main control unit is the main CPU 101, the sub control unit is the sub CPU 280, the network is the reference numeral 6, and the means for detecting the power-off factor packet is the packet filter 238 or the packet type filter 235-3. The image forming apparatus corresponds to reference numeral 1, and the client computer corresponds to PCs 2 to 5, respectively.

  According to the present invention, when the sub-control unit detects the power-off factor packet, the entire system is shifted from the energy-saving mode to the power-off state, so when turning off the power from the external device connected to the network, Unnecessary power consumption such as returning from the energy saving mode can be suppressed.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the network system according to the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 1 having a plurality of functions such as a printer and PCs 2, 3, 4, and 5 using these image forming apparatuses 1 connected to a network 6. It is configured. Note that the number of image forming apparatuses 1 and PCs 2, 3, 4, and 5 connected to the network 6 is an example, and even a large-scale system in which many of these are connected is a small-scale system that includes fewer terminals. But the same is true. In this example, it is possible to send a print instruction from any of the PCs 2, 3, 4, and 5 to the image forming apparatus 1 for printing. Further, the network 6 uses Ethernet (registered trademark) in this embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit having a known structure such as an electrophotographic system or an ink jet system, for example, a digital multifunction peripheral (MFP) having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, and a facsimile function. Image forming apparatus. Since this type of image forming apparatus itself is known, details of the mechanical configuration and electrical configuration are omitted here.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The control system includes a controller 100, an interface unit (interface ASIC) 200, and a PCI bus 300 that connects the two.

  The controller 100 includes a main CPU 101, an ASIC 102, a memory 103 and an HDD 104 that store image data sent via the network 6, and a memory 103 and an HDD 104 that stores image data sent via the main CPU 101 network 6. Are connected to the ASIC 102, and the ASIC 102 is connected to the PCI bus 300.

  The main CPU 101 controls the image forming apparatus 1, and the ASIC 102 controls input / output of data to and from the memory 103 storing the image data sent via the main CPU 101 network 6 and the HDD 104.

  The interface ASIC 200 is connected to the network 6, the external factor input 240, and the power supply control line 250, and the power supply control line 250 is connected to the power supply circuit 310, and power is supplied from the power supply circuit 310 according to a command output through the power supply control line 250. The supply lines 311 and 312 supply power to the controller 100 and the interface unit 200.

  The power supply circuit 310 is connected to the commercial power supply 315 via the power switch 313. When the power switch 313 is turned on, power is first supplied from the power supply line 312 to the interface ASIC 200, and then output via the power control line 250. Power is supplied to the controller 100 in accordance with the command. When shifting to the energy saving mode, there is a request to turn off the power supply from the power supply line 311 and turn off the power supply of the entire image forming apparatus 1 via the network 6 according to a command output via the power control line 250. If there is, a power switch off signal 314 is output according to a command output via the power control line 250, the power switch 313 is turned off, and the power supply to the entire image forming apparatus 1 is turned off.

  The PCI bus 300 and the interface ASIC 200 are connected to the PCI 260 of the interface ASIC 200 via the I / O terminal 261 of the PCI 260. The PCI 260 is connected to an arbiter 270 and a system interface 271 which are components on the interface ASIC 200 side. Hereinafter, the interface is abbreviated as I / F.

  An Ethernet (registered trademark) physical layer (Ethernet (registered trademark) Phy) 231 and a MAC IP (Media Access Control Internet Protocol) 232 are connected to the network 6 in series. The MAC IP 232 is provided with a tx buffer 232t and an rx buffer 232r, a mac_txif 233 is connected to the former, a MAC_rxif 235 is connected to the latter, and a DMAC_tx 234 and a DMAC_rx 237 are further connected via a bus 289. The DMAC_tx 234 and the DMAC_rx 237 are further connected to the arbiter 270. Note that 233a and 235a are bus switching signals, respectively, and mac_config 225 sets the MAC IP 232, mac_txif 233, and mac_rxif 235.

  The mac_rxif 235 is also connected to the rx_RAM 236 and the packet filter 238, and the packet filter 238 is connected to the interrupt controller 239 via the power management unit 241 and the bus 289.

  The power management unit 241 receives external factors 240 and factors from the packet filter 238, and outputs a control signal to the power control unit 251. The packet filter 238 is provided with a pattern filter. In the energy saving mode as will be described later, when a specific pattern is included in the transmitted packet, the power management unit 241 switches the power supply according to the included pattern. The control unit 251 is instructed to turn on the main CPU 101 or turn off the power switch 313.

  The power management unit 241 is connected to the bus 289, the power control unit 251, the sub CPU 280, the ROM 281, the RAM 282, the ram I / F 285, and the master I / F 287 are connected to the bus 290, and the RAM 286 is connected to the bus 290 and the bus 291. It is connected via F285. The master I / F 287 is also connected to the arbiter 270, and the arbiter 270 arbitrates between the connection states of the DMAC_tx 234 and the DMAC_rx 237 according to the signal from the master I / F 287. Further, the buses 289, 290, and 291 are connected to the bus arbiter 283, and the bus arbiter 283 arbitrates the use of the buses 289, 290, and 291. Note that a system register (sysreg) 284 is connected to the bus 291, and an expansion I / F 288 is connected to the bus 290.

  The system register 284 stores version information of the interface ASIC 200 in this embodiment. Thereby, it is used for version upgrade or identification when a bug is found in the ASIC 200. The sub CPU 280 performs on / off control of the power source of the main CPU 101 in the energy saving mode, and executes the processing when processing can be performed without using the main CPU 101 in the energy saving mode. Conversely, in the normal mode in which the main CPU 101 operates, the sub CPU 280 is set in an energy saving state (low power consumption state).

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing details of the internal configuration of mac_rxif 235. In the figure, a mac_rxif 235 includes a mac rx I / F 235-1 that functions as an interface with the MAC IP 232, a packet filter I / F 235-2 that functions as an interface with the packet filter 238, a packet type filter 235-3, an rx buffer 232r, Rx buffer I / F 235-4, packet entry generator 235-5, packet entry register 235-6, mask register 235-7, interrupt register 235-8, cpu I / F 235-9, selector 235-10, And dmacI / F235-11.

  With this configuration, transmission data from the network 6 input from the MAC IP 232 is input to the packet filter I / F 235-2, the packet type filter 235-3, and the rx buffer I / F 235-4, and the packet filter I / F Information can be input from F235-2 to packet filter 238, from packet type filter 235-3 to interrupt register 235-8, and packet entry generator 235-5, and from rx buffer I / F 235-4 to rx_RAM 236, respectively. Yes. Information from the rx_RAM 236 is input to the dmac I / F 235-11 or the cpu I / F 235-9 by operating the selector 235-10 according to an instruction from the sub CPU 280.

  The packet type filter 235-3 selects only a packet in which preset information is written in the energy saving mode, and notifies the packet entry generator 235-5 whether or not the packet should be selected. Based on the notification, the register 235-6 instructs the rx buffer I / F 235-4 to store information in the rx_RAM 236, and only the information selected by the packet type filter 235-3 is stored in the rx_RAM 236. Become. This stored information is processed by the sub CPU 280 although it will be described later.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a memory map of the rx_RAM 236.
The Rx_RAM 236 includes a Type 236-1, a LENGTH 236-2, a packet 236-3, and a Status 236-4 as can be seen from FIG. Type 236-1 stores the number of the packet filter and the pattern filter, and this number indicates which filter has received the packet. LENGTH 236-2 indicates the length of the received packet, and the content of the received packet (here, the content of Packet 1) is stored in Packet 236-3. In Status 236-4, received packet information, that is, packet information from MAC IP 232 is stored.

  The packet entry register 235-6 has an address management function for registering where and what packet is written in the rx_RAM 236, and stores the head address of the received packet N in the rx_RAM 236. In the normal mode, since the packet type filter 235-3 does not function, all information is temporarily stored in the rx_RAM 236, sent from the dmac I / F 235-11 to the controller 100 via the DMAC_rx 237, and processed by the main CPU 101. Is done. Note that an interrupt signal is output from the registers (int reg 235-8, msk reg 235-7), and this interrupt signal is sent to the interrupt controller 239 to perform a predetermined interrupt. The mask register 235-7 outputs a mask signal for masking the input terminal of the I / FASIC 200 so as not to be affected by the outside.

  In the control unit configured as described above, in the normal mode, the main CPU 101 receives print data from the network, the ASIC 102 writes it in the memory 103, and then sends the data to the print engine side to perform printing. At this time, the sub CPU 280 is set to the low power consumption mode, and the sub CPU 280 is in a state where a minimum power consumption is required. In this embodiment, the power of the sub CPU 280 is not turned off, but the clock is stopped so that the operation of the sub CPU 280 is not performed. In this state, print data is input from the network 6 to the memory 103 via the Ethernet physical layer 231, the MAC IP 232 rx buffer 232 r, mac_rxif 235, DMAC_rx 237, arbiter 270, PCI 260, PCI bus 300, and ASIC 102. Drawn.

  Conversely, when data stored in the memory 103 or HDD 104 is transmitted to another device, the data is the ASIC 102, PCI bus 300, PCI 260, arbiter 270, DMAC_tx 234, mac_txif 233, MAC IP 232 tx buffer 232 t, Ethernet physical layer 231. And then sent to the network 6. In this normal operation state, the data input to the mac_rxif 235 is temporarily stored in the rx_RAM 236, then discharged in the stored order, and output from the mac_rxif 235 to the DMAC_rx 237 side.

  The energy saving mode is a mode that shifts when data is not input to the control unit from outside for a predetermined time, or when designated by the control unit of the image forming apparatus 1 (not shown) or the PCs 2, 3, 4, and 5 connected to the network 6. In this mode, power is not supplied to the controller 100 including the main CPU 101. That is, the power supply circuit 310 that supplies power to the controller 100 is not energized. This energization control is performed by the power control unit 251 via the power control line 250, and the power control unit 251 controls on / off of energization to the controller 100 according to an instruction from the power management unit 241 or an instruction from the sub CPU 280. To do.

  The transition from the normal mode to the energy saving mode, the transition from the energy saving mode to the normal mode, and the transition from the energy saving mode to the power-off will be described later. In the energy saving mode, drive power is not supplied to the controller 100 including the main CPU 101. Therefore, the main CPU 101 does not operate, and the memory 103 and the HDD 104 cannot be used. In this state, each part related to the network 6, the external factor 240, and the power control line 250 is energized. In the energy saving mode, the power supply to the controller 100 is cut off, and the communication with the network 6 is controlled by the sub CPU 280.

  If the data input via the network 6 can be processed by the sub CPU 280, the energy saving mode is continued as it is. However, if the print data is input via the network 6, the sub CPU 280 cannot process it, so the controller 100 starts energization and shifts from the energy saving mode to the normal mode. When a power-off request is input via the network 6 and a specific pattern is detected, it is interpreted as a power-off request and the power supply from the commercial power source 315 is turned off. In the energy saving mode, packets input to the image forming apparatus 1 from the network 6 are filtered by the packet type filter 235-3 of mac_rxif 235, and packets in which preset information is written are input among the input packets. The packet selected by the filter 235-3 is stored in the rx_RAM 236, and the packet in which the information is not written is overwritten and is not substantially stored.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing operation states and processing timings of the main CPU 101 and the sub CPU 280 when shifting from the normal mode to the energy saving mode.
In the figure, in the normal mode, the main CPU 101 is in an operating state and the sub CPU 280 is in a DOZE state (clock is stopped). Therefore, although the sub CPU 280 is energized, the clock is not supplied, so that the power is not substantially consumed. Even in this state, there is a leakage current, so the power consumption is not zero, but the power consumption is a minimum.

  In this state, first, the main CPU 101 enables the packet type filter 235-3 (S101), and then enables the pattern filter provided in the packet filter 238 (S102). Then, an interrupt is generated from the interrupt controller 239, and an energy saving mode transition request is output to the sub CPU 280 (S103). The energy saving mode shift request is made when a preset time has elapsed from the end of the last job, or when there is an instruction to shift to the energy saving mode from one of the PCs 2, 3, 4, 5 connected to the network 6. Is output. In some cases, the input is performed from the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 1. In the following description including FIG. 5, INT indicates an interrupt.

  When the energy saving mode transition request is output to the sub CPU 280 in this way, the sub CPU 280 confirms the cause of the energy saving mode transition. The factor in this case is confirmed by the output of the pattern filter. When the sub CPU 280 confirms the cause of the transition to the energy saving mode, it starts the energy saving mode transition processing (S104). In the energy saving mode transition process, the sub CPU 280 first accesses the main CPU 101 and confirms the setting information with respect to the main CPU 101 (S105). In this case, the setting information is information related to the network 6 and paper information in the image forming apparatus 1. The main CPU 101 receives the setting information confirmation from the sub CPU 280 and transmits the setting information (S106).

  The sub CPU 280 receives confirmation of the setting information from the main CPU 101 and transmits a migration preparation completion notification to the main CPU 101 (S107). The main CPU 101 confirms the notification of completion of transition preparation (S108), and enters the stage of transition to the energy saving mode of the main CPU 101. In the sub CPU 280, after preparation for shifting to the energy saving mode is completed in S107, the packet switching bus 289 is switched to the sub CPU 280 side by the bus switching circuits 233a and 235a, respectively, and transmission / reception processing in the sub CPU 280 is started (S109). Then, the sub CPU 280 waits for the elapse of the grace monitoring time T1 for canceling the transition to the energy saving mode, and when the factor that prevents the transition to the energy saving mode does not occur before the grace monitoring time T1 elapses, the sub CPU 280 requests the DMA_rx237 to stop. Is output to the main CPU 101 (S110). The grace monitoring time T1 is set to a time at which the main CPU 101 completes at least the processing of the packet transmitted from the network 6 after the sub CPU 280 completes preparation for shifting to the energy saving mode. As a result, communication between the network 6 and the system of the image forming apparatus 1 is not interrupted, and the transferred packet to be processed is always processed by the main CPU 101 or the sub CPU 280. In addition, even if the sub CPU 280 switches the packet transfer path to the sub CPU 280 side in S109, the grace monitoring time T1 is transferred to the sub CPU 280, and packets not yet processed by the main CPU 101 remain in the DMAC. This also corresponds to the time for processing those packets. If this grace period elapses, processing on the main CPU 101 side has already ended even if DMAC_rx 237 is stopped, so that an unprocessed packet does not occur.

  The main CPU 101 receives the DMAC 234, 237 stop request from the sub CPU 280 and stops the DMA transfer (S111). Further, when the main CPU 101 receives an interrupt from the DMACs 234 and 237 and confirms that the DMA transfer is stopped (S112), the main CPU 101 outputs an energy saving mode shift request to the sub CPU 280 (S113).

  When the sub CPU 280 receives the request for shifting to the energy saving mode from the main CPU 101, an input / output terminal is connected to the sub CPU 280 side, so that unnecessary power consumption is not generated from the external terminal when the main CPU 101 is turned off. I / O terminal processing is executed (S114), and the power supply to the controller 100 including the main CPU 101 is stopped for shifting to the energy saving mode on the main CPU 101 side (S115). The I / O terminal process is a process as described below. In the system shown in FIG. 2, the I / O terminal used in the PCI bus is controlled to the Hi-z state before the power is shut off, and kept in the Hi-z state even during the power shut-off. The current flowing into the ASIC on the side where the power is cut off is eliminated, and low power consumption is promoted. By maintaining the Hi-z state in this way, not only low power consumption but also malfunction and control reliability are intended.

  In other words, if the power supply is cut off, the charge accumulated at the time of interruption flows to the unintended side, causing malfunction, or short-circuiting, causing a large current to flow and destroying the element. It will be. Therefore, in this embodiment, the I / O terminal 261 is set in the Hi-z state so that such a situation does not occur. As a result, power supply to the main CPU 101 is cut off, and the controller 100 including the main CPU 101 enters a shutdown state (S116). When the controller 100 is in the shutdown state in this way, the transition to the energy saving mode is completed, the control right is transferred from the main CPU 101 to the sub CPU 280, and the sub CPU 280 controls the image forming apparatus 1 until the energy saving mode is canceled. I will be in control.

  Note that the grace monitoring time T1 from S107 to S110 is a period provided to cope with a factor that hinders the transition to the energy saving mode after the preparation for shifting to the energy saving mode is completed, and is transmitted from the network 6, for example. When the print information is included in the received information, the main CPU 101 has to perform print processing. Therefore, it is prepared to cancel the transition to the energy saving mode and return to the normal mode.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing operation states of the main CPU 101 and the sub CPU 280 and processing timing when a factor that inhibits the energy saving mode transition occurs before the monitoring time T1 elapses. Here, from S101 to S109, the same processing as in the case of shifting to the energy saving mode is executed at the same timing.

  Therefore, in S109, the packet transfer bus 289 is switched to the sub CPU 280 side, transmission / reception processing in the sub CPU 280 is started, and a factor that inhibits the transition to the energy saving mode occurs on the sub CPU 280 side during the transition cancellation grace monitoring time T1 by the sub CPU 280. Sometimes the energy saving mode transition preparation is canceled (S121), and a message to that effect is sent to the main CPU 101. In response, the main CPU 101 cancels the energy saving mode transition (S122). On the other hand, when a factor that hinders the transition to the energy saving mode occurs on the main CPU 101 side, the preparation for shifting to the energy saving mode is canceled (S123), and a message to that effect is transmitted to the sub CPU 280. In response, the sub CPU 280 cancels the energy saving mode transition (S124). After the monitoring time T1 has elapsed, if there is a packet that has already been received on the sub CPU 280 side and should be processed on the main CPU 101 side, the packet is delivered to the main CPU 101 side (S125), and the main CPU 101 receives it (S126). .

  Factors that hinder the transition to the energy saving mode include, for example, when a wake-up frame, which will be described later, is transferred to the packet filter 238, image formation such as pressing the start button from the operation unit of the image forming apparatus 1 or the pressure plate opening / closing operation of the ADF. For example, when an instruction for performing an operation related to the operation is input, or when data to be printed by the main CPU 101 is transferred from the network 6. If such a factor occurs, printing cannot be performed when the mode is shifted to the energy saving mode. Therefore, the operation is performed in the normal mode without shifting to the energy saving mode.

  On the sub CPU 280 side, after the data is transferred in S125, the packet transfer bus 289 switched in S109 is returned to the main CPU 101 side, and transmission / reception processing in the sub CPU 280 is stopped (S127). After the packet transfer bus 289 is switched to the main CPU 101 side, the main CPU 101 permits the sub CPU 280 to shift to DOZE (S128). The sub CPU 280 confirms the cause, and if there is no problem in the DOZE transition, stops the clock transfer and transitions to the DOZE state (S129). In this state, since the sub CPU 280 is also returned to the normal mode, the control by the main CPU 101 is executed, and the packet type filter disable (S130) and the pattern filter disable (S131) are set to the normal mode completely. Return to mode.

  By controlling in this way, even after the transition processing to the energy saving mode is started, it is possible to return to the normal mode without shifting to the energy saving mode, and both the main CPU 101 and the sub CPU 280 operate during the transition and return period. Therefore, communication on the network 6 will not be interrupted. As a result, no data is lost.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing operation states of the main CPU 101 and the sub CPU 280 and processing timing when returning from the energy saving mode to the normal mode. In the state of FIG. 7, the main CPU 101 is in a power-off (shutdown) state, and the sub CPU 280 is operating in the energy saving mode.

  In this state, when a factor causing the sub CPU 280 to return from the energy saving mode to the normal mode occurs (S151), the main CPU 101 is powered on (S152), and the sub CPU 280 executes I / O terminal processing (S162). The Hi-z state of the I / O terminal connected to the CPU 101 is canceled. By these operations, it is possible to eliminate the current that flows at the moment when the main CPU 101 is turned on when shifting from the energy saving mode to the normal mode. The factor for returning from the energy saving mode to the normal mode will be described later. If the packet sent from the network 6 by the packet type filter 235-3 includes a specific packet, here a SYN packet (SYN flag), When an operation signal before image forming processing is input from the outside (external factor), such as when the input from the unit or the ADF pressure plate is operated, the pattern filter provided in the packet filter 238 causes the return This is the case when a pattern indicating is detected.

  The power supply is turned on when the power supply control unit 251 sends a signal for supplying power to the main CPU 101 via the power supply control line 250 to the power supply device 310. When the main CPU 101 is powered on in this way, the main CPU 101 executes a boot process and executes a series of processes for starting up. On the other hand, the sub CPU 280 continues the packet processing (T2) as the pattern filter is disabled (S153). This is because the main CPU 101 is in the power-on state but is in the boot state, and the main CPU 101 still cannot perform packet processing and must be performed by the sub CPU 280. Then, the packet processing is continued until the sub CPU 280 detects the return factor packet (in this embodiment, SYN packet) (S154), and when the return factor packet is detected, the sub CPU 280 stops the packet processing, and the main CPU 101 Wait for an interrupt (T3). The detection of the interrupt factor in S154 means that the packet processing of the sub CPU 280 proceeds after the packet is not input from the pattern filter by disabling the pattern filter in S153, and the packet that becomes the return factor Thereafter, this means that there is no packet to be processed on the sub CPU 280 side even if processing is performed on the main CPU 101 side.

  Therefore, the main CPU 101 checks the power-on factor at the end of the boot process (S155), and then enters the operating state. Then, the sub CPU 280 is accessed to confirm the setting conditions (S156), and the transmission / reception buffers (tx_buffer 232t and rx_buffer 232r) are initialized (S157). Since it is possible to return to the normal mode in this state, an interrupt is issued to notify the sub CPU 280 that preparation for shifting to the normal mode is completed (S158). Since the sub CPU 280 waits for an interrupt from the main CPU 101 at T3, when the interrupt is confirmed in S158, the sub CPU 280 shifts to the DOZE state (S159). Since the main CPU 101 has returned to the normal mode, DMA transfer is started (S160), and the packet type filter 235-3 is disabled (S161). As a result, the packet input to the mac_rxif 235 once enters the rx_RAM 236, but is not subjected to filter processing but is transmitted to the controller 100 as it is, stored in the memory 103, and then processed by the main CPU 101.

  It should be noted that the pattern filter disable in S153 is preferably set at an early timing after the return factor is generated in S151. This is because the earlier the timing, the lower the possibility of overlapping power-on signals. In addition, the packet type filter 235-3 in S161 is set to be disabled after the sub CPU 280 shifts to the DOZE state. This is to eliminate the possibility that packet processing to be processed by the sub CPU 280 remains, so that the packet processing to be processed on the sub CPU 280 side is surely completed and the network 6 is not operated in the state where the sub CPU 280 is not operated. All packets transferred through the network are sent to the main CPU 101 side. This prevents communication from being interrupted on the network when returning from the energy saving mode to the normal mode.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing operation states and processing timings of the main CPU 101 and the sub CPU 280 when shifting from the normal mode to the power-off state. In the figure, first, when a power-off request is generated, a power-off request is output to the sub CPU 280 (S180). The power-off request is output when there is a power-off transition instruction from either the operation panel or the PC 2, 3, 4, 5 connected to the network 6. When the power off request is output to the sub CPU 280, the sub CPU 280 confirms the cause of the power off. Upon confirming the power-off transition factor, the sub CPU 280 starts the power-off transition process (S181). In the power-off transition process, the sub CPU 280 first accesses the main CPU 101 and confirms the setting information with respect to the main CPU 101 (S105). In this case, the setting information is information related to the network 6 and paper information in the image forming apparatus 1.

  The main CPU 101 receives the setting information confirmation from the sub CPU 280 and transmits the setting information (S106). The sub CPU 280 receives confirmation of the setting information from the main CPU 101 and transmits a migration preparation completion notification to the main CPU 101 (S107). The main CPU 101 confirms the notice of completion of migration preparation (S108), and enters the stage of power-off transition of the main CPU 101.

  In the sub CPU 280, after preparation for shifting to power-off is completed in S107, the packet switching bus 289 is switched to the sub CPU 280 side by the bus switching circuits 233a and 235a, and transmission / reception processing in the sub CPU 280 is started (S109). Then, the sub CPU 280 outputs a DMA_rx237 stop request to the main CPU 101 (S110). The main CPU 101 receives the DMAC 234, 237 stop request from the sub CPU 280 and stops the DMA transfer (S111). When the main CPU 101 receives an interrupt from the DMACs 234 and 237 and confirms that the DMA transfer is stopped (S112), it outputs a power-off shift request to the sub CPU 280 (S182). When the sub CPU 280 receives a power-off transition request from the main CPU 101, the input / output terminal is connected to the sub CPU 280 side, and an after-mentioned power consumption of the main CPU 101 is turned off so that unnecessary power consumption does not occur from the external terminal. I / O terminal processing is executed (S114), power supply to the power supply circuit 310 is cut off via the power supply control line 250, and the power supply of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned off (S183). As a result, the power supply to the image forming apparatus 1 is cut off, and the image forming apparatus 1 enters a shutdown state (S116, S184).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing operation states and processing timings of the main CPU 101 and the sub CPU 280 at the time of transition from the energy saving mode to the power-off. In the state of FIG. 9, the main CPU 101 is in a power-off (shutdown) state, and the sub CPU 280 is operating in the energy saving mode. In this state, when a power-off factor occurs in the sub CPU 280 from the energy saving mode (S185), the image forming apparatus 1 is powered off (S186). The power-off factor from the energy saving mode is described later, when a packet sent from the network 6 by the packet type filter 235-3 includes a specific packet, when input from the operation unit (external factor), This is the case when the pattern filter provided in the packet filter 238 detects a pattern indicating a power-off factor.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the operating state, processing timing, and state of the I / O terminal 261 of the main CPU 101 and the sub CPU 280 when the power is turned on. In this embodiment, since the sub CPU 280 performs power control of the main CPU 101, when the power is turned on, as shown in FIG. 10, the sub CPU 280 is first turned on (S171), and then the main CPU 101 is turned on. (S172). Thereafter, both perform boot processing, the sub CPU 280 rises first, sets the status of the sub CPU 280 in the RAM 286 (S173), stops the clock, and enters the DOZE state.

  On the other hand, in the main CPU 101, after confirming the power-on factor, that is, the set contents written in the RAM 286 (S174), the main CPU 101 rises and initializes each part related to the network to enable communication with the network 6 (S175). Then, DMA transfer and communication are started (S176). As a result, the main CPU 101 is activated and operates in the normal mode. At this time, the sub CPU 280 is in the DOZE state, and the sub CPU 280 side is in the energy saving state.

  In this embodiment, the main CPU 101 is equal to the state of the ASIC on the side where the power is controlled, and the sub CPU 280 is equal to the state of the ASIC on the side where the power is controlled, so the state of the I / O terminal controlled by the sub CPU 280 is changed. Show. Immediately after the system is turned on, the I / O terminal that can be controlled to Hi-z is not controlled to the Hi-z state. That is, when the main CPU 101 is in the active state, the I / O terminal of the sub CPU 280 is not controlled to Hi-z. However, the Hi-z state may occur for an arbitrary time as a part of the normal function. As described above, in the present embodiment, a packet transmitted by the packet type filter 235-3 and the pattern filter is selected and a predetermined process is executed.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of packet processing before and after detection of a return factor packet. That is, FIG. 11 shows that a return factor packet indicated by ■ is detected from the transmitted packet 501 by a filter (return factor detection means 502), and the packet (indicated by a circle in the figure) until this return factor is detected. ) Is processed by the sub CPU (system) 280, and processing of the packet (indicated by □ in the figure) after detecting the packet including the return factor packet is performed by the first means performed by the main CPU (system) 101. The corresponding configuration is shown. By processing in this way, there is no interruption of the packet received on the I / FASIC 200 side even when returning from the energy saving mode to the normal mode, so that transmission can be continued when viewed from the network side. This will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the structure of an IP packet filtered by the packet type filter 235-3. In the figure, an IP packet 200 includes an IP header 201, a TCP header 202, and TCP data 203. The TCP header 202 and the TCP data 203 constitute a TCP datagram 204, and the TCP datagram 204 and the IP header 201 represent IP data. A gram 205 is constructed.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the format of the IP header 201 of FIG. 12, that is, the internal structure of the IP header format. The IP header format includes a version information field 201a, a header length field 201b, a TOS (type of service) field 201c, a total length (tos_len) field 201d, an identification (ID) field 201e, a flag field 201f, a fragment offset field 201g, and a TTL field 201h. , A protocol field 201i, a header checksum field 201j, a source IP address field 201k, a destination IP address field 201l, and an option field 201m.

  In this configuration, the version information field 201a is fixed to 4, and the header length field 201b indicates the header length including the option area. The TOS field 201c indicates a guideline for what is given priority in packet processing. The total length field 201d indicates the length of the entire IP packet 200. The identification field 201e and the fragment offset field 201g are used to realize IP level fragmentation (packet division) and reassembly. The TTL field 201h indicates the remaining lifetime of the IP packet on the network. The header checksum 201j is a checksum of only the IP header part.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the format of the TCP header 202 of FIG. 12, that is, the internal structure of the TCP header format. The TCP header format includes an outgoing port number field 202a, a destination port number field 202b, a sequence number field 202c, an acknowledgment number field 202d, a header length 202e, a reserved field 202f, a flag field 202g, a window size field 202h, and a TCP checksum field 202i. , An emergency pointer field 202j and an option field 202k. The source port number field 202a indicates the TCP port number of the source, and the destination port number 202b indicates the TCP port number of the destination. The sequence number field 202c indicates where the packet is located in the data stream, and the response number (ACK) sequence number for the received packet is written in the acknowledgment number field 202d, indicating how far the received packet has been received. Notify the other party. The header length field 202e indicates the TCP header length, and the header length changes depending on the presence or absence of the option field 202e. Six types of flags from URG to FIN are written in the flag field 202g, and the window size field 202h notifies the size of the reception window. The TCP checksum 202i is calculated for both the TCP header and data. The emergency pointer field 202j points to the end of the emergency data.

  The six flags in the flag field are drawn out by a leader line, as shown by URG flag 202g-1, ACK flag 202g-2, PSH flag 202g-3, RST flag 202g-4, SYN flag 202g-5, FIN flag 202g. -6. The URG (urgent) flag 202g-1 indicates that the emergency pointer in the emergency pointer field 202j is valid. The ACK (response) flag 202g-2 indicates that the confirmation response number 202d in the confirmation response number field is valid. Normally this flag is always on. The PSH (PUSH) flag 202g-3 indicates that transmission is performed as soon as possible. An RST (RESET) flag 202g-4 is a flag for requesting a connection reset. The SYN flag 202g-5 is a flag requesting establishment of a connection, and the FIN flag 202g-6 is a flag requesting termination of the connection.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a basic connection sequence of the TCP protocol. In this connection sequence, an ARP (address resolution protocol) request is transmitted from the PCs 2, 3, 4, 5 to the image forming apparatus 1, and when the ARP response is returned from the image forming apparatus 1 and the addresses are resolved, the PCs 2, 3, 4 and 5 send SYN to the image forming apparatus 1, and when ACK is returned from the image forming apparatus 1, a TCP session is established, and further, SYN / ACK is sent from the PCs 2, 3, 4, and 5 to the image forming apparatus 1. Communication takes place.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to the packet type filter 235-3 provided in the mac_rxif 235, a pattern filter is provided in the packet filter 238, and filtering is performed by packet pattern matching to execute a predetermined process. The function of the packet filter 238 is a function that can be activated and turned off from other machines on the network, here, PCs 2, 3, 4, and 5. In the PCs 2, 3, 4, and 5, the image forming apparatus 1 is in the energy saving mode. When the image forming apparatus 1 is in the normal mode or the energy saving mode, it can be turned off by transmitting a shutdown frame. If the wake-up frame includes the correct MAC address, the image forming apparatus 1 returns from the standby or suspend state and functions in the normal mode. If the shutdown frame includes the correct MAC address, the image forming apparatus 1 turns off the power from the standby or suspend state.

  For this packet selection, for example, a 64-byte pattern matching field is provided in the transmitted packet, and the pattern of the data written in this field and the data set in the pattern filter of the packet filter 238 in advance. The packet filter 238 wakes up or shuts down the system depending on the pattern that has been matched and the pattern matching has been achieved. In this embodiment, the pattern filter performs pattern matching on the packet transmitted to the packet filter 238 via the packet filter I / F 235-2, and the wakeup frame or the shutdown frame is determined according to the pattern that has been matched. Is determined to have been sent. If it is determined that the wakeup frame has been transmitted, the packet filter 238 instructs the power management unit 241 to turn on the main CPU 101 by the power control unit 251. If it is determined that the shutdown frame has been transmitted, the packet filter 238 instructs the power management unit 241 to turn off the system.

  The pattern filter performs pattern matching on the packet transmitted to the packet filter 238 via the packet filter I / F 235-2, and when the pattern matching is obtained, the interrupt controller 239 interrupts the sub CPU 280. And the sub CPU 280 turns off the power based on the pattern matching interrupt (S185, S186).

  Based on these instructions, the power control unit 251 outputs an instruction to supply power to the power supply unit 310 from the power control line 250 or not to perform power control of the main CPU 101 and the entire system. The determination of the wake-up frame corresponds to S151 and S152 of FIG. 7 in which the main CPU 101 is turned on as a return factor and the energy-saving mode returns to the normal mode. At this time, in FIG. 7, a return factor is generated for the sub CPU 280, but this figure only shows that the sub CPU 280 is operating at this time, and the sub CPU 280 is changed from the energy saving mode to the normal mode. It does not mean that it is returning. When the procedure for detecting the wakeup frame and returning from the energy saving mode to the normal mode is started, it is not necessary to make the pattern filter function, and the pattern filter is disabled in S153.

  In the normal mode, the shutdown frame is determined as an off factor by the main CPU 101, and corresponds to S180 in FIG. 8 where the power is turned off from the normal mode. In the energy saving mode, the determination of the shutdown frame is performed by the packet filter 238 as an off factor, and corresponds to S185 in FIG. 9 where the power is turned off from the energy saving mode. In this way, whether to function the pattern filter is determined by the energy saving mode and the normal mode. The pattern filter only needs to function in the energy saving mode, and does not need to function in the normal mode. When pattern matching is performed using the pattern filter of the packet type filter 235-3, as described above, the rx buffer I / O is sent from the packet type filter 235-3 to the interrupt register 235-8 and the packet entry generator 235-5. Information is input to the rx_RAM 236 from the F 235-4, and the information from the rx_RAM 236 is input to the sub CPU 280 by the selector 235-10 operating according to an instruction from the sub CPU 280. At this time, if there is data for the pattern matching, the sub CPU 280 turns off the power from the energy saving mode.

  FIG. 16 is an energy saving state transition diagram showing state transitions when there is a request for shifting to the energy saving mode, when there is a request for returning to the energy saving mode, and when there is a request for turning off the power. As shown in this figure, when the power is turned on (S301), first, it operates in the normal mode (S302). At this time, both the packet type filter 235-3 and the pattern filter are off. In this state, when there is a request for shifting to the energy saving mode from the main CPU 101 to the sub CPU 280 (S303), the mode shifts to the energy saving mode (S304). At this time, both the packet type filter 235-3 and the pattern filter are on.

  If there is a power-off request in S302, a power-off transition request (S306) is output from the main CPU 101 to the sub CPU 280, and a shutdown state is entered (S308). When a return factor occurs in the energy saving mode (S304) and the normal mode is returned by the energy saving return request (S305), the pattern filter and the packet type filter 235-3 are turned off. When a power off request (S307) is generated in S304, the power is turned off (S308) based on the pattern filter matching determination. Such filter control is repeated in the normal mode (Ready state) and the energy saving mode to execute the energy saving control.

  FIG. 17 is an energy saving state transition diagram showing a transition state when there is an energy saving mode transition request including the energy saving mode transition canceling processing shown in FIG. In the transition of the energy saving state, the case where the processing of S121 to S124 of FIG. 6 is included with respect to the transition diagram of FIG.

  That is, when the power is turned on (S401), first, it operates in the normal mode (S402). At this time, both the packet type filter 235-3 and the pattern filter are off. In this state, when there is a request for shifting to the energy saving mode from the main CPU 101 to the sub CPU 280 (S403), the transition to the energy saving mode is started, and when the preparation for the transition is completed, the packet transfer bus is switched and whether the transition is canceled by the sub CPU 280. Whether or not is monitored (S404). This is referred to herein as an energy saving standby mode. In this monitoring state (S404), both the packet type filter 235-3 and the pattern filter are on.

  If a request to cancel the energy saving mode is detected in the energy saving standby mode in S404, the request is transferred to the main CPU 101 side (S408). As a result, the main CPU 101 returns to the ready state (S402), and both the packet type filter 235-3 and the pattern filter are turned off. When the transition cancellation postponement monitoring time T1 has elapsed in the energy saving standby mode of S404, a transition to the energy saving mode is made (S406) in response to an energy saving transition request (S405). When a return factor occurs, the energy saving return request (S407) shifts from the energy saving state to the normal mode, and the pattern filter is turned off and the packet type filter 235-3 is turned off to enter the ready state (S402). Until the power is turned off, the ready state (S402), the energy saving standby state (S404), and the energy saving mode state (S406) are changed to the energy saving request (S403), the energy saving cancellation request (S408), the energy saving transition request (S405), and the energy saving return. Transition is made in response to each request (S407), and energy saving control is executed.

  When there is a power-off request in the ready state (S402) in which both the packet type filter 235-3 and the pattern filter are off, the main CPU 101 outputs a power-off transition request (S409) to the sub CPU 280, and the shutdown state (S412). When a power-off request (S410, S411) is generated in the energy saving standby mode (S404) in which both the packet type filter 235-3 and the pattern filter are on, or in the energy saving mode (S406), the pattern filter matching judgment is performed. The power is turned off (S412).

  Each of these steps is realized by a computer program. The program data is stored in the ROM in advance. However, the CD-ROM, the SD card, the optical disk loaded on a server connected to the network or a recording medium driving device (not shown) when necessary or requested by a version upgrade or the like. It is also possible to read and download from a known recording medium such as a magnetic disk.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
1) Since the power can be turned off from the energy saving mode, it is not necessary to return to the normal mode in order to interpret the power off request, and it is possible to reduce the power when the network control device is turned off.
2) The power can be turned off from the energy-saving mode, and it is not necessary to turn off the power after returning to the normal mode. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of times the power is turned on / off, extend the life of electronic components, and improve reliability. Improvements can be made.
3) In the energy saving mode, the sub CPU 280 performs packet processing necessary for maintaining the network connection, so that the network connection can be maintained with lower power than in the normal mode.
4) When the packet filter 238 detects a predetermined packet transferred from the network 6 (in this embodiment, the power-off factor packet), the sub CPU 280 shifts from the energy-saving mode to the power-off, which is realized with a simple control configuration. it can.
5) Since the power-off factor packet is detected by pattern matching using the pattern fill of the packet filter 238, it can be processed in software and can be detected easily and accurately.
6) By using it for controlling the power supply unit of the image forming apparatus 1 connected to the network, it is possible to reduce the power when the image forming apparatus is turned off, and to obtain an energy saving effect.
7) By applying to an image forming system including the client computers 2 to 5, it is possible to reduce power when the image forming apparatus 1 is turned off in accordance with instructions from the client computers 2 to 5.
There are effects such as.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to this embodiment, All the technical matters contained in the technical thought described in the claim are object.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the network system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating details of an internal configuration of mac_rxif in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of rx_RAM in FIG. 3. It is a figure which shows the operation state and process timing of main CPU and sub CPU at the time of transfer from normal mode to energy saving mode. It is a figure which shows the operation state of a main CPU and a sub CPU, and the timing of a process when the factor which inhibits energy-saving mode transfer occurs before monitoring time passes. It is a figure which shows the operation state of the main CPU and the sub CPU and the processing timing when returning from the energy saving mode to the normal mode. It is a figure which shows the operation state and process timing of main CPU and sub CPU at the time of transfer to power-off from normal mode. It is a figure which shows the operation state and process timing of main CPU101 and sub CPU280 at the time of transfer to a power-off from an energy saving mode. It is a figure which shows the operation state of the main CPU at the time of power activation, and a sub CPU, a processing timing, and the state of an I / O terminal. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state of the packet processing before and after the detection of a return factor packet. It is a figure which shows the structure of the IP packet filtered by a packet type filter. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the IP header format which is a format of the IP header of FIG. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the TCP header format which is a format of the TCP header of FIG. It is a figure which shows the basic connection sequence of TCP protocol. It is an energy-saving state transition diagram which shows a state transition when there exists a request | requirement of energy-saving mode, when there is a request | requirement of energy-saving mode return, and when there exists a power-off request | requirement. It is an energy saving state transition diagram showing a transition state when there is an energy saving mode transition request including an energy saving mode transition canceling process, an energy saving mode return request, and a power-off request. It is the figure which showed the relationship between the operation | movement and electric power in the energy saving mode in a prior art example by using time as a parameter.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image forming device (MFP)
2,3,4,5 PC (personal computer)
6 Network 100 Controller 101 Main CPU
200 Interface ASIC
231 Ethernet physical layer 232 MAC IP
233 mac_txif
235 mac_rxif
235-3 packet type filter 236 rx_RAM
238 Packet filter 239 Interrupt controller 240 External factor 241 Power management unit 280 Sub CPU
289, 290, 291 Bus 310 Power supply circuit 313 Power switch 315 Commercial power supply

Claims (10)

A main control unit that controls the entire system;
Of the system, a sub-control unit that performs preset control;
A network control device in which the normal mode and the energy saving mode are set,
A means for detecting a power-off factor packet transferred over the network;
The sub-control unit shifts the entire system from an energy saving mode to a power-off state when detecting the power-off factor packet. The network control device according to claim 1,
In the energy saving mode, the sub-control unit performs packet processing necessary for maintaining a network connection. The network control device according to claim 1 or 2,
The means for detecting the power-off factor packet comprises a packet filter,
The packet filter performs pattern matching between data set in the pattern filter and data written in a predetermined area of a transmitted packet, and detects the power-off factor packet. Control device. The network control device according to claim 1 or 2,
The means for detecting the power-off factor packet comprises a packet type filter,
The packet type filter performs pattern matching between data set in the pattern filter and data written in a predetermined area of the transmitted packet, and detects the power-off factor packet. Network controller. The network control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The means for detecting the power-off factor packet includes a packet type filter;
The sub-control unit shifts the entire system from the energy saving mode to a power-off state when a power-off factor packet is detected by a packet filter or a packet type filter. A network control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
Image forming means for forming a visible image on a recording medium based on the input data;
An image forming apparatus comprising: An image forming apparatus according to claim 6;
Multiple client computers;
Are connected via a network, and the image forming apparatus is operated by an operation command from the client computer to form an image. A main control unit that controls the entire system;
Of the system, a sub-control unit that performs preset control;
An energy saving control method for a network control apparatus in which a normal mode and an energy saving mode are set,
An energy-saving control method, wherein when the power-off factor packet transferred through the network is detected, the sub-control unit shifts the entire system from the energy-saving mode to the power-off state. A main control unit that controls the entire system;
Of the system, a sub-control unit that performs preset control;
An energy-saving control program for executing energy-saving control of a network control device in which a normal mode and an energy-saving mode are set by a computer,
A procedure for detecting a power-off factor packet transmitted over the network;
A procedure for causing the sub-control unit to shift the entire system from an energy-saving mode state to a power-off state when detecting a power-off factor packet;
An energy-saving control program characterized by comprising:   A recording medium, wherein the energy saving control program according to claim 9 is read by a computer and recorded to be executable.

Images