BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a printer and a charging device of a backup power
supply for the printer. Especially, the present invention relates to a charging system
of the backup power supply such as a rechargeable battery for supplying power to a
Real Time Clock IC and the like in the printer.
Related Background Art
[0002] There are conventional electric apparatuses such as printers which performs backup
operation by using power supplied from a rechargeable battery charged in advance when
a main power supply is turned off. For example, it is impossible to immediately cut
off the supply of power for an ink jet printer, even if the main power supply is turned
off at any state, for example, a state that an user switches off a main switch, or
a state that an outlet is pulled out. It is necessary for the ink jet printer to perform
a capping process after moving a print head to a home position before cutting off
power supply, because of preventing consolidation of ink.
[0003] Therefore, many types of ink jet printers having a switching power supply controls
changeover of the supply of power at secondary side of the switching power supply.
Because of this, power is supplied to these printers as long as the outlet is not
forcedly pulled out.
[0004] A switching regulator is generally used as the main power supply of the ink jet printer.
The switching regulator of the ink jet printer oscillates intermittently at voltage
wave with low duty ratio while the main switch is OFF. During this period, CPU and
the like monitor the state of the main switch provided to the secondary side of the
power supply. When the main switch is turned off, the CPU allows the capping process
of the print head to perform, and then sends a prescribed signal to the main power
supply. The main power supply receives the signal from the CPU and transits to the
above-mentioned intermittent oscillation state.
[0005] Furthermore, it is necessary for the printer and the like to perform a backup operation
for a memory, when the main power supply is turned off. As the backup operation, operational
information of the printer is recorded to the memory such as an EEPROM.
[0006] The ink jet printer has a Real Time Clock IC, which is hereinafter called as RTC.
The RTC is used to perform several types of pumping operation for adjusting the suction
amount of the ink in accordance with the length of unused time and to print printing
time to ends of print papers based on unique commands from a host computer. When a
prescribed signal is inputted, the RTC is a digital IC which outputs current time,
for example, xx(hour) xx(minute) xx (second) on xx(month) xx(day), xx(year). The ink
jet printer has to supply power to the RTC, even if the main switch is OFF.
[0007] Generally, electric apparatuses such as the printer is provided with an electric
double layer capacitor or a rechargeable battery as a backup power supply. The backup
power supply is charged while the main power supply is ON, and continuously drives
the RTC or performs the backup operation for the memory by using the charged power
when the main switch is turned off. Hereinafter, an example in which the RTC in the
printer is continuously driven will be specifically described.
[0008] A first example has the rechargeable battery such as a Lie battery or a Ni-Cd battery
in the printer, and allows the RTC to drive by using power that the rechargeable battery
discharged. For example, a printer of the first example is provided with a Li battery
81 as shown in Fig. 1. A RTC 83 is driven by the power supplied constantly from the
Li battery 81. The RTC 83 outputs a digital signal 87 showing the current time to
a CPU 85 when a prescribed signal 86 is inputted from the CPU 85.
[0009] A printer of a second example, as shown in Fig. 2, has a high performance capacitor,
which is called a super capacitor, a gold capacitor, electric double layer capacitor,
or the like. The capacitor is charged while the main switch of the printer is ON,
and the RTC is continuously driven by electric charge charged to the capacitor when
the main switch of the printer is turned off.
[0010] The RTC 93 is driven by the power supplied from the main power supply 98. While the
main supply is ON, the capacitor 91 is charged by the power supplied from the main
power supply 98. The main switch of the printer is turned off, and the RTC 93 is continuously
driven by the electric charge charged to the capacitor 91. Similarly to the first
example, when a prescribed signal 96 is inputted from the CPU 95, the RTC 93 outputs
to the CPU 95 a digital signal 97 indicating the current time.
[0011] However, it is necessary to use the rechargeable battery with high capacity for apparatuses
in which OFF time of the main switch is longer than ON time, in order to allow the
apparatuses to normally operate even if the charging time of the rechargeable battery
becomes short. However, when such a battery is used, the cost of the apparatuses becomes
high. Therefore, a primary battery impossible to recharge has to be used instead of
using the rechargeable battery.
[0012] As a method of solving the above-mentioned problem, even if user turns off the main
switch, when the outlet is not pulled out, there is a method in which power generated
by the above-mentioned intermittent oscillation of the main power supply is used to
charge the rechargeable battery. However, in case of allowing the main power supply
to intermittently oscillate, because the rechargeable battery is charged at unstable
low voltage, it is necessary to provide boosting means in the charging circuit.
[0013] Furthermore, it is necessary to provide a changeover circuit which switches whether
to charge the rechargeable battery from the intermittent oscillating state or to charge
the battery from the voltage at normal power ON. Therefore, circuit configuration
becomes complicate. Even if a charging circuit having boosting means is used, charging
efficiency lowers just by the amount for being charged after boosting, thereby increasing
power consumption during OFF of the main switch.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] US 5449238 discloses a method for operating a recording device powered by at least
one rechargeable accumulator. The recording device is provided with a main power supply
which is used to recharge the accumulator. This main power supply is either switched
ON or OFF.
[0015] A first object of the present invention is to provide a printer having a backup power
supply and a charging device which can realize low price and low power consumption,
without using a primary battery impossible to recharge.
[0016] Furthermore, a second object of the present invention is to provide a printer and
a charging device which can realize low power consumption by restraining the charging
time to the shortest time.
[0017] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer
comprising:
a printer mechanism;
a printer controller for controlling said printer mechanism;
a main power supply unit supplying power to said printer mechanism and said printer
controller, said main power supply unit having an intermittent ON state in which the
power is intermittently turned ON and a continuous ON state in which the power is
continuously turned ON, and being switchable between the two states;
a backup power supply for supplying power for a predetermined backup operation to
at least said printer controller, and
a charging controller for switching said main power supply unit from the intermittent
ON state to the continuous ON state for a period necessary to charge said backup power
supply in order to charge said backup power supply by using power of said main power
supply unit.
[0018] According to the present invention, for example, even if the main switch is turned
off by a user, it is possible to safely perform a prescribed backup operation, to
reduce use of components such as a primary battery undesirable for environment, and
to realize low cost and low power consumption. Furthermore, it is possible to realize
the charging device of the backup power supply for supplying power to perform a prescribed
backup operation for the printer by a simplified configuration. Accordingly, the industrial
value of the present invention is very large.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019]
Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional charging device having a rechargeable
battery.
Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a conventional charging device having a capacitor.
Fig. 3 is a diagram showing schematic configuration of a printer according to the
present invention.
Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing schematic configuration of a first embodiment relating
to a charging device of a backup power supply.
Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing processes and operations of the charging device of the
present embodiment.
Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a change for time of voltage between ends of the electric
double layer capacitor.
Fig. 7 is a diagram showing change of voltage between ends of the electric double
layer capacitor by charge/discharge.
Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing schematic configuration of a third embodiment of
a charging device according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Hereinafter, a printer and a charging device according to the present invention will
be specifically described with reference to the drawings. First of all, the overall
configuration of an ink jet printer, which is common to all embodiments, will be described.
[0021] As shown in Fig. 3, the ink jet printer according to these embodiments has a printer
controller 2, a print engine 4, a main power supply unit 6, and a RTC unit 8.
[0022] The printer controller 2 has a CPU 10, a ROM 12, a RAM 14, an EEPROM 16, a mechanic
interface block (mechanic I/F) 18, and a host interface block 20. These are connected
to each other via a bus 22.
[0023] The print engine 4 has a print head 42, a carriage mechanism consisted of a carriage
43 and the like, a paper feeder mechanism consisted of a paper feeder (PF) motor 44
and the like. The paper feeder mechanism has the PF motor and a paper feeder roller
(unshown), and sends out a print recording medium such as a recording paper 45 in
order to scan the print head 42 in sub scanning direction.
[0024] The carriage mechanism has a carriage 43 for mounting the print head 42 and a carriage
(CR) motor 43a for allowing the carriage 43 to run via a timing belt and the like,
in order to scan the print head 42 in main scanning direction.
[0025] The print head 42 spits out fine ink dews by using a piezoelectric element. The carriage
43 returns to home position in a prescribed case, in order to perform various maintenance
for the print head 42. For example, when cutting off the power, at the state the carriage
43 has returned to the home position, a capping process is performed. In this capping
process, an ink spray portion is capped.
[0026] The main power supply unit 6 has a switching regulator (unshown) and the like. The
main power supply unit 6 is supplied with alternating power from commercial power
supply (unshown). The main power supply unit 6 supplies 42V to the print head 42 of
the print engine 4 and the like, and 5.0V or 3.3V to the printer controller 2.
[0027] As shown in Fig. 3, the main power supply unit 6 is connected to a panel switch 5
provided to the printer panel. The panel switch 5 outputs ON/OFF signals alternatively
by each time when user operates the panel switch 5. An ON switch and an OFF switch
are separately provided to the panel switch 5.
[0028] The main power supply unit 6 is turned on/off by receiving the signal from the panel
switch 5. Even if the panel switch 5 is turned off, as long as the power supply plug
32 is not pulled out, the main power supply unit 6 enters a prescribed sleep state.
[0029] Here, the prescribed sleep state means that the panel switch 5 is turned off, the
supply of the power to the printer mechanism such as the printer engine is cut off,
a little power is supplied to CPU 10 and the like. Typically, in this state, the main
power supply oscillates intermittently, as described above.
[0030] The RTC unit 8 has a RTC 34 and a backup power supply 36. The backup power supply
36 has a rechargeable battery 36a and a diode 36b, and acts when the main power supply
unit 6 is OFF. The RTC 34 continuously acts by power supplied from the backup power
supply 36, even while the main power supply unit 6 is cut off.
[0031] The RTC 34 outputs a digital signal 34a indicating the current time to a CPU 10 when
a prescribed signal 10a is supplied from the CPU 10.
[0032] There are two events which are triggers to turn on the main power supply unit 6.
A first event is an event in case that the voltage of the backup power supply 36 becomes
low. A second event is an event in case that a prescribed time passes off after entering
the sleep state.
[0033] Hereinafter, first of all, a second and a third embodiments relating to a charging
device of a backup power supply will be explained in detail.
(First Embodiment)
[0034] Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing schematic configuration of a first embodiment relating
to a charging device of a backup power supply. The charging device of the first embodiment
has a feature in which the main power supply unit 6 is turned on by a signal from
the RTC 34 by using the above-mentioned first event as a trigger, and then the rechargeable
battery 36a is continuously charged during required minimum supplementary charging
time necessary to complete the charge for the rechargeable battery 36a, and then the
main power supply unit 6 returns again to a intermittent oscillation state.
[0035] More specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, the charging device of the first embodiment
has a main power supply unit (PS) 6, a CPU 10, a RTC 34, a first switch 37, and a
second switch 38. The main power supply 6, for example, supplies 42V to a printer
driver such as a printer engine 4 and a secondary voltage of 5.0V or 3.3V to a logic
circuit such as a printer controller 2.
[0036] The CPU 10, as described after, checks the state of the panel switch 5 of the printer.
When the main power supply unit 6 is turned on from the sleep mode, the CPU 10 performs
various control operations depending on whether the power ON depends on the panel
switch 5 or the RTC 34.
[0037] The RTC 34 of the present embodiment has a timer 34B and a comparator 34C. The comparator
34C checks the output voltage of the rechargeable voltage 36a. The comparator 34C
compares the output voltage of the rechargeable battery 36a with a prescribed reference
voltage RefV which is, for example, (1.5V+ ).
[0038] When the comparator 34C determines that the output voltage of the rechargeable battery
36a underruns the reference voltage RefV, the RTC 34 outputs a power ON signal 34d,
sets the second switch 38 to ON, and returns the main power supply unit 6 to ON state.
The power ON signal 34d is outputted, for example, for 3 minutes, and the main power
supply unit 6 is set to ON only during 3 minutes. The timer 34B counts during 3 minutes
as a prescribed supplementary charging time.
[0039] The first switch 37 has the panel switch 5 of the printer shown in Fig. 3 and another
switch 37a which opens and shuts simultaneously working with the panel switch 5. When
the panel switch 5 is in OFF, as long as the outlet is not pull out, the main power
supply unit 6 transits to the intermittent oscillation state. After then, if the panel
switch 5 is turned on, the main power supply unit 6 returns to state for outputting
a normal secondary voltage.
[0040] When the panel switch 5 is turned on/off, the switch 37a opens or shuts simultaneously
working with the panel switch 5. Because of this, as shown in Fig. 4, the signal 37b
for transmitting ON/OFF of the panel switch 5 is outputted, and is transmitted to
the CPU 10.
[0041] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing processes and operations of the charging device according
to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 5,
the processes and operations of the charging device of Fig. 4 will be described.
[0042] First of all, for example, when user turned off the panel switch 5 of the printer,
as long as the power supply cable 30 is not pulled off, as shown in Fig. 5, the printer
enters the sleep mode (S301), thereby becoming the above-mentioned intermittent oscillating
state.
[0043] During the sleeping mode, for example, when the panel switch 5 is turned on by user,
or when the main power supply unit 6 is turned on by a power ON signal 34d from the
RTC 34 (S302), it is determined whether the power ON depends on the RTC 34 or the
panel switch 5 (S303).
[0044] In case of the power ON depending on the RTC 34, the power ON state is continued
for 3 minutes (S304). The charge for the rechargeable battery 36a is performed for
3 minutes. The main power supply unit 6 is turned off after 3 minutes. In this time,
the panel switch 5 returns to OFF state. The CPU 10 always checks whether the panel
switch 5 is turned on or not (S305). If the panel switch 5 keeps OFF state, the process
of the step S301 is performed, thereby continuing the above-mentioned sleep mode.
[0045] On the other hand, when the panel switch 5 is turned on, as described hereinafter,
in the same way as the case the power ON depends on the panel switch 5 in step S303,
the CPU 10 checks whether or not the panel switch 5 is turned off (S306). If the panel
switch 5 is turned off (Yes in step S306), the CPU 10 waits until the processes necessary
to cut off the supply of power for the printer, for example, the capping process is
completed.
[0046] When all the processes necessary to cut off the supply of power for the printer is
completed (Yes in step S307), it is determined whether more than three minutes passed
off (S308). If determined that more than three minutes passed off (Yes in S308), process
of the step S301 is performed to continue the above-mentioned sleep mode.
[0047] When three minutes do not yet pass off (No in S308), the CPU 10 waits while checking
the panel switch 5 until the remaining time to three minutes passes off (S309). That
is, the CPU 10 checks whether or not the panel switch 5 is turned off (S310), as long
as the panel switch 5 is not turned off (No in step S310), the process of the step
S306 is again performed. When the panel switch 5 is turned off (Yes in step S310),
the process of the step S301 is again performed, thereby continuing the above-mentioned
sleep mode.
[0048] As described above, according to the charging device of the present embodiment, during
the sleeping mode (energy saving mode) in which the main power supply unit of the
printer performs the intermittent oscillation, even if voltage of the rechargeable
battery 36a becomes low, it is possible to automatically allow the main power supply
unit 6 to transit to ON state, and to charge the rechargeable battery 36a by using
the power supplied from the main power supply unit 6.
(Second Embodiment)
[0049] A charging device of a second embodiment has a feature in which the above-mentioned
second event is used as a trigger. That is, when becoming the intermittent oscillating
state depending on the power OFF, by each of the constant period (supplementary charging
interval time), the CPU generates a signal during a constant time (supplementary charging
time). The main power unit 6 is turned on/off by the signal from the CPU.
[0050] More specifically, the charging device of the second embodiment has a third switch
39, as shown by a dotted line in Fig. 4. The third switch 39 is turned on by a prescribed
supplementary charging signal 10h from the CPU 10. When the third switch 39 is turned
on, the main power supply unit 6 returns from the intermittent oscillating state to
the state outputting the normal secondary voltage. The supplementary charging signal
10h is sent only for 3 minutes, for example, by 24 or 10 hours, during the intermittent
oscillating state.
[0051] The processes and the operations of the charging device according to the second embodiment
is the same as that of the first embodiment, except that the CPU 10 performs the processes
of steps S303 and S304 of Fig. 5. Because of this, detailed description relating to
the processes and the operations of the second embodiment will be omitted.
[0052] The CPU 10 may generate the above-mentioned signal based on the result of executing
prescribed control instruction groups (program) stored in the ROM 12 with reference
to time information from the RTC 34 or the timer 34B which may be provided in the
CPU 10.
(Third Embodiment)
[0053] A third embodiment uses an electric double layer capacitor as the backup power supply
for allowing the above-mentioned RTC to continuously run during power OFF. Optimization
of the charging time for the electric double layer capacitor is realized by managing
and referring hysteretic information relating to voltage between ends of the electric
double layer capacitor.
[0054] The RTC and the electric double layer capacitor of the third embodiment is built
in the ink jet printer, similarly to the first and second embodiments. Because the
other configuration of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first and second
embodiments, the detailed description will be omitted. First of all, a first example
of control method using the hysteretic information according to the present embodiment
will be described hereinafter.
-- First example by hysteretic control--
[0055] - Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a change for time of voltage between ends of the electric
double layer capacitor. When the electric double layer capacitor is being already
charged at state that the main power supply unit 6 is turned on as referred to 401,
if the main power supply unit 6 is turned off as referred to 402, the voltage between
ends of the electric double layer capacitor becomes low gradually, as shown in Fig.
6. A minimum voltage shown in Fig. 6 expresses a maximum voltage that operation of
the RTC stops.
[0056] The simplest example of the hysteretic control is the case that the main power supply
unit 6 is turned on when voltage between ends of the electric double layer capacitor
has lowered till the minimum voltage. In this case, the hysteretic information that
operation of the RTC 34 stopped is obtained. At this timing, zero is set. That is,
the timer such as a CPU timer is set to zero, and the charging time Tch becomes full
charge after 3 minutes pass off.
[0057] Practically, voltage between ends of the electric double layer capacitor rises linearly
as shown by solid line in Fig. 6. Curb of a dashed line as shown in 405 shows the
amount of an entered energy. After 3 minutes pass off, the main power supply unit
is turned off and the electric double layer capacitor begins discharge, as shown in
406. In accordance with this, the voltage lowers gradually as shown in 407.
[0058] However, as shown in Fig. 6B, if the discharge is stopped by a minute as shown in
411, instead of lowering along the dotted line as shown in 412, the voltage lowers
drastically as shown in 411a, and then the voltage lowers gradually as shown in 411b.
[0059] At such state, the printer continues to run, and the main power supply unit 6 is
turned off as an event at any time as shown in 406. In this case, it is unnecessary
to charge further for 3 minutes. As shown in the same drawing, for example, when the
event which is turned off on the condition of Tch 3 minutes occurs, this event means
that it is unnecessary to maintain ON any longer. Accordingly, at this point when
charge of the electric double layer capacitor finished, the discharge begins as shown
in 406 and 413.
[0060] On the other hand, different from the above-mentioned event, if the OFF instruction
is issued at the time discharging for a minute as shown in 414, without turning off,
the ON state is continued until 3 minutes passe off as shown in 415. This is also
a hysteretic control to keep the ON state.
-- Second example by hysteretic control--
[0061] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing change of voltage between ends of the electric double
layer capacitor by charge/discharge. A horizontal axis of Fig. 7 is a time (t), and
a vertical axis of Fig. 7 is the voltage (v) between ends of the electric double layer
capacitor.
[0062] After the electric double layer capacitor has been charged so as to be held for 400
hours, when 200 hours pass off after the main power supply unit 6 is turned off, only
half of 3 minutes may be charged.
[0063] Therefore, when there is an indication to turn on the main power supply unit 6 only
for a minute at the time when 200 hours has passed off, the charge is performed for
further 30 seconds. Therefore, low power consumption is realized only by one and half
minute. It is possible to detect the time after the main power supply unit 6 is turned
off by the signal from the RTC 34.
-- Specific circuit configuration --
[0064] Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing schematic configuration of a third embodiment of
a charging device according to the present invention. The charging device of Fig.
8 has power supply unit 601, a CPU 602, an electric double layer capacitor 603 functioned
as a backup power supply, and a RTC 604.
[0065] Inside of the main power supply unit 601 is provided with a compact power supply
607 for detecting on/off condition of a switch 601a. When ON of the switch 601a is
detected, the electric double layer capacitor 603 is charged, and the power is supplied
to each part of the printer. The main power supply unit 601 begins the supply of the
power by signal from the RTC 604.
[0066] Inside of the RTC 604 is provided with a voltage detecting section 604a for detecting
the charging voltage of the electric double layer capacitor 603. Inside of the CPU
602 is provided with a comparison determining section 602a for determining whether
or not the charging voltage detected by the voltage detecting section 604a is lower
than a prescribed reference voltage, and a charge indicating section 602b for allowing
the main power supply unit 6 to turn on when determined to be low. The voltage detecting
section 604a, the comparison determining section 602a, and the charge indicating section
602b correspond to hysteretic management means.
[0067] The main power supply unit 6 begins the supply of the power not only in case the
switch 601a is turned on, but also by the signal from the RTC 604. When the main power
supply unit 6 begins the supply of the power based on the signal from the RTC 604,
the CPU 602 restarts. The CPU 602 can detect the reason why the main power supply
unit 601 has begun the supply of the power by receiving the signal from the RTC 604.
[0068] As described specifically above, the third embodiment detects the condition of the
electric double layer capacitor based on time. In an exceptional case, the CPU 602
has to detect the above-mentioned minimum voltage and whether or not the RTC 604 stopped.
[0069] The present invention is not limited certain embodiments described above, and is
applicable to other embodiments in the range of Claims described after.
[0070] For example, in the first embodiment, when the voltage of the backup power supply
has lowered, by using the first event as the trigger, an example which turns on the
main power supply unit based on the signal from the RTC and performs supplementary
charge has been described. In the second embodiment, when the prescribed time has
passed off after entering the sleep state, by using the second event as the trigger,
the main power supply unit is turned on by the signal from the CPU to perform supplementary
charge. As other embodiment, in case that a prescribed time passed off after entering
the sleep state, by using the second event as the trigger, the main power supply unit
may be turned on by the signal from the RTC to perform supplementary charge.
[0071] An example in which both of the power ON depending on the signal from the RTC in
the first and third embodiments and the power ON depending on the signal from the
CPU in the second embodiment are used is also conceivable. It is possible to adjust
both signals by adding simplified OR means.
[0072] In the above-mentioned embodiments, charging systems for allowing the RTC to continuously
run when the main power supply unit 6 is not in ON state has been described. Objects
that the rechargeable battery supplies the power are not limited. For example, besides
the RTC, backup operation of the memory and the like may be performed by using the
rechargeable battery.
[0073] The backup power supply is required that it is possible to repeat charge/discharge
and to supply the power for performing a prescribed backup operation when the main
power supply unit 6 is not in ON state. If these requirement are filled, any besides
the rechargeable battery and the electric double layer capacitor is applicable as
the backup power supply.
[0074] On the other hand, in the above-mentioned embodiments, examples that the printer
has the charging device, and the charging device is constituted of the CPU in the
printer, and the timer and the comparator in the RTC has been described. The charging
device may be constituted as an external unit of the printer.
[0075] In the above-mentioned embodiments, the present invention has been described as an
example of the ink jet printer for performing the capping. The present invention is
also applicable to other printers such as a laser printer which has the main power
supply unit with ON state and sleep state, and can repeat charge/discharge. That is,
the present invention is applicable to any types of the printers which has the backup
power supply for supplying the power to perform a prescribed backup operation when
the main power supply unit is not ON state.
1. A printer comprising:
a printer mechanism (4);
a printer controller (2) for controlling said printer mechanism;
main power supply unit (6) supplying power to said printer mechanism and said printer
controller, said main power supply unit having an intermittent ON state in which the
power is intermittently turned ON and a continuous ON state in which the power is
continuously turned ON, and being switchable between the two states;
a backup power supply (36) for supplying power for a predetermined backup operation
to at least said printer controller, and
a charging controller (34) for switching said main power supply unit from the intermittent
ON state the continuous ON state for a period necessary to charge said backup power
supply in order to charge said backup power supply by using power of said main power
supply unit.
2. A printer according to claim 1, wherein
the intermittent ON state is a sleep state in which a main power supply unit intermittently
turns on, and
said charging controller switches said main power supply unit from the sleep state
to the continuous ON state for a prescribed period when said main power supply unit
is in the sleep state in order to charge said backup power supply by using power of
said main power supply unit.
3. A printer according to claim 2 further comprising clocking means for periodically
causing said switching of said main power supply unit to said continuous ON state
from said sleep state at predetermined time intervals.
4. A printer according to claim 2 further comprising signal output means for outputting,
at a predetermined time interval, a signal for changing said main power supply unit
from said sleep state to said continuous ON state,
wherein said charging controller charges said backup power supply in accordance
with said signal outputted from said signal output means.
5. A printer according to claim 2 further comprising voltage checking means for providing
an indication that an output voltage of said backup power supply is below a predetermined
reference voltage,
wherein said charging controller switches said main power supply unit to said continuous
ON state in response to said indication from said voltage checking means.
6. A printer according to claim 2, wherein said backup power supply is a rechargeable
battery.
7. A printer according to claim 2, wherein said backup power supply includes a capacitor.
8. A printer according to claim 2, wherein said backup power supply supplies power to
only said printer controller, for a predetermined backup operation, when said main
power supply unit is in said sleep state.
9. A printer according to claim 2, wherein the main power supply unit, in the sleep state,
oscillates only intermittently at a voltage wave with a low duty ratio.
10. A printer according to claim 2, wherein:
said charging controller comprises:
voltage checking means (34C) for detecting when output voltage of said backup power
supply is equal to or less than a prescribed reference voltage, and
timing means (34B) for measuring a time period of the main power supply unit in sleep
mode;
and the charging controller is adapted for turning on said main power supply unit
in order to charge said backup power supply by using power of said main power supply
unit when said output voltage is equal to or less than said prescribed reference voltage,
and
turning on said main power supply unit in order to charge said backup power supply
by using power of said main power supply unit when said time period in said sleep
mode is equal to prescribed reference time.
11. A charging device of a backup power supply for a printer supplying power for performing
a prescribed backup operation to the printer having a main power supply unit having
two states including a continuous ON state and a sleep state in which the main power
supply unit is only intermittently on, and which can perform charge/discharge, the
charging device comprising a charging controller for switching said main power supply
unit from the sleep state to the continuous ON state only for a prescribed charging
period when said main power supply unit is in the sleep state in order to charge said
backup power supply by using power of said main power supply unit.
12. A charging device according to claim 11, wherein said charging device is capable of
being externally provided to the printer.
13. A charging device according to claim 11, comprising:
a central processing unit;
clocking means for generating a reference time based on an output voltage of said
backup power supply and sending the reference time to said central processing unit,
and
switching means for switching said main power supply unit to the continuous ON state
when said main power supply unit is in the sleep state,
wherein said charging controller switches said switching means based on the signal
that said clocking means output for said prescribed charging period at a prescribed
interval.
14. A charging device according to claim 11, comprising:
a central processing unit;
clocking means for generating a reference time based on an output voltage of said
backup power supply and sending the reference time to said central processing unit,
and
switching means for switching said main power supply unit to the continuous ON state
when said main power supply unit is in the sleep state,
wherein said central processing unit changes over said switching means based on
the signal that said central processing unit outputs only for a prescribed period
at a prescribed interval.
15. A charging device according to claim 11, comprising:
a central processing unit;
clocking means for generating a reference time based on an output voltage of said
backup power supply and sending the reference time to said central processing unit,
and
switching means for switching said main power supply unit to the continuous ON state
when said main power supply unit is in the sleep state,
wherein said clocking means has voltage checking means for checking an output
voltage of said backup power supply, and turns on said main power supply unit in order
to charge said backup power supply by using power of said main power supply unit when
said voltage checking means detects that the output voltage of said backup power supply
is equal to or less than a prescribed reference voltage.
1. Drucker, der umfasst:
einen Druckermechanismus (4);
eine Druckersteuerung (2), die den Druckermechanismus steuert;
eine Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit (6), die dem Druckermechanismus und der Druckersteuerung
Strom zuführt, wobei die Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit einen diskontinuierlichen AN-Zustand,
in dem der Strom diskontinuierlich angeschaltet wird, sowie einen kontinuierlichen
AN-Zustand hat, in dem der Strom kontinuierlich angeschaltet ist, und sie zwischen
den zwei Zuständen umgeschaltet werden kann;
eine Reserve-Stromversorgung (36); die wenigstens der Druckersteuerung für einen vorgegebenen
Reservebetrieb Strom zuführt; und
eine Ladesteuerung (34), die die Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit über einen Zeitraum
aus dem diskontinuierlichen AN-Zustand in den kontinuierlichen AN-Zustand schaltet,
der erforderlich ist, um die Reserve-Stromversorgung zu laden, um so die Reserve-Stromversorgung
mit Strom der Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit zu laden.
2. Drucker nach Anspruch 1, wobei:
der diskontinuierliche AN-Zustand ein Ruhezustand ist, in dem eine Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit
diskontinuierlich angeschaltet wird, und
die Ladesteuerung die Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit aus dem Ruhezustand über einen
vorgegebenen Zeitraum in den kontinuierlichen AN-Zustand schaltet, wenn sich die Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit
in dem Ruhezustand befindet, um die Reserve-Stromversorgung mit Strom der Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit
zu laden.
3. Drucker nach Anspruch 2, der des Weiteren eine Takteinrichtung umfasst, die periodisch
in vorgegebenen Zeitintervallen das Schalten der Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit in
den kontinuierlichen AN-Zustand aus dem Ruhestand bewirkt.
4. Drucker nach Anspruch 2, der des Weiteren eine Signalausgabeeinrichtung umfasst, die
in einem vorgegebenen Zeitintervall ein Signal zum Umschalten der Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit
aus dem Ruhezustand in den kontinuierlichen AN-Zustand ausgibt,
wobei die Ladesteuerung die Reserve-Stromversorgung entsprechend dem von der Signalausgabeeinrichtung
ausgegebenen Signal lädt.
5. Drucker nach Anspruch 2, der des Weiteren eine Spannungsprüfeinrichtung umfasst, die
anzeigt, dass eine Ausgangsspannung in der Reserve-Stromversorgung unter einer vorgegebenen
Bezugsspannung liegt,
wobei die Ladesteuerung die Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit in Reaktion auf die Anzeige
von der Spannungsprüfeinrichtung in den kontinuierlichen AN-Zustand schaltet.
6. Drucker nach Anspruch 2, wobei die Reserve-Stromversorgung eine wiederaufladbare Batterie
ist.
7. Drucker nach Anspruch 2, wobei die Reserve-Stromversorgung einen Kondensator enthält.
8. Drucker nach Anspruch 2, wobei die Reserve-Stromversorgung nur der Druckersteuerung
für einen vorgegebenen Reservebetrieb Strom zuführt, wenn sich die Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit
in dem Ruhezustand befindet.
9. Drucker nach Anspruch 2, wobei die Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit in dem Ruhestand
nur diskontinuierlich auf einer Spannungswelle mit einem niedrigen Tastverhältnis
oszilliert.
10. Drucker nach Anspruch 2, wobei:
die Ladesteuerung umfasst:
eine Spannungsprüfeinrichtung (34C), die erfasst, wenn die Ausgangsspannung der Reserve-Stromversorgung
einer vorgeschriebenen Bezugsspannung entspricht oder geringer ist als diese, und
eine Zeitsteuereinrichtung (34B), die einen Zeitraum der Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit
in Ruhebetrieb misst;
und die Ladesteuerung so eingerichtet ist, dass sie die Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit
anschaltet, um die Reserve-Stromversorgung mit Strom der Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit
zu laden, wenn die Ausgangsspannung der vorgeschriebenen Bezugsspannung entspricht
oder geringer ist als diese, und
die Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit anschaltet, um die Reserve-Stromversorgung mit Strom
der Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit zu laden, wenn der Zeitraum in dem Ruhebetrieb einer
vorgeschriebenen Bezugszeit entspricht.
11. Ladevorrichtung einer Reserve-Stromversorgung für einen Drucker, die dem Drucker,
der eine Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit mit zwei Zuständen einschließlich eines kontinuierlichen
AN-Zustands und eines Ruhezustands, in dem die Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit nur diskontinuierlich
angeschaltet wird, hat, Strom zum Durchführen eines vorgeschriebenen Reservebetriebes
zuführt, und die Laden/Entladen durchführen kann, wobei die Ladevorrichtung eine Ladesteuerung
umfasst, die die Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit nur über einen vorgeschriebenen Lade-Zeitraum
von dem Ruhezustand in den kontinuierlichen AN-Zustand schaltet, wenn die Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit
sich in dem Ruhezustand befindet, um die Reserve-Stromversorgung mit Strom der Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit
zu laden.
12. Ladevorrichtung nach Anspruch 11, wobei die Ladevorrichtung außerhalb des Druckers
bereitgestellt werden kann.
13. Ladevorrichtung nach Anspruch 11, die umfasst:
eine zentrale Verarbeitungseinheit;
eine Takteinrichtung, die eine Bezugszeit auf Basis einer Ausgangsspannung der Reserve-Stromversorgung
erzeugt und die Bezugszeit zu der zentralen Verarbeitungseinheit sendet, und
eine Schalteinrichtung, die die Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit in den kontinuierlichen
AN-Zustand schaltet, wenn sich die Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit in dem Ruhezustand
befindet,
wobei die Ladesteuerung die Schalteinrichtung auf Basis des Signals, das die Takteinrichtung
ausgibt, für den vorgegebenen Ladezeitraum in einem vorgeschriebenen Intervall umschaltet.
14. Ladevorrichtung nach Anspruch 11, die umfasst:
eine zentrale Verarbeitungseinheit;
eine Takteinrichtung, die eine Bezugszeit auf Basis einer Ausgangsspannung der Reserve-Stromversorgung
erzeugt und die Bezugszeit zu der zentralen Verarbeitungseinheit sendet, und
eine Schalteinrichtung, die die Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit in den kontinuierlichen
AN-Zustand schaltet, wenn sich die Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit in dem Ruhezustand
befindet,
wobei die zentrale Verarbeitungseinheit die Schalteinrichtung auf Basis des Signals,
das die zentrale Verarbeitungseinheit ausgibt, nur über einen vorgeschriebenen Zeitraum
in einem vorgeschriebenen Intervall umschaltet.
15. Ladevorrichtung nach Anspruch 11, die umfasst:
eine zentrale Verarbeitungseinheit;
eine Takteinrichtung, die eine Bezugszeit auf Basis einer Ausgangsspannung der Reserve-Stromversorgung
erzeugt und die Bezugszeit zu der zentralen Verarbeitungseinheit sendet, und
eine Schalteinrichtung, die die Haupt-Stromversorgung in den kontinuierlichen AN-Zustand
schaltet, wenn sich die Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit in dem Ruhezustand befindet,
wobei die Takteinrichtung eine Spannungsprüfeinrichtung hat, die eine Ausgangsspannung
der Reserve-Stromversorgung prüft und die Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit anschaltet,
um die Reserve-Stromversorgung mit Strom der Haupt-Stromversorgungseinheit zu laden,
wenn die Spannungsprüfeinrichtung erfasst, dass die Ausgangsspannung der Reserve-Stromversorgung
einer vorgeschriebenen Bezugsspannung entspricht oder geringer ist als diese.
1. Imprimante comprenant :
un mécanisme d'imprimante (4) ;
un contrôleur d'imprimante (2) pour commander ledit mécanisme d'imprimante ;
une unité principale d'alimentation (6) pour alimenter en puissance ledit mécanisme
d'imprimante et ledit contrôleur d'imprimante, ladite unité principale d'alimentation
ayant un état ALLUME intermittent dans lequel la puissance est ALLUMEE de façon intermittente
et un état ALLUME continu dans lequel la puissance est ALLUMEE en continu, et pouvant
être commutée entre les deux états ;
une alimentation de secours (36) pour alimenter en puissance pour une opération de
secours prédéterminée au moins ledit contrôleur d'imprimante ; et
un contrôleur de charge (34) pour commuter ladite unité principale d'alimentation
de l'état ALLUME intermittent à l'état ALLUME continu pendant une période nécessaire
pour charger ladite alimentation de secours afin de charger ladite alimentation de
secours en utilisant la puissance de ladite unité principale d'alimentation.
2. Imprimante selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle
l'état ALLUME intermittent est un état de veille dans lequel une unité principale
d'alimentation s'allume de façon intermittente, et
ledit contrôleur de charge commute ladite unité principale d'alimentation de l'état
de veille à l'état ALLUME continu pendant une période prescrite lorsque ladite unité
principale d'alimentation est dans l'état de veille afin de charger ladite alimentation
de secours en utilisant la puissance de ladite unité principale d'alimentation.
3. Imprimante selon la revendication 2, comprenant en outre un moyen de synchronisation
pour provoquer périodiquement ladite commutation de ladite unité principale d'alimentation
à l'état ALLUME continu depuis ledit état de veille à des intervalles temporels prédéterminés.
4. Imprimante selon la revendication 2, comprenant en outre un moyen de sortie de signal
pour émettre en sortie, à un intervalle temporel prédéterminé, un signal pour faire
changer ladite unité principale d'alimentation dudit état de veille audit état ALLUME
continu,
dans laquelle ledit contrôleur de charge charge ladite alimentation de secours
conformément audit signal émis en sortie par ledit moyen de sortie de signal.
5. Imprimante selon la revendication 2, comprenant en outre un moyen de vérification
de tension pour fournir une indication qu'une tension de sortie de ladite alimentation
de secours est en dessous d'une tension de référence prédéterminée,
dans laquelle ledit contrôleur de charge commute ladite unité principale d'alimentation
dans ledit état ALLUME continu en réponse à ladite indication en provenance dudit
moyen de vérification de tension.
6. Imprimante selon la revendication 2, dans laquelle ladite alimentation de secours
est une batterie rechargeable.
7. Imprimante selon la revendication 2, dans laquelle ladite alimentation de secours
comprend un condensateur.
8. Imprimante selon la revendication 2, dans laquelle ladite alimentation de secours
alimente en puissance seulement ledit contrôleur d'imprimante, pour une opération
de secours prédéterminée, lorsque ladite unité principale d'alimentation est dans
ledit état de veille.
9. Imprimante selon la revendication 2, dans laquelle ladite unité principale d'alimentation,
dans l'état de veille, oscille seulement de façon intermittente à une onde de tension
avec un rapport de service faible.
10. Imprimante selon la revendication 2, dans laquelle :
ledit contrôleur de charge comprend :
un moyen de vérification de tension (34C) pour détecter lorsque la tension de sortie
de ladite alimentation de secours est égale ou inférieure à une tension de référence
prescrite, et
un moyen de cadencement (34B) pour mesurer une période temporelle de l'unité principale
d'alimentation dans l'état de veille ;
et le contrôleur de charge est adapté pour allumer ladite unité principale d'alimentation
afin de charger ladite alimentation de secours en utilisant la puissance de ladite
unité principale d'alimentation lorsque ladite tension de sortie est égale ou inférieure
à ladite tension de référence prescrite, et
allumer ladite unité principale d'alimentation afin de charger ladite alimentation
de secours en utilisant la puissance de ladite unité principale d'alimentation lorsque
ladite période temporelle dans ledit mode veille est égale à un temps de référence
prescrit.
11. Dispositif de charge d'une alimentation de secours pour une alimentation d'imprimante
pour exécuter une opération de secours prescrite pour l'imprimante ayant une unité
principale d'alimentation ayant deux états comprenant un état ALLUME continu et un
état de veille dans lequel l'unité principale d'alimentation est allumée seulement
de façon intermittente, et qui peut exécuter une charge/décharge, le dispositif de
charge comprenant un contrôleur de charge pour commuter ladite unité principale d'alimentation
de l'état de veille à l'état ALLUME continu seulement pendant une période de charge
prescrite lorsque ladite unité principale d'alimentation est dans l'état de veille
afin de charger ladite alimentation de secours en utilisant la puissance de ladite
unité principale d'alimentation.
12. Dispositif de charge selon la revendication 11, dans lequel ledit dispositif de charge
est capable d'être fourni de façon externe à l'imprimante.
13. Dispositif de charge selon la revendication 11, comprenant :
une unité centrale de traitement;
un moyen de synchronisation pour générer un temps de référence sur la base d'une tension
de sortie de ladite alimentation de secours et envoyer le temps de référence à ladite
unité centrale de traitement, et
un moyen de commutation pour commuter ladite unité principale d'alimentation dans
l'état ALLUME continu lorsque ladite unité principale d'alimentation est dans l'état
de veille,
dans lequel ledit contrôleur de charge commute ledit moyen de commutation sur
la base du signal que ledit moyen de synchronisation émet en sortie pour ladite période
de charge prescrite à un intervalle prescrit.
14. Dispositif de charge selon la revendication 11, comprenant :
une unité centrale de traitement ;
un moyen de synchronisation pour générer un temps de référence sur la base d'une tension
de sortie de ladite alimentation de secours et envoyer le temps de référence à ladite
unité centrale de traitement, et
un moyen de commutation pour commuter ladite unité principale d'alimentation dans
l'état ALLUME continu lorsque ladite unité principale d'alimentation est dans l'état
de veille,
dans lequel ladite unité centrale de traitement fait changer ledit moyen de commutation
sur la base du signal que ladite unité centrale de traitement émet en sortie seulement
pour une période prescrite à un intervalle prescrit.
15. Dispositif de charge selon la revendication 11, comprenant :
une unité centrale de traitement ;
un moyen de synchronisation pour générer un temps de référence sur la base d'une tension
de sortie de ladite alimentation de secours et envoyer le temps de référence à ladite
unité centrale de traitement, et
un moyen de commutation pour commuter ladite unité principale d'alimentation dans
l'état ALLUME continu lorsque ladite unité principale d'alimentation est dans l'état
de veille,
dans lequel ledit moyen de synchronisation possède un moyen de vérification de
tension pour vérifier une tension de sortie de ladite alimentation de secours, et
allume ladite unité principale d'alimentation afin de charger ladite alimentation
de secours en utilisant la puissance de ladite unité principale d'alimentation lorsque
ledit moyen de vérification de tension détecte que la tension de sortie de ladite
alimentation de secours est égale ou inférieure à une tension de référence prescrite.