Abstract:
An image processing apparatus communicates image information with an external apparatus. A communication portion includes a connector though which the image information is communicated. A controller controls the communication portion to be either active or non-active in response to a control signal. A cover covers the connector when the cover is mounted to the image processing apparatus. A switch and the cover may be interlocked with one another such that the switch generates the control signal either when the cover is mounted to the image processing apparatus or when the cover is dismounted from the image processing apparatus. A cable may be connected between the connector and the external apparatus, and the switch and the cable may be interlocked such that the switch generates the control signal either when the cable is inserted into the connector or when the cable is pulled out of the connector.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Conventional image processing apparatuses are capable of communicating image information with external apparatuses through a network. For example, an image processing apparatus is connected to an external apparatus such as a host computer via a network. The image processing apparatus receives image information from the external apparatus, and then processes the image information. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-265707 discloses one such image processing apparatus in which a cover is attached to an interface via which the image processing apparatus communicates with the external apparatus. A switch is mounted to the cover so that the switch and the cover operate in an interlocked manner such that opening the cover causes the image processing apparatus to start operating. 
         [0005]    However, the aforementioned conventional image processing apparatus is designed to power the interface regardless of whether the apparatus is in operation. This is uneconomical. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    An object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned drawbacks of a conventional image processing apparatus. 
         [0007]    Another object of the invention is to provide an image processing apparatus in which a cover is mounted to cover a switch that connects a communication cable to a communication portion of the image processing apparatus, the switch and the cover being interlocked such that the switch is operated to supply electric power to the communication section only when the communication cable is connected to the communication port. 
         [0008]    An image processing apparatus processes images by communicating image information with an external apparatus. A communication portion communicates the image information with the external apparatus. A controlling portion controls the communication portion to be either active or non-active in response to a control signal. The communication portion communicates the image information with the external apparatus through a connector. A cover covers the connector when the cover is mounted to the image processing apparatus. A switch generates the control signal. The switch and cover are interlocked with one another such that the switch generates the control signal either when the cover is mounted to the image processing apparatus or when the cover is dismounted from the image processing apparatus. 
         [0009]    An image processing apparatus processes images by communicating image information with an external apparatus. A communication portion communicates the image information with the external apparatus. A controlling portion controls the communication portion to be either active or non-active in response to a control signal. The communication portion communicates the image information with the external apparatus through a connector to which a communication cable is attached. A switch and the communication cable are interlocked with one another such that the switch generates the control signal either when the cable is inserted into the connector or when the cable is pulled out of the connector. 
         [0010]    Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limiting the present invention, and wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates the configuration of a control system of an image processing apparatus of a first embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates the circuit configuration of a communication portion of a printer; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate how a connector cover is attached; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a timing chart illustrating the operation of the image processing apparatus of the first embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates the circuits of a communication portion of an image processing apparatus of a second embodiment; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a timing chart illustrating the operation of the image processing apparatus of the second embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       First Embodiment 
     {Configuration} 
       [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates the configuration of a control system of an image processing apparatus of a first embodiment. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an image processing apparatus or a printer  10  may be of any type, for example, a facsimile machine and a multi-function apparatus that performs the functions of both a facsimile machine and a copying machine. By way of example, the printer  10  is an electrophotographic printer capable of forming monochrome images. 
         [0021]    The printer  10  is connected to an external apparatus or a host computer  11  through a communication line (not shown), for example, a local network or an intranet. The printer  10  receives image information or print data from the computer  11 , and prints the image information on a recording medium, for example, paper. The computer  11  may be a general purpose computer that includes an arithmetic operation means (e.g., a CPU and MPU), a memory means, and a communication interface. The memory means may be implemented with a magnetic disk or a semiconductor memory device. In fact, the computer  11  may be any types of apparatus as long as it is capable of creating print data that can be printed by the printer  10 , and of transmitting the print data to the printer  10 . 
         [0022]    The printer  10  includes a controller  20 , a communication portion  30 , and an image forming portion  40 . The controller  20  includes a CPU  21 , a ROM  22  that stores programs, an image data memory  23 , and an address/data bus  24 . The communication portion  30  includes an interface  31 , an interface connector  32 , and a switch  33 . The image forming portion  40  includes a print engine interface  41 , a print engine controller  42 , and a print engine  43 . 
         [0023]    The CPU  21  performs the control of the overall operation the printer  10 , and manages the ROM  22  that stores the control program data for the CPU  21 . The image data memory  23  stores image information or print data received from the computer  11 . The CPU  21  accesses the ROM  22  and image data memory  23  through the address/data bus  24 , and reads and stores various items of data and necessary information for printing the print data. 
         [0024]    The CPU  21  is connected to the computer  11  through the interface  31  and interface connector  32  so that the printer  10  can communicate with the computer  11 . The interface  31  supports at least one of Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0, IEEE 1284, IEEE 1394, and Ethernet (R) protocol, and receives print data according to these standards. The switch  33  opens and closes the signal lines connected to the interface  31 , thereby properly connecting the control signals to the printer  10  or disconnecting the control signals from the printer  10 . 
         [0025]    Under control of the CPU  21 , the print engine interface  41  transfers the print data to the print engine controller  42  as well as transmits and receives the control signals. The print engine  43  includes a photoconductive drum, a charging unit, an exposing unit, a developing unit, a transfer roller, and a fixing unit (all not shown), and prints the print data on the recording medium. The print engine controller  42  performs the control over a drive motor and various sensors (all not shown) of the print engine  43 . 
         [0026]    When the interface  31  receives the print data from the computer  11  through the interface connector  32 , an interrupt signal is generated. Then, the CPU  21  enters an interrupt routine to detect receipt of the print data, and causes the interface  31  to direct the received print data to the image data storage memory  23  via the address/data bus  24 . The image data storage memory  23  serves as a print buffer so that the print data is directed to the print engine interface  41  via the address/data bus  24 . Then, the print engine interface  41  transmits the received print data to the print engine controller  42 , which in turn controls the print engine  43  to render the print data into bit map data before printing. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates the circuit configuration of the communication portion  30  of the printer  10 . The circuit configuration of the communication portion  30  of the printer  10  will be described with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the communication portion  30  includes an interface control device  51 , an interface connector  32 , a switch  33 , a cover or a connector cover  52 , a pull-up resistor  53 , and AND gates  54  and  55 . 
         [0029]    A clock signal  56  and a reset signal  57  from the controller  20  are input into the AND gates  54  and  55 , respectively. A switch output signal  58  is inputted into another inputs of the AND gates  54  and  55 , and is also connected to a power supply line (e.g., 3.3 V) via a pull-up resistor  53 . 
         [0030]    The output signal  59  of the AND gate  54  is fed to a CLK terminal of the interface control device  51 , and the output signal  60  of the AND gate  55  is connected to a RESET terminal of the interface control device  51 . 
         [0031]    The interface control device  51  operates on the clock signal  56  fed to the CLK terminal to control the circuits in the interface control device  51  to be either active or inactive. An I/F signal terminal of the interface control device  51  is connected to the interface connector  32 , which in turn serves as a communication cable (not shown) through which the I/F signal terminal is connected to the computer  11 . 
         [0032]    A connector cover  52  includes a plate-shaped projection  52   a,  and is positioned such that the connector cover  52  covers the interface connector  32  to prevent the interface cable from being attached to the interface connector  32 . When the connector cover  52  is mounted to cover the interface connector  32 , the projection  52   a  pushes the switch  33  so that the switch  33  becomes ON to connect the switch output signal  58  to the ground. When the projection  52   a  does not push the switch  33 , the switch  33  is OFF so that the switch output signal  58  floats from the ground. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate how the connector cover  52  is attached. A description will be given of how the connector cover  52  of the communication port  30  is attached, with reference to  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 3A , an outer plate  35  is a part of an outer chassis of the printer  10 . The outer plate  35  includes an interface connector  32  mounted thereto, and a switch hole  61  and a threaded hole  62  that are formed therein. 
         [0035]    The connector cover  52  is mounted to the outer surface of the outer plate  35  such that the projection  52   a  may extend into the switch hole  61 . The screw  63  is screwed into the threaded hole  62 , thereby fixing the connector cover  52  to the outer plate  35 . Once the connector cover  52  has been mounted to the outer surface of the outer plate  35 , the connector cover  52  covers the connector  32  to prevent the interface cable from being connected to the interface connector  32 . 
         [0036]    When the projection  52   a  enters the switch hole  61  to press the switch  33 , the switch  33  is shifted to the ON position. After the connector cover  52  has been fixed to the outer plate  35 , the switch  33  remains ON. 
       {Operational of Printer} 
       [0037]    The operation of the printer  10  of the aforementioned configuration will be described. 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  is a timing chart illustrating the operation of the image processing apparatus of the first embodiment. 
         [0039]    When the connector cover  52  has not been mounted, the switch  33  remains OFF. Therefore, the switch output signal  58  of the switch  33  is pulled up to an “H” level by a pull-up resistor  53 , feeding an “H” level signal to the AND gate  54  so that the clock signal  56  fed to the AND gate  54  directly appears on the output terminal of the AND gate  54  and is fed to the CLK terminal of the interface control device  51 . 
         [0040]    Likewise, an “H” level signal is fed to the AND gate  55  so that the reset signal  57  fed to the AND gate  55  directly appears on the output of the AND gate  55 . The output of the AND gate  55  is fed to the RESET terminal of the interface control device  51  during a period from time T 0  to time T 1 . 
         [0041]    When the connector cover  52  has been mounted to the outer plate at time T 1 , the switch  33  becomes ON, the switch output signal  58  being grounded, i.e., an “L” level. This causes the input of the AND gate  54  to be at an “L” level so that the clock signal  56  fed to the AND gate  54  will not appear on the output terminal of the AND gate  54 . Thus, the CLK terminal of the interface control device  51  remains at an “L” level. 
         [0042]    Likewise, an “L” level signal is fed to the AND gate  55  so that the reset signal  57  fed to the AND gate  55  will not appear on the output of the AND gate  55 . Thus, the RESET terminal of the interface control device  51  remains at an “L” level after time T 1 . 
         [0043]    Therefore, when the connector cover  52  has been mounted to the outer plate  35 , the interface control device  51  is not clocked by the clock signal  56 , so that the interface control device  51  consumes less electric power, preventing the image processing apparatus from being active. 
         [0044]    When the connector cover  52  has not been mounted to the outer plate  35 , the switch  33  is OFF, so that the clock signal  56  is fed to the CLK terminal of the interface control device  51 . Thus, the interface control device  51  is clocked, so that the interface control device  51  consumes more power but allows the image processing apparatus to be active. 
         [0045]    As described above, the connector cover  52  is mounted to cover the interface connector  32  so that the switch  33  and the connector cover  52  are interlocked such that the output signals  59  and  60  fed to the interface control device  51  are gated. Thus, when the output signals  59  and  60  are not fed thereto, the interface control device  51  becomes inactive, so that the interface control device  51  consumes less electric power. In this manner, the power consumption of the interface  31  is saved. 
       Second Embodiment 
     {Configuration} 
       [0046]    Elements similar to those of the first embodiment have been given the same reference numerals and their detailed description is omitted. 
         [0047]    A printer  10  of the second embodiment is of the same configuration as the first embodiment, and therefore a description will be given of a communication portion  30  only. 
         [0048]      FIG. 5  illustrates the circuits of the communication portion  30  of an image processing apparatus of the second embodiment. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the communication portion  30  includes an interface control device  51 , an interface connector  32 , a switch  33 , a communication cable or an interface cable  71 , a pull-down resistor  64 , AND gates  54  and  56 , a switch bar  72 , and a spring  73 . 
         [0050]    A clock signal  56  and a reset signal  57  are fed to the AND gate  54  and AND gate  55 , respectively. The switch output signal  58  is input to the AND gates  54  and  55 , and is grounded via a pull-down resistor  64 . 
         [0051]    The output signal  59  of the AND gate  54  is fed to a CLK terminal of the interface control device  51 . The output signal  60  of the AND gate  55  is fed to a RESET terminal of the interface control device  51 . 
         [0052]    The interface control device  51  is clocked by the clock signal  56  fed to the CLK terminal. An I/F signal terminal of the interface control device  51  is connected to an interface connector  32 , which in turn is connected to an external apparatus or a computer  11  via an interface cable  71 . 
         [0053]    A switch bar  72  is disposed in the vicinity of a receiving space  32   a  of the interface connector  32 . When the interface cable  71  is not connected to the interface connector  32 , the switch bar  72  is pressed down by a spring  73  so that the switch  33  remains OFF. With the switch  33  in the OFF position, the lower end of the switch bar  72  projects into the receiving space  32   a.    
         [0054]    When the interface cable  71  is connected into the interface connector  32 , the front end of the interface cable  71  enters the receiving space  32   a  to abut the lower end of the switch bar  72 , thereby pushing the switch bar  72  against the urging force of the spring  73 . As a result, the switch bar  72  causes the switch  33  to shift to the ON position, so that the switch output signal  58  is connected to the power supply line (3.3 V). When the switch  33  is not pushed up by the switch bar  72 , the switch  33  is at its OFF position, so that the switch output signal  58  is not connected to the power supply line. 
       {Operation of Printer} 
       [0055]    The operation of the printer  10  of the second embodiment will be described. 
         [0056]      FIG. 6  is a timing chart illustrating the operation of the image processing apparatus of the second embodiment. 
         [0057]    If the interface cable  71  has been inserted to the interface connector  32 , the switch bar  72  is at the upper position, causing the switch  33  to be ON so that the input of the AND gate  54  is at an “H” level. Thus, the clock signal fed to another input of the AND gate  54  will directly appear on the output of the AND gate  54  as an output signal  59 . The output signal  59  is then fed to the CLK terminal of the interface control device  51 . 
         [0058]    An “H” level signal is also fed to the input of the AND gate  55 , so that the reset signal  57  will directly appear on the output of the AND gate  55 . The output signal  60  is fed to the RESET terminal of the interface control device  51  during a period from time T 0  to time T 1 . 
         [0059]    Upon disconnecting the interface cable  71  from the interface connector  32  at time T 1 , the switch bar  72  is pushed downward by the urging force of the spring  73 . As a result, the switch  33  moves downward to the OFF position, so that the switch output signal  58  is grounded through the pull-down resistor  64 . Because the input signal of the AND gate  54  is at an “L” level, the clock signal fed to another input of the AND gate  54  will not appear on the output of the AND gate  54 , so that the CLK terminal of the interface control device  51  remains at an “L” level. 
         [0060]    The “L” level signal is also fed to the input of the AND gate  55 , so that the reset signal  57  fed to another input of the AND gate  55  will not appear on the output of the AND gate  55 . Thus, the output signal  60  of the AND gate  55  remains at an “L” level and the RESET terminal of the interface control device  5  is at an “L” level after time T 1 . 
         [0061]    Therefore, if the interface cable  71  has not been connected to the interface connector  32 , the interface control device  51  is not clocked by the clock signal  56 , so that the interface control device  51  becomes inactive. In this manner, the power consumption of the interface  31  may be minimized. 
         [0062]    If the interface cable  71  has been connected to the interface connector  32 , the clock signal  56  is fed to the CLK terminal of the interface control device  51 , so that the interface control device  51  is clocked. Thus, the interface control device  51  becomes active, allowing the apparatus to be active or to operate properly. 
         [0063]    Connecting the interface cable  71  into the interface connector  32  or disconnecting the interface cable  71  from the interface connector  32  causes the switch to be ON or OFF, so that the output signals  59  and  60  of the AND gates  54  and  55  for controlling the interface control device  51  are gated. The second embodiment ensures that the printer  10  is prevented from consuming electric power without using the connector cover  52  of the first embodiment. Thus, the second embodiment is more effective in consuming a least amount of electric power than the first embodiment. 
         [0064]    In this manner, the invention may be applied not only to the printer  10  shown in  FIG. 1  but also to a variety of image forming apparatuses including a facsimile machine, a copying machine, a multi-function apparatus, and other types of peripheral apparatuses. 
         [0065]    The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.