Patent Publication Number: US-2009237244-A1

Title: Electronic Device, Printer and Multi-Functional Device

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to an electronic device, a printer and a multi-functional device. 
     2. Related Art 
     Electronic devices, such as a printer, include a real-time clock (RTC) for printing the current time and for other purposes. The RTC usually has a dedicated power supply (e.g., a capacitor) connected thereto and keeps the current time when the main power supply of the electronic device is turned off. 
     JP-A-2001-45678 discloses turning on the main power supply to charge the backup power supply which supplies electric power to the RTC when the output voltage of the backup power supply becomes low. 
     In the disclosed system, however, the backup power supply cannot be charged unless the main power supply is turned on, and thus the RTC may become inaccurate. Accordingly, general electronic devices issue a warning in response to lowered output voltage of the backup power supply so as to encourage a user to set the clock. 
     The electronic devices, however, stop encouraging the user to set the clock when the backup power supply is charged even when the clock is not yet set. The user is therefore not aware of inaccurate clock of the electronic devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention provides a technique for suitably encouraging the user to set the clock. 
     An electronic device according to an aspect of the invention obtains time from a real-time clock, the real-time clock keeping time with electric power supplied from a specific chargeable/dischargeable power supply, the real-time clock including: a discharge detecting unit which detects whether the power supply is discharging; a clock setup unit which sets a clock for the real-time clock; a clock setup flag which indicates whether the clock has been set by the clock setup unit; and a warning unit which issues a warning to encourage a user to set the clock in a period since the discharge of the power supply is detected until the clock is newly set, in which when the clock is set, the clock setup unit turns the clock setup flag on to indicate that the clock is set; when the warning unit issues a warning, the clock setup unit turns the clock setup flag off to indicate that the clock is not yet set; and the warning unit issues the warning when the clock setup flag is off. 
     According to the electronic device of the invention, a user can suitably be encouraged to set the clock. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements. 
         FIG. 1  shows a hardware configuration of a multi-functional device according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a functional configuration of the multi-functional device. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates an initial setup flag. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a clock setup flag. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a start-up process executed by the multi-functional device. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart of an initial setup executed by the multi-functional device. 
         FIG. 6A  shows an exemplary warning message displayed on a panel. 
         FIG. 6B  shows an exemplary language setup screen displayed on the panel. 
         FIG. 6C  shows an exemplary time difference setup screen displayed on the panel. 
         FIG. 6D  shows an exemplary clock setup screen displayed on the panel. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, an embodiment of the invention will be described. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a multi-functional device  100  to which the present embodiment of the invention is applied. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the multi-functional device  100  includes a central processing unit (CPU)  101 , a memory control application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)  102 , a volatile memory  103  and a non-volatile memory  104 . 
     The CPU  101  executes programs to control the entire multi-functional device  100 . 
     The memory control ASIC  102  controls memories connected to the multi-functional device  100 . For example, the memory control ASIC  102  controls the volatile memory  103  which temporarily stores data and programs and the non-volatile memory  104  which stores programs. 
     The volatile memory  103  is a semiconductor memory which loses stored information when the power supply is turned off. The volatile memory  103  may be a random access memory (RAM), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM). The non-volatile memory  104  is a semiconductor memory which maintains stored information even after the power supply is turned off. The non-volatile memory  104  may be a flash memory and a read-only memory (ROM). 
     The multi-functional device  100  further includes an image processing ASIC  105 , a print control ASIC  106 , a video data interface  107  and a print engine  108 . 
     The image processing ASIC  105  is circuit(s) which converts to-be-printed data (e.g., image data) into data formatted for printing. In particular, the image processing ASIC  105  executes color conversion, compression, extension, binarization or other processes to the to-be-printed data to generate data formatted for printing. 
     The print control ASIC  106  controls the print engine  108 . In particular, the print control ASIC  106  generates to-be-printed image data based on the data formatted for printing supplied from the image processing ASIC  105  and sends the image data to the print engine  108  for printing. 
     The video data interface  107  sends video data to the print engine  108  for printing. In particular, the video data interface  107  develops the data formatted for printing supplied from the image processing ASIC  105  to the video data for every page and sends the developed video data to the print engine  108  for printing. 
     The print engine  108  includes a print head, a carriage, a toner cartridge, a photoreceptor drum, a laser beam irradiation mechanism, a paper transporting mechanism and a mechanism for feeding and discarding paper. The print engine  108  prints data supplied from the print control ASIC  106  or the video data interface  107  on a printing medium. The print engine  108  also prints time at which the data is transmitted from the RTC  113 , which will be described later, on a printing medium (e.g., in a header) based on an instruction from the CPU  101 . 
     The multi-functional device  100  further includes a scanner ASIC  109  and a scanner device  110 . 
     The scanner ASIC  109  controls the scanner device  110 . The scanner ASIC  112  sends image data generated by the scanner device  115  to the memory control ASIC  130 . 
     The scanner device  110  reads original documents, such as photograph and illustration, using an image sensor based on an instruction from the scanner ASIC  109 , converts the read information into digital data so as to generate image data. 
     The multi-functional device  100  further includes an I/O control ASIC  111 , a panel  112 , a real-time clock (RTC)  113 , a power supply circuit for RTC  114 , external interfaces  115  and a main power supply  116 . 
     The I/O control ASIC  111  controls various I/O devices. For example, the I/O control ASIC  111  controls the panel  112 , the RTC  113 , the power supply circuit for RTC  114  and the external interfaces  115 . The I/O control ASIC  111  sends the to-be-printed data received via the external interfaces  115  to the volatile memory  103  in a direct memory access (DMA) format. The I/O control ASIC  111  obtains voltage potential output by the power supply circuit for RTC  114  toward the RTC  113 . 
     The panel  112  may be a liquid crystal display for displaying data to be presented to the user and various setup screens. The user provides instructions by touching the panel  112 . The panel  112  displays, for example, a message for encouraging the user to set the clock of the RTC  113 , which will be described later. 
     The main power supply  116  supplies electric power provided from a home/office wall socket to each unit of the multi-functional device  100 . 
     The power supply circuit for RTC  114  supplies electric power to the RTC  113 , which will be described later, separately from the main power supply  116 . The power supply circuit for RTC  114  includes a built-in high-performance capacitor called a super capacitor, a gold capacitor or an electric double-layer capacitor. The power supply circuit for RTC  114  accumulates (i.e., charges) the electric power supplied from the main power supply  116  in the capacitor when the main power supply  116  is on. The power supply circuit for RTC  114  emits (i.e., discharges) the electric power accumulated in the capacitor to when the main power supply  116  is off so as to cause the RTC  113  to continuously operate. 
     The RTC  113  keeps the current time with the electric power supplied from the RTC power supply circuit  114  even when the main power supply  116  is turned off. For example, the RTC  113  operates with a clock provided separately from the clock of the CPU  101  and keeps current year, month, day, hour, minute and second as separate data. The RTC  113  outputs digital signals representing the current time to the CPU  101  in response to the encouragement from the CPU  101 . 
     The external interfaces  115  are provided for transmitting and receiving data between devices connected to the external interfaces  115 . The devices may include input devices, such as switches and buttons, output devices, such as displays, USB devices, devices for parallel communication and devices for network communication. The switches may include a main power supply switch for turning on and off the electric power from the main power supply  116  to each unit. 
     The multi-functional device  100  to which the present embodiment is applied has the above-described configuration, but the multi-functional device  100  is not limited thereto. For example, the multi-functional device  100  may be a printer with no scanning function (i.e., with no scanner ASIC  119  or no scanner device  110 ). The multi-functional device  100  may be a scanner device with no printing function (i.e., with no print control ASIC  106 , no video data interface  107  or no print engine  108 ). 
     Alternatively, the multi-functional device  100  may be an electronic device which has neither printing function nor scanner function. The multi-functional device  100  may have a facsimile function. 
     Next, a functional configuration of the multi-functional device  100  will be described. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram which shows an exemplary functional configuration of the multi-functional device  100 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the multi-functional device  100  includes a start-up setup section  310 , a function control section  320  and a function executing section  330 . 
     The start-up setup section  310 , the function control section  320  and the function executing section  330  are provided as software or hardware built when the CPU  101  executes predetermined programs or when the components shown in  FIG. 1  are operated. 
     The start-up setup section  310  executes various setup processes during system start-up of the multi-functional device  100 . In particular, the start-up setup section  310  executes the following processes: a process for the initial setup which includes a language setup, a time difference setup and a clock setup for RTC  113  in accordance with user instructions; a process for detecting a discharging state of the power supply circuit for RTC  114  (i.e., whether the output voltage potential of the power supply circuit for RTC  114  is below a predetermined threshold value); and a process of issuing a warning to encourage the user to set the clock. 
     The start-up setup section  310  manages an initial setup flag  400  which indicates whether the clock setup is completed among other processes executed during the initial setup (i.e., the language setup, the time difference setup and the clock setup).  FIG. 3A  illustrates the initial setup flag  400 . The initial setup flag  400  stores data indicating that the clock setup is completed or not yet completed. When the clock setup is completed during the initial setup, the start-up setup section  310  turns the initial setup flag  400  on to indicate completion of the clock setup. When the initial setup is completed without setting the clock, the start-up setup section  310  turns the initial setup flag  400  off to indicate that the clock setup is not yet completed. The initial setup flag  400  is stored in the non-volatile memory  104  or a dedicated resistor (not shown) and is maintained even after the power supply  116  is turned off. 
     The start-up setup section  310  which executes the above processes includes a user interface section  311 , a clock setup section  312 , a power supply for RTC management section  313  and a warning section  314 . 
     The user interface section  311  receives user instructions regarding the language setup, the time difference setup and the clock setup. 
     The clock setup section  312  sets the current time kept by the RTC  113 . For example, the clock setup section  312  separately updates the data-regarding year, month, day, hour, minute and second kept by the RTC  113 . 
     The clock setup section  312  manages a clock setup flag  500  indicating that the clock setup of the RTC  113  is completed or not yet completed after the discharge of the power supply circuit for RTC  114 .  FIG. 3B  illustrates the clock setup flag  500 . The clock setup flag  500  stores data indicating that the clock setup is completed or not yet completed after the discharge of the power supply circuit for RTC  114 . When the clock setup is completed after the discharge of the power supply circuit for RTC  114 , the clock setup section  312  turns the clock setup flag  500  on to indicate completion of the clock setup after the discharge. If the power supply circuit for RTC  114  discharges, the clock setup section  312  turns the clock setup flag  500  off to indicate that the clock setup is not yet completed after the discharge. The clock setup flag  500  is stored in the non-volatile memory  104  or a dedicated resistor (not shown) and is maintained even after the power supply  116  is turned off. 
     The power supply for RTC management section  313  detects the discharging state of the power supply circuit for RTC  114 . In particular, the power supply for RTC management section  313  obtains the output voltage potential from the power supply circuit for RTC  114 , determines that the power supply circuit for RTC  114  is in the discharging state when the obtained potential is below a predetermined threshold value and determines that the power supply circuit for RTC  114  is a charging state when the obtained potential is above the threshold value. 
     The warning section  314  issues a warning to encourage the user to set the clock. In particular, the warning section  314  refers to the clock setup flag  500  and displays a message for encouraging the user to set the clock on the panel  112  if the clock setup flag  500  is off. 
     The function control section  320  controls printing and scanning of an original document in the multi-functional device  100 . For example, the function control section  320  generates to-be-printed image data based on the to-be-printed data and sends instructions to the function executing section  330  to print the generated to-be-printed image data. The function control section  320  also sends instructions to the function executing section  330  to scan the original document placed on a platen of the scanner device  110 . 
     The function executing section  330  causes the print engine  108  to print on a printing medium, such as a sheet of printing paper, according to the instructions of the function control section  320 . The function executing section  330  also causes the scanner device  110  to scan the original document according to the instructions of the function control section  320 . 
     Next, characteristic operation of the thus-configured multi-functional device  100  will be described.  FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing a process executed by the multi-functional device  100  during system start-up. 
     The start-up setup section  310  of the multi-functional device  100  starts the process to be executed during system start-up when the electric power supply of the main power supply  116  is turned on. In particular, when signals for turning on the main power supply switch connected to the external interfaces  115  are supplied to the CPU  101 , the CPU  101  reads a predetermined program from the non-volatile memory  104  to the volatile memory  103  and starts the process to be executed during system start-up. 
     After the process to be executed during system start-up is started, the start-up setup section  310  determines whether the clock setup included in the initial setup is completed (step S 101 ). In particular, the CPU  101  refers to the initial setup flag  400  and determines whether the flag  400  is on (i.e., completed) or off (i.e., not completed). 
     If negative in step S 101 , i.e., if the start-up setup section  310  determines that the initial setup flag  400  is off and thus the clock setup is not yet completed, the routine proceeds to step S 102  where the initial setup is executed. The procedure of the initial setup will be described in detail later. 
     If affirmative in step S 101 , i.e., if the start-up setup section  310  determines that the initial setup flag  400  is on and thus the clock setup is completed), the routine proceeds to step S 103 . 
     Subsequently, the power supply for RTC management section  313  obtains the output voltage potential of the power supply circuit for RTC (i.e., the capacitor)  114  (step S 103 ). In particular, the I/O control ASIC  111  obtains potential of the voltage currently output to the RTC  113  from the power supply circuit for RTC  114  and sends the obtained potential to the CPU  101 . 
     Subsequently, the power supply for RTC management section  313  detects the state of the power supply circuit for RTC  114  based on the potential obtained in step S 103  and determines that the power supply circuit for RTC  114  is in a discharging state (step S 104 ). In particular, the CPU  101  compares a predetermined threshold value stored in the non-volatile memory  104  and the potential obtained in step S 103  and determines the state of the power supply circuit for RTC  114 . 
     If affirmative in step S 104 , i.e., if the power supply for RTC management section  313  determines that the potential obtained in step S 103  is below the predetermined threshold value, the power supply circuit for RTC  114  is determined to be in the discharging state and the routine proceeds to step S 106 . If negative in step S 104 , i.e., if the power supply for RTC management section  313  determines that the potential obtained in step S 103  is above the predetermined threshold value, the power supply circuit for RTC  114  is determined not to be in the discharging state (i.e., be in the charging state) and the routine proceeds to step S 105 . 
     Subsequently, the clock setup section  312  determines whether the clock setup is completed after the discharge (step S 105 ). In particular, the CPU  101  refers to the clock setup flag  500  and determines whether the flag  500  is on (i.e., the clock setup is completed) or off (i.e., the clock setup is not yet completed). 
     If negative in step S 105 , i.e., if the clock setup section  312  determines that the clock setup flag  500  is off, the routine proceeds to step S 106 . If affirmative in step S 105 , i.e., if the clock setup section  312  determines that the clock setup flag  500  is on, the current time kept by the RTC  113  has been suitably set and the process executed during system start-up is completed. 
     Subsequently, the warning section  314  issues a warning for encouraging the user to set the clock (step S 106 ). In particular, the CPU  101  causes a warning message  600  to be displayed on the panel  112  via the I/O control ASIC  111 . An exemplary warning message  600 , “set the clock!” herein, displayed on the panel  112  is shown in  FIG. 6A . 
     In the present embodiment, the warning of step S 106  is issued not only when the power supply circuit for RTC  114  is in the discharging state (i.e., if affirmative in step S 104 ), but also when the power supply circuit for RTC  114  is in the charging state and the clock of the RTC  113  is not yet set. In this manner, the user recognizes incomplete setup of the clock of the RTC  113  even if the power supply circuit for RTC  114  is in the charging state. 
     Subsequent to step S 106 , the clock setup section  312  turns the clock setup flag  500  off (step S 107 ). In particular, the CPU  101  accesses the non-volatile memory  104  or a dedicated register and turns the clock setup flag  500  off indicating that the clock setup is not yet completed. 
     The start-up setup section  310  then completes the process executed during system start-up. 
     Next, the procedure of the initial setup during system start-up will be described in detail.  FIG. 5  is a flowchart of the initial setup executed by the multi-functional device  100 . 
     The start-up setup section  310  starts the initial setup when the routine of the process to be executed during system start-up shown in  FIG. 4  proceeds to step S 102 . 
     Upon starting the initial setup, the start-up setup section  310  first sets the language to be used in the multi-functional device  100  (i.e., the language setup) (step S 201 ). In particular, the CPU  101  causes a language setup screen to be displayed on the panel  112  via the I/O control ASIC  111 .  FIG. 6B  illustrates an exemplary language setup screen displayed on the panel  112 . As shown in  FIG. 6B , the CPU  101  causes the language options (e.g., Japanese, English and French) to be displayed. The user interface section  311  receives a user instruction for selecting one of the language options (e.g., the I/O control ASIC  111  sends the user instruction received on the panel  112  to the CPU  101 ). The CPU  101  then registers the selected language in, for example, the non-volatile memory  104  as the language to be used in the multi-functional device  100 . 
     Subsequently, the start-up setup section  310  sets the time difference of the local area where the multi-functional device  100  is used (i.e., the time difference setup) (step S 202 ). In particular, the CPU  101  causes a time difference setup screen to be displayed on the panel  112  via the I/O control ASIC  111 .  FIG. 6C  illustrates an exemplary time difference setup screen displayed on the panel  112 . As shown in  FIG. 6C , the CPU  101  causes the hour and minute to be displayed for setting the time difference. The user interface section  311  receives a user instruction for specifying the hour and minute (e.g., the I/O control ASIC  111  sends the user instruction received on the panel  112  to the CPU  101 ). The CPU  101  registers the hour and minute in, for example, the non-volatile memory  104  as the time difference of the multi-functional device  100 . 
     Subsequently, the start-up setup section  310  determines whether an instruction for completing the initial setup has been issued (step S 203 ). In particular, if affirmative in step S 203 , i.e., if the CPU  101  has received the instruction for completing the initial setup from the input device connected to the external interfaces  115  (e.g., by the user pressing BACK button), the routine proceeds to step S 207 . If negative in step S 203 , i.e., if the CPU  101  has not received any instruction for completing the initial setup in a predetermined period after the instruction was received in step S 202 , the routine proceeds to step S 204 . 
     In step S 204 , the clock setup section  312  sets the current time kept by the RTC  113  (i.e., the clock setup) (step S 204 ). In particular, the CPU  101  causes a clock setup screen to be displayed on the panel  112  via the I/O control ASIC  111 .  FIG. 6D  illustrates an exemplary clock setup screen displayed on the panel  112 . As shown in  FIG. 6D , the CPU  101  causes year, month, day, hour and minute to be displayed for the clock setup. The user interface section  311  receives a user instruction for specifying the year, month, day, hour and minute (e.g., the I/O control ASIC  111  sends the user instruction received on the panel  112  to the CPU  101 ). The CPU  101  sets the specified year, month, day, hour and minute as the current time of the RTC  113 . 
     Subsequently, the start-up setup section  310  turns the initial setup flag  400  on (step S 205 ). In particular, the CPU  101  accesses the non-volatile memory  104  or a dedicated register and turns the initial setup flag  400  on indicating that the clock setup is completed. 
     The clock setup section  312  also turns the clock setup flag  500  on (step S 206 ). In particular, the CPU  101  accesses the non-volatile memory  104  or a dedicated register and turns the clock setup flag  500  on indicating that the clock setup is completed after the discharge. In this manner, no more warning will be issued in step S 106  by the multi-functional device  100  after the clock setup is completed. 
     The start-up setup section  310  then completes the process executed during system start-up. 
     On the other hand, the start-up setup section  310  turns the initial setup flag  400  off (step S 207 ). In particular, the CPU  101  accesses the non-volatile memory  104  or a dedicated register and turns the initial setup flag  400  off indicating that the clock setup is not yet completed. In this manner, the multi-functional device  100  continues issuing warnings in step S 106  until the clock setup in the initial setup is completed. 
     The start-up setup section  310  then completes the initial setup and the routine proceeds to step S 103  of the process executed during system start-up. 
     As described above, the multi-functional device  100  executing the processes for system start-up and initial setup suitably encourages the user to set the clock. For example, even if the power supply circuit for RTC  114  is not in the discharging state, the multi-functional device  100  may encourage the user to set the clock unless the clock of the RTC  113  is not yet set after the discharge. 
     The invention is not limited to those described and various modifications and applications may be made to the described embodiment. 
     For example, although the clock setup in step S 204  is executed when the user instruction is received via the input device such as the panel  112 , the invention is not limited thereto. The clock of the RTC  113  may alternatively be set with the current time obtained from a network time protocol (NTP) server that is network-connected to the multi-functional device  100 . 
     The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-073073, filed Mar. 21, 2008 is expressly incorporated by reference herein.