JP4147249B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a backup process of an image recording apparatus that includes an image memory and performs data processing in which a plurality of control boards expands their functions using the image memory.

  In recent years, demand for MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) devices equipped with a facsimile function, a printer function, a copying function, and the like has increased. There are various types of MFP apparatuses. Some apparatuses have all the functions, and some apparatuses have a combination of several functions. Many devices have a control board that performs processing of each function as an option in order to allow a combination of functions according to the user's request.

  In general, the printer, copying, facsimile, and these functions often require an image memory in order to perform various image processing and image editing. The image received by the facsimile function is image data owned by the communication partner, and is not owned by the user of the terminal. If a power failure occurs before the facsimile received image data is printed and the information in the image memory is erased, it is difficult to restore the image data. Therefore, it is preferable to back up the image memory for storing the image data received by facsimile. On the other hand, for the printer function and the copy function, it is common to process image data owned by the user of the terminal, and the restoration of the image data is relatively easy.

  Some of the above-mentioned MFP apparatuses can be equipped with a printer function and a copying function as standard equipment and a facsimile function as an optional equipment. In such an MFP apparatus, it is possible to provide an inexpensive MFP apparatus by mounting an image memory as standard equipment, using it in a printer or a copying function, and sharing it in a facsimile function.

  However, as described above, it is not necessary to back up the image memory for the image data in the printer or copying function, and it is sufficient to back up the received facsimile image.

  However, in the conventional configuration, the image memory is backed up regardless of the facsimile communication function.

  For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a facsimile apparatus that includes an image memory composed of a DRAM or the like and has a memory substitution reception processing function. The prior art identifies whether valid data is stored in the entire memory in order to avoid draining the backup battery when executing a predetermined memory backup process. When the main power supply is stopped, control is performed so as to store the information received by the memory refresh process by discharging the backup battery.

Specifically, as a storage memory (backup) using DRAM (dynamic memory) as the storage memory, all the storage memories are unconditionally backed up when the main power supply is stopped. The backup function was activated when the main power supply stopped only when valid data was stored in the storage memory.
JP-A-8-129511

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, if it is applied to a configuration in which the installation of the facsimile communication function is an option, the memory backup processing by the backup battery is executed regardless of the presence or absence of the facsimile communication function. Therefore, an unnecessary backup battery or the like is also mounted, which increases the cost of the entire apparatus and becomes a burden. Furthermore, the subject that the backup battery is consumed meaninglessly has arisen.

  Further, in the above-described conventional memory backup method, the operation of the backup function is determined only by the presence or absence of valid data regardless of the amount of data stored in the storage memory. Therefore, when the storage memory is composed of a plurality of ICs and memory blocks, the backup function is operated even if the effective data is small, so that there is a problem that the consumption efficiency of the backup battery is not optimal.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and is to reduce the cost of the entire image recording apparatus and to reliably perform a data backup function when an option control board is connected. . Furthermore, it is to increase the consumption efficiency of the backup power supply.

The image recording apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.

A picture imaging apparatus that records and outputs the image input means for inputting image data, storage means for storing the images data input by the input means, the image data stored in said storage means A recording unit that records and outputs an image based on the first power supply unit that supplies a voltage to the storage unit, a transmission function that transmits image data stored in the storage unit to an external device, and the external device A communication unit for executing a reception function for storing received image data in the storage unit, and a backup of the image data stored in the storage unit by supplying a voltage to the storage unit as an alternative to the first power supply unit Detecting means for detecting whether or not a communication board having a second power supply means for connecting to the image recording apparatus is connected to the communication board by the detecting means. When the voltage supplied from the first power supply means to the storage means falls below a reference voltage, the first power supply means supplies a voltage to the storage means. And switching means for switching from the state to a state in which the second power supply means supplies a voltage to the storage means .

According to the present invention, the image data stored in the storage means can be recorded on the image recording apparatus without providing a backup battery or the like for backing up the image data stored in the storage means included in the image recording apparatus. When a communication board is connected to the device, backup can be appropriately performed.

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

<Description of system configuration>
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This example corresponds to an example of a communication apparatus configured by connecting, for example, a board that executes predetermined function processing to the system control board 30, for example, a facsimile communication board 31 and an NCU board 32.

  In this embodiment, an example of a composite image processing apparatus whose function can be expanded by connecting an option board is shown as the image processing apparatus. Hereinafter, the composite image processing apparatus will be described simply as an image processing apparatus.

  In the system control board 30 shown in FIG. 1, the CPU 1 controls the entire image processing apparatus including each device connected to the bus according to a control program stored in the ROM 2.

  The SRAM 3 and the image memory 4 are backed up by a battery, and store data that should be saved even when a power failure occurs or the power supply unit 20 is shut off. The image memory 4 is composed of a volatile memory medium such as a DRAM, for example, and is composed of a plurality of memory blocks such as a plurality of image memory blocks 41, an image memory block 42, an image memory block 43, and an image memory block 44 (storage memory block). Is done.

  The image memory 4 stores image data output from the reading unit 11 for facsimile transmission and copying. Similarly, the image memory 4 also stores image data to be output to the recording unit 12 for facsimile reception, copying, and printing.

  The SRAM 3 is used for storing abbreviated dial and one-touch dial data for specifying a transmission destination to which image data is to be transmitted, and a software switch state. The image memory 4 is mainly used for storing image data. The crystal oscillator (X′TAL) 22 supplies a system clock to the CPU 1.

  PM6 is a power management circuit, and includes a system reset, a watchdog timer, a control circuit for performing backup control of the image memory 4 and the SRAM 3, and a charge / discharge circuit for the primary battery 7 and the secondary battery 8.

  The system control unit 9 is a system control IC, and includes a general-purpose port, a DRAM controller, a bus master real-time port, a SLAVE-UPI interface, and the like. Furthermore, the system control unit 9 includes a CI detection timer, a panel interface, a general-purpose timer, a clock generator 25, an ESS control circuit, a CODEC, and the like.

  The CODEC encodes transmission data and reception data, and the reading unit 11 reads an original image by the imaging device (CS) 27 at the time of facsimile transmission, copying, and image reading. Is.

  The LCD controller 14 includes an LCD control circuit that controls the LCD unit of the operation panel 19 and a general-purpose I / O. Further, the primary battery 7 is used as a power source for backup of the SRAM 3, and the secondary battery 8 is used as a power source for backup of the image memory 4, and a chargeable element is used.

  An RTC (real time clock) 5 is used to display the date and time for communication and is backed up by a primary battery 7. Note that PM6 is also backed up by the primary battery 7.

  The recording unit 12 prints out an image at the time of facsimile reception, copying, or printer, and includes a recording mechanism such as an electrophotographic system or an inkjet system. The modem unit 13 modulates transmission data and demodulates reception data, and operates according to a timing signal generated by the oscillation circuit 23.

  The power supply unit 20 supplies DC power to the digital MFP apparatus. When an AC (100 V in this embodiment) 21 is input when the power switch is turned on, a plurality of DC voltages (for example, 24 V, 12 V, 18 V, 5.. 0V, 3.3V).

  The power supply unit 20 includes a standby power supply 201 and a main power supply 202 each composed of a switching power supply circuit (see also FIG. 5). The main power supply 202 is remotely controlled by the CPU 1 to control a remote signal to turn on / off the voltage output. Take control.

  Among them, the main power source 202 is 3.3V for driving the recording unit 12, 24V for driving the motor and the plunger, 12V for driving the analog circuit of the communication system, and 18V for detecting the hook of the telephone. It is composed of a supply circuit.

  On the other hand, the standby power supply 201 is configured with 5V or 3.3V for driving the system control unit of the communication apparatus. The NCU board 32 includes an NCU 15, a telephone line 16, a main telephone 17, and a slave / answering machine 18.

  The facsimile communication board 31 is connected to the system control board 30 when providing a facsimile communication function as an option.

  The facsimile communication board 31 includes a MODEM 13 and a secondary battery 8.

  The secondary battery 8 of the facsimile communication board 31 functions as a backup power source for backing up image data stored in the image memory 4 when the facsimile communication board 31 is connected to the system control board 30. That is, when the facsimile communication function is added, the image data stored in the image memory 4 is backed up. This is to prevent the image data received by the memory and stored in the image memory 4 and the image data stored for the time designation communication from being erased due to an accident such as a power failure.

  The image processing apparatus configured as described above includes a system control board 30 that functions as a first control board that performs predetermined image processing. When the facsimile communication board 31 functioning as the second control board is connected to the image processing apparatus, the memory backup function for the image memory 4 for storing data processed by the system control board 30 is validated. When the facsimile communication board 31 is not required, the secondary battery 8 is provided on the facsimile communication board 31 side, so that image processing using only the system control board 30 including the image memory 4 is sufficient. Compared with the case where the secondary battery 8 is provided in advance on the system control board 30 side, the cost burden is significantly reduced. Conversely, when the facsimile communication board 31 is required, that is, when the facsimile communication board 31 accumulates data in the image memory 4 and transmits / receives data, the secondary battery 8 may validate the memory backup of the image memory 4. Be certain. Therefore, even if an unexpected power supply trouble such as a power failure occurs while the facsimile communication board 31 is being used, it is possible to reliably avoid a situation in which data stored in the image memory 4 is lost.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the board side that is originally connected for function expansion is provided with additional resources such as members, means, control programs, and power supplies necessary for executing further function processing. . By using these resource functions, further function processing is executed by using a member such as a memory unit which is provided on the control board side and becomes a basic resource. As described above, the basic configuration of the control board can be simplified, and a design that satisfies both the requirements of reducing the cost of the entire apparatus and ensuring the execution of the extended function can be performed freely. In the present embodiment, the case where the secondary battery 8 is used for the backup function process for the image memory 4 has been described. However, the present invention is applicable not only to the image processing apparatus but also to various electronic devices.

  2 is a block diagram for explaining the correspondence between the image memory 4 and the facsimile communication board 31 of the system control board 30 shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the image memory 4 is composed of a plurality of image memory blocks 41 to 44, and the large-capacity image memory 4 is stored by using each of the image memory blocks 41 to 44. Can be configured.

  The image memory 4 is connected to each of the image memory blocks 41 to 44 of the image memory 4 when the facsimile communication board 31 is connected and the voltage supplied from the main power supply 202 to the image memory 4 is lowered. Read valid data that needs to be backed up. Next, after densely writing to any one of the blocks, only the image memory block in which the densely stored image data is backed up so that the contents are not lost by the backup power source from the secondary battery 8. Further, the discharge of the secondary battery 8 is controlled by the PM 6 based on the procedure of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 described later so as to limit the backup power supply to the image memory block in which no other image data is stored. Yes.

  Thus, by densely writing in any of the blocks, it is possible to aggregate the data distributed in each image memory block as much as possible and reduce the number of memory blocks to be used as much as possible. Therefore, the time that can be backed up by the secondary battery 8 can be increased accordingly.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the memory backup control method in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the backup power supply procedure by the secondary battery 8 by the PM 6 shown in FIG. S1 to S7 indicate steps, and each step is realized by the CPU 1 loading a control program stored in the ROM 2 into the system memory and executing it.

  First, in step S1, the presence / absence of an option board is detected when the CPU 1 detects the pin when an option board, for example, a facsimile communication board 31 is mounted on the system control board 30.

  Next, in step S2, the supply voltage of the image memory 4 from the power supply unit 20 (for example, 3.3V as shown in FIG. 4) is checked by the PM 6 and is lower than a preset reference voltage. (S3). When it is determined that the voltage has not decreased, the process returns to step S2 to monitor the decrease state of the supply voltage of the image memory 4.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that the voltage has dropped, the CPU 1 checks the data writing status to each of the image memory blocks 41, 42, 43, and 44 in the image memory 4 in step S4. Check the write destination and the amount of data.

  The operation of step S4 may be controlled so that a check can be performed in a short time at the time of a power failure by grasping in advance before the power failure occurs.

  Next, in step S5, the image data is rewritten from the check result of the writing status of the image data in each block.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that data is rewritten by packing data in order from the image memory block 41 of the image memory 4.

  Next, in step S6, after rewriting the image data, a backup power supply is requested only for the memory block in which the image data is written under the control of PM6.

  Note that the current consumption of the image memory 4 is reduced by controlling the PM 6 so that the backup power is not supplied to the image memory in which no data is written. In this case, the backup time that can be backed up by the secondary battery 8 can be further increased as compared with the case of backing up all the image memory blocks by the secondary battery 8.

  In step S7, the image memory backup is continued, and when the main power supply from the power supply unit 20 is started, the PM 6 ends the backup control from the secondary battery 8.

  As a result, the backup power supply destination of the secondary battery 8 is an image memory block in which the image data repacked in step S5 is stored. The backup power is not supplied from the secondary battery 8 to the image memory block in which no image data is stored. Accordingly, the time for which the secondary battery 8 can back up the image data can be extended, and even if a power failure such as a power failure occurs, the reproducible time of the stored image data can be lengthened accordingly.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a backup power supply circuit to the secondary battery 8 and the image memory 4 shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In FIG. 4, reference numeral 46 denotes a diode, to which, for example, +3.3 V of the main power supply 20 is applied and charges the super capacitor 47. Reference numeral 49 denotes a regulator to which a reset signal is applied. When a power failure occurs, the reset signal is in an “L” state, and the output of the super capacitor 47 is applied to the image memory 4. In a normal state, the reset signal is in the “H” state, and the above-described +3.3 V is controlled to be applied through from the main power supply 20. 48 is a diode.

  The supercapacitor 47 is a capacitor having a high power density and high energy density structure. This capacitor is generally simulated by using charge accumulation (physical adsorption / desorption of ions to and from the electrode) and redox reaction on the electrode surface by an electric double layer formed at the interface between the electrode and the electrolyte. It utilizes both capacity (electrochemical adsorption / desorption of ions to and from the electrode).

  According to the first embodiment, the secondary battery for backing up the image memory is mounted on the option board having the optional function. Therefore, it is possible to supply a backup power source for backing up the image memory by mounting the option board. The image memory is not backed up regardless of the presence or absence of the optional function as in the conventional configuration, and the image memory can be backed up according to the function.

  The circuit configuration shown above is common to image processing apparatuses such as facsimile machines or similar digital multi-function peripherals. The present invention is not limited to the configuration according to such a facsimile machine, Needless to say, the present invention can be implemented in a communication apparatus of the form. For example, the present invention can be applied to a communication device equipped with an electronic mail function.

  For example, the present invention can also be implemented in a configuration in which a facsimile terminal is externally installed / built in a general-purpose terminal such as a personal computer and facsimile communication is performed by software control.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, when a voltage drop is detected in step S3 shown in FIG. 3, the image data scattered in each image memory block is sequentially repacked with respect to the target memory block. The case of writing to was explained. The top memory block is exemplified as the target memory block. However, even when a voltage drop is detected, the entire memory block is simply backed up by the secondary battery 8 without executing the refilling process, and the power supply is configured to transit to the memory backup state in a short time. You may comprise so that it can adapt to 20 instantaneous interruptions.

  Further, when a voltage drop is detected, only a block in which valid image data exists in the image memory block may be individually backed up.

  Further, when a voltage drop is detected, if valid image data is scattered in a large number of blocks, not only the top block but also a specific memory block preset in the memory block is collected and stored again. You may control as follows.

  Further, when a voltage drop is detected, control for writing image data scattered in the memory block in advance in a specific memory block in the background process may be executed. In this case, step S51 shown in FIG. 3 is executed at a timing preceding step S1, the process of step S5 shown in FIG. 3 is skipped, and step S6 can be executed promptly.

  Further, when a voltage drop is detected, a mode setting for determining whether to execute the backup control shown in FIG. 3 is provided, and whether to execute the backup control is determined based on the setting state of the mode. May be. In this case, useless discharge processing from the charged secondary battery 8 can be limited, and the life of the secondary battery 8 can be kept long.

  At that time, when data is received from a specific data receiving destination, control for enabling or disabling the mode setting may be combined.

  Further, as described above, control for enabling or disabling the mode setting based on the connection state of the option board may be combined.

[Other Embodiments]
The configuration of a data processing program that can be read by the image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs that can be read by the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

  Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIG. 3 in this embodiment may be performed by the host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.

  A storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments may be supplied to the system or apparatus. The object of the present invention is achieved by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Therefore, as long as it has the function of the program, the form of the program such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS is not limited.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD, etc. Can be used.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As another program supply method, the program may be downloaded from a home page on the Internet using a browser of a client computer. The computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function may be downloaded from a home page to a recording medium such as a hard disk. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server, an ftp server, and the like that allow a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer are also included in the claims of the present invention.

  Further, the program of the present invention may be encrypted and stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed to users. In this case, only the user who has cleared the predetermined condition downloads the key information to be decrypted from the homepage via the Internet, executes the encrypted program by using the key information, and installs it on the computer. May be.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments may be realized by executing the program code read by the computer. Note that an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the processing.

  Furthermore, the program code read from the storage medium may be written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Based on the instruction of the program code, a CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit may perform part or all of the actual processing. The function of the above-described embodiment is also realized by this processing.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram explaining a response | compatibility with the image memory and facsimile communication board of the system control board concerning embodiment of this invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a memory backup control method in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the backup power supply circuit to the secondary battery and image memory concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the storage medium which stores the various data processing program which can be read with the image processing apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 CPU
2 ROM
4 Image memory 6 PM
7 Primary battery 8 Secondary battery 20 Power supply

Claims (3)

A picture imaging apparatus that records output image,
Input means for inputting image data;
Storage means for storing the images data input by said input means,
Recording means for recording and outputting an image based on the image data stored in the storage means;
First power supply means for supplying a voltage to the storage means;
A communication means for executing a transmission function for transmitting image data stored in the storage means to an external device, a reception function for storing image data received from the external device in the storage means, and a first power supply means. Alternatively, it is detected whether or not a communication board having a second power supply means for supplying a voltage to the storage means and backing up image data stored in the storage means is connected to the image recording apparatus. Detecting means for
In the case where the connection of the communication board is detected by the detection unit, the first power supply unit is configured to detect the first power supply unit when the voltage supplied to the storage unit by the first power supply unit is lower than a reference voltage. Switching means for switching from a state in which a voltage is supplied to the storage means to a state in which the second power supply means supplies a voltage to the storage means;
An image recording apparatus comprising: The second power supply unit is charged with a voltage supplied from the first voltage supply unit when the communication board is connected to the image forming apparatus. Image recording device. The storage means has a plurality of storage blocks to which voltages are independently supplied by the first power supply means,
When the voltage supplied from the first power supply unit to the storage unit is lower than the reference voltage, the switching unit is configured to store the image data in a storage block that stores image data among the plurality of storage blocks. While the voltage from the second power supply unit is supplied, the voltage is switched to the state in which the voltage from the second power supply unit is not supplied to the storage block in which no image data is stored among the plurality of storage blocks. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1.

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