JP4446702B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copy, and a FAX, a computer program, and a recording medium, and more particularly to control corresponding to removal of a recording medium used for updating a program used in the image forming apparatus.

  In a conventional image forming apparatus, it is common to operate the apparatus using program data stored in a flash ROM, a DIMM, or the like. However, in recent years, with the popularization of large-capacity storage media such as SD cards, a technique for temporarily expanding program data stored in a large-capacity storage medium on a memory such as a RAM and operating the program on the memory has become widespread. I have done it.

  However, in this technique, program data is expanded from a large-capacity storage medium to operate on the RAM, and once the program data is expanded on the memory, the program data is transferred from the RAM by turning the power OFF / ON. Unless erased, the program stored in the mass storage medium will not be used thereafter. That is, after a program stored in a medium is developed and operated on a RAM in a certain apparatus, the mass storage medium is extracted from the apparatus and mounted on another apparatus and similarly expanded on the RAM. The same program stored on the same medium can be shared among a plurality of devices. The fact that a program stored in one medium can be used by a plurality of devices in this way is a serious problem in terms of the copyright of the program. Especially for media such as SD cards that can be physically inserted and removed, it is possible to reuse the same program data between multiple devices without any risk, which is a serious problem from the viewpoint of protecting the copyright of the program. It was.

As a related invention, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. However, in the present invention, when the control ROM and the data ROM are installed incorrectly, the image forming apparatus is turned on. In some cases, a control program for guiding a mounting abnormality provided in advance in the data ROM is activated to display the mounting abnormality on the liquid crystal display unit and to stop the apparatus.
JP-A-11-342657

  However, the known technique is to display a mounting abnormality in the case of incorrect mounting of the ROM and stop the device. When the media is removed, the device is disabled or stored in the media. Nothing known to make the program unusable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the actual situation of the prior art as described above, and an object thereof is to prevent unauthorized use (reuse) of program data.

To achieve the above object, the first means is an image forming apparatus, a first recording medium in which the program data is recorded, a second recording medium different from the first recording medium, respectively a plurality of mounting means capable of mounting a starting means for starting reading the program data recorded on the first recording medium loaded into a loading unit, a first recording medium loaded into a loading unit or detecting means for detecting that one of the second recording medium is removed, the when detecting that said first recording medium is removed by detecting means, the first recorded by the activation means when running the program data read from the medium, that it and a control means for controlling to stop the function of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the program data being the start And features.

The second means further comprises a memory for expanding the program data in the first means, and the activation means reads out the program data recorded on the first recording medium attached to the attachment means. The program data is expanded in the memory, and the expanded program data is activated.

A third means is characterized in that, in the first or second means, the program data recorded on the first recording medium is at least program data for a printer application or program data for a scanner application. .

According to a fourth means, in any one of the first to third means, the first recording medium and the second recording medium are SD cards.

  In the following embodiments, the storage medium is the SD card 271, 272, the memory is the memory (RAM) 216, the detection means and the control means are the programs installed in the main controller 20 and the controller board. It corresponds to the storage means hRAM 70 or RAM 216 for storing.

According to the present invention, the function of the image forming apparatus is stopped when a storage medium capable of storing a program is removed after startup, so that the program data cannot be reused and unauthorized use of the program data can be prevented. it can.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<First embodiment>
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an outline of an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus PR having a printer function, a copying function, and a facsimile function according to an embodiment of the present invention, a so-called multi function peripheral.

  In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus PR includes an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 1, a reading unit 50, a writing unit 57, an image forming unit 19, a paper feeding unit 29, a finisher 100, and a duplex paper feeding unit 111. It is configured.

  The ADF 1 has a function of automatically feeding a document to be read to a reading position of the reading unit 50, reading it, and then discharging it to a predetermined position. The reading unit 50 optically converts the document sent from the ADF 1 to the reading position. The reading and writing unit 57 optically modulates the image data read by the reading unit 50 and writes it on the photosensitive member (image forming medium) of the image forming unit 19 to form a latent image. The toner image obtained by toner development of the latent image is transferred to a transfer sheet (recording medium) fed from the toner, fixed, and output.

  More specifically, a document bundle placed on the document table 2 of the ADF 1 with the image surface of the document facing upward is pressed from the bottom document to the feed roller 3 when the start key 34 on the operation unit 30 is pressed. The sheet is fed to a predetermined position on the contact glass 6 by the feeding belt 4. After the image data of the document on the contact glass 6 is read by the reading unit 50, the document that has been read is discharged by the feeding belt 4 and the discharge roller 5. Further, when the document set detection sensor 7 detects that the next document is present on the document table 2, the next document is fed onto the contact glass 6 in the same manner as the previous document. The ADF 1 is provided with a feeding roller 3, a feeding belt 4, and a discharging roller 5. These rollers 3, 4, 5 are driven by a motor.

  The paper feed unit 29 includes a first tray 8, a second tray 9, a third tray 10, a first paper feeder 11 that picks up transfer paper from the first to third trays 8, 9, 10, and a second paper feed. It comprises a paper device 12, a third paper feeding device 13, and a vertical conveying device 14 for conveying the transfer paper picked up by these first to third paper feeding devices 11, 12, 13 to the image forming unit 19 side. In the paper feeding unit 29, the transfer paper loaded on the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 is transferred by the first paper feeding device 11, the second paper feeding device 12, and the third paper feeding device 13, respectively. The sheet is fed and conveyed by the vertical conveyance unit 14 to a position where it abuts on the photoreceptor 15.

  The reading unit 50 includes an exposure lamp 51, first, second and third mirrors 52, 55 and 56, an imaging lens 59, and a CCD image sensor 54. The reflected light of the original on the contact glass 6 exposed by the exposure lamp 51 is guided to the imaging lens 59 through the first to third mirrors 52, 55, and 56, and the CCD image sensor 54 by the imaging lens 59. The image is formed on the image forming plane and read by the CCD image sensor 54.

  The writing unit 57 includes a laser output device 58 including a polygon mirror, an imaging lens 59 including an fθ lens, and a mirror 60. Laser light emitted from the laser diode of the laser output device 58 is reflected by the polygon mirror. Optical writing is performed by scanning the photoconductor 15 of the image forming unit 19 in the main scanning direction.

That is, the image data read by the reading unit 50 is written on the photoconductor 15 by the laser light from the writing unit 57 and is developed with toner by the developing device 27 to form a toner image on the photoconductor 15. The toner image on the photoconductor 15 is transferred onto the transfer paper while the transfer paper is conveyed by the conveyance belt 16 at the same speed as the rotation of the photoconductor 15. Thereafter, the image is fixed by the fixing unit 17 and discharged by the paper discharge unit 18 to the finisher 100 of the post-processing apparatus.

  The finisher 100 of the post-processing device performs predetermined post-processing on the transfer paper on which the image has been formed. The finisher 100 has the normal paper discharge roller 102 direction and the staple 106 on the transfer paper conveyed by the paper discharge roller 19 of the main body. It can be guided in the direction of the staple processing unit. This switching is performed by the branch deflection plate 101. By switching the branch deflection plate 101 upward, the sheet can be discharged to the normal discharge tray 104 side via the transport roller 103. Further, by switching the branch deflecting plate 101 in the downward direction, the paper can be discharged to the staple table 108 via the transport rollers 105 and 107. The transfer paper loaded on the staple table 108 is aligned by the jogger 109 for paper alignment each time the paper is discharged, and the end face of the transfer paper parallel to the paper transport direction is aligned. It is bound. The group of transfer sheets bound by the stapler 106 is stored in the staple completion discharge tray 110 by its own weight.

  The normal paper discharge tray 104 is a paper discharge tray having a so-called shift function that can move in a direction orthogonal to the transfer paper conveyance direction. A paper discharge tray 104 having a shift function reciprocates in the direction orthogonal to the transfer paper transport direction for each original or each copy section sorted by the image memory, and easily sorts the transferred transfer paper. Is.

  When forming an image on both sides of the transfer paper, the transfer paper fed from each of the paper feed trays 8 to 10 and imaged is not guided to the paper discharge tray 104 side, and the branch claw 112 for switching the path is used. By setting it on the upper side, it is once stocked in the duplex feeding unit 111. Thereafter, the transfer paper stocked in the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 is re-fed from the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 in order to transfer the toner image formed on the photoconductor 15 again. The re-fed transfer sheet is fed to the position of the conveyor belt 16 and the image is transferred to the back side as if it was transferred to the front side. After the image is further fixed, the branching claw 112 is set on the lower side and the back side. The transfer paper on which the image is transferred is guided to the paper discharge tray 104. In this way, the duplex feeding unit 111 is used when creating images on both sides of the transfer sheet.

  FIG. 2 is a flock diagram showing a control system of the image forming apparatus PR according to the embodiment of the present invention, focusing on the main controller.

The control system mainly includes a main controller 20 , an operation unit 30, an image processing unit (IPU) 49, an ADF 1, and a printer controller 26. The main controller 20 controls the entire image forming apparatus PR. The main controller 20 includes image processing for performing display for an operator, an operation unit 30 for performing function setting input control from the operator, control for a scanner, control for writing a document image into an image memory, control for image formation from the image memory, and the like. A distributed control device such as a unit (IPU) 49 and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 1 is connected. Each distributed controller and the main controller 20 exchange machine states and operation commands as necessary. A main motor 25 and various clutches 21 to 24 necessary for paper conveyance and the like are also connected. That is, the photosensitive member 15, the conveyance belt 16, the fixing unit 17, the paper discharge unit 18, and the development unit 27 are driven by the main motor 25, and the paper feeding devices 11 to 13 drive the main motor 25 to the paper feeding clutches 22 to 22, respectively. 24 is driven to transmit. The vertical conveyance unit 14 is driven to transmit the drive of the main motor 25 by the intermediate clutch 21. The main controller 20 includes card slots for two SD cards 271 and 272, which will be described later, and can transmit and receive data to and from the SD cards 271 and 272.

  The printer controller 26 analyzes an image from the outside and a command for instructing printing, develops a bitmap in a printable state as image data, analyzes the print mode from the command, and determines an operation. The LAN control unit 261 and the parallel I / F 262 function to receive and operate the image and command through the LAN and the parallel I / F. Further, the liquid crystal display 31 and key input units 32, 33, 34, and 35 are connected to the operation unit 30, and a predetermined process is performed in accordance with an input from the key input units 32, 33, 34, and 35. The result is output to the liquid crystal display 31 and displayed.

  The reading operation of the reading unit 50 of the image forming apparatus roughly configured as described above and the operation of the image forming unit 19 until the latent image is formed on the recording surface will be described in more detail. In the following description, the latent image is a potential distribution generated by converting an image into optical information and irradiating it on the surface of the photoreceptor.

  The reading unit 50 includes a contact glass 6 on which an original is placed and an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 51, a first mirror 52, a lens 53, a CCD image sensor 54, and the like. Yes. The exposure lamp 51 and the first mirror 52 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 55 and the third mirror 56 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown). When reading a document image, the first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically scanned at a relative speed of 2: 1 so that the optical path length does not change. This optical scanning system is driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown).

  The document image is read by the CCD image sensor 54, converted into an electrical signal, and processed. The image magnification is changed by moving the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 in the left-right direction in FIG. That is, the positions of the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 are set in the left-right direction corresponding to the designated magnification.

  The writing unit 57 includes a laser output unit 58, an imaging lens 59, and a mirror 60. Inside the laser output unit 58, a rotating polygon mirror (polygon mirror) that rotates at a high speed at a high speed by a laser diode as a laser light source and a motor. ). Laser light emitted from the laser output unit 58 is polarized by a polygon mirror that rotates at a constant speed, passes through an imaging lens 59, is folded by a mirror 60, and is focused on the surface of the photoconductor 15. The deflected laser light is exposed and scanned in the direction (main scanning direction) perpendicular to the direction in which the photosensitive member 15 rotates, and the image signal output from the selector 64 of the IPU 49 is recorded line by line. An image (electrostatic latent image) is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 15 by repeating main scanning at a predetermined cycle corresponding to the rotational speed and recording density of the photoconductor 15.

  As described above, the laser beam output from the writing unit 57 is applied to the image forming photoconductor 15. Although not shown, a beam sensor for generating a main scanning synchronization signal is disposed at a position where a laser beam near one end of the photoconductor 15 is irradiated. Based on the main scanning synchronization signal, control of image recording start timing in the main scanning direction and generation of a control signal for inputting / outputting image signals described later are performed.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing details of the image processing unit (IPU) 49 of the digital copying machine PR according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the IPU 49 includes an image reading unit 50 and an image writing unit 57.

  The light emitted from the exposure lamp 51 irradiates the document surface, and the reflected light from the document surface forms an image on the image formation surface of the CCD image sensor 54 by the image formation lens 53. The CCD image sensor 54 photoelectrically converts the reflected light from the original received on the imaging surface and converts it into a digital signal by the A / D converter 61. The image signal converted into the digital signal is subjected to shading correction by the shading correction unit 62 and then input to the MTF and γ correction unit 63, and predetermined image processing such as MTF correction and γ correction is performed. The image signal subjected to this image processing further passes through the first print composition unit (print composition 1) 72, and then the destination of the image signal is switched by the first selector 64. One destination is the zoom unit 71 and the other is the image memory controller 65. When the scaling unit 71 is selected, the image signal that has passed through the scaling unit 71 is enlarged / reduced in accordance with the scaling factor, sent to the second selector 76, and the destination of the image signal is the second print composition unit. (Print composition 2) 73 or image memory controller 65 is selected. When the image signal is sent to the second print composition unit 73, the image signal is sent to the writing unit 57 as it is. The image memory controller 65 and the first selector 64, and the image memory controller 65 and the second selector 76 are configured to be able to input and output image signals in both directions. Further, print image data 74 is input to the first print composition unit 72 and the second selector 76, and image data output from a data processing device such as a personal computer is input to the first selector 64. An external image input / output I / F 75 for output to an external device such as another printer connected to the LAN is provided, and the first selector 64 is either input or output to the external image input / output I / F 75. Can also be switched.

  In addition to the image data input from the reading unit 50, the IPU 49 receives print image data (for example, data output from a data processing device such as a personal computer) 74 and an external image input / output I / F 75. The first selector 64 and the second selector 76 have a function of selecting input / output of a plurality of data so that image data input / output can be processed.

  Further, the IPU 49 is provided with a CPU 68, a ROM 69, a RAM 70, and an image memory controller 65 and an image memory 66 that have been mentioned above. The CPU 68 sets the image memory controller 65 and the like and controls the reading unit 50 and the writing unit 57. The ROM 69 stores a program executed by the CPU 68, and the RAM 70 stores data used by the CPU 68 when the program is executed. Moreover, it functions as a work area when the CPU 68 executes the program. Further, the CPU 68 can write and read data in the image memory 66 via the memory controller 65. An I / O port 67 is provided for connection with an external device.

  4 is a diagram showing a program configuration of the digital copying machine shown in FIG. 1. The program configuration includes a controller board 210 that performs main control of the apparatus, an operation panel board 220, an FCU board 230, an engine board 240, and the like. Consists of.

  On the controller board 210, various controller control programs (ECS, IMH, SCS, SRM, etc) 211 and application programs 212 such as copy / FAX are mounted on the Flash-ROM 213. Further, the operation panel board 220 is connected to the controller 210 through a synchronous serial line 251, and firmware 221 for controlling the operation unit is mounted thereon. Further, the FCU board 230 that performs FAX document reception / transmission processing and the engine board 240 that performs image printing / reading operations are connected via a PCI bus line 252. An FCU farm 231 is mounted on the FCU board 230, and a plotter fur 241 and a scanner farm 242 are mounted on the engine board 240. Further, the controller board 210 is provided with SD card slots 214 and 215 for inserting SD cards 271 and 272. When the SD cards 271 and 272 are inserted into the SD card slots 214 and 215, It becomes possible to access the file data in the SD cards 271 and 272. As described above, the controller board 210 has two SD card slots 214 and 215, the SD card slot (1) 214 is used for starting a program, and the SD card slot (2) 215 is updated with a ROM (program update). • Allocated for storing device information data.

  In this apparatus, the printer / scanner application is supplied in the form of program data loaded on the SD card. When the power is turned on, the SD card in which the printer / scanner application is stored in the SD card slot (1) 214. If 271 is installed, the stored printer / scanner application program data is expanded on the memory (RAM) 216 and activated. The CPU 68 executes the startup and subsequent control. When the SD card 271 storing the application program is inserted in the SD card slot (2) 215, the SD card slot (2) 215 is not a slot for starting the program, so the application program stored in the card is Not executed.

  Since a technique for developing and executing program data stored in an SD card on a memory (RAM) is a commonly known technique, a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital copying machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment, it is constantly monitored whether or not the SD cards 271 and 272 are inserted into and removed from the individual SD card slots 214 and 215 (step S101). When the SD card is inserted into the program activation SD card slot (SD card slot (1)) 214 (YES in step S102), it is determined whether program data is stored in the card (step S103). If there is no program data, nothing special is done (normally starts up) (step S107). If there is program data such as a printer / scanner (step S103-YES), the program data is expanded in the RAM 216 and executed. After detecting the insertion of the SD card even once (steps S102 and S103), if it is detected that the SD card has been removed (step S105), it is regarded as not a normal operation and the apparatus is disabled (step S105). S106).

  This process is set in advance in a program stored in a ROM (not shown), and the CPU 68 executes the program while constantly monitoring the state of the SD card slots 214 and 215.

  According to the present embodiment, when a storage medium capable of storing a program is removed after being energized (after startup), the function of the image forming apparatus is stopped so that the program data cannot be reused. Use can be prevented.

<Second embodiment>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure according to the second embodiment. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the processing procedure shown in FIG. 5, and the other parts are configured in the same way as the first embodiment, so that the duplicated explanation is omitted.

  In the digital copying machine according to the first embodiment, after detecting the insertion of the SD card even once, if it is detected that the SD card is removed, it is regarded as an irregular operation and the apparatus is made unusable. However, in this embodiment, when the SD card is removed from the SD card slot when the program installed in the SD card is actually expanded and executed on the memory, It is configured to render the device unusable considering it not operating.

  In this embodiment, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, it is constantly monitored whether or not the SD cards 271 and 272 are inserted into and removed from the individual SD card slots 214 and 215 (step S201). Only when the SD card is inserted into the program activation SD card slot (SD card slot (1)) 214 (YES in step S202) and program data is stored in the card (YES in step S203). The program data is loaded into the RAM 216 and executed (step S204). At this time, if it is detected that the SD card has been removed (step S205), it is regarded as not a normal operation and the apparatus is disabled. As a result, when it is determined that there is a high possibility that unauthorized use (reuse) of program data is performed, the operation of the apparatus is stopped, thereby preventing unauthorized use of the program.

  On the other hand, if the SD cards 271 and 272 are not inserted in the SD card slots 214 and 215 in step S201, or if no SD card is inserted in the program drive SD card slot 214 in step S203, the program drive is performed in step S203. If there is no program data in the SD card inserted in the SD card slot 214, nothing special is done (normally activated) (step S207).

  Other parts that are not particularly described are configured in the same manner as the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

  The condition for disabling the image forming apparatus as in the second embodiment is limited to when the SD cards 271 and 272 storing the program data that is actually expanded and activated on the RAM 216 are removed. Thus, even if it is a stored program, the image forming apparatus does not stop when an unrelated SD card 271 or 272 that has not been activated is removed, and usability is further improved.

  The storage medium (media) not only activates the program, but also has various uses such as storing in-device information and updating program data, so the program is activated as in this embodiment. By limiting to only when the recording medium (media) being removed is removed, when the recording medium does not need to be stopped, it is not stopped and efficient processing becomes possible.

<Third embodiment>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure according to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, steps S301 to S304 are performed instead of steps S205 and S206 in the second embodiment, and the other parts are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment. A duplicate description is omitted.

  In this embodiment, when the SD card 271 or 272 is removed from the SD card slot 214 or 215 when the program loaded in the SD card 271 or 272 is actually expanded on the memory 216 and executed. It is configured to make the device unusable as an irregular operation.

  That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, when the program data is expanded and executed in the RAM 216 in step S204, the program started from the SD card is stored (step S301). Here, the SD card activation program name is stored in an internal storage device, for example, the RAM 70 (step S304). If any of the SD cards 271 and 272 is removed from the SD card slots 214 and 215 (YES in step S302), the program name stored in step S304 is referred to and the function corresponding to the program started from the SD card 271 is used. Disable (step S303). In this way, when it is determined that there is a high possibility that unauthorized use (reuse) of program data will be performed, the unauthorized use of the program is prevented by stopping the operation of the program that may be used illegally. be able to.

  For example, when the printer application is activated from the SD card, the printer function is disabled. When the scanner application is activated, the scanner function is disabled.

  Other parts that are not particularly described are configured in the same manner as the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

  As in the third embodiment, by limiting the functions to be disabled to functions corresponding to the programs stored in the removed SD card, even functions that have no copyright problems are stopped. This eliminates the problem and improves usability. Even if it is determined that the SD card has been removed in a situation not intended by the user due to a device failure, etc., only the minimum functions can be stopped and other operations can be used as usual. Work without any interruption.

<Fourth embodiment>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure according to the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, step S302a is used instead of step S302 in the third embodiment, and the other components are configured in the same way as in the first embodiment, and therefore, duplicate description is omitted.

  That is, the program activated from the SD card is stored when the program data is expanded and executed in the RAM 216 in step S204 (step S301). Here, the SD card activation program name is stored in an internal storage device, for example, the RAM 70 (step S304). When the SD card 271 for starting the program is removed from the SD card slot 214 (step S302a-YES), the program name stored in step S304 is referred to, and the function corresponding to the program started from the SD card 271 is disabled. (Step S303). Thus, when it is determined that there is a high possibility that unauthorized use (reuse) of program data is performed, unauthorized use of the program can be prevented.

  For example, when the printer application is activated from the SD card, the printer function is disabled. When the scanner application is activated, the scanner function is disabled. In the example of the present invention, only the function corresponding to the activated program is disabled. However, the program is combined with the function shown in the first to third embodiments regardless of whether the program is activated or not. The entire apparatus may be disabled when the SD card 271 is removed from the activation SD card slot 214, or when the SD card 271 is removed from the program activation SD card slot 214 while the program is activated. The whole may be disabled.

  Other parts that are not particularly described are configured in the same manner as the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

  In this embodiment, there are two SD card slots 214 and 215 (1) and (2). However, depending on the apparatus, a plurality of SD card slots (storage medium mounting means) may be provided, and the storage medium mounting means. Some functions are fixed. For example, in the case of an SD card, the SD card slot 1 is used for program startup, the SD card slot 2 is used for storing in-device information, and the SD card slot 3 is used for program update. Some of the functions that can be used are limited depending on the slot position. In this embodiment, the use of the device is restricted only when the medium is removed from the SD card slot 214 where the program can be started, and the use is not restricted in other cases, so that the usability is improved.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the information in the device can be stored and the card for use in updating the program data can be freely inserted and removed, the device is used when storing the information in the device on a plurality of media, for example. Since the function of the program and the program do not stop, it is excellent in usability.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an outline of an internal configuration of a digital multi-function peripheral having a printer function, a copying function, and a facsimile function according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a flock diagram showing a control system of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, centering on a main controller. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating details of an image processing unit (IPU) of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the program of the digital copying machine shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital copying machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which concerns on a 2nd Example. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which concerns on a 3rd Example. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which concerns on a 4th Example.

Explanation of symbols

20 Main controller 68 CPU
69 ROM
70 RAM
210 Controller board 214, 215 SD card slot 271, 272 SD card

Claims (4)

An image forming apparatus,
A first recording medium in which the program data is recorded, a different second recording medium and the attachable respective plurality of mounting means to the first recording medium,
Starting means for reading and starting program data recorded on the first recording medium attached to the attaching means;
Detecting means for detecting that either the first recording medium or the second recording medium attached to the attaching means is removed;
When it is detected that the first recording medium is removed by said detecting means, when running the program data read from the first recording medium by the activation means is in the activation Control means for controlling to stop the function of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the program data ;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A memory for expanding the program data;
2. The activation unit reads program data recorded on a first recording medium mounted on the mounting unit, expands the program data in the memory, and starts the expanded program data. The image forming apparatus described in 1. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program data recorded on the first recording medium is at least program data for a printer application or program data for a scanner application. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first recording medium and the second recording medium are SD cards.

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