JP2007038580A - Method for accelerating saving/restoring of computer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problems that, although the information of memories and registers which is saved/restored at a time of sleep/wake up or normal start contains necessary/unnecessary information mixed, all the information is saved/restored, taking much more time for the saving/restoring as a memory capacity increases; simultaneously, if data saving is not performed in a necessarily sufficient manner, a computer cannot be properly restored when apparatus configuration information is revised after data are saved. <P>SOLUTION: The contents of the memory are fractionalized at a time of sleep/wake up, or finish/start or immediate after the completion of start, and the fractionalized contents are judged whether they are necessary/unnecessary for restoring, allowing only the necessarily sufficient information to be saved/restored. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data saving / restoring method for a computer or the like including an image forming apparatus.

  The sleep (suspend / hibernation) / wake up function of computer devices, including image forming devices, makes it possible to wait with low power and to perform recovery faster than normal startup. The recovery methods are (1) recovery using non-volatile memory, (2) recovery without turning off the power of volatile memory during sleep, and (3) contents of volatile memory and registers. A method of dumping and saving / restoring has been proposed. (1) is expensive and (2) is difficult to reduce power, so (3) is the best method. However, (3) is not practical because the larger the memory, the longer it takes to expand the saved data to memory at wake up.

  In recent years, with the expansion of the functions of image forming apparatuses, the software of image forming apparatuses has become large and complex, and the startup time has become longer accordingly. One of the causes of long start-up time is that the controller makes an inquiry to the option device when determining the device configuration at start-up, but the hardware initialization of the option device takes time and the response may be delayed. This causes the controller to wait for a long time and cause startup time.

  The following methods have been proposed to reduce the startup time.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-278126 is an invention relating to a method for restoring a system to a state immediately after startup by saving the main memory image and developing the saved image in the main memory at the time of restart. However, the above-mentioned invention does not back up to an unnecessary area and does not back up information such as hardware register values, so it cannot obtain necessary and sufficient information.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-293682 (NEC Corporation) is an invention relating to a startup method for quickly starting up a system by directly using a memory storing a system state after startup at the time of restart. However, the above invention requires two areas to hold the same contents in the memory for backup of the system area, and the memory utilization efficiency is not good.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-297391 (Canon Inc.) is characterized by executing input processing before decompression processing in a compressed main program and a boot program including decompression and input processing at high speed. It is an invention related to the startup method. However, since the startup information is not backed up in the above-mentioned invention, it is necessary to restart the main body program and the boot program every time it is started, and the startup time can be shortened only for a short time.

  Japanese Patent No. 2779813 (Seiko Epson Corporation, JPO final decision is “Cancel”) is the contents of main memory including hardware registers, CPU status, and input / output unit settings when the computer is interrupted. This invention relates to a computer, characterized in that the above three elements are restored and the processing is continued at the time of restart. However, the above invention not only takes time to save and restore because it backs up to an unnecessary area in the memory, but it cannot cope with changes in the hardware configuration before and after restoration.

This proposal is an invention related to shortening the startup time of a computer device implemented in view of such a situation.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-278126 JP 10-293682 A JP 2002-297391 A Japanese Patent Registration No. 2779813

  From the above, the existing problem is that all information saved / restored during sleep / wake up or normal startup is saved / restored even though necessary / unnecessary information is mixed. The larger the memory, the longer it takes to save / restore. At the same time, unless data saving is necessary and sufficient, if the device configuration information is changed after saving the data, it cannot be restored correctly.

  Therefore, the present invention determines whether it is necessary / unnecessary for recovery by subdividing the memory contents at the time of sleep / wake up, at the end / start-up, or immediately after the start-up, and saves / restores only necessary and sufficient information. To do. Specifically, the area on the memory is checked during sleep, and (1) the program area (text), (2) the data area (data, rodata, bss, stack, heap), (3) to the backup device Storable area (image memory), (4) Separated into unused area, saves only (2) and (3) and registers at sleep, saves to HDD, ROM, etc. at wake up Only format objects (ELF format files or binary files) and (2) are expanded.

  At the same time, device configuration information is collected and saved at startup, and startup processing is executed using the saved device configuration information before receiving a hardware configuration information inquiry response at restart. If the saved device configuration information differs from the collected device configuration information at the time of restart, only the corresponding part is reinitialized or the save information is cleared and restarted.

  Device configuration information includes the presence / absence of optional devices, response time information of optional devices, hardware resource information, memory configuration / system resources / algorithm resources (exclusive control of tasks, semaphores, monitors, etc., queues, lists, etc.) Software resource information, image structured description language information such as raster / vector description language, product target country information, product identification information, user setting information, etc. Optional devices include image printing devices such as printers, image reading devices such as ADF, paper processing output devices such as finishers, trimmers, saddles, stackers, and glue binds, communication devices such as FAX boards and network boards, and option boards. One or more of the image forming devices you have.

  The device configuration information is saved in one or more of nonvolatile memory, HDD, volatile memory, and registers. Volatile memory and registers can be saved only when the CPU and memory are energized during sleep. Also, HDDs take longer to initialize and may affect the startup time, so if the device configuration information fits in the nonvolatile memory capacity, I prefer to save it in the nonvolatile memory.

  By implementing the above method, the computer device can wake up from the sleep state in a short time. In addition, normal startup can be speeded up with the same routine used for returning from sleep.

  The present invention and other features will be described below with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

(1) Hardware Configuration The overall hardware configuration of the image input / output system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  A reader unit (image input device) 200 optically reads a document image and converts it into image data. The reader unit 200 includes a scanner unit 210 having a function for reading a document, and a document feeding unit 250 (hereinafter referred to as a feeder) having a function for conveying a document sheet.

  A printer unit (image output device) 300 conveys recording paper, prints image data as a visible image thereon, and discharges the recording paper out of the device. The printer unit 300 includes a paper feed unit 310 having a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes, a marking unit 320 having a function of transferring and fixing image data onto the recording paper, and sorting and stapling the printed recording papers. And a paper discharge unit 330 having a function of outputting to

  The control device 110 is electrically connected to the reader unit 200, the printer unit 300, the FAX modem 510, and the HDD (hard disk drive) 520, and further via the network 400, the host computers 401 and 402, the image input / output system 101, and the FAX It is connected to FAX 501,502 via a modem 510 and a telephone line 500.

  The control device 110 controls the reader unit 200 to read image data of a document, and controls the printer unit 300 to output the image data to a recording sheet to provide a copy function. In addition, the image data read from the reader unit 200 is converted into code data and transmitted to the host computer via the network 400, the code data received from the host computer via the network 400 is converted into image data, A printer function for outputting to the printer unit 300, a FAX function for transmitting and receiving input image data via the FAX modem 510 and the telephone line 500, and a box function for storing the transmitted and received image data in the HDD 520 are provided.

  Next, the operation unit 150 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The operation unit 150 is connected to the control device 110, is configured with a liquid crystal touch panel, and provides a user I / F for operating the image input / output system.

  600 is an LCD touch panel, and the main mode setting and status display are performed here. Reference numeral 601 denotes a numeric keypad for inputting numerical values from 0 to 9. Reference numeral 602 denotes an ID key, which is used when a department number and a reef mode are input when the apparatus is under department management.

  603 is a reset key for resetting the set mode, 604 is a guide key for displaying an explanation screen for each mode, 605 is a user mode key for entering the user mode screen, and 606 is for performing interrupt copying It is an interrupt key.

  Reference numeral 607 denotes a start key for starting a copy operation, and reference numeral 608 denotes a stop key for stopping a copy job being executed.

  609 is a soft power switch, and when pressed, the backlight of the LCD 600 is extinguished and the device falls into a low power state. Reference numeral 610 denotes a power saving key, which is pressed to enter a power saving state and is pressed again to return from the power saving state.

  Reference numerals 611, 612, 613, and 614 denote function keys for shifting to copy, transmission, box, and expansion. In FIG. 2, the standard screen for copying is displayed, and by pressing the other function keys 612, 613, 614, the standard screen for each function is displayed.

  Reference numeral 615 denotes an adjustment key for adjusting the contrast of the LCD touch panel.

  Reference numeral 616 denotes a counter confirmation key. When this key is pressed, a count screen for displaying the total number of copies specified so far is displayed on the LCD.

  617 is an LED indicating that the job is being executed and the image is being stored in the image memory, 618 is an error LED indicating that the device is in an error state such as a jam or door open, and 619 is that the main switch of the device is ON. The power LED indicates.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300. The document feeding unit 250 of the reader unit feeds the documents one by one onto the platen glass 211 in order from the top, and discharges the documents on the platen glass 211 to the discharge tray 219 after the document reading operation is completed. When the document is conveyed onto the platen glass 211, the lamp 212 is turned on, and the movement of the optical unit 213 is started to expose and scan the document. Reflected light from the original at this time is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 218 by mirrors 214, 215, 216 and lens 217. In this way, the scanned image of the document is read by the CCD 218. Image data output from the CCD 218 is transferred to the control device 110 after being subjected to predetermined processing.

  The laser driver 321 of the printer unit 300 drives the laser light emitting unit 322, and causes the laser light emitting unit 322 to emit laser light corresponding to the image data output from the control device 110. The laser beam is irradiated on the photosensitive drum 323, and a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 323. A developer is attached to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 323 by a developing device 324.

  The recording paper is fed from one of the cassette 311, the cassette 312, the cassette 313, the cassette 314, and the manual paper feed stage 315 at the timing synchronized with the start of laser light irradiation, and guided to the transfer unit 325 by the transport path 331. Then, the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 323 is transferred to the recording paper. The recording paper on which the developer is placed is conveyed to the fixing unit 327 by the conveyance belt 326, and the developer is fixed to the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 327. Thereafter, the recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 327 passes through the transport path 325 and the transport path 324 and is discharged to the paper discharge bin 328. Alternatively, when the printing surface is reversed and discharged to the paper discharge bin 328, the recording paper is guided to the transport path 336 and the transport path 338, and then the recording paper is transported in the reverse direction and passes through the transport path 337 and the transport path 324. .

  If double-sided recording is set, after passing through the fixing unit 327, the recording paper is guided from the conveyance path 336 to the conveyance path 333 by the flapper 329, and then the recording paper is conveyed in the reverse direction. Thus, the sheet is guided to the conveyance path 338 and the refeed conveyance path 332. The recording sheet guided to the refeed conveyance path 332 passes through the conveyance path 331 at the timing described above and is fed to the transfer unit 325.

  Details of the control device will be described below.

(1-1) Description of Control Device The function of the control device 110 will be described based on the block diagram shown in FIG.

  The main controller 111 mainly includes a CPU 112, a bus controller 113, and various I / F controller circuits.

  The CPU 112 and the bus controller 113 control the overall operation of the control device 110, and the CPU 112 operates based on a program read from the ROM 114 via the ROM I / F 115. The operation of interpreting PDL (page description language) code data received from the host computer and decompressing it into raster image data is also described in this program and processed by software. The bus controller 113 controls data transfer input / output from each I / F, and performs arbitration at the time of bus contention and control of DMA data transfer.

  The DRAM 116 is connected to the main controller 111 by a DRAM I / F 117, and is used as a work area for operating the CPU 112 and an area for storing image data.

  The network controller 121 is connected to the main controller 111 by an I / F 123 and is connected to an external network by a connector 122.

  An expansion connector 124 for connecting an expansion board and an I / O control unit 126 are connected to the general-purpose high-speed bus 125. A general-purpose high-speed bus is a PCI bus.

  The I / O control unit 126 is equipped with two channels of an asynchronous serial communication controller 127 for transmitting and receiving control commands to and from the CPUs of the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300. F circuits 140 and 145 are connected.

  The panel I / F 132 is connected to the LCD controller 131 and includes an I / F for displaying on the liquid crystal screen 600 on the operation unit 150 and a key input I / F 130 for inputting hard keys and touch panel keys. Composed.

  The operation unit 150 includes a liquid crystal display unit, a touch panel input device attached on the liquid crystal display unit, and a plurality of hard keys. A signal input from the touch panel or hard key is transmitted to the CPU 112 via the panel I / F 132 described above, and the liquid crystal display unit displays image data sent from the panel I / F 132. The liquid crystal display unit displays function display, image data, and the like in the operation of the image display apparatus.

  The real-time clock module 133 is for updating / saving the date and time managed in the device, and is backed up by a backup battery 134.

  The E-IDE interface 161 is for connecting an external storage device. A hard disk or CD-ROM drive can be connected via this I / F, and programs and image data can be written and read.

  The connectors 142 and 147 are connected to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300, respectively, and are composed of a synchronized step serial I / F (143, 148) and a video I / F (144, 149).

  The scanner I / F 140 is connected to the reader unit 200 via the connector 142, and is also connected to the main controller 111 via the scanner bus 141, and the image received from the reader unit 200 is processed according to the contents of processing in the subsequent process. , Have the function of performing the optimal binarization, scaling processing of the main scanning and sub scanning, and further, the control signal generated based on the video control signal sent from the reader unit 200, It also has a function of outputting to the scanner bus 141.

  Data transfer from the scanner bus 141 to the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113.

  The printer I / F 145 is connected to the printer unit 300 via the connector 147, and is also connected to the main controller 111 via the printer bus 146. The printer I / F 145 performs smoothing processing on the image data output from the main controller 111, and And a function of outputting a control signal generated based on the video control signal sent from the printer unit 300 to the printer bus 146.

  Transfer of raster image data expanded on the DRAM 116 to the printer unit is controlled by the bus controller 113 and DMA-transferred to the printer unit 300 via the printer bus 146 and the video I / F 149.

(1-2) Description of Main Controller FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the main controller.

  The processor core 401 is connected to a system bus bridge (SBB) 402 via a 64-bit processor bus (SC bus). The SBB402 is a 4 × 4 64-bit crossbar switch, connected to the processor core 401, the memory controller 403 that controls the SDRAM and ROM with cache memory, and a dedicated local bus (MC bus). The G bus 404, which is a graphic bus, and the B bus 405, which is an IO bus, are connected to a total of four buses. The SBB402 is designed to ensure simultaneous parallel connection between these four modules as much as possible.

  The data compression / decompression unit (codec) 418 is also connected via a codec I / F.

  The G bus 404 is cooperatively controlled by a G bus arbiter (GBA) 406, and is connected to a scanner / printer controller (SPC) 408 for connecting to a scanner or a printer. The B bus 405 is cooperatively controlled by a B bus arbiter (BBA) 407. In addition to the SPC 408, a power management unit (PMU) 409, an interrupt controller (IC) 410, and a serial interface controller (SIC) 411 using a UART , USB controller 412, parallel interface controller (PIC) 413 using IEEE1284, LAN controller (LANC) 414, LCD panel, key, general purpose input / output controller (PC) 415, PCI bus interface (PCIC) 416 Yes.

  An operation panel 417 having a display panel and a keyboard is connected to the PC 415.

(1-2-1) Description of Interrupt Controller The interrupt controller 410 is connected to the B bus 405, integrates each functional block in the main controller chip and interrupts from outside the chip, and is supported by the CPU core 401. Redistribute level external interrupts and non-maskable interrupts (NMI). Each functional block includes a power management unit 409, a serial interface controller 411, a USB controller 412, a parallel interface controller 413, a LAN controller 414, a general-purpose IO controller 415, a PCI interface controller 416, a scanner / printer controller 408, and the like.

(1-2-2) Description of Memory Controller The memory controller 403 is connected to the MC bus, which is a local bus dedicated to the memory controller, and controls synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), flash ROM, and ROM.

(1-3) Description of System Bus Bridge FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the system bus.

  The SBB 402 is a multi-channel bidirectional bus bridge that provides interconnections between the B bus (input / output bus), G bus (graphic bus), SC bus (processor local bus), and MC bus using a crossbar switch. With the cross bus switch, two systems can be established at the same time, and high-speed data transfer with high parallelism can be realized.

  The SBB 402 includes a B bus interface 2009 for connecting to the B bus 405, a G bus interface 2006 for connecting to the G bus 404, a CPU interface slave port 2002 for connecting to the processor core 401, a memory controller 403, In addition to a memory interface master port 2001 for connection, a CODEC bus interface 2014 for connection to the compression / decompression unit 418, an address switch 2003 for connecting an address bus and a data switch 2004 for connecting a data bus are included. Further, a cache invalidation unit 2005 that invalidates the cache memory of the processor core is provided.

(1-3-1) Description of PCI bus interface
The PCI bus interface 416 is a block that interfaces between the B bus, which is a general-purpose IO bus inside the main controller, and the PCI bus, which is an external IO bus on the chip.

(1-3-2) Explanation of G bus arbiter and B bus arbiter
The arbitration of the G bus is a central arbitration method, and each bus master has a dedicated request signal and grant signal. This arbiter can program the control method. In addition, as a method of giving priority to the bus master, all bus masters have the same priority, the fair arbitration mode in which the bus right is given fairly, and the priority of any one bus master is raised, and the bus is used preferentially. You can specify either the priority arbitration mode.

  The B bus arbiter 407 receives a bus use request for the B bus 405, which is an IO general-purpose bus, and after arbitration, gives a use permission to one selected master, and two or more masters simultaneously access the bus. Is prohibited. The arbitration method has three levels of priority, and a plurality of masters can be assigned to each priority in a programmable manner.

(1-4) Scanner Controller / Printer Controller FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the scanner controller and printer controller.

  The scanner / printer controller 408 is a block that is connected to the scanner and printer by Video I / F and interfaces with the internal bus G bus and B bus. Broadly divided into the following three blocks.

(1-4-1) Scanner controller The scanner controller is connected to the scanner through a video I / F, and performs operation control and data transfer control. The G bus / B bus I / F unit (GBI) 4301A is connected by an IF bus to perform data transfer and register read / write.

(1-4-2) Printer controller The printer controller is connected to the printer through a video I / F, and performs operation control and data transfer control. The GBI 4301B is connected by an IF bus to perform data transfer and register read / write.

  The CP bus is a bus for directly connecting the image data of the scanner and the printer and a synchronization signal for horizontal and vertical synchronization.

(1-4-3) G bus / B bus I / F unit (GBI)
This is a unit for connecting the scanner controller 4302 and the printer controller 4303 to the G bus or B bus. The scanner controller 4302 and the printer controller 4303 are independently connected to each other, and are connected to both the G bus and the B bus.

(1-5) Description of Power Management Unit The main controller 111 is a large-scale ASIC with a built-in CPU. For this reason, if all the internal logics operate simultaneously, a large amount of heat is generated and the chip itself may be destroyed. In order to prevent this, the main controller performs power management for each block, that is, power management, and further monitors the power consumption of the entire chip.

  Each block performs power management individually. Information on the power consumption of each block is collected in a power management unit (PMU) 409 as a power management level. In the PMU 409, the power consumption of each block is totaled, and the power consumption of each block of the main controller is collectively monitored so that the value does not exceed the limit power consumption.

  A method for speeding up the startup sequence using the hardware will be described below using an embodiment.

  A data saving method in the sleep process will be described with reference to FIG. When the soft switch 809 or the like or a sleep signal generated when there is no access for a certain period of time (S001), the memory map is acquired (S002), and the text area, data area, image area, and unused area are extracted from the memory map. Determine. Next, in order to save the image memory area data in a nonvolatile data device such as an HDD, calculation and storage are performed in advance (S003). Next, the data area is mini-dumped and saved in a nonvolatile data device such as an HDD (S004). At the same time, the register is saved (S005). At this time, the version of the program expanded in the text area is stored in order to prevent inconsistency between the text and the backup data during the wake up process (S006). In addition, in order to determine in which area the data expanded on the memory is expanded, a correspondence table between the memory map and the memory dump file is created and stored (S007). Finally, the state transits to the sleep state (S008).

  With reference to FIG. 9, a wake up process and a data restoration method at normal startup will be described. When a wake up signal is received via the hard switch, soft switch 809, network, etc. (S010), the loader is first executed (S011). The loader determines whether or not there is a memory dump (S012), and if there is no memory dump, it executes normal startup (S016). If there is a memory dump, it is determined whether the version of the program to be loaded matches the version of the program at the time of memory dump (S013), and if it does not match, normal startup is executed (S016). The reason why the program and dump data do not match may be the first startup or program upgrade. If the program and dump data match (S013), the memory map and the memory dump file correspondence table are used (S007), and the saved dump memory is expanded (S014). At the same time, the register is expanded (S015). Finally, the program is loaded and executed (S016).

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of reinitializing only the relevant part and the affected range when the saved data and the acquired data are different. There are two types of activation methods: an option device that is a general activation method is not changed, and an option device that is an exceptional activation method is changed. Details of the two types of activation methods will be described in order below.

  The computer startup method of the present invention when the optional device is not changed at the time of restart will be described with reference to FIG. First, it is checked whether there is saved data in the area where the device configuration information is saved F301. Since there is no saved data at the beginning, the process is started without using saved data, F308, and when startup initialization is completed, F309, and the device configuration information acquired at initialization is backed up F310. Next, when the computer is restarted, F301 checks whether there is saved data in the area where the device configuration information is saved again. Since the backup data exists because it was backed up earlier, the startup process is performed before the device configuration is determined using the backup data F302. When a device configuration response is received during startup F304, the saved data is compared with the received device configuration information F305, that is, the device configuration at startup and restart is compared, and if they are different, the saved data is overwritten with the response information F307, re-initialize the difference part and influence range F308, and if not different, continue the processing. Finally, it is determined that the activation process has ended, F303, and the activation process is terminated.

  The computer startup method of the present invention when the optional device is changed at the time of restart will be described with reference to FIG. First, it is checked whether there is saved data in the area where the device configuration information is saved F301. Since there is no saved data at the beginning, the process is started without using saved data, F308, and when startup initialization is completed, F309, and the device configuration information acquired at initialization is backed up F310. Next, when the computer is restarted, F301 checks whether there is saved data in the area where the device configuration information is saved again. Since the backup data exists because it was backed up earlier, the startup process is performed before the device configuration is determined using the backup data F302. When a device configuration response is received during startup F304, the saved data is compared with the received device configuration information F305, that is, the device configuration at startup and restart is compared, and if they are different, the saved data is overwritten with the response information F307, re-initialize the difference part and influence range F308, and if not different, continue the processing. Finally, it is determined that the activation process has ended, F303, and the activation process is terminated.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of restarting when save data and acquired data are different. There are two types of start-up methods: when the optional device, which is a general start-up method, is not changed, and when the option device, which is an exceptional start-up method, is changed. Since there is no change except for, two types of activation methods will be described below simultaneously.

  The computer startup method of the present invention when the optional device is changed or not changed at the time of restart will be described with reference to FIG. First, F201 checks whether there is saved data in the area where the device configuration information is saved. Since there is no saved data at the beginning, it starts without using saved data, F208, when startup initialization is completed, F209, and device configuration information acquired at initialization F210. When it is restarted next time, F201 checks whether there is saved data in the area where the device configuration information is saved again. Since the backup data exists because it was backed up earlier, start processing is performed before the device configuration is determined using the backup data F202. When a device configuration response is received during startup F204, the saved data is compared with the received device configuration information F205, that is, the device configuration at startup and restart is compared, and if they are different, the saved data is overwritten with the response information F207, the difference part and the influence range are reinitialized F208, and if they are not different, the processing is continued. Finally, it is determined that the activation process has ended, F203, and the activation process is terminated.

  In the second and third embodiments, the saved data is first checked, and the case where there is no saved data and the case where there is no saved data are expressed by different routines. Although the above method allows reliable control, it is necessary to create two routines and is redundant. Therefore, referring to FIG. 12, an activation method for saving device information each time without first checking the save data will be described below.

  FIG. 12 shows the speed-up routine of FIGS. First, F101 that performs activation processing using the saved data. However, the save data area is cleared before the first activation. Next, if the startup process is not completed F102 and the received device initialization response F103 is different from the saved data, the different part of the saved data is overwritten with the response information F105, and the affected range of the different part is reinitialized Or F106 to restart. In general, the affected range of the different part is reinitialized, and restarted only when the affected range cannot be read due to a combination of conditions. Conversely, if the device initialization response has not been received, F103, or if the saved data is the same as the device initialization response, F104 continues the activation process. Finally, when the activation process is completed, F102 and initialization information saving F107 are performed, and the activation process is terminated. However, if the initialization information is different, the corresponding location is saved in F105, so initialization information save F107 does not perform batch save of device initialization response, backup of saved information, or save processing, Such processing may be used. Further, there is a possibility that the saved data may be destroyed when the power is turned off during saving, but this is corrected by the comparison F104 between the saved data and the response information.

  In the above embodiment, the operation status inside the computer has been described. However, there is a possibility that the computer according to the embodiment may be restarted a plurality of times, and the user may be distrusted that the computer is broken. Therefore, a method for feeding back the activation status of the computer to the user will be described below.

  The UI progress display will be described with reference to FIGS. 12, 13, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17. The flowchart of FIG. 12 has been described in the above embodiment. FIG. 13 shows a UI display having a progress bar G002 for displaying the activation progress. 14 shows the number of callbacks, FIG. 15 shows the save information update, FIG. 16 shows the restart, FIG. 17 shows the UI symbol display after the restart, and this is displayed on a part G001 in FIG. FIG. 14 has a progress G102 at the time of previous activation, a total response information number G103, and a current response information number G104.

  First, when an initialization response is received F103 at startup, the current response G104 is counted up and displayed. Next, when the response information and the save data are different, G305 and save information update G202, 203, 204 are displayed. Next, before reinitializing or restarting the influence range of the difference portion, the restart G302 is displayed, and the current response information number G104 is saved. Finally, when the activation is continued, the saved response information number G104 is displayed on G402, and the activation is continued or restarted.

  In other words, optional device check, hardware resource check, software resource check such as memory configuration / system resource / algorithm resource, image structured description language check, product target country check, product name check, user setting check, program version check Since the total of response information is determined, the response information total G103, the current response information number G104, the saved information update G203, G204, G205, and the restart G302 are displayed on the UI, and the response information number Can be saved, and the progress can be displayed by displaying the number of response information when restarting.

1 is an explanatory diagram of an overall configuration of an image input / output system according to an embodiment. FIG. User I / F to be the operation unit 150. Sectional drawing of a leader part and a printer part. The block diagram of a control apparatus. The block diagram of a main controller. The block diagram of a system bus bridge. The block diagram of a scanner controller and a printer controller. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of Examples 4 and 5. UI display unit used in the fifth embodiment. Part of the UI display used in the fifth embodiment. Part of the UI display used in the fifth embodiment. Part of the UI display used in the fifth embodiment. Part of the UI display used in the fifth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

331 Conveying path 335 Conveying path 336 Conveying path 338 Conveying path 333 Conveying path 332 Refeeding conveying path 325 Fixing unit 323 Photosensitive drum

Claims (8)

In a program execution type computer device having a register such as a central processing unit or device, a volatile storage device such as a memory, and a nonvolatile storage device such as a nonvolatile memory or an external storage device,
The volatile storage device is divided into a temporary storage area such as a program area, a data area, and an image area, and an unused area. The data area and the register stored when the transition from the sleep state or the system stop state to the normal state is stored, and the executable program stored in advance in the nonvolatile storage device are expanded, A computer apparatus, wherein the information is restored using the developed information.   2. The computer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external storage device is a built-in computer type, a computer external connection type, or a network connection type.   2. The computer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the consistency between the program and the data is checked when returning, and if they are different, the computer is started without using the data. A computer apparatus, wherein device configuration information is collected and saved at startup, and is started up using the saved device configuration information at restart. If the saved device configuration information differs from the collected device configuration information at the time of startup, the collected device information is overwritten in the saved device information area, and the corresponding location and the affected range location are reinitialized, or The device configuration information area that has been evacuated is cleared and restarted.
The computer apparatus according to claim 4. The device configuration information includes information on presence / absence of optional devices, response time information of optional devices, hardware resource information, software resource information such as memory configuration / system resources / algorithm resources, image structured description language information, product target country It is characterized by being one or more of information, information for uniquely identifying a product, user setting information, program version information, etc.
The computer apparatus according to claim 4. The device configuration information save destination is one or more of an external storage device, a nonvolatile memory, a volatile memory, and a register.
The computer apparatus according to claim 4. If the volatile memory and the register are energized at the time of sleep or power off, data can be stored in the volatile memory and the register.
The computer apparatus according to claim 7.

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