JP2010072798A - Control section of electronic device, electronic device, image-forming device, method of controlling electronic device, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To fully store required data for analysis when an abnormality occurs even if a memory region for storing data for analyzing an abnormality is not provided in advance. <P>SOLUTION: Data for detecting an abnormality in an electronic device are fetched by a data fetching means A and are temporarily stored in a data storage means B, thus allowing an abnormality detection means C to detect an abnormality in the electronic device based on the stored data. When the abnormality detection means C detects the abnormality, a data storage means D for analyzing an abnormality erases programs and data on a rewritable nonvolatile memory 13 where programs and data for operating the electronic device are stored, and writes and stores the data for analyzing an abnormality required for analyzing the abnormality detected in the erased region. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control unit for an electronic apparatus such as an image forming apparatus, an electronic apparatus and an image forming apparatus provided with the control unit, a control method for the electronic apparatus, a program, and a recording medium. In such a case, the present invention relates to a technique for storing abnormality analysis data necessary for analyzing the abnormality.

  As an electronic device, for example, in an image forming apparatus, a photosensitive drum drive motor, an intermediate transfer belt drive motor, and the like rotate their rotational speeds by feeding back a motor encoder signal, a belt speed signal, etc. in order to improve image quality. Is controlled with high accuracy. In the production market (commercial printing market, in-house printing market, etc.), it is natural to improve image quality during normal times, but it also detects image deterioration and abnormalities due to secular changes and sudden abnormalities. Therefore, it is necessary to discard the abnormal paper and reprint it, or when it is determined that it cannot be continued, stop the machine and prompt the service person to restore it.

As a matter of course, it is natural to keep information on what kind of abnormality has occurred as necessary information for restoring the machine. It is necessary to save the encoder signal and the like. The encoder signal of the motor does not make sense only with the data at the moment when the abnormality occurs, and the previous data is required for the abnormality analysis.

Therefore, data for abnormality analysis can be saved by means of sending data to a host system in the case of an electronic device connected to a host system, such as a stand-alone electronic device when an abnormality occurs, or a stand-alone electronic device. For example, a means for compressing data and storing it in the apparatus can be considered.

For example, in Patent Document 1, for the purpose of monitoring the state of a remote image forming apparatus, the abnormality or failure state of the image forming apparatus is transmitted to a host system using a communication line and stored there. In addition, an information collection system is disclosed in which stored data can be analyzed when an abnormality occurs.
JP-A-2-257155

  However, when storing the data at the time of occurrence of an abnormality in the electronic device, be sure to reserve a memory area to store the data at the time of occurrence of the abnormality because of an abnormality that does not know when it occurs. It was necessary to increase the cost. In addition, when there is a large amount of data to be stored, an inexpensive volatile memory such as DRAM is used. However, the device cannot be turned off until the data is confirmed, and is stored in a nonvolatile memory such as a flash ROM. In this case, there is a problem that the storage memory area must be limited in order to reduce the cost, and necessary and sufficient data cannot be stored.

  Further, as described in Patent Document 1, a stand-alone electronic device includes means for transmitting and storing analysis data such as an abnormality or failure state of an electronic device to a host system using a communication line. It is not applicable, and even if it is an electronic device connected to the network, if there is a large amount of data for analysis, it takes time to transmit, and the power is shut off before all the data has been transmitted. There was a problem that it might end.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and in an electronic device having a function of acquiring data for grasping the state of the electronic device and detecting an abnormal state based on the data, It is an object of the present invention to be able to sufficiently store analysis data necessary when an abnormality occurs without providing a memory area for storing analysis data in advance.

  In order to achieve the above object, the control unit of the electronic device according to the present invention temporarily stores the data fetching means for fetching data for detecting an abnormality of the electronic device and the data fetching means Data storage means, abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality of the electronic device based on the data saved by the data storage means, and a rewritable nonvolatile memory storing a program and data for operating the electronic device When an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means, the program and data on the nonvolatile memory are erased, and the abnormality analysis data necessary for analyzing the detected abnormality is stored in the erased area. An abnormality analysis data storage means for writing and storing is provided.

  The nonvolatile memory stores a program and data for operating an electronic device and a program and data used to retrieve the abnormality analysis data, and the abnormality analysis data storage means is the nonvolatile memory. When erasing the above program and data, it is preferable to erase programs and data other than the program and data used to extract the abnormality analysis data.

  Alternatively, the nonvolatile memory stores a program and data for operating an electronic device and a program and data for downloading the abnormality analysis data to download the abnormality analysis data. When the data storage means erases the program or data on the non-volatile memory, the program or data other than the program for downloading the abnormality analysis data or the program for downloading the data may be erased. Good.

The control unit of these electronic devices preferably has means for downloading a program or data for operating the electronic device from the outside, storing it in the non-volatile memory, and reinstalling it.
Alternatively, when the non-volatile memory is detachably provided in the electronic device main body and the program or data stored in the non-volatile memory is erased, the non-volatile memory in which the program or data is stored The electronic device may be restored by exchanging it.

In the case where an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detecting means, the abnormality detecting means further has an abnormality location specifying means for specifying the location where the abnormality has occurred, and the abnormality analysis data storage means erases the program and data on the nonvolatile memory. In the area, it is preferable to write and store only the abnormality analysis data necessary for analyzing the abnormality at the location identified by the abnormality location identifying means among the detected abnormalities.
In that case, the abnormality analysis data storage means erases only the programs and data necessary for controlling the location specified by the abnormal location specifying means when erasing the program and data on the nonvolatile memory. Is desirable.

The abnormality analysis data storage means further rearranges the program and data remaining so that the area from which the program and data are erased on the nonvolatile memory becomes a continuous area, and the above-mentioned data is stored in a continuous erase area. It is even better to write and save the data for abnormality analysis necessary for analyzing the abnormality at the specified location.
The abnormality analysis data is compressed by the compression processing means when the abnormality analysis data is written and stored when the abnormality analysis data storage means compresses the abnormality analysis data. If you write and save, you can save the data for abnormality analysis more efficiently.

There is also provided an electronic apparatus that includes a control unit of these electronic devices, a motor, and a drive circuit that drives the motor, and the control unit also has a function of controlling the drive of the motor via the drive circuit.
Furthermore, there is also provided an image forming apparatus that includes a control unit and an image forming unit of these electronic devices, and the control unit also has a function of controlling the image forming unit.
Also provided are each control method of the electronic device by the above-described control unit, a program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the above-described control unit, and a computer-readable recording medium storing the program.

  According to the present invention, in an electronic device in which a program or data required for normal operation is stored in a rewritable nonvolatile memory, it is necessary for normal operation when an abnormal state that cannot be controlled by the control unit is detected. Data from the rewritable non-volatile memory and store the data for abnormality analysis that you want to save in the erased memory area. Prepare a memory area for storing the data for abnormality analysis in advance. In addition, it is possible to sufficiently store necessary abnormality analysis data when an abnormality occurs. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the memory cost for storing the abnormality analysis data.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic apparatus having a control unit according to the present invention. The electronic apparatus includes a control unit 1, a motor 2, a motor driver 3 that is a drive circuit that drives the motor 2, and an encoder 4.

The control unit 1 has a CPU 11 that is a central processing unit for controlling the entire electronic device, a RAM 12 that is a volatile memory, a flash ROM 13 that is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and functions necessary for motor control. ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 14.
The RAM 12 temporarily stores data necessary for the CPU 11 to control the electronic device. The flash ROM 13 stores a program and data for operating the CPU 11, and is also used for saving abnormality analysis data when an abnormality is detected. The flash ROM 13 is also stored after the power of the electronic apparatus is turned off. Hold programs and data.

  The ASIC 14 generates a phase excitation signal for rotating the motor 2 under the conditions instructed by the CPU 11, outputs the phase excitation signal to the motor driver 3 to drive the motor 2, and the encoder 4 to grasp the rotational speed of the motor 2. It has functions such as detecting changes in the encoder signal that occur.

The motor driver 3 passes a current that can rotate the motor 2 based on the phase excitation signal from the ASIC 14.
The encoder 4 is attached to a rotating shaft of the motor 2 or a portion having an accuracy equivalent to the rotation or movement speed thereof, and generates an encoder signal that is a pulse signal at intervals corresponding to the speed.

Next, a first embodiment of the control process by the control unit 1 of the electronic apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2. First, the motor speed control will be described. In FIG. 2 and subsequent flowcharts, each step is abbreviated as “S”.
When the electronic apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is powered on, the CPU 11 starts the process shown in FIG.

  First, in S1, the presence / absence of a motor start request is confirmed, and the process waits until there is a start request. When a motor activation request is made in accordance with an instruction from the host system or the user, a speed instruction value (target rotation speed) is instructed to the ASIC 14 in S2. In the case of a DC brushless motor, the rotation speed is often indicated by PWM duty. The ASIC 14 has a timer function that can arbitrarily set the cycle and duty, and the motor rotation speed is indicated by setting the duty value by software.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to S5 through S3 and S4. Since S3 and S4 are processing relating to abnormality detection together with S13 to S19, they will be described later. In S5, an encoder pulse (encoder signal pulse) interval is periodically monitored for a motor speed check. By monitoring the encoder pulse interval, it is possible to check whether the motor 2 has reached the target speed or whether it has fluctuated from the target speed. Then, in S6, it is checked whether or not the motor speed matches the target speed. If they match, the speed instruction value that is the PWM timer value instructed to the ASIC 14 is not updated, and the state is continuously maintained. .

  If the motor speed does not match the target speed, it is checked in S7 whether or not the motor speed is faster than the target speed. If it is faster, the speed instruction value is subtracted in S8, and the PWM timer value in the ASIC 14 is subtracted. Update the speed instruction value in S2. As a result, the rotational speed of the motor 2 is reduced, and the encoder pulse interval is lengthened. If the motor speed is slower than the target speed in S7, the speed instruction value is added in S9 and the speed instruction value in S2 is increased. As a result, the rotation speed of the motor 2 is increased and the encoder pulse interval is shortened.

  If the motor speed matches the target speed in S6, or after subtracting the speed instruction value in S8 or adding the speed instruction value in S9, the process proceeds to S10 to determine whether there is a motor stop request. If not, the process returns to S2 to instruct the ASIC 14 for a speed instruction value (target rotational speed). When there is a motor stop request, the speed instruction value = 0 is set at S11 and the motor 2 is stopped. Then, when it is determined at S12 whether there is an instruction to turn off the power, the power is turned off. However, if there is no instruction to turn off the power, the process returns to S1 and waits.

There are various control theories for calculating the speed instruction value, but it is not specified here, and only the basic control outline has been described. By the processing of this flowchart, the motor can maintain the target rotation speed.
In the above description, the motor speed instruction means using the timer built in the ASIC 14 has been described as an example. However, when the timer built in the general-purpose CPU or the like can be substituted, it can be used, and the application means is limited. Not what you want.

FIG. 3 is a waveform diagram showing an example of the motor speed in a normal control state. As shown in FIG. 3, the speed of the motor controlled in a normal state is maintained almost unchanged with respect to the target speed, where the vertical axis represents the motor speed and the horizontal axis represents time.
However, the motor speed in a state where some abnormality occurs is as shown in FIG. When any abnormality occurs in the electronic apparatus, a speed that varies greatly with respect to the target speed may appear as shown in FIG.

If feedback control is performed to vary the speed command value by constantly monitoring the encoder pulse interval as described above, even if such speed fluctuations appear, even if they converge, the stable state It is also possible to return to
However, if the fluctuation or cycle is large and it is out of the feedback control range, it is naturally not possible to return to a stable state. Such a possibility is likely to occur due to, for example, aging of the apparatus or sudden damage.

Processing for detecting such an abnormality and storing the abnormality analysis data will be described with reference to S3, S4, and S13 to S19 in FIG.
After the speed instruction value is instructed to the ASIC 14 in S2 of FIG. 2, the encoder pulse interval data is fetched at a constant cycle in S3 and stored in the RAM 12 for later FFT processing. Then, in S4, it is determined whether or not the necessary number of data has been saved, and if completed, the process proceeds to S13, and the encoder pulse interval data of the saved necessary number of data is subjected to FFT processing (calculation). It is understood whether the frequency component appears in the motor rotation speed.

  For example, if a frequency component of the motor rotation speed that has not occurred so far appears, it is possible to predict the possibility that the motor itself or gears related thereto are worn or damaged. Therefore, after executing the FFT process in S13, it is determined in S14 whether or not control is possible. As a result, if it is determined that it is in a controllable state, the process proceeds to S5, and the above-described motor speed control is performed. However, if an abnormal state is detected in the apparatus and it is determined that it is not in a controllable state, the process proceeds to S15. Immediately after stopping, the motor is stopped, and in S16, the occurrence of abnormality is notified to the user by display, warning sound, or the like.

FFT processing (calculation) is a well-known technique, but an example of detecting angular velocity fluctuations of a rotating body by FFT calculation (fast Fourier calculation) of an encoder pulse is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-99490.
Here, an example of detection of motor abnormality by FFT processing has been described, but the abnormality detection means is not limited thereto. For example, when the encoder pulse interval data becomes larger than the controllable interval range, it can be determined that an abnormality has occurred when the interval variation exceeds a predetermined range.

In S17, the program and data used for the normal operation stored in the flash ROM are erased, and the abnormality analysis data is saved in the erased area in S18. The processing of S17 and S18 is a feature of the present invention and will be specifically described later.
Thereafter, the process ends after the power is turned off in S19.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of use of the flash ROM in the case of the first embodiment described above.
The flash ROM 13 shown in FIG. 1 includes an interrupt vector area, a program area, a data area, and an unused empty area as shown in FIG.
The interrupt vector area has a start address of an interrupt processing program for starting the program when the electronic device is turned on, the program area has a program that is software for operating the electronic device, and the data area has the program The data used by each is stored, and the free area is a spare area that is not used.

Conventional electronic devices generally use this free space to store abnormality analysis data when an abnormality occurs. Usually, since this free space is small, there is a problem that necessary abnormality analysis data cannot be stored sufficiently. Therefore, a large-capacity flash ROM may be installed in order to secure storage capacity for abnormality analysis data to provide a large free space, or another flash ROM may be mounted for storage of abnormality analysis data. . However, always securing a memory area that is not normally used is inefficient in use of the memory and causes an increase in cost.

  In the control unit 1 of the electronic apparatus according to the present invention, the CPU 11 controls the speed of the motor 2 described above by the program and data stored in the program area and the data area shown in FIG. Perform the operation. The program includes an abnormality detection program. As described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2, the abnormality detection process such as the FFT process is simultaneously performed while controlling the rotation of the motor 2.

  When it is determined in the abnormality detection process by the abnormality detection program that an abnormality that cannot be recovered from the apparatus has occurred, as shown in FIG. 5B, the interrupt vector area, program area, and Erases all programs and data stored in the data area. This is because if the device cannot be continuously operated without any recovery work, no program or data for normal operation is required until the device is restored or repaired.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 5C, in addition to the unused free area of the flash ROM 13, the normal operation program and the area from which the data has been erased are all used as an area for saving abnormality analysis data. Save analysis data. Therefore, the necessary abnormality analysis data can be saved sufficiently, and it is not necessary to prepare a large memory area at all times to save the abnormality analysis data, which is very efficient and does not increase the cost. .

  The abnormality analysis data is analysis data for specifying the detailed cause of the abnormality. In the above-described case, the abnormality analysis data is encoder pulse interval data that is the original data subjected to the FFT processing (calculation). Data that is stored automatically. It is stored in the flash ROM 13 when an abnormality is detected.

A functional configuration for executing the above-described control process of the first embodiment by the control unit 1 in FIG. 1 is shown as a functional block diagram in FIG. Each means in FIG. 6 corresponds to each step in FIG. 2 as follows.
That is, the data fetching means A for fetching data for detecting an abnormality of the electronic device and the data saving means B for temporarily saving the data fetched by the data fetching means A are S3 and S4 in FIG. This corresponds to the RAM 12 in FIG.
The abnormality detection means C for detecting an abnormality of the electronic device based on the data stored by the data storage means B corresponds to S13 and S14 in FIG.

As described with reference to FIG. 1, the flash ROM 13 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory in which a program and data for operating the electronic device are stored.
The abnormality analysis data storage means D is necessary for erasing the program and data on the flash ROM 13 and analyzing the abnormality detected in the erased area when the abnormality detection means C detects an abnormality. This is a means for writing and storing such abnormal analysis data (encoder pulse interval data stored in the RAM 12), and corresponds to S17 and S18 in FIG.

  By using the non-volatile memory (flash ROM 13), which is a limited resource, in this way, it is possible to save abnormal analysis data with a capacity that could not be saved in the past, and normally unnecessary abnormality analysis. This eliminates the need to install an extra nonvolatile memory for storing data, and contributes to the cost reduction of the system.

  Further, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 6, the compression processing means E for compressing the abnormality analysis data is provided, and the abnormality analysis data storage means D is used when the abnormality analysis data is written and stored in the flash ROM 13. If the abnormality analysis data compressed by the compression processing means E is written and stored, a larger amount of abnormality analysis data can be stored.

  In this embodiment, as described above, all the interrupt vectors in the flash ROM 13, which is a rewritable nonvolatile memory when an abnormality is detected, and the program and data for operating the electronic device are erased. The electronic device may be mounted so as to be easily detachable. Then, the flash ROM 13 in which the abnormality analysis data is stored is removed, and the abnormality analysis data is read and analyzed by the analysis device to elucidate the cause of the abnormality. Further, the electronic device can be restored by replacing the flash ROM 13 from which the program and data are erased with a new flash ROM in which the program and data are stored.

However, an embodiment in the case where the flash ROM is directly mounted on a printed circuit board by soldering (not detachable) will be described below.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a usage example of the flash ROM according to the second embodiment of the control processing by the control unit 1 suitable for the case where the flash ROM 13 of the electronic device shown in FIG. 1 is not removable.

  Even in this example, when an abnormality occurs, the normally used program and data on the flash ROM are erased in the same way as in the example of use shown in FIG. 5, but as shown in FIG. The program for communication with is also stored. When an abnormality is detected, as shown in (b) of the figure, except for the interrupt vector area and communication program, the program and data in the other program area and data area are erased, and an abnormality analysis data storage area is stored. To secure as. Abnormality analysis data is stored in the reserved area as shown in FIG.

  There are various means for extracting the data for abnormality analysis, but there are many cases where data is acquired by connecting a host system or a data acquisition terminal. Therefore, the entire program on the flash ROM 13 is not erased, but the communication program for that purpose (that is, the program and data used for retrieving the data for abnormality analysis) is left as it is, so that the CPU 11 in FIG. It becomes possible to transmit the abnormality analysis data stored in the flash ROM 13 to the outside using the communication program in response to an instruction from the system or terminal.

  Further, when it is desired to secure a storage area for the analysis data, it is possible to leave the flash ROM 13 with only the program for downloading the data transfer program from the host system or the like. That is, when transferring abnormality analysis data to a host system or the like, the CPU 11 in FIG. 11 first downloads a transfer program from the host system using a program for downloading the data transfer program, The data is expanded in the RAM 12 which is a volatile memory.

Thereafter, the CPU 11 transmits the analysis data stored in the flash ROM 13 to the host system or the like using the expanded transfer program.
Since the capacity of a program that simply downloads the communication program and deploys it to RAM, etc. is smaller than the capacity of the communication program that communicates with the host system and transmits the data for abnormality analysis, the data for abnormality analysis is saved. The use efficiency of the nonvolatile memory for storing can be improved.

Also, after importing the data for abnormality analysis and repairing the abnormal part of the device, the program or data for normal operation is downloaded again from the host system or other terminal and installed in the flash ROM 13 which is a nonvolatile memory. Thus, it is possible to restore the electronic device and operate it again. In this case, it is not necessary to perform an operation that causes an extra cost increase such as a new substrate replacement.
The installation program or the like used at that time can be easily handled by storing it in the flash ROM 13 as a program other than that which is deleted to save the analysis data as described above.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the control process by the control unit 1, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a reinstallation process, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart for the control unit 1 to execute the control process of the second embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure for this.
8, the same processing steps as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same step symbols, and also in FIG. 10, the same means as those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same symbols, and description thereof is omitted.

  8 is different from FIG. 2 only in steps S27 to S30. When an abnormal state is detected in the apparatus in S14 and it is determined that the apparatus is not in a controllable state, the motor is stopped in S15, and the first occurrence described in FIG. In the subsequent S27, the communication program on the flash ROM 13 and the data (interrupt vector, etc.) necessary for its processing are left and the program in other areas is the same as in the embodiment, as described in FIG. Or erase data.

  Then, the abnormality analysis data is stored in the erased area (including the empty area) of the flash ROM 13 in S28 as described in FIG. Thereafter, when there is an “abnormality analysis data transmission request” from an external system or the like in S29, the abnormality analysis data stored in the flash ROM 13 is transmitted to the request source in S30. If the power is turned off in S19, the process is terminated. If the power is not turned off, the process returns to S29 to repeat the "abnormality analysis data transmission request" check. Send.

  Then, after analyzing the abnormality analysis data in an external system or the like, elucidating the cause of the abnormality and repairing the electronic device, it is necessary to reinstall the erased program or data on the flash ROM 13 is there.

  Therefore, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, the CPU 11 of the control unit 1 in FIG. 1 waits for a “program download request” in S51 when the power is turned on, and if there is a request, it is stored in the flash ROM 13 in S2. Delete the data for error analysis. Then, a normal operation program and necessary data are downloaded from the outside, and the program and data are written in the area of the flash ROM 13 where the abnormality analysis data has been erased. Writing is performed until it is determined in S54 that the writing is completed. When the writing is completed, in S56, the power is turned off and the reinstallation process is terminated.

  In the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 10 of the first embodiment, in addition to each means shown in FIG. 6, a data transmission means G and a reinstallation means H are provided. 6 is slightly different from the abnormality analysis data storage means D in FIG. 6, and the processes of S27 and S28 in FIG. 8 are performed. That is, when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means C, the communication program on the flash ROM 13 and data (interrupt vector, etc.) necessary for the processing are left, and the programs and data in other areas are erased. Then, the abnormality analysis data is stored in the erased area (including the empty area).

  The data transmission means G performs the processes of S29 and S30 in FIG. That is, when there is an “abnormality analysis data transmission request” from an external system or the like, the abnormality analysis data stored in the flash ROM 13 is transmitted to the request source.

  The reinstallation means H performs the reinstallation process described with reference to FIG. That is, the abnormality analysis data stored in the flash ROM 13 is erased, a normal operation program and necessary data are downloaded from the outside, and are written in the area of the flash ROM 13 where the abnormality analysis data is erased.

  Next, another embodiment of the electronic device including the control unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 is a block circuit diagram of the electronic device, FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of use of the flash ROM in that case, FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment of control processing by the control unit 1 ′ of FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration for the control unit 1 'to execute the control process.

  The electronic device shown in FIG. 11 has a control unit 1 ′ having two ASICs 14 and 15, and is provided with another motor 6 in addition to the configuration of the electronic device shown in FIG. The driver 7 and the encoder 8 for detecting the rotational speed are connected to the ASIC 15. Three or more controlled objects such as motors may be provided. The ASIC 1 may be provided for each controlled unit, but one ASIC may be provided in common for a plurality of controlled objects.

  In this embodiment, the flash ROM 13 in FIG. 11 is used as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12A, the flash ROM 13 has an interrupt vector area, a communication program, a program area, a data area, and a free area as in the example shown in FIG. However, the program area is divided into a program area 1 for controlling the motor 2, a program area 2 for controlling the motor 6, and a program area 3 for controlling other objects to be controlled, and each program is stored. The data area is also divided into a data area 1 used in the program area 1 and a data area 2 used in the program area 2 to store each data.

When an abnormality is detected, the location where the abnormality has occurred is further specified, and the program area program and the data area data for controlling the specified abnormality occurrence location are deleted. For example, when it is specified that the abnormality occurrence location is the motor 6, as shown in FIG. 12B, a program area 2 program for controlling the motor 6 and a data area used in the program area 2 2 data is deleted.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12C, the abnormality analysis data is written and stored in the erased areas and the empty areas.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an embodiment in which such a control process is performed by the control unit 1 ′ of FIG. This flowchart is different from the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 in that S31 and S32 are added and S27 and S28 are changed to S37 and S38. The other steps are denoted by the same step symbols as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 for the sake of convenience. However, in each step of determination and processing relating to the motor, the determination and processing are actually performed individually for each motor. . Therefore, the speed control of S5 to S11 is also performed for each motor.

In S32, when it is determined that an uncontrollable abnormality has occurred in S14, the location of the abnormality is further specified from the analysis result.
Therefore, in S3, the encoder pulse interval data from the encoder 4 and the encoder 8 is individually stored for each controlled object, in this example, for each of the motor 2 and the motor 6 shown in FIG. In S13, the necessary number of data of the encoder pulse interval data is individually subjected to FFT processing. In S32, an abnormality occurrence location can be specified from each analysis result.

In S15, the motor in which the occurrence of the abnormality is specified is stopped, and in S16, the occurrence of the abnormality and the occurrence location are notified.
Thereafter, in S37, only the program and data necessary for controlling the location of the abnormality on the flash ROM 13 are erased. As in the above example, if the location where the abnormality occurred is the motor 6, only the program in the program area 2 shown in FIG. 12 and the data in the data area 2 used in the program area 2 are necessary for the control. to erase.

In S38, only the abnormality analysis data for the motor 6 (encoder pulse interval data from the encoder 8) is stored in the erased area (including the empty area) on the flash ROM 13.
Thereafter, if there is an abnormality analysis data transmission request from the outside in S29, the stored abnormality analysis data is transmitted to the request source using the communication program remaining in the flash ROM 13 in S30.

  After there is no abnormality analysis data transmission request or after transmitting the abnormality analysis data, the process returns to S1 and waits for a motor activation request. If there is a motor activation request, it is checked in S31 whether or not an abnormal motor has been activated. If an abnormal motor activation has occurred (in the previous example, activation of the motor 6), the process returns to S1 and waits for a motor activation request. If the motor does not start abnormally, the process proceeds to S2, and the subsequent processing is executed for the motor having no abnormality.

FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration for the control unit 1 ′ in FIG. 11 to execute the control processing of this embodiment.
14 differs from FIG. 10 in that an abnormality location specifying means F for specifying an abnormality location when the abnormality detection means C detects an abnormality is provided, and the abnormality analysis data storage means D ″ is the same as that described above. As described above, only the program and data necessary for controlling the specified error occurrence location on the flash ROM 13 are deleted, and the error analysis data of the specified error occurrence location is stored in the erased area (including the empty area). The only point to write and save.

Although the compression processing means E in FIG. 10 is not shown, the compression processing means E is provided so that the abnormality analysis data at the specified abnormality occurrence portion is compressed and written and stored in the erased area on the flash ROM 13. It may be.
When there is an abnormality analysis data transmission request from the outside, the data transmission means G transmits the abnormality analysis data of the specified abnormality occurrence location stored on the flash ROM 13 to the request source.
The reinstallation means H only needs to download from the outside only the program and data for controlling the specified abnormality occurrence location erased from the flash ROM 13 and install it in the flash ROM 13.

  By doing so, it is possible to reduce the data storage time for abnormality analysis, it is possible to continue to use functions that can be used only in parts where no abnormality has occurred, and to reduce the total equipment downtime Is possible.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of use of the flash ROM in the control processing by the control unit 1 ′ of the electronic device shown in FIG.
In this usage example, FIG. 15A showing the normal usage state of the flash ROM 13 and only the program and data necessary for controlling the location of the abnormality identified at the time of abnormality detection are erased (b). 12 (a) and FIG. 12 (b), but as shown in FIG. 15 (c), the area where the program and data on the flash ROM 13 are erased is a continuous area including the empty area. Relocate the remaining program and data areas so that Then, as shown in FIG. 15D, abnormality analysis data necessary for analyzing the abnormality at the specified location is written and stored in the continuous erase region.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart for performing the control process by the control unit 1 ′ in FIG. 11. This flowchart is different from the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 only in that S47 is executed after S37 in FIG. 13, and then S48 is executed instead of S38.

After erasing the program and data necessary for controlling the specified anomaly occurrence location on the flash ROM 13 in S37, in S47, the remaining program and the remaining program so that the erased area becomes a continuous area including an empty area. Relocate and store the data area.
In S48, the abnormality analysis data necessary for analyzing the abnormality at the specified location is written and stored in the continuous erase area.

  The functional configuration for the control unit 1 'in FIG. 11 to execute this control processing is the same as the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 14, but an abnormality that cannot be controlled is detected by the abnormality detecting means C, and the abnormal part specifying means is detected. When an abnormality occurrence location is identified by F, the abnormality analysis data storage means D ″ deletes only the program and data necessary for controlling the identified abnormality occurrence location on the flash ROM 13, and then the program and data are deleted. It also has a function to relocate the remaining program and data areas so that the erased area becomes a continuous area including the empty area. Write and save only the data for error analysis necessary to analyze the error.

An example of a color image forming apparatus as an electronic apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG.
In this color image forming apparatus (color copying machine), a scanner unit 30 for reading a document is provided at the upper part of the apparatus main body 20, and a paper feeding unit 40 for stocking and feeding transfer paper at the lower part is discharged on one side. Each tray 50 is provided.

  In the apparatus main body 20, four photosensitive drums 21 to 24 for forming toner images of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (B), respectively, An intermediate transfer belt 25 is provided that sequentially superimposes and transfers the toner images of the respective colors formed by the photosensitive drums 21 to 24. Further, a secondary transfer roller 26 and a repulsive roller 27 for transferring the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 25 to the transfer paper, a registration roller pair 28 for feeding the transfer paper to the transfer portion, and transfer to the transfer paper A fixing unit 29 for fixing the color toner image thus formed on the transfer paper is provided.

  The repulsive roller 27 is a roller that is disposed on the opposing portion of the secondary transfer roller 26 to generate / maintain a nip between the intermediate transfer belt 25 and the secondary transfer roller 26. The registration roller pair 28 temporarily stops the transfer paper fed from the paper feeding unit 40 to correct the skew, and enters the nip between the intermediate transfer belt 25 and the secondary transfer roller 26 as a transfer portion at a predetermined timing. To feed.

In the paper feed unit 40, a paper feed tray 41 on which the transfer paper P is stacked, a paper feed roller 42 for sending the uppermost transfer paper P to the transport unit, and the fed transfer paper to the registration roller pair A conveyance roller 43 that conveys up to 28 is provided. In general, a plurality of sheet feed trays 41 are provided, and transfer sheets of different sizes are stacked so that they can be selectively fed. In FIG. 17, the transfer paper conveyance path is indicated by a broken line.
The image-formed transfer paper on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 29 is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 50.

  Although not shown, a charging unit, an exposure unit, a developing device, a primary transfer roller, a charge removal unit, and the like are provided around the photosensitive drums 21 to 24 in the apparatus main body. Each primary transfer roller is provided at a position facing each photoconductor drum 21 to 24 with the intermediate transfer belt 25 interposed therebetween.

Each of the photosensitive drums 21 to 24 and the intermediate transfer belt 25 is driven to rotate by an independent motor. The paper feed roller 42, the transport roller 43, the registration roller pair 28, and the like are also rotationally driven via clutches from individual motors or a common motor.
Each of these motors is controlled in several blocks by a control unit and an encoder as shown in FIG.

  Even when an abnormality occurs in the color image forming apparatus, it may not be necessary to stop the entire operation. For example, let us consider a case where feedback control is performed on each of the four photosensitive drums 21 to 24 in the above-described abnormality detection processing in this color image forming apparatus. The control instruction for the motors that drive the four photosensitive drums 21 to 24 does not always vary greatly unless there is a disturbance or the like, and changes within the control range considered at the time of design.

  However, when the eccentricity of the motor increases due to aging degradation such as gear wear, the control instruction value for the motor greatly fluctuates in an attempt to control it normally, and this can be detected as abnormal. Here, when the four photosensitive drums 21 to 24 are controlled independently, it is possible to determine which photosensitive drum system is abnormal. For example, when an abnormality is detected only in the motor that drives the photosensitive drum 21 that forms a yellow toner image, there is no problem in forming a monochrome (black single color) image without performing a full color operation.

For this reason, downtime can be reduced by limiting the functions until the apparatus is restored so that the color image forming apparatus can be used continuously. However, even in this case, it is desirable to save the data for analyzing the abnormality of the motor that drives the photosensitive drum in which the abnormality has occurred.
Therefore, it is preferable to apply a control process as described with reference to FIGS.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 12 or 15, it is assumed that the program area stored in the flash ROM is roughly divided into three and the data area is separated into two. The program area 1 has a program for managing the operation of the entire image forming apparatus, the program area 2 has a program for controlling the formation of a full color image, and the program area 3 has a control for forming a monochrome image. It is assumed that the data area 1 stores parameter data for the operation of the entire image forming apparatus and monochrome control, and the data area 2 stores parameter data for full color control.

  As described above, when the drive system of the photosensitive drum 31 for yellow image formation is in an abnormal state in which continuous operation is impossible, control for forming a full-color image cannot be performed, but the function for monochrome image formation is not possible. It is possible to operate with restrictions. In that case, the program in the program area 2 and the data in the data area 2 become unnecessary. Therefore, there is no problem even if the program and data in that area on the flash ROM are not necessary and are erased. Then, the abnormality analysis data of the yellow photosensitive drum drive system is stored in the area on the flash ROM secured by erasing them. As a result, the image forming operation can be continued while the function is restricted, and the abnormality analysis data can be stored.

  Further, as described with reference to FIG. 15, the program and data after erasing the program and data necessary for controlling the location where the abnormality has occurred are rearranged so as to continuously secure the abnormality analysis data storage area. For example, a nonvolatile memory such as a flash ROM can be used more efficiently.

Note that the above-described area allocation and allocation of programs, data, interrupt vectors, and the like are examples, and are not limited to these. The contents of the function restriction after the abnormality detection and the usage method of the nonvolatile memory at that time are not limited to the above-described example.
The above-described color image forming apparatus has been described as a color copier equipped with a scanner unit. However, this also applies to color printers and monochrome printers that receive image data from an external controller such as a personal computer and form images. The invention can be applied.

In addition, the “encoder pulse interval data” is the minimum required data for abnormality analysis when controlling the motor. In addition, the following data is included to make abnormality analysis easier. There is a possibility.
・ Motor target speed / occurrence date information (year / month / day / hour etc.)
-In the case of an image forming device, if copying / printing is in progress, information on the type of paper being transported and environmental information (temperature, humidity, etc.)
-In the case of an image forming device, information on the number of copies (when printing continuously, the number of copies where an error occurred, etc.)

On the other hand, as information necessary for restoring the apparatus (data that must not be deleted), there are machine-specific data necessary for restoring the state before the occurrence of the abnormality, for example, the following data.
・ Information on device energization time (used for grasping life)
-In the case of an image forming device, information on the cumulative number of copies / prints (used to determine the service life and supply replacement time)
・ Variation correction data for motors and sensors (equipment-specific data for correcting device variations)

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described with respect to abnormalities in motor control of an image forming apparatus or the like, other embodiments may be similarly applied to an abnormality in light amount reduction of a transmissive sensor.
In an electronic device that adjusts the amount of light of the transmission type sensor at a predetermined timing so that a constant output can be obtained, and uses the sensor output for control or the like when a medium such as paper is shielded, the sensor It is very important whether the amount of light can be adjusted.

  In such an apparatus, it is necessary to stop the operation as an abnormal state when a constant output cannot be obtained unless the light intensity exceeds the adjustment range. In many cases, it is possible to analyze the cause of the abnormality by recording the transition of the adjustment light amount when the abnormality occurs. The present invention is also effective in factor analysis such as an abnormal light quantity of such a sensor.

The control method of the electronic device according to the present invention is a method for performing each control processing described so far, and is based on the usage example of the flash ROM shown in FIGS. 5, 7, 12 and 15 and each flowchart. It is clear from the explanation.
A program according to the present invention is a control program for an electronic device including a rewritable nonvolatile memory storing a program and data for operating the electronic device, and the computer is configured as shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 10, FIG. It is a program for making it function as each means shown in the functional block diagram.

  The recording medium according to the present invention is a recording medium such as a computer-readable floppy disk, a CD-ROM, a ROM, a flash ROM, a memory card, or a memory chip on which the program is recorded.

  The present invention can be widely used for controlling an electronic apparatus such as an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, but is particularly suitable for an electronic apparatus that needs to control the rotational speed of a motor with high accuracy.

It is a block circuit diagram showing one embodiment of an electronic device provided with a control part by this invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of a control process by a control unit 1 of the electronic device illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a wave form diagram which shows the example of the motor speed of a normal control state. It is a wave form diagram which shows the example of the motor speed in the state in which some abnormality generate | occur | produced. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of using a flash ROM in the case of the first embodiment of the control process described with reference to FIG. 2.

It is a block diagram which shows the function structure for the control part 1 in FIG. 1 to perform the control processing of 1st Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the usage example of flash ROM in the case of the 2nd Example of the control processing by the control part of the electronic device shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which similarly shows the 2nd Example of the control processing. Flow chart showing re-installation process for recovering electronic device It is a block diagram which shows the function structure for the control part 1 in FIG. 1 to perform the control processing of 2nd Example.

It is a circuit diagram which shows other embodiment of the electronic device provided with the control part by this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the usage example of flash ROM in the control processing by control part 1 'of the electronic device shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which similarly shows the Example of the control processing by the control part 1 '. It is a block diagram which similarly shows the function structure for the control part 1 'to perform the control processing of the Example shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other usage example of flash ROM in the control processing by control part 1 'of the electronic device shown in FIG. Similarly, it is a flowchart for carrying out the control process by the control unit 1 ′. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a color image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1 ': Control unit 2, 6: Motor 3, 7: Motor driver (drive circuit)
4, 8: Encoder
11: CPU (central processing unit) 12: RAM (volatile memory)
13: Flash ROM (rewritable nonvolatile memory)
14: ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit)
20: Device main body 21 to 24: Photosensitive drum 25: Intermediate transfer belt 26: Secondary transfer roller 27: Repulsive roller 28: Registration roller pair 29: Fixing unit 30: Scanner unit 40: Paper feeding unit 41: Paper feeding tray 42 : Paper feed roller 43: transport roller 50: paper discharge tray A: data take-in means B: data storage means C: abnormality detection means D, D ', D ": data storage means for abnormality analysis E: compression processing means
F: Abnormal part identification means G: Data transmission means H: Reinstallation means

Claims (20)

Data fetching means for fetching data for detecting an abnormality of the electronic device;
Data storage means for temporarily storing data captured by the data capture means;
An abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality of the electronic device based on the data stored by the data storage means;
A rewritable nonvolatile memory storing a program and data for operating the electronic device;
When an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means, the program or data on the nonvolatile memory is erased, and the abnormality analysis data necessary for analyzing the detected abnormality is written and stored in the erased area. And an abnormality analysis data storage means for controlling the electronic device. The control unit of the electronic device according to claim 1,
The nonvolatile memory stores a program and data for operating the electronic device, and a program and data used for retrieving the abnormality analysis data,
The abnormality analysis data storage means erases a program or data other than the program or data used to retrieve the abnormality analysis data when erasing the program or data on the nonvolatile memory. Control unit of electronic device. The control unit of the electronic device according to claim 1,
The nonvolatile memory stores a program and data for operating the electronic device, and a program for downloading the program and data used to retrieve the abnormality analysis data,
The abnormality analysis data storage means erases a program or data other than a program for downloading the abnormality analysis data or a program for downloading the data when erasing the program or data on the nonvolatile memory. A control unit for an electronic device. In the control part of the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An electronic device control unit comprising means for downloading a program or data for operating the electronic device from the outside, storing the program or data in the nonvolatile memory, and reinstalling the program or data. In the control part of the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The nonvolatile memory is detachably provided in the electronic device main body. When the program or data stored in the nonvolatile memory is erased, the nonvolatile memory stores the program or data. A control unit for an electronic device, wherein the electronic device can be restored by replacing it with a volatile memory. The control unit of the electronic device according to claim 1,
When an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means, it has an abnormality location identification means for further specifying the abnormality occurrence location,
The abnormality analysis data storage means is necessary to analyze an abnormality at a location specified by the abnormality location specifying means among the detected abnormalities in an area where the program or data on the nonvolatile memory is erased. A control unit of an electronic device, wherein only data for abnormality analysis is written and stored. In the control part of the electronic device according to claim 6,
The abnormality analysis data storage means, when erasing a program or data on the non-volatile memory, erases only the program or data necessary for controlling the location specified by the abnormality location specifying means, Control unit of the electronic device. In the control part of the electronic device according to claim 7,
The abnormality analysis data storage means rearranges the program and data remaining so that the area where the program and data on the nonvolatile memory are erased becomes a continuous area, and is specified as a continuous erase area. An electronic apparatus control unit that writes and stores abnormality analysis data necessary to analyze an abnormality at a specified location. In the control part of the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Compression processing means for compressing the abnormality analysis data;
The control unit for an electronic device, wherein the abnormality analysis data storage unit writes and stores the abnormality analysis data compressed by the compression processing unit when writing and storing the abnormality analysis data.   A control unit of the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a motor and a drive circuit that drives the motor, wherein the control unit controls driving of the motor via the drive circuit. An electronic device having a function.   An image forming apparatus comprising the control unit and the image forming unit of the electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit also has a function of controlling the image forming unit. A method for controlling an electronic device including a rewritable nonvolatile memory storing a program and data for operating the electronic device,
A data capture step for capturing data for detecting an abnormality of the electronic device;
A data storage step for temporarily storing the data captured in the step;
An abnormality detection step of detecting an abnormality of the electronic device based on the data stored in the step;
If an abnormality is detected in this step, the program or data on the non-volatile memory is erased, and the abnormality analysis data necessary for analyzing the detected abnormality is written and stored in the erased area An electronic device control method comprising: an analysis data storage step. The method of controlling an electronic device according to claim 12,
In the abnormality analysis data storage step, when erasing the program or data on the non-volatile memory, the non-volatile memory is used to extract the program or data for operating the electronic device and the abnormality analysis data. A method of controlling an electronic device, wherein when a program or data is stored, a program or data other than the program or data used to extract the abnormality analysis data is deleted. The method of controlling an electronic device according to claim 12,
In the abnormality analysis data storage step, when erasing the program and data on the nonvolatile memory, the nonvolatile memory is used to extract the program and data for operating the electronic device and the abnormality analysis data. And a program for downloading data and a program for downloading data are stored, the program and data other than the program for downloading the program and data used for extracting the data for abnormality analysis are deleted. A method for controlling an electronic device. The method for controlling an electronic device according to any one of claims 12 to 14,
A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising: when the electronic device is restored, a program or data for operating the electronic device is downloaded from the outside, stored in the nonvolatile memory, and reinstalled. The method of controlling an electronic device according to claim 12,
When an abnormality is detected in the abnormality detection step, an abnormality location specifying step for further specifying the abnormality occurrence location,
In the abnormality analysis data storage step, an abnormality at a location specified in the abnormality location identification step among the abnormalities detected in the abnormality detection step is analyzed in an area where the program or data on the nonvolatile memory is erased. A method for controlling an electronic device, wherein only the data for abnormality analysis required for writing is stored. In the control part of the electronic device according to claim 16,
In the abnormality analysis data storage step, when erasing the program and data on the nonvolatile memory, only the program and data necessary for controlling the location specified in the abnormality location characteristic step are erased. Method for controlling an electronic device. In the control method of the electronic device according to any one of claims 12 to 17,
A compression processing step of compressing the abnormality analysis data;
In the abnormality analysis data storage step, when the abnormality analysis data is written and stored, the abnormality analysis data compressed in the compression processing step is written and stored. A control program for an electronic device including a rewritable nonvolatile memory storing a program and data for operating the electronic device, the computer comprising:
Data fetching means for fetching data for detecting an abnormality of the electronic device;
Data storage means for temporarily storing data captured by the means;
An abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality of the electronic device based on the data stored by the means;
If an abnormality is detected in this step, the program or data on the non-volatile memory is erased, and the abnormality analysis data necessary for analyzing the detected abnormality is written and stored in the erased area Program to function as data storage means for analysis.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 19 is recorded.

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