JP2014138265A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that can be continuously used even when the number of rewriting of an SSD reaches the upper limit.SOLUTION: When the amount of rewritable data of an SSD is equal to or larger than the amount of image data to be subsequently temporarily stored, an image forming apparatus controls to temporarily store the image data in the SSD, and when the amount of rewritable data of the SSD is smaller than the amount of the image data to be subsequently temporarily stored, controls to temporarily store the image data in a first storage device. The temporary storage of the image data in the first storage device allows the image forming apparatus to continue processing.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using both an SSD and another storage device.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus employs an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) having a low cost per capacity as a long-term storage memory for storing data such as print data (print jobs). In addition, when the HDD generates a RIP (Raster Image Processor) image (bitmap image, RAW image) based on the print data, the HDD temporarily stores a RIP image so as to correspond to the printing speed (hereinafter referred to as “Raster Image Processor”). It is also used as a temporary storage memory.

  By the way, in the print job, the print data is developed into image data (RIP image), and the image data of the developed pages is sequentially read from the HDD to the page memory while performing the process of sequentially storing the image data in the HDD. When the image data for one page is stored in the page memory, the printer unit is instructed to print the page. For this reason, if the data transfer speed when storing the developed image data in the HDD or the data transfer speed when reading the image data from the HDD to the page memory is slow, the printer unit waits for printing, and the image forming apparatus Productivity will be reduced.

  Therefore, in order to ensure the data transfer speed necessary for maintaining the productivity of the image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as the productivity maintenance speed), a RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks) configuration with multiple HDDs is installed. There is a method (RAID0 (striping)) that improves the data transfer speed (accelerates the data transfer) by taking it (in parallel). For example, FIG. 7 shows an image forming apparatus that performs striping with four HDDs.

  However, when a large number of HDDs are installed, the cost increases accordingly. In addition, a space for mounting the corresponding HDD is required. Therefore, there is a method of using one SSD (Solid State Drive) instead of a plurality of HDDs. A single SSD can ensure a data transfer rate that is higher than the productivity maintenance speed, and the cost of installing one SSD is the cost of installing multiple HDDs (for example, three or more). It is cheap compared with.

  In addition, as the usage method of SSD, the following examples are given. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that various sensors cause temperature, vibration, shock, atmospheric pressure, remaining battery level, relative sound generated by the HDD to sound pressure or background noise, or generated sound from the disk device, and the device is powered on. A method is disclosed in which environmental conditions such as time and disconnection are determined, and an HDD and an SSD are switched as a data storage destination in accordance with the determination result (or a user instruction) (Patent Document 1).

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 discloses that when random access is made to an HDD, it takes more time to transfer data than when sequential access is made. Is disclosed in a method of writing the data in the SSD instead of the HDD (Patent Document 2).

JP 2006-338691 A JP 2011-515727 A

  However, the SSD has an upper limit on the number of rewrites, and when the number of rewrites reaches the upper limit value, the SSD is in a write-inhibited state (ReadOnly state). Therefore, when the SSD rewrite count reaches the upper limit, there is a problem that writing cannot be performed and the image forming apparatus cannot be used until the SSD is replaced with a new one.

  Note that the methods disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are methods that use SSD as an auxiliary to the HDD, and do not use SSD as a main memory, and problems when the number of SSD writes reaches the upper limit. Is not supported.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that can be used continuously even when the number of SSD rewrites reaches an upper limit.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] An image forming unit that forms an image on recording paper based on image data;
An SSD for temporarily storing the image data;
A first storage device for temporarily storing the image data;
The image data that causes the image forming unit to form an image is temporarily stored by selecting either the SSD or the first storage device as a storage destination, and the temporarily stored image data is read from the storage destination to form the image. A control unit that transfers the image to the image forming unit and forms an image;
With
When the amount of rewritable data of the SSD is equal to or larger than the amount of image data to be temporarily stored next, the control unit stores the amount of rewritable data of the SSD in the SSD An image forming apparatus, wherein the image data is temporarily stored in the first storage device when the amount of image data is less than the amount of image data to be processed.

  In the above invention, when the rewritable data amount of the SSD is equal to or larger than the data amount of the next temporarily stored image data, the image data is temporarily stored in the SSD, and the SSD rewritable data amount is Is less than the amount of image data temporarily stored, the image data is temporarily stored in the first storage device. As a result, even if the SSD rewrite count reaches the upper limit and writing to the SSD becomes impossible, image formation can be continued.

[2] The image forming apparatus according to [1], wherein a data amount of the image data to be temporarily stored next is either a job unit data amount or a page unit data amount.

  In the above invention, the data amount of the image data to be temporarily stored next is either the job unit data amount or the page unit data amount. When comparing the data amount for each job and the rewritable data amount of the SSD, switching of the storage destination (SSD and first storage device) does not occur during execution of the job. When comparing the amount of data in page units and the rewritable amount of data in SSDs, the writing process should be continued more reliably until the SSD becomes unwritable than in comparison with the amount of data in job units. Can do.

[3] The first storage device has a data transfer rate slower than that of the SSD,
When the SSD is selected as the storage destination of the temporary storage, the control unit performs the temporary storage and the reading of the temporarily stored image data in parallel, and stores the first storage device in the temporary storage The image forming apparatus according to [1] or [2], wherein when the destination is selected, the temporary storage and the reading of the temporarily stored image data are performed separately.

  In the above invention, since the first storage device has a low data transfer rate, a waiting time occurs in the image forming unit when writing and reading are performed in parallel. When writing and reading are performed separately, a waiting time is required until the writing is completed, but the data transfer speed of reading is improved, so that the waiting time in the image forming unit can be prevented. Since SSD has a high data transfer rate, no waiting time occurs in the image forming unit even if writing and reading are performed in parallel.

[4] The image forming apparatus according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the first storage device is an HDD.

[5] The image forming apparatus according to [1] or [2], wherein the first storage device is an SSD.

  In the above-described invention, the image forming apparatus uses two SSDs as storage destinations for temporary storage.

[6] The image forming apparatus according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the SSD is replaceable during execution of the temporary storage in the first storage device.

  In the above invention, when the SSD is replaced, it is not necessary to interrupt the operation of the image forming apparatus, so that the image forming apparatus can be continuously used even during the replacement of the SSD.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to continue image formation even when the SSD rewrite count reaches the upper limit.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data flow when an image forming apparatus executes a print job while using an SSD as a temporary storage memory. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data flow when an image forming apparatus executes a print job while using an HDD as a temporary storage memory. FIG. It is a figure which shows the graph which shows the relationship between the frequency | count of rewriting of SSD, and the writable amount. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the information of SSD which the S, M, A, R, T function of SSD shows. It is a flowchart which shows a process after starting a rasterization process (RIP process) until a RIP image is temporarily preserve | saved. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data flow when an image forming apparatus that performs striping with four HDDs executes a print job.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 that is connected to the CPU 11 through a bus 23, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13. A nonvolatile memory 14, an I / O controller 15, a display unit 16, an operation unit 17, a scanner unit 19, a printer unit 20, and a facsimile communication unit 21 are connected. The network I / F (Interface) unit 18, the SSD 32, and the HDD 33 are connected by a signal line different from the bus 23.

  The CPU 11 is based on an OS (Operating System) program, on which middleware and application programs are executed. Various programs are stored in the ROM 12, and each function of the image forming apparatus 10 such as job execution is realized by the CPU 11 executing processes according to these programs. The RAM 13 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU 11 executes a program. In the embodiment of the present invention, the CPU 11 reads out print data from an HDD 33 described later, performs rasterization processing, and generates a RIP image.

  The nonvolatile memory 14 is a rewritable memory (flash memory) that can retain memory even when the power is turned off. The nonvolatile memory 14 stores device-specific information and various setting information.

  The network I / F unit 18, the SSD 32, and the HDD 33 are connected to the I / O controller 15 by an independent signal line different from the bus 23. The I / O controller 15 includes an SSD controller and an HDD controller that control reading and writing of data to and from the SSD 32 and the HDD 33. The I / O controller 15 is interposed between devices connected thereto, and exchanges data. For example, the CPU 11 accesses the SSD 32, HDD 33, etc. via the I / O controller 15.

  The HDD 33 is a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device, and stores an OS program, various application programs, print data (print job), job history, setting history, and the like. The print data is read when the job is executed, and an RIP image is generated by the RIP process performed by the CPU 11.

  The SSD 32 is a non-volatile storage device, and is used as a temporary storage memory that temporarily stores (temporarily stores) a RIP image generated by the RIP process so as to correspond to the printing speed. The temporarily stored RIP image is read out in accordance with the speed at which the ASIC 30 described later transmits the RIP image to the printer unit 20 and transferred to the ASIC 30.

  The SSD 32 has a limit on the number of rewrites (erase count). When the number of rewrites exceeds a certain number, the amount of rewritable data decreases every time rewriting is performed, and when the amount of rewritable data becomes 0, the write inhibit state (ReadOnly state) is entered. Note that the SSD 32 has a cache memory, and when a certain amount of data is accumulated in the cache memory, the certain amount is regarded as one block, and data is read and written in units of the block.

  The SSD 32 also has S, M, A, R, and T (Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology) functions for monitoring the state of the own device (SSD 32). By using the S, M, A, R, and T functions, the CPU 11 grasps the amount of rewritable data in the SSD 32 (the number of remaining blocks that can be rewritten) and the like.

  The display unit 16 is composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD) and the like, and has a function of displaying various operation screens, setting screens, and the like. The operation unit 17 has a function of accepting various operations such as job input and setting from the user. The operation unit 17 includes a touch panel that is provided on the screen of the display unit 16 and detects a pressed coordinate position, and includes a numeric keypad, a character input key, a print start start button, and the like.

  The network I / F unit 18 communicates with other external devices connected through a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The scanner unit 19 performs a function of optically reading a document and acquiring image data. The scanner unit 19 sequentially moves, for example, a light source that irradiates light on a document, a line image sensor that receives the reflected light for one line in the width direction, and a reading position in units of lines in the length direction of the document. An optical path composed of a lens, a mirror, and the like for guiding the reflected light from the document to the line image sensor to form an image, a conversion unit for converting the analog image signal output from the line image sensor into digital image data, etc. It is prepared for.

  The printer unit 20 has a function of forming an image on a recording sheet according to a RIP image sent from an ASIC 30 described later. Here, it has a recording paper transport device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, a fixing device, and the like, and forms an image by an electrophotographic process. Is configured as a so-called laser printer (printer engine). The image formation may be an ink jet method or other methods.

  The facsimile communication unit 21 controls operations related to facsimile transmission and reception.

  An ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 30 (see FIG. 2) performs various conversion processing and image processing (processing such as image enlargement / reduction and rotation) related to the print function (image formation output) on the received RIP image. Do. The ASIC 30 is an integrated circuit for transmitting the RIP image after the conversion process and the image process to the printer unit 20. The ASIC 30 has a page memory for temporarily storing the received RIP image, and has a function of transmitting to the printer unit 20 when one page of RIP image is prepared.

  The image forming apparatus 10 of the present invention performs printing based on a print job (print data) stored in the HDD 33. When executing a print job, the RIP image may be temporarily stored in the SSD 32 or may be temporarily stored in the HDD 33.

  FIG. 2 shows a data flow when the RIP image is temporarily stored in the SSD 32 when the image forming apparatus 10 of the present invention executes a print job.

  First, the network I / F unit 18 receives a print job from the external PC terminal 40, and stores the print job in the HDD 33 (S1). Next, the CPU 11 reads out the print data and rasterizes it to generate a RIP image. That is, the CPU 11 temporarily stores the RIP image (bitmap image, RAW image) obtained by performing the rendering process in the SSD 32 (S2). Thereafter, the RIP image temporarily stored in the SSD 32 is transmitted to the ASIC 30. The ASIC 30 performs various types of conversion processing and image processing on the RIP image, and transmits the RIP image to the printer unit 20. The printer unit 20 performs printing based on the received RIP image (S3). In addition, the dotted line with an arrow in a figure shows the data flow at the time of performing the process of S1, S2, and S3.

  FIG. 3 shows a data flow when the RIP image is temporarily stored in the HDD 33 when the image forming apparatus 10 of the present invention executes a print job. First, as in FIG. 2, the network I / F unit 18 receives a print job from the external PC terminal 40, and stores the print job in the HDD 33 (S11).

  Next, the CPU 11 reads a print job (print data) from the HDD 33, and temporarily stores the RIP image obtained by performing the rasterizing process (RIP process, rendering process) in the HDD 33 (S12). Thereafter, the RIP image temporarily stored in the HDD 33 is transmitted to the ASIC 30. The ASIC 30 performs various types of conversion processing and image processing on the RIP image, and transmits the result to the printer unit 20. The printer unit 20 performs printing based on the received RIP image (S13). In addition, the dotted line with the arrow in a figure shows the data flow at the time of performing the process of S11, S12, and S13.

  When executing the print job, the image forming apparatus 10 of the present invention temporarily stores the RIP image in the SSD 32 if the rewritable data amount of the SSD 32 is greater than or equal to the data amount of the RIP image to be temporarily stored next. When the rewritable data amount of the SSD 32 is less than the data amount of the next RIP image to be temporarily saved, the RIP image is temporarily saved in the HDD 33 (the memory for temporarily saving is switched from the SSD 32 to the HDD 33).

  When temporarily storing the RIP image, the CPU 11 acquires the information on the SSD 32 using the S, M, A, R, and T functions, determines the amount of rewritable data on the SSD 32 from the acquired information, and then The data amount of the RIP image to be temporarily stored is compared. Even when the RIP image is temporarily stored in the HDD 33, the RIP image is transmitted from the HDD 33 to the printer unit 20 via the ASIC 30, and printing is performed. Therefore, even if the SSD 32 is in a write-protected state, By switching the storage destination to the HDD 33, execution of the print job can be continued without interruption or failure.

In FIG. 2, when executing a print job, the data transfer speed between each component necessary for executing the print job is
-Between the network I / F unit 18 and the I / O controller 15, 50 MByte / sec,
-Between the I / O controller 15 and the CPU 11 (CPU 11 and ROM 12, RAM 13, etc.), 2000 MByte / sec,
-Between CPU11 etc. and ASIC30, 700MByte / sec,
-Between the ASIC 30 and the printer unit 20, 100MByte / sec,
-Between the I / O controller 15 and the SSD 32, 200 MByte / sec,
-Between I / O controller 15 and HDD 33, 130-100 MByte / sec,
It has become. The data transfer speed between the I / O controller 15 and the SSD 32 is a so-called SSD 32 data transfer speed, and the data transfer speed between the I / O controller 15 and the HDD 33 is a so-called data transfer speed of the HDD 33. Here, when the transfer speed when the RIP image is transferred from the temporarily stored memory to the ASIC 30 is equal to or higher than the transfer speed (100 MByte / sec) between the ASIC 30 and the printer unit 20, no waiting time occurs. The productivity of the image forming apparatus 10 is maintained.

  In FIG. 2, the processing of S2 and S3 (processing for writing (temporarily storing) the RIP image to the SSD 32 and processing for reading the RIP image from the SSD 32 (processing for transmitting to the ASIC 30)) is executed simultaneously when executing the print job. Assuming this, the data transfer rate of the SSD 32 is a write rate / read rate of 100 MByte / sec. The data transfer rate (100 MByte / sec) related to reading of the SSD 32 under this condition is equal to or higher than the transfer rate (100 MByte / sec) between the ASIC 30 and the printer unit 20, so that the productivity of the image forming apparatus 10 is maintained.

  When the print job is repeatedly stored temporarily in the SSD 32 (rewrite is repeated) and the number of rewrites to the SSD 32 exceeds a certain number, the amount of rewritable data in the SSD 32 decreases each time rewriting is performed. When the rewritable data amount of the SSD 32 is less than the data amount of the RIP image to be temporarily stored next, the RIP image is temporarily stored in the HDD 33 (the temporary storage memory is switched to the HDD 33).

  In FIG. 2, the process of writing the RIP image and the process of reading the RIP image are executed at the same time. However, in FIG. 3, when the processes of S12 and S13 are executed simultaneously, the writing speed and the reading speed are 65 to 50 MByte, respectively. Since the reading speed is slower than the transfer speed (100 MByte / sec) between the ASIC 30 and the printer unit 20, the printer unit 20 waits for printing (productivity cannot be maintained).

  In FIG. 3, when it is desired to prevent the waiting time in the printer unit 20 from occurring, the processing of S12 and S13 (processing for writing the RIP image to the HDD 33 and processing for reading the RIP image from the HDD 33) may be performed separately. When the processes of S12 and S13 are performed separately, the print job can be executed with the writing speed and reading speed of the HDD 33 being 130 to 100 MByte / sec. In this case, printing is started after waiting for the processing of S12 to be completed, but the data transfer speed related to the read speed is equal to or higher than the transfer speed (100 MByte / sec) between the ASIC 30 and the printer unit 20, so No waiting time is generated in the unit 20.

  In FIG. 3, even when the SSD 32 is in a write-protected state, the temporary storage memory is switched to the HDD 33, so that the print job execution process can be continued. The image forming apparatus 10 is configured to replace the SSD 32 without interrupting the processing even when the HDD 33 is being used as a temporary storage memory (during execution of a print job). Since the image forming apparatus 10 can be used even during the replacement of the SSD 32, the processing can be continued without drastically reducing productivity.

  FIG. 4 shows a graph 90 representing the relationship between the number of times the SSD 32 is rewritten and the amount of rewritable data (referred to as the rewritable amount) of the SSD 32. The horizontal axis represents the number of rewrites, and the vertical axis represents the rewritable amount. In the graph 90, it is assumed that the rewritable amount does not decrease due to the occurrence of a defective block.

  Until the number of times of rewriting is equal to or less than T1, the rewritable amount is kept constant in the maximum state (the maximum value of the rewritable amount is the first data amount). When the number of rewrites exceeds T1, the rewritable amount gradually decreases from the first data amount every time rewriting is performed, and when the number of rewrites exceeds T2, the rewritable amount becomes 0 (Read Only state) (It will be in a write-protected state).

  If the number of rewrites exceeds T1 and the writable amount starts to decrease, the SSD 32 may be in the Read Only state during data writing (in the middle of rewriting). Therefore, the CPU 11 monitors the rewritable amount of the SSD 32, grasps the data amount of the RIP image to be temporarily stored next, and temporarily stores it so that the SSD 32 does not enter the Read Only state (write prohibited state) during the writing process. The memory is switched to the HDD 33.

  Note that when comparing the rewritable amount of the SSD 32 and the data amount of the RIP image to be temporarily stored next, the data amount of the RIP image for each job or the RIP image for each page is compared. Since the RIP image is RAW data, if the page size is the same, the data amount per page is the same size. The CPU 11 grasps the page size, the number of pages, and the like of the print job, and calculates the data amount of the RIP image in page units or the data amount of the RIP image in job units.

  When comparing the data amount of the RIP image in page units and the rewritable amount, the write process is performed until the SSD 32 becomes unwritable as compared to comparing the data amount of the RIP image in job units and the rewritable amount. Can continue.

  When the data amount of the RIP image for each job is compared with the rewritable amount, the temporary storage memory is not switched during the job processing. As a result, there is no waiting time (waiting time due to a decrease in data transfer speed, etc.) when the temporary storage memory is switched during job processing.

  When the CPU 11 monitors the rewritable amount, the S, M, A, R, and T functions of the SSD 32 are used. FIG. 5 shows an S, M, A, R, and T inspection item list 91 indicating information acquired by the CPU 11 by the S, M, A, R, and T functions of the SSD 32.

  The items shown in the S, M, A, R, and T inspection item list 91 in FIG. 5 include the maximum erase count, the corresponding chip number, the minimum erase count, the chip defective block count, the total physical block erase count, and the erased physical block count. There are 7 total physical blocks.

  The CPU 11 determines the number of blocks in the SSD 32 based on the number of blocks obtained by subtracting the number of blocks indicated by the number of erased physical blocks and the number of defective chip blocks from the number of blocks indicated by the total physical block number item. Judge the rewritable amount. Specifically, a value obtained by multiplying the data amount per block by the number of remaining blocks is set as the rewritable amount.

  FIG. 6 shows a flow of processing for temporarily storing a RIP image when the image forming apparatus 10 executes a print job. First, the CPU 11 receives a print job start (RIP process start) instruction (step S101).

  Next, the data amount of the RIP image generated when the print job (print data) for which the start instruction has been received is rasterized is calculated (step S102). Here, the data size of the RIP image in units of jobs or the data size of the RIP image in units of pages is calculated.

  Next, the CPU 11 uses the S, M, A, R, and T functions to acquire the rewritable amount of the SSD 32 (shown as the remaining capacity in the drawing) (step S103).

  If the rewritable amount (remaining capacity) of the SSD 32 acquired in step S103 is greater than or equal to the data amount of the RIP image calculated in step S102 (step S104; Yes), the RIP image is written to the SSD 32 (step S105). The process proceeds to S107.

  If the rewritable amount (remaining capacity) of the SSD 32 acquired in step S103 is less than the data amount of the RIP image calculated in step S102 (step S104; No), the RIP image is written in the HDD 33 (step S106). The process proceeds to S107.

  Thereafter, it is recorded in which of the SSD 32 and the HDD 33 the RIP image is temporarily stored (the storage destination list is updated) (step S107), and the process is terminated. When outputting the temporarily stored RIP image, the temporarily stored RIP image is read with reference to the storage destination list updated in step S107.

  The image forming apparatus 10 of the present invention, when temporarily storing a RIP image generated by rasterization processing, if the rewritable amount of the SSD 32 is greater than or equal to the data amount of the next RIP image to be temporarily stored, the RIP image is stored in the SSD 32. If the rewritable amount of the SSD 32 is less than the data amount of the next RIP image to be temporarily stored, the RIP image is temporarily stored in the HDD 33. As a result, if the SSD 32 can be temporarily saved, the print job can be continuously executed by switching the writing destination to the HDD 33 even when the SSD 32 is in a Read Only state while temporarily saving to the SSD 32. .

  The image forming apparatus 10 of the present invention is not immediately disabled due to the SSD 32 being in a write-protected state during execution of a print job. By switching the temporary storage destination to the HDD 33, the SSD 32 can be exchanged while maintaining the function of the image forming apparatus 10 (although inferior in performance). Note that after replacing the SSD 32, the original performance is restored.

  Further, when the temporary storage memory is switched to the HDD 33 when the rewritable amount of the SSD 32 becomes below a certain level, it is necessary to increase the margin so that the switching does not occur during the temporary storage, but the image forming apparatus of the present invention. No. 10 compares the rewritable amount of the SSD 32 and the data amount of the RIP image, and switches the temporary storage destination, so that the writing process can be continued until the SSD 32 becomes impossible to write.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the HDD 33 is used together with the SSD 32, but the HDD 33 may be replaced with another storage device. For example, it may be replaced with another SSD 32. Further, a storage device provided separately from the image forming apparatus 10 may be used. For example, an external server may be used.

  In addition, when the SSD 32 is in a write-protected state, the SSD 32 may not be replaced unless temporary storage in the HDD 33 is interrupted.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the data amount of the RIP image in page units or the RIP image in job units is compared with the rewritable amount of the SSD 32, but the unit of the RIP image to be temporarily stored next is not limited to this. Further, the image data to be temporarily saved is not limited to the RIP image.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, when executing a print job, the RIP image obtained by rasterizing the print data is temporarily stored. However, like the copy, the image read by the scanner unit 19 is temporarily stored. May be. When performing copying, first, image data (RAW image) obtained by reading by the scanner unit 19 is temporarily stored in the SSD 32, and the image data is read and transmitted to the ASIC 30. Thereafter, various conversion processes are performed by the ASIC 30, and the printer unit 20 performs image formation based on the image data.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image forming apparatus 11 ... CPU
12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Nonvolatile memory 15 ... I / O controller 16 ... Display part 17 ... Operation part 18 ... Network I / F part 19 ... Scanner part 20 ... Printer part 21 ... Facsimile communication part 23 ... Bus 30 ... ASIC
32 ... SSD
33 ... HDD
40 ... PC terminal 90 ... Graph 91 ... S, M, A, R, T inspection item list

Claims (6)

An image forming unit that forms an image on recording paper based on image data;
An SSD for temporarily storing the image data;
A first storage device for temporarily storing the image data;
The image data that causes the image forming unit to form an image is temporarily stored by selecting either the SSD or the first storage device as a storage destination, and the temporarily stored image data is read from the storage destination to form the image. A control unit that transfers the image to the image forming unit and forms an image;
With
When the amount of rewritable data of the SSD is equal to or larger than the amount of image data to be temporarily stored next, the control unit stores the amount of rewritable data of the SSD in the SSD An image forming apparatus, wherein the image data is temporarily stored in the first storage device when the amount of image data is less than the amount of image data to be processed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data amount of the image data to be temporarily stored is either a job unit data amount or a page unit data amount. The first storage device has a slower data transfer rate than the SSD,
When the SSD is selected as the storage destination of the temporary storage, the control unit performs the temporary storage and the reading of the temporarily stored image data in parallel, and stores the first storage device in the temporary storage The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the destination is selected, the temporary storage and the reading of the temporarily stored image data are performed separately. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first storage device is an HDD. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first storage device is an SSD. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the SSD can be exchanged during execution of the temporary storage in the first storage device.

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