JP3792191B2 - Digital multifunction device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital multi-function peripheral having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, and a facsimile function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there is a so-called digital multi-function machine that digitally processes data with multiple functions (application function, also simply called “application”) such as a copy function, a printer function, a facsimile function, and a scanner function. is doing. In the conventional digital multi-function peripheral, the application functions that can be activated are predetermined and do not change. Therefore, an application ID for distinguishing each application function is fixedly defined for each application function.
Some conventional multifunction peripherals have means for managing configuration information of a plurality of components, shared resource distribution information, and the like independently of the components (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 10-198626 A (first page)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional digital multi-function peripheral, when an application function is activated for the first time on the device, the application ID is dynamically assigned to the application, and the application ID is stored in the nonvolatile memory, and the second and subsequent activations are performed. In some cases, the stored application ID is assigned so that information held for each application can be continuously used even after the power is turned on / off.
However, because app IDs are assigned to a non-volatile memory in a fixed manner (uniformly), some apps do not allocate sufficient and sufficient non-volatile memory to achieve that, and there is too much or insufficient non-volatile memory. There was a risk of causing.
[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and in a digital multi-function peripheral, necessary and sufficient non-volatile memory is allocated according to the specifications of each application, and an initial value at the time of initial allocation is The purpose is to ensure that it is guaranteed.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a configuration for realizing a plurality of application functions, and assigning an identification code for identifying the activated application function when each application function is activated. When the application functions are activated, the identification code assigned by the assigning means is stored in the nonvolatile storage means, and when the application functions are subsequently activated, the identification code stored in the nonvolatile storage means is assigned to the assignment function. A digital multi-function peripheral provided with means for assigning to the means, a digital multi-function peripheral provided with means for instructing the storage capacity of the non-volatile storage means necessary for realizing the application function and the initial value written therein Features.
The digital multi-function peripheral has a means for instructing an effective period of the non-volatile storage means to be assigned by the assigning means, and a control for deleting the information stored in the non-volatile storage means in accordance with the effective period instructed by the means Means may be provided.
In addition, when the identification code assigned by the assigning means is stored in the nonvolatile storage means, the means for determining whether or not the nonvolatile storage means has an area where the identification code can be stored, and the means It is advisable to provide means for rearranging the area of the non-volatile storage means already stored when it is determined that there is no such memory.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main functions and hardware configuration of a digital multifunction machine 1 according to the present invention.
In addition to the facsimile function, copy function, and printer function, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 includes a FAX application 2, a copy application 3, a printer application 4, and a new application 5 as functions to be newly added (for example, a scanner function). These are connected to an API (Application Programming interface) 20. In addition, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is configured to realize the above-described functions as follows: FCS (Facsimile Control Service) 6, ECS (Engine Control Service) 7, MCS (Memory Control Service) 8, and SCS (System). It has a Control Service (SR) 9 and an SRM (System Resource Manager) 10. Further, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 includes an IMH (Image Memory Handler) 11, a driver group 12, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) 13, an SDRAM 14, an FCUH (Facsimile Control Unit Handler) 15, a scanner handler 16, and a plotter. And a handler 17.
[0008]
FCS 6, ECS 7, MCS 8, and SCS 9 are connected to the API 20, and have a facsimile function, a copy function 3, a printer application 4, and a new application 5 respectively with a facsimile function, a copying function, a printing function, and a function to be newly added A control service group that provides application interfaces necessary for execution is configured.
The SRM 10 is a means for controlling hardware resources for realizing the FAX application 2, the copy application 3, the printer application 4, and new functions by the FCS 6, ECS 7, MCS 8, and SCS 9. The SRM 10 is connected to an FCUH 15, a scanner handler 16, and a plotter handler 17 via a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus 21. The IMH 11 controls reading and writing of image data by the driver group 12 to the SDRAM 14. The driver group 12 accesses the HDD 13 and the SDRAM 14 and executes reading and writing of image data. The HDD 13 stores image data, and the SDRAM 14 (synchronous DRAM) stores data executed by a main controller (not shown). The FCUH 15 controls a facsimile communication operation by the FAX application 2. The scanner handler 16 controls a document image reading operation by the FAX application 2 or the copy application 3. The plotter handler 17 controls the image forming operation by the FAX application 2 or the copy application 3. The non-volatile memory 19 is a non-volatile storage means that stores data necessary for the SRM 10 to implement each application, and stores an identification code together with the name of the corresponding application.
[0009]
Next, the operation content of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 having the above configuration will be described.
In the digital multi-function peripheral 1, a button for instructing activation of each application is displayed on an operation display panel (not shown). According to the display, when the operator selects and inputs a button and depresses the start button, an instruction is input to the SRM 10 in response to the depressing of the start button, and the SRM 10 implements a corresponding application from the control service group. The control service necessary for the determination is determined, and a predetermined operation execution instruction is input to the corresponding control service. Here, for example, it is assumed that the operator activates the facsimile communication function, the copy function, the print function, and the new function in this order. In this case, it is assumed that the facsimile communication function, the copy function, the printing function, and the new function are activated for the first time in the digital multi-function peripheral 1.
In this case, first, the SRM 10 activates the SCS 9. Then, the SCS 9 operates as an assigning unit that assigns an identification code that identifies the activated application, and as shown in FIG. 2, for each of the FAX application 2, the copy application 3, the printer application 4, and the new application 5, respectively. As identification codes (ID), “1”, “2”, “3”, “4” are assigned (identification code assignment processing). Then, the SRM 10 stores the identification code assigned by the SCS 9 in the nonvolatile memory 19 together with the name of the application. Thereafter, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 sequentially executes operations corresponding to the FAX application 2, the copy application 3, the printer application 4, and the new application 5. When all of them are finished, the operator finally turns off the power. .
[0010]
Next, when the operator turns on the power, the SRM 10 inputs an instruction to the FCS 6, ECS 7, MCS 8, SCS 9 to realize an application according to the operator's input. The identification code stored in the nonvolatile memory 19 is assigned to the SCS 9. Therefore, for example, the FAX application 2 and the printer application 4 are not activated when the application is activated after the power is turned off and the applications are activated for the second time and thereafter (in FIG. 2, both are indicated by a dotted line at the bottom). The SCS 9 assigns the same identification code to the copy application 3 and the new application 5 as those assigned at the previous activation, that is, “2” and “4” for each.
In addition, the SRM 10 performs a search process for unused identification codes when the above-described identification code assignment process is performed by the SCS 9. That is, the SRM 10 searches the identification code management table 9c provided in the nonvolatile memory 19 and executes a process of searching for an unused identification code. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, this management table 9c has an identification code 9a and an assigned flag 9b, and numbers from “1” to “100” are preliminarily managed as identification codes to be assigned. Is set. The assigned flag 9b is a flag indicating whether or not each identification code 9a has been assigned (for example, “0” indicates not assigned and “1” indicates assigned).
[0011]
Then, the SRM 10 searches the assigned flag 9b in the management table 9c in the unused identification code search process, and if it first detects a flag that has not been assigned (not yet assigned), it corresponds to the assigned flag 9b. The identification code 9a is adopted as a new identification code (that is, an identification code of an application that has not been activated yet). In addition, any method other than this may be used as a method for searching for an incomplete identification code.
Next, the operation contents of the allocation process, which is a feature of the present invention, of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, S is an abbreviation for steps.
When the digital multifunction peripheral 1 proceeds to step 1 after starting the process and receives a registration notification from the activated application, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 searches the nonvolatile memory 19 for the name of the application in the subsequent step 2 (application name search processing). ) Proceed to step 3, and from the result of the search process of the application name in step 2, whether or not the application that received the registration notification in step 1 (this application is hereinafter referred to as "registered application") has been activated Judging. Here, if the corresponding application name is searched by searching the non-volatile memory 19 in step 2, it is determined that the registered application has been activated before, and the corresponding application name is not searched. In this case, it is determined that the registered application has never been activated. In the former case, the process proceeds to Step 4, and in the latter case, the process proceeds to Step 5. Proceeding to step 4, in this case, the registered application has already been activated, and its history remains in the management table 9c. Therefore, the SCS 9 assigns the storage area of the nonvolatile memory 19 corresponding to the identification code in order to number the identification code remaining in the nonvolatile memory 19, that is, the identification code used in the previous time. Allocate and go to Step 10.
[0012]
On the other hand, the process proceeds to step 5 when the registered application has never been activated and when the registered application is activated for the first time. Therefore, the above-described unused identification code search process is executed to find an unused identification code from the assigned flag 9b, and in the subsequent step 6, the identification code first found is numbered. In step 7, the combination of the registered application name and the identification code employed in step 6 is stored in the nonvolatile memory 19 and stored. In the subsequent step 8, the SRM 10 is operated to allocate a storage area of the nonvolatile memory 19 with a size (storage capacity) necessary and sufficient for realizing the registered application according to the specification of the registered application. In step 9, the instructed initial value is copied to the allocated storage area. Then, the process proceeds to Step 10 to notify the application of the adopted identification code and the allocated storage area, and the process ends.
As described above, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 can instruct the size of the non-volatile memory necessary for realizing the activated application, and allocates the storage area of the non-volatile memory 19 according to the instruction. It is possible to provide sufficient memory necessary for the application. Therefore, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 can provide a function by an application even when a dynamic identification code assignment process is performed, as in the case of a fixed assignment. Therefore, even when a new application is added, the nonvolatile memory can be used while realizing the function without changing the module that performs the application arbitration process.
[0013]
Next, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 can perform the above-described allocation processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 to release the non-volatile memory 19 that has expired each time the application is activated. In other words, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 proceeds to step 11 after the processing is started, and before executing the above-described processing in step 1, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is compared with the effective period of the nonvolatile memory 19 in the area where data is stored. Whether or not there is an expired area. If there is an expired area, the data is deleted and released, and the process proceeds to step 12. Then, the allocation process is executed in the same procedure as described above.
As described above, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 exhibits the following effects by releasing the expired area on the nonvolatile memory. For example, when the area of the non-volatile memory 19 is allocated to an application that uses only for a short period, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 can release the area and reuse it when it expires after use. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively utilize the finite-size nonvolatile memory 19 that is mounted. It should be noted that the expiry process for releasing the expiration date of the non-volatile memory 19 does not have to be performed every time it is activated, and may be performed only once when the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is activated for the first time. It may be executed for the first time when the storage area is insufficient.
[0014]
Furthermore, when performing the expiration expiration release process, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 may perform the area rearrangement process according to the flowchart shown in FIG.
That is, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 proceeds to step 11 after the processing is started and before executing the above-described allocation processing in step 1, the area in which data is stored is compared with the effective period of the nonvolatile memory 19. It is determined whether or not there is an expired area. If there is an expired area, the data is deleted and released, and the process proceeds to step 13. In subsequent step 13, it is determined whether or not there is a released area. If there is such an area, the process proceeds to step 14, and if not, the process proceeds to step 12, and the process is executed in the same procedure as the above-described allocation process.
Proceeding to step 14, here is a case where there is an area that can be released (released area), so that the information that has already been stored is copied as appropriate, and the area is rearranged again. Thus, the storage area is efficiently rearranged, and then the allocation process is performed.
In this way, the expired area on the nonvolatile memory 19 can be released and the area of the nonvolatile memory 19 can be reused, and by eliminating the fragmentation of the area, the nonvolatile memory 19 can be more efficiently used. Can be used. It should be noted that the expiry area release process may not be performed for each application registration. Further, the method of rearranging the regions is not particularly limited, and the same method may be used for eliminating general fragmentation.
[0015]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the digital multi-function peripheral of the present invention, it is possible to provide a non-volatile memory necessary and sufficient for realizing a new application. Further, even when a new application is added, the nonvolatile memory can be used while realizing the function without changing the module that performs the application arbitration process.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main functions and hardware configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a procedure when an identification code assigning process is performed by the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of assignment processing that characterizes the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an allocation process including a process for releasing an expired nonvolatile memory.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an allocation process including an area rearrangement process and a release process of an expired non-volatile memory.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management table.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: Digital MFP 2: FAX application 3: Copy application 4: Printer application 5: New application 6: FCS
7: ECS 8: MCS
9: SCS 10: SRM
11: IMH 12: Driver group 13: HDD 14: SDRAM
15: FCUH 16: Scanner handler 17: Plotter handler 19: Non-volatile memory

Claims (3)

An allocation unit that includes a configuration for realizing a plurality of application functions, and that assigns an identification code that identifies the activated application function when the application function is activated; and the allocation unit when the application function is activated And a means for storing the identification code assigned by the non-volatile storage means, and for allocating the identification code stored in the nonvolatile storage means to the assignment means when each of the application functions is subsequently activated. In
A digital multi-function peripheral comprising means for instructing a storage capacity of the nonvolatile storage means necessary for realizing the application function and an initial value to be written therein. The digital multi-function peripheral according to claim 1,
Means for instructing an effective period of the nonvolatile storage means to be allocated by the allocation means;
A digital multi-function peripheral comprising control means for deleting information stored in the non-volatile storage means in accordance with an effective period designated by the means. The digital multi-function peripheral according to claim 2,
Means for determining whether or not the non-volatile storage means has an area where the identification code can be stored when the non-volatile storage means stores the identification code assigned by the assignment means;
A digital multi-function peripheral comprising means for rearranging the area of the non-volatile storage means already stored when it is determined that there is no such means.

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