JP4246608B2 - Image forming apparatus and program start method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a program start how, in particular the program starting method to start the program in accordance with a predetermined setting file, relates to an image forming equipment to utilize the program starting method.

  In recent years, there has been known an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a multifunction peripheral) in which the functions of each apparatus such as a printer, a copy, a facsimile, and a scanner are housed in one casing. This multi-function apparatus is provided with a display unit, a printing unit, an imaging unit, and the like in one casing, and four types of software corresponding to a printer, a copy, a facsimile, and a scanner, respectively. Operates as a copy, facsimile and scanner. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an example of a fusion machine.

  In such a multi-function apparatus, a basic input / output system (BIOS) and a boot loader are activated after the power is turned on. The boot loader starts the kernel by expanding the kernel and the root file system on a RAM (Random Access Memory). The kernel then mounts the root file system. Here, “mount” refers to starting up a file system or peripheral device in an accessible state.

  After the kernel is activated, an application / service layer activation program that activates an application (hereinafter referred to as an application) and various services is activated. The application / service layer activation program is a process that is first activated on the MFP, mounts the file system according to a predetermined setting file, and processes the service layer and application layer necessary for the operation of the MFP according to the predetermined setting file. It is running.

  In addition, when an SD card as an example of a recording medium is inserted into a slot or inserted, the application / service layer activation program mounts the file system according to the setting file recorded on the SD card, and records it on the SD card. The process of the created app was started according to a predetermined setting file.

In the conventional multifunction peripheral, the application process recorded on the SD card is inserted into the hardware resources such as the display unit, the printing unit and the imaging unit, the model of the multifunction device or the SD card in the process of each process. The slot number of the existing slot was being checked. For example, Patent Document 2 describes an example of a program for starting an application in accordance with predefined operation definition information.
JP 2002-84383 A JP 2000-20203 A

  An SD card as an example of a recording medium may store a plurality of applications with different compatible models. However, since the application process recorded on the SD card in the conventional compound machine checks the model of the compound machine, if the model of the compound machine is checked in the process of each process, the duplicated parts in each process There was a problem of increasing. Further, in the conventional compound machine, when the model of the compound machine is checked in the process of each process, the model of the compound machine cannot be checked unless each process is started. Therefore, even in the case of an application process with a different compatible model in the conventional compound machine, there is a problem that it has to be started up wastefully in order to check the model of the compound machine. Note that Patent Document 2 does not check a compatible model of an application to be activated, and cannot solve the above problem.

  Furthermore, the slot number of the slot to be inserted may be recorded on the SD card as an example of the recording medium. However, since the application process recorded on the SD card in the conventional multi-function machine checks the slot number of the slot in which the SD card is inserted, there is a problem that there are many duplicate parts in each process. It was. Further, in the conventional compound machine, when the slot number of the slot in which the SD card is inserted is checked in the process of each process, the slot number of the slot in which the SD card is inserted is checked unless each process is started. I couldn't. Therefore, in the conventional fusion machine, even if an SD card is inserted into a slot other than the slot to be inserted, it is necessary to start up wastefully in order to check the slot number of the slot into which the SD card is to be inserted. was there.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and can reduce overlapping portions of a program recorded on a removable recording medium and efficiently start the program recorded on the removable recording medium. and to provide an image forming apparatus and a program start how capable.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a hardware resource including at least one of a plotter and a scanner used in image forming processing, a CPU and a memory , a program for performing processing relating to image formation, and a recording medium. An image forming apparatus having an insertable / removable slot, wherein the CPU is implemented by executing an application / service activation program, and is a mount target module and a mount that are part of a program for performing processing related to the image formation The mount target module is mounted on the mount point according to the setting file in which the point is set, the program is started , the program starting means for starting the recording medium checking means, and the CPU executes the recording medium access driver It is realized by, inserted into the slot A recording medium access control means for performing access control to the recording medium being, the CPU is realized by executing a recording medium status monitor driver, a recording medium status monitor control unit that manages status information of the recording medium And the CPU includes a recording medium check unit that is realized by executing a recording medium check program, and is activated by the program activation unit in response to insertion or removal of the recording medium from the slot. Recording medium access control means receives an interruption according to insertion of the recording medium from the slot, notifies insertion of the recording medium to the recording medium status monitor control means, and the recording medium status monitor control means Notifying the program starting means of media insertion The program activation means activates the recording medium check means in response to insertion of the recording medium, the recording medium check means mounts the recording medium according to a master setting file, and the recording medium is mounted. the notifies the recording medium status monitor control unit, the program starting unit, when the recording medium is notified that is mounted from said recording medium status monitor control means reads the setting file from the recording medium, the Based on the analysis result of the setting file, the mount target module existing on the recording medium is mounted at the mount point, and the program starting unit reads the module information file for each mount target module at the mount point, and the module information file Included in The first model information representing the model supported by the mount target module is compared with the second model information representing the model of the image forming apparatus acquired using a system call, and the first model information and the second model are compared. When the information matches, the mount target module mounted at the mount point is activated.

The present invention also includes hardware resources including at least one of a plotter and a scanner used in image forming processing, a CPU and a memory , a program for performing processing relating to image forming, and a slot into which a recording medium can be inserted and removed. A method for starting a program of an image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is implemented by the CPU executing an application / service start program, and is a mount target that is a part of a program that performs processing related to the image formation According to the setting file in which the module and the mount point are set, the mount target module is mounted on the mount point to start the program, and the program starting means for starting the recording medium checking means, and the CPU includes a recording medium access driver. It is realized by executing, before A recording medium access control means for performing access control to the recording medium inserted into the slot, the CPU is realized by executing a recording medium status monitor driver, a recording medium status for managing status information of the recording medium Monitor control means, and a recording medium check means that is realized by the CPU executing a recording medium check program and activated by the program activation means in response to insertion or removal of the recording medium from the slot. The recording medium access control means receives an interruption in response to insertion of the recording medium from the slot, notifies the recording medium status monitor control means of insertion of the recording medium, and the recording medium status monitor control means , The program medium is inserted into the recording medium. The program starting means starts the recording medium checking means in response to insertion of the recording medium, the recording medium checking means mounts the recording medium according to a master setting file, and the recording medium There notified that is mounted on the recording medium status monitor control means, when said program activation unit is notified that the recording medium is mounted from said recording medium status monitor control unit, set from the recording medium Based on the analysis result of the setting file, the mount target module existing on the recording medium is mounted on the mount point, and the program starting unit reads the module information file for each mount target module at the mount point. The module information file The first model information indicating the compatible model of the mount target module included in the first model information is compared with the second model information indicating the model of the image forming apparatus acquired using a system call. When the second model information matches the second model information, the mount target module mounted at the mount point is activated.

  According to the present invention, the starting means for starting the program can suppress the starting of the program recorded on the recording medium according to the model information of the program. Further, according to the present invention, the starting means for starting the program can suppress the starting of the program recorded on the recording medium according to the slot identification information.

  Therefore, it is not necessary to check the model information and the slot identification information in the processing of each program, and the overlapping portion of each program can be reduced. Further, it is not necessary to start a program that is not used, and the program can be started efficiently.

As described above, according to the present invention, an overlapping part of a program recorded on a removable recording medium can be reduced, and an image capable of efficiently starting a program recorded on a removable recording medium. forming apparatus and a program start how can provide.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described based on the following embodiments with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment for explaining a software configuration of a multi-function apparatus according to the present invention. The multi-function machine 1 is configured to include a software group 2, a multi-function machine starting unit 3, and hardware resources 4.

  The hardware resource 4 includes a plotter 11, a scanner 12, and other hardware resources 13 such as a facsimile. The software group 2 includes an application layer 5 and a platform 6 activated on an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) such as UNIX (registered trademark).

  The application layer 5 includes programs that perform processing unique to user services related to image formation such as printers, copies, faxes, and scanners. The application layer 5 in FIG. 1 includes a printer application 21, a copy application 22, a fax application 23, a scanner application 24, and a net file application 25. The network file application 25 is a network file application, and manages data communication with network devices connected to the multi-function apparatus 1 via a network.

  The platform 6 interprets a processing request from the application layer 5 and generates a hardware resource 4 acquisition request, and manages one or more hardware resources 4 to control the control service layer 9 A system resource manager (hereinafter referred to as SRM) 39 that arbitrates acquisition requests and a handler layer 10 that manages hardware resources 4 in response to acquisition requests from the SRM 39 are included.

  The control service layer 9 includes one or more service modules such as NCS31, DCS32, OCS33, FCS34, ECS35, MCS36, UCS37, and SCS38. The platform 6 is configured to have an API 53 that receives a processing request from the application layer 5 using a predefined function. The OS executes the software of the application layer 5 and the platform 6 in parallel as processes.

  A process of an NCS (network control service) 31 performs mediation when distributing data received from the network side by each protocol to each application, or mediating when data from each application is transmitted to the network side. For example, the NCS 31 controls data communication with network devices connected to the multi-function peripheral via a network.

  The process of DCS (Delivery Control Service) 32 controls the delivery of document data stored in the compound machine. The process of the OCS (operation panel control service) 33 controls the operation panel described later.

  The process of FCS (fax control service) 34 is to send and receive faxes from the application layer 5 using the PSTN or ISDN network, register or quote various fax data managed in the backup memory, read faxes, receive faxes. Provides an API for printing and the like.

  The process of the ECS (engine control service) 35 controls engine units such as the plotter 11, the scanner 12, and the hardware resource 13. The process of the MCS (memory control service) 36 performs control such as memory acquisition and release, HDD use, image data compression and decompression, and the like. The UCS (User Information Control Service) 37 process manages user information.

  The process of the SCS (system control service) 38 performs processing such as operation unit control, system screen display, LED display, hardware resource management, application management, and interrupt application control.

  The SRM 39 process controls the system and manages the hardware resources 4 together with the SCS 38. For example, the process of the SRM 39 performs arbitration according to an acquisition request from an upper layer using the hardware resource 4 such as the plotter 11 or the scanner 12 and controls the execution of the hardware resource 4.

  Specifically, the process of the SRM 39 determines whether or not the hardware resource 4 requested to be acquired can be used (whether it is not used by another acquisition request). 4 is notified to the upper layer that 4 is available. The process of the SRM 39 performs scheduling for using the hardware resource 4 in response to an acquisition request from an upper layer, and directly transmits the request contents (paper transport and image forming operation by the printer engine, memory allocation, file generation, etc.). We are carrying out.

  The handler layer 10 includes an FCUH (fax control unit handler) 40 that manages an FCU (fax control unit), which will be described later, and an IMH (image memory handler) 41 that allocates memory for the process and manages the memory allocated to the process. Including. The SRM 39 and the FCUH 40 make a processing request for the hardware resource 4 using the engine I / F 54 that transmits a processing request for the hardware resource 4 by a predefined function.

  With the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the multi-function apparatus 1 can centrally process processes commonly required for each application on the platform 6. Next, a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 1 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment for explaining the hardware configuration of the multi-function apparatus according to the present invention. 2 includes a controller 60, an operation panel 80, an FCU 81, and an engine unit 82.

  The controller 60 includes a CPU 61, system memory 62, NB 63, SB 64, ASIC 66, local memory 67, HDD 68, NIC 69, SD card slot 70, USB I / F 71, IEEE 1394 I / F 72, and Centronics I / F 73.

  The operation panel 80 is connected to the ASIC 66 of the controller 60. Further, the FCU 81 and the engine unit 82 are connected to the ASIC 66 of the controller 60 via the PCI bus 83.

  In the controller 60, the local memory 67, the HDD 68, and the like are connected to the ASIC 66, and the CPU 61 and the ASIC 66 are connected via the NB 63 of the CPU chip set. The ASIC 66 and the NB 63 are connected via an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) 65.

  The CPU 61 performs overall control of the compound machine 1. In the MFP 1 of FIG. 1, after the CPU 61 activates one or more service modules forming the control service layer 9, the SRM 39, and the FCUH 40 and IMH 41 forming the handler layer 10 on the OS, the application layer 5 A printer application 21, a copy application 22, a fax application 23, a scanner application 24, and a net file application 25 are activated and executed.

  The NB (North Bridge) 63 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 61, system memory 62, SB 64, ASIC 66, NIC 69, SD card slot 70, USB I / F 71, IEEE 1394 I / F 72 and Centronics I / F 73. The NB 63 is connected to the SB 64, NIC 69, SD card slot 70, USB I / F 71, IEEE 1394 I / F 72, and Centronics I / F 73 via the PCI bus 74. The SB (South Bridge) 64 is a bridge for connecting the PCI bus 74 to a ROM, peripheral devices, and the like.

  The system memory 62 is a memory used as a drawing memory or the like. The local memory 67 is a memory used as a copy image buffer, a code buffer, or the like. The ASIC 66 is an IC for use in image processing having hardware elements for image processing. The HDD 68 is an example of storage (auxiliary storage device) that stores image data, document data, programs, font data, forms, and the like.

  The NIC (network interface card) 69 is an interface device that connects the multi-function apparatus 1 to a network such as the Internet or a LAN. The SD card slot 70 is a slot into which an SD card can be inserted and removed, and interrupts the device driver in accordance with the insertion or removal of the SD card.

  The USB I / F 70, the IEEE 1394 I / F 71, and the Centronics I / F 72 are interfaces conforming to the respective standards. The operation panel 80 is an operation unit that receives an input operation from the operator and performs display for the operator. The FCU 81 has a backup memory. The memory of the FCU 81 is used for temporarily storing facsimile data received when the power of the multi-function apparatus 1 is OFF, for example.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an example of the MFP starter. The compound machine starting unit 3 in FIG. 1 is executed first when the power of the compound machine 1 is turned on, and activates the application layer 5 and the platform 6. The multi-functional apparatus activation unit 3 includes a ROM monitor 51 and a program activation unit 52. The processing of the MFP starter 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example of processing performed by the MFP starter. In step S <b> 201, the BIOS and the ROM monitor 51 as a boot loader are executed by turning on the power of the MFP 1. The ROM monitor 51 performs hardware initialization, controller 60 diagnosis, software initialization, and the like. Progressing to step S202 following step S201, the ROM monitor 51 expands the OS and the root file system on the system memory 62 and starts the OS. Then, the OS mounts the root file system.

  Progressing to step S203 following step S202, the OS acquires device information (for example, the clock frequency of the CPU 61, the memory sizes of the system memory 62 and the local memory 57, the board type of the controller 60, etc.) connected at the time of startup. .

  Progressing to step S204 following step S203, the OS activates the program activation unit 52 as an application / service activation program. The program activation unit 52 secures a memory area on the system memory 62 and the local memory 67. The program activation unit 52 is a process activated first in the multi-function apparatus 1. Progressing to step S205 following step S204, the program activation unit 52 mounts the file system according to the setting file.

  Further, the program activation unit 52 reads the program from the ROM or the like according to the setting file, expands the read program in the memory area secured on the system memory 62 and the local memory 67, and activates the processes of the application layer 5 and the platform 6 To do.

  Hereinafter, when the power of the multi-function apparatus 1 is turned on, it is inserted into the SD card slot 70 or is inserted into the SD card slot 70 with the power turned on, and in accordance with the setting file recorded on the SD card. Processing for mounting the file system and starting the processes of the application layer 5 and the platform 6 recorded on the SD card according to a predetermined setting file will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a part of the multi-function peripheral in order to explain the program starting method according to the present invention. The SD card 126 can be so-called hot-swap while the power of the multi-function apparatus 1 is kept on. The SD card slot 125 allows the SD card 126 to be inserted and removed, and interrupts the SD card access driver 124 in response to the insertion or removal of the SD card 126.

  The SD card access driver 124 controls access to the SD card 126 and notifies the SD card status monitor driver 123 of insertion or removal of the SD card 126 in response to an interrupt from the SD card slot 125. The SD card status monitor driver 123 manages status information of the SD card 126 such as insertion, removal, mounting, and unmounting of the SD card 126, and notifies the program activation unit 52 of status information of the SD card 126.

  The program activation unit 52 activates the SD card check program 121 in response to insertion or removal of the SD card 126. The SD card check program 121 is for checking whether the partition of the SD card 126 is correct and the state of the file system is correct, and making it usable as the file system 122. The SD card check program 121 has, for example, a check function, a mount function, an unmount function, and a status notification function for the SD card 126. The program activation unit 52 activates a program in the SD card 126 according to the status information of the SD card 126 from the SD card status monitor driver 123. Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the program starting method according to the present invention will be described with reference to flowcharts.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example of a process for starting a program recorded on the SD card. For example, when the SD card 126 is inserted into the SD card slot 125, the program activation unit 52 is notified of the insertion of the SD card from the SD card status monitor driver 123. When the SD card status monitor driver 123 notifies that the SD card status monitor driver 123 has inserted the SD card, the program starting unit 52 proceeds to step S210 and starts the SD card check program 121.

  In step S211, the SD card check program 121 mounts the SD card 126 according to the master setting file, and notifies the SD card status monitor driver 123 that the SD card 126 has been mounted. In step S212, when notified from the SD card status monitor driver 123 that the SD card 126 is mounted, the program activation unit 52 reads and analyzes the setting file from the mounted SD card 126. For example, the program starting unit 52 reads and analyzes a setting file as shown in FIG. FIG. 7 shows a configuration diagram of an example of the setting file.

  Progressing to step S213 following step S212, the program starting unit 52 mounts the mount target module based on the analysis result of the setting file performed in step S212. For example, in the case of the setting file shown in FIG. 7, the program starting unit 52 assigns three mount target modules “printer.mod”, “scanner.mod”, and “factory.mod” to their mount points “/ arch / printer” and “ Mount to "/ arch / scanner /", "/ arch / factory /".

  In step S214, the program activation unit 52 reads and analyzes the module information file at the mount point based on the analysis result of the setting file performed in step S212. For example, the program starting unit 52 reads and analyzes a module information file (version.txt) as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of an example of a module information file. FIG. 8A is an example of a module information file of the mount target module “printer.mod”. FIG. 8B is an example of a module information file of the mount target module “scanner.mod”. FIG. 8C is an example of a module information file of the mount target module “factory.mod”.

  The module information file shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C includes a module ID (MODULEID) for identifying a mount target module, a model ID (MACHINEID) indicating a compatible model of the mount target module, and a version of the mount target module. Configured to include the represented version (VERSION). The model ID in FIG. 8 represents the corresponding model of the module to be mounted, for example, in hexadecimal notation “0xx” with “0x”. Note that a plurality of model IDs can be specified by listing compatible models of the mount target module. Further, when the model ID is omitted, it can be considered that all models are supported (wild card), for example.

  Proceeding to step S215 following step S214, the program activation unit 52 determines whether or not there is a module information file having a model ID that matches the model ID of the MFP 1 based on the analysis result of the module information file performed at step S214. Determine whether. The program activation unit 52 obtains the model ID of the MFP 1 included in the device information from the OS by calling a system call “getINFO (machineid)”.

  If it is determined that there is a module information file having a model ID that matches the model ID of the multifunction machine 1 (YES in S215), the program activation unit 52 proceeds to step S216 and activates the mount target module corresponding to the module information file To do.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no module information file having a model ID that matches the model ID of the multifunction machine 1 (NO in S215), the program startup unit 52 proceeds to step S217, and mount target corresponding to the module information file Unmount the module.

  The processing in steps S215 to S217 will be described in further detail. FIG. 9 is an image diagram of an example of the processing in steps S215 to S217. The module information file 131 of FIG. 9 includes a model ID “0x07” that represents a model that is compatible with the mount target module “printer.mod”. In addition, the module information file 132 includes a model ID “0x08” representing a model that is compatible with the mount target module “scanner.mod”. Further, the module information file 133 includes a model ID “0x07” representing a model that is compatible with the mount target module “factory.mod”.

  When the model ID of the multi-function device 1 is “0x07”, the program activation unit 52 matches the model ID “0x07” of the multi-function device 1 with the model ID “0x07” of the module information files 131 and 133 in step S215. Therefore, it is determined that there is a module information file having a model ID that matches the model ID of the MFP 1. Accordingly, the program activation unit 1 proceeds to step S216 and activates the mount target modules “printer.mod” and “factory.mod” corresponding to the module information files 131 and 133.

  On the other hand, since the model ID “0x08” included in the module information file 132 and the model ID “0x07” of the multi-function apparatus 1 do not match, the program activation unit 52 sets the mount target module “scanner.mod corresponding to the module information file 132. Do not start.

  According to the processing of FIG. 6, when a program recorded on an SD card is activated, the program can be activated only when the multi-function apparatus 1 that is attempting to activate the program is a model compatible with the program. That is, activation of the program recorded on the SD card can be suppressed according to the model ID.

  Next, another processing procedure of the program starting method according to the present invention will be described with reference to flowcharts. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of another example of processing for starting a program recorded on the SD card. For example, when the SD card 126 is inserted into the SD card slot 125, the program activation unit 52 is notified of the insertion of the SD card from the SD card status monitor driver 123. When the SD card status monitor driver 123 notifies that the SD card status monitor driver 123 has inserted the SD card, the program startup unit 52 proceeds to step S220 and starts the SD card check program 121.

  In step S221, the SD card check program 121 mounts the SD card 126 according to the master setting file, and notifies the SD card status monitor driver 123 that the SD card 126 has been mounted. In step S222, when the SD card status monitor driver 123 notifies the SD card 126 that the SD card 126 is mounted, the program starting unit 52 reads and analyzes the setting file from the mounted SD card 126. For example, the program starting unit 52 reads and analyzes the setting file as shown in FIG. FIG. 11 shows a configuration diagram of another example of the setting file. 11 is stored in the SD card as shown in FIG. In the case of the SD card shown in FIG. 12, “xxx.cnf” represents a setting file, and “module / xxx.mod” represents a module file to be mounted and started.

  In step S223, the program activation unit 52 determines whether an SD command exists in the setting file from the analysis result in step S222. If it is determined that there is an SD command (YES in S223), program starting unit 52 proceeds to step S224. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no SD command (NO in S223), program starting unit 52 proceeds to step S225.

  In step S224, the program activation unit 52 determines whether the slot specified by the SD command matches the slot in which the SD card is inserted. For example, in the case of the setting file as shown in FIG. 11, since the slot specified by the SD command is “2”, the program starting unit 52 sets the SD when the slot into which the SD card is inserted is “2”. It is determined that the slot specified by the command matches the slot in which the SD card is inserted.

  If it is determined that the slot specified by the SD command matches the slot in which the SD card is inserted (YES in S224), program starting unit 52 proceeds to step S225 and is stored in SD card 126. The setting file is read out, and the process proceeds to step S226. In step S226, the program activation unit 52 mounts the module file to be mounted and activated on the mount point according to the setting file read in step S225, and activates the module file. In the case of the setting file of FIG. 11, the program activation unit 52 mounts the gzip compressed ROMFS format module file “xxx.mod” at the mount point “/ mnt” and activates the module file.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the slot specified by the SD command does not match the slot in which the SD card is inserted (NO in S224), the program starting unit 52 mounts and starts the module file to be mounted and started. do not do.

  According to the process of FIG. 10, when a program recorded on an SD card is started, the SD card is used only when the slot in which the SD card is inserted and the slot specified by the SD command are the same. The module file inside can be mounted and started. That is, the mounting and activation of the program recorded on the SD card can be suppressed according to the slot in which the SD card is inserted.

  The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

It is a block diagram of one Example for demonstrating the software structure of the compound machine by this invention. It is a block diagram of one Example for demonstrating the hardware constitutions of the compound machine by this invention. It is a block diagram of an example of a compound machine starting part. It is a flowchart of an example of a process of the compound machine starting part. In order to explain the program start method according to the present invention, it is a block diagram showing a part of the compound machine. It is a flowchart of an example of the process which starts the program recorded on the SD card. The block diagram of an example of a setting file is shown. It is a block diagram of an example of a module information file. It is an image figure of an example of processing of Steps S215-S217. It is a flowchart of another example of the process which starts the program recorded on SD card. The block diagram of another example of a setting file is shown. It is an image figure of an example of the file stored in the SD card.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fusion machine 2 Software group 3 Fusion machine starting part 4 Hardware resource 5 Application layer 6 Platform 9 Control service layer 10 Handler layer 11 Plotter 12 Scanner 13 Hardware resource 21 Printer application 22 Copy application 23 Fax application 24 Scanner application 25 Net file Application 31 Network Control Service (NCS)
32 Delivery Control Service (DCS)
33 Operation Panel Control Service (OCS)
34 Fax Control Service (FCS)
35 Engine Control Service (ECS)
36 Memory Control Service (MCS)
37 User Information Control Service (UCS)
38 System Control Service (SCS)
39 System Resource Manager (SRM)
40 Fax Control Unit Handler (FCUH)
41 Image memory handler (IMH)
51 ROM monitor 52 Program start unit 53 Application program interface (API)
54 Engine I / F
60 controller 61 CPU
62 System memory 63 North Bridge (NB)
64 South Bridge (SB)
65 AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port)
66 ASIC
67 Local memory 68 Hard disk drive (HDD)
69 Network Interface Controller (NIC)
70 Slot for SD card 71 USB I / F
72 IEEE1394 I / F
73 Centronics I / F
80 Operation panel 81 Fax control unit (FCU)
82 Engine part 83 PCI bus 121 SD card check program 122 File system 123 SD card status monitor driver 124 SD card access driver 125 SD card slot 126 SD card

Claims (4)

An image forming apparatus having hardware resources including at least one of a plotter and a scanner used in image forming processing, a CPU and a memory , a program for performing processing relating to image forming, and a slot into which a recording medium can be inserted and removed. ,
Wherein the CPU is realized by executing an application / service activation program, the said mounting object module according to the setting file that become part mounting target module and the mount point is set in the program for performing the processing according to the image forming A program starting means for starting the recording medium checking means while mounting the mount point and starting the program,
Recording medium access control means for controlling access to the recording medium inserted in the slot, realized by the CPU executing a recording medium access driver ;
The CPU is realized by executing a recording medium status monitor driver, and recording medium status monitor control means for managing status information of the recording medium;
The CPU is realized by executing a recording medium check program, and has a recording medium check unit activated by the program activation unit in response to insertion or extraction of the recording medium from the slot,
The recording medium access control means receives an interruption according to insertion of the recording medium from the slot, and notifies the recording medium status monitor control means of insertion of the recording medium,
The recording medium status monitor control means notifies the program starting means of insertion of the recording medium;
The program starting means starts the recording medium checking means in response to insertion of the recording medium;
The recording medium check means mounts the recording medium according to a master setting file, and notifies the recording medium status monitor control means that the recording medium is mounted,
The program starting unit, when the fact that the recording medium is mounted is notified from the recording medium status monitor control means reads the setting file from the recording medium, based on the analysis result of the configuration file, in the recording medium Mount an existing mount target module on the mount point,
The program starting unit reads a module information file for each of the mount target modules at the mount point, and uses the first model information indicating the compatible model of the mount target module included in the module information file and a system call. The second model information representing the model of the image forming apparatus acquired in the above is compared, and when the first model information and the second model information match, the mount target module mounted on the mount point is selected. An image forming apparatus that is activated.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program starting unit unmounts the mount target module mounted on the mount point when the first model information and the second model information do not match. .   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mount target module is for performing part or all of processing relating to control of a printer, copy, fax, or scanner. Program activation of an image forming apparatus having hardware resources including at least one of a plotter and a scanner used in image forming processing, a CPU and a memory , a program for performing processing relating to image forming, and a slot into which a recording medium can be inserted and removed A method,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Wherein the CPU is realized by executing an application / service activation program, the said mounting object module according to the setting file that become part mounting target module and the mount point is set in the program for performing the processing according to the image forming A program starting means for starting the recording medium checking means while mounting the mount point and starting the program,
Recording medium access control means for controlling access to the recording medium inserted in the slot, realized by the CPU executing a recording medium access driver ;
The CPU is realized by executing a recording medium status monitor driver, and recording medium status monitor control means for managing status information of the recording medium;
The CPU is realized by executing a recording medium check program, and has a recording medium check unit activated by the program activation unit in response to insertion or extraction of the recording medium from the slot,
The recording medium access control means receives an interruption according to insertion of the recording medium from the slot, and notifies the recording medium status monitor control means of insertion of the recording medium,
The recording medium status monitor control means notifies the program starting means of insertion of the recording medium;
The program starting means starts the recording medium checking means in response to insertion of the recording medium;
The recording medium check means mounts the recording medium according to a master setting file, and notifies the recording medium status monitor control means that the recording medium is mounted,
The program starting unit, when the fact that the recording medium is mounted is notified from the recording medium status monitor control means reads the setting file from the recording medium, based on the analysis result of the configuration file, in the recording medium Mount an existing mount target module on the mount point,
The program starting unit reads a module information file for each of the mount target modules at the mount point, and uses the first model information indicating the compatible model of the mount target module included in the module information file and a system call. The second model information representing the model of the image forming apparatus acquired in the above is compared, and when the first model information and the second model information match, the mount target module mounted on the mount point is selected. A program starting method characterized by starting.

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