JP6459543B2 - Image forming apparatus, job processing control method, and job processing control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a job processing control method, and a job processing control program, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus equipped with a nonvolatile memory and a job processing control for controlling a job executed using hardware of the image forming apparatus. The present invention relates to a method and a job processing control program.

  An image forming apparatus such as a digital multifunction peripheral generally includes a nonvolatile device (HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), etc.) and a volatile device (DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory, etc.)). . Non-volatile devices can retain data even when power is off at a low speed, and volatile devices can retain data only when power is on at high speeds. Therefore, data and programs that should be retained even when the power is turned off are generally stored in the nonvolatile device, and work data at the time of executing the program is stored in the volatile device.

  On the other hand, in recent years, non-volatile memory (NVDIMM (Non-Volatile Dual In-line Memory Module)) that is faster, lower power consumption and higher reliability than existing non-volatile devices (SSD, HDD, etc.) as a new non-volatile device MRAM (Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory), ReRAM (Resistance Random Access Memory), etc.) have appeared. As a method of using this non-volatile memory, a method for storing an execution program and work data at the time of program execution in the non-volatile memory so that the apparatus can be restored to the state immediately before the power is turned off when the apparatus is restarted. Is considered.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 below includes an execution unit that executes a program, and a non-volatile memory that is readable and writable and that can store stored information without supplying power, Main storage means provided with a first storage area for storing the program executed by the execution means, and a second storage area for storing data generated when the execution means executes the program; and the execution means Connecting means for connecting the main storage means and other nonvolatile memory that is readable and writable and can hold stored information without supplying power, the connecting means An information processing apparatus including condition storage means for storing setting conditions set to exchange the program and the data between the execution means and the main storage means is opened. It is.

  Patent Document 2 below discloses an image forming apparatus that forms an image using a known electrophotographic process, an arithmetic processing device that controls the image forming apparatus, and an address controlled by the arithmetic processing device. A control bus for data, storage means for storing a control program for the arithmetic processing unit connected to the control bus, a reset unit for initializing the arithmetic processing unit when the power is turned on, and an instruction for the arithmetic processing unit A peripheral control unit integrated circuit that controls each part of the image forming apparatus, and the peripheral control unit integrated circuit holds a functional module for realizing a predetermined function and setting data for the functional module. And a non-volatile memory for storing an initial value of setting data for the functional module, and the value of the register group is stored in the non-volatile memory when the image forming apparatus is powered off. Image forming apparatus has been disclosed to be copied to the memory.

  In Patent Document 3 below, image data scheduled to be formed is stored in a nonvolatile storage medium for each job, and job management information that is management information for each job of each image data is updated and stored in a volatile memory. In an image forming apparatus that executes an image forming operation for each job, the job management information stored in the volatile memory is copied and updated to the nonvolatile storage medium at the end of each job or every time a predetermined time elapses. A copy storage unit to store, a determination unit that determines whether or not job management information is stored in the nonvolatile storage medium at the time of startup of the own device, and a case in which the determination unit determines that the job management information is stored A restoring unit that restores the job management information from the nonvolatile storage medium to the volatile memory, and an image forming operation based on the job management information restored by the restoring unit Image forming apparatus is disclosed which comprises a resuming unit for resuming.

JP 2013-182577 A JP 2004-078043 A JP 2005-022099 A

  In the print process, after a print job is transmitted from the user terminal to the image forming apparatus to execute printing, the user goes to the image forming apparatus and picks up an output. At that time, the power of the apparatus may be cut off while the image forming apparatus is executing the print job, and the print job may be interrupted. In this case, since the user does not know the power status unless the user is near the apparatus, the user notices that the power of the image forming apparatus is turned off for the first time when he / she goes to collect the output. A print job will be sent.

  In response to such interruption of a print job, as described in Patent Document 1, the expanded program and work data are stored in a nonvolatile memory, and the stored program and work data are used when the apparatus is restarted. Thus, a method of controlling the apparatus so as to restore the state immediately before the power is turned off can be considered. However, hardware such as a scanner, an image processing ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and a print engine needs to be changed for each process, and this setting information is deleted when the apparatus is turned off. For this reason, even if the work data is stored in the non-volatile device, the work data and the setting information are inconsistent (that is, inconsistent with the operation of the hardware), and the job cannot be restarted appropriately.

  Also, in Patent Document 2, a nonvolatile memory is provided in the I / O control unit, and a process of copying register group values to the nonvolatile memory when the power of the image forming apparatus is turned off is added. Proposes a method of controlling to start up in the state when the power was turned off last time. However, in this method, when the power is turned off due to a power failure or the like, the register group values cannot be copied to the nonvolatile memory, and cannot be started up in the state when the power was turned off last time.

  In Patent Document 3, the job management information stored in the volatile memory is copied and saved in a nonvolatile storage medium for backup at the end of the job or every time a predetermined time elapses. A method for restoring job management information before restart by reading out and storing job management information copied and stored in a volatile memory is proposed. However, this method requires complicated job management, such as managing which page of which job has been completed, and when the power is turned off due to a power failure or the like as described above. The job management information cannot be saved in the nonvolatile storage medium, and cannot be started up in the state when the power was turned off last time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its main purpose is to properly resume a suspended job at the next power-on even when the power is turned off during job execution. An image forming apparatus, a job processing control method, and a job processing control program are provided.

One aspect of the present invention includes a non-volatile memory and a CPU that are readable and writable and that can store stored information without supplying power, and the CPU includes the CPU. In an image forming apparatus comprising: a job program to be executed and a controller that stores work data generated by executing the program; and at least one hardware used for executing the program, the hardware is readable and writable, While supplying power, the controller operates with reference to setting information stored in a volatile storage unit capable of holding stored information, and the controller is configured to process the job. A job status monitoring unit that stores status specifying information indicating whether or not the job is being executed in the nonvolatile memory The setting information stored in the volatile storage unit is stored in the nonvolatile memory, and the setting information stored in the nonvolatile memory is rewritten to the latest setting information every time the setting information is changed. Based on the hardware setting monitoring unit and the state specifying information stored in the non-volatile memory at the time of starting the device, it is determined whether the job was being executed at the previous power-off, and it was determined that the job was being executed When the power is turned off, the latest setting information stored in the non-volatile memory is written back to the volatile storage unit, and the work data stored in the non-volatile memory is used when the power is turned off. have a, and resumes the job processing control unit processes of the job interrupted by cutting, the job processing controller, the job which was being executed when the power-off If you did not receive a processing completion notification from the hardware performs an interrupt process on the hardware, again, characterized by resuming the processing of the job.

One aspect of the present invention includes a non-volatile memory and a CPU that are readable and writable and that can store stored information without supplying power, and the CPU includes the CPU. A job processing control method in an image forming apparatus, comprising: a controller for storing a job program to be executed and work data generated by executing the program; and at least one hardware used for executing the program. The controller is readable and writable and operates with reference to setting information stored in a volatile storage unit capable of holding stored information while power is being supplied. Monitors the processing status of the job and stores status specifying information indicating whether the job is being executed or not in the nonvolatile memory. The job status monitoring step to be stored and the setting information stored in the volatile storage unit are stored in the nonvolatile memory, and the setting information stored in the nonvolatile memory each time the setting information is changed The hardware setting monitoring step for rewriting the latest setting information, and at the time of starting the apparatus, based on the state specifying information stored in the non-volatile memory, it is determined whether the job was being executed at the previous power-off, Is updated, the latest setting information stored in the non-volatile memory is written back to the volatile storage unit, and at the time of power-off stored in the non-volatile memory. using the work data, it executes the processing for resuming the job processing control step of the job was interrupted by power-off, and the job processing control stearate If the processing completion notification from the hardware has not been received for the job that was being executed when the power was turned off, interrupt processing is performed on the hardware and the job processing is performed again. It is characterized by restarting .

One aspect of the present invention includes a non-volatile memory and a CPU that are readable and writable and that can store stored information without supplying power, and the CPU includes the CPU. A job processing control program operating on the controller in the image forming apparatus, comprising: a controller for storing a job program to be executed and work data generated by the program execution; and at least one hardware used for executing the program. The hardware is readable / writable and operates with reference to setting information stored in a volatile storage unit capable of holding stored information while power is supplied. And the controller monitors the processing status of the job and indicates whether the job is being executed. Job status monitoring step for storing state specifying information in the nonvolatile memory, setting information stored in the volatile storage unit is stored in the nonvolatile memory, and the nonvolatile memory is stored each time the setting information is changed. Hardware setting monitoring step for rewriting the setting information stored in the volatile memory to the latest setting information, and at the time of starting the apparatus, the job is being executed at the previous power-off based on the state specifying information stored in the nonvolatile memory If it is determined that the job is being executed, the latest setting information stored in the nonvolatile memory is written back to the volatile storage unit and stored in the nonvolatile memory. A job processing control step for resuming the processing of the job interrupted by power-off using the work data at the time of power-off. Was, in the job processing control step, the job which was being executed when the power-off, when not receiving the processing completion notification from the hardware performs an interrupt process on the hardware, again, it characterized that you restart the process of the job.

  According to the image forming apparatus, the job processing control method, and the job processing control program of the present invention, even when the power is turned off during job execution, the interrupted job can be appropriately restarted when the power is turned on next time. .

  The reason is that the non-volatile memory is provided in the image forming apparatus, and the control unit (job processing control program) stores the execution program and the work data generated by the program execution in the non-volatile memory and determines whether the job is being executed. When the setting information referred to by the hardware is changed, the changed setting information is stored, and the state specifying information stored in the non-volatile memory is referred to at the next device startup. If the power is turned off during job execution, and the power is turned off during job execution, the setting information stored in the non-volatile memory is stored in a volatile storage unit that can be referenced by the hardware. This is because control is performed to resume the interrupted job by using the work data stored in the nonvolatile memory.

  As a result, the work data and the setting information can be matched (hardware operation consistency), so that the interrupted job can be appropriately continued.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating functions executed by a controller (control unit) of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation (processing during job execution) of a controller (control unit) of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation (ASIC setting value backup process) of a controller (control unit) of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation (a start-up process by turning on a power supply) of a controller (control unit) of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the background art, non-volatile memories such as NVDIMM, MRAM, and ReRAM have been put into practical use as new non-volatile devices, and are now installed in image forming devices. A method for resuming the interrupted job has been proposed. For example, a method has been proposed in which work data is stored in a non-volatile memory, a register value is stored when the power is turned off, and job management information is stored at the end of a job or every predetermined time.

  However, setting information that is referred to when hardware such as an ASIC performs image processing is stored in a volatile storage unit (memory or register) in the hardware or the like, and this setting information is erased when the apparatus is turned off. It will be. Therefore, even if the work data at the time of power-off is stored in the nonvolatile memory, a mismatch occurs between the work data and the setting information, and the job cannot be resumed appropriately. In the method of copying the register value when the power is turned off or the method of saving the job management information at the end of the job or every time a predetermined time elapses, the nonvolatile memory is used when the device is turned off due to a power failure or the like. The register value and job management information cannot be saved in the job, and the job cannot be resumed properly.

  Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, a nonvolatile memory is provided in the image forming apparatus, and a control unit (job processing control program) stores an execution program and work data generated by the program execution in the nonvolatile memory. Further, status specifying information indicating whether the job is being executed (for example, a job executing flag) is stored in the nonvolatile memory, and setting information referred to by hardware such as the image processing ASIC, the print engine, and the scanner is changed. If this happens, the setting information is stored in the nonvolatile memory. Then, at the next power-on of the image forming apparatus, it is determined whether the power is turned off during job execution by referring to the state specifying information stored in the nonvolatile memory, and it is determined that the power is turned off during job execution. In such a case, control is performed so that the setting information stored in the nonvolatile memory is written back to the volatile storage unit that can be referred to by the hardware.

  As a result, even if the power is turned off during job execution, the hardware can be operated in the power-off state at the next power-on, so the work data stored in the non-volatile memory is used for interruption. Job can be resumed from the continuation.

  In order to describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in more detail, an image forming apparatus, a job processing control method, and a job processing control program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. . FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating functions executed by a controller (control unit) of the image forming apparatus. 3 to 5 are flowcharts showing the operation of the controller (control unit) of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment.

  An apparatus targeted by the present invention is an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral). As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus includes a controller (control unit) 100, a panel (operation display unit) 110, a scanner (image reading unit) 120, an image processing ASIC 130, a print engine (image forming unit) 140, and the like. Composed.

  The controller (control unit) 100 is a non-volatile memory that can read and write with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 that is an arithmetic processing unit and can store stored information without supplying power. 102 or the like. Although not shown, a volatile storage unit that can hold stored information while power is supplied is provided as necessary.

  The nonvolatile memory 102 is an NVDIMM, MRAM, ReRAM, or the like, and stores a job program executed by the CPU 100, work data (job data) generated by executing the job program, display screen data provided to the panel 110, and the like. To do. Further, information indicating whether the job is being executed (status specifying information such as a job execution flag to be described later) is stored, and volatile data that can be referred to by hardware such as the scanner 120, the image processing ASIC 130, and the print engine 140 is stored. Information (setting information) stored in the storage unit and referred to when the hardware operates is stored in a backup area corresponding to the hardware.

  The CPU 101 receives a user operation from the panel 110 by executing a program expanded in the nonvolatile memory 102, and performs predetermined control on hardware such as the scanner 120, the image processing ASIC 130, and the print engine 140. Run.

  The panel 110, the scanner 120, the image processing ASIC 130, and the print engine 140 are controlled by the controller 100 and provide a function as an image forming apparatus.

  The panel (operation display unit) 110 includes a touch panel in which an operation unit such as a touch sensor made of a grid-like transparent electrode is disposed on a display unit such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a hard key, etc. An operation screen of the image forming apparatus is presented based on the display screen data stored in 102, an operation from the user is accepted, and a signal corresponding to the operation is output to the controller 100.

  The scanner (image reading unit) 120 is a part that optically reads image data from a document placed on a document table, and a light source that scans the document and a CCD that converts light reflected by the document into an electrical signal. An image sensor such as (Charge Coupled Devices) and an A / D converter that performs A / D conversion of an electrical signal are output to the controller 100. The scanner 120 includes, for example, a dedicated CPU and a volatile storage unit (memory or register), and setting information (color correction information, position correction information, etc.) set in the volatile storage unit by the controller 100. By referring to the document, it is possible to appropriately read the document.

  The image processing ASIC 130 performs image processing such as compression processing, edge enhancement processing, smoothing processing, and color conversion processing on the image data of the original read by the scanner 120. In addition, when the image processing ASIC 130 acquires print data described in PDL (Page Description Language) represented by PostScript or PCL (Printer Control Language) from another device (such as a user terminal), the image processing ASIC 130 converts the print data into print data. Each included page is rasterized to generate image data for each page, and the image processing is performed on the generated image data. Then, the image data after image processing is output to the controller 100. The image processing ASIC 130 includes, for example, a volatile storage unit (a memory or a register). By referring to information (address information, size information, etc.) set in the volatile storage unit by the controller 100, an image is processed. It is possible to execute processing appropriately.

  The print engine (image forming unit) 140 performs a printing process on paper based on the image data subjected to the image processing by the image processing ASIC 130. Specifically, in the case of an electrophotographic system, an electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiating light corresponding to an image from an exposure device onto a photosensitive drum charged by a charging device, and toner charged by a developing device is used. The toner image is transferred onto the transfer belt, transferred onto the sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit, and transferred onto the sheet, and the toner image on the sheet is fixed by the fixing device. Perform the process. The print engine 140 includes, for example, a dedicated CPU and a volatile storage unit (memory or register), and setting information (color correction information, position correction information, etc.) set in the volatile storage unit by the controller 100. ), The image can be appropriately printed on the paper.

  In the present exemplary embodiment, the image forming apparatus includes the scanner 120, the image processing ASIC 130, the print engine 140, and the like. However, these components are not essential, and a single-function printer that does not include the scanner 120, a scanner, or the like. A printer controller or RIP (Raster Image Processor) controller that does not have 120 or the print engine 140 may be used, or a facsimile machine having a communication function via a telephone line may be used.

  Here, in the configuration in which the nonvolatile memory 102 is used as the storage means provided in the controller 100, the work data (job data) that has been held in the volatile memory until now is stored in the nonvolatile memory 102, so The work data is not erased even when it is turned off. Therefore, even if the power is turned off during job execution (power-off due to a power failure, power-off due to user intentional or negligence), it is interrupted by reading the work data stored in the nonvolatile memory 102 at the next power-on. Was supposed to be able to resume the job.

  However, the scanner 120, the image processing ASIC 130, the print engine 140, and the like start up in an initial state when the power is turned on. For example, when the power is turned on, the scanner 120 starts up in a state where the mechanism unit can read the leading position of the document. Further, the image processing ASIC 130 starts up in a state where the first pixel of the image data can be processed when the power is turned on. Further, the print engine 140 is started up in a state where the mechanism unit can print from the leading position of the document when the power is turned on.

  Therefore, even if work data in the middle of a job is stored in the non-volatile memory 102, the hardware tries to start processing from the beginning of the job according to the setting information, so the work data and the setting information are inconsistent ( That is, there is a problem in that the hardware operation is inconsistent, and the interrupted job cannot be resumed properly. In particular, with respect to the image processing ASIC 130, the controller 100 processes a job interrupted by turning off the power from the continuation in order to start image processing after changing the setting for the image processing ASIC 130 every time job processing is performed. I can't.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the controller (control unit) 100 functions as the job status monitoring unit 103, the hardware setting monitoring unit 104, the job processing control unit 105, etc. Inconsistency with information (hardware operation inconsistency) is resolved so that a suspended job can be resumed appropriately.

  Specifically, the job status monitoring unit 103 monitors the job processing status, and stores in the nonvolatile memory 102 status specifying information indicating the job operating status according to whether or not the job is being executed. . For example, when job processing is started, a job execution flag is set (“1” is set in the job execution flag), and when job processing is completed, the job execution flag is cleared (“0” is set in the job execution flag). ”).

  The hardware setting monitoring unit 104 identifies hardware that is executing a job, and stores setting information that is stored in a volatile storage unit that can be referred to by the hardware and that is referred to when the hardware operates. When monitoring is performed and the setting information is changed, the setting information (that is, the latest setting information) is stored in a predetermined backup area of the nonvolatile memory 102.

  The job processing control unit 105 refers to the state specifying information stored in the nonvolatile memory 102 when the image forming apparatus is turned on, determines whether the job is being executed when the power is turned off, and executes the job when the power is turned off. When it is determined that the job execution flag has been set (that is, the job execution flag remains set), the latest setting information stored in the nonvolatile memory 102 can be referred to by the hardware corresponding to the job being executed. The processing of the interrupted job is resumed using the work data at the time of power-off stored in the nonvolatile memory 102 and written back to the volatile storage unit.

  The job status monitoring unit 103, the hardware setting monitoring unit 104, and the job processing control unit 105 may be configured as hardware. The controller 100 may be configured as a job status monitoring unit 103, a hardware setting monitoring unit 104, and a job processing control unit. It may be configured as a job processing control program that functions as 105, and the CPU 101 may execute the job processing control program. The panel 110 also starts up in an initial state when the power is turned on. However, the controller 100 periodically updates the display screen data with reference to the nonvolatile memory 102, and the above-described operation mismatch does not occur. . Therefore, the panel 110 need not be controlled by the job status monitoring unit 103, the hardware setting monitoring unit 104, and the job processing control unit 105.

  The operation of the controller 100 of the image forming apparatus having the above configuration will be described below with reference to FIGS. The CPU 101 executes the job processing control program stored in the non-volatile memory 102, thereby realizing the processing of each step shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.

[Processing during job execution]
When a copy or scan start instruction is received from the panel 110 or when a print job or the like is received from an external user terminal via the network, the controller 100 starts job processing.

  When job processing is started, as shown in FIG. 3, the controller 100 (job status monitoring unit 103) sets a job execution flag simultaneously with the start of job processing (sets the job execution flag to “1”). (S101). The controller 100 (job status monitoring unit 103) monitors the job processing status (S102), and when the job processing is completed (Yes in S102), the job execution flag is cleared (the job execution flag is set to “0”). (S103). Since the job execution flag is stored in the nonvolatile memory 102, the job execution flag remains set even when the power of the image forming apparatus is turned off during job execution.

  Next, an operation performed by the controller 100 during hardware job processing will be described. Here, the image processing ASIC 130 will be described as an example of hardware. First, as a premise, the controller 100 (hardware setting monitoring unit 104) reserves a part of the nonvolatile memory 102 as a backup area for setting information of the image processing ASIC 130. At the first activation, the controller 100 stores the same value as the initial value set in the image processing ASIC 130 in the backup area.

[Image Processing ASIC Setting Information Backup Process]
As shown in FIG. 4, the controller 100 (hardware setting monitoring unit 104) stores setting information for the image processing ASIC 130 stored in a volatile storage unit provided in advance in the image processing ASIC 130 or the like when processing a job. It is monitored whether there is a change in (address information, size information, etc.) (S201). If there is a change in the setting information (Yes in S201), the controller 100 (hardware setting monitoring unit 104) similarly rewrites the setting information in the backup area of the nonvolatile memory 102 (S202). Management is performed so that the same information as the setting information of the image processing ASIC 130 is always stored in the nonvolatile memory 102.

[Startup process when the power is turned on]
When the image forming apparatus is turned on, the controller 100 (job processing control unit 105) starts job processing control.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the controller 100 (job processing control unit 105) refers to the job execution flag stored in the non-volatile memory 102 to determine whether the job was being executed when the power was turned off last time. It is confirmed whether or not (S301). When the job execution flag is not set (“0” is set in the job execution flag) (No in S301), the initial activation process is performed as usual (S304). In this initial activation process, for example, the setting information stored in the nonvolatile memory 102 is erased, and a copy or scan start instruction by the panel 110 and reception of a print job from an external user terminal are awaited.

  When the job execution flag is set (“1” is set in the job execution flag) (Yes in S301), the controller 100 (job processing control unit 105) starts the job from the backup area of the nonvolatile memory 102. Setting information corresponding to the hardware specified by the execution flag (here, address information and size information corresponding to the image processing ASIC 130) is read, and the read setting information is stored in a volatile storage unit that can be referred to by the hardware. Write back (S302). Then, the controller 100 (job processing control unit 105) resumes the processing of the job that has been interrupted due to power-off using the work data of the job being processed stored in the nonvolatile memory 102 (S303). Complete the current job.

  Specifically, the controller 100 sets the address information and size information of the processing data to the image processing ASIC 130 and starts the processing. When the processing completion notification is received from the image processing ASIC 130, the controller 100 proceeds to the next processing. The work data of the previous process is erased from the nonvolatile memory 102 after the process completion notification is received. Therefore, if the power is turned off / on before the processing completion notification is received, the controller 100 sends an interrupt notification to the image processing ASIC 130 if there is work data being processed, and performs the target processing again. You can resume the interrupted job from the continuation to start over. At this time, if a job suspended due to power-off is waiting for a processing completion notification from the hardware, the processing completion notification may be stopped and the job processing resumed.

  4 and 5, the setting information backup process for the image processing ASIC 130 and the power-on startup process have been described. However, the same control can be performed for the scanner 120 and the print engine 140.

  For example, when a document is read using the scanner 120, changes in the setting information (color correction information, position correction information, etc.) of the scanner 120 are monitored, and if the setting information is changed (Yes in S201), the nonvolatile information The changed setting information (latest setting information) is written in the backup area of the memory 102 (S202). If the job execution flag is set when the power is turned on (Yes in S310), the latest setting information is written back to the volatile storage unit that can be referred to by the scanner 120 (S302). The document reading is resumed from the position (S303).

  Further, when printing is performed using the print engine 140, the setting information (color correction information, position correction information, etc.) of the print engine 140 is monitored, and if the setting information is changed (Yes in S201), the nonvolatile information The changed setting information (latest setting information) is written in the backup area of the memory 102 (S202). If the job execution flag is set when the power is turned on (Yes in S310), the latest setting information is written back to the volatile storage unit that can be referred to by the print engine 140 (S302). Printing is resumed from the subsequent position (S303). At this time, when there is a sheet in the middle of printing in the print engine 140 when the power is turned on, it is preferable to discharge the sheet and restart printing from the same page again. In addition, when the print engine 140 includes a plurality of paper discharge units, the above-mentioned paper in the middle of printing is discharged to a specific paper discharge unit, so that the paper printed in the normal printing process and the paper in the middle of printing can be separated. Confusion can be prevented.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the controller 100 (job processing control program) includes, in addition to the execution program and work data, status specifying information indicating whether a job is being executed, and hardware in the nonvolatile memory 102. The latest setting information to be referenced is stored, and the next time the apparatus is started, the state specifying information stored in the nonvolatile memory 102 is referred to determine whether the power is turned off during the job execution. Is turned off, the latest setting information stored in the non-volatile memory 102 is stored in the non-volatile memory 102 in order to write back to the volatile storage unit that can be referenced by the hardware. The work data and the setting information referenced by the hardware can always be matched, and the job data can be restarted appropriately using the work data when the power is turned off. It can be.

  If the program counter is also held in the nonvolatile memory 102, the interrupted program is resumed immediately after the power is turned on (before the job processing control program of this embodiment is executed). Therefore, when the power is turned on, the interrupted program is not resumed but an interrupt with a high priority is generated to execute the job processing control program of this embodiment. As a method for executing the job processing control program, a configuration using a start-up CPU (such as a sub CPU) in addition to an interrupt at power-on is also conceivable. In this case, the job processing control program may be operated by the activation-dedicated CPU after the power is turned on, and the interrupted program may be resumed by the main CPU after the job processing control program ends.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, The structure and control method can be changed suitably, unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention.

  For example, in each of the above embodiments, job processing control for the scanner 120, the image processing ASIC 130, and the print engine 140 has been described. However, the hardware that is subject to job processing control according to the present invention is not limited to the above, and a volatile storage unit. Similarly, the present invention can be applied to other hardware (for example, a FAX transmission / reception unit) that performs processing while referring to the setting information stored in FIG.

  In each of the above embodiments, the image forming apparatus is exemplified as the control target. However, the control target is not limited to the image forming apparatus, and at least hardware that performs processing while referring to the setting information stored in the volatile storage unit. The job processing control method of the present invention can be similarly applied to an arbitrary apparatus having one.

  The present invention relates to an apparatus including a controller equipped with a non-volatile memory and hardware for processing a job while referring to setting information, a job processing control method for controlling job processing in the apparatus, a job processing control program, and the job processing The present invention can be used for a recording medium on which a control program is recorded.

100 controller 101 CPU
102 Non-volatile memory 103 Job status monitoring unit 104 Hardware setting monitoring unit 105 Job processing control unit 110 Panel 120 Scanner 130 Image processing ASIC
140 Print Engine

Claims (12)

A nonvolatile memory and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that are readable and writable and capable of holding stored information without supplying power are provided, and the CPU executes the nonvolatile memory. In an image forming apparatus comprising: a controller that stores a job program and work data generated by executing the program; and at least one hardware used for executing the program,
The hardware is readable and writable and operates with reference to setting information stored in a volatile storage unit capable of holding stored information while power is supplied. Yes,
The controller is
A job status monitoring unit that monitors the processing status of the job and stores in the nonvolatile memory status specifying information indicating whether or not the job is being executed;
Hardware that stores setting information stored in the volatile storage unit in the nonvolatile memory and rewrites the setting information stored in the nonvolatile memory to the latest setting information each time the setting information is changed. Hardware setting monitoring unit,
When starting the apparatus, based on the state specifying information stored in the nonvolatile memory, it is determined whether the job was being executed when the power was last turned off. The latest setting information stored in the memory is written back to the volatile storage unit, and the work data at the time of power-off stored in the nonvolatile memory is used to save the job interrupted by power-off. process possess resuming the job processing control unit, the a,
If the job processing control unit has not received a processing completion notification from the hardware for the job that was being executed when the power was turned off, the job processing control unit performs an interrupt process on the hardware, and again, resuming processing of the job, the image forming apparatus characterized by. The hardware includes an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) that performs image processing, a scanner that optically reads an image of a document, and a print engine that forms an image on a sheet. The image forming apparatus described. The job processing control unit, when the device starts, if there is a sheet during printing in the print engine, and discharge the sheet, according to claim 2, characterized in that to resume the printing of the same page again The image forming apparatus described in 1. The print engine includes a plurality of paper discharge units,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the job processing control unit discharges the paper in the middle of printing to a specific paper discharge unit.   A non-volatile memory and a CPU that are readable and writable and capable of holding stored information without supplying power, and a program and a program for jobs executed by the CPU in the non-volatile memory A job processing control method in an image forming apparatus, comprising: a controller for storing work data generated by execution; and at least one hardware used for executing the program,
  The hardware is readable and writable and operates with reference to setting information stored in a volatile storage unit capable of holding stored information while power is supplied. Yes,
  The controller is
  A job status monitoring step of monitoring the processing status of the job and storing status specifying information indicating whether or not the job is being executed in the nonvolatile memory;
  Hardware that stores setting information stored in the volatile storage unit in the nonvolatile memory and rewrites the setting information stored in the nonvolatile memory to the latest setting information each time the setting information is changed. Hardware setting monitoring step;
  When starting the apparatus, based on the state specifying information stored in the nonvolatile memory, it is determined whether the job was being executed when the power was last turned off. The latest setting information stored in the memory is written back to the volatile storage unit, and the work data at the time of power-off stored in the nonvolatile memory is used to save the job interrupted by power-off. Executing a job processing control step for resuming processing;
  In the job processing control step, if the processing completion notification from the hardware has not been received for the job that was being executed when the power was turned off, the hardware is interrupted, and again, A job processing control method, wherein processing of the job is resumed. The job processing control method according to claim 5, wherein the hardware includes any one of an ASIC that performs image processing, a scanner that optically reads an image of a document, and a print engine that forms an image on a sheet. . 7. The job processing control step, wherein at the time of starting the apparatus, if there is a sheet in the middle of printing in the print engine, the sheet is discharged and printing is resumed from the same page again. The job processing control method described in 1. The print engine includes a plurality of paper discharge units,
8. The job processing control method according to claim 7 , wherein, in the job processing control step, the paper in the middle of printing is discharged to a specific paper discharge unit .   A non-volatile memory and a CPU that are readable and writable and capable of holding stored information without supplying power, and a program and a program for jobs executed by the CPU in the non-volatile memory A job processing control program that operates on the controller in an image forming apparatus comprising: a controller that stores work data generated by execution; and at least one hardware that is used when the program is executed.
  The hardware is readable and writable and operates with reference to setting information stored in a volatile storage unit capable of holding stored information while power is supplied. Yes,
  In the controller,
  A job status monitoring step of monitoring the processing status of the job and storing status specifying information indicating whether or not the job is being executed in the nonvolatile memory;
  Hardware that stores setting information stored in the volatile storage unit in the nonvolatile memory and rewrites the setting information stored in the nonvolatile memory to the latest setting information each time the setting information is changed. Hardware setting monitoring step,
  When starting the apparatus, based on the state specifying information stored in the nonvolatile memory, it is determined whether the job was being executed when the power was last turned off. The latest setting information stored in the memory is written back to the volatile storage unit, and the work data at the time of power-off stored in the nonvolatile memory is used to save the job interrupted by power-off. Execute a job processing control step for resuming processing,
  In the job processing control step, if the processing completion notification from the hardware has not been received for the job that was being executed when the power was turned off, the hardware is interrupted, and again, A job processing control program for resuming processing of the job.   The job processing control program according to claim 9, wherein the hardware includes any one of an ASIC that performs image processing, a scanner that optically reads an image of a document, and a print engine that forms an image on paper. . 11. The job processing control step, wherein at the time of starting the apparatus, if there is a sheet in the middle of printing in the print engine, the sheet is discharged and printing is resumed from the same page again. The job processing control program described in 1 . The print engine includes a plurality of paper discharge units,
12. The job processing control program according to claim 11, wherein, in the job processing control step, the paper in the middle of printing is discharged to a specific paper discharge unit .

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