JPH09167094A - Data processor, its control method storage medium and compound image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently perform the addition and change of function at set timing. SOLUTION: Concerning a compound image processor with which various kinds of processing are performed by plural function boards, the version-up timing of function board is previously set and at this timing, version-up is automatically performed by turning the processing of function board related to version-up into inhibited state. The version-up data (data to be updated) are held in a server 14 on a LAN 13 or external equipment through a telephone line, for example, and inputted through a network interface part 7 at this timing. Besides, after version-up, version information or the like is stored. Further, the respective items of set timing of version-up can be arbitrarily displayed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data processing device that performs various processes by one or a plurality of functional units, a control method therefor, a storage medium storing a program that realizes this control method, and various processes. The present invention relates to an image processing composite device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in a digital copying machine,
It is known that a function board for realizing a facsimile function and a computer interface function is set to enable various processing. The function board stores firmware or software program data for controlling the functions realized by the board. When it is desired to upgrade the function or change the function, the program board is replaced with a new function board, or a new program data is rewritten by an operation by a service person or the like.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, there is a problem that cost is wasted if another board is used for adding or changing the function.

Further, when rewriting the program data for realizing the function, it is necessary for the service person to visit each time, which causes a problem that it is very troublesome.

Further, if there are a plurality of devices for which the program data should be rewritten, the time and effort will be great.

When rewriting program data,
If the amount of data is large, there arises a problem that the device cannot be used for a long time while rewriting.

The present invention has been made under the above circumstances, and provides a data processing apparatus, a control method therefor, and a control method for this function, which are capable of efficiently adding or changing a function at a set timing. An object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program to be realized and an image processing composite apparatus.

[0008]

According to the present invention for achieving the above object, the data processing apparatus is controlled as in the following (1) to (7) and the control method is controlled in the following (8) to (14). The storage medium is configured as in (15) below, and the image processing composite apparatus is configured as in (16) to (22) below.

(1) A data processing device for performing processing by at least one processing means, wherein an input means for inputting data for operating the processing means and a timing for inputting data by the input means are set. Setting means, judging means for judging whether or not the timing set by the setting means has been reached, and control for storing the data input by the input means in the storage means when the timing has been reached by the judging means And a data processing device having means.

(2) The data input by the input means is
The data processing device according to (1) above, which has identification data for identifying a corresponding processing means.

(3) When the judgment means judges that the timing has been reached, the processing means for stopping the processing by the processing means relating to the data inputted by the input means is stopped (1) or (2) ) The data processing device described.

(4) The data processing device according to any one of (1) to (3), which has a means for storing the setting information set by the setting means in a storage means.

(5) The data processing device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the timing set by the setting means is related to date and time.

(6) The data processing device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the timing set by the setting means is related to the operating state.

(7) The data processing device according to any one of (1) to (4), which has means for outputting the contents set by the setting means.

(8) A method of controlling a data processing device for performing processing by at least one processing means, the input step of inputting data for operating the processing means,
The setting step of setting the timing of inputting data by the input means, the determining step of determining whether the timing set in the setting step has been reached, and the inputting when the determination step determines that the timing has been reached And a control step of storing the data input in the step in a storage means.

(9) The control method according to (8), further including an identification step of identifying a corresponding processing means for the data input in the input step.

(10) The above-mentioned (8) or (9), which has a step of stopping the processing by the processing means related to the data input in the inputting step, when the timing is judged in the judging step. Control method.

(11) The control method according to any one of (8) to (10), further including a step of storing the setting information set in the setting step in a storage means.

(12) The timing set in the setting step relates to the date and time (8) to (1)
The control method according to any one of 1).

(13) The control method according to any one of (8) to (11), wherein the timing set in the setting step is related to the operating state.

(14) The control method according to any one of (8) to (11), which has a step of outputting the contents set in the setting step.

(15) Via CPU (8) to (1)
A storage medium storing a program that implements the control method according to any one of 4).

(16) Interface means connected to a computer, a facsimile, etc., a printing means for recording an image according to image data on a recording medium, and a function for each data processing content of the printing means and the computer, the facsimile, etc. An image processing composite apparatus comprising various data processing means divided into parts and a control means for controlling the respective means, and the timing of inputting the latest data for operating the respective means via the interface means. The image processing composite apparatus holds the timing information set in advance, and when the set timing arrives, the control means upgrades the corresponding apparatus and means by the latest data.

(17) The preset timing information is temporal information such as date and time and day of the week (16)
The image processing composite apparatus described.

(18) The image processing composite apparatus according to (16), wherein the control means performs the version upgrade after the operation of the corresponding apparatus and means for the version upgrade is normally stopped.

(19) In addition to the timing information set in advance, in addition to the preset timing information, information for setting a time for starting the operation stop of the corresponding devices and means in preparation for the start of version upgrade is held, and the control means at the start of version upgrade. The image processing composite apparatus as described in (16) above, wherein the corresponding apparatus or means shifts to an upgrade / standby state.

(20) The preset timing information is timing information in a state in which the printing means, the computer, the facsimile machine, etc. are not used for a preset fixed time. 1
6) The image processing composite apparatus as described above.

(21) As for the preset timing information, the printer engine main body of the printing means turns off the power.
The image processing combined apparatus according to (16) above, which is the timing information.

(22) The image processing composite apparatus according to (16), wherein the preset timing information can be notified to a computer, a facsimile machine or the like in advance.

[0031]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to an example of an "image processing composite apparatus".

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an "image processing composite apparatus" which is an embodiment of the present invention. The reader unit 1 reads an image of a document and outputs data corresponding to the image to the printer unit 2 and the image input / output control unit 3. The printer unit 2 records an image corresponding to image data from the reader unit 1 and the image input / output control unit 3 on recording paper. The image input / output control unit 3 is connected to the reader unit 1, and includes a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, a network interface unit 7, a formatter unit 8, an image memory unit 9, and a core unit 1.
It consists of 0 and so on. Each section 4 in this image input / output control section 3
As for 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10, one board is equipped with the parts necessary to realize each function. Also,
It is possible to operate as a local digital copying machine using only the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 without connecting the image input / output control unit 3.

The facsimile section 4 decompresses the compressed image data received via the telephone line, transfers the decompressed image data to the core section 10, and compresses the image data transferred from the core section 10, The compressed image data is transmitted via the telephone line. A hard disk 12 is connected to the facsimile unit 4 so that the received compressed image data can be temporarily stored.

A magneto-optical disk drive unit 6 is connected to the file section 5, and the file section 5 compresses the image data transferred from the core section 10 and outputs a magneto-optical signal together with a keyword for searching the image data. The data is stored in the magneto-optical disk set in the disk drive unit 6. Further, the file unit 5 searches compressed image data stored in the magneto-optical disk based on the keyword transferred via the core unit 10, reads out the searched compressed image data, decompresses the decompressed image data, and decompresses the decompressed data. The image data is transferred to the core unit 10.

The network interface section 7 is
LAN (local area network) cable 1
3 and also serves as an interface between the personal computer or workstation (PC / WS) 11 and the file server 14 which are also connected to the LAN cable 13 and the core unit 10.

The formatter unit 8 expands the code data representing the image transferred from the PC / WS 11 into the image data which can be recorded by the printer unit 2, and the image memory unit 9 stores the data transferred from the PC / WS 11. Is temporarily stored.

Although the core unit 10 will be described later, the core unit 10 stores data between the reader unit 1, the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, the network interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8 and the image memory unit 9. It controls the flow.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2.

The document feeding device 101 of the reader unit 1 feeds one by one from the last page of the document onto the platen glass 102 in order, reads the document, and discharges the document on the platen glass 102 after the reading operation of the document is completed. To do. When the original is conveyed onto platen glass 102, lamp 10
3 is turned on, and the scanner unit 104 is started to move to expose and scan the document. Light reflected from the original at this time is reflected by the mirrors 105, 106, 107 and the lens 10.
CCD image sensor by 8 (hereinafter referred to as CCD)
It is led to 109. The image of the document thus scanned is read by the CCD 109, and the image data output from the CCD 109 is subjected to a predetermined process and then transferred to the printer unit 2 and the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3. It

The laser driver 221 of the printer unit 2 is
The reader unit 1 drives the laser emission unit 201.
A laser beam corresponding to the image data output from the laser emitting section 201 is emitted. This laser light is applied to the photosensitive drum 202, and a latent image corresponding to the laser light is formed on the photosensitive drum 202. A developer is attached to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 202 by a developing device 203. Then, at a timing synchronized with the start of laser light irradiation, recording paper is fed from either the cassette 204 or the cassette 205 and conveyed to the transfer unit 206, and the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 202 is transferred onto the recording paper. To do. The recording paper on which the developer is placed is conveyed to the fixing unit 207, and the developer is fixed on the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 207. The recording sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 207 is discharged by a discharge roller 208,
The sorter 220 sorts the recording paper by storing the discharged recording paper in each bin. The sorter 220 is
If the sorting is not set, the recording paper is stored in the top bin. When double-sided recording is set, the recording sheet is conveyed to the discharge roller 208, the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed, and the recording paper is guided to the re-feed conveyance path by the flapper 209. When multiple recording is set, the recording paper is guided to the re-feeding conveyance path by the flapper 209 so as not to be conveyed to the discharge roller 208. The recording sheet guided to the re-feeding conveyance path is transferred to the transfer unit 2 at the timing described above.
The paper is fed to 06.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the reader unit 1.

The image data output from the CCD 109 is subjected to analog / digital conversion in the A / D / SH unit 110 and shading correction. A
The image data processed by the / D · SH unit 110 is
The data is transferred to the printer unit 2 via the image processing unit 111 and to the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 via the interface 113. The CPU 114 controls the image processing unit 1 according to the setting contents set by the operation unit 115.
11 and the interface 113 are controlled. For example,
When the copy mode in which the trimming process is performed by the operation unit 115 to perform copying is set, the image processing unit 111 performs the trimming process and transfers the trimming process to the printer unit 2. When the facsimile transmission mode is set on the operation unit 115, the core unit 10 sends a control command corresponding to the image data and the set mode from the interface 113.
Transfer to. Such a control program of the CPU 114 is stored in the memory 116, and the CPU 114 performs control while referring to the memory 116. Also, memory 1
16 is also used as a work area of the CPU 114.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the core section 10.

The image data from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, and the control command from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the CPU 123. The data processing unit 121 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing, and the image data transferred from the reader unit 1 to the data processing unit 121 corresponds to the control command transferred from the reader unit 1. Then, it is transferred to the facsimile section 4, the file section 5, and the network interface section 7 via the interface 120. Further, code data representing an image input via the network interface unit 7 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then transferred to the formatter unit 8 to be expanded into image data, and this image data is transferred to the data processing unit. After being transferred to 121, it is transferred to the facsimile unit 4 and the printer unit 2.

The image data from the facsimile section 4 is transferred to the data processing section 121 and then to the printer section 2, the file section 5, and the network interface section 7. The image data from the file section 5 is transferred to the data processing section 121 and then to the printer section 2, the facsimile section 4, and the network interface section 7.

The CPU 123 performs the above control according to the control program stored in the memory 124 and the control command transferred from the reader unit 1. Also,
The memory 124 is also used as a work area of the CPU 123. As described above, it is possible to perform a combined processing centered on the core unit 10 such as reading an original image, printing an image, transmitting and receiving an image, storing an image, and inputting / outputting data from a computer. .

Further, the operation unit 115, the facsimile unit 4, or the network interface unit 7 can set the control program update (addition) timing for each option board in the memory 124.

Details of the information set here are shown in FIG.
The items to be set here are the option board name 50
1, start date 502, time 503, interval 504, number of times 50
5, the current version 506. Option board name 5
No input / setting by the operator is required for each item 01, and when the core unit 10 detects that each option board is mounted, the name of each option board is automatically listed. As the start date 502, the start date of the version upgrade cycle performed at the repeating interval is input. At time 503, the time when the version upgrade is performed is input. The interval 504 is an item for setting a version upgrade cycle, and is set to "none" when performing the version upgrade only once, and is set in units of days, weeks, months, etc. when performing the version upgrade multiple times. I do. The number of times 505 is a repeat interval and sets how many times the version upgrade is performed at the interval set at 504. 504
If it is set to “None”, the value is automatically set to 0. Otherwise, the number of repetitions is input. Select "Continuous" if the number of times is not specified. If the dates and times of the version upgrades are exactly the same or the times are close, they will be appropriately processed according to the priorities set in advance during the actual version upgrade. If you want to upgrade multiple option boards by linking them,
Follow the preset higher priority timing. The current version 506 is the version of the program currently stored. This item does not need to be input / set by the operator, and the version of the program is automatically set when the latest program is downloaded. The information shown in FIG. 5 can be displayed on the operation unit 115 or output to the outside by a predetermined operation. Further, the start date and time of version upgrade may be adapted to the operating state of the device.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing of a routine for setting the timing of version upgrade of program data. This flowchart shows the flow of processing performed by the CPU 123 based on the program stored in the memory 124. Here, the case of setting the timing via the network interface unit 7 will be described, but the setting of the timing from the facsimile unit 4 or the operation unit 115 is performed in substantially the same flow. This routine is executed when a predetermined command is input through the network interface unit 7 and when the operation unit 115 performs a predetermined operation.

In step S602, whether or not to enable the option board version upgrade via the network interface unit 7 is selected via the network interface unit 7 or from the operation unit 115. If the network version upgrade is not enabled, the network version upgrade flag is turned off in S603 and this routine is ended in S604.

If the network version upgrade is enabled in S602, the process proceeds to S605 and S6.
In 05, whether to upgrade the network immediately is selected from the network interface unit 7 or the operation unit 115. If it is selected to immediately upgrade the version, the process proceeds to S606, a routine for updating the version is called, the version is sequentially upgraded according to a predetermined procedure, and the process proceeds to S607. If it is not selected in S605 to immediately upgrade, the process proceeds to S607.

In S607, it is selected whether or not to change the setting of the timing for performing the network version upgrade, and in the case of changing the setting, the setting change routine of S608 is executed to set the items as shown in FIG. 5 in S6.
Move to 09. If not changed, the process immediately shifts to S609.

Then, in step S609, S60
8 is selected from the network interface unit 7 or the operation unit 115 as to whether to validate the changed contents. If not valid, the process proceeds to S604, and if valid, the process proceeds to S610 to save the settings. . S611
In step S604, the network version upgrade flag is turned on, and this routine is ended in step S604.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the process flow of the network version upgrade execution routine.
This is a routine that is always executed by the core unit 10 at the same time when the power of the image input / output control unit 3 is turned on. The network version upgrade flag is determined in S702, and if it is OFF, the routine ends in S703. If the flag is ON, the process proceeds to S704, and it is determined whether the timing is set as shown in the example of FIG. If there is an option board with the same version upgrade timing, PC / WS1 on LAN 13
1 or the file server 14 (device holding version-up data) is notified of the arrival of timing, and S7
After shifting to 05, the network version of the corresponding option board is upgraded by downloading the firmware or software program data, and then this routine is ended in S703. If there is no option board with the same timing, the process immediately shifts to S703 and this routine ends.

Next, the version update routine of S705 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the version update routine. This flow chart is also based on the program stored in the memory 124.
It shows the flow of processing performed by U123.

First, in step S802, the corresponding option board is analyzed based on the program data to be updated (the program data at which the set update timing has arrived). Then, in step S803, a flag that prohibits the processing related to the option board to be updated is turned on. Here, regarding the core unit 10 serving as the main board, for example, if the update is related to the facsimile function, only the processing related to the facsimile function is prohibited, and the other functions are operated. However, when updating the control program of the entire core unit 10, processing of the entire apparatus is prohibited.

If it is confirmed that the processing operation of the corresponding option board has stopped normally, then step S80 is performed.
4 through LAN via network interface unit 7
The program data to be updated is input from the PC / WS 11 on 13 or the file server 14. At this time, the corresponding option board is in a standby state for version upgrade. Then, this program data is stored in the memory of each board and updated. This is step S80
The process is repeated until it is determined that the process ends in 6.

When the data update is completed, step S8
Update information such as version information and update date and time of the data updated in 07 is stored. Then, step S808
Then, the prohibition flag turned on in step S803 is turned off.
And the process ends in S809. The printer unit 2 is upgraded when the power of the printer engine is off.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
A network interface unit 7 connected to a workstation or the like in the inside of an image processing composite apparatus including a main board (core unit 10) and a plurality of option boards or in an external processing device (image input / output control unit 3),
Formatter unit 8 that expands code data on a bit map memory, facsimile unit 4 that sends and receives bit map data or code data via a public line, and various data of core unit 10 whose functions are divided according to the processing content of other data. A processing unit and a CPU 123 that controls the respective processing units collectively are provided, and the latest data of firmware or software for operating the various processing units is stored in a server on the network.
The CPU 123 inputs the data via the network interface unit 7 at a preset timing, and the CPU 123 upgrades the corresponding option board, etc., so that the device is not used (for example, Midnight, holidays, etc.)
With this, it is possible to upgrade automatically without artificial intervention.

If a device similar to that of the embodiment is connected to the network, the version upgrade may be continuously performed.

Although the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, host computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.), it is also applied to a device composed of one device (for example, copying machine, facsimile machine). May be.

In order to realize the function of the above-described embodiment, a computer in an apparatus or system connected to various devices so as to operate the various devices,
A program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied via a network or a storage medium, and a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or device is operated according to the supplied program. What is carried out thereby is also included in the scope of the present invention.

For example, the program data stored in the memory 124 is stored in a removable storage medium such as a magneto-optical disk, and this data is supplied to another applicable device.
The function of the present invention can be easily realized.

Further, in this case, the program code itself of the software realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer, for example, such a program. The storage medium storing the code constitutes the present invention.

A floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM or the like can be used as a storage medium for storing the program code.

Further, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the supplied program code by the computer, but also the OS (operating system) in which the program code is operating in the computer, or another It goes without saying that the program code relating to the case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with application software or the like is included in the embodiment of the present invention.

Further, the supplied program code is stored in the function expansion board of the computer or the memory provided in the function expansion unit connected to the computer, and then stored in the function expansion board or the function storage unit based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the present invention also includes a case where the provided CPU or the like performs a part or all of the actual processing and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0068]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Functions can be added and changed efficiently at the set timing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing composite apparatus which is an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a reader unit 1 and a printer unit 2.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the reader unit 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a core unit 10.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing setting contents of version upgrade timing.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when setting the timing of version upgrade via the network.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when performing a version upgrade via a network.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for upgrading the option board.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 Facsimile part 7 Network interface part 123 CPU 124 Memory

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Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A data processing device for performing processing by at least one processing means, wherein input means for inputting data for operating said processing means, and setting for setting timing for inputting data by said input means Means, a judgment means for judging whether the timing set by the setting means is reached, and a control means for storing the data input by the input means in the storage means when the timing is judged by the determination means A data processing device comprising: 2. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data input by the input means includes identification data for identifying the corresponding processing means. 3. A processing stopping means for stopping the processing by the processing means related to the data input by the input means when the judgment means judges that the timing has been reached. Alternatively, the data processing device according to claim 2. 4. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a unit that stores setting information set by the setting unit in a storage unit. 5. The timing set by the setting means is
The data processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the data processing device is associated with day and time. 6. The timing set by the setting means is
The device according to claim 1, which is related to an operating state.
The data processing device according to claim 4. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for outputting the contents set by the setting means.
The data processing device according to any one of the above. 8. A method of controlling a data processing device for performing processing by at least one processing means, comprising: an input step of inputting data for operating the processing means; and a timing of inputting data by the input means. A setting step of setting, a determination step of determining whether the timing set in the setting step has been reached, and a data input in the input step when the determination step determines that the timing has been reached is stored in a storage unit. A control method comprising: 9. The control method according to claim 8, further comprising an identification step of identifying a corresponding processing means for the data input in the input step. 10. The method according to claim 8, further comprising a step of stopping the processing by the processing means related to the data input in the input step, when the determination step determines that the timing has been reached. Item 10. The control method according to Item 9. 11. The control method according to claim 8, further comprising a step of storing the setting information set in the setting step in a storage means. 12. The timing set in the setting step relates to date and time.
The control method according to claim 11. 13. The control method according to claim 8, wherein the timing set in the setting step is related to an operating state. 14. The control method according to claim 8, further comprising a step of outputting the contents set in the setting step. 15. A storage medium storing a program for implementing the control method according to claim 8 through a CPU. 16. An interface unit connected to a computer, a facsimile, etc., a printing unit for recording an image corresponding to image data on a recording medium, and a function for each data processing content of the printing unit and the computer, the facsimile, etc. An image processing composite apparatus comprising various divided data processing means and a control means for controlling the respective means, and a timing for inputting the latest data for operating the respective means via the interface means. An image processing composite apparatus, characterized in that it holds preset timing information, and when the set timing arrives, the control means upgrades the corresponding apparatus / means with the latest data. 17. The preset timing information is
17. The image processing composite apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the information is temporal information such as date and time and day of the week. 18. The control means performs the version upgrade after normally stopping the operation of the corresponding apparatus and means for performing the version upgrade.
6. The image processing complex device according to item 6. 19. In addition to the preset timing information, it holds information in which a time for starting the operation stop of the corresponding device or means in preparation for the start of the version upgrade is held, and the control means holds the corresponding device at the start of the version upgrade. 17. The image processing composite apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the means shifts to an upgrade / standby state. 20. The preset timing information comprises:
17. The image processing composite apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the information is timing information in a state in which the printing unit, the computer, the facsimile machine, and the like are not used during a preset fixed time. 21. The preset timing information includes:
17. The image processing composite apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the printer engine main body of the printing unit has power-off timing information. 22. The preset timing information is
17. The image processing composite apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the computer, the facsimile machine or the like can be notified in advance.