JPH09307723A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the image forming device in which load of maintenance of a storage device with a large capacity is relieved and the reliability of it is enhanced. SOLUTION: At application of power, a CPU 157 of an image processing unit 15 confirms the configuration of a secondary storage device 207 to confirm whether or not a secondary storage device 207 is replaced. When it is confirmed that the secondary storage device 207 is replaced, the CPU 157 detects a defective part of the secondary storage device 207. When the defective part is detected, its address is stored to a memory data storage section 160 as management information. The CPU 157 inhibits input/output of data to/from the defective address in the case of input/output of image data based on the management information stored in the memory data storage section 160.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine or a facsimile machine, and more particularly to an image data forming apparatus.
The present invention relates to reducing the burden of management work and improving reliability of a large-capacity storage device that stores data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In copying machines and the like, for example, JP-A-62-45268 is used.
As shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-249562 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-23472, a plurality of input image data are input.
Data is saved in a storage device, and the saved image data is output in the order in which they are input or in an order different from the order in which they are input, or multiple image data are aggregated and output at one time. 2. Description of the Related Art An apparatus is used that facilitates rationalization of image formation and facilitates management of formed images.

[0003]

The storage capacity required for the storage device for storing the image data input as described above increases in accordance with the amount of image data to be processed. For example, when a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk is installed as the storage device, it is essential to detect a defective portion of the storage device and perform initialization necessary for image input / output. It also takes a long time to detect a defective portion of the storage device, initialize the storage device, and the like, which causes a decrease in utilization efficiency of the image forming apparatus such as a copying machine. For example, if the operator detects a defective portion when he / she wants to start the image input / output operation, the image forming apparatus cannot be used until the detection is completed. Further, when the image forming apparatus has been used for a certain period of time and the storage apparatus needs to be replaced, the operator needs to detect a defective portion of the storage apparatus at the time of replacement, and work for maintenance of the image forming apparatus is required. There are many. In addition, when an image is formed using the storage device, a defective portion is subsequently generated, and if an image signal is input to or output from the defective portion, the operator must register the defective portion each time. If this is done, it is necessary to notify the operator of the defective portion of the storage device, which complicates the configuration of the image forming apparatus and increases the maintenance work required of the operator.

The present invention has been made to solve the above disadvantages, and an object of the present invention is to obtain an image forming apparatus capable of reducing the burden of maintenance work of a large-capacity storage device and improving reliability. To do.

[0005]

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention has a replaceable storage means for storing an image signal read by an image reading means and converted into a digital signal, and the storage means is provided when the power is turned on. It is characterized in that whether or not the recording means is replaced is recognized, and when the recording means is replaced, a defective portion of the recording means is detected.

A second image forming apparatus according to the present invention stores replaceable storage means for storing an image signal read by the image reading means and converted into a digital signal, and defective portion data of the recording means. Having a non-volatile storage element, it recognizes whether or not the storage means has been replaced when the power is turned on, and when the recording means is replaced, a defective portion of the recording means is detected and the detected defective portion is deleted. Data is stored in the non-volatile storage element, and when the power is turned on again, it is judged whether the defective portion data stored in the non-volatile storage element is good or bad, and the abnormality of the defective portion data is detected. When the operation is stopped and no abnormality in the defective data is detected,
Characterized by detecting a defective portion of the recording means

It is advisable to display the detection result of the defective portion of the storage means and the determination result of the quality of the stored defective portion data.

Further, while the image signal is being input / output to / from the storage means, the input / output state of the image signal to / from the recording means is monitored, and when an abnormality occurs in the input / output of the image signal,
Judge the defective part of the recording means,
It is desirable to save as defective data.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the present invention, an image processing unit includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a memory data storage unit including a non-volatile storage element, a memory controller, and an image memory. The CPU sets the memory controller and controls the reading unit and the writing unit. Further, the CPU has a memory replacement recognition unit for recognizing replacement of the recording device of the image memory and a defect detection unit for detecting a defective portion of the recording device. The memory data storage unit stores data unique to the recording medium of the image memory, and also stores data such as a defective portion. The image memory comprises a primary storage device and a replaceable secondary storage device which is composed of a hard disk, which is a large-capacity storage medium. Primary storage is DR
A storage element capable of high-speed access such as AM is used.

When the image forming apparatus is powered on, the CPU of the image processing unit confirms the configuration of the secondary storage device and confirms whether the secondary storage device has been replaced. As a result of this confirmation, when it is confirmed that the secondary storage device has been replaced, the CPU detects a defective portion according to the memory capacity and type of the replaced recording medium of the secondary storage device. When a defective portion is detected, the address of the defective portion is stored in the memory data storage unit as management information. The management information of the secondary storage device stored in the memory data storage unit prohibits input / output of data to a defective portion when inputting / outputting image data. As described above, it takes a considerable amount of time to detect whether or not a defective secondary storage device using a large-capacity recording medium such as a hard disk is owned, but the state of the secondary storage device is confirmed when the power is turned on. Therefore, the input / output of the image data can be confirmed without any trouble.

Even if the data indicating the defective portion of the secondary storage device is stored in the memory data storage unit as described above,
When the storage data of the non-volatile storage element that constitutes the memory data storage section is destroyed or the non-volatile storage element is replaced, 2 when inputting / outputting the image data.
It becomes impossible to prohibit the input / output of data to the defective portion of the next storage device. Therefore, when the power is turned on, the configuration of the memory data storage unit is checked to see if the recording element in the memory data storage unit has been replaced, and if there is any abnormality in the defective part data stored if it has not been replaced. Confirm. When there is an abnormality in the stored defective portion data, the specific data for data abnormality determination is recorded in a specific area of the memory data storage unit, and then read again to determine whether the writing / reading is appropriate. to decide. In this way, when the power is turned on, the state of the memory data saving unit that saves the management information of the secondary storage device is confirmed to prevent an abnormality in the input / output of image data with respect to the secondary storage device.

Further, the detection result of the defective portion of the secondary storage device and the result of judging the quality of the stored defective portion data are displayed on the operation unit to clarify that an abnormality has occurred.

Further, when inputting / outputting the image data to / from the secondary storage device, the input / output state of the image data to / from the secondary storage device is monitored. When an abnormality occurs in the input / output of the image data, the occurrence location is determined to be a defective location, and the defective location is saved in the memory data storage unit as a defective location data. Even if it occurs, the image data is stably input.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show a digital image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the entire apparatus, FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit. In the image forming apparatus 1 shown in the figure, the document key placed on the document table 21 of the automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 2 with the image side facing up is pressed by the print key 31 of the operation unit 3. Then, the lowermost original is fed to a predetermined position on the contact glass 24 by the feeding roller 22 and the feeding belt 23. After the image data of the original is read by the reading unit 4,
It is discharged by the feeding belt 23 and the discharging roller 25.
Further, when the document set detection sensor 26 detects that there is a next document on the document table 21, the document is fed onto the contact glass 24 in the same manner as the previous document. The feeding roller 22, the feeding belt 23, and the discharging roller 25 that convey the original document are driven by the conveyance motor 27 shown in the block diagram of FIG.

The optical scanning system of the reading unit 4 has an exposure lamp 41, a first mirror 42, a second mirror 43, a third mirror 44, a lens 45 and a CCD image sensor 46. The exposure lamp 41 and the first mirror 42 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 43 and the third mirror 44 are fixed on a second carriage (not shown). When reading a document image, the first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically scanned at a relative speed of 2: 1 so that the optical path length does not change. This optical scanning system is driven by a scanner driving motor (not shown), and the image of the original is read by the CCD image sensor 46, converted into an electric signal and processed. When reading the image of the original, the magnification of the image is changed by moving the position of the lens 45 and the CCD image sensor 46 in the left-right direction.

The writing unit 5 has a laser output unit 51 having a laser diode and a polygon mirror, an imaging lens 52 and a mirror 53, and the laser emitted from the laser diode. The light is deflected by the polygon mirror, passes through the imaging lens 52, is reflected by the mirror 53, is condensed and imaged on the surface of the photoconductor 6, and is written as an image.

The first tray 71 and the second tray 7 of the paper feeding section 7
The transfer papers stacked on the second and third trays 73 are respectively the first
Paper is fed by the paper feeding device 74, the second paper feeding device 75, and the third paper feeding device 76, and the photoconductor 6 is fed by the vertical transport unit 77.
Is transported to a position where it contacts the. The image data read by the reading unit 4 is read by the writing unit 5.
The light is written on the photoconductor 6 and passes through the developing unit 8 to form a toner image. The toner image on the photoconductor 6 is transferred while the transfer paper is transported by the transport belt 9 at the same speed as the rotation of the photoconductor 6. afterwards,
The image is fixed by the fixing unit 10, and the paper discharge unit 1
1 is discharged to the finisher 100 of the post-processing device. The finisher 100 of the post-processing device uses the branching deflector plate 1 to transfer the transfer paper conveyed by the paper discharge unit 11 of the main body.
By switching 01, the stacker tray 104 and the staple tray 108 can be switched. That is, by switching the branching and deflecting plate 101 downward, the sheet is discharged to the stacker tray 104 via the transport rollers 102 and 103. Further, the transfer sheet is conveyed to the staple tray 108 via the conveyance roller 105 and the paper ejection roller 107 by switching the branching and deflecting plate 101 upward. The transfer sheets stacked on the staple tray 108 have their end surfaces aligned by a jog 109 for aligning the sheets each time one sheet is discharged.
When the copy of the set is completed, it is bound by the stapler 106. The transfer paper group bound by the stapler 106 is stored in the staple-completed paper discharge tray 110 by its own weight. On the other hand, the normal stacker tray 104 is a paper discharge tray that can be moved back and forth, and can be sorted for each document or for each copy number sorted by the image memory.

When images are formed on both sides of the transfer paper, the branch claw 11 for switching the path of the transfer paper on which the image is fixed is used.
2 is set on the upper side and stocked in the double-sided paper feeding unit 111. The transfer paper stocked in the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 is again sent to the photoconductor 6 and a new image is transferred and fixed on the back side on which the image is previously formed, and the paper is ejected.

The photoconductor 6, the developing unit 8, the conveyor belt 9, and the fixing unit 10 for transferring the image on the transfer paper in this way.
The sheet discharge unit 11 is driven by the main motor 13 controlled by the main controller 12 as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3, and the sheet feeding devices 74 to 75 supply the drive of the main motor 13 respectively. Paper clutches 14a-14
The vertical transport unit 76 is driven to be transmitted via the intermediate clutch 14d.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 3 includes a liquid crystal touch panel 31, a numeric keypad 32, and a clear / stop key.
33, a print key 34, and a mode clear key 35. The liquid crystal touch panel 31 has a mode setting function key-3.
Various messages indicating the number of copies and the state of the apparatus are displayed. That is, when the operator touches the key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31, the color of the key indicating the selected function changes. Further, when it is necessary to specify the details of the function such as the variable power value, a detailed function setting screen is displayed by touching the key. As described above, since the liquid crystal touch panel 31 uses the dot display device, the optimum display at that time can be graphically performed. The operation unit 3 is connected to the main controller 12 as shown in the block diagram of FIG.

The main controller 12 controls the entire apparatus, and includes an image processing unit 15 and an ADF 2 for controlling image reading, writing an original image in an image memory, and forming an image from the image memory. Distributed control such as.

As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 4, the image processing unit 15 includes a preprocessing section 151 and a first print combining section 15
2, selector 153, second print combining unit 154, and magnification changing unit 1
55, printer controller 156, CPU 157, and ROM 1
58, a RAM 159, a memory data storage unit 160 including a non-volatile storage element, a memory controller 161, an image memory 162, an I / O port 163 for inputting image data supplied from the outside, and printing. It has an image data generator 164. CPU 157 is a memory controller
The setting of the printer 161 and the like is performed and the reading unit 4 and the writing unit 5 are controlled. Further, the CPU 157 has a memory replacement recognition unit 165 that recognizes replacement of the recording device of the image memory 162 and a defect detection unit 166 that detects a defective portion of the recording device. ROM158 and RAM159 are CP
It stores the control program and data of U157. The memory data storage unit 160 stores data unique to the recording medium of the image memory 162, and also stores data such as a defective portion.

The image signal received by the CCD image sensor 46 and photoelectrically converted is A / D converted by the preprocessing unit 151 to be converted into a digital signal, and the image signal converted into the digital signal is subjected to shading correction. After being done MTF
Correction, γ correction, etc. are performed. The selector 153 sets the destination of the image data to the scaling unit 155 or the memory controller 161.
Switch to F. The image data sent to the scaling unit 155 is sent to the printer control unit 156 which has been scaled up or down according to the designated scaling ratio. Image data can be input / output bidirectionally between the selector 153 and the memory controller 161.

The print image data generator 164 is a CP.
It is connected to the U bus and generates a character image for page printing, an arbitrary image for stamping, and the like. The image image data generated in the print image data generating device 164.
The data is input to the first print combining unit 152 and the second print combining unit 154, and an arbitrary image is combined with the image data of the original document and the image data from the image memory 162. Further, the print image data generator 164 not only generates print image data, but also sets a position for combining the generated image data.

The image signal for one page in the selector 153 is, as shown in FIG. 5, a frame gate signal which represents the effective period of one page of image data in the sub-scanning direction. Have. Then, the image signal becomes valid at a predetermined clock after the main scanning synchronizing signal for each line rises. Frame
The line gate signal indicating that the mgate signal, the main scanning synchronization signal, and the image signal in the main scanning direction are valid is synchronized with the pixel synchronization signal (VCLK), and is 1 of the pixel synchronization signals.
Data of one pixel is sent for each cycle. The image processing unit 15 has a mechanism for generating a frame gate signal, a main scanning synchronizing signal, a line gate signal, and a pixel synchronizing signal which are separate for the image input and the output, respectively, and directly reads the read image. Various combinations of image input / output can be realized by performing phase adjustment and the like when performing output.

As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 6, the memory controller 161 has an input data selector 201, an image synthesizing section 202, a primary compression / expansion section 203, an output data selector 204 and a secondary compression / expansion section 205. The CPU 157 sets the control data to these. The image memory 162 includes a primary storage device 206 and a secondary storage device 2.
07. The primary storage device 206 is a memory controller.
The data transfer required for inputting / outputting image data includes writing of data to the designated area of the memory 161 and reading of data from the area designated by the memory controller 161 at the time of image output. For example, D
A storage element capable of high speed access such as a RAM is used. Further, the primary storage device 206 is divided into a plurality of areas according to the size of image data to be processed, and has an interface section capable of simultaneously executing input / output of image data. The secondary storage device 207 is a large-capacity storage device for storing image data in order to combine and sort input images. If the primary storage device 206 has a sufficient capacity to process the image data, 2
No image data is input to or output from the next storage device 207. If the secondary storage device 207 can write / read the image data substantially in synchronism with the data transfer speed required at the time of image input / output, the image data can be directly stored in the secondary storage device 20.
It is also possible to write to and read from the image storage device 7, and it is possible to perform image data processing without distinguishing between the primary storage device 206 and the secondary storage device 207. When the secondary storage device 207 cannot write / read image data in synchronism with the data transfer rate required at the time of image input / output, for example, the secondary storage device 207 is provided with a hard disk or an optical disk. Even when a recording medium such as a magnetic disk is used, input / output of image data to / from the secondary storage device 207 is performed by the primary storage device 20.
6 is inserted, the data of the secondary storage device 207 is deleted.
It is structured so that processing can be performed according to the data transfer capability. With such a configuration, the storage element can be selected according to the image data processing speed of the image forming apparatus, and the compression rate and the expansion rate vary depending on the image data, that is, the image is changed depending on the type of the image data. It is also possible to adopt a method in which the data access speed to the memory 162 is different. Further, if the compression rate and the expansion rate are variable, the capacity of the storage device can be saved.

An exchangeable recording medium such as a hard disk or a magneto-optical disk is used as the secondary storage device 207, and the data is written substantially in synchronization with the data transfer rate required at the time of image input / output. When writing / storing image data to / from the image memory 162 when read / write is not possible, the input data selector 201 of the memory controller 161 selects one of the image memories 162 from the plurality of data. Next storage device 2
The image data to be written in 06 is selected. The image data selected by the input data selector 201 is supplied to the image synthesizing unit 202 and is synthesized with the image data already stored in the image memory 162. The image data processed by the image synthesizing unit 202 is compressed by the primary compression / expansion unit 203, and the compressed image data is written in the primary storage device 206. The image data written in the primary storage device 206 is stored in the secondary compression / expansion unit 2 as necessary.
After further compression at 05, it is stored in the secondary storage device 207.

When outputting the image data stored in the image memory 162, the image data stored in the primary storage device 206 is read. When the image data to be output is stored in the primary storage device 206,
The primary compression / decompression unit 203 stores the image data in the primary storage device 206.
The data is decompressed, and the decompressed data or the image data after the decompressed image data and the input image data are combined is selected by the output data selector 204 and output. To do. When the image data to be output is not stored in the primary storage device 206, the image data to be output stored in the secondary storage device 207 is converted to the secondary compression / expansion unit 20.
Decompression is performed in step 5, and the decompressed image data is stored in the primary storage device 2
After writing to 06, the same image output operation as described above is performed.

Image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above
When a replaceable hard disk is used as the secondary storage device 207 of the image memory 162, the secondary storage device 2
The operation for managing 07 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on (step S1), the memory replacement recognition unit 165 of the CPU 157 of the image processing unit 15 confirms the configuration of the secondary storage device 207 and replaces it with the secondary storage device 207. It is confirmed whether or not it has been done (steps S2 and S3). As described above, the configuration of the secondary storage device 207 is confirmed when the power of the image forming device 1 is turned on. The replacement of the secondary storage device 207 using a hard disk or the like is the power supply of the image forming device 1. Since it is not performed while the power is on, it is confirmed whether or not the secondary storage device 207 is replaced when the image data is not input / output when the power is turned on. The configuration of the secondary storage device 207 confirmed here indicates the memory capacity, the type of storage medium, and the like. When confirming the configuration of the secondary storage device 207, the serial number of the secondary storage device 207, which is data unique to the recording medium, is read from the memory data storage unit 160. When the secondary storage device 207 is a hard disk, it has a function of notifying a unique serial number.
It is possible to determine whether or not the secondary storage device 207 is replaced by reading this and comparing it with the serial number stored in the memory data storage unit 160 which is a non-volatile storage element in advance. . When using a storage medium such as a magneto-optical disk that does not have data peculiar to the storage medium, the identification data is recorded in the storage area when the defective portion is detected. Then, the determination can be made by reading this.

After confirming the configuration of the secondary storage device 207 and confirming that the secondary storage device 207 has not been replaced (step S3), in order to input / output image data to / from the secondary storage device 207. Necessary initialization is performed to enter the standby state to end the management operation (step S7). Also,
When it is confirmed that the secondary storage device 207 has been replaced (step S3), the defect detection unit 166 of the CPU 157 detects the defective portion according to the memory capacity and type of the replaced recording medium of the secondary storage device 207. Select the memory area and method to be performed and start detection of a defective portion (step S
4). The defective portion is detected for each minimum unit of the memory controlled by the memory controller 161, and when the defective is not detected as a result of detecting the defective portion in all designated areas (steps S4, S5, S6). ) Secondary storage device 20
Initialization necessary for inputting / outputting image data to / from No. 7 is performed, and a standby state is set to end the management operation (step S7). At this time, the secondary storage device 207 confirmed earlier
Specific data such as the serial number of the memory is stored in the memory data storage unit 160.
Save it to and use it for the next judgment. If a defective portion is detected while the defective portion is being detected, error processing is performed (steps S5 and S8). A memory failure in the secondary storage device 207 means that data cannot be written / read to / from that area. This error
The address of the location detected as defective during processing is stored in the memory
The data is stored in the data storage unit 160 as management information. Based on the management information of the secondary storage device 207 stored in the memory data storage unit 160, the CPU 157 prohibits input / output of data to a defective portion when inputting / outputting image data. After this defective portion is detected for all designated areas, the initialization necessary for inputting / outputting image data to / from the secondary storage device 207 is performed, and a standby state is set and management operation is performed. It ends (step S7).

As described above, it takes a considerable amount of time to detect whether or not a defective individual storage device 207 using a large-capacity recording medium such as a hard disk is owned. Since the status of 207 is confirmed, the image data
You can check the input and output of the data without any problems. Further, since the defective portion of the secondary storage device 207 is confirmed when the power is turned on, the image data can be accurately stored in the secondary storage device 207 and the input / output of the image data is stabilized. It can be carried out.

Even if the data indicating the defective portion of the secondary storage device 207 is stored in the memory data storage unit 160 as described above, a non-volatile storage element constituting the memory data storage unit 160. If the stored data of the above is destroyed or the non-volatile storage element is exchanged, input / output of data to / from a defective portion of the secondary storage device 207 when inputting / outputting image data is performed. You can no longer ban. Therefore,
It is advisable to check the state of the memory data storage unit 160 when the power is turned on. The operation in this case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on (step S11), the CPU 157 of the image processing unit 15 is activated.
The memory exchange recognition unit 165 first confirms the configuration of the memory data storage unit 160 (step S12). As a result of this confirmation, when the recording element of the memory data storage unit 160 is not replaced and the stored defective portion data is normal, the confirmation processing of the secondary storage device 207 is started (steps S13 and S17). ). Further, as a result of checking the memory data storage unit 160, when the recording element of the memory data storage unit 160 is exchanged or the stored defective data is abnormal, the defect detection unit 166 of the CPU 157 causes the memory data storage unit 160 to detect the memory data. The ROM 1 is previously stored in a specific area of the data storage unit 160.
The specific data for data abnormality determination stored in 58 is recorded (steps S13 and S14). After that, the specific data recorded in the memory data storage unit 160 is read (step S15), and the read specific data and ROM are read.
The specific data stored in 158 is compared, and it is determined whether the read specific data and the specific data stored in ROM 158 match (step S1).
6). As a result of this comparison, the read specific data and ROM
If the specific data stored in 158 match, it is determined that the recording element of the memory data saving unit 160 is normal, and the confirmation process of the secondary storage device 207 is started (steps S16 and S17). ). In addition, the read specific data and R
When the specific data stored in the OM 158 do not match, as shown in FIG. 9, the liquid crystal touch panel 31 of the operation unit 3 displays that a failure is found in the memory data storage unit ( Step S18), the memory controller 161
The operation of is stopped (step S19). Even in this case, the operator who confirms the content displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 operates the operation unit 3 to operate the liquid crystal touch panel 3.
By returning the display of No. 1 to the normal operation screen, the processing and operation without using the memory controller 161 can be performed.

In the above embodiment, the memory data storage unit 1
The case where a failure is found in 60 is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 of the operation unit 3 has been described.
Even when a defective portion is found during the confirmation process of the secondary storage device 207, the state can be displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 to notify the user that the secondary storage device 207 needs to be replaced.

As described above, even if the state of the secondary storage device 207 is confirmed when the power is turned on, a defective portion may be generated in the secondary storage device 207 subsequently while the image forming apparatus 1 is in use. . The operation when a defective portion is subsequently generated in the secondary storage device 207 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the operation is started by the request of the input / output of the image signal, the input / output condition of the image data to the secondary storage device 207 is set, and the input / output request of the image data is waited (step S21). , S22). At this time, the CPU 15
Numeral 7 avoids a known defective portion of the secondary storage device 207 when securing the area. When the input / output of the image data is started (step S23), the CPU 157 starts monitoring the input / output state of the image data to the secondary storage device 207, and
It is monitored whether an abnormality has occurred in the input / output to / from the next storage device 207 (step S24). And the image data
When the input / output of the image data is completed without any abnormality in the input / output of the data, the process is terminated (steps 25 and S26).
Further, when an abnormality occurs in the input / output of the image data, the occurrence location is determined to be a defective location and stored in the memory data storage unit 160 as defective location data (steps S25, S2).
7). If a defective portion occurs in the output area while the image data is being output, the process cannot be performed again because it cannot be reexecuted (step S28). Also, the image data
When data is being input, the defective portion that has occurred is avoided, the area of the secondary storage device 207 is re-secured, and the input image data is stored in the primary storage device 206 (step S2).
8, S29), the image input is re-executed (step S3).
0). In this way, even if a defective portion is generated in the secondary storage device 207 subsequently, the image data can be stably input.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the power of the image forming apparatus is turned on, the defective portion of the storage means for storing the image data is detected, and the image data is input / output. Since the input / output of data to / from the defective portion is prohibited during the operation, the input / output of the image data can be stably performed and the operator's burden required for detecting the defective portion of the storage means is reduced. Can be reduced.

Further, since the defective portion of the storage means is detected when the power is turned on, even if a large capacity recording medium is used, the state of the storage means can be maintained without any trouble in inputting / outputting image data. It can be confirmed, and the input and output of image data can be smoothly performed.

Also, by checking the state of the non-volatile storage element storing the data indicating the defective portion when the power is turned on, the storage data is destroyed or the non-volatile storage element is replaced. Even in the case that the abnormalities occur in the input / output of the image data to / from the storage means,
The reliability of the image forming apparatus can be improved.

Further, by displaying the detection result of the defective portion of the storage means and the result of judging the quality of the stored defective portion data, it is possible to clarify that the abnormality has occurred.

Further, when inputting / outputting the image data to / from the storage means, the input / output state of the image data to / from the storage means is monitored, and a portion where an abnormality occurs in the input / output of the image data is defective. By storing the defective portion data as the portion, the image data can be stably input even if the defective portion occurs later in the storage means.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a layout view of an operation unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing unit.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an image signal of a selector.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a memory controller.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the above embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the second operation of the above embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a display diagram showing a display example when a failure occurs.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a third operation of the above embodiment.
It is.

[Explanation of symbols]

 15 image processing unit 157 CPU 158 ROM 160 memory data storage unit 161 memory controller 162 image memory 165 memory replacement recognition unit 166 defect detection unit 206 primary storage device 207 secondary storage device

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location G06F 12/16 340 7623-5B G06F 12/16 340T H04N 1/00 106 H04N 1/00 106C (72 ) Inventor Koichi Kanaya 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Reco Ltd. (72) Inventor Moriyuki Koike 1-3-3 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Reco Ltd (72) Inventor Hiroshi Mori 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo, within Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tomofumi Harada 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo In-Reco, Inc. (72) Inventor Takahiko Uno 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Rico Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Hattori 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Riko Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroomi Motohashi 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Reco Ltd. (72) Inventor Hisashi Ishiguro 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Reco Ltd. ( 72) Inventor Tsuyoshi Endo 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Riko Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An exchangeable storage means for storing the image signal read by the image reading means and converted into a digital signal is provided, and the recording means recognizes whether or not the storage means has been exchanged when the power is turned on. An image forming apparatus, which detects a defective portion of a recording unit when it is replaced. 2. A power supply having exchangeable storage means for storing an image signal read by the image reading means and converted into a digital signal, and a non-volatile storage element for storing defective portion data of the recording means. Recognizing whether or not the storage means has been replaced at the time of turning on, when the recording means is replaced, the defective portion of the recording means is detected, and the data of the detected defective portion is stored in the nonvolatile storage element. When the power is turned on again, the defective part data stored in the non-volatile storage element
The feature is that the quality of the data is judged, the operation is stopped when the abnormality of the defective portion data is detected, and the defective portion of the recording means is detected when the abnormality of the defective portion data is not detected. Image forming apparatus. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a result of detection of a defective portion in the storage means and a result of determination as to whether or not the stored defective portion data are judged are displayed. 4. The input / output state of the image signal to / from the recording means is monitored while the image signal is input / output to / from the storage means, and when the input / output of the image signal is abnormal, the abnormality of the recording means is detected. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the defective portion is judged as a defective portion and is stored as defective portion data.