JP2000339506A - Equipment managing device, its method and computer readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To execute highly accurate counting or time counting while suppressing writing frequency by providing the management device with a 2nd comparing means for comparing a measured value measured by a measuring means with a 2nd prescribed value smaller than a 1st prescribed value, and writing the measured value in a storage means, when the measured value is larger than the 2nd prescribed value. SOLUTION: When a counting event such as a printing instruction is generated (S102), '1' is added to a count value n (S103), the count value n is compared with a write limiting number m (=4) (S104), and when the value n is <4, writing is not executed. When the count value n exceeds 4, the value n is added to the contents(CNT) of an EEPROM, the added value is written (S105) and the value n is cleared to '0' (S106). When there is no counting even in the step S102, processing goes to a step S107. In the step S107, the existence of an end command such as printing end is judged, and when the end command is generated, whether additional writing is to be executed or not is judged (S108). At the time of judging the execution of additional writing, the count value n is added to the contents(CNT) of the EEPROM and the added value is written (S109).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention measures and stores the number of times of use of each part of an apparatus such as an image forming apparatus such as a scanner, a printer, a copying machine and the like, the time of use and the like, and stores information for maintenance and inspection. The present invention relates to a device management device and method provided as a computer, and a computer-readable storage medium used in the device and method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, for example, various items such as the number of read sheets, the number of print sheets, and the usage time of a light source are measured, and the measured values are referred to as EEP.
The data is stored in a non-volatile memory such as a ROM, and maintenance such as replacement of parts or repair is performed with reference to this value.

EEP used as the above nonvolatile memory
The ROM is a device that is convenient for storage, but has a limit on the number of times of rewriting. The rewrite limit count is 1
It is said to be around 10,000 to 100,000 times. On the other hand, the actual number information to be memorized has a large difference in the number, such as one million times. In addition, in order to prevent a malfunction due to a writing failure or the like, it is necessary to detect a content error using code information such as a parity and a checksum.

[0004] Rewriting of such a code bit must be generated by "the item to be rewritten" * "the number of times of rewriting" also from the meaning of the code, and it can be said that the number of times of rewriting of this portion is important. For example, if the number of rewrite items is 10 and the number of rewrites is 10,000, the number of rewrites per item must be limited to 1,000. Here, assuming that the durability related to the number of times is 4,000 times, if the number of times of rewriting is 1,000 times, if the number of times of rewriting is four, the number of times of rewriting of the EEPROM can be maintained.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a conventional method for managing an image forming apparatus using an EEPROM. By turning on the power, step S100 (hereinafter, step is omitted)
Starts counting by the counter. In S101,
First, the count value n is set to 0. In S102, it is determined whether there is an event worthy of counting, for example, a read command or a print command. If there is no event, the process waits for the next event.

When the above counting event occurs, S103
After incrementing the count value n of the counter by one in step S104, a comparison judgment is made between n and the write limit number m (here, m = 4). If n is less than the limit of four, EEPRO
Writing to M is not performed.

When n exceeds the write limit number 4, S
At 105, rewriting (writing) is performed by adding the count value n to the contents (CNT) of the EEPROM. Next, S106
Then, the counter is set to 0
To clear. As described above, the EEPROM is rewritten, for example, every time the print number counter counts up by four so that the number of times of writing of the EEPROM is not exceeded.

[0008]

However, in the conventional method shown in FIG. 6, in an actual system, the system is frequently frequently restarted by turning on / off the power supply and the like, resulting in unnecessary writing. It was not considered to occur. That is, in the method shown in FIG. 6, the rewriting is simply performed m (= 4) times, so that when the printing is completed with three or less sheets and the processing is completed (power off), the counting cannot be performed at all, and therefore, the data is stored. An error will occur in the value obtained.

That is, depending on the value of the counter n at the end of printing, an error of 0 to 4 and a counting error on average are 2 *
It can be said that there is only the "power-off count". As previously mentioned,
Assuming that the durability related to the number of times is 4,000 times, if the number of times of rewriting is 1,000 times, if the number of times of rewriting is four times, it is possible to prevent the number of times of rewriting from exceeding the EEPROM rewrite limit number. It will have an error.

[0010] In particular, when the operation count per day is 3, the worst case occurs, and the count value n of the EEPROM does not increase no matter how many days pass.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and has as its object to enable high-precision measurement of a use state such as counting or timekeeping while limiting the number of times of writing.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, in a device management apparatus according to the present invention, a measuring means for measuring a use state of a predetermined portion of a device based on an instruction to start use thereof, First comparing means for comparing the measured value of the measuring means with a first predetermined value; storage means for writing the measured value when the measured value is larger than the first predetermined value; The measured value of the measuring means at that time is compared with a second predetermined value smaller than the first predetermined value based on the instruction to end use, and when the measured value is larger than the second predetermined value, And second comparing means for writing the measured value to the storage means.

Further, in the device management method according to the present invention, a measuring procedure for measuring a use state of a predetermined portion of the device based on an instruction to start using the same, and a measured value obtained by the measuring procedure as a first predetermined value. Comparing, when the measured value is larger than the first predetermined value, a first comparing procedure of writing the measured value to the storage means, and the measuring procedure at that time based on an instruction to end use of the predetermined unit. Comparing the measured value with a second predetermined value smaller than the first predetermined value, and when the measured value is larger than the second predetermined value, writing the measured value into the storage means; Is provided.

In the storage medium according to the present invention,
A measurement process of measuring the use state of the predetermined portion of the device based on the instruction to start using the device, and comparing the measurement value obtained by the measurement process with a first predetermined value, wherein the measurement value is larger than the first predetermined value A first comparing process of writing the measured value into the storage means; and a second predetermined value smaller than the first predetermined value and a measured value obtained by the measuring process at that time based on an instruction to end use of the predetermined unit. A program for executing a second comparison process of comparing the measured value with the value and, when the measured value is larger than the second predetermined value, writing the measured value into the storage means.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a device management method according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the same steps as those in the conventional flowchart of FIG.
And a duplicate description is omitted. In FIG. 1, S
107 to S110 are added.

In FIG. 1, if there is no counting event in S101, the process proceeds to S107. In S107, for example, it is determined whether or not there is an end command such as the end of printing. If there is no command, the process waits for the next command.

When a command is issued, it is determined in S108 whether additional writing is to be performed. In this case, writing to the EEPROM is not performed for the remaining count of which the count value n of the print number counter is 2 or less (n >＞).

If n> 1/2, it is determined that writing is to be performed, and in step S109, the (CNT) count value n is added to the contents of the EPROM and rewriting (writing) is performed. And E
Since the addition is stored in the EPROM, the count value n is cleared to 0 in S110.

According to this embodiment, the error is 0 to 2 depending on the value of n at the end, and the counting error is 1 *
The “number of power-offs” can be halved from the conventional case.
The increase in the number of times of writing depends on the remaining count value at the end, but is less than half of the number of ends even during use.

Another advantage is that even if the system is terminated a plurality of times, the number of times of writing is not increased because the writing is not performed simply.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an image forming apparatus to which a management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention using the above method is applied. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 denotes a CPU, which controls the entire apparatus and performs input / output with each unit through a bus 22. 23 is a ROM storing programs and various constants.
The RAM 24 is used as a variable or a work area. An image input unit 25 reads and inputs a medium image.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a drive control unit which switches a document to a switch 27.
, The motor 28 is driven, the light source 28 irradiates the medium, and the image input unit 25 inputs the image information read. The input image information is temporarily stored in the RAM 24, and the acquired information is transmitted to the outside by an external command through the interface 30. An EEPROM 31 rewrites data that needs to be stored even when the power is turned off, according to an instruction from the CPU 21.

Here, the mechanical portion has a service life, which depends on the number of times of driving, so that a preliminary inspection or a replacement can be performed according to the number of times. When the number of times of endurance is exceeded, it is necessary to prohibit driving in order to prevent a serious accident. Furthermore, the light source also has a lifetime, which depends on the number of times of lighting and the lighting time, and depending on this time, it is necessary to give a notice of replacement or prohibition of lighting.

The number of times of driving can be counted by the controlling CPU at the end of the driving sequence, and the value must be temporarily stored in the RAM and stored in the EEPROM until the power is turned off. There is. In addition, the lighting time of the light source needs to accumulate the value of a timer inside the CPU that is controlling the lighting period, and store the value in an EEPROM until the power is turned off.

Further, in order to determine whether or not the data is intended to be stored due to a malfunction of the EEPROM white or to determine whether or not the value is random, the stored content is checked by a method such as a checksum to determine whether or not the data has been correctly written. There is a need. That is, when writing information to the EEPROM by counting or counting, it is necessary to rewrite the checksum with other stored contents, and the rewriting of the check portion frequently occurs.

FIG. 3 shows an example of communication between the system of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 and the outside. This device is a case where the device is used as a parent device that receives external media information through the interface 30. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 41 denotes the start of energization of the apparatus, and thereafter, at 42, the operation of the system is started. Normally, at 43, the system confirms the connection of the apparatus by polling at 51 and determines whether information can be input.

At 44, the input of information to the apparatus is confirmed by polling at 52, at 45 the information is obtained by polling at 53, and the information input is repeated in a loop of 49 as necessary. The input operation is terminated at 46, and a termination command at 50 is issued. When the system finishes the input operation,
In some cases, the input operation may be restarted through route 4. Also, the system may repeat the system start of 42 and the system end of 47 mainly for the purpose of other work. 48 indicates the end of the present apparatus.

Further, as is often the case with a PC, the device or system may be abnormally terminated by intention or negligence. In addition, it is necessary that the device itself can perform timekeeping and automatic writing for the case where only the present device is energized and left alone to consume only the life of the light source. Also, after inserting the medium less than 4 times,
There are also ways to shut down the system frequently to prevent a reduction in the life of the light source.

In order to cope with these cases, in the present embodiment, the number of times of writing is limited, and when the remaining number is large in the application termination communication of 50 in FIG. 3, rewriting is performed. The determination of the remaining number is not limited to the end command alone, and may be performed by an interrupt of the CPU when a power reduction at the end of the apparatus is detected depending on the power margin.

Next, although partially overlapping, control of the CPU of the apparatus will be described. The flowchart in FIG. 4 shows the entire scanner control. S1 clears the counter value on RAM1 to 0, and performs other initialization in S2. Then, host P
If there is a command from C (S3), the process proceeds to S4. If there is no command, the process waits for a command again in S3.

At S4, it is checked whether the command from the host PC is an end command. If not, other command processing is performed (S8), and the process returns to S3. If the command is an end command, the process goes to S5, where the count value n of the counter is m / 2 (m
If the count value is larger than the above, the data is written to the EEPROM.
6), the counter is set to 0 (S7), and the procedure goes to S3.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control when the count value is counted up. In S10, the count value is increased by 1 and when it becomes m (S11), the count value in the EEPROM is increased by m (S12), and n is set to 0 (S
13) End. If not, exit.

Next, a storage medium according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. When the present invention is implemented by a computer system configuration including a CPU and a memory, the memory forms a computer-readable storage medium according to the present invention.

That is, a storage medium storing a program code of software for executing the operation according to each flowchart described in the above embodiment is used in a system or an apparatus, and the CPU of the system or apparatus is stored in the storage medium. By reading and executing the program code, the object of the present invention can be achieved.

As the storage medium, ROM, R
Semiconductor memory such as AM, optical disk, magneto-optical disk,
A magnetic medium or the like may be used, and these may be configured and used in a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, a magnetic card, a nonvolatile memory card, or the like.

Therefore, this storage medium can be used in a system or apparatus other than the system or apparatus shown in FIG. 8 and the system or computer reads out and executes the program code stored in this storage medium. A function equivalent to the above embodiment can be realized,
The same effect can be obtained, and the object of the present invention can be achieved.

An operating system running on a computer
When performing part or all of the processing, or after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in an extended function board or an extended function unit connected to the computer, Even when the CPU or the like provided in the extended function board or the extended function unit performs a part or all of the processing based on the instruction of the program code, the same functions as those of the above embodiment can be realized and the same effects can be obtained. Can be obtained, and the object of the present invention can be achieved.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In addition to the conventional limitation of the number of times of writing, by using an end command from the system, highly accurate counting and time counting can be performed while limiting the number of times of writing. That is, the remaining count is determined by an end command or an event equivalent thereto, and the remaining count is written when necessary, thereby improving the accuracy of the written count value and reducing the write count. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a device management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sequence chart showing an example of communication between the system and the outside.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating overall control of the scanner.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control when a count value is counted up.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a conventional device management method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 21 CPU 23 ROM 24 RAM 25 Image input unit 26 Drive control unit 27 Switch 28 Motor 29 Light source 30 Interface 31 EEPROM

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H027 DA33 DA45 DA46 EE08 EJ08 EJ13 HB17 3E038 AA04 BA09 BA11 BB01 BB02 BB03 CA07 CB04 CC01 9A001 BB03 HH34 JJ61 LL09

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A measuring means for measuring a use state of a predetermined portion of a device based on an instruction to start use of the device, a first comparing means for comparing a measured value of the measuring means with a first predetermined value, When the measured value is larger than the first predetermined value, the storage means in which the measured value is written, and the measured value of the measuring means at that time based on the instruction to end the use of the predetermined unit and the first predetermined value Comparing the measured value with a smaller second predetermined value, and when the measured value is larger than the second predetermined value, writing the measured value into the storage means;
And a comparing means. 2. The device management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the use state is the number of times of use, and the measuring unit measures the number of times of use of the predetermined unit. 3. The device management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the use state is a use time, and the measuring unit measures the use time of the predetermined unit. 4. The device management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instruction to end use is based on detection of a drop in power supply voltage. 5. The device management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storage means is constituted by a nonvolatile memory. 6. A measurement procedure for measuring a use state of a predetermined section of the device based on an instruction to start use of the apparatus, and a measured value obtained by the measurement procedure is compared with a first predetermined value, and the measured value is determined by the first predetermined value. A first comparison procedure for writing the measured value to the storage means when the measured value is larger than a predetermined value, and a measurement value based on the measurement procedure at that time based on the instruction to end use of the predetermined section and the first predetermined value. A second comparing step of comparing the measured value with a small second predetermined value, and when the measured value is larger than the second predetermined value, writing the measured value into the storage means. Management method. 7. The device management method according to claim 6, wherein the use state is the number of times of use. 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the use state is a use time. 9. The device management method according to claim 6, wherein the instruction to end use is based on detection of a drop in power supply voltage. 10. A measurement process for measuring a use state of a predetermined portion of a device based on an instruction to start use of the device, and a measurement value obtained by the measurement process is compared with a first predetermined value. When the measured value is larger than a predetermined value, a first comparison process of writing the measured value to the storage means, and a measurement value of the measuring process at that time based on the instruction to end use of the predetermined unit and the first predetermined value. A computer storing a program for executing a second comparison process of comparing the measured value with a small second predetermined value and writing the measured value in the storage means when the measured value is larger than the second predetermined value; A readable storage medium. 11. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 10, wherein the use state is the number of times of use. 12. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 10, wherein the use state is a use time. 13. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 10, wherein a program for executing a detection process of detecting a drop in power supply voltage and instructing the end of use is stored.