JP2001100929A - Image processor and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor which improves the reliability and the reading and writing speed in the case of reading and writing image data, etc. SOLUTION: Image data that a facsimile part 106 receives through a telephone line and image data which are outputted by a PC/WS 110 as a workstation and inputted through a computer interface part 107 are written to hard disks 151 to 154 by a control part 109 and when those image data are read out, they are out of a normal hard disk among the hard disks 151 to 154.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, and the like, and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional copier or printer having a hard disk, image data, management data of a device, a login name and a password for user authentication are recorded on one hard disk. Further, with the increase in the speed of the device (increase in the print speed), it is desired to improve the read / write speed of the hard disk.

[0003]

However, in the conventional image processing apparatus as described above, since data is recorded on one hard disk, important image data due to a failure of the hard disk, management data of equipment, authentication and the like. There is a problem that the user's login name and password are lost, which is a great loss for the user.

Further, as described above, it is necessary to increase the speed of the data input / output portion in accordance with the increase in the speed of the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide an image processing apparatus and a control method thereof that can prevent data loss.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus and a control method for the same, which improve the read / write speed of a hard disk.

[0007]

The image processing apparatus and the control method thereof according to the present invention are configured as follows.

(1) The image processing apparatus includes a plurality of hard disks, a writing unit for writing data to the plurality of hard disks, and a reading unit for reading data written to the plurality of hard disks. The same data was written.

(2) The image processing apparatus includes a plurality of hard disks, a writing unit for writing data to the plurality of hard disks, and a reading unit for reading data written to the plurality of hard disks. Write distributed data.

(3) The image processing apparatus includes a plurality of hard disks, a writing unit for writing data to the plurality of hard disks, and a reading unit for reading data written to the plurality of hard disks. The distributed data is written to any of the hard disks, and the distributed data is written to the other hard disks.

(4) In the control method of the image processing apparatus,
The writing means writes data to the plurality of hard disks, reads the data written to the plurality of hard disks by the reading means, and writes the same data to the plurality of hard disks.

(5) In the control method of the image processing apparatus,
The data is written to the plurality of hard disks by the writing means, the data written to the plurality of hard disks is read by the reading means, and the distributed data is written to the plurality of hard disks.

(6) In the control method of the image processing apparatus,
The data is written to the plurality of hard disks by the writing unit, the data written to the plurality of hard disks is read by the reading unit, and the data distributed to any one of the plurality of hard disks is written to the other hard disks. The dispersed data is written.

[0014]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the figure, 10
Reference numeral 1 denotes a digital copier main body, which includes an operation unit 102, a reader unit 103, and a printer unit 104.

The operation unit 102 is a digital copier main body 101.
And to operate the image input / output control unit 105.

The reader unit 103 reads an image of a document,
Image data corresponding to the original image is input to the image input / output control unit 105.
Output to The image data output to the image input / output control unit 105 is written to the hard disk unit 108 by a writing unit (not shown) via the control unit 109, and is temporarily stored. The hard disk unit 108 includes a plurality of hard disks 151, 152, 153, 154.

The printer unit 104 includes an image input / output control unit 10
5, an image corresponding to the image data taken out from the hard disk unit 108 is recorded on a recording paper by a reading means (not shown).

The image input / output control unit 105 includes a reader unit 103
, A facsimile unit 106, a computer interface unit 107, a hard disk unit 108,
It comprises a control unit 109.

The facsimile unit 106 expands the compressed image data received via the telephone line, transfers the expanded image data to the control unit 109, and compresses the image data transferred from the control unit 109. The compressed image data is transmitted via a telephone line. Facsimile unit 1
06, the compressed image data can be temporarily stored in the hard disk unit 108.

The computer interface unit 107 includes:
PC / WS110 which is a personal computer or a workstation or network scanner 11
1 and the control unit 109.
Code data (P) representing an image transferred from WS 110
DL) and image data from the network scanner 111 into image data recordable by the printer unit 104 and recorded on the hard disk unit 108 via the control unit 109.

The control unit 109 includes a reader unit 103, a facsimile unit 106, a computer interface unit 107,
The data flow between the hard disk units 108 is controlled.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the digital copying machine shown in FIG. 1. The configuration of the reader unit 103 and the printer unit 104 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes the reader unit 1 shown in FIG.
A document feeding device 03 feeds the documents one by one on the platen glass 202 in the final order, and discharges the documents on the platen glass 202 after the reading operation of the document is completed. When the document is transported onto the platen glass 202,
The lamp 203 is turned on, and the scanner unit 204 is turned on.
Is started, and the original is exposed and scanned. The reflected light from the original at this time is reflected by mirrors 205, 206, 207,
And a lens 208 to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 209.

As described above, the scanned image of the original is CC
The image data read by the D209 and output from the CCD 209 is subjected to predetermined processing, and then transferred to the control unit 109 of the image input / output control unit 105 in FIG.

A laser driver 221 of the printer unit shown in FIG. 1 drives the laser light emitting unit 210 and causes the laser light emitting unit 210 to emit a laser beam corresponding to the image data output from the image input / output control unit 105. The laser light is irradiated on the photosensitive drum 211, and a latent image corresponding to the laser light is formed on the photosensitive drum 211.

A developer is attached to a portion of the latent image on the photosensitive drum 211 by a developing device 212. Then, at a timing synchronized with the start of laser beam irradiation, the cassette 21
The recording paper is fed from one of the cassette 3 and the cassette 214, is conveyed to the transfer unit 215, and transfers the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 211 to the recording paper. The recording paper on which the developer is loaded is conveyed to the fixing unit 216, and the developer is fixed on the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 216.

The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 216 is discharged by discharge rollers 217, and the sorter 220 stores the discharged recording paper in each bin to sort the recording paper or to staple the sorted recording paper. I do. In addition,
When no sorting is set, the sorter 220 stores the recording paper in the uppermost bin.

When double-sided recording is set,
After the recording paper is conveyed to the discharge roller 217, the rotation direction of the discharge roller 217 is reversed, and the flapper 218 is rotated.
To the re-feeding conveyance path 219. When multiple recording is set, the flapper 218 controls the re-feeding conveyance path 219 so that the recording paper is not conveyed to the discharge roller 217.
Lead to. The recording paper guided to the re-feeding conveyance path 219 is supplied to the transfer unit 215 at the timing described above.

FIG. 3 shows the operation unit 10 of the digital copying machine shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second key layout. In the figure, reference numeral 301 denotes a main power lamp, which is turned on when the power is turned on. A power switch (not shown) is arranged on a side surface of the main body of the digital copying machine, and controls power supply to the main body.

Reference numeral 302 denotes a preheating key, which is a preheating mode O
Used for N / OFF. A copy mode key 303 is used to select a copy mode from a plurality of functions. A fax mode key 304 is used to select a fax mode from a plurality of functions. A print key 305 is used to display a function setting and a print status when the copier is used as a printer.

Reference numeral 306 denotes a copy start key, which is used to instruct the start of copying. A stop key 307 is used to interrupt or stop copying. A reset key 308 operates as a key for returning to the standard mode during standby. Reference numeral 309 denotes a guide key, which is used when the user wants to know each function. A user mode key 310 is used by the user to change the basic settings of the system. Reference numeral 311 denotes an interrupt key which is used to interrupt and copy during copying.

Numeral 312 is used for inputting numerical values. A clear key 313 is used to clear a numerical value. Reference numeral 314 denotes 20 one-touch dial keys, which are used for facsimile transmission.
Used when dialing with one touch.

Numeral 315 denotes a two-piece lid, in which each key portion of the one-touch dial key 314 is hollowed out to form a double lid. A sensor switch (not shown) detects a first state in which the two lids are closed, a second state in which only the first lid is open, and a third state in which the two lids are open. The operation of the key of the one-touch dial key 314 is determined by the combination of the open / closed state of these three types of lids.
It has the same effect as the presence of 3 = 60.

Reference numeral 316 denotes a touch panel composed of a combination of a liquid crystal screen and a touch sensor. An individual setting screen is displayed for each mode, and various detailed settings can be made by touching the drawn keys. It is possible.

Next, a control procedure for writing / reading data to / from the plurality of hard disks 151, 152, 153 and 154 according to the first embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 4 shows a plurality of hard disks 1 according to the first embodiment.
11 is a flowchart illustrating a write processing operation when mirroring is performed on the data 51, 152, 153, and 154 (data of FIG. 1 is written). This operation is executed by a CPU (not shown) in the control unit 109 based on a program stored in a ROM (not shown) in the control unit 109.

First, when a write request is received in step S101, the write flag is turned off in step S102.
To Next, in step S103, hard disk # 1
(Hard disk 151 in FIG. 1) is determined to be normal. If it is determined to be normal, go to step S104.
If it is determined that the user is unfit for use, the process proceeds to step S106.

When the process proceeds to step S104, data is written to the hard disk # 1, and the process proceeds to step S105.
To set the write flag to ON and proceed to step S106.
Here, the data includes image data, management data of the digital copier main body 101, login name and password data for user authentication, and the like.

In step S106, hard disk # 2
(Hard disk 152 in FIG. 1) is determined to be normal. If it is determined to be normal, go to step S107.
If it is determined that the user is unfit for use, the process proceeds to step S109. If the process proceeds to step S107, data is written to the hard disk # 2, and the process proceeds to step S10.
In step 8, the write flag is turned on, and the process proceeds to step S109.

In step S109, hard disk # 3
(Hard disk 153 in FIG. 1) is determined to be normal. If it is determined to be normal, go to step S110.
If it is determined that the user is unfit for use, the process proceeds to step S112. When the process proceeds to step S110, data is written to the hard disk # 3, and the process proceeds to step S11.
In step 1, the write flag is turned on, and the process proceeds to step S112.

In step S112, hard disk # 4
(Hard disk 154 in FIG. 1) is determined to be normal. If it is determined to be normal, go to step S113.
If it is determined that the user is unfit for use, the process proceeds to step S115. If the process proceeds to step S113, data is written to the hard disk # 4, and the process proceeds to step S11.
In step 4, the write flag is turned on, and the process proceeds to step S115.

In step S115, the write flag is checked. If the write flag is ON, the data has been successfully written, and the flow is terminated. If the write flag is OFF, data could not be written to any hard disk, so a write NG process is performed, and the flow ends.

FIG. 5 shows a plurality of hard disks 1 according to one embodiment.
It is a flowchart which shows the read-out operation | movement of the data written in 51,152,153,154 by the mirroring process. This operation is performed based on a program stored in a ROM (not shown) in the control unit 109.
09 is executed by a CPU (not shown).

First, when a data reading (reading) request is received in step S201, step S202 is performed.
Hard disk # 1 (hard disk 151 in FIG. 1)
Is determined whether or not is normal. If it is determined to be normal, the process proceeds to step S203, and if it is determined that the device is not suitable for use, the process proceeds to step S205.

If the process proceeds to step S203, the FAT (File Allocation) of the hard disk # 1 is used.
Table) and checks whether the requested data is registered. If it has been registered, go to step S204. If it has not been registered, go to step S204.
Go to 205 respectively. If the process has proceeded to step S204, data is read from the hard disk # 1 and the flow ends.

When proceeding to step S205, it is determined whether the hard disk # 2 (the hard disk 152 in FIG. 1) is normal. If it is determined that it is normal, the process proceeds to step S206, and if it is determined that it is inappropriate for use, the process proceeds to step S208.

When the process proceeds to step S206, the FAT (File Allocation) of the hard disk # 2 is used.
Table) and checks whether the requested data is registered. If it is registered, go to step S207. If it is not registered, go to step S207.
Go to 208 respectively. If the process has proceeded to step S207, data is read from the hard disk # 2, and the flow ends.

When the process proceeds to step S208, it is determined whether the hard disk # 3 (the hard disk 153 in FIG. 1) is normal. If it is determined that it is normal, the process proceeds to step S209, and if it is determined that it is not suitable for use, the process proceeds to step S211.

When the process proceeds to step S209, the FAT (File Allocation) of the hard disk # 3 is used.
Table) and checks whether the requested data is registered. If it has been registered, go to step S210. If it has not been registered, go to step S210.
Go to 211 respectively. If the process proceeds to step S210, data is read from the hard disk # 3, and the flow ends.

When the process proceeds to step S211, it is determined whether the hard disk # 4 (the hard disk 154 in FIG. 1) is normal. If it is determined that it is normal, the process proceeds to step S212, and if it is determined that it is inappropriate for use, the process proceeds to step S214.

When the process proceeds to step S212, the FAT (File Allocation) of the hard disk # 4 is used.
Table) and checks whether the requested data is registered. If it has been registered, go to step S213. If it has not been registered, go to step S213.
Go to 214 respectively. If the process proceeds to step S213, data is read from the hard disk # 4, and the flow ends.

If the processing has proceeded to step S214, the requested data could not be read from any hard disk, so NG processing is performed and the flow ends.

As described above, in the first embodiment, by performing the mirroring process of recording (writing) the same data on a plurality of hard disks, the reliability of data can be increased, and the possibility of losing data can be reduced.

Next, a plurality of hard disks 151, 152, 153, and 1 of the second embodiment having the configuration shown in FIGS.
A control procedure at the time of writing / reading data to / from 54 will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a write processing operation when striping is performed on a plurality of hard disks (data is distributed (divided) and written). In addition,
This operation is performed based on a program stored in a ROM (not shown) in the control unit 109 based on a C (not shown) in the control unit 109.
Performed by the PU.

In this embodiment, four hard disks 15
4 [Kbyte] for 1, 152, 153 and 154
Division writing is performed every time.

Upon receiving the write data of N [Kbytes] in step S301, 0 is substituted for a variable i representing a data write position in step S302, and the variable is initialized. In step S303, the absolute value of the value obtained by dividing i by 4 which is the unit of divisional writing is obtained, and the number obtained by adding 1 to the remainder obtained by dividing the value by the number of hard disks 4 is obtained. This number becomes the number of the writing hard disk.

Here, hard disk number 1 is hard disk # 1 (hard disk 151 in FIG. 1), number 2 is hard disk # 2 (hard disk 152 in FIG. 1), and number 3 is hard disk # 3 (hard disk 15 in FIG. 1).
3), number 4 is hard disk # 4 (hard disk 154 in FIG. 1).

For this hard disk, i [Kbyte
e] Data of a maximum of 4 [Kbytes] is written from the [e] th.
In step S304, 4 which is the unit of division writing is added to i. In step S305, i is compared with N. If N is larger, the process proceeds to step S303, and the writing process is continued.

If N is smaller or i and N are the same, the process proceeds to step S306. In step S306, the management table of the hard disk # 1 is updated, and which data is written to which hard disk is recorded. This management table is important and may be backed up to another hard disk in some cases.

FIG. 7 shows data of 26 [Kbytes] in FIG.
According to the control procedure described above, 4 [Kby]
[te] is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a case where data is written for each block.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first 4 [Kbyte]
e] is written to the hard disk # 1, the next 4 [Kbytes] to the hard disk # 2, the next 4 [Kbytes] to the hard disk # 3,.
When the data is the 20th [Kbyte] th from the [e] th, the process returns to the hard disk # 1 and the last data block is written to the hard disk # 3.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a read operation of data written to a plurality of hard disks in FIG. 6 by striping. This operation is performed by the control unit 10.
9 is executed by a CPU (not shown) in the control unit 109 based on a program stored in a ROM (not shown).

First, when a read (read) request is received in step S401, the written data position is searched from the management table of the hard disk # 1 in step S402. In step S403, N is the read data size, and i is the initial value of the read data position 0.
Is assigned.

In step S404, the absolute value of the value obtained by dividing i by 4 which is the unit of divisional reading is obtained, and the number obtained by adding 1 to the remainder obtained by dividing the value by the number of hard disks 4 is obtained. This number becomes the number of the read hard disk.

Here, hard disk number 1 is hard disk # 1 (hard disk 151 in FIG. 1), number 2 is hard disk # 2 (hard disk 152 in FIG. 1), and number 3 is hard disk # 3 (hard disk 15 in FIG. 1).
3), number 4 is hard disk # 4 (hard disk 154 in FIG. 1).

For this hard disk, i [Kbyte
e] The data of a maximum of 4 [Kbytes] is read from the eyes.
In step S405, i is 4 which is the unit of divisional reading.
Add In step S406, i is compared with N. If N is larger, the process proceeds to step S404, and the reading process is continued. If N is smaller or i and N are the same, the process ends.

As described above, in the second embodiment, by performing striping processing for distributing and recording data on a plurality of hard disks, the next data can be read and written during data reading and writing (writing and reading). Speed is improved.

Further, by using these two embodiments together, it is possible to improve the reliability when reading and writing data and to improve the reading and writing speed. For example, by striping the hard disk # 1 and the hard disk # 2 and mirroring the data of the hard disk # 1 and the hard disk # 2 on the hard disk # 3 and the hard disk # 4, the reliability at the time of reading and writing the data is improved. The read / write speed can be improved.

[0070]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A plurality of hard disks, a writing unit that writes data to the plurality of hard disks, and a reading unit that reads data written to the plurality of hard disks; and the same data is written to each of the plurality of hard disks. Has the effect of increasing the reliability of the data and reducing the possibility of losing data.

Also, a plurality of hard disks, a writing unit for writing data to the plurality of hard disks, and a reading unit for reading data written to the plurality of hard disks are provided, and the distributed data is written to the plurality of hard disks. As a result, the time required for reading and writing data can be reduced.

Also, a plurality of hard disks, writing means for writing data to the plurality of hard disks, and reading means for reading data written to the plurality of hard disks are provided. Since the distributed data is written and the distributed data is written to the other hard disks, the reliability of data recording is increased, the possibility of losing data can be reduced, and the data read / write is required. There is an effect that time can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the digital copying machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a key arrangement of an operation unit of the digital copying machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a write processing operation according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a read processing operation according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a write processing operation according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which data is written for each block according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a read processing operation according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 Digital copier main body 103 Reader unit 104 Printer unit 105 Image input / output control unit 106 Facsimile unit 107 Computer interface unit 108 Hard disk unit 110 PC / WS 111 Network scanner 151-154 Hard disk

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page F term (reference) 2C087 AA03 AB05 BC02 BC07 BC14 5B065 BA01 CA11 CC08 CH13 EA02 EA12 5C073 AB08 BA01 BA06 BB09 CE08 5D044 AB08 BC01 CC04 CC09 DE71 DE92 9A001 BB03 JJ28 KK54 LL02

Claims (6)

[Claims] An apparatus comprising: a plurality of hard disks; writing means for writing data to the plurality of hard disks; and reading means for reading data written to the plurality of hard disks, wherein the same data is written to each of the plurality of hard disks. An image processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. A system comprising: a plurality of hard disks; writing means for writing data to the plurality of hard disks; and reading means for reading data written to the plurality of hard disks, and writing data distributed to the plurality of hard disks, respectively. An image processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 3. A plurality of hard disks, a writing unit for writing data to the plurality of hard disks, and a reading unit for reading data written to the plurality of hard disks, wherein each of the plurality of hard disks includes a hard disk. An image processing apparatus for writing dispersed data and writing the dispersed data to another hard disk. 4. Writing data to a plurality of hard disks by writing means, reading the data written to the plurality of hard disks by reading means,
A method for controlling an image processing apparatus, wherein the same data is written to each of the plurality of hard disks. 5. Writing data to a plurality of hard disks by writing means, reading data written to the plurality of hard disks by reading means,
A method for controlling an image processing apparatus, characterized by writing distributed data to the plurality of hard disks. 6. A method for writing data to a plurality of hard disks by writing means, reading the data written to the plurality of hard disks by reading means,
A method for controlling an image processing apparatus, comprising: writing distributed data to an arbitrary one of the plurality of hard disks; and writing the distributed data to the other hard disks.