JP2001154923A - Memory controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a memory controller capable of taking over data stored in a memory with a limited service life to a changed memory with the limited service life at the time of changing the memory with the limited service life. SOLUTION: When a prescribed command for transferring the data of a file and the information management of the file stored in a used PC card type memory 24 is inputted from an operation part 16 or a personal computer, the data are transferred to an image memory 18 or the storage part of the personal computer and stored. Then, in the case that the power of facsimile equipment 1 is disconnected, then the used PC card type memory 24 is changed to an unused PC card type memory 24 and the power is supplied, the data of the file and the management information on the file stored in the image memory 18 or the storage part of the personal computer of a transfer destination are transferred to the changed unused PC card type memory 24 with the limited service life and stored.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a memory control device provided in, for example, a facsimile machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a facsimile apparatus, even if the power of the apparatus is cut off due to a power failure or the like, the received image data is backed up so as not to be lost. A configuration in which the data is stored in a memory is mainly used. Further, data dependent on the user, such as abbreviated numbers and caller information, is stored in a non-volatile memory,
A configuration in which the data is stored in a RAM (Static RAM) is mainly used.

[0003]

However, with the downsizing of the facsimile apparatus itself, the backup power supply itself for backing up the image memory is also being downsized. Therefore, the received image data stored in the image memory is only backed up for a predetermined time. In other words, the backup time of the received image data depends on the capacity of the backup power supply.

On the other hand, with the recent technological progress, a large-capacity nonvolatile memory, for example, a flash memory (EEPRO)
M) is being offered at low cost. Moreover, the card-type memory is excellent in portability, so that the card-type memory is rapidly spreading particularly in fields such as notebook computers and digital cameras.

[0005] However, some nonvolatile memories, such as flash memories, have a long life. For this reason, even if data is written to a memory having a lifetime more than a predetermined number of times (for example, about 200,000 times), data cannot be written any more. Therefore, when such a situation occurs, it is necessary to temporarily save the already stored data to another memory or the like, replace the memory, and then restore the saved data.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to replace data stored in a long-lived memory at the time of replacement of a long-lived memory. An object of the present invention is to provide a memory control device that can be transferred to a memory having a long life.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, data stored in a storage device having a lifetime is transferred to another storage device, and a power supply is provided. If the storage means having a long life is replaced with an unused storage means having an unused life after being cut off and the power is turned on, the data stored in the other storage means at the transfer destination is replaced with the storage means having a long life. Control means for transferring data to

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the memory control device according to the first aspect, the control means transfers the data stored in the storage means having a lifetime to another storage means designated by the transfer destination. Forward.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the memory control device according to the first or second aspect, when the specific file is not written in the storage unit having a long life, the control unit performs another operation. The data stored in the storage means is transferred to the storage means having a lifetime.

In the embodiments of the invention described below, the “memory control device” described in the claims or the means for solving the problems corresponds to the facsimile device 1, and the “storage device” also corresponds to the PC. The "other storage means" corresponds to the card type memory 24, and the "other storage means" corresponds to the image memory 18 or the storage section 36 of the personal computer 2, and the "control means" also.
Corresponds to the MPU 11, the ROM 12, and the RAM 13.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which a memory control device according to the present invention is embodied in a facsimile machine will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication network system includes a facsimile apparatus (FA) having a telephone line L.
X) 1, a plurality of personal computers 2 and a hub (HUB) interconnecting the facsimile apparatus 1 and the plurality of personal computers 2
5, Transceiver 6, Ethernet cable 7, AUI
It comprises a cable 8 and a twisted pair cable 9.

The facsimile apparatus 1 and the personal computer 2 are connected to the hub 5 via a twisted pair cable 9. The hub 5 is connected to the transceiver 6 via the AUI cable 8. The transceiver 6 is connected to another transceiver 6 via an Ethernet cable 7. The facsimile apparatus 1 and the personal computer 2 have a built-in interface for connecting to the twisted pair cable 9. Hub 5 is twisted pair cable 9 and AUI
It is provided to connect with the cable 8 and functions as a line concentrator in connection with the communication network T. The transceiver 6 is provided for connecting the AUI cable 8 and the Ethernet cable 7.

As shown in FIG. 2, the facsimile machine 1
Are MPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, reading unit 1
4, recording unit 15, operation unit 16, display unit 17, image memory 18, codec 19, modem 20, NCU 21, data conversion unit 22, PC card interface 23, P
It comprises a C card type memory 24, a communication protocol control unit 25 and a network interface 26, and the respective units 11 to 23 and 25 are respectively connected via a bus 27.

The MPU 11 controls each part of the facsimile machine 1. The ROM 12 stores a program for controlling the facsimile machine 1. RAM 13
Is composed of a non-volatile memory (for example, an SRAM), and temporarily stores various information related to transmission and reception of the facsimile apparatus 1.

The reading unit 14 reads image data on a document and outputs black and white binary image data. The recording unit 15 is formed of an electrophotographic printer, and records received image data or image data of a document read by the reading unit 14 on recording paper in a recording operation or a copying operation of received image data.

The operation unit 16 includes a numeric keypad (including the * and # keys) 16a for inputting a telephone number, an abbreviated key 16b for registering an abbreviated number or transmitting from an abbreviated number, a telephone number or a fax number registered in advance. One-touch key 16c for designating a one-touch operation, a start key 16d for starting a document reading operation, and a "communication (FA)
X) Communication for setting "operation" or "copy" operation /
Various operation keys such as a copy key 16e are provided. LC
A display unit 17 including D and the like displays various information such as an operation state of the facsimile machine 1.

The image memory 18 is a DRAM (Dynamic R).
AM) or SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM), and temporarily stores received image data and image data read and digitized by the reading unit 14 and encoded by the codec 19 according to the MMR method. The image memory 1
Reference numeral 8 temporarily stores image data from the personal computer 2 coded by the data conversion unit 22 according to the MMR method.

The codec 19 encodes the image data read by the reading unit 14 in accordance with the MH, MR, MMR system or the like for transmission. The codec 19 decodes the received image data.

The modem 20 conforms to ITU-T Recommendation T.30. Facsimile transmission control procedure according to V.30 and V.30. 17, V. 2
7ter, V.A. Modulation and demodulation of transmission / reception data according to 29 or the like are performed. The NCU 21 has functions of closing and opening the telephone line L, detecting transmission and reception of a dial signal corresponding to the fax number of the other party, and the like.

The data conversion unit 22 includes a TIFF, BM transmitted from the personal computer 2 via the communication network T.
The image data such as P, GIF, JPEG, PCX, DCX, etc. is converted into image data such as MH, MR, MMR method.
On the contrary, MH received via the telephone line L,
In order to convert image data such as MR and MMR formats into a format that can be easily handled by a plurality of personal computers 2, TIFF, BMP,
The image data is converted into image data such as GIF, JPEG, PCX, and DCX.

The PC card interface 23 is
The PC card type memory 24 is accessed via the PC card adapter 23a based on the control signal from the PU 11. The PC card type memory 24 is “PC Card Standard”
The flash memory (EEPROM), for example, stores various types of information on the facsimile apparatus 1.

The communication protocol control unit 25 communicates with other devices on the communication network T via the network interface 26 or the network interface 2
6 and a communication protocol for controlling communication with other devices other than the communication network T via the public line network or the like. Specifically, for example, FTP (File Transfer Protocol), ITU-T Recommendation T. 30, ie, a communication protocol of a facsimile transmission control procedure, a communication protocol for salutation defined by a salutation consortium, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, the network interface 26 includes a network controller 28, a serial interface adapter 29, and a transceiver 30.
And its network interface 26
Is connected to a hub 5. As the network interface 26, for example, a network controller 28, a serial interface adapter 29
And the transceiver 30 is configured as one LSI, and the network controller 28 and the serial interface adapter 29 are configured as one LSI.

The network controller 28 corresponding to 10BaseT transmits CS data from the facsimile apparatus 1 onto the twisted pair cable 9 properly.
MA / CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Col
It has a function of controlling access to the communication network T according to a lision detection method. The serial interface adapter 29 converts the data transmitted from the facsimile device 1 onto the twisted pair cable 9 from parallel data to serial data, and converts the serial data transmitted on the twisted pair cable 9 into parallel data to convert the data into facsimile device 1 Output to
The network controller 28 and the serial interface adapter 29 in the network interface 26 are integrated into the facsimile machine 1.

As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of personal computers 2
The MPU 31 includes a MPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an operation unit 34, a display unit 35, a storage unit 36, a communication protocol control unit 37, and a network interface 38, and each unit 31 to 37 is connected via a bus 39.

The MPU 31 controls each unit constituting the personal computer 2. The ROM 32 stores a basic program for controlling the personal computer 2. The RAM 33 temporarily stores various information related to the personal computer 2.

The operation unit 34 includes a keyboard 34a and a mouse 34b. Display unit 35 such as LCD
Displays characters and the like input from the keyboard 34a and the like. The storage unit 36 composed of a hard disk or the like stores programs, various data, and the like. Communication protocol control unit 3
7 and the network interface 38 are the same as the communication protocol control unit 25 and the network interface 26 in the facsimile machine 1.

Next, the operation of replacing the PC card type memory 24 of the facsimile machine 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that this operation is R
Based on the program stored in the OM 12, the MPU 11
This is executed under the control of. Hereinafter, the operation of the facsimile machine 1 is the same.

As shown in FIG. 5, in step S1, it is determined whether a predetermined command has been input from the operation unit 16 or the personal computer 2. Specifically, it is determined whether or not a predetermined command for transferring file data and file information management stored in the PC card type memory 24 has been input from the numeric keypad 16a of the operation unit 16, or an FTP command from the personal computer 2. Get is a subcommand of
The determination is made based on whether the command has been executed. Then, when the predetermined command is input, step S2
Move to

In step S 2, information indicating whether the instruction is from the operation unit 16 or the personal computer 2 is stored in the RAM 13.
Is stored. In step S3, it is determined based on the information stored in RAM 13 whether or not the command is a predetermined command instructed from operation unit 16. If the command is a predetermined command instructed from the operation unit 16, step S4
Move to On the other hand, if it is not the predetermined command instructed from the operation unit 16, that is, if it is the predetermined command instructed from the personal computer 2, the process proceeds to step S6.

In step S4, the file data stored in the PC card type memory 24 is transferred to the image memory 18 via the PC card adapter 23a and the PC card interface 23. And
The data is stored in the image memory 18. In other words, the data is saved in the image memory 18.

In step S5, the file management information (for example, directory structure) stored in the PC card type memory 24 is transferred to the PC card adapter 23.
a and transferred to the image memory 18 via the PC card interface 23. Then, the data is stored in the image memory 18. In other words, the data is saved in the image memory 18.

In step S6, the data of the file stored in the PC card type memory 24 is transferred to the communication protocol control unit 25 and the network interface 2
6 and to the personal computer 2 via the communication network T. Then, the data is stored in the storage unit 36 of the personal computer 2. In other words, the data is saved in the storage unit 36 of the personal computer 2.

In step S7, the file management information (for example, the directory structure) stored in the PC card type memory 24 is transmitted to the communication protocol control unit 2.
5. Transferred to the personal computer 2 via the network interface 26 and the communication network T. Then, the data is stored in the storage unit 36 of the personal computer 2. In other words, the data is saved in the storage unit 36 of the personal computer 2.

Next, the operation when the power of the facsimile machine 1 is turned on will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the power of the facsimile machine 1 is turned on, the facsimile machine 1 is initialized, and in step S11 shown in FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not an ID file is stored in the PC card type memory 24. Is determined. Here, the ID file is for determining whether or not the PC card type memory 24 is unused. That is, after the power of the facsimile apparatus 1 is turned off, it is determined whether or not the facsimile apparatus 1 has been replaced with an unused PC card type memory 24 without fail. And P
If the ID file is stored in the C card type memory 24, it is determined that the unused PC card type memory 24 has not been replaced, and the process proceeds to step S16. on the other hand,
If the ID file is not stored in the PC card type memory 24, it is determined that the ID file has been replaced with an unused PC card type memory 24, and the process proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, it is determined whether or not the save destination is the image memory 18 based on the information indicating whether the instruction is from the operation unit 16 or the personal computer 2 stored in the RAM 13. If the save destination is the image memory 18, the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, if the evacuation destination is not the image memory 18, that is, the storage unit 3 of the personal computer 2
If it is 6, the process moves to step S14.

In step S13, the image memory 1
8 is stored in the PC card interface 23.
The data is transferred to the PC card type memory 24 via the PC card adapter 23a. Then, based on the file management information, the file data is stored in the PC card type memory 2.
4 is stored.

In step S14, the file data and file management information saved (stored) in the storage unit 36 of the personal computer 2 are transmitted to the PC via the communication network T, the network interface 26, and the communication protocol control unit 25. The data is transferred to the card type memory 24. Then, the file data is stored in the PC card type memory 24 based on the file management information.

In step S15, the ID file is written to the unused PC card type memory 24. As a result, the used PC card type memory 24 is obtained. In step S16, similarly to step S12, the operation unit 16 or the personal computer 2 stored in the RAM 13
It is determined whether or not the evacuation destination is the image memory 18 based on the information indicating whether or not the instruction is from the user. If the save destination is the image memory 18, the process proceeds to step S17.
On the other hand, if the save destination is not the image memory 18, that is, if it is the storage unit 36 of the personal computer 2, the process proceeds to step S18.

In step S17, the image memory 1
8, the data of the file saved (stored) and the management information of the file are deleted. That is, the unused P
Since the data has not been replaced with the C card type memory 24, the file data and the file management information saved (stored) in the image memory 18 are deleted.

In step S18, a message is sent to the personal computer 2 indicating that it has not been replaced with an unused PC card type memory 24. As a result, a message indicating that the unused PC card type memory 24 has not been replaced is displayed on the screen of the display unit 35 of the personal computer 2.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following operations and effects can be obtained. (1) When a predetermined command for transferring data of a file stored in the used PC card type memory 24 and information management of the file is input from the operation unit 16 or the personal computer 2, the data is transferred to the image memory. 18 or the storage unit 36 of the personal computer 2. In other words, the file data and file management information stored in the used PC card type memory 24 are:
It is saved in the image memory 18 or the storage unit 36 of the personal computer 2. Then, when the power of the facsimile apparatus 1 is turned off and the used PC card type memory 24 is replaced with an unused PC card type memory 24 and the power is turned on, the information stored in the RAM 13 is used. The file data and file management information stored in the image memory 18 of the transfer destination or the storage unit 36 of the personal computer 2 are transferred to the unused PC card type memory 24 and stored. Therefore, even when the used PC card type memory 24 is replaced with an unused PC card type memory 24, the file data and the file management information stored in the PC card type memory 24 are not used. To the PC card type memory 24. Therefore, the PC card type memory 24 that has reached the end of its life
Even in the case of replacement with the C card type memory 24, the data of the file and the file management information stored in the expired PC card type memory 24 are transferred to the unused PC card type memory 24 after the replacement. Can be inherited.

(2) In addition, the data of the file and the file management information stored in the PC card type memory 24 are stored in the image memory 18 according to the instruction from the operation unit 16 and in the personal computer 2 according to the instruction from the personal computer 2. It has been transferred and stored. For this reason, when transferred to the personal computer 2, the file data and the file management information are
Editing can also be performed using an application such as an editor mounted on the personal computer 2. Therefore, when the file data and the file management information are edited using the personal computer 2, the editing can be easily performed.

(3) It is determined whether or not the PC card type memory 24 is unused based on the presence or absence of the ID file. For this reason, an unused PC card type memory 2
Even when the used PC card type memory 24 is mistaken for the used PC card type memory 24, data is not overwritten on the used PC card type memory 24. In other words, the file data and the file management information are written only when the unused PC card type memory 24 is replaced. Therefore, even if the used PC card type memory 24 is replaced, the data already stored in the used PC card type memory 24 will not be lost.

(4) In addition, it is determined whether or not the PC card type memory 24 is unused based on the presence or absence of the ID file. Therefore, no data or the like need be written in the ID file. That is, the data size of the ID file may be “0 (zero)” bytes.
Therefore, even if there is an ID file in the used PC card type memory 24, the storage capacity for writing file data and file management information is hardly reduced.

(5) When the ID file is written in the PC card type memory 24 after the replacement, that is, when the ID file is not replaced with the unused PC card type memory 24, and the transfer destination is the image memory 18 If the image memory 18
Has been deleted from the file data and the file management information. For this reason, even if the used PC card type memory 24 is replaced with an unused PC card type memory 24,
The same data as the data stored in the C card type memory 24 is not stored in the image memory 18 for a long time.
That is, the storage capacity of the image memory 18 is not wasted for a long time. Therefore, even if they are mixed, other processes such as transmission / reception and copying are not affected.

(6) In addition, this is a case where the file data and the file management information are not deleted from the image memory 18, for example, the exchange of the PC card type memory 24 is performed twice. In case, image memory 1
8, data of two files and management information of the files exist. Therefore, any one of the data of the two files and the file management information to be stored in the image memory 18 is transferred to the PC card type memory 24 of the transfer source.
It is unclear whether it should be forwarded to. Therefore, the PC card type memory 24 after the exchange is
If the ID file is written in the PC memory, that is, if the ID file is not replaced with an unused PC card type memory 24,
The reason is that the file data and the file management information stored in the image memory 18 are deleted. Therefore, the security at the time of replacement of the PC card type memory 24 can be ensured.

(7) On the other hand, when the ID file is written in the replaced PC card type memory 24, that is, when the ID file is not replaced with the unused PC card type memory 24, the transfer destination is the personal computer 2 In the case of the storage unit 36,
Unused P from facsimile machine 1 to personal computer 2
A message indicating that it has not been exchanged is sent to the C card type memory 24. As a result, the display unit 3 of the personal computer 2
On the screen of No. 5, a message indicating that the unused PC card type memory 24 has not been replaced is displayed. Therefore, it can be seen that the unused PC card type memory 24 has not been replaced.

The above embodiment can be embodied with the following modifications. A predetermined condition for restoring the data of the file saved from the operation unit 16 or the personal computer 2 to the image memory 18 or the storage unit 36 of the personal computer 2 and the management information of the file when the power of the facsimile apparatus 1 is turned on. The configuration may be such that the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is executed only when a command is input.

In step S18 shown in FIG.
Although a message indicating that it has not been replaced with an unused PC card type memory 24 has been sent to the personal computer 2, the data of the file stored in the storage unit 36 of the personal computer 2 is replaced with this. Alternatively, the configuration may be such that the file management information is deleted according to an instruction from the operation unit 16.

Steps S4 and S5 shown in FIG.
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the combined processing, that is, the directory structure of the PC card type memory 24 is transferred to the image memory 18 as it is. In addition, step S shown in FIG.
The processing of steps 6 and 7 may be performed in the same manner.

In the above-described embodiment, based on an instruction from the operation unit 16 or the personal computer 2, the file data and the file management information stored in the used unused PC card type memory 24 are instructed. It may be configured to transfer to the transfer destination. Specifically, in step S1 shown in FIG. 1, the configuration is such that a transfer destination is specified together with a predetermined command. For example, the instruction from the operation unit 16 may transfer the transfer destination to a specific personal computer 2 (for example, the administrator's personal computer 2), or the instruction from the personal computer 2 may transfer to the image memory 18. With this configuration, the transfer destination can be specified, so that, for example, when the file data and the file management information are transferred to the personal computer 2 and edited, it is simple.

The image memory 18 may be an image memory 18 connected to a backup power supply. The image memory 18 has a DDR (Double Data Rat)
e) It may be an SDRAM.

Further, technical ideas other than the claims grasped from the above embodiments and the like will be described below together with their effects. [1] The data stored in the storage means that has reached the end of its life is transferred to another storage means, and after the power is turned off, the used storage means is replaced with an unused storage means having an end of life and the power supply is turned off. A memory control device including a control unit for transferring data stored in another storage unit at a transfer destination to a storage unit having an unused life when the data is input.

According to this configuration, when the expired storage unit is replaced, the data stored in the expired storage unit can be transferred to the unused unused storage unit after the replacement. it can.

[2] In the memory control device according to the third aspect, the control means deletes the data stored in the other storage means when the specific file is written in the storage means having a lifetime. Memory control device.

With this configuration, since the storage capacity of the other storage means is not wasted, other processes such as transmission / reception and copying are not affected.

[0059]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. According to the first aspect of the present invention, at the time of replacement of a storage device having a lifetime, data stored in the storage device having a lifetime can be transferred to the storage device having a lifetime after replacement.

According to the invention described in claim 2, according to claim 1
In addition to the effects of the invention described in (1), another storage means of the transfer destination can be specified. Therefore, for example, when data is edited at the transfer destination, it is simple.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the first aspect is provided.
Alternatively, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 2, when a specific file is written in the storage means having a long life, it is not overwritten by data transferred from the transfer destination. Therefore, the data already stored in the storage means will not be lost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication network system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network interface.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a personal computer.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when replacing a PC card type memory of the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation when the power of the facsimile apparatus is turned on.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... facsimile machine as memory control device, 11 ...
MPU constituting control means, 12 ROM constituting control means, 13 RAM constituting control means, 18 image memory serving as other storage means, 24 PC card type memory serving as storage means, 36 ... other Storage unit as a storage means for.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06K 17/00 G06K 17/00 D H04N 1/21 H04N 1/21

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A method for transferring data stored in a storage device having a lifetime to another storage device, and replacing a storage device having a lifetime with an unused storage device having an unused lifetime after power is turned off. A memory control device including a control unit for transferring data stored in another storage unit at a transfer destination to a storage unit having an unused life when power is turned on. 2. The memory control device according to claim 1, wherein the control means transfers the data stored in the storage means having a lifetime to another storage means at a designated transfer destination. 3. The memory control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stores the specific file in another storage unit when the specific file is not written in the storage unit with a lifetime. A memory control device for transferring data to a storage means with a lifetime.