JP2001195313A - Backup storage controller, backup storage control method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect the failure of a memory for backup in the form of evading the waste of the memory for the backup as much as possible. SOLUTION: In this backup storage controller for performing control for writing data inside a volatile memory (DRAM) to a nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) so as to back them up, a write error generated at the time of writing the data of a backup object in the volatile memory to the nonvolatile memory is detected, the write of backup data is tried again without acknowledging the failure of the nonvolatile memory when the number of times of detecting the write error is the prescribed number of times or less and the failure of the nonvolatile memory is acknowledged for the first time and that effect is displayed in the case that the number of times of detecting the write error exceeds the prescribed number of times.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a data backup technique, and more particularly to a data backup technique using a nonvolatile memory.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electronic apparatus such as a copying machine using a computer control technique, a semiconductor memory capable of reading and writing data has been widely used as a main memory. As these readable and writable semiconductor memories, a dynamic RAM (Dynamic Random Acc) is used.
ess Memory: hereinafter referred to as DRAM or static RAM (Static Random Acc)
Ess Memory (hereinafter referred to as SRAM) is used.

[0003] These volatile memories have the advantage of being able to read and write data at high speed, but have the disadvantage that the contents of data stored therein cannot be retained unless power is supplied. Therefore, when a volatile memory is used, it is necessary to back up the data in some form in order to retain the data even when the power supply from the outside is cut off.

As a backup method, a backup power supply composed of a battery, a capacitor, and the like has been generally used. However, when a backup power supply is used, it is disadvantageous in terms of cost, and the time for backup is short.

[0005] Therefore, it is conceivable to employ a non-volatile memory capable of rewriting data as a backup memory. That is, conventionally, as a non-volatile semiconductor memory, data is written in a semiconductor manufacturing process, and data cannot be erased by a mask ROM (Maske ROM).
d Read Only Memory), but in recent years, an EEPROM (E1 electrical) capable of electrically erasing / writing data tens of thousands of times in recent years.
ly Erasable Read OnlyMemo
ry) have appeared on the market.

[0006] This type of nonvolatile memory has the advantage that data can be retained without supplying power and a backup power supply is not required. The data in the nonvolatile memory can be electrically erased / written, and the storage content can be changed while the data is mounted on the system. However, in order to rewrite data stored in a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM, a DRAM or an SRAM is required.
However, it is disadvantageous to use a non-volatile memory in place of a DRAM or an SRAM as a main memory, especially in a device requiring high-speed data updating.

Therefore, a backup storage device in which both a volatile memory and a nonvolatile memory are mounted and which complement each other's drawbacks has been proposed. In this backup storage device, a volatile memory such as a DRAM is used as a main memory, and a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM is used as a backup memory.

That is, for example, a correction value for shading correction in a copying apparatus, a correction value for a logarithmic correction value for light density conversion, the number of copies set and input by an operation unit, the size and orientation of recording paper, and color Copy mode /
Setting data such as black and white copy mode, single-sided original-double-sided printing mode, and operation status data such as the count value of the number of copies and the number of prints are written to the volatile memory as well as the nonvolatile memory as backup data at a predetermined timing. When the power is turned on again after the power is cut off due to a power failure, etc., when the backup data stored in the non-volatile memory is expanded on the volatile memory and a series of copy processing is executed, The necessary data is obtained by accessing the volatile memory.

[0009]

However, when a non-volatile memory is used as a backup memory, the backup available time is longer than when a power supply to the volatile memory is backed up by a battery or a capacitor. The backup time is not infinite.

That is, the non-volatile memory has a limit on the number of rewrites, and when the number of rewrites reaches the limit, data cannot be correctly written. Further, even when the nonvolatile memory is damaged, data cannot be correctly written. When a write error occurs as described above, when data in the nonvolatile memory is developed in the volatile memory, an indefinite value may be developed. In particular, in a system including a motor and an actuator, when an undefined value is entered in the storage area, there is a risk that the system will run out of control or malfunction.

In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to replace the nonvolatile memory according to the usage time of the apparatus, the number of accesses to the nonvolatile memory, and the like. But,
In this method, in order to prevent the system from running away or malfunctioning, the use time of the device or the number of accesses to the non-volatile memory as the exchange condition data of the non-volatile memory is determined by the actual non-volatile memory. Must be set smaller than the endurance time, the endurance access count, and the like, and the frequency of replacement of the non-volatile memory increases, resulting in wasteful use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to detect a defect in a backup memory while minimizing waste of the backup memory. It is to make.

[0013]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a backup storage control device which performs control for writing data in a volatile memory to a nonvolatile memory in order to back up the data. Detecting means for detecting a write error occurring when writing data to be backed up in the memory to the non-volatile memory; and a fault occurring in the non-volatile memory based on a detection result of the write error by the detecting means. And a notifying unit for notifying of the occurrence of a defect identified by the identifying unit.

The present invention also relates to a backup storage control method for performing control for writing data in a volatile memory to a nonvolatile memory in order to back up the data, wherein the data to be backed up in the volatile memory is stored in the nonvolatile memory. A detecting step of detecting a write error occurring when writing to the memory; a certifying step of certifying that a failure has occurred in the nonvolatile memory based on a detection result of the write error in the detecting step; And a notifying step of notifying the occurrence of a failure identified by the step.

The present invention is also a storage medium for storing a backup storage control program for performing control for writing data in a volatile memory to a nonvolatile memory to back up the data, wherein the program is A detection routine for detecting a write error occurring when writing backup target data in the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory; and a malfunction in the non-volatile memory based on a detection result of the write error by the detection routine. And a notifying routine for notifying of the occurrence of a failure that has been recognized by the above-mentioned certifying routine.

Further, according to the present invention, the detecting means, the step,
The routine compares the data to be written to the non-volatile memory with the data read from the write address of the data, and if the data does not match, detects that a write error has occurred. ing.

Further, according to the present invention, the certifying means / process /
The routine recognizes that a failure has occurred in the nonvolatile memory when the number of times of detection of the write error by the detection means / step / routine has reached a predetermined number.

Further, according to the present invention, the certifying means / process /
The routine includes rewriting means, steps, and routines for rewriting data relating to the write error when the number of times of detection of the write error by the detection means, steps, and routine does not reach a predetermined number.

In the present invention, the number of times of detection of the write error, which is a condition for certifying that a failure has occurred in the nonvolatile memory, is the number of times of detection of a write error occurring at the same write address. I have.

Further, according to the present invention, the number of times of detection of the write error, which is a condition for certifying that a defect has occurred in the nonvolatile memory, is determined by the number of write errors occurring over a plurality of write addresses. The number of error detections is used.

Further, in the present invention, the volatile memory is a D memory.
The nonvolatile memory is constituted by a RAM or an SRAM, and the nonvolatile memory is constituted by an EEPROM.

Further, in the present invention, the data to be backed up is various operation status data of an electronic device equipped with the backup storage control device (executing the program).

In the present invention, the electronic device is a copying machine.

Further, according to the present invention, the notifying means, the process,
The routine is visually alerting.

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. This image forming apparatus 100
Reference numeral 0 denotes a digital color image forming apparatus, which includes an automatic paper feeder 12 that automatically feeds a document to be copied, an image reading unit 11 that reads an image on a document fed by the automatic paper feeder 12, An image forming unit 10 for forming an image on recording paper in an electrophotographic manner based on image data read by the reading unit 11, and a recording paper on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 10 is discharged into a plurality of bins. A sorter 13 is provided.

The automatic paper feeder 12 feeds the originals stacked on the paper feed tray 12a one by one to a predetermined image reading position of the original platen 14, and sends the read originals to the discharge tray 1.
2b.

The image reading section 11 is provided with a light source 21 for irradiating light to a document fed to an image reading position of the document table 14 while driving the light source 21 back and forth in the left-right direction of FIG. An image on a document is optically scanned. Light emitted from the light source 21 is reflected by the document. The reflected light is reflected on mirrors 22 and 2 as an optical image reflecting the original image.
3, 24 and a lens 25 through a CCD (Charge
(Coupled Device) 26. The mirrors 22, 23 and 24 are driven integrally with the light source 21. The CCD 26 photoelectrically converts the incident optical image, and outputs it as electrical analog image data. C
The analog image data output from the CD 26 is converted into digital data and output to the image processing unit 11a.

Various adjustment values (operating state data) necessary for such an image reading process are stored in a DRAM 52, which will be described later, and are also stored in an EEPROM 53 as backup data.

The image processing section 11a performs various types of image processing on the input digital image data and outputs the processed data to an image memory. That is, the image processing unit 11a performs shading correction, correction of deviation between each color and each pixel, logarithmic correction for light density conversion, correction on filter characteristics and toner density characteristics of a color sensor (CCD 26), and responds to a user's instruction. Performs density conversion and the like. Data (various correction data and set values) necessary for these image processings are also described in D
The data is stored in the RAM 52 and also stored in the EEPROM 53 as backup data. In the present embodiment, the image memory is constituted by a part of the area of the DRAM 52.
A RAM or the like may be provided.

The image forming section 10 reads out the image data from the image memory, converts the image data into analog data, and outputs the analog data to the laser beam emitting section 27. The laser beam emitting unit 27 generates a laser beam modulated based on the input analog image data. The laser beam is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 31 via the mirror 30 while the traveling direction is updated and controlled by the polygon mirror 28, and an electrostatic latent image is formed at the laser beam irradiation position on the photosensitive drum 31. This electrostatic latent image is developed as a toner image and is transferred onto recording paper. Then, the toner image on the recording paper is fixed on the recording paper by the fixing roller 32, and the recording paper on which this fixing process has been performed is transported to the sorter 13.

Various adjustment values (operation status data including the count value of the number of copies and the count value of the number of prints) used in the image forming process are also described later.
The data is stored in the AM 52 and also stored in the EEPROM 53 as backup data.

The sorter 13 sorts the recording paper conveyed from the image forming section 10 to a paper discharge tray 33 and discharges the paper. The paper feed trays 34 and 35 are provided at the lower portion of the main body, and can load a certain number of recording sheets. A large amount of recording paper can be stacked on the paper feed deck 36. When performing the image forming process, the paper feed trays 34, 3
5, or the recording paper is picked up one by one from the paper feed deck 36 and is sequentially conveyed to the transfer position, the fixing position, and the sorter 13. When the user sets recording paper on the paper feed trays 34 and 35 and the paper feed deck 36, the size and direction of the recording paper are set. The setting data and the sorting data of the recording paper by the sorter 13 are used. Also DR
The data is stored in the AM 52 and also stored in the EEPROM 53 as backup data.

A manual feed tray 37 is provided above the paper feed deck 36. The manual feed tray 37 is used when special recording paper such as OHP (Overhead Projector) sheets, cardboard, and postcard size paper is used. Used for The recording paper is transported in the course of a series of copying processes by transport rollers 38, 39, and 4.
0, 41, 42, etc.

Next, data backup control unique to the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the present image forming apparatus 10
00 is the main control unit 50 and the backup control unit 51
And Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1000 includes a volatile DRAM 52, a nonvolatile EEPROM 53, and an error display unit 54.

The main control unit 50 includes a CPU 50a, a ROM
50b, and the backup control unit 51 includes a CPU 51
a, ROM 51b and RAM 51c. The backup control unit 51 includes an access control unit 55, a retry control unit 56, a retry count unit 57, and an abnormality detection unit 5.
Eight.

However, the access control unit 55, the retry control unit 56, the retry count unit 57, the abnormality detection unit 58
Is that the CPU 51a of the backup control unit 51
1b shows a function realized by executing the program in 1b, and physical devices corresponding to these units do not exist individually. The RAM 51c of the backup control unit 51 is used as a work area for a retry counter and the like to be described later.

In this embodiment, the DRAM 52, which is a volatile memory, functions as a main memory that is directly accessed when the CPU 50a of the main control unit 50 performs a series of copying processes. That is, since the DRAM 52 can store a large amount of data with low power, in the present embodiment, various setting data, adjustment values such as correction values, and various values including count values of the number of copies and the number of prints, and the like. In addition to storing the operation status data, it also functions as an image memory for storing image data, and is also used as a work area when performing a series of copying processes. Note that an SRAM can be used instead of the DRAM 52 as the main memory. However, in this case, the SRAM
Has a smaller storage capacity and consumes more power than a DRAM.
It is desirable not to store image data in the AM.

EEPROM 53 as a non-volatile memory
Is a memory for storing 1-bit data depending on the presence or absence of electric charge stored in the floating gate, and is a memory capable of electrically erasing / writing data. Therefore,
In the present embodiment, the EEPROM 53 is used as a backup memory for storing, as backup data, various setting data stored in the DRAM 52, adjustment values such as correction values, and operation status data such as the count value of the number of copies.

In other words, when various setting data and adjustment values such as correction values in the main memory are lost due to a power failure, an erroneous operation of a power switch, or the like, it is necessary to set these adjustment values again. Since it is troublesome, it is desired to protect the operation status data in the main memory in some form even if the power supply is stopped against the user's intention due to a power failure or an erroneous operation of the power switch.

For this purpose, a nonvolatile erasable / writable EEPROM may be used as the main memory. However, since the EEPROM requires a long time to access, the processing speed is reduced and the main memory is reduced. Not suitable as. Further, a volatile DRAM or SRAM is used as a main memory, and the DRAM,
It is conceivable that the power supply to the RAM is backed up by a battery or a capacitor, but in this case, the time during which power can be supplied is limited.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the DRAM 52 is used as the main memory, and the adjustment values in the DRAM 52 are stored in the nonvolatile memory as backup data.

However, in order to appropriately back up the above-mentioned adjustment values that can be arbitrarily changed and the count value of the number of copies that change every moment, a non-volatile memory as a backup memory stores the data while being mounted on the apparatus. An important condition is easy rewriting. Therefore, even in the case of a non-volatile memory, a mask RO that cannot erase data is used.
M, PROM (Programmable Read-On) in which data can be arbitrarily written for the first time by a ROM writer
EPROM (Erasable) that can be erased and rewritten by irradiating ultraviolet rays
e and Programmable Read-O
Nly Memory) is not suitable for a backup memory, and in this embodiment, an EEPROM 53 that can be easily electrically erased and rewritten is used as the backup memory.

The CPU 50a of the main control unit 50
In accordance with a program preset in M50b, a series of copying operations such as original feeding processing, original image reading processing, original image copying processing, recording paper transport processing, recording paper sorting processing, and the like in image forming apparatus 1000 are performed. Controls processing.

The CPU 50a of the main control unit 50
Issues an appropriate backup processing request command to the backup control unit 51 to instruct the backup control unit 51 to write operation status data such as various set values in the DRAM 52 into the EEPROM 53 as backup data. In this case, the CPU 50a of the main control unit 50 requests that only the operation status data updated from the time of the previous backup processing request to the time of the current backup processing request be backed up, thereby minimizing the number of accesses to the EEPROM 53. Then, the EEPROM 53 can be used for a long time.

The CPU 50a of the main control unit 50
When the power supply is restored after the power supply is stopped due to a power failure or the like and the above-mentioned operation status data in the DRAM 52 is lost, the backup control unit is configured to write the operation status data in the EEPROM 53 to the DRAM 52. 51
To instruct. After the operation status data is written in the DRAM 52 in this manner, the CPU 50 of the main control unit 50
“a” controls a series of copying processes while accessing the operation status data in the DRAM 52.

Although not shown, the present image forming apparatus 1
000, the main control unit 50 and the backup control unit 5
A plurality of control units (each configured by a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc.) for individually controlling a document feeding process, a document image reading process, an image forming process based on a read image, a sorting process, and the like Is provided, and the main control unit 50 is provided.
Controls these control units.

The EEPROM 53 is capable of erasing / writing up to about tens of thousands of times, but if the erasing / writing is performed more than that, data cannot be correctly written. Further, even when the EEPROM 53 is damaged, data cannot be correctly written. Data relating to such a write error (operation status data such as adjustment values) is stored in a DRAM.
When it is expanded to 52, an undefined value is expanded as the operation status data, and there is a possibility that runaway or malfunction may occur.

Therefore, the backup control unit 51
It monitors whether or not the operation status data has been correctly written in the EPROM 53. That is, the backup control unit 5
The first access control unit 55 reads the operation status data in the DRAM 52 and writes it in the EEPROM 53 based on an instruction from the main control unit 50,
Or read out the operation state data in the DRAM 52.

The retry control unit 56 includes the access control unit 5
5, the data written in the EEPROM 53 is
The data read from the EPROM 53 is compared with the data written in the EEPROM 53, and if both data are different, the EE
Assuming that the writing to the PROM 53 has failed, it instructs the access control unit 55 to write again.

The retry counting section 57 counts the number of times of rewriting (the number of retries and the number of write errors) by the retry control section 56. The abnormality detection unit 58
When the number of retries counted by the retry counting section 57 reaches a predetermined number, it is determined that an abnormality such as damage or life has occurred in the EEPROM 53, and the error display section 54 displays that fact. The error display unit 5
Reference numeral 4 denotes a liquid crystal display panel of an operation unit not shown.

Next, data backup processing executed by the backup control unit 51 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that the data backup process of this flowchart is executed every time a backup process request command is received from the main control unit 50, and one backup process request command backs up one operation status data. I have.

CPU 51a of backup control unit 51
Waits for a backup processing request command to be input from the main control unit 50 according to the program in the ROM 51b (step S1). When the backup processing request command is input, the operation status data relating to the backup processing request is stored in the area 1 in the DRAM 52.
, And write the data as backup data in the EEPROM 53 (step S2). At this time, CPU
The operation status data 51a to be written is read from the DRAM 52 and stored in a register in the CPU 51a after the write operation is completed, so that the operation status data is read from the DRAM 52 again in preparation for a retry described later. By eliminating the need to read the same operation status data,
Speed up processing.

Next, in step S2, the EEPROM 53
The operation status data written in the EEPROM 53 is read from the EEPROM 53, that is, data is read from the written address (step S3), and the operation status data in the register, that is, the operation status data written in the EEPROM 53 is It is determined whether or not they match (step S4). As a result, if they do not match, the EEPROM
Since this means that the operation status data is not normally written in the data 53 and the data backup is not executed correctly, the retry counter is first incremented by one to retry the writing to the EEPROM 53 (step S5).

Next, it is determined whether or not the count value of the retry counter has exceeded "2" (step S6). As a result, when "2" is exceeded, that is, when the write error is 3
If the number of times has exceeded the number of times, it is considered that a malfunction such as damage or life has occurred in the EEPROM 53, and an error message to that effect is displayed on the error display unit 54 (step S5).
7), end. As described above, when the error message is displayed, the user turns off the power and turns on the EEPROM.
When the power is turned on again after the replacement, the retry counter is set to "0" as an initial value.

On the other hand, if the number of write errors is two or less, the process returns to step S2 in order to retry the process of writing the operation status data relating to the write error. When the retry is performed in this manner, the operation status data to be written uses the data held in the register as described above. As described above, if the write error is two or less, the retry is performed without determining that the EEPROM 53 is defective. The write error occurs due to an external factor such as noise even if the EEPROM 53 is normal. Therefore, it is erroneously determined that a malfunction has occurred in the EEPROM 53 immediately after one or two writing errors, and the EEPROM 53 that is still usable can be used.
This is for avoiding wasteful disposal. Therefore, the number of retries for determining the malfunction of the EEPROM 53 can be arbitrarily changed according to the use environment of the device.

If it is determined in step S4 that the operation status data written to the EEPROM 53 matches the data read from the write address,
Since it means that the operation status data has been normally written in the EEPROM 53, the process returns to the step S1 and waits for the input of the next backup processing request command.

If it is determined that no write error has occurred, the operation status data in the register is erased at that time. Further, as can be guessed from the above description, the write error is not limited to the case where the same write address (area) occurs three or more times, and the write error occurs between different write addresses (areas) three or more times. Even in the case of occurrence, it is determined that the EEPROM 53 is defective.

As described above, in this embodiment, a nonvolatile EEPROM 53 which can be electrically erased and rewritten is used as a memory for data backup.
An error in writing the backup data to the EPROM 53 is monitored, and based on the monitoring result, the EEPROM 53
The use time of the above-described device as the exchange condition data of the nonvolatile memory and the EEPROM 5
3 compared to the case of setting the number of accesses to
The frequency of replacing the EPROM 53 can be reduced to avoid waste.

Further, if the number of write errors is less than a predetermined number of times, the writing of backup data is retried without determining that the EEPROM 53 is defective, and if the number of write errors exceeds the predetermined number of times, it is determined that the EEPROM 53 is defective. Therefore, a write error generated by an external factor such as noise is erroneously recognized as a malfunction of the EEPROM 53, and the EEPROM which can still be used is displayed.
53 can be avoided from being wasted,
It is possible to further reduce the frequency of replacing the EEPROM 53 and avoid wasteful use.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be applied to, for example, computer-controlled electronic equipment other than the copying apparatus. Also, the backup control unit may read the data to be backed up from the volatile memory, and supply the data to the backup control unit at the same time as the main control unit updates the data to be backed up in the volatile memory. Good. In addition, the backup processing request can be issued from the backup control unit based on the timer, for example, by providing a timer in the backup control unit without being issued from the main control unit.

Further, the backup processing by the backup control unit can be performed by the main control unit without providing a backup control unit separately from the main control unit. The notification that a failure has occurred in the non-volatile memory may be performed audibly by a buzzer or the like, without being visually performed by the display unit.

Since the amount of data to be backed up by the EEPROM is small, a small-capacity inexpensive EEPROM is required.
It is also possible to mount a plurality of OM chips. In this case, when a failure occurs in one EEPROM,
Once the copying process is interrupted, all the operation status data to be backed up in the DRAM 52 is written into another EEPROM, and after the writing is completed, the copying process is restarted.
After the restart, the operation status data relating to the update is transferred to the other EEP.
By writing in the ROM, the copying process can be continued without turning off the power and performing various settings.

[0065]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A write error that occurs when writing backup target data in volatile memory to nonvolatile memory in a backup storage control device that controls writing to nonvolatile memory to back up data in volatile memory Is detected, and based on the write error detection result, it is determined that a failure has occurred in the nonvolatile memory, and the occurrence of the failure is reported. Compared with the case where the usage time, the number of accesses to the nonvolatile memory, and the like are set, the frequency of replacement of the nonvolatile memory can be reduced and wasteful use can be avoided.

If the number of write error detections is less than the predetermined number, the backup data writing is retried without determining that the nonvolatile memory is defective, and the number of write error detections exceeds the predetermined number. First, it was determined that a failure occurred in the nonvolatile memory, and the fact was notified.Therefore, a write error caused by an external factor such as noise was mistakenly recognized as a failure in the nonvolatile memory. ,
It is possible to avoid wasteful disposal of the non-volatile memory that can still be used, and it is possible to further reduce the frequency of replacement of the non-volatile memory, thereby avoiding wasteful use.

That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to detect a malfunction of the backup memory while avoiding waste of the backup memory as much as possible. The data is developed in the volatile memory to prevent the device from running out of control or malfunctioning.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main control unit and a backup control unit of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing detailed functions of the backup control unit and a memory to be accessed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a data backup process performed by the backup control unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 50: Main control unit 50a, 51a: CPU 50b, 51b: ROM 51: Backup control unit 51c: RAM 52: DRAM (volatile memory) 53: EEPROM (non-volatile memory) 54: Error display unit 55: Access control unit 56 : Retry control section 57: retry count section 58: abnormality detection section 1000: image forming apparatus

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor ▲ Yoshi ▼ Tomoyasu Kawa 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Keizo Isemura 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo No. Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Ichiro Sasaki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Satoshi Okawa 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon (72) Inventor Mitsuo Nimura 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Noriaki Matsui 3-30-2, Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. F term (reference) 2H027 DA41 EE08 EF17 GA30 GB07 5B018 GA04 GA05 HA01 HA23 KA01 KA03 KA12 NA02 NA03 NA06 QA05 RA04 RA11 9A001 BB03 LL02 LL06

Claims (30)

[Claims] 1. A backup storage control device for performing control for writing data in a volatile memory to a non-volatile memory to back up the data, and writes data to be backed up in the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory. Detecting means for detecting a write error occurring at the time of writing, certifying means for certifying that a failure has occurred in the nonvolatile memory based on a detection result of the writing error by the detecting means, and certifying means for certifying by the certifying means. And a notifying means for notifying the occurrence of the problem. 2. The detecting means compares data to be written to the nonvolatile memory with data read from a write address of the data. If the two data do not match, a write error occurs. 2. The backup storage control device according to claim 1, wherein the backup storage control device is detected as having occurred. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the certifying unit certifies that a failure has occurred in the nonvolatile memory when the number of write error detections by the detecting unit has reached a predetermined number. Or the backup storage control device according to claim 2. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the certifying unit includes a rewriting unit for rewriting data relating to the writing error when the number of times of detection of the writing error by the detecting unit does not reach a predetermined number. The backup storage control device according to claim 3. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the number of times of detection of the write error, which is a condition for certifying that a failure has occurred in the nonvolatile memory, is the number of times of detection of a write error occurring at the same write address. 5. The backup storage control device according to claim 3, wherein: 6. The number of times of detection of a write error, which is a condition for certifying that a failure has occurred in a nonvolatile memory, is the number of times of detection of a write error occurring across a plurality of write addresses. 5. The backup storage control device according to claim 3, wherein: 7. The volatile memory is a DRAM or an SR.
AM, and the nonvolatile memory is EEPRO
The backup storage control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the backup storage control device is configured by M. 8. The data to be backed up is various kinds of operation status data of an electronic device equipped with the backup storage control device.
The backup storage control device according to any one of the above. 9. The backup storage control device according to claim 8, wherein the electronic device is a copying device. 10. The backup storage control device according to claim 1, wherein said notifying means notifies visually. 11. A backup storage control method for performing control for writing data in a volatile memory to a nonvolatile memory to back up the data, wherein data to be backed up in the volatile memory is written to the nonvolatile memory. A detecting step of detecting a write error occurring at the time of erasing; a certifying step of certifying that a failure has occurred in the nonvolatile memory based on a detection result of the writing error in the detecting step; and a certifying step of certifying by the certifying step. And a notifying step of notifying the occurrence of a failure. 12. The detecting step compares data to be written to the nonvolatile memory with data read from a write address of the data. If the two data do not match, a write error occurs. 12. The backup storage control method according to claim 11, wherein the backup storage control is detected as having occurred. 13. The certifying step certifies that a failure has occurred in the nonvolatile memory when the number of write error detections in the detecting step has reached a predetermined number. 13. The backup storage control method according to claim 12. 14. The certifying step includes a rewriting step of rewriting data relating to the write error when the number of write error detections by the detection step does not reach a predetermined number. The backup storage control method according to claim 13. 15. The number of times of detection of a write error, which is a condition for certifying that a failure has occurred in a nonvolatile memory, is the number of times of detection of a write error occurring at the same write address. Claim 13 or Claim 1
4. The backup storage control method according to item 4. 16. The number of times of detection of a write error, which is a condition for certifying that a failure has occurred in a nonvolatile memory, is the number of times of detection of a write error occurring across a plurality of write addresses. The backup storage control method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein: 17. The volatile memory may be a DRAM or an S
The nonvolatile memory is an EEPROM
2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said OM is constituted by an OM.
7. The backup storage control method according to any one of 6. 18. The data to be backed up is various operation status data of an electronic device to which the backup storage control method is applied.
18. The backup storage control method according to any one of claims 17 to 17. 19. The backup storage control method according to claim 18, wherein said electronic device is a copying machine. 20. The backup storage control method according to claim 11, wherein said notifying step notifies visually. 21. A storage medium for storing a backup storage control program for performing control for writing data in a volatile memory to a nonvolatile memory to back up the data, the program comprising: A detection routine for detecting a write error that occurs when writing the data to be backed up to the non-volatile memory, and a problem occurring in the non-volatile memory based on a result of the detection of the write error by the detection routine. And a notifying routine for notifying of the occurrence of a defect that has been certified by the certification routine. 22. The detection routine compares data to be written to the nonvolatile memory with data read from a write address of the data. If the two data do not match, a write error occurs. 22. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein the storage medium is detected as having occurred. 23. The authentication routine according to claim 21, wherein when the number of write error detections by the detection routine reaches a predetermined number, it is determined that a failure has occurred in the nonvolatile memory. 23. The storage medium according to claim 22. 24. The certifying routine includes a rewriting routine for rewriting data relating to a write error when the number of times of detection of a write error by the detection routine does not reach a predetermined number. The storage medium according to claim 23. 25. The method according to claim 25, wherein the number of times of detection of the write error, which is a condition for certifying that a failure has occurred in the nonvolatile memory, is the number of times of detection of a write error occurring at the same write address. Claim 23 or Claim 2
4. The storage medium according to 4. 26. The number of times of detection of a write error, which is a condition for certifying that a failure has occurred in a nonvolatile memory, is the number of times of detection of a write error occurring across a plurality of write addresses. The storage medium according to claim 23 or claim 24, wherein: 27. The volatile memory is a DRAM or an S
The nonvolatile memory is an EEPROM
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the OM is provided.
7. The storage medium according to any one of 6. 28. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein the data to be backed up is various operation status data of an electronic device that executes the program. 29. The storage medium according to claim 28, wherein said electronic device is a copying machine. 30. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein said notification routine notifies visually.