JP2003249965A - Data transfer method, data input device utilizing the method, device control module, and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a packet data transfer method which enables a receiver to accurately and quickly discriminate the last of data transferred from a sender to the receiver, and to provide a data input device, a device control module and an image forming device which utilize the data transfer method. <P>SOLUTION: The data transfer method has monitor steps (S10 to S18) for monitoring packets to be stored in a memory and access steps (S19 to S22) wherein completion of data storage in the memory is decided to access data stored in the memory with software in the case that packets are not stored in the memory for a prescribed time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data transfer method and a data input device, a device control module, and an image forming apparatus using the data transfer method, and more particularly to a data transfer method for packets divided into a maximum packet size or smaller. The present invention also relates to a data input device, a device control module, and an image forming apparatus that utilize the data transfer method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a fusion machine) in which the functions of each device such as a printer, a copy machine, a facsimile machine, and a scanner are housed in one housing has become known. This fusion machine has a display unit in one housing,
A printing unit, an image pickup unit, and the like are provided, and four types of software corresponding to the printer, the copy, the facsimile, and the scanner are provided, and the software is switched to operate as the printer, the copy, the facsimile, and the scanner.

An example of such a multi-function machine is a USB (Univ
ersal Serial Bus) to receive packets from a computer connected thereto and perform processing related to image formation. U
The SB transfer methods include bulk-out transfer, bulk-in transfer, control transfer, isochronous transfer, and interrupt transfer.

In bulk-out transfer of USB, data to be transferred from a computer as a host to a fusion machine as a peripheral device is divided into maximum packet sizes and transferred. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example for explaining USB bulk-out transfer. FIG. 9A shows an example of bulk-out transfer in full speed mode. FIG. 9B is an example of bulk-out transfer in the high speed mode.

In USB bulk-out transfer, the data transferred from the computer to the multi-function peripheral is divided into packets of the maximum packet size (64 bytes, 512 bytes) and transferred. Therefore, if the data transferred from the computer to the multi-function peripheral is an integral multiple of the maximum packet size, the last packet will be the maximum packet size packet. If the data transferred from the computer to the multi-function peripheral is not an integral multiple of the maximum packet size, the last packet will be a short packet smaller than the maximum packet size.

[0006] The multi-function device stores the received packet in a region called a block on the memory (hereinafter, simply referred to as a block).
Sequentially store in. Then, the multi-function peripheral generates an interrupt when it receives data that fills one block or when it receives a short packet, and stores the received data in an area called a descriptor (Descriptor) on the memory (hereinafter, simply “descriptor”). By writing back the information, the software was able to access the received data.

[0007]

The fusion machine on the receiving side generates an interrupt when it receives data that fills one block or when it receives a short packet. Therefore, the compound machine cannot identify the end of the data even if the packet having the maximum packet size is finally received in the state where one block is not filled and the interrupt is not generated. As a result, the fusion machine cannot write back the information of the received data in the descriptor even if the packet of the maximum packet size is received last when one block is not filled, and the received data is accessed by software. There was a problem that I could not do it.

Therefore, when the last packet has the maximum packet size, the sending computer has N bytes of 0 bytes.
It was necessary to allow the multi-function peripheral to identify the end of the data by continuously transferring the ULL packets, but there was a problem that some NULL packets were not transferred.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and a data transfer method of a packet and a data transfer method for the same that allow the receiving side to accurately and quickly identify the end of the data transferred from the transmitting side to the receiving side. An object of the present invention is to provide a data input device, a device control module, and an image forming device that utilize the transfer method.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 receives a packet divided into a maximum packet size or less from an external computer, stores it in a memory, and stores the memory in the memory. Of an image forming apparatus that enables software access to the data stored in the memory when the number of packets stored in the memory reaches a predetermined amount of data or when the memory stores a packet smaller than the maximum packet size. A data transfer method, comprising a monitoring step of monitoring a packet stored in the memory, and as a result of the monitoring, it is determined that the storage of the data in the memory is completed if the packet is not stored in the memory for a predetermined time. And an access step that enables software to access the data stored in the memory. And butterflies.

In such a data transfer method, the packet stored in the memory is monitored, and when the packet is not stored in the memory for a predetermined time, it is determined that the storage in the memory is completed. Therefore, even if the transferred data is an integral multiple of the maximum packet size and the last packet is the maximum packet size, the end of the data can be accurately identified.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the monitoring step comprises a first monitoring step of monitoring whether or not a packet is stored in the memory at a first monitoring time, and the result of the monitoring, A second monitoring step of monitoring the storage of the packet in the memory every second monitoring time shorter than the first monitoring time if the packet is stored in the memory.

In such a data transfer method, after confirming that the packet is stored in the memory, the storage of the packet in the memory is monitored every second monitoring time shorter than the first monitoring time. , The end of data can be quickly identified even if the last packet is the maximum packet size.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided the first aspect of the invention.
The monitoring step acquires the data amount of the packet stored in the memory from the register provided in the packet input unit of the image forming apparatus, and determines whether the packet is stored in the memory according to the acquired data amount. The monitoring is performed every first monitoring time, and the second monitoring step acquires the data amount of the packet stored in the memory from the register at each second monitoring time, and detects the change in the acquired data amount. Accordingly, the storage of the packet in the memory is monitored accordingly.

In such a data transfer method, since the data amount of the packet stored in the memory can be acquired from the register provided in the packet input means, the packet can be stored in the memory according to the change in the acquired data amount. Can be monitored.

Further, in the invention according to claim 4, the access step comprises a determination step of determining that the storage of the data in the memory is completed if the storage of the packet in the memory does not occur for a predetermined time, and the determination step. As a result, a storage step of storing packet information in the memory to enable software access to the data stored in the memory.

In such a data transfer method, if the storage of the packet in the memory does not occur for a predetermined time, it is determined that the storage of the data in the memory is completed, and the data stored in the memory can be accessed by software. can do.

The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the packet input means has a device control element and an interface control element.

In such a data transfer method, the packet input means can be composed of a device control element and an interface control element.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the device control element is a USB device control element, and the interface control element is an interface control element between a USB and a PCI bus.

In such a data transfer method, the device control element can be composed of a USB device control element, and the interface control element can be composed of an interface control element between the USB and the PCI bus.

Further, the invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the packet information has an address on a memory where the data is stored and a data amount of the data stored in the memory. .

In such a data transfer method, the packet information can be constituted by the address on the memory where the data is stored and the data amount of the data stored in the memory.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention as set forth in claim 8
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data input device which receives a packet divided into packets having a size equal to or smaller than a maximum packet size from an external computer and transfers the received packet to a memory. And a transfer unit that transfers the packet received by the receiving unit to a memory and stores the data amount of the packet transferred to the memory.

In such a data input device, by storing the data amount of the transferred packet in the memory, it is determined that the storage in the memory is completed when the stored data amount does not increase for a predetermined time. be able to. Therefore, even if the transferred data is an integral multiple of the maximum packet size and the last packet is the maximum packet size, it is possible to accurately identify the end of the data.

The invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that the receiving means is a USB device control element.

In such a data input device, the receiving means can be composed of a USB device control element.

The invention according to claim 10 is characterized in that the transfer means has a transfer control section for controlling DMA transfer, and a register for storing the data amount of the packet transferred to the memory.

In such a data input device, the transfer means can be composed of a transfer control unit and a register.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first aspect of the present invention is provided.
The invention according to 1 is to receive a packet divided into a maximum packet size or less from an external computer and store it in a memory, and when the packet stored in the memory reaches a predetermined data amount or the maximum packet in the memory. A device control module of an image forming apparatus, which enables software to access data stored in the memory when a packet smaller than a size is stored, and monitoring means for monitoring the packet stored in the memory. ,
As a result of the monitoring, it is determined that the storage of the data in the memory is completed when the storage of the packet in the memory does not occur for a predetermined time, and an access unit that enables the software to access the data stored in the memory. It is characterized by having.

In such a device control module,
The packet stored in the memory is monitored, and it is determined that the storage in the memory is completed when the packet is not stored in the memory for a predetermined time. Therefore, even if the transferred data is an integral multiple of the maximum packet size and the last packet is the maximum packet size, the end of the data can be accurately identified.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the monitoring means monitors the packet stored in the memory for each first monitoring time; and the monitoring result, If a packet is stored in the memory, a second monitoring means for monitoring the storage of the packet in the memory at every second monitoring time shorter than the first monitoring time is provided.

In such a device control module,
After confirming that the packet is stored in the memory, the storage of the packet in the memory is monitored every second monitoring time that is shorter than the first monitoring time so that the last packet has the maximum packet size. Can quickly identify the end of the data.

Further, in the invention according to claim 13, the first monitoring means acquires the data amount of the packet stored in the memory from the register provided in the packet input means of the image forming apparatus, and acquires it. Whether or not a packet is stored in the memory according to the amount of data that has been stored is monitored for each first monitoring time, and the second monitoring means is stored in the memory from the register for each second monitoring time. The data amount of the packet is acquired, and the storage of the packet in the memory is monitored according to the change in the acquired data amount.

In such a device control module,
Since the data amount of the packet stored in the memory can be acquired from the register provided in the packet input means, the storage of the packet in the memory can be monitored according to the change in the acquired data amount.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the access means determines the storage of the data in the memory to be completed when the packet is not stored in the memory for a predetermined time. As a result, there is provided storage means for storing in the memory packet information for enabling software to access the data stored in the memory.

In such a device control module,
The access means can be composed of the determination means and the storage means.

The invention according to claim 15 is characterized in that the device control module is a USB device driver.

In such a device control module,
The device control module can be composed of a USB device driver.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first aspect of the present invention is provided.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a hardware resource used in an image forming process, an application process that performs a process unique to a user service related to the image forming process, and an intervening process between the hardware resource and the process of the application. And an image forming apparatus having a platform for performing acquisition request, management, execution control, and image forming processing of the hardware resources commonly required by at least two of the processes of the application, which is received from an external computer. A memory for storing packets divided into smaller than the maximum packet size and the packet stored in the memory are monitored, and when the packet stored in the memory reaches a predetermined data amount, the memory is less than the maximum packet size. When a packet of A device control module that determines that the storage of the data in the memory is completed when there is no storage of the packet in the memory for a predetermined time, and enables the software stored access to the data stored in the memory. Is characterized by.

In such an image forming apparatus, the packet stored in the memory is monitored, and when the packet is not stored in the memory for a predetermined time, it is determined that the storage in the memory is completed. Therefore, even if the transferred data is an integral multiple of the maximum packet size and the last packet is the maximum packet size, the end of the data can be accurately identified.

The invention according to claim 17 is characterized by further comprising transfer means for transferring the packet received from the external computer to the memory and storing the data amount of the packet transferred to the memory.

In such an image forming apparatus, since the data amount of the transferred packet can be stored in the memory, the transfer of the packet to the memory can be monitored according to the change in the stored data amount.

The invention according to claim 18 is characterized in that the transfer means has a transfer control section for controlling DMA transfer and a register for storing the data amount of the packet transferred to the memory.

In such an image forming apparatus, the transfer means can be composed of a transfer controller and a register.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the device control module monitors at every first monitoring time whether or not a packet is stored in the memory, and if the packet is stored in the memory, the device control module monitors the packet. It is characterized in that the storage of the packet in the memory is monitored every second monitoring time shorter than the first monitoring time.

In such an image forming apparatus, after confirming that the packet is stored in the memory, the storage of the packet in the memory is monitored every second monitoring time shorter than the first monitoring time. , The end of data can be quickly identified even if the last packet is the maximum packet size.

In the invention according to claim 20, the device control module acquires the data amount of the packet stored in the memory from the register, and the packet is stored in the memory according to the acquired data amount. Whether or not there is a packet stored in the memory, the data amount of the packet stored in the memory is acquired from the register every second monitoring time. The storage of the packet in the memory is monitored according to the change in the data amount.

In such an image forming apparatus, since the data amount of the packet transferred to the memory can be acquired from the register, the transfer of the packet to the memory can be monitored according to the change of the acquired data amount.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, the device control module determines that the storage of the data in the memory is completed when the packet is not stored in the memory for a predetermined time, and the data is stored in the memory. It is characterized in that packet information for enabling software access to the stored data is stored in the memory.

In such an image forming apparatus, if the storage of the packet in the memory does not occur for a predetermined time, it is judged that the storage of the data in the memory is completed, and the data stored in the memory can be accessed by software. can do.

The invention according to claim 22 is characterized in that the packet information has an address on the memory where the data is stored and a data amount of the data stored in the memory. .

In such an image forming apparatus, the packet information can be constituted by the address on the memory where the data is stored and the data amount of the data stored in the memory.

The invention according to claim 23 is characterized in that the device control module is a USB device driver.

In such an image forming apparatus, the device control module can be composed of a USB device driver.

The invention according to claim 24 is characterized in that the device control module executes the process by calling a function in which the process content is described.

In such an image forming apparatus, the device control module can call a function to perform processing.

[0058]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the compound machine according to the present invention. The compound machine 1 is a black and white line printer 11
A color line printer 12, a hardware resource 13 such as a scanner or a facsimile, a software group 20, and a multi-function peripheral activation unit 50. The software group 20 is an application 30.
And a platform 40.

The platform 40 interprets a processing request from the application 30 and generates a hardware resource acquisition request, and manages one or more hardware resources to arbitrate the acquisition request from the control service. It has a system resource manager (hereinafter referred to as SRM) 43 and an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) 41.

The control service includes a system control service (hereinafter referred to as SCS) 42, an engine control service (hereinafter referred to as ECS) 44, and a memory control service (hereinafter referred to as MCS) 4
5, one or more service modules such as an operation panel control service (hereinafter, OCS) 46, a fax control service (hereinafter, FCS) 47, a network control service (hereinafter, NCS) 48, and the like. .

The platform 40 is configured to have an application program interface (hereinafter referred to as API) that enables the processing request from the application 30 to be received by a predefined function.

The OS 41 is an operating system such as Unix (UNIX (registered trademark)) and executes each software of the platform 40 and the application 30 as processes in parallel.

The SRM 43 process controls the system and manages resources together with the SCS 42. For example, the SRM 43 process includes an engine such as a scanner unit and a printer unit, a memory, a hard disk device (HDD) file, a host I / O (Centro interface, network interface, IEEE1).
Arbitration is performed and execution control is performed according to a request from an upper layer that uses hardware resources such as the 394 interface and the RS232C interface.

Specifically, the SRM 43 determines whether the requested hardware resource is available (whether it is not used by another request), and if it is available, the requested hardware resource is used. Notify upper layers that it is possible. Further, the SRM 43 schedules the use of hardware resources in response to a request from the upper layer, and directly executes request contents such as paper conveyance and image forming operation by the printer engine, memory reservation, and file generation.

The SCS 42 process includes application management, operation unit control, system screen display, LED display,
Performs resource management and interrupt application control.
The ECS 44 process controls the engines of the monochrome line printer 11, the color line printer 12, and the hardware resources 13.

The MCS 45 process includes acquisition and release of image memory, use of a hard disk device (HDD),
It compresses and decompresses image data. The process of OCS 46 controls the operation panel which is a means for transmitting information between the operator and the main body control.

The FCS 47 process uses the PSTN or IS from each application layer of the system controller.
An application is provided for performing facsimile transmission / reception using a DN network, registration / quotation of various facsimile data managed by BKM (backup SRAM), facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, and fusion transmission / reception.

The process of NCS 48 is network I
It provides a service that can be used in common to applications that require I / O. When distributing the data received by each protocol from the network side to each application, or when transmitting the data from the application to the network side, Mediate.

Further, the application 30 performs processing unique to each user service relating to image forming processing such as printer, copy, facsimile, and scanner. The application 30 includes a printer application 31 that is a printer application having a page description language (PDL, PCL) and Postscript (PS), a copy application 32 that is a copy application, and a fax application 33 that is a facsimile application. The scanner application 34 is a scanner application, the network file application 35 is a network file application, and the process inspection application 36 is a process inspection application.

The multi-function peripheral activation unit 50 is first executed when the power of the multi-function peripheral 1 is turned on, and activates the application 30 and the platform 40. For example, the multi-function peripheral activation unit 50 reads out the control service or application program from the flash memory, transfers each read program to a memory area secured on the SRAM or SDRAM, and activates the program.

FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram of an embodiment of the compound machine according to the present invention. The compound machine 1 of FIG. 2 has a controller board 60, an operation panel 70, and a fax control unit (hereinafter referred to as FCU).
80, a USB device 90, an IEEE 1394 device 100, and an engine unit 110.

The operation panel 70 is directly connected to the ASIC 62 of the controller board 60. In addition, FCU80, USB device 90, IEEE139
4 device 100 and engine unit 110 are connected to ASIC 62 of controller board 60 by PCI bus (Peripher
al Component Interconnect bus) etc.

The controller board 60 is a CPU
61, ASIC 62, SRAM (Static RAM) 63
And an SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) 64, a flash memory 65, and an HDD 66. The controller board 60 includes a CPU 61, SRAM
63, SDRAM 64, flash memory 65, HDD
66 is connected to the ASIC 62.

The CPU 61 controls the entire compound machine 1. The CPU 61 uses the OS 41 to form the platform 40 in SCS 42, SRM 43, ECS 4
4, MCS45, OCS46, FCS47 and NCS
The printer application 3 that starts and executes 48 as processes and forms the application 30.
1, to activate and execute the copy application 32, the fax application 33, the scanner application 34, the net file application 35, and the process inspection application 36.

The ASIC 62 is an IC for image processing applications having a hardware element for image processing. SRA
The M63 and the SDRAM 64 form the memory of the present invention. Virtual memory areas such as kernels and processes are mapped to the physical memory areas of the SRAM 63 and the SDRAM 64.

The flash memory 65 stores each application forming the application 30 or the platform 40, each control service, and each program such as the SRM 43. The HDD 66 is a storage for accumulating image data, programs, font data, and forms. The operation panel 70 is an operation unit that receives an input operation from an operator and displays a message for the operator.

The multifunctional machine 1 as described above receives data from a computer as a host connected via, for example, a USB and performs a process relating to image formation. Below, USB
An example in which data is transferred from the computer connected via the to the multi-function peripheral 1 will be described. In data transfer from the computer to the multi-function peripheral 1, bulk-out transfer of USB, for example, is used. Bulk-out transfer of USB transfers data divided into packets by repeating a token phase, a data phase, and a handshake phase.

Here, the processing of the multi-function peripheral 1 when a packet is received by USB bulk-out transfer is shown in FIG.
Will be described with reference to. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the data reception process.

The USB device controller 91 receives the packet divided into the maximum packet size, and sends the received packet to the serial interface engine 93 of the USB-PCI interface controller 92. The serial interface engine 93 stores the received packet in the reception buffer 94.

When transmitting data to a computer connected via USB, the serial interface engine 93 receives the packet stored in the transmission buffer 95 and transmits it to the computer.

A direct memory access controller (hereinafter referred to as a "direct memory access controller") provided inside the PCI interface 96
The DMAC 97 receives the packets stored in the receive buffer 94 and stores the received packets in one or more blocks 120 on the SDRAM 64 via the PCI bus and the ASIC 62. In addition, the transfer data count register 98 provided inside the PCI interface 96 is connected to the PC via the PCI interface 96.
Count the amount of data in the packets transferred to the I bus.

For example, the transfer data count register 98
Updates the data amount of the packet transferred to the PCI bus via the PCI interface 96 every time the packet is transferred to the PCI bus. An interrupt is generated when data that fills one block 120 is received or when a short packet is received, and the USB device driver inside the kernel writes back the information of the received data to one or more descriptors 121 on the SDRAM 64.
The information of the received data is, for example, one block 120.
Contains the data amount of the data stored in and the address where the data is stored. The blocks 120 and the descriptors 121 have a one-to-one correspondence.

When the information of the received data is written back to the descriptor 121, the data stored in the block 120 can be accessed by software. When the information of the received data is written back to the descriptor 121, the count of the transfer data count register 98 is cleared. That is, the transfer data count register 98 counts the data amount of the data stored in one block.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, when the data transferred from the computer to the multi-function peripheral 1 is an integral multiple of the maximum packet size, the last packet is the maximum packet size packet. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of finally receiving the packet having the maximum packet size.

For example, when transferring 640 bytes of data from the computer to the multi-function peripheral 1 using the bulk-out transfer of USB, the computer divides the 640 bytes of data into 64 bytes of the maximum packet size and divides the 10 packets into 10 packets. To generate. In this case, the data transferred from the computer to the multi-function peripheral 1 is an integral multiple of the maximum packet size of 64 bytes, and the last packet is the packet of the maximum packet size (64 bytes). The generated packets are transferred from the computer to the multi-function peripheral 1 packet by packet.

The multi-function peripheral 1 sends the received packet to the SDRAM.
Data is sequentially stored in one block 120 of 64. Here, it is assumed that the block 120 has an area of 4 kbytes. By the way, the interrupt is generated when data satisfying one block 120 is received or when a short packet is received.

In other words, an interrupt does not occur even if the packet of the maximum packet size is finally received while one block 120 is not satisfied. In the case of FIG. 4, 1
Since the last packet having the maximum packet size is received without filling one block 120, an interrupt does not occur and the end of data cannot be identified.

Therefore, in the multi-function peripheral 1 according to the present invention, the USB device driver in the kernel performs the processing as shown in FIG. 5, so that the packet of the maximum packet size is finally received while one block 120 is not satisfied. Even so that the end of the data can be identified.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of an example of timeout processing in bulk-out transfer. In step S10 in FIG. 5, the USB device driver initializes the monitoring time interval and the timeout time. For example, the monitoring time interval is set to 100 ms and the timeout time is set to 500 ms. Further, the process of step S10 is performed when the multifunction peripheral 1 is started.

Progressing to step S11 following step S10, the USB device driver activates a timer. Progressing to step S12 following step S11, the USB device driver refers to the timer started in step S11 and determines whether or not the monitoring time has come.

If it is determined that the monitoring time has not come (S
12 is NO), the USB device driver repeats the process of step S12. On the other hand, if it is determined that the monitoring time has come (YES in S12), the USB device driver proceeds to step S13 and reads the count value of the transfer data count register 98 as a monitoring target. That is, the USB device driver reads the data amount of the packet transferred to the PCI bus via the PCI interface 96.

Progressing to step S14 following step S13, the USB device driver determines whether or not the count value of the transfer data count register 98 has changed as a monitoring target. That is, the USB device driver is 1
It is determined whether the transfer of the packet to one block 120 has started.

When it is determined that the count value of the transfer data count register 98 has not changed (N in S14)
O), the USB device driver proceeds to step S12 and repeats the processing of steps S12 to S14. on the other hand,
If it is determined that the count value of the transfer data count register 98 has changed (YES in S14), the USB device driver proceeds to step S15.

In step S15, the USB device driver resets the monitoring time interval and the timeout time. The monitoring time interval set in step S15 is shorter than the monitoring time set in step S10.
The reason for this is to shorten the monitoring time interval to quickly identify the end of the data. For example, step S10
When the monitoring time interval set in is 100 ms, the monitoring time interval is set to 10 ms in step S15.

Progressing to step S16 following step S15, the USB device driver refers to the timer started in step S11 and determines whether or not the monitoring time has come. If it is determined that the monitoring time has not come (NO in S16), the USB device driver determines in step S16.
The process of is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the monitoring time has come (YES in S16), the USB device driver proceeds to step S17 and reads the count value of the transfer data count register 98 as a monitoring target.

In step S18 following step S17, the USB device driver determines whether or not the count value of the transfer data count register 98 has changed as a monitoring target. That is, the USB device driver is 1
It is determined whether the packet transfer to one block 120 is continuing.

When it is determined that the count value of the transfer data count register 98 has changed (YES in S18).
S), the USB device driver proceeds to step S15 and repeats the processing of steps S15 to S18. on the other hand,
If it is determined that the count value of the transfer data count register 98 has not changed (NO in S18), the USB device driver proceeds to step S19.

In step S19, the USB device driver refers to the timer started in step S11 and determines whether or not the time-out time has been reached. That is, US
The B device driver determines whether or not a packet has been transferred to one block 120 for a predetermined time.

If it is determined that the time-out period has not been reached (NO in S19), the USB device driver proceeds to step S16 and repeats the processes of steps S16 to S19. On the other hand, if it is determined that the timeout time has been reached (YES in S19), the USB device driver proceeds to step S20 and stops the timer started in step S11.

In step S21 following step S20, the USB device driver is
Data end acquisition processing for acquiring the data amount of the data stored in and the address at which the data is stored is performed. In step S22 following step S21, the USB device driver updates the descriptor 121 as shown in FIG. 6B.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of the descriptor updating process. When an interrupt occurs, the descriptor update process is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG. In step S30, the packets are sequentially stored in one block 120 on the SDRAM 64.

In step S31, one block 12
An interrupt is generated because data satisfying 0 is stored or a short packet is stored, and the USB device driver stores the data amount of the data stored in one block 120 and the address where the data is stored in the descriptor 121. Store.

Therefore, in step S32, the descriptor stores the data amount of the data stored in one block 120 and the address where the data is stored, and the block 120 can be accessed by software.

On the other hand, when the interrupt does not occur, the descriptor updating process is performed by the procedure shown in FIG. 6 (B). In step S40, packets are sequentially stored in one block 120 on the SDRAM 64. But 1
Since the packet having the maximum packet size is received last when the one block 120 is not satisfied, the interrupt does not occur.

In step S41, it is determined that the data transfer is completed when the packet to one block 120 is not present for a predetermined time (timeout time in FIG. 5) by the time-out processing in FIG.
The data amount of the data stored in one block 120 and the address where the data is stored are stored in the descriptor 121.

Therefore, in step S42, the data amount of the data stored in one block 120 and the address where the data is stored are written back to the descriptor, and the block 120 can be accessed by software.

The flowchart of FIG. 5 is realized by the functions shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, for example. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a description example of a function (main function) that implements the timeout process. Further, FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a description example of a function (subroutine) that realizes the timeout processing. Note that the processing of FIG. 7 and FIG.
Since the process is the same as that of the flowchart of FIG. 5, the description thereof will be omitted by giving the same reference numeral to the flowchart of FIG.

Therefore, when the data transfer method of the present invention is used, even if the 0-byte NULL packet is not transferred from the transmitting side when the last packet has the maximum packet size, the end of the data can be accurately and promptly. It is possible to identify.

[0110]

As described above, according to the present invention, the packet stored in the memory is monitored, and when the packet is not stored in the memory for a predetermined time, it is determined that the storage in the memory is completed. This allows the end of data to be accurately and quickly identified even if the last packet is the maximum packet size.

[0111]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a compound machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an embodiment of the compound machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data reception process.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of finally receiving a packet having a maximum packet size.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example of timeout processing in bulk-out transfer.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of descriptor update processing.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a description example of a function (main function) that implements timeout processing.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a description example of a function (subroutine) that realizes timeout processing.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of USB bulk-out transfer.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Fusion Machine 11 Monochrome Line Printer 12 Color Line Printer 13 Hardware Resources 20 Software Group 30 Application 40 Platform 41 Operating System (OS) 42 System Control Service (SCS) 43 System Resource Manager (SRM) 44 Engine Control Service (ECS) 45 Memory control service (MCS) 46 Operation panel control service (OCS) 47 Fax control service (FCS) 48 Network control service (NCS) 50 Multifunction machine startup unit 60 Controller board 61 CPU 62 ASIC (Application Specific Integrated)
Circuit 63 SRAM (Static RAM) 64 SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) 65 Flash memory 66 Hard disk unit (HDD) 70 Operation panel 80 Fax control unit (FCU) 90 USB device 91 USB device control unit 92 USB-PCI interface control unit 93 Serial Interface engine 94 Receive buffer 95 Transmit buffer 96 PCI interface 97 Direct memory access controller (DM
AC) 98 Transfer data count register 100 IEEE 1394 device 110 Engine section 120 Block 121 Descriptor

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. A packet divided into a maximum packet size or less is received from an external computer and stored in a memory, and when the packet stored in the memory reaches a predetermined data amount or the maximum packet size in the memory. A data transfer method of an image forming apparatus, which enables software to access data stored in the memory when less than the following packets are stored, and a monitoring step of monitoring the packets stored in the memory, As a result of the monitoring, if there is no storage of packets in the memory for a predetermined time, it is determined that data storage in the memory is completed, and an access step that enables software access to the data stored in the memory. A data transfer method comprising: 2. The monitoring step comprises a first monitoring step of monitoring whether a packet is stored in the memory at every first monitoring time, and as a result of the monitoring, a packet is stored in the memory. 2. The data transfer method according to claim 1, further comprising a second monitoring step of monitoring packet storage in the memory at every second monitoring time shorter than the first monitoring time. 3. The first monitoring step acquires the data amount of packets stored in the memory from a register provided in a packet input means of the image forming apparatus, and the memory according to the acquired data amount. Whether or not a packet is stored in the memory at every first monitoring time, and the second monitoring step acquires the data amount of the packet stored in the memory from the register at each second monitoring time. 3. The data transfer method according to claim 2, wherein the storage of the packet in the memory is monitored according to a change in the acquired data amount. 4. The determining step, wherein the storing step determines that the storage of the data in the memory is completed when the packet is not stored in the memory for a predetermined time, and the storing step stores the data in the memory. 4. A data transfer method according to claim 1, further comprising a storage step of storing packet information for enabling software access to data in the memory. 5. The data transfer method according to claim 3, wherein the packet input unit has a device control element and an interface control element. 6. The device control element is a USB device control element, and the interface control element is U.
6. The data transfer method according to claim 5, which is an interface control element between the SB and the PCI bus. 7. The data transfer method according to claim 4, wherein the packet information has an address on a memory in which the data is stored and a data amount of the data stored in the memory. . 8. A data input device for receiving a packet divided into a maximum packet size or smaller from an external computer and transferring the received packet to a memory, wherein the packet divided into the maximum packet size or smaller is contained in the external computer. A data input device comprising: a receiving unit that receives the packet from the memory; and a transfer unit that transfers the packet received by the receiving unit to a memory and stores the data amount of the packet transferred to the memory. 9. The data input device according to claim 8, wherein the receiving unit is a USB device control element. 10. The data input device according to claim 8, wherein said transfer means has a transfer control unit for controlling DMA transfer, and a register for storing the data amount of the packet transferred to said memory. 11. A packet divided into a maximum packet size or less is received from an external computer and stored in a memory, and when the packet stored in the memory reaches a predetermined data amount or the maximum packet size in the memory. A device control module of an image forming apparatus that enables software access to the data stored in the memory when less than the following packets are stored, and monitoring means for monitoring the packets stored in the memory, As a result of the monitoring, it is determined that the storage of the data in the memory is completed when the storage of the packet in the memory does not occur for a predetermined time, and an access unit that enables the software to access the data stored in the memory A device control module comprising: 12. The first monitoring means for monitoring whether or not a packet is stored in the memory for each first monitoring time, and the monitoring means stores a packet in the memory as a result of the monitoring. 12. The device control module according to claim 11, further comprising second monitoring means for monitoring the storage of the packet in the memory at every second monitoring time shorter than the first monitoring time. 13. The first monitoring unit acquires the data amount of the packet stored in the memory from a register provided in the packet input unit of the image forming apparatus, and the memory according to the acquired data amount. Whether a packet is stored in the memory at every first monitoring time, and the second monitoring means acquires the data amount of the packet stored in the memory from the register at each second monitoring time. 13. The device control module according to claim 12, wherein the storage of the packet in the memory is monitored according to a change in the acquired data amount. 14. The access means comprises a determining means for determining that the storage of data in the memory is completed when a packet has not been stored in the memory for a predetermined time, and the access means stores the data in the memory as a result of the determination. 14. The device control module according to claim 11, further comprising a storage unit that stores packet information for enabling software to access the data in the memory. 15. The device control module is a US
The device driver of B is a device driver of claim 1.
15. The device control module according to any one of 1 to 14. 16. A hardware resource used in image forming processing, an application process for performing processing unique to a user service related to the image forming processing,
A platform that is interposed between the hardware resource and the process of the application and performs acquisition request, management, execution control, and image forming processing of the hardware resource commonly required by at least two of the process of the application. An image forming apparatus, which stores a packet received from an external computer and is divided into packets each having a size equal to or smaller than a maximum packet size, and a packet stored in the memory is monitored, and the packet stored in the memory has a predetermined data When the quantity is reached,
The data stored in the memory is determined to be completed when the memory stores a packet smaller than the maximum packet size, or when the packet is not stored in the memory for a predetermined time. And a device control module that enables software access to the image forming apparatus. 17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a transfer unit that transfers a packet received from an external computer to a memory and stores a data amount of the packet transferred to the memory. 18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the transfer unit includes a transfer control unit that controls DMA transfer and a register that stores the data amount of the packet transferred to the memory. 19. The device control module monitors whether or not a packet is stored in the memory at every first monitoring time, and if a packet is stored in the memory, the device control module can detect a packet shorter than the first monitoring time. 19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the storage of the packet in the memory is monitored every two monitoring times. 20. The device control module acquires the data amount of the packet stored in the memory from the register, and determines whether the packet is stored in the memory according to the acquired data amount for a first monitoring time. If a packet is stored in the memory, the data amount of the packet stored in the memory is acquired from the register every second monitoring time, and the packet is stored in the memory according to the change in the acquired data amount. 19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the storage of the packet in the memory is monitored. 21. The device control module determines that storage of data in the memory is completed when a packet has not been stored in the memory for a predetermined time, and accesses the data stored in the memory by software. 21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein packet information for enabling is stored in the memory. 22. The image forming apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the packet information has an address on a memory in which the data is stored and a data amount of the data stored in the memory. . 23. The device control module is a US
The device driver of B is a device driver of claim 1.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of 5 to 22. 24. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the device control module performs a process by calling a function in which a process content is described.