JP2004046802A - Image_forming apparatus, program addition method and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image_forming apparatus which adds a program dynamically and easily, and also to provide a program addition method and a recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: The image_forming apparatus is provided with a program which executes processing by using hardware resources and a slot 125 in which the recording medium 126 is detachably inserted. In addition, the apparatus is provided with a state monitor means 123 and 124, which monitor the insertion and removal of the recording medium 126 to the slot 125; a recording medium starting means 121, which starts the recording medium 126 inserted in the slot 125 so that the medium can be accessible; and a program starting means that reads out the program from the recording medium 126 which thus becomes accessible and starts the program. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a program adding method, and a recording medium, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus, a program adding method, and a recording medium for adding a program from a recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image forming apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a multifunction peripheral) in which functions of respective apparatuses such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile, and a scanner are housed in one housing has become known. This multifunction machine includes a display unit, a printing unit, an imaging unit, and the like in one housing, and four types of software corresponding to a printer, a copier, a facsimile, and a scanner, respectively. It operates as a copy, facsimile and scanner. Patent Literature 1 describes an example of the above-described fusion machine.
[0003]
After turning on the power of such a multifunction peripheral, a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) and a boot loader (Boot Loader) are activated. The boot loader expands a kernel (Kernel) and a root file system on a RAM (Random Access Memory) to activate the kernel. Then the kernel mounts the root file system. Here, mounting means starting the file system, peripheral devices, and the like in an accessible state.
[0004]
After the kernel is started, an application / service starting program for starting an application (hereinafter referred to as an application) and various services is started. The application / service startup program is a process that is first started in the MFP, mounts a file system according to a predetermined setting file, and starts a service layer and an application process required for the operation of the MFP according to the predetermined setting file. I was
[0005]
In such a conventional multifunction peripheral, it is necessary to record a program of an application to be started in a hard disk device, a ROM, or the like. Patent Literature 2 discloses an example of an image processing apparatus that adds a program of an application to be started to a hard disk device, a ROM, or the like.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-84383
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-76125 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional multifunction machine, it is necessary to record not only the program of the application to be started but also a setting file corresponding to the application to be started in a hard disk device or a ROM. In other words, the conventional multifunction peripheral has a problem that a new application cannot be easily added.
[0009]
As a result, there has been a problem that the conventional multifunction device cannot easily perform function expansion and application version upgrade. Further, there is a problem that an application cannot be added to the conventional multifunction device while the power is turned on.
[0010]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, a program addition method, and a recording medium that can dynamically and easily add a program.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus having a program for performing processing related to image formation using hardware resources, and a slot in which a recording medium can be inserted and removed. State monitoring means for monitoring the insertion / removal of a medium, recording medium activation means for activating a recording medium inserted in the slot to an accessible state, and reading a program from the recording medium activated to the accessible state, and executing the program And a program activating means for activating the program.
[0012]
Further, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a program adding method of an image forming apparatus having a program for performing processing related to image formation using hardware resources and a slot in which a recording medium can be inserted and removed, An insertion detection step of detecting insertion of a recording medium into the slot, a recording medium activation step of activating the recording medium having detected insertion of the slot into an accessible state, and a recording medium activated in the accessible state And a program starting step of starting the program.
[0013]
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having a program for performing a process related to image formation using hardware resources, and a recording medium inserted into the slot of an image forming apparatus having a slot in which a recording medium can be inserted and removed. A medium which records one or more programs and setting information, and is activated to be accessible from the image forming apparatus when inserted into the slot, and the program is executed by the image forming apparatus in accordance with the setting information; It is read out and started by the device.
[0014]
According to the present invention, it is possible to monitor insertion / removal of a recording medium into / from a slot, activate the recording medium inserted into the slot to an accessible state, and read and activate a program from the recording medium activated to an accessible state. Therefore, the program recorded on the recording medium can be easily added to the image forming apparatus. Further, the functions of the image forming apparatus can be easily expanded and the version of the program can be easily upgraded using the program recorded on the recording medium. Furthermore, if the recording medium is hot-swappable, it is possible to dynamically add a program while the power of the image forming apparatus is turned on.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. The multifunction device 1 includes a black-and-white laser printer (B & W LP) 11, a color laser printer (ColorLP) 12, hardware resources 13 such as a scanner and a facsimile, a software group 20, and a multifunction device starting unit 50. Further, the software group 20 has an application 30 and a platform 40.
[0017]
The application 30 performs processing unique to user services related to image forming processing such as printer, copy, facsimile, and scanner.
[0018]
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. And a scanner application 34 as a scanner application, a network file application 35 as a network file application, and a process inspection application 36 as a process inspection application.
[0019]
Further, the platform 40 interprets a processing request from the application 30 to generate a hardware resource acquisition request, and arbitrates an acquisition request from the control service by managing one or more hardware resources. It is configured to include a system resource manager (hereinafter, referred to as SRM) 43 and an operating system (hereinafter, referred to as OS) 41.
[0020]
The control services include a system control service (hereinafter, referred to as SCS) 42, an engine control service (hereinafter, referred to as ECS) 44, a memory control service (hereinafter, referred to as MCS) 45, an operation panel control service (hereinafter, referred to as OCS) 46, and a fax machine. It is configured to have one or more service modules such as a control service (hereinafter, referred to as FCS) 47 and a network control service (hereinafter, referred to as NCS) 48.
[0021]
Note that the platform 40 is configured to have an application program interface (hereinafter, referred to as an API) that enables a processing request from the application 30 to be received by a predefined function. The OS 41 is, for example, Unix (registered trademark), and executes the software of the platform 40 and the application 30 in parallel as processes.
[0022]
The process of the SRM 43, together with the SCS 42, controls the system and manages hardware resources. For example, the process of the SRM 43 is performed by an upper layer using hardware resources such as an engine, a memory, an HDD file, and host I / O (Centro I / F, network I / F, IEEE1394 I / F, RS232C I / F, etc.). Arbitration is performed according to the request, and execution is controlled.
[0023]
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 available. To the upper layer. Further, the SRM 43 performs scheduling for using hardware resources in response to a request from an upper layer, and directly executes the contents of the request (for example, paper conveyance and image forming operation by a printer engine, memory reservation, file generation, etc.). ing.
[0024]
The SCS process performs processes such as application management, operation unit control, system screen display, LED display, hardware resource management, and interrupt application control. The process of the ECS 44 controls the engines of the black and white laser printer 11, the color laser printer 12, the hardware resources 13, and the like.
[0025]
The process of the MCS 45 performs memory control such as acquisition and release of an image memory, use of an HDD, and compression and decompression of image data. The process of the OCS 46 controls an operation panel serving as information transmission means between the operator and the main body control.
[0026]
The FCS 47 process performs facsimile transmission / reception using PSTN or ISDN from each application layer of the system controller, registration / quotation of various facsimile data managed in a backup memory, facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, fusion transmission / reception. API for the application.
[0027]
The process of the NCS 48 provides a service that can be used in common to applications that require network I / O, and distributes the data received from the network by each protocol to each application, and the data from each application. Mediation when sending to the network side.
[0028]
For example, the NCS 48 controls data communication with a network device connected via a network by HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol Daemon) by HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol).
[0029]
The multifunction device 1 can perform processing required in common by each application on the platform 40 in a unified manner. Next, the hardware configuration of the MFP 1 will be described.
[0030]
FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration diagram of an embodiment of the multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. The MFP 1 includes a controller 60, an operation panel 80, an FCU 81, and an engine unit 82. The controller 60 includes a CPU 61, a system memory 62, a north bridge (NB) 63, a south bridge (SB) 64, an ASIC 66, a local memory 67, an HDD 68, a network interface card (NIC) 69, and an SD card. , A USB device 71, an IEEE 1394 device 72, and a Centronics 73.
[0031]
The operation panel 80 is connected to the ASIC 66 of the controller 60. The FCU 81 and the engine unit 82 are connected to the ASIC 66 of the controller 60 via a PCI bus 83.
[0032]
In the controller 60, the local memory 67, the HDD 68, and the like are connected to the ASIC 66, and the CPU 61 and the ASIC 66 are connected via the NB 63 of the CPU chip set. The controller 60 connects the CPU 61 and the ASIC 66 via the NB 63 to cope with a case where the interface of the CPU 61 is not disclosed. The ASIC 66 and the NB 63 are connected via an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) 65.
[0033]
As described above, in order to control the execution of one or more processes forming the application 30 and the platform 40 of FIG. 1, the performance degradation is reduced by connecting the ASIC 66 and the NB 63 via the AGP 65 instead of the low-speed PCI bus. I'm preventing.
[0034]
The CPU 61 performs overall control of the multifunction peripheral 1. The CPU 61 activates and executes the SCS 42, the SRM 43, the ECS 44, the MCS 45, the OCS 46, the FCS 47, and the NCS 48 as processes on the OS 41, and the printer application 31, the copy application 32, the fax application 33, and the scanner application 34 which form the application 30. , The net file application 35 and the process inspection application 36 are activated and executed.
[0035]
The NB 63 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 61, the system memory 62, the SB 64, the ASIC 66, the NIC 69, the SD card slot 70, the USB device 71, the IEEE 1394 device 72, and the Centronics 73.
[0036]
The SB 64, NIC 69, SD card slot 70, USB device 71, IEEE 1394 device 72, and Centronics 73 are connected to the NB 63 via a PCI bus 74. The SB 64 is a bridge for connecting the PCI bus 74 to a ROM, peripheral devices, and the like.
[0037]
The system memory 62 is a memory used as a drawing memory or the like of the multifunction peripheral 1. The local memory 67 is a memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer.
[0038]
The ASIC 66 is an IC for image processing having hardware components for image processing. The HDD 68 is an example of a storage (auxiliary storage device) that stores image data, document data, programs, font data, forms, and the like.
[0039]
The NIC 69 is an interface device that connects the MFP 1 to a network. The SD card slot 70 is capable of inserting and removing an SD card, and performs an interrupt corresponding to insertion or removal of the SD card to an SD card access driver described later. The USB device 71, the IEEE 1394 device 72, and the Centronics 73 are interfaces conforming to respective standards.
[0040]
The operation panel 80 is an operation unit that receives an input operation from the operator and performs display for the operator. The FCU 81 has a memory. The memory of the FCU 81 is used, for example, to temporarily store facsimile data received when the power of the MFP 1 is OFF.
[0041]
The MFP starter 50 in FIG. 1 is first executed when the power of the MFP 1 is turned on, and starts the platform 40 and the application 30. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an example of the multifunction peripheral starting unit. The multifunction peripheral starting unit 50 has a ROM monitor 51 and a program starting unit 52.
[0042]
The BIOS and the ROM monitor 51 as a boot loader are executed when the power is turned on, and perform initialization of hardware, diagnosis of the controller 60, initialization of software, and the like. The ROM monitor 51 expands the kernel and the root file system on the system memory 62 and activates the kernel. Then the kernel mounts the root file system.
[0043]
The program starting unit 52 as an application / service starting program is called from the kernel, and secures a memory area on the system memory 62 and the local memory 67. The program starting unit 52 is a process that is started first in the MFP 1, and mounts a file system according to a predetermined setting file.
[0044]
The program starting unit 52 reads the application 30 and the platform 40 programs necessary for the operation of the multi-function peripheral 1 from a ROM or the like according to a predetermined setting file, and stores the read programs in the system memory 62 and the local memory 67. And activates the processes of the application 30 and the platform 40.
[0045]
Further, the processing of the program starting unit 52 will be described. The program starting unit 52 reads a predetermined master setting file at the time of starting, and mounts a file system and starts a process according to the read master setting file. For example, in the case of a file tree as shown in FIG. 4, the program starting unit 52 reads “/etc/init.conf” as a master setting file at the time of starting. FIG. 4 shows a configuration diagram of an example of a file tree.
[0046]
If a description of the mount exists in the read master setting file, the program activation unit 52 executes a mount process according to the description of the mount. For example, in the case of a master setting file as shown in FIG. 5, the program starting unit 52 mounts a file system on the SD cards 0 to 3 according to the description of the mount. FIG. 5 shows a configuration diagram of an example of the master setting file.
[0047]
Also, when a predetermined setting file exists at the root of the mounted file system, or when a predetermined directory including a file having a predetermined extension exists at the root of the mounted file system, the program starting unit 52 executes the predetermined setting. A file or a file having a predetermined extension is read and a file system is mounted.
[0048]
For example, when the setting file “init.conf” or “init.cnf” as shown in FIG. 6 exists at the root of the mounted SD card file system, the program starting unit 52 performs the mounting process according to the description of the mount existing in the setting file. Execute. FIG. 6 shows a configuration diagram of an example of the setting file.
[0049]
If the directory “init.d” as shown in FIG. 7 exists at the root of the mounted SD card file system and the directory includes files with the extensions “conf” and “cnf”, Execute the mount process according to the description of the mount existing in. FIG. 7 shows a configuration diagram of an example of a file tree of the SD card.
[0050]
Note that the file system that can be mounted by the program activation unit 52 includes “gzromfs” as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The file system “gzromfs” expands the gzip-compressed ROMFS format file on the RAM and mounts it.
[0051]
Hereinafter, an example will be described in which an application is added to the MFP 1 from an SD card in which the application is recorded while the power of the MFP 1 is kept turned on.
[0052]
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the program adding method according to the present invention. In the explanatory diagram of FIG. 8, among the configurations of the multifunction machine 1, components necessary for description are shown, and components not required for description are omitted.
[0053]
The SD card 126 records a root file system, a service layer, an application, font data, and the like as a binary file including a header storing module information and ROMFS format data. The SD card 126 can be so-called hot-swap while the power of the multifunction machine 1 is turned on. The SD card slot 125 allows the SD card 126 to be inserted and removed, and performs an interrupt to the SD card access driver 124 in accordance with the insertion or removal of the SD card 126.
[0054]
The SD card access driver 124 controls access to the SD card 126, and notifies the SD card status monitor driver 123 of insertion or removal of the SD card 126 in response to an interrupt from the SD card slot 125.
[0055]
The SD card status monitor driver 123 manages status information of the SD card 126, such as insertion, removal, mounting, and unmounting of the SD card 126, and notifies the program starting unit 52 of the status information of the SD card 126.
[0056]
The program activating unit 52 activates the SD card check program 121 according to insertion or removal of the SD card 126. Further, the program starting unit 52 starts a program in the SD card 126 according to the status information of the SD card 126 from the SD card status monitor driver 123.
[0057]
The SD card check program 121 checks whether the partition of the SD card 126 is correct and the state of the file system is correct, and makes the SD system 126 usable as the file system 122. The SD card check program 121 has, for example, a check function of the SD card 126, a mount function, an unmount function, a status notification function, and the like.
[0058]
Next, the processing procedure of the program addition method according to the present invention will be described with reference to flowcharts. After activating the application 30 of the MFP 1 and the process of the platform 40, the program activation unit 52 enters an event waiting state. FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of an example of the event waiting process.
[0059]
In FIG. 9, in step S1, the program activation unit 52 determines whether an event has occurred. If it is determined that no event has occurred (NO in S1), the program starting unit 52 repeats the processing in step S1. If it is determined that an event has occurred (YES in S1), the program starting unit 52 proceeds to step S2.
[0060]
For example, when the SD card 126 is inserted into the SD card slot 125, the SD card access driver 124 notifies the SD card status monitor driver 123 of the insertion of the SD card 126 in response to an interrupt from the SD card slot 125. Then, the SD card status monitor driver 123 notifies the program starting unit 52 that the SD card 126 has been inserted. The program starting unit 52 determines that an event has occurred when the SD card status monitor driver 123 notifies the SD card 126 of insertion.
[0061]
When the SD card 126 is removed from the SD card slot 125, the SD card access driver 124 notifies the SD card status monitor driver 123 that the SD card 126 has been removed in response to an interrupt from the SD card slot 125. Then, the SD card status monitor driver 123 notifies the program starting unit 52 of the removal of the SD card 126. The program starting unit 52 determines that an event has occurred when the removal of the SD card 126 is notified from the SD card status monitor driver 123.
[0062]
In step S2, the program starting unit 52 determines the content of the event. If the content of the event is the detection of the insertion of the SD card 126, the program starting unit 52 proceeds to Step S3. In step S3, an SD card insertion detection process described later is performed. On the other hand, when the content of the event is detection of removal of the SD card 126, the program starting unit 52 proceeds to step S4. In step S4, an SD card removal detection process described later is performed.
[0063]
FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of an example of the SD card insertion detection process. In step S11, the program starting unit 52 starts the SD card check program 121. Proceeding to step S12 following step S11, the SD card check program 121 mounts the SD card 126, notifies the SD card status monitor driver 123 that the SD card 126 has been mounted, and stops the processing.
[0064]
Proceeding to step S13 following step S12, when the program starting unit 52 is notified from the SD card status monitor driver 123 that the SD card 126 has been mounted, the program starting unit 52 sends the setting file as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the setting file (* .cnf) in FIG. 7 is read and analyzed.
[0065]
Proceeding to step S14 following step S13, the program starting unit 52 performs the mounting process according to the description of the mount in the setting file as shown in FIG. 6 or the setting file (* .cnf) in FIG. Then, proceeding to step S15 following step S14, the program starting unit 52 starts the process of the program recorded in the SD card 126.
[0066]
Therefore, even if the SD card 126 is inserted while the power is turned on, the MFP 1 can automatically start the application process recorded on the SD card 126. For example, in the MFP 1 of FIG. 1, an application in the SD card 126 is added as one of the applications 30.
[0067]
In the SD card insertion detection process of FIG. 10, all the setting files as shown in FIG. 6 or the files as shown in FIG. 7 recorded in the mounted SD card 126, or the programs such as the application 30 and the platform 40 are read out and mounted. However, an electronic authentication check may be performed to prevent unauthorized copying of the SD card 126.
[0068]
FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of an example of an SD card insertion detection process having an electronic authentication check function. Steps S21 and S22 are the same as the processing in the flowchart of FIG.
[0069]
When notified that the SD card 126 has been mounted from the SD card status monitor driver 123, the program starting unit 52 proceeds to step S23, and searches for a setting file from the mounted SD card 126. Proceeding to step S24, if the setting file exists in the mounted SD card 126 (YES in S24), the program starting unit 52 proceeds to step S25. If the setting file does not exist in the mounted SD card 126 (NO in S24), the program starting unit 52 proceeds to step S30. In step S25, the program activation unit 52 performs an authentication check of the setting file using the electronic authentication check library.
[0070]
For example, the authentication check of the setting file is performed as shown in the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an example of the process of the authentication check of the setting file.
[0071]
In step S31, the program activation unit 52 determines whether or not the SD card 126 has a target file to be used for the authentication check of the setting file. The target files used for the authentication check of the setting file include a setting file and an electronic signature file created from a message digest (hereinafter, referred to as MD) of the setting file and the serial ID of the SD card.
[0072]
FIG. 13 is an image diagram of an example of the target file recorded on the SD card. In the example of FIG. 13, "printer.cnf" represents a setting file, "printer.lic" represents an electronic signature file used for authentication check of the setting file, and "printer.mod" represents a module file to be mounted. , “Printer.mac” represents an electronic signature file used for the authentication check of the module to be mounted.
[0073]
If it is determined that there is a target file to be used for the authentication check of the setting file (YES in S31), the program starting unit 52 acquires the setting file and the electronic signature file to be used for the authentication check of the setting file from the SD card 126, and proceeds to step S32. Proceed to.
[0074]
In step S32, the program starting unit 52 acquires the serial ID of the SD card 126 from the SD card 126. Proceeding to step S33, the program starting unit 52 creates an MD1 of the setting file obtained in step S31 and the serial ID of the SD card 126 obtained in step S32. Proceeding to step S34 following step S33, the program activation unit 52 decrypts the electronic signature file acquired in step S31 with the public key to create MD2.
[0075]
Proceeding to step S35, the program starting unit 52 determines whether the MD1 created in step S33 is equal to the MD2 created in step S34. If it is determined that MD1 and MD2 are equal (YES in S35), the program starting unit 52 proceeds to step S36, and determines that the authentication check of the setting file is OK.
[0076]
On the other hand, if it is determined that MD1 and MD2 are not equal (NO in S35), the program starting unit 52 proceeds to step S37, and determines that the authentication check of the setting file is NG. If MD1 and MD2 are not equal, the file recorded on the SD card 126 has a high possibility of being illegally copied.
[0077]
If it is determined that there is no target file used for the authentication check of the setting file (NO in S31), the program starting unit 52 proceeds to step S37, and determines that the authentication check of the setting file is NG.
[0078]
Returning to FIG. 11, if the authentication check of the setting file is OK (YES in S25), the program starting unit 52 proceeds to step S26 and analyzes the setting file as shown in FIG. If the authentication check of the setting file is NG (NO in S25), the program starting unit 52 proceeds to step S23.
[0079]
FIG. 14 is an image diagram of an example of the setting file. The setting file represents a process of mounting the gzip-compressed ROMFS format file “module / printer.mod” to the mount point “/ mnt / printer” and executing the mounted module file.
[0080]
Progressing to step S27 following step S26, it is determined whether or not EOF (End Of File) has been searched. If it is determined that the EOF has been searched (YES in S27), the program starting unit 52 returns to Step S23. On the other hand, if it is determined that the EOF has not been searched (NO in S27), the program starting unit 52 proceeds to step S28.
[0081]
In step S28, if there is a description of the mount in the setting file, the program starting unit 52 performs an authentication check of the module to be mounted using the electronic authentication check library.
[0082]
For example, the authentication check of the module to be mounted is performed as shown in the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an example of the authentication check processing of the module to be mounted.
[0083]
In step S41, the program starting unit 52 determines whether or not the SD card 126 has a file to be used for the authentication check of the module to be mounted. The target file used for the authentication check of the mount target module includes the mount target module file and the electronic signature file created from the MD of the module file.
[0084]
If it is determined that a file to be used for the authentication check of the module to be mounted exists (YES in S41), the program starting unit 52 reads the module file to be mounted from the SD card 126 and the electronic signature to be used for the authentication check of the module file to be mounted. The file is obtained, and the process proceeds to step S42.
[0085]
Proceeding to step S43, the program starting unit 52 creates the MD1 of the module file acquired in step S41. Proceeding to step S44, the program starting unit 52 decrypts the electronic signature file acquired in step S41 with a public key to create MD2.
[0086]
Proceeding to step S45, the program starting unit 52 determines whether the MD1 created in step S43 is equal to the MD2 created in step S44. If it is determined that MD1 and MD2 are equal (YES in S45), the program starting unit 52 proceeds to step S46, and determines that the authentication check of the module to be mounted is OK.
[0087]
On the other hand, if it is determined that MD1 and MD2 are not equal (NO in S45), the program starting unit 52 proceeds to step S47, and determines that the authentication check of the module to be mounted is NG. If MD1 and MD2 are not equal, it is highly likely that the file recorded on the SD card 126 has been subjected to fraud such as copying or falsification.
[0088]
If it is determined that there is no target file to be used for the authentication check of the mount target module (NO in S41), the program starting unit 52 proceeds to step S47, and determines that the authentication check of the mount target module is NG.
[0089]
Returning to FIG. 11, if the authentication check of the module to be mounted is OK (YES in S28), the program starting unit 52 proceeds to step S29, mounts the module to be mounted, and returns to step S26. Note that the program activation unit 52 repeats the processing of steps S23 to S29 until the authentication check of all the setting files recorded on the SD card 126 is performed.
[0090]
After performing the authentication check of all the setting files recorded in the SD card 126, the program starting unit 52 determines that the setting file does not exist in the mounted SD card 126 (NO in S24), and proceeds to step S30. move on. In step S30, the program starting unit 52 executes the module mounted in step S29. Note that a module for which the authentication check of the module to be mounted is NG is not mounted in step S29 and is not executed in step S30.
[0091]
Note that a function may be provided in which the program starting unit 52 notifies the application 30 or the process of the platform 40 when all the SD card insertion detection processes in FIGS. 10 and 11 are completed. The program activating unit 52 creates a file “/tmp/init.done” indicating that all the SD card insertion detection processing is completed in a file tree as shown in FIG. May be notified to the application 30 or the process of the platform 40 that all the processes have been completed.
[0092]
When all the SD card insertion detection processing is completed, the function of the program starting unit 52 notifying the application 30 or the process of the platform 40 is performed when the printer application 31 that needs font data waits for the completion of the mounting of the font data. Available.
[0093]
If the SD card 126 is suddenly removed, it is necessary to unmount the SD card 126. Therefore, the program starting unit 52 starts the SD card check program 121 to cause the SD card 126 to be unmounted.
[0094]
FIG. 16 shows a flowchart of an example of the SD card removal detection processing. Before performing the SD card removal detection process, the program starting unit 52 may stop the program started in step S15. By stopping the process of the application read out from the SD card 126 and started when the removal of the SD card 126 is detected, unauthorized use of the application can be prevented.
[0095]
In step S51, the program starting unit 52 checks the mounting status of the SD card 126 by inquiring of the SD card status monitor driver 123 about the status information of the SD card 126.
[0096]
Proceeding to step S52 following step S51, the program starting unit 52 determines whether or not the SD card 126 is mounted according to the result of the check of the mounting state in step S51. If it is determined that the SD card 126 is mounted from the result of checking the mounting state (YES in S52), the program starting unit 52 proceeds to step S53 and starts the SD card check program 121. If it is determined that the SD card 126 is not mounted from the result of the check of the mounting state (NO in S52), the program starting unit 52 ends the process.
[0097]
Proceeding to step S54 following step S53, the SD card check program 121 unmounts the SD card 126, notifies the SD card status monitor driver 123 that the SD card 126 has been mounted, and stops the processing.
[0098]
Accordingly, even if the SD card 126 is pulled out while the power is turned on in the multifunction machine 1, the unmounting process of the SD card 126 can be automatically performed.
[0099]
As described above, if the program addition method according to the present invention is used, for example, a personal menu program is recorded on the SD card 126, and the SD card 126 is inserted into the SD card slot 125, so that the personal operation menu is displayed on the operation panel 80. Can automatically start the process of the program that displays the application menu.
[0100]
Furthermore, by recording an application download program on the SD card 126 and inserting the SD card 126 into the SD card slot 125, a process of the download program for downloading a predetermined application can be automatically started. .
[0101]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a program recorded on a recording medium can be easily added to an image forming apparatus. Further, the functions of the image forming apparatus can be easily expanded and the version of the program can be easily upgraded using the program recorded on the recording medium. In addition, if the recording medium can be hot-swapped, the program can be dynamically added while the power of the image forming apparatus is turned on.
[0102]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a multifunction peripheral according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an embodiment of the multifunction peripheral according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an example of a multifunction peripheral starting unit.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an example of a file tree.
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an example of a master setting file.
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an example of a setting file.
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of an example of a file tree of an SD card.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of one embodiment of a program adding method according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an example of an event waiting process.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an SD card insertion detection process.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an SD card insertion detection process having an electronic authentication check function.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an authentication check process of a setting file.
FIG. 13 is an image diagram of an example of a target file recorded on an SD card.
FIG. 14 is an image diagram of an example of a setting file.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an authentication check process of a module to be mounted;
FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an SD card removal detection process.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Multifunction machine 11 Black and white laser printer 12 Color laser printer 13 Hardware resources 20 Software group 30 Application 31 Printer application 32 Copy application 33 Fax application 34 Scanner application 35 Net file application 36 Process inspection 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 starting unit 51 ROM monitor 52 program starting unit 62 system memory 67 local memory 68 hard disk drive (HDD)
70, 125 SD card slot 80 Operation panel 82 Engine section 121 SD card check program 122 File system 123 SD card status monitor driver 124 SD card access driver 126 SD card

Claims (22)

An image forming apparatus having a program for performing a process related to image formation using hardware resources and a slot into which a recording medium can be inserted and removed,
State monitoring means for monitoring insertion and removal of the recording medium with respect to the slot,
Recording medium activation means for activating the recording medium inserted in the slot to an accessible state,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a program starting unit that reads a program from a recording medium started in the accessible state and starts the program. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the status monitoring unit is notified of information on insertion / extraction of the recording medium with respect to the slot, and notifies the program activation unit of the information. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the program activation unit activates the recording medium activation unit when notified of insertion of the recording medium into the slot from the state monitoring unit. The recording medium activation unit activates the recording medium inserted in the slot to an accessible state, and notifies the state monitoring unit that the recording medium is in an accessible state. 3. The image forming apparatus according to 3. The program starting means reads the program from the recording medium according to the setting information recorded in the recording medium, when the state monitoring means notifies that the recording medium is accessible, and reads the program. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said program is started. The program starting unit reads a program from the recording medium onto a memory in response to a start command included in the setting information, and starts the program after making the program read on the memory accessible. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein 6. The program activation unit according to claim 5, wherein the authentication check of the setting information recorded on the recording medium is performed, and the setting information is read from the recording medium when the result of the authentication check is normal. Image forming apparatus. The program activating means performs an authentication check of the program read from the recording medium, makes the program accessible when the result of the authentication check is normal, and activates the accessible program. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the processing on the recording medium inserted into the slot is completed, the program activating unit notifies the activated program that the processing is completed. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein active insertion and removal of the recording medium is possible. A program for performing processing related to image formation using hardware resources, and a program addition method for an image forming apparatus having a slot into which a recording medium can be inserted and removed,
An insertion detection step of detecting insertion of a recording medium into the slot,
A recording medium activation step of activating the recording medium that has been detected to be inserted into the slot into an accessible state,
A program starting step of reading a program from the recording medium started in the accessible state and starting the program. In the program starting step, when notified that the recording medium is in an accessible state, the program is read from the recording medium according to the setting information recorded on the recording medium, and the read program is started. The method according to claim 11, wherein the program is added. In the program starting step, a program is read from the recording medium onto a memory in response to a start command included in the setting information, and the program read from the memory is made accessible, and then the program is started. 13. The program adding method according to claim 12, wherein: 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein in the program starting step, an authentication check of the setting information recorded on the recording medium is performed, and when the result of the authentication check is normal, the setting information is read from the recording medium. How to add a program. The program starting step includes performing an authentication check of the program read from the recording medium, setting the program to an accessible state when the result of the authentication check is normal, and starting the accessible program. The program addition method according to claim 12, wherein: 12. The program addition method according to claim 11, wherein, in the step of starting the program, when the processing on the recording medium inserted into the slot is completed, the activated program is notified that the processing is completed. 17. The method according to claim 11, wherein active insertion and removal of the recording medium is possible. A recording medium inserted into the slot of the image forming apparatus having a program for performing processing related to image formation using hardware resources, and a slot capable of inserting and removing a recording medium,
One or more programs and setting information are recorded, and when inserted into the slot, the program is started to be accessible from the image forming apparatus, and the program is read out to the image forming apparatus according to the setting information. A recording medium characterized in that the recording medium is activated. 19. The recording medium according to claim 18, wherein the recording medium is hot-swappable. 19. The recording medium according to claim 18, wherein the recording medium records a header representing program information and a program compressed in a predetermined format. The recording medium records a first authentication check file used for authentication check of one or more programs and a second authentication check file used for authentication check of setting information. 19. The recording medium according to claim 18, wherein 19. The recording medium according to claim 18, wherein the recording medium is a memory card.

Images