JP2005189972A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor having a document distribution function and performing defragmentation while reducing power consumption in a system as a whole and deterioration of a storage device when enough available capacity is not left in the storage device and to prevent reduction in a distribution speed when a distribution request is sent from a host computer during defragmentation. <P>SOLUTION: This system having a large capacity storage device such as a hard disk is provided with composite machines 10 accumulating document image data outputted by respective applications for copy, facsimile, and a printer and distributing the accumulated document in compliance with a request from the host computer, the host computers 20 as terminal devices such as a workstation and a personal computer outputting a print request and a request for distribution of the accumulated document image data to the composite machine, and a network 30 as a communication line connecting the respective composite machines and the host computers one another for transmitting/receiving image data, other various data, and a command. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus having a function of storing document image data in the apparatus and delivering a document in response to a request from a host computer.

In recent years, an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions such as a copy, a printer, and a facsimile (hereinafter referred to as a multi-function machine) is known. By using such a multi-function machine, it is not necessary to install each device separately, so that cost reduction and space saving can be achieved. In addition, a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk is provided to store document image data to be output by the above-described functions, and print out the stored document with a printer when necessary. A document having a document distribution function for transmitting a stored document to a host computer upon request is known. In other words, the provision of this function has the advantage that it is not necessary to prepare a special file server.
However, as the hard disk is repeatedly written and erased, the free space gradually increases. That is, when an area that can be continuously recorded cannot be secured when writing a series of image data, the series of image data is fragmented and recorded discretely in a plurality of empty areas.
When image data is recorded in such a manner, there is a problem that the read speed is slowed down because the head of the hard disk is sought at the time of reading. In order to eliminate this fragmentation, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-78097 discloses a processing technique in which data is saved in an empty area and continuously recorded.
JP-A-7-78097

However, the conventional technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the process cannot be executed if there is not enough free space on the hard disk to perform the defragmentation process. In addition, there is a problem in that the speed of distribution decreases during the fragmentation elimination process.
Further, since there is a problem that the power consumption is large when the hard disk is always operated, a technique is known in which the apparatus is turned on only when necessary, and the hard disk is stopped when not necessary. However, if the rotation and the stop are repeated frequently, the power consumption may be increased, and the life of the hard disk device is shortened.
In view of the above problems, the present invention performs fragmentation elimination processing in a case where an image processing apparatus having a document distribution function suppresses power consumption of the entire system and deterioration of the storage device, and the storage device has a small free space. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of preventing a decrease in distribution speed when a distribution request is received from a host computer during fragmentation elimination processing.

In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a storage device in which a host computer and an image processing apparatus are connected via a network, and stores various document image data in the image processing apparatus. An image processing apparatus comprising: a document distribution unit that distributes document image data stored in the storage device in response to a request, wherein the image processing apparatus has a series of image data fragmented in the storage device. Fragmentation determination means for determining whether or not the number of stored storage areas is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and a resolution process for continuously re-recording image data that has been fragmented and stored in the storage device A free capacity determining means for determining whether or not a storage capacity necessary for the storage exists, and whether or not there is another image processing apparatus having a free capacity on the network. A device search means, and a fragmentation elimination processing means for performing fragmentation elimination processing by transmitting / receiving image data to / from the image processing apparatus when there is a corresponding device as a result of searching by the other device retrieval means. It is characterized by having.
In a storage device such as a hard disk, a small free area increases as writing and erasing are repeated. When it becomes impossible to secure an area that can be continuously recorded when writing image data, a series of image data is recorded in a piecewise manner. However, such a fragmentary storage method has a problem that the reading speed becomes slow. Therefore, the present invention searches for another image processing apparatus having a sufficient storage capacity even if it is continuously stored, and performs the fragmentation elimination processing using that apparatus if it exists. is there.
According to this invention, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a fragmentation determination unit, a free space determination unit, another device search unit, and a fragmentation elimination processing unit, so that a sufficient storage capacity can be obtained even if stored continuously. It is possible to search for another image processing apparatus having “” and perform fragmentation elimination processing using that apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the corresponding image processing apparatus exists as a result of the search by the other apparatus search means, it is determined whether the operation status of the image processing apparatus is operating in a normal state or a low power consumption state. If it is determined that the operation status of the image processing apparatus is in a normal state and the result of determination by the free capacity determination means is sufficient as a result of determination by the operation status determination means, The fragmentation elimination processing means performs fragmentation elimination processing by transmitting / receiving image data to / from the image processing apparatus.
When the operation state of the image processing apparatus that performs the fragmentation elimination process is in the low power consumption state, it is difficult to perform the fragmentation elimination process. If there is not enough free space in the storage capacity of the storage device in the device, the fragmentation elimination process cannot be performed in the same manner. Therefore, in the present invention, the fragmentation elimination processing is performed only when the device that performs the fragmentation elimination processing is in a normal operation state and there is sufficient free space in the storage capacity.
According to this invention, when the operation status of the image processing apparatus is in the normal state and the result determined by the free capacity determination unit determines that there is sufficient free capacity, image data is transmitted to and received from the image processing apparatus. Therefore, the fragmentation elimination process can be executed reliably.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, as a result of the determination by the operation state determination unit, when it is determined that the operation state of the image processing apparatus is in a low power consumption state or the result of determination by the free space determination unit is that there is not sufficient free space, After waiting for a predetermined time, the operation state determination unit again determines the operation status of the image processing apparatus.
Conversely, when it is determined that the operation status of the image processing apparatus is in a low power consumption state or the result of the determination by the free capacity determination means that there is not enough free capacity, the condition is met by repeating after waiting for a predetermined time. There is. Therefore, in the present invention, in such a case, the probability that the conditions are met is increased by waiting for a predetermined time and then repeating.
According to this invention, when it is determined that the operation status of the image processing apparatus is in the low power consumption state or the result of the determination by the free capacity determination means that there is not enough free capacity, after waiting for a predetermined time, Since the operation status is determined, the probability that the conditions are met can be increased.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when an image data distribution request is issued from the host computer during the defragmentation processing by the defragmentation processing means, the image data of the distribution request is retrieved. When the corresponding data does not exist in the storage means of the processing device, the image data is distributed to the host computer by transferring a distribution request to the image processing device that has transmitted the image data via the network. Features.
When a distribution request is issued from the host computer while the image processing apparatus is in the fragmentation elimination process, it searches for the existence of the data. As a result of the search, if there is no data to be distributed, the image data is distributed to the host computer by transferring a distribution request to the image processing apparatus that transmitted the image data.
According to this invention, when a distribution request for image data is issued from the host computer during the defragmentation process, the image data of the distribution request is searched, and as a result of the search, the corresponding data is stored in the storage means of the image processing apparatus. If the image data does not exist, the image data is distributed to the host computer by transferring the distribution request to the image processing apparatus that transmitted the image data. Therefore, the image data is transferred to another image processing apparatus during the fragmentation elimination process. Distribution can be performed even if a distribution request is received from the host computer for the received image data.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the fragmentation elimination processing performed by the fragmentation elimination processing means is performed in a time zone in which the frequency of use of the image processing apparatus is low.
In order to determine whether or not the usage period is low, it may be possible to set a low usage period from the operation unit in advance, or when a history is used, a history is stored on the hard disk, and the data is stored. It is also possible to automatically set a time zone in which the frequency of use is low by analysis. Then, by performing the fragmentation elimination process during that time period, it is possible to reduce the influence of the speed reduction when delivering to the host computer during the fragmentation elimination process.
According to this invention, since the fragmentation elimination processing performed by the fragmentation elimination processing means is performed in a time zone when the frequency of use of the image processing apparatus is low, the speed when performing distribution to the host computer during the fragmentation elimination processing The influence of the decrease can be reduced.
6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a distribution request frequency storage unit that stores a distribution request frequency for each of the image data, wherein image data to be transmitted and received is determined according to the distribution request frequency stored in the distribution request frequency storage unit. And
In order to store the distribution request frequency for each image data, a history is left on the hard disk when it is used, and the data is analyzed to automatically set a time period of low use frequency.
According to this invention, since the image data to be transmitted / received is determined according to the distribution request frequency stored in the distribution request frequency storage means, the influence of the decrease in speed when the distribution to the host computer is performed during the fragmentation elimination process. Can be reduced.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image processing apparatus of the present invention includes the fragmentation determination means, the free space determination means, the other device search means, and the fragmentation elimination processing means, so that it is sufficient to store continuously. It is possible to search for another image processing apparatus having a sufficient storage capacity and perform fragmentation elimination processing using that apparatus.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that the operation status of the image processing apparatus is in a normal state and the result of the determination by the free capacity determination unit is a sufficient free capacity, image data is transmitted to and received from the image processing apparatus. Therefore, the fragmentation elimination process can be executed reliably.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that the operation status of the image processing apparatus is in the low power consumption state or the result of the determination by the free capacity determination means is that there is not enough free capacity, after waiting for a predetermined time, Since the operation status is determined, the probability that the conditions are met can be increased.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when a distribution request for image data is issued from the host computer during the defragmentation process, the image data of the distribution request is searched, and as a result of the search, the corresponding data is stored in the storage means of the image processing apparatus. If the image data does not exist, the image data is distributed to the host computer by transferring the distribution request to the image processing apparatus that transmitted the image data. Therefore, the image data is transferred to another image processing apparatus during the fragmentation elimination process. Distribution can be performed even if a distribution request is received from the host computer for the received image data.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the fragmentation elimination processing performed by the fragmentation elimination processing means is performed in a time zone in which the frequency of use of the image processing apparatus is low, the speed when performing distribution to the host computer during the fragmentation elimination processing The influence of the decrease can be reduced.
Further, since the image data to be transmitted / received is determined according to the distribution request frequency stored in the distribution request frequency storage means, the influence of the speed reduction when distributing to the host computer during the fragmentation elimination processing is determined. Can be reduced.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the components, types, combinations, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like described in this embodiment are merely illustrative examples and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only unless otherwise specified. .
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a system including an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. This system has a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk, accumulates document image data output by each application of copy, fax, and printer, and distributes the accumulated document in response to a request from a host computer. 10 and a terminal device such as a workstation or a personal computer, a host computer 20 that issues a request for printing to the multifunction device and a request for distribution of stored document image data, and each multifunction device and the host computer are connected to each other for image data and others. The network 30 is a communication line for transmitting and receiving various data and commands. The connection cable 40 is a transmission line for transferring data between the master unit and the slave unit when the multifunction devices 10 are connected to each other. In the present embodiment, the image data may be transferred by the connection operation as described above, or the image data may be exchanged with another multifunction device 10 via the network 30.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a digital full-color multifunction peripheral showing an embodiment of the present invention.
This multifunction device 10 scans a document, converts it into a digital image signal, and outputs RGB data, and a unit that realizes a copy function performs processing such as filtering and color correction on the RGB data input from the scanner. An image processing unit 200 that outputs signals of CMYK colors to the printer, a printer 300 that forms an image according to output data from the image processing unit, the controller, and the FAX control unit, and mainly implements printer functions and overall control. This unit consists of a CPU, a ROM (or flash memory) that stores programs, a memory that is used as a work area, a hard disk that stores image data, an ASIC that interfaces them, and is stored in advance in the ROM. Control the overall operation of the device according to the program The controller 400 is an input device for an operator to select a copy mode and set the number of copies, a display of a setting state, and a display device for instructing a user to set various keys, a touch panel on a display unit, a display And a FAX control unit 600 that is a unit that realizes a FAX function and that performs transmission processing of an image read by a scanner and output of a received image to a printer. Composed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the controller 400 of the present invention.
The controller 400 includes a CPU 410 that controls the controller and the entire image forming apparatus based on a program written in a ROM, a memory 420 that is a work area for temporarily storing printer images, and temporary storage of document image data. For storing a hard disk 430 that is a large-capacity storage device, a ROM 440 that is a storage device for a control program executed by the CPU, and device-specific parameters, etc. The NVRAM 450 is a nonvolatile memory, an ASIC 460 having an interface with each controller device and the outside, and a clock unit, a clock unit 470 having a timer function.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the ASIC 460.
The ASIC 460 is connected to the CPU, generates a variety of control signals to be supplied to the CPU, and outputs a signal output from the CPU to each module. A network I / F 462 for exchanging data with the MFP, an operation unit I / F 463 connected to the operation unit for exchanging data with the operation unit CPU, a ROM, an NVRAM, etc. connected to the local bus Transmission / reception of image data to / from a local bus I / F 464 which is an interface for exchanging data, and a memory I / F 465 which is an interface for controlling writing of data to the memory and reading of data from the memory An image bus I / F 466 which is an interface for performing A hard disk I / F 467 which is an interface for controlling writing of data to the hard disk and reading of data from the hard disk, and a clock unit I / F 468 which is an interface for reading and setting the time from the clock unit. And a connection I / F 469 that transfers data between the master unit and the slave unit when connected, and can be realized by SCSI, IEEE 1394, or the like.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the multifunction machine shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the multifunction peripheral includes a scanner 100, a printer 300, and other hardware resources 800, and a software group 700 includes a platform 720 and an application 710.
The platform 720 includes a general-purpose OS 721, an SRM (System Resource Manager) 723 having an SCS (System Control Service) 722, an ECS (Engine Control Service) 724, an MCS (Memory Control Service) 725, and an OCS (Operation Panel Control Service). 726, FCS (FAX Control Service) 727, and NCS (Network Control Service) 728.
The general-purpose OS 721 is a general-purpose operating system such as UNIX (registered trademark), and executes each software of the platform 720 and the application 710 in parallel as processes.
The SCS 722 performs application management, operation unit control, system screen display (job list screen, counter display screen, etc.), LED display, resource management, and interrupt application control.
The SRM 723 performs system control and resource management together with the SCS 722, and performs arbitration according to requests from higher layers that use hardware resources such as engines, memory, and hard disks such as scanners and printers. To do.
The ECS 724 controls engines such as the scanner 100, the printer 300, and other hardware resources 800, and performs image reading and printing operations, status notification, jam recovery, and the like.
The MCS 725 performs memory control. Specifically, the MCS 725 acquires and releases an image memory, uses a hard disk, and the like.
The OCS 726 is a module that controls an operation panel serving as a means for transmitting information between the operator and the main body control, and provides a process for notifying the main body control of an operator's key operation event and a library function for each application to construct a GUI. Processing, processing for managing the constructed GUI information for each application, display reflection processing on the operation panel, and the like are performed.

FCS 727 performs facsimile transmission / reception using the PSTN / ISDN network from each application layer of the system controller, registration / quotation of various facsimile data managed by BKM (backup SRAM), facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, and fusion transmission / reception. API is provided.
The NCS 728 is a module group for providing a service that can be commonly used for applications requiring network I / O. Data received from the network side by each protocol is distributed to each application, and data from the application is distributed. Mediates when sending to the network side.
The application 710 includes a printer application 711 that is a printer application having a page description language (PDL), PCL, and postscript (PS), a copy application 712 that is a copy application, and a fax application 713 that is a facsimile application. A scanner application 714 that is a scanner application, a net file application 715 that is a net file application, and a process inspection application 716 that is a process inspection application. Since the applications 711 to 716 can execute operations using the processes on the platform 720, the screen display control program is the main component.

FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of the present invention, which is implemented by a program stored in the ROM 440 mounted on the controller 400.
First, in an idle state where various applications such as copying are not operating, it is determined whether or not the current time is a time zone when the frequency of use of the apparatus is low (S1). This may be configured so that a time zone with low usage frequency can be set in advance from the operation unit, or a history is stored on the hard disk when it is used, and the time zone with low usage frequency is automatically analyzed by analyzing the data. You may make it set to. Next, if the device usage frequency is low (YES in S1), the image data fragmented in the hard disk is searched (S2). Next, if the fragmented image data does not reach a certain standard (NO route in S3), the fragmentation elimination process is not executed and the process returns to the idle state. If the predetermined standard is exceeded in step S3 (YES route in S3), then the hard disk free space is checked (S4), and if there is sufficient free space to perform the fragmentation elimination processing (S4). The route of YES in S5), fragmentation elimination processing is performed using the free capacity (S6).
If the free space of the hard disk is not sufficient to perform the fragmentation elimination process in step S5 (NO route in S5), the operation status of the contact image processing apparatus existing on the network is acquired (S7). . Then, the operation status of the contact image processing apparatus is checked (S8). As a result, when the normal operation is being performed (YES in S8), it is next checked whether there is sufficient free space on the hard disk (S9). If there is sufficient free space in the built-in hard disk (YES route in S9), the image data to be transmitted to the contact image processing apparatus is selected (S10). This is because when a distribution request for image data is received during the defragmentation process, the distribution process is performed in the background and the speed of distribution is slowed down. Therefore, a document having a high possibility of a distribution request is selected. . For example, when there is a distribution request, the history is stored in the hard disk, and it can be realized by selecting in descending order of requests. After the selected image data is transmitted to the corresponding device, the transmitted document is deleted to secure a free space (S11). If sufficient free space is secured to execute the fragmentation elimination process, the fragmentation elimination process is executed (S12). When the fragmentation elimination process is completed, the transmitted document is received from the corresponding image processing apparatus and written in the hard disk (S13), and the process is terminated.
If there is no device having sufficient free space in the built-in hard disk in step S8 (NO route in S8), or if there is not enough free space in the hard disk in step S9 (NO route in S9), a fixed time The system waits (S14), returns to step S7, and obtains the operation status of the image processing apparatus as the contact address again.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing when a distribution request for image data is received from the host computer while part of the image data is transmitted to another image processing apparatus and fragmentation elimination processing is being executed. .
First, when a distribution request is received during fragmentation elimination processing (S20), a search is made as to whether there is corresponding image data in the hard disk (S21). If the corresponding image data exists in the hard disk (YES route in S22), the image data distribution process is executed in the background (S23).
If the image data corresponding to the contact image processing device is transmitted and deleted before executing the fragmentation elimination processing in step S22, and the corresponding image data does not exist (NO route in S22) Then, the distribution request is transferred to the image processing apparatus of the contact that transmitted the image data (S24). The image processing apparatus which has received the transfer of the distribution request executes distribution processing of the corresponding image data by the host computer (S25).

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the system containing the image processing apparatus of this invention. 1 is a block diagram of a digital full-color multifunction peripheral showing an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the controller 400 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of ASIC460 of this invention. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a software configuration of the multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG. 2 according to the present invention. It is an operation | movement flowchart of this invention. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a processing flow when a request for distributing image data is received from a host computer while part of the image data is transmitted to another image processing apparatus of the present invention and fragmentation elimination processing is being executed.

Explanation of symbols

  10 MFP, 20 host computer, 30 network, 100 scanner, 200 image processing unit, 300 printer, 400 controller, 500 operation unit, 600 FAX control unit

Claims (6)

A host computer and an image processing device are connected by a network, and a storage device for storing various document image data in the image processing device and distribution of document image data stored in the storage device in response to a request from the host computer An image processing apparatus comprising a document distribution means for performing
The image processing apparatus includes: a fragmentation determination unit that determines whether or not the number of storage areas in which a series of image data is fragmented and stored in the storage device is greater than or equal to a predetermined value; and the storage device Free space determination means for determining whether or not there is a storage capacity necessary for performing resolving processing for continuously re-recording the fragmented and stored image data, and other free space on the network Fragment by transmitting / receiving image data to / from the image processing apparatus when the corresponding apparatus exists as a result of searching by the other apparatus searching means and other apparatus searching means for searching whether or not the image processing apparatus exists An image processing apparatus comprising: a fragmentation elimination processing unit that performs a resolution elimination process. If the corresponding image processing apparatus exists as a result of the search by the other apparatus search means, an operation state determination means for determining whether the operation state of the image processing apparatus is operating in a normal state or a low power consumption state. Prepared,
As a result of the determination by the operation state determination means, when it is determined that the operation status of the image processing apparatus is in a normal state and the result determined by the free capacity determination means has a sufficient free capacity, the fragmentation elimination processing means The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein fragmentation elimination processing is performed by transmitting and receiving image data to and from the image processing apparatus.   When it is determined by the operation state determination means that the operation status of the image processing apparatus is in a low power consumption state or the result of determination by the free capacity determination means is that there is not enough free space, after waiting for a predetermined time The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation state of the image processing apparatus is determined again by the operation state determination unit.   If a distribution request for image data is issued from the host computer during the fragmentation elimination processing by the fragmentation elimination processing means, the image data of the delivery request is retrieved, and as a result of the retrieval, the storage means of the image processing apparatus When the corresponding data does not exist, the image data is distributed to the host computer by transferring a distribution request to the image processing apparatus that transmitted the image data via the network. The image processing apparatus according to any one of 1 to 3.   5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fragmentation elimination process performed by the fragmentation elimination processing unit is performed in a time zone in which the frequency of use of the image processing apparatus is low.   2. A distribution request frequency storage unit that stores a distribution request frequency for each of the image data, wherein image data to be transmitted / received is determined according to a distribution request frequency stored in the distribution request frequency storage unit. 6. The image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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