JP2006173743A - Information equipment management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the problem from being caused by a trouble in a magnetic storage by restricting the function of information equipment when estimating the possibility of the occurrence of the trouble. <P>SOLUTION: An information equipment management system comprises: an acquisition means for acquiring the SMART information of an HDD 2004 having a drive mechanism inside a printer 20 connected to a network; and a control means for controlling a job to the printer 20. In the information equipment management system, the job to the printer 20 is prohibited according to the state of the HDD 2004 in the printer 20 acquired by the acquisition means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information equipment management system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image processing apparatus has a copy function for reading a document with a scanner or the like and performing copying (copying), and a print function for inputting image data from a personal computer (PC) to the image processing apparatus via a network and printing it out. A digital copier provided is known. In addition to this function, the digital copying machine reads image data of a document, stores it in a storage device, and then transmits the image data to a PC (SEND function) or a facsimile (FAX) using a public line It has many functions such as functions.

  Since this type of digital copying machine realizes a multifunctional configuration as described above, the configuration has become complicated. In particular, there is a demand for an increase in the capacity of a storage device in order to increase the number of programs and the storage of image data due to a complicated software structure, and a configuration in which a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD) is mounted is essential. Yes.

  Also, from the viewpoint of security, it is configured so that the user can easily remove the HDD when the digital copying machine is not used so that the expensive HDD is not stolen and the internal user data is not stolen. Things have been proposed.

On the other hand, a function called SMART (Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology) is added to the HDD. SMART information is a function that allows the host system to know the risk of HDD reliability deterioration. By monitoring / accumulating parameters of actual measurement values and correction values, let's predict the possibility of HDD quality degradation or loss status (For example, see Non-Patent Document 1). The history data includes the number of power on / off times, power on time, HDD device temperature history, and the like, but detailed description is omitted because it is a well-known technique.
Hiroshi Okamura, “Structure and Application of Hard Disk Devices”, CQ Publisher, May 1, 2002

  However, while the need for HDDs is increasing, the failure rate of HDDs is high, and troubles caused by HDD failures have become a major problem. There is a problem that the HDD cannot be started up due to a failure of the HDD, or the user data is lost in the worst case.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention uses the SMART function of the HDD to predict whether or not the HDD installed in the digital copying machine has failed, and restricts the functions of the digital copying machine when it is predicted that a failure is likely to occur. The purpose is to prevent problems caused by HDD failures in advance.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires a state of a magnetic storage device having a drive mechanism inside an information device connected to a network, and a control unit that controls a job to the information device. In the information equipment management system, a job to the information equipment is prohibited according to the state of the magnetic storage device of the information equipment acquired by the acquisition means.

  According to the present invention, whether or not a magnetic storage device has failed is predicted by using the state information of the magnetic storage device, and when it is predicted that a failure is likely to occur, the function of the information device is limited, thereby It is possible to prevent in advance the problem that the device cannot be started up due to a failure and the user data is lost.

  Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a network system configured according to this embodiment.

  The information management server 210 is a device management server of 211 to 214 and 220 to 222 connected via the LAN 2011. It is possible to control jobs that flow through the LAN 2011 and to manage the status of storage devices of devices that have storage devices connected to the LAN 2011.

  Reference numeral 211 denotes a file server, which allows a plurality of users connected via a LAN to share data.

  An image forming apparatus 220 such as a digital copying machine mainly has an image input / output function. In this image forming apparatus 220, 140 is an operation unit for a user to perform various operations, 10 is an image scanner for reading an image in accordance with instructions from the operation unit 140 and the personal computers 212 and 213, and 20 is a personal computer 212 and 213. Or a printer that prints data from the file server 211 on paper.

  A controller unit 30 controls input / output of image data to the scanner 10 and the printer 20 based on instructions from the operation unit 140 and the personal computers 212 and 213. For example, control is performed such that image data captured by the scanner 10 is stored in a memory inside the controller, output to the personal computers 212 and 213, or printed by the printer 20. A printer 214 can print image data from the personal computers 212 and 213 and the file server 211 on a recording medium. 212 and 213 are personal computers connected as terminal devices. Information provided from the web server 201 can be browsed via the Internet 200, and image data can be output to the image forming apparatus 220 and the printer 214.

  An appearance of the image processing apparatus of the present invention is shown in FIG.

  The scanner unit 10 as an image input device irradiates a document image with a lamp, reads it with a CCD line sensor (not shown), and converts it into an electrical signal to process it as image data. The original paper is set on the original feeder 142, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 140, the feeder 2072 feeds the original paper one by one and performs an original image reading operation.

  The printer unit 20 that is an image output device is a part that converts image data into an image on paper, and in the specification of this patent, an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt is described. An ink jet system that prints an image directly on a sheet by ejecting ink from a minute nozzle array may be used. The activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from a controller (described later) inside the apparatus. The printer unit 20 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and has paper cassettes 2101, 2102, 2103, 2104 corresponding thereto. Further, the paper on which the image is formed is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 132.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. Details of the operation will be described with reference to the drawings.

  Reference numeral 101 denotes an original platen glass, on which originals fed from the automatic document feeder 142 are sequentially placed at predetermined positions. Reference numeral 102 denotes a document illumination lamp composed of, for example, a halogen lamp, which exposes a document placed on the document table glass 101. Scanning mirrors 103, 104, and 105 are accommodated in an optical scanning unit (not shown) and guide reflected light from the document to the CCD unit 106 while reciprocating. The CCD unit 106 includes an imaging lens 107 that forms an image of reflected light from an original on the CCD, for example, an image sensor 108 composed of a CCD, a CCD driver 109 that drives the image sensor 108, and the like. An image signal output from the image sensor 108 is converted into, for example, 8-bit digital data and then input to the controller unit 139. Reference numeral 110 denotes a photosensitive drum, which is discharged by a pre-exposure lamp 112 in preparation for image formation. A primary charger 113 uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 110. 117 is an exposure means, which is composed of, for example, a semiconductor laser and exposes the photosensitive drum 110 based on image data processed by the controller unit 139 that controls image formation and the entire apparatus to form an electrostatic latent image. . Reference numeral 118 denotes a developing device that contains a black developer (toner). A pre-transfer charger 119 applies a high voltage before transferring the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 110 onto a sheet. 120, 122, 124, 142, and 144 are paper feed units (120 is a manual paper feed unit), and the transfer paper is fed into the apparatus by driving the paper feed rollers 121, 123, 125, 143, and 145. Then, the operation is temporarily stopped at the position where the registration roller 126 is disposed, and the writing timing with the image formed on the photosensitive drum 110 is taken and the paper is fed again. A transfer charger 127 transfers the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 110 to a transfer sheet to be fed. Reference numeral 128 denotes a separation charger that separates the transfer sheet on which the transfer operation has been completed from the photosensitive drum 110. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 110 without being transferred is collected by the cleaner 111. Reference numeral 129 denotes a conveyance belt which conveys the transfer sheet on which the transfer process has been completed to the fixing device 130 and is fixed by heat, for example. 131 is a flapper that controls the transfer path of the transfer paper after the fixing process to one of the arrangement directions of the sorter 132 and the intermediate tray 137. Reference numerals 133 to 136 denote feeding rollers, which feed the transfer paper once the fixing process is completed to the intermediate tray 137 while being reversed (multiple) or non-reversed (both sides). Reference numeral 138 denotes a refeed roller, which again conveys the transfer paper placed on the intermediate tray 137 to the position where the registration roller 126 is disposed.

  The controller unit 139 includes a microcomputer, an image processing unit, and the like, which will be described later, and performs the above-described image forming operation in accordance with instructions from the man-machine interface device 140.

  The configuration of the operation unit 140 is shown in FIG. The LCD display unit 1032 has a touch panel sheet affixed on the LCD, displays a system operation screen, and transmits position information to the controller unit 30 when a displayed key is pressed. This will be described later with reference to FIG. The numeric keypad 1028 is used to enter numbers such as the number of copies. A start key 1029 is used when starting a document image reading operation. A stop key 1030 is used to stop an operation in progress. A reset key 1031 is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

  Reference numeral 1023 denotes a guide key. When the key is not understood, an explanation of the key is displayed. 1024 is a copy mode key which is pressed when copying. Reference numeral 1025 denotes a fax key, which is pressed to make settings related to fax. 1026 is a file key which is pressed when outputting file data. Reference numeral 1027 denotes a printer key, which is used to make settings related to print output from an external device such as a computer.

  Reference numeral 1031 denotes a voice guide key, which can be set by pressing the key when performing voice guidance, and can be canceled by pressing again to turn off the setting.

  A speaker 501 outputs a voice guide through the speaker. 502 is a handset that can be used to input voice and listen to voice guides.

  FIG. 5 is a basic screen displayed on the LCD display unit of operation panel 140.

  Reference numeral 1001 denotes an extended function key. When this key is pressed, a mode such as double-sided copying, multiple copying, movement, binding margin setting, and frame erasing setting is entered. An image mode key 1002 enters a setting mode for shading, shadowing, trimming, and masking a copy image. Reference numeral 1003 denotes a user mode key, which enables mode memory registration and standard mode screen setting for each user. Reference numeral 1004 denotes an applied zoom key, which enters a mode for independently scaling the X and Y directions of a document, and a zoom program mode for calculating a scaling factor from the document size and copy size. Reference numerals 1005, 1006, and 1007 denote an M1 key, an M2 key, and an M3 key, which are pressed when calling each mode memory. Reference numeral 1008 denotes a call key, which is pressed to call the copy mode that was previously set. An option key 1009 sets an optional function such as a film projector for copying directly from the film. Reference numeral 1010 denotes a sorter key for setting modes such as sort output and group output. Reference numeral 1011 denotes a mixed document key, which is pressed when setting A4 size and A3 size or B5 size and B4 size documents together in the document feeder. 1012 is an equal magnification key, which is pressed to set the copy magnification to 100%. Reference numerals 1014 and 1015 denote a reduction key and an enlargement key, respectively, which are pressed to reduce or enlarge the standard size. Reference numeral 1016 denotes a zoom key, which is pressed when performing non-standard reduction or enlargement in increments of 1%. A paper selection key 1013 is pressed when selecting a copy paper. 1018 and 1020 are density keys, and each time 1018 is pressed, a dark copy is made, and every time 1020 is pressed, a light copy is made. 1017 is a density display, and when the density key is pressed, the display changes to the left and right. Reference numeral 1019 denotes an AE key, which is pressed when a document having a dark background such as a newspaper is copied for automatic density adjustment. Reference numeral 1021 denotes a HiFi key, which is pressed when copying an original having a high halftone density such as a photographic original. Reference numeral 1022 denotes a character emphasis key which is pressed when it is desired to make a character stand out when copying a character document.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the scanner 10 and the printer 20 in the image forming apparatus.

  751 is a CPU that controls the entire scanner 10, and sequentially reads and executes a program from a read-only memory 753 (ROM) that stores a control program. The CPU address bus and data bus are connected to each load via a circuit comprising a bus driver and an address decoder 752. In addition, it is connected to the CPU of the controller unit 30 to perform communication.

  Reference numeral 754 denotes a random access memory (RAM) as a main storage device used for storing input data, a working storage area, and the like. Reference numeral 755 denotes an I / O interface. Each load of a device such as a motor 756, a lamp 757, and a paper detection sensor 758 for detecting a transported paper, which drives a paper feed system, a transport system, and an optical system. Connected to.

  The image data read by the CCD unit 106 is transferred to the controller 30.

  Next, a CPU 701 controls the printer 20, and sequentially reads and executes a program from a read-only memory 703 (ROM) that stores a control procedure (control program). The address bus and data bus of the CPU 701 are connected to each load through the bus driver circuit and address decoder circuit of 702. Reference numeral 704 denotes a random access memory (RAM) which is a main storage device used for storing input data, a working storage area, and the like. Reference numeral 705 denotes an I / O interface, and motors 707, clutches 708, solenoids 709 for driving a paper feed system, a transport system, and an optical system, and paper detection sensors 710 for detecting the transported paper. Connected to each load of the device. The developing device 118 is provided with a toner residual detection sensor 711 for detecting the amount of toner in the developing device, and its output signal is input to the I / O port 705. Reference numeral 715 denotes a high voltage unit which outputs a high voltage to the above-described primary charger 113, developing device 118, pre-transfer charger 119, transfer charger 127, and separation charger 128 in accordance with instructions from the CPU 701.

  The image signal output from the CCD unit 106 is subjected to image processing, which will be described later, by the controller unit 30 and outputs control signals for 117 laser units according to the image data. The laser light output from the laser unit 117 irradiates and exposes the photosensitive drum 110, and the light emission state is detected by the beam detection sensor 713 which is a light receiving sensor in the non-image region, and the output signal is output to the I / O port. It is input to 705.

  A block diagram of the controller unit is shown in FIG. The controller unit 30 is connected to the scanner 10 as an image input device and the printer 20 as an image output device. On the other hand, the controller unit 30 is connected to a LAN 2011 or a public line (WAN) 2051 to input / output image information and device information. It is a controller. The CPU 2001 is a controller that controls the entire system. A RAM 2002 is a system work memory for operating the CPU 2002, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. ROM 2003 is a boot ROM, which stores a system boot program. The HDD 2004 is a hard disk drive that stores system software, image data, software counter values, and the like. An operation unit I / F 2006 is an interface unit with the operation unit (UI) 140 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 140 to the operation unit 140. Also, it plays a role of transmitting information input from the operation unit 140 by the system user to the CPU 2001. Network2010 connects to LAN2011 and inputs / outputs information. A Modem 2050 is connected to the public line 2051 and inputs / outputs information. The voice input / output unit 500 performs control for outputting voice to the speaker, outputting voice to the handset, and inputting voice. The scanner / printer communication I / F is an I / F for communicating with the CPUs of the scanner 10 and the printer 20. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 2007.

  Image Bus I / F2005 is a bus bridge that connects a system bus 2007 and an image bus 2008 that transfers image data at high speed, and converts the data structure. The image bus 2008 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 2008. A raster image processor (RIP) 2060 expands the PDL code into a bitmap image. The device I / F unit 2020 connects the scanner 10 and the printer 20 that are image input / output devices to the controller 30, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner image processing unit 2080 corrects, processes, and edits input image data. The printer image processing unit performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on the print output image data. The image rotation unit 2030 rotates image data. The image compression unit 2040 performs compression / decompression processing of JPEG for multi-value image data and JBIG, MMR, and MH for binary image data.

  Hereinafter, each block in the controller unit 30 shown in FIG. 7 will be described.

  FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the scanner image processing unit 2080. The image bus I / F controller 2081 is connected to the image bus 2008, and controls the bus access sequence and generates control and timing of each device in the scanner image processing unit 2080. The filter processing unit 2082 performs a convolution operation with a spatial filter. For example, the editing unit 2083 recognizes a closed region surrounded by a marker pen from the input image data, and performs image processing such as shading, shading, and negative / positive inversion on the image data in the closed region. A scaling processing unit 2084 performs enlargement and reduction by performing an interpolation operation in the main scanning direction of the raster image when changing the resolution of the read image. The scaling in the sub-scanning direction is performed by changing the scanning speed of an image reading line sensor (not shown). The table 2085 is table conversion performed to convert image data that is read luminance data into density data. A binarization 2086 binarizes multi-value grayscale image data by error diffusion processing or screen processing.

  The processed image data is transferred to the image bus via the image bus controller 2081 again.

  The configuration of the printer image processing unit 2090 is shown in FIG. The image bus I / F controller 2091 is connected to the image bus 2008, and controls the bus access sequence, and generates control and timing of each device in the scanner image processing unit 2090. A resolution conversion unit 2092 performs resolution conversion for converting image data from the Network 2011 or the public line 2051 into the resolution of the printer 20. The smoothing processing unit 2093 performs processing to smooth out jaggies (roughness of an image appearing in a black and white boundary portion such as an oblique line) of image data after resolution conversion.

  The configuration of the image compression unit 2040 is shown in FIG. The image bus I./F controller 2041 is connected to the image bus 2008 to control the bus access sequence, timing control for exchanging data with the input buffer 2042 and the output buffer 2045, and an image compression unit 2043 Control the mode setting for. The processing procedure of the image compression processing unit is shown below.

  Settings for image compression control are performed from the CPU 2001 to the image bus I / F controller 2041 via the image bus 2008. With this setting, the image bus I / F controller 2041 performs settings necessary for image compression (for example, MMR compression and JBIG expansion) for the image compression unit 2043. After making the necessary settings, the CPU 2001 again permits image data transfer to the image bus I / F controller 2041. In accordance with this permission, the image bus I / F controller 2041 starts transferring image data from each device on the RAM 2002 or the image bus 2008. The received image data is temporarily stored in the input buffer 2042, and the image is transferred at a constant speed in response to an image data request from the image compression unit 2043. At this time, the input buffer determines whether image data can be transferred between both the image bus I / F controller 2041 and the image compression unit 2043, reads the image data from the image bus 2008, and reads the image compression unit 2043. When it is impossible to write an image to the image, control is performed so as not to transfer data (hereinafter, such control is referred to as handshaking). The image compression unit 2043 temporarily stores the received image data in the RAM 2044. This is because several lines of data are required depending on the type of image compression processing to be performed, and several lines of image data are prepared in order to compress the first one line. This is because the image cannot be compressed unless it is empty. The image data subjected to the image compression is immediately sent to the output buffer 2045. The output buffer 2045 performs handshaking with the image bus I / F controller 2041 and the image compression unit 2043 and transfers image data to the image bus I / F controller 2041. The image bus I / F controller 2041 transfers the transferred compressed (or expanded) image data to each device on the RAM 2002 or the image bus 2008. This series of processing is repeated until there is no processing request from the CPU 2001 (when the required number of pages has been processed), or until a stop request is issued from this image compression unit (when an error occurs during compression or decompression). It is.

  The configuration of the image rotation unit 2030 is shown in FIG. The image bus I / F controller 2031 is connected to the image bus 2008 to control the bus sequence, control to set a mode or the like in the image rotation unit 2032, and timing to transfer image data to the image rotation unit 2032 Take control. The processing procedure of the image rotation unit is shown below.

  Settings for image rotation control are performed from the CPU 2001 to the image bus I / F controller 2031 via the image bus 2008. With this setting, the image bus I / F controller 2041 performs settings necessary for image rotation (for example, image size, rotation direction, angle, and the like) for the image rotation unit 2032. After making the necessary settings, the CPU 2001 again permits image data transfer to the image bus I / F controller 2041. In accordance with this permission, the image bus I / F controller 2031 starts transfer of image data from each device on the RAM 2002 or the image bus 2008. Here, the size of the image to be rotated is set to 32 × 32 (bit), and the image transfer is performed in units of 32 bits when transferring the image data on the image bus 2008. The image to be handled is assumed to be binary).

As described above, in order to obtain a 32 × 32 (bit) image, it is necessary to perform the above unit data transfer 32 times, and it is necessary to transfer image data from discontinuous addresses. (See Figure 12)
The image data transferred by the discontinuous addressing is written in the RAM 2033 so that it is rotated at a desired angle at the time of reading. For example, if the rotation is 90 degrees counterclockwise, the 32-bit image data transferred first is written in the Y direction as shown in FIG. By reading in the X direction at the time of reading, the image is rotated.

  After the 32 × 32 (bit) image rotation (writing to the RAM 2033) is completed, the image rotation unit 2032 reads the image data from the RAM 2033 by the above-described reading method, and transfers the image to the image bus I / F controller 2031.

  The image bus I / F controller 2031 that has received the rotated image data transfers the data to each device on the RAM 2002 or the image bus 2008 by continuous addressing.

  Such a series of processing is repeated until there is no processing request from the CPU 2001 (when processing of the required number of pages is completed).

  The configuration of the device I / F unit 2020 is shown in FIG. The image bus I / F controller 2021 is connected to the image bus 2008, and controls the bus access sequence and generates control and timing of each device in the device I / F unit 2020. Further, control signals for the scanner 10 and the printer 20 are generated. The scan buffer 2022 temporarily stores the image data sent from the scanner 10 and outputs the image data in synchronization with the image bus 2008. The serial-parallel / parallel-serial conversion 2023 arranges the image data stored in the scan buffer 2022 in order or decomposes and converts the image data into a data width that can be transferred to the image bus 2008. The parallel-serial / serial-parallel conversion 2024 decomposes the image data transferred from the image bus 2008 or arranges them in order, and converts the image data into a data width that can be stored in the print buffer 2025. The print buffer 2025 temporarily stores the image data sent from the image bus 2008, and outputs the image data in synchronization with the printer 20.

  The processing procedure at the time of image scanning is shown below. The image data sent from the scanner 10 is stored in the scan buffer 2022 in synchronization with the timing signal sent from the scanner 10. If the image bus 2008 is a PCI bus, when image data is 32 bits or more in the buffer, the image data is sent in 32 bits on a first-in first-out basis from the buffer to the serial-parallel / parallel-serial conversion 2023. Is transferred to the image bus 2008 through the image bus I / F controller 2021. If the image bus 2008 is IEEE1394, the image data in the buffer is first-in-first-out, sent from the buffer to the serial-parallel / parallel-serial conversion 2023, converted to serial image data, and then converted to serial image data through the image bus I / F controller 2021. Transfer on 2008.

  The processing procedure at the time of image printing is shown below. When the image bus 2008 is a PCI bus, the 32-bit image data sent from the image bus is received by the image bus I / F controller, sent to the parallel serial / serial / parallel conversion 2024, and the number of input data bits of the printer 20 Are stored in the print buffer 2025. When the image bus 2008 is IEEE1394, the serial image data sent from the image bus is received by the image bus I / F controller, sent to the parallel serial / serial / parallel conversion 2024, and the number of input data bits of the printer 20 is It is converted into image data and stored in the print buffer 2025. Then, in synchronization with the timing signal sent from the printer 20, the image data in the buffer is sent to the printer 20 in a first-in first-out manner.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing details of the voice input / output unit 500.

  The voice input / output unit 500 is a circuit that outputs voice data input from the CPU 2001 via the system bus 2007 from the speaker 501 or the handset 502, and voice data input from the handset 502 to the CPU 2001 of the controller unit 30. It consists of a circuit that inputs via the system bus 2007.

  Reference numeral 501 denotes a speaker that outputs an analog signal input from the amplifier 528 as a voice. Reference numeral 502 denotes a handset, which outputs an analog signal input from the amplifier 527, outputs an analog signal input to the amplifier 537, and outputs an on-hook / off-hook detection signal of the handset 502 to the register control unit 513. . 511 is a bus I / F control unit that inputs a control signal to the timing control unit 512 in order to generate read / write timing to the FIFOs 521 and 531 and exchanges audio data between the system bus 2007 and the FIFOs 521 and 531. Do. In addition, the CPU 2001 also performs an interrupt to the CPU 2001 based on the read / write to various registers of the register control unit 513 and the interrupt signal input by the interrupt generation unit 515. Reference numeral 512 denotes a timing control unit that controls read / write timing to the FIFOs 521 and 531 according to a control signal of the bus I / F control unit 511, a control register of the register control unit 513, and a status register. Also, addresses indicating the write positions and read positions of the FIFOs 521 and 531 are provided as counter registers of the register control unit 513, and count-up control is also performed. 513 is a register control unit, bus I / F control unit 511, timing control unit 512, amplifier ON_OFF control unit 514, interrupt generation unit 515, A / D, D / A control unit 516, data conversion units 522, 524, It includes status registers, control registers, and counter registers used by 532 and 534, the interpolation unit 523, and the thinning-out unit 533, and also controls these registers. As an example of this control, ON / OFF of the status register is switched by the on-hook / off-hook detection signal input from the handset 502, or the status register is set when the counter register indicating the write position and read position of the FIFOs 521 and 531 reaches the FIFO size. Or setting up a status register indicating the end of processing of the voice input / output unit 500. An amplifier ON_OFF control unit 514 performs ON_OFF control of the amplifiers 527, 528, and 537 according to the control register of the register control unit 513. This control register is controlled by the CPU 2001 via the bus I / F control unit 511. In some cases, ON_OFF control is performed by a status register indicating on-hook or off-hook. An interrupt generation unit 515 generates an interrupt signal when the status of the status register of the register control unit 513 changes, and outputs an interrupt signal to the CPU 2001 via the bus I / F control unit 511. Here, as an example of generating an interrupt signal, when on-hook or off-hook of the handset 502 is detected, reading / writing of the FIFOs 521 and 531 is completed, processing of the voice input / output unit 500 is completed, and the like. Reference numeral 516 denotes an A / D, D / A control unit, which performs sampling frequency change, ON_OFF control, and conversion start control of the D / A conversion unit 525 and the A / D conversion unit 535 in accordance with the control register of the register control unit 513. This control register is controlled by the CPU 2001 via the bus I / F control unit 511. In some cases, ON_OFF control is performed by a status register indicating on-hook or off-hook. Reference numerals 521 and 531 denote FIFO (First In First Out), which are buffer memories for audio data. Here, the FIFO may have a double buffer configuration. 522, 524, 532, and 534 are data conversion units, such as the data width used in data processing, such as the interpolation unit 523 or the thinning-out unit 533, and the FIFOs 521 and 531 or the D / A conversion unit 525 and the A / D conversion unit. This is a data conversion unit for matching the data width with 535. This conversion unit becomes unnecessary when all the data is processed with the same data width. Reference numeral 523 denotes an interpolation unit which interpolates data when the sampling frequency of the audio data is smaller than the sampling frequency in the D / A conversion unit 525 and the amount of data is small. Further, the interpolation method is changed according to the control register of the register control unit 513. This control register is controlled by the CPU 2001 via the bus I / F control unit 511. A D / A converter 525 converts a digital signal into an analog signal in accordance with the sampling frequency set by the A / D and D / A controller 516. Reference numerals 526 and 536 denote LPFs (Low Pass Filters), which are filters that cut high-frequency components. Here, the cut-off frequency of LPF526 is a frequency that is 1/2 or less of the sampling frequency of D / A converter 525, and the cut-off frequency of LPF536 is a frequency that is 1/2 or less of the sampling frequency of A / D converter 535. is there. Reference numerals 527, 528, and 537 are amplifiers that perform signal amplification, and ON_OFF is controlled by the amplifier ON_OFF control unit 514. Reference numeral 533 denotes a thinning unit, which thins out data when the sampling frequency of audio data is smaller than the sampling frequency of the A / D conversion unit 535 and the amount of data is small. Further, the thinning method is changed according to the control register of the register control unit 513. Reference numeral 535 denotes an A / D converter, which converts an analog signal into a digital signal according to the sampling frequency set by the A / D, D / A controller 516.

[Flowchart 1]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a first example of the control means of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. In step S101, the device management server 210 is in a state of managing the state of the information device having the storage device connected to the LAN 2011, here the image forming devices 220, 221, 222. In step 102, the device management server 210 always polls whether or not SMART information transition information transmitted from the image forming apparatuses 220, 221, and 222 has been received. When the SMART transition information of the image forming apparatuses 220, 221, 222 is received, the SMART information management list is updated in step S103. The SMART information management list is a list for managing SMART information of the image forming apparatuses 220, 221, and 222 connected to the LAN 2011, and has at least a host name, an IP address, and SMART information. Here, what is possessed as SMART information is an attribute value of an item possessed as SMART information. Next, in step S104, it is monitored whether there is a job to the image forming apparatuses 220, 221, 222, such as a print request from the PC 212 or the like to the image forming apparatus 220. When a job arrives, the SMART information of the image forming apparatus that receives the job is compared with a threshold value originally set in step S105. This threshold value is set to a lower limit value that can guarantee the operation of the storage device of the image forming apparatus 220. In step S106, if the threshold value is larger than the acquired attribute, in step S107, the image forming apparatus 220 is thrown and executed, and in S108, a transmission request for SMART information transition information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus. In S109, SMART information transition information is received. If the threshold is smaller than the attribute acquired in step S106, the PC 212 is notified that the job cannot be executed.

[Example of SMART information management list]
FIG. 17 shows an example of the SMART information management list in the present invention.

  The SMART information management list shown in the figure indicates the IP address, host name, and SMART information (attribute value) of devices connected on the LAN 2011.

  In addition, the SMART information management list is not limited to this example, and it is sufficient that the SMART information management list includes information that can grasp the status of the devices on the network and the storage devices of the devices.

[Flowchart 2]
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a second example of the control means of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. In step S201, the device management server 210 manages the information devices having storage devices connected to the LAN 2011, in this case, the image forming devices 220, 221 and 222. In step 202, the device management server 210 always polls whether SMART information transition information transmitted from the image forming apparatuses 220, 221 and 222 has been received. When the SMART transition information of the image forming apparatuses 220, 221, 222 is received, the SMART information management list is updated in step S203. The SMART information management list is a list for managing SMART information of the image forming apparatuses 220, 221, and 222 connected to the LAN 2011, and has at least a host name, an IP address, and SMART information. Here, what is possessed as SMART information is an attribute value of an item possessed as SMART information. Next, in step S204, it is monitored whether there is a job to the image forming apparatuses 220, 221, 222, such as a print request from the PC 212 or the like to the image forming apparatus 220. When a job arrives, the SMART information of the image forming apparatus that receives the job is compared with a threshold value originally set in step S205. This threshold value is set to a lower limit value that can guarantee the operation of the storage device of the image forming apparatus 220. If the threshold value is larger than the acquired attribute in step S206, the job is thrown to the image forming apparatus 220 in step S207, and a transmission request for SMART information transition information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus in S208. In S209, SMART information transition information is received. In step S206, if the threshold value is smaller than the acquired attribute, it is determined in step S210 whether the job requested of the image forming apparatus can be executed. It is assumed that the job can be determined in advance. If it can be executed, the job is thrown to the image forming apparatus 220 in step S207, and a transmission request for SMART information transition information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus in S208. In S209, SMART information transition information is received. If it is determined in step 210 that the job cannot be executed, the PC 212 is notified that the job cannot be executed in step S211.

It is a figure which shows the network system containing an image processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of an image processing apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows the whole structure of an image processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows an operation part. It is a figure which shows a LCD display. 2 is a block diagram illustrating configurations of a scanner 10 and a printer 20 in the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of a controller unit. It is a figure which shows the block diagram of a scanner image processing part. 2 is a block diagram of a printer image processing unit. FIG. It is a figure which shows the block diagram of an image compression process part. It is a figure which shows the block diagram of an image rotation part. It is a figure which shows explanatory drawing of an image rotation process. It is a figure which shows explanatory drawing of an image rotation process. It is a figure which shows the block diagram of a device I / F part. It is a figure which shows the structure of a voice input / output unit. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st example of the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the SMART information transition information of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd example of the Example of this invention.

Claims (4)

An acquisition means for acquiring a state of a magnetic storage device having a drive mechanism inside an information device connected to a network;
In an information equipment management system having a control means for controlling jobs to information equipment,
Depending on the state of the magnetic storage device of the information device acquired by the acquisition means,
An information equipment management system for prohibiting jobs to the information equipment. An acquisition means for acquiring a state of a magnetic storage device having a drive mechanism inside an information device connected to a network;
In an information equipment management system having a control means for controlling jobs to information equipment,
Depending on the state of the magnetic storage device of the information device acquired by the acquisition means,
An information device management system that restricts jobs to the information device.   The information apparatus management system according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic storage device is a hard disk.   An information device management system, wherein the state of the magnetic storage device is SMART information.

Images