JP2007001090A - Data backup system for image forming apparatus, image forming apparatus, and data backup method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data backup system for an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing increase of an amount of backup data to be stored in a memory device for backup and to prevent the performance of the image forming apparatus from being degraded, and to provide the image forming apparatus and a data backup method. <P>SOLUTION: This backup system for an image forming apparatus 20 carries out backing-up by transferring data of a memory device 11 in the image forming apparatus to an external memory device. The backup system is equipped with a control means 1 that controls a transmission start timing of data to be backed up on the basis of at least one of a usage history and a usage condition of the image forming apparatus 20, a usage history of the memory device 11 in the image forming apparatus 20, and importance of the data to be backed up. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  For example, when a plurality of printers that are one of image forming apparatuses are connected via a network, the data stored in the storage device of each printer is backed up to the storage device of another printer. The present invention relates to a data backup system of an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a data backup method.

Conventionally, as a backup system of an image forming apparatus, even if there is no server, the backup data of a printer is stored as needed or periodically via a network so that the data is not lost when a storage device fails. A technique for backing up to an apparatus is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-230617

  However, in the method of backing up data at any time or periodically as in the above-described conventional known technology, the storage amount of the storage device used for backup increases, and the capacity that can store the original data that is not the backup target data There was a problem that would decrease.

  Further, when the backup operation overlaps with the original print / copy operation of the printer, there is a problem that the control load increases and the performance of the image forming apparatus is deteriorated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is capable of suppressing an increase in the storage amount of a storage device used for backup and avoiding a decrease in performance of the image forming device. And providing an image forming apparatus and a data backup method.

The above problem is solved by the following means.
(1) A data backup system for an image forming apparatus that backs up data stored in the storage device in the image forming apparatus by transferring the data to an external storage device, and includes a use history of the image forming apparatus, a usage state, and the data in the image forming apparatus. A data backup system for an image forming apparatus, comprising control means for controlling transfer start timing of backup target data based on at least one of a storage device usage history and importance of backup target data.
(2) The data backup system for an image forming apparatus according to item 1 above, wherein the usage history index of the image forming apparatus is at least one of the number of times of scanner movement, the number of printed sheets, the number of times of paper cassette insertion / removal, and the number of door opening / closing times. .
(3) The storage device is a hard disk device, and the usage history index of the hard disk device includes power-on time, power-on number, motor start-up time, motor start-up number, read / write error number, seek error number, alternate sector number 2. The data backup system for an image forming apparatus according to item 1, wherein the data backup system is at least one of the number of head withdrawals.
(4) The index of the use state of the image forming apparatus is at least one of an operation mode such as multi-operation / standby / power-saving mode, and the amount of data being processed. Data backup system for image forming devices.
(5) The data backup system for an image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the importance level of the data is an importance level for each box assigned in advance to a storage device area in which the data is stored.
(6) The data backup system of the image forming apparatus according to item 1, wherein the importance of the data can be changed for each data file from the operation panel.
(7) When there are a plurality of storage devices of the image forming apparatus, the transfer start timing of the backup target data can be changed and set for each storage device. Backup system.
(8) The data backup system for an image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the external storage device is provided in another image forming apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus via a network.
(9) A storage device, transfer means for transferring backup target data stored in the storage device to an external storage device, use history of the own device, use state, use history of the storage device, backup target data An image forming apparatus comprising: control means for controlling transfer start timing of backup target data based on at least one of the importance levels.
(10) The image forming apparatus according to (9), wherein the usage history index of the apparatus is at least one of a scanner movement count, a print count, a paper feed cassette insertion / extraction count, and a door opening / closing count.
(11) The storage device is a hard disk device, and the usage history index of the hard disk device includes power-on time, power-on number, motor start-up time, motor start-up number, read / write error number, seek error number, alternate sector number 10. The image forming apparatus as described in 9 above, wherein the image forming apparatus is at least one of the number of head withdrawals.
(12) The index of the use state of the own device is at least one of an operation mode such as multi-operation / standby / power-saving mode, or the amount of data being processed. Image forming apparatus.
(13) The image forming apparatus according to item 9 above, wherein the index of importance of the data is importance for each box pre-assigned to an area of the storage device in which the data is stored.
(14) The image forming apparatus according to item 9, wherein the importance of the data can be changed for each data file from the operation panel.
(15) The image forming apparatus according to item 9, wherein when there are a plurality of storage devices, the transfer start timing of the backup target data can be changed for each storage device.
(16) A backup method for transferring backup data stored in a storage device of an image forming apparatus to an external storage device for backup, the use history of the image forming apparatus, the use state, and the use history of the storage device Determining a transfer start timing of the backup target data based on at least one of the importance levels of the backup target data, and transferring the backup target data to an external storage device at the determined transfer timing; The data backup method characterized by including.

  According to the invention described in (1), the backup is performed based on at least one of the use history of the image forming apparatus, the use state, the use history of the storage device in the image forming apparatus, and the importance of the backup target data. Since the configuration is such that the transfer start timing of the target data is controlled, the degree of freedom in selecting the transfer start timing is increased as compared with the case where transfer is performed at any time or periodically. Therefore, for example, by using the time when the life and reliability of the image forming apparatus and the storage device are lowered as a guide and using this as the transfer start timing, it is possible to perform backup only when backup is necessary. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the storage amount of the storage device used for backup, and it is possible to prevent inconvenience that the free capacity of the storage device is insufficient early.

  Further, the backup can be started at a timing at which the control load not overlapping with the original operation of the image forming apparatus is not large, and the backup can be performed without impairing the performance of the image forming apparatus.

  In addition, when controlling the backup timing according to the importance of data, for important data, even if the storage device has a relatively high level of reliability, backup is started and Can start backup at a stage where reliability is low, and it is possible to further reduce the amount of storage in the storage device used for backup, and also to backup according to user needs .

  According to the invention described in (2) above, the transfer of the data is started based on at least one of the indicators of the number of times of scanner movement, the number of printed sheets, the number of times of paper cassette insertion / removal, and the number of times of opening / closing the door in the image forming apparatus. Timing can be set.

  According to the invention described in item (3) above, the power-on time, power-on count, motor start-up time, motor start-up count, read / write error count, seek error count, alternate sector count, head evacuation of the hard disk device as a storage device The data transfer start timing can be set based on at least one of the numbers of times.

  According to the invention described in (4) above, the data transfer start timing can be set based on at least one of the operation mode of the image forming apparatus and the amount of data being processed. .

  According to the invention described in (5) above, the data transfer start timing can be set based on the importance for each box pre-assigned to the storage device area in which the data is stored.

  According to the invention described in the preceding item (6), the serviceman and the user can set or change the data importance for each data file from the operation panel.

  According to the invention described in item (7) above, even when the image forming apparatus includes a plurality of storage devices, backup can be performed at a timing set for each storage device.

  According to the invention described in item (8), the backup target data can be backed up using the storage device of another image forming apparatus connected via the network.

  According to the invention described in item (9) above, the transfer start timing of the backup target data is based on at least one of the use history of the own device, the use state, the use history of the storage device, and the importance of the backup target data. Therefore, the image forming apparatus can increase the degree of freedom in selecting the transfer start timing as compared with the case where transfer is performed at any time or periodically.

  According to the invention described in item (10) above, the data transfer start timing is set based on at least one of the indicators of the number of times of scanner movement, the number of printed sheets, the number of paper cassette insertion / removal times, and the number of door opening / closing times. Can do.

  According to the invention described in item (11) above, the power-on time, power-on count, motor start-up time, motor start-up count, read / write error count, seek error count, alternate sector count, head evacuation of the hard disk device as a storage device The data transfer start timing can be set based on at least one of the numbers of times.

  According to the invention described in item (12), the data transfer start timing can be set based on at least one of the operation mode and the amount of data being processed.

  According to the invention described in the preceding item (13), it is possible to set the transfer start timing of the data based on the importance for each box pre-assigned to the area of the storage device in which the data is stored.

  According to the invention described in the preceding item (14), the serviceman and the user can set or change the data importance for each data file from the operation panel.

  According to the invention described in item (15), even when the image forming apparatus includes a plurality of storage devices, backup can be performed at a timing set for each storage device.

  According to the invention described in (16) above, the transfer of the backup target data is started based on at least one of the use history of the image forming apparatus, the use state, the use history of the storage device, and the importance of the backup target data. Timing can be controlled.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a backup system of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 20 denotes an MFP (Multi Function Peripherals) which is a multifunctional multifunction peripheral as an image forming apparatus. The MFP 20 is connected to a plurality of other MFPs 17 and 18 via a network 19 such as a LAN. .

  Connected to the system bus 50 in the MFP 20 are a CPU 1, an operation panel 2, a scanner 3, a memory controller 4, a print unit 7, a communication interface (referred to as communication I / F) unit 9, a hard disk controller 10, and a nonvolatile memory 6. Has been.

  The operation panel 2 has an input unit (not shown) and a display unit (not shown) for inputting various data and mode selection, and is stored in the hard disk device (HDD) 11 by a user or the like. It is also used for input operations when setting or changing the data importance for each data file.

  The scanner 3 scans a document and reads an image. The read image data is subjected to necessary image processing and then sent to the printing unit 7 or sent to an external device or to the HDD 11. Saved etc.

A main memory 5 is connected to the memory controller 4, and the memory controller 4 controls the main memory 5. The hard disk controller 10 is connected with an HDD 11 as a storage device, and the HDD controller 10 controls the HDD. The nonvolatile memory 6 stores usage history information of the MFP 20 and the like.

  The communication I / F unit 9 is configured by a combination of hardware such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) and communication protocol software.

  The CPU 1 comprehensively controls the overall operation of the MFP 20. For example, data exchange between the external MFPs 17 and 18 connected to the external network 19 is controlled via the communication I / F unit 9, usage history, usage state, or data of the MFP 20 and the HDD 11. Based on the importance, the transfer start timing when transferring the data that needs to be backed up to the external MFP 17 (18) is controlled, and various determinations are made.

  The MFP 20 has a copy function, a printer function, a facsimile function, and a scanner function. That is, the image data from the scanner 3 is captured and printed on recording paper by the electrophotographic printing unit 7 or an information terminal (not shown) such as a personal computer (PC) connected via the network 19. The print target data in the application data format sent from is converted into image data that can be printed out by the CPU 1, the memory controller 4, and the main memory 5, and stamped on the recording paper by the printing unit 7. Furthermore, the image data fetched from the scanner 3 can be transmitted to an external facsimile machine or transmitted to a predetermined address by e-mail or the like.

  Further, image data from the PC or the scanner 3 can be stored in the HDD 11 and stored. The HDD 11 is formed with a box composed of divided storage areas, and the image data is stored in the predetermined box. Further, the image data stored in the box can be reprinted and the information attached to the image data can be confirmed and set from the operation panel 2.

  FIG. 2 is a screen diagram showing a state in which a list of image data stored in the box of the HDD 11 is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 2.

  By specifying an image data file from this screen, the user can set or change the importance of the image data. The importance of the image data is stored in the HDD 11 corresponding to the image data.

  For example, in the BOX with BOX number 1, five data files with data file names TMK00000 to TMK0004 are stored, and for example, the data file with the data file name TMK00000 has a data importance of 4 (most important), It is displayed that the creation date is September 13, 2004 and the data amount is 300 KB.

  Incidentally, the CPU 1 requests a predetermined detailed usage history from the HDD 11 when controlling the data backup start timing.

  In order to grasp this usage history, what is generally called SMART (Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology) information is used.

  This SMART information includes the HDD 11 power-on time, power-on count, motor start-up time, motor start-up count, read / write error count, seek error count, alternation sector count, HDD 11 as shown in the backup judgment criterion table of FIG. The number of times the head is retracted. In the ATA (AT Attachment) standard, SMART information is defined.

  The MFP 20 executes processing such as a print function, a copy function, and a scan function, which are original functions, and the data in the HDD 11 is connected to the network 19 at a backup timing based on the backup timing determination process shown in FIG. The data is transferred to the HDD 11 of another MFP 17 or MFP 18 for backup.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the backup timing determination process.

  First, in step S <b> 101, the CPU 1 reads “data importance” added to the backup timing determination target image data from the HDD 11.

  Next, in step S102, the CPU 1 reads SMRT information that is the usage history from the HDD 11, and in step S103, the CPU 1 reads the usage history of the MFP 20 from the nonvolatile memory 6.

  The usage history index of the MFP 20 includes, for example, the number of times the scanner has moved, the number of printed sheets, the number of insertion / removal of the paper cassette, and the number of opening / closing of the front door. These operations give a large vibration to the MFP 20, and this vibration has a great influence on the life of the HDD 11.

  The CPU 1 stores the usage history of the HDD 11 and the MFP 20 in the HDD 11 and the nonvolatile memory 6 while executing the original functions (print function, copy function, scan function, etc.) of the MFP 20.

  Next, in step S104, the CPU 1 considers the data importance added to the backup timing determination target image data, the SMART information that is the usage history of the HDD 11, and the usage history of the MFP 20, and the backup shown in FIG. Based on the determination criteria table, a backup flag is set when there is a value exceeding the value in the figure.

  In this backup judgment reference table, the usage history of the MFP 20 (scanner movement count, number of prints, paper cassette insertion / extraction count, front door opening / closing count) and HDD 11 usage history (power-on time, power-on count, motor start-up time, motor start-up) Frequency, read / write error count, seek error count, alternate sector count, HDD 11 head evacuation count).

  Each usage history index includes data importance “4” (most important), data importance “3” (high importance), data importance “2” (medium importance), and data importance “1”. It is divided into four stages (low importance), and each usage history until the threshold is reached is set longer as the importance is lower.

  For example, with respect to the number of times of scanner movement, in the case of data of importance 4, the backup flag is set even if the threshold value is 0, that is, when no scanner movement is performed, but the importance decreases to 3, 2, 1. Accordingly, the threshold increases to 100,000 times, 200,000 times, and 400,000 times.

  The threshold values shown in Table 4 are set for the following reason. That is, for data with a high degree of importance, data loss due to an inadvertent failure of the HDD 11 can be prevented in advance by setting the backup to start from a time when the MFP 20 or the HDD 11 is less damaged.

  In addition, for data with low importance, setting to start backup when the reliability of the MFP 20 or the HDD 11 becomes low can further reduce the storage amount of the HDD of another MFP used for backup. It is possible.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 3, in step S105, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the backup flag is set. If the backup flag is set (YES in step S105), in step S106, the backup timing shown in FIG. With reference to the table, an instruction is given to back up at the backup timing corresponding to the data importance ("4" to "1") added to the backup timing determination target data.

  If the backup flag is not set (NO in step S105), the process ends without doing anything.

  For example, if the backup timing determination target data is of importance 3, since it is set to backup during standby from the table in FIG. 5, the CPU 1 causes the MFP 20 to perform processing such as copy / scan / print. At the end, the backup process is started when it is in a standby state, and the backup process is continued every time it is in a standby state until the backup process is completed.

  In the setting of FIG. 5, the backup timing is set in consideration of the order in which the control operations by the CPU 1 are busy. When the CPU 1 is the busiest, it is “multi-operation” using a plurality of functions simultaneously among the print function / scan function / copy function, etc., and the next is “single” of the print function / scan function / copy function. It is “operating”, the next is “standby”, and the next is “in energy saving mode (sleep mode)”.

  The data of importance level 4 is set to be backed up when in a use state other than during the multi-operation. This is because data with high importance is quickly backed up without much considering the performance degradation of the MFP 20. Note that during multi-operation, the most important data of importance level 4 is not backed up in order to prevent the performance of the MFP 20 from degrading.

  The data of importance level 3 is backed up during standby in order to further prevent a decrease in the performance of the MFP 20.

  The importance level 2 data is backed up when the MFP 20 is in a power saving mode in which the MFP 20 is not busy. This is to prevent the performance of the MFP 20 from being further deteriorated as compared with the case of data of importance level 3.

  In FIG. 5, the lowest importance level 1 data is not backed up.

  As described above, since the backup system is configured to control the transfer timing of the backup data from the usage history of the MFP 20 and the HDD 11, when the MFP 20 or the HDD 11 has a reduced life or reliability for less important data. If the data transfer is performed at the timing based on the guideline, the increase in the storage amount of the other MFPs 17 and 18 used for backup in the HDD can be minimized, and the normal operation performed by the other MFPs 17 and 18 is performed. The possibility of disturbing the data storage operation at the time is eliminated. In addition, considering the use state of the MFP 20 and performing a backup when the control load on the original function is not large, the backup can be performed without impairing the performance of the MFP 20.

  For highly important data, the risk of loss of highly important data by performing backup without considering the life and reliability of the MFP 20 or the HDD 11 and the control load of the MFP 20 so much. Can be reduced.

  FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a backup timing table for each of the four levels of data importance (“4” to “1”).

  Scanned image data and image data instructed to be printed from an external PC are temporarily stored in the main memory 5 in order to execute various image processes.

  The CPU 1 grasps the data amount of the image data when temporarily storing the image data in the main memory 5.

  In the backup timing table of FIG. 6, for highly important data (for example, the most important data of importance “4”), even if the amount of data stored in the memory is large and the CPU 1 is busy with processing, Immediate backup processing is performed regardless of the amount of data (mirroring), and importance 3 data is backed up when the amount of image data being processed is in a use state with a relatively large processing margin of 0.5 Mbytes to less than 5 MBytes. The importance level 2 data is set to be backed up when the amount of image data being processed is less than 0.5 MByte and in a use state with sufficient processing.

  In addition, the data of the lowest importance 1 is set to be backed up in “standby” or “in power saving mode”.

  As described above, based on the importance level of the data and the usage state of the MFP 20, the high importance level data is lost by taking a backup without considering the increase in the control load of the MFP 20. Can reduce the risk. On the other hand, data with low importance can be backed up without impairing the performance of the MFP 20 by performing backup when the control load on the MFP 20 is not large.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the user or the like sets the importance of the image data for each image data file from the operation panel 2, but the importance may be set for each BOX of the HDD 11. Specifically, for example, the image data stored in the BOX 4 is set with the importance “4” (most important), and the image data stored in the BOX 1 is set with the importance “1” (low importance). It is also possible.

  Further, the importance of the image data may be set on the screen of the printer driver of the PC when printing is instructed from a PC or the like that is an external terminal connected via the external network 19.

  Furthermore, the backup judgment reference table shown in FIG. 4 and the backup timing table shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 may be changed by the service person or the like from the operation panel 2.

  Further, in the MFP 20 to which a plurality of types of HDDs 11 can be selected and attached, a backup judgment reference table and a backup timing table are provided for each type of the HDD 11, and a backup judgment reference table and a backup are provided according to the attached HDD 11. You may make it switch a timing table.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the storage device used for backup is provided in the other image forming apparatuses 17 and 18 connected via the network 19, but the storage device used for backup is an image. The apparatus is not limited to the forming apparatus, and may be a storage device of an information device such as a personal computer.

  In the above embodiment, the backup timing is controlled based on the importance level of the data, the usage history of the MFP 20 and the HDD 11, and the usage state of the MFP 20. However, the importance level of the data, the usage history of the MFP 20, Any configuration may be used as long as the backup timing is controlled based on at least one of the usage history of the HDD 11 and the usage state of the MFP 20. For example, based on the importance of data only, data with high importance is backed up early, and data with low importance is backed up after a certain period of time. You may set the time. Further, the control may be performed based on the importance level of the data and the usage history of the MFP 20 or the HDD 11, or may be controlled based on the importance level of the data and the usage state of the MFP 20.

1 is a configuration diagram showing a data backup system of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 6 is a screen diagram in which a list of image data stored and stored in a BOX of a storage device in the image forming apparatus is displayed on an operation panel. It is a flowchart which shows a data backup timing determination process. It is a figure which shows a backup criteria table. It is a figure which shows a backup timing table. It is a figure which shows another example of a backup timing table.

Explanation of symbols

1 CPU (control means)
2 Operation panel 11 Storage device (HDD)
20 Image forming apparatus 17, 18 Other image forming apparatus 50 Network

Claims (16)

A data backup system for an image forming apparatus that backs up the data stored in the image forming apparatus by transferring the data to an external storage device.
Control means for controlling the transfer start timing of the backup target data based on at least one of the usage history of the image forming apparatus, the usage state, the usage history of the storage device in the image forming apparatus, and the importance of the backup target data A data backup system for an image forming apparatus.   2. The data backup system for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the index of usage history of the image forming apparatus is at least one of a number of times of scanner movement, a number of printed sheets, a number of insertion / removal of a paper cassette, and a door opening / closing number. The storage device is a hard disk device;
The hard disk device usage history index is at least one of power-on time, power-on count, motor start-up time, motor start-up count, read / write error count, seek error count, alternation sector count, and head evacuation count. A data backup system for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the use state index of the image forming apparatus is at least one of an operation mode such as multi-operation / stand-by / power-saving mode, or the amount of data being processed. Data backup system for forming equipment.   The data backup system for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the importance of the data is an importance for each box assigned in advance to an area of a storage device in which the data is stored.   2. The data backup system for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the importance level of the data can be changed for each data file from the operation panel.   2. The data backup system for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when there are a plurality of storage devices of the image forming apparatus, the transfer start timing of the backup target data can be changed for each storage apparatus. .   The data backup system for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external storage device is provided in another image forming apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus via a network. A storage device;
Transfer means for transferring backup target data stored in the storage device to an external storage device;
Control means for controlling the transfer start timing of the backup target data based on at least one of the usage history of the own device, the usage state, the usage history of the storage device, and the importance of the backup target data;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the index of usage history of the apparatus is at least one of a number of times of scanner movement, a number of printed sheets, a number of insertion / removal of a paper feed cassette, and a door opening / closing number. The storage device is a hard disk device;
The hard disk device usage history index is at least one of power-on time, power-on count, motor start-up time, motor start-up count, read / write error count, seek error count, alternation sector count, and head evacuation count. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9.   The image formation according to claim 9, wherein the index of the use state of the own apparatus is at least one of an operation mode such as multi-operation / stand-by / power-saving mode, or the amount of data being processed. apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the importance of the data is an importance for each box assigned in advance to an area of a storage device in which the data is stored.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the importance of the data can be changed for each data file from the operation panel.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when there are a plurality of the storage devices, the transfer start timing of the backup target data can be changed for each storage device. A backup method for transferring backup data stored in a storage device of an image forming apparatus to an external storage device for backup.
Determining the transfer start timing of the backup target data based on at least one of the usage history of the image forming apparatus, the usage state, the usage history of the storage device, and the importance of the backup target data;
Transferring the backup target data to an external storage device at the determined transfer timing;
A data backup method comprising:

Images