JP2007079269A - Image forming apparatus, program, recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus or the like which increases information which can be recorded into a non-volatile memory within a time. <P>SOLUTION: In the image forming apparatus including a non-volatile memory 1 (207) and a non-volatile memory 2 (208) to which data relating to processing of image formation is written, a CPU 204 performs such control that data having common characteristic elements out of data written to the non-volatile memory 1 (207) and the non-volatile memory 2 (208) is recorded to one recording area of the non-volatile memory 1 (207) and the non-volatile memory 2 (208) as continuous data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a nonvolatile memory mounted in an image forming apparatus.

  In recent years, functions required for image forming apparatuses have become increasingly diversified and complicated, and accordingly, control of software has also become complicated. For example, even when the image forming apparatus is turned off, information on the image quality adjustment operation before the power is turned off, information on the last printing time, etc. are recorded in the nonvolatile memory, and the power is turned on again. It is required that image quality adjustment operations can be performed appropriately.

  As described above, while the amount of information recorded in the nonvolatile memory is increasing, the speed at which the image forming apparatus forms an image is also increased due to technological advances, and the recording period in the nonvolatile memory is shortened. . For example, in a copying machine, when recording is performed in a nonvolatile memory every time one sheet is printed, if the number of sheets that can be printed per unit time increases, recording is performed in the nonvolatile memory in a shorter time.

  However, the recording speed of the nonvolatile memory device has not been increased so much. Alternatively, even when there is a relatively high-speed non-volatile memory, a low-speed non-volatile memory may be employed because of its high cost. As a result, the processing speed that can be recorded by the nonvolatile memory cannot catch up with the amount that the image forming apparatus records in the nonvolatile memory, and information may not be recorded or an error may occur.

The memory system of the copying machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a nonvolatile memory for storing variable data such as control parameters and the number of copies, and a means for writing data into the nonvolatile memory at predetermined timings. I try to prevent it. However, the processing performed in the present invention acts to reduce the number of times to write updated variable data. However, in order to cope with the recent diversified and complicated control of software as described above. There is a limit.
Japanese Patent No. 2866521

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that increases the amount of information that can be recorded in a nonvolatile memory within a certain period of time. A method related to security of information recorded in the nonvolatile memory is also provided.

  In an aspect of the present invention that achieves the above object, in an image forming apparatus having a nonvolatile memory in which data relating to image forming processing is written, characteristic elements are common among the data written to the nonvolatile memory. Are controlled so as to be recorded as continuous data in one recording area of the nonvolatile memory.

  Here, it is preferable that the size of the continuous data is substantially equal to the page size of the nonvolatile memory. Further, it is preferable to add to the continuous data data of the number of times of rewriting when rewriting is performed in a recording area where the continuous data is recorded.

  In addition, data having substantially the same period recorded in the nonvolatile memory may be processed as the continuous data. At this time, the period is any one of a time for printing one sheet, a time required for printing one job, a time for forming an electrostatic latent image for one color, or a time for printing by the image forming. good.

  In addition, an encryption unit that encrypts the continuous data, and a dividing unit that divides the continuous data encrypted by the encryption unit, the continuous data is identified for the divided data. It is advisable to add data for this purpose.

  A plurality of the nonvolatile memories may be provided on one communication bus.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in a program for causing a computer of an image forming apparatus to write data relating to processing for forming an image in a nonvolatile memory, characteristic elements are common among the data written to the nonvolatile memory. To be recorded as continuous data in one recording area of the nonvolatile memory. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a recording medium for storing a program.

  According to the present invention, since a plurality of pieces of information are handled together as continuous data, the waiting time for writing to the nonvolatile memory is eliminated, and the amount of information that can be recorded in the nonvolatile memory within a certain time can be increased. At that time, security of information recorded in the nonvolatile memory can be maintained.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described. In the description, the drawings submitted at the same time as this specification will be referred to as appropriate.

  FIG. 1 shows an overall view of a one-drum intermediate transfer type color copying machine as an example of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment. The scanner unit 101 engineeringly reads the set paper and generates image data. An electrostatic latent image is formed by the writing unit 102 based on the image data.

  The developing units 103 are set in the order of Bk (black), Y (yellow), C (cyan), and M (magenta) from the top, and a toner cartridge 104 is set in each developing unit 103. The toner in the toner cartridge 104 is temporarily stored in a hopper 105 in the developing unit 103. The toner is conveyed from the hopper 105 to the photoreceptor unit 108 via the toner supply roller 106 and the developing roller 107.

  In the case of full-color printing, first, a black image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 112 in the order of writing (photosensitive unit 108) → development → transfer (intermediate transfer) → cleaning (photosensitive unit 108). Next, the above procedure is repeated in the order of magenta, cyan, and yellow, and colors are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 112 to create a full-color image. In the photoconductor unit 108, toner that has not been used is cleaned by the photoconductor cleaning unit 109 and stored in the photoconductor waste toner bottle 110.

  The full-color image created on the intermediate transfer belt 112 is transferred onto the paper by the secondary transfer unit 113. Then, the untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 112 is cleaned by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 114, and one full color printing is completed. The toner that has been cleaned is stored in the intermediate transfer waste toner bottle 115. The sheet transferred by the secondary transfer unit 113 is fed from the first sheet feeding tray 116 and the second sheet feeding tray 117.

  The paper subjected to the printing process is subjected to a thermal fixing process by the fixing unit 118. Thereafter, the printed paper is discharged by the paper discharge unit 120.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the relationship between a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a plurality of nonvolatile memories on the engine control unit 203 of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The CPU 204 of the engine control unit 203 is connected to a ROM (Read Only Memory) 205 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 206 on a communication bus. When the image forming apparatus is activated, the CPU 204 reads out a program from the ROM 205 and controls various information to be developed on the RAM 206 and executed. The engine control unit 203 has a function of controlling the components constituting the image forming apparatus to operate electrically when executing processing in the image forming apparatus.

  The non-volatile memory 1 (207) and the non-volatile memory 2 (208), which are non-volatile memories (hereinafter referred to as “main body non-volatile memory”) in the main body of the engine control unit 203, are turned off. Record the information that should be retained even in a live state. Information to be written in these non-volatile memories includes toner replenishment amount, part life information, machine abnormal state information, and parameter setting values related to machine control. The non-volatile memory 201 in the toner cartridge 202 has a similar function. Then, the CPU 204, the non-volatile memory 1 (207), and the non-volatile memory 2 (208) exchange the above information with the clock. The ROM 205 also stores a program for encrypting information recorded in the main body nonvolatile memory, and performs encryption processing on certain information under the control of the CPU 204.

  Conventionally, there is only one main body non-volatile memory, and information is written in each information recording area in the non-volatile memory as shown in FIG. For example, the C-color toner supply amount 303 and the C-color image forming part life information 307 are written after cyan printing, and the M-color toner supply amount 304 and the M-color image forming part life information 308 are written in this order after printing magenta. is there.

  However, among non-volatile memories, for example, EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) cannot perform the next read / write operation unless a write waiting time of several to several tens of milliseconds is provided. Therefore, in the above example, it is necessary to wait for the writing waiting time after writing the C-color toner supply amount 303, and to wait for the writing waiting time again after writing the C-color image forming part life information 307.

  In addition, EEPROM has page breaks in units of several to several tens of bytes, and when writing across the boundary of the page, after writing the first half of the page, wait several to several tens of msec for write latency. Even after the writing of the current page is completed, a write waiting time must be provided.

  Furthermore, since the number of times that the nonvolatile memory such as EEPROM can be rewritten is limited, for example, if control is performed to rewrite the C-color toner supply amount 303 and the C-color image forming part lifetime information 307 in FIG. Since areas that do not need to be rewritten, such as the color toner replenishment amount 304, are also rewritten, there is a concern that the number of rewrites may be exceeded.

  As described above, when the write-waiting operation of the nonvolatile memory frequently enters, the actual rewriting process cannot catch up with the required rewriting process, and the processing time is not in time.

  In view of this, a method is conceivable in which data areas having the same rewrite cycle to the nonvolatile memory are collected in adjacent areas and rewritten simultaneously. As a result, the write waiting time is reduced, and writing into the nonvolatile memory can be performed at high speed.

  FIG. 4 shows the contents 401 of the nonvolatile memory of this embodiment. Examples of the rewrite cycle to the nonvolatile memory include information 403 relating to one-color image formation, information 404 relating to one-sheet printing, and information 405 relating to one job.

  In the case of cyan, the information included in the period of information 403 relating to one-color image formation (which may be a period when printing is performed) is C-color toner replenishment amount and C-color image forming part lifetime. There is. In the case of the period 404 of information relating to single-sheet printing, information on an abnormal state of the machine and a part life relating to paper feeding can be given. Alternatively, the information 405 regarding a series of printing operations (one job) includes the temperature at the end of the job and the humidity at the end of the job.

  If the information with the same rewrite cycle is rewritten at once, the write waiting time occurs for each information rewrite, but the write waiting time occurs for each block of information. Processing time is shortened. If the block of information does not cross the page boundary of the non-volatile memory, the write waiting time does not occur when the page boundary is crossed, so that the processing time is further shortened. In other words, by making the continuous data of one block the same as the page size of the non-volatile memory, the amount of information recorded in the non-volatile memory is increased by that time without causing a write wait when crossing the page boundary. It is to let you.

  When it is expected that rewriting exceeding the number of times that the nonvolatile memory can be rewritten will be performed as an information block, an area for the number of times of rewriting is provided in one block of continuous data areas 403 to 405 as shown in FIG. There is a non-volatile memory information management method in which a counted value is written each time a block is rewritten. By reading the value, it is determined whether or not the upper limit value of the number of times of writing to the nonvolatile memory has been reached. When the rewrite life of the non-volatile memory is exceeded, it is possible to perform control such as changing to rewrite another area or not rewriting thereafter. Thereby, it is possible to adjust the load for recording in the nonvolatile memory and increase the amount of information to be recorded.

  One of the needs for writing information into the nonvolatile memory is writing encrypted data. In an encryption method such as DES (Data Encryption Standard) or AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), data is divided into a certain block size and encrypted for each block.

  In order to encrypt data to be recorded in the nonvolatile memory, the data to be recorded must be divided into blocks. Here, if the same writing cycle is made the same block as a unit to be divided into blocks, since one encryption is applied to one continuous data, the data is maintained while maintaining the security quality. The number of times of encryption, the number of times of writing to the nonvolatile memory, and the write latency of the nonvolatile memory can be reduced.

  Here, there is a method of dividing the encrypted continuous data again and recording the divided data with additional information added thereto in a nonvolatile memory. By dividing, it is possible to reduce the possibility that other data is read from one data by unauthorized means. As additional information, for example, there is information for identifying other divided data that constitutes continuous data together with the divided data. Based on this information, continuous data can be formed again, and the waiting time can be reduced even in processing such as writing to the nonvolatile memory.

  Writing to the nonvolatile memory has a longer waiting time due to the writing waiting time of the nonvolatile memory than the time required for writing communication. Therefore, it is conceivable that a plurality of nonvolatile memories such as the main body nonvolatile memory 1 (207) and the main body nonvolatile memory 2 (208) are mounted on one communication bus in the main body of the image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. .

  In this case, the main body non-volatile memory 1 (207) performs the write communication to the main body non-volatile memory 2 (208) during the write waiting time, and the main body non-volatile memory 1 (207) finishes the write waiting time. If writing communication is performed to the nonvolatile memory 2 (208), writing can be performed in parallel to each nonvolatile memory.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, information 503 relating to cyan / magenta image formation is written to the nonvolatile memory 1 (207), and information 507 relating to yellow / black image formation is written to the nonvolatile memory 2 (208). Then, the writing process is distributed to the nonvolatile memory 1 (207) and the nonvolatile memory 2 (208), and the processing time is shortened. In other words, even when a non-volatile memory has a plurality of non-volatile memories, writing to another non-volatile memory is possible, and the amount of information recorded in the non-volatile memory as a whole is reduced. Can be increased.

  The above-described embodiment is the best for carrying out the present invention, but is not intended to be limited to this. Therefore, various modifications can be made to the implementation form without changing the gist of the present invention.

  Development of image forming apparatuses such as laser printers, ink jet printers, copiers, laser fax machines, and MFPs (Multi Functional Peripherals) equipped with the nonvolatile memory of this embodiment, and image forming apparatuses to which process cartridges can be attached and detached is desired.

As an example of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, an overall view of a one-drum intermediate transfer type color copying machine is shown. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a relationship between a CPU and a plurality of nonvolatile memories on an engine control unit 203 of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. It is a conceptual diagram of the recording area of a non-volatile memory. It is a conceptual diagram of the recording area of a non-volatile memory. It is a conceptual diagram of the recording area of a non-volatile memory.

Explanation of symbols

203 Engine control unit 204 CPU
205 ROM
206 RAM
207 Nonvolatile memory 1
208 Non-volatile memory 2

Claims (10)

In an image forming apparatus having a nonvolatile memory in which data relating to processing for image formation is written,
An image forming apparatus that controls to record data having common characteristic elements among data written to the nonvolatile memory as continuous data in one recording area of the nonvolatile memory.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a size of the continuous data is substantially equal to a page size of the nonvolatile memory.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein data of the number of times of rewriting when rewriting is performed in a recording area where the continuous data is recorded is added to the continuous data.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein data having substantially the same period recorded in the nonvolatile memory is processed as the continuous data.   The period is one of a time for printing one sheet, a time required for printing one job, a time for forming an electrostatic latent image for one color, or a time for printing by the image forming. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an encryption unit configured to encrypt the continuous data. Dividing means for dividing continuous data encrypted by the encryption means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein data for identifying the continuous data is added to the divided data.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the nonvolatile memories are provided on one communication bus. In a program for causing a computer of an image forming apparatus to write data relating to a process of forming an image in a nonvolatile memory,
A program for controlling data written in the nonvolatile memory having common characteristic elements to be recorded in a recording area of the nonvolatile memory as continuous data.   A recording medium for storing the program according to claim 9.

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