JP2008060687A - Digital multifunctional machine with facsimile function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem in a digital multifunctional machine in which a function program stored in an HDD is program-loaded on a CPU working memory, that error termination occurs due to a time-consuming program loading after the power is ON, causing out of time in responding to facsimile reception. <P>SOLUTION: When facsimile reception occurs during main body power OFF in the MFP with facsimile, power supply is initiated by a calling signal from a telephone line. By initiating only a FAX reception control program at high speed with a split program configuration, it is made possible to perform communication without a timeout error otherwise produced due to an elongated initiation time in the facsimile reception. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a program storage control method for a function program stored in an operating memory of a CPU in a digital multi-function peripheral with a FAX function in which a split (divided) program configuration is installed to shorten the startup time.

  As an energy-saving measure, shortening the startup time after turning off the power is an eternal issue. On the other hand, with the increase in performance and multifunction of digital multi-function peripherals, the program capacity has become enormous and the load time from the HDD tends to be longer. Therefore, a split (divided) program configuration has been proposed as a technique for shortening the load time until a program is divided and a specific function is given priority.

  In order to save energy, in the FAX apparatus, when the FAX reception standby state is set, control for stopping power supply to the FAX apparatus body has been proposed in order to reduce power consumption to zero.

"JP-A-5-260229" relates to a FAX apparatus, in which power consumption is zero when the FAX apparatus is in a standby state, and power is supplied to the FAX apparatus main body quickly during a FAX reception operation to start a predetermined operation. It is.
JP-A-5-260229

  However, in a digital multi-function peripheral that loads a function program stored in the HDD into the operating memory of the CPU, it takes a long time to load the program after the power is turned on.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention enables a FAX reception operation in a short time by starting up only the FAX reception function program by a split program when the power is activated by a ringing signal from the line during FAX reception. And

  When the power consumption is set to zero when the FAX apparatus is in a standby state in the MFP with the FAX function, only the FAX reception function program is stored in the CPU operating memory in a short time by storing the function program stored in the HDD. By responding to FAX reception, FAX reception can be performed without error.

(Example 1)
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Image forming system configuration>
FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a system constituted by the digital multi-function peripheral of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 304 in the figure denotes an Internet communication network. A firewall 303 connects the inside of the LAN 40 shown below and an external communication network (Internet 304), and performs security management and the like. Reference numeral 302 denotes device management servers 10, 20, 21, and 301 connected via the LAN 40. Reference numeral 301 denotes a file server, which allows a plurality of users connected via a LAN to share data.

  Reference numeral 10 denotes a digital multi-function peripheral to which functions such as FAX and SEND are added in addition to the copy function, and mainly has an image input / output function. In this digital multi-function peripheral 10, 180 is an operation unit for a user to perform various operations, 140 is an image scanner for reading an image in accordance with instructions from the operation unit 180 and the host PCs 21 and 22, and 120 is the host PCs 21 and 22. Or a printer that prints data from the file server 301 on paper. A controller unit 100 controls input / output of image data to and from the scanner 140 and the printer 120 based on instructions from the operation unit 180 and the host PCs 21 and 22. For example, control is performed such that image data captured by the scanner 140 is stored in a memory inside the controller, output to the host PCs 21 and 22, or printed by the printer 120.

  In addition, when the digital multifunction device 10 is in the power saving mode and when the power is turned on or returns from the sleep mode, the digital multifunction device 10 splits (divides) some of the functions of the digital multifunction device such as copy, FAX, SEND, and printer. ) It has means for starting up with priority by the program structure.

<Controller unit>
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral and the configuration of the controller unit of the present invention.

  The controller unit 100 is connected to a scanner 140, which is an image input device, and a printer 120, which is an image output device. On the other hand, the controller unit 100 is connected to a LAN 40 or a public line (WAN) 60 to input / output image information and device information. It is a controller.

  A CPU 1100 is a controller that controls the entire system. A RAM 1110 is a system work memory for the CPU 1100 to operate, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. A ROM 1120 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. The HDD 1130 is a hard disk drive and stores system software (bootable), image data, software counter values, and the like. System software (bootable) is a program for realizing functions such as copy, FAX, SEND, SCAN, and operation unit (UI) display, and is developed on the RAM 1110 and operates. The software counter value has a counter area for each paper size and a counter area for each data processing capacity, and is counted up based on an arbitrary reference capacity value set in advance based on the number of output images and the data capacity processed by the CPU 1100. Is done. The counter value may be stored not only in the HDD 1130 but also in an EEPROM (not shown) or the like as long as it can be stored and retained even when the power is turned off. The LANC 1200 is connected to the LAN 40 and inputs / outputs output image data and information related to device control. Further, by the input operation in the operation unit 180, the output image data corresponding to the input operation by the operation unit 180 is received from the host PC 20 on the network or the output image data management device (not shown), and the image is output. The local I / F 1210 is a local I / F such as USB or Centro, and is connected to the host PC 30 or a printer (not shown) via the cable 50 to input / output data. The Modem 1220 is connected to the public line 60 via the NCU 1240 and inputs / outputs data. Modem 1220 performs FAX communication control, and NCU 1240 performs line connection control. A card reader I / F 1230 (removable media I / F is not necessarily limited to a card. Any device that can read user data or the like can be used) is an external I / F that can read data from an authentication card 70 such as an IC card. is there. The printer I / F 1300 is connected to the printer 120 and communicates with the CPU of the printer 120. Also, synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data is performed. The scanner I / F 1400 is connected to the scanner 140 and communicates with the CPU of the scanner 140. Also, synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data is performed. An operation unit I / F 1500 is an interface unit with the operation unit (UI) 180 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 180 to the operation unit 180. Also, it plays a role of transmitting information input by the system user from the operation unit 180 to the CPU 1100.

  The priority function selection information holding unit 1600 preferentially activates any of the copy, FAX, SEND, and printer functions of the digital multi-function peripheral when the digital multi-function peripheral is turned on or returned from the sleep mode. Information indicating whether or not. The function usage count information holding unit 1610 holds information indicating which function is used and how many times among the functions of the digital multi-function peripheral.

<Split program configuration>
FIG. 3 shows a bootable configuration when a split program for enabling high-speed startup is used. Here, an example in which the copy, FAX, SEND, and SCAN functions are stored in the HDD 1130 in the digital multifunction peripheral 10 is illustrated.

  Reference numerals 1131, 1132, 1133, 1134, and 1135 denote programs that execute a copy function, a FAX function, a SEND function, a SCAN function, and a UI display function, respectively (in this embodiment, the programs for executing the copy function are called copy bootable and The other functions have the same names. If the program executes the FAX function, it is called FAX bootable).

As shown in 1136, 1137, 1138, and 1139, the UI display bootable 1135 has a configuration in which the UI display bootable for each function is divided.
When the digital multifunction peripheral 10 is turned on and started up, the boot program and the copy function are read from the ROM 1120, and then the bootable function of each function is loaded (downloaded) from the HDD 1130 into the RAM 1110. Can be made executable.

<Split program development>
FIG. 4 shows a bootable download state to the RAM 1110 when the CPU 1100 downloads the bootable with the split program configuration to the work memory area of the RAM 1110 in the digital multi-function peripheral 10 having the same configuration as FIG.

  Here, an example in which the copy function is activated with priority is shown.

  4A is a diagram illustrating a state before the boot of each function is downloaded from the HDD 1130 to the RAM 1110 after the power of the digital multifunction peripheral 10 is turned on.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a state where a copy bootable is downloaded from the HDD 1130 to the RAM 1110. In this state, since the copy function bootable has already been expanded in the RAM which is the main memory, only the copy function can be executed even if other functions cannot be used.

  FIG. 4C shows a state in which the SEND function is preferentially started after the copy function, and the SEND bootable is downloaded from the HDD 1130 to the RAM 1110 after the copy bootable. In this state, since the copy function bootable and the SEND function bootable have already been developed in the RAM as the main memory, only the copy function / SEND function can be executed even if other functions cannot be used.

  FIG. 4D is a diagram illustrating a state in which bootable functions of all the functions of the digital multifunction peripheral 10 are downloaded from the HDD 1130 to the RAM 1110. In this state, all functions of the digital tough MFP 10 can be executed.

<Program load control during FAX reception when power supply is stopped>
The split program load control when a FAX reception operation occurs when the power of the digital multi-function peripheral is turned off will be described with reference to FIG.

  When FAX reception from the public line 60 occurs when the power is turned off (5.1), the NUC 1240 sends a call signal from the public line 60 to the power supply unit 200 to turn on the power supply unit and start supplying power to the MFP main body. (5.2). Further, the NCU 1240 outputs an activation signal based on a call signal from the public line 60 to the CPU 1100.

  The CPU 1100 starts the boot process after turning on the power (5.3). At this time, the CPU 1100 detects the activation signal by the calling signal from the public line 60 from the NCU 1240, and confirms that the activation of the power is for FAX reception. Confirm (5.4). At this time, in the case of power activation by the call signal, the boot program is limited to FAX reception control and loaded from the HDD 1130 to the RAM 1110 (5.5). FIG. 4E shows a state where the FAX program is stored in the RAM.

  After the program is stored, the digital multi-function peripheral 10 performs a FAX reception operation from the public line (5.6). If the boot process after the power activation is not the activation by the calling signal, the system is activated normally (5.7).

  After the FAX reception operation is completed, the CPU 1100 controls the power supply 200 to stop power supply, and the digital multi-function peripheral 10 is turned off and the FAX reception operation ends.

System configuration. Overview of digital multifunction devices. Split program configuration. A bootable development view. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of this patent.

Explanation of symbols

10 Digital MFP 100 Controller Unit 1100 CPU
1110 RAM
1120 ROM
1121 Expansion ROM
1130 HDD
1600 Priority function selection information holding unit 1610 Function usage count information holding unit

Claims (1)

  In a digital multi-function peripheral that uses a split (divided) program configuration to reduce the load time until the program is divided and prioritized use of a specific function, and is connected to a public line and has a FAX communication function A digital multi-function peripheral that performs a FAX reception control by turning on the power of the digital multi-function peripheral in response to a call signal from a public line and loading only a FAX reception function program when a FAX reception occurs when the power is turned off.

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