JP2009187423A - Data management device and data management method in electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data management device in electronic equipment, which can disconnect the power after completing the writing of data that is currently written even though a power disconnection processing means is started to interrupt data writing processing during a forced power disconnection such as a power failure, and to provide a data management method. <P>SOLUTION: During a forced power disconnection such as a power failure and pulling-out of a power plug from a socket, a power off module is started to perform a power off processing routine. Whether a write flag is "1" is determined (S210), and when the write flag is "1", write processing (update processing) of data whose writing is interrupted in a mirror memory is performed again in such a case (S220) because it is clear that the data are currently written during the forced power disconnection (namely, data writing is interrupted). Then, after finishing data writing in the mirror memory, update data are written to a nonvolatile memory from the mirror memory (S230). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a data management apparatus and a data management method for managing a writing process for writing data in a first memory into a second memory in an electronic device such as a printer.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printer that is one of such electronic devices, a system is known in which a plurality of printers are connected to one server via a network, and the server manages the plurality of printers. For example, the server manages recording material consumption such as ink consumption of each printer and information such as the number of sheets consumed.

For example, in Patent Document 1, a storage element is provided in an ink cartridge.
An ink remaining amount recording area and a second ink remaining amount recording area are provided, and a first document indicating whether or not the writing of ink remaining amount data to each storage area has been normally completed in the end area of each storage area. A write completion flag and a second write completion flag. The initial values of these write completion flags are set to opposite values (for example, “0” and “1”). If the first ink remaining amount data and the second ink remaining amount data do not match, it is determined whether or not the writing completion flags match;
As a result of the determination, if the flags indicate the same value, it means that the writing to the first ink remaining amount storage area is completed, so the first ink remaining amount data is used as the current ink remaining amount data. If the flags do not have the same value, it means that the writing has not been completed, so the second ink remaining amount data is used as the current ink remaining amount data.
JP 2000-218824 A

For example, in the case of an electronic device such as a printer, when the power is turned off, a process of writing the data up to that time into a nonvolatile memory is performed. However, when the power of the electronic device is forcibly cut off due to a power failure or the power plug being removed from the outlet, the various processes being executed at that time are interrupted.
A power-off process with a high priority is executed. For this reason, if, for example, data is being written to memory (RAM) at the time of forced shutdown, the previous data that does not reflect the update data being written is written from the memory to the nonvolatile memory. Be replaced. For this reason, since the data read from the non-volatile memory when the power is turned on next time is the previous data before the update, there is a problem that various processes performed based on the read data are not appropriately performed.

For example, when the configuration of Patent Document 1 is applied to a data writing management device in an electronic device such as a printer, whether writing is completed or before writing is completed depending on whether or not the flags have the same value. As can be seen, the same problem remains because the previous data is adopted when writing is in progress when the power is forcibly cut off.

The present invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is that even when the power-off processing means is activated and the data writing process is interrupted at the time of forced power-off such as a power failure,
An object of the present invention is to provide a data management device and a data management method in an electronic device capable of shutting off the power after completing the writing of the data being written.

The present invention is a data management device in an electronic device comprising a first memory, a second memory, and a writing means for writing data from the first memory to the second memory. A writing management means for managing whether or not data is being written from the memory to the second memory with a judgment value, and is activated in preference to the writing means when the electronic device is forcibly shut down due to a power failure or the like. Based on the determination value, whether or not the writing means was writing data at the time of the forced power-off after the power-off processing means is started after the power-off processing means is started. The power shut-off processing means performs the power shut-off process when it is determined that the writing is not being performed, while the power shut-off processing means determines that the writing is being performed. Is the first memo And gist to carry out the power-off processing the later executed write completion to write data in the write to the second memory from.

According to the present invention, whether or not data is being written from the first memory to the second memory is managed by the in-writing management means with the determination value. When the power supply is forcibly cut off due to a power failure or the like of the electronic device, the power cut-off processing means is activated in preference to the writing means. And after starting the power-off processing means,
The determining means determines whether or not the writing means was writing data at the time of forced power-off based on the determination value. The power-off processing means performs power-off processing when it is determined that the determination means is not writing, while when it is determined that writing is in progress, writing from the first memory to the second memory is in progress. Write data and perform power shutdown processing after writing. Therefore, at the time of forced power shutdown such as power failure, even if the power shutdown processing means is activated and the data writing process is interrupted,
The power supply can be shut off after the writing of the data being written is completed.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a printer will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram showing a printer monitoring system. The printer monitoring system 11 is configured by connecting a server 12 and a plurality of printers 13 as electronic devices over a network via a communication cable 14 (network cable) such as a LAN cable. The server 12 manages each printer 13 via the network. FIG.
Shows the configuration of only one of the plurality of printers 13 in detail, but the basic configuration is the same even if other printers 13 have different recording systems (inkjet recording system, laser recording system, etc.). is there.

The printer 13 whose detailed configuration is shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, an inkjet recording type serial printer. A carriage 17 provided in the main body case 15 of the printer 13 so as to reciprocate along the guide shaft 16 has a forward / reverse driving force of a carriage motor 18 as a pair of pulleys 19.
, 20 is transmitted through an endless belt-like timing belt 21 wound around the belt 20 so as to reciprocate in the main scanning direction X.

On the back side of the printer 13 is an automatic paper feeder (Auto Sheet Feed) having a paper feed tray 22.
er) 23 is provided, and when the automatic paper feeder 23 is driven, the main body case 1
The recording paper P is fed onto the platen 24 in the 5. Black and color ink cartridges 25 and 26 are detachably loaded on the upper side of the carriage 17, and are supplied from the ink cartridges 25 and 26 on the lower side (location facing the recording paper P). A recording head 27 having a plurality of nozzles (not shown) capable of ejecting ink is provided. A printing operation in which ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles of the recording head 27 onto the recording paper P while the carriage 17 is moving, and the recording paper is driven by a paper feeding motor 28 via a conveying means (not shown) such as a conveying roller. Printing on the recording paper P is advanced by alternately repeating the paper feeding operation for conveying P by a predetermined paper feeding pitch in the sub-scanning direction Y.

Further, the right end position of FIG. 1 on the movement path of the carriage 17 in the printer 13 is the home position, and the carriage 17 in the state of being arranged at the home position.
A maintenance device 29 that performs cleaning for preventing / resolving nozzle clogging and the like of the recording head 27 is disposed immediately below the head.

Further, the printer 13 of this embodiment includes a controller 30. The controller 30
In addition to controlling the printer 13 in an integrated manner, it controls communication processing performed with the server 12 via the communication cable 14. The controller 30 includes a recording head 27 and a maintenance device 2.
9, information on the cumulative ink consumption consumed in 9, the number of sheets of recording paper P fed from the automatic paper feeder 23 and consumed for printing (hereinafter referred to as “paper consumption number”), and the printing time Are managed internally. These pieces of management information are information to be monitored by the server 12, and the controller 30 responds to the server 12 via the communication cable 14 with the requested management information in response to a request (request) from the server 12. It is configured to reply).

Here, in the printer monitoring system 11 of the present embodiment, SNMP (Simple Network Manag) is used as a protocol for the server 12 to monitor the status of each printer 13 via the network.
ement Protocol). Network management by SNMP is realized by UDP communication between a manager resident in the server 12 and an agent resident in the printer 13 as an electronic device to be managed. In this embodiment, the server 12 manages the status of each printer 13 by returning a reply from the agent resident in the printer 13 in response to a request from a manager resident in the server 12. In addition, the printer 13 which is a network device that supports SNMP has a management information database MIB (Management Information Ba).
se). A server that is a manager can acquire all information defined in the MIB. The printer monitoring system 11 according to the present embodiment is used as a charging system that charges according to the use of the printer, or is used for maintenance such as replenishment and maintenance of printer consumables. The MIB of each printer 13 defines (defines) various management information such as the cumulative ink consumption, the number of sheets consumed, and the printing time as information to be monitored by the server 12.

FIG. 2 shows an electrical configuration of a data management apparatus in which the printer manages various management information.
As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 13 includes a print engine 31, a print engine module 32, a power-off module 33, a read-only module 34 having a MIB 34A (management information database), and an update management memory 35 (first memory). RAM), mirror memory 36 (RAM) as a second memory, and nonvolatile memory 37 (in this example, EEPROM)
). Each of the modules 32 to 34 is constructed as software by a CPU that executes a data management program, for example. Of course, at least one of the modules 32 to 34 may be configured as hardware by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) (ASIC). It may be realized by working. Each module 32
To 34 and the memories 35 to 37 constitute a part of the controller 30, respectively.

The print engine module 32 is a print engine 3 that constitutes a print mechanical mechanism that executes printing such as the carriage motor 18, the paper feed motor 28, and the recording head 27.
1 control and state management. The print engine 31 includes a print mechanical mechanism,
Various drive circuits, ink counter 41 and paper counter 42 which are means for performing detection and measurement necessary for acquiring management information (cumulative ink consumption, number of sheets consumed, printing time, etc.), power switch 43 and power circuit, A hardware part for operating the printer, such as an operation panel, is provided. The ink counter 41 counts ink consumption for each ink color. In this example, the number of ink ejections of the recording head 27 is counted for each ink color, or the maintenance device 29
However, the ink consumption forcibly sucked from the nozzles of the recording head 27 during cleaning is counted. The paper counter 42 counts the number of sheets fed from the automatic paper feeder 23, or counts the number of sheets ejected from the printer 13, so that the number of recording paper P (paper) consumed is counted. Count. The power switch 43 is a switch for performing a power-on operation for turning on the printer 13 and a power-off operation for shutting off the power of the printer 13.

The print engine module 32 includes a data update unit 45 that is activated when a predetermined timing for data update is reached based on various operation signals and count signals from the print engine 31. The data update unit 45 includes a cumulative ink consumption calculation unit 46, a paper consumption number calculation unit 47, a print time management unit 48, and the like.

The cumulative ink consumption calculation unit 46 reads the count value of the ink counter 41 at a predetermined timing during printing, adds the count value to the previous cumulative ink consumption, and calculates the current cumulative ink consumption. The previous cumulative ink consumption is acquired by reading from the mirror memory 36 into the memory 35, for example. The predetermined timing includes a timing for each pass in which the recording head 27 moves once in the main scanning direction X and prints one line, a timing for printing a plurality of predetermined lines, or a timing for finishing one page printing. Etc. Also, the current cumulative ink consumption is calculated at the timing when the maintenance device 29 finishes cleaning.

The paper consumption number calculation unit 47 calculates the count value of the paper counter 42 at the timing when the recording paper P is fed or the recording paper P is discharged (that is, when the paper counter 42 increments “1”). The current sheet consumption sheet number “1” is read and added to the previous sheet consumption sheet number to calculate the current sheet consumption sheet number. At this time, the previous paper consumption number is acquired by reading from the mirror memory 36 into the memory 35, for example.

The print time management unit 48 reads time information of a clock (not shown) every time printing is performed, and acquires the time (“year / month / day / hour / minute”) at that time as the print time. Data update unit 45
In addition to the cumulative ink consumption, the number of sheets consumed, and the printing time, other various management information to be monitored is also updated.

The memory 35 is used as a working memory when the print engine module 32 performs data update processing, and is also used as a storage area for update data calculated or acquired by the update processing. The memory 35 is provided with a flag area 35A for setting the write flag F. The memory 35 also stores a data size storage area 35B for storing the data size Dsize of update data, a write head address storage area 35C for storing the write head address ADint, and write data WD (update data). A write data storage area 35D is provided.

When the data updating unit 45 updates the data, the print engine module 32 updates the data size Dsize of the updated write data WD, the write start address ADint that is the write start position in the mirror memory 36 of the write data WD, and the write data WD
Are written in the corresponding storage areas 35A to 35D of the memory 35, respectively. Then, the memory 35 is instructed to write the write data to the mirror memory 36 and to perform flag management processing for changing the value of the write flag F according to the state of the write processing.

The memory 35 sets the write flag F to an initial value “0” prior to the start of writing to the mirror memory 36.
To “1” indicating that writing is in progress. Then, after setting the write flag F to “1”, the write process of the write data WD from the memory 35 to the mirror memory 36 is performed. When this write process is completed, the memory 35 sets the write flag F from the value “1”. Return to the initial value “0”. For this reason, for example, when the power supply is forcibly shut down without completing the writing of the write data WD due to a power failure or disconnection of the power plug during writing of the write data WD to the mirror memory 36, the memory 35 The write flag F of the “
1 "remains.

The mirror memory 36 is a memory for writing update data while the printer 13 is powered on. Since the nonvolatile memory 37 generally has a limited number of times of writing compared to the RAM, the data is written to the mirror memory 36 composed of the RAM while the power is on, and the data in the mirror memory 36 is saved when the power switch 43 is turned off and the power is shut off. The data is rewritten to the nonvolatile memory 37. The nonvolatile memory 37 is a mirror memory 36 when the printer 13 is turned off.
The data rewritten from the above is retained even when the printer 13 is turned off, and the data before the printer is turned off is obtained by reading the data from the nonvolatile memory 37 to the mirror memory 36 when the printer 13 is turned on next time. It can be done.

The power-off module 33 monitors the operation signal from the power switch 43 and the power supply state of the power circuit 50. When the power-off operation signal is input from the power switch 43, or when a power failure occurs or the power plug is disconnected from the outlet. It is activated when a forced shutdown signal is input at the time of the forced power shutdown. However, the power-off module 33 has different activation priorities for the other modules 33 and 34 when the power-off operation signal is input and when the forced cutoff signal is input. That is, the power-off module 33 receives the various other modules 32 and 3 when the forced cutoff signal is input.
The activation priority is higher than that of 4, and even if the other modules 32 and 34 are executing the process, the process is interrupted and activated. On the other hand, when the power-off operation signal is input, the activation priority is lower than that of the other various modules 32 and 34. If the other modules 32 and 34 are executing processing, the power-off module 33 waits for the end of the processing. Is activated.

That is, when the power-off operation signal is inputted when the power switch 43 is turned off, if the write data WD is being written at that time, the write data WD is waited until the write to the mirror memory 36 is finished, and then the mirror memory A data rewriting process from 36 to the nonvolatile memory 37 is executed, and after the data rewriting process is completed, a power shut-off process is performed to shut off the power. On the other hand, when a forced cutoff signal is input due to a power failure or disconnection of the power plug from the outlet (hereinafter referred to as “power failure or the like”), the power-off module 33 executes an interrupt process for forced power cutoff. In this interrupt processing for forced power shut-off, first the write flag F is read from the memory 35 and the flag value is confirmed. If the flag value is “1” indicating that writing is in progress, the write data in the memory 35 is read. Data writing processing for writing the WD into the mirror memory 36 is performed. Then, after the data write process is completed, a rewrite process of the write data from the mirror memory 36 to the non-volatile memory 37 is further performed, and after the rewrite process is completed, a power-off process is performed. Here, the determination process of reading the write flag F and determining whether writing is in progress based on the flag value is performed by the determination unit 33A as a determination unit provided in the power-off module 33. At the time of this forced power shutdown, the power holding time of the printer 13 is limited to a predetermined time of, for example, 1 second or less, but a relatively large data size (for example, 5 to 8 bytes) of the write data WD handled in this example. For example, write data such as accumulated ink consumption, number of sheets consumed, and printing time can be sufficiently rewritten to the mirror memory 36 and rewritten to the nonvolatile memory 37 within this power holding time. Yes.

The read-only module 34 corresponds to an agent resident in the printer 13 in order to reply the requested management information to the manager of the server 12 when there is a request from the manager resident in the server 12, and includes the above-described MIB 34A. ing. This MIB3
4A has a reply memory 34B as a data storage unit, and reads the latest update information of the requested data from the mirror memory 36 every time a request is received. The latest update data read is replied to the manager in the server 12, and the update data is stored in the reply memory 34B.

Next, data management processing will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. FIG.
4 shows a flowchart of the data update process routine, FIG. 4 shows a mirror memory update routine, FIG. 5 shows a power-off process routine, and FIG. 6 shows a data read process routine. First, the data update processing routine will be described with reference to FIG. This data update processing routine is executed every time the print engine module 32 updates data.

In step S10, the data size (data size Dsize) to be updated this time is stored in the data size storage area 35B of the memory 35.
In step S20, the write start address ADint of the data to be updated this time is stored in the write start address storage area 35C.

In step S30, write data WD (
Update data).
In step S40, the write flag is set to “1”.

In step S50, a mirror memory update process is executed. That is, a process for writing update data from the memory 35 to the mirror memory 36 is performed.
In step S60, the write flag is returned to “0”.

Next, the mirror memory update routine will be described with reference to FIG. This routine corresponds to the process of step S50 in FIG.
In step S110, the count value Cnt = 0. Here, the count value Cnt is a variable that is incremented by “1” in order to update the data write destination address, and the write destination address ADwrite is specified by the expression ADwrite = ADint + Cnt.
Here, ADint is a write start address.

In step S120, it is determined whether Cnt <(Dsize (data size) / N). In this example, a method is adopted in which writing is performed in increments of N bytes while updating the write destination address, meaning that writing of the write data WD is not completed while Cnt <(Dsize / N) is established. To do. If Cnt <(Dsize / N) holds, step S130
Proceed to The writing unit “N bytes” may be “1 byte”, but “2 bytes”, “
It may be “3 bytes” or “4 bytes” or more.

In step S130, the address “write head address ADint +
In “Cnt”, “start address + Cnt of the write data storage area 35D in the memory 35”
The value (data) stored in "is copied. Here, the write data storage area 35D
The data for “N bytes” from the top address of is copied to the mirror memory 36.

In step S140, Cnt = Cnt + 1 is set, and the process returns to step S120.
Thereafter, the processing of S120 to S140 is repeated until Cnt <Dsize / N is established in S120. As a result, the write data WD in the memory 35 is copied N bytes at a time from the write head address ADint in the mirror memory 36.

Next, the power OFF processing routine will be described with reference to FIG. This power-off process routine is executed by the power-off module 33 as an interrupt process when the power is forcibly cut off.
In step S210, it is determined whether or not the write flag is “1”. If the write flag is “1”, the process proceeds to step S220, and if it is not “1” (that is, if it is “0”).
Proceed to step S230.

In step S220, mirror memory update processing is performed. This mirror memory update process is the same as the process shown in FIG.
In step S230, data is stored from the mirror memory 36 into the nonvolatile memory 37.

Even if the update data writing process is interrupted when the power supply is forcibly cut off, the interruption process executed by the power-off module 33 that is activated when the power supply is forcibly interrupted indicates that the write flag F is being written and the interrupt is executed. Re-execute the update data writing process. For this reason, data can be copied from the mirror memory 36 to the non-volatile memory 37 after the update data writing process is completed even when the power supply is forcibly cut off, such as a power failure. Therefore, the latest update data is written in the non-volatile memory 37 not only when the power supply is normally shut down by the power-off operation but also when the power supply is forcibly shut down such as a power failure.

Next, a data read processing routine executed by the read only module 34 will be described with reference to FIG. When the read-only module 34 receives a request from the manager of the server 12, the read-only module 34 executes this data read processing routine.

When the read-only module 34 accepts the request, it first determines whether or not the write flag F is “1” (step S310). If it is not “1” (that is, “0”).
Data is read from the mirror memory 36 (step S320), and the reply memory 34 is read.
The previously read value (data) stored in B is updated (step S330). Then, the updated data in the reply memory 34B is replied.

On the other hand, if the write flag is “1” when the request is received (S310).
Since the mirror memory 36 is updating data and cannot read data from the mirror memory 36, the previous value (data) stored in the reply memory 34B is replied (S340).

As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Whether or not data (update data) is being written from the memory 35 as the first memory to the mirror memory 36 as the second memory is managed by the write flag F as the determination value.
Even when the power-off module 33 is activated at the time of forced power-off such as a power failure and the update data writing process is interrupted, the write flag F in the interrupt process by the power-off module 33 is interrupted.
If it is a value indicating that writing is in progress, the update data is written from the memory 35 to the mirror memory 36. Then, after the writing is completed, and further after the data writing from the mirror memory 36 to the nonvolatile memory 37 is completed, the power is shut down to cut off the power. Therefore, even if the update data writing process is interrupted when the power supply is forcibly cut off, such as a power failure, the power supply can be shut down after the writing of the data being written is completed. Therefore, even when the power is forcibly cut off such as a power failure, the update data read from the nonvolatile memory 37 at the next power-on can be guaranteed.

(2) When the read-only module 34 accepts the request, the write flag F of the memory 35 is checked, and if it is not “1” indicating that writing is in progress (that is, “0”).
The update data is read out from the mirror memory 36 and replied. On the other hand, if the write flag F is “1” indicating that writing is in progress, the previous data stored in the reply memory 34B is replied.

(3) Since the storage area for the write flag is provided in the memory 35, it is not necessary to separately prepare a memory, a register or the like in order to secure the storage area for the write flag F.
(4) Update data that should be guaranteed when the power is forcibly shut down, including cumulative ink consumption, number of sheets consumed,
Since the printing time data is used, for example, when the printer monitoring system 11 is applied to a charging system or a maintenance system, a highly reliable charging system or maintenance system can be constructed.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the write status is managed by management data of 2 bits or more instead of the write flag. The memory 35 shown in FIG. 2 is provided with a write management unit (write management area) capable of storing M-bit (where M ≧ 2) write management data instead of the write flag F. Of course, a configuration in which M-bit management data is managed by a register separate from the memory can also be employed.

The write management unit manages the progress of writing of data copied N bits at a time from the memory 35 to the mirror memory 36 using M-bit management data. For example, if the M bit is 4 bits, writing is not being performed when the value is “0000”, and writing is being performed when the value is other than “0000”. The management data is incremented by “1” every time N bits of data are copied in the mirror memory update process. When the management data reaches the value indicating that writing of the write data is completed and the mirror memory update process is completed, the management data is “
It is reset to “0000”. For this reason, when the mirror memory update process is interrupted due to a power shutdown such as a power failure, the power-off module 33 updates the mirror memory 36 from the management data value read from the memory 35 to any address of the write data ( You can see if (write) is completed. If the management data is a value other than “0000”, this means that writing is in progress, and the value at that time is a value corresponding to the address at which writing has been completed. For example, if the management data is “0011”, it means that the writing has been completed up to the address of the write head address ADint + “0011”. Therefore, the power-off module 33 is
In the interrupt process, the write data update process (write process) may be performed from the continuation of the write interruption position corresponding to the management data value (for example, address ADint + “0100”). As a result, the amount of data to be updated in the interrupt processing at the time of forced power shutdown is reduced. For example, the occurrence of data update mistakes due to insufficient update processing time in interrupt processing is further reduced, and update data writing is more reliably completed. Can be. In the present embodiment, the management data managed by the write management unit is a determination value and also serves as a management value exceeding 1 bit. Here, the management value exceeding 1 bit means a management value “00” using a 2-bit storage area.
Including the configuration managed by only three types of “01” and “10”, the management value can be more than the first power of 2 (2), and it is sufficient that it is 2 2 (4) or more The meaning is not limited to.

In addition, embodiment is not limited above, You may change as follows.
(Modification 1) The data is not limited to consumable data or printing time data. For example, the calorific value of a driving unit such as a recording head or a motor is calculated and the temperature is calculated. When the calculated temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, driving of the driving unit is limited (for example, driving speed reduction or intermittent driving, The print head temperature and motor temperature data may be used in the configuration in which the heat generation restriction control is performed (for example, the drive is stopped). In this case, these data are stored in the non-volatile memory when the power is turned off, and when the power is turned on, the elapsed time from the previous power-off to the current power-on is taken into account when the power is turned on. The temperature is calculated, and drive control of the driving means is performed according to the calculated temperature. In the case of this configuration, the update temperature data is stored in the nonvolatile memory even when the power is forcibly cut off, such as a power failure, so that appropriate control can be performed the next time the power is turned on.

(Modification 2) Data read processing by the read-only module 34 is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, when the write flag F is a value “1” indicating that writing is in progress, the value is updated from the mirror memory 36 after waiting until the value becomes “0” (however, the waiting time is within a predetermined upper limit time). A configuration in which data is read and the read update data is replied can also be employed.

(Modification 3) A storage area for the write flag F may be provided in the mirror memory 36. Even in this configuration, the power-off module 33 reads the value of the write flag F in the mirror memory 36, so that it can be determined whether or not the data is being written when the power is forcibly cut off. The update data writing process can be executed in the loading process. In addition, as long as the power-off module 33 can be accessed, a configuration in which the write flag F is stored in another memory or register can be employed.

(Modification 4) The determination unit 33A may be provided as a module other than the power-off module 33 or a determination unit. For example, a determination module that determines whether or not writing is being performed based on a determination value or a management value when the power is forcibly cut off is prepared separately from the power-off module 33, and the activation priority of the determination module when the power is forcibly cut off Is higher than that of the power-off module 33. When the power supply is forcibly shut down, first, the determination module is preferentially activated, and it is determined whether or not the writing is in progress based on the determination value or the management value. Is activated to perform power shutdown processing. On the other hand, when it is determined that writing is in progress, the power-off module 33 that is activated thereafter is notified of this,
The power-off module 33 executes write data write processing in the interrupt processing.

(Variation 5) The consumable data is not limited to the cumulative ink consumption and the number of sheets consumed from a certain period, but may be the remaining amount of ink and the remaining amount of paper. For example, the ink consumption amount or the remaining ink amount for each ink cartridge may be used. Alternatively, the number of sheets consumed or the remaining amount of paper in the paper cassette from the time of setting the paper may be detected by detecting the number of sheets set in the paper cassette or the number of sheets set.

(Modification 6) The network constructed between the server 12 and the electronic device is a LAN (Loca
l It is not limited to Area Network. VAN (Value Added Network) and WAN (Wide Area N)
etwork). Further, it may be a network in which a plurality selected from LAN, VAN, and WAN are combined.

(Modification 7) Although applied to the electronic device in the printer monitoring system 11, it can also be applied to an electronic device not connected to the network. Also in this case, it is possible to guarantee the management information (update data) that is read when the power is turned on after the forced power interruption such as a power failure.

(Modification 8) The electronic device is not limited to a printer. An electronic device configured to write data to a volatile memory that can lose data when the power is turned off, write data to the nonvolatile memory when the power is turned off, and read and use the data from the nonvolatile memory when the power is turned on next time Widely applicable to. For example, you may apply to electronic devices, such as a scanner, a projector, and a projection television.

(Modification 9) In the above-described embodiment, the accumulated ink consumption is handled as update data by embodying an ink jet printer as an example of an electronic device. However, for example, a fluid ejecting apparatus including an ink jet recording head other than a printer is used. Is also applicable. For example, fluid ejection that ejects fluids other than ink (including liquids, liquids in which particles of functional materials are dispersed or mixed in liquids, fluids such as gels, and solids that can be ejected as fluids) It can also be embodied in a device. For example, a liquid material ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid material in the form of dispersed or dissolved materials such as electrode materials and color materials (pixel materials) used for manufacturing liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays, and surface-emitting displays. Further, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a bio-organic matter used for biochip manufacturing, or a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid that is used as a precision pipette and serves as a sample may be used. In addition, micro hemispherical lenses (used in liquid ejectors, optical communication elements, etc., which inject lubricating oil pinpoint to precision machines such as watches and cameras.
A liquid injection device that injects a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin onto a substrate to form an optical lens), a liquid injection device that injects an etching solution such as acid or alkali to etch the substrate, etc. For example, a fluid ejecting device that ejects a fluid (e.g., physical gel) or a powder ejecting device (e.g., a toner jet recording device) that ejects a solid such as powder (powder) such as toner. There may be. Then, the present invention can be applied to any one of these types of fluid ejecting apparatuses, and for example, the accumulated fluid consumption or the remaining amount of fluid can be handled as one of the data. Further, in the case of a configuration in which recording media such as substrates are accommodated in a stack in a stacker and fed by an automatic feeding device, the number of recording media consumed and the remaining amount of recording media can be handled as update data. In the present specification, the term “fluid” is a concept that does not include a fluid consisting only of gas. Examples of the fluid include liquid (inorganic solvent, organic solvent, solution, liquid resin, liquid metal (metal melt), etc. ), Liquids, fluids, powders (including granules and powders), and the like.

Hereinafter, the technical idea grasped | ascertained from the said embodiment and each modification is described.
(1) The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the in-writing management unit is configured to store the determination value in a storage area of the first memory. Data management device in equipment.

(2) A system (11) comprising a server (12), an electronic device (13), and network means (14) for connecting the server and the electronic device via a network, the electronic device comprising: A system comprising the data management device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a printer monitoring system in a first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printer. The flowchart which shows a data update process routine. The flowchart which shows a mirror memory update routine. The flowchart which shows a power-OFF process routine. The flowchart which shows a data reading process routine.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Printer monitoring system, 12 ... Server, 13 ... Printer as electronic equipment, 18
... Carriage motor 27. Recording head as ejection means 28. Paper feed motor 31.
Print engine, 32... Constituting print-in-progress management means and print engine module as writing means, 33... Power-off module as power-off processing means, 33 A... Judging section as judging means, 34. Read-only module, 34A ... M
IB, 34B... Reply memory as a data storage unit, 35... Memory as a first memory, 36...
Non-volatile memory, 41 ... ink counter, 42 ... paper counter, 43 ... power switch, 4
5... Data update unit as data update unit 46. Cumulative ink consumption calculation unit constituting data update unit 47. Sheet consumption number calculation unit constituting data update unit 48. Print time constituting data update unit Management unit, F: Write flag as a judgment value, P: Recording paper.

Claims (8)

A data management device in an electronic device comprising a first memory, a second memory, and a writing means for writing data from the first memory to the second memory,
In-writing management means for managing with a determination value whether data is being written from the first memory to the second memory;
Power shutdown processing means for executing power shutdown processing that is activated in preference to the writing means at the time of forced power shutdown of the electronic device and shuts off the power; and
Determination means for determining, based on the determination value, whether or not the writing means was writing data at the time of forced power interruption after the power-off processing means was activated;
The power-off processing means performs the power-off processing when the determination means determines that the writing is not being performed, and on the other hand, when the determination means determines that the writing is being performed, A data management apparatus in an electronic device, wherein the data being written to the memory is written and the power-off process is performed after the writing is completed. The determination value managed by the writing-in-management means is a flag,
The determining means determines whether writing is in progress based on the value of the flag,
The power-off processing means rewrites the data when the judgment means judges that writing is in progress based on the value of the flag at the time of forced power-off.
The data management apparatus in the electronic device as described in 2. The determination value managed by the writing management means is a management value exceeding 1 bit,
2. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not writing is being performed based on the management value, and determines a writing interruption position when writing is being performed. Data management device in electronic equipment. The power shut-off processing means writes data from the continuation position of the write interruption determined from the management value when the determination means determines that writing is in progress based on the management value at the time of forced power-off. The data management apparatus for an electronic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the data management apparatus is resumed. The electronic device further includes a nonvolatile memory,
The power shut-off processing means is configured to write the data in the second memory to a nonvolatile memory before the power shut-off process is executed, and when the data is being written, the data to the second memory 5. The data management device in the electronic device according to claim 1, wherein after the writing of data is completed, the data in the second memory is written into the nonvolatile memory. 6. The electronic device is a printer,
Data update means for updating data relating to the consumption or remaining amount of consumables consumed for printing at a predetermined timing during the printing operation or at the end of the printing operation;
The data update means writes updated data to the first memory,
6. The data management apparatus in an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the data updated by the data updating unit is written from the first memory to the second memory. Data reading means configured to receive a data request while the electronic device is powered on and return the requested data as a response and to read the data in the second memory, and to have a data storage unit for storing the read data Further comprising
When the data reading unit receives a data request, the data reading unit determines whether or not writing is in progress based on the determination value of the in-writing management unit. 7. The data is returned as the response, and the previous data stored in the data storage unit is returned as the response if the data is being written.
The data management apparatus in the electronic device as described in any one of. A data management method in an electronic device comprising a first memory, a second memory, and a writing means for writing data from the first memory to the second memory,
In-writing management means for managing whether or not data is being written from the first memory to the second memory with a judgment value, and activated when the electronic device is forcibly shut off, the writing means is prioritized. A power shutdown processing means for performing a power shutdown process to shut off the power supply,
A determination step of determining, based on the determination value, whether data is being written by the writing unit when the power-off processing unit is activated;
The power shut-off processing means performs the power shut-off processing if the writing is not being performed, while if the data is being written, the data being written is read from the first memory. Writing to the second memory, performing the power-off process after the writing is completed;
A data management method for an electronic device, comprising:

Images