JP2009301124A - Equipment with memory device and method for protecting memory device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and simply take measures against the disconnection of power when the disconnection of the power is caused during writing into a nonvolatile memory device, and to suppress the use of an auxiliary power supply to the minimum. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU 103 transmits a control signal to an auxiliary power supply validation means 107 according to occurrence of an auxiliary power supply validation factor, and validates the auxiliary power supply 106. When main power disconnection is caused, a power selection means 105 selects a power from a main power supply 200 and supplies electric power to the auxiliary power supply 106, and protects a nonvolatile ROM 101 and an HDD 102. When detecting a predetermined second prescribed period, the CPU 103 invalidates the auxiliary power supply 106 by transmitting the control signal to the auxiliary power supply validation means 107. When any main power disconnection is not caused, the CPU 103 detects an auxiliary power supply invalidation factor, and invalidates the auxiliary power supply 106 in the same way. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a memory device having a file system, a device including a memory device that prevents data destruction due to power failure during writing to the memory device, and a method for protecting the memory device.

  For example, a non-volatile memory such as a flash ROM and a storage device such as an HDD are mounted on a controller of a computer-equipped device such as an image forming apparatus. In these devices, writing to the storage device is frequently performed during the operation, particularly when starting up. However, if the power supply is interrupted during writing to the storage device, the written data may be destroyed as well as the original data.

For example, if the file system itself is destroyed during writing, it is impossible to restore the data. Therefore, it is necessary to replace the controller board itself that controls the computer system in which the file system is integrated.
Therefore, conventionally, as a countermeasure against power interruption, an auxiliary power supply is provided in addition to the main power supply, and when the main power supply is cut off, writing to the storage device is performed using the auxiliary power supply.

  For example, a voltage drop detection unit that detects a voltage drop of the main power source and a write detection unit that detects whether or not writing is performed in the nonvolatile memory. When a power supply voltage drop is detected, the main power supply is switched to the backup power supply when writing to the non-volatile memory is in progress, and when the writing to the non-volatile memory is completed, the main power supply is again supplied and writing is in progress. There is known a nonvolatile memory data protection device that prevents data destruction due to power failure (see Patent Document 1).

This non-volatile memory data protection device switches data from the main power source to the backup power source only when power is cut off during data writing to the non-volatile memory. It is necessary to charge the battery, and charging and discharging are repeated without discharging.
In other words, it is necessary to always detect (monitor) that the non-volatile memory is being written, and since the auxiliary power supply is used when writing to the non-volatile memory and the power are interrupted, the power is cut off at any time. However, it is necessary to always enable (charge) the auxiliary power supply so that it can be used. For this reason, since charging and discharging are repeated in a state where the discharge is not complete, a memory effect that reduces the charging capacity occurs, which may lead to a reduction in the amount of charge of the auxiliary power supply.

  On the other hand, when writing file management information to the nonvolatile memory, it is possible to supply power from the main power supply and auxiliary power supply. When writing file data to the nonvolatile memory, the power supply from the auxiliary power supply is stopped and the main power supply is stopped. There is also a nonvolatile memory writing circuit that controls the increase in power consumption due to the auxiliary power supply by limiting the risk of non-volatile memory writing due to power failure to the destruction of file data due to power supply failure It is known (see Patent Document 2).

However, if the processing for selecting the main power supply and the auxiliary power supply is performed every time file data is written to the nonvolatile memory in this way, the processing in the CPU becomes complicated and there is a concern that the operation speed may be reduced. Another problem arises.
JP 2004-272309 A JP 2006-155006 A

According to the present invention, in a device provided with a nonvolatile memory device, for example, an image forming apparatus, when a power interruption occurs during writing to a storage device as a storage unit on the controller, the device cannot be recovered. Focusing on the fact that a failure may occur during writing while the device is starting up, limiting the power-off countermeasure to writing to the storage device within a predetermined period from the main switch ON. The purpose is to make it possible to easily and simply (simplely) take measures against power interruption.
Another object is to minimize the use of auxiliary power.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a main power supply for supplying power to equipment having a memory device, an auxiliary power supply for supplying power to the equipment in place of the main power supply, and an auxiliary for enabling or disabling the auxiliary power supply. Power supply control means, and power supply selection means for selecting supply of power from the main power supply to the auxiliary power supply when main power is cut off are provided.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus having the memory device according to the first aspect, the auxiliary power supply control means enables the auxiliary power supply by detecting the auxiliary power supply enable factor in the main power ON state, and disables the auxiliary power supply. The auxiliary power supply is invalidated by detecting the activation factor.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus including the memory device according to the second aspect, the auxiliary power source control means detects the first predetermined period from the main switch ON without detecting the auxiliary power source invalidation factor. In this case, the auxiliary power supply is invalidated.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device including the memory device according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a power-off detection unit that detects a power-off of the main power source, and the auxiliary power source is valid. When the power-off detection unit detects the main power-off, the power selection unit selects a power source from the main power source to the auxiliary power source.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the device including the memory device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the auxiliary power supply control means is configured to start a basic input / output system (BIOS) or to shift the hard disk to a ready state. Or the auxiliary power is activated when a non-volatile ROM is detected.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus including the memory device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the auxiliary power supply control unit is predetermined according to the passage of a predetermined time according to a model or an optional configuration. The time obtained by adding the time determined in advance by the model or the time determined in advance by the configuration of the option is determined in advance, and the time elapsed in addition, the ready state of the device, or the time determined in advance When the activation of the application is detected, the auxiliary power is invalidated.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus including the memory device according to the fourth aspect, the power source selection unit is a switching circuit that is selectively controlled based on a power-off signal from a power-off detection unit of the main power source. It is characterized by being.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus including the memory device according to any one of the first to third aspects or the fifth to sixth aspects, the power source selection unit is the higher of the main power source and the auxiliary power source. It is a selection circuit that automatically selects the voltage of
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus including the memory device according to the fourth or eighth aspect, the auxiliary power source control unit performs a second predetermined period from when the auxiliary power source is selected. The auxiliary power supply is invalidated when the time elapses.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the apparatus including the memory device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects is an image forming apparatus.
The invention of claim 11 is a method for protecting a memory device in a device comprising a memory device and powered by a main power supply or an auxiliary power supply, comprising: an auxiliary power supply control step for enabling or disabling the auxiliary power supply; And a power source selecting step of selecting power supply from the main power source to the auxiliary power source when a power interruption occurs.
According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, in the memory device protection method according to the eleventh aspect, in the auxiliary power supply control step, the auxiliary power supply is enabled by detecting the auxiliary power supply enable factor in the main power supply ON state, and the auxiliary power supply is disabled. It is characterized in that processing for invalidating the auxiliary power supply is performed by detecting the factor.
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the memory device protection method according to the twelfth aspect, in the auxiliary power supply control process, the first predetermined period has elapsed since the main switch was turned on without detecting the auxiliary power supply invalidation factor. In this case, a process for invalidating the auxiliary power is performed.
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the method for protecting a memory device according to any one of the eleventh to thirteenth aspects, when the power-off detection means detects the main power-off during the auxiliary power-supply activation period, the power is turned off. Processing for selecting from the main power source to the auxiliary power source is performed.
According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the memory device protection method according to any one of the eleventh to fourteenth aspects, in the auxiliary power supply control step, the basic input / output system (BIOS) is started or the hard disk is shifted to the ready state. When the non-volatile ROM is detected, a process for enabling the auxiliary power supply is performed.
According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the method for protecting a memory device according to any one of the eleventh to fifteenth aspects, the auxiliary power supply control step is predetermined according to the passage of a predetermined time depending on a model or an optional configuration. The time elapsed or the time determined in advance by the model and the time determined in advance by the configuration of the option are determined in advance, the time elapsed by the addition, the ready state of the device, or the predetermined application When the activation is detected, the auxiliary power supply is invalidated.
According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the method for protecting a memory device according to the fourteenth aspect, the main power-off detection step of detecting a power-off of the main power source is provided, and the power source selection step includes a power-off detection of the main power source. The power supply is selectively controlled based on a power-off signal from the means.
According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the memory device protection method according to any one of the eleventh to thirteenth and fifteenth to sixteenth aspects, the power source selection step includes the higher of the main power source and the auxiliary power source. It is a selection process for automatically selecting a voltage.
According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the method for protecting a memory device according to the fourteenth or eighteenth aspect, in the auxiliary power supply control step, a second predetermined period from when the auxiliary power supply is selected. When the time has elapsed, the auxiliary power supply is invalidated.

  According to the present invention, the power-off countermeasure for the memory device is limited to the writing of the storage device within a predetermined period after the main switch is turned on. Therefore, the power-off countermeasure can be easily and simply performed as compared with the conventional countermeasure. In addition, the storage unit can be protected while minimizing the use of auxiliary power.

As an embodiment of an apparatus including a memory device of the present invention, an image forming apparatus will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In general, when the image forming apparatus is activated, the frequency of writing to the storage device is high. If the power is turned off during writing, the data is destroyed and the image forming apparatus cannot be activated. Therefore, in this image forming apparatus, the auxiliary power is enabled for a predetermined period from the main switch ON, and the auxiliary power is selected when the main power is cut off.
The configuration will be described below.

FIG. 1 is an overall view showing the appearance of the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus includes an engine control unit 500 placed on a paper storage box with casters, a main controller 100 arranged side by side above the engine control unit 500, a main power source 200, and a main switch 201 for main power source. A manipulating unit 300 and a document reading unit 400 arranged on the upper side of the sheet ejecting unit, and the document reading unit 400 itself has a known structure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the image forming apparatus.
As shown in the figure, the internal structure of the image forming apparatus generally includes a main controller 100, a main power supply 200, an engine control unit 500, and a power-off detection unit 600 that detects main power-off.
The main controller 100 includes a control unit 108 that controls the image forming apparatus, an auxiliary power source 106, and a power source control unit 109 that performs selection control of the main power source 200 and the auxiliary power source 106.

  The control unit 108 includes a nonvolatile ROM 101, an HDD 102, a CPU 103 that executes processing by reading a program, and an ASIC (Application Specific IC) 104 that is a control circuit that exchanges signals between the control unit 108 and peripheral devices. .

The power control unit 109 includes a power selection unit 105 that selects the auxiliary power source 106 and the main power source 200, and an auxiliary power source validation unit 107 that validates the power supply of the auxiliary power source 106.
The power source selection unit 105 selects the main power source 200 to the auxiliary power source 106 when the main power source is cut off, but the operation is based on program control by the CPU 103 or a selection that always selects the power source with the higher voltage. Consists of a circuit.

The auxiliary power supply enabling means 107 is a switching circuit using a switching element that selects a switch by a signal, such as a MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) transistor, and is operated under the control of the control unit 108. Here, the control unit 108 and the auxiliary power enable means 107 constitute auxiliary power control means.
The power-off detection unit 600 is connected to the main power supply 200 and the ASIC 104 of the control unit 108, and sends a power-off detection signal to the ASIC 104 when the voltage of the main power supply 200 falls below a threshold value.

  The nonvolatile ROM 101 and the HDD 102 are the storage unit 110 of the image forming apparatus. The auxiliary power source 106 is, for example, a primary battery such as manganese, or a secondary battery such as a lithium ion storage battery. The main switch 201 of the main power supply 200 controls connection or disconnection of the main power supply to the image forming apparatus. The engine control unit 500 controls, for example, a conventional laser printer engine that performs printing by attaching toner to an electrostatic latent image generated on a photosensitive drum.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of start-up processing (startup) in the image forming apparatus having the above configuration.
When the main switch 201 is turned on, the CPU 103 activates a basic input / output system (BIOS) stored in the nonvolatile ROM 101 (S101), and performs hardware detection, diagnosis, and initialization of the main controller 100 ( S102). Subsequently, the CPU 103 activates an OS (Operating System) stored in the non-volatile ROM 101 (S103), and activates a copy application that can implement the copy function (S104).

When the ready state of the HDD 102 is detected based on reception of the ready signal transmitted from the HDD 102 (S105), the image forming apparatus shifts to a ready state in which the copy function can be used (S106).
The CPU 103 detects each I / F option based on a signal received from each hardware (S107), and activates each application for realizing the printer, fax, and scanner functions stored in the HDD 102 (S108). .

In the present embodiment, the auxiliary power source 106 is activated when the image forming apparatus is turned on when the main power source 200 is turned on, and the auxiliary power source 106 is selected only when the main power source is cut off. Thereby, the nonvolatile ROM 101 and the HDD 102 can be protected while suppressing power consumption.
Here, the process of enabling the auxiliary power source 106 is performed, for example, at the timing of BIOS activation in step S101 in FIG. 3 or the timing at which the detection, diagnosis, and initialization of the hardware of the main controller 100 in step S102 are completed.
The CPU 103 performs an enabling process for enabling the auxiliary power supply 106, that is, a process of outputting “H” as the ON signal of the ON / OFF control signal of the auxiliary power supply enabling means 107 from the I / O port of the ASIC 104 at the above timing. .
The activation process is performed at the timing when the activation reason is detected, for example, when the BIOS is activated or the HDD 102 is ready as described later, and the timing can be arbitrarily set. In addition, detecting the reason for the above-described activation processing (for example, the above-described BIOS activation) is referred to as detection of the activation factor here.

On the other hand, if the auxiliary power source 106 is enabled after being enabled, there is a problem that power consumption increases and the life of the auxiliary power source 106 is shortened.
Therefore, the CPU 103 performs processing for invalidating the auxiliary power source 106. The process of invalidating the auxiliary power source 106 is performed, for example, at the timing when the ready state transition of the image forming apparatus in step S106 in FIG. 3 occurs, or at the timing when the application for writing to the nonvolatile ROM 101 in step S108 is started. Or, when the auxiliary power supply 106 is activated, when there is some trouble (for example, occurrence of a serviceman call error) and the above timing cannot be obtained, the main switch 201 is turned on. It is performed at a timing when a predetermined period (first predetermined period) has elapsed.
The invalidation of the auxiliary power supply 106 is performed by the CPU 103 sending an auxiliary power supply invalidation signal control signal “L” to the auxiliary power supply validation means 107.

The invalidation timing is detected by a timer (not shown) when the elapsed time is used as a timing, and is detected by software when the above-described state transition of the image forming apparatus or hardware state is used as a timing. do.
Here, detecting the reason for the invalidation process (for example, the elapse of the startup time) is referred to as invalidation factor detection, and the CPU 103 activates the auxiliary power source 106 and then determines the auxiliary power source invalidation factor. When detected, a power source selection control signal default “L” is transmitted to the power source selecting means 105 to perform control for selecting the main power source 200 from the auxiliary power source 106.

The above description is about the invalidation process of the auxiliary power supply 106 when the main power supply disconnection (including the state when the voltage of the main power supply 200 falls below a preset threshold value) does not occur while the auxiliary power supply 106 is enabled. It is.
Next, power supply selection processing when the main power supply is cut off with the auxiliary power supply 106 being activated will be described.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a first circuit configuration for selecting the main power supply 200 and the auxiliary power supply 106 based on a signal transmitted from the CPU 103.
In the illustrated configuration, when the power-off detection unit 600 detects the main power-off, the power-off detection signal is transmitted to the CPU 103 via the ASIC 104. When the CPU 103 receives the power interruption detection signal, the CPU 103 transmits a power selection control signal “H” to the power selection means 105 via the ASIC 104 and performs control for selecting the main power supply 200 to the auxiliary power supply 106.

When the CPU 103 selects the auxiliary power source 106 and then detects that the main power source 200 has been recovered based on the detection signal from the power-off detection unit 600, the CPU 103 transmits a power source selection control signal to the power source selection unit 105. To the main power supply 200.
However, if the selected auxiliary power supply 106 is activated indefinitely when the main power supply 200 does not recover, the auxiliary power supply 106 is wasted. Therefore, the CPU 103 does not write to the nonvolatile ROM 101 and the HDD 102 for a predetermined period. When the time required for the second predetermined period has elapsed), the auxiliary power source 106 is invalidated.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure for enabling / disabling the auxiliary power supply 106 of the CPU 103 when the first circuit configuration which is the power supply selecting means 105 described above is used.
When the main switch 201 of the main power supply 200 is turned on, the CPU 103 starts the image forming apparatus activation process (S201). When the CPU 103 detects the auxiliary power enable factor (S202; YES), the CPU 103 enables the auxiliary power supply 106. (S203).

  When the occurrence of main power cut-off is not detected in step S204 (S204; NO), the presence / absence of an auxiliary power source invalidation factor is detected (S205). When the same factor is detected (S205; YES), the auxiliary power source 106 is invalidated. (S206). In this case, since the activation is normal, the protection function is terminated when the auxiliary power source invalidation factor is detected.

  In step S205, that is, when the occurrence of main power supply interruption is not detected and the auxiliary power supply invalidation factor is not detected (S205; NO), a predetermined period (here, the first predetermined period) from when the main switch 201 is turned on. (S207). If it is determined that the first predetermined period has elapsed (S207; YES), the auxiliary power source 106 is invalidated (S208). In this case, the protection function is terminated as a start abnormality.

In step 204, when the power-off detection means 600 detects the occurrence of main power-off (S204; YES), the main power source 200 is selected as the auxiliary power source 106 (S209), and the auxiliary power source 106 uses the storage device, that is, the nonvolatile memory. Power is supplied to the ROM 101 and the HDD 102 to perform a data protection operation (S210).
The CPU 103 disables the auxiliary power supply 106 after the second predetermined period has elapsed since the main power supply interruption occurred (S211).

The power source selection control described above is performed using the CPU 103. Next, the power source performed using the power source selection unit 105 (selection circuit) that automatically selects the power source having the higher voltage without using the CPU 103. The selection will be described.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a second circuit configuration for selecting a power supply based on the voltages of the main power supply 200 and the auxiliary power supply 106.
The configuration other than the power source selection unit 105 is the same as that of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
The power source selection unit 105 includes a selection circuit configured by combining diodes D1 and D2 as shown in the figure, selects a power source having a high voltage value based on the voltage value of the supplied power source, and supplies power to the control unit 108. The control which supplies is performed. In other words, when the main power supply is cut off during the auxiliary power supply valid period, the auxiliary power supply 106 is automatically selected to supply power, and when the main power supply 200 is restored, the power supply selection means 105 starts from the auxiliary power supply 106. The main power supply 200 having a higher voltage is selected.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for enabling / disabling the auxiliary power source 106 of the CPU 103 when the second circuit configuration is used.
First, a case where the main power supply is not cut off during the auxiliary power supply effective period will be described.
The main power supply 200 starts the image forming apparatus activation process (S301). When the CPU 103 detects the auxiliary power activation factor (S302), the auxiliary power supply 106 is activated to start protecting the memory device. When the auxiliary power supply 106 is activated and the CPU 103 detects the auxiliary power supply invalidation factor (S304; YES), the auxiliary power supply 106 is invalidated (S305), thereby ending the protection of the memory device.
On the other hand, if there is a start abnormality, the CPU 103 does not detect the auxiliary power source invalidation factor in step S304 (S304; NO), and the auxiliary power source 106 is invalidated when the first predetermined period elapses from the main switch 201 ON (S307). ) End protection.

Next, in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment having the second circuit configuration, power selection when the main power supply is cut off during the auxiliary power supply effective period will be described.
The power source selection unit 105 automatically reduces the voltage of the main power source 200 when the main power source is cut off during the period when the auxiliary power source 106 is activated, that is, the period indicated by the dotted line in the figure. Select the power source.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the protection operation when the main power supply is cut off in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment having the second circuit configuration.
In this case, it is not necessary to detect the main power supply disconnection as in the case of using the first circuit configuration when selecting the power supply. When the main power supply disconnection occurs, the auxiliary power supply 106 is automatically selected and the storage device data is selected. Protection is started (S401). When the CPU 103 subsequently detects the elapse of the second predetermined period, the auxiliary power source 106 is disabled (S402), and data protection of the storage device can be started by a simple processing procedure of ending the protection function.

Next, a specific aspect of the setting for detecting the above-described auxiliary power source enabling factor occurrence factor will be described.
(1) When the detection of the occurrence of the auxiliary power enable factor is set to the detection of the BIOS activation The writing to the memory devices such as the nonvolatile ROM 101 and the HDD 102 by the CPU 103 is started after the BIOS is activated. Therefore, even when the main power supply is interrupted between when the main switch 201 is turned on and when the BIOS is activated, these file systems are not destroyed.
Therefore, the detection of the occurrence of the auxiliary power supply enabling factor is set to the detection of the BIOS activation, and the auxiliary power supply 106 is invalidated until the BIOS is activated after the main switch 201 is turned on, thereby making the nonvolatile The power consumption of the auxiliary power source 106 can be suppressed by suppressing the power consumption while protecting the file system of the readable ROM 101 and the HDD 102.

(2) When the detection of the generation factor of the auxiliary power source is set to the detection of the nonvolatile ROM 101 The writing to the nonvolatile ROM 101 is performed after the CPU 103 detects the nonvolatile ROM 101 by the ready signal of the nonvolatile ROM 101, that is, FIG. 3 is performed after the hardware detection in step S102.
Therefore, the detection of the auxiliary power source activation factor occurrence is set to the detection of the nonvolatile ROM 101, and the detection of the auxiliary power source activation factor occurrence is delayed from the time when the detection of the BIOS activation is set, so that the auxiliary power source 106 Waste can be further reduced.

(3) When the detection of the occurrence of the auxiliary power enable factor is set to the ready detection of the HDD 102 The writing to the HDD 102 is performed after the ready state detection of the HDD 102, that is, after the ready detection of the HDD 102 in step S105 in FIG.
Thus, by setting the auxiliary power source activation factor to the ready detection of the HDD 102, the file system of the HDD 102 can be protected, and the waste of the auxiliary power source 106 can be further suppressed compared to when the BIOS is set to start. .

Next, a specific mode for detecting the occurrence of the auxiliary power source invalidation factor will be described.
(1) When the detection of the occurrence of the auxiliary power invalidation factor is set to the detection of the elapse of the startup time for each model The image forming device is related to the function options such as fax and scanner installed depending on the model and the processing speed to be installed. Different hardware specifications.
That is, as the hardware that executes these function options increases, it takes time to recognize them, and the number of applications that are started to execute the function options also increases, and further, the hardware that processes them. The specifications are different.
Accordingly, the timing at which writing to the nonvolatile ROM 101 and the HDD 102 occurs is different for each model, and as a result, the startup time of the image forming apparatus for each model is different.

FIG. 9A is an overall view showing the appearance of model A, which is a low end of the image forming apparatus, and model B, which is a high end machine, and FIG. 9B is an auxiliary power supply invalidation in model A and model B. It is a timing chart figure showing the relation between the timing which detects factor occurrence, and starting time.
The startup times of the model A and model B image forming apparatuses shown in FIG. 9B are temporarily set for explanation.

Since the low-end machine of model A has few functions, the startup time is relatively short. For example, the operation of the protection function can be finished 15 seconds after the main switch 201 is turned on.
On the other hand, since the high-end machine of model B has many functions to be mounted, in addition to the large capacity of software developed on a memory (not shown), the external size of the image forming apparatus is large. For this reason, it takes time until the fixing temperature for fixing the toner adhered to the paper reaches the specified temperature.
That is, it takes a long time to write in the nonvolatile ROM 101 and the HDD 102, and other factors are added, and the auxiliary power supply activation period needs 30 seconds, which is twice that of the low-end machine, for example.

  Therefore, by changing the period for enabling the auxiliary power supply 106, that is, the generation timing of the auxiliary power supply ineffective factor, depending on the model, the effective period for the auxiliary power supply 106 that is optimal for the model can be set. Waste can be suppressed.

(2) When the detection of the occurrence of the auxiliary power source invalidation factor is set to the detection of the activation time for each function option installed in the image forming apparatus, even in the same type of image forming apparatus, depending on the number of function options installed, And the time required to detect and launch applications.

FIG. 10A is an overall view showing the appearance when the control device of the fax 700, the printer 800, and the scanner 900 is mounted on the main controller 100 of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between timing for detecting generation of an auxiliary power supply invalidation factor of an image forming apparatus and activation time that varies depending on a mounted option.
Note that the startup time of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 10B is temporarily set for the sake of explanation.

For example, the startup time of the image forming apparatus without the function option is 15 seconds, the startup time of the image forming apparatus when the fax is attached to the image forming apparatus is 20 seconds, the printer is installed in the image forming apparatus with the fax attached, and The startup time of the image forming apparatus when the scanner is mounted is assumed to be 30 seconds.
In other words, when a fax machine is installed, it is delayed by about 5 seconds from the startup time of the image forming apparatus having no option. Therefore, the setting time of the auxiliary power source invalidation factor is also delayed by 5 seconds. If the printer and scanner options are added, the startup time when the fax is attached is further delayed by 10 seconds, so the auxiliary power invalidation factor setting time is also delayed by 10 seconds.
In this way, by changing the period for enabling the auxiliary power source 106 according to the option configuration, the optimal period for enabling the auxiliary power source 106 can be set.

(3) When the detection of the cause of the auxiliary power supply invalidation is set to the detection of the elapsed start time obtained by adding the start time for each model of the image forming apparatus and each option, as shown in FIG. The time varies depending on the model, and also varies depending on the option configuration even in the same model as shown in FIG.
Therefore, the activation time is set by adding the activation time for each model and option of the image forming apparatus.
Here, the combined startup time is the basic activation period determined by the model, that is, the time when the activation option required by the installed function option is added to the startup time when the function option is not installed. is there.

  Based on the model of the image forming apparatus and the configuration of the option to be mounted, the optimal period including the model and the option configuration can be set by changing the period for enabling the auxiliary power source 106 in a complex manner.

(4) When the detection of the occurrence of the auxiliary power supply invalidation factor is not set to the detection of the elapse of a predetermined time, but is set to the detection of the ready state transition of the image forming apparatus, as described in (1) to (3) The auxiliary power invalidation factor is generated by detecting the passage of a predetermined time. In this case, the startup time of the image forming apparatus may be delayed from a predetermined time when processing such as formatting of the HDD 102 is performed.
Writing to the nonvolatile ROM 101 and the HDD 102 is performed mainly before the image forming apparatus shifts to a ready state in which a copying operation can be performed.

Detection of the ready state of the image forming apparatus is performed by the CPU 103 based on activation of the system and reception of a ready signal indicating that the engine is ready for printing.
When the image forming apparatus detects the ready state, the CPU 103 displays, for example, “Copying is possible” on the operation unit 300 and simultaneously disables the auxiliary power source 106.
Thus, by setting the auxiliary power source invalidation factor when the image forming apparatus shifts to the ready state, even when the shift to the ready state is delayed, data destruction of the nonvolatile ROM 101 and the HDD 102 can be prevented. .

(5) When the detection of the occurrence of the auxiliary power supply invalidation factor is not set to the elapse of a predetermined time, but is set to detection at the completion of the start of a specific application for writing to the nonvolatile ROM 101. (Non-volatile memory) is not necessarily written by all applications, and applications that write to non-volatile memory are limited to, for example, a fax application that performs address book writing processing. It is not necessary to activate the auxiliary power source 106.

Therefore, in step S108 shown in FIG. 3, the auxiliary power supply 106 is invalidated at the timing when the activation of a specific application for writing to the nonvolatile ROM 101 is completed.
The consumption of the auxiliary power supply 106 can be suppressed by setting the period during which the auxiliary power supply 106 is activated to the start of the application that writes to the nonvolatile ROM 101.

By the way, there is a case where the generation of the auxiliary power source invalidation factor is not detected due to a start abnormality or the like. In that case, it is necessary to disable the auxiliary power source 106 separately from the viewpoint of power consumption suppression.
In such a case, if the cause of the auxiliary power supply invalidation is not detected even after the first predetermined period (that is, a time sufficient for completing the start-up of the apparatus) has elapsed since the main switch 201 is turned on, the CPU 103 The auxiliary power supply 106 is invalidated by determining that the start is abnormal.
In this case, since the main power supply is not cut off, the power supply is continued from the main power supply 200.

  In this embodiment, since the auxiliary power source 106 can be disabled even when the factor for invalidating the auxiliary power source 106 is not detected even after the first predetermined period has elapsed, the power of the auxiliary power source 106 can be reduced. Waste can be prevented.

The above-described validation and invalidation of the auxiliary power supply 106 will be described with reference to a timing chart.
FIG. 11A is a timing chart showing validation and invalidation of the auxiliary power source 106 in normal startup of the image forming apparatus.
When the main switch 201 is turned on, power supply to the nonvolatile ROM 101 and the HDD 102 is started. The CPU 103 validates the auxiliary power source 106 when detecting the auxiliary power source enabling factor, and disables it when detecting the auxiliary power source invalidating factor thereafter.

FIG. 11B is a timing chart showing the activation and selection of the auxiliary power supply 106 when the main power supply is cut off during the period in which the auxiliary power supply 106 is effective when the image forming apparatus is activated.
When the CPU 103 detects that the main power supply is cut off, the CPU 103 selects the auxiliary power supply 106 from the main power supply 200 and supplies power to the control unit 108.

FIG. 11C is a timing chart illustrating the validation and invalidation of the auxiliary power source 106 in the operation from the startup to the shutdown (shutdown) of the image forming apparatus.
The auxiliary power source 106 is validated and invalidated only during the image forming apparatus activation process, and the power source selection unit 105 selects the main power source 200 if it does not detect the occurrence of the main power source interruption.
As described above, the lifetime of the auxiliary power source 106 can be extended by setting the period in which power can be supplied from the auxiliary power source 106 only to the period of the startup process of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing the timing for detecting the generation of the auxiliary power supply invalidation factor during the protection operation period.
When the main power supply is cut off during the auxiliary power supply valid period, the power supply to the main controller 100 is performed from the auxiliary power supply 106, but when the main power supply continues thereafter, the operation continues with the power supply from the auxiliary power supply 106. .
In this case, the CPU 103 disables the auxiliary power source 106 and shuts down the image forming apparatus when a second predetermined period required for data protection of the nonvolatile ROM 101 and the HDD 102 has elapsed since the main power interruption occurred.

1 is an overall view illustrating an appearance of an image forming apparatus. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal structure of the image forming apparatus. FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of activation processing in the image forming apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the 1st circuit structure for selecting a main power supply and an auxiliary power supply with the signal transmitted from CPU. It is a flowchart which shows the validation / invalidation control procedure of the auxiliary | assistant power supply of CPU at the time of using a 1st circuit structure. It is a block diagram which shows the 2nd circuit structure for selecting a power supply based on the voltage of a main power supply and an auxiliary power supply. It is the flowchart which showed the validation / invalidation control procedure of auxiliary power supply of CPU in the case of using the second circuit configuration. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of protection operation | movement when the main power supply cutoff has arisen in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment provided with the 2nd circuit structure. FIG. 9A is an overall view showing the appearance of model A, which is a low end of the image forming apparatus, and model B, which is a high end machine, and FIG. 9B is an auxiliary power supply invalidation in model A and model B. It is a timing chart figure showing the relation between the timing which detects factor occurrence, and starting time. FIG. 10A is an overall view showing an appearance when a fax, printer, and scanner control device is mounted on the main controller of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 10B is an image forming apparatus of the same model. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the timing which detects generation | occurrence | production of an auxiliary power invalidation factor, and the starting time which changes with the options to mount. FIG. 11A is a timing chart showing the validation and invalidation of the auxiliary power supply when the image forming apparatus is normally activated, and FIG. 11B is the auxiliary power supply when the image forming apparatus is activated. FIG. 11C is a timing chart showing the activation and selection of the auxiliary power supply when the main power supply is interrupted during the period, and FIG. 11C shows the activation of the auxiliary power supply and the operation in the operation from the startup to the shutdown of the image forming apparatus. It is a timing chart figure which shows invalidation. It is a timing chart figure which showed the timing which detects generation of an auxiliary power supply invalidation factor in a protection operation period.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Main controller, 101 ... Nonvolatile memory, 102 ... HDD, 103 ... CPU, 104 ... ASIC, 105 ... Power supply selection means, 106 ... Auxiliary power supply, 107 ... Auxiliary power source enabling means, 108... Computer, 109... Storage unit, 200... Main power source, 201... Main switch, 300. ..Engine control unit, 600... Power failure detection means, 700... Fax, 800 .. printer, 900 .. scanner, D1.

Claims (19)

A main power supply for supplying power to the device with the memory device;
An auxiliary power supply for supplying power to the device instead of the main power supply;
Auxiliary power control means for enabling or disabling the auxiliary power; and
An apparatus comprising a memory device, comprising: power selection means for selecting supply of power from the main power supply to the auxiliary power supply when a main power supply is interrupted. An apparatus comprising the memory device according to claim 1.
The auxiliary power supply control means enables the auxiliary power supply by detecting the auxiliary power supply enabling factor in the main power ON state, and disables the auxiliary power supply by detecting the auxiliary power supply invalidating factor. . An apparatus comprising the memory device according to claim 2.
The apparatus having a memory device, wherein the auxiliary power supply control means disables the auxiliary power supply when the auxiliary power supply invalidating factor is not detected and a first predetermined period has passed since the main switch was turned on. In an apparatus comprising the memory device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Comprising power-off detection means for detecting power-off of the main power supply,
The memory device is characterized in that, when the power-off detection means detects the main power-off during the auxiliary power-activation period, the power selection means selects a power source from the main power source to the auxiliary power source. machine. In an apparatus comprising the memory device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The auxiliary power supply control means includes a memory device that activates the auxiliary power supply when a basic input / output system (BIOS) is started or when a hard disk transitions to a ready state or when a nonvolatile ROM is detected. Equipment. In an apparatus comprising the memory device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The auxiliary power supply control means has passed the time predetermined by the model, the time predetermined by the option configuration, or the time predetermined by the model and the time predetermined by the option configuration. A device provided with a memory device, wherein the auxiliary power supply is invalidated when a time is determined in advance and the elapsed time of the added time, the ready state of the device, or activation of a predetermined application is detected. An apparatus comprising the memory device according to claim 4.
The apparatus having a memory device, wherein the power selection means is a switching circuit that is selectively controlled based on a power-off signal from a power-off detection means of the main power supply. In an apparatus comprising the memory device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or claims 5 to 6,
The apparatus including a memory device, wherein the power source selection unit is a selection circuit that automatically selects a higher voltage of the main power source and the auxiliary power source. A device comprising the memory device according to claim 4 or 8,
The apparatus having a memory device, wherein the auxiliary power control means invalidates the auxiliary power when a second predetermined period has elapsed from when the auxiliary power is selected.   10. A device including a memory device according to claim 1, wherein the device including the memory device is an image forming apparatus. A method for protecting a memory device in a device including a memory device and powered by a main power supply or an auxiliary power supply,
An auxiliary power control step for enabling or disabling the auxiliary power; and
And a power source selecting step of selecting power supply from the main power source to the auxiliary power source when a main power source is cut off. The method for protecting a memory device according to claim 11, wherein
In the auxiliary power control process, the auxiliary power is enabled by detecting the auxiliary power enable factor in the main power ON state, and the auxiliary power is disabled by detecting the auxiliary power disable factor. Protection method. A method for protecting a memory device as recited in claim 12.
The auxiliary power supply control step performs a process of disabling the auxiliary power supply when a first predetermined period has elapsed after the main switch is turned on without detecting the auxiliary power supply invalidating factor. Method. The method for protecting a memory device according to any one of claims 11 to 13,
A method for protecting a memory device, comprising: performing a process of selecting a power source from the main power source to the auxiliary power source when the power source power off detecting unit detects the main power source power off during the auxiliary power source valid period. The method for protecting a memory device according to any one of claims 11 to 14,
In the auxiliary power supply control step, a process for enabling the auxiliary power supply is performed when a basic input / output system (BIOS) is started, a hard disk is shifted to a ready state, or a nonvolatile ROM is detected. How to protect the device. The method for protecting a memory device according to any one of claims 11 to 15,
In the auxiliary power supply control step, the passage of time predetermined by the model, the passage of time predetermined by the option configuration, or the time predetermined by the model and the time predetermined by the option configuration are added. Protecting a memory device, wherein a time is predetermined and the auxiliary power supply is invalidated when it is detected that the added time has elapsed, the device is ready, or a predetermined application is activated. Method. 15. A method for protecting a memory device as recited in claim 14.
It has a main power-off detection process that detects the main power-off.
The method for protecting a memory device, wherein the power source selection step is a step in which a power source is selected and controlled based on a power-off signal from a power-off detection means of the main power source. A method for protecting a memory device according to any of claims 11 to 13 or 15 to 16,
The method of protecting a memory device, wherein the power source selection step is a selection step of automatically selecting a higher one of the main power source and the auxiliary power source. The method for protecting a memory device according to claim 14 or 18,
The method of protecting a memory device, wherein, in the auxiliary power control step, a process of invalidating the auxiliary power is performed when a second predetermined period has elapsed from when the auxiliary power is selected.

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