JP2011233959A - Data processor and image output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data processor capable of transmitting data, of which processing is not completed due to occurrence of operational abnormality in a CPU, to another device, and further to provide an image output device.SOLUTION: A composite device 10 comprises: a CPU (A) 11 (main CPU) which controls an operation of the composite device 10; and a CPU (B) 12 (sub CPU) which monitors an operation of the CPU (A) 11, in a case where a data (job) of which processing is not completed exists when the CPU (B) 12 detects operational abnormality of the CPU (A) by this monitoring, sets the CPU (A) 11 to execute a data rescue program after the CPU (A) 11 is restarted and restarts the CPU (A) 11. After the CPU (A) 11 is restarted by the CPU (B) 12, the CPU (A) 11 executes the data rescue program set by the CPU (B) 12 and operates to rescue the data of which the processing is not completed on the basis of the data rescue program.

Description

  The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus that processes input data, and an image output apparatus including the data processing apparatus.

  A technology that enables immediate response to print jobs with a high degree of urgency by performing alternative processing of the print job with another printing device when the printing device fails and cannot process the print job Has been.

  For example, in a printing system in which a client device, a server device, and a plurality of printing devices are connected to a network, the client device transmits a print job designating the printing device to the server device. The server apparatus manages the print job received from the client apparatus, and if the designated printing apparatus is out of order, the server apparatus transmits the print job to another printing apparatus and performs a substitute process for the print job (patent) Reference 1).

JP 2007-34493 A

  In the above technique, a server device is required to realize a substitute process for a print job that cannot be processed due to a failure of the printing apparatus.

  In the configuration in which the server apparatus does not exist and the printing apparatus receives a print job directly from the client apparatus and performs printing processing by the printing unit (printer unit), the print job received from the client apparatus is If the CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the operation of the printing device and the network communication unit are operating normally, the print job is sent to another printing device to request alternative processing. It is possible to rescue the print job. However, if an abnormality occurs in the operation of the CPU (control program), such a rescue procedure becomes impossible.

  Further, not only in a printing apparatus that processes a print job, but also in a data processing apparatus that processes various types of data, a processing unit (hardware) may process input data to be processed under the control of the CPU. It is the same. In other words, even if the input data to be processed cannot be processed due to a failure of the processing unit, if the CPU that controls the operation of the data processing device and the network communication unit are operating normally, the data is processed by other data processing. Although an alternative process can be requested by sending it to the device, such a self-handling (data rescue) cannot be performed if an abnormality occurs in the operation of the CPU (control program).

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problem, and provides a data processing apparatus and an image output apparatus capable of transmitting data that has not been processed due to an abnormality in the operation of a CPU to another apparatus. The purpose is to do.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] An input unit for inputting data to be processed;
A storage unit for storing data input from the input unit;
A processing unit for processing data stored in the storage unit;
A first CPU for controlling the processing unit;
A communication unit that communicates with other data processing devices;
When the operation of the first CPU is monitored, and when an abnormality in the operation of the first CPU is detected by this monitoring, if there is unprocessed data by the processing unit, the storage unit does not perform the processing. A second program for setting the program for performing the operation of reading the completed data and transmitting it to the other data processing apparatus through the communication unit to be executed by the first CPU after restarting, and restarting the first CPU. CPU of
A data processing apparatus comprising:

  In the above invention, the first CPU controls the processing unit, and causes the processing unit to process data to be processed which is input from the input unit and stored in the storage unit. The second CPU monitors the operation of the first CPU, and when there is unprocessed data by the processing unit when an abnormality in the operation of the first CPU is detected, the first CPU after the restart A program (data rescue program) to be executed is set and the first CPU is restarted. When the first CPU is restarted, the first CPU executes the set program, and in accordance with this program, performs an operation of reading uncompleted data from the storage unit and transmitting it to another data processing device through the communication unit.

  As a result, data that has not been processed due to an abnormality in the operation of the first CPU that controls the processing unit can be transmitted to another data processing apparatus. That is, even if an abnormality occurs in the operation of the first CPU, self-handling (data rescue) is possible in which unprocessed data is transmitted to another data processing device and an alternative process is requested.

[2] comprising a control program executed by the first CPU to control the processing unit;
The data processing apparatus according to [1], wherein the second CPU detects an abnormality when the first CPU is operating by executing the control program in the monitoring.

  In the above invention, the second CPU monitors the operation when the first CPU is executing the control program, and detects an abnormality in the operation of the first CPU. For example, it is detected that there is an abnormality (bug) in the control program and an abnormality (for example, a runaway state of the control program) has occurred in the operation of the first CPU executing the control program.

[3] Another data processing device that is a transmission destination of the unfinished data is searched and determined through the communication unit by the first CPU or the second CPU [1] or The data processing apparatus according to [2].

  In the above-described invention, by searching for and determining another data processing device that is a transmission destination of unprocessed data, it is possible to transmit unprocessed data to another data processing device capable of executing alternative processing. it can. Other data processing devices capable of executing alternative processing include, for example, devices that are in a power-on state, devices that are in a power-on and normal operation state, and devices that have a processing function for data that is in a power-on and normal operation state and to be processed Etc.

[4] The data processing device according to any one of [1] to [3] is provided,
The data is a job including an image and an output condition for outputting the image,
The processing unit includes an image output unit that performs a process of outputting an image included in the job data based on an output condition included in the job,
The image output apparatus, wherein the communication unit communicates with another image output apparatus.

  In the above invention, the first CPU in the image output apparatus controls the image output unit, and causes the image output unit to process a job to be processed that is input from the input unit and stored in the storage unit. The image output unit performs a process of outputting an image included in the job based on an output condition included in the job. In this image output apparatus, it is possible to transmit a job that has not been processed due to an abnormality in the operation of the first CPU that controls the image output unit to another image output apparatus.

  According to the data processing device and the image output device of the present invention, it is possible to transmit data that has not been processed due to an abnormality in the operation of the CPU (first CPU) to another device. Therefore, the data that has not been processed can be replaced by another device.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine as an image output apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows typically monitoring of operation | movement of CPU, and a change of a starting program. It is a figure which shows the data structure of job data. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example when searching for and determining other multifunction peripherals that are job data transmission destinations. It is a figure which shows the outline of an exchange of each apparatus at the time of rescuing job data and an example of a system configuration. 6 is a flowchart showing job reception and processing operations performed by the CPU (A) of the multifunction machine. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of a subroutine for job processing in S107 and S108 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement by CPU (B) of a multifunctional device. 6 is a flowchart showing job data transmission operation after restart (when executing a data rescue program) by the CPU (A) of the multifunction machine.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multifunction machine 10 as an image output apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The multifunction device 10 optically reads an image of a document, prints a duplicate image on a recording sheet, and outputs it. The multifunction device 10 saves the image data of the read document as a file or transfers it to a terminal device or a server. A scanning function, a printer function for printing an image relating to print data received from a terminal device or an image relating to image data stored in the multifunction peripheral 10 on a recording sheet, a facsimile function for transmitting / receiving image data, etc. It has.

  The multi-function machine 10 is a multi-processor system device having two CPUs. The multi-function machine 10 controls the operation of the multi-function machine 10 and processes input data, and a main CPU. If there is unprocessed data when an abnormal operation of the main CPU is detected by this monitoring, the data rescue program is set to be executed by the main CPU after restarting. And a sub CPU (second CPU) for restarting the CPU. Of these two CPUs, the one with higher processing capability is the main CPU and the one with lower processing capability is the sub CPU.

  The main CPU executes a boot program to perform startup processing (boot), and activates the multifunction device 10, and controls the operation of the multifunction device 10 by executing a normal processing program (firmware) after the completion of activation. And a function of processing input data. The sub CPU restarts the data rescue program when there is unprocessed data when an abnormal operation of the main CPU is detected by the above monitoring (for example, a normal processing program runaway state). It has a function of restarting the main CPU by setting it to be executed by the later main CPU (by switching the startup program). When the main CPU is restarted by the sub CPU, the main CPU executes a data rescue program set by the sub CPU, and performs an operation of rescuing unprocessed data based on the program.

  The data to be processed is data processed in each function of copy, scan, print, and facsimile. Specifically, the job includes an image (actual data) to be output in each function and an output condition for outputting the image.

  The multi function device 10 includes a CPU (A) 11 as a main CPU, a CPU (B) 12 as a sub CPU, a ROM (Read Only Memory (BIOS ROM)), a RAM (Random Access Memory) 14, a nonvolatile memory 15, a hard disk drive (HDD; Hard Disk Drive) 16, a display unit 17, an operation unit 18, a facsimile communication unit 19, a network communication unit 20, and an image processing unit 21, a scanner unit 22, and a printer unit 23 are connected to a bus 24.

  The CPU (A) 11 executes a boot program stored in the ROM 13 to perform startup processing, and starts up the multifunction machine 10. When the activation of the multifunction device 10 is completed, the normal processing program stored in the ROM 13 is executed to control the operation of the multifunction device 10 and the input data (job) is processed.

  The CPU (B) 12 executes a program stored in the ROM 13 to monitor the operation of the CPU (A) 11, and there is unfinished data when an abnormal operation of the CPU (A) 11 is detected. To do so, the activation program is switched and the CPU (A) 11 is restarted.

  Note that the CPU (B) 12 may be configured such that the power can be continuously supplied and the operation can be continuously performed even when the power is not supplied from the power source to the CPU (A) 11 (power-off state).

  The ROM 13 stores programs executed by the CPU (A) 11 (boot program, normal processing program, etc.), programs executed by the CPU (B) 12, and the like. The RAM 14 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU (A) 11 and the CPU (B) 12 execute programs, and an image memory for temporarily storing image data. Also used for. A job management table for managing jobs is also stored.

  The nonvolatile memory 15 is a memory that retains memory even when the power is turned off, and stores device-specific information and various setting information. The hard disk device 16 stores a data rescue program and various saved data, and also saves input image data and the like.

  The data rescue program may be stored in the ROM 13 instead of the hard disk device 16. The data rescue program may be stored in an external storage device (storage) connected to the multifunction device 10 via a network, and the multifunction device 10 may access and execute the external storage device.

  The display unit 17 is configured by a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays various screens such as an operation screen, a setting screen, and a guidance screen. The operation unit 18 includes various buttons such as a start button, a stop button, and a numeric keypad, and a touch panel that is provided on the surface of the liquid crystal display and detects a pressed coordinate position. Accepts various operations to be performed.

  The facsimile communication unit 19 transmits / receives image data to / from an external apparatus having a facsimile function through a public line. The network communication unit 20 communicates with a terminal device and other multifunction devices through a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The image processing unit 21 performs various kinds of image processing such as image correction, rotation, enlargement / reduction, compression / expansion on the image data.

  The scanner unit 22 optically reads a document and acquires image data. The scanner unit 22 sequentially moves, for example, a light source that irradiates light on a document, a line image sensor that receives the reflected light for one line in the width direction, and a line-by-line reading position in the length direction of the document. An optical path composed of a lens, a mirror and the like for guiding the reflected light from the document to the line image sensor to form an image, a conversion unit for converting the analog image signal output from the line image sensor into digital image data, etc. It is configured with.

  The printer unit 23 forms and outputs an image based on the image data on a recording sheet by an electrophotographic process. The printer unit 23 includes, for example, a recording paper transport device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an LD (Laser Diode) that is controlled to be turned on according to input image data, and laser light emitted from the LD. It is configured as a so-called laser printer having a scanning unit that scans on a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a transfer separating device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device. Instead of an LED printer that irradiates a photosensitive drum with an LED (Light Emitting Diode) instead of a laser beam, other types of printers may be used.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the monitoring of the operation performed by the CPU (B) 12 on the CPU (A) 11 and the change of the activation program.

  As described above, when the activation of the multifunction device 10 is completed, the CPU (A) 11 executes the normal processing program 31 in the ROM 13 to control the operation of the multifunction device 10. The CPU (B) 12 monitors the operation when the CPU (A) 11 is executing the normal processing program 31 and detects an abnormality in the operation of the CPU (A) 11.

  Specifically, the CPU (B) 12 (the program of the CPU (B) 12) periodically transmits a heartbeat signal to the CPU (A) 11 (the normal processing program of the CPU (A) 11). When the CPU (A) 11 receives the heartbeat signal from the CPU (B) 12, it transmits an Ack (ACKnowledgement) signal to the CPU (B) 12.

  The CPU (B) 12 exchanges these signals with the CPU (A) 11 to monitor the operation when the CPU (A) 11 is executing the normal processing program 31. When the Ack signal is received from the CPU (A) 11 (when there is a response), it is determined that the CPU (A) 11 is operating normally. Further, for example, if the CPU (A) 11 is in a runaway state due to an abnormality (bug) in the normal processing program, the Ack signal cannot be transmitted to the CPU (B) 12. When the CPU (B) 12 does not receive the Ack signal from the CPU (A) 11 (when there is no response from the CPU (A) 11), it detects that an abnormality has occurred in the operation of the CPU (A) 11.

  If an unprocessed data exists when an abnormal operation of the CPU (A) 11 is detected, the CPU (B) 12 changes the read destination of the activation program to the data rescue program 32, and the CPU ( A) Restart 11. The switching of the activation program (setting of the program to be executed by the CPU (A) 11 after the restart) is performed by the CPU (B) 12 rewriting information (vector) indicating the storage destination of the program executed after the activation.

  When the CPU (A) 11 is restarted by the CPU (B) 12, the CPU (A) 11 executes the data rescue program 32 and performs an operation of rescuing unprocessed data. In this operation, the CPU (A) 11 transmits unfinished data to the other multifunction device 10. More specifically, the CPU (A) 11 transmits unprocessed data to another multifunction device 10 and asks the multifunction device 10 to execute substitution processing of the data.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a structure of data (job data) for requesting another multifunction device 10 to execute a substitute process.

  The CPU (A) 11 of the multi-function device 10 processes a job by each function of copy, scan, print, and facsimile. When processing this job, in addition to the job, rescue job data for coping with the occurrence of its own abnormality, that is, for causing another multifunction device 10 to perform substitution processing for an uncompleted job Create and save job data. In the present embodiment, the multifunction machine 10 individually manages the job to be actually processed and the job data for rescue corresponding to the job inside the apparatus. When an abnormality occurs when the CPU (A) 11 is operating by executing the normal processing program 31, and the CPU (A) 11 is switched to the data rescue program 32, the job data corresponding to the unfinished job is transferred to another job data. It is sent to the multifunction machine 10 for substitution processing.

  FIG. 3 illustrates job data 41 in a print job (or copy job) and job data 42 in a facsimile (FAX) transmission job. The job data (41, 42) includes job information (41a, 42a) and an image (41b, 42b) that is a target of output processing. The job information is included in the header portion of the job data, and describes information indicating the job type and detailed processing conditions (output conditions). The job data in the facsimile reception job and the scan job has the same data structure.

  Upon receiving this job data, the multifunction machine 10 creates a job based on the job information included in the header portion of the job data, and performs processing (alternative processing) in the same manner as a job that performs normal processing.

  Other multifunction devices 10 that are the destinations of unprocessed job data may be set in advance, or may be determined by searching from other multifunction devices 10 connected to the network. May be. In the case of setting in advance, for example, an IP (Internet Protocol) address of the corresponding other MFP 10 is input and stored in the nonvolatile memory 15.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of searching and determining another multifunction device 10 that is a transmission destination of job data.

  Here, a case will be described as an example where the MFP 10 broadcasts a search request (Discovery request) on the network in order to search for another MFP 10 connected to the network. For example, when the multifunction device A (10a) connected to the network 2 shown in FIG. 4 searches for another multifunction device to which the job data is to be transmitted, the multifunction device A includes its own IP address. Broadcast the Discovery packet to the network 2. Other multifunction devices that have received the Discovery packet are configured to return their own IP addresses to the multifunction device A that is the transmission source. The multi-function device A determines another multi-function device that has returned (responded) to the Discovery packet that has been broadcasted or the first multi-function device that has replied to it as the job data transmission destination. In this case, the IP address received from another multifunction device determined as the transmission destination of the job data is stored in the nonvolatile memory 15.

  In FIG. 4, three multifunction devices A (10a), B (10b), and C (10c) are connected to the network 2, and the multifunction device B is powered on and the multifunction device C is powered off. Shows the state. In this case, when the MFP A broadcasts the Discovery packet to the network 2, the MFP A receives a reply from the MFP B and determines the MFP B as a job data transmission destination.

  The search and determination described above may be performed by either the CPU (A) 11 or the CPU (B) 12. When the CPU (A) 11 performs, it is performed at the normal operation (normal operation) by executing the normal processing program or at the start of the data rescue operation by executing the data rescue program. When the CPU (B) 12 performs, it may be performed when the operation of the CPU (A) 11 is normal, or may be performed when an abnormality in the operation of the CPU (A) 11 is detected. Good.

  Further, the job data transmission destination is not limited to the case where it is determined to be another multifunction device in the power-on state (and the normal operation state) that has returned the Discovery packet broadcast-transmitted on the network. The determination may be made in consideration of other conditions, for example, a condition that a processing function for job data to be processed is provided.

  For example, when searching for and determining the job data transmission destination in a facsimile transmission job, a Discovery packet to which condition information indicating that the facsimile function is essential is broadcasted to the network, and the returned power-on is returned. Further, it may be determined to be another multifunction device having a normal operation state and a facsimile function. Also, a discovery packet with job information (information indicating the job type and detailed processing conditions (output conditions)) included in the header part of the job data is broadcast on the network, and the power is returned and returned normally. It is also possible to determine another multifunction device capable of output processing based on the operation state and the job information.

  Next, the operation of the multifunction machine 10 will be described.

  Here, an operation when the multifunction device 10 processes a print job received from a terminal device will be described as an example.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration in which a plurality of multifunction peripherals 10 and terminal devices 50 are connected to the network 2, and an outline of exchanges between the devices when job data (print job) is rescued. In FIG. 5, in the process of processing a print job received from the terminal device 50 by the multifunction device 10a (multifunction device A), an abnormality occurs in the operation of the CPU (A) 11, and the job data corresponding to the print job is combined. A case is shown in which an alternative process is executed by being transmitted to the machine 10b (multifunction machine B). With reference to FIG. 5, an outline of the operation of the entire system when job data (print job) is rescued will be described.

  In the multifunction machine 10a, when the CPU (A) 11 completes the activation of the multifunction machine 10a, the normal processing program is executed to control the operation of the multifunction machine 10a (P1). The CPU (B) 12 periodically transmits a heartbeat signal to the CPU (A) 11 and receives an Ack signal from the CPU (A) 11, whereby the CPU (A) 11 executes the normal processing program. Monitor the behavior when you are.

  The terminal device 50 selects an image (document) to be printed (printed) by the user, designates the multifunction peripheral 10a as a print request destination, accepts settings of various setting items (output conditions) related to printing, When a print instruction is received, a print job including the selected image and the set output condition is created and transmitted to the multifunction peripheral 10a through the network 2. When the MFP 10a receives a print job from the terminal device 50 (P2), the CPU (A) 11 stores the received print job in the RAM. Job data (see FIG. 3) is created from the print job, and the created job data is stored in the hard disk device 16 in association with the print job. The job ID (Identification) of this print job is registered in the job management table, and the print jobs are processed in the registration order. The CPU (B) 12 monitors the operation of the CPU (A) 11 even during job processing.

  When the processing of the print job is completed, the CPU (A) 11 deletes the job ID of the print job from the job management table and deletes the print job stored in the RAM 14 and is associated with the print job. The job data is deleted from the hard disk device 16.

  When an abnormality occurs in the operation of the CPU (A) 11 during job processing (P4), and the CPU (B) 12 stops receiving a response (reception of the Ack signal) from the CPU (A) 11, the CPU (A) 11 It is detected that an abnormality has occurred in the operation (P5). The CPU (B) 12 transmits an error notification from the network communication unit 20 to the multi function device 10b through the network 2 (P6).

  When the multifunction machine 10b receives an error notification from the multifunction machine 10a, the CPU (A) 11 of the multifunction machine 10b transmits a startup program change request to the multifunction machine 10a through the network 2 (P7).

  When the multifunction device 10a receives the activation program change request from the multifunction device 10b, the CPU (B) 12 of the multifunction device 10a changes the reading destination of the activation program to the data rescue program and restarts the CPU (A) 11. (P8). When the CPU (B) 12 is restarted, the CPU (A) 11 executes the data rescue program (P9), and reads the job data (unprocessed job data) stored in the hard disk device 16 Is transmitted to the multifunction machine 10b (P10), and the job data is deleted from the hard disk device 16 after transmission.

  When the multifunction device 10b receives job data from the multifunction device 10a, the CPU (A) 11 of the multifunction device 10b stores the received job data in the hard disk device 16. A print job is created from the job data and stored in the RAM 14 to associate the job data with the print job. The job ID of this print job is registered in the job management table, and the print job is processed (P11 (alternative processing)).

  When the processing of the print job is completed, the CPU (A) 11 of the multifunction machine 10b deletes the job ID of the print job from the job management table and deletes the print job stored in the RAM 14 and adds the print job to this print job. The associated job data is deleted from the hard disk device 16.

  6 to 9 are flowcharts showing operations of the CPU (A) 11 and the CPU (B) 12 in the multifunction machine 10. Specifically, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of receiving (processing) a job (print job) and processing by the CPU (A) 11. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the job processing subroutine in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU (B) 12. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the job data transmission operation after the restart by the CPU (A) 11 (when the data rescue program is executed). The operation of the multifunction machine 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the CPU (A) 11 of the multifunction machine 10 does not receive a heartbeat signal from the CPU (B) 12 (step S101; No), it does not respond to the CPU (B) 12. When a heartbeat signal is received from the CPU (B) 12 (step S101; Yes), an Ack signal is transmitted to the CPU (B) 12 (step S102).

  If no print job is received from the terminal device (step S103; No) and no error notification is received from another multifunction device 10 (step S104; No), the process returns to step S101, and steps S101 to S104 are repeated. When a print job is received from the terminal device (step S103; Yes), job processing is performed (step S107). When an error notification is received from another multifunction device 10 (step S104; Yes), a startup program change request is transmitted to the multifunction device 10 that is the transmission destination of the error notification (step S105). When job data is received from the multifunction device 10 (step S106), job processing is performed (step S108 (alternative processing)).

  In addition, between step S105 and step S108, description of the step of receiving the heartbeat signal from the CPU (B) 12 and transmitting the Ack signal to the CPU (B) 12 is omitted. Also during steps S105 to S108, when CPU (A) 11 receives a heartbeat signal from CPU (B) 12 through steps similar to steps S101 and S102, CPU (B) 12 receives Ack. Send a signal.

  In the job processing shown in FIG. 7, if the received print job is a print job (step S <b> 201; job), the CPU (A) 11 stores the received print job in the RAM 14. Job data is created from the print job, and the created job data is stored in the hard disk device 16 in association with the print job (step S202). The job ID of this print job is registered in the job management table (step S205), and the print jobs are executed in the registration order (step S206).

  If the received job data is the job data (step S201; job data), the CPU (A) 11 stores the received job data in the hard disk device 16 (step S203). A print job is created from the job data and stored in the RAM 14 (step S204), and the job data and the print job are associated with each other. The job ID of this print job is registered in the job management table (step S205), and the print jobs are executed in the registration order (step S206).

  If the CPU (A) 11 does not receive a heartbeat signal from the CPU (B) 12 during execution of the print job (step S207; No), the CPU (B) does not respond to the CPU (B) 12. When a heartbeat signal is received from 12 (step S207; Yes), an Ack signal is transmitted to the CPU (B) 12 (step S208). If a print job is not received from the terminal device (step S212; No) and no error notification is received from another multifunction device 10 (step S213; No) during execution of the print job (step S209; No), step Returning to S207, Steps S207 to S209; No to Step S213 are repeated.

  If a print job is received from the terminal device during execution of the print job (step S209; No) (step S212; Yes), the CPU (A) 11 stores the received print job in the RAM 14. Job data is created from the print job, and the created job data is stored in the hard disk device 16 in association with the print job (step S202). The job ID of this print job is registered in the job management table (step S205), and the print job being executed is continuously executed (step S206).

  If an error notification is received from another multifunction device 10 during execution of the print job (step S209; No) (step S212; No to step S213; Yes), the CPU (A) 11 is the destination of the error notification. When the activation program change request is transmitted to the multifunction device 10 (step S214) and job data is received from the multifunction device 10 (step S215), the received job data is stored in the hard disk device 16 (step S203). A print job is created from the job data and stored in the RAM 14 (step S204), and the job data and the print job are associated with each other. The job ID of this print job is registered in the job management table (step S205), and the print job being executed is continuously executed (step S206).

  When the CPU (A) 11 completes the execution of the print job (step S209; Yes), it deletes the job ID of the print job from the job management table and deletes the print job stored in the RAM 14, and this print job. Is deleted from the hard disk device 16 (step S210). When the job ID of the next print job is registered in the job management table (step S211; Yes), the CPU (A) 11 executes the print job corresponding to the job ID (step S206). If there is no next print job (step S211: No), the process returns to FIG. 6 (Return), and step S101 and subsequent steps are performed.

  In FIG. 7, during the execution of the job, the heartbeat signal is received from the CPU (B) 12 (step S207) and the Ack signal is transmitted to the CPU (B) 12 (step S208). However, these steps are performed even when the job is not being executed. That is, during the operation shown in FIG. 7, if the CPU (A) 11 receives a heartbeat signal from the CPU (B) 12 by the same steps as Step S207 and Step S208, the Ack signal is sent to the CPU (B) 12. Send.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the CPU (B) 12 of the multifunction machine 10 transmits a heartbeat signal to the CPU (A) 11 (step S301). When the Ack signal is received from the CPU (A) 11 within a predetermined allowable time (step S302; Yes), the CPU (B) 12 determines that the CPU (A) 11 is operating normally. Similarly thereafter, the CPU (B) 12 periodically transmits a heartbeat signal to the CPU (A) 11 (step S301 to step S302; Yes).

  When the Ack signal is not received from the CPU (A) 11 within a predetermined allowable time (step S302; No), it is detected that an abnormality has occurred in the operation of the CPU (A) 11, and the hard disk device 16 receives job data ( Whether or not unprocessed job data) is stored is checked (step S303).

  If no job data is stored in the hard disk device 16 (step S303; No), the operation is terminated (End). In this case, for example, the CPU (A) 11 becomes in a runaway state due to an abnormality in the normal processing program, and the user takes measures such as turning off the power of the multifunction machine 10.

  When the job data is stored in the hard disk device 16 (step S303; Yes), the CPU (B) 12 transmits an error notification to the other multifunction device 10 (step S304), and the activation program is changed from the multifunction device 10. It is monitored whether or not the request is received (step S305; No).

  When the activation program change request is received from the other MFP 10 that is the transmission destination of the error notification (step S305; Yes), the CPU (B) 12 changes the activation program reading destination to the data rescue program (step S306). The CPU (A) 11 is restarted (step S307 / End).

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the CPU (A) 11 of the multifunction machine 10 is restarted by the CPU (B) 12, it executes the data rescue program and stores the job data (processing) stored in the hard disk device 16. (Uncompleted job data) is read out and transmitted to the other MFP 10, and after the transmission, the job data is deleted from the hard disk device 16 (step S401 / End).

  Here, a print job (print job) received by the multifunction device 10 from the terminal device has been described as an example. However, a copy job accompanied by printing, a facsimile reception job, and the like can be rescued as well. Furthermore, facsimile transmission jobs, scan jobs, etc. can be rescued in the same manner.

  In the case of a copy job, job data is created based on the settings (output conditions) relating to the copy received from the user and the image data of the original read by the scanner unit 22 and stored in the hard disk device 16, and the copy job is printed. If an abnormality occurs in the operation of the CPU (A) 11 before the process is completed, the job data can be read from the hard disk device 16 and transmitted to the other multifunction device 10 to execute an alternative printing process. In the case of a facsimile reception job, job data is created based on the image data received by the facsimile, stored in the hard disk device 16, and an abnormality occurs in the operation of the CPU (A) 11 before completing the printing process of the facsimile reception job. In this case, the job data can be read from the hard disk device 16 and transmitted to the other multifunction device 10 to execute an alternative printing process.

  In the case of a facsimile transmission job, job data is created based on settings (output conditions) relating to facsimile transmission received from the user and image data of the facsimile transmission original read by the scanner unit 22 and stored in the hard disk device 16. When an abnormality occurs in the operation of the CPU (A) 11 before completing the transmission process of the facsimile transmission job, the job data is read from the hard disk device 16 and transmitted to the other multifunction device 10 to execute an alternative transmission process. I can have you. In the case of a scan job, job data is created based on scan-related settings received from the user (output conditions including transmission to a terminal device, server, etc.) and image data of a scan document read by the scanner unit 22. When an abnormality occurs in the operation of the CPU (A) 11 before being stored in the hard disk device 16 and completing the transmission processing of the scan job, the job data is read from the hard disk device 16 and transmitted to another multifunction device 10. An alternative transmission process can be executed.

  As described above, the MFP 10 according to the present embodiment transfers job data that has not been processed due to an abnormality in the operation of the CPU (A) 11 that controls the operation of the MFP 10 to the other MFP 10. Can be sent to. That is, even if an abnormality occurs in the operation of the CPU (A) 11 as the main CPU, the CPU (A) 11 after the restart of the data rescue program is executed by the CPU (B) 12 as the sub CPU. By setting and restarting the CPU (A) 11, the CPU (A) 11 executes the data rescue program after the restart, and transmits unprocessed job data to the other multifunction device 10 to perform the alternative process. Self-responsibility (rescue of data) such as requesting is possible.

  In this embodiment, the CPU (B) 12 monitors the operation when the CPU (A) 11 is executing the normal processing program, and detects an abnormal operation of the CPU (A) 11. The operation when the CPU (A) 11 is executing the data rescue program is not monitored (see FIG. 9). Thereby, for example, the processing load on the CPU (A) 11 and the CPU (B) 12 is reduced as compared with the case where the CPU (B) 12 also monitors the operation of the data rescue program by the CPU (A) 11. be able to.

  In addition, when searching for and determining another multifunction device 10 that is a destination of transmission of unfinished job data, the unfinished job data is transmitted to another multifunction device 10 capable of executing alternative processing. Can do.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and the present invention can be changed or added without departing from the scope of the present invention. Included in the invention.

  For example, the monitoring of the operation of the CPU (A) 11 performed by the CPU (B) 12 is not limited to the monitoring by the exchange of the heartbeat signal and the Ack signal described in the embodiment. The CPU (A) 11 periodically transmits an operation signal to the CPU (B) 12 by a watchdog timer or the like, and the CPU (B) 12 periodically receives the operation signal from the CPU (A) 11. The operation of the CPU (A) 11 may be monitored.

  In the embodiment, a job that is actually processed by the multifunction device 10 and a rescue job data that is sent to another multifunction device 10 to be subjected to a substitute process are distinguished and managed. It is also possible to manage and send a job to another multifunction device 10 to perform substitution processing.

  In the embodiment, the CPU (B) 12 monitors the operation when the CPU (A) 11 executes the normal processing program, but the operation when the data rescue program is executed. May also be monitored. As a result, the CPU (B) 12 can detect an abnormal operation when the CPU (A) 11 is executing the data rescue program.

  When the CPU (B) 12 detects the above abnormality, an error indicating that data cannot be rescued may be displayed on the display unit 17 to notify the user. Further, the operation of the CPU (A) 11 may be forcibly stopped. For example, it is possible to prevent the rescue job data from being erroneously transmitted to an external device different from the original transmission destination due to a runaway state of the data rescue program.

  When the CPU (A) 11 executes the data rescue program and operates normally and transmits job data to another multifunction device 10, the multifunction device 10 transmits the job data transmission destination information and the transmission normal completion. Is displayed on the display unit 17 to notify the user, in the case of a print job received from the terminal device, the information is notified to the terminal device that is the transmission source of the print job, or the transmission destination information of the job data is displayed. You may make it preserve | save as a log | history. Further, the multifunction device 10 receives a job data substitution process completion notification from the destination multifunction device 10 and displays on the display unit 17 that the job data substitution process has been normally completed to notify the user, In the case of a print job received from a terminal device, the terminal device that sent the print job is notified that the substitute processing for the print job has been completed normally, and information indicating the completion of the substitute processing for job data is used as a history. You may make it preserve | save. Further, when the multifunction device 10 recovers from the abnormal operation of the CPU (A) 11, the display unit 17 displays the above history (transmission destination, substitution processing completion) regarding job data that has not been processed in the multifunction device 10. May be displayed to notify the user, or in the case of a print job received from a terminal device, the above history may be notified to the terminal device that has transmitted the print job.

  In addition, the image output apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the multi-function apparatus described in the embodiment, and other image output apparatuses such as a printer, a copier, and a facsimile machine can be targeted. The data processing device according to the present invention is not limited to a data processing device that is provided in an image output device and performs output processing of data relating to an image, and is intended for a data processing device that performs processing of various types of data other than images. Can do.

2 ... Network 10 (10a, 10b, 10c) ... Multifunction machine 11 ... CPU (A)
12 ... CPU (B)
13 ... ROM
14 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Non-volatile memory 16 ... Hard disk device 17 ... Display part 18 ... Operation part 19 ... Facsimile communication part 20 ... Network communication part 21 ... Image processing part 22 ... Scanner part 23 ... Printer part 24 ... Bus 31 ... Normal processing program 32 ... Data rescue program 41, 42 ... job data 41a, 42a ... job information 41b, 42b ... image 50 ... terminal device

Claims (4)

An input unit for inputting data to be processed;
A storage unit for storing data input from the input unit;
A processing unit for processing data stored in the storage unit;
A first CPU for controlling the processing unit;
A communication unit that communicates with other data processing devices;
When the operation of the first CPU is monitored, and when an abnormality in the operation of the first CPU is detected by this monitoring, if there is unprocessed data by the processing unit, the storage unit does not perform the processing. A second program for setting the program for performing the operation of reading the completed data and transmitting it to the other data processing apparatus through the communication unit to be executed by the first CPU after restarting, and restarting the first CPU. CPU of
A data processing apparatus comprising: A control program executed by the first CPU to control the processing unit;
The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second CPU detects an abnormality when the first CPU is operating by executing the control program in the monitoring. The other data processing apparatus that is a transmission destination of the uncompleted data is searched and determined through the communication unit by the first CPU or the second CPU. Data processing equipment. The data processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The data is a job including an image and an output condition for outputting the image,
The processing unit includes an image output unit that performs processing to output an image included in the job based on an output condition included in the job,
The image output apparatus, wherein the communication unit communicates with another image output apparatus.

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