JP2012113382A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve simplification of a restoration process from an external storage medium.SOLUTION: An image forming device 1 capable of backing up and restoring setting information by using an external storage medium comprises: backup means 5 for copying the setting information as backup data for predetermined each data group to the external storage medium 4; and restoring means 6 for restoring the backup data copied to the external storage medium 4 for the each data group to the image forming device 1. In addition, the external storage medium 4 has an abnormal termination flag indicating whether or not a restoration process by the restoring means 6 is abnormally terminated. In the case where the restoration process is determined to be abnormally terminated based on the abnormal termination flag, the restoring means 6 determines normality of the backup data stored in the external storage medium 4 for the each data group and restores the backup data to the image forming device 1 based on a determination result.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that backs up setting information to an external storage medium and restores setting information from the external storage medium.

(Technical terms)
In this specification, “backup” means copying in advance in preparation for destruction, loss, or theft of data and programs handled by a computer (including an image forming apparatus).
“Restore” means to repair or restore a computer file or disk in which a problem occurred. In addition, it means that the backed up data is returned to the computer and returned to the original state.

  As an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile machine, a copying machine, and a multifunction machine of these, for example, an apparatus including a recording head composed of a liquid discharge head is used, and a recording medium (hereinafter also referred to as paper, although the material is not limited). In addition, while transporting the recording medium, recording paper, transfer material, recording paper, etc., the image is formed by attaching ink as a liquid to the paper (recording, printing, printing, printing is also synonymous) A so-called ink jet type image forming apparatus is known.

  Further, for example, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of a photosensitive drum as an image carrier, and the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum is developed with a toner or the like as a developer to be a visible image. There is known an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which an image is carried on a recording paper by a transfer device to carry an image, and a toner image on the recording paper is fixed by a fixing device using pressure or heat.

  In such an image forming apparatus, device setting values and setting information such as an address book for the apparatus are backed up to an external storage medium such as an SD card or a USB memory, and backed up when the image forming apparatus fails. A technique is known in which a device setting environment of an image forming apparatus is efficiently restored by restoring the set device settings, address book, and the like to another image forming apparatus in which no failure has occurred.

  With regard to this technology, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses, together with setting information of an image forming apparatus, whether a setting item is common between different models for each setting item, whether it is a common setting item between different devices of the same model, and A portable storage medium writing means for writing additional information on whether or not the setting item is sharable between different devices to a portable storage medium. With this additional information, the backed up setting information is considered in consideration of the difference between models. A technique that can be restored to another image forming apparatus is disclosed.

  However, in a device that restores device setting values, address books, and the like using a conventional external storage medium such as Patent Document 1, if the external storage medium is removed or a power interruption occurs during the restore operation, the external storage medium Data backed up on the medium may be damaged, and there has been a problem that normal restoration cannot be performed from the next time using such an external storage medium.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus that backs up and restores setting information of an apparatus via an external storage medium, backup data saved in the external storage medium can be stored even if the backup data is damaged during the restore process. By reusing as much as possible, image forming that allows the user to save time and simplify the restoration process by eliminating the need to prepare another external storage medium in which backup data is stored again An object is to provide an apparatus.

  In order to achieve this object, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus capable of backing up and restoring setting information using an external storage medium. Backup means for copying as backup data to the external storage medium, and restore means for restoring the backup data copied to the external storage medium to the image forming apparatus in units of data groups, and the external storage medium is restored by the restore means If the restoration unit determines that the restoration has been terminated abnormally based on the abnormal termination information, the restoration unit has normality for each data group of the backup data in the external storage medium. Judgment is made, and restoration to the image forming apparatus is performed based on the judgment result.

  The invention described in claim 2 further comprises display means for selectively displaying a normal data group determined to be normal in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the restore means is selected normal The data group is restored to the image forming apparatus.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus further includes a display unit that displays a normal data group determined to be normal so that the restore unit can select the selected normal data. The backup data is reconstructed based on the data group, and the backup data in the external storage medium is updated with the reconstructed backup data.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the restore unit includes setting information corresponding to a normal data group determined to be normal and a damaged data group determined to be not normal. The backup data is reconstructed based on the initial value and the backup data in the external storage medium is updated with the reconstructed backup data.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the backup unit duplicates the backup data in the external storage medium, stores the duplicated backup data in the external storage medium, and restores the backup data. Is to restore backup data using duplex backup data and update the backup data in the external storage medium using the backup data.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to simplify the restoration processing of setting information using an external storage medium.

1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a printing apparatus that is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows a 1st restore process. It is a flowchart which shows a 2nd restore process. It is a flowchart which shows a 3rd restore process. It is a flowchart which shows a 4th restore process.

  Hereinafter, the configuration according to the present invention will be described in detail based on the embodiment shown in FIGS. The image forming apparatus (printing apparatus 1) according to the present embodiment is an image forming apparatus capable of backing up and restoring setting information using an external storage medium (4). Backup means (5) for copying as backup data to the external storage medium, and restore means (6) for restoring the backup data copied to the external storage medium to the image forming apparatus in units of data groups, and the external storage medium is , Having abnormal end information (abnormal end flag) indicating whether or not the restoration by the restoring means has ended abnormally, and when the restoring means determines that the restoration has ended abnormally based on the abnormal end information, The normality of each backup data is determined for each data group, and restoration to the image forming apparatus is performed based on the determination result Than is. The “setting information” is not limited to the device setting value, but includes various data such as an address book, auxiliary information related to backup, and the like.

  More specifically, for example, when it is determined that the processing was interrupted (abnormally terminated) in the previous restoration processing during restoration processing, the data in each group is damaged with respect to the backup data saved on the external storage medium. Determine the situation and determine the normality of the data in groups. Further, the data judged to be normal is displayed to be selectable to the user, and the restoration is performed based on the data designated by the user. Further, the backup data in the external storage medium may be reconstructed and restored based on the reconstructed backup data.

  In addition, for the data of the group determined to be damaged, the backup data of the external storage medium is reconstructed using the initial value of the device, and the restoration is performed based on the reconstructed backup data. There may be. Furthermore, the backup data of the external storage device is duplicated and backed up, the backup data of the external storage medium is reconstructed based on the duplicated backup data, and the restore is performed based on the reconstructed backup data. It may be what you do.

(Configuration and operation of image forming apparatus)
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus 1 that is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 includes an internal storage unit 2 that is a non-removable non-volatile storage unit, an external storage medium interface (IF) unit 3, an external storage medium 4 that is a removable non-volatile storage unit, The controller unit 7 includes a backup unit 5 and a restore unit 6, a host interface (IF) unit 8, an operation panel 9, a ROM 10, a RAM 11, a print engine (Plotter Engine) 12, and the like. And connected to a host computer 13 such as a personal computer.

  The internal storage unit 2 is, for example, a hard disk drive, EEPROM, NVRAM, or the like, and the external storage medium 4 and its IF unit 3 are an IC-Card device, a USB memory, an SD card device, or the like.

  The operation of the printing apparatus 1 will be described. First, when registering data such as external characters and forms in the printing apparatus 1, the user transmits data from the host computer 13 to the printing apparatus 1 via the host IF 8. Receiving this, the printing apparatus 1 holds the received data in the internal storage means 2.

  Further, when the user wants to save data such as device setting values held in the internal storage unit 2 in the printing apparatus 1, an external storage medium (for example, USB memory, SD card, etc.) 4 is stored in the printing apparatus. 1 is attached to a storage medium IF unit (for example, a USB port, an SD card slot, etc.) 3, and an instruction to that effect can be given via the host computer 13 or the operation panel 9 of the printing apparatus.

  Upon receiving the instruction, the printing apparatus 1 calls the backup unit 5 that operates on the controller unit 7 and executes the following processing.

  The backup unit 5 reads data such as device setting values held in the internal storage unit 2 and writes (duplicates) it as backup data in a non-volatile storage medium 4 that can be detached via the storage medium IF unit 3. . Further, when the user restores the backup data previously saved in the external storage medium 4 in the internal storage means 2, the external storage medium 4 in which the data has been saved before is attached to the storage medium IF unit 3. An instruction to that effect can be given via the host computer 13 or the operation panel 9 of the printing apparatus.

  Upon receiving the instruction, the printing apparatus 1 calls the restore unit 6 operating on the controller unit 7 and executes the following processing.

  The restore unit 6 reads the backup data written and stored in the external storage medium 4 by the backup unit 5 via the external storage medium IF unit 3 and restores it to the internal storage unit 2.

  Here, the backup unit 5 can copy the device setting values of the image forming apparatus to the external storage medium 4 as a group unit having a predetermined unit, and the restore unit 6 stores the backup data. It is possible to restore in groups.

  Also, the restore means 6 stores an abnormal end flag (abnormal end information) that is stored (turned on) at the start of the restore process for the external storage medium 4 and erased (turned off) when the restore process is completed normally. Define. Since the external storage medium 4 has this abnormal end flag as information, when the abnormal end flag is on, it is possible to determine that the process has been interrupted during the previous restore process.

  In addition, the backup unit 5 and the restore unit 6 transmit data from the host computer 13 while the internal storage unit 2 and the external storage medium 4 are saving or restoring data such as device setting values. In response to an instruction to register data to be registered or to delete data that has already been registered, exclusive control processing is performed so that the reception or execution processing is not performed simultaneously.

  In addition to the data such as device setting values, the backup unit 5 stores backup ID, date and time of backup, total data capacity to be stored, total number of data to be stored, checksum related to data to be stored, etc. Also write the attached information.

  Further, the restore means 6 reads the attached information in the external storage medium 4 written by the backup means 5, and whether or not there is an abnormality in the data, whether the medium is appropriate as a processing target, is sufficient for the internal storage means 2 at the recovery destination. Check if there is free space. If there is a problem, normal data is displayed on the operation panel 9 and only the data selected by the user is restored, or backup data is reconstructed with the data selected by the user and stored externally. The user is overwritten on the medium 4 or notified to the user of a message for prompting replacement with an appropriate external storage medium 4.

  The backup unit 5 also preferably performs a process of duplicating and writing data such as device setting values in the external storage medium 4. In this case, when the restoration unit 6 detects the data corruption, the backup unit 5 reads the data written in duplicate on the external storage medium 4 and restores the damaged data from the data to restore the external storage medium 4 and Writing to the internal storage means 2 (fourth restore process described later).

(First restoration process)
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of restore processing executed by the printing apparatus 1. The restore process shown in FIG. 2 is a process in which the user selectively restores a data group (set value group) that has been restored successfully if the previous restore process did not end normally during the restore process. 1 restore process).

  First, an external storage medium 4 in which backup data such as device setting values is stored is loaded in the printing apparatus 1 that can backup and restore device setting values and the like using an external storage medium, and the user restores device setting values and the like. An execution start is requested (S101).

  It is confirmed whether or not an abnormal end flag indicating abnormal end in the previous restore process is set in the external storage medium 4 (S102), and when it is determined that the previous restore process has ended normally (S103: yes) executes the normal restoration process as described above (S104).

  On the other hand, when the abnormal end flag is on, it is determined that the previous restoration process ended abnormally (S103: no). In this case, it is checked whether or not there is a data group (referred to as a damaged data group) having damaged data for each data group with respect to the backup data of the external storage medium 4 (S105). The method for checking damaged data is not particularly limited. For example, the checksum is calculated from the checksum value calculated for each data group and stored with the backup data at the time of backup, and the checksum value read at the time of restoration. By comparing the values and determining that there is no data corruption if they are the same, the status of corruption is confirmed by checking the upper and lower limit values of each set value.

  If there is no damaged data group as a result of the confirmation (S106: no), normal restore processing is executed (S104). On the other hand, when there is a damaged data group (S106: yes), a data group determined to be normal other than the damaged data group (referred to as a normal data group) is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 9 or the host computer 13. (S107).

  On the other hand, the user selects a data group to be restored from the displayed normal data group (S108), thereby executing a restore process for the selected data group (S104).

  According to the first restore process, even if the restore process has previously failed and the backup data of the external storage medium 4 is partially damaged (damaged data group), the user can store other normal data. It can be restored selectively. Therefore, when restoration of only normal data is sufficient, it is not necessary to prepare an external storage medium in which backup data is stored again, and the restore process can be simplified.

(Second restoration process)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the restore process executed by the printing apparatus 1. The restore process shown in FIG. 3 is a process when the backup data is reconstructed and restored from the normally restored data group selected by the user when the previous restore process did not end normally during the restore process. (Referred to as second restore processing). Note that S201 to S208 in FIG. 3 correspond to S101 to S108, respectively, and redundant description is omitted.

  If it is determined that the previous restore process has ended abnormally (S203: no), the backup data of the external storage medium 4 is checked to see if there is any corrupted data in units of data groups (S205). If there is no damaged data group (S206: no), normal restore processing is executed (S204).

  On the other hand, if there is a damaged data group (S206: yes), the normal data group is displayed (S207). Next, when the user selects a data group to be restored from the displayed normal data group (S208), the backup data is reconstructed from the selected normal data group (S209), and the backup in the external storage medium 4 is performed. After the data is overwritten (S210), a restore process is executed with the reconstructed backup data (S204).

  According to the second restore process, even if the restore process has failed before and the backup data on the external storage medium 4 is partially damaged, the backup data is stored in the normal data group selected as the restore target by the user. By reconstructing and saving in the external storage medium, it is not necessary to reconstruct the backup data during the next and subsequent restore processing. Further, when restoring a different device on the same external storage medium, the user does not need to select data to be restored. Therefore, the restore process can be simplified.

(Third restore processing)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the restore process executed by the printing apparatus 1. The restore process shown in FIG. 4 is performed when the previous restore process is not normally completed during the restore process, and the data group restored by the user and the initial setting value of the data corresponding to the damaged data 3 shows a process when the backup data is reconstructed and restored from the beginning (referred to as a third restore process). Note that S301 to S306 in FIG. 4 correspond to S101 to S106, respectively, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

  If it is determined that the previous restore process has ended abnormally (S303: no), the backup data of the external storage medium 4 is checked for damaged data in units of each data group (S305). If there is no damaged data group (S306: no), normal restore processing is executed (S304).

  On the other hand, if there is a damaged data group (S306: yes), an initial setting value corresponding to the damaged data group is acquired from the device to be restored (printing apparatus 1) (S307). When acquisition of this initial setting value is successful (S308: yes), it is stored on the volatile memory (RAM 11) as reconstructed backup data (S309), and when acquisition fails (S308: no), The corresponding setting value is excluded from the reconstructed backup data.

  After acquiring the initial setting values for all damaged data groups (S310: yes), backup the setting values with the normal data group and the data groups that have been successfully acquired and stored in the volatile memory. The data is reconstructed (S311), the backup data in the external storage medium 4 is overwritten and saved (S312), and a restore process is executed with the reconstructed backup data (S304).

  In the third restoration process, when it is determined that a damaged data group exists (S306: yes), whether to reconstruct the backup data based on the normal data group and the initial setting value of the damaged data group to the user It is also preferable to check whether or not.

  According to the third restore process, each device of the normal data group and the damaged data group that the apparatus has even if the restore process has previously failed and the backup data of the external storage medium 4 is partially damaged. By reconstructing the backup data with the initial setting value (default value) and saving it to the external storage medium, it is not necessary to reconstruct the backup data at the next and subsequent restore processing, and simplifies the restore processing. be able to. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent a problem that damaged data is erroneously written to the apparatus when the restore process is executed for another apparatus using the same external storage medium.

(Fourth restoration process)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the restore process executed by the printing apparatus 1. The restore process shown in FIG. 5 is a process when the backup data is reconstructed and restored from the backup of the backup data stored in the external storage medium 4 when the previous restore process was not normally completed during the restore process. (Referred to as a fourth restore process). Note that S401 to S406 in FIG. 5 correspond to S101 to S106, respectively, and redundant description is omitted.

  If it is determined that the previous restore process has ended abnormally (S403: no), the backup data of the external storage medium 4 is checked to see if there is any corrupted data in each data group (S405). If there is no damaged data group (S406: no), normal restore processing is executed (S304).

  On the other hand, if there is a damaged data group (S406: yes), it is confirmed whether or not a backup by backup data duplication processing exists in the external storage medium 4 (S407). This backup (duplex backup data) by duplication processing is duplicated and saved when backing up the device setting values and the like to the external storage medium 4 as described above.

  If there is a backup by the duplexing process (S407: yes), the backup data is restored using the backup by the duplexing process (S408). On the other hand, if there is no backup by duplication (S407: no), the backup data is reconstructed as in the second or third restore process (S409).

  After the backup data restored or reconstructed in this way is stored in the external storage medium 4 (S410), a restore process is executed (S404).

  According to the fourth restore process, the restore process has failed before, and even if a part of the backup data of the external storage medium 4 is damaged, the backup data is damaged due to backup (backup by duplication process). By restoring the backup data, the user does not need to prepare an external storage medium in which the backup data is stored again, and the restore process can be simplified.

  The above-described embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1 Printing device (image forming device)
2 Internal storage means 3 External storage medium IF section 4 External storage medium 5 Backup means 6 Restore means 7 Controller section 8 Host IF section 9 Operation panel 10 ROM
11 RAM
12 Print engine 13 Host computer

JP 2007-128493 A

Claims (5)

In an image forming apparatus capable of backing up and restoring setting information using an external storage medium,
Backup means for copying the setting information as backup data to the external storage medium in a predetermined data group unit;
Restoring means for restoring the backup data copied to the external storage medium to the image forming apparatus in units of the data group;
And the external storage medium has abnormal termination information indicating whether or not the restoration by the restoration means has been abnormally terminated,
When the restoration unit determines that the restoration has ended abnormally based on the abnormal end information, the restoration unit determines normality for each of the data groups of the backup data in the external storage medium, and an image based on the determination result An image forming apparatus that performs restoration to a forming apparatus. Having a display means for selectively displaying a normal data group determined to be normal,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the restoration unit restores the selected normal data group to the image forming apparatus. Having a display means for selectively displaying a normal data group determined to be normal,
The restore unit reconstructs backup data based on the selected normal data group, and updates the backup data in the external storage medium with the reconstructed backup data. The image forming apparatus described.   The restore unit reconstructs backup data based on a normal data group determined to be normal and an initial value of setting information corresponding to a damaged data group determined to be not normal, and the reconstructed backup The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the backup data in the external storage medium is updated with data. The backup means replicates the backup data in the external storage medium and stores it in the external storage medium as duplex backup data,
2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the restoration unit restores the backup data using the duplex backup data and updates the backup data in the external storage medium using the backup data. Forming equipment.

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