JP2013143703A - Image forming apparatus, processing method of image data, and processing program of image data - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of further effectively using capacity of an HDD and processing speed performance.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 100 of the present invention includes: a storage device unit 61a that includes a disk-shaped recording medium having an inner peripheral-side storage area and an outer peripheral-side storage area provided on an outer peripheral side of the inner peripheral-side storage area, and holds a file of image data in the disk-shaped storage medium; and a control unit 67 that detects the usage frequency of the file held in the outer peripheral-side storage area, and moves a file with the lowest usage frequency in the outer peripheral-side storage area to the inner peripheral-side storage area.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image data processing method in the image forming apparatus, and an image data processing program.

  Conventionally, various image forming apparatuses having functions such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile have been developed. Such an image forming apparatus generally includes a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD), and a recording medium (hard disk) in the HDD stores, for example, an area (hereinafter referred to as a box) for storing image data for each user. Is provided). In such an image forming apparatus, conventionally, various image data processing methods have been proposed in order to effectively use the capacity of the HDD (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

  Patent Document 1 describes an image storage device that automatically deletes image data when a predetermined period has elapsed since the image data was stored in a box. The image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 performs automatic erasure processing of image data in a box when a predetermined operation (panel operation, list display operation, etc.) is performed on the image storage device within a predetermined time. There is a delay.

  In Patent Document 2, an importance value table is created based on a combination of a plurality of conditions relating to image data stored in a storage device, and the lowest-order image data in the importance value table is stored as a new image data storage device. There has been proposed a method of erasing when an instruction to hold is issued.

In Patent Document 2, the following various conditions are listed as conditions relating to image data, and an importance value table of image data is created by combining two or more of the following various conditions. .
(1) Completing execution of print output for the number of times specified when image data is held (2) Image data having a short time required to generate image data in a printable format (3 ) The image data transmitted from the host computer is small image data (4) The image data is not frequently used (5) The image data has the longest elapsed time since being held

  Further, in Patent Document 3, when a document in a box is automatically deleted by the automatic deletion function of the box, an image of the document in the image database is set for a document set to backup image data in the image database. There has been proposed a method of deleting the document after the data backup is completed.

JP 2000-108425 A JP 2006-014145 A JP 2005-150994 A

  As described above, conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, a method of automatically erasing old image data or less important image data, a method of delaying automatic erasure processing, and the like have been proposed. Is being used effectively. However, in this technical field, there is a need for a technology that not only effectively uses the capacity of the HDD but also efficiently uses the processing speed performance of the HDD.

  The present invention has been made to meet the above-described demands, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, an image data processing method, and an image data processing method that can further effectively utilize the capacity and speed performance of the HDD. Is to provide.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a disc-shaped recording medium having an inner-periphery-side storage region and an outer-periphery-side storage region provided on the outer peripheral side of the inner-periphery-side storage region. The storage unit that stores the image data file on the medium and the usage frequency of the file stored in the outer peripheral storage area are detected, and the least frequently used file in the outer peripheral storage area is detected as the inner peripheral storage area. And a control unit to be moved.

  The image data processing method of the present invention is an image data processing method in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and the image data is processed in the following procedure. First, a control part detects the usage frequency of the file hold | maintained at the outer peripheral side storage area. Next, the control unit moves the least frequently used file in the outer peripheral storage area to the inner peripheral storage area.

  Furthermore, the image data processing program of the present invention is a processing program that is mounted on the image forming apparatus of the present invention and causes the image data processing method of the present invention to be executed.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus and the image data processing method of the present invention, the control unit detects the use frequency of the file stored in the outer peripheral storage area of the disk-shaped recording medium in the storage unit, and Based on the detection result, the least frequently used file in the outer peripheral storage area is moved to the inner peripheral storage area. That is, in the image data processing method of the present invention, the arrangement position of the file is managed according to the frequency of use of the file. According to the present invention, by adopting this image data processing method, not only the capacity of the storage device unit but also the processing speed performance of the storage device unit can be utilized efficiently.

1 is a schematic block configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the selection screen of the processing mode at the time of copy mode operation | movement. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of the job list of image data. It is a figure which shows an example of the edit screen of the job mode of image data. It is a figure which shows an example of the edit screen of the job mode of image data. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of copy mode operation | movement. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of an image forming operation of image data stored in an outer peripheral area of an HDD. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process performed at the time of power activation. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process performed at the time of defragmentation execution. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing performed when a job is newly stored in the outer peripheral area of the HDD. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for detecting a use frequency of a file in the outer peripheral area of the HDD and a process for moving the file. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for detecting a use frequency of a file in the inner peripheral area of the HDD and a process for deleting the file. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of an image forming operation of image data stored in an inner peripheral area of an HDD. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of paper feed control processing performed during an image forming operation. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for setting a priority of processing when an image data file is moved from an inner peripheral region to an outer peripheral region of an HDD.

  Hereinafter, an example of an image forming apparatus and an image data processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following example.

<1. Configuration of image forming apparatus>
[Entire configuration of image forming apparatus]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, as an image forming apparatus, for example, a multi-functional peripheral (MFP) having functions such as a scanner and a printer and operating each function with a touch panel type operation unit will be described as an example.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes an image processing controller 10, a printer unit 20, a scanner unit 30, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) unit 40, an operation unit 50 (display unit), and a main body control unit 60. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 is connected to an external device 300 such as an external terminal via a LAN (Local Area Network) 200, and transmits / receives image data and the like to / from the external device 300 via the LAN 200. Can do. Hereinafter, the configuration of each unit of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described in more detail.

[Image processing controller]
When using the image forming apparatus 100 as a network printer, the image processing controller 10 receives image data and the like from an external device 300 connected via the LAN 200. Further, the image processing controller 10 transmits the image data acquired by the scanner unit 30 to the external device 300 or the like via the LAN 200 when the image forming apparatus 100 is used as a network scanner.

  The image processing controller 10 includes a LAN interface 11, an image memory 12, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) control IC (Integrated Circuit) 13, and a controller control CPU (Central Processing Unit) 14. In the image processing controller 10, the LAN interface 11, the DRAM control IC 13, and the controller control CPU 14 are connected to each other via a common bus.

  The LAN interface 11 is a communication interface for connecting the image forming apparatus 100 to the LAN 200, and includes, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card) or a modem. The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment receives image data or the like from the external device 300 or the like via the LAN interface 11 and transmits image data acquired by the scanner unit 30 to the external device 300 or the like.

  The image memory 12 is constituted by a DRAM or the like. The image memory 12 is connected to the DRAM control IC 13 and temporarily stores the image data input to the DRAM control IC 13.

  The DRAM control IC 13 controls the storing operation of the image data received via the LAN interface 11 in the image memory 12 and the reading operation of the image data from the image memory 12. The DRAM control IC 13 is connected to an image processing ASIC (Application Specific IC) 66 (described later) in the main body control unit 60 via a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus. Then, the DRAM control IC 13 reads out image data to be output from the image memory 12 and outputs the read image data to the image processing ASIC 66.

  The controller control CPU 14 is connected to the LAN interface 11 and the DRAM control IC 13 and controls the entire operation of the image processing controller 10.

[Printer section]
The printer unit 20 converts the image data acquired from the external device 300, the image data read by the scanner unit 30, or the image corresponding to the image data read from a predetermined HDD 61a in the HDD unit 61, which will be described later, to the electronic data. Formed on paper by photographic method.

  The printer unit 20 includes an image forming unit 21 and a printer control unit 22. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the printer unit 20 includes a paper feeding unit that stores paper on which an image is formed, a transport unit that transports paper from the paper feeding unit, and a paper on which an image is formed. It also has an unloading part.

  The image forming unit 21 forms an image on a predetermined sheet based on an instruction signal for an image forming job. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit 21 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a cleaning unit, a fixing device, and the like. A laser output unit (LD: laser diode) that outputs laser light based on this and a polygon mirror that scans the laser light in the main scanning direction are included. The image forming unit 21 is connected to the image processing ASIC 66 in the main body control unit 60 via the image bus, and image data to be output is input from the image processing ASIC 66 to the image forming unit 21 via the image bus. .

  The printer control unit 22 controls the entire operation of the printer unit 20 (various operations such as paper feed, image formation, paper discharge, and post-processing). The printer control unit 22 is connected to an image control CPU 67 (described later) in the main body control unit 60 through serial communication, and controls various operations of the printer unit 20 based on control instruction signals input from the image control CPU 67.

[Scanner section]
The scanner unit 30 includes a charge-coupled device (CCD) 31 that optically reads a document, and a scanner control unit 32 that controls the entire operation of the scanner unit 30.

  The CCD 31 is connected to the image processing ASIC 66 in the main body control unit 60 via the image bus, and outputs image data read from a document or the like to the image processing ASIC 66 via the image bus.

  The scanner control unit 32 is connected to the image control CPU 67 in the main body control unit 60 through serial communication, and performs various operations (for example, a document reading operation) of the scanner unit 30 based on a control instruction signal input from the image control CPU 67. Control.

[ADF part]
The ADF unit 40 is a document feeding unit provided for reading a plurality of documents with the scanner unit 30, and is configured by, for example, an automatic document feeder of a type that sequentially feeds a plurality of documents into the scanner unit 30. The

  The ADF unit 40 includes an ADF control unit 41 that controls the entire operation of the ADF unit 40. The ADF control unit 41 is connected to the image control CPU 67 in the main body control unit 60 through serial communication, and controls various operations of the ADF unit 40 based on control instruction signals input from the image control CPU 67.

[Operation section]
The operation unit 50 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 51 and an operation unit control unit 52. The operation unit 50 has a touch panel provided on the LCD 51, operation keys (not shown) provided around the LCD 51, and the like, and has both a display function and an operation input function.

  The LCD 51 displays a setting screen for setting machine settings such as image forming processing settings and operation control conditions in the image forming apparatus 100, settings related to output, and settings of paper information (size and paper type) of each paper feed tray. can do. In the present embodiment, since the LCD 51 is provided with a touch panel, the user can set various operation conditions by directly touching various setting screens displayed on the LCD 51.

  The operation unit control unit 52 controls the entire operation of the operation unit 50. The operation unit control unit 52 is connected to the image control CPU 67 in the main body control unit 60 by serial communication, and controls various operations of the operation unit 50 based on control instruction signals input from the image control CPU 67.

  When the user performs a predetermined operation on the touch panel, operation keys, or the like of the operation unit 50, the operation unit 50 outputs a signal corresponding to the operation to the image control CPU 67. Further, the operation unit 50 displays a setting screen for inputting various setting information, various processing results, and the like on the LCD 51 based on a display instruction signal input from the image control CPU 67.

[Main unit control unit]
The main body control unit 60 includes an HDD unit 61, a program memory 62, a nonvolatile memory 63, a system memory 64, an image memory 65 (image storage unit), an image processing ASIC 66, and an image control CPU 67 (control unit). Have.

  The HDD unit 61 is composed of a plurality (N in the example shown in FIG. 1) of HDDs 61a (storage device units). Each HDD 61a is connected to the image control CPU 67 by a SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) type cable.

  In this embodiment, the storage area of the hard disk (disk-shaped recording medium) in each HDD 61a is divided into two storage areas on the outer peripheral side and the inner peripheral side (hereinafter referred to as the outer peripheral area and the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a, respectively). In this embodiment, a file of frequently used image data and job management data corresponding to the file are stored (held) in an outer peripheral area (outer peripheral storage area) that can be accessed at high speed, and an image that is used less frequently. A data file and corresponding job management data are stored in an inner peripheral area (inner peripheral storage area) having a low access speed. In the present embodiment, job lists are created individually for the outer peripheral area and the inner peripheral area of each HDD 61a.

  The boundary between the outer peripheral area and the inner peripheral area of each HDD 61a is arbitrarily set by the user. For example, the intermediate radial position between the innermost peripheral position and the outermost peripheral position of the HDD 61a may be simply used as the boundary between the outer peripheral area and the inner peripheral area.

  Further, for example, the boundary between the outer peripheral area and the inner peripheral area may be set in consideration of the reading speed of the image data and the paper feed interval (paper supply interval to the image forming unit 21). More specifically, since the rotation speed of the HDD 61a at the time of file reading is normally constant, the length of the read area per predetermined rotation angle (line length in the rotation direction) in the inner peripheral area is that of the outer peripheral area. It is shorter than that. That is, the amount of data that can be read per predetermined rotation angle in the inner peripheral region is smaller than that in the outer peripheral region, so that the file reading time in the inner peripheral region is longer than that in the outer peripheral region. Therefore, when the image forming process of the image data of the inner peripheral area is executed at the paper feed interval (normal paper feed interval) at the time of the image forming process of the image data of the outer peripheral area, There is a possibility that image development (image reading operation) of image data in the peripheral area will not be in time. In this case, a problem that an abnormal image is formed on the sheet occurs.

  Therefore, in consideration of such a situation, an area in which image development is in time at a normal paper feed interval may be set as an outer peripheral area, and an area in which image development is not in time at a normal paper feed interval may be set as an inner peripheral area. . In this case, the above-described problem of abnormal image output can be solved for frequently used image data.

  The hard disk in each HDD 61a is provided with a box for storing image data for each user, for example. Each box stores a file of image data transmitted (input) from the external device 300 to the image forming apparatus 100 and a file of image data read by the scanner unit 30. Each box also stores job management data corresponding to each stored file. At this time, the file stored in the box and its job data are stored in the outer peripheral area or the inner peripheral area in accordance with the frequency of use.

  Further, in this embodiment, each list data of the files included in the outer peripheral area, the files included in the inner peripheral area, the moved file, and the deleted file (hereinafter, the job list of the outer peripheral area, the inner peripheral area, respectively) The job list, the move list, and the delete list are also stored in each box. In the present embodiment, these list data can be displayed on the LCD 51 of the operation unit 50 and / or output from the printer unit 20, thereby allowing the user to check the management status of each file. Can do.

  The program memory 62 is configured by a ROM (Read-only Memory) or the like, and is connected to the image control CPU 67 by a SATA type cable. The program memory 62 stores a program used when the image control CPU 67 controls various operations of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The nonvolatile memory 63 is configured by a flash memory or the like, and is connected to the image control CPU 67 by a SATA type cable. The nonvolatile memory 63 stores various data necessary for various operation controls of the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the nonvolatile memory 63 stores information such as initial image formation setting information of the image forming apparatus 100, machine setting information such as process control parameters, user setting values, and initial data of output settings.

  The system memory 64 includes a RAM and the like, and is connected to the image control CPU 67 via a DDR (Double Data Rate) type memory bus. The system memory 64 is an area where, for example, a desired program is expanded or various data necessary for control are temporarily stored during the control operation of the image control CPU 67, and is used as a work area for the image control CPU 67.

  The image memory 65 is constituted by a DRAM or the like. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the image memory 65 temporarily stores a compression memory for storing compressed image data and image data (image data subjected to decompression processing) to be output to the printer unit 20. A page memory for storing.

  The image processing ASIC 66 is connected to the image processing controller 10 and the image control CPU 67 via a PCI bus. The image processing ASIC 66 is connected to the scanner unit 30 and the printer unit 20 via an image bus. Further, the image processing ASIC 66 is connected to the image memory 65 via a DDR type memory bus.

  The image processing ASIC 66 controls input / output processing of image data for each connected unit and performs various processing on the input / output image data. Specifically, the image processing ASIC 66 performs the following input / output control of image data and various processes. Various processing operations of the image processing ASIC 66 are executed based on instruction signals input from the image control CPU 67.

  When image data is input from the external device 300 to the image forming apparatus 100, the image processing ASIC 66 acquires (receives) the image data from the DRAM control IC 13. When image data is transferred (transmitted) from the image forming apparatus 100 to the external device 300, the image processing ASIC 66 outputs the image data to be transferred to the DRAM control IC 13.

  Further, the image processing ASIC 66 performs various processing such as A / D conversion processing and shading processing on the image data (analog signal) read by the scanner unit 30 to generate digital image data. Further, the image processing ASIC 66 performs compression processing (primary compression) on the digital image data, and outputs (stores) the compressed image data to the image memory 65.

  Further, when moving (transferring) the image data file in the outer peripheral area to the inner peripheral area, the image processing ASIC 66 once reads the target file from the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a to the image memory 65, and then reads the read file. Is moved to the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a. At this time, secondary compression processing is performed on the file to be moved. That is, when moving a file in the outer peripheral area to the inner peripheral area, the file is compressed at a higher compression ratio than the compression ratio when storing the file in the outer peripheral area. Thereby, a larger number of files can be stored in the inner peripheral area. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the secondary compression process may not be performed on the file to be moved.

  When the printer unit 20 executes image forming processing, the image processing ASIC 66 reads image data to be output (compressed image data) from the image memory 65, and decompresses the read image data. Apply. Then, the image processing ASIC 66 outputs the decompressed image data to the image forming unit 21 of the printer unit 20.

  Further, when predetermined image data (file) is read from a predetermined HDD 61a in the HDD unit 61 and an image corresponding to the image data is formed by the printer unit 20, the image processing ASIC 66 receives an image from the predetermined HDD 61a. Predetermined image data is read out via the control CPU 67 and the PCI bus and stored in the image memory 65. Thereafter, the image processing ASIC 66 performs an expansion process on the image data stored in the image memory 65, and outputs the expanded image data to the image forming unit 21 of the printer unit 20.

  The image control CPU 67 is a circuit unit that controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 100. The image control CPU 67 reads out various programs stored in the program memory 62 and various data necessary for control stored in the nonvolatile memory 63, expands them in the system memory 64, and expands the expanded programs. The operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 100 is controlled in cooperation with the image forming apparatus 100.

The image control CPU 67 controls, for example, the following processing operation, management operation, and management status display operation on the file (image data) in the HDD 61a.
(1) Record the elapsed time from the operation of the file in the box.
(2) Record information about the frequency of use of files in the box.
(3) Detect files with low usage frequency.
(4) Manage the storage status of files in the inner / outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a.
(5) A file with low usage frequency is moved from the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a to the inner peripheral area.
(6) When there is no more free space in the inner peripheral area, a less frequently used file in the inner peripheral area is deleted (overwritten).
(7) Display the moved files and deleted files as a list.
(8) The printer unit 20 forms an image corresponding to the image data of the inner peripheral area file on the paper, or transmits (transfers) the image data of the inner peripheral area file to the external device 300.
(9) After moving the file in the inner peripheral area to the outer peripheral area or while moving the file in the inner peripheral area to the outer peripheral area, execute image forming processing of the image data of the file, or The image data is transmitted to the external device 300.
(10) Defragment (rearrange) the files in the box.

[Outline of operation of image forming apparatus]
Here, an example of a copy mode operation (image forming operation) in the image forming apparatus 100 having the above-described configuration, and a file moving operation and file use, which are features of the image data processing (management) method of the present invention, are described. An outline of the frequency detection operation will be described.

(1) Copy Mode Operation The outline of the operation (copy mode operation) from reading of image data with the scanner unit 30 to image formation with the printer unit 20 is as follows. First, a document on which a predetermined image is formed is set in an image reading unit (not shown) of the scanner unit 30. Next, the image is read by the CCD 31 of the scanner unit 30. At this time, the read image data is compressed by the image processing ASIC 66, and the compressed image data is stored in the image memory 65. Thereafter, the compressed image data is stored in a predetermined box in a predetermined HDD 61a.

  Next, the image data stored in the image memory 65 is expanded by the image processing ASIC 66, and the image data subjected to the expansion processing is sent to the printer unit 20. Then, the printer unit 20 causes the LD to emit light based on the input image data, and forms a latent image on the photosensitive drum. Thereafter, an image corresponding to the input image data is formed on a predetermined sheet through a normal electrophotographic process.

  When performing the second and subsequent image forming operations or when performing the jam correction operation, the image data to be output stored in the predetermined HDD 61a is re-expanded in the image memory 65. Thereafter, an image is formed on a sheet through the same process as the image forming operation.

  Normally, after the copy mode operation as described above is completed, the image data file once stored in the HDD 61a is deleted. However, in the setting at the time of the copy mode operation, for example, when the operation of saving the image data in the box after the image forming operation is selected, the image is stored in the predetermined box of the HDD 61a even after the image forming operation is completed. The data file remains.

(2) File move operation In the image data processing (management) method of the present embodiment, for example, when the power is turned on, when the HDD 61a is defragmented, when image data is newly saved in the outer peripheral area, etc. The image control CPU 67 detects the usage frequency of the file stored in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a, and moves the file with the lower usage frequency to the inner peripheral area.

  At this time, if there is not enough free space to move the file to the inner peripheral area, the image control CPU 67 overwrites and deletes a file that is not used frequently among a plurality of files stored in the inner peripheral area. (Delete) to secure a desired free space. At this time, the image control CPU 67 registers the deleted file (job) in the job deletion list. Note that, when such a use frequency detection operation and a file movement operation based on the detection result are executed during the defragmentation operation of the HDD 61a, the files in the HDD 61a can be efficiently organized.

  In the image data processing method of the present embodiment, for example, when performing image forming processing on image data of a file stored in the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a, the image control CPU 67 outputs the inner peripheral area to be output. Is temporarily read (moved) to the outer peripheral area. In this case, the image control CPU 67 first reads the image data from the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61 a once into the image memory 65. At this time, since the file in the inner peripheral area is secondarily compressed, the image control CPU 67 expands the file in the image memory 65 while performing secondary expansion (decompression). Thereafter, when an image forming operation of the image data developed in the image memory 65 is executed, it is determined that the file has been used frequently, so that the file is finally moved to the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a.

  As described above, in the operation of moving the files in the inner peripheral area to the outer peripheral area, when there is no free space in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a, the image control CPU 67 specifies the file that is least frequently used in the outer peripheral area. Then, the file is transferred to the inner peripheral area, and a predetermined free space is secured in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a. However, in the image forming process of the inner area file, if the processing mode for deleting the file after the image formation is set, an image corresponding to the image data of the file stored in the inner area is formed on the paper. After that, the file is deleted.

(3) File Usage Frequency Detection Operation In the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the image data file stored in the HDD 61a is transferred from the outer peripheral area to the inner peripheral area, or from the inner peripheral area to the outer peripheral area. When moving to a zone, the usage frequency of a file stored in the outer zone and / or inner zone is detected. At this time, in the present embodiment, the use frequency of each image data file stored in the HDD 61a is detected based on the corresponding job management data (file management information).

In the present embodiment, job management data (hereinafter referred to as job data for short) includes, for example, the following various types of information.
(A) Date and time when image file is saved in HDD 61a (box) by methods such as image formation input, document scanning, file transfer via network, file transfer from media, and the like (save date and time).
(B) The date and time (output date and time) when the saved file was used by image formation processing, scan transmission and transfer, and the number of times (output number).
(C) The date and time when the saved file was edited (edit date and time) and the number of times (number of edits).
(D) Date and time (viewing date and time) when the saved file was viewed in a preview display and the number of times (viewing number).

  In the present embodiment, the use frequency of the file is determined based on the information (a) to (d). Specifically, the usage frequency of a file is the elapsed time since the file was newly saved, the elapsed time since the file was edited, the elapsed time since the image data (file) was output, and the file was viewed. Judgment is made by comprehensively evaluating various information such as the elapsed time, output count, edit count, and browse count.

  Therefore, for example, it may be determined that the file with the oldest storage date / time is the least frequently used file, for example, the file with the oldest date / time used for output, editing, browsing, etc. It may be determined that the file is low. Further, among the various date and time information (saved date and time, output date and time, editing date and time, browsing date and time), it is determined whether each of a plurality of date and time information satisfies a predetermined condition, and the usage frequency of the file is determined. Also good. Further, not only the date / time information but also the number of uses (output count, edit count, browse count) and the like may be taken into account to determine the use frequency.

  The series of operations from the file usage frequency detection process to the file movement process as described above, for example, when the free space in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a runs out and / or the free capacity in the inner peripheral area is reduced. Also do it when it is gone.

[Example of setting screen for various processing modes]
In the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, when performing the above-described various operations, the processing mode and job mode of each operation can be appropriately set as necessary. The mode setting of each operation is performed by the user operating various setting screens displayed on the LCD 51 (touch panel) of the operation unit 50. Hereinafter, examples of various setting screens displayed on the LCD 51 (touch panel) are shown.

(1) Copy Mode Operation Setting Screen FIG. 2 shows an example of a copy mode operation processing mode setting screen. In the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the “print output” mode in which only the image forming process in the printer unit 20 is performed on the read image data, and “temporary storage +” that is temporarily stored in the HDD 61a as well as the image forming process. Either of the “output” mode and the “temporary storage” mode in which only temporary storage is performed in the HDD 61a can be selected. In these processing modes, on the setting screen displayed on the LCD 51 (touch panel), the touch area 71 of “print output”, the touch area 72 of “temporary save + output”, and the touch area 73 of “temporary save” are displayed. It is set by touching any of the above.

  In the processing mode setting screen shown in FIG. 2, a “file name” and a “password” for temporarily storing image data in the HDD 61a can be set. The “file name” and “password” of the image data are set by the user by operating various operation keys provided around the LCD 51 in the input areas 74 and 75 in the setting screen. This is done by entering a "name" and a "password".

(2) List Display Screen for Files (Jobs) FIG. 3 shows a list display screen for image data files temporarily stored in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a. On this list display screen, the file name, update date and time of image data (job) stored in the outer peripheral area are displayed. In addition, the contents of the output settings of the selected image data (job) are displayed in the “Selected Job” field on the list display screen, and the user confirms the output settings of the selected image data on this display screen. can do. Further, a “delete” button 76 is prepared on the list display screen, and the user can delete the selected image data (job) by touching the area of the “delete” button 76.

  Further, the list display screen shown in FIG. 3 is provided with a “job ticket edit” button 77 and an “image page edit” button 78. When the user touches and selects an area of these buttons, the image is displayed. The page of the data job edit screen can be opened. Although not shown here, in the present embodiment, not only the job list in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a, but also the screen of the job list, the file movement list, and the file deletion list in the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a are shown in FIG. Can be individually displayed in a form similar to the display form shown in FIG.

  Further, the list display screen shown in FIG. 3 is provided with a “delete job at output” button 79, and the “delete job at output” button 79 is checked (selected) as shown in FIG. In this case, after outputting the image data, the image data file and its job data are deleted from the HDD 61a. On the other hand, if the “delete job at output” button 79 is not checked (selected), the image data and its job data remain in the HDD 61a even after the image data is output.

(3) Job Edit Screen FIG. 4 shows the “Job Ticket Edit” edit screen. On this editing screen, various job settings (basic settings, output settings, application settings, paper settings, image forming surface, image quality adjustment) can be changed. FIG. 5 shows an editing screen for “image page editing”. On this editing screen, for example, operations such as deleting a predetermined page, inserting a predetermined page, and combining a plurality of jobs can be performed.

  In the editing screens shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when various job settings are changed, it is possible to select whether the setting information is to be overwritten or newly saved. Specifically, the edit screen shown in FIG. 4 or 5 is provided with a “new save” button 80 and an “overwrite save” button 81, and when the user touches any button area, The save mode for setting information after job editing can be selected.

<2. Image data processing method>
Next, the procedure of various image data processing operations in the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. In the various processing operations described below, the image control CPU 67 develops various programs stored in the program memory 62 and various data necessary for control stored in the nonvolatile memory 63 in the system memory 64. And executed in cooperation with the expanded program.

  However, the procedures and contents of the various processing operations described below are examples, and any procedures and contents can be adopted as long as the procedures and contents can obtain the same processing results. In particular, as in various processing operations described below, any method can be used as long as the usage frequency of a file in the HDD 61a is detected and the file movement process is performed based on the detection result to manage the file in the HDD 61a. Arbitrary processing procedures and processing contents can be adopted.

[Copy mode operation processing]
A processing procedure from the reading of image data by the scanner unit 30 to the image formation by the printer unit 20 (copy mode operation) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the copy mode operation.

  First, the user performs various settings for the copy mode operation using the operation unit 50 of the image forming apparatus 100 (step S1). Specifically, for example, the user selects one of the processing modes of “print output”, “temporary saving + output”, and “temporary saving” on the selection screen shown in FIG.

  Next, the image control CPU 67 determines whether to start the copy mode process based on the instruction signal input from the operation unit 50 (step S2).

  In step S <b> 2, for example, when the user presses a start key (not shown) provided on the operation unit 50, an instruction signal corresponding to the operation (an instruction signal indicating start of copying) is sent from the operation unit 50 to the image. Input to the control CPU 67. In this case, the image control CPU 67 determines that the copy mode operation process is to be started, and step S2 is YES. On the other hand, when the user does not press the start key, the instruction signal indicating the start of copying is not input from the operation unit 50 to the image control CPU 67, so the image control CPU 67 determines not to start the copy mode process. In this case, step S2 is NO, and the image control CPU 67 repeats the determination process of step S2.

  If step S2 is YES, the image control CPU 67 controls the scanner unit 30 to perform an image data (original) reading operation (scanning operation) (step S3).

  Next, the image processing ASIC 66 performs various processing such as predetermined image processing and primary compression processing on the read image data, and stores the image data subjected to these various processing in the image memory 65. (Step S4). At this time, the image control CPU 67 newly creates job data of the image data and stores the job data in the image memory 65 as well.

  Furthermore, the image control CPU 67 acquires the image data subjected to the above-described various processes via the image processing ASIC 66, and temporarily stores the acquired image data in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a (step S5). At this time, the image control CPU 67 also temporarily stores the job data of the image data in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a. Note that the reason why the image data is temporarily stored in the large-capacity memory such as the HDD 61a in step S5 is to cope with a case where the printer unit 20 performs image forming processing of a plurality of image data or a case where jam correction processing is performed. is there.

  Next, the image control CPU 67 stores the save date and time in the job data of the output target image data temporarily stored in the image memory 65 and the HDD 61a, respectively, and further executes the copy mode operation job to be performed this time. Is registered in the job list in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a (step S6).

  Next, the image control CPU 67 determines whether or not the “temporary storage” processing mode has been selected by the user in the selection screen shown in FIG. 2, for example, in the copy mode setting processing in step S1 (step S7).

  If a processing mode other than “temporary storage” (processing mode of “print output” or “temporary storage + output”) is selected in the copy mode operation setting processing in step S1, step S7 is NO. . In this case, the image control CPU 67 controls the image processing ASIC 66 and the printer unit 20 to execute the image forming operation of the image data to be output stored in the image memory 65 (step S8). Specifically, first, the image processing ASIC 66 reads image data to be output (compressed image data) from the image memory 65, performs an expansion process on the read image data, and expands the image data. Is output to the image forming unit 21 of the printer unit 20. The printer unit 20 performs an electrophotographic image forming process on the input image data.

  On the other hand, if “temporary storage” is selected in the setting process of the copy mode operation in step S1, step S7 is YES. In this case, the image control CPU 67 does not execute the image forming operation (step S8), and proceeds to processing after step S9 described later.

  Next, the image control CPU 67 determines whether or not the job (image forming operation) has been completed (step S9). If the image forming operation is not completed, the image control CPU 67 determines that the job is not completed, and step S9 is NO. In this case, the image control CPU 67 repeats the determination process in step S9. On the other hand, when the image forming operation is completed, the image control CPU 67 determines that the job is completed, and step S9 is YES. In this case, the image control CPU 67 deletes the image data and the job data in the image memory 65 where the image is formed (step S10).

  Next, the image control CPU 67 determines whether or not the “print output” processing mode has been selected by the user in the selection screen shown in FIG. 2, for example, in the copy mode setting processing in step S1 (step S11).

  If a processing mode other than “print output” (“temporary storage” or “temporary storage + output” processing mode) is selected in the copy mode operation setting processing in step S1, step S11 is determined as NO. Become. In this case, the image control CPU 67 ends the processing of the copy mode operation with the image data file formed in step S8 and the job data remaining in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a.

  On the other hand, if “print output” is selected in the setting process of the copy mode operation in step S1, step S11 is YES. In this case, the image control CPU 67 deletes the image-formed image data file and its job data from the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a, and further executes the job of the copy mode operation performed this time from the job list in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a. It deletes (step S12), and the process of copy mode operation | movement is complete | finished after that. In the present embodiment, the copy mode operation is performed as described above.

[Image formation processing of image data stored in outer peripheral area of HDD]
Next, an image forming process procedure of image data stored in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure from job editing to image formation of image data stored in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a.

  First, the user performs various settings of the job mode of the image data to be output stored in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a by the operation unit 50 of the image forming apparatus 100 as necessary (step S21). Specifically, on the processing mode selection screen, the image data list display screen, and the “job ticket editing” and “image page editing” editing screens shown in FIGS. Set.

  Next, the image control CPU 67 determines in the job mode setting process in step S21 whether, for example, the “new save” process has been selected on the edit screen shown in FIG. 4 or 5 (by the user on the edit screen in FIG. 4 or 5). It is determined whether or not the “new save” button 80 has been touched (step S22).

  When the “new storage” process is selected in the job mode setting process in step S21, step S21 is YES. In this case, the image control CPU 67 newly saves the edited job data in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a (step S23). Next, the image control CPU 67 stores the save date and time of the new job in the new job data, and further registers the new job in the job list in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a (step S24).

  Next, the image control CPU 67 stores the storage date and time of the new job as the browsing date and time of the job data (original job data) before editing (step S25). That is, in step S25, the browsing date and time of the original job data is updated. When the image data itself has been processed in the job editing process, the image control CPU 67 newly stores the processed image data in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a.

  On the other hand, if the “new save” process is not selected in the job mode setting process in step S21 (when the “overwrite save” button 81 is touched by the user on the editing screen of FIG. 4 or 5), the process proceeds to step S21. S22 is NO. In this case, the image control CPU 67 saves (updates) the edited job data over the original job data, and further updates the job list in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a (step S26). Next, the image control CPU 67 stores the editing date and time in the updated job data (step S27).

  Next, the image control CPU 67 determines whether or not there is an instruction to start the image forming process of the image data to be output (step S28).

  In step S28, for example, when the user presses a start key (not shown) provided on the operation unit 50, an instruction signal corresponding to the operation (image formation start operation) is sent from the operation unit 50 to the image control CPU 67. Is input. In this case, the image control CPU 67 determines that the image forming process is started, and step S28 is YES. On the other hand, when the user does not press the start key, the instruction signal indicating the start of image formation is not input from the operation unit 50 to the image control CPU 67, so the image control CPU 67 determines that the image formation processing is not started. In this case, NO is determined in step S28, and the image control CPU 67 repeats the determination process in step S28.

  Next, when the determination in step S28 is YES, the image control CPU 67 controls the image processing ASIC 66 and the printer unit 20 to execute an image forming operation for image data to be output (step S29). Specifically, first, the image processing ASIC 66 temporarily stores the output target image data (compressed image data) stored in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61 a in the image memory 65. Next, the image processing ASIC 66 reads out image data (compressed image data) to be output from the image memory 65, performs decompression processing on the read image data, and stores the decompressed image data in the printer unit 20. The image is output to the image forming unit 21. The printer unit 20 performs an electrophotographic image forming process on the input image data. In this image forming operation, the image forming process is performed on the image data stored in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a. Therefore, the image forming process is performed at a normal paper feeding interval.

  Next, the image control CPU 67 stores the image formation date / time (output date / time) in the job data (step S30).

  Next, the image control CPU 67 determines whether or not the job (image forming operation) has been completed (step S31). If the image forming operation is not completed, the image control CPU 67 determines that the job is not completed, and step S31 is NO. In this case, the image control CPU 67 repeats the determination process in step S31. On the other hand, when the image forming operation is completed, the image control CPU 67 determines that the job is completed, and step S31 is YES. In this case, the image control CPU 67 determines in the job mode setting process in step S21 whether, for example, the “delete job on output” process is selected on the job list display screen shown in FIG. 3 (in the display screen of FIG. 3). It is determined whether or not the “delete job at output” button 79 is checked by the user (step S32).

  If the “job deletion at output” process is not selected in the job mode setting process in step S21, step S32 is NO. In this case, the image control CPU 67 ends the above-described series of processes from job editing of image data to image formation with the image data file and the job data thereof remaining in the HDD 61a.

  On the other hand, when the “delete job at output” process is selected in the job mode setting process in step S21, the determination in step S32 is YES. In this case, the image control CPU 67 deletes the image data file on which the image is formed and the job data from the HDD 61a (step S33), and ends the process. In the present embodiment, as described above, the image forming process of the image data stored in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a is performed.

[Power-on processing]
Next, processing of the image forming apparatus 100 performed when the power is turned on will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed when the power is turned on.

  First, the image control CPU 67 determines whether or not power is turned on (step S41). If power is not turned on in step S41, step S41 is NO. In this case, the image control CPU 67 repeats the determination process in step S41 and stands by. On the other hand, if the power is turned on in step S41, step S41 is YES. In this case, the image control CPU 67 initializes various hardware and software (step S42).

  Next, the image control CPU 67 performs a process for detecting the frequency of use of the image data file stored in the outer peripheral area of the predetermined HDD 61a, and further moves the file from the outer peripheral area to the inner peripheral area based on the detection result. Processing is performed (step S43). By the processing in step S43, a predetermined free capacity can be secured in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a capable of high-speed access processing, and the capacity and speed performance of the HDD 61a can be effectively utilized. The processing content of step S43 will be described later in detail.

[Process during defragmentation operation]
Next, processing performed by the image forming apparatus 100 when performing a defragmentation operation (file rearrangement operation) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed when the defragmentation operation is executed.

  First, the image control CPU 67 determines whether or not the current time is the execution timing of the defragmentation operation (step S51). The defragmentation operation is started when an elapsed time from a predetermined operation (for example, the previous defragmentation operation, etc.) is after a preset time and the image forming apparatus 100 is on standby.

  In step S51, if the current time is not the execution timing of the defragmentation operation, step S51 is NO. In this case, the image control CPU 67 repeats the determination process in step S51 and stands by. On the other hand, when the current time is the execution timing of the defragmentation operation in step S51, the determination in step S51 is YES. In this case, the image control CPU 67 performs a process of detecting the use frequency of the image data file stored in the outer peripheral area of the predetermined HDD 61a, and further, from the outer peripheral area to the inner peripheral area based on the detection result. A movement process is performed (step S52). The processing content of step S52 will be described in detail later.

[Process when saving new image data]
Next, processing of the image forming apparatus 100 that is performed when image data is newly stored in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed when image data is newly stored in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a.

  First, the image control CPU 67 determines whether or not an instruction to newly store image data in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a has been issued (step S61).

  In step S61, when an instruction to newly store the image data in the outer peripheral area of the predetermined HDD 61a is given, step S61 is YES. In this case, the image control CPU 67 performs a process of detecting the use frequency of the image data file stored in the outer peripheral area of the predetermined HDD 61a, and further, from the outer peripheral area to the inner peripheral area based on the detection result. A movement process is performed (step S62). By the processing in step S62, a predetermined free space is secured in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a capable of high-speed access processing. The processing content of step S62 will be described in detail later.

  On the other hand, in step S61, when an instruction to newly store the image data in the outer peripheral area of the predetermined HDD 61a is not given (for example, when overwriting is performed), step S61 is NO. In this case, the image control CPU 67 ends the process without executing the process of step S62 described above.

[Detection of usage frequency of saved files in outer area and file move processing]
Next, a process for detecting the frequency of use of the image data file stored in the outer peripheral area of the predetermined HDD 61a and a process for moving the file based on the detection result (steps) performed in the various processes described with reference to FIGS. The contents of S43, S52, and S62) will be described in detail.

  FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of the processing for detecting the usage frequency of the saved file in the outer peripheral area and the process for moving the file performed in step S43 in FIG. 8, step S52 in FIG. 9, and step S62 in FIG.

  In the detection processing of the usage frequency of the saved file in the outer peripheral area and the file movement process, first, the image control CPU 67 determines whether or not the free space in the outer peripheral area of the predetermined HDD 61a is equal to or less than the predetermined capacity (the empty area in the HDD 61a Whether or not there is) is determined (step S71). Note that the threshold of the free space used in the determination processing in step S71 can be arbitrarily set, and is set as appropriate in consideration of, for example, the assumed maximum value of the capacity of a new storage file.

  If the free space in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a is larger than the predetermined capacity in step S71, the determination in step S71 is NO, and the image control CPU 67 detects the use frequency of the file stored in the outer peripheral area and moves the file. Exit.

  On the other hand, if the free space in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a is equal to or smaller than the predetermined capacity in step S71, the determination in step S71 is YES. In this case, the image control CPU 67 detects the frequency of use of each image data file stored in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a, and identifies the least frequently used file (step S72). File usage frequency is based on information stored in job data such as save date, edit date, output date, and / or browse time, and the number of times used (output count, edit count, browse count). Judgment is based on evaluation. Note that the criteria for determining the use frequency in step S71 can be set and changed as appropriate by the user.

  Next, the image control CPU 67 controls the image processing ASIC 66 to copy (develop) the file in the outer peripheral area (hereinafter referred to as the corresponding file) determined to be least frequently used and the job data to the image memory 65. (Step S73).

  Next, the image control CPU 67 detects whether or not there is a free space of a predetermined capacity or more in the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a. If there is no free capacity of the predetermined capacity or more, a plurality of images stored in the inner peripheral area are detected. Of the data files, the least frequently used file is deleted (step S74). As a result, a storage area for the corresponding file copied to the image memory 65 is secured in the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a. The processing contents of step S74 (processing for detecting the frequency of use of files stored in the inner peripheral area and processing for deleting files) will be described in detail later.

  Next, the image control CPU 67 controls the image processing ASIC 66 to copy the corresponding file to the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a while performing the secondary compression processing on the corresponding file copied to the image memory 65 (step S75). . At this time, the job data is copied to the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a together with the corresponding file subjected to the secondary compression.

  Next, the image control CPU 67 stores the copy date and time of the relevant file as the save date and time of the job data, and registers the copied job of the relevant file in the job list in the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a (step S76).

  Next, the image control CPU 67 deletes the corresponding file and its job data remaining in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a after copying the corresponding file to the inner peripheral area, and deletes the job of the corresponding file from the outer area job list. (Step S77). Then, the image control CPU 67 also deletes the corresponding file developed in the image memory 65 and its job data (step S78).

  In the present embodiment, in this way, a file with low usage frequency in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a is moved to the inner peripheral area. At this time, the job of the moved file may be registered in the movement list. Thereafter, the image control CPU 67 repeats the processes of steps S71 to S78 described above until a predetermined free space is secured in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a. In the present embodiment, a predetermined free space is secured in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a capable of high-speed access processing as described above at the time of power activation, defragmentation operation, or new saving of image data.

[Detection of usage frequency of files stored in inner area and file deletion processing]
FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of the process for detecting the frequency of use of the saved file in the inner peripheral area and the process for deleting the file based on the detection result performed in step S74 in FIG.

  In the detection processing of the usage frequency of the saved file in the inner area and the file deletion process, first, the image control CPU 67 determines whether or not the free space in the inner area of the HDD 61a is equal to or less than a predetermined capacity (in the inner area of the HDD It is determined whether or not there is a vacancy (step S81). Note that the threshold of the free space used in the determination process in step S81 can be arbitrarily set, and is appropriately set in consideration of, for example, the assumed maximum value of the capacity of the moving file.

  In step S81, if the free space in the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a is larger than the predetermined capacity, step S81 is NO. In this case, the image control CPU 67 ends the process without performing the process for detecting the use frequency of the file stored in the inner peripheral area and the process for deleting the file.

  On the other hand, if the free space in the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a is equal to or smaller than the predetermined capacity in step S81, step S81 is YES. In this case, the image control CPU 67 detects the frequency of use of each image data file stored in the inner peripheral area, and identifies the least frequently used file (step S82). The use frequency determination in step S82 is performed in the same manner as the determination of the use frequency of the file in the outer peripheral area described in step S72 in FIG.

  Next, the image control CPU 67 deletes the least frequently used file (corresponding file) identified in step S82 from the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a (step S83). Next, the image control CPU 67 deletes the job data corresponding to the corresponding file, deletes the job of the deleted file from the job list in the inner peripheral area, and registers the job in the deletion list (step S84).

  Thereafter, the image control CPU 67 repeats the processes of steps S81 to S84 described above until a predetermined free space is secured in the inner peripheral area of the HDD. In this embodiment, when moving a file from the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a to the inner peripheral area, the least frequently used file (job) in the inner peripheral area is deleted as described above, and the HDD 61a is deleted as necessary. A predetermined free space is secured in the inner peripheral area.

[Image formation processing of image data stored in the inner peripheral area of the HDD]
Next, the procedure of the image forming process for the image data stored in the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure from job editing to image formation of image data stored in the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a. In the image forming process of the image data stored in the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a, the point that the image data file is temporarily moved from the inner peripheral area to the outer peripheral area is mainly stored in the outer peripheral area described in FIG. This is different from the image forming process of the image data that has been processed.

  First, the user performs various settings of the job mode of the image data to be output stored in the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a by the operation unit 50 of the image forming apparatus 100 as necessary (step S101). Specifically, on the processing mode selection screen, the image data list display screen, and the “job ticket editing” and “image page editing” editing screens shown in FIGS. Set.

  Next, the image control CPU 67 determines whether or not the “delete job on output” process is selected in the job list display screen shown in FIG. 3 in the job mode setting process in step S101 (by the user on the display screen in FIG. 3). It is determined whether or not the “delete job at output” button 79 is checked (step S102).

  If the “delete job on output” process is not selected in the job mode setting process in step S101, the determination in step S102 is NO. In this case, the image control CPU 67 determines whether or not the free space in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a is equal to or less than a predetermined capacity (step S103).

  In step S103, if the free space in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a is less than or equal to the predetermined capacity, step S103 is YES. In this case, the image control CPU 67 performs the processing for detecting the frequency of use of the saved file in the outer peripheral area and the file movement process (steps S71 to S78) described in FIG. 11 (step S104), and the outer area of the HDD 61a has a predetermined capacity. Secure large free space.

  On the other hand, if the free space in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a is larger than the predetermined capacity in step S103, step S103 is NO. In this case, the image control CPU 67 does not perform the process of step S104 described above, and shifts to a process after step S105 described later.

  Next, the image control CPU 67 controls the image processing ASIC 66 to expand (copy) the image data file to be output in the inner peripheral area to the image memory 65 while performing secondary expansion (decompression of the secondary compression) (step). S105). At this time, the image control CPU 67 also copies the job data of the image data to be output to the image memory 65.

  Next, the image control CPU 67 copies the output target image data and job data developed in the image memory 65 to the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a (step S106). Thereafter, the image control CPU 67 deletes the output target image data remaining in the inner peripheral area (step S107). At this time, the job of the file moved to the outer peripheral area may be registered in the movement list.

  Next, the image control CPU 67 determines whether or not “new saving” processing is selected in the job mode setting processing in step S101, for example, on the editing screen shown in FIG. 4 or 5 (by the user on the editing screen in FIG. 4 or 5). It is determined whether or not the “new save” button 80 has been touched (step S108).

  If the “new save” process is selected in the job mode setting process in step S101, the determination in step S108 is YES. In this case, the image control CPU 67 newly saves the edited job data in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a (step S109). Next, the image control CPU 67 stores the save date and time of the new job in the new job data, and further registers the edited job in the job list in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a (step S110). Next, the image control CPU 67 changes the image address of the job data (original job data) of the image data to be output remaining in the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a to the address after moving the outer peripheral area, and the date and time when the file is moved The date and time when the job data is viewed is stored (step S111). Thereafter, the image control CPU 67 shifts to an image forming process for image data in step S115 and the subsequent steps.

  On the other hand, if the “new save” process is not selected in the job mode setting process in step S101 (when the “overwrite save” button 81 is touched by the user on the editing screen of FIG. 4 or 5), the process proceeds to step S101. S108 is NO. In this case, the image control CPU 67 deletes the job data (original job data) of the output target image data remaining in the inner peripheral area, and further deletes the job of the output target image data from the inner peripheral area job list. (Step S112). Next, the image control CPU 67 moves the image data movement date and time (copy date and time) to the edit date and time of the job data (original job data) copied to the outer peripheral area together with the image data to be output in the processing of steps S105 and S106. ) Is stored (step S113). Thereafter, the image control CPU 67 shifts to an image forming process for image data in step S115 and the subsequent steps.

  Here, returning to the description of step S102 again, if the “delete job at output” process is selected in the job mode setting process of step S101, step S102 is YES. In this case, the image data to be output in the inner peripheral area is not moved to the outer peripheral area. In this case, the image control CPU 67 controls the image processing ASIC 66 to develop (copy) the image data to be output in the inner peripheral area into the image memory 65 while performing secondary decompression (step S114). At this time, the job data of the image data to be output is also copied to the image memory 65. Thereafter, the image control CPU 67 shifts to an image forming process for image data in step S115 and the subsequent steps. In this process in the case where the determination in step S102 is YES, it is not necessary to move the image data to the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a. Various processes such as the frequency detection process and the file movement process (step S104) can be omitted. Therefore, in the image data processing method of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress useless transfer operations of image data by providing the above-described process when step S102 is YES.

  Next, the image control CPU 67 determines whether or not an image forming process is required for the image data expanded in the image memory 65 (step S115). Specifically, in the job mode setting process in step S101, it is determined whether or not the user has selected the “print output” process on the process mode selection screen shown in FIG.

  If the “print output” process is selected in the job mode setting process in step S101 in step S115, the determination in step S115 is YES. In this case, the image control CPU 67 controls the image processing ASIC 66 and the printer unit 20 to execute the image forming operation of the image data to be output stored in the image memory 65 (step S116).

  The image forming operation in step S116 is performed in the same manner as the image forming operation in step S29 in FIG. However, in the image forming operation in step S116, the image data stored in the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a is read and image formation is performed, so that the image data in the inner peripheral area is read compared to the case of reading out the image data in the outer peripheral area. The time will be longer. Therefore, in step S116, the image control CPU 67 controls the printer unit 20 to set the paper feed interval from the normal paper feed interval (the paper feed interval when executing the image forming process of the image data in the outer peripheral area). The image forming process is performed for a predetermined time longer. The processing procedure of the paper feed control will be described in detail later.

  Next, the image control CPU 67 stores the image formation date and time in the job data (step S117). After the image forming operation is completed, the image control CPU 67 deletes the image data file and the job data developed in the image memory 65 (step S118).

  On the other hand, if the “print output” process is not selected in the job mode setting process in step S101 in step S115, step S115 is NO. In this case, the image control CPU 67 does not execute the image forming operation (step S116) and the image forming date / time storing operation (step S117) as described above, and the image data file developed in the image memory 65 and its job. Data is deleted (step S118).

  In the present embodiment, as described above, image forming processing of image data stored in the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a is performed. Note that if the “job deletion at output” process is selected in the job mode setting process in step S101 (if step S102 is YES), the image control CPU 67 does not show in FIG. After the image forming process is completed, the corresponding image data file in the inner peripheral area and its job data are deleted. In the example of the processing procedure shown in FIG. 13, the example in which the image forming process of the image data of the file is performed after moving the file in the inner peripheral area to the outer peripheral area has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, the image forming process of the image data of the file may be executed while moving the file of the inner peripheral area to the outer peripheral area.

[Paper feed control processing during image formation]
As described above, when the image forming process of the image data stored in the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a is executed, the image memory of the file in the inner peripheral area is compared with the case of executing the image forming process of the image data in the outer peripheral area. The readout time (development time) to 65 becomes longer. Therefore, when the image forming process of the image data of the inner peripheral area is executed at the paper feeding interval (normal paper feeding interval) when the image forming process of the image data of the outer peripheral area is executed, the paper feeding interval. In addition, there is a problem that the image development of the image data in the inner peripheral area is not in time and an abnormal image is formed on the sheet.

  In the present embodiment, in order to prevent this problem, when an image corresponding to the image data stored in the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a is formed on a sheet, the sheet feeding interval is set to be greater than the normal sheet feeding interval. Make time longer. Specifically, paper feed control is performed according to the processing procedure shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of paper feed control processing performed during the image forming operation.

  First, the image control CPU 67 determines whether or not the image data to be output is image data stored in the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a (step S121).

  In step S121, when the image data to be output is image data in the inner peripheral area, step S121 is YES. In this case, the image control CPU 67 controls the printer unit 20 to set the paper feed interval to a predetermined time from the paper feed interval (normal paper feed interval) when executing the image forming process of the image data in the outer peripheral area. The sheet is fed by increasing by α (step S122).

  On the other hand, if the image data to be output is not image data in the inner peripheral area in step S121, step S121 is NO. In this case, the image control CPU 67 sets the paper feed interval to a normal paper feed interval (without changing the paper feed interval) and feeds paper (step S123).

[File move processing when another job is running]
In the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 13 above, when executing the image forming process of the image data stored in the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a, the image data file is transferred from the inner peripheral area to the outer peripheral area. Move to area. At this time, in addition to the target image forming operation job, for example, when there is already image forming processing of another image data or image data for which an image forming instruction has been given (job waiting for image forming) already exists. That is, when another job is operating, the priority of the image data movement process is lowered in this embodiment.

  FIG. 15 shows a flowchart of the priority setting process of the image data moving process when executing the image forming process of the image data stored in the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a.

  First, when moving the image data from the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a to the outer peripheral area, the image control CPU 67 determines whether another job is operating in addition to the moving process (step S131).

  In step S131, if another job is operating, step S131 is YES. In this case, the image control CPU 67 sets the priority of the image data movement process to a priority lower than a predetermined priority (hereinafter, referred to as a normal priority) when no other job is operating (step S40). S132).

  In this case, the image data movement process of the image data 65 of the inner peripheral area is performed in the gap of the file access process of the other job in operation so that the processing speed of the image data does not affect the processing speed of the other job. Execute the expansion process. Note that when image forming processing is performed at a lower priority in such processing, the image data development processing is in time for the normal paper feeding interval without increasing the paper feeding interval. That is, when the image forming process of the image data of the inner peripheral area is executed, if another job is already in operation, the image forming operation can be executed at a normal paper feed interval.

  On the other hand, if no other job is operating in step S131, step S131 is NO. In this case, the image control CPU 67 does not change the priority of the processing for moving the image data from the inner peripheral area to the outer peripheral area, and sets the priority to a normal priority (preset priority) (step S133). .

  In the present embodiment, when another job is operating when moving an image data file from the inner peripheral area to the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a, the priority of the file moving process is lowered as described above. . Thereby, it is possible to suppress a delay in access to the image memory 65, the HDD 61a, and the like of other jobs.

[Effects]
In the image data processing (management) method of the present embodiment described above, the following various effects can be obtained.

  For example, in Patent Documents 1 to 3 and the like, a method for automatically erasing old image data or less important image data or a method for delaying the automatic erasing process is proposed in order to effectively use the capacity of the HDD. Yes. However, these image data management (processing) methods do not consider the processing speed performance of the HDD. Therefore, a frequently used image data file may be arranged in the inner peripheral area of the HDD having a low access speed. In this case, a problem occurs that the processing speed of the file decreases.

  On the other hand, in the image data processing (management) method of the present embodiment, as described above, a frequently used file is always placed in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a that can be accessed at high speed, and a less frequently used file is always placed. , It can be arranged in the inner peripheral area where the access speed is low. That is, in the image data processing (management) method according to the present embodiment, the file arrangement position is managed in consideration of the use frequency of the file and the access speed of the HDD 61a. In the image data processing (management) method of the present embodiment, a predetermined free space is secured in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a that can be accessed at high speed. Therefore, the outer peripheral area should be used when saving a new file. And a decrease in the processing speed of the new file can be prevented. Therefore, in this embodiment, not only the capacity of the HDD 61a but also the processing speed performance of the HDD 61a can be efficiently utilized.

  When the management method proposed in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 3 is used, a necessary image data file may be deleted. In that case, inconveniences such as the need to re-transmit the image data to the image forming apparatus occur.

  On the other hand, in the image data processing (management) method according to the present embodiment, when the free space in the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a is equal to or smaller than the predetermined capacity, a file that is less frequently used in the outer peripheral area is not suddenly deleted and the inner peripheral area is deleted. Move to the area and leave. In other words, in the present embodiment, files in the outer peripheral area that are more frequently used (more highly necessary) than files in the inner peripheral area are not suddenly deleted. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress inconveniences such as sudden deletion of files that are used more frequently, and it is possible to eliminate the trouble of resending a highly necessary file.

  In the image data processing (management) method according to the present embodiment, when an image corresponding to the image data stored in the inner peripheral area of the HDD 61a is formed on a sheet, the sheet feeding interval is set to a normal sheet feeding interval. It is made longer by a predetermined time than (the paper feed interval when executing the image forming process of the image data in the outer peripheral area). Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the problem that the image development of the image data in the inner peripheral area is not in time for the paper feed interval and an abnormal image is formed on the paper.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, when another job is operating when moving a file of image data from the inner peripheral area to the outer peripheral area of the HDD 61a, the priority of the file moving process is lowered. In the present embodiment, this process can suppress a delay in access to the image memory 65, the HDD 61a, and the like of another job.

[Variations]
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the image data usage frequency detection process and the file movement process are applied when the image forming process of the image data is mainly executed by the printer unit 20 has been described. It is not limited to. The above-described image data use frequency detection processing and file movement processing can also be applied to processing when image data is transmitted (transferred) to the external device 300 via the LAN 200.

  In this case, the processing of “image forming operation” in FIGS. 6, 7 and 13 may be changed to the operation of transmitting (transferring) the image data to be output to the external device 300 via the LAN 200. In this case, the image data transmission operation is executed by the image control CPU 67 controlling the image processing controller 10.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the image control CPU 67 executes various processes of the image data described above using various programs stored (implemented) in the program memory 62 in advance has been described. It is not limited. Various programs may be separately installed in the image forming apparatus 100 from the outside, and the above-described various processing of image data may be executed. In this case, a program for executing various processes of image data may be acquired from a medium such as an optical disk or a semiconductor memory, or may be downloaded and acquired via a transmission means such as the Internet. Good.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the image data processing (management) method of the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus 100 (multifunction peripheral) having functions such as a scanner and a printer has been described. It is not limited to this. The image data processing (management) method of the present invention can be applied to, for example, an image forming apparatus having only a scanner function or an image forming apparatus having only a printer function, and the same effect can be obtained.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image processing controller, 11 ... LAN interface, 12 ... Image memory, 13 ... DRAM control IC, 14 ... Controller control CPU, 20 ... Printer part, 21 ... Image formation part, 22 ... Printer control part, 30 ... Scanner part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 31 ... CCD, 32 ... Scanner control part, 40 ... ADF part, 42 ... ADF control part, 50 ... Operation part, 51 ... LCD, 52 ... Operation part control part, 60 ... Main body control part, 61 ... HDD unit, 61a ... HDD 62... Program memory 63 63 Non-volatile memory 64 System memory 65 Image memory 66 Image processing ASIC 67 Image control CPU 100 Image forming apparatus 200 LAN 300 External device

Claims (14)

A storage device unit including a disc-shaped recording medium having an inner-periphery-side storage area and an outer-periphery-side storage area provided on the outer peripheral side of the inner-periphery-side storage area, and storing a file of image data on the disc-shaped recording medium When,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that detects a use frequency of a file held in the outer peripheral storage area and moves a file with the lowest use frequency in the outer peripheral storage area to the inner peripheral storage area. When the control unit moves the least frequently used file in the outer peripheral storage area to the inner peripheral storage area, if the free space in the inner peripheral storage area is equal to or less than a predetermined capacity, 2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit detects the frequency of use of the file held in the inner peripheral storage area and deletes the least frequently used file in the inner peripheral storage area. Image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit configured to display a list of the moved files. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a display unit that displays a list of the deleted files. In addition, a printer unit that forms an image corresponding to the image data on paper,
When the printer unit forms an image corresponding to the image data held in the inner peripheral storage area on the paper, the control unit determines the paper supply interval by the printer unit and the outer peripheral storage area. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image corresponding to the image data held in the image data is longer than a paper supply interval when the image is formed on the paper. Furthermore, when reading the image data of the file held in the storage device unit, the image storage unit is provided once the image data is expanded,
When forming an image corresponding to the image data held in the inner circumference storage area on a sheet, or when transmitting the image data held in the inner circumference storage area to the outside, the control unit 6. The image according to claim 1, wherein image data is expanded in the image storage unit, and the image data expanded in the image storage unit is moved to the outer peripheral storage area. Forming equipment. An instruction to delete the image data after the image corresponding to the image data held in the inner circumference storage area is formed on a sheet or after the image data held in the inner circumference storage area is transmitted to the outside In the case where the image data has been made, the control unit does not move the image data file to the outer peripheral storage area,
An instruction to hold the image data after forming an image corresponding to the image data held in the inner circumference storage area on a sheet or after transmitting the image data held in the inner circumference storage area to the outside 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit moves the image data file to the outer peripheral storage area. When another job is operating when moving the file held in the inner circumference storage area to the outer circumference storage area, the control unit sets the priority of the file migration process to another job. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the priority is lower than the priority when the image is not in operation. The said control part compresses by a compression rate higher than the compression rate at the time of memorize | storing a file in the said outer peripheral side storage area, when storing a file in the said inner peripheral side storage area. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. When the power is turned on, the control unit detects the frequency of use of the file held in the outer peripheral storage area, and the least frequently used file in the outer peripheral storage area is stored in the inner peripheral storage area. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a process of moving the image is executed. When defragmenting the file held in the storage device unit, the control unit detects the use frequency of the file held in the outer peripheral storage area, and the most used in the outer peripheral storage area The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a process of moving a low-frequency file to the inner peripheral storage area is executed. When the free space in the outer peripheral storage area becomes equal to or less than a predetermined capacity, the control unit detects the use frequency of the file held in the outer peripheral storage area, and The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a process of moving a least frequently used file to the inner peripheral storage area is executed. A storage device unit including a disc-shaped recording medium having an inner-periphery-side storage area and an outer-periphery-side storage area provided on the outer peripheral side of the inner-periphery-side storage area, and storing a file of image data on the disc-shaped recording medium And an image data processing method of an image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that performs predetermined processing on the image data file;
The control unit detects the usage frequency of the file held in the outer peripheral storage area;
The control unit moves the least frequently used file in the outer peripheral storage area to the inner peripheral storage area. A storage device unit including a disc-shaped recording medium having an inner-periphery-side storage area and an outer-periphery-side storage area provided on the outer peripheral side of the inner-periphery-side storage area, and storing a file of image data on the disc-shaped recording medium And a process for detecting a frequency of use of the file held in the outer peripheral storage area, wherein the control unit of the image forming apparatus includes a control unit that performs a predetermined process on the file of the image data.
An image data processing program for causing the control unit to execute and execute in an image forming apparatus a process of moving a least frequently used file in the outer peripheral storage area to the inner peripheral storage area.