JP2014045405A - Image processing apparatus, control method of image processing apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently perform job processing without reducing performance of the job processing even when a memory for storing management information associated with the job processing is replaced with a non-volatile memory.SOLUTION: An image processing apparatus schedules and performs processes associated with a request of job processing, and detects a process of requesting back-up of management information to be managed in the job processing. The image processing apparatus then schedules to perform a process of writing the management information requested to be backed-up as data more preferentially than other processes, and caches the management information in a non-volatile memory according to the schedule.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus including a memory that caches management information associated with job processing, a control method for the image processing apparatus, and a program.

Conventionally, an image processing system such as an MFP (Multi Function Printer) uses an SRAM and a battery as a backup memory device for data that needs to be backed up, such as billing information for image processing and destination information for data transmission. A backup circuit is provided.
On the other hand, in recent MFPs, a large-capacity FLASH memory has been used as a storage means for control programs and image data.
Further, according to Patent Document 1, the function of the MFP is realized by storing a system control program in a FLASH memory and storing operation panel settings in an SRAM.

JP 2011-096053 A

However, according to the prior art, various data are stored in a plurality of memory devices, which makes the system cumbersome and increases costs.
Therefore, a new controller configuration in which the data held in the conventional SRAM is transferred to the FLASH memory and the devices are integrated can be considered.

On the other hand, since the access size and the access method are different between the SATA-FLASH and the SRAM, it is conceivable that the performance is lowered in the data access by the software using the conventional SRAM device interface.
Also, the type and amount of information held in the SRAM vary depending on the image processing contents of the MFP.
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to reduce the performance of job processing even if the memory for storing management information associated with job processing is replaced with a nonvolatile memory. It is to provide a mechanism that allows job processing to be executed efficiently without causing it to occur.

The image processing apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.
An image processing apparatus that schedules and executes a process associated with a job processing request, the detecting means for detecting a process that requests a backup of management information to be managed in the job processing, and the management for which the data backup is requested And a control unit that schedules the information writing process to be preferentially executed over other processes, and a cache unit that caches management information in a non-volatile memory having different memory access according to the schedule.

  According to the present invention, even when a memory for storing management information associated with job processing is replaced with a non-volatile memory, job processing can be executed efficiently without degrading job processing performance.

It is a block diagram explaining the structure of an image processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structure outline of the software of a system controller. It is a figure which shows the structure of the backup data stored in a FLASH memory. It is a flowchart explaining the control method of an image processing apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the control method of an image processing apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the control method of an image processing apparatus.

Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Description of system configuration>
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In this example, an MFP that performs complex function processing such as scan function processing, print function processing, data communication function processing, copy function processing, and box function processing is taken as an example. Of course, it is possible to apply the present invention to a single function processing printing apparatus or the like. In the present embodiment, an image processing apparatus that schedules and executes a process associated with a job processing request will be described as an example. Note that job processing executed in the present embodiment includes a copy job, a print job, and a data transmission job.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 200 denotes a system control unit that controls the entire system. A scanner unit 201 reads image data. Reference numeral 202 denotes a printer unit that records image data that has been subjected to image processing by the system control unit and output to a recording medium. Hereinafter, each internal structure is demonstrated.
First, the internal configuration of the system control unit 200 will be described.
Reference numeral 203 denotes a system controller for processing image data, which is connected to each of the following constituent elements through a general-purpose I / F or a unique I / F. A power supply unit 212 supplies a night-time power source and an emergency night-time power source in the system control unit 200. The main SW 211 is a SW that activates the power supply unit. A sub-controller 204 is a controller that controls image processing and the like processed by the MFP.
Reference numeral 205 denotes a FLASH memory (flash memory) having a different memory access method from the RAM, and holds information necessary for the system control unit 200 even when the power supply unit 212 is turned off, such as a user program and counter information. Is for. Reference numeral 206 denotes an operation unit that accepts operations from the user and displays system status and information to the user. Reference numeral 207 denotes a work memory for temporarily holding a work area of the system controller and image data.
An external I / F unit 208 transmits and receives data between the present system and the network environment when connected to a network environment such as a LAN that is a general-purpose I / F.
Next, the internal configuration of the scanner unit is as follows. Reference numeral 209 denotes an SRAM, which has been conventionally provided as a memory for storing system management information. However, in order to store and manage the system management information in the FLASH memory 205, a memory that is out of the configuration of the system is used. Shown virtually. Therefore, in this embodiment, system management information is managed in the FLASH memory 205 according to a control procedure described later.

The scanner engine unit 214 reads a document and generates image data converted into an electrical signal. The scanner controller 215 is connected to the system controller 203 in the system control unit 200 via the command bus and video bus, which are unique I / Fs, and transmits image data and performs command communication with the system controller 203.
Finally, the internal configuration of the printer unit 202 will be described.

The printer controller 216 is connected to the system controller 203 in the system control unit 200 via command buses and video buses that are unique I / Fs, and receives image data and performs command communication with the system controller 203. Reference numeral 217 denotes a printer engine unit that records image data transmitted from the system control unit 200 to the printer controller 216 on a recording medium.
Various image processing can be realized by using the MFP shown in the present embodiment. As an example of processing, copy function processing, print function processing, and scan transfer function processing (hereinafter referred to as SEND function processing) are simple. Explained.

First, the copy function operation will be described.
First, the scanner unit 201 electrically reads a document placed on a document table (not shown) provided in the scanner engine unit 214. The scanner controller 215 performs A / D conversion and correction processing, and transfers them to the system controller 203 of the system control unit via VideoBus. Here, the transferred image data is temporarily stored in the work memory 207, subjected to predetermined image processing / image compression by the sub-controller 204, and then stored in the image area of the FLASH memory 205.

  Next, the printer unit 202 and the system control unit 200 communicate with each other via a command bus, and the system control unit 200 reads out the compressed image data from the FLASH memory 205 to the work memory 207 in synchronization with the movement of the printer unit 202. . The read image data is decompressed by the sub-controller 204 and then written back to the work memory 207 to transfer the image data to the printer unit 202. The printer unit 202 converts the image data transferred by the printer controller 216 into a recording signal and records it on a recording medium.

Next, the operation of the print function process will be described.
MFP 100 receives print data sent from an external device such as a PC via external I / F unit 208 and stores it in work memory 207. The system controller 203 analyzes the print data described above, develops it into image data, and stores it in the work memory 207. After that, the sub-controller 204 performs predetermined image processing / compression, and then stores it in the FLASH memory 205. The operation for printing the stored image data is performed in the same procedure as the copy operation.

Finally, the operation of the SEND function process will be described.
As for image reading, reading, image processing, and compression are performed in the same procedure as the copying operation, and the image is stored in the FLASH memory 205. Next, the system controller reads the image data from the FLASH memory to the work memory 207 while communicating with the destination external device registered in the operation unit 206 via the external I / F unit 208, and negotiates. If the image data is established, the image data is transmitted to the external device.

  Among the hardware controls described above, the operation of the system control unit 200 is performed by a series of controls by software stored on the FLASH memory 205.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic software configuration of the system controller 203 shown in FIG.
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 301 denotes an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) layer, which is a plurality of applications that provide functions of the MFP such as copy, print, and SEND, such as UI / hardware input / output functions and disk / memory management. This software provides basic functions commonly used by the software group 302 and manages the entire system. The OS layer includes a kernel 303, a process scheduler 304, a device driver 305, and the like.

The kernel 303 is software that implements the basic functions of the OS. As a core part of the OS, it provides functions such as monitoring of various application software and peripheral devices for controlling the MFP, management of resources such as disks and memories, interrupt processing, and interprocess communication.
The process scheduler 304 is a function for automatically executing the processing according to a predetermined schedule.

  The device driver 305 is software for controlling and operating devices mounted inside the system and devices connected to the outside. The OS 301 provides a bridge for controlling such devices, and the application software group 302 is basically not operated directly.

  Next, the operation of the process scheduler 304 will be described. The process scheduler 304 selects a process to be operated from a number of executable processes in consideration of response performance and throughput. At that time, even in an environment where many processes operate simultaneously, consideration should be given to maintaining fairness so that execution rights are always assigned to all processes.

  Normally, all processes operate in a time-sharing manner, and only a part of the processes has the right to execute for a long time. To give.

  Specifically, an execution allocation time (time slice) is given to a process that is in an executable state. The process given the execution right continues to have the execution right as long as the execution allocation time of the process remains. A process that has used up its execution allocation time gives up execution rights to other processes and is excluded from scheduling until it is assigned an execution allocation time again. A new execution allocation time is given when there are no execution waiting processes whose execution allocation time remains on the kernel. This mechanism guarantees that the execution right on the CPU always comes around for any process with a low execution priority.

  The MFP backs up various data based on operations such as copying, scanning, and printing (hereinafter referred to as jobs). Data backup processing is also provided as one application software of the MFP, and execution on the CPU is managed by the process scheduler 304.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of backup data stored in the FLASH memory 205 shown in FIG.
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 401 denotes a counter information area, which is an area for backing up various counter information for charging, counter information necessary for maintenance, and the like according to the operation of the MFP. 0 to 99 are assigned as ID numbers for software to identify areas.

  Reference numeral 402 denotes transmission job management information, which is an area for backing up address information and image information such as a destination and name of an external device used in a SEND job. 100 to 199 are assigned as ID numbers for software to identify areas.

  Reference numeral 403 denotes received job management information, which is an area for backing up address information used for data reception from an external device. 200 to 299 are assigned as ID numbers for software to identify areas.

Reference numeral 404 denotes a FAX job management area, which is a backup area for enabling recovery of a FAX job when an unexpected power interruption such as a momentary power interruption occurs. 300 to 399 are assigned as ID numbers for software to identify areas.
Reference numeral 405 denotes image correction information, which is an area for backing up image data calibration information. 400 to 499 are assigned as ID numbers for software to identify areas.

  Log information 406 is an area for backing up the operation history of the MFP for each application software. 500 to 599 are assigned as ID numbers for software to identify areas.

As described above, as the information for data backup, the transmission job management information is backed up as compared with the copy / print, and therefore the SEND job is larger. Therefore, if the process scheduler 304 does not finish the data backup related to the SEND job within the execution allocation time given by the process scheduler, or waits for the next execution right allocation, the process scheduler 304 performs extremely for copy and print jobs. It is necessary to control so that it does not fall.
When each job of the MFP occurs, data backup processing is executed at a predetermined timing.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. This example is an example of data backup processing in the image processing apparatus. Each step is realized by the system controller 203 shown in FIG. 1 executing a control program stored in a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM. In the following description, the program executed by the system controller 203 will be mainly described. Also, in this embodiment, when a process that requests a backup of management information to be managed by job processing is detected, control for scheduling the management information writing process for which data backup is requested to be executed with priority over other processes. Further, control for caching management information in a nonvolatile memory (FLASH memory 205) according to the schedule will be described. Also, in this example, when a process that requests data backup is detected, the process of writing management information for which the data backup is requested is prioritized over other processes based on the ID of the management information for which the backup is requested. This is an example of scheduling.

  First, in step S500, one of the application software groups 302 that are executing a job calls a data backup process. In step S501, the called data backup process makes a system call to request the OS 301 to perform the data backup process. When making a system call, the application software group 302 passes the ID number and data size as the type of data to be backed up to the OS 301.

In S <b> 502, when the OS 301 receives a request for data backup processing, the OS 301 determines what information is to be backed up by looking at the passed ID number. When the OS 301 determines that the SEND job management information has an ID number of 402, the process proceeds to S503. The process scheduler 304 performs queuing so that the requested process is processed with priority over a process registered in advance as the highest priority process.
On the other hand, if the OS 301 determines in S502 that the ID number is other data, the process proceeds to S504 and queuing is performed as a normal process. When queuing in the normal process, queuing is performed in the order registered in the process scheduler 304 in advance, and the process proceeds to S505.
When the right to execute data backup is given by the process scheduler 304, in S505, the device driver 305 writes data in the FLASH memory 205 and ends this processing.
By performing the control as described above, a job can be executed in an optimum processing time even for a job of MFP 100 having a large data backup amount.
[Second Embodiment]

In the above-described embodiment, image correction information, log information, and the like among information to be backed up is information that is backed up in common for each job. Therefore, in order to speed up the processing time of jobs related to the SEND function processing and to have as little influence on the processing time of other jobs as possible, when the application software group performs the data backup processing, what job is the OS It is also possible to control so that the scheduling of the process is determined by notifying the process. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. This example is an example of data backup processing in the image processing apparatus. Each step is realized by the system controller 203 shown in FIG. 1 executing a control program stored in a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM. In the following description, the program executed by the system controller 203 will be mainly described. In this example, when a process that requests data backup is detected, the management information writing process for which the data backup is requested is prioritized over other processes based on the ID of the job process for which the backup is requested. This is an example of scheduling.

  First, in step S600, one of the application software groups 302 that are executing the job calls the data backup process. The called data backup processing makes a system call in S601 and requests the OS 301 for data backup processing. When making a system call, the application software group 302 passes to the OS 301 job type information indicating the job of the MFP 100, such as copy or SEND, and the data size.

In step S <b> 602, when the OS 301 receives a request for data backup processing, the OS 301 determines the job backup processing by looking at the passed job type. If the OS 301 determines that the job type is a SEND job, the process proceeds to S603. In step S <b> 603, the process scheduler 304 performs queuing in the order in which the process is preferentially processed over the process registered in advance as the highest priority process.
On the other hand, if the OS 301 determines in S602 that the job type is a job other than SEND, the process proceeds to S604, and queuing is performed as a normal process. When queuing is performed in a normal process, queuing is performed in the order registered in the process scheduler 304 in advance, and the process proceeds to S605.
When the execution right of data backup is granted by the process scheduler 304, the device driver 305 writes data in the FLASH memory 205 in S605, and this process is terminated.
By performing the control as described above, a job can be executed in an optimal processing time even for a job of MFP 100 having a large data backup amount such as SEND.
[Third Embodiment]

In the second embodiment, a case has been described in which queuing is performed so as to always increase the priority of the process scheduler when data backup processing of a predetermined job type occurs. On the other hand, the priority may be increased by looking at the job type of the process queued in advance.
For example, when a data backup processing request for a SEND job occurs, if there is a FAX job in the preceding job type, communication with the other party may be interrupted if the FAX job does not respond within a predetermined time. . For this reason, there is a possibility that priority should be given to the data backup processing of the SEND job. In this case, queuing is performed so that processes requested from the FAX job type among the queued processes are not overtaken.
By performing the control as described above, it is possible to execute a job in an optimum processing time even for an MFP job such as SEND with a large amount of data backup.
[Fourth Embodiment]

When a plurality of IDs of the same SEND job management information are used as the data to be backed up, the data backup processing may not be completed within one process execution allocation time. In that case, there is a possibility that the execution right of the process is concentrated on the SEND job and the performance influence of other jobs becomes too large. In order to improve the performance of the SEND job while avoiding this, it may be controlled to give priority to the process of the SEND job only when a plurality of accesses occur. The embodiment will be described below.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. This example is an example of data backup processing in the image processing apparatus. Each step is realized by the system controller 203 shown in FIG. 1 executing a control program stored in a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM. In the following description, the program executed by the system controller 203 will be mainly described. In addition, according to the present example, whether or not the process of writing the management information for which the data backup is requested is scheduled to be preferentially executed over other processes in accordance with the number of times of writing the same management information cached in the FLASH memory 205. Is an example of determining.

First, in step S700, one of the application software groups 302 that are executing a job calls a data backup process. The called data backup processing makes a system call in S701 to request the OS 301 for data backup processing. When making a system call, the application software group 302 passes to the OS 301 job type information indicating which job of the MFP 100 is running, such as copy or SEND, the ID of the data to be backed up, and the data size.
In step S <b> 702, the OS 301 initializes an access count value indicating the number of times that an access request for the passed ID has occurred.

In step S <b> 703, when the OS 301 receives a request for data backup processing, the OS 301 determines the job backup processing by looking at the passed job type. At the same time, the access count value to the ID of the data to be backed up is checked to determine whether or not it exceeds a predetermined value. If the OS 301 determines that the job type is a SEND job and the access count value exceeds a predetermined value, the process proceeds to S704. In step S <b> 704, the process scheduler 304 performs queuing in the order in which the process is preferentially processed over the process registered in advance as the highest priority process.
On the other hand, if the OS 301 determines in S703 that the job type is a job other than SEND, or if the OS 301 determines that the access count value of the ID accessed even in the SEND job does not exceed a predetermined value, the processing proceeds to S705. move on. In step S705, queuing is performed as a normal process, and the process advances to step S706. When queuing by a normal process, queuing is performed in the order registered in the process scheduler 304 in advance, and the process proceeds to S706.

  When the right to execute data backup is given by the process scheduler 304, the device driver 305 writes data to the FLASH memory 205 in S706. After performing the execution time writing process given by the process scheduler, the process proceeds to S707. In step S <b> 707, the OS 301 determines whether writing to the flash memory 205 has been completed. If the OS 301 determines in S707 that writing to all IDs has not been completed, the process proceeds to S708, and if the OS 301 determines that writing has been completed. End the data backup process.

In S708, the OS 301 acquires an ID for which writing has not ended, increments the access count value, returns to S703, determines the priority order for queuing, and executes queuing to the process scheduler.
By performing the control as described above, it is possible to execute a job in an optimum processing time even for an MFP job such as SEND with a large amount of data backup.

  Each process of the present invention can also be realized by executing software (program) acquired via a network or various storage media by a processing device (CPU, processor) such as a personal computer (computer).

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.
In the above embodiment, the management information is cached in the nonvolatile memory. However, the printer may be stored in the nonvolatile memory together with the management information.

101 Image processing device 203 System controller 205 FLASH memory 207 Work memory

Claims (8)

An image processing apparatus that schedules and executes a process associated with a job processing request,
Detecting means for detecting a process for requesting backup of management information to be managed in the job processing;
Control means for scheduling the management information writing process requested to be backed up to be preferentially executed over other processes;
Cache means for caching management information in a non-volatile memory having different memory access according to the schedule;
An image processing apparatus comprising:   When the control means detects a process requesting data backup, the control means preferentially executes the process of writing the management information requested for data backup over other processes based on the ID of the management information requested for backup. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the scheduling is performed as follows.   When the control unit detects a process requesting data backup, the control unit preferentially executes the process of writing the management information requested for the data backup over the other process based on the ID of the job process requested for the backup. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the scheduling is performed as follows.   Whether the control means schedules the management information writing process for which the data backup is requested to be preferentially executed over the other processes according to the number of times of writing the same management information cached in the nonvolatile memory. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein whether or not to determine is determined.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job processing includes a copy job, a print job, and a data transmission job.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the nonvolatile memories having different memory accesses are flash memories. A method of controlling an image processing apparatus that schedules and executes a process associated with a job processing request,
A detection step of detecting a process requesting backup of management information to be managed in the job processing;
A control step of scheduling the management information writing process requested to be backed up to be prioritized over other processes;
A cache step of caching management information in a non-volatile memory having different memory access according to the schedule;
An image processing apparatus control method comprising:   A program causing a computer to execute the control method of the image processing apparatus according to claim 7.

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